Ellsworth | Morning Bray Farm

March 10, 2010

Spring cleaning help

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Farm, Plants and Flowers | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, flower beds, March, pampas grass, perennials, spring cleaning, weeds |
[6] Comments

The first weekend in March is generally set aside for cleaning out flower beds and welcoming back our perennials.

One of the things on our to-do list was cutting back the pampas grass. The flower spikes are excellent for drying, so I propped them on Don’s tractor while I finished cleaning up.

When I turned back around, Ellsworth had decided there was a better use for the flower spikes. Oh well.

Bernard and Ellsworth happily did their part in our spring cleaning efforts by working on weeds. Great job boys!

Farmgirl, see the yellow hay twine? You inspired me to make a temporary fence for the boys. For those familiar with the layout of our farm, it looks strange to see the boys in that “void” between the corral and the pasture. Carson, not to worry. They’re not out there without supervision. Promise.

We had a fence company out yesterday afternoon to give us an estimate on a pipe fence to connect the pasture and the corral. It will run the same path as the existing yellow twine. I’m really excited about this because it will give the boys the freedom to move between the corral and the pasture as they please.

March 7, 2010

Sunday Cinema – The bell is ringing for Ellsworth

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Friends and Family, Sunday Cinema | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, farrier, feet, foot trimming, patience |
[21] Comments

Ellsworth had a huge breakthrough moment with the farrier yesterday. We’re so proud of him.

It was the very first time Shorty was able to trim Ellsworth’s back feet.

Ellsworth, we’re so proud of you buddy!

Like I said, this was a huge breakthrough for Ellsworth. Unfortunately, a couple of mishaps at the place he came from really had him freaked out about having his back feet touched. For those of you who initially followed Ellsworth’s story over at The 7MSN Ranch, you’ll remember that Ellsworth was “accident prone.” At one point, according to his previous people, he had a nail stuck in one of his back feet. To remove it, they tied a rope to his leg and let him kick until he got tired so they could take the nail out. At another point, he had barbed wire tangled around one of his ankles. So yes, he really was freaked out when anyone tried to touch his back feet.

We realized some pretty important things yesterday. We were reminded that we have so much to learn from our animals. These donkey boys have taught us more than I could have ever imagined about patience. Shorty has been absolutely wonderful about this too. He coached Don on working with Ellsworth and getting him used to having those back legs and feet touched. I have a lump in my throat right now just thinking about this transformation in Ellsworth.

So, Ellsworth is an old pro at this now. When it was Bernard’s turn, Ellsworth ran right over to comfort his best friend and to let him know it was alright.

March 4, 2010

Pina colada please

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, Ellsworth, fun, goat port, straw, sunshine |
[11] Comments

Yesterday was glorious. With warm weather and sunshine, Ellsworth by my side and a bed of straw in which to lay under the goat port, what more could I need, you ask?

Mom, could I have a pina colada with my straw please?

Oh dear, he’s feeling tropical.

With a pineapple slice and a maraschino cherry?

No, Bernard.

March 2, 2010

Brotherly love

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, brotherly love, donkeys, Ellsworth |
[14] Comments

March 1, 2010

Meeting the neighbors

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys, Farm | Tags: beating, Bernard, bucket, donkeys, Ellsworth, horses, neighbors, pasture, trail ride |
[8] Comments

We love weekends and the opportunity to spend time together as a family. We were hanging out in the pasture yesterday afternoon when something caught Ellsworth’s attention.

Someone’s coming.

It’s our very nice neighbors. Ellsworth is so excited, but Bernard decides to hang back with Mom.

We see our neighbors out riding quite often, but this is the first time we’ve really stopped to chat. After Mom proudly introduces us to them, they share a story.

“Bernard and Ellsworth are so cute! They’re such characters. One day as we were riding by, we saw Bernard pick up that five gallon bucket and start beating Ellsworth with it!”

Bernard!

We can totally see Ellsworth out on a Sunday afternoon trail ride with the big dogs horses one day soon.

February 24, 2010

Donkey equality

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: Bernard, donkeys, Ellsworth, playing |
[10] Comments

If one of us has something the other wants – which is generally everything, even if it’s something as simple as a stick… the other’s gotta have it too.

February 23, 2010

Dealing with paparazzi

Posted by Morning Bray under Donkeys | Tags: donkey, Ellsworth, paparazzi |
[4] Comments

Opposite to Bernard’s often childlike indifference to (or need to eat) the camera, Ellsworth seems to have a constant, yet gentle curiosity each time someone is out taking pictures.