A lot has happened since last Thursday, October 1. Between horses, harvest, football, and a milestone birthday, we have managed to keep everyone busy—and then some!
Our new-to-us skid steer showed up last Thursday! If you remember, our last one burned up, so we needed to find a replacement. We finally did, and it is the exact same model. I guess that means we all still know how to drive it. Whether we all agree on how it should be driven is another matter.
Jaxsen had a football game Thursday, then the Meachams headed to Seattle for his birthday weekend. He wanted to go to a Seahawks game, and they had a great time. Playing football and then watching football—pretty much Jaxsen’s idea of a perfect weekend!
Toni is also having fun going to Kade’s high school senior class meetings. Apparently, senior year comes with homework for the parents, too. Graduation has a way of sneaking up on you while you’re busy hauling kids, feeding livestock, and wondering where the week went.
On the horse front, Toni took the first group of colts in to see Sheena and get their travel papers. All three were Gunner sons, and they did great. They headed to their new homes Saturday and Sunday. We always appreciate seeing our babies handle the next chapter so well.
Cowbug went to her new home Friday, too. She is by Tank and out of Lightening Bug and was pretty much born halter broke. Janice is already leading her around the block. Some foals make us earn every step; Cowbug apparently showed up with the basics already installed.
We ultrasounded mares Friday morning, and Marlo came out that day to help work on foals. She named Pistol Packn Kat, so that was the filly she worked with. Kat is by MC and out of Yo, and she was super easy. She is a really nice filly, and we appreciate the ones who make us look like professional halter breakers!
Rainy, our pony–mini mare cross, also foaled Friday and had a cute little mini pony cross filly. Apparently, she thought we needed one more baby to keep things interesting. Erin, I know you are reading this. I feel like she would like to live at your house.
Saturday was a horse-hauling day. I hauled 10 mares out to the desert, then hauled eight mares and their foals down to the house and weaned them. Those were the last Sagebug and Gunner babies we had left to wean. Another big job checked off, although the foals would probably like to file a complaint with management.
Kaine worked on irrigation circles all weekend while Ben was harvesting corn. I interrupted the circle repairs a few times so he could help me get horses in. We also moved the cows to the next circle, put out big grass bales, and brought in the next group of foals to halter break. Around here, “Can you help me for a minute?” is less of a time estimate and more of an opening statement.
Kade has been working with Miss Zella, Toni’s keeper pick from that year and our featured Ranch Horse of the Week this week. He also took Gucci over to Dansies to work on roping off her. There is no shortage of horses needing a job around here, and Kade is doing his part to get them there.
Kade hauled Cal over to Ty’s last week to get him started, too. Cal had his first ride this week and did great! It is exciting to see him taking that next step. Ty also ran some cans on our Jexy boy, so the boys have been getting their share of work.
Dad went with Steve to Palouse Grain Growers to get more pellets. Keeping this bunch fed is a full-time operation all by itself. Just when you think you have enough feed, somebody eats it.
And on Wednesday, Ben turned the big 5-0! Happy birthday, Ben! Nothing says “welcome to 50” quite like corn harvest and a ranch full of chores. We would give him the day off, but the cows don’t recognize birthdays and the corn didn’t get the memo.
So that was our week: a replacement skid steer, football, senior class meetings, foals leaving for new homes, a new little filly, weaning, halter breaking, first rides, and one officially 50-year-old rancher. Fall is keeping us moving, and there is always another gate to open!
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