The Castle Rock MARE-TERNITY WARD
Message Boards => General Discussion => Topic started by: Chanda on May 27, 2019, 04:18:31 PM
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I don't clean paddocks in the winter, just too cold, and they practically drop poopcycles; so I do major overhaul in the spring once it dries out and warms up.
I worked on the mare barn a week or so ago, and got a start; lots more to go.
Today, I started on the gelding shelters. Got the worst one cleaned, so I moved almost 45 cubic feet of packed manure. [cleaned an 8x8' stall and the 4x8' entrance area, it was 6" deep.] Guess I did clean half of the other half of this shelter earlier this spring, but today was the start of the "deep" clean.
I'm not sure what is worse? The smell of an old carcass, or the smell of fermenting manure and pee. :P It was pretty rotten in spots today, as this side of the shelter is where Spotty thinks he should pee.
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I dont pick mine up either. I smudge it into the ground with an old gate and the mower when I know heavy rain is coming. ( my excuse is too lazy lol)
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I dont pick mine up either. I smudge it into the ground with an old gate and the mower when I know heavy rain is coming. ( my excuse is too lazy lol)
I mow my pasture areas, and drag them when I can (have an actual harrow, somewhere, it was in the bull pasture, but not sure where it is now); but I do have to clean the drylots, barns and shelters. The large drylots get cleaned by tractor; the shelters, barns and small pens are cleaned by hand (well shovel and manure fork).
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I do have a couple of small paddocks which I consider to be my dry lots. My two little mares spend quite a bit of time in there when the grass is too rich. I usually just rake into a big pile then pick up. The bigger paddocks im happy to smudge, not enough hours in the day to manually pick up each paddock !
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To go along with spring cleaning... We have reintroduce the horses to grass in process. The geldings have been getting grass about a week or so, so they're up to an hour to hour and a half daily. The mares group just got introduced today, I turned them all out together, Belle and Dolly included; the older girls readily came in and Bliss and Sophie followed, when I said "time to come in". And, then, this evening, Belle and Dolly went back into their separate paddock nicely. Che`, Baybe and Tilly started their introduction to grass as well. This will be quite a process to get them all reintroduced to grass, but it'll mean I can cut back on their daily hay; they graze in the morning (all day for the geldings) and get some hay at night).
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Hope they are all enjoying the spring grass :)
Its quite the process, but very much understand the importance of a slow reintroduction
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You both just make me tired thinking of all the work you do!
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Got a good start on cleaning the gelding's paddock. It hasn't been cleaned in like 10 years :o It takes a tractor to do it, and previously Shayne did it, but he hasn't had time since before Cheddar passed away in 2010. I got started, and was having some tractor troubles, when Shayne came home early from his fencing job, so he did a bit of work for me in a couple tight spots, leaving me with a big pile to remove from the pen. Got the pile all removed, and now will need Shayne's help again for the two tight spots that really need cleaning. But, enough for today.
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Got the mare's cleaned right before the 4th, just in time, too; it's been raining almost non-stop since, so it's pretty soggy out there. One good thing with all the rain... The ground is soft, I've now dug in 3 posts for my two gates I need to eventually hang, one more post to go. [Actually, still need to buy the gates, but can continue to use my portable panels for now.] Need to pick up a couple 2x6s for braces and bumper boards for the gate posts, but it'll be ok for now (tried two landscape timbers, as we had them on hand, they are hard as rocks and nearly impossible to drive a nail through them, they are up, but I don't know how long they'll last, Thinking I should have waited for the 2x6s).
Anyway, got a good start on a couple summer projects.
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Sounds like lots of work ahead!!
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Sounds like lots of work ahead!!
It's summer, there always is something to do. I may not get it done, but there is always something.
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Got my last post hole dug and post set. I do need to pick up some 2x6s to finish the job; and rearrange some t-posts and mesh panels; and eventually when budget allows get two 12' gates to hang, then I'll be truly finished with that project.
Need to get to work cleaning out the small paddock, lots of winter manure yet to remove; with all the rain, it's just too wet to be scooping poop, I don't want to haul "water" out of the corrals.
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Got my 2x6s picked up today, and put them up; so finished that part of the fencing/gate project.
Working on cleaning that last corral.
Trimmed one horse today (hooves).
Went on a parts run, so that is all I got done today.
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I think I need a boot or maybe a boost out the door, to go get back to work on that corral that needs serious poo picking, to get rid of last winter's manure build up. Just the one corral left for cleaning up winter build up; but just dragging my wagon.
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My job today:
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lol cringing a little here. Over here the general rule is poo must not stay! I poo pick my big horses paddock every day, a clean paddock is part of the yard agreement but also helps to keep the worm count down apparently. Ill admit i don't do it nearly as much at home, but it still all gets lifted eventually. Its never harrowed in or spread (again this spreads worms apparently) Its like a keeping up with the joneses thing...if you have too many poos people comment on it! No wonder people think horse owners here are snobs :p
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lol cringing a little here. Over here the general rule is poo must not stay! I poo pick my big horses paddock every day, a clean paddock is part of the yard agreement but also helps to keep the worm count down apparently. Ill admit i don't do it nearly as much at home, but it still all gets lifted eventually. Its never harrowed in or spread (again this spreads worms apparently) Its like a keeping up with the joneses thing...if you have too many poos people comment on it! No wonder people think horse owners here are snobs :p
I get behind in the winter, it's hard to pick it when it's zero out and there's a foot or more of snow in the paddock, so it stays til spring. During the summer, I pick more regularly; but get very behind in the winter with cold and snow to contend with.
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Sounds like you have been busy whilst ive been away Chanda :)
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Sounds like you have been busy whilst ive been away Chanda :)
Trying.
Finished the little mare pen. Still have others to do, but a huge dent in the cleaning.
Tomorrow is dental day for the horses.
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Just saw your equine dentist was delayed. Drat! Are you doing just the minis or your riding horses, too?
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Equine dentist just left. We did 7 of the minis this year, no saddle horses (did them last year, and their teeth are pretty good).
Poor Sophia has evidently never seen a dentist or had a dental in her life (she's like 13-14 this year, I'd have to look); she had 4 big hooks that were taken care of today. Both Bliss and Spotty had caps to remove. Then the rest that were done were just regular floats, no extras. Che` got to skip this year, he got a "good teeth" sticker this year; which is unusual for him. Others were checked and are fine til at least next summer. Baby Belle just had a quick check, and she has very nice teeth and alignment.
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Sounds great! And good girl, Baby Belle!
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My hay guy called about 1/2 hour after the dentist left yesterday, so this morning I went on a hay run, and I have "my" hay back, nice straight grass hay. I hate the picking and stacking, but love using the small squares in the barn, especially with the little horses. I picked up 70 small squares with the trailer today, if I have time I may go down again with a pick-up and grab 10-20 more for the other barns, just depends on time and energy.
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Glad you could source some Chanda, send me some good wishes so I have the same luck :)
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Glad you could source some Chanda, send me some good wishes so I have the same luck :)
Lots of luck.
We got rain this year, so our home fields look pretty good, and a field we didn't cut last year (too dry with the drought) produced very well, a grass alfalfa mix field. I've already claimed it for the horses, just hope it tests well.
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Thanking you :)
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I had 105 small squares arrive yesterday :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Now I just have to go and get them from a friends as my place is too wet to get a big truck & trailer on it at the moment.
This will surely get me through till after Christmas & has taken the pressure off me financially ;pray
Just saw some online selling for $26 for a small square of meadow hay. I got mine for $13 ;pray
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I had 105 small squares arrive yesterday :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Now I just have to go and get them from a friends as my place is too wet to get a big truck & trailer on it at the moment.
This will surely get me through till after Christmas & has taken the pressure off me financially ;pray
Just saw some online selling for $26 for a small square of meadow hay. I got mine for $13 ;pray
Happy Dance! Yeah! That has to be a load off your mind.
I'd like to pick up a few more small squares for my barns and to have for those days when feeding rounds isn't easy (usually high winds, as it's hard to fork loose hay).
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GREAT PRICE!! CONGRATULATIONS!!
So nice to have worry off your mind. ;D
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It sure is :) Got them unloaded and into the shipping container before the heavens opened. I was stoked with the quality.
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Ive put in an order for a xmas delivery of hay. I figured with the shortage over here, I better get onto it.
Chanda, you will be so proud of me. We have both joked before how we like to accumulate horses so easy, yet its so hard to move one on. Well, I sold one :) My little shetland "Vadar" whom I had previously leased as a lead line pony, had come home around 18 months ago, could be even longer. I had a call a couple of weeks ago from a lady who I know, looking for a companion for her daughters pony. She came and veiwed him , took him on a trial for a couple of weeks and came and paid for him yesterday. She said he is the most amazing gentleman and his manners are impeccable. Knowing the amazing home he was going to , made it so much easier saying goodbye :)
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Sounds like the perfect home for your little chap. Love it when it all comes together like that with everyone happy. :)
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Sounds just perfect, Ryan! I'm sure it made things easier!
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I know the title is SPRING cleaning, however, I've always been one to do major cleaning in the autumn (my favorite season) and then do deep dusting and air outs in the spring.
I've been attempting to get rid of the clutter in this camper, yet having a heck of a time accomplishing it. *gaaaahh!!*
Part of the issue is lack of storage. Part of it is lack of motivation. Part of it is the physical challenge...I've gotten so slow that if I once get even a little behind it snowballs into ALOT behind, leading to aforementioned lack of motivation.
Right now I'm doing a major deep clean as best I can since both my husband and my daughter have moved out. I'm forcing myself to donate dishes and cookware that I don't use at least once a week. The same with anything decorative or books. I've tossed documents I've been guarding "in case I need them." If they're more than 90 days old--or if their subject matter is--into the permanent file they go. (For our friends outside the U.S., that means the dustbin.)
I've about gotten it done and will be concentrating on preparing my planting spots for next spring. I'm putting the raked leaves into one area I want to use, and will then pen my chickens there to tiller it for me. Get ready for more "Crazy Chicken Women plus Chauncy stories! 🤣🤣
Since it is heading into spring for Ryan and Carly Ray, are you two preparing anything special, or has avoiding wildfires kept you too busy?
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I think you have a good plan for major cleaning. I did a little of that this past summer and was successful for what I completed, but look around now and think I must get back to it. Trouble is, I've got a Federal Grant due 12/13, and more importantly, I head out to see my daughter Katy and the grandchildren on 12/19 through 1/6. Can't wait!! So, I guess cleaning will just have to wait until January!.. >:D
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Ive always got a lack of motivation for cleaning. My house seems to be a little cleaner in the winter months due to the fact im inside more. I have been going through my kitchen of late throwing out "crap" I have accumulated. I was surprised or should I say"shocked" at the amount of things in my pantry that were very well past the use by date :)
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Don't talk to me about spring cleaning! When we moved to this farm some 15 years ago we 'amalgamated' three families and all their 'stuff' - my mother, me and daughter plus her offspring. A lot of stuff had to be stored in the outbuilding next to the farm house. Move on to 4 years ago when we split the farm. All the 'stuff' in the farm house plus that outbuilding had to be moved across to our side of the farm. With no 'house' to put any of it in it got stored again, this time in 3 large elderly mobile homes. And after, over this past year, having 'recycled' some of it into our newly converted barn, the rest remains waiting for .............?
Really must try to sort some more of it after the winter is over!
Diane I hope you will have a fabulous time visiting Katy and the kiddywinks (not so young now I suppose), a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas. xx
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Thanks Anna. I'm sure I will have a fabulous time, and little Rachel (turned 8 in July) and Joshua (turned 11 in August) are already calling every weekend for the "count-down" !! So cute!! Grandchildren range in age from Ryan (turned 3 in October) to Little Tommy (who's 12 and turning 13 in February). My kids are older with the twin -- the youngest turning 39 on December 8th, and Katy is 44. The grandkids are young because the girls didn't have any kids until they had finished their medical residencies, so although they married, they produced NO young until they were done. I was beginning to think there weren't going to be any.
I'm with you, and we can sort more AFTER the new year!!
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Well, this was last year's spring cleaning thread, but no point in starting a new thread for similar topic...
Got the gelding barn almost cleaned out recently, yes, I"m that far behind this year. So wet for so long, I hate to clean when it's deep and that wet, cause it's a lot of water weight to haul out.
Started staining the house, yesterday, yet again. I don't know if we got crap stain or crap siding; but this will be the third time since we put the siding up, possibly the fourth on the west side of the house. I can't remember when we sided the house, but at least 5 years ago, probably longer. We had to put new windows in, again, two years ago, the first batch were crap and leaked; so had to catch up staining all the window trim; did that yesterday, this morning after chores I'll start in on the west side of the house, for round 3 or 4. Going to start with the easy part that doesn't require much time on a ladder.
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Used up a whole gallon to do that trim work and about 120 square feet of siding (and a square of plywood for another project). We have two gallons of paint left from last time we stained the house, so looks like it might be enough for 1.5 sides of the house. I used one of the two already, so we'll see how far the other gallon goes, then see if Shayne wants to buy more this summer when funds are tight or wait til next summer. I hate painting, so I vote wait; but I know it needs doing. We might need to switch to a matching paint, instead of fighting this stain that doesn't seem to last.
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So sorry you're working so hard and having crappy results! I would vote "wait" too, but I know I would do it anyway! ::)
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Got the other gallon on, it did about 3/4 of a short side of the house, so probably will need 3-4 gallons to finish the rest of the house, as we have an addition that sticks out, adding 3 more sides to the house.
Shayne wants to use a paint sprayer, I say no thank you, as the one we have always seems to clog, and when you live this far from town, renting one is a nuisance, as you pay for a day for pick up and return, since it's so far to go.
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Almost done staining the house. We picked up 4 more gallons, and may be a bit short. I only have about 1/2 gallon left, but about 12' or so of tall wall to do (downhill side of the house left, so more wall to stain). Had a few delays and interruptions, lost some paint to mishaps, such as the wind blowing the paint tray off the ladder twice. And, of course, I did not work on my birthday.
While I don't care for breathing in poop dust, it's windy today; I think I'll clean the smaller mare paddock and get that cleaned up again (they've been going out to pasture, so it's not excessive, but I"m behind).