Hank is SO ready for the summer to be over.
He can't HANDLE the bugs and the itching anymore.
He has a favorite little juniper tree at the end of the corral that's just the right height to serve as his scratching post.
Hank: You could put that camera down and do this for me.
For the really serious itches, he uses the pipe fence. |
Then the sun sets, the bugs go to sleep, it's time to go out in the pasture, and life is good again.
Hank really knows how to take care of #1! I also think he's not the only one anxious for summer to be gone.
ReplyDeleteHank! Swooon. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad he's found the tools he needs to scratch those itches...
Wish I had a pipe fence, too, Hank. We are pretty overwhelmed with mosquitoes right now here in Las Cruces. They appear to LIKE Off, or any other product we might spray on for protection. The fact that they carry some scary diseases sends our tension level to high as we scurry from the car to the house, slapping wildly at arms and legs. Too bad, too, as the weather is absolutely gorgeous and we'd like to be outside enjoying it. So, I'm with you, Hank--so ready for the buggy season to be done!
ReplyDeleteJust look at the blissfully closing eyes as he scratches those itches!
ReplyDeleteThe fourth picture shows the bliss on his face "Ah...that's the spot!".
ReplyDeleteWe've had an unusually buggy year here in WI, too. Nothing seems to work very well when they are wanting to seriously bite. A couple of cold nights should take care of the problem soon. Gotta love Fall.
Our bugs have been terrible too this summer - I'm actually looking forward to the first hard frost!
ReplyDeleteI love Hank, he is one smart and handsome hombre and so photogenic. He's not the only one waiting for summer to be over.
ReplyDeleteDoes Hanks nose get sunburned? Mine with white noses do, and its awful.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Hank's nose seems to have adapted to the desert sun and rarely gets sunburned. This probably has something to do with the fact that he grazes non-stop so his nose doesn't take a direct hit from the rays.
ReplyDeleteHe's so gorgeous. I just love his color - and I love what you did with that last photo.
ReplyDeleteHank is a smart boy. Juniper essential oil repels insects :).
ReplyDeleteInteresting what Gaina said; I might have to try that next season. Our bugs are about all gone here except for the face flies.
ReplyDeleteWould a fly sheet help Hank, or would the burro brothers just pester him and rip it off?
ReplyDeleteLooks like he didn't miss a spot. That expression on his face is one of pure contentment as he is scratchin' the itch on that juniper bush.
ReplyDeleteI don't blame him a bit, the bugs have been horrible this summer! Hank is seriously a beautiful horse - I love his coloring!
ReplyDeleteShirley said...
ReplyDeleteInteresting what Gaina said; I might have to try that next season. Our bugs are about all gone here except for the face flies.
You'll need to dilute juniper oil in a carrier like sunflower or grape oil. I'm not sure what dilution you would use for a horse to be honest! :)
We always used to do my horse's mane, tail and head collar with Witch Hazel in the summer (you can buy it from a pharmacy) and it worked really well. The fact he liked garlic help too... ;-)
This has been an amazing year. NO flies. I upped the fly parasites, because of the uncared for horse next door, from every 3 weeks to every two weeks and increased the numbers in the shipment. Our horses were kept mainly on the dirt paddock, so manure was picked up twice a week or so and spread on another pasture. Now fall is upon us and it looks like we beat the flies this year. The night time temps will have them goners before too long.
ReplyDelete