Bits and Pieces

Today saw a few movements of the residents here at Massie Lodge, with Storm (pictured below) now out in the big paddock with new best friend, Moony (pictured above) and Jimmy.

Balls is over his castration and has now been moved to the top paddock where there is plenty of pick for him to enjoy. He has 2 new friends in next door neighbour's Rusty and Luke who are also out the front of Leo's place.

Harry (Imaged) has been moved next to Balls in the paddock near the house as he is still getting over 2 hoof abcesses.

Miss Pip and Gossips and their lovely Conatus boys - Harry Connie Jnr. and Jack - are next to Harry (Imaged) and are now able to pick around the lane way. Gossips is coming up to her 45 day scan next week - fingers crossed!

Sweetie, Knottie and Southern are as fat as fools down the back paddocks. Last sight today saw grey Knottie brown after going for a full swim in one of the two dams.

Maz (Go Maz) is still spelling at Ross Spackman's at Ballina and all reports is that he is doing very well and is finally putting on some weight. He will have a few more weeks in the paddock and then will go back to Phil Quinnell.

Shorts (Irish Chic) is back from her spell and is back in work with Phil Quinnell and all reports say that she is "going good" (trainer 's speak for doing ok!).

Helen & Evan are exhausted after moving horses all around the place and deserve at least a weeked off very soon. Hah!

:-)

Storm

Baby Sitting 101

It was Pikey-man's turn to mind the "kids" while Bessie Merle had some adult time with Matilda down at the dam. Hmmmm!

"This babysitting is easy!"

"Let's hide in here and wait for mum to come and then ... AMBUSH!

"When is my mum coming home?

Bessie Merle's Mobile Milk Bar

"This is Week 8 - surely by now they are sick of this suckling thing ... I know that I am OVER it."



Time to go....

Matlda's Afternoon Out

In lieu of Matilda being the boss, the horse swimming pool has now been renamed - " Matilda's Pool and Spa". Please seek permission before using. (That goes for you Pikey-man!)

Happy Australia Day

Have you ever wondered why we are given a Public Holiday at the end of January? Apart from it being a day that you can sleep in and a day to do "all things Aussie" - what is the real reason behind Australia Day?

And the answer...

To commemorate the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove on January 26th, 1788, 209 years ago. It was originally called "First Landing Day". Governor Macquarie declared it a holiday in 1818.

Did you know that? I am owning up to it... I didnt know ... or rather - I knew it but I had forgotten it. lol .. it was filed away with all the other bits of "stuff".

You have to love the Public Holidays. Sleep in, cuppa brought to me in bed, a day just to enjoy.

Have you caught up with Steve Brem's "This Racing Game" Blog yet? If you are in the industry its a must (just click on the link to go there - but not until you have read all the new posts on my blog!!!) . You will find on Steve's Blog a link to a very honest American site called The American Thoroughbred Review Stallion Watch

These two sites are for people who are sick of the crap that seems to just bubble out of every oriface of the Industry.

Why can't people in the Tbred Industry in Australia be as honest as these two sites are?

Enough of standing on my soap box .... lots of new piccies posted today.

Enjoy!

The Equines...

"GOSSIP CORNER" - Massie Lodge, Queensland.

Lucy and Meggsie

Harry

Storm

"Balls" - post castration (ouch)

The Canines...

Miss Ruby - 8 weeks old

Doc

Bessie Merle

Ruby

Pikey -man

Pikey and Bessie Merle

What Colour Am I ? ... Prt. II

I still havent decided.

Joie and Trix

Sunday

After a very early start, Hot Cross Buns and a steaming cup of coffee for breakfast it was into MSM ... or Martha Stewart Mode for those of you who are undomesticated!

And you all know just how much I love being in MSM mode - not! However, until Evan hires me a housecleaner, butler, driver, cook and studgroom - I guess Iam it! I must say though I was pretty easily distracted by the puppies for one or more tea breaks throughout the morning.

Doc and Ruby had their first lesson with mum in catching a mouse ... mind you Bess did all the work and they just sort of stood there wondering what the hell they were doing. Oh well, plenty of time for that.

I have to also confess that I was distracted by the foals and had a few breaks in the tedious, monotonous task of folding the washing (which pile was the size of Mt. Vesuvius) and went down to play with the fillies down the back and then have some time with the Connie boys, Jack and Harry - which is never a waste of time, but time well invested I always think. Problem was that the washing pile was still there when I eventually came back!

There is something about a Sunday afternoon that beckons you to pick up the book you have been reading and plonk yourself down on the lounge ... I am about to find out about that.

Time to think about next week ... maybe Ill leave that for tomorrow!

Enjoy!

Helen.

Ballisario

THANK YOU!!!

For being so patient with me. I know, I know its been a small lifetime since I have spent any time on this blog. Life just seems to have been flashing by at a 100 miles per minute and after working all week I seem to spend a lot of time catching up on the things that need my attention around the place (you know all the Martha Steward things that just dont seem to get done and keep staring me in the face).

We have been very blessed with lots of rain, lots of rich green pick and the return of some Massie Lodge residents - what better way to start off the new year?

If you scroll down you will see who has arrived and what's been happening along the way.

The crap that belongs to the thoroughbred industry seems to have reached creshendo proportions, however, there is now a blog called "This Racing Game" that finally gives the honesty that is so deserved of such an industry. Well done Steve Brem! Finally there is someone who brings it all out there for all to see.

I promised myself that I wouldnt be so cynical about the industry any more... but its very hard when the crap continues to slap itself on the walls of the different industry bodies - espcially after what we have gone through with Equine Influenza. Where this industry is headed - who knows.

Tomorrow sees the castration of new Massie Lodge resident, "Ballisario" (Balls to his mates, lol) so hopefully there will be some time to just sit and relax and enjoy what we are so lucky to have.

Tonight sees a quiet night with Evan and the Massie Lodge canines and hopefully some good DVDs.

I promise that I will not be so tardy in posting in the future.

Enjoy!

Helen.

The Conatus Boys

To say that we are proud of these two young men is an understatement! They are just the spit of their old man and come across as confident, happy and friendly fellows to anyone who is willing to spend some time with them.

Both mums and boys are doing very well and are in a very lush paddock where there is plenty of green pick for both families. In fact, there might be too much?

After seeing these boys, and after Conatus having his first winner at the Gold Coast - you really must get yourself one!

Being Daisy and Trixie

"Can someone please tell me what colour Iam?"

I had the pleasure of spending some good time down the back today with the two fillies and their mums and can see just how much they have come on since moving down there.

Both girls are friendly and I didnt have to ask twice for them to come and talk to me. I had to laugh at Trix .... as she seems to be going through some stages to get to her right colour!!!

New Arrivals ... Storm

Welcome to Massie Lodge, Storm!

The above photo was taken today, nearly a week after his castration. As you can see he is very happy in his paddock which is next to Harry (Imaged).

After a visit from the farrier next week, Storm will join Moony and Jim in their paddock.

New Arrivals ... Harry

Welcome Back Harry!

It was lovely to see Harry back with us after so long. Harry was suffering from a hoof abcess that did not want to surface, but we seem to have gotten on top of it at long last. As you can see, Harry is now happily picking his way around his paddock.

New Arrivals ... Meggsie

Welcome back to Massie Lodge Meggsie!

Meggsie has been away getting broken in and has come back to Massie Lodge to do some more growing up ... and growing out!

Meggsie is now in a paddock with Lucy and they have become fast friends.