Pictures of Cuteness

From the files. Can't believe she is now 13!

Not Brooklyn. She is only 7

Wordless Wednesday

This time last year Biz was with us. I wonder how she is doing in her new home?

A Further Update on The Acreage

Today after 5 weeks and one day, I was able to bring Elaine home. She is very week, but in good spirits. The prognosis is it will be a long slow recovery, but she is back home and likely will do better here.

We have had a few viewings on the property, plus one low ball bidder who was politely told "Not on your Life".

Alpine

Biz

Today, as I said, Elaine came home and our two horses, Biz and Alpine, were sold to an ideal family. Mom has ridden forever and 13 year old daughter was looking for a replacement horse due to her old Appy being of an ancient nature. The family also rides chuck wagons which means the other horses are a little hot for   riding. Mom and daughter are going to have fun sorting out who gets which horse. They also do not sell to market, and that is a promise i got from them.

On top of these two pluses, my son found a buyer for the hay that we just purchased, so we aren't out that money. Letting the horses and hay go to the future buyer of the property, would have meant that we would have no control over the life style situation of the horses.

The last item, which may not be a plus, is that Boots is officially retired. When the trailer was loaded with the horses and closed up, he had to go all around sniffing to see if he could get to them. Both horses walked right into the trailer as if they did it every day! When we bought Alpine, she loaded easily. Biz had only been in a trailer once before. talk about good horses!

When the new owner climbed up on Biz, Biz wasn't very happy, so I took a little ride in the corral. Same with Alpine. I just had to get a few minutes in the saddle before they departed.

My back sort of let me know that the rides were probably not a good idea, but what the heck, it was worth it! The back is still bruised  6 weeks after the buck off, but is doing fairly well all things considered. I met a young nurse in the hospital today that sort of looked at me funny. She finally asked if I was the guy that got tossed off a horse. When I said that I was, she said she was the nurse that admitted me. I had to apologize and say that I really don't remember very much of those two days.

Any way, the work load around here just dropped way off. Now Boots and I, and Elaine can sit on the deck drinking tea until the house sells. Ha!

The next step now is to photograph and list a large dog crate, dog cage, and three saddles.

Finally, Some Horse Time!

The last couple of days are the first time in about a month that I was able to get out and ride. Today was Biz's turn. The monster mulching machine had just done the pipeline right-of-way just down from our place. I took Alpine down the trail two days ago, and she was awesome. There were a few things that she was cautious about, but we worked through those OK.

 The path is very well chewed up dirt and wood chips from the mulcher, and was generally great for footing, although a little slippery in spots.

 Biz had no trouble with this giant, horse-eating sample box. She went right up to it as if she saw these things every day. Alpine had to be talked by it both ways.

 After the ride i hosed down both horses since they were both sweaty, Biz from riding and Alpine from running up and down our fence line. She doesn't like it when I "steal" her herd mate.

The look in the eye says that 1 1/2 hours was enough for an out of shape horse.

  Biz was not co-operating for the photo shoot, so here is one more of Alpine.

Boots and Friends

It's another warm, sunny day, and not much to do except eat and watch horses. Boots spends the majority all of his time standing guard. He has amazing patience.

Biz will be the victim for some road riding this afternoon.

Early Spring!

The last few days have been great, with another 10 days to come! Temperatures have been above freezing by up to 5 degrees Celsius and I have been able to do outside chores with no jacket or gloves! I took 5 wheelbarrows of "black gold" out of the horse paddock today and filled the horse trough with water. Putting off what I should have done earlier paid off. Working with hose and water when it's not -40C (-40F) like last week was much more enjoyable!

Biz... aka "the Culprit

After several (many) attempts to tip over my wheelbarrow, I decided to saddle up the culprit and get her to show some respect. For some reason, she likes to tip over wheelbarrows, preferably when they are full.

The ride was great! She behaved, the roads had very little traffic on them and we picked up 2 dogs along the way for the walk.

When you look at that face, how can you stay mad at her?

January Ride

The day was great, with a temperature right at the freezing mark. There was no need for gloves, but I took them anyway. A neighbor stopped to chat on the way home and took the picture for me. Biz was very well behaved (as usual) and enjoyed the chance to get out of the pasture a see some newer scenery.

In the next subdivision over, a large track hoe was excavating for a new building. I am sure that she has never seen one operating and making all the clanking and banging noises. We moseyed on up and watched it work for a while. Other than keeping one ear on the machine and the other ear on me, it was a non event.

We had to stick to the roads because the field snow is up to my boot tops (when saddled). We tried an entrance, but gave it up as I did not want to get Biz all sweated up. Besides she and I are both a little out of shape.

Still Snowing!

When it's snowing and only -5 C (23F), it's a good day for a ride. There was no wind and the trails were eerily silent. Alpine here, was not very happy with me because just before the ride, I dosed her with the deworming medicine. It must taste awful as all three horses wanted no part of it. Any way, that's one task done for a while. Hooves are good until a trimming around Christmas. Now all there is left to do is try and work some riding in.

 Boots and Brooklyn accompanied me on the two hour ride. Boots was in much better condition than Brooklyn, who assumed her favourite sleeping position.

Only 6 more days to the U.S. election. We don't get much news about it in Canada, but I try to follow it on the internet. It is much the same as in Canada, lots of hype and not many detailed plans. Can anybody tell me why states like Virginia, are considered to be "swing" states?

What 2 Days Do

The clear, bright snow of two days ago has turned to MUD. To see what it was like click here 2 Days Ago

By tomorrow, the warm days and rain will have made all the white stuff gone.

The old road is hardly recognizable now, and the bent over trees have straightened up.

One good thing about two black horses is that it is hard to see the mud from a distance. I brushed them down yesterday and trimmed the feet on two horse. One more to go!

Even closer up, they don't look too bad. (Just kidding). After a Dr. appointment tomorrow morning, it is going to be "Ride a Horse Day", if it isn't raining.Two Days Ago

Hot, Hot, Hot!

 It's sitting at +30C (86F) and the humidity is way up there. This is very warm for us. To compound the issue, the mosquitoes are out in droves. I just brushed Biz's face off and already you can see them starting to land. From+5C (41F) the other night to this!

 The horses spent most of the day in the shelter, coming out only for periodic feedings.

 Boots is still on guard, making sure nothing happens to his herd.

Days like this cause a guy to wish for snow! Do you know, it was really too hot to even saddle up a horse, which was my goal early this morning.

Peaceful Thursday

It was another work day today. All the gardens are now planted and it looks like it's going to rain. Yahoo! I hauled a bunch of blocks out of the septic field area. One block would just fit in the wheelbarrow. After a few other small jobs, I decided to take a bit of a walk. Boots decided that he would leave his horses and come along. He had to bring a stick for me to toss.

Coming back, he was a little worn out.

What do you mean, who's watching the horses?

I still have these piles to move out, someday.

 biz had enough grass and was talking to me about returning to the field for some water. Now that she has lost most of her winter coat, her scar is showing up again. It appears that she caught a hoof when she was a youngster and the owner at the time just left it. The same thing happened with the hole in her neck from a horse bite. Scarred up, short in the tail and mane, she is big of heart and will go where the others won't without complaining.

The Girls ( plus Friend)

Spring time is not the time to be taking portraits because all three of the Girls are shedding like crazy. I have been brushing almost daily, but they still look like woolly mammoths. What can I say? They are horses and aren't too worried about "lookin' good", even though they are all mares.

Tucker's Fire Star aka  "Tucker "

 Tucker is 23 this year and is still going strong, well, slowing down a little. She gave up being the alpha mare when Alpine showed up on the scene, without even a fuss. Tucker is now number 2 in the herd between Alpine and Biz.

Masten Alpine Black Magic aka "Alpine "

Alpine is the queen. When the ears go back and the neck goes forward, it means one of three things:  

1. Coming through! I am the Boss. 

2. Don't muss with 1150 pounds of PMS! 

3. You are too near my feed, my friend, or________ (fill in the blank. 

Biz aka "Biz "

What can I say? Biz is now eight years old, laid back and gentle. She is a nice horse to ride and has good manners.

I put the AKA in just to make her feel good. It makes her feel like royalty having a title.

No paddock pictures today as it is a sea of mud, and you know, the stuff that horses produce. Yecht!

Oh yeah, the "Friend" is still on guard in case you missed him.

Spring? Continues

At plus 6 C (43F), I decided to take a break and go for a ride. The day was bright and sunny, and the road ways, and fields were not very icy. Biz was the victim of choice, and let it be known that
 A: It was warm,
 B: She was tired,
C: Her buddies were not going with her.
D: Did I mention it was warm?

Anyway, once awakened  saddled up, she was very cooperative. A few turns around the pasture and then the open road. There is a pretty good hill going south from our place and she decided that she wanted to lope it. I figured that it was a good way to burn off some extra energy. After that we trotted down  a subdivision side road and a big field. That got her sweating and wanting to return home. Her toes are in need of a trimming, but served real well as anti-slip extensions on the hard pack. With the country around here, we let the horses go barefoot year round. Knock on wood, I have not had a horse go down yet.

The picture is a before one. The after one of a sweaty, rolled in the snow horse was not very flattering.
The question to be answered, " Who is the worst out-of shape, Biz or me?"

Tomorrow will be the answer. Fortunately, there is church in the morning and the Superbowl in the afternoon. Perhaps the next victim will be Alpine. Tucker is in heat and I prefer not to ride an 1100 pound horse with attitude (PMS?)