Didn't take long for the corn clean up crew to report for work...
Me thinks Pippin hadn't yet experienced this type of work crew...
Poor guy was pretty unnerved...
Margeaux chilled in the stall window picking out lunch. Maizee was in the doorway doing the same...
Merlin was pretty unimpressed, he did run back to the safety of the barn with Pippin once. They'd become surrounded, the birds (mainly starlings) took flight in unison, they'd spooked Pippin who in turn spooked Merlin. Once Merlin realized Pippin was freaking out over what he considered nonsense, Merlin remained chill.
In the video below the cleanup had been going on for several hours. Pippin is still a bit unnerved by the entire thing. It's hard to show even in video how many birds there are, I never did quite get a shot showing the numbers. Several times they surround the barn, they're in the trees, paddock, on the roofs. Just imagine forty acres of birds wth a bird every six inches or so. Then much like horse herds, they all take flight in sync, land, eat, rinse & repeat for two days. It's like a dance of sorts & the noise is unimaginable. They return several times a year, though never in the numbers of harvest time.
We'll have to wait & see what Pippin thinks next time.
A few days ago we were actually in the 70's, that was the day before the bottom fell out and we dropped 30 degrees overnight.
Lincoln was out with the boyz wearing only a light jacket, one that zips...
I'd been warned that Merlin is fond of zippers. It's true...
Pippin is apparently fond of sleeves. Lincoln's jacket is his fave, the hood turns him into a raccoon, the sleeves have cloth claws sewn on for even more raccoonishness. Pippin took hold of a claw and wouldn't let go. Lincoln thought it was in his words "so silly!"
Lots of lovin was passed about.
As Lincoln and I left the field, Pippin was following closely. Merlin took offense and was chasing him off. I made myself big, (like its hard to do with Mini's) and scurried them both away. Lincoln was aware, looked up at me and told me "thanks for protecting me Gramma!" We walked off having a long conversation about how I always will.
Wonder if we have a future Veterinarian in the making here...
Lincoln shows Ivy he's wearing goggles too.
She's back to being Ivy again. Sitting up like a meerkat, laying in frog dog position, running thru the yard. She'll be on anti inflammatory, pain meds as needed, she's in the process of being weaned off the prednisone. I'm sure hoping she's mended, way to hard watching her hurt
The Vet staff is beyond wonderful with Lincoln, the Techs all know & love him. As he proudly walks Ivy back to the procedure room, he's greeted by everyone he passes.
The Tech doing Ivy's treatment had a trainee along this last time, as she informed her about Ivy's procedure she pointed out that Lincoln's friend would be treated afterward...
Lincoln's very concentrated on taking care of Sonic...
Making sure the readings look good? Like I said the staff is just amazing. Sonic felt much better after I was told!
Lincoln just gravitates to all animals & visa versa...
Maizee the white/black cat only allows Lincoln & myself to touch her. She normally hides whenever another human besides hubby & our trimmer is in her barn. Lincoln has no idea what a compliment her hug is ❤️
Last weekend Hubby lowered the buckets I keep of loose minerals and salts. The boyz of course couldn't reach where they'd been for full sized horses. I couldn't just leave them on the ground, they'd have just knocked them about creating a huge mess and lots of waste.
Right after he'd finished and I'd filled them the boyz came wandering in to investigate...
Pippin dug right in to the minerals...
Merlin had to wait (luckily patiently) for his turn...
He dug right into the minerals as well!
They ate more in one afternoon than either mare did the entire time they'd had access! Actually the mares really never bothered with the minerals at all, and rarely the salt. The boyz are also hitting the salt, though the mineral bucket is nearly empty after just a week!
My trimmer had recommended feeding Redmond brand loose rather than the blocks.
Who knew harvesting carrots from the garden would make me so popular!
The boyz are waiting/hoping for their share of the carrot crop...amazingly quite patiently!
Ivy's using her best "paleese can I have one " look. Being a Cardigan Welsh Corgi with stubby legs, she counts in the category of being one of the Mini's I think.
Merlin has his happy eyes on for these greens...
Pippin is already on the other side nomming away.
Ivy gets her share of the booty!
Size comparison. Two oddly alien carrots, alongside one reserved for the boyz. We did have normal long slender carrots as well. The boyz have a small bucket of the tiny ones, to be doled out in increments.
SIGH, Grace has been sold its official, I have her bridle hanging on the back of the dining room chair. Trainer found her a good home. She's at a former students barn where she'll be worked and ridden as she needs.
Yes I'm sad, we had such promise at the beginning. She truly isn't a mare who can just sit, then be ridden on weekends. Jefferson is 9 months old, while I don't wish him to grow up quickly. I most likely won't be having a riding horse again till he's 5! Jeez, that's a long time, I'll be 64!
I'm loving the boyz, I wouldn't be riding thru winter anyway, come spring I'll restart lessons if only for the trail rides. I'm not sorry for the experience, she's healthy now and will be happy. I sure hope Camryn is as well. I regret being duped more for her sake than my own.
These two are enjoying life, just watching them makes us laugh.
It's been a rough day for Lincoln. As I waited to pick him up in the truck at preschool, the all the kids were on the playground. I so enjoy watching them run and play like puppies. Lincoln was climbing into a playhouse via the window. His little bum & feet sticking out, the rest in. I was just thinking "don't fall forward", when another boy came up behind him and "SHOVED!" My heart just jumped into my throat. Lincoln is OK, thankfully a scrape & bump on the noggin. I spoke to the teacher who was with Lincoln within seconds of the incident, a meeting with the school in the morning. Not the kids first bullying but, the most violent.
The boys appear to be settling in together. Hope I'm not jinxing myself here, no fights over my attention for four days!
Oddly enough the fighting stopped "after" I began offering a cookie for coming into the paddock! With winter coming & upcoming time change, I'd decided I need them to come in when I call. Ecspecially as Merlin is invisible in the dark. Going out to get them would soon be difficult at best.
Merlin has the "got cookie" look down pat. I have a feeling he's had plenty of practice. He's not above pestering...
Pippin still needs work on his "look", he's happy to get what he gets and walks away quietly munching.
For the most part it appears Merlin is the boss of the pasture. At dinner however, Pippin who is a faster eater, will move in to take Merlins. I watch over dinner with my little crop. I've only used it once, he still peeks up to see if I'm paying attention LOL.
I'm not normally a blue eye fan. But, Pippin is such a sweetie it's grown on me. It isn't all blue it's bi-colored and gives it a softer look.
