In Case You Missed Them Too....

Promise and Pirate are doing great, it is so good for my heart to call them and have them both pop their heads up from acres away, and come right on over.

Promise has aged considerably for her actual estimated age of 18. She is moving slower and generally looks/acts like a mare ten years older. The starvation really took it's toll on her and probably damaged her heart long term.

Hunter and Sage enjoyed the visit too.

Scientists say horses don't forget people, good experiences they retain and relate positively long after the fact. I'd like to think so.

My Short Story

I've loved horses as long as I can remember. I poured over every Marguerite Henry book, imagined riding Walter Farley's Black Stallion, and collected Breyer horses that I groomed so well the paint rubbed in places. My friends and I held mock horse shows winning ribbons made of scraps of fabric and puffy paint. From the waist up we were rider and our legs jumped the show jumps like champion steeds.

I was very lucky to grow up next door to a Morgan horse farm. I could see the horses through the deep woods of our yard playing in the pasture in the winter after the leaves had gone. My Aunt had an elderly QH that she offered for us to take and we found a neighbor open to pasture boarding. I had started taking a few riding lessons, saddleseat, the year before and I was over the moon at the idea.

Muchacho was everything a little girl's horse should be. Dead calm, very tolerant, ready to go anywhere I pointed him at his leisurely pace. When my dreams moved me towards becoming a really good rider I started lessons at a Dressage barn and began jumping.

A few years later I was riding anything I could, training some young Arabians, and working a job at a petstore to fund the habit in addition to working 2 years and a full summer at a large cat facility with tigers. A few bad riding falls, a concussion (yes, I was wearing a helmet at the time), some lost teeth requiring jaw surgery, a fractured spine, and riding became painful. Something to endure.

My Mom moved us to Georgia and we ended up living in a home that was an extension of a Paso Fino farm years past it's hay day. The farm owner allowed me to take on her older Paso Stallion, Flashy. He was so much fun and as easy on my back as a horse could be. Before long, teenage things consumed my life and I was living on my own at the age of 16. Horses weren't possible. They were a painful memory of something I loved but could no longer have. All of my previous dreams of a college equestrian team spring boarding me towards a great trainer and on to high caliber riding or being a jockey, were replaced by how to pay a bill.

I tried to fill the hole in a way I could financially handle, I bred diamond doves for awhile, did some sheep herding with my little Sheltie and started to feel better. I worked as a Vet Tech during most of this time so animals were everywhere all the time. I got my first Siberian Husky and really tapped into that competitive drive to do the best I could with my animal going into showing, obedience, working titles, and finally agility. Full circle I had gone from show jumping horses to the dog form modeled after that very same sport. I love this sport and these dogs still very much and I'm looking forward to starting a new puppy next year.

Then one spring day in 2010, my husband came home after meeting a client and proposed an idea. The client ran a hippotherapy center and needed volunteers to come ride and exercise the horses, was I interested? I had so long ago set down the dreams of horses that I didn't know if I could pick it up again. All of my tack and gear sold years ago when I let it go for good. Could I even ride anymore? Did I remember all of the small pieces that come together that is horsemanship? 15 years away from it, maybe it was easier to just stay away at this point. I have 5 kids now and the dream that was horses seemed like a lifetime ago. I was a professional dog trainer and should stick to what I've created... then again....

I started riding the therapy horses and began to love them all over again. I didn't remember a lot, it was pretty humbling (and continues to be) to re-learn all the things that were forgotten. But it was more good than bad and I enjoyed the time I could escape there.

Then the weekend after Thanksgiving, one year ago today, the post came that would change things forever for us. Horses, horses in dire straights who needed saving. Could I help? I could help, with lots of help from others, and my in-laws wanted to help and take a horse too. Promise came into our lives at that point, Beauty into their's, and started us down the path where we met Cheryl and three weeks later, Whisper.

With time, some fighting the system, and love, Promise and Beauty foaled in early springtime babies they were carrying through their ordeal, and they continue to do well in their retired horsey lifestyles.

One full year after they joined our lives, here they are today ; Promise and Pirate, Beauty and Star. Promise will always have a special part of me, seeing her with Pirate, carefree and happy is a kind of wonderful that's hard to explain. She is living the good life on acreage with her own tree stand, stream, and plenty of room to play with that crazy mule of her's at my friend, Maggie's place. Promise remains slightly lame on her right hind, but gets around the pasture just fine. Beauty and Star live on acreage of their own at my in-law's.

Pirate Is 4 Months Old

I went out to check in on my favorite red heads today. Promise gave me a happy nicker, then went right back to her job of mowing her 6 acres. Pirate was feeling a little more social and came over, his distance from Mama a huge change from when I saw him last.

Promise is looking good, she shows her age more to me now. The grey over her eyes, the slightly slower gait. She's happy in her retired lifestyle.

Until next time, take care of each other!

The New Normal

The day for Promise and Pirate's move has come and gone. While it wasn't easy to catch Promise, once we did she loaded like it was as easy as walking through a gate. Pirate was a little more difficult, we pretty much picked him up and put him on with his mama.

A few days after the move, I went to check on them. They now reside closer to my house than they did before and Promise nickered her signature greeting when we walked up.

She seemed really happy.

The kids had some time feeding carrots and approved of the 5 acres, complete with tree shade and a running stream, that the horses now had access to.

Whisper is holding her own. She is thriving on the routine and structure a horse facility offers and I have been able to visit her everyday. She's still lame, slowly improving with extra care and stall rests.

The kids love seeing her and can interact more with her now that the environment is more controlled. Sage also secretly loves the pony Oreo, while Hunter has been talking to Vulcan.

All in all, we are finding room to breath and enjoy this adventure again. After bad storms a few nights ago, I woke with the relief of knowing I didn't need to immediately go check on Whisper to be sure she wasn't injured. She spent the strong storm comfortably bedded in a stall without a care in the world. She's eating well and improving a little more each day.

Brave New Horizons

Whisper was not improving. In fact, she was worse. Hobbling again as if she could hardly bear to move her right leg. I brought water to where she stood and she happily drained a bucket in minutes. It was clear that she wasn't getting enough water because she was choosing not to walk up the hill to drink.

As she drank I looked over at Star and saw an injury that must have been ugly a few days earlier.

It wraps up and around the ear and included punctures at the poll and into her mane.

I was at a loss. I was hurt, for them. I was failing to provide the best I could for the horses I was responsible for. I was trying, my intent was there, but I was not. My husband and I talked it out and came to the decision that if we could not find suitable boarding and stable arrangements for Whisper by week's end, she would go to a home that was open to taking her and providing what I was not currently doing on this pasture.

That same day, Pirate's new owner contacted me with a shoulder injury that likely needed surgery. She would be unable to take and start Pirate the way she wanted to and had to pass on him. I had no idea what to do. I kept looking at barns, I kept calling, I kept contacting everyone I knew. Something HAD to be out there. We had always intended to adopt out Promise's foal but now I was looking to find a way to safely provide for all three.

A farm named Amazing Grace finally got in touch and worked out a situation that I could do, though they only had room for Whisper. She would have a stall of her own with turn-out on whatever schedule she needed. Triple Crown Senior feed on site. Riding rings. A small size operation with OTTB experience that would let me work for board.

I went out that evening to meet with the owner and looked at the horses. All clean, bright, and relaxed. The general feel of the whole place was a calm working feel.  Speaking with the owner she asked questions of me while I pelted her with my own. We ironed out arrangements. Whisper would be moved the very next day.

Friday I picked up the farm's trailer, along with a friend and we headed to Whisper. Whisper was still painfully lame and stumbled slowly towards the open trailer. She then proceeded to fight us for 2 full hours in 90 degree temperatures.

We tried everything. We let her get used to it. Pressure to move forward and giving her release when she did so. Grain. Treats, Walking out and back. Placing her foot up in the trailer. Blocking the sides of the trailer creating a barrier so she couldn't back up and swing around (though somehow she still managed to). When she started showing air between her front feet and the ground while yanking us off our feet out of the trailer, we added the stud chain. When that failed to produce forward motion, we took a break. Finally I got back at her head and she decided she was done fighting and simply walked right in.

My first time hauling a horse I was very glad no one got behind me, pretty sure I never got over 40 mph.

Arriving at the new farm, Whisper checked out the sights and smells. She settled right in to her new stall and she began happily munching hay. She was more comfortable already.

She was assessed that evening and I got a call from the farm owner that she felt like epsom soaks and bute would help her as would a farrier evaluation. We went over Whisper's feeding schedule and her current body condition versus where we wanted her to be. She had dropped about 50 pounds in the last week with the pain and stress she was feeling in her legs.

Today, thank goodness, the abscess ruptured and brought Whisper quite a lot of relief. She is getting along with all of the horses she has met so far.

The plan is to get her started on hoof supplement and have the farrier evaluate her after healing has taken place (he can't lift the other feet when one is bad). It may be that she is a horse who, for now at least, can not go barefoot. She may simply need the distance between her hoof sole and the ground that a light shoe could provide while months of growth occur. The hoof specialist before was unwilling to consider that as an option, that and outright was wrong about many things including founder.

Meanwhile, I had been in touch with a friend who wanted Pirate and fit all of my criteria for him. When they asked after him, they mentioned that they wanted Promise too.

I said, "No. No way. Pirate can go to you after he is weaned."

Though she could give Promise safety and a great home, I loved Promise too much. Still with Whisper at another location and the injuries piling up at Promise's current location, I wasn't doing right by her. I couldn't even get out to see her more than twice a week for visits. Promise needs a safe place, with daily attention, to retire happily. I decided I would let her go with Pirate.

It breaks my heart to say, next week Promise and Pirate leave for new horizons all their own, together.

They go with a security blanket though, they go with a promise that if they ever change hands again they come to me first. If they are ever in trouble they come to me. They also come with a vow to update often with pictures and info on their well being, including a few personal visits through the year for the kids and I to see them first hand.

God give me strength to say good-bye.

Mother's Day

My husband worked it out for me to sneak away to the horses as the sun came up this morning. This was my first present of the day.

It was a crisp morning and Pirate had some playtime with his new soccer ball.

Whisper had a full grooming as did Pirate. I was really impressed with how well he stood for his brushing. I went over every part of him except his lower legs. I'm hoping to get the halter back on him through time and careful handling instead of grabbing him and forcing it on. Today I put the noseband over his nose and removed it again about 10 times and once moved the cheek straps in place. He pulled back a few times but relaxed into it, curiosity works to my advantage with him.

Back home with my human kids, my second round of Mother's Day is just getting going. My favorites being the cake the kids decorated and the 2 new charms for my bracelet my late Mother started for me back when I was a kid. She started me off with 2 charms, oddly enough given my life now, a racehorse and a foal. Today a lucky horseshoe and a little standing horse are dangling beside them.

Spring Babies

Star is out in the pasture today. She looks better and is getting enough milk to nourish her little body, but that hind leg is still an issue. To me, it appears she is developing muscle growth in a normal pattern to compensate for structural abnormalities.

She is starting to show more curiosity in the world around her.

And no hesitation letting Pirate know that he should respect her space.

She can hold her leg straight as long as she is moving straight, as soon as a weight shift or turn occurs, the defect is more pronounced.

Pirate continues his quest to be the cheekiest mule colt that ever was.

Still very adorable though!

Star followed his lead and wanted to pose a little for my camera

Promise is more than happy to let me give her a good scratching.

Whisper's legs have been healing, the inflammation is gone and the skin is healing over. I've put contacts out to over 30 horse locations and have yet to return another work for board offer to be able to move.

Fun With The Pirate

Pirate has changed so much in his few days of life. He is already pushed well beyond timid exploration right beside Promise, after having just positive interaction with him today, it's clear that he's ready to start some baby mule training. As tempting as it is to keep treating him like a really fun big dog, it's important to teach foals boundaries so they can be respectful as adults.

Promise had to keep up with him, Pirate is running right up to anyone who comes in to see him.

Whisper and I did a little groundwork and grooming with a stud chain in place and today she did well. I'm not sure if  it was the chain (familiar from the track) or if it was just one of her good days. Leaving at dusk, Pirate was feeling frisky. Every time I turned around he was running up behind me with Promise trying to keep up.

It's a Boy!

There wasn't anything that was easy to see this morning to determine the foal's sex when I reported on Promise having delivered, however this afternoon it was obviously a little BOY! Meet Pirate. All dried off in the sun, not the most graceful little guy...

He has the trademark 'donkey cross' across his spine, down his shoulders, and lines on his legs, all in a darker chestnut color.  He's perfectly perfect!