Wilma here.
Yesterday, Dixie's partners came and took her for a walk down the driveway and over the hill. They do this sometimes, but yesterday, they didn't come back. No one in the herd knew where Dixie had gone. Later on, our partners came to the barn. They got me and Willow. They put Willow's boots on, 'cos she has feet that hurt sometimes. Then WE went for a walk down the driveway and over the hill. I was wondering if we wouldn't come back either, and I was a little concerned. But my partner was with me, so how could it be bad? We walked down the dirt road for a while, and then we got off the road and walked down a driveway thing. Suddenly, I heard a whinny. It was Dixie! I called back, and so did Willow. There was Dixie, in a paddock of her own, with a shelter and everything. The partners talked about Dixie coming "home". Willow and I both sniffed noses with Dixie, and she was so happy to see us she nipped us both. Since it is Dixie's home, she's entitled to do that, and I didn't reprimand her for that. After we had our little visit, we went back to our home.
Today my partner and one of Dixie's partners came to the barn and got me and Willow. They were talking about how Dixie is lonely and anxious and needs some company. My partner talked to Willow and asked her to please visit with Dixie for a while. Willow likes Dixie, but she wondered if she would ever come back to our herd. My partner told her that the visit would only be for a while, until Dixie's partners got another horse for their family. She said Willow is part of our herd and will come back with our herd, unless she would decide she wanted to be someplace else. Then we walked down the driveway, over the hill and down the dirt road to Dixie's house. It was between rainstorms, and the sun was shining. Over Dixie's house was a rainbow. I took this to be a good sign, and told Willow that this visiting thing would okay.
When we got to Dixie's house, I got tied to a post while my partner went into the paddock with Willow and took off her boots. She gave Willow lots of rubs and told her she hoped Willow had a good visit with Dixie. Then she let Willow go. Willow started looking for something to eat, and when we left, she was walking around the paddock, looking at things, and Dixie was following her. Dixie was very happy for the company, and Willow was being a good guest.
It is nice to be neighborly and help one another. We miss Willow in the herd. She and Dixie like each other, though, so I know they will have a good visit!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thanks Giving
Wilma here.
The partners have been talking about something called Thanks Giving. I don't know what this is, except it seems to involve food. If there is food, it must be good.
When I think about the name, though, it seems to mean two things. First, Thanks. My partner came and told me she was Thankful that I was in her life. I thought that was nice. I feel the same way about her. Because she brought me to her farm, I have a whole new career and no more babies underfoot. I enjoyed my other life, but I was done with it. So I have Thanks that we are together also.
The other thing is Giving. My partner gives me love, and also peppermint treats sometimes. She gives me a green cover to keep the rain off my back. She gives me scrubs on my neck where it's itchy and I can't reach.
I give her love back. I give her order in the herd. I give her nice rides around the forest, and I give her a feeling of safety when she is on my back. I also give her funny looks sometimes, to make her laugh. I like the Giving. I have Thanks for the Giving I receive, and also for the Giving I give, because I feel good when I Give it. Maybe that's why the Thanks and the Giving are spoken of together.
Happy Thanks Giving. I like it.
The partners have been talking about something called Thanks Giving. I don't know what this is, except it seems to involve food. If there is food, it must be good.
When I think about the name, though, it seems to mean two things. First, Thanks. My partner came and told me she was Thankful that I was in her life. I thought that was nice. I feel the same way about her. Because she brought me to her farm, I have a whole new career and no more babies underfoot. I enjoyed my other life, but I was done with it. So I have Thanks that we are together also.
The other thing is Giving. My partner gives me love, and also peppermint treats sometimes. She gives me a green cover to keep the rain off my back. She gives me scrubs on my neck where it's itchy and I can't reach.
I give her love back. I give her order in the herd. I give her nice rides around the forest, and I give her a feeling of safety when she is on my back. I also give her funny looks sometimes, to make her laugh. I like the Giving. I have Thanks for the Giving I receive, and also for the Giving I give, because I feel good when I Give it. Maybe that's why the Thanks and the Giving are spoken of together.
Happy Thanks Giving. I like it.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Fog and Crows
Wilma here.
My partner has strange thoughts. Last night, after a sunny, warmish day, it got cold. There was a lot of fog at the time the lights at the partner house go off for the night. The ground was warm and the air was cold. When the partners came to feed us the next day, (in the dark - some days they come so early we're barely awake in the herd!)there was no more fog. The ground was cold and the air was cold. My partner said when there's fog, it's the earth seeing its breath.
My partner also told me this morning that she saw a heron flying near the marshes, and it was being escorted by a crow. I don't know much about crows, except that they have a funny way of walking and seem to enjoy playing games. I didn't know they did escort duty. My partner said it was not like when the smaller birds fight the hawks and eagles; this crow was just flying along with the heron. The crow did have a hard time staying in formation, though. It seems crows are always looking for an opportunity to play, and was inviting the heron to do so. The heron was flying somewhere with purpose, and wouldn't be dissuaded from its task. Sometimes you just have to concentrate on the task at hand.
My partner has strange thoughts. Last night, after a sunny, warmish day, it got cold. There was a lot of fog at the time the lights at the partner house go off for the night. The ground was warm and the air was cold. When the partners came to feed us the next day, (in the dark - some days they come so early we're barely awake in the herd!)there was no more fog. The ground was cold and the air was cold. My partner said when there's fog, it's the earth seeing its breath.
My partner also told me this morning that she saw a heron flying near the marshes, and it was being escorted by a crow. I don't know much about crows, except that they have a funny way of walking and seem to enjoy playing games. I didn't know they did escort duty. My partner said it was not like when the smaller birds fight the hawks and eagles; this crow was just flying along with the heron. The crow did have a hard time staying in formation, though. It seems crows are always looking for an opportunity to play, and was inviting the heron to do so. The heron was flying somewhere with purpose, and wouldn't be dissuaded from its task. Sometimes you just have to concentrate on the task at hand.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
News from the farm
Wilma here. It has been a long time since my partner has wanted to write anything for herself or for me. She was having a "pity party", whatever that is. I guess the party is over, though, since she asked me if there was anything I would like to share on this page.
The best news is that my granddaughter Marieh is back with the herd! Her partner turned her out with us on Sun-Day. It was a Sun day for sure, even though it was raining. We were all so happy to have Marieh among us again, instead of stuck behind a barrier! Marieh was so thrilled she ran and jumped and explored every corner of the pasture. She does not think much of Dixie, our pony visitor, and kicks at her when she has a chance. I've told her that Dixie doesn't require much in the way of discipline, but Marieh isn't listening right now. She wants to strut her stuff and let everyone know she's back and taking her rightful place in the herd as second in command. She hasn't hurt Dixie, only threatens her strongly, so I've allowed it. She'll soon learn that with Dixie, all it takes is a look and Dixie gets out of the way. Marieh is feeling so good, though, that she wants to exercise all those muscles that have been doing nothing for six weeks. She's so happy, and so are we! Except maybe for Dixie.
The best news is that my granddaughter Marieh is back with the herd! Her partner turned her out with us on Sun-Day. It was a Sun day for sure, even though it was raining. We were all so happy to have Marieh among us again, instead of stuck behind a barrier! Marieh was so thrilled she ran and jumped and explored every corner of the pasture. She does not think much of Dixie, our pony visitor, and kicks at her when she has a chance. I've told her that Dixie doesn't require much in the way of discipline, but Marieh isn't listening right now. She wants to strut her stuff and let everyone know she's back and taking her rightful place in the herd as second in command. She hasn't hurt Dixie, only threatens her strongly, so I've allowed it. She'll soon learn that with Dixie, all it takes is a look and Dixie gets out of the way. Marieh is feeling so good, though, that she wants to exercise all those muscles that have been doing nothing for six weeks. She's so happy, and so are we! Except maybe for Dixie.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
A Holiday Preview, and a little about Marieh
Wilma here.
My partner loves this photo. I think it's nice, too. Last year around this time she put ribbons in my mane and tail, and a pad with boot-like things attached, and into the boot-things went colorful boxes. Then we went for a walk and trot down the road and around to the neighbors, and at each neighbor we left one of the colorful boxes. It was a lot of fun and everyone exclaimed about how beautiful I was in my ribbons. I enjoyed the attention, and I also enjoyed seeing all the smiles as the colorful boxes were given to the neighbors. I hope we do this again this year. I haven't been on the driving lines for a while, but I have a good memory and will know how to do it when the time comes.
Just a little about Marieh. Her wound is just about healed. My partner says Marieh will be able to come back to the herd in a few days. We are all very happy about that, and look forward to her return!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Marieh gets unsewn and we take a walk
Wilma here.
It was a busy weekend. The vet lady came out on Saturday and took "stitches" out of Marieh's shoulder. Marieh still needs to stay in her stall for a few days because a couple of the "stitches" didn't do a real good job - probably because her shoulder was so swollen. She is disgusted about having to stay separate, but I told her it is for her own good, and she should be happy her partner is taking such good care of her. The humans put some goopy red stuff on the wound to help it heal, so she can get back out with us sooner. Here's a picture of Marieh with her partner.
Later on we went for walk. The humans have a friend who wants to move out here. I've met this friend; she has a very tall Friesian named Tia, and I took the friend and Tia on a ride along our trails. I think having more Friesians in the neighborhood is a good thing. There can never be too many Friesians. The friend is looking at some property called lot 96. We never did find it, it is very far away. We walked for quite a while before the humans found a map with lot 96 on it. When they saw where it was, they decided it was too far for us to go that day. I was glad, because even though nobody was riding me on that part of the walk, it was still a long way. We rested in a picnic area, and then my partner got on me for a few minutes. Her man partner took these photos. He thinks he's pretty funny. But see, MY partner has a beautiful Friesian-type bum, just like mine!
It was a busy weekend. The vet lady came out on Saturday and took "stitches" out of Marieh's shoulder. Marieh still needs to stay in her stall for a few days because a couple of the "stitches" didn't do a real good job - probably because her shoulder was so swollen. She is disgusted about having to stay separate, but I told her it is for her own good, and she should be happy her partner is taking such good care of her. The humans put some goopy red stuff on the wound to help it heal, so she can get back out with us sooner. Here's a picture of Marieh with her partner.
Later on we went for walk. The humans have a friend who wants to move out here. I've met this friend; she has a very tall Friesian named Tia, and I took the friend and Tia on a ride along our trails. I think having more Friesians in the neighborhood is a good thing. There can never be too many Friesians. The friend is looking at some property called lot 96. We never did find it, it is very far away. We walked for quite a while before the humans found a map with lot 96 on it. When they saw where it was, they decided it was too far for us to go that day. I was glad, because even though nobody was riding me on that part of the walk, it was still a long way. We rested in a picnic area, and then my partner got on me for a few minutes. Her man partner took these photos. He thinks he's pretty funny. But see, MY partner has a beautiful Friesian-type bum, just like mine!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Back to as Normal as It Gets
Life is settling back to normal. Marieh's catheter is out; we're giving her a few more days of bute. Her vet will be here Saturday to look at the wound and take out the stitches, and hopefully give her the okay to move out of her confining space into something where she can stretch her legs. We have a stall with a run ready for her if she can't go back in with the girls yet.
It feels odd to only visit the barn twice a day instead of six times. Amazing how quickly one gets accustomed to a different routine. And also how quickly you drop back into the old habits.
This morning when we went to the barn Willow was resting in the common area, actually laying down with her feet tucked under her. I was a little concerned, but I guess she was just tired. When we put out the hay, she got to her feet and joined the rest of the girls in breakfast. She's such a sweet mare, and I think she may be working on an abscess in one of her front feet. The last time she was so lame I poulticed her feet and helped the abscess along. She walked much better after that. She seems to need the detox every now and then.
A neighbor friend loaned me a book about creative pasture management. It's quite interesting, and I'm looking at our pastures, wondering how we can give it a try without completely tearing down everything we've done so far. If it keeps the horses moving and helps them all get fit and Willow to stay healthy, it will be a very good thing indeed. Then maybe we can put Cabo back in with the ladies so he'll have some company.
It feels odd to only visit the barn twice a day instead of six times. Amazing how quickly one gets accustomed to a different routine. And also how quickly you drop back into the old habits.
This morning when we went to the barn Willow was resting in the common area, actually laying down with her feet tucked under her. I was a little concerned, but I guess she was just tired. When we put out the hay, she got to her feet and joined the rest of the girls in breakfast. She's such a sweet mare, and I think she may be working on an abscess in one of her front feet. The last time she was so lame I poulticed her feet and helped the abscess along. She walked much better after that. She seems to need the detox every now and then.
A neighbor friend loaned me a book about creative pasture management. It's quite interesting, and I'm looking at our pastures, wondering how we can give it a try without completely tearing down everything we've done so far. If it keeps the horses moving and helps them all get fit and Willow to stay healthy, it will be a very good thing indeed. Then maybe we can put Cabo back in with the ladies so he'll have some company.
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