April 7th…Sunny +6 –

Had a couple of hours I could spare this morning so off to the farm I went!

Marie and Mrs. Farmer were off to work today.  Mr. Farmer was in Ottawa working.   Kids were all at home recovering from a flu bug that went through their house over the weekend.  They were all busy doing chores inside and out.  My plan was to feed Kaz and Pebbles then work on cleaning up the yard.  There is to be an invent in a few weeks at the farm and the goal is to make the farm look it’s best.   Over the winter the bale twine gets hidden under the snow and needs to be cleaned up.   Like all yards,   other things blow in or are dropped .    Then there’s the horse poop.   Most people have to pick up dog poop in the spring.   Here it’s horse poop.  : – ) This happens after they breakout out of their paddocks.   They take off then  get back in the yard and inevitably they poop.  They are pooping machines!

So I fed Kaz and Pebbles.  Gave Pebbles a brushing.  The horses are really losing their winter ‘coats’ now.   Next my plan was to pick up any stray garbage.  Mr & Mrs. Farmer’s youngest child “Little Miss M” helped for a while and then went in to do her inside chores.   Such a little sweetie.  While I was doing this Max (miniature horse) was hanging out in the yard.  The dogs decided it was play-time and were chasing him around.  I called the dogs off.  He then stuck to me like glue.  Like I was his great defender.  He was hilarious.  I’d bend over to pick up something and he would shove me.  Nothing big.  Just being his playful self.  He’s such a little darling.  He then got bored and left.  Probably to find something to eat.  His favourite sport!

I only had a couple of hours so didn’t come close to accomplishing what I had planned to do.  Somehow my “to do” list is always longer than the available time.  The poop will have to wait for another day!

It was lovely couple of hours.   Looking forward to the next time I go.

 

 

April 5, 2015 – “bring your kids to the farm day Today was pretty cold, but bright and sunny.

Sue and Patrick, Matthew, Colin and Jenna were at our house this weekend for a visit over Easter weekend.  Colin had mentioned a few days before he’d like to go visit the horses.  I checked this out with Marie and she said it would be fine.  She mentioned she would be out on a trim ‘call’, but would probably be back in time to visit with us.  My family is always glad when she’s there.  She answers many, many questions.  Always shares a funny story. I went in the house to mix Kaz’s beet pulp with water and grab some seeds and mineral powder for Pebbles.  I fed Pebbles and then was headed to the house for Kaz’s meal and noticed “Dandy” was out of his paddock in with Tina’s herd.  I called him to see if he would let me put him back.   But he was having none of that.  Didn’t matter.  I knew Marie would get him, when she returned from work.  At this point Marie returned.  I told her about “Dandy” she said you’re sure it’s “Dandy” not “Curly”.  I was wrong.  It was “Curly”  Geez….will I ever get the horses straight! Sue and the kids told me, while I was gone, Marie did her ‘thing’ and got Curly to follow her to the paddock.  The other horses in the paddock started over to the fence that was now opened and she flicked a finger (gotta love this) and they all backed off and in Curly went.  They were so impressed with it! I was really quite impressed with Matthew and Colin following me in to the herd and wanting to pet the horses.  Especially, Matthew.  I mentioned this to him and he said he figured Marie would keep them safe and not let anything happen.  So much for their mother!! Ha!! We then showed them the goats and sheep.  They loved the baby lamb! Such fun.  Such a nice way to spend a couple of hours.

April 6, 2016 – Easter Sunday – sunny and +2

Went to the farm early in the afternoon to spend time with Kaz and the gang.  Marie was busy visiting with her sister and Mr. and Mrs. Farmer’s kids.  I feel very fortunate to be able to come anytime to visit with the horses.

Along with feeding Kaz his supplemental meal I now give Pebbles (from the big herd) a small meal of sunflower seeds and mineral powder.  Pebbles suffers from some sort of skin allergy in the summer.  Marie is hoping the oil in the seed will combat that allergy.   Pebbles and Parade are both black (Canadians?).  They are very similar.  I asked Marie do the first feeding with Pebbles so that I could be sure, when I was on my own, I would be feeding the right horse!  I’ve, always, felt that this herd was ‘tougher’ than Tina’s herd.  It might just be that I know Tina’s herd better.  We walked in to the herd with Marie holding the dish of meal. The horses always go to Marie, when she enters their paddock.   This time they were more excited because she was carrying a dish. I think, excluding Pebbles, there are 6 other horses.   They were acting like a bunch of pirañas after a bit of meat!! We didn’t bring a carrot stick with us so she was on her own keeping the other horses back from Pebbles and the dish. She was able to keep them back,  but then decided to pick up a stray string (left from bales of hay) and use it as an extention of her arm.  Her aim is pretty precise.  I think it was Eumalee she smacked on the end of her nose.  This pretty well had all of them standing back, at a more respectable distance. I decided after that I would be taking Pebbles in to another paddock to feed her.  Not a good idea for the volunteer to be run over by a herd of horses over a little dish of food!  The next time I came to feed Pebbles I brought a harness with me.  I didn’t need it!  She saw me coming and trotted to me and followed me in to the paddock.  Unlike Kaz who didn’t come without being called until I had fed him at least 10 times!

I shut the gate and she ate in peace. Euma stood on the other side of the fence having a bit of a tantrum. Stomping her foot. Making weird sounds. Pretty funny. I gave her a bit at the end for waiting.

After Pebbles I fed Kaz and then brushed him.  It was a beautiful day so I took him for a walk.  Sadie (Kate’s pup) kept following me out of the gate.  I had to keep turning Kaz around trying to get Sadie to go back on the farm.  I’d then go back down the road a bit and turn around and there she was.  I did this, at least 5 times.  She kept coming.  Finally, I thought she got the message and off I went.  I was quite far down the road and she appeared behind me.  At this point, I let her follow us.  She was really good.  She kept back about 10 feet and stayed on the side.   I practiced with Kaz what Marie had taught us on our last walk.  I did have to ‘tune him up’ a bit and then it worked!   I trotted and he stayed with me, at a respectable distance.  I then walked very slowly then fast etc etc and he stayed mostly in step.  I was very happy with the walk.  We did much better than I thought we would. After the walk I went back in to Kaz’s herd and gave the rest of the horses a quick brush.  It was then time to go home.  A wonderful day! Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Farmer!!  Thanks Marie!!

Funny picture – below is a picture of Tina, Annie and Misty (I think) all prancing in front of Johnny.  Johnny is makeing those “come over here baby!” sounds.  Spring was in the air, at the farm!

 

March 29, 2015 – Sunny + 5 or 6. Best day, yet!

Planned to go to the farm today to hang out with Kaz and the gang. I’m about to get a lot busier than I have been in a while, so am taking every opportunity to go.

The day started with a hike up to the look-out this morning with Gracie. (it’s up the mountain behind our house – about 45 min there and back. Not a big hike, but does the trick in giving Grace a bit of a workout. Used to take a lot more, but she’s 10 now!) Took her to the farm, yesterday, and wanted to leave her at home today. Wanted to spend the afternoon with the horses and I don’t like leaving her in the car for more than a couple of hours.
When I arrived, I was surprised to see Marie’s truck. She was farm-sitting at 2 homes this weekend and I thought she’d be away. I fed the goats and sheep. Brought a few bits from our kitchen waste for them. Goats are not great at sharing! Tried to give the little lamb some carrot pieces, but he was more interested in ‘practice’ eating the hay. I say practice because I don’t see him, actually, putting any in his mouth he just seems to be practicing. He’s a little doll. One of the sheep had a chunk out of her ear. Probably the goat took a nibble!

After a bit Marie came out to water the horses and then planned on going back to the farm she was sitting at. 2 of the big troughs were frozen. She said it was a fuse and not the heaters. A good thing! We sorted that out and then she asked me if I’d like to see the farm that was down the road she was going to. Just 2 dogs at this farm to let out. So off we went. Marie has mentioned this place to me before. Saying how beautiful the view is. It is spectacular! Both Round Lake and Golden Lake are visible. With all the mountains in between. Just gorgeous. On the way back she was sent a text that she didn’t have to go to the other farm as the owners were on their way home. Her plan was to then spend time with her horses. Grooming them and just hanging out. She has decided to keep Tina and, therefore, will be working on building a relationship with her. Her aim is to use her as a riding horse or to drive her (pulling a cart). Interesting how her plan isn’t to ‘break her’ and then ride her or have her pull a cart. First she builds a relationship on the ground. What a concept.

After grooming the horses in Tina/Kaz’s herd we decided to take Tina and Kaz for a walk. I can’t put in to words how wonderful I think this is. I’ve done it a couple of times with Kaz, but not with Marie where she was working with Tina. This is so fascinating. Marie understands every little twitch that a horse does. Everything (kind of like a dog) has meaning to her. So the aim of what we were doing was to walk down the road without getting trampled or squished (I did a bit …more on that later). The horses were to walk with us. Not drag us or pull us. Every time Tina would walk too close or make a move that looked like she was going to bug Kaz, Marie caught it and corrected it. Tina is so sensitive that Marie can think what she wants her to do and Tina does it. Tina was walking with her head really high (a sign of being stressed). Marie asked her to put her head down through thought (literally)  and body language and Tina responded. She did this with backing up, going sideways, etc. So very cool!

On our way back Kaz was more stressed. Probably anxious to get back with the herd. He was pushing in to my space. Marie said something like “at some point your going to have to correct this – with meaning.” This means, when he begins to try to walk in to me or ahead of me I fan/twirl the end of the rope (attached to his halter) in a circle in front of him. If he doesn’t respond, you smack him on the nose with it. This isn’t about the human beating the horse down until it’s submissive. It’s explaining through language they can understand what the human wants. It finally occurred to me today, how and why this works. This is how horses communicate with each other. They start with putting their ears back. If this doesn’t get the reaction they want they might reach out to bite. If that doesn’t work they might kick. So we are to do something similar. Start out soft and if that doesn’t work follow through with something that will get their attention. Of course timing is everything and that takes tons of practice. So Marie took Kaz and showed me what she meant (I always do better learning visually). It took very little time for Kaz to respond quickly to what she was asking. I tried a few times and before we got back it was working. We then purposely walked verrrry slowly. The horses walked slowly with us. It was very cool! They were really paying attention unlike when we started.

When I was driving home I was thinking I think I’ve got this now. I, actually, did something with him and he responded! It then occurred to me that maybe Marie’s ‘tune-up’ put him in the frame of mind to ‘listen’….groann…: – ) Oh, well. It’s all good. Just have to practice. It was a wonderful afternoon. Thanks, Marie!!

March 15, 2015 – Phoenix, Doc & Rocky moving

Today was the big day.  Phoenix and Doc were moving to the facility in Pembroke to be used in the therapy sessions.  They should be there for 4 months or so.  Rocky will live at the same facility now.  He’s much closer to his new owners.

I went to the farm to help get the guys cleaned up for the move.  First I helped Marie finish her chores and fed Kaz.  We then brought Doc and Phoenixout of the herd to brush.  The farm is getting wetter, therefore, the horses are getting dirtier.  Rocky’s new family arrived shortly after we started.  Melissa brought Rocky out to brush and get him ready to go.  The horses were to be picked up at 3pm.  The closer we got to 3pm the more antsy Rocky got.  The horses in the front herd were hanging out watching what was going on.  As soon as the normal routine of the farm is changes the horses notice.  Sometimes it makes them a bit nervous.  Rocky was certainly nervous.  I’m not sure what happened, exactly, but while he was being brushed he all of a sudden ‘spooked’. He took off to the gate/entrance to where his herd stays.  It was icy and he slid sideways, but stayed upright.  He was really anxious.  Graham went to bring him back and he kicked out at him.  This is so unlike Rocky, but he was really nervous.   It took a bit of doing, but Graham brought him back.  Marie took over and calmed him down.  She made him back up a couple of times.  She says this is like a ‘reset’ button.  Gets him thinking again and out of the ‘flight’ focus.

At 3pm sharp the truck and trailer arrived.  Kate had come to the farm, as well to help load the horses with Marie.  I’ve put a few pictures below of the guys getting on.  My favourite is Melissa bringing Rocky over.  See Lacy out front so excited that ‘work’ was going on!  Melissa has a determined look on her face.  Kate loaded Phoenix first, while Marie waited with Doc.  After Doc was loaded Melissa led Rocky on the truck.  This was the first time he had done this.  He & Melissa did so well.  Marie and Kate were calm and focused, as usual.  Melissa is the same.  This is why it went as smoothly as it did.

March 11, 2015 – Dogs and Horses..

Had a dental appointment this morning so arrived at the farm late.  Mr. & Mrs. Farmer were away on business for the day so just Marie and all the critters (as she likes to say).  It was a gorgeous day.  Marie wanted to trim some hooves.   Specifically Doc and Phoenix, as they are going to the facility that the Equine Therapy for the military happens.  Pretty exciting stuff.  So first on the agenda was Phoenix.  He is a beautiful boy.  All the mares in his herd seem to have ‘feelings’ for him.  I might be imagining it, but I get the feeling that he knows he’s ‘hot stuff’ : – ).  While Marie was trimming his hooves, I was brushing horses.  The horses have begun to lose their winter ‘coats’.  Marie suggested I use a type of scraper brush.  It’s combination shedding blade/sweat scraper from what my research says.  The horses appear to be very itchy, when shedding.  They stood very still while I brushed.  They really enjoyed it.  Anytime Marie is in the field working with one horse several other horses come to see what they are missing.  She had 3 or 4 around her, while trimming Phoenix.  They all want her attention.  It’s really quite funny.  Doc was away in the field and wasn’t coming so Pauly got trimmed next.  Then Kate arrived.  Kate is working with Cashmere.  Teaching her to come or at least be okay with being approached to have a halter put on her head.  It’s a bit of a dance that happens, while the horse is learning.  It takes a lot of patience  and practice.

Sadie, Kate’s pup, was also at the farm.  She is approximately 9 months old and a cross of a border collie and not sure what else.  I’m thinking by her behaviour she’s about 99.9% collie!  She doesn’t stop.   She travels from one paddock to another in hot pursuit of her Mom, Lacy.  Lacy’s all business 110% Border Collie.  Her drive is really something.  Problem is Sadie doesn’t really know what she’s doing.  She gets in lots of trouble.  Her Mom gets frustrated and snaps at her.  Sadie also likes to bark and snap at the horses. She got in Johnny’s enclosure and barked and chased him around and around and around.  I tried calling her off, but she was in “LaLa Border Collie Land” .  I tried Marie’s trick of throwing frozen poop.  Nothing was working.  Eventually, she got tired and left.   A bit later she tried starting him running him, again.  She stood behind him barking.    I then realized he wasn’t afraid of her.  He just stood there looking at her.  He was probably just playing with her before!  She then got bored and left him alone.  When Kate was working with Cashmere, Sadie kept going in the paddock barking and getting the young guys running.  Marie and Kate decided to put her on a lead.  She has never had a collar or a leash on.  Well.  You’d think Marie killed her.  First she laid on her back with all 4 legs stuck up to the sky.  Then she turned over and was laying as flat as a pancake.  The look on her face was shear misery.  It was so pitiful!!  Marie and Kate were discussing the need to train her and I think they plan on working on it soon.  Kate has a baby.  She, also, trains horses and give riding lessons and Marie has so much I’ve begun to write a blog!  Not sure when these girls think they’ll have time to do this.  I’ve put pictures below of Sadie before the leash and then after…poor puppy.

The other dogs on the farm are in order as shown  “Sam”, “Juno”, “Lacy”, “Dixie”

March 10, 2015 – Feeding Kaz – Beautiful day!! plus…wait for it…9!

Marie and Mrs. Farmer were away today.  First day of their new sessions of Equine Therapy for military personnel suffering from PTSD.

I went to the farm to feed Kaz.  Had sent Marie a text early this morning to offer to do any other chores she needed done.  It was early.  About 7:30.  Everything was already under control.  She said I could take care of the goats and sheep, if I wanted.   Always a good opportunity to see how the little lamb is.  They are all becoming more accustomed to me.  The ‘mom’ goat now lets me pet her.  Amazing the power of food.  I’ve tried to pet or get near her since I started at the farm, back in September.  Since helping the family with feeding them she now lets me get near her.  : – )

Kaz’s beet pulp had now soaked for a bit so time to feed him.  I decided to put a halter on him and bring him out of the pasture, again.  Easier to do this when Marie is away.  Other horses tend to ignore me, when we do it this way.   I’m better, at keeping them back now (also, amazing what a knock on the head will do for you!!).  It’s just easier.  Lacy’s pup “Sadie” was still, at the farm visiting.  This dog is in heaven when she’s at the farm.  She doesn’t stop.  Chases Lacy from one field to another.  Lacy, always, stays with the sheep unless there is a human around doing something with one of the herds.  Then she’s all business with the human.  Sadie is still learning and she’s a pup.  A part border-collie pup (looks like more collie than anything else).   Pups tend to be a pain until they are 3 years old.  So far Juno isn’t like this.  We’ll see though.  She’s still the new dog on the farm.  While Kaz was munching away, Lacy came over.  She was in her working stance under the tractor.  Sadie was running around like a lunatic.  She’s constantly ‘egging’ her Mom on.  She wants her to move and run so that she can too.  She doesn’t quite get the lying still and watching ‘job’, yet.  Johnny’s pen is near where we were.  He was walking around and this caught Sadie’s eye.  She ran over to where he was and got in the pen with him.  She started chasing him.  He ran around his pen with Sadie in hot pursuit.   This went on for several minutes.  I kept trying to call her off.  She was so engaged nothing would work.  I threw frozen poop at her.  (Marie does this)…Nothing.  Didn’t even look at me.  Then I realized Kaz (he’s a bit of a chicken) was behind me.  He left his meal to either try to get back to his herd or I’d rather think so I could protect him : – ).  Probably wanted his herd.  I thought he had finished so I let him back in with his herd.  I went back for his dish and saw it was half done.  I went back to him so he could finish.  At this point Johnny had stopped running and Sadie had left.  After a bit she went back to get him going, again.  At this point he just stood there looking, at her.  She kept trying to get him going and he completely ignored her.  I then realized he wasn’t afraid of the dog he was probably just playing.  He got a bit of exercise.  Probably didn’t hurt him, at all.

It was then time to go home.  Too bad.  Such a lovely day.  Good for the family though.  The work they do is outside.  The facility has an arena, but I’m sure they don’t go in there unless they have to.

March 8, 2015 – Relationship building with Kaz, Melissa and Rocky….without Marie…little scary!

Melissa, who purchased Rocky, invited me to meet her at the farm, Sunday morning.   She was going to play with Rocky and wondered if I’d like to join her.  Marie thought I should, as well.  We were to meet around 9.  Marie and her family would be at church.  I arrived a bit early.  Wanted to feed Kaz his meal and possibly help Marie and her family with chores .  Fed/watered the goats and sheep.  Gave the bunnies water.  Gave Johnny some hay.  His water was still good from the day before. (shows the temperature is getting better!) Fed Snort and Ginger some hay.  They had lots of water, as well.  Marie or Mr. & Mrs. Farmer had taken large amounts of hay to the front and back herd.  The ‘babies’ had lots of hay and water, as well.  So not much to do.  Brought Kaz out of the paddock to give him his hay, as I wanted to brush him.  I can’t do this, when we’re in the field with his herd.   Rocky/Tina/Annie always come to try to get some and I have to keep them back.  The farms newest member “Juno” – renamed from Rosie, was out with me, as well.  Sadie (Kate’s pup from Lacy’s last litter) was around, as well.  Lots of dogs.  Lacy was ‘working the farm’.  Sadie was following her to ‘try’ and help.  Mostly she gets in Lacy’s way and has to be corrected.  She’s only 9 or 10 months old so lots of energy and not sure what her job is, yet.  Sam was up on the hay, at the very top.  I always think he’s surveying his ‘kingdom’.  Sam and Lacy were ‘tuning up’ Juno quite a bit.  She wasn’t really doing anything just coming close to me.  I think this is just their way of reminding her she’s the lowest dog in the pack.  Marie did say, however, she thought they were being inappropriate some of the time.  Interesting dynamics for sure.  Every herd, pack, family, company, etc has a leader.  It’s how we operate and survive.  I still think animals do it way better than us humans!

When Melissa arrived we decided we would do, as Marie suggested, take Rocky and Kaz for a walk down the road.  The road leading to the farm is a dirt road with very little traffic.  This, also, was early Sunday morning.  So off we went.  Both horses were nervous. Probably because leaving their herd and farm is way to scary.  They’d never done this before.  As we walked by the front herd (not their herd – the other one) those horses were all watching.  Heads were up.  Lots of ‘talking’ going back and forth.  The horses were running beside the fence line trying to figure out why Kaz and Rocky were outside of the farm walking!!  Rocky was a bit more tense than Kaz.  His head was really high.  Ears pointed straight to the sky.  Looking everywhere.  Kaz whinnied to the herd.  (Quite exciting..he rarely does anything except plod slowly forward).  I just love that horse!  So we continued on.  Walked down to the stop sign (quarter mile?  not far) then it was time to turn around. This is when I thought…hummm…maybe should have done this with Marie.  I was worried we would be dragged on our bellies back to the farm.  Melissa and I did discuss it a bit.  So, when Kaz would start walking faster I’d turn him around and head back.  We did this a few times.  Melissa kept talking to Rocky.  Correcting him, when he was walking in to her.  Poor guys.  They were stressed.  Just before we were at the driveway, Mrs. Farmer drove down the road.  Coming home from church.  The horses just kept walking.  Probably felt a bit better seeing Marie’s truck and the family.  We parked them in the yard and brushed them down.  They were sweaty.  Marie said it was nerves.  Marie put more of the oil on Kaz’s itchy spots (where he scratches and wears his hair off).   He really likes the treatment.

All in all it was exciting and lots of fun!  Just wish there was a way to hear the conversation Kaz and Rocky had, when they got back to the herd!!  : – )

March *5, 2015 – Road trip….lots to do…

Marie picked me up from home, today. Going on a road trip. Lots to do. Left around 8:30. First stop somewhere near Pembroke. Husband wife and daughter, I think Marie said, live here. Lots of horses that were ‘rescued’. One was partially blind. Another had a spine/back problem. Lots of health issues. I’ve learned that every horse has a different personality and some have better manners than others. These horses were not well behaved. The horses on the farm are trained and expected to be polite meaning no leaning on the farrier, no biting the farrier and no dropping a leg, when lifted. Essentially, stand still and be calm. These horses lacked in most of this! Lots of attitude, when she was trimming. Little bit of ‘tuning up’ had to happen. This is something to see and hard to describe. Marie puts down her tools. She ‘asks’ the horse to back up. She expects it to be quick and without attitude. Sometimes the horse is then made to move around in any direction she asks. Some do this quicker than others, but all do it in the end. This is not done in a mean way, but she is firm. It’s not even done in a way that she ‘tells’ the horse she’s the boss. She is, essentially, bringing them back to a calm state so that they are able to cooperate that’s all. When there is a lot of correcting behaviour that has to happen, it really slows down the trimming process. Only two horses were trimmed at this farm and then due to Marie’s schedule for the day we had to leave. More trims were to happen and we were supposed to be seeing a woman about a new dog for the farm, but the woman kept changing the time so Marie kept juggling her schedule for the day. More on that later. Because we had a little time and we were nearby, Marie offered to show me the facility that they use for training and therapy work. Such a nice place! There is an indoor arena, a cabin with a bathroom and kitchen and sitting area. There are a few fenced in paddocks for lessons. A barn where horses can be kept inside and lots of space with a bush for the horses on the farm to roam freely. Marie and Mrs. Farmer and Kate (now back from maternity leave) are gearing up for the next sessions. This is a very busy time for all concerned. The next farm we went to Marie has been treating a horse that has foundered. She was in a lovely barn lying on a thick blanket of hay with a horse blanket on. The poor thing was in such pain that she didn’t want to stand because it hurt so much. (picture is below). Marie checked her feet (hard to do, when the horse is lying down) and discussed changes since her last visit. There wasn’t much else to be done. It’s so hard. It’s painful for the horse and takes quite a while to heal. In some cases (I think rare) it doesn’t. This farm is a huge hay producer. They, also, have buffalo on another site. Marie said their hay is some of the best around and is shipped to the US. This is one of Marie’s suppliers.

The next farm we visited is owned by a young couple with small 2 little girls (baby only a few months old). I understood from Marie that she had been working with this woman for years. The couple had purchased this farm only within the last couple of years. A lovely spot near a lake. Nice pastures and nice buildings. Marie was trimming 2 horses that are boarded at the farm. The first one had one eye. The other one had to be surgically removed due to damage (I hope I have this right) from a type of virus/infection. See picture below. The second horse was huge. Very large feet. See below. Also, I’ve put a picture of the farm dog waiting patiently for pieces of the hoof that are cut off. Dogs love this! The dogs on the farm (especially Sam who seems to love food in general : – ) love them. You’d think they were getting a piece of meat! There were several chickens and lots of roosters. Some very fancy ones (see pics below. )

Next, we were then finally able to go to see about the dog. The woman had juggled the appointment from 11 in the morning till after 2pm. It was around 3, when we finally headed out to see her. Marie had mistakenly thought she lived in Petawawa, as the notice she posted on was a Petawawa website. Before leaving Marie sent her a text and we realized she lives in Chapeau (sp?) Quebec. We used the GPS on my phone to pinpoint where she was. It was only supposed to take 35 minutes. So shouldn’t have been a big deal. We crossed the bridge near Pembroke and were on our way in no time, however, once in Quebec it was another adventure. There are few signs to help with what town we were driving in. The phone/GPS stopped working because there was no service. Not weak service NO SERVICE and of course no payphone anywhere. We drove and drove (again, no signs) and finally it was decided we should turn around and find someone to ask. (also, as crazy as it sounds, Quebec for some reason is changing the names of some of their towns. Chapeau is no longer called “Chapeau”…..We stopped in at a store and Marie got directions. We weren’t far from Chapeau. Once there we had to, again, get directions for the street the woman lived on. Luckily, there are still corner stores in this area! It was then about 5pm , but we finally found the woman’s home. When we drove in the driveway we could see the dog tied behind the house. It was clear this is where the dog was kept. There weren’t footprints all over the yard just a small space outline with poop. Dogs don’t want to poop where they live. She was stretching out as far as the rope would allow and going there. We found out from the woman she was a single Mom of 2. From what we could tell she had a minimum wage job that had her on the road a couple of times a week. She just simply had no time for the dog. She was trying to find her the right home. She said she had met with many (I think she said 20) people, but hadn’t found the right person yet. Then we arrived. : – ) Marie asked a lot of questions and worked with the dog a bit. She was testing her temperament, recall, etc. The problem then was we were an hour and half (at least) from Marie’s home without phone service so no way to contact Mrs. Farmer to discuss this dog. Marie did say to the woman who owned the dog that if for any reason the dog wasn’t a good fit for the farm she would call and let her know. If she wanted the dog back, she would return the dog. If she didn’t Marie would find the dog an appropriate home. So Marie and the dog (her name is Rosie, but that will be changed, if she is kept) and I headed home. In my mind the dog had just ‘won the lottery’. Imagine going from not much attention. Tied to a house on a 10 foot rope and ending up on 65 acres. She won’t be tied and will always have people around to pat her on the head. Marie and her family will take her training seriously. If allowed to stay, she will be a very content well-trained dog that can be used in their program or to help Sam guard the farm. Every dog (especially mine) would love this. A more authentic life. She’ll be able to be active and have a ‘job’. A very long day…fingers crossed for Rosie. She’s a very sweet seemingly intelligent pup.

 

At the farm….brain really hurts….snowing again

Today Marie was working, at home.  I arrived around 9:30 and she was already out doing chores.  I helped giving Ginger and Snort some hay.  They are still in the ‘penalty box’ (separated from the herd in the middle pen).  Marie had the water going and was feeding Johnny.  I took some hay and water down to the goats and sheep.  Lacy, of course, was there ready and waiting.  What a dog.  It’s funny going to the little barn these guys stay in overnight.  All is quiet until they hear footsteps then everybody inside starts ‘talking’.  When the door opens, everybody piles out.  The goats are always first.  Normally, “Boots” is ahead of his Mom then the sheep.  Went inside to fill their water trough and gave some water to the bunnies.  Next step is to toss hay over the fence.  They run to the spot and wait.  Goats seem to be boss over the sheep.

Then it was Kaz’s turn.  Marie had his beets already soaking.  Had to call him a couple of times to come to eat.  Last evening a huge pile of fresh hay was given to this herd so they were very happy and not hungry.  He lumbered over (not much more than that) and happily chowed down.  Meanwhile, Tina and Rocky came over to wait for anything that might be left for them.  Marie stood on one side and I was on the other reminding them to step back every once in a while.  Yes, I have learned to not let them crowd my “bubble”.  Only took one knock on the head to get it!    They keep trying to take tiny steps to get closer or they try another route around.  Really funny but probably frustrating to them.  When Kaz finally finished (he’s so slow!) Marie said she would be trimming hooves.  We then went to get her equipment and I was sent to the shed to get a halter and rope.  A bunch had been piled on the floor and I was taking a while trying to find what she needed and she came over.  She saw what I was doing and was helping me hang them up and ‘mentioned’ (yes I am grinning) that I needed another lesson on how to fix the halter & ropes before hanging them.  This is hard to describe, but essentially there is a correct way to tie the halter and hang the attached rope through it.  This makes a nice neat package that, when done correctly, is easily hung on the nails on the wall.  I, apparently, was doing this incorrectly.  She patiently showed me again a couple of times.  I decided to take one home to practice.  (I know.  I’m the geek of farm volunteers, but I really want to know how to do the various chores just like they do.  Correctly.)   So off we went to trim Kaz’s hooves first.  This was very interesting.  I, normally, don’t get a close look at the foot, as she trims.  This time she showed me various issues and what she does to correct them.  Each foot starts with a look at what’s going on with the foot.  Is it lopsided, for example.  Is the heel higher than the toe.  Kaz (I think it was Kaz) had a a crack running down the outside of the hoof.  Marie scraped at the crack to open it a bit.  This, she said, would get air in at the bacteria and this would clear it up.  The bottom of his feet are almost flat.  There should be more of a curve (kind of a hollow) underneath.  There are steps she does to correct this.  When his feet were done, Marie did a check of his body and decided to treat his bald spots.  He is very itchy on his rear and his neck.  He’s actually rubbed the hair off and in some areas he had rubbed the skin raw.  Marie got out a medicinal oil and treated all these areas.  He just stood still while this was done.  You could see it was giving him relief.

Tina was next.  Her feet are much healthier looking.  Marie has been the only one taking care of her feet for a long (maybe always?) time.  Tina is so much healthier than Kaz.  She’s had a much better diet and a healthier lifestyle.  Remember Kaz has only been with Marie for 2 years.  It’s taken that long for improvement to show.  Last fall it was painful to watch him walk.  He looked like he was a very old lame horse.  Even his head hung down.  His coat had no shine and was almost matted looking.  He’s so much better now.  I have no doubt with the extra attention he’s being given he will become a healthy guy.

Next was Ginger and Snort.  Ginger I have to admit I was a bit worried about.  I’ve seen her in the herd.  She’s one bossy girl.   The horses stay out of her way.  She surprised me.  Marie didn’t have nearly the problems with her I’ve seen her have with others.  She had to be ‘told’ a few times, but nothing that big.  Her crabbiness, if I can call it that, is with horses not humans.  She has really nice looking feet.  The undersides have nice hollows and just look so healthy.  Snort was next.  He’s a Canadian.  I wish I would have asked Marie, again, what he weighs so I could add that information to this.  He’s huge.  One of his feet are like 3 of Ginger’s feet.  He has a gorgeous thick long winter coat now.  He is a little tubby : – ), but the picture of health.  Not a mark on him.  Marie has been working with him for a long time.  I think I’ve talked about him before here.   His personality has such opposite traits.  He’s head macho man in the herd (when he’s allowed to be in the herd)  He’s strong and knows his place.  With humans he’s nervous, except not so much with Marie.  He is afraid of a lot of things, which makes him dangerous because he bolts.  He breaks fences and generally gets in to trouble,  because of his fears.  Marie decided to not use a halter on him.  She ‘asked’ him to follow her, which he did rather quickly.  Then he mostly just stood still while she worked.  When he’s engaged with her he follows her like a big dog.  With hand movement and some voice instructions, she can get him to follow her, back up and go sideways among other things.  It’s really something to see.  Marie managed to get 2 of his big feet done and then we called it a day.  He was fussing a little and she had been at this for a long time.  At this point it was really snowing and I was frozen.  I learned so much today, it was incredible.  Now , if I can just retain it…….

Again….all information is my interpretation of what Marie has taught me.  I hope I am accurate in my explanations…

I did take pictures of Kaz and Tina’s feet, but they aren’t clear enough to bother with.    Which is really too bad, as there differences were really clear. I need a camera!!