Every morning I would run out and check, no, not today. Anyway the wait is over and we have a very long legged, chestnut, with 4 white socks and a blaze. I have attempted to take some pictures with my digital, but the lighting isn't great, so am taking others and am going to put it on the site. As we are never too good at names, we are going to have a “name the foal contest” with a prize of an Aspengrove hoodie for the name chosen. So help us out and email me your names.

We have been extremely busy this spring (what else is new) trying to get caught up after our late start. I was just reading my last update. After I posted that update, the weather completely deteriated. We had a lot of snow and miserable weather putting us behind in our spring improvements. Angie is very busy exercising and schooling the horses. Jessie and Erica and Janine are helping us out with that chore. Lorne put up the hot walker so we can cool them out after the ride and some times it’s going to be used for an exerciser for the overweight ones. Seems when you have a herd this large, it is hard to keep them all at an ideal weight.

We have purchased a few new horses so far and we are going to check out some more tomorrow. We purchased 2 new thoroughbreds, both bay. We welcome Saucie and Banner to the farm. Also finally brought home our new pony Tommy and his best friend and companion, Tamale the mini donkey. Lolita is thrilled to have a friend, although as most of you know, 2 always bring new challenges. We have them on the loose just cruising the property. Yesterday they were half way down the driveway and today they seem to want to hang out in the front yard and eat my strawberry plants. If this continues I will have to secure them in a paddock. When I only had one she was always with the others in the paddock area. It is nice to see them just hanging out but more work as I have to do daily manure patrol. Tommy, our new pony is a real cute palomino, about the same size as Buddy, who will be retiring after this year.

Angie had decided that the bottom sand ring wasn't big enough, so we took it all apart and now have it the same size as the front one. A lot of work, but I think it is going to be worth it. We have also made more paddocks. Last year we were a few short, because of the increase in students, so this year every horse will have its own paddock. No sharing, except maybe for Jackspot and Snickers, as they are inseparable.

We finally got Lucifer into the trailer and he is now at Robin Hahn’s getting started. That was quite a process. As our trailer doesn’t have a large back door he would never even try to get in, so we arranged for someone else to trailer him. Well he hopped right in, but unfortunately the divider wasn't securely tied and it opened and caused some injuries. Not a great start for a first time trailer experience. Hopefully he will heal quickly so we can get started with the training process. Austin is leaving today to go to another trainer who does wonders with green horses. Stephanie Fitchett works out of Dave Batty’s barn and has vast experience with youngsters. Angie just doesn't have the time to put in, especially at this time of the year. I will let you know later how this trailering experience went.

I pretty much have my staff for the summer. Each year we hire 2 volunteers for each 5 week session in the tack up area. Usually they are students who have attended Aspengrove in prior years. This year we will be having Hannah Berman and Thea Stevens. Crystal and Connie will be returning, as well as Janine. Jessie and Angie will be instructing riding and Molly will be doing stable management. I would also like to thank all those we gave me input on the staff from last year. We do like input as we want to keep our program as professional as possible and make sure all go home with good memories and a lot of horse knowledge.

Our summer camp programs are almost filled to capacity, with room only in the first week and the last 2 weeks of the summer. We have students coming from all over the U.S. and Canada. Our parent/child weekends are full, but we still have room in our Women’s weekend getaways, so if you are procrastinating there is still time to register.

Keep up the correspondence and talk to you all again soon. I am looking forward to another successful season.

P.S. I would like to take this time to thank Lorne, as all the improvements around here would not be happening without all his hard work, talent and creativeness.

Hilda

Finally!!!
Waiting for a newborn can be such a lengthy process. I have wanted to update my column for some time now, but was waiting for Teneka to have her foal so I could announce what she had. Well she had a colt, born on April 30th. As some of you know, after we purchased her last year the old owners indicated that she may be bred, as one time when they were away she had gotten out and was visiting the stallion down the road. Well, yes she was bred. The Vet had thought she might be foaling around the beginning to the middle of April, so the wait has been long.