Dispatches from a Carolina Barn

Waiting for the Inspectors...Maybe

2006-03-23T07:32:00.000-05:00

The county inspectors have to come and inspect the initial work before the workers can put down the concrete floor. The barn contractor had me peer down into the holes for the footers. He showed me the concrete circle blocks he put down in the holes. The inspectors are coming just to see if there are concrete circles in the holes. That's it! That's all they have to do.

Hopefully, the inspectors will come today. But the contractor said sometimes it takes them a week. I sure hope not! Otherwise, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...take matters into her own hands!

A Real Carolina Barn

2006-03-22T10:14:00.000-05:00

The workers are here! Finally! Here is a photo of the lumber. I'll keep everyone posted!

Rainy Tuesday

2006-03-21T07:58:00.000-05:00

Lots of rain, which means the workers can't work on the barn today. My Mom said to look on the bright side. We really need the rain, and the flowers will be bountiful this spring.

Memories of White Horses

2006-03-20T09:13:00.000-05:00

White Horses

Count the white horses you meet on the way,
Count the white horses, child day after day,
Keep a wish ready for wishing - if you
Wish on the ninth horse, your wish will come true.

I saw a white horse at the end of the lane,
I saw a white horse canter down by the shore,
I saw a white horse that was drawing a wain,
And one drinking out of a trough: that made four.

I saw a white horse gallop over the down,
I saw a white horse looking over a gate,
I saw a white horse on the way into town,
And one on the way coming back: that made eight.

But oh for the ninth one: where he tossed his mane,
And cantered and galloped and whinnied and swished
His silky white tail, I went looking in vain,
And the wish I had ready could never be wished."

Count the white horses you meet on the way,
Count the white horses, child, day after day,
Keep a wish ready for wishing - if you
Wish on the ninth horse, your wish will come true."

-ELEANOR FARJEON

Discovering Ponies in My Past

2006-03-19T09:48:00.000-05:00

I was going through boxes that had been packed in storage yesterday. I came across my baby booties and a baby photo. It made me think of the lullaby my Mom used to sing to me. My Mom said it is called, "All the Pretty Little Ponies." It is a song written by Kenny Loggins. I like discovering ponies in my past.

Hush a bye
Don't you cry
Go to sleep my little baby
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies

In your bed
Momma said
Baby's riding off to dreamland
One by one
They've begun
Dance and prance for little baby

Blacks and bays
Dapples and greys
Running in the night
When you wake
You shall have
All the pretty little ponies

Can you see the little ponies
Dance before your eyes
All the pretty little ponies
Will be there when you arise

Knuckles

2006-03-17T21:31:00.000-05:00

Have you ever played the card game, "Knuckles?" I love this card game, and I am quite good at it. In fact, I just played my Mom for a couple of hours, and I won all the games, except one! We also played Rummy, Cheat, Dutch Nag, and Italian Donkey.

Here is a good website to learn new card games or review the rules of games you already know. Card Games

Waiting

2006-03-16T07:54:00.000-05:00

I am getting impatient waiting for the barn contractor to show up. He had promised he would start this week on the barn. Then he changed it to late in the week. Here is is Thursday. I got up early to see if the barn contractor and his crew were here. No one yet. Maybe I should go back to bed?

It calls for rain on Sunday and Monday. That will mean more delays. The place where I board Sailor wants him to leave because they have other horses waiting to take his place. Poor Sailor is in a pen by himself.

The barn contractor's secretary has this blog address. If you are reading this, would you please, please make sure I am next on his list? Thanks!

Equine Careers

2006-03-15T11:08:00.000-05:00

I have been reading a lot about equine careers lately. Here are some very cool, but unusual equine jobs that maybe you haven't thought of before.

1. Artist/designer for Breyer horses and animals. Someone has to design and make all those horse models! I wonder if they get paid well because the models are so expensive!

2. Riding clothes designer. As riders, we all need functional riding clothes. We also want them to look nice, too.

3. A mounted park ranger. You are probably all familiar with park rangers at your local state or national park. But some parks are so big or have acres of remote areas that require the rangers to ride horses to get around.

4. Olympic team groomers. You'd get front row seats at the Olympic equestrian events! Not to mention getting to hang out with all those super trained horses.

5. Sports commentator. You have to know something about horses in order to be a commentator for horse shows. There would be a lot of traveling with job, which would be a big plus.

Fun Birthday

2006-03-14T07:21:00.000-05:00

I had a fun birthday yesterday. I opened a few presents around noon. All horse stuff for Sailor! I went to visit Sailor to try on his new halter. It was too big. I will have to return it for a smaller size. I also tried on a bridle and new bit I had for another horse I used to ride. The bridle didn't fit exactly right, but the barn manager helped me to add holes to the bridle.

Then, my Mom took me on a Mystery Ride. We went to visit a private barn in town. My Mom has a friend who boards 4 horses at the barn. There were quite a few horses. I enjoyed seeing them all.

There was one horse there that was so sad. She is owned by someone who seldom visits her. The owner sold off her paddock mate, and now she is even more depressed. The horse is somewhat skitterish, but I talked with her. She finally allowed me to get closer, and then she allowed me to pet her head. My Mom's friend couldn't believe the horse allowed me to pet her. I can't imagine having a horse and not visiting it.

My Mom got me a birthday cake, too. I waited until 11:30 PM when my Dad got home to cut it. It was a delicious cake! Four layers--two chocolate and two gold. Custard in between the layers, and LOTS of whipped cream. Some frosting, too! The frosting was pink, light blue, light lavender, and light yellow streaks that looked like confetti.

Jess and Liza, come on over for a piece! There is lots left!

Happy Birthday

2006-03-13T06:38:00.000-05:00

Today's post is brought to you by Elizabeth's family. Elizabeth is 12 years old today! We want to wish Elizabeth a very Happy Birthday today and many more!
We love you, Elizabeth!

Equine Workshops

2006-03-12T09:23:00.000-05:00

I went to an equine workshop that was sponsored by Purina Mills at our country local feed and seed store. The Purina man brought several horses to the workshop and showed us his training techniques. The workshop lasted for 3 hours! They also gave away door prizes, and I won some prizes! A horse calendar, some leather cleaning samples, some sponges, and coupons for feed. It was great.

If you go to the Purina Mills site, you can find out when workshops are coming to your area. They have a map with a workshop locator. There is also other useful information about horses on their site.
Check it out!

Mountain Biking

2006-03-11T08:07:00.000-05:00

I love to ride my bike. I ride just about every day. I made sure my summer camps offered mountain biking because I love to ride. It is almost as fun as riding Sailor, but not quite.

Anyone else like mountain biking?

Climb, Baby, Climb

2006-03-10T08:40:00.000-05:00

I have had a busy week. How about you? My Mom has been sick, so I have tried to help her out more. I have done a lot of research on summer camps and filling out papers.

One camp I am going to is a high adventure camp. Rock climbing is one of the activities. I have never done it before. Ever sign up for something and later wondered what you were thinking? But I decided if this baby can climb, so can I! Somehow I don't think it will be quite so easy!

So, who has been climbing?

In the Round Pen

2006-03-08T18:13:00.000-05:00

Here is a photo of me lunging Sailor. He is responding a lot better. I am very happy with his progress. Sailor is very willing and a quick learner.

Summer camp

2006-03-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

I am already thinking about summer. I love going to summer camps. How about you? What kind of camps do you like to go to? Have you ever been to summer camp?

I am going to two academic camps this year. I am also looking for a good adventure camp. I want to try whitewater rafting, backpacking, and mountain biking. If you know of any good camps, please post! I might also go to an arts camp, if I can find one that has what I want.

Liza and Jess---are you going to camp some place this year? It would be a blast to end up at the same camp.

Smooth Sailor Boy

2006-03-06T21:44:00.000-05:00

I got to ride on Saturday! Y-E-S! It was the first Saturday in weeks that it didn't rain. Here is a photo I took of Sailor grazing. His registered name is Smooth Sailor Boy.

I am impatiently waiting for our new barn to be built. The contractor should be here next week. I hope they start next Monday because Monday is my birthday. A new barn being built would be a great birthday present!

Best Thing about Italy

2006-03-03T08:26:00.000-05:00

The best thing about Italy is the food! I love pasta! My mother is going to teach me how to make homemade pasta. I think it will be fun!

I love to make pizzelles. We have a pizzelle maker. It looks almost like a waffle maker. I made pizzelles for a potluck dinner we went to last month. They were delicious!

Here is a pizzelle recipe.
INGREDIENTS:
6 eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder

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DIRECTIONS:
In a medium bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer until light. Add the sugar, butter, lemon zest and vanilla, mix well. Stir in the flour and baking powder.
Heat pizzelle iron. Drop batter by teaspoonfuls onto the center of the patterns, close the lid and cook for about 30 seconds. Test the cooking time on the first one, because temperatures may vary. Remove cookies carefully from the iron and cool on wire racks.

Scalinata di Spagna

2006-03-02T08:13:00.000-05:00

Here is another interesting place in Rome. These steps are called, "The Spanish Steps." The steps are located between the Piazza di Spagna (piazza means the town square) and the Trinita dei Monti church above it. There are 138 steps because I counted them when I was there. The steps are very steep, so your legs get tired by the time you get to the top. That is IF you can get to the top. Sometimes the steps are jam-packed with people.

The Spanish Steps are not that old for Rome. It took two years to build them (1723-1725). Francesco De Sanctis designed the steps.

Fontana di Trevi

2006-03-01T07:57:00.000-05:00

Italy is a beautiful country to visit. I loved going to Italy last year. This is a photo of the Trevi Fountain in Rome. The legend is that whoever drinks from it (I don't think so--the water isn't exactly clean!) or throws a coin in the fountain will return to Rome. You should toss the coin over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

I threw a coin in because I hope to return one day. My mother signed us up for Italian language lessons. The teacher is from Rome! The class hasn't started yet. I am looking forward to it!

Got the Beat?

2006-02-28T07:30:00.000-05:00

Today I have drum lessons. I love playing the drums. It may look easy, but it takes a lot of practice to play well. You have to be coordinated because you are playing different beats with each arm and foot. I am tired after I practice!

When we first got our drum set we didn't have mutes to soften the sound. The sound was VERY LOUD! The drums were so loud that you could hear them from quite a distance. The mutes have helped, but they make it more difficult to play. You have to hit the drums somewhat differently.

My teacher is very strict about playing the rests and getting the beat just right. He always says, "If the drummer is off, the whole band is off." Next time you are listening to music, you should pay attention to the drums! You might be surprised at how much it adds to the song.

Time

2006-02-27T07:46:00.000-05:00

Would someone explain to me why time flies over the weekend, but can drag during the school week? This is how it is for me. How about you?

The highlight of my weekend was when I went to see Sailor on Saturday. He was really glad to see me. I didn't get to ride him because it was raining hard. It rained for most of the weekend. I can't wait until our barn is built, so I can take him home. The barn should start going up in 2 weeks!

What does Math have to do with Horses?

2006-02-24T21:01:00.000-05:00

(Click on the graphic and watch the tails!)

I asked my vet yesterday if she used math on the job. Guess what she said? YES!

Here are the Top 10 reasons an equine vet needs to know math.

1. Uses scientific methods and math skills to solve problems.
2. Needs to add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
3. Must know how to use decimals because those pesky decimal points are very important when it comes time to give animals medicine. I have a friend whose mom gave their Corgi puppy the wrong dosage due to a decimal point error, and the puppy died!
4. Weigh animals in order to figure out the appropriate amount of medicine and food.
5. Needs math to administer anesthesia, amount of blood, IV fluids, etc.
6. Calculate appropriate amounts of food.
7. Nutritional analysis.
8. Figure out how much seed and fertilizer you need for pastures.
9. Lots of math in genetics and breeding.
10.Building---the clinic, the barns, the fencing, etc.

Want to add to my list?

Operating Room

2006-02-23T07:25:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen an operating room for horses? It is amazing! I spent some time at an equine clinic today, and took the above photo. Sometimes when the vet puts the horse under before surgery the horse ends up lying down on the wrong side or in an inconvenient position for the vet to work. The vet has to have a way of moving the horse easily. That is what the ropes and pulleys are for! Also, the IV bags are quite large and need to be placed high above the horse.

I'll be posting more photos of the equine clinic. Check back and have a look!

Bad hair day

2006-02-22T18:23:00.000-05:00

It rained here all day. It was so foggy that when we went by the lake we couldn't even see the water. This type of weather makes for a really bad hair day, even for horses!

The Perfect horse

2006-02-21T16:45:00.000-05:00

Have you ever thought about the Perfect Horse looks like? Most of us probably have an image in our heads. Perhaps a majestic black stallion with a flowing mane and tail? Or a golden palomino mare with perfectly smooth gaits and a chiseled face? But I don't think that is the Perfect Horse. I think the Perfect Horse is less of a fantasy and more of a teacher and friend.

The Perfect Horse isn't necessarily stunningly beautiful. He's probably gotten a few scars and dings from life. He's probably been hurt, but has lived through it. Maybe he's been scared but overcame it, and is ready to teach his rider to do the same. The Perfect Horse does not just ride in a round pen or arena. He will let you feel what it's like to gallop through the pasture, trot over mountain trails, or play tag on horseback.

The Perfect Horse has problems, too. He will teach you to deal with them. The Perfect Horse knows that you can't learn to be a skilled horsewoman if everything goes your way. He will buck you off when you deserve it, but wait patiently for you to get back on. Yes, I deserved it. : )

The Perfect Horse will challenge you. But he will only challenge you as much as you are ready to handle. He will teach you that you still have more to learn.