Changing of the Guards

My work schedule changed for this week, so I had Monday off from work. I had planned to sleep, read, and play with the horses. I got an unexpected phone call from Mark. We talked a bit and decided it was time for Tequila and DB to go back to Shallowbrook. Vacation was over for Tequila, and it was time to find out if DB would be able to play polo again. In addition to these 2 mares, C'est Bon was going to also go along for the ride. Mark needs a beginner lesson horse, and wants to see how she works out. Trick and Eva would come back with me to MA, to get some rest & relaxation before the summer polo season.Mark was concerned that I would have to catch, wrap legs, load and trailer 3 horses, but I assurred him I could handle the job. If you have been reading my blogs, you know that things around here never go as planned.I won't go into details, but it was a LONG time between hanging up the phone, and driving out of the driveway. We safely arrived in CT. I helped Mark with a few things, horses were unloaded, they met Mudslide, and everyone seemed happy. Trick and Eva were loaded, and safely returned home. So, I didn't get any extra sleep, didn't read my book, but did get to play with horses, and visit with my son. Wow, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day!

Shavings Sale

Twice a year, Bay State Equine Rescuehas a Shavings Sale. They buy a tractor-trailer load of bagged shavings, sell the bags, and with the proceeds, are able to provide shavings for their rescue horses. I happen to like the brand they get, which consist of fine shavings. I don't waste as much, and it keeps my manure pile the size of a mountain. With bigger size shavings the manure pile is the size of a mountain range! This year the bags of shavings cost $5.40 each. Our local feed store Hardwick Farmers Exchange sells similar shavings for $6.10 per bag, so I would be saving .70 per bag. Multiply this by 50 bags, and the savings is $35. So, yesterday morning, I hook-up the horse trailer and head over to pick-up my bags of shavings. I arrive at the destination, shavings are loaded, and I go to get back into my truck. For some reason, I happen to look at the truck trailer connection, and realize I had forgotten to plug-in the brake/light plug. Not only had I driven the trailer without brakes and lights, but in the process of dragging on the ground, the plug had been broken, and the connections had worn down. After having a minor temper tantrum, and chastising myself, I decided to go over to Manns Trailer Sales and see, if by some miracle, they could fix/replace the plug, on a Saturday. Fortunately for me, they were able to make the repair, while I waited. They even had a TV in the waiting room, so I was able to watch the Animal Planet channel and learn all about Pekingese dogs! I bet you didn't know that these were once the dogs owned by Chinese royalty and the theft of one was punishable by death! Anyway, trailer is fixed, shavings are unloaded, and after the cost of the repair and the coffee and muffin I bought, I figured I was minus 35 cents. Well, at least it helped the rescue!

Happy Easter