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P-O-P-C-O-R-N

Sun, 13 Jan 2008 01:43:02 -0500

I was going to write the blog last night, can't remember the topic, but my electricity went out again. A call to PG&E got me an automated outage reporting system and a later phone call that said my power would be back on in two days. Hmmmm... I was wondering what the heck part was needed that it would take two days to locate! Or what kind of a construction project would be needed that would take two days to complete. Luckily the estimate was greatly exaggerated and power came on...

Lucy again...

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 17:44:03 -0500

I'm endlessly fascinated by Lucy. With the weather the way it's been, I haven't had any time to spend making progress. Well, progress of an obvious sort. On the other hand, Lucy and I continue our dance and learn new steps. With the pouring rain and wind my enthusiasm for slow dancing with Lucy dwindled. I enjoy it on the whole, but twice a day in a downpour reduces my enthusiasm substantially. I decided I wanted a new dance and didn't want to continue moving to the old tune. So...

That junk pile

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:43:33 -0500

Have you ever noticed how farms and ranches always seem to have a big pile of junk, and maybe some stuff in boxes here and there. I know that it looks like junk and ought to be thrown away, but it's there for a reason. I had a lot of things I needed to do to repair from the storm. Still do for that matter. But one of the big things was getting the quad carport back up. I've gotten used to getting on the seat and not getting drenched and I like it! But, poles were bent, corner...

It may not seem lucky, but it is...

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 23:45:35 -0400

I've been really busy this weekend, so I may have to just say that weekends will probably be short on blogs during the summer. When you're in late it's hard to think of something to say! But, on with the story. Friday was our big veterinarian appointment for Treasure and Kass. Treasure was going in to be gelded and Kass was getting her teeth done. I have a 4 horse slant load trailer, and when I trailer loose horses, like youngsters, I usually put a horse in the first stall and leave...

Discussion: The true cost of owning a horse

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:38:32 -0400

Lately we've been hearing a lot from pro-slaughter forces who think we must have slaughter or horses will be neglected. I don't agree with that, although I have no problem with government-funded or privately-funded euthanasia and believe we must make that readily available. My argument is with giving anybody a penny of profit for their bad behavior. That, to me, is the biggest problem with slaughter as it has traditionally existed - it pays you for being irresponsible and/or cruel. As long as you reward a behavior, that behavior will continue and increase. Think how much more crime we'd have if you got a $300 bonus each time you were arrested! If the two options are: care for your horse (costs money) or kill your horse (pays money), we all know what the asshats of the world will choose.

Ultimately, a lot of it comes down to discouraging people too poor to own horses from owning them in the first place. That's what I want to talk about today. What does it really cost to own a horse? I think a lot of people are clueless about the facts!

(Somewhat related - for you newbies, read my blog entry a while back on the fact that horses are a luxury)

I want to know your location and what it costs you to maintain a horse in your location. I've outlined what I think are the necessities below (some are averages/guesses of course). Can you do the same in this thread and be sure to state your location? I think this will make for very valuable reading for anyone considering purchasing a horse, or for those realizing it is time to budget now for next winter. I'm not talking about supplements or tack or "extras." I'm talking about the FLAT OUT BASICS to maintain a horse in good and healthy condition. If you board, quote your board cost and what is or is not included.

Location: Seattle area

Hay: $12 - $15 per square bale (large 100# bales) for alfalfa or orchard grass. Local grass goes for $4-$6 per square bale but my horses need better. If you're looking to feed a Thoroughbred, older horse, etc. - you're going to be buying the expensive hay. I go through a bale a day per four horses - that's probably about average. I'm actually going to have sufficient grazing this summer to do without hay but that has not been the usual case. Normally I've had to hay year-round. If you have 10 horses on 3 acres, guess what, you have to hay year-round! I was told a long time ago that the ratio is 1 horse per acre if you want them to be able to maintain on grass and from my experience that's about accurate, IF you have GOOD grass. I once had 5-6 Thoroughbreds living on five acres and they were hog-fat all summer with no supplemental feeding, but that was in the Midwest where the grass is excellent. Not so much the case if you live in a drier climate or have weed issues.

Now, if you have a mush eater, like I do, my cost keeping her in orchard grass pellets is about $6 per day.

Hooves: Trims $35.

Deworming: Averages out to $10 every other month. FYI, if you don't already know this, Country Supply has really cheap Ivermectin. You can't use it every time but you can rotate it in.

Bedding: This is pretty pricy around here. ABM pellets at about $16 per week.

Vet: I looked at last year and my average was about $250 per horse. I had no major emergencies.

So my monthly average cost per horse is in the neighborhood of $216. What's yours?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

You east coast folks said you wanted to see some east coast rescues available for adoption. Here you go. How cute is he??? OMG, he's adorable. He's over at Mid Atlantic Horse Rescue in Maryland - sound, sane, sixteen hands and ready to go have a new career. I know how many of you have always wanted a gray!

By the way, you should look at their web site in general. Note how every rideable rescue horse is ... being ridden! And by someone who can actually ride. Not Cousin Cooter in shorts, tennis shoes, a mullet and a cordura saddle with turquoise sparklies on it. This is one reason this particular rescue has a rep for being able to place these horses into upscale homes where they will receive excellent care. Targeted marketing works.

...omg he's so cute, I just want to kiss his little gray nose...

4-H educational grants awarded by the kentucky horse council

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:31:59 -0400

Lexington, KY, April 3, 2008 – The Kentucky Horse Council recently awarded six (6) $250 grants to 4-H Horse Clubs throughout Kentucky. The grants provide Horse Learning Laboratory kits and other equine educational materials to support 4-H Horse Bowl participants. 4-H club members in Bullitt, Calloway, Fayette, Oldham, Washington, and Scott counties are utilizing the new [...]

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:40:57 -0400

And the dogs.

The original three, Cody, Birdy and Mikey celebrating Cody's twelfth birthday.

What can I say? Duffy was/is our sixth greyhound if that tells you anything about how much we love these dogs. Each one has been a treasure and unique in personality. Up until Ellie, every greyhound we adopted was already old or 'special needs'. Losing them was wrenching, but not totally unexpected.

Grand old Cody at fourteen...an elegant old man even then.

It was Cody who told me Mike was 'the one'. That old dog was tweve when I adopted him and life had not been kind. He had maybe four teeth left, none that met each other, severe arthritis in his hips and cataracts in his eyes. Time after time, he would shuffle down the hall to meet whatever guy I was going out on a date with. He'd sniff them up, then sigh and shuffle back to his bed. Until the first time Mike came to the house. He shuffled down the hall in his usual way, sniffed Mike, plopped his head in his lap and from then on, Cody was Mike's dog.

Mike and Birdy sharing cuddle time.

Before Cody, I adopted sweet, sweet Birdy who was supposed to be 'irretrievably shy' and I was told he would probably live his life in a crate. Not so. Birdy did have a few issues but being shy turned out to not be one of them.

Mikey with his favorite toy he picked out himself and carried to the checkout counter.

And little black Mikey, my pity adoption. I adopted Mikey because he was epileptic and I didn't think anyone else would adopt him. He turned out to be one of the doggy loves of my life and I still miss his little black head pressed against my knee everywhere I went. Mikey loved me with a blind passion and I still ache thinking about his last night when at twelve years old, we had to let him go when he fell into a catastrophic seizure.

At thirteen, Vannie still remembers how to play!

Then Vannie came along after Birdy died unexpectedly, already nine and given away by the family who had her for seven years. She is thirteen now and has survived acute pancreatitus and as long as we keep her on an anti-inflammatory, bounces and chases her tail like a pup.

Ellie the Poser...queen of the photo op!

And you all know Ellie the Belly, the girl who saved me from unrelenting sorrow after Mikey died. Who, on her first walk up the hill to the yurt, pressed her head against my knee in the exact place Mikey would have. Ellie the 'monster' who was bounced by her first adopter, a woman who had no idea how to deal with an exceptionally smart and manipulative greyhound. Ellie, our dear girl who does nothing but make us smile.

Woo! Hoo! Duffy!

Last of all is Duffy, the late comer. The big black tuxedo boy who never went through the stress of race training or racing. Who came to us straight from the kennels and gave us the fun of watching him embrace life...and the couch...with total greyhound absorption. Duffy, the big hearted boy who loves Ellie and us without restraint and who has learned to not provoke the wrath of Vannie.

And there they go, Ellie, Duffy and Vannie. Running through our lives with joy.

They give us joy and they keep me company while Mike is gone. Sometimes it's annoying to have three large dogs under your feet or behind you or standing wherever it is you are trying to move. In fact, I yell 'Move!' rather frequently; but I wouldn't have it any other way. There is an urn sitting on a bookcase that holds Cody's ashes, we couldn't leave that old dog in Texas after so many other people had left him behind, and two graves in the orchard for Birdy and Mikey. Vannie is likely to be the next one to take residence there, but you never know for sure. Whatever happens, we will be there with them and when they are gone, they will be buried with love in a lovely place, close to us. And then we will find another greyhound who desperately needs a home just like this. The greyhounds are my third blessing to count.

The Spiritual Endurance Ride

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:39:47 -0400

This was given to me by one of my Christian friends just prior to my first ultra running race of 50K. To this day, it is one of my major guideposts in life. I think one of the more challenging things for me as a spiritually is to stay in the race; to [...]

Chief Executive Officer Position Avaiable at Equine Canada

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:32:56 -0400

Ottawa, Ontario - Equine Canada has a job opening for a Chief Executive Officer. Applicants must meet the following criteria: • academic accreditation suitable for this position or work experience equivalent; • proven executive experience in a not-for-profit, volunteer driven environment; • evidence of capability to manage multiple tasks; • evidence of ability to create operational and business plans, [...]

March Statistics and Thanks!

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:32:28 -0400

I Gallop On had 48,296 unique visitors in March. I've been running just a little under 50,000 unique visitors each month for the last few months, which is not bad. I recall when I began blogging a few years...

Gabby revisited

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 10:36:20 -0400

Gabby has bumpy things on her rear legs near her hoof. Of course she does. Naturally. I am so not surprised. She’s got bumpy tumor-y things that are causing her some discomfort when she moves, meaning that she can’t be ridden. Leah is talking about seeing if the girl can conceive and there’s a young [...]

My Methods Aren't Perfect

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:30:51 -0400

Okay so my methods are far from perfect. I'm working on it and I have two good friends overseeing my feeble attempts (and probably snickering along the way). On Saturday after the WCR barn clean up I ran over to see the boys. I was much too lazy to ride so I thought I'd take Cody out on the road and do some ground work in a place he wasn't quite as comfortable. I was right about his lack of comfort. He lead really well but once we started heading away from the barn he kept trying to look back. I sent him out on a circle several times but they were always really spastic and frantic. He just wouldn't relax. We ended that adventure by stopping facing away from the barn for a few moments.

As soon as we start approaching the barn where he can see everyone, then he slows down and relaxes, so I think the next step is to work on the road where he's comfortable and then push his comfort level a tiny bit each time by stepping further away. I might ride him out there as well, at least if he's relaxed we can get some work done.

When that adventure was over I measured his hooves one more time. I'm still wary on what size boot to buy as he's right on the very edge of two sizes. My next plan of attack was to deworm the four horses. I wanted to start with Cody and get it over with because he can become a bit of a pill. Unfortunately I haven't quite gotten the hang of it and I took too much time and the head tossing began. So I resorted to putting it in his feed bucket with an apple and some feed. This worked for both my horses the last time I tried. This time, not so much. Cody ended up eating most of his, spit out a little. I was too lazy then to try deworming everyone the right way so everyone got theirs in a bucket. Kiko ate all of hers. Kalani managed to spit just the dewormer out. And Axel, you know - the horse that eats anything, staged a hunger strike. I haven't heard how the next day went as we left his dewormer in the bucket to try again in the morning. So it's back to the drawing board on that one. Steph doesn't have an issue deworming my horses so it's just a matter of practice and techinque. At least I have two months before the next time.

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:30:25 -0400

Romance hasn't died

I recently had the privilege of meeting the owner or Windsong Carriage from Owen Sound: http://www.windsongcarriage.com/

Gordie, the founder and owner of Windsong, brings back the days when the only mode of transportation was horse and carriage. Only, he does it with a touch of class; top hat, tails, and a smile that would melt anyone who looked his way.

His handcrafted, fringe top surrey carriage which he customer made himself, strolls down the city streets with his proud, powerful horse/s. In this case, it was Duke who took us for a stroll, a kind, golden, Belgian who's wants nothing more then make sure you enjoy your ride/tour through the streets.

Windsong is known mostly for doing weddings. What a romantic way to say I do, even for the not so equine lover. Riding down the streets in a classy carriage controlled by a handsome man in top hat and tails and the sound of the horses hooves pounding on the pavement. Surely an addition to your wedding photo album you'll want to have.

Windsong will go pretty well anywhere in Ontario. Your best to give him a call directly (tell him equine north set you) to find out the specifics, but from what I hear, it's a memory never to be forgotten. I know I'll never forget my trip there. Just visit his site to see what he offers, his horses and learn how this business came along.

Ride with the wind @ http://www.equinenorth.net/

April 3, 2008

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:30:25 -0400

One Horse Town
If you live in Cochrane Ontario, this past Sat, March 29, 2008, you might have caught a glimpse of myself and my Quarter Horse mare, Chelsea Buns, parading down the streets of Cochrane.

We rode in from where we board (roughly a 1.5 hour ride in), and rode through town. It was a beautiful day, perfect for riding! No wind, warm and the ground was perfect, not slippery and not too messy.

There were many new experiences for my mare from the big mill, water tower, to some large equipment digging ditches. Buns was fantastic, hardly a reaction from anything, except the horse eating, sewer grates of course. However, she soon realized they weren't going to eat us, at least not that day.

The most exciting thing about riding a horse through town is the reactions of people who see the horse, especially the children. I see so many smiles, I can't help but smile right back. I so remember that feeling when I was kid if I saw a horse. There was no stopping me! I'd have to go see that horse. So anytime, I'm asked to stop I do.

We spent some time standing around at L&R's to let people pet Buns and answer the gazillion questions the children had. The biggest one answered "yes, you can ride your horse in town". Horses were the first mode of transportation, so they are welcomed on just about any streets in any city, town etc. Horses have as much rights on the street as your vehicle.

So if you like in the area and you see us riding by, don't be shy, shout to us and we'll stop. Chelsea Buns loves the attention anyways!!

Ride with the wind @ www.equinenorth.net

Saddle Test

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:32:13 -0400

I am testing out a Circle Y Park and Trail saddle. I love the saddle, but I am worried it is a little wide and sits low on her withers even though it has semi-quarter bars. If I can get down to Salem, I want to stop in at Double H and take some photos and see what they think. I am hoping for nice weather this weekend so I can hit the trails on it. I used it in my lesson today and we had the best passenger lesson yet. I went 25 minutes at the trot. I only had to correct her a handful of times to keep gait. It was awesome. So I am on cloud nine right now and edging closer to my goal of a cantering passenger session.

10 Tips for Better Pasture Care

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:45:23 -0400

Pastures are often an overlooked asset. Many think a pasture is just a fenced grassy area to turn horses out in - look closer, and maximize that area.

Oh so Interesting..

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:36:58 -0400

I had a good announcement to make. I’m writing a book, horse-related of course. I’m really getting a hoot out of it and I can’t wait until I’m finished. I really want to have it published, eventually and since it’s my main project right now I’m adament in finishing it by the end of the [...]

Too Pooped to Pop

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 01:30:58 -0400

It seems Sandy has spent too much time with the sheep
as he appears to have learned to chew his cud.

Sandy and I made a lot of progress in an hour's time yesterday. He worked up quite a lather, but each time he decided to move away from me rather than stand nicely, Ken had advised me to work him hard so that he'd realize it was easier to stand next to me. Somewhere in the back of my mind I already knew that, but I'd stopped doing it for things like lifting feet. Another thing Ken had suggested was making Sandy drop his nose to the ground for me, then leaving it there until I told him he could lift it (but not longer than he could handle doing at first, just a few seconds at a time.)

So armed with that, I set about my work yesterday afternoon. Sandy worked up a sweat in no time flat. Each time I approached he'd stand, then start shifting and moving away. Rather than sweet talk him into standing, I sent him away and made him work. Before long I was able to reach all the way under his belly as though saddling him. He was dropping his head like a pro, and even lifting both front feet for me.

With that, I called it a day. He'd come further in that hour than he has in three weeks. Well, aside from the saddling.

Today I barely spent any time with him. I've been down at Curt's each day helping him clean stalls. This past weekend a colt threw him hard right into the wall. The man's in pain. So I've been nice. But of course, not without a personal motive.

"Curt, now that there are a few empty stalls...well...maybe we should fill one of them?"

"Something tells me this may be a mustang deal."

"Maybe..."

"Let me think about it some, Trace." Curt's not real keen on seeing me get hurt. I think I make him nervous. I told him that I was safer down there with him than up here in the rain.

His thinking was done today and when he's home from this weekend's cutting in Ellensburg I'll be moving Sandy down to his new digs!

Baby Boomer Dreams - Dandy's Story - After The Ride

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:31:26 -0400

I continued to take dressage lessons on my Arabian horse from Tom despite the disaster with the 20 meter circles. I gave up on trying to get him to show me and decided to just appreciate what the man did have to offer. He wasn't charging me for lessons. He was doing it so he could stay involved with horses when he was no longer able to ride. My guess is I took lessons from him for around six months.

I have to add in here after reading in the comments on The Ride where onthebit stated that the dressage arena is 20 meters wide so the circle touches both sides, it occurs to me that poor Tom was trying to tell me to ride the circles I had been riding. That would have been about the right size.

That makes me think that Tom really was trying to answer my question. Maybe I just wasn't listening very well. It's only 13 years later but at least I'm finally getting the picture. Tom's communication skills may not have been great but looks like I didn't do too well in that department either. If I had ridden those circles exactly like he said, I would have been just fine. The circles would have been round and probably the right size, or at least very close. The way I rode, I didn't do either. Maybe I should rethink this dressage thing after all!

When it got closer to show season, I made arrangements to take hunter lessons from one of the big name trainers in the area. Tom's wife was very ill by that time and he really didn't have time for me. I hadn't wanted to go to the Arabian trainer in the first place because it just didn't seem to make sense going until the horse was broke enough for the lessons to be productive. From Tom I had learned enough about posting and such that I felt I was no ready to learn how to finish my hunter horse.

In between lessons I was hauling my horse over to the Tacoma Unit each day to school. We worked on both western pleasure and hunter pleasure and sometimes trail for our Bonanza debut. I'd start off with the hunt seat and dressage stuff and then go on and school the western. Most of this I did in the western saddle but I made it a point to ride at least a couple times a week in the hunt saddle so I could get the feel for that as well.

If this was confusing to the horse, he didn't let on. Dandy seemed to be making great strides. The quarter horse trainers training out of the unit at the time thought he was doing just great. I'm not sure if that's because they didn't know how collected Arabians need to go or whether things feel apart later but training Dandy to be a competitive show horse was going to be one of the biggest challenges I was ever to face.

Not long after the dressage schooling show, I decided to take the horse to another schooling show also at the Tacoma Unit. This one had english/hunter classes the first day and western classes the second. His first time in the arena with a bunch of other horses I decided western was the best way to go. Going western things would be coming up a little slower. If something got out of hand, I'd have more reaction time, or that was my thinking anyway. (I should know by now, it's that thinking thing that gets me in trouble.)

I'd been to schooling shows before but never with a green horse. I hadn't really paid attention to the problems that might be there influencing a young horse. I just knew I needed to give the horse some experience in the ring with other horses. This was the cheapest most effective way I could think of to do it.

A couple of the big Arabian horse barns brought their green and problem horses to the schooling shows. I was following their lead and starting my young horse out the "right" way or that was the plan anyway.

I have to admit that after my experience at the dressage schooling show with Dandy, I did have some concerns. It wasn't so much about my horse. It was more about my confidence.

With Dandy being the first horse that I had ever started under saddle, I wasn't really sure if I could trust my instincts or not. I had gotten my share of ribbons at the A shows with the Arabian gelding, Mark, and for that matter with Scandalous as well, but I had never broken through the barrier at the regional level. I really needed to get this right if I wanted to show at Nationals my first year under saddle with this horse.

To be continued.............

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The World's Tallest Horse Has Died

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:34:17 -0400

Rip a page from the Guiness Book of World Records. The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting today that "Tina" the Shire has died. Recorded officially by the Guiness experts as the tallest horse on the planet, Tina allegedly died while in treatment for a musculoskeletal problem at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Alabama. She was owned by the Williams family of Niota,