Sunday Stills

Ed challenged us to photograph fruit for this weeks Sunday Stills. Well, that didn't really inspire me until I read a comment on Cheeky Mare's blog about her mare liking bananas so I thought I'd see what my herd thought of them!

First, I offered it to Beamer. He was laying in the sun snoozing,

and he couldn't even be bothered to do more than give it a sniff and curl up his lip.

Velvet was sunning herself too, and had about the same opinioon as her daddy.

Not interested!

So I headed over to Chickory, the most inquisitive and adventurous horse on the place. She rolled it around with her lips a bit but I guess my horses just are not fans of tropical fruit!

Thanks, Lisa!

Yesterday when we checked the mail this book from Lisa at Laughing Orca was there, along with a cute little note card. It was a prize for Ted for being the closest guess on the amount of snowfall on day at her place. He looks forward to reading it and says thanks Lisa! Hope you don't get any more snow this season.

Dentistry and branding

Yesterday was dentist day. But first, a little story.My Wordless Wednesday post, as Fern Valley guessed, showed Coyote Belle- back home. I went to visit her the other day, and she wasn't doing well as the newcomer in a large band of broodmares. The folks who bought her kindly allowed me to buy her back- I'm such a softy, I raised this horse, and this is the second time I've bought her back; the first time was when she was a weanling and I had her sold; the day before she was to go to her new home she got kicked in the shoulder by a big gelding, and couldn't bear weight on her right front for two days. The lady took her home on the understanding that if she didn't come sound, I'd buy her back- which I did, as Belle has permanent damage in her shoulder so that she doesn't travel correctly with that leg; she kinda rolls from the knee and lands the foot from the outside edge to the inside; she can't extend her leg straight forward due to the damage in her shoulder. So this is why she is in my broodmare band; it's not a genetic defect, and she makes nice babies- her first was Sparkle. She is heavy in foal to Beamer for her second baby, due mid April. Anyway, I brought her home the day before the equine dentist got here. We did her first, and it was interesting to see how her teeth were, and it is the most likely cause of her weight loss; basically her jaw was locked up due to wedges and hooks that wouldn't allow her to move her jaw side to side as horses do when they are chewing/grinding their feed before swallowing; she wasn't getting enough hay in her belly because she couldn't chew properly. This is what it looked like inside her mouth.

The wedge can be seen on the last brightly lit tooth- see that point that comes straight down? That is the biggest reason for her problem, as well as the hooks and sharp edges.

Just as a side note, remember that even a horse that is getting plenty of feed can lose weight dramatically if it can't chew.

All the youngsters got their wolf teeth pulled, as well as floating and balancing . This video is of Chickory getting her wolf teeth pulled.

This next video shows Velvet when he was using the power float.

After the teeth were done we branded each one while they were still sedated.

Beamer is modelling his new brand for you.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy stuff

I am to write ten things that make me happy and tag ten people.

Thanks to Sydney, you all get to find out ten things that make me happy.

1. The most important thing in my life is my faith, for in God I find the source of all happiness.
2. My husband is a great blessing to me, and we have a very happy marriage.I hope I make him happy too!
3. Like Sydney, I'm a morning person; the early hours are a special time to reflect on the blessings of my life, and I'm always positive and ready to take on the day- especially if I got a good sleep!
4. My horses. I can't just single out my beautiful Beamer here, although he fills me with joy, because I take delight in all my horses, and I have had many wonderful ones. If I'm feeling down, even just a few minutes in their company can lift my spirits.
5. My dogs. Coming home from a 15 minute trip I am greeted with as much unrestrained doggy joy as if I had been gone for days. It always makes me smile!
6. Being able to help someone-sometimes even just a kind word is worth as much to someone as being able to give them financial or physical help; being charitable to others is a quiet source of joy.
7. Finding treasures in an antique store or second hand store. So much more fun than new things!
8. The lovely renewal of spring, when the leaves are bursting with fresh green, blossoms abound, birdsong fills the air.....sheer bliss on a spring evening to just sit and look and listen.
9. It always makes me happy when I have accomplished some task to the best of my ability and find out that I did it well.
10. And finally, babies! Of any kind! People, horses, dogs, cats, buffalo, birds, hippos, you name it, there is just something about a baby that is so endearing... until you have to clean up after them!

So there you have it! I don't always follow the rules, so I'm not tagging ten people, but if you want to play, copy the smiley face and have a go at it!

Sunday Stills-G

Thank you thank you Ed for this challenge; I had so much fun with it! The beginning of the week was rainy and grey, and I did take some photos of Geese in the Grey sky, but it got sunny the last two days, so I have more fun shots for you!

First, the Girls were Grouchy , I think they have spring fever, I know I do!

This is blurry, but it gives you an idea of how quickly a Grouchy horse can strike at another one.

And while we are on the subject of Grouchy, I lucked out getting this shot of Chickory biting Sparkle on the withers.

The dogs are always happy though, and wanting to play Games,

and Tess is showing fine style.

From Grouchy, and Games, we move on to Green things Growing in Gardens! These are the tulips at our Church.

Of course, when things are Green, horses get to Graze!

(and I get to use Macro!).

The very best part of this challenge was watching

Gorgeous

Galloping....

and Galloping.....

Yeah. I could watch him for hours! So now I'm off to see your Great photos!

Sun!

We are getting some lovely sunshine these days, so I've been happily shooting photos. Trying to get some good "G" shots for Sunday.

I thought this one was fun, with my shadow on Sparkle. Hey, Wendy, I found some white hairs on Sparkle! Well, silver hairs, really, and in the exact same place Beamer has them- on her upper lip. I'll try to get a photo of it.

Rode Beamer again today, finally have good footing in the pastures. I had him at the hitching rail, and two horses were coming down the road, one being ridden and one being led. The lady says to me, "So, you got a bronc there?" Excuse me? Bronc? So I say, "What makes you say that?" "Oh, just making conversation!"says she. Hmmmm. Funny way to start a conversation with a complete stranger. Especially when you have to get off and walk your horse. She had an 8 yr. old Rocky Mountain horse that she's had for a year, got it unbroke and wants to train it a bit and sell it. Sure was a pretty horse. Gaited, I believe; should make a great trail horse for someone who is willing to put a little time in on her.

I'm itchin' to get some training done on Chickory, as soon as her teeth are done, she'll be in school. The lady I was trail riding with has a round pen I can use, so the fun will begin next week!

First trail ride of 0'10

Foose started out my day with a laugh- he decided to customize a roll of toilet paper for me, and then gave me his best "Who-me??" look:

Little rascal! Good thing he's cute!

I got to spend the afternoon in the saddle-yipee! I met a lady who boards horses nearby, and she invited me to go trail riding along the dykes near her place. I trailered the B-boy over, rode in her outdoor arena to warm up, then off we went. She was riding a mare, and I must say that since I hadn't ridden Beamer next to a mare since 2006, I didn't know how he would behave, but I needn't have feared; he was his usual well behaved self. A little talking, which earned him the penance of immediate extra work. He loved getting out of his muddy pen and stretching his legs.

We saw a blue heron, and a coyote, and plenty of sign of elk. Rode for over two hours. Even got to lope a little, the footing was nice and dry up on the dyke. Beamer didn't want to get in the trailer and come home; I think he's really bored in his pen. But with the weather steadily getting better, we'll be hitting lots of trails and that'll make him happy.

Since my day started with Foose, I'll close out with him too. He loves to climb trees, and tonight he had an audience.

Wordless Wednesday

Rainy day blues

I was planning to go for a ride today but woke up to pouring rain.

Rainy days...

Barnyard tea.....

and memories of summer......

(sigh....)

The flag videos

Here are the videos I was having trouble with the other day. The first one is when I sacked him out from the saddle, standing still and the second one is riding him around. Piece o' cake! We'll be loping around with a real flag in no time!

Sunday Stills- St. Valentines Day

Ah, yes, it's all about love. I dedicate this post to my loving husband, I'm a lucky girl to have such a wonderful man.

I'd like to share with you all a few words on love from Thomas A Kempis, written five centuries ago.

Nothing is sweeter than love; nothing stronger, nothing higher, nothing more generous, nothing more pleasant, nothing fuller or better in heaven or on earth; for love proceeds from God and cannot rest but in God above all things created.

Flaggin'

My husband is a member of the NorthWest Mounted Police Commemorative Association. So today he told me that the unit is going to be in the Cranbrook parade in June and he wants to ride with them. That means he has to ride Beamer. And that also means that I have to get Beamer accustomed to all kinds of different sights and sounds, starting with carrying a flag, as all the troops carry lances or flags when they are on parade. He used to ride Poco, a half sister to Beamer, in all the parades, until I sold her. She was a great mare, he even rode her into a Soda Shop in Black Diamond once (he was invited in by the owner). So anyway, today when I went to the indoor arena for team sorting- surprise, surprise, no one showed up! Worked for me, because I got to use the time on training B-boy to the flag. I used a stock whip with a torn up old flag on it, and sacked him out on the ground first. He looked a little worried at first, like " whatcha doing with that? Just get on and lets go, okay?" After a few moments of fidgeting around, he was cool with it once he realised it wasn't going away till he stood still.

I used advance and retreat techniques, and kept the flag moving while he was moving, stopping it when he stopped. He's no dummy, it's so much easier just to stand still while silly human does silly things.

After a few minutes, we were both bored, so I rode him around a little to warm up then rode over and picked up the flag, and sacked him out with it while standing still.

Since that didn't bother him, I rode around and he handled it like an old pro. (I had a video but it wouldn't load, I'll see if it will tomorrow. Darn Blogger!)

Ted came up and rode for a while; it's been a couple of years since he has ridden.

It'll take him a couple of rides to get used to Beamer's buttons, but they got along just fine.

My boys

It'll be fun watching them in the parades. Ted's uniform is the red serge, almost the same as the modern day police force. The NorthWest Mounted Police were the forerunners of the RCMP, Canada's national police force. The Commemorative Association does re-enactments from the pioneer days, including some of the infamous battles.

Wordless Wednesday- the boy toys

Tess

My border collie Tess is in heat, and so I took her to spend a week or so with her mate, Moss. They are both 3 year old virgins, so it may be a while before they figure things out. Maybe on Valentines day?

He's a very handsome dog, (I love his ears); they are going to make nice pups!

The traditional coloring on him and curly coat are traits I like. Just hope they get 'er done!

(Note to Lisa- Beamer will be featured tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday!)

Just playin'

I had to try doing a video on You Tube today. It's nowhere near as good as Katie Westbury, but I had fun trying!

Visiting with Kitty Bob

Someone was asking after kitty Bob, so he(she?) obligingly showed up for a photo shoot today. He knows that I keep catfood out for the feral cats, so, despite me being only a few feet away, he tried the nonchalant approach.

OK, human, stay right where you are!

Mmmmm, smells good!

Yup, there it is!

Mnonmnommnom!

Gotta watch my back alla time!

Thanks for breakfast; I'm outta here!

He wasn't too worried about me being there. Sure is sleek and fat, he wintered well. After looking at photo 5, I'm pretty sure he's a he, but he's fat enough to be a pregnant female!

Sepia Sunday

Since I chose not to do the Sunday stills Challenge this week, I played around with taking sepia photos because Ed left a comment on my Wordless Wednesday asking if I could do that shot in sepia. So here you are, Ed, hope you enjoy them!

Of course, I couldn't resist this shot.....