Thursday, May 14, 2009

Magic

Introducing Magic Soiree.

Magic is a lovely mare who was quite successful as a race horse and is now having a lovely retirement with her boyfriend, Mazwell and her other friend Kate.

She is very placid and seems to be enjoying her new life with us.


45

tomorrow.

Aargh! I dont want to even go there.

Welcome Back!

to one of Massie Lodge's favourite residents - Maxine who has come to us for a good holiday after a long preparation.

Maxine arrived late this afternoon with Ross Spackman and looked in top racing condition. I promise there will be photos tomorrow!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

What Im Reading


I decided to start from the beginning and revisit the Kay Scarpetta series again. I am now up to Book 6 - "From Potter's Field" and Iam still enjoying it, mind you not as much as I did the first time that I read them.

Potter's Field is the place in America where they bury unknown or indiginent people.

I have said previously about the Scarpetta series that Patricia Cornwell seems to get very bored with her, although I cant say that the boredom has really set in just yet. Mind you there are still plenty more books to get through in the series!



There is a movie in the pipeline, featuring Angelina Jolie as the good doctor.. Im not sure how these books are going to project onto the big screen. I guess we will have to wait and see.
The very lovely Miss Angel

Old Man Emu ... Harry


The very beautiful Miss Epiphany


I have been very slack in the blogging department. I know and I feel bad about it. I have no excuses. I have just been busy.

There never seems to be a spare moment to sit still and just relax ... even though Im only working 3 days at the farm - the other 2 days are spent helping Evanski with all the residents and other bits and pieces that need to be done. Never a dull moment.

LOL

To catch you up on the news....

Jackie Lee (Conatus / Local News) is about to venture out into the big wide world and travel up North to be broken in. Harry and Jack have been together since birth- and when Jack goes out and has his education with Evan (basically to teach him to accept new things and to teach him to safely walk onto the transport), Harry - being the highly strung boy that he is - has a fit. We will both miss Master Jack as he is the sweetest boy - but, he has to grow up (and that is something that will take Master Harry quite a while!).

Buster is still with Harry and Jack and will now become Harry's best mate! (although Harry doesnt know it yet!) Buster (Conatus / Tycoon Diva) is like Jack in many ways ... a very sweet boy with a temperament to match.

We have a new resident in Magic.

Magic (Magic Soiree) is having an intense love affair with Maz down the back paddock - talk about inseparable. She is a real sweet mare.

Katie (Just a Cat) is still with us and is still on the market for sale. What do we do with Katie is still the most asked question and we are still pondering the answer. She too is with Magic and Mazwell and there is this most bizarre love triangle thing happening. Needless to say that Maz is a happy boy with his girls!

My darling Pip is finally on the road to recovery with her leg after a change in vet managment. It is definitely a time issue to get the leg to heal over, however, each morning as I brave the elements to wash the leg, let it dry and apply new pink spray, I can see the healing process taking place, albeit at a slow pace. She certainly is a mare that responds to kindness and some of the moments that we have shared together lately with her wound management have been special. What an achievement to get a cuddle from her as she is not one to give out her affection easily. She thinks she is pretty special to be getting her herbal tea every feed time (Rosehips / Cammomile and Dandelion).

After getting her retested in April to see if she was still pregnant (and we were pleasantly suprised after the trauma she had gone through), her pregnancy is progressing and she doesnt seem to be bothered at all with the leg issue. Mind you, she might think differently (check her twitter!)

The weaning process is about to begin for Angel who needs to be weaned not only from mum but from Aunty Pip. Miss Angel is a very independent, self assured young lady and cant wait to hang out with Daisy and Trix (I often see her leaning over the rail wanting to see where the 2 young fillies are. I really do like the look of Angel (as a racehorse) and I can often be found just standing there watching her gallop like a mad thing around the house and house paddock. Im not sure how the ladies are going to like being separated from Miss Angel, although the time has to come eventually. (I keep telling Pip that she will have her own to look after and worry about come September).

After spending 3 years with us, Joie's owner has decided to move her in the next few weeks. I will certainly miss Jo and her silly antics. She is a sweet lady who doesnt take any crap from any of the other mares. Trix will follow her in the next few months when it comes time for her to be broken in. Funny how you get attached to them, especially after so long. Our mare Maddy (Madely Miss) will certainly pine for her best mate, still Iam sure she will attach herself to someone else.

I do know though, that Creds will be much happier without the Queen of the Paddock. Creds is blooming in her pregnancy and is a really sweet, quiet unassuming girl.

Dirty, Nottie and Southern are doing well in their own paddock with Dirty looking decidedly rotund as she gets closer to her due date (August). Nottie has had some issues with her front foot that we have now got under control with the help of Manuka Honey and Southern just dotes on her new best mate, Dirty.

Wee Jimmy (Private James) has finally left the health resort and is back in work - what a holiday he had! We're looking forward to getting some photos soon of the young boy!

When I speak of Jimmy my thoughts naturally turn to Max - who was Jimmy's mate for a long time while they were growing up.

Max has had a couple of starts up north and has been sent back out to the paddock to do some more growing up.

Life just seems to have continued on without little Doc and not a day goes by when I dont think about him. Ruby has grown into a confident mouser / frogger and is a very sweet natured Curly Coated Retriever. She is the spit of her mother, Bessie Merle, albeit a bit smaller. She has shown some ability when on the lead doing obedience and is really switched on to work with you. In fact, I have never had a Curly (not even my boy Jack!) who is so switched on and who thinks about what you have asked her. She believes its about you - not her and is completely loyal to either Evan or myself (whoever she is working with).

The weather has definitely started to turn and we think we're in for a deep winter. Something to look forward to.

NOT!

With all the doom and gloom surrounding us, not only in the thoroughbred industry, but in the state of the economy, we will continue to find the things that put a smile on our face. Be it a shared cup of brewed coffee on the back verandah in a sunny spot out of the wind, having a moment with one of the horses or even watching the sunset from the front verandah (as above).

You just gotta keep smiling.