Summer 2009
Is it almost the end of August already? How is that for a beginning? Started the newsletter in August and finishing it in September. Where did the summer go? Let's see bush hogging, mowing, rain, painting fence, installing a new round pen, putting up hay, repairing fence, weeding the gardens, more rain, oh and a nice vacation tucked in there somewhere. Thanks again to Aaron, Leeanna and Dorothy for their help so we could take a break.
We had 300 bales of teff hay delivered recently with more on the way. We have made the switch to teff hay from alfalfa. It is higher in protein, lower in sugar and it is a good all year hay. Even Pal can eat it. We were lucky to have the rains this summer to keep the pastures growing, so unlike the last two years we haven't had to feed any hay out just yet.
On a sad note we did lose a 'family' member a few weeks ago; the mare Buffy had a freak accident and broke her pelvis, this leaves us with her orphaned filly Sasha. Sasha has shed out her foal hair and is becoming a beautiful bay horse, her momma would be proud. Give her all the attention you would like. I want her used to being handled. So far she loves it.
We also have a new family member inside the house, a kitten by the name of Digger. He's growing like a weed and tearing the house up but is lots of fun.
We have had the worse fly season I have ever seen. It is impossible to keep up with it. We keep shifting from one product to the other trying to throw them off. We are also trying to use different products on horses at the same time. One horse will get one thing and another with will get something different. The cattle farmers around here are having the same problem. They are penning their cattle and using hose sprayers to treat a whole herd at once. It has been warm and humid with plenty of rain and that makes flies happy.
We have taken the small round pen down as it does not incorporate with the new style. As finances allow, we will purchase a new six panel small pen in the same style and attach them together.
The barn project is finished. The stalls, feeders, bucket hooks, breezeway have all be re-covered/re-done, and I think it looks awesome. We also paid a big price to have the barn completely re-wired from top to bottom and had new breezeway lights installed. It is much brighter and safer. The new wiring is incased in metal conduit to keep the mice from causing shorts and fires. I sleep better. We do have a small project coming up. We are installing video cameras so I do not have to sleep in the barn this foaling season. I just have to get up and check the video feed coming from the stalls. We may also use one camera for security around the tack room. Haven’t made my mind up about that one yet but am leaning toward it.
Everyone’s horses are doing great. Pal had a spell with his founder this summer but we have him back on track. We currently have three horses due to foal this spring. That will change as we get several horses from the northeast that will come here to foal because of the KY incentive fund. Also there is a possible trade working on Sam’s horse Bella. He is working on a trade for a full sister of Buffy (the horse that died). Bella can be a good horse at times but is very unpredictable most of the time. The trade will be welcomed by me. Buffy was a super horse and I miss her every day and would love to have more like her. Her daughter is just like her. Big Shot had an eye infection but Lee has treated him well and saved the eye. Lastly, Indy has a bad scrape on her leg that we are treating but she will be fine. The rest are drooly and nose scabbed from the clover but that will pass with the first frost.
Matt dislocated his knee again at football practice and is out for the year. He is going to re-hab the knee and shoot for his senior season. Right now he is Director of Football Operations. That is what we call it anyway. Jennifer is busy with the farm, horses, family and college. I sit around, eat bon bon's and watch soaps most of the day. Come and watch me.
Well folks that is all the news I have. We miss you all and would love to see more of you. One more note, we have put a cork board in the breezeway and have been posting things of interest for you. Take a look.
Hope to see you soon,
Richard, Jennifer and Matt