Freezing rain, ice, and snow.

Today was damp, cold, and miserable. I cheered myself up by pulling UK away from his hay after taking care of the barn this morning to brush him and switch blankets. UK wasn't terribly thrilled as hanging with his buddy is far more interesting then me putting Thrush Buster on his feet and putting detangler in his tail. But then I went to the car to get my camera and when I returned there were treats in my pocket, suddenly I was much more fun! UK has learned to associate the camera with treats, thus he poses shamelessly knowing that if he's cute enough I'll reward him after snapping some shots.

I took him out to the snowy ring to get him to stretch his legs even though it was misting nasty half frozen stuff. There was ice hidden under the snow in some spots so I let UK stick to a relaxed trot so he'd be able to handle himself if he slipped.

Even though he's a wuss about the cold, he was born up here in the north so he knows the snow won't eat him (unlike a certain TB I used to own who was terrified of untouched snow). He slipped a few times but wasn't overly concerned as it's normal this time of year to encounter ice. 

We did some follow the leader and he tried to eat my camera, hoping that maybe it had turned into a giant banana rounder. No such luck. He's matured a great deal in the last year, he's much braver and has a calmness about him in the ring now that he used to lack. Part of it is because he's learned to trust me a great deal, finally understanding that I will never put him into a position or place that will get him hurt. 

We finished up and I put his blanket on, returning him to LD and the rest of his AM hay. Hopefully the weather will get better soon and we'll be able to go out for a ride. 

Oh! His feet are really starting to improve. By late spring/early summer he should have amazing feet again. Yay for mother nature! 

More snow, more rain, more ice and Smartpak!

So it's been a crazy month or so. The weather has been all over the place. The horses are going stir crazy and their stalls reflect that. Their small turnout area has gotten slightly bigger due to some meltage (not a real word I know). So it now is an ice flow. 

Haven't been able to ride or even lunge UK. So my mental state is not much better then the equines.
The one bright spot was getting my Smartpak Equine Supplement & Horse Care Guide for Winter 2011 on the third week of February. As usual it was interesting with great product reviews, but what I was really excited about was on page 52.

Look! It's UK! And a quote from me!!! 

So after making excited noises I brought the guide to the barn with me to show UK. I know it isn't much, but even just having a few sentences of mine published in something that went all over this country is pretty wicked for me. (Also my quote was the longest out of the 11 they picked.)

UK was very intrigued and took a moment from enjoying the 54 degree day to take a look. 

Then Dacharia had to see what all the fuss was about. 

The only thing somewhat different this week is both UK and Dacharia will be getting their feet done. I cannot wait till the ice thaws so we have some traction. So maybe I could lunge him and then, maybe, just maybe, get to ride him. 

I can dream, can't I? 

Bodyclipping

So I've noticed a few posts and mentions regarding bodyclipping over the last few days. From tips and hints to suggestions as to what clippers to use. I have quite a few opinions on those subjects...

I've done a lot of bodyclipping over the years. I did my first bodyclipping at 16, it was terrifying as I was handed the clippers and left to fend for myself. Also they were the huge and heavyweight Oster Clipmasters. I struggled through however and managed to do a pretty decent job, it didn't help any that it was a black and white paint.

After that I read up and watched other people who had more experience than me. Then I started small, by perfecting trimming noses, ears, feet, etc. Then I moved up to a basic trace clip on my QH. My first pair of clippers were refurbished Wahls that I got for twelve bucks. They lived a good life till a horse spooked and sent them flying down a concrete aisle.

Years passed and I eventually got to a point where people were asking me to clip their horses. Instead of using other people's clippers I ponied up the money and bought a pair Wahl KM2 clippers, which I still have (and love).

For some reason I really enjoy doing a great bodyclip. Maybe it's my small way of showing my artistic side. Once I was barn manager I had some real fun bodyclipping. I started leaving a marking in hair on a hindquarter. It started simply enough, I used a maple leaf and traced it on a horse I was riding at the time. Everyone liked it so much that the next year I got creative. I put a dollar sign (by fair the hardest ever) on a jumper named Show Me The Money and a hard candy on The Sweetest Thing. To this day I wish I had taken pictures!

Well, if you're planning on bodyclipping your horse, make sure your blades are sharp and you have plenty of time. Rushing a body clipping never ends well.



On a different note, things are pretty much the same here. I managed to lunge UK walk trot the other day, then it got warm and things started to melt, followed by a deep freeze so that area is now just ice. So much for being able to lunge again.

Oy, I'm ready for spring, with as little mud as possible please!