We seem to be experiencing internet problems at home. Go figure, it's one more thing that seems to be failing around here. I've got a ton of thoughts bouncing around my head and I swear that each thought richochets off one corner of my head to another corner. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and scatter brained these days. I'll do a massive data dump so you understand why I'm mentally exhausted by the end of the day. Hold on to your socks folks and I'll apologize for not being able to keep a train of thought for more than about 30 seconds.
Where to begin, where to begin.....
The herd at the neighbor's should last for another week. We walked the pasture the last couple of days and I think the grass will hold out for another week. Then we'll have to pull up fence posts and restring the wire. We walked some of the trees and it looks like I could run the horses in the trees for at least a week. I'm hoping for two weeks to keep the pressure off the old pasture for as long as possible. Heck, it's only the end of August (omg) and we are out of pasture pretty much. Anyone want to help restring fence in a week?
While walking fence at the neighbor's Saturday night, I came face to face with a skunk. That's right, a skunk. Luckily he didn't startle and I high tailed it outta there before he could claim his spot on the land. The skunk was gone by the time Mike got over there with his pistol. Yes, we shoot varmits. We don't trap and release. I know some don't agree but those people who trap and dump the animal into the country, you're dumping them into my yard and then I'm stuck dealing with dozens of wild varmits that have diseases and could possibly do harm to the horses.
As it is, we have a fox running around our area. Two nights ago the fox was out in the pasture barking at a cat. It was actually funny to watch him bark. I'ive never seen or heard a fox bark before. He's a little thing with four black socks and he's curious. Mike made some mice noises and the fox came up to investigate (not too close of course). He acted more like a dog than a fox, but rest assured it is a fox. He's been hanging out for the past week now. I've dubbed him Foxy.
We also have bats. It was just one and now we are up to five. Mike is talking about building a bat house. Fine by me. The bats are eating the bugs. I haven't done enough research on bats but they seem to enjoy flying past the yard light when it first comes on to dine on the bugs that are drawn to the lights. It started out with just one and now we are up to five. Wonder where his buddies came from.
I'm worried about Sam. He seems to be losing weight but Mike thinks he looks the same. If that's the case, then he looks tough. I don't think we are to the point were we have to make a decision. It's just going to be a very tough winter for me mentally to figure out his food without causing ulcers. As it is, he's on pasture 24x7 with beet pulp and soaked safe choice. We switched to safe choice because senior sky rocketed. Safe choice is the next best thing and I can actually afford it a little bit better. Remember, I run the sanctuary all through my paycheck and no I don't earn that much, I simply cut out all the fun stuff like trips and far away vacations. If anyone would like to help out with Sam's feed costs over the winter, I'd be more than willing to talk details.
Mike and I also had the conversation about some of the other thin ones. Flower is pretty bad. Mike thinks Flower is the worst we've taken in. I don't think so. She's the most recent thin one so it's mind boggling to see how thin she is and yet she's still standing. We are pumping her full of beet pulp, safe choice, and calf manna (anyone want to donate/sponsor towards her feed?). She also has 24x7 pasture and round bale (anyone want to buy a round bale or two?). I think she's slowly gaining weight after getting her teeth floated but Mike's not sure. He thinks Flower is the worst we've taken in. I think Bo was the worst. He also thinks Savanna was worse than Bo. Had Savanna not been pregnant when we got her, I wonder if she would have been in better shape. She still has a long ways to go. If I could get her into the trailer, I'd haul her to the vet's to get her teeth floated. I'm sure I could pay for the vet to come out but I've had that experience before of floating a horse not in stocks, not pleasant. And not really knowing Savanna very well, I dont' want to risk anyone getting hurt.
We've taken in a lot of thin horses over the years. It would be nice to have a few plump ones come in (although I do have one scheduled to come in sometime in October and who knows what shape she'll be in. I dread the thought since she'll have a baby weaned at that time). We've had: Sam, Bo, Savanna, Flower, Joe, Maverick, Brego, and Ten Man. Because Ten Man was 30+ and had health issues, we gave him the last act of kindness but the others I've brought back using my own methods. We lost Joe but there were a number of health issues for him. The others we still have. Bo is almost up to weight. He should have been up to weight already but it usually takes a good 6 months before they are to the right weight and a full year before they look like they should have when they first came in. Bo was at death's door. Comparing Flower and Bo, Flower is spunky even for as thin as she is. She pushes people around and really lets people have it. That first week we brought Bo home, he was lethargic. He could barely take more than a dozen steps without dragging his feet. Not the case with Flower. I really think Bo would have died in a week or so had he continued with the same ownership. I'll not even begin to touch that topic of Bo and his past.
Mayhem is a doll. Because I have to grain Flower and Queen morning and night, I tie Mayhem up so she doesn't interfere and take all the old mares' food. Mayhem stands tied like she's been doing it for years. She really is an amazing horse. I need to start saving back to get her hernia repaired. I need to take care of it before the cold weather sets in. It was fine last year but with her growth spirt, it appears that the hernia is getting bigger and I want it taken care of soon. Anyone want to donate to her hernia surgery? When I talked with the vet about Mayhem's hernia last year (when I was debating on taking her in), they said that if it was small it might go away or be superficial (like Prince's and Sahara's) but this one is much bigger and requires surgery. Surgery will cost $300-400. I doubt that they would give me a discount either. So I know have to come up with the cash to take care of the hernia before it gets cold. Not sure if subzero temperatures would cause problems or not. I guess I should do some research on that. Oh and I think Mayhem has heaves like her mother. I have a round bale out there for the old mares in hopes that Flower would gain weight but Mayhem is devouring the bale and I think she too has heaves. I need to get Rabbit on medicine but haven't had time to sit down and actually order the meds. I guess I'll be ordering additional meds for Mayhem.
I feel bad that I'm always messing with Mayehem and not doing anything with Sahara. I think she really needs to be handled daily like I do Mayhem. It seems Sahara is really getting shafted in life. I actually haven't spent any time with the horses in the blind pen. Luckily Mike goes in and checks on them but as long as they have food and water, I don't really do anything with them and I need to be. Everyone else gets more one on one time and the blind pen doesn't. I feel bad for not alloting more time to them, because they really need it too. Anyone want to spend some one on one time with Sahara. She halters and leads but I really want to get her more comfortable with people. She's still skeptical of people but I don't blame her because I'm not around much to do anything.
I did worm Sahara and Flower with Panacur. Hopefully that will help with their weight. Sahara went downhill. I should have wormed Sahara sooner but I wasn't sure how she would take it or if her legs would hold up. Her legs dont' seem to be giving her too many problems but she's also on a drylot that is fairly soft. There needs to be no concrete for that girl.
I keep thinking about that feedlot in Mitchell. I can't sit on my perch and preach to the world without doing something. Now that I know there's a feedlot, I have to do something. I can't just sit here with the knowledge that horses are being fattened up and shipped to slaughter and it's taking place just an hour away from Borderlands. I can't sit on my hands and do nothing. I'm looking for suggestions on how to approach the situation. I'm maxed out but I need to do something. I'll take any suggestions or ideas. There are no bad ideas.
Speaking of ideas, I keep thinking I should pose the question, what do you want to see of Borderlands? I try to give everyone an update but maybe there's something more or different that you'd like to hear or see from Borderlands. I can't offer much more than I already do since I'm the primary caregiver of all 23 horses but if there is something small I could do, I'd be intersted to hear what you'd like to see. I was tossing around the idea of an open house but that idea went out the window for this fall. It's alreayd August 29th. I'm at least three months behind. It should be June 29th instead of August! I need a week straight to work on projects outside. Anyone willing to come and help? I promise I won't even stick you with anything you don't want to and I'll pay you in food!
Ok, I know there is so much more to ramble on about but the paying job becons. Hopefully I didn't overhwhelm you too bad.
King
Chaos and Rain
Ivan
Rain with Chaos behind him.
Flower - and no the the pic doesn't lie. Her ankle is goofy. As long as she stays to a walk, she seems to be fine. Anything more and she limps. Not sure how she ever managed to be a riding horse. I'm hoping that the next pic of Flower will show that she's gained at least some weight.
