Thursday, December 15, 2005

Stallion Reports

There all done!

At least the AMHA portion of the stallion reports that is! I still have the AMHR to finish, but as they don't have fillable forms yet for their PDF files, I'll have to hand write them.

Not awful, just a pain.

Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Colic again!

Jack was colicy this a.m. He's had these re-occuring bouts of colic since he was born, even after his week in ICU at Loomis back in May.

He was a bit bloated, his gums were a good color, eyes were bright, but he was boviously in distress. His temp was 98 degrees, and he had obviously been rolling, so we double blanketed him, then gave him the treatment! First 1/2 cc of Banamine, then 50 cc of mineral oil, 10 cc of pepto, followed by 100 cc of warm water. He started acting better once he passed some gas and had a bit of diarrhea. Once he felt better he went to sleep - poor baby. Anna sat with him while he took his nap. When he woke up, we put him in a pen with Jazz for company. His appetite came back, so we put him on grass and he had a nice meal.

We did give him a second cocktail around 4, and turned him out with Jazz. Jack raced around screaming for his mom, so we put Celena in and he had a long drink. He's over 5 months, so definitely could be weaned, but I think she's more comfort to him than anything else.

Monday, December 05, 2005

Boys will be boys

We turned Little and Roger out with the rest of the bachelor herd. For those that haven't been here - the boys have a 20 acre section of hills, valleys and flat treed section of our property. There is a 1/4 mile common fence with the mares and the hills overlook the valleys were the mares hang out. It was the first time Roger's been back with the boys in over year, and Little has never lived in a bachelor herd to my knowledge, so we were prepared for any fighting.




Ray, Little Primo, Homee, Ringo and Rohans head

We put Little in first, and he immediately took off up the hill, ignoring Ray and Demon (they've made a pact to co-rule the stallion pasture!). I was surprised as they took off after him, but then realized Little had never been in a pasture larger than about 2 acres in many years, so he was out to explore the new territory! He disappeared for about 20 minutes, and returned with all the boys in tow. During his travels, we put Roger in, and he was thrilled - took off in another direction.



The boys came back sweaty, squealing and having a good time. No fighting fortunately! The younger boys were hanging out for scratches and just observing the older guys strutting and galloping around the hills.

Sunday, October 16, 2005

Trip down south

We took Gala to her new earlier today, and then continued on to Oceanside for a mini trip - we're spending some time with friends and doing some LA educational stuff.

Gala was a bit of a pain loading, she lay down on the trailer ramp and refused to go in the scary trailer. 45 minutes and three of us forceably lifted her in - against her will too.

She did well on the trip down south, but was obviously tired by the time she got off the trailer. It is a long ride, especially for a horse un-use to travel. Considering this was the first trip off our property and her first in a trailer she did amazingly well.

She settled in to her new digs quite quickly and seemed very interested in her new boyfriend - a pretty pinto stallion. The rest of the horses were obviously well cared for, so I'm sure she'll love all the attention from Donna and Bob. It was sad to leave her there, as she'll be missed, but I know she'll enjoy herself.

Monday, September 05, 2005

Honey and her girls are back

Honey came home today with her daughters Dolly and Charm. Honey's probably going to be a permanent resident now. She's such a sweet mare, but I hate to keep sending her to a new home and then she gets bounced back. Shes been placed to many times in her 14 years for my comfort.

This situation was just sad for her new family too. Hard when you have nasty neighbors, like they have to contend with on a daily basis, but so hard on the children as they get so attached to pets.

Along with the girls, we adopted a new member to the family, Gunner, a Miniature Australian Sheperd. He's quite sweet and bonded to Maxim immediately. Sabrina is also happy to have a playmate again.

Saturday, September 03, 2005

Ben's off!

Sunnyside Iben Spotted, 1999 photo provided by John Vallejo, Vallejo Miniature Horses.

Ben left to go back home with John today.

John's whole family drove up to pick Ben up. It was so lovely to see how much they all care for him, and I'm so glad to see him go where he's truly loved and wanted. I'm sure John will produce wonderful foals out of Ben. I know I love the three we had this year and we're looking forward to next year's foals too. We bred Ben to eight mares, so we should get a good selection of Ben babies in 2006!

Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Trip to Oregon

Had a fabulous time in Southern Oregon with the ladies. It was nice to go to a show and just be support - I do wish it hadn't been so hot! I'm not use to Oregon being so warm!

The mini auction was interesting - I'm glad I pulled our horses out. It wasn't the type of event I want to be involved with for many reasons! The show though, was really nice. Everyone seems to enjoy themselves and are very supportive. It was great to catch up with a few people from NWMHC that I haven't seen in awhile too.

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

Roger's okay!

Roger's doing fabulously! He's running around like his old self, although he never was very sick, it's wonderful to know he's out of the woods. Dr. Brooks thinks the Equimune helped keep Roger from getting so sick. We've had calls from the different WNV monitoring groups, they still aren't sure were Roger got WNV, most likely at home, but he was travelling to and from Reno and at the AMHA Western Championship Show during the time he was infected.

I'll feel good about being gone this weekend, as he's off his meds too. We're going to put him on Equine Essentials - it really seems to do a great job with Nicolette's stallion.

Sunday, August 07, 2005

A big Yeah!

We took Roger up to Cache Creek Vets - an alternative vet - were Melissa and her husband, Burt Brooks, DMV., performed their magic. Dr. Brooks confirmed Rogers, WNV diagnosis, and put him on his program. For more information about the wonderful service available at Cache Creek - visit their site!

Wednesday, August 03, 2005

Good news of sort

Heard from the vet, Roger's spinal tap didn't have any cancer cells and appears normal, so hopefully not EPM or WNV. We'll find out tomorrow more.

That is good news, unfortunately this is ruining his going to AMHR Nationals in September. I can't image he'll be recovered by then, plus he needed to go to one more show before then. Oh well, home and healthy is the best.

We did start weaning today - Annie, Jazz, Penny and Dazzle are getting weaned. We left Lady and Starry Night in with them and their babies as monitors! Bonnie could be weaned too, but Starry Night does need a bit more weight on her, so we'll do this after she's had a month of Equine Junior supplements.

As Ben will be leaving soon, we put Celena and Lalique in with him. Celena was very thrilled, but little Jack wasn't to certain about his two new buddies - Monsoon & Topaz - Ben's babies from this year. They were fascinated by him though!

We'll wean the next group in September.

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Back to the Vets

We took Roger and Maria up to Loomis Basin - we're becoming regulars there this year. Maria will need her eye removed as she had rubbed it and it's ruined. Two minis in one year - I hope it won't come in three's this year!

Roger has deteriorated in the past two days, and barely can control his hind legs. From the hips forward he acts as if nothing has happened, energetic, almost trotting, eating, normal peeing/pooping, screaming at the mares, dropping his equipment, etc. His tail he only lifts to pass manure, otherwise it's completely flaccid. The vets aren't sure possibly EPM, WNV, Herpes, Rabies, Lymphoma or a back injury or ? He's being stared on the meds for EPM just in case and will have a spinal tap tomorrow.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Reunited!

Ben has been found by his former owner! John Vallejo use to own Ben, and he called and asked to come see him with the intention of buying him. I had just taken Ben off the sales list, but as they're was an established bond there agreed.

So, John came up and met his former stallion, looked at the three foals we've had this year and said he wanted to take him! Ben will be headed back to Riverside later this month and although we'll miss him, I couldn't be happier about were he's going.

Saturday, July 30, 2005

Another Injury!!!

It looks like Roger has done something to his left hind leg, we can't figure out what as he's dragging it randomly, but it doesn't seem to be a stifle problem. Maria has also injured her eye - it looks bad, but we'll see if it can be salvaged.

I wish they'd stay healthy for the rest of the year!

Sunday, July 24, 2005

We'll be going home tomorrow and I'm ready as are the horses. Lots of wonderful horses here at the Show, but boy the lack of courtesy, kindness and just plain being a good sport isn't always evident!

We had the chance to watch a few of the trainers, and the list is getting slimmer on which I would use. Rudeness out of the ring, or borderline horse abuse - not acceptable here!

Roger placed 3rd in his class, we were hoping for Top Five, so can't complain. I do think he was better than the 2nd place horse, but two of the three judges didn't! It would have been nice to have had a Reserve in his height class. I guess we should have worked out a plan for his showing this year, instead of this being only the second show and the second time he's left our property!

Everyone seems relieved the show is over - it's been a long few days - but we're having a good dinner together.

Thursday, July 21, 2005

We're in Reno. It's hot, still over 100, but doesn't seem as hot as at home. The horses seem to be okay in their stalls, considering how often they're stalled at home!

Anna had her first classes with Holly and Twila - both are overweight and definitely could be in better condition, but she's been working to get them in shape and trained a bit better. Twila came in 11th in her class, so no Top Ten for her, but she wasn't dead last either! Holly was 7th, so she has her Western Championship Top Ten. Hopefully Roger will get his on Sunday.

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

Ready for Reno

We have the horses as ready as they can be - washed, clipped, heads done, all their gear packed and the trailer ready. It's still over 100 here, so we're taking them unblanketed - and probably dirty to Reno. We'll rewash the girls when we get there so they'll be ready for Thursday's classes.

We came home in the afternoon to find Sonnet and Starry Night decided that Roger needed to be in with him, so pushed the gate open enough for him to squeeze through. He of course spent the hot afternoon racing around arguing with Ben through the fence (getting a banged up nose for his efforts) and some how managed to cut his back open. So, another addition to the stallion report! Our lovely show horse - hopefully we'll be able to cover his new cut up before Sunday!

The rest of the horses had a wonderful time getting squirted. It's amazing how many of them really enjoy water! It's funny watching the new babies - they don't get it while their mom's are getting soaked!

Sunday, July 17, 2005

Hot Summer Dayz

Hot, Hot and Hot! 105-106 today - I wish this heatwave would break. We did everything early to stay out of the heat as much as possible.

Twila and Holly are bathed and clipped, tomorrow we'll get Roger done, fine tune heads, and pack! I still need to try halters on them - hopefully the new one will work on Holly. Roger's hasn't arrived yet, so I guess he'll be wearing black again!

Updated our site today too.