March 4 2026
Well I am sure spring is around the corner. The mares are showing strong heats, and acting pretty silly. They have a monthly cycle and the heat can last 4 to 5 days. We feed seaweed daily, and it has been documented to promote strong heats. We stopped feeding seaweed to Cameo a few months ago. Her heats are regular as clockwork and very strong. It is embarrassing to watch her shenanigans, as she backs into any of the boys.
Cameo… what a tart!!
There are only 4 geldings and 5 mares. History is correct.
Hormones make the boys Fools, and the gals Tarts.
There is a whole lot of tussling going on. Nicks and bites marks everywhere. Oliver came in on Sunday with a 6-inch gash on his left flank and hip and a huge bite on the right side. My take on the situation, he was too friendly with someone else’s target and the bite was to push him away, but it pushed him into something sharp.
The barn heroes walked the feed paddocks and could not find any protruding nails, wires or boards at a four-foot level to cause such a gash. There was no blood or guts found. Another paddock mystery that will remain a mystery I suppose.
We treat wounds.
We treat wounds with Vitamin E. Trailblazers are great to cut the end off a capsule for treatment. Vitamin E is an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic but the neat thing about it, there is no scar and no white wound hairs after treatment. In the beginning I bought Vitamin oil, which is expensive and easily spilled. An open bottle of oil can go rancid. There is less waste using the capsules and there is no problem with aging in storage.
For other wounds I make a salve with Zinc ointment as a base and add every healing herb I have on the shelf, including Aloe, Vitamin E, Calendula, Comfrey, Sage, St Johns Wort, and Yarrow. I add Lavender or Mint for a nice aroma. Each herb is a healing agent on its own. By throwing them all together I hope to increase the power of healing. That can be questioned, but it was the way we did it at home. I am certainly old school.
We are in short supply of Trailblazers these days.
Driving conditions, Hockey and Ringette are big culprits. No matter the day, the herd has to be brought in to get their supplements, and in the spring a good inspection is needed for any new damages inflicted by the hormones.
Heather is documenting all the Saturday activities. I loved the day of hay delivery and everyone was in the field cutting the netting from the bales. It was a wicked cold day.
The gate was open for the tractor.
One o’clock and it was time to let the herd out of the barn. Morning is the first out. Jaycee took her to the west door and immediately noticed that the gate was open. She yelled “the gate is open!!” and struggled to turn Morning around to get her back in the barn. Morning did not understand why her routine was broken. Not much cooperation there. Jaycee finally got her back into her stall. There was a rush to close the gate.
This is not the first time we forgot to close gates.
Zoe and I reminisced of years past the memories we hold dear, trying to turn the herd around after they have fled down the road. Hence the sign on the door that says “Did you close the gates?” It isn’t such a problem in the winter, because most would go down to the hay bales. Spring brings the smell of sweet fresh grass. It only takes one experience to make everyone remember to close the gates.
Experience is the very best teacher. This herd of fine steeds have many tricks to test us. Calamity is the name of their game, Trailblazers learn to handle it well. Remember the kindness tricks to make your day.
Love and hugs from Yogi and the herd.