Another day of turnout. No complaints from the horses. They look very decorous behind the ornamental grasses. The back porch was covered in doves this morning. The blue jays were complaining raucously, but they did not visit while the doves (birds of peace – ha!) were feeding.
There were more than just these six!
Harry does not complain, but this was not a pleasant day. Still, he behaved himself and is doing the hard work of healing.
Jane came over with 300 pounds of clay that was mistakenly delivered to her house. Of all things! They couldn’t have dropped a package of coffee filters on her doorstep by mistake. Anyway, she loaded up six fifty pound boxes and brought them over here to the studio.
I enlisted Jane’s help to get the sutures out of Stone’s tail. She held him while I worked, and his tail looks great, apart from the horribly hacked hair, which will grow back in about a decade. We worked out in the pasture where there is more light than in the barn. Oisin came over to see if he could assist.
All better! 
Jane decided to ride, but I didn’t want to join her. However, I did want to get a picture of Jane and Derry for the blog. Unfortunately, I missed her text to say she was riding. By the time I saw it, she was finished, and I had missed yet another photo op. Luckily, she sent a picture of Derry after her ride. Note that she almost won the grooming award for this month, but Bart is still in the running, since it rained and he has been rolling in the mud.
Derry with a saddle mark
There was plenty of romping here to keep the horses fit, but another photo op missed. Here is Bart after the fun.
The beauty berry is losing its leaves, which makes it more interesting.
Every time I come inside from doing barn work, I must parcel out dog treats. There is a toll to get from the mud room to the rest of the house.
Toll collectors
This afternoon, Marmalade was very brave indeed.
Marmalade watches Tom Morris and Rosie having fun 
Marmalade is closer than ever before 
Too much! Marm alarm!
At feeding time, Marmalade let me touch the top of his head. This is a milestone.
Harry worked hard all day at healing. He looks much better than he feels.
Out in Montana, they have had an October snowstorm. Nancy sent pictures. It looks too cold for October. That poor mule has an icicle on her ear!
Mesa the mule
Stay safe, stay well, wear a mask, a hat, mittens and a warm coat if you are in Montana!
It’s amazing these outdoor non-humans don’t get frostbite in their more delicate parts. Actually, it does happen in MN if one is not careful, then there was my Binski, out in KS year round. As far as the horses go, “If you give a thoroughbred enough space they will keep themselves in shape.” We prove that at Old Friends. Whoo Hoo! Go Marmalade. Get well Harry, you are a trooper! Happy Horses Happy Days! And dogs, and cats, and birds . . . .