July 17, 2024
It is half way through July. Horse keeping is not without its worries. I spend all spring worrying to prepare for next winter. It proved to be for nothing. The square bales are in the barn and the round bales will soon be delivered. Now I can continue with the Fiona worry. Will we ever get the groves cleared for their shelter? Will we ever get the fencing completed enough to put the charger to it? The south end of the pasture has so many trees down that we will have to rebuild a whole new section of fence. Two fields had to be opened, the North End is chewed down pretty tight to the ground. That is not good for our easy keepers. There are way too many sugars in the short grass for the chubbies. I am hoping they will be happy enough with the new pasture that they will not challenge the fences. I will probably get that all sorted out, and then have to bring them to the barn pasture for the winter. It seems to be never ending. Another worry with all the hurricanes soon to arrive is the bunkhouse. It was Fiona toppled, it took great friends with a great crew and cranes to return it to its place. I really need a contractor to tie it down. I am told Steven Waugh is the fellow to do this, but it has been difficult to touch base with him. HELP!! If you know him and see him, tell him my worries. I don’t think I could bear it if the winds decided to topple it again.
Our summer programs are much diminished this year due to Zoe’s stroke. There is the best good news, she is recovering and walks a steadier line than I. She is a star at the PCH Physiotherapy Unit. That crew is always encouraging, so you work hard to not let them down. She continues to coach Trailblazers on Saturdays, and she has been seen riding a horse in the ring. Horses are therapeutic for her too. Slowly, slowly, I predict she will soon be painting with her left hand. There is an Art Gallery at the Breadalbane Community centre the second Friday of each month. Zoe and Marianne started the showing to feature our local artists, and a fine job they are doing. I encourage everyone to attend, it is always an amazing exhibition. A different artist’s work is featured each time. You will see some of Zoe’s art there. The Gallery is also open during library hours. Just tell Haley, the librarian, that Yogi sent you.
I have two students this year to help out. Zahra is a meticulous scientist and the Ashley is a farm gal that knows that there is no such thing as a half job. Because half a job is no job at all. Although we are not doing camps this year, there is no shortage of work and I can depend upon this team. The never ending chores in the field starts with trying to eradicate, Tansy Ragwort, Deadly Nightshade, Wild Cucumber, trying to pull them before they go to seed. Fencing!! Are they ever getting good at it! They act as goodwill ambassadors with the tourists, they know all the stories. With gusto they tackle the barn chores as well preparing and setting up the escalator for hay day. Humidity is a killer. We have to wash feed buckets each time after use or mould appears, for the same reason we spray the mangers with vinegar as often as the stalls are used. Maintaining a small herd of horses is busy work and not always playing and riding horses. There is so much time spent in making their lives healthy and safe. The sign on the wall says it all: Horses are 20% pleasure and 80% work. I must say that the herd appreciates our efforts and often wait at the gate to come in. They know we always have goodies in the manger, the barn is cool and fly free. A little better than standing in the orchard under the apple trees.
I am so grateful for all my barn heroes that came to help when Zoe landed in the hospital. I am extremely grateful to everyone that showed up for hay day. We only ask for a donation for our programs, but the biggest donation I ask is that everyone shows up for the hay detail and they did! It is the toughest job, done on a hot dry day. The job that has to get done! This year was a breeze, the wagons came at 9am and at that time the loft does not have the chance to become a sauna. Even our Trailblazer newbies pitched in, and the bales were heavier than a few of them. But it was a wonderful training session and they will be the leaders next year. So that is how July goes at Handibear Hills. Thanks for the kindness. Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.