Here's love for you

I like Valentine's Day. I always felt, even as a child, it was about love for everyone and everything-not for lovers specifically. When I lived in NYC and worked at a large well known ad agency, I always gave out valentines. They seemed to look at it as a Midwest kindness thing, but everyone, although surprised, enjoyed them. How can you not?

I had so many Valentines greetings to make today between Martyn and creatures, that it took an entire day, while I worked on fencing. I'd stop and enjoy time in the sun with whoever chose to come my way-be it caprine, sheep, porcine or rooster. It was over sixty degrees and sunny. How can one not feel the love of the ground and sky- like something good must be happening in the world for this beautiful day. While others might be suffering in the cold, or in war or sad conditions-I could not dwell on that. i selfishly soaked up each second of my manual labor, watching my main valentine work on the new barn, but watch step was so decadent in that weather. I can not take it for granted–the weather or the life.

Here are three valentines to you-glimpses of the love that was all around me–An old pony once so lame she couldn't get up now runs; a raggedy little goat who once shied from touch now poses in a bucket waiting for a back rub; and a flock of sheep on Muddy Hill graced with morning light and fog.

Flirting comes in all sizes

It always amuses me to see the elder ponies flirting with Boone. They always start it. His paddock is next to their's and I often see him reaching over, nibbling, then a little squeal is heard from one or the other–a normal equine behavior. Boone is not one to be impressed by the ladies, but it's sweet to watch him with his little chums.

A hut for a butt, and some prayers

Wilma has lost a lot of weight, the vet was pleased. But don't worry, we still have this wonderful view. I personally like a woman with a strong rear end, don't you?

The pony hut is now graced by prayer flags, sent by a friend of Apifera. It's always nice to get such surprises! Many prayers and wishes are circling as I write, all around the farm.

Update on the elder ponies

The vet came on Friday to work on the teeth of Mama Sugee and Wilma. Equines need to have periodic 'teeth floatings', where the vet grinds down any sharp points or uneven areas. This allows the animal to chew properly, and also makes their life more comfortable, so they don't have a tooth sticking in their gum or tongue.

Unfortunately, Sugee's teeth have never been worked on - or not for many, many years. When the vet opened her mouth, she was a t a loss how to start. Sugee's teeth were so horrible - some had fallen out, others were very long and growing into her cheeks leaving 2" raw, open sores. Some of the teeth were worn down to the nub. The vet had to take as much off as she could so at least they were making more pain for her mouth, but she couldn't get them even and we never will at this point. This means Sugee will always probably spit out some of her hay as she can't grind it down properly, and I will always water-mash her grain.

I'm so glad she will have relief though - the sharp points are gone and won't create more wounds. Wilma didn't need any work, so that was great.

I was really happy when the vet– who originally rescued these tow old gals and was the vet who operated on Sugee's ears after the dog chewed them off– told me how pleased she was to see Sugee with so much more weight on her, and they loved that Wilma was up and about. Wilma was so fat and sore from bad feet she couldn't even get up when they got her.

I have been working on Wilma's attitude. She is not mean spirited, she just doesn't have ground manners. She is learning that she needs to stand still, with her ears relaxed, not pinned back, to accept hugging. And when she relaxes those ears, she's figuring out it's okay and feels good to get petted. She is also learning to stand still after being released, rather than rushing off in a huff. The new pony paddock is next to Boone, and it is so sweet, if not amusing, to see the two old gals flirt with Boone, who nipples on them when they are in heat.

If you'd like to make a small donation to help me maintain the elder ponies and all the other Misfits, I'm very appreciative. There are gift levels, including a copy of the new book, "Misfits of Love".

Putting weight on Sugee, taking it off Wilma

We are working on the pony shelter and have it 90% done as I'm writing here. Hope to have it done tonight. Hooray!! It took much longer than I anticipated [I'm guilty of this way too much] and I guess we've put at least 30 hours of time into it. We decided to repost part of the area too - it is the old corral from way back when so many of the posts and boards were half rotten. When we moved here it was hard to find one fence that was in a straight line, so whenever we can we try to add some straightness to this place, even though it will always be 'raggedy'.

I am pleased I have put some rib fat on Old Sugee. She is eating very well and I added rice bran to her mash. And, I know poor little Wilma is losing weight. I can see it now after three weeks. She spends much of her day off her feet and I hope in time her founder issues will lesson if I can get more weight off. They are very obedient about it all and really no trouble. In the new shelter, Sugee will have a separate isle to eat in. Right now I have a makeshift area to let her eat in, so Wilma can't get in, but it is not under cover.

Foundered Wilma

Wilma had her first trim with my farrier. He got a lot of tow off and found an abscess which will be chronic with her since she foundered at some point in her life. Who knows when, but since she is so overweight it probably has been a while.

The best thing I can do for her is get weigh off her and she is on dry lot per see, and Sugee is fed in a separate area. She is on daily Bute to help her pain and I hope in six months we will see some difference in her weight.

Founder causes the bottom of the foot to become soft, and if the foot bone starts to shift it pushes down and worst case scenario the bone comes through the skin. A foundered horse usually is seen standing in a shifted backwards position, rocking back on their heel to try to relieve the pain.

We worked all weekend, again, on the new pony shelter. I'm hoping next weekend we can get it done for the most part. It was hot this weekend which made me move slower than I'd hoped. It's going to be a great place for the ponies, though and they can rub noses with Boone, and the pigs.

Pony shelters, pig naps and life as the young elder

Martyn is busy, busy, busy building the pony structure for Old Mama Sugee and Wilma. We should have a roof up today and a structure so next weekend I can put up cedar siding. I have a lot to do in the paddock area too like putting in new gates and posts, making a culvert for winter water flow and improving existing fencing. I think we will also do a rain collection gutter on the hut too. Sugee and Wilma will then have nose neighbors - Boone and the rams, and Doris and Pearl on the other side. Eventually they can mingle with goats I think, as long as Sugee is secure. They get along with everyone it appears.

It's hot, but tomorrow should cool down. Martyn amazes me how he just works in it, without complaint. I'm so fortunate to have a friend and husband like this! The farm is a source of continuing projects, and of course I can't build much on my own which Martyn points out is a blessing! I did manage to secure the back gate on the hay barn so that Boone and the rams can't snack on the hay anymore. Rascals.

I feel quiet, but in a nice way. I told Martyn I feel like I have stepped up a level in age this week. I feel like a young elder now, not only in heart, mind and attitude, but also in appearance. And it's all fine. I've lost my mother and two aunts in the last four months with only one remaining uncle left. I am taking my place on the great mandala I guess. One thing I've noticed is a new and improved distaste for other people's dramas - especially those who always seem to be in one calamity or another. There is enough healthy excitement every time I go to feed the barnyard that I am shunning anyone or anything that brings uneccessary personal stuff into my life. Martyn and I talked about that last night - we don't need it, or want it, or deserve it. We just want to help our farm, do good work in our businesses, and enjoy our days and nights together. As usual, he treated me to a wonderful meal last night with lantern light and stars joining us.

I have to start the autumnal chore of trimming feet and giving shots to the sheep and goats. I get slower every season I think. I'll wander on out after I write this and do the rams and the goats. Maybe I'll do the sheep tomorrow, or next weekend. But first I took time to sit with the pigs for a little bit and watched them nap, and then sat and watched Martyn work on the new hut. He's like a goat on a ladder, up and down with ease. I thought of all the projects my parents worked on together, and Dick and Alice - or so many of our now young farm friends. When you work on a house together, or on land and a farm, you are part of it. It never leaves you, and vice versa. I won't fast forward to a day when we can't be here. But if we do have to leave someday, our blood and that of any creature living here others is here forever.

Elder ponies arrive!

They are here and what sweet beings they are! Today is very hot too and still they are well mannered and very calm, considering the last months of upheaval.

Now, I just don't think "Willow" is going to be "Willow". So I've discussed it with her and I will wait for the right name to present itself. I often do this - I feel it's my responsibility to follow my inner muse that is asking to rename them - and it's a new start for them here, their final home. She is the tubby bottom pony, the one that had 6" long curled feet, turned over, which has crippled her slightly. I will take a movie sometime soon. She needs to lose weight - don't we all? She has already figured out I am the one who brushes her. Her coat was a matted and needs lots of brushing at this point.

Her mother, on the other hand, Sugee, needs to gain weight. Old Mama Sugee is blind and has no ears. One ear hole is completely closed up, the other is a barely seen stub. When she wants to know where she is, she sort of whinnies in a quiet voice and if you go over to her she presses her head into you and then goes on about her way. I've created a special eating area within the orchard for Sugee so her daughter can be near by but it will allow Sugee to eat all her grain without tubby bottom getting her dinner. We will be feeding her 3x day to get more weight on. Since her rescue in February she has gained some. We will get those teeth floated within the month as she is dropping feed.

I have them in the Donkey Hug area for now and as we speak Martyn is getting the new stall/paddock ready. Should be at least 2 more weeks. They will have a separate paddock/ hut next to Boone and near all The Misfits. They can eventually have goat and pig guests during the day, and chickens and ducks. They lived with a duck and when they heard 'quacks' they perked up. We had meant to start that paddock last spring but life got in the way, and I'm glad we didn't build it, as I didn't know about the ponies then - so this hut will be bigger.

All in all, they are settling in wonderfully. I am really glad I can help these old gals! Feel free to chip in to help with the extra requirements these two old gals will take.

Elder neglected ponies coming to Apifera

Apifera will be taking on two very old ponies [actually they are mini horses, but we all seem to keep calling them ponies including the rescuers, so it has stuck].

It is a mother and daughter, the mother is estimated to be close to 40 according to the vet. The daughter is in her early 30's.

Before I go any further- PLEASE - I won't tolerate any bullying/bashing of others on this page, take it elsewhere please. The owners of these two had life events take over both financially and in health ways that caused a slow but mounting environment of neglect. Not only was there living shelter dirty, the elder mother pony was bone thin and blind. Both were matted so bad they had to be clipped and manes/tails were cut. The daughter was, and is, overweight and her feet were curled as you can see from the blurry photo taken by the vet. This causes some crippling in her legs - she now walks oddly, but this may change with more time and feet trims.

The elder mother also had - WARNING this is GRAPHIC - her ears chewed off, supposedly by a coyote but none of us, including the vet who rescued her, believe this. We think it was most likely the family dog that was rather wild according to a neighbor, and he might have been playing tug of war on her. I have the photos of the day they found her, freshly eaten off, it's horrible and I contemplated showing it here, but felt it would incite people. These are not bad people, they just got lost. And they did call the vet when her ears were chewed off, which is when the neglect was discovered.

So one of my vet clinics operated on the spot on her ears and they are entirely gone now. She is about 90% blind. They got some weight on her but she needs more - her hips are concave still and she is still too thin. The daughter needs ground work - she is not mean, in fact once you start petting her she likes it, and children have hugged on her and there is no aggression. It is amazing that the elder with no ears still trusts dogs and is very sweet. They get along with chickens and goats and should fit in just wonderfully here.

We will need to float the elder mom's teeth and we will need some extra foot trims for awhile, and Cushing's meds, and special equine food. Martyn will help me get that new little out building built soon [a good incentive, as we had a kind donation last spring]. I will take photos on Sunday after their arrival!

If you'd like to donate a little something to honor their arrival, it will be appreciated. Or just send warm thoughts our way if money is tight. I hope I can help them back into shape so they can have months and or years in peace.