Talking to Mom last night over Skype (ah, the internet...) I realized that I hadn't put an update up in quite a while. My only reason is that the work here is settling into a routine and I forget that everyone else is still waiting to hear from me! So, here's my update...
One big blessing lately has been the new set of friends that I hang out with. There's a group of five, all of us interns, who like to hang out and have dinner at least once a week. It just gives us a chance to relax, talk about work, and have a little bit of socialization in our lives. Otherwise, there would be nothing but work to keep me occupied!!
As I said earlier, I'm settling into a routine at work and becoming used to the things that are normal in Kentucky, but rarely seen in Oregon. The horses here are worth so much more, and this is especially true for mares in foal. If a mare has produced a few good horses and was bred to a stud with a $75,000 stud fee, she's worth the extra money it takes to keep her healthy. So I'm seeing a lot of treatment techniques that aren't as common back home and I'm learning a ton along the way.
It's been cold again lately, but luckily there isn't much precipitation. For the most part, it's not that difficult to deal with. It just gets hard when I'm walking through the pastures at 7am to find the mares that need to come in and I'm getting blasted with a biting cold gust that causes wind burn on my cheeks. But I'm not complaining!!
This really is a fantastic time for me, though. Even if the work gets hard, the labor hours are long, I'm still in a beautiful place with amazing people. The more I work here, the more I'm impressed with how well the farm is run as a whole. If my plans for life included possibly staying in Kentucky, I would want to stay with Taylor Made. But don't worry, my Oregonians and fellow Pacific Northwesters... as great as Taylor Made is, I'm still looking forward to coming home.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Silver Linings
I'm not going to lie... today was a little rough. The weather, the massive amounts of work, language barriers, and other undefinable factors influenced a less than perfect attitude. I noticed it half way through the morning. The stalls were really messy and I was constantly one stall behind Oscar, which just made me feel a little incompetent. As we worked in silence (he knows as much English as I know Spanish...) I began to wonder why I wasn't feeling as motivated as I had been the past few days.
It's hard to say exactly what my thought process was, but all I know is that God is good and He's leading me through this. Not every day is going to be sunshine and roses, but I can plow through them knowing that I have higher goals set. This was reiterated for me by three of the four Taylor brothers. During a little Meet&Greet, they told their stories about working hard in situations that seemed over-flowing with hard work and little reward. They were all in the same exact spot as the interns are in now -bottom of the barrel, barely keeping their head above water, surrounded by physical work. But they told us that with a little work, a little faith, and a better goal to work for, those rough days are tolerable. It was precisely what God wanted me to hear.
Overall, things are going very well. There are always days where the wind is just a little too harsh, the load is just a little too heavy, or the work seems unending. But it doesn't have to be like that forever, and I don't have to define my time here by how hard it is. There's more for me on the other side. God's good like that.
It's hard to say exactly what my thought process was, but all I know is that God is good and He's leading me through this. Not every day is going to be sunshine and roses, but I can plow through them knowing that I have higher goals set. This was reiterated for me by three of the four Taylor brothers. During a little Meet&Greet, they told their stories about working hard in situations that seemed over-flowing with hard work and little reward. They were all in the same exact spot as the interns are in now -bottom of the barrel, barely keeping their head above water, surrounded by physical work. But they told us that with a little work, a little faith, and a better goal to work for, those rough days are tolerable. It was precisely what God wanted me to hear.
Overall, things are going very well. There are always days where the wind is just a little too harsh, the load is just a little too heavy, or the work seems unending. But it doesn't have to be like that forever, and I don't have to define my time here by how hard it is. There's more for me on the other side. God's good like that.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Winter
A girl growing up in the Willamette Valley of Oregon rarely sees snow. So when I woke up this morning and looked out the window to a white blanket of fresh snow, my first reaction was "Yay! Snow!" My second reaction: "Thank goodness today is my day off." I've got the gear to keep me warm, but I honestly didn't feel like working in the snow today.
The past two days have been extremely cold. I don't think the temperature got above 20 degrees Fahrenheit on either Sunday or Monday. It was extremely dry, so the wind was the major element to worry about. This is cold that bites at your cheeks and makes it hard to keep your eyes open. This is cold that makes the refrigerator feel warm. We work around the farm with nothing but our faces showing, and even those are partially covered. If I ever complain about it being cold when I get back to Oregon, remind me of winters in the Midwest.
The horses do surprisingly well in this weather, though. They've been living outside all winter, so their bodies have developed the winter coats to deal with the cold. We help them out by keeping a nice layer of fat around them. I'm sure my horse would freak out at this cold. I'd put her outside and she would give me this look of "You have got to be kidding me."
The past two days have been extremely cold. I don't think the temperature got above 20 degrees Fahrenheit on either Sunday or Monday. It was extremely dry, so the wind was the major element to worry about. This is cold that bites at your cheeks and makes it hard to keep your eyes open. This is cold that makes the refrigerator feel warm. We work around the farm with nothing but our faces showing, and even those are partially covered. If I ever complain about it being cold when I get back to Oregon, remind me of winters in the Midwest.
The horses do surprisingly well in this weather, though. They've been living outside all winter, so their bodies have developed the winter coats to deal with the cold. We help them out by keeping a nice layer of fat around them. I'm sure my horse would freak out at this cold. I'd put her outside and she would give me this look of "You have got to be kidding me."
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Settling In
I've been at Taylor Made for a little over a week, and there is a daily routine that I'm beginning to settle into. Granted, things are rarely the same two days in a row, but there is a general plan of action that I can follow and adjust accordingly. As my manager, Bob, always says, the idea is to have a plan, but that plan will always change! So being flexible and attentive to the changes is key to working on a farm like this.
The day starts around 6:30 or 7:00am, depending on how much work there is to do that day. Water buckets are filled, grain is given, and the mares are brought in from a chilly night out in the pastures. Sometimes I feel sorry for the mares who live outside, but I guess their bodies are adapted to the cold weather and can keep them warm.
With all the mares in, some are doctored (foot problems are the popular ailment this winter), some may be shown to potential buyers, or the blacksmiths come to trim feet. I'll write more about the blacksmiths later... This is practically the only time we have to examine the mares, so it's crucial that we are observe any changes in the udders, any new battle scars from the pasture, or any signs of illness. Surprisingly, it doesn't take that long. Once you know the signs to look for, you can get through twenty three mares fairly quickly.
The mares are quickly kicked back out into their paddocks. The stalls are either picked through, or cleaned thoroughly, depending on the day. The barn is cleaned, swept, and cleared with a blower. After lunch, we head into the fields with the tractor to throw out a lunch of hay and grain. The mares all recognize the tractor and what it is bringing to them. Some afternoons they are so anxious for their grain they crowd the tractor and make it hard to maneuver! Other afternoons, they might be halfway across the 15+ acres and come galloping over the hills to us.
All in all, it doesn't sound like a terrible load of work, but when you realize that there are twenty five horses to care for in one barn and the work is split between two people, it can quickly add up to an eight hour day. Also keep in mind that nothing ever goes as planned. Machinery can break down, or horses can have different ideas for how the day is supposed to go.
Of course, this routine is set only until we get all the various foals born! Hopefully this week we will have more foals and I'll be able to put up lots of pictures!
The day starts around 6:30 or 7:00am, depending on how much work there is to do that day. Water buckets are filled, grain is given, and the mares are brought in from a chilly night out in the pastures. Sometimes I feel sorry for the mares who live outside, but I guess their bodies are adapted to the cold weather and can keep them warm.
With all the mares in, some are doctored (foot problems are the popular ailment this winter), some may be shown to potential buyers, or the blacksmiths come to trim feet. I'll write more about the blacksmiths later... This is practically the only time we have to examine the mares, so it's crucial that we are observe any changes in the udders, any new battle scars from the pasture, or any signs of illness. Surprisingly, it doesn't take that long. Once you know the signs to look for, you can get through twenty three mares fairly quickly.
The mares are quickly kicked back out into their paddocks. The stalls are either picked through, or cleaned thoroughly, depending on the day. The barn is cleaned, swept, and cleared with a blower. After lunch, we head into the fields with the tractor to throw out a lunch of hay and grain. The mares all recognize the tractor and what it is bringing to them. Some afternoons they are so anxious for their grain they crowd the tractor and make it hard to maneuver! Other afternoons, they might be halfway across the 15+ acres and come galloping over the hills to us.
All in all, it doesn't sound like a terrible load of work, but when you realize that there are twenty five horses to care for in one barn and the work is split between two people, it can quickly add up to an eight hour day. Also keep in mind that nothing ever goes as planned. Machinery can break down, or horses can have different ideas for how the day is supposed to go.
Of course, this routine is set only until we get all the various foals born! Hopefully this week we will have more foals and I'll be able to put up lots of pictures!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Pictures!!
After some internet problems, I'm finally able to put up a couple pictures. The weather hasn't been the nicest lately... we had snow yesterday... conditions for taking pictures weren't very cooperative. But here are a couple from last week. The first is of Queen and her filly born on Jan 1st. Feisty little girl! The next shows barn B at Bona Terra, where I spend the majority of my time. Bona Terra is just one of the broodmare division within Taylor Made. It boasts three barns of twenty five mares each, all in foal. The farm is expansive; you never walk from one barn to the next. You take the tractors.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
From January 11th
I watched he sky grow light from inside a moving horse trailer today. All I could see were tree limbs and the occasional power line and I sat low in the corner, a week foal in my arms. His dam, traveling loose in the small trailer stall, lowered her graceful head periodically to chek and make sure her baby was still with us. We were on our way to the clinic to save this little guy's life.
Less twelve hours prior, a mare named Caracara had her foal nearly two weeks early. The placenta was infected and had begun to separate early. I'ts hard to know how long the colt was without oxygen before he was pulled out in an emergency birth. Then he lost quite a bit of blood when the umbilical cord didn't break properly and had to be cut. Overall, the first few hours of his life were rough and he's what we refer to as a dummy foal. He doesn't have the strength or oxygen supply to hold his head up for long, much less stand to nurse. So as soon as I got to the barn, I was asked by a manager to ride in the trailer so the mare wouldn't accidentaly step on her foal. We got to the equine hospital of unusual size (read: EHOUS) about an hour later and the little foal was carried away by stretcher. The next few days will determine if he'll be alright. What a trip! But it wasn't done yet!
I rode with the farm's hauler, Barrett. He's a man who looks older than he is due to the cigarettes he smokes, and is full of southern drawl and charm. People laugh at me when I jokingly bring out the drawl and turn "If you want to," into a harsh "Y'oughnt to." I've got nothing compared to this man!
We stopped by Keeneland Race Course to drop off paper work for the yearling sale currently going on there. Taylor Made Sales Agency has about 200 young horses they are putting through the sale. I've never seen any event put on with such preparation, care, show, and professionalism. Horses are pets here. They are big business.
Adventures abound for me. There is never a day the same, expecially if you're willing to do a little extra work, spend a little extra time, and lend a hand. Everything is new and exciting in my position, as someone here to learn. It's fantastic now, and I hope I can keep up a portion of that excitement during my tenure here.
Less twelve hours prior, a mare named Caracara had her foal nearly two weeks early. The placenta was infected and had begun to separate early. I'ts hard to know how long the colt was without oxygen before he was pulled out in an emergency birth. Then he lost quite a bit of blood when the umbilical cord didn't break properly and had to be cut. Overall, the first few hours of his life were rough and he's what we refer to as a dummy foal. He doesn't have the strength or oxygen supply to hold his head up for long, much less stand to nurse. So as soon as I got to the barn, I was asked by a manager to ride in the trailer so the mare wouldn't accidentaly step on her foal. We got to the equine hospital of unusual size (read: EHOUS) about an hour later and the little foal was carried away by stretcher. The next few days will determine if he'll be alright. What a trip! But it wasn't done yet!
I rode with the farm's hauler, Barrett. He's a man who looks older than he is due to the cigarettes he smokes, and is full of southern drawl and charm. People laugh at me when I jokingly bring out the drawl and turn "If you want to," into a harsh "Y'oughnt to." I've got nothing compared to this man!
We stopped by Keeneland Race Course to drop off paper work for the yearling sale currently going on there. Taylor Made Sales Agency has about 200 young horses they are putting through the sale. I've never seen any event put on with such preparation, care, show, and professionalism. Horses are pets here. They are big business.
Adventures abound for me. There is never a day the same, expecially if you're willing to do a little extra work, spend a little extra time, and lend a hand. Everything is new and exciting in my position, as someone here to learn. It's fantastic now, and I hope I can keep up a portion of that excitement during my tenure here.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Blue Kentucky Morning
This morning, I walked out into one of the many pastures to call in half the mares for breakfast. From somewhere in the dark, my eyes were able to see the outline of these big mamas, bellies swaying and heads bobbing. One by one, the broodmares come in from the dark into stalls full of straw. As the sun begins to rise over the Kentucky countryside, a blue haze filters through the air. There's a sense of serenity with these mares. There's a peaceful quiet as each horse munches quietly on her morning ration of grain. But this stillness doesn't last. Soon, there are tractors driving all over the roads, a hundred stalls to be picked, and various health issues to be addressed. And above all, these mares need to eat. A lot.
Though I've only had two days of work at Taylor Made, specifically the Bona Terra division, I can see where the daily routine fits in. Yet there's enough variation in the day to keep it interesting. Before spring break, we should have 75 foals born, and close to 100 before the breeding season is done. Once the little ones arrive, the work in increase as will the excitement.
There are hundreds of stories to tell right now, and just not enough time to give them all justice! But I want to say one little blip about Oscar: This young man from Mexico has been living in the US for three years, and has been at Taylor Made for a year. His English is patchy, though I think he understands more than he lets on. Without one of the other interns to translate, we spend a lot of time repeating words and using hand gestures. But it's still fun. He laughs at me for not having the tractor driving skills he has. His character is great and very patient. He still can't understand why I don't speak Spanish, though. Thinks I grew up in France or something.
Our internet situation is a little messed up right now, so I'll have to hold off on pictures until everything is smoothed out. There will be so much to tell!
Though I've only had two days of work at Taylor Made, specifically the Bona Terra division, I can see where the daily routine fits in. Yet there's enough variation in the day to keep it interesting. Before spring break, we should have 75 foals born, and close to 100 before the breeding season is done. Once the little ones arrive, the work in increase as will the excitement.
There are hundreds of stories to tell right now, and just not enough time to give them all justice! But I want to say one little blip about Oscar: This young man from Mexico has been living in the US for three years, and has been at Taylor Made for a year. His English is patchy, though I think he understands more than he lets on. Without one of the other interns to translate, we spend a lot of time repeating words and using hand gestures. But it's still fun. He laughs at me for not having the tractor driving skills he has. His character is great and very patient. He still can't understand why I don't speak Spanish, though. Thinks I grew up in France or something.
Our internet situation is a little messed up right now, so I'll have to hold off on pictures until everything is smoothed out. There will be so much to tell!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
I'm ready to go.
All that's left to do now is pack my bags. I've secured a purchase for a laptop so I will be able to continue these updates. Everything is in order and well prepared. Now I just have to step onto that plane.
This is crazy. I can't believe I'm doing this. An internship like this is something I've been preparing for since August of 2006, so long ago that it hardly feels like it could be real. My posts have gotten a little dry lately purely because there's nothing different. Still waiting. Still preparing. Still counting down the days.
But in a week (possibly the time of my next post) I'll have plenty to write about. People, places, 'partments, pictures, etc. Next you hear from me, I'll be in Horse Country, USA!!
This is crazy. I can't believe I'm doing this. An internship like this is something I've been preparing for since August of 2006, so long ago that it hardly feels like it could be real. My posts have gotten a little dry lately purely because there's nothing different. Still waiting. Still preparing. Still counting down the days.
But in a week (possibly the time of my next post) I'll have plenty to write about. People, places, 'partments, pictures, etc. Next you hear from me, I'll be in Horse Country, USA!!
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