You are no longer my brothers!

All of my 40+ years I believed that we were the brothers and sisters of man. Being a Appaloosa, I knew that the horse and Native American had a long, proud relationship. We carried our brothers on our backs when they moved, hunted, and went to war. We often sacrificed ourselves to ensure the safety of our brother. When you look at the great accomplishments of man over time, besides man's footprints are the hoofprints of the horse. Horses helped man become what they are today and we are proud of the work we have done. We love humans and have honored them with our service.

Now I find that the people we horses once considered brothers are now viewing us as a way to make a few extra dollars. The DOR has heard rumors for several months, but now it has made the news, our brothers are talking about opening slaughter plants on tribal land to address "the surplus horse problem". Well there is a surplus starling problem, surplus fly problem, not to mention a few too many tumbleweeds...what are you doing about that my brothers? My brother, how can you betray us? What real justification is there? Capture your stallions and geld them, practice responsible breeding, be humane in your treatment of us. You dishonor Mother Earth when you decide that money and convenience are more important than standing with honor to deal with a problem. I hope you remember the harm that you cause us will come back ten fold, the Great Spirit will dishonor you in the afterlife for the dishonor you pay to us now.

I am one angry old horse. I have stood in a kill pen waiting to be shipped to slaughter, I know the horrors that dwell there. Jack's mother was rescued from a PMU hoarder, he knows the terrible tales. Salty and Ginger have been in kill pens...they could tell you some stories.

There are some wonderful humans out there, ones that would never dishonor their horses by slaughtering them, they are the true heart family of the horse. This message is not directed at them, it is directed to the Kusi Kusi Ewash (yeah I went there, I used potty words-I am old and can swear if I want) that I once considered my brothers. There is not enough money in the world to make your betrayal of us worth the price of your honor. Is money more important than the life of your equine brothers and sisters?I hope you think long and hard before you open slaughter plants on tribal land.

Until I hear that the tribes who are considering this action change their minds I will continue to speak out against them. If the slaughter plants become a reality, this little spotted horse and his friends will do his best to have them shut-down.

Jack once talked about "appy power", he also said that every once in awhile you just have to smack someone up side the head with a big ol appy hoof...well here is several appy hooves BAM up side your head.

Sorry for the rant, but I am really disappointed with this group of people.

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

A Jack fix

The DOR went up to visit Jack. Jack decided that she should be ignored for a bit, that and he has a young filly he is playing "Uncle" to. Jack practiced being on the highline while the DOR brushed him.

She brought up ten pounds of carrots to leave so he would have some treats...yep she spoils him. She was feeding him some while brushing, she stopped to step back and take a picture and Jack promptly gave her the butt treatment.
She went to get more carrots and Jack started visiting with his little friend.

When she got back with the carrots Jack acted like he couldn't see her. Yep he was trying to make her feel bad about sending him to boot camp.

Jack spends his evenings in a paddock surrounded by trees. There are mare paddocks on either side, it is nicknamed the bridal suite. Jack has to cross a creek to get tucked in, he is doing pretty good with that...getting bribed with hay helps.

This is a picture of the road that Jack has to go up and down when his is heading out to the trails. He is working out his bling-bling butt for at least two hours a day. The Trailboss also takes him out to check fence lines. Jack has to pack tools and walk the entire fence...he grumbled at first, but now seems to look forward to the job. Once he starts paying attention to his feet better he will go out and round up the ranch horses each evening.

Jack is having to deal with getting over jumping at buggers. There is plenty of wildlife for him to see; elk, deer, rabbits, coyotes etc. The Trailboss says that Jack has just developed a habit when it comes to the snorting and jumping...kind of like an addiction. The Trailboss has him in "snorting at buggers" rehab. Jack is doing better, the DOR took him for a walk and he didn't snort at a single thing.

Jack looks good, he has lost some of his spare tire, is muscling up, and is very shinny. The DOR tucked him in to bed and headed home. She didn't want to leave him, but he still has work to do. She will be heading up soon to take Jack out on the trail with the Trailboss, hmmm the DOR will in be in boot camp too.

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

Quote for the week

When you think you have a problem or something, you get on a horse, and you find help.

- C.J. in Believe by Buck Brannaman

The DOR has spent years finding answers with her horses. The most amazing thing is that now her students are finding answers in horsemanship techniques.

When you are with a horse, in that moment, the world becomes so clear and answers will come if you let them. I think we are therapists. We listen to our humans sorrows, joys, hopes, fears, and we help them face the world with more courage.

In these times of stress more people need our help facing the world. We need humans help because of the tight economic times. Looks like we really need each other, a partnership that makes the world balanced and right.

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

Friday night Zen

So how does a DOR end a hectic week? With a nice evening trail ride. Mushboy is the guest photographer, as you can see by his self portrait.
The DOR and two friends loaded up three mares and headed for BLM land in search of Zen. Mushboy and the support crew chief went along, they were going to to walk the trails and have their own adventure.

Here is the DOR and her two friends heading out. Ginger was excited to be hitting the trail again. She loves going, just as long as it isn't for too long. It was old mares night on the trail...all of the mares were in their mid-twenties-come to think of it that is not old, just middle aged. I am not going to talk about the human's ages I have learned they are a bit sensitive about that, but I will say the 50 pounds of soaked mush I eat for dinner will soon weigh less the the DOR is old.

There are ponds and lakes out at the place they went riding.
It makes for interesting things to look at. The ladies say 9 pelicans roosting, the birds took off right as the horses passed. Again it was a good thing that Ginger was who the DOR was riding, we all know how Jack feels about white flippy things.

The support crew chief was spotted doing what he does best, supporting something. He thought this tree needed some help standing.

The ponds are loaded with water lillies.

There are nesting boxes every where.
I wonder if the boxes are homes for these pretty birds?

Ginger likes the fact that there is plenty of stuff to munch on along the trail.

At the end of the last trail ride Ginger was sure she was going to find herself looking like these bones. How dare the DOR ask her to be away from her pasture mate for so long? How did she expect her to survive in such a wilderness? Well this ride was shorter and done in cooler weather. I have to give Ginger her props, she stayed on her feet the entire time-no laying down. I know that the Hawaiian Princess probably thought she was being over worked, she needs to build up to longer rides. The length of this ride was perfect for her royal highness. Ginger jumped over a small ditch that the other horse walked down into and up. She is nimble and it made the DOR giggle a bit.

The farrier is coming to do all of our feet today, that should be fun.
Life is so good!Oh and Jack told me to remember to say: Enjoy your day and don't forget to hug your DOR

Skywach Friday No. 41

The oak in the yard is starting to leaf out. The bright green against the sky and the tree's bark just has a way of making you feel like things are grand...
The cycle of seasons and life continues and that is a comforting thing.

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

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