Found out the problem with no weight loss - I apparently have 8 gallstones, four of which are the sizes of plums. Once this gets straightened out I hope to be back on track as I have lots of catching up to do.
Bought myself an old quarter horse mare - she is 20 and a dear old soul that only wants to live life at a slower pace. She was a team penner so I do understand. She is as sound as a dollar and bomb proof - a term I use very lightly but that she is! Mind you, she was quite underweight and lacking in the proper treatment of an old gal. We have had her 6 weeks now and have managed to put on about 300 pounds in places she needed it - along her rump and her neck as well as her back. About 500 or so more to go I would think and she will be a different horse. I had been riding her until my diagonse and was told no more riding - she is such a dream - just as patient as all get out.........as long as you do not want any speed which is wonderful for a school mount - she is my new walk/trot beginner horse - taller than I wanted at 15.1 but at least she is sound. I refuse to use an unsound horse to teach on.
I also have a wonderful pony that was given to me - Miss Molly is a lovely dappled chocolate palomino 10.3 hand angle. She was badly neglected and covered in bugs 3 years ago. The lady who gave her to me has done a wonderful job bringing her back to life - she gave her to me to use in my riding school to give her a purpose in life and she is enjoying being queen of the barn - the young girls fuss over her and she is loving it. We are finding out more about her riding abilities. She is not the prettiest of ponies - she has a severe overbit and crooked legs - toes out bad but that could come along with trims. She also has one blue eye.

With the snow gone, I am hoping to get back to the teaching next week - our rings are drying up nicely - the mauare is working into the soil well and proving to be a good ground - the rain expected will tell. The ponies are in shape having been on a conditioning program for the last 6 weeks more or less. The kids have been out to do grooming and leading exercises - things are looking good.

Once I am able to get back riding - I hope to get my arab mare back under saddle - started her last fall and need to finish her and get her into dressage training. My welsh/saddlebred cross also needs starting - he is now 6 and no excuses! Him and my other welsh cross are needing to get going for the show season next year.

Well, I had better get back to my blanket cleaning - 10 big outdoor rugs yesterday, 10 stable blankets today and I should be done for the winter wear!