VISIT TO ANOTHER RESCUE

Yesterday I went to visit Horse'n Around Rescue in Hereford about 50 miles south.  I had met Teresa and Steve, a couple of times, but had never seen their place or visited with their rescues.

First of all let me say they are on a cattle ranch, which means grasslands, like in acres and acres of pasture.  Needless to say I was thrilled to be able to see horse, mules and donkeys in what could pass for their natural setting.  They have them in groups of Old Guys, others that need a little extra feed, healthy, and some so healthy they are off site.  That's where the mules and 2 of the donkeys were.  

Chocolate Drop and his mom Judy were part of the off site group.  Of course I had to see the mammoths.  Teresa said Judy had some fly damage on her face and wanted me to see it, but Judy didn't seem to think it was necessary and made sure we didn't get too close. They put a fly mask on her when they saw the sores, so she shouldn't get any worse.

Chocolate Drop her "little" boy" seemed to think some attention was just fine.  I think he would have stood there as long as I would mess with him. 

 CHOCOLATE DROP

Speedy was on the ranch, with the healthy group.  He's in his 20's and actually had lived most of his life on Ft. Huachuca at the riding stables, with a job as the official greeter.  Last year the post commander and the post vet decided to get rid of unneeded equine at the stables.  Speedy and some elderly horses got pink slips.  They started out looking for people to adopt them, then they decided to euthanize all of them, which did not go over well, with people that had histories with all the animals, especially Speedy.  I guess he was quite the character and had a lot of friends.  At the time Terry, a friend tried to adopt Speedy and got such a run around for weeks and she finally gave up.  Obviously the commander and the vet weren't equine people and really didn't know what they were doing.

Terry ended up adopting Jack and Molly, the 2 little mini mules from us.  Needless to say her life hasn't been the same since..........LOL  Her horse Leo and Jack, have some sort of bonding thing going on, Jack insisted from day one that Leo was his buddy and Leo feels about the same.   They are inseparable, which I'm sure Molly, now known as Jill appreciates.  Jack could be a nasty little boy with her, seemed to think he was in charge, wouldn't let her eat, just in general a brat.  He could almost walk under Leo's belly, so don't think he'll be pushing Leo around any time soon. 

SPEEDY

I guess once the word got out and the commander's ears got sore, they decided to figure out if they could find an equine rescue to take them.  Horse'n Around was willing and I think took them all.  Of course my interest was in Speedy.  Teresa said he misses all the people and going on at the stables, he really loves people.  So even though he has lots of area to roam and horses to interact with, she says he really perks up when people come to visit.  I was just one person, not that exciting, but I did my best..........LOL

Boaz's snakebite is healing beautifully, not even treating it, just attempting to keep it and his scarred knee covered with a sock.  Not an easy task, he can get them off almost quicker than I can put them on. 

Yep! SNAKEBITE.......!!!

Of course that is still just my WAG (wild ass guess), but this morning it's all bubbly and sloughing off looking.  Doesn't look like anything else, but a snake bite.  We're changing the bandage every other day, and putting Animax on it, so as long as it doesn't get any worse, it should heal up just fine.

Right now the flies are absolutely horrible.  They seem to be outsmarting my fly traps, and fly predators, and are driving the donkeys that don't have their legs wrapped crazy.  We do fly spray every morning.  I like the way they advertise fly sprays, "lasts up to (fill in the blank) days.  Sure it does..........I think the flies just wait until it dries and I'm using Pyranha which is one of the best.  I know by late afternoon they are back in business for the most part.

I am trying something new this year, and I do think it's making a difference, although judging from the amount of flies on donkeys legs, it's hard to tell.

Stable flies which are the ones that get on lower legs, are not interested in the hanging fly traps.  I guess they react to different smells than house flies or some of the others.  Aribco makes a stable fly trap, that uses no poison.  It has a bait, which has a yeast base, they go for the smell and fly up into a cone that opens into a screened "hat box" shaped trap.  Then they dehydrate in the sun.   It's catching a lot of flies, unfortunately right now it isn't real sunny, but once they are trapped I guess they will dehydrate sooner or later.  And if a lizard eats some of the flies I'm assuming it wouldn't poison them, at least I hope so.   I think we'll all be glad when cool weather gets here.

I was suppose to race last night, but in the afternoon it rained at the track, and judging from the weather map, it was going to continue, so they cancelled.  Bummer, but better than getting out there and wasting a lot of time and money and still not getting to race like we did the 5th of July. 

RATTLESNAKE BITE?

A few days ago, I noticed Boaz had a "wound" right below his naked knee of scar tissue.  It didn't look like a cut or anything normal, so my first thought was snakebite.  We've had 3 bitten in the past, one a little lower on Sha'ba's leg years ago.  It didn't even swell, probably was a dry bite, because of the close proximity of the canon bone to the skin and very little tissue in between. 

About 4 years ago Quilla got bitten on his muzzle and we almost lost him.  After 2 weeks we had to take him to the vet clinic up in Gilbert because he was crashing and beginning to founder.  Usually on large animals, their bodies will process the venom, although a lot of time they have to have support treatment, lots of IV's, etc.  In Quilla's case, they did a sonogram of his innerds and discovered he had fatty liver disease.  The liver couldn't process the venom.  He's fine now and the weight loss was good for him.

A few weeks after Quilla, we noticed a bloody blob hanging from underneath Daisy's jaw.  I didn't even call the vet that time, she never acted like it bothered her, kept eating, so I just treated it with a penicillin wash and it healed up nicely.  The first few days I was afraid it would break thru into her mouth, but thank goodness it didn't.

Daisy's jaw

Boaz's wound, was gooey and odd looking like the flesh was dissolving, so I put Animax on it and kept it wrapped.  I did call the vet Wednesday but she wasn't going to be available until Monday.  So I guess I saved myself a vet bill, because this morning it was well on it's way to healing.  

I don't remember what time of year Sha'ba's bite was, but the other 3 have been this time of year.  I think the snakes are moving around trying to get fat for hibernation and maybe get caught out more than they usually would. 

Pepper is getting down more and more, but he is still Mr. Perky, wants to go out, although his legs don't work too well.  If his mind was in charge he'd have no problem, but the body won't allow that.  I know most people wait too long in these situations, I know I have.  That will be a terrible appointment to make, I'm preparing John, large animals just can't function if the legs won't hold them up.  So far he is only going down when he tries to lay down in a dusting area.  If we find him where he has fallen, then it will be time for sure.  Hopefully it won't be on a holiday or week-end. 

100 DEGREES AGAIN........???

 HOW ABOUT JOHN'S SHOES, THEY ALMOST GLOW IN THE DARK.....!!  lol

What happened to cooling off and the end of the monsoon?  Guess we'll have to wait for awhile longer.  I think Tucson had 3 days in a row over 100 degrees this week.  Today is cloudy so it's not going to get so hot, but it might rain.  The closer we get to the week-end the higher the chances for rain, in fact 50% for Saturday, the next race night.  SIGH!

Had good races Labor Day week-end, I won both heat races and both main events, couldn't do much better than that.............LOL  Unfortunately they weren't point races because they added the Hornets just a few days before the week-end.  It wouldn't have been fair to drivers that already had other plans. 

Pepper is still mostly laying down on his left side.  About twice a week he gets down on his right.  Usually it's in the wash where the sand is soft and deep.  Probably because it's so soft, he loses his balance going down and his weak side goes first.  We just take one day at a time, he is still interested in going out and surveying his territory and will let you know if he thinks he's been in the pen too long.  

A couple of days ago, I noticed Boaz had a wound of some kind right below his knee with the scar tissue on it.  I cleaned it up, wrapped it up and this morning removed the bandage.  It looks to me like a rattlesnake strike, the flesh is starting to look icky.  Called the vet and they said bring him right in.  Unfortunately I let him out after I doctored him.  John and I walked all over the place and couldn't find him, so I called them back and said I'd make an appointment Friday if it doesn't look better when I change the bandage then.  John had already hooked up the trailer, so while I was calling, he was putting it back where it belonged.  Came in and told me while he was backing the trailer up, Boaz came waltzing by from somewhere.  Grrrr.!!

Our "fat" farm is growing, the minis and Frijolita are getting added tonight.  We haven't had any rain for awhile, so the "weeds" are drying up pretty quick, although if it rains some more, they will probably perk up again.  Most of the mesquite beans have fallen and we have noticed the donkeys don't eat beans after they have been on the ground and start turning brown, which is a good thing.  Because of the lack of goodies to eat, we're going to try just keeping them in at night and letting them out during the day.  Their necks are getting hard and cresty, so we'll keep watching them and if being out half the time doesn't work, they'll go in for the duration.  The other 6 will continue to stay in 24/7.  Rosie and Buddy Brat are capable of eating enough in a hour to equate what the others eat in 4-5 hours.  Actually Penny and Gigi wouldn't have to be in the pens, but Rosie and Coquette would have an absolute hissy fit, if their best friends weren't with them.  Coquette especially stresses really bad if Penny is out of her sight. 

EVERYONE WILL STAY IN TODAY

MAKES YOU WANT TO SMILE, DOESN'T IT? 

We're going racing tonight, and to speed up round-up we have decided to leave them in for the day rather than fight the fight.  Needless to say we are NOT going to be very popular.

Last night when John went to let them out at bedtime, he came in and said Pepper was down in his pen and unresponsive, although he was breathing.  By the time I got my shoes on, rounded up a flashlight and got out there, he was standing up, rather shaky on his front legs.  I'm afraid his body is going to give out before his brain, his legs are so wore out.  Usually 3 of the fatties get the run of 7 pens, so we moved him to one of the end pens, once he would move, so they could have the other 6.  I think he was probably in REM sleep, because except for shaky legs, he was his usual obnoxious self. 

John checked on him this morning and he was standing by the gate, swinging his head around, which means he isn't happy, all that green stuff and beans out there and we've ruined his schedule...!!! LOL  He was walking a little better too.  He might be putting too much mileage on those legs, searching for the best goodies.  Last night I had to go all the way to the north fence of Burroland with a halter to get him.  It took us forever to walk across 20 acres.  For one thing you must go on the trails he prefers, or you "ain't" going.  Since we don't know which trails are preferred, it's rather hit and miss.  If you try to go on the wrong trail, you end up with 4 hooves dug in, until you make the right decision.  Sometimes you can throw the lead across his back and he will show you, but he was pretty slow last night and not willing to move without encouragement, ie animal crackers.

The track hasn't decided if we will race tomorrow or not, they are having a 2 day event and added us tonight just a few days ago.  I would imagine they will take a vote at the driver's meeting about tomorrow.  My vote would be no........these 2 day events just about kill both of us and it really messes up the donkeys schedule.  Of course they would prefer there was no schedule or pen time at all........ just greens and beans..........LOL   It hasn't rained for a couple of days and the weatherman isn't predicting rain until a 10% chance late next week.  By that time the greens should be shriveling up and not be quite as tasty.  John noticed a couple of days ago, they are ignoring the beans that have been on the ground for awhile and are turning brown/black, which would be really good, if they won't eat them.   

MORE OF THE SAME

 Courtney made it out last night and was amazed at how much hoof wall everybody had grown, in this monsoon.  And frog, lots of frog, some were as much as 1/2 inch longer than the hoof itself.  So this morning I'm dealing with sad looks and "my feet hurt" looks.  

It's been awhile since Pepper got down on his right side, but this morning he was down in the wash and had been for quite sometime.  

Unfortunately there was a pretty good size limb right above him and I was afraid he wouldn't be able to get up with it there.  So John cut it off, had to take it off in pieces because of the weight.  Didn't want it to fall on Pepper's head.  

 This is Pepper after he got up trying to figure out if there are any beans close enough for him to get to them.  He checked out the limb and you can see in the foreground where he laid long enough to dig a hole with his head and legs.  The hole he digs if he's been down for awhile makes it difficult to flip him over.  He got trimmed last night.  By the time Courtney got to him it was dark, she works with a headlamp.  She came in his pen, petted him, picked up a foot and said, "is this Pepper?"  He has put on so much weight this bean season she didn't recognize him until she looked at his foot.  He is looking really good for him, unfortunately everyone else is putting on weight too.  Frijolita is really plumping up nicely, it will probably take all winter to get the weight off all of them, and then we can do it again next bean season.............SIGH

 

Here is a picture of Miss Reba the mule, with one of the masks Michele fixed.  She wanted to try the dangles to see how they worked.  They seem to be working just fine and one good thing about the mules, they don't lose their masks.  

It looks like we'll be racing Sat and Sun this Labor Day week-end.  Weren't suppose to, but the track put out the word to see if the Hornet drivers were interested.  Most of them are, I'm not really, putting us on the program with less than a week of warning is a little much.  Besides one of our driver's that has to work both days can't come, and she's in 4th place.  She suggested having non-point races, which would be fine, then I wouldn't have to go.............BUT..........I don't trust the track not to change their minds about having points once the drivers get there and start complaining because there aren't any points.  I'd hate to not show up and then find out later they decided to make them points races. 

PEPPER IS GOING TO BE THE DEATH OF US........!!!

At evening feeding time yesterday Pepper, the old codger, choked.  Not that unusual for him, the mush was probably a little bit dry.  I noticed his respiration was high, and he was kicking with a hind leg, which is unusual for him.  

I tried my usual choke fixes and it seemed to clear, but he was still breathing fast and acting uncomfortable.  Finally he laid down for awhile and wiggled and squirmed while down there.   I gave him some banamine and Equine Colic Relief USA, which I've used more than once and really seems to help with gas colic.  Mesquite beans certainly could cause gas colic and I was hoping that was what he had.   He did feel a little warm, so I took his temperature.  When I "inserted" the thermometer I got a very loud, long equine "blessing", so I assume the colic stuff had done it's job........  I ordered 3 more bottles this morning to have on hand.  Can't say I'm too thrilled with a blessing of mesquite bean aroma at that close a range though............LOL

Before we got done with chores, Pepper was up and picking at his mush.  When John went out to let them out at bedtime, he was banging on the gate to get out.  So out he went, our theory is, we'd either find him in the pen, which he hates, or find him on the 10 acres.  

When John got up this morning he went to find Pepper, found him under a tree, ears up and eating for all he was worth..........!!!!   Bit the bullet again, old buzzard.......!!! 

Courtney was suppose to come yesterday afternoon to trim and Pepper is one that has to be trimmed on a regular basis.  He isn't easy to do anyway, because of his legs, it's very difficult for him to stand on 3 legs, Courtney usually ends up almost holding him up on her back.  She got hung up and is coming this afternoon instead, so hopefully he'll be able to stand for her.  I watched him walking this morning, when John had to go with a halter to get him out of the trees.  He reminds me of a puppet with strings, being worked by someone that doesn't know what they are doing, the legs go every which way.  But it doesn't stop him from going out to see what's out there.......!!!  

I raced Saturday night, won my heat race and was ready for a good night.  About half way thru the main event, when I was running 2nd to the guy that is in 1st for end of the year points, the car started acting up.  It would run good in the straight away, and almost die in the corners.  Needless to say I didn't stay in 2nd very long, talk about frustrating........!!!!  These times are one reason why I don't run a Go-pro camera in my car, they have audio.........!!!  LOL  Managed to squeek out a 6th place finish, they moved me up to 5th because the guy in 5th didn't go to tech after the race.  But he like most of the "grown" men running in the Hornet class whine and squalled and they put him back in his position.  After the races I went to talk to the race director, who actually is a good friend and he agreed he shouldn't have been put back, and said he would change it..........  starting to need a score card to keep track...........I told him no, just leave it like that, BUT, this makes a total of 15 points I've lost in 3 different calls by officials this year.  Getting into 1st place by the end of the year is getting farther and farther away, I'm afraid.  For one thing the guy in 1st, NEVER has a bad night, he doesn't always win, but he's almost always in the top 3, unlike me, I have highs and lows, it's seems.........!!!

Talked to 2 guys that know foreign cars and they both said fuel pick-up, either the fuel pump or a lack of gas for some reason.  The main reason for a lack of gas if the fuel pump is OK, is not enough gas in the fuel tank.....!  We don't like to have too much gas in the cars because of the weight, but we do like to have enough to finish a race.  John has been putting in a couple of gallons at a time, but can't remember for sure when the last time was..........!!!  Needless to say he is really hoping the fuel pump went bad.........!!! LOL

BURROLAND IS OPEN AGAIN......!!!

A DONKEY GRAZES IN FRONT OF A 17TH CENTURY MONASTERY  IN N. IRELAND

It's been 3 or 4 days since they got their 2 or 3 hours in Burroland, so late this morning we opened the gate, before we let them out of their pens.  So far it's been a slow transition, guess they had given up on being able to go over there.  When I came in 2 of the minis were working that way, eating beans along the way..........SIGH.!!!

Doctoring is getting pretty easy, a couple of habronema spots, scabs but no open sores.  This morning Cisco was scratching an ear with vigor.  Stuck my hand down in it and yuck........!!!  Gooey, so I sent down a rag, which he really seemed to appreciate.  Then I squirted some Animax in his ear, which wasn't appreciated at all......!! He usually has ear problems once or twice a summer, don't have a clue as to what it is.  Brought it to the attention of a vet years ago, and she used Animax, without telling me what IT was and the Animax clears IT up pretty quick, whatever IT is..............!!!

The weather is changing into fall, it's interesting how you can wake up one morning and it looks and feels like fall.  No more 100 degrees and probably very little rain, although we got a couple of drops yesterday afternoon, so the monsoon is still trying to hang on.  This has been a good monsoon for a change, it's been years since we got a decent monsoon, so we are enjoying it, even if the rain usually comes at feeding time.

Of course all the toads and desert critters are enjoying monsoon.  This morning I saw a little toad, less than a 1/2 inch in diameter hopping along.  I had to look twice to even know what it was.  He was a perfect little Colorado River Toad, although I guess it could have been a Spadefoot, too little for me to tell the difference.  As tiny as he was, he must have been a tadpole yesterday. 

I guess Snooky can only stand being wild for 3 days and 2 nights, he came in yesterday morning on his own, as long as the door was open and we weren't standing by it.  Guess he missed his ice cream and Temptation cat treats. 

SNOOKY IS OUT AND ABOUT

The house cats (4) are always trying to figure out how to get out in the big world.  Night before last one of them managed to knock one of the screens out and when John got up in the morning, the 3 boys were out and Moogee was sitting by the opening probably thinking, "you guys are going to get it".......!!! 

Nigel wasn't too difficult, lately if he gets out he will actually let us pick him up.  We locked him and Moogee up, opened the back door and Sunny made a tactical error and came in.  Snookey has always had a wild streak, we saw him a couple of times yesterday, but haven't seen him yet today.  Last time he got out he was out for 3 days before we suckered him in.  I've made up my mind I won't worry about him, we all make decisions and sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't.  We don't have a lot of coyotes around here anymore, so hopefully he's just out enjoying his freedom.  

I had some boring things to do in Benson yesterday, John decided to stay home and try to catch up on some of the little piddlely things that always need to be done, and seem to multiply at a rapid rate.  I went in, did all my stops and everything was really going smoothly.......!!  

Headed for home and it started raining, turned  the windshield wipers on one click and immediately had to go to full on.........!!!  Couldn't see past the hood hardly, but I know the road and there wasn't any other idiots out there.........LOL  By the time I got to our little dirt/mud road it had quit raining, but everything was flooded.  I had driven thru the washes that cross over the main road and hoped the last big wash would be OK...............NOT..........!!!!  It was running about running board high on the van.  The van weighs 3 tons, so it's not going to float away like a little car.  But the weight will drag it down if the ground underneath isn't stable.  Tried to call John, (I was almost close enough to yell), but was in a dead zone for a signal.  Backed up and finally got it to ring, had to leave a message..........!!  He called me back in about 5 minutes, said he had gotten caught in the garage and had to wait it out.  

I told him I'd just sit there and wait for it to go down, but he fired up the Bronco and came to rescue me, any excuse to play with the 4 wheel drive.  He went out about an hour later and drove the van home.  

I think the donkeys are getting as tired of the rain as we are.  Although they are still enjoying all the green stuff and of course the mesquite beans.  Right now we have 6 fatties staying in the pens.  Buddy Brat is the last addition........!!!  This isn't his first "rodeo" he has to go in just about every year, until the majority of the beans are gone.  He knows when he is being mistreated and lets us know every time he sees us, by screaming and running to the gate. 

 JOHN AND BUDDY BRAT

Rosie went in a few days ago, because she was laying around and acting very ouchy on her feet, although they weren't warm.  She's walking much better, we even dragged out one of the slow feeder nets to put her hay in.  Didn't take her long to figure it out, she even knows how to shake it to get the hay to fall out, so she doesn't have to pull it out.  

They haven't even been on Burroland the last few days, if we go to town or it rains and the wash runs, they don't get over there for their 2 or 3 hours in the afternoon, much to their disgust.  Reba and Rusty the mules are particularly upset and will stand and stare at the gate for hours.  Oh! well as long as they are standing, they aren't eating....!!!   LOL

THIS MONSOON IS GETTING OLD.........!!!

 A GIRL AND HER HORSE

Almost every night at feeding time the rains have been rolling in, which makes for grumpy donkeys and grumpy people.  

Last night it was almost dark by the time John managed to get "almost" everyone rounded up.  Boaz decided he didn't want to, so we ignored him until everyone else had been fed.  By that time it was flashlight dark and he is dark brown.  I was hot on his trail, until he took a turn and I never saw him again.  I covered most of the 10 acres, never saw hide nor hair of him.  Did find 3 skunks roaming around too.  They didn't seem overly upset, although the tails were high in the air as they toddled off. 

So far this afternoon it's sunny, but these thunderstorms don't take long to build up and rain enough to make the wash run.  

Dr. Debra asked if I could send her a couple of pictures of Penny and write a little bit about her story.  I sent it back to her last week I think it was and I got her latest e-mail newsletter  today.  Maybe her story will make some donkey owners aware that they need just as much care as horses do.