Rain Rain Go Away

The last few days have been soggy, to say the least. We did get a little respite today- just long enough for me to start pulling the weeds and dead plants in my garden
The snow has shown up on the mountain peaks, but it's a long way from down here on the valley bottom.

I had the mares turned out during one rainy day and I had to bust out laughing at Gussie; she came to the gate with the most pleading look I have ever seen on a horse:

Pleasepleasepleasepleeeeease let me iiiiiinnnnnn!

I did make her wait because I wasn't finished cleaning the pens, poor girl!

Josie has found her place in the herd, she is a lot like her mama Chickory, a little reserved but very bribe-able; it's easy to build a routine with her.

Mama Belle has gone from putting her in her place to giving her a place next to her:

I love my little herd, they all get along so well, no nastiness, just happy horses. 

I'm happy to report that Shayla got her certification in the ABC Hoofprint Trim, so she will be taking over the trimming duties here at Diamond Lazy H Quarter Horses- she also is studying equine chiropractic so she will have my herd health to do to. Pretty proud of you Shayla!

So, life rolls on, seasons change, and time never stands still. 

I should have the results of Stella's blood tests within a couple of days, some of it is in, but not all. It will be good to have some answers. 

Barring any unforeseen problems, I should be on my way to Alberta on Friday to take in the Canadian Cowhorse Supreme, and to visit with a few fellow bloggers and Facebook friends. 

Sunday Silence

The Draft Horse Show

Last weekend, before my world fell apart, Ted and I went across the border to go to the Idaho International Draft Horse and Mule show. We took Merle with us, and unfortunately they have a rule that you can't take dogs in the grandstand area so we didn't actually see the competition, but there was plenty to see. We got there as the 6 up hitches were finishing and the 8 up hitches were rolling into the ring, and what a sight that is!

These black Percherons were just gorgeous.

This hitch of Belgians pulled in to the barn area after their class.

Lining up to unhitch

The wheel team

The swing team

Oh my!

This little outfit was so cute:

Little meets big:

Then the 8 up mules drove by.

After that we walked through the barns. I'm always fascinated by being up close  to these wonderful creatures, and they are so photogenic.

That's a lot of horsepower!

Some fancy tails:

Of all the photos I took, this is my favorite. This horse just exuded power and presence, even at rest:

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

Dancing in the Mist

Thank you everyone for your comments, kindness and support  for us in the loss of Stella, it really does help to know that so many other people loved her too and I know that many of you have experienced the same loss, even this year.
However, we must move on. I expect to have the results of the test sometime next week and I'll post once I have some answers.

This morning was a lovely misty morning, guaranteed to be good for the type of photos I like to take, and it did lift my spirits to see my herd (and Shayla's Rio) out dancing in the mist.

Definitely helped! 

Stella Belle Peppy April 3 2013-September 23 2013

There's a big hole in my heart.
Stella is no longer with us. I had to make "that call" on Monday.
I am not going to go into details because I don't know all the answers yet to the inevitable questions, just suffice to say that it was neurological and it was quick (27 hours from onset to no hope left) and ugly. I am awaiting the results of a neuro panel blood test.
This is my tribute to the horse that I thought would be my heart horse, my companion and dream horse, the one I waited years for.

Birthday, April 3rd

She knew she was mine.

I loved to watch her bust out her dance moves.....

I nicknamed her Stella the Stalker because she would follow close behind me

She brought me joy just watching her.....

My beautiful, perfect Stella Belle.

Forever in my heart.

Sunday Stills

The challenge of the day is boats- I have a couple of boats that I found in very unusual places:

The barber "ship" in Bonner's Ferry

The local Fish and Chips shop has a rather unique boat...

There were only three of these little boats made before the  ship builder went off to war- the 2nd World War; I don't think he came back. It's from Washington State.

Wordless Wednesday

What's happenin'

The season is starting to change, I have been harvesting my garden which I am sure will keep producing tomatoes until we get a killing frost- and the flowers are slowly drying up, the geese are starting to fly in V formation, the elk are bugling, and people are stocking up for winter. My freezer is filling up with a variety of frozen fruit; I am doing more this year because I bought a Nutri Bullet for making some nutritious Smoothies. I'm going to try drying apples and prune plums too.
 The horses are starting to hair up, actually they have been for a month now. I have this feeling that it's going to be a long tough winter- and my Alberta friends are probably groaning at that thought because the last one was long and tough for them.
I have plans to head to Alberta for the first weekend in October to go to the Canadian Cowhorse Supreme in Red Deer while my husband visits his son up by Edmonton (they are going flying- no thanks!) and I think some of the blogger ladies are going to meet up there on the Friday and/or Saturday. We are always open to meeting new bloggers, anyone care to join us? I love the trade show they have, there are a lot of vendors and some good deals to be had. Nothing like it! I enjoy watching the horse sale on Friday night too. My favorite event is the Working Cowhorse. It's what I would have done if I ever got into showing, I got a taste for it working with background calves on a ranch and trying to get the sick calves separated from the herd, take them down the fence and into the treating pens. Not too cooperative!
Anyway, here is your horse photo of the day- I interrupted Beamer's grazing to bring him in for the night..... (This one's for Wendy)

Sunday Stills - Water

Photographing water is always fun, it is so prevalent in our lives and takes so many forms. Here on the farm, keeping the horses water tubs filled up and clean is an ongoing chore, and the horses always come around o have a sip of the fresh water. Sometimes it gets a little crowded!

Ever since he was a baby, Rio drinks with his tongue stuck out.

Here is a fun shot from when I was watering the flowers. The water almost looks like a sculpture.

That's all I got- no rain or visits to the lake, although I wanted to go, just no time.

Wednesday's Words: Mix'n'match

Today when I checked up on the status of Belle's milk production I was finally able to call it dried up, so it was time to put the fillies and mares together. It went really well, Stella did not try to suck at all. It was interesting watching the herd dynamics.
Out in the field, they all casually just hung out and grazed.

Stella buddied back up to mama Belle, while Josie wandered off to the far end of the field, and Gussie barely moved from the first spot she hit for grazing.

Notice anything?

Yes my big girl is now sporting our brand! We had the horse dentist out yesterday and I took advantage of the sedation to slap my irons on her. By the way, she had a lot of problems, such big hooks she was unable to grind her jaw at all, he did a lot of fixing and she's a little sore today. I can't wait to see what difference it makes to riding her, but I think I'll give her another day off.
Anyway- I digress-back to my story!
The mares headed back to their shelter to see what I was doing, rearranging the feeders- I digress again, I separated Rio and Nitro into different pens now that the fillies and mares can run together- and I needed the feeder to have 2 separate feeding stations for the girls;
Anyway! once they all came into the shelter, it was interesting to watch little Josie find her place in the herd dynamics. Stella is still her BFF:

her go to gal in times of trouble- the kind of trouble that mama Belle can dish out that is. She soon learned that her best course of action was to keep Stella between her little red self and those big freshly maintained teeth.

Properly put in her place, she was allowed a place at the feeder.

I think Josie will end up hanging out with Gussie, who seems to not mind her, then it will be the reds and the blacks!