Killian

Sorry no new pictures, I keep forgetting to bring my camera to the barn. The kids are really enjoying their new pony, Killian. He is being such and angel! He has yet to spook at anything! He doesn't really enjoy getting his tack (saddle and bridle) on but once it is on he is fine. Both kids have been able to ride him all by themselves. They are just walking but they can go all over the ring and he will listen to them. Today they wanted to walk him over some ground poles, well actually Tyler wanted to jump him! But I said they had to learn a little bit more first! Like trotting!!

Rider

Today Emily put her cowgirl boots on to ride the pony and as we were leaving the house she says: "If some one sees me they'll think I'm an offical rider!" Nevermind she had pink shorts on.

What a day...

it didn't start off too good. We found an injured deer and of course Curt was at work. I had to make several phone calls to even figure out what to do. I called, Curt, Animal Control and then the State Police! The poor thing was just off our path to the ring and paddocks. And I was in a rush to get the horses turned out and the barn done before taking the kids to the first day of swimming lessons. I managed to get the horses turned out by taking them one by one down the path, nobody even spooked and the deer stayed still when ever I passed with a horse. I waited until the Police got here to put the colt out because he would be nearest the deer and I knew he was going to be shot. The kids took it pretty well, but while all this was going on we were looking for our barn cat, Sweet Pea. She normally greets us every morning and when she didn't today I was worried. We have a family of foxes that have been taking out a bunch of chickens and other small animals. But thankfully she DID show up, even if she was a little late for breakfast!
Then it was on to swimming lessons! We were a little late and I never did get the barn work done before I left. The kids did really well, the started off right where they left off last year and even a little better. I think they should do really well this year and they both really love going. Oh, and an added plus, they swim at the same time! Last year they had to sit and watch each other and that made the lessons seem really long! Today the class seemed to fly!
I have to pack lunch because when they get out of swimming lessons they are starving! So we eat in the car on the way home! Then on to the library to sign up for the summer reading program (Tyler won a free ticket to the fair last year!). Next home for a little down time and then BACK to the barn to finish up the stalls and get the horses in a little early. We drove Kirsten (my brother' youngest) to Grandma and Grandpa MacMillan's and we stayed for swimming and Pizza! Tyler and Emily had a great time playing with Kirsten (I hope she had fun too!) Emily didn't even want to leave! I think if she could, she would have stayed too since Kirsten was there! Oh and Kirsten brought her hermit crab with her or as Emily would say her "herman" crab!

Okay, finally an update!

A lot has happened since my last update but I probably can't remember it all so I'm just going to start fresh. Oh, but first I want to say Rest in Peace to Brother. One of our barn cats got hit by a car about a month ago (right in front of us, and the people didn't even stop!)


He was a shy cat but always friendly with me and he had finally warmed up to the kids and was letting them pet him and Emily could even pick him up. It was very sad, he didn't die instantly and we were about to get in the car to go to the vet when he died in my arms. We still have his sister and thankfully she has always been smarter then him about the road and hopefully she will always be.
An now for what is happening well, now! The kids have a pony! A friend I reconnected with on Facebook had a pony she was looking to give away to a good home. He is a large pony that was a rescue from a horse auction and he still needs more training. My kids are not really ready to be riding on their own yet, so hopefully when they are ready, the pony will be too! He isn't completely green he just needs to know that he doesn't have to worry. And he needs work on his canter. But my kids are far from cantering anyhow! The kids already love him and Tyler made a picture to hang on his stall. And it is funny I wanted to get it because I thought Emily was really showing the interest in riding. And she is, but Tyler is the one who really wants to do things with the pony. He cleans the stall, picks his feet, brushed him and gave him a bath. He really wants to lead him by himself but we need to let the pony settle in a bit more. His name is Killian and he really is sweet with the kids. I just hope they don't pester him too much!

Spring Break

We've been trying to keep busy. We started out by going to my parents small farm on Monday.


Then Tuesday the kids went to Curt's parents (while I went food shopping in peace)and they dyed Easter eggs. After that we went to the Library. Wednesday we went to "Touch a Truck" but it was a small gathering of trucks and we didn't stay long because kids kept beeping and honking the truck horns. Tyler and Emily and several other kids walked around with their hands over their ears. Thursday (today) we went to my sisters house and while there we went to her big mall for the Lego store and to look for skinny jeans for Emily. (It's the only thing she wants to wear now! No other jeans will do.) They also have a two story carousel in the mall.


Then from there we went to Van Saun Park/zoo in Paramus. It was so crowed, and mainly with Orthodox Jews. So of course there were questions. Tyler mainly wanted to know why they all were wearing black because it looked hot! We had to wait on a long line for the train and half the zoo was empty! Oh well, it was a day out. Tomorrow we have no plans and maybe we'll just stay home. Saturday we have an egg hunt and cartoon at church and then Sunday is Easter!

Oh, and I forgot to mention that one night they made a "spider web"! They actually
made it together and got along great, so what ever keeps the peace!

Another sad goodbye.

Today we lost another equine friend. This is a big down side to having retired horses, but you have to take the bad with the good. We knew of Rafiki when he was showing under Chris Kappler and then he came to stay with us. Rafiki was a boarder but he was still part of our family. He came to us in 2003 for stall rest after a stifle injury and then he made it back to the ring briefly before it started up again. The next time we saw him was after he was trying to get back to work and then developed EPM. He was at another farm and having a hard time, so his owners (Liz and Greg Obrecht) called us to see if we would take him again. That was in 2005.
When he first came back to us he was having episodes of laying down and not being able to get back up. We would have to crack a lunge whip (not touch him at all, just the sound was enough) to encourage him to get up. But in time he got stronger and he no longer had any trouble getting up and down. The EPM and stifle injury took it's toll and his hind end, it was weak and he didn't exactly move like a normal horse but over all he was happy and healthy and was able to enjoy retirement like anyone else. He still knew he was a stallion and he was still very head strong. But he was always gentle and kind to my kids. Even when Tyler gave him a haircut when I wasn't looking!!!!
Look up " Haircut! June 17, 2010" on here, I can't figure out how to link it.
The last few weeks his front end gave out and then the added stress to his weak hind end didn't give him any where to rest. He refused to lay down to get off his legs and then his EPM seemed to be effecting him again as well. He started having a difficult time and it was a tough choice to say goodbye but his body just couldn't take much more. He was euthanized today. We gave him loads of carrots the last two days and told him we loved him. Tyler took it pretty hard but Emily was more upbeat saying he was getting to go see Casino, Artos and God. It was a hard day and I just keep trying to think like Emily.

The results are in...

Emily's first school picture. Pretty cute, her hair stayed in place, good smile and you can see Hello Kitty! LOL (But this was her Hello Kitty dress, not the same old shirt!)