Animals
- Grammie And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
I have been accused of exuding a little too much positivity from time to time.Today I will completely undo that.You see, every once in a while a day comes along that tries my soul.Not just a little...like when the dogs get sprayed by a skunk...but a little...
- Quiet Autumn Days
One of my favorite times to sit and unwind is during feeding time.There is such a calm, peaceful feeling in the barn when all is quietbut the sound of chewing. Each morning, after spending a few hours in the pasture, the equines head back to the...
- The Calm Before The Storm
The Calm.... I was originally going to call this post"Making Snow Angels". Yesterday morning, while I was cleaning the dry lot,the Bigs took turns rolling in the snow. First Donnie, then Scarlet, and lastly, Moonbeam. Back and forth they rolled, with...
- Pasture Eyes
Each afternoon the Littles and the Bigs spend some time grazing in our pastures. During the summer months, they spend that time in the lower pasture in front of the barn. This pasture is adjacent to the dry lots and easily accessiblethrough...
- Together At Last!
I have been hesitant to put the "Bigs" and the "Littles"together in the same pasture to graze...fearing for the safety of my tiny horses. That is until the other day, when I took the Bigs to the upper pasture and heard the cries ofthe Littles as...
Animals
"Big" Tales
You might remember that I had mentioned putting the Bigs on a diet a few months ago. They still remain a little chubby, but certainly not like they had gotten on that rich summer pasture. Each morning, when I arrive at the barn, I open the gate from the dry lot to the front pasture (this pasture has the least nutritious grass) and let the Bigs out to graze for a few hours while I do the chores.
We are in the middle of a little Pavlovian training this Fall. I hung an iron bell outside of the back door of the barn. I ring this bell before feeding time. Also, during the day I ring the bell
when it is time for hay, and even at times when I am going to give them a little peppermint
treat. Hoping that they come to associate that bell with something good and come running when I ring it...this should help save steps (like having to walk out into the pasture, harness each animal, and lead them back to the barn).
If you had asked me how it was going last week, I would have said "not so well".
Today seemed to be the turning point.
I rang the bell.
Moonbeam looked up, and immediately started back to the barn.
Donnie, however took a few more minutes...but eventually came back on his own.
"Mmmmmm, I love breakfast."
"Me, too!"
Moonbeam always tries to finish Donnie's breakfast. Don't worry, I shoo him away every morning.
Moonbeam has taken this training one step further. When I am in the barn taking care of the other animals, he stands outside and rings the bell.....as if to say, "Hey, what about me?" Dieting is hard, but it's for your own good, Moonbeam.
- Grammie And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
I have been accused of exuding a little too much positivity from time to time.Today I will completely undo that.You see, every once in a while a day comes along that tries my soul.Not just a little...like when the dogs get sprayed by a skunk...but a little...
- Quiet Autumn Days
One of my favorite times to sit and unwind is during feeding time.There is such a calm, peaceful feeling in the barn when all is quietbut the sound of chewing. Each morning, after spending a few hours in the pasture, the equines head back to the...
- The Calm Before The Storm
The Calm.... I was originally going to call this post"Making Snow Angels". Yesterday morning, while I was cleaning the dry lot,the Bigs took turns rolling in the snow. First Donnie, then Scarlet, and lastly, Moonbeam. Back and forth they rolled, with...
- Pasture Eyes
Each afternoon the Littles and the Bigs spend some time grazing in our pastures. During the summer months, they spend that time in the lower pasture in front of the barn. This pasture is adjacent to the dry lots and easily accessiblethrough...
- Together At Last!
I have been hesitant to put the "Bigs" and the "Littles"together in the same pasture to graze...fearing for the safety of my tiny horses. That is until the other day, when I took the Bigs to the upper pasture and heard the cries ofthe Littles as...