Filed under: March 2020 | Tags: boogeyman, horse training, Suffolk, Suffolk Punch draft horse, training methods
March 30, 2020
Yesterday, I spent the day working with Hank. This little guy is our stallion prospect. First he must learn to be a work horse. We will see if the whole “daddy” thing works out. I spend a lot of time with him. I teach him manners and many things that are part of the routine. He learns quickly. He is a good animal to be around. I am continually amazed by this Suffolk breed of horse.
He will turn one year old on April 23rd. I am starting him young, because I want his mind busy. He, like all teen-aged boys, has an abundance of testosterone. If I can keep his mind busy, the fidgeting is much less. Yesterday, I introduced him to a horse collar and a set of sleigh bells. He was not scared of either.
We also gave him his second haircut. The clippers, even though this was his second experience, made him very wary. I calmly talked to him, let him smell the clippers and ran the noisy, vibrating thing all over him. After just a few minutes, he calmed down and let he clip between his ears and bridle path. I cannot say it was my best job, but he did very well. We will revisit this lesson often.
His rough winter coat is showing but his new haircut and shedding progress are showing through.
We enjoyed a wagon ride in the afternoon yesterday. It was warm and spring like. The shedding hair comes out in gobs, as the girls get their summer coat, a sure sign of spring, just like the greening of the grass.
Training and transition are two words that describe much of my work these days. Abby will soon be on maternity leave. Amee will get some individualized training on a few finer points that she lacks. Hank will continue to get exposed to new experiences as we train to power the farm. He has a ways to go, but the future looks bright.
Filed under: March 2020 | Tags: draft horses, foal, Suffolk Horses, Suffolk Punch, weather
March 28, 2020
Last night after chores, I took the mares for a walk through the woods. The mare on the left will foal in the coming weeks. I like to keep her exercised daily. These quiet walks are good for us all.
As we all face many changes due to the COVID-19 virus, quiet time, alone is good for us all. We are going through many changes here on the farm as well. My black Percheron horses are making their ways to new homes. It is a tough thing for me, but I see much opportunity in our change to the endangered Suffolk breed.
These horses continue to please me. I am excited to start the farm year with them. They will pick up where the blacks left off, after maternity leave of course!
Our Percheron mare Abby has gone off to “finishing school”. I have a friend in the nearby Amish community who also has a single black mare for sale. They look very nice together. We will get them all worked down and dolled up to show off all of their best traits, then put them in a draft horse sale in Topeka Indiana. The sale is scheduled for June. Abby will be headed there, unless I sell her private before then.
Today, the rain is sure making things wet. It started raining last night at dark and is still falling steady. It is supposed to continue all day. Perhaps it is just a preview of our normal April showers? Let’s pray we have a good planting season and normal growing season. We are due, but we know who is in control. We will plan, prepare and be ready to go once the time has come.
Filed under: March 2020 | Tags: bittersweet, draft animal power, maple syrup, Suffolk Punch horses, Suffolks
March 21, 2020
Our maple season came to a close last Tuesday. It was a short, yet wonderful season. We made plenty of nice syrup. We sold our darkest syrup (in the right of the picture) to some candy makers.
I love this time of year. The late winter cold mixed with the promise of spring stirs my soul. Perhaps it is my childhood memories of my parents and grandparents making maple syrup that stirs me? Whatever it is, it is born into me. I will do this sweet job as long as the good Lord allows.
This picture was taken on the last day that I gathered sap in 2020. It is a bittersweet photo, because it was also the last time that I hitched Knight and Hoss. They have moved to their new home. I spent the next day brushing and grooming them. We shared conversation and I shed a few tears, as I told my big boys goodbye.
I used the new Suffolk mares to pull the sled while we untapped the trees. They drove well and will pick up where my boys left off.
The taps and bags have all been removed. The evaporator pans have been disassembled for final cleaning. There is much to do to clean, store and organize until next year, but we are off to a great start. I should finish that job in a couple days.
I continue to work with the new Suffolk horses. I even allow myself some playtime for just riding around hooked to the forecart or wagon. It’s good for the new red horses and me to continue to get comfortable with each other.
Hank, our yearling stallion prospect, continues to grow and learn. He is a good little guy. His training continues daily. We work on manners and all sorts of ground skills. I also keep introducing him to “scary” things. I do it in a safe place for him. He takes it all in stride, knowing that I will keep him safe.
Here I am showing Hank that the pressure washer is nothing to fear. He took it all in, without any panic. He almost quit eating hay while I hosed him, but showed no fear or discomfort. This breed of horse has a very good mind. He is used to me introducing him to “boggymen”. Generally, he pays me no mind. Once in a while he shows me some white eye, but calms down quickly as I speak to him. I am enjoying these horses more than any I have ever owned.
There are some exciting and interesting times ahead for us here at Riceland Meadows. Stay tuned for our exploits and adventures!
March 20, 2020
Our world is changing, people have to stay put for awhile. The cronavirus has made things upside down. Now is the time to realize that we have a guardian watching over us. His name is Jesus Christ and he will never leave us.
Just as Pepper watches over the mother sheep and their lambs, God watches over us. When bad things come, he will drive them out. It is possible that a few will be lost, but the guardian is with us through it all. Take comfort in knowing this.
We are all in this together. Watch out for one another. Learn a new skill while we are sheltered in place. Make plans for a spring garden or plant some fruit trees. No matter how this all plays out, you will be better off for doing these things.
The lamb crop is in full swing. The grass is greening up. The first day of spring is here. There is much to be thankful for. Stay safe everyone!
Filed under: March 2020 | Tags: android, I-phone, maple syrup, Small Farming, Suffolk Horses
March 10, 2020
Oh my gosh! I had to get a new phone. Then I had to unlearn and relearn everything that I thought I knew. The long story made much shorter is to say that I couldn’t figure out how to send photos to my blog! I hate to “date” myself, but sometimes I feel very old! My daughter-in-law helped me learn all sorts of things about my new phone. So, I’m Back!
Abby and Amee, our new Suffolk horses are doing very well. We are all adjusting to each other. They are doing very well, but haven’t done much all winter. Abby is due to foal in April, so they are getting the 2020 maple syrup season off. Knight and Hoss are powering the operation one last time. They head to their new home in a few days.
The season is in full swing. We have made some very nice syrup. It is looking like the end is near for this year. These last few days have been very long as we boil late and get up early balancing farm chores and the maple operation. It is a busy, wonderful, sweet time of year…even with that new phone!
RicelandMeadows 