Well I thought I would put a post up about Bella. She is leaving the land of mother hood and getting back into the working horse string! Although, she has been ridden on and off over the last few years…namely by the kiddos taking lessons and trail ridding… she is now official “THE” using horse for Diamond M Livestock. The others, Gyp, Tank, Camille and Squiggy… are in the process of being sold or trained to join Bella in the workforce. She is a very nice mare not only by lineage and parental achievement in a variety of disciplines but also in her individual. She is a one of a kind mare (although, nothing is impossible for God) and everything from her mind to her physique is amazing.

This photo of her warming up is just prior to Aaron roping a hind foot of a few colts, while the boys climb aboard. Bella is sporting a hand-crafted tall curb bit that was made by my uncle, Glenn Schmidt. She really likes the bit and works well in it.

Floral Array

Although, I have mostly been busy gardening in the fruit and vegetable category… I have also put some effort into some floral array around the yard. Not only can some flowers pack a potent punch to pests and other garden intruders but some can really bring beauty to an area. This year has been a great wild flower year and I have seen so many neat flowers all around that God has just placed about.

 I have placed a few bulbs (freesia, hyacinth, and daffodil) along the walk way leading to what used to be our yard (recently removed ). They have been blooming in all sorts of colors, mostly yellow, for a few weeks now.

 But what is really exciting is the Roses! Two roses that Debra got for me late in the season, last year (I think) are heavy with a vibrant fushia-colored rose. They are quite spectacular.

Hope you like my flower photos H2:)

Maybe My Once a week training idea isn't that great!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get any photos to post of my little horse bronkin around!!! It has been about two weeks (maybe more) since I had last stepped aboard my little filly. She has been hanging out in a pen eating to her belly’s satisfaction... and when I pulled her in she appeared to be benefitting. Slightly taller and a quite a bit fuller in the belly These set of circumstances may have lent itself to the following events.




I went out early on Sunday, while the Huz and company snoozed through the morning. Camile was eager for me to catch her and seemed “normal” as I grained her, brushed her and saddled her. She is nearly done shedding and the majority of her was sleek and shinney, easy to brush…accenting her beauty Anyway, the Huz suggested that I ride her in the big square pen. So I gathered my bridle and led her over. I decided just to be on the up and up I better spend some time “checking” her out. I grabbed the flag to really to push her envelope. And it proved to really do the trick. I moved her around and she seemed tight…as I approached her with the flag. Finally I touched her with it and bronco sally was unleashed. Camile bucked so hard she fell down in the mud a few times! She finally came to a halt…. White eyed…tail kinked….snorting!!! Hah! So I snuged the cinch and touched her again…round two, a second dip in the mud … and I am beginning to wonder if this is really a good idea



The square pen was a little slick to continue working her so I traveled on down to the sandy round pen. I figured if I was going to hit the ground I would rather it be in the sand!



After 20 minutes of working with her on her flag-fright, we were both breathing hard and sweating a bit! But she really came around. Normally I would quite her there but the Huz’s words of getting more done in one day and him accusing me of being “too slow” with my colts… I decided to step aboard.



Thankfully, she seemed to be remembering her few previous training sessions and we were trotting and loping without a hitch. She is very soft, supple and making improvements. We ended our ride by opening the round pen gate, closing it back, riding across the arena, down the road and we ended past our gate, past the vicious, probable horse eating sheep and in the neighbors drive way. I dismounted and walked her back.



All in all it was very successful…but I think I will make it more of a point to make the next ride in the nearer future

Camile...when will she be ridden!!!

Well, I had started and do have a handful of rides on my next little project filly. She is a very nice filly, smart, easy to get along with and I think she will be quite fantastic! I am inivertantly trying an new training technique…ride once a week!!! Although, this goes against everything I have ever done, Camile doesn’t seem to lose a thing. Of course, I would like to ride her more…but spring time has been busy. I have been making a big push to get the garden and trees in and it has taken up some of my ride time. There are other hurdles as well. Oh well we will see what tomorrow may bring….maybe I will ride her soon.

Garden Pests!!!

I have been invaded by PESTS! In my newly planted orchard I have been combating pests for about two weeks…. I have been successful with a mild dish soap spray, planting bug deterring plants and flowers at the bases of the trees and of course a goat milk barrier every now and then But something bigger and much more destructive has found my little garden spot! It comes in the night….and so far it looks to be after something deep in the soil!!! At first, we had thoughts that it could be an armadillo. There is one we have seen off the back porch (even on the back porch) from time to time. But after last night’s visit I am thinking we may have a small porcine of sorts!!!! So far the only damage is a few snow peas were upturned and some rooting around my blueberries and raspberries. We don’t have visual conformation of a pig…but I don’t want to wait around until he brings his buddies!!!




We are thinking of putting a hotwire perimeter around the whole area…hopefully it works….before the intruder stumbles upon my very young tomatoes, peppers and squash. Everything is at its infancy and what a wreck a rootin pig would be. May God spare their little lives….the plants that is, not the invader!!!

Well it is time to get back into it....

Spring is here and although the days are longer... there is still the sense that there is not enough time to do all that I set out to do... but I plug away at each day...doing what it is that God has available for me to accomplish. 

The most exciting addition to the homestead is a small orchard.  We have 10 tree in the ground and two more waiting to go in.  They seem to be doing well and a few even have signs of fruit! That would be a miracle to have fruit the first year!  But nothing is impossible for God:) 

We have also been able to start a small plot of aged horse manure and soil into a raised mound garden.  We have a little bet of every thing. I hope to have a section of blogging about it's progress.  I plan to do some experimental pest resisting flower planting .... different teas...add in pest and of course use goat milk.  Our six goats have been producing sooo much milk (about a gallon a day or more).  I had read that it helps with the soil, creates a barrier from pests and some fungus:) 
We will see what happens...

I have found one thing...that I would already like to expand:) Gardening has been good for the kids and in makes being outside very productive:)

The Snip Saga has now Ended....

Well as many of you already know last thursday marked the beginning of the end for Snip and I. 

We bathed, clipped and polished Thursday morning even though it was only 35 degees...and then headed down the road to The Heart Of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee (which I have recently been informed is not OKC:)). Upon arrival, we settle the horses in their stalls.  We were ideally placed in the farthest back barn in the farthest back corner. Might sound bad, but we were right next to a parking lot, riding arena and it made an nice corner with little horse traffic for the kiddos to hang out.  We had a few hiccups in getting water (we forgot a hose) and they were selling bedding for $15 a bag (yikes!!).  A quick trip to Tractor Supply remedied the situation and gave us and opprutinity to grab a bite to eat too.

 I got Snip out late in the evening and was able to ride him in the big practice arena and in the pre sale arena with little trouble... he was leary of the big metal trash cans that lined the alleyways, but all a good lesson. 

Sale day,  a lot of folks showed interst in our other horses.  Snip looked a little small compared to some of the other two year olds, but boy did he seem broke compared to most of the older horses (including Music).  I was even able to ride him around bareback and in a halter through the stall alleys. 

His character was truly at its height.  Several times we would find him snoozing in his stall... seeming to not care about his cituation.  He even ate his grain laying down...just pulled the bucket closer to him. 

Snip was a little sticky in the pre sale arena, but he was tired and there were probably 25 horses awaiting their turn to sell.  A few folks asked some questions, and then like a blur we were in and out of the sale pen.  He was supper tight and his feet were pretty stuck up on the platfrom, but the video was a help so people could see he actually did move nicely.  I was pretty stiff and tight myself.  The auctioneer lightened things up a little when he commented on how kid broke this colt had to be considering I always had my kiddos around me:) But even with the joking and the video...the gavel fell..."Sold $400" (which is debateble since Aaron thought it was $375...we'll find out when the check comes).  Either way it seemed like so little for such an amazing horse.

 I had not yet shed a tear...which I am sure if you know me you would think is almost unbelievable...but as we rounded back to the stalls Aaron caught me in his arms and said I had done good...that was it...tears came a flowing.  I was not really sad, nor regretful, as I know this too was of the Lord, but just emotional from the whole event...yibbeee yibbee ...I know. 

  Anyway, shortly after we unsaddled that folks that purchased Snip came to check on their new horse.  They were a lovely, older couple that were very happy with him and had a lot of good things to say about the little horse and the way he was ridden.  God was very merciful to me...He does not have to be so kind toward us in these little things.  Snip found himself a good home...God gave Snip a good home, and all in all we had accomplished that which we set out to do... sell some horses.