Quote for the week

"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?"

The DOR tends to be a terrible worrier. She worries if we are warm enough, if we are too hot, are we eating enough or eating too much, are we out of adjustment, do we get enough attention, are we too spoiled.....and the list goes on. Now look at the list, those are worries she has just about us horses-imagine the worries she must have in the rest of her life? What can a human accomplish if they spend so much of their thinking time worrying. Surely more could get done with less worry.

Believe it or not she worries less now the she is listening to the lessons we horses are teaching her. I have challenged her to try and have a worry free week this week. How about joining her in my challenge? See what a difference it makes.

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

Grumpy Old Horse Ranch News

This morning was 11 degrees as the farrier and equine therapist pulled into the ranch. The DOR had on three shirts, fleece lined jeans, fleece leg and neck warmers (made by her friend Jody), gloves, and a hat...she was having a hard time moving with all those clothes on. The DOR and SCC were bundled up so much that if they tipped over they would probably need help getting up.

Coelho, Shandi, and I got our feet done and we were very good for the farrier. The therapist gave me an adjustment...it felt wonderful. She also worked on Darby. The DOR was going to take a lesson on Jack, but she was so bundled up and would have struggled getting on and off of Jack. As it was time just ran out so they didn't get to the lesson.

We were all shocked to see the 32 year-old horse who boards here give the farrier a really hard time. We have seen some hard to trim horses before, but this guy put them all to shame.

The farrier will be back next week to trim Sir Darby and Jack, along with other horses.

That is all the news from Grumpy Old Horse Ranch where not all the horses are old and Sir Darby is the only one who is grumpy.

We have lift off!

Discovery successfully launched for her last mission. The DOR and I are now in outer space, well sort of in outer space. Our photograph was selected to join other photos on this historic mission.

I think it is fitting since I tried to launch the DOR to the moon during my werehorse episode.

Safe journey to our fellow astronauts.

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

Three Amigos

Just like with horses, there are human herds.

The herd in this photo consists of the DOR's grandson the Little Prince, Mushboy, and the DOR's nephew the Wrestler. They all get along so well. They don't kick, nip, or do pinny ears at each other. They play lots of games and share really well. The best thing is when they all come to the ranch we get really spoiled.

I took a "hay poll" of the ranch residents and they all feel that the three amigos should get together at least once a month and come out to spoil us for a day.

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

Old appys and little kids

This gentle old soul is Aunt Bee. She was rescued by RCER and is rehabbing at the ranch for now. She is a registered appaloosa and has spent her life taking care of her riders. When her usefulness declined because of her age her owners quit taking good care of her, they tossed her aside. Poor payment for a job well done.

This weekend she became the first horse that the DOR's grand daughter had ever touched, ever groomed. She became the first horse that this little girl has fallen in love with. How can you place a value on that? How can you watch a little girl and her dad gently groom a horse, enjoying the moment, finding calm, feeling peace and say that Aunt Bee is no longer useful?

The DOR finds watching a human fall in love with a horse for the first time so special to watch. She also thinks Aunt Bee is a very special lady. Some where in the world are other Aunt Bee's waiting for their opportunity to help a little kid fall in love with a horse...Personally I hope they all meet up soon because the world would be a much better place.

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

Happy President's Day

Happy President's Day everyone. In case you have forgotten my failed attempt to become the President of the United States here is what would have been my official seal of office.

I am taking polls and working with my local constituents to determine if I should make another run for office.

For now I am happy serving as the President of Grumpy Old Horse Ranch... That's right Sir Royal Pain you are NOT the president!

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

Quote for the week

“There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.”

~Washington Irving

The DOR was raised not to cry, it was just the rule for some reason. We horses have taught her otherwise...she is learning to cry. She will quietly and secretly shed tears over the loss of a beloved horse. She will openly get teary when we amaze her. Tears will form in her eyes as she grooms and scritches us.

The DOR has learned that tears are good for her and say things that words can not. We understand the tears and respond appropriately. I hope the one day the DOR will finally know what we do...her tears/human tears are powerful healers and a form of clear communication.

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

Grumpy Old Horse Ranch News

The Wrestler is down visiting Mushboy for the weekend. All of us horses love it when the Wrestler visits. He and Mushboy groom all of us and we get to play. We also manage to mooch extra treats.

I am hoping that I get to go to the arena and play soccer or get ridden.

Shandi managed to remove her tail wrap and now her tail is in dread locks. The SCC is going to have a mess to clean up.

Sir Darby is gearing up to carry the DOR in their first clinic of the season. They are taking a trail prep clinic. I bet that means she plans of lots of trail rides.

Jack has carried a rider and did really well. He misses having me in the pasture with him, but I am watching over a horse that needs me.

Coelho will be going to the same clinic as Sir Darby. The SCC will work on his trail riding skills.

Well I could show them all how it is done-after all I am Salty the Wonder Horse.

That is all the news from Grumpy Old Horse Ranch were not all the horses are old and Sir Darby is the only one who is grumpy.

Back to work

I went back to work. I was so good with my exercises that the DOR had Mushboy ride me for a bit. I like being back to work, I was happy showing off in the arena. I was thrilled to be carrying Mushboy for the very first time. I did appreciate the fact that I got to wear the English saddle rather than the heavy western saddle.

I wonder who will be riding me next time?

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

Sibling rivalry

Seems that there might be a bit of sibling rivalry going on in the DOR's family. Her oldest son decided to wear the DOR's horse head wall hanging. Hoping for extra attention and treats he tried to cleverly disguise himself as a horse. He thinks she loves us horses more than humans. That isn't true, she loves us all.

I do think her son might make a good horse, but he is missing any spots....

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

Happy Valentines

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

Quote for the week

You never fail until you stop trying

This is an old photo of me, in fact it is three years old. The DOR and I have both made many changes since this photo was taken.

The DOR and I are working to get me ready to ride again. While I have carried her for five minute rides three times in the past year, I still am working on getting back to normal. Okay I hear some of you sniggering that I was never normal, of course not I was exceptional before my accident and I will be again.

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

Grumpy Old Horse Ranch News

The ranch has been quiet this week. It has been nice to have time to enjoy the nice weather and play with friends.
The DOR has been teaching Mushboy how to drive. I think her hair has gotten whiter this week as a result. Soon she will look like Sir Darby and I.
The DOR might be bringing in another race horse to rehab and rehome. If this one does get to come here she is going to have to work on its knees to get it sound. Once it is sound it will be retrained and then hopefully enter into a therapeutic riding program. The entire herd is hoping it will work out, especially us geldings because she is a lovely filly.
I wanted to share this video clip with you, I hope you enjoy it.
That is all the news from Grumpy Old Horse Ranch were not all the horses are old and Sir Darby is the only one who is grumpy.

Driving???

The DOR is teaching Mushboy to drive. Now that wouldn't bother me too much, but the DOR told me that if I was not going to be able to be ridden again she was going to have me pull a cart and she would drive me to work. I am beginning to think that carrying a heavy saddle and getting back into riding shape is a wonderful idea. I don't think the horses in the photo look too happy and I don't want to have to travel 30 miles a day hauling the DOR and Mushboy to work.

Mushboy may be learning to drive, but he is going to have to find another horse to pull his cart....

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

I don't think so....

Sorry for the blurry picture...

I am hoping that this saddle will all be a blur at the end of the weekend.

This is Sir Royal Pain's saddle. It is a heavy saddle and has lots of jingly things. The DOR has informed me that I have to do my work out wearing this saddle....

I DON'T THINK SO!!! Toooo much work for a recovering appy. She says it is time to get my spotty butt back in shape and strong. I kinda like lolling around the pasture eating licorice treats. Why do I need to work? Turns out that I am expected to be ready to do trails sometime this summer....Sounds like work to me.

Well I guess I will suck it up and see how things go. I know that the saddle will look much better on me than it does on Sir Royal Pain.

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

Skunked!!!

Yep someone got skunked and it was not me. In fact it was not any of the herd.

Poor DOR her car got skunked as she drove to work Monday. She didn't run over a skunk, the varmint sprayed the entire right side of her car from the edge of the road. Her car smelled really bad! She washed it twice and the SCC told her he could still smell it when she got home in the evening. She spent the day at work with skunk stink stuck in her nose...good thing it didn't get on her.

It just added to the joy of a Monday.

I am glad it wasn't one of the herd, that would prove to be a nightmare for us all.

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

Yesterday a lot of humans were watching the Super Bowl. I was thinking that I wanted to watch, better yet I wanted my own super bowl. Then I found out it was just a silly game that humans play.

Well this picture show what I think a super bowl should be. Each horse should be given one of these filled with treats and then see who can eat the mostest. The DOR says no way because we would all get sick, so we only can have our small treat bowls. She did say I could have a bowl that size filled with water if I want...thanks a lot.

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

Quote for the week

A horse may run quickly but it cannot escape its tail. - Russian proverb

The DOR said this to her students this week. They didn't understand what she was trying to tell them. She explained to the students that in this saying the horse's tail represents conscious and that no matter what you do you can not escape you conscious. If you do something wrong it will follow you around and you will be bothered by it. She was trying to teach her students that what you do matters, if to no one else but yourself.

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

Grumpy Old Horse Ranch News

It has been an eventful week at Grumpy Old Horse Ranch. The ranch said goodbye to a good horse this week. Friend is now with Freedom keeping a watchful eye on the horses and humans of the ranch.

Sir Darby surprised the DOR by waltzing with her at liberty. She had never asked him to waltz before and she was so pleased at his willingness to do so at liberty. Sir Darby is prepping her for her first dressage show...he has a lot of work to do, but he is a loving and patient teacher.

Shandi is going through a growth spurt which has us all cheering. With the SCC being over six feet tall she needs so height so he won't feel silly on her. She turns three years old in three months and depending on her size, she will head out to the trainer this summer for a month or two. Then she will come home and have a vacation.

Jack is as goofy as ever. As soon as the DOR's shoulder is back to snuff he will be getting ponied to build up his strength. The DOR would like to get back to riding him this summer if possible. Jack on the other hand likes being the ranch clown. I have a feeling the two of them will have to come to some kind of agreement soon.

I am now the elder statesman of the herd. It is my responsibility to keep things in balance. I just let things work themselves out and stay as clean as I possibly can. I will be heading to the arena this weekend. Mushboy and I still go to the arena and play. I love going to the arena...I get to show off and be the center of attention.

Well that is all the news from Grumpy Old Horse Ranch were not all the horses are old and Sir Darby is the only one who is grumpy.

Skywatch Friday, Season 4, Episode 30

Lovely sunset this evening.

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

Cowboys don't get to rest

Doesn't matter what the weather is, a cowboy has to be out there doing his job. He has a responsibility to take care of the herd that he is in charge of. He must tend his horse or horses without fail.

If there is howling wind or flooding he must ride out to tend the critters. Blizzards are no excuse for slacking off either.
With the extreme weather that is impacting the various parts of the world let's stop for a moment and say a prayer for our cowboys and farms who must venture out everyday to tend to their chores.
Thank you for all you do!
Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR!

Older Shoulders

You think by now the DOR would know that at her age she can't do some of the things she used to do. Even though she once competed as a power lifter she should know that she is too old to pick up a really heavy weight....but noooooo, she had to try. What did she get for her efforts but a separated right shoulder.

Well that means she and I are both in rehab working on building up our mobility and strength. First the DOR has to give her shoulder a rest.

She looks pretty funny in a sling trying to do her work.

Good thing is that Sir Royal Pain might get the weekend off.

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