May 8, 2011 The bugs are out

It somehow doesn't seem quite fair that we've been freezing and drowning this spring, and the flies are coming out before we get any warm weather.  The horses haven't been out of their blankets for very long and it's time for fly masks already.  I remembered to take Rory's mask out today, but I'd forgotten that I cut the ears off last summer.  Ears make great handles to yank masks off and I had no doubt Totyo would have figured that out very quickly.  Despite the lack of ears Totyo managed to get Rory's mask off often enough that I gave up.  After Totyo left Rory was able to keep the mask on.


Totyo and Rory (in his new flymask)


The little black bugs attack the horses ears at this time of year so Rory really needed ears on his flymask.  I put the old flymask on Rory to check the size - it still fits - and then went off to the tack shop to pick up a new one.  They're on sale right now and all they had left were a couple of warmblood sized masks.  I got lucky because someone had just returned several masks in Rory's size (Arab/Cob).  When I got back to the stable Rory was still wearing his mask and shaking his head as the flies crawled around in his ears.  After I swapped the new mask for the old one Rory shook his head a couple of times, rubbed an ear and then realized the mask wasn't biting him.  Totyo had a mask of his own as well, so maybe he'll let Rory wear the mask this year.

May 12, 2010 – Another flymask

Keeping his distance from the older mare who didn't
recognize that it was just Rory

I went to Greenhawk's sale last week and picked up a few items (I made a list, stuck to it, and even didn't buy something that was on the list after deciding I really didn't need it). One of the items was a Greenhawk cheapie long nose flymask for Rory. The weather promptly got cold and miserable so I didn't see any point in putting the mask on him (especially since I don't think TOY is going to let Rory wear it for very long.

I put it on today. I brought Rory out of the field after letting the brat go. Rory jumped a bit when I ripped the velcro open, but settled right away and didn't mind me putting the mask on over his ears and stuffing the sides and nose under the halter. It fit quite well (arab size). The long nose doesn't come down as far as I expected, but it should help provide some sun protection. Once the mask was on and I'd taken a couple of pics we went back to the field and I turned him loose.

The other horses decided that they didn't recognize this new horse in the field and Rory was very shortly mobbed, and shortly after that involved in a tear about the field. A couple of the mares were obnoxious, one going so far as to push between Rory and Toy and then turn and kick at Rory when she realized he was just the same little poop yearling. Rory had enough sense to dodge, but got stuck between her bum and the three year old's bum, bouncing back and forth a couple of times before squeaking between the three year old and the fence to get free. The three year old didn't threaten him at all, he was just feeling a little picked on by then. Toy was at first scared of the masked Rory, and then fascinated, becoming obnoxious as he tried to get a close look (and taste?) of the flymask. I kept checking through the day, but Rory was still wearing the mask when I left early this evening.

I took a bunch of pictures, but of course they are not great because he's wearing a flymask.

Toy was fascinated by the new mask

July 21, 2009 – A month of progress



TOY seemed a little too interested in the flymask -
I wasn't convinced Rory would be allowed to keep it!



It's been a while since I posted an update.

Rory is now officially a yearling!

I've had him out for various handling sessions, showing off, trotting in hand (last time he was very good until he got bored and decided trotting was too tame and tried to canter!) grooming, hoof work, etc. He is looking very good just now (must post some pictures) and is largely behaving.

I put my arm over Rory's back the other morning when taking him and TOY out to their field, and he scooted forward a little bit when I leaned on him (as we were walking). Then he realized it was just me being silly and settled. He completely ignores me when I do it now.

I was out taking pictures on the weekend and he and TOY got into a tussle. Rory bounced towards TOY, reared and his hind feet slipped forward and he fell right over, landing on his right side. He was up in moments and cantering away. I watched to see if he was lame but he trotted out sound and was back playing with TOY shortly afterwards. I actually managed to get two pictures as he slipped (I was expecting the rear).

Rory's baby sister was born a couple of weeks ago (half sister - different sire). She is adorable and tiny when compared to the other foal on the farm (now three months old).

Oh yes - the fly mask. Brat's flymask fit perfectly and TOY even let Rory wear it... for a week. So no flymask for him for now.