It's still winter....but feels like summer

Two weeks ago, it snowed and the girls played!

Didn't last long! Big mud pit now! Tessa and China at the feeder. Yes, China is fat and therefore, has a muzzle.

Willow! Almost 1! She's huge! Can't wait to measure her on her 1st birthday! I bet she's about 15 hh by then.

Rinsed off on Friday. It was 76 degrees!

Winter Play!

New pics

Pictures from Monday - Willow and China! So pretty.

China is 15.2 at the hip and Willow is 14.2 at the hip - as of 2 weeks ago.

Quick update. I had a riding lesson today on China. It sucks that I have to pay for lessons now but pretty cool that I found another great trainer. Our first lesson in October as a feeler kind of lesson - C felt us out and we felt her out. Kobe then had his accident and all horse related activities were put on the back burner. There is an open fun show April 1st so now I'm working towards a goal. I think we might get it!

We've had 2 lessons in Feb so far. I was going to try for every week but maybe every other week. I don't know. It's expensive but we are making such great progress! I've got 5 weeks until the show, including this week. BUT we are moving the horses in March, so I probably won't get a lesson in that week. We'll see if I can afford weekly lessons until the show. We are making awesome progress! Have I said that?? LOL FINALLY clicked today on leads. Finally!! Something C said just made sense and all of a sudden I started to FEEL it. FREAKING AWESOME!!

Vet & Farrier

Today is President's Day and my employer gives us today off as one of our yearly holidays. I'm not complaining! I get a lot of me time on days like this! Today, vet and farrier day.

I got to the barn early, just in case Willow decided not to load in the trailer. I should know better. That little horse surprises me all the time. The one that didn't want to load was China. 14 yr old mare who has been in a trailer hundreds of times and just last weekend. Nope, she didn't want to go in. We had a discussion about who was right, and of course, I won. :)

Willow hesitated for about 30 seconds, then went right in. I love this little horse, who isn't so little any more!!

The ride to the vet was uneventful, just the way we like it! We got checked in and went into the room. Dr. Peterson had nothing but nice things to say about my 2 girls. I love hearing praise about my girls! I'm obviously partial to them, so it's great when others see things in them that I like. Dr. P said Willow has a kind eye and believes she'll be big and he likes the way she's put together. I need to learn more about confirmation. I know what I like but not sure 100% about legs and lines and all that.

Dr. P had to look in China's mouth and ears. He said he wished all horses were so easy to work with like her. LOVE IT!!!

So, we leave, and of course, China doesn't want to load. She wasn't as hard to get in the trailer but still was being stupid. Willow hopped right in. So proud!!! I hope she stays so easy!

We get back and I decide I want pictures of them standing next to each other. Then, I decided it was time to vaccinate. I've never really done it myself, so I started with China. Piece of cake! Next comes Willow....Got the needle in her neck and she pulled back. I pulled it out and then waited. Tried again...nope, not gonna happen. Then, she decided she wanted to throw a fit, while tied to a trailer.....She pulled back and kept pulling and pulling and pulling. I talked to her calmly, explaining that I wasn't going to release her from the trailer until she settled down. And, I told her she needed to quit pulling. LOL. She did stop suddenly and stood still like she didn't just throw a fit. Baby brains!

Chris arrived and trimmed their feet. China was perfect as usual. Willow is getting better each time. She only tried to put her foot down once. Chris even said today that he thought Willow was put together well and he likes her shoulder and neck. Makes me feel good!!

Winter fun

Willow at 10 months old - 14.2 at hip and 14.0 at withers.

Pretty girl!!!

Cale and I riding China. First time using the buddy pad.

Sledding with Jon and China 2-3 weeks ago, when we still had snow on the ground.

Jon and Cale are in the sled.

Charisse in the sled this time....

Cale having a blast!!

Confirmation and fun

Wyatt and Cale on China and Tessa yesterday. Over 40 degrees in January in Wisconsin. Pretty amazing!! Had to take advantage of the day and ride.

We were trying to get decent confirmation pictures of Willow and Roxy. Willow is at least 2 inches bigger all the way around, compared to Roxy.

Charisse on Tessa, Cale, Wyatt, and me on China.

The butt shot - see how big Willow is, compared to Roxy......

HAY!!

First large bale of hay went into the feeder today. Now comes the weight gain for China! I have a muzzle for her but hate putting it on. She really does not like her muzzle.

I'm also concerned about Willow. When we brought out alfalfa hay, she started getting crusty poop/pee on her behind. When we switched to alfalfa at night only and grass hay during the day and backed off on her grain, she seemed better.

Now, we have to keep an eye on 2 horses. I think we have a plan....

At least 3-4 days a week, Willow and China will be on the pasture side with grass hay during the day and in the dry lot at night with the big bale. Hope this works!!