CTG Ponies

Skywatch Friday - Season 5, Episode 31

2012-02-10T05:05:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've had a good pic for Skywatch Friday

Sunset behind the windmill

View skies from around the world at Skywatch

Wordless Wednesday - Portrait of Rooster

2012-02-08T05:16:00.000-05:00

Macro Monday - Rooster's Winter Coat

2012-02-06T05:03:00.000-05:00

He's a wooly monster in the winter

Wordless Wednesday - Playing

2012-02-01T05:08:00.000-05:00

Riding, riding, riding

2012-01-30T05:06:00.000-05:00

Winter is tough for me - I hate the cold - but I do try to ride all winter. Sunday, T and I rode on some of the local roads with 2 other ladies from the barn. A little chilly and windy but a nice ride. I remembered my GPS - 6.7 miles in 2 hours with an average speed of 3.8 mph.

I can't wait for spring!

Yawn

2012-01-29T14:57:00.000-05:00

Rooster's pretty tired of winter too...

Wordless Wednesday - Eating Snow

2012-01-25T05:18:00.000-05:00

Fresh Snow, No Prints

2012-01-24T05:15:00.000-05:00

Sunday morning I jumped up on Rooster bareback so we could be the first ones to leave tracks in the new snow. Walk, trot and canter in the fresh snow.

A quick video snippet of walking and trotting up the hill

After riding in the woods, we did a road ride for about an hour and a half. Nice ride but the clouds returned and it was chilly.

Snow Ponies

2012-01-23T05:18:00.000-05:00

Saturday's storm dumped about 4 inches of snow on us. We let the horses romp around in the riding rin. They had a very good time kicking up snow.

Wordless Wednesday - Single Stalk

2012-01-18T05:04:00.000-05:00

Sunrise

2012-01-17T07:18:00.003-05:00

We had a trail ride planned for Sunday and I figured since I was going to be out in the cold anyway I might as well drive up the road to the corn field for some sunrise pics. It was 15 degrees, cold and clear. The light was gorgeous and the colors were really rich but, BBBRRR, it was really cold.

Macro Monday - After the Harvest

2012-01-16T05:03:00.000-05:00

The farmer baled the last of the corn stalks last week.

These kernels and husks were about all that was left in the field.

Sunday Stills - Corners

2012-01-15T08:19:00.001-05:00

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Corners. I thought that I would have a hard time with this one but when I went out in the cold this morning to take pics of the sunrise, there was a hay wagon that was perfect.

Just as the sun came up

View other Challenge participants here.

Goodbye

2012-01-12T20:44:00.001-05:00

I have been reading blogs through Google Reader lately but haven't really been able to comment or write very many posts (mostly photos). When I first starting writing this blog it was 2007, it was totally on a whim and I wondered what the heck I could possibly write about. I have made some blogger friends, read some great stories and learned lots.

In November of 2011, Carmon Reyo of Life at Star's Rest lost her fight and left his world. She left behind her husband and the animals that she loved so much. It was with a heavy heart that I read about her passing. I may not have known her in person but I got a glimpse of her life through her blog.

In December of 2011, I read updates on Chronicle of the Horse about Argus, the horse that was saved and his life detailed in From Hell to Heaven: Saving Argus. Argus spent 16 years of his life in a small pen with very little nutrition and was rescued from certain death by Katie at Watermark Farm. Argus had a wonderful life with Katie and his friend Ridge. Katie lost both Argus and Ridge in the same day.

If you can, please take some time to read through these blogs.

Wordless Wednesday - Photo Op

2012-01-11T05:09:00.000-05:00

Forever Sleepy

2012-01-10T05:06:00.000-05:00

I swear he's smiles...

Bandit in Black & White

2012-01-09T05:03:00.000-05:00

Black and white border collie in Black & White

Wordless Wednesday - Trust

2012-01-04T05:08:00.000-05:00

Macro Monday - Reba's Eye

2012-01-02T05:09:00.000-05:00

This pony has the kindest eye

The Great Diversion and Reba

2012-01-01T17:55:00.000-05:00

We acquired Amos, as The Great Division has been known, in November on a whim. He is a very nice horse but is definitely a Western pleasure kind of guy. Slow and steady should be his motto. T really enjoyed riding him but it was pretty obvious that he just wasn't the kind of horse that we would really use. We decided to advertise him locally with the hope that we would find him a home where someone would use him as a Western Pleasure horse and put some finish on him. A barnmate's daugher (who knows this horse from another boarding barn) is a riding instructor at a college in New York state and happens to show Western. She was the first one to look at him and ride him and he will be leaving for his new home in about a week and a half. He will be used in the Western riding program at the college as well as being her own personal riding horse. It's the best home that we could have hoped for and we are so happy that he will be part of their program! She is changing him name to Tres (as in the number 3 in Spanish) which I like so much better than Amos.

Reba belonged to a friend of ours who has Mexican Mustangs and, like us, keeps his eye out for them on the rare occassion that one shows up in the area. As a matter of fact, he was going to look at Dash but we got there first :) They had acquired Reba as a 6 month old filly from auction and they raised her and sent her off to Kenny Harlow for training. She has been at a mutual friend's barn for about a year as a lesson horse and was shown at local gymkhana shows last year. She's 8 years old. She has impeccable ground manners, is a total pocket pony and is quite the spitfire under saddle - a fun little horse to ride. She's some kind of QH cross and stands at a sturdy 14 hands. T has been working with her quite a bit to polish her skills and is very much enjoying having her around. She fits in really well with our little herd and she's quite photogenic.

Wordless Wednesday - Pink Skies over Farmland

2011-12-28T05:18:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T16:25:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday - Fire Breathing Dragon

2011-12-21T05:13:00.002-05:00

Tommy, OTTB

Wordless Wednesday - In the Woods

2011-12-14T05:12:00.000-05:00

Dash'n Barrels

2011-12-13T06:28:00.000-05:00

T has started doing some patterns with Dash. We've mostly just tooled around with him when we had a few minutes but he's been getting more attention and more riding since we moved. He's pretty handy and has some serious speed when you ask for it.

Getting used to turning barrels

He's a lot of fun to ride, has an awesome personality and will totally go to sleep when you ask him to stop.

His favorite speed - sleeping

Goings On

2011-12-12T14:45:00.000-05:00

Phew, time seems to be slipping away from me....the end of the year is always hectic at work and it seems that everything else is crazy too.

So...Tiger came to us with feet that weren't in very good condition. After working with the farrier and discussing with the vet, we all decided that he wasn't going to be the gaming pony we had hoped and we were going to try to find him a good home. Through the power of the Internet and Facebook, we found his former owner from about 10 years ago and we gave him to her. She was thrilled to get him back and we were happy since she already knows his personality and how he rides.

In the meantime, we decided to move back to a farm where we had boarded before that would allow us to work on a project or two and was much better set up for training and conditioning. We moved horses a week and a half ago. Craig and T did most of the packing up while I was at work and it was a pretty smooth transition. Everyone settled in well.

So...an opportunity came up for a quarter pony mare that a friend of ours got when she was 6 months old. Her name is Reba, she's 8 now, very sweet with impeccable ground manners and needs some more saddle time (she was broke by Kenny Harlow and has been in a lesson program recently). She came home on Friday. T has been riding her and she's really happy with her. She's also working with the QH gelding, The Great Diversion (we still haven't come up with a barn name for him). She's going to be busy riding all winter. In the meantime, the vet was at the barn and was checking teeth for me to see who needs to be done. A pleasant surprise - Dash is 8 years old, not the teenager we thought. He's the first horse that is younger than what we thought which is awesome. And T started him on some gaming stuff. That boy can move!!! And she's still working Zip to make sure he doesn't lose too much condition over the winter (show season will be here before you know it!). I've been riding Rooster in the ring and in the woods. We did a 3 hour trail ride on Saturday - beautiful scenery but a tougher ride than I anticipated. He was awesome but we were both pretty tired.

Got a bunch of pics to get through and will get some posted. The temps have dropped and it's been cold even in the sun during the day so I pretty much want to curl up in lots of blankets and stay inside :)

Wordless Wednesday - Profiles

2011-12-07T05:16:00.002-05:00

Macro Monday - Mushroom

2011-12-05T06:26:00.000-05:00

I was walking through the leaves and almost stepped on this mushroom.

His Favorite Speed

2011-12-01T20:22:00.000-05:00

Sleeping...

Wordless Wednesday - He Does Ride...sometimes

2011-11-30T06:10:00.000-05:00

Still here...

2011-11-26T09:53:00.001-05:00

Been busy this week with work and the holiday. Got a little bit of riding in. Rooster is feeling much better on meds with no coughing. New horse is settling in and figuring out the herd. We found a former owner of Tiger's who really wanted him back so he left this morning. I'm really happy that we found her and she will appreciate him. Off to visit family and back to work on Monday.

Hope everyone had a great Turkey Day!!

Sunday Stills - Portraits

2011-11-20T08:56:00.000-05:00

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Portraits. I didn't set out to take specific pics this week but did take two that I really liked (both involve horses of course!).

T's new project horse, registered name The Great Diversion. Even though it's bright sunlight, I loved the way the light hit him and the pic just seemed to scream "selective color" to me.

Candid shot of T on the same horse. I love the look on her face and the way her hair landed on her shoulders. She wasn't aware that I was snapping away.

View other Challenge participants here

Wordless Wednesday - Tongue Wagging

2011-11-16T05:06:00.003-05:00

Saddles Optional

2011-11-15T06:21:00.001-05:00

One of the things that I absolutely love about the horses that we have is that you can grab a bridle, brush off some of the dirt and just hop on, in the pasture, in the ring, on the trails. I tend to ride bareback more than with a saddle, especially when it's cold out. T and I got to ride both Saturday and Sunday which was awesome. Saddles were definitely optional. The new QH gelding is about as quiet as you can get and totally doesn't mind tooling around with no saddle.

T on the new guy

Me on the new guy

Saturday we took advantage of the empty pasture and rode Tiger and Dash around the field. It was so much fun!

Me and Dash in the pasture

T and Dash crossing the creek

T and Tiger in the field

Bookends

2011-11-14T05:19:00.000-05:00

With the chilly mornings and nice afternoons, the horses have taken to napping in the sun. Tiger and Rooster were like two bookends. They even had the same back foot cocked.

Skywatch Friday, Season 5, Episode 18

2011-11-11T05:06:00.026-05:00

The Light Before Sunrise

Saturday morning, after I had taken the dogs out in the dark, I decided to drive up the road to take pics of the sunrise. Mornings have been chilly but I thought I would be fine with the fleece I had on – I was wrong, I froze my butt off!! I pulled up to the edge of the cornfield that has an awesome view of the sun as it tops the trees and parked my car next to a hunter’s truck. Because of the hunter’s presence I opted to stay close to the road (I had a dark gray sweatshirt on and kind of blended in). At this point it was light enough that I didn’t need the car’s headlights but the sun hadn’t yet made an appearance.

The light just before sunrise was awesome.

The rising sun lit the corn and turned everything gold.

It’s definitely something I will do again but I’ll make sure that I am dressed warmer!

The Great Diversion

2011-11-10T05:04:00.001-05:00

Believe it or not, that is actually this horse’s registered name. How on earth do we shorten that to come up with a barn name??? He’s been called Amos before but to me Amos is a plow horse, not a good looking Quarter Horse. We will come up with something that seems to suit him better. He’s 6 years old, papered and T’s next project. He’s a bit out of shape and still figuring out where he fits in with everything but he’s an awfully nice horse.

Wordless Wednesday - Sleeping Beauties

2011-11-09T05:06:00.002-05:00

Macro Monday - Wheat Stalk

2011-11-07T05:09:00.000-05:00

A wheat stalk at the edge of a cornfield just before sunrise Saturday morning.

Sad Day

2011-11-04T05:00:00.012-04:00

Yesterday afternoon I got a call from the mother of the girl who owns Maccabee. Macky came through the colic surgery ok but developed a complication and was not getting any better. In fact he was getting worse and stopped eating. They made the very difficult decision to end his suffering. I am so very sad at his loss and his teenage owner is really torn up.

This his how I will remember him - full of himself

Always wondering what you were doing

He crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 11/3/2011 and was lucky enough to be loved by 2 teenaged girls in the last year of his life

Maccabee G, may you run and buck in green fields forever. Rest in peace, buddy.

Wordless Wednesday - On the Hill

2011-11-02T05:03:00.003-04:00

October Snow

2011-11-01T06:33:00.000-04:00

The snow started Saturday morning. It was supposed to be mostly rain to begin with but Mother Nature had other ideas. We blanketed all of the horses since they didn't really have their winter coats yet and it was very wet snow, a fresh round bale went out and the water tub was filled to the brim. We weren't sure that we were going to be able to get back there later in the day since there were already tree limbs down. The snow stopped sometime in the early morning on Sunday and left us with about 8 inches that compacted down as the temps came up. By Sunday afternoon it was sunny and every thing was melting. The barn is still without power, our cable just came up last night and there are still several streets closed due to downed trees and power lines. Let's hope we get back to normal by the weekend.

Saturday morning, looking through the fence

Saturday morning in the pasture

Sunday morning in the pasture

T took advantage of the snow to jump on Zip bareback

While Craig cleared the driveway

Winter Wonderland?!

2011-10-31T05:44:00.001-04:00

Forget Fall Harvest, we went right to Winter Wonderland. Mother Nature dropped an early snow on us that just caused chaos. We got about 8 inches of very wet snow that took drown trees limbs, knocked out power and closed roads. Fun!! We don't normally get snow in October (sometimes we don't get snow until late December) and a lot of the trees still had leaves so the snow really stuck and weighed everything down. No pics because our cable is out so no TV, house phone or Internet (doing this on my cell). Luckily some sun and temps in the 50s will help to melt everything and crews can get in to clean up. No school for T - too many road closures to get the buses through.

Oh no, SNOW!

2011-10-28T06:32:00.000-04:00

The weather forecast is calling for a Nor'easter tomorrow. Good news - fast moving storm will only last Saturday. Bad news - our area is on target for 2 to 4 inches of snow. It is way too early for snow and I'm not ready!!!! Oh well, maybe I'll have a good photo op....

Dash isn't ready either!

Under the Weather

2011-10-27T06:20:00.000-04:00

Seems like I've been sick the entire month of October. Caught a cold and just when I think it was getting better I started to feel sick again. BLAH...will catch up on posts as soon as I can.

Please keep Maccabee in your thoughts. He had colic surgery yesterday and they found 2 impactions.

Wordless Wednesday - Chillin'

2011-10-26T06:36:00.002-04:00

Into the Trees

2011-10-20T05:06:00.002-04:00

One of my favorite pics from Sunday's trail ride - in the cedar trees

Wordless Wednesday - Golden Light

2011-10-19T05:07:00.002-04:00

Sunday Trail Ride

2011-10-18T05:11:00.011-04:00

The 4H group scheduled a trail ride for this past Sunday in Green Lane Park. It ended up being me, T, the club leader and his 2 daughters. The weather was perfect and it was a good ride. 7.6 miles in 2 hours with all of the horses behaving and the riders having a good time. Craig followed up the ride with pizza at the trail head. We definitely need to do more of these rides - it was fun! There were a lot of riders out enjoying the autumn colors.
I didn't take too many pics - I'm not very coordinated to hold the point and shoot camera while leading the ride and trotting along.

Rooster & Zip

One of the many fields

In the cedar trees

Macro Monday - Rooster

2011-10-17T05:10:00.002-04:00

Sunday Stills - Focusing on the Foreground

2011-10-16T16:36:00.000-04:00

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Focusing on the Foreground. This was kind of a hard one for me in that I didn't really have any ideas. I was walking around the pasture with my camera yesterday trying to get some pics of the horses with the autumn colors and thought this one fit the bill.

Dash & Tiger nibbling on grass

View other Challenge participants here.

Opening Ceremony

2011-10-13T06:19:00.002-04:00

T did the opening ceremony on Zip for the last gymkhana of the season. Zip wanted to go, go, go!!

Wordless Wednesday - Making Dust

2011-10-12T06:23:00.000-04:00

Last Gymkhana of the Season

2011-10-11T06:41:00.000-04:00

Saturday was Buxmont's last gymkhana of the season. Once again, T and Zip did awesome and finished the night as Grand Champion! She did a phenomenal job this year and finished as Grand Champion for 5 of the 6 shows and Reserve for the remaining show. She ended her year in the Junior division as Grand Champion!!!

Duck & Dive

Pole Bending

October 1st Buxmont Show

2011-10-04T05:11:00.012-04:00

Saturday was show 5 of 6 for Buxmont Riding Club. We took Rooster and Zip but scratched Rooster after one class. He wasn't himself and we didn't want to take the chance of an issue. Zip was a star!!! T finished as Grand Champion for the night and is still in the lead for year end points. It was overcast and rainy so no real pics. Saturday, October 8th is the last show of the season.

Macro Monday - Moss

2011-10-03T05:06:00.001-04:00

All of the rain has created a bloom in moss and mushroom. This is a downed tree covered in moss in Fort Washington State Park.

Sunday Stills - Water Droplets

2011-10-02T05:05:00.009-04:00

Every week I look at the Sunday Stills Challenge for the week with the intention of definitely taking pics but life seems to intrude. But I'm here this week!

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Water Droplets. This one was pretty easy since the only weather we have lately is RAIN. We've set rainfall records for both August and September, over a foot each month.

Raindrops on a spider web at the barn

Show Day

2011-10-01T07:23:00.000-04:00

Off to the barn soon to feed horses and get them ready for today's Buxmont show. 4 shows down, 2 to go to finish the season (the last show is next Saturday). Hopefully the rain holds off. We are going to need an ark soon if the rain doesn't let up.

Google+

2011-09-29T06:31:00.000-04:00

So I decided to try Google+ since I really don't like the new Facebook layout. I'm still figuring it out but I like it so far. Still adding pics, adding to circles and updating my profile. There's so much under the Google umbrella so I'm hoping to get everything linked. You can see my public profile here. Are you using it yet? If so, what do you think?

Wordless Wednesday - Pastoral

2011-09-28T06:36:00.000-04:00

Off to the Rodeo!

2011-09-24T06:45:00.000-04:00

Off to the last rodeo of the season at Cowtown Rodeo with a stop at the tack store first! Hopefully the rain will go away so we aren't completely soaked.

Zip wishes he could come too :)

Tiger!

2011-09-22T05:03:00.008-04:00

FINALLY - he has a name...Tiger. He's kind of tiger colored, he has tiger stripes on his back legs and it seems to fit him. T has been working with him to get him in shape. He hadn't been ridden much before we got him and he was kept with cows so he's getting used to the herd and having a job.

Wordless Wednesday - Peek a Boo

2011-09-21T05:03:00.003-04:00

After the Races Photo Shoot

2011-09-20T05:04:00.002-04:00

I offered to take pics of the Thoroughbreds that are currently looking for new homes through After the Races which is a rehabilitation center that takes in retiring Thoroughbreds after they are done racing at Philadelphia Park. I am hoping that some of the photos help the horses find new homes. These are some of the head shots.

Contesa

Houdini

Indy

Lexi

Shade

Silky

Hero

I spent about 3 hours and had fun meeting the horses and taking pics. I hope to visit with them again soon. You can see more photos here.

Pony with No Name

2011-09-17T08:32:00.001-04:00

Would you believe that he still doesn't have a name??? We can't seem to find the right name that suits him. For now, he's just "Pony" but we really like him and his personality. I guess he'll let us know when we find the right name....

Wordless Wednesday - Anticipation

2011-09-14T05:16:00.001-04:00

Saturday's Buxmont Show

2011-09-13T05:13:00.011-04:00

I am so proud of T and all she has accomplished!!! She finished Saturday's Buxmont show as Grand Champion on Zip and Reserve Champion on Rooster! She's been working really hard and it shows. Both horses pinned in all 7 classes. She even had the fastest time on Zip for one lap (a single lap along the rail (between the rail and cones) as fast as you can. And she did the opening ceremony with another rider. All in all a good night. Two more shows and then Buxmont is finished for the season.

Proud to be an American

2011-09-11T12:14:00.000-04:00

In memory of all those that lost their lives 10 years ago...

9/11 - Never Forget

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

2011-09-09T05:10:00.002-04:00

Happy 15th Birthday to My Girl!!

Skywatch Friday - Season 5, Episode 9

2011-09-09T05:07:00.003-04:00

Turkey Vultures on the roof of the barn, next to a lightening rod

Dear Mother Nature,

2011-09-08T06:24:00.000-04:00

Please send the rain that is coming down in inches by the hour to another part of the country that needs it, like Texas. We are soggy and waterlogged here and would like to see the sun and dry out. Thanks :o)

Taken yesterday afternoon with T's cell phone. This is normally dry and grassy. The creek that runs along the edge of the farm flooded its banks and came up to my friend Jeanine's trailer. She was able to get it moved before it was damaged.

Wordless Wednesday - Moose on the Track

2011-09-07T05:26:00.000-04:00

Getting Back into the Swing of Things

2011-09-01T06:42:00.000-04:00

T started school this week which adjusts everyone's morning routine. We are all getting back into the swing of things and readjusting time schedules. We will have to fit riding time into the schedule somewhere. Maccabee left for his new home the other day and we are starting to stockpile hay for the winter. No idea how the hurricane has effected the hay farms.

Blogs are blocked at work now so that reduces me to reading updates through Google Reader and commenting when I can from home (not much). I will actually have a few extra minutes (hopefully) each morning so I will get back in the habit of commenting more. I promise I'll stop by to visit...

Wordless Wednesday - Dash on the Track

2011-08-31T05:08:00.001-04:00

After the Storm

2011-08-30T05:06:00.017-04:00

Hurricane Irene paid us a visit Saturday and Sunday. We opted not to go to the 4H Regional show on Saturday, given the looming hurricane and stayed at the barn to batten down the hatches. The rain and winds were pretty fierce but everybody - 2 legged and 4 legged - did just fine. The horses all hunkered down in their big shed and we stayed inside with the dogs and listened to the tornado warnings. No fences or trees down, just a little washout of the driveway at the barn, the chickens were fine in their coop. Whatever hay was out was waterlogged and the horses hoovered the hay we had put out Sunday morning so they headed out to the grass.

The howling wind didn't bother them and at least it was warm out. A fresh round bale later and all were happily munching away.

Maccabee leaves for his new home tomorrow. We wish him well with his new owner and hope to see him again in the show ring! Someday the pony will have a name...

Bracing for the storm and stressing about the weather

2011-08-26T09:15:00.001-04:00

Hurricane Irene is on its way and Philadelphia is in the direct path. We are about 35 miles west of Philly and will definitely be impacted. They are predicting 5 to 10 inches of rain with high winds, trees down and power outages. A hurricane warning has been issued for Philadelphia and a tropical storm warning has been issued for the county we live in. And to top it all off, the 4h Regional show is scheduled for tomorrow. As of right now, the show is still scheduled. I'm afraid that we may end up hauling home in high winds, rain and lightening. Not sure yet how we are going to handle this...

No Name Pony

2011-08-25T06:47:00.004-04:00

It's been almost 2 weeks and we still haven't found the right name for him yet. Any suggestions?

Wordless Wednesday - Stubs the Barn Kitty

2011-08-24T05:09:00.002-04:00

Building a herd

2011-08-23T05:10:00.000-04:00

When we got started with horses 11 years ago, we really had no idea what were doing. We listened to advice that "experienced" horse people gave us, some that worked out for us and some that didn't. Over the years, we have learned a lot - asked lots of questions of the vet, the farrier, other horse people, figured out the things we want to do, the things we would like to avoid, the type of horse that we prefer, how to take care of a rescue, rehabbing feet, losing a beloved animal. We learn new things all the time.

We recently gave Rosie away to a wonderful 9 year old girl who will love her for the rest of her life. We've also reevaluated what we want to do with our horses and the type of showing that T wants to do. We decided to offer Maccabee for sale since he is kind of being wasted on us. He's a really excellent English show pony and we were able to find a girl T's age in 4H who shows hunter/jumper locally. If I could have picked a person for Maccabee, this girl would be it so we're really happy for both pony and rider. We have also agreed that Rocky will become the barn owner's daughter's new horse. It seems like a good fit all around.

So, now the herd consists of Zip, Rooster, Dash, and a new, unnamed dun pinto pony that should be excellent for gaming with a little bit of time. We're still figuring out what Dash can do (he's some kind of gaited breed) and enjoying him immensely. No Name came from a farm where he was kept with only cows so he's pretty happy to be part of the herd. Will post pics soon.

Prepping for Regionals this week. The top 2 in each class make it to States and T is competing in Barrels (horse) and Poles (horse).

Macro Monday - Chickory in the Field

2011-08-22T05:16:00.001-04:00

Sunday Stills - the Letter B

2011-08-21T19:16:00.000-04:00

Wow, I managed to get some pics for this week's Sunday Stills - the letter "B".

Baby horse with his mama

T's boots in front of the my blue tack trunk in the barn

View other challenge participants here

I'm so behind...

2011-08-18T11:40:00.001-04:00

...on blog posts, reading blogs, posting pics. Someday I'll catch up. Feeling under the weather and not terribly motivated but I can hopefully find some time. Hope all is well with everyone!

Wordless Wednesday - Jumping Dash

2011-08-17T05:45:00.002-04:00

Busy Busy

2011-08-15T21:19:00.000-04:00

Lots going on...I ended up working 12 hours on Friday which started the weekend off just great. T was supposed to do a gaming demo at the 4H Fair last Friday night but felt the footing wasn't good so decided not to. We don't need a repeat of Roundup and falling over. Farrier came Saturday to pull Dash's shoes and T walked ponies at the 4H fair. Trimmed horses and ponies on Sunday and then it's back to work. Counting down the days until Regionals...

Wordless Wednesday - 3 Little Swallows

2011-08-10T05:01:00.001-04:00

Meet Dash

2011-08-09T05:06:00.035-04:00

When we got Jet, we didn't really know anything about him other than he was very well trained. Someone noticed his brands and told us that he was a Mexican Mustang. This person had 4 of the same type of ranch horses - Cockroaches, they are called - and used them for gaming and trail riding. I always said I would have a whole herd of these really awesome horses.

We found Zip at a farm not too far away who, every once in a while, will have a Mexican Mustang for sale. Then came Rooster from the same farm. Each time a Mexican Mustang comes up for sale, we have gone to look. Last week, a flea bitten gray was listed so of course we had to check him out. He's bigger than most of the horses that we come across - just over 15 hands but stocky - and is as well broke as we had hoped. The timing worked out that Rosie found a new home and we were able to bring this new guy home. T named him Dash and he has a great personality.

She Gives Me Gray Hairs....

2011-08-08T05:09:00.000-04:00

Saturday was the County Roundup show for 4H. This show qualifies for Regionals which then qualifies for States in Harrisburg in October. It's a big deal and the one show that T has been working for all year. I was supposed to take pics for the day. The day started off with the alternator going on the truck so I spent about an hour on the phone and texting trying to find a ride plus trying to get a hold of someone on the club grounds to let them know I wasn't able to take pics. Luckily my friend Jeanine, who keeps her horse at the same farm, was willing to change her plans and haul us. So we managed to get to the show grounds with plenty of time for her 3 classes - Pole Bending, Clover Leaf Barrels and Keyhole. She knocked down 2 poles and had time penalties in Poles so she placed 3rd. She won barrels but at the end of the run, Zip caught a toe and went down. He tried really hard to stay up but had too much momemtum so down on his knees he went and he rolled onto his side and onto T. She completely disappeared under him but the horn stopped him from going completely over and he got back to his feet. Somehow he managed to avoid stepping on her. Luckily she has a high horn on her saddle, she was in the sand ring which gave her some cushion and she's pretty tiny. Craig and I ran into the ring and she popped right up and announced that she was just fine and was going to ride the next class. Just about gave me and most of the people watching a heart attack. She skinned her elbows and Zip skinned his knees a little bit but that was all. PHEW! She gives me gray hairs....She knocked down a rail in Keyhole so she was disqualified for that class. She moves onto to Regionals on August 27th for Pole Bending and Barrels.

Poles

Coming home from poles

Barrels

Coming home from barrels, about 2 seconds before he fell

Keyhole

Rosie gets a new home

2011-08-05T06:25:00.000-04:00

We decided that perhaps it was time to find Rosie a new home. She really deserves more individual attention and we had hoped that we could find her a family that had kids that would love her as much as we have. And we were going to be selective. I put carefully written ads online, listing her as an adoption, and hoped that we would get some really good responses. Rosie is definitely pony sized but rides more like a horse and is very well trained. She isn't for a complete beginner as she's still got some pep to her and she's very responsive. I got a reply to an ad from a woman named Julie. She was looking for a kid safe pony for her 9 year old daughter to ride. Her current horse has developed some issues and wasn't a good fit anyone. One catch - Julie lives 3 1/2 hours away. She was willing to drive out to see her so we made plans for yesterday. Her 9 year old daughter Logan is absolutely adorable and did well on Rosie. They loaded her up in the trailer and drove Rosie to her new home late yesterday. We are thrilled that Rosie will have a girl that will love her and take excellent care of her and we know that she will bloom with Logan. I am happy that she found an awesome home but sad to see her go. We wish you well, Rosie, and many happy years with Logan!!

Wordless Wednesday - Head Shots

2011-08-03T05:05:00.002-04:00

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N

2011-08-02T11:16:00.001-04:00

I am taking some much needed vacation time from work and having lots of family time. Hopefully some horsey time too and taking lots of pics. Saturday is the 4H County Roundup show. T is showing in 3 classes and I am the show photographer. We'll be spending Friday getting ready.

Brave Boy

2011-08-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

After T and I rode in the ring the other day, we took a walk up the hill. Rocky had never been up there before but he was a brave boy. He sure turned into a pretty horse.

Skywatch Friday - Season 5, Episode 3

2011-07-29T05:49:00.002-04:00

Late afternoon sun behind the clouds

Wordless Wednesday - Rosie in the Creek

2011-07-27T05:07:00.001-04:00

The Western Horses do English

2011-07-26T06:50:00.000-04:00

Zip and Rooster (and Jet as well) came from out somewhere out west (they are called Mexican Mustangs) and are definitely Western broke horses - they neck rein, work on indirect pressure, move off your legs and seat. It makes them really awesome gymkhana and trail horses. Every once in a while we like switch it up. It's good for all of our horses to be versatile and able to go from the show ring to a bareback trail ride.

In this part of the country, the Mexican Mustangs are called Cockroaches (or Cucarachas). No idea where the name came from but more than one person has looked at Zip or Rooster and said, "hey, that's a cockroach" - including the vet. Someone that we know that shows gymkhanas in the area makes a point of seeking out these well broke horses and uses them for gaming. He even has shirts for his farm which read "Nothing runs like a Cockroach". I tend to agree - I think they are awesome!!

Round Up Here She Comes!

2011-07-23T05:58:00.000-04:00

We had our barn inspection for 4H yesterday and T handed in her project book. She has officially met all of the requirements and is eligible to show for county Roundup August 6th!

It's insanely hot here with temps over 100 so we are in pure survival mode for the horses - checking the big water tub and filling twice a day, fans on in the shed, and pretty much just letting them be.

Wordless Wednesday - Patriotic

2011-07-20T05:05:00.000-04:00

Champion x 2!

2011-07-19T05:09:00.000-04:00

T did awesome at Saturday's Buxmont show. We brought Zip and Rooster since T was going to do the opening ceremony carrying the American flag on Rooster. A friend wanted to also carry a flag so the two of them came up with a game plan and in about 5 minutes had a routine for the opening ceremony which went off without a hitch. The two riders did a great job. T decided to run Rooster in all 7 classes since he was there. Rooster had only been to one other smaller show and she hadn't practiced any patterns with him. What a great night! T finished as Grand Champion on Zip and as Reserve Champion on Rooster. Both horses finished and placed in all 7 classes. All that hard work and time in the saddle is definitely paying off.

I didn't take many pics since it was very dry and dusty which made getting good pics almost impossible.

Opening Ceremony

Sunday Stills - People

2011-07-17T06:18:00.000-04:00

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is People. Since it seems that all we do these days is horse shows, I decided to use a pic of my friend's daughter at one of the 4H shows. These are the pony hunter riders lined up for the judge.

View other Challenge participants here

Progress

2011-07-16T05:10:00.000-04:00

Rocky is coming along amazingly well. Sometimes I can't even believe it's the same horse, even though I saw him every day. What a difference!

These were taken last weekend

Horse show at Buxmont Riding Club today, hopefully trail riding tomorrow, the vet is coming Monday to work on teeth. Busy, busy...

Skywatch Friday - Season 5, Episode 1

2011-07-15T05:08:00.001-04:00

A mockingbird on the weather vane of the show booth at last Saturday's 4H show