Monday, July 2, 2012

The Clown Shed

We've been having a heat wave here in the East.  The temps and humidity are high so the horses come in during the day and get to stand under their ceiling fans, eat hay and have less bugs to deal with. Most of them also take a siesta.  They go out at night.  It's cooler with less bugs and they seem to cope better with this set up.

This morning when we went out to feed and bring them in they decided to stay out. Below are a few pictures (not great quality) of where they decided to spend their time.  They've been doing this for a few days.  This particular shed has two ceiling fans and had two stalls but we took the divider out a while ago. Now I don't know how they manage to fit the whole herd of seven in there because it's nowhere near as big as the new shed.  Granted the new shed only has one fan but still there's more room for the whole gang. 


It reminds me of the clown car at any circus. How can you stuff seven horses ranging in size from 18 hands to 14.2 hands in a small shed without incidence.  I've noticed that some of them have to stand under the overhang until it's their turn for a little fan time.  It can't be comfortable. I guess they've worked it out amongst themselves.


When Dusty spotted me taking pictures she decided to come up for her fly mask and hang out under the fan in the big shed.  I don't want to play favorites but she might be the smartest one of the bunch!


Until next time


Quote for Today
 A little horseplay... the way best to enjoy a summer day!

19 comments:

  1. That is so cute. And it is a good thing they all get along so well that they can all share the shade and the fan. Those are some lucky horses to have ceiling fans.

    Dusty reminds me of some teens and young adults I know who love having their pictures taken. I think when she saw you taking pictures, she was thinking "I'm ready for my close up Mr. DeMille."

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  2. they do have some odd habits, but who am i to question the wisdom of the herd? they seem to have things pretty well figure out. i'm about the head out to see if they'd like to come in for dinner, or if they'd prefer to dine out this evening...

    it's nice to be subject to the whims of a bunch of horses! (are all horse people this nuts? ;-)

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  3. Its hot up here too, I cant blame them for thinking that the walk up to the top of the hill is just too far to go when they have fans where they are ;)

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  4. We read about your storms and heat waves, then of course the fires further west in our NZ papers. It all sounds difficult to deal with as weather can be at times. Had a wee chuckle at the sight of all your horses squished in the shed. I guess it does say something about the fan!!!!. Must work a treat!. Stay cool

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  5. My theory based on similar behavior here (I have seen Keil Bay, Salina, and two donkeys crammed in one 12x12 stall!) is that they like being close because the swishing of their tales works to add to the cooling, no-fly effect. :)

    Love the clown shed!!

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  6. We should follow their lead and be as willing to change our habits when things get tough, particularly when it comes to sharing!

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  7. The clown shed cracks me up. :)

    Dusty is the only mare, right?!

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  8. That is great. Our 3 boys stuff themselves towards the back of our big run in to be by the fan. Herd dynamics are such fun to watch.

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  9. The clown car comparison is perfect! *G*

    My Toby and Tucker hang out together in a 12 X 12 stall. One fan on the floor at the door. Beats me what that's about. Three stalls are available, each with a fan. You'd think.....but then again, they are horses. Their brains are wired differently than ours.

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  10. They all seem pretty smart to me. Nice setup.

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  11. Just beautiful! Mine would be jealous knowing yours have a ceiling fan!

    Still hot here. High 90's. Suppose to be in the low 90's next week. Still not my favorite number but getting better....

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  12. the clown shed- too funny! They must "share tails" to keep flies at bay! I always love photos of horses standing head to butt so that they get help keeping flies off their face.

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  13. Heatwave?!? What be that then??? We have the humidity here but this country is so miserably soggy at the moment, its unbelievable!!!

    Love love love the pix!!! You're right, it is like the circus clown car *lol* Dusty is one smart cookie - surely they must be feeling the heat off each other as well?!?

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  14. Our boys smoosh into a shed. There is plenty of room for standing, but they insist on flopping down on the ground to sleep and it looks to me like their 3 sets of 4 legs are in a giant twister pretzel alignment!

    I bring them inside each day too, but they have made it very clear that they only like that for about 4 hours. Our barn has screen doors(!) so zero flies and is a bank barn and is very cool. Still, they would rather be out.

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  15. Dusty is not just a pretty face..... ;-)

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  16. How cute! I love the pictures. I didn't know horses would do this without fighting.

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  17. I think it's safety in numbers, all that tail swishing helps fend off the deer flies - aren't they awful this
    year? Siete squealed so loud yesterday when one bit her. Vicious insects! What's your fly spray of choice this year?

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  18. Hi Victoria,
    We use Ultra Shield at the moment. Fly masks help a little too.

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  19. Dusty is one Smart beautiful mare!

    That is hilarious how they do that..I mean, the body heat alone may be counter productive to being in there for them! I love it though, they are such buds. Victoria probably has it right...the head to tail closeness does create a fly guard effect.

    Hope it has cooled or rained or gotten somewhat better for relief!

    Kac

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