Monday, June 27, 2011

June 15... a day with Pony, Part1.

I didn't forget, but excitement ensued between then and now, and I just got around to finishing up with the pictures.

So here you go, part 1 of my day, June 15, 2011. My day has change a lot since then, but I'll explain that in another post.

First, I struggle to wake up and make my morning constitutional. No pictures of THAT, thank goodness. Then I either make myself some coffee OR gather my milking supplies, depending on what time I wake up. This day i woke a bit late, so milking first it was!

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Once my gear is ready to head out I try to get out the door without tripping over a cat or dog. I usually fail, and trip.

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Brego watches expectantly as I start my morning chores.

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I grab a flake or two of bland first cutting hay for the bucks and wethers.

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They get pretty excited over their breakfast.

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Once they are fed and their water is topped off I go out to the little barn where Brego and The Ladies live.

Schrodinger the cat usually greets me, coming out as I am going in. She keeps the mice down, and cleans up any spilled milk.

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Brego waits to see if he gets hay or pasture today.

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It's a pasture day, so he gets his fly mask put on.

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Then we head out to where ever I have the temporary fence set up for him to graze.

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This day it was the front yard.

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From the moment I opened the front door of the house the Ladies have been calling to me. I think the "goat to human translation" is something like, "OMG COME MILK US! HURRY! ALSO, FOOD!!!!"

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I toss some food into the bucket on the milk stand (sunflower seeds and feed mix).

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Then I go let one of the does out of the stall. usually Rosemary first, then Thyme, then Sage. They find their own way to the stand.

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They jump up onto the milking stand on their own and start to chow down.



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i wash their udder.

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Squirt a bit of milk from each teat into a pan I have to make sure it looks healthy and clean. Schrodinger will clean that pan for me later in the day.

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Then I hook up my Henry Milker machine and start milking.

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Mmmmm.... delicious fresh healthy milk!!!

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I take each doe outside after i milk her to stake out in the yard. This is Rosemary.

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You can see her two tires duct taped together and heavy duty cable in the background, while she tries to eat tree leaves.

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I think that is enough for this blog entry.

To Be Continued!!!

5 comments:

  1. I am impressed with Rosemary's balance!

    Is Brego a Gypsy Vanner?

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  2. I really love seeing all of the photos of your animals and your place. Your idea of 2 tires is wonderful, I'll try that tomorrow.
    Mike Henry

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  3. Mike, if they just have collars on they can still drag the tires around some but not real fast. I have switched the does to halters and they can't drag the tires at all that way. Using the big 200 pound rated dog cables keeps them from getting chains or ropes wrapped around their legs. Works like a charm. You can also take a 5 gallon bucket of water and stick it in the holes in the tires and the goats have water they can't knock over. The only issue I found with them is if you don't tape the tires together they get flopped all over and the cable gets really twisted.

    Katina, yup, he is a Gypsy. He is only about 13hh, and before long he will be 13 hands WIDE as well, lol.

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  4. Hey Sissy,

    Great post. I love the pic showing your and Brego's shadow in the driveway.

    Sidenote: Is that a Swedish-made Henry Milker machine by chance? *wink*

    Love, Bubby

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  5. No, baby, that's not my bag!

    *hides book titled "Swedish Made Henry Milker Machines Are My Bag, Baby!" behind back*

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