Wishlist Wednesday on a Monday?

We are trying to do a new feature about the Sanctuary, "Wishlist Wednesday". It's something new to see if we can drum up any business and get a few of our small ticket items taken care of by your generous donations. We are keeping these items small because, well, lets face it, money is tight for everyone and everything is expensive.


But these little items help around the Sanctuary and the little things add up after awhile and they really do make a huge difference in our lives. I was thinking about what I could add to our wish list. One that we posted awhile back were tires for our hay wagon and wheel barrow. The darn things go flat once a year. We've solved that problem (sort of) by filling them with fill-a-flat. It gets at least another year out of them. Just filling the tires with air doesn't work. We've tried. In fact, we've tried any number of solutions that don't work. Those tires only last a year.


While I was thinking of my list of wishes for the Sanctuary and the Sanctuary horses, I was struggling at first. Then the ideas started coming. It's amazing how the little items that we use on a day-to-day basis really do make a huge difference in our lives. Like those tires. I use the wheelbarrow, twice a day, every day for six months out of the year for sure and then once a day for the other six months out of the year. It gets a workout. Those tires are desperately needed.


So, I'm going to continue with our Wishlist Wednesday and see how it goes. Just know, it'll never be anything super expensive that we list. Some will be constants like grain and such but others may catch you by surprise. So, keep checking back every Wednesday to see what is on our wish list. We may just surprise you.


PS, if anyone wants to get us some of those tires, they are at TSC for $10 when they are on sale! The wheelbarrow has two flat tires right now (do you know what it's like to push a wheelbarrow with TWO flat tires? It's a workout!)

One Day Too Late

Ugh. That'll teach me. I'd put blankets on some of the hard keepers when the wind and rain picked up the other day. Then we got warmer temps but every time I went out to pull the blankets, it was either drizzly, raining, or just down right crappy (i.e., windy as all get out). So even though the temps started to get warm, I hesitated to pull blankets. I should not have hesitated.


I was one day too late. Jim destroyed his blanket. The leg straps don't all work on the blankets these days. I need to redo the leg straps on a number of blankets. Well, Jim's was one that needed a new clasp so he was going without a leg strap. I walked out the other day and he was standing there with his blanket wrapped around his belly and chest. I think I melted the snow right around my feet I was so mad. I have no right to be mad. It was my fault. But still. It was one of two blankets that didn't need any major fixing (other than a clasp for the leg strap). It didn't have any tears or holes. It was not in pristine condition, but it was in good condition. Now, I don't know. I saw stuffing and inside lining lying on the ground. I was so disgusted with him (and me), that I pulled his blanket and simply threw it over the fence to deal with it later.


I am ready for spring. We did see robins, and the geese are flying. So spring may be around the corner. But it's only mid to end of February so I'm not ready for spring just yet. Spring this early could possibly mean drought later on and my pocket book and emotions aren't ready yet for another drought so soon following the last one that almost wiped us out.


So I'm excited to see green but would rather wait another couple of weeks before spring would really get here. I'd hoped for snow for our fundraiser and that is not going to happen. So now I'm going to have to figure out how to keep the luminaries upright and looking nice out in the pasture.


But with the hint of spring comes locking the big herd into the drylot and not letting them out onto the pasture. I don't want them tearing it up. But I accidently popped the gate off the hinges (and went flying onto the gate) so now we have to fix the gate before I can lock them out of the pasture. And it also  means that I need to move the mares and Junior out of their pasture once they are done with the bale. But the only available pen is the smaller drylot and it'll be a muddy mess soon. I'm not ready for mud. And I got spoiled not having to haul water so far away but it looks like I'll be hauling at least 10 gallons every day back to the smaller drylot once I move them back there. At least it wasn't all winter that they were back there. Oh for an automatic waterer in that pen!


And because or hay guy decided that he wouldn't deliver our hay all at once, we are coordinating with him whenever we run out. Well, we put the last two bales in the big herd last week. It's been a muddy mess at our place except right away in the morning. And the hay is sitting out in the field so we have to coordinate times when the ground is still frozen that we won't tear up the pasture and our yard. At this point, I'd sacrifice our yard to make sure we get our hay. I'm still struggling with figuring out how to pay for this year's hay but that's for another day I suppose. For now, I'll worry about getting the load of hay from the field to our place before we run out.


Oh the stresses of Sanctuary life.

Driving Force

I recently started following a horse rescue based out of northern California. They are amazing. Amazing isn't even the right word for it. Super Crazy Awesome Amazing. They are insane. I don't know of any other rescue that is that active and has that much of a turnover rate in adoptions so that they can maintain the numbers and not have their adoptable numbers creep up.


They posted the other day what makes up their organization. It was an amazing list of divisions in their organization and the people within each of those divisions. I had to laugh though when I read it. No wonder they are such an amazing organization helping so many. And it sounds like it's happened within the last year that they've become this super fluid and functioning rescue where before they didn't have such a high turnover rate.


What I wanted to point out was, how insanely crazy they are (in a good way...total props to them!) But they have a wide range of people in charge of each area and volunteers out the wazoo. Totally a good thing.


Then I started thinking about our little Sanctuary. Umm, yeah. **I** am the Sanctuary. I'm not bragging in the least. That wasn't meant to be a brag. But I am the founder, coordinator of everything, the caretaker of everyone. It's exhausting. We don't have divisions run by specific people to oversee the other volunteers. I'm it.


I am the caretaker of all the Sanctuary horses (of course there's only 13 in the Sanctuary...not 70 like this organization I'm talking about). I do feed twice a day but it doesn't take nearly as long. I am the web master, the social media content person, I'm the volunteer coordinator (although we don't have any volunteers), I am the fundraiser organizer, I am the marketing person (and failing miserably), I'm the book keeper (and although not failing, numbers aren't my thing), I am the grounds keeper, the hay buyer, I am the auction team (if we ever go back to auctions again), I'm it.


Now don't get me wrong. I do get help when we put on a fundraiser, and I do get help when we need to work on stuff around the place. But any fundraisers, have to be driven by me. Any maintenance stuff has to be driven by me. I'm the driving force behind the Sanctuary and what gets done, gets done because of me.


So now that my time is split amongst the paying job (which is what funds the Sanctuary...and don't think that I make a ton of money, I am simply frugal with everything...to the point of being down right cheap!), my children and spending quality family time (including extended family and the obligatory family time required of the extended family), and caring for the horses themselves, there's very little time for anything else. I've been so busy working "in" the sanctuary, rather than "on" the sanctuary, that I'm struggling now to find the time. The last two nights I had meant to get some important paperwork done...


it. did. not. happen.


In fact, I fell asleep. I sometimes feel like I'm burning the candle at both ends. When I'm focused and actually work on the Sanctuary stuff after the paying job is done, the kids are asleep, and I've done chores (in the dark), I feel productive but I'm burned out by the end of the week. I'm just not sure how to juggle everything and make everything a success.


So, I guess I don't really know what I'm saying other than...to be a successful sanctuary, where we can take in more senior equines and host most fundraisers and be more visible, I am going to have to rely on others to be successful. The need is obviously out there for a sanctuary for old horses. It's not even a requirement to have to live near the Sanctuary to help out. Heck, at this point, I'd be happy with someone giving me moral support to keep me going whenever I start to waver. But that's not true, you all are my moral support and when I need it the most, you guys do come through for me. But any help (near or far) is greatly appreciated.

Wind and Water

The last few days have been beautiful. When I say beautiful, it's beautiful for South Dakota in the spring. 40 and 50 degree weather and the snow is melting like crazy. In fact a friend posted a video of all the snow melting and causing a huge river in their horse pens.


There's a bonus to all the warmer weather. The snow is melting. I'm guessing that by the time we are back into normal temps again (20-30 degree weather) that we won't have any snow left. Which is good because otherwise we'd be on a sheet of ice. I hate ice.  This morning Mike was getting ready for work and was pushed by the wind while standing on ice. We was pushed three feet.


The wind this morning was horrific. 40mph wind and gusts even worse. It rattled everything and started blowing all kinds of stuff around the Sanctuary. I'd left a bucket out in the pasture and figured it was blown away. Nope, apparently it was in a little hollow. Now the kids' playhouse blew half way across the hard. That poor little while went through a tornado but sort of blew part and the winds we had today made it topple over again.


The only downside to all the warm weather and the melting snow is that the barn is starting to flood. Usually it floods a little and then the temps cool down and everything sort of disappears and we go through that cycle a few times, unless we get a massive meltdown and then the barn is flooded. Not flooded with inches of standing water but enough to know that the floor isn't dry so don't set anything down.


Sorry, my brain is in "squirrel" mode. I was going to have a really well written post but instead I'm all over the place. I'm hoping to have some exciting news to tell you all soon but I don't want to jinx it yet so we'll just leave it at that. I'm still slowly working on our fundraiser and puttering along with stuff here and there. Anyone want to help? Even moral support to bounce ideas off of would be greatly appreciated. Sometimes I get wrapped up in my head and I need to be able to talk with someone.


Here's to hoping that the wind dies down, the barn doesn't flood, and if the temps do drop back down, that we don't have a skating rink at the Sanctuary.

Luminaries - Light the Night

Imagine the luminary is lit. The wind today is uncooperative to light anything, let alone an itty bitty candle. I'll have a better lighter for next Friday and Saturday's fundraiser!

But I wanted to post pictures of what the luminaries look like. The luminaries can be personalized and will be distinguishes between the three categories by different colored ribbon.

Mayhem was modeling for me. I tried to bribe the other two with grain and left my yellow bucket out there (you can see it in one of the pictures). :-)

I didn't do a good job advertising, but we are getting a few luminaries coming in. All proceeds will go to feed the horses, specifically it'll go to purchase grain. It costs us about $150 to feed to two hard keepers Junior and Bo (but it'll also go to feed Rabbit since she just gets a small scoop for her vitamin E supplement).

Every dollar accounts. It's amazing how fast $5 adds up to help at the Sanctuary.

If you'd like to donate $5 and have a luminary lit for a loved one, go to www.paypal.me/borderlands and tell me who you'd like to honor or remember. We'll also have an aerial photo (if the wind cooperates).

Throwback Thursday

Our Throwback Thursday is of Bob our very first draft horse at the Sanctuary. We lost him a few years ago but he taught us so  much in the time he was here. He's the reason why I love and want more drafts at the Sanctuary.


Bob had a presence about him that not many horses have. It wasn't just his calm demeanor. He had an aura about him that drew people and horses to him. He was the silent type that horses (and people) followed.


Miss you Bob more than you know.

Wishlist Wednesday

We wish for bags of senior, strategy, and sweet feed. To feed Junior, Bo, and Rabbit for a month on the combination, we go through 10 bags, costing us $150. Not to mention the supplements they need to keep their weight (for Bo and Junior) and muscles relaxed (Rabbit).

We could either use donations of grain, monthly sponsors to cover the cost of grain, or even a single donation. No amount is too small. Every dollar counts!!

Light The Night

I'm starting to worry that our Light The Night fundraiser is going to be a big bust. I advertised but I'm guessing I did it in all the wrong places. I'm no marketer. I struggle with putting us out there. I'm the doer. Give me a task, and I'll work on it. But to market, advertise, and throw us out into the world, yeah, I cant' seem to do a very good job of it.


At any rate, we'll have luminaries for the Sanctuary horses and a couple of others. I should have been planning for months on this event instead of weeks...or more like days. There's just too much bouncing around in my head to get anything organized officially for a fundraiser.


I need help. I need volunteers. I need a marketing person. I need the Sanctuary to be more than just me. Right now, it's turned into a part time gig and it needs to be a full time gig. And the feeding and watering is all that I seem to be able to accomplish in the few hours I have each day. There's no time to accomplish anything more.


Very frustrating and a little bit down hearted about this. I guess practice makes perfect and I need to get my feet wet and figure this stuff out. Sooner rather than later apparently.


Anyone want to be my marketing person? I have the ideas, just not the marketing skills. I have the drive and the hard headedness to stick through with an idea but I need the advertising skills of someone who knows how to market to the correct group of people.


Some days I think it would be easier to simply close our doors. But I never will. Right now it's cracked open. Can't bring anyone in until we have some sponsors but it's hard to watch as the world goes by like a speeding bullet while I'm sitting here going a snails pace trying to keep my head above water.


Alright, done with my pity party. Back to work.

Where's Skippy - Day Five of February Adventure

Skippy was having so much fun on his last day of vacation that he didnt' get a chance to post until now. So we are going to extend the guessing part of the game until Sunday, Febraury 14th at 11:59pm. 

Have fun guessing!

Where's Skippy - Day Four of February Adventure

Skippy sure is having fun on his adventures. Don't forget to comment on Facebook for a chance to win!

https://www.facebook.com/Borderlands-Horse-Sanctuary-123186931079406/

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday's picture is of Chaos when he was 5 years old. He's 11 now. Boy does he look young in the picture. He looks like a young gentleman now. How time flies. I remember when he came to us as an unhandled yearling stud in 2006. He was our first rescue. I've learned a lot since the day Chaos came home.

Light the Night

Please help spread the word. Looking forward to seeing a pasture full of luminaries.

Fundraiser Teaser

The last few days have been a bit busy, although I can't say for sure that I got anything accomplished or what I was even working on! That's the joys of being spread so thin in a bunch of different areas. I did know that it would be a late night Tuesday night in getting chores done so I threw some alfalfa to appease those stuck in the barn.


I didn't judge how fast the mares and Junior would go through their bale. I'd hoped it would wait until the weekend but that didn't happen. I am still having a hard time figuring out how fast/slow they go through a round bale. So last night after the kids went to bed, I went out and haltered horses so that Mike could put in a round bale.


There's something about doing chores at 9pm in the winter that is totally different than doing chores at 9pm in the summer (meaning, it sucks). Luckily there wasn't any wind and the night was fairly calm. I do like going out when it's quiet and just listening to my surroundings and watching the stars. It's one advantage of where we are at.


But I do have to grumble about those hay nets. Why in the world must they insist on making them out of black material?!?! I am constantly putting hay nets on big bales in the dark. Do you know how hard it is to man handle a hay net alone, and then add insult to injury by having to do it in the dark?! I have to climb all over the hay ring and some times climb up on the bale to get those darn hay nets on. There's usually a few curse words involved. I don't care what color the company uses (but maybe not white) but any other color than black so that when I'm muddling around in the dark, my life is a little easier.


I do have to admit that the days are getting longer and the chores are getting a little easier, only because I'm not trying to figure out how to do everything by moonlight or flashlight. It's still a struggle to get out there before it gets dark but it's getting easier at least. I know daylight savings time will be here in no time and then I'll be doing chores in the light (insert happy dance). But while daylight savings time means more daylight, it does make it a bit interesting with little ones. But we'll manage.


I am on the final stages of finishing our upcoming fundraiser! Yes, that's right. We are doing a fundraiser. I'll post more but want to give a little teaser. I'd wanted to do it sooner but I guess latet is better than never.


And we are in full swing with the "Where's Skippy" game. Not too many playing so a little disappointed but I guess I haven't advertised that much so maybe I'll have to get off my tuckus and do something about that too.


Anyone want to help advertise for the upcoming fundraiser? I'd really like to spread the word far and wide. And the best part, anyone from around the world can participate!!! I'll leave you with that bid of detail to get you to come back later to read about the fundraiser!

Thinking spring (that and I don't have any new pictures on this computer)

Wishlist Wednesday

Wishlist Wednesday. We wish for little tires for our wheel barrows and yellow hay wagon. About once a year, each one of the tires goes flat and there's no way of repairing them. The little tires cost about $10 at TSC. We have one one-wheeled wheel barrow, one two-wheeled wheel barrow, and two hay wagons. That's a lot of tires that go flat in a year!

King. It's an old picture but he hasn't changed. Although I'm starting to see some age on him.

Where's Skippy - Day Three of February Adventure

Skippy is on the move! He's visiting another romantic location today. Can you guess where he's at? Leave a comment on our Facebook page for a chance to win.

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/Borderlands-Horse-Sanctuary-123186931079406/

Where's Skippy - Day Two of February Adventure

Skippy is on the move already today and on to visiting another romantic location.

Where's Skippy - Day One of February Adventure

Skippy made it to his first destination in his adventures this month. For those that might not follow us on Facebook, here's a good reason to start following. To play the game, you'll need to leave a comment on our Facebook page and tell us where you think Skippy is at. If you don't get a chance to leave a comment for that day, no problem. You're comment will count for any and all days until Friday, February 12th at 11:59pm. Each time you leave a comment with your guess, your name will be entered into a drawing for the month. And the best part is, there's no pressure. Even if you don't guess correct, your name will still be entered into the drawing.

At the end of the contest (ends in December), each month's winner will be placed into a drawing to win a prize. The prize is still TBD at the moment but we'll try to make it tempting!

Tell your friends! The only catch is that you MUST leave a response/comment on our Facebook page. We will not accept answers in any other form (i.e., email, blog, twitter, etc.).

So tell your friends and have fun guessing where Skippy is at.

Skippy did want me to give you a hint as the locations are going to get harder during the next few days. But he wanted to tell you, in honor of Valentine's Day, think romantic locations.

Have fun guessing!

Our Facebook page is located at:

https://www.facebook.com/Borderlands-Horse-Sanctuary-123186931079406/ 

Busy Busy

Working on a fun little program to keep people interested and  coming back to the Santuary's facebook page and an upcoming fundraiser. If I could find more than 10 minutes to work on it, I'd be much farther along.


Check back to see which one I get up and running first (the fun monthly program, or the fundraiser).

Friends Day

Today is National Friends Day. We have a lot of friendships at the Sanctuary. Not everyone has a "bestie" but pretty close.


Mayhem thinks she's best friends with Junior (but still wants to be close to Rabbit).


Tommy and Skippy are joined at the hip.


Bo and Zeke are best friends.


Wherever Ivan goes, Brego follows and vice versa.


Chaos is Dude's shadow (not sure if they are really best friends but rather Chaos knows that Dude is in charge and Chaos is practicing to be in charge some day).


Maverick is best friends with Jim (which is a weird friendship). And before when I was throwing hay, Jim would be best friends with King during eating time...I have no idea how that worked.


Rain is not quite best friends with Chaos but they hang out a lot.


Lace doesn't have a bestie yet but she likes to pick on the ponies.

Blizzard, Blankets, and Blustering Winds

It's been awhile since I posted pictures of the herd. All the pictures I have on this computer are old. My phone doesn't like the cold and I forget to take the camera out (and when I do, I don't download the pictures anyway). So here's a few pictures of some of the horses. I couldn't get everyone because my phone started to freeze and the light was starting to wane. I was so happy to be able to get out to do chores in the daylight...talk about a happy dance during my chores!!

Brego wearing a blanket donated by Gentle Spirits Horses Rescue. I'm still debating on who gets which blanket. Need to make a few repairs but oh so worth having good blankets. And Brego said he doesn't care if he wears pink (although the rest of the herd made fun of him). I'd put blankets on Monday night before the blizzard hit Tuesday.

An unflattering pictures of Junior (my phone wasn't cooperating). I'd really wanted to get a picture of Junior pawing his grain bucket. We desperately need over the fence grain buckets to feed Junior and a couple of the others who insist on pawing and flipping their grain dishes over. Junior is maintaining his weight really well. I'm pleased with his weight maintenance this winter.

I moved Lace and the ponies Monday night into the pen closer to the house. The pen they were in gets the brunt of any wind from any direction (except the west and that's only a portion of the pen). I worried that the smaller pen would cause some problems but I think Lace prefers to torment the ponies rather than actually attack them. She chases them like they are vicious wolves. I'm not sure if she's still angry at the world, or if that's just the personality she normally had. I'm starting to worry about what I'll do with  her this summer. She may get put into the big herd so there's more room for her to roam and I don't have to worry about her harassing Junior or Rabbit. As you can see in the picture, Lace is up from and the ponies are hiding in the back. It's difficult to get a picture of Lace because she's so people friendly. She loves people and hates horses (but wants to keep them in her sights). I think she's really just a bossy mare.

I stalled Rabbit and Mayhem (and Junior) during the blizzard. I don't trust Rabbit not to tear apart yet another blanket while she's in this pasture. There's trees enough for her to rip blankets and I can't afford to buy more blankets right now. I  need to get the ones repaired first before we go buying brand new blankets for her to shred. Rabbit is still lame but I need to get her back on her vitamin E supplement. I can't seem to find the one at TSC that was suggested to me. I may contact the vet and see if he can't order me some vitamin E supplement until I can find a better fix. She's dead lame again and I think it's really wearing on her. But every time I do give her a massage, Rabbit seems much more relaxed. Anyone want to donate funds towards a massage or know how to do a massage, or even just want to come out and groom her? I think a good grooming might be a good start to working the soreness out of her. She seems like a totally different horse to me these days.

When I let Mayhem out of the barn after the blizzard, she raced around the pasture. I think she was trying to get Junior to race around too but he only switched into a trot, not a full out gallop. I forget that Mayhem is only 6 years old. I have always had her with older horses and that behavior sometimes rubs off on the younger ones. Mayhem has never been with anyone else her own age. She's always been the young wiper snapper playing by herself because she's surrounded by an older generation commiserating about their aches and pains.

But we survived the blizzard with no problems. I stalled Junior, Rabbit, and Mayhem the first night and added Bo the second night. I also put blankets on the hard keepers before the snow flew. The temps were ok but once the horses get wet, it's a never ending battle to get them warm again. I'll probably play musical pens and move Lace and the ponies back to the bigger pen. We'll need to put in round bales again either Friday night or Saturday morning. We also need to make another run to pick up more bales. I wish we would have gotten all our bales at one time but beggars can't be choosers. Even more, I'd prefer that the hay was paid for. We need to do some serious fundraising to pay for this year's winter hay. I have some ideas but struggling to find time. Anyone want to help? You don't even have to be in SD to help!

Wishlist Wednesday

I forgot to post yesterday our Wishlist Wednesday....so here it is, a day late!


Wishlist Wednesday. We wish for more feed dishes (preferably over the fence feeders because Junior likes to paw his grain dish).

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday. Feeling nostalgic looking at pictures from long ago. This is Babe. She taught all of as the Sanctuary so much. Trust, dignity, respect, willingness, acceptance, love. What a graceful lady. We miss you Babe.

We said goodbye to Babe a few years ago. The void she left behind will never be filled.

Ladies and Gents at the WA Feedlot

Dumping older horses at an auction and thus entering them into feedlots and slaughterpipeline makes my blood boil. For gods sake people, have some respect for your elders, be it two legged or four. These ladies and gents don't deserve this. All we can do is post and spread the news. They are too far away from us and we are currently over booked (and turning seniors away).

Number: #  Alden Type: Auction   Price: $375     Status AVAILABLE! Date Available 1/30/2016 to 2/5/2016 Age/Color/Gender 29 Years  /  Chestnut / White  /  Gelding Breed(s) Paint   Registration Broke? Yes    Condition More Info:

Description

Alden is a senior who was said to have been used to give wagon rides. He is in need of some groceries, but otherwise looks like he is in overall decent shape for his age. He stands approx 15hh and didn't have any visible issues that I saw besides needing to get up to weight. He did not appear to have any problems eating hay and was up and eating with the rest of the horses at the feed bunk. He is gentle on the ground and deserves a nice retirement or lighter use home.

Purchasing Information

Location: Sunnyside, WA
Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115
Deadline: 2/05/16

Additional Photos

Basic Info Number: #  Almond Type: Auction   Price: $400     Status AVAILABLE! Date Available 1/30/2016 to 2/5/2016 Age/Color/Gender 25 Years  /  Chestnut  /  Gelding Breed(s) Quarter Horse Type   Registration Broke? Maybe    Condition Poor More Info: Description Almond is said to be 25 years old and was used as a pet. I am inclined to believe he is broke to ride from the photos I have seen with him and a rider. He is 15+hh and came to the lot needing weight. He is sweet, easy to handle, picks up his feet, and seems like a very good natured and kind horse. He is bonded to a dark bay gelding he came in with, Amos. Purchasing Information Location: Sunnyside, WA Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115 Deadline: 2/05/16 Additional Photos Number: #  Amos Type: Auction   Price: $425     Status AVAILABLE! Date Available 1/30/2016 to 2/5/2016 Age/Color/Gender 20 Years(Approx)  /  Bay  /  Gelding Breed(s)    Registration Broke? Yes    Condition Average More Info: Description Amos is a very sweet gelding who is said to have been used for cattle. He should be well broke to ride, patient, and tolerant. He has saddle marks and looks to be sound from what I could see, and in decent condition, besides an eye issue with one eye. He is bonded to Almond and came in with him. Amos stands 15+hh and has a sweet and mellow personality. He has an eye issue that is causing his eye to run that was treated at the beginning of January, but I'm not sure if anything was done since. He had no problem with me touching his face so he should be pretty tolerant of treatment, and was a well behaved horse overall. Purchasing Information Location: Sunnyside, WA Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115 Deadline: 2/05/16 Additional Photos Number: #  Addy Type: Auction   Price: $450     Status AVAILABLE! Date Available 1/30/2016 to 2/5/2016 Age/Color/Gender 20 Years(Range)  /  Bay  /  Mare Breed(s) Thoroughbred   Registration Broke? Unknown    Condition Average More Info: Description Addy is a very friendly mare who just seems like a good 'ol horse babysitter type. She is broke to ride and is safe for a beginner to handle. I don't know the last time she was ridden and she may need a tune up, but this sweet mare is worth taking a chance on and bringing home. I saw no lameness issues or other issues. She has roaning through her flanks and tail head indicative of a rabicano coat pattern. She stands 15+hh. Purchasing Information Location: Sunnyside, WA Contact: Sabrina 206-250-5115 Deadline: 02/05/16 Additional Photos

Robins in January

I had heard rumblings about snow early this week. I didn't think much of it because, well, it's South Dakota in the wintertime. Of course there's going to be snow! But I just saw a  map of the projected "storm". Umm, yeah. Its' a storm. Predicted blizzard watch and warning to the counties south and east of us. Normally I wouldn't care but they keep saying that although the storm shifted south, it's now tracking north. So the blizzard watch that was just added to the county directly south of us (which is about 20 miles away), and the blizzard warning to the county kitty corner from where we are at (about 30 miles away), have me spooked.


Storms don't stop at the county line. Granted on some odd occasions, storms do stop at the county line but when it's a blizzard, I highly doubt it. As it is, any time we get wind, the east/west road blows shut so we might not be able to even get out (and that's without a blizzard)!


So the next couple of days are going to be a bit interesting. Luckily we put in round bales to the big herd on Wednesday and they still have a lot of the bales left. The mares and Junior still have most of their bale although they've managed to pull the hay net off of it....again.


Rabbit is still in considerable amount of pain so I need to call the vet. I ran out of the vitamin E supplement and can't find the one that was suggested to me at TSC. She really needs a full body massage. I don't know what I'm doing but I try to work some of her muscles and you can visibly see her relax.  Anyone want to donate their time to do some massage work on Rabbit? Even a good soft grooming would probably help make her feel better. I've always pegged her as a grumpy horse. No, she's only grumpy because she hurts all the time. So back to trying to figure out how to make her feel comfortable.


Speaking of rabbits...they've taken over the place and are wreaking havoc on the place. They got into the hay barn where the alfalfa  is, discovered the hay shed where the hay is, and have eaten all of my shrubs so even though it doesn't look like we do much gardening, I try. But the rabbits have eaten everything and destroyed every bush I've worked so hard to grow. I'm ready for spring so the bunnies can go elsewhere to find their food.


But I digress. I do need to pay attention to the weather. I put a blanket on Rain awhile back but took it off. The temps have been so nice but if we are supposed to get biting wind, I'll have to put a blanket back on Rain. He absolutely cannot handle even the slightest cold breeze. And for those that dont' know, Rain is my personal horse but he has major health issues so at some point, when he reaches that "golden age", we'll enter him in to the Sanctuary as a resident instead of one of my personal horses. He's not one that I would ever let go for fear of someone not understanding his health issues. He can't handle any heat (anything over 80 and he has to stand in the shade...heat stroke/exhaustion and in the winter when there's talk of a wind chill, a blanket has to go on and we have to look at stalling him.)


So I'll be keeping one eye on the weather radar, and another to the skies to see what we do for tomorrow as the storm blows in. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the storm will miss us completely but if not, I'd rather it hit sooner than later so I'm not at the paying job trying to get home to do chores and get stuck once again in a snowdrift.


Even though the days are getting longer, I'm ready for spring to be here.


And speaking of spring. I heard (and saw) a robin Saturday!!! I'm not sure what that means (other than a dead robin), but maybe spring will arrive a little early this year (which will be nice as long as we continue to get the needed moisture so our pastures don't dry up). But, oddly enough, the sound of a robin made my steps a little lighter while doing chores on Saturday.