honey I shrunk the horse

Koda has been miniaturized, on a greatly reduced scale. He was only a few feet away from me, when he was made into an extremely small size. They say this happens in order to keep volume or weight to a minimum.

So, that's what I've gotta do to lose weight? Miniaturized myself? Can you even imagine? Me either.

Miniaturization happens when you are made to be much smaller then normal. Reduced to tininess. On a very small scale, a minute version of oneself, or in this case a mini version of ones horse...

Little Koda

I am glad the condition didn't last long. I've become rather fond of Koda, just the way he is...

the next best thing

They replaced the indoor arena flooring at our barn last summer, and put new sand in. Unfortunately the service door recently broke, and dragging the arena has been problematic. With all the traffic it gets, it doesn't take long for holes and sand dunes to appear in the deep arena sand. 

Before we rode my hubby rigged a ratchet type pulley on the door, so he could test out a new arena drag they are considering buying. It happens to be the exact same one we look at every year at Horse Fair. We dream of the day we have a reason to buy one of our own! 

I helped briefly hold the chain, and then went to check out Koda & Nemo's new (to them) turnout pasture. It is further away from the barn, but has access to automatic water. I think they'll like spending their days out there?

Why is she not bringing us in?

Between the work, play happens with this little guy running around...

5 months of happiness

I helped our trainer shovel the sand away that builds up on the corner walls. It's much harder then it sounds. Brad got things adjusted on the drag, so it could go round and round with ease. We had to stay on our toes to get out of his way!  She mentioned it looked like he was having fun running the drag, trust me - he was. My hubby was so happy, it's the next best thing to owning your own...

What a huge difference! Nemo & Koda noticed it right away. I set up some poles & cones, and we ended the afternoon with a nice ride on freshly raked sand!!

will it fall out?

Last summer I made a living wreath out of 80 succulent cuttings, it hung on the side of our shed. I enjoyed watching it grow and begin to fill out. In November, I took it down for the winter. I am attempting to overwinter it outside until spring, hoping at least some plants will make it through the winter...

...for the past month, I've been looking at that bare spot and thinking I should really make a winter wreath. Something inexpensive, that can take our harsh WI weather. Evergreens wreaths are the obvious choice, but I'm no Martha Stewart. I decided on a grapevine wreath. I figured they come from nature, and don't cost a lot. I let the idea ferment in my head for a while...

...with coupon's in hand, I found a pre-made grapevine wreath and picked up a few cheap-o decorations. I intended to make this winter wreath using all natural decor, but after walking my frozen gardens I realized I don't grow much that could be used. I looked into buying natural dried decor, holy cow do they charge a lot per stem! I made my wreath for less then five dollars, but its worth a lot more then that to me...

...I coated one of Harmony's old shoes with a light sparkle clear lacquer that I had, repurposed some old "berries" I saved years ago, secured them together, and whalaa - my homemade winter wreath:

I've become rather fond of it, and hung it on my front door instead of the shed outside. So much for filling that bare spot on the shed wall!! 

I like things slightly off center, and tipped the horseshoe. I wasn't even thinking about all the superstition that surrounds them...until my hubby teased that now all our good luck was going to spill out! I believe a horseshoe is tipped so it can catch good luck. That's my story and I'm sticking to it, unless bad things start happening...

closing out november

On the last day of November we arrived at the barn to find the boys outside enjoying some lunch and peacefully soaking up the warm Fall sun...

...with no more then a slow head raise, Koda & Nemo look up. We think they are saying "oh sh&! they are here" as they sink their muzzles back down into the hay to continue softly chewing. One of the best, most soooothing, sounds in the world!!

I soak up some pasture time with them, for just a short while. It's one of the things I miss most about not having the boys at home. Just plain 'ol hanging around with them...

Nemo

Nemo was barely concerned with the arena door on this ride, and continues to follow Brad around like a puppy dog. He is always in his back pocket.

Koda

Koda is happiest with his nose nuzzled deep into a pile of hay. He doesn't fidget when I halter him, and pokes along behind me to the indoor arena. We had another great ride, no odd breathing. Koda continues behaving so well. I am enjoying every single minute with him!!

When we were done riding, I felt kinda bad. Koda & Nemo didn't get to go back outside to their sunny pasture. We decided it was best as it was close to supper time, and with the warmer day their winter coats brought on a bit of sweat. The sun wouldn't be up much longer anyways, and they would be content with the fresh piles of hay in their stalls. They seem so much happier living the routine at Iron Horse. 

November is a transition month for me. The last of the lingering winter chores get completed and family gatherings happen. We get a taste of the cold weather to come. Numbers chalk up that tell me I am older. It's the month we are reminded to be grateful. After 5 years I still wonder how we got so damn lucky to have these amazing horses enriching our lives....and for that, I will forever be grateful.