Cooper the younger of the oldies at 20 is we firmly believe a Mr Jeckel and Mr Hyde personality. At 7.30am when the big barn doors slide open, old Mr Cooper turns into the Whirling Dervish. The big brown bay swirls and whirls around his stall, invariably his breakfast bucket lies barely eaten on the barn floor as he busies himself checking both doors to ensure NOTHING moves without him noticing and approving it first. There is a brief pause (thankfully !) while his rug is thrown on and safely fastened then it’s back to his frantic busy bodying. When the old horse vacates and there is time to breathe again and survey the damage….. Coopers stall looks like world war 3 has just been declared right there and Armageddon has arrived ! Post 8.30am Mr Hyde comes through, Cooper the big brown retired veteran leads out to the pasture looking like Dobbin, deep dark docile eyes and head low, he passively meanders out down the barn road.
Daisy May nearly had Greg paying his hypothetical 25c into the hypothetical swear jar yesterday morning. Daisy also chose yesterday to be a demon. Truth be told…. the milking session didn’t start well. Misty Moo, our little Jersey calf chose yesterday to get hormonal just as Daisy decided to get Satanic. For Misty Moo, it was simple, no dressing it up, no excuses, Misty Moo wanted a man…any man would do and with no men available Misty chose Daisy May. Just as a wicked looking Daisy May was fending off Misty’s lustful advances Greg tried to lead our “family milk cow” into the milking squeeze. After that, forget the backscratch….forget the tail….forget hobbling….forget milking. Daisy kicked and stomped, she tossed her big black head in annoyance and she kicked even harder. Greg’s milking stool went into orbit and the milk cups all became well and truly uncapped. Not a good session….time to look forward to the next session with LESS than optimism.
Good news….bar one half hearted kick at a pesky and persistent fly the evening session went well. Phew !! Daisy provided us with a 16 cup haul. All is not lost, we all still have two arms and a working face…each !! .Daisy was trying to wipe them all out !!
Finally, quick update on little MoJo Anne (MJ). Mojo is fit healthy and hungry….all the time. The little calf recognizes the big plastic bottle and oversized red rubber teat from 40 yards and can inhale one and a half pints in about 20 seconds !!!
Time to go, still dark out there. Take care, keep safe and dry. M