Surprise!

This has been a week of surprises ... first Bill brought home a 66 Mustang for me and has been working on it every chance he gets to get it up and running.  Yes, I cried when I saw it in the driveway.  It makes my heart sing!

Horrible picture, but I couldn't get her face out of mine to get a good shot

Then Bill called me last night to say a long lost friend ... Smokem Mochem, also known as Red ... was in need of a home.  She is always welcome here, so I told Bill to have her brought home.

One filthy, hungry, in need of a farrier quarter horse

Last night when I went out to feed my herd and share the good news Bill's truck came rumbling down the driveway with the horse trailer in tow.

I'd forgotten how much I missed her curly locks and sweet eyes

Out stepped my red-headed beauty.  She brought her muzzle down to my cheek and breathed in quietly, then sighed.  Yes, you're home now.

Morgan looked on, but seemed uninterested

She's in need of a few groceries, a hoof trim, and a bath, but those can be remedied in no time. She was greeted warmly by Sundance ... they have known each other for 6 years.  Morgan used to follow her everywhere, but Morgie was stand-offish last night.  This morning, she was trying to lean over the rails to touch noses, so I'm sure it will be fine.

Uninterested until you say "food"

Wasabi established her position as lead mare in the herd, and Red accepted the role.  Majesty squealed and stomped and fussed on two stalls away.  This morning brought the realization that Red is in heat, which could account for Majesty's attitude.

Red will stay stalled until we can get her back up to proper weight, but it's good to look out and see her again.  Didn't realize how much I missed her until I laid eyes on her again.  Welcome home! 

70 Degrees in January. Really.

60 minutes - 68 degrees!

Solo Ride

Poor Morgan, she has to deal with the oddest things ... today it's a rooster photo-bombing, tomorrow, who knows?!

We saw our friend Red today while we were out ... she moved to a new house and has a new rider.  When Red saw us coming, she ran to the edge of her pen and started calling out.  Morgan called back once she realized it was her old pal.  Can't wait to go on a few trail rides with Red and her new owner!

This reminded me of Shel Silverstein's "Where the sidewalk ends" and I couldn't help but smile.  The pavement may have ended, but our fun was just about to begin.

Sometimes I think Morgan is smarter than I am ... we were  moving along at a nice pace, then I lost the trail.  I thought it was off to the right, but Morgan stayed straight and we came over a little rise to find our hoof prints from last week.  Either way would have taken us home, but her path let us hang out a little longer.

One tired and sweaty Morgan, but no rooster.  I let the other three horses out and let them wander around the yard with Morgan while I did chores.  

The three mares stuck close together, while Majesty dozed in the sun on the opposite side of the yard.  It was fun to sit and watch the herd dynamics for a bit ... also, it was a great  excuse not to scrub water buckets for a few more minutes.

Just a quick jaunt

Monday, September 29th  15 minute ride  80° 
Rode with T & Red

T stopped by for a few minutes tonight.  It started to get dark, and I didn't want her to ride home alone so I saddled up Morgan and rode with her and Red.  Just a quick jaunt out and back ... because dinner was waiting for Morgan.

Morgan looking for comfort ... whenever she gets nervous now, she reaches out and touches my boot

Coming in for a landing!