Stall #5, Treasured Forever

[Nicole]

Name: Treasured Forever
Barn Name: Treasure
Breed: Thoroughbred
Dam: Said In Spun Silver
Sire: Battlecry Forever
Gender: Stallion
Birthday: 2008/1
Color: Chestnut
Markings: Stripe
Personality: Treasure was the result of an unplanned breeding between Said in Spun Silver and Battlecry Forever, at first Edgardale was worried about taking on the responsibility, but it didn't take long for us to all love him. He's a sweet but spirited colt, at times showing more of his mother and at other times taking after his father. With his bloodlines, we look forward to a jumping as well as a racing future for him.
Owned By: Edgardale

[april]

I smile as I walk through the new stables at Edgardale. They have all the old fashioned charm that I love about stables, but with modern conveniences to make them more comfortable for the horses. It only takes one look at Treasure to see that he’s happy. I smile He rolls in the knee- deep bedding, and gives a joyous whinny. He rolls to his feet when he realizes I’m there, and starts nuzzling me like crazy. I giggle, pet him, and give him a handful of treats. I come into his stall, hug him, and give him a careful grooming, massaging him as I work. Lord knows he deserves the best. When I finish, he practically gives off light, and his coat feels like a mixture of silk and velvet. I give him his breakfast after admiring him awhile, and he dives right in to the sweet feed, hay mix, and supplements, topped off with a sweetened bran mash with linseed oil. Then I clean his stall, lay down another knee deep layer of bedding, clean and oil his tack, wrap his legs, and take him out for some fun.

[april]

It’s going to be a golden day and the first beams of the summer morning sunrise peek in through the stable windows as I come into Treasure's stall. The sweet spirited stallion gives a whinny of joy when he knows I’m coming and is so excited that he starts gnawing on his stall door. “Easy boy. That’s not good for you. Take it easy. I’m coming.” Once I’m in his stall he nuzzles me and gives me “horsey kissies” until my arms and face feel slimy from horse goober. I laugh and he whinnies before laying his head over my shoulder. I give him a big hug, and chat with him as I groom him. His muscles twitch as if he’s enjoying the feel of the grooming too much to hold it in. He lips at my braid, picking it up in his mouth, making me laugh all the more. I give him a handful of treats, and once his grooming is over I give him his breakfast. The hay mix is fresher and greener than ever now that it’s summer, and I make his mash extra sweet with plenty of his favorite treats mixed in. I add supplements and vitamins to the grain. I clean his stall and give him a long massage before leading the dancing stallion out.

[april]

Treasure has a good appetite when I give him his breakfast in the morning, devouring every last oat and strand of hay, licking up the last traces of the vegetable oil. I laugh as when he finishes up and starts licking my face. I give him a hug, and then start to groom him. I go through the shampooing, clipping, chalking, sponging, combing, and brushing. I lay his mane, and when I finish he looks like a real show horse. He soaks up the attention, leaning so hard into the grooming that he almost falls over. I giggle, and give him a massage, clean his stall, add electrolytes to his water, and clean his tack. Just to show what a monster he can be he butts his head into me as I work and nips my shoulder while I muck his stall.
"Hey, none of that," I scold. He wuffs as if to say "But you were ignoring me."
"I'm just cleaning your stall. Sorry, but I can't be constantly petting and grooming you or your stall would be a real mess."
I answer he kicks a hind foot out at his stall's wall.
"Ok. Ok. I'll have you outside soon." But you behave yourself, Ok you monster?" I say affectionately. He lips my hair in appolgy, and I pet him and lead him out.

[april]

I greet Treasure with a blow into his nose in the morning, which I know is an old horse whisperer’s trick for saying hello to a horse and letting them know you’re friendly, although he’s already been my friend for a long time. I pet him and he nuzzles me as I do my chores. First I give him a good hearty breakfast, and then I give him the long, long grooming he loves so much. He shifts his position to be sure I get all his favorite spots, and sighs contentedly when I do. I work a massage into it, and then clean his stall, tack, and waterer. Then I lead him out, with him laying his head over my shoulder as I do.

[april]

I try to go all out taking care of my horses, and while Treasure eats his breakfast hays, grains, supplements, and mash I give him a vigorous grooming, which includes shampooing his mane and tail and carefully clipping stray hairs to keep him looking tidy. I make sure to clip off any dingy yellow hairs from his markings and clean them with a whitening shampoo. I finish his markings by touching them up with some French chalk. I finish his regular grooming by going over him with a damp sponge, adding to what the curry comb, dandy brush, an soft brush have already done. The dab of equine highlighter on the sponge gives his coat a matte finish, enhanced by a mist of coat spray. As always, he soaks up the attention and nuzzles me as much as possible. I laugh, and give him another handful of treats and a hug. Then I clean his stall til it's spotless and lay down a thick layer of bedding before leading him out.

[april]

I come into Treasure's stall in the morning with a smile on my face, always glad to be with my horses. I sing a little as I do my chores. “When I look into your eyes to tell you what’s on my mind, with no words at all you seem to understand. Time slips away so quickly when we spend it together. When we’re apart, it feels like forever.” He gives a nicker, and I think he enjoys music. After I feed him, groom him, and clean his stall, I give him a handful of treats and a massage before I lead him out.

[april]

Treasure sniffs my pockets as soon as I come into his stall, knowing I have a treat for him. He knows that they’re in my pocket, half because he smells them and half because he knows that’s where I usually keep them. I giggle as he pulls the bag of baby carrots out. "Those aren't all for you. You have to leave some for the others." I grab the bag away from him before he can chew it, and take out a couple of the sweet carrots. After he's had his treat, I do the morning chores. After his stall's been cleaned and he’s eaten a nutritious breakfast and been groomed until he glows, I lead him out.

[april]

I come to the stables extra early, wanting to get all the horses taken care of and exercised. Treasure keeps nuzzling me, beyond happy to see me. I pet him and hug his neck before giving him a handful of treats before grooming him, doing my best to be as thorough as always. I take time off in between to pet him. I give him his breakfast, and I smile as I notice that I could use his coat as a mirror. He responds so well to grooming, exercise, and good nutrition. I clean the stall, give him another handful of treats, and lead him out.

[april]

After being cooped up during the rain yesterday, Treasure is anxious to get outside and be exercised. I make sure to be quick but also extremely thorough in doing my chores, while still taking lots of time out to pet, give treats to, and fuss over him. Once all the work is done, I tack him up, using a light layer of honey on the bit. He likes that little touch, although he always takes the bit eagerly. I pet him as I lead him out.

[april]

After being cooped up during the rain yesterday, Treasure is anxious to get outside and be exercised. I make sure to be quick but also extremely thorough in doing my chores, while still taking lots of time out to pet, give treats to, and fuss over him. Once all the work is done, I tack him up, using a light layer of honey on the bit. He likes that little touch, although he always takes the bit eagerly. I pet him as I lead him out.