Happy Birthday Bear and the Big Boys Play

We had more gorgeous weather this weekend, with our streak of 70’s and sunshine continuing. We are getting really spoiled with the weather the last few weeks. It was a great weekend for being outside and everyone on the farm, people and animals, were smiling.

Today (Sunday) was Bear’s 10th birthday. He certainly doesn’t act any differently than he did when he was two! Bear celebrated his birthday in style. He had some pieces of ham and steak for his birthday dinner and of course followed that up with a piece of cake. I must add it was a tiny piece of cake as Jason was very opposed to him having any at all. What a party pooper.

Bear didn’t need to make a wish because he gets everything he wants anyway! Well, he was trying to eat the cake while Jason held him back so maybe he doesn’t get everything he wants.

Bear eating his token piece of cake while Gracie the cat looks on. Bear takes after me and he looooves cake! Gracie thought she wanted cake as well so we gave her some, but she didn’t eat it.

The Big Boys are often a source of entertainment and today was no exception. Leo and Thomas were having a grand time playing with each other and running around. I see all of the horses running and playing from time to time, but none of the others have extended run and play sessions like the Big Boys have sometimes. I happened to have my camera with me and captured some of it on video. Unfortunately the sun was close to setting so the picture quality is a bit grainy due to the lack of light. I think you can get the gist of how much fun they were having though! Overall it was a very pleasant weekend, and hopefully this week will bring more of the same.

Leo and Thomas are our playful duo. At about 32 seconds they trot across the pasture together. I would NOT want to be the judge of that hack class! At 2:50 they gallop around the field again, and at 3:15 Levendi joins them while they run. At the very end we also see Homer, Chance and Elfin.

Mr. O’Reilly and Chili grazing together. O’Reilly is an Irish bred gelding who showed in the jumpers. Chili is a Quarter Horse gelding who worked cattle and was also an excellent trail horse in the Colorado mountains.

Snappy; Snappy is a Polish bred gelding who competed through the four star level in eventing with the famous rider Mark Todd of New Zealand. Snappy was then sold to a rider in the U.S. and crashed at a cross country jump (rider error). After having tendon surgery on both front legs after the crash Snappy began a new career in the hunters. He won a lot, including being champion of the World Champion Hunter Rider Children’s Hunter final at the Capitol Challenge Horse Show.

Lightening; Lightening is an Arabian and is a retired trail riding partner.

Cuff Links grazing and acting as the lookout while Harmony naps. Cuffie is a Welsh pony and is a retired pony hunter. Harmony is a Thoroughbred and retired polo pony.

Harmony was sleeping hard and looked like she was smiling, I could see all of her teeth.

I disturbed her nap and she was giving me a really groggy look here; she was not happy with my intrusion!

MyLight; MyLight is a Thoroughbred mare and is retired from dressage.

Missy; Missy is a Quarter Horse pony and worked at a dude ranch for most of her life. She was repaid for her service by being sent to a kill buyer. Thankfully the family that owns her now rescued her and she taught one of their daughters how to ride.

Buffy; Buffy is a Thoroughbred mare and retired show hunter.

Trillion; Trillion is a Dutch Warmblood and showed in the Regular Working Hunters. He won everyshere and at one point was the top horse in the country in the Regulars. He was circuit champion at places like the Winter Equestrian Festival. We joke that Trillion reminds us of Winnie the Pooh and he should walk around hugging a Honey Pot.

The dogs heading down the driveway to the barn. Back to front we have Bugle, Bear, Bella and Trooper.

Leo; Leo is a Dutch Warmblood who showed through 4th level in dressage before becoming a show hunter.

Trigger and Baby; Trigger is an Appendix Quarter Horse and Baby is a Thoroughbred/Dutch Warmblood cross. Both are retired show hunters.

Traveller; Traveller is a Welsh pony cross and retired from the pony hunters.

#bear #happybirthday #herddynamics #video