Monday News and Notes from Fleeceworks

When the ice finally melts and you’re just glad to be sitting on a horse among friends.

For the first time in what feels like weeks the sun came out, the ice melted off the roads (that’s what we get here–not fun and manageable snow, but ice that worsens with every cold night) and we drove through the mud to the barn for a ride. After 10 minutes or so of piddling around, the group of us ended up hanging out in the middle of the arena just chatting while the horses snoozed in the warm sun. It was glorious.

National Holiday: Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day

U.S. Weekend Action:

Grand Oaks H.T. [Website] [Results]

Monday News and Notes:

Winter is a great time to sharpen your horse’s skills through gymnastics exercises in the arena. This grid from Will Faudree will help your horse learn to think for himself and get his feet moving.  [Grid Pro Quo]

Collegiate and scholastic representatives met during the USEF Annual Meeting to discuss challenges and share ideas related to furthering equestrian sport at the collegiate level in all disciplines. With Intercollegiate Eventing rapidly growing in popularity, we’re glad to hear more conversation at the national level! [Collegiate/Scholastic Equestrian Summit]

Is your mare expecting this spring? While the approximate gestation period for a foal is 11 months, the actual length of time varies widely. And even if you regularly check for the signs and sleep for days in the barn, you still might miss it. “Mares are sneaky, and they tend to foal when everything is quiet and no people around.” [When Will My Mare Foal?]

California Chrome is officially a father! The two time horse of the year and Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Dubai World Cup winner’s first foal–a colt– was born on Saturday out of the million dollar winning mare, Pay the Man. [It’s a Boy!]

Congrats to Rebecca Hoos Mazzoni, who is in foal with a filly! All the best to Rebecca and husband Adam, and a double heaping of congrats to grandparents-to-be Bill and Lori who are no doubt over the moon. Lots of stars in those eventing bloodlines. Their due date is May 1. [It’s a Girl!]

Hot on Horse Nation: Here’s to the Winter Warriors

Monday Video: