Cole is on Meds.

The feed store is out of his grain, so I'm trying something else. Joy...what's the info on "Strategy" horse feed. I bought 1 hold-over bag. Also, I bought him some "Quietex." It's a white powder that you feed once a day that's supposed to keep them nice and calm. I'm not betting on it. The last horse I saw on this stuff kicked a hole in a brand new horse trailer at a show. Cole has been so incredibly high strung lately that I'm trying anything to keep him calm. Every time we ride (the exact same trails) he sees new horse eating monsters that he thinks he can outrun if he can just get me off his back.

I hope it snows.

Quote of the Day: "A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing."

Foal Pillow

"Come to me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

-Matthew 11:28

Ole McJohn Bought A Horse...

Today, I got to do my favorite "hobby" thing in the world. No, I didn't buy myself a horse. Today, I did my second favorite "hobby" thing in the world. I helped a friend buy a horse. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to pry John's wallet away from him. But just in case, I had Martha with me.

I shall now present to you...Scout.




This is one of the only babies (that I know of ) from the late 2001 Spotted Saddle horse World Grand Champion Lethal's Delight of Pride. Years ago I did have the opportunity to ride his daddy (you can shake my hand and congratulate me later). So, when I heard one of his babies was for sale I jumped on it. Ok, I made John jump on it. He has more money than I do. All-in-all, John is pretty good at buying horses. He isn't like me. If I see something I like I have a hard time playing it cool. As far as a first horse goes I think he hit the nail on the head. We'll know for sure in about 2 months when Scout is turned over to me to finish his formal training. Helmet and bubble wrap here I come.

John, I'm proud of you. Just remember the number one rule: "A horse is only afraid of two things - things that move and things that don't."


Horse terminology that John learned from his first horse buying experience:

Event Prospect = Big Fast Horse
Dressage Prospect = Big Slow Horse
Hack Prospect = Pretty Color
Sporting Prospect = Short Fast Horse
Camp Prospect = Fast Horse which can turn
Endurance Prospect = Fast Horse which will turn sometimes
Flashy = White Socks
Attractive = Bay
15.2hh = 14.3hh
16.2hh = 15.3hh
To Loving Home Only = Expensive
To Show Home Only = Very Expensive
Needs Experienced Rider = Potentially Lethal
Elegant = Thin
In Good Condition = Foundered
Free Moving = Bolts
Quiet = Lame in Both Front Legs
Dead Quiet = Lame in All Four Legs
Good in Traffic (Bombproof) = Lame all Round, Deaf and Blind
Loves Children = Kicks and Bites
Pony Type = Small and Hairy
Arab Type = Looks startled
TB Type = Looks Terrified
Quarter Horse Type = Fat
Warmblood Type = Big and Hairy
Draft Type = Big and Exceedingly Hairy
Easy to Catch = Very Old
Reluctant to Sell = Sale Comes with Title Deed to Golden Gate Bridge
All Offers Considered = I am in Traction for 6 months

Funny Things

This post is dedicated to the funny things Grandparents, or any loved ones say. This post is in honor of my Grandma (we'll call her Mrs. Hazel) who Martha and I used to eat lunch with every Friday for years. Now that she is gone we still have the huge desire to call her up and tell her funny things that go on in the family...such as at reunions. Grandma used to say stuff that would crack me and Martha up and we miss her very much. So, post the funny things you've heard your your loved ones say (only nice quotes-remember, we love these people).

So, to kick things off:

Mrs. Hazel: "I think he's a skritsofrenik."
-And you have to pronounce it just like that.

Stinker

Cole and I didn't have the greatest ride yesterday. I've done so well keeping him in shape without overworking him. So, I give him a day off to rest and the next day I ride him he tries to kill me. I took him back to the round pen to lunge him to get some energy out. He was so nuts I had to unclip him from the lunge line and let him go. He ran as hard as he could forever and completely tore up the ground in the pen. I was sure he was going to break all of his legs. He finally wore himself out and walked back up to me puffing and sweating. I saddled/bridled him and rode him around the pen...and guess what...he did great. I wore my helmet anyway just to be on the safe side. He's such a stinker. I'm pretty sure he needs to be on a nerve pill. I've only had one other horse who's acted this crazy and he had good reason. He was never completely trained to ride. And, I sold him. But, we'll try it again tonight. Only this time we'll start in the warm-up pen.

P.S.- I went through my old horse show ribbons last Saturday cleaning out my tack room. Talk about flashbacks! I found my very first ribbon I ever won along with clips of hair from my horses that have died. It was so cool to go back and read the names and classes on the back of the ribbons and remember the horses I used to ride and show. Many of the horses died years ago. Martha and I are heading to Michael's this weekend to find ways to make shadowboxes and preserve the great memories I have connected with all my horse stuff.

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse," or, "that's a lot of money for "just a horse".

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a horse."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse,' ...If you, too, think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all
the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the
pure joy of the moment.

"Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman/man."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a horse" just smile, because they "just" don't understand.

Backyard Trainers..and poor little Cole

FYI-This is not my horse

Today I'll ride Cole. This is not the first time mind you. We have been going through a grueling workout the past several weeks (by grueling I mean we do a lot of walk/high-walk around the farm with a little bit of eating grass worked in). Nevermind the fact that I also have to work in leg cues which make me unable to walk for hours after I ride. He is, however, getting in great shape and learning how to use all of his leg muscles without being in pain. I'm so proud of him (today I'll fall off and be mad at him but right now I like him). I had this great apostrophe a few months ago that I would start him early this year so by show season, which is usually in the heat of summer, he would already be where he needs to be. That means less attitude and a lot more focus. Cole has a tendancy to be great while working at home and then lose his mind when we get to a show. So, we're working on that too.

Oh, props to the people at Purina who make the horse feed Ultium and whoever makes Corta-Flex. You make my life easier...well...except when the liquid stuff freezes up and refuses to pour out and I'm running late for work and I get sticky stuff all over me. You know what, nevermind.

Rachael's Quote of the Day: "I have the ability of single-minded determination and focu... Hey, look! A horse!"

When Movies Attack

I finally made it to a movie theater last night. This is a big accomplishment for me. It meant that I was able to manipulate someone (someone being my mom and dad and probably Martha) into feeding 5 horses, 2 (smelly) dogs, and cats. "What movie did you watch?" you ask. Well, if there is a movie that even resembles Lord of the Rings I'll be there. This time it was Eragon. It was pretty good. Not real sure about a talking dragon...especially when you can recognize the actress' voice. Plus, they left out a lot of the story which left thousands of holes. One major hole being the fact that they kept stating that the dragon wasn't old enough to breath fire. 10 minutes later it looked like the 4th of July. Boy did she grow up fast. Plus, I was scared of the bad guy. Other than that, it was a pretty good movie. If you don't like "Harry Potter" like movies than it definitely isn't for you.

P.S.- Claude says thank you for his Christmas present from Oozie.