Day 2

Day 2 done. Get to flex off on friday. Boot truck coming tomorrow so company buying everyone new boots. Yay!
School school and more school.

Came home , went to feed cat and josie. Cat stood up on hind legs and danced. Lol. Time for some running time out in the big pasture.

Day 1 survival

Survived!

Random

Anje holding the moon during eclipse.

Picture day for school. She is so beautiful. 

 Willow enjoying the day

The girls having fun at open house

The boys have a huge double stall that has a door they can go run out in their turnout but be in during winter, since neither will wear a blanket without tearing it off each other.

Cats Transformation

Cat was a collaborative effort. 

Cat came off the track in 2014. Her last race I believe was in August.  By October she was emaciated, covered in rain rot and had strangles. 

Jennifer got her first. I went over to see Cat and even the mess she was, I fell in love with her. 

I got her about a month after Jennifer had her so I continued her rehabilitation.  

I've had her almost a year now. It's been interesting watching her change. 

When I first got her she bolted through every gate you took her through. Leading her was like leading a fresh race horse to the gates. 

However she learned to walk through gates, learned to interact with the herd. She had no horsey social skills at all. She jumped the fence twice, she ran the pasture like she was running a race. 

Cat today, is now a very well adjusted mare. She has gone from not wanting you to touch her legs to letting you do whatever. She is very sweet but then she always was. 

Today Cat got her first ride in a western saddle. I was so proud of her. She was tense at first, you could feel it and she wanted to go fast. Then all of a sudden her whole body relaxed and she sighed. She walked quietly,  turned well, stopped nicely. It's amazing how she changed in 1 year. 

The pic below is Cat today before I rode her. 

Below: this was the first time Cat was saddled. I hadn't had her long.

This is Cat at Jennifers

Cat at Jennifers, doing better believe it or not. 

Cat at her new permanent home with us

She is feeling sooo much better

It's amazing what food and care do

Cat taking advantage of pasture freedom

Pictures of Cat when she got to Jennifers 

She was in such bad shape but you can see improvement 

This made me very sad. No excuse for this at all. Again you can see the strides she made with Jennifer.

Cat when she came to us. She still needed weight but was on the road to complete recovery.

This is Cat today also before our ride. 

She is NOT the same horse. 

I look forward to our first foal out of Cat and our western pleasure stud. It will be bay with possible color. 

Sweet Cat

After a very long year of learning to be a regular horse, Cat got her first western ride today by me. She did amazing!!! Couldn't have asked for more.

Worked 4 horses today.

Horse day

I rode Pasha today. Getting on her is like climbing Mt Everest. Didn't get her picture.
Rode Affair, she doesn't know anything but is not explosive and doesn't care.
Brought Bella up and we'll we saddled and didn't care but leading was the lesson of the day and she is the most Non reactive horse on earth along with Affair.
Cat is next today. 
So we have various stages of broke going on here.

Josie....broke
Rebel....green broke but broke for the most part just needs saddle time
Pasha....broke
Affair....broke but doesn't really know much.
Bella....green broke, doesn't care what you do.
Belle...broke
Lacy. ....always been green broke but we do not ride her
Kai....green broke
Cat....off the track so broke to a rider just not western yet.
Trick....broke broke broke
Peaches....green broke
Diamond....not broke...to young
Royal...Weanling
Bo....yearling
Pistol.....yearling
Abby....yearling
Willow.....broke

And did I mention that there is a really good possibility that we have a snake in the house? A big one. It left us a clue downstairs in the laundry room.

And my bright yellow saddle pad that belongs to Rebel is GONE. Can't find it anywhere.  Pissed me off.

To Early

Insomnia sucks. Just sayin.

Should get my assignment today. Considering I go in Monday it would be helpful to know where to go.

Been so busy getting ready. Had to go pick up one more item yesterday but now I'm ready for next week, except for the on and off insomnia crap that has been going on all week. Seems to hit at change of seasons.

Major foggy this morning. 

Going to give wormer to Cat today, ride Pasha, check out Affair with a saddle on and see what happens. Lol.

Rescue open house tomorrow, we will be there.

Thursday

It's weird being home today. I've gotten a lot done so far.
Yesterday's luncheon was fabulous.  The food was sooooo good. I stuffed myself, regretted it later. It was so worth it.
I'm tired and will enjoy 4 days off.
May even take a nap. Lol.

Transition

Well today is bitter sweet. It is my last day in one division of working for the State of Missouri and Monday I will start my new position.
I liked my current position but the pay was not what I needed. The new position is a lot more and will help a great deal not to mention I will not work so late anymore even though at times I will be on call. No big deal though.
They are having a carry in here today for my last day........food food food. YUM.

The person taking my place is a very good person and I think they will do well filling my shoes.
Honestly I can't wait until this day is over.

Saturday we are going to go see Willow.
So Excited!

Willow

The last post this pic didn't come through.
Willow will be a demonstration horse at an open house this weekend! 

Lots going on

Soooo, not only am I transitioning from one job with the state to another, we are also building a solid wall stall in the barn for the 2 boys to have a run in with their turnout for winter. We are also rebuilding the little barn and putting the same barn tin on as the big barn so now they will match. We are redoing a section of fence tomorrow as well.
Today we got up and drove for a while to meet with some people at a really nice rescue. I was impressed. More updates on that later depending on some things that I have pending with them. It will take some time but looks promising.
Soooo now for weird shit.
A couple weeks ago Wes was out working on fence. I wrote about it in an earlier post. Well we think we found where the old barn was by using the metal detector today. It was out in the middle of the pasture. We found stuff that would have been in the barn and stuff that would have been in the house as well.
We have about decided to doze the pond. It leaks and is not deep and is frankly worthless and making a mess out of part of the pasture. Not to find someone to doze it. Probably next summer.
It's been a very busy day but very enjoyable.  Tomorrow I ride.

All quiet

It make be quiet now but I am so over today.
First storm rolls in.
After storm I walk out to the fenced front yard and go over to check on the rabbits and my 2 guineas. Walked back to the porch. Noticed Navi is sniffing at something.  That something was a damn copperhead.  I almost stepped on it going to the rabbits and back. I was wearing sandals. Ugh!
Now it's a dead snake.
Sooo I'm really over friday.

Spoke to soon. It's thundering again.

Wow

Wish I'd had my video going. Black clouds, lots of thunder, lightening. I called the herd. Called once I said get up here and whistled once and here they all came running! Went right to the barn area. Such good horses. Even Royal came running.
They are the best.

Yesterday's Sunrise

Looked like the sky was on fire. It was much prettier in person than in the picture but still looks cool.

Fixing to storm

I guess we are in for a storm tonight. I went out and opened the big gate and let everyone in.
Peaches and Josie are in their area with their shelter and the rest of the herd have the big barn and shelter on the side of it.  Belle will put Royal in the barn. She is a good momma.
News said there were 1000 lightening strikes in 15 minutes. Ugh. Glad I let everyone in.
Four more days at my current job.
Wes is off tomorrow so will go pick up feed for me.
Saturday I'm going to a rescue to meet up with a couple of people about a rescue.
Saturday afternoon mow the rest of the pasture and divide the pasture, then Sunday work on disking up half the pasture to get it ready to plant.
Well its time to sleep.

Whew.........Slowing down

Things have finally slowed down....for now.

Peaches came up and gave me "the look" so I let her come to the barn pasture and hang with Josie and get grain. (she doesn't need it) She likes hanging out with Josie though. Seems like every one of my mares is in season all at the same time. UGH! They had the jr. studs all worked up so I booted everyone out to pasture.

Finishing up one State job to get ready to go to a different branch of the State. Talk about hoops. Jeesh. But it will be well worth it. The branch I am currently in is just...........well........BORING! I never really expected to get chosen but hey goes to show you don't know unless you try. I am looking forward to it. I am taking a few days to myself before I start. Some recoop time and maybe some horse time. I guess that depends on this crazy weather though. When its not suppose to rain it does and when it is suppose to rain it doesn't. So now I wake up and just look outside. Its very windy out today but feels really good. I know the horses are enjoying it.

This weekend will be working on the big pasture. I am going to finishing mowing it and then we are dividing it and tilling up one side and getting it ready to plant for spring. Then we will do a rotation next year. We will have 3 pastures to rotate. To be honest I'd be happy to have the damn pond dozed and just plant it. It leaks and well I just really don't care to have it there any longer. Although the horses did play in the water on really hot days this summer but hey I do hose them down and there are a select few, Trick, that play in the water trough. He has taught a few of them the joys of playing in the water. Heck the baby even likes the water now.

Royal is growing so fast and so big and SOOOO BLUE. I love it.

Well gotta go get some crap done. UGH.

UPDATE

Aced the physical. Couple things kinda tough but did them just fine. A little sore today. But all went well.

Now just waiting for my letter/email. I got one yesterday and called to check in. Now just waiting on the official one. YAY!! (and to find out what district I am in)

Work Simulation Physical

Today is my work simulation physical. Then I am DONE with everything. Thank goodness.

Well its Tuesday, wanted to ride this afternoon but unless it stops raining guess that won't be happening. Maybe I will get lucky and it will stop.

I have no idea what the reasoning is behind this type of physical. I feel like I am in the police academy. Jeesh. Well I will ace it no problem.........(I hope) LOL.

Ride ride ride

Rode Trick today, rode Rebel today. Groomed Trick all up.
I've discovered I've ridden trick for so long, so many years now that he won't do anything for anyone else. We are in sink and it's great.
Rebel was pretty good today. In need of a tune up. It's his first ride this year....thanks rains, thanks surgery!
Back on track now though.
If it's not raining Tuesday I think I'll ride Pasha.
It was a good day.

Trick braided

My niece braided Trick this afternoon.  Looks totally awesome.

Yesterday's photo shoot

Bella loves her little person.

Ry rode Bella yesterday. She was surprised to hear that she was the first one ever on Bella and has told the other kids they can't ride her. Lol. She rode bareback and Bella didn't care. Going to be such a good trail mare. Bella has grown into a beautiful mare. She is as big as Lacy now and only 3 years old. 

Our colorful herd

Doesn't look like 14 horses

Think I need a few more? Lol

Trick putting the girls in their place

Everyone is getting along well

Sweet Affair

It's very hard to tell them apart now. This is Bella and Lacy (her mom). She is as big as her mom and she is only 3 years old.

Old Josie looking great. That old woman can still get it with speed.

We call them the 3 sisters because they are never apart. Our 2 thoroughbreds and our halter filly.

They are watching dad working in the barn. 

Diamond at 2 years old next to Rebel who is just barely under 16 hands.

Hanging out at the barn

Royal sure is growing. She didn't see Belle go out to the big pasture and she was up at the barn by herself and screaming for Belle yesterday. I went out, hollered for Belle and Belle hollered for Royal and that filly FLEW, GLIDED across the pasture.  She is fast.

Pasha

Why do yall hang out at the barn?

Royal

Maggie likes Royal

Mother and daughter. I love my Belle.

Kai strutting his stuff. He is gimpy this morning. He got kicked some time yesterday afternoon in the shoulder.  He is ok, just sore.

Trick on the make

Ooppss

Trick is teaching Peaches the rules

Rebel is such a handsome boy

Peaches

Peaches and Affair

So much color

She sure can move

Right after I turned her out

Heading out to big pasture and freedom