Here I am the first day that I got my Shandi Doll back after getting sick. I love my Shandi and missed her terribly. She missed me too. Shandiwould stand where she could see me and call to me. Salty and Freedom were a bit mean to her. They won't share like I do and when she tried to share they bit her. Freedom would chase her out of his mush paddock and even kicked her. The DOR said that Shandi needed to learn "horse rules"...well I think all she needs to know is Uncle Jack rules! We get along just fine. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
P.S. I am much better today. I am not wobbly at the walk or trot, my lope is flat out silly looking. I travel a bit crooked and drag my back feet a bit. I can lay down to roll and get up with no problems. The DOR thinks I will have no visible signs of the viral infection in 2 or 3 weeks. Thanks for the well wishes. I am going to share more of this wobbly adventure Thursday and Friday...I am hoping that it may help others down the road. Still no diagnosis, hmmmm wonder if I had my own special new virus yet to be discovered.
We are still waiting for the lab work to come in, so no answers yet as to what happened to me. As you can see in the picture I was not feeling well at all, this one was taken last Wednesday. On Saturday the 19th I had my feet done, stood just fine for the farrier. Then the DOR and I had a lesson. I worked my butt off, but again things were fine. In fact we even loped! Sunday I wasn't even sore from my workout the day before. Monday morning everything was hunky dory. Then Monday evening rolled around and things had gone horribly sideways. I started walking in for my treats and the DOR thought I was moving a bit weird, she thought it had just taken me a bit to get sore. I got happy to see my treats, started to trot and fell to my knees. The DOR rushed out to see what was wrong. I struggled back to my feet and staggered to her, her eyes were leaking tears by then. I got to the paddock and swayed, trying to stay up. The DOR had to help me keep my feet. She called the vet, called the horse guardian, and called the SCC-she was having as much trouble talking as I was standing. The horse guardian arrived and she called a specialist in Ellensburg. I was given a bunch of stuff to eat, things to boost my energy and help my nerves. The SCC arrived and the DOR crumbled, she was so worried and felt so helpless. I was worried about her, while I felt funny I wasn't worried about me-things just were the way they were-but the DOR's behavior was confusing me. She started taking deep breathes and gathered herself together so I felt better. The vet arrived and watched me stumble around. He said I most likely had a virus, but he drew blood to find out exactly what kind. He gave me shots and said I was strong, other than the virus that I was very healthy, and young. He said as long as I could keep standing I had a good chance of recovery. Hey, standing around is what I do best so no problems right? Well there was one problem, Shandi, she was pushing on me out of worry and was almost knocking me down. The SCC put her in with Salty and Freedom so she wouldn't make me fall, if I had fallen I don't think I could have gotten up.I was put on paddock restriction and the vet left to eat dinner. The DOR stayed with me until 9:30 pm, the horse guardian and the ranch manager checked on me around 11:00 pm and then we tucked in for a long night. The DOR was out at 5:30 am and was thrilled to see me still on my feet shuffling around. I was given my treatment regime, the DOR is calling it "Jack's blast" (recipe given on Thursday). Tuesday morning the horse guardian watched me all morning. I was checked on every hour Tuesday afternoon. Tuesday evening I got more "Jack's blast", a shot, and sprayed with Release on my spine to help reduce pressure on my nerves. The horse guardian and the DOR talked to a specialist in Idaho who agreed to come out Wednesday and see me. I will tell you about that on Friday. I can tell you that the DOR has left no stone unturned in treating what ever it is that is wrong with me. I am bouncing back and she keeps telling me over and over that I will be healthy and whole. That is the new mantra around me "healthy and whole Jack, healthy and whole, you will be healthy and whole." If chanted right it makes for a nice conga-line dance. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
The horses in the photo are a group of geldings in search of a home. They are all broke to ride, some having gone both English and western. Sunny Acres Ranch is helping an appaloosa ranch place approximately 35 horses. These horses need to be placed due circumstances beyond the owners control. The owner has worked very hard the past two years to prevent things from getting to this point, but the loss of her partner has left her unable to manage such a large herd on her own. These are impeccably breed horses who are all halter broke, good with the farrier, load, tie, and have wonderful temperaments. Many of them have just returned from Idaho where they were in training. They are easy to handle on the ground and many of them have had training in their past. Here is a chance to get a good quality, papered horse at a reasonable price. The current owner wants to make sure that each horse goes to a good home. Sunny Acres Ranch is featuring each of the horses with a description on their board. Please go visit if you are inspired to have some adventures with a spotted horse of your own. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
I will be leaving EC. I want to be able to choose what widgets are displayed on my site. Some widgets are a bit racy and I don't want them on here. The $50.00 fee to not have to run paid ads will feed one rescued horse for a month and I would rather put the money there. I have had to replace one computer from a virus contracted from EC related sites. I will still visit my friends and hope they continue to drop by too. Blessing to all, Cactus Jack Splash and his DOR
Innocence lives in the eyes of my horse... especially when he is peeking into the barn to mooch treats ~DOR
I have been on paddock restriction since Monday evening. I came in for treats like a stumbling drunk, barely able to stand. I was fine in the morning...something went wrong with my nerves during the day. I was struggling to stay on my feet, the DOR was frightened for me. The DOR had the vet look at me, he drew blood, and said he thought I had a virus. The vet gave me several shots, I didn't appreciate that one bit. He said it was very important that I stay on my feet, that it would be bad if I got down...I listened and stayed standing, but it was very hard. The DOR said that she was going to hang me in a sling if I went down. I didn't want hung up and stuck in one spot, I would look stupid, so I stood! The lab results aren't back yet, so the DOR doesn't have a name for what I had, she is saying I got into bad firewater....hmmmm I have never seen the DOR look so worried, she was more upset than I was about the whole thing. I didn't like the fact that Shandi had to move in with Salty and Freedom so she wouldn't knock me over, I don't like being by myself. I got a shot every day for 4 days, I am not fond of shots but I got treats for being brave. I have also been getting lots of medicines and supplements in my treat tub TWICE a day! I like that...the DOR mixes in molasses to cover the icky medicine taste. I have tried to follow her in the barn several times to mooch extras. I even peek through the barn window with my innocent face, with some pathetic thrown in, to see if she will cave in-she does and I get four berry treats. I got Shandi back yesterday and spent the whole day in the pasture. I am still a bit wobbly and trot crooked...but I am bouncing back quickly. I will tell you more about it next week. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!
The Great Prosser Balloon Rally started yesterday and will run this weekend. Jack hates it when the balloons fly over the pasture, he thinks they are giant grocery sacks. I think they are interesting to watch. The DOR says that people ride in the baskets, it lets them fly like a bird. I wonder if they would let me go for a ride? I have always wondered what it would be like to fly. The closest I get to flying is running as fast as I can. While that is fun it makes me tired, this seems like a better way to feel like flying. Come to Prosser and enjoy the balloons if you can. If you come by you could always swing by the ranch and give me a good scritch. Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Our Fall sunsets are so pretty. Please go visit the other great Skywatchparticipants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world! Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Here are a few pictures from this weekend. I like the ones that Mushboy took of the DOR and I working at liberty. This photo captures just how far we have come. I had just got done going around the round pen several times changing gaits and directions. She stopped me, signaled me to come in, and then gave me a neck massage to let me know I had done a good job.
Here we are listening to our riding instructor. The DOR is very focused...we are going to lope! Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
As a card caring member of the "Burly He Man Gelding Club" this is so embarrassing. But the again it takes a real strong gelding to wear pink.
Yep I am one tough gelding who is confident enough to wear pink. I just hope the DOR never does this to me again. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
The DOR says this is my breast cancer awareness outfit, that men at the rodeos show up in pink for fundraisers....so if you think I look good please donate to breast cancer research-Thank you
Good day everyone! I am working on my sidepasses. I am getting good going to the left, going right is still hard for me. The DOR says that part of my problem going right is the placement of her left leg. She shattered her left knee and can't always tell exactly where her leg is. She is working on placing it better and I am working on paying attention to the other cues-we will get it right with practice. I am still pretty new at this maneuver, but I think I am giving it a good try. I do well after a bit of practice on the rail, but still can't do it out in the open. The DOR and I will continue to work on it. But for now she is happy he can get me next to the fence to pick up a water bottle or her camera. You can see the SCC and Coelho taking a lesson in the background. Our instructor comes down from Ellensburg and we love to work with her. The DOR would like to thankGet Moving with Mountain Woman and Tahtimbo for the insperation their new blog is giving to so many! She has lost five pounds this past week following their suggestions. I hear she is planning on loosing a hundred pounds, if she does that I may not know who is riding me LOL! Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR.
Last fall I had a come-apart at the Fall Follies. I decided to lope in the keyhole race, I wanted to kick Whiskey's butt. I got a bit emotional, the DOR made a couple of mistakes in handling me and I launched her to the moon. The DOR ended up on the ground with a fractured pelvis. It has taken a bit of time for her to get her confidence back. It has taken hard work for us to build our trust in each other. I would like to say our team is tighter than ever now. It wasn't like that as of last week though. You see the DOR has been afraid of one thing still, one big thing that has prevented us from reaching that complete level of trust. She has been afraid to canter me, afraid if she did I would have a come-apart again. Well she did a lot of thinking this past week, evaluating all of what we have been doing together. She took a hard look at where she was in her confidence in me. She decided this past weekend was the right time to put one last fear behind her. She went into her lesson wanting to canter, but willing to wait if the timing wasn't right. I knew that she was facing something important in this lesson, I could feel her digging deep into her confidence. I trotted as fast as I could for two rounds of the arena. I wanted to make sure she was ready, giving her the chance to change her mind. I felt her take a deep breath and relax, she was making sure that she wouldn't make me nervous with her next request. Her mind was made up, she gave me a kiss and nudge and I broke into a canter. As soon as I felt her get a bit excited I slowed to a trot. She stopped me, leaned down into my neck, and cried. It took me a bit to realize she wasn't upset, she was happy. The DOR was happy that the one last thing that was a wedge between us was gone. I am happy too. I am glad I took good care of her, that I made sure she was ready, and didn't canter too fast. We got it right this weekend. I know we may not always get it right, but for now it is perfect. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Horses never lie.... We don't lie, we can't lie. Why would we lie? There is no reason for lying in our world. Horses will always tell you the truth, even when you don't want to hear it. The DOR and I have been doing liberty work for a year now. At first I would just do what I darn well pleased, paying no attention to what the DOR wanted. She would get frustrated, but she kept at it. Then I started doing what she asked but only when I felt like it. The DOR wasn't going to give up. Now I am almost as responsive at liberty as I am on the lunge line. You see she has shown herself to be a leader, she has commanded respect, she is confident and in charge. I wouldn't lie to her earlier and act like she was the boss, I told her the truth-she had a way to go still. I won't lie to her now, I know she is the boss and I respect that. Horses also will tell the truth about what they think of you, think of your behavior, and of your abilities. Sometimes humans ask us to do things we know they aren't ready for, we will try to tell them and sometimes if the relationship is good the human will listen. Sometimes they ask us to do things we aren't ready for, we tell them that too. If the humans don't listen then sometimes things can get ugly. Wouldn't it be nice if the human world worked the same way? Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
I have been cogitating a bit this week...hard for us old guys to do, but good for keeping our minds sharp. I have some questions I would like all the DORs to think about: 1. Do you talk enough to your horse? 2. Does your horse know it name and respond? 3. Does your horse think that a swear word, such as damn-it, it part of its name? 4. After you have worked your horse hard, given it treats and turned it loose in the pasture, if you came out with a halter and called it would it come? 5. When you come out to do chores do you hurry or do you make sure you always take time to pet/scratch your horse? 6. If you whistle at your horse what happens? 7. If you are having a horrible day how does your horse behave? 8. If your horse is having a horrible day how do you behave? 9. If you are walking around the pasture, just walking for no reason, what does your horse do? 10. What does your horse do when it first sees you? 11. When your horse sees its tack or heads to the arena how does it behave? 12. Does your horse view the trailer as a friend, foe, or just neutral? 13. Does your horse have enough faith in you to try to do things that worry it just because you asked it to do so?
Ponder these questions, if you think on your answers you will learn a lot about the relationship you have with your horse. The DOR's herd makes sure to give her questions to answer quite often...it helps her grow as a better partner. Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Another lovely sunset. The cooler mornings and evenings seem to be bringing out some gorgeous colors. The herd and I are feeling frisky in this weather! Time for the DOR to take me out on another ride so I can play. Please go visit the other great Skywatchparticipants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world! Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Well the DOR is serious.... She has signed us up for a clinic in April! She is planning our spring activities this fall. I even heard her mention that I might need shoes because the trails are too rocky and hurt my feet. I am wondering about this shoe thing. Does this mean that I will be leaving the ranch more often? What adventures is she planning for us? Lots of things to wonder about..... She is even going to the gym to get into better shape for our adventures next year. I overheard something about an endurance ride. We already do that-she rides and I endure. I feel like I am in the book by Dr. Seuss "Oh, the Places You'll Go!" I wonder if Dr. Seuss knew that the DOR would be getting a little spotted horse when he wrote this book? Well it seems we will be writing our own adventure book next spring and summer. Looks like we will be having a busy 2010. I think that will be great! More DOR time. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
My new back scratcher. Yes it is the same color as the horse eating tarp, but it feels so good I can overlook that fact. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Yep I hit the road! This is my first trip down a road. There were cars, dogs, mailboxes, and newspaper tubes...oh my! I was perfect, so perfect the DOR could take pictures.
We went down the road a bit and then we took a right turn into a hay field. Now what kind of evil torture is that? Making this poor starving spotted pony walk through that field and not letting him stop to graze. The DOR says that we were on a trail ride, not a trail graze. Hmmmm, I showed her, I managed to snitch a few bits here and there during the entire ride.
Here is a view of the hills we were by.
We wondered down an irrigation canal road. I have never done that before either! We had to go past a weir box to get to a road to follow in an orchard. I was worried that it would eat me. The DOR learned from Bill Basham "It is a poor leader that won't lead, get off and help you horse if that is what it needs." Well that was what I needed, so she did. She also knew that it might mean she would have to walk the rest of the way. You see the DOR shattered her left knee and it doesn't work quite right, she hasn't been able to mount from the ground for the past 20 years. Well I stood a bit down hill, the SCC held the off stirrup and she did it...she mounted from the ground. She had a big ol grin and told me how good I was for helping her...alrighty then all I did was stand still. Here is the SCC on Coelho. He and I played "keep the other horse last in line". I won most of the time. I also found out that the paint can move when he wants. Of course most humans have seen paint run LOL! It was a grand ride. The DOR says I just keep getting better and better. I am glad she loves me so much. I hear that she is planning lots of trail rides next summer. Great I love to go trail grazing, errr I mean trail riding. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Some time around the 1st of August, a truck and a horse trailer traveling through the Yakima River Canyon between Yakima and Ellensburg, stopped on a blind corner and unloaded Canyon. We don't know whether she was set loose by accident or on purpose, what we do know is she never got back into that trailer-that it drove away without her.
Canyon was afraid, she came close to being hit by cars several times. Traffic in the dark is treacherous. Hoofprints tell the story of her frantic search for a way off the road. Eventually she made her way through a narrow gap in a fence and traveled to the top of the hill. This is a area that is steep, rocky and has no access to water.
Canyon could be sighted every evening standing in silhouette on top of the hill. Maybe she was looking for her owner, maybe she was just watching for danger. Night after night she was there....
A rescue attempt was mounted, but it was complicated by the terrain and Canyon's wariness. This is where a community of individuals combined their efforts on behalf of a starving horse. This story spans a six week time period, it is a story of commitment and determination. Several people spent numerous hours walking the area, contacting authorities, doing what they could to help this bay mare.
Anna went every day and carried water buckets up the top of the hill so Canyon could drink. She also left her hay so she would have good food. Canyon would walk everyday, down the hill to the water buckets. A trail developed & became visible through the rough terrain, as each day she came to the water that was saving her life. Anna began moving the buckets down the side of the hill, in hopes that Canyon would learn to come closer to an area where she could captured. Canyon learned to trust that water and food would always be there for her. She would look for her, but she wouldn't let Anna too near her. Still Anna persisted in her daily trek to feed and water her. This was not an easy thing for Anna, she is older than the DOR, but she believed in what she was doing and wouldn't give up.
People were spending all of their spare time patrolling the hills. They searched for her. There was a gentleman and his 10 year old daughter who rode the hills for days, putting long hours in the saddle, just to figure out where Canyon was ranging and how to best save her. They erected a paddock around Canyon's water buckets. No easy task because of the fences and terrain. The man spent hours laying in the grass waiting for Canyon to enter the paddock while he was there. Finally, she was inside the corral and he was able to close the gate behind her. Canyon was now ready to be loaded up and taken to safety.
Now how do you get a frightened horse into a trailer on a blind corner? A chute was built, boards were laid over the ditch to back a trailer over, the fence was adjusted, and people posted to watch traffic. Canyon went into the trailer and waited quietly while the doors were shut. She never tried to leave, it was as if she knew the people were trying to help her.
Because she was technically an abandoned horse she had to be impounded by the state. After the mandated waiting period, giving an owner a chance to claim her, she had to go up for auction. The week of the auction, one of RCERs board members went and spent time with her at the auction yard. This person thought there was something about this horse, something that called for a second chance. Canyon went up for public auction on Saturday, Sept 12th. In the audience were two members of the RCER board. They were there to make sure Canyon went home to RCER. She was going home to an opportunity to be rehabbed and trained. Fate must have agreed, there were three bids and the DOR bought Canyon for $20.00.
Again Canyon went into the trailer, stood quietly while the doors closed. But this time she was heading to safety, to an opportunity to become whole again. A philosopher once said that freedom is taking advantage of all the opportunities we are given, using this definitionCanyon is truly free. She has taken every opportunity given to help herself. RCER is looking forward to seeing what she makes of her new opportunities.
Canyon is now working with members of RCER. The first and most important lesson Canyon will work on is learning to trust in humans. While she has trust, she does not trust in us yet and that is going to be the key to reaching her. From there she is going to be halter broke, or rebroke as the case maybe. Then she will be moved forward in her training at a pace she is able to handle.
Canyon's story is a long way from finished, in fact it has just begun. We will see what she makes of the freedom being given to her, I think it will be great things. To all of the people who played a part in getting her to safety THANK YOU!!
"You think you lost your horse? Who knows, he may bring a whole herd back to you someday."(The story goes that an old man lost his horse. As he was remorsing, the animal returned bringing at his heels a herd more. It is thus regarded as a 'Blessing in disguise".) -Chinese Proverb
Well the DOR dealt with a lost horse. The mare didn't bring a whole herd with her when she was returned to a home. What she did do is create a network of people who rose to her aide. I am impressed that so many humans would band together to help a little mare. The DOR says this happens more often than I know. Well to all of you out there who help horses GOOD ON YOU! The DOR and I are hitting the trail today. The SCC is riding Coelho, along with another friend going. If I end up following Quaalude I may have to show him my pearly whites close up...nibbling his painted butt. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
The DOR had the winning bid, $20.00. Canyon saw her chance to leave and loaded herself. She waited quietly for the doors to close. Barry drove her to Ellensburg, where she will be rehabbed and trained. Way to go everyone involved. Good luck Canyon. On Monday I will post her story as we know it. In addition to Canyon now being safe, Cloud and part of his herd have been returned to where they belong. It has been a stellar day!!
The DOR is off to auction this morning. She is making sure that Canyon goes to safety. She is bidding on this mare, who will then go to a rescue to be trained and placed in a forever home. Canyon has a dramatic tale behind how she got to where she is. Monday we will tell it to you. Wish the DOR luck. It is time to bring Canyon home! Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
This photo was taken at 6:00 AM in the morning. It was 52 degrees outside and a lovely pink sky. I love this weather! Please go visit the other great Skywatchparticipants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world! Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
I am getting white hairs in my mane and tail. The DOR calls these my wisdom hairs. She says that they are a sign that I am mellowing and maturing. I am not sure the hairs have a darn thing to do with my improvements. I think the improvement that the DOR sees in me is actually caused by an improvement in her. If wisdom hairs have a real effect the DOR must be brilliant, after all almost all of her hairs are wisdom hairs. I have seen the DOR act pretty silly too, so they haven't made her completely mature. The DOR got to visit last night. I got brushed, sprayed, and all my bot eggs removed. She spent an a lot of time with me, she needed spotted pony therapy. The DOR loves just to stand with her arm around my neck and her head on my shoulder. I like it too. For a moment it is just her and I, the rest of the world doesn't exist. The DOR is taking a day tomorrow just for spotted pony therapy. This is something new she is going to do once a month during the week this year. I am sure will make work a much happier place for her. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Here I am imitating him. I think we both look good. By the way the DOR has a wild horse project she is working on. More news coming soon. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Mushboy and the Support Crew Chief were out doing chores today. The SCC decided to take Coelho for a ride. Coelho's favorite game is to play "how slow can you go?". The rest of the herd has nicknamed him Quaalude. Personally I call him Lude the Tude because I love him soooo much. I guess he just doesn't feel the need to hurry in the arena. I hear he can hustle down a trail though, we will see when we hit the trail together. The SCC has to keep bumping him to keep him moving. Well what can I say? Even I can move my massiveness faster than Coelho and I am basically lazy. I wonder if it would help if I followed behind him "smiling" so he can see my teeth, hmmmm sounds like fun. Mushboy took a bunch of photos and video while he was out so the DOR could feel like she had come for a visit. Somehow he only got photos of Coelho...what about the rest of us? The DOR needs a Jack fix, not a poky paint fix. I guess she will get her fix at 6:00 AM when she comes out to feed the gummers their mush. Tonight is the RCER board meeting, so no long visit this evening. The DOR is planning on riding Wednesday night with a friend. I am looking forward to some quality time with her. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR Cloud no longer runs free, he was captured in the roundup. Please sign the petition, click on Cloud's picture, to stop the roundup...save some of the herds. I am praying that all the captured horses find homes and do not head to slaughter.
Fate is a fickle and cruel master. The DOR was planning on spending lots of time with me this three day weekend. What happens? She came out early Saturday and mucked the paddock, gave scritches, and sprayed us. She was going to ride Saturday evening when she came out, but it started to rain. Drat fate and its cruel jokes. It was probably a good thing that she couldn't ride because I really needed her help. You see the winter hay pile is stacked right by my pasture, the part that I walk up to get to the paddock and water. The hay pile is now wearing one of my boogers...a blue tarp. The wind was blowing, the tarp was noisy, and I was sure that it would eat me...I couldn't get to the paddock for my treats. Shandi worked her way through it on her own, she doesn't know they will eat a horse so she just ran past it. I tried, I really did. The DOR waited patiently and told me I was okay, but I just couldn't get up the alley. The DOR brought out my treat tub to me, I stuck my nose in, and together we slowly made our way past the blue tarp. As we went by the DOR to me I was a big, brave horse. She also told the blue tarp it had to leave me alone or she would cut it to bits. I think she scared the tarp because it has left me alone every since. The DOR ended up getting sick, I think it is from the rain and doing battle with the tarp. She has been home with a sinus infection and an upset stomach. Get well soon DOR, I will take care of the tarp for you when you are out next. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
9/06/2009
My heart knows what the wild horse knows And I must go where the wild horse goes Wild horse, brother horse, which is best? A wandern' fool or a heart at rest? ~Frankie Laine
I substituted horse for goose, which is how the original song was written. The DOR, our friends, and I are sickened by the thought of the loss of a large herd of mustangs. We have a mustang here at the ranch and we all love her dearly. What would life be without her? Imagine our country with no wild horses? Can you do it? Hard isn't it? My wild brothers and sisters are woven in the rich tapestry of this country. While herds need to be properly managed, they do not need to be destroyed. Culling the herd should not mean murdering some of its members. Please help me and my friends stop this madness! This should never be viewed as a solution to a problem. Imagine if the government managed over population by humans this way... I guess the thought of that makes you very upset, well that is how this little spotted horse is feeling. I weep at the thought of my family being treated so inhumanly. Remember, humans are judged by the way they care for those dependent on them to have their needs met. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Trudy is one tough hen. She avoids Salty's and my hooves, flies up into the trees to roost or escape the ranch dogs, and made her way to the ranch all on her own. She reminds me of myself...tough as nails with lots of character. The other day we thought Trudy was a goner for sure. She and I were busy sharing dinner, talking about the good old days, when one of the dogs managed to surprise her. He carried her off! I watched helplessly, worried that my friend was going to be dinner. Luckily the ranch manager saw what happened and got Trudy away from the dog. At first it was thought that Trudy was dead. Turned out the old girl was playing dead, which was good because that kept the dog from really chomping on her. She was a bit shocky the first night, we weren't sure she would pull through. She just laid in a little heap, looking horrible. The humans took real good care of her and she is tough, she is recovering nicely. She is living in a stall in the barn, getting fed my feed. I think she is getting a bit spoiled. She is now up and walking! She has an open window that she can go out once she feels up to doing that. I just hope than when she hops out that window that Jack doesn't try to keep her for himself. TRUDY IS MY CHICKEN!!! Do you hear me Jack? Don't make me have to whump on your twerpy spotted butt. How are you going to live down getting whumped by a toothless, scrawny old man? You will be laughed out of the "Burly he man gelding club". So save yourself some grief and send Trudy back to me once she hops out the window. Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
PS Please send prayers to Quad at desert horses He is colicking and hasn't pooped yet. Cheryl takes good care of her horses and suffered the tragic loss of Beauty not long ago, please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. This one hits us close to home....
Lovely view of Mt. Adams. I love this mountain. Not much snow left... Please go visit the other great Skywatchparticipants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world! Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
So I have something different about my feet. When I stand I have a tendency to look really pigeon toed. I don't know why I do that when I stand, it drives the DOR nuts. I don't look pigeon toed at all when I move. So does it matter that I don't look perfect all the time? No it doesn't. You see the way I stand doesn't effect how I move, my personality, or my relationships. None of my horse buddies care how I stand and the DOR loves me just the way I am. You see horses are happy just the way they are, we don't fuss about looks- well Harley Darling was always worried about his looks but he was the exception. Although I will admit there is a spicy filly in the pasture next to me, but it is her personality not her looks that I drool over. Wouldn't it be nice if humans could learn this little lesson from horses. It is your character that is of value, not your looks. I think humans would be happier just being themselves and not worrying about their looks. So how about taking a day just being yourself and appreciating others for their character and not noticing how they look. While humans try to appreciate others like a horse, I am going to try appreciate other horses like a human. Yep I am going to stare at all the luscious mares and drool. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
Thank your Marge for the wonderful package you sent the DOR, Mushboy, and me! Now we all get to experience Florida. I love to visit Space Coast Beach Buzz and Space Coast Eco. The places they talk about are amazing and the wildlife stories make for wonderful reading. If you would like the kit that includes the DVD and cards go to Florida Beach Basics If you are like me and are a Sea Bean fan you just have to follow these blogs. I also want to thank Marge for helping support the rescue horses at Sunny Acres Ranch. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. I have to go put on my sunblock and enjoy the beaches of Florida. Imagine that, a little spotted horse romping in the surf...must be heaven. Have a wonderful day and don't forget to hug your DOR
The DOR has been working long hours since school has started back up. She says things will slow down soon. She is out everyday and gives me my treats, but I miss her just hanging around. I hope things slow down soon. I am going to tell her to read the blog from Sunday and remember the lesson she has learned. Every moment she misses spending with me is one we will never have again. So DOR remember to grab every moment you can with me because when you close your eyes, only for a moment the moment's gone. So until you have time to stand for a smooch, here is a photo of a recent one. Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
The diary of a horse, a DOR, and their life together. I also talk about my other friends who are a part of Grumpy Old Horse Ranch. Join me on my journey through life.
All posts on this blog are the property of Cactus Jack Splash and his DOR (Dr. Synthia Parish-Duehn), they may not be copied or used without permission
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Here I am the first day that I got my Shandi Doll back after getting sick. I love my Shandi and missed her terribly. She missed me too. Shandi would stand where she could see me and call to me.
