Catching up

Still soggy.  I think we had about 15 minutes of sunshine over the weekend. Not really but it felt damp all weekend.  It's not been very cold, but then this is Northern California and we only get so cold in the valley.  Heck my grass, roses and weeds are still growing - and THE FLIES HAVE NOT ALL DIED!!!  Had to get that out, but a break from flying bugs would be a treat about now.


I was going to take some photos of how much grass we have, it's well past ankle deep (as can be seen when I come in from feeding soaked to the knees).  I'm glad for the grass, it keeps the horses busy in this blucky weather.  All of them seem to be doing fine.  I keep looking at the potential pregnant ones, and either they're all carrying tiny foals, hiding it well or aren't pregnant.  You know what, I'm fine with any three of those options!

Another Soggy Monday

I keep saying I know we need the rain, but we're so soggy.  Everywhere. The horses don't seem to mind, although I'm sure they'd love a break in all this wet too.

I can't keep the dogs dry or all their bedding. Get it washed/dried and it's wet/dirty again.  But, enough of my whining!

I've been busy yesterday and today cleaning up all the files on two PC's that I have for the horses. I think (crossing fingers) that when it's all said and done I don't delete anything I was wanting to keep!  Manually going through each document and saving or deleting - amazing how much I can accumulate, but then I always think I just may need it one day!  Plus the endless photos.  Digital is great, but then it's actually making the decision to hit delete on alot of them!  But one PC is cleaned up, now to go through all the camera disks and sort/delete/file those.  I'm not going to tackle all the CD's, but still have two backup external HD's to cleanup too.

A bit of a dreary Monday in December.  Overcast, damp and well typical Winter in Northern California.

My big question of the day... WHY DO WE STILL HAVE FLIES?  I'm convinced nuclear holicaust, alien invasion, another ice age - flies and cockroaches will never die. I've killed more flies today than I did all summer. ARGH!

The horses are all doing well.  It's winter they eat and wander around basically. Half the day it looks like we don't have the big herd we have, as they disappear into one of the valley on the hills.

The rescue group is coming along nicely, no illness, eating well, bright eyed, so today we blended them in with the mares/foals.  They're all on a larger pasture (two adjoining pastures opened together) with free choice grass hay and a fairly heavy alfalfa feeding.  I took a few (bad as usual) photos of them about an hour ago.

Celena out on pasture. She spends most of her time grazing on the hill, she actually ran a few steps today, the first time I've seen her do that.  She's slowly filling out, but it's likely to take through Spring to get back to not looking like a bone.  The rest are doing well too, grazing and moving around.  The healthier ones went for a lovely gallop earlier (of course no camera handy), and really seem to be enjoying themselves.  It's probably very nice for them after being locked up in pens for a few years.

It's December which in Northern California can mean - warm in the 80's or wet and gray. We have the wet and gray right now.

We need the rain, so I can't really complain but my mood tends to go into the gray bleah too, when it's like this. I want a roaring fire, hot chocolate and a good book. My guilty side says how many things I need to do, so I'm sitting at my PC going through more horse related stuff.

I did get stallion reports done and dove into the AMHR paperwork yesterday. It's not quite as bad as I thought - yeah! Other than photos and filling out a registration for Remy (so Binks will be double registered too), it's coming together.  I think I've been building up my ant hill into Mt. Everest for no reason at all!

Paperwork

As per my lovely iPhone reminder I started sorting paperwork early this a.m.

DNA/PQ tests were first up. Pull those out and still missing hair for two... /sigh. Add to the 'to do' list to pull Remy and Surprise's hair.

Stallion reports. All done for 2010 - w00t! I thought I still needed to do Frenchie's 2009, so did that too, and then found the receipt in the Stallion Report file. Hmmm. Call AMHA and yes I did that two months ago and with the correct mares tha

t have since blessed us (Cookie and Remy). Cool.

Set up all the files for the rescue mares and 2010 foals. Now to print file toppers and labels. I threw out some more old papers and filed all the recent paperwork back from AMHA. I'm down to 2009/2010 foals - which is huge considering how far behind I was in June.

Soggy Sunday

It;s a wet and gray Sunday, catching up on the endless paperwork that life seems to provide. Since it's December that means one thing to me with the Minis - deadlines!  Therefore, tomorrow is going to be joyously paper-filled, as I'm doing Stallion Reports, hopefully (please God let me done!) registration catch up, sending DNA/PQ tests out and membership renewals. The digital age apparently hasn't reduced the amount of dead trees I deal only a daily basis! Therefore today is prep and get my plan for all the stuff I need to do tomorrow!

I'm actually, (in my never-ending attempts to achieve organized) going to set up and USE this time, a remind on my Google Calendar for due dates on Memberships, foaling, permanent paperwork due dates, etc.  I love Google as it sync's with my iPhone and really need the reminders to keep me on track.  So, adding all the horse stuff makes sense. That and I've started to keep my main paperwork on the cloud (backup on the PC), but I can now access it from any PC which can be handy.

Rescues continued

The Minis we rescued November 16th, are doing well.  Slowly putting on weight and acting more like Minis and less like walking death.  The person that had them pulled some more stuff, and has basically 'hidden' the other eight Minis. (If you live in or near the Exeter/Freso area and have any word on "free to good home" Minis in the past week or so, please contact me.  Hopefully they're receiving care and out of her hands.

I will give her credit, at least the three we received yesterday had been brushed, obviously fed and some attempt at trimming them.  It's just unfortunate she chose to not care for the others the past year. We all have financial constraints in life, but I'll be damned if I'd be getting a manicure (she did) while I had a horse walking on these hooves:

That to me is reprehensible.  I can't imagine, putting a cosmetic need of my own over this.  We all have to make choices at times when it comes to care and some aren't easy ones, but this?  There is no reason what-so-ever to have a horse suffering in this condition.

Christmas Presents Mini Books

 Pat Elder at Rosa Roca Training Stable has written a new book for us Miniature Horse lovers, making a perfect gift for Christmas!  Pat has put out some excellent books over the years and this should be no exception.  It's definitely going on my Christmas list!


Product Description
Pat Elder brings her unique teaching methods to the subject of training a halter horse in this excellent how-to book for Miniature Horse owners. Using her well-known natural and humane methods, Pat walks the reader through every step of the process. Over 90 photographs and illustration emphasize every point the author makes.

The table of contents provides a peek at what's included:
Selecting the halter horse: conformation, movement, foals as prospects, bloodlines
Basic training: dealing with disrespectful, pushy, frightened, or head-shy horses; catching the horse, leading the horse; kicking and biting, crowding
Condition: round pen work, jumping, backing, movement enhancers, neck sweats
Halter horse care: nutrition, water, housing, blanketing
Special training: setting the feet, using the neck, pricking the ears, learning patience, a flat toppling, the quick release knot; showing stallions, loading onto a trailer
Body Clipping: the head, razoring, the mane and tail, the ears
First show: show clothes, horse attire, entering the show, show supplies
Show time: preparing the stalls, measuring the horse, final preparations
The halter class: visualization, class procedures, setting up the horse, show ring etiquette

Check out Pat's other books and DvDs available at Amazon.com:

Viva Las Vegas Horse Show April 2011

Received this via email, and helping pass this along. Check out the Sponsorship Opportunities too!

Talk about an exciting new show coming up next year. Be prepared!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I belong to and support several local horse clubs around the USA; the Southern California Miniature Horse Club is one of those. They have an exciting new show to unveil this next year.

This is got to be the most fun show I have had the privilege to promote in many years. And yes, as you probably guessed by the title it is in Las Vegas and being sponsored by the Southern California Miniature Horse Club.

Imagine being at a miniature horse show that has a climate controlled arena and stalls under a major hotel. You get done with some of your grooming and/or showing and you need to "freshen up"; what could be easier than to walk over to an elevator, push the button, and arrive at your own room for a shower, lie down for a while, or……get prepared to go see some exciting sights around town or more mini-showtime.

This show is to be scheduled April 22-24th in 2011 and will be held at the South Point Hotel/Casino/Spa. Some of you that are involved with Arabians are well aware of the annual event held by that association. This year, AMHA miniature horses will be shown under the same spot lights.

The last time I looked, I believe there are no less than 6 restaurants within this hotel property, hence you have an immense opportunity for a special dining experience before/during/ after you class times.

For those that want to be adventuresome, there is a shuttle service to get you down town to all the special events that you may want to intertwine with your Miniature Horse showing experience.

Got to http://www.lostspokeranch.com/vegas.html for viewing the brochure and for form downloads. Once the directors meeting is over (Dec. 3-4), we will know if other proposed classes will be added. At that time we will put the class list and entry forms.

If you wish further information, please do not hesitate to write me (Tommy) at ttthompson@theriver.com.

Again, be sure to MARK YOUR CALENDARS for April 22-24th next year.

Out with the old...

Today for some odd reason I decided it was a good day to clean out some of my horse paraphernalia. You know all the stuff that keeping horses requires. Well over eleven years I've accumulated quite a collection!

So, I began with the extra halters/leads box. Found a few missing weanling halters and leads, the pretty decorated halter lead someone sent me for Christmas, a bunch of leads that I can't stand, a bit for a harness I don't own anymore and the missing blanket clips. Why were they there? Who knows.

I then opened the box of brand new lead ropes I'd ordered last month and stored them in the big Tupperware container for easy access. I am making a box for all the usable but I won't use stuff, as I have way to much.

Next box - oh the leather halters I bought and have never used, treat bags, a couple of Mini fly masks - nothing needs to be in here together, so sort sort.

Onward we go to the medicine cabinet. This is one of those places I've avoided cleaning out as it's overflowing with creams, ointments, syringes and meds that all need to be sorted. I start pulling things out and realize I need a better plan, so pull out the gallon ziplock bags and start bagging like with like.

I discovered I have well over 300 3cc syringes, a few hundred extra needles, plus a gallon bag full of 6, 12, 20 and 60 cc syringes. They're all sorted now!

Pull out the bandage box - I have enough to start a triage unit.

Two dozen rolls of vet wrap, assorted tapes, bandages, pads, wraps and sterile dressing, three pair of scissors, seven thermometers and wound wrap to keep me for awhile. Not wanting bad karma I'd like all of that to remain unused - so neatly bagged and re-shelved it's ready. Mind you this is the extra stuff - I have a wound box, that is already packed and ready for use. Someone has been a bit overbuying or not checking what they have...

Also in this jumble I found a few in their package clipper blades, one of the missing clippers, a staple (wound staple) remover, a key to ?, a few unused containers of vaseline, pepto, and baby enemas, two pair of unused leather work gloves, a bag of rubber brands for braiding hair, the bag of kitten nursing equipment (my cats are now 8, so why do I still have this?) and an actual First Aid kit! I know I use to be organized, ugh.

Did I mention I found a bag of gloves the kind that go up to your shoulder as well as a box of surgical gloves? Why I have the shoulder length ones is beyond me as I've never used them. All of this is neatly sorted and put away.

The meds unfortunately are still waiting for me to go through and dispose of properly and I still need to check the fridge to see what meds are in there that are likely expired.

That leaves the 7-10 boxes of blankets, feed buckets to sort, all the halters that need to be washed (I wash them annually), the shelving unit full of grooming stuff, feed supplements, and all the clipper accessories still to go through.

But I'm happy, it's a beginning and will hopefully motivate me to continue as the worst is done. At least I know now I don't need to order syringes again this year, heck I may not need to until 2014 or so!

Thanksgiving and Rescues

I've been waiting to write about this until:

a) I wasn't ready to kill the person responsible,
b) wasn't hating humanity in general and
c) hoping I'd have the remaining Minis here by now.

But today seems like a good day.  It's a long story and I'm not going to go into it to much until after the rest of the horses are safely away from their situation.

I've sold a number of Minis over the years, and like to think I've been pretty picky about where they go and how they're cared for.  But every now and then we get one back that is in need of care of some sort or another.  It goes with the territory and I'd rather be responsible for what I put out there and have people ask for help or return them to me so they can be cared for.

As many of you know, I've been slowly reducing my herd this past year, as I'm in the midst of a divorce (amicable but still stressful), and I'll likely be moving in a few years, so figured I'd start downsizing now, instead of a mad rush later.  I have a friend or someone I thought was a friend, we'll call her "This Person", that has bought a number of Minis from me over the years.

This Person is going through some financial/personal difficulties, and was moving her horses here (long story that I won't get into), but before I met her to get the first four, she told me the horses were 'thin' and in need of a trim.  So, I assumed I'd get some thin horses with long toes.  I've dealt with that.  Heck Tomas (bless my farrier's heart for the wonderful work he does), has had to deal with two foundered mares we took back in May and some of my Minis that view the farrier as an evil being.  When I went to meet This Person, and she opened her trailer, I about died.  The smell was overwhelming (four Minis with thrush), along with seeing dull eyed, skinny horses on a body scale of 1-10, they were in the 1-3 range.

Fortunately my friend and fellow Mini breeder/lover, Holly Bradshaw, was with me, so we quickly loaded the four into my trailer and then had a bitch-session on the ride home about the many levels of hell This Person should descend to.  Believe me we were quite creative!

We took photos of the horses when we got home and two days later when they had there first trim. 

The one that shocked me the most was Celena. People that have been out to the ranch over the years, likely remember Celena (Las Doradas Celena) she is a 30.5" Mini that always tipped the scale at 350 lbs - yes a chunk - with a 4" layer of fat on her belly.  We've had wonderful foals from her over the years, and I still have one daughter (Val) here.  She's always been one of my special mares as she's a half sibling to ET (my original Mini) as well as being related to so many of our herd.

When she went to live with This Person, I assumed it was to a good home.  Someone that has 30+ years of experience with horses and other Minis.  An animal lover (I'm thinking horder at this point), but seemed to genuinely care for her horses. Little did I know this person, either doesn't or can't take care of a Mini or even provide the most basic care as feeding and hoof trimming.

This is Celena in 2004 (I mistakenly tagged it as 2007 that was her weight date sorry) and the photo below it is from Thursday, November 18, 2010.  She was literally unrecognizable to me and my daughter.  She weighed 350 lbs +/- in 2007 at UC Davis.

This is Lily from This Person. Leggs her half sibling is in the same condition and they're almost twins in color.

Lily a yearling that was supposedly trimmed in June 2010, so six months of growth?  I think not.  She was trimmed two days later, but is on a few months recovery as she has no frog in her hooves and is learning to walk again. I'm surprised the poor things have survived.  They're as thin as Celena above, but have a thicker winter coat so the bones are not as evident.

Lily post trimming.

. Bre the last one of this group.  She has some nasty wounds on her hips, is very overgrown hoof but is in better condition, if you can say that then the other three.  She's thin to skinny, not a bag of bones.  Holly was good enough to remove the matted manure from her mane and gave all the horses a thorough check.  We're glad they didn't have lice.

I've taken horses in over the years and have dealt with neglect, but generally it's over-indulgence and founder from over-feeding.  I've had a few thin to skinny horses before, but never in 11 years have I had any in this deplorable of condition.  And we have eleven more coming.  To say it frightens me is to put it mildly.  I can't envision a time I'd ever let my horses get to this point and told This Person that.

Why she didn't call or ask for help, I will never understand. Especially when I see her and she's not missing meals and has regular manicures. I guess you sometimes never really know what is going on with some people.

So, I've been hating humanity that can do this to these Minis, but today is Thanksgiving, and I have to be thankful these four are getting care.  I have to be thankful that my Minis that I stress over not getting every perfect bit of care I want to give them are at least fat, shiny, trimmed and healthy.  Yes I have some rasta-manes, but they're shiny-eyed, shiny coated and happy. I'm Thankful that these four - Celena, Bre and the two yearlings at least are getting proper care after continued neglect for at least the past year. I'm also thankful for the offers of help we've received already.

The care will happen regardless. I have corners I can cut in my own life (always leave some bump room - lol), but what I'd really love is any help with pet homes.  It won't be for 2-3 months, but the yearlings are pet quality, as there legs will never be 100% straight, and they both have mild underbites (gelding their dad when he gets here!). They're both very sweet, docile and I think will shed out to be pretty buckskins. But, I won't waste the money to register them - as I really want PET homes with no breeding going on.

The horses This Person bought from me are still in my name with the registry, and the remaining horses will have to be evaluated.  I will be contacting the breeders she purchased them from if I can get that information too.I'm not going to share details on the person responsible, as my goal is to get the Minis (11 more) out of her care. I've basically given her a deadline and if she doesn't comply, then the authorities will be called.

Anyway, I'll post photos as they improve and look forward to getting the rest some proper care in the coming weeks.

Wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving and please count your blessings and be thankful.

Confessions of a Miniature Horse breeder

As I've written about over this last year, 2009 was my 'non-breeding' year.

I didn't breed ANY horses. Not one. Zero, nada, zip!

Apparently that didn't sit well with my herd, so taking on the responsibility themselves, I've had quite the foaling year in 2010, six foals - five colts, one filly.  Pretty good in a very embarrassing fashion.

I have this illusion, that I maintain and hold to dearly, of being a responsible breeder. I'm selective on which mares and stallions I do cross.  I only breed a few every year (4-10 out of the 40+ we have here).

I do what I assume all of us do, and put thought into my breeding program and plan crosses and future crosses!

• I look at pedigrees the parents, grandparents, siblings. Who's produced what in which cross and how did it turn out? 
• Conformation is judged - he needs a better x and she has a better y.
• Movement - good, lazy, moves out, trot's in preference...  
• Personalities - she's a bit of a biotch, he's a pocket pet, etc.  
• How have any other foals matured?  Do I like it, if not why not? If I do what do I like and why?
• Color usually falls last in my equation as I don't breed appys/pinto's intentionally - healthy is my color of choice! 

Well sadly I must admit the stallions and mares have done quite a good job deciding this on their own without my laughable expertise. I'd like to think it's the overall quality of the horses that has helped (hey I want some credit!!!), so that any of them can be crossed and produce a pleasing Mini.  But I'd like a say in who, what, when!!!

I especially do not like the surprise, no one knew you were pregnant mares, which seems to be ET's long lasting legacy to me. Her and two out of three daughters have done this so far.  Hiding their pregnancy and then smugly coming down off the hill with a very healthy foal!

2009 admittedly was not my best year (personally speaking) and was why I didn't breed.  But our boys and the creative use of fencing mishaps and opportunities resulted in this extended foaling season and to my embarrassment a LOOOONNNGGG 'Who's Your Daddy?' year!

To recap:

• February's opening surprise #1 Etoile blessing us with Kiega.  Sired by Ringo in a creative use of the round pen.
• March LeeLee had Bruiser, Ringo fence jump
• May, Chiclet blessed us with Rose, Rohan's contribution.  You ever see a stallion jump a fence and beeline for a mare?  That was Rohan.  He knew which one to get to and he's faster than we are!
• June, Baybee had Chaos.  Suspected sire Frenchie, second only to Ringo in creative fence breeding and escape tactics
• Then all summer we've watched Libbe, Remy and Maria.  Libbe has had a bag since May, the cheater and still no foal.
• September, Cookie following in her dam, ET's, hoof steps surprised us with Bambam.  Suspect Frenchie.  DNA/PQ pending.
• November 8th, Remy finally exploded and brought forth her adorable, yet to be named son, a pretty bay. A solid bay foal out of a solid bay mare.  Suspected sire?  We had thought Frenchie, but highly improbably with his dilute color to sire a bay.  Ringo? possible but unlikely. So this one will be parent qualified by elimination.

So for not 'breeding' I'm pleased with all the foals. Only one filly, but they're all healthy and really nice!   Maria still looks round, but no bag to speak of, so we go she is/she isn't/she is/she isn't and keep watching her.  I've never had foals this late in the year on purpose!

2010 we had ZERO fence jumps, so unless Ringo had some midnight love through a fence.  All foals should be sired exactly by whom the mares were bred to and born in a 3-4 week period - like I like it!  Short, sweet, sleepless month.

I just hope foaling season is over.

Rainy November morning

So we fell back today - I woke up earlier than usual add to that Daylight Savings time and I was up at o'dark-thirty, not a time I like to acknowledge ever.

The skies were clear at eleven last night and apparently became a mass of rain filled clouds that let loose. Everything had a nice soaking.  Add to that it's a tad cold, not windy at least.

I do love rain, it's good for the pastures and I love watching it and listenting to it.  But not working in it! Wet hay, wet me, wet dogs.  So the horses are all fed, I'm dry enjoying a cup of coffee with a splash of Frangelico (love that stuff at this time of year) and the dogs are drying in the laundry room.  It's amazing how many of our towels and blankets have been converted to dog 'stuff'.  I think I do more 'dog' laundry than I do for me!


Finally caught Leelee and Bruiser and have them back up front.  When that boy will accept weaning ... he's going to get weaned one day I swear it!  Likely with Bambam in a few months.  He's definitely the worst foal I've had in coming up twelve years with Minis.  He does not like to leave his mom.   Definitely the opposite of independent.

I was watching Bambam while feeding and he looks so much like a big horse in proportion - the legginess and short back, long neck.  I did notice he had a faint whitish strip (probably a few hairs wide) on the inside of his left nostril.  This should make his DNA/PQ more interesting.  I'm sure he'll be a B size.  Healthy and nice I can live with the height.  Not to complain about the B's but I want THAT look on a 30" Mini consistently!


I caught Comet too.  I'm not sure anything's wrong, but she seemed to be favoring her front leg a bit, I couldn't see anything wrong, not exceptionally warm, but with all the new grass growing from the rain, I do worry about founder.  So, she's up with Charm and Woody on a grass diet.  Not happy in the least, but she's there.

All my horses view anything but being out on the hill as torture.  Half acre paddocks are squeeze shoots in their opinions.  Silhouette is the only horse I have that doesn't mind being confined, well her and Little.  They both could live quite happily with very little other horse contact.  So yes, the princess is back up front too.


Noomi had a fun experience today, she found out when you're head is as big as the dog that just fit through a hole in the fence, you get stuck.  When Fence's Attack!  She was having a fit, and of course I'm two pastures away trying to get to her.  She finally unstuck herself and ran for the deck.  Poor baby, she really doesn't know how big she is, as she sees the Mini Aussies slip through holes she can't fit in and stands there with a puzzled expression.  Today she gave it a shot and found out it was NOT a good idea.


Now if it would get cold enough to kill the flies.  They've been horrid this past month, worse than all summer.  I know there is a reason for their existence, but it escapes me now.

Farrier vist

Tomas was out bright and early, fortunately I'd had coffee!

He gave me good news on Woody and Charm, both are progressing along well.  Charm's still growing alot of toe, but her hooves are finally starting to look normal.  Woody is progressing too.  Still has signs of founder, but standing in a more comfortable position and his hoof looks much improved.  Tomas suggested more exercise so we're turning them out into one of the larger paddocks - uphill. Hopefully this will help with keeping their blood circulating.

He also trimmed the foals (Bruiser and Rose), what a PiA Bruiser was today.  This weaning is making him excessively unhappy.  I've never had a foal react so badly.  He was sweaty, and pissy and just angry.  I finally relented.  He may be over six months, but he's not ready to be away from mom yet.  I guess he'll get weaned with Bambam.

We did separate Chiclet too, much to Rose's displeasure, she's in an adjacent pen, but Chiclet is getting to thin.  I really hate weaning a variety of aged foals. It's so much easier when they go as a group!  Chiclet doesn't seem to mind, she usually looks forward to her babies going 'bye-bye'.  She's now on free choice hay to get her weight back up.

Other than that the trimming was a breeze.  The rest of the gang it's so old hat they just cooperate.

Noomi was out loose with the Minis for the first time.  She was great and was tasted by Rose and April.  Apparently white dogs have a different flavor!  She took it all in stride and is doing wonderfully here, well except when she's in the house.  Apparently our chairs taste much better than her toys, so we're losing the front of one if we don't watch her carefully.

Work continues on re-arranging the front paddocks.  What seems so easy on paper is alot of work!  Hopefully once it's done it will be more user-friendly for feeding/water and storing boys and any sick horses.

My dream to wipe out all our fencing and start over.  Where is that lotto money?

The Noominator

Noomi, our Great Pyrenees puppy,  is settling in well.

Yesterday was her first day off the leash, she's still viewing coming as optional, but we're getting her use to the routine.  She of course found her way into the boy's pasture and the lovely mud hole.  She came out looking like she was wearing go-go boots.  White dog and mud black legs.  It was funny and she thoroughly enjoyed it.

She's interacting with the dogs with no problems, and has met a number of the Minis and isn't aggressive at all.  She could care less about the cats, too.

Now the chicken, well Peep and her are working that out - supervised visits of course!

Our last chicken, Peep, survived the fox decimation of our flock last year, is naturally leery of canines.  She lost her tail to the fox, but survived otherwise and spends a good deal of time on the deck with the dogs in safety.  So, she naturally views, Noomi as a potential threat.

Noomi having never met a chicken before see her as a great toy or ?  Therefore we're working with them so Noomi will 'know' Peep is part of the family and Peep won't constantly be in a state of OMG!!!

The llamas are still keeping a careful eye on her, but have stopped their eerie vocalizing they did the first two days.

As far as puppies go though, she's great.  Very smart and picks up the routine easily here.

Saw this video on YouTube and thought it was cute -




Other news, we weaned Bruiser today, to his trauma.  Chaos left yesterday to his new home, were he's settling in beautifully.  Rose is left, but I've yet to figure out where to lodge Chiclet, as she's dropped the most weight with a foal, and needs extra feed.

Unfortunately we're in mid-redesign of our paddocks, so it's where she's at with Rose; out with the mares on the hill; or in with the two foundered ones (Woody and Charm).

Hopefully we'll have the fences/paddocks redone in the next couple of weeks and she can put on weight over the winter.

A thin horse here is almost unheard of here!

Meet Noomi

We've added a new member to our family - Noomi - a purebred Great Pyrenees LGD dog.  She's four months old in this photo taken today.

A good friend, and fellow Mini breeder, Holly Bradshaw, found the puppies, and we took the long drive yesterday up into a gorgeous part of Northern California that I'd never been to before.  We met outside Oregon City and drove up up near Camtonville, then down n a fairly windy one lane road to a private ranch with awesome views.

The breeder met us as her road was fairly impassible with the recent rains, or at least impassible without a fairly sturdy 4-wheel drive vehicle.  We met, the dam and uncle of the puppies. Uncle is HUGE!  We're not sure the puppies will get that big, but there great personality, calmness and the fact they've been raised in with livestock was a plus!  Her mother has even taken on bears and Noomi and her siblings have witnessed it.  So they do know there stuff.

We're just making sure she knows ALL the dogs, horses, llamas, cats and chickens are her family not invaders - lol!

So, Noomi and her sister (Jasmin?) came home with Holly and I.  Noomi slept the whole way -drooling all over my leg part of the trip.  Great puppy.  She's yet to have the usual, 'OMG where am I and where's my mom?' puppy issues.  She had dinner and passed out for the night in Anya's room.  She did wake her up at 4 a.m. to play - lucky Anya!

Today she went out with us to learn the morning work schedule, and has been taking everything in stride - even the leash, considering it was her first experience with one.

Noomi though, as caused quite a stir with our animals.  The horses and llamas which see our dogs every day were like WHAT IS THAT?  Blanca, one of our llamas, was alerting to the point we thought aliens were invading.  If you haven't heard that particular llama noise, imagine the sound effects from a horror or sci-fi movie and you'd be close!

Even the horses acted like we'd brought a bear out to meet them.  If we'd had a camera oh what beautiful head shots - lol!

Our dogs are still not sure what to make of her, but Noomi is totally unconcerned with them.  I think she'll do great here, so far everything has been fine with her and she's adapting well.  No aggression, just curiosity.

Noomi  is named after the brilliant actress Noomi Rapace, from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy movies.  The name means sweetness and pleasantness.  Seems fitting so far!


  

September catch up

Well it's been a few weeks again.  What can I say - life gets busy!

First a belated Congratulations to all the AMHA World  & AMHR National contenders.  It's a ton of work and commitment to go to either show - so kudos to all the participants!

The horses have all been fine, not thrilled with the heat (100-104 last week), but they're getting hairy and doing well so that's good.

No major illness or injury (minor colic one day with Chaos - baby tasting everything), trimming has been a breeze with all the horses in extremely cooperative moods.  Life has been good.

We're planning on doing some re-fencing next month and think we have a usable plan, now its taking fencing out and hopefully putting it in a more logical fashion.  I don't know why when you move to the country even with the best intentions, stuff accumulates and pens get added and your property starts getting that cobbled together look. /sigh for unlimited income to do things right the first time.

This was a bit exciting today - a flock of wild turkeys.  We usually see groups of 1-3 and this was at least 20.  Anya and I were both fumbling with phone-cams so the photo didn't come out well, but at least she got one shot.  The funniest thing, I saw the tracks yesterday on the road and assumed it was one of the orchard trucks that had an unusual tire pattern - lol!  Yesterday we saw a huge group of quail (is it a covey or a bevy of quail?) in th same spot.  I guess our coyote population has been reduced as we're having much larger groups of wild life roaming around - yeah!

The big surprise this morning - no laughing is this was a very deja vu moment!  I went out to feed the horses and I noticed a 'black' mare on the hill with a few of her buddies, just hanging out.  Is that unusual?  When we're feeding - oh yea!  Finally the rest start coming down to eat and low and behold - it happened again!!!  Black mare with a baby.

I know don't laugh.  It's starting to be a pattern here!  Black mare coming down off the hills with a new foal!

I could tell it was Cookie, and apparently she is following in her mother and big sister's (ET & Una) smug 'who needs you human' attitude towards foaling.   She had apparently had her son - black colt, big star and one white hind fetlock - last night out on the hills. So that mean ET opened foaling season in February with a surprise and Cookie is closing it with a surprise.

The biggest surprise is, we've been watching Maria, Remy and Libbe all summer as they 'look' pregnant, and Cookie most definitely did NOT!  I was discussing breeding her next year - lol!

Took a couple of pics of the new boy, I'll add them later!





So more eventful happenings here.

It was a very uneventful Labor Day Weekend, which was extremely nice and relaxing.  I've been mentally replanning some of our fencing - just in case I win a secret lotto I haven't entered!  Once you've been somewhere for awhile you realize how differently you would do things.  But most of us keep cobbling together solutions instead of starting over from scratch.  I know I do, but time, energy and money play a factor!  So, I'm trying to figure ways to re-do some of our smaller paddocks without having to pull everything out (although it would be the best way!).  I definitely need a few smaller paddocks 40 or 60 x20 type for individual horses up to maybe 1/4 acre size.  Sticking 2-3 minis on 3-5 acres just to 'hold' them is a bit over-kill IMHO.  So, working on a solution!

++++++++++++++  

We did have a fun time yesterday watching a hot air balloon passing behind our hills.  I'll put it in a separate post as there's a bunch of photos - but that guy had to have been almost in the water!  Too funny.  Fortunately the owner of the hot air balloon company is very careful with his pilots.  We've yet to have a mishap yet, a couple of close calls, but so far so good!  The horses don't even care about them, they're so use to the noise and sight almost every morning.

+++++++++++++++

I received a video over the weekend from Christi Christofferson, Wesco Farms LM Blackwing Lair's, new mom.  'Junior" is learning to drive under Christi's careful training.  I'm so glad to see our horses end up in good homes!

Check out Christi's website C Bar M Ranch for more information on her training (and to see her GORGEOUS big horse Ace!

++++++++++++

I also found our where one of our mares is now, Dena, Wesco Farms Ninjas 45 Dreams, is living with Shawn Hester at her ranch Hester Ranch Miniature Horses. And Dena, has been trained to drive too, and winning at her first show!  Go Shawn and Dena.  A thank you to Laurie Davidson at Heather Glen Farm for connecting us.  I always do like to know where our horses are and how they're doing.  I think I surprised Laurie and Shawn a bit by pulling out photos of Dena's parents, grandparents, and great grandparents - lol!  I'm such a packrat with my horse info!

I do always tell new buyers (and old!) please stay in contact, if you can't keep a horse, and I can't take it back, I will help you sell and I would like to be available as a  resource to any future owners too.

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Tanglewood Farms Maria

Tanglewood Farms Maria

Maria (pronouced Mariah for some reason, that's what I was told and she's always been!), is our most senior mare here right now at the very active age of 24.

Maria was bred by Lois Anderson of Tanglewood Farms, of the wonderful driving horse fame (check out their site - training Minis to drive since 1973!  Definitely one of the best driving trainers in the USA).  Maria passes this movement to her daughters and we're really looking forward to seeing more of it in her down line.

Maria produced eight AMHA registered foals since her first daughter, Florita, in 1992 with many of her daughters going to breeding programs around the country.  She joined our breeding program in 2002 and has produced two daughters for us, Holly (Wesco Farms Diablos So Chic) and Patsy (Wesco Farms Demons Checkered Past) in that time.  Holly has gone on to join the breeding program at Imperial Acres, while Patsy is still here, hopefully bred to Topper (WCR Top Cop) for 2011.

Wesco Farms Demons Checkered Past 

(sired by Little Kings Dream Demon)

 

Wesco Farms Diablos So Chic

(sired by Little Kings Echo Diablo)

 

In 2005, while Patsy was still a weanling, Maria sustained an eye injury (our second that year) that required her eye to be removed.  It was really sad to see her return back and lose her position in the herd. As we planned on retiring her after that we let her "keep" her last foal.  Maria was all for that and finally weaned Patsy at the age of four!  Maria was the typical over-protective dam with Patsy up until the bitter end this year, separating Patsy from her dam to go in for breeding.  Maria has not een able to tolerate Patsy being away from her even for trimming, but she's settled down now since relocated her in with our other senior mares - Callita and Chiclet.

We have been observing Maria as potential pregnant as with our 2009 fence jumping boys she's looked suspiciously lopsided bellied. But as we head into Fall, I'm going to put it down to being in good flesh for 24 years old!

Tanglewood Farms Maria

                Shady Acres Gee Whiz        
          Tanglewood Farms Terribly Teddy
               Tanglewood Farms Holly Berry
      Tanglewood Farms Nifty Nickey
               Shady Acres Gee Whiz
         Tanglewood Farms Wild Honey

              Shady Acres Fritzie

TANGLEWOOD FARMS MARIA  

           Torri of Tanglewood

      Tanglewood Farms Little Charm 

           Sharons Tiny Trinket

Our funny story for Maria.  On our website (I know it's still not ALL up again), we had photos for recognizing Appy markers on the various body parts.  Well, apparently some man arguing with another in a forum - not horse related - was using one of Maria's photos to insult the other guy every time he'd post.  The gentleman that was being harassed asked me to removed the photo.  I didn't but did block the page from easy downloading.  This was the pic -

Gotta love the Internet!

A new book on color genetics
just out in May 2010

Around the ranch

While trying to take a few photos of the foals, I snapped a few ranch photos of the different critters here - 

Hard to see it in this one but all those black 'dots and things' are dragonflies.  

The air was thick with them, but not the most cooperative to photo!

Llamas on the hill

Fraiser, one of our Aussies

Auggie, one of the cats rescued by our dog Sabrina 

Our last chicken to survive foxes and coyotes, Peep.

Miscellaneous Monday 8-30-10

The weather continues mild, loving this summer as we've only had a few days in the triple digits.  It really feels like Fall weather, so I'm wondering if we're going to have an early winter.  Many of my older horses have been 'hairing up' since early August.

I did take a few photos of the foals over the weekend - not very good as usual -  lots of blurs, half horses and noses! 


Here is the boys -

Wesco Farms World Cup Chaos FF

(sired: Wesco Farms Frangelico Flashback x dam: Wesco Farms LM Buena Baybee Blues)

Wesco Farms Twist of Fate 

(sired: Wesco Farms Buckerowdyroo x dam: Las Doradas Blazing Beauty)

Chaos and Bruiser playing

I didn't get a photo of Rose, or at least not one that I would post!  

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Earlier today, I had asked on Facebook how many people weigh their hay?  I use to when I had less than 10 horses, but now that we feed in groups I don't, it doesn't make sense.  So our actual amount can vary depending on the overall weight and quality of hay.  The hay we have now is very dense, thin stemmed and just lovely versus the end of season that has been stored can be a drier and less leafy.

Most of the hay we get is really high quality alfalfa as it's locally grown and our feed store knows what I like in hay - heavy, leafy and not overly dry.  My feed distributor tends to buy the hay stored for winter a bit drier than I like, but it's easier for him to store (less risk of mold or combustion, etc).  If I had the storage, I would buy in the summer and store, but we can only store about 90 bales of hay - less than two months worth for us - so long term storage has never been a factor.

The other hay we feed is grass hay.  Generally mountain pasture, but we do vary it based on the quality available.  Again our feed store knows my questions - good quality and soft grass hay for the horses.  So we do get rye and orchard grass when mountain pasture isn't available.

I use to buy a mix alfalfa/grass, but as it was all over the board as to percentages, I prefer to buy them separately and feed the mix I want.  As we just opened up the former stallion pasture (20 acres), that's been closed off since January, to the mares, they have a quite a bit of busy feed.  At least that's what I refer to our pasture as it's pretty crappy at this time of year!

With all the new hills to explore, the mares are only showing up for water anyway. I'm not running water to that pasture, so they're forced to take the hike back here, which gives me the opportunity to check them a couple times a day.

**********

Saw this on ultimatehorsesite.com Check it out for some wonderful equine humor!

If horses were software.....
A letter to tech support

Dear Tech Support,

Recently I purchased and installed Horse 1.0. I soon noticed that this program appears to have numerous glitches. For instance, every time my computer boots up, I have to run Feed 5.3 and Water 7.1. Many times I've been in the middle of writing an important document, and a window will flash telling me to run Clean Stall 2.0. This program also contained applications I did not wish to install, such as Manure 8.5, however they auto-installed with Horse 1.0. Applications such as Vacation 2.7 and Free Time 10.1 can no longer run, crashing whenever selected. Possibly the worst is that Horse 1.0 has attached itself to programs like Finance Manager and MS Money, with folders added such as "Monthly Shoeing" and "Winter Blanket". Periodically, I'll get a reminder telling me to send a check to the manufacturer of Horse 1.0 for the aforementioned items. I have tried to uninstall Horse 1.0 numerous times, but when I try to run the uninstall program, I get warning messages telling me that a deadly virus known as "Withdrawal" will infect my system. Please Help!!!!!

THE REPLY:

Dear User,

Your complaint is not unusual. A common misconception among users is that Horse 1.0 is a mere "utilities and entertainment program." It is not - it is an OPERATING SYSTEM and is designed by its' creator to run everything! A warning will soon be imprinted on the box. Since you have already installed Horse 1.0, here are a few tips on how to make it run better. If you are annoyed by the applications Feed 5.3 and Water 7.1, you may run C: \HIRE HELP, however this will cause another folder to be added to financial applications, labeled "Staff". Failure to send payment to "Staff" will result in Feed 5.3 and Water 7.1 being run again on startup. A note of caution: NOT booting up your computer for several days isn't the solution to avoiding Feed 5.3 and Water 7.1. You will find that, when you boot up your computer again, a nasty virus called "Colic 4.2" will have attached itself to important documents and the only way to rid your computer of Colic 4.2 is by purchasing and installing "Vet 10.1", which we admit is extremely expensive, but crucial. Otherwise, Colic 4.2 will cause irreversible damage to the operating system. Finally, it is important that you run C:\Carrots and C:\Scratch Ears on a fairly regular basis to keep the application running smoothly. If you have any more questions, please call our toll free number.

Sincerely, Tech Support

Escaping Stallions

Nothing like waking up to Litte, Topper, McLuvin and Zydeco cruising the backyard.  I'd let them in next to the pool yesterday to do a bit of 'mowing', well apparently the new gate was not Demon worthy.  So, found the four of them in the yard; the gate to the front yard is open; no sign of Demon or Ringo.

Weirdly no screaming, "I'm a stallion and the mares are right here either"!  Hmmm.

Ringo finally pops his head out of the shelter, apparently he'd missed out on the breakout.  I close the gate on him and he's completely put out, once he sees they're in the yard within feet of the mares.  Oh well.

Now to get the gang out of the backyard. I spent 25 minutes trying to dislodge the quartet to no avail.  The clever use of landscaping, they managed to run circles around me - literally!  I finally turned the sprinklers on hoping to corner them close to their exit.  No joy.  McLuvin cracked a sprinkler head on one of the gallops around the yard, so now I have a geyser in the backyard, and we're all soaking wet while still playing the circle game.  Not a good idea the sprinklers.

McLuvin (sire Little behind him covered in mud)

Enough is enough.  I dump the water bucket in the backyard, if they get thirsty they'll have to go back to their pen to drink.  Hopefully what little landscaping I have will survive them, but they're enjoying seeing my feeble attempts to catch them way to much!  Maybe putting their feed out will entice them.  Not!!!  Fresh grass versus dried alfalfa, no contest with my horses.

Still no sighting of Demon.

I'm fairly certain he wouldn't take off - not with all the mares around.  So put hay out for the boys.  Feed the hobbler crowd (Woody and Charm), and spy Demon flirting with the mares by the hay barn.  I go grab a halter and by the time I get back he's standing at the hay cart, apparently bored with his escapade.  Halter him, taking him back in with Ringo when he now notices Topper and Little in the backyard.  They're a fenceline CLOSER to the mares! Oh NOES!

Ringo and Demon

Peace is restored, no OMG foals were created, and the boys have drifted back towards their pen.

Miscellaneous Monday 8-23-10

It's hot.  Summer or our second round of actual summer heat hit today.  I really shouldn't complain as this has been one of the mildest summer's I can remember in Northern California's hot valley.  But the next few days are suppose to be triple digits which I HATE!  Especially with the drop into the mid 50's every night.

As for the horses.  All are doing fantastic.  We had caught Ivan the other day and locked him up as he looked a bit swollen in his privates - nothing wrong just over-weight gelding syndrome.  So, threw him back out with the mares along with Ray.  We still have Woody locked up, as he's just not putting on weight and his feet still look suspiciously like he'd like to founder.  So grass hay, a handful (literally!) of alfalfa and we've let him in our backyard to what passes as my lawn to mow.

Woody and Ray our pet geldings

Silhouette, my gaga mare gets away with murder. She ate at least 25 peaches off this tree, evidence was there from all the pits she left behind.  She went after the roses next and was booted from the yard!

Charm and Lalique seem to be improving weekly, they're actually walking fairly well without any pain, or at least not hobbling like they were in May.  Lalique has fallen passionately and vocally in love with Demon.  It would be a great cross if she was sound, but alas not meant to be.

We did 'try' to take photos of the munchkin crowd - April and Vanna measured in out in the field at 26.25-26.50", but the only two photos I have of April that would have been nice have a thick cotton lead rope blocking her nose.  Anyway the two dinks are doing well.  I've been talking to a few people about stallion prospects for them in 2013.

Speaking of stallion prospects - did everyone watch the Double Diamond auction?  OMG!!!!! I almost cried at Vermilyeas Snippets Red Tape selling for $1,100.  He has been one of my favorite stallions for years.  The whole Snippet line has a look I like. If life wasn't constantly throwing curve balls at me this year - I know where he'd have been coming.  I did bid, but my angels were having a fierce battle over bid more/no don't!  Regretfully I had to stop - and yes all my friends will hear about this for at least 5 years as I whine and complain about not getting him.  The other stallion I bid on was Double Diamonds Mister Meaner - what a gorgeous guy! Double Diamond Catalog  

Besides those two, there were some mares that definitely caught my eye.  If I had the funds or was new to breeding Minis - what a great start to get some quality mares in this market.  People just 'getting into minis' don't realize how badly we've been hit with the recession, and what a great buyer's market it truly is.  Which segues into my next topic, one that I'm going to be expanding on over the coming months, but the topic at hand  -  Why do we breed?

 Questions, I'm going to sit down and ask myself, honestly answer, then post here.  I'm not sure I'm going to like the flat self-honesty though - lol!  I hope some of you will use this opportunity to consider why you breed too.

To get it rolling these are my "homework" questions the next month or so.  I tend to find Fall/Winter is when I get into my ambitious breeding plans that get scaled down alot by Spring! 

1.  Why am I breeding?
2.  Am I breeding for myself or am I breeding to sell?
(pleasing yourself vs the current Mini horse market and who is your clientele - pet homes not quality/other breeders/show homes ?)
3.  Can I buy versus breed the type of horse I want to produce/market?
(get a true cost of raising a foal to breeding age - including showing if you want a show record versus buying what you want/need)
4.  Evaluate your mares
(gets in foal easily, foaling issues, ease of foaling, good dam - milk, attitude, flaws or faults, disposition, movement, color - if that's important appy/pinto breeders)
5.  Stallion choice
(proven show record, flaws/faults, disposition, movement, how are his progency, breeding ability - aggressive? must be hand or pasture bred, percentage of mares covered, foals saleable?)
6.  Linebreeding vs outside breeding
(lines that can be double or what's a good out cross? how well do you know your pedigrees and what is/isn't a good cross)

Miscellaneous Monday 7-26-10

Busy weekend as usual!

I decided my dear Silhouette, gaga mare, had to vacate the backyard after she ate all the peaches off my tree!  This would have been the first year in nine years we were going to get to try them, but that greedy brat wiped them out! I thoroughly enjoy this mare and she's truly a spoiled brat, but she's my favorite and knows it.

The horses in the hoof issue/fat pasture are doing well, even though they do not like the enforced diet.  Woody's feet are no longer inflamed. Lalique and Charm are both doing well.  I did put Dipper in there as she's just to chunky.  Tomorrow butcher-fat Ray will be joining them.  He looks like he's 14 months pregnant with twins, so time to trim down.

Met up with some of my equine friends for lunch - always enjoyable - to talk horses, have good food with friends what better way to spend the day?  Always, always fun, plus a visit to Sonoma County I get to catch up with friends there after lunch and just enjoy one of my favorite places!  Not to mention getting out of the valley heat!

We had a mother/daughter team come out Sunday to look at the Minis, and they ended up taking three home!  Hot Topic, Kiega and Sassi left Sunday late afternoon to their new home with Brandi and Paula (and family!).  Looking forward to hearing how well they do with all of the family's plans which include 4-H and performance showing.  Very excited for them!

ET (Kiega's dam) and Libbe (I steal babies and think Kiega is mine) were both upset about an hour after he left.  Haltering him and taking out of the pasture was okay, but it finally dawned on them he was actually gone.  Fortunately it hasn't continued today.  I don't like to generally wean foals that way, but he was a very precocious five month old that was trying to mount mares!  And he has Sassi for company through his transition there.

I think next year we're breeding Una to Ringo definitely.  Everyone that comes out wants to buy their daughter, so either I hide her on the other end of the property or see if they can produce copies.  She is gorgeous though and the best personality too.  So she should have a full sibling in 2012 that will definitely be for sale!

The boys pastures is looking positively sparse with Miramax off for the next month or so.  Demon and Little should be both off in the next month and then it will feel empty with just Ringo, Topper, Zydeco and McLuvin left.

I did get a big package of paperwork from AMHA today - yeah!  Not all of it, but a big chunk of registration and DNA testing kits.

This week is tackle the other outstanding paperwork, get all the DNA kits off to UCD, and a list of any outstanding photos that need to be taken actually taken!

Heads up for aspiring drivers or those that want a fun place to spend driving in the Aptos/Santa Cruz area -

Good friend Julie Mabie is hosting at her place.

Whisper Equestrian Center Driving Clinic followed by a day of driving at Fort Ord. Aug 21 is the clinic. Sign up now. :)  Her website - Whisper Equestrian Center  If you want to learn or tune up driving try to make time for this!

HUSBANDS VS. HORSES

GOOD THINGS ABOUT HUSBANDS

1. Husbands are less expensive to shoe than horses, BUT THEY LIKE TO PICK THEIR OWN OUT OF FASHION STYLES

2. Feeding a husband doesn't require anything that even mildly compares with the hassle of putting up hay, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO BUY THE FOOD AND COOK IT AND SERVE IT NICELY ON A PLATE.

3. A lame husband can still work, BUT YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO HIM WHINE

4. A husband with a bellyache doesn't have to be walked, BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO LISTEN TO HIM WHINE LOUDER and; YOUR COOKING IS TO BLAME

5. Husbands don't try to scratch their heads on your back, BUT THEY WANT YOU TO SCRATCH THEIR BACK

6. They are better able to understand puns HOW?

7. If they are playing hard to catch, you **may** be able to run them down on foot , BUT WHY BOTHER ?

8. They know their name, PROVIDING IT BEGINS WITH OR ENDS WITH "WHAT CAN I GET YOU?"

9. They usually pay their own bills, HAHA

10. They apologize when they step on your toes, WHY DID YOU HAVE YOUR TOE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE, ISN'T AN APOLOGY

11. No saddle fitting problems, WON'T GO THERE!

12. They seldom refuse to get into the vehicle, UNLESS YOU RE DRIVING

13. They don't panic - running and yelling all through the house when you leave them alone (unless you've left the kids with them too!) AND IF YOU LEAVE EDIBLE FOOD

14. For a nominal fee, you can hire someone else to clip them 'YOU CAN HIRE' BEING THE OPERATABLE WORD

15. They don't like the lady next door just as well as you, just because she fed him for 3 days straight UNGRATEFUL, SAY'S IT ALL!

THE HORSE'S ADVANTAGE

1. If they don't work out you can sell them

2. They don't come complete with in-laws

3. You don't have to worry about your children looking like them

4. You never have to iron their saddle pads

5. If you get too fat for one, you can shop for a bigger one

6. They smell good when they sweat

7. You can repair their "clothes" with duct tape

8. It's possible to keep them from "jumping the fence"

9. You can force them to stay in good physical condition with a whip if necessary

10. They don't want their turn at the computer

11. They may turn white with age, but never go bald

12. They have never heard of PMS

13. They learn to accept restraint

14. They don't care what you look like as long as you have a carrot or an apple