Smarty turns 5

Treats!

Mad for Smarty was born on February 27, 2007 at Three Chimneys Farm, out of Robert Clay's mare Santaria (Star de Naskra - Act of Magic by Halo). Yesterday was, of course, the first time I could spend Smarty's birthday with him; it was a pretty exciting occasion. If Mad for Smarty wasn't a gelding, he would now officially be labeled as a horse, but unfortunately for him he is still just a gelding. My Smarty's birthday happens to coincide with the actual Smarty's birthday nicely; Smarty Jones was born on February 28, 2001.


To celebrate the event, I baked Mad for Smarty some delicious homemade horse treats. This was my first attempt making baked goods for a horse, and I think it they turned out pretty well (Smarty's seemed to think so, at least!). I used plenty of oats, molasses and peppermint. My pony loved them!

Smarty's also got a few special birthday carrots, the ones with the green stems still on top. He gobbled those up, too. 

Mad for Smarty was feeling good today. He was jumping and playing just a bit on the lead while I was hand grazing him. All of the horses at Bel Canto are pleased that spring is here and the green grass is coming up.

Photos!

Today was a gorgeous day out at the barn (70s and sunny - a typical Austin February) and I took way too many photos of Smarty while we were out for a walk. With the Equi-Pak on his feet, he isn't allowed to go out in the mud because it causes the material to deteriorate. With about 3 inches of rain over the last week at Bel Canto it was far too muddy for Smarty to be turned out today, so I hand walked him instead. And I happened to have my camera. 

Being way too majestic for his own good

Dangerous things can happen when a girl has a camera AND a pony.

I also put my saddle on Smarty for the first time today. It fits! I walked him around for a few minutes with the saddle on and girth tightened. Like everything else, he was totally fine with the whole process and wasn't bothered by my enormous and heavy (by his standards) saddle and my tightening the girth.

 

Tacked up! Partially, at least

New shoes

     Yesterday front shoes were put back on Mad for Smarty. The farrier recommended front shoes with pads with Equi-pak underneath for a few cycles to help his sole grow out. Smarty has had a tough time adjusting to being barefoot and this should help. He is still barefoot behind. I went out to the barn to see him yesterday, and he was having no issues whatsoever with the new shoes and pads. He has also been started on a hoof supplement to promote growth. Hopefully these things in conjunction will take care of his foot soreness! So far, they are working wonderfully.

Nom nom nom

    So far here's the verdict on treats. Smarty does not like apples. At all. Which was unfortunate, as my mom had bought a bag for him. He'll take a bit and then won't touch the fruit. Carrots, in the other hand, are a big hit, he loves them! And peppermint. I have a regular peppermints that I've been giving him, and my friend Kara just bought a box of candy canes that were on clearance for him. Smarty is really enjoying those!

     Last weekend, my grandparents, parents, aunt, uncle and cousin came to Bel Canto to meet Smarty. They, like everyone else, loved him. My grandparents where especially thrilled to meet their new grand-horse!

With da fam