2 More Birthday's !

Happy Birthday to my dad and sister-in-law ! For 4 years we couldn't figure out who our youngest son looked like. Then my dad sent a picture from when he was a little boy. Can't believe how much they look alike !

Happy Birthday !

Happy 10th Birthday, Matthew ! He wanted a cowboy hat for his birthday !

Introductions

Last night Moonshine and Hunter were introduced to Dakota, and tonight we introduced them to Mooney and Badger. We've been taking it slow with Hunter and Moonshine so they can settle in at their own pace. We have ridden them the last 3 nights with our other horses next to them and they have done great. As a matter of fact, Badger seems to be suddenly shaping up and acting better for some reason. Maybe Hunter and Moonshine are setting a good example for him !

Besides Badger, Hunter and Moonshine have a lot of personality. Very loving. Moonshine wrinkles his nose into me and just stands there...his nose getting heavier and heavier as he relaxes. Hunter also lets Moonshine eat first - he actually backs away, waits and then eats after her. No fuss or anything. Hunter is a patient guy !

Moonshine and Hunter are also walking right to us when they see us now when we come to get them.

I didn't take any pictures tonight since we were busy with 4 horses, but I've added a picture of Badger that I took on Sunday after his bath.

Settling In

Hunter and Moonshine have really settled in today. We gave them a good bath (I'm not sure who got wetter, the kids or the horses), spent time with them, and rode them. They really are good friends, and don't like to be too far from each other.....we noticed today that Moonshine has a perfect letter "A" on her forehead ! They're super horses !

They're here !

We spent the day getting Hunter and Moonshine used to the pasture, walking them all over. They also have to get used to the sights and sounds of a new home. They both got a bath, and after a few hours, they seemed to be relaxing. They are used to being together, so having each other seems to help them adjust. They are very special horses to us....the family who sold them to us loves them so much.

My camera was on the wrong setting tonight and I didn't realize it so our pictures aren't too great. Hunter is the chestnut horse (second picture), and Moonshine (first picture) is the darker bay. They are both appaloosa's and are both 8 years old.

Hurricane Ike

We still don't have Hunter and Moonshine because of Hurricane Ike ! We were supposed to get them last week, but we have been waiting on their Coggins test. The vet sends the sample to Texas A & M University to be checked. And Texas A & M has been closed since last Thursday due to the impending hurricane. Which I realize is a VERY small thing compared to the families who have lost everything. It just never crossed my mind that we would feel the effects of the hurricane like that. We are waiting to hear if today is the day.....

UPDATE : The tests still aren't ready....so we continue to wait....
UPDATE as of 9/17/08 : Moonshine and Hunter have a negative Coggins test, so we will be making plans to get them soon !
UPDATE as of 9/18/08 : We will be getting Moonshine and Hunter Friday night. More news later !

Twinkletoes...or not...

I was getting Emily out of the car last night and I said "Come on, Twinkletoes". She declared that she was NOT Twinkletoes. "I'm a butterfly and a ballerina". Ohhh......my mistake. When I lifted her up, she said "I'm not Twinkletoes because I don't like toes". Hilarious ! I don't like toes either, so I completely understand......I love the way kids think !

Brothers....

Matthew on Dakota (or Cakota as Emily calls him), Daniel on Mooney, and Ryan.....

Dakota......

Here he is.....a great horse...great for kids...will go fast if you want him to or slow. Very fun to ride !

Adding to the herd

I really didn't think that this blog would be so much about horses, but really that's kind of what our life is turning out to revolve around. Anyway, back to the title of this post. We are in the process of adding 3 more horses to our "herd". None of this was planned, but the situation presented itself and was just too good to pass up. And we really could use another horse that is kid friendly. We just weren't planning on it happening right now. We get the first 2 new horses on Thurday, and I think the next week we will be getting the other horse.

We will have Mooney - a 11 year old gelding, Badger - a 5 year old gelding, Moonshine - an 8 year old mare, Hunter - an 8 year old gelding, and Dakota - a 13 year old gelding.

Horses live past 20 years old, and finding a dependable horse is one who is usually around 9 years - 13 years old. Badger is a baby, kind of. Still has a lot to learn.

The kids can't ride Badger.....Mooney is a "pusher" type horse for kids (meaning you have to push them to go). The kids will also be able to ride Dakota and Moonshine. We'll have to see about Hunter. He has had a lot of training, but has been out on pasture for the last 3 years. I have high hopes that he'll be a lot of fun !

Will post pictures soon.