Love and Scratches and Sweet Feed

For the first time in nearly 4 years I'm back to feeding horses.

I was asked by the barn owner if I wanted to feed once a day, 2-3 times a week.

Of course I couldn't say no. Now I get to give love and scratches and sweet feed to all the horses in the barn and they are all so nice. The top horse is Bo.

Dayo grazing. You should see this thoroughbred move. Takes my breath away.

Someday I'll get it on the camera.

Faust, dirty but still looking stunning.

Lily above, Sophie and her muzzled mother below.

Twister the POA (Pony of the Americas).

He's the sweetest pony you will ever meet.

Zoe loves to groom him and ride him out to his pasture.

Rosie and her neigh-bor V.

 They are in love.



"Hey Rosie, can I play with your ball?"

Barn Photos in Black & White

It was snowing quite heavily when Zoe and I made our way to the barn to see Rosie. Her owner is in sunny Cancun this week and we are caring for her on days we usually don't. We both really enjoy it!

Rosie is such a gentle mare.

Zoe tries to take her blanket off but can't manage the hooks yet.

Sophie the warmblood weanling is giving me the hairy eyeball!

Zoe loves Rosie and attaches herself to Rosie's leg after riding.

Honestly one of the sweetest horses I have ever met. I don't even attach a leadrope on her when Zoe rides, she follows me around the indoor like a puppy dog. She even jogs when I do!

How lucky we are to have this opportunity!

I bless the hoss from hoof to head -

From head to hoof, and tale to mane! -

I bless the hoss, as I have said,

From head to hoof, and back again!

~James Whitcomb Riley

Scenes from Devon

One of my wonderful friends invited me to go with her to the Devon Horse Show last night. Let me start off by telling you why I love Devon so much...

The life blood of Devon for years and years was Hope Montgomery Scott. My dad worked for her on her dairy farm of prized Ayrshire cows and rented an apartment in her mansion, Ardrossan. In return she helped him through med school and when the Devon Horse Show came around, she would give us tickets. I used to think I wanted my ashes scattered there. It was my Disneyland, the happiest place on earth!
I would spend a month or more before the show doing anything I could to earn money to spend there on horsey trinkets and Ferris wheel rides.
Of course it was always a dream to ride there. Maybe someday, I'm not dead yet! :)

So last night the weather was less than perfect. By less I mean the scenery on the drive there looked like a tornado had blown through. When we got there it was still raining. The main ring was flooded. The coaching classes were cancelled. Only 5 out of 17 riders were electing to compete in the gambler's choice jumping event which usually attracts many Olympic riders. Saddlebred riders were dropping out right and left because they were afraid of loosing shoes. Fine carriage drivers swapped blue jeans and rain coats for their elegant hats and dresses.

That being said, a bad night at Devon to me is like saying you had a bad pizza, there is no such thing. I still managed to take over 100 photos! This is the first post on my Devon experience - some behind the scenes/non show ring shots. Please check back in a day or two for the jumpers and saddlebreds!



A walk through the barns when we arrived since no one was in the warm up arena.


Nice little midway for the kids.


I'm always surprised they let you walk through the barns. This saddlebred seemed pretty sweet.


"Let me out!"


The stables at night always look so neat to me.


A celebrity siting?? Sorry Carson. I was actually photographing the Friesians when I turned and spotted you.