Back to basics

As far as model horse tackmaking goes, there's nothing more basic than a plain leather stable halter.

I wish I knew how many halters I've made and sold over the years.  I'm sure it's at least a couple hundred!

You would think that I'd be tired of making halters, but the opposite is true.  Even after all these years, I'm fascinated by the simple elegance of a nice stable halter.  Today's halter belongs to Erika.  I hope she likes it as much as I do!

Sweet treats

A couple weeks ago, Nichelle wrote a pair of posts about making miniature horse treats.

Predictably, I fell in love with the peppermints.  I told her as much, and she was kind enough to make some for me.  Here they are:

Both the horses and I love these peppermints. 

Thank you so much, Nichelle!

Phew!

I survived the middle school field trip and I finished Laura's traditional scale pony huntseat set.

Laura wanted a two tone jumper type saddle with very forward flaps.  

That didn't sound terribly complicated, but I had all sorts of trouble getting the pattern right.  At one point, I was afraid that it wasn't ever going to work.  Fortunately, my persistence paid off, and I'm quite pleased with the way this saddle turned out.

I also like the bridle, especially the padding which matches the saddle's seat and padded flaps. 

I'm so glad to have this one in the finished column.  This has been a very eventful week, and I'm looking forward to a little downtime this weekend.

Happy ending

Sacred's baby is one week old today.

He celebrated the occasion with his brand... 

new...

mama! 

This mare's foal contracted joint ill and was euthanized yesterday.  Strangely enough, she wasn't biologically related to that foal either.  She belongs to a embryo transfer program and earns her keep by carrying and raising other mare's foals. 

Our little dude is just delighted with her.  He says, "269 is mine!"  

I'm chaperoning a sixth grade field trip tomorrow, so I probably won't make it out to the barn.  I'll miss spending time with the little guy, but I don't think he'll notice.

He's got a brand new mama, and she's got everything under control.

Rerun day

For all intents and purposes, today was just a rerun of yesterday.  I got up, got the kids off to school and headed out to the barn.  I checked in with the baby...

rode Mystyc... 

and checked in with the baby again. 

When I was finally able to pry myself away from the baby...

I drove home and went straight to work.

Here's looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow!

If...

this...

wasn't so darn cute... 

this... 

would have been finished today!

The orphan chronicles

It's been an eventful couple days for this little orphan foal.

He was started on milk replacer immediately after his mother died.  Rather than bottle feeding him, his owner opted to use a wall mounted igloo cooler that was donated by the Longhopes Donkey Shelter.  

 

This has worked really well.

Since he looked so alone in that great big foaling stall, his barn family assembled a group of toys.

 We all wanted him to like the teddy bear... 

but he's far more interested in the ball and cones.

Everyone has been pitching in to help with his care...

and training.

He especially likes playing with the kids... 

in the indoor arena. 

Yesterday a nurse mare was located and brought to Kenlyn.  Unfortunately, she hasn't been cooperative.

It's possible she'll come around, but for now, he remains an orphan.

It's not the best case scenario, but with this much love and attention...

I think he's going to be okay.

Weekend show report

The tooled English saddle made its live show debut this weekend at the prestigious Mid-Atlantic Regional Horse Show (MAR) in Sudlersville, Maryland.

Owner, Niki Hertzog used it on her beautiful head down Palouse, Expensive Confetti.

With a doll made by Anne Field and a bridle by Niki herself...

Expensive Confetti trotted her way... 

to a Reserve Championship in the Open Performance Division. 

She was just as impressive on day two, winning a first in Huntseat Pleasure, second in Hunter, first in Games, and fourth in Dressage.

Champion!

Congratulations, Niki, and thanks for making our tack look so good!

Fragile

Yesterday, Sacred and her baby were turned out to enjoy the beautiful spring weather.

They were the picture of health and happiness. 

Sadly, Sacred colicked during the wee hours of this morning. She didn't make it. 

Baby is doing well so far, but everyone is heartbroken.

Life is so fragile. Cross your fingers for the little guy. He's going to need all the luck he can get.

Sacred's baby

I am falling behind on my tackmaking, so I decided not to ride yesterday.  Instead, I headed to the barn, with camera in hand, thinking I'd work Mystyc in the round pen, take a few photos and call it good.

That plan lasted all of two minutes. 

I'd barely stepped out of my car when one of my friends saw me and said, "Sacred's having her baby right now."

I sprinted to the barn, and discovered that Sacred had, in fact, just had her baby.

He was still wet but determined to get to his feet.

That's not going to work! 

Before he stood up, Sarah gave us all a chance to touch his soft little baby feet.  

With a little help...

he got the legs mostly under control.

It took him a lot longer to figure out how to nurse... 

but eventually, he got that done, too.

First poop! 

When all the new baby milestones were complete, he lay down for his first big nap.

I cannot lie--I wanted to lie down next to him and spoon him. 

Seriously.  Have you ever seen anything this cute? 

We took turns taking pictures with him.

and then let him have some time alone with his mama.

All told, my "short barn day" ended up running well over the four hour mark.  

I really do need to work on that bridle today, but first, I'm going to make a quick trip to the barn.