Hay, There!

It has been years since I participated in getting hay for horses. It's hard, physical work, and bits of hay get into your clothes and are SCRATCHY.

But there's also the sweet smell of the hay, the warmth of the barn, and the secure feeling of knowing you are prepared for winter and your horses will have full bellies.

So, when Leslie offered me 90 bales of hay free of charge as a thank you for a couple of things I'd helped her with, not only did I accept, I went along with Tim and his son-in-law, Brandon (who lives on the property) to go get it!

We took two trucks and wagons, plus me in the lead to show them how to get there. (It is easy to get turned around as Les is way out in the hinterlands.)

Brandon's truck and wagon, ready to go.

 Leslie gives us a gander at the hay - first cutting grass which is what we prefer!

It was a tight squeeze in the barn for Brandon's wagon; even tighter for Tim's. 

Leslie pointed out which bales she wanted us to take, and the guys got to work. Brandon walked on top of the stored hay and threw the bales to Tim who stacked them on the truck.

Now we're ready for days like this!

Dolly, Lisa, and Abby, January, 2013.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Imagine the sound trucks and heavy equipment make when backing up. You know, that steady beeping sound to alert you to get out of the way.

That's what happening here. Abby walked past Lisa, turned and swung her hips, then began backing up.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Why? She's not mad and getting ready to kick. No, Abby wanted this to happen.

A good backside scritch! Ahhhhhhhhh!

Look at those ears - that's one contented horse!

(Spoiled? Who's spoiled?!)

As the Dust Settles

It's the time of year when the horses are growing their winter coats and becoming puffy-looking instead of smooth and sleek. Couple that longer, fuller coat with a good roll or two in the mud, and you get this:

Lisa and Diablo in the small paddock, November 3, 2013.

A Quiet Routine

It has been a year and a half since I brought Abby home, and our life together has settled into a quiet routine of visits, scritches, and offerings of apples, carrots, and candy canes. During the summer I drive out to see her in the evenings; when school is in session, I stop on my way home from school.

The BFFS, Abby and Diablo.

I love the nickers I get when she spots me, and the way she swings into a trot and hurries up to say hello. Every now and then, I mentally pinch myself and marvel, "I have a horse again!"

It's a predictable routine, but I like its gentle rhythm and how that adds to my day.

I think she's pretty happy, too.

(Photo by Vanessa/Pearl Photo and Design.)

Just Borrowing!

Today we did "Hurry Scurries," an activity in which my students present something from the book their Book Club group has just read. Only a small amount of time is given to prepare, and yet the creativity level is quite high despite the time crunch. My students can be quite resourceful and ingenious.

Case in point? KR needed an ace bandage as a character in her book breaks his ankle. Unfortunately, she had none at home to bring in and use in her presentation.

Her solution?

"I went to the barn and borrowed the horses' polo wraps," she told me with a big smile.

I am still laughing!!

Abby - the Movie

Abby was in the far west pasture when I arrived this evening. As soon as I called her, she nickered and then came hurrying up to see me. Quickly I grabbed my camera and took a video. I was filming in shadows and into the sun so the quality isn't the best, but it still makes me smile.

A Peaceful Evening

Tough day at work today. A child shared something pretty poignant with me, and it has been on my mind all day. There is nothing I can do to change his situation, but I have felt sad and preoccupied since he spoke with me.

So, I decided I needed a little extra horse therapy, and sat with Abby for a long time while she grazed in the small paddock.

 Nom, nom, nom!

I love how she watched me as she grazed- looking at me out of the corner of her eye with her ears swiveled toward me. She kept an eye on me the entire time!

Occasionally she would poke her face into mine (I was sitting on the woodpile) to see if perhaps I had a treat or two. (I did - candy canes in my pocket!)

 Diablo and Hokey also were keeping me under surveillance.

 Looks like they're planning something.

 Hokey presses against the gate, hoping it will pop open. It doesn't, so...

 He paws at it. I have watched him bring a gate down twice by pawing on it like this. Tonight, however, the gate remained in place.

Eventually Tim arrived and told me to let the herd in with Abby for the evening. They didn't need much inviting after I opened that gate!

I left a little while after that, feeling a bit better from spending the early evening with my favorite horse and the rest of the herd.