"My Tins Horse"

These two are twins.

When I was hauling Abby home from Indiana Horse Rescue on April 27, 2012, my phone went off. It was Kyle, informing me that Ashley was in labor. A few hours later, Corinne was born.

While visiting them in Florida for spring break, I told Corinne that she and Abby shared a birthday. As a joke, I referred to them as twins. She is soooo excited to have a "tins" and keeps asking me to show her pictures of "my tins horse." 

Corinne doesn't quite understand the concept of twins, but she sure knows what a birthday is, and is thrilled to share hers with "my tins horse," Abby.

Melting My Heart - Redux

Nearly three years ago, I wrote a post called "Puppy Eyes and Horsey Hips." It was about an incident that happened with Abby when I was trying to decide if I should get her or not.

She and I were alone in the round pen at Indiana Horse Rescue, and she was initiating contact as she wandered the pen, culminating in coming over, cocking a hind leg in relaxation, and leaning a hip against me, then standing there with me contentedly as I spoke with one of the ladies in charge of adoption. (Go here to read the post.)

It melted my heart and was what ultimately led to me deciding to adopt her.

Fast forward to yesterday, and I had a similar experience with Abby melting my heart.

Usually when I arrive at the barn, I whistle or call Abby by name to let her know I am there. Yesterday, she saw my car arrive and came up without being called.

She was so happy to see me, she didn't wait for me to walk down to the gate; she came down the fence line to where I was getting out of the car.  So, we visited there, instead of at our usual meeting place.

Surprisingly, Diablo did not come with her. Nor did any of the other horses who will usually come over to say hello. Just Abby and me? That's fine by me!!

At this point, my heart was melting that she was so glad to see me. We visited a while, and then I had to leave as I needed to take my mother's clean laundry to her at University Place. So, I gave Abby a final pat, turned, and walked back to my car.

But she did not turn and walk back to the herd even though that final pat is routine and she knew I was leaving.

She simply stood and watched me until I left.

I love my horse.

Some Late Winter Sunshine

Yesterday the sun was shining and the temperature got up into the 40s. That served to melt a lot of the nine inches of snow we got last weekend. The ground was soggy and squishy and very, very pungent!

It was a far cry from the temperatures Friday morning, just the day before!!

The horses enjoyed the sudden thaw and the glimpse of spring-like weather.

They were congregated on the west side of the old barn and soaking up the sun. The herd also was nosing along the ground, hopeful that they might find a blade or two of grass.

Abby and Diablo came as soon as I called. Look at how lush and beautifully combed Diablo's mane appeared! Odd for the end of winter and a horse who lives mostly outside.

This week's temperatures are predicted to be in the  40s, 50s, and even 60s, so perhaps we have turned the corner and winter is truly over. I hope so!