Self Portrait at Camp Far West

I took this picture of Nora and I moments before a loose herd of horses came thundering at us out of nowhere.  I reached out and tapped one of them and they all took off at a full gallop disappearing just as suddenly as they had arrived.  Nora acted as though she had been expecting them.

A Visit to Parelli School for Tessi

I visited my friend Sherrill's Parelli Natural Horsemanship Group. The group meets on Friday nights to play together with our horses in Sherrill's lit arena.   Little Tessi and I went for the first time yesterday and met up with 7 other participants. It was a totally new experience for Tessi. Her eyes were bugging out for the first hour because she is not used to having so many horses around her. She also got to meet Sherrill's two adorable little donkeys - "Oakie" and "Dokie". Even though they were trying to be friendly she was very scared of them and tried to strike them with her front legs. Luckily, she missed and they scooted away none the worse for the experience... Later in the evening, Tessi also kicked out at a horse she felt was too close. Fortunately, the Parelli folks in this group are really nice and understanding. They even gave us an opportunity to practice walking through a sort of corridor of horses to build Tessi's confidence. This is a great opportunity to socialize my youngster in a fun, friendly and safe environment - and get her ready for group activities such as trail rides.

Happy New Year Ride!

We participated in our traditional New Year ride with friends and acquaintances. The ride was organized by Sherrill and her Parelli students. Nora and I led the group (We are the 3rd in from the left). We managed to just squeeze a ride in before the rain started coming down. Then we gathered under canopies for delicious hot dogs, chili and other goodies. A great way to start the year!

Riding to the Children's Receiving Home

A group of us rode our horses to the local children's receiving home to bring the children Christmas presents. Folks decorated their horses with tinsel and ribbons. Members of the Search and Rescue unit were there also with their dogs. The photo attached is of some of the children petting Don's horse.

Darlene's Poem

He died in the summer

and now there's frost

on the ground.

My beautiful boy with

big Egyptian eyes

rimmed in black kohl.

By day I work, I cook,

I love, I laugh, through

intermittent cramps

of sorrow.

But at dawn

when the horses are fed

I imagine him walking

to me through the frosty mists-

My gallant friend

I miss you.

The mists become

his warm breath.

I take off my gloves

to feel the heat

of his spotted coat.

Kentucky arches his

majestic neck down to

hold me to his chest.

Come in to the barn

let me groom you -

Your brother will be so happy

to see you.

Kentucky's eyes, long ago filled

with hate and anger

Shine on me as they did

during our years together.

There is only love.

How to Squeeze Three Horses into a Two Horse Trailer

Tessi is bigger than Nora now! We noticed it with some surprise yesterday when the two of them where side by side in the horse trailer. It made me reminisce on when Tessi was teeny and we could fit all three horses in our two horse trailer, with Tessi squeezed between her Mommie and her Auntie (see photo above). We certainly can't do that now. I measured Tessi yesterday and saw that she is now 14.2 hands at her croup (rump) - her shoulder is shorter and will need to catch up. Zazu grew until she was eight years old, so it may very well be that Tessi will reach 15 hands, like her mom. I would like her to stay at 14.2 but I have a feeling that is unlikely. Once she breaks the 14.2 threshold she will officially be horse size (not pony).

Thanksgiving

 Friendly is still sitting on her eggs. Bubba and Ennis need their hooves trimmed (Shasta's were done last Sunday). Moses is getting bigger and sweeter. Thanksgiving is almost here. We're going to Michael and Colleen's house to celebrate. We're bringing pumpkin pie. The recent rain has made the grass sprout in the horse pasture. The leaves are finally falling off the mulberry trees. So much to be thankful for...