May 10, 2021
There are times when I feel that I will never get ahead of the list, that is really a list of lists. May was so cold and windy it was a challenge to get the outside chores finished. Fencing seems like forever. I am waiting on my woodsman, there are still 3 trees over the fences at the south pasture. I have the promise that is going to happen on Saturday. At the barn, the pony has escaped 3 times. Well done Gracie!!. She now has a 4 ft high pallet fence on two sides and page wire on the other two. She was not the only one Two weeks ago, Morning was pacing the front gate, a diagonal log was down and had taken the wire with it. The gals repaired that part, and then would not believe me when I told them that it was not the place that she escaped. That was where She was just trying to get back to the herd. They walked the fence and found another tree down. This blasted wind just keeps yelling Timber!!. The hoof prints on both sides of the fence made it obvious to them that it was the place of escape. My SKILL’s farm gals have mastered fence repair, time and time again.
Since the herd is on pasture, I have changed their menu, very little oats now when they come to the barn for loving. Grass at it worst is 12% protein, and now that it is chewed down, very high in carbs. Too high for ponies. Once they are on decent pasture, they only need a red mineral salt block, plus their selenium mineral mix. When we start to put the miles on them, I will re assess the menu plan.
The flies are a problem, the horses that got garlic all winter seem to be fine. Of course they aim for the wet parts. We are washing butts with a plantain tea, to take the itch away. The days of no wind have been the worst days. It is a good thing that doesn’t happen very often on the hill.
Today the gals power washed one half of the barn stalls. It is good to get it done early. In my dreams a lot of fly eggs are washed away. Tomorrow the rest of the stalls will be done. The fly stickers are doing their job. Each stall has one and we change them every month. I encourage the spiders to spin their webs as well. Many hands make light work.
Our adventure grove is a place to improve balance, grow strength, and learn hand to eye coordination, it is a place to develop courage and confidence. It is complete with a cave for sitting in a quiet spot. There is Tic Tac Toe to develop strategy and concentration. A Brick box to build things. A sand box is not a good idea when you have a ½ dozen barn cats around. So our base is bricks. The trampoline encourages flexibility. Lots of good things happen through play.
I am finally putting a pump in the fish pond. There will be a waterfall at the west end. We have moved a lot of rocks, Donnie Court Electric has wired an outlet and switch for this event. Trickling water will be another calming feature in the garden place. With every rainless day we are preparing the grounds to be a wonderful place to enjoy.
Do come for a visit. Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.