Home on the range
Don't think because I never post to this blog that I have no life! Well, really I don't but I'm very busy at not having one. Still working at Hunter/Jumpers-R-US. Some days are great, some not so much, other days--lets just leave it at that. Though I've been riding a lot more this summer and fall on my own horses I am beginning to feel landlocked. Attempted to ride to the trails at Alum Creek with my reluctant riding buddies in tow (they have no faith in me). Alum Creek has a reputation for being very challenging and very muddy--not for the faint at heart--which us gals are.
Here's one way to get to the Alum trails and the story of our adventure:
After encouraging our horses that yes, (even though we're lying) it's really ok to cross the highway which borders the front of the barn where the traffic averages 50 to 65 mph. we hurry across the slippery pavement and ride along the grassy berm of the road with corn rows flanking our right, speeding traffic to our left. We then turn right and ride between the same cornfield which is now adjacent to someone's very nice yard where they always have a little brush pile smoldering and this day is no exeception. My horse Wyatt and I ride by this all the time but typical for Wyatt, he tries to capitalize on the FIRE! hazard and glues his back hooves into the ground so he can hopefully surprise me while he whips around in a type of rollback manuever, which will allow him to head back to the barn at full speed. Of course, this same manuever he finds he's incapable of doing when you ask him. It doesn't help that Lady, my arab, can see us from the pasture, though it's quite far in the distance, and we can hear her calling and calling for us to "come back, come back oh, please come back!" I'm always prepared for this scenerio to come up so Wyatt's ploy is foiled yet again as I remind him that ok, we'll either go round and round in tight, uncomfortable circles until we proceed ahead or if we do go back you'll work your horsey BEhind off.
Anyway, we ride along until we get to the treeline where we turn and try find some break in the corn rows to get to a meadow, while at the same time hoping we can avoid that very deep hole that we can't see but know the estimated location of (could that be a fox den, or maybe something bigger?). We manage to locate a possible break and away we go crashing through the corn stalks which our horses have now learned to grab and carry as a souveniers everytime we ride here. Ok, so that now we're in the meadow with our horses still carrying two to three foot long corn stalks in their mouths, we mosey along the wide grassy paths cut through wide groups of trees and brush and eventually arrive along the property owner's drive. Here we take a small feeder road which will then take us briefly to the southern edge of Kilbourne on SR 24. We make it to the entrance off Old State and step about three feet onto the woodsy trail which is pretty, but abruptly descends down into a ravine. Never Mind! Although my horse was rather excited about being in the woods again as he is supposed to be a trail horse, I try to contain his excitement while we all have to manuever in a very small space and pick around in the undergrowth just to get ourselves turned around again, which is an adventure in itself considering my claustraphobia and agoraphobia thrown into the mix. Wyatt is rather disappointed about the human whimp factor. Treasure and Dancer--well they just seem a little perplexed but obediently await the next command from their mounts--which is of course, mission aborted, c'mon, lets go.
So, back we go the way we came and as we arrive at the driveway that we will follow back to the meadow, the property owner has saddled up and is just getting on her pretty red quarter horse to go for her ride. My friends and their horses want to stop and chat, but Wyatt has no time for that. From his perspective he didn't expend any energy picking his way along a trail so he may as well use it to get home faster. None of this nonsense of walking along pleasantly and gawking at all the nice scenery because he's seen it before. While my friends are shooting the breeze with their unsoured and perfectly behaved horses, mine is prancing, pawing, and jumping up on his front feet trying to torque around so that maybe he will lose me. Wyatt and I end up just turning round and round in tight little circles once again while my friends finish their unhurried conversation. Eventually Wyatt decides it's too much bother to fight and is ok on the way back home, but I ride him a little bit longer when we get to the paddock at our barn, just to add my 2 cents.
Now if my friends and I could get it together, we could get someone to trailer us to the better parts of the creek, but our schedules hardly ever mesh. Oftentimes we just miss each other when we've come to the barn to ride. We are so busy with the demands of the non-equestrian world. Trying to fit our horses into our schedules more often than not is a stolen moment from family, jobs and other responsibilites. There are people involved in our lives who are also competing for our time and attention. Often will come a reminder, sometime subtle sometimes not, that they think we are being selfish, that they are not as worthy of our time, we maybe prefer our expensive, high maintanence "pets" over them. The guilt factor adds its influence to the not-enough-time-as-it-is factor, always worming its way into our conscience and warrented or not, imposing a sense of urgency to our equine activity which is supposed to be our way to relax and slow down in a hyper-drive society.
In closing, what could be viewed as a disappointing ride since we had to abort our plans, was not disappointing at all I remind myself: I spent time with my horse and my horse friends and took in some beautiful scenery, found yet another way to get to the trails which opens up new possibilities, found out what my limits and Wyatt's are and am encouraged to find a way to minimize them. I had to be creative, take chances and be brave. These are are valuable pursuits and allow for not just wasting time riding around and having fun and ignoring responsibilities, but avenues towards self-examination and improvement. I am still feeling landlocked, but rather than giving up and accepting it, I vow to continue to find new ways to pick my way around the barriers and perhaps new paths will open up. I have my horses and my horsey freinds to thank for this.
Nov 13, 2004
Jul 18, 2004
Home on the Range
It's been over a month since the farm changed hands. The new owner is a quarter horse trainer. Things are better for now--more consistancy for the horses. Lady is dappling out--a good sign. Went on a short ride with two friends; the five mile loop through a meadow then onto bowtown road and around. We call it the five mile loop. Very scenic and very hot. When you ride alongside the corn rows you can feel the heat coming off the crops from all the oxygen produced.
Work is work. It's been ridiculously hot. Horses and their owners have been busy showing almost every weekend. Last weekend was the Robert Murphy show in Kentucky. That was a long one. They left Wednesday morning and came back late sunday night.
The grad is still unemployed but did help me at the barn one day. I think that was enough for him. Going to sign off as I want to get out to ride a few horses before the afternoon storms blow in.
It's been over a month since the farm changed hands. The new owner is a quarter horse trainer. Things are better for now--more consistancy for the horses. Lady is dappling out--a good sign. Went on a short ride with two friends; the five mile loop through a meadow then onto bowtown road and around. We call it the five mile loop. Very scenic and very hot. When you ride alongside the corn rows you can feel the heat coming off the crops from all the oxygen produced.
Work is work. It's been ridiculously hot. Horses and their owners have been busy showing almost every weekend. Last weekend was the Robert Murphy show in Kentucky. That was a long one. They left Wednesday morning and came back late sunday night.
The grad is still unemployed but did help me at the barn one day. I think that was enough for him. Going to sign off as I want to get out to ride a few horses before the afternoon storms blow in.
May 16, 2004
Meanwhile, back at the ranch....
Wow. I have been working full-time at a hunter jumper barn for over a month now. I've been putting in long hours due to my training and just the basic horse management challenges transitioning from dry-lot turnout to pasturing. We've had lots of rain in this area as we had last year so it has been a difficult spring again for anyone involved in agrarian pursuits.
My horses have put on weight since they have been on pasture and look much better. I have a lot of plans for the summer--formal riding lessons for me, some saddle training for Lady--especially in the canter department--which means I need to find a trainer who won't cost me an arm and a leg--and just overall conditioning for both horses. I don't know how much I will accomplish with my new job eating up lots of time and energy. I may have to forgo lessons for myself as the big priority is to get Lady further along under saddle so I can enjoy riding her instead of worrying that she'll go into a bucking fit--she hasn't done that to me yet, but just the thought makes me nervous, which of course affects her confidence with me on her back. Getting a competent rider will help get through the basics without a wreck setting us back. KST
Wow. I have been working full-time at a hunter jumper barn for over a month now. I've been putting in long hours due to my training and just the basic horse management challenges transitioning from dry-lot turnout to pasturing. We've had lots of rain in this area as we had last year so it has been a difficult spring again for anyone involved in agrarian pursuits.
My horses have put on weight since they have been on pasture and look much better. I have a lot of plans for the summer--formal riding lessons for me, some saddle training for Lady--especially in the canter department--which means I need to find a trainer who won't cost me an arm and a leg--and just overall conditioning for both horses. I don't know how much I will accomplish with my new job eating up lots of time and energy. I may have to forgo lessons for myself as the big priority is to get Lady further along under saddle so I can enjoy riding her instead of worrying that she'll go into a bucking fit--she hasn't done that to me yet, but just the thought makes me nervous, which of course affects her confidence with me on her back. Getting a competent rider will help get through the basics without a wreck setting us back. KST
Apr 4, 2004
Meanwhile back at the ranch....
Worked at the barn again, today, saturday. Not all that exciting for most folks, but horses are the postitive influence and motivation in my life. They are so happy when someone fulfils their basic needs and I am glad to do it. How would you like to live in a 12 by 12 box waiting around for someone to do something for you? When they see me, they know that I will take care of them. I give them plenty of hay, their favorite, a little grain and water, then they get to go outside weather permitting, or if they can`t go out together, i`ll walk them out individually and let them snack on some grass while I scratch all the itchy places they can`t get at. Some horses will get in the act of mutual grooming. Magic for instance--I mentioned her the other day in the audio blog. She is a very loving horse.
When I worked at a certain performance horse barn, I felt like a prison warden. At the barn where my horses are kept, I feel more like a school marm, say. While not all performance horse barns treat their horses bad, The lives that some performance horses lead are disturbingly cruel and even if not horribly cruel, not always in the best interest of their equine health and well being. These horses seldom get to be real horses or socialize in any meaningful way with those of their kind. They live in a kind of institutionalized system where everything is regemented and cooly objective-- like a horse factory, whose end product is a glossy show horse that at least by appearances riders/owners can just jump on while the horse happily and obediantly performs and entertains in whatever discipline it has been trained in. They are kept stalled unless working or lunging in an arena, or performing at a show, and when they are done they are put away, seldom with the opportunity to graze ( the almost constant grazing and foraging horses do is imparative to a healthy equine digestive system) in a pasture or even in their stall except for the twice a day feeding of grain and hay, which also includes the plethora of nutritional supplements and medications that would rival a football players diet. They are not allowed to expend any unnecessary engery running around in the pasture, why, they could get hurt that way!--lose money being on stall rest for an injury when they could be performing. Performance horses are kept in an objectively sterile environment and must learn the language of man, and only man, usually by force and all kinds of training devices and restraints. (well this is not only limited to performance horses per say, many horses are trained by using artificial aids and learning to avoid pain and all of it is not cruel per say) The advantage to keeping horses this way is that the horse, being a highly social animal-- its acceptance and participation within the herd imparative to survival-- will learn look to the human for both its physical and emotional needs and will crave human attention in any form, thereby more apt to do exactly what the human wants without question--to the point of jumping off a cliff if you asked it--and if it won't-- you get rid of it and cut your losses. My experience has been that when in a stall with these horses they are so deprived by the physical presence of any warm body, you become either a toy for them to play with, grabbing your clothes and trying to pull you around the stall, or they are trying to climb all over you to get you to love on them. Ha, sounds like some of my dates! Some are so desperate about this that it makes them dangerous and you have to set limits no matter how much you really do want to cuddle up or play with them. You have to shoo them away and then be stuck with that pitifully dejected look they give you. That part about that one particular job caused a lot of grief for me. It made me extremely sad because I was constantly reminded that these horses craved such companionship not because they had naturally affectionate personalities, but the way they were kept and handled forced them to be that way. I found it hard to be objective in the way I handled them, knowing every minute I was with them I was training them. I did not want to "train" them to do something that would get them later whipped for disobediance, because that is what people did to them there, almost in an arbitrary way. It really depended on the mood they were in, not that the horse misbehaved so much. I didn't stay at that job for long, but on leaving did shed some tears for the horses I got to know very quickly, but had no power or clout I could use to improve their circumstances. Goodbye and good luck, dear friends.
But the life of some horses and the way we view them has improved somewhat, the natrual horsemanship hype has educated owners that horses should be allowed to be horses; it may allow for a longer life span (not good if you want to keep your maintanence costs down) and a longer and more successful career as a performance horse. The clinicians have been able to demonstrate that you can enjoy your equine partner, and get the same results using training methods by using the body language of the horse and by teaching them to "yield to pressure" whether applied directly or psychologically, to get them to do what you want. (I can attest that it does work and actually it is quicker than some of the conditioned response methods--though CR is also is a basis for natural horsemanship, and any animal you want to train, including humans!) but there are many skeptics. Skeptics who actually use some variation of natural horsemanship without even knowing it. NH as a published method of horse handling and care has been around a long time--Xenophon, a greek general published a book on just that.
Anyway, I didn`t intend to write an essay on Natural Horsemanship--but I practice it myself in earnest, because I want my horses or any others I come in contact with to get as much joy out of our relationship and interaction as I do, while at the same time knowing how to be safe around horses--as much as you can anyway. The benefit is that I connect with them on their level, I am a part of their herd and they are a part of mine and I am important to them and them to me. Horses, in their natural environment are very reasonable and practical animals--much more so than humans and I think that`s why I like horses so much. They teach me to keep things simple, they help me prioritize what is important in life. To horses the most important thing in their lives is to be included. That takes care of everything else for them. to be excluded and forgotten means death. So, I have been included in their social heirarchy--and of course I am at the top because you must be to be safe around horses--but to me, that makes me feel important, and as long as I am around horses, it gives me a reason to keep going and not give up,
Worked at the barn again, today, saturday. Not all that exciting for most folks, but horses are the postitive influence and motivation in my life. They are so happy when someone fulfils their basic needs and I am glad to do it. How would you like to live in a 12 by 12 box waiting around for someone to do something for you? When they see me, they know that I will take care of them. I give them plenty of hay, their favorite, a little grain and water, then they get to go outside weather permitting, or if they can`t go out together, i`ll walk them out individually and let them snack on some grass while I scratch all the itchy places they can`t get at. Some horses will get in the act of mutual grooming. Magic for instance--I mentioned her the other day in the audio blog. She is a very loving horse.
When I worked at a certain performance horse barn, I felt like a prison warden. At the barn where my horses are kept, I feel more like a school marm, say. While not all performance horse barns treat their horses bad, The lives that some performance horses lead are disturbingly cruel and even if not horribly cruel, not always in the best interest of their equine health and well being. These horses seldom get to be real horses or socialize in any meaningful way with those of their kind. They live in a kind of institutionalized system where everything is regemented and cooly objective-- like a horse factory, whose end product is a glossy show horse that at least by appearances riders/owners can just jump on while the horse happily and obediantly performs and entertains in whatever discipline it has been trained in. They are kept stalled unless working or lunging in an arena, or performing at a show, and when they are done they are put away, seldom with the opportunity to graze ( the almost constant grazing and foraging horses do is imparative to a healthy equine digestive system) in a pasture or even in their stall except for the twice a day feeding of grain and hay, which also includes the plethora of nutritional supplements and medications that would rival a football players diet. They are not allowed to expend any unnecessary engery running around in the pasture, why, they could get hurt that way!--lose money being on stall rest for an injury when they could be performing. Performance horses are kept in an objectively sterile environment and must learn the language of man, and only man, usually by force and all kinds of training devices and restraints. (well this is not only limited to performance horses per say, many horses are trained by using artificial aids and learning to avoid pain and all of it is not cruel per say) The advantage to keeping horses this way is that the horse, being a highly social animal-- its acceptance and participation within the herd imparative to survival-- will learn look to the human for both its physical and emotional needs and will crave human attention in any form, thereby more apt to do exactly what the human wants without question--to the point of jumping off a cliff if you asked it--and if it won't-- you get rid of it and cut your losses. My experience has been that when in a stall with these horses they are so deprived by the physical presence of any warm body, you become either a toy for them to play with, grabbing your clothes and trying to pull you around the stall, or they are trying to climb all over you to get you to love on them. Ha, sounds like some of my dates! Some are so desperate about this that it makes them dangerous and you have to set limits no matter how much you really do want to cuddle up or play with them. You have to shoo them away and then be stuck with that pitifully dejected look they give you. That part about that one particular job caused a lot of grief for me. It made me extremely sad because I was constantly reminded that these horses craved such companionship not because they had naturally affectionate personalities, but the way they were kept and handled forced them to be that way. I found it hard to be objective in the way I handled them, knowing every minute I was with them I was training them. I did not want to "train" them to do something that would get them later whipped for disobediance, because that is what people did to them there, almost in an arbitrary way. It really depended on the mood they were in, not that the horse misbehaved so much. I didn't stay at that job for long, but on leaving did shed some tears for the horses I got to know very quickly, but had no power or clout I could use to improve their circumstances. Goodbye and good luck, dear friends.
But the life of some horses and the way we view them has improved somewhat, the natrual horsemanship hype has educated owners that horses should be allowed to be horses; it may allow for a longer life span (not good if you want to keep your maintanence costs down) and a longer and more successful career as a performance horse. The clinicians have been able to demonstrate that you can enjoy your equine partner, and get the same results using training methods by using the body language of the horse and by teaching them to "yield to pressure" whether applied directly or psychologically, to get them to do what you want. (I can attest that it does work and actually it is quicker than some of the conditioned response methods--though CR is also is a basis for natural horsemanship, and any animal you want to train, including humans!) but there are many skeptics. Skeptics who actually use some variation of natural horsemanship without even knowing it. NH as a published method of horse handling and care has been around a long time--Xenophon, a greek general published a book on just that.
Anyway, I didn`t intend to write an essay on Natural Horsemanship--but I practice it myself in earnest, because I want my horses or any others I come in contact with to get as much joy out of our relationship and interaction as I do, while at the same time knowing how to be safe around horses--as much as you can anyway. The benefit is that I connect with them on their level, I am a part of their herd and they are a part of mine and I am important to them and them to me. Horses, in their natural environment are very reasonable and practical animals--much more so than humans and I think that`s why I like horses so much. They teach me to keep things simple, they help me prioritize what is important in life. To horses the most important thing in their lives is to be included. That takes care of everything else for them. to be excluded and forgotten means death. So, I have been included in their social heirarchy--and of course I am at the top because you must be to be safe around horses--but to me, that makes me feel important, and as long as I am around horses, it gives me a reason to keep going and not give up,
Apr 2, 2004
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
Just got back from the barn. The vet was there to give everyone shots and health check. I asked Dr. Morrison about Lady, who has had an upward fixation of the patella, which started last year after getting off a trailer when I moved her in June. This is also known as a Stringhalt, a term often confused with a condition from eating the stringhalt plant I believe. What lady does is paddle outward on the left hind when the ligament gets caught and locks on a boney prominence of the patella. Anyway the ligaments that attatch to the hind patella are limp, which can be caused by poor muscle tone & confirmation issues, Lady is, an arab with refined bone structure and long straight legs, popular look for the halter horses but not good if you want more than a pasture ornament!--so she can be predisposed to this. It was explained to me by the doc, that it can be common in two-year olds since their muscles have not caught up with bone development. Lady is seven but has not worked on a reg basis to build up those muscles and being an arab, they take longer to mature--although by seven she is pretty much done with the growing. In her case the trailer incident was enough to fire this up. There is also the weight issue which I have mentioned before--she and the other horses are underweight and that really makes a difference to me. So, what is the plan besides an expensive operation that may not work as a permanent soulution?
Here's the plan: work on the hind muscle groups--building up the muscle mass will cause the proper tension in the ligament so that it can do its job. I can do a lot of hillwork, although, going up is beneficial, while going down can aggravate. So, we'll work on trotting over cavelletti --about 5 or 6 poles in a line and we can also set some up arc like fashion. 20minute about 3 to 5 times a week. Long trail rides are also good to work inbetween. Of course she's underweight, so my first priority is to get that hay into her somehow. I do not feel right working her at all right now as she is. When she's in better shape nutritionally, We'll begin the work on the caveletti and see how she progresses. The doc says later we can think about blistering. Not as bad as it sounds--but you use an agent that causes swelling--I think you inject DMSO maybe? someone told me I could apply this topically-- on the day you may have a long trail ride--they will be stiff at first, but keeping them moving will free them up and they will actually feel really good and flexible--it basically lets them to use that hind the correct way because the swelling causes tension on the offending ligament so they won't be protecting it undermining all the muscle conditioning you are trying to do. If you want to learn more about this, you can go the The Horseonline.
Now, the other problem this could be is EPM, but since the trailer incident caused this acute presentaton, as she did not have any gait problems before she got on the trailer, there's no reason to worry about that yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Just got back from the barn. The vet was there to give everyone shots and health check. I asked Dr. Morrison about Lady, who has had an upward fixation of the patella, which started last year after getting off a trailer when I moved her in June. This is also known as a Stringhalt, a term often confused with a condition from eating the stringhalt plant I believe. What lady does is paddle outward on the left hind when the ligament gets caught and locks on a boney prominence of the patella. Anyway the ligaments that attatch to the hind patella are limp, which can be caused by poor muscle tone & confirmation issues, Lady is, an arab with refined bone structure and long straight legs, popular look for the halter horses but not good if you want more than a pasture ornament!--so she can be predisposed to this. It was explained to me by the doc, that it can be common in two-year olds since their muscles have not caught up with bone development. Lady is seven but has not worked on a reg basis to build up those muscles and being an arab, they take longer to mature--although by seven she is pretty much done with the growing. In her case the trailer incident was enough to fire this up. There is also the weight issue which I have mentioned before--she and the other horses are underweight and that really makes a difference to me. So, what is the plan besides an expensive operation that may not work as a permanent soulution?
Here's the plan: work on the hind muscle groups--building up the muscle mass will cause the proper tension in the ligament so that it can do its job. I can do a lot of hillwork, although, going up is beneficial, while going down can aggravate. So, we'll work on trotting over cavelletti --about 5 or 6 poles in a line and we can also set some up arc like fashion. 20minute about 3 to 5 times a week. Long trail rides are also good to work inbetween. Of course she's underweight, so my first priority is to get that hay into her somehow. I do not feel right working her at all right now as she is. When she's in better shape nutritionally, We'll begin the work on the caveletti and see how she progresses. The doc says later we can think about blistering. Not as bad as it sounds--but you use an agent that causes swelling--I think you inject DMSO maybe? someone told me I could apply this topically-- on the day you may have a long trail ride--they will be stiff at first, but keeping them moving will free them up and they will actually feel really good and flexible--it basically lets them to use that hind the correct way because the swelling causes tension on the offending ligament so they won't be protecting it undermining all the muscle conditioning you are trying to do. If you want to learn more about this, you can go the The Horseonline.
Now, the other problem this could be is EPM, but since the trailer incident caused this acute presentaton, as she did not have any gait problems before she got on the trailer, there's no reason to worry about that yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Meanwhile back at the Ranch...
Yesterday I worked at the barn for Scott--I sent an audio post hoping to get the horses in the background. They usually chime in and neigh, "hello! hello! hello! when I first walk in. The phone picks up my voice loud and clear but being in the aisleway of the barn, it's hard for the phone to pick up the sounds. Well I'll keep trying. You can hear the horses towards the end, and scott and bill talking in the background. They had no idea what I was doing, i'm sure they thought another person was on the other end.
Scott told me he called his friend the manager at Tractor Supply to get me in there, as I had left an applicaton. Today I talked to the barn manager at a Hunter Jumper barn for full-time groom position. It's very close to where my horses are. It looks like a nice place to work. Jack, the manager would have hired me then and there as I have all the qualifications, but he has to run it by the head trainer there first. He wants to get someone in there before the 16th and I'm the first person who's responded. I think it would be great if my employment status could change very soon--like, now! It's getting pretty rough. The guy at tractor supply is on vacation so I can't talk to him til Monday, but I know which job I want. Call me crazy, but I'd rather clean stalls all day then stand at a cash register selling tractor supplies.
After that, went to see my horses and their friends: Shaka, Galano,Magic, Treasure,Bud, Sierra, Tai. I hope I didn't forget anybody. We used to have 12 horses but many have left. I picked out stalls, fed and hay, groomed Lady top to bottom. They were all happy and content when I left.
Yesterday I worked at the barn for Scott--I sent an audio post hoping to get the horses in the background. They usually chime in and neigh, "hello! hello! hello! when I first walk in. The phone picks up my voice loud and clear but being in the aisleway of the barn, it's hard for the phone to pick up the sounds. Well I'll keep trying. You can hear the horses towards the end, and scott and bill talking in the background. They had no idea what I was doing, i'm sure they thought another person was on the other end.
Scott told me he called his friend the manager at Tractor Supply to get me in there, as I had left an applicaton. Today I talked to the barn manager at a Hunter Jumper barn for full-time groom position. It's very close to where my horses are. It looks like a nice place to work. Jack, the manager would have hired me then and there as I have all the qualifications, but he has to run it by the head trainer there first. He wants to get someone in there before the 16th and I'm the first person who's responded. I think it would be great if my employment status could change very soon--like, now! It's getting pretty rough. The guy at tractor supply is on vacation so I can't talk to him til Monday, but I know which job I want. Call me crazy, but I'd rather clean stalls all day then stand at a cash register selling tractor supplies.
After that, went to see my horses and their friends: Shaka, Galano,Magic, Treasure,Bud, Sierra, Tai. I hope I didn't forget anybody. We used to have 12 horses but many have left. I picked out stalls, fed and hay, groomed Lady top to bottom. They were all happy and content when I left.
Mar 29, 2004
Parelli Clinics in Ohio
Parelli Natural Horsemanship Clinics
with Three Star Endorsed PNH Instructor Sharon Lindy
May 7th - 9th, 2004
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Hunting Valley Stables
18400 Fox Road
Hiram, Ohio
(30 miles Southeast of Cleveland)
May 7th -- Advanced Level One Partnership Clinic (With included Assessment)
$200 per horse/rider
May 8th & 9th -- Level Two Harmony/Fluidity Clinic $350 per horse/rider
Only Ten Riders Accepted for Each Clinic
Auditor Fee in Advance: $25/1 day -- $40/2 days -- $60/3 days
or $30 at the door
For more information on these or other
Parelli Natural Horsemanship Clinics
check out our website at:
www.huntingvalleystables.com
Or contact:
440-834-1900
info@huntingvalleystables.com
Jennifer Sibits and Candy Lawrence
Team Parelli Events
Hunting Valley Stables
18400 Fox Road
Hiram, Ohio
44234
440-834-1900
www.huntingvalleystables.com
Parelli Natural Horsemanship Clinics
with Three Star Endorsed PNH Instructor Sharon Lindy
May 7th - 9th, 2004
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Hunting Valley Stables
18400 Fox Road
Hiram, Ohio
(30 miles Southeast of Cleveland)
May 7th -- Advanced Level One Partnership Clinic (With included Assessment)
$200 per horse/rider
May 8th & 9th -- Level Two Harmony/Fluidity Clinic $350 per horse/rider
Only Ten Riders Accepted for Each Clinic
Auditor Fee in Advance: $25/1 day -- $40/2 days -- $60/3 days
or $30 at the door
For more information on these or other
Parelli Natural Horsemanship Clinics
check out our website at:
www.huntingvalleystables.com
Or contact:
440-834-1900
info@huntingvalleystables.com
Jennifer Sibits and Candy Lawrence
Team Parelli Events
Hunting Valley Stables
18400 Fox Road
Hiram, Ohio
44234
440-834-1900
www.huntingvalleystables.com
Mar 24, 2004
Two good sites to check out:
Equus.net
From the website:
Equus.net presents JP Giacomini's Essential Horsemanship training method as an approach to horse education based on increasing the relaxation of the horse and the authority of the rider, building an ideal horse-human relationship.
Equus.net also presents the Lusitano breeding stallions of the Baroque Collection, as well as other Baroque breeds, such as the Marwari, the war horse of ancient India.
The Show Planner
Lots of informative/authoritative articles with great links and resources for the professional or amature.
Equus.net
From the website:
Equus.net presents JP Giacomini's Essential Horsemanship training method as an approach to horse education based on increasing the relaxation of the horse and the authority of the rider, building an ideal horse-human relationship.
Equus.net also presents the Lusitano breeding stallions of the Baroque Collection, as well as other Baroque breeds, such as the Marwari, the war horse of ancient India.
The Show Planner
Lots of informative/authoritative articles with great links and resources for the professional or amature.
Mar 23, 2004
Designing Women & Dirty Nails
I'm always interested in biographical essays and articles featuring women as seminal figures in the stock horse industry, especially when it comes to ranching and breeding. What has not changed is that the industry is still a male dominated field where the big money is to be made, but more and more ranch women today have opportuinities to participate and exel in not just the non-traditional roles of cowboys and ranch hands but also to be recognized as major influences in the breeding, training, and promotional aspects in the horse world. This is due in part to the cowgirl "pioneers" of the 60's era, women who in their youth garnered success in stock horse exhibitions, like Carol Rose, famed quarter horse breeder, arabian breeder Sheila Varian, and horse guru and trainer Linda Tellington Jones--who some may not know was a young contender in the stock horse shows before she marketed her TTeam methods for sport and pleasure horses of various breeds. While the womens movement of the sixties and seventies also contributed to the influx of women able to participate in male dominated careers, these women have inspiring life stories nontheless, to help motiviate and encourage many a hopeful cowgirl young and old alike. They certainly inspire me to "quit my cry'n" when things get rough, to keep my mind on even the humble goals I want to achieve regardless of what stands in my way.
One thing that appealed to me about Carol Rose is not only her Martha Stewart like pluck, but what is said of Carol's "true-grit" character, also from the website:
You can expect to see more on this subject from time to time. The good thing is you'll never know whether or not I'm typing in entries with dirty fingernails or horse slobber in my hair.
The years prior to the eighties featured only a handful of women who were actual forces in the professional horse world. What did it take for a woman to make it in that predominantly male arena? Someone supremely confident in her own capability and knowledge, and literally fearless when she knows she is right. Carol is a pioneer who blazed a trail in an industry that now welcomes and appreciates its female members, from trainers to editors to association executives. She has unquestionably earned her place at the top.~ from an article written by Patti Colbert and Robin Glenn at the Carol Rose website. ~also be sure and check out the vintage cowgirl photo's.
I'm always interested in biographical essays and articles featuring women as seminal figures in the stock horse industry, especially when it comes to ranching and breeding. What has not changed is that the industry is still a male dominated field where the big money is to be made, but more and more ranch women today have opportuinities to participate and exel in not just the non-traditional roles of cowboys and ranch hands but also to be recognized as major influences in the breeding, training, and promotional aspects in the horse world. This is due in part to the cowgirl "pioneers" of the 60's era, women who in their youth garnered success in stock horse exhibitions, like Carol Rose, famed quarter horse breeder, arabian breeder Sheila Varian, and horse guru and trainer Linda Tellington Jones--who some may not know was a young contender in the stock horse shows before she marketed her TTeam methods for sport and pleasure horses of various breeds. While the womens movement of the sixties and seventies also contributed to the influx of women able to participate in male dominated careers, these women have inspiring life stories nontheless, to help motiviate and encourage many a hopeful cowgirl young and old alike. They certainly inspire me to "quit my cry'n" when things get rough, to keep my mind on even the humble goals I want to achieve regardless of what stands in my way.
One thing that appealed to me about Carol Rose is not only her Martha Stewart like pluck, but what is said of Carol's "true-grit" character, also from the website:
She's a get-to-business, bluntly honest person--perspectives she extends to herself. She races around her ranch each day accompanied by her trio of devoted Corgis, personally overseeing her business, from selecting a promising prospect for an ambitious buyer, to helping an employee coax a colt into the round pen. At sundown Carol's fingernails are just as dirty and her body just as tired,
You can expect to see more on this subject from time to time. The good thing is you'll never know whether or not I'm typing in entries with dirty fingernails or horse slobber in my hair.
On Performance Horses and Burnout:
“A horse is like a bank account; you can only take out as much as you put into it.”~Charlie Hutton
~as told to his step-daughter Jessicah Keller--NRHA non-pro world champion
See the article at Performance Horse Magazine online
“A horse is like a bank account; you can only take out as much as you put into it.”~Charlie Hutton
~as told to his step-daughter Jessicah Keller--NRHA non-pro world champion
See the article at Performance Horse Magazine online
Mar 21, 2004
It's that time again to start worring about the West Nile Virus. We've been dealing with it in Ohio for a while, and word has it it's making its way around the states. Here's some articles to read atThe Horse Online
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current year's West Nile virus articles are listed below. For archived articles
(1999-2003), maps, and state/national government agency links, please click here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Combination Vaccines Include WNV Protection Feb 2004
This year your veterinarian's truck might be stocked with a new combination
vaccine--protection against West Nile virus (WNV) has been folded into routinely used
three-way and four-way vaccines.
WNV: Prevention is Key 3/18/04
"West Nile virus (WNV) is the number one diagnosed neurologic disease in horses, or close
to it," said William Saville, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of The Ohio State University, at a
March 10 Fort Dodge Animal Health educational seminar for veterinarians held in
Lexington, Ky.
WNV: An Evolving Epizootic 3/12/04
"West Nile virus (WNV) is coming to a state near you if it hasn't already arrived," said
Eileen Ostlund, DVM, PhD, head of the equine and ovine viruses section at the Diagnostic
Virology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, during the
Western Veterinary Conference held February 15-19 in Las Vegas, Nev.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The current year's West Nile virus articles are listed below. For archived articles
(1999-2003), maps, and state/national government agency links, please click here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Combination Vaccines Include WNV Protection Feb 2004
This year your veterinarian's truck might be stocked with a new combination
vaccine--protection against West Nile virus (WNV) has been folded into routinely used
three-way and four-way vaccines.
WNV: Prevention is Key 3/18/04
"West Nile virus (WNV) is the number one diagnosed neurologic disease in horses, or close
to it," said William Saville, DVM, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, of The Ohio State University, at a
March 10 Fort Dodge Animal Health educational seminar for veterinarians held in
Lexington, Ky.
WNV: An Evolving Epizootic 3/12/04
"West Nile virus (WNV) is coming to a state near you if it hasn't already arrived," said
Eileen Ostlund, DVM, PhD, head of the equine and ovine viruses section at the Diagnostic
Virology Laboratory, National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, during the
Western Veterinary Conference held February 15-19 in Las Vegas, Nev.
From The Paper Diary:
About this time last year I started keeping a regular diary/scrapbook of horse activities. I'm going to post them on here for continuity, and since I had not been writing entries for a particular audience, I think they might offer a certain freshness that comes from recording thoughts as they spilled directly onto the paper. Fresh or not I may edit some things for clarity, but others even I don't know what the heck I was thinking so I may choose to leave words or sentences alone.
March 5, 2003
Jesse James and I are going to Mount Hope. Amish land, Dutchland, Swiss. The land of Sugarcreek if you turn at the intersection, right instead of left. Sugarcreek, where the fate of horses is decided with the "sold to!" cry of the auctioneer. Goodbye to what was once a little friend. Goodbye to the horse that knows no other life but to suffer.
We turn left, for the tack auction. Drive up and down hills with the landscape on both sides like a tonal plaid. The snow is giving into the harrowed fields where summers planting leaves maize colored zig zags like rick-rack on a brown dress. Everywhere you look is the dark horse like a shadow or cutout, alone in a field, the backyard, napping near the shelter of the barn wall that radiates enough warmth that only a horse, or a cat would notice.
Everything immaculate and sensible, and in between, the English invasion capitalizing on the quaint way of life: "Genuine Amish Furniture, Amish Craft, Home of Amish Style." "Looking up and down the hills go the carts. If you are behind, all you see is a black rectangle and four animated hooves in a rhythmic paddling march. As you pass, you may glimpse the white of an eye, "Oh please be careful." it seems to plead. I wonder how many times in a working day that goes on?
A conversation From Cormac Mc Carthy, Cities of the Plain:
Is he supposed to be some sort of specialist in spoiled horses?
Let's go, Billy said. He's liable to walk that son of a bitch all afternoon.
They went toward the house.
Ask Joaquin yonder, Billy said.
Ask me what?
If the cowboy knows horses.
The cowboy says he doesn't know nothin.
I know it.
He claims he just likes it and works hard at it.
What you think, said Billy.
Joaquin shook his head.
Joaquin thinks his method is unorthodox.
So does Mac.
Joaquin didn't answer till they reached the gate. Then he stopped and looked back at the corral.
Finally he said that it didn't make much difference it you liked horses or not if they didn't like you.
He said the best trainers he ever knew, horses couldn't stay away from them. He said horses would follow Billy Sanchez to the outhouse and stand there and wait for him. ~~
March 15th, 2003--isn't this the Ides of March?
Today was about 60-65 F. Heat wave after a cold winter. Brought Wyatt in from the pasture, He didn't care too much to shlep through the mud. After ignoring him after riding Lady for 5 minutes on Thursday--I got too cold--he ate up the attention. He even let me cut off his long winter wiskers, liked getting brushed between, inside, around his little ornately formed ears. His forelock, his forhead. The curry was uncomfortable at first, but oh it felt so good after a while. I poked and prodded delicate places and he put up with it.
Went for a short ride across the street with Cathy and Beau. Both horses dubious about the mushy terrain, about leaving the perimeter of the stables after the long weeks of staying close to home. They wanted to enjoy the change of scenery but they'd rather be home. Especially when things they can't see make sudden noises in the brush. The trails too mud sodden, do do anything but go in a small circle and this requires a change in plans.
Cathy and I fight for control on the way home. No runaway horses finding the ubiquitous ground hog tunnel now a hidden trap in the soggy turf..
March 16, 2003
Rode with Cathy and Omar at Deer Creek State Park. Only 2 other people there. This was my first trail ride with Wyatt away from home. We rode for about 2 hours. Wyatt was tired but after the ride and before we trailered up he looked around and then at me as if to ask? Can't we just stay here? This is nice. I also happened to notice Wyatt attemting to read the trail markers; apparently he is more familiar with the system than I.
March 23, 2003
Met Kellie G. We rode from her house on Clear Creek Rd, Michigan, to the Waterloo trails. I rode her 24 yo mare Jamie--an arabian. she is cute as a button. Kellie rode her mare MSU sordid Affair--green--and the other Kelly, rode dreamer, her youn appy/arab mare while ponying her new horse Keme. The girls were wilder than the horses. It was a wonderful place to ride. Lots of groups on the trails and quite a few fox-trotters. Spent the night with Kellie and her husband Bobby. Talked until 2am, drove home -12:30. Crossed the Ohio border and had to pull into rest stop to take a long nap. The spontaneous trip took a lot out of me. I believe Lynn Palm rode by us and wished us well at Waterloo. I swear it was her!
[this was inserted, don't know when I wrote it]
That week, tried out a job in mich on the border. arabians--104 head. Lots of weanlings & yearlings that hadn't been handled enough. Crazy people, fun in a way, but the prospect of being stuck up there after I moved my horses started to look really bad. I stayed in a camper with no heat. It was just too much to deal with. Not enough money to make it for two weeks. I packed up and drove home.
April 4, 2003
New job at Heartland Stables-a resort type B&B with a string of trail horses as well as boarding for overnights. First day rode Winnie, and old sorrel mare, & rode Blazer, a cute black gelding with a white blaze and a nice jog. Gave an arena ride with Micah on Misty, another ride with mother daughter. Gave a riding lesson, rode Eagle, a sorrel appy gelding with a snow flake pattern blanket.
Today rode drag on two trail rides, the first on who is soon becoming my favorite: Blazer. On him saw vultures in tree while a few swooped down. Saw a little nuthatch. Second ride, gave demonstration on Suzie, a paint mare with blue eyes. (pretty) [dorinne's horse, the owner/operator of the B&B] and rode Cloud, appy mare like Wyatt. On her saw deer up close, vultures again. The scenery is beautiful as everything is fresh and spring green. Not enough foliage to block the sky in the woods or to camoflage wildlife. Need to get/identify local flora, carpets of violets and little white flowers.
Sunday, April, 2003
Lady's orientation to Trail at DS. I took her on foot and we were gone for over an hour. Covered all kinds of terrain, wood's fields, development. Lots of obstacles and junk around construction sites. Ginett, Jessica, Derick on CC, Gunner, Toby. Lady was very good once we got away from stables. She relied on me and I had her attention. She seemed to really enjoy the new experience. The critical times were crossing the road from the drive. It really freaked her out, but at development site, she was fine on the pavement. My legs are killing me
[notes] Blazer can only be ridden by guides. Chief will buck with heavy weight people. What are Lisa's horses names? Jane
Cedarcroft Notes: Sometime in May
East side: Splash, Maggie McGee, Michael, Calypso,Oscar. West side: Uptown Manhattan, Toby,Sunny,Rainbow, Spot (Wheel of Fortune)
Duties: Clean stalls, horses groomed and tacked, exercise training, lunch, feed dogs, pick out stalls again,feed, hay, water, leave 2 bales for evening. Blow aisles, sanitize, put away tools, close back door, lights off west side, chain across aisle, clean feed bins, washer dryer.
Grooming; Curry hairy, dirty spots, brush, towel,clean feet, clean dock, wraps, boots. Take water out of stall if still hot.
I lasted a month at Cedarcroft. Scott says that is typical. Dave did the same thing to the last girl who worked there.
Lady and Wyatt have been moved to Legend Stables after kelly's place,( recommended by dave--should have known it was a bad idea) turned out to be a nightmare for them and me, not to mention the other horses and animals there. One horse I feel really bad for is Shady, a little gray gelding (arab) that I liked. I wish I could afford to buy him and bring him around. I think he'd be a good endurance prospect. He's small but sturdy looking. Heartland is selling to cash buyer who is not going to run the place as an Equestrian B&B. Shame. I wonder what will happen to the trail string and sweet horses like Rooster and Blazer? Tony may stay on to train the people's horses. I still have stuff there I need to pick up. Hope no one has been picking through it.
About Buckeye [from a story I have been planning to finish]
He did not mind being in a pasture of his own kind. It was much better than being bossed around by irritable mares. Here, in the gelding pasture he could make something of himself.
10/08/03
It's about 6:30 pm. I'm driving in Delaware--rt 521/ All summer I've watched the flat fields change color, texture. Soybeans, wheat, corn. It seemed the corn went buff overnight. The brief frost? Driving, it is the second or third day of indian summer. I note the places where the corn's already been harvested. Sheaves strewn like casualties on the overgrown berm. Massive field that borders Legend stables, the big red combine cutting a wide swath and I feel saddend by it. A peculiar saddness that lingers, saddness for the corn. For me it was another lost summer. a summer of hurry and care and disappointments. A summer that doesn't wait for me to catch up with it. The corn went buff overnight and soon the fields will be bare and the crisp October sky overhead will go cold; the aluminum stare of November.
Prairie Spring --I think I got this from a collection of Willa Cather? I will have to check
Evening and the flat land,
Rich and sombre and always silent;
The miles of fresh-plowed soil,
Heavy and black, full of strength and harshness;
The growing wheat, the growig weeds,
The toiling horses, the tired men;
The long empty roads,
Sullen fires of sunset, fading
The eternal, unresponsive sky.
Against all this, Youth, flaming like wild roses,
Singing like the larks over the plowed fields,
Flashing like a star out of the twilight,
Youth with its insuppportable sweetness,
Its fierce necessity,
Its sharp desire,
Singing and singing,
Out of the lips of silence,
Out of the earthy dusk.
10/11/03
In a herd society, Lady is very talented. She is the sentinel. She sees things that go on far beyond the perimiter of the pasture. The other members take her, and other things for granted. They think they've seen it all. The unusual things are what she hones in on. Things that upset the pattern of the landscape. Not in a frightened way though, she hones on things with a definite interest the way of a a naturalist. She studies. She watches; she tries to make out whether it is of any note. She tries to solve a puzzle. What does it mean to "us," is it a threat, is it benign? Does it mind its own business or is it after "us"? As I watch her take in the information, danger or not, she seems completely interestd in the object and what impact it plays in her life and in the life of the herd dynamic. What intrigues me is the rather objective study that comes from being a horse These things are pure to her. They come without the comment of history. There is an innocence about her experience. Today is was a hot air balloon, miles and miles away in the sky. [about the size of an ant] It seemed she looked at it with more wonder and interest. Too far away to pose an immediate a threat, she looked and observed with the same wonder and interest as I look at the stars and objects in the night sky with a sense of awe. The sense that it is just too big for you to comprehend it all. I can imagine her thinking, 'I'm enjoying looking at this'
I admire Lady's power of observation and study. We share the same enthusiasm for what we learn through our powers of observation. Yet, take Lady out of the herd situation, the comfort zone, and she is overcome by her senses--she becomes worked up over little things. Her whole body is charged with the defense mechanisim, where she percieves everything as a threat. She has come a long way in trusting and listening to me, but her instincts still prevail and sometimes take charge. It reminds me of the mechanisim that creates panic attacks in humans--but to a horse, the mechanisim can mean life or death.
Then there's Galano--joy on four feet, joy for just being him.
About this time last year I started keeping a regular diary/scrapbook of horse activities. I'm going to post them on here for continuity, and since I had not been writing entries for a particular audience, I think they might offer a certain freshness that comes from recording thoughts as they spilled directly onto the paper. Fresh or not I may edit some things for clarity, but others even I don't know what the heck I was thinking so I may choose to leave words or sentences alone.
March 5, 2003
Jesse James and I are going to Mount Hope. Amish land, Dutchland, Swiss. The land of Sugarcreek if you turn at the intersection, right instead of left. Sugarcreek, where the fate of horses is decided with the "sold to!" cry of the auctioneer. Goodbye to what was once a little friend. Goodbye to the horse that knows no other life but to suffer.
We turn left, for the tack auction. Drive up and down hills with the landscape on both sides like a tonal plaid. The snow is giving into the harrowed fields where summers planting leaves maize colored zig zags like rick-rack on a brown dress. Everywhere you look is the dark horse like a shadow or cutout, alone in a field, the backyard, napping near the shelter of the barn wall that radiates enough warmth that only a horse, or a cat would notice.
Everything immaculate and sensible, and in between, the English invasion capitalizing on the quaint way of life: "Genuine Amish Furniture, Amish Craft, Home of Amish Style." "Looking up and down the hills go the carts. If you are behind, all you see is a black rectangle and four animated hooves in a rhythmic paddling march. As you pass, you may glimpse the white of an eye, "Oh please be careful." it seems to plead. I wonder how many times in a working day that goes on?
A conversation From Cormac Mc Carthy, Cities of the Plain:
Is he supposed to be some sort of specialist in spoiled horses?
Let's go, Billy said. He's liable to walk that son of a bitch all afternoon.
They went toward the house.
Ask Joaquin yonder, Billy said.
Ask me what?
If the cowboy knows horses.
The cowboy says he doesn't know nothin.
I know it.
He claims he just likes it and works hard at it.
What you think, said Billy.
Joaquin shook his head.
Joaquin thinks his method is unorthodox.
So does Mac.
Joaquin didn't answer till they reached the gate. Then he stopped and looked back at the corral.
Finally he said that it didn't make much difference it you liked horses or not if they didn't like you.
He said the best trainers he ever knew, horses couldn't stay away from them. He said horses would follow Billy Sanchez to the outhouse and stand there and wait for him. ~~
March 15th, 2003--isn't this the Ides of March?
Today was about 60-65 F. Heat wave after a cold winter. Brought Wyatt in from the pasture, He didn't care too much to shlep through the mud. After ignoring him after riding Lady for 5 minutes on Thursday--I got too cold--he ate up the attention. He even let me cut off his long winter wiskers, liked getting brushed between, inside, around his little ornately formed ears. His forelock, his forhead. The curry was uncomfortable at first, but oh it felt so good after a while. I poked and prodded delicate places and he put up with it.
Went for a short ride across the street with Cathy and Beau. Both horses dubious about the mushy terrain, about leaving the perimeter of the stables after the long weeks of staying close to home. They wanted to enjoy the change of scenery but they'd rather be home. Especially when things they can't see make sudden noises in the brush. The trails too mud sodden, do do anything but go in a small circle and this requires a change in plans.
Cathy and I fight for control on the way home. No runaway horses finding the ubiquitous ground hog tunnel now a hidden trap in the soggy turf..
March 16, 2003
Rode with Cathy and Omar at Deer Creek State Park. Only 2 other people there. This was my first trail ride with Wyatt away from home. We rode for about 2 hours. Wyatt was tired but after the ride and before we trailered up he looked around and then at me as if to ask? Can't we just stay here? This is nice. I also happened to notice Wyatt attemting to read the trail markers; apparently he is more familiar with the system than I.
March 23, 2003
Met Kellie G. We rode from her house on Clear Creek Rd, Michigan, to the Waterloo trails. I rode her 24 yo mare Jamie--an arabian. she is cute as a button. Kellie rode her mare MSU sordid Affair--green--and the other Kelly, rode dreamer, her youn appy/arab mare while ponying her new horse Keme. The girls were wilder than the horses. It was a wonderful place to ride. Lots of groups on the trails and quite a few fox-trotters. Spent the night with Kellie and her husband Bobby. Talked until 2am, drove home -12:30. Crossed the Ohio border and had to pull into rest stop to take a long nap. The spontaneous trip took a lot out of me. I believe Lynn Palm rode by us and wished us well at Waterloo. I swear it was her!
[this was inserted, don't know when I wrote it]
That week, tried out a job in mich on the border. arabians--104 head. Lots of weanlings & yearlings that hadn't been handled enough. Crazy people, fun in a way, but the prospect of being stuck up there after I moved my horses started to look really bad. I stayed in a camper with no heat. It was just too much to deal with. Not enough money to make it for two weeks. I packed up and drove home.
April 4, 2003
New job at Heartland Stables-a resort type B&B with a string of trail horses as well as boarding for overnights. First day rode Winnie, and old sorrel mare, & rode Blazer, a cute black gelding with a white blaze and a nice jog. Gave an arena ride with Micah on Misty, another ride with mother daughter. Gave a riding lesson, rode Eagle, a sorrel appy gelding with a snow flake pattern blanket.
Today rode drag on two trail rides, the first on who is soon becoming my favorite: Blazer. On him saw vultures in tree while a few swooped down. Saw a little nuthatch. Second ride, gave demonstration on Suzie, a paint mare with blue eyes. (pretty) [dorinne's horse, the owner/operator of the B&B] and rode Cloud, appy mare like Wyatt. On her saw deer up close, vultures again. The scenery is beautiful as everything is fresh and spring green. Not enough foliage to block the sky in the woods or to camoflage wildlife. Need to get/identify local flora, carpets of violets and little white flowers.
Sunday, April, 2003
Lady's orientation to Trail at DS. I took her on foot and we were gone for over an hour. Covered all kinds of terrain, wood's fields, development. Lots of obstacles and junk around construction sites. Ginett, Jessica, Derick on CC, Gunner, Toby. Lady was very good once we got away from stables. She relied on me and I had her attention. She seemed to really enjoy the new experience. The critical times were crossing the road from the drive. It really freaked her out, but at development site, she was fine on the pavement. My legs are killing me
[notes] Blazer can only be ridden by guides. Chief will buck with heavy weight people. What are Lisa's horses names? Jane
Cedarcroft Notes: Sometime in May
East side: Splash, Maggie McGee, Michael, Calypso,Oscar. West side: Uptown Manhattan, Toby,Sunny,Rainbow, Spot (Wheel of Fortune)
Duties: Clean stalls, horses groomed and tacked, exercise training, lunch, feed dogs, pick out stalls again,feed, hay, water, leave 2 bales for evening. Blow aisles, sanitize, put away tools, close back door, lights off west side, chain across aisle, clean feed bins, washer dryer.
Grooming; Curry hairy, dirty spots, brush, towel,clean feet, clean dock, wraps, boots. Take water out of stall if still hot.
I lasted a month at Cedarcroft. Scott says that is typical. Dave did the same thing to the last girl who worked there.
Lady and Wyatt have been moved to Legend Stables after kelly's place,( recommended by dave--should have known it was a bad idea) turned out to be a nightmare for them and me, not to mention the other horses and animals there. One horse I feel really bad for is Shady, a little gray gelding (arab) that I liked. I wish I could afford to buy him and bring him around. I think he'd be a good endurance prospect. He's small but sturdy looking. Heartland is selling to cash buyer who is not going to run the place as an Equestrian B&B. Shame. I wonder what will happen to the trail string and sweet horses like Rooster and Blazer? Tony may stay on to train the people's horses. I still have stuff there I need to pick up. Hope no one has been picking through it.
About Buckeye [from a story I have been planning to finish]
He did not mind being in a pasture of his own kind. It was much better than being bossed around by irritable mares. Here, in the gelding pasture he could make something of himself.
10/08/03
It's about 6:30 pm. I'm driving in Delaware--rt 521/ All summer I've watched the flat fields change color, texture. Soybeans, wheat, corn. It seemed the corn went buff overnight. The brief frost? Driving, it is the second or third day of indian summer. I note the places where the corn's already been harvested. Sheaves strewn like casualties on the overgrown berm. Massive field that borders Legend stables, the big red combine cutting a wide swath and I feel saddend by it. A peculiar saddness that lingers, saddness for the corn. For me it was another lost summer. a summer of hurry and care and disappointments. A summer that doesn't wait for me to catch up with it. The corn went buff overnight and soon the fields will be bare and the crisp October sky overhead will go cold; the aluminum stare of November.
Prairie Spring --I think I got this from a collection of Willa Cather? I will have to check
Evening and the flat land,
Rich and sombre and always silent;
The miles of fresh-plowed soil,
Heavy and black, full of strength and harshness;
The growing wheat, the growig weeds,
The toiling horses, the tired men;
The long empty roads,
Sullen fires of sunset, fading
The eternal, unresponsive sky.
Against all this, Youth, flaming like wild roses,
Singing like the larks over the plowed fields,
Flashing like a star out of the twilight,
Youth with its insuppportable sweetness,
Its fierce necessity,
Its sharp desire,
Singing and singing,
Out of the lips of silence,
Out of the earthy dusk.
10/11/03
In a herd society, Lady is very talented. She is the sentinel. She sees things that go on far beyond the perimiter of the pasture. The other members take her, and other things for granted. They think they've seen it all. The unusual things are what she hones in on. Things that upset the pattern of the landscape. Not in a frightened way though, she hones on things with a definite interest the way of a a naturalist. She studies. She watches; she tries to make out whether it is of any note. She tries to solve a puzzle. What does it mean to "us," is it a threat, is it benign? Does it mind its own business or is it after "us"? As I watch her take in the information, danger or not, she seems completely interestd in the object and what impact it plays in her life and in the life of the herd dynamic. What intrigues me is the rather objective study that comes from being a horse These things are pure to her. They come without the comment of history. There is an innocence about her experience. Today is was a hot air balloon, miles and miles away in the sky. [about the size of an ant] It seemed she looked at it with more wonder and interest. Too far away to pose an immediate a threat, she looked and observed with the same wonder and interest as I look at the stars and objects in the night sky with a sense of awe. The sense that it is just too big for you to comprehend it all. I can imagine her thinking, 'I'm enjoying looking at this'
I admire Lady's power of observation and study. We share the same enthusiasm for what we learn through our powers of observation. Yet, take Lady out of the herd situation, the comfort zone, and she is overcome by her senses--she becomes worked up over little things. Her whole body is charged with the defense mechanisim, where she percieves everything as a threat. She has come a long way in trusting and listening to me, but her instincts still prevail and sometimes take charge. It reminds me of the mechanisim that creates panic attacks in humans--but to a horse, the mechanisim can mean life or death.
Then there's Galano--joy on four feet, joy for just being him.
Mar 20, 2004
Meanwhile back at the ranch.....
I made it to the barn today--I sent an audio post while I was with Wyatt and normally he has a lot to say. Wouldn't you know he doesn't want to say anything on cue. The horses looked good today--the sun was shinning and they all had a big pile of hay. Happy campers. Got Wyatt and Lady & I took the shedding blade and raked off the mud. They are just now starting to noticably shed. When is it...April? isn't April the moon when the ponies shed? Saddled Wyatt and put the rope halter on Lady and we spent about an hour ponying around the property. Wyatt and I spent a few quiet moments by the van so I could get my phone to experiment with post by phone. As soon as I was done everybody decided to trumpet and yell for each other. Better luck next time. Dropped everyone's grain, gave Lady & Wyatt their evening hay, worked on lady's mane and tail, helped scott bring the rest of the horses in and we talked for a while about horses and people and horses--I can never get enough and their is always something to be learned or an interesting story. Took the long drive home feeling much better, but that was today. kst
I made it to the barn today--I sent an audio post while I was with Wyatt and normally he has a lot to say. Wouldn't you know he doesn't want to say anything on cue. The horses looked good today--the sun was shinning and they all had a big pile of hay. Happy campers. Got Wyatt and Lady & I took the shedding blade and raked off the mud. They are just now starting to noticably shed. When is it...April? isn't April the moon when the ponies shed? Saddled Wyatt and put the rope halter on Lady and we spent about an hour ponying around the property. Wyatt and I spent a few quiet moments by the van so I could get my phone to experiment with post by phone. As soon as I was done everybody decided to trumpet and yell for each other. Better luck next time. Dropped everyone's grain, gave Lady & Wyatt their evening hay, worked on lady's mane and tail, helped scott bring the rest of the horses in and we talked for a while about horses and people and horses--I can never get enough and their is always something to be learned or an interesting story. Took the long drive home feeling much better, but that was today. kst
Mar 16, 2004
Meanwhile, back at the ranch...
I managed to make it to the barn on Sunday having invited a guest to stop by. The day before was beautiful, mild and the sun was shining, but could I get out there? No. Sunday is overcast and windy which is the norm at the barn. This part of Delaware is extremely flat and delivers many days an arctic chill but come summer it is a welcome breeze. I introduce all the horses in the barn to my guest and then we spend some time grooming Lady and Wyatt while they munch on their hay. When the brushing's done I get the western saddle, look at my horses and their backs and hips which are no longer the same healthy landscape of gradual curving dips and swells, but have taken on a harder and more angular terrain that speaks of a harsher environment. Unhappy that their now less than perfect life has begun to show in their conformation, I make a quick decision to use the english saddle instead, even though it means lugging the western all the way back to my tack locker. I return with the lighter and very cheap english saddle and proceed to tack Wyatt up in it. He is antsy and impatient, pawing and curling his head around towards me and making a snapping sound with his teeth as I begin to tighten the girth. When he's feeling good or satified with life he doesn't do this. There was a time we worked on this habit he'd had before I became his owner and this reaching and snapping had ceased altogether with time and better care. Now, I'm getting unhappier by the minute because I know the source of his behavior and unless I'm at the barn 24/7, there's nothing I can do quickly to remedy the current situation that has brought this about.
The horses have not been happy nor content themselves of late and I'll not state the specific reasons here for the time being, but generally, horses pick up on the human factor and the mood that prevails around the barn on any given day. There's no strange magic to this; horses read us through our actions and demeanor anytime wer're around them. When the people who are responsible for the overall care for horses on a daily basis are tense, or in a difficult personal situation, it can effect the continuity of care the horses are used to. A change in routine due to a human element such as this effects the horses general well-being and is interpreted in their behavior very quickly. I suppose at some deeper level they can read our minds due to the heightened insight and awareness of lower animals (don't forget, we are part of the animal kingdom too). But without going into a long scientific discussion of same, lets just say that things are not good all around for my horses and their friends and they have their way of telling me through their behavior and general body language. Now it's more than that, it is becoming a nutritional issue that shouldn't even play a role in a place where people know better. Knowing this, and putting a saddle on Wyatt's back when he's been upset makes me feel like shit. As a consolation, I decide I won't use a bridle and bit today, we don't need to work on refinement, we''ll just work on some things for his benefit using the rope halter and lead combo--I can give him that much. I send Lady out to the larger paddock to hang out and pick along the ground for tidbits of grass while we finish with Wyatt--which I know adds to Wyatt's irritation--why does Lady get all the breaks? Of course Lady is younger and clueless. She only knows to live for the moment. Anything that's past is over and done with. I think Wyatt hates that about her--being that carefree.
I had my guest lead Wyatt out and then we let him meander over to the growing winter manure pile where he proceeds to climb up in his goat like fashion and look for a stash of leftover hay. I now have my fancy carrot stick with the plastic bag on the end and Lady in the rope halter and we review some groundwork-- a few "parelli games" while I explain what I'm doing and why. Most of the time I have Lady's attention, but considering what's been going on in their environment, she has been less attentive when I work with her. Regardless, we work through the inattention. I would have saddled her up and we would have worked on some things while I'm mounted, but I just couldn't bring myself to make her wear the big heavy western saddle either after all the weight she's lost. Some people involved with horses wouldn't consider this a big issue, the horse is a beast of burden and must do what we tell them regardless of the circumstances--not meaning people who think this way don't take good care of their horses, but I believe if I expect quality results, then my horses care should be of the best quality and their basic needs met before I place demands on them or blame for poor performance. You reap what you sow is my motto. As a boarder, this has been briefly out of my control so I am not the original instigator of this and I am trying to hold back my anger over this situation, because a this point it could only make things worse--of course to let this happen on an ongoing basis does stick me with being culpable to some extent. Getting back to the saddle/riding issue anyway, why in the world would I want to teach my horse that riding is an uncomfortable task best to avoid? I want a responsive horse with a willing attitude and for us to experience the mutual benefits riding can bring. This is not just the sentiment of the recreational horse world and gimmicky natural horsemanship guru's of today, but written about much much earlier in the interest of good horsemanship by the greek generalXenophon of 360 B.C.E.
I give Wyatt on the end of a lead rope to my guest, and we bring Lady and Wyatt into the indoor arena, basically a wood and aluminum structure on the ground with a base of limestone and dirt type footing added on top. Not meaning to say it is not nice, because it is, but in the Delaware winds it seems a little rickety and insubstantial. We work a little more despite the wind whistling through the doors and rattling the roof and whatnot. I let Lady loose to mosey around but after being pent up most of the day she just wants to play, which consists of an animated trot in and out of the arena, back again, then ending at the barn entrance which I had blocked with a wheel barrow. She doesn't like this at all, and she does her kooky arabian dance, frustrated that she's being prevented from delightfully ripping gobs of hay from the bale near the aisle, and, if she begins to lack confidence being out alone, she can't retreat to her stall for safety. While she's busy telling the wheel barrow off in her horse way, snorting at it and stomping, I tell my guest while the romping is fun for her, it's made the environment unsafe for any hapless boarders who may stop by. My guest offers to take her her back to her stall while I wait with Wyatt in the arena.
As things are getting settled down, I get on Wyatt having made a hackamore out of the rope halter and lead, and we work on small maneuvers in the paddock while I wait for my guest to return. We ride back into the area to do some trotting and loosening up as my guest follows to watch. Wyatt does not misbehave in any fashion while I am riding, but when I am done and back on the ground he feels the need to express his irritability--with his teeth! He actually nips my guests palm! [who had his hand on to near his mouth, for too long, but still!] Well no matter how Wyatt feels, that was inappropriate and I take him to task on that--I chastise him verbally, something along the lines of "Bad, bad, no hand held treats for you today!" as I back him up away from us and we stand there for a moment having our quiet think-about-what-you-did time. I could tell Wyatt was not really sorry about what he'd done as his demeanor didn't look all that contrite; his eye did not go completely soft, a little more on the squinty side, a kind of justified half-stare, saying, "I 'm glad I did it. You're not listening to how mad I am and I'm willing to accept the consequences of my actions just to get my point across." But, yes, I know he got the message of my displeasure, because he and I know each other that well.
After this, I proceed to coerce my guest to get on him and take a ride, having already apologized over and over for him like you would if your kid did something outrageous and uncharacteristic, telling him that it was unusual for Wyatt to do anything really mean, and if he'd wanted it too, it could have included blood and gore. In that, he got off easy. Anyway, my guest is mounted and a natural as riding goes, He's been around horses a lot more than your average person, has had a few lessons--good ones, and Wyatt is attentive to his cueing once I tell him he doesn't need the constant pressure of a tight rein to remain in control. The ride is brief, but Wyatt was able work some of the kinks out and in general, I believe he felt better after being ridden. We leave the arena, patting and loving on Wyatt to thank him, remove the saddle, then release him in the paddock so he can do his favorite thing while we put away the horse junk in the barn, hang out and graze freely in the open air, unencumbered momentarily by the demands of that confusing and downright pesky human species. From time to time like I always do, I take long glances at Wyatt being Wyatt through the view allowed from the half-closed panel door of the barn. I'm thinking there is nothing like watching a happy satisfied horse enjoying himself in such a simple way. I'm thankful he includes me as a member of his band, and in return I can give him the opportunity for his pleasure. Wyatt has been around enough to know the rules of the game--"Make the right way easy and the wrong way hard," [perhaps incorrectly attributed to Tom Curtain, by one of my friends very experienced in natural horsemanship, but more than likely, Ray Hunt or Tom Dorrance said it, I just can't remember at the moment] .--he may test this with me, but only to make sure I'm remembering my part of the bargain. kst
I managed to make it to the barn on Sunday having invited a guest to stop by. The day before was beautiful, mild and the sun was shining, but could I get out there? No. Sunday is overcast and windy which is the norm at the barn. This part of Delaware is extremely flat and delivers many days an arctic chill but come summer it is a welcome breeze. I introduce all the horses in the barn to my guest and then we spend some time grooming Lady and Wyatt while they munch on their hay. When the brushing's done I get the western saddle, look at my horses and their backs and hips which are no longer the same healthy landscape of gradual curving dips and swells, but have taken on a harder and more angular terrain that speaks of a harsher environment. Unhappy that their now less than perfect life has begun to show in their conformation, I make a quick decision to use the english saddle instead, even though it means lugging the western all the way back to my tack locker. I return with the lighter and very cheap english saddle and proceed to tack Wyatt up in it. He is antsy and impatient, pawing and curling his head around towards me and making a snapping sound with his teeth as I begin to tighten the girth. When he's feeling good or satified with life he doesn't do this. There was a time we worked on this habit he'd had before I became his owner and this reaching and snapping had ceased altogether with time and better care. Now, I'm getting unhappier by the minute because I know the source of his behavior and unless I'm at the barn 24/7, there's nothing I can do quickly to remedy the current situation that has brought this about.
The horses have not been happy nor content themselves of late and I'll not state the specific reasons here for the time being, but generally, horses pick up on the human factor and the mood that prevails around the barn on any given day. There's no strange magic to this; horses read us through our actions and demeanor anytime wer're around them. When the people who are responsible for the overall care for horses on a daily basis are tense, or in a difficult personal situation, it can effect the continuity of care the horses are used to. A change in routine due to a human element such as this effects the horses general well-being and is interpreted in their behavior very quickly. I suppose at some deeper level they can read our minds due to the heightened insight and awareness of lower animals (don't forget, we are part of the animal kingdom too). But without going into a long scientific discussion of same, lets just say that things are not good all around for my horses and their friends and they have their way of telling me through their behavior and general body language. Now it's more than that, it is becoming a nutritional issue that shouldn't even play a role in a place where people know better. Knowing this, and putting a saddle on Wyatt's back when he's been upset makes me feel like shit. As a consolation, I decide I won't use a bridle and bit today, we don't need to work on refinement, we''ll just work on some things for his benefit using the rope halter and lead combo--I can give him that much. I send Lady out to the larger paddock to hang out and pick along the ground for tidbits of grass while we finish with Wyatt--which I know adds to Wyatt's irritation--why does Lady get all the breaks? Of course Lady is younger and clueless. She only knows to live for the moment. Anything that's past is over and done with. I think Wyatt hates that about her--being that carefree.
I had my guest lead Wyatt out and then we let him meander over to the growing winter manure pile where he proceeds to climb up in his goat like fashion and look for a stash of leftover hay. I now have my fancy carrot stick with the plastic bag on the end and Lady in the rope halter and we review some groundwork-- a few "parelli games" while I explain what I'm doing and why. Most of the time I have Lady's attention, but considering what's been going on in their environment, she has been less attentive when I work with her. Regardless, we work through the inattention. I would have saddled her up and we would have worked on some things while I'm mounted, but I just couldn't bring myself to make her wear the big heavy western saddle either after all the weight she's lost. Some people involved with horses wouldn't consider this a big issue, the horse is a beast of burden and must do what we tell them regardless of the circumstances--not meaning people who think this way don't take good care of their horses, but I believe if I expect quality results, then my horses care should be of the best quality and their basic needs met before I place demands on them or blame for poor performance. You reap what you sow is my motto. As a boarder, this has been briefly out of my control so I am not the original instigator of this and I am trying to hold back my anger over this situation, because a this point it could only make things worse--of course to let this happen on an ongoing basis does stick me with being culpable to some extent. Getting back to the saddle/riding issue anyway, why in the world would I want to teach my horse that riding is an uncomfortable task best to avoid? I want a responsive horse with a willing attitude and for us to experience the mutual benefits riding can bring. This is not just the sentiment of the recreational horse world and gimmicky natural horsemanship guru's of today, but written about much much earlier in the interest of good horsemanship by the greek generalXenophon of 360 B.C.E.
I give Wyatt on the end of a lead rope to my guest, and we bring Lady and Wyatt into the indoor arena, basically a wood and aluminum structure on the ground with a base of limestone and dirt type footing added on top. Not meaning to say it is not nice, because it is, but in the Delaware winds it seems a little rickety and insubstantial. We work a little more despite the wind whistling through the doors and rattling the roof and whatnot. I let Lady loose to mosey around but after being pent up most of the day she just wants to play, which consists of an animated trot in and out of the arena, back again, then ending at the barn entrance which I had blocked with a wheel barrow. She doesn't like this at all, and she does her kooky arabian dance, frustrated that she's being prevented from delightfully ripping gobs of hay from the bale near the aisle, and, if she begins to lack confidence being out alone, she can't retreat to her stall for safety. While she's busy telling the wheel barrow off in her horse way, snorting at it and stomping, I tell my guest while the romping is fun for her, it's made the environment unsafe for any hapless boarders who may stop by. My guest offers to take her her back to her stall while I wait with Wyatt in the arena.
As things are getting settled down, I get on Wyatt having made a hackamore out of the rope halter and lead, and we work on small maneuvers in the paddock while I wait for my guest to return. We ride back into the area to do some trotting and loosening up as my guest follows to watch. Wyatt does not misbehave in any fashion while I am riding, but when I am done and back on the ground he feels the need to express his irritability--with his teeth! He actually nips my guests palm! [who had his hand on to near his mouth, for too long, but still!] Well no matter how Wyatt feels, that was inappropriate and I take him to task on that--I chastise him verbally, something along the lines of "Bad, bad, no hand held treats for you today!" as I back him up away from us and we stand there for a moment having our quiet think-about-what-you-did time. I could tell Wyatt was not really sorry about what he'd done as his demeanor didn't look all that contrite; his eye did not go completely soft, a little more on the squinty side, a kind of justified half-stare, saying, "I 'm glad I did it. You're not listening to how mad I am and I'm willing to accept the consequences of my actions just to get my point across." But, yes, I know he got the message of my displeasure, because he and I know each other that well.
After this, I proceed to coerce my guest to get on him and take a ride, having already apologized over and over for him like you would if your kid did something outrageous and uncharacteristic, telling him that it was unusual for Wyatt to do anything really mean, and if he'd wanted it too, it could have included blood and gore. In that, he got off easy. Anyway, my guest is mounted and a natural as riding goes, He's been around horses a lot more than your average person, has had a few lessons--good ones, and Wyatt is attentive to his cueing once I tell him he doesn't need the constant pressure of a tight rein to remain in control. The ride is brief, but Wyatt was able work some of the kinks out and in general, I believe he felt better after being ridden. We leave the arena, patting and loving on Wyatt to thank him, remove the saddle, then release him in the paddock so he can do his favorite thing while we put away the horse junk in the barn, hang out and graze freely in the open air, unencumbered momentarily by the demands of that confusing and downright pesky human species. From time to time like I always do, I take long glances at Wyatt being Wyatt through the view allowed from the half-closed panel door of the barn. I'm thinking there is nothing like watching a happy satisfied horse enjoying himself in such a simple way. I'm thankful he includes me as a member of his band, and in return I can give him the opportunity for his pleasure. Wyatt has been around enough to know the rules of the game--"Make the right way easy and the wrong way hard," [perhaps incorrectly attributed to Tom Curtain, by one of my friends very experienced in natural horsemanship, but more than likely, Ray Hunt or Tom Dorrance said it, I just can't remember at the moment] .--he may test this with me, but only to make sure I'm remembering my part of the bargain. kst
Palo Duro Canyon... the "Grand Canyon" of Texas
By Pat Dugger
From Horse City
For Larry McMurtry fans such as myself, this would be the place to visit, especially the haunts of Charles Goodnight who makes his brief appearances throughout McMurtry's novels.
Here's a little info:
While there are plenty of Equestrian activities and interesting trails to explore, in contrast to real horsepower there is also the Cadillac Ranch Museum, where you can view and ponder this contemporary pop art statement by the artists group Ant Farm:
"Just west of Amarillo along Interstate 40 is the only one of its kind in the world ranch: the famed Cadillac Ranch. Presented angled nose down and planted in a pasture are 10 Classic Cadillacs ranging from a 1949 Club Coupe to a 1963 Sedan. You are invited to get out and browse around. Admission is free. History and details of the Cadillac Ranch is available at Cadillac Ranch" {quote from the horsecity article]
Here's a little background on how the "museum" came to be from the museum site above
" the latent tailfin image became a roadside attraction, a monument to the rise and fall of the tailfin. It would be, we decided, ten Cadillacs planted alongside Route 66 on Stanley's ranch. We drew up an artist's conception of how it would look, and a budget. Stanley liked the idea."
"On Monday, May 28, we went out to the middle of Stanley's wheatfield about six miles west of Amarillo. The hired backhoe operator was a bit perplexed by the task at hand but he dug, where we told him, a hole eight feet deep. Then we showed him to use the bucket of his tractor to lift up the car until it slid into the hole. The first car was buried. Stanley arrived with fried chicken, beer and instructions not to talk to the local press. Work went pretty fast, despite curious motorists who would stop and walk out to the job site with increasing regularity"
Anybody up for a road trip? I'm saddled up and ready to go....kst
By Pat Dugger
From Horse City
For Larry McMurtry fans such as myself, this would be the place to visit, especially the haunts of Charles Goodnight who makes his brief appearances throughout McMurtry's novels.
Here's a little info:
"As colorful as the interior of Palo Duro Canyon is its rich history. Native American tribes in the area included Kiowa, Comanche and Cheyenne. The end of the Red River War in 1874 forced Southern Plains Tribes to surrender and return to reservations in Oklahoma. From 1876 to 1890 Colonel Charles Goodnight operated the JA Ranch utilizing most of the Canyon. Reaching its peak in 1885 the JA Ranch covered 1,325,000 acres of land and 100,000 head of cattle."
"After the Indians had left Goodnight found and corralled a small wild herd of buffalo, which became the breeding stock for the magnificent beast we have today. Goodnight is credited with saving the buffalo. Visitors to Palo Duro Canyon State Park can inspect a restoration of the line shack dugout Charles Goodnight called home in the Canyon."
While there are plenty of Equestrian activities and interesting trails to explore, in contrast to real horsepower there is also the Cadillac Ranch Museum, where you can view and ponder this contemporary pop art statement by the artists group Ant Farm:
"Just west of Amarillo along Interstate 40 is the only one of its kind in the world ranch: the famed Cadillac Ranch. Presented angled nose down and planted in a pasture are 10 Classic Cadillacs ranging from a 1949 Club Coupe to a 1963 Sedan. You are invited to get out and browse around. Admission is free. History and details of the Cadillac Ranch is available at Cadillac Ranch" {quote from the horsecity article]
Here's a little background on how the "museum" came to be from the museum site above
" the latent tailfin image became a roadside attraction, a monument to the rise and fall of the tailfin. It would be, we decided, ten Cadillacs planted alongside Route 66 on Stanley's ranch. We drew up an artist's conception of how it would look, and a budget. Stanley liked the idea."
"On Monday, May 28, we went out to the middle of Stanley's wheatfield about six miles west of Amarillo. The hired backhoe operator was a bit perplexed by the task at hand but he dug, where we told him, a hole eight feet deep. Then we showed him to use the bucket of his tractor to lift up the car until it slid into the hole. The first car was buried. Stanley arrived with fried chicken, beer and instructions not to talk to the local press. Work went pretty fast, despite curious motorists who would stop and walk out to the job site with increasing regularity"
Anybody up for a road trip? I'm saddled up and ready to go....kst
Our little corner of the world makes national headlines
For almost a year, the much traveled the southern part of route 23 and I 270 has been fodder for the sniper, who not only took pot shots at vehicles on I 270, killing two women, but also began to target area businesses, homes and local school yards. Finding the individual or individuals responsible may put some of our fears at rest, but the information that some of the incidents could be due to copycat shooters is not so comforting.
Investigators in Ohio Identify Sniper Suspect [ AKA the I 270 Sniper]
By SABRINA TAVERNISE
Published: March 16, 2004
New York Times Online
For almost a year, the much traveled the southern part of route 23 and I 270 has been fodder for the sniper, who not only took pot shots at vehicles on I 270, killing two women, but also began to target area businesses, homes and local school yards. Finding the individual or individuals responsible may put some of our fears at rest, but the information that some of the incidents could be due to copycat shooters is not so comforting.
Investigators in Ohio Identify Sniper Suspect [ AKA the I 270 Sniper]
By SABRINA TAVERNISE
Published: March 16, 2004
New York Times Online
The police in Columbus, Ohio, issued a warrant yesterday for the arrest of a suspect in a series of sniper shootings, one fatal, along highways in Ohio in the past year.The warrant charges the suspect, Charles A. McCoy Jr., with felonious assault in a Dec. 15 shooting that damaged a house in Franklin Township, said Detective James C. Clark Jr. of the Franklin County sheriff's office.
Mark your calendar for the Equine Affaire
In Ohio: March 25,28, Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, Oh
Mass: November 11, 14 Eastern States Exposition, W. Springfield, MA
Besides the fun shopping and breed expositions it's a good way to preview the clinicians in action before you lay down the big bucks to go to a full-fledged clinic.There are lots of good ones this year including John Lyons, Clinton Anderson, Sharon Camrillo, Julie Goodnight and lets not forget GaWaNi pony boy. Also a good way to get your books autographed--I'm bringin' mine! To avoid long lines, you can enter many of the drawings at the equine affaire website [url above]. kst
In Ohio: March 25,28, Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, Oh
Mass: November 11, 14 Eastern States Exposition, W. Springfield, MA
Besides the fun shopping and breed expositions it's a good way to preview the clinicians in action before you lay down the big bucks to go to a full-fledged clinic.There are lots of good ones this year including John Lyons, Clinton Anderson, Sharon Camrillo, Julie Goodnight and lets not forget GaWaNi pony boy. Also a good way to get your books autographed--I'm bringin' mine! To avoid long lines, you can enter many of the drawings at the equine affaire website [url above]. kst
Mar 14, 2004
Mar 11, 2004
Oh, how I love a horse in uniform!
Check out The Police Horse Diary at TheHorse online to read the daily record of two colts, Conan and Chapman, who are in training based on a new curriculum developed by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Sue McDonnell, PhD of the University of Penn's New Bolton Center. Natural Horsemanship Guru Pat Parrelli has also provided input on this program.
Here's some background:
Check out The Police Horse Diary at TheHorse online to read the daily record of two colts, Conan and Chapman, who are in training based on a new curriculum developed by Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist Sue McDonnell, PhD of the University of Penn's New Bolton Center. Natural Horsemanship Guru Pat Parrelli has also provided input on this program.
Here's some background:
"The NPHA's mission statement reads: "The National Police Horse Academy (NPHA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization bringing together groups with diverse backgrounds to work toward the common goal of breeding, raising, and training horses suitable for use in mounted law enforcement units."
The curriculum is designed for college equine programs using student handlers of varied horse experience with guidance from faculty, professional staff, and consultants. The curriculum is based on academically sound (research-based) standard behavior modification techniques as a progressive curriculum of training, beginning with lightly handled 4-month-old half-bred weanlings and ending with 2-year-olds which are "bombproof" on the ground and started under saddle, if ready."
Mar 10, 2004
While I'm waiting for the ground to thaw and the march winds to die down I've been reading some of my old favorites. Right Now I'm reading Larry McMurtry's Still Wild, a compilation of featured short works involving the western landscape and way of life from various writer's of the modern literary tradition.. Refreshing is that you won't find the old standby's that romantisize the west: L'amour or Zane Grey, but a sometimes 'gritty' realisim of writers like Jack Kerouac, James Dickey & William Stanton. kst
Here's a few lines from the publisher, Simon and Schuster:
Featuring a veritable Who's Who of the century's most distinctive writers, this collection effectively departs from the standard superstars of the Western genre. McMurtry has chosen a refreshing range of work that, when taken as a whole, depicts the evolution and maturation of Western writing over several decades. The featured tales are not so concerned with the American West of history and geography as they are with the American West of the imagination -- one that is alternately comic, gritty, individual, searing, and complex.
Here's a few lines from the publisher, Simon and Schuster:
Featuring a veritable Who's Who of the century's most distinctive writers, this collection effectively departs from the standard superstars of the Western genre. McMurtry has chosen a refreshing range of work that, when taken as a whole, depicts the evolution and maturation of Western writing over several decades. The featured tales are not so concerned with the American West of history and geography as they are with the American West of the imagination -- one that is alternately comic, gritty, individual, searing, and complex.
Horses 101
The creeping crud. Othewise known as ring worm, rain rot, or plain old...creeping crud.
This is the time of year you start to find those crusty patches and scaly areas on your horse as he begins to shed out. On your horse this fungus is caused by moisture and dirt being trapped under all that hair and is especially a problem with blanketed horses--heh, bet you thought they'd not only stay warm in those blankets, but clean too. Like all ringworm type fungus, it can spread from horse to horse, and even you! Depending on the irritation, the scales and scabs can become infected due to further abrasion, or just sensitivity in general--that's when your vet will call it something else, like dermatitis. Yuck. So what do you do now? Show season's about to start and your horse's coat and skin look like hell!
The best treatment i've found is to disinfect and dry up. Use a clorhexidrine product; betadine is too drying and will sting no doubt. If it is warm enough bathe your horse with this. Some vets say to scrub and scrub those scaly patches to get rid of them but in my experience this just exacerbates the problem. The less moisture and abrasion the horse is exposed to the better. After the areas have been cleaned gently and disinfected, apply an athlete foot powder like lotramin or tinactin to dry up and kill the fungus, use softer brushes when grooming for the time being and keep applying the powder until your horses skin is smooth and healthy.
Note: If this has progressed to serious dermatitus, like when you see lots of inflamed pustules and your horse is seriously uncomfortable, your vet may need to give you an antibiotic for infection as well as other treatment options.
As a preventative measure, I apply this powder or Gold Bond Medicated powder from time to time through the year, in any areas I think might be suseptable: saddle area, that cute little armpit area near the girth, and from their knees down in wet/muddy conditions.
The creeping crud. Othewise known as ring worm, rain rot, or plain old...creeping crud.
This is the time of year you start to find those crusty patches and scaly areas on your horse as he begins to shed out. On your horse this fungus is caused by moisture and dirt being trapped under all that hair and is especially a problem with blanketed horses--heh, bet you thought they'd not only stay warm in those blankets, but clean too. Like all ringworm type fungus, it can spread from horse to horse, and even you! Depending on the irritation, the scales and scabs can become infected due to further abrasion, or just sensitivity in general--that's when your vet will call it something else, like dermatitis. Yuck. So what do you do now? Show season's about to start and your horse's coat and skin look like hell!
The best treatment i've found is to disinfect and dry up. Use a clorhexidrine product; betadine is too drying and will sting no doubt. If it is warm enough bathe your horse with this. Some vets say to scrub and scrub those scaly patches to get rid of them but in my experience this just exacerbates the problem. The less moisture and abrasion the horse is exposed to the better. After the areas have been cleaned gently and disinfected, apply an athlete foot powder like lotramin or tinactin to dry up and kill the fungus, use softer brushes when grooming for the time being and keep applying the powder until your horses skin is smooth and healthy.
Note: If this has progressed to serious dermatitus, like when you see lots of inflamed pustules and your horse is seriously uncomfortable, your vet may need to give you an antibiotic for infection as well as other treatment options.
As a preventative measure, I apply this powder or Gold Bond Medicated powder from time to time through the year, in any areas I think might be suseptable: saddle area, that cute little armpit area near the girth, and from their knees down in wet/muddy conditions.
Mar 9, 2004
Mortensen is Proud Paint Horse Owner.
The movie Hidalgo is based on the life of Frank Hopkins and his horse, Hidalgo. Likewise, it is an accurate representation of the bond established between actor Viggo Mortensen, who portrayed Hopkins, and his new sorrel overo Paint Horse stallion, RH Tecontender, who played Hidalgo.
Despite the controversy over the truth of Frank Hopkins and the movie Hidalgo, read about the real life story of John Fusco, Actor Viggo Mortensen, and the relationships and admiration they have devloped with paint horses and others. It turns out, John Fusco is quite familiar with horses, and has owned and shown them since giving homes to equine actors from his films Young Guns I and II.
How's this for a football widow's revenge:NBC to Air Rolex Coverage
This year's event is April 22-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park. NBC will air a 90-minute recap of the event one week later on May 2, rounding out a weekend heavy on horse coverage, with the Kentucky Derby May 1.
The May 2 broadcast will be the first time since 1984 (besides the Olympics) that English-style riding has been highlighted on a major network.
Gee, I don't know, even if I didn't like horses all that much, I think the choice what to watch would be a given. Which would you rather do? 1. watch a guy meander all day around rolling green hills chasing a white ball, or 2. watch sport horses hurdling over obstacles even Martha Stewart would envy?
Besides, lots of my horsey friends have the dish network which offers various equestrian programs. Alas, I don't have cable or a satellite, so seldom do I get a horse fix from broadcast televison. Kst
This year's event is April 22-25 at the Kentucky Horse Park. NBC will air a 90-minute recap of the event one week later on May 2, rounding out a weekend heavy on horse coverage, with the Kentucky Derby May 1.
The May 2 broadcast will be the first time since 1984 (besides the Olympics) that English-style riding has been highlighted on a major network.
Gee, I don't know, even if I didn't like horses all that much, I think the choice what to watch would be a given. Which would you rather do? 1. watch a guy meander all day around rolling green hills chasing a white ball, or 2. watch sport horses hurdling over obstacles even Martha Stewart would envy?
Besides, lots of my horsey friends have the dish network which offers various equestrian programs. Alas, I don't have cable or a satellite, so seldom do I get a horse fix from broadcast televison. Kst
Mar 7, 2004
Mar 5, 2004
Ok, I thought maybe I should find out who the Longriders are because maybe they had a point. I think they are just a bunch of kooks. I'm not even sure they are real. Disney? trying to make money? NO!
Ya mean Peter Pan's not real?
"The Long Riders' Guild A Word from the Founders
Disney's Dilemma
by
Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly
No two men could be less alike than Walt Disney and Frank Hopkins.
The former was a smiling man of vision and integrity.
The latter was a stone-faced predator of the truth."
[hmm, I dunno, which one is which again?]
"Sadly, the very man we grew up trusting, Walt Disney, is being used to promote the historical fraud named Frank Hopkins. In the past we cherished films with Disney's names attached to them. Many of us now shudder at the falsity of the newest film about to be released by the movie studio that sports Walt Disney's name. Our anxiety is anchored in the realization that the new Disney film entitled "Hidalgo" will not only enshrine a villain disguised as a hero, when it reaches the world market its perverse historical message will last forever."
[I'm shuddering right now just thinking about it.its a plot, a plot to take over the world I tell you!]
"However the frightening message coming through right now from the Disney studio seems to be all too clear.Money is more important than truth in Hollywood."
[and they just figured that out all by themselves eh?.]
A chill wind is blowing across the horse world. A message is being sent with the trailer for "Hidalgo." Hollywood is telling us that they can and will dictate the truth. This is ironic to those of us who are Long Riders, because many of our lives are saddle-borne testaments to the horseback adventures inspired by mounted men and women in movies.
[you mean like the black stallion and national velvet and such? ]
These are not carefree times. And this unworthy and inaccurate film called "Hidalgo" will only further inflame an already-divided world by pandering to falsehood and global unrest. Already the brotherhood of man is in danger of being forgotten, first between individuals and second between nations.
this conman called Hopkins and his screenplay are jeopardizing the trust of the world.
Stop calling this movie true!
Ok, it's fake already! Now go get me some popcorn
Ya mean Peter Pan's not real?
"The Long Riders' Guild A Word from the Founders
Disney's Dilemma
by
Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly
No two men could be less alike than Walt Disney and Frank Hopkins.
The former was a smiling man of vision and integrity.
The latter was a stone-faced predator of the truth."
[hmm, I dunno, which one is which again?]
"Sadly, the very man we grew up trusting, Walt Disney, is being used to promote the historical fraud named Frank Hopkins. In the past we cherished films with Disney's names attached to them. Many of us now shudder at the falsity of the newest film about to be released by the movie studio that sports Walt Disney's name. Our anxiety is anchored in the realization that the new Disney film entitled "Hidalgo" will not only enshrine a villain disguised as a hero, when it reaches the world market its perverse historical message will last forever."
[I'm shuddering right now just thinking about it.its a plot, a plot to take over the world I tell you!]
"However the frightening message coming through right now from the Disney studio seems to be all too clear.Money is more important than truth in Hollywood."
[and they just figured that out all by themselves eh?.]
A chill wind is blowing across the horse world. A message is being sent with the trailer for "Hidalgo." Hollywood is telling us that they can and will dictate the truth. This is ironic to those of us who are Long Riders, because many of our lives are saddle-borne testaments to the horseback adventures inspired by mounted men and women in movies.
[you mean like the black stallion and national velvet and such? ]
These are not carefree times. And this unworthy and inaccurate film called "Hidalgo" will only further inflame an already-divided world by pandering to falsehood and global unrest. Already the brotherhood of man is in danger of being forgotten, first between individuals and second between nations.
this conman called Hopkins and his screenplay are jeopardizing the trust of the world.
Stop calling this movie true!
Ok, it's fake already! Now go get me some popcorn
Mar 4, 2004
Life with horses: Hidalgo producers respond to controversy 03/03/04
I have not seen this movie or the history channel's documentary on it but I hear from other horse people that the film itself is rather unauthentic. Bad riding, especially, by a character that is supposed to be a great horseman is one of the complaints. Apparently, for a film that is supposed to be a true story, the researchers kept coming up with dead ends when tracing the facts. There is not record of a horse named Hidalgo for instance. However, at the time, I don't think mustangs had registered names, they arent' even a specific breed per say, just a maudlin mix of cast offs who formed their own bands which included calvary remounts. I don't know if a no name horse and bad acting make the story not true. I don't really care, It is too bad that the filmmakers were sloppy about what they were portraying. I think this is a film is about an inspiring and uplifting feel good story rather than a carefully researched and historically accurate production. We all know the film the Ten Commandments is based on a true story right? The reason's given as to why the Hidalgo story must be purely fiction doesn't convince me that it is totally a figment of Hopkins imagination, though it may well could be.
Anyway, on the topic of Arabians. gotta love 'em, and the endurance enthuasast's say there is nothing better for the sport. I have an arabian mare, and yes, I love the romantic stories, true or not, that are told of her ancestors. That her pedigree goes back to the desert bred horses, the ones the Bedoins bred and kept so pure is one of the things we arabian owners are always harping on about, that and the very strict breeding programs of these people in the desert. While generally the horses are pure, a lot of mythical stories of how they came to be in the hands of the bedoin culture are stated as fact. I'm not really sure if Allah personally breathed in to my horses ancestor's nostrils, however the story goes, as there are different versions, but I love my horse just the same. I guess because I don't intend to make piles of money off of her, but even if I was, common sense would dictate that not everything that is told of the breed can be counted on as fact.
I don't know who Basha and Cuchullaine are really, but they are very upset about the whole thing and they must have a lot at stake to protest a film that probably only we horse people and young girls will go see and forget about it in a month:
"Director Joe Johnston believes that attempts by the likes of Guild founders Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly to discredit Hopkins are based on their offense to the notion that Hidalgo bred with pure Arabian mares."
That's right, Hopkins must be a fake because there is no way this could ever happen. Goodness, we arab owners all know the bedoins would never, ever, ever let the blood of the arab be tainted. Why that would be sacrilege! I guess CuChullaine or Basha have forgotten about Carl Raswan, and Lady Ann Blunt shipping purebred arabs over to England to breed in to other stock to make lighter horses. How in the world did they get away with it? Or are they fiction too? Then of course there are our throughbreds, the Godolphin arabian being an important foundation for the breed.
In the 80's, the arabs were The Designer Horse, the horse of the elite. God forbid any tainted blood be coursing through their veins because with the arabian horses, it is just not possible. But, alluring as it may be to think of these exotic desert horses so prized and revered by the different bedouin tribes, that they took extrodinary care of them & even slept with them in their tents-- I've seen evidence to the opposite, I've seen photogaphs of some pretty mangey and boney looking desert horses that were supposedly so prized, yet looked like they were about to become dogfood, and if they weren't, they probably wanted to be to end their misery.
I don't think it's that surprising that a horse like Hidalgo may have been bred to arabian mares. Who knows? The polish and spanish arabians also have there own controversy over purity. Accidents happen, especially during times of war. But if you're in the high end of the arab business and selling elite horses with their factual history now somewhat questionable, I suppose you'd be alarmed to find some rangey old mustang blood could have gotten in to your prized stallion somewhere down the line. For me,reading about this controversy, I think I will look at Khemosabi in a different light, as he carries a color gene. He's thrown pinto babies, and one is even advertized as a stallion of color. This doesn't mean that Hidalgo's genes are in his pedigree, but, hmm. Wouldn't that be almost poetic justice if it turned out to be so?
Anyway, on the topic of Arabians. gotta love 'em, and the endurance enthuasast's say there is nothing better for the sport. I have an arabian mare, and yes, I love the romantic stories, true or not, that are told of her ancestors. That her pedigree goes back to the desert bred horses, the ones the Bedoins bred and kept so pure is one of the things we arabian owners are always harping on about, that and the very strict breeding programs of these people in the desert. While generally the horses are pure, a lot of mythical stories of how they came to be in the hands of the bedoin culture are stated as fact. I'm not really sure if Allah personally breathed in to my horses ancestor's nostrils, however the story goes, as there are different versions, but I love my horse just the same. I guess because I don't intend to make piles of money off of her, but even if I was, common sense would dictate that not everything that is told of the breed can be counted on as fact.
I don't know who Basha and Cuchullaine are really, but they are very upset about the whole thing and they must have a lot at stake to protest a film that probably only we horse people and young girls will go see and forget about it in a month:
"Director Joe Johnston believes that attempts by the likes of Guild founders Basha and CuChullaine O'Reilly to discredit Hopkins are based on their offense to the notion that Hidalgo bred with pure Arabian mares."
That's right, Hopkins must be a fake because there is no way this could ever happen. Goodness, we arab owners all know the bedoins would never, ever, ever let the blood of the arab be tainted. Why that would be sacrilege! I guess CuChullaine or Basha have forgotten about Carl Raswan, and Lady Ann Blunt shipping purebred arabs over to England to breed in to other stock to make lighter horses. How in the world did they get away with it? Or are they fiction too? Then of course there are our throughbreds, the Godolphin arabian being an important foundation for the breed.
In the 80's, the arabs were The Designer Horse, the horse of the elite. God forbid any tainted blood be coursing through their veins because with the arabian horses, it is just not possible. But, alluring as it may be to think of these exotic desert horses so prized and revered by the different bedouin tribes, that they took extrodinary care of them & even slept with them in their tents-- I've seen evidence to the opposite, I've seen photogaphs of some pretty mangey and boney looking desert horses that were supposedly so prized, yet looked like they were about to become dogfood, and if they weren't, they probably wanted to be to end their misery.
I don't think it's that surprising that a horse like Hidalgo may have been bred to arabian mares. Who knows? The polish and spanish arabians also have there own controversy over purity. Accidents happen, especially during times of war. But if you're in the high end of the arab business and selling elite horses with their factual history now somewhat questionable, I suppose you'd be alarmed to find some rangey old mustang blood could have gotten in to your prized stallion somewhere down the line. For me,reading about this controversy, I think I will look at Khemosabi in a different light, as he carries a color gene. He's thrown pinto babies, and one is even advertized as a stallion of color. This doesn't mean that Hidalgo's genes are in his pedigree, but, hmm. Wouldn't that be almost poetic justice if it turned out to be so?
Not only am I an OWL...
Your soul is bound to the Fourth Totem, Solomon:
The Owl.
Solomon appears as an azure feathered owl. He
embodies wisdom, judgement, reason, and
stability. He is associated with the color
azure, the season of autumn, and the element of
water. His downfall is farsightedness.
You are most compatible with Ravens and Monkeys.
Which Animal Spirit Totem Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
But, wow, I'm a Goddess Too! I just knew it!
You are Form 1, Goddess: The Creator.
"And The Goddess planted the acorn of life.
She cried a single tear and shed a single drop
of blood upon the earth where she buried it.
From her blood and tear, the acorn grew into
the world."
Some examples of the Goddess Form are Gaia (Greek),
Jehova (Christian), and Brahma (Indian).
The Goddess is associated with the concept of
creation, the number 1, and the element of
earth.
Her sign is the dawn sun.
As a member of Form 1, you are a charismatic
individual and people are drawn to you.
Although sometimes you may seem emotionally
distant, you are deeply in tune with other
people's feelings and have tremendous empathy.
Sometimes you have a tendency to neglect your
own self. Goddesses are the best friends to
have because they're always willing to help.
Which Mythological Form Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Your soul is bound to the Fourth Totem, Solomon:
The Owl.
Solomon appears as an azure feathered owl. He
embodies wisdom, judgement, reason, and
stability. He is associated with the color
azure, the season of autumn, and the element of
water. His downfall is farsightedness.
You are most compatible with Ravens and Monkeys.
Which Animal Spirit Totem Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
But, wow, I'm a Goddess Too! I just knew it!
You are Form 1, Goddess: The Creator.
"And The Goddess planted the acorn of life.
She cried a single tear and shed a single drop
of blood upon the earth where she buried it.
From her blood and tear, the acorn grew into
the world."
Some examples of the Goddess Form are Gaia (Greek),
Jehova (Christian), and Brahma (Indian).
The Goddess is associated with the concept of
creation, the number 1, and the element of
earth.
Her sign is the dawn sun.
As a member of Form 1, you are a charismatic
individual and people are drawn to you.
Although sometimes you may seem emotionally
distant, you are deeply in tune with other
people's feelings and have tremendous empathy.
Sometimes you have a tendency to neglect your
own self. Goddesses are the best friends to
have because they're always willing to help.
Which Mythological Form Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
Mar 3, 2004
Dating in my horse clothes
I have decided to actively pursue dating again. I am not getting any younger. Riding alone or with my girl barn buddies is fun, but adding a little spice into the mix would be a good thing. There are things that make it hard to meet available horseMEN. 1 there are more women my age involved with horses recreationally at least, than men, for one.
2 travel time: I think I mentioned before that it can be an hour's drive to get to my horses.This also means it's almost an hour travel time to get back home. If I had to, I could probably live out of my van with all the extra clothes, shoes, boots, coats, even a tv and coffee pot (needed for barn sitting) and cheese crackers (which i actually hate) The travel time takes a big chunk of my free time too.
3 The clothes issue: Since I spend almost all of my free time with my horses, rarely do I have to worry about what to wear. I mean, I try to look nice just because, but after a day with my horses I'm not all that presentable, especially if it's the rainy season (seems it always is here). There are fashionable horse clothes, but they are too expensive to wear everyday and they get dirty just as easy as the cheap ones. Plus, I don't think my date would appreciate me showing up directly from the barn, with guck on my boots, horse slobber on my cheek and coat sleeves-even if we were going to hang out at the cowboy bar--seems ironic, doesn't it though?
Anyway, I could pack away something nice somewhere in the van, keep extra make-up, and hair junk and use the nearby gas station for some gussying up but, I don't know. It seems like such a chore to go through all the trouble, and I hate taking off the long underwear, especially if my future date and I end up being incompatible--which is usually the case. I can see it now: He says: "Hey, let's just go to my place and hang out and watch this video of me bull-riding" (which usually means at some point during or shortly after watching the bull-riding video, he has something else planned)." I maybe say: "well, uh, ok, but can I use your shower?" (this scenerio would only happen if I thought he was really, really cute, mind you) Maybe he would like that, but to me it makes me feel Ugh!
I don't think I'm done reviewing this situation. I think I have more whining to do, but for now I'm going to hang it up and take a shower--just in case. KST
I have decided to actively pursue dating again. I am not getting any younger. Riding alone or with my girl barn buddies is fun, but adding a little spice into the mix would be a good thing. There are things that make it hard to meet available horseMEN. 1 there are more women my age involved with horses recreationally at least, than men, for one.
2 travel time: I think I mentioned before that it can be an hour's drive to get to my horses.This also means it's almost an hour travel time to get back home. If I had to, I could probably live out of my van with all the extra clothes, shoes, boots, coats, even a tv and coffee pot (needed for barn sitting) and cheese crackers (which i actually hate) The travel time takes a big chunk of my free time too.
3 The clothes issue: Since I spend almost all of my free time with my horses, rarely do I have to worry about what to wear. I mean, I try to look nice just because, but after a day with my horses I'm not all that presentable, especially if it's the rainy season (seems it always is here). There are fashionable horse clothes, but they are too expensive to wear everyday and they get dirty just as easy as the cheap ones. Plus, I don't think my date would appreciate me showing up directly from the barn, with guck on my boots, horse slobber on my cheek and coat sleeves-even if we were going to hang out at the cowboy bar--seems ironic, doesn't it though?
Anyway, I could pack away something nice somewhere in the van, keep extra make-up, and hair junk and use the nearby gas station for some gussying up but, I don't know. It seems like such a chore to go through all the trouble, and I hate taking off the long underwear, especially if my future date and I end up being incompatible--which is usually the case. I can see it now: He says: "Hey, let's just go to my place and hang out and watch this video of me bull-riding" (which usually means at some point during or shortly after watching the bull-riding video, he has something else planned)." I maybe say: "well, uh, ok, but can I use your shower?" (this scenerio would only happen if I thought he was really, really cute, mind you) Maybe he would like that, but to me it makes me feel Ugh!
I don't think I'm done reviewing this situation. I think I have more whining to do, but for now I'm going to hang it up and take a shower--just in case. KST
Try this for fun:
What breed of horse are you? Find out!
I took this quiz and I'm either an arabian or lipizanner. Go figure.
A New Zealander's perspective on Rodeo... Cool or Cruel?
There's a lot of things I like about the rodeo and a lot of things I don't like. As rodeo events gain in popularity nationally as a sporting event, so has the debate about the humane treatment of the animals and whether or not we should allow it to go on in the US. I for one am on the fence about it. Below is a link to one perspective by New Zealander, Andy T. Coombs. What do you think?
Excerpt:
COWBOYS AND VEGANS
COWBOYS
Off to the rodeo to chastise the cowboys. How the hell can grown men go around playing dress ups and calling themselves "cowboys" anyway? If it wasn't for the cruelty it would be laughable. I'm getting ready for a high moustache, mullet and silly hat count. 10 points for a moustache, 10 points for a mullet, 10 points for a silly hat. And 30 points for a combo of any two, with 50 points awarded for all three on the same doofus. terror."
Lit.Org : Poetry : Scorch : Writers resources, epublishing, zines, stories, authors, interviews, chat, links and more!
Excerpt:
COWBOYS AND VEGANS
COWBOYS
Off to the rodeo to chastise the cowboys. How the hell can grown men go around playing dress ups and calling themselves "cowboys" anyway? If it wasn't for the cruelty it would be laughable. I'm getting ready for a high moustache, mullet and silly hat count. 10 points for a moustache, 10 points for a mullet, 10 points for a silly hat. And 30 points for a combo of any two, with 50 points awarded for all three on the same doofus. terror."
Lit.Org : Poetry : Scorch : Writers resources, epublishing, zines, stories, authors, interviews, chat, links and more!
On Cribbing
Hopefully cribbing myths are being debunked with these latest studies, DAVID, Look! & all you others who think i'm full of sh*!t...
& I quote here: June 2003
The ENPS meetings held in Michigan this last week had some very interesting papers. Of great interest to horse owners were three papers; one on stomach pH & cribbing behavior in adult horses & two on the incidence of stomach ulcers, anti-acids in feed & cribbing in foals.
From a paper presented by H. C. Lillie et al, at Auburn University: the PH of the stomachs of cribbers were compared to non cribbers: & I quote again: Cribbers all had a more acidic stomach (lower pH), than the non-cribbers. There was greater variation in the pHs of the stomachs of cribbing horses which might be related to the amount of cribbing they did. The authors concluded that this supported the theory that horses crib to relieve their stomachs & GI tracts of irritation. It has been hypothesized that that cribbing causes production of more saliva, & as saliva is alkaline it can help off set the acidity.
I think it is still a guess as to which came first, the chicken or the egg, but I'm anxious to see further studies on genetic predispotion to the behavior as opposed to horses just mimicking each other because they are bored.
I'm a firm believer that there are certain triggers for the behavior--stressors which create a physiological response in the stomach, or just inconsistancy in feeding programs and thus, the cribbing begins in some horses--but not all--my gelding had a bad stomach when I got him and his response was to park out which has also been associated with ulcers. I do think that in some cases it becomes a conditioned response and can become entrenched in the horses behavior over time kst
Hopefully cribbing myths are being debunked with these latest studies, DAVID, Look! & all you others who think i'm full of sh*!t...
& I quote here: June 2003
The ENPS meetings held in Michigan this last week had some very interesting papers. Of great interest to horse owners were three papers; one on stomach pH & cribbing behavior in adult horses & two on the incidence of stomach ulcers, anti-acids in feed & cribbing in foals.
From a paper presented by H. C. Lillie et al, at Auburn University: the PH of the stomachs of cribbers were compared to non cribbers: & I quote again: Cribbers all had a more acidic stomach (lower pH), than the non-cribbers. There was greater variation in the pHs of the stomachs of cribbing horses which might be related to the amount of cribbing they did. The authors concluded that this supported the theory that horses crib to relieve their stomachs & GI tracts of irritation. It has been hypothesized that that cribbing causes production of more saliva, & as saliva is alkaline it can help off set the acidity.
I think it is still a guess as to which came first, the chicken or the egg, but I'm anxious to see further studies on genetic predispotion to the behavior as opposed to horses just mimicking each other because they are bored.
I'm a firm believer that there are certain triggers for the behavior--stressors which create a physiological response in the stomach, or just inconsistancy in feeding programs and thus, the cribbing begins in some horses--but not all--my gelding had a bad stomach when I got him and his response was to park out which has also been associated with ulcers. I do think that in some cases it becomes a conditioned response and can become entrenched in the horses behavior over time kst
Mar 2, 2004
Hire me
Today I more or less work in the horse industry--less being the key word here: for two years I worked 5 to 6 days a week at the barn where my horses lived. Today I take odd jobs at different facilities while looking for a permanent job. I am a laborer, I do chores, I take orders that don't always make sense. I keep my mouth shut, I play in manure and like it. I work in places even the Mexicans wouldn't consider--and I don't blame them. But you know what? I slide out of bed, maybe get a shower in, grab whatever jeans are handy because they just get dirty even if I'm just thinking about horses, and if it's cold I can cover everything up in Carhart's. The horses don't care, they are happy to see me whether my lips are full treatment pouty, semi-pouty, or just chapped all to hell, because they, the horses, are hungry and I can fix it quick. Work in an office? You've got to be kididng me. So go ahead and hire me; I'll stand at the end of a frozen hose for two hours in a sub-zero wind chill, just so you can yell at me the next morning because, yep, the hose was frozen last night again, I'll risk my life to fix a dangling blanket strap, get hay down my back and in my mouth, and somehow in my underwear (there are worse things), smash my fingers on that stall door for the upteenth time, because it is a relief that I don't have to always put on a pretty face or wrestle on a pair of panty-hose just to do a job. KST
Feb 25, 2004
Ick
Rattlesnakes Show Strong Family Bonds, Study Says
James Owen
for National Geographic News
February 23, 2004
Solitary, aggressive, and dangerous to know—that's how most people see rattlesnakes. Yet scientists are beginning to reveal a seemingly caring, family-loving side to these deadly reptiles. This reappraisal is highlighted by a new study of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in the eastern United States. Researchers suggest that, as adults, the rattlesnakes can recognize their siblings, even after being separated at birth. The finding marks the first time kin recognition has been observed in snakes.
Tipping the Scales with Warm-N-Fuzzy I think
It appears that the ties that bind are not limited among mammals and a few less threatening reptiles like iguanas, but now, rattlesnakes, of all creatures, may have a soft side. It's not that they really love each other...or do they? In this article, mother snakes and sister snakes continuously engage in some kind of warm and fuzzy homemaking like mass coiling to keep the family together. In contrast, dad and brother snakes just want to have sex, period. When they're done having sex, they want to be left alone. Hmm, sound familiar?
One of my interests is watching and examining the social behavior of animals and contrasting it
with human behavior specifically. We humans believe we are much more refined in our behavior than our animal friends; we have developed the concept of morality, we exchange goods and services, we develop technologies to make our lives easier and more entertaining. We cry when we are happy and we cry when we are sad. We fall in love. But are snakes capable of love?
The scientific community says one distinguishing factor between us and the animals is that we are capable of emotion while animals are not, that we have a sense of self and they do not.
I can't say I totally agree with the scientific community. For many animals, it's all about them,
even those in a social hierarchy. Despite what science says, they are self-absorbed because that is conducive to survival. So how can they not have a sense of self at some level? And if you have a sense of self, you get emotional about things. Scott, who owns the place where I keep my horses is well aware of the emotional and intellectual capabilities of horses. "they're just like two year olds...you have to treat 'em like you would a two year old kid." Most everyone knows how emotional and self-absorbed two year olds are! And I agree, however anthropomorphic that sounds it's a pretty accurate comparison.
It is well documented that within the social structure of horses, the herd, a tight bonding takes place between individual members, and if you observe them as they engage in a mutual grooming session, you can see the absolute ecstasy experienced in this ultra-sensual act, which no doubt releases endorphines--the same ones that are released when you get a particularly good massage. I think it's common knowledge, at least in the medical and behavioral fields, that emotions and things like endorphins are inextricably linked. So I can say that writhing and coiling up with your not so warm and fuzzy viper family could have its emotional response as well, but probably only those which snakes can appreciate.
James Owen
for National Geographic News
February 23, 2004
Solitary, aggressive, and dangerous to know—that's how most people see rattlesnakes. Yet scientists are beginning to reveal a seemingly caring, family-loving side to these deadly reptiles. This reappraisal is highlighted by a new study of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) in the eastern United States. Researchers suggest that, as adults, the rattlesnakes can recognize their siblings, even after being separated at birth. The finding marks the first time kin recognition has been observed in snakes.
Tipping the Scales with Warm-N-Fuzzy I think
It appears that the ties that bind are not limited among mammals and a few less threatening reptiles like iguanas, but now, rattlesnakes, of all creatures, may have a soft side. It's not that they really love each other...or do they? In this article, mother snakes and sister snakes continuously engage in some kind of warm and fuzzy homemaking like mass coiling to keep the family together. In contrast, dad and brother snakes just want to have sex, period. When they're done having sex, they want to be left alone. Hmm, sound familiar?
One of my interests is watching and examining the social behavior of animals and contrasting it
with human behavior specifically. We humans believe we are much more refined in our behavior than our animal friends; we have developed the concept of morality, we exchange goods and services, we develop technologies to make our lives easier and more entertaining. We cry when we are happy and we cry when we are sad. We fall in love. But are snakes capable of love?
The scientific community says one distinguishing factor between us and the animals is that we are capable of emotion while animals are not, that we have a sense of self and they do not.
I can't say I totally agree with the scientific community. For many animals, it's all about them,
even those in a social hierarchy. Despite what science says, they are self-absorbed because that is conducive to survival. So how can they not have a sense of self at some level? And if you have a sense of self, you get emotional about things. Scott, who owns the place where I keep my horses is well aware of the emotional and intellectual capabilities of horses. "they're just like two year olds...you have to treat 'em like you would a two year old kid." Most everyone knows how emotional and self-absorbed two year olds are! And I agree, however anthropomorphic that sounds it's a pretty accurate comparison.
It is well documented that within the social structure of horses, the herd, a tight bonding takes place between individual members, and if you observe them as they engage in a mutual grooming session, you can see the absolute ecstasy experienced in this ultra-sensual act, which no doubt releases endorphines--the same ones that are released when you get a particularly good massage. I think it's common knowledge, at least in the medical and behavioral fields, that emotions and things like endorphins are inextricably linked. So I can say that writhing and coiling up with your not so warm and fuzzy viper family could have its emotional response as well, but probably only those which snakes can appreciate.
Feb 24, 2004
Feb 22, 2004
LOok WhAt tHe nEt bRoUghT iN
Built for speed...
She should have the head of a princess, the butt of a fry cook and a walk like a hooker.
-D. Wayne Lucas, on buying yearling fillies
I can see this on my tombstone...
If my particular passion ever kills me, it won't be because I was on a horse's back. It will be because I was gaping out my car window at some horse standing innocently in a field or backyard when I was supposed to be paying attention to the road.
~except from Dark Horses and Black Beauties
Talk about Natural Horsemanship! So much more than I ever wanted to know...
OK, this diagram of stallion anatomy is slightly better, even though at first it looks really confusing. Just focus on the area at the bottom left where it says "Glans Penis." That term is pointing at where you'll find the bean. But the penis is telescopic... the rest of it is up inside his body (see the label "Shaft of Penis"). The actual tip of the penis, where you will find the bean, is covered by flabby-textured skin that would be somewhere around the MIDDLE of his penis if he relaxed ("dropped") it.
Just lube your hand up real well and slide your fingers inside that opening. Once there, you'll feel the tip of his penis and can go hunting for the bean. You'll also feel a whole BUNCH more smegma that lives up inside that second "cavern" ... you'll have to reach really far to get it all.
Don't forget to clean ALL THE WAY around the back of that cavern.
Feb 21, 2004
They paved paradise....
This is from the bb discussion I have been following at:
http://forums.horsecity.com
Bulletin Board: ranchers or cowboy forums?? about the downsizing of ranches into "ranchett's."
One lady discusses her parents 500,000 acre spread:
"We are to date the largest contiguous ranch in the state. Not for long if the Federal Land Swap Deal makes it through Congress. Which I have an idea it probably will, then my dad will have the original ranchhouse and the property he keeps there, and becomes a developer in his old age in the parcels they are offering to swap. I hope he and mom have a grand time and spend it all!!!"
And this guy writes:Everything around me is getting developed , and many ranches and dairies around have been turned into asphalt and steel . I would rather have a nice big , operational ranch , than see it turn into houses or be taken over by government . One of the best things I have heard was in a cattle meeting , and one of the guys said "
Rumplestilskin went to sleep in the early '80's , and woke up in 2050 . There were guys out in the middle of the street with jack hammers & picks chipping away at the concrete & asphalt . Rumplestilskin walked up to them and asked what they were doing , they said mining , he asked what they were mining for . They said , dirt .."
http://forums.horsecity.com
Bulletin Board: ranchers or cowboy forums?? about the downsizing of ranches into "ranchett's."
One lady discusses her parents 500,000 acre spread:
"We are to date the largest contiguous ranch in the state. Not for long if the Federal Land Swap Deal makes it through Congress. Which I have an idea it probably will, then my dad will have the original ranchhouse and the property he keeps there, and becomes a developer in his old age in the parcels they are offering to swap. I hope he and mom have a grand time and spend it all!!!"
And this guy writes:Everything around me is getting developed , and many ranches and dairies around have been turned into asphalt and steel . I would rather have a nice big , operational ranch , than see it turn into houses or be taken over by government . One of the best things I have heard was in a cattle meeting , and one of the guys said "
Rumplestilskin went to sleep in the early '80's , and woke up in 2050 . There were guys out in the middle of the street with jack hammers & picks chipping away at the concrete & asphalt . Rumplestilskin walked up to them and asked what they were doing , they said mining , he asked what they were mining for . They said , dirt .."
found this on the horse city BB
HorseCity.com's Bulletin Board: Horse's View of the World
Melva O'Shields wrote:
Arena: Place where humans can take the fun out of forward motion.
Bit: Means by which a rider's every motion is transmitted to the sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Bucking: Counterirritant
CrossTies: Gymnastic apparatus.
Dressage: Process by which some riders can eventually be taught to respect the bit.
Fence: Barrier that protects good grazing.
Grain: Sole virtue of domestication.
Hitching rail: Means by which to test one's strength.
Horse trailer: Mobile cave/bear den.
Hotwalker: The lesser of two evils.
Jump: An opportunity for self-expression.
Latch: Type of puzzle.
Lunging: Procedure for keeping a prospective rider at bay.
Owner: Human assigned responsibility for one's feeding.
Rider: Owner overstepping its bounds.
Farrier: Disposable surrogate owner; useful for acting out aggression without compromising food supply.
Trainer: Owner with mob connections.
Veterinarian: Flightless albino vulture
Melva O'Shields wrote:
Arena: Place where humans can take the fun out of forward motion.
Bit: Means by which a rider's every motion is transmitted to the sensitive tissues of the mouth.
Bucking: Counterirritant
CrossTies: Gymnastic apparatus.
Dressage: Process by which some riders can eventually be taught to respect the bit.
Fence: Barrier that protects good grazing.
Grain: Sole virtue of domestication.
Hitching rail: Means by which to test one's strength.
Horse trailer: Mobile cave/bear den.
Hotwalker: The lesser of two evils.
Jump: An opportunity for self-expression.
Latch: Type of puzzle.
Lunging: Procedure for keeping a prospective rider at bay.
Owner: Human assigned responsibility for one's feeding.
Rider: Owner overstepping its bounds.
Farrier: Disposable surrogate owner; useful for acting out aggression without compromising food supply.
Trainer: Owner with mob connections.
Veterinarian: Flightless albino vulture
Feb 20, 2004
Biohazard lurks in bathrooms: Shower curtains awash with potentially harmful bacteria.
Biohazard lurks in bathrooms: Shower curtains awash with potentially harmful bacteria.
"When you cough, belch or fart, you're putting a lot of organic chemistry in there"
Norman Pace
University of Colorado
"When you cough, belch or fart, you're putting a lot of organic chemistry in there"
Norman Pace
University of Colorado
Oh, the weather....
I haven't stepped out today to see what it's really like. So far I just opened the door to let the dog in and out. I think it's supposed to be 57 F today, but it is ugly and grey. Ugly, grey, horses, mud. Should I go out there? It's almost an hour drive to and back from the barn.
My horses don't know about this long drive. They know about cars and trucks and trailers, and roads and trails that go somewhere, but have no concept of how long it takes to get there. Their time is so different than ours, it is so broadly defined, marked by night and day, seasons. Their daytime is measured by the boundaries and territories they establish as they move along the pasture and graze. If you watch them every day, they have a pattern. What determines it? They are not turned out 24/7 but on days when they are turned out, they usually form their hierarchical groups and will start grazing at the same spot they started the morning before. Through the day they work their way all around the pasture and it seems fairly consistent as to the direction they travel. Do they follow the sun, even when it's obscured by a day like today? the atmosphere? The pattern they establish is not just the territory they cover while grazing; within the pattern of movement, there is time to nap (usually sometime in the morning and about 3pm they get a little drowsy,too), take their turn at the water trough, play, flirt.
There are variables: natural causes like the weather, a spook that gets them running, or the artificial causes of human intervention--whether or not flakes of hay have been thrown down. Still, they strive for consistency in their habits. Atmosphere appears to be a variable. They are aware of barometric pressure changes and adjust accordingly, but it doesn't alter the general pattern of the day.
I wonder what my pattern looks like to them? Even though I'm not always consistent, do they know a pattern I keep over time that I'm not aware of? I imagine they interpret me in their life as one of the variables. Like dogs, they know the sound of my van and I know they know at some point that I'm coming down the road, but how far away am I before they know this? These are the interesting questions that lead the animal behaviorists to develop and test hypothesies. "Pet Psychics" exploit the results. A pet psychic could say " they know you are coming the first second you think about them as you are driving along." I know this has been tested with dogs, and results have not been all that remarkable, but a true scientist would say, "we don't really know for sure when or how they know, but there is probably a logical explaination, some event or change within the environment that is remarkable to them but undetectable through our overly evolved human senses," something to that effect anyway.
I know this much, they don't plan their day around whether or not I'm coming, and some days they could care less. Other days they seem extremely happy to see me. I haven't really learned what it is that always determines this, but sometimes it's because I can do something for them that they can't do themselves, and they have been thinking about wanting to do this through the day, like let them out of their stalls when they have to stay in, and here I come, Finally!! "Let us out, let us out!"
Why Blog?
I had to ask myself...Why Blog? I suppose it's because in all the bulletin boards I post to people hate to see my handle come up. I never really get to the point until the seventh or so paragraph. When I do get to the point, I've either already figured out the answer myself, or just made whatever I had to say redundant. There you go--Why Blog?--because you can!
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