To the Farm and Back

My eyes open at 4:00am this morning, as I lie quietly in bed trying not to wake up Mark, I'm arguing with myself (not out loud)Is Samantha ok, why am I awake, maybe I could call someone in Hanna City to check her, NO I should not even ask my best friend to do that (and I've asked her to do some doozies, like dangle a grain bucket in front of a bull), Samantha is God's, so He will take care of her, maybe He's the one asking me to get up, OK Lord, I'll go! Get up, turn on the bathroom light and crack the door open enough to see my clothes, dress, down the stairs, grab the truck keys because my car has TWO flat tires, see that the truck cannot be moved without moving lots of other cars, jump in Sarah's car and off to the farm I head at 4:15am. Arguing with ones self really doesn't take a lot of time.
All was quiet at the farm but Samantha was glad to see me, She was given a couple of flakes of hay, her water bucket was empty so that was filled, the stall cleaned, the last bag of bedding dumped and spread and back home I drove.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, the morning birds were starting to sing and it is a glorious morning.
Except today, I need to borrow Sarah's spare tire. Yesterday on the way to lunch, Mark commented that the car didn't feel right so while we ordered, he drove over to the gas station and saw that the back passenger tire had only 10 pounds of air in it. He filled it to 30 pounds and started to drive off when the tire exploded. Spark and Dan changed the tire, putting on the donut spare, while we finished up eating. Driving home, the car still doesn't feel right, so the car is parked at home, I walk around and the front passenger side is flat. The front was even a new tire!
Mark changed the second flat this morning at 6:00am. What a good guy!

David & Stephanie

David & Stephanie were over our house when we arrived back from the work at the farm tonight. David had just uploaded his vacation video. The graphics are very artistic, watch below and see if you agree.

David shared with us that he has an interview at the Varna school on Friday. Varna is North of Chillicothe and quite a drive from Morton, IL where they live.
He is so talented that a school in the area should snap him up. He has taught Spanish, Technology, Math, and Art.

Muddy Middle Grove

Steven Marchal met me at the farm after work today at 1:30, by the time I arrived he already had the trailer hooked up. Our first job was to try to clean up Clara and her colt to take pictures for their new owner. It was too cold for a bath and using cold water didn't help. They were so nice and clean at Middle Grove, then they get to the farm in a paddock with 2+ inches of rain, to say the least they were MUDDY!

After working for over a half hour they were put in Velvet's stall to dry off and Velvet and her colt were put out in Clara's paddock.
Then it was time to get Lily and Paris for their trip to Middle Grove. I see a mare in the woods and think it is Lily, Steven is telling me, no that is Bunni and I tell him it can't be Bunni Sunday we took Bunni to the cabin field. I'm looking at her and say to him, "if it isn't Lily, it must be Wynne," and again he tells me, "no that is Bunni." After looking her over I realize it really IS Bunni. We put Wynne in the cabin field on Sunday and kept commenting on how good Bunni looked, in fact we said over and over, why Bunni looks so good she looks like a purebred Friesian!" Mike checks what he thinks is Bunni's udder this morning and thinks, it went down so fast it doesn't even look like she's had a foal. So the SAD fact is Wynne is in the Cabin from Sunday to Tuesday and it takes Steven to tell us who our horses are.
We load Knight, Paris, Caden in the front of the trailer and Lily and Ayanna in the back for the trip to Middle Grove. Steven has a 4 wheel drive duely and thinks he can make it through the mud. He is way braver than me, I would have unloaded and walked but we did make it. His poor truck and the trailer are pretty covered in mud. The fillies were so glad for the company and wanted so badly to join in the herd and the 2 mommas were keeping them away from their foals. When we left all were grazing quietly. We took these 2 pictures of Caden before leaving since I hardly have any of this colt. Isn't he gorgeous!

Good Deed Gone Bad

We were just loading our groceries in the car down at the Aldi on Western when an older lady (probably younger than me only in my opinion LOOKED a lot older) comes up and starts pleading with us to take her up to Schnuks crying she was desperate, her son was in a car accident. We told her we would take her but we would have to make one stop first. Mark was suppose to get a signature from one of the board members and told him we would be there on our way home from Aldis.
She agrees and climbs in the back seat and immediately asks us if we're Christian. (Everyone knows a Christian is an easy mark.) While Mark is getting the signature she tells me that her son said he ran out of gas on University and someone hit him. She didn't want him to call the police because of no insurance so she just had to ge there fast. We pass a police car and the cop is smoking, she notices that and says I'm surprised they are allowed to smoke. Mark told her I don't think they allow the prisoners to smoke and she very loudly yelled you better believe THAT! Then as we are driving up University she tells me the car is fine, but her son must have gas to get to work at Burger King on North Knoxville and she has to find money. I found $2.00 on the dash of the truck earlier and had put it in my pocket, pulled it out and told her she could have it. Mark gave me his wallet and I told her I would see if I could find some dollars from him. She told me it would be better if I could find a $20.00 but that wasn't going to happen. By this time we were getting near Metro Center and it is raining and she tells Mark to just let her out there. Mark says, "no, I want to see how much damage is done to your car." She tells us she has diabetes and is suppose to walk a lot and she really should get out to exercise. Then Mark suggested since it is raining that wouldn't be a good idea. She said just because she is sweet doesn't mean shes going to melt. We asked her what kind of car and she says "a Chevy." So instead of stopping Mark starts to drive around the Metro Center parking lot to look for a Chevy. Less than a minute later she yells, "there it is, right there" pointing to a small blue Hundai. We drive up to the car and Mark says "but there's no damage on it" and I say "it has Indiana license plates on it." Then she says, OH well it looks just like mine so we leave that car and start driving through the Schnuks parking lot. We only got up to the first row of cars when she tells us, "well it's not here, my son must have gotten help so I guess you can take me home." Now that was amazing she could tell her battered car was not in that parking lot, the lot was pretty full and her eyesight must have been tremendous to be able to know it wasn't there with one quick look. She holds up her hand to me and says, "just look at how I'm shaking. I've had 2 bad things happen, my niece is in the hospital right now having a baby." That doesn't have the desired affect of us giving her more money. She asks where I work and when I tell her I work on a farm she says that must pay a LOT. That was the biggest joke of ALL. When she finds out I don't really have any money and don't make a lot it was like, OK just get me back to the south end.
We start driving back down Western, then left on King drive. She had us drop her off at Roosevelt Magnet school. We never saw her go in a house because we were laughing so hard. So yes, we were scammed but the entertainment value was probably worth the gas and time. Our ice cream was pretty soft by the time we finally made it home.

Velvet's Colt

The video has just been finished from yesterday and uploaded. Velvet's colt is 2 days old in it. He ran over to Raven so of course Raven had to be in the video also. We are placing him for sale WITH Velvet NOW for $2500.00 or the colt alone at weaning in September for $3000.00. This is a quality colt and way undervalued.

After the truck was finished, the rain was taking a break so Velvet, her colt and Samantha were let out into the field for an hour while their stalls were cleaned and Samantha's antibiotic was prepared. They came running in when the bucket was rattled and just as they entered their stalls the rain started back up.
It was pancakes and scrambled cheese eggs for dinner tonight, there is nothing left in the house except LOTS of TUNA. Mark will go with me to Aldi after dinner.

Horse Property for Sale

Below is someones dream come true. The property in Eureka, IL was planned and built by a horse owner. He has placed his well loved gorgeous home and horse facility for sale. Now for the good part, he has 3 horses and is willing to keep them at the facility paying the new owner $1000.00 a month. What an opportunity for someone that has or wants to develop a boarding business. There are 16 stalls, 2 barns, extra garages for equipment and trucks, a beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bath home all ready to move right into AND it comes with an income.

This is a beautiful horse facility in Eureka, IL for sale.
imagine sitting out on your deck drinking coffee and watching your beautiful horses grazing on the lush green pasture. Besides having an indoor arena there is also this beautifully maintained outdoor arena. There are 2 barns on the property, below is the larger barn with 8 stalls and a 60 x 60 indoor arena. The smaller barn also has 12 x 12 stalls that open out to turnout paddocks. and a view inside the smaller barn.
There is much more to this property than listed so:
If interested please call the owner Wayne Logsdon at 309-339-4121 or copy and paste the link below for much more information.
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1436-Church-Road_Eureka_IL_61530_1109754848
Now for the rest of the story, I'm sitting at Mangold Ford getting my 4 wheel drive fixed on the truck when Kent introduces me to Wayne the owner of the above facilty. Wayne trail rides and was at the campground we are going to on Friday last Memorial weekend. He is a really nice man and built this place using quality throughout the entire facility. I feel his property is undervalued and whoever buys his place should do very well. Where else can one buy a home that produces an income each month? Eureka is a wonderful small town not too far from Peoria right off route 24. Call Wayne if you are interested.

New Pictures

Samantha is testing at 175 today so it is back home for my own bed again. While at the farm the mares were let out to graze and a few pictures were taken with the cheap camera but better than no camera.
Velvet's colt at 2 days old. This boy has muscle!
Big Sally's filly named Glory at 3 weeks old. She has wonderful movement and perfect conformation.

The stalls were cleaned, round bales were put in 3 different paddocks plus one for the cabin and now it's time for bed.

Anyone For Tuna Fish

Dinner time and Mark wants to open a can of Tuna. Only one can mind you but look at the size of the can Mark brought home purchased at Sams.

His hand was tired, just trying to mix it up and the finished product below in our largest bowl: I wonder how long Tuna lasts in the fridge. Anyone for a Tuna Fish sandwich please stop in.
This afternoon the website was updated with the pictures off Diane's camera of when we were at Middle Grove May 14th. New pictures of Wanda, Ciera, and Jewel were all uploaded and placed on their pages. There were 3 nice action shots of the group that were placed on the Friesian Use page. Middle Grove is such a nice setting and the horses come galloping when they hear a truck coming.
Karin and Rhoda are getting Wynne ready for the big camping trip coming up this weekend. Rhoda rode Wynne on the trails without being ponied and Wynne did wonderful until the very end, then threw in a couple of bucks at the final gallop. Nothing Rhoda couldn't handle so once they stopped, they worked her on the ground and ended on a good note. Karin then went over to work Rachel's mare, Sandy while Rhoda started on Jewel. Sandy also threw in a couple of bucks at the canter but again nothing Karin couldn't handle. Karin believes she will be fine for the trip. Jewel did even better than Wynne. We are so pleased with all of the horses.
There is volley ball at 6:00pm at the lake, kind of the standard activity every Sunday if the weather holds.
Karin fed and watered Samantha and Velvet as I won't be going out until after 6:00pm. A lady asked to see updated pictures of Wanda so even though she has not yet shed out and not even groomed, these shots were sent. Check out the thick curly feathers on her and she is not even a year old yet. and the side view: And below is either Wanda or Ciera,

Sunday Morning

Mike called around 5:00am to report all was well so the farm trip was put off until after 6:00am, nice to get that extra hour in bed.
Once at the farm both mares were waiting to be fed. Velvet really wants out but there are no paddocks available right now and no time to watch her in the field. Her colt is doing laps around her bucking and squealing. After church when they are turned out to graze the video camera should be ready to capture his antics, he is really funny. Both stalls were cleaned. Velvet's is easy as it is bedded with equine fresh, a pelleted pine product, Samantha's stall is bedded with straw and is there anything worse than cleaning that? The straw is not as absorbent and sticks in the manure fork making each load awkward and heavy.
No change with Samantha which is good news. The cabin boys were begging to get out today, they didn't know how well they had it, now they are locked in a paddock with a round bale, no rolling hills covered with lush green grass just made for a good gallop. They should have behaved! They are locked in with Duke and he is teaching them herd manners.

My Own Bed

After a long hot shower and nap it was time to drive back to Hanna City dragging my feet out to the car thinking how good my own bed felt. All was quiet at the farm but when the lights were turned on both mares nickered a greeting, asking for more hay. They were fed, watered and the stalls cleaned with fresh straw lining Samantha's for the night, then it was time to test Samantha. The calcium test came back barely turning blue at 200 so she was tested again and again the same result. Either the antibiotic threw off the numbers yesterday or I wasn't as accurate as I should have been on the 1 1/2ml of colostrum or 9ml of distilled water. Jamie has offered to check on her around midnight. Diane called and offered Mike to check around 3:00am, we get up around 5:00am and I will drive back then unless either call me. We are pleased as each day she does not deliver is another day for the foal's lungs to develop.

Samantha

After vaulting last night, Karin, Mike, Diane and I took 2 horse trailers out to Middle Grove to pick up the horses we need for the camping trip along with Clara and her colt. When we were all loaded up we realize we are only leaving Ciera, Chloe and Wanda there alone. Probably not a good idea hope they don't get into trouble. Usually we make sure there are mature horses along with the yearlings just in case they are threatened by a predator. We loaded Clara and her colt in the front of the stock trailer and Izadora and Knight in the back, Mika and Jewell were loaded in the 2 horse. When the trailers drove up the horses came running in a herd to see who was coming to visit.
In the picture below Jewell is in the lead.
With the Wanda, Ciera and Chloe bringing up the rear. Wanda and Chloe are neck and neck and Ciera is bringing up the rear by a half of length.
Karin and I made plans to take Lily, Ayanna, Paris and Caden out to be with the fillies today at 3:00 except we had to put it off. The rain started around 10:00am and just kept on raining until the ground is again saturated.
Samantha tested the same last night, no progress, which is good the foal needs more time in-utero but we decided to spend the night anyway just in case. Velvet and her colt were in the stall across from Samantha and every time either mare urinated, I would wake up thinking it was Samantha's water breaking. We left at 6:00am to come home and get some much needed coffee. After breakfast it was back to the farm, Mark to work on cutting down trees on the fence line and me to clean stalls. Mom invited us over for some fresh baked yeast cranberry bread around 10:00am but by 3:00pm hunger is starting growl so it was home for a late lunch. Samantha will be tested tonight to see if the calcium level is rising and if it is Karin will probably spend the night with me. If not, she may as well get a good night sleep, no sense in both of us losing out.

Dread to Joy

The dread this morning driving to the farm was almost overwhelming. What was I going to be facing this morning, More dead foals? Instead there is Velvet standing up near the gate nursing her newborn son. This colt is gorgeous! Big, black, beautiful and strong. What a relief. Bunni was moved in with the herd, Velvet and her son were put in the stall and Samantha was checked all before graining Raven. Raven was kind of ticked to have to wait, calling and dancing around but settled down once his grain was dumped.
Mike came over to check the colt, then told me that the three cabin boys MUST be moved today. Yesterday they got up on the porch, opened the cabin door, went inside, spilled some grain he had in a bucket, manured inside and when I looked at the damage there is horse hair on the couch! What did they do, take a nap?
Then this morning when they couldn't get in the door they broke the bar down going across the window to try to get in that way. Why stay out in the cold when there is food and couches to rest on inside?
We haltered Evan & Aragon and tied them to the 4 Wheeler for Mike to take over to the farm leaving Valiant to follow. Aragon leads very well, but Evan, now that is another story. This is not the first time he has been led with the 4Wheeler but he still tests the rope and tries not to follow. Just for the fun of it, once they were put in the paddock with Duke, Mike halters Valiant and takes him for a ride with the 4Wheeler and Valiant, who has NEVER been led this way is perfect, walking and trotting right along. Mom came walking up as Valiant was being led away and remarked on how well behaved he is. RAVEN'S genes just can't be beat.
Samantha will be checked again today right now her calcium level is blue at 250 and 350 means birth is eminent but I believe she will probably deliver soon so will plan on spending the night at the farm.

Bunni's Loss

When I started this blog, it was determined whether good or bad it would be written down. Bunni delivered a beautiful pitch black filly sometime during the night and the filly suffocated. When I arrived early this morning the foal is lying in the stall with the birthing sack wrapped around her mouth and nose then up behind her head. It had a hole around the eyes and face where Bunni must have tried to opened the sack but the opening was not large enough to get her little face out. It was obvious she struggled but no one was there to help. There are many if only-s running around my brain. If only I would have spent the night, and if only I would have tested her. This was a totally unnecessary loss and easily prevented and I blame myself for Bunni's grief. Mike got the Yanmar out to bury the filly and the stalls are now cleaned and prepared for the next birthing.
Samantha was tested this morning and she is progressing, not what we want, we want her to hold off for at least another week.

Karin and the Skid Steer

Yesterday afternoon while doing laundry my phone was left upstairs. Dinner needed to be started a little after 3:00pm as shepherds stew was on the menu so down the stairs without the phone I went. Didn't remember it was up there until 3:45pm and when the phone was picked up there were 2 missed numbers. Karin was called back first, she was desperate, vaulting was to start and there were 7 round bales dropped off in the middle of the arena. The stew was put on low and within 15 minutes reached the farm. The bucket was on the skid steer but thank goodness we have the quick attach feature. Once the 7 bales were moved, Karin got a skid steer driving lesson. She can now move anything in the way. There were 4 fifty pound bags of grain in the back of the car from the earlier trip to TSC, they were moved and dumped into the feed bins, then it was back to Bridlewood by 5:05pm. Amazing what can be done when adrenalin is flowing. The shepherds stew was perfect, dinner was good then it was off to church. We had big storms last night and it is still raining this morning. I hope Mike moved Bunni into a stall just in case. The mares weren't tested last night and it would be bad news for a foal to be born in this deluge.

Gravel

Emma escaped again during the night, came running up the stairs at 5:00am whining to be let out. She is still having diarrhea but not near as bad as yesterday, she HELD it last night, no accidents. The rice must have worked.
All is fine at the farm, no broken fences, no new babies. Went to grain Raven and see that today TSC must be visited for more grain both cans are just about empty. Samantha was given her sulpha, Big Sally & her filly (who may or may not be named Glory) was put into a stall, then it was off to walk. Both dogs came with me this morning, Emma was excited to get out of the car, Darcy was not but got out once asked. After the first loop, Rachel looks in the car and sees Darcy sitting in the back seat looking over the seat hoping it was time to go home. Somehow Darcy climbed up into the far back, over the seat and made herself comfortable. Back to the farm to tease Big Sally, Raven is sure she is in, she may be coming in but still hates him and tries to attack him over the gate. The gravel bill is here, $1713.16 for the three semi loads we needed for both farm driveways.

butter

Mark agreed that if I gave him a hair cut he would help me with the fence so once dinner was finished and the hair cut done we drove to the farm, fixed the 2 boards, put Duke in, tested Samantha and Bunni, teased Big Sally, still no go there, then headed home. Bunni is progressing in her calcium level, hers tested higher than yesterday while Samantha was just the same Thank Goodness. We don't want Samantha to deliver for a couple of weeks.
The cream from the milk Emily gave me needed churning today so out came my old Dazey butter churn. Evie Stoller gave it to me years ago when I was milking our Jersey cows. This was such a useful tool with that rich Jersey cream needing to be churned every day. Butter can also be made in a jar but the butter churn is so much faster and easier and I found the Dazey churn to be the best. I have the buttermilk sitting out to culture and will use that tomorrow to make pancakes and bake bread. The butter will taste delicious on both.
Emily emailed an update on Sophie, some good and some bad. Sophie picked up lunging very quickly, does not know how to cross tie but ties very well otherwise. She has a lot of stamina and Emily said she rode her around the field and found she is very smooth riding. Unfortunately she is still kind of spooky. We would not have thought that of her, she was pretty comfortable here and we didn't see any of that behavior.

Fencing

Anxious to get to the farm this morning to check on Samantha and Bunni but when I arrive all is quiet and no new babies. We had quite a storm last night and that is always a worry when mares are due. Once Raven was grained, it was off to mom's to show her how to get on the Peoria AC website and barely got that job accomplished before time to walk. Dan was out early this morning dropping off a boat he had purchased yesterday. He plans on putting it in the water later today after work. After the walk Samantha was given her sulpha, then it was over to the cabin to help Mike with Evan's training. We must be very diligent with Evan, he does not have Raven's genes and we can definitely tell. Evan was led around, all 4 legs picked up, handled all over then put back into the pasture with Valiant and Aragon. The 3 boys are in that field alone as Wynne was moved over to the herd for bonding purposes. Unfortunately no one told me and when I see an obviously NOT pregnant mare with no foal by her side in the field and for the life of me cannot figure out who she is, I panic. I'm thinking one of the mares delivered but which one and where is the foal. After searching a bit I realize it is Wynne and all is well. Down to the shop a little late (searching for the non existent foal)and the mail is scary. The white mail tub is all the way full. It wasn't as bad as we feared, there were some returned Bibles on the bottom of the tub.
Spark and Phil joined us at Denny's for lunch, then time for grocery shopping, my least favorite job but someone must do it. Hamburger, buns, ketchup, onions, tomatoes, pickles were purchased for dinner. Mark doesn't mind doing the grilling. A 10 pound bag of long grain rice was also purchased and rice is cooking now. Emma is still having diarrhea and Rhoda suggested feeding her rice.
After dinner we will need to work on fencing at the farm. There are 2 main areas of fencing down in the far paddock. Jamie thinks the storm caused some of the damage.

Grace In Foal

The dam of the filly above is Grace, a nice, big Andalusian mare and the sire is of course Raven. Grace was taken by her owners for a sonagram tonight and is in foal! Why we are celebrating this news is when Grace was brought up to us, she was already going out of season, she let Raven cover her as soon as she got to the farm but she wasn't totally happy about the entire process. The next morning she was obviously out so her owners Beth and Brett drove right back to the farm and picked her up. One cover, one day of mare care and the mare is in foal! Is this great timing or what? Let's hope the 2011 foal is just as beautiful as her 2009 filly named Jenis.

Raven's First Blue Roan

Below is the first true blue roan Raven has ever thrown. The dam is Jackie and she is a bay roan mare. This filly is just gorgeous!
She has such a pretty black face. and WOW just look at her feathers at only one year of age this filly will only improve! Her dam Jackie is back for a rebreed, hope she throws another just as beautiful. Thanks Heather for sending the pictures.

Darcy the Hero

Showed up this morning with only enough time to let Lily & Ayanna out and grain Raven. Then it was time for the walk. We were having such a good discussion that mom actually forgot to drop out at the second loop and did them both. She gave me breakfast in exchange for some computer work. A GREAT trade in my opinion. After breakfast it was over to the farm to tease Big Sally. She is still not in her foal heat and the baby is 15 days old today, either that or it was a silent heat and we missed it. Then it was time to check Bunni. She is bagged up and waxing over so back to mom's to get a baggie to take colostrum home for testing. Once that was collected, I started looking at the other mares and see that Samantha is also bagged up and waxing over and she is not due until June 7th and has a caslick. Back over to mom's for another baggie, to the farm to collect, then home to test. Both mares are not testing high both in the 175 range so Dr. Hoerr was called to come open Samantha's caslick. As she is not due for a month he also sonagramed her to check the thickness of the placenta. It was borderline, too thin means she is close to delivery and thick means infection. As we are determined to do everything within our means to insure she has a healthy baby we started Samantha on antibiotics. Dr. Hoerr also gave me a shot for the foal once born. As soon as that foal hits the ground we will give the shot, then start it on sulpha for the next 3 days. Dr. Hoerr also gave me the tetanus shot the foal will need and that shot needs to be refrigerated. While he was there he also gave Big Sally's filly her shot and removed Wynne's wolf teeth so we can start training her. The bill comes to $397.00 but well worth the trip back. Then just as I got home the phone rang, it was Rhoda, her vet clinic needed Darcy for a blood transfusion. Interesting, the picture above was taken 3 years ago and the pictures below were taken last night. Darcy has GROWN! Darcy is always on call if the clinic needs blood. She is so huge, is easy to collect from and loves to go visit Rhoda. So back into the car with Darcy and off to the vet clinic, look down and there is the tetanus shot, not in the fridge. The vet clinic gave me an ice pack to keep it cool until I got home the second time. The dog needing the transfusion got all 80ccs Darcy gave and will need more every day for a while so in that dog's owner's eyes, Darcy is the Hero!