Photo Dump: The Girls✨💖💅

My posts of late have been focused on Pyro, and I just realized it has been, like, 2 months since I've shared anything about Missy and Nova. This must be remedied. 

Nova's star looks like her own headlamp

Standing nicely for her trim

Even when Mae darts underfoot

Lots of Welshie Walkies

I've started regularly practicing leaving one of the girls in their stall while working the other.

This dog grooming comb has been great for detangling Nova's coat, ensuring it can insulate her appropriately.

That welsh hair is THICC

As is her lil baby booty

Miss and Nova share stall space well, even if Missy occasionally kicks her out.

Tried the 69" medium weight blanket on the filly... it was comically too large.

I've been really happy with her weight after a few tweaks to her feed.

Missy enjoyed greeting Pyro when I rode him down to the barn through the snow.

My husband helped me fashion a redneck singletree for my sled...

And Missy, in her infinite patience, allowed me to hook it to her.

It was FREEZING (hence the BOT sheet on Missy), but OMG SO MUCH FUN.

Best ol' gal

The snow was so deep that it piled up in my lap, but Missy kept truckin'

Nova went for Welshie Walkies in the snow with me!

Even in her baby awkwardness, I think she's stunning.

Good girl, Tessa

Exploring the path around the outdoor arena

Definite mood on some of those bitterly cold mornings

More sledding fun!

We cantered!

Dashing through the snow
in a one-horse redneck sled.
O'er the field we go
CACKLING all the way.

My heart is so full

Nova's tail has grown so much!

Even in rain...

...her skin stays dry.

We're heading into shedding season.

Wish me luck as I experience shedding out a welsh for the first time!

Even on days I don't feel great, she brings me so much joy.

Getting a clear photo of a wiggly baby's nose kissy spot proves difficult.

Filly sass

Even Missy got in on the zoomies

Comparison at the same age of Nova's mother Ravyn (left) and Nova (right)

In the crossties (with safety adaptations) like a big girl

Filly? or giraffe? You decide

Nose kissy spot pic inspired by Ice Age's Sid the Sloth

Got a delivery of the most beautiful, clean hay

What equestrian dreams are made of

Spot the heeler

Best girls on hoof care day

Nova now measures a whole 13 hands!

For comparison, Missy is 14.3hh

Current shoe of choice for Missy: EasyCare One Sticky

Welshie Walkies by headlamp

These whole bale hay nets have been a game changer for me.

I'm no longer stuffing hay nets every day for the girls, and with my allergies, that's a HUGE improvement.

Miss is gently coming back into work so she's fit enough to go play at the Spring National Drive. 

Welcoming Comittee

It was time to turn my manure pile from this winter.

So, I borrowed Windsor's tractor, which made quick work of it.

Much better

Before long, it'll be broken down enough to spread.

I worked on Nova's separation anxiety while not stalled. She ran around but didn't try anything unsafe while Missy and I rode a short distance away, coming in and out of eyesight. Once she settled, I marched Missy over to her.

Jen has shared lots of sunshine naps

We took advantage of some dry(ish) weather to pony outside the pasture for the first time! Nova was a little obstinate at times, but really figured it out by the time we finished our lap around Windsor.

Between her ears is always one of my favorite views.

She's getting used to Tessa following us. Initially, she would spook if Tessa ran to catch up. 

The next time we ponied, she learned about doing it from the other side.

Sun's Out, Guns Out with my best girls

That was quickly followed by monumental rain that flooded my pasture. 

And the driveway

And my backyard at home

The girls were VERY happy to get out after that flooding had receded. To protect the footing, I kept them confined to the stalls + walk out for a few days. (It's also now UV protection season for Missy.)

FREEDOM!

I appreciate how mild Nova's bucks are. This bodes well for when I eventually sit on her.

Brave filly leading the way

I was informed that, ideally, welsh have short enough ears to pass the "thumb test", that they're no longer than your thumb. Nova didn't stand a chance, lol.

Ground driving practice with Missy

In the post-flooding muck, Missy managed to loose a shoe. Since she looked comfortable, I went ahead and pulled the other one. 

I'm using hoof boots for now when we work, and I'll monitor her comfort as the ground dries and hardens.

Is that... sunshine?!

The girls <3

Oh to be a filly rolling in the grass

What a majestic creature

Our latest "field trip" included a stop to let her sniff the trailer with no pressure to do anything.

Nova went with me to muck Pyro's stall. 

"Uncle Nykur" kept her company as she practiced standing tied. 

She also "helped" me as I took the wheelbarrow to the muck pit, walking along as I pushed it in front of us or pulled it alongside her.

It's hard work building patience.

No photos, but Missy did a little walking dressage in the outdoor arena, then helped me retrieve Pyro's empty hay net from Windsor. 

With the Spring National Drive in my sights, I'm having so much fun bringing Missy back into (light) work and teaching Nova the skills she'll need to join us on that adventure!