Just Hanging Out

One of the things that endears Abby to me is that she simply likes my company. Today was no exception.

 It was an unseasonably warm and beautiful February day and so I tried to snap some selfies with my girl.

It is tough to get her head up and next to mine and then snap the selfie before she moves.

 Today I brought a brush out to the pasture so I could knock some of the mud off of Abby's coat.

 No need to bring a mane comb - this is all that's left! She rubs it off on the hayrack.

Between the warm sun, a good brushing, and some peppermints, she relaxed and enjoyed the attention.

 Looks like she's about to nod off!

Like I said, she likes my company, so when I moved across to the other gate, Abby tagged along.

 My heart melts when she does that - she follows me around like a puppy might.

Since she's a rescue, I don't know her history aside from the last few days of her life before being rescued. Does she like my company so much because of what she endured? (Two of her herd mates there died, so she was in a really bad situation.) Or is she just naturally friendly and enjoys human companionship?

She's very gentle and has never bitten or kicked, or even threatened to do that to me. In fact, I can't think of a time she's pinned her ears when asked to do something - although I have seen her lay them back when the other horses come over to say "hello," warning them away from me.

I'll never know why she enjoys human company so much, but I sure can enjoy the affection and companionship that she so freely offers me.

More of Tim and Sultanna

Here are some more photos taken of Tim while he worked with Sultanna Monday afternoon.

 Tacking up in the cross ties.

This is the new barn; it has a nice indoor arena, box stalls, tackroom, lounge, and workshop. But Tim, like me, prefers his horses be at liberty and so they live outside and use the old barn with its extra large stalls that they can come and go into at will.

 Nice stop!

 I filmed several videos of Tim (see previous post) and then he decided that he would take Sultanna outside and see how she did in a large field.

I could not stay and watch that as I was already running very late, but I snapped a few photos before Tim and Sultanna rode off into the sunset!

Tim Rides Sultanna

Tim has been training Sultanna under saddle and she is coming along beautifully. She has a really nice stop, and moves forward well.

I was out at the barn at the same time as Tim today, and offered to video him so he could watch how she moves.

She was started by a Purdue University football player! Tim has horsey contacts everywhere, and how he found this guy is a mystery. He did say the young man wants to be a horse trainer and breeder when he graduates. When I asked if he was studying in the school of Agriculture to prepare, Tim wryly smiled and said, "Well, he's a football player..."

Hard to believe this is the same little foal who surprised us by being born early, (read about that here and here) while Tim was in Oman meeting with the Sultan about his golf courses! (Tim is an entymologist at Purdue and travels the world doing consulting work.) Sultanna's name is in honor of being born during that visit.

I am impressed with how quietly she works despite being just started under saddle, and how calm she is, even with the rest of the herd back in the pasture. She offered no resistance and obediently did all that Tim asked of her.

She's turning out to be a nice little mare.

Is She or Isn't She ?- Part II

Years ago Abby's predecessor, Amy, surprised us by foaling a colt. I was living in Illinois and my sister was caring for Amy and had her on pasture board with a couple of other horses. One of them was a yearling colt who was more grown up than anyone realized.

Fast forward to last year. Snickerdoodle was put in with the herd as a yearling during the spring. I didn't think too much of it as I was busy dealing with the illness/deaths of my mother and mother-in-law and my own spinal surgery. I thought the colt had been gelded sometime during the summer and was surprised to learn he was still uncut during a chat with Tim in September when he mentioned he was having Snickerdoodle gelded in the coming week.

My first thought was to wonder if perhaps Abby might now be in foal. (You can read the blog entry from that day here.) I check Abby for cuts and injuries every time I see her. And now I am checking her belly and udder, just in case.

 I took these photos Thursday afternoon when I stopped by after school. I did not have barn shoes on so I did not go into the stall to see her. The light was terrible but I wasn't looking for beautiful photos. I wanted to get a picture of her sides.

I succeeded at that enough for me to wonder. Is that just a hay belly and lots of winter coat? Or is it something else?

I have a three day weekend and plan to spend some time at the barn. I'll have barn clothes and shoes on, and be able to make a better examination of her.

If she is in foal, this could be an interesting spring!

Miss Social Girl

From the day I went to Indiana Horse Rescue to take a second look at her, Abby has shown me that  she is a very social girl - she loves being with people. That day, she followed me around the round pen and even leaned against me while I talked to the farm manager! (Go here to read that post.) That behavior was what helped me make the decision to purchase her and bring her home with me.

Today was no different. She heard me arrive and hustled up into the old barn for a visit.

 (Sorry for the poor quality photos. I was shooting into the light and using my cell phone.)

She ate the peppermints I'd brought her, then licked my hands thoroughly. And when she was done, she simply hung out with me. Diablo was standing in the door to the old barn, but Abby ignored her. She knew I had given her all the treats I had brought, but was content to just stand next to me and chat.

I scratched her neck and crest, checked her body for cuts and scratches, and the two of us visited for about twenty minutes.

And when I had to go, she stood and watched me head down the aisle to the main door. As I slid the barn door shut, a soft whicker followed me out.

The News is Getting Out

The press release has gone out, so I can speak more freely about the award I won. It's the YWCA Salute to Women, an award for community service. My school corporation's newsletter just sent a notice. Here's a cut and paste:

February 3, 2017 Newsletter for employees of the Tippecanoe School Corporation YWCA salutes two TSC educators YWCA Greater Lafayette will present a Salute to Women award to several individuals who have made a significant, positive impact in our community. They include TSC Instructional Coach Sarah Powley and Hershey Elementary School teacher Lynn Isenbarger. Sarah and Lynn will receive a "Woman of Distinction" award during a celebration March 1.  Pictured left: Sarah Powley with some McCutcheon graduates. Pictured right: Lynn Isenbarger with her 4/5 high ability students.