lots finished today...and even had some fun

We all slept in an hour today...was really nice since we haven't done that in over a month.

Barn is spotless and the grounds looks wonderful. Even the pastures got mowed today. Sean and Tyler fixed most of the fences. Went through an entire box of nails and I had to go get more.

Andi rode Kobi...but she wasn't feeling well. She still helped me in the barn bunches.

Took the kids to pick blueberries and blackberries at a little farm today. They even saw a snake! I think they picked 7 pounds all together! That's a lot of fruit!

Made a fruit salad with the things they picked and added cantaloupe and kiwi. Little whip cream on top and they had a great snack.

Out smarted Kirby with the new water faucet. It's now turned towards the post and my hand can barely fit in there, but he cant wiggle his nose around it....quite mad about it too! I just went out to do night check and he was flinging the non running hose around wondering why he cant make the water come out of it anymore.

Little Bailey...who is FAR from little anymore is trying to be sweeter, but she has so much energy built up in her with all the stall "lock-up" that she just doesn't know what to do with herself anymore. Going to add toys to her room tomorrow....hoping that will settle her brain a little bit. Hate to see her start cribbing.

T-Star off to the breeding shed tomorrow. She is meeting Two Step Salsa. If the foal has her heart and his speed..WOW! that's gonna be a nice one.

Going to bed early tonight...we still have so much stuff to do tomorrow. Jumps still have to be move and painted...but with the afternoon rain, we haven't been able to do them.

Filled the dumpster so a trip to the dump will be in the schedule tomorrow as well. Hard to believe how much CRAP was around this farm we had still not picked up from the previous occupants. Why they threw cement blocks everywhere I have no idea. And why they tied everything with bailing twin, I cant figure out either.

Night all!

YAHOO! RAIN!!!!!!!

Got the much needed rain we needed....of course the lawn people were here this morning making it short as possible and now it's grown an inch at least already! Great for the pastures...not so much my pocketbook and the lawn maintenance.

Picabo and Lemon are still showing e-coli on their cultures, start cleaning them on Monday....T-Star on the other hand is headed to the breeding shed on Sunday! Two Step Salsa here we come!

Little Kirby is STILL opening the gates and turning on the water. Now he has un done a lead rope wrapped in MANY knots as well as two chains and a snap. I give up on the water...he likes to play in it.

Off to dinner with Kathy and Andi.....

and some good news today!

Bailey's leg is doing well...the 2 inch fracture is healing and she is not in as much danger now of it snapping.

Gumbo just has a really bad abscess and needs a reverse shoe put on till it heals...poor old guy...as if his life has not been hard enough.

Little Kirby is an escape artist...so much for being a "dummy foal"....he is about the brightest baby I have EVER seen. He can open gates, double latched and chained as well has learned to turn on the water. ya...that's fun to wake up to...a flooded paddock!

Kids are once again out picking blackberries...I think they are going to turn purple from all they eat!

And Standard is confused???????

So...apparently Standard is having hormone confusion? Teases to a gelding but has a tight uterus and a cl from her last ovulation...is about 10 days along so to early to tell a baby from all her cysts. Now we have to wait 6 more days to hopefully see a baby and not her 20 year old uterus full of cysts....err....

Piper and Lucie were practicing racing today....hard to believe a foal can already have such speed and such a huge stride!

Gumbo and Baliey had their x-rays...results tomorrow.

The kids are closing the evening by picking blackberries.

round and round we go

Yesterday is a blur....Took Starlite to the shed at 8 am....had a mare in front of me...so I didn't get back to the farm until 9. Two new sale horses arrived and then I had to show the seller a few of the open TB mares.

Before I knew it, it was time to get Dilon...good grief....then took the lost parakeet to his new home. Didn't get back till four and it was time to feed again...held up for about 10 minutes while it rained...me and Tyler fixed some fences.

Andi came and rode one of the new sale horses...he's an interesting one. Obviously used to being in a ring...didn't understand steering in an open jump field.

Sean showed up about 7:30...he got on the other new sale horse. WOW that one is cute! Great changes and jumps really nice too. just needs a hundred pounds or so and he will be a star!

Dinner was done at 8:30....and we actually made it to bed by 9:30! Whoo hoo!

Woke up this morning to a beautiful day. However was a bit disappointed to see that Standard is in heat....guess it's back to the breeding shed with her this week.

Farrier coming today as well as the vet at 4. X-raying Baileys leg to see how the healing is coming along in her fracture. Also have to x-ray Gumbo's foot...he's had a draining abscess in his toe for weeks. Need to get to the bottom of what is going on with the old guy. Also time to re-culture T-Star, Lemon and Picabo and hope for clean results this time....they have been flushed three times now.

Off to take Tyler to school.....

and we got some rain!

Fast morning....vet came at 11 and Cent and Randi both had beautiful heartbeats on their babies....

Starlite in heat...going to be bred again tomorrow to Unbridled Time. Another handsome fellow I enjoy seeing! Guess Starlite did too....lol!

Time was flying...time to pick up Dilon...then Tyler...we started feeding and Kathy alerted me to a storm about to blow through. 60 MPH winds and hail. Brought the mares and babies in just in time. Sky let loose, branches were falling and then it was over. Just in time too!

Jackson's ride to his new home in New Jersey arrived. Sent him safely off, called his old owner to say all was well...and back to feeding. Andi came in and did her sparkling touches on the isle way. Good night sweet horses!

as the barn turns.....

So after no sleep since Tuesday AM.....and the roller coaster of watching sweet Lucky fight for her life...letting go of Dragon who I loved so much...but knew that he was going to a wonderful home....I fell into a deep sleep Friday night and woke up with the virus from hell.

Poor Dilon...he had been fighting with it since Thursday....and I had barely enough time to feed him tylenol...I realized what the little guy had been dealing with.

Woke up Saturday to feed and Tyler pulled through doing all the heavy stuff. Andi came at noon and videoed some of the sale ponies. Sean took the truck about 2...he had his 11th grade prom. Wish I had gotten to see him in person...the pictures look great. Finished feeding by 6 and me and the boys watched Avitar. Off to sleep again.

Woke up this morning feeling rested and ready to clean up a weeks worth of neglect. Man...I cant believe how many needles and syringes we went through in four days. Not to mention the bags of fluids, little bottles of meds and foal milk.

Off to the breeding shed at two...Shades needed a re-breed. Always love to see Chapel Royal...he is so handsome.

Andi came at three to help short cycle Lemon, Picabo and T-Star....they need to be cultured again and hope this time they are free to be bred.

Was watering the jump field and looked up to see a beautiful green parakeet circling above me...very lost and looking for a human. Someone has lost their friend....Tyler captured it and now we have made up signs to post at the local places in hopes someone who is missing it finds the signs.

Now have to jump in the shower and take Tyler to Wally World to get stuff for his project. Maybe dinner will fit somewhere....

In memory of Caden and Lucky.......

Written By Kathy Taylor:

From now on, I will pause when using the word lucky.

Clearly Lucky was one of the starving horses we rescued from his farm. Only six years-old and in-foal. The night she foaled, Andi and I jumped in the truck and on the way over to Nicole’s, Andi found a dead dragon fly in the back seat. Andi looked at me with ‘that look’ . . Then, I said, “It’s okay, a good omen. A sacrifice.” We told Nicole and the little guy was appropriately nic-named Dragon.

Unfortunately, today we could not save her. She was a first-time mom and the starvation along with having to give birth, caused her intestines to revolt.
48 hours of IVs, and round-the-clock bedside care from Nicole was not enough. Her will was gone, she wanted nothing. Her life short and unlike the older mares who had experienced the ‘good life’ in their younger years, she only knew a tough grind at the racetrack and then this. Dr. Ruebel is an angel, she tried so hard and stands by our side daily!

We found Dragon a home today at another farm with an orphan foal. What a blessing, he took to drinking milk from a bucket. And more good news. We have seven mares in-foal with heart beats and very healthy embryos. Go Caden Bloodstock!

Coincidence? :
Earlier today, at my farm, a big yellow butterfly showed up while Andi and I were unloading plants for the entrance to the guest house. Then, today, while Nicole, Andi and Tyler took the foal to his new home, I waited with Lucky for the HorseHeaven truck to come pick her up. The same kind of butterfly showed up. It circled three times around Lucky and then flew away. It was something I’ll never forget.
Then, while the man was removing her, it came back. This time, I got my cell phone out. It fluttered around my head and then sat in the dirt in the middle of the roundpen. I got within two feet of it and was able to capture this image. Then it was gone. When I looked up, Lucky was gone too. Like it distracted me from having to see her go away.

In memory of our fallen, forgotten ones, baby Caden and Clearly Lucky.

a bit tired.....

Days are just running together...

Took a semi moment off last night to take my boys shopping for some summer cloths...poor Dilon was wearing "highwater" shorts! And I couldn't take the smell of Tyler's sneakers anymore LOL! Andi came with us....we had a lot of fun....

Back to reality came quick enough....woke up this morning, had to take Marqy back to the breeding shed for 8:30 am.... came up empty on ultra sound, and came into heat the next day. Dropped Tyler off at school....went to the feed store and came home with a truckful of feed and shavings that had to be unloaded...got half way through and had to run to Kathy's to meet the vet to get Jackson's health papers...he ships off on the 24th. Came back home, tried to finish unloaded the grain...ran out of time...went to get Dilon. Three was here before I knew it and went and got Tyler, then more hay......started striping stalls...LOVE the new fly spray we got...actually KILLS the buggers!Andi and Sean rode while Tyler, Dilon and I finished the barn.

Now it's after 8, have to go top off water in the pastures, then I am hoping to get a shower :)

And today went where?

One of those days where time just flew by and now it's almost 8:30 and I feel like I have walked circles all day and gotten really....nothing done.

I know I was on the phone a lot today because I have had to charge my phone twice...

Went to get hay today and hay guy is out till tomorrow afternoon...glad I have LOTS of grass!

Vet came for a 5th time this week to flush Picabo one last time. Here's to hoping her culture comes back clean. She has a date with Chapel Royal if we can get her clean in time!

A bit upset with Starlite at the moment...she chased Lucie into a fence today getting mad at Rex Hannah for not moving from her hay pile. Lucie stung her head and bumped her leg....err....love them all...but hate when they hurt my little Lucie!

Saying I am headed off to the shower soon...but the nights not over....maybe a quiet Friday night?

and who said the day ends early?

Had just taken my boots off...and was looking forward to a nice hot shower when the phone rings...."it's stuck and we can't get it out" .... not a foal this time but a goat....

Kathy runs over to pick me up and we race to the farm next to hers, where I see Andi sitting on the ground with a "i don't know what to do look".... umm...me either kid so lets wing it!

I did get enough info from Andi on the phone about the position of the goat to look it up on the internet before Kathy got here. She really did try to help it get it out!

Yup...it was stuck...one leg out one leg under and behind its body. Lets just say God didn't intend for a human hand to fit in a goats back end! so...making sure all was clear...latched gently on to the little lifeless goat and put a little traction...to my surprise...it slide out!

Strong heart beat but a lifeless body...when in doubt...puff! First puff little goat moved a little bit...then nothing....ok...one more puff...and POOF! a breathing goat!

After a few moments he was squirming around...and we had him up and nursing about 15 minutes later.

After what I though was a terrible day...God has a way to remind you that you are here for a reason.

Thanks to Kathy and Andi for always bringing a little excitement to the day! I can go to sleep now with a smile in my heart!

Think I took to much cold medicine! LOL!!!!

Okay...so when your truck says "0" miles...it might just mean...."0" miles! Even IF you are really tired and didnt want to pump gas on the way home and thought you could get away with it in the morning... Diesel fix it guy cant come till Saturday...err...hate not having my truck.

Anyway....barn got done in rapid time this morning....vet came at noon. Flushed Picabo and changed the bandage on Bailey's little leg. Ultra sounded Marqy but at 13 days vet said to early to see if she is for sure prego.

Long day...headed to the shower.

oh man....we are on a roll!

Randi confirmed in foal...and Cent on her re check....PREGO! WHOOO HOOOO we have 5 confirmed in foal! Marqy getting checked tomorrow.

Woke up this morning...sick as a dog....avoided the dreaded cold every one had...until a grabbed one of the kids drink and realized it to late 2 days ago...killer sore throat with a clogged head...oh well...just sweat it out...right?

Managed to get through morning chores then crashed till it was time to pick up Dilon and Tyler....vet came at 4:30....finished with barn by 7 and Sean and Andi are riding.

Dinner already done too! Man...I might have time for a shower before 11!

YAHOO! We are making progress!

Today we found out that Gal AND Question are both in foal! We are up to 4! God willing we will have a GREAT 2011 foaling season!

Day was hard and long...but so WORTH the effort.

Starlite was on time for her date with Unbridled Time. What a handsome fellow he is. Tyler stayed at the farm with Piper so we didn't have another Bailey incident...and all went well...except for Tyler's smashed toes :) Piper is a bit of a handful.

Got home, ran Tyler to school..and finished the barn before the vet came. Good news with Gal and Question....Lemon, T-Star and Picabo all were flushed and then to change Bailey's bandage. I was a bit tired and didn't react quick enough and Bailey let out a whale of a kick which was so nicely planted into my left shoulder blade. What a BEAUTIFUL bruise I have now.

Tyler helped with afternoon chores...he is getting so good at it, I don't even have to say much anymore about what needs to be done. Good job kid!

Andi and Olivia came around 6 to ride....Sean showed up at 6:30. By 7 we were in the ring for the jumper lesson....Andi started off on Slim and Sean on Monkey....they ended up switching....hard to believe that just 3 months ago...Andi had never ridden a jumper before...never mind jumping around a 3'9-4' course.

Sean and Andi both put in a hell of a ride....sometimes i am just amazed as to how quickly they are learning. Proud of them both.

Dinner is in the oven, Dilon in the shower and Tyler on his I pod....my feet are killing me...the bruise on my back a bit sore...but oh...it's that good kind of tired again.

Night all!

:) and life lessons that make you giggle

So after a few months now of people stopping by the road...staring at a foal sleeping in the pasture and asking me if it is dead...and me getting so annoyed with these "stupid" questions.... I today found myself in the SAME situation.

Was driving to the gas station and on my way...a local "animal farm" had a llama that was laying in what I thought, awkward position in the pasture right by the road....and I pulled over to be sure it wasn't dead...to my surprise after staring at it to see if it was breathing....it jumped up and looked at me as if to say..."can I help you?"....

Don't always ASSUME...that EVERYONE is an expert....and there is NO stupid questions. Maybe just be grateful that someone cared enough to stop and ask.

Today ended...not at the farm....but at Kathy and Andi's house. After a LOOOOONG day cleaning the barn....we went over to their house so the kids could swim and have dinner....

Was nice to see them having so much fun...

Long day on the books for tomorrow....Starlite's turn to go to the breeding shed to meet Unbridled Time.

Goodnight everyone...and Happy Mothers day to all you Mama's out there....especially to mine....who ALWAYS helped me learn life lessons in a GOOD way...and ALWAYS held my hand when I messed it up anyway.

LOVE YOU MA! XOXOXOXOXOXO

Katyroadpink and Cent Nouvelles

It's twins at day 14 for Katy....vet promised me she squished the claimer and kept the stakes winner! LOL......

Cent Nouvelles....empty...breeding again in a few days. :(

And then there were three......

Our little family of chickens....once was 4....and now is 3. Woke up this morning to find one missing...here's to hoping it wasn't eaten by a predator and will come home to join her little family again.

Boys searched all over and cant find her.....poor little chicken :(

The sun came up....thats for darn sure!

Started the day before daylight today....had a lot going on and knew there was no way to get it done if I waited for the sun.

Two legged ones (the boys) were up at 6:15....Dilon took care of getting the chickens out of the trailer and into the yard. Tyler helped me switch horses around and got La Turka and Bailey into the large stall as La Turka had a date with the beautiful Shakespeare.....

Oh...then the pouring rain moved in...that was so fun being soaked once again.

Ran Dilon to school at 7:15, had sedated Bailey at 7:05 hoping it would take full effect by the time I left with her Mama at 7:30. She seemed good and sleepy at 7:35 so we loaded up La Turka...and off I went. Tyler stayed to finish up some chores.

Was back by 8:50 and Tyler was all upset. Bailey had freaked out and somehow got her leg in between the wall and the stall door. After Tyler showed me where her leg was stuck...I just don't know how he EVER got it out without Angels helping him. The space was less then 1/2 inch wide. By the grace of God, Bailey didn't break her leg. However she has a nasty wound several inches long and open to the bone all the way up the front of her cannon bone.

Now on some pain meds and back with her Mama...life's OK....for her anyway.

Forgot the part that when the vet came at 1...she checked Shades who was not "supposed" to be ready to breed until tomorrow...needed to go RIGHT NOW! So....hook up the six horse one more time by myself....and off to get Shades bred to Chapel. (Forgot about Dilon....but Kathy didn't....picked him up on time and even got him an after school snack!) AHHHHHH....teamwork!

Ya....speed drama not over yet!

YIKS! Tyler at 3:20....almost ran out of diesel....then off to get Shippie's meds and now here I sit for a moment...to take a breath, get the blog updated...and let the boys settle before we go into the heat to feed the herd.

Keep your fingers crossed....Katy and Cent get preg checked on Saturday...and Starlite gets checked cause she is supposed to go to Unbridled Time.....

Tomorrow should be a bit quieter.... at least I may have time to actually remember if I had something to eat today....

Saying goodbye hurts more when you know it is forever

I understand now why I have devoted my life to four legged animals.

The two legged ones are mean spirited.

really LOOOOONG day.....

So..again I run out of hours...again I have so much left to do.

Just finished dinner...still have night check...

All well with the four legged ones...however the two legged one are driving me to gray hair!

Sunshine, sweat and elbow grease...rumors and life lessons

What better to do on a hot day....give TONS of baths to the forgotten ones.

After about the fourth horse....my skin was wrinkled and my arms hurt...but now we have a field of shiny...almost NOT skinny horses!

So much drama for a little farm....I wish our children...the two legged ones...didn't have to always learn the hard way. You can not make a person into something they are not. Love them for who they are.

I guess it's true for all of us...when we are hurt and angry, we lash out at those closest to us....only sometimes we lash out so hard, we hurt the people we love and friendships are wounded. I have tried to teach my children....never speak when you are angry because you may say something you can NEVER take back. Wounds that occur by the ones we love are far harder to heal then when made by a stranger.

I just pray that these two legged children learn their life lessons without to much heartache. I hate seeing them suffer.

Off to the barn for the day...vet coming at noon to do ultra sounds.