Sunday, March 29, 2009

Hoofball, Bronchitis, and Sunday Stills

I've been a bit tied up the past couple weekends so haven't participated in Sunday Stills, but this week's assignment was easy enough. Landscapes. Oh, I'm sure there are those who've gone all out and captured some totally amazing shots. Me? Well...here's how the day went:

Darling and I were out of bed early and headed north to a hoofball clinic. This was designed to help both horse and rider get the feel of moving around one of those big balls and then transferring the movements later to a cow. Now, it ain't no hydra bull, that's for sure, but Sandy took to it immediately and the clinician commented time and again what a great work ethic this little horse had, and what fun he was.

Steve Holt! no doubt would have enjoyed pushing the ball around, too. Or at least I would have. And we were all saddled up, ready to go, when he blew the most gigantic booger out of his nose that I've ever seen. Thick and yellow and dangling a good four to five inches below his muzzle. I quickly wiped it up and wondered just what to do about that. Certainly didn't want to be exposing others to some sort of snorkiness. He gave a little cough, and within a minute blew a second one out that I swear was worse than the first. Back out to the trailer we went where I found a towel and cleaned him up a bit. I loaded him into the trailer and promptly called the vet.

Steve Holt! had had a bit of a runny nose prior to leaving for Oregon and I'd wondered if I needed the vet then. But heck, we all had colds that week with the weather swinging from mild back to cold and damp, and I couldn't imagine what they could do for a cold. I'd contemplated calling the Mustang Heritage Foundation, but would they say to me, "Keep him home if he's got a cold?" Probably not. But in retrospect I probably should have had the vet out earlier rather than later. Of course...it was probably just a cold then.

But now? Now it's bronchitis. A full week of antibiotics twice a day and two weeks of no riding.


Steve Holt! needs bed rest...


By mid afternoon I still hadn't gotten my Sunday Still shot. I'd been sent a link to a Crates saddle about 90 minutes south of me, and the price was decent so Darling and I took off as soon as we unloaded the horses at home. It rained. It poured. The drive was miserable and the saddle not quite what I was looking for, so we returned empty handed.

Back home, we found Jethro and Gusty out playing. Not inside the sheep pen, mind you, as the rails are spaced perfectly for big sheep, but little explorers can easily escape. Catching bouncing lambs is not an easy task. However, smart they are not, so when the climbed into the horse trailer they were trapped and Darling easily snagged them both.


After lambs were back with mum, horses fed and watered, Steve Holt!'s antibiotics mixed into his grain (which, btw, he doesn not like to eat), I finally took a deep breath and looked out over the pasture as the sun was fading behind me. Which is where I spotted the perfect Sunday Still Landscape shot. Or the only one, as the case may be.


The top of Stewart Mt is once again covered in a blanket of snow.
Winter can go away now.


Hoofball, the video:


17 comments:

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Hoofball! What fun! You guys looked great!

Poor Steve Holt!. Sure hope he feels better soon. :)

~Lisa

ps. Great lambie action shot...and landscape, too.

gtyyup said...

Awww poor SH...gotta give him credit for being such a trooper at the Expo though.

Nice lamb shot as well as your beautiful mountain shot...hope your week goes better Tracey.

froglander said...

Love the capture the lambs shot!

Playing with that big soccer ball looked like fun and Sandy looked good :)

I hope SH! gets to feeling better and cooperates about taking his meds!

WhimsybyMari said...

I hope your horse feels better soon. The mountain shot was glorious and the perfect shot.

Flo said...

First, I love that the horse is named Steve Holt! I think that's great. Second, you got some fabulous pictures and the scenery is great!! Good job.

Mine is up over at my photo blog.

J9 said...

I have weeks like this too, but dealing with suburban issues instead of escaping lambs and snuffly horses! I like your lanscape shot with the framing!

Kelly said...

What a day! Glad you were able to squeeze us in!

Andrea said...

Beautiful shot of the mountains in the background! :)

wilsonc said...

My husband is interested in trying to work cattle. I think I'll show him your video. This might be a good way to start.

Mrs. Mom said...

Give Steve Holt! a rub from us, and let him know he has a huge fan club hoping he gets better and fast!

Loved the mountain view. I miss seeing hills... *sigh*

The Wife said...

Beautiful landscape shot!

Fantastyk Voyager said...

What a big ball! What size is it? I wonder what my horses would do if they saw that?

CTG Ponies said...

Very nice pic! Sorry to hear that Steve Holt is under the weather.

MariesImages said...

Beautiful landscape & horse images!

Jen Mo said...

Some great shots!!! Love the mountain view!

Angie @ thejunkranch said...

Love the landscape shot...hope SH! gets well quickly, but I did have to laugh a little with your description of the giant booger.
Too, Darling reminds me so much of Erin...now I see they even have the same boots.

Gecko said...

Aww Steve Holt!, poor boy! I hope he feels better soon!

Hmm, hoofball. I have a big bright pink exercise ball thingy that I don't use...I wonder will that do? =P