NaReViMo painting plan

I met my friend, Trisha, through a penpal ad in Breyer's Just About Horses magazine. At the time, I was a student at Colorado State University. However, I used my California address because that I did not know when the ad would be published. As it turned out, that was a good call. The ad ran while I was home for the summer between my freshman and sophomore years.

I got a lot of responses, the most exciting of which came from another nineteen year old college student. Her name was Trisha, and she lived on her parents' Arabian horse farm in Wellington, just twelve miles north of the CSU campus.

I answered her immediately. She responded in kind, and by the time I returned to Colorado in the fall, we were already fast friends.

For the next three school years, I spent all my weekends at her house.

Which meant, I spent all my weekends surrounded by grey Arabians.

There were so many of them.

There were a couple chestnuts in the mix - hello Charity! - and later, at least one bay.

For the most part, however, that was an extremely grey herd.

Last month, I bought a herd of Shirmar Arabian models from Trisha's mother's estate sale. When I decided to paint one os the Zaras for this year's National Retro Vintage Month, there was no doubt in my mind as to what color she would be.

This particular Zara was one of the stagecoach horses.

She was a bright red bay with a large star and snip...

and three white feet.

I took numerous pictures of her in her original state. To the best of my ability, I'm planning to keep those markings.

Here's how she looks after one full day of painting.

There's still a long way to go, but progress is progress! This is totally happening!

NaReViMo week two

Today was the last day of the first week of NaReViMo.

It's been a busy week at work,

at the barn...

and especially, at home.

Also, my injured thumb continues to be a problem.

I've been slowly picking away at prepping, but for all intents and purposes, my model looks the same as she did at the beginning of the month.

No more!

This morning - after Gray and their friends left for the second time - I decided that even though she wasn't perfect, my horse was solidly good enough. Before I could change my mind, I picked up my paintbrush and dabbed on some paint.

I gave her the barest beginning of a basecoat. Then I headed off to work.

It's okay.

Tomorrow is a new day. This is totally happening.

(probably)

Milestones

August has been a month of milestones for Sage and I.

In just the first two weeks, she's had her first ride by someone other me,

her second ride by someone other than me,

her first ride outside the ring,

her first ride outside the ring with me...

and today was her first bareback ride.

I am so pleased with my little roany hony.

Also today, I noticed that my blog had reached a milestone of its own. 

Six thousand posts! That is so many.

I honestly don't know how I've stuck with it, but I'm glad I have, and I am thankful for every single person who has accompanied me on this very long, very wordy journey.

Sage's August milestones have been rewarded with treats.

The blog gets a giveaway. 

my prize, not yours

I haven't decided exactly what the prize package will be, but it will definitely include a full set of Jennifer Show medallions.

Also, a vintage Breyer or two, should the winner want that.

All the usual rules apply. Every comment left left on this blog during the entry period equals one raffle entry. Old post, new post, multiple posts, it just doesn't matter, but if you're posting anonymously, be sure to include your name. I will choose a winner on August 22.

Besties

After Kaffi moved out to the field, Luna took over his stall. Now she is Sage's neighbor.

They already knew each other from turnout and get along well.

Mostly.

Now, they're besties.

Mostly.

They're not so tightly bonded that fret and call to each other when separated, but more than often than not, when I go out to the field to catch them, they're together.

It's cute.

Our girls.

I'm so glad they have each other.

Life is better with a bestie.

Kaffi update

Last November, Karen hauled Kaffi to Littleton Equine for a full diagnostic work-up in regards to his frequent colic episodes.

The exam found ulcers, but offered no definitive answers. 

He came home - a bit later than expected - and was put on an intensive anti-ulcer regimen.

For a while - almost six months - it seemed like everything was going to be okay.

Then the colics started up again.

Oh, Kaffi.

It was obvious changes needed to be made. After a lot of discussion with the vet and barn owner, Karen moved him out of his stall and into full-time turnout in the gelding field. She'd actually tried this before, with less than ideal results. Still, desperate times call for desperate measures.

The good news is, this time it seems to be working.

He's buddied up with Linda's good boy, Dango, and has had only one minor episode all summer.

Karen is planning to bring him back into work this fall. Enjoy your vacation, little man. 

Red tree time is coming!