A funny dog story

Yesterday, Shayne and Melissa told me a funny "Maggie" story.

Maggie is our 1 1/2 year old great pyrenese. She is a great livestock dog - goes and checks the horses - have actually seen her do a "nose to nose" count on everyone.

She also figures it is her duty to check the neighbors cattle all summer for him too...just wish they weren't across the road.

Anyways...Melissa and Shayne went outside around midnight the other night to jump on the trampoline...don't ask why...I don't know and honestly, don't care. They were getting along - that is the main thing. LOL

While they were jumping, Maggie wandered across the yard apparently doing her duty, when Shayne looked at Melissa and asked her if she heard "that". She said "nope". He said "are you sure you don't hear that squeaking".

They both looked at Maggie and noticed that her mouth was a little funny looking. Melissa got off the tramp and walked closer to her and said "Maggie, what do you have" as she could hear the squeaking better the closer she got to the dog.

Well, Maggie took off across the yard with Melissa in pursuit. Never did catch her but did finally see what she had - IT WAS A MOUSE. Maggie had been carrying it around IN HER MOUTH and then was playing with it.

Melissa and Shayne never did see what happened to it...but said it was absolutely hilarous.

So I not only have cats that catch gophers but dogs that catch and play with mice like they are cats. LOL

TTFN

Carrie

Update on the boys

YIPPEE...am finally getting some good progress reports from Dale on the two boys. Well, almost on the two boys. Definately on Hyde.

He had, as Paige would say, his "come to Jesus" moment in his training. Where everything finally clicked in and he went "OH - SO THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT ALL THE TIME??? GOT IT!!!".

Dale said he has been great this last week...has softened up his stops and is blowing her out of the water with his turns. He is also creating a bit of a stir with his color. She said even the farrier has commented on it. YIPPEE...maybe that will also help bring in mare owners. LOL

Gunner, on the other hand, is still testing the waters. He hasn't quite figured out yet that no matter how much he complains or just doesn't do anything, he still has to work...and that it gets harder the more he puts up a fuss. Dale did say he was looking pretty sharp - colored like newly minted penny. So that is pretty cool.

I can hardly wait to go down there on Monday to see how things are going. Not sure if Dale will be home as she is away this weekend at a cutting competition (she did take Hyde's sister so it will be very cool to hear how she does) but will try to get some pics of everyone while I am there.

TTFN

Carrie

Herd Dynamics

It has been an interesting week so far here at the Circle CD Ranch.

Last Saturday morning, Melissa and I turned Ace and Sonny, our two geldings, out with the mare herd. Sonny was gelded in May 2006 and has never run with mares except during breeding season and certainly never with another male horse - be it gelded or not.

It was funny to watch them. At first they all mixed and mingled but soon Sonny started to weed out who he wanted to watch. Ace tried but wasn't having much luck.

By supper time, Ace had Lucky to himself at the back of the pasture and Sonny had everyone else bunched at the house end of the pasture (which by the way is around 15 acres in size or so). by the end of the day, however, Sonny had everyone. And was keeping a very close eye on Ace.

On Sunday morning, everyone was "almost" together...at least at one end of the pasture with Sonny ensuring that Ace kept his distance. And that distance really isn't all the great - probably about 50 feet between Sonny and Ace with Sonny around 15 feet from the girls.

On Sunday night, all were still in close proximaty of each other but Sonny still won't let Ace join the girls. He is not being nasty about it but is definately not allowing Ace to join the herd. And he will sure lose weight as he spends most of his time standing and staring at Ace instead of eating like everyone else.

I am actually quite happy with how it has gone so far considering ALL the girls, except for Paris, have come into heat really quick with the boys out there. While Sonny is still doing his talking and strutting, I have yet to see any evidence of him trying to mount anyone. Thank goodness.

On Monday morning, I noticed that Lucky, being all of 31, is sure giving Sonny a run for his sanity. She is constantly not where he wants her to be. She really wants to be with Ace as Ace and her have been best buds since Ace was 2. LOL And Sonny is not happy with that.

She is keeping herself at a minimum of 300 yards from the other mares so that Sonny has to be constantly vigilant that Ace doesn't get near Lucky or the other mares. That poor black beast is going to worn to a nub or will just give up and let Ace join the group. LOL

Since then, I have noticed that the groups have relaxed a little bit. Sonny is not so stressed that Lucky is not wanting to be with him and the other girls. She is quite content to be with Ace.

They still haven't intermingled the two groups but they are getting there. I hope it continues. LOL

TTFN

Carrie

Wow - another week flies by

Hey all,

I can't believe it is the start of another week. Time is just flying by. School lets out for my kids on Wednesday (Canada goes until June). And man...are they ever looking forward to it. Me - not so much - as this means MANY MANY MANY phone calls at work with the usual "Mom...Shayne did". And "Mom...can we". LOL

Semi is still at Dale's and has been bred to Whata Sansation (Docs Hotrodder/Peppy San). I am sooo looking forward to this cross. Best be a filly!!! Dale was very happy with Semi...said she was great girl. Her wound is also looking fantastic. I can't believe it has been 7 weeks already. Dale took a picture of her chest for me and WOW...another 4 weeks and I bet you will hardly be able to tell that there was anything there.



Hyde and Gunner are still going through their ups and down with their training. Hyde has been good for a few days while Gunner is being a little brat. I sure hope they get their acts together and start proceeding with their training.

All the horses here are doing great. I turned Sonny and Ace out with the mare herd on Saturday morning. It went fairly well. Sonny has decided that he still needs to act the part of the stallion (was gelded in May 2006) and is keeping Ace from joining the group. It is funny. I think he may actually lose some weight as he is more intent on keeping Ace out than eating. LOL

I also gave Molson a pasture pal in Dolly. I figure who better than a 12 year old preggo broodmare to teach a yearling stallion to be a good boy.

Dolly's eye, I think, is as good as it is going to get. I have not noticed a change in it for 2 weeks now. I am, however, going to buy a fly mask to give her a bit of sun protection for another month.

TTFN

Carrie

A Family Riding Night

Hmmm...going backwards in my timeline...must be getting old. LOL

Last Friday, something strange happened. Doyle came in the house and said "Melissa and I are going riding...can I use your new saddle". I turned away from the computer and went "WHAT???" And being a typical man...he repeated himself word for word.

So out he went, happy as a clam. Now this is a man who will build fences, clean pens, help do farrier, vaccinations and wormings, but NEVER and I mean NEVER asks to go riding.

About 10 minutes later, he comes back into the house and asks which bridle to put on Skeena. I said "isn't Melissa out there". Yup was the answer. I told him that she would tack up for him. So off he trotted again. Another 5 minutes goes by...and he is back in..."Carrie...should I wear jeans...dumb question...going to change". And out the door he went again. Then he is back in again...asking about leg aides. I finally gave up doing what I was doing and went out.

By the time I got out there, he was up and going. Bouncing all over, trying to figure out how to hold the reins...and not fall off. So mini-riding lesson was given...and he did better. Just walked this time though.



Melissa had, in the meantime, caught Ace for his first ride of the year. And she was bareback. I remember being that brave...or is that stupid. I think when you are that young it is brave...now that I am this old...it is stupid.



After giving Doyle his mini lesson and seeing Melissa riding, I got the urge to get up and go too. So I got up on Ace (without proper riding gear - sweats and flip flops for goodness sake) for my first ride of the year as well. See...stupid. Haven't ridden more than 4 times in the last 2 years and here I am bareback on a horse that hasn't been ridden for 2 years. LOL Didn't do too bad. Felt like I was going to fall with every step he took, but didn't. Got a little panicked when he refused to turn and go where I wanted to and he put his head down and started to back up. I really need to get riding more...lol



Doyle switched off with Bailey and her friend, Tamara, in the arena. Bailey hasn't wanted to ride at all but seeing her friend go and how well Skeena worked for her helped Bailey's confidence. It was great to see.

When it was almost dark, Doyle and Melissa took Skeena and Ace for a short ride around the big pasture. I think they enjoyed themselves.

Bailey did really well...so well that she rode again on Saturday with her friend. It is great to see that the bug may have caught her in it's grasp.



TTFN

Carrie

Monday dawns with lots of work

Well, Monday has arrived. And with it another full day of work on the farm.

Rob arrived 1/2 hour early just as I was headed out to catch horses. Rob is my farrier. So we got an earlier start than anticipated...which was great.

All the horses were in desperate need of trims due to our weather in the early spring - piles of snow and then rain kept us under muddy conditions until the middle of May. And Rob has been really busy lately.

We started with an easy horse - Skeena. She was an angel. Then it was Gidget's turn. You know, for a 2 year old, she sure has a "brat" attitude about her. She fussed and pulled with each and every foot. Dusty and Paris were next...and I had expected more attitude from them...but they were good once we got underway. Paris also got a new halter today. She had outgrown the old one.

Lucky, my old lady (age 31) was next. I brought her in - cross tied her and left Rob alone to do his thing while I caught up the next two - Sonny and Ace. Had them both into the barn by the time Rob finished with Lucky. She was then tied up at the hitching post outside the barn.

Dolly was next. She is really good about everything on the side with her injured eye and extremely touchy on the other - where she can see. Wonder what that is all about.

We then did Sonny. He was a good boy. Even put him outside in the wood pen right beside Paris and Dusty. They did a bit of screaming/squealing at each other but for the most part it was pretty quiet.

Molson was next. As I was bringing him into the barn, Rob looked up and said "I really like him. He is such a neat color". And WHAT A HOLY TERROR he was. I have been working with him cause he can be a bit of a brat at times so I thought he would be good. NOT. He threw himself all over the barn. We finally had to snub him up tight and let him fight it out. Rob would pick up a front foot and Molson would try to lay down. So we finally let him. It must have done some good as he was an angel after that. Babies...what can you do.

Ace was last. Poor boy. He was not happy about this at all. And walk funny after wards...you would think he was ancient and had string halt he was picking his hind feet up so high afterwards.

Rob stayed and chatted for a bit. Looked over the horse trailer as he is looking for something like it...but maybe not as big.

After Rob left, it was time to get to the "nasty" part of horse ownership...worming and vaccinations. The vaccinations went really well. Ace and Sonny were HORRIBLE for their worming. Took both Melissa and I to hold Ace's head down to put the tube in his mouth. He is such a monster. And Sonny...he REARED...TWICE. I couldn't believe it. Finally put the lead over his nose and gave him a tune up.

And so went my morning. I am now in the house (obviously...lol) and it is time to start the housework part of my day.

I can hardly wait until tomorrow when I go to my paying job. It will be a nice break.

TTFN

Carrie

A Night Away FINALLY

Doyle and I took off early Saturday morning for an overnight trip - ALONE!!! No kids allowed.

We hauled Semi down to Dale Dodd's to be bred to her stallion, Whata Sansation. Her wound is healed up enough that Dale said to bring her down - so we did. She is 6 weeks late getting there...but I am sure happy she is no matter the time of year.

We got her settled into her pen, unloaded her grain, medicines etc. and we were off to High River for the night.

It was Doyle's buddy's 50th birthday party on Saturday night. And wow...was he ever surprised. Had NO clue this was being planned. His wife even managed to get his mom and sister into town from down east...as well as getting him 4 days off of work to take them around the countryside. It was also nice to be able to sit back and chit chat with a bunch of people I haven't seen for over a year - some more.

On Sunday morning, we headed home bright and early. We had to get more of Semi's grain in High River as no one near home had any and she is sooo fussy that I didn't want to be switching feeds on top of her being at a new place. We got into Dale's around 10 am on Saturday and dropped off the new grain, turn-out blankets for Hyde, Gunner and Semi and chatted with Dale for a few minutes in the pouring rain.

She had nothing but nice things to say about Semi which was great. Said she was a stunning looking mare...loves her head...and that she is a sweetie to deal with. LOL Good thing she is meeting her now after 6 weeks of being in the barn at home.

She also gave a short update on both of the boys. Hyde has figured out that if he is stubborn and studdy, he has to work harder and longer so has finally given in to doing his job. Gunner on the other hand is going through his stubborn phase. Stops when he wants to...is talking up a storm to the ladies. She laughed and said "they are sure making sure you are getting your monies worth out of my training."

We then headed home from Dale's to have a nice BBQ dinner of meat skewers, potatoes, veggies and salad for Father's Day.

TTFN

Carrie

Our smaller 4 legged friends

Most of us who live on farms have a few of these. I am "overwhelmed" with them right now though.

We are finding homes for the little ones and will be hauling the adults to the vet clinic. Since we got Maggie (our Great Pyrenese), the cats never leave home. She brings them back - complaining all the way.



It is actually very cute to see her lay outside the barn door and just stare at the little ones. The momma's still won't let her in - but if the babies go outside then it is okay - it is weird.

Sure wish they stayed this cute...






TTFN

Carrie

Gidget (aka Sweet Lucky Olena)

I finally managed to get a couple good pictures of Gidget. She is Semi's 2 year old filly - and a very flashy girl at that.

It is hard to get pics that do her justice but I sure tried today. LOL




We are starting to work with Gidget with ground work in preparation for training. We worked on "lunging" tonight. It was very interesting. She is such an "in your face" girl that I think I was expecting it to be easy. Well, let me tell you. She has no respect for space...and doesn't really care that you want her to pay attention to you.

So I think she may have to go away to learn how to be a horse.

TTFN

Carrie

Others in my life

All this time talking about Semi and Dolly and I always forget to mention the fact that I do own 12 other horses. Not all live with me right now but will sooner or later.

Went out with my daughter, Melissa, tonight and took some other pictures.

Here is Molson. He is Semi's yearling red dun son. He sure looks more like his dad - Slydun Haida (owned by my good friends Paige and Barry Strawn of Illinois).




And this is Dusty...she is a 2 year old filly that we bought to keep Gidget (Semi's 2 year old daughter company at weaning). She is ready to be started and is for sale if anyone is interested. LOL



More pics to come tomorrow.

Night

Carrie

We have reached WEEK 5

Hey everyone,

It has been a hectic few days - with work and a wedding to go to - along with the normal every day house and horse stuff to attend to.

Semi is doing fantastic. Healing really well still...still in good spirits.

Anyways...here are her pics from tonight. WEEK FIVE - DAY 35!!! Hopefully we are in the home stretch.





We have been turning her out in a bit larger area lately but she isn't happy with the grass in there so we are still hand grazing a bit at night. Doyle cut all the grass so it is pretty "short" pickings now. But boy does she ever like the dandelions - for which we are eternally grateful...now to get her to eat them ALL from the ENTIRE YARD. LOL

We turned her out in an arena sized area today with Dolly - our other injured mare - and they both took turns rolling in the dirt hole. It was hilarous. They then did a couple laps at a trot and a lope. You can tell Semi is still sore but she was sure excited to be out and about. Even went so far as to make me walk after her to catch her to go back in the barn the brat.

Semi is still putting on weight - but it isn't as noticable now. She is still eating good - not getting as much beet pulp now as she was leaving it in her dish. Still amazes me how they can pick out little pellets out of their grain and leave them behind...considering there is 17 lbs of it in her pail at a time.



She is eating a little more hay now - we found some great 2nd cut alfalfa squares - but she is still being a little picky - not cleaning it up. So that still concerns me a little bit.

Her manure is also fairly loose...wondering if that is because it is a primarily grain diet. Hmmm... Have e-mailed her surgeon asking for advice for that.

Hope all is good with everyone. Night.

TTFN

Carrie

A fine Saturday has come and gone

After 7 months of winter, we could hardly wait for the hot weather of summer to arrive. Well, it has and wouldn't you know it...we are all complaining now that it is TOO HOT. I guess when you go from -30 to -40 Celcius to +30 Celcius it is quite a change to get used to. To think that just 2 weeks ago I was outside doctoring Semi in my winter clothes - 2 pairs of sweats, winter boots, jacket, gloves and my touque (wool hat). Amazing!!!

Everyone did really well today. I left the barn door open in the hopes that it would help Dolly's eye...thinking that maybe being so closed in and the smells (etc.) from the barn being closed all the time were affecting things. It seemed to help a little bit...it isn't watering nearly as much...but still too much for my liking. It is almost like she is crying. On the other hand...the eye is looking soo much better. The cloudy film is almost completely gone...the eye is now looking more brown than silver. And the yellow "gouge" spot is slowly disappearing as well.

Semi is doing soo well, I turned her out behind the barn today for an hour - it is a little bigger than what the vet wanted her in - but the only small area I have...and she was LOPING the brat. She also tries to yank the back sliding door of the barn open for the first 10 minutes if I am inside. I guess she wants to be with me.

Molson is on the other side of the fence from her when she is outside. Boy, is she cranky with him. Poor little man. He has been without a pasture mate since Gunner went to Dale's at the beginning of April.

I went out to the big pasture and groomed the 3 young girls. It is amazing what 2 days in a small pen dragging a lead rope can do to a youngsters mind. I didn't have to catch anyone. They just stood there for the brushing. It was great. Now to take pictures of them tomorrow for their sale pages.

Have a good night everyone.

TTFN

Carrie