Jack is just a sweetheart...

He's a great horse...

The kids came over today to meet Jack and Jazzy. This is our youngest Grandson sitting on Jack. He didn't even care there was a little one up there. He was great with it - no issues. Our little Grandson was born to ride - he LOVES horses. He is just a natural horse kid.

Our oldest Grandson was a little more reluctant to get on Jack. He had to get to know him a little bit first. He petted him and touched his tail. He helped brush him and talked to him a bit.

 Then, he was ready to get on Jack. Jack wasn't bothered with the little ones on him at all.

 

Jack was definitely enjoying the attention from the little ones. 

He was so gentle and so careful...

 

 

He was certainly enjoying all of the attention and love...

 

Now, Jazzy on the other hand - well - our daughter Amber decided she wanted to ride her in the corral, so the hubby haltered her and held onto her while Amber climbed on. Whoa... Jazzy started running fast in a circle, while the hubby still had the lead rope in his hand. 

It scared the little ones - they were kind of timid about Jazzy~~~

 

Jazzy got her share of loving today too, but no little ones on her back, yet~~~

 Both Jack & Jazzy are doing great and we're still patiently waiting for Meri to have her colt...

Sadly, we had to put my old white horse 'Little Ray' down on Sunday. He was clear full of tumors. 

It's hard to lose a 28 year old horse, but I just couldn't stand him to suffer.

='(

I think Jack has put on about 75# since he got here. He's looking so good and so content. He gets his hair brushed twice a day and he's nice and shiny now. He's doing fabulous and he's got such a great temperament. I feel so lucky to have found him. He's just a sweet horse...

The kids sure had a fun day getting to know the new horses. 

The horses had a great day getting to know the kids...

If you climb into the saddle be ready for the ride...

There's a new girl in town...
(On the left - Jack is on the right)

Her name is "Jazzy" and she's a registered Tennessee Walking horse, like Jack...

She has a white star on her face and a long white sock on her back leg. This is about the only thing that distinguishes her from Jack. 

 Now, we have a Jack & Jazzy. 

Jaz came to us by a fluke - 

 When you have a 'walking horse,' you pretty much need two if you want company along for the ride. Or, one walking horse just out-walks everybody else and you find yourself riding alone. So, by a fluke, Fred has a friend that had Jazzy up for sale. Actually, even though Jazz has a lot more weight on her, her and Jack are about the same exact size when they stand side by side. They could be brother & sister the way they resemble each other. And, they get along wonderful, which is surprising, considering she's a mare.

Jack has a crooked white blaze on his face and one small, white sock'n back foot. Jazzy has a white star on her face, one small white sock'n back foot and a longer white sock'n back leg.

Other than that, they look exactly the same aside from weight gain.

I've been soaking Jack's foot in some Epsom salt bath and using a product for abscesses and thrush and he's feeling a lot better.

We took them on a short ride on Saturday to see what they were all about... 

You know, if you climb into the saddle, be ready for the ride !

I led Jack to a bale of hay to see if he would stand while I mounted, which he did. Not even a wiggle. He was wonderful, still and attentive. When I was seated, I then made the mistake to click my tongue and well... 

HOLY HANNAH~!!!

He didn't buck, jump, or rear - He went from standing still to a fast gallop in one leap. Oh heavens my heart was racing and when I went to collect him I realized I had dropped one rein in the excitement!

All of a sudden, the hubby cuts Jack off using Jazzy's body and stops Jack and while he's laughing, he hands me my left rein I had dropped. 

I asked him, "What the hell was that?"

He said, I asked Jack to go and well... Jack went~!

<I guess, I should probably ask softer next time...>

The previous owner had warned me that Jack liked to move out fast when he first got started. A lot of horses do. Usually, in a fast walk with some excitement. Jack can go straight from standing still to a fast run in a split second...

We'll be working on that~~~

After Jack planed down and got settled, he started to calm down his excitement, but oh my word he is fast. And, he loves to canter and he does it naturally and it is very smooth...

Jazzy is a little more trotty - she's a little more choppy and needs some leg work. 

 

Riding Jack for the first time was much like riding a very happy Jack Russell Terrier.

(=

There was nothing agressive about Jack, or nothing mean. He was just so HAPPY to be out RIDING and stretching his legs. And happy can sometimes be hard to control~!

 

We had a good ride on Saturday and it ended on a good note and that's all that can be expected.

Jack spent the rest of Saturday and Sunday harassing Lil' Ray (my old white horse) over Jazzy. Ray is about 28 years old and has some cancer, so he's not here but for a little while longer. But, Ray has enjoyed the excitement of all the new horses...

I hope you had a Wonderful Weekend~!

 

 

 

 

I would like to introduce you to, "Jack"...

Meet "Jack -in - the - Box"...

I call him "Jax"...

 

He's an older Tennessee Walking Horse about 17 years young.

He came to live with us on Saturday. He needed a home... 

Life changes and things un-forseen forced a change of ownership for this special horse. 

When we arrived at the location he was being stabled, he was standing with his head out of a plywood  box. He was very curious what was going on and looking right at me and the hubby. I knew it was him the second we pulled in, even though he was in a dark shadow and only his crooked blaze on his nose could be seen very well... I walked over to talk to the stable owner, my hubby walked over to Jack.  He had apples in his pockets and pulled out an apple and his pocket knife, cutting a piece of apple for Jack and a piece of apple for himself, talking about what a wonderful life Jack was going to have...

Jack is a city horse - 

We are very rural -

Jack is used to the confinement of city life and tiny city stable areas. 

We have wide open spaces with plenty of room to roam, large corral's and huge pasture areas.

I'm not sure Jack has ever experienced wide open spaces before...

I don't think he's ever even had his own manger. He didn't act like he knew how to eat out of it and just stood by it puzzled, looking around...

 

Jack is a Tennessee Walking Horse that desperately needed a home because his owner had moved.

Life changes and unforseen's had taken a turn and this sweet horse really needed a new place to be.

We could tell he was loved, because he is so darn sweet~

And he has shoes on his feet, although they're in need of a trim and to be re-shod.
(The farrier will be here in the morning)

Jack is the type of horse that just stands quietly, but he's busy with his mouth. He tastes everything.

And, it's very cute... 

If he has his head buried in your shoulders getting a hug, he's lipping your cheek with his big old lips.. He's an excellent kisser and he kisses all day...!

He has a very busy mind and he's a lot of fun to play with.

Until he's reshod tomorrow, he won't be ridden, but we played around and fitted my gear to his cute black self in preparation for our first ride...

He stood calmly and quietly while the hubby rigged up one of my saddles and some tack just for Jack's unique shape and for his best comfort...

He stood quietly and calmly through the whole event and ate a few carrots and apple slices as a reward. 

Jack has the kindest eye I have ever seen on a horse. And never has his nose been stiff, or puckered. Even when he was introduced to my white horse Little Ray, he horsed around and showed Ray he could hold his own, but he never tensed that nose, or got aggressive. He would let out a war cry to Raymond and then walk over to me and get some affection. I do think he was telling Ray that there was a new horse in town and his new Momma loved him~!

(=

We named this sweet fellow "Jack-in-the-box" after my Grandpa Jack. We always called him Happy Jack, or Smiling Jack because he always smiled. I don't think my Grandpa ever had a bad day, even when he was having a bad day and this horse has the same positive attitude. The hubby added "in the box" after Jack's name because we received him from a tiny box stable made out of plywood. He is kind of like a Christmas present that came early.

 Jack was on the precipice of a great new beginning, or a really bad ending when we discovered him. We're happy he is here for his new beginning and that we are able to give him what he needs. He's very, very light weight and has little muscle tone, but that will change with some groceries and some exercise. He'll get a much needed trim and his new shoes tomorrow. 

We'll get Jax up to weight and energetic- It's just what happens here.

I have fallen in love with this black horse named Jack. 

This time, I think the horse may have fallen in love with me too...

(=

A peek at my week ~ January 4 through January 10, 2015...

Of course, my week revolved around my hair kids...

Meet my new ram "Titan"

He's the ram we brought home from Days Creek, OR. 

He is so angelic~!

(I couldn't help myself - he was standing in the sun trying to coax another piece of apple out of my pocket.)

This boy is awesome. And, I nearly have him completely trained for me to ride. 

=)

I've been working with him a lot. I want my little Grandies to be able to take him for a spin. This was a complete afterthought, trust me. We got him home and he was just so friendly. So, nice. So, wonderful that I decided to break him to ride. 

My little mob is quite fond of him too

He's a bugger to get pics of, because he never stands still. 

When I round the corner to go feed in the morning, he climbs up the sheep panel like a ladder and stands there staring at me, ready for breakfast. 

He's only a 'Little Spoiled," the Man-Child says. 

Just "A Little~!"

When I hop on Titan (he's so tall!) and let him take me for a small jaunt, Charlie panics. He follows us around making his Charlie noises in my ear. I think if I fell off the ram, Charlie may scoop my up and walk me to the ER. Charlie worries way too much~!

Titan has shown no aggression at anything which is so awesome. He was worth the trip to Oregon. 

But, he's still having a love affair with the cat ~ is that weird?

I just know one morning I'm going to go over there and Oliver (the cat), his favorite chicken Effie (a hen,) and Titan (the Ram) are going to be stuffed in a nesting box together wrapped around each other.

Then, there's poor Missy...

Missy is my lead ewe. Missy is my oldest ewe. And, Missy is the worlds most depressed pregnant ewe.

I don't know what to do to help this poor girl...

She's so sad when she's pregnant.

She just 'mopes' around...

I spend a great portion of my time, when I'm doing chores, just simply petting Missy like a dog.

She's getting closer to lambing, thank goodness. If it doesn't happen soon, I fear she may need an anit-depressant - poor thing...

It keeps snowing here and then melting. 

Snowing and melting.

Snowing and melting.

The weather has been crazy in Central Utah this year...

The animals sure enjoy the sunny days though...

But, Charlie is ready for Spring...

A Peek at my Week ~ 9-20-14 through 9-26-14...

Come on in and Take a Peek at my Week~!

How do you like my 'Huge" scarecrow?

I love scarecrow's - 

I got this one at a thrift store this summer for $3...

He's been hanging out in the shed just waiting for the first hint of leaves on the mountain to turn yellow.

The 'Man-Child' felt I should wait until the garden froze before I decorated for Autumn. 

I couldn't wait to bring this cute scarecrow in early though...

With as hot as it has been, it may be Christmas before it cools down.

The garden is still 'chugging along'...

The beets and carrots are loving the rain and heat we've had. But, if you look far in the pic you will see that the aspen leaves are turning gold on the mountain, so it won't be long.

The potatoes are finally dying back and turning yellow. The beans are still beautiful on the trellis, but tired and the beets are taller than my knees. They love this weather.

The tomato patch is wearing out - 

Production has ceased and the green ones are rapidly turning red.

Oscar is "winey' this week and I don't know why.

He's my shy'est cat. He usually runs and hide's when there's "Stranger Danger." 

He's not even very friendly with the 'Man-Child'...

I'm not sure what's going on?

Considering this was his behavior when the horse got stuck in the irrigation head box, it makes me nervous when he does this. I always check on everybody to make sure nobody is 

'Horsing Around...'

Oliver is just being Oliver ~ 

Lovable, friendly and patiently waiting for his favorite person to get home. 

Oliver thinks the 'Man-Child' is his mom. He even tries to nurse off his head...

They're a funny pair - brothers - very good cats.

When a stranger comes in the yard, they both run and climb into the dog kennel and lay there "With the dogs" on the "Dog side of the fence" watching, but safe. We all laugh. I don't think they know they're different from the dogs...

"Heads, or Tails?"

 (There are really 4 animals in this picture; Mooch, Steve, Oliver and Oscar)

This is what happens when you feed them all milk...

Do I have enough "Hair Kids" yet?

Apparently not, because I got 4 new hens today from a lady that lives about an hour away and breeds heritage breeds.

They're all Americana's 

(Easter Eggers) 

These ones are young, but should start laying soon. 

They lay HUGE eggs!

They're the kind my grandaughter says are, "Stupid looking" because they get whiskers when they get older.

(=

I bought my rooster from the same breeder about a month ago. 

He's a nice rooster, but he's really dumb. One weekend, we couldn't find him, but his favorite hen 'Rhonda' was calling him and he was calling her back. We searched and searched and then he quit talking.

I didn't know what happened... 

We both lost sleep - - -

The next morning, the 'Man-Child' took a pitchfork and started carefully sifting through all of the tumble weeds in our South facing, open face sheep sheds. He finally uncovered the rooster "Cornelius" and my what a squack he let out. 

I was so happy he found him and I try to keep him with the girls now. He's not smart enough to be on his own. He's young and dumb and gets stuck in every corner, but he's a beautiful rooster.

I named him, "Cornelius" after the corn flakes rooster. They're both 'Wellsummer' breeds.

An old rooster at his prior home plucked all of his tail feathers out. When they grow back in, he'll be even more beautiful. He's already big and he's just a baby. When he grows up, he might be a record setter~!

When I was going in to get the eggs, these sheep were "Demanding an Explanation~!"

Maybe, they wanted the secret password to gain proper entry to the barn?

Then I realized, some of my herd was hiding in the dark. In the shadow of the cool back corner of the barn They were so busted~!!!

I always thought my chickens made those holes in the ground - nope - the sheep do during the day.

A couple of my older ewe's are getting close to lambing. 

I want a set of triplets this fall ~ ~ ~ I'm getting excited!

And, of course Charlie is never "Camera Shy"...

I swear - this alpaca is the strangest animal ever~!

I hope you've had a 'Great Week'~!

A Peek at My Week ~ 9-05-14 through 09-12-14...

Come on in and take a "Peek at my Week"...

It's always crazy around here~~~

It started off with Charlie (of course)...

Really, this is the greatest 'odd' animal alive. 

He is AWESOME~!

I went over to feed and he lifted up his head, right in my face and this is it ~

Charlie in Drag...

Really Charlie?

I had taken my beet peelings over the night prior and dumped them in with Charlie, the sheep and the chickens and think it's safe to assume by the pictures that Charlie had a great helping of the beets.

(=

And, he was proud of it~!

~He has always been an in-your-face-kind of Charlie~

A few days later, I was in the house and Oscar, my black and white cat, jumped up on a little table by the kitchen window. 

~He has never done this before~

He was 'Meow'ing' so loud. He was upset. I knew something was wrong. 

I was scared he was hurt, or something had happened to his brother Oliver.

I opened the kitchen door and he took off toward the garden. 

He stopped, looked back at me and started 'Meow'ing' really loud again. It was as if he was saying, "Follow me Mom..." 

So, I followed him, quickly...

He ran through the garden and jumped up on the block wall. 

I climbed up the ladder I have on the wall, to water the horses and this is what I saw.

Well, "Hello Saddler..."

How did you get in the cement irrigation head box?

*Shaking my head...*

He wasn't hurt, because he was rubbing his butt up and down the cement when I spied him.

Oliver - the other cat was visiting Saddler and must have sent Oscar to the window to get "Mom"

The 'Man-Child' thinks my white horse Ray had something to do with this. 

He said, he's pretty sure, they were ~

"Horsing Around"

We used a few rail road ties to build a ramp and he walked right out. He was' none the worse for the wear' either. Just a few scratches on one leg - thank heavens`!

Then, two of the "Grand Littles" came to visit for a bit and drop off a couple of lambs.

While their Mom and Dad borrowed our horse trailer, the little's got to stay and help Gramma do chores. 

All of my Grandies are "Expert Chicken Feeders"

Now that the youngest, "Swayzee" is finally walking, she gets to help too...

Sister put some chicken feed in her hand and she had to watch for a minute, but she figured out what to do with it. You sprinkle it on the ground and the chickens come running.

Well, what a fun thing to learn when you're One!

Chickens are NEAT~!

(Can you see the purple arrow pointing to Charlie stalking Swayzee through the fence?)

Charlie is keeping a close "eye" on her... 

Charlie is a very gentle alpaca and he loves when the grandkids are around.

That brown hen on the fence is an "Americana"

She's new here...

Saige was watching her close. She has "Whiskers" ~ feathers that stick out on her cheeks and a feather that sticks straight down her chin. It looks like she has a mustache and beard. 

Saige says, "Gwama - that is a silly chicken. She has a mustache and she looks stupid. When I get my own chickens, I don't want that kind. I don't want mine to look stupid."

~Even Charlie was perplexed at that statement. Just look at his expression!~

My dear daughter, when you get Saige and Swayzee their own chickens - please don't get "Stupid Looking" Americana hens... he, he...

And that my friends is a 

"Peek at my Week"~!