Sweet Helen

It didn't work out well with the boys meeting Killian. Valiant and Killian spent the night together, no problem, Evan was put in the pasture next to them and all seemed to be going well, then on the walk we heard a crash. We arrived to find the stallion gate completely smashed, Killian standing next to the weanling paddock and Valiant hung up over the gate in the breeding shed paddock. His front legs on one side of the gate and his back legs on the other. Star was busy flirting with him. It took Diane to keep Star and Sissy out of that paddock, Rachel to hold Valiant while Mike worked on the gate. I grabbed Killian, put him in the paddock then moved a new heavy duty gate in front of the smashed gate. Killian is now with the weanlings and the boys back together. Steven arrived to check over Killian and help teach Olivia how to lead when he noticed that Helen had a swollen back ankle. She has a small cut that has become infected. I was not sure how blind Helen would do with hosing and treating her wound but she surprised me. What a sensible trusting filly. She hesitated going from the sunshine into the barn so I know she can see at least light and shadow but once she stepped in she was willing to follow where ever we asked. She even stood quietly for hosing. She was taken outside for a few pictures. Helen is HUGE, she won't be a year old for a couple of months.

She is going to be so easy to train, she absolutely trusts humans to keep her safe. Olivia got a good lesson today in leading, tying, and standing still when her feet are picked up. Hopefully tomorrow I can get some pictures of her, she is really beautiful, her tail and feather are thicker and longer than some purebreds. Karin arrived and worked Indy and Ayanna and both did great. Ayanna is now accepting a saddle with no problem. Marika also did well, Karin said she has a really nice floating trot. Diane sent a text through to the family that they had a big fire going and ice skating was great. Mike had lights set up, Billy brought hockey equipment and a good sized group showed up to cook venison brats on the fire and play.

The hockey games were fast and furious, so much so they ended up too warm and needed to finish the game with no coat. Below is Rebekah going against Billy.

Below Willow is helping to clear more snow off the slick ice.

We were thankful for the warmth of the fire:

It was hard to leave when we were having so much fun telling jokes and visiting around the fire.

The night was still, the moon just about full and the sky clear for our walk home.