When Buffy and her husband, George, arrived, the horses were working on breakfast.
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| Lucy, Jackson and Pistol |
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| Little Bear |
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| Lucy |
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| Thistle |
Only Whiskey managed to keep his eyes open.
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Showing posts with label Thistle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thistle. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
A Bright Autumn Morning
Sunday morning, Buffy (Pistol's previous owner) came by to visit Pistol and to get apples over on Apple Hill. Unfortunately, I had to work (yes, ugh, in the office 14 hours on Sunday) so I didn't get to enjoy apple cider donuts and catching up with good friends.
When Buffy and her husband, George, arrived, the horses were working on breakfast.
The sun must have been blinding...
In almost all of Buffy's pictures, the animals have their eyes closed.
Only Whiskey managed to keep his eyes open.
When Buffy and her husband, George, arrived, the horses were working on breakfast.
Only Whiskey managed to keep his eyes open.
Friday, May 16, 2014
Random Five Friday
1. While we were in San Diego last weekend, Thistle lost a horn. He did the same thing a couple years ago and it freaked me out -- blood streaming down his face and a hole where the horn had been. I called our vet and she instructed me over the phone on how to spray it with antiseptic and wrap it. I used green vet wrap and he looked like a cross between a pirate and a sikh. Cindy was taking care of the animals for us over the weekend and she didn't want to bother us in the midst of what, she knew, was a difficult time. She managed to spray the wound and it stopped bleeding. He was doing fine when we got home. Monday he was resting quietly in his doggy igloo and by Tuesday he was trying to head-butt Cowboy.
2. The weather this week has been miserably hot. Tuesday started us out at 94, Wednesday 98, and Thursday 101. That is too hot for May. I'm sure most of you have heard about the fires burning in San Diego -- hot Santa Ana winds, steep brush covered canyons, and arson -- not a good combination.
3. Wednesday I cancelled my lesson with Sandy due to the heat. I like temperatures in the 50s and 60s for riding. The 70s are okay, the 80s are difficult and once you hit 90 -- forget it. I can handle cold much better than the heat. The barn where Lucy and Winston are is in the Sacramento delta area; a good ten degrees (or more) warmer than here at home.
4. When I got home from work Wednesday evening, it was cooling off a bit -- 80 when I pulled up the driveway. I wanted to try riding Pistol in the trail boots I bought for her the other day. They fit great and she didn't mind them at all. Brett rode Mufasa at the same time. He caught Mufasa and brought him to the tie rail while I went in the pasture to get Pistol. As I was closing the gate, Pistol came racing across the pasture, calling to Mufasa, with her tail in the air. She stood at the fence batting her eyes at him. This girl does not play hard to get. I rode her bareback and she was a good girl; listening to me while keeping one baby blue eye on the studly Mufasa.
5. Today was "only" 94 so I went ahead and took my lesson. I did warn Sandy that I probably wouldn't make it through the entire 45 minutes in the heat; I rode for a bit more than 30 minutes. I felt nauseous for a few hours afterwards but I did manage to ride. We had some nice trot and canter work and I was particularly happy with our trot transitions. Very soft and very smooth.
2. The weather this week has been miserably hot. Tuesday started us out at 94, Wednesday 98, and Thursday 101. That is too hot for May. I'm sure most of you have heard about the fires burning in San Diego -- hot Santa Ana winds, steep brush covered canyons, and arson -- not a good combination.
3. Wednesday I cancelled my lesson with Sandy due to the heat. I like temperatures in the 50s and 60s for riding. The 70s are okay, the 80s are difficult and once you hit 90 -- forget it. I can handle cold much better than the heat. The barn where Lucy and Winston are is in the Sacramento delta area; a good ten degrees (or more) warmer than here at home.
4. When I got home from work Wednesday evening, it was cooling off a bit -- 80 when I pulled up the driveway. I wanted to try riding Pistol in the trail boots I bought for her the other day. They fit great and she didn't mind them at all. Brett rode Mufasa at the same time. He caught Mufasa and brought him to the tie rail while I went in the pasture to get Pistol. As I was closing the gate, Pistol came racing across the pasture, calling to Mufasa, with her tail in the air. She stood at the fence batting her eyes at him. This girl does not play hard to get. I rode her bareback and she was a good girl; listening to me while keeping one baby blue eye on the studly Mufasa.
5. Today was "only" 94 so I went ahead and took my lesson. I did warn Sandy that I probably wouldn't make it through the entire 45 minutes in the heat; I rode for a bit more than 30 minutes. I felt nauseous for a few hours afterwards but I did manage to ride. We had some nice trot and canter work and I was particularly happy with our trot transitions. Very soft and very smooth.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Muck and Mud
We are in the middle of a series of rain systems moving through Southern California. The first two or three systems are coming from the south, down in Baja California (which is actually Mexico). They are bringing rain but are tropical in nature so it isn't cold outside; temperatures are hovering in the 50s. The last system, which will arrive Saturday evening or Sunday, is from the north. It will be cold but it is also possible that it will be far enough north that it misses us all together. We shall see.
The goats were all in their shed when I went out to throw them their morning hay, staying dry. I was pleased to see that Thistle was up and perky with his head bonnet still firmly in place.
He didn't move away from me when I approached so I knelt in the straw and scratched his back and sides, the way he likes. He turned his head towards me and touched my nose with his. We are friends again. Then he went over to eat with the rest of his herd.
When the weather is bad (rain or cold or wind), we keep the top of the Dutch door closed. It keeps the shed warm and dry but the goats can come and go as they please.
The pasture was slippery and wet. Picking up manure was not easy or fun. Fun, you ask? Yes, fun. I enjoy mucking the pasture. I enjoy looking at the mountains, at the hawks and crows, at the pond and at the horses. This morning, I only had Jackson for company.
Yesterday morning, he came out into the pasture from his paddock while I was mucking. He chose a nice muddy spot and rolled. Then he pogo stick bucked. Landing, he dug his hind legs into the mud and pushed into a gallop, faster and faster, all the way up to the top of the hill. I can't remember the last time I saw him to more than a bouncy easy canter. I ordered more of his insulin resistant meds last week. Clearly, he's doing very well with the stuff. This morning it was too slippery to gallop so he just sloshed around until Brett brought down his hay.
The goats were all in their shed when I went out to throw them their morning hay, staying dry. I was pleased to see that Thistle was up and perky with his head bonnet still firmly in place.
He didn't move away from me when I approached so I knelt in the straw and scratched his back and sides, the way he likes. He turned his head towards me and touched my nose with his. We are friends again. Then he went over to eat with the rest of his herd.
When the weather is bad (rain or cold or wind), we keep the top of the Dutch door closed. It keeps the shed warm and dry but the goats can come and go as they please.
The pasture was slippery and wet. Picking up manure was not easy or fun. Fun, you ask? Yes, fun. I enjoy mucking the pasture. I enjoy looking at the mountains, at the hawks and crows, at the pond and at the horses. This morning, I only had Jackson for company.
Yesterday morning, he came out into the pasture from his paddock while I was mucking. He chose a nice muddy spot and rolled. Then he pogo stick bucked. Landing, he dug his hind legs into the mud and pushed into a gallop, faster and faster, all the way up to the top of the hill. I can't remember the last time I saw him to more than a bouncy easy canter. I ordered more of his insulin resistant meds last week. Clearly, he's doing very well with the stuff. This morning it was too slippery to gallop so he just sloshed around until Brett brought down his hay.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Thistle Loses A Horn
This morning when I went into the goat area to feed the goats, Thistle was standing off by himself on the hill. He came over to me, like always, and I immediately noticed that one of his horns was dangling on the side of his face. I tried to pull it off and he yanked his head away and skedaddled as far away from me as he could.
All of our goats were de-horned as babies and they all have little stubs where their horns would be. Thistle's horns started to grow back and then stopped, at about two inches long. He must have gotten it caught in the fence or something.
I went back to the house and called our vet. The horns of goats are connected to their skull and when they break off they leave a hole straight into the sinus. There are two big dangers with a goat breaking a horn: one is infection and the other is shock. Either one can cause death. Goats are fragile animals.
Our vet gave me instructions and we got to work. Thank goodness we are in the dead of winter so flies aren't a problem. I gathered a bucket of supplies in the barn and we isolated Thistle in the goat shed. I sprayed the area with antiseptic and then Brett held Thistle across his lap. I put a guaze pad over the bloody hole and wrapped it with vet wrap. Thistle screamed like I had stuck a knife in his heart when I started wrapping. After three or four ear splitting screams he went limp. I wrapped under his chin, across the guaze, around an ear and back under. I kissed his sweet face and told him he would be okay. His limp body scared me. We were afraid he was going into shock. But when I finished, he scrambled to his feet and then hid under the goat shed bench.
This evening, we opened the goat shed door so the other goats can get in. The first of a series of rain storms may arrive during the night so the goats needed to be in their shelter. That, and a mountain lion killed a deer on a neighbor's property two nights ago so we wanted the goats in. Our vet said the wrap should stay on for as long as it stays.
Thistle is my favorite goat, my special buddy. Right now, he won't come near me. He stands at a distance and gives me the stink eye. I'm hoping he pulls through this (I think he will) and we go back to being friends.
All of our goats were de-horned as babies and they all have little stubs where their horns would be. Thistle's horns started to grow back and then stopped, at about two inches long. He must have gotten it caught in the fence or something.
I went back to the house and called our vet. The horns of goats are connected to their skull and when they break off they leave a hole straight into the sinus. There are two big dangers with a goat breaking a horn: one is infection and the other is shock. Either one can cause death. Goats are fragile animals.
Our vet gave me instructions and we got to work. Thank goodness we are in the dead of winter so flies aren't a problem. I gathered a bucket of supplies in the barn and we isolated Thistle in the goat shed. I sprayed the area with antiseptic and then Brett held Thistle across his lap. I put a guaze pad over the bloody hole and wrapped it with vet wrap. Thistle screamed like I had stuck a knife in his heart when I started wrapping. After three or four ear splitting screams he went limp. I wrapped under his chin, across the guaze, around an ear and back under. I kissed his sweet face and told him he would be okay. His limp body scared me. We were afraid he was going into shock. But when I finished, he scrambled to his feet and then hid under the goat shed bench.
This evening, we opened the goat shed door so the other goats can get in. The first of a series of rain storms may arrive during the night so the goats needed to be in their shelter. That, and a mountain lion killed a deer on a neighbor's property two nights ago so we wanted the goats in. Our vet said the wrap should stay on for as long as it stays.
Thistle is my favorite goat, my special buddy. Right now, he won't come near me. He stands at a distance and gives me the stink eye. I'm hoping he pulls through this (I think he will) and we go back to being friends.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Getting Ready to Go
Brett and I will flying to Colorado this afternoon. We are spending Thanksgiving with Kerri, Brett's daughter, and her family. Remember the grandchildren who stayed with us a week this past summer? We are going to their home. In addition to packing, we had a lot to get done this morning before leaving.
The morning was gorgeous, cold enough to be brisk but not cold enough to freeze your fingers if you took your gloves off.
Brett fed the chickens, topped off their water, and refilled the feed container. Israel will collect (and keep) the eggs and throw them some scratch in the mornings. Chickens are so easy. I went out the back door of the garage into the dog yard. I opened their gate and we headed over to the goats. They all met me at the gate, but as soon as I tossed a flake of hay into their feeder they all deserted me. Except for Thistle. He's my friend. We always have a snuggle, scratch and burp (Thistle, not me!) session before he eats.
As the dogs and I passed through the orchard on our way to the barn, I noticed that green grass is starting to grow under the fruit trees. We have green grass in the winter and spring; fall and summer are brown.
After chores were done, our bags were packed, and we talked briefly with Kerri on the phone -- Brett to coordinate her picking us up at the airport, and me to answer a question about brining the turkey -- we headed back to the barn. Kerri and I make a great Thanksgiving team. I cook and she decorates and is the perfect, welcoming, warm hostess. I hide in the kitchen with a glass of champagne making mashed potatoes and keeping an eye on the bird.
We had to ride before leaving. Brett tacked up Flash and went for a walk around the block.
Meanwhile I got Winston out to work in the arena.
We had a good ride. I'll write about it in another post and schedule it for while we are gone.
When Brett finished working with Flash, he rode Mufasa. He was able to mount from our big green mounting block for the first time. Mufasa stood quietly, licking and chewing, while Brett climbed up the steps and swung himself on. Mufasa responds well to direct rein and a snaffle, so Brett is riding him in his dressage tack. We found a bit that fits and adjusted Flash's bridle; Flash's dressage days are over. I think Mufasa is VERY handsome in dressage tack.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone -- including those of you outside the US. I am very thankful for all of you; for your comments, for reading my blog, for being my friends.
The morning was gorgeous, cold enough to be brisk but not cold enough to freeze your fingers if you took your gloves off.
Brett fed the chickens, topped off their water, and refilled the feed container. Israel will collect (and keep) the eggs and throw them some scratch in the mornings. Chickens are so easy. I went out the back door of the garage into the dog yard. I opened their gate and we headed over to the goats. They all met me at the gate, but as soon as I tossed a flake of hay into their feeder they all deserted me. Except for Thistle. He's my friend. We always have a snuggle, scratch and burp (Thistle, not me!) session before he eats.
As the dogs and I passed through the orchard on our way to the barn, I noticed that green grass is starting to grow under the fruit trees. We have green grass in the winter and spring; fall and summer are brown.
After chores were done, our bags were packed, and we talked briefly with Kerri on the phone -- Brett to coordinate her picking us up at the airport, and me to answer a question about brining the turkey -- we headed back to the barn. Kerri and I make a great Thanksgiving team. I cook and she decorates and is the perfect, welcoming, warm hostess. I hide in the kitchen with a glass of champagne making mashed potatoes and keeping an eye on the bird.
We had to ride before leaving. Brett tacked up Flash and went for a walk around the block.
Meanwhile I got Winston out to work in the arena.
We had a good ride. I'll write about it in another post and schedule it for while we are gone.
When Brett finished working with Flash, he rode Mufasa. He was able to mount from our big green mounting block for the first time. Mufasa stood quietly, licking and chewing, while Brett climbed up the steps and swung himself on. Mufasa responds well to direct rein and a snaffle, so Brett is riding him in his dressage tack. We found a bit that fits and adjusted Flash's bridle; Flash's dressage days are over. I think Mufasa is VERY handsome in dressage tack.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone -- including those of you outside the US. I am very thankful for all of you; for your comments, for reading my blog, for being my friends.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
My Friend Thistle
Thistle is my new best goat friend.
In the mornings, he hangs around in the goat shed until I finish opening the doors.
He puts his front hooves on my thighs and says good morning.
I usually sit down on the porch and he climbs into my lap. The other goats are busy eating hay or leaves, but not my buddy Thistle. He will stay in my lap as long as I sit there. Sometimes, Whiskey or Cowboy will drop by and say hello but for the most part it's my special time with Thistle.
Bella and Bear always head straight for the hay. Bella prefers to eat her hay from the top down. Here she goes:
In other news, I want to thank Val for her suggestion of using a small rasp instead of nippers on Tuffy's hooves. This morning, I tried that and it worked much better. He didn't last too long but I did manage to rasp all four hooves just a bit. I figure if I work on it a little bit every day, eventually I'll get there. Like Lori said, this is going to take staying power.
In the mornings, he hangs around in the goat shed until I finish opening the doors.
He puts his front hooves on my thighs and says good morning.
I usually sit down on the porch and he climbs into my lap. The other goats are busy eating hay or leaves, but not my buddy Thistle. He will stay in my lap as long as I sit there. Sometimes, Whiskey or Cowboy will drop by and say hello but for the most part it's my special time with Thistle.
Bella and Bear always head straight for the hay. Bella prefers to eat her hay from the top down. Here she goes:
In other news, I want to thank Val for her suggestion of using a small rasp instead of nippers on Tuffy's hooves. This morning, I tried that and it worked much better. He didn't last too long but I did manage to rasp all four hooves just a bit. I figure if I work on it a little bit every day, eventually I'll get there. Like Lori said, this is going to take staying power.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Meet Thistle!
Last night we picked up Thistle and put him in the shed with Bear and Bella. Everyone got along just fine. Thistle wouldn't drink his bottle -- too much exploring and introducing to do! This morning I managed to get him to drink his bottle - he fought it for awhile, twisting his little goat face this way and that but I managed to get the nipple in his mouth and keep it there - and he went "Oh! Milk!" and gulped it all down. Silly little boy!
Here is the handsome boy. I just love LOVE his coloring! My little buckskin goat...
And Little Bear has the cutest face ever. Fortunately, he doesn't mind me kissing on him all the time.
And Bella is so sweet, and such a girl .. not a girlie girl, a tomboy (she loves to climb and she's very brave).
But wait - something has caught their attention. What could it be?
Ohhhh.... it's a bear, or a wolf, or something vicious outside the fence.
They went closer to investigate with brave Bella in the lead.
Kersey started wagging her tail and jumping and ... well... the goats scattered. This friendship may take awhile to develop.
In other news, Sedona is on the mend. She is very happy in the mud room greeting us as we come and go. The abscess is still draining a lot so we have to keep her on the tile but she has her bed so she's comfortable. Fortunately, being on the elderly side she isn't getting cabin fever.
The final two goats (Cowboy and Whiskey) will join our herd in early August or late July. They are not dairy goats so they can stay with their mama until they are weaned. We won't be bottle feeding them at all.
Camille and I are leaving for France and London next Monday. We will be gone two weeks and I am not taking my laptop (too heavy!) so my blog will be dark. I have a very close friend who lives in Normandy and we will be spending our second week with her, exploring Normandy, the landing beaches, and her beautiful little country house in Brittany (my favorite place in France). We will spend a couple days in Paris when we first arrive and then five days in London. Any recommendations on "do not miss" sites in London would be very welcome!
Here is the handsome boy. I just love LOVE his coloring! My little buckskin goat...
And Little Bear has the cutest face ever. Fortunately, he doesn't mind me kissing on him all the time.
And Bella is so sweet, and such a girl .. not a girlie girl, a tomboy (she loves to climb and she's very brave).
But wait - something has caught their attention. What could it be?
Ohhhh.... it's a bear, or a wolf, or something vicious outside the fence.
They went closer to investigate with brave Bella in the lead.
Kersey started wagging her tail and jumping and ... well... the goats scattered. This friendship may take awhile to develop.
In other news, Sedona is on the mend. She is very happy in the mud room greeting us as we come and go. The abscess is still draining a lot so we have to keep her on the tile but she has her bed so she's comfortable. Fortunately, being on the elderly side she isn't getting cabin fever.
The final two goats (Cowboy and Whiskey) will join our herd in early August or late July. They are not dairy goats so they can stay with their mama until they are weaned. We won't be bottle feeding them at all.
Camille and I are leaving for France and London next Monday. We will be gone two weeks and I am not taking my laptop (too heavy!) so my blog will be dark. I have a very close friend who lives in Normandy and we will be spending our second week with her, exploring Normandy, the landing beaches, and her beautiful little country house in Brittany (my favorite place in France). We will spend a couple days in Paris when we first arrive and then five days in London. Any recommendations on "do not miss" sites in London would be very welcome!
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