A Dry Day

Today was supposed to be rainy and the clouds teased us with showers, but we never got a drop. Hurray!!! That meant we could let everyone out. Sounds simple, but sometimes it just doesn't work that way.
Our lower barn has seven stalls on each side and we made 7 in the center by putting in panels and gates. There are often 2 or 3 horses in a stall so letting them out is like a Chinese puzzle or maybe a Rubric Cube. First one, then the next. Sometimes, however, those who go out, just stand in the stall that is open to the turnout. That means horses who would like to go out have to get by the standing ones. Shooing works sometimes, but often as not our horses are "shoo" proof. They know one one will hurt them, so why move?
Finally the only three left were Chardonnay, Sunny and Aurora. They went into every stall, had a looked around and back tracked before I could close gates behind them. It took a good 15 minutes to get them all headed in one direction and out the gate. It was like herding cats.
Everyone enjoyed the fresh air and outing. All except Levi II. We aren't sure yet he can withstand a good romp. He was not pleased at being left in, so we gave him the whole barn to explore. Juan was not happy either, because his Rosie was out and he couldn't see her.
We, also, moved the upper barn horses to their turnouts. Oh, the running and mud rolling that went on. Sparkle was free again, but we did put him in the barn for the night. No sense burning calories to keep warm.
The evening sky was beautiful. It sort of made up for the grey gloomy days.

At dinnertime the three Arab mares asked to come in and this time there was no silliness. In the gate, in the stall and begin eating. Tess and Amira wanted in, too, as did Marnie. The girls came in and Marnie stood next to them in an outside stall. Rosie, Lexi and Navajo asked to come in. Navajo has become a real love. I guess once he figured out where the people are is where the food and love is, people became OK.
The sky just got more and more spectacular.

Met a lady at Tractor Supply today who had no idea on the fate of male dairy goats and calves. She cried when she found out most of them are just thrown away.

She promised she raise some when the new supply of babies are born.

Thank you Carla G for your Christmas donation.

Thank you all for your kind Holiday wishes.

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