I Swear This House Will Blow Down!

My Lilac bushes or should I say trees are blooming beautifully in spite of me doing a super cut on them early this spring. They were getting so bottom heavy, they were beginning to break, so Steve and I set to really cutting them back. I cannot believe how much lawn we managed to reclaim just from that. I think the Lilacs themselves are at least 20 years old.

It is so ridiculously windy today, the girls have been spooking all over the place. A little apprehensive coming in for dinner this evening. It's supposed to storm all weekend, so they'll stay locked up anyhow. Works better when I'm at work and Misty seems to be refreshed on Sunday morning when I let them out again.

Misty is still on her glucosamine supplement. Some days are great and she's back to normal and others are a little weak. Maybe we'll get some riding in at some point, but for now I'll keep resting her. I took Kola off the Vitamin E & selenium supplement after reading about selenium poisoning. Kind of freaked me out, but I put her back on her Levothyroxine again, just for shits and giggles. Her weight continues to maintain, but I'm watching her closely. I figure the "Levo" isn't going to hurt anything. She and Misty are really starting to shed out well, although Kola's hair is a little more course, but all those butt ruffles are now gone. I did a major hair removal grooming yesterday. I'm sure our birds are happy and have snatched it all up already. Misty is starting to gain the slightest of muscle back and I haven't even started to exercise her yet.

On another note, I managed to get the house nice and clean, cat boxes all changed, floors mopped. I still need to attack the basement apartment. Next week will be a week outdoors again and time to mow for the second time this season. Not sure what Stephen and I are going to do with all the darned trees we've cut back with still many more to do.........I wonder if there's a service for that, branch and cut tree removal. I really don't feel like burning it all and I so not trust Stephen with a wood chipper............Hmmmmmmmm.........Will have to think about that one.

Well, I Think Miss Misty............

Is headed for an early retirement.......... She's semi retired anyhow as I only ride in the arena here at home these days, but she definitely struggles after that early December knee injury. I can see it when she sprints out to pasture. I know there is scar tissue inside interfering with her flexion of that knee, no brainer there. But it doesn't take much for her to tweak it. Doesn't really swell up, but I've been watching her for weeks and I can see the ever so slightly detectable lameness in that leg and this afternoon when coming in to eat, both Steve and I saw her tweak it and hop in a couple of steps. She was still able to move forward, but I saw the, "Oops, Ouch!". So I didn't mess about and just plopped some poultice on her tonight, no stalling, though. I don't think that does her any good, but waste muscle. We'll see, but my gut says no riding from me, maybe a few light weight rides with Steve or any kids that happen to visit, but that will be it. I really don't think her knee will tolerate it and YES she has been on glucosamine for over a month and YES she has been trimmed for knee injury........Oh, well........I said it really doesn't matter, I love her anyhow and she will always stay with me even as a lawn ornament and a good horsey kisser and cuddler. She is definitely Mama's girl..........Kola will see more riding this year, anyhow and she needs it. I love my little red and I won't ride her in pain or give her anything to mask it either so that I can.

Quick Update on Sky

Joe is a good horse Daddy and had the Vet out yesterday......... She is malnourished from too high of a fat content. He had been feeding two gallon containers of grain and corn oil with weight builder and a half bale of hay a day. He has been given a list of supplements and fresh veggies and fruits to give her and will drop down on the grain and up the hay. Her teeth will be floated next week and the Vet will see her again in three weeks after new diet. He will send me pics again to track her progress.

Alright, Folks, Need Some Help Here........

This is Sky, an approximate 6yr old Thoroughbred mare.........She is owned by a young man, Joe, I introduced last year. Clearly he is having some issues and I am trying to help him. I am waiting for a total confirmation as to exactly what he is feeding and how much, however, I have spoken to him and he has told me he feeds a high percent grain with corn oil and endless hay, but here we have still a lack of weight gain problem, which seems to be getting worse. Also note the hair loss to the skin. I DO NOT want criticism on this, I would like to help him out and get some advice and suggestions from any of you folks out there.......Like I said, I really need to know how much he is feeding and what's in the pasture and such, vaccinations and all, waiting for that, BUT any ideas would be most appreciated. Looking for help, Joe is new to horses, has had her since Autumn of 2008 and loves her dearly, but is at a loss right now..............

Our Special Little Man

Some photographs of our special little man Joseph and our first grandchild on his first birthday,

It has been hard over the last few years , kids have grown up and they have their own lives and careers making it harder for them to come and visit , plus little Joseph has spent quite a bit of time in and out of hospital.

Due to the immigration cock up We have not been over there for quite a few years missing many important things in Toms and Becs lives including seeing Joseph born


Looking at the photos of Joseph remind me of Becs whose hair was exactly the same color how our lives fly , just seems like a twinkling since I would get home from work and Becs would be holding her hands up indicating she wanted to be picked up,


The circle of life is truly amazing.

It will be a great holiday in September when we see the kids and their partners, my brother and all his tribe, my mum who is well into her 80's and still sharp as a pin. but it will be even better to see this special little man who has a great smile and a wonderful life to look forward to with

Reflections of a proud granddad

Once Again, Another Busy Week.........

Yesterday, Jeremiah came and trimmed up some feet and helped me with the rest of the girl's vaccinations. They actually were kind of funny when getting trimmed, almost as if they were sleeping while the job got done. Jeremiah also brought his new little Border Collie pup with him. What a delight! I kick myself for not taking a picture. He was too cute, like a mini me of our Spot.

Kola was unimpressed with the red "horse" ball that Spot threw into the arena. The look on her face tells it all. She cracked me up this evening as I had dyed my hair and went out in a towel to feed them. Misty did not care, but Kola scooted around in circles snorting away. You know, the horse eating towel was on the prowl.

Stephen and I have begun shoring up and redoing the goat's pen. Got to love cattle panels!

Clearly, we have more work to do.

The dueling dog butts. Cracked me up!

How I love this nose!

OK, It's Been A Very Busy Couple Of Weeks....

First of all, Our little Grandson, Joseph, has turned a year old yesterday! Happy Birthday little man Joseph! We will finally get to see him in September!

Kola continues to look good. I've started her on a Vitamin E & Selenium supplement. And with a little apple juice added, she manages to stomach the bitter powder. Misty has been started on Glucosamine as well. I released Misty from the barn, only being stalled for 2 weeks and she seems to being doing well. I will not ride Misty this year at all, instead giving her a break to let her recover as fully as possible from this knee injury. Not to mention, I actually have to find some way to get some weight on her without Kola getting into it. I might buy some grain and add it to Misty's regimen. Also their fecal flotation results came back and both girls had a "0" egg count, Kola a "+1" sand, so I will only worm the girls twice a year now and Kola is back on Metamucil to flush out any sand.

I've opened to pasture to them both as there isn't much out there and I want to keep it down. Just gives them something to do, they think they are eating. They also get their morning and evening hay.

Misty seems to be none worse for the wear.

Zoe was home this past week for Spring break. She will be graduating a semester early in December of this year with a major in Political Science and a Minor in Sociology and then onto grad school for Urban Planning, like Grandmother, like granddaughter. My Mother had been channeled through her, I'm sure. If she was alive, I know she would be so proud! Also Thomas has gotten his Skipper's licence in the UK and now having just turned 24yrs old is skippering a huge boat for a Survey Company, surveying the bottom of the North Sea for placement of wind turbines. Again, we couldn't be more proud. He makes more than I do, it's exciting! Becs continues to be a great Mother to Joseph, also working part time in accounting. Talk about getting it all right with your kids. Amazing! It's what every parent should hope for, successful happy children.

While I was out taking the photos of the horses, Mina slipped away to our Neighbor's parked tractor and stole his baggy of celery. We didn't tell him, as I'm sure he didn't mind. His wife forces him to eat healthy, but he prefers candy, LOL! He also just did us a huge favor and saved us about $400 and completely cleared all of my horse poo and goat poo out of the paddock and riding arena and goat pen and spread it over his field. Awesome, it looks great out there and he gets a little natural fertilizer at the same time. It took him about an hour. Stephen has had to see a Urologist, we didn't like him, so I'm on the hunt for a new one. I will let you know what's going on at a different time as we are in just beginning stages. It started with a high PSA test result. We'll see, I'm actively seeking a Doc we get along with, long story. Today we'll be shoring up the goat pen as right now they are locked in the stall until we get this put together. Gotta love cheap cattle panels! So I am sorry , I haven't been to visit anyone recently as it has been ridiculously busy around here. I promise , I will try and get to everyone's blogs later this week and catch up!