The hay was moved quickly and efficiently during a warm and balmy Sunday. It was a day I would have rather been riding, but it was a great day to move the hay as well. We were also able to get the tractor moved to the new location the same day.
A few days later, I headed out to the pen to see if the little rescue fillies would load. I caught both of them right off, they just walked up and asked to be caught. I haltered them and put them outside the pasture gate and then caught Lil Bit and brought him out as well. His role was to be the older, steady role model for the youngsters.
Dulci went first. As she walked up to the trailer, on the first ask, she put a leg in and started to step up and then hesitated, doubted herself and backed up. Not bad. The girls had not been loaded since they arrived in April. I let her look the trailer over and sniff the floor. When she wanted to turn away and do something else, I redirected her to concentrate on the trailer. I started gently tapping the top of her croup with the carrot stick and stopped when she made any move forward. In less than five minutes total time, she stepped into the trailer. The bay filly was next. I had not worked with her as much and she was not as far along in her understanding. She did not have a “go forward” cue, so I started with that. Once she understood to go forward when I asked, she willingly walked into the trailer as well. I put Bit in the back and shut the doors and we headed for the new digs.
They all walked out as quietly as they had loaded. They looked around, and started grazing. No running, fussing or fear. Just like I like it!
The next few days we continued to work on the fix-ups around the place and checked every post and every wire and ran electric tape to reinforce the safety of the fences.
Last Saturday was supposed to be a fairly decent day. We started early and worked all day. About one, it started a wet snow/rain. We continued to work, myself on the fence and Jet Ranger on the protective winter shed for the hydrant. By four, I was soaked. I decided my level of happiness is very dependent on the warmth of my feet and my hands. The snow was beginning to stick to the road. Jet Ranger decided he wanted to bring his three horses before he quit. I sent him on with the truck and trailer and came home to get warm and find some dry clothes. I looked at the weather radar after I was redressed, and gave him a call to swing by and pick me up on his way by. From the look of the radar it was going to get worse before it got better and even though it would be dark, it would be better to move all the horses that night.
A long time ago I thought I should write a book called 101 “Fun” Things to Do in a Blizzard. As life has progressed, it would be more appropriate to call it 1001 Things. It seems there is always something with the horses that has to be done while sane people are indoors. I can’t imagine what people without horses do with all that free time and money. Think of all the fresh air, exercise and adventure they miss!
The big move is done and we are all moved to the new pasture. Everyone is settling in and they are entertaining themselves with the hay. The weather has been horrible except for a break yesterday and I tried to get everything possible done outside that I could but there are still a dozen projects I want to finish.
More soon on other things that have kept me on the fly the last few weeks! One big project is finished and sent to the printer today.
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