Merry Christmas

This year we headed to my Mom and Clint's on Christmas Eve, we did the whole family thing that night and if we want to stay over we can.  We did.  And Christmas Day will be turkey day.  So I wasn't be home for a day or so but want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and hope its a fun and relaxing day no matter what you are doing.

I thought I would share my Christmas decorating from this year, a little less than some years but I think its enough.

New Saddle

So that Sherri Cervi Barrel saddle I had I sold earlier this year.  I really liked it but was a bit wide for Jess which I didn't think was possible!  But I had shims for it but I wasn't very good at using them and the seat was a bit small for me so it went to a nice lady who had a treeless but wanted a wide saddle.  Haven't heard from her but I hope it worked for her.

But now that I have to use my cutting saddle on her cause its the only one that fits her.  And it's the only one that fits Easy makes it a bit awkward cause they do not use the same cinch size.  And I was having fun running barrels on Jess so when I decided to look for another saddle that fit her I figured go barrel again.  Razz fits both the cutting saddle and my ranch saddle, not sure how that works but its ok with me makes it easier.  So this winter I will use the ranch saddle on Pally, the cutter on Razz and the barrel on Jess.  Perfect no adjusting anything all winter :)

(this is how spoiled my mares are, lol a free choice bale and straw to lay in.  

The straw was for the bulls but they got moved, 

and the horses rarely use the straw but they can if they want.)

I had been looking on and off since summer, saw a few, some so far away and some maybe fit but I would have to try and if not close that's a pain and I did get kinda busy this fall.  But then here a couple weeks ago I saw this:

Hmm sounds like the right size for me and maybe 8 is better than 10.  Was still unsure and it was cccold out and I would need to try it on Jess for sure before buying.  Well It's a long ways away again, I messaged her and said I like it but wanna try it on my horse as soon as it gets warm out.  She said sure.  So then Saturday we were going to look at another horse over that way and I said why don't I bring my trailer and we can go try the saddle too.  She agreed and so we did.  Was a long trip but Jess was a champ.  Caught her before daylight loaded her and when we got home was after dark as well.  The saddle fit her good just did a mini ride...I was on but led around what a weird feeling lol.  I bought it and we left.  And we never bought the other horse, search is still on.

Then Tuesday weather was nice and I was itching to ride so got Jess and after finding the right cinch and getting everything organized was ready!  I still think it fits her well, whew.  She was so eager to go was a nice feeling usually she is kinda pokey as we leave the yard.  But after the chiro and a good fitting saddle I think she was as excited as me to go :)

And afterwards I snapped some pics to see how it fit and I think it worked well, stayed put and no gaps, not tight anywhere.

And I tried out the Northwoods Farms new riding app and it seemed to work well.  And a sneak peak of the selfie for entering the Northwoods Farms 12 Week Challenge in January.

(I don't look great but Jess is cute lol)

(cool app enter your horses, hit start to log time and stop when you are done. 

 Then can add session notes as well.  Great way to keep track of rides and time.)

Can't wait to ride again!!!

Swath Grazing

So this year we are trying something different, partly on purpose and partly cause it would not quit raining this summer long enough to get the oats baled and when it finally did our baler broke down so we said stuff it (or something like that) and lets just swath graze.  The only problem is its 2 miles from the normal winter pasture on flat ground and there is only a dugout out there.  Well we moved them out of the creek field on a cold day, glad I was driving that day!  and into a small field where Neil fed them for a few days, its thier least favorite field but they were OK in there this time.

(looking out the bedroom window they already want out)

(but they went back to eating after a bit)

And then on a half nice day he got Bob and I got the bale truck and away we went, out the field onto the road and into the swath field.  The cows were kinda slow going they followed the truck pretty good through the first gate and out it was going well then we got to the curve where we meet up with the road and the cows took off down the road, what am I to do but follow, they were headed the right direction so far and so I guess let them go.

(in the mirror, cows eating off my bales)

(and following along, some of thier white markings are sure different)

(and passing me)

(there they go, bye, bye cows)

  They went about half mile and stopped, waited for me and I caught up and went off road and they followed again, right into the field. Then they saw the oats and were quite happy about that!

(mm delicious, if you zoom, 

you can see Neil and Bob in the background bringing up the stragglers)

All in all took about an hour, we expected a lot longer, probly 2 hours was more likely but it was nice to be quicker than expected for a change.  We didn't feed them the bales from the truck they were not interested and so we headed home and Neil went out later to chop a water hole in the dugout.  He also ut our portable panels out there with windbreak slabs on it so they have some protection from the wind if it gets cold again.  So far they haven't used it at all and seem quite happy out there.  We shall see how long it lasts, Neil expects 2 months I think he will have to start feeding some hay before then to keep them happy in there.

(using a bar to chop the ice open)

(then a shovel)

(to scoop out all the ice chips)

After that they will get led back to the regular winter pasture and continue getting fed till spring comes.  Will save a lot of chore time, only has to chop a water hole rather than feed bales.  And today on the way to visit the neighbors we stopped o chop the water hole and I took pics lol.  This warm weather sure makes it a lot pleasanter (and easier chopping), less than 5 minutes today

December

Been slacking at blogging again but that's cause I'm still having trouble getting pics downloaded onto my computer its quite annoying.  I even tried to load pics into blogger on my hone but when I open it here that post has disappeared.  Grr.

Anyways been cold here for a couple weeks I kinda been staying inside as much as possible but life still goes on.  Had a craft sale at Cessford and also went to one in Brooks.  Made more at the 6 hour local one than 2 days in Brooks was pretty disappointed about that was kinda a waste to go there next year will probly do Cessford and Duchess.

(my booth in Cessford)

(the got Ariel to come to the craft sale in Brooks and she's my sisters favorite 

so I got a pic with her and send it away to my sister)

Also went to the Spruce meadows craft fair and that is always such a good one.  I dont think I could afford a table there but I still like to go and see.  And the best thing there is the reindeer!  And the mini horses that were shaved, so adorable.

I haven't been riding much between everything going on but did get a couple rides in and I got Char to take a couple pics of me on Pally.  Shes much better outside but that's OK I mostly wanna ride out anyways.

 Also had the massage lady out to do chiro and massage on the mares and they all needed a little bit, specially Jess which I kinda thought shes why I got her out.  Her withers were crooked.  Even Pally was a little out in the hips but not much and boy was she happy afterwards it was funny.  And Razz was out a bit in the jaw and hips.  She was done first and she wouldn't leave us alone.  And then I spoiled them and gave them oats.

Spent a couple weeks looking at horses for a friend to buy.  It sure is a lot more fun when looking for others :)  I love seeing whats out there and talking to people about horses.  Sure a lot of different people out there.  One horse was a young girl trying to do everything and run out of time, another was a girl who ended up buying a broke horse and has too many, another was at an English barn they sure do things differently, and another was a breeder who had way way too many horses and nothing done with any of them.  Kinda cool.

I got my tree up a week ago and now have all my presents wrapped and under it.  I am done shopping so early this year I love it!  I am not sure what the plans for Christmas here are, I kinda like to stay home but of course my Mom wants us to go to her place and sit around all day and feed us snacks.  Its nice to visit but it makes for a super long day.

Missed the Christmas train cause I don't like to go out at night and it was at 8:30 in Brooks and -23 so I stayed home.