So a lot of this is 'news' that isn't worth news to some folks.
Sunshine is doing well at Kristi's place. In April she will be 29 years old. She is showing her age in her face but not her attitude and willingness to go riding.
Kristi has given her a new pasture mate named Willow. Another mare and Sunshine is really quite happy with that.
Her gelding Cash, seems to be losing weight so she has moved him into an area where she can grain him and help him maintain a healthy condition.
We have finally figured out what is going on with Siera. Her weight and the great pasture I had was not kind to her.
I did some more researching about pastures and removed them from the back meadow. It is lush and has quite a bit of white clover in it. The high sugar content is not good for her. In years past, that back meadow has been grazed to the ground with 4 or 5 mules so it wasn't so lush and dangerous.
This morning I walked around and set up a plan to try and deal with Siera's weight [I know, I dropped the ball on this issue because she had been going through periods where she seemed 'cured'.]
Tomorrow I am making Sundance and Siera a smaller lot in this shady area. I can keep them there until Winter and they can be joined by Sunshine this late fall. It will be a dry 'lot' where I can monitor exactly what they eat and their condition.
Old photo from 5 years ago.
What a difference a wet summer makes when you have only 2 grazers instead
Sundance is the youngest mule. She has been off and on slightly gimpy for quite a while now. She has been diagnosed with ringbone in her right front. Otherwise she is perfectly healthy and full of herself. Ringbone is a form of arthritis. Treatment can include joint injections, special shoes, and special meds. She is a pasture pet and only shows slight discomfort once in a great while.
Three older mules and an ancient pony cannot keep down our pastures so I have to consider doing something different.
The large meadow in front of the house will be brush hogged and one section will be bulldozed so I can mow it myself next year. The other half will be used as a winter pasture since it offers protection from the winds.
Photo from last year. Winter Pasture.
I'll keep mowing the back meadow because the dogs and I love walking there and in the winter it will make a nice area to cross country ski.
Little Richard is 35 years old and his teeth are worn out. He made it through last winter with flying colors.
This summer he gained weight being staked out and having access to a small forested paddock. He is slowly losing weight again. I am fighting a slow motion battle that I will lose. It will pain me to possibly make a decision this fall with him.
I'm a realist. I won't keep animals that are in poor condition or in constant pain. I feel that is cruel. We set our long term plans in motion 10 years ago when Rich was no longer able to help with chores and maintenance. We kept the elder animals to give them a retirement. The young ones we had were sold. Over the years, the elder animals have crossed over.
Charlie is recovering nicely. He has been bossing Hannah around and trying to steal her chew bones. Uffdah. I can't let him do that! He is back to ruling the household.
Me?
What makes you think that?
I guess any animals, even mules, need a lot of consideration to live their best lives. You certainly have to plan around things that most don’t.
ReplyDeleteThey do. There is the quality of life consideration also with even large animals. I'm in agreement with most of our older vets here, they don't recommend letting an animal life in pain or deteriorate.
DeleteI'm hoping to rehab Siera and keep Sundance from having pain. I have a farrier that is incredible with making shoes just for these type of situations.
We are what we eat! LOL.
Siera is basically lazy and it is my fault for not keeping her in shape. However with the past few years of caring for my hubby...well, you get it.
Do you ever give Little Richard soaked beet pulp? Very nutritious and easy to eat. Does he get soaked hay cubes? Lori.
ReplyDeleteI would give it to him and have done that for Fred when he was 38 yrs old and had no teeth. At this age in human yrs Little Richard is over 100 yrs old. He is deaf and doesn't always see the best either. So I do have to consider his quality of life at this point and whether or not he will survive on food that is not green grass.
DeleteI tend to lean towards not letting him waste away no matter what I do.
LD....The animals are a lot of responsibility. It is hard to control some things that you just can't control. The muless and horses are being well cared for. I like seeing all the photos of them and hearing about all of them.
ReplyDeleteCorrect. I cannot control everything for farm animals. They are a huge part of my life, but I kept them knowing that I would give them the best retirement that I could.
DeleteThey all are amazing and I am so happy they have been in my life for so many years!
Is Hannah digging for some critter in the shed? She sure messed up her face! Mr. Charlie must be feeling better if he wants a bone! I didn't know there was so much thinking about big creatures grazing. I used to eat little bits of clover I found in the grass growing up. Maybe writing down the pros and cons for each animal on a chart might help such emotional decisions become a little easier, maybe with Kristi's input. You've been kind to them all. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteHannah is always looking for something! She just has dust and dirt on her face. It came off with a wipe of a towel. She was soooo proud of herself!
DeleteRed clover is not as bad for equine as white clover. All of my farm animal decisions are made with great care. We had our Fred Mule live until 3 days before he turned 39.
Just like humans, animals age out and have their organs deteriorate as they age. We can't send them to and ICU.
Wow! You are the Queen of Comfort for those lovely equines. I've watched some farrier FB videos where some make really funky shoes to help different hoof and leg problems, also for cows. Bless You! Linda in Kansas (At Camp Fire overnight camp near OKC, I was the shortest camper and rode the biggest horse, Glory. She was so magnificient.)
ReplyDeleteI'm not the best really, there are others who have better facilities and can do much more than I can.
DeleteYour care and compassion for these animals is a model for us all.
ReplyDeleteI try with limited resources to do the best I can.
DeleteYou're so thoughtful and kind in your decisions about your animals. You have a lot to consider. Goid thing you're knowledgeable, too.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, having a realistic and respectful attitude about your furry family members as they age. It is difficult, but I think the fact that you have thought about all of the angles, and have made or at least thought about your options, and the animals' needs makes the ultimate decisions easier. You've been through the most difficult part. Ah those beautiful green pastures....we always had trouble with our horses propensity for eating, and their sensitivity to sugar in some of their greens, made it hard to manage. I tried grazing muzzles....that was a riot! Oh, the faces made and the antics in trying to remove those abominations were great entertainment...at their cost!
ReplyDeleteA grazing muzzle was suggested until I pointed out that we had trees everywhere and she'd either try to rub it off or get stuck trying to get it off.
DeleteI tried fly masks also and they only stayed on for about 10 minutes. Our mules when Rich first had a few that were hard to catch wore halters. The mules would grab another mule's halter and lead them around or chew it off.
Your animals are well-cared for, Val. I am at the same place as you. Mine are all geriatric. When the health goes south I let them go. It's good tho know Charlie is back to being himself and Hannah is being Hannah.
ReplyDeleteI only hope that my care is that thoughtful towards my end too. I don't want to hang on in pain.
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