Pics--Arrow's new place and blanket

[Arrow]

First up--the arena. Then--Arrow's new blanket. I couldn't resist taking a picture of the hayloft upstairs--it reminds me of the warehouse at the end of Raiders of the Lost Arc! Then I took a few pics through the hole where they toss his hay down.

I hope that the blanket is o.k. and not too snug. It has an outshell of 1680 D material--waterproof, and a thin inner fleece layer.

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=452&pictureid=5081

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[Remali]

Very nice blanket!! And wow, awesome arena!!!

[cloedoll]

Wow, nice arena, lovely hay and Arrow looks real handsome. xD

[rockyridge]

great arena...and arrow looks just so handsome in his new blankie....

[Dakota Sunrise]

Omg, that arena ROCKS! You are so lucky to have that to ride in!!!:D

I love Arrow's new blanket, he looks so handsome.:)

[Arrow]

Aww--I'll be sure to pass on your compliments to Arrow.:) Thanks, everyone.

[vicklynn]

Very cool arena, hay loft and blanket!!!

[WashingtonBay]

It doesn't look too snug at all. In fact, you could easily fit a liner under it.

Snug the belly straps all the way to his belly though, they're way too loose. They shouldn't be cinch-tight, but they should definitely be touching his belly so he can't get a foot through it.

When they lay down, look where the back feet are.. (pics)

[WashingtonBay]

That sure is a nice big arena! And I've always loved the idea of the loft with chutes down to the horses. :~)

[Arrow]

That's as tight as they go--I'll have to figure out a way to make them tighter. Glad it doesn't look too snug. Thanks.:)

[WashingtonBay]

Oh - bummer. Well, we tied knots in the pony's for a season, and the nice blanket cleaning and repair lady cut and resewed the straps nice for us in the summer.

[lovesfortune]

I had to tie a knot in one of Booty's straps to make it tighter.... maybe that might work for yours?

I'm definitely jealous of the arena!

[Arrow]

I'll see what I can do tomorrow--hopefully he will be o.k. tonight. He hasn't been laying down yet, anyway.

[lovesfortune]

I'm not sure it would work... you'd have to ask the experts. But if you got some fishing line and a needle.. you could probably fold the slack in the straps and then use the fishing line and sew it. Should make it strong enough.... and then if you need it larger later on... it's not cut?

Going to have to take my blanket to my mother in laws tomorrow and have her try it with my straps.

[WashingtonBay]

Loves... do you see on this one how different the proportions are on yours? Length versus 'girth'?

[WashingtonBay]

I'm not sure it would work... you'd have to ask the experts. But if you got some fishing line and a needle.. you could probably fold the slack in the straps and then use the fishing line and sew it. Should make it strong enough.... and then if you need it larger later on... it's not cut?

Going to have to take my blanket to my mother in laws tomorrow and have her try it with my straps.

That would work. Best if you know someone with a fairly heavy-duty sewing machine. Tack shops with saddle repair shops could do it.

[lovesfortune]

Yes, definitely more length around the belly on this one since you can't see Arrow's belly at all.

I guess I learn for next time. Tonight they are blanket free for the first time in a few days. No shivering. No wind. About 40 and sunny today... I took the blankets off early afternoon so their hair is all poufy now.

[starkitten]

That looks like a great place for Arrow and you!!!! He is super handsome :) I'm a sucker for a gaited horse ;)

[WashingtonBay]

Yes, definitely more length around the belly on this one since you can't see Arrow's belly at all.

I guess I learn for next time. Tonight they are blanket free for the first time in a few days. No shivering. No wind. About 40 and sunny today... I took the blankets off early afternoon so their hair is all poufy now.

Well who'd know they'd be such a funny shape? I swear they're made for a weiner-horse ;)

[Arrow]

I actually have a friend who's a costume curator at a museum--she might be able to sew it. Thanks.:)

[starkitten]

Well who'd know they'd be such a funny shape? I swear they're made for a weiner-horse ;)

But yet for the life of me I can't find coats for my weiner dogs - they are all too short :)

[JackieB]

I took WBay's advice and I tighten Buster's belly straps up so that they are touching his belly. I would figure out how much needs to come out to leave room for adjustment and then fold it over and sew them like lovesfortune mentioned. You'll want to make sure that they don't chafe hair off then, of course.

That indoor arena is killing me! I would definitely ride in the winter if I had a place like that where Buster lives. As it is now, I ride about twice in the winter. The whole winter! What a wimp I am.

[Arrow]

The arena really is super. I wasn't going to use it much--but it's too SLICK to ride safely! I can't get away from the barn right now, too much ice from all the slush. It was a wicked week last week, I've got to tell you. I've ridden in it 5 or 6 times, I think, in 10 or 11 days.

I'm taking off for Christmas in a few weeks anyway, so most of my exploring the countryside and starting up a training program in the arena will have to wait for January anyway. I'm just trying to get him settled right now--he's a lot better than he was. I'm really hoping a blanket will help him maintain his weight, and maybe even gain a little.

He's doing great on flexing exercises, supplying, circling, etc. in the ring--and stopping and backing, too. Almost all walking right now--that sand is hard work, too, I think. I'm taking it slowly.:)

[jeezitsjacki]

oh I love your arena, and he looks so cozy in his blanket!

[Arrow]

Thanks, Jacki!:)

[Equine_Woman]

I am super jealous of your arena to ride in!!!!! I would gladly pay board again I think just for an indoor during winter!!! And Arrow looks snug as a bug in a rug in that blankie!!!

If you can't find anyone to sew it knots work great, just be sure to knot it above the adjuster so if you need to adjust it in the future you can. Mack got his foot caught in one of his rear leg straps last week and boy was that exciting!! I have no idea how he got up but somehow one of them finally broke. I was lucky he didn't hurt himself but I certainly turned into a blanket strap nazi!!! I was out tonight snugging everyone's up to the belly and up tighter around their legs. (not tight but not loose) . I had to tie 4 knots in Sterling's leg straps before I was happy with it!!

[Arrow]

Hope he doesn't hurt himself tonight! I'll be out there in the morning. Where do I tie the knots, exactly--I'm not sure what you mean. The adjuster is maxed, so it goes all the way to the edge...

WB, we need a picture, pronto!!!

[Country Girl 43]

Wow....I like the indoor arena! That's great and the stalls look so comfy...got any outside pics??

Arrow looks like he's made himself at home!

[Arrow]

Thanks, Country Girl! I'll have more pics before too long. Right now the place is all torn up because they are burying the wires for the heated water troughs.

[WashingtonBay]

Hope he doesn't hurt himself tonight! I'll be out there in the morning. Where do I tie the knots, exactly--I'm not sure what you mean. The adjuster is maxed, so it goes all the way to the edge...

WB, we need a picture, pronto!!!

Well, I'm not sure I have a pic that shows how I knotted the pony's but I'll look. I just tied as tidy of a knot as I could in each strap so that the knot was pretty much at the center of her belly, so she wouldn't have to lay right on it, because that wouldn't be comfy.

You might have to fiddle with the adjustment strap so you've to exactly the right length once knotted.

[Equine_Woman]

Opps!! Wrong thread!! Sorry Arrow!

[WashingtonBay]

I looked - you can't see the knots in any of the pictures... which I guess is a good testament that you don't have to worry your brand new blanket will look tacky with the straps knotted. You really can't tell. ;)

http://www.baywindfarm.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=433&pictureid=4820

[Arrow]

Hee hee! Thanks, WB! So right in the middle means he won't lay on the knot on either side, right?

[WashingtonBay]

Right. :)

[Arrow]

Thanks!!!

[valleyrider]

Wow Arrow, that is a great arena you have to ride in. Is it heated? I love the stall too. Arrow looks cozy in his new Blanket too. I do agree with WB. The straps are too long and he can get hung up in them. I hope he will be ok tonight.

[Arrow]

Nope, the arena is unheated. I prefer it that way, though. Arrow's a might furry fellow!

[Me'N'Chic]

I love ARROW'S new blankie! I love the red and ble! WOW! Being in OHIO as you are; I need an arena like that!! Enjoy!

[Arrow]

Thanks, Mary!

[TBgirl]

Wow beautiful facility!! He looks so cute in his blanket, great pics!

[lovesfortune]

Glad WB could give you a picture!

[TheBadLands]

I miss indoors!!! Lucky!

And Arrow looks great, as always!

[shynbvs]

that's so coll how they just throw the hay down from the loft. i love the barn :)

[Arrow]

Thanks, I love it, too--Arrow seems happy so far!

[offgridgirl]

Does it scare the horses when the hay suddenly comes from above????

Blanket looks great!!!

[Arrow]

Maybe the first time, but mostly they stand right there, and I guess it's hard not to hit them in the head! They hear you walking around, of course, and know what's coming. When I talk to Arrow from up there, though--he won't look up. He goes to the stall door and peers out--I don't think they completely understand "look up.":D

[gaited07]

Looks like Arrow has it made now. New blanket, nice arena, comfy bedroom. All he needs is a tv with remote LOL!

[FatSpottedAppy]

Nice arena! Arrow looks pretty darn good in that blanket. :)

[Arrow]

Thanks Gaited and FSA!:)

[lisakaye]

That is a really nice place. I love the new blanket too. I am glad I read this cause now I have to go tie knots in Brutus's blanket. It is actually much looser than Arrow's and I never thought about tieing knots to make it tighter. Thanks WB...