Good morning, it’s 6.30am, still very dark....the cedar trees and barn are just black shadows against the night sky. Out the window the early dawn light is beginning to show over the horizon and Greg’s truck is just leaving to collect a trailer full of wood shavings. It was an early start here at the ranch and a busy day is, as usual, anticipated.
Yesterday Greg and Quatre gave the ewes and lambs a manicure/pedicure. Now, giving sheep a foot job is far from a relaxing treat at the local spa, those little ladies and their sprightly offspring put a pedicure low down on their list of priorities and are not inclined to co operate. Quatre loves nothing more than a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the bigger her smile! Since neither she or Greg bear any resemblance to John Wayne and a lariat only works if the unsuspecting critter accidentally puts her head into the noose, the intrepid two set to work catching them. Unsurprisingly, although each and every hairy sheep ( except for standoffish Katie and her two equally standoffish offspring) come when called and happily compete with each other for a carrot morsel or a peanut, somehow, when poor Greg appears with his stool and the “foot box” sheep seem to melt into the barn walls. When Greg the terrible appears with an accomplice, clearly that’s the last straw and co operation is non existant, unless the sheep’s name is Chance and Chance just wants to be a people. Always underfoot and gazing lovingly at anyone who has two legs, Chance, our little bottle fed lamb was raised in my farmhouse kitchen and loves people. Chance will be staying with us and will never be ribs on the barbeque.
Ursula was invaluable as the 3rd man, when Greg or Quatre yelled “open the gate” there she was, on the spot, ready to leap into action and turn out the newly manicured sheep into the pasture.
After lunch, Quatre got to work digging a hole that looked like she was on an escape bid and heading for Australia….we don’t want you to go Quatre, but if you have to, the gate is open !! Quatre with a spade is an awesome sight and the project is now ready to be completed before Winter arrives. Whilst Quatre was exercising her biceps, Ursula got to work in the barn kitchen, painting the cabinets. Another job on the “must do” list can be struck off, thanks team, soon there wont be a list….then what will Greg worry about ? smile.
After evening barn chores, it was time to turn our attention to Charm. Charm, a golden palamino arab/quarter horse is truly beauty with attitude but of late, there has been a little more attitude and a little less charm. Time to have an attitude adjustment and Greg and Quatre took him out for a session in lunging. I think that the photographs reflect the “you want me to do WHAT ?“ stance that he took but Greg and Quatre have an equally stubborn nature and eventually a chastened Charm did lunge in the correct direction at almost the correct speed.
Time to go, plenty to do, take care, keep safe, M
Yesterday Greg and Quatre gave the ewes and lambs a manicure/pedicure. Now, giving sheep a foot job is far from a relaxing treat at the local spa, those little ladies and their sprightly offspring put a pedicure low down on their list of priorities and are not inclined to co operate. Quatre loves nothing more than a challenge and the bigger the challenge, the bigger her smile! Since neither she or Greg bear any resemblance to John Wayne and a lariat only works if the unsuspecting critter accidentally puts her head into the noose, the intrepid two set to work catching them. Unsurprisingly, although each and every hairy sheep ( except for standoffish Katie and her two equally standoffish offspring) come when called and happily compete with each other for a carrot morsel or a peanut, somehow, when poor Greg appears with his stool and the “foot box” sheep seem to melt into the barn walls. When Greg the terrible appears with an accomplice, clearly that’s the last straw and co operation is non existant, unless the sheep’s name is Chance and Chance just wants to be a people. Always underfoot and gazing lovingly at anyone who has two legs, Chance, our little bottle fed lamb was raised in my farmhouse kitchen and loves people. Chance will be staying with us and will never be ribs on the barbeque.
Ursula was invaluable as the 3rd man, when Greg or Quatre yelled “open the gate” there she was, on the spot, ready to leap into action and turn out the newly manicured sheep into the pasture.
After lunch, Quatre got to work digging a hole that looked like she was on an escape bid and heading for Australia….we don’t want you to go Quatre, but if you have to, the gate is open !! Quatre with a spade is an awesome sight and the project is now ready to be completed before Winter arrives. Whilst Quatre was exercising her biceps, Ursula got to work in the barn kitchen, painting the cabinets. Another job on the “must do” list can be struck off, thanks team, soon there wont be a list….then what will Greg worry about ? smile.
After evening barn chores, it was time to turn our attention to Charm. Charm, a golden palamino arab/quarter horse is truly beauty with attitude but of late, there has been a little more attitude and a little less charm. Time to have an attitude adjustment and Greg and Quatre took him out for a session in lunging. I think that the photographs reflect the “you want me to do WHAT ?“ stance that he took but Greg and Quatre have an equally stubborn nature and eventually a chastened Charm did lunge in the correct direction at almost the correct speed.
Time to go, plenty to do, take care, keep safe, M
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