Sorry, got nailed by lightening two weeks ago and it took over a week to get a new modem. Lost the TV and sprinkler panel too. The good thing about living in the lightening capital of the world is that you get to buy new stuff regularly. The bad thing is the lightening. Horses were in the barn, we weren’t home.

A friend sent me an ad for her hunt horse that is For Sale. She’s a Palomino Belgium/Quarter Horse. Really built, and quite a looker. A good age, mid teens, which is not young and stupid, but not old and arthritic. The mare gets strong when she’s in First Flight (first group on the Hunt Field) and wants to be up with the Master. Now the biggest sin in Fox Hunting is stepping on a Hound. The second sin is riding up, or flying by, the Master when not invited.

I’m not sure how old this friend of mine is, but I do know she’s not as old as me. I’d say somewhere in her late 50’s or early 60’s. She’s been hunting for many years and is a good rider. She shows this mare Hunter and Dressage. The horse is used for lessons and tends to be a bit lazy. However, as I’ve always told everyone, you can dig a horse up that’s been dead for years, you put him on the Hunt Field, and he’s going to be more horse than you ever needed. So she tells me that she wants a horse that she can Hunt for a few more seasons and then “Ride Off Into The Sunset” on. Well don’t we all?

People used to say – “As a horse gets older they’ll quiet down.” Ahhh, No. What I have found is that what they are at middle age is what they will stay, even when they are crippled. Once a Barrel Horse, always a Barrel Horse. If the horse was quiet to begin with you have a nice horse to teach younger or inexperienced people on. If they were a Hot Tamale, they will still remain the same. You got a strong Hunt Horse, he/she will go to their grave like that.

When are you too old? When sanity catches up in your brain.

People always ask – “Do you still ride?” Yes when I get the chance. My friend who rode with me the last time said – “How does it feel to be back on your horse?” My answer “Like I was never off.”

The only thing I can say is that I find myself being more careful. Not carefree and a little crazy like when I was young. The last couple of years have opened my eyes. When Bob’s back got real bad and I was doing all the mowing plus, there wasn’t time. Then last year when he had the operation, there wasn’t time. Now I realize that me not getting hurt is very important. There is no Cavalry coming to back me up. I’m it. He’s doing really great and able to pitch in pretty much like before, but I know he can’t do everything like he did, and if he gets body slammed by one of the horses, he’s done. I mean really done.

Would I like to still break babies? Oh my yes! Would I like to be out there in First Flight? You bet. But sometimes you just have to deal with what really matters when you have no back up and the “Cast of Thousands” to care for. You must be wise in your decisions. It’s not how I thought my life would go. I thought I’d be out Hunting into my 90’s on a big old Hunt Horse that I knew so well. Surprise!!!! my Old Lady’s horse died when she was 17. That was not supposed to happen. My 20 yr. old QH Hunt Horse is still a Bottle Rocket ready to go off at any given moment. I’m not even sure of my 27 yr. old Warmblood. Since her leg healed she’s ready to make up for lost time.

So bottom line is that we all want that horse to “Ride off into the sunset” on, but the hard part is finding it. Guess I’ll just have to keep riding them and working the bugs out “into the sunset” just with a measure of care.

When you first meet a horse, how do you start a simple conversation? Did you ever think about it? I never did. It was just something that came naturally. I guess I usually start with a compliment like – “Hi handsome, or beautiful” as I gently extend my hand to let them smell me, and I touch them lightly.

Have you ever noticed that most people will go to touch a horses face? That is somewhat threatening to a horse. I usually just touch their shoulder or neck. Same thing when you walk up to a horse; never come head on, come from the shoulder area. They can very well see you.

How about when you see your horse during the day? When I see them in the morning I will always say Good Morning, how are you today? Your demeanor, voice, and energy will reassure them, and give them an idea of what you have in mind. Of course they are hoping it’s breakfast.

When walking up to them to do anything, clean, tack, apply meds, I always let them see, and smell what I have in my hands. No surprises. That is unless I have a horse that doesn’t like to be wormed. Then I’ll come up, show them my empty hand, come along side of them, stroke their muzzle and zap it in their mouths. Then I pet them, tell them how wonderful they are and move on to the next victim, I mean horse.

Did you ever think about how you greet people, or people greet you? Same difference. Do you like it when someone strides up, with intention, right up to your face and starts a conversation? Or do you like a casual walk up with a smile and a pleasant greeting? A strong aggressive person can put you on the defensive, like what does he want or what is she up to? Remember a horse is more in tune to that scenario than a human is. Their heads will come up, and their necks will tense up.

Once a fight or flight animal, always a fight or flight animal. They can become more comfortable with us over time, but we can always make a good first impression. We also need plenty of options in our bag of tricks.

One of my boarders, who I released back into the wild, called me the other day. She told me she had moved her horse again. Now I sent her out of here because her horse was sound and ready to live his life again as planned. Now what? Her trainer, whom she liked, was only renting stalls at the barn I delivered her to, so the trainer moved and she followed. She liked this trainer because she was taking her time getting this horse going over fences again, and was patient with the horses attitude because of his previous injuries. Horses remember what caused them pain, and he would kick out when he thought it was going to hurt. He’s adjusted and given acupuncture regularly to maintain his alignment until his body gets stronger and takes over.

Okay, so how does trauma like this happen to this extent? Airplane transport from Europe to the U.S. I’ve know a lot of horses brought over from Europe with no signs of this kind of damage, but speaking to various vets, it’s quite common. We’re talking major problems from his head to tail, inside and out. The main problem being, the extent of the damage is not detected right away. The school of thought is let him rest and he’ll be fine. Not! When things are not in alignment and left that way it opens up a whole can of worms.

But that’s not what this post is about.

How do you decide what barn you want to board at? What is most important to you and your horse?

Here are some of the thoughts I’ve come across.

Price – what can you afford?

Location – is it convenient to your home or work,? Distance would also fall into that category along with traffic conditions. Is it near trails or show grounds. Can you park your trailer there? Do they trailer to shows or vet clinics if necessary?

Facilities – do they have what you need in the way of jumps, barrels, dressage ring. Bathrooms, wash stalls, turn out, round pen? How are the ground conditions? Do they have grazing pastures and what condition are they in? Are the watering troughs clean? Do you need a lighted arena or maybe an indoor or covered?

The care of your horse – how much care does your horse require? How much are you allowed to give? How much will they give and at what cost to you?

Feeding – Are the horses there well fed and healthy? Do they have vets that regularly come in and perform the necessary care and will they come in an emergency. Is there a barn farrier or do you have to have your own vet and farrier come? Will they hold the horse if necessary or do you have to be there?

Trainers/Instructors – are there trainers there to help with your specialty? Are they knowledgeable with kind attitudes?

Participation and social events – do they go to clinics, shows, trail rides, and do they have various social events or outings for their clients.

Friends – do you just go where your friends are going? Is that most important to you?

When we were moving to Florida we asked a friend, who had a house down here, “what should we look for?” He said “you have to decide what is most important to you. Things like hospitals, restaurants, schools, beaches, boating areas are not all in the same place, so you need to figure out what means more to you and buy near that area.” It’s the same with a barn. You have to decide what means most to you and go from there.

My friend has moved her horse further away from her home. She can not stop at the barn on her way to work or on the way home anymore. Her daughter now has her license so she doesn’t have to run her over to the barn for lessons, which makes it easier on her. But she followed her trainer. Keeping her horse safe is worth the trip. To come to me she traveled an hour. The barn I brought her to was ten minutes from her house. It’s a half hour from her house in one direction to work and a half hour from her house in the opposite direction to the barn.

What is most important to you? Perhaps it’s a combination of things. Something to think about. Nothing is cast in stone, you can always move again.

Woke up this morning thinking, I have to post my insanity. Then I realized I missed Wednesday and it’s Thursday. Oh my!

This Covid thing is making people crazy in so many ways. It hasn’t changed my life much at all. Other than not going to church on Sundays (now we watch it on Facebook Live) and not getting to the dentist or eye doctor, nothings changed. When all your time is spent on the farm, except for going for feed and food, things are pretty much the same.

I feel so sorry for people who are stuck in apartments. Walking from room to room, especially if you live alone. I just heard that every dog has been adopted in Palm Beach County. The first time ever that there are no dogs in the shelter. But, they still have two cats, two horses and a pig that need a home. I just hope that all these people who have adopted these dogs don’t dump them when this pandemic is over.

This has a profound effect on horse people. For those who are blessed to have them at home, you can still go out and touch your babies. Many horse people aren’t allowed to visit their horses. Barns are closed. Some barns will allow you to make an appointment to stop by at a given time. Who could have ever believed that life could be like this.

Most horse people believe their horses are their therapy. It’s what keeps us grounded, gives us pleasure, and they don’t judge us when we cry on their shoulders. This is truly a necessary trip. Right up there with food, fuel, and drug store.

My one friend is totally losing it. She had a horseless horse show in her yard, did a video and posted it on Facebook. She got all dressed for a show, including her number. She took her silk flowers and made a course out of them. Did simple changes, and even threw in a kick or two. So I commented on her slipping into the abyss of insanity, that I was starting to worry about her. Then I proceeded to tell her that I would have that horses back checked for pain because of him throwing a kick. At this time I decided that I was slipping with her for making that comment. Once an instructor, always an instructor.

But getting down to hard facts, this virus is causing us to lose track of what necessary care our horses do need. My neighbor is putting off having her horses feet done, because her farrier has contact with his granddaughter. I must admit I had doubts about getting my horses their flu internasal last month. That is one thing I have to hold them for. I can’t blame them, I hate nasal spray myself. But I promised my vet that I wouldn’t breathe on her if she didn’t breathe on me. Farrier comes on Monday, and boy do they need it, spring has sprung on their hoof growth.

Yes I’m concerned. I wear my mask and gloves shopping. Pre-order and pay for my grain over the phone, then just back into the loading dock and let the boys load the truck. Wait a couple of days before I unload it.

I will wait, probably another month or two, to have their teeth done, but I’m not going to hold off on any shots that may be due , or having their feet done. I do have to drive into the small animal vet for meds for the dog and cat. I feel like I’m preparing to go into battle.

I had a friend call yesterday because her neighbor had a cow down. The owner called around and they told her that they are booked for two to three weeks. The cow will be dead by then. I gave her my vets number. Don’t know if it’s already too late.

God did not give me a spirit of fear, but I do have to make wise choices.

Try to laugh as much as possible. Don’t dwell on things you can’t control. And if you have to, try advancing toward flying changes from simple changes, you certainly have the time.

Stay safe. Hang in there we can do this.

It was always better to play a game with a team of friends. No matter what we were playing I was never one of the first ones picked to be on a team. No hand eye coordination was a big factor, but I didn’t care, as long as I was on a team. Most of us have our favorite team in sports, whether it’s baseball, football, hockey, basket ball or what ever floats your boat.

I never found my true connection until I got into horses. Yes we did things in teams too, but the best team effort was between me and my horse.

I read a book, years ago when I was a teen, and right now I can’t remember the name of it. It could have been “Heads Up.” I actually think it had an orange cover with a girl jumping an Appaloosa over a very high vertical. If I remember correctly she did this in a Circus or something. At any rate, and I also forgot the horses name, when ever she got into the ring she would say to her horse “Okay ?name?, it’s only you and me, Heads Up, and off she would go.

I connected with a horse that no one else wanted to ride at the barn. Her name was Bossa Nova, but I called her Lady. I wasn’t looking for the connection, I didn’t really care about this particular horse, but I was told that she was the horse I was going to ride. She was a typical mare with the ears back, snarling at all the other horses. Would throw a kick now and then, but she could jump. Since no one else wanted to ride her, she became like my horse. Every time I taught a lesson or took a ride out, she was my partner. Now I was 16 years old trying to take out a bunch of Sunday cowboys who were trying to impress and scare their young girlfriends. They watched too many westerns back then. So Lady always came to my rescue. All the horses knew her and no one would pass her. She was not a fast horse, but if someone got by her, she would take off, cut them off, and throw a buck at them. I promised her back then that because she had taken care of me, I would take care of her for the rest of her life, which I did. She died at the age of 36. We were a team.

I’ve had many horses since then. Some I raised from foals, and some I acquired through rescues. But through the years there have been special ones. Ones that became a team with me. One gave me my confidence back after my Thoroughbred caused me to doubt. My hero was Movin’ Machine, I called him Mac. He showed me that we could do anything we wanted out on the Hunt Field. Then came my second foal Desert (first one, not so much). We knew each other so well neither of us had to say a word. Then there was Magic. Opinionated witch, but boy could she Hunt. She knew the blasts on the horn and what they meant. She would jump anything and take on anyone. Even when she lost one eye. You didn’t mess with Magic and you didn’t tell her no when she made up her mind. Dawnie was my baby, a Clydesdale lap dog. My sweet child. After we had a Hurricane one year, she would plow through the downed trees and make a way for the Huntsman. If I said it was okay to do, she did it. Desert was the same way. He walked over an 8 inch wide (two planks) washed out bridge over a ravine because I told him he could.

Barrel Racers know that there is a connection between them and their horses. In Open Jumping whether it’s Olympic or Stadium, if there is a connection you see it. Even Dressage, if there is a connection it’s very obvious. The horse will shine, and give an extra effort to please his rider. There, you will see, pure love between them.

We all look for that special horse that we become one with. When you do get one, there is nothing like it. Don’t be discouraged if you never get that with your horse. Don’t fight it, you two were just never meant to be. Make the best of it and move on. It’s like people, some people you connect with and some you don’t. But when you find that special horse, it becomes something you can’t explain. It’s a soul connection. You become one. No words can explain it, it just is.

When I used to take Lady into a show ring to jump, I would block out the crowd, and I would always say “Okay girl, it’s just you and me, Heads Up.” I can still feel it to this day, and I smile.

If you have it cherish it, it is soooo special. If you don’t, just enjoy what you have and let them be a teacher, all mine were.

Just something to think about because these days are so unsettled.

When I was a teenager and had the wonderful opportunity of growing up at a huge old barn, we had a 5 ft high medicine cabinet. Nothing was in original bottles, and nothing was really marked. You were sent to get something and you had to determine what it was by smell. We were always told NOT to put it directly under our noses, but to sniff it from far away passing it back and forth. Half the stuff you looked at and wondered what it was in it’s first life. I remember looking for Bigeloil in a very big hurry one day, and put a bottle right up to my nose. I love the smell of Bigeloil, but I almost got knocked on my butt when I put a bottle of ammonia up close and personal and took a big whiff. Since that day I never have done that again. I cleared my sinus’s, my eyes teared like Niagara Falls, and my brain went on high alert. When I was a kid, Bigeloil was used for everything from a liniment for rubbing sore muscles or swelling, to a mouth wash. I can still hear “apply a little, rub a lot.” You wanted to stimulate the blood circulation.

Medicine cabinets are a big part of a barn. With horses, cats, and dogs forever getting into trouble, we have a huge supply of first aid supplies and medications. I try to keep labels on everything, but when something is used a lot, the labels have a way of peeling off or the writing becomes smeared. If I’m using spray bottles I try to have different colored bottles or sprayers to help me know what I am grabbing when I’m in a hurry. Yellow is Show Sheen, Green is fly spray for the barn use on horses, blue means fly spray to be kept in the horse trailer, and red is usually liniment.

Every so many years I go through the cabinet and purge old supplies. However, there are things I’ll keep just in case. There are products that we don’t use often. They may lose some of their effect, but any port in a storm, until you can get a fresh supply. I also go over prescription stuff with my vet every so often in regards to expirations.

How many times has Bob said to me, “do we have gauze pads in the house?” I’ll say no, but I’ll go to the barn and get some. His reply is “yeah, everything is in the barn.” I gave up on medical tape years ago, masking tape works just as well and we have that all over the place.

So here we come to Covid-19. Hand Sanitizer is not available anywhere. So being a horse person, raised in the good ole days, I go into Dr. Pol mode for old fashioned remedies, and look on the internet for homemade recipes for hand sanitizer. Two thirds Isopropyl Alcohol 70%, 1/3 Aloe gel, and a few drops of Tea Tree Oil (if you wish). No problem, I’ll go out to the barn. Sure enough everything is there. You’d be amazed at what you will find in the back of a medicine cabinet or under your counter. I knew I was out of Alcohol in the house because I make my homemade recipe for swimmers ear medicine. One teaspoon of alcohol, one teaspoon of white vinegar, few drops of olive oil (to make it smooth, but I don’t use it anymore). If you get itchy ears, it works great. If it burns, you have fungus, if not, you were fine to begin with. A couple of applications and you’re good to go. I learned this from my pharmacist. I called one Saturday night just before closing and asked him if he had any swimmers ear medicine, Bob was in need. He said yes but they were closing, but if I had the alcohol, white vinegar, and olive oil at home, I could mix up a batch and start right away. I did and we’ve used it ever since.

Sometimes the vet will say, would you by chance have ….., and I can usually say, wait, yes I do.

So take stock in what you have lurking in the back of your cabinets, keep it in the back of your minds, and one day you will be able to say “wait, let me go to the barn.”

Stay safe, make wise decisions.

So here I sit trying to figure out just what to write about. This whole Covid-19 thing has upset so many events. Horse Shows are cancelled, training events are cancelled, and even the Kentucky Derby is cancelled. Well everything isn’t actually cancelled, just postponed. Life as we know it is on hold. It’s amazing, we have all this time and really can’t do anything exciting. We can ride locally, but a lot of the parks are closing too. Beaches are closed so no swimming the horses.

But there is something we can do and that’s deal with all the hair that’s coming off our horses.

Now we’ve been in the 80’s for weeks. Several of the older horses have way too much hair. They are sweating and are getting skin rot. Especially the one Cushings horse. She’s a grey and usually she just deals with dew poisoning. Surprise! What a mess.

My friends up in Michigan are sending me pictures of the snow they got yesterday. I’ll deal with 80 and skin rot any day.

One thing I did do the other day was to make sure that all my feeding, medications, and shot records were up to date. If I come down with this crud, I want whoever comes in to feed, to know exactly what everyone gets.

Went grocery shopping today and there was hardly anything on the shelves. Seriously, what are people thinking. But the good news is that I went to the feed store and their warehouse was loaded. So instead of Cheerios I might be having sweet feed with my milk in the morning soon.

But it is spring, and “Hope Springs Eternal.” So soon the horses will shed out, the season of mud will pass, just in time for the season of biting things, and hot weather.

Someone told me today that they are talking about this Covid-19 thing lasting for 6 months. People are crazy now, I don’t want to see 6 months from now. For those who have their horses in their yards, you are blessed. For those that are boarding at barns that are closed down, this too shall pass.

If you can ride, go for it. If you can’t, start making plans on how to improve both you and your horse. Watch some training videos and ride and feel your horse in your mind, then when the time comes, apply it.

We are horse people. We get bucked off, pick ourselves up out of the dirt, mud, or snow, and get back on. We can do this.

Stay away from people, they are either sick or crazy. A horse is always your best bet, include your dogs and cats too. Speaking of which, people are dumping their dogs and cats. It’s a sick world out there in more ways than just the Covid-19.

Well with everything crazy in the world, Bob and I decided to go boating today (it’s in the upper 80’s and sunny here). We saw people out riding their bikes, motorcycles, riding their horses. They say don’t be in crowds so this is the perfect opportunity to ride.

Friends were talking about where they would like to ride, if given the chance. One of my neighbors said that if they close the Skyway Bridge, at the mouth of Tampa Bay, she wants to ride over that. I don’t even like to drive over that.

My one friend asked on the Internet “Why Toilet Paper?” Why has everyone made a run on Toilet Paper? I have no idea. We prepare for Hurricanes and we run out of water and plywood, but toilet paper? Never.

World has gone crazy I guess. You want to hear crazy?? Two women fighting over a bottle of Ketchup at Wal-Mart. One woman gets so made she grabs a bottle of wine, smashes it and stabs the other woman. Now that is crazy. It’s only a bottle of ketchup for pete’s sake.

We horse people are blessed. We walk out to the barn, put our hands on our horses, and get the peace beyond all understanding. All the worlds troubles and craziness is gone. We get on their backs and we fly like Eagles, nothing can touch us. We stroll through the woods, or the fields, and it’s simply magical. All the chaos of the world is gone, it’s just us; my horse and I. Wasn’t that a Broadway Musical?? Oh no, wait, that was The King and I. Same difference.

Most people will never have the pleasure of the peace we feel when we are with our horses. If more people had horses, psychiatrists would be out of business.

At least this is giving us something else to be concerned about, but the safety of our horses is still lurking in the backs of our minds. A bunch of us on the Internet are praying between Noon and 1:00 p.m. everyday for the safety of our horses from these butchers, please feel free to join us.

God did not give us a spirit of fear (or we wouldn’t ride horses), just please make wise decisions and stay safe from this virus. This too shall pass. (Not soon enough)

Saw this quote “And I whispered to the horse – trust no man in whose eyes you do not see yourself reflected as an equal.” Don Vincenzo Geobbe Circa 1700.

I have two dogs that do not trust anyone. However a fear bitter is the worse form of aggression. At this point in time I wish my horses didn’t trust anyone. We still have horses being slaughtered, not only in Florida but other states too.

But let’s think about the quote. If a person doesn’t look you in the eyes, don’t trust them. They are up to no good.

You can tell a lot about a person or a horse by looking in their eyes. You can see fear or trust. Peace or panic. They can look in your eyes and see love, kindness, or aggression.

Have you ever just stood there and gazed into your horses eyes. Recently there have been studies done saying that horses can read your facial expressions. I somehow believe they read more through our energy and tension than our facial expressions. But eye contact, or lack there of, can make a big difference.

Cesar Millan always says when approaching a strange dog, “no touch, no talk, no eye contact.” To a dog it may be threatening. I think it’s more our body language that’s threatening with a horse.

To me, when I stand there and make complete eye contact with my horse, I feel it go straight to my soul. It goes deep and softens both our energies. I usually follow it with a gentle placing of my hand on her. We both relax and enjoy the moment of closeness. Becoming one spirit.

Spend time just looking into your horses eyes. Who do you see? Are you equal partners or is someone dominant?

We all know things about horses that we just accept, but we don’t totally understand why. More important than that, we don’t really care what is behind what we believe.

I’ve repeated this quote a million times, as most of you have, but we never look into the dynamics of it. I truly still don’t know or understand it, but I do know it’s true.

“There’s nothing so good for the inside of man as the outside of a horse.” In my reading today it says that British Statesman Lord Palmerston is quoted as saying that. I always thought that Winston Churchill had said it. He probably did along with millions of others.

My reading goes on to tell about a father who was concerned about his daughters disheartening semester at college, and a friend who invited her to come and just “brush a horse.” This changed her focus and brought peace to her. She then proceeded to go back to school the next day, relaxed and ready for a fresh start. I’ve done this several times and it really works.

Now we all know that to be true for us. But actually therapists have discovered in treating those struggling with addictions, emotional disorders, physical disabilities and depression for this to really work. “There is something about the nonjudgmental demeanor of a horse that layers a salve of peace on the soul.” My friend Nancy has known this for years, and totally loves working with horses and people.

Having dinner with my friend he said that his son was looking for a name for his practice. (If I’ve told you this before, I’m sorry. I’m old. I tell Bob the same thing over and over again. Usually because I feel it’s important for him to know and remember, and I’m old and senile.) So we were all goofing and coming up with silly names. So I came up with “Loose Horses.” We as horse people, know how they just run wild with no destination in mind when they escape. It’s just one big game of “you can’t catch me.” Well the next day my friend called me and said that his son loved the name and was going to use it. I was only kidding, but he felt that being in Texas, in cattle country, that people would love it. So the name of his practice is Loose Horses Psychiatry. His sign has a horse rearing with a dove above it. People love the name and tell him all the time how appropriate it is. He uses animals to help with his therapy sessions. He’s got quite a number of different animals on his property now. People just bring him animals and tell him that their animal would be perfect to help people. He had to put a stop to the incoming. I think he has more animals than clients.

I’m having dinner with his parents on Monday and I’ll have to tell him that his son needs that quote in the office.

I know that all the contents of this post I’ve mentioned before, but it still baffles me as to why it works. I guess it really doesn’t matter, it just does.

Why? What is it about a horse, just being a horse, that can cause such a big change in us?

A dear friend has a son that is a psychiatrist. He was in the army and dealt with PTSD. He has now moved into a private practice in Texas. One night at dinner