Well, it's been a while since I've written, we have really been busy. We have some new boarders in The Takota Barn, a mare in for training and have been squeezing a group trail ride in at least once a week. Not to mention we still have many projects to work on in the Takota Barn, and fields that need plowed, planted etc. We have had two calves born, both about 3 weeks early. The first one needed minimal help and is out running in the pasture with the herd. The second one...well she is our little miracle. Her mother started into labor early in the am. We kept a close eye on her since this would be her first. We noticed that she could not progress past just being able to push the tips of the front feet out. We were questioning if the calf was not presenting in a normal position. After a cow is in labor over an hour you are to try to assist her, well after many hours of her pushing and getting nowhere but also not letting us get close enough to help we were able to get her into a stall and assist. I was on the phone with the vet many times throughout the day for advice. She advised me that after such an extended time in labor that the calf is definatly going to need assistance in getting out and that we probably would not be dealing with a live calf. So with each contraction we tried to assist. Jimmy was able to break the sack and grab ahold of the feet but could not pull it out. We got twine to wrap around the feet and again pulled with each contraction, still not able to get it out. Called for help, so now my brother in law and father in law are also pulling with Jimmy. They finally pulled the front feet, head and chest out. The calf was absolutly hugh and ALIVE. She was covered in muconium ( a sign the calf was in distress) We cleared her airway, applied lubrication to help get her the rest of the way out. Again all three guys pulled with each contraction but could not get the calves pelvis to pass. We finally had to hook her to the wench on the Polaris and pull. That finally got her out. The mom had some tearing and was exhausted, the calf was breathing on her own. We cleaned and dried her, took care of the mom and waited. She had been in active labor well over 8 hours. We weren't sure how this was going to end. I ran and got some colostrum in case we needed it. When I got back you could tell the calf never moved and definatly did not nurse. Mom was up and had been cleaning her trying to get her up. We gave her a bottle with the colostrum, ( I'm surprised mom let us in to handle the calf) we started noticing that the calf would not use it's back leggs at all. She would draw them in towards her but could not extend or bear any weight. It was as if the was paralyzed. This went on for two more days. We bottle fed her, tried to work her legs as much as possible and turned her from side to side with still no sign of any use of the back legs. The third day I opened the door, the mom left, came back and called the calf over and over, the calf made no attempts to try to follow. We seperated them and resigned ourselves to the fact that she would not survive. I snuck down much later that night, gave her another bottle, cried ( I had become so attached to her) did my routine of working her back legs and prayed. After many calls to the vet we all pretty much decided she must have a spinal cord injury. I went to bed with a very heavy heart. The next morning I went through my routine of feeding the horses but left the cows for Jimmy, I just couldn't look at the calf knowing this was her last day. While in The Takota Barn feeding, Jimmy came in and told me to go make a bottle. I asked if she was moving her back leggs, he said she was trying to stand. Anything in my way got run over as I ran to the house to make a bottle. I went in the stall, we tried to get her up, she was still extremely weak in the hind end, we held her up with us doing 90% of the holding, but it was more than she had done so far and she chugged her whole bottle. We worked her back leggs and left her rest. Came back a couple hours later and repeated the whole process. By the end of the day we had to get her up but she would stand all on her own. We couldn't believe it. I sent a picture to the vet via my cell phone, she called me back, none of use could believe it. I asked that since mom had not been nursed on since birth ( over 3 days) and had been seperated from the calf was it possible to try and get her to nurse still. She said it will be painfull for the mom but that maternal instinct is really strong and to give it a try. We brought mom in, had to stand the calf lead her over and put her on but it worked. It was a sight none of us thought we'd see. After two days of not having to assist in any way I went down and opened the door. Mom wanted out bad, she went to the run in and called. The calf went out and was trying to run and jump. I was all by myself crying and laughing at the same time. I knew she needed sunshine and exercise to keep going. I opened the gate to the run in, mom went out right away, called the calf but she just didn't understand how to step down out of the barn. I helped her out, she wasn't sure what to do. Mom kept walking out and calling the calf. Well the calf would only go forward when I did so here we were, mom, me and the calf headed out to pasture. We got down to the herd, they all greeted her, and mom was very watchful and ready to protect. I was so happy, I started back up to the barn well here comes the calf, totally following me and not listening to her mom bawling for her. I stopped, she came right up and acted like she did when I bottle fed her. I kept having to turn her around and try to run up without her. I almost just let her follow me, I felt so bad. But I knew her place and the absolute best thing for her was to be with her mom. Jimmy checked on her the rest of the day I didn't want to complicate things. The next day he couldn't find her, I panicked went for the Polaris and into the pasture. I wasn't 20 feet in when I saw her, she stood, I went over and just loved her. Her mom came running up the hill, she let me touch her and the calf a while then they both wondered back to the herd. It's times like this that leave me totally speechless and confirm that God is all around us. We just have to open our eyes and see the miracles that happen every day.

Happy Trails,
Tracy

Well, got the news yesterday on Couranna. ( the thoroughbred mare sent to be bred) They did live cover on her twice that we know of. They had called and said they thought she was constipated. After another vet exam it was found that she had a distal colon tear grade three. She lasted 7 days then had to be put down. I feel really bad for her and her owner. She was really a sweet mare.
 I put another video on the you tube site. It's of some of the horses when they are being turned out.
 We have a temporary boarder in the Takota Barn. Cupcake ( QH mare) is here while her owner is in the area working. She's really a nice mare.
 All the stalls are done except for the painting of the clear coat on the walls.
Well, just got back from a flight to Childrens Hospital in Pittsburgh, gonna try to catch some sleep.

Happy trails,

Tracy

Well, we've been busy, haven't had a chance to write.
1 week after getting my truck fixed I was on the way home from work and again the rear end started sliding. I was on a sheet of ice/snow. I again hit the guard rail except this time I hit three corners of the truck instead of two. I couldn't believe it! I think I am just meant not to drive a Dodge. ( I really want my Ford back!) So again I am waiting to get it to the shop for repairs.
We have 4 new horses in the Takota Barn. They are beautiful QH's. I am really lucky, all the boarders on the farm at both barns are so nice to be around and helpful to each other. That puts us up to 9 in there ( counting my 2) We are really close to having the rest of the stalls completed. All the automatic waterers, lights and bottom part of the stall mats are in. Just have to put the top of the stall mats and clear coat all the walls.
Alena and I took Couranna, a thoroughbred mare to be bred to "Service Stripe" at Pin Oak Lane Farm last weekend. I hope all goes well with her. The farm was beautiful, they took us to see the stallion, what a horse! Hopefully we can go pick her up in about 6 weeks.
Roger was out again last night using the arena. It's nice to see it being used ( I need to use it more myself)
Well, I'm at work on the down side of a 24 hour shift. Had one flight today for a trauma patient. Better try to get some sleep in case we are called out again.
Happy trails,
Tracy

Just got in from working in the barn. Finished two additional stall mat installations, will clear coat the stall walls tomorrow. We will be moving in 4 horses this Sunday! Worked the Emergency room last night and the night before. Had to take my truck to the shop today to have the body work repaired from my accident the other week. Slept a little, did the barn work, got everyone in and settled for the night. Got word that our new stall feeders will be shipped soon, I'll be glad to get them. They are the Propanel 3 in 1 corner feeders, I think they will work out great. Had the propane delivered and set up. Should have heat in the tack room within the next couple days. Started constructing the bathroom that will be in the tack room, this is going to look so nice when it is completed.
Hope you all have a nice Valentines Day!

Got two new horses today for the Takota Barn, they are really nice looking Tenn. Walkers. They seemed to settle in right away. Also got a call to reserve 4 stalls, this barn may fill up quicker than I thought, but that's a good thing! We were in the barn pretty late last night building the tack lockers, should have the heat on in there this week.... moving right along!

Well, I guess Winter has hit! The last couple days have really been cold here. I kept the horses in most of the time due to -15 wind chills. Went and threw extra hay and checked the water throughout the day. The old and slightly thinner got blanketed. Very hard on the fingers and toes when doing the barn work. This past Thursday it had snowed/sleeted. I was on my way to work the ER when my truck just spun out on ice, I went across the oncomming lane hit front first into the guard rail, spun around, hit the back end on the same guard rail then back across both lanes again into a ditch. I was so madd, yet thankful nobody got hurt ( except me) I got out, a couple stopped and the man got out and helped me cut my front bumper off. My wheels could turn fine and seemed ok to drive. So I continued onto work ( and wasn't seen as a patient in the ER) finished my shift and came home (very slowly) Now that's dedication! Maybe I should've just rode Studley to work, could've saved on gas too!

Happy trails,

Wow, am I tired. On the second half of a 24 hour shift. We started yesterday @10:00 am with a cardiac interfacility, then straight to a stroke interfacility, then to a stroke scene run, then to a trauma interfacility, and we just finished up a premature baby scene run. Now trying to get all the paperwork done. Plus try to get some shut eye before we are paged out again. The bars aren't closed yet and it's a Saturday night.... I'm glad I have someone cleaning the barns tomorrow.
 Jimmy, his brother and father have really been working in the Takota barn this week, slowly but surely getting things constructed. It's so awesome to see this barn comming together. I am so exited to get it full of happy horses & boarders!

Well better hit the hay

Hi, hope everyone had a safe New Years Eve. Being the party animal I am...I was in bed by 9pm, Jimmy soon followed. ( I think he is getting sick..rare for him) But life on the farm, we usually follow the early to bed early to rise theme. Jimmy was up and out the door to work at MedSTAR 2 today in Hastings. I soon followed and set out to feed all three barns. It is super windy here today and expected to only get worse throughout the day. So after all Horses, cows, dogs, cats, duck,& goose get their breakfast I headed out on the polaris to check fence to make sure no trees had blown on it. While walking from the cow barn to the house I passed our Lilac trees, they actually have buds on them. This weather has been so screwy, I hope they somehow make it through the winter without getting bit. I love all the Lilac trees and bushes we have. From the moment they start blooming I fill the house and tack rooms in the barns. they smell so good. We also have many apple trees ( free horse & cow treats) Peach trees, Cherry, Chestnut & plum trees along with raspberry and blueberrybushes. Jimmies grandmothers family ( Sarah Ford, hence the name Ford Acres) were the original owners. I know they put many a long day and hours into this farm and all crops. And we are still reeping the benefits. We too have put so much time and money into trying to make and keep this farm in good condition. We recently planted ofer 300 trees in certain pasture sections. They are great for shade and wind break for the animals plus good erosion control banking the stream that runs through the pasture. We have done tons of new fencing and added 4 watering troughs that can be accessed by every pasture/paddock area. The water comes from artisions springs/wells and flows better than we could ever hope for.  So after everyone had time to eat their breakfast I set out to turn them all out. Once that was done I started cleaning the Takota barn. Got that done and headed to the house to get some breakfast of my own. I'll soon be heading back out into this windy day to clean the Trail barn and get everything set up to bring everyone in for their evening feed. It can be a long exhausting day but it's a good exhaustion! You can see the results immedialty of all your hard work. It is defiantly what keeps me in balance sometimes. Dealing with life and death situations at work can wear ya down. But seeing my animals happy and healthy & trusting just seems to flip a switch in me letting me know that all is right in the world. Well I've rambled enough today. Hope everyone has a happy, healthy & prosperous 2008. Be positive, your life is what you make it!

Tracy