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.

A damn good ride

This boy.

He has been worth all the struggle in the past. He is just a damn great horse.

There was something in his eyes, years ago, that told me how sweet he was/is. More so, IS.

He has turned to be very loyal, trusting and loves to seek loving affection.

A far cry from the antsy, nervous, dancing pony I had even just a few years ago.

Patience is key. And turnout ;)

Tacking up for a much needed ride in the pasture

Laz just ground ties like a champ. I never use cross ties with him. Not that I can't, but he doesn't need it and it's great to not be limited to one section of the barn area.

Him just being curious and turning around to smell/touch things. Love him

Standing still as a statue for him as I mount up, lazy ears

Our sun bleached hair matches...what can I say?

Just loving on this guy

He has been so sound and fluid lately, it's great!

Stretching/snorting during a trot

This is why I ride with crazy long reins, I love to allow him to stretch down and release his back muscles

Opening up his trotting stride 

I love how Laz doesn't care if the other two are out grazing while we ride. In fact, he's focused and happy

Working on our canter a bit. I love his neck below. I hate how I curled up like a perched frog lol

My forever bad habit below, leaning forward, pulling knees up. UGH.

Good boys get good pats!

Definitely need to lower my stirrups a hole...

but look at my beautiful chunky boy

It was a lovely, relaxed ride for us both. Just what I needed and I think, him too

Not bad for an OTTB who took his momma and his future brother (I'm 5 months pregnant) on a fun little ride

I'm so lucky to have this ponyface boy and so is our future baby.

I can't wait to have him give pony rides as well as trail ride again (next year).

I've got some girls (that I trust immensely) lined up to ride Laz this Fall for when I get too big so he can still go out and enjoy trail rides.

Trail ride and hoof update

I love that Laz nearly always comes up to me when I arrive to the barn

Could be food motivated...

The colder Fall is here and I've started giving Laz his soaked Ontario Dehy cubes

Pito likes to sneak in a few bites ;)

We had a gross hatching of lady bugs everywhere a few days ago, when the weather was sunny and warm. They were irritating the horses tremendously and I kept hearing them ping off the barn's metal doors. Nature can be so funny

 Last week, Laz had a double spa treatment.

Acupuncture and chiro adjustments from Dr. Weaver

Snap, pop and Laz goes into licking/chewing mode

 Followed by M to do his feet.

We decided to leave his foot bare this go around and see how he does without the cast

I felt good about it. I like to allow air in but wow we got some great growth from those cast, especially in his heel

Thrush still there, clean trax soak coming up next...

I'm hoping along with the air, movement from riding and soaking/every other day spot treating with Thrush Off, it will continue to grow OUT.

Heel growth!!! Boo ya. 

Now we need the back of the foot to continue to bulk up and stay strong

 In terms of working, Laz and I have been trail riding a lot!

E and I met a couple of weeks ago and took Laz and Pito out

It was the most relaxing trail ride. Both the boys were in Quarter horse mode and were chill and kerplunkity. It was want we wanted that day being cold and lazy.

No drama, just an easy easy ride.

Our during the week work usually means I hand walk him. I'm usually in my work clothes plus barn boots and it's all my work time allows mid week.

No complaints.

Triple duty: Walk the dog. Walk the Pony. Walk me.

 Speaking of pupster, how cute is Mason?!

He loves, er LIVES for his barn time

Taking it to the streets

Between work (new job hoorah!) and weather, my pony time has been quite messed up

The evenings when I could make it out, were late and often in rain

One day, with just light sprinkles, I took him on a walk

Mason was dying to get out too!

We practiced our sending, with me standing back more and giving him more room, allowing him to gain confidence.

He would at first touch the water and then come right next to me, licking and chewing. 

Good boy, but I would re send a bit further and eventually..

Splash, this boy loves water

"Uhs no problums"

"Iz a good boi?"

A quick walk and then a kiss goodbye!

"Pssst!! 

Hey, my persun!! 

Cumm er my persun!

Ya ya dats gud

Use your dangle food tool legs and feeds me"

"In der. I eats in der"

"pwease!"

***

On Saturday, I was determined to enjoy the day.

It was raining when I pulled up (come ON!!), but lessened as I groomed so I tacked up anyway.

First I left Pito in the pasture with us, which was fine and then it 100% wasn't. He was not into it and kept bugging us. Dismount, put him away.

Then after trotting a bit, Laz was spooky, and I felt the saddle shift a bit.
Dismount, re adjust, tighten girth.

Then the wind picked up tremendously and oh hey April snow. Then it was literally a few minutes of a white out snow. I tried to trot through but Laz started pinning his ears, and really swishing his tail. Just saying "STOP and listen to me!!!"

What gives? I dismounted, I lunged him a bit, still pissy and tossing his head up and down and all around...hmmm, I had the bit in his mouth. I walked back to barn, and put his rope halter on, left the saddle on and re lunged him. He was 100% perfect, and breathed out a lot. I opted to put his bitless bridle on and get back on...

The sun came out and he was as happy as a clam.

 He was VERY relaxed in his bitless so we continued a very good ride and w/t/c with no problems.

Hoorah for communication (and thanks Laz for being kind about it)

Good boyyyyy

***

Then today, I actually decide at 2 pm with the sun out and the temp at 58 that my work could wait until tonight.
I grabbed Mase Dog and we were outty 5000 to meet up with Laz on this day.

Life is too short we are reminded unfortunately of terrible events

Lots of walking on these dirt roads keep his hooves looking good, I noticed today during picking, that he is shedding sole and things look really good.

Photo op

Fat horse + red barn

Then with inspiration from Bobby's Mom I noticed this grass hump looked kinda like a ...bank???

I know, I know..but kinda??? right? 

So, I decided to try sending Laz (clearly now Lazaroo the Eventer) up the bank

"Hmmmz grazz is at my chinns"

"Mooor grazzzz yay I go!"

(side note, clearly Laz is pregnant with Kim Kardashian's baby)

 He went right up, and came back calmly...

"Herp Derp..I is Efenter Horz, you is Chikin"

 Up..

Eat..

Down..

 We are ready for the Rolex!