In the Trailer Again

Today we revisited the trailer loading, this time with food. I took her daily supplements with us and she just jumped right in. She's a smart one. I think she is a little nervous but if she was really scared, food wouldn't be a motivator.

She's getting ready to lose her central upper incisors and I think they're definitely bothering her, poor girl. She didn't want me to halter her today, I think partially because of that, and partially because she didn't want to play my stupid human games.  So I haltered her carefully once, trying hard not to bump the front of her lip, and scratched her a lot and let her go. Then I haltered Duncan instead and took him for a short walk, then came back and haltered her again more easily. I think she was a tad bit jealous. :)

I couldn't get any pictures of her in the trailer because when I took this picture my phone decided to die:

She's such a cutie!

A Little Bit of Work

The last couple of days Juniper and I have been going for short walks, looking at the trailer, working on staying where she is supposed to be as we walk, and stopping when I stop. It wasn't much work, she's already quite good at walking.

Except walking on my left side. She would try to cross back to my rights so I would calmly go to her right hip and ask her to do some tight circles, then walk off again with her on my left. It only took a couple times and a short reminder the next day.

We walked over some poles and through the ditch.

I've been thinking her bones feel much better covered but then I saw how she looks in this picture. Still gangly. But of course she is also still growing.

We worked on trailer loading some more, and this time I wanted her to put one foot in. She was so mad! I positioned her at the back of the trailer with me inside, and I wouldn't let her leave. Took a wrap with her rope around a good strong steel bar. We were there for a long time and there were a lot of little fits and a few bigger fits, but no loose poops, so I don't think she was scared. Eventually she jumped in, all four feet. I made a big happy fuss over her for a bit, then took her back to her stall and gave her all her supplements. Next time I'll be better prepared and have her food in the trailer. Anyway, when we got back to the stall she gave me the cold shoulder, edging away when I tried to love on her. I hope that doesn't last long.

Umm, No

That's what she said. Juniper didn't think the blood draw for a pregnancy test was such a good idea at all. I'm not sure if I'll try again or just wait and watch. From what I understand, donkeys are pretty obvious about when they go into heat. And she has no trouble letting me check to see if she's bagging up, or letting me look under her tail, or whatever other nonsense I need to do. Just no needles, please.

A Newww Car!

(You're supposed to say the title in Bob Baker's Price is Right voice.)

I bought a car! Not a new car, but it looks pretty new, and it has low miles for its age. It's a 2010 Toyota Matrix all wheel drive. I absolutely love it! Except the color. But it's growing on me. And the gas mileage isn't great. But it has a back cargo area that's perfect for muddy dogs. And the all wheel drive works just like a Subaru. I've wanted that every winter for a long time, but I really prefer Toyotas. They don't make these any more and apparently they're pretty hard to get. I was just in the right place at the right time.

My new AdventureMobile!

I actually wanted to buy one of these years ago when they were still making them, but I couldn't afford it at the time.

I hope it lives as long as my little Echo did. :)

We drove out to one of my favorite hiking/riding spots to try it out and take the above pics. Of course we didn't hike. I'm too darn sick and there's too much snow. But it was pretty out there. The footbridge was completely piled with snow.

Why Bother With Horses?

On one of my walks with Juniper I found myself wondering why we bother with horses at all if donkeys are this easy? She's so smart and steady, and once she's learned something well, she's learned it. It's just too easy.

Don't get me wrong, I know why we ride horses. We like it hotter, faster, more animated. And you can make a horse do stuff. You can't make a donkey do something the donkey doesn't feel is in her best interest.

It's also fascinating the huge difference between her temperament and Pedro and Bob's. I do think she's not a mammoth, based on her size and color. She is a lot more animated and sprightly, more forward and curious. I had heard mammoths were slower. In this case it seems to be true. Of course there is the age difference as well.

The brand inspector came and did her lifetime brand card. I am glad to have that done, although I'd rather it was when she was sleek and fatter. But by law you have to do it within 10 days of purchase, and we'd already fudged that a bit (with the brand inspector's permission).

I think I need to either start supplementing with alfalfa or buy a higher protein pellet for her. Maybe just until the grass comes on. She's just not gaining enough muscle. 

Also, I learned about a company called Biotracking that does pregnancy testing off of a blood test. Easy-peasy and cheap at just $25. If I lived anywhere else I'd have to FedEx the sample, but they're based right here in Moscow, so I'll just draw it, spin it down at work, and run it in. They won't run the test until Wednesday, but I'll share the results as soon as I get them, of course. :)

I am so sick right now! Lost my voice and everything! Yuck! I'm even missing work and I hate that. BUT my head meds are working! I haven't had a headache in a week (until I coughed so much I gave myself one), I haven't been dizzy, and even the numbness in my arm and leg are better. I even thought about riding last weekend. I am so stoked. I can't even believe it.

AND... drumroll please... I was able to drive up my driveway for the first time since Christmas! The ice is almost gone!

So yeah, things are looking good.

Walkies

The snow is melting! We had a nice little half mile walk this afternoon.

Just look at that sky!

 
She was nice and speedy for the first half of our walk, but when we got back onto familiar ground she got a little bit poky.

I wasn't sure how she'd do with water, but it wasn't an issue at all! Just a moment of thought first.

This one was harder for her because she knew she could go around if I let her. She didn't fight, just thought it through.

 We went up the road to my neighbor's, looked at their excited horses, then came home. I trimmed a bit on her hooves and we took another short walk in the dusk. I just love her.

She's more sensible than a horse but quicker than a mammoth donkey. I think she'll be a perfect trail companion. She's already much more confident and no trouble at all to manage. She just comes along with me. I'm sure we'll have challenges at times but today was an excellent day. :)

Here's my driveway today: 

It's thawed a huge amount in the last week. We decided to help it along with the pickaxe. We might be able to drive on it again soon if it stays as warm as it has been. That would be so nice!

I'm still trying to figure out what my new normal is with these medications. The neurologist added an anti-seizure med when my migraines came back with a vengeance. I took my last dose of the steroid today. A little nervous about what tomorrow with bring with nothing I can take for pain. We shall see.

Fun with Juniper

When I turned Juniper out with Duncan today they got along just fine. He moved her off her food, she sassed him a bit but got out of the way. End of discussion.

I realized the brand inspector is coming Monday morning and my driveway is impassable. If I want my brand inspection I'm going to have to walk her up to the road. So today we went for walks for the first time. She did so well!

 When we went to the very top of the driveway Scout and Bella started tearing around down below, so Juniper decided she wanted to bolt forward. Luckily it happened on a spot that wasn't icy. I set myself and didn't let her go, then we walked away and back, away and back, until she got her mind back. Then we slowly made our way down the slick part.

Following along nicely at the bottom:

Here she is running to me from the pasture. What a great feeling to have her be so happy to see me. :)

And exploring some more.

She was really jealous about me petting Duncan and kept trying to butt in and make me scratch her. Naughty baby.

And this is from a couple days ago. John and I hiking to our cars to head to work. 

My little slip-on cleats aren't quite as great as his crampons, but they do the job.

I am SO ready for spring! I can't wait to he able to park at my own house!