December 5, 2025: Thanksgiving Carrots and a Special Cowgirl
Only two visits to the barn during Thanksgiving week had me missing Bee something fierce, but the time we did spend together was pure gold.
We headed up on Monday with a full crew. Henley, Jim, Payton, and I arrived armed with carrots and spa-day enthusiasm. Henley walked in like she owned the place, naturally. The whole family was impressed with how spotless the barn is, how thoughtful the layout is, and how many little details make it such a great place to board.
Bee got the works. We brushed her from bottom to top while she happily worked her way through most of a five pound bag of carrots. She practically fell asleep mid-grooming. It was not a riding day, but Henley still climbed up to brush her from the top, completely fearless, which is both endearing and mildly terrifying. Bee was an angel. Hard not to be when your belly is full of carrots.
We piled into the 4x4 and took the family on a tour of all the places Bee and I ride. The recent rain made things muddy, but they loved seeing the scope of the property and all the room we have to explore.
We returned on Wednesday with Jenna and Cullen joining the mix. When I went to fetch Bee from the pasture, she was glued to Mae Mae and had zero interest in leaving. Enter Lupe, the barn’s resident horse whisperer, who shook a feed bucket and instantly became Bee’s new favorite human. Lesson learned.
We groomed Bee in the barn again and let Jenna and Cullen help. This time we saddled up for a little walking ride around the arena. Henley was all smiles, beaming as she sat in the saddle and walked out of the barn on Bee. Honestly, it was the highlight of her day, Bee’s day, and probably mine too.
After a few loops, Cullen decided it was his turn. Jenna was not quite as excited about that idea, but we eased him on and walked a few careful steps. When we went to take him off, he protested loudly. He wanted Bee to go go go. So we did, in toddler-appropriate fashion.
We wrapped up the visit with another 4x4 cruise to show Jenna and Cullen the full expanse of the riding grounds. A Thanksgiving barn day for the books.
After the family left, I went back out Saturday night. The temperatures had dropped again, so I blanketed Bee and promised I would see her in the morning. Sunday brought more carrots. Mid-afternoon, I walked out and caught the mares napping in the sun, blankets on, looking like they were posing for a winter retreat brochure. Mae Mae, who is Bee’s barnyard bestie, was curled up next to her, and Judy completed the cozy mare pile. In the nearly eleven months I have owned Bee, I have never once seen her lay down to nap. Now I have caught her afternoon napping multiple times, including this moment. In the next pasture, Mama Jewel stood watch while baby Pearl finally gave in to the sunshine and a little peer pressure and took her own nap.
A cold start to the week, but a happy one. And now that all the Thanksgiving chaos has settled, Bee and I are back in our routine and ready for December.
Adding a few more family pics below from the week (Henley’s sure got some sass going on!) and looking forward to warmer temperatures so we can get out and ride!
Until next week! Happy Trails!
Bee & Christina
