Spring, Spring so much to do. I am grateful for the rainy days, that is when a lot of “in the barn” work gets done. But isn’t it wonderful to work outside, sun shining and the wind blowing you over. That is hilltop living!
Saugat found the boot!
So much excitement the day that Saugat found the boot. As my readers know, it has been a couple of weeks since the mud claimed Prince’s Soft Ride boot. The boots and the trackers are in the caring hands of Material Girl for the implant procedure. Then my techies will activate the trackers. This is so smart. If they can track a truck to Dubai, we should certainly be able to find them in the pasture meadows.
Mark your calendars for June 6, 10-12 noon, it is OPEN EQUINE Day on PEI, rain or shine.
Handibear Hills is one of many stables open to the public on this day. This program is sponsored by “PEI Let’s Talk Horses”. Come explore. Ask questions, Meet the horses. Discover the magic of connection. And at our stable we will demonstrate the elusive “Soft Ride Boots” on the feet of the Prince. I am planning to have Popcorn and teach everyone the joy of drinking our wonderful well water from the hose. This is definitely a good skill to have at a horse barn.
We have so many caring volunteers.
We have so many caring volunteers, folks come to do horses, grunt work, (Yogi’s gym) walking fences, trimming wind falls in the woods. There are students looking for time for their education bursary.
In February I received a letter from Maine that 2 gals planned a PEI vacation in May and would love to volunteer. Last week two powerhouse women arrived with tool belts and asked to be put to work. They are carpenters building fabulous houses in Maine. I felt bad because the work I had was ripping and tearing. Such good energy, they did not mind at all. They dismantled a wind wall shelter that has been waiting for a year or so. The wicked wind took a dislike to it. To be clear it was the wicked East wind that decided it was not to stand any longer. Still, it is just as big a job dismantling it as building it.
The gals dismantled the fence, pulled the nails and horse proofed that section of the fence. Then they completed a raised bed to contain the mint. This was done with 2 x 6’s from an old fence. It was a second chance for the old lumber. The final piece of resistance was a rocking chair I had rescued from the side of the road. It was restored with a new seat. It will be painted and I will rock away.
In past years’ companies have sponsored volunteer days.
Stewart & McKelvy employees shingled the bunkhouse roof. The Elanco group walked fences and accomplished so much for the Sanctuary. Melanie Saunders and her lads spent a day fixing a pond and moving rocks. There is no end of projects. The south pasture fences have to be walked and repaired. At the Picnic Place there is a Biffy that needs rebuilding, that wicked East wind did the dirty with that one. FYI a Biffy is a two holer, also called a Loo, also known as an Outhouse. This one was built for sitters and pointers. Do I hear any volunteers??
Summer Students
Hayden is my student for the May/June part of the Canada student Job Grant. I still need to secure a student for the June/July part. A part of the problem is distance, the Sanctuary is in the country, you need a car. With the price of gas, two candidates had to withdraw. I have 5 resumes from high school students for the July/August part. It is difficult to make a decision from that group, but I can only hire one. Experience is not necessary; this is a teaching farm. Besides all that I enjoy the company and energy of this young generation, even if it makes me feel really really, really old. I think I will have a garden party in August to celebrate the 8 1/2 decades. Will you all come? I am sure there will be Island Mussels and ADL Ice Cream. And cake, there has to be cake.
Trailblazers took the herd for a walk on Saturday.
They travelled the Adams road to the Church and returned. In the ring their leading skills are perfect. They have good showmanship skills. Life is a little different on the open road. A portion of the herd was not all that respectful. ‘Why should we be?’ was the attitude. A bit of grass here and there took their interest.
Philly was a twit, Megan is tiny, which should not be a factor with respectful horses. There will be another try with that exercise. Sometimes you cannot fault the horses when the heritage roads are lovely this time of the year. Trees are leafing, grass is growing, and they are back on the trail.
I know this will be a busy summer for the island and let our kindness shine.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.