Snow!

Today we got quite a bit of snow. It was very cold at the barn today. I, of course, got suck with the coldest job; watering. It ended up not being too bad though because I ended up with a couple breaks to bring horses in and catch the ones that got loose. Yep, they busted thru the fence. The whole upper field came running in the barn. That was caotic. We had 5 horses loose in the indoor arena. The worst trouble makers in the barn. Well, with the exception of Skittles. A white Arabian gelding. Very good temperment. But the other 4 are trouble. Black Jack, Buddy, Lily, and Roanie. I ended up having to grab Lily. She's a filly (female baby) that was wiened about 2 months ago. She gave me a double wammy kick before and she usually rears when in the halter and we bring her in. So, I had to take her to a temporary stall with a leadline around her neck! I was not too excited about that. But she ended up being fine. God certianly answered my prayers there. All in all the day didn't go too badly.
The town is absolutely beautiful today. There is snow all over everything. I am really kicking myself because there was a beautiful picture out at the farm of one of the horses. Her name is Star. She's black with a white star on her forehead. She had snow on her mane and tail that made it look white. Against her jet black coat it was gorgeous! I missed it. I hope there's a next time...
The horse I talked about in my last post, Rajah, is dead. They put him down on Saturday morning. Apparently he had a tumor. He spent his last day in the animal hospital. It was an on and off battle to keep him alive. I got the call Saturday afternoon. His owner, Angela, took it rough. Sherry, Sharon, and I took it rough. The lady that called me, Michelle, took it rough too. They are searching for another horse for Ang. Hopefully something like Rajah. He was a once in a lifetime horse though. He and Ang had formed a wonderful bond. I have yet to form one that strong with my horse. He would do anything for her. I hope she can find what she's looking for. I saw Ang today. She seems to be doing okay. I know that it's gonna take a while. There's no two ways about it. I just continue to keep her, and everyone else involved, in my prayers.
On a different note... I was at the dentists today to get my expander adjusted for the first time. It almost seems looser. Dad says to give it until tomorrow, but I'd imagine that since it was adjusted today at 9:45am or so that my mouth would be at least a little sore approximately 11 hours later. We'll see who's right... Time will tell.
Blessings to all! I wish you all much warmth!
Abi

Exhausted

I am thoroughly exhausted tonight. I could go to sleep now and not wake until morning. Why? Well, I got up at 7 to be at the dentist's at 8 to get my expander for my upper jaw. This is the first step in the braces process. After that I did a full day of school until 1:15 when I went to the barn with my brothers and cousin. We worked our hind ends off there until 6. The boys were a wonderful help on the mucking and watering. Then I ended up helping with a horse who just got stomach ulsers. I have never had to beat a horse before in my entire life, but his life depended on it so, I did. That sentence probably sounds strange so let me explain. We didn't know if he was colicing or what so we called the vet and when the closest one wouldn't come out we had to call around. We figured he was colicing and we knew enough not to let him roll. So, we're walking him around in the indoor ring and he lays down and begins to roll. We couldn't stop him. I was working with two others to get this horse to stop. One was pulling his head up and the other was helping me keep him on his feet. We had to literally beat him. He had a couple layers of blankets on though so he didn't really feel it. One of the ladies almost got kicked. We had some men in later to help and the one got his knee nicked.
We were finally able to get a vet out and she told us he probably has stomach ulsers. She dosed him up on meds to make him feel good. His eyes glazed over and then he was in his happy place. So, the barn manager, Sherry, is going to go to the barn several times tonight to check on him. I'm so glad he made it. It was a very interesting evening to say it lightly.