It got very cold overnight, but the horses and cats have plenty of warm hair, and everyone was quite content, as I shivered out this morning.
Ice along the stream again 
Frosty morning horses
There are more birds feeding, with the wintry weather, which is a welcome entertainment at this time of year. Even the less flashy birds are a delight.
White breasted nuthatch 
Tufted titmouse
The beautifully clean and trimmed horses managed to get thoroughly filthy before they came in last night. It didn’t matter today, because they had another day off. Harry and Weedy and I went to lunch with two nephews, Bob and Scott, which took up much of the day, and was a wonderful reconnection. No pictures of people were taken, though. Instead, here are dirty horse pictures.
Bart covered in mud 
Stone sticks his tongue out at Bart, since he wins the filthy award!
When we returned home, it was time to let the dogs out. Weedy, Nettie, and Cedar charged through the door, with Mistletoe tottering after in her own time.
In the late afternoon, suddenly the horses felt the need to get some exercise. They romped so hard, I could hardly stand to watch. I’m pleased to report, though, that all shoes are still on, and there was no blood or limping involved. They need to go back to work tomorrow.
It all started with a little horse play 
Bart had to show everyone that his mother was a Thoroughbred, bred to race 
Stone has more Thoroughbred blood than Bart, and he was bred to barrel race 
Stone demonstrates a barrel racing turn 
Oisin’s mother was bred to race into Indian wars 
Stone may be filthy, but the light is beautiful 
An impromptu race 
Maybe they are too fit! 
Enough, time to get a drink and a snack
In the studio, Harry contemplated his current sculpture before we settled in for the evening. We collected the mail, and found our first Christmas card had arrived. Time for us to get busy with sending cards ourselves. I feel writer’s cramp coming on already!
Stay safe, stay well. Peace.
Wonderful romps for the horses! And, that precious little Titmouse. Oh my, you just want to hold him and keep him warm and safe. Getting dressed to go outside takes a while longer, and runny noses, and cold sheets when you get in bed alarm us that winter has arrived. But, the artist, his studio only changes when a new idea arrives, lucky hard at work Harry.
Anne, I LOVE the pictures and your wonderful discriptions of them. Thanks so much for Thanksgiving gift!!
If the horses are getting back to work, does that mean you have a horse show in mind??