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!

Peek a Boo!

Abby peers around the side of the old barn when she hears my car roll up.

She's hoping for something to eat!

Frozen Mud

One of the worst things for livestock in the winter months is frozen mud.

Diablo and Abby negotiate the frozen mud in order to come see me.

There's nothing you can do about it - where the horses tend to congregate, it gets muddy and soft. That gets churned up into an icky mess with deep pockets, but it's not dangerous then.

But when those deep pockets freeze, it is a nightmare to walk on, for man or animal. The horses walk very gingerly over it if they must, and avoid it if they can.

I will be careful to not call them over around places with frozen mud when I visit.

Candy Canes - Unwrapped

The weather has turned very cold, and the wind seems to blow right through me when I am out at the barn. Abby's favorite treat is candy canes, and taking the time to unwrap each one means more standing in the cold.

So...

I brought a bunch inside and unwrapped them ahead of my next visit.

Now Abby no longer has to wait for her treat, either!

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.