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.

Photo showing the ‘as left’ condition of the corral, after cleaning.  Note the underside of the oak tree on the left, pruned straight across.  Wonder who did that?

Photo showing the ‘as found’ condition of his corral, with water buckets flipped over and everybody looking the other way.

RELATED: Tiny Footprints.

Everybody knows those galvanized tubs are for keeping your feet clean while you eat.

They’re only about two inches across!  Video of new colt on WHW YouTube channel.

County Commissioners will meet tomorrow but the rule change that would bring a high-density horse feeding operation to Burns, WY is not on the agenda.  That does not mean the topic won’t be discussed, as was the case on March 3.

RELATED: Laramie County Commissioners Favor Rule Change?

Probably less than a half hour old in first photo.  Mom is very protective!

Event will be held July 16 – 19 per latest schedule, same venue.

RELATED: WSHE Schedule Taking Shape.

The meeting lasted five minutes.  You can watch it here.

The new commissioner joins four others who are considering a rule change that would bring a high-density horse feeding operation to Burns, WY.

RELATED: Laramie County Commissioners Special Meeting This Week.

Besides keeping the place cool in summer, trees give you an extra place to throw out hay during periods of light rain.  Photo taken 03-24-20.

The Western States Horse Expo will be held at the Murieta Equestrian Center, about 20 miles east of Sacramento, CA, May 7 – 10.  The schedule will likely change over the next few weeks.  Same for the exhibitor’s list.

RELATED: Western States Horse Expo Returns to Rancho Murieta.

The Board of County Commissioners will meet on March 17.

A public hearing to consider the use of an odor modeling tool to determine setback distances from high-density animal feeding operations is the last item on the agenda.

More information can be found in the planning department staff report.

RELATED: Laramie County Commissioners Discuss CAFO!

Today BLM requested proposals for off-range holding facilities in western Nevada and southwestern Idaho that could accommodate 500 to 3,500 wild horses and burros.

The animals would be taken there (after removal from their home range) in preparation for transfer to off-range pastures or adoption and sale events around the county.

Bids will be accepted through April 9.

The current population of horses and burros on public lands in the western U.S. is three times higher than the number the land can sustainably support in balance with wildlife and other uses of the land (code words for privately owned livestock).

RELATED: More Off-Range Pastures Sought for Wild Horses.