Recap of Last Few Days

The last few days have been a blur, most of it non-horse related. It was Mike’s grandpa’s 95th birthday this past week so we wanted to join everyone for the party. We spent Thursday night finding the right birthday present and didn’t get home until late. I had had such high hopes of getting everything ready Thursday night so that we could leave fairly early Friday morning but that didn’t happen.

Instead we worked like crazy. We moved Mayhem in with the blind horses that way Mayhem could dine on the round bale. Because Rabbit can’t be on round bales due to her heaves, we put her in with the ponies (because they should never be in front of a round bale either). I was able to get the ponies’ and Rabbit’s hay ready for the entire time we would be gone.

We proceeded to push in two round bales into the big herd. To distract the big herd, I carried an alfalfa bale out to the pasture. Unfortunately my little yellow cart had a flight tire so there was no help there. Everyone but Bo behaved themselves while I lugged the alfalfa bale out. Bo decided he would “help” and grabbed the corner of the bale. For being a slightly built horse, he’s strong. He picked the bale and practically tossed me and the bale around. Of course I told Bo a few choice words. But everyone stayed out in the pasture while we pushed in the two round bales. I was worried that two bales wouldn’t be enough for ten horses and that someone would get pushed out. We decided to push in another round bale to the two older mares (that way no one would have to throw hay and the bale would be pushed against the gate and reachable by the rest of the herd).

My plan worked like a charm, except in thinking that the mares would stay in their pen while we pushed bales. Queen thought she should join the big herd so I had to distract her and Flower with grain and get them in the barn while we finished up moving bales and feeders around.

It all worked out pretty well. Mom and Dad came down over the weekend to play with the horses and make sure everyone was fine. We finally got on the road Friday late morning for Davenport. We attended the birthday party Saturday evening and woke up long before the sun rose Sunday morning so that we could be back by noon for Drill Team practice. I thought getting up at 5am was tough but 3:30am is even tougher.

When we got home Sunday afternoon, I pulled Zeke out of the big herd and discovered that Mayhem at some point had joined the herd. I know how she got in but was surprised that no one was really bothering her or trying to put her in her place. I have three “ladies men” in the herd but none of them seemed interested in her at all. I have no idea how long she was in with the big herd but she was happy to come and see me. Besides her flaxen mane, she looks very much like Maverick. Maybe someday I can train the two as a driving team (and when I say *I*, I really mean save up enough money to send them to a trainer).

We busted butt to get to Drill Team practice on time and actually made it there before most (which if you know me is unheard of). We are getting ready for our first performance. I know I’m supposed to keep this blog to Sanctuary life but I wanted to put in one promo about the drill team. We will be riding both Saturday and Sunday March 17-18th at the SD Horse Fair. I’ll be riding Zeke and he’ll be representing the Sanctuary even though he’s not really a rescue but a personal horse. We are also going to present the flag Saturday before the Ranch Rodeo. It should be a fantastic experience and I can’t wait. This will be the first time I’ve ever had a horse at the horse fair. In the 22 years that the horse fair has been going on, I’ve only missed one and only attended and never participated. Had anyone asked me 20 years ago, I would have never thought I’d be a part of the horse fair.

Back on to the main story, the last time I was home longer than to simply sleep was last Wednesday. Last night when we finally finished with the few chores we had (thank you round bales), I fell asleep early.

It’s hard to believe that this coming weekend is Day Light Savings Time. I’m not sure how I’ll adjust to everything. This week is jam packed full of activities, all horse related but non Sanctuary related (sigh). But at least I get to play with the “kids” and talk horses.

So if I don’t post much over the next two weeks, it’s not because we aren’t busy, it’s because I’m so busy I can’t tell if I’m coming or going.