May 4, 2025
We are having a grand week of weather. It appears that the first cut of forage is on the ground. By tomorrow the farmers will have it rolled and wrapped. I have a few bales of hay left from last year. I order more than I need to make up for the waste. How I wish I had a building to store the round bales. With storing them outside, unwrapped, I lose the equivalent of 60 pounds of hay from each round bale. When we unwrap the bale we pull the damaged stuff away. The inner is still very good. The herd is happy. I order 100 bales each spring. (Oops I haven’t followed my own advice and done that yet). I always try to plan for disasters. I hate to run out of hay, it takes energy to scramble in the spring to find some. We do the math; could I order less hay if I wrapped each bale. Wrapping 85 bales would be well over $1000. Closer to $1500 to hire equipment and personnel. Another question would be; How much would it cost to take care of the waste plastic? Time to buy a lottery ticket I guess. It is a fine line, costing me pretty much the same money. At least I can count on my hay source and transport, so for now I will leave it be at 100 round bales.
The herd needs to be on the hills. It has been a few wonderful sunny days. I stand at the top of the hill, shouting a hello, hoping there will be magic and the fencing completed. Reality. Helena and I on Thursday will tackle the fences of the top field. Any help would be welcome!!
On Saturday, Trailblazers will be spending volunteer time at Northbrook Ranch. It will give them an idea of how long a day can be, when you are showing. For me it will save me from teaching show etiquette. They will understand what they need to be able to do, when they have a chance to show. And experience is the very best teacher. The show horse community does not do a good job of advertising their events. There should be a column in the buzz for horse events. It is truly another art form. I encourage you to spend some time at a horse event. You will see the horses shining and looking their very best, the tack will be shining. The organizers work so hard preparing for the competition, and finding sponsors to make it possible for horse lovers to show their skills. If spectators arrive and cheer them on, all the better. The best thing is, 99% of horse show are free to attend. Pick your show, there are English Hack, Hunter, Jumping, Dressage; Western Reining, Barrel Racing, Sorting and Team penning, Extreme trail. Better still, offer to volunteer the organizers will be grateful, and if the have funds I may include lunch. There is a good bunch of horse people to make you welcome on the Island.
I am very very happy with my Trailblazer bunch. We have a routine at the barn, they see the work and get it done. The reality of horses and especially a herd of horses is the physical work. I could bet my buttons that on a good Saturday they have all walked a mile or two and probably lifted 20 pounds on a regular basis. The “Olders” think nothing of picking up a 50# bale of hay and taking it out to Cameo and Venka’s paddock. The “Littles” work as a team and each one grabs a string, one on each side, they find a way to get the job done. I love the teamwork. One job that takes strength, is picking up the bale netting in the field after the winter. There should be a total of 100 buried. It isn’t a problem for our team to do the dig and the mighty pull. So far they have remove close to 20. Labour is not a problem for my crew. I could use a few more volunteers for Yogi’s gym program. It might have been the rain, but I created a storm in the barn. Time for the herd to leave their stalls. But I was not thinking as I was calling out names to be let outside. Cameo and Venka are supposed to go first because they are in a separate paddock. It dawned on me as I saw the lights go on in Cameo’s eyes that she was free to go with the herd to the main paddock. I called halt, but it was too late her halter was off. Next error, a video was to be made. Of course it was raining. But we were optimistic, the ride during the day went well. Pytor was a good lad. Not so good when he was in the ring by himself for the photo opp. He decided he did not want to be by himself. I understand McKenzie stayed on until he stopped at the gate, then it was mud city. Hot baths prescribe to ease the muscles, and some witch hazel. Saturdays are not dull on the hill. Always be generous and kind. Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd at Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary.