Out with the Old

It's taken me 4 long years, but I am finally cleaning my closets of full horse size tack and items (you can see them on ebay). It's amazing how much I accumulated for 1 horse. But then he was a special horse. We did a lot together.

The last couple days - or week- have been cold again. So on the farm, not much has been going on. Just basically maintenance.

Although - my youngest stallion, Smokie, decided to show me how talented he was. He thought he could be like his Daddy and beat the heck out of a jolly ball. Well he eventually did--but not before he had all four hooves up in the air! I never laughed so hard. It didn't help that he was on glare ice when he decided he was going to beat the jolly ball up. Guess that is what made it so funny.

He did get right up and shook himself off - then proceeded to beat the jolly ball.

Beating a jolly ball is an art. You can't just do it like normal. You have to craft your approach. Build up to the stomp. And generate an effective dismount. You might think this was easy, but obviously in Smokie's case, it wasn't that easy.

An odd thing has been going on in the stallion pasture. They have a full size 4X5 round bale of hay for the enjoyment when they are out there. Right now, it is about 12 feet from its original location. Giant Jolly Ball?

Tulip has been a bit gassed up this week. I suppose it does have to do with my adding a little extra feed to try to put a few extra pounds on her before we start training. But she has been fun to watch. Actually all the mares have been fun to watch. They too have hay in their pastures - 2 round bales. One on each end of their pastures. Their movement is about every hour and a half. One group of mares will move to the other bale and push the younger ones off to the other bale. Of course how they go about going to the other bale is a whole other story in itself. It is never mundane in their pasture.

Back to Tulip. I have been working on her setting up when I stop her. I try to remember to say 'Whoa' everytime I do, but its about 50/50 right now. But a snap on her lead tells her she should whoa. So tonight I was bringing her and her roomate in for feeding and the night, I put her roommate up and popped the end of the lead accidentally. And to my amazement (or maybe I am just expecting it now??) she stretched out and lifted her head, put her ears up and of course - WAITED FOR PRAISE! Spoiled? Hmmm.

My other little filly, which I have been most concerned about because she is the smallest in the mare pasture, was put in with the youngsters about a month ago. She is back up to her normal self and is happily trotting along side me, trying to figure out what trouble she can get into. I am happy with this development.

On the pregger mare front. The one due on March 25th, has stopped bagging. Thank goodness! I keep whispering in her ear the usual - "FILLY!!!!", but also I add, not until March 25th! So she has slowed her development.

My best mare is coming along nicely and yes I whisper in her ear everyday as well 'FILLLY!!!!' Not that I would not be upset with a colt. Smokie is such a beautiful boy, but--I have enough boys for now, Thank you!

My next best mare, or I should say bestest mare is due in May and she is coming along nicely. I just heard from the great grandson of the founders of the AHHS - that the mare I bought last year is from a long line of National Champions and was impressed that I was able to obtain her. he also noted that this line produces the smaller versions of their breed. So I am very pleased to hear that. I can't wait for the "FILLLYY" from her this year.

So the past few days I have done much shopping on ebay. What a great garage sale out there! I found some much needed Hackney Journals, Hackney World and other small equine magazines that are vintage or close to vintage ages. And at decent prices too! That's how I met the great grandson of the founder of AHHS. He says he misses the mags. That's nice to know.

So out with the old - but finding some old to come in too.