Out Of The Fog....

These "guys" are just amazing to me!  LOVE it when they visit!

The girls on the other hand do NOT love it when they visit.  

Which makes me wonder what do moose smell like that horses dislike so much.

I think I will Google it, because the girls barely even notice when the deer walk into the pasture to steal a little salt, but a cow and calf moose by the old hay pile and they loose their minds.

So I Googled it, and cannot find anything worth reporting.

Re-affirmed things that I already knew...

Don't get between a cow and calf.

A bull moose will mount ANYTHING.

Give them their space.

They can kill you if you get into an altercation with them...

I've heard reports that they are tasty.

I am pretty sure that I'll never know.  Not because I'm anti-meat, but because I'm anti-wild game in my mouth.

Blah, blah, blah, it's good for you...

Blah, blah, blah, it's good if you cook it right...

Blah, blah, blah, you don't know what you're missing...

Blah, blah, blah.

It's gross.

I love cow.  It's tasty.

I love chicken.  It's tasty.

I love pork.  It's tasty.

I do not like venison.

So these guys are in great luck.

I will only shoot them with my camera...

And never try and nibble on their ribs!

LOL!

What I am kind of mad at myself about is that I didn't go and take a pictures of the girls and little guys posturing in the brush.

There is nothing more amazing to me than a horse on the muscle...

When I'm not riding it or handling it of course!  (0:

Even then Hee-Haws are kinda bad ass when they are all fluffed up and being brave!  (0:

But I didn't even think about it!  Dang it!

I am going to try and remember to get Fiona over on the side of the fence that this girl was and stand her by the fence post for a comparison photo.

Fiona's not a tiny thing for sure...

But I think it could be pretty interesting comparison.

I know of course Fi's whither isn't going to be as high, but fingers crossed I can remember and recreate it successfully! 

Any ways just wanted to share these two!!

I'll Try And Get Ya Caught Up!

Wow!  It's been a long time since I've posted!!
I cannot believe that it's November!!
My how the time flew this year!!!

I'm not going to lie... FaceBook has sucked my internet time up in a big way.  It's so easy to toss up a thought or picture and damn near get instant gratification....

I don't want to be one of those people, but maybe I am!

Needing a "like" to make my day seem complete.

Remi and Horse Girl checking for goodies!

It's also been a slow "horse life" this summer.

This is about the speed my riding's been going lately!

I'm not complaining, I want my kid to love animals and ride, and this is as good as place as any to start.

I do however apologize for my most annoying voice!!!

Seems as though I do kind of carry on some days!

Fi and Kase talkin' 'round the water cooler.

I managed to average about 1 ride a week for the summer.  All on Fiona.  Remi didn't get a leg thrown over her once.
Not great at all.
But better than not riding.
Chad was "watching" Kase on Sunday mornings so that I could ride, but the business is just being a taxing, nasty, nagging old troll.  So she ended up edging me out of my Sunday riding....
Chad had to stop taking Sunday's off and work 7 days a week again.  So my Sunday riding got dropped and Kase's naps aren't always the duration of time I need.  So it was hit and miss.
Jake came out this a month ago Thursday and pulled everyone's shoes.
I'm done trying to ride and feeling rushed or unfulfilled or let down when my plans don't come to fruition.
Next year it will be better or different!  (0:
My friends over at Twin Willows Farm have just finished their indoor arena and have a lot of stuff in the works.  It's an hour away, but I'm going to try and make it to some things!
I'd LOVE to do the cattle sorting.  (0:

More water cooler talk!

I rarely really think too much about what I've written, after I've written it.  I kind of forget that it's still just out there waiting for someone else to see it.  So you can imagine my surprise when I got a response/reply/comment on a post that I did way back when I/we lived at the Land Lord's place.  It was a trainer who had come across the Land Lord and Jameson and was trying to research Jameson's dam when they found my blog.  I kind of made a new friend and got a compliment on the work Jameson.  She said that she could tell that I had invested a lot of time with Jameson way  back when.  I'm NOT a trainer, just an enthusiast and rider.  So to have someone who really is a trainer say they could tell that someone had done something with her just made me so happy!  Huray Me!  LOL!!

Trying to steal the hay outta Horse Girl's Mouth.

My Hee-Haws are fat and happy!
They make me smile almost daily.
Kase loves them, but only Parton loves him back.  Jack-Jack is kinda scared of him.  But he's never been found of little people.  He didn't love Wyatt either...
I try and let him interact with them daily and as "freely" as possible.
Kase is obviously too young to know the "business end of an animal, but I try and let him move around them as much as possible on his own two legs.
He thinks he's pretty big stuff some days out there with his long ears.
Nothing new on their front.

More water cooler talk!

Fiona is such a joy.  I am truly lucky that I found and fell in love with her as a weanling, and then bought her.  I really didn't need another horse at the time, but I couldn't resist her!!
  I couldn't be happier that she is mine...  Well except for the fact that Kase LOVES her and she is so interested in him and the thought that she will be his one day is even better to me.  (0:
Fiona is rock solid in what Mike taught her and really is eager to please, even though she is a tad bit opinionated.  (0:  And man is she a power house... The wind moving through her ears is almost as sweet as it was on my old mare.  (0:
I can't wait for Kase to experience this...  I sure hope he loves riding...  Even though I understand that he may love something else!  (0:

Oh, and here's more water cooler chatting!

Sigh.
This brings me to the "real life" horse stuff.
I know that I've been pretty lucky over all with the health of my horses.  With their longevity.
I watched my old mare go down hill her last year.  But was able to give her an honorable passing.
And one I don't regret.  She saw me through so much...  I have probably mentioned it before, but I got her for my 11th birthday, (1985) and had her until I was 33.  22 years (2007).  I'm glad I was able to do what I did, when I did.  I am glad my family was there for me...

But this, this is different.
Or at least it feel different.

She thinks he smells wonderful!

I'll start with Horse Girl.
Her lameness isn't getting better.  I am pretty sure that its getting a lot worse.
When Fi and Remi and the Hee-Haws run through the pasture, she walks or trot/limps behind.  I cannot remember the last time I saw her lope or open up and move.
She is Chad's horse.
  Not mine.
 I tried to talk to him about this and he just keeps saying we will see what this winter brings.  Emotionally, I'm not sure I can find the old girl down in the pasture unable to get up and not kinda break apart.  The thought exhausts me.  I may be over reacting and being melodramatic.
Only time will tell...  )0:
Her overall health is good.  She is in good weight.  Enjoys snacks, scratches, tiny person hair pulling, tiny person screeching, and even tiny person "pets".  Because lets face it, kids Kase's age slap more than they pet.  But she loves it all.
I don't think she is miserable, but generally limping goes hand in hand with pain.
I kind of thought about doing a lameness evaluation on her and see if injections or a better diagnosis on the angle her feet need to be would help.  But at the same time, she is 18 nearing 19, and doesn't have a job...
Sigh.  I don't know....

She did this....

And Remi, my sweet misunderstood, kind souled, little mare.
She has had a cough off and on since I got her.  But usually about the same time Chad's allergies are acting up, so I just figured that she had some too.
This summer we had some rather large fires in the area and I noticed that she was really coughing.  Then I noticed that I could see her nostrils flaring.  I went out and started looking her over, and realize I could hear her wheezing.  I almost immediately started to panic.  I was pretty sure I knew what was going on, but I decided to make it official.
Dr. Peters confirmed my fears.
Remi has heaves.  AKA asthma.
It's coming on fast and hard.  He said she has mild to moderate, but leaning more towards moderate.
I've got IM steroids to give her....
And the WORST possible environment I could possibly provide for her with this condition.
"Dirt" floor pasture, hay 24/7, and I feed on the ground.
I'm beside myself with worry right now.
I don't know what I'm going to do next...
But for the first time EVER, I can't wait for the snow to fly.
Her symptoms should subside, and for the next 5 months or so I will have time to decide what I'm going to do.

....and then so did he!

Sigh....
Again...

I also lost my old dog in August.
Kage started having some neurological issues and had started being painful when picked up and while getting on and off of the couch...
He also started lashing out at Abbi and Seven.
I upped his pain meds, but it didn't really help.
I lowered his exercise, but it didn't help.
Chad stayed with Kase and I took Kage in.
I got Kage 1 week before Chad and I went on our first date.
He was 12.

What's odd about loosing Kage in the dynamics of our "pack" is that Abbi seemed to barely notice, but Seven has really had some difficulties adjusting.
Abbi used to sleep by him, Seven used to get her butt kicked by him...
I don't know.
We're pretty much over it now, and the girls have stabilized and it's our "new" normal.  (0:
I miss him, but I don't miss having three dogs and a toddler.

Rest In Peace to the worst dog I ever loved.

I did get to hang out with Mindy and Wyatt at the BRC's place the end of September and first of October.
That's always fun.
Mindy made a few good runs, Wyatt taught Kase how to play in the dirt AND convinced him to wear shoes!  Thank The Good Lord!!
Made me pretty excited for next year!

Mindy and Bug at Twin Willows.  Second barrel.

Mindy and Bug, third barrel.


And that's about it for now.

I turn 40 in 17 days.... I think that I am going to start prepping for mid-life crisis...

Bwwwahhhahahaaa!!

Hee-Haws!

The little fella's have finally shed out.

Because I don't shave them, they only have a few weeks of "slick" before they start hairing up back up.

Love these little comedians!

Pretty Sure This Is A Test!

Of my will?

Of my desire? 

Of my dedication?

Of my intestinal fortitude?

I'm not really sure how to categorize it....
This hurdle I'm currently lugging my chubby butt over.

I've never really been a quitter, but I HAVE stopped doing things.  I'm not afraid of hard work OR sacrifice.
I'm a put your head down and push through it kinda person. (Or so I think!)

The things I've stopped doing vary.

Some things were bad for me, some were good, some were fun, some were hard, and some were quite time consuming.  There were things that only benefited me, and things that benefited others.  But all of them were put aside for one reason or another.

The two things that they all have in common is that I've NEVER picked them back up and I've never really loved them.

But this, this is different- of that I'm sure!

I've always had goals of one type or another, but rarely did I assign them a time line or end date.  They just flap out there in the wind waiting.  I'm good with that.  I've reached a few.  Deleted a few.  Revamped some.  Thought what the hell was I thinking about others.  But I have never really been driven to accomplish these things NOW.

Maybe I lack focus.

Maybe I lack drive.

Maybe I lack structure in my thought process.

Maybe I'm lazy.

Maybe I'm actually unmotivated, but don't want to be without a goal.

I could also be crazy.

But this, this HAS to be a test.

A test of what?

A test of my goal to continue riding during Kases' "early" life.

A test of my desire to ride my horses under any and all circumstances.

And to blog too.

(Driving home from work, vacuuming, moving the lawn, and various other mundane things I have written at least 20 blog posts... They just never make it to the page!!)

I'm actually pretty proud of myself.  Mindy and the boys and I got "home" on the 8th of June and I've ridden Fiona 5 times.
But it's not been easy.
  But I have done it!
 I know it's not nearly enough.
And I know that Remi hasn't been ridden in over a year now.  And honestly just saying I'll do it tomorrow seems so much easier.

Easier because my old dog can't go out anymore, he can't be left alone, and I feel bad about leaving him and Abbi "out" of the fun.

Easier because I don't have anyone to really watch Kase while I ride.

Easier because Kase won't always take a nap of any real length of time.

Easier because Kase's naps of length aren't always conducive to me riding while he sleeps.

Easier because it's suddenly gotten HOT.

Easier because I'm lacking a real "arena" or spot to ride at home within reach of the baby monitor and house when Kase does decide to sleep.  

Easier because when Chad is home and can hang with the boy, there are at least 100 other things I could do with that time that benefit more than just me.

Easier however, doesn't leave a smile on my face quite like accomplishing it the hard  way!!

And honestly every tomorrow that I've had since Fiona got home, I've evaluated, studied, planned and tried like crazy to get out there and on Fiona.  Mostly it's been a flop, but not entirely.  I need to figure out how to get on Remi too.  

But she really isn't complaining.

Oh, man.  Was that an excuse I just through out there?

Nope, she really needs ridden, and she's really not complaining!  Feed her.  Scratch and love on her, and she is as happy as she can be!  (0:

This little person turns 10 months tomorrow!
(0:               

I've Got My Horse Home!

Mindy and I made our trip to Southern Idaho last week, and boy have we had a good time!

Now the problem is getting all of that fun is how to relay it to my blog!  (0:

We left my house on Friday morning and drove Highway 95 the entire way.

This route took us through Lewiston where our parents just happened to be grocery shopping...

So we met up with them in the park next to the Flying J.

We got fuel, food, used the rest room, checked the horses that Mindy was hauling, visited with the parents, and then hit the dusty trail!

We got to wish them a happy 40th wedding anniversary too!

We tried to plan a party for them, but dad said  we'd better not or we'd be in hot water...

We hosted surprise party for their 25th and it took mom years to forgive us.  She hates surprises...but that's another story!  (0:

We made really good time, from the time we left my house and the time we arrived we were "on the road" for 7 hours...

This of course includes our little family visit, fueling up, and stopping to eat lunch.

It was also a route that we don't really travel all that much so there was a lot to look at!

We found Mike's employers ranch easily and dropped off Mindy's horses while meeting up with Erin, Mikes girlfriend.  We also saw Mike, but he was working.  They were processing 800 head of steers.  Those steers were there a week early, and were going to be followed by another 400 Saturday morning, that were to be processed on Sunday.  So this did indeed cut into our planned riding time.  We had originally planned to ride Friday evening, twice on Saturday, stopping for lunch and the Belmont, and then another two ride day on Sunday stopping for lunch, and with us leaving on Monday morning.

Real life on this great planet, nothing really ever goes as planned!

Our revised schedule ended up being loads of horse talk and only riding on Saturday and us leaving on Sunday morning.

We parked the horse trailer in Mike and Erin's drive way and set up camp.

As Mindy put it, we're gonna Hillbilly Up your Neighborhood.

To which Erin replied, you'll fit right in!

And oddly enough we did!

Mike and Erin had Fiona and Pima in their back yard...how perfect is that??

Pima is a paint that ain't and he's had her for a while, I can remember her from when he lived near me, BEFORE I met Chad...  So over 11 years.  Her sire is by Pima Country, I think, but it could be her dam is by him... I cannot remember anything else about her breeding.  (0:

OOPS!!

So when Erin said we'd fit right into the neighborhood and no one would think it odd she was right.  

AND on the first day we were there, we saw the neighbors being served a warrant by the Sheriffs Dept.

Erin said it happens from time to time there, and that last month, their 13 year old daughter was taken away in hand cuffs and hasn't been back since.

Odd part, is that the mom is a nurse, and the dad is a professional too, no one could remember what he did.  They have a nice house, a large motor home, two new cars, and a 4 year old at home... But it's a chaotic place with plenty of police activity.

The next morning ( it was about 11:30, so you could say early afternoon.  We were on our way "home" for lunch) one of their neighbors was pulled over by the Sheriff's Department, both of the passengers were arrested and their car was hauled off...

They said that more than likely it was a DUI for the driver, and that it's not uncommon for them to be good and drunk by 9:00 am on any given day...

Oh, small town life at it's finest...

But you know what, our presence really didn't even garner a sideways look...

Matter of fact, everyone smiled and waved as they drove past!  (0:

We did however pack a lot into our time there and we had a pretty good time to boot!!