Gitty Go - March 2011

Finally, after months of grooming & loving up the Buddha...I was hoping to ride.  As I left my house in Illinois, the sun was shining brightly and the frost from the previous night was slowly melting away.  BUT...when I crossed the Wisconsin state line..... a HUGE dark cloud was looming above me.....for the entire path to the barn.  There was still frost on the ground & chilly does not even begin to describe what my body experienced as I entered the barn!

Mother Nature must have felt my angst b/c after doing barn chores & grooming - the sun came out in all it's glory & riding was but a few moments away.....

Here's Bud enjoying his breakfast of hay - he didn't suspect a thing.
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                Even with the saddle pad - he remained calm & cool.

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                 Once the saddle was on - he realized my master plan :)                                

           Always have to lunge the Buddha - especially first time out

                Alas, finally atop my trusty steed w/ me totally
                   prepared wearing several layers of clothing.

                          Notice the beautiful blue sky???

 

Here are Melody & Tia

Love that sky!!

                            Tia has NO fear of the camera :)

                            Kayla working Blackjack

                     Doesn't he look like a woolly mammoth?

           One happy rider + one tired horse = one wonderful Saturday

Before & After....

Since we are still in the grooming stage of our love fest ( due to weather ) - I thought I'd share some photos of the transformation that takes place with the help of a curry comb, brush & some TLC.
 

 

This is the Buddha's back & butt covered in shavings that cover the floor in his stall. At night horses DO lay down & roll.....waking up like they were snowed on.

Here he is all brushed out & snow free!

              Here is Tia's mane with the dreaded cockle burrs embedded.
These come from a small bush that is in the pasture - you know spring is nearing when you see these lil thorny plants - they stick to EVERYTHING!!!! 

 

Her beautiful mane all combed out!

          And lastly here's my guy trying desperately to avoid the camera :)


The muddy season is upon us @ the barn .....next week's photo will be a tad gross!