snow and horses

The tons of snow from my last post got rained on and melted... and today we got more snow.  Snow is better than mud, ice or mud and ice at once.  Now that the horses are home, I prefer only two things on the ground:  snow or growing grass.

We know snow looks like here:

Christmas wreath on the gate that is open at the moment of this photo and luckily nobody unwelcome pulled into the driveway (yes, I can be antisocial).  The wreath on a closed gate says "Merry Christmas, please keep driving past, not in".  That's not too antisocial, right?

Java.  Baby Java.  The most wonderful horse in the world.  She is watching the boys (Stretch and Lobster), I am near their paddocks.  Super Princess Baby Java likes to be near the barn best, but that does not stop her from supervising at all times.

Snow...

Stretch.  The new guy.  He is AWESOME.  I thought I was going to die when he first arrived, but we get along great.  He was extremely nervious when he arrived, is bigger than Java and very sensitive.  We do yoga together after meditation hour daily and then everything is OK.  Just kidding, he settled in well, and gets fed constantly (ulcer prone) and he realizes that I can be useful for things like delivering food to his paddock or stall at any moment, gentle grooming sessions and... food.  And, Stretch likes Java, he gets bonus points for that.  We are both very relaxed around eachother now, and he knows that he is safe and his job is to gain weight and get old and chill.  He happens to be cute too.  I'll get some pics of his adorable face soon.

Lobster is right next to him in another paddock (the infamous sacrafice paddock that we split into two).  Not that Lobster and Stretch seem to appreciate eachother much, but they are a good pair up there.

Lobster on the right of photo: "Hey Stretch, want to pretend to be friends?".

Stretch:  "Hey Lobster, No."

Lobster: "Hey Stretch, I have tons of hay, but do you want to share some of your alfalfa cubes?"

Stretch:  "Hey Lobster, No."

That's OK, Lobs is allowed candy, apples, etc, and Stretch is not.

I'll go take more photos now and post more later. :)

video in snow...

Until I figure out how to get the window with the video up, i have to use links:

Java in snow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jowySjL_io

Dogs in Snow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgCQXaUb2ZI

I'll get some pics or video of Stretch and Lobster next...

OMG!

OMG, I found it!!!!! (I"m making fun of myself with the OMG (dad, that means oh my god in computer speak).

Camera battery is charging and will post pics today... we got snow, bandy has to hop like a bunny to get around.  The horses I'm sure will be amusing too.

Yay, I'm back, the camera has been unearthed...

It's pretty bad that I could not find it... I looked in the barn about 342 times, every coat pocket, in the car 321 times, under the car seats, around the property, in drawers... it was under a pile on my desk... good god.  I think I need therapy.

still no camera.

still cannot find the camera.  I will either find it soon, or get a new one.. ouch.

Sorry honey!  Yes, I lost your camera.  I liked your camera A LOT.

We split the sacrafice paddock into two.  Covered my Carhartt gear in concrete dust to concrete in the corner and brace posts, and Mr. Java's Mom's boots in concrete dust, but it's done.  Mr. Java's Mom did 99% of the work, and it looks great.  Thank you.

Does Java like it?  NO.  She has spent the last two days out there, and she is protesting.  Lobs is like "hey, cool, this is nice, and Java is next to me now".  Java is like: "what is this bullshit, put me back in my paddock by the barn".

Stretch arrives Sunday.  Then Stretch will go in one sacrafice paddock and Lobs will go in the other, and Java will go back in to her paddock.  We're riding lately, she feels terrific, and is very happy, aside from the whole protest-the-sacrafice-paddock stuff.

I'll find the camera, I promise!!! 

And, the concrete dust came out of the Carhartt gear, good stuff.  Those gloves held up well during the process and washed well too.

:)

I can't find the camera

Thank you all so much for your input for sacrafice paddock size.  All of your input has been very helpful.

We are still working on a decision, and considering some other options.  So far, so good.

And, I have not posted lately because I cannot find the camera.  Fascinating.  I'm really sorry because it's been beautiful lately, sunny, gorgeous.
I'll keep looking for the camera.  I'm fine, I read your blogs, and figure I'll find the camera... soon!!

sacrifice paddock size

OK my blog buddies.  I could use a little help.

As you know this place is a work in progess, and the latest is getting the grass paddocks established to hold upto hooves and grazing.  The top paddock (the largest paddock) has been re-seeded, is doing great with grass growing, but is off limits until late spring.  The lower paddock (the nice grassy one down hill from the barn) has nice grass, but horses with shoes are too tough on it right now and we need to baby that paddock a little.  And, Java's paddock, it's nibbled down to the nub and is barely hanging on, but Java loves it there, so I have let this happen.  Then, there is the newest paddock, the one Lobster has been in, it has no grass.  It is our sacrafice paddock.  It is very pleasant though, sun, shade, room to run, and the barn and other paddocks can be seen from that spot.

This is the issue:
We want 3 sacrafice paddocks.  (3 stall barn, 3rd horse arriving later this month).

Do we split the existing sacrafice paddock into 3.  Each horse would have it's own sacrafice paddock of 44x73.  (3,212 square ft of sacrafice space each horse).

OR

Do we split the existing sacrafice paddock into two and clear more trees and auger more fence post holes (you get the picture) and make a third sacrafice paddock.  (4,818 square ft of sacrafice space each horse ).

The ring will be fenced in soon(?) and that would be a larger space that can be rotated into the mix if one of the horses would like to stretch out a little more.  That is like 125x150, plenty big to get a little more exercise.

I'm reading everwhere and the recommended sizes for sacrafice paddocks is small, 400 to 1,200 square feet.  This sounds too small to me.  If we took the existing sacrafice paddock and split it into 3, each horse would have 3,212 square feet.  If we split it into two, each horse would have 4,818 square feet.

Your thoughts on what you think is best for the horses?  I'm really stuck on giving each horse as much space as possible.  And, I want their joints to not get too wrenched if they have to screech to a halt too often if they feel like playing.  OR, Im crazy because for example, Java is standing still taking a nap in the sun, and would be fine in a 1,000 square ft. paddock right now and 3,000 would be plenty, especially if she gets to be with her buddies.  When weather permits, grass permits, conditions permit, the horses will be on grass.  Like great grass.  This is our transition period to get to that point, and if we want it to happen we have to work in some rotation.  Oh, and we are adding a 4th grass paddock to the mix for good measure.  That grass is growing establising and we just have to fence it in.

Ugh, please, your thoughts.  You guys can help, and I would really appreciate it.  Thank you thank you thank you.


Below are pictures of the sacrafice paddock that will be either split into two... or three...

Bandy says:  "Thank you all very much for your help.  I cannot make ALL the decisions around here".

familiar sights:

The norm.  And, where is the sun!?  I swear it is not this dismal in CT.

Mackie rolling with toy in mouth, Java coming in for a close look, Bandy happy trying to destroy a dog bone and my half-eaten-by-a-chipmunk-kale in the pot on the wall:

Mackie up and shaking.  Java bored already, and Bandy still happily knawing away:

Here's a litte morning sun:

Yep, she loves bones:

This is a familiar sight:

Is it groundhog day?

Same old... BUT I changed out the Kale for a mini blue green bush in the pot for our winter interest:

Lobster looking bored.  But I know he's happy.  And he is a very good boy.

Lobs:

Lobs watching Mackie now:

The third horse arrives later this month.  This works out well with Java and Lobster settled in, and the third horse, Stretch, can join in on the relaxation spa.  The horses have been great.  The dogs have been great.
Things are well.

I'm not quite sure what it is about Mackie and cars...

Had to take my car in again, no major issues.

This is the loaner car, and I'm unloading groceries...

Bandy: "Uh mom, you need to come see this"

He's probably thinking, yep, this works for me. 

Please remove the rest of the groceries so that I can really get comfortable.

And, I'm not getting out for a long time.

I'm still not getting out.

Bandy:  "see what I've got to work with here"

Mackie was very proud, and stubborn about his new spot.

Alas, it goes back today and I'll return with the wagon.

Java, Lobster and Kale

The new horse is here!
His owner brought him over yesterday afternoon, he is settling in very very well.  Actually so well that maybe he does not need to settle, he's very... chill.

His name is Lobster.  Yes he is big and red, but he's a Dutch Warmblood born in the "L" year (Just like Java, born in 1997, when all Selle Francais are named starting with a "J"... Lobster was born in the Dutch Warmblood year of L) and the name Lobster stuck... and it's very easy to remember.  Convenient.

As we approach the barn right after Lobster has unloaded, Java perked up ASTONISHED that another horse is on the property.  Absolutely stunned.  Like when you were a kid and you opened the ULTIMATE gift and looked at your parents like, really, for me?!  That was the look.

They are quite cute. 

This is all I can get of him so far.  Maybe he's camera shy...

They both rested well last night, no issues.  Today they just came in to rest, and the wind has picked up, so it's a good time for their siesta.  They were out all morning in separate paddocks, and both quite happy but a little tired.  Java has a relaxed look to her face.

Mr. Java's Mom and I will be doing noisy leaf cleanup and then this afternoon Lobster and Java will go out again.  It's incredibly warm out, a nice surpirse.  Maybe they will dine al fresco.

I planted some kale for the Fall planters about a month ago.  I've enjoyed watching it turn colorful as the weather gets colder. 

I thought that it had bolted because one pot of kale got very stemmy... well, I was wrong.  Something ate it.  That's actually cute.

carhartt for women inventory

Mr Java's Mom knows that if you have the right gear, the day to day work is sometimes... pleasant.  I pretty much love all barn work, but hate being cold. 

So, to gear up for winter I received:
(you guessed right, these are the manufactures photos, my stuff is already in use and dirty)

Carhartt for women jacket.  Super warm, very comfortable.  Already very dirty.

Double front pants.  Double layered fronts for... stuff... like protecting you from poking hay when moving bales, general stuff.  yes, I'm wearing them for the second day in a row... and probably tomorrow too...whatever... in that yellowish color dirt just blends rignt in.

And, my brother and his wife got me these bad a** gloves:

they are waterproof baby.  that means that you can scrub the water buckets and not turn your hand into a popsicle.  Uh huh, these are pretty good gloves.

So I'm pretty well outfitted in Carhartt now... my current carhartt for women inventory is: a vest, jacket, summer weight pants, jeans, double front pants, gloves, and TWO pairs of overalls, lined and denim unlined.  It's OK to be jealous.

And, Mr. Java's Mom also got me a pretty flannel shirt. 

Wait, there's more!!  We are getting a new resident today... It's been in the works for weeks, probably months if I bothered to check, but he's arriving in a couple of hours.  I'm so excited.  Java is unsettled today probably because she knows that I'm giddy about something...  And, if all goes as I'm told, a third lucky horse arrives in about a month... we'll see... I don't count on these things until the horse is on the property.  You know horse people... we're ALL a little crazy.

If I can find the camera, I'll take photos.  I'm going to start looking right now!

Stuff

Same old here.  Mackie did hit his head on the door again, this time on our way into the house.  My mom was with me, and I went to open the door and Mackie got his timing wrong.  Mackie, it goes like this:  I open the door, you walk through.

Mackie got the order mixed up and tried to go through before I opened the door. 

He head-butted the door and I stood there stunned.  I said to my mom, see what goes on here... who will believe me?  She said she does, especially since she saw it too and just about collapsed laughing.  Mackie is OK. 

Java in her stall for a second before I tack up and we go for a ride.  She's fabulous.

This would have been cute if it did not come out blurry:

Our house was built in 1738.  That's what the historical society says... 

There is a nice little cemetary down the street, so we went and looked for the original builders/owners of the house the Baley's (later changed the spelling Bailey).

Check it out!  Here they are, sheltered under this ancient cedar tree.  These headstones are in wonderful condition and we could read them.  They are the childern and grandchildren of the original owners of the house (some very young, 3 mos, some made it to their early 80's).  Right near these stones are others, not sheltered by the tree and the writing is almost totally worn off, but I'll go back and see what I can figure out... I think they are the older markers.  The stones that you see in the background are others, from the 1800's, other famlies, etc.

This is really exciting, and so... important... and historic.  And, it was not creepy in the cemetary, it's nice.  I'm hoping that there is a map of who is where in the cemetary.  I'm also hopefully going to get the historical society geared up to do more research on the house.  I'm so glad these markers are pretty well preserved.

Then we (mom and I) pull back into the driveway and I see that Java is happy as can be.

Next Post:  Exciting new things that Mr. Java's mom gave me...

All is well

A couple of pics...

All is well.

pictures

It's warm out... still wearing long johns, but it's really nice out.  The warm air has created fog... and I actually had the camera battery charged, and remebered to bring the camera outside this morning and the camrea worked.  The camera stars aligned...

Da Boss:

The usual shot:

The two tall trees in the far right of this photo are two trees that neighbor Jim decided to keep.... how beaucolic... pastoral... developer

We're mid leaf-fall now.  The oaks have barely started and the maples are done.  Odd, but still nice:

Java's barn in this photo looks like a nice little doll house:

The gang waiting for me... Java is in her stall having breakfast:

The new grass growing in the top paddock... how I miss using the top paddock.  Summer 2010 will be very fun and GRASSY.  Meadow like... ah, I can almost see it now...

Le Cabana:

We'll see if I can put two brain cells together and bring the camera out this afternoon too!!  Wow, the challenges that I set...