06/06/2026
Astro's big day!
After his cryptorchid surgery, Astro was on stall rest, then limited paddock rest, then 'meeting some new friends' easily and NOW is ready for more. And it is overdue! This beautiful c**t arrived at his momma's side at 9 months old. Because he was an intact c**t, we typically keep them with their mommas but not with other horses, so we can avoid any unwanted pregnancies. That was fine until we finally learned that he was a cryptorchid and he had to go into surgery. So now he is a 2 yo gelding without social skills. Such is the situation as it evolved, and now it is his time to learn to be a horse.
Astro moved yesterday across our campus to a field he knew, to reunite with his mother Skye and some of the geldings that he used to play with over the fence. While this sounded like a great idea to us, horses don't always agree! Skye is not sure how she feels about him returning, and Skye's new little entourage includes the pint size pitbull Chloe, who is eager to show her worth. Chloe kept driving Astro away and this confounded him. I swear he looked like a proper English gentleman being swatted at by a street urchin shouting, "I'll take him down at the knees!" in some accent similar to Audrey Hepburn in 'My Fair Lady'. And Skye ignored the entire exchange. Astro needs to work his way up the pecking order, by a herd's standards. Stymied by this tiny guard dog of a horse, he was keeping his distance, meanwhile the nearby thoroughbred mares Cinder and Serafina were practically drooling over the tall sorrel boy, so, we let the two mares and Astro out together instead. Lots of gorgeous galloping (or 'floating' if one is to watch Astro) and they were together for the night. Astro was still keeping an eye over the fence on mum, and for her part, she seemed to want to stay near. SO, hay was put out along either side of the adjacent fence, and minus one broken fence board, the night was passed quietly.
Early this morning, things were calm, and I could see Astro and Capala playing bitey-face over the fence, like old times. A great sign! I hustled out early, and found both Astro and Skye were each alone on their side, so the timing was perfect. The gate was quietly opened, and Astro quietly walked out and re-joined her. Now that Skye's herd has settled down, Astro is near them peacefully. Make no mistake, that is being allowed! No movement by a horse is accidental. So Astro is on his way to being part of her band again.
Today we have our usual Summer Saturday tour at 11 am, and then we have a special afternoon clinic with Dan McCarthy, Catskill Natural Horse , from 2-5 pm. We have three of these short, clinics this year, and they are a wonderful way to watch up close what we do at Rosemary Farm. The weather is cool, the mud is drying, and the herds are happy. It's going to be a beautiful day.
