GG Jim-A Life Well Lived

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Exechorseluver

My mom and Jim-2012

My step-father, Jim Foust, died yesterday at age 97 and three/quarters. I know you probably think that is not surprising but believe me this was one person for whom advancing age never seemed to touch. My grandkids, his great grandkids, called him GG Jim, great-grandpa Jim after Jordyn first coined that name for him.

Glenn Taylor Foust (Jim), was born in 1917. And has remained all 97 of these years pretty much aware and remembering the details of his great life. My mother met Jim first as Dr. Foust. He was her OB-GYN in the 1950’s as she was pregnant with first my sister and then I. In essence I have known Jim all my life since he cared for my mother and delivered me into this world. Pretty crazy. And while he was part of bringing me into this life, Jim saved my life once, literally, as well.

My family moved off to Chicago for many years as Jim continued to have a thriving practice in Denver. When my family returned to Denver in the 1970s, my mother was once again a patient of Jim. My dad died in 1991 and as my mom embarked on a life of her own, Jim was doing the same having lost his wife as well. They met again walking in a Denver park. Before any of us had time to think about it, the two of them were heavy into a relationship.

I remember Jim and mom coming to visit my family in Florida in the mid-1990’s. Ally was taking horseback riding lessons and Jim went along with me to watch. He filled the time telling us stories of being in the cavalry. Have you ever met anyone that served in the U.S. Cavalry? Jim was an excellent horseback rider and had pictures of himself jumping four-foot or larger jumps on huge thoroughbreds. My dad was a horseman but Jim actually had done the things that Ally and subsequently Lauren would compete in.

I was an avid swimmer, competing for over ten years. Jim had been an outstanding swimmer and diver as well (not something I did well). It was another thing we had in common. As the relationship deepened between Jim and my mom, I was very happy for her to have found such a love again. They were married in 1997. I think they both made each other very happy. Not many of us get such second chances.

Jim had a place in Tucson and I remember so many terrific times with the family there. Over dinners he would tell us stories of his hunting adventures in Alaska. To this day, I believe there are still trophy animals in one of the Denver museums that Jim hunted, killed and had shipped back to Colorado for display. He had amazing times hunting on horseback in wild, completely untamed country. Jim was great golfer as well and won tournaments at Cherry Hills in Colorado along with many in Arizona and other locations. He was still swinging a golf club even in recent years.

I realized a little late in Jim’s life that I had missed a tremendous opportunity in my journalistic endeavours. I wish I had been able to devote some time to Jim and to hearing his life story, from birth to the war, to medical school and training, to his wild adventures in some of the real frontiers of America. I think his story would be one from which we could all learn a little something.

For my children, especially Lauren and Ally, Jim was the grandfather they knew best. I do not say that to disrespect their other grandfathers, but because of my mother, Jim was so much more involved in their lives. Jim cheered all the girls on from childhood and as they grew into adults. I am sure even today the kid’s pictures still grace the walls (and refrigerator) of his home in Tucson.

Jim, Jordyn and Bruno. 95-year-old Jim wanted to ride him. I said no.

When Jordyn came along both mom and Jim were her biggest fans. Jordyn made a lot of trips to Denver and there was a deep and special love between the three of them. Jim was great with all the great-grand kids and seemed to have a special rapport with them. Maybe it was from having delivered so many babies, he appreciated how special they were. He carried a little book which held all the names and birth dates of his family from young to old. He would read the roster off for me, telling me a little about each one.

Jim with young Riley.

Jim was my step-father. He loved my mother and I. He cared about my children and grandchildren. In many ways, I feel he was one of the last of his breed, of the tough, but wiry and resilient type that met challenges head-on with his usual surgeon like decisiveness. It is the end of era for me. It is the last part of my momma that was left. I think it is ironic that he died on Valentine’s Day-he was such romantic and blessed my mother with flowers so often.

God Speed, Jim. You were one of a kind and brought so much love to my mother and my family. I would tell you to rest now in peace but I doubt you are slowing down even for a moment as you embark on Heaven and all its delights.

Glenn Taylor Foust, Jr

May 18, 1917-Feb.14, 2014

A life well lived

Teach your Children Well

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Exechorseluver

Jordyn and her special journey with OTTB Bruno.

Jordyn preparing to get on big Bruno for the first time.

Off they go!

Bruno with Jordyn and her great grandpa-Jim.

Giant Bruno being confidently handled by five year-old Jordyn

Nearing the end of his days

Days before he died with Jordyn and Kendyll

Jordyn and the big thoroughbred Bruno had a special relationship almost from the day he arrived at our barn. Although over 17 hands high and a huge 1450 pounds, he was a gentle soul and they seemed to just get along.

To say Jordyn loved Bruno is an understatement. She also watched him suffer through surgery, helped Lauren re-bandage his hoof many times, saw him with blood streaming down his face and on the good days as well. Jordyn was five years old when Bruno came to our barn. She was old enough to understand pain and suffering and appreciate what we were trying to do for the horse, in trying to get him get back to sound and healthy.

As the time went on, she saw Bruno start to soar, spending time with Lauren and him at the trainers as Bruno learned to jump and watching Amelia take the big guy further than we ever dreamed. But his success was short-lived and his infection in his hoof returned. Jordyn also watched him stand, unable to walk, as we continued to try to do something to save him.

Bruno had a few days when he rallied. Jordyn was there to walk him in the green pasture and sit endlessly on his back as he ate the fresh grass.

Jordyn was not there when he died. It would not have been right but she did see the freshly dug grave and laid flowers on it for him. She and I have spoken many times of life and death on farm but not really specifically about Bruno, not since he died, anyway.

I was surprised this weekend when she mentioned him and how much she missed him. Jordyn is a sensitive, intelligent child that observes more than we think and absorbs more than her share of the hurt she sees in the world. She told me the story of what her other grandma, Dodie, had shared with her this weekend as she was missing Bruno so much.

I was appreciative and impressed by what she had been told. Dodie told her about Bruno in Heaven eating forever green grass and running without pain. She told Jo how Bruno would never have to hurt again. She made Heaven a real and wonderful place for our granddaughter. And that is how it should be. What a wonderful gift to share with this imaginative child, one of happiness and joy instead of memories of pain and sadness.

I am indebted to Dodie for this and Jordyn is blessed to have a grandmother so confident in her faith and belief that she can draw pictures for a child’s dreams of the broad, green pastures of Heaven. I could only be thankful and think of the old Neil Young song of “Teach your Children Well“. This child has been taught of suffering and death but also of tremendous happiness that awaits. The best we can do and the best we can give is to teach our (grand) children well. Thank you, Dodie. I am grateful.

From the Ice and Cold, the Pony Arrives

Posted on January 13, 2015 by Exechorseluver

This is Hopscotch, whom Jordyn is calling Piper.

Jordyn after school yesterday looking pretty happy with Piper.

Jordyn used Lauren’s jumper Mickey for lessons for most of this year. Her pony, Snowboy was being leased by another rider in the barn and Mickey was filling the bill fine. One of last year’s goals for Jordyn was to trot and she has been very successful. She can do a posting trot now and occasionally even gets the correct diagonal.

Jordyn started riding Snow again in hopes of achieving her 2015 goal of cantering. Snowboy, at an estimated 22 years of age, seems to have had it with hauling the little kids around. He is still very good for a kid over 90 pounds or an adult but for Jordyn, he was taking all her energy to just keep him in a trot.

Around Christmas time we decided to sell my horse, Kalani, and find a quiet, easy pony for Jordyn. Not to go into a whole ‘back in my day’ tirade, but one thing that is a whole lot easy now is buying a horse. Once upon a time, you relied upon neighbors, other training barns or the classifieds to find a horse.

Facebook is now quite a source for buying and selling horses. Within hours of stating we were on the search for a new pony, we had leads on steeds from all over the US. The two ponies that we liked best were both on the East Coast. The one we ended up with posted a sale ad in morning, by mid-afternoon their YouTube video had over 500 views. We had been the first to talk to this trainer in South Carolina and she called us back to tell us she had two full price offers on the pony we wanted for Jordyn. We told her we would meet that price and buy the pony.

I have bought a couple of horses/ponies sight unseen, and not touched or ridden by us. It is scary but it is the way of the world these days. We all agreed, signed some papers, Paypaled (should that have one L or two?) some money and set up an inexpensive shipper. We were pretty happy. That was nearly two weeks ago.

The cold fell on the east coast and first the shipper couldn’t get out of New York state as the water was freezing in the water buckets of the trailer. Then they had trouble with rain and ice as they made their way down the coast to South Carolina. In the beginning, I figured for sure I would still be home to see the pony come, but as the days became weeks, knew I would miss out.

Sure enough, the shipper called and estimated she would be at our place sometime Sunday night/Monday morning. As I awakened for work yesterday I figured I must have slept through the pony’s arrival. I headed out to resume my routine of feeding the horses on my first day back at work, to have Lauren follow me out the door. Lauren does not get up at 4:30 in the morning, especially in the cold without a compelling reason. The pony was just arriving.

Jordyn meeting her pony for the first time! Note-it is still pitch black behind the stall slats.

Quietly and without any apprehension, the small bay pony unloaded off the big rig, walked across our pasture in the cold mist and took up her new home next to Betty Sue in the mare’s barn. We called Ally who went to tell Jordyn that her pony had finally arrived. Jordyn bolted out of bed, dressed quickly, brushed her teeth and begged her mom to take her to Granny’s to see the new pony. It might have 5:30 am by then. I was headed out to work before Jo arrived but the first picture of the two says a lot. Jordyn’s call to me to proclaim, “Thank you, Thank you, Granny!!” said even more.

Last night, I couldn’t wait to get out to the barn, get the blanket off the pony and see what we really had. We have had days of cold rain so a ride was out of the question but Jordyn and I had fun grooming Piper, admiring her cute face, long forelock and silky tail.

We have owned Snowboy for over ten years, I hope this pony is as good as he has been for us and earns Jo all the ribbons she deserves. I did make it clear to her that this pony is for all the grandkids. Piper will have a lot of master’s to serve.

Thanks for being part of our journey!

Piper settled in and having some hay.

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!

I am Thankful

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Exechorseluver

The grandkids hanging on the back fence, Riley, Jordyn, Lexi and Kendyll

I had the first turkey cooked and it was pretty well eaten all gone (as the kid’s say) by Wednesday night after the arrival from Denver of Amber, her husband Ryan, and kids; Riley and Lexi. It was the start of good times, good eating and good conversation.

My dad used to be the designated driver to take my mom and her sisters’, Betty, Bill and Nova to Oklahoma City or Tulsa for their shopping trips. He complained they never stopped talking the entire time. I still think we scare Ryan (Luke has had a little more time to get used to us all) but when my daughters and I get to squabbling over something, four kids under eight chime in, seven dogs get to barking and a scared, crazy cat runs by, you know you are home for the holidays. It got a little loud and more than little bit crazy, but it was all well-intentioned and fun.

Wednesday after we polished off all the turkey for lunch, we took the four kids out to ride. What an exciting time! Riley and Lexi really have no exposure to horses or rural life until they come to “Granny’s Farm” but it did not affect their enthusiasm for wanting to touch everything and every horse. I think they had mastered the names of all the horses (and ponies) by that first evening. We took turns in the arena walking with Lexi and Kendyll while Jordyn and Riley made laps around the rail on their own.

Riley and Jo riding like pros.

Everyone pitched in to help feed and little Lexi, who at three years of age is a hair smaller than Kendyll at two, had to be lifted up as she held securely to the feed bucket and then dumped the night’s offering into the horse’s bucket. I had gotten Lexi and Riley new cowboy boots for Christmas but they opened them early so they could wear them around the farm. Riley’s had his favorite color, orange on the tops and Lexi’s were decorated with pink roses and pink horseshoes. After all, you can’t hang out in Texas without your boots.

Son-in-law Ryan, got assigned to bring in Betty Sue. I have to say I think he was a little enamored with her. Ryan took her down to the arena after she ate and worked with her on her leading. At this point in a long but fun day, he was definitely the most competent person to work with her. He made her follow him and back and turn. After her arena exercises were complete, Betty Sue got to have her ‘run in the arena’ time. I warned Ryan to hide behind a jump. She looks so small and innocent but when she comes running down the long wall of the arena in a full gallop she is a bit intimidating as she slides to a stop right in front of you. I saw both Amber and Ryan pull out their phones to video a little Betty Sue magic as she made her way up and down. I had Ryan watch her change her leads precisely at the corner and we both marvelled over how pretty she was. She is butt-high again-measurements tonight (Dec. 1st) so we will see how much she has grown this month.

We finally went inside to settle in for the night.

Amber told her kids that at Granny’s they sit on the floor and the dogs sit on the couch.

Thanksgiving dawned cool but beautifully clear. Lexi insisted on wearing a ruffled little grey dress. Her mom wanted to her to change, but I helped her figure out some sweaters and headbands to keep her warm. She was eager to pose in her strange outfit.

Lexi and her warm outfit.

The kids played as the day warmed up. Casseroles cooked in the oven and crock-pot. Luke was in charge of frying the turkey and it turned out perfectly. Luke’s parents, Blake and Libby joined us for Thanksgiving dinner and it was a grateful, appreciative group we formed around the table. It had been a hard year emotionally and physically for many of us, but we all were grateful to be together. Many times during long weekend I thought of my mom and Thanksgivings past.

After our dinner, Libby, Lauren and kids all rode. Luke, Ally and the kids stayed over and Friday found another gorgeous day ahead of us. By now, mowers had been fixed, fence boards re-hung and other tasks complete by the “boys”. Ally got the tractor going with the dump cart hooked up behind. The little kids, Lula and big kid, Lauren, all climbed in for rides around the farm.

Wheeling around the farm.

Friday night found us at our favorite local restaurant, Stevan Pho’s. Both Lexi and Riley have nut allergies and Chef Stevan had cleaned out a special part of the restaurant to prepare their meal with no nut contamination. Steak, crab legs and teriyaki chicken were a nice change from all the turkey we had eaten.

Lexi and Kendyll got matching dresses but different attitudes toward our dinner out.

We finished up the evening with s’mores over the fire pit at the farm. Mia and Wendy joined us as well. Wendy clearly had been holding out on us as she got on Snowboy bareback under the bright arena lights and trotted over some jumps. All we have heard from her is “I am afraid of horses”. I guess her days growing up on a West Virginia farm were still in her bones.

Our last day, Saturday, more wonderful Texas weather prevailed. I think we actually wore down Ryan over the four days with Houston weather on its best behavior. He vastly prefers Colorado over Texas (who doesn’t?) but there are some great times to be had in southern state. He enjoyed everything about the farm. He learned the horse’s names and figured out the chore rotation. I was a little shocked when in the arena on Saturday, I looked over to see him riding Kalina bareback. He insisted he had to a least get on a horse while he was here.

I wanted a Christmas card picture with the kids and had in mind exactly how it should look. My big quarter horse mare, Kalani was the go-to girl, when it came time for the grandkids to show their holiday spirit. I left to get some props and told the girls to dress their kids in jeans tucked into their boots. While the parents were a little skeptical, and I know I will hear about the lack of helmets, it was a magic moment aboard my wonderful Hancock mare as the kids rode together reminiscent of the de Leyer kids aboard Snowman over 50 years ago.

From littlest to biggest on Kalani’s broad back, Kendyll, Lexi, Riley and Jordyn

I am grateful, thankful and blessed. Hope you all had a great holiday too!

Leaving you with one of my favorite shots of the weekend—

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.

Jordyn-An official rider

Posted on October 30, 2014 by Exechorseluver

My seven year-old granddaughter, Jordyn, had her second official lesson with trainer, Dev, yesterday. She has been riding and even showing in lead-line classes since she was a wee one, but it has been an uphill battle to build her confidence and desire to move on to doing more than a walk.

Jordyn came up with the idea of “leasing” her aunt Lauren’s horse Mickey after watching the girls at the farm enjoy and ride their leased horses. It was a brilliant idea! Although no money was ever exchanged we all went along with the concept of Jordyn having her own horse to lease.

Young (2 year-old) Jordyn having a little talk with Snow before a lead-line class.

Jordyn headed into the ring with Snowboy.

Many of you probably wonder what happened with her pony, Snowboy. Well, he is being leased by Mia AND he has a really bumpy trot. Mickey had a much quieter schedule and was available for Jordyn. Plus, Mickey started life out as a western pleasure horse and has a little western jog (a slow trot) that is easy for Jordyn to ride.

Jordyn finally gained the confidence this summer to trot Mickey on her own. This led to her being allowed to saddle up and ride Mickey in the arena by herself (with our watchful eyes ever on her). This practice time and time without pushy parents, grandparents or aunts, allowed Jo to master stopping, starting, walking, trotting and backing her horse just when and where she wanted to without anyone bothering her.

Last week we sent her and Mickey out for their first official lesson together. Jordyn had a pretty good grasp of walking and doing a sitting trot (jog) but really had no concept of what a posting trot was. She was efficient at turning and stopping so it was a good time to add this new physical requirement of moving up and down out of the saddle in time with the horse’s four-beat trot.

Before Dev came, Kalani and I spent some time riding around with Mick and Jo. I tried to get her to post and would count 1-2, 1-2, in conjunction with Mickey’s movement. It did not go well. It was more like up 1, hold a few steps, down 2, sit a few steps. Or even sometimes, Jo went very quickly like 1-2-1-2-1-2 while Mickey was still on just the first 1-2. Is anyone following this? Synchronization was not in place.

Somehow though, last Wednesday at their first lesson, after a series of “look ahead where you are going” and “Jo, quit looking down”, Jordyn started to trot ahead with a little more pace and posting started to fall into place as well. Maybe Dev’s counting technique was just better than mine.

I am fairly certain that Dev never said “Jordyn and Mickey-both of you close your eyes!”

By this week, Jordyn was trotting like pro. She asked Dev when she could do her first “real” horse show and was told she had a few more things to master (like being on the right trotting diagonal, for instance) but it would not be long. Jordyn is ecstatic! She loves being a part of the girls at the farm and to be on the show team is the equivalent of heaven. She even dressed the part this week with tiny polo shirt on, neatly tucked into her buff breeches, with her hair cascading down her back in a braid.

This week with polo shirt, half chaps and looking just like the other girls.

Just coincidently, looking exactly like her riding mate of the day, Liv, who was executing more sophisticated riding movements on her pony at the same time.

One day soon it will be time to try her first canter. That is when it will be back to Snowboy who may hold the record for the easiest canter to ride on earth. If Jordyn asks Mickey to canter she may end up fly down the arena wall, jumping a series of jumps and landing in a heap in the sand. So, probably better not to ask her to try that. But there will be lots of shows doing just walk-trot that Mickey will serve Jordyn well. Lauren started, long ago, on Mickey doing walk-trot as well so it is a pretty wonderful tradition to see repeated.
As always, thanks for riding with us.

A new horse-New love

Posted on September 13, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Jordyn and Kona getting to know Kalani.

At 16 hands, she Cary's those big-bone Hancock genes.

At 16 hands, she carries those big-bone Hancock genes.

A week ago, we were battling Bruno’s last hours. I was distracted about everything else and if you would have told me a new horse would be taking up space in my barn, I would have thought it was some new boarder certainly not a horse I was interested in.

But life moves in crazy ways, breaking our hearts and just as cleanly slicing it open so love can flow again. I have been watching, seeking, wanting a horse for Ally and I to ride. A nice pleasure horse, quiet, dependable and kind. But I have been looking a long time and not found anything close to right.

Tuesday, the day after Bruno died, Lauren started reading me Facebook ads for horses. One caught my attention as it was the right price, nearby, pretty, and looked quiet in the video. Talking to the owner, I realized I had known her for some time from working horse shows and watching her ride.

For someone deep in grief over my momma and my big horse, something about this pretty mare with amazing tail spoke loudly to me. We brought Libby along to try the mare out. By the time the owner had finished putting the eight year old through her basic paces I was sold. Libby rode her fine, but the decision was already made.

Felt so great to get my tack out and ride my horse!

Two days later, the Zippo Pine Bar/Hancock bred Quarter horse is in my barn. She is a blue roan, named Zip a Blue Valentine, whom I have named Kalani, which means sent from heaven in Hawaiian. Jordyn kept asking me if the mare was taking Bruno’s place. No one can ever take Bruno’s place. This is a totally new and different beginning with a completely different partner. Loving Kalani does not diminish in any way my love for Big Bruno.

First trot!

So, this horse is not a rescue, not an OTTB or OTQH, simply a backyard horse, looking for her next family. Perhaps this time I was the one that needed to be rescued from dark days and a broken heart. Kalani has come to bring joy back in my life. I am so happy and grateful.

Oh the joys of owning a wonderful horse!

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Thank you for the literally thousands of well wishes and extensions of sympathy you have sent my family and I. Thank you for always riding along.

p.s. Jordyn was my great partner today and the talented photographer of all these pictures.

Pretty as a Picture

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Bruno as a background for Jordyn and Kendyll

Our seven-year old, off-the-track thoroughbred Bruno, has always been one handsome horse. However in the past 45 days, Bruno’s feet have been acting up again causing him to be seriously lame on one of his four feet consistently keeping him from leaving his stall until recently.

Bruno came to us lame and we did surgery at Texas A&M Vet hospital. He has been sound and working pretty well in the last six months prior to this incident. Bruno managed to complete an intense but outstanding jumping clinic with a local trainer in late December of last year. He has been ridden very well by our resident dressage and eventing expert, Amelia, since we moved to the new farm in April. The two managed some lessons with both Dev and Nancy Lindsey for jumping and dressage. He was going great.

Then Amelia went out-of-town on an extended trip and it all fell apart (yes, I blame Amelia!). Actually, I think his boredom from not being worked lead to his racing around in the pasture which lead to him pulling his shoes off, over and over, and destroying what fragile bit of hoof wall he had. Not mention some nasty abscesses took up residence in his hooves as well.

The plan was to keep his shoes off, let his hooves grow and then start re-shaping them for more effective traveling in the future (so he would not be catching his back hooves on his front hooves). Barefoot Bruno was not a happy guy unlike the doll Barefoot Barbie, Bruno did not have a smile on his face or fun times. His feet just hurt.

Meanwhile, my ever practical daughter, Lauren (practical when it comes to things I care about, not so much about things she cares about) kept pointing out to anyone who would listen that we could not keep such a big horse, that we could not work, that would not eat, that we were amassing vet and farrier bills on, indefinitely.

I agreed but felt (most of the time) that there were better days ahead for Bruno. I did have a period when I was painstakingly opening 30 individual antibiotic capsules to dump their contents into a bowl so I could give them to Bruno each morning and night, mixed into vegetable oil and shot in his mouth with a syringe, while he played the “I am taller than you game” at my every approach to his stall, that I wanted to personally shoot him or me or someone.

Sean, our farrier even said that if he felt he couldn’t get Bruno better he would personnally drive the backhoe to dig the hole to bury him in, but we were not there yet.

At one point three of his legs were involved with infections or just swelling from so much inactivity. Sean and Dr. Criner worked together to make pads to elevate Bruno’s front feet off the ground to give him some comfort from the pain. Sheets of thick rubber were cut to fit the bottom of his foot, then in essence ‘super-glued’ to his hoof with long pieces left to be glued to sides of the hoof. Sean is an engineer in addition to being a former jockey and a farrier. Dr. Criner has a creative streak as well. I was afraid I would come home to find Bruno on roller skates or something!

Barefoot Bruno becomes super glue Bruno

Weeks have turned into months and finally, Bruno appears to be on the mend. I have been dragging him out of his stall to get some sun and green grass. Each day he has been better about going out and more reluctant to go back in. One evening, I had already poured breakfast feed for Mickey and TeeDee that pasture outside all night. Bruno roamed around the barn and ate both meals through the windows of their stalls. Any other horse you would be worried about or mad, but Bruno can use any food he will eat.

Yesterday, we found the perfect profession for Bruno in his semi-lame state. We made him the model in Jordyn and Kendyll’s professional pictures. I got him all cleaned up, white socks white again, mane and tail washed and conditioned, coat gleaming and pulled out his show halter (of course, he has never been to a show, but we can always hope). When Elvia (Memories by Elvia) showed up, I hauled Bruno down to the back pasture behind the kids and figured with his less-than-mobile abilities he would be a perfect prop.

Then the camera flash started popping and off Bruno went, up the hill towards the barn. I was being laughed at from the arena as I chased behind the hobbling horse. I just want to point out that his legs are quite a bit longer than mine, so he is way faster, even at the walk. I dragged him back to the “photo shoot” and got him re-positioned. From that point forward, Bruno was like a high-paid model, he would have won “America’s Next Top Model” honors. He posed. He tilted his head. He turned back to look at the girls. He bowed his head to take candy from their hands. Then he stood stock still in perfect thoroughbred form as both girls got on him with just the halter and lead rope. This is a seven year-old racehorse, albeit a lame one, still he was amazingly patient.

I am sure I will be showing updated pictures for a while. I am really excited about them.

Oh, Jordyn and Kendyll, they were pretty awesome as well. They are cute girls! I think my next step will be to get an agent for Bruno and he can start on his new modeling career right away!

And that’s a wrap, folks.

Life goes on

Posted on August 31, 2014 by Exechorseluver

Joy-pure and simple with Jordyn and Isabel and Prosecco.

The long weekend has proven to give me some much-needed time to catch up on the million chores left in the wake of a month on speed drive. I finally actually sat on my couch for the first time since the August started. I weeded some flower beds. But mostly this weekend was about getting to a new normal. Where I am not driving each day to see my mom. Where my daughter who has spent almost every day on horseback for 15 years is settling for designing some jump courses and helping where she can. It is all very new. But we are settling in. I have a routine now and it is not quite so overwhelming.

I still do not have a death certificate on my mother. One doctor won’t sign it and the other has been out-of-town, then it has to go to Austin for completion. I am stranded in this land between living and dead where I cannot manage her affairs (or mine).

This weekend is my grandson Riley’s fifth birthday to be celebrated in Denver tomorrow. Wish he was here to celebrate with Jordyn and I. Jordyn has had a weekend full of fun. She has finally developed enough skill handling her horse Mickey that I can leave them in the arena and she can walk and trot him all on her own. She was perfect when showing her Mimi and Papa Friday. It is a huge accomplishment for her and one that goes a long way to building confidence in other areas of her life.

The barn girls are great with her. They all give her special attention and put up with her constant questions. Isabel and her horse Prosecco offered to let Jo ride bareback double with them and they wandered all over the back pasture with huge smiles.

Jo happily accompanying Isabel on a ride.

Teenagers and seven-year olds don’t always make fast friends but Isabel has been so kind and caring. It makes Jordyn want to try new things to be more like her friends.

I understand her other friend Mia has a surprise in store for Jordyn with a saddle pad she has sewn herself. Jordyn will be thrilled.

Lauren and I need some therapy so went and got our hair cut. Lauren’s looks beautiful after some color and a good cut. Almost like when she was a baby with her long blonde hair.

Sometimes a girl just has to know her hair is perfect.

Lauren started occupational therapy mid-week. It did not go well. The therapist reportedly told her it was unlikely she would ever use her hand again. And in demonstration of that had her talk to a women whose hand was hurt in 2011 and still has not had it returned to full use. Wednesday was a dark night. Lauren was overwhelmed with grief, loss (of her nanny and her hand) and the loss of her usual life, riding, caring for horses and going to school. Fortunately her therapist on Friday was way more upbeat, praising her for what she accomplishing and not dwelling on the future.

Some of our favorite friends, Caitlyn and her mom have been over for dinner and now Cate has been back to ride Feather for us a few times. I am happy Lauren and Caitlyn are re-igniting their friendship and hope maybe Lauren can travel some with Cate during this quiet period in her life.

Another friend has been on the search for a top barrel horse and after a few stops and starts, I think she has found a winner today. Well started with cutting training, quiet but with quite a motor when it is switched on, and breed well enough to turn into an outstanding brood mare any day, I think this “Dashin for Love” horse could be the one she has waited for.

I am happy to be holding someone else’s new mare!

I did not get the draft cross mare from the rescue back East. Lauren has been campaigning against her saying we have too much on our hands, but I regret not getting her. I just pray she goes to a happy safe home. It is the best I can do.

I also had a question from the former owners of our Burmese cats, how were they doing and had they settled in to be part of the family. These two cats have cheerfully and totally kept Lauren company, cuddling alongside her through these many, many sleepless nights as she has suffered in pain through the wee hours of the morning. We are so grateful for them coming to us at this time and loving us so fully.

Burmese brother and sister cats.

Final note, Bruno is starting to get around better on his abscessed foot. He made it from the barn all the way across to arena. Young Jordyn sat tall on his bare back as he gleefully watched his horse friends work in the lesson this morning. I am encouraged he is better and proud Jo is brave enough now to sit on the gentle giant.

Thank you as always for riding along and sharing our life. We are grateful for your love and support.

Exechorseluver

The life and times of modern day horse woman

Category Archives: Grandkids