Rough 'n tumble farrier

This morning was our first experience with a farrier.  Apparently it was also Chy's first experience.  Hopefully it wasn't the farrier's last.   Wayne Tingler was his name and he came highly recommended by my friend, Gail, who has 2 donkeys.  From the stories she told me it sounds like her girls also gave Wayne a run for his money.  I have no idea why he does it unless he loves a good challenge or he has a death wish.  I'll bet he's been in the rodeo.




I'm still very unsure of Chy.  I'm used to goats who don't kick and let me do just about whatever I want to them.  I couldn't even get Chy's halter on her before Wayne got here because I was upsetting her and I was nervous about getting kicked.  He decided he was going to make friends with Chy.  He spoke softly and gently stroked her.  I can't really remember how it went from there except I recall her dragging him around the barn for a few laps with him hanging on to her neck.  He kept telling us and her they were going to be best friends.  She sure didn't treat her friend very well.  He finally got her haltered and tied to a post.  He showed us how to make her give up her foot by lifting it and dropping it to the ground many times.  Sounds simple huh?  Sure.  Just when I thought she was all calmed down and acting like a pussy cat she'd give him a few whacks.  As time wore on though I could tell she was getting tired and the kicks were half-hearted.

Wayne kept apologizing to us for being rough on her, which he wasn't at all.  I felt like I should keep apologizing to him for having his head knocked against the post, being twisted in her rope, karate kicked probably 30 times and for all the bruises he probably has tonight.   While most of this was going on James and I were cowering in the corner wishing we had worn our helmets and armor.  Wayne is small of stature but strong as an ox.  I'm not sure who was more feisty Chy or Wayne.  He got the job done and I was more than grateful.  Her one foot that had been bothering her had grown under its self and it has to feel better now that it's all trimmed up.  I hope she's grateful too.


Oh yeah, one more thing.  I got to taste Chy's milk.  I told Wayne I had visions of milking her.  He looked a bit surprised and did a good job of hiding his skepticism. After she settled down he milked her, tasted it and then squeezed some into my hand so I could taste it.  I wish I'd had a glass of it so I could savor and really taste it.  All I can remember is that it seemed thinner than goat's milk.


I have 6 to 8 weeks now to get Chy to relax about getting her feet touched and handled more in general.  I also need to keep touching Shiloh all over so he always behaves for us.  I probably shouldn't have found this morning so entertaining but Wayne and his fiance' Debra were such good sports and kind of seemed like they were having a good time so I didn't feel so bad laughing.  I do wonder what they said on the way home.