We have a young jack named Cruz. That is Spanish for Cross and he has a perfect one on his back.
Cruz has not seen a farrier for probably over a year. Robert (the farrier) and I have just seemed to miss each other. In the meantime Cruz developed a small split in his front right hoof. Then came the winter weather when I really didn’t want anyone working on him. Today, we all got together.
The first order of business was to get a halter on Cruz. Cruz is still a Jack which means he is headstrong. I called him to feed after he had already showed his taillights to Robert. He came, we caught him in the corner, and I got the halter on him. As you can see from the direction his ears are pointed he is not happy. The halter is very nice. His mother's favorite color.
Cruz has not seen a farrier for probably over a year. Robert (the farrier) and I have just seemed to miss each other. In the meantime Cruz developed a small split in his front right hoof. Then came the winter weather when I really didn’t want anyone working on him. Today, we all got together.
The first order of business was to get a halter on Cruz. Cruz is still a Jack which means he is headstrong. I called him to feed after he had already showed his taillights to Robert. He came, we caught him in the corner, and I got the halter on him. As you can see from the direction his ears are pointed he is not happy. The halter is very nice. His mother's favorite color.
His head was tied with ropes attached to two trees. Robert has treated him before but evidently Cruz had forgotten that it wasn't supposed to bother him. He isn’t mean but he tried to kick. A third rope was called for. Mike has it on his left rear in this view.
That allowed Robert to use this metal foot stool and between Robert and Mike they managed to clip his hooves.
This is the prize. Wound up with eight of these little jewels laying out in the yard. They don’t last. Robert says dogs like to eat them and so do coons I expect.
Then Robert took a knife with a bent blade and pared off part of the center section of the hoof. It is a pad that pumps blood to the hoof when put under pressure. It doesn’t work as well if it’s overgrown. It's called the frog.
When the clipping is done the hooves are smoothed. Then he treats them with something that looks like black shoe polish. That is disinfectant since there is new surface material.
I am going to make a loading chute very soon. I need a place to trap the animals for the farrier and load them when I need to make a move. Thats coming. Might even get a halter on Hershey.
I am going to make a loading chute very soon. I need a place to trap the animals for the farrier and load them when I need to make a move. Thats coming. Might even get a halter on Hershey.
Our special guest today is seen here with Bob the head of ranch security. He is our great grandson Preston.
Preston was very good and managed to stay out of the way when Robert and Mike were working. He raked leaves today and just acted much older than six. Couldn’t let this chance to brag on him pass unused.
Preston was very good and managed to stay out of the way when Robert and Mike were working. He raked leaves today and just acted much older than six. Couldn’t let this chance to brag on him pass unused.
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