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)