Lots of excitement since the last update. About three weeks ago, Tux decided to climb over a low wall in the arena and got himself stuck. We’re still not sure how on earth he managed this, but this half wall is about 4 ½ feet tall so the little guy really had to work to get over it. Once he was on the other side, he didn’t have enough running room to get out. Cookie was the only other horse in the arena at the time, and of course she was quite upset, running back and forth calling for help. We ended up taking down the wall. There just was no other safe way to get him out. Once the wall was down, he just walked out normally as if the whole thing was no big deal!

Reverse-A-Bull and Delight are doing great. We had to watch Reverse closely for a few days after he was born to make sure he nursed properly. He seemed to know where everything was and how it works, just needed a little encouragement getting there. But he is nursing like a champ now – often and vigorously! Delight developed mastitis on the right side of her udder, but we treated her with antibiotics right away and she is fully recovered. The weather has been getting milder and dryer for the last week or so, and we turned both Delight and Reverse out in the big pasture, where they have a nice comfy shelter and lots of room to run. As soon as they got through the gate, Reverse saw Spice and Squeakers and took off running. He chased them all over the pasture and Delight could barely keep up! After they all settled down, both horses stayed on high alert all afternoon waiting to see what this crazy striped critter would do next.

Our boarder Kate and her helper Jill are back. They brought five of Kate’s horses that were in Florida with them for the show season. They are trained hunter/jumper Dutch Warmbloods. Once they got everything settled in, Kate moved the “warm weather” horses to a nearby stable and brought five more of her wooly, Minnesota-wintered horses here to start working with them. It will be a different challenge for her, as two of them are very young. Kate brought the kids all little gifts from Florida - so nice of her. Sarah was simply beaming about the little pink charm bracelet Kate brought her. She never wants to take it off. Sarah had made a Welcome Home banner for across Kate's apartment door, plus balloons on her door knob and a decorated horse show with her name on it for luck. Turns out, Kate was very lucky in Florida with her horses and did very well at all the shows. With Kate in the barn we feel settled again. She is understandably tired and has not had a chance to really check out the new babies. But her first words were, "Wow! A load of color!!!"

We bred back Cookie and Frosty to Zippy and are happy to report that they are both in foal again. We hope to get two great babies again just like this year!

The building contractor was here this week, fixing little things that were not right. It's been about a year now that the majority of the building was finished and we wanted to get those things taken care of while it was under warranty. We also are getting a quote on covering the two smaller barns with metal rather than taking the time and trouble to paint again. Metal will keep the horses from chewing, too, as the barns have really seemed to suffer this past year. Not sure we will go this direction yet, but wanted the price to think about. Once you buy paint and rent a lift and take the time or hire the help to paint the barn, it may come out a wash. It sure would look nice.

The vet came last week to give spring vaccinations, check everyone’s teeth, do a 30-day check on Frosty and pull a coggins on Cookie and Tux so Bill can take them to the Midwest Horse Fair in a few weeks. Bill plans to work with Tux over the next couple of weeks to get him ready for the trailer and for showing. Both he and Cookie are so mild-mannered, they are the perfect pair for the job.

We have some truly great, but very emotional news to share with you. You all know we’ve been open-minded about the next great home for our Lucy, who has some very special needs. In fact, just a year ago, we were struggling with some extremely tough decisions about her ongoing care. After lots of TLC and a combination of different treatments, Lucy is feeling good and her shoes seem to be doing what she needs to be reasonably active and comfortable. What Lucy really needs now is a warmer climate, dryer conditions and fewer horses around so she can continue to do well. After many conversations with us and lots of soul searching, Buddy LeeAZ is going to be Lucy’s new mom! Yeah!! But wait….that’s not all…..Lee has also decided to buy Junior as well!!! Lee recently acquired some land where she can now pursue her dream of owning her own horses. Not only do we know Lee as a virtual Buddy, we also had the opportunity to meet her in person when she visited Saddlebrook a couple of summers ago. We know first hand how caring she is with all animals, and what a special place the Saddlebrook horses have in her heart. As you can imagine, it will be extremely difficult for us to say goodbye though, especially to Lucy, who holds a very special place in OUR hearts! We trust and admire Lee so very much and just know that Lee will provide a wonderful home for Lucy and Junior.