Settling In

Natty and Chance handled the big move very well. Chance seemed fine after his first trailer ride – he was a little hesitant to unload before Natty, but once they were both out, he was just fine. He stuck close to her yesterday, but today he was wandering a little more and whinnying to the other horses. He is curious about the goats and llamas but not afraid of them. They are in a paddock with open stall right next to the other horses and some goats. Chance at least enjoyed the nice deep shavings bed last night, because they tell me he had lots of shavings all over him this morning. I don’t know how much Natty has gone inside – she probably stood guard at the door all night. We went for a little walk to check the place out today – we stopped in the arena first, and they were both much more calm in this one than they ever were in the one at the other stable. This one is only covered, so they can see out really well, and they don’t have stalls full of strangers on both sides of them. Chance had a really thorough roll in the sand and seemed to enjoy himself, and we all looked at all the training supplies – there are western riders at this stable, so they have stuff Natty and Chance have never seen before, like pole-bending poles, a mailbox, a gate to practice opening, one of those wooden bridge things, etc. Chance and Natty also have a barrel in their paddock that they have already been playing with, so that’s good. They weren’t even excited enough about the arena to trot around, which is good because now I know for sure they aren’t still nervous. After the arena, we went out to walk the perimeter of the pasture nobody is using right now – this took us right up to the llamas, who came running over to see the new-comers. Chance did do a little trotting and cantering in the pasture, and that’s also when he whinnied to the other horses. Oh, and we found an apple tree, which is the most important thing in Chance’s little life! Overall, I’d say they are happy as clams in their new home. They’ve already figured out who brings the magic red buckets, too, so they were more approachable today with the new people. Hopefully soon they’ll tolerate being haltered and led inside!

Not my most flattering outfit, but I don’t have many pictures of myself with Natty, so I’m putting these in anyway!

This is my mom with Chance. Last time she saw him, he couldn’t even stand by himself. Many changes!

Stand still for pictures, baby horse!

Moving Day

Natty and Chance moved today! They did very, very well with everything. They were picked up this afternoon, and they loaded like the angels they are. They went in a 3-horse slant trailer, and this was the first time the dividers have been used, but they did fine. I was following them in my car and heard Natty whinnying a few times, but they seemed to handle the ride just fine, and it wasn’t too far. Natty was in the front, so Chance needed to unload first, and he wasn’t too sure about getting out in a strange place without his mommy, but after a little rubbing and some pushing, he finally jumped down. Then I got Natty out, and she minded her manners very well – I didn’t have any trouble with her. They are in a turnout with an open stall that they can go in when they want, right next to the pasture where the other horses are. They could touch noses except there is a hotwire to keep everybody out of trouble (Natty hit it right off the bat, but she calmed down fast). There are also 2 goats on the other side of the fence, but neither Natty nor Chance checked them out yet. All in all, they calmed down really quickly after they arrived. They did a little trotting and cantering but then settled right down and ate some hay. Chance looked pretty tired, poor baby! This is his first move, so I’m sure it’s all a little confusing and scary. He was doing a lot of nursing today, probably for extra comfort. I hung out with them for awhile and tried to get them to look around a bit. They did both come into the stall with me for a minute, so at least they know it’s there. I think by tomorrow they’ll be ready to go for a little walk around the place. I did have the new stable owner try to halter Natty, but she didn’t put up with it – hopefully tomorrow! I really don’t want her to misbehave and get them both thrown out of their new home! I think she’ll be ok once she fully calms down and realizes who feeds her now. Here are today’s pictures – just a few, and not that great.

Before the big move, we had another exciting moment – I bridled Natty for the first time, complete with bit! She did just fine – she was loose in the pasture and let me put it on her twice. She mouthed quite a bit, but didn’t seem too upset overall. She’s such a good girl! I am going to get moving on her training now that Chance is getting older and more independent.

And one more thing from the past couple of days – Natty and Chance were in the field with the jumps for their last few days at the other stable, and Chance and I had great fun playing with the jumps. I set up a little cross-rails for him, with a couple of poles on the ground, and then I stepped over it. He came right along behind me – very carefully stepped between the pole on the ground and the jump with each front foot, then stepped over the jump with each front foot, then gave a great big jump and the back feet actually “jumped” over together. We did that one a few times. There were also two poles together on the ground between some big spool things, and he actually jumped those like a big boy. He got so excited, he ran around bucking and then came back for more. What fun foals can have!

Blankets for all!

With winter just around the corner, I figured I better get back to blanket training. I haven’t tried this with Natty since before Chance was born, and we didn’t get very far before that. Last time, I got as far as draping the blanket across her back, but I never got it on her the right way or any buckles done up. I expected to start over from the beginning today, but I didn’t figure in how much more trust we’ve developed in the last several months. Natty wasn’t even skittish about the blanket today, and I got it on the right way and some of the straps fastened. She didn’t even mind all the tugging and adjusting. It is a little big because back when I bought it, we didn’t trust each other enough to get a really accurate measurement. It is close enough that it will do, though. This time, Natty didn’t mind anything at all until we were all done, the blanket was draped over the fence again, and we had all walked halfway across the pasture. At that point, she turned back and approached it in a very snorty manner, sniffed it over thoroughly, and decided it was ok. Funny girl! Chance was more skittish than Natty about the whole idea. He wore his little blanket during his first few days of life but not since then. I guess he forgot because he was a little scared. We did put the blanket on and off several times, though, so I think he’s going to be ok. I didn’t fasten any straps for Chance, for obvious reasons – he definitely needs a larger size! Here are the pictures:

Here are some running baby shots. I was driving the Gator across the pasture with the water barrel on it – Chance was running laps around me (I was aiming wildly with the camera while bouncing along) and Natty was sticking close to the back bumper because this vehicle delivers all the meals, so there is loose hay in the back (I couldn’t get any pictures of her because the water barrel was blocking the shot).

Horse Heaven

Mama just keeps on grazing to make enough milk for this big ol’ moose of a colt!

And here’s the latest video – big girl feeling good!

Mostly pictures today

We did some more trailer training today, and Natty and Chance did very well as usual. Actually, the loading went well, but the unloading was a bit more difficult – there isn’t much room with all 3 of us in there, so they kinda got out before I did and went for a short jog to the end of the driveway. Oh well, they waited for me there! On the way back to the pasture, another loose horse went running by us on her way back to the barn, and I was pretty nervous to see her coming, not knowing how my two would react. They took it all in stride, though, and didn’t react at all. Such angels! When we got back to the pasture, I took some new pictures. These first few came from our new favorite game, where I run run run away from them, then turn and wildly point the camera before they get so close they don’t fit in the frame!

Chance is just barely finished shedding out his baby fuzz to reveal this gorgeous coat, and now it’s time to grow a winter one, so he’s losing hair by the handfuls again. I wonder what color he will be next?

Here’s one to show you how close they prefer to stand – no wonder I can’t get them in the frame without running away from them!

Big girl needs her teeth brushed!

Are you sure you have to go? Are you SURE you don’t have just one more apple?

I thought the dogs were digging this great big hole until I started to see little hoof prints in it. I think my poor babies are bored. I hope they’ll be much happier when they have companions again. I am also thinking I may need to get them some toys for their stall when they move!

Foal Kisses

I always give Natty and Chance a kiss on the nose when I see them. It’s my very favorite horse-part because it’s so soft and smells good (yes, I’m probably crazy to think that, but I love the smell of horse). I’m afraid I may have to stop, though, because I inadvertently taught Chance to kiss back. Tonight he gave me a full-face, open-mouthed foal kiss, complete with LOTS of apple juice slobber. Bleck. Litte guy cracks me up, but I don’t think I better let him do that anymore because other people might not appreciate it as much as I do… Pipsqueak has been a little rascal this week all around. I see some very suspicious short locks in Natty’s mane and tail, and I think I know who’s responsible for them. Plus, tonight when I took them out for their evening walk, Chance went the opposite direction at top speed and went farther away than he’s ever gone before. I parked Natty at a nice patch of grass and went after him, but when she realized her baby and her person were both out of site, she came a-runnin’ after us, stepping on her trailing lead rope all the way. I heard her coming long before I could see her. Poor girl! She sure does have strong herd instincts to leave the grass behind to follow us. She’e shedding big time right now, losing all her white hair – it looks like a snow storm when I brush her, so much hair is coming out, and all of it white. I’m curious to see how dark she’ll get this winter. Chance is pretty much shed out now to a very dark bay, incredibly sleek and soft. I wish everyone could feel how soft he is – it’s wonderful! I’m afraid his coat isn’t winter-ready, though – it looks more like a beautiful summer coat right now. Maybe it’ll thicken up, but I also measured him for a new blanket this weekend just in case he needs it. Can’t have a cold baby! I think about a size 60 would fit him well enough now and also leave a little growing room, but I’m going to wait another few weeks before buying one in case he goes through a growth spurt. Size 60 is a pony blanket, and the feed store only has them in a pattern called something like blueberry patch plaid – so totally girly I can’t even tell you! It’s wayyy more pink than blueberry, and a bunch of purple thrown in, too. All he needs is a few ribbons in his mane, and he’d be My Little Pony. I need to look around on the internet for a more manly pattern for the poor boy. Natty’s blanket from last year is still in perfect condition, mainly because I never got it on her. It’s amazing how well a blanket holds up when you don’t use it! I am going to start working on that again now that the weather is finally starting to cool down enough. One more thing to add to the list of training goals. We’re getting there, though, slowly but surely. I’m thinking of ordering a surcingle and some driving lines, and I need to get her measured for a bit, too. I’m still thinking about those bitless bridles, but I don’t how they would work for ground-driving. Feedback from those who have used them would be much appreciated!

Family Picture

Taken this evening – it was getting dark and the flash went off so their eyes are glowing, but they still look pretty.

Hoof Trims

Natty and Chance had their hoof trims this morning, and it went very, very well. We haven’t been in the barn in weeks, so they were pretty nervous going inside (plus 4 new horses in there for layups, so full of strangers)and I was a little worried that things wouldn’t go well. I should have more faith in N & C.  Chance behaved as well as any well-trained adult horse, and I was so proud of him! He stood still and hardly tried to pull his feet away – he only gave a little fuss with one back one, and even that wasn’t bad. I think the farrier must like him, because he stuck around and fed him 2 apples after the trim. Even Natty was very well-behaved. We had the poor new vet again for the sedation – the same one who came last time and had such a hard time with Natty’s sedation and Chance’s gelding. They sent her out without a vet tech today, and she looked a little hesitant when she first arrived – I think her confidence was rocked last time, and she said something about how I was brave to have her back. This time went much better – Natty didn’t rear or even flinch for her sedation; she was her normal calm self. She got a big dosage of the sedative, and then we gave it time to kick in while we did Chance’s trim. Natty looked a little more awake than we normal like to see her when I led her out of the stall for her turn, but we decided to give her a try without giving her more drugs first. She did incredibly well! She rested her chin on my shoulder for awhile, and then put her whole head against my chest for awhile, and she didn’t struggle. The farrier was able to get the first 3 feet done really quickly. She started to wake up a little when the stud colt who now lives in the corner stall came over to check her out, so we turned her out of his reach. She was definitely awake for the last bit on the 4th foot though. She pulled the foot away several times, but she didn’t slam it down, so the farrier was able to move it back into position relatively easily – he thinks this is a great sign that’s she is figuring out the process. She did slam her foot down once and then kept trying to walk forward while the farrier was trying to pick it up again. Let me tell ya, not much I can do to keep that girl from walking forward if she wants to. She finally gave up the foot, though, and we were able to finish the foot. So we were able to do all of her feet without having to re-sedate her for the first time! This was her third trim with me – the first time she got 2 rounds of sedation, the second time 3 – so I was thrilled to get the job done with only one dose of drugs. We’re on the right path now! The farrier was also pleasantly surprised, I think – he said he thinks it will just be a few more trims and we won’t need drugs anymore. I don’t know if I’m that optimistic, but I’m thrilled she did so well today. Her trust and cooperation have certainly increased by leaps and bounds since she got here. Overall, this was a really quick and easy day as far as hoof trims go!

By the way, I recommended Haystack wildberry horse treats recently, and the farrier tells me he keeps the peppermint ones on hand too and has never met a horse that didn’t like them – just FYI in case anybody is looking for a good treat.

And to make the day even better, I found out I passed the bar exam! Now I just have to be sworn in and I’ll be licensed to practice law (lord help us all).

Bot flies, ick!

I’m learning about something new right now – bot flies. Natty and Chance have both had eggs on them recently, and it seems to be getting worse and worse. They each had lots of them yesterday. Chance gets them on his forelegs and belly, and yesterday he had a few in his mane for the first time. Natty seems to get them mostly on her forelegs, but I can’t see them very well on her roan parts. Luckily, Chance is really good about letting me scrape the bot eggs off, and even Natty has been letting me scrape them off. Natty is still a little sensitive about having her legs handled, so I have to work quickly before she starts lifting her feet. She thinks any time I touch her legs, I want her to lift her feet – and she’ll pick them up toward the back like for cleaning or lift them up and forward if I’m kneeling in front of her, so I really have to watch out. But I’m happy to be able to get most of the bot eggs off, even if it takes a little longer. Here’s an informational article for anyone who might be interested:

http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef504.asp

Jeckyl and Hyde again!

Natty and Chance sure made up for being so great yesterday – today they were little punks! I tried to take them on a nice walk/graze outing. We were going along just fine until I decided it was time to leave the luch green grass behind the barn. Chance had been lagging behind as usual, and he ran to catch up and ended up passing us. This is routine, so I didn’t think anything of it – until Natty tried to bolt and threw out a kick with her back leg in that first bound! She has never done that to me before. She didn’t get loose, but I only just had the end of the leadrope to cling to. I gathered her up and then we went a little farther (keeping her on a short rope), and then I stopped to call Chance. Natty tried to bolt again! Only this time, she did her favorite play maneuver, which is a lowered head and a foreleg lifted way up and thrown out to the side (you can see this in the first video right when she starts to run). Somehow, she managed to get the leadrope wrapped completely around her leg! Not just between her two front legs, but wrapped all the way around. I have no idea how she did this, but I had her on such a short rope it’s a miracle she didn’t kick my hand in the process. I got her untangled and moved a little farther down the trail, and then the big old brat reared! And Natty can rear HIGH! I was so flabbergasted by all this bad behavior from her (she NEVER does this) that I didn’t even think to be scared until later. And while I was fighting with Natty, Chance was running around loose, near the barn and the other turned-out horses who live inside, and egging on his mama to come run and play with him. I couldn’t go get him because she was barely under control. Chance finally came back and Natty stopped acting up and we were able to get safely back to the pasture, but for a minute there I wasn’t sure what to do – loose colt, rearing mare – not a fun time! I am glad to see they are feeling good and playful, but I think they need more exercise! Here are some pictures and videos from before all that excitement:

I was trying to get a picture to show you how funny he looks now that his forelock is starting to fall forward:

Full body shot – almost all big-boy hair except the white stripes down the backs of the front legs:

And here’s Natty, looking the same as always – beautiful and still grazing, and not losing any weight from nursing this big monster colt!

And now for the videos:

note that funny play move Natty does at first bound

And here watch the pinned ears when she tells the pipsqueak to knock it off!

Trailer Training!

I am so proud of Natty and Chance today! We had our first trailer training lesson, and it went so much better than I could ever have hoped. I led them up to the trailer and let them look inside. Then, I stepped up myself, holding both their leadropes. Natty is very good about being led these days, so she followed me right up. She loaded like an angel, with no hesitation at all – I’m so proud of her! I gave her a berry horse treat once she was in, and Chance saw – he loves those too. He stepped up with just his front feet, and I gave him a treat, too. Then I walked back a little farther and made him stretch for another treat. He moved up enough that his back legs were right against the trailer, and then he tried to step all the way up. There was a little ledge-like thing by the door frame, maybe an inch wide. Chance tried to step on that, and when he put all his weight up there, his feet slipped and he fell off, spooked, and jumped out of the trailer. Natty looked around but didn’t seem too concerned. I unloaded her and let her have a few mouthfuls of grass right outside the trailer, and then I loaded her again (still loaded like an angel with no hesitation whatsoever). Sweet, good little Chance came right back and stepped right up with his front feet! I am pretty sure he wanted to do some comfort nursing and couldn’t reach Natty any other way but getting in the trailer, but I’ll take what I can get! I gave him another berry treat, and he took a big leap up and into the trailer (not risking getting near the edge again). They both got more treats and praise and scratches. Chance walked around and checked things out a little bit – he went under Natty’s neck and around the other side and then stopped because mama’s big butt was blocking him from going any farther. They were both totally calm, and we stood inside for a few minutes before unloading again. I didn’t close the doors or use the dividers or anything this time, but I think it was a very successful first attempt! We were using a 3-horse trailer, and with the two of them and me in there, we really didn’t have much room to spare. Sorry I don’t have any pictures, but I really have my hands full dealing with both of them at once! Next time I’ll see if I can get a volunteer photographer. I am just soooo happy to know I can load them if I need to! I don’t exactly live in an area at high risk of natural disaster/emergency type situations, but I worry just the same – before I moved here, I spent 8 years in states with earthquakes/wildfires/hurricanes/tornadoes, so evacuation is always at the back of my mind. Now if I can just get a truck and trailer of my own, we’ll be set! In the meantime, we’re off to a great start.