russ-stickacres « russ-stickacres.com Blog

May 15, 2009

Week’s End

Filed under: Farm and Mushing — Tags: russ-stickacres, vet — Administrator @ 10:36 am

Some weeks start out rough.

This was one of those weeks.

Lots of doctor’s appointments. Dentist drills.

And vet visits.

However, when the dust settled, it wasn’t so bad.

Our precious Scooby, who began the week with a wobbly walk, is now doing better.

She gave us quite a scare.

We weren’t ready to say goodbye just yet.

Her 90# frame has some issues.

A small handful of old ruptured discs, now arthritic, proved to be the culprit according to the film taken by our local vet, Dr. Dale.

Rest and recuperation, with some steroids tossed in, is what the doctor ordered.

We should have our old Scooby back in no time.

She’s looking forward to returning to normal too, as any working dog would be.

Because as we all know, dogs are happiest when they are working.

Until tomorrow ~ feeling blessed ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 14, 2009

Back to Basics

Filed under: horse shows — Tags: horse show, russ-stickacres, simple — Administrator @ 10:57 am

Tuesday night Horse Show.

To be quite honest I raised an eyebrow, or two, when Rustic Russ stated he was going to take his horse, Raz, and head to Kalkaska, the next town over to the Tuesday night shows.

You see, Rustic Russ isn’t competitive.

Rustic Russ isn’t showy.

However, his explanation was he wanted to see how Raz would do.

Last summer, Rustic Russ and I would head over on Tuesday nights, loaded down with Zip and a pizza to watch all the participants. Rustic Russ would mutter between bites of pizza, “You know, I think Raz can do that…”

To head 13 miles down the road, several things needed to happen.

Lights needed to work on the trailer/truck combination. That took some doin’.

In the horse world, before taking your horse around others in a public place, you need a Negative Coggin’s Test. So, Rustic Russ lined up a trailer and a truck (with lights) and a good friend, to haul Raz to the vet for the test. Just a formality. Results were faxed to our horse friend neighbor on Monday night, just in time. And of course, Raz passed the test.

However, when Rustic Russ went to load Raz into the borrowed truck and borrowed trailer (with fixed lights), Raz was hesitant. This was a new twist, as Raz always just walked right up in the trailer, as if excited for the adventure to begin.

Rustic Russ took a couple hours to work with the boy. Raz loaded, and unloaded. And then stuck his head in, and backed out. And tried it again. They ended on a good note, as always, with Raz peeking in the trailer.

In the end, Rustic Russ took the trailer back.

Unloaded the saddle and all the tack.

And took the truck back.

Rustic Russ said it just didn’t feel right.

All that borrowin’.

And Rustic Russ is a “go by the gut” kinda man.

We had a larger truck at one time.

And even a horse trailer.

But our plan was to make our world small.

Our 40.

Rustic Russ is used to riding Raz where he needs to go.

Same with our sled dogs. If we can’t go from home, it’s not going to happen.

It was a push to us, to use our animals “old school”.

That being said, he might try again next week. For the “Shore to Shore” equestrian trail hike.

He’s going to chew on it.

Mull it over.

Until tomorrow ~ enjoying our 40 ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 13, 2009

Where’s the Beef?

Filed under: farm — Tags: chickens, farm, russ-stickacres — Administrator @ 10:35 am

Our hen, Chicken Little, has one slight problem.

She doesn’t know she is a chicken.

Last week, she strolled into our fenced dog yard while I was scooping and Rustic Russ was feeding, only to play a game of avian pinball with the sled dogs.

Scary game, that avian pinball.

Lucky for her, Rustic Russ caught her and gave her a slight toss out the kennel door to safety.

This week, life returns to normal.

Dinner with the house dogs.

Scooby, Zip and Satch.

For those of you who know chickens, you know they like to eat.

Anything.

The more meat, the better.

Bugs, snakes, and even frogs.

And fat.

Fat you say?

Just recall what that fancy suet actually is…that you buy at the local feed store.

You can’t hide from Zip. She’ll find you.

Just by chance you drop that tasty morsel.

The more the merrier.

Perhaps a rear attack would work better.

Ah, forget about it.

Hey girls, what’s on the menu in here?

Chicken.

~GASP!~

Until tomorrow ~ eating fish ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 11, 2009

My Mother’s Day Surprise

Filed under: Farm and Mushing — Tags: dogs, russ-stickacres — Administrator @ 11:34 am

As the day nears the end, and another Mother’s Day has passed, I am reminded of all things cyclical.

My thoughts turn to Freddie the Leaf.

If you have never read the book, “The Fall of Freddie the Leaf”, by Leo Buscaglia, you must seek it out. (Click HERE.)

It’s a book about a leaf…Freddie, who experiences the cycle of life that a leaf must take.

It’s touching. It’s teaching. It’s a tender moment to reflect on life. And death.

We have Freddie moments at our place.

It’s inevitable when you take in older dogs, knowing you will see them through their geriatric years.

I suppose as a sled dog kennel we could just raise puppies every so often, and give up our older dogs to other suitable homes, but that’s not how we roll.

We enjoy the older dogs, with their sage wisdom and spirit.

Out of our 19 dogs, 17 are over 7 years of age.

One is going on 18.

So, we must steel ourselves for the inevitable.

For the cycle of life.

The first moments of Mother’s Day saw our precious Scooby struggle to rise.

Upon doing so it was evident she had lost most control of her back legs, although she was able to wobble forward with effort.

It was also evident that she, too, was also surprised by this new encumbrance.

Although being sedated for possible pain, throughout the day she strove to play with Zip, and follow Rustic Russ’ movements on horseback.

We’ll see what today brings. X-rays that = despair, hope?

Scooby was Rustic Russ’ very first rescue. Over a decade ago.

She made the transition from sled dog to house dog beautifully, fighting back her natural instincts to seek out the spring bunnies, or the free-ranging chickens.

She is our guard dog and takes pride in announcing visitors.

We pray her time isn’t up yet ~ that she has more golden years to share.

Until tomorrow ~ in God’s hands ~ and truly God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 10, 2009

Motherly Love

Filed under: farm — Tags: horses, russ-stickacres — Administrator @ 11:58 am

Even teeny tiny babies…

Grow up to be big strappin’ boys.

Who make their mother proud.

Hat’s off to Deb, and the mother of Raz ~ Baby Girl.

For creating one of the most amazing horses we could ever own.

Deb’s selfless giving during the first days of Raz being on earth, made the difference. The handling, the patience, the guidance.

And thank you, Deb, for the picture of our big boy, as he was just starting out, by his mother’s side.

Until tomorrow ~ Happy Mother’s Day to all ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 9, 2009

The Equine Equation

Filed under: farm — Tags: mustang, russ-stickacres — Administrator @ 10:29 am

Upon arriving home Friday night, I found company in the corral.

And excitement.

Excitement about being outside, the sunshine, the warmth, the horses.

Young Landon wanted to get cozy with our horse, Buck.

Why is it that children and horses calm each other?

They “know” each other. And it only takes minutes.

I met my new horse tonight.

My rescued from the Range at age 10, dead broke Mustang.

All those years, as a stallion.

And he’s missing a chunk off his beautiful nose to prove it.

Comanchero.

‘Chero for short.

However, something very unexpected happened upon arriving at Hobby Horse Farm.

Chero has been with “Calvin” ever since Calvin was adopted from the Range, at the age of three. (Click HERE.)

Calvin, now age 16, and Chero, age 19, have come together, as a duo, to HH Farm.

Back to the place and people who originally rescued them.

The Troyers.

And now, we have decided to take one into our fold, with Troyer’s blessing.

However, upon meeting Calvin…I connected.

I hadn’t even gotten out of the truck when I saw him.

He was like a mature Nauish, our young, black Mustang beauty.

Could it be the full moon playing tricks with my heart?

I feel like a teenage girl at the Prom, with the wrong date.

Pining for the boy at the next table over.

Upon meeting Chero, I loved him too.

Lucky for me, Rustic Russ understands my dilemma.

Perhaps we take them both and keep them together forever.

As a team.

However, only one will become my horse.

That special equine/human relationship that is unbreakable. Undeniable.

Until tomorrow ~ still deciding ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

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May 8, 2009

Wild Boy

Filed under: Farm and Mushing — Tags: horses, mackey, russ-stickacres — Administrator @ 11:00 am

As I am waiting for my new horse to arrive, I thought back to last fall when Lance Mackey and Joe Gutowski switched from mushing chatter to horse talk.

Rustic Russ wanted to treat Lance, Joe, and musher Tim Dewey (who is the photographer of this picture) to a horseback ride.

On Mustangs that were rescued from the range.

Last night, Rustic Russ and I went over to the Hobby Horse Farm to view my new horse.

I had my camera around my neck, poised to record my first impressions.

You see, we are getting him sight unseen.

However, he hadn’t arrived yet.

So, I am waiting. Waiting to meet my new 4-legged friend.

He will be here by the weekend.

And… I can wait.

Comanchero was on the range for 10 years before his capture.

What stories he could tell.

Was he a band stallion?