Sweet September

On my last post I detailed how I had participated in the Ashfield Film Fest. I didn't win, but I was still tickled to have entered my movie, entitled Bay State Brumby. It could only be 5 minutes long and had to somehow have a connection to the town of Ashfield. If you'd like to see what I submitted, CLICK HERE TO PLAY MOVIE

Once the movie furor died down however, I was glad to be back in the saddle. I am already thinking of next year's submission. But until then, this is the perfect season for riding.

 Lilly is now barefoot. At first her feet were not happy about it. This has been quite a time-consuming and agonizing thing: wondering if we ought to put the shoes on, or endure the transition period in between being shod and barefoot.

In the pasture Lilly is fine. And on the trail with a rider, she feels good as long as she has her sneakers on. These days, she does better with the Cavallos rather than the Renegades. Perhaps the Cavallos offer more sole protection. I wouldn't ride her at all if I thought she was suffering, but with these boots on, we both feel confident and sound. It helps that the trail is nice and cushiony.

Bill and I spend a  lot of time talking about Lilly's feet. Currently we have her in the pasture behind the house because it is always dry, no mucky spots to stand in. The other pasture is not really mucky except for one spot. And wouldn't you know, that spot is the one Lilly loves the most. So temporarily, we moved her in with the cow and alpaca. In this pasture behind the house, she has a stall if she wants to be in it.

Here's Bill giving her feet their millionth evaluation. In the front yard, not a single ouchy factor. In the rocky driveway, ouch ouch ouch.

I think Lilly likes her new digs. She has a big ole mineral black to lick at for one thing.

And just over the stall wall she was fast to find some bales of yummy hay!

Yesterday Lilly and I were out with Bill and Ruby. The weather does not get any better. And of course, if you've got a fabulous horse underneath you, and beautiful scenery passing by, you must document it!

We were moseying along the River Trail when we encountered a tree that had fallen across the trail. When I see something like this, I always think: Thank goodness Lilly and I weren't around when this happened! Because, when a tree falls, it could care less if you and your horse happen to be under it or not. It's not like all the trees that fall decide to do so at night when no one's around. In any case, I captured a picture of Bill making the trail passable again.

While Bill sawed away at the tree (good thing I had a saw on my saddle!), I kept Lilly and Ruby occupied. Lilly naturally was gobbling every leaf within reach. Ruby just wanted me to pet her.

This trail is one of my faves.

Back at the farm, Roo the rooster was hanging out in the barn, not seeming to care that his ladies were nowhere in sight!

Today I am blogging and have been horse-free because it is rainy...and feels cold. Time for a wood fire!!! But before I conclude this post, I want to show you our new pet! Her name is Ailment Cornelia. I got her from PetCo for free because she was sick and they couldn't sell her. Now I don't like PetCo, and was only in there on some off-chance they would have the dog food we like to buy. They didn't, but as we were leaving, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a small sign that read: SPECIAL NEEDS RAT NEEDS HOME. The rest is, as they say, history......

What a darling little rodent! Look at those cute little hands!!!!!

A is for ADORABLE!

See you next time!