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Not-So-Speedy Dressage

From Endurance to Dressage

Little Red Hen

5/7/2013

 
A little bit of California Barn Life ...

The neighboring property has/had chickens. Over the last year the chickens have either escaped, been killed by coyotes, or simply succumbed to some other chicken ailment.

I am not particularly fond of chickens, and if the truth were told, I am a little afraid of them. It's a long story involving a rooster and a little girl. You can probably piece it together. I do, however, very much like eggs for breakfast, and I also like that chickens are excellent at pest control.

The neighbor sort of gave up on chicken husbandry which left the sole survivor free to roam and make her own way in the world. She has decided that our barn fits her lifestyle quite well, thank you very much. My barn owner calls her Free Range, while I call her Little Red Hen. I taught kindergarten for seven years and couldn't resist the obvious moniker.

Anyhoo ... Little Red Hen, LRH for short, spends her days cluck, clucking in and around the barn and yard. A few weeks ago I found an egg shell fragment in Sydney's feeder and wondered how on earth it found its way there. Remember, I am afraid of chickens and not particularly knowledgeable about their comings and goings. A week or so later, I found an entire egg in Sydney's feeder, although it was cracked and oozing. All of I sudden I connected the dots ... hen ... eggs ... doh!

From then on, I started paying close attention and kept my eyes open for other eggs. LRH has rewarded my diligent searches with the occasional egg. Once I knew where I might find them, I began to check daily for her little offerings.

Saturday's egg was probably the best find. When I arrived at the barn, I carefully poked through Sydney's feeder in search of an egg, but LRH hadn't been in the mood. I rode him, rode Speedy, and was preparing to fill Sydney's beet pulp bucket when I saw a freshly laid egg nestled in his hay. It was still warm to the touch and was super clean.

I know it seems silly, but I have very much enjoyed searching out LRH's eggs. Each one she leaves is gathered gratefully and carried home gently to be eaten for breakfast. Her little presence at the barn has added a delightfully fun element to my routine. 

Thanks, Little Red Hen. Keep 'em coming!
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This one didn't make it.
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This is the first unbroken one that I found.
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And the very next day there was another ...
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This one was laid on Saturday as I was getting ready to head home for the day.
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Sydney isn't bothered by her presence at all.
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Even when she REALLY make herself at home!
Stephanie link
5/6/2013 11:51:56 pm

Aww! Sydney has a friend! We've got upwards of 20 chickens that we carefully "cluck over". They're funny, and our roosters are either too afraid of people to be mean (we bought him off of a free range farm) or hand raised by little kids, so friendly.

However, I was afraid of roosters too, for the same reason you were. But, I learned to get over it because the hens lay so much better when there is a roo around.

We're currently getting a dozen a day. If you're ever up in my neck of the woods (As close to Canada, and the puget sound, as you can be and still live in the US :) ), feel free to stop by and pick up some eggs :)

Karen
5/7/2013 10:31:43 pm

My fear of chickens is not as intense as it used to be, but LRH doesn't have to worry about me trying to pick her up or anything. She's really quite fun to watch!

We used to get fresh eggs from a neighbor when we had property. I would love to visit your farm ... someday! :0)

lytha
5/7/2013 12:08:43 am

i could have written the part where you discuss the rooster and the little girl. i think we feel exactly the same about chickens. that's so cute she is down in the feed tub! so what does speedy say about LRH?

Karen
5/7/2013 10:32:48 pm

Speedy tolerates her, but he's nowhere as relaxed as Sydney is. LRH doesn't hang out in Speedy's stall that I have seen. She must not get as good a vibe from him as she does from Sydney. :0)

Angela
5/7/2013 12:23:37 am

It's like your very own Easter Egg hunt every day. :-)

Karen
5/7/2013 10:33:16 pm

EXACTLY!!!! Found another one last night. :0)

Austen link
5/7/2013 01:09:58 am

What a completely adorable story! Love it.

Karen
5/7/2013 10:34:13 pm

Thanks! I really like LRH and hope she makes it through the summer. The neighbor suggested we get a few more and let them go free range, too!

Kelly link
5/8/2013 02:44:47 am

I love chickens and so want to have a few someday! Sydney is very tolerant :)

Karen
5/8/2013 09:59:05 am

I like having her around, and I am glad she is a bit shy of me because I am afraid that she'll launch herself at me one day. I would really freak out! Having one of two would be okay, but I couldn't walk into a coop filled with a bunch of them! :0)

Sarah link
5/8/2013 08:02:21 am

So cute!! My last barn (the one you visited) has a flock of wild, horse-eating chickens that live quasi-wild in the orange orchards and like to run out at the horses during lessons, haha! Sounds like your chicken is a much better barn chicken. =]

Karen
5/8/2013 10:02:18 am

Aaaaack!!!! When I first got Sydney, the chickens were kept in a coop in a "scary," dark corner just outside of my arena. When there were several chickens in there, that corner caused me no end of trouble as Sydney would spook hard when the chickens fluttered or moved. He couldn't see them, only hear them. He eventually got used to their occasional flutters and squawks. Had they run out at us, he and I would nave never made it! :0)


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    About the Writer and Rider

    ​I am a lifelong rider. 
    I began endurance riding in 1996 where I ultimately completed five, one-day 100 mile races, the 200-mile Death Valley Encounter, and numerous other 50, 65, and 75 mile races. I began showing dressage in 2010.
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    About Speedy G

    ​Speedy went from endurance horse to dressage horse. After helping me earn a USDF Bronze medal in the summer of 2020, he is now semi-retired. Speedy is a 2004, 15'1 hand, purebred Arabian gelding. His Arabian Horse Registry name is G Ima Starr FA.
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    Izzy was started as a four-year old and then spent the next 18 months in pasture growing up. I bought him as a six-year old, and together, we are showing at the lower levels. He is a 2008, 16'3 hand warmblood gelding. His Rheinland Pfalz-saar International (RPSI) name is Imperioso.
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Among other things, Karen is a Wife, Friend, Reader, Writer, Rider, Traveler, and Dog Lover
Contact her at bakersfielddressage@gmail.com
  • Home
  • About
  • My Horses
    • Horses
    • Imperioso
    • G Ima Starr FA
    • Sunshine
    • Nakota and Gideon
    • Corky
    • Sassy
    • Montoya DSA
    • Mickey Dee
    • Sydney
  • Show Results
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • Dressage Organizations
    • Dressage Organizations
    • Memberships
    • 2019 Dressage Tests
  • Local
    • Shopping List
  • Home