Chores

With 11 horses, 5 mini horses and a small flock of sheep, there are a few chores to be done daily. That is a fact of life.. the gals learned this right from day one. My problem is that I have spoiled them somewhat by actually liking to do chores myself! It was always my escape, my down time, my get away from the noise time. My favorite sound in the whole world is the munching of horses eating hay. At the end of a busy stressful day I would do my chores, clean barn, feed etc and before I left the barn I would upturn a bucket and sit quietly sometimes with the lights off and just listen to the sounds coming from the stalls. 


The gals have always had their time/turn to do chores. Being involved with our own breeding and training operation at home and with their Pony Club activity etc they know how much and what to feed, water, and why they need to be consistent. They know how to clean stalls properly, they know all this because they were taught how. They know all this because I am fairly demanding with how I like to do these things and really it comes down to do it my way or you better have a really good explanation why you didn't! Control freak.. maybe.. but I want things done a specific way for reasons that are not difficult to understand. For instance.. Don't feed in front of the gate! Simple concept.. or one would think it's simple. So why is this an issue today.. let me explain. 


The gals are very capable and more than old enough to take over the task of feeding critters. I am the chore girl as back up only, if for what ever reason the gals can not! The animals always come first! This morning I said I would feed as youngun #1 worked late last night and then again early this morning.


As always, and keep in mind these are not brand new rules brought in to surprise and confuse the children, my simple request for feeding hay is to clean up around the bale every time you feed that way it's not lost under snow or taken with the wind. Oh and of course don't feed in front of the gate! When I move bales with the bobcat I always clean the spot with the bucket first and then move the bale in.. clean flat.. easy to control the hay! But really all this wide open space around the bale is actually more area to spread hay, and apparently the only two words that remain in the brain of said younguns regarding feeding in front of the gate are "Feed and Gate"! With all the snow we've had this year the task of feeding may take a little longer to do properly and by properly I mean how I would feed, so over the gate it goes! Now at this point I'm trying to remain calm and rational I know I could just dig the gate out or I could get equipment to move the gate and then spend the better part of the day fixing said gate. Long story short (I know it may be too late for that) I proceed to clean up the hay from around all the bales and dig out the gate (by hand) so I can actually open it to bring in the wheel barrow to feed the sheep and have a little stock time for the dogs.Whew all that to get here! 


The lesson today consists of move away from the gate little sheepies and stay back! Both dogs get to come in for that exercise. Not a difficult task and it makes the dogs happy to be useful. Especially Evo, who doesn't get to go into the pens these days! Next gate.. is for the mini's and the ram. The Ram and Ralf have come to terms on the gate issues.. If Ram moves away from Ralf he gets to keep his nose intact! Ralf on the other hand has learned that he is the almighty mover of Ram. This came from a battle of wills this past summer and most certainly another story.