Do Something Good!...AND...A Blog Face-lift

Hey all you horse lovers!....finish up your Christmas shopping for your horse friends or just treat yourself and buy "Beyond the Homestretch" by Lynn Reardon, Executive Director of LOPE (LoneStar Outreach to Place Ex-Racers). The stories are moving and part of the proceeds go to rehabilitating and finding homes for the former race horses! Having personally met Lynn and some of the LOPE horses, I can say wholeheartedly that Lynn and LOPE are amazing! Tis the season for giving...so BUY THE BOOK TODAY at the LOPE site or on Amazon.com. Learn more about LOPE or make a donation to help care for ex-racehorses waiting for new homes by visiting the organization's website.
-LOPE website
-Amazon.com

Just so you have an idea about how special these horses can be I would like to share the shrunk-down version of my most personal experience with off-the-track horses (and I have several). I proudly introduce Scout, my 12 year old off-the-track Quarter Horse.


I first met Scout one day after he was purchased (in trade) from a Boy Scout camp in TX by some friends of mine. He was 6 years old and full of fire, which I now recognize was fear and pure adrenaline. My husband got to see him actually unload himself in a blaze of glory from the Boy Scout wrangler's trailer and proceed to furiously gallop around the ranch arena for most of the day. Over the next few months, my job was to form a relationship and develop a language with Scout for our friends, who were his owners. I quickly learned that he was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. He wasn't terribly spooky, but he did want to run away from everything, including me on his back. He could not stand still, fed on the actions and emotions of the other horses, would not pay a bit of attention to his rider, hated to canter but loved to race, had terrible feet (club foot, dishy front feet, was sore in all 4, couldn't keep shoes on to save his life), and was an all around nervous, emotional wreck...evident by the constant grinding of his teeth when in unfamiliar territory or situations. He also was THE most difficult horse I have ever had the pleasure of trying to catch...he would gallop away from me to the complete opposite end of the VERY lengthy pasture and back. He once ran away with me at a HUGE public trail ride and I have not put him in that situation since, a promise made to him and to myself. He has bucked me off twice, the second time I ended up in the hospital and couldn't get off the couch for 3 days due to the SEVERE bruising, swelling, and pain from landing on my hip. This horse had been through the ringer when he got to me and has since put me through the ringer. But I would not give up on him. His kind eye and desire to please showed me there was another side of him...a side I wanted to bring out, if for no other reason to make his life better for him. In other words, I fell in love with this horse and knew I had to have him as my own. I bought him from my friends about 6 months or so of his arrival at their ranch. I have since spent countless hours retraining Scout how to be more confident and how to be my partner....that humans aren't all bad. His life prior to us was on the track where he hated to race and then with a "barrell racer/trainer" who totally destroyed what was left of his dignity and trust in humans. Not to mention that she left him with a permanent, though not totally debilitating, injury to his sacrum and then dumped him at the Boy Scout camp to reclaim a few dollars in tax credit. Now, Scout is my, literally, next to my hubby anyway, my best friend. I know him better than I know myself almost and he has changed me as much as I have changed him. He has taught me more about horses than any clinician or trainer. He has made me so much more confident in the saddle (as I had to learn how to ride his horrible, jack-hammer-of-a-trot) and a more confident trainer....especially when it comes to fixing problems and helping a horse get through an issue. He can now do a few dressage moves, canter w ithout feeling the need to buck or kick, play with me "at liberty", trail ride, pony other horses, be ridden bareback at any gait, and he has even carried some kids for lessons. We have also worked cows together, practiced playing a little polocrosse, and done a few large group mounted drills. He is a completely different horse than the one who bolted out of that trailer into a strange arena a few years back and I am so blessed to be his human.

Me and Scout, circa 2004

This is exactly how the horses at LOPE are and/or can be as well. A few of LOPE's associates (people who either adopted from or donated horses to LOPE) donated their horses to the children's camp where I formerly worked. One success story that came of this, is that of a gorgeous 16.2H gelding named Marquee Bill. He was 3 when he was donated to camp and he is the most easy going, well-mannered 3 year old I have ever ridd en. He is a gem and has the personality to go with it. He loves humans and is one of the friendliest, most curious horses imaginable. He is now 6 and carrying trail riders and camp staff on the tough, rocky trails of the TX Hill Country as well as in arena exercises and games. If my husband would have allowed, I would have stolen him for myself...he is my camp favorite.

So, with all that said, typically, these OTTBs and QHs have huge hearts of gold and are willing to give us all they have if we are, in turn, willing to meet them half way. Do yourself a favor and consider, at some point in your life, and if you have the time, knowledge, and inclination for properly training a horse, adopting one of these amazing animals. Or at the very least give a little something (financially, feed, equipment, time) to help care for these horses while they wait for new forever homes. You won't regret it...I haven't.

Also on that note...this post and some other happenings of late, have inspired me to change the format and title of this blog. I will be expanding the blog to include stories regarding my other horse experiences past and present (funny, sad, inspiring, etc.), experiences of people I know and hear about, things I learn from my horses and horses I have crossed paths with, and all things horse (and some things not). It will not be a ranting blog, but lighthearted and sincere...about the "great" things in a world spent with horses and life, in general. I have so much more I want to share and I hope you will comment with your own experiences, stories, and life lessons with horses too. Stay tuned!

A New Four-Legged Friend

Bailey has a new 4-legged friend these days. Since the two older dogs aren't very fond of the younger one, Kenai, Bailey has graciously adopted him as our fourth horse. And Kenai is delighted! The two of them play non-stop across the fence and in and around the pasture. They chase each other...darting right, then left. When all this first started going on a couple of weeks ago, I almost had a heart attack and was trying to get Kenai out of the pasture in a total state of panic. He kept looking at me...confused, wondering why I was getting upset when all he wanted to do was play. After watching more closely at what was going on, I became amazed at how gentle and knowingly playful they are with each other. Bailey has, on a couple of occasions, acted like she was going to kick at Kenai, but her aim and force is exactly tempered so that she barely flicks his thick winter coat and then quickly recoils her leg. Kenai is the same with her...he never even acts like he is going to really bite her, but rather he opens his mouth a little in excitement and plays with her much like one horse would play with another and I have even caught him licking her on the nose. As for Bailey, one of the pictures below actually shows her nuzzling and mouthing Kenai's shoulder. They are too funny. I finally managed to capture some photos and video of this blossoming new friendship. Don't worry, for all you who are faint of heart, I am always around when the playing ensues and I NEVER let it get out of hand....not that it has ever come close. Proof that prey animals and predators can be friends!...and I threw in a couple of snaps of the horses on a gorgeous sunny winter day after we got a few inches of snow.

Bailey after munching on some snow



Bailey and Ranger enjoying a very cold, but sunny day

Bailey and Kenai playing

Big Day

I finally did it! Yesterday was gorgeous out, so I saddled up the two boys and David and I went for a ride, with Bailey in tow. She was awesome as a ponied horse, staying exactly where I asked, turning when I asked, stopping, trotting along. I couldn't resist putting the saddle on, so I hopped off Scout and put his saddle on her. I played all the games with her on the ground and got her nice and warmed up. She cantered both directions, picked up both leads, and never offered to do anything silly, not even in the slightest. So, I called David over and had him keep an eye on us while I took her into the round pen and, after a couple of other exercises (flexion to check the brakes and a little additional desensitization) I hopped on her back and swung my leg over, sitting up in the saddle. The first time, I just let her walk around a bit and when she stopped, I dismounted. Second time, she stood still and we practiced lateral flexion both directions. Third time, she moved off nicely again and I bent her to a stop. I thought that was plenty good, so we called it a day. Next time, mounting and dismounting from her off-side and more lateral flexion are the plan. It was an outstanding first, if you ask me.

Wild Thing!

As we prepare to head out for our big cross country trip, I felt the need to buy the horses some lightweight sheets for the cooler weather/drastic temperature changes they would experiencing on the 4 day trip north. I am trying my best to keep the stress on the horses and their bodies to a minimum as this will be the longest trip we have ever taken together. I got a great deal on these sheets and they are really good quality (email if you want details), plus I figure I could pick out my horses from a mile away, if need be. :) I snapped a quick photo of Bailey when we tried her sheet on for size, so you can see what I mean. She is the epitome of a "wild thing".

Playful and Inspired

Wanted to share some cool black and white photos I took on a really cloudy day last week.  The horses had to stay up in the front paddock for 3 days while we worked on planting trees and putting the arena together in the back (pics coming soon), so Bailey was itching to play when I went out to check on everyone.  I love how playful she is and that she wants to play with ME.  One day I hope we have a story like the one of "Mine That Bird" who won the Kentucky Derby yesterday after being given 50-1 odds.  His owners paid a mere $9500 for him....change in the world of Thoroughbred racing, compared to the millions of dollars paid for other horses...and drove him to Louisville in their own truck and trailer from New Mexico!  I couldn't be happier with my little Oklahoma filly who I bought sight unseen.

What's In a Name?!?

I have been checking AQHA.com every day since I discovered they deposited my checks for Bailey's registration and transfer to find out what her registered name is.  I normally just type in my first choice and for the past couple of weeks I keep getting the usual "horse does not exist" statement.  I even went to the post office this morning and...nothing.  Well, as it turns out even though I didn't get any papers in the mail, today WAS my lucky day.  I got home, sat down at the computer, went to AQHA's website and typed in my first name selection.  I almost fell out of my chair when the name popped up followed by "bay, mare, 06/02/2007".  I jumped up and ran outside screaming at David with the good news.  Finally, Miss Bailey is registered and in my name!  Why the big deal about a horse's name, you ask?  Well, of the 5 horses I have Bailey is the only one who I could obtain papers for and have in my name.  So, she is my first registered QH and I am so very proud of her!  This has been such an exciting journey for me and getting to pick her name and have her registered was a monumental occasion in my life.  Well, I guess I should tell you her name!  I wanted something that was truly representative of the great bloodlines she has, whether it was feminine or catchy or not...so, her name is "Colonels Whiskey Doc".  Can't wait to get those papers in the mail!!!

Cha-Ching!

Yep, I can already hear the sound of money in the bank when it comes to Bailey. Each day she finds some way to impress me with her unbelievable athleticism. Of course, I never happen to have a video camera on me when she decides to display her amazing feats...but I can tell you on Friday evening while some friends were riding Scout and Festus away from the house through the neighborhood, Bailey and Blackjack became very excited and Bailey did something I wish every one of you could have seen. She was running around the front pasture like a banchee with her tail up and she decided to head out the gate to the back pasture, but almost as quickly as she decided to go out, she realized she would rather not, so in an area about 2 square feet in diameter she planted her hind legs, came to a stop, and did a 360 degree spin with perfect precision to allow herself right back in the corral gate. David was there as my witness...I am not making this up! It was as athletic a move as ANY reining horse I have EVER seen. Now if I can only harness that and ride it! Ha! Only 2 months till that 2nd birthday! And I FINALLY sent in her registration papers, so I will soon be announcing what her registered name is! Stay tuned!

Video from last week...

Sorry this is so delayed!  I tried to upload it last week, but it just wasn't cooperating.  Finally managed to be successful with it today!  I love when horses play.  We are expecting more rain next week...hooray!

Last Cold Blast and Praise God for the RAIN!!!!

Yes!!!  We FINALLY got some G-O-O-D rain ahead of the recent cold front.  The last real rain we had was the last week of August 2008.  To say we have been in a drought is truly an overwhelming understatement.  We woke up Tuesday night to wind, thunder, lightning, and torrential downpour.  Luckily, we had some forewarning and the horses had been put up for the night with lots of hay to munch on.  I did wonder what Bailey would think, since she has only been rained on twice since she's been here.  Well, with all the cold air and the rain, the horses were feeling mighty frisky Wednesday morning...actually, all day.  Every time I looked out the front or back of the house I could see them playing with each other, rearing, biting, kicking, chasing...it was quite entertaining.  I could hear them constantly running from the back to the front to the back...again and again and again!  When I went out to feed them they were at the far corner of the back of the neighbor's property and I only had to whistle once for them to come GALLOPING!  They were having a blast!  I managed to capture some photos and a video of them.  The only downside...my front field is now a mud pit.  Though, since it was a dirt pit prior to the rain, the mud was fully expected.  Hope you all have gotten some much needed rain as well and that you are staying warm!   Enjoy the photos and video!

Bailey's First Big Girl Clinic

I journeyed to Kerrville this past weekend for a 2 day horsemanship clinic and decided to take Scout AND Bailey.  I assumed day 1 would be mostly groundwork and since Scout knows a lot of stuff already, I thought it would be the perfect time to play with Bailey and get her even more ready for being really ridden!  Well, with the temperature having been in the mid-90's the week prior, boy were we in for a shock when a major cold front blew in on Friday night!  All day Saturday we had winds gusting to over 30 mph and it was COLD!!!  I was a little concerned that Bailey would be more reactive due to the weather, being in unfamiliar surroundings, away from Scout, the other horses, and so on...but she was PERFECT!  She was focused on me, did everything asked, wasn't scared or worried in the slightest...we had a GREAT time!!  I was so incredibly proud to show her off to all my horsey friends who had been hearing about her and reading the blog.  I managed to snap a few photos of her before my camera went ka-put!  So enjoy!  Hopefully I can get a few more from some of the other ladies at the clinic.

BAILEY'S FIRST CLINIC

I am sending Bailey down the ramp...she went right over on the first try!

Now back up the ramp...no problem.

Our instructor playing with Bailey...circle game with an obstacle, again, no problem!

Up at the highest point!

Not just one leg?

And...We're Off!

Well, not exactly...but we are off to a great start!  Today I was able to "ride" Bailey for the first time.  It was more like just mounting, so technically, I only sat on her with one leg on each side of her belly.  However, it was indeed a monumental occasion!  I am keeping this brief, since the video David took will give you the run-down.  If you are wondering about the helmet...David made me wear it.  I think it made him feel better about the whole thing, you know, with him being on crutches and all.  He is not exactly in the best position to come to my rescue. :) There are two videos and one photo....enjoy!

Oh, and I am planning on taking Bailey to her first clinic next weekend, so who knows what will happen there?!?!  Be looking for more updates soon!

Little Girl in a Big World

I know, I know, I should be better at this whole blogging thing, but with all of the family stuff going on and the holidays, I just haven't found the time.  I actually haven't done a thing with Bailey in about 2 months.  Well, after Christmas I decided it was time for her to come home from being on her extended vacation.  While she was away she learned some very bad habits.  She started becoming pushy and completely, and I do mean COMPLETELY, unafraid of everything.  She is also big enough for me to really start getting on her and asking a little more from her.  Bailey is long overdue for some hard work!

So, after Christmas, we took our Kerrville friends up on their invitiation to visit for a few days and bring the horses along.  David and I loaded up Bailey and Scout and headed north.  Bailey always does great in the trailer, but I wasn't sure how she would handle being in a new place, with new horses, new smells, new sights, and me trying to saddle her and possibly hop up on her back.  Well, I will spare you the suspense....she was fabulous (minus a little attitude from having vacation time cut short).

Day 1 in Kerrville was not so bueno in the weather department (cold and VERY windy).  So, Bailey and Scout got to hang out and take in the lovely scenery.  I got up early on Day 2 and was ready to get to work with Miss Bailey.  Jennifer kindly offered to help get things going and I was glad she did...Bailey was a little full of herself right off.  We got her in the arena and just let her investigate things and then started playing some games with her.  Once she was feeling peachy we played with the tarp some and then Jennifer hopped up on Bailey's back and laid there on her stomach.  Bailey didn't seem too worried, but Jennifer kept at it on both sides until Bailey would stand still and allow her to do it.  My little girl was a pro.  

Next it was time for the saddle.  We put the pad on and then went right onto the saddle.  I wasn't too worried as I had done this many times with the bareback pad and once with the saddle.  Bailey never flinched!  Once we started moving her around, she wasn't the least bit concerned with the saddle, the stirrups flopping around, nothing!!  All in all I would say it was a good day.  Even though she is still my little girl, she is moving closer and closer every day to that "big girl" status.  I am so proud of her and more excited than words can express when i think about her future and potential.  I have some big hopes for this little girl!  More to come soon!  

PS.  I will try to post some video from our outing in a separate post!