The Horses Finally Moved In...Temporarily

So the horses were supposed to have their temporary stalls in the barn in fall when the nasty weather began to hit, but thanks to some a-hole county inspector, more unforseen additions to the barn and property, and two inspections, we finally were cleared for the barn's first inspection which meant the horses could now be housed in it.

The whole idea behind getting the round pen panels were not only temporary housing for Moose, but to serve as the temporary stalls (Im getting tired of writing the word "temporary" haha) for the horses in the barn, and to be able to use down the road for paddock fencing, etc.

So now that the barn passed first inspection, and I had slowly began accumulating stall mats, it was time to set up for the horses! So last Saturday was busy. First it started with getting a ton of orchard grass hay, which we ended up waiting at the hay dealer's for an hour while their one-day-late hay delivery truck unloaded alfalfa, timothy, and finally the orchard grass. So we were a little behind schedule, but arrived home, promptly got a friend to come over and help, and carried (with great effort and difficulty) Milo's assembled carport canopy down to the barn were it would house our new hay. And this was the second temporary use of the craigslist carport (first for Milo's shelter, second for temp hay storage, third...trashed by then?).

Once the hay was put up on pallets and done, we set up what would be Moose's pen with the other panels we hadnt used yet. So we set those up, carried the HEAVY FRIGGEN stall mats down from Milo's old stall and the two from Moose's pen and put them in his new stall. Then Moose got to check out his new digs while we dismantled his temporary tarp shelter and moved (in ONE PIECE - dont ask Husbands idea) those six panels for Milo's pen. We had some extras hence making Milo's pen into a half circle so he has a little more space when confined. Then we repeated the stall mat task, only this time these mats are 4' by 8' so heavier and thicker at 3/4" versus 1/2".

We were finally done! And the part we were all waiting for! Horses moved in, and photos taken (actually these pics were taken the next day...in daylight).

Milo's stall measures about 22' wide by 24' long (roughly as its hard to tell with the half moon shape).

Moose's stall is the same as before at 12' by 24'

A better view of the shape of Milo's stall. Lots of room for the baby when the weather doesnt permit turnout. 

 The boys have a sheet of plywood separating their stalls so they can have a little privacy (lol) and safe from kicks but plenty of face playing. The plywood on the posts are so Milo cant chew on the very important and very expensive posts (as we all know he would do).

What I'm doing right now is using the slow feed hay net for Milo during the day tied to the arena gate and turning Milo out in the morning when I feed and leave for work, and bring him in for dinner when I get home. I'll have to pay attention to the weather forecasts as there's no shelter up there now for him, but that was part of the reasoning behind the large stalls for when we have the crummy weather. :)

Raising the Roof! (So to speak)

I broke down in tears the other night. With daylight savings and carpooling the last week I wasnt getting home until dark or just barely before. That wasnt very condusive to getting anything done but feeding and the manure was piling up as well as the mud on my horse's necks. Add in the rain we received the last portion of the week and my mood was sinking, and sinking fast. Thursday night I ran out to the horses as soon as I was dropped off, trying to get in a few fractions of daylight longer. I grimaced as I saw the pool of mud and urine that poor Moose was standing in. I knew Milo wasnt too much farther off. I peeled back the soaking tarps that where "housing" my hay and broke out in sobs. My hay was wet and nearly ruined. I had already been ripping bales apart to discard the wet pieces from the dry and still usable. I trudged up the hill to Milo and although the mats were helping to keep his shelter halfway dry, the conditions were still muddy and wet. I continued to cry as I fed Moose and gave him a hug. Light had quickly faded away and I couldnt even get the wheelbarrow out in time. I cleaned Moose's paddock in the dark because since he has such little room anyway, I tried to give him a little more clean space to move around.

Feeling defeated, I headed back to the house for a warm shower. I texted the Husband along the way and let him know that I could NOT deal with this any longer. As it was, progress on the barn was pushed out until December with hunting season fast approaching. I was pleasantly surprised to get a phone call a little while later from such Husband, who said he went directly after work to the contractor's house, probably begging him to make time this weekend to put the roof up. An upset wife was definitely not something he was wanting to come home to and seemed to be the final push to get things done.

Saturday was slated to be the day the roof would finally go up. The metal had been ordered, and the lumber truck delivered it home. Saturday morning we were up bright and early setting up for the arrival of the contractors, just past daylight. They made quick work to get started and soon enough we were scrambling to have enough hands. By nine o'clock the Typar paper covered half the surface...

And we made quick work of placing the metal...

Did you know I am a forklift operator? Neither did I, but my job was the fork the contractor up and move him alongside the barn as needed. I was starting to get pretty handy with that thing!

By high-noon half the metal was up! And Milo looked on...

Work continued through the rest of the day to finish the other half. It was barely completed in time before the rain came (walking on those metal sheets in the slick rain would make for a horrible environment for the contractors). Light faded quickly to get a photo, but here is one I took this morning.

We are temporarily storing the F450, hay trailer, extra supplies, and horse trailer in it. Horses cant inhabit the structure until the county passes it's inspection and the barn still needs a few more pieces done before that can be scheduled. In the meantime, I have dry hay shelter and a covered grooming area now which is quite exciting!

Did you notice something else in the photo?

Look again.

Moose got moved! I was so surprised when I came home Sunday from an all day clinic (post to come) to find that Husband moved Moose's shelter to a much better location where there is natural drainage. Not only should this help against the mud, but he also built him a much stronger tarp shelter then the one he had previously. Although we hope the horses can move into the barn before Christmas, if things continue to get extended then Moose has a much better shelter for the weather to come.

Moose's efforts to be a llama

Quick story about Mr Moose. I got a phone call when I was less then a mile away from returning home with Milo from Husband, who frantically said "Moose got loose!" Oh brother, I thought, but was so close to home I didnt panic. I figured that with how much fuss Moose throws when we leave that as soon as we return he would be right by the trailer calling to Milo. And sure enough, as I pulled in the driveway Moose was grazing grass until he saw us, then circled the truck and trailer a few rounds until I caught him. Husband was not happy with the little guy saying he got loose earlier in the day too! Apparently when he moved the shelter he tied Moose up but not good enough because the knot came undone and Moose went straight for the grass again. He caught him that time no fuss (halter and lead attached) but I guess Moose would have non of him catching him the second time. I was told that the second escape was when Husband was placing stall mats in Moose's pen, and Moose pushed right past him and escaped out the open gate. I reminded Husband to not take Moose's adversary towards him too personally. After all, it took a long time for him to be totally comfortable with me, and that was after twice daily feedings, daily brushing, and lots of other additional love. Husband hasnt offered nearly half of that to Moose so why should he want to listen to him?

It's hard to be upset about it either way because I see the situation from both sides. But hopefully Moose doesnt learn to be an escape artist. Did I tell you a few weeks ago that he escaped once before?

SQUEE!!! He's Finally Here!!

Milo was scheduled to come home last weekend but things just werent coming together smoothly so we pushed it to TODAY. The last few touches were completed and when I got home from work, giddy with anticipation and excitement, I filled up his water trough, laid down pallets for his hay storage, and hitched the trailer up. When Future Husband came home, we took off like a rocket! 

When we made it home I walked him the perimeter of his new arena area, but also around the property and let him graze. Later I tied him to the trailer with a hay bag while I unloaded the hay and organized the trailer - our new temporary "tack room".

I had a good time at our previous barn. We were there longer then originally planned, and no place is perfect, but there were nice people there and Milo always seemed content with his home. I was sad to leave. It was interesting because during the fifteen minute drive there from home I was bubbling over with excitement, but as soon as the trailer was packed and we hit the road, I felt sadness as we pulled out of the driveway. I wont be surprised if I come back at some time, even just for arena usage (actually tomorrow I will go back, I forgot an eye-hook in the wall for Milo's hay bag and my dressage whip). I wondered for a brief moment if I was making the right decision. Of course Im happy to have Milo home, but my hesitation is if he will be happy alone for a little while until I get him the right companion. Or if our fence will hold! There truly shouldnt be any doubt in my mind over the fence - we went to lengthy efforts to make it secure and it should be just fine, but now that it is MINE I have some reservations. Although truth be told I'm sure my fence is MUCH stronger then the one Milo just left...

Anyways, I unhaltered him in his new home and he surprisingly didnt tear off running. He turned to his hay, sniffed the water trough, and resumed dinner. A little while later he turned and checked out the front line of the fence, then turned back to the hay.

Happiest Cowgirl Ever today!!! :D

Fencing is almost done!

Saturday morning started with some work on the barn and the posts. Local cement supplier, Hard Rock, came early and unloaded into each post hole.

Our friend helping out (best man, actually) insisted that each post hole needed a penny for good luck.

Some more dirt work was finished in the arena (Milo's first home) while I was away the rest of the day at my Bridal Shower.

Today, we rose early and headed to Gig Harbor to visit our favorite farm store, Wilco, where we got our 12" gate and the solar powered electric charger. We got home and headed straight to work, spending the next six hours straight putting the fence posts into place. It was an exacting feat requiring a whole lot more measuring, leveling, and cementing then I thought was necessary before today!

Two hours later and all the electric wire was strung though the fence posts (via crochet hook...haha). We test ran the solar charger, which works, but decided to leave the finishing for another day.

It looks so pretty!!

The last finishing touches will be done evenings after work this week, so the new plan is Milo's debut home on Saturday!

This Weekend's Progress

A lot of work happened around here this weekend so far. Yesterday I spent the morning spent weed-wacking while Future Husband did some "tree-wacking" of his own. The last tree in the arena area that was impeding a straight line was pushed down via the tractor.

Then FH proceeded to push more dirt in the arena to give us maximum space and get the area ready for fence posts. 

Angie supervised. 

The trusses for the barn were delivered, and Angie found them acceptable. 

And the barn posts were put in each hole...

And squared and leveled to perfection on Sunday!

(excuse the wee mess in the front - some left overs from Thursday's fireworks party we had here...)

I also busied myself Sunday early afternoon by drilling ALL of the holes for the arena fence posts. My was that a chore but it's done now and ready to sink into more post holes!

Measure, drill. Measure, drill. 

I think we are headed back out soon (needed a serious power nap and food from two days in the heat and yesterday we were outside from 9am-8pm STRAIGHT) to finish drilling the holes for the arena fence. 

Breaking Ground!

This last weekend ground was broke on the barn project at our house!

A Bobcat came out with an Auger to make the barn post holes..

The main (center) of the barn shop. What is laid out here is the center shop area, off of both sides there will be "wings" that are 5 stalls deep. The right side (as seen here looking directly at it) is mine/Milo's side, or rather, the horse side. 

HUGE holes!

More to come!!!