Novice needs advices on naughty horse (We have a baby!)

[AnnaCrew]

Not kitchen, dining room And seems that it is getting into habbit - yesterday’s morning I woke at 6 AM because of hoofs hitting the dining room floor again - asked dear Peter what does it mean and he politely explained that he can not find the saddle pad! Good boy for taking horse out for a ride before the heat starts, but why oh why he must take Shella in to help him look for the saddle pad?

We are nuts, I know. But all in all, that’s OK, Shella likes inside, is very gentle and polite, do not pinch anything from table, so why not? For a little treat? Our former showgirl probably is bored now in this calm rural environment, so a little bit difference will keep her mentally stimulated.

Fairy tale… turned by hand at least 700 bales of hay today by myself… I do not feel like living in fairy tale much at present moment… I would say that we are trying to have as much fun as possible

[magayle]

anna you are one fantastic woman!!! i love your life with your home that is welcome to your best friends…i’ve had my mini mule in the house and it was great! some day i will have my dream barn home:yes:

[AnnaCrew]

Today we went riding together - when day cooled off, and we returned with second girth, we went to our “private gallops” (Peter mowed grass track around one of our hay fields (about 20 acres) and picked all stones so it is safe to ride there) so we went there for slow evening ride.

Peter and Puika in front, me and Shella at the back
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/25-07-08/PICT5370.jpg

(Picture taken by my mum who do not know how to use camera but she tried). Most of the time we just rode body to body, and seemed that both horses really enjoyed.

The ride was ok, except Shella decided to trott down the hill - I am not ready for such excercises yet, but I managed ok. So much fun!

And the main event of the day - we gave Sonora to ride Shella without lead! For the first time she had full control with reins only, no aunty securing with lead. They both did so well! I walked in front and Shella just followed. My niece has learned basic commands and attitude, and she gave some commands to Shella that she understood right And niece even asked to stop when it it was enough - she was tired so it means that she really worked to get tired instead just enjoying sitting on horse back.

Coming back from last ride in the field (Peter still leading on Puika, girls follow)
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/25-07-08/PICT5376.jpg

[mayhew]

That is great to see you riding together! And wonderful to see all that beautiful land. Are the winters bad where you are? I’m always looking for a place with better weather than here…

[AnnaCrew]

mayhew, here we have zone 6 - like Toronto or Niagara Falls… It depends how far away to North you are, but all in all winters are not so bad here. We are close to the sea which means mild summers and mild winters. Which zone you are living? If you do not know exactly, here is zoning map of Ontario http://www.markcullen.com/resources/hardiness_zone.htm

[mayhew]

We live on the highest point in Southern Ontario, and the wind here is harsh, so it is around Zone 5, or, at the worst spots, Zone 4. It is quite different than Toronto here, as we don’t have any of the moderating effects from Lake Ontario. Just the snow from Lake Huron…

I shouldn’t complain though. There are thousands of freezing children in Sudbury.

(Do you have a saying that you tell to children who won’t eat their food? Here we say “there are thousands of starving children in China.”)

[AnnaCrew]

Not actually… here most poplar thing is to “eat this spoon for mother, now one spoon for father, one for grandpa, one for grandma…” But I never needed any of this as mine were eating through the fridge faster than any hurricane so I may not know

[outofthebox]

OMG! Shella in the dining room! Why do I get the feeling Shella will be giving birth in your kitchen? Whenever I have a bad day, I see if AnnaCrew has posted and it always makes me so happy… can I come and visit?

[AnnaCrew]

outofthebox, specially for you!

this

and this

Remaining pictures here

[Milocalwinnings]

Have I missed something or have you not told us whether the vet said if Shella is pregnant or not!? We all want to know what the vet said!!!

I think it’s so neat how Peter brings Shella in the house.

ETA:
Anna- I LOVE this pic http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m138/BBCedrik/26-07-08/?action=view&current=PICT5420.jpg
The cat is is like “oh you have to be kidding me. Tell me that’s not a HORSE in the house!”

[ThrghbrdJmpr]

This is awesome! my husband would have a HEART ATTACK if I walked Ms. Beauty into the house… that and she’d likely fall through the floor. I love the beautiful older homes built to last forever…

[AnnaCrew]

Sorry, so far no news about foal… Vet is into hay (like we all here at present) so as it is not emergency, we decided that it could be done on Monday. So champagne is still cooling off in the fridge and waiting for the big officiall announcement to celebrate.

That is one of the reasons why Peter brings her in - we started to check out in the barn suitable place for ultrasonography and… none. Most suitable is our hallway so that’s it - it will be done there.

That cat is Mis Lucy - by some reasons all cats really love horse inside the house. They were going to her, cuddling against her legs and checked her bowl with pellets.

[allpurpose]

I love that grandma is so calm about the whole thing. She’s at the dining room table next to Peter in one shot, sitting on the couch in another… I can just hear her when she’s out with her friends! She’s a jewel, as is your Shella! These pics made my day! Thanks.

[pearl_s_mom]

Wonderful!! Am I the only one NOT surprised to see Peter bring the horse inside?? I love how noone at the table seems at all phased by having a horse in the dining room. Can’t show my hubby pics tho. He’ll want to bring Pearl in.17 hand Perch. Don’t think so. Besides, she would be a rude guest, grabbing Everything off the table.

[AnnaCrew]

Grandma indeed is a jewel - today she was stacking tractor loads with hay all day long. She is not knitting socks type grandma, but if you need to build a house - she already had build brick one just by herself. But then she was a bit younger. She is still very young in her mind and heart. She was the one who was showing me how to climb trees, and she was the one, who showed it to my children.

[AnnaCrew]

We are in foal!!!

So it is officially - vet arrived with the device, Shella was an angel in the hall - and now we know for sure - there is a foal!!! Saw baby’s little heart on monitor! Like a white spot only now, but that’s it, baby is there!!!
I’m sooooo excited - it will be my first foal!

[Sannois]

What a GREAT thread!!

I just stumbled on this thread and am only on page 4.But felt compelled to post to you Anna. Your a breath of fresh air on here. You may be a Novice but I know some people here who have been around horses forever that dont have your natural horse sense. Your boy is wonderful. You and your husband are doing fantastic.
I am going back to reading from page 4. I wish you the best of luck and continued success. Thank you for your wonderful adventure. Its so nice for a change. Really is needed on here as occasionally. ;):yes:

[Sannois]

OK ITs official

I am totally addicted to this story. Anna you and PEter are incredible people. I am so totally thrilled to read all you have accomplished and your new lovely and a BABY! Oh and your dogs are so lovely I have a serious soft spot for GSD’s Thank you so much for all this and your wonderful pictures. Keep the story coming. I think I need to Visit Latvia!!

[ThrghbrdJmpr]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! This must be so exciting for you all! I look forward to following this story throug to next year when the little one arrives.

[Milocalwinnings]

Woo Hoo!!! This is GREAT Anna! I can’t wait til the baby comes- I"m sure you’ll have many more stories to tell!