14 Photos for 2014

Click the image for rules to Sarah's challenge.

Sarah, over at Eventing in Color, has challenged us to a 14 Photo Challenge. It was so much like a scavenger hunt that I immediately committed to play. She gave us 14 things to photograph, but all photos must be from 2014. 

1. My Horse's Stall: I have two horses, of course, but both boys have identical stalls.

Sydney catching some afternoon sun (1/2/14)

2. Favorite Saddle Pad: My Steffen Peters dressage pad is my all-time favorite pad. It's definitely seen better days, but it still works! 

It was black when it was new (1/3/14)!

3. Barn ______?: I've posted pictures of Little Red Hen before. We tried for a cat, but he ended up living in the garage. LRH seems to relax the horses, and if nothing else, she does eat bugs.

All of the horses love her … (1/3/14)

4. Favorite Area to Ride At My Facility: That's kind of funny because I am not at a "facility." I board my horses at someone's house, and there are only four horses on the property, two of which are mine. Even so, we have an awesome arena which gives me plenty of room for schooling.

Plenty of space in which to ride, and 99% of the time I have it all to myself (1/3/14)!

5. Between-the-Ears Shot, Out on a Trail Ride: since I have two horses, I really wanted both sets of ears so I took a ride down to the Kern River with Louisiana and got my double ear shot.

Sydney has the brown ears, and Speedy's are gray (1/2/14).

6. The Bottom of My Horse's Hoof: this one was pretty easy.

Speedy: size 1? (1/3/14)

Sydney: size 2? (1/3/14)

7. The Hay Stack at My Barn: it's not as big as most barns' stack since we only feed four horses, and one of them (Speedy G) also gets cubes.

Alfalfa is "cheapest" and easiest to get here in Kern County (1/2/14).

8. Favorite Grooming Thing: this brush is a million years old, but it is the one that my boys like the best. It's soft, but brings out a lovely shine. I want another one just like it to keep in my trailer.

I wish I knew what brand it is (1/3/14).

9. My Horse's Best Friend or Significant Other: how about frenemies? My boys get along well, but they sure get snippy with one another over the fence when I lead one out on his own. Since I've had Speedy the longest, I guess that makes Sydney the SO.

Friends (1/3/14) ...

Frenemies (1/3/14) ...

10. A Snapshot From My Commute to the Barn: not what you'd expect, but Kern County is rich in oil deposits (fifth largest oil field in the nation), and many of the 10,000 wells are within the city limits. I drive right along the edge of the Kern River Oil Field.

One of the oil derricks in town. The barn is nestled behind the trees on the left hand side (1/3/14).

11. Between-the-Ears Shot, at a Random Location at My Facility: Speedy is quite the trouper and happily allows bareback rides in a halter which seemed the best way to get this particular shot on the list.

A view of "home" from between two furry ears (1/3/14).

12. The Most Attractive Part of My Barn: The trees on this property are simply gorgeous, but at this time of year, they look more like naked scarecrows. My barn's property line starts at about the third tree down on the left. The trees surround the arena on all four sides.

This road is a lovely shaded lane in the summer (1/3/14).

13. Favorite Piece of Tack: Yes, I love my saddle, but I really love my new Micklem Bridle. I like it so much that I am buying one for Speedy G, too. It is so easy to put on, and keeping it clean is a breeze. If you've been thinking about getting one, DO IT!

Micklem Competition Bridle in black … love it! (1/2/14)

14. Selfie with My Horse: yuck … I hate taking selfies. My arm always gets in the way, and I am never looking the right way. Here is what happened when I tried my selfies (1/2/14) with Sydney.