Soggy weather

The warm up is finally here and the neighbors have their maple trees tapped for sap. (sorry about the American spelling of neighbours, mom!) I didn't Americanize 'mum'...we always spelled it 'mom' in our family! Today it poured and Bart and I had to unload atruckload of sawdust in the rain all afternoon. It's muddy out, although there are patches of ice lurking underneath. The weather is supposed to get cold again tomorrow though...surprise, surprise. Nola and the crew at the Harrisburg Expo report that all is going well. Jess on Coloso and Robbie on Dusty are both taking it in turns to lead Coloso's baby Tiro around the arena in the stallion and Paso demonstrations. Probably the first time in history that a breeding stallion has ponied his own weanling baby!!! At home all the horses are doing well and we're trying to get them out of the arena and on the trail.

Doc had a bellyache...

Doc is feeling much better today after colicking out of the blue yesterday. I found him down and grumbling about it at about four in the afternoon. Mike brought Banamine and he was feeling better within a few minutes of getting the shot. Today I dosed him with Probios, a probiotic powder. Gas colic can be caused by toxins realeased by the death of good bacteria in the caecum. It can have many different causes. Anyway, the Probios helps redress that balance. Also I bought the boys a salt block which they went to town on. Hopefully that will keep them drinking. So I told Doc I have now officially rescued him from death's door THREE times...

Never take cold medication while shopping online...

Nola and I got to ride in my lovely new Stubben Artus saddle today! I ordered it from the same tackstore I always deal with (Trumbell Mountain Tack) because they made me an offer I couldn't refuse! My other saddle is now languishing in the trunk of my car waiting to have it's e-bay pictures taken! Funny how you can convince yourself that something is comfortable when it isn't. I kept noticing my knees were killing me when I rode Monty. The new saddle is so roomy and comfy you forget you're in it. It started me wondering about how many people are riding HORSES that don't fit them. I wonder how many people out there 'make do' with a horse that isn't really 'comfortable'. For those who soldier on because they don't want to see the horse sold or go to to an uncertain future I salute them. But for those who's horses lack training, are spoiled or just plain aren't up to par...I feel for them!!!! Just as well you can't buy and sell THEM on ebay.

First outing of the year!

Well, the Birchtown show was adventurous! We had a spicy horse, a hyper horse, and then there was Rusty! As always Rusty was a super-trooper and I thought this photo that Shelley took today shows him off at his best. We saw some fabulous horses today and enoyed better weatehr than of late, AND the nice heated indoor arena. Erin and Will held the fort beautifully at home while we showed. Nicole was a big help at the show. Thanks everyone!

Survived the birthday!

The last couple of days have been hectic. Lots of appointments and lessons to take care of while taking care of the farm. Very hectic! Thanks to everyone for their kind birthday wishes and lots of cake! Thanks Mike, Shelley and Amy for the cakes! Anyway, Nola has exciting news from Florida where she purchased a fabulous Fino stallion for Roseanne. Very exciting news for everyone at the barn as this horse will be a phenom at the shows. Anyway, am trying to shake off the cold which has been threatening for a week before the Birtchtown show tomorrow.

" There is no beginning or end. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. "

Warmer weather!

Here's Tuffy enjoying the forty degree weather. Nola left for Florida this morning so the lunatics are running the asylum for ten days! Everything went smoothly today...helped along by the fact that it was warm out all day! The snow in the hayfield melted off enough that I could ride Sam and Lady out there. Doc and Tuffy are spending the night 'naked' for the first time in months. I realized just how busy we've been today when Maribelle asked where I wanted to go for lunch on Friday. I had forgotten that the 13th is my birthday! Quite remarkable that 35 feels THIS young.