Ch-ch-ch-ch changes

It's a shame there is no manual to reference when things go wacky. I'd certainly be thumbing through it right about now. I imagine "Restarting your life after 40" is somewhere between "How to handle your first mid-life crisis" and "What AARP really stands for". The changes over the last two years are a little mind blowing, healthy, still mind blowing. Two years ago I lost my aunt. Two years ago I fell hopelessly in and out of love with someone half way across the world. Two years ago I was barely a month away from losing my older brother, I just didn't know it. Two years ago I started looking for a better way to live my life. Two years ago Leo entered my life. Two years ago I had been on this side of the water for only six months. I was adjusting to "country life" complete with well...

Read More

Who knew

Who knew today wasn't Friday? Apparently everyone except me! I'd like to blame it on my recent abundance of time however I have been known get my days mixed up, abundance or not. Normally, I'd have figured it out before I blasted it to the world that I am a day ahead of myself. We put up fencing today, along the backside of the yard and further down the side of the yard. There is also a make shift "Patch blocker" at the end of the drive, he is partial to the patch of grass that sits on a double ledge. Ten to twelve more t-posts and another spool of tape and the entire yard will be fenced in, the only stretch that is not is the stretch of blackberries so...for now it's looking pretty good. This allows the horses to wander the yard and the pasture at will without me hovering about watching...

Read More

Light and Fluffy

I thought I'd talk a little about my new feeding practices since 1. It is Friday and I am crunching feed numbers 2. I have nothing profound to examine (I like to think I am profound) I think I started about a month ago, I really have no sense of accurate time these days. In any case, I thought it was a stroke of genius when I cam up with it. Likely it is a result of me being bored but who cares it is better for them right? So this is how feeding used to go. Up to the barn before work, two flakes a piece, check water, off to work. Come home after work, two flakes of hay, check water, prepare beet pulp, bring beet pulp down about 8, call it a night (for feeding). This is how feeding works now... Up to the barn after watching The New Adventures of Old Christine (it's on at 7am and I am addicted)....

Read More

Back to the future, part 2

Deciding to honor my talent for taking care has been a private decision; partly because I am still trying to convince myself that "taking care" is a talent. I'm struggling with "lot in life" vs "talent". "Lot in life" sounds suspiciously like a cross to bear and "talent" sounds a bit indulgent. In any case I am running with it. In the animals I found a medium that doesn't punish that talent, why the hell would I walk away from that? Well for one care taking professions do not traditionally generate much of an income. Financially speaking it might even be considered stupid. The bitch of that is, I'm not money motivated. Don't get me wrong I don't want to be broke by any stretch of the imagination however dollar signs waving in the air don't motivate me to do much. When I have followed the...

Read More

Back to the future

It's interesting, with my island departure I've been granted this chance to decide what I want to do with my life. I suppose it's only interesting because at 35 I had thought the decision had long ago been made. The last time I had to sit and decide what I wanted to do when I grew up I was 17 with a newborn and no real time alloted to figure it out. I believe that actually qualified as reaction rather than decision making action. I will give myself this, I was single minded through it. This time is slightly different. This time I decided that time had to be alloted. This time there is no one standing there telling me my idea is crap. I love my father and looking back understand where he was coming from however the message was clear and followed me for a long time. Back then I dreamed of...

Read More

The Captain is unsettled

Today I was cleaning Patch's stall, wondering how in the world he makes such a complete mess every single day when I noticed Leo sitting in the doorway. It's not unusual for him to follow me about the stall cleaning process however today's stance was slightly different. He was watching me the whole time, usually he is watching the horses. I didn't pay much attention to it until I remembered that he had done the same thing in Katie's stall except there he was huddled by my legs, even sitting in the middle of her (very neat) pile of well you know! Katie has an area in which she uses the restroom, she does not deviate from that area; she is a dream to clean up after. In any case he was acting weird, has been all day. He's not bothered the horses, much, and he hasn't left my side pretty much...

Read More

And off to work we go

Tex and I got a little work done after breakfast today! Yay! We didn't do much but we have to get out of this funk we have had going on the last month and a half (my god it's really been that long). It felt so very good to have some time with him. He's such a beautiful, beautiful horse. I've missed working with him. I am often flabbergasted by amount of time that has passed since my island departure. I am equally flabbergasted by the affect it continues to have. It took me all of half an hour to decide that I could not go back to where I'd been for the last twelve or so years. It took me nearly all of December to wrap my head around the consequences of that decision. It's taken me clean into January to get a full nights sleep. Over the last month and 21 days (not that I've counted) I've...

Read More

Horsey scheme of things

I've been sitting here flipping back and forth between craigslist, dreamhorse, landsofamerica, and this empty post trying to figure a way to put to words where I think I figure into the horsey scheme of things. I don't want to show; I'd rather watch someone else show a horse that lived with me then show myself, even if I had the talent and experience to do so. I do think it'd be super cool to learn the art of reining. I'd also love to hop on Tex and know how to "play with cows". And oh to be fifteen and be able to jump Katie over fences... All of that, as cool as it sounds, is secondary to me. They have given me the freedom to care for another being without sacrifice. It is perhaps the greatest gift I have ever received. In the face of that learning to spin, for me, is secondary. There...

Read More

The Knights Who Say Neigh

I've spent the last two mornings following the horses about the pasture for a bit after they finish breakfast and head out to do what they do for the day; walk around, eat, play let's catch (insert horse's name), scare the dog, repeat. In walking around and watching them go about their morning I was able to see a side of them that I hadn't seen before. There is an order to things out there and the communication between them is fascinating. The morning starts with breakfast inside; this way I can monitor who is eating what and how much. Food monitoring has become my life ;-) When we go outside for the day we (I) have a system, I have found that they too have a system. Patch comes out first because he is in the shelter and also because he does not crowd the gate. We then go in a line;...

Read More

Texas' vacation

I calculated the time off Tex and I have taken; it's been enough. I have to do something about that. I'm home, I have no excuse. I will give myself this last month and a half. It's been everything from frustrating to paralyzing. Today while talking to yet another friend whom turned to me for explanation I said little then thought "one day I'll set the record straight". Immediately following came "really why?". Things are as settled now as they are ever going to get. Furthermore, "the record" doesn't mean a damn thing to anyone except me and I know what it is. And back to Texas, I am home now. There is no reason for us not to be working, I think he is bored. Ok I'll fess up, I am bored. I think Tex (and everyone else) believes we have turned the farm into some kind of animal spa where food...

Read More

Favorites, do I play them?

In order of importance there is no difference, there are only reason(s) why they share that importance. That thought danced around my head last night as I was doing our final feeding and closing of the day. We have a new feeding system that I think is brilliant, we'll have to discuss that later. I have four horses, one dog, and a cat that live with me. I love them all right down to my toes. They all make my heart swell, my eyes sparkle, and my stomach drop if there is something amiss. Last night as I was walking up to deliver lights out hay Patch came over to his "door", he must have heard the thump thump thump of my rubber boots hitting me in the back of my leg with every step (they don't really fit me). Once he spotted me carrying the trusty hay delivery bag he nodded his head once. As...

Read More

Turning to wood

This morning I woke to my alarm, I have been turning it off for the last month and a half. It felt nice to be up and watch the sun break the cloud cover. Today I was wondering why it is that the animals help me so much, why I learn so much just being in their presence. I think it is because I can not help but feel when I am around them. Actually I think there are many reasons, this is just one of them. I remember writing a poem after my father died; in the poem I mentioned the constant laying of hands by others and feeling as if I were made out of wood. I am not sure why the poem popped in my head, I lost it long ago. I found myself thinking back to other "tidal wave changes" and realized that for as long as I can remember turning to wood was the way I had always processed the "tidal...

Read More

Listening to the ponies eat

It was a nice Sunday, sunny for the most part, light clear into 5pm, and warm enough to wear only a sweatshirt. It's hard to complain about that! In thinking about what to write about tonight I was wondering when I was going to snap back into my old self, really it was more along the lines of if I would snap back to my old self and did I want to? I figure there are changes in life that ripple through and cause small waves in who you are, shaping you like a piece of driftwood left on the beach to age. Then there are changes in life that follow a tidal wave, they break off that stubborn edge instead of just smoothing it out. I've had my fair of life altering change, some forced and some I begged for. This change in direction is one of those tidal wave changes, I don't think I will ever be...

Read More

My dainty lady has some fire

With the new door up on the shelter Amber is in the middle stall (Patch's old room). Katie is on the left of her and Tex on the right. If this were a perfect world the girls could be on the outside and Tex could be in the middle however...Tex is too big so the girls are stuck together. I've become concerned about Amber's weight in the last week or so, I 'think' she may have lost some. I have that in quotes because I have a horrible eye when it comes to their weight. I always think someone is losing weight. In any case I want to keep a closer eye on her and control her intake a bit more because I am convinced she lost weight. I think her being up in the shelter stressed her out, she really didn't like it and was the first one to say "screw this, the tape isn't "hot" I am outta here" starting...

Read More

Patch's new door

We made progress on the shelter dilemma over the last two days! I say we as if I did the work, I just made suggestions really, the building was done by Dale. I'm not really sure what my "idea" would have turned out like had I been the one measuring! In any case, the problems with the shelter plague me on a very regular basis. 1. There isn't a light inside the shelter (no power currently running to the actual stucture). 2. There is no way to keep them inside (we had no gate). 3. It's not attached to the barn 4. Mud The reality of the shelter is: Concern: There isn't a light inside the shelter (no power currently running to the actual stucture). Reality: The shelter is a 10X24 structure covered completely on three sides, the front has an opening/door (8ft) and two windows. It is probably...

Read More

Lucky, People Helping Horses

Lucky DOB: 2003 Height: 15.3 Breed: Thoroughbred Sex: Mare Color: Bay Training: Off-The-Track, plus an additional 2 years under saddle with People Helping Horses, has attended schooling shows with our trainer Found at a trail head in Skagit County by people out for a trail ride, Lucky was taken in by the county who then asked PHH to step in. A gorgeous Thoroughbred mare, she was pregnant and had been shot in the head above her right eye. Lucky gave birth to her filly Charm at our facility and took a much needed maternity leave before going under saddle. Once she entered the training program, she quite literally...

Read More

Mocha, People Helping Horses

Mocha DOB: 2006 Height: 14 Breed: Paint Color: Brown / White Training: One year under saddle Mocha is an adorable paint mare that PHH acquired with plans to start a children’s riding program.  That program morphed into therapeutic riding and while Mocha is a great horse, she did not quite have the temperament required for such demanding work.  With 18 months of professional training, including cow work, this little mare is going to make someone special very happy! Please visit PHH's Adoption page for more information on adopting Candy. Information and images courtesy of People...

Read More

Candy, People Helping Horses

Candy DOB: 2005 Height:14.2 Breed: Quarter Horse Sex: Mare Color: Chestnut Training: Over two years of professional training Candy is a five year old QH mare that PHH acquired with plans to start a lesson program. That program morphed into therapeutic riding and while Candy is a great horse, she did not quite have the temperament required for such a calling. Candy has over two years of professional training. She has given lessons to beginners but she does need to be schooled by a more knowledgeable rider before making it her full-time job. In a nutshell, Candy is fun, slightly feisty, and a blast to be around! 2010...

Read More

New design, new section

Ok so let's be honest, I did not come up with the design. I did however spend a great deal of time looking for templates that 1. were free 2. served my purposes 3. were fairly easy to edit. I found all that in the new template! I've had a bit of fun with it, however it does remind me that my technical web savvy is largely reliant on managing people who can take my, sometimes scattered, ideas and put them to the page! Having "managed" for so long I needed something easy. In any case the most exciting piece of news is the addition of the Rescues section. In the rescues section you'll find information on adoptable rescue horses. All of the information on the horses, as well as the images, belong to the rescues. I am simply using the blog to spread the word, with the rescues permission. Full...

Read More

Lizzy, Pony Up Rescue

All information and images belong to Pony Up Rescue for Equines. Lizzy Lizzy is a 10 year old dark bay Thoroughbred mare that is about 16.0hh. We are not sure if she is broke to ride since she was used as a broodmare in her past. She came from the Enumclaw Auction kill pen and was expected to go to slaughter before Pony Up Equine rescued her. She is not tattooed. She’s a very sweet mare who loves to be groomed, and loved on. She has good feet is healthy, and trailers well. She has no vices. Please visit Pony Up Rescue's Adoption page for more information on adopting Liz...

Read More

Jones, Pony Up Rescue

All information and images belong to Pony Up Rescue for Equines. Jones Jones is a Thoroughbred gelding that is around 16.1 - 16.2 hh high and about 13 years old. He is off the track and tattooed; although, unfortunately we cannot read the tattoo to determine his exact age. His legs are clean, and he has good feet. He is very well mannered, and his conformation is perfect. He is broke to ride and would make an awesome dressage/eventing horse or???. He is sensitive to the bit; although, before we got him he had never had his teeth floated and was in pain (the vet said he had never seen a horse's teeth so bad), he is now much better and his...

Read More

Amber

In creating the new design I realized Amber is mentioned a lot but rarely is she the focus of a post. I suppose that's because she is so quiet. Whereas Katie is definitely a Princess, Amber is more a Duchess, my definition of one at least. When I imagine a Princess both Katie and Perris come to mind; they are the sweetest ponies ever however they have standards of which they have no problem expressing. When I imagine a Duchess I imagine a soft spoken lady that doesn't need to voice her opinion, not that she doesn't have one! If I were to give Amber a title I do believe it'd be Duchess. This is certainly not to say she is always little miss perfectly quiet. She is a fan of walking through fences, she squeals better than anyone at the farm and I've seen her kick...

Read More

Missing summer

It's snowing. It's been either rain, half frozen or, as we have now, snow. I do realize that it is only January however I would like to go on record: I am over winter! It's gets old to be either crunching on top of the layers of mud or sinking into them, I'm pretty much over the frozen water buckets too. I have have a pile of broken buckets alongside the barn; a bucket tomb if you will. I know better than to kick them, I kick them anyway (not always), and they break. Yep, I am over winter. I want to put the bareback pad on Tex and play. I wanna wander through our tiny little trail. I mostly wanna spend some one on one time with him cause he makes me feel absolutely perfect and there really is no better view. I remember the first time I rode Texas, I felt like I was sitting on...

Read More

Compressed bales

Today's big research project was two fold; compressed bales and Renegade Boots. I haven't done much with the "research Renegade boots" action item I have on my list of to-do's for the day however I have spent the better part of the morning looking at opinion after opinion on compressed hay bales. I struggle with hay for a few reasons; storage I suppose is the biggest challenge for me, delivery comes next, stacking/handling of course is always an issue as well, price fluctuations...Consistency, as a result of the earlier mentioned problems, then becomes a problem! I started using the compressed bales a couple weeks back, I have used them in the past however usually it's cause I am in a pinch and have to "run out and grab hay". I hate hate hate being in a "pinch" like that; I rather doubt...

Read More

Schedules and cigarettes

It's a pretty lazy morning around here; everyone is inside cause it keeps spitting rain and/or snow depending the minute! Ahhh winter in the Pacific Northwest. Patch is in the shelter and honestly I think he likes it. No one is reaching over trying to bite his face (he's usually in the middle stall) and he has tons of room. So far he is the only one that hangs out up there instead of sporadically wandering about the area. He's a special guy, Patch that is. You'd really have to meet him to appreciate his personality, I don't think I could do him justice. He's funny, he's sweet, he's handsome, he's mischievous, he's smart, he's laid back, he's crabby faced a lot (it's an act), and he can be super stubborn. Those are all just adjectives though and don't do him any sort of justice. I've yet...

Read More

Not much horsin' around

It has been a couple days worth of number crunching and not a lot of playing with the ponies. I finally have a decent look at what I am looking at; jumble words much? The limbo in which I have been living...dramatic much? Sorry it popped into my head ;-) In any case, things are slowly wrapping up with my last position. I faxed over paperwork today that represents the last step, now I wait. True to form for me that meant, I prepare. It's a pretty scary thing to cut your income in half and start something crazy new all at the same time. However I have budgeted my way into May and although it will be tight, no one will go without and that's really the bottom line. There simply is no way for me to go back to a position where I am supporting software, at any level. On top of that I am unwilling...

Read More

Musical horses

So here is the dilemma... Here at the farm, my little pieced together slice of heaven, we have "the farm house" which works out nicely for Leo and I, we have "the barn" which has three stalls (thanks to Kate, Lindsey, Gary, Kenneth, Cody, Joshua, etc), we have "the shelter" (thanks to Kate, Gary, Kenneth, Dale, Scotty, the grandkids and myself), and lastly we have the chicken coop which does not deserve quotes because, little did I know, chickens scare the crap out of me (it's a long story). Normally in residence, normally being loosely used because in the short time I have been here the parade of animals has been pretty well...parade like! I am however going to focus on the dilemma at hand before we discuss the parade of animals. Here at the farm we have Texas, Patch, Amber, and Katie....

Read More

They are smarter than we know

So I've decided that not only are they more honest then most two leggers they are also a lot smarter then we know. This last month has been a bit of a struggle to get back to me; my little world has been turned slightly upside down in case ya didn't know ;-) I don't do well with upside down, I make lists, I plan, I budget, I make more lists and then budget even further into the future...it's part of who I am. Rendering my lists moot...whew it doesn't go over well. In any case I haven't been my normal happy go lucky, let's play with the ponies self these days and I think they know it. I think the only one who hasn't noticed how "odd" I am acting is Katie likely because she's been at Sarah's for goodness nearly a year, now that I think about it. We were approaching a year this March I believe....

Read More

Leo...

I was gonna write about Amber and her ability to remove the fencing that my boyfriend and I put up but I'm still a little irritated with my sweet girl to write on that tonight...so I thought I'd take a minute to pay homage to my buddy Leo. Leo is truly one of a kind; he watches me, watches the horses, yells (barks) at anything living that dares not listen to me (he thinks he is the enforcer), sleeps at my feet, and generally goes everywhere with me. I've thought about maybe getting him a little vest so I can REALLY take him everywhere but honestly I don't think Leo's idea of his job translates well into "Service dog". Leo sometimes thinks he is a horse, he's been known to steal hay and will eat about anything the horses will however ONLY IF he sees them eating it first; apples, horse treats,...

Read More

The question of the day

I was up at the barn cleaning stalls, pondering, musing, thinking; it's what I do! As I was cleaning the stalls and trying to figure out how to convince Patch that the shelter was a good idea tonight I remembered a good friend of mine relaying what someone else had said about her and myself; they claimed that we "spoiled/babied" our horses. I knew it came into my mind because I was standing there shoveling horse shit trying to convince myself that Patch would be fine in the shelter for one night; I wanted some one on one time with Amber... Now the shelter isn't just a loafing shed, it's four sided, completely bedded, gated (taped) off. It's a rather large "stall" that is honestly in better shape then the barn considering all the work that went into building it up from a "shelter" into a "stall"....

Read More

Barefoot and Bitless

It's been months since I posted and the changes have been great, in that they have been huge! I think I will start by introducing Barefoot and Bitless since the blog will be an inside look at building what is my future! Barefoot and Bitless came to life as one of my many titles was put to rest. I can't say that I voluntarily put the title to rest however I can say losing the title was and is to date the best thing that has happened to me. I spent a lot of time pondering the risk. I could travel across the water and make a two hour commute part of my life once again; spending 12 hours a day away from the ponies and Leo sure didn't sound appealing or very feasible unless I hired out the care of those that I loved! Life changing decisions aren't my favorite but since this one had been made...

Read More