Its hot.

Lotka isn't eating well.

Bel isn't either.

Elmhurst is hassling the volunteers.

Hana is stiff from her clash with lightning.

Blue Viking is angry that she doesn't live in Elmhurst's barn.

Cruella is mad that Blue wants to live in that barn.

Ms Stalwart says her feet hurt.

Missy says, "OI! Someone turn down the heat!"

Flagship says Elmo is HOT.

Taba Dance rolls her eyes.

The Princess agrees with Flagship.

Trail Guide would like you all to know her last foal, TRAIL TRICK broke her maiden last Saturday.

Arc Bar says someone please do something about the heat, the lack of rain and the impending hay shortage.

I promise, promise, promise to update the blog more frequently..… AND also to mail halters to our friend Gail and locks of mane to Becky!

The ladies have started shedding their winter coats. One can not even walk by Bel without getting covered in white hair! The Princess leaves patches of white every where she rolls and poor Elmhusrt ends up with mouthfuls of hair every time he kisses a lady!

Someone told Ms. Royal Flagship that as long as she was Elmhurst's favorite girl she could be queen of the barn. Apparently, that someone didn't tell anyone else! Flagship has gotten herself into a bunch of trouble biting at the other ladies and chasing them from the barn. I think there may be legal action taken if she isn't careful. She is messing with the wrong crowd! Do you all remember when the ladies took Barhopper to court?

Lotka...oh, Lotka...she is in trouble with ME! Lotka wasn't eating well and kind of dragging around. I thought she might be sick so I enlisted Cassidy's help and tried to take Lotka's temperature. I barely got close with that thermometer. Lotka proved quite quickly she wasn't sick. She kicked me! Caught me on the outside of my right wrist and sent that thermometer SAILING! Luckily, we found the thing in the straw and I only have a nasty bruise, not a cast. BAD GIRL, LOTKA! She isn't a bit sorry either and checks my hands when ever I come into her stall.

James is back in the hospital. He had a chemo treatment scheduled but spiked a fever instead. His treatment had to be delayed, he has to stay at the hospital until the fever stays gone and he could get his treatment and recover from his chemo a bit. Poor kid. We miss his smiling face.

Hay is in short supply here in the Bluegrass. We struggle to find some that all the ladies like. Sue, Hana, Bel, Taba Dance and Trail Guide LOVE the pure alfalfa I found but Flagship, Cruella and Stalwart prefer alfalfa with orchard grass. It doesn't matter what they like though because, at this point, they have to eat whatever we can find!

Other than that, everyone is healthy and happy. I intend to keep them that way!

(SNICKER) Ms Royal Flagship here to tell you what Taba Dance and I did to Jeanne today!!!! IT WAS SO FUNNY!!!!!

You see, she is trying to switch us over to the summer schedule where we stay inside out of the heat during the day and graze at night.

Not ONE of us likes the idea. The oher ladies are protesting by not eating well but Jeanne is a bit thick headed and needs EXTRA convincing.

It was sprinkling at 11 when she wanted us to come inside. WE ALL made her walk around and around the pasture to catch us each individually. Too bad she had Sadie and Mason to help, we could have had her going all day.

Oh, but it almost took all day for her to catch Taba Dance and I...well, it took hours anyway and then JEANNE didn't even catch us. She gave up...Sadie caught us.

BUT, and let this be a lesson to any human who wishes to change a mare's schedule without a written notice at least thirty days before said change is to occur, Jeanne was SOAKING WET before ANY of us was caught! HA! HA! HA!

OI!!!! I'm at wits end!

Ok, so technically having old horses who feel REALLY good is a wonderful idea but thats before one takes into account what happens when we combine age, wisdom and energy.

Yesterday the ladies left the barn with some extra ZIP. Pete did my morning chores and after he watched the so-called old ones kick up their hooves, he went about other barn chores.

He got back to the main barn and there was blood everywhere! He went in search of the source. He found it...Hana Bride was bleeding from her mouth. Apparently she had been kicked. When I looked I discovered that her front tooth was knocked out and she has a large hematoma on her chest.

The vet and dentist were notified. Visits should happen tomorrow.

Today was pedicure day. OH, FREAKING, MY! The ladies were absolutely LIVID at being kept inside till noon.

Timeless Sue scowled, Lotka had such a major hissy fit we had to take her into her stall, Porter danced, Taba Dance WHACKED me with her head, Hana Bride pinned her ears and refused to pick up her feet. Ms. Royal Flagship DRAGGED  me up, down and all over. Trail Guide shook, The Princess Royal REARED. Go figure, Bels Starlet behaved. Arc Bar Miss thought 3 minutes per hoof was quite long enough.

Cruella BIT ME MANY TIMES! Blue Viking passively looked into the distance while trying to launch our beloved farrier into the next realm. Ms. Stalwart was almost perfect and Missy White Oak reminded me what crash helmets are for!

The hoodlums were PERFECT!

What is going on?

Then, after the ladies were released from their "prison" they dumped the water trough AGAIN, chased the barn cats AGAIN, got into the hay room AGAIN and ransacked the straw bales I had ready to put in their stalls.

Every time I caught them they RAN RIGHT at me like they would run me down!

I'm black and blue, sore, tired and ready to go back to a safer hobby like training yearlings or jousting...

The ladies sleep tonight, safe and cozy, well fed and loved. I am grateful for each of them as they teach me so much.

Timeless Sue reminds me that love conquers all and a simple kiss means all is right with the world.

Hana Bride constantly tells me how quickly life can change, no matter how hard you try, and that despair gets you nowhere. At the same time she reminds me neverto forget the past as it is a guide to the future.

Little Miss Porter says never give up, success is just around the corner.

Lotka is very clear in her reminders not to get too haughty as nothing is ever secure.

Bel's Starlet agrees with Lotka but insists that as long as you stay true to your heart, you will land safely or end up in Heaven.

Taba Dance is convinced that the next juicy carrot is right around the corner.

The Princess Royale doesn't really believe anything is secure. It is important to count on your own self and reminds me to be aware the only constructive way to live life is to insist you deserve royal treatment.

Ms. Royal Flagship says if you want extra, you have to stick your needs in front of everyone's face until you find the right person.

Arc Bar Miss insists its a gentle hand that wins the biggest hearts.

Cruella is very clear in her opinion that if you want something, you have to go get it. If someone is in your way, they deserve to be run down.

Blue Viking wants the world to know that nothing on Earth means more than a full belly and a clean place to lay down at the end of the day.

Ms. Stalwart reminds us all that physical health is the only things that matters.

Missy White Oak says to hold onto who you are. Failures are brief, victories stay forever.

It's hard to be bitter when surrounded by such beauty and wisdom but I am not a mare...I do not posess the same forgiving qualities. I get angry at those who send horses to places unknown and angrier still who send them to slaughter. I wish upon them the same fate. Its wrong to feel that way, I know.

Maybe a few more years with beautiful ladies will help me.

Right now, I am sending an invitation. Come spend a week with us. see first hand the beauty, the love and the worth...you will be forever changed.

AH HA! I caught her! I caught Cruella ransacking, dumping and otherwise vandalizing the grooming buckets! Now, unless she has an accomplice or two, I can readily blame her.

All is well. The ladies do not like the heat but everyone is tolerating it well. We rub them down with a linament refresher on the worst days, hose and bathe them, too.

I've had to put several ladies on a diet. Missy White Oak is FAT! Taba Dance, Stalwart and Flagship have really filled out as well. Sigh, I love fat mares!

Today is MS ROYAL FLAGSHIP'S birthday!!!! We will celebrate with carrots and treats later this afternoon. WHEW! What a month!!!!

Yesterday was Missy White Oak's 21st birthday. We sang and partied with a feast of carrots.

I walked out to the pasture and yelled, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISSY!"

Her head popped up, then everyone else's head did the same. the other ladies turned in her direction and a few gave little whinnies.

I think Ms. Royal Flagship has come to recognize the birthday song. It seems like when she hears it she gets all excited, her eyes shine and she swings her head around. I call it the "birthday dance." 

OK, so now we have to start REALLY watching the younger ladies. Both Bel's Starlet and Missy White Oak are now of legal drinking age and have a "college mentality." We could have some SERIOUS party issues in the barn. We don't have a liquor store near by but I better watch for deliveries just the same.  

I spent most of the day in the barn.

The Princess is completely ignoring the handsome Dedier and hanging with the ladies.

Flagship demanded treats every now and then but finally went the other way when I threatened to call the vet.

Timeless Sue says this winter isn't anything she hasn't seen before...she wishes it were over but weather is weather.

Smokies Love agrees with Sue.

Blue Viking is ALL FOR winter as it means increased grain!

Cruella loves the winter.

As does Ms. Stalwart.

Missy White Oak doesn't even notice it is cold out.

Hana Bride says snow is very pretty.

Taba Dance makes very pretty snow angels.

Little Miss Porter wishes winter was over.

So does Lotka.

Arc Bar Miss just wants to stay inside.

Bel's Starlet just wants more to eat.

Jeanne really wants it to warm up out there but knows MUD is the end result.