Feb. 10th, 2008

Greetings from the Stables,

 So much to write about that I don't know where to start. Brevity was never one of my faults, so here goes.

My treasured wedding ring has been found. Jennifer and I had searched for it several days without luck. Used a metal detector, grid searches and so on but just couldn't find it. Then one day after the late feeding, Jennifer found the ring, in plain view, just before climbing the steps to the deck. A place searched many times over and over. And today it is there as if someone placed it there for her to find. We were joyous but bewildered. It brought to mind a story. When Matt was young, I taught him how good a dog's sense of smell was by rubbing a marked rock in my palms and throwing it in the gravel drive for Sarge to fetch. He would always return with the marked rock. We think he scented and found the ring, grew tired of playing with it and dropped it. The ring was coated with what we assumed was dog slime. What a dog,,,good dog. That is our story and we are sticking to it. I promise to be more careful in the future.

It is a super cold night with wind chills expected below zero. Most of the horses are in stalls for the night and probably until Tuesday afternoon. Matt and I worked in the barn Monday and prepared a stall just for Dar. So he now has his own stall.  It is the first one on the left as you enter the breezeway. That now gives us the ability to stall eight horses at a time. We plan to split one of the foaling stalls to make it nine in the near future. Please remember that the cost for inside boarding is an extra $2.50 for any part of a calendar day.

I have been negotiating with David Pepper regarding leasing more land from him. We have agreed upon a price for two more acres to the east of the riding arena. The fencing will start as soon as the weather cooperates with two new turn out stalls to follow in the spring. It will be about a year before I can let horses on the field. We have to give it time to establish a good root system.

I bought some old grass hay from David for Pal. I tried him on the alfalfa but it was too rich for his system. I am supplementing him with rice brand oil and oats. He will soon be moving to the barn lot and arena so he is kept away from the eventual green up. I am so proud of the way he is moving. Ron Bryson, the farrier said his feet do not look like a foundered horse's feet. So, if any of you know of someone that has a foundered horse that has trouble walking, let them know I might be able to help.

Recently ordered the last six round bales of hay I put on hold last fall. So, pray for a nice spring with lush grass growth. I also have to fertilize the pastures next month. I will put the horses up and in the riding arena so they will not be effected by the fertilizer.

That is about all that is new from the Stables end. Matt is recovering from a dislocated knee. Taking physical therapy twice a week for four to six weeks. He dislocated it at Tai Kwon Do. We are hoping for good news when it is over. I have surgery on my right hand on Tuesday in Louisville. They are correcting a problem called trigger finger. No joke, that is what it is called. So, a word to the main man is in order. Keep me in your prayers and Jennifer too for taking care of an old cowboy.

Happy Trails,

Richard, Jennifer and Matt

News Letter Archives

December 8th and 10th 2007

December 25th 2007

January 18th 2008