cold-n-sunny craze

I should have hummed, instead of hawwed this morning when I debated about bringing my camera with me to feed...the horses were all acting like a buncha silly two year old nuts! Playfully bucking, spinning, and running around in a cold-n-sunny craze. Koda and Nemo are two, not sure what Harmony's excuse was - she was the silliest of all! I was getting the feed ready, when I hear Brad bustin' out in laughter... "what did I miss?"..."oh Harmony couldn't decide which leg to kick-up, so she tried all four at the same time"!!

They usually just hover near their spots when it's breakfast time. Below is a photo of Nemo patiently waiting to be fed, it was taken yesterday - which was also sunny and cold. Who know's what stirred up the craze today, all I know is it's fun to watch. Hopefully I'll have my camera with me next time the silly mood strikes them!

pull what?

Harmony's registration appears to be going through...a process. Our check was cashed right away (there's a surprise) and then we waited, and waited, and wondered what was going on with her registration. When would we hear if it's a yeay or a neigh? We decided we should call AQHA, and then the letter arrived. But wait, that's not a letter - it's a DNA collection kit! We knew we would have to get Harmony's DNA at some point, but, um, I was expecting some sophistafunk container along with a scraper/puller/draw-er something or another. Nope. A piece of paper with instructions.

No surprise to Brad, he was well aware of what we needed to do and thought I would be the best one to pull her hair out - and with that I said "you want me to pull what? 50 hairs? Wrap my finger around several times and yank. No can do. I know it doesn't hurt them, but all the same we are trying to re-connect." I rode Harmony for a brief time several years ago when I was beginning to take lessons.....but that's another story. Needless to say Brad yanked, I mean collected, her hair (not in one clump) and I took pictures :) a job I'm much better suited for.

Harmony's mane has been show-trimmed for years and isn't that long, which made it slightly more manageable. It is growing out, and looking oh so pretty I might add. Not all collected hairs appear to have a "fibrous" end, some looked like a tiny spec of black by the time we got back home. The roots probably shriveled up, it's cold outside. Hope we got what we needed?!! If not, I'm sure they'll eventually send another "letter". On with the process and back to wondering, and waiting. Here are some photos of the sampling, and the letter - I mean DNA kit.

So many choices...this hair looks like a good one.

Looking for a good hair sample from "the other" end.

The DNA Kit, with roots properly placed.

out with the old

These days our horses are taking it slow, with but a few stretching lopes & bucks in between their casual strolls. It's probably a good thing, the bitter cold we've had this past week cemented everything into hard crusty snow & ice - not the best footing. The single digits (plus whatever windchill) brought some things at the farm to a stand still. Glad we didn't have to thaw out water pipes again, however it did take a while to get the bobcat running. Never thought I'd be so happy to hear it fire up. Brad hauled buckets of bedding for another round of "out with the old and in with the new" - fluffy stuff that is. I thought I was going to freeze right to the gate (no, I didn't try licking it). I was equally happy to hear the bobcat shut off.

It didn't take long for Koda to leave the hay and come over to help spread the bedding around. He couldn't wait to get into it, such a goofball. Shortly thereafter he proceeded to try and wear the white plastic bags on his head. Really horse, I thought you were suppose to be afraid of white scarey stuff that makes noise and blows around willy-nilly? It made standing around freezing, well, fun in a twisted-cold kinda way.

Between the early darkness and cold weather, I don't see nearly enough of our horses - or get to experience the fun only they can provide (regardless of temperature). So how about another round, but this time "out with the cold and in with new" - warmer weather, that'll give everyone a reason to stretch, and have fun!!

got tickets

Our tickets for Midwest Horse Fair arrived in the mail - hooray!! This year the big Saturday night show is Grand Prix Jumping, should be fun to watch. Among the other bazillion things happening at horse fair, they added the new Wind Rider Challenge (all breed, cross disciplinary competition).

I would be remiss if I didn't say how disappointed I am that the Mustang Challenge isn't returning. I'm not sure why, but my guess is Wind Rider bumped it since it's the new buzz. I will miss the Mustang Challenge, it was my favorite part of fair. I loved following the trainers progress, and seeing the remarkable things they accomplished. You could see and feel the bond they develop with their beloved mustangs, and in such a short period of time. I hope they will bring it back in years to come.