Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everyone!  We all had a great day.  Tammy won the crown and the trophy fair and square.....story and pictures to come....actually Tammy may want to tell this story herself!

Happy 15th Birthday Kathleen!!!

You are growing up too fast, and at times I don't really like it-

But I LOVE watching you grow into the beautiful person that you are...

You have done so much, and come so far-

And I know that in life,

You can acheive ANYTHING you put your mind to!

Happy Birthday-

 We love you!

xoxo

 

 

A Picture of Me and Horses BEFORE Tidal Treasures...

This is me and horses before Tidal Treasures....

Yep, I think the picture pretty much says it all!

 

Easter Egg Hunt Coming Up!

Last year,  over the Easter Weekend, we played us some games and had an easter egg hunt WITH OUR HORSES!  (see pics below).   Everyone tacked up their horses, lined up in a row, and then Troy had each person move over one horse to the left!  Oh yeah, the fun began with everyone on someone elses' horse!   The eggs were "hidden" in feed sacks hanging off the posts.  But there was a catch...lots of them as people tried to get at their eggs!   It was all very silly and we all had a lot of fun with our silly selves!

So, this year we've decided to do it again!  We may do it outside, or inside or both!  We may be in the saddle or "in hand" (lots of young horses this year) or both!  We aren't sure exactly how we will do it, (lots of ideas though!!!! hee hee hee)  or what we'll do....but I know this..we'll have fun!  

SUGGESTED GUIDELINES

In preparation for "The Event" coming up this year, I have prepared seven recommendations for the Tidal Treasures Crew:

1.  Take all your blood pressure and/or heart medicine on a regular basis between now and "The Event."

2.  Stretch daily between now and "The Event" and rigorously on the day of "The Event." 

3.  Haul out your Mario Brothers and play with your family - wake up that competitive spirit.  However, be prepared to be beaten on the day of 'The Event."  Yes, I have an advantage because I will know the "rules."  Sucks to be you.  

4.  "Unfresh" your horse between now and "The Event." (Just in case there is no switcharoo this year.) 

5.  Restock your cupboards with lots of anti-inflammatories.  Purchase both the pill type and the rub on cream type.  Purchase ready-punch ice packs.  Bring all supplies with you to 'The Event"

6.  Hydrate well during the days prior to "The Event" but not on the day of "The Event". We don't want any "accidents" occurring during 'The Event".  It would be embarrassing (and the horse will smell funny). 

7. Considering last year, maybe we should dress Todd up in the new air-inflatable vest before he undertakes his turn in "The Event" !!!!!

 We found out last year that helium balloons shrink fast when it is cold outside!

Horses had to do some fancy footwork at this station, in order for the riders to get their egg!

Who knew at this time last year that Kathleen would now own Aziim's half-brother!  That was not on our radar.

 Pam was surging ahead (so competitive that one tsk, tsk) and then dropped her eggs!

The guys got in on the fun too......till Todd um..um...went over sideways and "slid" off Summer!

Granddaughter in Training

OK, so maybe I"m biased....but look at that natural posture (only 16 months old!), and the balance...if you don't see her and happen to run into her (not that a nanny would ever do something like that), look out because it is you who will fall down, not her!

 I wonder, maybe we should all try wearing a diaper!  Happy riding little Breah.

Revelling and Reviewing

Spring is finally here, so our first winter with Mister and Willow is over - with all of us alive and happy!
I've learned some things:
1. Old horses can learn new tricks: they both back up now before I put their feed down instead of crowding me while I yell ineffectively.  And they stay out of the barn until I'm finished cleaning up, topping up water and putting out hay - until I INVITE them in when I'm ready, and I take my time now. Thanks to Mister for the not-so-subtle hint that I needed to step up my "I own all this space - not you". He almost got me.
2. Willow in heat can be a crazy-@$$, scary, thousand pound nightmare. And just a few days later, perfect as pecan pie. My, my, my.
3. I LOVE cleaning up after them. I expected that to wear off by now, but it hasn't. I was frazzled about this at first, especially when the weather was wonderful for riding. I was spending so much time cleaning, measuring, feeding, watering, picking feet, moving hay, farrier appointments, vet appointment, and very occasional grooming that I didn't have nearly as much time as I did last year for RIDING! Riding is why is wanted a horse. Riding! I've just done the bare minimum, really, so she wasn't completely unridden over the winter. Not at all feeling pressure about that anymore since I realized I've just been revelling in all these activities and I'm Ok with that for now.
4. I LOVE "Spring Ahead" reminders to get that extra hour of daylight back.
5. I DO miss my partners in crime at Tidal Treasures as I have only been there for the farrier days and Ginger evenings. Much thanks to Sebastian, Ginger, Dylan and Leon!
6. I've learned that Willow is in much better shape than I gave her credit for. I worried during my 15 mile ride last October about how much trotting she could do. After watching her trot off and on for hours in knee-deep mud during one mare-in-heat crazy afternoon that she can trot MUCH longer than I can so I should RELAX. I believe I was given that advice already by TT crew - I will heed it this season!! I'm still a bit annoyed at her for grinding up that much pasture.
7. Willow can take good care of herself - lesson learned on the same M-I-H afternoon. She trotted just so long, then rested. Trotted. Rested. Trotted. Rested. Hmmmm. Got it.
8. I can walk up to Willow while she's laying down and give her a nice long scrub. Not so sure that one's so important, I just like it.
9. Feeding too much hay just means I'll be carting it out to the compost pile for Willow to munch on days/weeks later. Give just enough and spread it around outside if at ALL possible!
10. I LOVE watching them. Mister is boss of Willow except for a few days a month. I'm betting I now know which days. And why, for the rest of the month he seems to give her NO slack!
Thanks for the lessons, Willow and Mister - I'm took notes!!

Finley's Visit to Tidal Treasures

Finley loves to watch the videos we post. Yesterday they spent some time with Kathleen and I at the barn. We had a great time, and now Finley...this video is just for you!

Happy Birthday Pam!

Birthday Greetings to you

from us...