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Thank you for visiting the Life at Ravenheart Blog. Ravenheart Farms is located near Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Canada (about 4 hours from Saskatoon, 3 hours from Regina, and less than an our from the growing city of Yorkton, SK).

Friday, April 13, 2007

Spring is in the air!

This must be a test in delayed gratification...something I need much more practice in!

It's warm and sunny, and the "men" are here installing new eavestroughs. I love how a bigger project always emerges when you start anything. Well it will be done right! Nice new white eavetroughs to replace the old peeling, bent and broken brown ones that have probably lived here as long as this old house...1936 approx.

The two little kittens are growing fat and healthy and Momma Cat is such a good mother. I think she LOVES her new status as a house cat, hasn't even asked to go out, and doesn't seem to want to come into the main part of the house when the door is open...just content to have her little warm sun room to care for her kittens, a litter box and some good canned food along with the dry crunchies. Today I gave her a bit of catnip which she seemed to like. She doesn't mind me handling the kittens at all. Today, I was giving Polly and Charlie a little smell of the kittens, to help them get used to them as right now the room is off limits to the dogs. As Polly was sniffing the little black kitten, he actually hissed! Amazing instinct...his little eyes are not even open yet.

I'm looking forward to a massage today. I was happy to find a great little "spa" in the mall and a wonderful woman (turns out she's a close neighbour) who is just about to become a naturopath. She does aroma therapy, hot stone and many other healing techniques.

Raven seems to be doing much better, and I'm giving him a break from my over anxious worrying. The vet from Saskatoon said the only thing they could see was a Vitamin E deficiency. I ordered a powdered version from the vet clinic, but in the meantime the vet suggested just using human capusules...and he just eats them up with his supplement. Hopefully he'll eat the powder!

I'm anxious to get fencing, and a dog run built, a round pen, and complete the barn cleaning and restoration. Will just have to "hold my horses" as the snow melts and the ground dries a bit. I have a feeling there will be lots of water and mud for a bit.

I think I'll use Electrobraid fence. Any ideas out there? I'm happy to hear them. Wondering also how to build the best round pen for the best price.

Will be attending a Farrier clinic tomorrow (Sat.) with the Humboldt Horse Club. Should be interesting learning about the various hoof problems. So far, both my horses have strong, healthy hooves. Spent some time grooming Sugar yesterday...which she just loves. She'll be pretty with her fuzzy winter coat shed out and her lovely blond and buckskin summer coat. Raven is happy that I fuss with her now, and not him!

Thanks for listening.

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Saturday market

I'm off to the little Carlton Trail Saturday market this morning. They are open every 2nd Saturday until June and then every Saturday through the summer. It's a little micro version of the Millarville Market, and I would love to see it grow. Free range eggs, beef etc. Fresh bread and baking, lots of local vegetables, and some neat crafts. My body now appreciates the warmth and comfort of a wheat bag heated in the microwave. Guess I've been throwing a few too many hay bales lately!

It's held at Misty Gardens, a gem of a garden store with a huge green house and a fabulous gift shop filled with art, music and everything for your garden sanctuary.

Only 2 little kittens this morning. I checked on Momma Cat through the night, and she seemed comfortable. As soon as possible, she'll be visiting the vet for a spay! Although the cats are not mine, (they belong to Carl who I bought the 20 acres from, and he still farms the rest of the quarter), I struggle with how to let nature take its course and my need to intervene, catch them all and spay and neuter them. They grace Ravenheart with their play and antics, enjoying the sun and hay bales, and many only come out to play when the dogs and I are safely in the house and watching from the kitchen window. A few are brave enough to come to the feedbowl when I'm feeding. A new animal welfare group is just forming in Humboldt, with a focus on spay/neuter and education. I hope to participate in some way.

These two little kittens will be hand raised and I'll find them good homes when they are ready to go, with a strong possibility they will remain in the comfort of this home!


Blessings and Happy Easter,
Carol

Friday, April 6, 2007

Life on the farm

As per the poem below, the past few weeks at Ravenheart have held a variety of adventures. Today I am playing midwife to Momma Cat...the only friendly cat amongst a herd of wild creatures, I knew she was pregnant, with no idea when she might be due. While checking on the cats and giving them a few treats on my final rounds last night, I opened the lid of the heated cat house and noticed a new kitten and one on it's way. I left Momma cat alone, expecting to find a little of feeding kittens in the morning. When I lifted the lid first thing this morning, there were 2 little dead black and white kittens. Not sure what happened, but many of the other cats also sleep in the cat house, so who knows.

As I was walking the dogs (Polly and Charlie) back to the house, Momma Cat was following us, and being very friendly, rubbing against my leg and on the dogs. When I came to the back door she came along which she never does, and acted like she wanted to come in. So, I scooped her up and took her to the front porch, got a bit box and a blanket, food and litter, and so far have helped her deliver 2 breech babies, an orange and a black. She must have known she would need help. Not sure how many more we'll have tonight.

Raven had a visit to the Western College of Veterinary Medicine on Tuesday. He had been shifting his weight back and forth on his hind legs, and laying down more, and sometimes hanging his left hind leg a bit while standing. I was very concerned and anxious about this. The day before I had a local horse massage and chiropractor, Amanda Duerr, come to give him a massage and she thought his pelvis seemed out of alignment. He seemed to enjoy the massage, but that evening and the next day, he seemed to be more uncomfortable and laying down more and for longer periods. I called Amanda and was lucky that she was available to take him into Saskatoon to the college. I feel quite vulnerable without a truck and horse trailer. He received lots of attention at the college, with examinations from two senior veterinarians and a host of young vet students. He was such a good boy...even doing tricks for some treats. He didn't seem to exhibit any pain, and they thoroughly looked him over, internally and externally. He trailered very well and was such an angel. They said they would call with blood tests results, but I won't here from them till early next week.

I booked Georgina Cyr, an animal communicator to talk with him. I've been wanting to do this for a while.

It's still cold here, and everyone is anxious for spring to arrive. My family will be coming for Easter dinner on Monday, and we'll have an easter egg hunt with the kids...at least Taylor and Kadence. I was hoping to have it outside...but unlikely! I know spring will be here soon.



Twas the night before Saturday
and all through the house
not a creature was stirring
cuz we were curled up on the couch.
When at the back door there
arose such a clatter,
"your horses are out, that's
what's the matter"!
She leapt from the couch,
abandoning Oprah and crackers,
with a look of fright in her eyes,
cuz it was no laughing matter,
Laura and Neil going by
on the road
saw Carol's two horses
and lo and behold,
they were lose and free running,
and being so bold.
So halters they grabbed
and a bucket of oats,
and Carol walked through water
and forest and moats,
while Laura and Neil drove
around the long way,
to capture the beasts
as they went on their way.
Thank goodness for neighbours
who care and take heed,
cuz we captured the buckskin
and the black steed.
We stopped all the traffic
as we paraded back home,
with Laura and Raven leading
the show.
Sugar was next, pulling
Carol along, and Neil followed
close by as we went along.
Munching on piles of hay and secure
once again, Carol's heart loudly pounding,
and her face is all red.
So she shed a quick tear,
and then shook her head,
and she's mighty darn grateful for
her two "hero" friends.