Tia turns 11...

Tomorrow we are celebrating Bud's stable mate's B'day - she will be 11y/o. In horse years that is still considered pretty young BUT she has good horse sense - meaning - very good stall manners, easy to work with (either tacking or trimming for the farrier) and she is good under saddle.

She came to the barn temporarily 4 years ago & never left.  My friend, Melody, took one look it her in the pasture and it was love at first sight.  Her horse had passed away a few months prior (Piedmont) and the equine gene was reignited.  As it turned out Tia would be a Christmas present for her sister, Lori ......who had no idea...before walking in the barn that Saturday.

We had strung white lights around her stall and Tia was completely decked out in her red & green festive outfit munching away on carrots . We had turned off all the overhead lights & turned up the Christmas carols playing on the radio.  Lori was in absolute shock ..... seeing as she actually thought she was just popping in for a minute to meet Mels' new horse!!

It was one of those magical moments that you hear about at Christmas time & quite fitting ...as it all took place in a barn on a colds winter day :)

                         Melody & Tia - what a great photo!!!

                   Tia & the Buddha out on a sunny afternoon.....

                       Lori,with pup Max hanging w/ Tia

Back in the Saddle....

I can't believe the Buddha and I are beginning our 7th year together. Last year my first ride was in March and even tho it was  cold & windy outside - we endured.  Lunging him was an athletic event as he jumped, reared and tore around me like an lunatic!  Once under saddle, he was still a bit "fresh" (ready to go) but, submitted to my requests quickly and we enjoyed (?) walking, trotting and cantering around the tract.

Even tho the horses are out all winter -  and used to the weather - they are also used to pretty much doing what THEY want outside. But once in the barn, they are required to stand quietly and accept the brushes, hoof care ( and all the loving) that is bestowed on them.  This ritual is understood as we do this all year round, as well as having the farrier come out every 7 or 8 weeks to do a trim.  During spring & summer months, he comes out more often due to their hooves growing at a faster rate due to the warmer weather.

I have photos BUT downloading from a cell phone didn't exactly  work out...grrr!  The only result was 2 very teeny weeny pics. If I try to enlarge them,they get all blurry - please accept my apologies.

Get your magnifying glass out :(

Happy New Year - 2011

 I hope you  had a very pleasant and ill-free Christmas season and Bud and I would like to wish you ALL a Happy & Healthy New Year.  We are looking forward to Spring  (me not him ) so riding will be available once again.  Til then, we will have our love fests, our grooming sessions and me spoiling him rotten with all sorts of treats.  I have somehow collected several candy canes over the holidays and he and his barn mates will take much  pleasure in crunching them away only to have wonderful peppermint breath as a result.

I wanted to share some of my gifts from Christmas with you - can you see a pattern?

                     I finally have a Buddha at home  :))

                    Beautiful horses hanging above my TV

                       Lastly, some new reading material........


Also, received a beautiful horse shoe necklace, horse pin, note cards painted by horses and a horse cell phone holder.....gee.....am I that easy to shop for?

Thank you all for knowing what makes me smile :)

Merry Christmas from Buddha & his Friends 2010

Last week Bud was decked out in his usual Christmas garb, as well as a few of his barn mates for his annual photo.



Unfortunately - the photos came out fuzzy after being transferred from my cell phone :(

                      Buddha with his new red halter & garland reins

               And of course his make shift saddle blanket/tree skirt

             Here's Tia dressed for the holidays with her Santa ear hat -
                           Bud would NEVER allow that !!!!

          And lastly Blackjack - who was very unsure of the whole idea.....


             For clearer pictures - check them out on my Facebook page  :)

Barn Party 2010

Finally, today ( Dec.11th) is the party and we had a ball!  We enjoyed delicious food - we all brought appetizers - great company,warm hugs,lots of laughs and of course, prezzies.  Here are some samplings:

 Buddha and I before the soiree in the barn - I had just finished grooming him.

Isn't he handsome????

The Christmas tree adorned by equine decor ONLY

              Our festive table overloaded with tasty food and drink
                    which was happily consumed by all.

Lastly, a photo of myself and my barn family - Patty (owner),Kayla (riding buddy)
Lori & Melody ( Tia's Moms ).



A great time was had by all and I was SO full - I didn't eat again til the next day  - even tho party #2 was only hours away!!!

Christmas Decor 2010 - Part 2

As promised here are some finished pics of the barn all decorated for the upcoming holiday. 

             Here I am ready to beautify Buddha's surroundings for Christmas

                 The Mother Muckers/decorators - Lori, myself,Kayla & Melody
                       ( Owner Patty missing from photo )



     (These next few photos were taken w/cell phone - please forgive graininess)

                      The hanging sign says " Deck the Stalls "
      This was Honey's old stall and each year we decorate it in her honor :)

              Bud's stall door is completely decked out with his stocking,     
                        
                    garland, candy cane and star wreath.

                  Finally our festive big red blows on the rafters



Tomorrow is our annual barn party and I will be sure to share those photos as well.

Christmas Decor 2010 - Part 1

Last weekend we sorted out all the decorations from last year and took inventory of what we had to work with.

                   Bud's stall front looked like a retail shop!

                   


Then we asked the almighty question - do we do the same as last year or do we switch it up?  The answer and photos will appear next week.........



Meantime, our equine friends were busy munching away outside so I took a few photos.

                 Here are Blackjack & Regal with Kayla ( my riding buddy )

                        Chucky could not resist the camera.....

              Nor could Maya......she is SO sweet.  She and Chucky belong to               the owners' son-in-law and are visiting for a few months.

              You are not seeing things - this IS Bud - but the  camera                            was SO cold it looks like bubbles!!!

        Finally the last 2 - Tia and Casino - as you can see - they don't share    very well......he was trying to take a chunk out of her!!!