Dart Creek Farm

by Michael Lobby

We made a multipurpose trek to Longview Washington on Thursday for much needed farm and menage supplies. We have cross fenced the lower 6 acre pasture and made three large ones. The next step will be to cross fence 2 of those to make a total of 5 decent sized pastures. With Molly and Sadie in one and Pete and Harvey in the other and the warm weather we’ve been having, the horses are quickly emptying the smaller buckets of water. We bought two 100 gallon stock tanks and have placed them where they will supply two pastures each.

Pete was a little skeptical at first, but then he came around. He’s the one that spooked at a rolled bale of hay. He’s very inquisitive, always has to be into what ever you’re doing if he gets the chance…kind of like a big puppy. The menacing gray barrel I was putting in his pasture kept him at a distance for awhile until he discovered it contained his second favorite thing after food…water. Now everything was okay. Harvey, on the other hand, isn’t fazed by much…except maybe flowers and a group of loud Hunter/Jumpers. I’ll try to talk Kaitie into writing that blog.

The tanks were working out very well. I only had to dig out a small amount of earth to get them level. Kim brought the long hose out to the first tank and it filled while I took a break. I then had one of those moments where I look around at where I am and get sentimental and thankful for all the good fortune we have. I thought about how hard we all worked this last year and how lucky we were to sell our last house and be able to get into this one. The work is very hard and their is a lot of it, and much more to come, but it’s the best most rewarding work I have ever done. I feel good knowing my family is in a place that will help build strong character and teach responsibility and the value of hard work.

Whew! Back to the tanks. I filled the first and then moved on to the next one, leveled and filled it. Then I saw it…the drain plug. It was leaking. Arrrrgh! Two hundred gallons of water before I realized I didn’t put pipe tape around the drain plug. So it was back up to the shop to search for the tape, get a drink and check in with everybody. Kim was finishing up showing Red (One of Rachel’s two horses that are staying with us) to potential new owners. Kaitie and Dilbertini were playing with the potential new owner’s kids. I went back down with the pipe tape and a plug for the inside of the tank. I took the tank plug out, wrapped the tape around the threads, screwed it back in, went on to the second one and did the same and all was well. No more leaks. Yay! Two new stock tanks for the future four pastures and no more filling of buckets twice a day.

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by Michael Lobby

Our horsey friends Bob and Gloria Rice will be hosting a trail ride from their place coming up soon. They invited us for a ride to help them mark out the trails with ribbon. The four of us started out bright and early (8:30 am has been bright and early for us this Summer) and met the Rice’s up at their place. With Dilbert, Kaitie, Kimmy, and me riding Chatta, Harvey, Sadie, and Pete started off on what would become a 4 hour, approximately 6 mile ride for two of us. The Rice’s have done an incredible job marking out and clearing nearly 20 miles of trails. We are so fortunate to live around horse people and have the opportunity to get on our horses and ride for hours through beautiful trails…right from our own barn.

Kaitie and I on the bridle path near the Rice’s

Kaitie and Dylan in the forest

I was a very pleasant ride through the forest, stopping periodically so Bob and/or Gloria could tie ribbons to mark the trail. It was good for us to go because there were places where we would have to ask “do we go this way?” or “should we turn here?” It’s so nice I still have to pinch myself to make sure it’s real.

Gloria and Bob tying ribbons

Gloria tying a ribbon

At one point Kim and Kaitlyn broke off from the group to head home for a scheduled lesson with Rachael. Dylan and I stayed with the Rice’s for the rest of the ride so they could finish marking. Dylan had the best time stopping to sample wild berries. Pete was content trying to get a mouthful of anything in his path.

Dylan and Chatta on the hunt for berries

It turned out to be nearly 4 hours when we finally got back. Kaitie was about to begin a lesson with Rachael. Before the day was done, I think she rode 4 different horses. Kim saddled up Sadie again and joined the lesson along with Sarissa, the mother of one of Kaitlyn’s friends from school. She is a horse person who was away from horses for about 5 years. She has been very interested in getting back into horses and learning Dressage.

So even though I had the longest ride since we moved here, I was still able to walk and actually got some more hay stacked in the loft (with a little help from Dylan). All is good on the farm…

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by Kimberly Lobby

I remember saying goodbye to horses at the same time I was given the choice between wheels or a horse when I was 16. My Arab mare was sold to a polo trainer and I got a car. I remember keeping my tack and groom kit, but as time went by and I moved around more I slowly let go of everything. I never dreamed I would ever have horses again. I spent 17 years horseless minus a few vacation trail rides here and there. Then came my daughter, Kaitlyn, who clearly inherited my “horse gene” , with no prodding or encouragement by her mom.

Kaitie getting a good look at Pete’s chompers

There was this old grey who lived across the street from our first home and Kate would just sit in the window staring dreamily at Haley’s Comet, named for the comet which blazed through the night’s sky when he was foaled. Ah, horse names, a whole other reason to be head over heels with these amazing animals.

Chattanooga Choo Choo

Dylan and Chatta having fun

I’m telling you all this because I never thought I would own a horse again in my life, much less 4! So the thought of being able to board other people’s horses was never even on the radar. And now this last weekend two horses were unloaded and tucked into their new pastures, complete with their new pasture mates, our horses! Our family farm is really growing up, everything was as if a different light was cast it. It really was a something I never expected even in the earlier days of living here. Michael kept telling me he was going to build a barn and we would board. Now you know there is a barn saga that Michael is slowly dolling out, I think his tactic is if he dolls it out slow enough he may actually be done when his story comes to an end. But the joke there is it never is done…

I really don’t want to bore you to death with my first post so I want to share the pictures that inspired me to jump on the blog boat in the first place…

My sweet, loving, gentle, cuddly Sadie May with her Winter coat

Rachel’s Molly…1400 pounds of sugar

You can tell a lot about a horse by their eyes

Sadie…Dr. Jeckyll and Mrs. Hyde

Sadie showing Molly who’s boss

Molly patiently waiting for Sadie to get over herself

To be continued…

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