Baron SL is going to be my little camper!

I am working on turning the little area in the front of the Baron with the wall slid back into a sleeping area.  It is small.  It is 63" x 53" plus the little bump out nose cone. 

So, not much area to work with but this is my ideas. 

1.  Sleeping bench

2. Storage under the bench

3. A/C in the tack door on the left side or whichever side the electricity is one which is usually the left side.

4.  Refrigerator stored inside.

5.  Portable potty. 

6.  Curtain for the window.

7.  Crate steps outside the door.

8.  Muck bucket, fork and broom, saddle stand will generally go on the 2nd stall side unless I am hauling both horses.


I decided on milk crates to make the foundation.  I found some on-line in Conroe.  I went over and bought 10 for $40.  Some need to be washed off.   I then bought a 5" thick piece of foam from JoAnn's that is 63" long and 22" wide. PERFECT.  It is $80 and I plan on using the sheets we used to use when we camped in the Royal.  They are soft jersey.  I have two sets and one is a deep pool blue and the other is lavender.  I also want to make a pretty quilt for it. 

I will make the curtain for the window to match.  I will also get a rug to match in colors to the quilt and curtain. 

This is the crates and the foam section.

Brenderup Baron SL is in the driveway!

Back in 2009 I had so wanted a Brenderup Baron SL - but I was afraid it was too heavy for my car plus the horses.  I had never hauled before so was very cautious.  That is never a bad thing!

A few weeks ago I was looking on FB and saw a lady wanted to trade a Brenderup Baron for a Brenderup Royal plus some $$.  We talked but she didn't have a SL - the tires were really bad she said (my Royal's tires are in good condition!) and was 761 miles away.  I wanted a SL anyway so I decided to just look what was out there.

OMG I found the PERFECT trailer in Virginia.  It was a 2008 Baron L SL and had never hauled a horse.  It had been kept inside under cover.  I emailed and then talked to the neighbor that posted it for the owner.  They were actually coming to Ft. Worth, TX in 2 weeks and offered to haul it here!  They were Seventh-Day Adventist as I am so that was a bonus!  I wanted new tires on the trailer as 10 year old tires could have dry rotted.  The trailer was absolutely pristine!

I paid what the owner asked plus the cost of the tires.  I sent a certified check, arranged for a temporary tag and Fed-X'ed that to him.  I got insurance on the trailer just in case something happened on the 1,100 mile trip.

My friend Cherie Reddick was kind enough to travel with me to Dallas to meet them on my 36th wedding anniversary!!  We had breakfast at McDonalds in Huntsville and a Starbucks Latte.  We stopped another time for water and bath room break!

We got to the meeting place and wow.  It was perfect.  The two couples couldn't have been nicer.  We hooked up the Brenderup after he showed me how to move the wall back.  Lights were on and off we went!  We gassed up right there and then headed out.

It towed better than the Royal which was great.  We stopped in Corsicana at the place famous for their fruitcake and had lunch.  We laughed and talked all the way there and back.

So glad she went with me.  I would have stayed over night had she not as driving all the way to Dallas and back is a little tiring!

So here is the Baron

So I am not the PROUD owner of 2 - yes 2 Brenderup's!  The Royal TC is now for sale.  It is a 2009 Brenderup Royal TC.  The tires and mats are in great condition.  Floor has been replaced (January 2018) and so has the ramp (November 2016).  Tags and inspection was done in May 2018.  Call or text 409-454-1931.

Dashing Big Red and Alfalfa

I bought a couple of bales of really nice alfalfa this past week at Vinton Feed Store.  They alway have the best alfalfa.  I got 2 three string bales.

I have just tore off little handfuls for the horses - no one is getting a flake.  Red is pretty dang big right now.  Biscuit looks good - not fat - not thin.

I got Biscuit out of his pasture and took him up to the barn.  It was so windy today.  I had thought about riding but changed my mind.  The tarps were flapping like crazy on the fence but Biscuit is used to those so he ignored them.  I was getting out my rasp, the stool and hoof stand when the little pans on top of the grooming box went flying - right into Biscuit's backside.  He startled a bit but that was it.  He didn't act like a fool.  I used those grooming gloves and cleaned him up after washing his legs off.  He is still shedding but didn't seem to be as much as before.  His legs are pretty hairy!!  Under his jaw had long hair but he looks nice.  I got the rasp out and rasped all 4 of his hooves.  I am going to do Red's Friday.

I got alfalfa for Mikey and Red.  Mikey is Lee-Ann Potter's little Halflinger.  He would come trotting across the pasture nickering to me when he was across from Biscuit.  He was glad to get a bite of alfalfa.  Poor old baby just gums it.  He doesn't have many teeth.  He is in his late 20's.  Beautiful little guy.  I am pretty fond of him.

I took Biscuit down to his pasture and cut of the remaining apple for him.  I checked his hay level.  I then went down to Red's pasture.

I have to walk down the row that is muddy as all get out to get to him.  All around his gate is fetlock deep in mud.  He was by his shelter and when I got near the gate he started out at a walk..then a trot for a few steps and then a canter all the way to the gate...mud be damned!  He always loved his alfalfa and I am glad that he will bond with me again.  Friday will be the day I will groom him if I it is not raining.  He is good about his feet so I am going to rasp his feet.  I can't afford to have them done so I will have to stick to a schedule of rasping every week or so.  It is hard for me to keep up with two horses but I will have to give it my all as I don't have the $$ to pay for that every 6 weeks when I have the tools and know-how to do it myself.

Biscuit was really good today with his feet thank God because he sometimes is a toot about it.  Hoping I can ride Friday...that would be a bonus!!!

Hard Winter

We have had a hard winter in southeast Texas.  Cold freezing rain and some snow!  Woot!!!

Red is doing great.  I have left him where he is as he has access to a full round bale.  Biscuit can't have round bales - it is bad for his COPD and I don't want to aggravate that!!!  He does fine until the really hot time of the year but COPD is COPD.

On January 31, 7 weeks and 2 days after my surgery I went out and got on my horse!!!  Wooooooot!!!!  I groomed him and put his saddle on.  I took his halter off like always and off he went - saddle and all.  Thank God The LeeAnn's and Chelsie helped contain him and I was able to get my reins around his neck and walk him into the arena.  I got the 3 step mounting block and LeAnn Brown held him,  Chelsie video'd and took pictures and Lee-Ann Potter was the cheerleader.

I put that foot in the stirrup (not very high off of a 3 step mounting block!) and swung my leg up and over that cantle!!!  YAYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYYAYYAYAYAYAYAYYAYAYAAAAAAAA!  I was on.  We just walked around the arena about 5 times or so.  Not long.  I was able to dismount and that leg went right over that cantle.  Yay!!

  

Red looks better than ever thank God.  No longer thin and the Equiderma Lotion was a miracle worker.  He has spent this winter in a pasture by himself with just a wire fence separating him from Sydabo and Torique.  He has feasted on his own round bale (just Bahaia - not Tifton!  No more colic-ing for my boy!) and had extra feed.

Last week I pulled Red up to have his feet done.  OMG he was full of piss and vinegar.  He double barrel kicked at Sister and got corrected big time.  I tied him in the arena and went and got Biscuit.  Tied them near each other and Red was acting like a jackass.  I put him on the walker and he was semi acting like a goober. Miss Jean thought he was trying to lay down so I took him off the walker.  He was pawing and in general acting like a turd.  I separated him and Biscuit and brushed both of them and cleaned their hooves.  Craig did their feet and I called Barry to help take Red back down to his pasture.  I put him in one side of the arena and I took Biscuit down to his pasture.  I came back with my lunge whip and had Red going round and round in the small arena.  He did ok.  Could have done better.  Just full of piss and vinegar.  I paid their board and told Linda no more supplement for them.  Red needs to be handled more so as soon as this leg is better I will work with him more.

I groomed and rode Biscuit yesterday for just a few rounds around the arena.  I was able to dismount like a normal person.  Leg over cantle and all the way to the ground and then the left leg out of the stirrup.  Yay for me.  Hoping I can ride again this week for just a bit.

I think he is as good as he is going to get!

I went out to see the horses today.  I drove myself - it is easier to drive than to ride in the car - go figure that one.  I took Sister with me.

Had to go to the bank and Sister got a treat.  She loved that.  Then out to the barn. I stopped to see Biscuit and gave him a little handful of alfalfa.  His hair is standing on end and looks great.  I walked over and checked his level of hay in his shed.  He has enough right now.  I walked all around him to make sure there was no problems.  He needs to grow hair over where he hurt his foot but it looks ok.

I then went down to see Red.  He was munching on hay and came to the fence.  I took these pictures. As soon as Lee Ann gets back to the ranch I will discuss with her moving Red back with Biscuit.  I am going to start teaching Kayden to ride Red.    He is such a sweet gentle boy I don't think it will be hard to teach Kayden so he can be my riding buddy when Barry can't or won't go.

He looks wonderful

I have been out several times to see Biscuit and Red. A few times I couldn't get down to Red as it was drizzling rain.

Biscuit looks good and I gave him a little flake of alfalfa.  I only have one full flake left.  As soon as I can I will drive to Vinton to buy them alfalfa.

I actually drove myself to the barn yesterday to pay their board.  I drove down to see Red after visiting with Biscuit.  Jamie and Edgar were breaking up the ice from the water troughs.  Goodness - it was 2" thick.  Red came up to the gate to see me.  His back is almost flat!!!  Wow.  He looks amazing.  As soon as LeeAnn is back off of vacation I will discuss with her putting him back with Biscuit.  Biscuit looks like he dropped a few pounds but he certainly needed to!!!

I forgot my phone yesterday or I would have taken pictures.  I will take a picture of them tomorrow if I can.  I got busted when I got home for driving!!  Brandi and Jarrod were at the house when I arrived back and I got the evil eye from my DIL for driving!!