Busy

It's been a somewhat quiet week at the Sanctuary. The first day of summer, summer solstics, sure didn't feel like summer though. We had rain, rain, and more rain. I don't have the heart to walk out to the pasture to see how much of the bottom half is flooded. It raises my blood pressure every time I see water standing in my pastures thanks to people not considering their actions. I just hope that the rains we received also fell a little ways north to make sure that the hay ground received enough moisture to make the hay ground grow so we have hay and don't have to scramble to find hay somewhere else.


I am hoping that we can talk with my hay guy in another week or two and see what we can get worked out for a deal. Even if we had just one or two loads sitting at the Sanctuary, I'd feel a lot better. We have a few left over from last year but that's only because we lost Ivan in the fall and Bo in the early spring.


I've been swamped with work from the paying job so there really hasn't been time to do anything as of late. I forsee another week of being completely buried up to my eyeballs with work from the paying job so I may be quiet for yet another week. So much for being productive!


We did finally get the ponies out on grass earlier this week. They don't actually seemed thrilled. I think the flies are bad for them. With all the rain, they turned part of their little pasture into a mud hole. Luckily Mayhem seems to have settled down and she just hangs out in the shade and keeps an eye on the big herd.


So it's been fairly quiet and this weekend is going to be quiet as well for the Sanctuary. More family stuff going on so less time to work with the horses. I do have some good news I want to share and I've been meaning to mention it for awhile but can't seem to find the time. It's about Bo. I'm only now coming to terms with his passing and can talk about him without starting to cry. But I'll leave that for another post.


But until then, I think I have to get back at the paying job so I can try and stay afloat. Hope you all have  a fantastic weekend.

Wishlist Wednesday - Halters, Lead Ropes, and Hooks

It's Wishlist Wednesday and today we are wishing for a handful of items. We wish for halters, lead ropes, and hooks to hang halters and lead ropes on. Our lead ropes seem to keep disappearing (they must disappear with my socks) and although we have halters, not everyone has a designated halter. We'd love to have enough hooks to hang a specific halter and lead rope for each horse instead of grabbing willy nilly. The art of organizing is lacking at the Sanctuary right.

 

Recap

Last week I played "soccer mom" and had to spend half my days driving kids around to their events. Boy am I not ready for that experience. What it also meant was that some things at the Sanctuary had to wait. I had so hoped to get  Mayhem and the ponies out to pasture (or the lawn) but it didn't happen. By the weekend, we were all too worn out to do anything.


But last night, with Mike's help, we were able to move corral panels around and get Mayhem out to pasture. She's not too thrilled since she's by herself but she needs to work on her herd boundness. She gets it every year and with having Lace and Junior in Madison, I thought it a good time to put her out to pasture. We don't normally pasture a horse alone but the ponies can't go out to pasture. Our fences aren't strong enough to keep ponies in (they'd simply walk under the fence where Mayhem is located) and they don't need THAT much grass.


We moved corral panels last night so that we could put ponies on the lawn. Of course a storm rolled through with lots of lightening while we were finishing up. I chickened out and left everything as it was. I was not in the  mood to get struck by lightening while holding on to a corral panel.


I'm hoping tonight that I can put the final touches on their "pasture" so that I can put them out to graze during the day. It'll be a relief to not throw precious hay. I hate throwing hay in June. But once that location is eaten down, there's not a lot of other places for the ponies to eat so we'll be  back to throwing hay. Oyi, expensive hay.


Last night the herd came up so I locked them in. Jim had a different idea and snuck out to pasture before I could get the gate closed. I left him out  knowing that'd he'd probably stick close to the fenceline where Mayhem was at. It would at least keep her calm. And sure enough, where do you think Jim was this morning? Hanging out along the fenceline near Mayhem. Comfort in numbers.


I'm starting to see horses for sale or for free. I wish we could open our doors but I'm still under the weather so no opportunity to open our doors. If only they would come with some financial stability, then we could possibly open our doors. All these older horses who deserve a comfortable place to retire to and we can't do anything. It frustrates me but in reality, I need to get off my duff and do more. Hopefully soon I'll be feeling good enough to tackle the challenges that come with trying to place older horses.


Last week was terrible for temperatures. We were dealing with 80s and 90s and a heat index of 100 but this week is glorious. We are in the 60s and 70s and everyone seems to be much happier and more relaxed. The flies don't seem to be nearly as bad this week either. This year's flies are terrible and they bite. The biting flies don't normally come out until the end of July or the first of August but they are already out. It makes me wonder what the rest of this summer will be like. I feel terrible for the horses. I wish we could do more.


Not sure what more we'll get done tonight. Doctor's appointments with the kids so that means not much will get done other than some good quality family time with lots of snuggles. (no worries, just kindergarten shots and yearly checkups). But it does mean less messing around with the horses.


We need to start working on washing and waterproofing blankets, spraying pastures of all the weeds (an endless job), mending fence (which is an endless job too), and a lot of other projects around the place. Always something to do at the Sanctuary. Stop on out if you get bored and I'll gladly put you to work!

#Tip Tuesday Times Two - Sunburns

With this week being the official start to summer, we thought we'd throw in a bonus #TipTuesday (or make up for lost time) and talk about sunburns. With the days being so long and the sun being so hot, we thought it a good time to look into sunburns. We have a few Sanctuary residents that get sunburns on their noses and are always looking for preventative ways to keep them comfortable (much to their dismay when I apply sunscreen).


Enjoy your #TipTuesday!

Tip Tuesday - Heat Stress

It's #Tip Tuesday and we are talking heat stress. With the temps in the 90s and heat index in the 100s last week, I thought it would be a good time to look into heat stress. Of course this week is glorious and in the lower 70s but the official start to summer is this week and that only means hot, hot, hot.

With Rain having experienced heat stress, we keep a close eye on him to make sure he stays comfortable during the extreme heat. Here's two infographics that will hopefully be of help in telling if your horse is dealing with heat stress.

Wishlist Wednesday - Hose Reel

It's Wishlist Wednesday and we wish for a hose reel. It might sound silly but we would use the heck out of a hose reel! We drag out 300+ feet of hose every few days to water the ponies and Mayhem (and Junior and Lace when they are not at their summer retreat). That means dragging out, man handling, emptying, and then coiling a LOT of hose.


A hose reel would solve a lot of that problem and make the place look nicer (by not having hoses lying around all the time and all over the place.


You can find new hose reals just about anywhere but we'd be happy with used too!

Pasture Pictures

I didn't get a chance to take pictures last night because everyone came up from pasture while I was out. After one day, they are already trained to come into the drylot for the night. I'm guessing it had more to do with the flies and mosquitoes than anything else but I'll take it.


There is so much relief right now for me with almost everyone out on pasture. No more hay (except the ponies and Mayhem and that will change soon). Everyone is pretty well content to enjoy the grass, water, and shade that summer brings. No more heavy winter coats, coveralls, boots, hats, gloves, mittens, etc. to don before trudging out. I can just walk out the door and not have a care in the world other than making sure everyone is comfortable in the heat.


Hard to think that 2 months ago, we were dealing with winter and snow. But I'm happy for summer even if it seems like we are dealing with July weather rather than June weather.


I will leave you with a few pictures from that first morning and their complete enjoyment of being out on pasture. Love seeing the look of pure bliss on the horses

Brego

King, with Zeke and Brego in the background

Jim and Rain

The herd (much smaller this summer but still very diverse)

Maverick trying to photobomb King's picture

Shoo Fly Leggings

During the Tri State Horse Expo I bought Shoo Fly Leggings knowing that others have really loved them. We have too many for me to buy enough for the entire herd and to go all the way around all four legs of everyone but figured I'd buy two sets to see if they worked.


Junior and Lace weren't sure at first but they started loving them right away as the flies are terrible. We are in the first of June and the flies and heat are typical for July weather. That worries me but I guess that's for another post.


I put the other set on King and Dude. I debated on who to put the other set on but figured with King being ouchy footed and Dude having hip problems, they would be the best candidates to try them out. Otherwise, we might try Brego and Zeke. But for now Dude and King are sporting theirs. King wouldn't move and Dude was high stepping. I guess he's never had boots on before!


I'll leave you with just a few pictures from last night.

King refusing to move after the Shoo Fly Leggings were put on.

Dude didn't seem impressed but I bet he'll be today!

I'm sure they were having a conversation about what tortures I put them through

Wishlist Wednesdsay - Shoo Fly Leggings/Boots

This Wishlist Wednesday, we wish for Shoo Fly Leggings/Boots. We bought a two sets during the Tri State Horse Expo and put them on the fronts of Junior, Lace, Dude, and King. I can already see how much relief Junior and Lace are getting from them.

Even though it's only June 6th, we are dealing with July like temperatures (which also means July like flies. those types of flies are MEAN).

We want to make sure that everyone is comfortable this fly season and would love to put everyone in Shoo Fly Leggings. A set of 4 cost just under $50. It's well worth the price after seeing Junior and Lace relaxing. Even if we could only get front legs done (or back legs done depending on who's getting eaten up and where), we would be very grateful.

Even one pair of Shoo Fly Leggings would help. Anyone want to donate towards the purchase of a pair if Shoo Fly Leggings or want to buy a set for a specific horse(s).

I've only been able to find them either at the Expo or online.

(ps, the picture is not one of our Sanctuary residents. We are borrowing it from the Shoo Fly website)

Tip Tuesday - Sings of Stress

It's #TipTuesday and that means another informative infographic (that I've conveniently borrowed).


Today we are talking about signs of stress in our horses.


With the heat increases rapidly in our area, I thought it might be good to know the signs of stress. Granted this infographic is for general stress but it's a good idea to always know your signs. Each horse will be a little bit different and you'll know your horse better than anyone else but this infographic may help.

Happy Ponies

I let the ponies out for about an hour last night to start getting used to grass. They get the left over grass that the big herd didn't eat. Because they are ponies (and therefore super naught) and because one part of the pasture had "courtesy fence (i.e., please don't push on this fence because it's really not electric and it's really only there to detour you from actually going where I don't want you to go). I left lead ropes on which I absolutely hate doing but knowing the ponies are hard to catch and knowing that there was a "courtesy" fence, I figured it was the best move.


But with a little bit of grain, and a little bit of coaxing, they were happy to go in after an hour of running and grazing. We'll start getting the ponies and Mayhem used to grass and then we'll be on easy street.


For now, I'll leave you with a few pictures from the ponies enjoying their outing (I promise, there was some running, bucking, and farting going on earlier).

Little Helpers

The Night Before

Going in reverse order from this morning (to last night). After we finished up with fencing, and while the kids were still in tow, I needed to get out and throw hay to the big herd (much to everyone's dismay). The big herd wanted to be out on pasture and not wait until morning, but I'm mean and made them wait.


I love how my daughter is so excited to be around horses. It makes my heart sing!

Morning Pasture Time

Finally had the opportunity to finish fencing last night (not without a bit of a temper tantrum and throwing out the "mom card") but at least its' done and now the horses are enjoying a portion of the big pasture. I'll leave you with just a couple pictures from this morning. What I would have given to spend about an hour taking pictures instead of only a few rushed minutes, knowing that I'll be late for the paying job (but oh so worth it).

Fencing Time

Well I tried to get the big herd out on pasture this weekend but that didn't happen. Fingers crossed I can get the fencing done tonight. Otherwise I'm relegated to throwing hay and that makes me grumpy when we are finally into summer.


I also need to get Junior and Lace up to Madison so they can enjoy their "summer retreat" time. Junior is looking super tough. I just don't know. I really messed up with him. I can only hope that we pulls through and packs on the pounds. So stressful.


We ran to TSC last night to pick up some electric wire. We've been using the super thin wire with sort of rope stuff but Chaos knows that he can break it just by looking at it. So my hope is that I fool him into a false sense of security and when he touches the fence this time around, he'll be shocked (in more ways than one). That look of utter teenage naughtiness is not something I want to contend with this summer.


During the last blizzard back in April we had the top of a tree break off and wouldn't you know, it landed on the pasture fence. Well, I thought it was the fence but what's saving the fence from being completely torn down is that the tree landed on the gate. Which is the gate I need to get in and out to put in the temporary fencing. I struggled with it, swore at it, and even cried a little when it finally budged but all my temporary fence posts fell out of the wheelbarrow (twice).


Fingers crossed that fencing will go smoothly. Those typically aren't two words said in the same sentence. I felt so exhausted this past weekend I couldn't get much done. Lets hope the heat isn't too bad and the wind is still there to keep the mosquitoes at bay and to keep the temps down.

Summer Already

It's the first of June. How can it be summer already? Where in the world did May go?


Well, I sort of know where May went. I took a bit of a hiatus from posting on social media, blogging, that sort of thing. I think I just needed a break. I've had comments in the past about me "unplugging" from everything and how unnecessary that should be but for me, as an introvert, I need it.


We took two family vacations in May that took me away from the Sanctuary. Thanks to amazing friends and family, we were able to leave everything in good hands and not have to worry one bit. Of course, we left this last time over Memorial weekend when it was so stinking hot and Farley scared the bajeezes out of my good friend (thinking he was dead). We'll see how Farley does this summer and fall. He is 14 years old and I'm not sure he'll make another winter. Its' a day-by-day adventure with him.


The horses are currently out on the lawn enjoying grass. Hopefully we put in the last round bale of hay last week while we were on vacation and we wont' have to deal with round bales again until October.


I'm planning on hauling Junior and Lace to Madison this weekend for their "summer retreat". They'll be there for a month. Hopefully Junior picks up the weight by being on grass 24x7. With them gone, Mayhem will be by herself again. I'll probably put her out with the ponies and get those three used to grass again. But that will be after the big herd is out to pasture.


My plan is to get up early tomorrow morning and start dividing the pasture again. I don't want them to have the entire pasture because I have a feeling we'll be dealing with drought if the weather continues as it has with all the heat. As it is, my hay ground is not getting any rain so we will probably have to go with someone else again for hay. Not my preference but maybe its' best for King. Not sure it's best for the others though.


If we don't put any more hay in, we'll have 8 bales left over. Which is what we had left over from the year before. I like having a mini stock pile of hay but I'm having a hard time figuring out numbers. We lost two (Ivan and Bo) for part of the winter so I'm not sure what to put in for an order of hay this year. It might very well be get what you get and scrounge for the rest. I guess we'll keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.


I'm still not looking at opening our doors yet. With all my health issues lately, I haven't been up to much. I guess that's why it took this long to get the horses used to grass. What I would have given to get them used to grass sooner. I need to go out to the pasture and dump vegetable oil into the standing water to hopefully kill mosquitoes. It's going to be bad now that all the water from the surrounding fields goes directly into my pasture...all without my approval. I'm still furious about that.


I'm hoping to be online more this month, not like last month when I didn't surface except for a few times. Thank you to everyone who as stuck around. I am sure to be more chatty this month. May was simply filled with too much other stuff going on and my brain just couldn't take it.


So thanks for putting up with my lack of posts, and lets see what good things June brings us.