Happy Birthday Ace

I just realized today is Ace’s birthday. He would have been 28 years old. Happy Birthday buddy.

Normally I try to post some information about one of the rescued horses at Borderlands. I wouldn’t really consider Ace a rescue. He was my long term riding horse for about ten years. He came to me when he was 16. But I can sort of consider him a rescue. When dad bought him, we received his registration papers, which were his original foal papers. No one had bothered to register him under their name. They did have the courtesy to at least write their names down on his papers so I could track his owner history. Poor ol’ guy had about a half dozen owners in the 16 years before he came to me. I didn't know much about his past but he was used hard.

I’d wanted to register Ace but there were problems with trying to register him since no one kept his papers up. I bought Ace from dad for $1.00 thinking I could get him registered in my name. But like everyone else, I got lazy and never did. Too much paperwork.

When the guy dropped Ace off, he had another horse with him that I was more interested in. Ace was just a plain sorrel and the horse I was interested in was a paint. But the paint was already spoken for. Ace really was a better match for me anyway.

The first ride out as his long time rider, I went out with Dad riding Dictator and Ila French (a long time family friend) riding Galaram. A storm started to brew while we were out and the horses started to get a little flighty. Ace took off with me up the hill. We were riding in an alfalfa field and I had no clue where the gopher holes were. Mom thought I let Ace loose to see him run. Nope. I was just along for the ride. Needless to say, the first year of riding Ace we only walked and trotted.

On a side note, right after we bought Ace, Ila offered Galaram. Oh what I would have given to have Galaram. Ila’s daughter (who graduated a year before me in high school) used to ride and show him. I would have given anything to ride a well trained horse. But Ace taught me so much more. A second side note, the little English saddle that I’m riding, used to belong to Ila’s daughter who used to ride Galaram. Small world huh?

Ace and I went on many trail rides, always at a trot. At home we would ride for short periods of time. The horses figured it out pretty quick. The faster they walked, the sooner they would get home. That worked fine except when we went on trail rides. Then Ace and I would trot the ENTIRE trail ride. Sounds like fun for a little while but four hours of trotting gets old, even when you’re young.

Ace finally slowed to a steady walk when he turned 22. I semi retired him when he was 23 years old. I permanently retired him at 24. I typically retire them at 25 but Ace started having serious eye problems and I didn’t want to risk causing any problems. So I put him out to pasture with Dictator. He didn’t seem to mind one bit. He had four years of retirement to enjoy.

It’s so hard to watch them grow old. But I’m glad I had the opportunity to be a part of his life. We were together for 12 years. I miss him so much. But it is worth the heartache. I was able to give him full care and when the time came, a dignified death. I believe each horse should know that they are loved and cared for until their last breath. I aim to make sure all of the Borderland horses know they are loved and respected.

On that note, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ace. You are greatly missed.

Bubba Update

I didn't get a chance to talk to Bubba's owner but through the grapevine I heard that he has improved! Keep those prayers coming! The vet concluded it was an infection in the hock. Poor boy! I sure hope everything continues to progress well and he recovers quickly.

I know how hard it is to cope with a sick horse. The horses are our kids and if our kids are sick, we want to make them better. I know it may sound odd to some but to me, the horses are not just horses, they are family.

Continued prayers on the wind for you Bubba!

I'm Too Sexy for my Halter

Last Friday the weather was gorgeous. I wanted to go for a quick ride before the big blizzard hit. It was either fight with Rain to catch him or go after the easy horse. I chose Chaos. :-) He's a sucker for attention. I figured I'd better ride Chaos anyway since I haven't been on him in months and I need to really start working with him if I want to take him on any trail rides.

I also had an ulterior motive for wanting to ride. I'd bought a bunch of stuff at the Horse Fair and hadn't had a chance yet to try any of it out. Below is a pic of Chaos with some of the stuff I bought (barrel racing saddle pad, and green nylon breast collar). I also bought the lime green halter awhile back and hadn't tried it out on anyway. Doesn't Chaos look good in lime green?

Aaah Mom, are we done yet?

While I was messing with Chaos, I noticed the storm clouds starting to roll in. I knew it wouldn't be long before the rains started. I had a few good hours before it actually started to rain but you could definately tell that something was coming.

It was so hard to fathom that on Friday it was 50 some odd degrees out and sunny where I didn't need any coveralls and the next day they were predicting a blizzard with no travel advised. I guess that's South Dakota for ya.

First part of the blizzard rolling in.

After I finished my ride with Chaos, which went fairly well considering I hadn't been on him in months, I decided I would spend some quality time with him. He has such a gorgeous mane but it's starting to get ratty and short. I want to keep it as long as possible so I braided it up. Good thing I did, cuz some how the horses found the one spot with cockleburs everywhere. Uugh, cockleburs.

Chaos sporting a brand new halter and braids.

Chaos was a trooper, letting me braid up his mane. He's such a mellow guy. I really lucked out when I got him. To think, I took him sight unseen and found out he was an unhandled stud colt. I really lucked out. I think, given the chance, the trainer's assistant would have bought Chaos. But that's just my theory. He's so mellow. I hope he's perfect for trail riding. I can't wait to show him off. He's such a looker. Can you tell I'm partial to him?

I'm too sexy for my halter, too sexy for my halter.

Earlier in the day, I pulled Tommy and Skippy out of their "night" pen so they could enjoy a bit more sunshine. The only problem is, if I want to work with a horse, I have to tie them up where Tommy and Skippy can pick on whoever I pull out. Luckily Chaos is just as big of a stinker as Tommy and Skippy and they did a bit of playing while Chaos was out.

Tommy and Chaos chillin'

I'm hoping to get another ride in on Chaos tomorrow. I need to ride him more than once a week. I also really need to start pulling King and Rain out more and riding them. I want all of us in shape for this year's riding season. The first trail ride is just around the corner.

Riding Time

Yesterday was yet another gorgeous day. I decided that given the chance, I would pull someone out of the pens to go for a short ride up and down the driveway. Rain didn't seem all the excited so I pulled King out. He needed a thorough grooming anyway. I do have to admit that I did not put his mane back into braids.

I saddled King up with my western saddle. I had to let everything out since it's set for Rain. I'm thinking I'll leave everything set for King since Chaos will probably fit into those settings. Rain is just so small.

King and I walked around the yard for a bit. He's such an onery bugger. Any time you put a bit in his mouth he starts chewing on it. I can't figure out how to fix it. I tried a hackmore and that went all wrong. I've tried other more solid bits and he gets grumpy. My only other option is to put him into a full cheeck snaffle. I'm not sure if he's playing with the bit out of habit, stress, or what. But it's really getting frustrating. I'd much rather fix that bad habit for this trail riding season. I've let it go simply because I didn't have time to futz with him. But now that I want to actually start getting him in shape I need to do something. Otherwise he's going to drive me batty.

After riding King, I decided to pull Rain out. It was almost an effort in futility to try and catch Rain. He knew what I wanted and tried to run away. I guess I have to be the sneaky one and have him follow Bob into the barn. I think tonight I'll try to catch Rain and just groom him down, not ride him.

I threw the english saddle on Rain since the western saddle was set to King. Rain is so naughty. He must know that I can't climb up into an english saddle. I have to find some gate or fence and every time I get near he turns away so that he's facing me. I have to admit I got a little perturbed after awhile and just jumped. I landed half on his neck and half on the saddle. It wasn't graceful and I'm glad no one was around. I'm not sure if they'd be on the ground laughing or simply roll their eyes and walk away. :-)

We didn't ride for very long. Just a few laps up and down the driveway. I don't want to do anything except walk. I'm not stable enough at anything but a walk yet. There's simply no leather to an english saddle. haha But I'll keep at it.

I'm hoping tonight to pull Chaos out and futz around on him for a little while. I need to pull Brego back out and groom him down. He's actually starting to look respectable. The cowlicks and multiple hair directions are starting to get under control. Brego and Maverick's muddy pen is starting to dry out too. We are supposed to be in the 50s for the next few days so I'm hoping that the pens will dry out. My only other hope is that with Maverick and Brego walking in the mud that they get some muscle tone back. After coming back from starvation I didn't really work with them much on muscle tone. I was more focused on putting weight on them. And then winter hit and that was the end of me doing much with any of the horses. It gets so dark so darn fast. But now the weather is getting nicer and I'm outside much later. I didn't come in last night until almost 9:00pm. It's great! I'm loving all the fresh air.

This morning I got to enjoy yet another "PreDawn" show. I didn't get to see the moon since the clouds were rolling in. But the clouds made the predawn show even more spectacular. The clouds turned from a dreary gray to a magnificent pink. Wish I could have gotten a picture of it so I could share.

Hopefully tonight I can post some pics of Chaos I took last week before the blizzard. He's looking pretty good all shined up and ready to go.

Zen Has Returned

There's no better way to lift my spirits than to go for a horseback ride.

After getting all worked up about what's going on with my friend's horse, I decided I would spend some quality time with my herd. I initially opened the gate to let Brego out so he could have some mud free time. Unfortunately he decided against it and stood in the middle of the muddy pen, the little bugger.

It was then time to feed Bob his daily grain. I think for him the world revolves around his evening meal of grain and alfalfa. There's this excited look on his face when I come out to do evening chores. When I opened the door to let Bob in, Rain decided to sneak in right behind.

Rain must have thought he could snitch some of Bob's alfalfa. I took it as an invitation to pull him out of the pens and mess with him. If he sees a halter he disappears normally.

I decided that instead of lugging out my western saddle, that I would try my hand at the english saddle. hahaha There's so little leather to that saddle. I always forget when I switch to english that there's really not much there. I guess that's why I stay in my western saddle 99% of the time.

My theory is that if I start riding english on Rain that 1) I'll focus more on my riding so that I can be more balanced and centered and 2) I won't try to work Rain as hard so he'll want to go on more rides. If we just stay at a walk, I have a better chance of not falling off and maybe being able to coax Rain into another ride later on in the week. He's such an onery guy; he doesn't always let me catch him. I'm also hoping that if we both start working together we'll both be in shape for the riding season. As it is, we are both overweight and out of shape. :-)

Once I was done futzing around on Rain, I gave him a thorough grooming, including braiding his mane. I apparently have a thing for braids right now. It's more quality time with my horses.

I decided after putting Rain back to pull Dude out. He was covered in mud and had darn cockleburs and dreadlocks in his mane. It was really starting to bug me. So I gave him a thorough grooming and deshedding. He'll need more work in shedding out but at least it's a start. He was more interested in the ponies than getting a good grooming. Once I was done getting rid of the dirt and loose hair I tackled his mane and braided it up too. I need to get a pic of him. He looks so cute all braided up. It's hard to tell he's a thug.

This morning I enjoyed the "PreDawn" show. For the last three mornings I've enjoyed watching the golden moon set over the horizon. While I drive to work, I get to watch the sky change hues every so many minutes. And to top it off, as I'm pulling in to work, the sun rose above the horizon. So all in all, I've had an enjoyable evening and morning.

Maybe this evening I'll get to go for another ride to help keep me in my "zen" mood.

All Worked Up

Unfortunately I seem to be a bit worked up over my friend's horse. There is the unfortunate possibility that she may have to put her beloved Bubba down. That in turn makes me think back five months ago when I had to put down my beloved best friend, Ace. I'm not sure what was the hard part, making the phone call or showing up on that day to have him put down.

To top it off, there had been a mixup on the date I was scheduled to put Ace down. I took advantage of the extra days I had with him. But it only prolonged the pain for me. It was a swift and calm death but it had to be by my hand. I don't like playing god.

April 20th will mark five months from the day I had to say goodbeye to Ace. I still get teary eyed thinking about that day. Next month, May 16th will mark the one year annivesary of me having to put Blondie and Ten Man down. Maybe some day I'll blog about both of them. For now, the memory of their passing is still fresh in my mind. I vow to never go back to that vet.

Not long ago February 25th was the two year anniversary of losing my best friend and dream horse Tiny Dictator. I'm suprised that I can remember the dates. I figured I would want to forget them but for some reason I desparately want to remember each of the dates of their final day, along with their birthday, and day they arrived at Borderlands. I'm not sure why the dates are important, but they are to me. I guess if I hold on to the dates and make them important, than they won't be forgotten. 100 years from now, no one is going to remember Dictator, Ace, Blondie, or Ten Man. I guess that's why I want to leave some type of rememberance to them.

I guess right now I'm rambling more to keep my mind away from what my friend may possibly have to do. My heart goes out to them and I pray that they don't have to experience the same grief I had to go through five months ago. I guess with all life there is death and if you open your heart to anyone, two-legged or four, you have to learn to let go at some point. I can only wish and hope that I don't have to say goodbye to any of "the herd" any time soon. I don't think my heart can take it at this point.

Continuing to pray for Bubba. More prayers on the wind.

Prayers on the Wind

I found out yesterday that my good friend's QH gelding, Bubba, is very lame. The prognosis is guarded. My heart goes out to them. Please keep them in your prayers.

On a happier note, this morning I woke up to the most gorgeous moon. It was the same yesterday morning too. The moon was a golden sphere. I wish the camera could have gotten a good shot of it. Absolutely breathtaking.