Mated

We had our first successful mating. We're keeping him a little longer to try and get a couple more breeding chances in for reassurance.

Flehmen Response

I actually had to look up the spelling of this because apparently, I've been spelling it wrong. Anyhow, what is flehmen response? It is the act of flehmening, and if that didn't help, let me explain further. A male animal will inhale air to detect whether a female is in heat. They do this by curling back their upper lip and revealing their teeth while inhaling pheromones and other scents through the roof of their mouths just behind the teeth. Sheep do it, goats do it, and so do horses.

Actually, as far as I'm aware, all mammals do this. When with a female, the male will repeat the flehmening behaviour repeatedly, not wanting to miss that all important heat cycle.

The Introduction

I have bred dogs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks, but never anything as big as a horse. And technically, I still haven't. We are hoping to get Pixie, our miniature horse, bred. Still, a mini stallion is plenty feisty enough to handle.

But Farm Girl did manage to get him to the breeding pasture, where he immediately let loose and tested his new grounds.

Which followed with the usual head shaking.

Then ran around Pixie's stall trying to get to her.

Until eventually he gave up and calmed down.

We gave him a couple hours before introducing Pixie.

Who, apparently, was not in heat.

So began the chase for dominance instead.

Turns out Joey is a gentleman. Or Pixie is more assertive than I ever gave her credit.

It didn't take long for them to establish Pixie was boss and they were able to graze contently side by side.

Visitors

I was doing dishes and looked up and out toward the large pasture when I spotted a couple of visitors grazing away out there.

I naturally grabbed my camera and ran outside. Though I was quiet as a mouse, she heard the shutter of my camera.

Then was off in a flash.

Leaving behind her fawn who had no idea mom had abandoned him.

And continued running about and playing in the pasture until I nearly walked upon him. Then, like his mother, was off in a flash.

But these two weren't our only visitors to the farm today. As I mentioned in the previous post, we have a special guest staying with us. His name is Joey.

He is here to hopefully impregnate Pixie. Fingers crossed we have a foal next spring.

Some Updates

The kids and I have now been on the farm almost two weeks. The first thing we did was replace our hens.

And if you noticed, yes, that is a rooster. We got him with the girls which turned out to be a good idea as he really soothe their nerves and helped them take the move well.  So well, I had eggs within the first couple of hours they were here.

The area we designated as a the "chicken coop" is only temporary. There is no windows and we all know chickens lay based on the amount of daylight. Though in the past two weeks, I haven't noticed a decrease in egg count. Still, they will eventually be moved downstairs.

The only other livestock we had to move to the new farm were our miniature horses, Pixie and Blossom.

That was interesting. We had sold our trailer after the separation because I thought I'd bale on farming alone. So we had no way of getting the girls to the new farm next to hiring a hauling service which we were quoted a heck of a lot of money for. In the end, we actually put them on the moving truck. It was plenty big enough and had an escape door into the front seats so that we could monitor the horses and provide ventilation.

Yesterday, they went out into their new pasture for the first time. They had been housed in the stalls until they adjusted to the new place. They, of course, had to stretch their legs and familiarize themselves with their borders.

But soon settled in quickly.

So, I guess that's it for now. We have a visitor planned for Sunday, so check back later to see how that went.

Farm Exterior

So I've moved onto the new farm. There is still one more load from the old place, but pretty much I am here now and loving it. Here's some more photos and I'll try and discuss some future changes but as of now, I'm just settling in and not thinking too far ahead.

This is the back end of the large pasture. I like the look of cedar fences. Never used them before so hope they are as functional as they are attractive.

The one side of the large pasture was a concern for me. And for reason. I went down and walked along the north border of the pasture and discovered it poorly fenced. But the good news is all the posts have been installed so that's a major part of refencing already done. We have the remaining material so all we'll need to do is complete it ourselves or hire someone.

The large pasture from my office window.

Farm Girl is loving having stalls once again. 

Behind the arena there is this small enclosed pen. Not sure what its use was but I'll find one for it.

The area that I think would be a great location for Oldest wedding. Still haven't given up hoping.

Finally, the miniature's shelter. We are actually looking for a mini stallion for our girls so this will become his home. There is room to install a loft so I could store winter hay up there for him as well if needed.

That's it for now but will post interior photos soon.