A
little of that… Not much to report here
from the farm. There’s been some riding,
grooming, baths, longeing and lots of cleaning.
Seems there’s never enough time in a day to get everything done. We’re still in cleanup and organizing mode
around here. The paddocks need mowing,
arenas need dragging, there is tons of laundry to do. Then there's all the tack
that needs to be cleaned and oiled.
I
sometimes think it was so much easier when I boarded my horses elsewhere and
left all the maintenance to someone else.
Then I remember all the things I didn’t like about boarding too. At the end of the day even if I don’t get to
ride as much as I want I’d still rather have the horses at home under my care. When I do manage a ride I appreciate it more
than if I trained almost everyday like I used to. There’s no pressure now and the ride is more
relaxed and pleasurable than it was in the past.
I guess I’m trying to say that even though I don’t ride as much as I did
that’s okay too. As long as I can be
with happy healthy horses it’s all to the good.
Here
are some pictures from this weekend:
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| Sami waiting patiently for his treat after his bareback ride |
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| Blue - Just making sure there are no treats from humans before heading out |
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| Nate - "Looks like we're out of luck on the treat front today Blue" |
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| Mellon, Grady, Nate and Dusty with Sami in the corner hanging out under the fan |
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Donnie and Blue trying to look inconspicuous so they won't have to work
|
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| Dusty - "Am I next or what? I can't keep hanging around here all day, places to go things to do..." |
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| So much tack...so little time |
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| Gunnar - The exceptional "guard dog" keeping an eye on everything |
Quote for Today
Some are slaves on the ground but are free on a
horse.
I love when you post photos of your farm like this - such a beautiful place you have! I would love having horses at home there too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marissa. It's a lot of work but it's worth it. Don't look too close though, there's a lot of weeds etc.
DeleteGreat photos of the crew!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate.
DeleteI'm all for pleasurable rides. That Sami could not be cuter. As per usual, your horses and farm look spectacular. It's 85 and muggy here...there too?
ReplyDeleteIt was about 86 here and muggy too. We're waiting on a big thunderstorm with torrential rains.
Deleteis it just the angle of that photo of Sami waiting for a treat, or is he much smaller than i've ever realized?!? he looks like the most adorable little pony haha
ReplyDeleteSami was 14.2 hands when we got him and I don't think he's grown. Then again I haven't taken measurements either. He's a sturdy little Arabian though.
DeleteGreat photos, such a beautiful place you have, and the scenery - Wow! Sami is soooo sweet!! It must be impossible to walk past him without stopping to give him a hug or kiss. And Gunnar has to be the most adorable 'guard dog' ever - he will lay them low with his cuteness attack!!
ReplyDeleteYour tack room is so neat, looks good. Even though it's hard work, and I can only imagine the amount of work required, I've always thought it would be the best thing ever to have your own horses living with you.
Thanks Joy. Sami is a little sweetheart who loves attention of any kind. You're right he always gets a pat and scratch or a hug and kiss. It is the best thing to have the horses with you. They are great company and I love to watch their antics.
DeleteI love seeing photos of your gorgeous farm and barn and herd! I am right there with you in terms of work needing doing. We have just caught up with mowing and are barely staying current with weed-eating. I'm managing to keep the barn web-free by doing a little every day, but we have a stall door that needs repair (good thing we rarely close them!) and I still haven't done my spring cleaning of the tack and feed room. But - as you say, I love being the one who takes care of these things and the horses and the donka boys. Sami reminds me of Keil Bay, who stands for untacking and waits for his post-ride treat and meal. :) One of my favorite parts of every ride.
ReplyDeleteHi Billie. The after ride treat is one of my favorites too. Every single horse knows to stand by the door for their treat. Any other time if left to their own devices they'd be wandering around but not after their work session.
DeleteI jhave to admit having an Ansur saddle does have on distinct advantage. One saddle fits all my horses. However, the bridle issue is another matter and I too have some serious cleaning to do. Plus all those winter blankets and sheets....and the outdoor clean ups I could not do with all the ice and snow...and....
ReplyDeleteI still like it better than boarding. I always know exactly how my Boys are being cared for.
Hi Jean. Having one saddle must be a pleasure. I actually don't mind doing the saddles. It's taking those bridles apart that's a real pain.
DeleteWow. I can't believe your tack room. Mine looks like a ghetto compared to that. I know how you feel about boarding vs home...I feel the same way. Having them at home, though, does provide a fuller life with horses. I can walk out and touch them anytime I want. The emphasis shifted for me from riding to being with the horses.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda. The tack room doesn't always look clean. After the winter it was a huge mess. As for the horses being home, I do like it better. Sometimes I just walk out to the fields and watch them or pet them. It's nice that nobody has any rules but me that I need to follow.
DeleteHi, Arlene: Thank you for hooking back up to my almost forgotten blog. I switched from Blogger to Wordpress and wanted to let you know--I don't want to lose my best blogger friend! Here is the link: https://oakintheseed.wordpress.com/
ReplyDeleteI have left comments on your posts at various times but maybe I am doing something wrong as I don't see them here. Maybe you haven't seen them? I don't want you to think I have not been visiting, Grey Horse Matters has long been a favorite, and I appreciate that we have been connected for such a long time without ever having met.
Hi Diane, good to hear from you. I definitely would have published your comments if I had gotten them. Something must have gone wrong with one of our blogs. I'll put your new blog address on my favorites list! I don't want to lose touch with you.
DeleteYou have such a beautiful farm. I cannot wait for the day my horses can be in my backyard!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cathryn. I'm sure one day they will be in your yard and you'll be able to enjoy watching their antics daily.
DeleteYou sure have a beautiful barn and grounds Arlyne...and your tack room makes me positively green with envy!! I enjoy having our horses at home too, just being able to look out the window and see them grazing peacefully makes me smile and all is right with my little world. But sometimes I dream about having less work and responsibilities too...
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori. I agree it's better to have them home but less work would be nice too.
DeleteI have mixed feelings about home vs boarding. I loved having our horses at home, but it's a lot of work and a huge tie - getting away overnight was always an organisational nightmare. Now I have freedom and the horses are well looked after, but I still do most of the daily care myself - I could never do full board, I think I'd lose the connection with them. I do miss looking out the window and seeing them though.
ReplyDeleteYou're lucky you are close enough to see them everyday. I agree it is hard to get away even for a night. We have no one around us who can help with their feeding or care. So it takes a lot of organization to eventually spend a night away. Between my daughter and e we work it out though.
DeleteHERE you are! You disappeared from my reading list, and after such a long absence (mine) I could not for the life of me remember the name of your blog. Love the new look :o)
ReplyDeleteHi Jen,
DeleteI'm glad you found me and now I've found you too! A lot of my list disappeared too.