Contest winner!

Thanks, everyone who commented on my giveaway post! 34 of you! It was interesting to see that a lot of you have been following for quite a while, which is amazing to me in this age of instant messaging, texting and Facebook.

So.....

drumroll......


I wrote all the names down and put them in a bowl.....

..held it up high so I couldn't see in it.... and drew a name.....

Kate from A Year With Horses!

Kate, here is your prize, which was made by a local business, Leather and Lace.

If you don't wear necklaces, feel free to pay it forward. This photo is much larger than the actual size. 

I will need your mailing address Kate, if you click in my profile there is a link to my email address.

Once again, thanks to all those who entered, it was fun!

Pup stuff and riding

It's getting close to the time the pups will start leaving for their new homes. The exodus starts tomorrow, this little beauty, named Gypsy by her owners, will be going tomorrow.

On the 29th, I'll be delivering Chase, and maybe Tag and Nick too. Mid April will see Carol's pup, the female who is now named Pippin, as well as Roper and Cinch, whose new owner has changed his name to Phoenix. Try will be with us for a bit too, probably mid April as well. That leaves Quinn, who is still for sale. Can't believe he is the last one to be picked! Sure you don't want a pup? Yes, you! If you are in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Montana or Idaho, delivery can be arranged! Actually it won't break my heart to keep him around for a while, he is a really cool pup.

Sunday I pick up my new pup, her name is Hicountry Amber. Not sure if I'll call her Amber, we'll see.

Riding weather is back, it's almost spring. The horses are picking at the new grasses that are coming up, shedding out, and pretty full of themselves. I got Rio's teeth done yesterday, they definitely needed doing. He had one retained partial cap and still has the 2 center bottom baby teeth to shed. He was pretty uneven, and was also out on the right side on the poll, so that got an adjustment. Also took advantage of the sedation to clean the beans out of his... um.. you know! 3 of them, and even with the sedation he was a little grumpy with that. Went riding today, Shayla rode Beamer and I rode Rio; I think it will take him a couple of rides to realize that his mouth is more comfortable now.

He sure is laid back, even thought he is a whole hand taller than his sire, Beamer can out walk him- in fact Rio's trot is Beamer's walk! Sure enjoyed the ride.





 Cars and cows were no problem, and we did a couple of training tricks; I had Shayla get ahead of me a ways and lope off. It went not too bad, he did speed up and get worried after a bit, but nothing major. Then I turned around and rode away from Beamer, which was no problem... until... a Very Scary little white dog and its owner were coming down the road, and the closer it got the more Rio's anxiety climbed; I think his eyes were as big as saucers! He let out a rippin' snort and right about that time he could hear Beamer loping up behind us, so he started dancing around, not sure which way to go, poor boy! Once Daddy Beamer was along side he got a little braver and allowed as how the little dog could come close and check him out- the lady walking him was very good, kept calm and kept her dog well behaved.
Rio's evasions are so easy to handle compared to some horses I've ridden. It's a good thing he is basically a laid back horse!
Meanwhile, back at the farm, Josie got to have her very first time alone with no other horses around. I put her in the stall while we rode the boys, and gave her a little grain; she is in a growth spurt and could use a little extra- she turns one year old tomorrow. She did really well, only one whinny just before we left the yard, and when we returned. It looked like she spent her time at the hay feeder, she wasn't worked up or sweated up at all- good girl Josie!

A photo from earlier in the day at turn out time.

Sunday Stills- The letter L

Long exposure Light painting with a Lighted candle

 The next photo is the kitten I rescued a while back, Penny, all healed up and healthy and getting some Love from her new owner... I mean her new personal slave and servant!

Foggy Morning Breakdown

You will have to imagine the banjo, pickin' Foggy Mountain Breakdown (or click on the link and open it in another tab) as you scroll through these photos featuring Beamer on a tear this morning!

Another pup

Some exciting news- I have been searching for a registered red and white female border collie pup for years, and thanks to Facebook, I finally found one. So some of the money from the sale of my pups will go towards miss Hicountry Amber!

I have to go to Missoula to pick her up, and at the same time I will deliver Try to his new owners who have agreed to meet me in Missoula. We will be there on Sunday the 23rd, any bloggers in that area want to meet for coffee?
The only pup left for sale is Quinn, and I may have someone for him too, waiting to hear back from a person I contacted last night. Here is a pic of him with grandma Reba- so similar in markings.

Wordless Wednesday

Beamer, Birds 'n' Borders!

Enter my giveaway! Draw date March 20!

Spring is inching its way closer, the frost is coming out of the ground  and I think I can see bud growth on some of the hardier trees. This morning was foggy- pretty in its own way.

Beamer had to perform a little when I turned him out this morning.... but it was tough getting a decent photo, not sure of my settings for action in the fog.

Yeah, I know, my photography sucks today Beamer.

Oh well- the day got better! I saddled up in the afternoon sunshine and packed my good camera in a backpack- the first time I've taken it horseback.
I spotted a hawk in the trees, so stepped off and managed a shot or two. I think it's a Red-Tailed Hawk.

I did a lot of trotting, Beamer still has some bar grown under the apex of the frog on his right front, and I hope it will pop loose with some riding on firm ground. It's close, but not quite.
Rio has a dental appointment on the 17th, I think I won't ask too much of him until that's done. He isn't too happy riding in the arena, where we ask him to move in frame etc. but he did enjoy riding down the road after the arena workout. There was a lot of water sitting in the fields near the arena, but it should be going into the ground now that it has warmed up a bit.

* I think these trees are well watered!*

Meanwhile.... there are only 2 pups left for sale now; Chase is going to have a job rounding up and chasing (appropriately enough!) geese off of a Golf Course. That leaves Quinn and Cinch. 

I took those two little rascals out and put them on the lawn for the first time today- hope you enjoy the video!) I have my eye on a red and white female pup, so I really need to get these two sold! Delivery to Alberta, Saskatchewan, Idaho or Montana can be arranged, just sayin'!

Sunday Stills: Barns in black and white

....with a cat or two! Every good barn needs barn cats.

Pupdate

Enter my giveaway! Draw date March 20

The puppies are growing like weeds, and the cuteness factor is increasing too.
Th pup heading to Montana has been decided; they want Try.

That leaves 3 boys available:
Cinch

Quinn

and Chase- I really have to get some better photos of little Chase, but it's difficult because his favourite place is snuggled on my lap.

It was nice and warm today, so I took them all out to the Canine Hilton- the dog run.
They discovered how to climb, and play with sticks and leaves.

So cute! Here is your pup Carol:

 I even took a little video, short because my battery ran out.



The folks who are taking a female pup came out to see her while I had them turned out, they enjoyed taking photos of the pups and playing with them; I took a nice one of their pup cuddling and snoozing.

After an hour of play, they were ready to crash, dropping in little puppy heaps, so we took them back to their nice warm room and they all huddled together., lights out! Some fresh air was good for them.

300! And a giveaway.

A long time ago, I celebrated my 300th post- now I am celebrating my 300th follower- it kinda boggles me that there are 300 people who thought it worthwhile to follow this blog. I know that all 300 don't read every post, just as I don't get around to reading every post on the blogs I follow- although I do try, time permitting. So, to honour you, my readers, I am doing a giveaway; all that is necessary is to be a follower and leave a comment telling when you started following this web log of mine.
The prize? Well, it will be a grab bag of products from local people, maybe even one of my creations depending on who wins. I will make a random draw on the first day of spring- the 20th! I'll make sure to link to this post with every post I put up.
Fire away- I'd love to hear from you!

Wordless Wednesday

Back to our regularly scheduled programming.....

Oh yes, more horses and puppies!
We had a good snowfall the last few days, and it has warmed right up- in fact, it's trying to rain. Beamer took advantage of the snow for his obligatory snow bath when I turned him out today.

He needed it too! Look how dirty the snow is on his side.

Josie and Rio were not too inclined to move out, the snow is heavy and wet- but they did, with a little encouragement. I like how similar they are in their style.

One more of Beamer, then I'll move on to the pups:

The pups will be 5 weeks old on Friday. I only have 3 left to sell- 3 of these (one of them will be going to Montana, just don't know which one yet)

Nick and Tag will be going to the same home, Roper is going to Alberta, and one of the females is going to Kimberley and the other is going to Saskatchewan.
Tess is about done with feeding them, as you can see in this video:



They are on slightly softened kibble, and all of them are drinking water now. They should be on hard kibble by the weekend, although I will still give them the softened stuff. They sure are growing fast!

Sunday Stills

The challenge this week is cows- nary a cow to be seen anywhere that I was this week, so I went to my December archives:; I've been wanting to post this photo so here it is. And a couple more!

Makes a nice change from endless puppy and horse photos!