Thursday, August 30, 2007

Dry Ground and a new pasture

The pond receded and the work has begun on the pasture. Thanks to neighbor Joe, the main horse pasture is cleared and the fences are on order. Last Sunday Joe came over with his bobcat and we ripped the old fence. It was a good workout, hoisting metal poles and rolling up wire. Joe showed me how to use a chainsaw and I went at all the little dogwood trees growing in the pasture. After we got the fence out, Joe cut down an overgrown dogwood tree that was growing near the barn. That'll make some nice firewood! That reminds me, I need Dad to come down adn show me how to operate the wood burning furnace.

There is lots to do before the cold sets in. I need to winterize the chicken coop, and do some work on the barn windows to cut down on drafts. Luckily, the barn is well situated out of the wind and the 2' thick stone walls will keep the animals warm and dry.

Next weekend is barn clean up day. Anyone reading is cordially invited to come out and help sweep out the barn. If you have a sledgehammer, bring that as I want to take out the old whelping box. I think it was used for pigs?? Whatever it was for, I don't need it now. We can dismantle that and have a big ole bonfire with the wood.

See you then,
becx

11 comments:

Lady Barbara said...

WHICH next weekend? The one that just started twenty minutes ago? Or the one a week from now? Will there be beer? Is it less than ninety degrees and 80% humidity there? If I start walking right now will you talk me in? Oh, what I'd give for my sledge hammer in my hands (I'd even bring it with me) and some breathable air cool enough to warrant a - bonfire! Can we sit around it to keep the chill off and sing silly old camp songs? Wahhhhhh. You think my recumbent trike would get me there? I wanna come!

Anonymous said...

You need to come up!! The weather this weekend is supposed to be perfect!! Dry and not too hot. Perfect for burning stuff.

:)

Anonymous said...

Becx,
That is one purdy farm ya'll got there. Wen r ya havin your new farm pardy?

Eck

Mooneybat said...

ahoy-hoy! Say, Becx, where did the old fence posts go? Those are worth $$. Just wait until you need to replace them! I like the party idea.

becx said...

Hi Eck and Hi Sister!
The farm party is the end of October. I need to check the cyclocross schedule as if I time it right, my campground and outhouse might get some use!
Fence posts? Why those rotten old things went in the burn pile. I live on a farm now...you burn stuff!! Really though, the metal poles I saved to re-use, the rotten wood ones got burned as they were rotted out. I am re-using the old fence though, decided to save money and only do the nice fencing where there isn't any. Now I'm having an arena dilemma.....dressage or hunter arena????

Mooneybat said...

Good on the fence posts. I meant the metal ones, yeah.

Regarding arenas, if you mean full height fence or shortie dressage rails, I would always opt for the regular fence. Horses do fine adapting to the low rails at shows and with a real fence, you have the option of turning horses out when the rest of the farm is too mushy or icy or if you have a guest that doesn't care to have his/her horse get the full Oscar working over or otherwise needs to be alone. Additionally, the enclosed ring is reassuring to green horses and riders.

Loved the email about your big shin-dig - brilliant!

Lady Barbara said...

There ya go, Becca!
Its You-nanny-mouse! You got a smaht sis. Definitely do the enclosed ring. It also helps keep horses from being distracted while they are working. They wont be conjuring a quick step-over with a full height fence.
But, I want to know - Is the "full Oscar" something like a "half nelson" only with teeth?

Mooneybat said...

Shanks Barbara! The full Oscar is somewhat like a half nelson with teeth, yes, but it also involves several trips 'round the pasture at full bore - in both directions -while being taunted. As Oscar's former pasturemate, Cowboy, will attest,Oscar likes to demonstrate not only his herd dominance but his endurance too. Cowboy is visibly less fit than when he was enrolled in Sir Oscar's Total Fitness Training Programme. I daresay he misses the programme for it has been replaced with Mister Jimmy's taunt-o-rific gauntlet of nips. Oh that Cowboy is such a saint!

Anonymous said...

Bahahahah! I'm giggling at those last two posts.

But wait, Oscar is no longer the terror he once was!! He has no cajones now to bother anyone with. I worked in in the arena with two mares, both in heat, he never even made a peep at them.

Can I get a witness?? My horse is redeemed!!

Having said that, I'm hoping to get that rather large horse for a pasture mate. Although that didn't stop Oscar from whaling on Clancy, who is 17 hands. Oops.

Lady Barbara said...

Sounds to me like Saint Cowboy might benefit from a little assertiveness training. And let Full Oscar's tale be a warning to all the abusive control-freaky males we have known. He's proven the cure can be arranged at any full-service veterinary school.
Bahhhhhahahaha
I couldn't resist.

Anonymous said...

hee hee....here here...