Psychotic Sunday

Sunday was going to be a fairly easy day or so I thought. Rodney had to work 12 hours at the plant and my farrier was coming. Usually this is about a 2 hour process no problem. Only we had already done all the grow-up horses so we were down to the babies who mostly had never been done before. I knew that would take a little longer, but my farrier is quite skilled so I wasn't worried.

9:15 a.m. farrier arrives, thirty minutes early, but okay I get dressed and we roll with it. First up, my new blue roan stallion Cowpoke. Went in, slid the halter right on him, led him out. He is a dream boat. He stood mostly still for the whole thing. I had to shake him only once. After love and kisses he went back into stall.

Next up we decided to tackle the four stud colts at the far end of the property. They are all an average of 6-7 months and this was their first farrier visit. We started with my husband's pride and joy Strut. He acted like a fool for a few minutes, but then he settled down and we did him pretty easily. Rodney had been working with him picking up his feet, tapping his hooves etc. That really paid off. Then were up for my three boys. Of course, I haven't done much with them because of time and forty million other excuses. They were easy to catch and we began to work on Taz. Taz is my buckskin paint colt that sometimes has an attitude, but is easily reprimanded. He tried to act up, but quickly surrendered and did fine. Next up, little Buster. He is the most docile of the three so I thought he would be a piece of cake. I was wrong! He rared and bucked and charged; we finally had to put the stud chain on this little fellow and really work with him to get him done, but he got done. Finally there is my beautiful Pepper. He is always a lover, but he is the biggest of the four and the youngest. He wasn't real crazy about somebody picking up his feet and holding on to them, but after a little light wrestling we got him done. Innocent looking aren't they.

Whew, maybe the worst is over. We then went to the two fillies Princess and Dolly. Dolly has been handled a lot because we thought about showing her. My trainer, Elizabeth worked with her about 45 days so she was pretty easy. Then there was Princess..... I hadn't spent a lot of time handling her because I love the boys. She is her mother's daughter (my favorite mare) in that she is fearless and spunky. She was some heavy duty wrestling in the mud, but eventually she got a pedicure as well. Look at those sweet little dears.

So I am thinking thank heavens the last three are easy because I am an old lady and this is killing me! We walked up to the 2 year old stud colt pen. These are my babies, my pride and joy. I went out and caught Cash and led him down to the gate, but my farrier decided to do him there in the field. So I led him back up the hill to a nice dry spot. He was happy wherever I wanted him to go. The second I handed the lead line to my farrier Cash went nuts! Literally, He rared up, almost fell over backwards and took off across the field right through the fence into the pregnant mares pen. Then my youngest in the field Moon decided if Cash was in there he should be too. He ripped through the last part of the fence that was still standing. Thankfully, my electric wire is thin and has been repaired many many times so they weren't cut or hurt.

Now we have two young colts, 5 pregnant mares and a gelding running like wild horses around in a field where there is only half a fence. Can you say chaos? I am in the field trying frantically to repair the fence when I realize that the horses are headed straight for the wire laying on the ground and I am holding on to that wire worse it is around my feet. Oh no, I am dead. I felt the wire cutting my fingers so with some grain of sanity I left it go. Then I thought about my feet so I am out there trying to stay ahead of the tightening wire that is coming fast, lifting my feet and thinking I am going to get my legs cut off when for some reason they stopped.

There are times when I know God is there and is watching over fools and blind people. I am no blind. I got Cash and got him back in his pen. Moon of course would have no part of that because he was quite happy where he was. I decided to let him stay in there for awhile. The mares would take care of his little busy butt. They did. It wasn't long before he was begging to get back in his pen. I let him stay for awhile longer so he could truly enjoy the "greener grass on that side of the fence"

In the meantime, my farrier goes and does the last two horses which are two minis who are super easy and he is ready to go. So, I stop mending the fence, pay him and away he drives leaving me with this somewhat disaster of "jerry rigged"  fences.  Do I really want to own a ranch?

 I had just sat down to have a Pepsi because it has been two hours of hell and I am exhausted.About that time my best friend April rolls up with the new horses and the fun is about to begin again.

I had purchased a blue roan paint colt that is absolutely beautiful. But, he wasn't halter broke and hadn't been touched. Under normal circumstances I would have tamed him in no time, but my job has been incredibly hectic and between that and being sick for 5 weeks I just hadn't had any time to mess with him. So April wanted him and I knew she had time to get him broke.

So we began with him. We decided to take a round pen panel, get him hemmed up in the stall and let him know we weren't going to hurt him, get him used to being touched and possibly get a halter on him. Sounds good right. Well Lucky decided that was all good until we touched him. It scared him and he spun around in that tight hole, stood on his hind feet, climbed up the wall of the stall to the opening and crashed through the boards to freedom. "Well I didn't expect that" was all I could say.

We took round pen panels and made a semi circle, herded him back into that and he ran right back into his corral so we thought okay thats good. We proceeded to bring two more round pen panels into the corral to put him in a triangle. Once again, he was way  ahead of us. He jumped the corral tearing down part of the boards and was free again. Now he was cocky about it.

We got the round pen panels back together and rounded him up and drove him back into the round pen. Well by then we are all about to drop and starving so we broke for lunch. It is always good to let your enemy rest up for round two.

We get back from lunch make the round pen smaller and smaller until we have him in a triangle. April takes the lead line and tries to desensitize him with it. Of course, this isn't working too good and the day is slipping away. Finally, we decide to get him into a smaller and smaller section until we can give him a shot of Ace and relax him some. This is a bold decision since he not only kicks like lightning he bites. Once again, April remained calm and level headed. She got him used to her touching him a little bit and rubbing his neck. We had the lasso around him so we could control him if need be. Eventually, we got the shot in him and he started to relax. April worked with him talking softly to him, scratching and rubbing him and got the halter on him with the leadline. We still had the lasso on him as well. So we decided to try leading him to the trailer.

Even with the drugs he still had a little fight in him so he kicked and bucked part of the way up the  hill, but when he figured it didn't help him get away he gave up and just walked up the drive. Now we are to the trailer. He wasn't sure he wanted to get in this thing. It took about another hour of wrestling, but with April's kindness and experience we got him on there.

Time to load the next one. He had been loaded a few times so this would go smoothly, however, Moon the little troublemaker in the mare's pen saw his brother leaving and he ran through the wire once again tearing down the only part that hadn't already been broken. The pregnant mares all came running to the foreground to see what was up and miraculously decided not to get out of their pen. They looked at me, turned around and went back to their hay bale. Thank you God.

Now Moon is out running around meeting all the other horses. We decide to lead Shooter back into Moon's pen and maybe Moon would follow. He did. Finally, he was back home and I think he was relieved to be. Shooter loaded on the trailer with ease as did Domino and April was set. Well you would think the day was finished but no.

I completely forgot I had invited Rima and Billy up for dinner and due to a computer error I never got their RSVP so they drove up and I obviously wasn't expecting company. I was glad they came and they helped me repair the fences that were down and it was good to see them. I didn't really have any ideas for dinner so we went out to eat. They insisted on picking up the tab for me which was very very kind considering I was half dead by now. We picked up Rodney something from the drive through and went home. It was a nice visit and good to catch up on everyone's ranch news. Finally it was bed time. I feel like a real cow girl or no maybe a really old woman. Either way I survived!

The light at the end of this tunnel.

This is Designated Tye Dye my new APHA stallion. He is homozygous.

This is The Emminent Duchess my new mare.

Breeding Season Is Coming Fast

Sorry I haven't had time to write anything recently, but I have been so busy getting ready for this year's breeding season. Stallion books are filling up pretty fast and new babies are just on the horizon. Gonna be a busy spring season.

A few changes here at the ranch. After a lot of thought I have decided to sell Black Majik Domino our APHA homozygous black stallion. Domino is an extraordinary horse and I have raised him from a baby. He is broke to ride, willing and level headed. That being said, I really needed a homozygous tobiano stallion in my herd. I have also decided to sell our blue roan paint colt Lucky In Love and our perlino colt Shooter.

So those boys have been sold and are going to a great farm! Now for the new additions to the farm. We did purchase a homozygous tobiano stallion; Designated Tye Dye who has fabulous blood lines. Designated Hitter and Hitman are right on his papers. Tye will be a great addition to our lineup and regardless of the color or breed of mare you bring you are guaranteed pattern and color.

I also recently received my dream horse, my blue roan AQHA stallion Shiek's Cowpoke. He is a total doll baby and we are excited that his first foal crop will be on the ground this spring. Our mare Sheepcreek Hannah is bred to him for a foal in May. Can't wait till it gets here.

In addition to these two purchases we have also added a few mares to our herd.

The Eminent Duchess AQHA grullo mare who is dam to a two time world champion filly

We have also purchased Little Miss Arapahoe "Holly" a beautiful sorrel mare in foal to perlino stallion Sierra Sandstone.

and last but not least our beautiful Sophie our APHA mare who is bred to our blue roan stallion for a 2012 foal.

At the current time I think I have seven full size horses that will be having foals and possibly four minis. (One for sure as they are tricky)

I guess I better find some way to become the energizer bunny this spring.

We have also added to our dog breeding program a new rottie Duchess. Duchess will have her first litter of Half Moon Farms puppies in early April. We are very excited to have her to add to our lineup.

Thanks for reading and keeping up with the news on our farm.

Halfmoon Horses: Another icy day

Halfmoon Horses: Another icy day: "We managed to miss the snow that they had forecast, but were cursed with sleet and freezing rain all night last night. Roads are a mess this..."

Another icy day

We managed to miss the snow that they had forecast, but were cursed with sleet and freezing rain all night last night. Roads are a mess this morning. My dedicated darling husband, of course went to work because the plant must run regardless. Of course, this die hard devotion is one of the many reasons I fell in love with and married this man so what can I say but "be careful honey".


Horses were all happy and eating hay this morning when I went out to check on them. A few had ventured out of their stalls and were wandering around a little. Sometimes we humans forget that they are animals and were designed to live outside in the elements.

My favorite horse, Patches doesn't have ANY desire to be in a stall no matter what comes a long weather wise. She will stand outside and brave the snow, sleet, wind, rain and never think twice about it. It used to really concern me because I would bring them all in the house if I could figure out how to get them up the steps and through the storm door. As time has gone on though I have come to be in rhythm with mother nature enough to allow them to be animals first and pets second. Mother nature was designed to protect them far better than a mere human.

Some of the other horses run for their barn at the first drop of rain, but before long they are all out milling around in the weather. So, the moral to this story is give them plenty of hay, plenty of water and plenty of food. Let nature take its course and they will be just fine. Although I have to say that there are times when Rodney almost has to tie my hands.

I went outside to get these shots for my blog. Everyone seemed to be glad the storm was over and carrying on business as usual on a nasty muddy day.I wonder if they dream of dry weather and sunshine? I know I am beginning too.

Holidays with Horses

Sorry I have been away for awhile. I caught some kind of bug that really put me on my butt literally for almost three weeks! Finally starting to come back to life, but still not much energy. Anyway, the holidays came and went whether I was ready or not! LOL!

We had one of the largest snow falls in history which began on Christmas Day and continued into the next. Grand total for my house was 14"! Thank heavens Rodney had been off work on vacation and we knew it was coming so we could really prepare. Horses faired very well during the storm. We got in extra hay so everyone was warm and cozy with plenty to eat. Just like the humans in the house.

Unfortunately after the beautiful snow comes the horrible, nasty, disgusting MUD! Now we are dealing with lots and lots of mud from the melting, but thank heavens it wasn't 14" of water. Rodney has been hard at work while I have been sick and he has cleaned all the stables but two with the tractor and gotten most of the mud out and away from the horses. So for now they are beginning to dry out.

We are looking for a nice quiet week weather wise with temperatures mostly in high 40's to 50's. No rain in sight until Friday with possible additional snow flurries. Hopefully, no accumulation. The 14" we just weathered was our third snow fall this year! For our area that is about all we get the entire winter so we have had a lot for us.

My son came home for a visit which was wonderful. While he was home, Rodney recruited him to help build a new stable for Kid Clu. They completed the 12 x 12 stable in about a day and a half, just in time for the storm. So Kid Clu was very happy to have a shelter to get under and enjoy the snow fall. 

Weather forecast says this will be a wet and cold January so I am sure there is more to come. I sold two of my colts over the past 30 days. Had to get the numbers down a little. I went a little crazy last fall and purchased 6 colts! I know, what was I thinking!!!! So I parted with two of them which is a big accomplishment for me. The other five are doing well and wiggling deeper and deeper into my heart. I am partial to colts for some reason. Good thing I plan on having a stallion station. I know, right.

I also sold one of my fillies, Chocolate who will be coming 3 in the spring. In her place I am getting back a paint mare that I purchased and sold last year, Sophie. She is a great mom and delivered a beautiful black and white filly this summer. So I am in hopes of a repeat of that for the 2011 breeding season.

I am also anxiously awaiting delivery of my beautiful blue roan stallion Cowpoke. April, my best friend has also been sick with this bug, and is having a hard time shaking it. So we have kind of put horse plans on the back burner for awhile until we are both able to get back into the full swing of things. After all, it isn't like I don't have plenty to keep me occupied until he and Sophie get here.