The barn is ready for the new 'kid' to move in. I actually spend last Saturday vacuuming the entire barn! OK, that sounds kind of weird, especially as cleaning the house is not one of my favorite things to do. But give me the shop vac and point me in the direction of the barn and I am good to go.
The tack room also needed serious cleaning. I have to have a serious chat with Jerry, the barn cat. His performance review is NOT up to snuff. Too many chipmunk droppings clearly indicate a neglect of duties.
And where do all these saddle pads and blankets come from? Why can't they be clean and neatly folded in boxes? Hm, guess that one goes on my performance record --
So - everything is pristine, and now we wait for Remy to arrive. Initially he was supposed to leave Montana this Saturday, and then arrive here Monday or Tuesday next week. It is a three day trip (with overnight stops). Unfortunately, the father of Bob, who manages the horse transport, passed away, so the earliest they will leave is Friday in a week. I am very sorry for Bob, and then having to leave town so soon after is certainly hard. Bob has a full load of seven horses to take East. Usually his last trip of the year going East is in the beginning of October, then the weather (snow) becomes a concern.
Luckily I know Remy is in his familiar environment with Sally, Valerie and Ed. Life for him goes on as usual, no time to get 'travel-nerves'. I, OTOH, will be biting my nails once he is on the road. Event though Bob came highly recommended I still worry, mainly about all the other idiots in the road! Ever since a friend of mine got hit by a semi while trailering horses (thankfully all survived) I am restless when I know one of ours is on the road, doesn't matter if I am driving or not.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Managing the weather - uh, around the weather
Not having an indoor arena clearly is a handicap, especially in Michigan. Lately there seems to be rain, rain, and yes, some more rain. OK, our pastures are still lush but those of us who keep the horses at home are contemplating buying swimming fins for them.
Luckily our outdoor arena dries really quickly and the footing is good. Combined with the new tractor/harrow we can manage when others have already given up. But now that it gets dark earlier we have another problem to contend with: all the ‘monsters’ lurking in the shadows!
Yesterday I rushed home from the airport after a full day of meetings and travel, trying to beat the rain and the waning daylight. In order to make the most of the time I decided only to longe the boys. Well, I barely had the longing cavasson on Saumur when the rain started again. What the heck, I thought, we work in the rain at the shows, so this wouldn’t deter me. Saumur had other ideas, though, it looked like I had a three-year old (sorry, Remy) on the longeline. Saumur was dodging I don’t know what, craning his neck all around “what’s this, a deer? What’s it doing here??”
Needless to say, my efforts weren’t very fruitful. The best I can come up with is that a) Saumur got exercise, b) he finally had some semblance of relaxation and c) he is a certified ‘mudder’ – meaning he can work through mud and puddles without a problem. Guess I should be happy with the three good things.
Luckily our outdoor arena dries really quickly and the footing is good. Combined with the new tractor/harrow we can manage when others have already given up. But now that it gets dark earlier we have another problem to contend with: all the ‘monsters’ lurking in the shadows!
Yesterday I rushed home from the airport after a full day of meetings and travel, trying to beat the rain and the waning daylight. In order to make the most of the time I decided only to longe the boys. Well, I barely had the longing cavasson on Saumur when the rain started again. What the heck, I thought, we work in the rain at the shows, so this wouldn’t deter me. Saumur had other ideas, though, it looked like I had a three-year old (sorry, Remy) on the longeline. Saumur was dodging I don’t know what, craning his neck all around “what’s this, a deer? What’s it doing here??”
Needless to say, my efforts weren’t very fruitful. The best I can come up with is that a) Saumur got exercise, b) he finally had some semblance of relaxation and c) he is a certified ‘mudder’ – meaning he can work through mud and puddles without a problem. Guess I should be happy with the three good things.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
A great 'souvenir' from our vacation will be arriving soon
It's been a while since my last blog -- so here is a quick overview on the last weeks:
Jean-Paul and I had a wonderful vacation in Montana, we visited the Glacier National Park, went on the 'Going To The Sun Road' to the Logan Pass and crossed the Continental Divide. We also went Whitewater Rafting and enjoyed our stay in the town of Bigfork.
Actually, we chose Montana because I had been in contact with Sally Anderson from the Morgan Dressage Association. Once I checked her website and that of her parents, Valerie and Ed Radtke, I noticed a 3-year old Morgan that looked like Saumur's younger brother. After much deliberating "We don't need another horse, all the problems that come with it, i.e. logistics, winter boarding, etc. etc." we decided to "take a look". Oh well, what can I say -- Remy (registered name FRM Flower of Remington) will be traveling to Michigan starting October 1!
Sally and her parents are wonderful, they are true horse people, and the Radtke Ranch is very impressive. I was just floored on how well behaved Remy was. Ed started him in the round pen and then took him on the trails in the Mountains, Sally works with him on basic dressage. We went with Valerie when she took Remy to the vet clinic for his pre-purchase exam and he handled it like a pro. What an amazing boy!
Saumur and Chambord stayed at Sandy's during our vacation and they both worked well. Saumur's changes are getting better and better. Now we are enjoying the trails again, the weather is mostly beautiful and we are having a good time.
So, yes, another Morgan, not a 'fancy' warmblood. I was thinking a lot about that, and the implications on being competitive. But I am convinced I made the right decision. Remy is a beautiful mover with a very good mind, and hopefully we can do it all: moving up the levels and having a good time at home and on the trails. First of all, though, we take it slow. He's only three and still growing.
Radtke Ranch: http://www.emrmorgans.com/
Sally Anderson: http://www.moanamorgans.com/
Jean-Paul and I had a wonderful vacation in Montana, we visited the Glacier National Park, went on the 'Going To The Sun Road' to the Logan Pass and crossed the Continental Divide. We also went Whitewater Rafting and enjoyed our stay in the town of Bigfork.
Actually, we chose Montana because I had been in contact with Sally Anderson from the Morgan Dressage Association. Once I checked her website and that of her parents, Valerie and Ed Radtke, I noticed a 3-year old Morgan that looked like Saumur's younger brother. After much deliberating "We don't need another horse, all the problems that come with it, i.e. logistics, winter boarding, etc. etc." we decided to "take a look". Oh well, what can I say -- Remy (registered name FRM Flower of Remington) will be traveling to Michigan starting October 1!
Sally and her parents are wonderful, they are true horse people, and the Radtke Ranch is very impressive. I was just floored on how well behaved Remy was. Ed started him in the round pen and then took him on the trails in the Mountains, Sally works with him on basic dressage. We went with Valerie when she took Remy to the vet clinic for his pre-purchase exam and he handled it like a pro. What an amazing boy!
Saumur and Chambord stayed at Sandy's during our vacation and they both worked well. Saumur's changes are getting better and better. Now we are enjoying the trails again, the weather is mostly beautiful and we are having a good time.
So, yes, another Morgan, not a 'fancy' warmblood. I was thinking a lot about that, and the implications on being competitive. But I am convinced I made the right decision. Remy is a beautiful mover with a very good mind, and hopefully we can do it all: moving up the levels and having a good time at home and on the trails. First of all, though, we take it slow. He's only three and still growing.
Radtke Ranch: http://www.emrmorgans.com/
Sally Anderson: http://www.moanamorgans.com/
Monday, September 5, 2011
No need for a gym membership when you keep horses at home
Ah, that time of the year, end of summer.. and time to get the 2nd cutting hay in.
We always get our hay from a wonderful hay farmer, great quality (no moldy bales, ever), reasonable prices... but alas Bob has one drawback: No help! That means it goes somewhat like this: JP drives our truck and trailer an hour to his place, Bob throws the bales down from the wagon, JP loads truck and trailer, drives home, we unload and I carry each bale through the barn to the hay room where JP stacks the bales. Unfortunately, the people we bought our place from had not much of a clue regarding efficiency - or more precisely: common sense. The barn is build downhill, so you cannot drive up to it. Needless to say, that doesn't appeal to the farrier or vet, or in this case, help with the hay delivery.
We pondered if it is our advancing age, or if the bales this time were just humongous. OK, to our relief our horse friends confirmed that the bales indeed were extremely large and heavy, at least 75 pounds. Good to know it's not us! Or perhaps Bob made big bales so we can see them better?
Even though we got quite the work out, it's a really good feeling having a barn full of excellent hay that will last until next year. Not that I want to think of winter!!
We always get our hay from a wonderful hay farmer, great quality (no moldy bales, ever), reasonable prices... but alas Bob has one drawback: No help! That means it goes somewhat like this: JP drives our truck and trailer an hour to his place, Bob throws the bales down from the wagon, JP loads truck and trailer, drives home, we unload and I carry each bale through the barn to the hay room where JP stacks the bales. Unfortunately, the people we bought our place from had not much of a clue regarding efficiency - or more precisely: common sense. The barn is build downhill, so you cannot drive up to it. Needless to say, that doesn't appeal to the farrier or vet, or in this case, help with the hay delivery.
We pondered if it is our advancing age, or if the bales this time were just humongous. OK, to our relief our horse friends confirmed that the bales indeed were extremely large and heavy, at least 75 pounds. Good to know it's not us! Or perhaps Bob made big bales so we can see them better?
Even though we got quite the work out, it's a really good feeling having a barn full of excellent hay that will last until next year. Not that I want to think of winter!!
Friday, September 2, 2011
A great ROI (Return on Investment)
Our old tractor (that came with the house) finally spewed the last diesel fumes and numerous CPR attempts did not bring it back to life. It would have needed Dr. Frankenstein for a complete rebuild, and that seemed a bit too scary.
What’s a farm (even a small one) without a tractor? And frankly, JP had a roving eye for a long time, admiring all the tractors in the neighborhood. Well, as long as he just longs for a tractor – so I thought. Until the sticker shock hit! For the price of a small car we could own a multi-tasker with bucket, post-hole digger, tiller, etc… But then, how many post holes are we going to dig?? In the end, the case was made by a) a great deal, b) Michigan winters = snow removal and c) –most importantly- the maintenance of our outdoor arena!
Well, then, the shiny green thing moved in with us, lovingly tended to by JP. First job: use the tiller in our outdoor arena. I have to say, once JP was done the footing was awesome, never looked better or that ‘fluffy’.
We took the boys to the outdoor arena and let them loose (it’s all fenced in). Well, it seems we gave them the best late birthday/early Christmas present: A huge sand box to roll in!! And roll they did, both of them, grinding their whole bodies into to the sand, grunting, getting up, shaking, and going down for more rolling. I swear they were both smiling happily.
So, how’s that for a ROI?
What’s a farm (even a small one) without a tractor? And frankly, JP had a roving eye for a long time, admiring all the tractors in the neighborhood. Well, as long as he just longs for a tractor – so I thought. Until the sticker shock hit! For the price of a small car we could own a multi-tasker with bucket, post-hole digger, tiller, etc… But then, how many post holes are we going to dig?? In the end, the case was made by a) a great deal, b) Michigan winters = snow removal and c) –most importantly- the maintenance of our outdoor arena!
Well, then, the shiny green thing moved in with us, lovingly tended to by JP. First job: use the tiller in our outdoor arena. I have to say, once JP was done the footing was awesome, never looked better or that ‘fluffy’.
We took the boys to the outdoor arena and let them loose (it’s all fenced in). Well, it seems we gave them the best late birthday/early Christmas present: A huge sand box to roll in!! And roll they did, both of them, grinding their whole bodies into to the sand, grunting, getting up, shaking, and going down for more rolling. I swear they were both smiling happily.
So, how’s that for a ROI?
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