home again home again

Remember when I said we were dryer than a two thousand year old mummy. Well we're now underwater.

Keep us posted. That is one dead broke pony. Can't wait to see the rest of him.

Well... Tried to get the electric hooked up, and realized we don't have a ground wire or a connector for the other end of the fence. GRRR! So, off to Tractor Supply, where they don't have ANY fencing materials in stock. WTH -- for life out here unless you really need it? ARGH! So, ponies are being trusted to behave. I have to check the fence before turnout tomorrow and keep fingers crossed. The supplies are coming from Horse Guard, which means slow shipping but good products.

Good ponies. No walkabouts today.

I am going to look at the little mare in MD this weekend. We've been trying to do this for over a month. The weather has not cooperated. Now that the daffodils are starting to bloom, we finally got a good weekend.

That's good. Hope it stays that way.

We're supposed to have a some good weather too.

Lu is coming home on the 10th. I figure I'll load Envoy and Mazel, take Mazel home, and pick up Lu. I've always found that when horses ride together, they bond quicker.

So much to do - especially if I decide to get Ruby too. Fortunately, I have plenty of hay. Will need more hay nets and feed tubs. Lu comes with blankets/sheets. Not sure if Ruby would. Need to meet her to decide if she will be a good addition to the herd. I suspect she will, but there's more to think about there. She's a noticeable investment while Lu is a free lease. (As if there's any such thing as a free horse.)

LOL!! I hear you about free. Still will that put you at three or four ponies. I didn't know that they bonded quicker by riding together. Who is Ruby by the way, I've lost track of everything.

I would have three: two in their late teens/early 20s, and a 10 year old. I'm not sure they bond quicker, but they seem to in my experience. They get their grimacing out of their systems in the trailer and either are friends or ignore each other when they get home.

Ruby is the mare in Maryland. She's the 10 year old. I guess she's 11 now that we're in 2018. http://www.virginiaequestrian.com/main.cfm?action=classifieds&sub=view&ID=167478

She is a beauty! Can't wait to see pics of all three together having fun in the pasture!

Ruby is coming home as soon as I get the funds together and all the travel stuff set up. I will be picking her up myself, but she needs a health certificate to travel across state lines. I'm thinking I'll just do all her spring stuff there, and then will have my vet do the boys. It's a very exciting time in the swamp.

Sounds like it.

Lu comes home tomorrow. I think I have everything ready. I might need to get a few things, but nothing right away. He comes with blankets and halter, so he's good for at least a week. Of course, we're supposed to get a wintery mix on Sunday/Monday, so I am wondering what to do about turnout. He won't be used to his stall, so I'm worried that Envoy might bully him if I leave the barn open on Monday while I'm at work. I wish I could take that day off, but I just can't and actually need to go in to the office (2 hours away). Sigh... Complications.

I also need to figure out the broken barn roof. I didn't realize that our insurance deductible is so high, and I'm not sure the damage is bad enough to justify it. Sigh... Another storm with a big hole in the barn.

I made a frightening discovery this afternoon. While I was mucking, I looked at the wood holding up the roof. One of the beams that runs the length of the barn is cracked right through and split in several areas. This means the whole roof tried to lift off - while the horses were in! I might not be so worried about the deductible now because this means major work or maybe even a new structure. I am not sure they can take off one of the necessary pieces that holds up the whole building without doing other damage. Waiting for the adjuster.

Lord a mercy!!!! Becky that's awful.

Well... Maybe it is. We'll see what the adjuster says. The barn has needed some expensive repairs for a while, and this might be just the ticket for fixing them or better. Or... Maybe it's just a giant money hole. We'll see. I'm not going to panic until I have to. It's still standing, and the stalls are safe enough. The loft over them is independently supported, so it acts as a secondary roof for the horses. It's almost time for them to spend days and nights outside.

That's the only thing you can do is wait and see. As to a giant money hole, well that's horses for you. Still what else could you spend it on that gives you so much in return.

Lu is here. No fireworks with Envoy. I put them in separate pastures at first, but they wanted to be together. They are eating out of hay nets side by side. Instant buddies, I think. I need to put Lu's tail in a braid because it will get way too muddy. It touches the ground, and our ground is wet now.

Pictures soon.

That's great.

At turnout this morning, the boys trotted around with their tails flagged and snorts flying. (Maybe they were farts, who can tell with horses, right?   ) Still no fireworks, just a couple boys happy to play boy games in the mud. They have sheets on since it's supposed to chilly rain later, and they aren't tugging or tearing. PHEW! I think this is a success.

Lu still needs to settle a bit. He is a bit wiggly in the cross ties, but not bad. He is just trying to figure out his new situation. Very easy to handle and very obedient. And, oh yeah, he's SHEDDING. My barn has enough chestnut hair in it for a flock of birds to make nests. C'mon birds!

That's great, he sounds like a treat. Antonio's refers to shedding as emitting fibers of joy.

Congrats on the new horse!

Oh, that comic is a hoot!
Lu sounds and looks like a great boy. So glad it's working out as fabulously as it is with Envoy. He needed a guy to pal around with in the pasture.
Ruby looks sweet.

News of the barn roof: what can I say?

Insurance adjuster comes tomorrow. We'll see where it goes from there.