Teeth and Mouth Issues

****a bit graphic, blood mostly****

So last Monday I took Dee to Justin's to gather his cattle, she was super good (if missing a bit of steering and her stop was pretty slow (but I knew about the stop))  But she was tossing her head, I just thought she was wanting me to let her go faster, and it was chilly and she was fresh.  Well after we were done, I went to take of the bridle and noticed she had a giant lump in her mouth about the size of a golf ball.  It was on the inside of her lip.  Boy did I feel bad, it probly hit the bit every time she moved.  No wonder the head tossing.  Well I made an appointment with the vet, couldn't get in till the next Monday.  I wasn't overly worried as she was still eating and acting normal so I just waited.  

By the time Monday rolled around a big chunk of it had just died and fell off.  It was gross, like a big string...eww, glad the vet pulled it off and not me.  He figured we had to get rid of it and send it away for testing just to make sure we knew what it was.

She was pretty sleepy which was good, easier to do surgery on if shes not wiggling and she is a wiggler.  He froze it and waited a bit the cut it off.  Wasn't gonna suture or anything.  He has this stuff its lidocaine with epinephrine in so it is a painkiller and slows blood.  He put that on but there was one little vein spurting out so 3 stitches went in.  And shes on uniprim until the bottle is empty, which I hope is soon as its a pain cause she's a slow eater

She was a super good patient.  Didn't even care we kept bothering her mouth, even before the sedation.  He was worried it was a tumor when I first got there, but the more he thought about it he thinks something went up in her lip and fat got pushed out the hole.  He said its seen a lot in cows but not much on horses.  But we are getting it looked at through a microscope anyways just in case.

  He checked her teeth while we were there and couldn't find any points or anything bothering her so we left it at that.  Sure didn't seem to even notice anything was amiss when I unloaded her she went straight to the grass so I let her eat her fill and put her back with her buddies who were missing her (or jealous about the grass more likely)  While I was there I got a call from the farrier he was just leaving the neighbors and so he come over and did my ponies (except Dee of course) before I even got home.  Pretty awesome, since my last farrier quit without notice (I was pretty mad about that)

While I was there I mentioned I wanted to get Razz and Jessie in for teeth and the export examination.  He likes them in sooner then its all ready when I wanna go so we booked Wednesday.

Down I went, another hot day but I opened the vents and the screens in the trailer.  Wasn't too bad in there when we got to town.  First Razz.  Her teeth had a few points but not bad.  He gave her a regular dose of sedation but with the hot weather and her being kinda calm she about fell over, good thing the stocks hold her up.  It worked out OK though cause he has so draw her for the paperwork and she stood super still while we looked all over for white spots and whorls and everything.

Shirley was gonna borrow Jessie so she was coming in but last week she got a new horse so Jess just got her teeth done.  They really needed to she had a start of a sore on her one cheek, not a callous yet but was working towards it.  Shes good now for a while.  Which I hope lasts as I may not use her again till fall....Have to see how everything is working out with Chili and Dee

Jessie also got the regular dose and I had to hold her head upright while he did the teeth, she was just laying it to the side, lol.  I said we should get her a pillow ;)  

Even afterwards I had to stay a half hour so she could wake up a little, she finally put her tongue in her mouth and quit leaning on the halter so much.  I  loaded them and then went to the grocery store.  Its tough to keep fresh stuff around when we were at brandings forever and not cooking.  

More Long Branding Days

Last weekend we had 3 big days.  It all started Wednesday I was supposed to help a neighbor move cows to a smaller field but they all showed up early and by the time I got there it was raining and they looked like they had it under control so I just visited and Jess didnt even get out of the trailer.  The next morning we had an early branding.  Me and Jessie got up early, we were ready and waiting by 6:15

My neighbor Craig come and picked me up and then we picked up Richard and off to Slorstads for more branding.  I was on the roundup crew.  I was kinda thinking of taking more horses but after an offer of a ride I figured one would be enough.  It was kinda a cool rainy day so it wasn't too hard.  Lots of black cattle there, I think over 900 over the whole day got branded.

The first group is always a hard one to get in, they know where the gate is and resist pretty hard but we got them all, and then after a coffee and a egg and ham bun we were off to the next bunch while they were branded.  We went to the corrals no idea whats going on and then we got there and there was a group of 100 heifers on what used to be farmland and they reseeded to grass/hay and boy was it thick, so much grass it was laying over.  Weird to see on a dry year like this.

As we gathered them closer to the corral we saw a few cows across the fence come up and thought nothing of it till we saw more and more and then a few riders.  Apperently everyone didn't get the message the heifers first and they got the cows.  Well a phone call later and they just let the cows rest in a big bunch.  They were told to leave them and have a beer, but they just stayed out there, they cows laid down and didn't even try to leave.

Stratton felt bad for them and wanted to bring them a beer and I said I had my saddle bags but they are pink and he was not interested.  But about 10 minutes later came by and asked how much beer they would hold.  So I grabbed them and we filled them up and off he went.  They were much appreciated.  I had to get a picture, its kinda blurry but no doubt about the pink :)

We got them in, it worked well and we went to get those cows in they just run in, was the fastest gather of that herd ever.  Had lunch and then on to the last bunch.

The last bunch come in pretty well and then we were done.  I took this pic when watching the storm rolling in.   It shows almost all the crew, kinda  a neat photo I thought.

Then this one as we were about to leave there was a rainbow with both ends on the ground.  The corrals are on a hill and I tried to get the whole rainbow and didn't see the trailers under it till later.  Turned out better than I planned for a phone pic.

Then after supper, Craig dropped me off and said he would be back in the morning at 7:30.  I said I don't go to Joan's branding and he said they need help hes coming so be ready.  Well I was ready.  Wasn't so bad, that extra hour of sleep was appreciated.  And he was right those cows tried everything to leave the group.  Glad they put them in a section field on Wednesday.  It was a super humid morning and we trotted through the field and Jess was sweaty from head to tail, Looked like we rode a lot harder than we really did.  Then after that I jumped in with Justin and headed over to Grants, we were a little late but we got in time to sort the cows and brand.  I was tired after 2 16 hour days.  Whew Saturday was a day off.  Even though Brent asked if I was going to Douglass' and I said no he says I'll pick you up....I laughed and said I fell for that one already lol.

Then 3 brandings on Sunday, Whew that was another long day, All 3 had not too many cows so that was kinda nice.  And not we have only 2 left, the 30th and the 2nd.  Will be glad to be done and move on with summer, even though I love branding season.  I hope I got everything in, I had written this up Saturday but somehow when I went back to change a picture and it all dissapeared.

More Dee Videos

Took a couple more videos of Dee and finally got time to upload them this afternoon.  First is loping and trotting after cows 

and the second is getting them in the corrals.  Shes kinda fun to ride in a group.  Now I'm sad I have to wait till Monday to see whats wrong with her mouth before I can ride her again.

Also got an email on Chili and shes coming along good, Hes gonna try and get some pics or video of her when his wife is out next. 

More Brandings.

We had a day off after our branding....actually 3! But I went to the massage on Wednesday and that was exhausting, she's tough on me.  And Thursday we went to Brooks to try and order our house again....what a schmozle.  Never succeeded yet.  That's 3 times we been in and a couple hours each time and maybe next week we will have better luck.  Then 2 brandings Friday that were both cold.  And another Saturday that's always kinda  a fun one....not too many calves and good company i enjoy going there.  Got a few photos there but not many cause I had to work.

Then today another one and I took Dee.  She was super good since I hadn't ridden her since January and never around cows but after I got off I seen she had an abscess?fatty growth on her inner lip.  Never seen anything like that before.  Guess a vet trip is in order if I can fit it in.
Tomorrow we load 50 cow/calf pairs to go the community pasture.  Trucks coming at 9 so its gonna be an early morning.  And Wednesday I am going to help a neighbor move cows across the highway and Thursday an all day branding and Friday another branding and finally a day off next Saturday.   Whew I'm gonna need it.

Our Branding

We did our branding on Monday.  I went to town in the morning like I usually do to pick up buns and Tim Hortons donuts for desert.  It was already 30* at 10 am I knew it was gonna be a warm one....little did I know how warm.

Came home and we said round up around 3 and so I got my horse ready and just before we left the yard I put in some of the food to warm up in the oven, I didn't really wanna turn on the oven but I had to have a hot meal for the crew.

We headed out to the corrals and complaining its hot and then we looked at the temp and it was 36*  Its not supposed to be that warm this early in June.  Ugh.  But what do you do?  We were all there so we went and got the cows.  I wore my go pro again and the cows were close by (the first bunch) but we had to take them out of the field they were in and wound a big slough and back to were we were going.  I don't know where all the water come from in that slough it hasn't rained hardly any this year.  

After getting them in we sort the cows from the calves and they worked really well this time, its not always that easy.  Then it was beer time.  And water.  I think we used more water than beer, which is weird for a branding.  But it was needed.  

When they went to work I headed back to the house to check on how things were going in there.  It was good, switched out some food in the oven and got buns and pickles cut.  And sat around and visited with Neil's Mom and sister.  I am lucky they come out and help me cook so I can go help gather.  After an hour or so I went back out and they were just finishing up that bunch and so we sat for a few minutes and visited and then the gatherers got on horses and went to get the second bunch.  They were about a mile away and we walked out there and then got them back in.  Just as we got to the corrals a huge wind picked up. it actually felt nice going by the slough the water cooled the air down a lot. 

Got them in and still windy.  The dust it raised was horrible and the cows didn't sort very good this time around either.  Probly cause of the wind.  And then we had trouble keepin the stove lit and so had to move that but finally got everything all organized and they got going.  Michelle was gonna rope off Jess again but she did not like that wind and she was just getting upset so we quit before we had a wreck.  I was kinda sad I wanted to get more roping done off her but it was for the best for everyone.  I got a few pictures of this bunch and then headed back to the house again for getting the rest of the meal done.  It took forever and we mostly just sat around and visited....was way better inside than out in that wind anyways.  

Was a pretty miserable day, going from so hot to super windy and then got cold at the end.  But its done for another year and hopefully that will be the hottest day we ever brand again.

First Branding for 2015

We went to our first branding of the year on Saturday.  I took Jessie and my gopro and so got a 10 minute video of the last part of the roundup.  Whole thing maybe took an hour they move them to a smaller field (only a section) the day before so its quicker.

Love it when I get to take my horse to brandings :)  Although I do notice when I watch the video I sure talk a lot, never noticed it before....and I dont think I sound like that either lol

Off To School

Yesterday was a big day around here, not so much for me but for Chili.  I had talked to the guy I was gonna take a clinic with and he said the facility canceled it.  Not sure if there wasn't enough people or what but either way was a relief for me since I didn't really wanna go anyways.  But what we decided was I would take Chili there and he would start her and then I could come for some lessons or a clinic later on.  So sounds good to me, be better anyways as we are getting into branding season, first one Tuesday night.  And things would be kinda sporadic for a while and that's not the best.  And strange as things go he had 2 openings this months as he had 2 horses booked in and he couldn't get a hold of them and tried another day and nothing so rather than trying to chase after them he said I could bring her anytime.  So Wednesday was the day.

I got up early and fed and then got the trailer around.  I caught Jessie and tied her up and caught Chili and she was good, only needed one reminder to turn and face me and then she stood really nice to put the halter on.  I backed the trailer in close as I know its only her second time on one and last time I think it was an accident.  I loaded Jess and then went to get Chili.  She was pretty hesitant and after about 20 minutes I decided to just load her in the chute before I run out of patience.  I think she woulda loaded but I didn't want to force her or wait a couple hours.  So to the chute and she just walked up and shes taller than cows lol so she looked over each way and no out and then put her head down and just walked right it.  So much less stress that way.  I went in and told her how good she was and she seemed relaxed cause her buddy was in there too.

Its a long trip over there, took about 2 and half hours and it was raining over there.  Was kinda cold too, almost said chilly lol.  I unloaded her it was no big deal and led her to her pen she got to visit with the blue mares and the walkers.  She called once for Jess and Jess answered and after that she settled in quiet, just looking around.  We talked for a bit, hes gonna start working with her today and eventually ride her out and throw a rope off her, I said mostly a ranch/trail horse.  So far 30 days but we will see how shes doing and might go with 60 days.

On the way home I stopped and visited my Mom and dropped off the tables I made for a neighbor, same as the ones I made for our deck.  Simple but boy are they useful.

Then came home did chores and had a nap and played video games, best way to end an evening when Neils at golf night.

Yard and Garden

Well this year I again went to the flower sale at Cessford and bought my tons of flowers,  I love that sale cause the prices are reasonable and I know the stuff was grown in this area so it usually survives.  Susan grows all kinds of native plants, I wish I was half as green thumby as her.  I always get tomatoes and marigolds from her and this year some creeping thyme too.  And then Nina I got some new perennial called Kangaroo Apple, supposedly native to New Zealand, grows 5 feet high and 5 feet wide, we'll see if it survives winter here (I'm not so sure but it was cheap and cool looking)  And I got a few others from her.  And the rest of my flowers come from Holly, for my baskets and planters.  I did get a couple weird tomato plants and so we will see how they turn out as well.

I got the garden in mostly a week or so ago, with potatoes on the East, corn on the North, then tomatoes  beside the potatoes, and peppers at the end of their row.  Peas, carrots/radishes and beans beside the corn.  Then a row of marigolds, then onions, more marigolds.  Then pumpkin, squash and beets lastly.   Hope they all come up, I have a lot of thistle out there, I keep digging it out but since it comes back from the roots, I might have to spray it out, wish it woulda come up before I planted.

And I had to include a picture of my favorite tree in full bloom, and the crazy blackbirds who built a nest at the bottom of the maple tree, right behind my garden bench.  Silly birds they coulda built it in the tree and I wouldn't have chased her away when I mowed.

Then the perennial garden, doesn't look like anything from last year survived :(  Not a real surprise as I planted them all at the wrong time and then I never covered them over last winter and we had no snow.  But I was hoping anyways.  Well got new stuff in there now one day it will all survive.  Oh and in the garden along the north fence by my peony I got some sunchokes from my neighbor, I had never heard of them before but she says you can eat them too?  weird.

And the planters, still got the hanging baskets, although i found much prettier ones I may make for next summer. And the green pots, which I planted basil and spearmint in them around the petunias.   And my bicycle and cowboy planters have I dunno what that looks like daisies (I had them last year and asked for the same thing and she knew what I wanted)  And the other plants did something different we will have to see how they turn out and what to get for next year.  Don't have much for vines in my tall planter cause it seems they always get so beat up by the wind.  Might have to make another row on there and put smaller flowers half away up or something.