October 22, 2022
21 days without power was discouraging. I do have a generator, costly to run though. It gave us water and barn cleaner and lights in the barn. The workshop, tack room, and my apartment are on a different circuit. No lights gave me the excuse to hit the feathers with my headlamp and read, it gets dark early, Even though I was in the horizontal position early, (8.30 is early for me) I did not get much rest. Worry does that to you. The winter paddock fences are a disaster and they have priority to fix, soon the herd will be at the barn. The south summer pasture was repaired by a crew of Trailblazers today. Not much power to it. The ”top of hill maple grove” has fallen over the wires. Another worry, this is the time of the year the herd is looking for another blade of grass when pastures are getting scarce, even though the round bales are in the field.
I have been waiting for a hard frost to banish the flies. The herd desperately needs to be dewormed. They are rubbing tails and their coats have lost a bit of their sheen. Please mother nature, I just want frost not snow. Let us get the ravages of Fiona cleaned up first. The bunkhouse is still tipped on its side. Outbuildings were not covered in my insurance policy. My fault I suppose, I have been with the same company since 1991, I have added buildings and refurbished the bunkhouse but failed to check the policy and coverage when it arrives each spring. The good news, I have been offered help by a contractor, when I can coordinate a team and some machinery, the bunkhouse will rise again in a timely manner. I have a sign on the wall, “Any idiot can face a crisis, it’s the day to day living that wears you out.” True at most times, not with this wind, it has been the longest month ever, I try to be tough, but it has brought me to tears. I am sure there are so many folks feeling the same way. I was so ready to put the for sale sign at the road, when Carol Wilbert showed up with her chainsaw. She trimmed trees on the east side fence until it wasn’t safe to work alone. Derek took me out for supper a few evenings. Sandra took me for lunch at Carrs. Volunteers brought me food, and clothing. I guess I am starting to look a little shabby. An Elanco golden volunteer group came and gave me a day of fencing, scrubbing mats. cleaning the stable, and picking up brush. They brought Pizza too. Ryan, Shauna, Em and her mother came last Sunday, toppled trees to free the north and west fence. Kevin has been coming the last 4 days to harvest the fallen Maples. Tomorrow my $1000 of fence materials will be put in the ground, wire fence will be restored to its former glory. The promise of a crew of Dave, Heidi, Abby and Ron and friends will get the job done. The tears are now tears of joy. All this for a herd of old horses and the old gal.
It has always been important to me that the Sanctuary be a place for learning. Education for the management of farm and horses is a continuing effort. Friday the 29th is our annual dental clinic for the herd. This is a practical hands on clinic for the 4th year vet students. It certainly will give the students a chance to see a variety of mouths. Long in tooth is a term used for old horses. The front teeth grow forward and the back molars get worn down. The students will find sharp points that give a sore mouth if they cut the inside of the cheek. Sharp points will be rasped. I feel better knowing that the herd will be able to chew easier and keep their weight on during the winter. I feel the same about deworming. With the cost of feed doubling since last winter, I am not willing to share it with grubby worms in horses guts. This is my preparation for a healthy winter for the herd. As we clean up the mess Fiona left us, I do hope that everyone is able to get the help they need.
Be kind to one another, small things that help mean a lot. Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.