12/31/2009

Happy New Year!


Happy New Year everyone!
We are all having a little celebration here. We have a lot to celebrate. 2009 brought us some grand adventures. While we said goodbye to several wonderful pasture mates, their presence in our lives were a true blessing.
Here is to 2010. May it be a year filled with blessings, peace, joy, friends, and family.
To all of our readers, thank you so much for sharing the past year with us and we look forward to sharing this new year with you.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

Skywatch Friday-Season 4 Episode 25

Happy New Year everyone! Here is a picture of our sky last night with snow falling...nature's fireworks.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Ice crystals

These pictures are of a decoration that hangs right outside the DOR's front door. Look at those ice crystals. It was frosty and cold last night.
I was a bit upset about being tarpped yesterday evening. In fact DOR had to put my halter on because I would not stand nicely. I am not sure why, but the fact that I ran off when she p
ut the tarp on my back made her very happy, she looked at me and smiled. Alright then I see a lot of running from the tarp in my future, you know how I love to keep the DOR happy.
She put the halter on me and proceeded to put the tarp on my back. Not wanting to quit making the DOR smile, I danced from side-to-side and spun around. The DOR just laughed and said "Look Boogie, we are finally dancing" and she rubbed my neck. Then her eyes started leaking...I think she has finally done and gone crazy. She danced around with me and finally got all of my straps hooked up. She then gave me a big smooch on the nose and rubbed my forehead. "Boogie do you know what you just did?", what does she think I am stupid? Yeah I know what I just did, I failed to escaped the tarp, but that wasn't what she was talking about. "You just moved your feet when you were worried, you didn't have sticky feet-look." With that she flapped the tarp around by my belly and I started dancing away from it. She grinned real big and kept flapping the tarp. I finally stood still and looked at her, she was right my feet weren't stuck. That is another sign things are getting better! Now the DOR said there are advantages to my feet being stuck when I was worried or afraid, the biggest one being I couldn't run off. She also knew it was a sign that my nervous system still wasn't working right and that was a bad thing. So she is happy to be doing the "tarp dance" with me and that makes me feel good.
Freezing rain called for today, I am glad I have on my tarp.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/30/2009

Less words Wednesday


Here I am in a snow storm. Okay it wasn't a snow storm, but it was snowing. I am trying to hypnotize the DOR with my stare--to be warm you will give me treats, to be warm you will give me treats, to be warm you will give me treats...
It worked! I got treats and I am pretty sure that giving them to me made her feel warm inside.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/29/2009

Do you hear what I hear?


I hear the treat jar!
I like the DOR being on vacation, it means she spends extra time with us. Extra time means the treat jar makes the rounds in the morning when she comes out to give Freedom his mush.
The DOR visits each one of us and gives us our treats after we do a job. Alrighty then I will work for treats, although I think she should just give them to me because I am so darn good looking. Geeze whatever happened to just appreciating fine works of art?












This is the treat jar. Currently it has green apple treats. Sometimes it has apple asses, berry treats, and once it was full of mini carrots.

Shandi has to let her ears get rubbed, then she gets a treat. Salty has to walk beside the DOR without shoving his shoulder into her space, then he gets a treat. Coelho has to stand in one spot when she walks to him in the pasture, then he gets a treat. Darby has to let her rub his ticklish spot without kicking or stomping, then he gets a treat. What do I have to do yo ask? Well I have to back 5 steps-get a treat, flex my neck three times to each side-get a treat each time, do bum tucks/backups-get a treat, do wither lifts-get a treat, and if I will stick my nose in a white bag I can eat the five treats that are in it...it is hard work for me to get treats. I am not going to fuss about it too much because right now I get two times a day I can get treats, once the DOR is back to work treat opportunity only comes around once a day.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/28/2009

Gathering of the herd


The DOR returned to her home pasture for a gathering of her original herd. It is something that humans do on special occasions.
This photo is the DOR's dad, he is the herd leader. He is a bit like Freedom, he doesn't say much but everyone listens when he speaks. The DOR likes to tell stories about the adventures that they have had together. He is the reason she is so horse crazy, he might be the reason she is just a bit crazy period.









Here is a picture of the herd that was able to get to the home pasture. The DOR is the oldest foal of the herd, I guess she isn't a foal anymore-she is too old to be a foal. There were three siblings, several grandchildren, and three great-grand children who could not make it.
I am glad she went home. She loves seeing her family and especially treasures the time she gets to spend with her dad.
The DOR is going to spend today playing with me and Darby, oh and mucking paddocks....I think I can come up with enough presents to keep her busy mucking for a long time.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/27/2009

Quote for the week


"You can't talk your way out of problems you behave yourself into." ~Steve Covey

Well old Steve seems to know a thing or two about things. I have been trying to talk myself into being back to the way I was before my accident in September but it doesn't work. Nope I behaved, or rather misbehaved, myself into this condition and now I have to behave myself out of it. Boy does it take work to behave myself out of this situation. Work and being goosed in the butt more than I care for. I keep on working everyday and seem to be making good progress in behaving myself better. I am trotting, loping, and turning wide turns in fine form now. I am still working on crossing my hinds and stepping over obstacles. I should be heading to the therapist's for more intensive work sometime in the next month.
I have learned a big lesson out of all of this...never behave yourself into something that you don't want to behave yourself out of. Seems like good advice for humans too.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/26/2009

Freedom speaks Saturday


Yep she got me too! I thought that I would escape the obligatory holiday photo, but noooo. Dadburnit, Mushboy helped do the dastardly deed. I didn't mind too much because Mushboy was so pleased with himself, look at that big ol' grin.
I am glad that I have another Christmas behind me. I take pride in each one of this small victories. Yep 46 Christmases and still counting! We all got special Christmas treat tubs. Mine featured applesauce with roll mix, yummy. Each tub had the favorite treat of each horse it was made for, that is really a nice surprise.
I hope everyone had a lovely day yesterday. The DOR, Support Crew Chief, and Mushboy left very early this morning to see the DOR's dad.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/25/2009

Christmas Miracle

This photo is of me riding Hank the Tank, the hind feet you see are Panikanic's. She did not think I should be riding her Hank...alrighty then. So what does this picture have to do with Jack? Well let me tell you-
I got my very own Christmas miracle. Jack was bucking!! Feet over his head, running in a circle bucking! He was frustrated because his treats were taking too long....one of the best Christmas gifts ever.
I know, after getting bounced and hurt badly it seems odd to celebrate bucking. But after Jack's accident in September, watching him struggle just to stand, and months of a very slow recovery this truly is something to celebrate. Now if his feet would just work when he is frightened it will all be good. We are on a journey together and his recovery is just part of the adventure.
Merry Christmas everyone!

12/24/2009

Merry Christmas everyone Skywatch Friday-Season 4 Episode 23

Here is the DOR and I turned into a Christmas ornament. I figure it is fair play for her making us wear costumes. We are sharing our Christmas sky.























Merry Christmas from Cactus Jack Splash and the DOR.
Our wish for you and your family is simple- may you be blessed with peace, love,and surrounded by your family this holiday season.


Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

More holiday wishes


Sir Darby was having a Festivus in his pasture when the DOR went out to take her holiday photos. He seemed to enjoy wearing his costume. I think he may have worn costumes before. I am glad he is around for the DOR to ride, it sure makes her happy.
He likes peppermints, but he will only eat two...he is watching his weight. Sir Darby is liked by the two ladies he is sharing a pasture with. He plays "bite face" with the two ginormous geldings next to him. He can often be seen nuzzling the two minis who live in the pasture on the south side of him. He seems to think the minis are his pets.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/23/2009

Apology from Star


This is Star, she sure is pretty! Recently she had a "werehorse" incident and ejected her Mom while they were working cows. Star and her mom have a blog, For the love of a horse. Seems that Star may not be getting any treats from Santa for being a bit naughty. I want to let Star's mom in on a secret, Star sent me an e-mail talking about how badly she feels and wondering how to apologize....here it is.

Dear Cactus Jack Splash,
The other day I did a bad thing, I didn't mean to do it, but I did. My mom and I were working cows and I am not too fond of cows. She told me to move forward and I didn't, so she made it clear that I was to move forward...well I made it clear I didn't want to do that and in the process I ejected her from the saddle. To make matters worse I kicked her elbow as she was heading toward the dirt.
I don't know what to do. I love my mom and feel really bad about ejecting her. I sure didn't mean to do it, I was just trying to tell her something. I know I should mind and not throw tantrum, but those cows are just so yucky. They stink and have poop on them. What if some of that poop got on my beautiful self? What if their stink got on me and I could never get it off? At least mom didn't land in any of the poop those cows left all over the place.
So how do I apologize? I have hung my head in shame, I have given her the big sad eyes, I even tried smooching her. Please help me...I want her to know I am sooooo sorry and love her bunches.
Star

Well there you have it...one painted pony who is feeling pretty bad about ejecting her mom. I hope her mom reads this and knows how sorry Star is.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug you DOR!

Less words Wednesday


Here is my Shandi Doll ready to help Santa. She was not the least bit bothered by the geegaws the DOR and the Support Crew Chief put on her.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/22/2009

The Holiday wishes begin


Mushboy managed to get Salty to pose for a holiday picture. It has been so rainy and muddy that the "Teflon horse" was dirty.
Mushboy and Salty the Wonder Horse are best friends. Salty helped Dakota learn to use his voice to communicate. Salty helped make the world a better place for Dakota.
This is a good time to celebrate miracles. As we think about the miracle of the birth of a child, who was laid in a manger, who changed the world, and who offers us a better life it is also a good time to think of the miracles that happen around us everyday. We are thankful for Salty the Wonder Horse and the miracle that he brought about in Dakota.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/21/2009


Why is it that some humans feel the need to dress us up in silly costumes at Christmas time or anytime for that matter? Why do they think we would love to wear antlers, Santa hats, and Christmas tree skirts? Why does the DOR in particular feel the need to do this horrible thing? Is she an evil elf of some sort, an escapee from the home for delinquent elves. Maybe she just gets caught up in the spirit of the holiday, trying to share it with all of us.
Here is Coelho dressed up. Does he look happy with the entire affair? I don't think so. I think he looks like he would like to lay down in the mud, rolling and covering his holiday finery in goo.
The DOR, Support Crew Chief, and Mushboy came out yesterday to do the "torture the horses with Christmas stuff" photo shoot. It was rainy and muddy, so the photo shoot didn't go on for too long. That could be a blessing or a curse depending on how the photographs turn out. The DOR may just settle for the pictures that they got or she may decide to come out and get some better ones.
I made sure to cooperate the best I could, given the fact that I had to wear a blue tree skirt and a hat with WHITE fur...so I might be safe from any follow-up shoots.
Good thing about the picture taking session is that we all get extra treats for being good sports. Some of us were better sports than others and I feel that those horses, especially me, should get extra treats for that.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/20/2009

Quote for the week


If your pants legs are pulling up like Pee-Wee Herman it's not cause your pants are too short it's because you ride bad.
~Buck Brannaman

Buck made this statement at the clinic she attended this year. She has never had the problem of her pants legs pulling up and was trying to figure out what he was talking about. Luckily he clarified what he was trying to point out. If your pants legs are riding up it is because you are gripping with you knees. If you are gripping with your knees all of the time your horse is always feeling pressure and you loose some of your ability to communicate. He pointed out that riders need to grip with the part of their leg that is behind the seam of their pants and higher up on their leg.
Well it is a good thing the DOR has me. I have worked very hard to teach her to keep her leg off me unless she has something to say with it. Then she needs to say her piece and get out, don't nag me with her leg. We have gotten our communication down pretty well this way.
The other reason this pants leg riding up is a problem is that it makes the horse embarrassed. Imagine how we feel as we are doing what our rider asks and when we look back we see our rider's pants riding up over their boots and looking all wonky. In short, our rider is looking like a dork!
So please work on gripping properly so we can clearly communicate and not look silly.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/19/2009

Freedom speaks Saturday-Fossil?

An artifact was found in my paddock the other day, a tooth. Mushboy was thinking it was a fossilized tooth of some sort. He was busy speculating that it could be from a dinosaur, mammoth, or some other prehistoric critter. He was sure it was really old because the roots of the tooth resembled coral.










The top of the tooth shows years of use. Some parts are polished like a pearl.
























The entire tooth was intact and Mushboy found it very interesting. I was a little puzzled by his interest in the tooth, along with being a bit frustrated. You see it was one of my last molars that fell out.... Now all I have is a few worn down nubs left, essentially they are useless. I wasn't to amused that the words dinosaur, mammoth, and prehistoric were being tossed about in regards to my tooth. I may be old, but I am not that old. Mushboy was asking the DOR why someone didn't make dentures for horses, why horses couldn't get tooth implants like people....well why not? Mushboy is full of good ideas. He wants to design an artificial knee for horses like Salty, he wants to be able to do eye transplants for horses like Scooby, he wants to be able to give horses like me a full set of teeth, and he wants to help old horses live long healthy lives. Mushboy still wants to be a vet, I think he will be a good one. I hope I am still around when he comes up with a way to give horses a full set of teeth. I surely would enjoy eating fresh green grass again.
Mushboy has my tooth on a shelf at his house. It is a shelf full of items that remind him of all the things he wants to do to help horses. He is trying to figure out where to start. I am putting my vote in for the teeth...yep I want teeth for Christmas.
Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

12/17/2009

Skywatch Friday-Season 4 Episode 22


This week has been dreary. Fog, freezing rain, and so dark. Somehow even dreary skies look good with Sir Darby and his ladies in the foreground.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Quiet moments


Each day after I do my physical therapy the DOR spends a moment with me. We stand with our heads together. I think she is trying to steal some of my thoughts, maybe even my brain cells-she is getting older and her brain cells aren't firing as fast as they used to. The DOR likes it when I give her a hug like I am doing in the picture. I haven't been giving a lot of hugs since I got hurt, I am a bit protective of my head and neck. I know she misses them a whole bunch. I gave her a nice one yesterday, she really needed one with what has been going on. She has been doing "tarps on" and "tarps off" the past several days, making sure we get to enjoy the good weather and are protected from the freezing rain. She was really happy to get the hug, she says it is another sign that I am getting better. She gives me a smooch everyday and says, "Boogie I love you and I know that you and I will be dancing soon." Well alrighty then, with as iced up as the skirt on my tarp was it looked like I was in a tutu. Well I am going to practice a few fancy steps to impress her with.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/16/2009

Less word Wednesday


Mushboy is turning into quite the photographer. He took this picture of Sir Darby on Sunday while the DOR was riding.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/15/2009

Freezing rain?

The weather man is predicting freezing rain. Why did he do that? What was he thinking? Does he know the grief that has caused me?
Arrghhhh!!! I was so happy running around nekked. But my joy was short lived....The DOR heard about possible freezing rain and now I am tarpped again! She tarpped all of us, even the old guys who have decided to spend their days standing in their shelter. Life just isn't fair. If I was a wild horse I wouldn't have to wear a tarp. If I was a wild horse I wouldn't have to do my physical therapy. If I was a wild horse I could go where ever I want. Oh poop, I just realized if I was a wild horse I would have to find my own food and there would be no peppermints. Never mind I would rather wear a tarp than be a wild horse. I have to many good things going for me living with the DOR and a tarp is a small price to pay.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/14/2009

Heat wave


Here I am with my Shandi Doll eating dinner. I am a good uncle and share the hay tub with her. That isn't what I want you to notice, what I want you to notice is that we are both nekked! It warmed up enough yesterday that the DOR took the tarps off of everyone but Freedom.
I will have you know that I got mine taken off before Shandi did. I also stood nicely without a halter while my tarp was taken off. The DOR says I am doing really well with my tarp this year.
The weather was so good that the DOR went for a ride on Sir Darby. I am going to enjoy the balmy weather as long as it lasts.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/13/2009

Quote for the week


See with your heart, not your eyes.

Yesterday the DOR went to Ellensburg to visit her horse Scooby. For those of you who may not know it Scooby is blind. She always enjoys her time with him, he reminds her that what you feel is sometimes more important than what you can see. It also reminds her that while the nature of a relationhip may change with circumstances and time, the relationship will continue to exist and grow strong if that is what one chooses to have happen.
Scooby never forgets her, he can tell who she is every time she shows up. He recognizes her voice, the lavender scent she wears, he knows which pocket has his peppermints in it, and he remembers the way she touches him. The DOR spends her time grooming him, walking the pasture with him, and scritching him. She will often stand with her head on his neck with her eyes closed...seeing the world as he does. They have a quiet, comfortable friendship that is filled with tenderness and deep caring. Her time with Scooby reminds her that there is so much more to the world than what she can see with her eyes, that the most important things are what you can see with your heart.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/12/2009

Freedom speaks Saturday

This is a picture of me and the Support Crew Chief on my last trail ride two years ago. I am grounded from trail riding because I only want to trot and the DOR thinks at my age I should walk. Since I won't do that no trails for me...she is a party pooper for sure.
I am an old horse, a very old horse! I want to talk about the worth of older horses...we are often worth our weight in gold.
The oldest horse on record was Old Billy, who lived to be 62 years old in Woolston, England. He was foaled in 1760 and died in 1822. I have a few years to go to beat Billy's record.
So when is a horse considered old? When the DOR was young a horse in its 20's was considered ready to die and a horse in its late teens would be considered for retirement and wasn't one that most people would want to buy. In 2004 Equus Caballus Magazine states that the typical life span for a horse is 25 years. With better care and nutrition horses are living longer and more productive lives.
What can an old horse offer besides companionship? We can offer a lot! If well taken care of we are able to still be ridden. There is nothing like an experienced oldster to teach a beginning rider. Of course we can be naughty, like the time I was bucking with Dakota a couple of years ago. He needed to learn to ask me to do things nicer so I had to teach him a lesson. An older horse is a great confidence booster. Take Ginger, she helped the DOR regain her confidence after Jack's werehorse incident. Then there is Salty who can be ridden by a light rider for a short amount of time...oh the small children he has made giggle. Sir Darby is a great anyone can ride him horse, who just loves being ridden.
Let us not forget my idol Elmer Bandit who at 37 is still doing endurance rides. This guy just rocks!
So when you are looking for a horse think about what the DOR recently said, "The horse we enjoy in our old age is often the same type of horse we learned to ride on." She learned to ride on a 32 year old anglo arab named Chiquita "Skeeter", her mothers retired state champion gaming horse. Maybe every human needs a good kids horse to ride once in a while, just so they can relax and be taken care of for a bit-then they can go ride a fireball.

Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

12/11/2009

Here is a shoot with another mixed sky. It was very striking.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

12/10/2009

You have a shelter silly!


Hey Salty, Freedom, and Sir Darby what are you doing standing in the pasture? The DOR had a shelter built especially for you, not for me the king of bling, but for her favorite geriatric horses. What do you do? Stand out in the howling wind letting the breeze blow up your skirts.
Freedom will eat in the shelter, only because his mush tub is in it. He will wander in and out of it when he is tucked in the paddock at night. Salty will go in and eat his treats and then leave. He will stand beside it and use it as a wind break, but he really doesn't use it much. Sir Darby does exactly what you see him doing. He stands 10 feet from the entrance and charges carrots for toll to any horse that wants to enter. He isn't making many carrots because no one wants in.
If I had that shelter I would be camping out in there all the time-after the DOR changed the color. It would be my royal chambers and I would receive visitors in a manner befitting my regalness. I would leave to tour my kingdom and return to be waited on by the DOR. I have a wind breaks and use them often. I do have barn access if needed, but I don't like barns that well because I can't come and go as I choose.
So you old farts start using that shelter or I may have to invade your pasture and take it over for myself and Shandi Doll. We all know how Freedom feels about change, so let's not force the issue.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/09/2009

Less words Wednesday


How cold is it? So cold that the Support Crew Chief and Coelho were bundled up in the middle of the day.
Stay warm!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/08/2009

Jammie time

It is so cold that I have to wear a tarp! The DOR was pleased that I stood like a good boy for the first time ever when she tarped me. I am glad she was happy, but I had to work hard at it. There were several things that helped.
*I had to wear a fly sheet when I was really sick
*The DOR put the tarp on me like she expected me to stand nicely
*The DOR told me all well broke horses wear tarps.
*Shandi got hers on first and I couldn't let her show me up.
*I kept telling myself I was wearing jammies and not a tarp.
*The most important thing that helped was that Sir Darby will stand to be tarped in the middle of the pasture with the wind blowing the tarp like a flag without a halter and without moving. Darn if I am going to let him show me up!
I am glad I have a tarp on. It is in the teens during the day with the wind chill factor and is just plain frigid at night.
The DOR had a big smile on her face because I stood so still, she is very proud of me. She had one horse caused smile after another lately. I am glad we are all making her so happy.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/07/2009

Jealousy!

We all know the DOR has not ridden since the end of September. Everyday when she would come out to be with me I could tell she was sad we couldn't go for a ride. I felt bad for her, but what could I do? I am still recovering. Well I found out what I could do, I could share. I could let the DOR ride another horse without making her feel bad about it, she doesn't want to hurt my feelings. She doesn't want me to think because she is riding another horse she is giving up on me-I know she is just waiting until I am better and then we will be back in the arena again.
She went for a ride on Sir Darby, he is a 20 year old Percheron/appy cross who has joined Salty and Freedom's pasture. The DOR wore three thick layers of clothes so she wouldn't freeze, she walked funny because of that...no I didn't laugh in front of her.
I did find myself being a bit jealous. I wasn't the one putting the smile on her face. I wasn't the one she was playing with in the arena. I wasn't the one that she loped three circuits while giggling like a schoolgirl. Then I got over it when I remembered a few things. I am the one she scritches first. I am the one who makes her smile when she looks at me. I am the one that she rides when she dreams about riding adventures. I am the one that she says will carry her for the rest of her life. So I am okay with sharing because I know that in her heart I am her only horse.

Sir Darby you keep making her smile in the arena until I am ready to ride again, that is just fine....well mostly fine. However, Sir Darby remember she is MY DOR and you are just babysitting.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/06/2009

Quote for the week


Gosh, riding is good for the soul!
~DOR yesterday


The DOR has not been riding since I got hurt at the end of September. She has missed it so much.
Yesterday she went for a ride on Sir Darby and the change in her was amazing. She smiled during her ride, she loped, she side-passed, she backed, and she had a blast. She was smiling for hours after her ride.
Now she is ready for the coming week, now she feels centered and whole again. Isn't it amazing the magic that a horse works on a human.
I would like to thank Sir Darby for being here to take the DOR riding until I am well.
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

12/05/2009

2 people, 65 horses killed in Ohio fire

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/12/05/ohio.horse.barn.fire/index.html

Two people and 65 horses were killed Saturday when a blaze engulfed a barn at an Ohio harness racing track, a state fire official said.

The fire destroyed a large enclosure at the Lebanon Raceway near Cincinnati in southwestern Ohio.

Prayers to all the families involved.

Freedom speaks Saturday-twerps

This is Salty the Wonder Horse....


This is Darby the new horse. There were a few seconds yesterday afternoon that I thought I was going senile. Two white horses, it is easy for an old guy to get confused.
Salty has always thought he is all that and a bag of chips. He has no idea he is a gimp, he prances around and shows off all of the time. Darby has been a lesson horse, used to being stabled until a few years ago. When he left the stable on the west side and moved this way he didn't have any company in his pasture. So he isn't used to being in an open pasture with other horses.
Now I understand the need to set the pecking order. But this one should be easy to sort out. I am the silent/standoffish boss, Salty is in the middle and acts like he is the boss, and the youngster should be at the bottom. Well the two twerps didn't want to take the easy solution. No they had to disturb my peaceful pasture! At first is was a bit of squealing, then there was prancing, and then they settled down in their corners. I would wander between the two. I have to admit that I liked having Darby groom my neck, so maybe the youngster will work out. The DOR stayed out for two hours until she was sure things were settled and quiet, then she left. She shouldn't have left because that is when the rumpus began!
The mares in the pasture next to ours caught Darby's eye. They started flirting with the new guy and Salty took umbrage. Salty had to start chasing Darby away from the mares and Darby would go snaking back. Before you know it a gate is jarred and the mares came over to visit the new guy. The new guy was happy for the company, but Salty felt the he was overstepping his place. Salty herded the mares around to keep them away from Darby, Darby followed. By the time the DOR came out to give us dinner all of us geldings had moved to the pasture by the barn and the mares had taken over our pasture. Darn mares, darn prancing geldings, and darn ruckus.
The DOR took me back to the pasture, then she put Salty back, and Darby put himself back-he didn't need help (he seems to be able to think a bit). Salty immediately started herding the mares again and Darby proceeded to try and steal them. The DOR was busy trying to catch the lead mare but was being thwarted by the two geldings. All I could do was stand, watch, and laugh...it was grand entertainment. Finally every one got sorted out and put in their places.
I can tell the addition of Darby the twerp (he is only 20) is going to make the pasture more exciting. I am voting that the next horse the DOR brings to my pasture is at least 30 years old, these youngsters can be a bit much.
Life is so good! Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

12/03/2009

Skywatch Friday-Season 4 Episode 21


This was a sunset from last weekend. With me going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, sunrises and sunsets are a rare sight for me.

Please go visit the other great Skywatch participants at Skywacth Friday There are wonderful photos from all around the world!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR
 

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