Envoy and Casper off to Boarding School

There IS an indoor arena. It's one of the reasons we love going there in the winter. All of us can get exercise and we aren't completely covered in filth.

The kitties are actually pretty good about sleeping in, but they DO want their breakfast on time. Fortunately, the horses have taught me that I can feed everyone without really waking up. I can just crawl back in and sleep some more.

I've been there and done that, in fact I'm still doing it.

We'll see how the kitties do tomorrow. Their cousin doggies are here for the holidays. The doggies like and live with kitties, so it should be fine, but the kitties haven't been with doggies much. The horses are completely over the cousin doggies. The chi mix came into the pasture, and Envoy gave him a warning stomp, and the doggie left the pasture. I think my horses have no patience for doggies since the one that chased them.

Glad to see the canines respect their equine cousins. If they do as well with the felines, all should be well.

Hmm... Complications... The vet has a big yearling who needs some ground training and time away from the other babies. Envoy and Casper would be good companions because they aren't too small, and they are old enough to tell him to behave himself. The vet wants him to come early next month, but I think I might ask if he can come at the end of February. That will give Casper a couple of months at school, and then he can come home to work with the big baby. I haven't coordinated with the vet, but I really am looking forward to taking Casper for some steady work.

Today is STORMY. We have big thunder and lightening, and lots and lots of rain. The horses are happily tucked into their stalls with hay and sheets. I'll blanket tonight since it's supposed to be cold and windy. The kitties are upset. Petie was meowing. The poor cousin old dog is just beside herself.

Well you've got to admit it will be entertaining. We had thunder and lightening
early Christmas morning, then later we had snow and the temps really dropped.

Wait, now. The vet wants to bring the yearling boy to your homeplace to board or to the school?

To the house. She could bring him to school, but he isn't ready for that yet. He's just a baby and needs to learn (better) how to be polite on the ground and for handlers. He is a nice boy, he just needs his manners cemented, and to be away from his herd for the first time.

Sounds like that will be an interesting experience come February.......for Casper, Envoy, you and the little yearling. Has this yearling been around kitties yet?

Will this be when Casper and Envoy are home for a school break or will you have New Boy on your own for a while?

I haven't told the vet yet that Casper is going to school. She is offering the boy to be Casper's friend for the winter. I wouldn't ask any horse to go anywhere on his own. I am going to call her tomorrow to see what we can work out. He would do well here, but I really do want Casper to get some school time. My husband is looking forward to getting a break from poo duty too. So much to coordinate.

And so many possibilities too......

You know some school time and a break for hubby might be
nice for all.

I have a feeling you and your vet can work this out. Sounds like she was mostly looking out for Casper (and danged sweet of her, too!), not wanting him to be alone when Envoy went back to school. If Casper's off to school too, perhaps New Boy can come and join them during vacation. See how they get along.

Not a bad idea. Kinda like a trial run for later on when Envoy is home for the summer.

We'll see what happens. The vet is spending time with her family -- as she should. So, we can always coordinate later. I think it would be fun to help raise a baby. This one is big (almost 16 hands as a yearling!), so he will be a handful. But, he sounds smart so training should go well. He needs consistency and firm handling. Our biggest challenge will be trailer loading. He has only done it once, and since he's so big, he probably thinks of it as a very tiny space. He'll get it though. I have tons of time to work on it. He'll probably eat quite a few suppers in the trailer.

What's the yearling's name?

Ya know? I don't know! I figure I shouldn't ask at this point because I'd end up changing plans. I offered to go to the vet's house to help her with him while my boys are at school. I have a nice, big trailer that he might find less scary.

Got back a while ago from dropping off hay for the boys when they go to school. Everything is just about ready. They'll be going out on Saturday. I bought some dietary supplement stuff for Casper so he can stay calm when Envoy is out of sight. I'm hoping it will help him, and that the work will also help.

The boys spent their day in the back pasture sloshing through puddles and mud. It stopped raining in the late morning, and I let them out. They were happy to be out, but the weather was just damp and miserable. Now, the forecast says rain/snow mix tonight. Yuck! Tomorrow is supposed to be cold but dry. I think we will all be happy for that. All in all though, it was a good start to the year for everyone. I miss my Sabi, and I think the other horses do too. But, we move on from here, right?

Right.....we froze our way through New Years Day here. NO snow, no rain, but windy and COLD!

The farrier came today and we organized his visits to school for the boys. It will be harder for me to be there since I can work at home easily. I'd feel like I was intruding hanging out at the house for 8 hours. So, I'll just meet him before work and then work later. Since the feet will just be trimmed, it will be a no ride day anyway. I'll just clean stalls and pet ponies.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Today's the day. Of course, my water tank de-icer just died, so that's a chore I need to get done before we leave. I need to bring that tank for Casper's paddock since the one there doesn't have a mount for a de-icer. I know I'm going to forget something. At least tomorrow's another day without having to work so I can bring whatever I forgot then. As long as they have food and water, they'll be happy. As long as I remember the saddle, both girths, and both bridles, I'll be happy.

Hope this trip is an uneventful one....and that nothing got forgotten.