The Chodove People

Well, updates haven't been coming as often as I wanted but life with the horses, work and kids have been quite a handful lately.

It has been a wonderful few weeks around here. The horses are all settled in. They are a very happy bunch to get along with.

Sally, who was supposed to be a bit skittish and unknowing of her own size has shocked us the most. She is very gentle and loving, especially with the kids. She loves hugs and over the last few days has found that a kiss on the nose (hers) can be a wonderful thing.

Amanda keeps the other two Belgians in line. She is a very good protector, even managing to pinpoint the coyotes that were hanging out on the land across from our yard one morning. She kept a glaring eye on them and would not come to us. She stayed her ground at the far end and I am sure if the coyotes would have come any closer she would have been figuring out how to get over the fence and chase them off.

Lara, who had been quite quiet and shy has come out of her shell and insists on a hug here and there and really loves her back end to be rubbed and scratched. She also puts her head down low so that the kids can give her a nuzzle. She is very sweet and loving.

Glider has learned that oats are not what the world is all about. He loves to greet us all with a big hello when we come into the barn. He is very big and insists on sticking his head out half way into the alley whenever we are coming by with something. He checks everything and nibbles on what he thinks is food.

Harem has decided that she loves Josh. She likes to pop her head out and get scratched under her forlock. It is very cute, as you see her eyes almost close and she leans in for more.

Mariah (due this month) Well, I could write a whole book about this beautiful mommy to be. She has shown us that not only can Belgians be a loving docile breed but so can a paint/belgian cross. She has taken a serious liking to Kayleigh and insists on seeing her or we get a snort. Her belly is quite big now and she is getting that uncomfortable look about her. She should be foaling within the next week or two. Her milk sac is starting to fill out and her backend muscles are all starting to relax. We are all exited and can't wait to have another addition to our big family!

Around the farm:
This past Saturday the Farrier came out. For those that don't know, they call the person who trims hooves a farrier. His name is Scott and he is from Saskatoon. He was very nice and came out to have a look at the Belgian's hooves after I posted pictures showing their split and unkept hooves. He said he would just come out to take a look and give some pointers as to what needs to be done. Well, he decided that since he was here, he would see what he could do. We had told him that we weren't sure if the girls had ever had their hooves done. So into the pasture he went with them. At first they were more interested in his pail of tools then in him, but once he started trying to lift their feet, they wanted to know what he was all about. Scott was great and just wanted to see if they would lift their feet. He did manage to get a few hooves cleaned and a bit trimmed. The girls loved him for it.

For our daughters birthday we brought out Mariah. I am sad to say that my daughter got a bit scared and would not get on the horse, but was good enough not to mind our oldest son having a go. Mariah didn't seem to mind either. Bringing her out was a chore though as the Belgians came running up to check her out and gave her a bit of a start. She did settle down and there wasn't much problem with her. Her second time out, yesterday, didn't go so well. She was not happy to put on the halter or leave the barn. It was a chore for Greg to get her to walk (instead of run) back to the barn.

Today was the first day in a long time that all of us where home together and it was nice, we spent a major amount of time with all the horses. I also managed to find a nice brush that I took out to see which of the horses liked to be groomed. Well, let me tell you, Amanda is to brushes like Glider is to oats. She managed to get back in front of me no matter if I was trying to brush Lara or Sally. Sally on the other hand got shivers down her spine when I first tried to brush her. She did relax though and start to enjoy it once I let her see and feel the brush on her at the same time (cheek). Glider, Harem and Mariah all loved it to, except Mariah wasn't too happy about it when being brushed on her tummy. Being pregnant a few times I understand how she feels at the end and so the legs and backend were where I brushed the most.

It has been a great month for us. The kids are very happy and so are we. And the animals aren't complaining either!