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.... Twas the night before Christmas ... and once again all those in the Massie Lodge household were running around frantically trying to tie up all the loose ends from the year. Those who know us say thats pretty normal and standard. LOL.

One thing that I havent got to is the annual newsletter or the resident's Chrissy photos ... these things are to come!!

So, from all of us here at Massie Lodge to you our friends, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Helen & Evan

Epiphany

You know there are days when she can be the biggest bitch in the paddock - she wont let you catch her, you cant do anything to her leg without her biting you and pushing you around.

Then on some days, she calls out to me and rushes up to greet me in the paddock and gives me a cuddle.

That's my gal.

A Jockey's Journey

Ever wondered what a jockey's life is like? I know the more that we work with Damien the more I wonder what the lure is. I know there is an obvious answer, but its gotta be more than that because it's not an easy life.

If you get a chance have a look at A Jockey's Journey.

Friday Night

What a crazy week its been. I have been flat out for most of the week finishing off Terry & Chris Hall's website - www.hallstockhorses.com.au - and the last 2 days running into town picking up things for Christmas Day.

I would love to say that I'm organised ... hahahah .... but if I did I would be lying. Its just the usual last minute thing for us as we're both flat out trying to juggle 4 or 5 things at once. But I DID get Christmas Cards out early... hahaha .... I still have some to send electronically, and I still need to do the newsletter thingo ... and I still have to take the Resident's Chrissy photos for their families... hahaha its just the same as last year!!

Not to mention fix up the Massie Lodge website, create something fantastic for Crazy Horse (am still in the design process for the logo.... its not easy I tell you). One thing I have realised is that you have to be true to yourself when your doing this sort of process.... hopefully we're on the right track now :)

Time for me to hit the sack... I think im expected to get up early tomorrow!!! LOL

The Birds...

While I always seem to take notice of the sunsets and the sunrises, sometimes it pays to look a little closer and see who also lives at Massie Lodge!

My Back Yard

One special moment in time and I was lucky enough to be able to witness it. Amazing.

Buck and Northie ... Growing Up

We have moved 2 little boys Buck (Mustaneer / Another Southern) and Northie (Mustaneer / Another Southern) since they have been gelded to the paddock behind the house where there is plenty of pick and plenty of room for them to run around and be boys.

Many thanks to Craig who came over before heading off for Christmas to do some trims.

Both boys are "works in progress" ... :)

Matilda's Vet Visit

Every year about this time, something always happens to Matilda. Im not quite sure why it does, but sure enough this year has been no exception.

For those who know Tilly, every morning when Evan goes out at 5.30am to feed the horses, Matilda sets off on her morning constitutional and follows a set route: up the back alley, down to the back paddock up into Ted's down through Leo's and then walks up by the side of the road and then into the front gate. She then lets herself in the back door and waites for me to get up (and her morning biccies).

On Christmas Day the year before last, Tilly went off on her constitutional, however, this time she had an argument with a passing car.

Both Evan and I happened to be up near the front and raced up to see what was going on. Matilda was flat on the road. The poor lady who hit her raced into our front paddock and was beside herself with grief.

In the meantime, Tilly got up, dusted herself off and continued on her way into the front yard - albeit a little shaky and in a little shock.

We brought the lady inside and gave her a cup of tea and when she was ready she continued on her way. Matilda sat by the lady hoping to get some of her biscuit.

Last year in December, Matilda had a cyst on her eye that had to be taken off.

This year is no different. I rushed Matilda into see Greg Harris (Warwick Town and Country Vets) this morning as she had a big abcess on the bridge of her nose - and it had just broken. The abcess apparently coming from the root of one of her teeth.

Both Greg and I were surprised at the abcess as her teeth are in great condition for a 12YO.

So, $$$$ later, (minor surgery to remove the tooth and clean the abcess) - Matilda has received her Christmas present for this year.

The Life and Times...

Hope you aren't getting sick of the sunsets? I know that I don't .... Pretty scary that its getting so close to Christmas - why is it that people start flocking to the shops and spending enormous amounts of money that they can't afford for this particular day?

Don't get me wrong, I like Christmas (um, Im not quite so sure about Evan!) but I think people have lost the plot with it. I mean, its fun to be able to open lots of presents, but what's the point of getting yourself so heavily in to debt over 1 day? Maybe people feel obligated to go and buy the biggest and the best ... I don't know.

I remember great Christmas days with my family when we were growing up. Being the youngest of 4, my mum and dad and my brothers always made sure that I had a great time and got caught up in all the festivities that included 100 (maybe not quite 100!) relatives visiting over the 3 day period .... and of course that meant lots of food and drink and massive amounts of lollies and chocolate covered peanuts and apple cider (non alcoholic of course!).

These days its just a quiet affair ... but thats ok. It means more this way and makes the day more special.

Evan and I have been going along flat out ... every day there seems to be plenty to do - not just around the farm, but with our respective jobs.

I am on the precipice of sending my websites that I have created live. I am also waiting (patiently!!) for the development of my logo.... once I have that I can get my website - Crazy Horse Marketing - up and running!

Evan and Damien are working very hard even at this point of the year (it never stops actually) - just because the end of the year is coming up, there is still plenty of racing - except for Christmas Day - Iam wondering how they are going to cope having a day without any racing!! I am sure that Evan will have the DT's by the end of the 25th... I know I will manage ok. LOL

Congratulations must go to Damien who has had successive winners in town in Adelaide. You know, as I keep saying, it's tough being a Jockey ... the early mornings, the fasting, the travelling, the race days - its nice to see him bear the fruit of all his hard work.

I can tell you that I know that Evan rides every race with him; he paces up and down, he stands in front of the tv (that is always tuned to Sky) and doesnt miss a heartbeat of a furlong of a race.

:)

Im really looking forward to the prospect of getting a Taos mare in the new year as my main breeding mare (for those of you who dont know, Taos is a son of Century and is out of the good mare, Pink Cloud). I was upset to have to retire Epiphany as she is only one of a handful of daughters of Century who are still alive, however, I figured after 9 foals, she is due to have a good life without the burden of motherhood. (Mind you if you ask her, she will tell you that she is busy being Aunty to both colts, Herman and Rocky!).

I still have her youngest filly, Pix by Conatus - who is quietly growing up in the paddock under the watchful eye of Mazwell (she is officially one of "his" girls) and there is no way, just no way (!!!) that she is leaving the property (lol) - except to be either broken in (but im crossing my fingers that Craig Belford will work his magic with her for that) or to go to the trainer. Mind you, we're still not sure if she will have a racing career due to her neck injury as a wee foal ... time will tell. (You gotta remember that there are NEVER ANY CERTAINTIES WITH A THOROUGHBRED !!!! (Experience and a lot of heartache has taught us that one).

Im sitting here at my laptop and time is ticking away as it does on a Sunday afternoon and the races have been run and won. I have Ruby at my feet, Pikey to one side of me and Bessie Merle on the other - my protectors - and guess what, Im cooking tonight - hah! what a shock for Evan!

Rocky

Ruby

Herman

Massie Lodge Maggies

Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to spend time just browsing through book stores - Im a great believer that you will never know what you will find if you keep looking. This particular day I was up in Toowoomba and after spending a day taking photos for a website, and I treated myself to a browse in the local Dymocks before heading back home.

I saw all the usual authors, however, right up the back of the shop I did come across this book - "Life with Rosie" by Helen Thomas who is a journalist in Sydney.

The line on the front cover said, "The highs and lows of owning a Rachorse" - as soon as I saw that I had to have the book as I was intrigued to see how other people perceived being in the Thoroughbred Industry.

This book is as good as its cover says. There is no glamorisation of the industry - its just a warts and all story about the heartache of breeding, breeding to race, yearlings and racing.

There were some thoughts in the book that I didnt agree with and once again those people who know me know that I abhore 2YO racing and the way the industry manufactures yearlings to go through the sales and the millions of dollars prizemoney that draws people into pushing these youngsters too early.

On the whole, however, I did enjoy the book and I empathised with Helen when she related the stories about horses who are supposed to be grazing quietly rather than running into gates, fences etc etc. Those who do own a horse will understand this clearly!

If you see the book, and you're in the industry - grab it ... it does make for a good read.

You Never Come Between a Man and His Bone...

Pikey

Harry and Buster

We have moved the 2 Conatus boys into the big spelling paddock that is knee high with grass so that they can spell and think about their education. As you can see, both of them are growing outwards rather than upwards!

We have had a few enquiries about Buster, but nothing serious. Its funny watching the dynamics of the side paddocks ... Harry and Buster are next to Mazwell and his ladies. On the other side of them are the 3 other mares, Nottie, Southern and Daisy. Mazwell will not tolerate Harry going anywhere near his girls and chases him away from the boundary fence.

Harry says that's fine and goes and hangs out with the other ladies ... I love watching the relationships between the horses, it's fascinating.

Harry

Buster

Harry - at the boundary fence until Maz came and chased him away!