Well, It's Mother's Day 2010

My 2009 Challenge died and went to photography heaven about half way through the year. With all the things that were going on in my life (and most still are), I just no longer had the energy (or time!) to photograph or post on a regular basis.

Life is still overwhelming right now, but I have a little time--I'm on vacation this week (yea!!!). I'm doing body-clipping on the horses. It gets hot way before they're shed out, so clipping helps them keep cooler during the spring and early summer.

So far Buffi, Bonfire, Ladyhawk, and Spirit are done, although Spirit still sports winter hair on his back and hips. (He has sun sensitivity, and must wear a flysheet during the summer--which he HATES--so I leave the protective winter hair until Mother Nature rids him of it. That way he wears his flysheet about a month less than he would if I clipped him like I do the rest of the horses.

Kittyhawk will not be clipped, as she is shedding out so nice and slick already. I cleaned up her head, lower legs, and bridlepath (the mane right behind her ears), and am trying to help the winter coat remaining shed out quicker. She's almost done!

Mustang and Symphony remain to be done. Since yearlings don't shed very well on their own for some reason, Symphony will be left till last. Mustang will get his started tomorrow if it stops raining. (Not getting much, just enough to make me NOT want to run an electric cord from the house to the barn!) Cool mornings like yesterday and today require that everyone clipped wear a blanket (which Spirit also hates), so I'm busy this time of year pulling blankets off in the morning and replacing them at night.

BTW: Symphony will not be known officially as Symphony in Silk, as originally planned. She has turned into a lovely bright red sorrel with a flaxen mane and tail, and will be registered as Sunrise Symphony. Seems to fit her better. Photos coming after everyone's clipped!

To all the mothers who read this (whether you have children or pets!), HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!