Easter Baby!

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Exechorseluver

mom and ba The last time we talked, I told you all that I hoped there would be a new baby foal for us and that you all would have a happy Easter. Well, I don’t know about you but that wish definitely worked for us!

Of course, I slept through Lynn’s call as I had not moved my phone off silent yet as Lynn was convinced that she had a few more days until TeeDee would have her first baby. Lynn had a busy veterinarian day and was fighting insomnia as she dimly watched tv. She heard a yell that could only come from a delivering momma and raced out to find not only had TeeDee delivered but the that the baby had never even hit the ground. Apparently she landed on her feet and took off from there. There was not a speck of dirt on the baby as Lynn inspected her.

Instead, the foal was already trotting and cantering around the pasture. TeeDee was experiencing that “I am a brand new mom and have no idea what to do” panic. Momma was racing around whinnying and trying to absorb that this little (okay-not that little) object had just emerged from her uterus.

By the time Lauren and I got about six hours later, things had calmed down. Baby was napping and momma was on the watch for those nasty gelding interlopers that kept looking at her baby over the fence. She was typically protective for a first time mom but not overly mean. Lauren and I helped Lynn get the first baby exam done. Names were flying around on Facebook commemorating the Easter nature of her birth. I did not expect Lynn to go with a “Bunny”, “Lily” or “Hoppy”.

Lauren did her first baby holding as Lynn took vitals, ran the IgG, weighed and measured the leggy, big shouldered filly. I entertained TeeDee while the baby got some more time being imprinted by Lynn.

The foal was a shade over 9 hands and about 105 pounds. She is solid brown with no white on her, an exact duplicate of her momma. Flagmount’s grey may well be hidden under the brown coat although I don’t see the tell-tale grey around her eyes. She was quite the little charmer, yawning, smiling and primping for the camera. She has an interesting swirl on her forehead that one of my friends described as looking like a Cinnabon. I remember reading about one Grand Prix rider that only buys horses for the Grand Prix that have at least two swirls on their forehead. This little should be super jumper with her giant swirl.

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Look at that swirl and those shoulders!

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I swear she was smiling at us!

My Easter day was untraditional as I played with the baby and did chores at home. I ran over to Ally’s long enough to drop off some Easter baskets and pick up a “to-go” Easter dinner.

Tuesday was get the new dog from the airport day. I headed to Bush Intercontinental Airport to pick up a dog from Kentucky. Lady, a seven year old, AKC Grand Champion was coming to live out her years with my family. It is unclear at this point if she will stay with Lauren and I or head to Denver to be with Amber’s family. Amber had taken a quiz to find the best dog for her and the answer was…an American Foxhound. Sort of a giant Beagle with a calmer approach to life.

Out of the crate at the airport, Lady’s nose worked overtime to categorize all the new smells.

Although it took two hours to get home in rush hour traffic, Lady just curled up and slept. She must have smelled funny, though, as all my dogs were growling at the newcomer including my Kona. But quickly, everyone settled into the pack like no change had been made. Lady has never been around kids, per se, so part of this time in Texas is to see if she is sweet and kind.

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Lady and Kendyll made quick friends and happily enjoyed their first day

I have had some apprehension with Lady, like would she see a squirrel and take off to never come back, but she has come when called, respected the fenceline well. I don’t know if this will be a Colorado or Texas dog, but she is a really special “Lady” and I am glad my friends from Kentucky trusted us with their girl.

Capture

Bigger than I anticipated, Lady is taller than the poodles or the Doberman.

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Clearly settling in well, she and her Doberman sister are happy campers!

Happy spring and thanks for riding along!

Summer’s Close

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Jordyn headed off today, with much trepidation, to her new second grade class in the public school system. She has attended a private school for two years and this may be quite a change. Originally, she attended private school as her birthday on September 4th falls just after the deadline in Texas. Her parents felt she was mature enough and physically ready for school two years ago, but she had to attend a private school to get around the birthdate issue.

Now, with a quivering lip, trying not to cry she headed into the classroom. I hope she comes home with stories of her new friends and the wonders of her new school.

Riley started kindergarten in Denver and except for missing times with his momma, is really enjoying it.

It has been quite a summer here at the farm. A year ago, I certainly had no inkling as to what would become of us by summer’s end. We have the new place, new boarders and riders who come for lessons. The farm resounds with laughter and horse sounds. We have many new friends. I even got a note in my mailbox from my dressage neighbor asking if some of her group could take lessons here. I love meeting new people and especially meeting their horses.

This summer brought my mother’s passing. I moved her to Texas two years ago this weekend. It is well documented in this blog how hard the move was for all of us, yet, how right it was to bring her and I can only say how grateful I am to have had the time with her.

Lauren’s many horse related injuries were totally overshadowed by the horrific break of her arm over four weeks ago. Today, in a surprise move, the orthopedic surgeon removed her cast, said her x-rays were GREAT and all the incisions looked top-notch. He said although he had planned to cast it additional times, it was good enough to go it alone. Lauren is mortified. The cast was like her armour against pain and it is so scary to have something so painful exposed to the world. But her movement of her fingers (or lack thereof) continues to be problematic so for her to get moving on occupational therapy, the cast had to go. The nerves were sliced by the ulna bone as it ripped through her skin during the fall. Her little finger still works not at all.

Alex flying Mickey around the ring.

One of our favorite riders, Alex, who was just a little bitty thing when we first met her years ago, stepped up to show Mickey for us last weekend. Mickey is quite a change from Alex’s usual ride, so it took a couple rounds to really get his flow, but then they picked up the blue ribbon for the fastest round in Junior-Adult Jumpers. Mickey is 15 now (we adopted him at five) and he never missed a step when he galloped through the courses. Alex was outstanding with him. It brought big smiles to Lauren and I to see her favorite boy do so well after having been off so long. I hope Alex wants to show him some more!

A big, bay draft cross mare, sprinkled with splashes of white was pulled from the kill pen before she could be sent to slaughter in Canada. I am trying to adopt her and send her here to a forever home with us. I think she would be great for Ally and I as she is quiet and dependable. I am waiting to hear if my application for adoption has been approved. I realize I have more than enough on my hands but something about this mare just called out to me. We will see what happens, if she is meant to be a part of our family she will be. If not, I know she is off the slaughter truck for good with another family.

I have not written about it but Bruno has been laid up, lame, since mid-July. It has been almost six-weeks since he has walked without pain. I have my best team of vet Lynn and farrier Sean working innovative approaches to get the big man back to sound. Currently, he has a huge abscess draining from his good front foot, (I have video again for you all that love pus in action). I hope that with the healing of abscess we get him back to right again. It breaks my heart to see him stall bound in the hot barn, not moving a step, day after day. I will not let him continue if we do not find an answer to his pain.

Libby getting TeeDee started.

The Canter adopted OTTB mare, TeeDee, continues to gain weight, muscle and become a star horse. She will not be bred this year, so we are working to see what kind of horse she can become in the interim. Libby has been helping me work TeeDee, Feather and Mickey. I am very grateful. She has TeeDee cantering quietly and collected. We even started her over some Xes this week and she took it quietly in stride.

TeeDee taking her first jump,

I feel battered from the rough summer, emotionally and physically. But this weekend was finally a quiet one. I caught up on some rest, did a lot of chores, managed to go through many of my mother’s things and feel at ease about farm for the first time in many weeks. This morning as I went out to feed in the pre-dawn light, there was a hint of coolness in the air. A sea change coming bringing new times and life at Six Meadow Farm.

Thanks for riding along and thank you to all of you who have sent cards, flowers and meals to us. You are much appreciated!!

A little Fun

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Dev’s OKC Show Team walking the Grand Prix course.

Lauren fully enjoyed her trip to OKC. The Devereaux Sport Horse Team had lots of fun although everyone had ups and downs throughout the show, and not just because they were jumping! There were okay rounds, a little scary rounds, Libby’s Champion and Amanda’s Reserve Champ Rounds. Lauren and Feather continued to grow. Placed second in two classes (one with close to 40 riders) and figured out some tricks to use in future shows.

Back at home, Ally took over the barn chores. She did a great job! I have less sleep in the last two weeks than when my new babies came home from the hospital between busy season at work, visiting with mom and keeping up Lauren’s end of the barn chores while she was gone. I have had lots of visitors. Everyone has been ridden. The boarders have been great helping me out and we have had a lot of laughter coming out of our little barn.

Mia’s friend
Hailey visited Bruno.

Smiles were pretty contagious! Ally and Luke took off on a cruise Saturday morning. The grand girls spent some time with Luke’s folks and I. Lauren and the horses got back from Oklahoma late Sunday. She was not seeing the charm of her young nieces. When I got home we went out to play. I let them have at it in the fresh rain puddles and they wallowed around in the mud like a couple of young rhinos.

Jordyn told me it was the best time she ever had at the farm. All Kendyll wants to do is come back to granny’s to play in the mud. Oh, what has granny done now? A shower, some soap, it was good again!

The next night found Lauren taking her first ride on young OTTB Try Delta (TeeDee). Getting her bred this summer was not a possibility so it was time to go to work. She has been her about a month and look at how some good groceries and green grass have erased her ribs from showing!

OTTB TryDelta about four weeks ago.

Starting to fill out.

Co-owner Lynn was on hand to see the first ride. Lauren has ridden (and owned) many horses off the track but never has she been the first to ride them when they have arrived home. While Lynn’s young son Rhys was getting a lesson on Snow, Lauren quietly slide up on TeeDee and no doubt said a little prayer that she would stay in the saddle. TeeDee was great! Quiet, accommodating and seemingly well started. Both Lynn and I were pleased.

Pretty mare, measuring in just under 16 hands.

It has been a whirlwind of adventures. The group is settling in and it is nice to see the girls out of the arena, riding bareback, taking little pasture trail rides, setting up a small cross country course and just having fun. It is summer and that is exactly what they should be doing!

Momma is brighter, more responsive and able to tolerate being up from her bed. Definitely the pain has lessened. Thank you for the prayers.

What story can I tell you tonight?

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Exechorseluver

An extended view across the farm.

I know I gave a few teasers about the weekend. Things are never dull. First, my mother has broken her femur. They are not saying hip, but it is high up in the leg and I feel like it is the hip, or at least the head of the femur. She needs more x-rays, but it is impossible now to take her anywhere with her high pain level and limited mobility.

She was brighter today, thank God! Because Saturday she just laid in her bed. Wincing occasionally in pain but not eating or recognizing me. Things are deteriorating health wise for her. The osteoporosis has made her very fragile. It is increasingly difficult to move her, dress her or get her to eat. I just pray for her not to have to experience the pain any more.

Lauren is still gone on her trip to Florida. Boy, is she in for some surprises. Ally and Luke have been wonderful, caring or me, helping with the chores, facing down Bruno when I am too tired for one more step. I am so grateful. I saw the orthopedic surgeon for my hip as well. I was born with hip dysplasia. My left hip has been replaced and now it is time for the right. I am trying to hold on for later in the year, but the pain is more intolerable every day.

Riding buddy Renee cam over Saturday. Enjoyed the ride but really appreciated all her help.

Riding buddy Renee came over Saturday. Enjoyed the ride but really appreciated all her help.

Saturday a friend from Whipple Tree days, Renee, contacted me about coming over to ride. So, we rode Mickey and Snow, changing horses half way through and it was nice to have company. Renee just jumped in and helped with the stalls, chores, moving horses and filling troughs. Now that is the kind of visitor to have. Dr. Criner came over to play with the new mare (the mare may not have thought it to be a fun game since she got shots and had a sonagram to check her breeding parts) but TeeDee was so well-behaved. Then farrier, Sean came to remove the special racing plate shoes that horses wear on the track. They are light weight and have ridges for extra grip on the track. Sean also re-did Bruno’s bad feet. We are having problems keeping shoes on him. He is pulling them off every few days. Dr, Criner said even with all Bruno has been through she has never seen him so lame. Not good! I will have to post a picture-but between the vet and farrier they came up with an innovative approach of shoeing him that is working so far.

As Renee and I were riding, we spotted a tiny deer over by the wooded portion of the fence. I thought it had just wandered into the clearing and surely mom was close by. Later in the day after I got back from my mom’s, the barn was busy again with Snow’s rider, Mia and Ally and Kendyll. The baby was still by the fence. Investigation showed us that the tiny thing was torn up and bleeding from running hard into the fence without a way out.

We tried to call the game warden and the sheriff but no one picked up the phone on Saturday afternoon. As Ally said, thank goodness it was not a giant alligator we were needing help with. In the end, I couldn’t stand it anymore and we decided to try to corner the baby and carry her to where she could get back under the fence to her momma.

Stuck in our pasture between fences made to ensure nothing gets in or out. Well, it worked-sort of.

Note its face and leg-

I was letting him go, but unclear if he was headed for certain death.

It was a difficult and emotional deal for me. I am not agile but I am determined. The front leg was bad. I know several of you would have gotten a dog crate and nursed the deer back to health but I could not. I let him go under the fence. The next day Ally saw him with another baby and their momma near the corner of the property so I hope he does okay. Thanks to Wendy and Mia who helped in the great ‘save the deer’ campaign and also fed the horses and closed up the barn so I could go in for some much-needed rest.

There were so many ridicules points of the weekend it is hard to pin point one, but I would have to say, it had to be when I went to help a friend who had run out of gas. I had the truck with Lula and Kona riding shot-gun. We were in a what can best be termed a sketchy part of town. I got out of the truck to help with the gas and left the dogs inside with the air conditioning running.

We got her truck running and I went back to mine to find I was locked out. I did not have an extra set of keys. Lauren keeps them conveniently placed in the truck in the console. My phone, purse and two sets of keys were in the truck. I called multiple lock smiths, but if I could not give them a credit card, they were not coming. That was convenient as well. A woman without teeth came by and asked for 89 cents. I guess I would have given it to her but my purse was in the truck. I was ready to break out the rear window, in fact, had already started beating on it, when the dachshund Lula unlocked the truck!

How great! Too bad, I am pretty sure she is the one that locked it in the first place.

Thanks for riding along. Please keep my momma in your prayers.

Off the track to Six Meadow Farm

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Exechorseluver

OTTB TryDelta, just barely three years old came home today off the track forever.

Showing that thoroughbred speed as she easily out runs the white pony.

In an absolute contrast to her A. P. Indy cousin, Bruno, TryDelta, by A.P. Delta, out of Native Penny by Saxton, is petite, refined and race track lean. Barely three years old, she has not finished growing or filling out. She might be 900 pounds after a particularly large meal and stands about 16 hands. Bruno is almost double her weight at 1650 pounds and sticks at 17.2 and some hands high. Bruno sports lots of white “chrome” as we call it and this mare does not have a spot of white.

Moving pretty cute for the first time in a pasture in months.

So how in the world when I have every stall accounted for and finally had given up on the whole let’s breed a mare to Feather’s sire Flagmount’s Freedom, did this new A.P. Indy mare show up here?

Well, let’s back up a bit for those of you who maybe don’t manage to catch every word of “Exechorseluver”. Feather, a Flagmount Freedom mare had been sent to my friends in Florida. She was young, apparently had some major trust and training issues and wasn’t near the size her half sibling, Prince had been. She was in fact a disappointment to this solid eventing group. She was offered on Facebook for a very reasonable price. I jumped at the chance to pick her up, hoping some part of the Flagmount jump, determination and personality lived within her.

Watching her unload with a group of top-notch horses from Irish Day Farm and the Bruheim’s Nordic Lights Farm was a little like watching you country cousin come off a bus in bustling New York. All the parts were the same but Feather was not looking very special.

Dr. Lynn Criner has cared for her since the first days. She has followed my stories about Feather’s rise in jumping, higher and higher, as she keeps accomplishing more. And even a quick look at Flagmount’s Freedom Facebook page, will show you various youngsters he has sired. What do they have in common? Boy, can they jump.

But Lynn had never seen Feather actually compete. The slightly neurotic and often frightened mare, becomes super mare when she heads in the jumper ring. She jumps anything and everything and only stops in Lauren makes a mistake. I guess it impressed Lynn. Saturday at the show we talked a lot about a mare to breed to Flag as he is getting older and time (for this year anyway) is getting short. And, yes, I do remember clearly in the post on Betty Sue that I swore off mare hunting and breeding.

But then things changed. We had a friend who volunteered her warmblood mare for breeding services. We were excited about this. Seemed perfect! The next day, they backed out saying they didn’t want to risk the mare in childbirth. I get it-but I had already contacted the Flag people saying we were ready to breed.

Unbeknownst to me, Lynn had contacted the trainer of the A.P. Indy mare to see if she was still available. On Father’s day, Lynn suggested to her husband, an avid pilot, that they fly to San Antonio. It couldn’t have been greater! Her husband got to fly and they went off to the track to see the mare. Lynn didn’t mention she was a vet. Why complicate things.

Just as I was contacting Lynn to tell her we lost the services of our friend’s mare, she was reaching out to me, to sing the praises of TryDelta, soon to be an OTTB. Dr. Marden, owner of Flag (the sire) told us to find a smaller, refined thoroughbred to offset the Irish bulk that comes with Flag babies. We love Bruno and his A.P. Indy lines and we couldn’t have drawn a more perfect match to what Dr. Marden requested.

Sometimes things just happen and you trip along stupidly until you see the solution that has been under your nose for some time. Lynn loved the way the mare moved, she is exceptionally thin and just barely three years old. She will grow some. It felt exceptionally good to take her away from the track and head her home to my meadows of green. Another rescue gone right!

Yesterday in the trip from hell, (which I will write about later when time soothes some wounds) we drove the trailer down and picked up the little mare. Essentially for many months now, she has stood in her stall except when out to exercise or race. She seemed to know instinctively that we were there to save her. The trainer warned us she didn’t like people much, but she dropped her head into Lynn’s arms as we arrived. I took her halter and she slowly licked my hand. Sweetest mare ever. I swear they know.

She loaded easily and quietly into the trailer. We headed home. After dinner I took her out to graze and learn about the pasture. She could not have been happier about the beautiful green grass-it was gold to her.

I started her out this morning in a paddock on her own, afraid she would run a lot and be a little silly. But she quietly inspected things and talked with cousin Bruno over the fence. She and Bruno bonded over the fence and later I moved him in the pasture with her. They were inseparable the rest of the day.

Jordyn’s cousin is here for the summer and she just met her for the first time. But as time has passed, they have found many like traits, similar expressions and hair spun the same golden brown. It was much like that with Bruno and TeeDee today. They are absolutely the same color. TeeDee is missing her cousin’s white chrome but is just seems elegant-like she has on a simple black dress.

We will try to breed her this season if we can. Hopefully, next year at this time an A.P. Indy/Flagmount Freedom baby will be making their way out into the world. What a horse that will be!

As always, thanks for riding along!!

Exechorseluver

The life and times of modern day horse woman

Category Archives: A TeeDee story