Everybody lived...

A lot has been going on the last few weeks. I've made some downsizing decisions, and there were some catastrophes. Everyone lived.

I have decided that I don't need goats at this time. I have mentioned that I'm renting, and between the turkeys (for whom I'm really ready to be gone...) and Tang and the chickens and Lyra wanting to play ball and working... I have enough on my plate.

Fortunately, I was able to "return" them! The cattle panels that made up their pen will be used to secure the turkey's shelter (hopefully to keep them in, the rat finks), so that I can move their fence and get the chickens penned back up. They're hiding their eggs - particularly the Maran hens, as I'm not getting any really dark brown ones lately. I haven't found the hiding spot, and I suspect it's at my neighbor's. I'll have to tell them to look under their porch - they found one there a while back!

I don't have  a really secure place to store my feed (for the chickens and turkeys), and it was outside their pens. I've installed the new charger, but like any habit, it takes a while for it to become one. I forgot to plug it in, and while I was gone all day Friday (last week) in Salem picking apples - story in a separate post - Tang decided that she would help herself to hay, and 40 lbs. of chicken food. When I got home at dusk, I knew she wasn't in her pen, and saw the trashcan lying on its side and was pretty panicked. I found her talking to the boys next door, but knew by looking at her that she was in trouble. I called the vet, and he said to keep an eye on her, and then call him back. She was declining, so I called him back, and he said to give her banamine, a pain reliever and muscle relaxant. She was very gassy, but kept farting and pooping (this is important, as horses can't burp), so things were moving and she wasn't stopped up. I panicked because several years ago, I lost 2 horses in 7 months to impaction colic. Needless to say I was praying that the universe (or your choice of deity) wouldn't let my horse die. After the banamine kicked in, I spent another hour massaging her belly and flanks, which she seemed to like. I finally got to bed at 2:30 am. After waking up at 4:30, and then again at 6:30, I just got up, and checked her. She was still not herself, but a lot less gassy. The vet called on his way into the clinic, and we decided to "lube and oil" her - I hauled her in to the clinic, having to get my neighbor to come help me load her in the trailer, and there she had a tube stuck up her nose, going into her stomach through which mineral oil and a couple of other things were deposited where it needed to go. She was rather pleased to load into the trailer to blow that joint, let me tell you! By the next day, she was back to her normal, prancing along the fence sounding like a 1450 lb. guinea pig waiting for her breakfast.

I have since locked my feed up in the horse trailer, which works really well, unless you want to use it...

Fast forward to today. I was invited to scribe for a friend (also named Laura) at a Competitive Trail Ride. So, this morning, I went out , unloaded all the feed, and went to load Tang into the trailer. After a couple of false starts and with the assistance of a lunge line (very long rope), she went in! With just me!! I was despairing of being able to load my horse alone, but I did it!

We had a blast at the ride. Laura and I scored an obstacle (probably the farthest one out) where people had to ride down a very steep embankment, and then back up. They were to walk, lean back on the down side, and forward on the uphill portion (it helps the horse balance themselves). When everyone had gone through, we rode the rest of the way back, pulling the trail marking ribbons as we went. We had some "discussions" with each of our mares, as they knew they were headed back to the barn, and weren't sure they had to walk. By the time we were almost back, they had settled into a comfortable pace. I will post some pictures later - The ride organizer as well as the ride photographer took some of us, which I will get copies of.

Loading up to come home went as well or better than this morning, with only 2 false starts, and then she piled right in. I think we're getting somewhere. She also is getting to realize that when I say, "yes, you must," that I mean it.

They're doing another one on Sunday, and I think we're going to go again. Laura want's some wool, and she wants to check out my old Wintec saddle for her new little mare, so I guess I should go!! And it will be good trailering practice for Tang.

I should mention that I'm sore... Going downhill, getting Tang to walk requires much use of my hamstrings and some of the quads. I will be taking a hot bath in a bit - along with a glass of wine and a candle - sounds like just the ticket for relaxing!!