Happy 4th of July everyone! But it may not be happy for all our animals. Some of them just can’t handle it.

Now let’s think about all the “war horses”. They weren’t bothered by artillery fire. People shoot guns off the backs of horses now and in days past. It’s all a matter of how you condition your horses. Now dogs on the other hand, are not always interested in working through this particular problem.

So here we face another 4th of July. Are you prepared, and do you know how your horse will take to it?

Now the horses that have been here for a year or more are fine with it. I have never had a horse on the property that wasn’t okay with the pretty sights and loud sounds. It might have something to do with Florida and all the intense lightening strikes we have, or maybe it’s something else. I like to feed early and be home for the 4th of July evenings, just in case. My horses are all turned out in their pastures. They actually like to watch the fireworks. They run down to the pond to get a better view. But this year I have two new horses who I don’t know. I’ve put calls out to their owners to see if they have any idea of what reaction to expect. One is a hunt horse and probably has heard gun fire before. The one from Germany, I’m not really sure. The owner said he was put in the barn and seemed to do fine. He’s the curious sort and would probably like to watch, but he also uses any excuse to run around.

So the question is do you put them in or leave them out? I really believe they prefer being out. They can see what’s making the noise and if they want to get away from it they can go to the other end of the pasture. I worry that they will feel trapped in their stalls. They can’t see what’s going on, but they hear the noise. They are confined and can’t run away. Now if you have a horse that will panic, running away might not be a good idea, especially if they’ll run through a fence.

So it’s really up to you and your horse. You know him/her better than anyone. If you have a small paddock that they stay in, there is no place to run to.

It’s a judgement call, and you are the judge. Have a safe happy 4th. You might also consider conditioning your horse through the year to prepare him for the 4th of July next year.

Isn’t that from a Country Western Song? Seems to me it was or is.

I’ve explained how much continuing to breath when riding is so important. It relaxes your muscles and you horse in turn.

Found this quote this week on Facebook. Considering I don’t spend that much time on Facebook, I must be receiving the right posts.

“Let a horse whisper in you ear and breath on your heart. You will never regret it.”

Now some people might say that the worst thing they ever did was getting involved with horses. LOL. Some of my lesson parents, years ago, complained about the expense. They should only see it now. But I guess it’s no more expensive than all the other sports. But how would I know. Or maybe it is. It all depends on how deep you get into it. Prices I hear now-a-days simply blow my mind. $50,000.00 to $100,000.00 for a horse and a decent saddle could cost you $5,000.00 or more. When I was a teenager it cost me $100.00 for my horse and $125.00 for my saddle. I still have the saddle, but the horse has been gone 35 years. That’s almost as long as she was on this earth. She was 36 when I put her down.

Speaking with a young girl a couple of weeks ago, I was telling her – once you get that special feeling, it will grab you, and never go away. Oh yes there are people who get into it for a little while, and then move on. There are teenage girls who are totally into it, but then find boys and leave the horses behind. Then there are people like us, who it becomes a part of who we are, a part of the tapestry of our lives.

I’ve never met a person, who has been touched, (even for a short while) that ever said they regretted it. They all found something special with their time with horses. A different perspective, a form of relaxation, stress release, getting in touch with nature, or maybe just ones self. But there is something magical that happens between humans and horses. Something totally unexplainable. It’s like those movies with a young girl and a unicorn, just pure magic.

It’s something we can’t explain and really don’t find the need to. Just enjoy it. Let a horse breath on your heart every chance you get, you will never regret it.

Loved that song when the Beetles did it back in the ’60’s.

I watch how each of my boarders show love to their horses, and how the horses show their love back. No two horse/person are the same.

One boarder speaks to her horse and the horse speaks back to her. They run around the field (on foot) together playing tag. As first it unnerved me, but it’s what they do.

Another boarder comes and gives her horse a body massage. He loves it and snuggles into her. We’re not talking pony, we’re talking a big strong Thoroughbred who melts like butter with her touch.

Now the woman who owns the TB brought her new boyfriend over the other day and he was standing there watching the interaction between horse and woman. The TB’s Quarter Horse buddy was standing there watching this also. Now the QH doesn’t like men and is very skeptical of strangers, but the boyfriend walked over to the QH and started softly speaking to him, then started petting him, and the two of them spent the next half hour just hanging out and enjoying each others company. I was shocked, but it made the QH feel loved.

It’s interesting to see the difference it makes to the horse if an owner is present in their lives, or has not seen them in a year or two. In the beginning (when they are sent here for retirement) the owners come often, call or text everyday asking how the horse is doing. As the years go by they come less often, call or text less often, and eventually, they just send checks and ask if the horse is still healthy and happy. The owners know they are safe and well taken care of, and just go on with their lives. Oh they intend getting up here to visit, but something always comes up and they’ll do it next week. Those horses have a sadness about them. I try to make them feels special, but on the other hand the one horse said, “I’ve had many owners, what’s one more.” So apparently, he’s had many owners who have come and gone in his life, and this one is just one more.

My TB mare just loves me for the carrots and food I supply, although she really loves personal attention, but my QH mare loves to hang with me. Especially if there’s a belly rub in it for her. I know she’s missing the one on one time, and perhaps after Bobby’s surgery we can spend more time together. I keep promising, and she keeps believing (I think). Or she might just be rolling her eyes and thinking, sure we will.

Did you ever think about how you show your love to your horses? Are you doing it with carrots and peppermints? Or is it more of a hands on kind of affection? Did you ever think about how they show their love back to you. Is it a nicker or do they come running to you when you get in their sight or call their name? Do they just say thanks for the carrots and go back to what they were doing, or do they hang around just to be with you? Did you ever think about it at all?

There was a book out years ago titled “The Five Love Languages”. Of course this book was directed at the Five Love Languages between people, but believe it or not, they aren’t much different with animals.

The book is as follows – my thoughts come with it.

Love Language #1: Words of Affirmation – Horses love being praised and told they have done well too. You know the old saying – “You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” You can catch more horses with carrots than you can with a whip.

Love Language #2: Quality Time – Some horses love to just spend time with you. Sure carrots are great, but sometime they just want to hang.

Love Language #3: Receiving Gifts – They don’t get excited if you bring a small box with a diamond ring, but bring a bag of carrots and you become the best person in the whole world.

Love Language #4: Acts of Service – Now let’s think about this… Do they care if you clean their stall or tack? Some appreciate a clean stall, most don’t mention it, but come down the isle with a bucket of grain, and let the party begin.

Love Language #5: Physical Touch – Most of the time, this is one of their favorites. Whether it be a kind touch, a good old belly rub, or scratching that special place, this one is always a winner.

I’m sure I’ve mention the Five Love Languages before, but sometimes it’s a good reminder. Some people just think of their horses as a means to an end. A vehicle or piece of equipment to get to that blue ribbon. Most horse people don’t. Are there changes you would make if you could? No better time than now. Or just think about the Love Language that speaks to you and compare it to what speaks to your horse.

Sometimes people post good stuff on Facebook. Most times not.

I’ve joined several groups in the area to find owners of lost dogs. It surprises me as to how many owners find their lost pets on Facebook. See, anything can be used for good in the right hands with the right thought process.

The other day I saw this on Facebook and shared it, but for those of you who didn’t see it I will post it again.

“We usually have two options with horses: We can either give them time to think, or wish we had.” Mark Rashid

I hate when people rush horses through any kind of training. You have to let them absorb what they are being taught. Honestly, you have to let me absorb what you are teaching me too. People have many different ways of learning. For me, reading instructions usually doesn’t work. If you show me, I’m good.

Back to the old ways of training. What you teach the horse on one side, you have to re-teach it on the other side. Actually when you go to do the same thing on the other side they look at you like “What are you talking about? I’ve never seen or heard that before.” Thinking about it, I get that from the kids at church too.

You really have to let them (the horses) think about what you have just taught them and let them chew it over. It’s a saying from way back, to chew it over, but horses really do. Guess that’s where the saying comes from.

However, there are times you shouldn’t give them a chance to think some things over. Like loading into a trailer. You just walk forward with intent, and if they trust your judgement, they should just follow you on. If you are going to hesitate and wonder if the horse will load or not, chances are he’s going to hesitate and decide it’s not a good idea.

So the jury is still out on Mr. Rashid’ quote. Verdict is – It depends.

If you are older, you may remember having that as a class in school. When I first heard it I thought it was an art class and I was excited. Then I found out it was just English.

We struggle with learning to speak, listen, and comprehend when we are children. Then we are given a choice to learn another language. I tried French, several times. I still can pick up on some words, but to speak it, is out of the question. To speak English lately, is not easy. To spell, forget it.

I ran across this on Facebook and I’d like to share it with you.

“Not everyone can hear the silent language between a horse and rider. — Not everyone can trust their life with an animal. — Not everyone has what’s needed to be an equestrian. – But equestrians aren’t just people, and horses aren’t just animals. — The only ones who truly understand this world, are the ones who are part of it.” Signed, Bea Aguirre

Makes you stop and think, doesn’t it? I guess we are a special breed ourselves. Doesn’t seem that way to me, it’s just normal, but when you compare “us” to “normal????” people, we are not only special, but blessed.

We live in our own universe. That space and time that only horse people and horses can share.

Feel good about yourself. We have something that few people will ever have, or for that matter, even understand. We are the lucky ones.

They just don’t know what they are missing.

We’ve all watched that movie, probably more than once. We cry every time when Joe walks past Beauty and Beauty realizes he knows Joe. Then Beauty tries to get Joe’s attention and the tears really start to flow.

How many of you have been in that situation? I rescued my mare from the auction and promised her that I would never let her go again. I stayed true to my word and loved her, and protected her, until her final days at age 36.

Recently a friend found a horse she had ridden as a kid. Once again she will take care of her until the end. Her mare is old and cannot be ridden, but she doesn’t care. She, like me, gave up the idea of having a horse she could show, to care for this mare.

Some people search, but never find the horse of their youth. Some people are lucky enough to have a Black Beauty ending, and some people never let them go in the first place.

I’ve always thought that there should be a site that you can post a picture of a horse your looking for, and perhaps, someone would see it and let you know where you can find them, or what happened to them. Now people are posting pictures of horses that were stolen from their yards. It’s a sick world.

When we’re young our parents or circumstances allow our most precious gift to slip through our hands. Most horses are passed, like Beauty, from owner to owner. Then when they get old, and have no use, find themselves in a bad situation.

It is my goal for any of the horses that come to this farm, to live out their lives in peace and contentment. That I will be the last person in their lives to give them food and love in a safe environment. If the owners are done with them, I will keep them. Abuse, starvation, or hard work will never touch their lives. They will not end up in a sand lot, or auction. They will lay down in green pastures and enjoy the sun on their bodies. They will eat until their bellies are full. They will know a soft touch, and feel the love they deserve. I will be there for them as they cross the Rainbow Bridge. They like Beauty, in their minds, will run freely with their friend through lush green pastures.

When you get older your goals change. You get down to your bucket list. Things you want to do before you die. Mine is very simple, to care for the animals that God has entrusted to me. This is my quest, my desire, and my ultimate goal. So let it be written, so let it be done.

Last week I told the site to publish my post. Went back several days later and found it hadn’t published it. Let’s see what this week brings.

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It’s a required course with horses, and something I’ve always struggled with (with people).

Whatever you do, don’t pray for patience. I did for years until I realized how God handles this. He doesn’t just give you patience, he gives you circumstance to learn how to grow patience.

I’ve recently talked about patience in loading a horse, we all have experienced that, but there are so many more areas where patience comes in.

Training is a big area of patience. Some horses grasp the idea quickly, some do not.

You get frustrated and your adrenaline starts pumping. Your energy changes. Your body language changes, and you know that your horse is reading all this and then his energy changes and his fight or flight instinct kicks in. Life goes down hill rapidly after that.

This, however, is not the patience I’m dealing with today. My friend told me a couple of weeks ago that I had much more patience than she has. It’s not so much patience as perseverance. And truly, it’s more determination than perseverance.

My mare Friday injured her leg 25 months ago. The vet said she was done. I told her that I “believed”, and I told myself that every day when I went to treat the leg and wrapped it for two years. She is fine and galloping around the pastures like nothing ever happened. I gave her the two years that another vet had suggested and was just about to start her back to work and wham! a Stromal Abscess in her left eye. So once again she can’t be ridden. I’ve been dealing with this for three months. She goes back 3/19 for a recheck. So I’ve been dealing with four medications six times a day and now we’re down to four medications four times a day. (Still medicating only three four times a day after visit for another month.)

I made up my mind from day one that she was not going to lose this eye, not after two years of wrapping her legs. I’ve had horses who have lost eyes, but I wasn’t giving in to this one. (Not that I gave in to the others either.)

It’s up to you on what matters most. Horses might be one of the best teachers of patience, but only if you, as a student, are willing to learn. In the end, it does pay off big time. The satisfaction of knowing that you beat the odds is so empowering. (I’m waiting for the empowering thing.)

Patience, perseverance, or determination? It doesn’t really matter what label you put on it, the only thing that matters is that you follow through on what “YOU Believe.”

The other day, as I was walking up from the pond pasture, I was thinking about the next thing I had to tackle. You finish one project or disaster and you move on to the next. I thought – my life is like a Jumper Course, or maybe an Obstacle Course would better describe it.

When I was a teenage I could never remember my course except for the different jumps. I’d start at the vertical, go to the coop, come around to the stone wall, over the oxer, through the combination, around to the post and rail, down to the spread, and finish by jumping over the gate out of the ring. If they were all rails, well then I was in trouble.

So it is with life. I finally finished with wrapping the horses leg after two years, and now I’m onto the eye, then around to the abscess, down to the allergy sores, around to the dew poisoning, meds for the dogs, and help Bobby.

Actually thinking of it as a Jump Course at a horse show is more fun than the reality of “This Is Your Life.” For those of you who aren’t as old as I am, that was a TV show back in the late 50’s.

It’s really interesting as to how you view things. It could drag you down or make you laugh.

It’s your choice, but I’ll take the Jump Course and laugh as I cross the finish line. It’s not a timed event, so enjoy the ride.

A woman who is a very prominent trainer in our area has sent several of her horses and clients horses to me both for lay-up and retirement.  When she was visiting a month ago she asked me why I did this.  She stopped me in my tracks.  I had to think, which I try to avoid, why do I do this?  Good question.  I hesitated a bit too long and she said, “because you love this, that’s why.”

It started me thinking, really, why do I do this?  I certainly don’t do this for the money.  Nor do I do this to make a name for myself.  I’m 71 years old and I don’t need to be unloading 1000 lbs. of grain.  I don’t need to be out there treating an eye ulcer every four hours.  I don’t need to be body slammed by a horse.  So then why don’t I just retire and enjoy the rest of my life?

Probably because I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.  Bobby would like to sell everything and go live on a boat cruising from place to place.  Going north in the summer and south in the winter.  That would get old.  I need to be dirty.  I need to look out across the pastures and see the horses grazing, napping, or just being horses.  I need to have a purpose beyond walking the dog in the morning with a pooper scooper.  Besides even if we get a mega yacht the horses would be bored (storing hay would be a problem with the salt air) and the Catahoulas would wreak havoc on the place.  I would like to do it for a few weeks to a month like we used to. Not take the horses, just go away on the boat.

I loved teaching.  I loved, really loved Fox Hunting.  I guess when I used to show I liked that too, but why does anyone collect and take care of geriatric horses if they don’t totally love what they are doing?  I certainly haven’t had time to ride lately.  But what I used to get joy and comfort out of was just grooming and spending time with them on a one to one basis.  Fussing over them.  Haven’t had a lot of time for that lately.  I really need to look at my workload and priorities.

So why do you do what you do?  No, really?  Are you in it for the money (not in the horse business), the love, the glory, or the satisfaction?  Do you just do what you do mindlessly?  Are you even aware of what you do?  Are you really aware of why you do it?

It’s winter, it’s cold, it’s a good time to think, and remember why we do what we do.  We do it because we absolutely love the glorious, gorgeous, animals who have our hearts.  If you don’t feel that way I think you need to rethink why you do it, and take up another sport.

Horses are a spiritual thing, they capture our hearts and our souls, and that’s why we do it.

God doesn’t give us want we want, He gives us what we need.  We may not see eye to eye on this, but in the end, He is always right.

Do we want to go to the dentist, no, but do we need to go to the dentist, yes!  Do we want a bigger TV, probably yes, but do we really need it, no.

I both wanted and needed eye medication for my horse.  I waited two weeks and still didn’t receive it,  then we ordered another one, and what was supposed to be a two-day delivery has now taken a week.  Last time this happened, my horse lost her eye.

We see things we want in life, but do we really need them?  Not usually.

What about our horses.  What do they want as opposed to what they need; and do we really know the difference, or more importantly, do we care?

When I was a kid, the barn I grew up at always had a radio playing.  The owner said that music soothes the savage beast, or in this case calmed the horses and gave them something to listen to when they were in their stalls.  I somehow don’t think that rock and roll is what, whoever came up with the savage beast thing, had in mind.  But as teenagers we really appreciated hearing all our favorites.  I used to always play music in the barn, but one day I noticed the horses didn’t appreciate my choice of music.  I put on the sound track from Phantom of the Opera.  As soon as those first notes played, they all went running out of the barn.  I got a good laugh out of it, but they weren’t buying into it.  Years later while I had music playing in the barn here in Florida, my vet said “why do you have music on all the time?”  I explain the savage beast thing.  He came back and gave me pause with his opinion.  “Horses don’t want to hear that kind of music, they want to hear the breeze rustle the trees, they want to hear the birds singing, that’s what gives them pleasure.  They want to hear the sounds on the wind, and what they may need to pay attention to so that they can flee from danger.”  I never thought of it that way.

So what else do horses really want.  Well they do want food and water.  They want a place to get out of the sun, wind, and rain.  The want a buddy.  They do want a grooming.  If you don’t do it, a tree, fence, or a buddy will oblige.  Do they need the Christmas decorations we find so cute on them, I don’t think so.  Do they need a saddle and bridle that fits properly?  That’s one of those want and need things.  Do they want a sheet or blanket.  Most times no, unless we trick their coats into thinking they don’t need more hair, or we shave them.  If they are young and healthy they can usually take care of themselves.  Although I sleep much better if they have their wardrobe.  Do they need treats, no, but do they want them?  Yes because we’ve spoiled them, and we love doing that.

Just a game to play with our minds.  The next time you go to buy something, or do something, ask yourself is this a want or a need, and how does my horse see it.  You’ll be surprised at the answer you might give yourself.  I guess the real question is does my horse want this, or is it just all about me?