Hello all!
Today was my "official" day 1! So after spending Mon-Fri on a bus touring around Lexington and into Louisville and Cinncinati, today was my first day on the farm!
It was exactly what everyone warned me it would be. In a good way mostly! I was able to keep up with the stall cleaning, although they may have been going at a reduced speed since I was there lol... but I at least gave it my all to try and keep up! I got to see lots of mares, in foal and not, and was able to see what a "bagged up" mare looked like with some waxing and other signs of close labor. All in all, it was an educational day even though it was freezing!
I found out I will be on a rotation schedule, meaning each day I will be in a different barn with the exception of Wednesday since that is my day off to job shadow and volunteer, as well as get some KEMI homework completed. There are over 150 mares that are in foal and I will also be put on the "on call" list so if a mare goes at night I'll be able to go out and help, and see a foal being born!
I am looking forward to the coming weeks and especially everything I'll learn in that time. As far as little "notes to self" for the future... I need to pack more to eat at lunch, wear my overalls and muck boots in the morning, and just keep trucking through the morning chores!
Now for the fun part of the day. As Danielle, my roommate, and I were at supper after work we received a text from our other roommate asking when we'd be home.. Apparently there was a busted pipe from the freezing temperatures we've been having. We were extremely lucky enough to have Nikki here to catch it and cut the water off but the kitchen was basically a pond by the time she got to it! By the time Danielle and I had gotten home, Nikki was able to have a general contractor out who was able to get it fixed for the night and get us water since the shower was essential tonight!
It's amazing the people you meet when you move and you're nervous about your surroundings.. Jimi, the contractor, was amazing and we were so lucky to have him come to our rescue! As he said it, "help,help,help!!" Lol.. Inside joke I guess! We were able to get the water cleaned up and the floor moped to prevent the spread of our wading pool! Hopefully it can just hold off until Monday when the plumber comes to fix everything!
Well, it's time for bed for this chick! I will be having my second day of work tomorrow and need all the rest I can get while I can get it!
With love,
Melissa
Thank goodness for great roomies and good hearted people!
Turfway Park for some live racing and to watch the race we sponsored!