Awareness of the outside world. For reference. “Close contact is defined by CDC as 6 feet for more than 15 minutes.” The Dose (May 12): 4 hantavirus updates and other things that can impact your health right now, Katelyn Jetelina, May 12, aka Your Local Epidemiologist, available by mail as a newsletter or on Substack. I don’t get out and about much. When I do, it is errands, which means less than 6 feet from checkout folks (if any) for less than 15 minutes. Or it is barn, which means more than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes. Therefore, I find this reminder helpful for the rare occasions when it applies.
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One evening last week, I heard yelling outside. Walked out to find a man on a roan horse stomping around the bushes next to our front yard. Turns out he was chasing a loose cow from next door. [Now Appearing on Cow TV]
Didn’t seem to want or need my help. Eventually, man, horse, and cow all headed back down the driveway. Cow horse was cool with it.
Our horses freaked out.
This happened once before, years ago. A loose herd of cows ended up in our side field until their owner could come get them. Both of the horses we had then were on alert, as you would expect. Once the cows left, Matilda, the mare, was over it. Situation resolved. Previous Horse, the gelding, was NOT. For him, the only thing worse than cows was a place were cows used to be.
It was the same this time. Milton, more in touch with his inner mare, ran back and forth along the fenceline, monitoring the cow situation. Once the cow was trotting down the driveway, he was ready to resume dinner.
Since it was dinner time, Rodney was in the stall for the hay course. He cantered – cantered! – back and forth. When the circus left town, he was in a frenzy to go find them. He needed to destress before we could turn him out, otherwise he would gallop around the field, mostly likely taking Milton with him. By dark, he was still agitated. We ended up leaving Rodney in the stall overnight, checking on him every few hours, making sure he was settling, not colicking, etc., etc., etc.
The joys of country living.
Milton is in favor of middle-of-the-night carrot checks.
Onwards!
Katherine
Virtual Brush Box 