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.

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

Weekend play time

This is what 8 am looks like. 

Two puppies breathing on us to remind us "FEED US!!!!" in a sweet manner

We fed the pups and decided to enjoy the nice Fall day and get outside

We headed downtown Detroit (we live about 20 minutes north of downtown) to this great coffee shop

for a gooey bar, almond croissant, a lavender latte and a regular coffee

 Billy boy has himself a sweeeet tooth!

 The ambiance is fantastic at that coffee shop. Downtown Detroit has a very cool revival and we try to support it as much as we can. Coming from living in Chicago (Suburbs), Detroit was built backwards in my opinion with lack of public transit, and not embracing a water view with international access/view BUT there are fantastic things happening to this humble city, and we choose to support it.

After our caffeine surge, we headed to one of the US's largest farmers market, Eastern Market

There are several large sheds and hundreds of vendors with local produce, cheeses, meats, etc

It's fantastic

 After our Detroit fun day, it was time to drive north an hour to see the pony

Double snuggle with Laz & Pito

They were both convinced I had treats in my belly...uh no

It was SO nice and I'm super sad about not trail riding (I've just decided to pasture hacks for during pregnancy) that I wanted to still enjoy the weather, my horse and the trail.

So....we all hoofed it.
I put Laz's padded slipper boot on his RH just to be extra careful and we were off

 Cutting through the sweet neighbor's pasture to our trail system of heaven

 Laz was funny. He was snorty and prancing for a bit, clearly excited to be out.

He hasn't been on the trail since we rode it alone in April (le sigh)

 It was a good decision to hand walk him, he was definitely not 100% confident and chill and I can't blame him. Lack of constant exposure leads to that but he was great via in halter. He is a pony that does best with repetition so I just set us up for success

 SNORT!

 About one minute after this photo we came  head to head with a cyclist on the narrow path and Laz jumped backwards about 15 feet. Poor guy was just so startled! He almost sat on Billy who was walking behind

The cyclist was super cool and stopped and allowed us to pass by slowly. I'm not sure I would have sat that spook or not if I were in saddle? Maybe...big maybe. Or maybe I would have eaten dirt over his left shoulder. 

 It was a super fun walk, we covered 4 miles and enjoyed the gorgeous trails. I hope to do it again soon

  After we returned home, we enjoyed rustic homemade sourdough toast with fresh MI mozzarella and heirloom grape and currant tomatoes

Pretty much a perfect Saturday!

Most of July

Looking back, July typically is my month with the least amount of Laz photos. Usually due to work, vacation, hot days or quick visits. I still see him as much, but we tend to do less work.

Here he is following his Dad in our car as we drove in for a visit before we left for a week for the beach on a fantastic, relaxing vacation

We went to Frankfort/Elberta on the upper west side of Michigan, which has some of the best restaurants, Lake Michigan beaches, and views

Frankfort public beach

Benches fill up for sunsets ...

or you can walk the break wall to the lighthouse

Farmers market bounty

 This was our private boardwalk to our beach, which was rarely used!

 Hang gliders and Parasailors fly above the fog

 Building a fire for us for s'mores by sunset

 ***
Back home!

 The Prince got a much needed bath (and a man pocket cleaning) on a high 80's day

 This is our typical 30 minute visit when I'm able to pop in during the work week

We hope your summer is going well!

A typical winter weeks schedule

It's never a bad day at the barn. 

Especially when you are greeted by snowy whiskers on a kerflufferson pony

Insert deer snort below...

Laz has such a great winter coat, I'm so happy! I try to not blanket him much. I will on really windy evenings that are below 20 or when it's below 7 or such..it really depends on moisture/wind/etc.

I try to watch him carefully and he's blanket is at the barn if needed for the BO's to toss on for me in case of a quick warm up. He's got great shelter, a fuzzy fur coat, hay often so really, he should be good (says girl with clenched fists researching weather channel 24/7)

Laz anticipating his winter warm salty mash...slurrrps!! GIMMMME!!

Laz and I lunging below in fresh powdery snow last week

(the BO took these from her living room window..ya, don't you wish your living room window had this view? I do!!)

Trit trots..no bigs.

Out on a wintry trail ride with two calm furry OTTB ponies

Laz happily leading the way (trust the pony, right Juliette!!?) 

On another day, I wanted to do 'free' lunging which I decided would be more of a game than actual exercise

It was blustery so I didn't feel like riding and Laz was showing me signs 

of FLIGHT so we did some ground work

Stretchy

Hollow :/

Nice curved to the left

This is defiant Laz, see his arched neck below and his stink eye? This is when he wants to defy but it's a playful spirit and not at all mean (Laz really doesn't have much mean in him!!!)

Below is very compliant 

Nice extension for him

Love this forward uphill look below

He would listen, then stop and wander off...

Then Pito came in to see what was up...Laz quickly herded him away

If Laz wandered away, I would just stop and wait for him to return (usually within 20 seconds) and I would reward with some cookies

"So ifz I standz here, n trotz, n comez back..I getz a cuukie? Ok..!

Then I guna trotz dis way....

Anna dis way...

Anna you givez me cuukiez..."

Yea, pretty much.

I always want Laz to feel coming towards me slowly and softly is always a good thing

Mason below shows his snow swimming skills

Diving in head first...

Roll entire body into snow

Backstroke PUSH into it...

Wiggle worm back and forth

Ahhhh

Back at home, he put himself to bed (in our bed of course) after a fun snow day

Then this past weekend, we had an ice storm which was beautiful ....

But made the ground wet, crunchy and slick.

Not even great for lunging, much less riding in.

So, my visits were of grooming and feeding and doting over

"Deez are ma favoritz dayz nom nom  nom nommmmz"

Stay warm!