hellloooooo, is anybody there?

The bad yellow horse broke out of his field today...for a long time we haven't bothered to switch on the electric fencing, particularly owing to an intermittent fault with the power box, and have become complacent. When I got home from the salt mines this afternoon I could see that the field was empty. I ran over and the electric fence wire had been broken down at one post, and excited hoof prints led away from his favourite spot across an unfenced neighbouring field. I followed the tracks with interest, and they led right into the far corner, where a gap in the hedge adjoining where the mares are looked like it had no fencing. In fact it had three strands of barbed wire, but in the shady twilight they were hard to see, and for a hormonal horse, impossible to spot. Luckily the wire is old, and weak, and he breasted through all three strands, with his rug taking the discomfort of the spikes. Unfortunately he somehow managed to pick up a piece of wire with his tail. As he galloped over to say hello to his girls, face to face at last, the wire dragged on the ground and became terribly tangled in his tail. Enter me. He circled and circled the mares, just as a stallion would, which was interesting, but the mares would not let him within about 4 meters of their group, and the lead mare kicked out at him to make him keep his distance. This was all very exciting for the stupid yellow horse. Tail up (despite wire) ears pricked, he strutted and pranced up and down the 20 acres. I kept calling, and walking and within 5 minutes the yellow one waited for me, and admitted that it was a fair cop. The tail had to be cut away to release the wire (oh dear) and apart from that damage to his beauty, and a very small scratch on one fetlock he has escaped injury, so is a very lucky horse indeed.

I have shut him away in his little barn, and he won't be let out until a new electric fencer and battery are purchased first thing tomorrow, so that the electric wire will give him a nice big shock next time he touches it. I know he has been very lucky to get off uninjured, and only the incredible placidity and sensibleness of the mares saved them from distress. I have been careless and have learned the lesson.

He had a good time though.

happy new year?

Having been almost overwhelmed with challenging news during the past three or four weeks am trying for a bit of a return to 'normality'. My big boy will shortly reach his 18th birthday, and is hoping for a successful party to mark this special occasion. Youngest is currently in the middle of some AS level examinations, and studying hard at the kitchen table. Yellow horse has enjoyed a luxurious and restful christmas and new year period, owing to my lack of time. He doesn't seem to mind. Salt mine pepping up after christmas slow down, phone busy with holiday reservations, and units being cleaned from top to bottom ready for first guests. Tax due in next couple of weeks....always painful. Hoping you all had peaceful festive seasons, and that 2009 brings you all you wish for.

hold that blog

For the time being this blog is 'on hold'.

teen nest update

Nothing much changes then! You follow the trail of clothing to find the youth, who will probably be sleeping. He played hockey on Saturday in the pouring, freezing rain, and was chilled to the bone after 2 hours in it, and then trained for rugby on Sunday on a waterlogged field, again in the cold. Therefore I am reluctant to chase him about his nesting habits for now, but thought they might bring a bit of amusement into a cold winter's day for you. Will bring news of difficulty when we have something positive

Skipper's cheerleader team

These are all Skipper's current girls watching him work out this morning. Still too icy to ride out, so after a week of inaction we have had a bit of a trot and canter around a field area set aside for the purpose. The girls proved to be a tiny bit distracting, but not too bad. As you can see they all have something in common, and I am told that their progeny is much in demand. Not by me. They are, however, steady as rocks, and so quiet you have to see it to believe it. Skipper thinks they are all absolutely gorgeous. Having a quiet day at home today, received some serious family news so taking some time out to adjust.

Brrrr

Here's the car roof and window-screen yesterday morning. What an artist! I certainly can't compete. Yellow horse enjoying an unexpected rest due to extremely icy roads, so have emulsioned a bedroom and painted a seascape with all my spare time! As a result of the decorating have also managed to kick out a chair and shoehorn in a new double bed for the spare room. so plenty of room for visitors over Christmas. Limbering up for some real cupboard clearing during time off work over Christmas and New Year. Where does all this rubbish come from? Someone must have brought it into the house and filled all the cupboards with it - and it wasn't me. Anyway, black bags at the ready, and its all going in the next two weeks...

we wish you a merry christmas!

We wish you a merry Christmas! Hoping the yellow horse will take the hat off when we go out in public. Loving the cold weather, and hoping for a bit more snow, despite inconvenience on the roads and the fact that at the sight of one flake the schools all close. Still painting woodwork at work, but nearly finished, on final property of this round of decorating. Star grading lady came yesterday and re-awarded our 4 stars, which we are pleased with, though there are quite a few things about the system that we disagree with. So looking forward to a bit of time off.