how bad is your barn car blog hop

I love blog hops! They are so much fun, but this one might be rather embarrassing. . .

Pony'Tude is hosting this hop on just how bad horse people's cars can be. "It's a mysterious phenomenon of the universe that horsepeople tend to have really grody, disgusting vehicles. Maybe it's because we constantly find ourselves in places where we are routinely covered in mud, poop, hair, and sand. Maybe it's because our lives revolve around half-ton creatures who love to roll in dirt and slobber on us. Maybe it's because we are all genetically wired to be slobs. Whatever the reason, Barn Cars are nasty. I'll show you mine if you show me yours."

My barn car happens to also be my every day car. Woe is the person who decides that I am driving for the day, especially if it is out to lunch with co-workers. Not only do I have horse junk in my car, but it is also the main transport of my dogs.

The back of my car boasts the Northwest Ohio Driving Circuit sticker. You know, the driving circuit that I am part of without a driving horse. I also have to show some love for Michigan and Detroit!

Yuck, need a car wash

 The hatch part is filled with various items. I have an old saddle that I need to clean up, get photos of, and sell. Then there is a hay bag, some harness pads, a random tote, a box of halters from Horze, wormer, a bag of potting soil, and behind the saddle is another box filled with various things.

Kind of embarrassed. . .

 The back seat of filth. I have a dirty halter that needs to be washed because it was ripped off Shy's head and stomped into the dirt. I always have my Muck boots in case it gets muddy or I need to wade through a puddle. There is a hanging strawberry plant that I need to put up (hence the potting soil in the trunk) and a bag of sour taffy that I got from my dad. A dog brush and some frisbees are in the pouch of the driver's seat. And dirt and hair. Everywhere.

I vow to have strawberries!

 The other view of the back seat. I have a dog leash from Maggie from the disastrous trip to the barn a couple weeks ago. . .Maggie is not a barn dog. A bottle of water with an ADM coozie on it and some Nicker Bait treats (banana flavored for Shy) have made their home on my back seat. A ziplock bag of a Purina Hydration Hay sample I got at the MSU Stallion Expo is still there. I don't know what to do with that block of hay. There is the movie Pitch Perfect, because who doesn't travel around with a copy of that? And two hats, just in case (Michigan weather). My school bag is also on the floor.

I need help . . .

 The front seat is equally as bad. There is an almost empty case of Coke which is my Kryptonite. I have A Horse Box sack pack and a bag of Veggie Straws crammed on the passenger seat along with a zip up hoodie. Looks like my purse is on the floor. The pink piece is my phone charger that is a necessity because my battery drains so quickly. And if you look real close, you can see a clay Shyloh hanging from my vent. Also not seen is my iPod for some kickin' tunes. Underneath my seat is a gallon of Neatsfoot oil.

And finally, I have a photo of Shy, my husband, and my nephew on the ceiling of the car.

Please don't judge me!

An InLinkz Link-up

share your barn blog hop

I decided to join in on the barn blog hop! It has been fun seeing were everyone else keeps their horses. So here is where me and Shyloh spend our time together.

1. A View of the Barn

Home of Hidden Creek Draft Horses (plus Haflinger, two minis, and one mini hinny)

The barn is a simple barn. It houses the tractor, round bales, square bales, and tack. There are five standing stalls for the horses to eat. 

2. Your Horse's Living Space

Shy spends the vast majority of her time in this pasture.

Shy spends almost all day and night outside with her minions. She often refuses to come into eat (if she refuses, she does get her food given to her outside. Shy has the option and prefers to stay out. The two pastures used to be opened together, but Shy cannot handle herself on free choice hay and the biggest Percheron, Isaac, likes to play with the little minions and we are afraid he might accidentally hurt them. So Shy gets to live with the minions. 

When she does come inside. . .

When she does come in, it is for a few hours overnight and she has a standing stall. But, she generally slips her halter and wanders the back half of the barn for the night. Once the weather gets above freezing consistently, the horses will stay out. They just don't have a shelter right now. 

3. The Tack Room

Are the carts are stored to the left.

It's more like a tack space, but this is where I keep the stuff that I don't keep in my car.

4. View of Where You Ride

Round Pen

Hopefully, I will start riding. I will start out in the round pen for safety, but eventually, we will head out back. Right now it is an open field, but in spring, the soy beans will be planted. But there is a path around the soy beans for riding and driving. 

Back fields, yup, all of that plus more!

5. Favorite Feature of Your Facility

Well, I board at a friend's house, so they are my favorite features! We have a lot of fun together and a lot of laughs. 

The link doesn't format to my blog widths, but here it is!

tour de barns

Terry and I went on a Tour de Barns to visit friends and their horses. It was nice to see people that we used to board with at some point, catch up, and get some pony loving. 

Our first stop was the the barn where Kathy is now boarding. It was nice to hang out with Kathy and hear about all the progress she has been making in her riding. Casi is doing great, too! Also at this barn is the Shire gelding that came with Reba. He was in real bad shape and when his previous previous owner found out, she took him. He was super thin and still has hoof issues. But he is gaining weight and his attitude has improved. They also have some fiesty, fat minis.

Foresti, him and Shy used to hang out 

Joker, the shire gelding. He gets a double sized stall.

Casi, being a goof!

Cookie and Charlie with Terry. Pretty adorable, right?

Bonnie the Clyde

Next up was a visit with Rachel and Remi at their new barn. Remi is doing fantastic at this barn and Rachel seems to really be enjoying him. He was getting his mane pulled, then got to go in their huge outdoor arena for a run. This horse can move! He would bound off into a full blown gallop, then stop at the fence, turn around and do the prettiest, floatiest trot. They also had some yearlings that were too cute. 

Remi and Rachel

Gotta roll!

Weeeee!

Babies!

Nosy pony!

Also at this barn was Mia, the first Haflinger I leased! I was beyond happy to see her. When I walked up to her in her paddock, she stopped eating the round bale and stared at me until I got to her. I hugged all over her and when other horses came near me, she ran them off. Think she remembers me? She is looking good and she is probably about 21 now. I never realized how drafy she is! She is about as many hands as Shyloh, but way thicker. She has the apple bottom, thick legs, and a big head. It was so nice to be able to see her again. 

Mia!

Massive head

I miss this pony

Then we went to the barn I had just come from. I can't believe all the work they have been doing there, it looks really nice. We visited with Brenda and Buddy, Tony the donkey, Marlene and Belle, and the new barn kitties. Everyone there seems to be doing really well. 

Buddy!

Remember Marshall?

Tony!!

Dancer

Terry and a kitty

Belle

The final stop was to see Shy! We watched Jaime and Kyle mix concrete for the area by the hitching post. I went to go see Shy. I called her from the barn and she actually left the round bale and came up to me! She has never done that before! I usually get ignored when I call her. Terry spent some time getting hugs from the big horses. And of course, we spent some time with the minions. 

Dexter, getting friendlier and friendlier and darker in color

For all you long ear lovers, it's Gunny!

And a-spicy meat-a-ball!

Clutch giving hugs and Notch patiently waiting his turn for a hug

Then we have this goof! She doesn't give hugs that much, just smiles.

Hugs from Reba

More Reba hugs. . .truly gentle giants.

So so big!

It was a great day all around and much needed for both of us.