Sometimes we see things differently than other people. My Uncle and I argued about the color of my mothers flowers. I saw white with a hint of yellow and he saw a hint of purple. There are people that are color blind. When my brother-in-law went to take his drivers test, and they asked him what color the light in the middle of the stop light was, he said yellow because he knew that’s what his brother told him it was at home. He couldn’t tell Red from Yellow except by the location of the brightness. We always tell our Pastor what a great color that is on him, and it compliments his wife’s outfit. He has no idea what color he is wearing, his wife picks his clothes out, he’s color blind.

I saw someone post a picture of a very skinny horse. She commented on how bad a certain barn was at caring for the horses. Another person posted a picture of the same horse, who was no longer thin, and commented on how wrong the person was.

Things are not always what you think. You can’t just make snap decisions and ruin the reputation of someone or their facilities. You really have to inquire as to the circumstance.

Perhaps the horse just came in from another barn. Perhaps the horse was a rescue. Perhaps the horse was old or had health issues. You can’t always assume. I’ve had many horses who were in their mid 30’s. You’re just not going to put weight or muscle on an old horse. They may be just fine physically, and mentally, but just old.

When I lived in New Jersey, we did rescues. If it were a backyard horse, we’d stop and talk to the people. If no one was home, we’d leave a hand print on a piece of construction paper in their mailbox asking if they possibly need a helping hand with their horse. We’d leave a name and a phone number and hope that they would call us. If they didn’t we’d try catching up with them at some point. Many people had no idea how to take care of a horse and really appreciated any information we could give them. In some cases we’d offer them food for their horses, or help them re-home them.

Now if you pass a farm and there is no hay or grass, the horses are bones, it’s a different approach. We had people sneak in and check for water, hay and grain in the barn (yes it was trespassing), we’d speak to neighbors, and then we’d turn them in. Different states have different views on how this should be handled, check the laws before you proceed.

I know I’ve told you before that my vet told me it was my responsibility to turn in my neighbor for starvation. I did and my neighbor was grateful for the help with regards to the knowledge of how to take care of the animals and the help in re-homing them. They were his wife’s and she walked out leaving the kids, the dogs, and the horses.

You just never know what the circumstances are. Don’t assume that someone is intentionally starving an animal. Don’t spread false rumors about a person or a barn until you know the truth and try to help. Someday you may have an old horse, or rescue a starving animal. You may be the one people whisper about behind your back.

Things aren’t always what they seem.

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.