Pics from NYE 2017

12 degrees walking round the farm

I packed up all my stuff I wasn't feeling good this week I have some kind a kidney infection or something I didn't get to see Duke yesterday and I was really worried about him standing in 0°,  so I packed up everything took my medicine Took some of the leftover apples cut them in half put them in a bag made some medicine up to replace what we have then I put Michael's on layers after layer started my car warmed it up and head over when I came around the corner Krystyn was with all of the little goats and she was walking down the sidewalk she was going toward the barn she said she was going to bring them there to stay in the barn stall next to Duke.

 when I got there two could hear me and he started talking out the window I packed up and went and everybody was inside the barn was pretty warm I am putting saw the run?

He had his blanket on open the barn door we went for a walk.  I walked up to the corner idea behind the barn and I do going to go in so I unhooked him anywhere and I'm just going crazy who did all those back kicks in the manner he even jumped around him and rolled on the ground when I went to go get my camera I pushed against the fence and broke it so I put him on the lead line and we went for a walk down the road.  As we were walking down Greenwood Road, about halfway down Bonnie told me to try to keep Duke in the snow because he's getting older.  She was driving behind me on the road while I was walking with him we curled back went back and did some more water and it was a beautiful day it was about 14°.   I didn't take very good pictures I took his blanket off when I get back put them in the outside arena and put the blanket inside the barn brush tomorrow.  Krystyn and Bonnie were pretty talkative when I was in the barn earlier and I spent a lot of time in the stall with him we walked around a lot or a walked around for about an hour and a half feel like I did a pretty good job and then I'm going home it was freezing cold

12 degrees walking round the farm

I packed up all my stuff I wasn't feeling good this week I have some kind a kidney infection or something I didn't get to see Duke yesterday and I was really worried about him standing in 0° called so I packed up everything took my medicine Took some of the leftover apples cut them in half put them in a bag made some medicine up to replace what we have then I put Michael's on layers after layer started my car warmed it up and head over when I came around the corner Kristen was with all of the little goats and she was walking down the sidewalk she was going toward the barn she said she was going to bring them there when I got there two could hear me and he started talking out the window I packed up and went and everybody was inside the barn was pretty warm I am putting saw the run? He had his blanket on open the door how we went for a walk I walked up to the corner idea behind the barn and I do going to go in so I unhooked him anywhere and I'm just going crazy who did all those back kicks in the manner he even jumped around him and rolled on the ground when I went to go get my camera I pushed against the fence and broke it so I put them on the lead line and we went for a walk down the road about halfway down Bonnie told me to try to keep Duke in the snow because he's getting older she was driving behind me on the road while I was walking with them we curled back went back and did some more water and it was a beautiful day it was about 14° 12 so I didn't take very good pictures I took his blanket off when I get back put them in the outside arena for the blanket inside the barn brush tomorrow Kristen and Bonnie were pretty talkative when I was in the barn earlier and I spent a lot of time in the stall with him we walked around a lot or a Knouff Estevan an hour and a half feel like I did a pretty good job and then I'm going home it was freezing cold

16 degrees Duke and I trudged the field

This week is way too cold.  I went over on Wednesday after work, around 2pm.  They were in, they have been in when its this cold.  It looked like they had gotten a chance to go out because I could see some hoof prints and the paddocks were plowed.  All of the driveway and the whole area was cleared.

It was nice to get there an be alone.  Duke was busy munching hay.  It seemed as though they had gotten their food for the night.  It was getting dark quick.  I decided that I really wanted to get Duke walking.  Every horse had their blankets on, Duke too. 

I took Duke out quickly, got his halter on, his lead line and we were able to walk outside.  Hes got his spikes winters and I have my cleats that I got from Oconnor.  I had my big boots and my 2 carhart coats, my bright red scarf and red gloves.  I walked out with Duke we walked on the ice and sure enough my balnce was great. I stepped out to the edge of the lot on the snow banks.  Then Duke saw what we were doing that we were stepping over intot he deep snow.  He was happy.  I had some snacks to give him along the way that we were walking.  The wind was strong and it was like about 16 degrees.  We walked in the snow.  My feet went into the first layer of snow lightly and then into the ice crusted layer.  It wasn't as easy as I thought for me to walk.  Duke seems pretty happy, no problems.  Its really nice to walk with him.  He looks me in the eye.  As we walk he looks into the woods. I told him stories and we look at all of the tracks in the snow that went across the field.  He smelt then and looked at me.  I love how he looks at me.  He stopped a few times and looked like I had to remind him that I was with him and he wasn't the boss.  He wont get snacks if he acts like that.  Anyway we went to the corner, we could smells something in the wind.  Duke knows when there are animals around.  ITs cool.  When we passed that area that I thought the coyotes came out of he got really jumpy,  he kicked up his heels at one point and then the next time he kinda bucked. I felt a little bit worried at the speed he was having me keep up with him. I stopped him a few times t catch my breath. I dindt think that the snow as getting into his hoofs like it did last time.

As I was coming around the edge the snowmobile that had been in the field across the way and I saw  zipping down the road a few times came across the field and then flyfing up behind us.  I waved at him and yelled like crazy.  TI made hold Duke so much more difficult.  Well I was kinda mad and Duke had gotten riled up from when the place where the coyotes might be.  Well we made it by Bonnies and we got ot the road.  It was very nice.  Then we walked a lot faster down the road.  At the ned we were every quicker  I went behind the hay barn and then we were home.  I was o happy with Duke.  I brought himinto the outside ring and put my phone away and did some chores.  I took his coat off walked around it was nice.  We di dsome work in the soft snow in the outside ring.  He had some nice facial gestures.  I really love to play with him.

After we played I brought hi in and brushed him down nice.  Then gave him an apple, after reading about a draft horse that choked on an apple, I am going to cut htem up for now on.  This is not a thing I want to happen to my guy.

Put his blanket back on, brought the supplements in for his food and then visited with Liz and little Duke gave the rest of the guys cookies and then took off.

Xmas eve

Christmas 🎄 Eve

Walked again beautiful

Went a little earlier than yesterday but later than I had originally planned.  I wanted to go around 12 or 1pm. Isabel gave me a call around 1:30 and she was sick. I ended up talking ot her a long time.  Its funny she seems to be living right at Kates Corner on the way to Greenwood.  She was talking a little bit like she wanted to lease at Greenwood or sometime in her future.

I had thought about tacking him up and riding but I just thought it may be better for me to walk with him and learn more about the trails.  I loved yesterday when we went into the woods and Id like to do more with him go into the woods and goof off learning how to get in between the fields.  Anyway, we walked thru the ice driveway, its terrible.  Then we went around the hay barn in the front and Duke was happy to walk, finding so many grass mouns to eat, he circles his lips around to get rid of the snow and then hes so cute he gets right in there to get the grass.  We went acorss the road, it was so quiet.  We walked on the snow not the ice roadway near the trailers.  We opened up through the opening of the field on the other side of the barn.  WE walked Duke several times just excited.  I didn't let him get too close to the edge where the grass weeds were stocks of stick, not good for him to eat.  We walked to the end, then we entered into the woods, 4 deer were entering at the same time from the field.  It was os exciting.  It was like time stood still as they ran leaping in the air.  THey were so cute, at the end of the line (Duke and I looked at each other as the deer ran in front of us) he sort of speaks to me with his eyes.  I told him he loves when the deer are in the woods with us.  I know he really does.  Anyway there was a dog barking in the distance and they kept barking. It was annoying and I could see Duke saying stuff to  me about it.  I love watching his eyes.  We used to ride together and saw deer all of the time, we used to walk up to them as they grazed.  I think the more that we go out there the better.  We walked through the woods and duke felt so good with me. I loved being withhim.  We walked around the edge of the back field and then toward the houses on the road and then we turned around.  There were two dogs barking at us, I told them that they should stop barking at us while we walk in our own land in the field.  We turned around came back nad then a man came out and said hi, seemed to take the dogs someplace on the land that I didn't hear him anymore. We took our time grazing at the edge of the field and walked with each other and grabbed at as much green grass as he could find.  Then we came to the end, I told duke he couldn't eat everything and he had to move on.  He made me proud by skipping over the grass and wlaking fast. I tried to keep up.  A ocuople of times I thought he wmight roll but he also jumped up and odwn and he was vocal.  It was a great walk, I'm excited to be doing this walk on his back soon.  Hes a super boy and I think we will get to it soon. 
Maybe even Duke will learn in training iwht Krystyn and myself.  When we got back I put him and and gave him cookies and all his friends too.  Lucky enough to see Patti and also I got to put on the new red halter.  So cute.
 I started to imagein if I had leased Duke. Its funny after our walk in the snow and finding wonderful gress, I returned to the barn, put Duke in and Bonnie pulled up. I talked to her for awhle.  She was suppoe to be meeting someone at 3#o but they didn't seem to  come.  We had a long talk, Krystyn, life after the death of her husband, foing to th edentist, losing teech not having money and of course the wedding for Krysystn.
I had mentioned that I hknew a friend that may be interested in leasing.  She said who are we goig to lease, Duke. I told her that I don't know how to lease.  She said leases pay for 1/2 of the borad.  She looked like she wanted me to do it.  She encouranged me.  I thought abou tit.  What would I do if someone else rode Duke. I thold Bonnie that Duke would need to get some training going.  I mean hes kinda lazy.  I absolutely love taking walks with him.  The land is amazing.

Walked field woods grass

It was getting darker and then it was late and cold.  When I got there I could see that the horses were just coming in for hay and supper.    I didn't really wanna ride is a little windy so I took Duke put his halter on.  He was eating some food, hay, he just came back in from being out in the paddock.  Duke got his shoes for winter Thursday and I had my big boots so I decided it best to go for a walk

We went into the field got some grass in spots.

 Today we finally tried 2 of the trails off of the field, We walked on that path the Duke and I always look at  the corner it was pretty nice the footing was difficult because of the snow and there was a lot of fallen trees.  He was pretty excited after we went and found the milk truck from the picture that we are following a trail it's sort of ended.

 with too many so we turned around and went back.  Then we went into the other trail that we look at and it was smoother.  We walked around stepped over to the rock walls again and then stepped over a stream maybe.   It was really beautiful and peaceful, we walked past Bonnies's house and we walked onto the road and at one point Duke snarled and reared up into the air and turned around and looked really mean I was impressed I was a little afraid I feel like he smelled something something that was an enemy and he riled upthen he calm down I gave him a snack and we walked quickly back to the barn we got some grass snacks next to the fence I carefully managed of the ice because I don't have my cleats yet and then I opened up the door and put them back into his stall it was a good boy it was fun we walked about a mile it was really fun I gave all his friends cookies and when I went home

New Hay Yum

Went over real quick to put on Duke's blanket, they say its going to be in the teens on Wednesday.  I wanted to see him.  Bob drove quick and I ran in.  There was a car parked in front with a man in it. I felt a little bit strange so I looked I was thinking it could be Scott Gaelens owner.  Sure enough as I got out of the car he backed up so I went to the window.  He said that Gailen was doing better on very expensive anti biotic and that he lunged him to get him going.  I felt for him.  He drove into the night and I went into the office and turned the lights on again.  Then I went back outside to get over to Duke's stall.  Duke was talking to me. I do love that he was in waiting for me.  It was nice. I didn't need to walk him but I did get in with him and brush him out.  He was eating the hay it was small and cut up more than usual.  I could here him hunting it up and lipping it.  The sound was os cute.  He was so preoccupied with eating it with a fun energy.  While I brushed him and then it was so funny.  I got his blanket and started putting it on and then I realized that I was pretty good at putting on the larger wider belt but the small long ones are really confusing. I started to be looking for the hook on the inside of the blanket.  I just couldn't find it.  I had to get some help. I was alone in the dark and I knew that Babe could help me figure it out.  I went into her stall and took a closer look at her blankets buckles area.  It was kinda fun.  Shes got a nice blanket and it was on tight.  I needed to see that the back belts are thin and go between his legs and cross to a hook on the back near his tail.  Sure enough after looking at Babe's blanket I could put it together and find the hook.  It seemed a little bit loose but I got it.  We were there about 15min and then back home for the game. 

Wayne the Dentist today, Mile walk/trot in the arena

By the look of Duke's teeth the dentist thinks that Duke is about 20 or 21 by the state of his teeth compared to (17 or so). The dentist said that Duke's teeth have progressed to a point where they will start to drop out or become lose.  This is a tough time for a guy like him.  He's dropping his hay Bonnie says so hes got to have a greener hay or he wont be about to eat it.  Bonnie says that shell give it to him and that he eats about 20 percent of his hay.  Hes not losing weight yet but will start soon if we don't adjust his food.  I asked if I should be buying some different food, Bonnie said that he is getting Senior feed now so he'll be good. I have to see about some different foods maybe.
Well he was second to be looked at and it wasn't very long. I went in with the Dentist.

Anyway Bonnie told me that Duke wasn't going out today as I was leadlining him out to the paddock.  She said withouthis winters its too icy. Well it isn't too icy and I wasn't happy with her.  All the other horses were going out. She said that he would fall and break a leg.  I told her that Duke was an agile horse that was in a herd and rode on ice all of the time. So many of the horses didn't have their winters and still did many trail rides aday. She seems to be paranoid about horses with shoes.  I texted Dave and he said he'd get out to do the shoes this week.  I texted him back and let him know that Bonnie was keeping Duke in because he didn't have his winters.  Dave said that she was a power freak and she was being unreasonable. We both swore a lot and I told Dave that I don't fight too much with Bonnie, he said shes crazy.

It worked out so well that while the first horse was getting his teeth done I was in my ATIS meeting giving updates on DTMS system, and my research for the day.  It was cool.  Then I got out of the car and they were starting Duke.  Krystyn brought over the dentist and then he said, if you could get the halter and lead line on and we can start.  I put them on and he in hitched the strap for the bottom and we began, he didn't work that long but it seemd forever.  He thinks that Duke is a lot older thatn I thought, 20 by the advancedment of his teeth's degration.  Hes getting older.  Hes old boy. 

Little Duke was in the arena with Jackie the trainer.  She was working with Liz and they looked great.  I was thinking about how Duke will do when its us.  We walked about a mile.  He made me so proud of his high steps and his excitement and obedience with me in the arena.  He was amazing.  We ran together and we walked fast, He walked next to me and stopped on a dime. Hes a good boy with his ground work lately.  I am still smiling from when he and I walked on foot around the big field.  We are going back to riding 2 fields soon.  I cant wait to ride with Krystyn this winter. 

First Snow w/Duke saturday, Sunday drop by Duke go out in paddock

Tacked up and waiting for our tack out in the first snow, excited because hes the only guy going out today in the snow.  Bonnie and Krystyn packed up and were leaving its 1215 or so and we are ready to go out into the fields and walk in the snow.  While I was tacking Up Duke Krystyn fixed my new Bridle with his beautiful beads and she removed the bit from the old bridle and put on the new bridle.  I was so happy that she was very pleased to help me. Its beautiful.

The snow was wet very wet, after I tacked him up Krystyn held Duke while I jumped on.  He moves too much and I told Krystyn its the thing that we need to work on this winter.  She held him for me and I jumped up and we headed out into the snow.  Duke was pretty happy to get out there.  We were getting wet quickly and the snow built up on his mane and tuft of fur on his head in such a beautiful way, I felt like no one was doing any better than me.  I fetl on top of the world.  Well the only issue we had was I had that feeling a couple of years ago when Duke had the snow build up in his hoofs. I know it balls up and then its hard to walk for him.  His legs become highter and higher.  I took him around the field and few walked back on the road. I wondered if he thought it was slippery.  Hes been that guy that had the greatest footing for years.  He was a pro, we walked back behind the barn with hay and then we walked up to the door I jumped off.  He wasa an angel. I threw his saddle off and we walked in the outside ring.  He was so cute.  We walked to get him up and then I let him go over and graze in the snow.  Hes nose is amazing how the top lip circles over the surface of the snow swiping off the snow so he can grab and munch the snow with a circling motion hes a natural machine at this.

Sunday drop by, I was out doing so many chores because of the snwo.  Duke got out in the paddock but he was in when I went by at 3pm to drop off the previcox and brush him out.  He was pushy and sweet. I check on him and we hung out for about 10min.  He had some hoof snax and I gave his buddies some too.  Dropped off new snacks too.  The sunset over Greenwood was absolutely gorgeous.