Checked the vet books with thoughts of mange, worms, allergies, etc., thinking he might have picked something up from the cows or eaten something, but it doesn't really look like anything in there. The closest possibility is ringworm, but he doesn't have the red circle or the itchies. So.... I wormed them yesterday on schedule which should take care of it if it's worms. Smeared the patches with povidine ointment, which can't hurt, and once it warms up I'm thinking a bath with tea tree shampoo and some betadine solution on those spots...
Didn't think to take pictures until I'd already smeared him with goop, unfortunately.
Yesterday was also baby snake day. This little guy was parked right in front of the front door. I almost stepped on him, and might have had it not been for the bright orange ring catching my eye.
As you can see, not very big. And he wasn't very healthy, either. I'm pretty sure after looking him up that he's a baby ringneck snake of the southern variety.
Orange spotted belly, so go with his ring neck band.... I scooped him up carefully on a stick since I wasn't sure at that point if he was the venomous type or not, and deposited him off in the grass. But given how lethargic and unresponsive he was, I'm guessing he didn't make it.
The second baby snake was way down at the end of the driveway when I walked out to get the mail.
The same size as snake no. 1, only 5-6" long, but no ring neck on this one and not round like a garter snake, either. I couldn't see a rattle button, the eyes were roundish, but the head was sort of shovel-shaped... Unlike the poor little guy by the front door, this one was very lively, and I wasn't getting my hands anywhere near him just in case he was actually a rattlesnake. Since I'd already brought the horses home, wasn't going to be driving anywhere, and he wasn't close to the house I gave him the benefit of the the doubt and left him alone, and by the time I got back with the mail he was gone.
So the spring babies have started arriving, but they could have picked a better time for it. It's 41' and dropping fast. We have grey heavy clouds and a stiff north wind, and it's damp. The ponies are staying at home today, much to their chagrin. But it's supposed to get colder and stormier the later the day gets, so... they'll have to make do with the creekbed pasture and hay until spring comes back, or at least until the wind stops trying to take the tops out of the trees. Weather guy says tonight it snows.
In other news from yesterday, my interview went okay. I'm pretty sure I can handle the duties as described and the learning curve, and the atmosphere was positive and friendly. The position has some growing room and seems like it would be interesting and challenging. I think I have a decent shot, but you never know. I should find out one way or the other by the end of the week.
