Is it a train? Is it a conga line? Is it a parade?
Nope, it's Maverick pretending that Dude is a large enough wind break during our latest snow storm.
Sunday, April 8, 2018
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Spring in SD
We may officially be in spring in South Dakota but it feels far from it. I know everyone is talking about how winter keeps holding on. Granted I'm ready for spring to be here as well but when I look at the drought monitor, I'm ok with a few inches of snow every few days. I'd rather have it now than way back in November or December when we'd keep all that snow and it would only run off and not soak into the ground.
Unfortunately, we have been dealing with colder temperatures. I had hoped that we'd be above freezing so I wouldn't have to worry about water. That didn't happen. I now have to take a hammer to the mares' water to keep it open. The water heaters we had both died unexpectedly (they were brand new this year). I had hoped we could hold out but taking hammers to ice in water tanks isn't exactly mart in my books. We'll see if we continue with the downward spiral of cold temperatures.
Everyone seems to be doing ok. Of course today it's almost 40 degrees. Unfortunately I have blankets on everyone. It was cold last night and I wasn't feeling the greatest to go pull blankets. This morning of course I was running late (as I always am for everything). But the weatherman is talking another round of snow on Sunday. But of course, that's when my farrier is suppose to come!
And I am trying to avoid looking at the radar for next weekend. Wouldn't you know, it's supposed to rain and/or snow all of next weekend and Mike is going to be away. It's not really that big of a deal but it does mean that I have to be a bit more coordinated as I'm the only one caring for the horses.
I've been struggling on focusing to get anything done this week. Too much to get done and not enough motivation or....it's more that there's not enough sunshine. I'm very driven by the weather.
The horses on the other hand are doing splendid and don't seem to mind one way or another if it's cloudy or sunny. I'm waiting to move the mares and Junior to the other pen. It'll probably be this weekend when I move t hem as their bale is about done and I want them off their pasture. It's a perfect location for them until mud season. I don't want them tearing up the pasture but I hate putting them in the other pen because there's no where for them to go. It also means I need to come up with another stall for Junior to go into or I have to halter him and walk him into his stall every day. It's not really a big deal but when you have kids and tight schedules, every second counts. Yes, I'm complaining about silly issues but I'll take it.
Now, to go in search of that motivation.
Unfortunately, we have been dealing with colder temperatures. I had hoped that we'd be above freezing so I wouldn't have to worry about water. That didn't happen. I now have to take a hammer to the mares' water to keep it open. The water heaters we had both died unexpectedly (they were brand new this year). I had hoped we could hold out but taking hammers to ice in water tanks isn't exactly mart in my books. We'll see if we continue with the downward spiral of cold temperatures.
Everyone seems to be doing ok. Of course today it's almost 40 degrees. Unfortunately I have blankets on everyone. It was cold last night and I wasn't feeling the greatest to go pull blankets. This morning of course I was running late (as I always am for everything). But the weatherman is talking another round of snow on Sunday. But of course, that's when my farrier is suppose to come!
And I am trying to avoid looking at the radar for next weekend. Wouldn't you know, it's supposed to rain and/or snow all of next weekend and Mike is going to be away. It's not really that big of a deal but it does mean that I have to be a bit more coordinated as I'm the only one caring for the horses.
I've been struggling on focusing to get anything done this week. Too much to get done and not enough motivation or....it's more that there's not enough sunshine. I'm very driven by the weather.
The horses on the other hand are doing splendid and don't seem to mind one way or another if it's cloudy or sunny. I'm waiting to move the mares and Junior to the other pen. It'll probably be this weekend when I move t hem as their bale is about done and I want them off their pasture. It's a perfect location for them until mud season. I don't want them tearing up the pasture but I hate putting them in the other pen because there's no where for them to go. It also means I need to come up with another stall for Junior to go into or I have to halter him and walk him into his stall every day. It's not really a big deal but when you have kids and tight schedules, every second counts. Yes, I'm complaining about silly issues but I'll take it.
Now, to go in search of that motivation.
Throwback Thursday
This Throwback Thursday is to a past summer when the pastures were green and lush. I think everyone is ready for green pastures instead of snowstorm after snowstorm.
#ThrowbackThursday, #TBT
#ThrowbackThursday, #TBT
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Major Projects Coming Our Way
There's all this information I've been waiting to blog about and yet I seem to not find the time. I'm not sure what's been going on lately but hopefully I'll be able to fix that soon. Of course kids, horses, work, and not feeling well sort of puts a damper on a lot of activities.
We had a winter storm roll through Monday into Tuesday and now the temps have dropped. We had single digits this morning. I wasn't prepared. I've been fairly spoiled in going out to do chores in just my winter boots and pjs, rather than donning my winter gear. But I know it won't last for long.
I need to start getting things lined up so that we can tackle our three to four big projects this summer. It needs to be the first half of the summer and not anything into the fall like we normally do. I want to be able to breath this fall and not feel like there's such constriction on my chest when I think of all that needs to be done before winter rolls around.
Our four big projects consists of:
1: Finishing up the roof on the hay barn. It's not really a big project but it still needs to be finished. It's such a relief to walk in to the barn and find that it's still dry and snug. But there's still areas that need to be repaired and the rest of the roof needs to be secured. We did what we could while the weather held but we were pushing our luck. So once the weather warms up into the 50s and 60s, we can tackle wrapping up that project. All we need is better temps and time.
2: "Waster Management" as Dad would call it. We need to get the manure out of the place and onto the farmer's field. The catch is...well actually there's multiple catches. We haven't hauled manure for awhile so there's lots of work to be done. First we need to contact the farmer to make sure we can still put manure on his field (that's not really a problem). The second is lining up a skid loader so that we can get into the leanto off the barn. The roof is too low for any tractor to get in and it's fairly deep these days. There's too much to scoop by hand so we NEED to find a skidloader. I expect we'll have to rent one but if we could find one to borrow, that would make life easier. We'd use it to not only scoop out the leanto but to fill the manure spreader. Otherwise, we have to hook and unhook the big tractor every time. The big tractor needs to be hooked to the manure spreader but it's also the only tractor that's running and has a bucket. So it will be used no matter what. The other issue, is that our manure spreader needs a bit of work before it can be used and currently it's tucked behind the Massey, which just so happens, isn't running. And it's not an easy fix because the loader part of the Massey is down on the ground so we can't just drag it out of the way. So there's lots to coordinate in a very small window of time. We have to make sure we get the manure out of our place and onto the field before the farmer starts planting so this is a very time sensitive project.
3. Finish reroofing the old garage. Its' not technically Sanctuary related but it is where most of the tools are located. Again, this is not an easy task as we have to build eaves for the remaining three sides, then strip off the old shingles, and then put new shingles on. I see this project taking multiple weekends but it'll look so nice when it's done. We've been dealing with a leaking garage roof for quite some time.
4. Fencing the main pasture (or really re-fencing). I'm not sure if this will happen but it DOES need to happen fairly soon. We need to come up with the funds to refence the entire pasture and then find the time to get it done. I'm struggling with finding the money as there's never enough and I am not sure where to even look to begin searching for grants. I know what I want for fencing and I'm not sure I'll get it. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but I know what we've done in the past won't hold them for the years that we need. But it HAS to get done soon. Last summer a corner post rotted off and a couple of the herd decided to go for a walk. We can't risk having the dependable big pasture not be dependable. So we either look at putting in new fence this year or next year. Either way, it HAS to get done. Even if it means taking out a personal loan to cover the cost. Good fencing make good neighbors and I certainly don't want to be a bad neighbor.
So that's the list of things we have to get done and the sooner the better. We can't wait until October to start these projects because these all take a considerable amount of time.
Anyone have any suggestions or know of ways to help?
We had a winter storm roll through Monday into Tuesday and now the temps have dropped. We had single digits this morning. I wasn't prepared. I've been fairly spoiled in going out to do chores in just my winter boots and pjs, rather than donning my winter gear. But I know it won't last for long.
I need to start getting things lined up so that we can tackle our three to four big projects this summer. It needs to be the first half of the summer and not anything into the fall like we normally do. I want to be able to breath this fall and not feel like there's such constriction on my chest when I think of all that needs to be done before winter rolls around.
Our four big projects consists of:
1: Finishing up the roof on the hay barn. It's not really a big project but it still needs to be finished. It's such a relief to walk in to the barn and find that it's still dry and snug. But there's still areas that need to be repaired and the rest of the roof needs to be secured. We did what we could while the weather held but we were pushing our luck. So once the weather warms up into the 50s and 60s, we can tackle wrapping up that project. All we need is better temps and time.
2: "Waster Management" as Dad would call it. We need to get the manure out of the place and onto the farmer's field. The catch is...well actually there's multiple catches. We haven't hauled manure for awhile so there's lots of work to be done. First we need to contact the farmer to make sure we can still put manure on his field (that's not really a problem). The second is lining up a skid loader so that we can get into the leanto off the barn. The roof is too low for any tractor to get in and it's fairly deep these days. There's too much to scoop by hand so we NEED to find a skidloader. I expect we'll have to rent one but if we could find one to borrow, that would make life easier. We'd use it to not only scoop out the leanto but to fill the manure spreader. Otherwise, we have to hook and unhook the big tractor every time. The big tractor needs to be hooked to the manure spreader but it's also the only tractor that's running and has a bucket. So it will be used no matter what. The other issue, is that our manure spreader needs a bit of work before it can be used and currently it's tucked behind the Massey, which just so happens, isn't running. And it's not an easy fix because the loader part of the Massey is down on the ground so we can't just drag it out of the way. So there's lots to coordinate in a very small window of time. We have to make sure we get the manure out of our place and onto the field before the farmer starts planting so this is a very time sensitive project.
3. Finish reroofing the old garage. Its' not technically Sanctuary related but it is where most of the tools are located. Again, this is not an easy task as we have to build eaves for the remaining three sides, then strip off the old shingles, and then put new shingles on. I see this project taking multiple weekends but it'll look so nice when it's done. We've been dealing with a leaking garage roof for quite some time.
4. Fencing the main pasture (or really re-fencing). I'm not sure if this will happen but it DOES need to happen fairly soon. We need to come up with the funds to refence the entire pasture and then find the time to get it done. I'm struggling with finding the money as there's never enough and I am not sure where to even look to begin searching for grants. I know what I want for fencing and I'm not sure I'll get it. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but I know what we've done in the past won't hold them for the years that we need. But it HAS to get done soon. Last summer a corner post rotted off and a couple of the herd decided to go for a walk. We can't risk having the dependable big pasture not be dependable. So we either look at putting in new fence this year or next year. Either way, it HAS to get done. Even if it means taking out a personal loan to cover the cost. Good fencing make good neighbors and I certainly don't want to be a bad neighbor.
So that's the list of things we have to get done and the sooner the better. We can't wait until October to start these projects because these all take a considerable amount of time.
Anyone have any suggestions or know of ways to help?
Wishlist Wednesday - Dewormer
It's Wishlist Wednesday and we are in need of dewormer paste. We have 13 horses that need to be dewormed in the next couple of weeks and it would easy our minds and pocket books if even a few of the horses had dewormers given to them as gifts (they might not think them as gifts but I know I will!)
We unfortunately are off on our rotation so we aren't picky about what kind or brad is donated, only in that we have some type of dewormer.
We unfortunately are off on our rotation so we aren't picky about what kind or brad is donated, only in that we have some type of dewormer.
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Spring Snow Storms
Well, the Winter Weather Advisory is coming to an end. Winter is hanging on a little bit longer than most people would like. As much as it makes things a muddy mess and sets us back as far as our hopes of spring really being here, I'm ok with it. It means extra moisture in the ground. I'm not sure I can handle another drought.
Yesterday I went ahead and blanketed almost everyone and I'm glad that I did. I heard rumors that we had rain before it switched to snow. I have no idea if it rained or not. I slept like a log last night so when I woke this morning and saw snow, I was pretty pleased that I'd gone ahead and put blankets on everyone.
I was even more pleased when I went to check on the big herd and heard blankets crinkle from having them freeze. So I do expect that we had rain before it switched to snow. We are supposed to get yet another snow storm early next week. I do think we've been fairly spoiled in having such short winters so I'm not too concerned.
Everyone is doing fine although I'm still slow to get anything done these days. The only reason I'm getting this blog done is because my paying job cancelled work. The weatherman had predicted blowing snow about the time everyone was commuting back home and the roads in weren't the greatest. They dont normally cancel work, but I'll take it when I can!
Yesterday I went ahead and blanketed almost everyone and I'm glad that I did. I heard rumors that we had rain before it switched to snow. I have no idea if it rained or not. I slept like a log last night so when I woke this morning and saw snow, I was pretty pleased that I'd gone ahead and put blankets on everyone.
I was even more pleased when I went to check on the big herd and heard blankets crinkle from having them freeze. So I do expect that we had rain before it switched to snow. We are supposed to get yet another snow storm early next week. I do think we've been fairly spoiled in having such short winters so I'm not too concerned.
Everyone is doing fine although I'm still slow to get anything done these days. The only reason I'm getting this blog done is because my paying job cancelled work. The weatherman had predicted blowing snow about the time everyone was commuting back home and the roads in weren't the greatest. They dont normally cancel work, but I'll take it when I can!
#TipTuesday - Scratches
Mud season is right around the corner for us in South Dakota. I'm sure other areas have been dealing with mud for months. We're actually dealing with a Winter Weather Advisory and about 3 inches of snow but we'll soon have mud again.
We've dealt with scratches in the past. Rain had a severe case of scratches and it took lots of trial and error to find what works best to cure his case. King, Chaos, and I think Dude have had it as well. Anyone with white socks are more prone to it.
So for today's #TipTuesday, we found a little infographic to share a bit of information about scratches.
We've dealt with scratches in the past. Rain had a severe case of scratches and it took lots of trial and error to find what works best to cure his case. King, Chaos, and I think Dude have had it as well. Anyone with white socks are more prone to it.
So for today's #TipTuesday, we found a little infographic to share a bit of information about scratches.
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