The first few days of 2006 have certainly been an eye-opener for us here at Massie Lodge with temperatures up around 38 degree with 99% humidity. Certainly hot enough for this little black duck to find a cold spot on the tiles in the corridor out to the study and just hibernate with the dogs. Unfortunately our 4-hooved residents have had to endure this weather as well, although most have a shed to shelter in during the hottest part of the day and come out all barrels firing as the sun goes down.
We have called this part of the day, the horses "mad half hour" where they all throw caution to the wind and just gallop around like mad beings, making up for the fact that they have been asleep for most of the day. This is certainly not something that I like to watch... lol
Our little man, Billy, is doing very well and is certainly holding his own without his mum, Nanna, although he now has a real “poddy” tummy as most orphans develop. Our concerns are now turning to Maxwell who Maddie is starting to turn away. Max and Billy are now “little buddies” and its good to see them starting to look for each other for company.
We have started the pre-weaning process with Max and have given him his own feed bowl to eat out of while mum is busy devouring her dinner. A little reluctant to start off with, however, I watched him today and he was quite happy to discover what yummy treats were in his bowl without his mum pushing him out of the way. We have started to give him a little Phase 1 mixed in his dinner and it must be much nicer than the Mare Cubes because he is leaving the mare cubes and looking for the Phase 1. Billy is doing much the same; buggar the lucerne and oaten chaff, buggar the molasses sprayed roasted barley he says - he picks out all of the Phase 1 yummies and then if he has to will go back and eat the barley first, then the lucerne and oaten chaff last. He is quite the little man... but we love him dearly. (I know, I know, we get too attached..................).
Speaking of Orphan foals, I would like to take time out of my ramblings to express my sadness at the fact that a previous resident of Massie Lodge - Maz - has had a serious accident in the paddock. Let me just give you a quick overview how tough this little man is. His mum, Belle Hareb, died 2 weeks after giving birth to the little man. He was put with Ophira (Vera) not so long after Belle died so that he would have an "Aunty" so that we could transport him up here to Queensland from Wagga. When the little man arrived, he was really poorly probably accountable to the long float trip up here. Anyway, both Evan and I loved this little man and helped put him on the right path to growing up.
After a "difference of opinions" within the owners, we all parted ways, which is very sad as well as we had all been friends for years (Maz was just over 2 at the time) and Maz went on to a nice place closer to his owner in Brisbane and we had enjoyed hearing the news that Maz was in training after all the adversity that his little life had put in front of him.
So now to hear that Maz had suffered a major paddock accident was just like another jolt to both Evan and I and we hope that he will be back to good health in no time.
It's just another hurdle Mazwell, you are a strong little man ... you'll be fine.
We have called this part of the day, the horses "mad half hour" where they all throw caution to the wind and just gallop around like mad beings, making up for the fact that they have been asleep for most of the day. This is certainly not something that I like to watch... lol
Our little man, Billy, is doing very well and is certainly holding his own without his mum, Nanna, although he now has a real “poddy” tummy as most orphans develop. Our concerns are now turning to Maxwell who Maddie is starting to turn away. Max and Billy are now “little buddies” and its good to see them starting to look for each other for company.
We have started the pre-weaning process with Max and have given him his own feed bowl to eat out of while mum is busy devouring her dinner. A little reluctant to start off with, however, I watched him today and he was quite happy to discover what yummy treats were in his bowl without his mum pushing him out of the way. We have started to give him a little Phase 1 mixed in his dinner and it must be much nicer than the Mare Cubes because he is leaving the mare cubes and looking for the Phase 1. Billy is doing much the same; buggar the lucerne and oaten chaff, buggar the molasses sprayed roasted barley he says - he picks out all of the Phase 1 yummies and then if he has to will go back and eat the barley first, then the lucerne and oaten chaff last. He is quite the little man... but we love him dearly. (I know, I know, we get too attached..................).
Speaking of Orphan foals, I would like to take time out of my ramblings to express my sadness at the fact that a previous resident of Massie Lodge - Maz - has had a serious accident in the paddock. Let me just give you a quick overview how tough this little man is. His mum, Belle Hareb, died 2 weeks after giving birth to the little man. He was put with Ophira (Vera) not so long after Belle died so that he would have an "Aunty" so that we could transport him up here to Queensland from Wagga. When the little man arrived, he was really poorly probably accountable to the long float trip up here. Anyway, both Evan and I loved this little man and helped put him on the right path to growing up.
After a "difference of opinions" within the owners, we all parted ways, which is very sad as well as we had all been friends for years (Maz was just over 2 at the time) and Maz went on to a nice place closer to his owner in Brisbane and we had enjoyed hearing the news that Maz was in training after all the adversity that his little life had put in front of him.
So now to hear that Maz had suffered a major paddock accident was just like another jolt to both Evan and I and we hope that he will be back to good health in no time.
It's just another hurdle Mazwell, you are a strong little man ... you'll be fine.
Sunny, Gracie, Joey and Cindy have had a beautiful wet and muddy contour to keep cool in during all this heat and they are all covered head to toe in mud. Definitely not fashion pieces! What else could a horse ask for in this life? Food, grass to eat, plenty of water and some mud to roll in!!! Not much more I think.
The next couple of weeks sees a short break for Evan and I as we head off down to the Gold Coast to catch a few days of the Yearling Sales to catch up with some good friends who will be there.
I have been having a look at the catalogue and have found some lovely horses to spend money on.... um, if I had won the 31million dollars in the last Lotto draw! There are some of the Bel Esprit progeny that have definitely caught my eye and I will be interested to see how much (or, how many thousands as the case may be!!) they get sold for.
Looking further afield to the Brisbane Bloodstock sale in February.... now, that is a catalogue a little more adjusted to our wallet (lol). While not full of the American Shuttle Stallion offspring (thank goodness!!!), it really has some nice, down to earth, Queensland racing types. I have my eyes focussed on some of the Telesto's (very underated here) and an Immovable Option .... hmmmm. I watch Charlie everyday run around and see how he is put together and I like it. Tough, strong and made to last past his two year old year. I guess the proof in the pudding of that will be seeing his first offspring race. In saying that also, Charlie is ready to go on now I think.... he has had a good break is nice and rounded and he needs to go to the next level ("University" as our friend Cyril says!).
Yeah, yeah.... I'll miss him when he goes. Typical me.
I do have a Champion of the Week for you this week. (Wait for it!!!)
Champion of the Week ...this award goes to ....
Fraser, the Customer Advocate for Ergon Energy.
In my many conversations with our Electricity supplier, I have now crossed paths with the Customer Advocate and I must say that I am most impressed with the way that he has treated us and our case. I dont feel like I have been patronised. I dont feel like he is giving me lip service. I actually feel that he is in tune with our situation here and what has been happening here.
So to you Fraser, I give you the Robinson "Nod of Approval" (a most worthy honour).
Well, time for me to go and put my feet up, have a very cold beer with Evan and relax.
To all I bid you, Good Afternoon ('til next time!!!)
Helen.
Catalog…..
The next couple of weeks sees a short break for Evan and I as we head off down to the Gold Coast to catch a few days of the Yearling Sales to catch up with some good friends who will be there.
I have been having a look at the catalogue and have found some lovely horses to spend money on.... um, if I had won the 31million dollars in the last Lotto draw! There are some of the Bel Esprit progeny that have definitely caught my eye and I will be interested to see how much (or, how many thousands as the case may be!!) they get sold for.
Looking further afield to the Brisbane Bloodstock sale in February.... now, that is a catalogue a little more adjusted to our wallet (lol). While not full of the American Shuttle Stallion offspring (thank goodness!!!), it really has some nice, down to earth, Queensland racing types. I have my eyes focussed on some of the Telesto's (very underated here) and an Immovable Option .... hmmmm. I watch Charlie everyday run around and see how he is put together and I like it. Tough, strong and made to last past his two year old year. I guess the proof in the pudding of that will be seeing his first offspring race. In saying that also, Charlie is ready to go on now I think.... he has had a good break is nice and rounded and he needs to go to the next level ("University" as our friend Cyril says!).
Yeah, yeah.... I'll miss him when he goes. Typical me.
I do have a Champion of the Week for you this week. (Wait for it!!!)
Champion of the Week ...this award goes to ....
Fraser, the Customer Advocate for Ergon Energy.
In my many conversations with our Electricity supplier, I have now crossed paths with the Customer Advocate and I must say that I am most impressed with the way that he has treated us and our case. I dont feel like I have been patronised. I dont feel like he is giving me lip service. I actually feel that he is in tune with our situation here and what has been happening here.
So to you Fraser, I give you the Robinson "Nod of Approval" (a most worthy honour).
Well, time for me to go and put my feet up, have a very cold beer with Evan and relax.
To all I bid you, Good Afternoon ('til next time!!!)
Helen.
Catalog…..
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