We had a quiet night last night. Of course it was long past dark by the time I was able to get out to do chores. Luckily the moon was out so I could do chores by the light of the moon. Who needs a flashlight when the moon is so bright.
I'm still debating on where horses are going to go. I'm sort of waiting on the weather to see how cold it gets before we completely fill water tanks or move them to where they need to go. Every winter is a little different based on who we have at the Sanctuary. I do have to admit that last year and this year have been a blessing in that we haven't had to make the decision to say goodbye to anyone.
In fact, last year we brought Junior in to the Sanctuary. He's officially been at the Sanctuary for a full year. We've had our ups and downs to try and figure out how to get and keep the weight on him. It was a struggle the entire winter, spring, and summer. And then I decided to haul him to mom and dads in August. I'm not sure if the grass was better or there was less competition or what. But he put on the weight and looked like a different horse. He was up there with Brego and no one else. Brego isn't pushy so maybe that was the key? I have him in with Rabbit and Mayhem but he can and does push Mayhem around when he wants to. I don't think Rabbit pushes him around too much but maybe she's hogging all the food. I'll have to keep a closer eye on them. I have been stalling him at night so he can eat his grain and hay/alfalfa without having to compete. The way his stall is set up is right on the other side of the fence so he's never alone and there's a wind block from the south and west. I need to come up with a wind block for the east. That east wind bites right through.
The other night I'd put him in his "stall" and when I came out in the morning, the wind was blowing from the east. He put his cold nose on my shoulder. I think he wanted out. And after I threw hay, he put his nose on my back. I'm not sure if it was a thank you or if it was why didn't you hurry up faster? I'll take it either way. I'm still trying to figure out what is best for Junior to keep his weight up and keep him happy.
And if I don't post again, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
Chestnut Mare at Washington Feedlot
Basic Info
Description
This sweet mare is the mother to a small group of horses that came in. She is friendly, easy to handle, loves attention, and looks to be in good body condition. She has an easy going personality and loves attention. I don't know how much she has been worked with, but she tolerates weight, picks up her feet, and overall is a very nice motherly mare. She stands 15h+ with a medium build. Her papers are available upon pick up at the lot. I do not have her reg info.Purchasing Information
Location: Sunnyside, WAContact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Deadline: Anytime after 11/24/15
Additional Photos
Appy Mare at Washington Feedlot
Love those appys
Deadline: 11/19/15
Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Basic Info
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Description
Nacy is said to be broke to ride but for an experienced rider or confident older kid, is what was said, and suggested she have a tune up. She was purchased to be a broodmare but the previous owner could not find papers so she was taken to auction. She is a very nice mare and is in good body condition but is "moon blind" in one eye. In my opinion, it looks like untreated uveitis. She was sold sound and I saw no issues with her movement. She is a nice gentle mare who is easy to handle and stands approx 14'3hh.Purchasing Information
Location: Sunnyside, WADeadline: 11/19/15
Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Chestnut Mares at Washington Feedlot
No words... chestnut mares stand no chance.
Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Deadline 11/12/15
Basic Info
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Description
This group has been at the lot for a month now and they will need to be purchased soon or the mares will be shipping most likely on the next load.There are 4 mare and foal pairs left and they will be choice upon pick up, as well as 3 young fillies that look to be in coming 2 age range. There are 3 little colts and one little filly in the pairs. The pairs are $550 each and the 2 year olds are $350 each. These are out of nice QH stock but came with no papers and sold as grade. Many of the mares are likely bred back. It would be nice to see the little ones stay with their mothers as they need the added milk especially since feedlot life has been rough for them. Please call or text if you are interested in coming to view or choose to purchase from this group. Please click on the link for additional photos.Purchasing Information
Location: Sunnyside, WAContact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Deadline 11/12/15
Additional Photos
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Teen Mare at Washington Feedlot
I have a thing for grays/whites.
Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Deadline: After 11/19/15
Basic Info
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Description
North Pole aka "Smokey" is said to be broke to ride and looks to be in good body condition. I would guess him to be in his teens and approx 14'3hh. He appeared to be sound, gets along great with other horses, and should make a nice horse for someone. His hooves look to be in decent condition and he picks up his feet nicely.Purchasing Information
Location: Sunnyside, WAContact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Deadline: After 11/19/15
Additional Photos
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Foot of Snow
We had a wake up call for winter. I left for the paying job Friday morning without a snowflake in the air. By the time I left for my kids' event at 10am, there was snow up to my ankles and it was still coming down.
We were NOT prepared for almost a foot of snow on Friday. Luckily we didn't have any wind and the temps didn't get too cold, although it did get into single digits overnight. I am NOT ready for winter. I'm just now starting to get back into the swing of things and now have winter full in my face.
We didn't have water tanks filled or heaters going when the snow started to fly. We were still debating on where to put horses. I'm still not convinced that were the mares and Junior are at is where they will stay. They are still in their pasture but I'm not sure the heater can keep up. BUT... if they stay where they are at, it'll mean hauling water will be WAY easier. In fact, I may be able to simply pull out a hose and fill up the tank every other day or every three days instead of having to haul bucket after bucket after bucket half the distance of the buildings. We'll see how the heater holds up before I fill the tank completely.
The only catch with keeping the mares and Junior in the pasture, is that they aren't as close to their stalls if we have bad weather and I have to stall them. It also means that I'll be putting Junior in the barn instead (better stalls than the hay shed stalls), but we'll see how it goes. I'm just not sure how to work the stall/pen situation this year.
I also want to move the ponies back to their winter shed/pen. It would mean I haul the hay farther but it would mean I haul the water not as far. I hate hauling water. I'd rather muck out stalls than haul water. So we'll see. We still need to pull down corral panels and rearrange them before I can move the ponies. Hopefully we can do that before the next snow, which is predicted for Thanksgiving day.
I do have to say I am totally spoiled by using round bales. Of course the nets are driving me insane. The one keeps slipping off. The horses have the ability to pop the nets off and throw hay everywhere. So frustrating. But it does save me a ton of time and even though I have to wait for horses to finish their evening grain, it also means I don't have to wait to throw out hay afterwards. I think my time for chores is almost cut in half. Now to get the remaining hay out of the field before we get another foot of snow!
We were NOT prepared for almost a foot of snow on Friday. Luckily we didn't have any wind and the temps didn't get too cold, although it did get into single digits overnight. I am NOT ready for winter. I'm just now starting to get back into the swing of things and now have winter full in my face.
We didn't have water tanks filled or heaters going when the snow started to fly. We were still debating on where to put horses. I'm still not convinced that were the mares and Junior are at is where they will stay. They are still in their pasture but I'm not sure the heater can keep up. BUT... if they stay where they are at, it'll mean hauling water will be WAY easier. In fact, I may be able to simply pull out a hose and fill up the tank every other day or every three days instead of having to haul bucket after bucket after bucket half the distance of the buildings. We'll see how the heater holds up before I fill the tank completely.
The only catch with keeping the mares and Junior in the pasture, is that they aren't as close to their stalls if we have bad weather and I have to stall them. It also means that I'll be putting Junior in the barn instead (better stalls than the hay shed stalls), but we'll see how it goes. I'm just not sure how to work the stall/pen situation this year.
I also want to move the ponies back to their winter shed/pen. It would mean I haul the hay farther but it would mean I haul the water not as far. I hate hauling water. I'd rather muck out stalls than haul water. So we'll see. We still need to pull down corral panels and rearrange them before I can move the ponies. Hopefully we can do that before the next snow, which is predicted for Thanksgiving day.
I do have to say I am totally spoiled by using round bales. Of course the nets are driving me insane. The one keeps slipping off. The horses have the ability to pop the nets off and throw hay everywhere. So frustrating. But it does save me a ton of time and even though I have to wait for horses to finish their evening grain, it also means I don't have to wait to throw out hay afterwards. I think my time for chores is almost cut in half. Now to get the remaining hay out of the field before we get another foot of snow!
Friday, November 20, 2015
Hello Winter
What a hard wakeup call. Second day back to work and we have a snow storm. I was already planning on leaving early but the kids' daycare had a thanksgiving meal so I left work early. Sure glad I did. By the time we got done and home, we had 8-9 inches and it's still snowing.
Luckily, someone was looking out for me. This snow is so slippery that even though I was going slow, I slid through a very busy and dangerous intersection. I somehow managed to miss the truck that was coming and would have T-boned me. Someone definitely was looking out for me. Just this morning, I thought to myself that some day I'm going to get killed at this intersection. Luckily it wasn't today but it sure was close.
Winter is here. Hopefully not to stay but with 8-9 inches and it's still snowing, I am guessing that what is here is here to stay. I'm ready for spring already. I haven't had the chance yet to check on horses but hopefully everyone is doing ok.
We lucked out and put in round bales last night. Definitely glad because with all this snow, the horses would be crabby without it. Now to get that hay net ordered so Junior and the mares can enjoy a buffet all day long instead of waiting for me to come out morning and night.
Goodbye fall. Hello winter.
Luckily, someone was looking out for me. This snow is so slippery that even though I was going slow, I slid through a very busy and dangerous intersection. I somehow managed to miss the truck that was coming and would have T-boned me. Someone definitely was looking out for me. Just this morning, I thought to myself that some day I'm going to get killed at this intersection. Luckily it wasn't today but it sure was close.
Winter is here. Hopefully not to stay but with 8-9 inches and it's still snowing, I am guessing that what is here is here to stay. I'm ready for spring already. I haven't had the chance yet to check on horses but hopefully everyone is doing ok.
We lucked out and put in round bales last night. Definitely glad because with all this snow, the horses would be crabby without it. Now to get that hay net ordered so Junior and the mares can enjoy a buffet all day long instead of waiting for me to come out morning and night.
Goodbye fall. Hello winter.
Return to the Real World
So I'm finally done with my maternity leave and slowly getting back to my paying job. And what do you think is going to happen now that I'm back to reality (somewhat at least)? It's going to snow. As I was leaving for the paying job, snowflakes were starting to fall. To the south of us, towns were getting an inch an hour. I hope that we don't get that much. But I expect winter is here.
We still need to move horses around. What I had hoped would be the mares' and Junior's winter pen won't work. So back into the drylot they go. But that means the ponies need to move as well (because they will pester Junior and that's not allowed) but their pen doesn't even exist at the moment because we had to rob their pen's corral panels to make a different pasture this spring.
I've been breaking open water for the past three days so that we can run the water down on the troughs and move everyone around to their winter locations this weekend. By this weekend, we will be dealing with teens for lows and twenties for highs. I desperately need to get heaters into the water troughs. I'm SO not ready for that type of weather.
My world sort of stopped just before Labor Day weekend and I'm struggling to get caught up. I always joked that I was a month behind, but now I feel like I'm about three months behind. We don't even have all of our winter hay yet. It's still sitting out in the field. I'm going to have to start pushing to get it because we are using hay now.
Mike put in two bales last night for the big herd. I want to start putting in a round for the mares and Junior but not until I can buy another hay net. With Rabbit's heaves, I don't want her devouring a round bale without the protection of a hay net. Until then, I throw hay. I apparently got really spoiled now with using rounds. There's so much that needs to be done and yet I can't seem to find time until long after the sun sets. I guess that's the joys of having small kids at home.
So now that life is returning to the old routine, I'll most likely be posting more.
We still need to move horses around. What I had hoped would be the mares' and Junior's winter pen won't work. So back into the drylot they go. But that means the ponies need to move as well (because they will pester Junior and that's not allowed) but their pen doesn't even exist at the moment because we had to rob their pen's corral panels to make a different pasture this spring.
I've been breaking open water for the past three days so that we can run the water down on the troughs and move everyone around to their winter locations this weekend. By this weekend, we will be dealing with teens for lows and twenties for highs. I desperately need to get heaters into the water troughs. I'm SO not ready for that type of weather.
My world sort of stopped just before Labor Day weekend and I'm struggling to get caught up. I always joked that I was a month behind, but now I feel like I'm about three months behind. We don't even have all of our winter hay yet. It's still sitting out in the field. I'm going to have to start pushing to get it because we are using hay now.
Mike put in two bales last night for the big herd. I want to start putting in a round for the mares and Junior but not until I can buy another hay net. With Rabbit's heaves, I don't want her devouring a round bale without the protection of a hay net. Until then, I throw hay. I apparently got really spoiled now with using rounds. There's so much that needs to be done and yet I can't seem to find time until long after the sun sets. I guess that's the joys of having small kids at home.
So now that life is returning to the old routine, I'll most likely be posting more.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Winter on the Way
We've had lovely weather the last few days but now the clouds are rolling in. I've love to have a long fall so that I could get my feet back under me and my wits about me before winter hits. Now that I'm finally able, I'm anxious to work on a few projects around the place. The only problem, winter will be here and all my projects require non-frozen ground, and warmer temps. I'm hoping the warmer weather will stick around. I'm still waiting for my winter supply of hay to be delivered. My hay guy is also a farmer and he's having a heck of a time this harvest. The combine keeps breaking down, which means delays. Delays for him and delays for me. We still have hay in reserve so I'm not in panic mode. We bought a couple extra round bales and the horses think that there's grass still out in the pasture so no worries there.
But winter will be here soon. I was driving in to town yesterday and noticed that the Department of Transportation flipped down the signs warning drivers that there might be ice on bridges. That's yet another sign that winter will be here (both figuratively and reality).
The horses are fat and happy. Well, everyone is fat except for Bo. But he's always been on the the trim side. Junior isn't fat but he's better looking now than he was all summer. I think he did exceptionally well at Mom and Dad's. I'll have to remember to take him up there again next year. Hard to believe that he's 26 years old. Well, we are guessing anyway. He'll have been with us for a full year in another couple of days.
I'd love to offer a retirement home to another deserving horse. The only catch is, we'd need that horse or a current horse at the Sanctuary to be sponsored. It does bother me that we had someone that wanted to retire their horse with us and was willing to pay the hard keeper feed program fee but at the time I was pregnant and dealing with a 30+ year old with an infant didn't seem the best solution for the horse. I know I say I want to bring another one into the Sanctuary but I also have to make sure that it's a fit for us. I will have less time this winter with two kids to take care of so I have to watch who I bring in. I don't want to turn into one of those rescues/sanctuaries that needs to be rescued. I'm hoping that I'll get a handle on how chores will go this winter once I'm back at work and get into the swing of things again. Then I can consider bringing someone into the Sanctuary.
I have an idea for a fundraiser in December. I don't have all the kinks worked out of it yet but keep checking back.
But winter will be here soon. I was driving in to town yesterday and noticed that the Department of Transportation flipped down the signs warning drivers that there might be ice on bridges. That's yet another sign that winter will be here (both figuratively and reality).
The horses are fat and happy. Well, everyone is fat except for Bo. But he's always been on the the trim side. Junior isn't fat but he's better looking now than he was all summer. I think he did exceptionally well at Mom and Dad's. I'll have to remember to take him up there again next year. Hard to believe that he's 26 years old. Well, we are guessing anyway. He'll have been with us for a full year in another couple of days.
I'd love to offer a retirement home to another deserving horse. The only catch is, we'd need that horse or a current horse at the Sanctuary to be sponsored. It does bother me that we had someone that wanted to retire their horse with us and was willing to pay the hard keeper feed program fee but at the time I was pregnant and dealing with a 30+ year old with an infant didn't seem the best solution for the horse. I know I say I want to bring another one into the Sanctuary but I also have to make sure that it's a fit for us. I will have less time this winter with two kids to take care of so I have to watch who I bring in. I don't want to turn into one of those rescues/sanctuaries that needs to be rescued. I'm hoping that I'll get a handle on how chores will go this winter once I'm back at work and get into the swing of things again. Then I can consider bringing someone into the Sanctuary.
I have an idea for a fundraiser in December. I don't have all the kinks worked out of it yet but keep checking back.
Monday, November 2, 2015
What's Your Ailment?
What's your ailment? We all have some aches and pains. Me, I have exercise induced asthma, tendinitis in both ankles and one wrist, I had difficulty giving birth to my first child so went a different route for the second (so I wouldn't consider myself a great broodmare), and I have super dry skin which causes problems every once in a while.
They aren't bad ailments, at least not yet. They don't render me useless.
In the horse world, I'd still be "useable".
I was looking through the horses posted on the Washington feedlot and read about one they posted that wouldn't normally. She has an arthiritic knee and wouldn't be good for anything but very light riding. Her personality is what got her posted in the first place. I'd wondered why some of these really nice looking horses were being posted and yet wanted to know where the banged up horses are at. They are at the feedlots, just not given a chance.
We are all banged up. We all have some type of ailment. But should that exclude them from having home? I don't know how many times I've been asked to take a horse because they can no longer be ridden and are therefore "un-useable". I've guaranteed the horses at the Sanctuary a permanent home. Some have never worked for me a day since arriving. Some have worked their entire life for others and we had an opening to offer them retirement. I wish others would give the same to their horses. Mayhem is now blind in the one eye but I don't consider her useless. In fact, even if she can't be ridden, she's fantastic for getting the older horses spirits up. Just the other day I put Junior back into he pasture. I keep him separated at night so he can eat his grain and hay. When I put him back in, Mayhem was right there and those two took off bucking and running around the pasture. Mayhem also kept the other two old mares fairly spry.
We all have our ailments. Some worse than others, but we aren't pushed to the sidelines by our friends and family because we have a health issue. Work may push us to the side because of an ailment (I've seen it before). With winter fast approaching, I wonder and worry about those horses with ailments and that can no longer be "useable". Hopefully I'll be able to get into the swing of life again and we can do a bit more here at the Sanctuary for a deserving senior who needs to retire.
Who's with me to bring a senior horse home to retire?
They aren't bad ailments, at least not yet. They don't render me useless.
In the horse world, I'd still be "useable".
I was looking through the horses posted on the Washington feedlot and read about one they posted that wouldn't normally. She has an arthiritic knee and wouldn't be good for anything but very light riding. Her personality is what got her posted in the first place. I'd wondered why some of these really nice looking horses were being posted and yet wanted to know where the banged up horses are at. They are at the feedlots, just not given a chance.
We are all banged up. We all have some type of ailment. But should that exclude them from having home? I don't know how many times I've been asked to take a horse because they can no longer be ridden and are therefore "un-useable". I've guaranteed the horses at the Sanctuary a permanent home. Some have never worked for me a day since arriving. Some have worked their entire life for others and we had an opening to offer them retirement. I wish others would give the same to their horses. Mayhem is now blind in the one eye but I don't consider her useless. In fact, even if she can't be ridden, she's fantastic for getting the older horses spirits up. Just the other day I put Junior back into he pasture. I keep him separated at night so he can eat his grain and hay. When I put him back in, Mayhem was right there and those two took off bucking and running around the pasture. Mayhem also kept the other two old mares fairly spry.
We all have our ailments. Some worse than others, but we aren't pushed to the sidelines by our friends and family because we have a health issue. Work may push us to the side because of an ailment (I've seen it before). With winter fast approaching, I wonder and worry about those horses with ailments and that can no longer be "useable". Hopefully I'll be able to get into the swing of life again and we can do a bit more here at the Sanctuary for a deserving senior who needs to retire.
Who's with me to bring a senior horse home to retire?
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