Long way down the holiday road...

Today was the day the horses went on their annual vacation.  Every year, about this time, all the school horses at the stable are hauled up to Don's home to spend a couple weeks turned out in the pasture.  The ponies work hard all year round, so they really do deserve the break.  It's pretty neat seeing how excited they get when they see the big trailer and know it means vacation time.  They go in a half dozen loads and the ones that go last are pretty worked up and just about leap onto the trailer when it's their turn.  It's one of the neatest days to be at the barn.

Another bit of news I learned made the day even better.  The little pony mare, Cupcake, is finally being retired.  She's not the oldest pony in the barn (that'd be Mickey, who'll probably keep going forever) but she's the smallest and has had some eye problems for the past year or so.  She really can't see all that well.  Don wanted to retire her a while ago, but there are already two much bigger and rather pushy retired mares up there, and he was worried about them making Cupcake's life miserable.  Well, he's finally found a place for her to spend her remaining years.  She'll be leaving this week.  I'm happy that the little girl is retiring, but it's a little sad too.  The barn won't be the same without her around.  Ah well.  I just hope that Mickey and maybe Ellie are next.

Oh, and that's Mickey's nose, in the lj icon.

Cupcake

And here's the retiree: