tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35475115704085746752009-06-10T15:59:40.189-04:00Stories and musings by Zephyr's MomZephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-81011803149086596112009-06-10T14:30:00.003-04:002009-06-10T15:04:26.242-04:00

Please change your favorite/bookmark to point to www.zegifts.blogspot.com – I won’t bore you with the details, but the blog will be much easier for me to manage if it “lives” on the blogspot web servers instead of my own.  I will no longer be updating the blog files at this address (zegifts.com/blog/index).

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-59979144655667618222009-06-07T21:00:00.001-04:002009-06-07T21:00:07.385-04:00

Well, that’s what it felt like anyway.  This morning, Gary and I finished up the fence tightening and got it turned on.  About 2:30 I walked Zephyr over there.  I walked him down to the pond and the stream so he’d know how to find water, then turned him loose and spanked his bum.  This was the only movement we saw for the next hour other than chewing! As I said, this is all we saw after that.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-19190711725364592662009-06-04T21:16:00.001-04:002009-06-04T21:16:50.884-04:00

I’m totally excited.  This is where Zephyr will be spending his daytimes, starting any day now and lasting until the snow flies.  There are two pastures, the summer pasture is about 6 acres, and the fall pasture (for after it gets hayed) is a little more.  They’re both across the road from my house… a neighbor is letting me use them for free!  Zephyr will have to share with a few cows, but he

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-59993058069928772342009-05-26T20:34:00.000-04:002009-05-28T19:26:51.248-04:00

Despite packing over the course of a couple weeks, I was still up late finishing on Thursday night because I had a few organizational things to do.  I added a canvas pocket organizer in the rear tack compartment (three separate shopping trips were required in order to get the right hardware) and also some D-rings in the dressing room to help secure the load to the walls.  I think I made it to

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-89732332464689652252009-05-15T07:41:00.000-04:002009-05-18T19:44:10.518-04:00

I fell off and hit my head last week, so I had to replace my old-style Tipperary helmet.  Good thing I had already done my research and found that the Tipp Plus wasn't going to fit the same, but the Aegis Aspen probably would... I already knew what I wanted to replace it with. State Line was the only place that had them in stock, so even though it cost a bit more I ordered from them.  Got it

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-24371652066730148342009-05-13T20:47:00.000-04:002009-05-15T09:47:12.354-04:00

I'm so excited!  The trailer guy called.  One of the seals was leaking, so he cleaned everything up and replaced that seal, as well as all the other seals on the other wheels.  He hand-packed more grease into the bearings (said it didn't need to be cleaned out entirely and repacked from scratch), and checked the brake adjustments (which were fine).  The bill?  $50!!!!!!!!!!!! He also replaced

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-88074439134756350162009-05-08T12:39:00.000-04:002009-05-11T12:39:53.883-04:00

Hubby and I are going away for the weekend, and took today as vacation to get a few things done around the house.  So after we got back from breakfast at the local diner, Zephyr got his first set of shoes for the year.  (Nate says Zephyr feet ARE bigger this spring!)  I’m trying Shock Tamer rim pads on his front feet, and also going back to the aluminum wedge shoes he’s worn off and on (on his

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-19342324271542544562009-05-02T20:16:00.000-04:002009-05-04T16:41:11.030-04:00

I snuck away for a short ride “around the block” on trails and roads last night, but today was a chance to get a good long ride in.  It was supposed to rain all morning and stop around 2pm, which was going to be a great time to clean the house, but instead it was sunny and warm!  I did get the cleaning done but worried the whole time that it would rain in the afternoon. Around 12:30 I brushed

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-88417042850863507942009-04-30T07:00:00.000-04:002009-04-30T14:25:06.473-04:00

Just before Christmas last year, I helped my neighbor Gary buy a pony for his girls. We went to look at a couple of private-sale ponies but decided early on that the best place to look was a local “horse dealership” named Hemphills. That pony seems to be working out fairly well. On the day the picture at left was taken, Gary decided that in order to get the best use out of the pony, he needed a

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-49232690947777043982009-04-28T11:51:00.000-04:002009-04-30T12:11:00.946-04:00

Nah, there wasn’t really any madness, I just seem to like the alliteration lately.  Hubby got me to the airport in plenty of time for my flight, so I started in on one of the two paperbacks I’d brought.  I left Bangor on a 6:30ish flight, connecting in Detroit.  By the time I got to Detroit I had finished the first of the two paperbacks I’d brought in my carryon.  My layover in Detroit was only

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-43494616881561289402009-04-19T21:00:00.002-04:002009-04-20T11:34:29.180-04:00

My second and last beach trip of the spring was supposed to happen this Tuesday, but an unpleasant weather forecast changed it to Sunday.  One thing after another made it so none of my riding friends could join me, but our neighbor from across the road (Mary) said she’d like to come just for the walk, and to take pictures.  Mary sometimes takes care of Zephyr for me when we’re away traveling. We

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-14883032121682034322009-04-17T07:40:00.000-04:002009-04-17T09:41:12.886-04:00

It's sunny and warm out, no bugs yet, no mud in my paddock, I get to ride tonight, I'm riding at the beach on Sunday, someone is coming this weekend to take all my manure away, and next Thursday I fly to MN to spend five days with my best bud in the whole world (if you don't count hubby). Oh, and within the next couple weeks I will be able to start turning Zephyr out in my neighbor's 6-ac grass

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-77495778832605001192009-04-14T22:00:00.001-04:002009-04-17T09:43:58.885-04:00

When I got home from riding tonight, I tried (again) to put Z's new easyboots on. I was thrilled to have found a great deal on them and I wanted to be able to USE them! They're the same size that I've always used as a "spare tire" out on the trail... size 0... but even after rasping his edges down to nearly-freshly-trimmed he's still wasn't fitting into the boot. So I flipped it upside down

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-2353853843022846662009-04-14T21:39:00.002-04:002009-04-14T21:40:25.858-04:00

This photo/caption appeared in all the Turner Publishing newspapers… around 15 publications I think?  :-) 

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-59668140251569319572009-04-14T21:00:00.001-04:002009-04-14T21:00:43.890-04:00

Found a new trail, but couldn’t explore that far because there were so many downed trees. A different new trail… a road along the power lines that turns into log skidder roads.  Can’t tell if any of them go anywhere. I don’t know if you can tell from this pic or not but honestly I think he looks DARN FINE this spring!!  No

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-91122225762090722712009-04-14T06:33:00.001-04:002009-04-14T11:58:30.649-04:00

Horse & Rider, Etc. has Shires brand small-hole mesh hay nets for $6.95!I used a homemade version of this all winter, and I'm thrilled to report that Zephyr looks better than any other early-spring so far. I was able to feed less hay because he ate much more slowly... so he's NOT a porker this year!

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-48597209587568562812009-04-13T10:41:00.003-04:002009-04-13T10:46:27.111-04:00

"Wound TLC" at thehorse.com is a wonderful reference, very easy to read and understand, on the different kinds of wounds and how to take care of them. You'll need to register for a free membership, but it is SO worth it. Great article... print it and post it in your barn!!!

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-39482256853702354342009-04-12T20:00:00.000-04:002009-04-13T16:49:32.860-04:00

The April meeting of the Mid-Maine Equestrian Search & Rescue unit focused on on-trail First Aid for Horses. A local vet volunteered her time to come and speak to us. She first spoke about various supplies we should have on hand, and why, and then we practiced bandaging. We were all fascinated to learn that in order to wrap a hock you first wrap the lower leg, then the hock, so that the hock wrap

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-73025472351590762612009-04-10T20:00:00.002-04:002009-04-14T12:38:16.326-04:00

  Today I took Zephyr for his annual chiropractic adjustment. He didn't really seem to need one, but I had promised to take my neighbor Melinda's horse Jamaar, so I decided to take Zephyr along. We really had no idea how willing Jamaar would be to load into my trailer, so we decided that Melinda would bring him over to my place extra-early. We had a 6:30pm appointment and the chiropractor (Dr.

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-10412683281500091372009-04-10T11:26:00.003-04:002009-04-14T12:00:10.954-04:00

This was posted on the Maine Riders' board. I love it, so I'm reposting it here. Right now I'm not sure where it originally came from but if I find out I will give credit. Rider Checklists Keith Hosman I'm going to give you three "Rider Checklists" today. Together they'll keep you safer and accelerate your training to boot. They'll keep you rational; they'll keep you from "losing it" –

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-73577272913963978972009-04-09T20:02:00.006-04:002009-04-14T12:41:34.880-04:00

Today was the first official after-work ride of 2009. I didn't leave work early to ride, I just came home at the regular time. I was saddled up and riding out of the driveway at 6:30 with the goal of getting home between 7 and 7:15... the earlier the better because it would be all road. Just as I got out onto the main road, which can be fairly busy and is more hilly/curvy than I like, my cell

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-58457561022652970032009-04-04T21:37:00.009-04:002009-04-14T12:48:06.252-04:00

Saw this on a friend's blog and thought it would be fun to answer. 1. How old were you when you first started riding? My first pony ride was when I was about 4, but I started lessons when I was 21. 2. First horse ridden: Mmmm, lesson horse named Amy I think? Morgan, I think? 3. First horse trotted on: Amy 4. First horse cantered on: Amy... flew off her right shoulder when she

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-55009348503685184902009-04-01T13:45:00.004-04:002009-04-01T13:52:39.595-04:00

Sorry, this isn't horse related, but I found a nugget of PURE GOLD buried in a news article today.http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/04/01/house-republicans-stimulus-repeal-budget-plan/A partial quote: "The GOP plan also proposes major changes to the tax code. It would allow taxpayers to either file under the current system or choose a simpler option: Individuals earning $50,000 or less, and

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-83661389950347459842009-03-25T20:46:00.006-04:002009-03-25T22:15:35.236-04:00

I took a vacation day today to drive down to Pine Point Beach in Scarborough. I haven't been down since the '06-'07 season, I think, so I was really looking forward to it.My friend was supposed to bring her new horse along for the trip, but she got sick the day before and couldn't make it. I decided to go anyway... Zephyr and I have spring fever! Then yesterday morning I slipped on some ice and

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3547511570408574675.post-57308378992398507432009-03-21T17:53:00.004-04:002009-03-22T18:00:19.745-04:00

This morning my friend brought her horse over to my house for a little more trailer loading practice. I was able to get him onto the front stall of my trailer pretty reliably, so we loaded up both pones and headed over to the Great Pond Mountain Wildlands a few miles away. We had a wonderful ride, it around 45° and sunny!Zephyr behaved marvelously, with the exception of a little too much ...

Zephyr's Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02606831100373338131noreply@blogger.com0