Jiggity Jig

We're home again!  Yesterday marked the 5 week mark at Broken Wheel Ranch, and our date of departure.  It is still mad snowy around and not a whole lotta options for outdoor riding, but it was time to return to Indian Pond Farm.

 Although still snowy, as seen from the ride down to the road from the Ranch, the air does undeniably have a spring feeling to it.  It has been alternately raining, snowing, melting and freezing, but it seems to be moving towards a general thaw from the Snowpocolypse 2011.

Trying to aim from horseback is tricky.  Here, though,  you get a good view of where EZ's mane gets bunk.  I've been considering braiding it to try to get it to lay all on one side.  Then I think, why?  I mean, if I was going to attempt mane-care, probably I should start with pulling it to a decent length, no?  But it's so thin to start with, I'd rather leave it long, as long as it's acceptable to French Braid it if/when we show.  I don't know what Emily Post would say about that.

EZ was somewhat confused and kept looking back over at his bachelor gang; it had been awhile since we had made the mailbox-riddled road ride back to Indian Pond Farm.

Once we got home though, there was much reuniting with the D Gang.

Note Donovan's trademark "I am so big/give me treats" neck arch that he employs on occasions such as these.

 It's not like they were embracing in joy and love, but nor were they snorting in rejection.

Once everyone had deemed each other non-threatening, it was back to the full herd.

Donovan thought it was his duty as self-appointed herd leader to follow EZ around to make sure he wasn't up to no good.

EZ and Dutch also checked each other out a bit

But they determined nothing required further investigation.  And EZ's tongue felt really heavy.

All in all, it was all so uneventful that Donovan thought he'd just catch a little nappy. 

And EZ had to just get a little roll in, in order for it to fully feel like home.

Sorry it's so bouncy, Donovan was literally breathing down my neck.  I think I should start a rolling video collection.  They are always endlessly entertaining.

The reintroduction of babyEZcakes means restructuring the feeding process, which has been helpfully streamlined with his absence and the relocation of the goaties, who are living in the lower pasture since they realized they could wiggle through the pig door and wreak havoc in the tack room.  Now though, they get quality time with Dukey boy.

Poor Duke looks like he's about to get impaled in this one.

But he recovered quickly.

I was trying to get them both standing on the fence at the same time, but goats and dogs are not the most cooperative, I discover.

Small Animals Being Cute

 I'm not sure if I've mentioned it, but there are some cute small animals hanging around here.

How adorable is Donker in his coat?  Very, I know.

And then there are the goats.  They are everywhere.

In igloos....

 outside of igloos....

 in haybales....

that Donker's trying to eat from...

Before this evening's snowstorm mom and I put blankets on the goats too.  They were actually dog blankets and rather ill-fitting, and when I went up to check after it actually was snowing they had wriggled out of them, so they won't be as cute as Donker.  We also tried to put a blanket on Myma, but that REALLY wasn't happening, so they all will be cold.  And cute.

And this is also cute: an Interminable Donovan and Petey video.  It's so long, because their interaction went on so long.  I never did figure out what either of them wanted, but it's clear they are besties. (If you pay careful attention, you can hear a faint Donker hee-haw when Donovan turns to look, as well as Dukey's barking and prancing, as well of course as my brilliant narration.  Then you get a gold star.)

Large Dog Comes to Visit

 Uncle Neil's Great Pyrenees, Duke, was wandering around the paddock the other day.  He wanted to play, but the others were skeptical. It was adorable.

 Dukie goes to check the scene.

Petey is unimpressed.

Everyone thought it would be best to just get a little grazing in.

 Including the...mutant horse!

It looks like EZ is interested in both Dukie and my shadow.

Duke tries to work up a little enthusiasm from the crowed.

 Goats remain unimpressed.

How can they resist?!

So Dukie tries his luck with Donker, who wants none of it.

Donovan asks, What are you doing to us?

And then looks skeptically at the action.

Maybe Dutchie will be more receptive to play time?

Nope, they all just continue their skepticism, including Donker's ears.

Sorry, Dukie, better luck next time!

Views from a Paddock

 

 

"TREATS?!"

Installation  entitled: "Vine Through Wagon."  Materials: Vine and Wagon.

"I WILL be first!"

Horses, Donkey, and Goat Rush Hay Appreciatively

View of New Barns and Horse and Donkey Subtly Indicating Desire for Refill

Look at these characters

I don't know what to say about this goat.  Look at him.  What kind of goat chills like that?  He's a thug.  And look at that belly.  He is a happy, happy goat.  And he leaves many, many happy little goat pearls (I love delicate poop terminology) all over the place that are impossible to pick up with a pitch fork.  Impossible.

Donker doesn't know what to say about him either.

Donker: Goat, why are you sitting like that?  Goat: Do not disturb me as I reign from my throne.

 

These are the characters we deal with.  This is my view, trying to put EZ's boots on:

Goat: Let me try to eat you as you do this.  Donker: I probably should be the center of attention at this moment, as at all others.  EZ:  Why do they always get to eat all the hay?   Donovan and Dutch:  This hay is good, yo.

I don't know why Donovan and Dutch are gangsta, it just felt right.

Millbrook School and Indian Pond Farm Unite!

Firstly, that title reflects how I may be spending too much time teaching the Communist Manifesto.  Anyway, do you want to hear why it's been so long since I've posted?  Probably not, but it involves chewed cords (I blame this character:),

                                                                                        and wind-storm-induced-power-outages.  No joke.  And laziness.


But anyway, last week was the final days of the fall riding program at school.  To celebrate they came to play with Donker.  And all the horses and stuff, but mostly Donker.

 Look at the joy he brings to the youth!

 Obviously, EZ Dollar was also a hit. 

 I believe in this case, she was teaching Donker to halt on command.  Very successful.

 We also took the opportunity of man (child)-labor to trim the goaties' hooves.  I felt like a farrier, "we'll call that one done."  Maybe that's only out west.  And those are "Be a goat!" faces. 

Notice my beaming delight at making the young ones do the dirty work.  It builds character!

 How cute is Donovan?  Please make note of his curly forelock, a result of his bur curlers he's so partial to.

 The herd.  They are all down in the lower pasture while the upper one gets water, electricity and a new barn!  Get psyched.

 This really captures all the work that I do.  Wrangle goats.  Kids.  Arabians.  Whatever you've got, I'll wrangle them.

 And then I'll feed the pig many, many treats because I think the kids will be really entertained by watching a pig eat.  Right?  Isn't that what they're into?

 Then I again try to take advantage of having helpless laborers to pick up sticks for me.  But there was a dead deer hanging from a tree, so staring at that obviously took precedence.

 As did pretending to drive the tractor.  Just pretending, I swear.  Notice the piddling stick collection.  Really, where's the work ethic today?

 And then there's the modeling.  This obvously is more important than picking up sticks too.  Not every day you get a tractor photo op.  Who can blame them?

 Tada!  I think the instructions on this one were, "Everybody get together, but not too close, so that it looks like you're working!"  If you notice me there in the corner, bending down, because I actually am the one working.  Oh well, you get what you pay for I guess when it comes to hired help.


So, bye for now, Millbrook riders!  I will only miss you a little bit.