Hand truck placed near hay several hours earlier but by late afternoon the elves still hadn’t unloaded it.  They never showed up to clean the corrals either.

Better find a shady spot where you can ride it out until sundown.

An adopted horse escaped from its trailer earlier today and ran free for about two hours, according to a report by the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.

The horse was captured in a field and placed into another trailer.

These troughs are deep enough to confine hay and grain but don’t obstruct peripheral vision.  Horses can’t see directly in front of their noses, whiskers help with that.

Yeah he’s three months old, but his poop is now large enough to be scooped up with the rake.  Kinda nice if you’re the one cleaning the corral.  Photos taken July 3.

RELATED: Thoughts on New Colt.

About 10 weeks old in this photo.  Born 04-01-20.

The 2020 Western States Horse Expo has been cancelled.  The event has been moved to May 7 – 9, 2021 at the Murieta Equestrian Center, Rancho Murieta, CA.

Sporting a mohawk mane, typical for this age.  Dark spots on legs reveal his true colors, when baby fur goes away.  Photo taken yesterday.

You can camp on site all four days!  The event is still set for July 16 – 19 at the Murieta Equestrian Center, east of Sacramento.

RELATED: WSHE Rescheduled.

A mare injured in the December, 2019 incident has a new colt, according to a report posted yesterday by WDRB News of Louisville, KY.  Mom and baby are pintos.

BLM said today that wild horse and burro adoptions increased 91% during the first year of the program, which pays adopters $500 within 60 days of adoption and $500 within 60 days of receiving title.

The number of animals placed into forever homes was not given in the announcement.

RELATED: Incentives Boost WHB Adoptions.

About 2-1/2 inches across as of May 4.  Born April 1.

RELATED: Tiny Footprints, Thoughts on New Colt.

It’s Friday evening, time to meet up with friends for food and drink.

New arrivals at the ranch!  Two baby foxes discovered last night near the barn, about a month earlier than last year.  Photo taken this morning.  Same spot as last year.

Not sure if they’re related to the fox videoed four weeks ago just outside the barn.

Yesterday commissioners changed the minimum setback distance from three miles to one mile, clearing the way for a high-density horse feeding operation near Burns, WY and silencing the voices of those opposed to the facility.

The new setback will be subject to odor propagation modeling.  If the tool says adverse effects will spread beyond the one-mile radius, affected landowners will be added to the stakeholder group.

The amendment was approved unanimously, according to a report posted this morning by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.

The hearing begins at 08:32 in this video.

The proposed facility, with a capacity of 5,000 wild horses on 80 acres, will be operated on behalf of the BLM.

RELATED: Laramie County Commissioners Meet Tomorrow.

The rule change that would bring a high-density horse feeding operation to Burns, WY will be considered in an online public hearing.  Item 22 on the agenda.  The first page has instructions for viewing and participating in the meeting.

UPDATE: Refer to this report by the Wyoming Tribune Eagle.  The county planning commission sided with residents, opposing the rule change 3 – 0.

RELATED: Wild Horse CAFO Not on Laramie County Agenda.

A month has passed since he was born but I still can’t look at the photos and videos from that first hour.  The day turned out well, of course, but the anxiety lingers.

I did not think he was going to make it.

Normally, I’m hands off on these things.  Not that I have a whole lot of experience in this area—I don’t—but after watching him struggle for nearly an hour, shivering and exhausted, I couldn’t sit on the sidelines any longer.

The problem was the amniotic sac.  Maybe mom could have worked it loose with a bit more time but I wasn’t going to take that chance.

I grabbed the rake and used the handle to slide it off his back legs, like pulling his pants down.

Mom was not thrilled with my involvement.  But then I went back to cleaning the corral.

That’s the difference you see between the images at 2:40 and 2:45 in the following video.

I still think he’s small for his age.  Perhaps he was born a week or two early.  That would explain much of what I saw that day.

Yes, I’ve touched his nose but that’s it.  No stalls, no blankets, no halters, no imprinting.

It’s an underground valve for cold climates.  The photo below shows a Woodford model Y34.  You can find them online and at home improvement stores.

When you lift the handle, the valve opens and water flows out of the standard 3/4″ hose nozzle.  When you lower the handle, the valve closes and water drains out of the riser pipe through an underground weep hole.  That’s what makes it freeze-proof.

The first three minutes of this video will give you an overview of the product.

Of course, if you leave the valve open in freezing temperatures, with no flow, you’re going to have problems.

The crack mentioned in the previous post occurred at the threaded inlet to the handle assembly.  It will have to be replaced.

The manufacturer provides a complete breakdown of the unit and parts can be obtained through various distributors.  This job requires the RK-Y34HA head assembly kit.

There should be no doubt after this.  Photo taken this morning, day 25 for this little guy.

Already has the scent.  Photo taken 04-18-20, Day 18 for this little guy.