A Deeper Love

A Deeper love...the trials that you go through in life can make love be deeper then it already was.

One particular day at the very beginning of this summer, when the sun was making it's daily visits longer and more intense, Chester and I were rather enjoying ourselves until we hit a trial head on. And that is the tale I am going to tell you today.
    As the sun was sinking behind the hills and evening was already upon us, I walked down to the round pen to fetch my pony. I had left him out there from an afternoon ride and work out. He was very alert and definitely ready to come up to his yard. I walked my prancing pony up to his yard and proceeded to put his halter away and began to get him fresh water. While I was getting him water he laid down in the cool wet sand. The odd things was, after he did, he proceeded to lay completely down. He spread out his legs and rested his head on the sand. That isn't normal for him and as I continued to get him water I thought he was just plain exhausted from walking around all afternoon.
Well he continued to lay down, get up and go over to his feeder then back to the sand and do the same thing again.
   So I went and told my mom that I thought something might be wrong and she came up to look at him. He was laying completely down. My mom said, "That's not good. See if he gets up when you feed him." I got him grain and he got up and nickered and ate his grain. We were like, ok...hmmm. I proceeded to feed him and gave him his hay. He started to eat it but then all of a suddenly he laid completely down in his stall, head and all. His breathing became really heavy and slow and it seemed hard or painful for him to breath. Besides him looking quite horrible, one of the other things that was abnormal was that he laid down when I was standing right there. He usually doesn't let me get too close to him when he lays down. (Though the more I get to know him and the more he trusts me, he has allowed me to get closer. Making special moments.) :)
Once he laid down my mom went to call the vet to see what we should do. I went around him and up by his head and as tears where running down my face I asked him what was wrong. (Because as any horse girl does, I talk to my horse.) He would lift his head up and then lay it down with big sighs and heavy breathing. Something was not right. He kept this up a little bit and then I ran inside to see what the vet said. They said we needed to check his temperature.  I went back out there to find him laying out in his yard and doing the same things; sighing, laying his head down and then picking it up and breathing heavily. He didn't look good. He was getting worse really fast. He looked like he was in pain and was so uncomfortable. I went in to tell my mom that he was progressing really fast. I headed inside right as my Dad got home and I tearfully told him what was happening. We headed back up there and Chester was doing really bad. My Mom came up and then we decided we needed to call the vet and have them come out. My sweet Mom went in and called them once again telling them that we needed a vet out.
Me and my Dad watched and talked to Chester as he lay there in pain. We were crying and praising God that he provided this wonderful horse for us. And for the time the Lord had given us with him. Then my Mom came up and said the vet would be there in 20 to 30 minutes. That gave us some comfort, but we were thinking that this was it for Chester.
About 15 to 20 minutes later the vet showed up. Amazingly fast...I wonder how that happened? ;) (We have an Awesome God.)

{Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matthew 10:29}

She came up to his yard and evaluated the situation and looked him over.
She said, "we need to get him to his feet." So she clucked and waved her arms and I pulled a little bit oh his halter. He got up and stood there miserably.
She checked for capillary refill and took his temperature. She said that he had a small fever and was dehydrated. 
She said she was going to give him a small sedative, a pain reliever and one other thing to help keep his system open and clear. We gave the sedative a couple minutes to kick in and then she put bags on her arms and proceeded to check him out. Chester did just fine standing there drowsily.
After a while, she said that he had a big gas bubble in his system and that he had two piles of manure to pass. She wanted to see him pass three piles within 24 hours and then he would be basically out of the woods.
Then, she said that we needed to get water into him because he was dehydrated. She got a long clear tube, a small hand pump and filled a metal bucket with water. She explained to me what she was going to do. She then proceeded to put the tube up his nose and down his throat. You could see it in the side of his neck/ throat; very strange but interesting.
She pumped water into him and then let it run out to see if there was anything in his stomach. After a few times of doing that, there was nothing concerning. So she pumped a bucket of water into him and wouldn't allow it to come back out.
When she was done, she pulled the tube completely out. It gave him a bloody nose, poor guy.
   After all that was done, she said that he should be feeling better real soon with the pain meds and water in his system. But we needed to walk him every two to three hours and let him graze a little bit while taking him out to walk. The motion of grazing, moister from the grass and fresh grass itself would help his system a lot.
As he was still a little drugged he went over to his feeder and started eating. The vet pulled him away and said he shouldn't eat. She didn't want him to eat for awhile and didn't want the dry hay in his system.
   Well, we walked him three times that night and let him graze. As the night went on he looked better and better. Slowly but surely he was pulling out of it. In the morning he passed one of the piles of manure. That made me happy. I continued to watch him all that day and take him for walks. Later on in the day he passed another pile of manure and by that night he passed the third. He was doing much better and was almost out of the woods!
 Why did he colic? Well, the last couple days had been really warm. That day I took him out and worked and rode him. He didn't drink any water while we were playing and then I left him out in his pen until that evening. (I don't think he drank any then either.) At that time he was really barn sour so all of his meals where hay. Not much water that day plus dry hay in his system makes for not a good situation. Thus, colic.
  The vet said he couldn't eat any hay or grain for twenty-four hours. She said we should get some pelleted feed and soak one pound in water and he could have that. Thankfully we already had some so I soaked some and gave it to him the next morning. He wasn't too thrilled about that. ;)

The vet left and said that we could call her anytime. We went inside and breathed a sigh of relief that we didn't have to put down our sweet pony.

Thus, I now have a deeper for love for my sweet boy Chester. And I am SO thankful for the horse God provided and gave me; allowing me to have him for this long and every day I have with him.
May we never take for granted those things that we so earnestly prayed for, God provided, and we now have as a privilege to take care of while we and they are alive on earth.

                                         Medical papers and a pain reliever.

                                Keeping the colic away with grazing and walking.

                                                         Lots of water!

                                                This was a few days before.

Annies Asteroid

I have been a slacker....I know. But when there are horse adventures to be told, I will tell.
I did have someone over the other day that wanted to brush up on their horse grooming and tacking skills. Chester did great! He did try to sneak off when I was busy talking to someone....but I saw him. ;)
I "weighed" him the other day with my weight tape, and he has gained about 100 pounds since the last time I "weighed" him which was maybe a year ago? I can't remember. =)
He actually doesn't like the weight tape. So after he ran around his yard not letting me get within twenty feet of him, I set down the weight tape and got his halter and he submitted to me. When he has his halter on he switches from a free roaming pony in his yard, to, a pony that's like, ok what are we going to do?
I do groom him free though....I don't always put on his halter when I'm doing stuff with him in his yard. Anyways, back to the weight tape. Once I had him standing there I put the weight tape around his heart girth area and lined it up and what not. I wasn't sure what numbers to look at so I read the directions out loud while holding the tape on him. He wasn't super comfortable but he was standing there quietly and being a good boy. As I was reading the directions a loud I came across, "make sure the horse is not holding it's breath." I looked at Chester and asked, "are you holding your breath?" He was looking straight ahead, not moving a muscle, eyes open a little wider then normal and wasn't blinking. I told him, "I think you're holding your breath".  He did great and I was able to finish and when I was done gave him some peppermint treats. (Actually, before I "weighed" him, I gave him a peppermint treat in the same hand that I was holding the scary white thing.) =)

I then went on to de-worm him. He did great for that too. I'm not an expert at giving him stuff orally. He was totally relaxed about oral stuff when I got him but has since taken to not liking it. I think it might be because I'm "newer" at it? It's not that hard to do though....so maybe not.

Alright, you are probably wondering what Annies Asteroid as to do with this post. Well, I wanted to share a game with you all! It's called Annies Asteroid. My dad made it! You can down load it for free off Itunes. It's made for a phone or Ipad, so if you don't have one I don't think you can get it. (If you don't have a phone I totally understand. I just got my first phone a few months ago, and I'm eighteen.) =) If any of you check it out or get it, let me know what you think! Go Here to see it.
 I think it's really fun and can get addicting once you get the hang of it. Please pass on the word! Enjoy!


                           

Post Spring Cleaning

I brought my main saddle inside the other day. I brought it in so it can warm up, then I will clean it so it will be ready to use when the sun arrives! I have two saddles but one is bigger then the other. I use the bigger one. Even though....the smaller saddle's seat is so much more comfy then the bigger saddle's. My big saddle fits Chester better though so that's the one I go with!
I also brought in and cleaned off my hackamore. It had mold on it from getting moist out in the barn.

Here is what it looked like before I cleaned it.

                                                                      Before...

                                                                      Before....

                                                                      After!

                                                                        After!

  This bridle has a story behind it. It has been loved by a couple horses and people. It was given to my horsey friend for her first horse. After they used it and made memories with it, my friend gave it to me when I got my first horse. (Chester of course!) I thought it was so special to be passed on to me for my first horse, after it had been used for a couple first timers already. It was such a special gift to me and I can already tell you stories and memories I have made with it.

Winter Months Challenges

So I got to ride Chester, not last Saturday but the one before that! (The 25th) I would say it went pretty good. He had lots of energy...the last time I got on him, I decided to jump up on him bareback when I had him out one day after working him. In the past, I've been practicing jumping up onto his back from the ground. So I just jumped up and was pulling myself up when all of a sudden he bucked me off. I didn't have a helmet with me and I was by myself, so I didn't get back on. (Bad me) =/ That made me sad because my boy has never just bucked me off before. =( So ever since then I've wanted to get back on him. I think that day he had a lot of energy and was excited or whatnot.
That brings us to Saturday, when I tacked him up and got on him. (Before I did, I sent him in a few lunge circles and he bucked a few times. I was glad he got those out.) =) He did great for the most part. After a few minutes he decided that he was done, but I told him I wasn't. I kept at him, as he was heading back towards his barn. (I didn't use a bit.) Well, he started trotting and I ended up stopping him. He was all worked up and started, like, trotting in place. It reminded me of a dancing horse. Then he started walking side ways. Then I thought, hmmm is this what side passing is like? I was more serious then that though; trust me! =) After that he started, (I don't know how to describe it) bumping up his back like he was going to buck. I have to admit, I am scared about being bucked off. Yet over the past couple years of owning a horse, I have gained confidence about being on the back of one; as I have slid off a few times and have fallen off at a lope. I have also been bucked off Chester one time when I was falling off (I was half on and half off) and I think I must have had a foot in his rib. That time I amazingly landed right on my feet right next to him. (Probably because I was half off already.) =) Anyways! Rabbit trail there!
After I got him to a point where I thought I could safely get off, I got off and backed him up letting him know that he was miss behaving and that we weren't going in that direction. Also letting him know I was in charge and we were going to do what I wanted to do. I took him back to where I was originally riding and got back on him and rode him in a couple circles and then ended the ride with me in charge and on a good note.
I think it all goes back to the time and effort you put into your horse. I love this quote- Life does not give you anything. What you get out of it, is what you put into it. I can just think of that horse wise. What I put into my horse is what I'm going to get out. Chester hasn't been worked or ridden a lot at all lately. This is our slow time of year. So, I shouldn't expect this really well mannered horse when we haven't been working on it and keeping it fresh on his mind. I'm not saying that he has forgotten everything. Of course not, but he's a little rusty right now and by george(!), if I hadn't had a good run in months I would be the same way! =)

Day Twenty-Seven

Day Twenty-Seven-You know you're an equestrian when....(list five things)

When you can't watch a horse movie without analyzing the horse, watching the horses reactions to certain things, watching really closely the person working with the horse and seeing how they do things.

You cluck to other animals and treat them like a horse.

You look at peoples barns as you drive by.

You can spot every horse trailer that passes you on the road. (I don't think one can pass our car without me seeing it.) =)

When you can smell hay and tell if it's good. Stale, sweet, rotten, ect.

You spot a green open field and think how wonderful it would be to ride in it, and how many horses it could feed.

When you own over four different types of boots. (Cowboy boots, mud boots, work boots, snow boots and dress cowgirl boots.)

You love burying your face in the fur of a fuzzy horse. (And taking a deep breath!!) =)

You love the smell of horses and leather!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's Thanksgiving again, but hey, there's no complaints here! = ) I love Thanksgiving and am always excited to celebrate it.
I am so thankful for all the things that the Lord God has blessed me with. Especially Chester! Chester is one of the biggest (literally biggest) = ) blessings I have ever gotten. Chester was an answer to prayer and he is so special to me. I am a total animal person and working up through the years from a rabbit to a goat and finally to a horse, proving responsibility, is a dream come true! Chester, was the one that made that dream come true. I wouldn't have wanted another horse....Chester is my horsey! And I'm so thankful for him!

May we all be thankful this Thanksgiving as we see all the blessings around us. There are so many things to be thankful for every moment of the day!

 I have a few verses for you.

 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Psalm 100

 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

 

Day Seventeen

 Day Seventeen- Your equestrian Idol

                                                           Stacy Westfall

This was the first picture I saw of her. I didn't know who it was but I thought it was amazing that she was riding bridle-less. Later on, my friend told me about her equestrian role model and let me borrow her Stacy Westfall training videos. I watched Stacy's Ground Work video and loved the way she trained. The way she does things is simple, easy, profitable and she makes it look so easy; and you want to go out and work with your horse that very minute! = ) 

                                   Stacy Westfall's "Live Like Your Were Dieing Ride."

This was the first video I saw of her riding. The words to describe it? How about one. WOW. And please don't tell me I was the only one that got teary eyed when I watched it. =)

Here it is for you all to watch! (If you haven't already!) ; )

A Quick Little Update

I decided to give a quick update about what's going on, on my blog. Right now I am in the middle of a thirty day challenge. It's been fun and I have enjoyed always having something to blog about. = )
Someone asked if I could do a post with the thirty day challenge listed. I have listed it below for ya'll to see. Feel free to join me in this fun challenge! 



1. A picture of you and your horse                             16. Your most recent fall

2. A picture of your horse                                          17. Your equestrian idol

3. A picture of your best riding                                  18. Your favorite horse show picture

4. A horse that impacted your life                              19. A discipline you would like to try

5. The last time you rode your horse,                         20. Your favorite horse show  
 and what you did  

6. Your most accomplished horse                                21. Your favorite schooling outfit

7. Your best ribbon                                                     22. Describe the importance of riding in your life

8. A little about the barn/stable you are at                 23. First horse you rode

9. Any injuries you've gotten from riding                   24. Your best riding buddy

10. How does your family and friends feel                  25. Your dream trailer 
 about your riding?    

11. Find a sale horse online that you want to buy        26. Biggest riding pet peeve 

12. Favorite horse color                                             27. You know you're an equestrian when....(list five things)    

13. A picture of your worst riding                              28. Helmet or no helmet? 

14. Your dream barn/farm                                         29. Favorite brands...boots, breeches, tops, helmets, etc

15. If you could say something to any                         30. Your future with horses  
 one horse, what would you say?


Hope you all are having a safe pleasant weekend!

Day Sixteen

Day Sixteen- Your most recent fall.

The last time I fell of Chester, was actually my first "falling" off. I have slid of a couple times at a trot while riding bareback. One time when I was sliding off, I was asking him to slow down, and once he slowed down from a trot to a walk, (bareback again) I was holding on for dear life and I was in a really weird position and I probably had a foot in his rib, hence he bucked me off and I landed upright (right on my feet) right next to him. Not bad uh? haha
The first time I "fell"/slid off was like, the third time I ever rode Chester and my sister and I tried to ride double and Chester didn't like that, and as we were riding bare back he gave a couple crow hops and a buck and we slid right off! 

But, falling off, that was probably three to four weeks ago, I was at the arena and we were about done and I untacked Chester and rode him around bareback for a little bit. I decided I wanted to try to canter him bareback, so I did. The first time I did ok, I almost fell off in between his trot and canter. It was kinda bumpy and rough as he was realizing I was asking him to go faster. He loves to canter and I don't ask him to that often. (I think he may hesitate a little bit making sure I'm asking him to go faster.) So, I was sliding off a little bit while he was in transition but I stayed on and when he cantering I stayed too. Well, after that I wanted to do it again but wasn't as confident as before. But I asked him to trot and then asked him to canter. Well, in that transition time again it was too much and once he took that first step into a canter, off I fell! Hands and knees in the sand. Thankfully I didn't get hurt; I  got up, grabbed Chester, (who had jumped of to the side, as he was like, whoa!) and hopped back on and trotted off. I didn't canter anymore and decided I needed to work on my balance more before I went faster.
Practice makes permanent right? 
   ~On I ride! 

Day Fourteen

Day Fourteen- Your dream barn/farm.


I don't know if I have a dream barn or farm. I love ranches and I know I love the big red barns. Ok, so I do have a dream barn and farm. = ) Maybe we'll sum it up with, a ranch. Would that work? = )

I would love a barn like this! With lots of stalls, a high roof and a windmill next to it! Oh, and notice it's sunny with no mud!! = )

                   This is a cool barn too. But I don't know if I would want to use it every day.

 My dream barn/farm isn't this perfect picture. I like things loved and used. Here is a picture that I found and for some reason I love it. I think it's because it's used and it's not perfect. It's loved.
I do like a clean barn/farm though. I keep my barn very clean. So in other words, if this were my barn, I would probably clean it up a little bit. = )

I couldn't find a picture of a farm I liked or I would want to have as my dream farm. Just think of a dusty ranch with horses, a couple lazy dogs, (but ones that are willing to work) = ) some cats, other animals, and the smell of fresh baked bread coming out of the kitchen window. You should find me somewhere on that ranch; whether out riding my horse or in the kitchen baking. = )

Day Twelve And Thirteen

Day Twelve- Favorite horse color

I have always wanted a palomino mare and to name it Ginger. But, I love the color of my beloved horse Chester. It was actually funny, because before I got a horse we had certain things we wanted about the horse we were to get. We didn't want a specific color except we didn't want a white one. Well, I am not picky about horse colors but I have never loved a black horse with a brown nose and legs or a bay horse. Well, what color of horse did I get? A bay horse. = ) I even prayed that I would get certain things in the horse we were to get but I didn't pray about the color as I didn't really care.
I love Chester's colors and I don't really consider him a bay. In non horse colors, I would say he's a copper color. And, he's not all bay; he has black legs and a star, a thin blaze and then a snip/another star on his nose.
Over all though, I'd say my favorite color is palomino.....and Chester's color! = )

Day Thirteen- A picture of your worst riding. 

Oh...I don't have a picture of my worst riding. I think I have said before that I don't have a ton of pictures of me riding. But, we took some pictures, (I think it's the end of the first summer I had him. Last summer.) and looking back at them, I was slouching. 
Even though I'm not riding, I will put these up as my "worst riding" pictures.




                              In this one, I'm not slouching as bad as the first picture. 
I don't know- What do you all think?

Sorry this post was so choppy. I've been busy and don't want to get too behind on my, Thirty Day Challenge. = )

Day Seven

Day Seven- Your best ribbon.

I haven't showed at all so I don't have any ribbons. = ) I want to get into gaming but have no clue what they do for that type of stuff in that type of competition.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found some beautiful Autumn horse pictures and I thought I would share them with ya'll.

                                                              Is that not gorgeous?

                                   This one, looks pretty close to how it is around here.

              You all have a great weekend! Enjoy your horses and stay safe! ~ Country Girl

Day Five And Six

Day Five- The last time you rode your horse and what you did

I know, I slacked on my Wednesday post. Here it is though! 

Saturday was the last time I really rode Chester. I took him to the arena and rode him all tacked up and bareback too for a little bit. (Love bareback!) 
I set up some poles and did some pole bending. Oh ya! = ) Chester is teaching be how to do gaming while my teacher is out. He taught me how to barrel race last summer. (Summer 2012) I am far from actually doing it properly. But he was like, "Malory, this is how you barrel race. Just hold on and I will show you!" I held on and HE SHOWED me! Loved it though! 
Back to my teacher, if any of you didn't know, (I can't remember if I told you all or not) she fell off a horse and got a super bad concussion. She has been out for about six weeks and she probably won't be back for a while. In the mean time, I am going to the arena each Saturday, the time my lessons would be, and working and enjoying my horse. I have already gained lots of confidence and learned tons. But, I need some help in knowing what and how to do things. I am praying that my teacher will heal and be back soon.  

Chester is really good at turning. He'd rather go in tight circles than big ones. Just one more thing to work on! I think it's the barrel mode in him. 

 Trotting!

 Turning...

Go!

The first time I did poles with him, once I was comfortable, I asked for a little more speed. He cantered a little bit, and oh, his body was so smooth around those poles; he just bent right around the poles. So fun! I can't wait to see how far we get in a year or two!

Day six- Your most accomplished horse 

That would be Chester! He's a easy keeper, gentle, ideal husband/kid safe horse and good beginners horse. He was a search and rescue horse for a year, passed 4H horse- knows how to side pass (at least used to,) barrel race, pole bend and probably any gaming.
This is all I know, so he could have done/know a lot more.

 I have a question for you all. (Sorta going back to day five.)

How high or low are you supposed to hold your hands while riding? (That is, while using both hands and a snaffle bit.)

I think I'm holding my hands a little to low, but I really don't know. Plus, you can't really tell in those pictures of day five.

Day Four

Day Four- A horse that impacted your life.

My one and only precious, Chester.

Day Three

Day Three- A picture of your best riding. 

I don't think this counts as we are standing still. 

I really don't have that many pictures of me riding. These are the best ones right now.

Day Two

Day Two- A picture of your horse.

A Cool Chart

I found this chart and thought it was totally cool! I found it on Paola's Horse Blog. 

Which, she got it from here! http://kppusa.com/tips-and-topics/gym-membership-when-horses/. I think I am going to start doing horse stuff by the hour. lol! It's kinda hard to do stuff by the hour, when you only have one horse; only one stall to clean, one horse to groom, one horse to feed. But, I will get my exercise out of the chores I have to do. I only ride once a week but when I do I make it worth all my while! = ) Go head and take a look! It's pretty neat!

It's the time of year when we all start figuring out how we are going to keep in shape during the winter. I think it's fun to figure out how you want to exercise each day, but it's also a time when you need to commit yourself to doing it. Really. You know the saying, "It's easier said then done." Well, it really is easier to say something and then not follow through with it. (At least it is for me.) = ) I hope you will all take up my challenge and follow through with your winter goals, for you and your horse.

As I am deciding, right now, what I want to do for exercise this winter, I will follow up later with a post on what I am doing. = ) I would love to hear your winter plans! Not just the ways you are going to stay in shape, but also in regards to your horse. Are you going to be riding through the winter? Do you have goals to accomplish with your horse this winter?

With Chester, I am still deciding what I really want to do. It's really hard in the winter months/even the spring time, because it is so wet and cold here in Washington. So if it's not raining, the ground is still soggy. My horse sinks in the ground and then panics (overall not fun). Even in the summer I am limited to where I can work and ride him, as our property is very bumpy and has lots of hills. I don't lunge him during the winter unless it froze and the ground has hardened up. And, even with that, it's just a little trotting, as I don't want to hurt his joints. I then switch to basic ground work and some bare back riding (mainly walking around). You gotta love Western Washington; the worst place to own a horse. = ) BUT! This winter should be different, as I now have an arena to use!

Good luck on those winter goals! 

~Your Cowgirl Friend~

Just A Good Ol Picture

My youngest sister made this picture for me. I love it! Such a nice picture of Chester and she did such a great job. Thank you Annie!

Last night I had about two hours to do whatever I wanted and was planing on making/coming up with ideas for blog posts. But, guess what? I drew a blank. I. had. no. ideas. Can't believe it!
So I decided to ask you guys. Is there anything you want to hear about or see? I am of course going to keep updating on what's going with Chester and random pictures of him. = ) This is totally making me look like a bad blogger. But hey, I don't have all the time in the world. Plus, blogging is not the most important thing in my life. It comes after the Lord, family, school and...horse chores. = )

I did run out today and take some self portraits of me and my boy.

                                                             He's like, "really?"
 I walked up there, we said "hi" to each other and then I was like, "SNAP!" That's when he was like, "really? Come on!"

Straight on!

 I love his star and stripe; he actually has another star on his nose. It makes him so unique.

                                                  That's Chester....Isn't he cute?

                      I gave him a snack; sense it was later he thought it was dinner time.

Later folks!

                               

Glorious Monday!

Glorious Monday! Ok, so I'm not super happy it's Monday but yet I'm. It's like, "Yes! Monday!" and "Ohhh...Monday." But let's start it off on a good note! 

For about a month Chester was showing signs of boredom. He would bang his feeder; by picking it up with his teeth and then letting it go and it would make a nice bang! Ya, and he would do it at two in the morning. After I figured out why he was doing it, (I emailed my horsey friend who has taught me tons of what I know) I was planing on getting a horse toy or something of the sort. But low and behold, my birthday came along and my friend gave me a horse pacifier. (Horse toy!)

 

Here it is all put up.

 It isn't that big but it's big enough for a horse and definitely tough enough too!
At first he was scared of it- though now he's fine with it and could care less. He just needs to catch onto using it. My silly boy!

Next up, last Friday I got him a salt/mineral rock. Ok guys, this is really cool! And I'd say it's definitely worth your money! It looks just like a rock, smells just like salt and feels like a salt rock. That's a mouth full! ; )

 

Here it is!

                                             Here it is close up. Kinda cool uh?

There's Chester eating a snack! I love giving him snacks. Especial sense (have I told you?) he doesn't like apples, bread, lettuce, candy canes, peppermints or any thing of the sort. Silly horsey! He does, however, like the peppermint treats from the co-op. (Don't know what they're called) = / His all time favorite treat is carrots though. He's a carrot boy! = )

 I took some pictures of it out in the grass to show you how much it looks like a rock. Actually, now that I think about it, it is a rock. Just a, salt rock. = )

And guess what! He likes it! He has licked and slobbered all over it! Yay! Go Chester! 

 I snapped this shot because I wanted to show you how healthy he has gotten. Actually, he was really healthy when I got him, he has just plumped up since then. 
Here is a picture of him right after I got him...

 

                      Look at that yard......hasn't been loved on by a horse yet. = )

Have you gotten your horse any fun toys, treats ect. lately?