Well has been a hot minute since my last update, hasn’t it? Time to update!

We built they hay feeder! The whole family chipped in helping to cut, hold, screw and nail pieces together. It has worked out nicely to keep the hay net off the ground and all of it more dry. One modification we made already was to make one side removable, as I needed to drag a bale out that they didn’t care for. Next steps will be to add another row of wood around it to keep the netting in better, add some more planks or solid piece to the bottom to prevent the small stuff falling through, and finally once dry enough we will jack it up to put skids on and make it moveable.

About 6 weeks into the trial it became apparent that Rooster (The Bad Deputy) was not the one for Skyler. I took a long trip to meet up with Sabine at another Standie fanatic’s place located between us to get him back to PA one cold and windy Saturday in January. He was really a great horse under saddle, but they just did not click as he was not the lovey-dovey type she needs and wants. We got to go on another group ride with her on Gracie and this time I was able to hang back with her and Jennifer more. Skyler pretty much has taken over catching Sully in the field and loading him on the trailer when we got out together. Vital skills and he is a willing teacher that we can both trust ❤ She is back to using Flicka for lessons, well even before Rooster left since I have trouble with the trailer when it gets too wet out there; they barely missed a beat and back to working on the canter, while we continue to hunt for her first horse.

Skyler has her own saddle now (picked out with the help of my fitter to ensure it will be able to be adjusted for any horse’s use as well as fits Skyler), decked out with her own red beta stirrup leathers and safety stirrups.
I got some new tires on the truck (hoping for better traction out in the field for one, and it was just time with others at 63K miles); Reclaimed Equus (who raises money for STB rescue) offered custom hearts with their freeze brand #, so of course I got one for Sully… and yet more fun with another bit of snow and ice – hopefully our last one for the winter? We have had 3 weeks in a row with some type of winter storm event, particularly on the weekends, that has kept us grounded from riding a few weeks now – heavy rains, snow and subsequent melting the same day, then snow again and ice on unfrozen ground. Lots of mud around here after each round 😦

But you can see we have had some fun times playing in the snow too! Sully is still not drinking from a heated bucket or tank after he was shocked during the first ice storm we had this season, which means leaving water unheated it freezes over night. Currently there are 3 different water sources out there for them heated and not, and I’ve also been hauling hot sweetwater out them during the weather snaps, especially at bedtime, to ensure he drinks. Both of them seem to enjoy their soupy meals and special tea drinks! The kids have have to help me with getting the water out the past few days – that hill is deceptively tough to get up with the cart and water normally, let alone once there is an icy coating!!