spring sunning

First Calendar Day of Spring

3.20.25

early morning view through our window

spring snow quickly melts

beads of water droplets caught my eye

I took the labs for a late afternoon walk, on the first sunny day of Spring.

Hopee

She frequently joins up with us on walks, our most photographed horse.

this will be a big year of growth

spring light is so varied and inviting

listening is important

Upon the hill I heard then saw, a bright red cardinal singing. 

The bird was perched high in the trees, looking down at me.

It sang and sang as if to say, I am still here with you today.

3.20.25

The very next day, not a sign of snow anywhere.

Harmony, Hope and Koda

3.21.25

Nemo joined the spring sunning

Padame update

Per Shirley's request, here is a Padame update: 

Not much has changed since my last update on her, other than Padame came up lame again. After more vet lameness visits, special padded shoes (a type of Navicular shoe) she was once again taken out of training to heal and then rehab. Padame recovered faster the second time.

I am happy to say as of this post Padame is sound.

Our farrier was at our place last week and I learned that Padame doesn't have much depth to her hoof. Her toe grows straight out. Koda also does not have much depth and a similar growth pattern, although he said not as severe as Padame's. Koda's lameness is likely a different unresolved issue.

Brad rode Padame for the first time in a long time last week. They are restarting their partnership. Again. Let me be clear, her lameness is not anyones fault. Especially not Padame's. As Brad always tells me with less than ideal horse situations "this is all part of it". He handles horse set backs better than I do.

I feel bad for Brad who really wants to live his dream and be actively showing again. Ideally with a horse he has bonded with. We are not getting any younger! The last year he did was in 2019 with Cierra. She was retired a year later in 2020 due to Covid causing cancelled shows. He had hoped to show Cierra one more year. It created a longer than planned break from showing.

Brad just hasn't had a chance to get back to showing, or foster the growth and accomplishment that comes with building a solid partnership. Again, no ones fault. I am hopeful he will eventually have a special bond with Padame and be able to fully show her. She is an amazing horse! It will take time and consistent showing. With a quickly approaching show season, it would be unrealistic to expect this year. Perhaps towards the end of the show season.

I truly hope lameness doesn't plague Padame off/on. Brad won't jeopardize her long term health in order to show. The horse always comes first.

Thank you for asking Shirley. Hopefully I will have a brighter update and some new photos of his very pretty chocolate palomino girl.

Padame as a two year old

 (re-sharing from 3/2021 a month after she became ours)

finding green

When light filters through the tree's in our woods, it brings shaded nature to life. Especially in March. Rusty colored pine needles mixed with brown oak leaves blanket the ground. The combination makes bright green stumps pop! It was fun finding green on our St. Patty's Day walk.

Stumps are a good place to look for leprechauns. However, I didn't find any. Probably a good thing, since they are known for being mischievous.

Not a bear, it is a Remi

Tank (between trees, far left)

Our old man Jameson

I found six four leaf clovers on our land in 2024. They were all green when found/picked.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Wishing you all the Luck O' the Irish!

coming in hot

Typically our herd is waiting around the gates to be escorted inside for stall service. When they are not, we call our horses names. When we are ignored that doesn't work, we ring a "dinner bell" that lets them know it is time to come inside. Yes, now. The bell usually works.

Brad called, no one moved. Then he rang the bell, while I hung out on the porch to take a few photos of our adventurous girl. She was way out in the pasture and always makes a dramatic entrance = photo opportunity. The bell got her attention.

Hope (3.12.25)

Hope gets bored hanging around a lame horse (Koda) and an old horse (Harmony) and at any given time can be spotted far away alone in the lower pasture. Until wild critters spook her, humans are spotted/heard or the joy of running silly takes over. 

Wait for meeeee!!

It is fun to watch Hope coming in hot! It happens multiple times a day.

Pretty sure I let out a sigh of relief each and every time Hope takes the corner at mock speed and makes it through the gate without wiping out.

Shooting into the sun unblocked, can give photos a haze. Add distance, and you get softer photos. I am a firm believer of shooting in all conditions, to reflect the story. 

Hope

It won't be long and Cierra's baby will be two years old. Time flies, just as fast as she does.