Happy Halloween...

Our little devils are all set for Halloween. Perhaps bobbing for apples later...

Don't let the innocent expression full you. There is definitely a little lovable devil in Merlin!

Pippin wears his horns quite well. 

Did someone mention bobbing for apples?  We're on our way!

Sweet Ivy had her third laser treatment for her back this morning...

Lincoln offers moral support as they wait for the Vet. 

Bless his heart, he's giving Ivy a gentle massage as we wait ❤️ Love this lil guy. 

And a Very Happy Birthday to our sweet Pumpkin Kennedy 

Cake smash!

They've all got my vote...

Perhaps I'm a tad bit biased, these three certainly have Gramma's vote...

Kennedy, Lincoln & Jefferson, take note of what the boys jammy shirts say LOL

The candidates enjoy some down time at the beach ❤️

Kennedy turns 1 yr. old tomorrow, yes she's a pumpkin baby. The boys flew down so the cousins could all share in celebrating. No, Gramma didn't get to join in. I'm there in spirit however. 

That Love/Hate thing...(pic heavy)

The boyz, it truly seems they love to hate each other at times. Brings back memories of my sons when they were young. And gives me visions of what's to come with Lincoln & Jefferson 😳

Awwwww, so sweet...

 Not for long, next up is squealing & then this...

She's my human, don't touch her ever again...

You pipsqueak Pippin, don't tell me what to do...

Ha, on you Merlin, I have youth on my side...

They really can move...

Synchronized bickering!

All this after they'd been so good being scratched and led together in the pasture. I really do think they enjoy it!

Simple things...

The simplest of things can make me happy. For instance my new muck rake!  It's "fine tined", and picks up even the smallest of the Mini's "marbles", they can be so darn little I sure can't call them apples. With a normal rake it was taking forever to clean their stall, everything needed picked up twice as they fell thru the tines. Pain in the arse in a big way. 

My supervisor Merlin points out spots I've missed and reminds me he'd like a mint on his pillow. What a face. 

I also ordered several smaller rubber feed bowls. I now have four, rather than feeding after they're in their stall, I have it all laid out, ready before I bring them in. I'm also putting breakfast out in the run in area while they're eating dinner. It's lessened the "feed me first" bickering enormously. 

Let there be peace and cute little Mini butts!

Though the peace is always on the verge of warfare.  There are two piles of hay in the run in area. Pippin had been working on this pile, Merlin came over ears pinned daring Pippin to continue eating from it. Pippin though a gelding is ballsy. While he moves to the edge a bit he's not leaving his pile of hay. 

It's a love hate relationship...

Most of the time they really do like one another "I think!"

Busy critter day...

I may have mentioned our Cardigan Welsh Corgi Ivy having issues with her back several weeks ago. She'd been on the mend, then pain started up once again. Back to the Vets, on the mend...once weaning her off the Prednisone would begin, she'd regress again. So back to the Vet again, was decided to begin laser therapy, X-rays first to rule out possible tumor. Good news, no tumor, she also has no arthritis, nor bulging discs which is what was suspected. She does have mineralization at T-9 to T-11, so along with restarting meds once again she had her first laser therapy treatment. She's to have a course of 6, one every other day, then weekly. Vet said the laser therapy isn't long term, the anti inflammatory meds will be however, along with as needed pain meds. Poor girl, she's the sweetest lil thing, fortunately she loves going to the Vet & they adore her right back...

Everyone in the room had to wear protective glasses...

The treatment felt so good, she dosed off 😊.

 Ivy is from one of our litters back when I showed & bred. So she's been with us from conception, we have to do everything we can to keep our darling princess comfortable. 

Today was also mani pedi day for our hoofed friends. First up was Grace, yes she's still at our trainers barn.  Between Ivy, the boys and the minis, I haven't seen her for a week. She's looking good & happy and seems to enjoy the boarding barn. 

Next up the Minis, who my trimmer hadn't yet met. We tied Pippin nearby and started with Merlin, as I expected, he was the perfect gentleman.  Pippin up next, I'd warned my trimmer to expect him to be fine with his fronts, and his backs would depend on his mood of the moment.  The moment was, "no I don't wanna, you can't make me!"  Poor guy, doesn't realize that he's really to small to deter people used to full sized horses. Once he understood, his wee rears were taken care off. Lucky my trimmer is patient and has a good sense off humor. I think our laughter is what caused him to settle down and give it up. 

You may have noticed my header picture change?  We finally had a day with three adults on hand and decent weather at the same time. Lincoln was thrilled to finally get a ride in. Merlin didn't put a foot wrong, even with Pippin running and calling from the pasture fence line. Merlin did keep an ear on Pippin but, otherwise didn't acknowledge his antics. Lincoln rode with me leading & Daddy side walking.  Lincoln did become unbalanced a few times, sweet Merlin stopped immediately on his own each time.  He's going to be a priceless first horse for the Grandkids for sure!  Chris got a few pix of Lincoln riding but, I only got after ride "thanks for the ride" from Lincoln pic. I wish I'd have thought to video the after ride as Merlin automatically joined up with Lincoln following along as if they were magnetized. Awesome!

Did get video of pasture antics as I hauled muck to the back of their field...

Pippin was coming to say Hello, Merlin felt he shouldn't as usual. Though the duration of the bossing has shortened quite a lot. Hope with consistent handling & time they'll learn to share attention. Either way, they're awesome lil guys. 

Advise PLEASE...

Most know I've always had just one horse. I'm unsure what if anything, I can do regarding Pippin & Merlins fighting when I'm nearby. 

They'll have only been together a week this coming Wednesday, I do understand their figuring out who's who in getting along. 

In the pasture the past few days, they've really begun to settle in nicely, grazing head to head, butt to butt, side by side. One naps while the other stands nearby, even in their shared stall they often choose to share the same feed bowl and pile of hay. I see them calmly walking together here and there. Sometimes running in sync. 

Yesterday after grooming them, was the first time they didn't fight when I was nearby. Though they wanted to during the grooming, with one tied they couldn't. Today they're back at it. It appears that Merlin the eldest and newest feels Pippin needs to stay away from me. Ear pinning, teeth bared, chasing, rearing, even dropping to his knees going at Pippins legs!  Pippin gets his licks in as well, backing into Merlin, biting, chasing...oddly though both position to double barrel, they merely hop their bums in the air with their hooves not connecting. Merlin seems much more determined to have me to himself. 

Both had come from places where they were the only Mini there. I know Pippin had been chased by the full sized horse geldings and ended up chasing them instead. Merlin had been put in with new boarders though, because he got on so well with others. Pippin, while taken care of, most likely didn't receive and abundant amount of human attention, while Merlin was the reverse. 

Poor Pippin is becoming afraid to approach me, though he so wants to. I'm thinking of carrying a crop along, I can ward off one, while loving on the other?

Please, I know most of you have multiples at home. What are your experiences?  Is this normal in the beginning? Is there anything I can or should do?  Don't be shy, I need comments on this. 

Spa day for the littles...

While I'd planned to hitch Merlin today, I ended up playing catch up inside for most of the day. Learned a valuable lesson in not getting behind in laundry. 

I did however give both Merlin & Pippin some spa time.

It's a bit difficult when they've been pretty possessive of who gets to be close to me.

 I tied Merlin & managed to keep Pippin at bay as he'd come in to harass Merlin with a quert. He tried several different maneuvers before finally just giving up & just chilling nearby till it was his turn.

Peace at last!

I left Merlin tied while Pippin had his turn. Mud season is right around the corner, both had their tails trimmed and braided. May not last long with their shenanigans though. 

Hubby bless him, is building a wind break on the end of their porch area. Both Mini's were all about offering assistance lol. 

With just one horse in the past it wasn't an issue. Now however, should one not wish to allow the other access to the run in area, at least he can be out of the wind. Hubby plans to add an opaque currogated plastic at the top.

For some reason after they're spa, they both were agreeable with me giving attention to the other. 

He's such a little squirt & that half blue eye always makes him appear to be up to something. 

Merlins expression is much softer & kinder. Of course, he's got more experience at life in general. And from what I was told, his past was filled with human attention. 

Hay there!

Not all bliss...

While the boyz do have their peaceful moments...

You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours

They even watch over one another...

Pippin catches a few Zzzzz's as Merlin grazes nearby. 

It's not always sunshine & rose filled moments between the two little Napoleons!  They both want to be big man on campus & Pippin being only 4 can be an annoying, bratty little twit. Oddly enough while they have separate feed bowls & I split their morning & evening hay into three piles, they nearly always choose to eat quite peacefully from the same bowl/pile!  

Most drama that I've witnessed involves who gets to be inside or on their porch area whomever is inside will chase the one entering out, same with the porch. After a few tiffs over turf, they do chill and nap side by side and groom one another. Another cause of arguing is my presence, they both want my attention & chase one another away for scratches. Hasn't helped that we've had nonstop rain the past few days, so it's not like the three of us are in the wide open. Pippin likes to back his bum into Merlin, Merlin likes to rear & bite. One benefit is Pippins biggest lip wart is gone!!!  For now anyway. 

We all have some adjusting & adapting to do. The boyz with one another, along with their new home. I have to adjust to two horses as I've always only had just one. Though they are miniatures, their still horses!

Happy boy, Happy Mini's...

A little rain can't dampen Lincoln's spirits, as soon as we pulled in after preschool off to the barn we went to meet Merlin...

Merlin is very well acquainted with small humans, kisses on his nose were no problem. 

Wasn't quite the hug fest Pippin received, as Pippin made sure he had Lincoln's attention as well...

And with the rain we were limited to the barn area, so no running about either. 

Lincoln did his best to attempt to convince me that "his" horsies should come in the house.  Keep in mind he just turned three!

He really works it, law school in his future???

Gone & did it...

Went to see a mini this morning, horse trailer in tow. I'd posted on several Ohio FB pages what I needed. Most replies were quite far off the mark, then finally one sounded like a good fit for us.  A 10 year old gelding, same size as Pippin, he'd been being used as a lesson horse for little riders at an equestrian center. The last few months however he'd been nearly jobless having given the wee ones the confidence to move up to larger mounts. He's also broke to drive, big bonus as even once the Grandkids outgrow riding him, he'll still be able to pull them in the cart. 

So Scooby, now to be known as Merlin has gone from jobless to having three jobs. One being Lincoln riding, secondly hubby driving, and probably most important of all...Pippins friend. 

I first put Pippin in the pasture, then unloaded Merlin so they could meet thru the fence safely. Pippin was so excited he was unsheathed, while running back and forth...

A little snuffling thru the fence...

After about an hour, I opened the gate and allowed Merlin into the pasture. Other than both galloping a circuit around the pasture, the meet & greet was pretty much a non-event...

They got right down to the business of eating...and being attached at the hip!

His owner had told me he gets along with pretty much everyone, when a new horse would come to the barn Merlin would be enlisted as its companion as it adjusted. 

His backstory is rather interesting, the person she'd bought him from had kept him tied in the yard for three years. He'd given her children rides, pulled cart & done pony parties. Prior to that he'd been in the petting zoo section of the Columbus Zoo.  

Would love to hear the stories he'd have to tell!

Perhaps...

I've mentioned Hubbies attempted abduction of Pippin.  I've been searching for another, at least Pippins size that both drives and rides, preferably a gelding. 

You'd be surprised, at least I was at hoe many miniscule Minis there are that not only don't do anything but eat, they've been left intact!

Hooves crossed I may have found the right lil guy...

He's 10ish, approx Pippins size, has been being used at an equestrian center to start small children. 

He has lots of experience driving, plays well with other horses...biggest drawback is his current name "Scooby!" 😖

Pippin is going to be soooo happy to have a friend (I hope). Lincoln is going to over the moon thrilled!

Pony, pumpkins & boy

Had planned to take the boys to pumpkin patch, Lincoln's ear infection nixed it. He's feeling fine but...

Anyway, I'd planted pumpkins in with the veggie garden. For whatever reason Everything it produced puttered out. A few vines volunteered, one in the manure pile out back. We'd had a frost last night with another predicted tonight. While the pumpkins hadn't oranged all the way, we picked them in hopes of them doing so. Pippin of course had to help...

He literally at one point tried to get in with Lincoln!

Since that wasn't permitted, he simply followed...

Lincoln loved it, Pippin is one of the boyz here 

Lincoln supervises Grampa. 

Another vine volunteered in my front garden. It's from one I'd allowed to rot over the winter. It's one pumpkin grew across our front walk. Delivery people always commented & enjoyed it. Lincoln did the honors harvesting this one...

We'd propped it on firewood when the heatwave had been causing the concrete to cook the pumpkin. 

Our little pumpkin farmer is pretty proud of himself

Vet & Dr all in one day...

This morning the Vet came to check Pippins lip warts & see if he needed any dental work. Teeth are good, few little points that can wait till spring. He feels the wart is one common to youngsters, as long as it doesn't grow significantly to hold off till dental. They'll remove wart while he's already sedated. Though he feels it should actually get smaller by that time. I also had him look at odd dent under his buttock on one side. He felt he'd been injured at one time and the injury caused that area of muscle to die off. Not his words, doesn't cause any lameness. Otherwise all is good Pippin land, he weighs approx 175lb and could stand to lose 10ish lbs. 

The boys are here while Daddy & Mommy are belatedly honeymooning, Lincoln really enjoyed the Vet, supervising from a wood box safely out of the way. Last night, he'd had a difficult time sleeping, after the Vet left he complained about his ear hurting. Gramma knows exactly what that means. Lincoln can't understand why Pippins Dr. comes to the house, but he has to go to his. He asked the Dr why lol. He's such a good patient, he goes about life befriending all he meets, even when he's sick. A little boy proudly wearing his Wonder Woman crown tends to bring out the smiles around him as well. 

I mentioned last post his getting a present for Pippin. He spotted an orange ball at the tack store, and it had to be Pippins (his). Pippin was interested for a few minutes...

Round and orange!  Could be a carrot apple?

They pushed it around together, Pippin lost interest in the ball, though not in the boy.

They find one another very interesting. 

Whoooo hoooo...

Lincoln's first cart ride. He was so happy and had so much fun...

Lincoln would whoohoooo, Pippin would speed up, whooohoooo, speed up, rinse & repeat. Only the promise of doing it again tomorrow would get Lincoln out of the cart. 

May not happen, Vet is coming to take a look at Pippins lip wart & check his teeth. Forgot when I'd promised. Bad Gramma!

We went out and picked up a more Pippin/Lincoln sized lead rope, some treats, a smaller shedding blade & a must have ball!  I'll post the ball pix later. Gramma is tired. 

Hup, hup...

Pippin & I are on a roll, getting the hang of things together...

Love shadow pix

He's relaxing more & more, I can get in the cart now without his needing to move right off. Guess it's similar to standing to mount at the mounting block. The neighbor girls (10 & 13) came over for rides. They both especially loved how he enjoys being loved on after working hard. 

Tomorrow the boys will be here. Hubby is prepared to watch Jefferson while I take Lincoln around in the cart. Can't wait. 

Our Ivy has tweaked her back poor thing...

She's rebounding nicely though. Between her meds & crate rest, we hope she's 100% in a few weeks. 

Making friends, or trying...

After today's drive Margeaux came over to investigate. Pippin had to investigate right back...

Margeaux was open to snuffles for a few moments, then walked off. Pippin took this as an invitation to give chase. Margeaux felt it necessary to to take off, mistake as the faster Margeuax went the faster Pippin chased. Luckily, when I called Pippin off, he listened. Not the way to win friends Pip!

Another fun drive in the field...

Loving my view. 

Didn't take nearly as long to hitch up, I am having problems with the crupper moving about. Trying to figure out why it's not staying centered. Also besides the turrets on the saddle part, there are o-rings on both sides of the breast collar and britchen. Not sure if reins are supposed to be run thru those as well. I did but, felt it may slow down communication from hands to bit?  Lots to figure out. 

After, like yesterday he was my Pippin puppy...

He just follows me about happily. Of course this earns hugs & scratches. Gooood boy Pippin.