May 18, 2022
Spring is finally showing us a bit of rain today and with a bit of heat it should bring on the pasture grass. The olders of the herd really really need Dr. Green. This is a term most of us old farmers use when the new pastures will put on a bit of weight. No matter how good your forage, or how much supplementing you do in the winter, natural good old Dr. Green is the best. My pastures are not the best, they still seem to do the job. I need to find someone to lime the fields now that that budget envelope is full.
Our “Smalls” program has started, Sunday afternoon 2 – 4 pm is the time. This is a starter program for kids 6 – 9 years. Maxine provides a great program, they all get very comfortable around the herd and the barn routine. Trailblazers program is on Saturdays 9.30-2.30. This program emphasizes herd health, farm management, the basics of driving and riding.
Dogs and cats are necessary around a farm. Our cats are intrepid hunters, I am grateful, the mouse population was rather excessive this year. We feed them well. Grandfathers advice: the cats need good food. A cat that is hungry will eat their prey and then sleep. A well fed cat will destroy and then go on to hunt more. His theory works well. The dog “Sadie” is necessary to let us know that visitors are arriving. She is a lovely, loving animal, she will greet you with much barking. Sadie is overly concerned with people that wear hats. Tuck your hat away and say “Hello Sadie”.
Adults we have not forgotten you. Do you want to be comfortable around horses? Our job is to help you with that. The herd is very therapeutic, an evening with them will give you lots of coping skills and dispel a lot of anxiety. We have set aside two nights. Ladies night will be Tuesdays, Laddies night will be Wednesdays, starting at 7pm for a couple of hours. These programs are by donation. The blue box in on the post in the entry way. Do not let the cost keep you from coming if you feel this is something you would like to do. A donation of time will work as well. Starting with fencing and the famous Hay day. This is not a commercial endeavor, If there is a need, cost should not be a factor have always felt that way, but donations are always a good thng. Saying that, new things are happening at the Sanctuary. I have a team working on a transition plan. A way of keeping the work of the Sanctuary for people and horses to continue. I have been planning to retire for some years now. The Sanctuary runs with my pension and public donations. The first part of the plan is, “Day Camps”. They start this summer on Wednesdays and Thursdays 8.30am-3.30pm. The charge by donation is Thirty Dollars per day. We are hoping that this is affordable for every child that needs the discipline of horses in their life. More information is available on the Facebook page for Handibear Hills Horse Sanctuary.
Running the Sanctuary takes love, but money helps too!! I was so proud of my Trailblazers on Saturday. They shovel many bags of compost. It gave us almost $200 dollars toward the hay bill coming up this summer. That is going to be a doozy, if the price of diesel fuel keeps going up. Before Covid I rented the Picnic Place field for camping to Cavendish Beach Festival enthusiasts. I called it “One Star” camping, there is dumping facilities, a fire pit and you carry your own water. There was so much fun, when St. Fx alumni came, all 37 of them. Some had never put up a tent before. We also have a bunkhouse that sleeps 8. It has a roof, lights and a toaster oven. This is our “Two Star” camping. The suggested donation was $10 a night per person. It was discovered that music will cover most discomforts of living.
By all accounts, it is difficult to get accommodations on the island, even car rentals are not available. That tells me we will have lots of visitors this summer at the Sanctuary. I am busy with my beautification work, the flower beds are a big job, creeping Charlie is a tough guy to eliminate, nature pruned a lot of trees, by this time next month, the barn yard and the adventure grove will be a most attractive place for visitors. Come when you can. I have a SKILLS grant. Looking for 2 college students for 12 weeks. Lots of experience provided for all facets of living, farm maintenance, and people services. Come see and send your resume’s.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.