Even More Photos

Me again, over here being about 0% interesting this summer. Still working hard, doing all the boring non glamourous things, and hoping it will pay off later. 

Luckily, I have baby ponies. Even simply spending their days out in a field, they have ways of making things interesting. They're very, very busy creatures. 

It's going to be fun to see what their energy levels look like as adults - despite the fact they're both pretty easy to be around, it's hard to imagine them being respectable equine citizens one day when the levels of ridiculous are currently this high.

I left the door cracked while I was in the front part past the grain bins and Tradey came charging in like he owned the place, pushing the door open and trotting right up around that corner that currently has about 3' of space, max. He then calmly proceeded to make a giant mess of the place trying to extricate himself. At least nothing phases him, but also a little caution and self preservation wouldn't hurt!

Buck has enough caution for the pair of them, but look! That's his little bum loading and standing in the trailer all by himself again the other day. 

I'm failing a bit at resolving some of the herd bound issues. It's fun that everyone is happy to leave the others, but on the downside, no one is happy being left behind, even with a friend. One of the big downsides to having horses at home that I didn't fully consider. I'm stressed out too because the whinnying and carrying on is disruptive to the neighbours. 

Sophie says it's a love/hate kind of thing, for sure

Having them at home they get so used to their core group and my routine that it's not hard to upset them. Where with a busier barn and more horses and comings and goings which horse is exactly where at any given time seems too be less of a worry for them.

In an effort to do more things and still be a good neighbour I was looking at three horse trailers the other day, but I don't think I want three horses here long term and taking them all everywhere together isn't solving anything, so I don't know.

The nice thing about babies is that I have a year or two to figure it all out. Coordinating a few positive off property experiences here and there and leaving them alone the rest of the time to grow up is a valid approach, right?

Haven't included her patented pose for a while :)

Last night's thunderstorms incoming - the rain is much needed! Fingers crossed there is enough rain to revive the neighbours field so they can have a couple more months of grazing over there. Grateful for the space at home, but as you can see from the previous pictures they enjoy every inch of the extra room to run in their big field.

Summer Mood

Mostly a photo dump of the week's happenings. For the most part it's been sunny and (too) warm so I tend to do all things horses or outdoor work in the mornings and evenings.

This deer wandering by while G and I took an afternoon shade break. Not unusual for her to be around, she comes up to drink the horse's water and hang out in the shade too.

But this time when she went back out she left her little fawn in the bushes next to where we were sitting. I guess we passed the babysitting test? It worked, because I was paranoid about that baby being unbothered and safe all day. Momma didn't come back to get him/her until almost dark.

These guys have been at the neighbour's almost every day, performing their usual stunts and shenanigans

The bitey game is still strong

We stacked a lot of hay this week, I managed to fit almost 100 bales in what was originally supposed to be a stall and little tack/feed room. Feels good to have the barn full though!

Also took a trip to the sawmill. I'm lucky that's more of an annual thing. They save a couple of giant 500ish lb bags of sawdust for us when it's dry in the summer and those last most of the year for us. Sophie gets a big pile that lasts at least 6 months at a time since she only uses it as a bed. The boys get a couple of wheelbarrows a day since they trash their place nightly :)

Sophie's got a bit too chunky this summer, something I thought I'd never say

I've been using her old adjustable saddle with an xxw plate in it,  longeing and long lining with the intent of gradually getting her back to some form of shape that isn't round, after having most of the spring and summer off.

Non work afternoons also filled with beach visits

 Hawaii Mars last flight. A lifetime ago I lived in a little cottage on Vancouver Island next to the bomber base and these were anchored in the lake just off our dock and such a huge part of life there. Off to an aviation museum as a static display yesterday, but some coastal communities were treated to a final fly past and she's just as big and loud as she ever was <3

Back to the ponies. The boys are suddenly visually approaching Sophie size.

Looking more adult like from the right angle

Direct compare of Buck and Sophie

How is he so wide already? I'm going to have fun saddle shopping for this one a few years from now.

The ponies come in when the street lights come on:)

Grooming at 9:30pm with some daylight left, wish that could be a year round thing.

Good night ponies! I kind of like my backyard these days

All tucked in with bed time snacks