I thought I'd introduce you to our current animals here on the farm. We're more of a horse farm right now. In the past we've raised a couple pigs each year. Baby piglets arrive in March, and head out in October. We skipped this year. We just had so much going on with the new baby, rearranging and getting barns, riding rings and fences in correct places that we just felt a year off was necessary.
We were right - we needed that break but boy do I miss having pigs on our farm. They'll be back next year!
This is Holly. She is a Hackney Pony. She may be tiny, but she rules over all. She gives pony rides, and I've started training her a little more as I have time. She was one of the first horses to arrive here at Rockfish as a companion to the retired lesson horse we also acquired. She's a sweet girl. Word is she pulls a cart. We may have to give that a try one day! Sleigh rides around the farm, anyone?
We have 17 hens, and 1 mean 'ol Rooster. I absolutely hate that rooster.
But, it just wouldn't be a farm without each day starting with his wake up call.
Their coop resides in our garden, and they'll soon start free ranging into the horse field. Happy, free ranging chickens make great eggs. This is one of our newest babies. We get babies in the fall so they'll be laying eggs by spring!
Avery & Sage are our two barn cats. I love outdoor cats. They have so much personality. They love snuggling up in the hay in the barn. The scour the fence lines in the morning, perch on the stall doors of the barn and oversee their farm. And, randomly we will find them sitting on the horses backs. They own this place.
Raleigh. Our Redbone Coonhound. Unless you know how much work this breed is - go ahead and avoid it.
I love this dog. He is so sweet and wonderful with children. But, this is a hunting breed. He has some quirks you just don't find with a Labrador. As much as I love him and as beautiful as he is - we will (probably) never own this breed again. Hard to contain in a yard (our entire property now is in electric fencing), howls non stop when on a scent, and doesn't hear a thing when on a scent - forget calling him back. He gone. They also have the longest puppy years - two whole years.
It was HARD. But, I will say now that he's almost four he has finally settled down. We've worked through a lot of his quirks and could not have asked for a better dog to be around children. I can finally say "he's a good boy". Most days.
This sweet 'ol gal is Hershey. She is a quarter horse and is 24 years old. She was rescued from an auction down in North Carolina. I don't know much about her past - but from riding her I feel she was a well worked western horse. She is a lover. She would probably crawl into bed with Cheyenne if we would let her. She was meant for me, but Cheyenne has claimed her. They have a bond like no other.
And sweet Glimmer. She has come a long way. I left one afternoon to go pick up Hershey, knowing we were going to look at this second horse too. I grabbed two halters, but had no intention of bringing home two. After we picked up Hershey we stopped by to see Glimmer. She was in a dry lot in the back of the barn. Well cared for, but no grain, barely any hay. She had previously foundered and her owner was terrified it would happen again. If we didn't take her they were going to put her down. I said "load her up!"
Robert was less than thrilled when I unloaded two horses instead of just one off that trailer that night. But, you know what? She's a great horse. She's an Old Style Arabian - and has one less vertebrae than other horses. Kalyn claimed her - I've worked thru her quirks and have been training her as well.
And do you know what horse that leaves me to ride? That's right. None. So maybe next year I'll start horse shopping for myself. Because momma needs to ride too!
That's our farm! We hope to grow it a little more next year. Adding what we can little by little to be a little more self sustaining - like bringing back baby piglets and venturing into meat chickens for next year. And maybe another horse in the mix.
Thanks for visiting. We hope you enjoyed meeting our animals! I'd love to hear from you if you stopped by!
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