Nice Day For A Winter Ride

I hope you are not tired of Draper updates, because here is another one.  It has been a week since I rode Draper last.  Before the weather turns bad (single digits, wind and maybe a little snow) I thought I would try to get another ride in.

Once again, no lunging, just on and walk, trot and canter in the barn.  She was doing so well I decided to do a 3 mile loop around the gravel road.
 

She startled at a couple of things but it was pretty minor.  At least there was no traffic or barking dogs. 

And the sun was even shining enough to make shadows.  Maybe some of the mud will dry before the ground freezes.

Hugo was waiting on our return.  I am very happy about how Draper has been doing.  I don’t think I will be putting in too much effort on trying to sell her anytime soon.

Sadie and Allie Sunday

Sadie came home with me again after church.  But then Virginia and Mike brought Allie after lunch.

She hasn’t been sitting up by herself long, but her balance is already good enough to sit on the bouncy horse.   She might be ready to ride Otoelene with me by Spring.

Every time Sadie passed by a window she would say horse, horse.  So after her nap we bundled up to go see the horses.  Hugo was still standoffish, but he eventually let me carry Sadie up to him and let us pat him.

Otoelene wasn’t standoffish at all.  Sadie even sat on her bareback for a little bit.  A very nice day with the grandchildren.

Mud Farm

This meme has been popping up on Facebook for a couple of years.

Well, that is about how Joe has been feeling lately.

 When it rains this time of year, it just doesn’t dry up.  And we have had a lot of rain lately.  Plus, it doesn’t help to have a bunch of just weaned calves stomping around in it.  

At least it isn’t over the top of Joe’s muck boots yet.
 

Cattle Updates

First up, the calf diphtheria case.  He decided to live.  His breathing has been normal for several weeks.

 So today, now that he was healthy,  we got him up and castrated him.

Then it was the Hereford bull’s turn for an exam.  His eye patch came off a couple of weeks ago but his eye has continued to water.

With his horns, we were not able to get him in the head gate.  We did put him up in the chute and blocked him from going backwards.  Then Joe put a halter on him and held his head around while I examined him.  See that yellowish spot at the bottom center, it is called hypopyon.  It is basically pus in the front chamber of the eye.  It is more likely that there was a penetrating wound to the eye.  It does not look like pinkeye like the seller had said.   Ideally, you would treat it with topical medication 3 to 4 times a day.  Obviously that is not going to happen.  So we will just have to wait and see what happens.

Then lastly, we sent our second beef off to be processed.  She was a half jersey we had gotten as a baby calf to graft on a cow that had lost a calf.  Since she really wasn’t a match to the calves we send to the feedlot, we kept her to feed here as a beef.  Joe has been feeding her grain twice a day for four months.  He was glad to have one less chore now.

Tree Of The Day

One of my sisters gave me a new tree.  So naturally, it went right to work. 

I thought for its first year of service it could hold my glass cowboy and cowgirl themed ornaments.  I think it looks great.
 Thank you A.

New Products

While online shopping I have run across some interesting products that I didn’t know existed.

Like this interactive cat toy, so you don’t have to interact with your cat.

I can see all kinds of problems with this cat carrier.  Most problems I feel would be unwanted cat interactions. 

This has to be a big seller because who doesn’t need more hair when they have a cat.

I am not sure you have enough hands to hold your own umbrella with this one.

And this is my personal favorite, a space bubble cat muzzle.  I have asked to get this for the clinic. 
 

Bad For Sale Pictures

Two Jersey steers for your consideration.  Would like to trade for a truck, "doesn't have to be new."  I would hope not.  But wouldn't it be nice if we could get a new truck for the price of 2 steers.  

I have to admit, he is cute. 

 Plus, "they are gentle on fences."

But watch out, you might be getting 7 years bad luck.