Tag Archives: OTTB

Life goes on

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Jordyn sizing up Big Bruno before agreeing to get on.Perhaps she is saying a little prayer too.

I have to say I was more than a little disappointed yesterday.  But I marvel at God’s timing that he has brought this grand new horse here just when both Lauren and I need to focus somewhere other than on Mickey.

Today Ally, Luke, Jordyn and Kendyll met up with Lauren, my mom and I for a little Sunday supper.  It was a good day for momma.  She liked the place and enjoyed the food.  Last night I had found her dressed in the skirt she wore to Amber’s wedding with a tee shirt and tennis shoes on ready to go out.  Today she was just happy to be along for the ride.

Jordyn decided to go back to Granny’s house to get a peek at the new horse.  Now, remember we got him sight unseen.  We have never saddled him, never ridden him and have no idea what he might do.  He has a healing hoof so he is limited to slow work. 

We got Jordyn saddled and up on Feather and Lauren climbed in the irons on the broad back of Bruno for the very first time.  It was like Christmas around here.  Two beautiful five-year old horses with so much ahead of them and one five-year old girl who wants to be part of it all.  Gets your perspective back, it does!

Five-year old Jordyn on five-year old Feather facing not five-year Lauren on five-year Bruno.

It certainly brought the reality back to me that life is what we make it.  Perhaps Mickey is retired.  Perhaps he will win classes in the future.  We did all we could for him. 

It was not enough for Jordyn to take a spin on Feather.  She wanted to ride “Big Bruno”.  So we changed saddles and let them go.  He was wonderful with her.  To borrow from one of my fellow bloggers-I am overjoyed with gratitude.  Thanks for riding along, caring, praying and being a part of our journey. I am grateful for many things.

Off they go!

New Adventures-Meet Bruno-A Bruno Story

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Fiddler’s Pilgrim-aka Bruno

Life is never static at the farm.  New adventures, new animals, new opportunities abound for us.  Tomorrow it is off to Zone Finals for Lauren and Mickey.  Anyone that has followed this blog even minimally knows that Mickey had a very rough summer.  So sick with the pythium fungus he could barely catch his breath.  We didn’t know if he would show again.  But he did, he has and he will go into the ring Saturday at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center for Zone Finals in the Low Amateur Adult Jumpers with fences approximately 3’3″ to 3’6″ in height.  We hope for a clear round and a chance to get into the jump off.  The little man can fly.  I am thankful for all of your support and prayers.

Tomorrow after Lauren rides Mickey in a couple of practice rounds, bathes him and gets ready to head for home, it will be with a new horse. I know that sounds a little crazy but sometimes things just come along in life that are meant to be.  The new horse is another Off the Track Thoroughbred (OTTB).  His name is Fiddler’s Pilgrim (if you want to look him up you will find AP Indy, Secretariat and some other hotshots).  He was certainly bred to race and run.  But he’s a pretty laid back guy and thought a racing career was not all that much fun.  He is a big horse-17 hands and once filled out with granny’s feed probably will be over 1300 pounds.  He looks a lot my old horse Mac.  If he does half as well as Mac, we will all be pleased.  Bruno (he is from the east coast) is only five years old so we have some work to do.  He has a hoof that is healing so he will be enjoying some quality downtime while it gets better.

Mickey, after finals, will be going into semi-retirement, which he has certainly earned.  We will pull him out for a few shows next year but our focus will be on the youngsters, Bruno and Feather.  Sounds like a mob boss and his girlfriend, doesn’t it?  We will have Mimi, the pony coming home from the trainers soon and will be looking to place her in a pony home.

So very exciting times.  I was not seeking a new horse when the opportunity for Feather in Florida came up.  I bought her sight unseen and had her shipped home.  She has not disappointed us at all. Well, maybe during those weeks when we struggled with the trailer loading, I did want to kill her a couple of times but other than that, she has turned into a beautiful, talented mare.

Likewise, Bruno came to us from a top trainer in the area, Sherre Sims, one for whom I have the greatest respect.   We first met Sherre when we were admiring her Corgi, Nordic.  Nordic and Lauren’s Corgi,  Sneaky had an ill-fated love affair.  Anyway…Sherre’s parents live on the east coast  and their friends bred and trained Bruno.  He got sent to Texas to become a jumper.  Due to Sherre’s limited space and his hoof issues, he needed to go to a new home.  So, once again, I am taking a horse, sight unseen, this one I can’t even work for a while, all because I believe in what he can be.  I think this one is going to be a real special guy for us.  Gee, I can’t wait to see him!

One of those days

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Nine-month old Gia with her first haircut.

A variety of things going on today-

Started out at 4:45 am with a car that wouldn’t start.  I tried pushing it back in the driveway so that I could take the truck instead but I didn’t get too far.  Thought about contacting my step-brother in Alaska and asking the age of the battery but thought with the time change, he really would not appreciate it.  Thought about waking up Lauren but again thought it would be a negative experience.  Ended up going in laying on my bed, fully dressed and ready for work until the sun came up. It was the battery and of course, Wharton Wal-Mart would not carry a battery for a German car!  Finally got one from another store and got it installed. Left my phone there and had to drive back.  Wow.

Then my mother called.  Told me that Bill Wagner (a chaplain from the Denver assisted living) had told her that the center was closing immediately and I needed to come get her.  I could not convince her otherwise.  It was nuts.  I even tried to throw her off with mentioning her hair appointment was today.  She told me that wouldn’t matter because the center was closing!  Gee!  This is a new fun time.

Gia (PuppyGirl) got her first haircut which was a pretty monumental thing.  Looks really grown up now.  Of course, the vet discovered numerous baby teeth that he feels need to be taken out.  That should be pricey. Now, she is languishing on my bed with a high temperature.  Talked to the vet, he said give her aspirin. 

Finally, Caroline was at the vet with Joey the OTTB.  He is still having trouble with his leg.  I am praying it is a fixable thing.  She has done so much for this horse.  Fortunately, in an odd twist of fate, all of Joey’s vet records from his days on the track were at this specialist vet.  After some detective work, it appears that Joey has knee problems, but hopefully problems that can be treated. 

Oh, and the dynamic endoscopy for Mickey, it was re-scheduled due to computer mal-functions.  So, we will power on with Mickey and hope for the best.

I am just hoping for a better day tomorrow.