Originally Posted by cdynaco

So... how was your week? I've had better but I'm not complaining. Out of sadness came opportunity to accomplish something I hadn't done before and had been mentally prepping myself for a few years now.

Grammie Chelse went down Tuesday, 3 months shy of 33. She went off her feed on Monday the 25th. Wouldn't even eat her senior pellet feed which she loved. Had a bit of a cough so maybe it was respiratory? Would nibble at hay but clearly wasn't getting enough each day to sustain her.

Mid week I heard the alpha stallion pitchin a fit in the evening so I went out and she was standing over in the back corner behind the trees by herself - like she went there to die alone. Hawkwind was pacing and yelling at her - kind of like "get over here next to me" or "don't you go over there to die, you get over here!!" It was amazing to watch. Stallions are so cool.

I looked out this Tues afternoon, saw she was laying down so I went to check on her. She was laboring to breathe. I tried to get her up but she was too weak. By the time I got things rounded up and back out there she was pretty well gone. So the bullet was just to make sure. I like the peaceful smile on her face.

I had hoped she wouldn't go down in the winter and I hoped I would have the strength to save her hide. Beautiful blue roan with blanket/spots. In '99 when I skinned the stallion my buddy did most the work, I just assisted. So I drug her to the corner away from the other horses, gathered tools and a spotlight and went to work. I did well. Done in 4 1/4 hrs (still sore), left only a bit of meat I need to flesh, and didn't cut through the hide once. First large animal I've done by myself.

I covered her with a tarp and left the spotlight on hoping that would keep coyotes away. Up several times during the night to make sure. Throughout the night pretty much the whole herd was whinnying like "get up Grammie - why aren't you getting up?"

Found a tanning kit for $65 (taxidermist wanted $400) so I've got work ahead of me. These pelts are just too nice to bury, and now Chelse Girl - the matriarch of my herd - will be immortal at my mountain lodge like Echohawk is - the patriarch of my herd.

'Tools of the trade' for Scott:
https://themustangsource.com/f649/yo...2/#post6595184
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Originally Posted by 11SHELBYGT500

Is your monkey avatar going to annoy me all season?

Originally Posted by Mustang Freak

Where is the monkey behind the Oriole logo?!?

Originally Posted by Flagstang

thats the worst pic of Spider-Man ever

Originally Posted by 11SHELBYGT500

It's a monkey. Like grape ape

Originally Posted by 11SHELBYGT500

It's a monkey. Like grape ape

Originally Posted by Evil_Capri

Hong Kong Phooey could destroy Grape Ape!!! (What?!)

Originally Posted by Flagstang

the ninja turtles and goku would own him

Originally Posted by Flagstang

and power puff girls

Originally Posted by 11SHELBYGT500

Haha Hong Kong Phooey was awesome. I didn't think you were that old.

Originally Posted by Mustang Freak

Ultraman!!!

Attachment 134942

Originally Posted by Mustang Freak

Ultraman!!!