Sunny December..what?!

 I literally cherish the sunshine. Especially on cooler days.

Today, after work, it was a mild 30 and sunny. No wind. It felt like Spring.

I decided to grab Mason who hasn't been to the barn (old man has been struggling a little lately so I've been spreading out his visits-my loyal co-pilot) in a while and head out.

Carpe Diem bitches. Sunny, and especially knowing I have the babes coming soon, I wasn't going to let this day slip by.

Belly BUMPIN'...You can see my feet but I can't ;)

I'm happy to say that in my 37+ week I can still pick/trim hooves, groom, etc. Riding not so much although if my Hubbie had been with me, I would have done it today.

Mason playing in the winter field (no snow--huurah!)

Flip flopping around

Chewing on one of our future xc logs in the field

 He was literally trying to pick it up

"MOM..I found the bestest stick everrrrr!!"

 

"COME ON STIX!!!!!"

Bless his lumpy heart

***
Speaking of lumps.

FatLaz in trotting action. We played at liberty today

(yes I had treats in my pocket. Fatty is food motivated)

His hoof resection is looking good. I'm planning on doing a white lightening soak this weekend to keep on top of any possible disease at bay but he is moving sooooo awesome

 He was a snuggle puss. Really into wanting to play/please

 Smiles all around

oh and double chins.

Early December ...

Did you ever care about the weather before owning your horse? I swear, I'm like a make shift obsessed weather girl now. 

"What's the precipitation today?!!?" 

"Is it freezing rain or just rain??!!!"

"Snow..when? HOW MUCH WIND, I NEED TO KNOW--HOW MANY MPH??!!!"

It's all for the good of my ponyboy

At any rate, it's been relatively mild so far, I think. High to mid 30's

Hell, I'll take anything above 20 with a SMILE!!!

Yesterday afternoon I was able to sneak in time for a fun schooling session.

I haven't done much of this lately do to some hoof re-sectioning that we've been working on (more of that to come as I get more length of time in between for our dramatic results!! All great so far though!)

Laz was definitely wanting/needing some play/mind work

This is when I asked him for a canter on the line...uphill much? 

Major zoomies but he was funny and great. He needed a release.

***

I also had my baby shower at 36 wks..the time is near.

Holy. Shit.

Lucky to have these friends...not a one a horse girl, can you believe it?! Don't worry...I try to bribe all their children to ask for ponies, mwaa haaa haaaa!

Lots of temporary changes coming up.

Winter. Baby. Work. Easing into changes, etc.

I have no idea of how to really plan for it....all I know is no matter what, I hope my animal kids stay safe while I may be busy (and on the days I can't see Laz--ugh boarding an hour away can really be hard), and will be loved by us for life.

I look so forward to riding again. I dream of it often but nuzzling his sweet fuzzy face is a great source of happiness too.

Chilly & Warm November

So, it snowed in November. 

No mas! Not a fan of snow pre December (or Christmas if I'm being honest)

We got a few inches and it was chilly con carne!

Fatty likes the snow though. He is just such an outdoorsy horse. I rarely find him in his stall unless it's really frigid, or HOT---he's in his stall more in the summer than ever.

 I brought Mason out...my sweet boy isn't able to join me on every visit like his earlier years. He gets too sore, even just from the car ride. His left hind ACL is threatening to blow so I'm being so careful with him yet trying to give him the best quality of life too. I try to take him 1x a week now (vs before it was up to 4x a week---senior pets, it tugs your heart strings!!!)

Then it warmed up, all the snow was gone, it rained for three days but felt balmy. YES.

Laz watching deer and turkey out in the field

Back to cold again currently...

The barn owners put up this adorable wreath on the barn.

Norman Rockwell eat your heart out

Sneak peek of our family photo session

Our gray faced angel boys...

fat land

"cooook eezz?"

 crunch crunch slurp wap crunch gulp

 "morrrrrez"

All is well in Laz land. 

He is in total (temporary) pasture pet mode. Getting fat, fuzzy and enjoying new hay delivery

Hoof photos to follow soon, waiting on some time to get a good before, mid, after shots.

6 year anniversary

Nov 3, 2008--official purchase of my Lycius Two, aka Lazarus

Age 7

My sweet boy today, six years later

A happy, calm, goofy but spirited boy

Age 13

We celebrated by taking family photos all together last evening...can't wait to see how they turned out.

It's no easy task; Husband, Pregnant at 7.5 months, a Frenchie, a Chocolate Lab and Laz (who was the easiest out of all)

Mason also had his yearly play date with his real brother (littermate) Baker 

It's crazy that one year later, they still recognized each other and played like young pups.

He's sore today, at age 11.5 yr old, but that is to be expected

Mason is the one without a collar

Enjoying the last of Fall days...hating the daylight savings

Who made that rule up anyway??!! 

SundaySunshine

Sunny Sunday. I went for a typical visit/groom session and wouldn't you know it but the warm sun, the Fall colors and my snoozy puppy dog of a pony lured me into a quick ride.

I.just.had.to.

It was like "Uh, OK stars are aligned...I'm doing this"

I had promised to not ride when alone but I just couldn't pass it up. With Fall in Michigan, it goes from glorious to wet/cold in a day, so I carpe diem'ed that shit and did it!

I just told Laz, "Pony...take care of us" and thought good thoughts. But more so, he gave me the vibes that all was going to be well. 

 I threw on his bitless and his bareback pad and hopped on.

At 29 weeks, (7 mths) my hop is a little heftier but my stoic pony just STOOD there....love this fraggle rocked maned of  a horse. Damn.

I'll tell you the dismount is MUCH harder to slide off when there is a hard belly in the way. Sorry baby that I smushed your face, but I think you enjoyed the ride too.

 We just walked around. Ambled really, it was lovely.

It felt good for me, and he seemed to enjoy his little job as well.

Jump, one day...in our future...one day....

 It was so quiet and peaceful during our ride. You can hear the squirrels running about, and the leaves gently falling, and Laz's big happy exhales

 #yesifilteredthecrapoutofthis #so

 I swear, I am the pregnant one....

Focus on the pretty leaves in his fat shadow instead

 Pokertown pony. My favorite....

 It's amazing how a ride, no matter if an amble or a trail ride, can just lighten my soul up

This may be my last ride until birth (early Jan??)....I don't know, but I thoroughly enjoyed it

 My sweets waiting after untacking for his cookies for his Rolex performance

I'm smitten for him. 

The obsession just doesn't quit...Le Sigh

***

On Monday, Laz got floated

He goes along so well, doesn't hardly move and all without sedation.

Thanks for Miles's Mom for giving us this Equine Dentist's name years ago! He's the best

During his jaw breaks, Laz was walk towards me like "uh saves me....??" it was quite funny.

More positive hoof changes took place but I'm going to allow a bit of time to pass before posting so I can hopefully show some dramatic growth changes

Keep your fingers crossed for us

whittle whittle whittle at a time....

These are from yesterday (sunday)

 There is still a lot of wedge in the toe area but my goal is to rasp it enough just so it doesn't hit ground when he trots.
I rasped, lunged him (he is sound sound sound right now!!) and trimmed a bit more...

 I'll be so happy when the heel backs up to support the back of his foot.

I rasped the heel wall to allow the tubules to try to stand up vs being crushed/under run...

we'll see if it works.

Saturday morning

This sleepy fluff head stands for 40 minutes like an ANGEL so I can Clean Trax his hoof

Worth his weight in gold

So, what do you do for 40 minutes?!

Selfies....

 You can sheaths (I'll spare you any photographic evidence)...

You trim Tina Turner manes 

PS I'm keeping it long for winter protection 

 A bit cleaner and oh SO nerdy

 "Bored, I'z bored"

Don't let him fool you, he is quite used to and loves his 'spa treatments' and to be doted on 

Such a clown