#Serenity the Perchybred

[doomspaniels]

I expected my Big Doggies to be hesitant about the recumbent trike. I expected spooking and snorting and silliness while they observed it for about a week. Then about a week of riding it in their pastures, at a distance, while they got accustomed and became more relaxed. Then I thought they'd be willing to approach it. I base this on observing these two horses for their whole lives, and seeing how they reacted to farm wagons, dump carts, fertilizer spreaders, and rollators/wheelchairs. But no. They watched it carefully when it arrived, and mostly ignored it thereafter.

On the third morning, I thought we'd bump up Step Two and rode into the pasture... and look at them, they walked right up to me, put their heads basically in my lap. I suppose they have seen me in enough wheeled conveyances now, they don't need much desensitization. And I think they missed me. I certainly miss them. Oh, good girls, good good girls 😭

[doomspaniels]

Usually I just guesstimate, but we adopted Serenity at three weeks old, so I picked a birthday for her. Firefly was three days old when Serenity arrived, you see, so Serenity was born in 2006... right about now, actually. Happy birthday to the big little miss!

Okay this is kinda bugging the crap outta me, I gotta know if I’m the odd one out here

[doomspaniels]

The Big Doggies had some Opinions about the parasite that swallowed the Little Howly Buddy's head. Mostly "What on EARTH??"

[doomspaniels]

Family Portrait

[doomspaniels]

~Snippets from Around the Farm~

What’s the first thing a horse does when you hose them down? Ah yes, roll in sand 🤣

[doomspaniels]

"Give Kiss"

mildly obsessed w images and gifs of animals sniffing / kissing the camera i have so many saved on my phone

[doomspaniels]

~Snippets from Around the Farm~

Firefly and Serenity mutual groom at the silliest times. The vet was pulling up, hence the turn to stare accusingly at the end.

[doomspaniels]

That's the "I know you are dropping those beet pulp shreds *just* as a special treat for Gwyn" anticipation face.

[doomspaniels]

I sticks m legy out real far

[doomspaniels]

We are slowly putting weight back on Firefly (the grey horse) after a rough hospital stay. Trying to time meals (six!) and get Firefly to eat enough of them in her separate paddock, but then she can still go graze with her buddy Serenity (the bay horse) for at least a few hours a day.

The Spaniels are helping with every step, though they're a little confused about the dramatic change in daily routine.

[doomspaniels]

The Sharks vs the Jets

[doomspaniels]

~Snippets from Around the Farm~

Horse teeth grow continuously, like many other herbivores'. Horses chew side-to-side, which wears down the middle of the tooth faster than the sides; the outside edges of the teeth get sharp. Equine dentists grind the sharp points down.

The horses will sometimes still be a little dronk after the dentist gets done.

[doomspaniels]

🎶Farm livin' is the life for me🎵

[doomspaniels]

~Snippets from Around the Farm~

For the first time in her 15 years of life, Firefly has fuzzy ears. I don't know if I should laughingly predict a harsh winter, or be maudlin about my baby getting older.[*]

Firefly isn't the only one picking up little pets! I guess this snail climbed onto Serenity as she was napping next to a bush or something. Was just hanging out with her, as she walked in for breakfast. (We removed it to another bush.)

[*] We incidentally did a Cushing's test several months ago--negative--because her dam had Cushing's, so it's good to know it's not that.

[doomspaniels]

Gwyn has gotten much more confident about the Big Doggies, but she's still not quite ready for those huge heads to snuffle her.

The Big Doggies are being very respectful and waiting for her to come to them... oh, but look at Serenity's tightly pointed nose, she wants so badly to reach down and snuzzle that baby.

[doomspaniels]

A short story in pictures:

Serenity has a nice pre-breakfast roll in the sand. Gwyn thinks about poking her nose in, decides "another time." Serenity finishes her roll, has a good shake, and looks cute.