Wind, and noise control

Last fall Sunny started showing signs of not wanting to load. Since he's always been completely easy, either he was starting to connect the trailer with having to work - a possibility, since he's pretty lazy - or something else was bothering him.

Saturday we put Sunny in the back half of the trailer, and when we were about a mile away from J's place on the gravel, I hopped in the front section and kept him company the rest of the way. I wanted to see just how loud it actually is back there.

REALLY LOUD

The bits and buckles on all of the tack hanging from the hooks in the living quarters smacking against the wall sounds like small arms fire, and the plexi-glass panels rattle like tank treads. Add that to the gravel whanging off the wheel wells, and no wonder my poor pony isn't wanting to get in!

Before we loaded him back up to go home, I pulled everything down off the tack hooks. I couldn't do anything about the plexi noise right then, but at least I could take care of some of the problem.

When we got home last night I rounded up a roll of electrical tape and started folding shims to slid in against the plexi. Wedges every 9" or so top and bottom really cut down on the amount of play. If it can't move, it can't rattle, right? I managed to get that about halfway done before company arrived for supper.

We woke up this morning to dust-devils whirling down the road. The Weather Channel reported sustained winds to nearly 40 mph. Crossing the yard I felt like I was being sand-blasted - so I started inside.

I hung rag rugs on the tack hooks. Behind the bridles, they'll help to muffle the metal on metal banging.

Rugs are cheap - a horse that loads?

Priceless!

Then I finished shimming in the plexi-glass panels in back. I'll have to do another test run, but I'm hoping it will be lots better!

Unfortunately, the wind never died down appreciably. We headed out to J's and helped vaccinate calves and do a bit of ranch-type spring clean-up stuff, hoping it would improve enough that we could ride. No such luck - not only did it stay blustery, it started spitting rain.

But I'm not complaining. All things considered, it was a very good weekend.

5 minute ride

My first of the new year! And given that I haven't been on him in months, he was extremely good in just his halter.

He's like sitting on a table at the moment. So fat - but with the cold we've been having, I'm not too upset that he's a bit tubby, it's good insulation.

The horses have all weathered the winter really well. As I slid off last night, the first few shedding hairs of spring were clinging to my vest.

We had 30's! And 40's for Saturday and Sunday, although the later day will be super windy according to the forecast.

This little guy was born night before last, and his mom stepped on his back fetlock. (Do cows have fetlocks or are they called something else?)


Anyway, we helped splint his back leg to give him a bit more support.
By the time we left he'd figured out how to stand up - with a little help, and was looking much perkier with his belly full.

Warm weekend and worming accomplished

Small puddles on the sidewalks and sloppy country roads - yeah!

Not much sun to enjoy, but still the warmer temps and no wind makes a welcome change from the deep freeze. We got everybody wormed on Friday (except Rufus - I forgot the weight tape). They were, of course, thrilled.
They're all staying pretty much in line weight-wise with the notable exception being Sunny, who I think could gain weight on air. He's a tub.


Remember that children's picture book about the pigeon and the bus? Here it's cats that shouldn't drive tractors - lol!

Saturday I remembered the weight tape and the wormer, and Rufus took his medicine with minimal fuss. He's gained just over 100 lbs since we bought him. He's a little round now, but some of that will come off this spring when he's getting ridden again.
Speaking of round - there's enough burro there for two! Eeyore is definitely NOT going hungry.
J has new calves on the ground. New enough they still look like they're covered in crushed velvet. Very cute hopping around attempting to play king of the hill in the snowdrifts.

Not much else to report - and unexciting is just fine, thank you very much!