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

April Blizzard

Well, we survived the blizzard, not without a couple of scares but we survived. Everyone is fine and healthy but we are going to have to look at a few of our buildings a little closer.


It started raining Friday. Luckily I'd put blankets on everyone I could so they wouldn't be miserable. I'd rather have soggy blankets than wet and cold horses. I had thought the blizzard was going to hit around 7pm but it never did. I went ahead and put horses in knowing that the blizzard was coming and wanted to make sure everyone was protected.


The mares and Junior's pen get the worst of the east wind and it was coming directly out of the east. It was so strong that it raised the roof of the hay barn slightly. Just enough to scare the bajezees out of me. I wasn't sure if the building would last through the storm or not but it did. I ended up leaving the mares and Junior in their stalls from Friday night until Sunday morning because the winds and snow were so fierce.


I'd let the big herd out of the barn Saturday morning so they could stretch their legs. They were not impressed. Within a half an hour they were coated in snow and looking at me to put them back in. Luckily they have two runin sheds they can get into so I wasn't worried. But I did put them back in Saturday night.


I'm glad the storm is over but now they are talking about another storm Tuesday night into Wednesday. So much for spring. Mike was actually supposed to leave Friday to head to the Black Hills but his plans were cancelled when they talked about how bad this storm was going to be. I'm glad because we might not have gotten that much snow, but there were drifts up to my hips in front of the barn.


I know there's more to tell but I'm still trying to get back into the swing of things.


The following pics were taken Sunday after the storm had passed. I think everyone was ready for some nicer weather.

Brego and Zeke

Dude and Brego

Jim and Maverick

Happy Friday

Happy Friday

Random Ramblings

I still can't put my finger on what's wrong with Maverick. I checked him last night, and he was fine. This morning, he was again hiding in his official spot in the lean to. Of course that spot is becoming a coveted spot so maybe that's it. I don't know. My brain and emotions are a bit tapped out as of late. There's all this stuff I'd really like to do and right about the time I find the time to get to it, something comes up and I'm taking two steps back. I guess that's the nature of the beast.


Yesterday was gorgeous, in the upper 40s. I was so ready for spring to get here although it's much to early for that just yet. And today, as the day progresses, the temperatures are continuing to drop and we'll be dealing with single digits again overnight. It's a hard shift on animals and people alike. I worry every time we have a temp change that's drastic. I worry about colic and who it'll be. I guess I'm a bit nervous after losing Ivan and now watching Maverick, trying to decide what's going on with my spunky red gelding that doesnt' seem to be himself lately. I could have sworn I heard and saw a robin this morning during chores. It's much to early for them to arrive but it was a bright moment nonetheless.


I've been fairly quiet on the blog as of late and I may unfortunately continue that trend. I've been under the weather for awhile and I need to get back into the swing of things before I can tackle any big projects. And that's a bummer because I had hoped to move forward with a couple of ideas but that seems to be stalled right in its tracks. I guess we'll see how things go but I don't expect anything to come of it for awhile.


On the bright side, Junior is looking good. I don't believe he's lost any weight. I can't tell if he's packing it on or just leaving it on but in any case, he's looking good for being 30 years old. I honestly didn't think he'd make 30 when we took him in. He was 26 at the time and I figured one or two good years would be all he'd have left in him. Boy was I wrong. I do love it when the horses prove me wrong.


And Brego, oh my sweet, sweet Brego. I went out to do chores the other night and I wasn't feeling well. Brego knew there was something wrong and wouldnt' leave my side. He walked with me all the way from the bottom of the drylot to the barn, never once leaving my side, walking as slowly as I was and stopping every time I needed a break. That boy really knows when I need a bit of comfort. I always thought I'd only get that kind of attention from the older mares. I was wrong. Brego just seems to know. Yet another reason why I do adore him so. He's simply the sweetest horse we have at the Sanctuary.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday

Be My Valentine - Brego

Meet Brego

Sweet and mello. That's the words to describe Brego. Brego is the gentlest horse at the Sanctuary and would never hurt a fly. Brego came to the Sanctuary in October 2008 on a rainy night. He was the first horse we dealt with that was thinner than we would normally have liked. We've struggled with his weight until we finally went to round bales and now he's nice and plump. I think he was so passive, that he let others eat his food.

Brego is a 13 year old grade quarter horse gelding.

Brego is a sweetheart with a heart of gold. He's always curious to know what I'm doing but never gets into my space without first asking.

When Brego was five, I sent him to the trainers to become a good riding horse only to discover that he should never be ridden. We can only guess that he has a back/hip issue that causes pain. So instead, he is now a pasture pet.

This fall he lost his best friend and I was terrified that he would fall into a deep depression. Luckily, he had adjusted well and seems to be back to his sweet self once again. I cannot believe how residential Brego is.

Brego is lower in the pecking order but doesn't seem to get pushed around either. He always seems to be congenial and sweet tempered. I don't know that I have ever seen him pin his ears at anyone.

Would you like to sponsor this sweetheart of a horse? Brego's monthly sponsorship is $50 and covers the cost of grain and will ensure that he gets a winter blanket. He has a blanket but it's starting to show its wear. Brego hates being cold and loves to wear blankets. It's one of his special perks of being a thin skilled QH. In return for sponsoring Brego, you'll receive monthly updates and pictures.

You can donate to www.paypal.me/Borderlands or send via mail to

Borderlands Horse Sanctuary

PO Box 164

Humboldt, SD

#MyValentine