I know I wrote about this when it was all happening, but seeing the outcome and the statistics really blows you out of the water.  Just makes me mad and that’s when I get out my soap box.  Hang on it’s a bumpy ride.

I was just reading about the fires in California.  The title of the article was “Worst ever Ca. wildfires have killed 88 people, untold number of pets, horses and livestock”  Well if that doesn’t get your attention and make your stomach lurch, nothing will.  It goes on to say that it was the worst in the state’s history.  It was finally contained the last week in November.  They compared it to the Chicago fire in 1909.  Over a million and a half acres, some 400,000 more than last year.

“Death-defying efforts by animal lovers to rescue horses and pets left behind by fleeing owners are still making headlines.  Brave animal lovers risked life and limb doing what fleeing owners had no time to do.  They rushed back into already burned areas to try to salvage whatever was alive; there was mixed joy and tragic sorrow at what they found.  Scorched hooves and burned hair were good injuries, if the horse was standing.  The search for victims in the smoldering ruins continues… but cadaver dogs can not yet walk in some hot spots.  Hundreds of people are still missing.  One fire alone took 153,000 acres, destroyed 14,000 homes and another 5,000 barns and garages.”  This was taken from an article in Horse & Pony News December, 2018 issue.

Animals have been relocated to vet facilities, rescues, shelters and barns in the area.

We hear about it on the news, see a few pictures, but do we really grasp what happened here.  People just left their animals.  Some were turned loose hoping that they would find a safe place or a way out for themselves.  Yes I know that sometimes you think your safe and then the fire changes direction, and there is no time, but really couldn’t they have done something?  Made arrangements before they ran out of time?

It’s easy to sit here and think about that in warm sunny Florida, but we have hurricanes to deal with.  I’ve lived in areas where the woods were set on fire every spring break.  The neighborhood had a plan and we did something about it.  Yes people lost everything, and some even their lives trying to save their homes.  But I’m sorry, the animals look to us to protect them from harm.  I can’t bear to think of so many animals, wild or owned, being burned to death.

Things happen, sometimes unexpectedly, but where has common sense gone to.  Don’t let this happen to you or anyone you know.

Plan, prepare, and follow through.

One of my boarders came by last week for the first time since April.  This is not uncommon when people retire horses and move on.

She was so happy and excited to see her horse.  The horse on the other hand was not interested at all.  She kept calling him and he kept napping.  I, once again, went down with a lead line and a carrot and retrieved him.  Trying the whole way up the hill to explain that this woman pays his board and that he was being rude.  So we went through the hugs, kisses, and I’ve missed you so much routine.  I know she did.  She been going through some personal problems and just couldn’t find the strength to come up and see him.  She does live over an hour away.

The horse wasn’t buying into it.  He graciously took the carrots from her and then put his head in my arms.  Oh I hate when they do that.  Her comment was simply “Well I can see he likes you.  You are good to him and I really appreciate it.”  I know that should have made me feel good, but I felt rotten.  Then after he finished the carrots she had brought, he walked away.  Now this is nothing unusual.  Every horse will do that, but it kind of blew her out of the water.  She believed he had missed her and couldn’t wait to see her.  “Then she said “He really seems to like carrots now.”  She used to buy him the German horse cookies.  I feed carrots.  It’s really better for them especially if they are Insulin Resistant.  I told her yes, I can’t walk by his paddock with out giving him a carrot or he’ll follow me around until I do.  Oops! Did I say that.

He slowly walked back down to the bottom fence where his friends were waiting for him.  They discussed what just happened and then went back to eating hay.  She just stood there watching.  Kind of sad.  Finally she said “Well I can see he’s happy here.  He has friends.  It makes me feel better knowing that.”

Now this is the horse who told the communicator, when asked if he was depressed because he hadn’t seen his owner, “I’ve had so many, what’s one more.”  I understood what was going on through this whole situation, but she had no idea.

How sad.  People just don’t get it.  Horses don’t dwell on things the way people do.  They move on.  If he leaves here I will be just one more of those people who he will never see again.  I’m going to try my best to keep him here even if I have to buy him.  I want this to be his forever home.  I want it all to stop here.  I thought he was going to be 28 this year.  According to her she believes he is in his 30’s.  According to his teeth, I have to believe that to.  His tattoo is unreadable.  I want him to live out his life knowing that someone loves him and won’t send him on his way again.  I want him to die in a home he has known and felt safe at.  In his own pasture with his friends around him.  Although they are also old and may cross the Rainbow Bridge first.  I want him to have a constant in his life at the end.  I don’t know if he needs it as much as I do for him.  I want to be there at the end telling him to go across that bridge and rejoin all his old friends.

Call me silly or crazy, but this is what I have to live with, and want to.

So how do you explain all this to an owner who has just had her horse walk away from her?  I just simply say, he’s happy, don’t worry about him.  Feel good knowing that you did the right thing for him, and come and visit whenever you want.

That is the best I can do for all involved.

I have owned or worked with hundreds and hundreds of horses over the years.  Every one of them was special in their own way.  Each one was teacher, a confidant, a partner, a friend.  But there is always one who stands out to be more special, more loved, more loving than all the rest.  Desert was mine.

Somehow I stumbled onto a site with a saying that totally ripped my heart out.  It touched me so much that I had to purchase it.  It made me cry, but was so much of what I truly experience.  I will post it here, many of you have not gotten there yet, but so many more will relate and shed a tear.

I have no idea who the author is, but I’m thankful to him or her.  It had a beautiful picture with a white horse on it.

“I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.                                                I thought about you yesterday, and days before that too.                                I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.                                          All I have are memories, and your picture in a frame.                                  Your memory is a keepsake, from which I’ll never part.                              God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.

We must embrace the past, but look forward to the future.

Happy New Year!

Did you ever go through a week and miss it?  I did.  Sometimes life just gets away from you.

Hope you all had a wonderful a Christmas and received what you were really hoping for.

I noticed a lot of my friends and neighbors went riding Christmas Day.  But then again, this is Florida and not as cold, rainy, or snowy as the rest of the country.  Horses were decked out in holiday decorations, hats, bells, and tinsel.  Happy faces were smiling into the cameras.

Boxing day is the day after Christmas and Hunt Clubs were out there having a wonderful time doing what they love the best.  Show season here in Florida is going into full swing, while the rest of the country is settling down for a long winters nap.

We’re coming to the end of the year.  Some are sad to see it go, and some can’t wait.  I lost a lot of good friends and relatives this year, don’t feel like things are going to change for next.  Mostly to cancer.  The animal casualty list was much better in 2018, but the horses on this farm are all pushing closer to 30, except for two, one pushing 10 and the other pushing 20, so it’s a wait and see kind of thing.

New Years Resolution?  Don’t really have any.  Have one horse that I’ve been treating for an eye ulcer, I would like that to heal.  She’s a slow healer, that always worries me.  Eye problems are common in Florida, a lot of bacterial, and fungus growth here.  I never had eye problems up north, except for Bob’s horse who poked himself with a piece of hay.

So what are your plans and Resolutions for the coming year.  I love the people who join a gym and then give up a few weeks later.  We all have great intentions, but…….  Horse people seem to go toward spending more time with their horses.  Riding more, caring for them more.  Those are always good ideas.  Great for the horse, and wonderful for our mental well being.

So sit back, enjoy the rest of the holiday week.  Grab a cup of Hot Chocolate, spiced Cider, or wine, some cookies, and kiss the old year good bye.  Welcome the New Year in with a positive attitude and enjoy life as much as you can.  As for many of my friends who have left this life can no longer do, but they are free from pain and have joined other friends, family, and are totally happy to see their pets who have crossed the rainbow bridge.  Make this coming year count and make it the best year ever.

Happy New Year!

Oh my! Missed Wednesday.

Well we’re down to the wire.  My shopping is done, but I haven’t finished the decorating yet.  Actually I haven’t started.

So much happening this time of year.  Parties, Cantatas, Children’s Christmas Program, Bon Fires.  Yes we’re big on large contained fires here in Florida.  No special reason, just have one and people will come.  It’s just another reason for a gathering.

So for a Christmas present, for a person who has everything plus, my husband has decided to restain the inside of the barn.  Sounds simple enough.  If you want to know what color it is you can look at the concrete in my barn isleway, several bales of hay, one of the Catahoulas, and Bob’s hands.  Bob really likes to get involved with his work, and the dogs like to help.  Now, of course, when you stain the barn all the hardware has to come off to be painted black enamel.  Well that was fine until all the horses had to come in the other day for a storm.  Oh my!  At least all the horses and their body parts are not a beautiful shade of the wood around them.  It would be like who can find Waldo?

It’s a job that needed to be done for the last couple of years,but we couldn’t decide on a color. However, it’s hard to decorate the stalls when they are still wet.  It’s harder to know what to do with the sheets, blankets, and halters.  Putting them away is a priority.  Otherwise, the dogs will carry them off to Never Never Land, yup, never to be seen again, at least not in one piece.  It’s so rewarding to find the two Catahoulas playing tug of ware and it’s your new favorite sheet in the middle.  Actually I’ve been really faithful about putting the sheets and blankets where they can’t reach them, but Bob’s flannel shirt was not that lucky.  Larry the Cable guy would love the sleeveless look, Bob not so much.

I may get the outside decorated, but the inside, I’m not sure.  The stockings will have to be hung on their pasture gates this year.  It will make it easier for Santa to fill.  He won’t even have to get out of his sleigh.

A lot of people down here have “Salt Life” on their trucks and cars.  Why don’t they have stickers for windows that say “Barn Life.”  We all spend more time in the barn than they spend in or on the water.  We spend more time at the barn than pretty much anywhere else.  But it’s our preference.  I’ve always been very proud of the idea that Jesus was born in a stable, and placed in a feed manger.  We have a lot in common when you think about it.  How simple is that.

Will I go out to the barn at Midnight to see if the animals bow?  I don’t think so.  I know in my heart that they all worship the creator in their own way.  I think I’ll just stay inside and watch the fire place, or perhaps just close my eyes and dream of a White Christmas.

Have a Merry Blessed Christmas to all people and animals alike.

It’s one of those posts that are purely nostalgic.

Remember Christmas when you were a kid, a magical time of year.  But as the song says “once you pass its boarders, you can never return again.”  So sad, but true.

When I was a kid I don’t ever remember there being horse catalogs to shop from, Sears and the local 5 & 10, yes.  We had our little, very little, local tack shop.  It sold mostly Western stuff, very limited, maybe one saddle, and a few bridles.  He carried one pair of English riding jodphers not in my size, so it was off to New York City.  There were two large stores, Miller’s and Kaufmans.  I loved the smell of leather as you walked into Kaufmans.  There were brand new bridles hanging in a display cabinet.  There was a walkway around the top of the main floor on the second story, and there were saddles displayed on the railings.  It was a magical place for me.  There were no racks filled with tons of clothing like in today’s market place.  You told the man what you wanted and he went in the back to find your size.  You tried it on and bought boots, jacket, breeches or jodpher’s just a little larger so you would grow into them.  Mostly children grow out of their clothes before they wear them out.  Nothing has changed there.

Colors in English attire were very limited.  Ratcatchers were simple and mostly white in color.  There were some patterns with colors, but never to be worn in a show or hunt field.  Colors started being more popular in the 1970’s.  Hunter riding clothes were fashioned for Fox Hunting, and the same followed through for show and pleasure riding.  Saddle seat was also very formal in attire.  You either rode, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, or Western back then.  No one ever mentioned Dressage, that was European.

Well Walmart started with their Christmas decorations before Halloween this year.  Nothing like seeing pumpkins and tinsel all together.  Years ago Thanksgiving would ring in the Christmas season with all its glitter and dazzle.  You’d walk through the stores and there would be Christmas Carols playing on the sound system.  The whole store was decorated.  There would be a section devoted to Santa’s Workshop, The North Pole, or Toy Land.  It was a special place in the store, that even if you were an adult you would gravitated to, just to be reminded of your childhood.  There you could catch a glimpse of the big man himself.  You might picture yourself waiting in line to sit on his lap to tell him of your hearts greatest desires for that Christmas.  Your parents may also request that your picture be taken with Santa, year after year, to mark your growth, and ultimately to be brought out in front of your (more serious) boyfriends in years to come.

Even in New York City, people were nicer, friendlier.  People smiled and said Merry Christmas, even at the cash registers when you were checking out.  There was a feeling of community, even in the big cities.  People carried large amounts of packages home, or made several trips to the cars.  There were no porch pirates back then.  There were no packages delivered. It was a simpler time.  You could say the word Merry Christmas to everyone whether they were Christian or not.  It was the spirit of the season, spreading love and joy.  Now people are hesitant to say it for fear of offending someone.  It was a message of love and good cheer, what happened?  When did it become and insult?

Well our horses don’t mind and they are every good about being trimmed like a Christmas tree.  Horse people have always done that.  Even in the good old days, before my time.  They would put sleigh bells on their horses when pulling their sleighs.  Although, I hate to break your bubble on that thought.  Sleigh bells were used for a safety reason.  Sleighs and horses were very quiet when traveling through the snow, and the bells were used so that you would hear another sleigh coming, especially around corners, so that there were no collisions.  But I’m sure other decorations were put on their horses.  Maybe a sprig of holly, or a red ribbon.  I wasn’t there, couldn’t say.

Oh well, we are in the here and now, so break out the Santa hats, the reindeer antlers, bells, holly and garland, and deck the horse for Christmas.  Hang their stockings on their stalls and fill them with Apples, Carrots, and horse treats, we’re getting down to the wire on shopping.

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, if only in our hearts.

It was the coldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in history.  Are we talking global warming?  This is Florida and we’re going down to freezing tonight.  It’s only November 27th folks.

Christmas is closing in fast and I’m not ready.  Something did tell me to get the winter blankets out two days ago.  I listened, but one blanket is in for repair (I know, practice what you preach).  So then what happens?  The girl who repairs them ended up in the hospital.  Oh my!  I have plenty of other blankets, so I’m not worried, but we don’t usually get winter until after Christmas.  Usually January and February is winter here.

Good bye green pastures.  Hello sheets on the sensitive plants and moving the ones that can’t take freezing into the house.  When you think about it, winter is so much easier up north.  Everything outside goes to sleep until spring.  You put the winter blankets on the horses and they stay on until spring.  You set up for freezing temps with your water situation and you hibernate until spring.  Oh that wonderful word – “Spring.”  Down here we have winter for three days, then back to fall/spring temps.  Actually in three days we’re going back up to the 80’s.  Now if that doesn’t make you crazy, nothing will.  One night the horses have winter blankets on and three days later they are soaking wet with sweat.  Plants go back out and get uncovered and you’re in Florida again.

So while we’re on the subject – have you started your Christmas shopping yet?  Are you already done?  It’s a magical time of year.  I remember putting bells on the horses, my friends used to put Santa hats on their horses.  We’d ride without a saddle on top of the blanketed horses just to stay warm.  Now I run out, do what I have to do, and get back in the house, and I live in Florida.  I think back about giving lessons in 20 degrees.  Frozen toes, hoses, water, chopping sweet feed with a shovel, using a hoe to break up the frozen manure on the rubber mat and snow balls in your horses hooves.  Oh the good old days.  When we were kids, we’d put our feet in fresh manure just to be able to feel our toes again.  Yes, I remember it well.

Oh well pack up the memories and move on.  Heat up the apple cider or hot cocoa and get ready for a rough ride through a winter wonderland.  Only 27 days ’til Santa Clause comes to town.

T’is the season for Shop Till You Drop.  Don’t forget your fur babies (not that I believe you ever would), but also don’t forget the shelter animals and rescue groups.  The ones that have been helping the hurricane and fire victim’s are struggling.

Just think – Spring is on its way.  (That’s called the art of positive thinking.)

You see signs in front of people’s properties down here that say “Happy Fall Y’all.”  Well I’m borrowing it for today.

Now you may wonder how we know it’s fall here in Florida.  Some folks go up to Georgia and The Carolina’s for the fall colors, but if you really look around, you can see small amounts of color right here, and there’s also the temperature drop.  Not to mention the hairy horses that are walking around sweating.  We rake leaves in the spring, so no leaf raking to take up our riding time.

Our temps today will be in the 70’s, perfect riding weather.  Wind chills in N.Y. and N.J. (where I come from) will be in the single digits.  I remember those days, and am glad I live here.  I do feel bad for the people in the parade.  How do the Rockettes do their routine in those skimpy outfits.  I don’t care how fast you dance, it’s cold.  The balloons may not fly because of the winds.  That’s so sad.

Lost track of what day it was with the holiday week, but the meaning is still there.  We need to be thankful for what we have.  Now-a-days we focus so much on what we don’t have.

Horse people seem to be more thankful for what they have.  We have the unconditional love from our animals.  We have the time we spend with them out in Gods beautiful creation.  We are in touch with the seasons, like most people can never experience.  We have our friends and family who share our passion, and understand how much this all means to us.  We have the peace that comes from just being in physical contact with the most beautiful, majestic animals on earth.  Not just to be partners, but be able to become one with them.

No we can’t invite them in to share our Thanksgiving turkey with us, but we can go to the barn and share the carrots, apples, and other goodies at their Thanksgiving table.

Have a blessed Thanksgiving and don’t forget your fur babies (I know you won’t).

Well no one really had to tell us, we knew it all along.  Sorry men, unless you’re married to a horsewoman.

“Women Who Own Horses Live 15 Years Longer Than Those Who Don’t”  I’m serious, they did a real study.  I don’t know what set of researchers did this study, but I did find out that supposedly a Gary Cockburn was one of the leading researchers.  You can Google the article.  There are several versions.

Recent studies looked at how owning a horse impacted a woman’s health.  They studied women in Northern Virginia, Western North Carolina, and North Florida.  They tracked women for decades.  Researchers conducted a double-blind study.  This study divided women into different age groups.  They looked at a 40-year period.  The result was true for different ages and nationalities.  The scientist even looked at data from 50 countries to see if the results are accurate.  It turns out that owning a horse is good for your health.  (If they don’t kill you – my thought, not theirs.)  They set guide lines since some own a horse for just a few years.  The women had to have a horse for at least five years to be counted as a horse owner.  In Spain, women lived 16.5 percent longer.  For American women, the difference was around 14.7.  Over all average was around 15 years of longevity.

There were different theories as to why this is.  With horses, women are outside more, they exercise more, and socialize with other horsewomen.  They are less likely to have heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes.  They are happier and with an over-all well-being.

There is a lot printed on this, but not a whole lot of information who conducted the study and where they were from.  You can continue to research it yourself.  I’ll just accept it and say Thank You.

I guess I’m just happy that someone else figured this out.  I’ve seen a lot of old cowgirls, and horsewomen in general, walking around still taking care of their animals.  More than people who aren’t involved in a sport.

If this is an actual study, Yay for us!  If not, we’ll just go on believing it anyway.

How come we pat our horses hard, and loud.  Dogs we will pat with a good strong pat also.  Cats however will not tolerate a hard pat.  They will probably strike back with a claw.  Truthfully, if you pat a cat-like you would a horse or a dog you would send them flying across the room.  Have you ever seen a cat that is really mad?  No, you don’t want to.

Why do we feel the need to give a strong pat to a horse?  Did you ever think about that?  When a horse gives a strong whack to another horse they usually get double-barreled in return.

Cats we pet.  We stroke them long and gently.  Smaller dogs we will do the same.  Larger dogs will get a strong pat like we do a horse.  Where did that come from.  Watching to many cowboy movies?

We see it all the time at horse shows.  A horse will do well for its rider and the hand comes out and boom boom boom, we thank them for a job well done.  We are excited, and grateful, but we can’t jump off at that point and give them hugs and kisses.  You’re in the middle of a show ring with all these people watching.  However, horses are very forgiving and just think that we humans have a strange way of expressing out emotions.  Actually, they’ve learned to ignore our strange ways.

But let’s think about this.  When one horse is friends with another, how do they treat their friend?  With rubs on a favorite itch spot.  Just because they are around 1000 lbs. doesn’t mean they don’t feel a gentle pat or rub.  Let’s face it – if they can feel a fly or mosquito we don’t have to slam them to let them know they did good.  A gentle stroke and kind words will do just as well if not better.

I patted one of the horses this morning after I turned him out and thought now why did I do that?  I mean he’s used to it.  He’s 26 and has been patted his whole life.  But if you asked him what he would prefer I’m sure he’s say a good scratch, you know, on the itchy spot on my belly.

When you’ve done a good job, and someone comes up and gives you a good hard pat on your back, I know you are glad for their approval and celebration of your job well done, but wouldn’t you prefer a different sort of job well done?  Gifts, and money work.  A night out to dinner, etc.  Just kidding, although I like the night out to dinner a lot.

Old habits die-hard, and I will probably find myself patting my horse with a strong hand again, but I certainly will think about it the next time I do it, and perhaps I will be more like their horses friend and just give them a good scratch.

Sometimes I just think too much.