Swath Grazing

So this year we are trying something different, partly on purpose and partly cause it would not quit raining this summer long enough to get the oats baled and when it finally did our baler broke down so we said stuff it (or something like that) and lets just swath graze.  The only problem is its 2 miles from the normal winter pasture on flat ground and there is only a dugout out there.  Well we moved them out of the creek field on a cold day, glad I was driving that day!  and into a small field where Neil fed them for a few days, its thier least favorite field but they were OK in there this time.

(looking out the bedroom window they already want out)

(but they went back to eating after a bit)

And then on a half nice day he got Bob and I got the bale truck and away we went, out the field onto the road and into the swath field.  The cows were kinda slow going they followed the truck pretty good through the first gate and out it was going well then we got to the curve where we meet up with the road and the cows took off down the road, what am I to do but follow, they were headed the right direction so far and so I guess let them go.

(in the mirror, cows eating off my bales)

(and following along, some of thier white markings are sure different)

(and passing me)

(there they go, bye, bye cows)

  They went about half mile and stopped, waited for me and I caught up and went off road and they followed again, right into the field. Then they saw the oats and were quite happy about that!

(mm delicious, if you zoom, 

you can see Neil and Bob in the background bringing up the stragglers)

All in all took about an hour, we expected a lot longer, probly 2 hours was more likely but it was nice to be quicker than expected for a change.  We didn't feed them the bales from the truck they were not interested and so we headed home and Neil went out later to chop a water hole in the dugout.  He also ut our portable panels out there with windbreak slabs on it so they have some protection from the wind if it gets cold again.  So far they haven't used it at all and seem quite happy out there.  We shall see how long it lasts, Neil expects 2 months I think he will have to start feeding some hay before then to keep them happy in there.

(using a bar to chop the ice open)

(then a shovel)

(to scoop out all the ice chips)

After that they will get led back to the regular winter pasture and continue getting fed till spring comes.  Will save a lot of chore time, only has to chop a water hole rather than feed bales.  And today on the way to visit the neighbors we stopped o chop the water hole and I took pics lol.  This warm weather sure makes it a lot pleasanter (and easier chopping), less than 5 minutes today

Feeding Heifers

We put our replacement heifers on grass a few weeks ago and the grass was only kinda green and so Neil got a feed mixed up that he has been feeding them every night till the bag is gone I guess.  They were pretty well trained to come running at the sound of his Dodge, but the other night we were heading out somewhere and we took the pails on the way so we had his Chev.  They were not so sure about this new vehicle, but it didn't take long till they heard the sound of the grain being poured and the buckets rattling around that they came running.

Feeding

When I went to get Shasta the other day, I noticed a few of the ponies looked a little thin.  That is kinda normal this time of year for ponies on pasture, but I don't like it and was feeling bad for them.  Usually I bring them into the corral for a month or so till the grass starts to green up.  But this year we have some stupid old cows there (I wanted to sell them last fall but of course we had to keep them and they are not worth it and probly not even pregnant cause we never got them checked.  And yes I am a little annoyed no one listens to me) 

Anyways there is no corral available for 9 horses to fit in, I have my round pen and 2 smaller outdoor stalls but that's just not enough.  So Neil rolled a bale out there and he will do that every week or so till there are enough heifers with calves we can kick them out then put the horses in.

The horses were quite surprised when he drove out there and started rolling it out.  Quite often he drives out there to go somewhere else and they just get whatever falls off.  I would rather only bring in a few like Duchess and Jazz and Shasta and maybe Bailey cause the rest are doing quite well, but this will have to do for now.  I wish the weather would warm up and stay warm cause as soon as the dugouts are open I can put half (or more) in the north pasture and won't worry about feeding them, but until then I guess they get spoiled :) 

I didn't want to put it in a feeder cause I am sure those who really need it wouldn't get any with so many out there, so rolled out there is lots of room for everyone to eat.

Pasture Ponies

Its been a while since I had a really good look at the outside ponies so on Friday I went out there.  They were happy to see me, specially Bailey. Should have had the video camera on right when they seen me cause she always calls then comes running as fast as she can towards me.  Silly girl. 

(Bailey sees me and Duchess looks towards the other horses)

(Bailey comes running :)

Then everyone else comes too.  Well no worries out there, they are all fat, probly too fat, but they will lose that if we ever get snow cover and it gets cold and they actually have to work to get feed.  I like them a little fat this time of year cause they seem to lose weight by spring.

Duchess was acting weird when I fed them she would just paw a pile then move on and paw and move on.  Thought it was weird and of course trying to look at her and she was hiding from me and I couldn't figure it out until I ignored her and then I seen a cactus in her nose, Ouch!  so I walked up to her and just brushed it off, apparently she isn't used to cactus being around.   

(I was being watched by this guy, probly couldn't figure out why they were running in )

Jazz is looking big, I think she is as tall as Belle is (which isn't that tall, lol I think Belle is maybe 14.2) but then they stand nest to Duchess and they look little again, but she is probly close to16 hands. 

(Happily eating, George, Belle, Jazz, Duchess)

(Rolly Polly Bailey)

Afterwards I went over and caught Disco and Shasta and brushed and fed them and then rode Razz.  I was pretty lazy and she was not so we were done in a short time.  We were gonna go for a lesson on Saturday but Doug was busy all weekend.  Char thinks she will be busy the next two weeks so I may have to ride alone.  Which won't be too bad cause I may go in the daytime when its a little nicer. Maybe even ride outside.

Horse Handling and Safety 101

Sherry over at Fern Valley Appaloosas has been doing a series of posts on handling horses and asked if a few others ould put in some info too.   She has been doing an excellent job and not sure if I have anything better, but I will put in my two cents anyways.

A few years ago I was down at Doug and Carol Schaffers place and we walked out in a psture of about 30 mares, and Doug was telling us the pedigree and earnings on all them.  I was amazed he could remember that much cause I can hardly remember my own, but thats off topic.  Anyways even though the mares came up for attention there was no fighting or anything and I was amazed, so I asked him and he says its not allowed when he's out there.  Just that  simple.  So ever since then I have made it a point to not let my ponies fight when I am around.  I dont care what they do when I am not out there, but when i am they can behave. 

And I found out it really wasnt that hard, once you expect something from a horse, they come to do it pretty easy.  I just had no idea it was possible in such a big herd.  But since I seen it was now I make it just happen.  I started small with making them back up from the fence when I throw hay over.  This was really important to me cause I feed off a round bale with a fork and didnt want anyone to get hit with the fork.  It was really easy to teach cause the reward is instant.  A couple horses that have done lots of leaning on fences for feed (like Neils horse) were a little harder to teach and I actually had to scare him a little the first time to get him to step away, but after that he just takes a step back as soon as I lift the fork. 

This video is me going out to feed the horses grain like I do every morning.  It is a little shakey cause it was around my neck while I was feeding.  

 A few things to note in the video:

--as I walk out there, they do not crowd around me and my bucket

--Even though they move around to other piles there is no kicking and chasing

--When I walk around by George, he lifts his head to look at me (respect)

--Even when Jamaica walks to me, he doesn't come completly to me cause I never invited him in and he never had a pile but still never got pushy with my bucket

--There are all ages (foal to 15) and genders of horses out here

--I walk towards her, Bailey walks away, even though it looks like she is turning her butt to me, she is just leaving.

I have no worries walking out there with a bucket or anything.  There is always a certain amount of space around me.  Even when i just go out with no reason, and they all come up for scratches, they move slowly around me and never do I feel I am in danger out there.  When i go catch a horse, I can get a hlater on the one I want and lead them away with out a problem.  And if I put a new horse or even one I just rode, they stay back till I have the halter off.  This saves me alot of trouble and the horse I am putting in there is more relaxed as well.  It gives them confidence that I will protect them out there.  Maybe I will try to get a video of catching them too.

This is long enough, so I will quit here and maybe continue on later  cause this is far from all there is in safety around horses.