SURPRISE.......!!! We have 3 new equine at the rescue. Suzanne left Colorado yesterday morning REALLY early, headed home. On the way she stopped in the Phoenix area to pick up 2 little mini donkeys and their friend DJ a palomino pony.
Their mom died and the family needed a place for them to go. DJ had been there for 16 years, he came with another donkey who died a few years ago. These 2 joined the family and they've all been together ever since.
We really knew nothing about them, we were told you could pet them and that was about it. Suzanne's a trooper, she was ready and willing to get them on her way down, which saved us a designated trip up there to get them.
She said they actually loaded pretty easy. She had no problems, but the weather was not very good. She said it was raining sideways from the wind and blowing tree branches across the highway. Saw firemen fighting a lightening fire. Certainly not the weather we expect this time of year.
They got here just about dark, they really were mellow about having their long term lives disrupted, led into their pens, started eating hay and were willing to come up to the fence for animal crackers. Well, not Jackson animal crackers aren't on his diet I guess.
This is Jackson and Leroy. Leroy is an NLP, non light point. He doesn't have the usual light colored nose and belly most donkeys have. About 10% of donkeys are NLPs. Jackson is the easiest to work with, he doesn't care if you put a fly mask or halter on him. Leroy is a little more opinionated on how he should be treated. You'll notice he doesn't have a fly mask on. His opinion was he didn't need one although the flies were horrible this morning. I tried to put a halter on him to control him enough to get a mask on him. He wasn't interested. Suzanne had to sneak a rope around his neck, and then he let me put the fly mask on. They can be so funny about what is allowed and what isn't sometimes.
DJ needs a little work. He's 27 years old and the people said he won't gain weight. My theory even before we saw them was, if he has been in with 2 mini donkeys, he's not been getting his share of the hay. They can be little eating machines and both of them are "plump". So we already had them set up to be separated when eating.
Suzanne did some grooming on DJ this morning. This is just one side, he wasn't quite ready to have the other side brushed. There was a little male sparrow that immediately started picking hair up and flying up into the big cat claw tree. Guess he's building a nest.
We put them right beside Casper the little mini mule that in the past has hated all other equine. He has mellowed the last year or so, probably because he couldn't keep up with all the donkeys coming and going. It was hard for him to keep track of who was new and who wasn't maybe. LOL
We'll give them a couple of days to settle in and then let them out. I'm afraid that long mane on DJ will have to go. If he had that mane out in the brush and mesquite it would end up a tangled mess, it's bad enough with the donkeys tails. He already has mats and tangles in it that would probably have to be cut out. His mane has probably been growing all his life, but he'll be more comfortable out here without it. He's even got feathers "ie" long hair on his ankles that will probably have to go also. Stick tight season isn't here yet, but it will be in late August. I've thrown socks away rather than to try and save them, after a walk thru stick tight country.
Got some pictures from Linda in Colorado.
This is quite a herd. I see the mule Pat "ie" Molly is front and center for attention, so this picture was taken at her new home.
Leddy must have thought there were treats involved
Link and I'm guessing Muzzy.......looks like they are guarding the fly masks.
Stacy and I'm not sure if that is Jenny on her right or not. I'm guessing the other one is Cochise, it's hard to tell who is who unless you see the body sometimes....!!
Linda called this bunch clowns I can see why, they are all trying their best to get attention.
Found out what happened to the Cavalier to cause water in the oil. John took it to our friend Gary that rebuilt the motor. He had taken it to a machinist we've used before. We'll find out Monday, BUT for some reason the head isn't flat. The machinist was suppose to have made sure of that, but obviously it didn't get done. Sure glad we found it out before we ruined the motor. Maybe I'll race it the 20th after all.......!!
2 comments:
I hope DJ learns to trust people and has some good years left. It is always good to read when your trailer is home and off the road. Thanks Suzanne for a job well done.
He seems very healthy, we'll have his teeth checked next time Dr. Debra is here. I know what you mean about good when the trailer is home. I don't worry bout our drivers, it's the other ones out there that show no respect for a truck and trailer with animals in it.
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