Adios 2024

I have to say, this was not my best year. The best thing that happened, though, made up for a lot of it, and that was Theo. He was such a joy and a delight to work with, and he couldn't have gone to a better home. 

The loss of Beamer and Belle was topped off with the loss of Jayne, who was laid to rest for the same reason as Beamer and Belle- crippling arthritis and inability to maintain her body weight. Shiner was Jayne's last foal, and he went to a very good home. The lady who owns him is the one who started his brother Boe under saddle, and she was so delighted with him that she decided to buy Shiner for herself. Jayne was such a sweet mare, and she passed her personality on to her foals- although Shiner got a bit more pizazz from his sire, Shayla's stallion Rex (Majors Pistol). 

As most of you know, I got sick at the end of September with pneumonia , and it took me pretty much 3 months to get over it. I still am not back at full strength, but every week I am better. So autumn was pretty much a write off for me; not much activity for most of it although recently I managed a couple of short rides on Gussie. 

Gussie is such an expressive mare, she leaves no doubt as to what she is thinking. When she sees me coming with the bridle she gives me that disapproving look ; the lady does not like cold steel in her mouth in the winter, thank you very much! So I have been using the bosal on her, and she goes well in it. I will probably buy a nice light one for her, as she is so broke she doesn't need much, and the one I have  was meant for starting colts. 

The girls are wintering well! 

Theo's owner posted a photo of him on Fb with his pasture mate, a Warmblood filly. 

She is younger than him, but she will be a whole lot bigger! He is looking good. It's nice to get updates on him- his people love him. 

The loss of Beamer was huge for me this year. I knew it was coming, and it took me a year or more to finally make the call on him. He went downhill so  rapidly though from May to August that I knew it was finally time. Today when I was doing chores and went into his empty barn to get some salt for the mares, I could almost hear the echo of his whinny that he would give if he was there to see the mares come running over as I went in the barn. I miss his bright eyes and handsome face, peering out from his barn door, and his glossy self following me along the fenceline as I brought his feed out. I guess I am feeling a bit empty today, and I will be glad to welcome a new year, hopefully with less sadness.