Hodge Podge Post

It has been a long time since I did a non-horsey post, so this one will be a little of everything.

Tumbleweed’s siblings. As many of you will remember, Tumbleweed’s mama, Rosalee was sold to a breeding home near me. She has been bred to their stallion, Gunnaoutshinya. I think she has had three foals since that time. Here are two of them.

Gunna Step N Jac at the Reno Snaffle Bit Futurity. 

And their 2025 filly, same combo. You can see Rosalee behind the little cutey. (You can follow their program at Marcy McBride’s Facebook page, Betsy Hardin is the owner.)

Winter butterflies. I read The Very Hungry Caterpillar with my grandson, and we ordered caterpillars and a butterfly house so that we could watch the whole process.

Since they hatched in winter, we are now the proud owners of pet butterflies. Unfortunately, when I released them into the sunroom, they couldn’t fly. I’m not sure if they are going to make it. 

Horses in snow. Like Aurora, we received our first snow, and the horses all chose to be out in it. They had a couple round bales and I supplemented with alfalfa. These were taken on my way to check in on them one night. Since then, the weather changed to wind, rain, and mud, and they preferred to be in the barn. 

They are a very happy little herd, and they love snow.

Weighted reins. Last July I upgraded to weighted leather reins, and I loved the feel they give me. This fall, Buckaroo Leather had another sale, so I had them make me a pair that was a little longer. (My daughter is going to use the original set since Epona is shorter backed). These reins come already supple, but they do get even softer with use. Once you go weighted, you can never go back!

Cats. We have two sets of cats in two different places, but they are all getting old and Tuffy, in the barn, was all alone. I decided to introduce them and let them live together, but that is easier said than done. 

I first switched their cuddle furs to their different locations so they could each others scents. Then, I put the two who had been together, Dan and Grady, in our cat enclosure in the room. 

After one night, Grady was chill enough that I let him out for a bit. 

Dan, in the cage, would not come out. He was still hissing. 

Grady, however, was able to remain out after the 3rd day. He is in the chair. Tuffy is looking up at me. 

Tuffy, my barn cat, rubbing on my flute music. 

As of last night (and today) Dan still won’t come out. Grady, however, acts like he was born for this room. As I was leaving last night I caught a few photos of him chilling on the cat tree. 

It’s a long story how they came to be separated, but in a nutshell, Dan tried to run Tuffy out of his own barn. Back then, we also had Tuffy’s sister, so he had a companion. 

There was no enclosed barn room. So, I was forced to lock Dan and Grady in our house’s sunroom, (which has an attached outside cat enclosure) so that Dan couldn’t challenge Tuffy and his sister. Did I mention my husband is allergic to cats?

Anywho. 

Now that we have a completely enclosed barn room, I can acclimate them to each other and maybe by spring allow them inside / outside again. (This nutshell story is as clear as mud.)

Long story short, they are going to have to learn get along, and I’m willing to wait it out with dastardly Dan. 

They are fun to have in my barn room. I enjoy them more together. And I hated Tuffy living out there all alone.