Cache Creek 2015 and More

It's been a rough couple of weeks.  Life was busy, more stuff than I care to mention going on, but worst, extended family suffered a devastating lost end of last week. I was in heavy compartmentalization mode on Friday, picking up sale gelding Shiner and heading for Cache Creek ride camp to check in on boot clients.

like jewels in the sun!

boot service and delivery via Blazer steed

Shiner was a good boy, handled mostly by my husband that day

Cache Creek is one of the most challenging rides around for strap on hoof boots, with the bog, water crossings, and hills, hills, hills. Sure enough all brands were challenged but I wasn't there to see it.
Sunday I returned to CC ride camp with Scrappy. The next step in his journey is a year entirely off work and thanks to an old friend, he'll be spending it on 17 scenic acres with Desire's full brother and another dear Arab. 

graycation quarters

Said friend brought D's bro and her handsome, Westergard bred 10 yr old bay gelding, Spark, and we rode a loop out of ride camp while my husband napped with Scrappy at the trailers.

Then Scrappy loaded up with D's brother and Spark loaded up in my trailer and came home with my for 6 months or so of riding, future TBD. He's a solid 15 hands at least and a really nice ride, I look forward to saddle time and maybe endurance rides this season after all!! Thanks C. 

Spark joins the bay crew

Apache & Spark were briefly roommates..

..but Apache has a Blaze ego, so he went back to his own quarters

Turns out Shiner and Spark are super buds! 

(Spark left, Shiner right)

 Shiner also had a shampoo & hoof spa

 Meanwhile, our big old shephard mix, JJ, took a sudden turn for the worse. The old fellow had bad hips and finally his kidneys started to go. He went to sleep peacefully with us surrounding him, and the pack sat vigil as we buried him under the oak tree out back.

It's always hard to say goodbye to an old friend but it truly is not a dark thing. May we all live full, enjoyable lives and die at a proper age surrounded by those we love.

And because animals heal us and make us laugh as much as they challenge our hearts, I got home from work yesterday to find a casual Rory filly, chilling *outside* the pasture she occupies with 3 other horses and the mini, who were still very much inside.

'Sup