T’WAS the night before Christmas and all through the house….

Pandemonium reigned supreme!

Which is pretty normal here at Massie Lodge, but that’s ok keeps life interesting.

After surviving my shopping experience on Wednesday and actually recovering on Thursday, we have spent an interesting couple of days with the horses n dogs n birds (mind you, Evan would not agree that the Birds are interesting!).

Vera, our Prego mare (who I call Vera) got sick on us. Well… it seems that she is giving her all to April her Canadian Silver filly and is rundown and has a low grade bacterial infection. Ok, so up to the top paddock with her and bubs (which as made Chops a happy gelding as he is quite the “raging stallion - you know a would be if he could be). With an increase in hard feed (3 feeds a day) and a paddock full of nice picking grass, should see her hopefully recover soon. We have made the decision to retire Vera this year even though she produces cracker foals, poor old love, I think she has had just enough of it and after we wean April, which will be sooner rather than later, Vera will join “DOPEY’S GIRLYS” down the back, where the hardest decision they have to make is which paddock will they will eat out of today!!. We have them running on 2 adjoining paddocks, each with its own dam. Trust me they do not go without and all of them, Dopey included, are fat and happy, roaming the paddocks.

Vera has been a very important mare for us and, even though Evan thinks she is quite aloof, I think deep down she really does enjoy her life here at Massie Lodge and I have quite a soft spot for her.

This will be my first Christmas without my dear mate Jack. Funny, I have his son Lancey sitting here at my feet at the computer. I always remember Jack as being enthusiastic about Christmas as a child, as he always knew that there would be SOMETHING under the tree for him! (I think he had me worked out quite well). I do miss my mate.

Today saw us rushing Matilda off to the vets with a cystie type lump in her eyelid. (What a place to get a lump?). We picked her up this afternoon, complete with dome around her head. I have to laugh as poor old Matilda just cant get used to manipulating this plastic dome thing around her neck and she is forever bumping in to things.

You are absolutely right when you think that the vets love us.

Hmm.

Oriana, our yearling that was sold might be staying on for a while till the new owner decides what he wants to do with her.

Susie, in the meantime is force to be reckoned with at the stables as she really is a racehorse (in her own mind!!!). We are talking about racing her at Caloundra on the 6th January in a 1400m maiden. You really cant just step them up to 1600m. So, we will see what happens then.

Well, its time for me to join Evan in the living room. The Christmas tree is surrounded with presents (yes, even some for the dogs!), the lights are turned on and Bill Murray is on Austar. Do you think that Santa understands that we don’t have daylight saving here in Queensland?

Christmas is approaching at a rate of knots that would out sprint Australia II over the line. Isnt that scary? I have no idea when I will be honoured with the opportunity to get to the shops and think about if or what I should be buying people.

Now isnt that the pits? It must be the same time every year that I sit down and think that I must organise myself a little better so that I wont be sitting down 4 days to Christmas and wondering why I haven't even thought about Christmas presents. It is a vicious cycle and I only have myself to blame, once again. However, I guess its more due to not wanting to fall into the commercial scene of "having" to buy Christmas presents for people who are close to me.

But come Wednesday or Thursday I will be setting out to do it..... full of hate and resentment for all those others who are standing in the air conditioned comfort of Myer at Toowoomba.

But what is it about Christmas that turns normally rationally, sane people into maniacs come this time of year. Perhaps everyone is like me..... put it off, put it off and put it further off until you have to do something about it or dont do anything at all.

What is it about Christmas that turns Parking areas into a battlezone? Forget about the Christmas cheer, cause there is none there mate. Its survival of the fittest, the fastest and the biggest 4WD bumper bar. My poor little Pulsar doesnt stand a chance!

Once you get a parking space (which will take you at least 45 mins if you are lucky!), then its up into the shopping mall with all the other crazies who have been sitting on their bum and thinking about Christmas for the last 3 months.

Then when you have dragged your weary butt through every store twice looking for something mildly interesting for Great Aunt Kay, its nearly closing time and you have to suffer a gift voucher from the first store you entered 5 hours ago. AAAArgh!

Oh and dont forget that you HAVE to have your gift covered in the best wrapping paper and ribbons and bows that money can buy, its back to Crazy Clarks so that you can get some good cheap paper for $2.50 a roll.

By this stage your arms are full to falling off. Your fingers are red and numb from the weight of the bags inside bags full of goodies. Your stomach is beating out Beethovens 18th trying to get your attention. Your eyes are tired from all the a/c. Your feet are screaming with tiredness and its as much as you can do to put one in front of the other. And what have you achieved? A very worn out credit card, endless amounts of money out of the savings (hah! what a joke that name is..... it should be the "spending account") account and one very, very tired Human Being.

And the upside to all of this is????

I dont know (after all of that).

Christmas used to be a very happy time for me as a kid growing up with my mother and father and 3 older brothers. Lots of very good memories about our time decorating the tree, who was buying what for whom, wondering why my present from my eldest brother rattled when shaken, mum slicing the leg of ham for ham on toast for Christmas breakfast.

Out came the chocolate nuts and lollies.... mum in the kitchen cooking a baked dinner even though it was going to be 38 deg c. Basically it was a day for our family to be together. We always had a few hanger-onerers... but it was just a good day to be with your family.

These days my family structure is a little different... and Christmas day will be very different for me as I will be seeing one of my brothers that i havent seen in 10 years. Its interesting how times change and families drift apart. Not because of any reason in particular, but because family members take different paths that lead to different places.

While Iam not really looking forward to Christmas and all that it represents , what Iam looking forward to is finding something from the Christmas of old.

Family.

Merry Christmas everyone.

CRIKEYS........

It has been a while since I have written down anything….. most remiss of me!

Well, Susie has had her first start
Evan and I finally got to have a night away from Massie Lodge
Oriana, our yearling has been sold

And a most courageous start was made by Susie, (Star Ferry). What a gal she is. She ran her first race ever last Friday and didn’t put a foot wrong. Stood up nice and still in the barriers even though one of the other starters broke through. She jumped out with them but they were running like scalded cats, and wee Susie was chasing them. 1000m is way too short for her. I noticed that she started to get going before the winning post, and while not coming last, made up some ground.

We will be looking for a 1400m maiden for the girl next start. GO THE GIRL!

Evan and I took the opportunity to have a night away (actually it seemed like it was out honeymoon as we never really got one!) up at Caloundra.

Isn’t funny when you plan to go away somewhere? You get soooo excited with the prospect of going somewhere different and there is all that build up of anticipation to get there… but once you get there and have settled in… you start thinking about coming home again and how much you miss being at home with all the dogs and horses (not to mention the birds!).

After getting up early on Saturday and going over to Greg’s to watch track work, we headed back to the Hotel for breakfast and then made a beeline for home!

Today we sold our first yearling. I am going to miss Oriana… she is such a sweet girl however, I am hoping that the guy that bought her will love her as much as we do. Crikeys, you can only hope that they do!

Oh well…. That’s business I guess.

1,000 apologies as this blog is only going to be a shortie… Iam tired from getting up early and then going out for lunch at Marburg with the Telstra crowd.

Hoooroooo till next time!

Star Ferry.... Getting ready to approach the barriers

How exciting.... after a long time away from home, our Susie girl will run her first race at the Sunshine Coast on Friday the 17th December. Granted it will be her first time and it will be more for the experience, but the thrill of owning a horse that makes it to the racetrack is second to none.

Whether it is a $6million yearling having her first start at Rosehill or, like us, a $500 girl I fancied in a Magic Millions catalogue the excitement level doesnt alter.

She will be presented like no other time. Her coat will be gleaming, her hooves will be painted black, she will have a star brushed on her rump. Her bridle will be blue. The Jockey will have our silks on blue with a grey diamond band, blue sleeves and his cap will be blue/grey quartered. Her mane will be brushed to shining and her tail will be cut straight and without a knot.

Greg will insist on no photos before the race. I will be pacing up and down and as anxious as. Evan will be watching the fluctuations.

Down to the parade ring and all the beautiful horses walk around and its there you can see how the horses are really feeling about themselves.

Out come the jocks from their dressing room and after a quick word from the trainer, its up up and away.

Thoroughbreds. There is nothing like them. Once they get into your blood, its something that just never, ever goes away. Dan Fogleberg wrote a song about them, and the words truly bring tears to my eyes...

Born in the valley, and raised in the trees

Of Western Kentucky, on wobbly knees

With Mama beside you, to help you along

You'll soon be a-growing up strong

All the long lazy mornings, in pastures of green

The sun on your withers, the wind in your mane

Could never prepare you for what lies ahead:

The run for the roses so red

And it's - Run for the Roses as fast as you can

Your fate is delivered, your moment's at hand

It's the chance of a lifetime, in a lifetime of chance

And it's high time you joined in the dance

It's high time you joined in the dance

From sire to sire, it's born in the blood

The fire of a mare and the strength of a stud

It's breeding, and it's training, and it's something unknown

That drives you and carries you home

The last two lines of that song rings so true.

It's breeding and its training, and its something UNKNOWN

That drives you and carries you home.

How true are those words?

I dont care if Susie doesnt win, or place for that matter. Just as long as she arrives safe at the other end.

GO THE GIRL !!!! :-)

Heaven Knows...

when we will get more rain. Even though we had over 2 inches a few weeks back, it seems like an eternity and you can see by the paddocks that the time for some more is now. Granted we got 5 drops this morning and a further 5 drops this afternoon, we really do need some more ground drenching rain. BRING IT ON!

This weekend has been one of reflection and decision for both Evan and I. With all 6 babies safely on the ground, the time is coming where we have to decide who stays and who goes. Not a very nice time for me as I get attached to the whole dam lot of them.

Nanna (Splendid Feeling) and her filly who I call Lily are definate stayers here at Massie Lodge. I fell in love with Nanna when we first saw her at the Magic Millions all that time ago. I still cant believe that no one wanted her then. Nanna's 2yo colt by Knowledge, "Flying Dollar" won his maiden last week. We have had the pleasure of Makka (Flying Dollar) staying here at Massie Lodge in the past. It was a very quick lesson is learning to keep your trap shut and letting the paying customers have what they wanted!

Nanna has since been confirmed in foal to Canadian Silver last week, so we are both very pleased with that. Surely we will get a grey foal out of that mating? Although in saying that, Miss Lily is now going from Dark Brown/Bay to Black.... and hopefully to Grey. She is the sweetest of all the babies.... so very much level headed.

Lily's parents bring the best out of Octagonal with Private Agenda on the sire side with Centaine's (by Century) Group Winning daughter, Kapchat on the dam side. Nanna was initially trained by John Hawkes in Adelaide and bred by the Inghams. Nanna won many races in South Australia and Queensland. Nanna is not just a city winner herself, she has produced 4 city winners , including Lavross and Tirrol Tavern.

Nanna is my favourite and we love her dearly, not just because she is well bred and can produce city winners, but because she is a sweet, sweet girl that loves to be loved.

Sweet Air (by Air de France out of Clearly Best) and her darling colt by Kinjite (by Century) who I call Lenny will be coming home this week. Thank goodness. Sweetie has been confirmed in foal to Private Agenda. Sweetie has been a most reluctant mother.

Funny when I start to talk about Sweetie, I think about our other mare, Havachat, who was also a maiden mare this year, and was a most accepting mother to sweet Caramel (who is by Moon Rocket - Zabeel/SkyRocket). They are all very different.

Miss Independence (who I call Libby) who is my beautiful Euclase (by Century) girl, had a beautiful baby boy who we have yet seen (for all sorts of reasons), Libby is to be confirmed in foal to Dust in the Wind (by Sir Tristram). This should be an interesting mating as Libby's dam, Declaration is by Sovereign Red, an important sire son of Sir Tristram. Iam hoping to get a real strong Sir Tristram cross with this baby.

Libby's 2yo colt, Sunovamaizcay, has since won his maiden at Doomben and Glenlogan have high hopes for him. We are thinking that we will send Libby back to Our Maizcay next year. In saying that, Libby's current foal to Private Agenda has a beautiful double cross through Century, Better Boy and Sir Tristram. Pity he wasnt a girly!

At the end of the day it doesnt matter what sex, as long as they are healthy!

Kwila's Ambition (by Mister Kwila) is more than likely in foal to Irish Royal (a son of Danehill who is out of a Roberto mare). This boy is throwing absolute stunners. Let's hope that they can run! It will be an interesting foal as Kay is as black as the night. Kay isnt a light weight either as she won a few races up here in Queensland before being retired.

Mariko's Star (our Star Way mare), is playing games with us at the moment and we are all holding our breaths to see whether she is in foal or not. If not, she will be retired as this will be her third year of missing.

Mind you, its not a bad place for the old girl's to retire.... they have heaps of room and feed and dams to swim in down the back and they have male companionship in the form of Dopey and Eric the Horse (who is much happier out of Cheeky Chop's paddock)

We have decided that we will part with 2 yearlings in due course, Charlie, our Immovable Option boy, who is growing up into quite a good looking type. Very much like his dad. The other being Oriana, who is by the NSW sire, Sports Works out of our mare, Ophira. She is quite a sweetheart that girl and I will be very sorry to see her go. Still, I know that you cant keep them all, can you?

One of the things that I really love about being out here at foal time is the fact that you can spend hours watching them. Its fascinating at this time of their life to see them try and bend down with their giraffe like legs to pick the grass!

One of the other things about new born foals that makes me laugh is watching them come to terms with their tongues! I dont know how many times this year I have seen them stick their tongues out the side of their mouth because they just were not sure what to do with it or where to put it?

Or just how to manage a piece of lucerne hay and get it all into the mouth, with the tongue and eventually down the throat??? :-) Talk about a very beautiful time in their lives and infact, ours.

I know, I know, I have been bitching and complaining about the very long hours that we were keeping when the mares were due to foal... and we have been very blessed this year to have 7 healthy births. Still I wouldnt miss any of what we have been through for anything.

A quick Update on Vicky.

Miss Vicky is indeed a much happier girl since Chops has gone back into his paddock (Chops' paddock backs on to the young girlys paddock). Chops and Vick have spent many hourse cuddling over the fence with each other. She still is not the girl I knew before, but she has come a long long way since coming home from "that place".

A Quick Update on Susie.

Susie (Star Ferry) came 4th in her 1000m Barrier Trial at the Sunshine Coast last week after being hunted up on to the pace when she should of been ridden quietly. Not long now till a race start. Although Iam thinking that Greg wants to see her ridden quietly before her starting in a 1200m.

A Quick Update on Rusty.

Rusty, our 2yo gelding by Canadian Silver out of Mariko's Star was quickly moved out of Chops' paddock when it was realised that Chops was attacking him. He is currently in a day yard on his own getting over the bad experience and all his wounds are healing nicely. Rusty is settling down into a very nice gelding.

Meanwhile, Back in the Colt's Paddock...

Mazwell and Charlie are doing just fine without Rusty. In fact they are both doing exceedingly well! They both get their full feeds, there is hardly any fighting between the two of them, in fact there is hardly a cross word between them They have both settled down since the Rusty factor (and balls!) have been removed.

A Quick Update on Lance, Bessie Merle, Matilda and of Course, Millsie

All dogs are well although have been finding the heat a little unbearable. And the, Jack Pharpie Memorial Vegetable Garden is indeed a healthy, growing concern with tomatoes and pumpkins. I can count at least 12 tomatoes on the vines and there are pumpkin flowers everywhere. All very good signs.

A Quick Update on Nigel No-leg, Missy (his Mistress) and their child, NoName.

All 3 Peachface parrots are alive and well at this stage. Although Im not quite sure how much longer No-name will be with us as 2 is company and 3 is definitely a crowd in Peachface land. Iam unfortunately starting to think that Iam going to have to get a partner for NoName and move her out of Nigel's cage.

More eggs have been sighted in Missy's box. AAAAArgh!!!

Well its off to Telstra land tomorrow so I had better end this epistle. Hoooroo until next time!

IT HAS BEEN FOUR DAYS

since I have sat down and blogged. Will my fans ever forgive me?????

Probably yes considering that Iam not sure just who reads this and Iam possibly just talking to myself.

Where is my Note of Absence?

I have none :-( all I can say is that I have worked my 20hours for the Government... (hmmm is Telstra known as the Government?) and both me and my bank account are feeling much better.

I dont actually mind the absence from Massie Lodge for 20hours. Whereas Evan is quite happy not to see another Human Being for a long period of time, I become a little "edgy" if I dont get a fix of the human race. One thing I will say is that after 20hours away, Iam quite happy to come back to Massie Lodge.

On my drive home from Toowoomba this afternoon (after having braved the queues in Coles... AAARGH!) I was wondering what can I blog about tonight. One or two things came to mind:-

1. Trousers finally having her baby on Tuesday morning and at a reasonable hour too!
2. Vicky
3. Rusty (who is now having the last laugh now that he is ball-less?) who now lives with Cheeky Chops and is now the one being harrassed
4. The mating habits of Kay (Kwila's Ambition) and Cheeky Chops the would be stallion (if he had balls that is)
5. Christmas in the Robinson Household
6. A visit from Uncle Bob from Sydney
7. My exciting 20 hours at Telstra Countrywide this week
8. Star Ferry (Susie)
9. Priming our liver's up for the weekend (we have visitors down from Cairns)
10. The BP Station at Nobby. Why they insist of charging 99c a litre for petrol and no one ever seems to stop there (especially because there is a cheaper place at Eatonvale)
11. The Miracle Mile. A standard bred's dream come true
12. Lancelot - why on earth he continues to smell even though he swims everyday. (No wonder Evan calls him "Smellalot")

Ok, where shall I start with this lot.

How about this?

Have you ever wondered just how different men and women are? I mean, we all get on, we live together every day but really when it comes right down to the crux of it, its a wonder Adam and Eve ever got it together.

I am the first to admit that Iam a "sensitive" and I do wear my heart and my emotions on my sleeve for all to see and to poke fun at. Evan and I really get on well together, we can talk and laugh and see the same funny things in something peculiar. However, why is it when he says a few words like "I dont care about your (whatever the subject may be)", they actually translate into something quite different by the time it has gone into my ears and processed by my brain....?"

"You are a stupid idiot and have no idea about what you are talking about"

"Yes, your bum is as wide as the front gate"

"What the hell have you done with your hair?"

"You really are letting yourself go"

and you fret and froth about it for the rest of the day. Have some obligatory tears and swear that you will never call him again during the day. By the time you can actually talk about what has transpired (and your have lost 20kgs through worry and anxiety), he has forgotten what was originally said and passed that moment about 12 years ago. The funny thing is that he will have absolutely no idea what the hell you are on about. Because it was nothing.

How different are men and women?

I have no idea where Iam getting all of this, or indeed where this is all coming from, especially when I had 12 interesting subjects to blog about. I mean how riveting would be, say... No.10?

But hang on, getting back to the subject at hand, can you imagine if men were the emotional/hormonal ones?

"Im sorry Officer I had to punch his lights out cause he told me I had a big bum?"

"I just had to put a hole in the wall because you said something that made me cry ;-( "

"Shriek, horror!!! There is a pimple on my chin? Where is the turps?"

Maybe its better that women are the hormonal and emotional ones after all is said and done.

The Eyes Have It.............

Monday just isnt Monday morning without the cuppa that is brought to me first thing in the morning. Am I spoilt or what? Nah, I'm just loved.

Today has been a strange day. It has been raining on and off since yesterday, however, today the wind has developed an cold edge to it and its almost like being back in Winter. Brrrrrr. Its really been the sort of day that you want to curl up on the lounge watch a few dvds and just share the time together. HAHA... it never happens here ... oh ok sometimes.

At 7.30am Evan's mobile has started to ring, which while annoying at times is good for us. Gallopers has been a little quiet during the spring carnival and hopefully things will get back to their chaotic state.

After going into town, having a coffee and doing a few things, I was spending some time doing up the website on Gallopers (with the heater on... in November???) . I noticed that Vicky was still standing way up in the corner on her own looking sad and miserable.

I couldnt stand it any longer, so I left my study and went out to her.

Have you ever looked right in the eyes of your animals? Are you ever amazed at what you see? Or even amazed at what you feel when you look into them? I have seen it written time and time again how animals (dogs and horses) have no emotions and the emotions that we see (or feel) are the emotions that we humans put into them.

What rubbish is that? I dont care that Iam not Uni qualified, but I know what I see.When my old boy, my dog Jack was ill, he may not have had the facility to speak how he felt, but his eyes told me his story - a story of pain and of courage to live and to be with me.

When it was time for him to go and the vet came here to Massie Lodge to send him to a more peaceful place, i could see in his eyes a questioning and then a contentment of what was happening.

It's those eyes that I see in my memories and the way he loved and trusted me with his life and his death.

And now, to remember him I have planted a vegie garden.

Do Horses Get Upset?

We have been very blessed today with 10mls of rain overnight. Just enough to carry on from the lot we have had over the last few weeks. There is plenty of new growth in the paddocks, the dams are still to the brim and the contours are still full of water. It certainly brought a smile to our face when we went Flyveil Hunting this morning. We seem to have a few "Harry" and "Harriet" Houdinis who are very adept in taking off their fly veil and leaving them in the remotest parts of the paddock (deliberately one would suspect if you knew the personalities of the horses!).

Do Horses Get Upset and show signs of depression? I believe so. Vicky our 3yo Vettori filly who although tried her heart out, was sacked by our trainer cause she was not fast enough (a very good reason i would suspect). Came home to us 3 weeks ago and was promptly sent off to Polo School to see if she would be suitable there.

I might add at this stage that Vicky did not have a mark, a cut or a hair out of place on her.

To start this story back at the beginning of this ill fated trip might be a good idea.

It was about 5 days after the last rain deluge and our house paddocks were very very slushy and yukky. The paddock (opposite our bedroom) has a crush at one end of it and this was where Vick was to get onto the truck. No problems, like a good girl she walked up the crush into the truck, was tied up and then was to be on her way to Polo School (PS for short).

Out of all the places this bloke could have taken the truck, he decided the muddy, slushy yukky spot was where he would drive the truck and indeed he got bogged.

To cut a long and boring part of the story short, an hour or so later, he was on his way with Vick who stood in the truck like a trooper to PS.

Friday I hear back from the prospective new owner that Miss Vick has "suddenly" become a windsucker. This was news to me as according to the trainer she was a good gal in the stables and never did anything silly like windsuck, roar, weave etc etc. Also that she was difficult and threw herself down on the ground and behaved like a mad girl. This was also news to me as I had also been told by the trainer that while Vick was a little bit of a fidget on the ground, to ride her was to be given a ride on an angel.

I got the feeling that the prospective owner really didnt like Vick from the start, so there were now two good reasons why they couldnt take her on. So, Miss Vicky was coming back in the same truck that took her away. I nearly died when i saw her on her return.

Vicky had a huge scar down the front of her face in the shape of a meat hook, it was the length of her nose. She also had had a run in on her near front and took some hair off there. Not to mention a stiff motion when she walked eminating from her hind quarters.

I nearly died.

I let Vicky alone the first day, gave her some dinner and thought i would take a closer look the next day (Saturday).

Come Saturday I was sitting in the study and looked out to the left to see a poor forlorn figure standing very still with her head down, looking very very sad. I got up from my chair and went out to see her.

On hearing my voice she came up to me and put her head into my chest for a cuddle and stood there for what seemed like hours.... I gave her a big cuddle and reassured her that nothing WOULD EVER hurt her, like her experience at PS, again.

Today (Sunday) both Evan and I went "flyveil hunting" which took us around the property and an opportunity to give each horse a cuddle. When we got to Vick, Evan was shocked at how upset she was within herself. Once a vibrant, happy-go-lucky filly now very very sad indeed.

I dont know what happened to Vicky at PS and Iam sure that i would be horrified if I found out what transpired but one thing I do know is that Vicky aint going anywhere soon and we will be keeping a very close eye on how she is, emotionally, over the next few weeks.

Helen.

I know, I know we dont need another broodie or another horse and she would present a couple of thousand to us, which is most wanted... but at what price???

What an amzing day yesterday was. I found out truly what the meaning of "being exhausted" meant.

We had Chris the vet come out to do a few things yesterday. Let me first say that before any of this stuff took place, Evan and I had to play musical horses and move them all around before the vet got here. It also meant stratigically moving them all so they didnt get upset... do you know how upset horses get when you start changing the routine of their lives? They rely on routine, routine, routine... and when you change something, or move someone around, it just about knocks them all around, like falling dominos.

First thing first, Rusty (the 2yo Canadian Silver colt) had to be moved out of the colts paddock. Well, what a to do. Rusty being a very head strong boy and the leader of Maz and Charles (the two other colts in the paddock) did not want to move out of his kingdom. Funny, I thought I heard a very faint, "hahaha sucked-in" in a most musical tone coming from both Maz and Charlie. Both of whom now felt safe without him in the paddock. Little did Charles know what lay in store for him!

So, Rusty was moved to a crush paddock where he would get his balls removed. OUCH!

A question for you all... which Canine had a very delectible dish of "Horse Testicles" for afternoon tea????

Matilda, naturally.

Next on the agenda was for Cheeky Chops (our 5yo Octagonal gelding who has been in the paddock for 12 months with a tendon injury) to be moved to the Hospital Paddock where he would get his tendon scanned. No drama with him, although once in the HP, walked up and down like a caged lion screaming .... "LET ME OUT OF HERE................." Chops was given a clean bill of health to start racing again.

Eric the Horse (Entirely) was to be brought up to be scoped. Eric is a lovely boy who was brought to us as a rescue horse in terrible condition. Eric (3) was retired yesterday and will live the rest of his life with us doing nothing but grazing the property and drinking.

Charles was to be got from his and Maz's paddock to be put in a stable box as he had to be microchipped. Charles decided that he would take a leaf out of Rusty's book and didnt want to be caught. Maz hightailed it right down the other end of the paddock and crossed his back legs and tried to blend in with the grass - "You gotta catch me if you want me....." Iam sure I saw him secretly laughing that he was being left alone.

Oriana and Sunny (the 2yearling fillies) were next. They were being microchipped as well. Talk about being the bobsey twins.

My beautiful Nanna (Splendid Feeling) and her lovely Private Agenda filly, Lily, were next to come up into one of the small paddocks for Nanna's 16day preg test. "OUCH, BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU PUT THAT" was the word on Nanna's lips when Chris shoved his arm up her.......... lets just say that there is a lovely wee Canadian Silver baby in there.

Kay (Kwila's Ambition) was the next mare into the crush to see if she was close to being in season. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING...GET YOUR ARM, AND I MEAN YOUR WHOLE ARM OUT OF THERE!!!" Not a follicle in sight. So, a quick job with a hormone should see Kay come into season next week and then will go and visit IRISH ROYAL at Lyndhurst.

Do you ever get the feeling when you have gone to the vets, be it for a dog related trip or to buy something that you should be partaking in their practice's PROFIT SHARING SCHEME? Hmmm after yesteday, I believe that we should be up at the top of the list and our bank balance is feeling extremely nervous.

Meanwhile Turkish Trousers refuses to have her baby and is a week overdue. She watched the whole goings on yesterday from the top paddock. Mind you, she did get a bit narcy and started to whine when she didnt get any hay for lunch yesterday. Trousers has been told today, she has to have the baby before next Saturday as her owners are coming down from Cairns to visit her and her foal. It seems to be the trend this year with pregnant mares i.e. the later the better.

Well that was yesterday, Friday. I must mention that all the horses had to be taken back to their original place of origin. Evan and I came inside and had lunch at 4pm and then dinner at 6. This was followed by an extremely early night with the plan to sleep in a little today (Saturday).... hmmm best laid plans of mice and men.

Helen.

P.S. If you are ever planning to call us here at 6.30am in the morning it had better be for a good reason!!!!

AAAARGH!!!!

WELCOME!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Life and Times of Massie Lodge!Massie Lodge is situated in Warwick, Queensland and is run by me (Helen) and my husband Evan.

At this very point in time our numbers are:-

Dogs: 4 (2 Curlycoated Retrievers, 1 Kelpie Cross and Millie)

Horses: 26 at last count AAArgh! (Thoroughbreds)

Birds: 3 Peachface plus 1 new egg that i spied in the nest

Humans: 2

By the way there is no significance in the order, either!

We are mainly a thoroughbred agisting/spelling and breeding property. However, we do keep retired racehorses, mares that have finished their breeding, and others that have for whatever reason arent racing.

We have 1 filly in work at the moment, STAR FERRY who is by Red Anchor out of a Seventh Hussar mare called Smile's Angel. She is with Greg Kennedy at Caloundra in Queensland. She is about 3 weeks off racing... so that is something really exciting for us.

STAR FERRY, or Susie as she is called at home, was a bit of a mistake actually. Evan, as part of our business Gallopers Australiawide Bloodstock (www.gallopers.com.au) normally attends the Magic Million Monthly sales on behalf of clients, however this particular day I was doing some temp work with Telstra and phoned him during the auction."Has the Red Anchor filly come in yet Evan?" I said, hoping like crazy that she hadnt."Yes, she has just walked in the ring" He said. At that point I felt like she was meant to be ours... i mean the timing was just impeccable! "Why...?""How is the bidding going...?" I asked"$450.00... hang on its $500.""YOU MUST PUT A BID IN... I HAVE TO HAVE HER...."

The rest is as they say, history. Susie has been with us ever since and this is her second preparation with Greg. The first being an educational prep. Poor Evan. I do feel sorry for him because whenI set my mind on something, I HAVE TO HAVE IT!!!

This brings to my mind the Magic Millions National Weanling and Broodmare sale in 2003. Our Euclase mare was in the catalogue and being by Euclase, (By Century - Better Boy) I had to have her. Well I sent him down to the Gold Coast on his own. I can remember the tension when Libby came in the ring... he puts up with a lot my Evan does.

Anyway I do digress and you will find in this blog that I do get off one train of thought and go onto another. But one thing I can assure you is that there is never a dull moment here. Watch this space!