Saturday, May 30, 2009

In which Sammy meets a ground pole

Today Sammy got to meet a ground pole in the round pen. He's been walked over them before but somehow it's different with the long lines. I was grateful it has dried up enough to use the round pen.

He checked it out first to see what was up.

And then had to ask Allison for advice. Or maybe for rescue. It was harder to keep him from trying to visit with her than it was to get him over the ground pole.

He does love her.
Wow, momma.....that came up a bit quick. Do I jump it? What's the deal?


Ok, here it comes again.




ah, got it. It's no big deal.


We can walk over it, easy peasy.


And then just trot off. He was very proud of himself.


All right buddy, what about the other direction. Everything is new again. Let's think about it first. Allison is not going to help you out.

It looks so different this direction. Gotta jump it.

But please don't let it get my back legs.




Oh yea, you can just walk over it. He's good to go again.


It's been a while

May has been a very strange month weather-wise. First it was too hot, then it was too cold. It was very dry and we were under water restrictions. The grass crunched when you walked on it, not a good thing. We screamed for the rain....and then it came. It didn't stop raining for about 10 days and we got a months worth of rain and just a few days. Some places were reporting 2 feet worth. That's a lot of rain. So, the horses have been on the back burner a bit. But today was beautiful, hot, but not rainy so it was beautiful. This is how excited Lily and Sammy were to be outside without any rain.... Here's Lily, the mom.


And here's Sammy. Look at that blue sky. It seems like a very long time since it's been blue. Gray is what we've been having.....very gray and wet. So now the rains have tapered off a bit, the hot weather is back and we have the Florida Sauna in full operation.


But, after spending some time with them in the field, with the sunshine, I noticed Sammy has a dark spot on one of his legs. Lily has a couple of these dark greasy looking spots. I tried to wash them off of her for a long time before I realized they were really supposed to stay. And now, it looks like Sammy has one just sprouting. I find it hard to believe I wouldn't have seen it before now if it had been there all along.....it must have been hiding underneath all that winter hair. :-)



And I am dreading the day his light colored tail hairs are no more. They are so contrasting and pretty....I'd better get the hair dresser ready to put them back if they disappear.




Here an exciting action shot for you......the most I saw in the hour I spent with them. I promise I'll try again tomorrow.


Sunday, May 3, 2009

Looking for that big action shot.

I have a good friend far, far away who has been my cheerleader/hand holder ever since I made that first decision to breed Lily. She doesn't know I'm posting this otherwise I would tell you her name and the breeding of her yearling, but...........isn't he really something???? She sends me this and I immediately think WOW. He gorgeous. Now I need a picture like that of Sammy......I think I must have been still asleep and dreaming.

It has turned hot down here so the turnout has switched around to everybody is in during the day and out at night. I worked some with Sammy (he's a very good boy by the way) and gave him a bath then let him eat his dinner. Then it was time to turn them out. AH Hah! They haven't been turned out all day, surely they'll be a little frisky and I can get some good action shots. So I armed myself with my mega lens and off I went. What action!!!

Ready for it????


Really, really ready????


Here it comes.....



And we're down.......but he does have all 4 feet off the ground.


And is really enjoying himself.............



And can flip all the way over too...........


and shake it all about.


Oh wait.....here come Vantage in the next field wanting to play. I know I can count on him to get things going.


Yep, there it is...Sammy's big rear that goes along with his big buck.


Um, Mom - I'm still hungry, could you fill up this feed bin?

Oh well, better luck next time I'm sure. If only I could take pictures and ground drive him at the same time...he really does look good.....and he actually moves forward, I promise.