King - My Old Cowboy needs some prayers....

There comes a time when our best friends call on us one time or another for support on the phone and you drop what your doing and it doesnt matter what it is...your there by they're side to help them through whatever crisis it is. We give our hearts to our friends, our friendship and trust and often depend on them to pull us through hard times that come up. Many times we disappoint each other, and sometimes its not by fault of our own, just our of our ignorance that we dont understand the need someone has for us at that moment. I think that those of us who have horses in our lives love them so much for the reason that they never let us down. They are steady and true, they are always the same from sun up to sun down. You can bet your horse is not gonna change - he is who he is - and you can bet he will love you more tomorrow than he did yesterday. If he trust you, he is going to until YOU do something to loose that trust. Its all up to you on how your relationship will go...he wants it to work out and is eager to see it succeed.

A bond with an animal, horse or otherwise, can be stronger than with any human friend we have. Thats how it is sometimes. They get us through those rough patches when we call on them - they never say no. They stand and let us saddle up, or groom away our troubles. Then there is that time they call on you.....My Boy King has had his times he's had to call....you may recall I saved him from the killers at a horse sale, starved and one of THE ugliest horses I've ever seen. We thought then he was about 25 yrs old. Everyone said for years he was a dead head....fattened him up and got him healthy and sold him - he was Mr. No Personality. I really didnt like him, but did feel so sorry for him. The same man who bought Gypsy from me when I had to sell her 4 years ago bought him just 6 months before buying her. So they were together, until I moved here...I was reluctant to buy him back, he is so tall, and again...Mr. No Personality. Dead Head...again that name came up. BUT for a beginner like me, really he was the perfect trail horse. Fate had plans for both of us...fate brought both of my horses back to me and I'm so grateful for that. I made King a challenge, I saw that his eyes were dead...but he had get-up-and go....yeah, he was a dead head...but not in the way they were saying, this horse had been hurt in his life and I was going to reverse that. Tear down those walls and make him happy again. I did that...it took me almost 2 years and I have today a happy horse who loves affection, loves to know whats going on, doesnt hang in the backdrop anymore, and has become the leader of his herd. I was told last year when we got his teeth floated that he was maybe 15 or 18 yrs old, and I was so excited!!! He was fat, muscular, and acted every bit of that! He loves to run and has a proud canter.
Then last Wednesday, My best friend called on me.....I noticed suddenly how thin he was Tuesday..overnight, he was standing funny. LITERALLY overnight. Okay things like this dont happen overnight I know, but when you have a laid back horse its easy to miss some of the signs of what I missed...or so the Vet tells me....doesnt make it any easier on myself...I should have seen...My Boy went down and went down fast....his poor body is sore from arthritis all over. His hips appear to be the worse, but every joint is just popping. Then On Friday He was holding his front right hoof out straight! Oh no what now..already he was on a large dose of bute...and his feet were checked over and they were fine 2 days before. Wed he could barely walk as it was...now it was heartbreaking to watch him struggle to move. One of the other Vets came out after hours, luckily the other horseman and he looked him over good, found an abscess that had come up over night from an OLD abscess that was there a year ago. He explained to me that where that old one was...and all the pressure he was putting on his front legs to relieve the pressure off his rear end, had festered that old abscess back..yes the old one was healed completely...but where it was there was still a hole...and the problem was that the new abscess is growing inward toward his bone rather than outward toward the hoof wall. And the second part of that problem is that it is very near the bone. Instructions are to soak his foot in Epsom salt
daily and change his wrap daily and apply ichthamol (okay the spelling is way wrong on the medicine packing ! LOL) He is on antibiotic shots...and after today (since its taking him over an hour and half to eat just one flake of hay and 2 scoops of grain - yes he is getting more hay thats just what I had laid out for him while I was doing his feet) he is now on ulcer med since the bute is so hard on their stomach. The pain med is not doing anything for him. Well actually the Vet told me today that it is, if he was not on it, he would probably be down or not moving at all.
So..I've never been here this is new territory for me. I found out King is NOT 15..he is 30 or older....the abscess endangering him of complete lameness and poisoning his bloodstream and bones with infection, he can barely walk his body has gone down so fast with arthritis that actually has probably been present for awhile, but being such a laid back horse, the signs just wernt as visible and it was very gradual until this week. It could be that he, well.....I hate to even speak the words but that he is going down and that these are his final days. I'm a realist and I had to ask the Vet his opinion and his thoughts are what I am fearing the most. BUT I'm not giving up. I cant. I didnt give up when everyone else thought My Boy was a dead-head, when all along there was this wonderful horse inside all along just waiting for someone to find him. So we have cornered off a small grassy lot thats soft ground for him to graze...he has already put weight on so fast its crazy...he is eating better since I've been feeding him apart from the others, now that I know they have been pushing him out of the feed.

This is Norm and Neil putting up the hot wire fence in his new lot

He can still see the others and get fresh grass on soft ground, which will help his foot tremendously!

Here he is...eating his hay, which shortly after this picture he gave it up for the grass...of course!

He is not liking all the meds and wrap changes, his foot is SO sore and it hurts to stand on 3 legs so badly, but in all he is a trooper and thankfully he is such a well behaved horse that will do anything I ask...today however after giving him his bute paste and THEN giving him his first dose of ulcer med that is also a paste he was SO not happy with me and was VERY hesitant to take his treat...he thought I was tricking him into more meds!

You can see how he doesnt put any pressure at all on his leg, especially right after a wrap change.

So...I'm praying that King will heal from this and my worse fears wont come true, he's gone down bad and gone down so fast. Its going to be the hardest thing to go through when that time comes to say good bye, I hope I have more years with him- I need that...I'm just not ready, and I'm not ready to give up on My Boy...he needs your prayers!
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This evening after tending to King, Norm brings me a little orphan...probably a twin, starved and took to the bottle right away. If you remember Oliver - the first bottle calf I had....this is the only calf since then that has been like him. I am hoping that I have a little Oliver in this calf. He began following me from the moment he took the bottle, took me as mom! Just like Oliver did! Next to Oliver, this calf has been the 2nd easiest calf to take to the bottle. He is a few days old so I was prepared to have to tube him, but luckily I didnt! I am already in love...just need to think of a great name! More pictures to come for sure!

Yeah I was blabbing...as usual! My mouth is always running, hard to get a good picture like that...and easy to keep a calf still when your fingers act as a pacifier!

This is Mari...she has been helping me with King and our newest venture.....CHICKENS...yes FINALLY..I got my chickens 32 total now! Here is more of the calf (need a name!!!) then some baby chick pics! Here are some cute baby pictures and silly me..I didnt take a picture of the baby-coop we made...DUH ME! We did so good too! Mari, Leah, and myself did so good! I'll have to take those later! So enjoy, I'll write more on these guys later!

This next little guy is Leahs chicken - she calls him her Chicken Coop!

Attitude Of Gratitude

But some pictures from today first!

Torro - Still not feeling well..and has developed a cough...has had a shot of LA-200 (antibiotic) in case he is developing Pneumonia. Notice his ears out to the side ....a sign of not feeling well, or also when the ears are drooping.Pepper thinks she is now a cow.(notice Giants tongue...keep that in mind as you scroll down) She hangs out with them ALL day and follows them everywhere..she has even begun to follow them more than me! They moo - she clucks...strange strange bird! I can say one thing...Pep is full of personality!Giant wanted me to take a close up....He also has scours now...figures. So both boys are on electrolytes.Keeping guard of her boys...Pepper the babysitter!
Levi likes to think he is a cow dog...well actually he thinks he is a cow these days...I have been seeing him spend a lot of his time behind the lake where we have separated the heifers that have calved...a nice big pasture...he plays around with the calves...and they don't seem to mind, they've known him since birth...he usually doesn't chase..but would rather lick noses and unfortunately...calf butts.... I cant keep him from eating cow patties. One gross dog if you ask me...but now his boys in the barn - he tries to lick from the bottle while they eat....weird.

But he is a handsome boy regardless...just don't let him lick you! eeeewwww!

See told you he thinks he is a cow dog!Great picture I think! Actually he and the calf are playing...again they have been around him from birth..so they aren't afraid of him one bit...they do however get tired of the chasing game after awhile.
Now for the BEST pic of the day!Okay now back to the tongue....Giant is Wagglers son..she didn't make it and died after her prolapse, poor thing her whole innards. I will miss seeing her wag her tongue! *frown*

Well....all day today I see Giant with this pose:

Like mother like son! His tongue was sticking out a lot longer than this picture...and when he sticks his tongue out to try to get the bottle in his mouth...it is THE longest cow tongue I've ever seen.....except for his mother!! It must be genetic...unfortunately since he is a bull we cant keep him and the genetics end here....well maybe not..she has daughters born here over the last 15 years so maybe they will throw a heifer with the same wagging tongue!

Ummm still thinks she is a cow!

That's how a day with the calves went! It was a beautiful day with a high of 63f...and super sunny all day..birds singing everywhere..calves playing - Spring has definitely begun on the farm. I haven't asked Norm the calf count as of today..I haven't gone with him to feed since a week ago when I broke my toe.....so I have to ask when I get a chance....

When I first started my blog over a year ago I came across someone doing a post each Sunday called Attitude of Gratitude.....and I thought it was such a great idea I started doing that myself. Recently Weaver of Grass did a Thankful post which brought to mind my old Gratitude list I'd post each Sunday.....she inspired me to start it again...so here ya go!

Attitude Of Gratitude:

1. Thankful Doug made the trip home from his Dad's safely.
2. My wonderful daughter comes home Friday until Wed (Spring Break)
3. My toe is feeling better.
4. King is healed and doing well.
5. I have the joy and blessing to look out my back door onto a beautiful farm each day.
6. I also get to feel the presence of God as I walk through my farm.
7. I enjoy making soap. And people enjoy getting it.
8. I have many supportive, encouraging and loving people that I call Friend.
9. I am who I am and I accept that.
10. Spring is here
11. summer is on its way
12. sweet tea
13. dove chocolates
14. I get my hair all cut off tomorrow!

How to tell when a cow is going to calve

~*~*~*please read my earlier post I have a special prayer request!!!*~*~*~*~

Okay, several people have come to my site searching in their google search for "how to tell if a cow is going to calve". So here is what I know, learned from Norm....Norm may need to fill in the blanks but I think I've got this one! I hope I haven't forgotten anything and have been complete with my information.

Signs that a cow is getting ready to calve:

• It is hard to tell sometimes unless you know what your looking for! One of the first signs is that her bag (udder) has become full, tight, and swollen. However in a young heifer...that may not be present until after her calf is born, and we have had older cows do the same. There is always an exception to every rule.
• She will "Spring" which means her vulva has become very loose.
• Then you will notice a cow apart from the rest of her herd. She will probably choose some wooded area to have her baby since she knows that her new calf will be more protected there, if it is available. She will probably set out to find a spot to calve several hours before she actually gives birth. However every cow is different, the older the cow, the easier it is to calve (generally) and she seems to know when its close and time to go off from the herd.
• Calving is generally very quick and seldom needs assistance ( will go into that in a minute)
• Right before calving you will notice her standing, almost humped over, with her tail held out straight or upwards with a slight bend.
• She will be very restless, laying down and getting up off and on as if she is becoming uncomfortable.
• you will first see her water bag..a kind of white/yellow bag full of fluid, sometimes you wont find this until it breaks and she will have her hind end and legs covered in this fluid. (some cows will still walk around and graze at this point...usually the more experience ones do that sometimes.
• Her bag might not break until the calf has started to come. She will very soon lay down and begin contractions and pushing.
• You will first see hooves appear, they should be pointed downward. If not then the baby is breech and will need assistance.
• The calf should come quickly usually within 10 minutes.
• Almost immediately the cow will get up from her laying down position. And begin to clean her baby, Usually her water bag breaks in the process of giving birth, if not she should go to the head first, sometimes they will get confused and begin at the tail. A calf can suffocate if the membrane is not removed from his head. But I suggest you DO NOT approach the cow once that baby is born....you may end up in the mud as mud. Some cows are very docile and seem to know if they or the calf need help. We have carried many tot he barn in our arms with momma following behind calmly right at your elbow. Our cows however have all grown up here and know us as well as we know them. We do get cows where we have to get them quickly and have momma follow (usually at a dead run) behind a pick up or 4-wheeler....if you have to do this, make sure she can see her calf or she will get confused and go back to where she had him.
• This goes under complications.
• Mom will keep her calf hidden and away from the herd for several days, sometimes for a week, until he is bigger and can walk well.
• A calf should suck within 6 - 8 hours to absorb the colostrum that will give him the antibiotics he needs to make it. you can tell if a calf has sucked, her teats will be slick and shiny and the hair around the teat at the top on her belly will be kinda curled around. (cant think of another way to describe that)
• Complications. you should call your vet if you are new to cattle...most farmers can handle a lot of these complications themselves
• The calf coming breech....hooves up. Cows can have them breech but often have trouble, if you have caught the cow in the beginning of labor, walk her to the barn and into a chute to pull the calf if needed.
• Prolapse..which is where the cows uterus comes with the calf. You should then push her Uterus back into the cow, after washing with warm water with iodine. The Uterus will often not stay in the cow, and then she must be sewn to keep the Uterus closed. She will have this problem with each calf...do not breed her after that she is best sold.
• One hoof. the calf has probably got his head over her cervix and she will not be able to have him, she is best put into the barn in a chute and the baby will need to be pushed back in the cow and positioned correctly. You will need to reach in and feel for the head, hold your hand over the hooves so as not to tear her bag, and try to get his head positioned to be able to pull the calf...again call your vet.
• Too large calf. This usually mostly happens in a heifer (a first time calver) The calf runs a really high risk of being still born due to the fact that the cow has probably taken too long to have the baby. She risks become paralyzed, and even death. Sometimes you can pull the calf...which brings her at a high risk for a prolapse.
• More often than not a calf too large is born dead from suffocation, or developmental problems, and could be caused by a bull that produces big calves. - Call your vet if you can, you probably wont catch this until its almost too late....you will have to pull this calf on the spot.
• No hooves showing, just a nose...this means the legs are folded back and the cow cannot have the calf this way..you will have to secure her and position the calf by entering in with your hand flat against the calf's head and gently push him back and then reach for the legs and try to bring them forward, careful to hold your hand over the hooves...most often a vet need to be there to perform a C-section, you risk not only loosing the calf, but the cow also.
• twins! Yes they do have twins, though most farmers we have talked to don't get them very often. Usually its the bull that throws the twins. last year we got 6 sets of twins, which is highly unusual! Problems arise when only one is born and the other is stuck or breech, mom doesn't have time to clean the mucosa off the calf's head and he ends up suffocating. Watch your cow often...usually a calf is up on his feet within 2 hours nursing. A lot of times she only recognizes the first calf born, and the other is rejected and left there. Sometimes its immediate if she is going to reject the calf, sometimes its days later. both calves must be observed sucking. If you don't see both with her, you must bring the orphan in and bottle feed him (giving him colostrum if within 6 hours) or powdered milk or goats milk. You will find instructions on the bag of milk.
• Any calf you have to get your hands on and mom is having trouble, you should place some iodine on the calves umbilical chord to prevent infection and tetanus.
• The only other complication is a twisted uterine...a lot of times cow and calf are lost..a Vet should be involved if available.
• Oh! A calf born still born, we had a case this year where the calf had died within the cow (probably due to a deformation of the brain, twisted uterus, infection within womb,too large, not developed correctly) We had to pull the calf immediately because the cow had her back down hill (a cow cannot get up if her back is down hill,,, with in 20 - 30 minutes she will bloat and die from the gas build up. you must pull the calf quickly and pull her off that incline and sitting up) After we pulled a very large calf from her (born dead) she immediately prolapsed...luckily we had the Vet present (he is always quick to get here usually within 10 minutes - He's great!)
• Pulling a calf isn't really a hard thing to do..the best scenario is to have the cow into the barn with her head in a chute. You can try pulling by hand if you feel the calf has just began to come...but its hard! There are a couple ways to pull, usually with chains that are placed above the calves hooves ( you might need to go in to place the chains around them just feel from the hoof back and tighten the chains and pull..there is a poll that the chains can be attached to and it cranks slowly with gradual continual pressure( or quickly if needed (but not recommended quickly) Once the calf is born, put iodine on his naval...you are to immediately clear his airways, possibly placing your fingers in his nose to clear, his mouth and we go on and clear his ears. We then take the calf into a stall, with the rest of the membrane on him, and let the cow go to him, make sure she sees where you place him, let her out of the chute and she will usually go right to him, if not you'll need to herd her in the stall. Watch quietly from afar to make sure she claims her baby by cleaning him (if you had to pull she may be really tired and wait a few until she cleans him) she usually does this right away. Then check back to make sure he is up and sucking within 6 hours.
• When you go to watch a cow calve...she really should be left a lone to do it on your own, go away and come back, best to not let her see you, she will then want to get up and find a new place to calve. When you are watching a cow after pulling the calf...leave her alone, don't let her see you.
• A cow is often very protective of her calf, especially when first born...she can be very dangerous. we have had them try to attack us when they are in the stall and all we did was walk into the barn to throw her some hay over. So its best to be prepared and have the hay and some water in the pen as soon as you can and just leave her alone. Usually after a few days you can let them out if you are sure she has taken to him and he has sucked and standing strong. She then should have calmed down..but be on guard!
• The calf is sometimes too small to follow her out of the stall...she generally goes on out and leaves him if you've placed any food or hay..or not! You'll have to quickly get that calf out of the barn and into the lot where she is...at this time she can still be very dangerous.
• Once she is reunited with her herd, she calms down and will let you by in a vehicle like a 4-wheeler, tractor or truck. I would not advise walking into a field of cows with baby's present....but again it depends on your cows temperament.

One word of advice, and the BEST advice we can give you on building your herd...if you plan on building a herd, but them from a farmer that is selling part or all of his herd..he will be able to give you history on the cattle, if any disease has been present such as Johannes, or blue tongue, and the temperament of the cattle, he will be able to tell you which calves may have an attitude problem.

DO NOT buy a bunch of cows, or single cows, from a cattle sale. Remember this, they are being sold for a reason!!!!!!!!!!! They are either sick, rank attitude and dangerous,unable to calve, have prolapsed, never breed...etc etc etc.

As I said all of our cows are born and die of old age here on the farm...we know them, we DO NOT keep any cow with a bad attitude or difficult to deal with, we sell them right away. Cows are actually smart creatures, sensitive of change, and if they know you and you learn how to approach them, they will quietly do whats asked. We never holler at our cows or hit them with anything. quiet is the best way They are gentle animals, be respectful and gentle with them. Always keep one eye on them...they have a fight or flight reaction if they begin to get nervous or fearful, they are way bigger than you and can hurt you.

We suggest you know your cattle, learn body language and how they think...you will do yourself and the cows good if you learn to think like a cow. Sit and observe at a distance....you'll learn a lot.

We also suggest that during calving season (try to have your herd in with the bull at the same time its easier to know when they are going to calve) you check your cattle in the morning and before dark - we have found 4 or 5 pm a good time, you'll then have enough daylight if you need to assist you cow.

Want to know more about dispositions, and how a cow thinks, let me know I'll try to answer your questions...leave me a comment!!!...with Norms help I'm sure..and if there is something I've missed I'll update this with the words of wisdom from Norm who has grown up working cattle, and has 38 years of experience and learned from his dad and grandfather, who learned from their dads and grandfather, etc......its good to have someone help you out or there for a quick phone call to ask a question...no question is a dumb question! And don't panic...remain calm!! Animals KNOW when you are scared or are panicking! They will react to that with the same emotions!

14 Hours Old 10:30pm Last Update For The Night I'm Plum Tuckered!

This little guy finally stood for about 20 seconds on his own with only Norm and I steading him!
At 12 hours old he began nickering when he see's me!

His efforts wear him out! He is sucking much better drinking about 1/3 a cup of milk at a time every 2 hours or less.

I thought this blanket was more appropriat rather than the pink girly one I had on him!

Let me ask...are horses born with teeth?

He is progressing....not out of the woods, we wont say that for another 2 weeks. He is sucking much better but falls asleep like a little newborn does. We are keeping him warm, he is trying to stand more and sitting up better. But between him, Pepper, King, Jack, Georgia, Carrot, and fixing my boys their own supper...I need to go to bed for the next 2 hours until he wakes again! I'll update on this beauty tomorrow!

Night All!

-Rae-

Torro Day 3/Mare Update/Calf count/Egg laying has stopped????

I was lucky enough to get a picture of the very first calf born this year! Can you see him??? Next are the first pictures of Torro taken, at a day old. What a cutie!!!!

Torro started out at just over a pint of milk, but wanted more. However not to shock his system and give him scours, we held off for two days feeding a watered down version of milk. He has acted like it wasnt enough so today tried him on a full bottle -full strength and sucked it down, wanting more! My goodness he will be an eater! This afternoon I gave him 1 1/2 bottles (3 quarts) and he filled up and only left a couple sucks of emptying the last bottle! He now knows who his mother is - ME- and follows me everywhere now. He finally got his legs last night, he looked bow legged at first and I was a little worried he had a deformity, but the straightened up good. I exercise him and get him to walk and run as much as I can. He helps me feed the rest of the barn. staying so close that when I stop I have a calf head running into my rear! LOL He jumped, kicking up his heels today for the first time! He is also getting some vitamines every 8 hours , 1/2 ounce due to size, its called Dairy and Beef Multi-Drench. So the critical part is over, unless he scours then its something to really watch, especially at this age, but he is very healthy and active and a great eater, good signs!
Pepper has now filled up a full carton of her cute little brown eggs! However she stopped laying for 3 days!! Any one know why??? Is this normal?

I have finally been by to see everyone, couldnt leave comments for a few, but I have been to everyone I follow! I'm so glad to have cought up!

I've had some new visitors and I want to tell you thanks for coming over to say hello! I hope you'll come back and visit some more! I'll come by and check out your blogs soon, tonight and tomorrow look to be busy....but I can't wait to check your little spot of the world out!

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Georgia Update:

We have approximately 2 1 1/2 weeks until she foals...Today her bag has really filled in, and she had some discharge. I wish I knew more what to look for...again any suggestions and info on a mare foaling?

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Calf Count

8 - On the Hill

7 - Poodles

5 - Heifers

Total as of 2/25 4:29pm = 20

Calf Lost (included in total above)

3

Making live calves

17

Calf Loss Reasons : 1- still birth

1- Buzzards

1- infection in navel area

Twin Count

1 set - Torro (rejected) and brother/buzzards

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So yes Kim they can and do sometimes have twins, not often..BUT there are exceptions to every rule. 2008 we had 5 sets of twins and mother took care of both twins, except for on - Oliver...which is one the main reason you get a bottle fed calf. 5 sets is ALOT, only sometimes to you get one..one of our bulls must be throwing twins. So we'll see how many more (if any) we get this year. last year we lost 13 calves - LARGE loss, but the twins help make up for that, and making it 8 loss - 4 or 5 is an average with this many cattle. Last year was super rough on them, the mud was just too much for those little calves.

We usually have a calf for every cow so we are expecting 170 calves...Next year we'll add 20 to that count..if we keep the heifer calves we want to keep this year. It all depends on the grain market.

Sold 20 of the heifer calves yesterday...smaller blacks and some of our Marchigiana mix whites. This is the dumbest thing...the feeder lots prefer an all black calf and will dock you for a white...HOW STUPID..they all eat the smae, but they say (supposedly) that all blacks eat more and gain more...hmmmm not sure on that at all.

Okay so here is the market:

Heifers averaging 430 pounds each brought 78.5 cents a pound (all blacks)

Heifers averaging 646 pounds each brought 75.5( mixed colors mostly blacks)

Thats the average we saw last night. Some heifers brought more than steers which is really differant steers bring more for the most part.

We are still feeding silage, but the mud has forced us out of the troughs and into the field laying it in wind rows and luckily the cows are eating it off the ground, in fact cleaning it up. Cows are fickle creatures, they often dont accept change - at least for a long time.

Well thats all for the report - Oh and Douglas made all A's and B's and Norm is WAY ahead of most who have had the same surgery....so the worry is gone that he will hurt himself...well at least my worry, it could still happen for a time he needs to be careful...Ha whatever, Norm Careful.