11-11-11

After his hard work prepping Lil Fred's stall, we pulled the five stall mat pieces into place after dinner last night. We used an entire cube of shavings. April was the first to go in, sniff around and then lie down. She got comfortable quickly. She smells like a hamster now. Then came Fred. We expected him to have an adverse reaction to the improvements. He's been locked out of his stall since Monday and now it's all changed around. But he didn't. He got in there and stood with (I swear!) a smile on his face. Then Sprite joined him, at the threshold she took a big mouthful of shavings, then realized it was not a food stuff. Then she walked in all the way and immediately fouled the stall in every way she could.

Now it's on to the next stall. I believe that will be Sprite's.

Veteran's Day dawned clear, cool and breezy. Not cold enough to freeze the water in the buckets, but cold enough. The breeze picked up later to a stiff wind. The leaves are flying and swirling all over the place. Some trees are already bare.

It's Friday, so let's get this party started! Well, let's get a stall prepped for the mat installation. O boy.

Mid-Week Update

The vet was scheduled to come out Tuesday between 9 and ten. He took off to meet her. Our regular vet is now on maternity leave, substitute vet was there. They are all up-to-date on their vaccines.

On Sunday KC lost a shoe. The Farrier was out later in the day to replace the shoe. He still does lots of horses at the boarding barn where we kept the big boys for years. He filled Tom in with the latest doings there.

The weather continues to be wonderful, for November. Frosty clear nights, Moon waxing, warmish sunny days. Leaves are falling like snow. He took advantage of this stellar weather pattern to administer sealant to the new patio bricks. He chose a matte finish and it looks fantastic. I think the wet-look would make the other bricks look even more shabby.

The nights are consistently frosty. I am making it a habit to go out around 9 or so to put on their heavy coats. Originally Skip protested. He is famous for his deplorable ground manners. I think this was partly the reason he ended up on the slaughter truck to begin with. He has broken halters, lead ropes and cross ties. Once he pulled his headstall so hard the bit ended up halfway up to his ear, the reins in his mouth. I tied him to the gate with a very short lead rope, but he still tried to nip me or cow kick me. Trust me when I say I don't put up with this behavior. I don't entertain bullies and I'm handy with my elbows.

After a couple weeks of this routine he's been pretty good. Last night I did not tie him to anything, he only dipped his head once to nip me, got caught in the chin with my sharp elbow. He stood quietly after that, but when I walked over to get KC's coat Skip ran KC off. Hate when that happens. I did give Skip what-for.

KC always stands quietly for me, he loves his momma! I do think they both like the coats. If they didn't have them on, they would be spending the night inside their stalls.

The stall mats were delivered last week. Did I tell you how heavy these mats are? Dense and gushy, these mats are the greatest. The trick will be to put them in the stalls. Our stalls are not exactly 10 x 12 - they measure smaller because of the triple-thick walls. The mats need to be trimmed to fit. He started on Fred's stall doing the intense cleaning and prep; this morning the stall still was not dry. We'll also need another load of stone dust to bring the levels up to meet the rails. O boy.

Because Lil Fred's stall is now off limits, I have to feed him in the aisle. He has no problem with this, but last evening I left the pasture gate open. When I came out later to turn them all out, Fred was in the big field, living large. He evaded me only a little; he's learned it is futile. In a round-about way he headed to the gate and got himself on the right side of the fence.

This morning he was calling out, lonely in the dry paddock with Sprite still inside.

Monday Is Back

Frosty Sunday

This Sunday was the end of Daylight Saving Time. The morning was clear, frosty, the water buckets skimmed with ice. As the morning went on the sun really made a difference. The leaves were falling like snow. Turning into a nice day, we decided to go for a ride!

While I showered and got ready to go, he installed the new kitchen curtains. The mini-blinds were already up; the valance and curtains have embroidered stars, horseshoes and flowers with two different chestnut horses prancing across the bottom on muslin cotton cloth. Makes a huge difference to the room, warm and cozy.

We headed out to the Patapsco River State Park, parking in the trailer parking area at McKeldin. It was evident that this was a busy place yesterday. One truck and trailer was now parked there. Lots of people out, too, with cameras. I think today Skip and KC got their pictures taken more than any other time.

We rode out to the local tavern for lunch. We did see other riders on the trails, but no one we knew. On the way past Granite Quarry, KC lost a shoe. He is so dramatic, limping and gimping the rest of the way.

We heard a train coming, but when we got to the river crossing we could see that it was parked. That's when another train came down the tracks. We sat under the roadway bridge, waiting. The engineer could see us there, and he blew his whistle while red flashing lights were activated and the traffic guards came down. Neither of our guys even flinched, too busy eating grass. When we finally got to the tavern there was no horses tied up. We chose our favorite place to hitch up.

We sat at the bar while the boys dozed at the hitching post. The bikers were coming and going, reving their engines, but the boys were very relaxed, resting near the roadway. A couple of the patrons noticed that, too, remarking that they seemed pretty quiet.

We shared a nice lunch and then posed for pictures with the boys. We headed back into the Park, picking a nearly rock free path and KC was much better with his bare foot. Plus, we were heading in the correct direction!

On the way back we ran into old friends along the trail, stopping for a short break to chat. At this point we saw lots of riders in the woods; where were they earlier? At the trailer we posed for more pictures with hikers.

With the time change the day seemed shorter than it really was. The sun was waning, the shadows were long. I waited until full dark to feed them and even later to put their heavy coats on. It was going to be another clear frosty night. The Moon was rising, the stars shining brightly. They are getting used to the routine of getting their coats on; no more dancing with impatience or trying to nip me. Or maybe they were just tired. I know I was!

The Stall Mats Cometh!

The stall mats are finally here. These were on my original short wish list. I wanted to get 'nice' mats; durable, comfortable. We shopped around and picked the best we could. That's why it has taken so long to get them. The good don't come cheaply.

The mats are on a pallet in the parking lot, in front of the truck. Each piece is so heavy we can barely slide it, never mind picking it up. We'll try to slide a section at a time onto the mower deck and have the tractor bring it around. This sounds like so much fun! Right?

The instructions for installation call for clearing all the foreign debris out of the stall, leveling it out and hosing it down. Allow for complete drying, then place the mats in the stall. O boy.

A schematic shows how to place the five mats to complete the 10 x 12 size. It's a jigsaw puzzle with interlocking pieces!

I've been stock-piling shavings in anticipation of the mat installation. If we're not ready now, when will we?

Sach's Bridge

Built in 1854 by David Stoner, Sach's Covered Bridge spans Marsh Creek in Cumberland Township, Adams County, Pennsylvania. This county-owned bridge, rebuilt after a devastating storm, is 100' long, and is located not far behind the right flank of the Confederate artillery line, which participated in the pre-charge barrage of July 3, 1863. Portions of the Confederate Army used the bridge to cross Marsh Creek during the July 3rd and July 4th withdrawal from Gettysburg. During the War, the bridge was known as Sauck's Bridge. Sach's Bridge is now in a park and is open for foot traffic only. It was used for troop movements during the Civil War, and it is nearby both the Gettysburg Battlefield Monument and the Eisenhower home.

The Bridge is a favorite spot for ghost hunters, late-nighters, re-enactors and those who like to fish. It is off park service property and is open all night. Claimed to be the most-haunted covered bridge.

The Sach's Covered Bridge was crossed by part of General Lee's Army on the afternoon of July 4th, 1863, as they began their retreat out of Pennsylvania, through Maryland into Virginia. Lee thought that The Army of the Potomac might attack the defeated Army so he split his Army in two, half went northwest through Cashtown, the other portion crossed the Sach's Covered Bridge and headed Southwest to what is now Falling Waters, West Virginia.

The Bridge is about 100 feet long, made of wood. It has been reinforced with steel at the bottom and has also been raised an additional 3 feet from its original position to protect it from floods that may occur in the future.

November One

November came in like a lamb, a lamb wearing a wooly coat. We left the sheets on the boys, I gave them extra hay. Starry clear night.

This morning the car was not frosty, the temps felt mild, for November. Sunny, bright blue skies. We really need a drying trend right about now. Still some snow on the top of the barn roof, most of it is gone, making the pasture 'soft.'

The vet is due out some time soon. They all need their vaccines. The Coggins will expire, too.