Sun and Positive

We awoke to 5 degrees but that was 5 degrees ABOVE zero much much better than the -20 or -16 the last few days. We still needed to cancel the walk but this time it wasn't just because of the weather.  I had to run in to Meisters to pay the first of the month bills then to the bank to withdraw cash for the farmer bringing the 7 bales of hay. He didn't want a check.  He planned on being at Middle Grove at 1:00 pm so I left at 12:15 pm. It takes a little less than a half hour to get there from the house but the farmer had already arrived. I was disappointed in the hay. It looked like it had been cut and then not put up for a while as it was very bleached out and had been stored outside. Beggars cannot be choosers and he was willing to bring it so I bought the hay. Below he is bringing the hay in and below that the horses checking it out.

We put all 7 bales out even though there were 4 bales still left from Monday. This farmer has another 7 he would be willing to part with but I want to see how they eat this batch first. 

When I arrived home Karin and Rebekah were in the barn with Valiant and Galena. Both of those horses did well.  By this time it was 22 degrees outside and the sun was shining and it felt warm!

 Valiant is such a kind stallion but he sure has presence. He looks magnificent as he stands at attention. Galena is tolerating Karin sitting on behind the saddle. Today she didn't even try to buck. We were really thrilled as she hasn't been worked at all since the cold weather hit. 

 She is pretty heavy in foal as she is due in April so Karin only asks her to trot. 

Rebekah really enjoyed working with Valiant. She is also willing to show him at the IL Horse Fair in stallion row. I think Shaeya is going to show him in the liberty class.  Karin worked with him today on that. 

These two were put away then Jenis, Oksana and Anna brought inside. They were given some free time first and it was funny to watch Oksana and Jenis running around. Jenis even had to let out a buck. Karin rode Oksana first while Rebekah rode Jenis.

They switched and Karin worked with canter departs on Jenis. Notice Anna eating on the hay. She isn't due until April and yet she looks huge. I had her checked for twins but Dr. Hoerr only found 1 baby so all is good. Anna was not worked today, she just got to come inside to enjoy running around on ground that is not snow covered and slippery. 

 The two pictures above are Karin working with Jenis and the two pictures below are of Rebekah riding Oksana. 

It is wonderful to be able to ride again.  Tomorrow is the first Horsemeister practice. The entire month of January had to be cancelled. Hopefully February will be milder.