The farrier came today to trim the horses' hooves. When he was about halfway through I noticed something out of the corner of my eye- it ended up being the most enormous skunk I had ever seen. I didn't get a photo of that one, unfortunately, but it wasn't long before another showed up, and I was able to snap a few pictures. They were both on a mission, I assume they were looking for each other, as this is the time of year they seek each other's company. They investigated every vehicle, the horse trailer and most unfortunately, us. They found Isabelle especially interesting- and vice versa- and she is just enough of a daredevil that she pushed her luck and was chased back to the house in short order. It doesn't take much of a threat from a skunk to make you rethink your intentions.
For those of you who aren't around skunks often, I can tell you- well, actually, I cannot think of a word that will convey to you how unbearable their odor is. Not only when they spray, but constantly- I suppose when they do spray enough of it stays on them that it will make your eyes water at 50 yards. Unbelievable.
Needless to say, this put quite a kink in the farriers' routine, as we would have to stop and move out of the way as the skunks came over to see if we were hiding the skunk of the opposite sex. You don't tell a skunk where to go. I have never seen as many skunks as I have since we moved here. While they are interesting in their own way, the assault they inflict upon my senses keeps me from ever wanting to investigate in depth.
