November 29, 2022
Today the sun is shining and that is a plus in the lifting of spirits. The herd is sorting themselves out since the loss of their mates. The pecking order has changed, day to day their order of entering the stable changes. Then of course we have changed the stalls, Zoe put their names above their new stalls, that have not been recognized yet. We are now using the stall closest to the door for hay storage. Dave our barn hero has cut a hatch in the loft floor. Previously Trailblazers would bring the hay to the stairs and we would bring it down 5 stairs and push it on to the stable floor. For years I resisted suggestions that a hole in the loft floor would be dangerous, I have always had adventuresome kids around that would not resist a challenge. That said, on Saturday we announced to Trailblazers that a hatch was in the works. The first comment, “now we don’t have to go round, we can jump down”. I rest my case for safety!!.
I had specific ideas for the barn construction. Herman Mayne and his crew built the shell for me. Of course the 1991 fall weather was terrible. Herman said “we can do it in 12 days”, wind and rain put a stop to that promise, it took 12 weeks. Always on a tight budget, I had 100 railroad ties to put down for the stalls. Decision whether I should put them directly on soil or concrete. I am so glad that concrete was the answer. Dirt would have given vermin a grand place for their warrens. It took another 4 years before I was able to finish the aisle with and concrete and install the barn cleaner and of course the electric. Lights in the winter was a revelation, the barn cleaner is the best, I guess I knew I was going to be old and feeble. Although the cleaner is a help, the real reason, when a horse endows you with a ton of horse buns every year, stall cleaning is a big chore and takes much time to clean. I come from the day when we used a fork and skip (basket) to remove the honey from stalls. It always seemed a long walk to the heap. I wanted Trailblazers to learn about horses, we only have so much time considering daylight hours and weather. Spending an hour or so cleaning the stable did not fit into my plans. The stable of 25 horses and 6 ponies could be cleaned in 30 minutes by one person. A crew and the chain clears it all in 15 minutes. My grandfather was not wrong to train us to make the mundane chores easier. My biggest error, I did not put drains in the stable area. This is a bother during the winter when you have to empty 5 gal water buckets by walking them to the door and finding a place that ice will not destroy us or the horses. I did plan on a wash stall, that did not happen, we hose horses down with the outside hose weather permitting. There is no wetting of horses in the winter.
I have been blessed with the best of trades people. When you build in bits and pieces, as the pocketbook or the bank would allow; It takes their great patience with me when I improve another section to the barn. I am sure I am the reason my electrician is counting the days ‘til he retires. Donnie Court gives me the look when I explain the next project I think I need, nothing is impossible for him, the job gets done by my electrical genius.
I am touch with all the help my barn heroes have given to clear Fiona’s disastrous visit to the hill. I have been keeping track of the hours. It is almost 500 man/women hours. We are over $3000 cost in fencing and fuel supplies. This is only clearing the fence line for the winter acres. The winter shelter grove will take many more hours to clear. Then there is the south pasture fences to tackle in the spring and the bunkhouse to be placed on its blocks again. Of course insurance does not cover any of this. I need help to tap into the disaster relief fund, it will take many of us more than a month or two repairing Fiona damage. You are welcome to the wood, it is not in an easy place, so will require time and energy, I will supply the fuel. I would like their shelter to be safe underfoot. The sun is still shining, there is a promise of a green Christmas. That should give us more time for cleanup.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the hers.