Let it snow

As you may know, we've been getting a lot of snow up here this year. Cleo likes to go out in the snow but as soon as she comes back into the barn, she's got a ton of it packed into her front hoofs. (She doesn't have shoes on the back so it's not a problem there.) When she gets back into her stall, she stands all kinds of lopsided and doesn't look all that comfortable because it always seems to ball up higher than her shoe bottom - its like she's standing on top of a ball. I pick her hoofs when she comes in but that doesn't help her when I leave her out for a while with her stall door open. Today was shoeing day for her so I asked Rick (our farrier) about either pulling her front shoes off for the winter or putting pads under them. Since she's got some issues with cracks in her front hoofs, we decided (well Rick actually) that it would be best to leave shoes on so we had to go with option 2. Here's a picture of what the pad looks like. Basically its just a piece of rubber with a bump on the downward facing side. This bump helps keep snow from packing in.














This pad is put between the hoof and the shoe then the shoe is nailed on top. Between the pad and the hoof is packed with some special stuff that will help to keep out thrush and any other bad stuff. And for extra traction in the snow and ice, we have ...














yup - studded shoes. Each of the four round items you see in the shoe is a stud that's been attached to the shoe. This will be a big help for her in getting around. Not sure if we have a "studded horseshoe" season up here like the do for studded snow tires tho. The good thing is that when we're finally rid of winter, we can take the shoes and pads off and put them away till next winter. Cleo was a good girl for the farrier.

Rick also took a look at Grace while he was here and said once she's reliably allowing her hoofs to be picked up we should get her hoofs trimmed. She's getting much better at that so hopefully in the next few weeks she'll be ready. (That ought to be fun)

On Wednesday morning while I was sitting by the computer looking out over the barn, I saw what looked exactally like a white squirrel running across the front of the (closed) barn doors. What I had seen was, in fact, an albino squirrel.















So that's about all for now. More snow predicted for tonight (1-4") and Saturday night (2-4").

OK, one more thing I have to gripe about. I went out tonight to fill up the truck and get 5 gallons of fuel for the tractor. $100.00 on the dot. Never in my life have I spent this much at one time for fuel (diesel or gas). I don't even have that big of a tank on my truck (28 gals).

"Don't worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank Him for all He has done."
- Phillippians 4:6

Maybe

Well, the girls are doing pretty good. We've had some pretty warm weather this week so most of the snow is gone but that means that mud is here. It's too early for spring mud season but we've got a little sneak-peek at it this week. Cleo doesn't seem to mind it much, she likes to run in it and roll around in it. She's also smart enough to know her limits in it and won't do too much thats real foolish in it. Grace is still leary of being outside. I've been waiting for the ice to melt in the round pen so I could turn her out in there but that must not get nearly as much sun and heat as the paddocks. I'd rather let Grace out in the round pen first (both to start some learning and to get all of her energy out) before introducing her to board fence and hot wire. Well we'll have to see where the New England weather takes us. Last I saw, we're on the hook for another 6-10" on Monday. I'm really hoping we get a bit of cold first so the top layer of mud can freeze back over - otherwise plowing the snow could be interesting.

Ran across the following poem that I thought was worth sharing.

Maybe ...

Maybe it's the hat. The way he tips it with one hand while he extends the other to shake a woman's hand, knowing that's how his daddy would have done it.

Maybe it's the clothes. The way he wears the crisp shirts and starched Wranglers and the boots with the spurs that never come off, jingling with each step he takes.

Maybe it's the horse. The way he sits in the saddle and looks as comfortable as most men do on their sofas, moving as only a man who has experienced true freedom can.

Maybe it's the way he talks. The way he chooses the fewest words to make the greatest impact, knowing the fancy phrases but not needing the recognition that comes from using them.

Maybe it's in his face. The way he can say so much without ever opening his mouth; his sun-tanned skin, the piercing eyes, the boyish grin that holds the hurt inside.

Maybe it's his financial prowess. The way he doesn't spend money on himself, opting instead to pick up the beer tab with the boys or to bring flowers to a lady.

Maybe it's the way he dances. The way he silently communicates his next move, holding a woman close and leaving no question as to who is in the lead.

Maybe it's his attitude. The way he loves unconditionally and trusts completely, able to visit with a stranger as openly and freely as a lifelong friend.

Maybe it's his ethics. The way he is always the last to leave the barn, staying after the last horse is put away to spend extra time playing with his dog who put in as many hours that day as he did.

Maybe it's the total package. The way one minute with him takes you back in time, making you wish you had lived, for even one day, 100 years ago.

Laurie Denny - American Cowboy Magazine - Winter 2008 p. 22

Grace really enjoys being next to Cleo. So much so that she doesn't want to go back into her stall after being in the next stall over. She sure can be stubborn, I'll give her that. I gave her her first salt block today. At first she wasn't sure what to do with it - she spent a bunch of time trying to bite it but eventually figured out that she's supposed to lick it. Based on how much water she drank in a short time, I'm guessing she's got it figured out pretty well. Had to get Cleo a new block too, she goes through them about once a week.

Got to watch the AQHA Worlds from OKC on TV tonight - they showed cutting and reining. The athleticism and intelligence of the horses is amazing to me. A lot of training time and wet saddle pads there - and some good breeding doesn't hurt either.

Well, that's about all for now. Not much happening up here in New England in the winter without an indoor arena.

Turning Tide?

Slacker Alert:







































Today I'm going to take a break from farming to talk about something thats been on my mind. Been noticing that I'm seeing and hearing more about God (and Jesus) in the media lately. That has gotten me to wondering if the tide is starting to turn back towards the direction it should be going. Trying to think optimistically, I really hope this is the case but this also brought me to another possible reason for this uptick. It just might be that the more I realize the importance of God in my life, the more I find myself drawn to like minds and turned off from those things that are not. After a bunch 'o thought on this, I've come to the conclusion that it's a little of the first and more of the latter. This is good for me and not as good for everyone else.

Thinking about this has also gotten me to pontificating about role models and mentors. I think one of the biggest issues with the kids of today is that they don't have very many good role models and/or mentors to choose from. Most of what you see on TV and in the media is just plain old crap. The desire for money and power regardless of the cost to others or the personal costs to themselves runs rampant in sports, TV, government, the media, and even with some religious figures. Made me realize that I've been blessed with some very good mentors and role models throughout my life. Many of them did not ask for that job and might not have even known that they were doing it.

Mr. Dick Bennett was my riding instructor back when I was a young 'un. He was definately old school - brutally honest and tough but that forced you to either get better or get out. He taught me that hard work and practice pays off - you need it to get to the top of your game and then need it even more to stay there. Through him and showing horses, I learned that no matter how hard you try and how much you prepare, things don't always work out the way you planned (just ask JD about pattern classes) but that's OK. I also learned that life isn't always fair - the best person doesn't always win - but thats how life here on earth is. That you need to take pride in yourself and represent yourself to the best of your ability. Good things take time and come in small increments which you often don't see as they are happening but one day you look back and are amazed at where you got to.

Cowboys - I'm not talking about the shoot 'em up 1 against 100 movie and book characters here. I'm thinking more about the stories of good honest punchers, ranchers, and lawmen standing up for what is right when their back is up against the wall, regardless of the odds. Avoiding trouble until pushed too far, helping out others in time of need no matter the personal cost. Doing what is right and not what is easy. This same principal can still be found in many ranches throughout the country. Today's (real) cowboys still work hard for little pay but do what they do for the love of life. Cowboying isn't about the clothes, its about character.

Mr. William Gaudette. If ever there was a fine example of a humble man who has been a role model to hundreds of people without ever trying, this would be him. Having trained in kenpo with Mr. Gaudette for 14 years has taught me a lot not only about the martial arts but also so many other things in life. Our student creed mentions "I will live by the principals of black belt: modesty, integrity, perseverance, self control, and indominable spirit". He exhibits these principals in his everyday life. Being around him, it is hard to not want to adopt these and get better at them. He taught me that self-confidence gives inner peace and outer calm.

While on the martial arts theme, I'd like to mention two folks. The first is Chuck Norris. He is a man of God who has come through many struggles in life but has used his skills and fame to help benefit children both through his martial arts instruction and also his kick drugs programs. A new potential martial arts role model (at least for me) is Matt Hughes. Most of you will likely not know Matt but he is a UFC fighter. I've gotten a real good feeling on him from several of the TV interviews I've seen with him. Recently he coached a team of asipring MMA fighters on Ultimate Fighter TV show and during that time, he was not afraid to openly talk about his religion and spirituality and to try to open the young fighters minds to God. This was very refreshing to see on national TV. I have just ordered his autobiography and I'm sure I'll have several good quotes to use from it.

And of course, I couldn't have a list of role models without mentioning my beautiful wife and soulmate. Stacy has taught me so many things that I won't even try to mention them all here. I do need to thank her for her help in two areas though - compassion and spirituality. Stacy has shown me how to care about people, not just those who we know but people in general. Whenever I get stuck in life's ruts, Stacy quietly reminds me that its not about me but rather God and his work that needs to be done. That is so grounding and always puts things back into perspective for me. Thanks cutie, I love you!

In closing, I ask you to be a positive example, you never know who might be watching!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your
own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and
He shall direct your paths."

- Proverbs 3:5-6.