Earlier today, peaceful in the barn and out on the field

The temps are keeping in the 30s so its better to go over to the barn and hang out.  Today Scotti was in the arena I figured Id go out on the trail or fields.  As I getting out of my car and walking up to the barn, Duke saw me and started talking to me to come get him.  :) Said hi to Scotti got the tack and got Duke out of the paddock in 2 seconds. Its totally full of deep water and the mud is uncomfortable looking. I was happy to get him out of there.
Put Duke on the cross ties and then tacked him up.  I was scratching his neck and he was so content.  I put the saddle on and we went out to the front of the barn.  I positioned him against the soda machine and then stuck 2 treats in his mouth and jumped on him. We headed out to the field in the main area and off we went. He was little hesitant because of all the mud.  We went out and around and he trotted a few times.  When we start to walk he was staring into the woods. As I was talking to him he became a little bit more comfortable. We went around and then out to Bonnies house Duke kept a great pace and then we went around the boat and down the side of the road on the soft dirt  When we got to the tractor hay barn I let him go behind it. I was stern about no munching grass. 

Then we got to the front of the barn, I jumped ofrf put his tack down and he was ready to relax and graze at the ede of the field. it was nice.  Scotty talked to me while Duke munched.  He was so happy.
Scotti left and I relaxed with the big guy and took pictures as well as shared somem relaxing stall time drinking water and eating snacks. It was a long time having a peaceful relaxing time until Pattie came to spend some time with Sienna. We talked a bit it was nice to see her. I was finishing up and then as I was ready to leave, Mike, Hannah, Stacie Bonnie and Krystyn came in the driveway. I was ready to leave and go eat some yummy stew at home.  Great day  <3

Rained until I came over at 6pm

When I got to the barn, Kristin that helps cats was feeding the horses and Hannah and Kristyn were woking on drerssage lessons.  Stacie is trying very hard. `Its pretty adventurous to have lessons for a show in a month.  I know she can so well. 
It was very clear to me that I had to get in there and get Duke out in the light.  It had rained sleeted and even snowed yesterday. The barn to me was too busy. I went over late and expected to miss the madness The aisle was full of horse and they were all in their stalls.  I asked if they had gotten out today.  Not they hadn't.  When I got a little bit of the review of the day I took Duke and combed his hair, groomed him. He was very patient.
He was happy to have the brushing in the stall and then on with his halter and out the door to the outside paddock/arena.  He almost helped me open the door. He was happy.  We played, romped, he walked with me on the lead line and also romped and kicked his heels up. I loved it and we were so happy to be outside together walking and running. I cant keep up with him when he gets excited so I did take off his lead line so he could run wild for a bit. He did good. I loved when  he rolled around on the snow.  He walks in the fresh snow (no steps in the snow) and puts his nose in it and it pushes the snow into a ball. He then digs in the snow. He sniffs, snickers and snorts as he gives out a big scary breath and exhales into a collapse position. Ats magical, and so loud and then a thud.

As we were playing the famly across the street were screetching and looks like they were having snow ball fight.


As the older man father like guy yelled with the kids and thew a snowball, Duke stopped in his place and gave a silent look in the direction as he was upset that the children were getting hurt or yelled at. Im so happy that hes a good boy.

4:30pm Duke was chewing on hay inside

Only Manny's Kristin was in the barn when I got there, she had already put Duke into his stall and he was very happy to eat. She had Lily all penned in the aisle of the barn and Kristin looks like she has her hands full.  I went into Duke's stall and got his brushes and spray started brushing out his tail.  He needs lots of brushing when its spring time.  I shoveled out some poop and was going to take him in the arena.  As I was going in Stacie Mike Hannah and her brother came in their bronco.  Stacie was saying that Hannah needed to ride. I kinda thought that I could ride Duke bareback today in the arena.  Even though the sun was beautiful and it would have been better to be outside.


I really should have gone in the outside ring with Duke.  It would have been nice but, if everyone saw me they would want to go out there too and then it would ruin it for Duke and I.
Anyway, I walked Duke around the center arena and I was totally unhappy with Stacie and Mike hovering around the arena. I didn't want to try to get up on him with Hannah running and cantering around the outside. It was not comfortable for me especially because I was trying to ride bareback. I did walk him arouond the ring, I know he felt a little bit uncomfortable with her riding crazy around the edges.  I like when other people share the ring but Im not sure about tonight.
Anyway I decided to bring him outside. I had put the bareback pad on and had the reins. I was feeling like he was doing pretty good.
We walked around outside and then went out the driveway.  There was a car coming down the road and Duke was acting really great. We crossed over to the driveway and walked out to the field. I let Duke graze the edges of the snow for what little grass there was out there.  He got it all.  then I led him to the snowbank we both jumped over.  He started to walk fast and we went ot the edge field and he started to chew on the edges or the grass and leaves.  It was pretty fun.  We went back through the field and then Duke dug a little bit with his hoof and then he dug and dug spun and rolled in the snow. It was beautiful. I was happy as a clam. We walked back behind the tractor shed and around to the back end of the field and barn. We came around the edge of the back. I was going to take him behind but he ackted like he wasn't comfortable so we turned around ate a little bit of grass at the edgeg of the barn and we went inside.  There Manny and Enzo was getting their hoof soaked.  Duke was happy hanging out and getting some hay from the fresh bales on the edges.

We talked a little bit with Manny and Kristin and back he went into the other side and in his stall to eat his yummy hat.  I gave him some more carrots. He was happy and I left.  Good night Duke.