Amazing Chivo

Chivo isn't a puppy anymore! He is an amazing, awesome guardian dog! We've seen him at work a couple of times - mostly around Bacon (the pig). The other day, though, Teryn gave Chivo a test! Teryn was riding a colt, and he knew the goats were across the hill from him. So he snuck up very quietly and hid behind a bush, then started making strange noises. Chivo did his job! He barked a warning to the goats and they bunched up, then he got between the goats and 'the threat.' He didn't attack, his MO is intimidation! Chivo has a very low, menacing, loud, bark/growl that would scare anything in it's right mind away! The attack might come when he gets older, and if the threat doesn't go away. I can't describe how amazing it is to watch him do what just comes naturally!! On a lighter note - when we feed him, Chivo comes up to us with a 'smile' on his face! I tried to get a picture - but anytime there is something out of the ordinary, he is on the lookout and doesn't cooperate!

Bacon Thinks She's a Dog

Due to popular demand, I am posting a couple more pictures of Bacon. She was resting under the trailer with the dogs when the first one was taken. Teryn was shoeing a horse and they were waiting for the 'hoof candy.'

Carlsbad Trip

Last weekend Ty, Sky, Teryn, and I went to NM to see the bat flights out of Carlsbad Caverns. There were probably close to 800,000 bats that flew out of the cave,it was pretty amazing!! We camped out at Lake Brantley and had a great time. In this picture, Sky is teaching Ty how to make a fire with a spark from a flint. I think that was Ty's highlight! Sky said his highlight was getting to swim in the lake!

Our Multi-Talented Pig

I've been wanting me to make a post about Bacon,a feral hog Teryn caught last spring. She has become quite a pet! Bacon follows us everywhere we go on the ranch, weather we walk or ride, she's always right there! In this picture she is helping Teryn gather cattle. Teryn teases the other cowboys that at least his 'cowhog' doesn't chase rabbits! The other morning the dogs were barking, and when Teryn looked out the window he saw a coyote (probably wanting to eat our 1 remaining hen for breakfast), anyway it was Bacon who chased it away! She also serves as "boar bait!" Twice we've had feral boars visiting at the house. We're pretty isolated out here, and it can be a little scary when I'm home alone, but the truth is I feel very safe with Bacon outside guarding things! She would intimidate anyone and make them go away!

The Remuda

Teryn wanted me to upload some pictures of our horses - they're a colorful bunch! Teryn and most of our old horses retired at the same time, so we wound up buying 3 young horses when we moved to the ranch last year. The new horses are :Snort & Huey - both sorrels, and a beautiful Blue Roan. We had 2 weanlings - Dun Bar's last babies. They are Chispa, the Gruella (the most beautiful horse we've ever had!) and Gus - a dun clone of his Dad!

Update on MiHijo

MiHijo is now 6 months old. We weaned him about 2 weeks ago, and I've been playing with him alot so that he'll bond to me! I got the clippers out the other day and trimmed his ears. I also try to walk him as often as possible. During our walks, I look for obstacles to manuever around. In these pictures we went up the side of the dump. The path down was pretty steep, normally I would have just slid down on my rear, but MiHijo stayed close, and I kept a hand on him to steady myself.

Where's Chivo?

Can you pick out my guard dog? You might have to double click on the picture to enlarge it! Chivo blends right in with the goats! We're finally letting him run with the does, and he stays right with them. We don't know if he's had to defend them yet - but he's definitely big enough now if he needs to fight!