Visiting Horses

Labor Day weekend brought two visiting horses to our property. They arrived while we were at a horse show working the food stand. Nicole settled them in and I got home just as the owner was leaving. They just needed a spot for a month or two we were told. Friends of The Mans the owners are. The horses are smallish, just at that horse/pony line. When they arrived they had over-grown hooves and over-filled tummies. I worked with them at first, to try to get them used to being around people again. Sadly, I found the one to be extrememly pushy and at times willing to strike. They have been ignored for almost two years, left in the pasture, hidden from a divorce settlement.

News came earlier this week that they will be leaving on the 21st. My farrier is scheduled to come this weekend, but I still haven't heard if the owners want the visitors hooves trimmed. I hesitate to do it because they don't like to be caught, don't lead well and don't tie. So, I guess they can wait until the owner takes them, it's just a few more weeks.

On one hand it's sad to see a couple of horses ignored to this extreme, but on the other hand I have seen pictures of horses much worse off. The owner has her own farrier she trusts, a property she has had the opportunity to fence, and build a shelter on. While they were here they became accustomed to people again, and have slimmed down to a pleasantly plump status. They will have a good life when they leave.

Today marks the first lesson of the year for me. Classy and I will be heading over to the trainers for some pointers on proper riding.

Here's a picture of our birch tree in full color. Below is the fire pit where we sit and roast marshmellows, thus the chair and marshmellow spears.