Full Celebration! Rosie Skitters and Gads

We drove by this little pasture fence and were about to step into the field where Rosie began her calls of love to the stallion. And right after this photo was taken, Rosie did a little jump skittering start and I told her "Oh, be quiet girl, Don't be silly." And Leslie told me that she could tell that I ride thoroughbreds. Yeah, thoroughbreds and explosive little registered stock Paints!! Everyone needs a little word of encouragement when they skitter and start. Namaste.

Renny and Lily!

Here is a New Year's Eve photo of Renny giving Lily a kiss. This photo was just three weeks ago, since I am writing on January 24th, but seeing it makes me realize that my little guy hasn't gotten bigger already! He's a super boy!

Full Celebration! Beauty as Far as the Eye Can See

Namaste.

Mother's Day with My Critters!

Today was a wonderful day. Yesterday, I visited my horses and then went for a walk with a friend and played shuffleboard. I went to bed at 9pm and then was called a half hour later to the news that my friend's lost cat returned after more than a week hiding in the woods. I woke up this morning, happy in my bed with my dog and cats. I walked Zelia, enjoyed my cats, read the paper, visited my horses. Violet and Hailee were wonderful when I ministered to them. I am treating V's gnats and H's thrush. They love each other very much and love me too. I felt so proud as I walked my girls back to the paddock, a beautiful girl on each side, walking happily with their mom and each other. Then I hung out with my little Renny, as Karla, Lexi, Chippy, Taz and I enjoyed the green grass and Spring breeze. Then I worked in my garden for a long time and went for a walk.

And, to put a little cherry on top of my mother's day, I went to a new saddle shop in town and ordered cowboy boots and a straw cowboy hat! I'm glad I placed my order on mom's day! Here's a quote from Mark Twain which expresses my feelings about my horses, "I can always tell what is the front of a horse, but beyond that, my art is not above the ordinary."

Renny Bugs Sedona!

Here is a New Year's Eve photo of Renny pestering his best pal, Sedona. He likes to ring in the new year by being a cute boy!

Full Celebration! Crossing the Prairie

I love this photo because it gives you not only a sense of what it must have been like for our relatives in the 19th century (and even early 20th), but also because it shows you the beauty of Gayla. The pastures and fields we crossed were active hay-producers. And in the Spring cool breeze and sunshine, it was just the most amazing experience.

Scruffy!

Here is a photo taken on January 1st, 2009! New Year's Day! My dirty, scruffy, ill-kempt, naughty girls were giving each other a morning grooming. Even caked in mud, you can see the healthy glossy glow and the look of champions. What a sweet girl that Violet is!

Full Celebration! Rosie Steps Out!

Here we are, beginning our adventure. Rosie had a lighter feel to her than the more heavy-headed Breimer. She seemed livelier and more interested in her surroundings. It was actually kind of fun to drive two such very different horses back to back. I learned a great deal from that process alone!

Violet at Breakfast!

I am the luckiest girl I know -- a thoroughbred loves me. Count Fleet's granddaughter thinks that she's my daughter. She likes me to sit on that ledge of her hay crib and stroke her ears and forehead as she chomps hay. We spend many happy breakfasts together. She at her hay, and me with my cup of joe in my horsie "Good morning!" mug! She and I are in perfect accord -- we are spectacular!

Full Celebration! Rosie the English Dale

On that Friday, April 24th, my second lesson of that eventful day was with Rosie, a very rare English Dale. She was beautiful. She looked like a Hailee-sized version of a Friesan. Her trainer, Leslie, just quickly and efficiently did a beautiful job of braiding her lovely mane and forelock and putting on ear protectors and so here you see her, lovely and ready for a drive! Rosie is such a rare creature that when she was taken to a breed show, judges from England were so very excited to see her. They are thinking about breeding her. And I have to say, I hope they do! When we were on our drive, Rosie shouted out girly opinions to the stallion on the next farm over, and he called longingly for her. Their vocal flirtation was pretty humorous!

Spring 2009!

I've been sleeping with the windows open at night recently and I have to laugh because I wake up in the middle of the night and Jackass and Zelia are standing at the foot of the bed, peering into the dark yard of our next door neighbor, watching the midnight wanderings of the neighborhood bunnies and cats.

This morning I woke up and Zelia and I took a foggy clammy birdsong-filled walk. It was a wonderful Spring start. We're supposed to get thunderstorms today, but the world sure looks beautiful. Yesterday, it was raining a little as I went to the stable, so I collected the mares and babies and then my good old mares in the damp and mist of a brilliant green world. Violet and I hung out together, as I sat on the sill of her stall and we peeked out at the world. She played her "making faces" game. Renny was happy with himself and Hailee was glad to be part of our crowd. We are all very happy for Spring.

These photos and video were taken yesterday morning as I walked into work. They are just beautiful trees! Happy Spring! Namaste!

Foundation Mare at Breakfast!

Here's my glossy shiny mud-covered foundation mare, child of Easy Jet, at leisure at breakfast. You can't imagine the restful sound of her chomping the hay, nor the happy nickering blowing of air of horses in their stalls. Breakfast time is a joy.

Full Celebration! Breimer and His Pal

Here I am at the end of my first Gayla driving center lesson. I am happy beyond belief in this photo. I had a wonderful time driving this lovely Norwegian Fjord, plus for the little cherry on top, I was Full!!

Hailee's Birthday!

Yesterday, Cinco de Mayo, was Hailee's 9th birthday! She spent the day with Chippy and her sweet sister, Violet. Hailee is a mean, solitary creature, so it's actually pretty darn funny how much she likes Vi. She lets Vi bump into her, cuddle, tussle. She likes when she puts her nose on hers when they are grazing. She doesn't mind when Vi stands hip to hip with her at the gate when they are asking to come in from an afternoon grazing. In all respects, she seems genuinely happy to have a sister! They are good for each other! Happy Birthday, my cranky old girl! I am shopping for a stallion for her again. As Doug said yesterday, her first foal is looking good. He is a handsome little fella. And full of himself and spry and confident! So, I think it would be fun to try this experience again!