Fern’s Great Escape And The Third Grader Herd

Send us Fan Mail The weather finally shifts in the high Colorado Rockies, and that one change touches everything when you live off grid with horses. We open with an honest update on Merlin and what it looks like to care for an aging horse when you suspect the next winter may be too much. We talk about the day-to-day signals we watch, why “pain” is a tricky word, and how our focus stays on comfort, connection, and making sure his time with us feels safe and valued. Then monsoon season shows its teeth. Rain is a gift after months of dry ground, but slick footing can be dangerous, especially for a senior horse who circles and crab walks. We explain why straw can be the wrong choice in a paddock, and how we use pine shavings to change the grip and stability of the dirt so Merlin can keep his balance. After dark, the calm disappears. A fence panel comes apart, the herd erupts, and a dust cloud forms so thick Alex can barely see the pens. Fern is suddenly out, weaving through pine and aspen with downed timber everywhere. We walk through how we find her, how we use voice and presence to slow the chaos, and what happens the moment she’s back where she belongs. We finish with practical summer horse management: flies, bees, and water access. From daily manure cleanup to fly predators, ranch fly traps, specific bait, and careful fly spray use, we share what works for us at 9,300 feet. If you’ve got better tricks, we want them. Subscribe, share this with a horse friend, and leave a review so more off-grid and equine folks can find the show.