In like a stallion and out like a gelding?

Hi, new month of March. Is that you outside the door? We have been waiting for you. Some people around here have really been waiting for you. I knew you'd come, so I left the back door open to invite you in. Hurray, you made it!

Because of the ice on the road to the trail, ice in the ring and siberian temps, I have not gotten much riding in the last few weeks. That means I have no photos of adventure; I have been master and commander not of expedition and outings on the trail, but of quieter enterprise near the barn. For example, Lilly's shoes were taken off one weekend, and the one that followed involved a careful trim.

Perhaps you will be interested in this photo featuring Bill's new farrier chaps.

It's not just Lilly that needs a pedicure, of course. Everyone's feet get attention. Here are Sophie's cute (and quite perfect, I might add) feet getting a wee trim. A wee trim for a wee pony.

Lilly's shoes have been off for one week. When I came to the farm yesterday and took her from the pasture, she was ouchie on the road. The ground is so hard the road is like cement so that might be part of it. But I don't like  her being in a constant state of discomfort. So today, new shoes went on. Well, we all know those girls who must have the latest in footwear.

I wish you could see how still Lilly stands when Bill puts the nails in her hoof. She is perfect. Thank goodness because I would feel really bad if my horse gave Bill a lot of trouble as he was shoeing her. Last week he was fixing Ruby's shoe and she kept leaning on him. Can you imagine a 1100 pound creature just casually sitting on you? Good gravy. But wait, who's that in the background?

Husband and dog at the farm alert!

While we were up in the barn with Lilly, suddenly all the horses in the pasture went nuts running around and kicking their heels up. A real photographer would have scrambled over to the scene of the action without delay. But by the time I arrived down on the road, most of it was over. I saw enough to note that it was wild and beautiful. I guess the sunshine inspired them.

And voila! There is my brumby with her shoes on. One thing about being near the barn and not moving very much is that I get so dang cold. While Bill works up a sweat being a farrier, I have to do windmills with my arms to keep my hands warm.Oh dear, hope all that snow doesn't plop down from the roof while Lilly is standing there!

But even in arctic weather, seeing my brumby and her cuteness is worth it.

Even if at home it is warm and toasty and the house is full of cozy loitering.

Yup, still worth it.

It may not look like March yet, but the first day of Spring is well on its way!

March Come In

by Emily Dickinson

 

Dear March — Come in —
How glad I am —
I hoped for you before —

Put down your Hat —
You must have walked —
How out of Breath you are —
Dear March, Come right up the stairs with me —
I have so much to tell —

I got your Letter, and the Birds —
The Maples never knew that you were coming — till I called
I declare — how Red their Faces grew —
But March, forgive me — and
All those Hills you left for me to Hue —
There was no Purple suitable —
You took it all with you —

Who knocks? That April.
Lock the Door —
I will not be pursued —
He stayed away a Year to call
When I am occupied —
But trifles look so trivial
As soon as you have come

That Blame is just as dear as Praise
And Praise as mere as Blame —

Dear March - Come in - How glad I am - I hoped for you before - Put down your Hat - You must have walked - How out of Breath you are - Dear March, how are you, and the Rest - Did you leave Nature well - Oh March, Come right upstairs with me - I have so much to tell - I got your Letter, and the Birds - The Maples never knew that you were coming - I declare - how Red their Faces grew - But March, forgive me - And all those Hills you left for me to Hue - There was no Purple suitable - You took it all with you - Who knocks? That April - Lock the Door - I will not be pursued - He stayed away a Year to call When I am occupied - But trifles look so trivial As soon as you have come That blame is just as dear as Praise And Praise as mere as Blame - - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22829#sthash.9LjDPV86.dpuf

Dear March - Come in - (1320)

  by Emily Dickinson

Dear March - Come in - 
How glad I am -
I hoped for you before -
Put down your Hat - 
You must have walked -
How out of Breath you are - 
Dear March, how are you, and the Rest -
Did you leave Nature well - 
Oh March, Come right upstairs with me -
I have so much to tell -

I got your Letter, and the Birds - 
The Maples never knew that you were coming -
I declare - how Red their Faces grew -         
But March, forgive me - 
And all those Hills you left for me to Hue - 
There was no Purple suitable - 
You took it all with you -         
  
Who knocks? That April -
Lock the Door -
I will not be pursued -
He stayed away a Year to call 
When I am occupied -         
But trifles look so trivial 
As soon as you have come
 
That blame is just as dear as Praise 
And Praise as mere as Blame -

- See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22829#sthash.9LjDPV86.dpuf