Grazy Days Horses

Winter fun: The shots above are from Feb 2021. Me with my two mares, Queen (left) and Dahara (right) and Hope with her pony, Dixie. The image below is from Feb 2019. This is not the safest way to sled with a horse and we have since upgraded to a real(ish) sleigh. Looking forward to snow so we can try it!

2019: Hope and Dixie in a show and learning to jump. Davin on Diego and Hope on Dixie helping to herd the cattle, Leah on Diego at a foxhunt, trail riding at Piney Run, and a winter trail ride with both kids on the farm.

March 2021: Exciting news! Our mare, Dahara (below, right) is expecting a foal this spring. And a chilly ride on Queen and Dixie.

It's a boy! Born 4\21\21, he is half Arabian and half Quarter Horse. Hope named him Sugar Skull (Shugzy) and he's the CUTEST. He was born in the middle of the night and the first we knew was when we were awakened (while camping out next to the paddock) by the whinnies of the rest of the herd greeting him. By the light of the moon we sat quietly and witnessed his first attempts to stand, walk and nurse. So special.

Good times with Shugzy and also out on the trails, both riding and driving. Also, Shugzy is going to be a big brother! That hunk in the lower left is the father of both.

Shugzy is six months old! Photos by Kacey at https://olivinefox.com/support-local-farmers-maryland-ag-photographer/

Hope walking in the woods with Shugzy. Him and his "auntie" Queen, who loves him. Shugzy looking cool, a sunset ride on the farm, the "pot of gold" at the end of that rainbow, and two buds, chillin'. ;0)

Look how big Dahara is. Then, 5/27/22, She has another boy! Leah names him Camino (Cammy). He looks just like his brother. The labor is hard and Leah ends up having to help. Dahara loves Cammy but the hard labor has stressed her out and she is to anxious and full of milk to stand still for him to nurse. It ends up taking most of the day to get him really nursing well. We have to hand milk her some to ease up the discomfort in her udder and restrain her while showing him what to do. It takes the whole family and many hours, but eventually we get it working. Phew! That weird pic is of "fairy fingers" or a protective cover foals have to protect their mothers from their sharp hooves. The last pic in this section is of Shugzy and Cammy meeting for the first time. Dahara was very protective and would not let Shugzy get too close right away.

Spring 2022: Silly Cammy face, Peek-a-boo, a roll in the grass, Cammy has teeth! starting to explore, the brothers LOVE to play "bite face," and exploring further from home.

Summer 2022: swimming with KP, the boys sharing a snack, driving Dixie on the farm, Cammy kisses, both boys wanting some love, Hope and Shugzy, we take up mounted archery, and horses aren't all fun and games - there's LOTS of hard work, too.

Autumn 2022: Riding at Gettysburg, the boys together, and a beautiful sunrise.

September 2022: We had a lovely photo shoot with the super talented equine photographer Kelcey. (website: www.kelceychristinephoto.com)

October and November, 2022: ShugZy on his first trip off the property - walking like a boss and climbing rocks for treats; trail riding with Hope, and Shugzy showing off during a walk at home.