I found Shadow in the round bale feeder again this morning. (Just his front legs) The first time I found him in there he had only his front legs in so I tried helping him back out. That was only stressing him out so as I stood back trying to figure out what I was going to do he took care of the problem. He took a couple of steps forward so that now he was completely in, turned around and walked out. Now I know this wasn't the 1st time because he was magically getting into Chances paddock every now and then. I just wasn't sure how. Now I know.
So... here we were again with Shadow half way into the feeder. I decided to leave him alone and let him get out on his own again. He put the rest of his body inside the feeder and as he started to step out his right front hoof got caught. Before I could get to him he pushed it back and it was free. So now he is half way out. The rear left leg came out and as he was stepping out with the right rear his pastern got caught. I am SO glad he is not a reactive pony. He did start to panic at first and started pulling his leg hard. I thought I was going to watch my pony break his leg! But I stayed calm, told him to stop and pet him. He stopped and started to think. Just as I went to the leg to help him, he pushed it back and it came free. He stepped out of the feeder limping for a couple of steps and then was fine. He was even better when breakfast came.
Now I have to decide what to do about this feeder. It is still frozen in the ground so I can't move it yet. I guess I'll have to put the ponies in their stalls at night and keep them in the other paddock during the day so they can't get near it for now.
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Life is a journey...enjoy the ride
About Me
The Horsewoman's Prayer
Dearest God in Heaven,
Give me the strength to guide my horse, make my hands soft and my head clear. Let my horse understand me and I him. My heart you have blessed with a special love of these animals, let me never lose sight of it. My soul you have gifted with a deep need for them, let that need never lessen.
Always let my breath catch as the sun gleams on an elegant head. Always let my throat tighten at the sound of a gentle nicker. Let the scent of fresh hay and a new bag of grain always be sweet to me. Let the warm touch of a soft nose on my hand always bring me a smile. I adore the joy of a warm day on the farm. The grace and spendor of a running horse, the thunder of it's hooves makes my eyes burn and my heart soar, let it always be so.
Grant me patience, for horses are harnessed wind and
wind can be flighty. Let me not frighten or harm them,
instead show me ways to understand them. When I pass from this world, send my soul to no heaven without them,
For this love you have given me graces my existence and
I shall cherish it, and praise You for it, for all time. Amen
Author Unknown
Dearest God in Heaven,
Give me the strength to guide my horse, make my hands soft and my head clear. Let my horse understand me and I him. My heart you have blessed with a special love of these animals, let me never lose sight of it. My soul you have gifted with a deep need for them, let that need never lessen.
Always let my breath catch as the sun gleams on an elegant head. Always let my throat tighten at the sound of a gentle nicker. Let the scent of fresh hay and a new bag of grain always be sweet to me. Let the warm touch of a soft nose on my hand always bring me a smile. I adore the joy of a warm day on the farm. The grace and spendor of a running horse, the thunder of it's hooves makes my eyes burn and my heart soar, let it always be so.
Grant me patience, for horses are harnessed wind and
wind can be flighty. Let me not frighten or harm them,
instead show me ways to understand them. When I pass from this world, send my soul to no heaven without them,
For this love you have given me graces my existence and
I shall cherish it, and praise You for it, for all time. Amen
Author Unknown
He knows when you're happy
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always know when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown
He knows when you're comfortable
He knows when you're confident
And he always know when you have carrots.
~Author Unknown
"Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway".
by John Wayne
by John Wayne
Somewhere in time's own space
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
~Stanley Harrison
There must be some sweet pastured place
Where creeks sing on and tall trees grow
Some paradise where horses go,
For by the love that guides my pen
I know great horses live again.
~Stanley Harrison
2 comments:
I don't know the shape of your feeder but if it's like many, could you rig up some fencing tape high enough so it prevents -- at least so it discourages! -- horse entry into the feeder itself? We did something like that hoping to keep sheep out of the feeder. Of course they are artists when it comes to getting into places they don't belong. Well, they think they belong there because that is where the food is during the winter months! *g*
We finally moved the feeder, I didn't realize how much snow, ice and hay had built up around it making it very low and easy to get into. Now that it is up on level ground again with no snow it is too high for Shadow to get his legs up and into it. We will just have to move it every now and then next winter as the snow gets deeper to keep Shadow out.
Not only is it where the food is but I bet it's a nice warm place to hang out!
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