Elephant Quilt

Elephant Quilt in progress Trying to decide about a background ... I originally planned for the viney dark, but the elephant gets lost. I didn't like the white when I first laid it out, but in the picture I kind of like it. Now I'm thinking maybe an off-white background tone-on-tone and then heavily quilt swirls in a deep red color. This part will be the center of the piece and then 2" strips in random lengths all around the edges from all of the fabrics used in the elephant. Maybe 12 x 12 blue medallions in the corners too.

Postscript added 1/22/2013 >>> what about this? I like it.

Pinta Circling Mighty

This week Ally and Merri came out on Saturday and we saddled both horses. I've been working on the ground with long lines and having Mighty stand solid and then have Pinta sidepass until they are 4' apart. That's about the limit Mighty can tolerate before moving away even if Pinta is being completely polite. She has a powerful energy which pushes him away. Today Ally and I started by Ally walking wherever she chose and Pinta and I trotted around and around them as he walked. She started with a very swishy tail and quite a bit of ear flattening, but after a bit she relaxed and then we did head-on meetings on both sides and Ally and I could reach and touch one another. These are great changes! Merri filmed and Pippi sat next to her and watched. It was beautiful in gorgeous sun.

Day 2 Herd

The horses are getting the idea of the routine this morning. They were all quite ready to be put out and buddy-up. Phoebe was relaxed and went right out for a good roll. Pinta ran around to meet up with Obie and I was quite amused. Mighty is more interested in the human ... always a nice attitude!

The Happy Herd

We turned all five out together today ... and they did just fine. The first few minutes were exciting because Phoebe was freaking that Emi might get away from her ... but then they all settled down and everyone had a good roll in the snow and took off for the far end of the pasture to socialize. Calmly :)

Mighty and Pinta Trail Together

Julie and I took Mighty and Pinta across the big wheat field down to the river. We were warm in lots of layers and neck cowls pulled up over our ears. Great day!

Mighty's First Saturday

Last week was Mighty's first Saturday. I decided it might be best if Pinta and Mighty went out together in the pasture and Shiloh spent her time talking and petting them from the inside of the corral. Then no matter what shenanigans they decided to perform, she would always be on the other side of the panels. She thoroughly enjoys climbing up and down the panels ... and since it is cold and frozen and she is wearing her leather riding boots ... I am always worrying that she might slip. Thus far this has not happened and she frequently tells me that she is being very careful. Mighty is quite friendly and enjoying all of the attention he is getting.

After an hour or so I brought Mighty into the smaller paddock by himself and Shi stood next to Pinta's small-hole-hay-net to begin the process of teaching him how to tease out the strands of hay from the bag. He's got to learn that it takes finesse with his lips, not brute force with his teeth ... lol. Shi loves feeding the horses small handfuls of pieces of hay. She stood for at least half an hour and pulled small bits of hay out of the net and fed him, and then pulled small loops of hay out of the net and let him pull them out. He was quite happy. Eventually we saddled Pinta and Shi rode down the road and back, but by then the wind picked up and we were both cold so we didn't go far. A good day.

Shiloh's First Official Race Pics

Shiloh's first race! Nomi has the details, but I loved these pictures.