September 30, 2022
It has been a grand summer, Maxine and 2 Trailblazers did the 11K Gunn’s bridge loop today. It was reported that the flies were not too bad possibly due to the lovely breeze. They met some motorcycles on the way. A most respectful meeting ensued. This makes me happy, it is always a question mark when you have young riders meeting vehicles. The horses are cool (due to their age and experience) but if young riders are nervous the horse will feel it, so you take your chances. My eternal thanks to those kind riders on the machines.
Last time I spoke of Art and his wound. He is still standing, there is much less crackling under the skin. The wonderful thing about all this, he did not go off his feed. We are swishing the wound, and using every healing herb on the land. It takes a long time for tissue to heal. We are now into the third week of treatment. Wish us luck.
Safety is so important for riders, I have a routine of saddling to prevent the saddle from rolling especially if the horse blows out (breathes deep). It is called “1, 2, 3”. 1 you place the saddle on the back and fasten the girth. 2nd you put the bridle on. By this time the steed is breathing normally. Then for number 3 you now tighten the girth. Then all you have to do before you mount is check the girth and 90% of the time it will be perfect for mounting. Very simple way to fool them.
The end of summer planning is happening for Trailblazers. They are having a sleepover Friday night. The bunkhouse will be swinging. Maxine usually brings out the karaoke for them. Of course sleepovers will mean a bonfire too.
There is always a place for money when it comes to horsekeeping. I am most grateful to Carol Ross for thinking about us. Her friend donated 3 jog carts to the Sanctuary to use or sell. We have a few lined up at the fence already. Tonight 2 pony carts and 1 jog cart were sold. Only 2 to go now. They are listed on Kijjji. Superlight and white, one with wheels and one without. I am told they would be good for Matinee racing. In the next few months I will be going through the tack and put the extras up for sale. We have more saddles than horses. A few of them will be available. I will post on Kijjji and on the FB page Handibear Hills.
Winter care has to be planned. I left it a little late last year. Therefore I am watching the condition of the herd a little closer. The oldies can drop weight very quickly. In the past I have left them in the South field with round bales as long as possible. Leaving them in the field makes the barn chores a little easier for me. Those days are gone. I will have to bring them up earlier this fall. So that makes the work of preparation to be done sooner than later. Wndfall trees have to be remove and the fence secured for their winter stay.
One thing leads to another, there is never a day when we do not have to rebuild and repair. My wood shed collapsed last winter. We stored my favourite pieces of lumber in our Perfection Can. Now I have to rebuild a woodshed to remove the lumber from the Perfection, so we can store the mowers for the winter. Quite a chain reaction happening here. If anyone would like to help with the cobbling of the new wood storage shed it would be much appreciated. It has to be creative to use my extra posts and boards in the name of economy.
Take care and check on your neighbour and see how they are getting along. Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd