Virtual Brush Box

Foto Friday: David LaBelle

Second half of my photo class books [Lesson 1: Book List].

LaBelle

The Great Picture Hunt 2: The Art and Ethics of Feature Picture Hunting by Dave LaBelle [LaBelle 1995]

I don’t want to know all the technical stuff… I just want to shoot pictures: The TLC approach to taking great photographs at any age by Dave LaBelle [LaBelle 2009]

I am loving I don’t want to know all the technical stuff…. It helps me see what is important rather than be ~~overwhelmed~~ dazzled by choice. While I bought the camera specifically for the options [The Rest of the Story], that doesn’t mean I’m finding it easy. It helps me to think that any camera is simply “A box that gathers light” (p8). Both books are available on the author’s website.

~~~
With the requisite photo bombs.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

DIY Blanket Rack

Organization makes me happy.

We have a variety of horse covers: turnout blankets, stable blankets, sheets, coolers, and so on. Sizes range from the short, fat Mathilda to the giraffe that is Rodney. Several are well past their use-by date: large tears, missing straps, defunct buckles, etc. However, we keep them around to drape over the run-in shed fence for windbreaks in the winter.

Now that summer is coming, we need move this mountain of material to maximize ventilation. Blanket storage takes space. Wouldn’t it be nice to have them out of the way, yet easy to access, and neatly stored?

Enter my master carpenter. He ripped two ten-foot 2×4 boards to make four wooden supports that fit across the back of the hay area. Now every horse coat we own is hung up, with space between for sufficient airflow.

blanket rack 3

Bliss.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Driving Miss Posh

Saddle Seat Wednesday

My most recent driving lesson.

The music is “Posh!” from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (Music fee paid.) Thank you to Courtney for the video, to Greg for the editing, to Jessica for the horse, and to Posh for being a star.

Other Videos
SSF Lola: Her Name is Lola
Rodney: Video for Foto Friday
SSF Casey: Lights, Camera, Canter
SSF Sam: Sam I Am

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Sharknado

At mealtimes, Milton pins his ears, chases Rodney, & is a complete pill. At non-mealtimes, Milton wants to be Rodney’s best buddy. He will follow Rodney about, bellow if left behind, and stress if asked to work alone.

Previous Horse was the same way. If food was involved, stay out of his way. Otherwise, Mathilda ran the field. She could tell the difference and acted accordingly.

Unfortunately Rodney can’t tell parse the difference between Milton at mealtimes and Milton the rest of the time. Rodney assumes the worst of Milton at all times. It’s too bad. I think they would both be happier if they could bond – just not during dinner.

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

A milder moment: Shark Attack Imminent

Saddlephobia

Rodney’s groundtie is nearly perfect. I developed the habit of insisting my horses stand still to be brushed [Progress] because Previous Horse was that bad about respecting my space. We brush the horses in their run-in shed within the field. If they chose to run off, they aren’t going anywhere.

Rodney will move a hoof occasionally, and weakens in the face of carrots. Generally, he stays put. Even when I showed him the wormer last week, he didn’t move. He turned his head as far from me as he could, but kept his feet in place.

When we bring out the saddle [Equipment] to lunge Milton, Rodney leaves the barn.

Sigh. Anyone know of competitions available for bareback riders?

Thank you for reading,
Katherine Walcott

Letter Art: J is for Jenny’s Jodhpurs

Jenny Wright lives in the Midwest and shows in the Saddlebred Western division. Last year, she finished Top 10 in the S&B Shatner ASB Western Pleasure 2015 World Championship at the St. Louis Charity Horse Show. You may now be impressed. The Shatner Finals is the most competitive class I have ever seen, at any show, in any discipline.

For more on Jenny’s adventures, see her horse’s Facebook fan page, Only’s Gnash Rambler. For an explanation of the unique nature of these jods, see BBC: The TARDIS.

Welcome Jenny.
~~~
2016 Alphabet