Rescue A Horse

'Tis That Time of Year

2011-12-09T11:54:00.004-05:00

Stock tanks have water heaters in them. Chickens have heated water bowl. Pony is a fuzz-ball. Frost is on the pumpkins (literally!). Snow is on the ground.

Have you gotten your horse blankets washed and patched for this year? Have you closed the windows in the barn? Put your snow tires on the car?

Check, check, check, check, check.

So. It is December. Bring it on! Just a few more days until we start gaining a few minutes each day and then spring will be right around the corner.

Happy Holidays! God Bless. Hope your celebrations and time with family warm your hearts and homes.

A Wonderful Article About Horse Slaughter

2011-12-07T11:57:00.001-05:00

from habitatforhorses.wordpress.com

Lessons in Deceit – Horse Slaughter
06 Dec 2011

Before I start discussing the slaughter issue, let me mention the one person that the pro-slaughter folks use as their spokesperson – Sue Wallis. While I will have intelligent conversations with anyone, I’m not sinking that low. After seeing Ms. Wallis support and promote the disturbed acts of a teenager who killed her horse and wrapped herself in its body, I have absolutely no regard for Wallis or her cult followers.

To start, I will quote the American Veterinarian Medical Association (AVMA), who allegedly represents the veterinarians on this issue. Interesting to note that while the AVMA operates through the membership fees of the vets they “represent,” those vets have NEVER been polled concerning their beliefs on horse slaughter.

What is an “Unwanted Horse?”

AVMA
According to the AVMA – “It may be a healthy horse that an owner can no longer afford to keep or feed. It may be a horse that is dangerous to handle and has injured (or is likely to injure) people. It may be a horse with an injury, lameness, or illness, and the owner is unwilling or incapable of taking care of it.

“The American Horse Council estimates that there are 9.2 million horses in the United States. We do not have reliable statistics on the number of horses that become unwanted each year. We do know that 90,000 to 100,000 unwanted horses have been sent to slaughter annually, and that the total number of unwanted horses is substantially greater than this.”

To arrive at this figure, I wonder if they hung around the auctions and asked the horses if they were “unwanted”? What about those that were stolen, or those where the killer-buyers outbid the family that wanted the horse? What about those killer-buyers that show up at the homes that advertise “Free horse” in newspapers and on Craigslist and promise the owner that they will love the horse for the rest of its life?

I have always been totally astounded that through some magic of the laws of supply and demand, the total number of “Unwanted Horses” seems to be almost the same as the number of horses being sent to slaughter each year.

The pro-slaughter folks want you to believe that the countryside is teaming with masses of skinny, starving horses all tromping through State and National Parks and sneaking into the suburbs at night to eat the flowers out of Mrs. Jones’ garden. While they seem to believe that the only answer for those horses is slaughter, they admit that no one knows how many “unwanted horses” there really are.

I would well imagine that should the demand for horse meat increase, we’ll find that the number of “unwanted horses” will also increase. On the reverse, when the EU suddenly is forced to admit that horses from the US are chocked full of carcinogens and stops importing the tainted meat, the number of “unwanted horses” will be dropped from all conversations. It simply won’t be a factor anymore.

The 9.2 million horse figure given above is from a survey completed by the American Horse Council in 2006. Running the population on an upward scale, I can well imagine that the current population is well above 10 million horses in the United States.

So the estimated figure of all the “unwanted horses” in the US is actually around 1%.
If you believe the hype of all the pro-slaughter folks, that 1% reflects what they term as the absolute destruction of the equine market caused of the closing of the US slaughterhouses. Yet that same 1% is what was being slaughtered when all three slaughterhouses were open, and that SAME 1% is what is being slaughtered today in Mexico and Canada.

If the number of “Unwanted Horses” is the same, why is the closing on the three US slaughterhouses being blamed for the destruction of the equine economy?

And if that extra 1% in production every year is really that much of an issue, don’t you think some wizard bean counter in the AQHA would slap his head and say, “Maybe we should cut back on foal production by 1%!”

So where is the increase in the number of “unwanted horses?”

Clue – the pro-slaughter people need to convince you that 1) closing the US slaughterhouses was the sole cause of the destruction of the equine market, 2) that this country needs to get back those wonderful facilities on our own soil, 3) that people are dumping thousands of horses in every roadside park in the nation and 4) the only reason for horse slaughter is to help us have a safe and happy way to dispose of our excess horses.

One more time – the number of horses currently being slaughtered in Mexico and Canada is about the SAME as the number that were slaughtered when the US had three operation slaughterhouses.

The destruction of the equine market was not caused by the 1% of “unwanted horses.” People lost their jobs! The housing market went to hell! The economy tanked! Yet the great American breeders kept pushing out foals, thousands of them – backyard breeders, racehorse breeders, paint horses, quarter horses – the mass production continued. I would think that someone, somewhere would finally look up and realize – “Dang, there sure is a lot of horses out there.”
Clue two – the EU will only buy X number of pounds of horse meat. If the US has X plus another 10,000 pounds, then the market is flooded. The $300 slaughter bound horse now becomes the $25 horse.

And who is at fault?

I wish those breeders would look at themselves in the mirror on occasion. Can you imagine the CEO of a car company saying, “We make $100 off of each car we produce. So let’s produce ten million cars!” It wouldn’t take long for that CEO to be replaced.

For you pro-slaughter breeders that need slaughter to dump your non-sellable yearlings – it’s time to rethink the program. Quality, not quantity. The AQHA members breed more horses each year that all the other breed registrations combined. Coincidentally, more quarter horses are slaughtered every year that any other breed of horses.

A couple of years ago, almost identical stories started appearing in newspapers across the country, supposedly written by a local reporter, about horses being turned loose in State Parks. The story would follow the same basic pattern, quoting a local official and a State Park representative, saying that they had never seen anything like this. People, they would say, were just dumping horses off in the woods and leaving them to starve to death.

To find the truth, each and every one of those stories were tracked down. Not one – not a single planted story, proved to be true. The stories were planted to make people believe that horse slaughter was necessary. Every Sheriff and every park representative contacted denied making any such statements. One park in Kentucky did have 20 horses running around, but the owner said he did that every year – same 20 horses. Whenever an “authority” stated that unwanted horses were being dumped by the hundreds, they could not produce any proof.

I am the first to admit that there is an increase in the number of horses we are being asked to take into our program and I fully understand a horse owner reaching out to find an alternative place for their horse when times turn bad. Time and again, it’s done with the preamble of, “I just don’t want them to go to slaughter.” My suggestion is – no one will ever love your horse as much as you. If you cannot place them with people that you know beyond any doubt will love and keep them, then the best answer is to put them to sleep.

“Oh, but it cost so much!”

So you had rather put your horse through the horrors of slaughter than to let him die in peace? Or are you saying that you rather have the $100 the killer-buyer will give you than spending the $150 the vet wants to charge? Do you actually care that little? Then find someone who truly knows how to shoot a horse in the head and can kill it immediately.

“There’s no place to bury it!”

Around 2% of the equine population in the US die every year above and beyond horse slaughter. That’s around 200,000 horses that are euthanized or die quietly and are disposed of properly. I’m fairly certain that your vet can figure out a way to dispose of the body.

Not Ready for Slaughter

Let’s talk about all the “skinny, starved unwanted horses.” This is one area in which we specialize. Habitat for Horses works closely with a number of law enforcement agencies. We go after people that starve horses with the primary goal of teaching them how to care for their critters. If they ignore that, we help law enforcement go to court and take the horses away. We’ve been doing that for the last 14 years so we have a little experience in this area.

First observation – slaughter is no answer for skinny horses. The slaughterhouses won’t take them. In fact, in most cases they aren’t allowed to cross the border, so the killer-buyers don’t want them. According to a survey by USDA/APHIS, 92% of slaughtered horses were in “good to excellent” condition. Isn’t it just plain logical that a slaughterhouse wants fat, healthy animals? To go through the whole slaughter process for just a few pounds of meat doesn’t make sense.
Second – it is against the law in every state to deny a horse proper food, water and medical care. This is one area that really chaps me as I listen to some livestock officer complain about all the horses wandering the roads when it is their job to track down the owner and put their asses in jail on animal cruelty charges.

Kinda’ like a cop complaining about the dead bodies they find beside the road, yet absolutely no effort is being made to find the killer. Well, duh? Isn’t that your job?

Starved horses are a criminal issue that needs to be handled through law enforcement. If law enforcement won’t handle it, then call the newspaper, get on the phone with TV and radio stations, get hold of the county commissioners and judges. Let them all know that selective enforcement of the laws in your state is not acceptable and that you will not allow it to continue. Yes, you will get a few people pissed off at you, but so what? It isn’t right and you know it, so act.
One person had a recent case involving a herd of about 50 horses, most of them extremely emaciated, and the Sheriff would not do anything. She stopped by the pasture one winter morning and saw a mare down and obviously quickly dying, with a foal trying to nurse. She called the Sheriff again, the dispatcher said, “Everyone is tied up today.” Her next call was to the TV station, who listened to the story and immediately put a crew on the road. She called the Sheriff back and said, “The TV crew is on the way and should be here in about 20 minutes. “
The Sheriff and upteen Deputies showed up in 10 minutes and did the seizure.

Personally, makes no difference if it’s a baby, an elderly person or a horse. It’s a living creature that needs help and God forbid that humans find themselves too busy to reach out to those in need.

Tomorrow “Don’t call the President! Call your Congressman!” – What will work?

The Government Being Sneaky - At The Expense of the Horses

2011-12-03T13:05:00.002-05:00

This is another case of government quietly stuffing a bunch of papers together and squeezing something through the system, hoping that no one notices that they did another shady deal. This is a sad day for horses if this truly does happen.

Horse Meat Inspection Ban Lifted In The U.S.

By JUSTIN JUOZAPAVICIUS 11/30/11 09:45 AM ET Associated Press

TULSA, Okla. -- Horses could soon be butchered in the U.S. for human consumption after Congress quietly lifted a 5-year-old ban on funding horse meat inspections, and activists say slaughterhouses could be up and running in as little as a month.

Slaughter opponents pushed a measure cutting off funding for horse meat inspections through Congress in 2006 after other efforts to pass outright bans on horse slaughter failed in previous years. Congress lifted the ban in a spending bill President Barack Obama signed into law Nov. 18 to keep the government afloat until mid-December.

It did not, however, allocate any new money to pay for horse meat inspections, which opponents claim could cost taxpayers $3 million to $5 million a year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture would have to find the money in its existing budget, which is expected to see more cuts this year as Congress and the White House aim to trim federal spending.

The USDA issued a statement Tuesday saying there are no slaughterhouses in the U.S. that butcher horses for human consumption now, but if one were to open, it would conduct inspections to make sure federal laws were being followed. USDA spokesman Neil Gaffney declined to answer questions beyond what was in the statement.

The last U.S. slaughterhouse that butchered horses closed in 2007 in Illinois, and animal welfare activists warned of massive public outcry in any town where a slaughterhouse may open.
"If plants open up in Oklahoma or Nebraska, you'll see controversy, litigation, legislative action and basically a very inhospitable environment to operate," predicted Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive of The Humane Society of the United States. "Local opposition will emerge and you'll have tremendous controversy over slaughtering Trigger and Mr. Ed."

But pro-slaughter activists say the ban had unintended consequences, including an increase in neglect and the abandonment of horses, and that they are scrambling to get a plant going – possibly in Wyoming, North Dakota, Nebraska or Missouri. They estimate a slaughterhouse could open in 30 to 90 days with state approval and eventually as many as 200,000 horses a year could be slaughtered for human consumption. Most of the meat would be shipped to countries in Europe and Asia, including France and Japan.

Dave Duquette, president of the nonprofit, pro-slaughter group United Horsemen, said no state or site has been picked yet but he's lined up plenty of investors who have expressed interest in financing a processing plant. While the last three slaughterhouses in the U.S. were owned by foreign companies, he said a new plant would be American-owned.

"I have personally probably five to 10 investors that I could call right now if I had a plant ready to go," said Duquette, who lives in Hermiston, Ore. He added, "If one plant came open in two weeks, I'd have enough money to fund it. I've got people who will put up $100,000."

Sue Wallis, a Wyoming state lawmaker who's the group's vice president, said ranchers used to be able to sell horses that were too old or unfit for work to slaughterhouses but now they have to ship them to butchers in Canada and Mexico, where they fetch less than half the price.

The federal ban devastated "an entire sector of animal agriculture for purely sentimental and romantic notions," she said.

Although there are reports of Americans dining on horse meat a recently as the 1940s, the practice is virtually non-existent in this country, where the animals are treated as beloved pets and iconic symbols of the West.

Lawmakers in California and Illinois have banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption, and more than a dozen states tightly regulate the sale of horse meat.

Federal lawmakers' lifting of the ban on funding for horse meat inspections came about in part because of the recession, which struck just as slaughtering stopped. A federal report issued in June found that local animal welfare organizations reported a spike in investigations for horse neglect and abandonment since 2007. In Colorado, for example, data showed that investigations for horse neglect and abuse increased more than 60 percent – from 975 in 2005 to almost 1,600 in 2009.

The report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office also determined that about 138,000 horses were transported to Canada and Mexico for slaughter in 2010, nearly the same number that were killed in the U.S. before the ban took effect in 2007. The U.S. has an estimated 9 million horses.

Cheri White Owl, founder of the nonprofit Horse Feathers Equine Rescue in Guthrie, Okla., said she's seen more horse neglect during the recession. Her group is caring for 33 horses now and can't accept more.

"A lot of the situation is due to the economy," she said, "People deciding to pay their mortgage or keep their horse."

But White Owl worries that if slaughterhouses open, owners will dump their unwanted animals there instead of looking for alternatives, such as animal sanctuaries.

Animal rights groups also argue that slaughtering is a messy, cruel process, and some say it would be kinder for owners to have their horses put to sleep by a veterinarian.
"Euthanasia has always been an option," Pacelle said. But "if you acquire a horse, you should be a responsible owner and provide lifetime care."

The fight over horse slaughtering has pitted lawmakers of the same party against each other.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said the poor economy has resulted in "sad cases" of horse abandonment and neglect and lifting the ban will give Americans a shot at regaining lost jobs and making sure sick horses aren't abandoned or mistreated.

But U.S. Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., is lobbying colleagues to permanently ban horse slaughter because he believes the process is inhumane.

"I am committed to doing everything in my power to prevent the resumption of horse slaughter and will force Congress to debate this important policy in an open, democratic manner at every opportunity," he said in a statement.

Donations for the Holidays

2011-12-02T09:51:00.002-05:00

'Tis that time of year again. Donations for the holidays. Some donate because they are looking for a tax write off. Some donate because their heart tells them that they need to help save one more whale, horse, kitten or underprivileged child in Ethiopia. All great causes. But do your homework.

How much of every dollar you spend goes to what your heart decided on? Are they a legitimate rescue? Do they give at least 95% of what you donated to the cause you decided to spend your hard earned money on?

Just because an organization has a federal 501c3 DOES NOT mean they are good at what they do OR that they spend their money in an appropriate way. Those of us in the horse world have seen what a nightmare can become of animals, donations and the people that handle both.

Sad to say that some organizations don't help the people they are spreading around pictures of.

Do your homework. Ask questions. If you don't like the answers you are getting, then vote with your wallet and send your dollars to someone who will answer the questions and give you the warm, happy feeling that donating provides.

I have a couple in and around the state of Vermont that do great work. And spend their money on their animals. And are transparent with the numbers if you request them.

Green Mtn. Pug Rescue www.gmpr.org
Spring Hill Horse Rescue http://springhillrescue.com/
New England Equine Rescues http://newenglandequinerescues.com/

Your local food bank. There is one in each town. If you don't want to give them $, then go ask them what kind of food they are low on and go buy some at the grocery store.

Your neighbor with 2 jobs and 4 kids. Worried that they might spend the money on the couch-potato boyfriend? Bring over a couple of bags of groceries, a sled and some mittens and hats.

Your elderly neighbor? Shovel her driveway or walks. Go have a cup of tea with her. That is more quality time than money could never buy. And, who knows, maybe you'll learn a bit about her life that will enrich yours.

Ok. Off the soap box now. Sorry, it's been a while so forgot to post the warning! lol!

Look around you. This is what many people did after Irene. It's what makes Vermont the special place it is... Neighbor helping neighbor.

Hello! We haven't fallen off the face of the Earth!

2011-12-02T00:05:00.002-05:00

I'm back. Not well rested. Not done feeling like the world has come around and changed its tune any... just wanted to get back into doing what I used to do. Updates and pictures will come up in the next few days...

Good to be back...

slogging along

2011-01-16T20:03:00.004-05:00

Working on getting up the ambition and motivation to get on the back of my horse. Got a new treeless saddle for christmas, got new synthetic 'leathers' and even made sure my girth worked... looks really comfy compared to the western saddle I was using - which felt like sitting on a box. Between insulating the house and helping automate the library, I have not had the extra energy required to tackle rigging up the new saddle and going for a ride.

Need to. Want to. Too cold. Too tired. Not enough daylight. I need to move to a warmer climate!!!

On again!

2011-01-10T12:53:00.002-05:00

Well, that didn't go very good. So wrapped up with my new horse, the holidays and working at the Library to help get all the books in the new computer system and something had to give. Was hoping - as a new year's resolution, to get back to typing on the blog. As you can see, that's already shot for this year.

So, to never giving up, getting back on after you have fallen, here I am. I figure you have to start somewhere.

So, typical Monday... or is it? I have the house to myself! Yeah! With all the critters, of course. Doing dishes, keeping the wood stove cranked, taking care of the animals. Finished reading our book discussion book 'The Day of the Pelican'. Finished (yesterday) 'Lonesome Dove'. Now need to order the last book in that series.. hmmm... need to find out where I put the list so I know which book to order.

My friend Beth is coming over tonight for some crochet/knitting/visiting time and will be staying for dinner. Bringing her yummy bread, as she usually does!!!

Had a wonderful holiday season surrounded by friends and family who love and care for me! What more could I ask for? Peace, happiness and horses! Dogs, of course!

So, off now to clean off the table, do another load of dishes and make a pie for dessert...

Hope you all have a great week!

No, no, this time!!! THIS time I'm REALLY in LOVE!!!

2010-09-11T23:31:00.003-04:00

Went riding with my partner in horse crime. Her on her steady little mare and me on my MR. WONDERFUL!!! OMG! What a great ride.

We decided to go riding in the flood area down the road from us.. Gus loaded right on the trailer. Short 10 minute ride to the damn area. Got off, saddled up and headed out. Walked by the jeeps cruising with their tops down and their radios cranked. Walked by the guy sitting in the sun in the lawn chair. Stood patiently while the puppy and the older dog barked at them and even sniffed noses with the puppy. Walked to the river and went in!! (after a little encouragement) and then went first on the trail, through the tight fence... needed a little encouragement there, but did fine, then led the rest of the way back to the trailer. About an hour total time. When we got back to the trailer, he kept on going. Didn't want to stop!!

Loaded back up for the trip home. Got home and went right to his hay pile to stock up on the calories he burnt (yeah, right!)

We mostly walked, trotted a little bit, went by the big dam/waterfalls area no problem.

I'm totally in love with this mush monster! I couldn't ask for a better horse.

He walks right out but listens to your voice, leg and hands. Rode on the buckle the majority of the time. Two small balks at new things, but when I encouraged him with my legs, he just did what I asked of him.

Couldn't be a nicer horse in the world!!

Thanks, Gail and Calvin!! You are NOT getting him back any time soon!!!!

Me, however, I am so VERY OUT OF SHAPE! My legs are killing me. I need to get riding more each week!!!! I can hardly get out of my chair!!!

I'm so excited to ride every chance I get now!!!

I'm in LllllOooooVvvvvvEeeeee!!!!!!

2010-09-08T00:37:00.003-04:00

Augustus is here!

I picked him up the other day.

He walked off the trailer, walked over to me, put his head in the middle of my chest and heaved a great sigh.

Ok... maybe he just got off the trailer from a 9 hour trip.. but he walked over to ME!!!

He's such a sweet, gentle boy.

So, watch out Mike... I'm in L.O.V.E. with another guy!!! (Hehehe. Mike knows he has absolutely nothing to worry about!!!)

Pictures and more info later.. Just couldn't resist posting this tonight!!!

Working, working, working...

2010-09-01T20:57:00.003-04:00

Working on the kitchen and the house. Seems like I just get started doing something and it's time to make a meal, take care of an animal or go to work...

Working at the library... we are screaming into the 21st century by automating! Which means we have to enter E.V.E.R.Y. book, video, dvd, cd, adult, young adult and children's, into the computer. The stack of cards that are done is impressive. Until you realize we have only done 2 1/2 book cases and have 9 left to go.... wwwwaaaaahhhhh!!!

Working on the barn. The finishing touches are in place for Gus to come... picking him up near Rutland on Friday afternoon!!!! Wooo hooo!!!

Working on cleaning up the pool... hubby decided it was time to take it down. Guess I'll take him up on his offer to help me before he gets too interested in hunting to help me..

right now, working on eating dinner... then pick up, do barn chores, put the boys to bed and go to bed early.... very tired, all this working!!

Whew... almost done...

2010-08-29T21:38:00.003-04:00

I did it. Pulled off the surprise party/cookout for my hubbys 50th birthday. There were a few that were invited that didn't show, but we had 55 people here! What a day. I'm now done cleaning up - ok, maybe not totally, but all the food is put away, the dishwasher is doing its thing and there is only one load of dirty dishes left in the sink.

I'm sitting down with some ice tea to rest my feet for a few minutes then out to the barn to put the boys to bed.

Then I'm off to bed!!

On countdown now... Gus will be here on the 3rd. We are picking him up on Friday night. I so can't wait for my new horse. I would love to just be able to get up in the morning and go for a ride... not too long now.....

Grace - The Little Horse With The Big Spirit...

2010-08-27T11:41:00.006-04:00

For those of you that thought Tommy was a skinny horse when we got him, there is a horse on fugly.com and facebook named "Grace - the little horse with the big spirit"....that makes Tommy look just a 'little' skinny.

This horse has HEART! (That would be about all she has... these pictures are not for the faint of heart...)

Not only does she chew with her mouth full (totally excused, by the way) nickering while she is eating, -saying her prayers and thanks while she is enjoying calories-, but she is giving the farrier a run for his money and prancing around her paddock.

Big Thumbs up for the Animal Control Officer who came to her rescue and is doing all he can to prosecute the ah,hem, 'woman' who was her owner. (And you all realize that I use that term as loosely as I am able). Maybe, by his example, and many like him, there will be more Law Enforcement and Animal Control that will stand up for the animals and prosecute those who do wrong by them.

Join her on facebook to see her amazing recovery and find out what happens to the disgusting, inexcusable waste of a human being that put her in this condition.

Hurry Up and Wait!!!!

2010-08-26T22:46:00.003-04:00

Working on the house. Automating the library at work. Waiting for my horse to get here.

Cooling my heels was NEVER my idea of fun. Too many things to do and have to wait for other people/ time to get here is killing me.

Worked more on the house today. Took down two cabinets, painted a wall, rebuilt one cabinet, put up the other one, tore down a section of old wall, the house is in shambles, the dishes and laundry is done.... now, waiting, waiting. It's worse than a disease. Almost.

Going back to work on the cabinet. Almost have it all put back together so I can hang it on the wall and put my books in it.....

Not wishing to wish life away, but hate waiting for the clock to tick and the calendar to turn to get to the fun things.......

I LOVE MY HUSBAND, I Love My Husband, i love my husband... i love my husband....

2010-08-26T00:44:00.003-04:00

I truly do love my husband to pieces. About 35 would be good right now. Partially joking.

We are working on the house. Still. Will be for probably the next 28 years. He's being a grouch. It's a good thing I have already planned what I wanted to get him for his 50th birthday as I probably would have changed my mind by now.

He's being a grouch. I'm in a blue, dreary mood. Not a great combination any day of the week. It will all work out.

Didn't make it through 24 years together to wish him away now.

I do LOVE my husband. Don't know how to live without him. Don't even want to imagine it. Just wish he would get his sense of humor back and stop being such a nudge.

It's almost done!!!

2010-08-24T09:30:00.001-04:00

All the wiring is done in the new kitchen. All the insulation is done! All the plywood is up and has a coat of primer paint on it!!!! Cover switches are on. All we need to do now is level the floor, put down some veneer and start moving appliances!!!!

My kitchen is coming along.... I only need one more rain day to get it done!!!!

Don't usually ask for rain, but now I want it to POUR!!!!

It looks so great!!!

Playing chicken, with a chicken with an attitude...

2010-08-22T23:30:00.002-04:00

That did it. Mike and I spent a few hours changing around the chicken house so everyone would have a much better set up. Tried to keep everyone happy and laying eggs.

One of last year's chickens was having an attitude with this years batch of chickens (the 'teenagers'). Wouldn't stop picking on them. Kept chasing them out of the hen house. Wouldn't let them in the fence. I finally had enough. This has been going on for days. Guess last night was the limit to the nerve that she was dancing on.

Caught the chicken. Chopped her head off. Boiled some water. Hung some bailing twine from the rafter in the kitchen and plucked her. Mike did the gross job of gooping her out. Then I baked her in the oven. She's a little scrawny, but will taste good for lunches tomorrow.

The other chicken, the one that was picking on the 'teenagers' too, was on better behavior today. Maybe she is worried she will wind up in the fridge next to the trouble maker.

I like chicken soup. And chicken salad. And chicken/cheese fajitas. Chicken and rice.

Guess that's what a chicken gets for playing chicken with my last nerve.

Insulation, wiring, walls!!!!

2010-08-20T09:45:00.002-04:00

Mike and I worked on the new kitchen yesterday.

The pocket door between the pantry and kitchen is installed. We decided where the next light was going to go in the ceiling and wired it in. We put up plywood on the walls. We even got out some paint to do a sample to see if we liked the color!!!

So, the next step is to build the cabinet where the sink is going to go and get the plumbing all ready. Then to put the wall in behind the new stove/range hood-microwave... it's moving along. Slowly, very slowly, but progress none the less!!!!

I can't wait to have my new kitchen in!!!!

My hubby can be so wonderful some times!!!

Also, got the divider put back up in the stall. Have rubber mats down. Just need to hang the bucket hooks and I'm all ready for Gus!!! The 3rd can't get here fast enough!

We have Babies!!!

2010-08-17T12:16:00.008-04:00

I was walking out to the barn to do chores yesterday when I heard all this peeping and squaking. Peeping??? Peeping!!! Yes, we have 4 baby chicks. Mom is doing a great job! (I know, I know, for all you naysayers out there that said incubator hatched chickens won't sit on a nest and raise their own chicks.... I have 4 examples of how much that is NOT true!!!!)

So, Jeckyl, my little rooster man, who came all the way back from South Carolina with me two years ago is still strutting his stuff! He's a banty mix... the girls are golden comets, buff orpington (pictured), and silver laced wyandotte - a pair of each - there were 5 eggs out of 8 that hatched, but only the four made it.... so.....

We have babies!!! Yeah!!! It's so much easier having mom raise them than me doing it... and if they lay a batch each year in the spring ( I know, I know it was kinda late, but we have enough facilities to keep them warm and they will feather out before the cold weather gets here) we will have a whole flock!!!!

So, I went from 2 roosters; to 1 rooster and 6 hens; to 1 rooster and 11 hens; to 1 rooster, 11 hens and 4 BABIES!!!!!! My little flock is growing and we are getting about 6 eggs a day .. the teenagers will be laying by October so I will have about 9 - 12 eggs a day... wow.

We have babies!!!!!

Another day on the range...

2010-08-13T22:51:00.002-04:00

I miss riding. I miss the quiet rustling of leaves, the soft thump of the horses hooves on the trail through the woods, the quiet squeaks of the leather of the saddle. The sun, sprinkled on the trail, through the leaves. The gentle breathing of the horse. The deer flashing through the woods. The quiet, quiet woods. No cell phone. No teenagers. No housework. No work. Only the spiritual communion between me, the horse and nature.

Sigh.

Just under three weeks.

I made a deal tonight with a friend for her horse that she is looking for a home for because she, sigh, has too many horses and has to sell one before she buys another one. Her over abundance is now my dream come true!

My new guy is a thoroughbred named Gus. He is between 10 and 13 years old. Only 15.2 hands. He is a quiet ride and they have used him to shoot off the back of for their cowboy mounted games! He goes out alone, he rides bareback, he gives HUGS!!!!!

Oh, I can so hardly wait!!!!

And my partner in crime, who I have been texting tonight, while growing and gathering my courage to let my wonderful, caring, loving, supportive husband (yes, I was buttering him up!!!!) said "You need a horse to ride. You are too stressed." may be going with me to pick him up.

YES!!!! YES!!!! Woooohooo!

So, in less than three weeks, Gus will come into my life. I can't wait. I've seen his pictures. He is such a sweet soul!!!

SO, now getting things ready and chomping at the bit until September 3 gets here, lol. Mike's birthday and I get a new horse!!! I'll have to convince him to ride with me now!!!

Hay, hay, hay....

2010-08-10T23:20:00.002-04:00

The local hay guy stopped by today and left a note on my door... ?want hay?

Two phone calls later (my husband to the hay guy, my husband to me on my way home from work) we have hay showing up tonight. So much for working on the house. :(

We picked up our new stove and range hood/microwave last night and were going to install it in the new kitchen tonight. Not.

Instead, hubby got the hay elevator down from the hay loft and set everything up. Hay guy came, unloaded load of hay, got paid, went home.

At a bale a day, I now have 4 months of hay in the barn. So far. Thursday night, more hay!!!

Wonderful!

It's hell getting old...

2010-08-08T22:54:00.003-04:00

Helped my sister, Sue and her husband, Dan, build a new porch on their house. The only casualty was my husband, Mike... who tried to catch some sliding sheets of plywood with his ankle. We iced him down and made him elevate it. This is 24 hours later. He's fine.. just left a great bruise on his ankle. It's not swollen today, even though he was on it all day long. He did listen to me and wear his boots to help with support and I had taped it with vet wrap to help support it. He's walking fine, today. He says the reason he's bruising like this is that he'll be an old man in a few months... 50 years old, lol!!!

Another 'Rescue' Up On Charges :(

2010-08-07T22:35:00.004-04:00

Another email. Another newspaper/news article. Another horse rescue gone 'bad.'

How did it all go wrong? I'm sure it all started with a needy horse and someone who thought they could take care of it. I can see taking in one or two, maybe 4 or 5. But 33? 24? 11? 77? 112?

I, personally, don't know anyone that can afford more than 10 horses, max. The one couple who come to mind have grown children (out of the house), both have very good jobs (off the farm) and half the horses on their farm are boarders or are there for training. Usually it is only two or three horses or ponies, with at least one being a geriatric who is spending their last days in luxury.

How does it all go wrong? Do they just get up one day and loose their job? Their credit starts sliding with the farrier, the vet, the grain store? And, once it starts slipping, just keeps snowballing down a huge hill toward destruction? Don't they have anyone they can ask for help? Do we make it too hard for them to ask for help? Are we so busy counting the forests that we forget to take care of the trees?

I realize that all the rescues are swamped. Dogs, horses, cats, rabbits, birds, you name it. The economy - for some people - truly sucks. And they don't have the skills or resources to apply to another career to take up the slack for what they are missing.

Or, their donations dry up, again, because of the economy, or they don't have their 501c3 and they aren't a 'legitimate' rescue in the eyes of the IRS. Or they start skimping on things and the volunteers and people who support them bring their money elsewhere to someone else who does do the things that are necessary and required for their horses.

Maybe some of them do have illusions of grandeur and think that they are as rich as Bill Gates.

I would absolutely LOVE to have 10 horses. And a groom. And a barn manager. And a big new truck with a big new aluminum stock trailer with a dressing room in it. And a rich Daddy Warbucks who can pay for it all so I don't have to work, clean the house, take care of the kids, run the business and pay all the bills so I can just play with the horses all day long, every day.

I do what I can. With what I have. I work for my horses. Literally. My horse needs something? I do a few extra hours of work every week to pay for it. My husband, luckily, has a steady job. Not always working for the same person, but always seems to have enough work to keep the house and home afloat. Only one teenager left in the house. The oldest two are grown up, graduated and going about the business of their lives.

It would be very easy to take on three or four horses in desperate need and get in way over my head... not only financially, but emotionally and physically. I try very hard to keep my head and my heart in time with each other so as not to do that.

Ok, you don't remind me that we have Amos and Andy here. That is a very small scale compared to a horse. And Andy and Amos have had all their vetting done - with the exception of their dentals and neutering - before they came to me. And that will be done as soon as they have enough weight gained to make it safe for them. And that is only a matter of a few pounds, as opposed to a few hundred pounds with Tommy.

Taking on an emaciated pug is much cheaper and easier than taking on an emaciated Quarter Horse. I've done both in the last year. I have the vet records to prove it. The grain bill. The farrier bill. The hay bill. The worming bill. Amos and Andy are a cake walk. I can feed Amos and Andy for 4 days what it cost me (on average) to care for Tommy for one day.

But what makes these other rescues wait so long when they are in over their heads? And the animals start to suffer because of it? Do we make it so shameful to say "I need some help" that they wait until they have animals so neglected that they die??? Do they ask for help, and, because we are all in over our heads (or just treading water) that we tell them just to hang on because extending our hand to them or taking on another of their horses will pull us under, also?

I don't think we will ever have an answer to this question. I don't think (very sadly and unfortunately) that this will ever end. As long as we have animals, we will have rescues. As long as we have rescues, we will continue to find animals who are not being cared for properly and need to be saved. From a rescuer, from a regular joe, from a hoarder.

Not just horses. Not just dogs, cats or birds. It happens, continuously, with the human race. We can't even take care of our own children. Our neighborhood children. It's a very sad, sad world we live in these days.

Is it the fact that we don't necessarily have MORE problems happening or just more PEOPLE are willing to say that what they are seeing is wrong and needs to be fixed? I think the mentality of 'what happens at your house stays at your house' has changed (for the better) in the past 10 to 20 years.

Thank God for my snoring pugs under my feet, the ones that got another chance at life and love and happiness.

Now, off to bed so I can work, again, tomorrow!

Equine Shuffle...

2010-08-05T21:37:00.002-04:00

The boys seem to be adjusting to the huge loss. They were able to put their noses on him while he was in the other pasture, after he passed. It was kinda nice to see them in a semi-circle around him before we covered him with the tarp. They stood there a few minutes and then seemed to nod their heads and go about the business of being horses.

Sultan needed a little encouragement to go to his new stall and Abner and Smokey just fell right back into the old routine of their stalls.

The Precious cat graced me with another rat today. She is so very proud of herself. She was just loving and purring to me while she was showing me her prize. Yep. It went out in the compost/manure pile. Yuck.

The barn seems much smaller without the big, large presence of Tommy.

It's therapeutic, though, to have to go back out there and do chores and hang out with the other horses. Yes, life is loss, sometimes. Then you have to hug the friends you still have and move on. Not forgetting, just making room in your heart for their forever presence.

Glad that tomorrow is the last day of the week. I don't have to set the alarm tomorrow morning.

I hope no one calls early. As Gus (my very large black lab) comes and lays his very warm, heavy head on my feet. They know I still need therapy. It is so nice to know I am loved.

It's very quiet in the barn...

2010-08-04T23:47:00.002-04:00

Even the chickens are quiet. It's like everyone is holding their collective breath to see what comes next.

It always happens after we loose a creature.

For those of you who don't know me, I despise 'playing' God. It's one of the reasons I am no longer Constable for our town. While I always defer to the professionals advice, it is still my signature on that piece of paper. It is not something that I have ever done with lightness of heart.

So, my dear boys, rest in peace. Gallop through the pasture in the sky. Think of me fondly. You all hold special places in my heart. Shiloh. Windstride Abacas. Chris. Buddy. Elias. and, latest, Tommy. You will never be forgotten.

Rest in Peace, HotRoddin' Tommy

2010-08-03T21:54:00.005-04:00

Our last walk, our last hug. He was in such pain from his front foot and back hock. The only thing that made this morning any easier is the fact that I know he had a great year and he isn't suffering any more.

He was in fantastic shape (other than his arthritis and ringbone and bone chips, lol) and had gained twice his original weight. He had just turned 14.

If you want, look back to 'Hello, Tommy' on April 4, 2010 to see the progression of pictures...

Or, back to May 4, 2009, the day we rescued Tommy....

I'm off to bed. Tired. Sad. Wishing this day didn't happen.

Responsible Animal 'Ownership'

2010-08-02T13:12:00.004-04:00

Warning ~ this post is not for the faint of heart or those of you who are sympathetic animal lovers. It discusses certain subjects that can bring about sadness, tears and make you want to eat lots of chocolate and take naps to avoid yourself and the world. That is what I am going to be doing during and after this post.

Responsible Animal 'Ownership'

First, I must say that I don't feel like I 'own' my animals. Most assuredly they think they rule my house and own the chair I like to sit on and, begrudgingly, vacate it so I can sit down and let them drape all over me. I use that term because, well, it's the one that is mostly used and clearly defines my responsibility. I own my car, I pay for the gas, I get the oil changed when it needs it and give it a tune up or new tires when necessary. Similar to my animals. When they need something - their shots, deworming, food, baths, trips to the vets - it is what I do. They are under my care and I do care for all of them.

Now for the hard part. Get your box of kleenex and a trash can and sit it beside you.

I am NOT a morning person. For those of you that know me, I rarely, without good reason, like to creak my way out of bed in the morning, stumble down the stairs and fumble my way through making the first pot of coffee for the day. If coffee is made (thanks Cameron!!) then my world is already looking up. I like to putter around the house, feed the dogs, let them out, feed the horses and chickens and let them out, check my favorite blogs, get something to eat for breakfast, read my email, all before I start responding to phone calls or emails or talking to anyone. Not that I am necessarily a bear, just a slow, quite starter.

This Monday morning, however, I am awake before the phone rings at 8 am. Its the backhoe guy. Telling me he can be here in 1/2 an hour to excavate a hole in the field.

Tommy took a turn for the worse late Friday afternoon. He must have stepped wrong or just over extended his bad leg. He's been on stall rest all weekend but he is in serious pain and unable to hardly put any weight on his front leg. His rear hock is also very swollen and he's spending most of his time lying down.

My second call was to the vet to make arrangements to have him euthanized.

I was worried I wouldn't know when it was time. That I wouldn't be able to tell when I was keeping him here more for me than for him. There is no question as to that decision now. Even with an overabundance of Bute (horse aspirin) he's in serious pain.

I've been rotating the boys in the stall next to him so he won't be lonely. I'm giving him all kinds of treats. I've stopped going in the stall with him as I am afraid if he falls he will pin me between him and the wall/floor. He's that unstable.

So, if you think that getting up Monday morning, early, to make plans to euthanize your horse doesn't ruin your week, then add to that you have to get up early Tuesday morning to have the vet come to do the required medical intervention.

And my boss is gone this week on vacation. Good for her! She works hard. She is such a sweetie. I know she's planning on going to the beach at least two days. It might be a blessing in disguise that I have to work on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. At least it will keep me busy and get me out of the house. It will keep my mind occupied.

My heart is breaking. Tommy was my rescue last year. He was doing so very good. Then the reoccurring lameness. The good news is that he gained back all his weight and had a wonderful year filled with love, clean stalls and plenty to eat. The bad news is that he gained a whole bunch of weight which aggravated the condition in his legs.

I will take one last picture of him tomorrow morning, eating grass, enjoying the sunshine. He is only 14 years old. Way too short a life to have it end this way. At least I am comforted by the fact that he was happy. He was fed. He was loved and groomed and fed treats. He got to enjoy a large stall with clean shavings and plenty of fresh, cool water. Lots of hay. He became greedy for affection and scratches and pushed everyone else out of the way to receive the most attention. He got to be a happy horse.

So, now, he will lay out in the pasture, under Shiloh's favorite napping tree, company with Shiloh, Aba, Chris, Buddy and Elias. I can see them all, together, running through green grass, no pain, no worries, the wind in their manes...

Can't stand it any more... headed for a nap to dream of happy times and to rest my arms from running wire for the new kitchen yesterday and cleaning up the manure pile this morning.

:'(

Andy and Amos...

2010-08-01T21:38:00.004-04:00

Here's Andy, singing for his supper...
Here's Amos, thinking he's a kitten... lol

Sitting on the back of the couch, watching the construction on the new kitchen....

Supervising my husband, Mike...

Open mouth, insert foot.. heel... calf... knee...

2010-07-30T21:17:00.004-04:00

Hmmm. I'm quite sure I said I was full and couldn't take on any more at this time. That was why we got Yurik. To take care of that 'I need to have a new animal to care for thing...' and figured a kitten would have the least impact on the household. Yeah, sure, whatever.

Enter Amos and Andy. Two pug boys rescued from wandering the streets of New York. They were kindly taken in by Hedy in NJ after they passed their 'do not pass go' day. Sweet boys, around 6 to 8 years of age, their only offense is that they were dumped by uncaring human beings. They are emaciated. OMG skinny. Sores between their toes. Rotten teeth in their mouths. All their 'manliness' hanging out there for the world to see. Sores on their feet and bottoms. They look just like and act just like the dogs we get directly from the puppy mills. These boys are nothing but skin and bones.

So, in a moment of sadness (I was headed to a friends memorial in Connecticut) and lack of response from any other group that was willing to take them in for their lengthy rehabilitation, I loaded a large dog crate and cried my way to the memorial. The memorial was special and I bawled my eyes out. Poor Stephanie. I was a wreck when I met up with her to pick up the boys. So much so that she walked around her car and gave me a huge hug. Thanks, Stephanie, it was just what I needed. Then the boys got out of her car. It has been a long time since I have seen a dog that thin. These poor boys. They are definitely in desperate need of a dental and neutering. And a bath. (And not necessarily in that order.)

So, back to my house we went, me still crying. Not only for my friend Richard (who we lost) or his wife, Beth, but now for these poor pug boys, too.

So, off to my house, did introductions (everything was fine!!!) and let everyone out in the fenced in back yard to mark to their hearts content. Then the introduction to a belly band!

If I would ever have been able to read an animals mind, I would have that night. Andy was the more outgoing of the two. Andy walked up to the couch, sniffed the side of it, turned, lifted his leg, did his business and then turned back around. Amos did the same thing. I swear, they looked at each other in bewilderment that it wasn't dripping and smelling, so they turned and repeated the process again. Then they looked at each other, more bewildered! Then they kinda turned their backs, scratched the floor with their back feet and walked off. I almost fell out of my chair laughing at them.

After their baths they became much more pleasant smelling. They still need dentals. Phew.. and they definitely still need neutering, but, with the assistance of the belly bands, they seem to be marking less and less in the house every day.

(For those of you that don't know, a belly band is a piece of cloth - usually held on with velcro - which is placed around their abdomen and a sanitary pad is between the belly band and the belly. That way, if they lift their leg to pee, it gets trapped in the sanitary pad and not on the couch, floor or wall. They don't like the wet feeling on them and it helps - most of the time - to break them from marking indoors.) Andy usually has to change his 'pad' a few times a day, but Amos has been dry almost from the second day he was here.

They have become quite content, sleeping with Maggie, my other pug, or finding out that the couch is a comfy place to sleep. Sometimes, it is the towels in the laundry room that get their snuggle time. They don't seem to be as bonded as I first thought as Andy chooses to sleep in the crate at night on his pillow and Amos sleeps with Maggie on her bed.

Their sores are gone on their toes. They have fur growing back on their legs. They have come out of their shells. They do LOVE feeding time. If they hear any crinkling bag, they beeline right for the person who has the bag and woof at you until you are all done eating. lol They sure do love their meals!!!

Andy is the more vocal of the two. If the water bowl is empty, he will woof at it until someone comes to fill it. If the food bowls are left on the floor he will stand over it and woof, trying to convince someone, I suppose, that they haven't been fed in so very long and will someone please come a feed them now. He woofs if you walk out the door. He woofs if you walk in the door. He woofs if the phone rings. If he isn't woofing, he's licking your legs. If he would do that all day (and was a bit taller) I would never have to take another shower again. lol

It is a bit interesting cooking dinner. We wade through the pack to get to the fridge and Amos, Andy and Yurik all climb into the fridge together. It's quite hard, sometimes, to find what you are looking for. They love to help. Then you wade back through the kitchen to find a knife in the drawer, wade back to the stove, Andy woofing the whole while, just to be sure that you know he is there in case something, please make something, fall so they can scarf it up.... and while you sit at the kitchen table, eating, he's standing there, woofing and licking your legs, just to be sure that you don't miss the fact that he might, just might, be able to clean up anything you might possibly drop.

They have gained 3 pounds in the last 2 weeks. I have been feeding them three small/medium meals a day. Lots of hugs and snuggles. They will now come up on the couch with us and ask for pats and hugs. Adorable. Throwaways. People do most definitely suck. Glad Amos and Andy got another chance. At the good life!

Hippotherapy

2010-07-14T21:55:00.010-04:00

hhhmmm. The first time I heard about this, I though - therapy with hippos'???? What in the world will they come up with next. Nope. Nothing to do with water, either.

Hippotherapy " is a physical, occupational or speech and language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy literally means "treatment with the help of the horse" from the Greek word 'hippos,' meaning horse. Specially trained physical and occupational therapists use this treatment for clients with movement dysfunction. In hippotherapy, the horse influences the client rather than the client controlling the horse. The client is positioned on the horse and actively responds to his movement. The therapist directs the movement of the horse; analyzes the clients responses; and adjusts the treatment accordingly. This strategy is used as part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. " (whew... what a mouthful!)

Why the Horse? The horses' walk provides sensory input through movement, which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the patient are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis when walking. (and the description continues on in more dictionary/medical terminology).

They even have an Association that specifically relates to all aspects of this therapy....
American Hippotherapy Association, Inc. (AHA Inc.) promotes the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy in physical, occupational and speech-language therapy sessions for people living with disabilities. http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/

Imagine that. I thought that maybe it was named that because someone looked like a hippo lying on the back of a horse???? Who was watching me flounder around on the back of my horse a while back??? Was it YOU!????!??! Hiding in the bushes???

I certainly know that I don't need a dictionary, or a therapistfor that matter, to convince me of the therapeutic properties of a horse. Not only does my back always feel better after going for a ride on my horse, but my spirits are lifted, I breathe easier and I always have a feeling of contentment when I get done with a ride.

Some nights, just being able to stick my nose into my horses neck, comb his mane or brush his body as he is munching on his hay, all settled into his clean stall for the night, is enough to help me shed the tension and emotional exhaustion that life normally brings into my days and weeks.

A warm, sunny afternoon, in the field, with my arms wrapped around their neck, my nose wishes it could bottle the scent of fresh, warm horse, fly spray and grass that immediately puts a smile on my face.

When my wonderful therapist, who I love, gets done putting my brain on it's weekly puree cycle, there is nothing quite like barn chores to help you sort through shit while you sort through shit, if you know what I mean. I sleep well at night after hearing the contented nickers, the munching of hay and night noises as the geldings settle in the barn, happy and safe.

For a time, about seven years ago, when things were very, very bad, and I was in and out of the hospital over a 4 month period of time, it was my horses who kept me going. The girls will grow up (blessedly) and move on (and out) with their lives. My husband has his work and his love of hunting. My horses were there every morning, whinnying for me to come feed them breakfast and let them out to pasture. That is what got me out of bed. My morab, Aba, would bang his foot on his stall door until I would drag my butt out of bed and get up to let them out.

There is never judgement. They never, once, didn't come to greet me when I went out to see them, no matter what time of the day or night. They didn't care if I was still in my pajamas. They didn't care if my hair had been combed or my teeth brushed. They just knew I needed them to lean on, to brush, to talk to. They never offered their opinions. They knew how to hug. They couldn't tell others what I had told them. They can't be subpoenaed. They don't lie. They always listen carefully and never interrupt. They were there for me just as I was there to care for them.

There is never a more honored feeling to have than knowing that your horse trusts you and cares for you, that he will carry you on his back, keeping you safe, watching out for your well being. There have been few things in my life that give me that feeling. And once you have felt it, you want to feel it all the time.

If this does't make you want to go right out and get a horse of your very own, then I don't know what will! My dogs do the same thing for me. And so do the cats. But horses are my first choice (after my husband and my girls. OK. Sometimes even before my husband and my girls...).

You should try it some time. Visit a local barn. Try brushing a rescue horse. Help with stall cleaning and throw some hay in the loft. But the caution is this - once you get going, it's darn near impossible to stop.... :)

Just one of those days....

2010-07-14T21:36:00.003-04:00

Woke up late this morning - like 1 1/2 hours late. My tailbone is killing me. I missed my morning appointment. It rained, it poured buckets. I'm tired. I need to go to bed. My tailbone is killing me. I worked an extra hour at work. Emma had a soccer game (they won, 3 to 2). The kitten won't stop climbing on the computer keyboard. And I still need to go out in the barn and clean stalls and fill water buckets before I can go to bed. And my tailbone is killing me. Blah, blah, blah...

I injured myself about 10 years ago. I tore all the muscle off one side of my tailbone. It was absolute torture. It took about 6 weeks before I could actually go from sitting down to standing up (or vice versa) without feeling like I was going to pass out or throw up from the pain.

It's bbbaaaacccckkkk. I don't know what I did last night, but when I woke up this morning I couldn't even get out of bed. And today, working at the library, getting up and down to the copier, the books, the check out desk... ohy, vey.

So, now I'm headed out to do barn chores. In the rain. :( I just want to sit down and cry.

Talking about crying, I have a funeral to go to this weekend. A very good friend of mine found her soul mate. They are both older in life, having been college sweethearts and then going their separate ways, only to find each other and that romantic spark, again....

Then he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. And he beat it. Got a clean bill of health. Got married :) and at his 6 week follow up was diagnosed with cancer in the liver (if I remember correctly). They gave him 4 to 6 months to live. He lived almost a year after that. He just passed away last weekend.

I've been humbled by many, many things in my life, but when R and his wife, B, wanted to come to our monthly cookout - as one thing he wanted to cross of his 'bucket list' - I was overwhelmed and honored.

It was a wonderful cookout. And, not knowing, we even had his favorite dessert, strawberry shortcake. He was gone less than two weeks later. I wanted to stop by and see them the week after the cookout, but I just couldn't make myself stop. I've been to too many funerals already this year. I really can't do another one. But I will. Because B was there for me and my girls when I went through a difficult time a few years ago. Because even though R didn't know me very well, he was always inquiring about how I was, how things were going, encouraging me, treating me as if I were a long lost friend that he truly cared about. Caring about me, my family, my animals, my girls... and truly sharing his love, life and self with my friend B.

R will be missed. I still can't believe he's gone. I'm so glad he is no longer in pain or suffering, but am so sorry for the loss for B.

Ok. Now if I go out to do barn chores in the rain, no one will know if it is rain or tears running down my face. Off to snuggle with my equine shoulders to cry on.

Horse "Training" at its very WORST, Parelli style

2010-07-14T00:50:00.004-04:00

I did not see what I just saw. I'm literally sick to my stomach. I was catching up on my blog visits and, once again, Cathy at http://www.fugly.com/ delivers. There is a YouTube link of Pat Parelli "training" (and you don't know just how loosely I use that term) a horse named Catwalk at the Royal Festival of the Horse in England.

This poor horse. This is not training, it's pure out and out abuse. The lady who did the YouTube clip said she was so upset by this that she walked out after a short while but this abuse went on for TWO hours. In front of an audience.

Now, I don't know about anyone else, but if I had my name associated anywhere with the Parelli's, it certainly wouldn't be any more.

Shame on them. Not only do they do a great disservice for all true horse trainers in America, but in the world. If I were a 'horse trainer' I wouldn't be announcing that too loudly these days.

If I had a horse in training, you best be damn sure I would be on my way to visit my horse at the trainers and camping out for a few days watching them work - not only with my horse but with a few other peoples as well.

Shame on you, Pat & Linda Parelli. You should apologize. Not only to the horse (he should be allowed to kick both of you in the head) but also the horses owner, Robert Whitaker. This horse is going to take years - even if it is at all possible - of patient, gentle, consistent work to get over the abuse and trauma you inflicted upon him.

You should apologize to every single person in that audience. You should explain to them that you are inadequate and incapable of training a horse in a humane, gentle, non-forceful way.

Eeeewww. You just both make me want to puke. You both are so very lucky that this horse had a slightly more sane brain in his head than the two of you and didn't explode on the both of you and kick the ever loving crap out you.

If you think I'm over doing it, go to YouTube and search for Catwalk and Parelli. I will warn you that if you have any sense of compassion for animals at all, you will have trouble watching this.

Must have been the heat.

2010-07-12T21:52:00.002-04:00

It must have been the building heat from the last 10 days that finally put me over the edge yesterday. It's been building for a while. At least the pool is up. How many days do you think it took 3,500 gallons of bone chilling well water to heat up to the point that it was very comfortable when Mike and I went in it tonight to soak away all the heat? Three days. Yep. That was all. The water temperature was in the high 80's when we went in it late this afternoon. Soaking and visiting and absorbing the cool, not to cool water. Bliss. Something to remember six months from now when I are cursing the cold, bitter winter snow and ice.

So I was reading through another blog www.fugly.com who calls it like it is in the horse world (even names names and gives people a big old helping of her usually right on opinion) and I came across another blog that specifically relates to something near and dear to my heart - Craigslist.com... it's where I find the listings for New England Horses under $800 that get posted on http://missyshopeerr.freehostia.com - I've posted about Brandi here before and the work that she does trying to link horses in need of new homes with people looking for horses. She also does Chey/Annie Project For Slings for Horses.

So, anyways, when my insomnia rears its ugly head (and truly, he is an ugly beast that doesn't seem to be able to be completely tamed) I found this new blog.... http://clhorseads.blogspot.com The Worst of CL Horse For Sale Ads. I did a little more digging and found her other blog http://FaraeTailDreamsArt.blogspot.com and found out her name was Beth from Phoenix, Arizona where she does some awesome things with dragons, sculptures and re-models horses!!

AAAANNNNNNDDDD! when I sent her copies of the post that set me off on the tyrannical rant that I posted yesterday, she referenced me in the posting that went on her blog!! SO, Beth, thanks for the spot on your blog and here's a spot for you on mine!!!

I will continue to send you Craigslist ads that drive me crazy about the horse world. There truly are some people out there that shouldn't have a drivers license, be able to breed - themselves or anything else - and should probably just jump off the nearest cliff to be smashed to bits by sharp rocks and drift out to sea to feed the fishes.

So, back to reading blogs and searching the craigslist ads for Brandi to post on her site... it's so nice creating work for other people (grin).. I know Brandi would be lost if I didn't send her more work to do, what with her 4 children under the age of 9 and moving in just a couple of weeks into their very own house! Congratulations!

I've been working on another post and another rant, but need to review and edit before I hit the publish button. Need to keep all the Is' dotted and the Ts' crossed.

Keep cool. Hang out in a nice cold room. Drink a nice drink with plenty of ice in it. Relax in the shade. Don't burn in the sun. More to come....

The road to hell is paved with good intentions...

2010-07-12T11:46:00.016-04:00

Ok, I see it every day. It still pisses me off every day. These people that go to auctions (or cruise Craigslist or Horse/Com, the local feed store tack message center or other 'free to a good home' posting places) with a truck and trailer, maybe a few hundred cash, or their friend with a truck and trailer who just happen to have a few extra hundred in cash lying around, or better yet, hire someone with a truck and trailer. Who 'feel so bad' for this poor little, worm-infested, year old stud colt. Feel so bad that they just 'have to buy get it out of there.'

Then they bring it home, full of great feelings of saving this little one from harms way. Out of the meat truck. Out of danger from being used as a stud when it grows older to breed more and more little beings who wind up at auction to suck in the next do-gooder who feels sorry for it.
OK - I'm going to pause here... I'm going to restate something I said a while ago. I LOVE DO-GOODERS!!! The world would not function without them. I am one of them. I have many friends and acquaintances that are DO-GOODERS. I LOVE DO-GOODERS! (ok, we got that???)

To a home that does not have proper fencing, shelter, hay, FUNDS! etc. We rush around, putting up temporary fences that do not hold them in. Fencing that they run right through because they have no idea what tape fencing is. Being bedded down in garages next to the lawn mower and the Christmas ornaments. Robbing Peter to pay the vet, farrier, hay guy, grain store, etc... (who needs electricity, fuel and groceries anyways??)

Then, reality comes and bites them in the butt. HARD. VERY HARD.

It's wonderful to rescue. To take that mangy, flea bitten, worm infested, fur ball and with lots of love, vet bills, hand feedings, cleaning stalls, worming and groceries, turn it into a beautiful animal who is trusting, loved and cared for. For the first three, six, nine months or so.

But when they are feeling better, putting on the weight and getting their energy back, they become biting, kicking, stubborn, time-consuming, fund-consuming, overwhelming, time-sucking bundles of energy.

Then, we get these. These are excerpts from actual ads I've been reading.
- 'I got him from an auction and his paperwork says he is a quarter horse. I just do not have the time to train him. He is not gelded and walks good on a lead. $500 or will trade for a rideable horse.'

And this - 'purchased several years ago for daughter and now she is off to college, so horse must go, too.'

Still more - 'Free Pony or she will be put down. 12 year old mare. Diagnosed with soft tissue damage in right front hoor (i would assume this is to read hooF), needs 6 months to a year of stall rest. will let you talk to vet. she's a great mare, very loving. She did pony hunters in 07, 08. Daughter went on to horses but still rode her constantly. Too nice a pony to be put down, PLEASE help this pony.'

And this - '10 year old palomino quarter horse. Cannot be ridden due to knee injury several years back. does receive msn and joint supplements with her feed. she stood for stud two years ago, but she didn't take. I think she could handle the added weight of a pregnancy as long as you trim her down a bit before winter. She is a mare and most comfortable with women, she leads and loads easily but the farrier has to be cautious, she has a difficult time doing the back feet due to her right front knee injury. I sometimes have her wear shoes to balance her. She can be a bitchy mare at times to other horses, but that attitude comes with being a mare. She is a sweetie, but now that my daughter has left home, at my age having horses is difficult, and I do not ride, so why keep horses?'

And, continuing, this - 'Was a rescue and he was severely underweight. Was told he had come from a huge breeding facility. 17 years old and a prove breeder. He bred both my mares and one is due in a couple of months. He is pastured with my mares and cows. He shows no aggressive tendencies and when he breeds he is very gentle (no kicking or biting). I was told he was broke to drive, but I don't know how to drive so have never tested him in that area. When I put someone on his back he had no idea what was happening so I am assuming that he is not broke to ride. I have gone off to college and can't expect my mother to take care of both my mares and foals, along with a stallion, so a good home is what I am asking for.'

and, this - 'two year old mini horse for sale. He nips a bit but that is because he is a stallion. He comes when he's called and very well behaved. Easy to feed this guy, he's a cheap date. We are sorry to see him go but we have to move and can't take him with us. We can't deliver but he can be picked up in a truck with a ramp.'

THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.

That is the sound of me slamming my head against the wall beside my desk.

I'm at fault for this, too. The knee-jerk, emotional reaction to save a helpless animal. In my defense, I do rescue to adopt out to appropriate homes. Some come to stay, others only stay long enough to get the great start they need before heading out to make another family feel blessed. Some are returned (as per agreement that is signed) and either stay with us or find another suitable family.

I realize, forget, remember, bemoan, forget, that the good feeling often doesn't last for the whole time they are with me. The twice a day cleaning of the wound, the daily cleaning of stalls, e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e d-a-y, feeding, meds, worming, hay, turn out, fly spray, fly mask, farrier, blanketing, cleaning and filling stock tanks, buying hay, stacking hay, ordering hay, etc. etc.

And that doesn't even begin to get into the handling, training, grooming, desensitizing, exposing them to the world, the vet, the farrier, the cat, the dog, the other horses, the chickens, the blanket, the lead rope, the bridle, the saddle, etc. etc. etc.

After a while it gets to feeling really, really old. This, my dear people, is called BURNT OUT.

The consequences of taking on an animal, ANY ANIMAL, should be a commitment FOR THE WHOLE LIFE OF THAT ANIMAL.
Not euthanizing them if they can't run and jump and carry around your butt any more. Not discarding them because they start shooting blanks or they continue to breed because you don't have enough sense to separate them and NEUTER THEM!!!!
Eeekkk. Sorry... guess it's kinda late now, but I'll post it anyways...
~~~CAUTION - SOAP BOX WARNING~~~
Spay, neuter, vet, socialize, train, shelter, feed, love your animals.
For their whole life, until it is too painful, too sick, too injured for them to continue on.
Then give your animals the truly most blessed thing you can give them... your arms to hold them as they pass from this world into a world of no pain, no sickness, no injuries. Love them enough to let them go.
Don't dump them off onto someone else. Don't abandon them when the going gets tough. I don't even have a problem with you dropping them off at the vets and you can't stay there until the end. The vet techs I work with are wonderful people and they will be there with a comforting pat, a calming hand. Don't pass them around, like a bad penny, not caring where they might land and who might abuse, misuse, mistreat, abandon them.
Kittens are adorable. Puppies are so very cute. Baby horses are amazing things to watch (wanna see some really cute little girls, go to http://www.hof-mendenhall.com/ OMG! I met their two little fillies yesterday!!! How absolutely stunning their few month old babies were!!!!)
They always grow up. To become cats, dogs, horses - who live for 10, 20, 30 or 40 or more years.
365 days, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, counting on you to do what is best for them to become productive, socialized, well rounded, well cared for beings. FOR THEIR WHOLE LIVES!
Ok, I'm starting to ramble now. Please, please remember. For their whole lives, unless you can find someone (and check up on them) who will care for them if circumstances (situations do occur when you cannot) prevent you from doing so. But if you wouldn't leave your kids when you move, don't leave your pets. And if you practice birth control because you don't want more kids, then please practice pet control if you can't handle any more animals!!
I need more coffee. And I have to bring more water to the chickens. And the teen-ager is whining for something to eat. And the dogs need to go out....

summer days...

2010-07-12T11:01:00.003-04:00

This heat is killing us... it was confirmed a 'heat wave' the other day because we had over 90 degree heat for more than three days in a row. Don't know if we broke any records for this area, but I know it broke my patience and a fan.

The chicken babies had to be moved under the shade of a tree. The horses got hosed down with cool water. We put up the pool in the back yard and it only took 3 days for 3,500 gallons of cold well water to turn 86 degrees.

The dogs are lying on the floors in front of the fans, panting. We put some ice cubes in a dish for them to chew on and they were leaving little puddles of water all over the place. Kinda shocks you for a minute, then the rush of thought that says ... oh, a puddle.... then remembering that it's ice cubes, not leaking dogs, lol.

Too hot to ride in this heat, to hot to cook, too hot to work (and my dear, darling husband is putting on a grey metal roof in this heat :( He's been coming home to soak up the cool air of the fan and sizzling the heat off in the pool. Hey, that might be the reason it's warming up so quick.

Now for the update I hinted at the other day. Tommy's on again, off again lameness is bad arthritis in two legs and ringbone in the third. Even with corrective shoes and pads, he is still not pasture sound. And, unfortunately, the other day when Joe was here to shoe the horses (even with 5 bute in a 24 hour period prior to him coming) he was too sore to shoe him again. He wasn't even sound with the pads, bute and glucosamine :( All the work we did to bring him back up to weight has put too much pressure on his legs, joints and feet.

Pisses me off that he is in this predicament. From being rescued and starving a year ago to getting back to good health, and now this. So, no hate mail, no nasty email messages, but we are giving him the summer and trying to keep him comfortable (most mornings we have to make him get up out of his stall and go out to pasture). We will most likely lay him to rest in the pasture next to my old geldings, Abacus and Shiloh, under their favorite resting tree. It's the best thing I can do for him.

On a much lighter note, we do have a new addition. Yurik Ferdinand Byrnison. Big name for a cute, cuddly, little kitten. (Iorek Byrnison is the polar bear warrior in The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman; Ferdinand came from The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf) Ferdinand was my favorite story when I was young. I still have the much loved copy of the book and 45 record (do all of you know what a record is these days??? My girls laughed when they saw it!). For those of you that don't know, I am an Assistant Librarian and my girls and I read and listened to Philip Pullman 'His Dark Materials Trilogy' years ago and I loved the name Yurik (Iorek)... so, my youngest daughter and I have been having a skirmish over which name is going to win (I pulled rank, which is always an option when you are the mother) and we came up with a combined name.

I will post pictures of the little bundle of scratching fur ball as soon as I confiscate my camera back from my husband. lol

Speaking of fur balls, he just climbed up my llllleeeeegggg. Ouch. Those little toenails are sharp... gonna go feed the little monster!!! He's trying to catch the words as they type on the screen. Very difficult to type as I have to keep correcting words as his little feet are typing along with me....

summer heat is here....

2010-07-09T13:58:00.002-04:00

Things have been so very busy. The chicken babies are now almost 2 months old. Tommy had his appointment with the vet and the news wasn't good. We caught 2 rats under the hen house, now they aren't stealing our eggs any more. We just got a new kitten last night and I named him Yurik. The pool is filling slowly, ever so slowly, with very, very cold water from the well. It's almost half full. We put the cover on it today to keep the bugs out and help warm the water.

I'll post more later as I'm eating a hurried lunch before I go to work at the Library!!!

How Time Flies....

2010-05-10T23:50:00.002-04:00

and speaking of flies... it's only supposed to be 25 degrees tonight. On May 10th. Talk about weather that needs adjustment. Hopefully all the little blood suckers are going to freeze tonight. They were horrible the other day.

Poor Tommy. He didn't know what was worse... having the little black nats biting him, having me put fly spray on him or the smell of the citronella fly spray... poor, poor Tommy, my butt. He's in heaven and he knows it.

Still off and on lame... next step is x-rays to rule out anything other than arthritis. Put front shoes on him with shock-tamer pads and he's strutting his stuff all around the pasture, tearing around the barn, chasing the ponies and making everyone's mane and tails go flying... it's so nice to see him happy and wanting to run!

Chicken babies will be here next week.

The construction on the house has begun. We are tearing out all the interior walls, re-wiring the whole house, insulating (we have NO insulation now... ) and replacing ALL the windows!

It's been hectic around here and will continue to be through the middle of June with our 2nd daughter graduating high school. Our nephew is, also. Ordered all the goodies for the party the other day.

Off to bed, appointment in the morning... I know the grass is green and the sun is shining, but I still have my wood stove on and I'm freezing in the morning. We had 50 degrees in January but 25 degrees in May??? What is wrong with that picture... LOTS!!!!

Spring, glorious spring...

2010-04-10T11:36:00.002-04:00

The sun is shining, the grass is growing, the wind is blowing... and it was FLIPPIN' snowing out this morning. What's up with that??? I know, I know, it's still spring time in Vermont and we haven't even gotten to May yet. Last night Hubby and I were out to dinner, discussing what we were going to do in 2 years when the youngest was out of high school. Too many decisions and not enough moollah.

So, out to the barn I go. Gotta get rid of some grain/shavings bags, going to do a dump run, pick up hay, and post more notices about our rabid raccoon problem.

Gotta love Vermont... 90 degree weather, pouring rain and snow all within 3 days of each other..

Spring CAUTION, everyone...

2010-04-08T20:04:00.002-04:00

Know it's warm weather, the sun feels so nice on our frozen bones, but we need to be careful while in the woods and outside.

We had our first ever confirmed case of a rabid raccoon in Weathersfield, Vt.

This is in an area that we walk, ride our horses, exercise our dogs, etc.

Please, please be careful. If you notice any animal that is acting strangely, please notify the local police or animal control.

Here are a couple of links with a wealth of information about rabies.

One for adults: http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/rabies/Rabies.aspx

One for kids: http://www.cdc.gov/rabiesandkids/

Stay safe, everyone, and make sure ALL your animals vaccines are up to date.

Vermont Horses in Immediate Need

2010-04-07T23:18:00.002-04:00

There are some Vermont horses in desperate need of help. And a couple of ladies, also. These are the Quesnal Horses - Vermont Slaughterbound Horses No More in Lincoln, Vermont. (They are on facebook, too, with pictures!)

KC and Kathleen (don't know the whole story, so I'm sure it's a little blurry from my point of view) rescued these 16 horses from going to slaughter. They are now healthy, fed, and some have been evaluated.

They are in immediate need of Foster Homes, Adoptive Homes, Donations (hay, shavings, workers, money...)... Donations can be made for these horses through Spring Hill Horse Rescue (www.SpringHillRescue.com) and can be done through paypal and can be tax-deductible - please specify the Quesnal Horses when you make a donation.

Here is a list of a few of the horses that are available NOW...

Duchess: 23 year old red roan blanket appy mare. would do well with a considerate adult trail rider, exercise would be beneficial, she is a nice mare, I think, but cranky in the way of appy mares and she cribs. Not for a beginner but may be fun for someone who understands her. Further info after I ride her a few times.

Serra: 13 year old Arabian cross mare, chestnut with narrow blaze. In your pocket and rather pushy on the ground. Intensely focused when you present her with a challenge like loading on a trailer. about 15 hand, slim build, decent confirmation and movement. Assumed to be unbroke. Obviously needs an experienced handler.

Gabrielle: Arabian mare, appears to be purebred, chestnut with large star, a little smaller and slightly less pushy than Serra, but all of the above would apply. Approx 13.

Samwise the Brave: Approx 18 year old Arabian gelding, dark mahogany bay with small star, about 14 h, very cute, compact, somewhat straight in the hind legs but otherwise decent
confirmation. Shy, nervous, unbroke, but still seems to like people. Experienced handler.

Aliyah and Artax: Arabian mare and gelding, approx 18 and 15 years old, appear to be mother and son. in need of pet/retirement home. Mare is easy to handle and very pretty, tall. Gelding is tough to catch and handle. Both greys.

Phoebe: 7 year old dark palomino paint mare. appears to be broke but green. decent confirmation but a little downhill, good movement. about 15-15.1 h. very pretty, nice temperament. She is being further assessed and may be available for adoption or sale to an approved home for a higher fee to help pay for the others. She can be seen at a barn with an indoor.

New pictures available upon request.

You can contact KC at 802-310-7776 or ponygirl@gmavt.net
You can contact Kathleen at guchpony@aol.com

Check This Out...

2010-04-06T22:15:00.002-04:00

Hi, all. If you have ever received an email from me, you might have noticed a web site below my blog and web site. It is this totally cool site, made for a totally cool reason.

Brandi does not know I am doing this - yet... in a few minutes she will!

If you are ever looking for a horse or a donkey or a mule, or even looking to find a home for a horse that you might have that is under $800 (I think that is the cut off... if I'm wrong, I'll repost!)

Go on, check out the site. I'll be here waiting when you get back...

http://missyshopeerr.freehostia.com

Brandi started this site three years ago when she was looking for a companion for her mare who had just lost her baby. She realized a need for a place for people who might need to find or rehome a horse to get together. It has now gone international!!! Way to go, Brandi!

I have been working with Brandi for a little while now, forwarding horses on to her, where she sends out a post almost every night of the year. She did get a few days off when she delivered her latest little one. She has FOUR children under the age of 7.

Visit her site. Spread the news. Read her stories. See how YOU can make the difference in the life of ONE animal. If we all just helped save ONE animal, just think how many animals would have their dreams answered!

Keep up the great work, Brandi!!!

:)

Hellooo, Tommy!

2010-04-04T21:18:00.011-04:00

This is my success story! This horse, HotRoddin Tommy, was purchased on May 1, 2009 with an emaciated black quarter horse mare for $400 (for both horses). This is how he looked the day we picked him up. We took them both directly to the vets before they were taken to quarantine. Tommy is a 15.3 hand, 12 year old, registered quarter horse gelding. In this first picture, he is taped at around 580 pounds. It's hard to see through the unshed winter coat the true condition that he is in, but believe me when I say you could feel every bone in his thin body.

Here is Tommy in June 2009. He has had his feet trimmed, been wormed and fed LOTS of groceries...

This is Tommy on September 12, 2009. He has been wormed a couple more times, had his feet trimmed, again, and still getting lots and lots of groceries.

These pictures were taken today, April 4, 2010. Not even a year after his 'rescue.' To his dismay, he is being fed a regular diet - no more extra meals to help with his recovery and weight gain. He tapes out at just over 1100 pounds. He has gained almost his whole body weight all over again. He is on a regular worming schedule, a regular trim schedule and getting his spring shots this month for the first time in 5 years. He is also getting a dental check up and having his sheath cleaned.

AND... we went for our first ride today. He was a little apprehensive and wasn't quite sure what was going to happen to him, but he did great. I'm going to keep working with him so he doesn't think he has to go 100 miles an hour every time someone gets on his back. All I did was walk him around the pasture. He is a very smooth ride.

So, it only takes a little time, some commitment and lots of groceries, but horses can be rehabilitated if you have the commitment. There were NO underlying reasons for his emaciation. All his blood work came back within normal limits. The only reason for him being so thin was lack of FOOD.

Nothing he has to worry about these days, though!

:) The reason why I do all this...

2010-04-03T15:51:00.002-04:00

Last night, when I went out to put the horses in, the buckets in the stalls were running low. So I cleaned them and ran the hose to fill them. While I was twiddling my thumbs, I got the curry brush out and started trying to take a layer of two of hair off from Tommy. He REALLY likes to have his chest brushed. So much that, when I was done with the water and was turning to leave, he leaves his food to come to me and nudge the brush with his nose so I will continue brushing on his chest. I had the biggest, goofiest smile on my face. This is the horse that was starved and neglected and he paid me the biggest compliment in my life. He leaves his food... this is what makes it all worth while....

Responses and Questions to my Venting

2010-04-02T12:44:00.006-04:00

~This is the most wonderful, profound, eye opening post I have read in a
long time and I am sending it to all my animal friends. Thank you so
much. A

~People have been getting their heads beat in for not doing enough & and now their getting their butt(s) chewed & being told THEY are the problem for doing the best of their ability to help a suffering animal!!!" - Really!!.. I do agree not to cry wolf, but that's about it!! There has to be a better solution then allowing an animal to suffer until AC can get around to checking on the welfare of neglected animals.. I've seen some cases where its taken up to a week & some where AC was a NO-SHOW altogether because Mr. AC was a relative of the abuser, rented property to the abuser, or had other cases to deal with & didn't have time to check on the abused & neglected animals.. SEEMS TO ME THE SYSTEM NEEDS FIXED!! Discouraging anyone from coming to the aid of a helpless animal is wrong, JUST PLAIN WRONG!! BTW- it's not the DO-GOODER who cemented their fate, it was the abuser., That comment takes away from the real problem!! It's appalling when one shifts the focus off the abuser in any form!! CF

(Lynn back in - here was my response to her email...)
I see your point. That is a failure in the system and of law enforcement. They need education, too. And for those out there who do nothing because it's their 'buddy' should be ashamed of themselves and retire. It's not the do-gooders fault. The person owning and abusing/neglecting the animals is the one to shoulder 100% of the blame ALL THE TIME. However, helping someone or their animals ties the hands of the law enforcement that IS willing and able to do something permanent for the animals.

It's not a matter of not doing enough, it 's a matter of doing enough in the RIGHT WAY to help the animals and change their situation permanently and legally. That is the only way this is all going to work. If your AC doesn't show and isn't interested, then call the Department of Agriculture. There is one in every state. Then call the State Police. Call the media. Call the sheriff's department. Call the state rep. Call the governor. Call the HSUS. Call the mayor/town manager. Call everyone you can think of and then email your friends to view the situation and MAKE A REPORT and call, too. Remember the squeaky wheel part?

I agree, there are many places where the system needs to be fixed. It's not perfect but it can't work if we don't do it in the proper way. And it won't get fixed until someone, anyone, stands up and demands that it be different.

I am in NO WAY shifting the blame from the abuser to the do-gooder. I'm just offering some guidelines from a legal and AC perspective that others may not know and maybe it will help out at least one animal who is in dire need of someone to rescue them.

I NEVER said not to help. I said to help in ways that the animals would NOT get back to the abuser, no matter what. DON'T give up. ALWAYS keep on trying for the animals. It's all we can do.

Yes You have no idea how hard it is to see an animal continue to suffer because some AC doesn't want to upset their 'friend' about their underweight, wormy, starving horses. If you think I don't know about it, then search for Tommy on my blog. I bought him to get him out of there for $300. He weighed 565 pounds. He was 12 years old. He's a 16 hand registered Quarter Horse. It's now been a year and he's gained 500 pounds and has a forever home where he's fed twice daily, has his own comfy, shaving filled stall, and never has to go without water again. I called multiple agencies. I did file a statement and signed a report. The others were eventually seized/relinquished. It doesn't happen in a matter of hours. It takes a matter of days to do a proper investigation. To connect to the right agencies. To assemble the resources. I'm just trying to show helping - sometimes - does more harm than good in the long run.

I'm really glad you brought up these points - but the blame ONLY sits on the shoulders of the abuser/hoarder ALL THE TIME. I would like to think there is a special place reserved in HELL for just them. (No, no, don't go all religion on me...)

~Just my two cents. It doesn't help when the animals linger in borderline conditions, which when questioned can be explained [lied about]. It also doesn't help if they are tipped off every time someone is coming to inspect. Again, just my 2 cents. Gee, now Im broke. D S
(me back in...)It's sometimes that case with any kind of investigation, whether it involves an animal or not. But if you can document the continued conditions, sometimes it's enough to be able to help the animals when they know someone is always watching, because, eventually, no one can keep up the charade without fail ALL the time... it's an imperfect world and we can only do the best we can do...

(gasp) guess I shouldn't have said it all on one breath!

~You GO girl! JJ
~You and me both... and let us not forget the people who call the cops to report your horse is dead in your field and he's just laying down sunning himself... B

Big, BIG Soap Box Warning....

2010-04-01T12:10:00.002-04:00

Ok. I've had it. I'm sick to death of it. My email has at least ONE email every day telling me about horses, dogs or cats being neglect/abused/starved to death. I hear so many sob stories about how these people are 'overwhelmed' and 'lost their jobs' and how they just 'acquired' too many horses, dogs or cats (or any combination of those or more).

Hell-O!!?!?! How do you just 'acquire' too many horses? It's not like they just showed up on your doorstep, looking for a bowl of milk, like kittens.... these are HORSES - they are usually Trailered... by a TRUCK! If you feel sorry for a horse and the condition that it's in, donate to your local rescue. Don't bring it home. Because you are then the next story that is going to be posted on the email list.

And for you Do-Gooders out there - please, please, please... STOP HELPING THESE PEOPLE! All you are doing is prolonging the torture of these animals. Here is a portion of the conversation you are having with animal control, dept. of agriculture, local law enforcment, etc. (for those of you who do report and will file a statement):

Do-Gooder: "Hello. I am calling to report some neglected horses (animals). Their owner isn't feeding them or cleaning their stalls (pens) and they never have water. Can you check on them?"

Animal control goes and checks on the horses (animals). Their stalls (pens) are CLEAN and they have HAY (food) and water.

Animal control: (calls back the Do-Gooder): "The horses (animals) stalls (pens) are clean and they have hay (food) and water. We didn't find any problem. We have to close the case."

Do-Gooder: "Well the only reason the stalls (pens) are clean is because we cleaned them and the only reason they have hay (food) and water is because we bought it and fed them."

Animal Control (BANGING HEAD ON DESK CONTINUOUSLY AS HARD AS THEY CAN): "Then I can't help them until you stop taking care of them. In the EYES OF THE LAW THEY ARE BEING CARED FOR!"

Yes, I will speak for those of us in Animal Control because I have been there - for many years. (I am no longer as I can't stand the anguish any more, AND I have found someone who is much younger and less jaded than I am to do the thankless, painful job.)

If you know of abuse or neglect, you CAN'T FIX IT and then ask us to step in and do something. We have no proof.

How do I know you don't actually have an agreement with the owner and the horses belong to someone else and you are leasing the barn? How do I know it's truly you that is doing the work? How do I know it's you that is doing the work and that you aren't (ILLEGALLY) TRESPASSING on their property? In that case, I have to report you and YOU GET THE TICKET! How do I know that the owner is not doing the care? Just because "you" said so? Maybe the neighbor - even though you are the one mucking stalls, buying hay, filling stock tanks - thinks he just found the perfect neighborhood to live in? Want to come live next door to me? I would LOVE IT if someone else did all my chores, paid my hay bill, took care of my horse and I could just sit back and watch them because IT WON'T GET ME IN TROUBLE AT ALL! How do I know that you don't just have an itch to scratch because they play their music loud every weekend until 2 am?

Please, please, please. DON'T HELP the horses, dogs, cats, etc. REPORT THE ABUSER. If I get a report and I drive by/visit the animal and it has food, shelter and water, THERE IS NOTHING I CAN LEGALLY DO.

You, dear Do-Gooder, have SENTENCED this animal to MORE TIME in their HELL HOLE.

DO report to animal control, department of agriculture, local police, state police, etc., etc..

BE an advocate for the animal.

DO support your local rescues and shelters.

DO NOT give up because your first call wasn't answered. Sometimes, the squeaky wheel gets the most grease, sometimes just to shut it up.

DO take pictures.

DO NOT TRESPASS TO GET THE EVIDENCE. We can't use it in court.

DO NOT help the animal before law enforcement, department of agriculture, animal control, state police, etc., etc., get there as it WILL NOT STICK. (Even if it means the animal is still being neglected. Yes, this is hard to say, even HARDER to do.)

DO NOT CRY WOLF. Just because the neighbor horse is standing out in the rain when it has a perfectly good shelter to go into with hay and water, you will not be taken seriously the next time you report one who is truly in trouble.

I'm seriously pulling out my hair (what little I have left) because of so many stories of "I tried to help, but they wouldn't help themselves or their animals..." because people who neglect their animals DO IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN! They don't stop. It's like a disease. And those who 'help' the animals or the owners are only sentencing those animals to longer confinement in those conditions.

Ok. I'm still steamed. I'm outraged. My blood pressure is going through the roof. It makes me shake my head with wonder every single time this happens. It makes me want to bang my head into the doorframe for hours straight every time I read a new email....

Oh, what did you say? You just can't stand there and do nothing? You can't let those poor little animals suffer any more? Well, YOU just CEMENTED THEIR FATE by stepping in. You are ENABLING THE HOARDER/ABUSER and PERPETUATING THE ABUSE of those neglected animals!

AAARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!

When - and it will only be a matter of time - Animal Control, Department of Agriculture, Local Law Enforcement, State Police, Etc., Etc. step in, then be there and be prepared to help the animals out. BUT NOT UNTIL THEN!!!!!

Ok. ok. I'm done for now, but I'm still stomping off my soap box, stomping my way into my boots and stomping out into the barn to clean my horses stalls (otherwise known as throwing $hit around) .... grumble, grumble, stomp, stomp .... fading away >:( >:( > :( >:(

Rain, rain and more flippin' rain...

2010-03-30T23:35:00.002-04:00

I know, I know. It's good to have the rain. Yep. So much rain that half the state is floating away and some people are bailing out their basements. The horses are growing webbed feet and the chickens are growing gills. At least we don't have to shovel rain.

The horses were in today - again. Without protest this time. They like being inside and sticking their heads out the doors long enough to get their ears wet and then come inside and snuggle in their shavings in their stalls. I will let them out tomorrow when it slows down a little.

I let them out earlier when I cleaned stalls. They ran around for a few minutes, rolled in the mud (my eyes are rolling) and then came charging back in when I called them. They were out long enough to be totally saturated with mud. So much that I used the scraper on them. Now they are nice and fluffy and dusty. (shaking my head)

Hopefully everyone survives the floods and no one gets washed away. South of us is really getting hit hard. I'm so glad that I not only live very, very high above the river, but I also sit right on top of a gravel pit. Seriously. We don't have hardly any puddles anywhere! Except the impromptu manure pile the guys have made in the pasture.

Stay dry and warm... it's supposed to be 80 degrees on Sunday! I can't hardly wait!

Looking for a Horse?

2010-03-26T22:22:00.003-04:00

There are a couple of ladies I know in Northern Vermont who rescued 16 horses off the slaughter truck. Yep, folks, it even happens around here. Now they are looking for foster/forever homes for these horses. I know two of them are geldings, the other 14 mares... whew. That takes my chances down by a long shot!

So, if you are looking for a horse and truly want to save one who was a breath away from being killed - literally - this is your chance. I don't know all the details, but if you have a facebook account just do a search for Vermont Slaughter Bound No More and there are quite a few pictures of the horses on there. And Kathleen will be the one to contact about them...

Now for the crew. I have had to put Tommy on a D.I.E.T. Yep. Mr. Chunky thighs. I can't hardly feel his ribs through the fat on them. What a difference a year makes. As soon as things get down to a dull roar around here and the weather warms up just a little bit and the wind stops blowing, I will post pictures of before and after. It's been almost a year since I first saw him. We are getting ready to ride. Gulp. No, no, he is doing fine... I'm just a little yellow chicken... b-gawk..... I've only ridden twice this winter and he is BIG! He's grown- I swear he has- not just around, but tall. So, when someone is home, I'm riding him in the pasture for the first few times. I'm sure he will do fine. Had the saddle on him the other night. Thank god it was a western saddle because the girth for the English wouldn't fit around him. Even when he wasn't sticking out his gut.

Too many bad news stories out there - in the past few days, I have heard of three, with more than 75 horses involved, combined. I know I don't have deluxe accommodations, but they have what they need and plenty of attention. I don't know how people can sleep at night or eat knowing their animals are suffering and dying.

I make sure all mine are fed and in usually before I make my dinner every night. And it's something I've drilled in my girls heads since they were little. The animals don't eat? Then neither do you. If you can't afford to feed them, then don't have them.

Ok. Sorry. I'll get off my soap box now. Do some deep breathing exercises. Calm myself down. Kinda ran away with myself there for a few moments.

Ok. Chickens are enjoying their pen - they are staying home - where they belong - and still getting some exercise. The ponies are liking the warmer weather - so is Tommy. The dogs are doing great, as well as the cats and birds. And my hubby is working harder than ever. Two of my girls are playing softball - one a senior, one a sophomore - so on Tuesday, the games begin... so glad the snow is mostly gone. And even though the wood stoves are keeping us very toasty tonight I will be glad when I can have a break from feeding/cleaning them on a daily basis.

Happy thoughts out to the barn, boys... stay snuggled up warm.

:)

I Ride. A page from an 87 year-old horsewoman's handwritten journal.

2010-03-01T23:42:00.003-05:00

I ride. That seems like such a simple statement.

However, as many women who ride know... it is a complicated matter. It has to do with power and empowerment; being able to do things you might have once considered out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet/farrier/electrician/hay delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by the side of a freeway, or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of drinking a cold drink after a long ride.

The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication. At least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it 'a sickness.'

It's a nice sickness I've had since I was a small girl bouncing my plastic model horses and dreaming of the day when I would ride a real horse. Most of the women I ride with understand that meaning of 'the sickness.' It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's what we do and -- in some ways -- who we are as women and human beings.

I ride. I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some nice trail head somewhere, unload, saddle up, whistle up my dog and I ride.

I breathe in the air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees, and savor the moment of my horse. My shoulders relax. A smile spreads across my weathered face. I pull my floppy hat down and let the real world fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the sand. Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My gelding flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rhythm of his walk and the movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather rein in my hand softens with the warmth.

I consider the simple statement: I ride. I think of all I do because I ride. Climb rocky slopes, wade into a lily-pond lake, race a friend across the hay field, all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my chest. Other days, just the act of mounting and unmounting can be a real accomplishment. Still, I ride, no matter how tired or how much my sitter bones or any of my other acquired horse-related injuries hurt. I ride. And I feel a lot better for doing so.

I think of the people, mostly women, that I've met. I consider how competent they all are. Not a weenie in the bunch. We haul 40 foot rigs, we back 'em up into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp, tend the horses. We cook and keep our camp neat. We understand and love our companions, our horses. We respect each other and those we encounter on the trail. We know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, fill, bathe, wait and doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel without makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford 'the sickness' and, probably, when you were a small girl, you bounced a little model horse while you dreamed of riding a real one.

"My treasures do not chink or glitter, they gleam in the sun and neigh in the night."

I don't know who wrote this, but when I received it in my email today, I knew I would be posted on my blog tonight. I do remember playing with horses and dreaming of owning real ones when I grew older. Now that I am older (ok, I'm not anywhere near 87, but that doesn't mean some days it doesn't feel like it, lol) I do have real horses. And I have promised myself that I never will be without a furry, neighing, therapy 'sickness' in the barn out behind my house. Even if I have to be wheeled out in my wheelchair or struggle with my cane to visit them and feed them carrots and kiss their soft noses.

Here Comes The Snow....

2010-02-16T09:17:00.002-05:00

It started an hour ago with just a few pretty flakes falling down. Now it's worked up to serious business. The dogs are enjoying it, but really like sleeping next to the wood stove. We still have way less snow than Maryland does. I'm not complaining at all. This might help with the ouchy foot thing that Tommy is still battling. Really been spoiled this winter with the nice weather and doing chores in a t-shirt.

The chicken feathers love the snow. They made a snow angel one day, but by the time I got my camera out there to take a picture, one of them had ruined it.

Ordered my turkeys. Hopefully we will eat more than the fox did this year. I ordered a couple of extra as I had requests for freezer birds. Even if we get a little back, no way we will break even. They eat too well. But that makes for a bird you don't have to worry about eating.

So many horses still looking for homes. Dogs. Cats. Birds. People suck. If you get an animal, it should be for life. And if you can't keep it, give it away to someone who will take care of it - not take it from the frying pan into the fire. Just makes me want to thump my head on the desk. Really HARD. Sigh.

Snuggle your furry friends around the fire and watch the snow falling outside. Best way to spend a cold, snowy day...

The On Again, Off Again Lameness

2010-02-12T12:57:00.002-05:00

Thought we had this thing in the books. One to write about and it would be done with. Guess not. I'm seeing a pattern, though. The more ice and frozen poop on the ground, the ouchier Tommy is. Joe will be here next week to do the horses feet. Think I'm going to try a pair of shoes on the front for him. When I put boots on him, he does fine, but it is slippery with the hard rubber and don't want to put him out with the ones with studs on.

The chicken girls are having a bit of an attitude. Guess they don't like their nests to lay eggs on - they have been hiding them in the plastic tarp that is covering part of their cage. I moved part of the tarp to find the plug in for the light and found some frozen eggs. Goodie. Moved things around so it was open in there now and could find them on the first try instead of having to dig for them. They must not like me taking their eggs every day.

The pony boys are doing great. They are getting plump and sassy. So, with Tommy being at a good weight and the ponies being easy as air ferns to keep weight on, I have started cutting back a little on their free choice hay during the day. They are not happy with that and are letting me know. I went to let them in last night and they were standing at the back door, thumping it with their feet, as if they were saying - let me in, i'm cold and i want to eat now!

I'm liking this no snow and easy temperatures. I can get the barn chores done and inside in less than an hour at night. That includes cleaning stalls and filling water buckets. The buckets aren't 20 gallon popsicles every night. That sure is nice. Even though Phil saw his shadow if the rest of winter goes like this I'm not going to complain.

E's last night for basketball. Then basketball season is over for us. Still have indoor soccer and maybe softball.

:)

Another day, another cold day...

2010-02-07T09:27:00.002-05:00

Wow. I guess I need to be more consistent with my updates. I have a had a couple of requests because I haven't updated too much.

The horses are fine. Smokey and Abner are doing well. Tommy didn't need a vet appointment as he trotted out of the barn the last couple of days with no signs of lameness at all. His hoof still looks the same, so don't know what is going on there.

The chickens are slacking off. We were getting between 5 and 6 eggs a day from 6 chickens, now we are only getting 4. We ordered 6 turkeys for this year. Hopefully we will be able to eat more than the fox did. We split the two last year.

Trying to support my horse habit with my new business. Well, the crocheting is not new - been doing that for a very long time. Selling the crocheting to feed my horses and animals is new. Check out my web site. www.TheHappyHookerVt.com I donate 15% of my sales to rescues. I have featured a couple of them on the blog in the past. You can specify or not. A donation is made anyways.

I have sold 4 scarves to date... have a few new afghans I'm posting later today. It is going to take a while to build. Right now I have more invested in yarn than I have sewn, so it's in it's baby steps. Please feel free to forward the information on to anyone you know might be interested.

Hope you all are staying warm. Can't wait for super bowl tonight. Don't care about the football. Just know that I'm going to have my busy husband home for a few hours to visit with while he watches the game and eats the goodies I'll make for him.

Yesterday we went on a date - just the two of us - to watch the women's hockey at Dartmouth. They won 4 to 2. It was their seniors game as their last 3 games are away... It was fun and we realized we had achieved another milestone. Emma is now 16 :( and is going to be driving herself as soon as she gets her 4 hours of driving time with her driver's ed teacher. We will be free - no pick ups from practice or going to the store or friends houses. Ashley is 20 and soon to be on her own. MJ is 18 and a senior and is moving forward in her life. We are almost at the empty nest stage and it's wonderful to know that Mike and I still like to spend time together and have fun doing things together.

Hope you all stay warm and those of you down south can dig out from the snow that I didn't miss for a second!

How Time Flies...

2010-01-31T11:13:00.001-05:00

when you're freezing your butt off in Vermont in the winter. Working my fingers to the bones trying to get more afghans and scarves done... too cold, too many things to do and way too cold. Or did I already say that?

15% of the profits from what I sell on my web site go to local rescues. It's may way to help out and feed my animals at the same time.

Visit the site... www.TheHappyHookerVt.com and see if there is anything there that you are interested in. Have a few special orders that I am trying to fill, so not taking any other orders right now.

Hope you all are staying warm. Vet will be out this week as Tommy is still lame and I don't know what is going on. Done everything I know how to do and he still isn't better. This is very frustrating.

Stay warm - don't cuddle too close to the wood stove - it melts the yarn!

The Joy of Living in Vermont in Winter Time

2010-01-13T12:23:00.003-05:00

I hate winter. Big news flash, huh? I have made that abundantly clear over the last year. Not only am I allergic to dust, hay, horses, chickens, etc. I now find out that I am have asthmatic allergic reaction to ~ insert drum roll here ~ COLD. No way. This is so unfair.

So, here I am last night, trying to bend over and clean Tommy's foot to see what is making him limp, with my scarf hanging down in my eyes, my glasses fogging up, and Tommy sniffing at my butt. I hope you all are laughing right now. I wasn't at the time because I couldn't breathe because it was only 17 degrees in the barn. I was also interfering with his dinner. I would think that if you have 4 legs, you could eat plenty fine on three. There was a small protest until he figured out three were better than two and kept munching on.

Tommy's foot is fine, as far as I could tell, but cleaned it well and put some kopertox on it just in case. Don't know if it smelled funky as I couldn't smell anything if you paid me. Could smell the kopertox after that spilled on my glove. Yuck. Bleck.

I'm headed out in a few minutes to soak his foot in epsom salt and warm water, then will dry it really good and do my famous dressing on it. It consists of putting a cushioned pad in a diaper then duct tape it, wrapping it all up on his hoof. That helps keep whatever is in his foot wicking away while keeping it completely contained and dried. If this doesn't work in a day or so I will have to call out the vet to get a further evaluation.

I do know it is not founder, or a nail or staple or anything like that. It looks good except maybe a little bit of thrush around the frog.

I'll bring my inhaler with me (which I totally don't get, by the way ... why would I use an inhaler to open my breathing passages when I don't want to inhale more COLD air????)

This is why I dream of South Carolina this time of year. I am working on getting everything ready to head south next month, but not sure that I'm going to get it all together for as soon as I want it... but it WILL happen!

Out to the barn... too bad breathing is so mandatory to live... gasp... gotta stop laughing, also, as I run out of breath.....

Back from the Dead

2010-01-11T13:25:00.002-05:00

Well, back from the dead. Up and working on the computer today. Not going outside if I can help it - ran out for just two minutes to let the horses out and sneak the eggs away from the chickens. Left the chickens inside as it is way too cold out. It was only 17 degrees at 9 am when I went out. Have the wood stoves cranking out the heat today. Love living in a house that has almost no insulation.

At least I have my voice today - still coughing up a storm. I need to move some place that is much warmer than here - or get a covered walk way to the barn. My bones ache and my lungs are killing me. Only 4 more months of this crappy weather to go :(

If there were only one strain of flu...

2010-01-10T21:05:00.001-05:00

I've been on the couch all day. I'm sicker than sick. So much for the H1N1, flu and pneumonia shot. I got the only strain they don't immunize against. Bleck.

Eating chicken soup and drinking hot ice tea.

Going to lay on the couch and watch my head explode every time I cough up a lung.

Prayers, but no phone calls. Lost my voice, too.

Argh. Hope I feel better tomorrow.

Update on Tommy!

2010-01-05T21:30:00.010-05:00

Ok, let's do a photo trip through the rehabilitation of an emaciated horse... Remember, Tommy, the 12 year old Quarter Horse? The first picture is taken the beginning of May...

Now, in the middle of June, here is what a few groceries and a good worming does for him...

Here he is in September, the day he came to me. He looks much better!

Well, a new year has begun, and with it a new life for a horse! Tommy is totally recovered and ready for riding. Here he is January 1st!

He's doing so good! And is such a sweetheart! He has gained about 350 pounds.

I Hung Up My Bridle Today

2009-12-22T19:46:00.003-05:00

by Kris Garrett

Yesterday, for the first time, I was too tired to ride.
Yesterday, for the first time, I was afraid I would be hurt if I was thrown.
Yesterday, for the first time, I heard someone say my barn was too shabby.
Yesterday, for the first time, I let someone tell me I was too pudgy to ride.
Yesterday, for the first time, I realized I was old.
Yesterday, for the first time, I had to face that I could no longer keep up.
Yesterday, for the first time, I had to let go of my dreams.
Yesterday, for the first time, I felt my heart break.
Yesterday, for the first time, I turned my back on my friend.
Yesterday, for the first time, I knew I was done.

Today, for the last time, I felt warm, braided leather in my hands.
Today, for the last time, I ran my stirrups up so they wouldn't bang my mare's sides.
Today, for the last time, I released the buckles on the girth and watched my girl sigh.
Today, for the last time, I slowly dropped the bit so it wouldn't hit her teeth.
Today, for the last time, I gave my mare a cookie to thank her for the ride.
Today, for the last time, I buried my head in her soft, warm neck.
Today, for the last time, I inhaled the sun and the dust in her long winter coat.
Today, for the last time, I closed the gate and trudged to the muddy porch.
Today, for the last time, I tracked hay and horse hair into my house.
Today, for the last time, I pulled off my boots and felt the sting of warm blood returning to my cold toes.

Today, for the first time, I cried after my ride.
Today, for the first time, I felt my hands shake as I set the saddle on its rack.
Today, for the first time, I hugged my young trainer a final goodbye.
Today, for the first time, I waited for the new owner's trailer to arrive.
Today, for the first time, I set my boots in a box to go to the Goodwill.
Today, for the first time, I sighed at the wear on my riding gloves.
Today, for the first time, I had no hay in my hair.
Today, for the first time, I did not hear nickering when I opened my back door.
Today, for the first time, I felt worse leaving the barn that I did when I entered.
Today, for the first time, I had no one to check on before going to bed.

Tomorrow, for the first time, I won't have to buy hay.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I can stay in bed longer.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I won't see the poop pile grow.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I won't be able to fly on four legs.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be sorry I listened.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will regret letting her go.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be angry at God.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be angry at myself.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will cry the day away.
Tomorrow, for the first time, I will be glad to die.

Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will awaken in tears.
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will know I was wrong.
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will defy all the judgment.
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will ignore my old bones.
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will return the buyer's check.
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will bring my friend home.
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will take my boots out of the box.
Day after tomorrow, for the first time, I will be reborn.

For the rest of my life, I will have a horse in my yard.
For the rest of my life, I will ignore the ignorant judging.
For the rest of my life, I will watch the poop pile grow.
For the rest of my life, I will have hay in my hair.
For the rest of my life, I will track mud in my house.
For the rest of my life, I will bury my face in her soft neck.
For the rest of my life, I will let my soul fly.
For the rest of my life, I will never be alone.

Houdini no more

2009-12-06T14:27:00.000-05:00

Fixing fence in the snow :( electrical tape, lowered the top strand, keeping an eye out... he's been outside for 2 hours now, but still in the fence. Mingo is picking on him every time he tries to find a way out... keeps him from thinking about escaping too much.

Winter and snow in vermont. Brrrr, it's cold and there is just enough wind blowing to make it a little bit worse. The bird tucked her blanket inside her cage and was shivering under it, so started the wood stove in the living room. GOing to finish plasticing the windows today if the tape will #*^%@&& stick.

Ohy, vey, it's a never ending battle....

Smokey-Houdini Contained....

2009-12-03T12:38:00.003-05:00

Ah, the great escape artist, Smokey, is cooling his heels in the barn, under barn arrest. He is NOT staying where he belongs. Which is INSIDE the fence. So, the best thing to keep him safe from the road that runs along one lllooonnnnggg side of the property is to keep him contained where I know he will be safe. In the barn.

Poor Smokey. He keeps sticking his head out the window and hollering to the other horses about how mean his Mom is... I don't have any sympathy for him. Even though the fence is zapping him - he has a couple of small marks on his front legs where he zapped himself getting out - he continues to crawl through the fence.

So, the boys are hanging their heads in the stall window to keep him company and, I swear, laughing at him as they run around the field. Even letting him out for a few minutes while I clean his stall leads to an escape. So, into the other stall during cleaning time. Different four walls, but four walls just the same.

Short of putting up a wooden fence, and we know how well construction is this time of year with the weather, etc, or putting another strand of electric fence up around the whole field, which I probably will need to do, h e is driving me to distraction...

Another day, another great escape...

2009-11-24T23:17:00.002-05:00

Ah, Smokey is at it again.... this time, when I let him out, I stayed in the barn where I could see him but he could not see me. And I watched him for about an hour... torture, I know. Sitting in the barn in the warm sun, watching my horses graze on what little grass there is left and the hay I threw out for them... then, it happened. Smokey went over to the corner of the fence, got on his knees and went under the top strand. The bottom strand was broken. Either by him or the deer or moose that cross the pasture in the middle of the night. (One of the main reasons I put my boys in every night.)

So, went out to get the little sunshine... put him in his stall. And fixed fence. And fixed more fence.

Then let the little turkey back out. And zapped him with the fixed fence. Ok, okay, before anyone calls the Constable, I just let him go up to the fence and he zapped himself. But I made sure it was a good one.

SO, after another hour or two, he was still in the fence where he belonged. Crisis averted. For the meantime, at least... so, no little pony running up the road in the middle of the night.

Sleep good, Smokey. And Stay in the FENCE!!!

The Great, Amazing Escape Artist... Houdini? No, SMOKEY!

2009-11-22T14:06:00.002-05:00

Smokey, the amazing escape artist, has done it again... He was in for a week while I fixed fence and got the zapper stronger. Came home this afternoon, and he was at the neighbor's house mowing the lawn. Thank God the neighbor is in Maryland until December 2nd. So, he's back in the stall with access to the other horses, but not in the electric fence. Sigh. Back to the drawing board. I'm going out to clean stalls later so will hook him out on a long lead rope. Little bugger. Going to have to figure this one out sooner rather than later. He had been running up the road at night so don't even want to think about letting him out after dark.

Sigh. Nothing better to do with my time than try and corral a little pony who can scoot under the fencing. And his hair is long enough to make the zap seem not so bad. You would think with a 20 acre steer fencer on 2 acres of land that it would encourage him to stay in, but I guess not.

Off to the barn I go - again...

What a Great Weekend!

2009-11-17T01:09:00.003-05:00

Equine Affair was WONDERFUL! There was so much to see and so many things to learn. And shopping... was there ever shopping to be done. I wasn't looking for anything and just enjoyed walking aroudn, seeing the clinics and the Versatile Rider Competition. Four days with NO kids, NO animals, NO husband, NO work, NO schedule... it was my four days of vacation!!!

So, after watching a few of the clinicians, watch out Mingo... I have new ways of training and working with the horses.

Am looking foward to next year already....

Equine Affair, here we come....

2009-11-11T15:32:00.002-05:00

Getting excited!!! Headed out to Equine Affair tomorrow morning at 7 am. Be back Sunday.

Good thing I got the day off from work due to Veterans Day - Thanks to all the men and women who work and gave so much to make it free for me and everyone else to express themselves and be free.

So, if you don't hear from me for a couple of days, I'll be back, full of information and ideas from a great list of people who know way more about horses than I would ever hope to learn....

If you are going, enjoy! If not, stay tuned....

Lynn :)

'Tis a Sad Day, Indeed...

2009-11-09T13:07:00.003-05:00

Hi, all. My friend, Kate, lost one of her most trusted horses in her horse program I have been helping with. Ellie was injured mysteriously about 1 1/2 months ago. Her injuries were healing well, but then she began having neurological issues. Yesterday, Ellie was unable to stand, so Kate, her vet, Susan, and I were with her while the vet helped her on her last journey.

Kate is devastated. This is the horse that all the beginners worked with. The horse that introduced people to the horse partners program I have been working with all summer. Her granddaughter, Paige, is especially close to Ellie and wanted to be with her in the end, but time wise it was not going to happen.

Please send well wishes and prayers or warm, comforting thoughts Kate and Paige's way. While the shock and loss are so fresh, the caring will certaily help them.

Dear Ellie - rest in peace and enjoy your freedom from the complications that affected you. You will be missed and we will never be able to replace you.

Preparing for Winter....

2009-11-02T10:50:00.002-05:00

It's here.... leaves are knee high under the maple trees, leaving their naked trees to shudder in the wind and cold. The horses are turning into fuzzy monsters. The chickens are huddled under the lamp at night. The turkeys are getting big - won't be long now before they are the centerpiece of Thanksgiving dinner.

Trying to wrap up the outside - storing the pool, cleaning out the garden, raking the leaves, setting up winter fences.

Sigh. This time of year is so depressing for me. I have to sit by the morning window to soak in the sun with my coffee to keep the goonies at bay.

The wood stove is cranking and I don't have enough hay in the barn for the whole winter.

Equine Affair is right around the corner (YEAH!!!) and I'm making plans for my winter trip to South Carolina in February.

Hay is ordered and will be delivered. Have two ponies and 3 horses for the winter. Tommy is gaining weight well. Mingo has completely recovered from his trailering incident. Smokey and Abner are chunky little ponies who are on a restriced diet. Leo will be here in the middle of November and will likely stay through April.

Knock on wood, no snow yet. But have had a layer of ice on the stock tanks a few mornings last month.

Sending away for Tommy's testing for HYPP and will report on his status.

Get out your winter long johns and your warm, wooly pajamas and throw some more wood on the fire. It's just starting and it's going to be a long one....

Exercises for Becoming a Better Equestrian....

2009-10-26T00:04:00.002-04:00

10. Drop a heavy steel object on your foot. Shout,"get off, get off!"

9. Leap out of a moving vehicle and practice "relaxing into the fall". Roll lithely into a ball and spring to your feet.

8. Learn to grab your checkbook out of your purse and write a $200.00 dollar check without even looking down!

7. Jog long distances carrying a halter and carrot. Go ahead and tell your neighbors what your doing - they might as well know now!

6. Affix a pair of reins to a moving freight train and practice pulling to a halt. Smile as if your having fun.

5. Hone your fibbing skills, "See hon, moving hay bales is FUN!" and "No really, I'm glad your lucky performance and multimillion dollar horse won the blue ribbon. I am just thankful that my hard work and actual ability won me second place."

4. Sprinkle your hair and jacket with hay, completing your outfit as if you had been to the barn.

3. Borrow the US army's slogan; Be All You Can Be - bitten, thrown, kicked, slimed, trampled, frozen, wet...

2. Lie down in a puddle of mud in your most expensive riding cloths and repeat to yourself, "this is a learning experience, this is a learning experience, this is...."

1. The number one exercise to become a better equestrian- Marry money!

The Horse . Com Les Sellnow, October 10, 2001 HYPP

2009-10-18T22:57:00.003-04:00

HYPP: Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis
by: Les Sellnow, October 10 2001, Article # 725
http://www.thehorse.com/

They gave the muscular Quarter Horse colt an ambitious name: Impressive. He lived up to the name in such dramatic fashion that it became a household word in Quarter Horse circles - especially among breeders and exhibitors involved in showing halter horses.

Impressive sons and daughters were big, bold, and beautiful with defined musculature. They took the halter show ring by storm, racking up championships from one part of the country to another. Just as quickly, sons and daughters of the great stallion were in demand for breeding programs.

Then, the Impressive ship hit the sand.

A number of owners of Impressive offspring and second- and third-generation descendants of the stallion reported that some of these horses seemed to have acquired a muscle disease. Some would exhibit muscle tremors and with others there was even paralysis.

Enter Sharon Spier, DVM, PhD, an associate professor of the Department of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of California, Davis. Spier led the effort by researchers to find out more about the disease and what caused it. The project began in 1989 and was funded by the American Quarter Horse Association.

The results of that research produced a bombshell for the Quarter Horse industry. Spier and her associates reported that the disease involved was Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis, known industry-wide today by the acronym HYPP.

Merely identifying the disease and the way it functioned, however, was not the bombshell. The bombshell came when it was reported that every single horse found with the disease traced to one stallion--Impressive.

The researcher's report was published in the September 1992 issue of The Quarter Horse Journal, but Impressive was not identified by name. In the months that followed, there were rumors, speculation, and widespread concern within the industry.

The AQHA issued an official statement in the December 1992 issue of the Quarter Horse Journal, but it only fueled the flames. The statement said only that the disease affected a small percentage of the total horses registered by AQHA, and that it appeared to be limited to individuals from one bloodline. It further said that most of the individuals affected were bred for halter competition.

That issue of the magazine had already gone to press when Spier appeared on the program Nov. 30, 1992, at the annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. In answer to a question that followed her presentation on HYPP, she identified Impressive as the only bloodline that carried the mutant gene which causes HYPP.

The issue was now out in the open, and the Quarter Horse industry began to grapple with it. By the time research traced the disease back to him, Impressive had been siring foals for the better part of two decades, and his many descendants, now into the second and third generations, had become the mainstays of numerous breeding programs. Approximately 100,000 horses today carry the name Impressive in their pedigrees.

What is this disease that threatens to overshadow the show ring breeding legacy of such a great horse?

Spier has described it thusly:

"Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis is a muscular disease that affects both horses and humans. It is caused by a hereditary genetic defect that disrupts a protein called a sodium ion channel, a tiny gateway in the membrane of muscle cells. The genetic defect disrupts the channel's normal opening and closing, such that uncontrolled sodium influxes occur. These influxes, in turn, change the voltage current of muscle cells, causing uncontrolled muscle twitching or profound muscle weakness. High levels of potassium in the blood usually are present when the disruptions in the ion channel occur.

"Horses with HYPP can experience unpredictable attacks of paralysis which, in severe cases, can lead to collapse and sudden death. The cause of death usually is cardiac arrest and/or respiratory failure. The disease is characterized by intermittent episodes of muscle tremors manifested by generalized or localized shaking, trembling, and weakness.

"Occasionally, episodes are accompanied by respiratory noises resulting from paralysis of the muscles of the upper airway (larynx and pharynx). In cases of mild attacks, muscle tremors may be so subtle as to be detectable only by an experienced clinician performing EMG testing."
The disease, Spier further reported, was caused by a mutant gene.

"The original genetic defect causing HYPP was a natural mutation that occurred as part of the evolutionary process. The majority of such mutations, which are constantly occurring, are not compatible with survival. However, the genetic mutation causing HYPP produced a functional, yet altered, sodium ion channel. This gene mutation is not a product of inbreeding. The gene mutation causing HYPP inadvertently became widespread when breeders sought to produce horses with heavy musculature."

There is a bit of good news amongst all this. Spier and her associates made history when they were able to identify HYPP with DNA testing. HYPP is the first genetic disease that can be identified by a DNA test, and it is extremely reliable.

The American Quarter Horse Association, which struggled with how best to handle the disease in the early going, has now taken firm and definitive steps aimed at identifying and controlling it.
Following the 1996 AQHA convention in Seattle, Bill Brewer, executive director, announced the new rules set forth by the association's board of directors.

He had this to say:

"Beginning with the 1997 AQHA Official Handbook, HYPP will be listed in rule 205 among conditions commonly considered undesirable traits or genetic defects, such as parrot mouth or cryptorchidism. These conditions do not prevent a horse from being used as breeding stock or from participating in AQHA-approved events, subject to rules of the individual event.
"Beginning with 1998 foals, the rule requires the following notification to be placed on the registration certificates of foals descending from any bloodline determined to carry the HYPP gene: 'This horse has an ancestor known to carry HYPP, designated under AQHA rules as a genetic defect. AQHA recommends testing to confirm presence or absence of this gene.' "
Beginning in 1999, AQHA will test all foals that trace to Impressive for HYPP. The testing will be required prior to the foals being registered.

However, if the parents have tested negative for HYPP, the testing of the offspring might not be required.

Because HYPP is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait, it can occur in both males and females and is inherited from generation to generation with equal frequency. It does not get diluted out in succeeding generations.

In four years of testing for genetic mutation between October of 1992 and 1996, more than 27,000 samples were tested for HYPP. Of that group, 63% were normal (NN), 36% were heterozygous for HYPP (NH), and 1% were homozygous (HH).

Being heterozygous means the horse carries one copy of the HYPP gene. Being homozygous means the horse carries two copies of the gene.

Breeding an affected heterozygous horse to a normal horse, says Spier, will result in approximately 50% normal offspring, while 50% will carry the defective gene. Breeding an affected homozygote will result in all offspring carrying the gene mutation, regardless of the status of the other parent.

Normal negative offspring can be safely bred without fear of HYPP being inherited, unless, of course, they are bred to a horse that is positive. Thus, selective breeding of normal, negative horses to others that are also negative could entirely eliminate HYPP.

How can researchers be so sure that only the Impressive bloodline carries the mutant gene? First, they will only say that to date they have not found the troublesome gene in any other bloodline. However, one study pretty much solidified the already existing evidence.

Stored blood samples from 6,000 horses received between January of 1989 and December of 1991 that were on file in conjunction with blood-typing requirements of AQHA were available at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of California, Davis. All samples were from horses bred and foaled before the availability of a genetic test for HYPP.

Following is the researcher's report:

"We used a computer program to choose, at random, 1,000 samples from the 6,000 available to test for the HYPP gene mutation. The samples were primarily from breeding stallions, but were otherwise not selected for bloodlines. Among the 1,000 samples, 22 were Thoroughbred (16 males and six females) and 978 were from Quarter Horses (882 males and 96 females). The foaling year with the largest number of tested horses was 1983 (109 horses).

"Forty-three horses (42 males and one female) tested positive for a single copy of the HYPP gene. No homozygotes were detected. All of the positive horses were Quarter Horses and all traced to the stallion Impressive as first-, second-, or third-generation descendants...

"The first foaling year with an HYPP-positive horse was 1977. The foaling years with the highest frequency of HYPP positives occurred between 1984 and 1987, for which the average frequency of positives per year over those four years was 10%.

"Among the 1,000 tested horses, 100 traced by pedigree to the stallion Impressive. All of the N/H (heterozygous) horses were Quarter Horses and all traced to Impressive as first-, second-, or third-generation descendants.

"This information provides substantial evidence to confirm that Impressive is the major, if not only, pedigree source of the HYPP gene in Quarter Horses, as proposed in previous studies...

"The overall frequency of HYPP positive among the Impressive subset was 43%. This frequency is much higher than expected if breeding stock is randomly selected with respect to HYPP from pedigrees tracing to Impressive.

"It is in the range of values expected, for example, from a set of matings in which one parent in every breeding pair was N/H. Since the majority of horses in this sample set that traced to Impressive were second- or third-generation descendants, for which only 50% or 25%, respectively, of breeding pairs could be expected to have one parent positive for the trait, the frequency of HYPP-positive horses is clearly higher than expected.

"From these data, we conclude the HYPP gene is infrequent among registered Quarter Horses, although its occurrence is substantially linked to pedigrees tracing to Impressive."

Unfortunately, horses do not outgrow HYPP. They are affected for life, but it does appear that symptoms might decrease with age. The disease also appears to be associated with periods of stress, such as being hauled, intensive training, dietary changes, illness or disease, general anesthesia, or the beginning of a training program which changes the afflicted horse's normal lifestyle.

Spier and her associates maintain, however, that HYPP in horses can be managed and incidents of mortality significantly reduced by proper diet and the administration of medication. It is their belief that horses afflicted with HYPP, if properly managed, can lead productive, useful lives.

The first step, obviously, is to have the disease properly diagnosed via the highly reliable DNA test. At present five laboratories meet AQHA requirements for conducting the test--University of California, Davis, the Oklahoma Blood Institute, Shelterwood Labs, Mann Equitest Labs, and NWS Agriculture. Contact the AQHA at 806-376-4811 for a request form for a hair collection kit. The AQHA no longer uses blood samples for testing. The test costs $35.

Following are management practices suggested by researchers that will assist in the control of HYPP:

1. Establish a regular feeding and exercise schedule. Avoid fasting and water deprivation. Horses do better if allowed access to a paddock or pasture rather than strict stall confinement. Daily or nightly turnout is helpful.

2. Adult horses do very well on grass or oat hay alone or pasture. If it is necessary to use alfalfa to balance the ration for growing horses, then mix alfalfa with grass hay or oat hay and grain (oats are best) to decrease potassium content of diet. Feed equal amounts of hay and grain two or three times daily. Avoid rapid changes in diet. Provide access to a white salt block or feed loose salt.

3. Administer acetazolamide (Diamox), a diuretic (2 mg/kg orally twice a day). Many halter horse owners continue alfalfa hay as the only roughage, but maintain their horses on this drug for all or most of their lives. (Please note, the researchers caution, thatacetazolamide is a forbidden substance under AQHA and AHSA regulations.)

4. Inform your veterinarian of HYPP condition prior to any general anesthesia, which might precipitate an episode of paralysis. Maintain acetazolamide therapy before and after surgery or anesthesia.

5. Use common sense while hauling. Be sure to stop and water horses frequently (every two hours).

The researchers also have suggestions for dealing with a horse which suffers a mild attack (when the horse is not down, but has muscle tremors). One or more of the following emergency treatments are recommended for mild attacks:

1. Exercise the horse, either by walking or longing. Exercise stimulates adrenaline, which helps replace potassium inside cells. However, one should use caution as the horse could stumble and fall while having muscle tremors.

2. Feed grain (oats, dry corn-oats-barley, or light Karo syrup) for glucose supplement. Feeding carbohydrates supplies glucose, which stimulates the release of insulin and promotes potassium uptake by cells.

3. Administer acetazolamide orally (3 mg/kg). This usually means six to eight tablets if the tablets are 250 mg each. Acetazolamide increases potassium excretion from the kidney and also affects glucose metabolism.

For severe attacks, the immediate procedure is obvious--call the veterinarian.

Another basic question surfaces: Is it dangerous to ride a horse known to carry the HYPP gene? After all, it already has been determined that episodes of weakness or paralysis are unpredictable.

Research on this subject also was carried out at the University of California, Davis. Nine horses, five of which had tested positive as heterozygous carriers of HYPP and four which were negative, completed four exercise trials using a high-speed treadmill at both aerobic and anaerobic intensities. The tests were carried out with and without the use of acetazolamide therapy.

The near-maximal exercise test consisted of a warm-up followed by two minutes of strenuous galloping. The submaximal exercise test consisted of 30 minutes of slow trotting at 60% maximal effort as determined by measurements of heart rate.

The results were upbeat, even though three of the five horses had episodes of muscle tremors during the rest period following exercise.

Here is what the researchers said:

"From this study, we can advise owners of affected horses that the chance of a paralytic episode occurring while the horse is being exercised appears unlikely.

"However, we did observe episodes of muscle tremors in the rest period after exercise. We recommend that only persons experienced with the symptoms handle and ride affected horses, and to use caution if any abnormal clinical signs are observed. Acetazolamide therapy decreased the appearance of clinical signs following exercise in two of the three horses which had episodes of muscle tremors during the rest period."

The researchers have done their part and are continuing to do it. They have identified the disease and have come up with a nearly foolproof test to determine whether a horse carries the mutant gene. They have also established procedures for dealing with afflicted equines so that they can be useful throughout their lives.

The rest is up to the breeders and owners of these afflicted horses. If they carry out sound breeding programs that do not include breeding HYPP carriers, the disease will be eradicated and Impressive-line horses which are free of HYPP can continue to shine and proliferate.

(Lynn here: The bold and italics are mine. It's absolutely unforgiveable that this could be extremely eradicated if it weren't for the $$$$ signs in the eys of the Quarter Horse world. Shame on anyone who is continuing to breed any horses that test h/h or n/h for this genetic mutation. This was first reported years ago. The article above was written in 2001. We need more people to do testing and stop breeding those that have the mutation.)

Tommy is awaiting test results. I took his samples and have shipped them to the lab in California. (Or they will be in first thing tomorrow morning.) Then I will know what to do.

Lost and Found: Local Tracking Dog Saves The Day For Escaped Horse

2009-10-08T20:54:00.003-04:00

South Woodstock, Vermont
By Gareth Henderson
Vermont Standard Staff Reporter

A one-year-old tracking dog from South Woodstock, named Shiloh, has been trained for human search and rescue. But Shiloh and his owner, Lalita Karoli, had no idea this dog's skills would help save a horse last weekend.

Odyssey, a 16-year-old black Morgan horse, was missing in the woods for two days and was found on Sunday in Bridgewater, Vermont. He was upright and uninjured except for a bruise on his back and a slight cut on his hind leg.

Owner, Eunice, of Charlotte, Vermont, praised the Green Mountain Horse Association for their help.

"They mounted a very rapid and professional response."

She was also grateful for the search party led by Shiloh last Sunday. The team traversed difficult forested terrain for four hours to find the lost horse.

This dramatic story began during GMHA's fall foliage rides last week. On Friday, at around 11 a.m., Froeliger dismounted her horse, Odyssey, when he became flighty. Froeliger tried to lead him away, but the horse took off across a field. GMHA staff used vehicles and ATV's to search for the animal in remote areas over the next two days.

"A lot of people went out looking on Friday and Saturday," said GMHA Marketing and Horse Trials Manager Molly Hutchings. "We posted fliers in all of the general stores" and in Plymouth, Reading, Bridgewater and Killington.

GMHA also contacted the Vermont Horse Council, which sent out an e-mail to its extensive state network. The South Woodstock Fire Department, Woodstock Police and Bridgewater Rescue were also notified. Odyssey had last been seen entering the woods on Keeling Road.

However, by Saturday night, there were no further sightings. At that point, Ashley Packenham arranged a search party with eight hikers, led by Karoli's tracking dog, Shiloh. Froeliger and her husband, Robert, also joined the search. Packenham and Karoli emphasized that only professionals should undertake such efforts. The search party was essentially experienced hikers and outdoors experts led by a tracker and her trained dog. The stage was set for an intensive search once the party received permission from the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department, the Vermont State Police and landowners Teresa Fullerton, John Connors and Peter Behr. Veterinarians Sandi Silva and Jeff Oney and tracker Harold Hutt were all on stand-by. South Woodstock Fire Chief Chip Kendall supplied radios to GMHA so they could keep in touch with the search party every half-hour.

The search party set out from Keeling Road at about 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Karoli opened up a plastic bag with items carrying Odyssey's scent. All Shiloh needed was a sniff.

"I gave him the scent and said, 'Find it,' and he immediately was on the trail and dragging me," Karoli said.

Packenham said it was basically non-stop jogging throughout the morning.

"Literally we jogged through the woods for about four hours, stopping only for a small drink of water."

The distance was about 12 miles, Karoli guessed.

"I had to run a half-marathon in four hours, and so did the whole party."

The wet conditions in the woods made the search more difficult, but Shiloh was able to find tracks. The hikers put surveyor's tape on trees to mark their trail (which they removed later). Shiloh took the search party back and forth over the same terrain several times, since a lost horse often paces in different directions.

Shiloh and the team eventually came to the top of Old Baldy Hill, very close to the Calvin Coolidge State Park. Shiloh still had the scent and was pacing in an area near a steep raving. The party was thinking about following the scent down the slope, when Rick Walker, who hiked these woods as a child, saw two definite horse tracks nearby. There was also a spot where the vegetation was depressed and where Odyssey might have laid down. Shiloh became even more intense, with his whole body skimming the earth. At that point, the search had lasted over three hours, and it was time to tell the back-up tracker, Harold Hutt, that everyone was okay.

"Around noon, part of the party went back, and the five of us went forward to follow the track that Shiloh was indicating," Karoli said.

Shiloh was hot on Odyssey's trail and followed the scent further into the woods. Shiloh paced back and forth for a while and eventually found the horse at about 1 p.m. The impressive animal stood in the dense forest with his saddle hanging under his belly. Odyssey still wore a red bridle over his majestic black coat, though he had shed his reins.

"It was a magnificent creature," Karoli said. "He was standing in the shadows of the forest. His head was at half-staff and he was very tired."

Odyssey's owners Eunice and Robert Froeliger approached their horse that had been stuck in the cold, wet forest for two days.

"(Robert) had tears in his eyes," Karoli recalled.

And then there was the most touching moment in the entire ordeal.

"Shiloh got on his back feet and licked the horse on the mouth," Karoli said.

The search team walked another 30 to 40 minutes to a dirt trail that led to Curtis Hollow Road in Bridgewater. Paul Kendall of the Kedron Valley Stables arranged for Odyssey to be picked up at the intersection of Curtis Hollow Road and Route 4 and brought back to GMHA.

The entire search party that found Odyssey included Shiloh, Lalita Karoli, Claude Victor, Ashley Packenham, Gene Limlaw, Ray Johnson, Rich Walker, Victoria Thrane, Bob Anderson and Eunice and Robert Frolinger. Deborah Donahue, the trails coordinator for GMHA, kept in touch with the search party by radio every half-hour. The Froeligers were also critical to the search, since Eunice knew Odyssey's habits and the places he would venture or avoid.

The party's leader, Shiloh, is a one-year-old Plott hound. These fearless dogs have been used to track bears in the forest. In the southern United States, police have used Plott hounds to track escaped convicts.

Shiloh is currently being trained for human search and rescue. Last weekend's search was his first time tracking a horse. To his credit, Shiloh was not at all distracted by moose tracks on the trail or any possible bear scent he might have picked up. He was on Odyssey's trail for four hours and covered plenty of ground in the 21,000-acre state park.

Shiloh and his owners, Lalita Karoli and Claude Victor, train dogs at Woodstock Pet Care Services and are members of the Vermont Tracking Club.

Woo-hoo! Way to go. Glad to hear good news every once in a while!

Only Horse People....

2009-10-06T02:18:00.000-04:00

* Believe in the 11th Commandment: Inside leg to outside rein.
* Know that all topical medications come in either indelible blue or neon yellow.
* Think nothing of eating a sandwich after mucking out stalls.
* Know why a thermometer has a yard of yarn attached to one end of it.
* Are banned from Laundromats.
* Fail to associate whips, chains and leather with sexual deviancy
* Can magically lower their voices five octaves to bellow at a pawing horse.
* Have a language all their own ("If he pops his shoulder, I have to close that hand and keep pushing with my seat in case he sucks back".)
* Will end relationships over their hobby.
* Cluck to their cars to help them up hills.
* Insure their horses for more than their cars.
* Will give you 20 names and reasons for that bump on your horse.
* Know more about their horse's nutrition than their own.
* Have neatsfoot oil stains on the carpet right next to the TV.
* Have a vocabulary that can make a sailor blush.
* Have less wardrobe than their horse.
* Engage in a hobby that is more work than their day job.
* Know that mucking stalls is better then Zoloft any day.

And then there was Water!

2009-10-04T22:59:00.002-04:00

Wow. We have been at our house for 8 years yesterday. And I have always dreamed of having water in the barn. When my husband asked me to buy a frost-free hydrant so he could put water in the barn for me, I immediately ran to Home Depot and picked one up.

Only to discover, once we started digging in the cement, that there was water to the barn - and IT WORKED! We just needed to get a new faucet and run the dust out of the hose.

So, tonight when I was cleaning stalls and filling water buckets, guess what??!?!? I didn't have to run the hose from the house to fill the buckets. I got to fill the water from the hose in the barn!!!

Way too cool!

Headed off tomorrow to attend a Animal Cruelty Task Force Training for Large Animals. It's going to be a long day - I have to leave my house at 7 am and won't be home until after 6.

It's the third training I have attended and this one will be good as it specifically deals with the large animal rescue and reporting.

Have a Good Night

HYPP in Quarter Horses - what is it...

2009-10-03T18:56:00.004-04:00

Tommy, the rescued quarter horse who was in earlier this week, has Impressive in his blood line. What does this mean? I've done some research on google and the horse.com . It is a genetic abnormality that is passed down . It was traced back to a single Quarter Horse named Impressive. (Personally, I think he looks like a hippo on steroids...)

It's a simple and easy fix. Except for one thing. It would cost people money. All the breeders of Quarter Horses and some Paint Horses would have to do is not breed any horse that is h/h or n/h for one generation. That's it. It is that simple. Only breed n/n horses.

The test isn't very hard. It only cost about $35.00. And it would save many people and animals much heartache.

Tommy is going to be tested. I am gathering the information I need and the hair sample that is necessary, along with the $35.00, to make sure I'm not going to be needing the assistance of a vet further down the road.

Do some research. The things I have read have made me cry. There is also a post on fuglyblog.com where this young man saved and worked and bought this horse, only to find that the horse is slowly deteriorating and will have to be euthanized.

Hmmm. All they would have to do is not breed any h/h or n/h horse for one generation to totally eradicate the disease.

Quit being so damn greedy and care for your horses more than you do your pocket books. Test your horses and don't breed any who are positive in any way. Stop this genetic disease at it's base. Quit your lame excuses of breeding 'just one more' and do what is right for the horse.

Argh....

Looking to Buy a Donkey?

2009-10-02T18:45:00.001-04:00

Please think before considering the purchase of a donkey.
1. Don't buy an intact jack to guard or as a pet. Unless you are an experienced breeder, buy a gelding or a jennet.
2. Don't buy just one, these are herd animals and need the companionship of their own kind, preferably the same sex as well.
3. Budget the cost of feed, shots and farrier care. Don't believe that donkeys can be let alone and not cared for. They just don't need as much food as horses.
4. Good quality food, not weeds and throwaway hay, please.
5.Don't use a mini donkey as a guard. Dogs can do great harm to a mini donkey.
6. Budget time to work with the donkeys, there is nothing more miserable than trying to help an injured animal that has not been worked with.
7. Consider the fact that donkeys may live to be 45 years old.
8. No pet is disposable, in my opinion.
I may have forgotten something, but I feel that these are valid points.
Thanks for looking, Mary, mom to 2 rescue donkeys and 2 rescue mules

from an ad on craigslist

Group Riding Etiquette

2009-09-30T12:23:00.003-04:00

Horseback Riding: Group Riding Etiquette
September 7, 2009
Learn how to keep you and your horse safe while riding with a group.
By Dennis Brouse

Manners are just as important — maybe even more important — while group riding as they are at the dinner table. There is nothing more aggravating or unsafe than someone who does not follow the rules of etiquette while riding the trails.

Here are the top 10 rules for being a courteous, safe and considerate trail rider:

1. The cardinal rule of group riding: Ride at the ability level of the least experienced rider or horse. If you have a new rider or a young, green horse in your group, do not ride too quickly or take trails that are too challenging for their comfort level and experience.

2. Keep at least one to two horse lengths between you and the horse in front of you. This will allow you to view the trail ahead and prevent your horse from being kicked.

3. If your horse is a known kicker, tie a red ribbon in his tail. This will alert any rider who comes up from behind that your horse may kick; however, never assume that all riders know what the red ribbon means. If an oncoming rider moves too close, let him or her know immediately that your horse may kick.

4. If you are the leader of the group, be watchful for trail hazards and relay them to those following you. Be specific when describing the hazard, such as: “Deep hole on the left side of the trail; stay to the right,” or “Watch out, there’s a low hanging limb ahead. Duck!”

5. Since many trails are designated as multi-use and are also enjoyed by those who hike, bike or ride ATVs, it is important to understand who yields to whom. As a general rule, all users should yield to horses. Be prepared for any reaction your horse may have to others. Always speak to those you meet with a simple “hello, there” or “good morning/afternoon” with the hope that they will return the greeting and your horse will recognize them as human and not be particularly alarmed by their backpacks, bicycles, etc! It is not discourteous to ask those you encounter to yield; however, it may be in everyone’s best interest if you move off of the trail to allow them to pass if they choose not to

6. When encountering others on a hill, the uphill group has the right of way and those going downhill should yield. Do not begin your descent if you see a group coming up. If you are already on the trail, safely move your horse off the trail with his hindquarters away from approaching traffic.

7. Always yield to oncoming groups that include children riders. Move off the trail and angle the hindquarters of your horse away from the trail.

8. When watering horses from a creek or other watering source, take turns and do not ride off until every horse has had an opportunity to drink. A thirsty horse will not drink if he is left behind.

9. If someone needs to dismount during the ride, everyone should stop and wait for the rider to remount before resuming the ride.

10. Be environmentally friendly. Carry out what you carry in. Do not ride off trail or cut across switchbacks unless it’s approved.

http://americashorsedaily.com/group-riding-etiquette/#more-8894

Then, I'll add another-

11. *One MAJOR courtesy that isn't covered is NEVER trot, canter OR gallop up behind or away from other horses. A horse running towards or away from them tells them there is danger and they may react accordingly!*

*As a side note, there are people I have ridden with in the last 12 years that I will NEVER ride with again. There are only three or four people I will ride my green-broke 7 year old paint morgan gelding with. Riding a green broke horse is never, ever a place to be worried about who you are riding with and what they might do.*

How to Rehabilitate a Emaciated Horse

2009-09-24T00:13:00.007-04:00

Remember the skinny horse we bought to rescue in May?

Well, here is what a few groceries and some good wormer will do in just 6 weeks. This was the middle of June....

Now, almost to the end of September .... this picture was taken this morning in the field at my house.

He still has a little way to go to be at the optimum weight. I'm going to hold off until spring to ride him. It's hard to put weight on a horse in winter, but he will be in the barn at night and have plenty of food and tlc.

So, some tips I have learned and read for feeding an emaciated horse.

1. If you don't know what you are doing, and you don't have someone who is experienced with this type of horse, please find someone who is and can help you. You can literally kill the horse with kindness and inexperience.

2. Go slow. Too much food will kill them. Literally.

3. Use the most easy wormer. Panacur is what we used. Follow the instructions of your vet. Killing too many worms off at once will colic them and kill them. You need to rotate your wormer and use a couple of different ones. Start slowly and build up to a regular routine as your 'normal' horses.

4. Be careful. A starved horse sometimes, usually has issues around food. They are aggressive because they want to get at the food and don't want to play nice. A flake of hay every 4 or 5 hours. I build up to ALWAYS have hay in front of them.

5. I grain two or three times a day - literally a cup at a time. Talk to your feed store employees and your vet to be sure you are giving them the proper feed for their age and their dietary needs.

6. This is draining. Financially, emotionally, physically. It takes not only tlc, food, wormer - but the vet, the farrier, the equine chiropractic, floating the teeth, the re-training. Depending on how degraded the body condition, the foot care, the teeth, the emotional well-being of the horse. It's a thankless job with tons of hours, money and tears. That is made all worth while with a single nuzzle and grateful nicker.

7. Age plays a big difference in the recovery and rehabilitation. Sometimes you do everything you can to ease the pain, fix the issues that can be fixed, only to have to make the hardest decision. Is it better for the horse to gently, peacefully end their suffering and pain - even thought it's going to financially and emotionally train wreck you? If you don't think you can make that decision, then, please, don't rescue a horse. Or any animal. Sometimes we can't fix them. Sometimes everything isn't enough.

Hmmm. I'm sure I've forgotten something. I usually do. I probably will read another account of a rescue and think, ah-ha... that's what I spaced.

But it's a good start. It's what I do - when I can afford to do it. Mostly with great results! This gelding is 12 years old and is recovering nicely. That makes some of the harder ones a little easier to accept. As much as we try to make every outcome a success, some of them are just not meant to be.

So, the good and the bad. However, I can't put into words the look of gratitude in the horses' eye. The feel of the whisper soft lips on your cheek. The contented sigh of a warm, fed, safe horse in his stall for the night.

I love my horses. :)

Summer is Over?

2009-09-08T12:38:00.002-04:00

Between the rain and the cool temperatures, we had about a week of warm summer weather. I was noticing the other day that there are already leaves changing to red and yellow on the trees. I really don't like this time of year. It's depressing to see everything dying and stop growing. And you know what is just around the corner. Snow and cold. Bleck.

Remember the emaciated gelding and mare I helped my cousin rescue earlier this year? Well, she is putting him up for sale, and, with my husbands blessing, I'm gong to pick him up on Saturday. So, I will be posting pictures as soon as he is here and settled in. I'm sure he will be getting nice and chunky - like all the others in my pasture.

It's that time of year. People are starting to dump horses left and right. Too many to count. Don't have hay in the barn, don't have money to feed them. Don't have time to take care of them now the kids are back in school. Too many excuses. Too many slackers out there that aren't taking their responsibilities seriously.

If you have horses, please commit to them for their life. Let them kn ow that they have a place to live until it's time to make the hard decision to put them down in peace and comfort.

If you know of a horse in need, please visit www.missyshopeerr.freehostia.com/ and list it with her. There are horses on the site from all over the country that are in need of homes. Scroll down the home page and they are listed (by state) on the pages. Too many pages.

Local rescues and humane society's also need help. If you can't have a horse and would like to help one out, I know that NONE of them would turn away a donation.

More pictures and updates soon! :)

Hay, hay, hay!

2009-09-02T22:17:00.002-04:00

It's been such a wonderful, sunny week. Been riding twice this week already, with rides planned Thursday and Saturday! Mingo is doing great. His face is mostly healed.

My friends horse was injured in an accident in the pasture and we don't know how it happened. Severely injured. And we can't find out what she was injured on. She is mostly past the serious stage part in her healing, but she has a long way to go before she is completely healed. She's a fighter and she is in great health. My friend is cleaning, soaking and packing/wrapping the wound twice a day. The meds are just tablets now, no more shots of antibiotics.

So, pray for her healing and continued path to getting better. She's a great asset to the program my friend does and one of the most used horses.

Enjoy your week and hope you all get out to enjoy the sunshine:)

When the turkeys are on the barn roof....

2009-09-01T23:51:00.002-04:00

Was sitting in my living room, check on my email. And cars were stopping on the road, pointing and looking. Oops - are the horses out again? Rushed out side to see what was going on. A few more cars slowed down. Couldn't figure out what they were looking for.

Then my daughter pointed at the roof of the barn. The darn turkeys were on the ridge of the roof, sliding down the sides and then flying back up to sit on the top. Think it might have been too hot for their feet up there and they were going up and down.

They are such idiots.

As soon as I figure out how to download all the pictures from my camera on this new computer, I will have pictures of the girls. And boys. And horses.

It's never dull around here.

:)

I'm Back..

2009-08-27T11:38:00.003-04:00

Well, guess I really have fallen behind. Things have been so hectic and stressful over the past month and a half that I don't quite know where to start.

My computer died. Thank you, my teenagers. Can you spell password protection? The truck broke down. Was fixed. Working at the Horse Partners Vt barn. Had to pick up a rescue horse in mid-Vermont for a rescue in Connecticut. I housed her at the barn where the mom I adopted used to live before she moved to South Carolina. No more mares at my barn. (Now doing chores and working at three barns for 1 1/2 weeks.) Working on re-homing Elias. Trying to make ethical and emotional decisions about Buddy. Adopted out one of the dogs, Mia. Mia decided she didn't want to leave, so escaped from their house and spent 6 days on the run. We drove over an hour, one way, two nights in a row to walk the woods, roads and back yard, setting up a crate with our dog blankets in it trying to entice her in. Set up a tent and planned on spending the night in it to get her. It worked. She's back home and staying.

Oh, yeah - and I still live with three teenagers. One who left for college last Friday. One who is a Senior in high school this year. And a sophomore who hasn't taken driver's ed yet. And a mostly understanding and supportive husband. I love him, just celebrated 20 years of marriage together, but he is still a full blooded american male. Sigh. You all get the picture.

We came to a decision about Buddy after many conversations with trusted horse people in my life and a long evaluation with the vet and Elias was adopted out on a trail basis. Buddy was gently laid to rest on the farm. Just after, a bald eagle and an immature bald eagle were flying over the pasture (we had never seen these around the farm before.) Elias is in a good place where he will be safe and happy.

So, there are only two ponies at the barn. What a difference a few months make. We went from 4 horses and two ponies to just Smokey and Abner. The pony boys. The fields got a break, I got a break and things were very quiet.

So, I have worked out a deal on a new horse. Had many, many horses offered to me. Still getting emails on a weekly basis of people offering me their horse that they can't keep any more. Sigh. I'm having just as hard a time as everyone else to guarantee that there will be hay in the barn come spring so I can feed my horses. Just like everyone else. Mostly older teens, early 20's. Decided after putting to rest 4 horses in the last 5 years that I wanted a horse that was going to be around for quite a while.

After much searching and much consideration, I found one. I worked with him for a good month at the farm he was at before making a decision to take him. He is a 7 year old 7/8 Lippitt Morgan, 1/8 pinto gelding. I am in the process of purchasing him from the owner/breeder who owned/bred his grandparents. It's a wonderful line. His father is still in breeding condition at 30 and lives next door to his previous barn. (He is owned by the sister & husband of Kate at http://www.horsepartnersvt.blogspot.com/ .

So, my new boy came home. His registered name is Spark of Royalty. I named him Mingo. The name came from a search I did online. He's a pinto morgan. I wanted a unique name for him. Mingo means beloved in a native american language. I don't remember which one right now. And, supposedly, Mingo was Daniel Boone's best friend who helped him in his adventures and is supposedly a good name for a trail horse as it is someone who is good on the trails and surefooted.

So, in the process of trailering to the Horse Partners Program 6 miles from my house, the unthinkable happened. Everything is ok. At the time it wasn't, but he is fine now. It was 8:30 am on Monday morning and we were headed to a week long camp at Kate's. We pulled out of the drive way and went down the road. And got stopped at road construction. Next to the shooting range. Where there was a man and two children shooting a shotgun. Mingo did fine through the first two shots, but at the third shot, all hell broke loose. The truck was shaking, the trailer was rocking. My daughter MJ was with me. We both ran back to the horse trailer that was, literally, rocking on it's wheels. I was expecting bad, but was totally shocked by the picture that awaited me when I opened the side door of the trailer.

Mingo had broken his halter. Thank god it was a breakaway halter. Don't even want to go there. Mingo was over the chest bar, hanging by his back legs, the rest of the body in the fore compartment with his head on the floor. And it seemed there was blood everywhere. The window on the front was broken out. His eyes were almost all white and he was shaking all over.

Now take a deep breath. That is what I did. Went into survival mode. Sucked it up and dealt with what I had to do. My MJ started shaking and said, "Mom, what do we do?" I looked at her and said "Just do what I tell you and we will deal with everything else later." She then looked over her shoulder and yelled at the guy at the range to stop shooting. And then turned to help me.

In talking with the kids at the barn last week, and in trailering to a horse show with Kate, and having packed for trailering and emergencies, I had packed an emergency halter, which came in very handy. After getting my hands on Mingo and soothing him with my voice and hands, somehow, MJ got the halter on Mingo. By this time, other people in the line of cars and trucks had come up to see what they could do to help. I told everyone to stay out of the trailer as I didn't want anyone else to get hurt. I don't know how - in talking with MJ and others, we still don't know how he did it - Mingo managed to calm himself with me there talking to him, working with him, and got him to the point where he was eventually standing in the trailer with his front ankles over the chest bar.

He was breathing heavy, blood running from many wounds on his head and from his leg. He was still scared but in control. I had MJ wait by his head, still talking to him, as I got the ramp down on the back of the trailer and went in the trailer with him. I had MJ get out and talked to him and encouraged him and he reared up and got his legs off the chest bar. He then backed out of the trailer, with me beside him, onto the road (that was shut down with cars being blocked by us and the trailer with cars parked in every direction).

Mingo was snorting, blowing and was still very upset, but under control. As we were only a little over a 1/2 mile from the house, I walked him along the road, on a path along the shoulder, and walked home. There was blood all over the horse, blood all over me. MJ was standing in the middle of the road, with broken glass and a truck she couldn't drive (it's a standard) and me leading home a horse we thought was going to need an emergency visit from the vet for stitches. I can just imagine what all the other people in their cars in that line we were passing were thinking. We must have looked frightful. Something out of a horror movie.

I got Mingo home, called the vet, and went inside to wash up to make sure I wasn't bleeding from anywhere and loose my mind. I was hyperventilating, sobbing, beside myself. Then MJ called and wanted to know what to do with the truck. I told her to pull it off the side of the road, lock it and come home. She still had to go to help out at camp - where we had been heading for the week with Mingo. She came home and got her truck and left.

I was still waiting for the vet. And waiting. It always seems like forever in an emergency - whether it be for the kids or the animals - when you are waiting for the doctor to call you back. It seems as my vet and his wife had their new baby and the vet on call was over 2 hours away on another emergency. Finally, Roger called me and said he would come up as the other vet was still busy and we only had a small window of time to do stitches.

In the meantime, I had taken cold water, betadine and some soft washcloths to get most of the blood and wounds cleaned up. He wasn't a pretty picture. I was almost sick to my stomach. There were a few deep gouges that I knew wouldn't be able to be stitched as there was nothing left to stitch to. So, on with goops of bag balm. I love that stuff. It keeps bugs off the wound and it doesn't promote proud flesh and it's not harmful if they somehow ingest it. I fed him a little grain with some bute in it to help with the swelling and pain that I knew were well on the way and sat down and cried. And apologised to my new boy. And tried to figure out what went wrong.

He had a deep scrape on his nose, on the bridge of his face, over his right eye, between his eyes, in his forelock area and two on his poll. He also had a deep scrape on his leg that ended where his chestnut had been ripped off. However, that was nothing compared to the very deep v-shaped large cut over his left eye. I left that wound alone as I knew if it needed stitching, they wouldn't want me gooping it all up with bag balm. I did clean it up and cleaned up the blood the best I could, but it was painful so I didn't mess with it much. Figured it could be done better with some pain meds on board.

Ashley drove me up the road to pick up the truck and trailer, parked by the side of the road and partially blocking the road. I drove down the shoulder, and did a big circle around the flag guy standing in the road and drove home, shaking all the way.

So, the vet comes. Says that everything I did looked good and asked if I wanted the good news or the bad news. I cried and told Roger, "I can't handle any more bad news." He just smiled at me and told me the farm call would cost more than the antibiotics I needed to purchase. He didn't want to stitch it - he wanted to leave it alone and let it heal on it's own as it was too close to the bones in the eye and it was cut in such a way that it would drain down his face.

So, I put some bag balm on his eye, put a fly mask on, and kept him in his stall that first day, with the pony boys in the barn with him to keep him company.

Now, almost 2 1/2 weeks later, there is little evidence that he had such a tragic accident. His most damaging wound over his eye has a little bit of healing left to do. Most of the others have almost totally healed and are starting to grow a little hair back.

And we have trailered twice since then. Thursday the same week in the same trailer, but a different route. And Sunday that week. And he walked right on the trailer with me both times. Not any hesitation. Total trust that I would take care of him.

So, sometimes even when you do everything right, when you do everything in your power to make sure things will be ok, things can still go wrong. Horribly and in a heart-beat. And then they can go right again.

A quote from the movie the Whale Rider, my friend told me... Sometimes it's nobodys fault. Sometimes things just happen.

What a kind friend with kind words.

Playing Catch Up...

2009-07-11T00:52:00.002-04:00

Chores, chores, chores. Rain and mud and overgrown pastures. Way too many rain days and not enough daylight to get things done.

The horses are doing fine. The teenagers are, well, teenagers. The husband is still here after 20 years. I'm trying to figure out all the logistics of horses.

The good news is that it's July and the sun is shining and the weather forecast looks good for the next few days. Hopefully hay season isn't a bust and the economy will begin to pick up more.

Just in case you are in the area and want something to do next weekend, check out this new blog site. They were featured in the Message for the Week and the Eagle Times over the last two weeks... This is a barn I volunteer at and they are doing wonderful things.

www.horsepartnersvt.blogspot.com

Kate Adams is a wonderful lady with a great mission and a great program. It's not like I don't have enough to do without volunteering at another barn, but after seeing what her mission is and what she is doing, I'm sold. I like being around Kate and working with her and her horses. And the kids love the program. It's a wonderful thing. Stop by and visit and see for yourself!

:)

Growing Webbed Feet!

2009-07-03T00:08:00.002-04:00

I'm slogging through the ankle deep mud, trying to keep shoes on my guys, and hoping that the sky is going to clear up any day not. Not - according to the weather forecast. The chickens need to be ducks in this weather.

SO, pending warmer weather and sunshine, I'll have more to tell you, other than just trying to keep ahead of chores and water overload and not enjoying the outside :(

Remember the Skinny Quarter Horse?

2009-06-26T19:02:00.004-04:00

Remember the skinny quarter horse that we picked up - along with the black mare - earlier this spring? Well, after a couple of doses of worming medicine and his feet being trimmed, along with LOTS of groceries and some TLC grooming, here he is just two weeks ago... isn't it amazing that just FEEDING a horse will help it look lots better? He's going to be a great horse for the grandma and grandkids to ride - so we have been told. We're going to let grandma find out, in a few months, after he has gained a little more weight - he still has a ways to go.
The black mare was NOT pregnant - just loaded with worms and I'm supposed to go visit her in the next week or two, so will show you updated pictures.

Doesn't he look great? And the Police did go to their residence and all the other horses are out of there. Don't quite know all the details, but according to friends and neighbors, they were supposively 'bankrupting' the owners with their feed bills. Hmmm... seems like they were finally getting the feedings they needed and deserved!

Friday, Friday, Thank God It's Friday!

2009-06-26T18:57:00.001-04:00

Well, long time, no see. The chickens are getting big, as well as the turkeys - my nephew is no longer worried about what everyone is going to eat (another story!) and the kids and horses are still alive. The husband and I just celebrated 20 years of marriage and I have my jobs, but a few less teeth. (I had two teeth pulled Wednesday and have been quite out of the normal routine).

Hoping to catch up this weekend and have some pictures to show you, along with a few more tales to tell.

Hope everyone has wonderful plans for this weekend...

:)

Waiting for Dull and Routine

2009-06-08T14:22:00.002-04:00

Sigh. The funeral is over. A new washing machine was brought in. The teenagers are still being teenagers. Ohy, vey. The garden is almost planted. The chickens and turkeys are growing. The pool was set up and is filling with water. I'm waiting for dull and routine. School is almost over. The new ride broken down. The world continues to turn. The sun is still shining.

Summer is almost here. :)

Thou Shalt Not Whine - NOT

2009-06-02T23:17:00.004-04:00

Ok, first for a short whine fest. Yeah, yeah, I know - Mom's 11th commandment is thou shalt not whine. Ok. Works for the kids, but what if you're the Mom that made the rule? Guess that means I can bend it a little.

The washer died. The freezer went kaput. The dryer is gimping on it's last leg. My father's funeral is Saturday. The teenage girls are stretching their boundaries and giving us more gray hairs. It rained almost all last week. The garage couldn't fix the truck because it wouldn't NOT start for them. We asked the oldest daughter to spread her wings and fly. I went for a ride on Elias and found that we aren't matched and now I'm trying to rehome him. I'm waking up with me teeth hurting because I'm grinding them so hard. (The tooth I broke in half last October is killing me... ) I woke up with a huge cold sore on my bottom and top lip this morning. I'm stressed to the max.

Ok. Sigh. Done.

Anyways, we are getting a new fridge, calling in the repair man for the washer and my husband is trying out a new ride as his is finally falling apart.

The ride with Elias wasn't a total wreck, but just really made clear to me that his idea of a ride and my idea of a ride aren't even on the same planet, maybe not even in the same universe.

The mare left on Sunday. It was a sadness and a blessing. She will be missed. But she is going to a wonderful farm in Maine where she will become part of a regular schedule and be ridden and used by a lady who loves her.

Elias is missing his mare. His first reason for not wanting to leave the barn. He is barn sour, to a small degree. He did go, without too much of a fuss, but really, really wanted to get back. My friend Lxxx went out with me on her mare, and we went around the back pasture a few times. He was doing well, but feeling VERY good and wanted to GO! So we walked around out back and he started getting a little antsy about going back to the barn. When I put on the brakes, he was trying to convince me that he wanted to GO! So we turned around to go back around the woods. Then he wanted to trot. After a couple of paces, he tried slipping into a canter. When I pulled him back to a walk, he got a little light in the front end and my heart really started thumping. I put him on a tight left rein and turned him in a circle, with his head almost to my knee. He only turned once before he stopped and looked at me, questioning, "Why can't we GO!!!?" I got off. My knees were shaking. He is 16.3 hands. HE is TALL.

So, to let him know that he couldn't act up and get his way, I led him down the hill into the gravel pit, walked around down there a little bit (where we were going to RIDE) and then had him walk up the hill behind me. He had his best ground manners on. He walked the whole way with his nose on my shoulder and didn't crowd me or push me or do circles around me.

I was upset and I was crying. I just wanted a horse that would go out for a quiet walk. He needs a job. When I turned him back out in the pasture, he was cantering around in circles and figure 8's and had a wonderful head set and a perfect extended, floating trot. He needs a job. He wants to work every day. He wants to go, and go, and go.

So, if you know anyone who is looking for a work partner, he is sane, sound and can do lessons, flat work and jumping. He has shoes on all 4 and I have his papers. (And yes, I talked to Cxxxxxxxx, his old mom, who told me she was unable to take him back and I could place him in a good home.) :( Sigh. He is a gentle giant. A true, sweet soul.

So, when we got back to the house, since we had only rode for about 15 minutes, I rode up with Lxxx to her house and rode Mr. Reliable. Mr. Old Steady Eddy who is almost (may be) 30. The quarter horse gelding that I love. That I should have taken instead of Elias. Live and learn. We went for a wonderful 2 hour trail ride, walking along paths in the woods, next to the stream, through the field (with a few cantering steps thrown in for good measure) and then back home. It was a wonderful confidence builder.

NOPE! Please don't email or call. I am NOT looking for a horse. I still have Buddy and the ponies. Elias isn't gone yet. And I'm going to be very, very, very picky about what I take next. Maybe I won't take another until Buddy is gone.

Going to bed as the day tomorrow is going to be long and I need to catch up on some sleep I have been missing. Maybe this weekend I'll get in another ride on Buddy. He seems to be doing better and not lame or limping in the morning. Think old age is catching up to him, too. He's 29 this spring....

oh, where, oh, where does all the time go???

2009-06-01T11:26:00.002-04:00

Time is such a fleeting commodity. I have my day all planned out, then someone throws in a money wrench and I'm set back hours, if not days, in my quest to get the things done that I need to do.

I'm on the hopes that as soon as school gets out the sports schedules will slow down and some of the chores that I need to do are going to be delegated to my teenage daughters.

The washer died. The freezer kicked the bucket. The dryer is acting up. The mare was picked up this weekend :) and the baby chicks are making a huge mess every day. It's surprising how much work 8 tiny beings can create!

So, I did go for a ride this weekend. It didn't start off so well, but finished great. I'll write more later today if I can find the time before I fall asleep in front of the computer. Sigh. Just not enough energy.

I also started mowing my mother's 1 square acre lawn. My father used to do it, but since he has passed away, she needed someone else. It's 16, 682 steps (according to the pedometer) and I do it in two days, a couple of hours each time.

So, today is my day off - except for the usual chores and picking up the girls and meeting a friend of mine for a late lunch. Groan. All I want to do is go back to bed.

Oh, well. Onward and forward. Keeping one foot moving in front of the other.

Featured Rescue.. one I help support

2009-05-29T00:26:00.001-04:00

New England Equine Rescues, a 501(c)3 non-profit equine crisis intervention organization, founded in 2005, is dedicated to helping ALL horses. NEER is always in need of good adoptive homes, foster homes, volunteers, transport, advice, referrals and as much support as we can get to help STOP the abuse, neglect and slaughter of horses. NEER is 100% volunteer - nobody is paid.

Please visit www.newenglandequinerescues.com to see the horses that are most in need of help! Titan, Denarius, Chino & Gus (just to name a few!)

We are also located on www.petfinder.com (02874 zip code).

Don't have room for a horse? Would love to help, but don't know how? There are many ways to help - and all donations are tax deductible! Visit www.newenglandequinerescues.com/waystohelp.htm to see how you CAN help the horses!

Covering Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Rain, Rain, Rain, and more, yep, Rain

2009-05-28T19:58:00.002-04:00

It's raining.... again :( So, what do horse people do when it rain? Go tack shop hopping.

Went to Bradford and my friend got a great deal on a saddle. Gasp. More than my house payment. Good for her - she's been looking for a long time and found one 1/2 off!

I just bought wormer. :) The boys will be so, so happy.

Then to Kellyville to exchange a girth that was a little bit too short.

My flea bitten gray is now brown. Mud baths seem to work so well on him. He's out running around with the ponies. Kicking up his heels. I left them in yesterday, but they wanted OUT today.

It's supposed to rain tomorrow. Again. Sigh.

Then Smokey is going to the Library to meet all the kids on Saturday.

I'm looking forward to school being over and my teeth being pulled. Then I can ride all summer.

Stay dry - no webbed feet!

Daylight is Wasting...

2009-05-19T11:35:00.001-04:00

It seems that there are just not enough hours in the day to get the chores done and then have time to sit at the computer at night after supper and doing all the chores. I seem to be falling asleep as soon as dinner is done.

Chickens are in - I will post pictures :)

Building the chicken coop. Running around after the horses. Doing extra animal sitting jobs.

Will write more later today :)

What a Busy Week!

2009-05-14T12:24:00.002-04:00

Wow. Sorry. Can't believe it has been four days since I posted. I've been running around like crazy. Sunday, we worked around the farm until, exhausted, I dropped into bed. The weekend caught up with me on Monday, and I did a few things around napping most of the day. Tuesday and Wednesday I worked all day and today I am hanging around the house. The freezer died on Tuesday :( So today I am cooking a turkey :) I'm working on cleaning out the cellar-way to make room for the things that go there from the porch. The porch needs to be cleaned off because the chickie-babies come tomorrow. I don't have to work tomorrow because I put my hours in on Wednesday. I have also been cleaning out half the pole barn from the winter storage to build a chicken coop. And, of course, I bought the wrong chicken wire. I need 5 foot - sigh - I bought 3 foot. Another chore :(

The girls are still doing softball. We are trying to get wood cut and split and stacked to dry for winter. Trying to get the lawn mowed. Trying to fix fences to put the horses out in the big pasture now that some grass has grown. Too many chores, too much to do in spring.

And this weekend, we are having someone come with equipment to help us move composted manure to where the garden is going to be and having that rototilled. Then I will have to hire my nephews to 'harvest' the rocks that will be sure to come to the surface. Then plant the garden.

Ok, now I'm tired enough from just thinking about it to go back to take another nap.

Oh, and we need to set up the pool. Sigh. The chores never end. And that is all on top of the normal, regular chores that need to be done every day. Feed the horses. Hay the horses. Grain the horses. Water the horses. Grain the chickens. Water the chickens. Feed the barn cat. Clean the stalls. Clean the water tanks. Feed the dogs. Water the dogs. Feed the cats. Water the cats. Feed the birds. Water the birds. Clean the cages. Pick up the girls from softball. Watch the softball games. Go to work. Go to work. Do your chores. Eat. Sleep. Clean the house....... ok, you get the picture... Sigh. No wonder I want to take a nap :)

On the other hand, the skinny gelding is doing well. He is enjoying some brushing and treats and his coat is already starting to get shiny. He's still got a long way to go, but he is doing well!

Ok, enough of a coffee break. Need to finish checking my email real quick - delete, delete, read, delete, delete, read, etc.

Hope you had a great week!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T22:12:00.002-04:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful day. My husband and daughters took me out to a local restaurant and we had the buffet. It was wonderful, as usual.

My biggest gift today was all the daughters were gone and just my husband and I worked around the farm. We got some strapping and chicken wire so I can make my chicken house. I got all the fences moved around and reset after winter. We got all the sumac cut down. We cleaned the area for the pool to be set up. I got the door off the run in shed.

Tomorrow, after the cordless drill is charged and since I found my big stapler, I can put the new chicken area together.

I'm going to clean the clutter off the front porch so the baby chickens can stay out there until they are feathered out so I can breathe.

I'm going riding tomorrow! One way or another.

Hope everyone had a great day :)

On a Mission!

2009-05-06T21:44:00.002-04:00

Well, first things first. The horses are all well. My boys are totally not interested in the mare now that she is not in heat. Don't worry. She will be again, soon. Sigh.

The two horses on the previous post are doing well. Enjoying the groceries in front of them. The warm sunshine. The grass under their feet. Dry ground. All these things were in short supply where they were. Not now!!!!

I did call the local police department. Seems as I wasn't the only one who had concerns for the horses welfare. Called the local Humane Officers to report it, too. Sorry. Don't want me to call on you? FEED YOUR HORSES. Kinda simple, really.

You want to see my horses? Drive right on by. I literally live on the main road. There is no place in my fields that you can't see my horses from the road. Come on in to visit. I'll introduce you to everyone. Would I like to live out at the end of a dirt road and have the road end in my drive like my friends house that I ride at? You betcha. Hate living in a fish bowl.

So, anyways, since it's calling for rain in the morning, we are headed on a mission! Lxxx's mare seems to have shifted weight. Not really gained any, not really lost any - just her saddle doesn't fit any more. And, surprise, surprise, she seems to be a hard fit. That is what I'm finding out, also, with my wonderful thoroughbred. The saddle that fit last week doesn't quite fit this week. Sigh. Good thing I have 4 saddles.

So, we are doing a road trip! Saddle shopping. Get to sit my butt in a bunch of saddles and ooohhh and aaaaahhhh and then gasp at the prices. Good thing I buy mine on sale and when I can find them. Hopefully, we will be able to find a saddle for her mare.

So, out to the barn to tuck everyone in for the night. Don't know where the roosters are roosting. Haven't been able to find them for the last couple of nights, but they are out first thing, crowing up a storm!

I'll get more pictures and updates on the remaining 5 as I can... The two are doing well and I'll go take pictures in about a month to show you what a tube of wormer and a few bales of hay can do.... and who knows, maybe baby pictures, too!

9 year old unregistered pregnant quarter horse

2009-05-04T16:49:00.002-04:00

This is the mare that we think is pregnant. She isn't in quite as bad of shape as the gelding. And it doesn't show up as well because she is black. She is skinny. You can feel every rib. There are angles where there should be curves.

People - this doesn't happen overnight. AND it won't be fixed overnight. If your horses look like this, they need HELP!

12 Year Old Registered Quarter Horse

2009-05-04T16:45:00.004-04:00

These are very graphic pictures. I'm sorry for this, but this is the reality for some horses these days. These are two of the lucky ones.

He's doing well. Delivered him North on Sunday. The update today is his eyes are bright and he is enjoying his fill of hay and company in the sun and grass. He must think he died and went to heaven. This guy had such a worried look in his eyes when we first picked him up. He isn't worried anymore! I promise I will keep you updated and show some pictures of how he has recovered in the next few months....

Two down, Five to go....

2009-05-02T20:27:00.002-04:00

Ok. I just got home. I left this morning at 8 am to drive one of the horses to a location where they could rehabilitate the possibly pregnant mare. Groan. Don't even get me started.

They have another rescue that needs tlc, so the two of the mares can be in together.

The gelding went north to a quarantine location.

I'm in the process of verifying the town the remaining 5 horses are in so we can get them the help they need and deserve.

IF you have the facilities to quarantine AND the know how and finances to bring back a neglected horse, please email me and let me know. They are located in mid-Vermont. I can't guarantee anyone anything, just want to make available to the officers names of people that may be able to help. (HINT: If you can't feed your own animals and the Vet won't give you a good reference, please don't email. Take care of YOUR OWN horses FIRST!)

There are 2 geldings, 2 mares, and a stud. We took the two worst ones. But the others aren't far behind.

I'm holding off on the photo's for 2 reasons. One - I'm too tired to drive back to work with my camera that my daughter borrowed today. Two - if they need the pictures, I want to be sure they have them first.

Ok - off to bed. Too many early mornings, too many miles in the last two days... I'll keep you updated.

Not as bad as I thought ... It's much, much worse.

2009-05-01T23:15:00.003-04:00

Well, we have the gelding, and a mare. It's bad. I have pictures, but my computer won't read the camera. I will have to stop by work tomorrow on my way home to download them. It was so bad that instead of heading north to the final destination (no, NEVER slaughter, the home of the person that bought the horses :) we went to the vets instead. Had them evaluated. Made a couple of inquiries tonight to make sure we called the right animal control agency. I will give a formal statement this weekend.

These poor, poor horses. And there are still some there. Hopefully, when we call animal control and show them the pictures and they talk to the vet, they will go up and do something for the ones we couldn't get out.

So, I can't give out too much information as it's still in the beginning stages. But I promise I will keep everyone posted and post the pictures as soon as I get back this weekend.

Hay, Hay, Hay

2009-04-30T16:06:00.002-04:00

Ohy, vey. Hay is a scarce commodity these days. Yes, the mare is still here. The pony is still here. Jxx was here this morning to put shoes on Elias and front shoes on Buddy. His stifles are way too stiff to put shoes on his back feet, but at least we got them on the front.

I groomed everyone and sprayed with fly spray before I put them out to pasture. Then to get hay! I got 96 bales in the stock trailer. I didn't load it right - usually we get over 100.

SO, tomorrow morning we are off to do a rescue. I'm told it's quite bad, and I don't doubt the experience of the friend I am going with, just hope that she's wrong. Know she isn't, but am hoping, anyways...

So, after we get him home, I will post pictures and keep you updated on his progress. He's a gelding, a little over 15 hands and quite underweight.

Tonight a wake, unload the trailer, funeral tomorrow, then the gelding - argh. People suck. We need duct tape - to keep our mouth's shut long enough to get him out of there. I will try to collect enough evidence to hand a case over to the local law enforcement, but at least he will have a chance at surviving.

Ahh, to be content in life...

2009-04-28T11:27:00.003-04:00

Spring is here. Snow is gone. Bugs showed up :( I love my life.

I love nothing more in a warm day than to go in the field and stick my nose into a warm horse neck and breath. Have the horse hug me with his head to his chest. To sigh and make horse noises as I brush the winter's worth of extra hair off. This is all I need. The reason why I hammer out 20 gallon ice chunks in the middle of winter. Why I wade through snow up to my knees in the pasture. My boys. Sigh. Life is so good.

According to the thermometer on the sunny side of the house it's 90 degrees. On the shady side of the house it's 76 degrees. I'm sitting in front of a fan, sweat rolling down my face, neck and back. I should be outside setting up the pool. Cleaning the barn. Doing many other house and horse chores, and, instead, I'm dying. Having a hot flash. Ohy, vey.

So, sitting in the cool living room, listening to the great swine flu epidemic on msnbc, I'm typing on the computer, drinking some cool ice tea, trying to calm my inner thermometer down. I'm going to tell you about the person, the time in my life, where I became so enamored, fell in love with, opened my passion for horses.

I was young - to the best of my memory, I was between 10 and 12. My cousin, Kxx, who wintered Aspey here with me, lived just down the road, across the river from me. She had two horses. A black mare and a wonderful chestnut gelding named Kye. I loved that gelding. He was so wonderful. I could go out in the pasture, climb on his back, lay on my back and stare up at the sky (for hours it seemed) and he would just quietly graze along and let me lay on his back. I learned to ride on that horse. I won my first ribbons (my only ribbons) on that wonderful gelding. I watched Kxx win jumping contests, bareback, on that gelding.

One day, we were told, in a group I had joined, to close our eyes and search our memories for a time when we felt most loved, most secure and remember that memory. This is my memory....

I was on Kye's back, with Kxx, and we were riding bareback. We were just going for a ride. I was sitting on Kye's warm back, my back against Kxx's stomach, her legs behind mine. I had my hands in his mane, Kxx had the reins. We were cantering along the lawn and then, on the spur of the moment, with both of us urging him on, we flew across the gulch between the lawn and the pasture.

I can close my eyes and still feel, still remember the warmth of the horse, my cousin. I can remember the strength between my legs as the horse bunched himself and launched over the gap. I can still feel the wind on my face, the smell of a warm summer day, my cousins arms around me and the calm, power and strength of Kye.

I hear the hoof beats, the quiet of soaring through the air, the feeling of flying. The thrill, the graceful flight. I remember when we landed and galloped on, both of us laughing, Kye tossing his head, bounding across the pasture.

Ever since that day, that moment, I made myself a promise that I would find a horse like him and he would be mine, all mine. Heart, body and soul.

I have lived that dream. First with Shiloh. Then with my beloved Aba. Now with Buddy. Beginning my love with Elias. Always, Smokey. Abner is coming back around. My boys. My freedom, my wings. The power to walk for hours with a body and condition that limits me. Unconditional love, complete trust, soul companions.

I guess that is why it bothers me so much when people just assume that animals are dumb, they have no soul, they have no feelings. These 'stupid, dumb' animals have more empathy, compassion and love than most people I know. Even abused, these animals trust. Love.

Look in the eyes of a horse, listen to him settle in for the night, in a stall with water, hay, grain and clean shavings. Hear the contentment, hear the trust. Feel the gentle giants and listen to their hearts.

I am truly blessed to share my life with these simple, complex, graceful beings.

What a Wonderful Day!

2009-04-26T20:41:00.002-04:00

Yawn. What a LllOOoonNNnGGggg day.

Last night was very late. Two of my daughters got home around midnight from bowling. Bickering. Guess what she did. No, what she did was worse. Turns out, after they got done with their verbal vomit and talked to ME, I found out that the one who was driving was also texting on her phone. Good. Just what we need. NOT! Guess who is grounded from driving to school tomorrow. Not me!

Then, around 2:30, the last of the three daughters gets home, a little pale. Seems she was throwing a piece of gum out the window and scraped her car along the guard rails. Oh, Goody, even MORE good news. Good thing she paid her insurance and there wasn't much damage.

So, after finishing the book that I just could NOT put down, I got to bed... very late. And was up VERY early...at 6 am to be ready to hit the road for Everything Equine in Essex Junction, VT with my best riding buddy, Lxxx.

Got up, took a shower, let the horses out and spread hay around in the field and came inside to slurp down some coffee. Ahhhh, caffeine. Is it true what they say - that for every hour of sleep missed a cup of coffee will make up for it??? Well, mostly not true. Does work for a few hours, but I'm fading fast.

So, we're off! Headed north, catching up on what is going on in each other's lives. Kids, husbands, horses, schools, life, etc. Was a lot of fun catching up. Then to the Equine event! I love going to these things. Kenny Harlow was the headliner for the presenters this weekend. When we saw him he was working with a very large draft horse. I always learn something from each person. Mostly things I would like to do - sometimes (not today) things I would like to think I would never do.

Did some shopping. My only planned purchase was a new bridle for Elias. The one I have for Buddy works, but I have to adjust the buckles each time and it hurts my hands and fingers. And it's a pain in the butt for them to wait for me because I always forget about it until it's on and doesn't look right. Then you have to take it off, adjust it, put it back on... much easier to just have his own. The first time through the buildings I couldn't find anything that I liked that I thought would fit and was a color similar to the saddles I have. Mostly they are all black or very dark brown. Sigh. That's ok.

Back to the main arena and watched the jumping. Don't misunderstand me here. I love to WATCH jumping. Don't ever try to plan on doing it myself. (NOT that I haven't survived, lived through a few good jumps every now and then - the last one being when we JUMPED 4 feet high and 3 feet wide, over a tiny little brook because Elias didn't want to get his feet wet) - but I truly, truly do like to keep as many feet on the ground at one time as possible. Seriously!

After the jumping, we window shopped a little more. Gxxx, the friend we met up in Essex, helped me find a biothane halter/bridle combo with extra long reins. Wooohooo! Not only will it fit Elias to a T- but it will not have to be cleaned like leather and will last longer and the bit comes off without having to take off the head stall! What a perfect combination! For only $65 dollars. What a find. AND it's very dark, almost black. Too cool!

So, after a little bite to eat, we head back to the main arena and watch the Versatile Horse Competition. 20 people and their horses competing for over $3,000 in cash and prizes. If you have never seen anything like this, it is amazing. They have something quite like it at Equine Affair in Mass.

Ok. Here's the course, the best I can remember it... you enter the arena. It's a large area surrounded on three sides by a fence surrounded by crowds of people. Clapping. Hooting. Hollering. On a horse! You have to left lead canter to the first bucket hung on the side of the arena fencing and take out a t-shirt. You throw the t-shirt to the crowd. (the crowd has been told that the t-shirt will be thrown to whomever is the loudest) You right lead canter to the second bucket (opposite the entry) and throw another t-shirt from another bucket. (crowd, cheering) then you LOOSE rein WALK to the third bucket on the third side of the arena. You know the drill by now!

You then have to walk your horse and have him put all FOUR feet in this tiny little pond (about 3 feet square) that has a pump spewing up water out of it like a fountain. Only 2 horses out of 20 were able to complete this one obstacle!!

Then to the Christmas tree, dead, lying on the ground. Tied to a long rope. You had to take the coil of rope off the post, drag the tree around the last orange cone in line and then back to the post and leave the rope draped across the top.

You then trotted to a small jump. Sounds easy, huh? Well, NOT! The jump approach is lined on both sides with fake brick walls, with balloons streaming up from them and the jump itself had balloons hanging off the bottom of it. With a metallic yellow cloth bunched up underneath it.

After the jump, was a teeter-totter. It was about 6 feet wide and about 8 feet long - and when you got past the half way point, it tipped - only about 6 or 8 inches, but it was enough to give some of the horses heart failure, almost.

Then you went to the ball. This ball was probably 4 feet high. You had to roll it along a chute, lined, you guessed it, more balloons - you could kick it, your horse could kick it... one horse was so freaked out by the ball the girl got off, and kicked it, and her and the horse followed it - (the horse was ok with that :)

Then you had to cross a rail on the ground. And back your horse, weaving through 4 orange cones, set up in a line. WITH balloons sticking up from the tops of them.

Then, across to a pole, sticking up inside a cone, pick up the pole, swing it, hit a pinata, knock it down, and put the pole back into the cone.

Then on to the horse trailer. Some unorthodox horse loading going on here - you had to have your horse go ON the trailer - all four feet in the box, and then back off (many, many of the participants did this mounted on their horses) and then go out of the arena.

This is a TIMED event. You had 30 seconds to complete each obstacle! If your horse refused, they called time and you had to move on to the next obstacle. If you were in the middle of it, they let you keep going as long as your horse was moving toward finishing the obstacle. The winning time was something like 2 minutes, 28 seconds. O. M. G. The longest time was just over 6 minutes. (Time started when you entered the arena, then ended when you left the arena. Points were given for horsemanship, most obstacles completed correctly and horses willing attitude. - If I have made a mistake in any of this, it is my brain misfiring. My apologies!)

I know, and do, most of these things on the back of my horse, Buddy. NOT in an arena lined with yelling, clapping, cheering people. In under 30 seconds.

I have completed in some events at a Game day with Buddy and we did quite well. We had lots of fun, but we didn't have time limits. And most everyone was on horseback and I knew them. NOT in front of tons of strangers in a loud building we had never been in before.

I must say one thing. Almost EVERYONE on their horse, you could tell, had a wonderful trusting relationship, and even if the horses were freaked out about what they were doing and where they were, they trusted their rider enough to know that they weren't going to let them get eaten by the scary object.

With a rather disturbing -ONE- exception of a young female -(sorry, can't quite get my tongue around the word lady here), who was 11, AND who, (in my opinion), should not be allowed to own or RIDE a horse. She had the poorest horsemanship of anyone I have ever seen in a long time. She did not communicate with her hands, her legs, or her seat very well, and used her crop on that poor pony TOO much and much TOO hard. From the comments in the crowd, it seems that this young person does this on a regular basis with the club she rides with. Why, I must ask. Doesn't someone say SOMETHING to her or her parents. I was very disturbed by it all. And I was not the only one. I hope someone tells her to read this and let her know that this behavior is unacceptable. Shame on her. The day would have been quite a fantastic example of how to communicate, build trust, work with your horse, with the rather LARGE exception of her... I hope she looks at the film that was made of the competition and is truly ashamed for how she acted and apologies to that tolerant, exceptional little mare she was riding. Bleck on her. (If I were that mare, I would have dumped her on her pretty pink little A**!)

But it was a wonderful example and gives me some ideas of 'tortures' to try on my boys in the back field to get them ready for the next game day we are going to this summer. They hate it when I do this stuff to them!!!

It does work wonders for building trust and experiences. Bonding, etc. And it makes me laugh, sometimes, to see the expressions on their faces - "Mom - you want me to do WHAT! With THAT! Here? NOW!?? Are you NUTS?!?!?" But they do it. After coming to the conclusion that I am much more stubborn that they ever imagined being. He, he, he!

So, outside to do barn chores and put the boys and mare to bed. Then off to bed myself. No more books tonight. I'm going to sleep in tomorrow, too. I'll throw everyone an extra flake of hay so they will have something to eat when they wake up. Yawn. Need to get moving before I turn into a pumpkin. I can feel the orange coming on.... (yyyyyaaaaawwwwnnnn).

So little time...

2009-04-24T21:49:00.002-04:00

so many... books!
In real life, I am a part-time Assistant Librarian :) And the Library Director has done a very, very bad thing... she has re-arranged all the books in the library. This means every time I go to find a book I have on my list to read, I find a new book that I want to read... so I was up until 4 am (yawn) trying to finish the book I was reading because I just couldn't put it down!!!

so many... soft ball games!
Both my girls play softball - for different schools. Yes, it sure does make it interesting. But it is a nice way to sit in the warm sunshine (ok, most days, when it isn't windy and cold) and enjoy the out doors and visit with friends you haven't seen all winter because we all have been hibernating next to the wood stove.

so many.... chores!
I was cleaning the barn last weekend and put my allergies into overdrive. I was sick in bed for 4 days. I'm finally human again - my daughters don't agree, but my husband does :)

so many... horses :(
There are so many horses out there looking for good homes. Fortunately, there are many nice, sensible, sound, honest working horses out there it is a buyers market. Many people can't give away their husband-safe, kid-safe horses. They just can't afford to board, feed, etc. Looking for a horse? Have the knowledge? Have the means, even in this economy, to keep them? You don't have to look hard. Horses with issues are showing up even more. If you don't know horses, have someone you do know go with you. Someone you trust and who will be honest with you and not get you in over your head. Heard a few of those stories around, also.

So many... ROCKS!
I live on the edge of a state gravel pit. Seriously. We grow rocks around here better than most people grow, well, anything! It's one of the spring chores that I love to see most of all. If my teenagers give me a hassle and don't want to listen to Mom, out to the fields to pick up rocks!!! It's a wonderful conditioner for them for softball. They are NOT allowed to chuck them at each other or the animals. That is big, big trouble. Then they have to clean the dog pen and help with wood. Great attitude chores!

So little time to ride. Sigh. Too many things. Clean the house. Feed the dogs. Clean the bird cage. Wash the dishes. Fold the laundry. Hang out the towels. Pick up the kids from softball. Go to work. Pick up the truck from the garage. Clean the stalls. Fill the water tanks. The list is never ending.

However, if you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, check out the Everything Equine event in Essex Junction, VT this weekend. Saturday and Sunday. It's not even close to the big even in Mass in November, but it's a nibble at the edges of the good weather to get you pumped up for the riding for the summer! I'll be gone all day Sunday with my good friend and riding buddy. We are leaving early (yawn) Sunday morning and making a full day of it. It will close at 4 pm, but we plan on stopping for dinner, just the two of us, before heading back home to play Mom for the week! :) I can't wait!

It's a sad state in the horse world...

2009-04-21T23:49:00.003-04:00

My boys are so glad they belong to me. I'm sure there are others out there - I know quite a few - whose horses are well cared for and loved. However, my in box is OVER full of sad news. The mustang sanctuary out west who has dead horses all over the place. Others struggling to survive and no means to feed them. (There are rescuers out there helping them, thank god.)

The pony in Maine who went from very good to the fire, to, well, maybe the frying pan? Depending on what you read and who you listen to, this is a man trying to do something for an emaciated pony, who might have a spotty record of taking care of his horses himself. This does not harden me to the fact that he is going all out to take care of this pony, but what about the others in the pastures out back who aren't in dire straits but might not be far behind? I hope the care and attention this pony receives rubs off on the others in his care.

Then on to the Polo Ponies. O.M.G. In the International Eye. Ok, forget the international eye. Someone cared for these guys. The grooms, the riders, the vets, someone. (Ok, let me enjoy my little bubble of innocence - let me believe that someone did care for each of them.) I am proud to say that, nationalities, views, teams aside - all the pictures that I saw (and yes, I do realize that we don't ever see EVERYTHING), everyone was pitching in and caring for the ill horses.

So, before I head back to bed with my hot water bottle and my box of puffs plus with lotion, I have to say two things...

ONE: If you know of any animal that is being neglected, abused, tortured, abandonded, PLEASE, PLEASE! report it!! If you can't find someone in your area who will take it seriously, contact me. I promise you that I will find someone to help you.

TWO: If you can help, even $5 - contribute to a REPUTABLE, honest rescue. If you need someone to help you find one, I will be more than glad to help. The economy is struggling to raise, money is still being guarded and people are still not loosening the proverbial belt to any degree. Help when and where you can.

I'm off to bed. A full day tomorrow and my head still feels like it's going to explode. The rain is a good thing, but the pollen count, the chickens, the birds, and my allergies are killing me. Sinus head ache, runny nose, watery eyes, etc. Good old chicken soup and warm tea and a box of kleenex - they are my constant companions for the last couple of days.

Good night, horses. I hope you all have warm shelter, plenty to eat and clean water. Leave my bubble alone, will you. I want to sleep tonight!
Lynn :)

One down, two to go....

2009-04-18T23:06:00.004-04:00

Aspey went home up north today. The boys are wondering what is going on. She loaded in the trailer without hesitation. The ponies spent most of the afternoon standing by the fence looking to see if she was coming back. Such silly ponies.

Buddy and Elias are still VERY interested in Lacey. She is STILL in heat! Abner is entertaining a nice couple who needs a companion for their older horse. He would be the perfect match. The final arrangements aren't complete, but well on their way. And he might be moving just a few miles down the road!

I just got a new saddle for $100 on craigslist. I ordered a girth, saddle pad and breast plate and they just arrived - yes, I love ebay, too. It is a abetta endurance trail saddle - they sell for around $350 brand new. It's in very, very good shape. I'm thinking it will fit both Elias and Buddy!

Well, once the weather forecast clears of all the rain, I'm headed out riding again. Guess this week of school vacation is going to be house cleaning time while the girls are home. Sigh. Happy Campers, NOT!

Enjoy your weekend :)