This is a phrase used to describe what healthy foals do when they’re first born. Hrimmi was close on this one – she was a very vigorous filly. It’s also used to describe situations in which one begins new endeavors without much forethought.

I hit the ground running when I got home two days ago. There was no lag time, no time for reflection, no time to sit back and get used to being home. Our veterinarian, Dr. Zach Kaiser appeared in the driveway at the scheduled time of 10:30 a.m. He floated Tyra’s teeth, vaccinated all the horses, drew blood for their Coggins test, and gave all the horses a once over. In addition, he removed Ranger’s scur. It usually breaks off, but not this time. He

didn’t have a buddy to butt heads with. Zach was here for some time because he was careful to explain in great detail what he was doing. I got to stick my arm in Tyra’s mouth (she was sedated) and feel the chewing surfaces, which after a few go arounds with the dremel tool, were quite smooth.

After Zach’s visit, Pete and I rode Raudi and Hrimmi to Ridge Runner circle. Hrimmi, who is now better balanced and more confident, is no longer stopping and will occasionally trot. She and Pete are now buddies – she’s his number one riding horse. Raudi did just fine.

We next went to a tree nursery and picked out some fruit trees. Pete is going to expand the garden area, which is between the hoop house and the new arena. We brought home two peach trees, which Pete has already planted in the hoop house. We will be picking up apple trees, cherry trees and raspberry plants in a few weeks.

Today we went for lengthy ride up Buffalo Mine Road. The horses did just fine. And after, we walked Ryder, Tyra, and Tinni up the bench trail. I let Tyra run free. Pete said that he thinks she’s our happiest horse. She sure does enjoy running about. And she is light on her feet.

And after we got back, I cleaned out the goat pen and the chicken coop. I let the chickens run around as I was cleaning up – they were happy to be out, but they did stay near the coop. All this cleaning was partially in preparation for upcoming additions. We are going to get at least one new chicken and Stormy the milk goat.

I did not feel overwhelmed yesterday because I was simply doing what needed to be done. Today I felt very overwhelmed because I had more choices. A part of my problem is that in coming home I went from 10 to 50 mph. I was gone for the onset of spring. The feeling of spring mania usually builds but with my being away, this did not happen. I came home to spring and all that goes with it – lots of outside stuff to do, all of which is equally important.

And tomorrow – I’m going to set up the May agility course and begin working with the horses on it, both in the saddle and on the ground. And I’m going to work with Tyra on riding preliminaries.

There is obviously plenty to do around here. The trick is to focus on what I’m doing at the time and ignore the fact that I could just as easily be doing something else that’s equally important.

Next: 132. 5/12/17: Clean Up Day