Showing posts with label Tommy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tommy. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Tommy and Skippy Go on an Adventure
Yesterday Tommy and Skippy went on an adventure to the Avera Prince of Peace Retirement Community and met some of the residents. We had a great time and the ponies had fun showing off (which is what they love to do most!)
There was one gentleman in particular that fell in love with the ponies and it made the trip even more special for me. I can picture myself someday and I hope that there will be opportunities to have horses and other animals visit me when my body is played out and I'm trapped in a body that doesn't allow me to do the things I once did.
I love the fact that our seniors can brighten the days of other seniors. It's what I've wanted to do for years now. Thankfully the staff at Prince of Peace are the ones who made the offering for us to visit and I hope that we can return and share the ponies again and again.
If you check out our Facebook page, you'll see some pictures. I had my hands full with the ponies (although one of their workers gladly helped and I love getting the opportunity to share working with horses with others).
When the time comes for me to retire, I either want to go to Estelline because they have a petting zoo and an amazing garden or I want to go to Prince of Peace because they keep those residents hoping. They had our visit with the ponies and then were headed to the zoo in the afternoon! How fun would that be!
I'm hoping the next time we go, I can bring Penny along too!
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
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).
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).
Friday, February 2, 2018
Be My Valentine - Tommy
Meet Tommy
We are guessing at Tommy's age but he's around 15 or 16 years old. He's grandfathered in to the Sanctuary (we only accept 20 years or older horses/ponies) because we hadn't set an age limit initially and Tommy started calling the Sanctuary home in December 2009.
Tommy is a shetland pony gelding and he's ALL shetland pony. He's cantankerous and opinionated but he has a soft heart once you get passed the crusty outer shell. As long as he's treated like a horse, rather than a pony, you'll get along with him just fine!
Tommy has a very serious, non-nonsense side to him that he typically shows the world. In fact, he sometimes reminds me of The Grouch from Seasame Street (can you tell we have young kids in the house). It's all an act though because Tommy really does like to be messed with (but you'll never know by his demeanor).
Tommy has been inseparable from Skippy from before they both arrived at the Sanctuary. He currently is the boss of the two, much to Skippy's dismay and Tommy's delight. He'd rather do his own thing than to mess around with any of the other horses and doesn't try to instigate any mischief (like his buddy Skippy).
Tommy has a presence about him that other horses don't have. If he were a draft horse, it would be easier to pick out that presence but being tucked into a pony body, it's a bit hidden under the Fabio style hair he keeps.
Tommy would love to have a monthly sponsor. His sponsorship is $50 and would keep him up-to-date on trims (because his feet get very flat if not on a 6-8 week rotation), hay, and his beloved salt blocks. Tommy loves his salt! In return for your monthly donation, you'll get an update on Tommy's adventures with Skippy and random pictures of him throughout the month.
Will you consider Tommy as your Valentine's this year?
#MyValentine
We are guessing at Tommy's age but he's around 15 or 16 years old. He's grandfathered in to the Sanctuary (we only accept 20 years or older horses/ponies) because we hadn't set an age limit initially and Tommy started calling the Sanctuary home in December 2009.
Tommy is a shetland pony gelding and he's ALL shetland pony. He's cantankerous and opinionated but he has a soft heart once you get passed the crusty outer shell. As long as he's treated like a horse, rather than a pony, you'll get along with him just fine!
Tommy has a very serious, non-nonsense side to him that he typically shows the world. In fact, he sometimes reminds me of The Grouch from Seasame Street (can you tell we have young kids in the house). It's all an act though because Tommy really does like to be messed with (but you'll never know by his demeanor).
Tommy has been inseparable from Skippy from before they both arrived at the Sanctuary. He currently is the boss of the two, much to Skippy's dismay and Tommy's delight. He'd rather do his own thing than to mess around with any of the other horses and doesn't try to instigate any mischief (like his buddy Skippy).
Tommy has a presence about him that other horses don't have. If he were a draft horse, it would be easier to pick out that presence but being tucked into a pony body, it's a bit hidden under the Fabio style hair he keeps.
Tommy would love to have a monthly sponsor. His sponsorship is $50 and would keep him up-to-date on trims (because his feet get very flat if not on a 6-8 week rotation), hay, and his beloved salt blocks. Tommy loves his salt! In return for your monthly donation, you'll get an update on Tommy's adventures with Skippy and random pictures of him throughout the month.
You can donate through paypal at www.paypal.me/Borderlands
or through snail mail at
Borderlands Horse Sanctuary
PO Box 164
26160 457th Ave
Humboldt, SD
Will you consider Tommy as your Valentine's this year?
#MyValentine
Thursday, January 18, 2018
Monday, June 12, 2017
Stretching Legs
After the big herd moved out to pasture, I spent a few minutes and let Mayhem and the ponies out on some of the lawn that Junior, Lace, and Bo have been eating. The pasture Junior, Lace, and Bo have been on for the past almost two months is done so I was looking to use up the lawn pasture before moving corral panels.
I was also able to find some rouge weeds and get them sprayed when I sprayed the other pasture. I decided to see what the ponies and Mayhem would do on grass. There wasn't really anything left so thought it would be a good time to get them adjusted to grass as well. They were only on the pasture for two days before they burned down a couple of spots.
We had to move the blue trailer around so I lost some fencing. I'll blog about the trailers in another post.
But for now I wanted to show some more pictures of the horses. I had to move the ponies and Mayhem back to their pen but I'm going to play musical pens this week because I'll be gone Friday and Saturday night for the Estelline Rodeo. So those three will go back into the smaller pen that still has a round bale that the big herd hasn't demolished. That bale should last them until I can get back Sunday morning.
After this weekend, I'll be moving corral panels around and getting the next pasture ready. I'll finish up using the lawn pasture and then we'll go from there. I'm trying to save my pastures in case we are going into a drought. After living through a drought recently, I'm not sure I can handle another one so quickly on our heals (it was a few years ago but I'm still not recovered from it financially).
But for now, I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of the ponies and Mayhem. Mayhem was unimpressed with Bo being on the other side of the fence and Lace seemed overly crabby about having Mayhem anywhere close to Junior. Aah, the joys of mares!
I was also able to find some rouge weeds and get them sprayed when I sprayed the other pasture. I decided to see what the ponies and Mayhem would do on grass. There wasn't really anything left so thought it would be a good time to get them adjusted to grass as well. They were only on the pasture for two days before they burned down a couple of spots.
We had to move the blue trailer around so I lost some fencing. I'll blog about the trailers in another post.
But for now I wanted to show some more pictures of the horses. I had to move the ponies and Mayhem back to their pen but I'm going to play musical pens this week because I'll be gone Friday and Saturday night for the Estelline Rodeo. So those three will go back into the smaller pen that still has a round bale that the big herd hasn't demolished. That bale should last them until I can get back Sunday morning.
After this weekend, I'll be moving corral panels around and getting the next pasture ready. I'll finish up using the lawn pasture and then we'll go from there. I'm trying to save my pastures in case we are going into a drought. After living through a drought recently, I'm not sure I can handle another one so quickly on our heals (it was a few years ago but I'm still not recovered from it financially).
But for now, I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of the ponies and Mayhem. Mayhem was unimpressed with Bo being on the other side of the fence and Lace seemed overly crabby about having Mayhem anywhere close to Junior. Aah, the joys of mares!
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| Tommy stretching his legs. |
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| Skippy is unimpressed with this heat and humidity |
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| Skippy stretching his legs |
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| Mayhem, Tommy, and Skippy on the "lawn" pasture. This "pasture" is done too so we'll be moving them to a different part of the lawn next week. Until then, they'll be back on a drylot, eating hay. |
Thursday, March 16, 2017
Throwback Thursday
Our Throwback Thursday is to a few falls ago. I'm getting a bit tired of the odd winter so figured I'd share a picture of Tommy enjoying a quick romp through the pasture before heading in for the night.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
2017 Sanctuary Residents
Jim - 30 year old Tennessee Walker gelding
Maverick - 12 year old grade Quarter Horse gelding
Ivan - 16 year old Thoroughbred gelding
Dude (My Blazing Skip) - 20 year old registered Quarter Horse gelding
Chaos - 12 year old grade breeding stock paint gelding
Rabbit (Rabbit Choker Nikki) - 25 year old registered Quarter Horse mare
Brego - 12 year old grade Quarter Horse gelding
Zeke - 25 year old grade Arabian gelding
Bo - 16 year old National Show Horse (Saddlebred x Arabian) gelding
Mayhem - 7 year old registerable Quarter Horse mare
Junior - 29 year old Quarter Horse gelding
Skippy - 14 year old registered Miniature Horse gelding
Tommy - 15 year old Shetland Pony gelding
Lace (whitelacenpromises) - 22 year old (Need to double check) registered Paint mare
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Pony Gods
Tuesday, August 9, 2016
Roaching
Before we went on vacation I put the ponies into their normal "vacation" pasture. They didn't go in it last year but figured it would be a nice change for them this year. I should have avoided that pasture. We are being over run by cockle burs and thistles.
Now stop right there. Please don't tell me that I "just" needed to get out and spray or cut down all the weeds. This is more than a one day task. We have almost 30 acres and I can't hand spray everything or cut every weed down. It's not possible.
Quite frankly, I'm not getting any help with any maintenance on the place. None, nada, zilch. What little time I DO have to get stuff done around the place is focused on the horses and what little upkeep I can do. I see the weeds; they make me mad. I cut them down; they come back thicker.
So not really knowing how bad the cockleburs were in the pony pasture, I let them go anyway. It was bad. I opted to roach Tommy and Skippy. I know people will tell me that I'm a bad horse owner for roaching instead of pulling cockleburs. But I could spend hours pulling cockleburs (Which I don't have). And I could spend hours cutting down burdock (which I don't have). So please, for the love of god, don't criticize me for doing what's best for the horses. There's other methods, but with my limited time, this is the best I can do.
For those that disagree, I will welcome you openly to bring your weed spray, your weed whackers, your cutters, whatever it takes and go after the weeds. Or come out and pull cockleburs ever day. It's a daily task and one that I dont' always have time for. Yes, weed control is a horse owner's nightmare and yes, I need to do more in the battle of the weeds but for right now. I'm not even keeping my head above water so, just know that Tommy and Skippy are enjoying their new look. Think less Fabio and more an Olympic swimmer.
Now stop right there. Please don't tell me that I "just" needed to get out and spray or cut down all the weeds. This is more than a one day task. We have almost 30 acres and I can't hand spray everything or cut every weed down. It's not possible.
Quite frankly, I'm not getting any help with any maintenance on the place. None, nada, zilch. What little time I DO have to get stuff done around the place is focused on the horses and what little upkeep I can do. I see the weeds; they make me mad. I cut them down; they come back thicker.
So not really knowing how bad the cockleburs were in the pony pasture, I let them go anyway. It was bad. I opted to roach Tommy and Skippy. I know people will tell me that I'm a bad horse owner for roaching instead of pulling cockleburs. But I could spend hours pulling cockleburs (Which I don't have). And I could spend hours cutting down burdock (which I don't have). So please, for the love of god, don't criticize me for doing what's best for the horses. There's other methods, but with my limited time, this is the best I can do.
For those that disagree, I will welcome you openly to bring your weed spray, your weed whackers, your cutters, whatever it takes and go after the weeds. Or come out and pull cockleburs ever day. It's a daily task and one that I dont' always have time for. Yes, weed control is a horse owner's nightmare and yes, I need to do more in the battle of the weeds but for right now. I'm not even keeping my head above water so, just know that Tommy and Skippy are enjoying their new look. Think less Fabio and more an Olympic swimmer.
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
And So It Begins
That's right....it begins. We are officially playing musical pens. Usually I start musical pens the first of May but everything has been pushed back because my time is so limited.
But I finally put Rabbit and Junior into the pasture yesterday morning. That left Mayhem by herself. She was not happy but she really does need to gain some confidence. She's always been with someone so we need to fix the whole herd bound issue.
Last evening I put Lace in with Mayhem. I wasn't sure how well that was going to go. When we first got Lace, she was hell bent to destroy anyone that came near her. When I put her in with Mayhem, she stood still for Mayhem to sniff her all over. I really hate introductions. They are so stressful (probably more so for me than anyone else). Mayhem was still on alert after being alone all day but you could visibly see that she was much calmer with someone else in the pen even if it was Lace (who tried to beat the tar out of her the last time we introduced each other). Lace ignored her this time around.
Lace was more interested in Dude and Chaos who were hanging on the fence. I forget what it's like to have a mare. Rabbit doesn't often go into heat and if she does, she doesn't show the signs of it. Mayhem hasn't really ever shown too many signs. Lace on the other hand was flaunting her stuff. I hope that after a year or so, she'll understand that she's not going to get any and there's no baby making allowed on the place.
But Lace settled down pretty quick too. I thought maybe she'd try and attack Mayhem but she actually seemed like a totally different horse when I put her in the pen. I knew she was low man on the totem pole at her previous home (which she was at for only two months) but she's been top dog ever since she got here. I had thought of putting her in with the geldings but if she's going to be strutting her stuff all the time, I'm not sure Chaos can handle it. And I thinks she'll be fairly low on the totem pole. With the ponies, she was definitely top horse (but then again Rabbit did the same thing when she was in with the ponies).
Chaos was hanging on the fence even after Dude lost interest (which was pretty quick). Maverick wanted to check out Lace too but wasn't interested in her other than to make friends. Everyone else didn't care and didn't bother rushing the fence like I thought they might.
Last week Chaos cut his leg. I'd been tending to hit and thought it was healing but he tore it back open yesterday messing around with Lace. Hopefully we can get it patched up quick. I'm afraid it's going to leave a scar now. It didn't warrant a vet call the first time around but last night I wondered about calling the vet but I'm not sure that they would have been able to do anything now that it's been a week even though Chaos ripped it back open. Hopefully Chaos will settle down and the cut can start to re-heal.
I didn't put the ponies in with Lace because I wanted to give her a day to settle in with Mayhem. Skippy was unimpressed. I figured he would have been happy to be rid of her but he kept whinnying. Even Tommy was whinnying for her. Odd. But I will put them all in together tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. We are going to be doing a lot of running around in the next two weeks so this will help cut down on chores.
Rabbit and Junior were pretty content in their pasture but I didn't want them staying out all night (at least not on the first night). I know they've been on grass but I want to make sure that they didn't over eat. So I pulled them into the barn for the night. I was worried that Rabbit would get stocked up but she did ok. She's moving around a LOT better now than even a week ago. Maybe being on a pasture will help but I'm afraid if I don't get it checked out, it'll only get worse again.
Junior and Rabbit were ready to get out of the barn this morning. I may leave them out tonight but I'd rather have 12 hours on and 12 hours off but we'll see. Maybe after I get the big herd adjusted, I can come up with something.
My hope is that tonight or tomorrow morning I put the ponies in with Lace and Mayhem and then I can start pulling down corral panels so I can put them up in a different spot and get the big herd out. This morning Bo was hanging over the gate asking to be let out on grass. He DESPERATLEY needs to be on grass to pick up weight. I don't think I have enough corral panels to make it all work but I'll have to get crafty if I don't. There's two options for putting up corral panels. We'll see how it goes. If I leave some extra tall grass for Mayhem and Lace then maybe I will move corral panels around to a different way. It's all such a guessing game.
The days are getting way longer but I can't seem to take advantage of the extra time because I'm with the kids (not that I'm complaining just struggling to get everything done). Next month has the longest day of the year and I need to take advantage of it. Seems like once July hits, I'm thinking winter again. So I need to get really focused and get the herd out on pasture and then focus on getting stuff done so we can be ready for winter. Seems I'm always working through the summer and focusing on winter.
There's just so much to get done and so little time to get it all accomplished. I have some fundraiser ideas that I'd like to pursue but I need some help with that too. Anyone want to help? You don't even have to be close. I can put all my ideas on paper and we can converse through email. I just need another brain or two to bounce ideas off of. Otherwise I just listen to the voices in my head and they seem to be in constant contradiction these days.
But I finally put Rabbit and Junior into the pasture yesterday morning. That left Mayhem by herself. She was not happy but she really does need to gain some confidence. She's always been with someone so we need to fix the whole herd bound issue.
Last evening I put Lace in with Mayhem. I wasn't sure how well that was going to go. When we first got Lace, she was hell bent to destroy anyone that came near her. When I put her in with Mayhem, she stood still for Mayhem to sniff her all over. I really hate introductions. They are so stressful (probably more so for me than anyone else). Mayhem was still on alert after being alone all day but you could visibly see that she was much calmer with someone else in the pen even if it was Lace (who tried to beat the tar out of her the last time we introduced each other). Lace ignored her this time around.
Lace was more interested in Dude and Chaos who were hanging on the fence. I forget what it's like to have a mare. Rabbit doesn't often go into heat and if she does, she doesn't show the signs of it. Mayhem hasn't really ever shown too many signs. Lace on the other hand was flaunting her stuff. I hope that after a year or so, she'll understand that she's not going to get any and there's no baby making allowed on the place.
But Lace settled down pretty quick too. I thought maybe she'd try and attack Mayhem but she actually seemed like a totally different horse when I put her in the pen. I knew she was low man on the totem pole at her previous home (which she was at for only two months) but she's been top dog ever since she got here. I had thought of putting her in with the geldings but if she's going to be strutting her stuff all the time, I'm not sure Chaos can handle it. And I thinks she'll be fairly low on the totem pole. With the ponies, she was definitely top horse (but then again Rabbit did the same thing when she was in with the ponies).
Chaos was hanging on the fence even after Dude lost interest (which was pretty quick). Maverick wanted to check out Lace too but wasn't interested in her other than to make friends. Everyone else didn't care and didn't bother rushing the fence like I thought they might.
Last week Chaos cut his leg. I'd been tending to hit and thought it was healing but he tore it back open yesterday messing around with Lace. Hopefully we can get it patched up quick. I'm afraid it's going to leave a scar now.
I didn't put the ponies in with Lace because I wanted to give her a day to settle in with Mayhem. Skippy was unimpressed. I figured he would have been happy to be rid of her but he kept whinnying. Even Tommy was whinnying for her. Odd. But I will put them all in together tonight or first thing tomorrow morning. We are going to be doing a lot of running around in the next two weeks so this will help cut down on chores.
Rabbit and Junior were pretty content in their pasture but I didn't want them staying out all night (at least not on the first night). I know they've been on grass but I want to make sure that they didn't over eat. So I pulled them into the barn for the night. I was worried that Rabbit would get stocked up but she did ok. She's moving around a LOT better now than even a week ago. Maybe being on a pasture will help but I'm afraid if I don't get it checked out, it'll only get worse again.
Junior and Rabbit were ready to get out of the barn this morning. I may leave them out tonight but I'd rather have 12 hours on and 12 hours off but we'll see. Maybe after I get the big herd adjusted, I can come up with something.
My hope is that tonight or tomorrow morning I put the ponies in with Lace and Mayhem and then I can start pulling down corral panels so I can put them up in a different spot and get the big herd out. This morning Bo was hanging over the gate asking to be let out on grass. He DESPERATLEY needs to be on grass to pick up weight. I don't think I have enough corral panels to make it all work but I'll have to get crafty if I don't. There's two options for putting up corral panels. We'll see how it goes. If I leave some extra tall grass for Mayhem and Lace then maybe I will move corral panels around to a different way. It's all such a guessing game.
The days are getting way longer but I can't seem to take advantage of the extra time because I'm with the kids (not that I'm complaining just struggling to get everything done). Next month has the longest day of the year and I need to take advantage of it. Seems like once July hits, I'm thinking winter again. So I need to get really focused and get the herd out on pasture and then focus on getting stuff done so we can be ready for winter. Seems I'm always working through the summer and focusing on winter.
There's just so much to get done and so little time to get it all accomplished. I have some fundraiser ideas that I'd like to pursue but I need some help with that too. Anyone want to help? You don't even have to be close. I can put all my ideas on paper and we can converse through email. I just need another brain or two to bounce ideas off of. Otherwise I just listen to the voices in my head and they seem to be in constant contradiction these days.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Sanctuary Horses' Christmas Wish List
I was asked the other day by a good friend "What do the horses want for Christmas this year?" I guess I always have a running tally of what we need but I've never voiced it specifically. The horses tell me what they want but they get what they get when there's only so much money to go around. :-)
So here it goes....each horse's Christmas wish list.
(Sorry the pictures are outdated. I am not on the right computer with the newer pics)
Whitelacenpromises
I wish for a new blanket, size 78. I'm new to the Sanctuary and would love to have a blanket to keep the chill away. I'd also love a bag or two of sweet feed. I'm a girl who loves her grain.
Rabbit
I wish for a new blanket, size 78. My old one is too big and I ripped it last winter. I'd also love a bag or two of sweet feed. I'd love a fly mask too for the summer months. The sunshine makes my eyes weep some days.
Mayhem
I wish for money to go towards my hernia surgery. Before I can go to school, I have to have my surgery. Any amount is helpful. I'd like a salt lick too.
Tommy
I wish for a brand new halter and lead rope. My halter size is yearling. That way when we go to different community outreach programs, I can look nice instead of wearing my grungy halter. I'd also love to have a pedicure or two paid for ($30). Oh and I'd like a salt lick too. I don't lick them, I scrape them with my teeth!
Skippy
I wish for a brand new halter and lead rope too! My halter size is pony. I'm wearing Tommy's hand-me-down halter (and you know how dirty those Shetland ponies can get!). I'd also love to get a pedicure or two paid for before we go out and about to meet people.
Junior
I'd love for a bag or two of purina senior feed or Strategy. I'd also love a bag of Cool Calories to help me keep my weight on. I'd love to have a new over the fence grain bucket too. I'm a bit hard on grain buckets. I'd love to get a fly mask for this summer too. I'd love to have a water proof sheet. I have a heavy blanket but on those damp fall days, I'd like to wear a waterproof sheet instead of my heavy blanket.
Jim
Even though I'm the oldest and probably the grumpiest, I'd love a bag of senior feed. I'd love a brand new blanket or to have my old one fixed (the clasp on the leg straps broke so my blanket doesn't always sit right). I'd also love a brand new halter because Zeke wanted my old halter. I'd love a fly mask for this summer. The sunlight bothers my eyes and makes my eyes weep some days.
Brego
I'd love a brand new blanket, size 78. Depending on the weather, I squeeze into Jim's blanket or I wear a blanket that doesn't fit me as well and that I've stretched the leg straps out so it gets caught every once in a while. I'd also love a bag or two of Strategy. When March rolls around, I start to lose weight so having some Strategy and maybe some Cool Calories supplements might be nice.
Ivan
I'd love a brand new halter. My head is so big that only one or two of the current halters fit and I have to share with Chaos. It would be nice to have a halter all my own. Oh and to have a bag of sweet feed.
Dude
I'd love my very own blanket, size 78. I ripped the one hand-me-down blanket I used to wear. It would be nice to have a fancy blanket to call my own, especially since I'm the one in charge of everyone. I'd love a bag of sweet feed too. Oh and don't forget a fly mask. I don't want to deal with those pesky flies this summer.
Chaos
I'd love a bag of sweet feed and an over-the-fence grain bucket. That way no one can steal my grain. I'd like a fly mask to keep flies away during the worst of fly season.
Maverick
I'd love a big salt lick and a bag of sweet feed. I'd also love a fly mask for this summer.
Bo
I'd love a bag or two of senior feed and Strategy. Oh and some Cool Calories would be nice. I could always go for a new halter to call my own. I've never had a halter of my own, just hand me downs. I'd love a fly mask too for the summer. And a rain sheet. I have a heavy blanket but a rain sheet to keep the damp fall rain off my back would be wonderful!
So, that's the horses' Christmas wish list. I've scoped out some prices. At Tractor Supply, sweet feed is about $9, Strategy is $15, Purina senior feed is $19 (but we also use Dumor senior which is a little cheaper), and Cool Calories are $24 for a small bag and $50 for a big bag. Over the fence grain buckets are about $10 and salt blocks are about $5. I can't remember what halters are for price (we usually get hand me down halters from other people) Fly masks are about $15 and blankets range in price (but we are always shopping around for the best deal).
So here it goes....each horse's Christmas wish list.
(Sorry the pictures are outdated. I am not on the right computer with the newer pics)
Whitelacenpromises
I wish for a new blanket, size 78. I'm new to the Sanctuary and would love to have a blanket to keep the chill away. I'd also love a bag or two of sweet feed. I'm a girl who loves her grain.
Rabbit
I wish for a new blanket, size 78. My old one is too big and I ripped it last winter. I'd also love a bag or two of sweet feed. I'd love a fly mask too for the summer months. The sunshine makes my eyes weep some days.
Mayhem
I wish for money to go towards my hernia surgery. Before I can go to school, I have to have my surgery. Any amount is helpful. I'd like a salt lick too.
Tommy
I wish for a brand new halter and lead rope. My halter size is yearling. That way when we go to different community outreach programs, I can look nice instead of wearing my grungy halter. I'd also love to have a pedicure or two paid for ($30). Oh and I'd like a salt lick too. I don't lick them, I scrape them with my teeth!
Skippy
I wish for a brand new halter and lead rope too! My halter size is pony. I'm wearing Tommy's hand-me-down halter (and you know how dirty those Shetland ponies can get!). I'd also love to get a pedicure or two paid for before we go out and about to meet people.
Junior
I'd love for a bag or two of purina senior feed or Strategy. I'd also love a bag of Cool Calories to help me keep my weight on. I'd love to have a new over the fence grain bucket too. I'm a bit hard on grain buckets. I'd love to get a fly mask for this summer too. I'd love to have a water proof sheet. I have a heavy blanket but on those damp fall days, I'd like to wear a waterproof sheet instead of my heavy blanket.
Jim
Even though I'm the oldest and probably the grumpiest, I'd love a bag of senior feed. I'd love a brand new blanket or to have my old one fixed (the clasp on the leg straps broke so my blanket doesn't always sit right). I'd also love a brand new halter because Zeke wanted my old halter. I'd love a fly mask for this summer. The sunlight bothers my eyes and makes my eyes weep some days.
Brego
I'd love a brand new blanket, size 78. Depending on the weather, I squeeze into Jim's blanket or I wear a blanket that doesn't fit me as well and that I've stretched the leg straps out so it gets caught every once in a while. I'd also love a bag or two of Strategy. When March rolls around, I start to lose weight so having some Strategy and maybe some Cool Calories supplements might be nice.
Ivan
I'd love a brand new halter. My head is so big that only one or two of the current halters fit and I have to share with Chaos. It would be nice to have a halter all my own. Oh and to have a bag of sweet feed.
Dude
I'd love my very own blanket, size 78. I ripped the one hand-me-down blanket I used to wear. It would be nice to have a fancy blanket to call my own, especially since I'm the one in charge of everyone. I'd love a bag of sweet feed too. Oh and don't forget a fly mask. I don't want to deal with those pesky flies this summer.
Chaos
I'd love a bag of sweet feed and an over-the-fence grain bucket. That way no one can steal my grain. I'd like a fly mask to keep flies away during the worst of fly season.
Maverick
I'd love a big salt lick and a bag of sweet feed. I'd also love a fly mask for this summer.
Bo
I'd love a bag or two of senior feed and Strategy. Oh and some Cool Calories would be nice. I could always go for a new halter to call my own. I've never had a halter of my own, just hand me downs. I'd love a fly mask too for the summer. And a rain sheet. I have a heavy blanket but a rain sheet to keep the damp fall rain off my back would be wonderful!
So, that's the horses' Christmas wish list. I've scoped out some prices. At Tractor Supply, sweet feed is about $9, Strategy is $15, Purina senior feed is $19 (but we also use Dumor senior which is a little cheaper), and Cool Calories are $24 for a small bag and $50 for a big bag. Over the fence grain buckets are about $10 and salt blocks are about $5. I can't remember what halters are for price (we usually get hand me down halters from other people) Fly masks are about $15 and blankets range in price (but we are always shopping around for the best deal).
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Spooked and Loose
This morning when I stepped out to do chores, there was a weird feeling in the air. I can't place it and no one was spooky except for me and Junior. After a year of fumbling around in the dark with a flashlight, you'd think Junior would be used to my antics. But he still spooks when I pull out the flashlight to check on something. Because I never get to do chores in the daylight.
The fog was rolling in so maybe that was it. Or maybe the coyotes were on the property. It's hard to tell the difference in tracks from the dogs versus a coyote. But I doubt they'd be brave enough to come up into the yard. So I have no idea what it was that set me on edge. None of the other horses were spooky or edgy. Just me and Junior.
Yesterday morning when I opened the door, I knew it was going to be a rough day. I wasn't more than two feet away from the front door and I saw Tommy racing from the barn up the hill to the red shed. Then I saw Skippy come racing out of the shadows to chase Tommy. They'd escaped...again. I KNEW when we put them in that pen, that I should have secured the corral panels. But for some reason I turned an oblivious eye and pretended that they wouldn't try and push the panels out and escape.
They'd been out long enough to devour Junior's hay but not long enough to eat both Mayhem and Rabbit's morning hay. They both knew they were in trouble when I showed up. I was worried that there would be a lot of drama and chasing going on. It was almost 6am and I was going to be late for the paying job if they didn't cooperate AND it was still dark without even a hint of the morning sun yet. But they must have known that their escapade was in bad taste. So they let me coax them into a different pen with a small bucket of grain. Of course there was no halter involved, and I kept the lead rope out of sight. They didn't even want to take more than a mouthful of grain when I offered it after getting them in to the pen. I wonder if they knew they had been naughty.
I have no idea how long they'd been running loose. They could have done a LOT more damage. Luckily, they didn't run off the property, hadn't gotten in to the hay shed where the hay is (or decided to go after the big rounds), and didn't take down any other fences (or get on the road). So I am super thankful for that.
It always seems that the ponies like to give me a run for my money at least a half dozen times a year. Guess my quota hadn't been reached yet this year.
Hopefully tonight, we can have a quiet night and tomorrow when I step out to do chores, there won't be any loose horses/ponies and nothing to spook Junior (or me).
Welcome back to the working world I guess.
The fog was rolling in so maybe that was it. Or maybe the coyotes were on the property. It's hard to tell the difference in tracks from the dogs versus a coyote. But I doubt they'd be brave enough to come up into the yard. So I have no idea what it was that set me on edge. None of the other horses were spooky or edgy. Just me and Junior.
Yesterday morning when I opened the door, I knew it was going to be a rough day. I wasn't more than two feet away from the front door and I saw Tommy racing from the barn up the hill to the red shed. Then I saw Skippy come racing out of the shadows to chase Tommy. They'd escaped...again. I KNEW when we put them in that pen, that I should have secured the corral panels. But for some reason I turned an oblivious eye and pretended that they wouldn't try and push the panels out and escape.
They'd been out long enough to devour Junior's hay but not long enough to eat both Mayhem and Rabbit's morning hay. They both knew they were in trouble when I showed up. I was worried that there would be a lot of drama and chasing going on. It was almost 6am and I was going to be late for the paying job if they didn't cooperate AND it was still dark without even a hint of the morning sun yet. But they must have known that their escapade was in bad taste. So they let me coax them into a different pen with a small bucket of grain. Of course there was no halter involved, and I kept the lead rope out of sight. They didn't even want to take more than a mouthful of grain when I offered it after getting them in to the pen. I wonder if they knew they had been naughty.
I have no idea how long they'd been running loose. They could have done a LOT more damage. Luckily, they didn't run off the property, hadn't gotten in to the hay shed where the hay is (or decided to go after the big rounds), and didn't take down any other fences (or get on the road). So I am super thankful for that.
It always seems that the ponies like to give me a run for my money at least a half dozen times a year. Guess my quota hadn't been reached yet this year.
Hopefully tonight, we can have a quiet night and tomorrow when I step out to do chores, there won't be any loose horses/ponies and nothing to spook Junior (or me).
Welcome back to the working world I guess.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Skippy in Timeout
Skippy is in timeout for the second day in a row. Unfortunately, Tommy is having to deal with Skippy's bad behavior as well. For the next three days, Tommy and Skippy will be separated because I am tired of Skippy's antics.
Yesterday, I put Skippy in to his pasture (along with Tommy). They've been out on the little lawn pasture for awhile. Apparently, Skippy has figured out that we don't always keep the electric fence on (can't have it on when our son is around). So when I went to put Skippy in to the pasture, I turned my back to walk over to the barn to plug in the fencer. Apparently, the wires were twined together so he pushed just a little and snuck under the fence. I figured that was my bad but I still put him in timeout for the day.
This morning, I put him and Tommy back in the pasture. Before I could walk to the barn to turn the fencer on, Skippy decided to plow through the fence. Didn't bother trying to go under. He decided to go through, ripping all the fence down. That meant that Tommy couldn't enjoy his time out on the pasture. I was furious to say the least.
So Skippy is back in timeout all alone and Tommy is in the old mares' pen until I can get the pasture fence fixed. Tommy can at least see the herd when they come and go for water. It wouldn't take me long to fix the fence but I was in a rush to get to work so it'll have to wait. And at this point, I think it's time for Skippy to be separated. He is doing it on purpose. If it happens on accident it's one thing but he's doing it to spite me now.
I'm thinking that I'll electrify his pen and he'll remember what it's like to be a nice mini and behave and respect fencing. Otherwise, he'll be banned from all grazing opportunities and Tommy may simply join the big herd and Skippy will be by himself. I'd rather not do it that way but it'll be up to Skippy to decide if he's going to behave himself.
No more ponies or minis at the Sanctuary from here on out. Just old, cranky big horses.
Yesterday, I put Skippy in to his pasture (along with Tommy). They've been out on the little lawn pasture for awhile. Apparently, Skippy has figured out that we don't always keep the electric fence on (can't have it on when our son is around). So when I went to put Skippy in to the pasture, I turned my back to walk over to the barn to plug in the fencer. Apparently, the wires were twined together so he pushed just a little and snuck under the fence. I figured that was my bad but I still put him in timeout for the day.
This morning, I put him and Tommy back in the pasture. Before I could walk to the barn to turn the fencer on, Skippy decided to plow through the fence. Didn't bother trying to go under. He decided to go through, ripping all the fence down. That meant that Tommy couldn't enjoy his time out on the pasture. I was furious to say the least.
So Skippy is back in timeout all alone and Tommy is in the old mares' pen until I can get the pasture fence fixed. Tommy can at least see the herd when they come and go for water. It wouldn't take me long to fix the fence but I was in a rush to get to work so it'll have to wait. And at this point, I think it's time for Skippy to be separated. He is doing it on purpose. If it happens on accident it's one thing but he's doing it to spite me now.
I'm thinking that I'll electrify his pen and he'll remember what it's like to be a nice mini and behave and respect fencing. Otherwise, he'll be banned from all grazing opportunities and Tommy may simply join the big herd and Skippy will be by himself. I'd rather not do it that way but it'll be up to Skippy to decide if he's going to behave himself.
No more ponies or minis at the Sanctuary from here on out. Just old, cranky big horses.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Help with Sponsorship
Thank you everyone that responded to my ranting blog yesterday for help. I needed the moral support! I'll try to answer in more detail what I was asked yesterday....what can people do.
I mentioned we need sponsors for the horses. I have been in a bit of a quandary to say because the cost usually scares people away. So Mike and I recrunched the numbers and we came up with a number that might be easier to swallow.
The numbers we came up with are based on feed ONLY, no other additional costs such as vet, farrier, general maintenance (i.e., dewormer, etc.). But the feed bill the biggest chunk of my stress. So here it goes.
We actually have TWO categories. We have the horses that are easy keepers and only require hay (and a little alfalfa during the super cold snaps) and we have the hard keepers that require constant grain throughout the winter and less grain during the summer months to maintain their weight, along with the standard hay and alfalfa. Again, this does NOT include any other costs to maintain the horse.
Easy Keeper Feed Sponsorship - $500
Hard Keeper Feed Sponsorship - $1,000
Sanctuary horse in the Easy Keeper Feed Sponsorship include:
Sanctuary horses in the Hard Keeper Feed Sponsorship include
I mentioned we need sponsors for the horses. I have been in a bit of a quandary to say because the cost usually scares people away. So Mike and I recrunched the numbers and we came up with a number that might be easier to swallow.
The numbers we came up with are based on feed ONLY, no other additional costs such as vet, farrier, general maintenance (i.e., dewormer, etc.). But the feed bill the biggest chunk of my stress. So here it goes.
We actually have TWO categories. We have the horses that are easy keepers and only require hay (and a little alfalfa during the super cold snaps) and we have the hard keepers that require constant grain throughout the winter and less grain during the summer months to maintain their weight, along with the standard hay and alfalfa. Again, this does NOT include any other costs to maintain the horse.
Easy Keeper Feed Sponsorship - $500
Hard Keeper Feed Sponsorship - $1,000
Sanctuary horse in the Easy Keeper Feed Sponsorship include:
- Tommy
- Skippy
- Ivan
- Dude
- Mayhem
- Chaos
- Maverick
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| Chaos |
| Skippy |
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| Dude |
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| Maverick |
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| Tommy |
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| Ivan |
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| Mayhem |
Sanctuary horses in the Hard Keeper Feed Sponsorship include
- Junior
- Bo
- Jim
- Brego
- Rabbit
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| Junior |
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| Rabbit |
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| Brego |
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| Bo |
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| Jim |
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