Yes, we are still here...

Hello Everyone!

I know, I know it's been AGES since my last post, but here - at last - is an update.

So...... this summer........... it rained.

What? The whole summer??? Well, yeah, kind of. June and July were some of the wettest months on record, and though August was better, it was still not wonderful. So far September has been pretty good, and since fall is the nicest time to ride we are hoping for good weather lasting at least until February (well we can hope).

The vet came several times in spring/summer. She did everyone's shots, teeth where needed, and chiropractic treatments on several of the horses.

Other news:

Autumn was sold this summer. She now lives in MA with new owners who absolutely love her and ride her all the time.

Ziegy was diagnosed with navicular and pedal bone issues. He's got to wear eggbar shoes and degree pads. The navicular is very mild right now, he's moving well and feeling fine (a little too fine at times)... This is Ziegy, Scotty and Jazz.

Tapper has arthritis in her hocks and has been sore in her back and hindquarters all summer. The farriers are trimming her differently and it seems to be helping, but she can only do short rides for now.

We've been riding in between raindrops whenever we can. So far our longest ride is about 2 1/2 hours. Jazz and Scotty have been taking us pretty much everywhere because the other horses all have "issues". Most of the time I ride with Carla, but Kate, Kathi, Jean, and Tracy have all been out on rides with us.

We had a multi-stable barn sale here in the spring. It went well for a rainy day. Most everyone sold at least some stuff, and it was worth all the effort - but we are NOT doing it again next year!

There was a new person around the barn this summer. Amanda is a college student who wants to learn about horses so she worked in exchange for lessons. She has gone back to school now, but is still coming on weekends when she is home. Most of the time she rode Dolly, though she also had lessons on Sparkie and Scotty.

We've had several visitors this summer. My friend Deborah stopped by (on a visit from Florida) with her husband and daughter. It had been about 18 years since I had seen her!!! The most recent visitor was cousin Mary and her grandaughter Caylie. Mary got a ride on Dolly and Caylie rode both Dolly and Sparkie. Caylie also helped with chores, she got herself up bright and early so she could go to the barn with me first thing in the morning. Now that's motivated! We have also been visited by a lot of wildlife this summer including deer and turkeys.

Tracy and Starlight have been working with Kate. They have been out on a few trail rides, and are becoming more of a team.

Kathi has been out on several trail rides with us. Cami is doing great and really seems to enjoy going out, especially if she can stay near Jazz!

Scooby continues to hang in there, his foot is not good but he's had a pretty good summer. We'll see how he is in the fall....

I will try not to let so much time go by before the next post. And yes... I'll add more pictures!