CONGRATULATIONS, BETSY!

Betsy and I took Grace and Dani to Palmdale, Calfornia yesterday to pick up her new horse, Spirit. 3 years ago, Betsy helped Spirit's former owner with Spirit and 3 other horses. Teddy recently asked Betsy if she was still interested in having Spirit, and Betsy enthusiastically accepted. It was a fun road trip, and thank God, all went very smoothly. Here are a few pics of Betsy and her new horse!

Weekend Update

Rachel and I went out Saturday to see the horses. The day was a little chilly, but sunny, and we took the horses out for a walk on their lead lines, out in the desert. That was a nice departure from the usual routine, and I was glad to have Wishes experience something new. She did alright, but got nervous over by an adjacent property that has dogs. We didn't actually see any dogs, but she could definitely smell them. She would freeze and hold her head up high, ears pricked forward and nostrils flaring. It would have been a bit annoying, but she looks so beautiful when she stands like that. She would trot around in a little circle and I'd make her go in the opposite direction and then back up, to try to refocus her attention on me. It worked well, and before long she calmed down. Of course, Colbert just plodded along as usual, as if to say, "What's all the fuss about?" We ran into Katherine and Ace back at the ranch and had a nice chat.

Sunday, I went out briefly with Grace, but it was very chilly and windy and cloudy, and no one except Eric and his friend, Tim, were out there. We took a few pics and left. Eric took some cute ones of me giving Grace a "horsey-back" ride in the arena.

Wishes and Colbert

Who could resist these two sweet faces? Not me!

Working With Wishes

Although I have been neglecting my training duties with Wishes, she seems perfectly happy to have me sit on her back. I've been working with her more this past week, and I received some much needed help from my sister, Betsy. Today, I spent quite a bit of time just leaning my body over her and swinging my legs up and over, and then down the back of her. After awhile I finally just slid up on her back, and she didn't seem to mind too much. Although she is still far too young to start riding, I want to be very used to these exercises by the time she is old enough to ride.

Colbert gave me quite a scare this week, as his developed a temperature of 103.6 and had major swelling in all four legs. We gave him doses of Bramamine and Bute to ease the pain, and help the swelling, but I'm still concerned that the cause of the flare up has not been addressed. He's doing better, but I don't think he's 100% yet. I'll be keeping a close eye on him for awhile.

I've added a cute pic of Rachel - my usual Saturday companion. The drive to and from Shiloh is much more enjoyable when I have my sweet girl keeping me company and making me laugh.

Goodbye to a Dear Friend

Today I learned that my dear, old friend Calypso passed away. Calypso was the first horse I took riding lessons on at Shiloh, and she was always my favorite. She was so gentle and kind, and riding her was always a joy. She will be greatly missed. :-(