Fabulous February

February has been a good month. I've been able to ride quite a bit with my friends, spend quality time with my family and get some chores done around the place. I signed up for an evening class at the church and just today started visiting an additional patient at the nursing home.

We just had 18 pine trees removed from the back part of the yard near the horse paddocks. They had been dying because of pine bark beetles and I was afraid that either the horses or one of us would be hurt. It sure looks empty back there now, but it's much safer. Hay is very scarce around here right now, but I was able to pick up 16 bales today to add to what we have to give us a 30 day supply. I guess the lack of rain last fall and the late freeze we just had caused it - the hay I got today was trucked in from Georgia.

Good Times

Life is good and we are blessed ! Got to go camping with friends last weekend at the River Rise trails of O'Leno State Park and the weather was perfect. Stylin held up for her first big weekend since her bout with laminitis. We rode 3-1/2 hours on Friday afternoon and then over 5 hours on Saturday. She got a little tired, but recovered quickly. I didn't take my camera, but hopefully my pals will provide some pics of the weekend.

On the homefront - the family and critters are all well except something's killing our chickens. We're down to 2 from 5. Found a pile of feathers but no carcass............

Property of Zambito Oaks Farm

Ringer's and Stylin's brand finished out nicely as you can see. I finally got to ride Stylin out on the trail again.....boy did it feel great to be back in the saddle with her ! We kept it at a short 2 hour ride to see how she did and because we had company coming in the early afternoon. Other than bush whacking and breaking the cable on her boot - it was a great ride with some good friends.

Worked with Ringer tonight and he did real well. As you can see by the picture above - he's growing and filling out. He's pretty comfortable carrying the saddle around. The really good news is that I finally got the go ahead from our vet to ride Stylin again - Yee Haw ! Rode her for 30 minutes last night and then about 20 minutes tonight. Saddled her and rode with just her halter in the yard and then in the round pen. She feels and acts sound.

Holidays are over

Everyone is trying to get back in to the swing of things at work and home. We had a wonderful visit from my sister Shelly and all of her kids for the week between Christmas and New Years. Robbin, Tim and Julian and Mom also came over and we celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. It was loud, hectic and FUN ! We spent most of Christmas Day in Newberry with Bobby's mom who was very sick with pneumonia.

Stylin is recovering well - no sign of lameness and I hope to start riding her this coming week . Bobby and I camped with our friends at the 7BarL Ranch in Live Oak for New Years weekend and had a BLAST!

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

Stressful Week

I woke up Monday , Nov 27th to find that my horse Stylin couldn't walk. She was very sore on all four feet and after having the vet come out that morning - she was diagnosed with acute laminitis in all four feet. That was a giant surprise ! We had ridden on Saturday and just played around on Sunday and let her and the other horses graze in the back yard Sunday afternoon. Nothing seemed abnormal at all on Sunday night. We treated her agressively, wrapped her feet, administered pain meds and I had to give a shot of Ace Promazine every 6 hours around the clock to promote blood flow to her hooves. The shots lasted for 4 days and then we've slowly backed her off the pain meds and started hand walking her. As of today she was able to be turned out in the paddock for the daylight hours. We should be riding again within 3 weeks, but I'll have to slowly bring her back up to our 4 hours rides. We were very fortunate to get through this so well... our vet believes that Stylin will have no permanent damage from her ordeal.

We went to the Florida Equestrian Celebration on Saturday and had a nice time watching the clinicians and shopping. My favorites were Craig Cameron and watching the 6 horse Percheron hitch Texas Thunder. The crowds were not nearly as big as the first event 2 years ago; I don't think it was marketed well this year.

Robbin, Tim and JT have gone on a 7 day cruise for Thanksgiving week, Mom's going to Tennessee and we plan to spend Thanksgiving day with my sister in law and her husband - Jennifer and Bill Kirk. They are great people and wonderful cooks !! :)

We had a fun time at the Woodard's ranch last weekend for the Happy Trails Fun Day. Bunches of obstacles and cool stuff to test your horse's and your abilities. You can see pictures of that on the Happy Trails link. Our friends Traci and Mike did an awesome job putting in on!