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Well looks like winter is here with a vengeance. After a week of -30C we finally have had a good dump of snow. Almost 60 cms in three days. That brings our winter total to about 90cm’s. Could use some more for spring moisture but not complaining as this is enough to slog though for now. The animals are all doing well but looking forward to the end of the deep freeze that is supposed to happen in a day or two. Hope so as it has been no fun feeding in this weather. pulling the sled with the feed on it through knee deep snow and trying to find the feed tubs has been interesting to say the least. Will be good when it is warm enough to get the tractor going to plow out some paths.
The horses are cranky in the cold and not to interested in attention though we still have a few that like a hug even when the weather is bad. When it warms up to a balmy -10C they will all be no doubt standing around basking in the heat. If we are lucky enough to happen to have sun with the warmer weather then they will be a very happy bunch and more than willing to have any attention that we can give them.
The dogs have weathered the cold by cuddling up at night in their houses packed with straw and coming out for two daily howling sessions, Can almost set your clock by them they are at nine in the morning and four in the afternoon. The howlings are not reserved for cold weather and times will change come spring with more light but I guess they figure they have to welcome the day and say farewell to it at night. They also have to bark at anything unusual that they figure may be a threat to their domain and when the weather is cold and clear there are many spooky sounds out there. However even the bravest barker eventually figures enough is enough and heads back to the warm straw.
The cats have decided that in this weather they no longer really need to make the trek to the house to remind us that it is feeding time and that they will get their food and warm water delivered without setting a paw out in the snow. There are a few that come to the gate to meet me but are more than happy to go back into their little house and enjoy their meal. They have several small straw filled cubicles to cuddle up in with their choice of room mates in what used to be a chicken house. Though the main door is closed in the cold they have two small cat sized doors on on each side of the building so they don’t feel trapped and the new cats that get dropped off quite regularly at our driveway can find their way to the food and comfort inside. When the weather warms up and the paths are clear again I will no doubt have many cats coming up to meet me and following me back the the cat house like they do in the summer.
All in all we are getting through the winter and with only three months to go should be well on our way to getting prepared for the next one soon. This winter has seemed longer than most already because with the drought last year we had to start feeding the horses hay in September. Hopefully the coming summer will give a little more rain to grow the pasture and hay needed and we won’t have to start feeding till well into November. For now we are looking forward to spring and the new Paint foals that will soon be running around with their mothers. Spring time and new foals what more could you ask for?

Gem last winter

                                                                             In April of 2010 we were offered a quarter horse mare said to be ten years old.  Upon seeing her we knew that she was much older than ten more like well into her twenties.  She had been bought before and returned to the seller as her new owner was going through a divorce and no longer had a place to keep her.  She was in need of a forever home so we took her as she was with out disputing her age.  Over the summer she filled out and some of her former beauty showed through.  She provided many a ride for the grandchildren and a few for me as well though feeling sorry for her I did not ride here for long periods of time.  She is a sweet old lady even though at times she is a little cranky in her old age.  As winter creeps upon us she has now been put in a pen with six other horses that need extra feed for the winter and daily enjoys alfalfa cubes, alfalfa pellets, beet pulp pellets and oats soaked in hot water till they swell up.  When the pails are brought in I am warmly, if a little impatiently, welcomed till the warm feed has been divided between the  tubs and then of course I am forgotten about completely as they stand happily munching on their treat of the day.  Gem also has a choice of brome and alfalfa, timothy and oat straw round bales to eat on night and day.  Hopefully she and her pasture mates, Sandy, Don, Dante, Misty, Tiny and Dakota will winter well and be ready to run on the grass again come spring time.  I’m sure the kids will be looking froward to more rides when the weather warms up. 

Enjoying the sunshine

Contemplating the green grass

Sadly we lost one of our well loved babes yesterday.  Starsky our goat died in his sleep.  His age finally caught up to him or maybe it was that like the rest of us another winter did not look appealing.  We have had five days of snow, then rain then snow and rain again and always thick fog.  He had been his old self the night before happily munching a mouthful of  hay while  bleating for more oats or anything  he thought we might have in our pockets.  The next morning he was gone, curled up in the straw in his little house.  He will be missed as he was the first to welcome us to the barnyard and always had the last word as we left.

Did someone say "lets fly"

Lenny the cockatiel came to us about three years ago. She was a very scared bird and blind in one eye. We are not sure how she became blind but don’t imagine that she made many friends with her shrilling call that can make your eyes cross. However she has times when she just sits and quietly chirps to herself or repeats ‘hey pretty girl’ over and over to herself. This was taught to her by our other cockatiel Fergie who is now her cage mate. She also likes to imitate the budgies and doves from time to time and apparently confuses them with her pronunciation as they stop what they are doing and tip their heads to listen to her. She would love to get out and fly more often but it is dangerous for her. Being blind in one eye she has a problem with depth perception and usually ends up behind a piece of furniture or hitting a window. However she does get supervised test flights from time to time and she is getting a bit better at it. She is not finger or shoulder trained like Fergie or she could be out much more often. Being in the cage does not bother her as she has good company, and a lot to say to the neighbours.

Flicka with her winter coat

In mid May of 2010 we made  the two hour  drive to Grande Cache to pick up a little palomino, part Arab, yearling filly. She had been offered free, for some time, but no one wanted her. As a last resort we agreed to take her.

They wanted to get a couple more rideable horses so that the family could all ride together and this one was taking up space. They were only allowed a certain number of horses in their barn yard area.

When we arrived to pick her up we could see that she was mildly foundered.  That meant that her hooves would need a lot of attention. She had also been spoiled a bit. After a little trouble getting her loaded, as she definitely has an attitude and a mind of her own, we were on our way home.

Over time Flicka has finally fit in with our group of young horses and they don’t take any of her attitude, so she is mellowing out. She still has a mind of her own but is showing she also has a sweet side.

Our grand daughter Vijay has taken a great liking to her and though I am not sure that they will make a great team yet, (Vijay being very strong willed as well) we will give it a try. With her foot problems and the constant care that she will need for them, she will be a permanent fixture here, so they will have time to get to know each other over the years.

I’m sure Flicka will be a beautiful little mare in a few years, and with time a good kids horse for grand kids and maybe even their kids.

Wearing her summer coat and looking good