Chit Chat in VOLTVILLE Thread #2 :)

[3mg Meniere]

The goat test is probably best. If a horse refuses it, it can just be finicky behavior-- if a goat refuses it, something is wrong with it. Maybe a cat or dog peed on it, or there is some kind of noxious or even poisonous weed in it. Remember, this comes from a person who doesn't know anything on the subject.

 

[SandySu]

The goat test is probably best. If a horse refuses it, it can just be finicky behavior-- if a goat refuses it, something is wrong with it. Maybe a cat or dog peed on it, or there is some kind of noxious or even poisonous weed in it. Remember, this comes from a person who doesn't know anything on the subject.

Well, you may not know anything about it, but your ideas are reasonable. There could be any number of things that make the hay unpalatable. Generally, unless horses are really hungry, they avoid eating poisonous plants because they don't taste good. It could be that, since Lizzie's horses are well-fed and not desperate. What other contamination might have occurred is up for grabs.

 

[tmcase]

Use a chain, Terry. A swing chain is perfect and put a cone on the chain, just above the feeder. I used a small bucket for the cone, drilled a hole in the bottom of it and slid it down the chain. Squirrels are smart critters, they will chew through a rope, so that the feeder will fall to the ground. They will climb a tree and slide down the chain, to get to the feeder, if there is not a cone there.

I had one get past all my obstacles, but it did not get by me. I saw it maneuver itself to the feeder and I went out there. Seeing me, frightened the squirrel, 'cause it knew, that it shouldn't be there. In a panic, it ran up the chain and right into the bucket, hitting it's head on the "top" of the bucket, in the process. Knocked a bit senseless, it fell to the ground, but quickly came to it's senses and ran off. LOL

[emoji3] I love it. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Renolizzie]

We have theories but nothing firm. It could be that the packrat may have peed on it or a dog?

Could be some noxious weed although I don't see anything obvious.

I talked to the neighbor and she hasn't had a problem.

Sent from my Venue 8 3830 using Tapatalk

 

[tmcase]

Well, loved seeing Mary Alice and the cat.

Your squirrel story made me laugh, Jer.

Looks like Wiseguy is okay. I bought some bran on the way home. I gave them each about one third of a cup and mixed it with water to a slurry.

The vet said to feed him some bran.

Neither horse seems to be eating a lot of hay. Wiseguy didn't seem to eat any. I wonder if there is something wrong with the new bale I opened. Looked okay to me.

Suddenly, both horses are in the hay and eating. Go figure. There shouldn't be any hay left by now but there is. And it looks like the goobers are eating.

Good to here. I've heard that bran is good to help things move if you know what I mean. [emoji3] Maybe he just needed a laxitive.

 

[tmcase]

Whew! I'm glad to hear that Wiseguy is OK! Sometimes, hay that looks perfectly good to humans is rejected by horses for some unknown reason. This is not the first time I've heard of it. I remember years ago, when I was a horse 4-H leader, I went to a horse seminar for horse 4-H leaders at Cornell University. One of the classes was on feeding and nutrition, and another 4-H leader brought a baggie of the hay she had at home that none of her horses would eat to ask what was wrong with it. The teacher of the class, someone who was an expert in horse nutrition, said he didn't see anything wrong with the hay. They sniffed it and sifted it through their hands. He said it looked like perfectly good hay.

I guess Wiseguy was just sulking because he didn't like the hay. I wonder why the bran mash worked to stimulate their appetite.

Can you return the hay for another batch?

Horses have a greater sense of smell as you all know. Wiseguy might have smelled mold that lizzie couldn't. Or he needed to dump. [emoji16]

 

[tmcase]

I think I mentioned that I decided to give Kelly a pastel portrait of her new "baby" for the shower tomorrow. I wasn't too inspired to do it, but I figured that it's one gift that no one else will give her. I think I'm best working under pressure. I procrastinated most of the week, doing a little, but not very much. Then, today, I decided I had to do it or go out and buy her something, so I did it. I think it turned out pretty well. One thing I can't figure out is that it looks more like an adult horse than a foal. Why? I don't know. All I can guess is that I'm used to drawing adult horses, and I missed something in the translation. I can't figure out what, though. I heard somewhere that if you want to see the defects in your drawing, hold it up to the mirror and look at the reflection, and any mistakes pop out at you, so I did that. Wasn't I surprised when the reflection looked more like a foal! I'm totally confused.

I'll take a picture of it tomorrow morning so that anyone can give me advice. I wish Rave would be here, but I bet she'll be occupied with BF. Terry, will you be able to help? Uncle? Anyone else? You don't have to know about art, just have an eye for detail to see how the drawing differs from the photo. I'd take a photo now, but the light won't be any good till it's daylight. The party is at one, and I have to frame it, so I'll need input fairly quickly. That's what comes of waiting till the eleventh hour!

I will try but I'll be seeing a teeny tiny pic on my phone.

 

[tmcase]

I thought goats would eat anything! If the goat refused it, too, there is definitely something wrong with it. I wonder if you'll find other bales in that batch with the same problem. It might be worth it to save the rest of the bale for a while, and if more of that hay has a problem, see if you can find something in both bales that's not in the rest of the hay.

Where did the neighbor get the hay? You might at least want to mention it to the neighbor in case he or she is having problems, too, and is just as confused. It might make your neighbor feel less puzzled if he or she knew you were having the same problem.

Yeah...I thought goats would eat anything too. That makes me wonder if there might be some kind of nasty weed in that bale and others.

 

[tmcase]

The goat test is probably best. If a horse refuses it, it can just be finicky behavior-- if a goat refuses it, something is wrong with it. Maybe a cat or dog peed on it, or there is some kind of noxious or even poisonous weed in it. Remember, this comes from a person who doesn't know anything on the subject.

You took the words right out of my mouth. LOL. A weed.

 

[Wuzznt Me]

Look through that bale thoroughly. I ran over a rattlesnake while mowing hay and none of our animals would eat from that roll. We found a small piece of hide when we started going through it. Used it next spring to cover seed.

 

[SandySu]

Look through that bale thoroughly. I ran over a rattlesnake while mowing hay and none of our animals would eat from that roll. We found a small piece of hide when we started going through it. Used it next spring to cover seed.

I've heard of dead mice, etc., in bales of hay, too.

 

[SandySu]

Another early good night. To ward off the chill and hope for warmer weather to come soon, here are cherry blossoms. These are on a tree down the street.
While walking, one day, I met the lady who lived there, and we chatted about her flowers and how I like to take pictures of them. She mentioned that she wanted to cut down this tree, and I begged her not to. I told her one of my best photos was of the cherry blossoms. Yes, the tree was growing on a slant to reach the sun, away from the shade her house provided, but I love that tree! I see it's still there a few years after this conversation, so maybe she considered what I said.

 

[Uncle]

I will try but I'll be seeing a teeny tiny pic on my phone.

AND - If I can be of any help I'll be around fairly early . . .

 

[rave]

Sandy - I don't know if I'll be around to help. BF does not have standard internet and just uses his phone as a hot spot. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. At any rate, I won't be able to compare the two photos side by side. Terrible timing, I'm afraid.

 

[rave]

Well, loved seeing Mary Alice and the cat.

Your squirrel story made me laugh, Jer.

Looks like Wiseguy is okay. I bought some bran on the way home. I gave them each about one third of a cup and mixed it with water to a slurry.

The vet said to feed him some bran.

Neither horse seems to be eating a lot of hay. Wiseguy didn't seem to eat any. I wonder if there is something wrong with the new bale I opened. Looked okay to me.

Suddenly, both horses are in the hay and eating. Go figure. There shouldn't be any hay left by now but there is. And it looks like the goobers are eating.

I'm sooo glad that Wiseguy seems to be okay!!

The goat test is probably best. If a horse refuses it, it can just be finicky behavior-- if a goat refuses it, something is wrong with it. Maybe a cat or dog peed on it, or there is some kind of noxious or even poisonous weed in it. Remember, this comes from a person who doesn't know anything on the subject.

I couldn't agree more. Animals just ... know. The goat test seems to be a clincher to me.

AND - If I can be of any help I'll be around fairly early . . .

What's with this stuff? You have a great eye for detail and your recommendations are always quite good!!

 

[SandySu]

Thanks, everyone, for volunteering to critique my latest project.

Here's the photo.


And here's the drawing.

 

[Renolizzie]

Gee, SandySu - That's pretty good, the mane is a bit yellow, perhaps. The Star on his forehead is great.

Good morning, Voltpeeps.

I will be going out to buy new hay at the feed store in Dayton.

I've given the hay situation some thought. The horses [one or another or both] have been having poop that looks like cow patties instead of road apples. First, I wormed the horses. Then, I started giving sand clear. I start to think they are improving but then the poop still isn't nice road apples sometimes. It's more like a pile of poop than individual road apples. What's up with that?

I've been concerned.

I think it might be this hay!!!!!!

I'm going to drive to Dayton and pick up some hay from Tom's. He always has really good hay. I can't go until 9am since that is when he opens.

 

[tmcase]

Sandy...what I can tell from my phone it looks great!

 

[tmcase]

Gee, SandySu - That's pretty good, the mane is a bit yellow, perhaps. The Star on his forehead is great.

Good morning, Voltpeeps.

I will be going out to buy new hay at the feed store in Dayton.

I've given the hay situation some thought. The horses [one or another or both] have been having poop that looks like cow patties instead of road apples. First, I wormed the horses. Then, I started giving sand clear. I start to think they are improving but then the poop still isn't nice road apples sometimes. It's more like a pile of poop than individual road apples. What's up with that?

I've been concerned.

I think it might be this hay!!!!!!

I'm going to drive to Dayton and pick up some hay from Tom's. He always has really good hay. I can't go until 9am since that is when he opens.

Has their poop been soft since giving this hay or since you started feeding them bran?

 

[3mg Meniere]

If you want accuracy between the two images, the star and the white lower down on his face are too large. The neck doesn't look natural-- again, too much white in the shading. I agree with Lizzie-- the tips of the hairs on his mane should look more brown than yellow. He DOES look very young. You got that right. Very good picture.

I hope you soon see consistent road apples, Lizzie. New hay should bring them around. Maybe use that old hay as mulch?