Change In Plans

 Another beautiful sunrise although I can't see it actually rise.  

When I went up to grain, the sun was hitting the tops of the trees lighting them up beautifully. Of course I had to take a couple pictures.

The truck was hooked up to the stock trailer as this morning I was going to Middle Grove to drop off Sally, Jewel and Curling and pick up Tessa, Titus and Valerie.

I needed to have 3 bales moved in today before going to Middle Grove, but to do that I need help from Mark to move the hay rack. The skid steer was used to drag the bale spear out of the corner and into the middle,. I dropped the bucket from the skid steer and attached the bale spear. At that point Mark got on the skid steer to bring the bales out so I could wrap them in the hog panels before putting them in the paddocks. The middle paddock got 2 bales and the paddock next to Valiant's got 1. The picture below is one of our first cutting bales. I know I mention now nice they are but they REALLY are. They are fine stemmed and green and they smell wonderful. 

Both bales put in the middle paddock were from the first cutting, the other paddock got one of the second cutting bales as that paddock will be used for the colts. They need more calories as they are growing boys and the second cutting bales are more nutritious. 

After finishing the bales we went back to the house and had our breakfast. It was only fair to cook a good breakfast for Mark as he helped with the bales and before asking for more help loading mares.  We went up and had the mares loaded in a few minutes but Mark thought he'd better check the tires as he thought one looked a little low. Really he has this wonderful tool that will show the exact amount of air each tire has and will fill it to the amount needed  once it is attached and turned on.

Just one tire of the 4 was a little low. 

Below I'm ready to pull out.

I arrived to find the gate open and Mike working on the fence. Mike was upset, there was a horse on the wrong side of the fence when he got to the top of the hill but he couldn't climb through the fence as it was electrified, he had to drive back down to the bottom to turn off the fence before going back up to get the filly. Below is a video of Sally, Jewel and Curlin running up to find the herd.

 Mike was half way up the hill when the horses took off running. Below is the video he took.

By the time Mike got back to the top of the hill Thalia was trying to smash through the fence to get back with the herd. I got to the top of the hill just in time to get him a halter. I climbed through the fence now that the electric was off and got a lead rope on the Thalia, the yearling filly that obviously did not respect fences. We bought Thalia last fall. She has bloodlines not related to either of our stallions so want to keep her but she must not have remembered any of her training by her previous owner, either that or she had not really been trained to lead, load, stand tied or respect fences.  She was trying to run back to the herd while I was leading her. Thankfully Mike had a stud chain in the basket on the 4 wheeler and put that on her.

He had to work with her for a few minutes until she finally figured out she needed to walk with him when being led.

He was able to get on the 4 wheeler then and drive back to the herd with her following.

She cannot stay at Middle Grove until she learns to respect electric fences so bringing Titus and Tessa home was put on hold. Valerie needed to come home so I could keep an eye on the cut on her leg so she was haltered. I led Valerie down to the trailer while Mike took Thalia. Valerie stepped right in the trailer, Thalia needed encouragement but soon I was on the way home. When it came time to unload I first tried to take Thalia out the side door but she was too afraid to step down. The back door was opened and she led up to the open door but refused to step down.

Valerie was waiting patiently tied at the front of the trailer.

Mark arrived about then so I gave him Thalia's lead rope and brought Valerie out.

Valerie stepped out and I thought Thalia may come then but she still didn't. I led Valeria away and finally when she realized she was being left behind she stepped out of the trailer. I told Mark not to pull just let her make the decision and that was the right decision. Once out there was no drama.

They were put in the paddock and given grain.

I took a few pictures then went to back the horse trailer into place and heard something inside.

It was Mark, cleaning out the trailer!

I brought the wheel barrow over with a shovel and we worked together finishing in just a few minutes. Nice to have help with that job.  Later this afternoon Thalia was taken out to the round pen for some leading and backing instructions.  She is going to need consistent work to be trustworthy. Right now she is so much like her mother Leah. No manners, tries to run over a person, will not back when asked and has no idea what WHOA means. 

I worked with her in the round pen for about 20 minutes.

I finished on a good note and put her back in with Valerie.

The fall colors are beautiful right now so after taking the pictures of the fillies I drove over to mom's to get a couple of her burning bush.

We left for church at 6:05 pm. Gregg Rumbold had the message tonight on citizenship. He read out of Philippians 3. This world really isn't our home. To watch that message click HERE.