Hi All!
Much is happening around the farm! Murph has started the excavating for the indoor arena. We had several contractors out to give estimates as this one of the most important parts of putting up the new building. Most told us they would have to bring in more dirt to make it work - which was additional cost. Murph was the only one that told us that he felt we had enough there and could make it work. BOY WAS HE Right! The dirt pile in the back of the property would make the most incredible sledding hill. They had to keep going and going to level and the hillside is now a 8 foot embankment (which creates a new set of problems). It looks so completely different. I have taken pictures which once I get them off the camera I will share.
Randy & Curtis are building the retaining wall - which also includes the footings/beams for the building. We were thankfully allowed to borrow Jessica Cole's post hole attachment for her tractor. Well - the rocks were big and plentiful....Murph, the excavator, felt sorry for us and came out with his skidsteer & post hole digger... Well, THAT didn't work either, and they still had the CAT there and dug a few,,,ummmm, BOULDERS out with that! So thankfully all the holes are dug, and Randy has most of the posts in the holes - but they all have to be filled and packed to finish - then he has to put up the wall part. Randy thought he could get this done in a couple of days....and yeah, though he doesn't drink - he sure was delusional in regards to THAT!
So, we have piles of dirt which we have to find a home for - so the outdoor arena is going to get an overhaul - as this dirt has a lot of regular dirt/clay texture - and we will scrape of a few inches of the broken down sand on top of the arena - and bring in this dirt and level it out more. I've been blessed to be able to keep riding even with diluges of rain - and the goal is to keep that as best we can.... my fingers are crossed!
The builder is scheduled to start October 8 - and he states he should have it all up in only 2 weeks. So the end of October is going to be very busy for us - we will be putting in the back wall, stalls, shavings storage room, and a new tack room.
Charisma is riding extremely well - I've very proud of her - we have several "bigger" shows to go to yet. Tomorrow we are heading to Elkhorn to show at a WQHA sponsored open show. Then on the 29th is the Wisc State Horse Council Championship Challenge show. Charisma is qualified for the Western Pleasure class - which is grouped by rider's age - so I will be in the Sr Sr age division. We will also be doing the Trail classes at these 2 shows. I'm also considering taking Charisma to Crown Point, IN on October 13 & 14 for a AQHA sanctioned show. I have a few weeks to decide though.
Gus is still having continued lameness and hoof problems. I tried a new farrier yesterday who is a "natural" hoof trimmer - and he pointed out that my on-going problems with thrush in Gus's front feet have to be addressed 1st and foremost before anything else can occur. Poor Gus. His heels have contracted alot over the summer and I have just not been able to get the thrush totally cured. So we have pulled Gus's shoes, and have packed his feet with medication and vetwrapped and he is wearing easy boots. This new guy stated to me that it could take 3 to 4 months of daily medicating and wrapping to cure it up - then another 6-12 months for the heels to come back to where they belong. He honestly told me that he felt Gus should be completely UNRIDDEN for at least a year..... (Ummm, that will be hard)..... He also suggested that we x-ray his fronts for navicular changes - as he is showing "slight symptons" of navicular. But it could also be soreness from thrush/contracted heels ...SO - will do that this Tuesday ( cuz at this point what's more vet bills???)....... And will keep you posted....
So, anyway, with the saga of poor Gus - Could this explain his poor performance this summer and his "attitude" problems etc? I'm thinking so...... So, if this works, and then maybe I'll have my horse back......
Sammy left Wednesday for his new home with Susan LeMay. I got teary putting him in the trailer, but I was happy with Suzan and she was very comfortable on him, and he was LAZY for her - so time will tell, but all indicators of a good match and great home for him. She has promised to keep me posted.
Ace has been sold to Jessica Julson and she will be boarding him with us. Jessica already loves him and has been out several times to brush and play with him, and she is intending on showing him next season. Many thanks to Kathy C who spend time with Ace over the summer so he wasn't a wild mustang....
And yes, if you've paid attention - I am down to only having 2 horses, Gus and Charisma. I'm tentatively shopping for a horse for Randy. Though he hasn't shown much interest as of late, so I'm not sure how hard I will be shopping, but it's ALWAYS fun to look.... the catalog has been posted for the Sept 30th Cannon Falls MN QH sale, and there are several good ones listed....so I might make a trip to that sale or hold off to the October cataloged sale too. Or who knows!!! ha ha....
Until later!
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