First Sunday in March

The John Mace Ride in Kingsville was a fantastic organized ride sponsored by one of our horsey clubs, the weather was great, had a good turnout, about 35 riders; grandmothers, grandfathers, moms and dads, kids, teenagers, everybody had a good time.

KC was fantastic, on his best behavior and the kid's ponies were so cute and capable. Those kids were real riders, too. No whining, just great horseman.

The Gunpowder River was high and fast and some of the smaller horses, KC included, had to swim a few strokes or more while crossing.

At the pit BBQ restaurant there was a 'salamander' type heater and several of the riders were trying to dry out their soaked socks. I saw more than one take their boots off and dump water onto the lawn.

On the return trip from the first bar and pit BBQ most everybody opted to take the bridge on Philadelphia Road instead of swimming across the river again. It was quite a sight seeing about 30 horses stop traffic on that bridge.

An awesome ride - it was mostly galloping, some swimming, lots of running, flying lead changes, trotting and flinging mud. Not too much jumping. Even Tom was surprised at what a good boy KC was! No pulling his head down, no bucking, just doing what was asked. We had ridden there before - the rocks are highly exaggerated. The trails were in fantastic shape and we rode to TWO BARS - Glad we made it to this awesome ride. About 35 riders made it out for this great day of fun, food and bonding.

In between the first bar and pit BBQ and the second bar our little group was stopped up ahead of us and one of the guys was off his horse, sitting on a downed tree branch. Tom asked what he was doing and he said he wanted to break the branch, was waiting for us to get past so that when it did break it wouldn't spook the horses. I said, 'why don't you cut it,' and he said he didn't have a saw. I do, so I gave him my folding serrated knife and he cut through it in less than 60 seconds. I try to be prepared, right?

Resting at the two different locations were good for the boys, too, it was a warmish day and they still have most of their winter coats. KC is shedding, but not enough for that ride. He was damp around the edges and needed the rest.

The ride location was over an hour drive, ride out was 11am, left after 9 so we could also buy Diesel, this was the longest we've left Max in the crate, too. Some time during the day, he tried to break out and did a fair job of it, except that he didn't clear his legs from the cage door, so he was trapped, like a coyote in a trap.

Tom rescued him from his manufactured predicament, but he now has welts on his ankles. Apparently he did the same, only worse, at his Foster's house. He still has the abrasions and scabs from that event. Now use latches on both barrel bolts and he's been unable to break out since.

About the Weather

There has been severe weather across the mid-west; tragic, destructive storms with numerous fatalities and property damage. This same weather system rolled through our area leaving a couple inches of rain that finally cleared out mid-day.

The boys spent Friday night in because it was soaking wet yet the temps were mild. I brushed them both out after they dried out. KC is really shedding!

The Hawk also was in the hayloft again after not being there since last Friday. I made a dash for a bale and got out of there!

The rained cleared out mid-day, sunny with blue skies, drying breezes. Not drying enough for riding. Later in the day Skip was loitering near the gate so I brought them out the rest of the bale.

Getting more hay I discovered the Hawk still in the barn! She not only spent the night in the barn but most of the day. I opened up the loft double doors, got out of her way and she silently flew through the doors, across the pasture, making a right down to the creek.

A clear night, Jupiter and Venus sparkling in the southern sky, everybody is staying out.

March Comes In Like A Soaking Wet Lamb

Mild day turned rainy, breezy and chilly. Because it was going to be so warm during the day, the boys did not have their jackets on.

The equipment and lime are now in the pasture, but it is going to rain too soon to get the lime spread before the rain.

Rain, heavy at times with lightning and thunder. The lightning was hitting pretty close to the barn, too. Continued raining into the night; everybody spent the night inside.

Leap Day

Pasture Maintenance

It's that time of year! Just on the very leading edge of Spring, KC is shedding, bulbs are up, Crocus and some daffodils are blooming, and pasture maintenance has reared it's ugly, expensive head.

Yesterday he met with Todd, the local pasture expert. I've known Todd for decades and buy hay from him from time to time. He has a self-serve, self-load honor-pay hay buffet.

He and Tom walked off the area that we want 'done.' First, he'll dump sixteen tons of Lime on the field to get the Ph level corrected. Corn really takes the nutrients out of soil, no matter how good the dirt. Then he'll use the industrial-strength Round-up to kill every living plant. All the milkweed, all the mult-flora, Foxtail and Dandelions will be dead and burnt.

After that, no-till seeding with Orchard grass and Fescue. Orchard grass because horses love it, Fescue to hold the pasture together since horses won't eat Fescue until after the first frost. The roots will winter over and hold the pasture intact, cutting down on erosion and bare spots.

Sunny Sunday

The wind died down mid-morning and it actually felt warm! It's all relative, really, without the wind chill factor it was a gorgeous day.

We didn't get going until after lunch so we wanted to go somewhere close by and not do a long ride. We decided to go to Little Bennett, but didn't get there until about 1:00. There were other trailers in the field and another rig pulled in while we were already tacked up.

Some areas of this lovely park are rocky and KC is still barefoot. We also knew that one of our favorite trails is closed due to erosion. We discovered a whole other trail system that is under construction but in excellent condition. Also not as rocky.

KC was on his best behavior, I rewarded him with time spent eating, his favorite hobby. The Sun was strong, a beautiful day.

We got back before dark so he could change the oil in the Acura, finding a note from Todd about the no-till seeding schedule for this week. We're going to do the field that is not fenced in. Going to take some time, seasons, to transition that field from corn to orchard grass pasture. We can't do the pasture the boys are in because they have to get off of it, and there is no where for them to be.

A Cold Wind Blows

Arctic blast, Alberta clipper - whatever - the windchill has made the water freeze in the buckets with a ripple. Harsh, horrid conditions, not fit for man nor beast. They are spending the night in the barn, second night in a row. Put them in tonight before full dark. Too cold for them to be out there, the wind shifting direction, can't get out of its way.

While in the hayloft Friday night retrieving a bale of hay, confronted by a large hawk on the stack of hay. Big one, too. A few days ago there had been an obvious fatality up there, but didn't know the hawk was also spending the night. She was not happy that I was intruding.

I locked everybody in, closing all the windows and Dutch doors. This morning the hawk was sitting on KC's blanket that was draped over the stall railing. The song birds were scared. I opened the Dutch doors and she flew out into the sunshine.

I have promised myself a haircut this weekend, been putting it off so long, just have to put that puppy down and do a little something for myself.

It's so windy, the Buzzards have been grounded. The Canada Geese are having trouble navigating, keeping control of their landings. Trash and debris is blowing every which way.

It's so windy, the trees are thrashing around and the dying Maple beside the LQ trailer is creaking and moaning. That tree has got to go, along with a couple others in its vicinity. I would like to get them down before they leaf out and make more of a mess than they already will.