The older I become, the more horse crazy I get

Yesterday I let both girls out into my garden area to poke around while I was working there, which they don't have free access to. When I was done and was getting ready to put them back up, I literally only had to pick up the lead rope and Mary saw it from 20 feet away, and she immediately walked herself back into the pasture without me even having to move or intentionally train that as a cue. I really just haven't put that much thought into how much of a relationship we've built and how we can almost read each other's mind at this point, until having the direct comparison of a horse who's had a lot of reasons to not trust people.

I unfortunately got disgustingly sick immediately after Reba arrived and still haven't fully recovered, so she's just been chilling with Mary, but look at them big ole mule ears on such a petite lady.

New friend :) Reba is a little mule pony that came from a rescue that does law enforcement seizures. She's blind in her left eye from past trauma, and is low-key still feral. Her and Mary became instant friends. I'm looking forward to gaining her trust and embarking on this new project.

Mary has all of her basic skills down, she has no issues with the vet or farrier, and I can easily do any medical treatment without issue, so there hasn't been any pressing need to do anything, which I think has partially been why I haven't been motivated. I think it's also okay to go through phases and not push myself back into it just because.

🌝

We're all still alive, just chilling to try and survive the 90+ degree days here. The alpacas are obsessed with their fans lol

There was a murder overnight, and the prime suspect returned to the scene of the crime

Also the tank deicer was literally one of the best purchases of 2024 for me, not a hint of ice in the tank today, and it saves so much time, energy, and stress to not have to worry about them having access to water. Makes for much more leisurely mornings too, not having to jump out of bed to go break ice, especially since I put out enough hay that they have 24/7 forage.

Got shocked by our first snow for the winter yesterday. Super dry snow, which is unusual for here, and it was gone by the afternoon, but still came as a surprise

Still have some work to do, like caulking where the panels join and putting up a tarp perpendicular to the pallet wall so its more protected for our annual snow, but overall a big improvement I'm glad to get done right before we hit the cold rain season.

The rye grass is coming in strong, we love green grazing in late November

Exciting morning for the gal pals, they get the leftovers from a party veggie tray to forge for in the pasture

Sick with Covid for the very first time, but it does mean I get to catch the girls doing some hardcore mid day napping that normally only occurs when I'm at work

I guess Google's AI will automatically generate "cinematic" photos in my gallery, and I can't with how stupidly funny this one is

Sat down on the railing while filling the water trough, Mary immediately comes up and puts her head in my lap 💕

Found this photo of my great aunt from the early sixties, such a vibe