Fixing Fence and Pasture Mates

This late morning and early afternoon we spent some time down at the pasture beefing up part of the fence. While Aaron pounded in the new posts, I went down the fence line with pliers and wire and attached the barbed wire to the new posts, and also re-attached any that needed it one old ones. The kids played, and ran and helped in turn.

Running through the weeds.

Playing with a cat tail.

BIG HELPER Flora...yes, that is a t-post she is carrying. She said " I am going to help daddy." And did. Such a strong little girl!

Playing in the little stream that runs through part of the pasture.

 Here are a few of Amie's pasture mates:

Maria the Mule...she is rather a sweet thing when she wants to be.

"Loofy" is what Andrew calls Lucy, she is close to 17 hands, and before rescued was neglected and Abused. It is taking time for all of us to be able to touch her. She doesnt have a mean bone in her body, but is very scared. Isn't she just so pretty!

My Sweet Amie. Her registered name is Oscars Sweet Amie, and the sweet part fits! :) Clara is now addicted to riding her, she was the most shy to get up on her.

Missy the Mule

Charlie Horse and Amie playing with a stick.

Amie is very curious and likes to nibble on things...think time...the reflective strip on the back pockets of Aaron's work pants.

Lucy's very large nose....and Aaron feeding her a sugar cube. The girl likes her sugar!

Twice a day we head over to the pasture to love on Amie. One of those time we bring her grain (and a treat for her pasture mates) and this is what happens:

She hears me call and started to make her way over...

Picks up speed....

Stops to see her boy....he is cuter then grain.

Then humors me as I take pictures while she munches.

After she was done, she made a bee line for the kids again to get some lovin'

Amie

Meet Sweet Amie. She is an 8 year old, Norwegian Fjord mare who is going to be joining the King Family Pets. She is a sweet, well mannered horse who is well trained (ridding and halter shown).  She loved the kids and was not at all worried about the noise of them playing with trucks on a gravel drive, a guy using a chop saw or anything. I think she would have followed the kids around like a big puppy if she was not on a lead. While not trained to drive, she will make a great driving horse as soon as I work with her. Fjords are my all time favorite horse and I am so excited for her to be ours! She is heading to the vet today for brand inspection, Coggins and a health check, if paper work is all ready, we pick her up next Friday! This next week will be finishing up the back yard pen (her part time home) getting hay etc. I am also going to dig out a picture of my first Fjord Pete to share with you.

The Norwegian Fjord Horse is one of the world's oldest and purest breeds. It is believed that the original Fjord Horse migrated to Norway and was domesticated over 4,000 years ago. Herds of wild Fjord Horses existed in Norway after the last ice age. Archaeological excavations at Viking burial sites indicate that the Fjord Horse has been selectively bred for at least 2,000 years.
One of their unique characteristics is that approximately 90% of all Fjord Horses are brown dun in color. The other 10% are either red dun, gray, white or "uls" dun, or yellow dun. The Fjord Horse retains the "wild" dun color of the original horse as well as the primitive markings which include zebra stripes on the legs and a dorsal stripe that runs from the forelock down the neck and back and into the tail. Dark stripes may also be seen over the withers. Red duns have reddish-brown stripes and body markings. Gray duns have black or very dark gray stripes and markings. The white or "uls" dun is a very light body color with black or gray stripe and markings. The yellow dun have a darker yellow stripe and markings, they may have a completely white forelock, mane and tail. The yellow dun is a very rare color in the breed.
Another unique characteristic of the Fjord Horse is the mane. The center hair of the mane is dark (usually black) while the outer hair is white. The mane is cut short so it will stand erect. It is trimmed in a characteristic crescent shape to emphasize the graceful curve of the neck The white outer hair is then trimmed slightly shorter than the dark inner hair to display the dramatic dark stripe.
The head and neck should present an appearance of elegance without coarseness. The head is medium sized and well defined with a broad, flat forehead and a straight or slightly dished face. The eyes are large. Ears are small and alert. The neck of the Fjord is well muscled and crested. The body is short coupled with good depth, large heart girth, and well developed muscles. The legs are powerful, with substantial bone and excellent feet which are black in color. Fjords generally range in size from 13.2 to 14.2 Hands and weigh between 900 and 1200 pounds at maturity, with a few individuals ranging outside these measurements. 
~ Borrowed from the Norwegian Fjord Horse Registry