Our New Pony?

This is Caviar and called "Cavy" for short.  She has a sweet nature and is about 12'3"... maybe bigger.  She hasn't been ridden for two years, but used to show, I believe.  My girls have sat on her bareback and are having fun brushing her and doing some groundwork with her.  We plan on taking a few lessons with James Cooler of "Cooler Horsemanship".  (Click if you love horses! - you won't be disappointed)

We will decide in a few weeks if all goes well - and I really have a wonderful feeling that everything will.  We will board her here at the farm she is currently at as it is close by our home and it has trails, beautiful pastures and is under wonderful management.  Obviously, we will have a veterinarian visit her as well.

How do you decide to purchase a horse?  Do you ask for a trial period or do you buy on the spot?

Wordless Wednesday #2

...not a corgi...

... a Goldendoodle.  This is Mackinaw and he is not a typical "barn" dog.  It seems horse people are dog people, too!  I see a TON of Corgis around horses.  What type of dogs do you have?

Mac did a great job watching and waiting, but I couldn't let him loose.  He barked a few times while he sat in the shade (with a bowl of water), but I think he will stay at home as the new barn we will be at doesn't allow people to bring their dogs along.  And that's OK... I'm not sure how much Mac liked the horses, anyway.

I entered the above photo in "The Creative Exchange".   A challenge where there ARE (in my opinion) a lot of perfect photos, but it is more about capturing the moment, a look, a feeling.  Click on the challenge name to be transported to Lisa Gordon's welcoming blog.

Sunday Stills - Black & White or Sepia Challenge

I had a hard time selecting which one I liked better ... but I think I like the slight detail on the Paint horse and his profile is better in the second photo, although the man is a bit more clear in the top one.  Thanks to various challenges, silhouettes and reflections are something I find myself keeping an eye out for.

This is for "Sunday Stills", Adventures in Photography.

A Pony of Their Own?

We currently are leasing this sweet pony but are looking at a pony or two next week as we are considering buying one.  I love the idea of the bonding that can occur with a pony because of its size.  I know children grow so fast, but I have two younger ones who might be interested and I really do think it will make them better riders in the long run.  

How many of you like the idea of ponies for children... or, if you have children, did they start out riding on a horse right away?

In The Barn "Horse Portraits"

These are not  my horses but I have enjoyed taking photos of them.  The big guy on the left is over 17 hands and very friendly.  The lady on the right just found out she was pregnant.

A horses gestation period is 11 months, 11 days.  Wow.   I have a while to wait for this baby to arrive.

I just adore the inside of a barn even though I prefer pasture boarding a horse, myself.  These stalls are rather roomy and these two get outside quite often.  I found him laying done in his stall in a deep sleep the other day curled up like a baby.  It was so sweet.  Of course, that's the time I don't have my camera on me!  

Wordless Wednesday #1