Poor Little Fellow

The Cat: Gus Gus

The dog: Mickey Mouse

Poor little fellow can't even enjoy his bed...bad ole pussy cat.

My First Shoe.

Yesterday I met Annie at her home to put front shoes on her horse Chief. It was awesome, hilarious and educational all at the same time.  Annie had to help me hold the shoe on and I believe I went through at least 20 nails before I got 6 to come out right. She nipped the tips off and I crimped them down.  We had to take more toe off of him and when all was said and done, I told her, "OMG Annie that is the worse nailing I have ever seen!" and we both laughed like crazy! She said," It doesn't matter, the shoe is on!" 

It is an amazing feeling to try something new and to learn something new.  Since I'm still such a 'newbe' I am going to go back over there sometime this week and trim the next horse in line Flower, Chief's sister, then hopefully the following week, I can practice putting front shoes on her too. Thanks Annie and Chief!

April Showers bring May Flowers!

We have been experiencing snow, rain and hail off an on for the last week. Three days ago I snapped this picture of what I think is a Raven (although I am not sure).  Sorry the phone picture just doesn't capture the beauty.  It was snowing lightly and the bird was just sitting out in it.  

Last night I went out to feed around 7 pm and it was sprinkling, by the time I was mucking stalls it started hailing and on the metal roof of the barn it was so loud it was deafening. The two younger horses Kota and Ahni tried to bolt from their stalls only to find their path blocked from the down pour of hail.  They stood under the lean too for a few seconds, resided that there was nothing else to do but go back inside and finish eating. At the height, Beau went out under the lean too, but calmly returned to his stall to finish dinner.  

The goats and dogs wanted nothing to do with the outside. I had to wait for about 5 minutes until it stopped, then I made a mad dash back to the house hoping it didn't hail on me. 

Great day!

Another quick ride in the woods on Beau.

Joe working hard on the wall...I guess Mikey is taking a break.

I made them cinnamon rolls for a snack.  I still have to frost them...Yummy!

The Great Wall of Bjerke Ranch...

The workers...Joe and Mikey...Go Boys Go!

No, it is not time for a break...get back to work :0)

Every great wall begins with a single stone...excellent work!

First Ride of the Season!

The feeling of complete relaxation, riding out in the woods. Out there, I'm not a mom, wife or teacher; I'm just me, no pressures, no fights, no disappointments, just complete freedom because my Beau will take me anywhere I ask him and he always gets me home safely. 

For our first ride we went to my favorite spring time creek.  We have named it Chiefs Creek, because one day, Chief a 16.3 hand thoroughbred paint decided it was just too much to cross, so he laid down.  Of course we all roared with laughter at his drama, but he did get up and cross it and ever since then, the name has stuck. 

Chiefs Creek

My Best Bud Beau

 It's a perfect ride to the creek, not too short and not too long, it can be ridden round trip in about 40 minutes at a nice easy walk.  Now this is the life for me!

Yes, I ride him in a halter.

Learning a Skill.

About 2 months ago I decided that I had had it with my farriers up here in Idaho and since I can't get Jim Yarbrough (from Clovis) to come up here with out me having to take on another job to pay for the plane flights I decided that I would do it.  Anyone who know's me :0) knows when I've made up my mind...I'm doing it come hell or high water. So I got on line and researched farrier schools, the textbooks they use and the tools they need.  I called Jim and asked him many questions. He of course got a chuckle out of it.  I also have the best vet ever up here in CDA, she too went to farrier school and between the two of them they said they were willing to help teach me, as long as I'm not trying to do any 'corrective' shoeing.

Joe also knows me too well and asked how much this was going to cost.  I broke the cost down between the 'trimming' materials and the second wave of 'shoeing' materials.  I have been practicing on my babies for a couple of months now and I was ready to buy the shoeing materials.  I called up Annie and asked her if I could now trim her awesome Paint Chief. 

Chief, I trimmed the hoof on the right.

He is so much like Beau, good, steady and sweet.  I asked her to take a look after I got done and comment, because in another week or two her and I are going to get together to shoe the front hooves of either Beau or Chief. She had a vet call the day I had planned on trimming Chief, so I just headed out to her house.  I wasn't worried about Chief, but I was concerned that her Anatolian Shepard Ben wouldn't let me in the back fenced area.  I have met Ben several times before, but never with out a family member present.  I went to the back and who came barreling up there...Ben...Annie told me to call him by name and walk in there like I belonged.  I did it, but Ben kept within 5 feet of me, I believe to make sure I wasn't going to try any funny business.  Chief walked over to one of his sisters, Flower, trying to hide from me...funny how they know who we want as soon as we step foot in the pasture; which was hilarious because I think Chief is close to 16.3 hands.  I put the halter on him that I brought from home and it barely fit, he's a big boy.  I walked him out to the car, dropped the lead rope and began putting my chaps on.  He stood there as I pulled out the files, nippers and hoof stand.  He looked at me gave a deep sigh and lifted his left front hoof when I asked.  I'm used to my little ponies that stand at 14.1 hands, when I went to put Chiefs front hoof between my legs I didn't have to bend over nearly as much and his belly rested on my side...he was nice and warm.  I can't stay bent over for long periods, so needless to say, it takes me a lot longer to do a trim than a professional. Chief was a dream, I'd take a break and pet him and give him kisses and he just stood there while I worked away.  I left him long, because I know he's going to get shoes in a couple of weeks and in case I'm off in any way, I wanted to have some hoof left to correct my mistakes.  I have many questions and I need to start writing them down, so I can ask Jim and Annie. 

My anvil arrived yesterday. Step two...leaning to shape shoes and hammer those babies on. 

Thanks Annie for letting me practice on Chief!

Spring is in the air!

Kota, Beau and Ahni

I believe spring is finally here.  Time to get the horses back in shape.  They have had 5 months off and are wondering what in the world is going on that they have to stand hitched up. 

 Abby and Rootbeer are ready to go out side and chase those pesky marmets.  Go Dogs Go!

 Little Ahni

Time to get those manes braided and tails wrapped.  

Kota Boy

Handsome Beau

Next up...shoes for all my friends!