Simple Horsey Pleasures

It was 60 degrees today. It's December, winter and almost January. 

Weird!

I took Rosie's blanket off and let her run around and roll in the sand arena. 

I think that must be the most enjoyable thing for a horse to get out of their blanket and scratch. 

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” 

― Laura Ingalls Wilder

Horses are such graceful creatures except when they get up from a roll. I think they look so awkward!

She's such a sweet mare. She'll follow me around the arena. Jog when I jog, stop and turn when I do and even go over the cavaletti. I think I should teach her tricks.

I hope you can take time to enjoy the little things this Christmas; 

family, friends, good food and spirits. 

Appy Holidays!

(for more horse friends check my Flickr album)

Dog Sitting and Zombie Cardinal

We are watching our friend's dog, Brooklyn, for 2 nights.

 He made such a sad face right after they left

but cheered up after about 20 minutes.

He loves to sit in the yard with me and watch the hummingbirds.

We saw this little hummer this morning.

I don't know how appropriate it is to let a dog drink out of the bird bath but it's relatively clean and I'm sure dogs have lapped up far worse.



Squirrel!

Some photos of the mare I part lease, Rosie.

She's a sweetheart!

And here's that zombie cardinal I promised. I think it may be mites.

He gets this way every summer, his wife looks completely normal.

Poor guy, he'll grow it back (I hope).

Silent Sunday - Zoe & Rosie

Rosie in the Snow

R for Rosie

Ahhh... that sun feels so good!

Sell the cow, buy the sheep, but never be without the horse.

 ~ Irish Proverb

A horse is the projection of peoples' dreams about themselves - strong, powerful, beautiful - and it has the capability of giving us escape from our mundane existence.

~Pam Brown

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

Riding Rosie

I can't believe it, I'm going to start riding again! This is so exciting for me. Zoe's preschool teacher has a sweet Appaloosa mare named Rosie and to help with the boarding bill she wanted to find someone to do a part lease. How lucky am I? It's been 14 years since I've really gotten into riding so I'll be going very slow at first but it's a gorgeous barn with an indoor an outdoor riding ring and some surrounding fields to hack through.
I think I may have a new muse...

Zoe loves Rosie:)

Rosie loves the camera!

"Come back here with those carrots!"

This was the last time I was riding seriously, about 14 years ago! Also my last show at Bridge Acres Stable on a nice little palomino gelding named Foxy Bar Time.

Wow, I wish I could get back down to that weight!

After high school I found this cute little Arabian to ride around Valley Forge Park. I even had a lesson with

Marjorie Haines Gill, first woman to ride for the US in the Olympics! I ran into her one day on a trail ride and she invited me to come to her farm for a free lesson.

Here I am as a wee lass sitting on my Aunt Frances' horse, April.

And here I am with my Aunt Mary having a ride on her horse Honey. I grew up spending summers with Honey, we were best pals and she reminds me a lot of Rosie.