March 3, 2022
Where do I start? It is another snowy day, although warm. 0 degree, warm by island standards, but to me this may be the start of freezing rain. The wind is coming in from the SE. Maxine brought the herd in for a bit and a bite. Our skinnies, also know as toothless wonders, get an extra feeding of soaked Alfalfa cube as scheduled. It is a daily necessity to keep a good watch on their condition. If a member is not holding weight, losing muscle mass, and has a long coat, even though we are feeding them 3 times the amount of ration they really need, I know they have been dewormed and their teeth have been done. I then call for a blood test. It will tell me what is going on. For example, a few years ago, 4 of the oldest were not looking the way I want. Their blood tests showed that magnesium was low. That is a forage problem, I was feeding hay that had been stored for 7 months. It was a simple remedy, just by increasing my mineral menu. Sadly one old gal of 29 years had Cushings (I call it the wasting disease) There is medication, but it is hard on the pocketbook. I gave her the summer on the grass before I sent her over the rainbow bridge. Last week the rainbow bridge welcomed Tony Llama. Tony was orphaned and had been at the Sanctuary for 20 years. I was sure he was going to outlive me. As a rule Llamas have a lifespan of 40 years. He had a leg wound that was not going to heal, we could not dress it. Tony was a difficult animal to work with. He was neutered at a very early age. Until he was two, we could pick up each foot to trim his toes, he was easy to halter and lead, he loved to have his withers and ears rubbed. I hugged him and he hugged me. It was all downhill after the age of two, he was miserable to work around, he would pin his ears, even spit at us, we had to sedate him to do his toes. He was his own worst enemy. It was a love/hate relationship at its best. My eyes rained when I had to say goodbye to the young fella.
I know spring is coming, I am planning on the event. Pastures need refurbishing, It has been a few years since Robinsons limed the fields. It is probably time for soil testing. Although nature has already told me it is time. On the north facing slope there is a fair amount of moss. The other fields have a good share of daisies. The question the soil test answers: what type of lime and how much lime per acre?
Social mandates are becoming less and less. I am hoping we can open our annual health clinic to the public in April. Dr. Tammy Muirhead and her AVC students have lots of information to share. This clinic covers deworming, Vaccination requirements and injection sites. This is more important than ever before. Lots of Herpes, Equine Infectious Anemia and Rhino virus infections happening in the horse world. We do not want to be saddled with quarantines and distancing in the horse world.
I found a thank you card from Sue, a student employee from a couple of years back. Her three memorable quotes about me: “Success story?” “You have to think about LOGISTICS!” “NOOOO!” Each task had a story. I always looked for a positive “successful” completion. It is important to be able to have a logical approach to most problems to solve them. We do a lot of brain storming at the farm. And then there is the word NO. I use it a lot when I see trouble about to happen. When I say it everything stops. That is the safe thing, then I can explain another direction to take. Even the horses know the word. Many times Finally decides that his stall is not to his liking he will head into Prince or Art’s stall. I can yell “FINALLY NO” he will change direction, with an awwh shucks look and go into his own stall. My children know me well. This years Trailblazers are troopers. Weather and bad footing keeps us in the barn. They are doing barn chores and horse maintenance with gusto. You can never be too old to enjoy their enjoyment of the herd and chores that is a requirement.
My thanks to my barn heroes. Be kind and help your neighbours when you can. Love and hugs Yogi and the herd.