 I'm still perfecting my mud-covering technique! Hi everyone! I can't believe it's been over a year since I last checked in with you guys. I've been going through some awkward growth spurts lately, or at least that's what my humans say. They also say I'm really smart (but I coulda told them that!).
Anyway, back to point - are you aware of this thing the humans call mud? It's a wonderful thing! Sure, they get all grumpy when it rains, and slop around in their weird shoes, but I've decided that mud is literally the BEST THING EVER!
If you really want to watch your human squirm, go out and find the largest puddle or mud patch in the field and roll in it. Don't be shy - the more mud you're covered in, the better! And when your human comes out to bring you in for the night, make sure you share your mud with them by rubbing on their clean shirt and stomping in nearby puddles.
 Proof that I've always loved mud, even before I knew what it was! Besides bringing joy to both you and your now-covered human, mud also has other great benefits: - Has your human recently decided to put those weird metal things on your feet? If you find the right mud patch that's sticky enough, it will pull those right off! (or so I'm told by the pasture leaders.)
- When you're mud coat dries, your human will desperately want to make you clean again. Perfect excuse for a long grooming session and free massage for you!
Oh, and did I mention that I'm three now? I don't know exactly what that means, but the humans have been talking more about "breaking" me. According to big brother Ted, that means more work on my part. I guess I'll have to use my smarts to figure out a way around that! Well, time's a wastin! Better go romp in the mud before it dries up again. See ya later, friends!
 Hey there! I know, I know...long time and no blog. The humans say I've gone through some rough growth spurts since last Spring and don't seem to be willing to take as many pictures of me lately. Speaking of Spring...I don't know about you, but this guy is counting down the days till the warmer weather! Only 72 more days! (You can follow the countdown here: http://days.to/spring/2015) Lately I haven't been able to run around the field and play with my buddies because of the rain and mud, or so the humans say. I like the mud - especially rolling in it! They don't seem to be too thrilled when I come in at night covered head to hoof. Fortunately I did get to go outside today, and my new pal Dusty joined me. I don't think he likes me much, but I'll slowly win him over. He and I have a new game we play called Halter Smack. Whoever gets the other's halter off the fastest wins. The humans don't seem to like this either. Oh well!
Now they say this week it's supposed to be in the single digits. I don't know what that means, but I know it's getting colder! Lucky for me, I have a pretty thick hair coat. Hopefully it won't get so cold that the humans keep me in my stall. Winter weather can mean that us horses can get sick a little easier though. Make sure you do the following things to avoid a dreadful visit from that person they call the vet: - Drink LOTS of water, even if it's ice cold! (You can paw at the bucket or water tank to draw your human's attention to the frozen water. They'll usually huff about it, but they'll replace it.
- Clean up your hay, and beg for more when your human is near! Good hay gives us more energy, and energy helps us stay warm. Or so I'm told.
- If there's icy stuff falling from the sky, run to the barn or shed! Trust me, having this cold stuff freeze on your back and sides is no fun!
And if your humans want more tips, there are plenty of good cold-weather horse care tips and resources available on TheHorse.com! Well, I hear the door opening...must be time for more hay! Gotta run.
 Hi everyone! It's been about a month since I last checked in with you guys, but many things have been changing up here on the farm! Summer is right around the corner, and man is the weather nice! I love running around in the sunshine and rolling in the grass...until the evil flies start biting. Then I try to outrun them!
Speaking of change, lots of things have been happening around the farm lately. Everyone has been busy getting ready for what they call "show season." I haven't seen one of my girls for a few weeks. Apparently she went to a place called "Whyomen." I don't know why she left, but the others haven't been letting me get my way since she's been gone.
The vet came out for a visit not too long after my girl left. I don't remember much about it, except that I apparently took a really long nap, and then woke up sore. I'm still not quite sure what happened, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't good. They keep calling me a "gelding" - is that some kind of spy code?
One of my new pasture friends, Karma. I haven't decided if she's a friendly yet. She's kinda moody.
Since then, they have turned me out with some new pasture buddies. I'm not sure about a couple of them - they don't seem very friendly, but hopefully they'll come around.
Well, time to run! I have to get in all of the bucking and playing I can before they wrangle me back into the barn tonight. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!
Remember this photo from last year? I've grown a lot since then!
 Photo Credit: Jennifer Whittle Well Hello again folks!
Time isn't the only thing flying by here on the hill. With the most recent changes in weather we are experiencing a mild 60 degrees with that nice Kentucky breeze that flows through your hair. Since it has been so nice, I have gotten to go out more and spend time with my grazing buddy. We both enjoy a lope around the field each morning and settle down to graze and sunbathe for the rest of the day. The last time I rolled as I got up a huge pile of hair was in the grass! Man it feels good to get that off! The girls have been grooming everyone lately trying to help us shed, but nothing compares to a good roll in the grass!
Anyways, since my past few posts were so long .#.#.#
Catch ya later!
~ Hank
 Wait . . . Is it true? Is it really here?
Why yes, the first day of spring has finally arrived! I am way overdue a good roll on the young green grass sprouting up from the moist Kentucky ground. The fresh air and warm weather has my girls in fifth gear, they have been running around the barn frantically talking about "spring cleaning." So in the spirit of spring here are a few helpful hints that I heard the girls talking about.
~Hank
Blankets - If you used them over the winter, or are starting to shed horses out for show season, they are probably nasty. For that hairy situation our good friends at Freds to the Rescue, in Frankfort, KY are a reliable source to keep your blankets like new.
Parasite Control Program - Many horse owners may feel lost when it comes to controlling parasites in their horses. Who can blame you, when there are so many different brands and types of dewormers on the market? One great educational resource for horse health comes from the "Ask the Vet Live" broadcasts from The Horse. Check out this interview for an update on AAEP Deworming Guidlines
- Equine Affaire is a great opportunity for horse owners to catch big sales! (Especially on dewormers!!) Mark your calendars now in April 10th - 13th at the Ohio Expo Center
Spring Cleaning in the Barn - Now is the time to swing the windows and doors to the barn open on those sunny days. Spring is a great time to clean up around the barn and consider some of those renovations that you may have been saving for. Whether it is walking your fence lines, renovating your stalls, or adding run in sheds to your paddocks. Believe me you would rather pay for safe upgrades now than a vet bill later, as if you need any more stress! eXtehsion - Horses provides some great Equine Facilities Facts
 Spring cleaning completed at Just a Whittle Farm- Stall Renovations - New Stall Fronts and Stall Dividers
- Cleared Cobwebs - Common Fire Hazard
- Walked Fence Lines - Take note of what needs replaced or repaired
- Wash and Repair Halters - Repairing broke buckles
 Great news guys! It came in the mail yesterday, and it is official! I am a registered American Quarter Horse!! Some of you may not be familiar with the process, however many horse owners know that this is an important step to adding to your horses value as well as their safety. Why is registration a safety concern? In the event that I got away from my people and they couldn't find me, they could use my papers to show proof of ownership or positive identification. It never hurts to have a paper trail. Especially if you are working with safety officials who are not familiar with horses.
For those of you that do not have horses eligible to be registered with a breed registry, a simple coggins test and three profile pictures of your equine companion can provide the same protection. Other ways of identifying your horse include: Lip Tattoos (most common in thoroughbreds), Branding (Hot Iron or Freeze), Microchipping, Tags hung on halters, and in natural disasters painting your phone number on your horses side.
It is never a bad idea to have a way to identify and regain your equine companion in the case that you become separated!
Stay safe in this crazy weather and protect your horse today!
Praying for warmer temperatures.
~Hank
| | Happy New Year Guys!
So from what I heard around the barn, supposedly we all just got another year older! But that does not make sense, especially since I was just born 8 months ago! Here's what I learned ... since our people have so many horses to keep up with a few of the "higher-ups" designated that January 1st serve as a all-encompassing birthday for horses. This originally was passed down from the Jockey Club, which regulates the thoroughbred industry. All the other breeds just kind of followed suit. Which makes sense to me, because I'm basically a thoroughbred myself! That is if the only requirement is to run fast! | Anyways, I am sure y'all have been wondering what has been going on up on this hill that I call home! For the most part, it has been a whole lot of snow and mud! Worst part is that it has been so cold some nights that my people gave me extra hay just so I could stay warm! Even in this big stall with all the barn doors closed it still gets a little chilly when the wind blows. I know I am not the only one that's cold, I can barely see my people's faces for all of the clothes they have on!
I can't wait until the grass comes back! But until then, this Alfalfa tastes great!
Catch ya on the flip side!
~Hank
Hello all, I don't know what's been in the air lately but these girls all keep warning me of this "weanin" thing. I thought they already knew I was a winner! Afterall I always make it out of the stall and around the field a couple of times before mom even makes it outside! She's getting less worried about me, talking about how I am growing up to fast and soon I will be too big for her. I don't believe it, she's still so much taller than I am. Nowadays I am eating more and more grain and hay instead of needing her milk. Let me tell you that sticky stuff they put in our grain is "Saweeet!" Anyways, I will let you all know more when I figure out why I am getting all these warnings. I guess they think I am getting too fast for them or something. Peace out pals, ~Hank
Look what I can do!
Hey ya'll!
Number one, I can't even tell time, but for good measure -seriously- who can find the time to sit down now-a-days. After all I am too busy growing and playing in the field! Just recently the girls led me and mom down to the front field. Let me tell you it is SO big. The first thing I just had to try was to run the entire field. Well let's just say it was a little bit bigger than I thought. But if I wait until mom is on the other side of the field I get to practice running as hard as I can over to her. But that is just what has happened in the past three days!
About a month ago that "Furrier" fella was at the barn again, but this time he started picking up my feet and playing with my legs. Mom didn't seem too worried, in fact she basically rolled her eyes when I cried to her, but I really don't like that guy picking up my back legs. Still he was nice enough to rub my head when he left. He called me "buhddy," that must mean that we are best friends!!
The girls took pictures the other day for some kind of "regiztrashon" thingy. Mom is registered too and said that my daddy was also. So I made sure to pose for the camera so that everyone would know how proud I was to get to be a registered American Quarter Horse!
Stay cool guys,
Hank
 Hey guys! I'm real sorry that I haven't posted for a while, but it's been crazy around here! Mom said that today was a special day, and it must have been because the whole family stayed home all day long! At first I thought Mom was just talking about me getting older, but then she told me about Memorial Day. She said it was a day when we all should be thankful for those who served our country to protect the freedoms that we all cherish. And boy am I thankful I get to run and play in the grass all day long! Mom even said several of my great great great grandfathers knew of horses that fought for our country too. And still today the horses of the "Old Guard" participate in the special ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery. I found some great information about Memorial day here: A Memorial Day Thank You to the Men, Women and Animals Who Have Served. It's about my bed time so I will have to go. Thank you SO much to everybody who has served our country! ~Hank
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