Playing Catchup

I’m not sure how the time got away from me this month. I’m barely keeping my head above water at my paying job. But that’s part of the working world right? Besides being swamped at the paying job, I’ve spent more quality time with the family.  My family has been there to support me physically, financially, and emotionally and now it’s my turn to return the favor. I was once told I didn’t have my priorities right and that I should be more focused on trail riding than rescue/sanctuary work, or even my family. All I can say is that I feel bad for those people who think that family shouldn’t be first and foremost.  And if that means I miss some event because I need to be with family, too bad. The door is always open to join our family in whatever activity; there’s always food on the table and a welcome smile.

There were three auctions this weekend I had contemplated attending. But I hadn’t hardened my heart against the loss I would feel at not being able to do anything. I refuse to be the type to put my head in the sand and ignore what’s going on. I don’t believe in the “out of sight, out of mind” philosophy but I am emotionally drained this month after a few non-horse related activities. There is only so much heartache a girl can take.  I am still considering going to the May 5^th horse auction in honor of Savanna, Sahara, and Prize (aka Jett) but we’ll see how prepared I am.

It’s difficult to go to the auctions when I know I can’t do a damn thing. As it stands, I had to turn down two 25 year old geldings last week. I simply cannot bring any more in until after my health improves. It’s frustrating because those oldsters are the ones that need the retirement home and deserve the rest and I can’t even offer that to them right now. It’s heartbreaking and frustrating. If someone would be willing to sponsor either or both, we could have considered taking them in but as things stand now, we cannot take any more in. It’s frustrating to see the need and not be able to fill it. There’s a saying in a Pixar movie that I keep tucked away in my brain, “See a need, fill a need.” The frustrating part is seeing the need and not being able to fill the need.

On the happier side of sanctuary life, I did get a chance to take Jim out for a quick mile ride the other day. Unfortunately, that was about the extent of my riding ability for now, short little bursts are about all I can handle.

Last night I walked around the corner to see Jim poking Maverick in the shoulder with a stick. The minute Jim saw me, he dropped the stick and acted like he hadn’t been doing anything wrong. I can’t figure Jim out. He’s so aloof and wants to act rough and tough but really he is a prankster. It’s fun to watch him torment Maverick (because Maverick needs it)! Of the two, I would have sworn Maverick to be the prankster not Jim.

The night before, I watched Maverick cut Chaos. It wasn’t the cutting like I’ve seen in the past where Maverick keeps the other horse away from the herd. Maverick was literally spinning on his back end like a cutting horse to keep Chaos where he was at. Now if Maverick had gotten down low to cut Chaos, I would have fallen down in shock.  I think with the proper education, Maverick could really be an amazing cutting horse. I figured I’d end up turning him in to a team penning horse but after seeing his moves the other night, I think he has a knack for cutting. I need to do a little bit of asking around to see if someone would be willing to try him out on a cow. Maybe I see something different than what others see or would feel while riding. But I’m too curious not to try it out. Anyone a cutting horse expert that wants to try Maverick out on a cow?

I am still debating on taking Jim to the HorsePower/Handi-Riders Horse Show this weekend. They have a gaited class but having not ridden him that much and him being out of shape (and my health not being in tip top shape), I’m not sure it wise to show him this time around. Our drill team is riding during the break. I’m looking forward to it. It’s been awhile since being around all those wonderful ladies. So much horse wisdom and so much kindness. It just amazes me and lifts my spirits. It’ll be my highlight of the week.

Last night we pushed a round bale in to the blind pen and let Queen wander the yard. She hasn’t been out since last week. She and I had a disagreement on her manners so she had to stay in the blind pen all of last week.

Chaos and I also had a disagreement on his behavior last week too. He ended up going into the timeout/naughty pen last week. The grass is starting to shoot up but I won’t let them out on the pasture. The pasture isn’t coming back and the minute I let them out, I won’t be able to catch them. But Chaos doesn’t care about that and managed to push on the fence. Two weeks ago, he decided that he would join the blind pen and eat off the round bale (which upset both Babe and Thor). Chaos  managed to wiggle his way into the blind pen twice before I got smart  about the fencing. Then after realizing there was green grass, he managed to take down a portion of the fence (and jump the other portion) to get to a pasture that is off limits for this year. What’s worse is that he took King along with (thank goodness he didn’t take the entire herd). I went out to do chores in the morning thinking I could do chores quick and head in for some family quality time. Nope, I had to wrangle Chaos and King back into the drylot and do some fencing. Chaos went into the timeout pen after that for a few days. But when I let him back into the drylot, he once again got past my temporary fencing (but luckily didn’t jump the fence again). I know he’s just bored but it’s so frustrating to find horses where they shouldn’t be. Luckily he’s behaved the last few days. I really don’t want to find him standing in my front lawn (which is where Queen goes when she escapes).  Let me add one caveat. We don’t have loose horses all the time. We do live on an old farm that used to run cattle and for anyone that’s been around cattle, you know that you can’t have anything nice. Cattle destroy fencing and we are slowly but surely replacing all of the fence. But it takes time and money, of which we are limited on both.

I’ll be glad for summer when the herd can be out on the pasture. I’m hoping to start the big herd on grass soon. I typically fence off a portion of the lawn and put them out there for a few minutes every  night. It’s easier to handle them when they are on the lawn rather than the pasture. If they don’t want to be caught in the pasture, there’s no way I can catch them. That’s not the case when I have them out on the lawn. I know I sound all hick by saying they are on the lawn but that’s just what it is. Guess I’m a hick.

I am excited for tonight. I am swinging by to see Jett (aka Sir Prize). It’s hard to believe that he’ll be a year old next month (May 10^th).  Of course, it’s hard to believe that tomorrow marks a year for Savanna. A year after escaping that hell she called life, she now has such a bright, bright future. She’s really come a long way. I have to thank S. for taking Jett and giving him the opportunity to grow. He is such an amazing little boy. Also, a huge thank you to Gentle Spirits for taking Savanna in to try and find her a permanent home that she so desperately deserves. That poor girl has seen more in her short six years than some horses see their entire lives. Just looking at the pictures of Savanna from this past weekend and the pictures of her the day after we pulled her from the auction shows the massive changes she’s gone through.  It goes to show what love and consistency can do. My hats off to Gentle Spirits and S. for all their hard work and dedication.  I am truly honored and humbled by all that you do.