Feeling Happy

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Exechorseluver

The weather is grey, cold and miserable. We just got a sizable amount of rain and everything seems wet, from the horses themselves to their blankets to the barn, although no one was out in rain. It is just a heavy dampness that pervades the air.

It will be cold tonight (for us southerner’s anyway) and one pony just was body-clipped for the upcoming shows. He was telling us last night that it is a little chilly to be naked.

Anyway, I have a cough and sore throat. All and all, I should be feeling a bit down and dismal but I am not. I want Jordyn to spend the night so we can go out on a trail ride tomorrow even if the ring is too wet to ride in. I want to go pull some manes, clip some horses and prepare for spring. After some reflection I realized I was just happy.

Wow, what a great notion. I am almost two months post-op from my hip replacement. Having been down this rehab road before, I know I am way further down the road to recovery than I was at the same time last replacement. I am walking up and down stairs on my own, logging in over 7000 steps a day on my Fitbit and am ready to get back on a horse.

To what do I attribute this somewhat usual state (for me at least-I tend to be a little more like Eeyore than happy Winnie-the-Pooh)? I think it is just surviving this difficult last year, being very content with my place in life and thoroughly enjoying my work. We had people out to look out our place. They own their own sizable herd of warmbloods and have recently moved to Houston. Looking around the place I realized, although as one visitor told us this week, “it is not as nice as I thought it would be”, it is all I ever wanted. Like in my whole life, this little place in Richmond, Texas (a state I never dreamed I would live in) has my home, my family (and frequent visits from my out-of-town family)my horses, my dogs, my cats and dearest friends. How lucky am I?

My life has really been a series of some difficult battles. I was afraid to hope that life would ever be like this-and this year, particulary has not been easy, but I am cheered on and gladdened by the realization-that right now-this moment-this time is good.

Thank you for being part of my story. Thank you for riding along.

Return to Work-Eve

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Exechorseluver

My time off work has come to pass. I have fed the horses the last two mornings on my own. However, Lauren and I moved the feeding schedule forward (something about her not wanting to feed at 4:45, I don’t know!). I have to admit that this morning’s feed was closer to 7am than 5 am.

I can walk unassisted (no cane, no crutches) but it is a staggering, shuffling walk, not one that provides much locomotion. I have walked steadily all week in preparation for my return. My drive is almost a half mile up and back. It has been cold, wet and windy. I got over 4000 steps most days, so I am getting stronger. Lauren makes me clean stalls and water, too! She is a wicked taskmaster. I wish that was true. I am so slow she does three times the work I do in the same time. We have not had many riders out this week, but it doesn’t change what work we have.

We have had multiple other things going on as well, including:

Lauren has been working on a project to open an additional boarding facility about 20 miles south of here. She and her friend Libby having been drawing up plans, working financials and talking to potential boarders. They are learning a lot about real world economics and business planning. We will see if the project advances later this week.

In the same vein as my story with OTTB Bruno, one of our boarders obtained her dream horse a couple of years ago. And just like with Bruno, their path has been a hard one. How many of us have bought THAT horse that was the most beautiful, the most talented, perfect, but not necessarily the one for us? What a lesson we learn and what a tumble our heart takes. After two years of trying to make this horse be the RIGHT one for her, the boarder decided that she wanted this horse to find a new home pronto. I got busy with my contacts. It took longer than I would have thought to find this Prince the right kingdom. In the new year, everyone is struggling with finances, space, the weather or is off to Florida for the winter season.

I think we found a perfect home with Natalie. She rides the stallion Flagmount’s Freedom, whom we plan to breed to TeeDee and Fargo come spring. The family came down from Bryan/College Station on Saturday, but before they even glanced at the new horse, they wanted to see Feather who had been born and bred on their farm. I think they were pretty pleased to see the well-built mare who has taken Lauren so far.

As they drove away, my boarder and I discussed the excitement in Natalie’s eyes as she viewed the handsome black gelding for the first time. While giving up a dream, tears at one’s heart, I know my friend will be thrilled to see Natalie in the dressage ring showing off her fine boy! Bittersweet for sure.

I also have to mention that it was with great sorrow that I saw this post on Facebook. Stephanie, the breeder of my pretty filly Betty Sue, announced the passing of the filly’s sire, Special Edition GES, a junior GOV stallion (Sempatico x Nfinity). I do not know the details of his passing but at his young age it must have been something tragic and sudden. I know Stephanie must be reeling as this fine stallion was just starting a promising career. So many hopes and dreams gone in an instant. Sending out love and prayers to Stephanie and all at Golden Edge Sporthorses.

Up and Around

Posted on January 4, 2015 by Exechorseluver

My clean bedroom before surgery.

I have become intimately aware of the details of my bedroom. For over 30 days now, I have spent at least 20 hours ( if not more) laying on my bed praying as time passes, my new hip heals and the pain subsides. Not that we are going to focus on this today (because we aren’t) but many of you know elderly friends and relatives that were walking right after a hip replacement. Because of my non-elderly age, my hip prosthesis is not glued into the femur bone. My new titanium femur and hip socket (all seven inches) was forced placed into what was left of my femur bone above my knee. Over time bone will grow around the metal and be way more stable, but in the meantime it is a slow go.

View from my window on this cold day.

My animals have been great companions,although the poodle sometimes wants to have a closer relationship than I really desire, wrapping his big self around my head or laying across my chest with his friend the cat.

Poodle hat?

Poodle Cat?

Enough of that. I am headed back to work in one week. Pretty frightening right now as I have not done much of anything for weeks. Last few days (New Year’s Res and all that) I have pushed myself to get up and get going. Jordyn has been protégé for much of my new workouts and attempts to get my life back to normal.

I heard once that it takes many weeks to build muscle but muscle starts to deteriorate in as little as ten days. I am a poster child for deterioration of muscle. Wow. I headed to the barn intent on cleaning and clipping my mare Kalani that broken-heartedly I have put up for sale. I just will not have the ability to work with her or to ride for a couple more months. I guess my dreams die first as Lauren and I have agreed we must pare down the horses we own. I hope to find her a terrific home.

Anyway, on unsure legs, I headed to the barn. Kalani is a very quiet mare. Even so I needed help getting her halter on. I approached her with the clippers and had difficulty keeping my balance even with this simple task. Lauren takes over and it is easily completed.

Lauren left for the evening and Jordyn is stuck with me to get the horses hayed and watered for the night. Jordyn is seven, tall for her age and knows her way through the barn chores. Together, (okay it was mostly her) we get a bale of hay into the wheelbarrow and head to the barn. We had some precarious balancing acts as we tried to get the wheelbarrow up into the barn and down off the concrete to the next barn. But we did it!

Before we went in for the night we put all 13 buckets of freshly made morning feed (in order by stall) into the wheelbarrow and left it in the first barn. This morning, 45 degrees and a howling north wind greeted my first breakfast feeding of the horses since the beginning of December. As I shambled out along the drive to the barn, Jordyn ran on ahead and had all the first barn fed before I even reached the gate. Together we moved the wheelbarrow with the eight remaining buckets onto the next barn. I really did not do much feeding but getting up and out accounts for something!

I have to admit I got a little overwhelmed with the thought of getting all the horses out to their respective pastures. Jordyn can handle many of the horses, walking them to their daily destinations, but the thought of holding and walking a horse with my unsteady legs conjured up immediate thoughts of me lying face down in the cold mud with hoof prints on my back or me flying airborne behind one of these magnificent steeds as he scampered off for morning grass. Either way, I was too scared to try.

Lauren, followed shortly by Ally, Luke and Kendyll, took over the morning chores as we waited for 70 bales of hay to arrive. I guess this was a pretty usual day on the farm, but it is the first one I have participated in for some time. Linda and Richard came to deliver the hay. It was good to have company and be part of the chores even if I did not really participate much (okay, I sat in a chair the whole time).

Getting up and around is a whole lot more fun than hanging out in my room. It is all about small steps toward getting fit again. Lauren got FitBits to measure our walking, sleeping, etc. Lauren set her goal at 12,000 steps per day. I set mine at 150 steps. Seriously, I have not walked anywhere but to the bathroom for a while. At the barn last night, I was startled by my wrist vibrating. My FitBit was telling me I had reached my goal! Wow, 150 steps!

When I got back to the house I moved my goal to 1500 steps a day and I think I just might make it. Step by step, day by day…getting back to life.

As always, thanks for riding along and another big thanks to all of you (especially my boarders) that have helped out this month. Lauren, Ally and especially Jordyn have helped keep the farm running smoothly!

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Momma and I enjoying our last Christmas.

Honestly, I tried to upload six other pictures but they all errored out. I guess this was the one I was meant to post. I am sure missing my momma on this first Christmas without her.

It is day 23 on my post surgical confinement. My hip replacement turned out to be a little more invasive than thought. They took out five inches of my leg and hip while replacing it with seven inches of titanium. Ow! I mean seriously.

I have spent most days in my room, surrounded by my dogs and cat. I have not even been out to the barn in over ten days, the gravel driveway proving to be my foe.

I have only left the house once in all this time except when visiting the hospital or doctor. I have had plenty of time to think, to grieve my losses of this year and rewind the moments of celebration and happiness. I have given some serious thought to my life and my job and bettering my commitment to both. I am going to be paring down and working harder. I am establishing new goals.

Of course, my first goal is to walk again, by myself. And just manage some simple things like making my bed or feeding the animals. From there I can step (get it, step?) right into filling other goals.

God gives us time to think and time to plan. This quiet time is important to me. But expect to see some new photos soon and my return to life.

May you all enjoy a Merry Christmas tonight. I wish you seasons of Joy.

Zone Finals Champ-Say what?

Posted on November 9, 2014 by Exechorseluver

The outside wall is four-foot. Feather takes this big oxer like the wind blowing across the top of it without touching a thing.

Over the years of this blog, I have written about our journey to the USEF Zone finals. The United States Equestrian Federation divides the country into Zones and those states compete for points over who is the best of whatever division in which they are showing their horses. Although Hawaii is just one zone (probably because it would be hard to trailer to a show in Hawaii from anywhere else), the other zone definitions by states are not necessarily equal in terms of size (geographically or by population).

Somehow, Texas (which clearly could be a whole zone all on its own based on size-I mean Alaska, Hawaii, Texas-which is clearly bigger?) ended up being placed in a zone with five other states. So, Lauren and her fellow Texas riders compete for points with riders from Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, and Kansas. Now, does anyone actually make shows in all those states, probably not. Six states in the NE would be a possibility but these six states in our Zone 7 are geographically disperse.

In the past, Lauren has qualified for finals three times on her horse, Irish Midnight, aka Mickey, the first time in hunters (where they had no chance of winning at all but it was fun to go) and twice in jumpers once in the Children’s Low Jumper and once in the Adult Low Jumpers but they have never walked away with a ribbon.

This year very little thought was given to zone finals. We had qualified early in the year based upon Feather’s and Lauren’s performance at one of the first winter shows. Then she added some points at the Oklahoma Go Show this summer. But that was before she broke her arm and her hand stayed permanently paralyzed in a claw position. And before her grandma died leaving a hole in our hearts. And before the thought of jumping a horse over a big fence was something to be feared instead of something she loved.

Personally, I was pretty happy with Dev riding the mare and pushing her up to new heights. I didn’t want to worry about how Lauren would grip the reins or hold a crop or intuitively know how to set the mare to a slower pace without a right hand to count on. I was not keen on zone finals. But Dev thought they should do it so off they went.

I usually try to get out to see her ride during the week but I have been sick with various ailments and have had a lot of work to catch up on. Or so went my excuse. When Lauren called me Friday to tell me they had a refusal in the .85 (about 2’6″) I just wanted her to quit. I figured if they couldn’t get through that they were never going over three feet in the following classes. I literally sat at my desk at work and silently cried. I was just so afraid it was useless and that Lauren would be hurt more.

I texted my three dearest friends and both my other daughters to say a prayer for Lauren as she headed to the next round which would be set at a meter high (3’3″). My friend Lynn sent the following prayer:

dear Lord,

Keep Lauren safe and give her the confidence and the courage to face her fears and ride straight through them, Amen

My friend Kathy told me “she has already achieved a lot just getting back on and riding through the in gate. Great rounds will come.”

Friends are awesome. And they were right. Friday she rode into the meter round with Feather and caught the first pole creating an immediate four faults, but then something just synched and they were perfect. They did not place but rode very well.

Friday night and Saturday found me with horrible stomach flu which I blame on my granddaughters but fear and apprehension could have been a culprit as well. Probably for the second time in the history of Lauren’s shows I was not with her on an important day. I got texts later that they had placed fourth in one class (Out of 40) and were just out of the ribbons in the other.

This morning on the last day of the show I woke up feeling better than I had in a week (gee, wonder why). I was off to sit at the ring and watch and write down the times of every single rider in her big group. Lauren was 37th to go. I had seen falls, lots of pulled rails, many, many stops and only completely clear round for the adults. Even John de Leyer’s horses had some issues. I felt good about Feather as I watched her warm up. Lauren was riding easy and clean.

Clearing the jump easily.

Feather flew around the course never even rubbing as pole or chancing a refusal. It was a beautiful round. And again, Lauren never used her legs, spurs or crop to ask for more from Feather, they just flew together to victory. What a sight it was to see! I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else today than watching this ride with this brave girl on this wonderful horse.

An extremely elated Lauren holding her ribbons.

In the end, she was first in this class for both the Zone and the Division with only one other double clean rider, she combined the points for both her Zone classes and the division classes and ended up as follows:

Tied for Champion for Zone 7 Finals *****see below

Tied for Reserve champ for the division

It has been a year when the lows have really been low for us, but just as clearly these highs have really been top-notch. I would have never dreamed when this little Flagmount horse got off the trailer from Florida she would take us so far. Yet, even then I had a hint of a dream, a dream of a once in lifetime horse and we are so blessed.

Thank you especially to my daughter Ally who has been our savior and the only way this barn has kept running in the dark days and big thanks to Dev Branham who believed in Lauren even on a little bay horse and has helped us develop Feather to what she is today. And to so many of you that urged us on, prayed for us and will be here for us still as Lauren and I go back to surgery once again. Thank you for riding along! God bless.

_______________________________________________________

***POST-SCRIPT***

I had a couple of things wrong.

First, Lauren was Zone Champion all by herself and not tied with anyone. And second, the class on Saturday where we thought she did not place, she actually placed sixth.

The young ones

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Kendyll’s first official (pre)school photo at 28 months.

Three year-old Lexi shopping with her momma.

The first grandchild in any family is special. Usually it has been awhile since a baby has been around the house and the long, endless days of exhaustion are well forgotten. Everyone gets enamoured with the first grandchild. Jordyn was my first grandchild and enamoured I was! Probably with expectations and visions of greatness far beyond what Jordyn could possibly ever meet, I thought my first grandchild was great (and she was/is).

Next, came Riley, the second grandchild and the first boy in our family (I had two sisters and I had three daughters). He was special indeed. From what he wanted to play with to his approach to the world, he was different and new. He was just named student of the month and one can understand why with this special little man.

Then came the young ones, as I will call them, Lexi born in 2011 and Kendyll in 2012. While they had their unique personalities they were more of the same (wonderful same!) in many ways. I could almost predict what they would like to wear, to play with and to do.

As time has passed they have started leaving their own mark on the world and it is as unique as they are. Lexi is tiny, brilliant and opinionated. She looks a great deal like her mother Amber did at the same age. Lexi is fearless and complicated. She follows brother Riley and but also dreams of princesses and magic lands.

Kendyll, whom I have come to know more and more since we have moved to the new farm, is quite different from her sister Jordyn. Not any less bright (if anything perhaps smarter) but Kendyll is a loud red if Jo is a soft pink. At two, Kendyll reasons out and communicates thoughts beyond her age. She also hates many foods (Jordyn loved everything from veggies to burgers). She is fearless like Lexi (or has yet to learn the consequences of her actions).

The young ones are beautiful and willing. Kendyll was at her other grandparents and told them she was going on a cruise with Lauren and granny. She was going to eat ice cream on the water slide. They were stunned. A family cruise-why were they not told? Well…

Lauren’s and my latest idea is to take the young ones on a cruise. That’s right. We want to take the two year-old and three year-old on a cruise. No one else. Just the four of us. Wow-we are nuts right?

Think about it. There are some real advantages to this age. First, we would probably extend the invitation to Riley and Jo but they go to school with that annoying school schedule where you can’t miss any time. We want to go when the prices are low and the boat is not full of children (a contradiction I know).

Plus, no matter the meltdowns, the tears or tiredness, toddlers can be redirected to new shiny objects. On a boat, there are so many things to show them from the elevator to the swimming pool to a movie in the room, that we could always deflect them off to a new activity. Plus, Lauren and I are good at this. We have no expectation of a long sit down dinner (or any meal for that matter). We can eat and go with fastest child. We are also great at eating at any time, Lauren in particular, is always up for ice cream so if the young ones are hungry-we are happy to oblige.

Then there is the schedule. Lauren and I, both, go to bed early and get up early, just like the kids. Plus, leaving the pool for nap time sits real well for us, too. I really do not see any issues here. Kendyll and Lauren have had a whole summer to learn to play together as Ally did the barn work and Lauren nursed her broken arm. Kendyll loves to play teacher with Lauren as her student. I bet we could incorporate Lexi into that game as well. Lexi could be the queen and Lauren the peasant. I could be reading.

Really the only big problems I see are if something happens to the boat, like an Ebola scare or downed engines. Being stuck with the young ones in our room for extensive non-sleeping time could cause tragedies, like Lauren and I could be killed. I would not want to do be on the shut-down Carnival boat you are reading about back home. But I wouldn’t want that without the young ones either.

The other issue could be the inevitable line standing you do on a cruise. Toddlers are not noted for their ability to stand well, indefinitely, in a line. I am sure there is some solution to this issue that I just haven’t thought of yet.

All and all, I say let’s take the young ones on a cruise. I bet we would have a wonderful time.

All the Pretty Horses

Posted on October 26, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Baby Betty as the leader of the pack. (LOVE this shot)

It occurred to me yesterday when Mickey was off at a show and Feather had been moved to join the mare pasture with Kalani, Fargo and baby Betty Sue,that I had quite a diverse band of mares, at least from a color perspective. Most English horses are grey or bay with an occasional chestnut to liven things up. My grey, blue roan, Palomino and buckskin pinto look way beyond the norm.

So I set out this morning to catch some photos in the soft morning light. It is going to be about the pictures tonight and a welcome to my new boarder, Jo Ann as well.

First, Betty Sue, a little over six months old and standing 13.3 hands high. She is
“butt high” as we say when babies grow taller in the back before the front catches up.

Betty shining in the morning sun. Clearly, butt high.

What a face!

Trotting with Fargo.

Fargo becoming a beauty in her right with a little daily attention.

Pretty mare Feather, startlingly against the sunlight.

Pretty mare Feather, startling against the sunlight.

Finally my favorite girl, Kalani also a study of contrast in the morning light.

Kalani, blue roan quarter horse.

And finally some of them all.

Finally, 31-year-old OTTB Hershey joined our barn yesterday and was getting to know pasture mate Prosecco. This is exactly how OTTBs are supposed to end up, old, healthy and happy running with new friends. Thanks and welcome to Jo Ann.

Hershey meeting Prosecco for the first time.

Prosecco questions if this was a good idea.

This will be Hershey’s last home and I hope everyday is as good as today.

Thanks for riding along. Let me know which one was your favorite picture.

Betty Sue and Grandma arrive! Lauren overcomes! Feather Soars!

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Betty Sue seeing Lauren eye to eye on Texas soil.

First taste of Texas.

Betty Sue, grandma Fargo, and weanling friend Carter had an uneventful trip from Colorado to Texas, arriving late Tuesday afternoon. They were ready to get off the trailer but no worse for the trip. The two weanlings were exceptionally calm and well-behaved. We immediately reloaded Fargo and Betty Sue for the short trip on to our house

The girls have settled in easily. They love the green grass but are slightly less enamoured with the temperatures in the high 80’s with their Colorado winter coats.

Wednesday Feather headed to the equestrian center for her first show since OKC in July and her first since Lauren’s broken arm. Dev showed Feather Thursday and Friday, coming out of their first class with the winning time and the blue ribbon in hand. From there they moved up from the 1.05 meter (which is the highest we have ever showed) all the way to the 1.15 meter. Feather did fine, no problem with the height but will need continued work on her technique. They showed in the 1.20 meter on Friday and had a stop at the big in and out jump, but nothing a little practice can’t fix.

Dev and Feather in the 1.20 meter

Dev and Feather soar.

Lauren returned to the show ring today with some natural fear and angst following her bad fall this past July. I needn’t have worried, they stepped into the ring, two titanium rods supporting her foreman and still total paralysis of two fingers, to take over second place in the .95 meter. I was SO proud of my girls.

More work happening at the farm as my son-in-law Luke works to get us arena lights before the time change hits. He has worked for days, sacrificing sleep, family and football. I am very grateful!

Thanks for riding along and all your support!

Betty Sue says good night!

October is here (seems obvious, huh?)

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Photo from the inspection of Special Occasion GES (Betty Sue).

It seems that one minute ago it was summer and now we headed into October in a rush. Of course, when you live in the southseason’s don’t come with distinction and often not in sequence. We had a lovely fall like weekend with some low temperatures in the high 50’s. It was amazing. Today it is totally summer again topping out at 91 degrees. It tends to confuse my brain which grew up with distinct seasons, and my childhood memories do not include 90 degrees in October.

I headed into Wal-Mart for my weekly shopping. I wandered back to the gardening area to look for a new hose, new cushions for my outdoor furniture (the neighbor’s dog ate those as well as eating Sneaky) and some grass seed. You won’t be surprised to learn it was Christmas time in the garden center, but I was. I stood there lost. For a moment, I was completely confused. You know some of those little stores keep “special” holiday items at all times-but no, it is October and apparently time to think about the holidays.

I did find a hose and one bag of grass seed but no way was I finding patio furniture cushions. It may be 90 degrees but Snowmen have replaced lawn furniture here.

I got the news today that Amber, Ryan and my Colorado grandkids will be coming to Texas for Thanksgiving. We will actually get to spend four whole days together. It will be the first time that Ryan has been back to see our new house and farm. I cannot wait! I am happiest when the house is full and the kids are at the barn or riding in the arena. Thanksgiving day itself will include Luke’s family as well-they are pretty much our family, too!

My barn is looking like a pretty eclectic group as new ponies have moved in. Now we have three ponies (one Pony of America-Snowboy, one Welsh type-Avery and one quarter pony-Owen) along with one OTTB-TeeDee, one Irish Sport Horse-Feather, one paint-Mickey, two quarter horses-Cody and Kalani and one German warmblood-Prosecco. Betty Sue, hopefully arriving in the next couple weeks, will up the German warmblood count, but still what a conglomeration of horse (and pony) flesh. Maybe one day soon we will get everyone out for a group picture.

Lauren and I are both riding again which is nice. She is riding Feather and many of the others. I am getting my old Lauren back. She jumped Mickey around last night and remarked, “he doesn’t scare me any more”. Well, he used to, but with Feather jumping so much higher now, Mickey looks (and feels) tame by comparison. I guess if this whole Feather and Betty Sue jumping thing doesn’t work for Lauren, she can go back and spend several more wonderful years riding Mickey in the Greater Houston shows.

Jordyn, also riding Mickey, just trots away in the arena, often on her own for hours at a time (don’t worry, I am keeping my eyes on her at all times). I suspect a canter is coming soon. I am happy to see her confident and thrilled to be riding. She and Kendyll come to visit several days a week. Two year old, Kendyll, wakes up asking her momma if they are going to granny’s to clean poopoo today. Wow, the key to your grandchild’s heart, horses (and their excretions).

Jordyn showing Kendyll how to jump off the slide.

No Fear Kendyll doing exactly what her sister says.

And they scramble back up!

The horses have been enjoying long days in the pasture and my boarders are all pretty good amateur photographers. The horses all have fly masks on to keep pesky bugs away from their eyes. These pictures are by Mia Kuchner.

OTTB TeeDee out for a stroll with QH Kalani-gotta love those quarter horse butts!

Feather and Mickey grooming one another-#Lovetermloveaffair

Feather and Mickey grooming one another-#Longtermloveaffair

Signing off for today-thanks for riding along.

The end-Feather, Kalani and TeeDee. Is Kalani the tallest?

Ups, downs and all arounds

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Special Occasion GES (Betty Sue) was site champion at her inspection this week!

I purchased Betty Sue, a warmblood pinto, from a breeder in Colorado based solely on her Facebook picture (and recommendations from friends about the integrity of the breeder). Things I do like this, spontaneously, with poor impulse control, tend to not always work out for me. I still don’t have the almost six month old filly home, but she rocked the RPSI inspections in front of German judges this week to earn the award of Top Filly for the Site. Something I liked about the way she moved and her conformation clearly was appreciated by the judges as well. Awesome! I am still waiting for some pictures of her trotting or cantering at the inspection.

I am thrilled with this honor and owe a big thank you to breeder, Stephanie Wendorf from Golden Edge Sporthorses, who had the foresight to breed Special Edition GES (their junior home raised GOV stallion by Sempatico x Art Deco) to Silhouette GES (one of their home raised beauties by Sagar x Blonder Hans x Rainbow). Betty Sue should be headed to Texas in a couple of weeks. We already have some horse shows planned for her.

Last night I got home and did not get my usual reception in the garage by the dogs. Their garage pen is connected to the fenced back yard and usually the dogs come barking and scrambling to see me. Only Kona, the poodle, was looking at me expectantly from the pen. As I walked around to the yard, I saw Kena (our Doberman) laying on top of Sneaky. Sneaky was bleeding profusely.

Our neighbor’s dog, recently given to us as he fought with and was beat up by the neighbor’s other dog all the time, was standing off to the side. Lauren and I rushed the Corgi off to the vet. After examination, Sneaky showed multiple serious lacerations, one that exposed the trachea, tore the muscles and provide an open look at the anatomy of a dog’s neck. She had deep puncture wounds and was in shock. The vet told us Sneaky had hair and blood in her mouth so she had put up a fight. We left her to go into surgery for repairs.

Sneaky with hundreds of stitches and four drains after being attacked.

Once at home, I examined the short coated Doberman thoroughly. There were no signs of any bites on her. The neighbor’s dog is an intact male with long hair. And I cannot catch him. I did not see bites on him but they would be covered by his coat. I think Kena probably ganged up on Sneaky as well as the new dog but when things got serious, she laid down on Sneaky to protect her. I could be wrong, but my animals have been living a peaceful coexistence for over seven years (at least Sneaky, Lula and Kena) and I don’t see it would have suddenly changed. I am terrified that this new dog who also chases the horses and goes after my cats with deadly intent will hurt someone again.

I have made the decision that this dog will go off immediately to my friend in the country where there is a lot of room to roam and no other dogs or cats to bother. I know I may have trouble with Kena now but will have to work out how to handle that.

Sneaky came home last night after surgery with many stitches and drains. She is not having a good day today but hopefully will be on the upswing tomorrow.

Lauren with Alex and Isabel getting ready to jump her first course in over two months.

Lauren and I both saw orthopedic surgeons on Monday. Lauren’s surgeon was not happy with her lack of mobility and feeling in her two fingers (the pinkie and ring fingers). Although she continues in occupational therapy she is not making headway to get the nerve damage caused in her fall to reverse itself. The doctor told her she had a two in ten chance of regaining the nerves and use of those fingers. He gave her six more weeks and if no improvement, then it will be off to the neurosurgeon who will implant a transmitter device to mechanically activate the finger and the hands. Sounds pretty dreadful but at least there is a solution.

I am getting my solution as well. I was born with hip defects and lived all my life with restrictions and hip pain. I had my left hip replaced in 2004. I will have my right hip replaced the first week of December. My right leg is almost an inch and a half shorter than the left and the doctor will try to make them equal. It will be a tough road back but I have done it before and I will do it again.

Up, down and all around-we applaud the good, battle the bad and embrace the inevitable for better. It is the best we can do. Please keep us in your prayers and thanks for riding along!

Exechorseluver

The life and times of modern day horse woman

Category Archives: Family Life