Spa Day for the Pony

Squeegee has his Game On. Now that his cart has arrived, he's been out with Judy, his person, pretending to be a Smarter than Smart Car.

He looks very dapper in his harness, and is all business with his new set of wheels.

But it's important that it not be all work.

Today was his spa day. Having been thoroughly brushed over the weekend by some of our young guests -- Olivia, Avery and Evan -- until his coat shone and his dapples showed, today Squeeg relaxed in the May 24 sun.



At least until his farrier came. Rodd has an apprentice with him this year, and to Carmen fell the task of giving the pony his pedicure. The pony was very interested in the work, and in Carmen, and the two of them got along splendidly under Rodd's watchful eye. The hoof grows steadily, and every six weeks requires trimming and filing, just like a really big fingernail. Which is in essence what it is.

Since the balance in the foot is crucial -- no foot, no horse -- it is a long process to really understand the job of the farrier. Squeegee isn't wearing shoes: if he starts to work on harder ground that would wear his foot away faster than he can grow it out, he would require the protection of a tiny little pony shoe. The very thought of that makes Rodd cringe -- you can see how low Carmen has to bend to file his toes, and Rodd is a very tall chap.

With his pedicure complete, the pony went into his stall to munch some hay and lounge by the fan... it's a wonderful life.