Changes

Have I mentioned that October is a super busy month? Even so, visiting Gobie at least once a week takes priority. This weekend was a big event at work, though, so the visit was brief. But it was more than enough time to scope out all the changes going on at the barn. Coming up the drive way was like traveling down the yellow brick road--the pine trees lining the drive have all been dropping bright yellow needles that carpet the path.

Amongst the needles, I spotted this wooly bear caterpillar:

Heralding a milder winter. 

There were lots of crow around in the fields, too. It had rained pretty good up in Marriotsville, and I think they were taking advantage of the moist ground and bugs. I walked down to visit Kahlua's grave where Rose had planted some yellow mums and made a protective barrier around the plant to ward off nosy horses.

Peaceful. 

Gobie and the rest of the horses were in the side paddock. I was a little cautious about going in with them because the new horses was there. I didn't think he was a troublemaker or anything, but the social dynamic of a herd always changes when there's a new kid. Never the less, I squeezed in between the fence boards and gave Gobie a hand grooming. The first thing I noticed was those crazy yellow pine needles caught in his mane like some witchy hair accessory.

Augmenting his highlights, don't you think?

I brushed over his back and withers and legs with my hand, unsettling the dust but he was otherwise pretty clean. I started tussling his mane again and that's why I found this:

Ouch! 

If you can't tell, there's what looks like a big scrape that runs perpendicular along his mane above his withers. The hair was all gone and the skin was dry and wrinkly but otherwise pretty healthy, or at least healing pretty well. He didn't have it last weekend, so it couldn't have been too old.


Of course, bites and kicks and scrapes are kind of par for the course when it comes to horses hashing out the herd pecking order. Bonnie had already given me the heads up that Gobie was jealously protecting Honey from the new horse, so it wasn't too surprising. The new guy had quite a few more nicks than Gobie. I hope they sort everything out between each other soon, and start acting more polite!


It was around feeding time so Bonnie came out and asked that I lead Gobie to one of the other paddocks while she got ready to give the gang their grain. I took him out of the side paddock and walked him across that pine needled driveway. He was a little nervous about the whole thing, but he minded his manners quite well and soon he was in the other area.

Feeding went on without a hitch. After Honey finished the grain her her bucket, she went over to socialize with the new horse.

Fraternizing.

The new horse is about Gobie's age, and a cremello Mountain Horse gelding. He's white haired and pink skinned with blue eyes. His name is Boo Boo. Pretty appropriate for Halloween I think--looking a little like Casper!

According to Bonnie, Boo Boo was picked on at his previous barn, too. We wondered if it was his name ("Boo Boo? of course he's picked on!" "Boo Boo, after all the boo boos he gets?") but I think it might be because of his unique coloring.

After everyone ate their grain (plus some treats and supplements for Gobie) Bonnie asked me to guide Honey and Gobie to another paddock so she could move in Boo Boo, Cinder and Bo. All I had to do was walk along the fence by Gobie, down to where I wanted them to go. "He really likes you!" she said. Aw, shucks!

With everyone in their happy field, the gang all settled down for a good nosh on some hay.

Boo Boo and arch nemesis, Gobie.

Before I left, though Gobie came back up to the fence for one more treat.

Naughty, but still handsome.

Somber Weekend

This Sunday I visited Gobie and we kept it pretty mellow. Bonnie called me this weekend to let me know about Kahlua and it was kind of a shock--yes she was old, but colic always comes so suddenly. It must be hard to lose a companion you've known for decades, and have seen grow from a silly, leggy foal to a mature, stoic matriarch.

Bonnie also let me know that she's looking for another boarder. Bills have to be paid, after all! It will be interesting to have another horse in the herd and see how the dynamic changes.

She also told me that I better get a move on training Gobie to ride--since she's without a trail partner now. No pressure! Ha!

When I arrived I came out to say hi to the horses milling around the side paddock. I visited Honey to see how she was doing and gave her a treat. I could tell she was feeling a little sad--standing by herself in the field.

Gobie came over to stay hi, too. I figured we should probably do a little work at least so I got the halter on him and lead him to the work area. It was a looong walk because he would stop and refuse to move once we got nearer to the gate. I don't know if it was because he didn't really want to work (we got down to business last visit) or if he didn't want to leave Honey or if he wasn't excited about sharing a fenceline to Kahlua's resting spot.

Regardless, we made it to the paddock and I gave him a good grooming. His hair was looking pretty fabulous and messy. Unbrushed it looked like he had highlights in his forelock. Such a fashionista!

His hair is always a little wonky and flips on both sides of his neck. Ideally it would fall on just one side. I could probably correct it by shaving him a bridle path, or by braiding it all to lay on one side.

One braid, for funsies.

His hooves are looking fantastic. It's amazing what some consistent, skilled hoof trimming will do. He's got no chips or cracks in his feet at all now and his feet are so prim and cute looking. A little Peter Pan-ish even!

One thing that I wasn't excited about seeing--bot fly eggs! When I first met Gobie last Fall he had bot fly eggs, too. Basically there's a species of fly that lays its eggs on shafts of hair of horses, usually along their legs. This mostly sucks because if the horse ingests them--by rubbing their nose or lips on the eggs to itch--they can make their way into the horse's digestive tract and cause problems.

Our grooming routine included flyspray and scraping some of the eggs off. Gobie acted quite dramatically about the flyspray bit, but settled down about it quickly enough. I had a lava stone to scrap the eggs off, but they are super difficult to remove. He had quite a few of them, too, and it was nearly impossible to get them all off. I consoled myself by remembering that at the rescue he didn't have someone dedicated to getting rid of these eggs and he turned out just fine.

We did a little lunging just because he seemed to have a little bit of energy, but it was more of a token exercise to keep his memory fresh. Honey was also starting to call out--neighing all by her lonesome--so I figured it was a good time to reunited the two pals.

I hung out in the field a little bit more with the horses. I noticed that there were some pine branches along the fenceline in the field, where it looked like someone had trimmed them and let them drop where they may and then left them. I was happy to pick them up and chuck them over the fence so the horses didn't have them in the field. I'm sure they weren't a danger or anything, it just seemed like a productive use of energy.

Gobie thought the whole thing was pretty interesting. He came over to investigate and "help" by standing on some of the needles while I tried to chuck their branches over the fence. It reminded me a lot of Cinder, who was always right beside you as you worked around the field scooping poop or doing whatever chore it was.

Supervising.

Just another quality I really enjoy in Gobie: his willingness to just pal around and be kind of a pest. It's nice to be sought out, even if you are trying to get something done.

Goodbye, Kahlua

Sad news, everyone. Kahlua passed away on Saturday.

She started colicing on Friday and Bonnie stayed up all night with her. The vet was called out and after assessing their options with Kahlua's owner it was clear that she was in her final moments.

Kahlua had lived at Bonnies her entire life, ever since she was a foal. She was one of those rare, lucky horses, to have lived with consistent care in a happy and familiar place her entire life. Kahlua was 30 when she died--a long life for a horse.

She is buried in one of the back pastures, by the pine treeline where in life she could find shelter and the company of her pal Honey.

Rest in peace, Kahlua. You will be missed!