DG Hell's Bells - A Devil's Garden mustang's story

04/17/2022

Well, it's been quite a while since we've posted. You know, life and all....
So, Bells has decided that Sheri is his equal and new playmate. Rough horse play and biting. He has no boundaries for her personal space. Not good.
Today, we put Merlin in with Bells to have a "horse" playmate and to learn personal space.
When Bells first arrived here, Merlin was very aggressive towards Bells. As time has gone by, Merlin has become an 'Over the fence' friend.
We put a drag line on Merlin and a grab rope on Bells.
All is going very well with their shared turn out.
Duchess does feel left out.....

03/25/2022

The horse is ALWAYS doing the right thing.
It's our responsibility to determine his decisions match our expectations

03/24/2022

Well, Bells had an appointment with our local veterinarian, at the beginning of April, to be gelded and to have his hernia repaired.
We got a call back from the veterinary staff that our Vet will not be able to do his surgery and has referred him to the surgical staff at Desert Pines in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This was not the news we wanted to hear.
Life with horses you love....you know how it goes....
We will be calling Desert Pines to ask about the best care he can get.
Oh, Hell's Bells, we love you little boy!!

03/23/2022

Well, Bells got his wrap off!

He was gleefully galloping around his paddock flapping the wrap around in the air like a flag when I went out this morning.
Duchess and Merlin were not impressed.....

His cut looks great! He left the bandage on long enough to do it some good!

03/21/2022

Bells got the cut on his lower fetlock cleaned really well after the temporary wrap. It's not a large cut, maybe 2", but, it does have a deep spot and a flap of skin that hangs down. I want to keep it clean and slightly immobilized to give the wound a better chance of healing quicker!
Bells was so good and has not touched the wrap!! I was sure he would pick at it and have it all undone by morning. He proved me wrong! I like that! Such a good boy!

03/20/2022

So, after running and bucking around his paddock, as well as playing in the giant puddle left by emptying his trough for fresh water, Bells got a wee injury.

He came out with Mary-Ann like a superstar! He stood nicely for inspection and cleaning. I rinsed, poked, and rinsed again. We decided to flush as best as Bells could take, then wrap after antiseptic wash and cream was applied. We will unwrap and reclean later today. The temporary wrap will keep it clean and soften some of the blood and stuff that was stuck to his hair. The more I picked and poked at the sore area the more agitated Bells got. I know it hurts! I want him to have good experiences when things are done to him. It's all about intact learning!

So, after being such a good boy and trooper, it was time to walk back to his paddock.
Oh, HELL'S BELLS!! Yahoo! What a little pi**er!! Took both Mary-Ann and I to get him back to the paddocks!! When babies are so good and well behaved, we often forget that they are babies. And babies are babies!!! Weeee.....that was fun!
Hell's Bells, you are a good boy!

03/19/2022

This is Bells when we got him on February 11th, 2022.

We needed to make a secure and safe place for him. He needed the companionship of our other horses, but, the safety of his own paddock.

He spent two days in a small panel area until we were able to divide the large paddock with an electric tape fence.

Bells was not happy in the panel enclosure. He bucked and kicked at the panels. He dumped his water several times. We exchanged his water tub for a larger one, and he put both front legs into it! As the other horse stood by a watched, he said, "Oh no!! I'm stuck in this giant thing!" He wasn't... after ignoring him, but, watching from our window, he got his legs out and went back to eating his hay.
Not to be out done by the water trough drama, Bells did manage to cast himself against the panel side. He got his neck under the bottom rails. One front leg over the next rail up and one front leg under his shoulder. He got one hind leg through and stuck on an upper rail and the other hind leg under the panel.
He did an awesome job!! He was stuck good!! Mary-Ann and I had to take apart the panels to free him from his present situation.

Now he has his own large paddock. Bells is still trying to figure out and understand this electric fence thing!

He is a smart boy!

03/19/2022

Hello everyone, near and far!!
Thank you for visiting our page!
This is DG Hell's Bells!

Bells turned one year old yesterday, March 17th!! What a great time to start his story!

He got his mane combed and a bridle path trimmed. It was his first time being trimmed with scissors! He thought it was kinda strange, but, stood so nicely while I trimmed. (A bridle path is when one trims the mane right behind the ears, about 2" long and down to it's base. This makes a nice, smooth, unlumpy path for top of the halter or bridle to be fitted on the horse's head.)

Bells helped me find select grooming tools. He liked my gloves and towel the best. He was disappointed that there were no peppermint treats, once he emptied everything and got to the bottom of the grooming box.

So, what is everyone's guess as to what color Bells will be once he sheds his foal and winter coat?? Can't wait to see!

03/19/2022

03/19/2022