Just a few pony pictures

 

I don’t think I’ve ever been clinically depressed in my life, but the past few months have seen a new side of me, a side I don’t think I like.  It’s been terribly difficult for me to find the energy to do anything except feed the horses.  When Amigo was born I had to force myself to get the camera and take some pictures of him.   I felt like I was far underwater, just trying to swim to the surface for air.  All I could concentrate on was flapping my arms in hopes of reaching the surface before I drowned.  I didn’t want to ride, take pictures, blog, start any seeds for the garden… none of the things that usually get me going this time of year held any interest for me.

This morning when I rolled my weary body out of bed I decided that enough was enough and took the camera with me when I fed.

Sky and Quill were very thin when we got home in February.  Their hips and backbones were sticking up under their thick winter coats and they were lethargic.

 

Being so young, they recovered quickly.  Quill still has a little weight to put on, but he’s starting another growth spurt right now and not only growing out, but also growing up again.

 

Had Tabby been fed properly this winter, she’d already be back to normal.  But when we got home, she didn’t look that much better than when we took her back from her adopters.  I’d still like to see another 150lbs on her.

 

I only wish they could all be like Dallas (except for the covered in mud part)!

 

Traveler is another one that didn’t lose much weight over the winter.  He was still plump and round when we got home.  Greedy little pony still thinks he needs all the grain in the world and runs me over at every feeding.  Good thing he’s cute and cuddly.

 

Ditto for Jewel.  That mare could stay fat just by looking at food. 

 

Molly was fat when she came back from her foster home, but quickly lost weight and became ribby when Gilbert refused to feed her because he said he didn’t like her.  She picked up weight quickly and is ready to start carting me down the trails whenever this weather warms up again. 

 

Now if this four day migraine would go away and spring would come back to town, I could be happy again. 

Yet another happy ending!

Whew!  Can y’all handle this many happy posts at one time?  If not, I’m sure I can find something not so happy to post about to balance things out. :)

The Wetzel county rescues are officially safe!  The court hearing was today and the judge ordered the owner to forfeit ownership of the six horses and two cows, pay restitution (I’m not optimistic on that one!), and is on probation from owning any more animals (not sure for how long). 

 

 

It’s only been about five weeks since the horses were seized!  I didn’t know our court system could work that fast. 

 

 

As you know, Poco has already gone to her new home.  Shasta left Saturday to be fostered by a friend of mine.  Shasta may have EPM, but when Doc checked her out here a couple of weeks ago, he said the main symptom that he’d noticed back in May was gone (her head tilt).  She still moves funny in the hind end and sometimes stands so crooked it’s amazing she doesn’t fall down.  Since the head tilt is gone, Doc said to just give her time off and see what happens.  She may have just had trauma to her spine that is starting to heal now.

 

Satin and Dallas still need a few more pounds, but they are healthy enough to start ground work.  I have a feeling Satin is broke to ride, but who knows how badly she’s been treated under saddle.

 

The two ponies look awesome and Sapphire has become quite the pocket pony!  She’ll walk up behind perfect strangers and put her head under their arm like a dog, just to get attention.  I wish I knew a small kid that could ride because I’d love to see these two under saddle and adopted to great homes!

 

Bo, Sapphire, and Dallas

These are the other three horses that were seized in Wetzel county.  Bo is a cute little 8yo pony and in the best shape out of all six horses.  He’s also the one that had been kept in the barn because he liked to squeeze through the barbed wire and get out to eat the neighbor’s grass – which probably explains why he’s in the best shape!

 

Sapphire is a 10yo pony and seems to think she’s in charge.  She’s a sweet girl and one of the first in line for attention when I’m out in the pasture.  She’s got some sun burn on her face and I’m putting sunscreen on her to help protect those pink-skinned areas around her muzzle and eyes.  Sky has the same problem with his face, but he rubs the sunscreen off or dips his head in the water tank as soon as I put it on.  Little turd.

 

Brannon did her poor feet yesterday and she was good except for the right hind.  She never tried kicking him, but was very nervous and danced all over the yard with us.  I’m terrible at taking hoof pictures, so you’ll just have to believe when I say her back feet were terrible.  They were very overgrown on the inside, causing her ankles to twist.

 

 

They looked much better after Brannon trimmed them, but it’s going to take some time to straighten those back legs up.

 

Dallas is an 11yo Quarterhorse gelding.  He’s a bit shy and he’d move away every time I pointed the camera in his direction.  The previous owner told me that he hasn’t had his feet trimmed in five years!!! because he rears for the farrier and can’t be done.  His feet aren’t terrible, so I’ll spend some time with him in the round pen before asking Brannon to give it a go.

 

Since Doc vaccinated these guys back in March I put these three in with the main herd yesterday.  I’m feeding the starved mares four times a day right now and it’s easier for them to be by themselves in the quarantine paddock, than it is to have to separate them from the healthier three each time I feed.  Dallas, Sapphire, and Bo should all fatten up nicely with just being grained twice a day with the main herd.

 

In other news, Dahlia has still not foaled.  I hate having foals this late in the year.  Ugh!