I LOVE MY PONIES

Been very busy since Easter, hence the not blogging problem. Went to Banff middle of the month. Hubby had a conference so I got to hang out and have some quality me time. Did lots of walking, checking out the sites etc. there is this great wooded trail by our hotel, beautiful warm sunny day and as I'm walking thinking to myself boy this sure would be nice on horseback, and what goes down the trail in front of me, but the most beautiful dark golden palomino. Looked like a draft cross. Anyway, the thought of old time horse thief came to mind and I really started to miss my ponies. So I figured, there's a stable here in Banff. I'll just go and rent a horse and enjoy the mountains. I get there and see two beautiful appys and my heart is saying oh yeah, wouldn;'t it be beautiful to ride these trails; and then my brain takes over and says are you nuts. Why would you spend $45 an hour to follow nose to tail on someone else's horse. so I just watched the horses and went on my merry way on my own two feet really missing my horses now.
So this weekend, head to the Mane Event in Red Deer with Sherry from Fern Valley. Wonderful event, met so many nice people and was great to finally meet fellow appy breeders in the area. Came back late Saturday. Spent Sunday helping Fern, holding horses etc for the ferrier. Brought in my boy Blue who has had quite a bit of leisure time this winter. Still not going great. Was a real good boy getting his feet done and then although hated it, did free lunge for me to see where he was off. Seems to be in his back end this time. maybe stifle, hips. Will get Kevin out from Bluequine to take a look at him. Brought in my young mare Peps who hasn't had much attention the last while. I am loving this mare more and more. She has such a sweet temperament and is such a loving mare. This is the same one that I had my accident on over a year ago so I haven't had the greatest confidence on her, mostly my fault as she has been really good. Last time I rode her was probably over amonth ago. As I am bringing her up, had to pass by the two stallions. Of course she has to be in heat, so is stepping out pretty good, tail in the air, really flirting you know, so thought this could be good today but once I got her tied and started brushing her she settled right down. Get her saddled and in the round pen, lunged her abit and then go to get on and can't get the old leg up that high. Now what. I've never used any type of mounting help with her before so wasn't sure but found a concrete block so used that and she stood so well. Rode around for about 5 minutes, could tell she was bored of this so got off, opened the gates and then again, same problem, how do I get up on her. Cheated and walked her over to the hill and got on again. Didn't move an inch on me. This is the first time that she hasn't moved when getting on. We had a great ride, she wanted to jog the whole way so I think she's not going to be a problem in keeping up that's for sure. I felt so good on her. Wasn't nervous at all and my stomach didn't act up at all. Can't wait to ride again and see what this girl can do. Would be nice to have someone to ride with though. Maybe this weekend?
I don't know what it is but after spending time with my horses, I always feel refreshed, rejuvenated, just outright happy. Isn't it great what our horses do for us?

ONE OF THE BEST EASTERS

Happy Easter everyone! What a beautiful one it has been so far. Usually everyone meets here for holidays but this year with Angela on crutches and unable to drive we decided to go to Saskatoon for Easter. Left on Friday morning and arrived there in time for lunch. Our son Robert, who too is on crutches, drove up from Hanna on Thursday. Three of Angela's room mates were there as well so I cooked up Easter dinner for eight on Saturday. Loved it.

Angela is on crutches cause she had the plate and screws removed from her leg and Robert is on crutches cause he again put his knee out at work. This time it did not go so well. Ended up at the hospital where they took xrays and put him in a rather cumbersome full leg walking cast and crutches. He will be scheduled for an MRI and then hopefully can get this situation fixed once and for all.

After our very filling dinner on Saturday, the five of us went to the barn to see Classy. Now I'm not the person to waste a perfectly good opportunity to ride a good horse. After riding her earlier in the year, I knew what a nice horse she is. Saddled her up and had a great ride in the arena with instructor Angela giving direction and hobbling around the arena. Wish I had a camera. The others showed up and my youngest Cara, who is a good rider but hasn't ridden in about two years steps up on Classy and within two minutes had her doing what she wanted. She looked great up there and she was so happy that she has decided that she would like to ride with her sister and have her teach her a few finer points of riding. Cara actually wished she could of ridden Classy longer but it was getting dark and quite cool so we called it a night and went for coffee/hotchocolate/london fogs and spent some nice family time together. Dropped Cara and Ange off at the house and then Rob, Brian and I went back to the hotel and sat and watched the hockey game in the bar. Rob even bought us the beers for a change. Spent some more time today with them this morning and then Rob headed back to Hanna and the three of us headed back to Edmonton. Brian fixed alot of minor but important things in the house for the girls. A constantly running toilet, sinks without running water and sinks with no cold water were all fixed, Angela's bike was fixed and the front and back yards were raked and leaves put in the compost. Brian hates to sit still so he thoroughly enjoyed puttering and fixing things. All in all it was a great weekend all around. We don't all get together much any more and we sure cherish the times we do. It's so hard to beleive that our children are growing up and starting lives of their own.




Cara on Classy. Look at that seat and posture. She's a natural and doesn't know it.

Just to add. I went to a meeting last weekend for a Appaloosa group that I have been a member of for some time but have never managed to actually meet in person. Enjoyed the education session put on by Dr. mavis Holyrod DVM on deworming and vaccinations. Angela and I were actually able to talk about medical stuff for a change. After the meeting was a social time but unfortunately I had to leave so was again unable to socialize with the group but will hopefully see alot of them at the Mane Event in Red Deer coming up the end of April that Sherry and I are participating in. We are showcasing the farm and the horses as part of the ApHCC booth. Should be alot of fun. Hopefully I or we can make one of the many trail rides that this group puts on every year.



This is a picture of the cake I made for our meeting. Ended up having to leave it there without even getting a taste. Sure had fun making it though.

P.S. Do have a nice photo of the whole family but was unable to get it off my son's camera. He will send to me tomorrow and I will add to the post.