First pedicure...

We've been unable to get hold of our regular farrier (I think he's traveling in Montana at the moment), so a friend offered to take care of Quinn's hooves for us today. I was a little worried about how he might behave - we haven't done anything more than feed him and clean his stall since he arrived at the horse barn.

Prior to our friend's arrival, E walked Quinn around the barnyard to help him relax in the new space. He was obviously excited to be treading in new territory, but overall his manners were pretty good.

Friend Z, trimming Quinn

We decided to have E hold his head, rather than tie him up at the rail, while friend Z trimmed his hooves. Quinn freely offered his feet and was fairly well behaved during most of the process. He got a bit antsy towards the end and pulled his back hooves down a time or two, but I'd have to say that he performed better than Curly ever does. It was another point in Quinn's favor! So far he seems like a keeper.

As I had said in an earlier post, his hooves were in sad shape:

Front left - before trimming

back left, pre-trim

Friend Z said it looks like he hasn't had a trim in about a year or so. But the hooves appear to be sound...and they definitely look healthier than Curly's! Quinn's right front needs to grow some before the correct angle is achieved, plus there is a spot on the front of that hoof that looks like either an old injury or abscess that hopefully will grow out.

Front hooves, one on left (right front) post-trim, one on right (left front) pre-trim

There are still some splits in the front, even after trimming, but Z did not seem concerned with it. She did note that his right front has grown a little oddly and hopes that it can be corrected with time and good care.

right front, post-trim

Quinn was quite happy to be released back into his stall after the whole ordeal. He was a little tender-footed, of course. We hope to try him under saddle either tomorrow or Monday.

(By the way, did you notice the green grass in the background of the first picture? All of the snow has melted and the weather is almost spring-like. We've been worried about flooding, but so far the river has stayed within its banks.)

Ice rink

Yet another storm is on the way so the girls and I made a trip out to the barn this afternoon. We hacked away at frozen poop piles, replenished grain supplies and moved hay bales on the sled, knowing that it might be quite a while before we can come out again.

Both horses were happy to see us and made nuisances of themselves while we tried to finish our chores. The poor boys are bored and restless; Quinn (yup, we've settled on a name!) has even broken one of the rails in his run.

The girls discovered that "Lake Curly" has become an ice skating rink. They twirled and slid around until their toes were frozen in their boots. (I'll post pics as soon as I have a camera cable around - hubby M took ours on his trip to sunny, warm FLORIDA. I'm so jealous!)

1/10 addendum:
Here are the promised pics --

It was so cold outside! Curly's tail had so much frost on it that it looked like it had been dipped in a paint can.

R had a grand time on the ice.