Hobo and Tuna

Around the middle of December my husband remarked that he'd been spotting a cat hanging around our place when he went to feed in the mornings.  I didn't spot him, probably because Hank goes out with me at night to feed.  We figured this cat belonged to a neighbor but as the weeks progressed it became apparent that it had moved in.

We decided the new cat would be our "barn" cat.  We told ourselves if it wanted to live here it must fend for itself.  We set it up with a cozy bed in our outbuilding, behind the wood pile where it would be safe, gave it water and that was that.

You see, we have a cat, an indoor cat.

Tuna is a strange cat.

In all these years I am the only human she tolerates, not likes - just tolerates...which frustrates the rest of the family (but makes me feel pretty special).  :)

Yet, Tuna has always adored Hank.

Hank can do no wrong.

Tuna is not a lady-like cat.  In my opinion, if Tuna was human she'd be a Roller Derby Queen.

As the holiday season started to come to a close, we named the outside cat Hobo.  And then (suckers that we are) we started to feel sorry for it.  After all, it was so sweet and friendly.  We broke down and fed it, telling ourselves that Hobo was now "our" cat.

Only after we fed Hobo did we notice the "botton" on its rear end.  Hobo was a HE and if HE was going to live here, HE was going to need to be fixed.  So off to the Vet we went with "our" new cat, to make HIM an IT.

$260 later Hobo came home "fixed", with all the necessary blood test taken and initial shots.  Well gosh, we just couldn't put the poor thing back outside and he seemed so domesticated...so we decided to let him live inside.  As soon as Hobo arrived home Hank parked outside his crate, which I left Hobo in for a few hours to acclimate.

Hank and Hobo quickly became friends and we felt so charitable about our decision.

But Tuna had disappeared, nowhere to be found.  In the late evening she appeared, sniffing the recovering Hobo who was sleeping off his surgery.  The sniffing startled Hobo, who jumped up, sending Tuna back into hiding hissing all the way.  The next morning Tuna again appeared and the two met in the utility room.

...and there was such a ruckus - the likes of which I've never heard as the two entered into a horrible cat fight.  Running from the kitchen I yelled at the two felines without any success.  I called on Hank, telling him to break the fight up.  The scuffle flew through the pet door and out into the garage.  I opened the door and sent Hank out after the two to break it up.  Truly, if it wasn't for Hank's assistance I believe the two would have fought to the death.

Hobo is back outside and seems happy, showing up in the afternoon around feeding time and following us around the barnyard to be petted.

Tuna watches him from inside.  Hobo returns to the vet next week for his booster shots, probably going to cost us another $100.  Pretty fancy barn cat, huh?

Happy Horse = Happy Me

Elvis has been in training with my friend/trainer (Frainer), Rachel, for 3 weeks.  She puts a training ride on Elvis twice a week and I take a lesson once a week.  That can be changed out to more lessons or more rides as needed.  In addition to my lesson I also ride 3 or more times a week.

We've been working on adding some additional gaits to Elvis's movement - as in faster gaits.  We now have a slow AND fast walk as well as a slow AND fast jog.  We also have a smooth transition to a slow lope vs a leap forward.  I'm happy to see the new speeds and to know that his Western Pleasure foundation is still intact.

Elvis is learning to stand quietly tied for long periods of time.  In this picture he has just been called on for starting to paw (via my tossing a handful of dirt his way).  I interpret the look on his face to say that he doesn't want to be in trouble and indeed those handfuls of dirt aren't needed much anymore.

I've asked Rach to expose Elvis to as much as possible so that we will have a safe, versatile future. To date Elvis has been ponied off of and poined other horses.  He's been ridden in a busy crowded arena with people jumping and horses near him bucking and carrying on.  He's going to meet some cows in a few weeks and I hope he will be out on the trails in the near future.

It's been fun watching his spots increase.

Yesterday I noticed he now has more spots underneath his saddle and they are creeping up on his neck.  He even has a white spot coming in around one of his eyes.

I can tell that Elvis likes going to work.  He's much happier when he's ridden often.  He likes having a job.

I find myself getting in better and better shape from riding.  Having someone else riding him has reduced the pressure I felt of having to get up and ride when I don't have time.  It's a good feeling knowing your horse is happy.  Happy Horse = Happy Me!

Into Training

Somewhere along the way my life has become more complicated than it used to be.  My commitments have increased and I find I'm not able to ride as often as I feel is needed.

Although my visits to the barn are frequent, the rides have become less.  And that means my boy sits in his stall which induces pressure for me to try to ride every day, which leads to frustration that I am not able to ride every day, which leads to resenting other commitments - a part time job that at times can be almost full time, caring for my family and taking care of animals at home, not to mention taking care of the home itself.

Just look at how often I've recently posted on this blog and you can see the tale of someone who would love to have more time to write but can barely find a moment to herself.

I found myself awake at night, feeling frustrated about not riding and also asking myself, what do I REALLY want to do with Elvis? Elvis is a talented horse in both Western Pleasure and Dressage. He is a dream at Showmanship.  But I ask myself, do I want to go down the show road in 2014?  Not sure.

I miss sorting with my Cowgirl Pals.

I miss riding all the trails up around Cabin Creek not to mention the John Wayne/Iron Horse Trail which is only 1/4 mile from our cabin. Sigh...I needed some advice from someone who knows me and knows my horse.

Enter my friend and trainer, Rachel Koehler, whom I refer to in my Posts as my Frainer.

Growing up "just riding", I started taking lessons with Rach in 2008, learning how to ride our daughter's show horse Champ, whom I inherited after she headed off to college.  Champ had buttons and I had no clue how to operate such a horse.  Here I am at one of my first lessons (not pretty, look at my concentration (via my tongue hanging out!)).  That was FIVE years ago.  I was a very green, novice rider (and 50 pounds heavier)!

I met with Rach a few days ago.  And just like the good friend she is, she listened as I laid it all out.  I shared my frustrations about not getting up to ride and uncertainty about which direction Elvis and I should take. I asked for her collaboration in helping Elvis and I down our future road.

Together we formulated a plan.  With Rach's assistance we will start exposing Elvis to various environments including sorting (yipee!), roping (which he proved to be a natural at last spring), trails and shows.  Rach will help me out by putting rides on Elvis, alleviating my frustration of not getting up to ride as often.  She will work on his top line and expose him to ponying other horses, standing tied quietly, etc.  She will take those first rides when we try various disciplines (after all I AM 50+).

Elvis is going into training, will get ridden more often and exposed to various environments.  I will continue taking lessons and with Rach's guidance further my skills.  Elvis, Rach and I will try out various disciplines and see what fits best.  Happy sigh...my world has fallen back into place again.

Catching Up

Happy Holidays and New Year!

The last time I posted was November 11th.  I have tried since to write Posts but have been met with multiple challenges which have been frustrating to say the least.

The internet connectivity to my office, which is the tack room in our barn, is mostly to blame.  It has been sketchy after some unusually strong (for us) thunder and lightning storms this past summer.  One storm in particular was something of the likes I've never experienced.  After that particular storm our router no longer worked.  We replaced it and since then I've had sketchy service in my office which is inside a metal barn.

Trying to work and write in the house is distracting so although I've been able to focus on getting my part time work accomplished, I found myself hitting a mental block when I try to write my Posts.

So here I am today back out in the barn.  It's a New Year and I am determined to get back to posting events that surround my life.  I just climbed up on my 3-step mounting block and sprayed the outside internet connector with WD-40.  This was J's suggestion - of course he is 6-6" not 5-3"...easy for him to do but a bit of a challenge for me!

Yet I've had a few bumps in my internet as I've written the above.  Windows ran a diagnosis and tells me my cables are bad - maybe we need to change out the cable that direct connects to my laptop. Since Windows ran that diagnosis awhile ago all has been well so here's an update on everybody:

Elvis:  Since Elvis entered my life it seems that I am always running, running, running - another reason why I don't post as much as I used to.  Elvis is doing wonderfully well and I can't even come close to telling you how much I love that horse nor the joy he brings to me.

I found a resolution to the naughty by being too nice issue.  I've never quite understood the concept of riding with my seat.  I've watched others do it but when I've tried in the past I just can't figure out what I'm supposed to do.

I finally had a breakthrough about a month ago when I was taking a lesson with my Frainer.  I found Elvis's response to my legs improved dramatically and we moved right out when I requested.  I find riding with my seat to be quite a workout and I can't do it for long so this will be one of my goals for 2014 - to increase my stamina (and stomach muscles) to be able to ride for longer periods via my seat.

Now that Elvis is "mine" I find myself no longer feeling like I am walking on egg shells - which was totally self-induced.  So calling him on certain behaviors is no longer an issue.  I don't have to do it often and I try not to nag but I am no longer hesitant to correct him.

I am blessed to have a horse that really only wants to please.  I've yet to have him do something really naughty and when I remind him who is the boss he falls right in line.

I am still so humbled to have been given this horse!  On a clear, cold night last January I was awake in the middle of the night looking out the window at all the stars when a brilliant shooting star flew across the winter sky.  I made a wish on that shooting star for a horse like Elvis and that wish came true.  I sit here as a believer in wishing on shooting stars.

Peeb:  One of the reasons I'm out in the barn is because today was the day where a decision about Peeb's future with us would be made.  Being a rescue horse you get what you get.  And we got a sweet 30+ horse who is a great companion for Bob, but we also got a horse whose care had been neglected for so many years that we are now dealing with the consequences.

Peeb had three teeth (at last count).  Although he still tries to graze and eat hay, he basically cuds it. Although we still provide free choice hay and pastures to graze on, we now feed both Peeb and Bob compressed orchard pellets and senior feed soaked in water twice a day.  We have come to call this feeding as "slop" which is actually what it looks like.

We have been able to keep a good weight on Peeb by feeding him slop.  He happily slurps it up.  But we ran into an issue with shoeing Peeb.  He has had issues trying to stand on three feet while being shod/trimmed.  His knees are in terrible shape and at last shoeing he almost went down multiple times.

I have an awesome shoer and the last thing I need is for Peeb to collapse on him so my shoer and I made an agreement that if Peeb could not be shod at this appointment today that we would need to make plans to put him down.  Unfortunately, his feet are in such bad shape that it would be cruel and painful for him to go barefoot.

I decided to butte Peeb for the past two days in prep for the appointment today and I'm happy to report that the butte helped!  Peeb was able to remain solid while his fronts were shod and his backs trimmed!  We have dodged a decision that although we know will arrive some day, it won't be in the near future as long as I can medicate him prior to being shod.

Bob:  It is terribly hard to watch Bob gallop freely in the pastures and know that he can no longer be ridden!  Our days of sorting cows may be over but Bob and I still have a special bond.  Bob is such a sensitive horse - so very focused on what is going on around him.  He is so different than any horse I've ever owned.  If you go back in my Posts you will see that I struggled with Bob.  It took a long time for me to "get him".

But "get him" I did.  Bob trusts me like no others.  He is a horse that would do anything I asked of him - he indeed has done that.  I am "his human".  When I'm out in the yard or working around the barn, there stands Bob - watching me intently.  He comes when called and always enjoys my company.  I love to go out and just stand with him in the field.  We communicate in silence, the only sound being his signature blubbering sighs of happiness of our being together.

Well that pretty much sums up what's generally been going on around here.  I've been posting for almost an hour now out here in the barn with no glitch in my internet service!  Maybe the WD-40 worked!  I look sure forward to coming back out here and writing like I used to.

2014 is the year of the horse and for me it is a pivotal point in my life as I entered the six-oh digits in October.  With a horse like Elvis the future is ours.  I have places to go and things to do this year that I could never have considered in the past.

Stay tuned, it's going to be a glorious ride!

50+

Nice...But Naughty

After almost two weeks off due to an increase in my part time work and a nasty sinus infection, I returned to riding Elvis yesterday.  Not sure how my six-year old gelding would handle so much time off I was curious to see what kind of temperament I'd get when I got on. My motto being "know what you have before you get on" told me as I saddled up that I had the same disposition as when I rode every day.  Good!

I must note that this is my first 'young' horse.  I'd always preferred older, been-there-done-that horses, thinking the younger ones were all balls of fire.  However, I've found my young horse to be refreshing.  His young age gives him a clean slate.  He's had minimal negative experiences; i.e., baggage that my older horses have brought along with them.  This youngster is still learning about "life" and I feel it's my job to do my best to keep his experiences positive so we keep the baggage at a minimum.

With all signs pointing to "go", Elvis and I headed to the indoor arena.  I know myself - if I don't ride for long periods of time my confidence level drops like a hard freeze.  As we walked I overwrote my worries by telling myself I have never had a bad ride on Elvis and that I had done a good job of knowing what I was about to ride.  I reminded myself how great I feel when I'm up on him and with that I tightened the cinch one last time and hopped on.

Elvis stood quietly, waiting for my cue.  In the past he has started walking off while I was getting on. I've been making him stand quietly for few moments after I get on, reminding him to not move off until I give the command.  On this day I took my time, settling in the saddle and getting comfortable. Then with the pressure of my lower legs I asked him to walk off.

....Nothing.  We still stood quietly.  I gave him the cue again to move forward.

....Nothing.  I do have spurs on my boots; however, I try to not use them as a first request.  I now engaged my spurs, small rubs on his sides, and behold - ever so slowly, we walked off.

We were pointed towards the other end of the arena to get out of the way of a lesson being held on the end where I'd gotten on.  At our destination were various riders exercising their horses. We would join in and do the same.

Now I know that the Western Pleasure walk is slow but at the speed we were going I could have gotten to a different State quicker.  I cued Elvis to pick up the speed a bit and get out of the lesson zone - first with my legs and then with my spurs.

...Nothing.  I cued again, this time with spurs and got a tiny bit of additional speed.  We might make it to the other end of the arena before nightfall.

We entered into the crowded group and walked a couple of circles and then as others started to jog/trot, I also asked for the jog.  Bet you can guess the response...yup, nothing.

With my feet paddling against his sides (tipping the front of my foot down to engage my spurs on his side) I finally got the slightest jog, almost a walk.  We gently jogged around - but I had to keep paddling with my feet or else we broke back into the slowest walk in history.

This lack of response was making us a target amongst our fellow riders, who had to get around us as we stalled out.  We'd never had such a slog of a ride and with a sinking heart I knew that Elvis was running this ride and totally ignoring his leader.

Elvis was being so nice that he was being naughty.  I needed to address this issue, to remind him that I was the leader and when I said trot, lope, etc., I meant it.  This called for a "come to dinner meeting" and I knew that might incur some rodeo activities for dessert.  In the crowded arena full or riders there was no space for me to have this "discussion".

Instead of allowing him to dictate any further, I decided to end the ride until I could address the issue (I expect to arise again). It was good timing on my part as a bunch of riders came in for a group jumping lesson.  My fellow riders were also calling it a day vs being in the way of the jumpers.

Walking back to the barn Elvis was his nice, sweet self.  It entered my mind that if this is what I get when I let my horse sit that this is ok.  I like that Elvis appears to be one of those horses you can pull out of the pasture and hop right on - sure, it may take you days to get to your destination but at least he isn't a ball of raging fire or argumentative.  He's just so nice that he's naughty.

Elvis and I have a date for a "come to dinner meeting" next time this happens.  And I'm betting that will be at my upcoming lesson.  Fine with me.  I'd prefer it to be in the presence of my Frainer so that I use the right tools and actions to get "my point across" should I need to use them in the future, which I'm thinking I will.

Nice...but naughty.  We'll fix that to Nice!

Mine...

I don't even know how to start this Post....I've always had a hard time writing about Elvis because...well...

How many people GIVE a horse they've invested in heavily, one that's healthy, well trained, kind hearted, registered, not to mention gorgeous to somebody else?  This just doesn't happen - but it happened to me.

Before Elvis arrived on that cold day in mid-February the owners and I had written up a contract.  I would agree to care and love him as much as they did.

 I did that.

I would allow Elvis the opportunity to run free in the fields and "be a horse"...

Elvis had always lived in a barn but I brought him home and helped him adapt to "being a horse". Elvis had never been in a field with other horses, he didn't know how the herd stuff worked.  I helped find his way, how to socialize and get along with the other horses (without being injured).  Elvis got to run free and "be a horse".

I have ridden, cared and loved Elvis as if he was mine.  And although my family and friends told me he WAS mine, there was still a piece missing that held my heart at bay.  What if his owners changed their minds and wanted him back?  I felt a need to protect myself so I denied that he was mine.

This past week Elvis's owner and I met at the barn where Elvis is staying through the winter. We revisited our agreements, the one's noted above and the one that says if I should ever decide I no longer want Elvis, he returns to them (like I would do that?)

And when the "meeting" ended, I had the missing piece that opened the doors of wonder, amazement and a huge feeling of being humble (plus many tears of joy).  This incredible, sweet, talented horse was now truly mine...

Mine...

One Year Later...

One year ago I ago I brought home a friend for Bob.  Listed on Craigslist for $800, the add said the gelding was in his "early 20's, "broke, broke, broke", and a great trail horse.  Hmmm, I thought - this might be a good addition to our family.  I called the owner and was surprised to find she was located only a few miles from our place.  She mentioned he needed a "few groceries" but was ready to ride.

I hopped in my car and went to take a look.

I was shocked.  This is what I found...

The owner had neglected to mention the infected bites on his side and along his spine, oozing pus.  Or that this $800 horse was so malnourished that his eyes were dull and glazed over.  She told me the horse had belonged to her x-boyfriend, they'd broken up and she'd been "stuck" with "his horse".  She had told me she'd turned the poor thing out with her mare and stallion and "guessed" the other two horses had beaten him up.

My heart broke at the beautiful palomino, once such a proud and glorious horse.  I just couldn't leave him.  I offered her $100 and 30 minutes later he was safe at our place.  He had literally jumped into my trailer.

His old name did not come home with us.  On the way back with the trailer to pick him up I'd changed it to Prince because he had been a Pauper and now was a Prince.  Bob and Prince quickly became friends.  We focused on healing Prince's wounds and helping him gain weight for the cold winter, just around the corner.

Prince spent all of his time eating and with such gusto that it brought smiles our faces.

Prince last January waiting for the shoer.  New skin covered the open wounds on his back and spine.

Prince in April.

Diagnosed with Cushings, my Niece came out and helped get some of that heavy hair off of him as the weather got warmer.

The vet said whoever had owned Prince in the past had not done him any favors regarding his teeth. Prince only had only a few teeth left.  We started him on Orchard pellets and Senior Feed, which we now refer to as "Slop".  Prince thought this was a pretty nifty idea...

Prince in July, all that is left of the open sores are areas of white hair.

A happy and content horse in August.  Always stands quietly tied.

I had wanted to ride Prince but was content to let him have ample time to recover from his past life. In early October the shoer came to replace Prince's front shoes.  We were both surprised to find Prince having a hard time staying upright whenever either of his front feet were picked up.  He seemed healthy and happy, as long as one didn't pick up one of his front feet.  The Vet was coming in a few weeks to give shots.  I'd bring the concern up with her.

Prince waiting for the Vet a few weeks ago, almost to the same day a year ago that I brought him home.  He filled out pretty good, don't you think?

I explained what had happened when the shoer had tried to replace Prince's front shoes and voiced my concern about it being a dangerous situation for both our shoer and Prince should he collapse. The Vet checked Prince out and told me his knees are deteriorating due to his age.  I had noticed - he didn't lie down very often and now suspect it's because he's having issues getting back up.  The Vet estimates his age to be mid-30's (I hadn't asked for a confirmation of his age on prior visits...guess it just didn't matter at that time).

The issue with shoeing is a big one.  Both the Vet and shoer say that going barefoot will be painful for Prince based on the poor condition his feet were in when I got him.  We will do what we can for him but based on his age and deterioration of joints, we have made the gut wrenching decision that we will need to take action regarding his future sooner than later.

It's what you do as a responsible horse owner...you don't let them suffer.