Bailey and Other Stuff...

I have really been noticing over the past few days just how much Bailey has changed and how BIG she is getting.  Sometimes, that BIG has nothing to do with her size but instead it refers to, "she is getting too BIG for her britches"!!  She is now pastured with our buckskin, Ranger, who is really teaching her some horsey manners.  He is definitely the alpha around here!  However, she IS cute as ever and even more gorgeous the more her winter coat slicks off.  I have attached some photos of her from DAY 1 and from this week, so everyone can see just how different she is now.  Also, the last thing on this post is completely unrelated to Bailey...in a way.  David, Dad, and I have been seriously talking about selling our black gelding, Blackjack.  And we had pretty much decided to because SOME people think I have too many horses.  HMMM?!?  It is just so hard for me to work with all the horses with them scattered over two counties, 35 miles apart...however, after today's photo/riding session with Blackjack, that decision is officially null and void!!  He was fabulous!!!  So fabulous, that he was offering up flying lead changes like his feet were on fire!!!  Be sure to check it out!!

Mas photos!

RUNNING to the barn

This is my favorite...

One for big brother, Scout, so he doesn't feel left out.

Whew! It has been a while!

Yes, yes, I know it has been over a month since the last blog, but life has been crazy and Bailey didn't learn anything new for a few weeks, at least not from me.  To give you an idea of what's been going on...first, my sister who is pregnant, caught the chicken pox!!  So, I ended up babysitting her youngest for a full week.  That was quite a task!  Then came a weekend of company, my mom's retirement party, a trip to Kerrville, and the list goes on and on, but I will stop with that.

On to Bailey...

Bailey is growing so fast that I can hardly keep up with her!  She is definitely going through a spurt right now as she is so leggy and lanky!  She is finally starting to put on a little weight after being off her feed those three weeks we were dealing with the ulcer and her coat is slicking off nicely.  Not that I am partial or anything, but she really is a pretty filly.  She has been enjoying her time off, hanging with big brother Scout and eating lots of grass in the pasture.

About a week ago it rained for the first time in months (I honestly can't remember the last time it really rained!) and she was hilarious!  She kept tucking her tail and hind end under her and turning in circles as if she had no idea what was going on.  I guess she was trying to figure out what was falling all over her...rightly so, since it hadn't rained since prior to her arrival.  She finally figured out that she could go stand with Scout under the run-in shed and be saved from the stuff falling from the sky that could possibly be trying to "get her".  Too cute!

Our biggest news is that today Bailey had her first visit from the farrier.  She was getting a little long on her back feet and a trim was long overdue.  So, starting sometime week before last, I began preparing her for this visit.  First, I used the lead rope around her legs to pick up

 her feet and teach her to give to the pressure of the rope.  She breezed through that.  Then I went on to squeezing her chestnut and having her allow me to pick her feet up with my hand.  She was great on the back end and so-so on the front.  But for the most part she would stand there without pitching too big a fit.  So, we continued this all last week up until today and she got where she would stand tied and let me hold her feet, tap on them, the whole nine yards!  However, I still knew that things would be different once the farrier got ahold of her.  Luckily, I have a very gentle and patient farrier, which is a hard thing to come by!  Lynn took his time with her and she only attempted escape 2 times!  He and I both were so proud of how well she did and now she has pretty feet once again!

Bailey also has all the 7 games down and is still progressing like a dream!  I can even put our new kitten on her back!!!  Bailey will just stand there, completely relaxed, even when the kitten hops down to the ground...then, of course, Bailey has to put her nose to the ground and follow her.  I continue to be simply amazed by how smart, easy-going, and confident this little girl is.

I am attempting to post a BUNCH of photos I have taken over the past month, so bear with me...it might take me creating an entirely new post, but I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

Bailey sneaking inside the barn...

Bailey figuring out the "puzzle"

Part 2: Bailey figuring out the "puzzle"

Playing with the kitten as usual...oh, the kitten finally has a name...Lena

Just playing with my camera...