Holiday Treat

It's been unseasonably warm lately, but this week we're back to some more winter appropriate weather. I was actually looking forward to it, since for Christmas I bought some warm mash for Gobie--and it's far more appropriate to serve warm mash when it's cold out!

Lucky for us, it was freezing out this evening.

As usual, Gobie was at the gate waiting for me to let him in to the work area and give him some lovin'. But first we had some business to attend to: another dose of regular deworming. I think Bonnie did the other horses earlier but I always do Gobie myself--I think because she's not comfortable managing him on her own. Each time it's time to take his medicine, he gets a bit better with it. This time was a breeze and we were done in no time!

So it was back to pleasantries! Gobie got a quick once-over to get some dried mud and dust off. And so I could admire the state of his excellent winter coat.

So. Fuzzy.

But on to the main event! The mash I got from Dovery Saddlery. They had different measures available: one for horses and one for ponies. I got Gobie the smaller size. There were also lots of different flavors, but I opted for peppermint because he's so fond of his peppermint treats.

 Deco's Mini Monster Mash - Peppermint Piaffe! Fancy, ya'll.

The mix included: wheat mash, alfalfa, oats, un-sweetened beet pulp, cracked corn, ground flax seed and peppermint candies.

 Dry, in the bucket.

All you had to do was add water. I brought 6 cups hot water in a thermos from home. You can also use cold water, but it takes longer to soak and it kind of defeats the purpose of having warm mash!

With hot water. Let soak for 15 minutes.

The reason why hot mash is great: in the winter horses don't like to drink cold water which can lead to dehydration and digestion issues. Bonnie has at least one of her troughs heated, so it's not a big deal for these horses. But if you don't have a heated trough, offering warm mash can help your horse get some much needed water, and keep their guts in order. This brand of mash says it's can be fed as a treat or as a nutritionally balanced meal that "helps to improve digestion and gut flow."

But the best reason to feed mash is, of course, horses seem to really like it!

 Get that over here!

As soon as I put the bucket down, Gobie was ready to eat.

He practically DOVE into it.

omnomnomnom.

It actually took him a little while to get through it all, even though we had the "mini" size there was a lot of it. It was a little messy--he got some on his face (which was easy to wipe off) and on the ground (which was easy for him to nibble up).

 ...and the bucket, licked clean!

 Gobie definitely enjoyed his mash, and it was a well deserved treat. Some of the other horses gathered at the fence line to watch, longingly.

 Other horses, u jelly?

Definitely recommend the warm mash! We'll probably get some more when it decides to stay cold. The holidays have been great in the treat department--Bonnie really thoughtfully got Gobie some apple and oat biscuits, too. At this rate I'll have to start training him to be a riding pony to keep his cute figure. Ha!

Chilly Visitor

Last weekend I missed going to the pony all together because I was building a feral cat shelter. But I got to visit today, and hopefully will be able to get in another visit or two before this holiday vacation is over. Speaking of the holiday, things were cold and festive as always at the barn.

I always forget that it's like ten degrees colder at the pony than it is where I live. It's not that far away, and I don't think the elevation changes that much, but wouldn't you know it my fingers are always freeeezing in a couple of minute. I spent the time mostly just leaning over the fence, playing with Gobie and warming my hands up in his fur. He was pretty muddy, but looked comfortable.

I love how he looks so silvery and velvety this time of year. We hung out for a long time just messing with each other over the fence. It's nice to know when a horse appreciates your company. I even played with his ears a little bit. He didn't protest one bit.

Of course, he was pretty busy shaking me down for treats. At one point he had his fuzzy muzzle pressed to my face. But most of the time, he was busy slobbering on my coat trying to figure out how to get into my pockets and find those peppermints.

This is also how I get pony snot on my coat. I thought he had a little bit of a runny nose the last time I saw him, but there was nothing going on this visit. Good! He's always been a sturdy pony which I appreciate. None the less, I had brought with me one of his Christmas presents: a multivitamin in grain form. I figure it wouldn't hurt to give him a little extra help in the colder months. Plus I knew he'd like having another thing to eat. I mixed it with a little black oil sunflower seeds and let him have a nibble.

On a non-horse related note, the horse farm was busy with wildlife today! First on my slow roll into the driveway there was a hawk perched on the fence. It was really close and right at my line of vision. We just kind of looked at each other as I rolled by. The Second was a visitor to the treeline:

In case you can't spot him, he's circled in purple here:

It's a red fox! Bonnie had mentioned that she sees them sometimes, but this was my first encounter. He was well away from the horses who were all standing up near the house by the fence line. He was trotting along under the trees, looking purposeful. His coat blended in so well with the color of the pine needles on the ground, I probably never would have seen him if he wasn't moving. He didn't stay very long, but it was a rare and wonderful treat.

Halloween Fun! Part ONE

I love Halloween, and so my family and friends and animals often patiently indulge my halloweenie activities. Today it was Gobie's turn!

First, a Treat!
We had just been to Larriland Farm for apple picking and pumpkins, so I was sure to share the wealth. I dropped an apple in a felt pumpkin bucket and enticed Gobie over.

Poor unsuspecting bucket.

Gobie made quick work of knocking the little bucket over and it rolled down the stairs of the mounting block leaving the apple on the top step.

You missed the goodie!

But that apple seeking muzzle soon found the tasty morsel and Gobie started noshing away on it. He took it all in one bite, and as he chewed it apple sauce got everywhere!

Delicious!

He very clearly enjoyed the apple, though I had to watch him carefully to make sure he didn't choke on it. It was pretty small. He got juice all over the bucket, checking it once again for more apples!


Bat Ears and Pumpkin Garland
Technically I can claim this was all in the name of our desensitization efforts! But in all honesty, I just wanted to dress up my pony in some Halloween inspired garb.

Bat ears.

Gobie barely noticed when I put a headband with bat ears on him. As far as he was probably concerned, it was just a funny feeling halter piece. He's very good about me messing with his ears, and yielding to pressure on his poll (that's the part between his ears on the top of his head).

The garland was a more elaborate process. It was a pretty long length of plastic-like black garland with reflective orange jack-o-lantern faces. It made a rustling noise when you would touch or move it, and in the sun the orange pumpkins glittered and reflected colored light all over the place.

Step one was letting him sniff and check out the garland.

Using his nose to check out this scary stuff.

Step two was having the garland making a little noise, by shaking it around, letting it move and drape as it would naturally. At this point he started moving away from it, but wasn't running or in a panic or anything. You can see his ears are point to the origin of the noise, but his nose and his eyes are on me.

Not crazy about it, but being very good.

Step three--once he was looking to me about what do with this noisy, glittery thing--was stopping all that noise. He was totally at easy by this point. I untangled the garland and draped it over his withers.

Calm and interested in what I'm doing with that silly stuff.

Draping the garland over his withers. No big deal! 

Once it was over his withers I brought it up by his ears and over his head. Starting with the withers is a good idea because it's an area horses aren't very protective of. It's the spot where other horses mutually groom each other, and one of the first spots where people start petting them. The ears, for a lot of horses, is an area that's sensitive and they can be protective about. Horses that are "head shy" raise their head out of reach whenever you try to touch their ears, which can be a problem when you try to put a halter or bridle on. Gobie doesn't have those reservations!

Garland on his head. Good boy!

I also loosely looped the garland around his neck, like a horse wearing a rose wreath after winning a race. I think he actually started to fall asleep a little.

You win at Halloween!

I was very proud of his good behavior. After all, it's nice to have a friend who will dress up with you for Halloween!