My first two ponies

We lived in Oregon when I was a small child. Had 11 acres, which seemed like half the world to a kid. When I was two, my dad brought home a Silver Dapple Shetland Pony mare. My folks were not horse people, but thought since we had all this land, we needed a pony. Princess turned out to be a nice pony. I don't really have many memories of her, as that was forty *cough-cough*six years ago. The neighbor kid down the way had been dumped and dragged by a stirrup from a full sized horse, and refused to get back on ANY horse, except Princess. So, we sold her to them, and it got him back riding again. We had bought a 'bigger' pony for me.



This is Princess with my dad.


I was 5 when we got Harvena Rose, and Jody Hardian. Both registered Welsh ponies. Rosey was registered as a grey roan. Not a color I have seen listed anywhere since. She was to be my pony. And Jody, was a blue roan, and my sisters pony. Both were two years old, unbroke. But, my parents had the sense to send them to a local trainer, who broke them right, and also, put me in lessons on their nice Shetland pony, until Rosey was broke enough for me to ride. Rosey and I went everywhere. We'd go across the fields near the house, over to the neighbors to visit, and I had a friend less than a mile away that I'd go ride with. I had trouble putting the saddle on Rosey without help, so I rode bareback almost all the time. If I got off, I was creative in getting back on. If I could not find some steps on a neighbors porch or something, I'd wait for Rosey to drop her head to eat, lay across her neck, tap her face, and when she put her head up, I'd slide down her neck, and swing my leg over her back. I was to be home before the street lights came on. While I thought I was out there on my own, I am sure the neighbors kept my mom updated as to where I was. When I was 9 years old, I started in the local 4H program, and showed Rosey at all the 4H shows and County Fair.


Rosey and I when I was Six and a half years old.


Before we got a horse trailer, I'd ride her alone from our house, to the fairgrounds, which was about 3 miles away, but right through town. I loved the winter time, because my parents would board the pony at the fairgrounds for a couple months, and we had the indoor arena to ride in. I'd get dropped off after school, and picked up hours later after riding, cleaning the stall, and messing with the pony. I think my next horse came along when I was about 11, and Rosey was sold to a nice family, looking for a first pony for their kids. I heard later, they kept her until she died as a very old pony.

So, I know I was blessed to have been started with horses very young, especially since my parents had no interest. My mom took me to my lessons every week in a neighboring town, sat there and listened, and tried to help me between. She took me to the shows, and sat in the grandstands through all my classes.

I never went through that phase of 'wanting' a horse, because they have just always been there. I have sometimes wondered what I'd have ended up doing with my time if horses had not been part of my life. I think figure skater or gymnastics would be out. . I did a little bit of band, and I prefer to listen to music, rather than make it. So who knows. My life has sure been interesting having horses as such a large part of it.

start of 2010 ride season & sick kitties

This coming weekend is the first NATRC ride of the 2010 season. The annual Christmas ride is always nice, with extra festivities of a Christmas style potluck, gift exchange etc. The ride will be down near Ft. Hood, at Parrie Haynes State park. The weather is looking to be chilly, but I *think* no rain during the weekend. But, this week, our weather is pretty questionable, so I decided to get the rig packed today, while it was sunny and nice out. I have prety much everything except the food that goes in to the fridge already packed and ready to go. Hay loaded, water tanks full, Hanks blankets packed. Warm sleeping bag in the camper. I'm almost feeling lost that I am already ready to go! Tomorrow a cold front hits, and Tuesday night, we might have rain, temps down towards freezing, with a chance of wintery mix. Wind chills down in the 20's. Burrrrr. But then it will get better through the week.

One of the cats that live on our screened in porch started sneezing and is congested. Went to the vet with her Friday morning, and got antibiotics. She is sort of wild, so I have her in a pet cage to be able to treat her. Then, one of her sisters started in, so they are together to treat. And Bullwinkle, one of our indoor only cats, who never gets close to the outdoor cats has it, so he is also geting medicated. And then tonight, the mother of the sisters started too. *sigh* So, I am treating 4 cats, and expect more to get sick before this is over. Hubby will be home for the weekend, and is Oh-so-thrilled at the thought of medicating cats. He is not as good at doing so with out blood or finger loss as I am. I think I need to talk to the vet about pills instead of the pink liquid. I originally thought that would be easier, but my clothes look like they have been splattered by pepto, and the cats spit out too much of it.

Meanwhile, Coder the kitten is growing and is just the purrrrrfect little guy. He is very entertaining, fetches his toys and brings them back to me to toss again. Mardi the puppy is figuring out life on the farm., Thelma has been showing her around, teaching her about the horses. She still has not got the cats figured out. She want so to play with them, but is not mean. They of course, are wary of her, but not scared. I think she will end up being a caretaker of them like Thelma is, but has to get past the excited puppy stage.

OK, next post will be about the ride!

Sunshine, riding and a buffet!

Ahhh, Thanksgiving in No. Texas. Where the weather can be about anything. Today was one of those days we kept saying "What month is this?" It was mid 60's, clear, no wind, and just beautiful. We decided to do something new and different to celebrate the holiday. In the past, we have cooked, but with just the two of us, it was not making much sense. We have done buffets, we have gone riding, but this year, we got to combine the two.

Just 40 miles from us is a Greenbelt trail that runs along one of the local lakes. It is run by the state, and they have nice parking areas, even campgrounds with corrals. We have ridden here before. The trail is an "out and back", with the far end of it at Lantana Lodge. Come to find out, they offered Thanksgiving Buffet! So, yesterday I made reservations for the early brunch.

Gathered Hank and Flag this morning, loaded up, and headed on over. What a pretty, pretty day. We had a relaxed ride with the trail to ourselves. Well, with the exception of the two feral pigs that trotted past in the woods, and the 4 to 6 white tail deer that were scattering. Some of the trees have already lost all their leaves, while others were still changing color and dropping.



We stopped at the entrance to the lodge for Hank to pose for a photo with the buffalo. Hank liked this buffalo because he did not smell, OR move!



We got to the lodge with plenty of time to tie the horses near the stable, take off our helmets and half chaps so we did not look like total goobers, and head on in.



They seated us at a nice table near the window, where we had a view of Lake Ray Roberts.



Of course, typical to Thanksgiving meals, we probably ate to much, and then headed back down the trail towards the trailer. We were still the only ones on the trail. we did see a couple folks enjoying the holiday doing their favorite sport of fishing. I bet they were out there saying "What month is this? Look at this beautiful weather!"

Who knows, this might be a new Thanksgiving tradition. As long as the weather is nice next year.

little road trip

Hubby was home for a few days, so we decided to go camp some place and ride some trails he had not seen before. After checking weather forecast for different areas, we decided that Lake Carl Blackwell, near Stillwater OK had some decent weather. The campground has electric spots, and I know the trails, along with them being marked.

So, stuck the camper back on the truck, loaded a bale of hay, the horses, and now TWO dogs in the back seat and headed north. Arrived mid day, quickly set up camp, then headed out for a 10 mile ride before it got dark. I had mentioned this area has a LOT of deer, and I have always seen some when I have ridden there, even when in a group. Well, they did not fail me, and we were on the trail only about 5 min. before three busted out of the woods in front of us. Later, we had a Doe stop as she saw us, and hubby was only about 30' from her as I snapped a photo.




We finished up the loop, got back to camp, made dinner, and gave Mardi (the puppy) her first lesson in being tied in camp. She did very well, did not fuss and fight the rope like some pups do, and seemed to look towards Thelma for guidance. It is amazing to see how cheerful Thelma is, and so willing to roll, tumble and play with Mardi.

The next morning we headed out to do about 18-20 miles. I have to laugh at Hank, as he remembers trails he has been on before really well. And going through the woods where the trail would twist and turn, I would give him the reins, and he never missed a turn. If I ever got lost on trail, I would sure trust him to find his way back to the trailer.

One spot of the trail passes a house that has some Llamas that live there. Often they get irritated by the horses, and will charge the fence. So, when we arrived, we stopped to check them out, as one had a youngster at her side. She came to the fence in a hurry, but our two don't really care about Llamas, and just stood there. Again, I managed a picture of more "wildlife" along the trail.




We had a great ride along the lake, and even set up the camera on the timer to get a pic of BOTH of us riding.



Hubby and Flag both had a great time. Hopefully we will be able to do this more often this coming year when he has time off at home.

We then packed up, got the dogs situated in the back seat, and headed home.



When Mardi is full grown, I hope they will both fit back there!

no more belly button ring

I took Hank down to the vet today to have that final staple from his surgery a year ago removed. I had found it about 4 or 5 months after the surgery, but he was doing so well at the rides, I checked with the vet, and he said it could stay in for the time being. So, with the season over, it was time to have it removed. I had made jokes about hanging beads or a bell off of it. We could see most of It, and it had dropped to make a small loop, right near his "belly button".

So the vet gets the staple remover, and kneels down, and positions himself under Hank. I told him to watch those hind legs, as Hank was quick, even though he had a twitch on. (did not want to tranq him for something so simple) I no sooner said watch him, and that hind leg flew up, forward, and thankfully only his his arm. Whew! I covered his eye, so he could not take better aim, and he managed to get it out on the next try. So I have the staple in a little pill box.

The weather has turned cold at night finally, and we should have our first frost tonight. Hubby is off for a week, so we hope to get some riding in on the horses. Our first ride of the season is a few weeks away.

Hank has mostly been hanging out in the pasture, eating, and not doing to much. He does not really need much work to be ready for the upcoming ride. He generally holds his condition very well.

No photos this time. I know, I'm a slacker. ;-)

Cooder and Mardi pix

A few more photos of Cooder the kitten and Mardi the puppy!



Mardi and Thelma.


She thinks Thelma is pretty cool.

Oooo, a toy!


Ready to attack!



Easy to entertain with a toy hanging from a string

I know I am cute. Is this the look? Take the picture.

Woody making sure the new guy learns quick who is in charge.

See my extra toes? Kind of like thumbs!

puppy and kitten addition

Thelma is getting older. She turned 9 this year, and is starting to slow down a bit. She is a big dog, who has topped out at 80 pounds. The breed standard for Catahoula dogs is not that big for a female, but she is stout. He job on our little farm is to protect. And her main protection is of the cats when they are outside during the day, from coyotes. She does this VERY well, and adores the cats, and they adore her. But, she will not be with us forever, so we knew it was time to start another puppy to learn the ropes. We decided to seek another Catahoula female puppy. When we got Thelma, she was just 5 weeks old.



She was raised with the cats, and Peanut made sure to show her some love, and in turn, she loved them back.


So, we found one through a woman who does some pet rescue, and went and looked at her today. Already 9 weeks old, and very full of herself. But, she seemed to be what we were after, so we said we would love to take her home. As we were doing paperwork, I went in the "cat room", to see the one kity she had up for adoption. She said she had him for a while, and no one came to look at him yet. Well, he worked me good. He did ALL the cute things that kittens can do, rolling on his back, playing with a toy, peeking out around the corner in his cage. Before I knew it, she said she would "throw him in on the deal" if we wanted him. My goodness, we already have 11 cats. 9 outside, 2 inside. But the kitten was sharp, kept with the cute stuff, and before we could say "we already have too many cats", he was in a carrier, and headed home with us along with the new puppy. He has extra toes on his front feet, is a yellow tabby, and has the loudest purr ever. He will be a house cat too.

So, we have not settled on names, but here is the new puppy:



and here is the new kitten: