Enough Already!!!!

 

It started yesterday afternoon…….

 

Do you see Apache in the barn?

Poor Apache. The day after dealing with all that dentistry and vaccination stuff, she has to deal with wind, cold and snow. And I can’t even be up there with her to keep her company for fear I might fall again. bah!

Yesterday was the first day that the chickens’ coop was completely snow-free in weeks.

That didn’t last long. sigh.

 

Everyone keeps telling me that Spring is here or is on it’s way.

This is what greeted me when I looked out the windows this morning. The view onto my bedroom balcony.

 

In my world, it sure is difficult to imagine that Spring is here or is on it’s way.

The view up to the barn from my bathroom window.

 

The view looking down from my daughter’s bedroom. Poor chickens will be stuck inside today.

.

 

The view out onto our loft balcony. Another heavy, wet snow. The folks who had dried up wells last summer, should be much happier this year.

I gimped downstairs to let Dobbie outside and go potty. This is the view out the front door. Yeh. It’s pretty. I’m just glad that our peach and apple trees haven’t bloomed yet. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for the rest of this winter/spring season. A couple years ago, everything had bloomed in our orchard and then we got hit by a Memorial Day hail and snow storm. You just never know what the weather will bring up here.

Dobbie girl is not a winter weather pooch. She goes outside to do her business and then wants right back in. Tucked under the blankets, plastered against my side like a second-skin, is where she prefers to be.

Poor chickens personify the term: “All Cooped Up”

I know many folks are planning and preparing their gardens. Some lucky ones are even planting, burying their hands into dark, rich, earth.

Around here, the plants are just trying to stay upright under all the weight.

It’s ironic that a couple months ago, my 3 kidlets were out in this little backyard building a snowman. I remember as a child, growing up in California and then Maryland, how excited I was when it snowed. All my kidlets talk about now is when will summer be here, so they can play outside without shoes and heavy coats. They get up in the morning, look out the window at the snow-covered ground and say, “Not again”.

  

 

Humor is good at a time like this.

 

 

I’m grateful that Ranchman John is home now to take care of all the critters for us, but Jenna and I miss going to the barn and hanging out, too.

I wonder if Apache misses us, too.

These are our snow stats thus far:

Laughing Orca Ranch Snow Stats

First Snow Fall of the Year:

October 22, 2007
October 14, 2008
October 28, 2009

Last Snow Fall of the Year:
May 23, 2007
April 12, 2009
TBA 2010

Snow Posts in 2007/08~ 24

Snow Posts in 2008/09~ 14

Snow Posts in 2009/10~ 33 so far

Not all of this year’s snow falls left behind significant precipitation. Some were just light flurries with no accumulation on the ground. But still…….

                             Enough Already!!!!!!

 

Oh, and yes, it’s still snowing. The weather folks promise us that we can expect more snowfall throughout the day and into Sunday……..hooray.

Feeling Better

 

This post isn’t really about me, but yes, I’m feeling better, too. The knee is still swollen and weak and I’m still wearing my brace, but I can walk short distances without my crutch now. Thanks for all the well wishes. You all are awesome!

~~~~~~~~

So today, Apache had her vet visit and floating appointment. Everything went well and she did great. Even when she knew something was up, she was easily calmed. She’s such a good girl.

Ranchman John drove me up to the barn, but after the vet arrived, we remembered we had no electricity up there due to a gopher chewing the lines, so we had to head back down to the house for the vet visit because the Power Float requires an electric outlet.

I had forgotten that several chickens, two roosters and a hen had gotten out when I went in to feed them this morning. I was able to get the hen back into the coop, but the roosters were enjoying their freedom too much and I didn’t think it was a big deal for them to be out so I left them to their own devices.

But the coop is beside the house, so we had to deal with flapping, squawking roosters blasting out of the bushes, at least until the Power Float turned on, because the sound scared the roosters away.

Apache was so good and only startled in place anyway. Even with all the wind smacking the plastic feed bags that I zip-tied to the chicken coop wire to protect the chickens from some of the wind, Apache didn’t get her panties in a bunch. She was a very good girl with all the new sights, smells and sounds.

And she was very patient, too. Her Float took more than 30 minutes because her mouth was such a mess. In comparison, Baby Doll’s dental floats never took longer than 10 mins because they were just simple maintenance. Poor Apache she had just about everything going on with her ouchie teeth.

Apache had:

                               Ramps

   

 

                              Waves

                            Trans Ridges

                           Enamel Points

                   

                          Caudal (rear) Hooks

                          Rostral (frontal) Hooks

My vet, who is also a licensed Performance Equine Dentist invited me to reach in and feel all these abnormalities and I was surprised at how sharp and uncomfortable they felt to my hand……I could not even imagine having all that discomfort in my mouth for years, like poor Apache had to endure.

I could feel the rear hook, and it was very sharp, but it was the frontal hook that I could see as well as touch, and I was floored. That frontal hook had even caused a small ulcer in her mouth, which had toughened up with scar tissue.

Check out that frontal hook jutting down in the upper right side of this picture!

 

My vet told me that monstrosity could have easily caused Apache to rear when her previous owner bitted her in the single-jointed Tom Thumb and used force on her mouth to get her to cooperate. I think I would have reared to the moon to get away from that kind of pain myself.

Apache doesn’t have canine or wolf teeth, but this diagram shows the pressure that would have pushed against her sensitive teeth and that frontal hook by a harsh bit and rider.

 

Here’s a diagram of the frontal hook. Can you imagine what a metal bit hitting that might feel like?

 

And then try to imagine what Apache must have felt like when her previous owner ignored her display of pain and just slapped a tie-down on her instead and still rode her in the same bit in the same harsh way, except now using a crop, too.

I swear….I just don’t get people sometimes. I really truly don’t.

This is the only ‘After’ photo that turned out because my camera refused to focus. But it shows the points smoothed out and that horrible frontal hook significantly diminished.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m really looking forward to trying the Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle on her. I can only imagine how much she will appreciate it. She’ll probably be confused at first because of what she’s been used to for so long, but I think she deserves a break. She’s already shown me that she will move off seat and legs alone, and the more Jax and I rode her the less she needed any kicking to make her move forward. Our last ride, just a squeeze and she went. Maybe it’s too soon to think about, but I hope she appreciates all these new changes and becomes a true willing partner for me and my family. She has such a big heart and deserves a good life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So after the teeth floating, my vet pulled a Coggins for me to not only check Apache’s health, but to prepare for the upcoming ACTHA CTC Trail Ride I am registered to ride in with Apache (!!!!whooohooo!!!!!!).

The vet seemed surprised when I presented him with a fresh sample of Apache’s poo so he could do a fecal exam. This way he can tell me, what type, if any, worms or pests might be infecting her system. Once I know what she might have, I can deal with the specific pests without creating resistance from blindly deworming. I’m also interested in using diatomaceous earth as a natural dewormer, as several other horse owners I know have had great success with it. (Thanks Dan & Betty!)

After turning poor Apache into an equine pin-cushion giving her all of her vaccinations: rhino virus, strangles, influenza, rabies, West Nile, Tetanus, and Encephalomyelitis, my vet presented me with the bill for his services and I had my own pin cushion moment…………with my bank account now $436.61 lighter. (eeek!)

But it’s all worth it if Apache feels 100% better.

This One Packed a Mean Punch

 

Saturday was a beautiful, sunny warm day with temps in the low 60’s.

This is how we spent our day

Just hanging out with Apache.

Sunday started off the same way. Sunny and warm, but slightly breezier than Saturday. I spent most of Sunday outside with Apache and our other barn critters. But by Sunday afternoon, the winds picked up, the sky got dark and snowflakes began falling……..and falling…and falling.

By Sunday evening we already had at least 5” of heavy, wet snow on the ground. Did I mention I’m so fed up with snow and winter?

Ranchman John had encouraged Apache to eat her hay in the barn earlier on Sunday and she seemed happy to get in there out of the wind, but she’s still getting used to all the strange sounds in there, like the creaking and whistling, and the noisy banging from the goats as they eat, and the llamas’ snuffling and humming. Apache would get startled and run out, but she’d eventually come back in to munch her hay.

I watched the barn from the house as it started to hail. It hit the metal roof on the barn and I know how the sounds can be a cacophony of loud noise when you’re inside. Poor Apache flew out of the barn from all that noise, out into the pelting hail.

I threw on my coat and boots and went up there to check on her and with some encouragement she came up to me from the other side of the pasture and walked with me back into the barn. I hung out with her for about 20 minutes as she ate and watched as the hail turned into blowing snow, a white-out. I finally trudged back down the hill towards the house.

The snow didn’t seem all that slippery and I wasn’t having any problems with traction, but all of a sudden, my right foot slipped…….and down I went on my butt.

That wouldn’t have been so bad except my left foot stayed in place, so when I fell, it was still rooted into the ground, which meant that my poor knee was forced into a hyper extreme flex as my butt came into contact with the back of my left boot! OUCH!!!! The pain took my breath away as I felt something in my knee make a crunching sound.

I sat in the snow for a moment to assess the damage, as the snow blew even harder and thicker around me. I realized I had to get up and walk back to the house as no one would hear me if I called for help. And if I was gone for a long while Ranchman John would just figure I was in the barn hanging out with Apache.

I stood up and boy did it hurt! So I just took slow small limping steps back down to the pasture gate, praying that I wouldn’t fall again.

I finally made it back down to the house without falling and when I got back inside, I asked my twinlings to bring me my crutches and some Ibuprofen. My left knee was already starting to swell. I still managed to finish cooking spagetti for my family, but afterwards I scooted up the stairs on my butt to my bedroom.

Back in my tower again…..sigh.

The rest of the night I rested in bed with ice on my knee. This is what it looked like last night.

(Don’t mind the furry legs. They keep me warm in the winter.)

This morning it’s even more swollen, but I can bend it, but not as far as usual because of the swelling, but at least there’s no pain when I bend it. I can also extend my leg out with no pain and I can also bear some weight without pain, too. But the knee feels weak and very sore.

I hope I didn’t do anything to the ACL reconstruction area or any other ligaments. Ranchman John thinks maybe I sprained or strained something. I also wonder if maybe that the extreme flexion from when my knee was bent so suddenly, caused some scar tissue from the surgery to tear, which I think would be a good thing, even though it’s pretty painful at first.

All I can do is rest, take anti-inflammatory meds, apply ice and do some light flexing exercises so the knee doesn’t tighten up. I’m truly thankful that Ranchman John is home to take care of the animals, along with the kidlets, until all this snow melts and my knee heals. He already has a soft spot for Apache, so I know she’ll get plenty of attention, even though I’m going to miss her something fierce!

And all this time I was worried about falling off a horse and reinjuring my knee, and instead I fall in the snow. Are you all keeping tabs?

                 (The view from my bedroom balcony this morning)

This would be the third time that I’ve injured this same knee. If bad things really do come in three’s, this should mean my dues are paid. Right? …….right?    

Well, just when I thought my days of picture-taking from my tower were over……….a Spring snow storm did me in.

These are the chairs and table on my bedroom balcony.

Oh look. 8” high pillowtop chairs. How nice and comfy.

The sun was coming up across the valley. But the clouds moved in soon afterwards, and nipped that little bit of warmth right in the bud.

The view from Jenna’s window. The heavy wet snow ripped apart the hawk netting over the chicken coop. Poor chickens will be stuck inside all day today anyway.

 

Zuni doesn’t mind the snow at all. In fact I’d wager to say that she wouldn’t mind if we had snow all year. (Bite my tongue!)

                      Ranchman John greeting Apache.

 

                                    So sweet.

Watching your man love on your horse is almost as precious as watching him love on your kids.

 

Sure wish I could be up there getting some horse lovin’, too.

 

Apache heads into the barn as Ranchman John walks back down the hill. I think she likes him.

 

Apache gives her opinion of this rotten, sneaky snowstorm.

                       Pppblltprrfftt! Patooie!

 

  

                  Looks like Rapunzel is back.

And Llamas Don’t Bother Her at All

 

I just want to tell all of you, who’ve left me such wonderful comments, a huge and grateful thank you for your well wishes, congratulations, opinions and advice on my two most recent posts about finally making Apache my own and interpreting and dealing with her licking. You guys are the best!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Today was gorgeous with temps close to the 60’s! I would have loved to get out and ride, but I had other plans to do with Apache instead. She’s been in her smaller paddock for the past week and I wanted to get her into the larger paddock/pasture to give her some more exercise, and get her used to the llamas, goats and sheep, and to give her access to the barn and stall, if she so chooses.

As I told you all a few days ago, Baby Doll took several months to get used to the llamas and was very spooked for a long time even to look at them. She eventually did get used to them, but it took a while.

I expected similar reactions from Apache and had prepared myself to deal with them and to just be there to help give Apache courage, even though I was also worried about any potential blow-ups or freak-outs and me getting hurt by them.

But I was still hoping that Apache might act like ‘my’ noble, brave, handsome Rojo did when he first met my llamas, as I took them out for a walk past his pasture.

He was a friendly gentleman and I think he had a crush on my pretty little llama girl, too.

 

(Did you happen to notice that handsome Rojo also wore a heart on his left shoulder…..just like my Apache does, too? I just noticed this as I was posting his picture. wow. Coincidence?)

This is a very special, to me, photo showing how gentle Rojo was with my little girl. Sometimes he would lower his head and let Jenna hug his muzzle and give him a kiss. It was very sweet. Such a terrible loss……….I sure do miss that beautiful boy.

 

Anyway…I digress.

Ranchman John told me that he wouldn’t be surprised if she just took the llamas in stride and wouldn't be bothered by them at all. It’s so annoying when he’s right.

I went up to her paddock and got her haltered and then I spent some time grooming her a little and trimming her bridle path. Her mane is so thick and bushy, it’s impossible not to get it all tangled up in the halter and bridle. I was then prepared to take her for a walk around the larger pasture to show her the fenceline and where all the trees were located….and to introduce her to the llamas.

After walking around the entire fenceline, we came back around to the barn where all the llamas, goats and sheep were hanging out.

When we walked along the woolie’s fenceline, Apache just stood and stared, even when Catlinite was being rude and stared back in his aggressive stance.

I walked her past them a couple times, but was surprised that she was eager to walk up to the fence and meet them face to face. So we did. And she never batted an eyelash.

I could tell Catlinite was disappointed. His glare had no effect on Apache at all.

She was just curious and tried to make friends with everyone.

Cataleya was much more friendly as usual and she rubbed noses with Apache, which was very sweet.

(In llamas, ears laid back is actually a sign of submission, not aggression. But when ears are laid back AND their nose goes up in the air…watch out! Then they are preparing to spit!)

And, of course, the goats and sheep were all happy to make a new friend.

 

Apache kept looking at me, as if she wanted me to know that she was fine with everything, and I just couldn’t stop praising her for being so calm, confident and sweet.

I love her more each day!

So, she passed another test with flying colors. I removed her halter and let her explore the rest of the pasture on her own, with me walking along beside her.

To be continued………………