Sunday, April 29, 2012

Dental day

After a slightly embarrassing argument with Sage about getting the trailer on our practice run on Thursday night, she stepped right into the trailer on Friday morning. Brandy followed and off we went to school. Everything went as smoothly as it could go. The girls got to hang out in a paddock (and it didn't even rain on them) while we worked on other horses, and then I was able to do both of their teeth--which were not too bad--and we were back in the trailer by 5 pm. I left the trailer still hitched up to practice, and everyone (including Chinook) was eager to get in again the next morning for a treat. Here are some pictures from the day:

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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Of moving and mustangs

I have been a bad, bad blogger. I realize this. In fact, I am quite ashamed of this fact as I sit here trying to sum up the last few months. So, here goes:

As spring has progressed, the mustangs have gotten to spend more time out on the grass, which they love:



Brandy injured her flexor manica (a soft tissue structure, let's just say) in her left hind leg, so she is absent from these pictures because she is on paddock rest. She has a small pipe corral where she can spend time outside without running around.

We had a snowstorm (in March of all times!), and Chinook and Sage very much enjoyed exploring and playing in the white, fluffy powder.




 Sage and I have been doing some riding in our spare time. She is an amazing horse; I ride her only every so often, and she is the same steady girl as always. Most of our riding has been confined to the arena because I ride by myself, but a few weeks ago we took our first mini trail ride up the road, and she was no less than stellar!


And then, unexpectedly, spring decided to show up. I got a sharp new curry comb and have been taking sheets of hair off these guys! Patrick took a picture of Chinook enjoying a grooming.


What a dork he is. Isn't he getting big?! Here's a picture of him trying to get himself tangled in his lead rope. Don't worry, we have a Blocker tie ring that allows the rope to slip through a bit, so he didn't get himself hung up.


He's even slicked out a bit since I took that picture last week. He's turning into a sleek little yearling. He's certainly not as refined as Sage, but I think he'll be pretty good looking for a block-headed mustang. :) He's even got the sunglasses look down pat!


So what about Canada you ask? Well, the lower mainland of British Columbia is a very expensive place to keep horses and has very little pasture. The plan currently is to take Sage and maybe Brandy, too, while the others will stay here and be cared for a by a friend boarding her gelding at the house. Sage is getting her export paperwork done tomorrow, and the plan is to move at the end of next month. Then I graduate and start work in June!

But, for the moment, there are other exciting things happening. I am currently in the equine dentistry elective, so tomorrow Sage and Brandy will be headed to school for me to float their teeth. This will be the first time Sage has ever had her teeth done, and I am hoping she will represent mustangs well in our very busy day tomorrow. More updates to follow, so stick with me! :)