Barn Life at its Best

Teacher Daughter Lisa was out at the barn this weekend taking pictures of the horses for a friend of hers. In light of yesterday's post about Abby's mane, this first photo made me laugh.

It's like Abby is saying, "You have such a gorgeous 'mane' and I don't!" (Funny, I never thought the fake fur on Lisa's hood was that fluffy, but it sure is!)

Careful, Lisa! Hokey is a known mane eater. Haha! (Actually, he has tried to nibble my hair more than once.)

Lisa also made this video of the horses - it's just an unremarkable "horses at the barn" sort of video,

but those quiet moments, peppermints, and soft nickers are actually what I enjoy most about barn visits.

To me, it's barn life at its best.

Gotta Be Hokey

When I brought Abby home from Indiana Horse Rescue in 2012, she had a lovely full mane.

In just a short time after her arrival, that beautiful mane had disappeared.

At first I thought she might be rubbing it off on the round hay feeder, but when it was summer and she was on pasture, her mane did not regrow.

I have never seen her rubbing her mane on the fences nor have I found long blonde strands of mane on any fencing, so I know she isn't rubbing it out.

That left one of her pasture mates as the suspect. One of them had to be chewing if off. But who?

I had seen Hokey once or twice go after her mane while they were doing some mutual grooming, but that didn't mean it was him. After all, Trouble, Dolly, Persuasion, Diablo, Yukon, Mason, Snickerdoodle, and several other horses have been pastured with Abby during her time with me.

But all those horses are gone now. Sultana is still pastured with Abby, but she wasn't even born when Abby's mane first disappeared. 

So, unless there's a possibility I haven't considered, I've found the culprit. 

CCA Indian Pony

 I can't believe I forgot to blog about this lovey girl!

She's the CCA glossy 70th Anniversary Gambler's Choice.

I wanted her the most, but would've been happy with any of them except the chase piece.

So guess which one I got? Yep, the chase piece!

I was able to work out a trade with Liz for this piece.

The Indian Pony is probably my all-time favorite Breyer mold.

There is just something sweet and calm about her - she's a horse I'd like to ride.

I'm happy to set her on the shelf next to her non-glossed regular run piece.

Another Helpful Friend

 Yesterday I'd just eaten lunch and sat down to my sewing machine when I got a text from Liz Cory. 

No, I hadn't seen those! Six vintage molds had just been posted on Breyer's web site! This vintage collector immediately stepped away from the sewing machine, got on to the computer, and logged into her Breyer account.

Roemer (beautifully shaded!), Black Beauty (is that silver dapple??), Man O'War in black, the Trakhener, Quarter Horse Gelding, and Roy! Oh, wow!

The Quarter Horse Gelding is one of Breyer's oldest molds (introduced in 1959) and it is wonderful to see him again and in such a gorgeous color. And as a glossy!

And Man O'War in black? That's my favorite color on a horse, real or model. (Don't tell Abby.)

I ordered these two, but I am sorely tempted by the Trakhener and Black Beauty. They, too, may join Windsong in the coming months.

Hobby, horsey friends are just the best - thanks, Liz!

Photos of Quarter Horse Gelding and Man O'War by Breyer.

Thanks, Barn Buddy!

Because I have been ill with COVID symptoms and isolating, I haven't been out to see my girl.

Kelsey decided to do something about that and sent me some very welcome snaps of Abby.

And Sultanna and Hokey!

And Dolly! Does this girl look like she has a fun personality or what?

Like I said...

I am feeling fine now and hope to get out to the barn today before the temperatures plummet into single digits. In the meantime, thank you, Kelsey, for your thoughtfulness and I hope I can return the favor some day.

It is wonderful to have a barn buddy!

Missing Millie

It was a year ago today that we lost our sweet Millie.

Named for the lead character in Lisa's favorite film, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,

our Millie proved every bit as sassy

as her Hollywood namesake!

Millie stole our hearts and she is deeply missed.

A Blogging is Hard Day

Today is one of those "blogging is hard" days. Every writer has those days when the words just won't come.

Usually it isn't too much of a problem for me; I often have blog entries scheduled almost a week ahead. (Photo in screenshot by Jennifer Buxton.)

But it's January, it's cold and dark, and I have been ill for over a week with COVID symptoms. (Cowpoke Lukie tested positive for COVID two days after I babysat him. Three days after his positive results, I got sick.)  

I tried to get in for a test, but every place I checked was scheduled at least a week out. Two home tests were negative, but my doctor said that those were highly unreliable, so I have been self isolating at home just in case I do have COVID. 

That means not going to the barn so I have nothing about Abby to write. I miss my girl! And I haven't met Dolly, our new herd member, yet!

As my symptoms waned and I began feeling better, I did get back to the sewing machine. I'd ordered 50 yards of premium white muslin and it arrived while I was isolating. 

I've been sewing some more 18th century period clothing and the muslin is for chemises (shifts). I've also been making Forbes short gowns (the six garments on the left) and men's shirts (two on the right.)

I am feeling better now and will hang out at home another day or two just to be sure.

And you can bet that the first place I will go is out to the barn to see my girl. I owe her a boatload of peppermints!