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!

Harnessing the past

I would be remiss if I didn't share pictures of the four harnesses that accompanied the Marie Welch stagecoach.

Alas, that is the only picture I have of the entire set. As Trish told me so many years ago, these harnesses were sewn onto the models. 

We took them off the bays, and now they're staying off, at least for the foreseeable future.

Instead, I tried to lay out the pieces of one of the harnesses in a way that made sense. It was harder than I expected!

I did a better job of capturing the details of the collars. 

The hames are made of hand-bent wood. Rather than relying on glue, the wire pieces are attached to the wood through tiny holes. 

Here's one of the other collars shown on the horse.

Remember, this was made decades before Rio Rondo. 

There is no mass produced, specialty hardware here.

It's all beads, jump rings and shaped wire.

Three of the Zaras have holes drilled in the corners of their mouths for ease of bitting.

The fourth Zara's bit is secured with a nearly invisible piece of thread.

Like Pecan's halter, most of the leather is stiff and brittle with age. The collar, the saddle, the blinders and the breeching are made of pleather and have fared significantly better. In fact, they look almost as good as new.

None of this is modern live show quality, but for its age, it's completely amazing. Trisha's grandmother was not a model horse hobbyist, but she was an accomplished horse woman and artist. Her work reflects her knowledge, ingenuity and attention to detail. I am honored to have it in my collection.