The Modified Yankee Breeching is Done!

In the last post I was on the way to the harness makers to pick up the new shorter length breechings and the Yankee Breeching Straps.  I was able to get Luc and Galahad’s installed at that time.   I really did want to go for a drive but some very unusual winds kicked up that put Galahad into “freak out” mode, and he was much to dangerous to hook to a two wheeled cart.  I had to pull harness and get him back to the pasture before he did sometime to hurt me or himself.  I’ve never had a donkey act like this, he was definitely scared and upset.  As soon as the winds died down he was just fine so all ended well. It was a productive afternoon as I starting  the process of washing harness and carts to get ready for winter.

Today I was able to get Merlin’s new setup from my local harness maker,  I even was able to get it tried on and adjusted.  All three of the donkey boys new pieces fit perfectly, but  I won’t beabe to do the final adjustments until we are hitched and driving.  The quarter straps, the length of the modified yankee breeching may take a few outings to get everything into sync.   The breeching straps are shorter and that should make a huge difference on how everything else works.  I’m excited to test drive it.  Click on the photos to bring them up to full size..

Here is Merlin’s new equipment from the rear.

The other two views are from the sides.  

 

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Oh No Where did All the Hay Go?

Sunday morning Oct 19, 2014 The boys were not happy with their lack of hay situation and they let me know all about it, very loudly I might add….

Don’t tell Jim but I broke into the “good stuff” in the barn.  They liked it so well they were begging for more when I got home from work!  So they got it!  🙂

 

 

Going to the harness makers in the morning to get their modified Yankee Breeching straps and the new shorter breechings.  Hopefully we will get a chance to test it out before the rains return.

To bring the photos up to full size one click on the picture will do it!

Another Perfect October Day At The Office.

Another day trip took us to Meadow Creek and the cattle.  Nik had to round up pairs on her quiet bike with the fat tires, no horses or mules used in this modern age.  It did not take her long to bring in the strays and get everyone back together.  Dad and I had a great time just hanging out talking cattle, calves, market weights and general ranch talk.

This is my 95 year old father, the stories he can tell of this lifestyle, I can never get enough!

 

 

 

 

 

Nik is hand feeding one of her favorites.

 

The girls coming in for salt

 

I had a great time seeing family and dear friends.  Jim kept the Teamdonk boys happy and very well fed.  They did great while I was out playing!

To bring the photos up to full size be sure to click on them.

Just Another Day At the Office

Spent a little family time recently away from Teamdonk and Jim traveling to Southern Idaho. That of course meant some pretty WOW day trips with my Dad, Niece and Nephew.  Nik and Sean shared their daily fun and game adventures by including me.  The weather was absolutely beautiful with warm sunny days.

It is lamb shipping season which put us near the Utah border on the Blackpine Mountain range.  Glen is the herder and to do his job he has several guard and herding dogs and good old Lester.  Lester is getting up there in years so Glen takes extra special care of the old boy.

Glen had the sheep corralled and ready to be sorted by the time Sean and I arrived. Nik brought the recently purchased Rams with her.  For those who know sheep breeds they are Columbians and poled Rambouillets which will give them some nice big lambs ready for market this time next year.

If you would like to see the photos full size, click and see what happens!

Every Spring and Every Fall

You can set your calendars by it!  Every Spring and every Fall Merlin has his semi-annual abscess. Wednesday, October 1, 2014 Merlin showed up to breakfast with a slight limp.  Once I was sure he really was limping I took the Digital Laser Thermometer out to take hoof and leg temperatures.  Above the hoof in the back of the pastern I could feel some heat and then it was very warm up along the side of the leg on the inside. The concern came from his lower leg temperature which registered 110 degrees, everyone else was a cool 65 degrees.   I taped an ice pack on it and wrapped it using an old tee-shirt to keep the cold in.  After two hours of wearing the iced pellets his leg temperature was slightly warm, I’ll continue to monitor it during the day and reapply the ice pack if needed. Above the hoof and over the coronary band I taped a preemie diaper filled with Ichammol and food grade sulfur to help draw the infection out. He was also started on 1 gram of powered Butte and a packet of Uniprim mixed with applesauce administered orally.  He will get a second gram of butte later in the day, if needed.  This will need to continue for the next nine days.  If nothing else Merlin has taught me a lot about how to treat his recurring abscesses.

This one can not even be blamed on fall grass as we still are lacking the moisture needed to revive the pastures. If I am not seeing improvement come Sunday evening I guess my vacation plans to visit family will be canceled so I can stay home and make sure he gets over this quickly.  Looks like he is done driving and riding for the year.

On a happy note…September driving was wonderful with eight drives on Merlin and Galahad.  We ended the month logging in over a total of 590 driving hours and over 1,121 miles since 2006.  I’m still hoping for more drives in October with Luc and Galahad before winter sets in for good.

4 pm update:  There was no heat in Merlin’s leg and he has a very mild limp.  Here’s hoping it does not blow up into an abscess.