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! 

Signs of spring

 As you can see by these photos.... 

Winter still has us in its chilly grip. However, the mares are shedding and the days are getting longer. So there are some signs of spring such as:

Misty the mama cat has come into heat... again...

She is currently holding court to the 4 male cats, poor thing. She is on our left in the photo, then in the line up are Boris, Harley and Tom, with Ollie on the ground. I haven't yet been able to catch her to get her to the vet, so looks like there will be one more litter. I won't spay when she is pregnant, but I will still work on getting her used to feeding in the kennel so I can eventually catch her. 

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!  

Whole lotta...

 Nothing, really. Just waiting for the weather to break; can't do much outside in stupid cold. Morning chores, evening chores, rinse and repeat....

The kitten Minou has been keeping me entertained. She goes in for spay on the 26th; I have been keeping her indoors and working on socializing, which is coming along nicely. She finally decided today that she likes Thumper's company, and he condescended to allow her to introduce herself. 

This afternoon, she even tried to get him to share his pillow. 

Which he tolerated for about 15 seconds....

Minou will be leaving the second weekend in March to go live with her full siblings from last year, Tiger and Lily. 

Not much going on with the mares. Happy is getting bigger, Gussie is not.  

Sisters from different mothers

We do have some horse plans for this year, will do a follow up post on that when things are sorted out. I should have a couple young horses of Shayla's to play with come spring, as well as Happy's foal. 

Until then, I have cabin fever! 

Why horses

 As I lay awake in the middle of the night, I got to thinking about the history of people and horses. How through the centuries, they have been there for us and how throughout history so much has been achieved because of them. 

Then, on a personal level, how is it that our lives have become intertwined with those magnificent creatures? Why horses? For me, or for you? Why have they been the constant, the anchor that steadies me/us?

For me it started when I was 4 years old and my dad needed to borrow a horse to help drag logs. He took little me with him and made a deal with a local farmer to borrow his big black draft horse.  That was the first horse I saw. She was black and her name was Star.  Then a short time later he again went to borrow a horse to haul logs, and this time the farmer sent his daughter to catch the horse and bring it in; this time I walked behind as the girl rode the big black horse (probably Percheron) and I remember thinking, " that should be me up there". 

So began my lifelong fascination with these amazing creatures.  I will never forget the first ride I had, being led on a chestnut Thoroughbred mare, the wonderful horse smell and that first moment when she walked along.  Those are the moments that stayed with me through all those years until I eventually owned my first very own horse. (Ironically, a black mare)

It may also explain why I gravitate to black horses. 

He gave the best kisses! 

How is it that there is such a connection between horses and humans? It seems to me that it is part if the Divine Design. We are there for them as much as they are there for us. There is an undeniable current that connects us, if we let it. 

When I walk into my little herd, I feel at peace in my soul. Troubles and cares are put on the back burner. 

My best boy

And I think, for me, that is the answer to my "Why horses".  They are the single thing, other than nature itself, that gives that peace to my soul. They are something tangible and present, something I can feel, touch, share adventures with, teach, share, and find joy in. And it makes all the ugliness of the world fade away in their presence. 

I thank God for the horses. 

Kitten update

 I put the kittens on kijiji a while ago, and last night  young family came to see them and took Timbits home with them. They have a 16 year old female cat who is the exact same color as him so that was pretty cool. Timbits let the parents hold him and even let their 4 yr old son pet him, so I think they will give him a great home. 

That leaves Minou; the most timid of them alI. I have her in the mud room bathroom and ever since she has been by herself she has really come around. She is still a bit scared and nervous but is really responding to attention and petting. 

The best part is, she will be going to live with my sister in Sechelt who also has Tiger and Lily from last year's litter. We will get her spayed here first and then off she goes for her next big adventure! 

Queen Minou in her basket, purring and snoozing

If the saddle fits, wear it!

 I saddled Gussie the other day, I must say she wasn't overly impressed, as it has been about a year since she was saddled last. 

What the heck? Saddling? 

I tried both saddles on her. 

Then I put the saddle on that I normally ride in which I usually can barely do up the back cinch on....

It too fits well. If anything, she has lost a little weight. So since it has become fairly certain that she isn't in foal.... 

She will be going back to being ridden this year. Doesn't she look impressed! She is 23 this year, and has the beginnings of arthritis in her right knee, so it will only be some light riding. Mostly for the sake of giving her and me something to do. 

One of the kittens found her new home yesterday. 

The photo that did the trick

The first time picking Matilda up, please ignore all the cat hair on my shirt!

I captured all the kittens yesterday; feeding them in the kennel in the barn did the trick. I brought them into the house (the mud room bathroom is perfect for this) for socializing. The guy who answered my Facebook post drove 3 hours to get Matilda, we had a nice visit and talked horses, of course. 

Now to get a home for Timbits, the male kitten. Even if he gets neutered, the other male cats here will run him off like they did with Smoky. So I hope to place him soon. 

Beautiful day

 Well when it warms up to +7 C one must get outside and enjoy the lovely sunshine! I decided to take Gussie for a bit of a walk, so I caught her and brushed her and took her over to the gazebo . She wasn't overly impressed with stepping into its narrow space, but she did. 

Then we headed to the round pen, I wanted her to stir up the snow so it would melt faster. 

We have about 8 inches of snow and it is now soggy instead of crusty- perfect for playing! 

C'mon Gussie, make tracks!

Velvet was calling to her of course so Gussie visited across  the fence

And off again!

My favorite photo

Being out of shape, she soon gave up. 

Nice pose, Gussie!

The next couple days are supposed to be really nice,  so I may throw a saddle on her and see if it fits. Still not sure if she is in foal. 

Looky here!

 Well I have some exciting news.... drum roll...

Anyone recognize this lovely face?

How about now?

Yes that is the lovely Dally! Aka DLH Peppys Diamond.

I had the opportunity to buy her, thanks to help from my husband, and she will be coming here sometime in May. I am over the moon to finally own my Beamer daughter again! And the bonus is, she is out of Jayne. The folks who own her are downsizing their program, and gave Shayla or I first chance to buy her. Neither of us thought it would happen  but I made it work when the timing was right . 

I looked back on my blog and here are some of my favorite baby photos of her:

With her mama, Jayne

Airborne!

That diamond inspired her name as well as the mare Diamonds Sparkle in her pedigree

I just can't wait to bring her home!

Sunday Silence