One Month Ago Today

It's hard to believe that exactly one month ago today, we brought home Savanna, unborn Sir Prize, and Sahara. They've come a long way in that short month. So much has happened in one month. So many highs and so many lows. It's hard to fathom. So many stresses and yet so many joys.

Last night, I let the big herd out onto the lawn and opened the barn door to let Savanna and Prize play in the drylot. I've been overly cautious of Savanna and Prize so I keep them tucked in the barn at night to ward off any chills or rainy weather.

Savanna wandered around but it seemed as though she felt more comfortable in the barn. It could be that she'll turn into a barn babe. Prize stayed close to momma for the first 10 minutes or so while I stood there watching. I puttered for a little bit and came back to watch them. Savanna wandered down into the mud and Prize followed. It was his first experience of mud. It's so fun to watch them experience the firsts of so many things. I feel blessed. After a few steps in the mud, Prize took off like a streak, well only sort of. The mud slowed his progress. But he was all legs loping through the muddy drylot.

Queen and Rabbit took an instant interest in what was going on. I know that Queen was interested in Prize. I'm not sure if Rabbit was interested in the baby or the fact there was another horse she hadn't met. Mayhem stayed by Queens side, using Queen as a shield if something bad were to happen. Mayhem was interested but not as interested as Queen. Of course, with all those mares around, Dick became interested too. Poor Dick is surrounded by mares. I'm not sure if he thinks he's died and gone to heaven or feels outnumbered. :-) I think Dick enjoys being surrounded. Rabbit is almost always by Dicks side and Mayhem stops for a chat a couple times a day.

While I was doing chores the other day, Mike asked who was standing by the fence eating. He thought it was Brego. Nope, it's Bo! Mike makes a point to not look closely at the horses every day like I do. That way when a major change happens, he can notice it. So either Brego is going downhill or Bo is improving. I'll take it that Bo is improving. His hipbones are still protruding but he's packing on the pounds and once he's out on pasture grazing, he'll gain weight a lot faster. I figure it usually takes about six months to regain their full weight.

I was just thinking about Rabbit and looked her over pretty well. She's fat. Fatter than fat these days. I was worried about her this fall. Mayhem took a toll on her and she came to us on the thin side. But she apparently wintered well and is fat. I think she may actually be an easy keeper, which will be a nice thing. I'm a bit exhausted having hard keepers.

I'm trying to come up with a better plan for Sam. His ulcers have returned. I read an article in Equus Magazine about ulcers and the meds that we are administering. I need to change Sam's diet but not sure how to do that with being able to keep his weight up. The grains keep his weight up but they cause his ulcers. It's a trial and error kind of issue. For those naysayers, No I have not taken Sam in to do an ulcer scope or whatever they are called. Borderlands doesn't have the funds nor do we want to stress Sam out any more than we need. I don't need a test to tell me he has ulcers. I have consulted with a couple different vets to decide what the best method is for Sam's future feeding schedule. My vet HAS seen him, does know the issues, and does not need to run any unnecessary tests to tell me he has ulcers. We've diagnosed the issue and now need to rectify the issue, which is the grains.

Now that Savanna has been here a month, she's starting to lose her hair. I'm not surprised. As emaciated as she was when she arrived, they tend to lose their hair. I always feel bad. Sahara is losing her baby fur in chunks. She's tolerating most of my pulling (as long as I stay on the other side of the fence). Oh to get a brush through that baby fur and let her slick out to a beautiful girl. I want to show off her potential. She's a gorgeous little girl that needs lots of TLC. I'm betting Savanna will turn gorgeous too once the new hair comes back in and her weight is at the right level. She'll be stunning and I'm not biased either. She has the petite feminine head that people want in a mare. Not the chunky blockhead some mares are "blessed" with. Savanna will be beautiful one day. I just wish I could speed up the process.

I'm hoping that June will be a better month than May. May was a better month than April. So hopefully it can only get better from here. My heart goes out to a couple of rescues that are going through some difficulties. You know know who you are. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Just remember, we are doing it for the horses. You are making a difference. Stay true to your heart and don't let those same naysayers get to you too. You've taught me that. :-) Stay strong and go hug a horse. The world is a better place because horses are in it.