Weaning Day For Four

I had to leave for TEMCO to pick up the Berean mail early this morning so only went on one round of the walk.  We had a few welcome surprises at the Berean office today. If you would like to read about our day there click HERE. I arrived home at 2:00 pm, took the garbage over to the dumpster, changed the washer and dryer putting in another load then took off with the big trailer for Middle Grove. On the first trip out I found the herd lounging under the trees where the salt blocks are kept.

I stopped to take a picture of that twig which had fallen from the tree, marveling at the thorns. Some were over 2 inches long and very sharp. This kind of thorn is probably how Ivan got his eye scratched. 

 Tatiana's filly came up for attention. She is a one of the lucky ones today as she is too young to wean so was left out with her mom and the herd. 

On this first trip I wanted to bring Madiera and her colt and they happened to be standing close and were easy to halter. They were led down to the trailer. Irish, the Gypsy mare, Isla and Ivan followed us down to the trailer and followed Madiera and her colt right into the trailer. That was 5 in the 4 horse and I have someone coming to look at Isla and needed to have Ivan home to get his eye checked out so just shut the trailer door and left for home.

As soon as I got home, the back doors were open and Isla, Ivan and Madiera's colt all unloaded and stalled. Irish and Madiera were left in the trailer and taken back to Middle Grove. Mike was at Middle Grove when I arrived to pick up the second load and helped me get Sheena's colt, Jewel's colt and Lola's filly in the trailer and the 3 mares out of the trailer. We led Jewel and Lola in first, then after their foals loaded behind them took Jewel first out the side door then Lola. That door shut the two foals were put in the divider while Sheena and her colt were loaded. Sheena was taken out the back door, the divider opened and tied open for the foals ride back to the farm.  When we got to the farm the trailer was backed into the indoor arena and the barn doors shut then halters were taken into the trailer. Jewel's colt and Lola's filly stood very well for that. They were led out and and into the stall barn with Sheena's colt following. Jewel's colt and Madiera's colt were put in one stall while Lola's filly and Sheena's colt were put in another stall. Water buckets were filled then hay and grain brought in. All of the foals tried the grain then settled down to eat. I finally made it back in the house by 6:00 pm.  I have the cameras on and have been watching them. So far tonight I just had to make one trip back up to the barn to fill an overturned water bucket but for the most part they are doing well. These foals are 5-6 months old and more than ready to wean. The weaning process works well as long as the mares are out of earshot.  Within 1 to 2 days the mares stop calling and settle down with the herd at Middle Grove. The foals will be kept in a stall for a couple days before taken out to a paddock.  This way they can be safe while being watched. Tomorrow I need to bring back Lily's filly and Soul's colt. I have the last load of laundry in the dryer and as soon as that is done will be heading to bed. It has been a long but productive day and I'm thankful!