Doctor Updates

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Sneaky is 100% well, has nothing to do with tonight’s story but is very cute!

Sometimes, it is frustrating as I have been around the human medical profession and the animal medical world enough to know what things are but not always how to fix them.

A week ago, I was leading Snow and Pixie to the back pasture with the incentive of fresh alfalfa hay so that we could let Bruno out in the front pasture. Snow and Pixie are vying for their pecking order in the herd behind Mickey and Feather. I really think Pixie is winning-which is weird that Snow is being submissive to the younger pony but then she is a girl and you know how boys can be led astray by cute girls.

ANYWAY, I am holding the hay and trying to watch both sides of me (Snow on one, Pix on the other) when Snow swoops in for a big bite of alfalfa. Well, he got my arm instead. Horses have large, strong jaws and Snow clamped down on my arm. He bit me deeply, breaking the skin and causing a lot of bleeding and pain.

I knew a visit to the doctor was a good idea. I did not think the bone was broken. But emotionally, physically and intellectually I could not face an emergency room visit. I have tried to keep it clean, soak it, use antibiotic cream but it has continued to be red, bruised and hurt. Today I saw the doctor. I should have had a couple of stitches. Nothing is broken but it is infected. There is a lot deep tissue bruising and it will hurt awhile. Money well spent to confirm what I knew. Huh!

The slow parade of Mickey, Pixie and tiny kitten Levi went off to the farrier and vet this morning. Mickey has an abscess (which is what I have been saying for ten days) But now it is confirmed by the vet. Jason, the farrier, was able to open it and the abscess started draining immediately. Fortunately, it is on the bottom of his hoof so it should heal well. More antibiotics and some hoof soaks for Mick and he should be good as new in a couple of weeks.

Pixie had her feet trimmed and was just happy to get home. Lauren did comment that it was great to have horses like Pix and Mick who loaded easily (no angst) and stood quietly in the trailer while waiting for the vet to open. Who would have guessed we would ever be complimenting Mickey’s manners!! Especially about loading into the trailer. Things change, for sure.

The kitten does not have any more worms, does not have feline leukemia or AIDs (thank God!). However, we do not know what is causing the constant, debilitating diarreha. We are trying some meds for giardia (a stomach parasite-I have had it before and it is no fun) but if he does not get better in a few days there is little left to try for the darling kitten I rescued off the street three weeks ago. I cannot responsibly spend any more money on this cat, nor continue to subject a kitten to being so sick all time. I pray this medication does the trick and his little life is turned around.

Lauren headed up to Houston after school (and horse/cat pick up) to a foot specialist. She has been having miserable heel pain. I diagnosed plantar fasciitis. And the high paid foot specialist said, wait for it, plantar fasciitis! It is an inflammation of the thick tissue that connects the heel to the toes. It is very painful. Lauren hates needles. The doctor told her she needed her foot injected. She threatened to vomit on the doctor. He told her to look at the ceiling. Then the “giant” (Lauren’s word) needle went in her foot by her ankle. The doctor told her not to kick him in the face. Then he told her she had evidence of early on-set osteoporosis. More good news.

I am not at all gratified about being right with all my diagnoses.

Here’s a prayer to all getting well and healing quickly! Thanks for riding along.

Hump day night

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Before you ask, her helmet is in the same place her bridle, saddle and boots are.

Another fun evening at the farm. We had gotten the trailer hooked up so that still lame Mickey can get to the vet and farrier tomorrow. Mickey twisted his shoe off in the mud, pulling the nails through his hoof. Lauren, unsuccessfully it turns out, tried to pull the nails free from the hoof.

That was ten days ago. X-rays confirm part of the nail is broken off inside his hoof. We have tried to get the hoof to blow the abscess on its own with soaking, antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and time. But Mick is not getting better. Tomorrow farrier Jason will try to cut the nail out while being guided by the x-ray images. That should be pricey. I am just hoping they can get him back to walking.

The trailer is pulled up right next to the gate.

The trailer is pulled as close to the barn as possible but Mickey can barely walk so it might still be too far. Pony Pixie will go along so she can get her feet trimmed as well. She missed the rotation with Roland when she was at Sarah’s. Along also, will be kitten Esther (now known as Levi) as he has continued his stomach problems for almost two weeks and multiple treatments. He is miserable with his constant diarrhea and we must find a solution for the little guy or put him down.

I guess to lighten the mood of lame horses and poopy cats, after Lauren dragged the arena with my VW Golf, I challenged Lauren that I would give her $100 if she could get on any of the horses bareback while they were turned out in their various paddocks. (I know this is why we get hurt!-We play stupid games.)

First, she headed to the Boy of Snow (Snowboy, geez) thinking that was easy cash. But I have a whole group of girls from Whipple Tree that would have told her that was a bad plan. Lauren placed her hands on Snow’s back, prepared to vault on his back. His ears flattened on his head, his hind end came up to buck and his head whipped around to bite her. Snow was not having it. Not one bit!

Next she approached Pixie. Pixie has been pretty quiet since coming home but took her lead from Snow with another big NO! Lauren couldn’t catch Feather who had just started on her nightly alfalfa.

Now, I would have been headed to Mickey’s stall. He is locked in a stall. He cannot walk. How easy is that? But no, Lauren headed for Bruno’s paddock. Now remember, no helmet, no halter, nothing but naked horse and silly girl. Lauren got out our little step stool and did some practice pushing on his back. Bruno thought Dr. Criner had returned to do some chiropractic work.

I think we can rule out that Bruno ever has been ridden bareback. It is just not part of most racetrack training programs and we had never tried it (nor will I ever try it!). Lauren got the wobbly little step stool next to bru and launched herself high up onto his broad back. She just didn’t quite make it over.

But amazingly, Bruno stood quietly as Lauren maneuvered herself to a sitting position. I quietly crept in and got the little stool out of the way. So many things were wrong with this game. Any quick movement from Bruno and Lauren would be on the ground and perhaps flattened like a pancake. Or a bolt from Bru might have resulted in her decapitation with the low ceiling and hanging fans. A fall from Bruno without a helmet could have resulted in a major head trauma. I was pretty happy when Lauren slide down from Bruno no worse for wear. She looked at me and said, “I am not getting the $100 am I?” No, Lauren you’re not.

Flying High-a Feather story in pictures

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Feather and Lauren making a pretty sharp team.

Lauren is easily five feet off the ground here.

The back of this horse may be the closest Lauren ever will come to flying without wings.

If you were going to look for a jumping horse, as they call our horses here in Wharton, the pictures above would be a pretty good guide. The horse’s knees, should be up to their chest, parallel and tight. An honest horse takes the center of the jump and Feather is pretty close.

The horse should be using her body, the neck rounded, the shoulders strong and the hind quarter propelling the horse over the jump athletically. The rider should be evenly balanced in the saddle, and not interfering with the horse. The top picture is a pretty good picture. Lauren’s position could be slightly improved but anyone witnessing their rounds would know that Feather was jumping hard and landing hard. Lauren was doing an admirable job of staying with the mare on the slam, bang assault of the jump course.

The second shot is good of Feather showing her natural jumping ability. I think Lauren’s leg dropped back a tad here with the size of the jump (or at least as high as Feather is jumping).

The third picture shows Lauren in a better position. Her leg is in a better place, with the stirrup sitting about even with where her little toe is ( I know this as I have x-ray vision). Her leg is exactly where it should be, with her heel deep. She is almost pulling off an advanced release where there is a straight line from her elbow to Feather’s mouth. That is nice.

And finally, the horse and rider must be in harmony, moving as a unit through the various jumps on course with the horse sensing a change in direction, in pace, in stride almost as quickly as the rider thinks it. Feather is growing in her ability to jump high, in her experience over different types of fences and in her communication with Lauren.

And you thought I was just going to show you some more horse pictures! Lauren came in while I was writing this and said “who do you think you are? George Morris?” Oh, I wish, Lauren. You would be a better rider then!

A Ghost of a Chance

Posted on October 19, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Very weird image. It looks like Laure does not fully exist. Like she and Feather are merely ghosts.

Very weird image. It looks like Lauren does not fully exist. Like she and Feather are merely ghosts.

Once upon a time, when I was still healing from a broken pelvis and feeling like I would never be able to provide for my family again, Lauren and I went to a horse show at Serenity Acres.

Our friends, Dee and Melissa, had just bought a horse named Flagmount’s Sterling Prince. When I saw him there in a stall I was immediately won over by the combination of his beautiful sterling silver coat and his huge size. Then I watched him jump. He flew over the courses. I had heard rumors he had been purchased for less than five figures. I still remember longing for a horse like Prince that could get for Lauren that a winning combination of looks, size and temperament. One day, I promised myself, one day.

Almost two years ago, I saw a post on Facebook for the sale of Prince’s half-sister, Feather. These same friends (that had owned Prince) owned four-year old Feather. Like many of us, horse economics in our barns go up and down. Sometimes you sell the best of what you have because, of course, that brings the best money. I had heard Prince, who had gone on to be a top Eventing horse, had recently sold for over six figures. Not sure if that was true or not, but I had always remembered my reaction to Prince and thought if I could buy his relative, then I would be lucky indeed.

I regret a few things in my life, but immediately telling Dee we would buy Feather, sight unseen from Florida, has never been one of them. Okay, maybe there was a short period of time when she was nutso crazy, scared of everything, unwilling to load in the trailer and wacky, that I did question it, but never too seriously.

We gave Feather the show name of Flagmount’s Irish Freedom and started dreaming.

Lauren took this horse from just broke to ride, and worked her long hours, schooled her, loved her and earned her trust. From poles my dog Kona could have jumped to USEF Low Amateur division today, they plodded along. Going slowly, earning their right to move, step by step, to each new height division.

Honestly, the horse who got off the trailer from Florida on a cold January night, filled with her own demons, really had little more than a ghost of a chance to succeed to the jumper rings in the USEF.

In the last six months, after the ground issues were dealt with, Feather started gaining skill, gaining confidence and showing some speed. We signed up for her first USEF rated show hoping to take it day by day. Succeeding in one height division, then pushing on to the next.

Thursday started out at .75 of a meter (a meter is a little bigger than three feet). Lauren was second! Accurate, quick, jumping well and handling the big arena like she had been doing it for 20 years not just a handful of times. Moving next to .85s, Feather and Lauren had the fastest time but got in badly to one jump and knocked down a rail. Still they were fourth. Friday found them flying through the .90s and .95s, picking up still more ribbons and jumping well and clean.

As we faded into Saturday’s finale ( for us anyway) the only thing giving Feather pause was a big Liverpool jump. A Liverpool jump appears like water under a jump. Feather had never seen one, jumped one or thought about one. As the pair jumped clean to move onto the jump off, Lauren knew the big Liverpool was waiting. I saw Lauren gather Feather as they approached the jump. Lauren urged her forward with her leg and spurs. Feather got that “oh, my God, you have got to be kidding me” look on pretty face. She did not want to jump but did. She jumped it huge. No water was touching her! (Actually there was no water in the pool, just blue vinyl looking like water.)

Today we faced the water jump again. Feather had thought about it over night and decided no water jump today. Lauren got her only refusal to jump in the entire show with the water jump this morning. Feather got reprimanded and returned to jump the Liverpool again.

There have been times when ribbons at “A” shows for us have been scarcer than a compromise at a government shut down, but this show Feather earned a ribbon in every round they rode; a second, two-thirds, two fourths and an eighth.

I could not have been prouder! It was great to have my daughter, Ally, along two days to support her sister. Jo ( she said she and Snowney are going to jump the water jump! Lauren told her, you don’t even trot!) and Kendyll were great companions as well.

Jo and Ken bundled up to cheer on aunt Lauren. Who gave Kendyll the crop?

It was great to have Amanda making her big show debut as well. She and Lucy had some great hunter rounds. Libby was back on rescue horse, Cody, stealing the blue ribbons while Julia and Christine were doing their best in the jumper ring too!

Good times, good friends, lots of laughs and my Kona dog had a blast. The ghosts surrounding Lauren and Feather must have been benevolent spirits. We were clearly being watched over!

Day 300-A Bruno Story

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Strong hooves, strong shoulders and a newly found strong horse, Bruno takes flight.

Three hundreds days ago
TAMU Vets did surgery to clean and cure
Giant Bruno’s infected hoof.

Over one fourth of his left front hoof
Was cut away with surgical precision.
Antibiotics pumped directly into the bone
Day after day until it was finally time
To come home.

Over five months he spent jailed in a wooden cell
No way to fill the long hours or the boredom
Just a view from the top stall rail of the world
Passing by, cows, trucks, tractors and more.
A literal tv screen of slow entertainment.

Finally summer and a release from Dr. Marsh
Allowed Bruno to run free again, the racing
Blood of his ancestors coursing through his veins.
Back under saddle, controllable, but only because
He desired to be controlled, most of the time.

Finally ready, after plaster casts were molded to protect
and support his soft, fragile hoof walls
did we get an okay to launch the big guy
Over his first fences. Of course, he could soar!
But boy, he did not want to jump. No way!
His workouts on the flat got better and better.

His jumping over fences became more matter of fact, as we continued
Lap after lap, walk, trot or canter but always with a small fence to cross.
As days became weeks, we thought there might be some
jumper in the big horse after all. And still he got stronger, better
And anxious mentally to fly for Lauren. Houston, we had lift-off.
One day he just started to get it!

Today is day 300 from surgery and the mighty thoroughbred Bruno,
Is as good as he once was and maybe better than he ever was.
Today with these short months under saddle he would already make
A great dressage mount. Each ride is smoother, more fluid, than the last
yet emits strength and fitness in every step.

We were told he would not be rideable for one year after surgery.
We earned some extra time with him growing back his hoof so fast.
We learned a lot taking on this magnificent OTTB. We learned about
Faith, courage and love. We couldn’t be happier to have our big man
Back to work with nary a hint that trouble ever brewed.

Thank you to all that have supported and cheered on the “startling beautiful” (According to off-Track Thoroughbreds) Bruno.

Three hundred days-look how far he has come!

Collected, flowing and moving like a dream!

Pixie goes to a barrel race

Posted on October 12, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Kendyll taking the final ride out of the arena on Pixie with Sarah leading and Lauren alongside.

It was a fast and furious start to the weekend as we headed out with the empty horse trailer this morning.

It has been six weeks since German Riding pony, Pixie, went off to trainer Sarah Sumrall for some basic training. We were eager to see how she was doing. But to complicate life a bit, Ally was signed up as a volunteer for Jordyn’s school fund-raiser. Luke and Jordyn were signed up for a fishing tournament. Baby Kendyll had no one to watch her.

It is a three-hour round trip from our farm to Sarah’s. We picked up Kendyll and her car seat, iPad for Mickey movies, multiple cups of juices, snacks, diapers and a couple of bags of assorted stuff.

The weather was ominous, with banks of dark clouds following us as we drove criss-cross Houston. The rain was pouring down as we pushed through Rosenberg but the sun broke through again as we made it to Sarah’s. Kendyll watched some Mickey Mouse Club House. We played a fun game where she coughed, then I coughed, several times. She is very cute!

Sarah rode Pixie for us and what was a halting, evading pony, who had never cantered for us, was now a smooth, mature pony with three lovely gaits. I wanted to cry when I first saw the little roan pony break into a lovely, flat kneed canter that would be the envy of the hunter ring. Sarah reversed directions. Pixie picked up the correct lead without issue and cantered several nice circles. Pixie had learned to back and halt quietly. Quite impressive accomplishments for a pony I had trouble moving from a walk to a trot.

Pixie loaded easily into the trailer and we headed to a barrel race! Sarah is an outstanding, top barrel racer with a great reputation in Houston. I idly suggested taking Pixie out of the trailer when we got to the fairgrounds and put a sign around her neck saying “Pony For Sale! 45 Days Professional training by Sarah”. I could have probably sold her in ten minutes flat. But we were at the fairgrounds to see a truck we had found for sale on Facebook.

We had been looking for a new truck. We have a Chevy 1500 with a small V-8 engine. A friend posted an ad for a Chevy 2500 with a diesel engine. It is an older truck than mine but has fewer miles. Lauren and I are very excited about owning it. All the details should be worked out next week. It is such a nice truck and will allow us to pull the weight of 1500 pound Bruno, 1200 pound Feather and 1100 pound Mickey all it once. Right now, it is strictly one at a time in the trailer.

The new “older” truck!

I had told my friend at work that I had bought a truck online. She laughed at me and said,”you bought a truck on eBay!” No, I told her, I bought one on Facebook!

Busy morning, with horses, grand kids and a new truck to come! The rains followed us on home but the accomplishments of the day were not tarnished.

Thanks for riding along and huge thanks to Sarah for doing such a great job on my pony.

Kendyll dresses the part

Posted on October 9, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Fifteen month old Kendyll sporting her first jodhpurs and paddock boots.

Yesterday, I got home from the assisted living facility to find Ally and the girls over at the barn. Lauren was tacking up Feather and Jordyn was working on Snow. But the big surprise was when I saw baby Kendyll dressed in Jordyn’s old riding pants and first paddock boots. She was absolutely adorable as a tiny little equestrian. Maybe because her diaper took up so much room, her little jodhpurs were tight and she was walking really bow legged for someone who had never spent much time in the saddle.

Mickey was taking a little after dinner nap and welcomed Jo and Kendyll into his stall. Ken was having the best time. She is trying to say every word she hears and has quite a big vocabulary for such a little one. Kendyll loves the horses, dog-dogs and the kitties. When we got to the arena, Lauren set her up on Feather. Each time she set her back on the ground, her tiny arms were immediately stretching up to aunt Lauren for another ride.

I guess we all might as well get used to having another rider join the family. After all she has the clothes for it!

Esther??

Posted on October 7, 2013 by Exechorseluver

I have not posted in a couple days, not because I have had nothing to say but because I have been too busy to say it. First, who is Esther?

Well, yesterday leaving the nursing home after visiting mom, fixing up her new bed frame and headboard, we passed some apartments. We had gotten the much anticipated cold front and rain early Sunday morning. Lauren exclaimed as we passed the apartment parking lot that a dog and a little kitten were huddling on the pavement. I told her to go back.

So, she turned the truck around and parked. I went after the kitten. A terrier mix dog evidently nursing some pups somewhere was keeping an eye on the tiny kitten. I asked a teen texting on the stairs if she knew if the animals belonged to anyone. She thought the dog lived across the street but thought the kitten was a stray.

I went into the Cindy rescues animal mode. I talked softly to the kitten who was wet and shivering. The kitten ran under a parked car. I eased my way around the car waiting for someone in the apartments above to yell at me to get away from their car. Lauren rolled the windows up on the truck and ignored me.

I got down on the wet concrete and attempted to snatch up the kitten. The kitten moved further under the car. I moved to the other side. I tried the talk softly thing again. The momma dog came to me. The kitten meowed at me from behind the tire. I crawled around on my hands and knees, still waiting for someone to accuse me of trying to steal their rims. Kitten ran to another tire.

I stood up and shrugged my shoulders at Lauren (still in truck nice and dry). The kitten came back out in the sun, standing near me, meowing loudly. I went for the snatch again. The kitten was faster and under the car. Again! We played this game for awhile. I crawled around some more. I watched for squad cars. I listened for a gun being cocked.

I tried to reach through the fancy rims. I failed. Kitten changed tire position again. I got up and shrugged at Lauren. She ignored me.

Okay, so you get the idea. Old lady is crawling around parked cars in now wet clothes followed anxiously by a little terrier while seemingly talking to myself. Very odd. Finally, I decided to make a deal with God. “If you want me to take care of this kitten, you let me catch her!” I reached from behind the tire (I know, super tricky!) and grabbed the little cat.

Thankfully she came did not claw my eyes out. In fact, she settled into my favorite sweatshirt and proceeded to poop and purr. Good times. Lauren threatened my life for smelling up the truck with the delicious sensation of wet, poopy cat.

After a warm bath in the sink, a blow dry and some ointment it was determined the kitten is a boy, who Lauren still insisted on calling Esther. Today the vet said Esther is fine except for multiple strains of worms and ear mites. He will be just fine. Welcome baby Esther! We needed another animal.

Fall in the air, soon!

Posted on October 3, 2013 by Exechorseluver

The bright light of dawn silhouetting Bruno this morning.

The weather from May to October in south Texas is often an indistinguishable blur of humid, hot days. Another dawned today with highs expected near 90 degrees, again.

I find myself surprised when I see the calendar or write October on a check, that it is indeed fall. Seems like the extension of summer that just goes on and on.

But fall brings changes and Lauren and I are preparing for them. Pixie is due home from the trainer soon and will make six horses in the barn. It is unclear right now if we will sell her or keep working and training her. I asked Lauren to do an inventory of horse blankets. I know I replaced Mickey and Kid’s last year but I am not sure if I have the right sizes for the two ponies, Pixie and Snow, when the weather changes.

Bruno got a new turn-out sheet in the mail yesterday. It is over seven feet long from one end to another and sports a fashionable, yet masculine print. We tried it on him last night and I had trouble reaching to get it up over his high, broad back. Boy scouts could camp under this huge sheet. As a thoroughbred, Bruno does not grow as heavy of winter coat as Snowboy or Mickey. The turnout sheet will be waterproof and windproof as the weather starts to look more Chicago-like than Miami.

While Saturday is still in the 90’s, the low on Sunday will be 51! I am going to have some crazy horses. The first cold snap of the year always is exciting and stimulating-typically the barometer drops as well. I plan to stay away from Bruno and not get caught up in any running hooves.

It may be a great time to try to update my blog cover photo which still shows a very dappled Feather, and long gone Leo and Sabrina. I have no doubt running horses will be sprinting across the pasture.

Fall will bring us back to the “A” show ring with Feather. Her first attempt at the rated show ring found her sick and returned home within the hours of the show start. This time Lauren and Feather will show in the jumper ring. I have no doubt they will continue to progress and pick up some ribbons for their efforts.

Our new roof over the barn, instituted to keep the summer sun at bay, will be an asset as the fall rains begin. At least we will have some dry ground to care for the horses on. And Kona can play ball along the 75 foot covered space, not that he cares much one way or the other about getting wet or cold!

I rode Feather and Lauren worked Bruno the other night. Bruno usually spends at least the first ten minutes acting a little stupid. Then some true work can begin. The Bruno I watched go in the arena in the early dusk, was fabulous. I have never seen him work so well under-saddle or be so balanced. We have kept up the two caveletti jumps down the center of the arena. Bruno has accepted jumping them from a walk, trot or canter as asked. He was moving down the line fluidly. His trot and canter brought to mind that of a schooled dressage horse. I don’t know where old Bruno went, but sure am enjoying the sight of this mature, quiet horse that has shown up in his place.

I enjoyed my ride on Feather as well. As always, thanks for riding along!

Lauren’s horse biography

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Exechorseluver

Lauren’s trainer, Dev Branham, has launched a new website with help from rider Amy Heidbreder and asked each rider to do a little bio on themselves. Here is what Lauren put together for the website ( www.deverauxsporthorses.com ).

Lauren Davis

Hi, I am Lauren Davis and I was the first of the ‘southside’ to start riding with Dev almost seven years ago. I keep my horses at home, in Wharton, which is a scenic 175 mile round trip to Tomball. I was just dragged along into riding when my sister and mom had horses in Florida. I don’t believe I ever made a conscious decision to ride, there were always just horses in my life. I started riding competitively over 16 years ago and have been blessed with some great horses over the years. Most memorably, is Irish Midnight, aka Mickey, a small but determined bay horse who will be coming to live at Dev’s soon. I started out in walk-trot with Mickey and have won blue ribbons on him up to the 3’6” jumpers.

Although just 15.1 hh, this little horse will teach you to ride, to find your spots, to see the distance and to succeed in the jumper ring. Together we have made USEF Zone Finals three times, won many year-end schooling championships and grown up together. With the arrival of two six year-old horses on my farm, Mickey has not getting the rides he deserves so I hope his transfer to DSH will give him a chance to shine again while some of you get a chance to ride my favorite guy.

About 18-months ago, a young Irish sport horse who was still growing into herself stepped off the trailer from Florida. Sired by Flagmount’s Freedom (a top-notch eventing horse), we knew this mare should be able to jump but had to overcome some initial issues like not ever wanting to get in a trailer again, being terrified of crops, fly spray and people before we could adequately ride and show her. It has been a lot of work, some of it tough, but I am proud my mare, Flagmount’s Irish Freedom, aka Feather, has progressed from the 2’3” hunters to the 3’6” jumpers in this short time. She has also learned to load, be clipped, endure fly spray and most importantly enter every arena with a calm, business-like attitude.

Feather and I at our last show.

I don’t know where this mare will take me. I do know we have not yet begun to see the top of her jumping limits but love the horse this mare has become!

My next horse I blame on Dev and yet applaud Dev for sending to me. Huge, 17.2 hh, six year-old Bruno came to me solidly lame last November. Many of you may have read my mom’s chronicles of his fight to return to soundness after hoof surgery at Teas A&M Vet Hospital last December. Over five months, Bruno stayed in his stall as I learned every conceivable way to bandage a hoof, deal with a giant, crazy OTTB and have a horse I had barely even ridden lodge himself solidly in my heart.

Bruno has been back under saddle now for a couple of months. It is a little like riding a runaway freight train. Bruno latches onto the bit and away we go. My mom may tell us to come down from the canter to the trot, but she doesn’t realize I have been trying to get him to slow down for the last two laps of the arena. We are just starting Bruno’s education over fences and it has been a little slow. He is nothing like the natural jumper that Feather is. But maybe we just have not set the challenge up enough for him yet. Dev says Bruno may be my Derby horse and with an unextended stride of over 15 feet he will eat up the lines in the jumper ring.

Also, hanging out at my farm are Snowboy and Mr. Kid. Snow, of course, spent some time at Dev’s and now is my niece’s show pony. Mr. Kid is 112 (okay, really almost 32) but keeps Bruno company and is my mom’s old horse.

In my spare time, when I am not managing the family farm, I am attending college, and buying/selling some ponies and horses.

Pony, Pixie, will be for sale soon.

Dev has been the perfect fit for me as a trainer. I have learned so much working with him over the years. I have not always liked what he had to tell me but I have come to realize he is usually right!