Few Good Pictures

While we were at the Stable yesterday I got a couple of pictures that don't necessarily 'fit' in with other posts, but I do want to save for later viewing. Here they are:

Bald Eagle we spotting in the tree at the Stable

Playful Horse, resting his head on fence post

Pretty Sunset, picture doesn't do it justice

HUGE Orange Moon, picture doesn't do it justice

Ella's Paddock Move

Moving Ella to the other paddock took a little bit of preparation. We blocked a few area's off, moved a water tub into the paddock and a tire for hay. Hung her 2 hay nets, 1 in the shelter the other off the fence post. We moved the tub containing a salt lick and mineral lick and then hung her oats 'feeder' bucket off the fence. Once all of that was done and the tire was filled with Hay and Jesse had taken Eli into the Arena I put her halter on and brought her to the paddock.

At first she was a bit skiddish and jumpy. Once I un-clipped the lead line from the halter she went around doing a thorough inspection. At one point she was cantering around a bit and when the pasture herd came over to check things out she lifted her head high, put her tail straight up, flared her nostrils and snorted as she trotted towards them. This sent the two geldings into a gallop as they pushed the rest of the herd (3 other mares) back into pasture around the other side of the barn. I didn't see them the rest of the evening and Ella continued to investigate her new surroundings. I walked around with her for a bit, then sat on the fence while she ate some hay.

After some time I went away, into the barn, back to the car, over to see Eli (who was now in Ella's old paddock) etc. I would come back periodically and check on her ~ she'd found some grass in random spots she was nibbling on. Then I fed her and Eli their mash and stuck around for just a little bit longer. The barn owner is going to keep an eye on her as well as the barn hand who lives on the property. We'll head back out tomorrow. In the wild there are always, threats and changes, part of horses being here 'still' after 100's of years is their ability to adapt to changing environments. Soon we'll move Eli in to the exterior part of the paddock so they can, once again, be 'NEIGH'bor's'

Barber Bergeron

I was told it runs in the family and I have seen a picture of a cat getting a hair cut while sitting in a barbers chair. This, however isn't a surprise to me ~ Jesse's proven in the past that he's quite capable of trimming Charlie's (our first dog) hair as well as clipping all pets nails etc. They don't seem to mind and are surprisingly patient.

Sooo, after some ground work and while grooming Eli, Jesse decided it might be fun to style his forelock (bangs). I was lucky enough to catch some of it on camera - whether it was fun for them or not it certainly was for me - quite entertained by both. I will say though that I was really happy to see Jesse having fun with Eli and Eli so calm and relaxed that he was yawning, eyes closed and nearly sleeping at times.

Enjoying grooming 

Hmm, what can we do with this?

Lets see.. 

Nope, not quite 

 

Move this here a bit..

VOILA!!

Jesse's smiling, Eli looks content 

Gorgeous!! 

Jesse & Eli

Entertaining:

Ha Ha, yesterday's Stable visit ones one of the best. Not that I don't enjoy all visits but because I got to witness someone and a horse really enjoying each others time.

We went to the Stable after work so that we could finish up a few things and move Ella into another paddock, this ones a bit bigger, offers more privacy and has a better shelter for her should she need it. We also moved Eli into Ella's old paddock so that he had a bit bigger paddock himself that wasn't flooded as the one he was in starting gathering pools of water as the snow melted.

While we were there and I was busy doing chores, hanging the hay nets, moving the feed buckets from paddocks and filling the water tubs etc. Jesse took Eli into the Barn and then the Arena to do some ground work (he's been doing this every time we visit lately - which I am glad to see) and as it's spring now with nicer weather all the horses are starting to shedding.

• Check out the NEXT POST ~ Barber Bergeron
• Post after that will be of Ella's new (new to her) paddock. 

Here Jesse's getting 'the spot's where Eli really leans into it and it's more a massage then brushing: 

Necks kinda sore

That's the spot

Sigh - eyes close. 

Goofy Guys 

Relaxing!

A bit blurry as they were moving

My favorite! ~ Ahhh

Dare to be Dublin launches the new Limited Edition Red Intensity boots

Braiding Mane/Tail

I finally have a way to practice my braiding. Most of the really nice braids out there are nearly impossible to do on yourself, so now I can start braiding Ella's Tail and work up to working on her Mane this summer ~ just for fun, not for competition. The one braid I loved and want to try was called the 'fish tail' .. here are a few I think are absolutely gorgeous that I plan on practicing.

Foaling ~ Preparation

Check out the Facebook Page 'note' on Foaling ~ Preparation. Goes into detail about what to expect, how to prepare and what will be needed. Click here for more details: Facebook Page: Foaling ~ Preparation 

Tail Wrapping

example

Tonight, while at the Stable I'm going to bring Ella into her foaling stall and groom her AND feed her in there. This way we spend some time in there and I'm able to keep her mind busy so she can get used to the idea without becoming to nervous.

I'm going to brush out, condition (a bit) her tail really well then braid it wrapping the top with vet wrap. Then I'll feed her some mash and bring her out, walk her around a bit then back in we go. The second time we're in there I will put the bottom half of her tail (the part remaining that isn't wrapped) into a tail bag.

I read looked into wrapping and bagging tails, people do it for numerous reason, something to take into consideration is whether or not it can get caught or snagged on anything ~ I'm going to wrap her tail as it is suppose to be cleaner for the foal (not having poop etc caught up in the hair) and should help keep it out of the way of the sticky placenta and foal.

I'll add the pictures I take tonight and update this post. 

example

example

Update on Ella

March 19, 2013

Tuesday, after taking a look over her or examining her I did notice one change since last Sunday (March 17, 2013) two saggy bags have appeared behind her udders. They're quite low hanging and I know they were not there last time. She's still round, so the idea of her being bloated is gone and if I had to guess I would say her flanks have softened and her tail head is a bit higher.

She let me groom her and touch her belly as well as her udders, this is good and I think a sign on trust. I'm hoping when she foals she will trust me enough around her baby and not be an aggressive, slightly over protective Mom. She's had three or four foals in the past to my understanding and hope this aides in her delivery, but I don't know the history of what she was like as a Mom to the foals (I'm sure she was great) or to the people around her. If she was aggressive I'm not sure she would have been bred for the second, third or possibly fourth time.

I've also picked up some supplies. After two days we'll change the straw bedding to shavings, once the foal is dried off and no longer sticky etc. I'm also going to wrap her tail and have a few things to add to our first aid kit, which will act as the foaling kit as well.

I'm excited, but really nervous and a bit concerned as well. I hope that the foal is healthy and most importantly that Ella is fine and all works out well for her. They say Mares can do it all on their own and that it's natural they would delivery in the wild etc, BUT in the wild there are also complications that lead to the death of either the foal, Mare or both. That's a fact of life, nature as well, bit different when I've spent all this time with Ella getting to know her and working on developing trust.

Here's a good foaling link: Thar She Blows

Ella's Foaling Stall (nursery)

Worked on Ella's Foaling stall yesterday evening. Laid down straw bedding, hung two hay nets for her, filled a tub with water and put hay/feed in the wooden feeder.

Took a while and she may end up having it outside, but it's all done and there if need be.

When I finished and aired it all out, I went out and brought Ella in. Up until recently I've never put her in the stall inside the barn, it took us a while to get her used to being in the barn. So when I brought her in I kept her lead attached to the halter and was sure to stand with her, keep the two doors open and make it short - 10 minutes at a time. She stood and ate, looked around and then I would walk her out and into the aisle were she's comfortable, tie her, brush her and then we would repeat this two more times. The last time we did this I fed her the soaked beet pulp mash with broodmare feed.

She didn't do all that bad, she was a bit nervous and I did have to be careful she didn't spook and jump sideways towards me, but she gave me enough credit and I have confidence that if I keep it up as often as possible she will realize it's not a big deal. I intend to do this the same way tonight and again next time then remove the lead and shut the door(s) only for a short time frame. I realize the idea of being confined freaks her out. Below you can see how she's a bit spooked, when you can see the whites of her eyes and how tight and puckered her lips are.