A Good Weekend...

[equusmaximus]

We dodged another bullet this weekend as the heavy snowfall that had been predicted never made it here, though I hear Calgary got quite a dumping. We got a dusting, and there were a few moments when it was coming down fast enough to make for nearly white-out conditions, but the overall amount was minimal and much of it melted on contact.

Comments

[calzephyr77]

It really wasn't that bad here - maybe an inch or two of snow. But it's the same as everywhere - people forget how to drive!

[equattraction]

The picture of Donna running in the snow is exactly like it is right now ... which is very unusual for this time of the year. Some of the drifts around the buildings and arena are two feet or more. My horses are not blanketed and are growing very heavy coats. The big problem is snowballs on their feet when they come in. It is a challenge to make them walk slowly when they are anxious to get at their feed. I remember J-bar slipping and falling down half way into his stall and struggling to get on his feet. I also remember Nanook slipping and landing on the phone table beside the front door. It was a real mess. You don't have that problem because your horses are lucky enough to be outside all the time. I wish mine were. I am a winter person. I used to love riding Cass in the snow and making figure-eights and serpentines. It was more fun than riding in a dusty old indoor arena. My boarders from the city don't agree! Do you know about Skijoring? That is when you get somebody on a horse to pull you around on skis. It is lots

[equusmaximus]

I've always thought it would be great fun to get a little cutter and have the horses pull it. I made a set of sleigh-bells for PoohBear and Dirk years ago, and they really do jingle beautifully when they're prancing around. The predicted snow-storms have not materialized here so far, and in fact we had a chinook-like wind today that pretty much evaporated a great deal of what little snow we had.

I'm pleased to say that although it's obvious that Bonnie's hooves are still sore, there is a noticeable improvement in her movement already. I still need to take off more, but I don't want to take off too much at once. I still need to buy another bottle of Coppertox to keep up with the treatment.

[equattraction]

I hope you do get into driving some day. The horses would love it, and so would you and your kids. The pony breeder north of here trains driving ponies, and has a large, mowed, driving field. I was there a year or so ago and saw my hired man drive their top stallion. It was quite a sight. I wanted to buy one of their ponies right away. My big horse, Cass, was trained to drive cutters and show buggies, and won lots of ribbons. He loved it. I hope you do get into driving as soon as you get the time. I bet your oldest daughter would be a terrific driver, too. She would be a show stopper!

[equusmaximus]

Miniature horses tend to fall into two categories: the more refined ones that look like miniature Arabians, and the stockier ones that are like little draft horses. While the refined ones are more elegant, I prefer the stockier ones. Circle-J Miniatures near Cochrane has an eight-horse-hitch pulling a miniature UFA wagon in full harness and regalia; it's just as awesome a sight (and sound) as their full-sized counterparts. :)

I'd love to get a matching team together someday, even if only a pair. If I entered them in parades drawing a wagon with the company logo on it, I could even write off a lot (if not all) of their expenses as "advertising". ;)

I've been looking at my fields and thinking about where I could work at putting in a driving track and/or arena. I've wanted to get into driving pretty much as long as I've had the minis, but (as always) it's a matter of finding the time to do so. Back in the city, it was also a matter of having room, but now with my own farm, I have plenty of that. :)

[equattraction]

I have been to Circle-J and you are right. A team of heavy-horse miniatures would be perfect for you. Go for it.

[moonscream]

Dick Van Dyke is what is known as a 'triple threat' (singer-dancer-actor) in Hollywood, so that ain't no fill-in. Remember he was also Burt in Mary Poppins, a role which required a lot of singing and dancing. And now 'Jolly Holiday' is stuck in my head...

Last year the reality show Hollywood Treasures had the car from Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang at auction, and asked him to help with publicity. Alas, even with all the publicity, the seller wanted at least a million and it had no takers.