The End of Our Winter Caretaking Adventure...but, the Beginning of Summer!

The last month has been a whirlwind with warmer weather meaning crunch time to get outdoor projects done we've been wanting to do once the snow receeded.  April through the first of May greeted us with sporadic snow showers...then, the warm 70 degree weather hit and we could put our beanies and coats away and finally break out the tshirts and flipflops!  A far cry from our mid-winter wardrobe when we were chopping ice, feeding ponies and chaining up the vehicles just to get to the gas pumps!?  (May 1st was our last snow storm!)

Snow still resides upon the peaks of the mountains, though the warming weather has promised early run-off...and the roaring creeks, resembling class III whitewater rivers, have reminded us of that! 

Tomorrow they begin to plow the road over the summit to allow vehicle access.  As of today, we've seen only 6 other humans since mid-November via backcountry airplane.  How strange it will be to have such easy access now to the world, and viceversa.   Summer approaches, as does the guest season for the ranch and the nursing and music world for myself.  We've had a great time caretaking for the Ranch.  We've learned a different perspective regarding being back here during the winter months and, when doing this again (oh yes, there will be another go at this!), we know now a few things we'll do different!  (like more long johns and more glove! haha)

We hope to see some (if not most or all of you!) of you this summer and fall at the Ranch and thank you for reading our Winter Caretaking blog!  Stay tuned...as we'll have summer and fall events to follow for the Diamond D Ranch!



May 1st...the last day we've worn beanies and coats!  Hello Summer...Good Bye Winter.













Baby Hank -  He's a big boy now and graduated to pasture living not too long ago!






Only a few more meals left in the bunkhouse before moving to the lodge for meals!







LOTS of irrigating to do!








The animals out on the deck while we get Spring Cleaning done!  :)







We've got your saddler ready for you this Summer!




A month ago, this yard was covered with snow?!




A baby buck getting salt.




Charro, May 15th.  She's due anytime!...






We made it up the road 8miles from the Ranch.  Here they will probably stop plowing the road from the other side.



East May Field.




It's been a great adventure!  It feels like it went by so fast!  We had a blast though and will do it again soon!  :)

Jenn and Dana

Spring Blizzards and Fiesty Foals!

Hank is such a tough little guy!  And, SO playful!  He is what we would call "pony playdough!"  :)  He is very social and friendly and loving his first week of life!...and looking handsome in his green scarf! haha



We've been weaning the yearlings from their Momma's (nearby in the corral).  Sonny (left) has decided he wants to stick around and tend the babies.  :) 



Today was a beautiful sunny day, but VERY cold!  It was 15 degrees this morning...and I think a high of 38 deg ...brrr!  Still nice to be outside!



This is Hank's stance just before he decides to race around the corral!  So cute!



It's supposed to be 50 degrees tomorrow...crossing fingers!   :)

At Last...the (first) Baby Horse is Born!

Yesterday was our usual "momma watch" that we do at some point during the day to witness baby kicks and make sure the girls are doing ok while we take a break from projects. 

Lilly was being VERY restless yesterday and exhibiting some other tell-tale signs of foaling-soon-to-be...so we made sure to keep a close eye on the expecting momma.

After diligent watches, every 15-30 minutes, through the afternoon, evening and night, we watched her continue to pace and lie down and pace.  Then, a few minutes before midnight during a corral check, I saw a little head and front legs wiggling around as Lilly was laying in the round corral...the baby was being born!  In about 10-15 minutes, she was able to finish birthing and under a night full of infinite stars, the baby red dun stud colt was born!

Momma was pretty tired after the delivery, so we rubbed him dry with a towel (it was quite cold last night!) and laughed and smiled as he made his little baby horse whinnys and grunts, talking to his mommy.  In no time, Hank was moving around and able to stand on his own, and momma tended to him.  It was a long night, but we were glad  everything turned out ok without complications!


So, we introduce to you the newest addition to the Diamond D Ranch...

Baby Hank!






As with most babies, they eat, sleep, potty, play, repeat!  :)  He is so cute!  So friendly, but also fiesty.  He is a very sweet and curious little boy!




There was a 6.25% chance that Hank would be a red dun!  It was a fun surprise to see his colors...very flashy!  (Hank's full brother, Miles, is a bay roan; their daddy was a Red Dun)




He sure is a long-legged little guy! 







He's very interested in us...we've been able to pet and rub him often and he comes up to give us kisses, too...until Lilly decides "That's Enough!"  :)




Today Hank played a game called "Hide in the round pen, then run out to the corral, look at us, then run back to the round pen".  :)  So cute!




After-milk nap.  :)










Momma and Baby both catching some rest after a busy night. 
Welcome to the world, Hank!  :)

Waking up to Winter...!?!

Went to bed with the sound of rain of the tin roof of the bunkhouse...only to wake to the silence of big fluffy snow falling upon the landscape!?!  Apparently, Winter demands an encore...






There were some wet and hungry ponies this morning!  The babies, usually shying from the crowd that gathers at the pickup truck while we load the hay, were VERY determined to sneak a pre-breakfast bite with the big horses!









The Maternity Ward is always excited for meal time!







It was peaceful for us to sit with our cups of coffee as we watched the momma's eat breakfast, looking for baby kicks and enjoying the scenery surrounding us.

The sounds of Spring mingled with the presence of Winter as birds chirped in the snow-dusted trees.  The heavy flakes of snow would fall in such a rhythm as if the sky would hold its breath, slowing the falling snow for just a moment, and then appear to exhale and release its whiteness, obscuring our view of the mountain ridges.  The air was crisp this morning, just above freezing, but we were warm in our layers and hot coffee in our grasp.  Weather varying as pauses in the storm would allow melting to begin before Winter would take over again, as if Mother Nature was being indecisive on which season she preferred.

Though we're ready for Spring, it's always beautiful to see the snow fall in the mountains.