New Projects & Watching Abby

First Post of the Day (Check back soon!)

Tim is not afraid of hard work. If something needs to be done, it gets done. Just this year he has fixed the foundation on the old barn (know anyone else who would jack up a barn and pour a new foundation all by himself?), removed all the stalls and the haymow in the blue barn so it could be remodeled, and built new fencing that allowed him to move horses into the south paddock through a neat series of gates.

His new project? Actually, there are two.

The neighbors to the southwest moved and the new owners don't plan to use the five acre pasture that came with the home.

The fencing is falling down although the posts are in good shape and intact.

They have agreed to let us use their pasture and Tim is going to repair all that fencing so that we can.

It will be nice to have the pasture, but that's going to be a huge job. I have no doubt that he will get it done, though.

The second project surprised me.

He's doing some Fall landscaping! He's bought maples, lilacs, serviceberries, redbuds, and dogwoods to plant around the property. I don't yet know what is going where, but I think it will be a nice addition to the property.

Finally, a note about Abby. There are lots of points in her favor for good health. She gets great care - she has shelter, water, food, and is checked daily. 

But, she is getting older (she's around 21-23) and her care needs are changing.

Winter is approaching, and as we head into the winter months, she is in excellent shape. She's also an Appaloosa, a very hardy breed. When it comes to shelter, Tim reconfigured the old barn so that if there is a dust up among the herd and someone gets chased out of the barn, there is a separate box stall they have access to so they can be warm and dry.

Shaking her head at a fly as she comes up to visit with me.

Still, I have begun keeping a closer eye on her, just in case. For example, yesterday when I visited her, I thought her stride looked off. Her hind legs did not seem to be reaching forward as much as they usually do but she was still moving freely and exhibited no signs of pain. Something to keep an eye on just in case an issue is developing. 

She's in her golden years, and my goal is that she enjoy life all her days. Changing her care plan and keeping a closer eye on her are all ways to ensure that that happens.