Breeze and Star

I finally got the video of Star having her baby ready for posting and found that it was too big to post on my blog. I was able to post it on my Facebook page. It can be found on Country Dreams Farm. You can also become a fan of the farm while you are there.

We measured Breeze today and she is 2.5 inches taller than she was when she was born almost 3 weeks ago now. What an experience she has been! She is very friendly.

We had 2 baby goats born this weekend. Jesse was bred to a LaMancha and had 2 females who have the signature ears. They are doing well and are quite cute.

Farrier Day

Today our farrier and his helper were here to do some work on our horses and donkeys hooves. Jill and Renee (draft team) had their winter shoes removed and got a trim. Helen and Star (both drafts) just got their hooves trimmed. They also trimmed 3 miniature donkeys. One, Violet, isn't very well behaved. She was rejected by her mother many years ago so I raised her in the house. She had a multitude of problems and it was suggested by most every vet to put her down. Dr. Hannah McCormick was our saving grace. She prescribed magnetic therapy, Chinese herbs and Selenium. You would never know there had ever been a problem with her but when her feet get just a bit too long it is quite noticable. Anyhow, the farrier has been working on her feet since she was less than a week old. There is no excuse for her bad behavior as her feet have been handled more than the average equine. She rears, throws herself or anything else she can think of to deter the farrier! He is undaunted by her behavior but I am surprised he continues to put up with us! Thankfully he handles it quite well. She is expecting a foal in May as are 2 of the other donkeys. They are soooo adorable...little and very fuzzy! Will post pics and updates when it is closer to their due date.

Breeze is doing very well. We handle her feet every day so she won't be a handfull when she outweighs us all.

Foal's Name

We finally have a name for our new baby. Dad's name is Spring Water Leo, Mom's name is Redford Hill Star. So baby is Star's Spring Breeze. We will call her Breeze. She is getting so big. Her front teeth are just beginning to come through the gums. She tries to chew on everything including us. I will post new pics soon. It was so windy today and rainy yesterday that I didn't really want to have to take pics. I think I can get some tomorrow.

We will be at Parker Family Maple Farm this weekend doing rides. Weather is looking cold but sunny. I can deal with that...beats the rain we had last weekend.

Star foaling (finally)

It's a girl!! She was born Friday night at about 9:00. Star was 3 hours from being pregnant for a whole year. She had a big beautiful girl. We had been putting her in the barn every night for the last month and last night was no exception. When we went to the barn at 8pm to check on her and feed her she was soaked in sweat and didn't want to eat. We were pretty sure we were going to get a baby. Made a few calls, got my towels and camera and waited for just a little while. Pretty soon her water broke and everything went pretty smooth. We helped her a little but she did all the work. We have had a lot of company here today to see the foal. We haven't named her yet but will keep all posted.

I will include a picture today but will post the birthing video soon.

Chickens and Star

I really have nothing noteworthy today. Star still hasn't had her foal. She is huge and so is her udder. She is about 19 days past her projected due date. She is making us all nuts! Will try to post a picture of her tomorrow.

Worked on cleaning out the chicken coop. Almost done. Will clean out nest boxes tomorrow. I love my chickens!

Star

Still no foal! Star is soooo uncomfortable. Her udder is huge and she looks like she is walking bowlegged! She spends the day outside and nights inside to keep her stall cleaner. I will post a pic of her tomorrow unless I have a video!!

We tried out the "new" old corn picker today. It does a good job. Something happened though and the chain jumped off the gears. George worked on it this afternoon but it still isn't fixed yet. Sure beats picking by hand.

I started to clean the chicken coop today and will work on it tomorrrow. That is a dirty job as it hasn't been cleaned since last fall. Will make great compost and fertilizer for the gardens. I put manure in the flower gardens and the flowers are beautiful. They love the manure. Chicken manure is stronger than the goat manure so if I use it full strength I usually use the goat but will use chicken if it isn't too close to the plants.

Will keep updated 'bout Star.