Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Carson & Barnes #4


Posted by Buckles at 12/01/2015 05:17:00 AM

4 comments:

Patricia said...

1988- MacDermott Moose!

01 December, 2015 09:26
Chic Silber said...


Antlers in the treetops

Or Who Goosed The Moose

(Is the plural Meese)

01 December, 2015 10:37
Richard Reynolds said...

They are hard animals to keep. Very particular about what they will eat. Note that McDermott is being fed fresh browse. They like that. There are references to moose on circuses in the old days, but I have some reservations.

To begin where would a show get fresh browse, even if the handlers knew that's what they need. They could not be carried in conventional cage wagons because they are too tall - -a big adult male can be nearly 7 ft. And the width of the male's antlers could inhibit the ability to turn around in a cage wagon.

A special wagon like Pat's could be used with the moose being shown in a pen like Pat's.

Handled as lead stock might be a possibility, but the moose would have to very docile. They can become real killers.

04 December, 2015 17:38
Patricia said...

Mr. Reynolds: Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
You are correct. Diet is very important. I researched for over a year before I bought MacDermott (quite a task, remember no internet then)and settled on a custom feed I had specially made for him and shipped to me on the road, cut up fruits and veggies daily, timothy hay, and browse. The browse was critical; his favorites maple, willow and cottonwood are found everywhere, and I would stop each morning on the way to the lot and cut him fresh browse. Some days I had to be creative, I remember knocking on a lady's door one day and asking if she'd used pesticides of any sort in her yard, and if not could I cut some of her willow tree! (She said no she hadn't, and yes I could)

He had an air conditioner in the stall area, since moose submerge in water when they are hot, not very practical on the road. It worked well, just don't let him get too hot in the first place...

My boy only got one round of antlers, they were small (more like antennae I used to joke he could get 60 channels) The big problem was that when the antlers were growing and were in velvet they were so delicate. I had plans to further pad his stall the following year to help protect them. He laid down when we moved, very convenient.

I had every intention of riding him, he would already accept a bit (a rubber covered snaffle)and tolerate a saddle without consequence. He had slipped on some ice before I picked him up- at 5 mo. old- and injured his leg. I took him anyway, and had surgery on his shoulder at the University of Colorado in Fort Collins. Long story longer, he was happy, healthy, funny, cooperative, but sadly he passed away abruptly one evening shortly after arriving back in Hugo from a stroke, a blood clot which apparently traveled to his brain related to his surgery. The local vet said: "Well, besides being dead, he appears completely healthy." I was heartbroken.

A final comment on his temperment. He was an absolute gentle lamb, day in, day out. BUT- during the rut (Oct.-Nov.) his aggression was indeed dangerous. I had already concluded he'd probably have to be castrated before the rut kicked in the following year. Oh my word. I could go on and on, but I won't.

Since the stroke diagnosis was somewhat speculative, I couldn't bring myself to try again. But he was wonderful, delightful. A silly looking fellow who truly touched my heart.

05 December, 2015 08:51

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