Because we simply do not have enough pets...HA! We wanted to get another horse that was older that the kids could ride. Lady won't be ready to ride for another couple of years and we didn't want the girls especially to lose interest. I knew I'd need to get another Tennessee Walking Horse so that when we ride together we'll be able to actually stay together. Walking Horses are gaited, they have a much longer and smoother stride. If I got a Quarter Horse like I wanted, I would be left in the dust.
Anyway, I also wanted a horse that was broke and a little bit more mature. After much looking, I found Ellie Mae. Her registered name is Paint's Little Red. She's 14.3 hands high and is a sorrell. She actually has the same color hair as Cecilia! We got her on the7th of February and she's 10 years old. She still isn't too sure about us but I'm working on getting her comfy around me so she'll come to me in the pasture. Today when we went to give the girls their grain, she actually RAN to the dry pen because she knew we'd have food for her. All of us have had a chance to ride her, if only in the dry pen (John, Connor, and I have all had her out in the large pasture). We got a saddle for the boys, John, and me, and a smaller one for the girls. Cili's legs are just a tad too short but we'll see if we can work with it for now. 
Anyway, I also wanted a horse that was broke and a little bit more mature. After much looking, I found Ellie Mae. Her registered name is Paint's Little Red. She's 14.3 hands high and is a sorrell. She actually has the same color hair as Cecilia! We got her on the7th of February and she's 10 years old. She still isn't too sure about us but I'm working on getting her comfy around me so she'll come to me in the pasture. Today when we went to give the girls their grain, she actually RAN to the dry pen because she knew we'd have food for her. All of us have had a chance to ride her, if only in the dry pen (John, Connor, and I have all had her out in the large pasture). We got a saddle for the boys, John, and me, and a smaller one for the girls. Cili's legs are just a tad too short but we'll see if we can work with it for now. 
We are also working on getting the mare and the filly to be nice to each other. Lady is the baby and Ellie lets her know that. It is to the point now where whenever Ellie walks near Lady she just scampers off. She doesn't wait to be told by Ellie! Yesterday we worked in the dry pen walking them around, as if on a trail, and then taking them in opposite directions and having them cross paths. We need them to be buddies. John wants to breed Ellie right away but I am thinkin we will wait until we know if we are going to get to move or not. It's easier to travel with a 2 horse trailer than having to buy a larger one for now.
On a completely separate note, Cass' cat had kittens on Valentine's Day. She was so funny. She came downstairs and just looked at us and started moaning this terrible meow. I knew she was getting ready to have the babies. I set up a little dark kennel in my closet and sat with her for awhile. I watched as she had 4 beautiful babies and then had to come down to make dinner. Not too long after John announced that baby number 5 had been born. After dinner we went back upstairs to find kitty number 6! I couldn't believe she had that many. Burrito (the cat) is not a big cat, she's petite and quite young still. I was impressed by how great she did and she is really being a great mommy now.
On a completely separate note, Cass' cat had kittens on Valentine's Day. She was so funny. She came downstairs and just looked at us and started moaning this terrible meow. I knew she was getting ready to have the babies. I set up a little dark kennel in my closet and sat with her for awhile. I watched as she had 4 beautiful babies and then had to come down to make dinner. Not too long after John announced that baby number 5 had been born. After dinner we went back upstairs to find kitty number 6! I couldn't believe she had that many. Burrito (the cat) is not a big cat, she's petite and quite young still. I was impressed by how great she did and she is really being a great mommy now.We also had 2 more cockatiels hatch this week for a grand total of 7 birds, 7 cats, 2 horses, 2 rabbits, 1 guinea pig, a tankful of fish, and 3 dogs. I'm going to start charging admission...sheesh!
