Muddy December

The weather in Indiana has been dreary this December - cold, overcast, rainy. Not much fun to be outside. 

The horses are faring well despite the damp chill, and yesterday when I arrived, they were out in the north pasture grazing.

I usually whistle for them, but they saw me and came up without being called.

 Diablo, as usual, led the herd.

 Trouble and Persuasion were coming, too, but where was Hokey? I found him later - he'd wandered over to the west pasture by himself.

 Would you give a candy cane to this muddy mare?

 And what is it that she is always sticking out her tongue??

 "Please, please, PLEASE may I have a candy cane?"

There's that tongue again. Look at the mud on her muzzle!

Abby ate a couple of candy canes before I headed back to the warmth of the barn and car - it was chilly! 

Abby left gifts for Tim in his barn workshop. Hope we get some snow so he can hook up that sleigh in the background!

My Christmas Wreath!

I LOVE my new Christmas wreath - thank you, Cindie!!

 She made one for me last year, too.

Juicy Apples Lead to...

The teachers at Hershey know I love horses and have Abby. Sometimes they put treats in my school mailbox for her - an apple, a pear, candy canes, and other goodies.

This fall my little horse has been living the life of Riley - four times I have been given BAGS of apples for her! She likes apples almost as much as she likes candy canes, and their sweet juiciness gets my hands just as sticky as the candy canes do.

So naturally, Abby has to lick all that juice off.

Ever been licked by a horse? Their tongues are soft, but they are also huge.

See what I mean??

Peppermint Sticks!

One of my students gifted me with some very expensive peppermint sticks. "They're for Abby," she said, "But you can have some, too."

I tried one, and Abby almost didn't get ANY! They are delicious!

 Abby sniffs the peppermint sticks.

 I break them into pieces for her.

 Crunchcrunchcrunch!

 And some more peppermint stick pieces.

 She loves them, too!

 So much so that she licks my hand clean.

 I also had brought her some carrots.

I pulled one out and gave it to her, and this happened next:

Diva Girl walks away! If she can't have the peppermint sticks, she's going back to the grass!

Mom Loves Me Best

Yes, Abby, I do. Although I am very fond of all your pasture mates, you are my favorite and I love you best. So, when I call you and the boys decide they'd like to see if they can finagle a treat from me first?

Not to worry. I have a plan, and you know it!

 Just wait, and I will shoo them away, clearing the way for you to come up...

 ... without worrying that Hokey and Trouble will chase you off.

And you will get your carrots!

An Ordinary Monday?

Just an ordinary Monday today - nothing special about it. 

Except...

The leaves are at their peak and simply gorgeous, the sun was shining brightly, the temperature was in the 60s, and I was able to get out of school earlier than usual.

So naturally, I headed to the barn!

Abby saw me arrive and nickered at me to hurry up. Twice!!

 She and Diablo munch on sugar cubes - the treat du jour.

Hokey and Trouble were hopeful, but I never give them treats. They get a bit pushy when there's food around, so I save it for the girls.

There is nothing like spending time with horses on a beautiful day!

Sharks in the Pasture!

The sharks were circling in the pasture today. Why?

Because I had apple spaghetti, that's why!

A favorite treat, it felt as though I was in the middle of circling sharks who could not wait to gobble down their portion!