Drive-by Horse Ownership

That's how it feels right now - like I am a drive-by horse owner. Between the early darkness of winter, the cold and ice, and being ill, seeing Abby has been difficult recently. Today, for the first time in over ten days, I finally was able to get the the barn before darkness fell.

There had been snow flurries all day, and it was windy, so the ground had a dusting of snow. The grass was crunchy from rain that fell earlier this week which had frozen as the temperatures dropped. Abby and her pals were at the hay rack by the old barn.

It was too windy, cold, and slippery to walk out to see her, and I didn't want to make her come see me, so I simply did a visual check as best I could, made sure there was water in the trough, and then turned the car around and went home.

I will be glad when winter breaks and spring returns so I can see Abby more often. I miss her.

Nor This!

I didn't do this, either!

Of course, my horse wasn't Trigger, although that may not make a difference...

(I can hardly believe they allowed Roy Rogers to bring Trigger into a hospital!)

Meeting the Herd

Kyle and his family are in town, so we had to make a barn visit so the kids could meet Abby and the herd. Vanessa and Curt came along to do a family photo session for them.

Braden samples a carrot that is for Abby and her pals.

Abby put her head up as I drove up the lane (see her white blaze?) but she dawdled a bit before coming up for a visit.

That was okay because Vanessa was shooting those family pictures. No one was going to get any carrots until that was done. (Okay, so I slipped a few peppermints to Abby anyway.) Mason was nosy and had to get close to the photo session.

Abby still led the herd up. Not sure if that means she's greedy or if she just likes my company! Probably a mix of both, truth be told.

Uncle Curt holds Addie while Braden offers Abby one of those big carrots.

Even mud-encrusted, I think Abby is beautiful.

Hokey has gotten a little obnoxious lately when treats are being served. I may have to quit giving them to him. He is such a sweetie - what is up with this face??

The kids wanted to come in the barn and see Tim's sleigh, buckboards, mail wagon, jail wagon, and buggies. I think this is actually a carriage, possibly a surrey.

Love these two little sweetie pies.

Didn't Do This, Either

You know, the more I find pictures like these online, the more I think my family should quit being so shocked over the fact that I brought my horse into the house!

Tucked Away

I sometimes take alternate routes to places I need to go, especially if it's through the countryside. I like to discover hidden places or surprises (such as the elk farm that I found out near Mulberry when going to visit my dad) and it's fun to see what pops into view.

Yesterday I went 140 West as I drove to the barn. I've driven it before, the first time being surprised to discover this old and stately beauty:

As West Lafayette grows to the north, it is creeping closer and closer to this brick home from Tippecanoe County's earlier history.

My mother told me it used to be an inn and possibly a mail stop. I can easily envision carriages pulling up to it, women in long skirts or beautiful gowns climbing out and being escorted inside by men dressed in frockcoats and cravats. (Okay, so maybe I have read a few too many British historical novels.)

Currently I am reading Alexandre Dumas' masterpiece, The Three Musketeers. When I read about the out of the way places they meet as they work to thwart Lord Richelieu's machinations, I picture this place in my imagination.

If only this beautiful old building could divulge its secrets. En garde!

Who's That??

I finally got out to the barn this afternoon. Abby was so happy to see me - I got lots of those nickers she does that melt my heart, and she hung out with me at the gate for quite a while. I didn't go in the pasture - it's in the fifties so the snow has all melted and mud is everywhere.

My beautiful mare was caked!

Mason and Hokey were out being ridden by Mason's owners, and Tim was saddling up Diablo and Trouble for himself and Brandon to ride. Abby was fine without her herdmates, but Dolly was nervous, pacing and whinnying, then standing still, listening, and repeating the cycle.

Abby ignored her. Until...

Dolly turned to the south and nickered to Mason and Hokey who were down on the trail behind the woods and coming into sight. Before she was done, a whinney was returned. Abby popped her head up in surprise, turning to look in the direction of the other neigh, and Dolly stood stock still, staring at where the whicker had seemed to originate.

She neighed again, with the same response. Something about it struck me as a bit odd. Then Abby nickered in the same direction, getting a similar response, only the nicker was higher pitched than the previous response. In fact, it sounded like...

Abby.

It was an echo! The girls' neighs were echoing back to them, and they were a bit confused. Abby figured it out after a second neigh and returned to hanging out with me, but I don't think Dolly ever did. She even gave a squeal and a little buck, and then trotted a few yards to a different spot where she neighed again. But her change in position meant there was no more echo.

Abby contented herself by staying by my side, having her ears and throat scratched, and crunching a bunch of candy canes. (Minty fresh breath on a horse is nice, but I prefer the sweet smell of hay. Abby's vote, though, is most definitely for candy canes!)

Yep! Did This, Too!

Yes, I did this, too:

Only on horseback and at Burger Chef which was at the corner of Salisbury and 52 in West Lafayette (about where Walgreens and Taco Bell are now.)

And I was in the saddle on Amy and not in a wagon.

I also rode over to Waffle House (on 52 where Aldi's is currently), tied Amy up to the huge post on their sign, and stepped indoors to use their pay phone.

(My, my, the things my mother is learning about me now that I have Abby!)

Horses are Useful

Most people don't realize just how useful a horse (or two) can be around the house...

Hey!! Pet Me!!

Yesterday Lisa spent some time petting Abby as she ate hay.

Then she turned her attention to Dolly.

 Abby may be just a bit spoiled...

 She lifted her head and...

Leaned over to Lis, anxious to regain her attention.

Who's that Girl??

(Start humming the Madonna song - er, not that I like Madonna. Her song fits, however!)

Diablo and Abby are highly interested in something. But what??

 Hm... I see some jeans and a bit of red. Who's that girl?

 Why, it's Lisa! And she's handing out a herd favorite - bits and pieces of candy canes! (No wonder she was being frisked.)

And over by the hay rack, Diablo is at it again, only this time with Dolly. Who's that girl?

Wait! It's two girls, not one!

 Abby and me! 

Sorry, girls, but Abby got all the treats I brought.

Yes, she's my favorite girl in the herd.

And she knows it. (Those soft nickers do me in every time.)

More Validation

Yet again I see that someone else had the same idea as me. Although I didn't try to cook with Pokey when I brought him into the house...

Abby in the Snow

New Year's Day - Abby started 2013 in a beautiful snow.

 Tim has the old barn configured so there are two separate run-ins for the horses. This makes it so everyone gets in when they want, even if they are low in the herd hierarchy.

 Abby, Dolly, and Diablo.

 Abby comes up for some treats. I gave her the last of the carrots and apples from Cindie's gift basket.

I'm wearing my new barn jacket that Craig got me for Christmas. I was toasty warm in it!

Happy New Year, Abby! I hope this is the first of many we spend together.