Haven't had internet access all week. Hope all is well with you and yours . . . . The weather here has been unseasonably warm. Remarkably sunny, beautiful days.
We now have a GPS for scouting the countryside and a Skype phone. Our number is: kevinandrenee44
Kevin and I have settled into a nice routine. In the morning, when we rise, we circle the property feeding the animals. Kevin feeds the two dogs, and one cat while I feed the weanling deer. Then we stoke the wood fire for the furnace. We then drive to the pigs, hoping the electric fence will contain the four heifers until we get to them with their food. If not they will break out and come to meet us and then we will have to rangle them back inside their area, which is not always fun. The geese are next, along with the other poultry (chickens, turkey, guinea hens, ducks). And the mother hen and four baby chickees. Then after my rowdy girls, the heifers, the herd of deer is next to be fed. Then we return to the house and feed ourselves. It's a nice way to start our day. What follows is anyone's guess. No two days are ever the same.
Today there were two safari parties, followed by our having to retrieve a runaway pony who escaped through an opened gate, much to our surprise. We were actually safeguarding the emu at the time and not giving the pony a second thought when he bolted. Kevin told me "Finn" was galloping away in delight and never looked back.
Kevin and I were a little apprehensive about finding Finn because three hours had transpired before we even had a chance to go look for him.
We jumped in a farm jeep with a bucket of grain and the only rope I could find, and set off. We searched the farm safari property, then up and down the neighboring roads and farms, to no avail.
Then we went out the gate, turned left onto the main road and then took a quick right to the horse farm, where Greg assured us Finn would be found. Twenty minutes of looking and NOT!
Soooooooo, we drove back to the farm gate and tried to think like a shetland pony stallion. Driving out to the main road, we drove across it and along that road. Sure enough, someone had lured Finn into their fenced paddock and there he was, grazing away. Two horses were with him but one was obviously more of a playmate than the other. When I entered the pasture, Finn and the horse both romped away, kicking up their heels in defiance. As Kevin opened the gate for me, the horse approached, wanting the grain in my bucket. Then little Finn wanted some and I was able to "catch" him.
We jumped in a farm jeep with a bucket of grain and the only rope I could find, and set off. We searched the farm safari property, then up and down the neighboring roads and farms, to no avail.
Then we went out the gate, turned left onto the main road and then took a quick right to the horse farm, where Greg assured us Finn would be found. Twenty minutes of looking and NOT!
Soooooooo, we drove back to the farm gate and tried to think like a shetland pony stallion. Driving out to the main road, we drove across it and along that road. Sure enough, someone had lured Finn into their fenced paddock and there he was, grazing away. Two horses were with him but one was obviously more of a playmate than the other. When I entered the pasture, Finn and the horse both romped away, kicking up their heels in defiance. As Kevin opened the gate for me, the horse approached, wanting the grain in my bucket. Then little Finn wanted some and I was able to "catch" him.
Kevin drove the jeep and I walked Finn back to the pasture, behind the lodge, two or more miles easily. The little stallion whinnied and pranced the entire way, practically dragging me. When he did stop it was only to sip from shallow puddles in the road. It was there that I noticed blood swirling in the water. It was coming from under his chin. He must have been kicked one good one.
When we released him, he was greeted by his friend Commanche and all was right with the world again.
When we released him, he was greeted by his friend Commanche and all was right with the world again.
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