New Year's Eve, Monday December 31, 2007

Its snowed almost constantly for a week, though mostly lightly. Most days we've added 2-3 inches to the ground. A couple we've woken up to find 6-8 new inches in the night. We are creeping up on 2 feet of snow total and the world is beautiful, though a bit harder to get through!

We are feeding twice per day right now. I push through the snow to the big barn, where I keep a constant supply of snow out for the young boys. Then I put three portions out for Ryder and the two ladies I have living with him. After that I put out two full bales for the rest of the herd, either in the Back 20 or the Middle 20. Have to keep an eye on the creeks as well - breaking ice with an ax and shoveling snow off of the creekside.

Got the guys back this week finishing our fencing for the winter. The last stretch should get done this week and we will call it quits until spring.

Chrismtas Eve, Monday December 24, 2007

We got six inches of fresh, powdery snow last night and the ranch is all set for a beautiful, snowy Christmas! The horses are content and happy, and (thanks to all the new fencing we put up) very little trouble right now!

Dave and I are happy and excited for Christmas tomorrow and very much looking forward to starting a new and better year!

Here's a picture of the ranch this morning. Peaceful and beautiful!

Sunday December 9, 2007

Down around 0 degrees again last night - in the teens the past couple days. Snowing now, about an inch on the ground so far. Got the Farrier up here and trimmed all the horse's hooves this weekend - 11 on Sat. and 11 on Sun. A big job and good to get it done.

Here's a picture of Chance, resting on Dave while the Farrier works with him - he's a rather unflappable fellow, that one!

Wild Mountain's Onyx Nite

Onyx was the first foal we birthed and raised here at Wild Mountain Farms. He is the first of our horses to reach adulthood and start his career as a riding horse. We sold him this fall to a couple in the Bitterroot Mountains and we couldn't be happier with the match. They ride him every day (sometimes multiple times per day) and are constantly amazed at how calm and capable he is for a three year old - they say they often forget he is not a ten year old horse.

We are so proud of Onyx. He gets noticed on the trail and raved about by the trainer they have him working with as well. He is everything we are breeding for and the first of ours to really prove himself. He's found one of the finest homes a horse could ask for and he is making everybody proud.

Thursday December 6, 2007

A couple nights ago some coyotes got two of our geese. The last two remaining geese are trying their best to move into the house. They camp out on the front step, and rush the door whenever we come in or out. I can hardly blame them, but they are a bit of a nusence. I will have to see if I can convinced them to live in the chicken house for the winter...

Sunday December 2, 2007

Change in weather moving in and we have high winds blasting through again. Nothing like the storm a couple weeks ago, but its been rattling the house all day, none-the-less. Temps have moved up to 30, but feels a lot colder because of the wind.

Still, the ranch is in good shape and all the horses are well.