Apologies

My apologies, blogger friends. I can't get into my blog from my own computer. I can't post, I can't sign in, and I can't leave comments. I looked it up in blogger's help, and lots of folks are having this problem. One user said she could sign in from a different computer but not her own, and that seems to be working for me too. I'll get this fixed!

After the Storm

Cool and Rainy

The pastures were crunching when we walked, so we are grateful for the moisture.  Really.  But it can stop now.  The boys are on lock-up, stalls and runs only.   That's because they were leaving great divots in the pastures.  Here's a couple Paj made just hand-grazing -

Imagine what this would cause -

It's not about keeping the pastures looking pretty;  it's about safety.  Those divots dry that way, and we don't want anybody catching a hoof. 

Between rain and extra horse-time in the runs, the gravel was getting a bit thin.  So today we refreshed the gravel pile, and David spent the day spreading it in the runs.  We haven't had to add gravel since August of 2009 (click here), so that's not too bad.  As you can see from the picture, it's cold enough for hat, gloves and heavy jacket.  The boys are in blankets.  Sigh.

In spite of the rain, the footing in the lunge pen is pretty darn good.  Paj had a nice lunge today.  And (drum roll, please) David got on Ben!  I missed the photo op - he sat on him just long enough to tell him what a good boy he is.  Yay!  Ben's first "ride"!  It was completely uneventful, which is exactly what we want.

Oh goody, the rain has changed to snow.  Oh joy.

How can I help?

This adorable little girl is Kezia.

She shares a home with my favorite blogging goat, Isobelle Golightly, and she needs  a big bad surgery.  Another of my favorite bloggers, Texan, is coordinating a blogger campaign to raise funds for this tiny rescue.  She's provided links to blogs that are donating lovely homemade items for sale for Kezia. 

It got me thinking about how I could help.  I'm a horse servant, not a crafter!  Besides being a consumer, all I could come up with is to spread the word.  Maybe you'd like some lovely handmade goat soap.  Or some gorgeous handspun yarn.  Or maybe you're lucky enough to need an adorable goat coat!  If so, check out the links in Texan's link!

Best of luck, little Kezia.

Happy Birthday, Paj!

Paj is 12 years old today!

Here's my big guy when he was just 3 months old.

Aww, cute!

Happy Birthday, sweet prince.



May

I planted out my seedlings

on a warm summer day.

I washed the heavy horse blankets

and stored them all away.

I didn't think it'd snow

in the second week of May.

Was it only yesterday

Ben wore his riding tack?

I put weight in the stirrup

and I laid across his back.

If summer ever comes

we'll be ready for a hack.

Fun with Clydes

What a nice day!  Diana and Bob came to see their two beautiful Clydesdales.  First it was Ben's turn.  He's been here a week tomorrow.  David has had the driving surcingle on him, so today Bob added the collar and breeching.  Then they took him for a walk.  No problem!

David, Ben, Bob

Next it was Boomer's turn.  Diana drove him today.  What a good boy!

Boomer, Bob, Diana

After work, it's treat time!

Ben thinks peppermints are OK!



Does it get any better?  Why, yes it does!  We turned them out together for the first time, and it was completely uneventful.  We had done our homework over the last week, putting them side-by-side in runs, in pasture and paddock, and even hand grazing.  So we thought we were ready, but still you worry.  And yay!  No screaming, no kicking, no schoolyard bullies. 

Happy-happy.

Happy Birthday Aunt Leola!

My beautiful aunt is 99 years old today.  In my mind, she's frozen in time like this -

The picture was taken about the time I left home for the big world.   Sharon did a post awhile back on How We See People .  For me, it's like a parallel universe.  Of course I know my aunt is 99, but in my mind she will always be the sweet and gentle woman you see here.



More of the Same

Today was a repeat of Monday, with just a bit of new.

We borrowed Boomer's driving surcingle and put it on Ben.  He couldn't care less. 

He wasn't quite  sure about being groomed in cross-ties, but a few treats and some kind words eased his mind.

We drove Boomer down to neighbor Chuck's - he was excellent!

So today was a lot like Monday.

Without the snow.

It's All About the New Guy

In the morning, Ben and Reggie stayed in their runs while Paj went out to pasture and Boomer had a drive.  Boomer was full of energy!  When we finished with Boomer, he babysat Ben while Reggie played in the paddock.  We didn't want to leave Ben alone on his first day.

Big Ben in his run

All the  horses came in for lunch, and in the afternoon David and Ben had a very short get-acquainted leading session in the lunge pen.  We wanted to assess Ben's ground manners and vocabulary.  It went great!  He listens, he's respectful, and he knows the most important words a driving horse needs - ho, stand, come left, come right. 

When a horse is this big, manners count!

After his 15 minute workout, he had his first turn in the pasture while Boomer babysat from the paddock.  Boomer is feeling much more comfortable with the new guy. 

But now playtime is over, and everyone is locked inside.  Because it's snowing.  Sidewards.  Again.

Welcome, Big Ben

He's here!  What a handsome boy he is!  These snapshots don't remotely capture how handsome he is, but I wanted to share his first day.  I'll get some full-body shots soon.

New owners Diana and Bob with Big Ben

Me, David, Big Ben, Bob

and Paj's nose

Friend Jan

Meeting Boomer

Making friends with Paj

The horses each have a different opinion of the new guy.  Reggie is indifferent.  Paj thinks he's really really neat-o.  And Boomer is a tiny bit jealous.  We will be spending a lot of time reassuring Boomer in the next few days.  David, Paj and I are thrilled to welcome Big Ben.