Reflections...

Camryn here:
Reflecting a bit, not like trees gracefully depicted on a pond.  But, on 2011 which we shall soon put behind us. 
It was a fun year for me n Mom for the most part.  Got out and about quite a few times, we both made new friends too. Mom did break her ribs, but recovered and never blamed me for it at all. Got our trailer, which I finally decided somewhat that it was an OK place to be.  Dad got Mom n Me a truck to pull our trailer too!!!  Unfortunatly we found my saddles weren't fitting much to the detriment of my back.  But, fortunatly lotsa friends helped out in trying to find me one that fits.  Now I gots one that does, and my new custom pad should be here next month. We've got hooves crossed that this means the saddle dilemma is behind us.  Mmmmm, I graduated from playing ball in the muck bucket to my hoop (just today actually).  I'm learning to walk sideways, don't know why though!!!  Oh, I took over the blog which was a good thing for readers, so as they didn't have to read Mom's rambling on and on.  I've got new neighbor horses that appear friendly though I've yet to meet up close and personal.  Dad is doing great in his school work, which gives Mom lotsa time for me.  The mud sadly is still upon us, and seemingly always will be.  We're still Sad over loosing Reej (dog) this past spring.  But, Promise eye is better and Onyx has new children. 
Chris & his Sam and their Pits are doing good.  The Pits are in a spa kennel right now while Chris/Sam are seeing in the New Year down in TX.  Jillian and her Jesse are looking good, the family finally got to meet him and he got a big thumbs up.  Adam and his Ashley are good too, Ashley also got a thumbs up from the family. I could find tons more good things to mention but, you get the idea.

Not me but, drawn from a photo Mom took of a friend

All in all, 2011 darned good year I have to say.  My tummy is nearly always full, I feels safe, comfortable and loved.  What more can a Hafy Gurl want for I ask?  Not much for sure :)
Later...

Skito been ordered...

Camryn here:
Mom had made up her mind about ordering a pad for me, then of course changed it.  She's a mare too, so it's her peragative to change her mind I say.
Her had asked Dad for a skito gift certificate from Santa.  He came thru, so between cash Mom had been stashing, money in her paypal from selling some things, and the gift certificate we're good to go.
Mom sent Tom at Skito some pix as he'd requested.  Because I have the atrophy and dipping back he's suggested a scalloped shim to fill in these areas.  It should be shipped in about two weeks.
My new pad is gonna be burgandy which will be really pretty with my brown saddle and chestnut self.  It's a dry back pad so when I'm working up a good sweat this summer the heat can dissapate thru the pad. 
It's pricey as all get out, but Mom says as I'm good as gold, I'm totally worth it.
Treeless Saddle = $$$, Skito Pad = $$$, comfy Haflinger = Priceless
 I do agree as does my back!!!
Later...

Happy surprise...

Camryn here:
Mom had drawn Christopher's honey Samantha for the gift exchange.  Mom has felt bad since Samantha's birthday in August on account of her dropping the entire cake as everyone sang Sam Happy Birthday.  So as well as the normal gift, Mom did a painting for her of their dogs Emily and Remington.  Mom loves their huge pit bull grins in it...

I think Samantha looks plenty surprised...

Plenty happy too!!!

This is a picture of it.  Remington is the blue, Emily the tan, aren't they so cute grinning from ear to ear.
Later...

It worked, it worked...

Camryn here:
Boy, oh boy was Onyx right about that being good stuff.  Santa must have been really impressed with my wheelbarrow pushing cause he brought is a brand new HUGE wheelbarrow.  It's got two wheels so I'm thinking perhaps Santa Paws is trying to simplify my trying to help???  I got a new ball that is way easier to pick up cause it's got holes and is all bendy.  Other me related presents was a Skito gift certificate so as soon as Mom gets some good pix of my back her plans to get me a custom pad, which is beyond awesome!!!  Oh, we got the movie BUCK which Mom already watched and told me all about too.  Her's very glad I was raised up right and not like that viscious horse in the film her said.  Bunch of other stuff too, I think the best part was candy canes in my breakfast "YUMMY"!!!
Tye who Onyx detests took his and the girl dogs gifts and is trying to hoard them.  Guess that may be why Onyx don't like him?  Tye is purty old, gonna be 16 in Feb. so the girls let him play boss dog in the house.  Tye also is big on unwrapping presents.  If he doesn't like what he got enough, he'll even try to unwrap everybodies presents human and dog alike.  He must of like his own from Santa Paws this morning, cause once he had it unwrapped, he settled down with it for a long time.  Mom took video of it this morning, being he's so old she worries it may be his lastest visit from Santa Paws...

Sorry the light isn't so good on it.  But, it sure is funny to watch.
Yesterday Mom N Dad went to her brothers, the whole family was there.  They all ate lots, spent time with each other and of course talked about me.  They said after watching my ball in basket video that Mom has to much time on her hands.  How rude was that?
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my friends and those they love.  And specially the soldiers who are still so far from home.  Like Mom told Chris when he was gone there for Christmas, "Home is where the heart is", so their all actually right at home all the time.
Later...

No lumps of coal here...

Camryn here:
Onyx been telling me about this guy he calls Santa Paws.  Seems if your naughty you gets a lump of coal.  If your good you get presents. 
I'm making sure I don't get any of those coal lumps which I imagine wouldn't taste good!!!
I figure if I show this Santa Paws how helpful I am to Mom it'll guarantee presents right?

So after Mom cleaned my room I thought I'd help clean my yard.  Without opposable thumbs however moving a wheel barrow is pretty near impossible...

The smell isn't all that good either!  Still I tried and Onyx says that counts for something.
Tonight Onyx and I are gonna wait up to try and visit with Santa Paws.  I'm gonna save some of my hay for his reindeer too.  I'm sure they'll be plenty hungry pulling that sleigh.  Wouldn't Mom be surprised in the morning if maybe one of them needed rest and I took it's place pulling Santa Paws?
Wow, I'm glad I thought of that, would be way cool for sure.
Later...

Winter yummies...

Camryn here:
As any true Haflinger must, I enjoy my food immensly.  Winter food around here is the best (cepting summer grass of course).  When the weather turns nippy to humans Mom begins adding alfalfa pellets to my daily lunch routine.  It goes like this, Mom comes down from the house and gives me a flake of hay. 

Course since I finished my breakfast a few hours ago I be totally starved.  I dig in heartily, I'm not shy about my food for sure. 
Next, Mom cleans my room as I stave off imminent starvation...

Next her gives me a luscious pound of Alfalfa pellets.  Oooooooh, heaven!!!  Mom cleans the paddock & fills my water while I clean my bowl.  Yep, I lick it good and clean...

Mom brings my Alfalfa stuff down in an empty coffee container.  Lucky me, today she left it sitting in the barn aisle.  I came in to cleanse my palate with water and discovered it right away.  Didn't take no effort at all to pop the lid off.  A bit more difficult though to try to tip it like people do water bottles to check if any food is left, the smell is still in it...

Couldn't quite get it tipped enough.  Mmmmm, maybe if I roll it???...

Rolling didn't net much in results.  Ahhhh, got it tipped over now, that should do it right?...

Pick it up thinking of course by now the container that smells so good has magicaly refilled & I've emptied the new contents on the ground.   NO ALFALFA, my masterly plan didn't work!!!  What's up with that, Mom why are you laughing so hard?  What do you mean I can't have no more till tomorrow?  I finally gave up when I noticed my hay net all poofy and full of hay.  So, I guess I can wait till lunch tomorrow for more Alfalfa <SIGH>
Later...

Special free offering...

Camryn here:
Just in case your lacking, I thought I'd offer up free something we have an abundance of.  That's just the kind of gurl I am, sharing and all. 

Anyway, we gots mud here and lots of it, just come get however much you're wanting. It's perfectly aged since we've had record rainfalls this year.  This is only part of my paddock area there is more in the pasture. Pasture mud is even better as it's been saturating under water for so long.  You can even just come for a roll if you don't have a truck for hauling!...

No need to be timid about it, I'll even help load it up if you'd like...

Onyx says he'll help too.  Being kind of lacking in the leg department, he's literaly knee deep!!!  Amazing how clean we both are considering don't you think?
Later...

Practice makes perfect...

Camryn here:

Remember me mentioning learning how to play basketball?  Which means picking up a ball and putting it in a muck bucket basket.  Anyhow Mom n me have been practicing and we're getting pretty good at it.  Though I must mention Mom needs some work on her video skills, course making video AND clicking, tossing ball, fixing basket would be difficult even with having thumbs I should give her credit for being able to do it period right?  Once though I made it easier for her and fixed the bucket after having knocked it over all by myself.  Anyhow, here is the video we made:

Did ya notice I didn't even miss a single shot!!!  Awesome right?  Mom thinks I might be able to go with the NBA eventually.  The Cleveland Caveliers could certainly use my help!!!  This is the first time I made my shot from any distance.  Before this I was inconsistant even for close shots.  We'll keep working on my game and hopefully I'll be making shots even better than that Lebron dude someday. 

Oh, paleese ignore Mom's constant chatter, she does go on and on somtimes!

Hey, I gots an idea if all my friends pass the link on to their friends maybe I'll get famous and be a YouTube diva???  That's be way cool, then they could throw candy canes to me & I'd share them with all my horse friends even?

Later...

Dog tired...

Camryn here:
Judging by the way Ivy fell asleep you'd think she'd been working hard or something...

Good thing no one here is a prankster (at least to animals). A slight pull on the ottoman and Ivy woulda crashed for sure.  A hard life these dogs live around here.  Here her is closer up, don't ya just love her adorable stubby legs

You can biggify for full effect.  Mom says there be a painting coming for this one perhaps.

Later...

For Grandma...

Camryn here:
Mom's been busy with some Christmas projects.  One is all done finally, it's for her Mom from the Grandkids.  Grandma doesn't have a picture of all of them together.  Not that they don't get together but, when they do their all in motion!!!
So for Grandma, Mom managed to get the kids all together for a picture taking session.  Then her took the best one (no bunny ears) and did a drawing of them.  Mom's quite happy with how it turned out, specially since her shy's away from doing human portraits...

Mom's kidders are the middle three.  I think Grandma is gonna get all teary eyed when she opens it don't you ?
Later

Newest family members...

Camryn here:
Do you remember my post about 63 days ago about Onyx getting married???
Since Onyx is my dog I'm guessing his family is my family right?  Well, we gots an announcement to make.  I have three new nephew pups, and two niece pups!!!  They were borned today just a few days after Onyx 12th birthday to boot.  We don't have any pictures of them yet since they weren't borned here, we should soon I hopes.  They were pretty big weighing in at 12 to 13 ounces, his wife had them quite nicely starting at 1 a.m.  All apparently look like Onyx and are black/white with tan points.  Mom plans to go see them after the new year.
This was Onyx last hooray in the father department. He'll be pretty bummed as he loves his honeymoons hee hee.
Later

More of MY family...

Camryn here:
Since I shared my children pix with you, I just thought I'd share a few more of my horsey family.  It was so nice of my old owner to make sure Mom had some don't you think :)...

This is my dear Momma Correba and one of my brothers who's name I don't know...

My father Mike Le-La...

This one is of my sister Connie...

This is of my half sister Dream and I out grazing together.  She and I were the last two left when Mom bought me and brought me home.  Dream helped Mom decide I was the right one for her.  As Mom rode me down the long drive, Dream was hollering big time for me in the barn.  I hesitated just a moment then went on working for Mom.  That was the moment Mom remembers best of that day...

In case you couldn't tell by my children and my half sister Dream we had a paint in our lives.  This is my Husband and father of my children.  His name is Ace. So that's my horsey family.
Later...

Very own children...

Camryn:
Of course with Christmas around the corner one thinks of family.  When I moved here my former owner was kind enough to send along some pictures of my very own family:

This is my very own son...

His name is Red, his Daddy is a Paint.  I guess Red got spots on his heart on account of none showed up on his body!!!  My old owner told Mom that the only time I ever bit anyone was when I was a first time Mom.  He walked into my stall and right up to Red without thinking.  I let him know he shoulda asked first.  I was a good Momma.

This is me froliking with my daughter...

Isn't she purty, her spots showed up all over!!!  They called her Spring.

Spring,  I'm guessing as a long yearling.  Mom saw her for sale earlier in the year, if we'd had room Mom woulda bought  her for me.  The for sale pix showed she had my head and body but, longer legs.  I hope both my children have wonderful homes like me.  Maybe someday we'll have more room and if Mom see's her for sale again I can have my girl back with me?  According the ad Mom saw, her name is Ruby now.

Saddle Pad dilemma...

Camryn here:
Mom thinks she's done banging her head on the wall trying to figure out which saddle pad to get for me n my Barefoot Saddle.
It came with an older Grandeur pad.  It has a thin closed cell insert thing, with my wither atrophy I need differant type inserts.  Her's got a borrowed Equipedic which has thick open cell inserts.  But, not enough support to protect me from her "apple bottom"!!!
So her's been doing lotsa reading n stuff trying to figure out not just what pad would work best for me.  But, one that works for da pocket book as well.

Her choice would of course be this:

A Skito Dryback pad.  They can build it just for me but, the cost is very prohibative for buying.  Mom has always had issues with Champagne tastes with Beer wages Dad says hee hee.  Her agrees though.

So, a very good second choice is this one:

It's a Barefoot Western Physio Pad System.  It says it's for horse's with atrophy AND for riders with "Apple Bottoms".  It's not cheap either but, Fri. Mom will have enough to order it for me.

It has a whole system of inserts that will help give me spinal clearance and stuff needed for a treeless saddle.

  Her's gonna call the store tomorrow that sells it to talk more about it.  Peoples have told her the store be very helpful and honest at guiding people for their horses needs. 

So hopefully Mom won't have to be banging her head on walls n such no more!  Then her'll start saving up for the Columbus Equine Affaire Camryn Shopfest in April ;)

Later...

Rain and/or rain...

Camryn here:
Not much to talk about unless you want to talk about rain!!!  We have lots of it here, we've had lots of it all year.  Mom is sick of it big time.  Me, I don't mind it so much, nothing like a good nap standing in the rain I say.  Though the fact that my pasture has been better for ducks than me most of the time doesn't make me smile.  Mom says it's a good thing I don't mind umbrellas cause she comes down to the barn with one so often.  I think she should let me carry it for her, I could do it I know I could.  On the few non rain days we've had, Mom & me have been playing together.  We'd been working on my basket ball skills but, part of my hoop set got losted :(.  Her thinks that Dad might have accidently tossed it not knowing what it was.  We've been practicing in secret as a surprise for him.  This means Mom has the parts of my hoop seperate and tucked away in the barn.  Bad idea I guess <SIGH>  So now we're stuck dropping my ball in a muck bucket for now (a clean one of course)
We've also been working on my side passing. I'm trying really hard but, Mom has problems with explaining that my front half AND my back half are supposed to move over together as in at the same time!!!  I can do my front have THEN my back half real good though!
Later

Pucker up boyz...

Camryn here:
Just wanted to send a big ol Drafty Hafy Gurl smooch to my boyz out in cyber land.  Doc, Pippin pucker up cause this ones for you...

My eyes are closed and I'm awaiting!!  All you geldings, how does a flake per kiss sound???  Kind of like a kissing booth but, I'll take hay instead of cash!!!
Then after you give me a toe hoof curling kiss I'll give you one of these...

My bestest, sexiest Camryn Diaz smile of adoration!!!  Doesn't the song "I'm to sexy for my halter, to sexy for my saddle..." come to mind when you see these?
Oh, that white stuff on my lips is my special designer wormer lipstick!
Next, I'll beckon you to follow me to my room with just a turn of the head...

I'm practicing for my spring season.  Do you think I'll have a line in the pasture???

I can envision Pippin n Doc, along with Eclipse, Cameron, Jesse, Levi, Sammy, and Prince, any other takers are quite welcome.  The hay loft is full but, we'll find room for extras!

Love ya boyz XXXOOO...

Later

Working for Mom...

Camryn here:
Not much going on around here really.  Had a few nice weather days that Mom concentrated on cleaning out the gardens and burning deadfall.  Between the rain, winds and her recuperating ribs those things have been awaiting her attention. 
I haven't been totally idle though (darn it).  We've been getting back to doing some groundwork.  Nothing major due to mud, just longing at a walk, disenaging, backing...I'm not totally happy about it, did offer a few bucks at first.  Mom just kinda laughs at the attitude though.  I'd prefer her to just realize this means I don't wanna and leave it be.  SIGH
Big plus is Mom has been adding black oil sunflower seeds to my breakfast/dinner feed.  Nom, nom, nom I do like these a lot.  Just a little right now she'll build up to 1/4 cup over time.  I get these each winter, so besides the bugs being gone I do look forward to winter I have to admit.  Mom'll also add some alfalfa pellets later in the year at my trimmers recommendations.  Not enough to get me all frisky or anything like that. 
Onyx now has his special heated pad in his bed to keep him cozy as the weather changes.  He has a good coat, but I don't think he's able to self heat as good as me.  I have a very deluxe coat going on.  I'll have to ask Mom to take some piktures of me and my fur to post.
Oh, the new Neigh-bors keep Mom amused.  First off Wa-Chi had another name change, Danette feels the name Jesse suits him better.  Anyway, Levi and Jesse finally got turned out together.  Mom thinks Levi finds Jesse highly annoying.  Jesse is always like "lets play", while Levi squeals "would you just leave me alone".  Maybe Levi being only 4 finds Jesse intimidating, though it seems Jesse is all about just having fun and not being mean at all.  Mom thinks they'll become great friends pretty soon.
I'm looking forward to meeting them both up close.  For some reason though Mom & Me haven't been invited over to work with them. Maybe soon though, afterall if we're gonna be riding buddies it would be a good thing right?
Later

Just a tad damp I am...

Camryn here:
Yesterday was a rain all day kinda day.  The temps were pretty mild though so I decided to self wash a bit.  Coulda used some shampoo though I guess...

Ok so I'm a little wet Mom, nothing a little hay won't cure.  At least I don't smell like wet dog right?...

Ahhhhhh, yes Nervana, a cure all for what might ail you I say...

Onyx here: So what's the comment about smelling like a wet dog about?  Mmmmm, one of us has brains enough to come in outa the rain.  Hint, it's not Camryn!!!
Later...

The boyfriend neighbor moved in...

Camryn here:
Exciting news, Danette picked up Wa-Chi today.  Not sure of da spelling, Indian for something to do with clouds I guess.  Momma went with and of course took her camera.  Her wished her'd thought to take some pictures of da barn Wa-Chi came from.  Mom said it's like a big time horse palace kind of place, da board be nearly as much as a house payment!!!  Danette has a real nice place but, nothing like a palace, we hopes Wa-Chi realizes being a home boy horse is a much better way to be.  Getting spoilt and loved on by just one person that he can call his own now, instead of being a schooling horse.
He'd never done a step up trailer before, so that took some time and patience.  He never misbehaved one bit, never stressed, just didn't quite get the you have to step up and in part.  Everyone just took their time and he got in fine once he got it.

They'd circle then present the trailer, back him, circle some more kind of thing.  He'd put in one foot, then two, then one rear, till finally all of him was in the trailer...

Coming off the trailer, he did a Hafy thing and wanted to beeline for the grass.  I think I like him already!...

He's taking in all the new sights and sounds very calmly...

Eclipse and Dakato being the welcoming commitee.  Levi is in the barn being treated for his rainrot.  You can see my barn just beyond the blue tarp...

I think Wa-Chi must be happy to have Danette as his new Momma since he's givin her a big ol smooch!...

I think Wa-Chi will love his new room right next to the hay.  He'll spend today in his new room then meet his new friends one by one.  Momma says his Dapples look just like snow flakes across his shoulders.  I can't wait till he's out in the pasture so I can give him a good "Welcome Whinny".
Later...

Return of the net...

Camryn here:
I'd posted about my being back on my slow feed hay net and had a few comment regarding it.  So, I asked Mom to bring the camera down to the barn for a little show n eat...

I am patiently awaiting the hanging of my slow feed net, NOT...

OK, so this is me actually trying to be patient.  This is on account of Mom's loud "KNOCK IT OFF CAM"
Jeez, Mom I'm a hungry gurl don't ya know...

 

I take very delicate  little bites on account that I'm such a demure lady...

NOT...

Lady Schmady, I'm hungry and this is how I do it!!! 

Mom got my bags from Smart Pak Equine, they was on sale for $9.99 at the time.  My first set her gots from Miller Saddlery for $9.99 too.  If you google slow feed nets you can check around for good prices.  My first set lasted 2 years.  A few tips for your peoples, after 2 years daily Hafly eating the nylon kinda gets chewed up a bit.  Patching only gets it for so long, order new ones.  Haflingers can and will discover that if you pick up your bag from the bottom that there is a large hole there.  We can and will devour from this large hole to speed up the eating process.  Mean Moms such as mine will place a round rock over the hole making this nearly impossible to do!!!  Course then you gets the added benefit of it making big noise if it's hung on a metal gate as you pull your mouthfuls of hay.  This keeps your dog from truly enjoying his nap but, if he's a good friend he will suffer thru the noise.  The SmartPak bags come in two sizes, small and large, I got the large size which is a bit smaller than my original bags.  We like the bigger ones cause you gets more and their easier to stuff.  Also the SmartPak bag has metal rings at the top for the cord that Mom's use to tie it shut.  At first the rings make it difficult to stuff, once you Haflingers get the rings a bit rusty from enthusiasticly slobbering as you eat it makes stuffing the bag much easier.  Another tip is for Mom's (or Dad's I guess) to place empty bag in clean muck bucket.  Kind keeps the bag in one place and collects spillage as Mom's aren't always neat as the prepare your banquet!!!  Mom stuffs three at a time after work, while I patiently wait.  One for lunch, one for bedtime, and the other for breakfast.  Having these already filled means Mom doesn't have to freeze so much for my bedtime meal, and she won't be rushed for work getting me my breakfast either.  Since it's winter now, I also get a side flake for breakfast/lunch and depending on the weather sometimes two at bedtime.

For those of you who don't know I was what the Vet called morbidly obese when I moved her almost two years ago.  With Mom's starvation loving diet I've dropped over 300 lbs. still a DraftyHafyGurl, still gots my apple bottom.  But, according the Mom and the Vet I'm much healthier and happier.  Still, I'd love to do what I does best EAT, EAT, and EAT some more.

Later