Changes with the Winter Solstice

Mornings with two mustang mares can get a little...crowded. Willow still has her nose a little out of place with Shasta's arrival, but that's just for our benefit. She gets along perfectly well with Shasta...she just wants me to suffer a bit longer for dividing my attention.

As the temperatures swing from high to low, and the wind picks up, our girls get a little...energetic. On this particular windy morning, we were treated to QUITE the show! Shasta was in the mood to stretch it out and play Cow Pony...Willow just tried to stay out of her way, and out of her game...as much as Shasta permitted!


Shasta would run circles around the paddock...coming to skidding stops wherever it suited her, then kicking up her heels and romping the entire circuit...even if it meant chasing Willow out of her "comfort" zone!

It's quite a kick to see the horses out there, just being horses...playing and having a good time! Bruce was photographing them...mostly from the porch. Once you step into their space, it's TREAT time...or so they think!

I swear...she must've run for a good 5 minutes, with all kinds of cute little Cow Pony moves...stop on a dime, spin around, launch into a full run from a dead stop, skidding around tight corners, or just running full tilt to feel the wind in her face!


Is that not a smiling horse?



Even Willow was feeling a tad spunky! She did her share of moving out too, but she prefers a trot to a full out run. I'm just as glad...she's a lot more horse to try to stop on a dime! She also keeps her feet mostly on the ground...unlike a little buckskin girlie we know...

Living with Mustangs...

Ahh... A peaceful moment with the girls... Willow and Shasta have bonded. Willow stands nearby when Shasta lays down, being protective of the youngster, yet when she gets into mischief, Willow still stands nearby making sure we know she's totally innocent. She loves snitching Shasta off if she can!

Just a few months have shown me what totally different "horsenalities" (thank you, Pat Parelli!) they have. Willow is more aloof...content to be her own woman. Boss mare. We'll do it on my clock, thank you... She's patient; willful; full of spunk; and if I treat her like a mustang, she'll cooperate with me fully. Shasta, on the other hand, is in your back pocket almost all the time. She's full of mischief...trying to play with EVERY thing...way too smart for her own good...but easy to work with...willing and wanting to please all the time.


Shasta has settled in really nicely. Our first ride was a bit of a debacle, but that was mostly my fault. What was I thinking of...getting on her bareback? She turned so tight, she kicked the mounting block and bolted...leaving me in mid-air. See those gray hairs? I don't do mid-air so well these years! And yes... I know she shouldn't have a halter on. If your horse was an escape artist you'd keep a halter on her too. It makes shorter work of the "You gotta catch me!!" game.

This is how we spend time together... It's important that they spend time with humans who aren't hurting them, or constantly demanding "something" of them. Willow has trust back, but she's a bit high headed still. Yet, when her "working" halter goes on, she becomes a sweet, workable lady. Shasta...what a love-bug. She still shows a lot of distrust, mainly in key areas. Her hindquarters are particularly touchy...and she steps away from just about any touch (at liberty), except for her face. She loves having her ears scratched and her face loved.

Over the next months we'll be getting more into our Parelli lessons again...even if the weather sux. We're getting our standard fog now...not so great for me, but makes the girls all spunky! Bruce will either be working Parelli along side me, or photographing our lessons. We'll see how this goes! You're welcome to join us on the ride!

Progress Report

This was taken on Shasta's first day at home with us...she's not uncomfortable, she's eating a cookie. Minx. She is a cookie loving baby! LOL! She hunts and searches for cookies on you, but...if you remind her that you really are the boss, she'll give in. She's very affectionate, but still very skittish about some things...such as being touched in her flank region. She was spurred by a previous owner during training. We'll work through it. She'll unlearn the fear of that as we develop our mutual trust.


This gal is no dummy either! She wanted the grass that really was greener on the other side, so she pulled the garden gate open and meandered between the beds, cleaning up the grass. She kept her feet (mostly) outside the beds (so that's what the dog was having a fit about!) and grazed down the grass in the walkways. She didn't eat any of the garden plants at all. And she didn't eat any of the produce either...Willow would have eaten every tomato in sight! LOL! Frankly, Willow is too big to fit comfortably between the beds. Willow feels much bigger than Shasta. We'll have to try to get comparison shots to size them...Hmmm....anyone want to do a photo shoot??

We moved Willow to the north paddock for 2 weeks while Shasta settled in. The girls were able to see one another if they were in the right place, but they couldn't reach each other. I'd never introduced two horses before, so this had the potential of not going well if I got scared. I found a Natural Horsemanship site that had a procedure that made sense to me, and used that as my road-map.

First, I haltered Shasta and took her out of the south paddock, which is our main paddock. I walked her in circles up and down the driveway so Willow could see her. After a few laps, I started working closer and closer to Willow, then walking away, all the while, reassuring Shasta that we weren't going to get hurt...Willow wouldn't be permitted to pick on her... Shasta bears a few scrapes even yet from pasture action at the rescue. As we got really close to Willow, I heard her vocalize for the first time! She started a low pitched kind of nicker, tossing her head and acting like she was telling Shasta just HOW it's GOING to BE!! We walked away again. Took another lap or two, calming both horses, and me too! I had my husband take Shasta's lead, and I went to get Willow on lead. Then, we walked...circles getting closer and closer to where Shasta was grazing. That went well...they grazed near each other peacefully for a few minutes, still on lead....so off to the main paddock to turn them out...after another couple of steps. I took Willow to the paddock first and worked her out for a few minutes...she could smell Shasta in HER space and I could feel her temper rising. She tensed up and was snorting in her "I'm so displeased!" voice. Working a few dozen circles got her mind off being testy, and while she was doing circles both directions, I had Shasta come in the paddock as well. We worked them both in circles on lead, not lunging but walking beside us, 180° apart. They could see each other, and smell each other, and both of them were working in the same zone...successfully without any vocalizing or tenseness.

Okay! Time to turn them both loose. We set up feed for both the girls, quite a ways apart, and removed their halters. We had a few squeals and kicks the first night...a few squeals and kicks for the next 3 days as they worked out their preferences. Willow is "boss" mare, but she lets Shasta think she is. Willow is very determined and WILL have her way, when she sets her mind to it. By the second day of the girls being together, they were nuzzling each other and grooming each other.

The girls are an absolute delight. They have a dance-ritual they do at feeding time...who ever gets their grain first takes a bite, then while the other is getting their first bite, they change places and eat out of the other pan, then trade back for their hay. Goofy girls...they just have to make sure the other isn't getting anything special! Parelli training makes them easy to manage together. They both have some background...Thanks Larry!!...and respond to hand cues. They do love attention and they want to please us. They're just way too much fun! Now...to further our Parelli training so they're safe to ride!

Lookie what followed me home...

I suppose it had to happen sooner or later... Although we weren't particularly looking to add another horse yet...Horse Plus Humane Society had an offer going for previous "adoptive parents"...we were welcome to adopt one of the harder to place horses with the adoption fee waived. After a lot of thought and consideration, we decided to go out and take a look. We had one little mare in mind, but found out she has a prospective home...could we be tempted by... Once I was there, it was almost a sure deal that we would be adopting another horse.

Sure enough...meet "Kubota"...we don't think that suits her either. We've decided to call her "Shasta." So...meet "Shasta"...another mustang mare, a beautiful dun color with a really long and thick mane. She's between 5 and 8 years old and only about 14.1 hands tall...she's compact compared to Willow! She has some trust issues...where have I heard that before?? Oy! So far, she's an absolute snuggle bunny compared to our Willow. And she whinnies! Willow never has. She snorts but doesn't vocalize. Interesting...

Miss Willow is on the north paddock until we can get the girls introduced a little more properly. We'll let them get used to one another at a distance for a bit, and then let them have some "over the fence" time...then turn them out together. We're expecting an adventure here!

While we were there, Tawnee talked us into taking their 3 hens and a rooster as well. They're tiny compared to ours...we've got them in the little pen beneath the bench for right now. I don't want Roo to hurt either the hens or the little rooster! He's a cute little guy!

It looks like Shasta is having some fly issues...better go squirt her down. This could be amusing...

New Camera!

Mothers' Day arrived, and we came to the conclusion that it was just time for a new camera. I'm good with measurements and textures, colors, flavors...but I'm not so good with the whys and wherefores of SLR cameras, so I'm definitely a "point-and-shoot" kinda gal. I have a lot of things to get through my head about photography. I'm okay with an automatic camera that makes me look good! LOL! I've been looking around for months, and finally settled on another Nikon CoolPix. They're so reliable! I'm amazed at where the technology is at this point too... I should have replaced my other Nikon CP awhile ago if for only that reason! I'm amazed!

Having said that...here's a video clip of Willow feeling frolicky on a windy Spring afternoon!

She's had a lazy winter, and is just starting her training. She's been ridden, but she doesn't have her cues down at all, so we're starting over and warming up nice and easy. More on that subject later.

Well...the video isn't loading...so I'll try another way of doing it... I don't know whether it's Blogger...my computer connection or the fact that it's a fairly large file... Next stop...You Tube!

Two Weeks Makes a Difference...

Two weeks makes a lot of difference around here...especially with the help of the drying north winds. If we lived in a different part of the US, they'd be called "Chinook winds." But then, if we lived in SoCal...they'd be called "Santa Ana winds." Regardless of what you call them, they dry the air and the soil very quickly! We were able to move Willow back to the south paddock a lot sooner than we thought...it was actually a little better than the north for a few days. With Willow's return comes the return of the mourning doves...

We seem to have a flock of these peaceful creatures. Their coo is so very soothing... They hang out with Willow, wherever she is. We've counted as many as 11 hanging out, scoping out any leftover grain that got missed!

Jasmine and Half Pint are still a bit on the "nappy" side. Half Pint is one of the kittens that was abandoned by their mother last year. We brought her in to help her survive, and she's a happy house (and out) cat. We know she got out at an unfortunate time...she's starting to show the evidence of her escapades! We also have a week old litter of 3 in our bedroom closet. There's a female tabby that has wanted to be a house cat for the longest time. With a male in the house, that was a recipe for trouble. When Tiki took a walk in the wrong place, and crossed the Rainbow Bridge, that left us with all girls in the house (animal wise, excepting the snake). We decided to see how she got along with Half Pint... We tried to change to calling her Pita...she's always under foot! However, we find we continue to refer to her as "Mama." She's had two litters and was a reasonably good mom. This year, she decided she wanted to be IN the house...her kittens were born 4-3-2011...in our closet. It could have been so much worse!

Look how big the chicks have gotten! My gosh, they're pretty much ready to make the big transition to outside!! We're still battling a raccoon or something outside, so I'm not in a big hurry to put them out. We are learning that when Jasmine starts having a fit...let her go. Last week she caught the 'coon(s) before they got in far enough to cause trouble. That's our girl!!

They're currently living in Jasmine's traveling kennel, and part of the bedroom. Bruce tells me the floor is protected... I know not all of it is, but isn't that what carpet cleaners are for? Oh well....

My initial theory about which are roosters and which are hens seems to be firming up better each day. The ones with more of a crest are more aggressive, they're starting to challenge others, and there are pretty much just 3 of those...there are a couple I'm not sure about yet. They could be hens with a larger crest, or roos with a smaller crest. It won't be a lot longer before they'll let us know for sure!

Stuck Inside but it's Spring

It's been a wet and stormy week here in NorCal... The picture above is of the South Paddock...the paddock we keep Willow in...I guess, 6 months of the year. This was one of the worst days we've seen. To be fair, this was one of the worst storms we've seen too.


That doesn't keep the chicks from growing another inch! Here they're about 7 weeks old, and really starting to resemble chickens. If you see little blue spots on their shoulders, those are the ones I'm calling roosters so far.


They're pretty people friendly. They don't fuss when we put our hands in with them. They graduated from the Rubbermaid tub, to Jasmine's puppy crate. It's easier to clean when they're finished. The next phase will be a wading pool with wire around the sides. And soon! This one, if I'm correct, is a pullet.

Here's a picture of a couple of the critters you don't see very often...the Chinchillas!

This is Tawny (the dark gray chinnie) and her daughter Prissy (Aprisa, which means fast in Spanish). Prissy is about 2 years old now, and I think that makes Tawny 3 years old. We bought Tawny, not knowing she was pregnant...what a Super Bowl surprise her babies were! They make such a cute Yin-Yang here!

What's a dog to do on a wet, cold night but make an appeal to be top dog? Here's Jasmine trying to get into Bruce's lap because the kitty (very pregnant kitty) is on the sofa...

She enjoys a few pets and pats...sits for a few pictures, but can't believe she's being displaced...

"What do you mean I'm a little big for a lap-puppy?"

And that's us for the time being...see you next time!

Buff Orpingtons at 6 weeks

Here are the 7 Buff Orpington chicks at 6 weeks of age. They're pretty much people friendly...they just need a bit more "hands-on" before they get too much older. I think I may be able to make a reasonable guess as to which are pullets and which are roosters.

What a precious face! Even in the ugly half-feathered state! Okay...but look at the crest at the top of "his" beak. It's far more pronounced than the crests of the chicks in the next picture.


The four chicks from left to center, I believe, are pullets. Their crests are barely visible. The "boys" are also developing color on their cheeks already.


Hey...it's a theory. There are distinguishing markings at this stage of the game, so I'm recording my observations... I also marked each of the 3 "boys" with a permanent blue marking pen, on their feet and a spot on a wing, so I could track them a little easier.

The chicks have really...really grown! We need to move to a larger brooder, but the weather is no help! We've had so much rain and snow pack in the mountains this year that everything is at capacity...including the ground! The following picture shows that the stream has come over its banks and is literally flowing through the narrowing between the pasture areas in the South Paddock.


The next picture is showing the stream flowing high on the left, behind the berry vines, and on the right you can see the same stream well over its banks, flowing in front of the big willow.


Once again, the shady summer area is under water. Within 10 minutes of this shot, the water had risen up to the fence post on the far right. When the reservoir is full...it's full. Our stream is fed from the reservoir's overflow. There has never been a time when I've seen this area dry...but it gets interesting to see how high this water will come!


Willow is still in the North Paddock, which is extremely wet too, but does have higher, drier areas. It looks like we're going to need to drop a ton of rock or two in there to get it to be safe. The same on the other end...We need a way to keep the drainage open. Oh what fun... I think I need to buy a bale of 3 way hay and a couple bales of straw, spread it out in both paddocks and let Mother Nature work!

Buff Orpingtons at 4 weeks

It's been 7 days since we added these kids to the family. Everyone is doing well...well enough that we had to step up the tub size this week. These Rubbermaid tubs get a work out around here. They can be used for so many things! I may give serious thought to turning this batch into a plastic pool before they're ready to be out on their own. That has a lot of merit with this many babies. It would be a good way to introduce them to the other hens as well.

They're socializing pretty well too. I try to handle them daily...the cat has met them...that was hilarious, wish the camera had be available! I had put the chicks in the bathtub while I cleaned their tub. It's a great little place for them to hang out...and easy to clean up afterward! Anyway...while I was out scrubbing up, hubby came out to talk to me, and Half Pint decided to introduce herself to the chicks. When Hubby found her, she was lying on the floor of the tub with the chicks climbing on her...that's how this house rolls! Jasmine has bathed all of them at least once.

There are some other things going on here... My peas are up about 2 inches inside their cloche. I'll let them get a little bit taller before I remove the frame and plastic. I'll remove the plastic as soon as the chilly weather gives up. I probably could take it off now...but it helps keep out curious kitty cats. I picked up rhubarb plants and asparagus plants...some day-lilies and I'm not sure if there was anything else...I got a little carried away as it was. I put the rhubarb and some of the asparagus in the beds today, and I put one package of day lilies in a barrel. There's another barrel right beside it...I think I have another package of the same kind...or there's another color too...I'll have to think about cluster or contrast!!

When we built our beds in the very beginning, we covered the bottoms of the beds with hardware cloth. I can't tell you how incredibly smart that has proven to be! All around the garden, we're constantly stepping into gopher tunnels...that collapse beneath our feet. I want to know where they're tossing all this dirt! I want it back!! LOL!

Our perennials and bulbs are blooming. So far we've seen the camellia bloom, the paper-white narcissus, snow-bells, and some of the daffodils. The thyme...I'm finding thyme in a lot of areas all of a sudden... I'm not sure if I bought that much more, or it's spreading some on it's own... Interesting. Not that I mind. I love the thyme and use it regularly.

My climate here is supposed to be a Zone 9...if that means hot and dry, seasonally wet where it usually doesn't get too cold...not much below 32°, then that's pretty much what it's like here. I'm finding my herbs do much better in the shade here. The summer heat is just too much for most plants. Container gardening only works well with clusters of pots with almost constant drip irrigation. The transpiration rate is just too high in the summer. Containers get too hot and become cookers here in the summer. On the other hand...solar cooking is incredibly easy (I'll bet!)!

Buff Orpingtons Join the Family

Today, we added 7 baby Buff Orpington chicks to the family. They're 3 weeks old, so have their wing feathers, and straight run...so we'll see how my odds work this time. I tend to end up with more roos than hens. Not to worry though... We found a new feed store in Chico! I love the place!

C Bar D Feed in Chico is our new spot to find chicks! They had QUITE a selection! They had two different deliveries of Buff Orpintons...some Barred Rocks, Rhode Island Reds, and Browns...and more to come. They were in the most incredible greenhouse type tent to keep them nice and warm. What a place! They also had some Mille Fleur...cute as can be...but I'll pass.

This all seems to be good timing... We seem to be missing a couple of chickens out of the blue. One of the Cuckoo Marans is missing and so is the little white bantam rooster with feathery feet. The hen is still here...but we can't find the other two. The Marans have survived many, many months taking care of themselves...so the jury is still out. I'm not so sure about the rooster. He's been the hold out until he gets all the girls in at night...he may still show up with the hen in tow. We'll see...

The babies are in a rubbermaid tote in the living room with a wire top. We've had the joy in the past, and we need to introduce the house kitties to chickens...baby chickens! Half Pint is very interested...probably wants to play...I think not. Pita...well...she wants in the house so badly, I bet she'll leave them be. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. They're precious! May they all be girls, save one!

February: Whisperings of Spring

What makes a girl feel like strutting her stuff and feeling the wind in her face...Spring! Willow is feeling the warmth on her back and the fresh, warm (70°) air. Although it's technically still "winter"... Here in NoCal it sure makes you believe the worst is past. The strawberries are blooming...the first little hint of herbs that self seeded are showing up. Volunteer cilantro is always welcome! Our garlic is reaching for the sky, and the chard is putting on one more burst...though we've had chard available all winter. Our tomato seedlings are being weaned from the house to the greenhouse...and then on into the garden when we're sure there won't be another frost.

I planted snow peas last weekend. After I got the seeds in the ground, I covered the section with a tent of hardware cloth and covered that with plastic. They're starting to sprout pretty good this weekend. They haven't been watered quite as much as I'd have liked, but apparently enough to get the job done!

One thing that has started like crazy, is mosquitoes. Poor Willow! They're giving her a rough time, but not as bad as the flies do. Incidentally, we started Willow on Simplifly this year, hoping to break the fly cycle. I also started her on a general feed-though wormer for the typical varieties, and also ordered the specialty wormers from Horse.com. They make life so much easier! It's too hard to find some things here, and the price, including shipping, beats what I can find locally, if I can find it at all. Speaking of Willow...she's rattling her grain bucket! I guess I know what that means! LOL!

We're also blessed to have camellias this year!! This is the first year I've succeeded in getting a camellia to survive the summer...it can get so hot and dry!...and bloom the

following year. I'm so tickled! Since moving plants like this one into the garden, on the opposite side of the fence from the bamboo (keeps the hottest sun off them) is so successful...THIS is the year to buy gardenias!

I apologize if you're still dealing with feet of snow...Spring is coming...The narcissus say so, so do the snow-drops, and today a daffodil started opening up... Spring really is coming!

First Breath of Spring

Sometimes it's nice to be in California. We get the first breath of Spring as early as the first week of February...like today. It breaks my heart for the sake of friends across the US who are tired, tired, tired of snow...it was 72° outside today. Needless to say, it was a good day to be outside.

We moved Willow back to the south paddock today. It was pretty breezy, and she got a little spooked by some of the moving things, but she held it together very well, and trusted me. I didn't put her halter on for the short walk, but fashioned a quick halter from her lead rope. I have to admit I doubted my decision somewhat at one or two of those "spooky" moments, but she responded well to my voice, and we stopped so she could see what was frightening her. She needs more experience on the lead around the property. She's liable to be a handful out riding. We need to get past that.

We also planted snow peas today. They're under a wire A frame, covered in plastic to help them get off to a good start. Bruce has tomatoes that are getting big enough to go outside...if I'm brave enough! LOL! I'm thinking the greenhouse for a couple of weeks maybe. The weather could stay like this, or similar, but...it could also get downright cold again for a few more weeks. It's always hard to say. Tomatoes could be protected enough if we pay attention. It's a thought... *Ü* I saw a blossom on the strawberries today. That's another little sign... *Ü* Where's my asparagus??

Willow in Winter

It's time for breakfast on a chilly, foggy morning in January. The North paddock drains a lot better than the South paddock, so Willow continues to be there. Bruce has done a lot of work in there, trimming back the brush that has over-taken the area...blackberries, oak, tan oak, honeysuckle... It's all out there.

We've had a lot of rain (snow in the mountains) and now we're into the "fog" season. That's typical for where we live. What's not typical, is the low temperatures that have come along with the fog. We've had a lot of temps below 32° this year. Between the rain and the fog, and the freezing temps, Willow has worn her turnout blanket more than she appreciates. Bless her heart...she really doesn't care for it a whole lot. She appreciates it, once it's in place, but it unnerves her to a degree initially.


Willow would much rather her days were like this... Ok, it was all of about 38° outside, but the sun was out, and she was happy. She's playing Mustang Guard Horse in this shot. She's so attentive! Nothing gets past her! We'd just had a lovely mid-paddock grooming session and mini-bath. Her hocks get really mucky with her turnout on...so I scrubbed her nice and clean and dried her while the sun was out. An hour later she'd rolled in the mud. You have to love them.

Our Trust-Training continues, and works well. Last night I put her turnout blanket on her (started to rain) by myself without having to resort to a lead rope. I admit, a bucket of grain was pretty much essential, but we got the job done, one on one. Usually it takes Bruce to hold her lead rope while I fasten the turnout. It took us about 20 minutes, but she eventually stood still while I stroked her shoulder holding the turnout against her, then let me rub her with the turnout, then the turnout was over her shoulder and on her back and slipped over her withers and down over her rump...SUCCESS!! No starting, bolting, running off!! It was the best feeling! Now, this morning, she bolted out from under it uncharacteristically...but that was this morning. Go figure! We make progress...a little here, and a little there.

Incidentally...she's up to 1100 pounds now. We were feeding alfalfa and 3-way...and I couldn't keep weight on her. I added Adult Horse feed to it...still couldn't quite get those ribs to totally disappear. I switched to grassy alfalfa...and dropped the 3-way...added COB w/Molasses... Still no major improvement. After I talked to my guy at the feed store and he recommended straight grass hay, I tried that...she hated it. She was spoiled by all that alfalfa. It took awhile to wean her off...we did grassy alfalfa and grassy hay through the first cold nights...as much grassy hay as she wanted, and a regular feeding of grassy alfalfa at feeding time. We also bumped up to Senior horse feed... Ahhhh... And corn oil for added calories on super cold nights. Then...I heard what our vet had to say about feeding. No alfalfa grown in our area...don't know why, but...I can imagine. I forget about this area having so many toxic areas. Strictly grass hay and senior feed. I have to admit...she's gained weight and looks much better. She has plenty of spunk without being over-heated. Her ribs finally disappeared. I can feel them, but they're finally under a bit of flesh. Yay! And even in the middle of winter, she's bright and shiny! Gotta love it!