misc horse update and photos

It has been a looong time since I have posted anything about our horses. Five months to be exact. They are all doing good. End of post. 

Ha haaa!! Seriously, they are all doing good and I am thankful for it. Life for our horses has been pretty quiet and routine. 

Grazing by the Early Morning Moon

Nemo, Koda, Harmony (L-R)
April 10, 2020 at 6:39am

I've put together some random updates about each of them to share:

Koda, is still fat & sassy, just like his owner! I asked about his weight again at Spring shots in late March. The vet isn't concerned, but suggested cutting hay back at night if we were. We have cut his hay back, altho not sure how big of a difference it is making. What Koda really needs is exercise. Just like me. So many similarities...things that make you go, hmmm? 

Koda
April 19, 2020

Our horses always have access to hay 365 days a year in a feeder with a slow feed net, so grazing muzzle's don't mix. The feeder is in the same dry lot as their waterer. At night all our horses are fed indoor with a slow feed net. We tried doubling Koda's stall net, but that made it impossible to get any hay out. Someday we could get creative with water buckets or separating etc but unless necessary, we would rather keep the horses content. For now, we will continue what we are doing and hope the exercise component happens sooner than later - for all of us!!

Koda taking off to check out the lower pasture
May 31, 2020

entering lower pasture

Koda's Field Of Dreams

Nemo, continues doing better at our place. I am always happy to shovel big pee puddles out of his stall, and we've seen no dripping since we've moved here! That means no ultra sounds or bladder flushes for the big guy!! I am sure the day will come, but so far so good. You can read about his uncommon Calcium Build Up condition here. We think the thing that has made the biggest difference is the grass hay we grow (alfalfa has a higher concentration of calcium) as well as consistent access to auto-waterers and salt.

Nemo
April 2020 (iphone)

So far his allergies are better as well. Nemo still has them seasonally, but with the walk-in shelter he is able to self regulate and stay out all day wearing one light mask. He does still get allergy shots, altho the overall frequency of them is less now.

Nemo going to check out the lower pasture
May 31, 2020

entering lower pasture

Harmony, turned twenty this year and is loving life here. We got our daughters blessing to try not shoeing her. She gets frequent abscess's and one of her front feet is a little angled inwards. Since our ground is sandy and she is not being ridden or worked, we thought it was worth trying again. Our farrier was recently here and said her feet looked good. So far, Harmony remains barefoot!  

Harmony
April 19, 2020

Harmony

Harmony entering lower pasture
May 31, 2020

Harmony is fast, when she wants to be

Cierra, has big changes coming in her future. Brad is not showing, because all 2020 AQHA shows in our area are cancelled due to the pandemic. He made the decision "official" to bring her home (YEEAAAAAA!!!!!) once our outdoor arena is up. Who knows when that will actually happen? At this rate, it isn't looking like anytime soon :( The arena railing we chose is made by Priefert, and they are out of Texas. One of States where COVID-19 is high, still. I am trying not to get my hopes up, just incase Winter comes before the arena goes up. 

I will share more about sweet Cierra in a separate upcoming post. Sadly I haven't seen her since the September Labor Day 2019 show, so no photos of her to share.

Harmony

You will notice in the May pics, our pasture grass is long and lush. Not ideal. Instead of letting the horses wallow in it, Brad decided to cut and bale it. Funny, considering this was the pasture we had to re-plant twice just to get the durn' grass to come in at all. We grow the same grass in the pastures, as the hay fields we bale.

Brad in his happy place, farming
June 16, 2020 (iphone)

I am always walking past our windows and looking for somewhat unique horse photo opportunities to catch my eye. I prefer things to happen organically vs creating scenes or action. I must be getting picky (er) because I haven't been taking very many photos of our horses. Of course there are times when you can somewhat predict, or better said hope, the horses will be more expressive. All these action photos are taken when switching pastures.
 

Nemo, Koda, Harmony (L-R)
Also the order they came running down to check out the lower pasture
May 31, 2020 

I need to pay more attention to their nuances, and learn from their natural beauty while just hanging out with them. Especially when highlighted by Mother Nature's beautiful light. Harder to do for a girl who's first photography love is shooting action.

a familiar Koda pose
May 31, 2020