Shuffle

 Today I did some shuffling. This morning Gussie got snarky with Happy and as she jumped out of the way she skidded on some ice so today became moving day for her. She now has access to the foaling pen which includes barn access, as well as the adjacent pen which has access to the automatic waterer. 

She was quite willing to go in the barn and check it out. 

Awful photo, sorry!

Gussie and Velvet have full access to the shelter and the winter pasture and the other side of the waterer. They also have a brand new  round bale to eat. However, they are Not Happy that Happy has their favorite pen!

Happy is quite unconcerned with their drama.

 

Wide load! 

She is starting to bag up and baby is still quite active so she is on track to be 4 to 5 weeks away from foaling. 

She seems to be quite content to not have to deal with getting chased out of the hay. 

Velvet is the most emotional about being separated from Happy. I reckon she will just have to get over it. 

The Eyes Have It

 Well St. Patrick's day brought the big change in weather! From -24 C two days ago to +15 C today- yay let the melt down begin! 

Here is what we have to melt yet:

I spent sunshine time raking muck again and just hangin' with the mares. They were soaking up the warmth all relaxed in their shelter, that is, once Gussie gave Velvet the stink eye for daring to move a little closer to me. 

 Those snarky nostrils! Velvet just ignored her. 

I took the chance to do one of my favourite shoots, the equine eye. 

Such long lashes, Gussie! 

If anyone has any hints for uploading videos 

directly from an android phone to blogger please let me know. They seem to go, but once I hit publish, it says not available. I really don't want to have to use You Tube if I can avoid it. They publish fine on facebook but not on blogger. I want to put videos of Happy's very active baby  on here!

The mares

 What to do on the only warm weekend in the next two weeks? Well... spend time with the mares of course! 

It warmed up enough that I was able to rake their feed area, then I walked down to the winter pasture to see if they are pawing yet- they aren't- and they obligingly followed me so naturally I took a few photos. 

Happy's baby belly is at wide load stage. 

She really is the sweetest mare I have had in a long time. 

She is very smart and keeps herself out of trouble in the herd. 

She always places herself so that Velvet is between her and Gussie. 

Velvet is the herd watchdog. This morning she had her eye on a moose across the river; while Gussie and Happy were up in the feed pen she was down in the winter pasture standing guard. 

Disregard the broken fence board please! Spring project. 

Velvet is losing her topline and the muscling along her ribs. Sadly, at 26 years old her time grows short. I will see how she fares this summer and won't let her get to the decrepit state that will make another winter too tough. But I hope she bounces back with the good summer pasture we have here.  I really enjoy her company as she always walks beside me when I am in their pens. 

She is still in charge of the mare herd here, no matter who I bring in. 

And then there is Gussie. 

She expects to be treated like the diva she is. One must acknowledge her presence but on her terms  

She tends to stand back and watch to see if there is any benefit in engaging, such as getting brushed, or scratches or food. 

Does anyone else have a horse with a nose swirl?

And if so, she makes sure that I know to give her the attention she desires!

And then she ignores me. 

All three of them just make my day! 

Here we go again

 February just won't let go....

What do you think Gussie? Had enough yet?

Done with February, bring on March!

The mares, although they have plenty of shelter, choose to stand on the lee side of the barn during storms. 

Photo taken from the comfort of my dining room window

They are still well insulated though and seem to be handling this weather like good ole northern horses. Velvet is starting to show her age though with her topline dropping and not quite as much padding as she usually has. The old girl  (age 26) is still perfectly sound though. Gotta love that old time foundation breeding. 

Happy is starting to shed but still has dense fur. I haven't been brushing her, as I want her to keep as much of her coat as possible to keep her warm.

Those spots on her are not dirt, it is her bay roan coat showing through. 

I am so looking forward to her foal. The sire has Seattle Slew in his pedigree 4 generations back, through his son Louisiana Slew. That thoroughbred blood in there intrigues me!  

Sunday Silence

 

Straight from the horses mouth!

 

Winter's Beauty

 Even though we have to deal with finger numbing, ear freezing, bone chilling wind and cold, there is always something lovely to see. 

The sun rising low on the southern horizon, 8:49 am.  (Yes those are round bales in the back field)

The trees across the river aglow in the late sunrise . We often see deer over there.

Even cranky mares telling me I am too slow opening the gate to their fresh hay! 

We were down to -33 Celsius last night but a balmy -13 C now . Warmer temps coming but still sub zero. This too shall pass.....

Happy has adapted to the herd quite well. Gussie still chases her at morning feed time but they all hang out as a group during the day.  Velvet has buddied up with her.

Christmas day was sunny and cold. Velvet and Gussie were dozing alongside the big barn.

That is, until Velvet saw me coming and had to investigate. 

And headed to the shelter in case, just maybe, I would put extra hay out.... 

The mares are wintering well despite the cold. They have 24/7 hay as well as heated water. 

I did some checking on due dates, it looks like Happy is due around two weeks before Gussie. End of April to mid May should be busy for me! 

Colder days are here

 Winter is closing in on us, inexorable juggernaut that it is. Every morning as I head to the barn for chores, the wind has an icy bite to it. The mares stand with their tails to the wind, hopeful eyes checking to see if they get to share the barn with the kittens ( they don't) as I prepare their ration. 

Timbits surveying the guardians at the door

 

Their coats are thick, the summertime dapples still showing on ole Velvet. 

The farrier was here yesterday, and they were both good for him. I asked him to not put Velvet's leg between his knees when he trimmed, as I am sure that was what was upsetting her - being so short,  the angle was just too much for her at her age, and so he just propped her foot on his knee to trim and she was much happier with that arrangement. 

I am the queen

I haven't ridden since last winter, not counting my work with Rally. For over a year I have had health issues that have impeded my mobility, hoping to get it all sorted out soon as I really would like to get a few rides on Gussie before she foals. Weather permitting of course!

The barn kittens are ready to go, but no takers yet for them. 

From top to bottom:

Timber (Timbits)

Minou

Matilda

They are starting to wait at their food dishes for me instead of scattering when I come in the barn. Minou is still fearful, she freaked out when I picked her up and it took her 3 days to figure out that I wasn't trying to kill her and is starting to come around again; the other two are quite content to be petted and played with.

 Thumper has old cat privileges, he now gets to spend 90 % of his time sleeping on the loveseat, and in the heated garage at night.

 He takes up a lot of room!