Everyone is home

Exactly so. I feed an extruded feed that is very low in sugar and carbs. It has fairly high protein and fat. I think Cree just couldn't handle the extra calories. In any case, he is much better on his reduced crunchy dinners with added carrots and apples.

That's good. I think he'll be happy enough getting what he'll think are extra treats (carrots, apples) instead of boring grain.

They have no concept of more and less. As long as they get some, they are happy. And, carrots/apples are always a welcome addition to the food bowl.

I take Kina to a clinic tomorrow. We will be there overnight and ride both tomorrow and on Sunday. This will be the first real clinic we go to. I hope it is more successful that the disaster in October. At least there won't be handguns and galloping horses.

It was a GREAT clinic. Unfortunately, I didn't get many pix because it's impossible to take selfies while riding a horse.   I am so proud of my little mare. She tries her heart out to help me learn. And, I can use what I learned with Envoy too. Happy days.

Glad it all went so well.

I'm happy it went so well, especially considering what went on last year. Kina teaches,you learn, Envoy learns, a win-win all around.

Today was farrier day, so no one was ridden. It was hot. The poor farrier looked like he was melting. I gave him popsicles to keep him from completely turning into a puddle. It's good to have a fridge/freezer in the barn.

  Becky in the barn's I rode in it was a neccissity.

We thought our barn fridge died last year. All the stuff in the freezer melted, and the drinks were kind of warm. Turns out that the compressor got clogged with hair and dirt. So, now we sweep behind/under the thing a few times a year. We have popsicles, icy drinks, and chilled carrots/apples in the barn all summer long. It's also useful for storing meds.

Glad it hasn't bitten the dust yet then. I bet those popsicles were very much appreciated by your farrier!

Hey, I bet you could make some horsey popsicles by freezing carrot or apple juice in cut-off half gallon jugs. Or even some pureed watermelon...cucumber...heck you could make some for yourself! (just use a smaller container)

The horses don't seem to like juice. They do appreciate chilled carrots/apples. I have frozen watermelon rinds, and they suck on those until they are thawed enough to crunch. Nothing goes to waste with watermelon around here.

Hmmmm, frozen watermelon rind......I wonder what frozen watermelon would taste like to us? Kinda like sorbet maybe?

I think it would be a lot like sorbet.

Haven't been doing any riding. It's HOT, and I haven't been sleeping enough. Between the two, my energy level is far too low. I need to fix this. I feel all weak and floppy when I don't ride.

I rode tonight after the sun set. The temps have been pretty nice then, and the bugs aren't too bad. I got a few mosquito bites, and Envoy saw a horse eating monster in the far corner of the pasture, but overall, a very nice ride.

To start my ride, this is what I found! Never leave your helmet where wrens can find it. I needed a new one anyway.   

  It's now a nest, isn't it?

How about riding just before sunup? The bugs shouldn't be too bad then either, that's when I took my walks in Florida last week. Enough light to see, lots of wildlife around yet, quiet enough to not scare them away, and I didn't get bit or sunburned either.

Yup... I'll send you the picture. It's kind of hilarious, but it is a perfect home for a young wren family. Nice hard container, air holes, sturdy hanging spot.

I don't think I can get up early enough to ride before sunup. I get up at 5:00 AM to get to work by 7:45, so I'd have to roll out at about 3:30. Commuting messes things up. I am normally a night owl, but I don't think 3:30 sounds like any fun at all. I'd rather get on at 8:00 or 8:30. The humidity is lower in the evenings around here too.

Cute pic.
I understand now what an early AM ride is out. My Lord, 3:30am.......I'm usually dead to the world about then.

Had a wonderful ride with Kina today. The weather was glorious -- high 70s and not too humid, nice breeze. I know it can't last through the summer, but I wish it would. Kina likes to dive on the bit, so we're working on being "light" in the hand. When she dives, I life one or both reins. She's good about adjusting and pushing on.

Here's to hoping for more breezy, not humid, summer days for riding!   

Looks like the heat is coming. We were 92 degrees today. Same tomorrow. A bit of a break for the weekend (and some rain). There's already some talk of a tropical depression near NC. NOT ready!

We're getting our one day break today...77. Then it's back into the upper 80's lower 90's again with **sigh** more rain.
I hope that tropical depression goes out to sea....it's aimed right at my grandpa as I type this.

A hurricane??? WTF??? They say one might come visit us for the weekend. Not a big one, so no evacuation plans yet. But, still... I don't like these things. I especially don't like them this early in the season. Doesn't bode well.

Looks like a category 1 so far and headed for North Carolina....you might get some rain and wind but not the brunt of it...I hope.

No. We don't even have any warnings/watches as far up as I am. But, tropical activity in July in the Gulf Stream is pretty unusual. We usually hit the big season in August/September.

The horses are as ready as they can be. I have hay, and the stalls are bedded. The generator ran today, so we know it'll be ready if the power goes out. I think they'll be inside tomorrow night and Friday morning. It's supposed to get much nicer on Friday afternoon. Maybe we'll get to go to the fireworks after all. (The horses, cats, and dog are going to miss them!)