busy weekend

On Friday, my daughter and husband set forth on a little excursion to a Pony Club Quiz Rally, where regional PC teams exhibited their knowledge in a variety of ways - written and oral questions, stations where they did hands-on tests, a barn phase, etc.

My husband and daughter are 2/3 of my equine care "team" - so with both of them gone, I knew it would be a busy couple of days. Fortunately, my son is very horse-savvy, having ridden and handled horses from age 7-13, and he is more than capable of doing anything that needs to be done with our herd. He pitched in and made my work tremendously easier, and we treated ourselves to dinner out on Friday night, which was very nice.

We learned that he is very gifted at managing the resident equine goddess, Salina. And I was intrigued by the fact that of my family members, the teen-aged son is the least likely to question my "way of doing things." Who would have imagined *that*?

We also learned that the pony much prefers his girl to do his daily care!

Keil Bay did a very nice thing yesterday, and while I wasn't surprised, I want to share it so I can take the extra opportunity to appreciate what a fine horse he is. I was picking his hooves in the paddock, sans halter or lead rope, and I was talking to my son at the same time. Somehow, I inadvertently gestured with the hand holding the pick, and the pick flew up under Keil Bay just as I released his hind hoof. It didn't occur to me not to just lean up under him, from behind, to grab the pick. Had he put his hoof down at that moment, it would have conked me right in the head, so he held it up, and actually drew it up close to his body to give me more room down there.

It wasn't until after I got the pick and stood upright that I realized he had his entire hind leg drawn up and was holding it that way until he made sure I wasn't beneath him.

Such a good horse!

Late in the afternoon yesterday my son and I decided to make a run to the store. When we were in the parking lot getting ready to come home, I had a little premonition. And when we got back home, I found that my daughter had called to share a little news.

Her team won their division in the Regional Quiz Rally! Congratulations, girls!

the rest of the birthday

Redford's birthday cast a magical spell on November Hill this afternoon. While I was riding Keil Bay, we were doing some very focused, good work, and all of a sudden I looked up and there was a colony of at least 20 vultures pinwheeling overhead like a kaleidoscope, quite low, as if they were dancing with the Big Bay and me.

After our ride, I went in the back field in search of donkeys and some birthday photos. The magic continued!

Redford played peek-a-boo, and then someone joined the party:









Then the two love buns decided they would pose for me. Look at the handsome boys! They are absolutely amazing. Happy Birthday, Redford! Rafer is fine with the fact that he has a second birthday coming up mid-summer, and we will celebrate again.

we celebrate a birthday

Redford, our amazing flying miniature donkey, is ONE today! He will be getting the usual special birthday breakfast, lots of extra hugs, and photos will likely appear here as the day rolls on.

We had a nice rain yesterday, but today, the sun has returned, temps will rise to the 50s, and my guess is that much of his special day will be spent basking in the warmth with his herd.

Happy birthday little Redford!! We will never forget that you came at a moment's notice to lift Rafer Johnson's spirits when he needed it, and we will especially never forget you sailing over the wall into his stall to be closer to him.

You're our superstar, and we love you.

*******

And on another, but very fitting note, Rafer's birthday post marks my 500th post here on camera-obscura! I started this blog mostly for photographs, but have ended up writing quite a bit on a regular basis, and have made some wonderful cyber-friends.

what a great company!

When I checked email a few minutes ago, I found a comment in response to an older post in which I had praised Salina's Whinny Warmers. These equine leg warmers have been a great help in keeping her arthritic knees comfortable on the cold nights and days we've had this winter.

This was the comment:

Dear Billie, Please call us at Sox For Horses, Inc.
We want to thank you for writing about us by donating some socks to your favorite horse rescue effort.
or drop me a note at info@whinnywarmers.com
and we will donate socks in your name.

Salina looks very cozy and quite nice in blue.

Warmest Regards, and Thanks!
Raymond Petterson- President


I wanted to post this so that everyone sees it - I love finding great products at good prices but when the company is this nice it's even better.

I've contacted a local rescue group and Mr. Petterson, and am happy some more horses will have warmer nights thanks to Whinny Warmers.

a rainy day

I'm welcoming it, since the arena could use some moisture and a good harrowing!

Yesterday I had a good ride on Cody, who had a few very engaged strides of trot in each direction by the end of the ride, and lots of stretching work at the walk. We were joined by Rafer Johnson and Redford, who meandered around the arena and watched, tore apart a few old fire ant mounds up against the rail, rolled a few of my dressage markers into new spots, and played "push the pole."

They love being part of the ride, and at the end, they came to the gate with Cody and me, as if to say "Okay! All done! Time for a few minutes at the round bale!"

The pony had a lovely bareback ride with my daughter. It was delightful to come in and get food cooking while watching them out the kitchen window. The painted pony and his girl.

It's nice to get this rainy quiet day mid-week. A break from business as usual. A good day to work on the book!