Sammy's Saga - A Tale of Espionage

What a beautiful day.

2012-01-08T19:57:00.000-05:00

Today was one of those beautiful Florida winter days. Sammy had enjoyed most of the holidays off and now it was time to get back to work. We had the entire place to ourselves and we took full advantage of it. Not much of a post but do have pictures to share.

They really enjoy walking around the new pastures. It was such a nice day to be out and about.

So many choices in where to ride.

But it was much too pretty of a day to stay indoors. They really enjoyed working outside of either ring.

But they did go into the outdoor ring for a bit so Allison could do some of her stretches.

Then they called it a day.

I'm sure this picture fits into the story somewhere but, it's mainly because his face is cute.

This picture would have been perfect if only Sammy had been yawning too.

He got a nice scrubby bath and went right back out to enjoy the sunshine.

It was a good day.

We'd rather dress up for Christmas than Halloween

2011-10-31T22:52:00.000-04:00

It's been a tradition to get our barn Christmas pictures done early. Coordinating schedules is always tricky so we are proud to say, we've gotten 2/3 of our shots done. Noah is still left to do but that's a whole other story. I haven't quite figured out how I'll dress up Kate this year but I knew I wanted some pretty sleigh bells for the boys. I actually planned ahead and found a place that sent me the most perfect ones. This is so not like me but...old age and everything I guess. Sleigh bells were purchased and I do believe Sammy likes the jingle jangle. He likes that noise a whole lot better than the sound of workers pressure washing the roof of the barn...but that is also another story.

We scouted out the trails and pastures and found a tree that would work for our planned decorations. Sarah just knew we needed popcorn and cranberry strands in hope that the deer could then enjoy them. We use carrots and apples for the ornaments and gave up on any kind of edible tinsel.

Then end result:

Sammy was just not in the mood. I think he would rather of dressed up for Halloween and gone trick or treating. Or maybe he feels like the rest of us....every year, the Christmas stuff just gets pulled out earlier and earlier. Or maybe he is just at that age where playing dress up is embarrassing. He is pretty good about letting you know how he feels about something.

But he came around once he figured out that the decorations were edible this year.

So of course he had to try to eat everything. Or maybe he was just trying to straighten the bow.

Yep, I'm sure that was it. He was just trying to straighten it. I'll keep his final picture a surprise.

Six Months Ago

2011-10-11T21:55:00.000-04:00

Six months ago Anne Kenan was down for a long weekend. Allison had somehow managed to break her little toe and actually needed surgery to pin it back together. Evidently little toes are not supposed to be at a right angle to the rest of your foot. Who does that? And of course, she did this the very week Anne was coming and had booked her flight. We were very lucky Keith was open to the idea of coming and riding Sammy with Anne. It was great seeing them work together to further Sammy's education. On the last day she was here, they did this:

And then they did this:

He hasn't been jumped a lot since then but we do think he likes it, especially if I happen to be standing at the end of the line.

And now Anne will be back down on Friday for another wonderful weekend. We are so thankful we will not have the weather we had last weekend with non-stop rain and high winds. Allison and Keith will share some Sammy time. I can't wait to see what they learn.. I'll be there with cameras in hand.

And I think Sammy says he's ready.

A Year and a Half Later

2011-10-05T21:40:00.000-04:00

Wow - Time has flown by and I have no idea how that happened. I will try to keep this updated more regularly. Sammy has really started to grow up with thanks to Team Sammy (Allison, Anne and Keith). Anne will be back down in a little over a week and it's been fun to see how far we have come.

This is Sammy now.

I can't believe he's 4 & 1/2 (do I really have to call him a rising 5 year old?). Someone needs to come pick me up off the floor please.

When we first started this backing process, this is what he looked like:

And does everyone remember this?

I look back at our first videos and see such progress. It is so hard to see it on a daily basis so I'm glad I have so many photos and videos to refer back to. He has developed both in mind and muscle. Keith has done such a great job in both respects and Anne has been so instrumental in providing guidance and encouragement all along the way. We are very fortunate to have such caring professionals in Sammy's life. I love the connection that Allison and Sammy are developing. They are really beginning to form a lasting partnership.

Here is what Sammy and Allison looked like last weekend.

And they do know how to canter:

Last weekend was such a nice weekend. The weather is beginning to feel like there is a hope that fall is coming. Allison took the opportunity to ride Sammy out in a field. He has been turned out there but never actually been asked to work out there before. It sure made for a great photo opportunity.

And of course there is video for that also.

I feel like he is really getting a solid foundation and now I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Sammy went on a sleep-over adventure

2011-09-17T21:44:00.000-04:00

The stars all aligned and Sammy had the chance to attend a local dressage show. I thought it would be a perfect situation for his first adventure under saddle in a horse show environment. A dressage show is so civilized with not so many people and they actually have ride times so the confusion in the warm up arena is kept to a minimum. Keith was game, we were able to share a ride with Sarah, so off we went for a overnight sleep-over. I like the whole horse show scene when we go as a non-competing entry.

He loaded with only a little hesitation which was very nice since he hadn't been in a trailer in over a year and a half and we were off to the Clay County Ag Center. We got the boys off the trailer, unpacked and boom, tacked up for Keith's big adventure. He was a bit fresh but nothing Keith couldn't handle....right Keith? Considering that this was the first time he had been ridden away from home and one of the few times he has actually been ridden in a ring with any company, he was a bit nervous. He did settle in and ended up with some powerful trot and canter work of which I have no evidence of. I was too busy watching and biting my nails to handle the camera.

Then he was introduced to the hissing, spitting hose at the wash rack. What had we done to him? He did get a bath without killing me in spite of the terrifying water hose but was glad to be back in his stall next to his Uncle Spenser. Sarah and I went and grabbed a quick dinner then were back to check on them and tuck them in for the night. We went for a long walk around the rings and then out to the big grass field where they both enjoyed the clover growing there. We said good night after making sure they had full water buckets and plenty of hay.

It was nice to see them both upright and alert this morning. Off we went for another walk a a bit of a longe and then back to wait on Keith. Now we're getting to the part where I actually have some photographic proof. Keith made is way to walk around the covered arena first. That was just like being at home but bigger. And I had the wrong lens for pictures in there so, no evidence of that either. But then they went outside to the warm up ring. It had rained quite a bit over night and the footing was quite wet and sloppy. Squishy and gross actually. Sammy was horrified he was being asked to walk in such deplorable conditions.

And then....Keith expected him to trot in that slop. Really? He had been paying attention to the dressage people and tried to trot without actually touching the wet stuff.

But he did get over it and had some nice hunter style trots. Sorry for the picture quality but you get the idea.

To complicate matters, there was also a BLM adoption taking place in the larger covered arena. Sammy wanted to get them to come play with him. Goofy boy. Or maybe he was just encouraging them that being adopted could be a good thing.

By this time, one of the rings was empty so they finished up by walking in the ring, calmly.

Sammy still doesn't understand why they had to mess with the alphabet but, he's learning to deal with it.

And then they were done.

He got a nice scrubby bath, the hose was not as frightening today, and back in his stall in front of his fan with plenty of hay and water. It was a very positive experience for him and really fun day for all of us. Thanks Keith for being there for us and for being exactly what Sammy needs. You do good work. :-)

Thanks to Sammy

2011-07-10T22:14:00.001-04:00

I don't know how it happened that it has been so long since I posted on this blog. I will go back and give details of our last year of progress however I first wanted to say something about the people I have met along the way. There are a few people that I never would have met if it hadn't been for Sammy, and for this reason above all others, I am so very thankful I took a leap of blind faith and bred Lily to Escapade. A week ago, we lost one of those special people and it has left a huge hole in my life. I don't know how someone that I saw just a handful of times but "talked" to much more frequently electronically could come to be so special to both Allison and I, but Jinx Springer sure did. We first met her when Sammy was in Ocala because of the fracture he had to his sesamoid bone. She came to meet Sammy (and us too I'm sure) and there began a fast friendship. She was so encouraging and somehow managed to make us feel special, even though she was the special one. She could tell a great story and loved to laugh and cut up and as my mom would say, she was good people. We visited her several times and enjoyed meeting her horses and the babies as they came. I have taken some of my favorite pictures there visiting her. She had a beloved mare who was also named Lily. She was no bigger than my Lily and maybe a little rounder, but she was a beautiful Connemara/TB cross.

I think her Lily enjoyed a joke as much as Jinx did.

Lily had a beautiful colt by Rio Grande. He was not to be with her long but he was loved.

And probably one of my favorite pictures I have ever taken was of her Escudo II filly resting her head on the Rio Grande colt. It was just a lucky shot of a lovely moment.

Jinx also had a Pablo gelding that was the same age as Sammy. She loved him dearly.

Jinx and her family (both 2 and 4 legged) moved away and we didn't see her except for last year we met in Charleston. She had gone through a battle with breast cancer but had come out on the other side. The three of us talked and laughed through 2 days and got caught up on each others lives. What a great visit we had. Later that year, she found out the cancer had returned in unexpected ways. She fought hard and bravely but lost that fight last week. She will be missed by both Allison and I for a long time to come. We are thankful we had her in our lives and we are much better for having known her. We will miss her and think of her often and raise a toast in her honor. I choose to picture her galloping through fields riding again and jumping those fences off her eye with those horses she has loved and who have gone before her. I have no doubt they were there to meet her at the bridge. Godspeed Jinx, until we meet again. Would you give my Lily some extra kisses for me please? Thank you Sammy for introducing us.

Outside!

2010-04-04T11:35:00.002-04:00

We are progressing slowly but surely. Allison and I are doing this together so Sammy's ride times are limited to the times we can both be there. As a result, yesterday was her 6th ride on him in 2 weeks. He seems to be getting stronger and straighter and they both are still getting used to each other. Allison says he feels bigger, maybe all our walking is building muscle. Yesterday was our first full day to be there together and it was a perfect day. We played with Remy first while the horses were being brought in and were eating. He has stolen the jolly ball as his own and will chase it and bring it back.

He loves the pond and being in the water

And if he can chase something you've thrown in the water, even better

He is a happy barn dog. He turned 1 year old on Friday. Hard to believe. Happy Birthday Remy!

Then it was Sammy's turn. I ground drove him a little going from the covered arena out to the outdoor ring and Allison took a turn to see what he felt like. Then it was time to get on. He still doesn't want to stand still mounting but we worked on that a little and hopefully he gets it now. It was the day Allison was going to ride him from the covered arena to the outdoor ring if she felt comfortable doing it. She knows by now how far she can push herself and still be productive and you never know until you feel the horse beneath you if the time is right. She was nervous about it but felt it was time so out they went. I have spared you the video of the entire ride but here is the important part. I'm still working on my video skills. It's very hard to watch and record at the same time and be steady about it. Sorry.

But they did it. And it was a good thing. And now we'll see what today brings. Happy Easter to all.

And Happy Birthday to Sammy who will be 3 tomorrow. How did that happen?

We are surviving

2010-03-25T10:44:00.000-04:00

We were a bit anxious on Tuesday night, our first attempt without Anne present. But her voice is still audible in our heads and we plowed ahead. I worked him some on the lunge to be sure he was listening and then Allison ground drove him. That helped to clarify things for her and to understand why we were doing it. Then she got on. He's not perfect, he doesn't stand perfectly still, it took us 3 or 4 attempts but then he did stand perfectly still, didn't move off and waited for her to tell him to walk. I kept them attached to the lunge for safety's sake and to get her to relax. And then she said she was ready and I detached him. At first I walked with him but he was better when I stepped away and let them carry on. He had a beautiful free walk, little to no swishy tail and a long neck. They did their serpentines and he kept moving his feet. She was able to change up his pace at the walk and he was perfect so we called it a night, tears running down my face.We actually did it.

Last night was the same thing although we got a later start than had planned. We gave him every chance to come apart but he didn't. I worked with him on the lunge while Allison rode Noah and that was a distraction. Then she rode him after Noah got put back in his stall. Thinking about it, not such a good plan and we won't do it that way again. He could have used that as a reason to let the evil out but didn't so that alone gives us more confidence. Luckily Sarah was there and captured the ride on video. Thank goodness we have our own documentary crew, it's our own version of reality TV, think we could sell ourselves and become famous? Things we realize, she almost forgot and let him pull his head down (we can't trust him enough for that yet) but caught herself and him and just carried on. Sammy gravitates toward the mirror and she needs to initiate that turn sooner. (Although the mirror is a good thing when you need to capture a loose horse. Don't ask me how I know.)

But here is the ride.

Sammy's Next Chapter

2010-03-23T13:45:00.000-04:00

Sammy, Allison and I had the most perfect weekend we could have imagined. Well, maybe Sammy didn't but Allison and I did. We picked Anne Kenan up from the airport on Friday and headed to the barn. Sammy's life has been changed. He proved to us Sunday before she left that he was definitely none the worse for the wear but his life has been set on a new pathway. (And by the way, sometime over the last few months when I last measured him, he's grown a couple of inches. He's just shy of 16H. How did THAT happen?)

Sammy's world was rocked when he found out that my boundaries were not quite the same as Anne's. What's a mother to do. Now my line has been reset and all will be well. But Sammy could not believe that Anne was really serious about this stuff and he showed her everything he had. He can buck, he can rear and he can do the buck and kick thing very well. Anne says his crown as King of the barn has been removed and he didn't appreciate that much. He never gave in completely but certainly gave himself enough of a workout that it was time that he was sat on. Anne got on first, walked a few steps, got off and got back on. (And look, I actually found the reins to his bridle)

And then it was Allison's turn. She was a little nervous but Sammy just said come on up.

What a thrill to see her sitting on him and how casual he was about the whole thing.

And then he was done for the day.

We left him to think about things and we all wondered what horse we would have on Saturday.

Saturday was one of those perfect Florida spring days. It got up to 77 and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The barn was a hub of activity because everyone wanted to enjoy the beautiful day. Allison rode her boy Noah and Kendra's horse Venice that she adores and I even climbed on Kendra's Sebastian - no small feat since I think he's over 17H but I figured I'd better get back in the saddle and get in some sort of shape and Kendra very graciously persuaded me that Sebastian should be the tool. And then it was Sammy's turn. Anne started out ground driving him a bit and Sammy was a different horse with her than he had been on Friday. He tested a little but gave it up quickly so we tacked him up. A quick check on the lunge to make sure he was listening and then it was time. Anne went riding.!

He was a good boy and was done for the day. I think we all felt much better about our ability to be successful after this. I think Anne was thinking she needed to stay a while longer and I was wondering how I could kidnap her and not let her leave. But Sammy showed us he wants to be a good boy and wants to be quiet and perhaps Allison and I together could do this.

Then we had to face Sunday and the fact that Anne would be leaving us that day. Allison and I took full advantage of having her to ourselves and tried to harvest any knowledge and experience she could give us. We were selfish but knew we needed it. We did his groundwork first and we will continue to follow this pattern for now. Then Anne climbed on. Sammy was a tired camper probably more mentally than physically and his preferred gait was stand. Anne says this actually made him harder to ride but Allison then took her turn.You'll see in the beginning, Sammy realized Anne had let go but I don't think Allison had.

This is the second part of the ride, I split it in 2 parts because it took so very long to upload. It's more of the same and you won't miss anything by not watching but feel free.

And then we had to let Anne go back home. I don't know who was more nervous about that, her or us! But we are confident we have the tools to carry on...and we know where to find her if we need her! Many, many thanks to you Anne, I could not have imagined this happening in a more perfect way and place. Also many thanks to Greg, Laurel and Kendra for giving us such a wonderful home and sharing your 4 legged kids with us. Tonight, Allison and I go it alone. Anne is on standby.

We're coming down to the wire

2010-03-16T21:09:00.003-04:00

It was another beautiful day here. As I drove away from the barn, it occurred to me that I won't see Sammy again until Friday and it will be showtime. But I think he's ready, I know Allison and I are. I had somehow neglected to spend much time with Sammy in the outdoor ring because I wanted to get him acclimated to the covered arena. (Does everyone know we have one of those at Bridlewood?) So a week or so ago I thought I'd better get him in the outdoor ring some....and he decided to show me he has skills....not the ones I was asking for but he can sure levitate if he is so inclined. We ended on a good note that day but I was having my doubts that he was really ready for our next adventure. Due to the weather, today was the first day I got him back in the outdoor ring and he could not have been better. He cantered a few strides but that was the extent of the fireworks today. The grown up version was back and I feel so much better. I know we will have good grown up days and silly brat days, but now I think I can deal with the silliness, knowing the grownup is lurking inside.

Sammy has made good friends in his new home. Greg and Joey pay close attention and they take such good care of all the horses. Joey is more comfortable around Sammy now that he knows he just wants his butt scratched when he turns his butt to you. I warned everyone on move in day but Joey didn't get the memo. Ooops. But now, Sammy has him trained just like the rest of us.

Some of you will remember that Sarah introduced Sammy to toes when he was just a few months old. Remember? This was Memorial Day 2007.

And this has lead to some unexpected results. Sammy still has a thing for feet. He is always looking for the toes that are hiding.

What we didn't realize was that somehow, Noah would be using this to his advantage. He was going through bell boots at an alarming rate. They were ripped in very odd places and very much destroyed. Then Greg caught them in the act. Noah was sticking is foot under the lowest board on the fence and Sammy was ripping off his bell boots. No picture of that but Greg said there was Sammy, looking at him with Noah's bell boot in his mouth. Somehow, I think this is Sarah's fault. Don't you all think she needs to contribute to Noah's bell boot fund?

They look so sweet and innocent but that Noah, the mature one, is a bad influence I tell you.
Every once in a while I get a glimpse of Lily in Sammy. He is so much like her in attitude and personality but sometimes, he gives me a look that is channeling Lily. Here she is.

So that's where we are today. Sammy and I are as ready as we can get.

And he is eager to get started.

The Countdown Begins

2010-03-01T22:24:00.000-05:00

There are no pictures for this post, no one is ever around when I need them but I had to share. Sammy was a superstar today. Thanks to our friend and mentor, we have been working a bit on the lunge getting Sammy to have slow feet and using his hind end to free up his shoulder. As we know, I am his handicap and I am working on some coordination issues (I'm sure you all have trouble believing that!) We don't lunge every time I visit him but try to mix it up a bit. The 2 times before today have been, oh, rather exuberant on Sammy's part. This is understandable, new home, cold weather, covered arena. I get it. But all I could think of was, uhoh, we could be dead soon. Because....drum roll please.....he will be started under saddle in less than 3 weeks. (more on that later) But today....ah, today. How can I tell you what a good day today was. I have been working for 9 straight days but got off early today and ran to the barn with Remy. It was warm, 70 degrees, and sunny and blue skies. Sammy was the perfect gentleman in the crossties and tacking up. And what a good little man he was on the lunge line today. There was no playing, he walked politely, trotted when asked, slowly and with his back round and free. It was a beautiful thing. Several walk trots in both directions and then we were done. He was a grown up today and somehow he knew exactly what I needed. I don't care anymore that I'm exhausted from all the extra hours at work I've been putting in....it doesn't really matter. It doesn't matter that I have 3 more 12 hour days to go before I get 2 complete days off. Today was a good day. Thanks Sammy.

Anne Kenan will be down for 3 days starting March 19 to help us get Sammy started under saddle. She has long been an influence for us both directly and indirectly through Kacee and I could think of no one I would rather have help us get him started. Her philosophies on horsemanship mirror our own and truthfully ours were probably greatly shaped by hers. This was my hope when Sammy was first born but didn't really think it would be possible. But here we are, less than 3 weeks away so I am now a believer. (She has her flight reservations so I don't think there is any turning back now) I expect there will be more pictures and video than you will ever care to see then. So start your engines, Sammy will be carrying someone around soon.

I can't post without at least 1 picture. Here is Remy and Bella enjoying the sunshine.

Everybody is Settling In

2010-02-07T19:53:00.001-05:00

It's been almost a week since we moved all the boys and they seem to be settling into their new home just fine. Allison loves the lights in both the indoor and the outdoor arenas because she gets off work late but can still ride during the week. Sarah has been able to use the covered arena and lights for a lesson which she might not have gotten in because of the rain. But Saturday and Sunday were beautiful days and we took full advantage.

Noah's rehab is progressing and he felt better on Sunday than he did on Saturday. This is a positive step in the right direction. And he looks happy and well adjusted.

Spenser is looking good and hasn't missed a beat in the transition. I am loving the beautiful backgrounds available at Bridlewood.

Even Remy has found a new playmate Bella. Is it odd for him to be the same size as a Great Dane???

I was busy taking pictures and looked over to see what Sammy was up to. I think he was feeling a little left out of the action

But I put him to work for the first time since our move. He was a superstar. He could not let the big boys show him up.I'm really there but Allison has taken the perfect picture of us together! She's such a good child.

We started out in the covered arena then just walked right on out into the outdoor. This was as bad as he got, not bad at all.

He had to be sure Allison was paying attention and getting pictures of his good side.

I was very pleased with our first work day. He was calm and happy and we called it a day.

It was time to get the flock out

2010-02-03T23:27:00.000-05:00

Due to the onset of the monsoon season, it was time to move the flock to higher ground. So our little group of 3 have found a new place to play that has a covered arena which is quite a luxury here. In honor of our pending move, we thought we needed a way to celebrate and embrace our togetherness.

New saddlepads were in order....

So, our new residence is Bridlewood Equestrian Center and we hope it will be our happy home for many years to come.

This is the front gate:

Here is the front entrance to the barn. A single row of stalls is to the right and left of the walkway and it opens up to the covered arena with another row of stalls on the other side of the covered arena. (I'm trying to see how many times I can throw the words covered arena in this post) The open window immediately to the left of the walkway (or is that technically a breezeway?) is Spenser's room. He's next to the office/lounge. He's the partier you know.

Sammy and Noah are side by side across the....you guessed it...covered arena. They enjoy chatting outside, observing nature. (Don't ask me about the hawks right outside their window...Sammy is too young for that stuff!) I'm glad Sammy's got Noah right there to explain things.

If you walk to the left and around the barn, you are at this end of the...you guessed it...covered arena.

I'm standing in a turn out - it had been raining for almost 24 hours by the time I took these. On my left is the outdoor arena. That big white pole in the foreground happens to be the light pole for the big lights. Rumor has it, at night, if the moon is right, you can see the lighted arena from outer space. Looking straight ahead, is a mirrored wall. Spenser lives on the right hand side and Sammy and Noah live on the left. We all thought they would be bothered inside walking past the mirrors but it didn't phase any of them.

Now the arena has some serious lights, really. I think they were football stadium lights in another life.

It's very wet but you get the idea. It's a very nice outdoor arena, when it hasn't been raining for months on end.

On the other side of the barn/covered arena, behind the wall of mirrors are the wash racks/grooming stalls.

Are you getting the picture here? It's all about the covered arena. Sammy got to try out the grooming area. He really liked the noise he made when he stomped on the concrete in his brand new shoes. We're going to have to work on that one. Baby shouldn't need new shoes all the time. It seemed like he was listening.

But I think he was faking it.

I don't want you to think we ONLY have a covered arena, there are actually pastures for turn out too. This is Sammy and Noah's view out their back window.

And this is the far lower pasture and next to it is the preserved land that has trails for riding. (Really for the birds but they share)

Walking up from the lower pasture/land preserve area, Spenser paused for a moment. Not a bad place to rest. Straight ahead of him are pastures on the right and Sammy and Noah's condos on the left.

Not sure where this picture fits into my story but isn't he just handsome?

And here concludes our tour. I think the boys were getting tired of the papparrazzi

They appear to have settled in and are enjoying their new facilities.

A Work in Progress

2010-01-10T10:51:00.000-05:00

Sammy and I have been working on our ground driving skills for the most part these days. Although I must admit he's had a break from just about everything due to my crazy work schedule with a new store opening and the holidays. I was asked if he was good about the walk, trot stuff on the lunge. Well, we haven't really done much of that since we moved farms. He had gotten very good at it using the round pen but we were a bit all over the place the one time I tried since we moved. So I had mainly been sticking to the ground driving and he's got the stearing thing down pretty well. So, on to improving our lunging skill set. Let me just warn you, it's not pretty but here is the video Allison took of our second attempt in 2 days. I am not sure about his whole video thing. Pictures are so much easier to ~~crop myself out~~ edit and I can be much more selective. So here it is, just remember, I'm not great at it, so don't judge Sammy for my lack of skills!

And in the interest of full disclosure, do you remember the scary blue thing from a previous post? It used to hang over a jump but now it's flat on the ground and filled with water.....who knew it was actually a water jump. We had a sighting:

And once again, here more than ever, his mistakes are really mine. And lets clear up something....how do you really spell lunge, longe, lounge????? Do I need to know how to spell it before I can do it? Help.

A Sign of Things to Come

2009-12-25T23:07:00.000-05:00

This is not a great video....but it is a video and a sign of things to come. It's a new camera that Santa brought and my first attempt at filming, saving on the computer, editing and then saving onto you tube. So, it's not good but I expect to get in lots of practice for our under saddle days.

It's been a while

2009-11-10T18:12:00.004-05:00

I wish there was a lot of news to tell but things have been quiet and easy. I've been working too much and Sammy has had a break in the action. ~~Natalie~~ Some people have been asking for new pictures but it's a hard thing to do with no one around to help. (perhaps that person needs to come down and help) But I tried very hard today to get pictures of Sammy in motion. His trot is lovely but his canter is to die for. Maybe one day I'll really get fancy and figure out how to do video....but don't hold your breath. So I chased him around, finally made him trot, stopped to take a shot and this is what I get:

Sorry you missed it. It was very nice and balanced...you'll just have to trust me. I even had a longe whip after him, cracking and popping and making all kinds of noises.....it really bothered him.

When do they get past the phase where everything must go in the mouth? Here's a nice shot for you.....I could have filled up a memory card with these shots alone.

And then why is it that the best conformation shot of the day...free standing out in the field, has his eyes closed? This is hard work I tell you.

He does have the drop and roll drill down. They must practice this during recess.

First you pretend to be napping......and look at his cute little white lips.

What? that didn't fool you?

And over he goes. Never in the grassy field, always in the hot sand. The majority of the time I'm with Sammy, my view is from his rear end. I'm ground driving him or giving him butt scratches. But it's a pretty nice view

Hopefully, it won't be very long until my view has changed perspective and will be between those cute little ears. Next on our agenda, trying to add some weight to the saddle to see what that means to him. Stay tuned....

The Illustrated Verson

2009-09-22T22:19:00.000-04:00

ok - let's see if this helps to get a visual. It is physically impossible for me to be the photographer and the one working Sammy (I value my camera way too much for that) but thought this would help. I worked him today with my saddle instead of the surcingle. He has not tried to drop and roll for several sessions so I thought my saddle might be safe. I ran the long lines through the stirrups which were run up. This put the lines down lower than with the surcingle but he seemed to handle it just fine.

This is where I started from. I tacked him up in the cross-ties and fed the lines through the stirrups, unhooked him then we're off. I'd rather start from here than lead him because if he did decide to drop and roll, I'm already in position to do something about it.

Then it's just a short walk (around the golf cart in the above picture and to the right) to the arena and through the gate.

Today we turned right and went along the fence line. But there is no real pattern or plan, just wherever the mood strikes me. I'm usually aiming for some shade. The days are getting shorter so why isn't it getting any cooler. Temperatures are still in the 90's and it's very unpleasant. Hot and humid, I'm over it!

Then we went in between the jumps that had been set for a gymnastic. It gives us something to aim for and a chute to guide us. It was a bit harder to steer with the lines lower but we adjusted. He had no problem going through these jumps in either direction.

Sometimes he pretends this blue thing is something scary. Today he jumped 2 feet sideways just to be silly but then just continued on.

Then we aimed for the standards with the ground poles between them. He didn't hesitate and walked right over them. He had to step big because there were actually 3 poles on the ground. I was very pleased with him today. The saddle didn't bother him a bit and going around and between the jump standards were no big deal.

Another visual, this is my view when we are doing our thing. Just pretend he's wearing a saddle and bridle.

And since we had to lead him back to his stall right by the mounting block, we took advantage. He was a bit bothered when Remy climbed up on the mounting block with Allison, he's just not ready for THAT dog and pony show yet. But Auntie Sarah gave him some good advice. Doesn't he look like a sweet little boy? This was right before he tried to see if she tasted good.

And this will be my view one day. I was leaning all over his back and aiming between his ears. He was a very good boy and we were done.

Look how long his tail has gotten! It's almost not even a baby's tail anymore. We're taking it slow but progress is being made.

We're still here

2009-09-15T18:08:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted for a while but that doesn't mean we haven't been busy. I like to post pictures of our journey but have come to the conclusion that it's very hard to take pictures while you are actually doing the work. It really helps to have an assistant....unpaid of course. So, now you'll be subjected to a lot of blah, blah, blah and only a few pictures.

Sammy has posed a few challenges lately along with some help from Remy. I don't know how this happened (well, maybe I do and it was my fault but I'm in denial) but Sammy decided that rolling in the arena was the best way to scratch those itches. And we all KNOW how Sammy loves to be scratched. So one day, down he went, surcingle and all, in the middle of our ground driving. Now, I know it was bad, but he caught me completely off guard and all I could do was laugh and keep him from getting tangled in the long lines. But while I was laughing, I was also thinking, uhoh, what if he decides to make this a habit.....nah. A week went by and out we go again, and we hadn't made it through the gate before he was down for a roll. Ooops. His saving grace was that he wasn't doing it as a disobedience, it just felt good. He got right up and went to work like a good boy, no complaining. But now this had to end. I just needed to find a way to explain it to him that it was not allowed....so out comes the weapon. Armed with a longe whip off we go, I was ready for him....or not. I left his head, to step behind him and before I could pick up the lines, he was down. Sammy 3, me 0. Next up, I recruited a helper. Anne stood at his head while I got situated with the lines and whip outside the arena and in we went. He was a very good boy for about 10 min and then, he made his attempt.....I caught him 1/2 way down (making an horrible whip cracking sound in the process) and up he went and we continued on as if nothing had happened. And he hasn't tried it since. So, even though Sammy was ahead in points, I may have won the game.....til next time. I am staying ever vigilante.

The next challenge has been Remy trying very hard to help. The sight of the ends of the lines dragging on the ground behind me was just too much for him. Sammy and I were walking along and all of a sudden, I feel a tug from behind. I yell at Remy, try to shoo him away but back he comes for more. I took my eyes off Sammy (for just a second, I swear) and before I know it, he's turned completely around with the lines in his mouth. So there I stood, both of them looking at me with each end of the lines in their mouths as if to say...."what? what'd we do?" Thankfully Sammy is a very good boy, I took the lines from his mouth, scared Remy away and off we went again. I'm not very experienced at this ground driving thing but luckily, my mistakes have been forgiven. He is a testament to the wonderful temperament provided by Escapade and Lily.

But now, hopefully those puppy days are behind us. Remy is walking along in front of or beside me as I ground drive Sammy. He is our guard dog. Here he is waiting for me to get Sammy from his pasture. He's getting to be a big boy.
And Sammy comes to meet me like always.
And this face!!! Oh my.
Today, we did serpentine loops in a pasture (not the clay/sand temptation of the arena but a bigger temptation of lots of grass to eat) I'm able to use much less rein pressure to get the turns and I'm learning to use the outside rein so we don't just turn in circles. This ground driving stuff may be as much for me as for Sammy. When we were done, I lead him up to the permanent mounting block and Bernandette (a wee tiny thing) leaned over his back from way high up there. He almost yawned....we're getting closer.

A Celebration of a Life

2009-07-25T08:06:00.000-04:00

Many of you already know that I lost Lily, Sammy's mom a little over a week ago. If you are a horse person, you know that if you are very lucky, you will have a horse that is so special to you they are like a dream come true. You understand them completely and they sure seem to understand you. Lily was that horse for me. Those of you there in the beginning were sick of me saying how if I could have special ordered a horse for myself she would have filled that order. She was full of personality and opinions but she touched me to the bone. Riding was fun again and I finally had that special horse all for myself. We went to the beach, we went trail riding and she let me start her over fences. She had never had an English saddle on when I got her but I think she thought it was a much better accessory than a big old western saddle. She preferred to think of herself as elegant.
She enjoyed her time at our first barn....good hay

Lots of grass and clover......

Proof that I did ride at one time.

And she would put up with just about anything if there was something in it for her.

And then we took her to UF to find the source of her hind end lameness. She was diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in both stifles with the left one being the most severe. I was devastated. My wonderful riding horse would not hold up to much riding anymore. Luckily, we were by then boarding at a facility where I was encouraged to breed her. Linda and Malcolm had a lot of experience breeding and raising young ones otherwise I never would have attempted such a thing. And then came the hunt for a stallion. After much debate and searching, we met Escapade and fell in love both with his looks and his temperament. We managed to get her pregnant on the first try by going through the drive-thru at Peterson-Smith in Ocala. I wasn't sure how she would take to being a mother, she had little tolerance for other horses and needed to be in control. But the minute Sammy was born, she had found her true calling. She was a wonderful mother.

She didn't feel the need to chase after him for very long but those first few weeks, she didn't let him out of her sight. We weaned him fairly early because he was on stall rest due to surgery to remove a bone chip in his sesamoid bone. But that was harder on me than on them. She had raised him to be confident and independant.

She loved visiting with him on occasion and always recognized her boy and made it clear he was allowed more liberties than she would have given to any other member of the herd.

When Sammy and Vantage got to be a little to sure of themselves and obnoxious, Sammy went back out with Lily. She was in heaven. She put him in his place but still allowed him to pester her until she couldn't take it anymore. This is how she looked just last month. She did not look much different than the day I bought her. She regained her figure much easier that I did after having my kids.

Here they are together. This is how I will remember her always. Side by side with Sammy, keeping watch over us both. I'm sure that some day, I'll look and find her shadow coming along for the ride.
Thank you to everyone who have sent cards, left voice messages and emails. I have read and listened to them all but really don't know how to respond. She was that special horse for me. But I am very lucky to have her son who is so much like her in personality. I know I am lucky, but that does not make me miss her less. All I can say is she was loved.

Lara Hurley left me this on Facebook:

If you bury him in this spot,
the secret of which you must already have,
he will come to you when you call;
come to you over the far, dim pastures of death.

And though you ride other living horses through life,
they shall not shy at him, nor resent his coming.
For he is yours, and he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass
bent by his footfall,
who hear no nicker pitched too fine for insensitive ears.
People who may never really love a horse.

Smile at them then, for you shall know something
that is hidden from them
and which is well worth the knowing
The one place to bury a horse is in the heart of his master.

And that is where you will find Lily.

Life without a round pen

2009-07-06T20:48:00.000-04:00

There is not a round pen at our new home so there is definitely going to be some adjustments to be made. I thought maybe lunging would be better than having the 2 reins today and decided it was time for him to work with the saddle on. Sarah was my guest photographer today. Don't get used to seeing me in so many pictures.......can't say I like it much. I don't know if it is the saddle or the angle (Sarah is shorter than me) but oh my, he looks huge here. It gives me hope that even if he's the perfect height (15'3-16h), he should take up my leg just fine!

He had heard that his Wisconsin cousins have been making fun of his poor excuse for a buck. Um, I think he has found the up button since we moved.

Oh my, we missed a shot of his front end way off the ground too, but this should give you an idea. Never mind about needing an action shot, feet on the ground again please Sammy.

Ah, that's much better. Let's just pretend we're in the round pen, ok?

Saddle, only a lunge line and the temperature was only in the 80's this afternoon, thanks to a thunderstorm that came through earlier. He definitely was feeling pretty good.

But, we successfully accomplished a pretty walk and trot a few times when asked and that was all I was hoping for.

All in all, I'd say he was pretty pleased with himself.

Playtime is over

2009-07-04T21:34:00.000-04:00

Allison was my guest photographer today. It's very hard to do the work and take the pictures at the same time. So it was time to test out Sammy's training wheels in the riding arena at their new home. It's such nice arena.....and it's got jumps!!!! Sammy was VERY disturbed by the strange furniture in the playpen as you can see.

This is Sammy excited by the jumps. I guess once you've been herding cows, jumps aren't a big deal.

He was oh so disturbed.

oooh. he likes the colorful one.

The flowery one didn't raise much interest.

At least there was some shade somewhere.....I hate the summer and the heat and the humidity and the bugs and the snakes......etc
Allison did a most excellent job on this picture. Perfect placing for the jump standard if you ask me.

And we were out of there. Not bad for our first look at the jumps .

Poor Remy says it's very tough being a barn dog. He needs his air conditioning. Luckily he has discovered that the pond is a nice place to cool off......until he needs to be a bit cleaner before getting in the car.

Sammy and Lily have new digs

2009-06-28T08:48:00.001-04:00

Sometimes, it is time to move on. It was one of those mixed emotions sort of day. Sad to be leaving a farm we had thought of as home but excited to be moving into a barn that is a true hunter/jumper facility......but on a smaller scale than a big show barn.
First we loaded up Lily and Sammy and the majority of our stuff.....how do we accumulate so much stuff anyway? Sammy had to look back to make sure I was coming.

But then we arrived a short trip later at what we hope we be their new home for a long time.

Sammy and Lily moved right in and Sammy has already found the hanging hose to play with and loved the ability to visit with passers-by.

He seemed to settle right in and Lily was right behind him so they have each other for comfort. Lily was not wanting her picture taken in her stall.....something about the bad lighting for a glamour shot.

We got them settled in and then went back for Spenser and the jump poles....yes we actually have some. And then Spenser was on the road and it was official, we had left Johnson Farm completely.

Spenser seems to like his new abode also.

Here is the riding arena......it's an acre in size. This will be a true novelty and luxury for us, and a big reason for our move.

There is a lane dividing 2 sets of pastures

And a pond...so we feel more at home.

Sammy thought I should please just let him go....but I thought it would be nice if Lily had actually made it through the gate too.

And then they were off.

I've never seen Sammy quite so....elevated I think would be a good word. Natalie - you would have been astonished at the height he cleared! I couldn't even get a picture of it because my jaw was hanging open.

But all is well. they calmed down and Lily settled right in to her edging routine. Why does she like the edges of a pasture more than the middle?

So the move had been made, the horses have had a night to settle in and we'll see what today brings...........

In which Sammy meets a ground pole

2009-05-30T20:38:00.001-04:00

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

2009-05-30T00:11:00.001-04:00

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.

Looking for that big action shot.

2009-05-03T22:07:00.001-04:00

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.

not great pictures but...

2009-04-24T21:28:00.001-04:00

they were taken with my Blackberry after all. Why do I do these things knowing I was without my camera? I decided it was time to see how Sammy would like wearing a saddle. I think after the surcingle, the nice fuzzy soft girth was ok. (and I can't believe Lily's girth actually fit him!) He really wasn't so impressed by it so off we went to the round pen to see how he liked wearing it while he was actually moving. As you can see, he was very bothered by it.

He was a very good boy and took my voice commands pretty well considering there were not any lines actually attached. The saddle at the canter bothered him the most as you can tell by this HUGE buck (come on Natalie, let us call this a buck, pretty please?)

But he walked, trotted and cantered both directions and then we were done. He stood by the mounting block like a good little boy while Linda climbed up and leaned all over the saddle bouncing up and down while she was there. He took it in stride so we're one more step closer.

But there's a part of me that's very sad that baby Sammy is no more. He is looking oh so very grown up now.

The Birthday Party

2009-04-06T22:31:00.000-04:00

We planned and we planned for the big birthday bash. Carrot cake I said. Sammy and Vantage would like that. I had the bakery make their smallest cake and only put a very small crumb coat type of icing on the cake. Just enough to hold it together. They'll love it. Of course I had a much larger, fully decorated cake for the humans. The food was wonderful and plentiful. I think several attendees are now being fed leftovers for the next week! Sarah tried her hand at Pioneer Woman's Cake Balls.......some with rum and some with amaretto. The blender was cranking out the Margueritas.

Sammy loved having all the visitors - along with any and all treats. Peppermints, baby carrots, apples. He had to inspect everybody's feet. He has a thing about feet. As a baby, Sarah exposed him to her toes all nicely painted and he's been searching for toes ever since! No foot went uninspected (or shoelaces untied) but nobody had pretty toes like Sarah's. Although Peyton did insist on wearing a pretty party dress and pretty pink shoes to match.....he was looking for toes.

We had such a great groups of friends and family, some who had not seen Sammy or Vantage since they were wee little ones. The kids that attended were well behaved, no screaming and no one went swimming in the pond....wading maybe but Wyatt swears he had to get the baseball.

All the other horses got their fare share of the loot. Carrots and apples for everyone.

There was no missing the gate to the farm.

Noah was working it trying to get the carrot from Peyton.

Peyton was fascinated watching him eat an apple off the ground. Isn't it fun to expose little girls to horses???? Maybe the next generation coming along.

Sarah's cake pops were a big hit.

And the boys get to eat cake....except.........

they didn't like it. We all figured that Vantage might not eat it, he has a more discriminating palate than Sammy.

Sammy thought it looked interesting............

but really........did he have to make such a face? He thought we had done something awful to his carrots..........like mix them with brussel sprouts or something.

But, he tried to be polite and say no thank you.

Thank goodness for Annie.......she's my hero. Of all the horses, she's the only one that would eat it......so let her eat cake....for a week!

Happy birthday boys. This should be a really fun year for us all.

A Big Day for Vantage

2009-03-31T10:40:00.000-04:00

Vantage has had some visitors the last few days. A father and son team that use Clinton Anderson techniques to teach respect and to actually be the first ones on his back. Young kids bounce so much better than older adults. I missed the first 2 days due to work but was there for the big day. Here is the son (who is in 8th grade) taking that first big step.

After all the other work they had done with him, Vantage didn't seem to mind this at all.

And before you know it the boy is in the saddle and the dad is controlling Vantage from the center of the round pen. No reins, just the halter and a Dad in the middle.

Next step was to give the boy the reins. His goal was to keep them wide and low and not ask for anything but movement.

No posting allowed but the kid looks pretty good.

And then it was Linda's turn.

She has waited a long time to be able to do this.

And what a good boy he was.

You couldn't wipe the smile from her face.

And where was Sammy while all this was going on? Need you ask? He was exhausted for his friend.

See most everybody on Sunday for the big birthday bash.

Has it really been two years????

2009-03-22T20:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, lets think back. Where were you 2 years ago?

I was watching Lily like a hawk but convinced she'd never deliver her Escapade baby. It was my first and her first but luckily, not the first for Linda and Malcolm.

It was March Madness season and the Gators were in the running.

I was avidly watching MareStare in hopes of watching a few foalings live on the internet before I got to witness Lily's. Suerte from Glenhill had sucked us all in and we were anxiously watching her for weeks. She had fooled a lot of experienced breeders into thinking that she was going into labor, only to sit back and laugh at everyone. I was convinced Lily had been getting lessons from her. Of course Suerte decided to have her baby after I'd moved into the camper for my own mare stare adventure so I missed it on the live cam.

Allison was living in Ft. Myers undergoing her first fieldwork and having just a wonderful time!!!

This is what Lily looked like at the beginning of March 2007. We could actively feel the baby moving but could not get any milk to test. I was so wanting to test that milk, the chemist in me NEEDED to test that milk. But...nothing doing.
And then I moved into the camper that Vicki and Bruce so kindly lent me. I was really roughing it then. I had to watch Lily all night from here...

With the Lilycam set up so all I had to do was open my eye a bit to see what was going on. I didn't get a lot of good sound sleep but I was most definitely comfortable. Oscar didn't see me for weeks other than when I made it home to do laundry, change out clothes and take a nice hot shower.

And the rear window of the camper was back right up to the lovely foaling stall Malcolm had set up just months before the due dates.

But sometimes I felt that Lily was watching me as I was watching her. Perhaps she felt I had actually provided her with some entertainment, a human aquarium........or is it a terrarium....or maybe just a flat screen RV.....um TV.

The final night of the NCAA tournament I had come home from work to find Lily dripping milk. That night Allison was on the phone keeping me updated on the Gators and I would let her know how many figure 8's Lily was making. This really looked like she might be serious. I called Linda and we both kept an eye on her. The Gators won and then ..... we saw and heard Lily's water break and we were there in a flash. There wasn't much to do but stand back and watch. We knew the front feet had socks and then the beautiful white blaze showed up. I didn't know I wasn't supposed to call Alicia until the foal was fully delivered so I could let her know the gender....ooops. Sorry Alicia. But this is right after I called or maybe right before.

And it's a boy. I had already decided on names....Espionage (no matter what color just to confuse Natalie) with Sammy as a barn name.
And Lily was in love.....and so was I.

And now, here he is almost 2 years to the day later. What an absolutely wonderful experience it has been every day, from the moment we first laid eyes on him.

Thanks Lily, Escapade, Linda and Malcolm for giving me such a wonderful gift.

Snuggles

2009-03-07T21:29:00.000-05:00

It was one of those glorious days we have in the spring. The high was 78 degrees with just a slight breeze. It was perfect. Last Monday though it was VERY cold and windy and of course that was the day the vet came out for vaccinations. Sammy's wolf teeth have come in and because we have started to ground drive him and he has a bit in his mouth, those wolf teeth had to come out. So Sammy had his first dental procedure (and his sheath cleaned while he was under sedation) and the wolf teeth came out. Of course it was very cold, and it took until 1030 that night for my feet to thaw out but all his sharp little baby teeth were filed down and now he'll be ready to rock and roll. Because his little gums are still healing, today was just a play day, he got groomed and some treats and then they went back outside. It is too nice a night for them to be indoors. The sun was getting ready to set as I was ready to leave but I thought I could get a quick picture of Sammy while he wasn't looking for me. His coat is gorgeous with the setting sunlight reflection.

But, I only got 1 picture in before he saw me. This is my usual view of him.

And then he very carefully turns himself around so I can give his butt a scratch or two. I don't think he is going to grow out of this any time soon. Of course I saw Escapade do the same thing to Alicia in a stall in Wellington so I'm thinking it runs in the family. And from his face, you can tell that's exactly what he wanted.
But there are some places he just has to scratch himself! He's definitely up on all his stretching exercises.

And the moon was rising before the sun had set. I love it when that happens.

For anyone reading, we are planning a birthday party for Vantage and Sammy on Saturday, April 4th. I'll be sending out some e-vites soon so if I forget you, I'm sorry, email me. Dinner will be served .... and all are welcome and expected. Time to be decided later but either 5pm or 6pm. Happy Daylight Savings Time....don't forget to set your clocks forward if you haven't already......and thus ends my public service announcement.

Vantage and Sammy have a playdate

2009-02-20T17:44:00.000-05:00

Wednesday it was overcast and yucky and windy beyond belief. What better day to decide that Sammy and Vantage needed a playdate. Sammy has been turned out with his mom Lily and Vantage has the pony Quinn to keep him company. (He is not to be confused with momma Beth the cows first born Quin Jr. - pictures at a later date) Sammy went to join the boys in their pasture and at first, the only thing he was interested in were the new smells in the field. Vantage was just tagging along.

Sunny and Spenser have settled in like they are ready to catch up on the WWF or fight night. Then Vantage obviously told Sammy to "bite my butt, carrot top". So, Sammy, being the polite guest, bites his butt...

...which Vantage seemed to actually object to. His solution was to just keep backing up into Sammy...

Sunny and Spenser have to talk that last maneuver over amongst themselves while Sammy says, "Hey - come back here and say that again, mister"

He' s really got his game face on now!!!

A little warm up and he's ready....
....don't ask me what this is, it's just funny.

Sammy had not ever been nose to nose with the mighty Quinn before.
But Vantage seemed a bit protective of the little guy. Those painted ones have to stick together.

Sammy is not believing that Vantage prefers the little guy to him. How quickly they forget a lifetime of friendship and fun.
But Vantage is NOT sharing his pony with anyone....especially not Sammy.

The full body block is on. You can't see or hear the cheering going on from the old guys, Sunny and Spenser, just out of the picture. They haven't been this entertained in a while.

Fine, if he can't play with the pony, he has spotted the old ball.

NOW Vantage wants the ball. But Sammy can't resist a little taunting.....

.... but then he looses the ball and it's a free for all.

Vantage has got a quick hind end......

....but I think Sammy can out muscle him.....

See, he's ready to do it all over again.
Playtime's over.....time to go home to Mom's where you belong.

A Beautiful Day

2009-02-08T21:41:00.000-05:00

Look what we did today. Sammy has been long lined before but he's really getting good at it. Linda is a pro at long lining and I'm very much a student. I got it in the end but I am much more comfortable just ground driving. Sammy is such a good boy and has caught on to that very quickly. Our figure 8's aren't perfect but we're getting there. Here's his cute trot.

And his canter the other direction. The saddle pad was a gift from my COTH secret santa a few years ago. He is anything but the hot chili pepper.

And then we moved on to the ground driving.

It didn't take long for him to get bored.

So we opened the gate to head out of the round pen.

We made it outside. Next time, we conquer the pond!

It's great to have T-Shirt weather back.

The Blankets Come Off

2009-02-08T10:54:00.001-05:00

It has finally warmed up a bit and the blankets came off. Lily and Sammy went back outside after the farrier was finished with them. Sammy gave me this look and I knew he was up to no good.

He bugs Lily until she will play with him.....or she kicks him, whichever comes first.

I love this picture of the two of them together. We measured Sammy today and he is just a smidge under 15'1......and it's obvious with them together he has the longer legs. But they are so much fun to watch together.

Lily is airborn....and letting Sammy think he's winning.....but she is getting her nip in to remind him two can play that game. From the scrapes and missing hair, I suspect she is getting quite a few licks in.

He is so nice to watch in motion. Here's his canter

And his trot

And then I get pictures like this........what the heck?

And this......he's got some muscle going on.

But no matter what, he absolutely LOVES to have his scratches.

Allison is the one he goes to for nose kisses. He definitely prefers them from her than from me.

Hopefully my work life will be more settled and I can quit being the absentee mother. Hopefully another update sooner than a month.

Happy New Year - But what was I thinking?

2009-01-01T18:21:00.000-05:00

2009 is officially here and the boys are now "2 year olds" although Sammy won't really be 2 until April and Vantage will be 2 in May. It's very hard to believe they are approaching that big milestone.

I had a very nice email from the surgeon that removed the chip from Sammy's fetlock joint back when he was a 4 month old baby. He wanted to know how Sammy was doing and if I had a recent picture (silly man). And then I did the unthinkable.....I emailed him back that Sammy was doing fantastic and as a matter of fact I hadn't had to call the vet out for him for anything other than routine matters in exactly 1 year. WHAT WAS I THINKING? The next day Linda reluctantly told me that Sammy was gimpy and looked like he was working on an abcess. I'm so sorry Sammy, I didn't mean it. Linda felt sorry for me since it was my first day back at work following my ear surgery on Monday so she soaked him and wrapped him and said not to worry. I went out to see him after work and he was a little limpy (is that a word) but not bad so I was reassured that it was probably just a bruise or an abcess coming up. I was very greatfull he was already wrapped and all I had to do was love on him. But today it was my turn to do the doctoring.

It started out a beautiful day. A bit cooler than it had been but not bad. I love seeing them out in the field when I drive up.

Hey Mom - look, my bandage that Linda put on is still there........sort of.

Linda (who is sick as a dog with the flu/cold/creeping crud that's going around) helped me do the doctoring. I AM just recovering from surgery you know. :-)

See Sammy Soak? He was a good boy, but gets bored easily and likes to play in the water. It's fun to splash folks.

But just like any toddler, sometimes he thinks he's a big boy and can do it himself. He much prefers to take the towel to dry his foot off. (Excuse the bad, blurry pics - we don't DO indoors!)

He's a good boy and tries very hard.

And tada........his foot is all wrapped. So back out he goes and I grab Lily who needs some attention.....at least that's what she told me.

As I hand graze Lily we can watch the pinto field in action. It's important to color code your pastures. There is a big size difference but the colors match after all. And Quinn can hold his own.

They are causing a ruckus and Sammy is out with just Misty and no momma....what's a boy to do? If you look closely, you can see his duck tape wrap is still there. And doesn't he look oh so lame?
And then this happens when I put Lily back..........sheesh, kids. Sammy - I am NOT buying Lily a new sheet this year......

And then they're off.....my poor cripple horses. Sammy with an "abcess" and Lily with her osteoarthritic stifles..........don't we feel sorry for them? Lily can still get some air time. They lapped the field a few times at a much greater speed than was good for my heart.

Horsing around along the way......and no wrap when he's done. But, whatever, I sincerely doubt he needs it at this point. Thank you for our first miracle of 2009.

But he is starting to look older............and I'm sure someday he'll act it!

Happy New Year everyone. May 2009 be a wonderful year full of fulfilled dreams and wonderful surprises. And we are making a pact.....we will not let December bring us down this year.

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T05:07:00.001-05:00

We hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful and safe holiday season.
Noah, Lily and Sammy. (Noah wins the Mr Photogenic contest this year)

When I arrive

2008-12-18T02:56:00.000-05:00

When I arrive, Lily usually notices my car pull up. I love the fact that she usually will drop what she's doing and come to greet me. She is doing such a good job keeping Sammy in line these days. His attitude has been adjusted and life is easier on the farm. Lily has seen my car.

So here she comes.
And Sammy is doing what Sammy does best.
Um, Sammy, Mom's here.
And Sammy just follows in her footsteps. Goliath will get out of the way pretty quickly.

Sammy is used to intimidating the bovine species on the farm.
I love seeing this face coming to greet me. What a wonderful mother she is.

A Mother's Job

2008-11-23T23:19:00.001-05:00

A mother's job is never done. Sammy and Vantage have decided that neither one is allowed to go through the gate ahead of the other and have been making it difficult to safely bring one in. Ok - Sammy has been a real pain in the patootie. So, it was time for his mother to explain things to him. Out he went with her and her friends. For 2 days they ran and played - ok Sammy ran her ragged and tormented her. Then today, she had enough. She must have explained the situation to him because he is sporting a couple of hoof prints on his chest and now, seems a little bit more respectful of her and of us. Thank you Lily.

If we had any doubts he has grown and would be a bit taller than Lily, all we had to do was look at them turned out together. Thank you Escapade for adding some height and legs to our boy.

See, He's all sweetness next to his momma....and Linda
And doesn't every mother recognize the look on Lily's face........would you PLEASE BEHAVE....we're getting our pictures taken here! Yes ma'am.

See, all it took was a mother's love. Good as gold. He may turn out ok after all.

And so another sun sets on learning day for Sammy. This is the Vilano bridge today on my way home. Some days the sun is rising over the ocean when I go to work, and sets over the intracoastal on my way home. There's something wrong with that I think. (Don't think you'll ever see the sunrise pictures here........I'm not that organized.)

Not much new to report

2008-11-09T19:06:00.001-05:00

Not much going on these days. This is Florida's version of Fall Foliage! The trees are absolutely loaded with fruit.....and Noah loves tangerines.
The ball that the boys are supposed to be having a great time with has been abandoned by them. Who knew that the cows were the ones it was really for. I think the girls are tired of waiting those last few weeks before their babies arrive. This is Beth, who thinks we aren't watching.

Who knew she has such a playful side? I suspect it's hard to pick up and throw the ball around if you don't have any top front teeth. But she does seem to enjoy it never the less.

Quinn gets a few hours a day out with the little boys. (Actually the little boys are much bigger than Quinn but don't tell him that.) They thought he would be a great playmate but he quickly made them think again. He can't go out on lush grass so he has to take advantage of the little grazing time he can get now that the grass has quit growing. He doesn't have any time to play with kids. And he does not hesitate to explain that to them very clearly.

This is a picture taken exactly 1 year ago. Look at how much smaller the boys were than Masquerade.
Now, they are the same size and approaching the same height as Lily. I thought I was pretty good at hiding and they were just running around playing so I thought I could get some good action shots. The moment my camera comes out, here's Sammy. (Christy - I left Lily in the picture just for you!) And please notice he has Lily's slick winter coat. Thank you.

Sunset this time of year can also be pretty dramatic. We don't get the leaves changing but the sky does what it can for us.

Work and play go together

2008-10-26T17:51:00.000-04:00

The little boys have started to work.....just a bit. Vantage is a pro and this is his first excursion out of the round pen. He has been so amazingly easy to work with and nothing seems to bother him.

Then it was Sammy's turn. Just a little on the longe line before the long lines. He has no problem with it this way......

or that way........

And once their brief work period was over..............play time! They really aren't so interested in the jolly ball. But if one of them has it, of course the other one wants it. What was I thinking getting Vantage to take it while I was in the middle?
Of course Sammy wanted it if Vantage had it.

Oops - dropped ball.......now what?Sammy can't be bothered with the handle.........he can pick it up easily.

Oops.....Ball - you ok?

Who needs a silly old ball anyway?

Pasture life

2008-10-12T18:38:00.000-04:00

The little boys have a pasture that is separate from the bigger boys. The geldings are on one side and the mares on the other. The little boys like to hang out with the big boys and pretend they are part of the gelding herd. They also share their pasture right now with the pregnant black angus cows, Sarah, Beth and Anne. It's nice that they are learning about the diversity of their world.
Their hay and water is up by the barn so they have to leave their older friends to grab a bite.

They are very good at sharing with each other.

But Sarah and Beth want in on the goods. They are very pregnant and need the extra nutrition....or so they'd like us to believe.
Carefully they sneak up on the boys trying to eat around the edges without the boys noticing.
Please Sammy, share your hay with us?
Poor Sarah, she's got a pregnant sweet tooth. Now Malcolm tells us that cows don't like carrots. I don't think he took into consideration the cravings a pregnant little momma can get. So what if they don't have upper front teeth. She NEEDS a carrot.Ok, little momma....we'll give you the carrots. She must've eaten 3 or 4 before the boys realized she was scarfing down their treats.
And Vantage does the herding. Sammy has taught him well. No one can tell him that saddlebreds shouldn't herd cattle! And Sammy............
Well he's just proud of his friend.

And he's learned how to delegate. He's management material I tell you!
And it's always nice to see one of these going home at the end of the day.

Rio's Court Jester

2008-10-07T17:51:00.000-04:00

By Rio Grande and out of Easter Lily. Our good friend Jinx lost him today. His life was way too short but he was loved. We met him very soon after he was born and he had us under his spell.

You were loved little man and you will be missed by many.

Dress up day

2008-09-27T22:23:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I feel the need to play dress up with the horses, but I do.....occasionally. And Halloween is just around the corner and cute little costumey things are in the stores. Sammy might as well learn now it's gonna happen sooner or later, might as well accept it and get over it. It's very hard to know the right costume to get for your child. The little kitty ears don't show up very well and they look a bit like Mickey Mouse ears.........so no, those won't do.
How about bunny ears? That's better, but Sammy is still not a believer. Maybe the grown ups can lead the way.

Ooops, it doesn't look like Spenser likes the bunny ears either. And what's up with the bow in his forelock.....much too prissy for him.
Now this is more like it. This really suits him and the color goes great with his black coat.

Noah doesn't mind the bunny ears at all though. He's always cute and fuzzy anyway.
But now Lily - she can work it. (Can you tell she's used to this by now?)
She knows she'll be rewarded in the end.

I thought a ball would be entertaining

2008-09-21T22:12:00.000-04:00

See, Sammy can be serious, well, sort of. Not clean but just a reminder that he can stand like a good boy for a little while. Almost square, darn those back feet.

He looks so much like his mother Lily is this picture. There's not much of the baby-look left in him anymore. We measured him and still only14.3H in front but a smidge over 15H behind.......we may hit 16H when he's finished growing after all.
But he still thinks Allison's only job is to give him nose kisses.

Really Allison, kiss his nose.
And today, I thought he and Vantage would find a big rubber ball entertaining. He has no fear. He runs right over to check out the strange thing in their pasture.
Both the boys investigate.
Uh oh, it moves
Lily and Masquerade insisted on a turn (Christy - these pictures are for you!)
After a lot of snorting, Lily didn't want any part of it. Masquerade was interested though.
But back it went into the boys field. And of course Sammy just wanted to know if it was edible.
Or maybe it would hold his head up for him.
Well, what good is it anyway?
He'd rather eat.
So now I feel like I should've just given them a box, I'm sure they would have been just as happy.

I should have known

2008-09-12T20:29:00.000-04:00

When even Spenser and Sunny felt the need to bow their heads, that there was some sort of mischief being planned. This is a dangerous duo when they get together. I am breaking all sorts of phobias and traditions by posting pictures of people instead of just the animals. I think I can get away with it by actually posting one of myself......which really, really, really goes against my inclinations.

So here are Malcolm and I in our birthday regalia! We had a lovely birthday tea at the barn yesterday, complete with tiaras for the birthday court.

Linda and Anne looked marvelous...........I'm not sure how Sarah got away without being in the picture. Perhaps now we know what she was praying for earlier in the day.
Even Sparky got into the party mood. He is missing his girls so we tried to take his mind off his loneliness. I'm not sure there is another bull in the world that would allow us to put this on his head and actually pose for me. Sparky probably should be wearing a halo instead of a tiara. But, it does prove that real men aren't afraid to wear pink!
Vantage was excited by the party and wanted to wear a tiara........but sadly, no one else would give theirs up.
And Sammy was devastated by being without a tiara.......he's so dramatic.
But he gets over it quick.
Thanks for the fun birthday everyone.

Little boys - what was he thinking?

2008-09-01T21:46:00.000-04:00

This may come a surprise to some but Sammy is a bit on the bold side. Poor Sparky the bull, he is separated from all his wives and now he has to contend with this youngster. All I can say is I'm very glad Sparky has raised many, many children of his own and he has the patience of a saint with them. He has let Sammy think he is intimidated by Sammy. These pictures don't show how very large Sparky is but trust me, he's big. But he's such a sweet guy. I do think he should not let Sammy get away with this.But he humors him and moves away.
He really could just flatten Sammy if he wanted. But I think Sparky thinks it would just be too much trouble. But now Sammy is under the impression he has the bull buffaloed!
Working cows is very thirsty work. That lower lip pout will work every time. How nice that Allison will share.
Anxiously awaiting.
Just what he needs, caffeine. At least it's Diet Mountain Dew.
And look how sweetly he asked for some more.
And how patiently he awaits the pouring.
Nothing like a cold drink on a hot muggy summer day. Thanks Allison!

Tropical Storm Fay

2008-08-25T20:32:00.000-04:00

Fay has finally left the area. We are still getting rain and now it looks like Gustaf is forming to the south of us. We needed rain, just not all at once. Fay was a slow moving storm that seemed to take forever to get here, then seemed to take forever to leave. I didn't get great pictures of the storm, my camera seemed to resent being out in the wind and mist. The ocean was pretty churned up on Tues night, before it was due to hit Thursday morning.

Driving home from work on Thursday was a real treat. We closed the store a little after 2pm and the wind was really kicking up. They will close the bridges with sustained winds of 60mph and that was a fear, I would be stuck on the wrong side of the river, or between the river and the Intracoastal Waterway. I crossed the Buckman around 2:20-2:30 (it takes a while to cross when you're only going 30mph due to the wind and the rain) and they closed it around 3:30pm. I'm sure there were gusts at the top of the span that were 60mph or more when I crossed. The inlet before the Vilano Bridge was rough and full. Not a bad picture considering I just stuck my camera up to the window and snapped as I was driving.
The is was the ocean looked like as I was slowly driving down A1A to get home. (Rain on the windows doesn't help a picture)
AFter much wind and rain on Friday and Saturday, the sun appeared on Sunday. The is from the walkover from the Villages of Vilano to the beach.
These are the same houses that were in the news reports with the waves slamming into their pilings. They survived the storm.
The pond at the farm looked like this just a month ago. It had been completely dry last year at this time.
And this was the pond on Sunday, before the next batch of rain hit.
You could see the thunder clouds moving in late Sunday afternoon.
But do you think the little boys cared?
Nope, not one bit.

The boys try on the surcingle

2008-08-10T12:21:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, Linda wondered if her small surcingle would fit Vantage. So, of course we had to try. He could care less he's wearing a belt around his middle. And then he learned a bit and bridle would come too. He could have cared less so off they went to the round pen to see how he adjusted to moving with some equipment on. Walk, trot, change directions....all we wanted. He had a little buck somewhere in there but mostly he was calm and showed off his stuff.This was the end of his big buck.
And then it was Sammy's turn. He could have cared less either. He was much more interested in all the smells in the round pen since his mom has been turned out there for the last few nights. He hasn't worn a bridle since April and he had no problems with it yesterday. I'm not even sure he noticed the surcingle. Here's his walk.
And his trot.
And his bloodhound trotting imitation.
I think I have the exact same picture of his mother. For him, the canter is his preferred gait.
So another milestone reached without any trauma at all.

Sammy loves scratches

2008-08-05T22:08:00.000-04:00

There was a recent thread on the COTH BB about allowing butt scratches for a weanling. Sammy enjoys being scratched almost anywhere. It's a toss up between scratches or treats. I think they have equal billing in his pleasure department. I am amazed that the lessons started when he was a baby have stuck with him. He knows to stand and wait. He plainly knows how to "ask" for them but he is polite about it. And it is so satisfying to know that you are doing something that he so fully enjoys. The lips quivers and the nose goes up and out.
Vantage doesn't really see the need for them but he certainly doesn't want to miss out on anything that Sammy is getting. They really are good buddies and Linda and I are both very grateful they have each other to grow up with.
But friendship evidently has it's limits. There are just certain things Sammy doesn't really like to share. Treats - he's not big on sharing them. And evidently he's not so crazy about sharing my scratching fingernails. But he still is making sure I haven't gone anywhere and will continue. They really are good friends........really.

We have had rain.

2008-07-18T23:03:00.000-04:00

We have had a lot more rain this summer compared to last. The grass is beautiful and green and growing. We had a summer shower this afternoon and what could be better than a nice roll in the wet, tall grass.It's important I suppose to have a friend to watch your back while you are otherwise occupied.

Hey Sammy, you all right, man?
Woah......he's coming back this way. I guess Vantage wasn't expecting the double roll. Sammy's got talent.
There is just no privacy in the little boys' field. Chasing each other though is a major activity for the boys. It's almost as fun as chasing cows.
Because the grass is growing so well, the boys are sharing their grass with the cows with babies. Poor bulls have been separated out for now due to family planning issues. The momma cows have lightened up a bit but they still keep their eyes on the troublemaker.
I don't think the boys can resist trying to play with the babies. How can anyone resist this little face?
While Sammy was keeping the babysitter cow occupied, Vantage made an end run on the babies.
And off they scattered.
And look who's playing innocent!

Guest photographer and a reality check

2008-07-07T21:34:00.000-04:00

We were honored to have my nephew in town this weekend and he's a much better photographer than I am. Here are a couple of pictures he took of Sammy and I. Unfortunately, too many of them included my fluffy, slovenly self so I'll only post the artfully cropped and staged ones. This one, you can see how close my hairdresser has gotten my color to Sammy's.And what better view to prove that the back end is currently a bit taller than the front end. At least you can better gage his current height with me sort of in the pictures......at least those of you who know how tall I really am.
And Sammy seems very nonchalant here. But he has learned a very hard and valuable lesson.
The cows were very cooperative in his herding practicing sessions........until one of these arrived.
And now, Momma cow is a bit less tolerant. Rumor has it Sammy was seen running across the pasture with Momma in full chase. Poor Sammy. But life's lessons are best learned at a young age.

A change of direction

2008-06-23T20:50:00.000-04:00

It was cool and breezy and I was enjoying sitting in the ring waiting for Sammy to be cute. I might get pictures, I might not. But the cool weather was so wonderful I thought I'd at least try to look like I had a reason to just sit there and bask in the breeze. And then I saw him trot. This is not really a normal gait Sammy chooses so it was time to snap some pictures.
I love it when he trots. It gives me hope and makes me dream of the future.
I think this is the most trot steps I've ever managed to capture. But I know he'll stop soon because he's pretty easily distracted.
And trotting is not something he does endlessly. Already he seems distracted.
And look, the most perfect patch of grass I think has caught his eye.
Turning, and trotting and grazing all at once. Such a talent.
Or maybe he really just had an itch.
Do all horses like to eat Spanish moss? I know his mother does. And now he's tall enough to actually reach it.

He's looking rather pleased with himself. But somebody tell me, where did baby Sammy go?

My boy's a natural

2008-06-21T19:10:00.000-04:00

We've recently had some rain which has allowed the grass to grow. The pasture in the kindercare field has grown a little faster than the kids can keep up with. So every once in a while, the cow herd is transfered to their field so the cows can have a treat. The boys are used to the cows but today, Sammy must have heard he is part Quarter Horse and is supposed to do something with the cows. Here, he has noticed them and wanders over.
He doesn't chase them but he does seem to have a purpose. He seems to have a plan. Perhaps he's watched some team penning or cutting on TV. Or read a good book. The herd has 3 black angus cows and the rest are, um, brown ones. Along with Sparky the red bull....who is very tolerant. You can tell he has raised several young ones and is forgiving of their antics.
Thank goodness because Sammy doesn't seem to have any fear of Sparky...who is rather large.

Sammy, do you think it's a good idea to get between a bull and his cows? Sparky is such a good sport and moves away from Sammy's herding.
Ah, so now Sammy has all the brown/red ones together. Notice Vantage tagging along. I think he was trying to talk Sammy out of this the whole way. He doesn't see any need to "work" cows, he's a Saddlebred for goodness sake. They are above such menial tasks.
Now Sammy turns his attention to the black girls. Notice Sparky appealing to me to put a stop to these shenanigans.
But Sammy feels the need to intimidate Sarah.....at least I think this is Sarah.
But just in case you think I'm going to turn him into my cow pony, he does still have this nice hunter trot!

Friends

2008-06-19T19:42:00.000-04:00

Sammy has a good time out with his friends. Vantage is growing taller while Sammy seems to be growing out instead of up.
All 3 of the kids are growing up fast. Vantage is definitely going to be the taller one. He is all legs. Masquerade has slowed down her growth up now that she's a 2 year old. Why do they think that halters were made for them to play with. None of them survive very long. I wonder why.
Sammy and Masquerade are plotting something. Guess which one is Sammy.
Sammy has several places of no hair all over his body.....but mainly his neck. I wonder how that happened? I have no doubts that he is the instigator and it seems that they really make him pay for his picking.
But he's growing up fast and playing builds strong muscles and bones. His fetlock joint has absolutely no reminders of the surgery he underwent almost a year ago.
He seems to be growing in body more than in the leg department right now. But he has much more bone to his legs than Lily so I hope his legs will hold up his big ole body along with my big ole body one day.
Somehow this picture makes him look like a grown up.....and he's getting there.

I had a turn with the chair

2008-06-03T21:17:00.000-04:00

The kids eventually tired of the chair game and so got down to business. I thought it was safe to reclaim my chair and get some other pictures.
uh-oh maybe not
what a face
uh - Sammy. I brought the chair!
really - the chair was mine to start with
Can you deal with that?
No - you cannot sit in my lap
Yikes - Masquerade - not you too!!!

Musical Chairs

2008-05-31T20:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to just take a chair out into the pasture with Sammy and Masquerade. I could get some pictures if they would cooperate otherwise I could just sit and enjoy the breeze while I was waiting for Allison to finish her ride so we could have dinner together. These chairs are in the barn aisle, they pass them at least twice a day. Why is it that they are much more fascinating when they are in their pasture instead of in the barn? I put the chair down to latch the gate and that's the last I thought about actually sitting in it. The kids were absolutely fascinated.
Sammy said - Hey Masquerade, think it will do tricks?
Uh oh - it moves!
Oh the trauma of a chair turning over. They were mesmerized, not traumatized.
And anxious for more
Uh oh - did they kill it?
Why does everything have to go in the mouth? And then just like all kids, the fight begins...........Sammy tries to tell Masquerade that the chair is his.

She disagreed with him and she is the oldest so the chair should belong to her.
And then like a kid still, he decides to tell on her to his momma.
As if she cared!

And this was Lily's reaction. Just like all moms, she knows they'll work it out.
Much to Sammy's dismay.

And if this isn't a look exactly like Lily would give, I don't know what is.

Memorial Day

2008-05-26T21:14:00.000-04:00

Memorial Day is traditionally a day for me to take barn pictures. I had some very nice ones until my compact flash card decided to crash and I lost them all. But, luckily I have a spare card or two. But Sammy ended up being my only model today (is anyone surprised?). I thought I'd throw him in the riding ring and get some pictures. He's entering a bit of a gangly growthy phase. His head all of a sudden seems much more mature than the rest of his body. He'll grow into it, right????? right?????Just like everything else, it's all about the angles you choose. This is a flattering pose for the big headed one.
And look, when he's got those muscles flexed, his head doesn't seem too big for his body, right??? It also helps that his white blaze gives a bit of an optical illusion because it tries to make his head look a bit dishy, like his mother's.
This is Sammy's favorite pose. The big head doesn't look so big removed from his neck this way.
Or look, his head without the body looks very nice and mature. I'm sure eventually his neck will be able to carry it, right???? Why is the head the first thing to look so grown up?
I've been researching and learned that one of the steps to happily backing your young horse is to get them used to you being above them, on a fence or step ladder or mounting block. So I thought, no time like the present to try that trick and see what he does. We've got over a year to perfect this move. As you can see he was traumatized. He was so torn between trying to convince me he needed to go eat his dinner, or seeing if butt scratches were better if I was taller.
The butt scratches won out........It wasn't easy to get this one handed while scratching his butt with my right hand.
I think we can scratch, make sure they don't have a problem with you being above them, off our being prepared list......Now I have to figure out a way to keep him from insisting on being scratched while I'm standing on the mounting block. We have over a year to work on that.

Happy Memorial Day All.

A Guest Appearance

2008-05-18T14:36:00.000-04:00

Allison and I spent Mother's Day in Ocala visiting our friend Jinx and her scrumptious equine babies. They are not all together for boarding reasons so first we met her yearling Woody. He is by the stallion Pablo and out of a lovely gray mare from Canada. He is so much larger and more developed and grown up than Sammy. He is a cudler and a very, very sweet boy. Although he did lay a guilt trip on me when I gave him a sweet peppermint which he promptly spit out. It seems he is a bit of a health nut and will only eat healthy, natural treats. What is the world coming to? But he is very fond of people.....especially his mom Jinx.

Hugs and kisses..........that's what Woody is all about.

He was very sweet to all of us and it became increasingly clear that we were NOT going to see him actually in motion. The look on his face when we tried to shoo him away was heart breaking.We didn't have the courage to try again. Carrots he loved and what a handsome man he is. I can't wait to see the grown up version.

He is bay right now and is slowly turning gray. See, he just didn't understand why I wasn't over there with the rest of them loving on him. That look........it'll get me every time.
Then we moved on the see the 2 mares and foals. She has a colt out of her gorgeous mare Lily by the stallion Rio Grande and a filly out of her Hanoverian mare Marple by the stallion Escudo II. We got there and Allison and Jinx were swarmed by most of them for treats.

This is Joker, the colt. He is bay, we think but right now doesn't have the strong bay markings of black legs. Maybe he'll be a liver chestnut? Nah....we say bay with minimal black markings. And look at his cool blaze. To me, it's a sock puppet, to Jinx, it's Casper the friendly ghost. What do you think?
But this little girl is Evie. She is more about the scratches than the treats. I don't think there is a sweeter little filly in existence.Joker just checking in with his mom Lily. He is bold and friendly but every once in a while, you need a Mommy check. Isn't her Lily absolutely wonderful?I think Joker has some sort of defiance issues. Probably from living with 3 girls....2 adults and 1 child.As we were leaving, and it was hard to leave, Evie still was wanting some scratches.
But she is comforted by her "brother" and her mom. And anyone will take comfort wherever they can get it.

Thanks so much Jinx for sharing your kids with us.

Growth spurt

2008-05-09T21:35:00.000-04:00

Sammy is just finishing up a bit of a grown spurt. (Or at least I think he's finished for now) He has grown 1&1/2 inches since April 3rd and he now measures 14.1&1/2. He has leveled out a bit and is really starting to fill out some more. He has lost that ribiness that he had just a week ago. Trying to keep up with his growth patterns is making our heads spin.
I thought I'd put him in the riding ring/dry lot and see if I could maybe get some pictures of him plumped up a little and maybe in motion. He thought he'd use it to visit. Sunny came to say hello, it's been quite some time since they were stabled next to each other and I think they had some catching up to do.
He's checking out the mounting block. He has heard about those things but not sure what the purpose is. He'll find out some day.....I hope. Can you see that one furry spot on his belly? It's just one little patch that refuses to let go. It isn't shedding in the slightest. And it's not like he ever had a heavy winter coat. His mom Lily has a couple patches like that as her full winter coat. Wonder if it will stay around a while. But there is no sign at all of those white streaks that he had following his surgery.
Oops, look, Sammy trotting. It's a very rare sighting and you have to be quick.........
Mostly he likes to canter..............right at you................

Sammy is still napping

2008-05-05T21:38:00.000-04:00

Sammy is enjoying some down time (plus he has a little boo-boo on his leg that is being doctored) so I'll share a story about my non-horsey husband. I have to confess he's the grocery shopper/cook of the household and if I don't request anything for myself, I can be counted on to request carrots for the horses.....3 mouths to feed = lots of carrots needed. He considers it a real success if the store has the 10 lb bag in stock (it means he won't be requested to get them for a day or 2). One day, while browsing the carrot section he was given the big tip about the Farmer's Market here in town. He did not share this secret knowledge with me so I had no idea he even knew we had a Farmer's Market, much less how to get there.

This past Saturday was my day to work when in walks Oscar with a rather large (think 25lb) bag of carrots. Not only was the bag large but the actual carrots themselves were enormous. And then there were 2! (He was going to get 3 but didn't think we'd have enough storage space!) Now while at the Farmer's Market, does he get tomotoes (which they evidently have in abundance) or anything else for us to eat? Absolutely not. His mission was carrots and he was focused. Here they are once they arrived at the barn just so you can get an idea of their largeness. (One bag has already been dipped into.) The bench is a regular people sized bench.

Saturdays at my store are not exactly known for being busy. (If anyone needs a prescription in a hurry on a Saturday and are near Orange Park, we're the place to come) So we began to feel the need to entertain ourselves. First we decided to measure this whopper of a carrot. It was bigger than a size 10 insole.....much bigger than a 20oz Diet Coke.....you get the idea. And then I had a flashback to my childhood and my Mr. Potatoe Head.

Meet Mr. Carrot. He has evolved from the primordial carrot patch. He seems to have that dazed look about him and seems uncertain of his new found freedom.
But, hey, we were at work so felt he should be productive.Doesn't he look professional?
Lucky Mr. Carrot. He has escaped the fate of his unevolved friends. They are so large, the only way to feed them was to cut them up. Allison couldn't cut them fast enough for Noah....he likes the AUCE carrot buffet.
And Sunday, instead of walking away when he saw her coming, he cantered right up to the gate...hoping the buffet was still open.

Next time, Sammy will be back....I'm sure of it.

We Made It!!

2008-04-20T19:49:00.000-04:00

We have journeyed there and back again. Sammy was a pro and handled everything like a big boy. We loaded him in the trailer in the dark at 6am and were out the gate at 6:10am. We stopped quickly at a truck stop in Ocala to check on him and to grab some sort of breakfast. He thought that was fun and wondered why we didn't just go through the drive-through. He never made a sound. We got to Alicia's right at 9am and he backed off the trailer slowly and looked around and immediately buried his head in the grass. I could tell he thought I had brought him to a very wonderful place. Once in his stall, he got his breakfast and some hay and then he met Lynne the braider. What a fast and wonderful job she does. It's very impressive and her fingers flew so I couldn't ever study her technique. I think it's a braider's secret. She finished his mane and tail in less than an hour. Then I took him for a walk. This is when I thought he would play a little, but he didn't have time to play with so much grass to graze. Isn't that mane impressive?

As you can see he was very much bothered by being someplace new and different. He actually had to learn how to walk up and down hills. He's never seen one before. Only people from Florida can probably understand this. I think I could see him put on weight right before my eyes from all the grass he had available.
The tail was really impressive. It looked very nice with all his light hairs from underneath his tail pulled to the front in the braid. It was so beautiful that it didn't even look real.
When it came closer to our turn in the ring, we ventured down to the warm up area (after I changed my already dirty shirt). He was being a very good boy and we may have left our best in the warm-up area. :-)
He looked right at home on his daddy's farm.
We made it to the ring and he actually stood for me very well. Much better than I had expected. He and I are both looking at the cheering squad. We may be the only ones that bring their own rooting section.....wait, did we see them do the wave?
He had heard it was a show though and thought he had to show off all he had. We went to trot and he did a flying leap sideways, then cantered and finally trotted. Why didn't we get extra credit for doing extra stuff? It doesn't seem fair. And the red clay really clashes with chestnuts...we want a change of footing. We did not place well, and rightly so but, he was such a good grown up boy I am ecstatic. Besides, he looks fabulous all braided and it's much better to look good than to be good. No pictures of the hair after the braids were removed but trust me, it was very, very curly. We loaded up and got home around 6pm. It was a very long but happy day.

This is Sammy today after his big day yesterday......he's very tired.
And I'm sure he's dreaming of his next big moment in the sun.
Thanks Linda for all your pre-show help (he was sparkling and shiny) and Jinx for your sense of humor and for helping us keep it real and Anne and Chris for your moral support. And of course we could not have made it without Allison. How lucky Sammy is to have so many friends.

A day in the life

2008-04-14T21:37:00.001-04:00

Sunday afternoon was a beautiful day and I didn't make it to the barn until early afternoon. The morning had been drizzly and cool and a bit windy, so we waited until it was beautiful and clear. Sounds like a good plan, right? And this little innocent face comes to greet me. Your typical Sammy looking for love. I never suspected he had been up to no good earlier in the day.

Linda had a rough morning with absolutely no cooperation from the livestock. There was a lot of moving the bovines around. The new black Brangus cow made her appearance (yes Ann you have arrived) and the parent Zebus were sent to the Lodge so they could wean the baby and in the process, older brother Goliath made his escape. As Sammy was being lead to the turnout, he catches sight of Goliath, not enclosed and that's the only excuse he needed. He rips away from Linda and takes off down the driveway. This very driveway that leads to the road. (Luckily the gates are always shut) He started on the other side of the building way in the distance and the picture was taken from the gate.

He turned and went back down the driveway where he spotted Goliath by the lake. Goliath was "good" enough to give us a re-enactment in the afternoon. Sammy's Quarter Horse heritage made an appearance and Sammy proceeded to chase Goliath a couple of times around the lake...so picture Sammy instead of Malcolm in the golf cart. (Not that Sammy was IN the golf cart, you know what I mean.)
Goliath is a hard little guy to catch. Sammy gave up and ended up in the barn in a stall with a stolen bucket full of Stud Muffins. And then his adventure was over, he was recaptured and placed back in the field where he belonged.
But Goliath was captured that afternoon by some skillful golf cart driving by Malcolm. The girls were heckling him and Sparky gave him an earful.
Sparky had a lot to say about the whole episode but was really concentrating on the new black cow that joined the herd in the morning. (That would be Ann)
Peace was established and Sammy blended in with the good cows. Just a bunch of chestnut colored animals in a field. We never would have guessed how their morning went.

Anticipation

2008-04-12T20:59:00.001-04:00

One week from today, we will have been there and done that. So today was a practice day. Now I can tell you for certain, that getting them to stand is easier for some than others. Sammy will stand for me but I have a really hard time getting him set up nicely. And then Linda takes the reins. So do you like Sammy No.1

Or Sammy #2
Or Sammy #3?
I think it's number 3 for me but what do I know. Keep in mind he was not bathed yet just brushed up so his socks are not as clean as they could/will be. But close your eyes and picture him all braided up. He is butt high right now and a bit ribby but.....I think he looks pretty good.
So I think we are really going to go. T minus 6 days and counting.

Are we done yet?

Just another day

2008-04-10T20:48:00.001-04:00

I thought I would try to get some pasture pictures today. Sammy is almost completely shedded out and is looking sleek and shiny. He had his feet trimmed today and was a most excellent little man for the farrier. I don't know why I think I'll be able to just slide right in and snap some pictures before they notice......Maybe get some nice ones of them grazing together and then this happens. Hi Mom with the fingernails.....

And before you know it I'm surrounded by them all. Sammy is explaining to Masquerade that I am his and she should not try to share in the attentions. But Masquerade and Sammy have come to an understanding and I see them hanging out together almost as much as he and Vantage. The boys are about to catch up to Masquerade in the height department.....well, Vantage has her height, Sammy has her weight! She doesn't really stand a chance with both boys together.

I think we're all set to go down to Alicia's for our first Hunter Breeding show. Entries sent, braider contacted and we're on her list, Christy's graciously lending us her trailer, Jay is lending us his truck.......I think it's a go. T minus 8 days and counting.

Happy Birthday Sammy!

2008-04-03T20:26:00.001-04:00

Well, Sammy is an honest to goodness yearling now. He has shown me his cute trot that he has kept hidden for the year. I think he was mainly showing off for his mom Lily.

We measured him today and he is just a smidge over 14 hands at the withers but a good 14'2 at the rear. His measurement from the middle of his knee to the coronet band (in a straight line) is 16 inches exactly so now we wait to see if the test runs true.
It's been a great year and I'm looking forward to playing in the Hunter Breeding world a little. It has given me some guidelines and goals on how to bring him along this year. He stands very well in the crossties for grooming. He lets most people pick out his feet without any trouble. He will let me clip his whiskers and we're working on the ear thing. He knows the words back, stand, ho, and trot and this has to be a good thing when he is started under saddle. Right? I don't know if all this would have been accomplished if I didn't have a show on the horizon. But, even if we embarrass ourselves and I trip and fall or something else equally embarrassing, it will have been worth it just to say we did it. And every experience is a learning experience.....or so they say. Wish us luck.

Looking Back part 2

2008-04-01T21:22:00.001-04:00

Easter weekend last year was chilly and it was in April. Sammy was about 3 weeks old and learning about personal space. He learned to wait and let me approach him and then he would get all the scratches his little heart desired. But NO jumping up on humans.

And it was a good lesson for him to learn because now, he's this size instead of the little bitty size and we're thankful he learned early....no jumping on the people.
Ok - so he still had a thing about jumping. His mother let him get away with this. Who would have guessed she'd be so tolerant and lenient. She is the herd boss except when it comes to Sammy.
So now, the others have to pay the price. Really, they were both running towards the gate and had a minor crash but as you can see, Sammy has no qualms about jumping on his fellow herd mates.
This carrying things around in his mouth started early. And he also showed us he could sit back on his haunches like his Quarter Horse side.
And he still shows us that. He's actually playing with Allison and teasing her. He's trying to go slow for her. (This doesn't really count as putting her picture up here does it?) He just dinked along going slow for the poor child with only 2 legs.
So I guess the thing to remember, no matter how big he gets, what we saw as a baby is continuing on. Wonder if we'll still be saying that when he's 10?

Looking Back

2008-03-31T21:14:00.001-04:00

Sammy will be exactly 1 year old on Thursday, April 3rd. But on a Monday night, the night of the NCAA Basketball tournament Allison was in Ft Myers watching the Gators win the Championship while I was in Vicki and Bruce's RV watching Lily cam. She was keeping me updated on the game and I was keeping her updated on Lily and the figure eights she was pacing.Then a little after 1 am Linda and I saw Lily's water break and we were there.

Sammy wasn't fully delivered yet before Lily was reaching for him and nickering hello. That is the best sound in the entire universe. It's guaranteed to melt any heart.
And now look at them nose to nose. What a difference a year makes. Aren't we glad human children don't grow this fast!Sammy learned early on that butt scratches were a very good thing. Allison was home the first weekend after he was born and that was all it took. He's been addicted ever since.
You would think he's getting a little big for this but he will back himself right up so you can reach that cute tush of his. That is Allison's hand reaching in for the scratches but she made me promise to cut her out of the picture... and I'm sticking to my word. (email me if you want the full size version :-) )

Lily with her bad stifle did a very good job of keeping up with the little speed demon. She got over the need to chase after him pretty quickly though.
But every once in a while, from adjoining pastures, they have a go at it again. And look at them now!!!! What a difference the year has made. I'll try to post more tomorrow.

The little boys left the farm

2008-03-12T21:39:00.001-04:00

This is Sammy's game face. His personality is growing in leaps and bounds and the other kids had better watch out. No longer is he the odd man out....he's the ringleader. He enjoys acting tough and picking on the others, but as evidenced by the missing patches of hair, they get their licks in when they can. We are so lucky that they have a each other to play with and grow up together. It is going a long way towards building strong bodies and minds. Ok, maybe we could do without Sammy's mind getting too strong.
Saturday the little boys left the farm. We took them and some of their older barn mates to the North Florida Arabian club's open show. Everyone loaded up very easily Saturday afternoon and we trailered them over to the Equestrian Center so they could settle in and get a look around. Once everything was unpacked and organized we all went for a walk. Sammy was happy and well behaved as long as Vantage was there with him. He was definitely more excitable when we were by ourselves. But no limbs were lost and once he settled back down, he got to go back to his stall and eat dinner. (A big deal in Sammy's world) Unfortunately, the indoor arena was not open yet for schooling so we didn't get to take them into the arena. We did take them into the warm up area though. On Sunday morning, we took them up to the arena thinking our class would be any minute. Not so. We had to wait probably around 20 to 30 minutes so I was entertaining him as best I could. Playing tug of war with the crop seemed to work pretty well and it kept him from grabbing the reins in his mouth.
I think both little boys were very well behaved considering how crowded the area was and that they hadn't really been in there except for a few minutes the night before. Then it was time for our class. This is how it works in the Arab world. One at a time, you walk them a few steps into the arena then ask them to trot then you line them up. So neither of the boys had ever been inside the arena before and then all of a sudden we were asking them to trot. Vantage was very good even though he did not want to trot. He at least was comfortable walking and stood very nicely like a little gentleman. Then it was Sammy's turn. He was so good. He trotted just like I asked him to and except for a couple of side ways movements to look at the strange stuff, he trotted around with me like a champ. And then he wanted to canter, but didn't get to, so then he had a little excess energy to burn ...and up he went. And let me tell you he can get VERY tall. Here is the photographers website as proof.

http://edavis.photobiz.com/cart/photo_detail.cfm?photoID=104774

But, he is a baby and he is not perfect. How dull would that be. Going to the show did exactly what I was hoping it would do. It got him off the farm and into a very strange environment so I could see what's the worst he could give me. We have some things to work on before taking him to his first Hunter Breeding adventure but that's the fun of bringing up baby. And he did not bat an eye at the Arabians in Native Costume, the minis all dolled up or even the Hackney pony that seemed to scare the bejesus out of so many others. Those people up in the stands of the arena and strobe flash lights going off are another thing altogether. All in all, it was a great experience for both of the little guys.......but exhausting for the humans! I am just starting to recover today.

If you want to see the video Sarah took, you can visit her page on the Chronicle of My Horse. She has downloaded it there.

Sammy has a job

2008-03-02T21:16:00.001-05:00

He doesn't know it or understand it fully but his job is to keep me entertained. And so far he is doing a fabulous job. His latest was an effort to get me to fully understand HIS priorities. Ok, I get it now. I was leading him back to turn him out and he tripped a little and went down on one knee. I just waited for him to get up but instead, he just bent the other leg, and knelt down so he could graze. The grass was much closer that way. He has his priorities.
He finds a way to entertain me when I'm actually in the other field watching Allison ride Noah. He loves to zoom around with the other kids.
And I caught him rolling. This is the opposite of the other day with his back end down instead of the front end.
He loves Noah. He thought he was a big boy walking beside him.....in step. Who cares that there is that old fence in the way? I didn't get a good picture of him as he was cantering with Noah the other way....but he followed him all along the fence line and was a little peeved when he had to turn the opposite way.....even gave us a little Sammy buck.

We loaded him in the horse trailer this week and took him for a little ride. He loaded right up with the promise of treats once he was in. We took him for a ride around the block and he unloaded like a champ. He's ready to horse show.

But how can you fault him?

2008-02-25T18:42:00.001-05:00

He thinks he's really fast. And I love to watch him canter....I always have from almost the day he was born. But he really isn't THAT fast, it just makes him happy to think he is.
But this is the canter that makes me want to be in a hurry for him to get old enough to ride. It's balanced and a lovely rocking horse.
He still knows how to sweet talk his mom.....he is still the only horse she will tolerate getting in her space. She rules the roost, except when it comes to her darling son.....the Samster. Can you tell they are related?
And he is learning to strike a pose. Could he get much cuter?

Herd Dynamics

2008-02-25T18:22:00.000-05:00

When Sammy was first introduced to the other kids after his stall confinement days, he was shy and low man in the pecking order and most often the odd man out. Those days are gone and they are really their own herd and good friends and playmates. They will share their water bucket and all is well. But somehow over the months, Sammy has climbed the ladder and now is a bit of a ..... shall we say......pain in the tush for the others. He has discovered his inner Quarter Horse and is learning to cut them like a QH would try to cut a cow.
Of course he's not really that speedy and has to use any advantage he can get. He will pin his ears and threaten then cut in front and slam on the brakes.
He seems to think this is a pretty cool trick. Too bad Vantage doesn't enjoy it quite so much.
And then there's Masquerade....she is used to being the boss mare (young though she is) and she still tries to excercise her authority, but Sammy is trying to perfect the Quarter Horse technique, even if she is a hand or so taller than he is. He doesn't care.....he can reach and get some air time.
Now how sad is this? He has a puny little buck so he thinks he can practice behind the tree and no one will notice. Goofy little man. He's getting a little big for his britches .

2008-02-11T21:52:00.001-05:00

Sammy has a hero worship thing for his big "brother" Noah. He likes to stand and watch him in the other pasture and tends to be at the fence with him when he can. Of course that doesn't stop him from clacking his baby talk (when do they stop that?) with him and getting in the occasional chomp just among family. Noah is a very sweet laid back soul and usually is pretty tolerant but he did finally chomp back on him and put him in his place....Horray for Noah!
And look, Sammy is hiding his head in shame.........not really but it's a pretty cute picture anyway.
We're working the standing still and posing like a model baby. My goal is to not be laughed out of the ring during his big Hunter Breeding debut.....with them whispering.....poor dear, doesn't she know they shouldn't be here!
But I look at this sweet face.........and all is right with the world.

He's coming along!

2008-02-02T18:33:00.001-05:00

Today was his day to attach the reins to the bridle. I don't know what I was expecting but, it was no different than having a lead rope. He is getting very good at listening and is learning to walk when I walk and trot when I ask him to trot.....and boy can he trot. (and I found out he can also canter while I jog.) Allison trotted him today for the first time for me and I got to see him coming at me straight on. His legs are straight as an arrow with the backs nicely in line with the fronts. And then from the side...................wow. He was moving out today and it made my heart stop. Mistakes he made the day before, were not repeated today....he is coming along!

Chomping at the bit

2008-01-30T20:02:00.000-05:00

Today was the day Sammy met the bit and bridle. He was a very good boy but could not understand about this chewy thing in his mouth. And chew on it he did. He was very confused that it would not come out of his mouth if he dropped his head and opened his mouth. My ebay purchase to use for practice fit him pretty well. I still have some adjusting and fine tuning but all in all, it was very undramatic.
He chewed on the bit like it was chewing gum (and the hundred of peppermints we gave him) for about 15 minutes then we called it a day. He had no trouble spitting it out and seemed very proud of himself.
Then he got some practice standing like a good boy for the horse show. Not ready to try with the bit and bridle yet, but he will be soon. I was at the wrong angle when I took this so he looks a little light behind.....but he is not.

This is from a better angle but he bent his front leg a smidge. At least his ears are up. You can't win them all.........Sarah trotted him for me and he actually has a real floaty trot with very little knee bend. He didn't have a big reach with his shoulder but I will try to trot him out with a bigger step when we show him. No, pictures of that....I was too busy watching.

Sammy' Best Friend

2008-01-27T08:11:00.001-05:00

They play grab the halter all day long. Sometimes they play nip the hamstring. And sometimes they just like to run around in a pack. But, they both look like they were playing it up for the camera and had to check me out while playing to be sure I was getting the shot!

That's a lot of legs and this shows how different the two boys are bred. Sammy, Quarter horse/WB cross, head and tail low. Vantage, saddlebred, head and tail high. It's very good for both of them to have each other to play with. Although now I have to remind Sammy every now and then that I am the human mom and not to be played with!

My baby is growing up.

2008-01-26T19:35:00.001-05:00

My baby is growing up. I never really have a chance to look at the rear view because he's usually in my face. I had a chance to look today and wow, his tail is past the points of his hocks. How did that happen? It's starting to look like a real tail instead of a baby whisk broom.

And look at this face. Where did the baby go? He is starting to remind me more and more of his daddy.....with a touch of Lily thrown in. We have actually been able to clip is whiskers 3 times now and he needs it again. He doesn't love it but he will put up with it. I think the ears will be a whole other story!

And look, he still had his nice balance canter even with his clothes on. He has a closed front blanket and is surprisingly good about us putting it on over his head. It's all part of growing up. Next up.....his good friend Jinx had leant me a very special and wonderful bit for his first try. We are very fortunate that Sammy has such good friends. His Aunt Natalie has a nice bridle that she is going to share with us for him to wear on those special occasions. He'll probably get introduced to a bit and bridle next week...........stay tuned.

New toy

2007-12-29T23:24:00.000-05:00

The holidays are almost over and what a relief. I got a new upgrade to my photoshop that includes a really cool Bridge thingy. Mainly though it allows me to shoot pictures using the RAW format instead of just jpeg. This will allow a lot of correction of under or over exposure and must better control over color and sharpening. Mainly it's my version of a video game! So, today is my first experiment with shooting in RAW and using that editing option. It's time consuming for me right now, but I think it's going to be quick and easy once I get the hang of it.

Sammy is almost completely recovered from his little sprained fetlock thing. Of course the only action shot I can get of him out if the pasture is from this angle. But I like the picture.

How can I refuse this face. All he wants is somebody to scratch his posterior!

He and Vantage are good buddies. It's important to have guy friends your own age.

Enjoy

Kids!

2007-12-25T19:55:00.001-05:00

Sammy decided to give me a bit of a scare for Christmas. He was 3 legged lame from Thursday to Sunday with no sign of improvement. No swelling or heat in his leg but he reacted very strongly to the farrier which made us think bruised foot. So, hoping to avoid the dreaded abcess, we soaked, packed and wrapped his little foot. Then called the vet on Sunday and he met me at the barn on Monday - Christmas Eve. Well, Sammy was just kidding evidently. He trotted off sound as could be and of course looked at me like "what's up Mom, why in the world would you want me to trot?" How is it they can manage to make you look like a ridiculous, panicky Mom so easily???? So, after using the hoof testers and getting no reaction, it is more likely that he lightly strained his fetlock, which was still a little ouchy when flexed. So, all is well in Sammy's world. And he was sighted careening around the paddock on Christmas Day. Do you think it was just a prank to get extra treats before Christmas?

Thankfully, we have a good outcome and are looking forward to 2008.........his official yearling year.

Merry Christmas from us to you

2007-12-18T21:28:00.001-05:00

The Christmas pictures have been finalized, the Christmas cards ordered and mailed so here are the final editions.

Sammy looks like a little grown up in this one and he was a very good boy. It does take a quick finger to catch him stationary but we're working on it. Thanks Sarah for your help.

He had no problems wearing his antlers. I think he actually liked the jingling. He and his mom had a very brief reunion for the photos then back to their previously scheduled lives.

And of course Lily always looks stunning in flowers.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.!!

Next up, the whiskers meet the clippers......he was not a happy camper.