Migration time

Yep it is that time of year...the migratory period for the giant tumbleweed.

The DOR ran into several herds of them when she had to go to Yakima for jury duty. There were old ones and young ones all on the move. Then there were the giant car stopping ones whose job it is to protect the herd from possible injury from cars as they cross the freeway. One of the giant tumbleweeds took offence to the DOR's car and attacked it. It left scratches on her hood...the DOR is not happy.

You think after hanging around with horses all these years she would understand herd mentality, but it seems she still has a few things to learn.

I really don't like tumbleweed migration season, they look too much like big grocery sacks rolling around. Sometimes they have sacks or other things hitching a ride on them and then they are even scarier to watch. Every once in a while one is light enough to become air born in the wind. That is really worrisome because it might try and land on me, so I have to stay ever vigilant. Salty eats the ones that get caught in the fence, go figure that one when we have hay-even if it is still the second rate stuff that we have to clean up. Harley doesn't care about the tumbleweeds at all. Harley was towing around a tumbleweed that was "pasture skiing" (a version of water skiing) off his tail until the DOR removed it. Freedom will nudge the ones that are not rolling to get them moving on their way, yep it is the herding instinct still active in the old cow horse.

The nice thing about the migratory season is that it is warmer and windy. Both mean I get to keep running around in the winter nekked!

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

But I'd like a cookie

Hammy the Squirrel (from Over the Hedge) and I would both like a cookie!
Every morning and evening Salty the Wonder Horse gets a cookie...but not the rest of us, hmmmph.
The DOR says the cookie has his special medicine in it-I think she is fibbing. So what if it has medicine in it? It is still a cookie and I want one!!! I'm not sure the medicine is working anyway, Salty is still a grump and won't play with me. So why can't I eat the cookies instead?
Freedom doesn't care because he can't gum cookies. Harley never gets too worked up over treats and he likes peppermints best anyway. Ginger can't have cookies so she doesn't care. But here I am, a long suffering little spotted pony being shorted in the cookie department.
I do get a peppermint once in a while, usually after the DOR and I have gone for a ride. Well it is too cold for the DOR to ride, that and the footing isn't too good, so I can't earn a peppermint that way. So what does a horse have to do to get a cookie? I tried giving pouty eyes, it didn't work. I tried snuffling through her pockets, no luck. I even tried to steal Salty's while it was hanging out of his mouth, that got me a thump on my nose.
To top off the fact that I am not getting any cookies, I am now expected to eat the second rate hay. It seems the us boys have made a mess of the bluegrass, scattered about a whole bunch of it without eating it, and now the DOR wants us to clean up our mess. She won't give us any of the good stuff until we have cleaned up the mess we made. "No dessert until you have cleaned your plate" kind of thing...what is she thinking?
I have a feeling that I am going to have to get the Equal Treatment for Cactus Jack Splash Foundation up and running again. Yep that way I will get cookies and the good hay.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Herniated cheek

I am sharing this video because the DOR just loves it! I am doing a bit of sucking up...I owe the DOR some special treatment.

Remember when I launched the DOR and discovered that she can bounce "The DOR can still bounce" Well it turns out she got more than bruised up a bit. She herniated a muscle in her left cheek...I am not talking about her face, but her rear end. She laughs a bit about it, but it causes her trouble when she tries to lift heavy things. It seems that people use the muscles in their rear to help lift things that are heavy like my bales of hay, and here I thought they used their hands. It has left her a protruding spot on her hind end...she isn't happy at all about that because she already has a big ol' rear. It also hurts when she walks up stairs.

I am feeling bad about launching her, I just thought she would bounce. Who knew that she would break her butt, or at least herniate a muscle from landing so hard. Well I have to hand it to her she is tougher than I thought, after all she got back on and rode some more that day. I hope her cheek manages to get back to normal by spring otherwise she might have trouble sitting in the saddle. The DOR says if she can't ride in her favorite saddle she will have to have one made to fit her deformed left cheek and specially built to fit me...not that I am deformed-just in case you were wondering. So if I damage her rear it might mean a new saddle for me, hmmmm this has me wondering. If I rip her clothes can I get a new blanket? What if I stomp her toes and she needs special shoes...can I get a set of Easyboot Epics? Of course if I do all that naught stuff I might only end up getting sent off to "Uncle Bill's Charm School" for a month, where I will have to work my butt off. There will be tarps, flags, frightening trail rides, no peppermints, and I will have to share a feed tub. I think I will just be a good boy and be happy with what I have.

By the way it warmed up enough that I am getting to play nekked! In fact the DOR took all of our tarps off. Freedom rolled and rolled. If the temperatures stay above 30 degrees I will get to stay nekked (the older guys are getting their tarps back when it gets into the 30s), WOOO HOOOO.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Dictionary Sunday

Today I thought we would take a look at the names for the parts of the hoof.

This is a diagram of a front hoof.



This is a diagram of a hind hoof.

Here is a diagram of the inside of a hoof.

http://www.barefoottrim.com/physiology/partsofhoof.htm This site has some interesting information on barefoot trimming, descriptions of what a horse's hoof should look like, and some more photos of hooves.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

My holiday prayer

I have been thinking about all of the things that have been blessings and things I wish would change. The DOR says that this year has been full of blessings and miracles...I believe she is right. She says we must remember to be grateful for our blessings, for if we take them for granted we will loose them. Here are a few of the blessings we horses have had: I have a DOR that thinks I am the finest horse she has ever known, Freedom being here and healthy at his age, Harley still walking well, Salty's knee and heart hanging in there, Ginger not being so shaggy, Scooby having a job, and Hank...well he is just good ol' Hank.
We are in a place where there is plenty to eat, shelter from storms, and when our time comes we will be allowed to cross the rainbow bridge with dignity.
Not all creatures, humans included, are as fortunate as we are.
I want to share the prayer I said on the night God grants the animals the gift of speech.

To him who is Lord of all. He who watches the creatures of the sea, the winged, the four legged, the two legged, the reptile, and all manner of living creatures. To him who holds all living creatures in the palm of his hand, he who loves us all.
May all God's creatures learn to live in peace.
May fighting and wars become things of the past.
May we all have shelter and enough to eat.
May those who have plenty share with those in need.
May we serve God's purpose with pride and grace.
May we remember that the way we live our lives is a way to honor you.
May we never cause a tear to be shed.
May we bring joy to those who are in sorrow.
May we speak softly and always have a gentle hand.
When our days are at an end may we be granted a dignified death.
May the words "I love you" be on our final breath.
These things I ask in the name of the small child who once laid in a manger.
Amen

I hope that he listened and that you all have a wonderful year.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

BRRRR

This tree is across the street from the DOR's house. The DOR lives in town, where it is warmer than the ranch, boy does that tree make me feel cold.
I told you a few posts ago that I have become a hay snob...well so has the rest of the herd. We just take our bluegrass hay and toss it out of the feed tub. It makes a nice mat to stand on while we eat the good stuff. The DOR is a bit irritated about our antics, in fact she said we have to clean up the mess we made today before we get any more of the good stuff. I am trying to convince Harley, Salty, and Freedom to help me pee and poop all over it because the DOR won't expect us to eat gross hay.
I am not eating no second rate hay...I will starve first. In fact I won't starve, the DOR will take one look at my pathetic pouting eyes and will toss me the good stuff. I can out wait her, she will cave first, I just have to remember to act weak and depressed. The DOR says she is going to cut back on our hay rations also, with the weather being warmer we aren't eating as much-so she says. I want my four flakes a feeding, I don't care if I eat it all or not, I don't want to feel like there isn't more than enough food, I like having extra hay laying around. I am going to have to start hiding the leftovers so she can't find them, that way she will feed me my full four flakes. I have already been stashing some discretely in Freedom's paddock, the DOR will never think to look there, then Freedom can nose it under the panels to me after dark. I hope it works and I won't have to suffer eating the second rate hay.
The DOR and the support crew moved hay today. There is 1/2 a ton of the good stuff stacked inside our hay paddock, it is there just waiting for me to eat. I wish I had Harley's snake neck so I could reach in and steal some off the pile-of course that would mean dealing with moving a blue tarp. Maybe I can con pretty boy into reaching in and stealing mouthfuls of the good hay to give to me. If I offer to keep Salty from biting his butt and chasing him around, he might just do it for me. Yep I could be his muscle.
I hope that you and your DORs are warm and toasty.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Sky Watch Friday No. 24

Not much to see in the sky this cloudy Christmas day. I thought I would share a bit of the oak tree's trunk.

Two squirrel feeders, a small black bear sculpture, and an Native American hanging adorn this side of the trunk. The trunk is 9 feet 7 inches high before it starts to branch out.

When we were little we used to dance around it, hide behind it, and lean up next to it and read. This old trunk has given all of us a sense of stability...it will stand for a long time.


Since it was such a cloudy day I thought I would do part of the tree in sepia tones.

Then to add some color I added foiling to this photo.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at SkyWacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!

Merry Christmas!

I wish you a merry Christmas, I wish you a merry Christmas, I wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Have a wonderful day filled with love and laughter.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

The miracle of Christmas Eve

In a manger much like this one a miracle was lain to rest.
The first beings to greet the Christ child besides his parents were the lowly animals. As we are now the animals back then were very aware of things. They knew this small child was special. They watched over him and sang lullabies. As a gift to the animals for their tender care and attention they are granted the gift of human speech every Christmas eve.
Below is a legend from Norway (the DORs great-grandmother was from there) about the Christmas Eve miracle.


The Night The Animals Talked
In the frosty mountains and on the snowy fields of Norway, there is a legend that draws children to all kinds to stables and stalls throughout the country on each Christmas Eve night. They are hoping to hear a miracle. They are waiting to hear the animals talk. Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. This was no abandoned place, but was a working stable, filled with animals of all kinds. Into these humble surroundings, encircled by the innocent creatures of God, the Savior of man came into the world. Now according to legend, at least, Christ's birth occurred at exactly midnight. Inside the stable, the animals watched in wonder as the new-born babe was lovingly wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed in a manger. Suddenly, God gave voice to the animals and immediately they began to praise God for the miracle they had just seen. This went on for several minutes and, just before the entrance of the shepherds -- who had hurried to the stable because angels had told them the Christ had been born there -- the animals again fell silent. The only humans who had heard them were Mary, Joseph and, of course, the Christ child. The legend of the talking animals persists to this day in Scandinavia. And every Christmas Eve, wide-eyed children creep into stables just before midnight to hear the animals praise God for the wondrous birth of His Son. Of course, adults scoff at this. "Old wives tales," they grump. "Those children should be home in bed, not out in the cold waiting for the family cow to preach a sermon." But the children know -- or at least believe -- that animals really do praise God at midnight every Christmas Eve. And who of us -- those who believe in an all-powerful God -- can say that it really doesn't happen?
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26 NIV)
Have a blessed Christmas Eve and listen to hear the animals sing.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Duck DOR!

A friend of the DOR shared this video....

Little does the DOR know, we have been practicing. Those snow "hoof cookies" she is so happy to see laying around the pasture because it is a sign our hooves are working right are not what they appear. No siree, they are our stash of snowballs to chuck at her when we are given the opportunity.

Yesterday when I went running past her acting like I was being goofy and trying to outrun the tarp...a cleverly disguised sneak attack. Yep as I went buzzing by I manage to dust the DOR with snow and a few chunks of "hoof cookie"

I like the snow and we have plenty of ammunition laying around. So the DOR doesn't know when, isn't to sure how, but she should know that it is coming. She better bring her support crew, after all it is 4 against one...well if we are counting the ammunition making appendages it is 16 against two. She better get busy stoking up, or we could sell her "hoof cookies" to defend herself with.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

I've been turned into a reindeer

So here I am in my tarp, which is a nice green, and a set of antlers. Yep the antlers light up....
I look like a cross between a reindeer and an elf.
Luckily I don't have to pull a sleigh full of toys. I have been a good boy this year (if you ignore all the werehorse incidents and when I bucked off the DOR) and am hoping for a lot of treats. I made a list of things and gave it to "mush boy", who will pass it on to the DOR.
I want a bag of apples, 5 pounds of carrots, a peppermint everyday for a year, a full-body massage every week, for the DOR to continue to love me bestest of all, and only the fancy hay to eat for the rest of winter.
I have gifts for the DOR; peace of mind at the end of a bad day, a warm snuffle and nuzzle each morning, quiet time away from the stresses of the human world, no werehorse incidents (or at least less of them), to give my feet without grief, and to love her with all my heart.

Here I am trying to mooch treats from Dakota (mush boy). I figured it humans leave milk and cookies for Santa they should have treats in their pockets for his most special reindeer-ME! I managed to get a peppermint treat, it was good.
The DOR has a funeral today for one of her students who died Monday evening last week. All of us here have been cheering her up every evening after she gets off work. She and her staff have been spending their days helping the students and at the end of the day they are all wiped out. The whole herd has offered to cheer up the staff. The DOR says they thought about it and then thought they might have to scoop poop to cheer up and they passed up our offer. Then to top things off she has been called for jury duty for the next two weeks. I keep telling her to go in right after she has tossed us hay, with hay in her messy hair, blow a few marbles out of her nose and she will be excused for sure.
Enjoy the snow, it is better than being miserable about it.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Dictionary Sunday

Today I thought we would take a look at horse colors. I found this cute and informative chart at http://www.geocities.com/gingingray/HorseColors.html If you go there you will read really great descriptions of the colors. You will also be able to see a bigger version of the chart there (0r click on the chart to view it in a larger format).

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Tarped once again!

I just wanted to let every that the DOR put the new tarp on me this afternoon. Her friend held me while she got me covered back up. I stood like a good boy, stepped sideways only once and blew a couple of marbles just to make the DOR feel like she was accomplishing something special. The new tarp is noisey, the DOR says it will quiet down soon. It hasn't tried to steal my hay or eat me yet. I am not sure if I will have to kill this one or not, I will just have to wait and see. But for now the hay eating team are all back in uniform, just in time for the new storm that is rolling through.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Look to the stars!!

Thanks to everyone who guessed. I have put stars on the photos that are of me. I tried to claim the one on the top right of the horse running, but the DOR wouldn't let me. I want you to know I look that good running, my tail just isn't quite that full-but it is longer!
I am proud to report that I was out running, bucking, and playing with Salty while wearing my tarp. So far the tarp hasn't tried to eat me or my hay. I get a bit worried when the DOR pulls it back so it is on me square, but I just snort and try to stand still.
I do hope the weather warms up soon so I can run around nekked again.
The gold section was written before I killed my tarp. The support crew chief took the tarp back to the store and they replaced it....I would like to let the store know what I think of their good customer service. I really am the true customer and I don't want the product replaced! The DOR is planning on getting the tarp back on me because the weather is still cold, I may or may not be good-I have to think about it.
I enjoyed my tarp free time. I was running, bucking, and playing! None of the other horse would join in, I am sure it is because they were wearing tarps. The DOR says it is not the tarps, but the fact that they are either old or a bit gimpy so they a not going to goof around on the slick ground. I still think that the tarp prevents them from cavorting around, after all I couldn't cavort with the tarp on without it growling at me.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Skywatch Friday No. 23

These pictures were taken on the 15th during our first snowfall of the year. I know there is not a lot of sky in them, but it was a very stormy day, 15 degrees and blowing wind.

I was intrigued by how the snow swirls with the wind in the crotch of the tree.

This tree has seen so much weather in its time. I know the tree is at least 70 years old and suspect it is much older than that. It was a fair sized tree when my grandparents bought the lot to build on. In fact the tree is the reason they picked this spot to put their final home on. It is comforting to know it has been a guardian of our family for such a long time.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at SkyWacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!

I killed the tarp!!!

So the DOR comes out last night to feed us and check on how we are doing. She is smiling to see we are all nice and cozy in our tarps. That was until she got a closer look at mine, then she said something like, "What the what?"...okay there may have been a potty word in there. You can see one of my support crew showing the damage in the photo-he thinks it is funny.

The DOR decided that the tarp had to come off since I had ripped it in half down the back. I acted like I didn't want her to take it off...I wondered off every time she reached for one of the buckles. The DOR can be tricky, she threw my favorite kind of hay in my tub. While I was eating she unhooked all the buckles and velcro...I was FREE-errr I mean I was about to loose my special tarp. She slowly slide off the tarp and I went trotting around, enjoying the fact that the horse eating tarp was gone. The DOR put the tarp on the ground and came over to give me a good rub, fluffing up my fur. She told me I was going to be cold and she was sorry she didn't have a spare "blanket" for me-shoot, shucky darn, I feel real bad about that DOR...NOT. She said she was going to see if the store would replace it since it is only three days old-I am calling the owner to tell him it was tarp abuse that tore it so don't replace it. She says if they won't do that she will sew it up, darn I didn't know she could sew.

She went to pick up the tarp and I stood on it. I was acting like I didn't want the tarp to leave (wink, wink), but really I wanted to make sure it was completely dead.

Ding dong the tarp is dead, the wicked tarp, the green old tarp. Ding dong the wicked tarp is dead.

I am not going to freeze, I have never worn a tarp before and I have been just fine. Here is to my freedom from the tarp....wooo hooo!

Keep bundled up and warm, as for me I am going to party nekked-well at least until the DOR puts a new tarp on me.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Baby it's cold outside

Well I have survived two whole days wearing a tarp. Yes I know the DOR says it is a blanket, but if it rattles like a tarp and flaps like a tarp it is a tarp!
Don't tell the DOR, but I am glad I have it on. The temperatures have been in the teens with the wind whipping around, making it below zero at times.
Look at this picture, this fountain is only 20 miles from my place. It happens to be in the warm part of the valley...hope that gives you an idea of how chilly it is.
Hope all of you and your critters are bundled up and warm.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Oh hell, it is a tarp on my back!!!

I know the DOR said she was going to get me over my fear of tarps, grocery sacks and other things-but she has gone to far! Sure she says it is to keep me warm. The temperature has been in the teens and the wind blowing like heck, but I have a windbreak and lots of fur, so I am not buying the "it will keep you toasty" argument. I don't care if everyone else is wearing one...I wouldn't jump off a bridge just because everyone was doing it.

So what if Harley stood the quietly without a halter while the support crew chief "tarped him".

If Ginger walked over to get her tarp, doesn't mean I need to...heck she stood there with no halter on too.

Freedom is sporting his tarp around like it was a badge of honor.

Salty gave a bit of a wide-eyed snort, but soon decided he was fine with the tarp.
So everyone is outfitted in matching green tarps. Yep they look like some kind of hay eating team. The DOR puts on my halter and leads me out into the pasture. Her friend heads to me with the tarp rolled up...trying to make it look small, yep like I am that stupid! I saw what they did to the other horses. They let me sniff at the tarp, I would rather stomp on it. Then someone comes up with the bright idea that I would like to be rubbed with the tarp. Evidently they aren't paying attention to the marbles I am blowing or my eyes sticking four inches out of my head. Didn't the DOR learn anything during our private lessons this summer? Did she sleep through the "how to read your horse" class? I finally just stand quietly, that usually makes the DOR take the scary thing away. Not this time, the next thing I know the rolled up tarp is draped across my withers as they are saying "it is just a blanket Jack, a big rattling saddle blanket", do I look that stupid? I keep trying to get away from the tarp, but it is stuck. Then the tarp gets unrolled...it covers my whole back and drops over my butt! I am not liking this at all. The support crew chief then hooks the tarp around my chest, holy cow poop now I will never get away from it. The DOR tells me how proud she is of me and that I will like being warm. The belly straps are hooked and that is a bit like being cinched...CINCHED TO A HORSE EATING TARP! I am getting lots of pets, scritches, and praise so I guess I can stand it for a bit. I know the tarp won't eat me with humans around. Tarps are sneaky like that, they only get horses when no one is looking. The DOR's friend hook straps that went between my back legs...thanks for that friend now the tarp can stay on really well, hmmpf. I tucked my butt trying to get the tarp off my rear, the DOR thought that I was saying take me for a walk. Well a walk might be good, I will walk right out from under the tarp-no the tarp followed me, not just followed me it stayed right on my back. The DOR had me walk in a circle around her, the tarp followed. There was tarp to the left of me, tarp to the right of me, tarp all over me...what was I to do? The other horses were munching their hay, they were eating all of the good stuff, I wanted the DOR to take the tarp off and let me eat. She lead me over to my tub and stood with me while I ate, the tarp came along too. The DOR turned me loose, I followed her hoping that someone would remove the tarp-no one did. I went back to the tub to eat, the tarp came with me but didn't want any of my food. The DOR's friend said that I was doing well and that all well broke horses wore horse blankets, it was part of growing up. So maybe it isn't a trap, maybe the DOR isn't trying to torture me, and I have to admit it feels warm.

I will give the hay eating team uniform a chance. But the first time it tries to eat me or my hay I am going to figure out how to tear the darn thing off.
Hope you all are staying warm.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Where's Cactus Jack Splash?

Yesterday I did a post about different horse markings. My DOR pointed out to me that I have several "look alikes" out there in the horse world. I am not sure that is true, after all who can look as cool as me? So I thought we would play a little game based on "Where's Waldo"

So can you find my lovely self? It is hard when you haven't been around me and may not know all of my special spots. I did use photos that have been posted here before, hope that helps.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Thank you!

The Shelter Challenge is over. I want to thank all of you who helped me support my friends. I will be back later with today's post

Vocabulary Sunday

So today I thought we would learn the terms for the markings on the face and legs of a horse. It is helpful to know the names of these markings, it helps you describe a horse better. Marking on horses are very helpful in telling us apart, like humans, we can all begin to look alike.













These are the most common facial markings:
Bald: White that starts above the forehead, goes to the muzzle, and extends beyond the bridge of the nose to the side of the face
Blaze: Wide white area that runs along the bridge of the nose
Snip: White spot located on the muzzle, between or just below the nostrils
Star: White spot on the forehead
Stripe: Narrow white stripe down the center of the face, on the bridge of the nose


These are typical white leg markings:
Coronet: A small white band just above the hoof
Half cannon: A white marking that extends from the edge of the hoof halfway up the middle of the leg
Half pastern: A white marking that extends from the edge of the hoof halfway up the pastern
Sock: A white marking that extends from edge of the hoof two-thirds of the way up the leg
Stocking: A white marking that extends from edge of the hoof to the knee or hock
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Today is full service day

Today is "full-service" day.
We are being treated to a masseuse, therapist, nutritionist treatment.
I wonder what she will think of my lovely croup?

Click on the picture and visit a website that will tell you more about equine massage (you can also visit Helping Hands Equine Rehabilitation & Rescue in
South Dakota at the same time).


Then it is on to get a pedicure.
The horse in this picture is Panikanic, a rescue horse that the DOR spent a long time getting ready to go live a happy life.



Then when we don't need to worry about standing for anymore services, it is on to the dentist.
Not all of us will be getting everything done. A couple of us are good on everything this trip.
I am supervising the geldings to make sure they all behave. It is going to be a busy and fun day.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Skywatch Friday No. 22

When I was younger I always wanted to climb up the oak tree. My grandpa wouldn't let us kids climb it, he was afraid we would fall and get hurt.
I felt jealous of the squirrels that got to climb clear to the tippy top of the tree. I would watch them playing up there having so much fun.



Now that I look at how big the tree is, I know grandpa was right. The tree is for the squirrels and not for me to climb.











Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at SkyWacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!

Your vote counts

ONLY A FEW DAYS LEFT IN THE CONTEST...PLEASE HELP MY FRIENDS. The voting closes Sunday. Two great rescues can use your support. Vote for Sunny Acres Ranch in the Shelter Challenge click on the logo. Click on the "click here to give button" then the shelter challenge button with change to VOTE NOW! Just choose Grandview, WA for your search, and then Vote! Also vote for Rodeo City Equine Rescue just choose Ellensburg, WA for your search, and then Vote!
If everyone who looks at this blog between now and then voted it would really help my friends have an opportunity to win some much needed funding for their rescue and rehab projects.
Thank you so much.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Hay snob

I have become a hay snob...well all of us boys have if the truth be told.
The DOR started feeding us nice grass hay the first of October. She wanted to make sure that we maintained our lovely figures and knew the pasture was starting to wind down. We all thought it was great! Two big meals a day and fresh grass too. It was like a buffet especially designed for us, all we needed was waiters to clean up after us. Oh wait, the cleaning up after us is the job of the DOR and the support crew.
The first of December the DOR started giving us the special 4 way mix for our evening meal. She wanted to get us used to it, without upsetting our tummies, because that is the "bad weather" hay. It is mixed to give us more calories and keep us warmer. Breakfast of grass, dinner of grass and 4 way mix. Well it didn't take us long to figure out the 4 way mix was the best stuff around. There lies the problem. In the morning we hustle over when the hay is tossed only to find it is plain grass hay...that is like getting dry burnt toast-blech! In the evening we beat feet over and find both in our tubs. Sometimes the DOR puts the grass on top of the 4 way mix...we toss the grass on the ground and eat the good stuff. When the 4 way mix in on top we eat it first and only eat the grass if we are still hungry and in danger of starving.
Well last night the DOR thought she might solve the problem. She put the two hays in the tubs and then mixed them together. Harley didn't care, he eats anything. Salty was miffed and started tossing stuff around looking for the good hay. I, on the other hand, maintained my dignity. I gave her the appropriate glare, blew a few marbles, then proceeded to kick my tub. Darn tub anyway! I then proceeded to pick out the good stuff and eat it, leaving the grass hay in the tub. I thought about going over to Harley's of Salty's tub to mooch their good hay, but when I looked they were having the same problem.
I am praying for snow and bad weather. The DOR will feed us only the 4 way mix once the weather is really cold during the day. So if you have any pull shake your snow globes and wish me 30 degree temperatures during the day. I am willing to be a bit chilly if it gets me the hay of the gods!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

The DOR went visiting

This photo was done by Amanda of Amanda's Veranda, she does the best pictures! Amanda sent it to the DOR yesterday, made the DOR really happy by the way-thanks Amanda.
The horse on the right is DOR's Spooky Sky, ranch name Scooby. The horse on the left is named Blue. Blue and Scooby are best friends across the fence. They also are best friends in the same pasture as long as the orphan that Scooby is raising is not in it. If the baby is there all bets are off, Scooby will only share the baby with Hank and beats up other horses who come around the baby. The two uncles need to do a better job teaching the baby manners according to the DOR. It seems they are letting the little guy get away with being rude. What does she expect? Scooby can't see a darn thing the baby is doing and if Hank gets after the baby Scooby bites or kicks him, so Hank has taken to ignoring the naughty baby. I think the baby needs an aunty that will make him tow the line. While she is at it she can also teach Hank a thing or two also. Actually Hank is a good guy, he keeps his eye on Scooby and that is an important job.
Hank is the varnished roan appy with Scooby in the picture (again another great photo by Amanda). The DOR loves riding Hank, but she needs a five foot ladder to get on and off him. He spent the summer as part of the CWU equestrian team, now he is just hanging out with his buddy Scooby.
In case you are new Scooby was her favorite riding horse who went blind last spring. He is staying in a wonderful place in Ellensburg. The DOR has him there because she knows that she would want to still ride him if he was home and that would be bad because sometimes he has panic attacks and those are dangerous if you are on him. The facility he stays at is run by a lady named Sudi-she absolutely loves every horse in her care.
After the DOR and Amanda visited Hank and Scooby they went to a colt starting clinic. It was a good learning experience. I am especially glad the DOR went because it prevented her from torturing me for the day. She didn't take a horse but worked with one the clinician brought for her to help with, the horses name was Rodeo. Don't people think about what they name horses? What are some DORs thinking? Buck, Bam, Trigger, Dusty, Thumper, Panik (yep my DOR did that one), Luger, and other such names are just asking for trouble. I have Splash at the end of my name and look what happened...the DOR took a dive off of me two weeks ago. Really think about what your horse's name is telling it.
The DOR likes doing the groundwork leading up to a first ride. She doesn't do first rides because she doesn't like to fly (yep that is her excuse, she just hated the landing). The horse she worked with did well enough he got his first ride yesterday with no courtesy flight included for the rider-see the DOR should have gotten on.
The other reason she had a great time is that most of the participants were her age. Most all of them were dealing with the effects that age brings like needing to mount from a mounting block, knees that don't bend well anymore, and those little aches that remind you that you aren't 20 any more. I can see it now...a bunch of old farts working with a bunch of young farting horses, would have been a riot to watch. I am going to see if I can go the next time just so I can have a good giggle.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

I'm a Superior Scribbler-Award winners

Thank you Amanda at Amanda's Veranda The DOR is glad it wasn't for Superior Pooping, she has plenty of that to deal with already.

With this award, there are some rules:

1.Name 5 other Superior Scribblers.

2.Link to the author and the name of the blog that gave you the award.

3.Display the award on your blog with this LINK, which explains the award.

4..Click on the award and at the bottom of that link, add your name to Mr. Linky’s list.

5.Post these rules for your recipients.

I am going to post my awardees later after I talk to the rest of the herd.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Boy it is hard to pick from so many great blogs. I have been visiting other blogs that I find on fellow bloggers sites. It is a never ending world of enjoyable reading. With that in mind I am going to pick some new places I have been and also everyone who is listed on my blog. So for the newbies (at least to me):

1. OLGA, THE TRAVELING BRA

2. Your Life is Now

3. Luxor

4. The Thoughtful Horse

5. Dawns bloggy blog

To all the blogs I have listed in my sidebar, make sure and pick up your award also. Please visit all my friends and if you have time do some surfing-there are so many great blogs out there to read!

Vocabulary Sunday

I thought I would start someting a bit different with vocabluary Sunday. I am going to talk about the structure of the horse itself.

Here is a picture with all of the major body parts labeled. Now you will know what the DOR and I are talking about when I say I have a gogeous croup.

This website: http://www.gaitedhorses.net/Conformation/BodyParts.htm will give you a good description about the different parts.

Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR