The day before ...

Yikes!  Tomorrow is departure day.  We (try to) travel (big) at least once a year, but having done it many times before doesn't make it any easier.  I know that Speedy will miss me and I will certainly worry about him while we're gone.

Yesterday was a busy day as I finished up some of the chores that needed to be done while I am away.  Here's what got done:

• My morning started with a quick grab of some fresh manure and a drive over to Bakersfield Vet Hospital for our second fecal count of the year.  BVH's tech, Mindy, was gracious enough to let me watch, and even video, the testing process.  Look for that post when I get back.
• Back at the barn I tacked up for a quick ride where we did some very basic walk, trot, and canter figures.  
• I also posted my "care sheet" on Speedy's feeder, and hung his bell boots from his halter so that when Taz's mom does turn out, the boots are handy.  
• After some quick post-ride grooming, Speedy got a dose of ivermectin and a "chaser" of molasses water.  (More about that when I get back from vacation.).  
• I cleaned his stall and dragged as much of the pellet mulch into the center of his stall as possible.  He tends to kick and shove it out onto the roadway where it doesn't do much good.  
• After several "reminder" nickers, as though I would forget, I gave Speedy his lunch.
• Gave Taz's mom care directions and a permission to treat letter along with my tack room key.
• Cleaned my paddock boots, field boots, and dressage boots and then applied boot black.  

WHOA!  What does that have to do with vacation?  I think I might have forgotten to mention that I've booked a "2-hour hack" with the Broomhill Riding Centre while we're in Scotland!  Very exciting ...  And of course I can't take stinky boots in my suitcase, so after I cleaned and blacked my field boots, I decided to do my paddock boots and show boots as well.  

Equine tasks for pre-departure day include:

• a big turn out session
• a quick bath
• LOTS of hugs and kisses.  
• mailing my June entry to the Tehachapi Spring Mountain Dressage Show since entries will close before we get back.  Who knows if the show will be a go ... EHV-1 count is still growing.
• also mailing the World's Greatest Farrier a check as Jaime will be shoeing Speedy G while I am away.

Just a few more hours until take-off ...