That feeling translates well to the horses who weathered the Polar Vortex as best they could, in windbreaking sheets by 12 degree days, quilted blankets by 1 degree nights, and loads of extra hay. It became a quick game in the barn to see which bay boy could grab the toboggan off my head and keep it away from me the longest (Czech won).
We spent a week battling ice and it appears that this week may bring it back to us again. A stark contrast to the sunny horse-loving Ocala, Florida that we drove through on our way down. I never wanted to live in Florida simply because I love seasons and in general, don't like tourists. However, seeing the huge live oaks drenched in spanish moss, broodmares fat with foals under their branches, while a fresh horse came out onto the bright white railed exercise track gave me some serious daydream fodder.
Not long after passing through this area, my phone dinged a new e-mail from "visitRachelA". I had written to Stonestreet inquiring about Marc's Rainbow as I was publishing the blog on Bandon's bloodline. His dam had no real info out there and I hoped someone where he was foaled would know. Turns out that since Bandon's foaling, the holdings had changed hands, original stock including Marc's Rainbow was sold, and new broodmare managers were on board. No one there knew her or Bandon.
The person responding was incredibly nice about it though and had gone out of her way to try and research him for me so she could respond with something helpful. All she had turned up in her searching was my blog and remarked that I knew more than they did and that they were very glad to hear he was loved and happy, if any new info came up on Marc's Rainbow they would be in touch.
I was glad they took the time to respond and not totally surprised that his dam's specifics remain a mystery.
Back at the barn without the kids for the first morning in weeks, I was determined to ride this morning. Maybe the intense gusting wind wasn't such a great companion though as my fresh boys put on a rodeo for me.
Bandon was head tossing, he decided to add in spooks when the trees creaked with the wind. It's nice knowing a horse so well that my heart rate doesn't increase when he acts up.
Czech on the other hand, was all business on the longe line. I get the impression Czech spent time in side reins, coming into frame as soon as you ask him to move forward. No silliness at all. On his back however, he cut up and bucked like I had expected him to do with nearly 6 weeks of time off.
We worked out the kinks and all the boys were sappy and loose-eared in the pasture for some good neck scratches when I was done.
Watching the snow flurries out the window now I'm wondering how they will feel tomorrow when I try and ride in ski pants...
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