Summertime and the Living is...

Summertime and the Living is…

Busy. And so I’m taking a break for a while. I know it’s not as if I post every day but for now, there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. I won’t bother to give you a lengthy list of tasks that need to get accomplished around here, but trust me it’s impressive to say the least. I’ll do the best I can to keep up and visit as many blogs as possible. And should I get a flash of inspiration, I may do a post or two but no promises…

Because when I get some free time I think I might read a book from the stack that’s waiting for me, take a ride on Dusty or Blue, hang out with the herd, bury my toes in a sandy beach or .... I’ll take a nap,

Have a great summer everyone. Stay safe and have lots of good rides.

Until next time

Quote for Today

There is one respect in which beasts show real wisdom... their quiet, placid enjoyment of the present moment.
- Schopenhauer

"Sami" Arabian Rescue Hore Update

“Sami”

Arabian Rescue Horse Update

It is hard to believe that a year has passed since we first met Sami and his mom Sweetie at their run-down “home” stable. Everyone knows the story by now and how we came to take them home with us. Time flies and so much has happened in the last year with mother and son. They are doing well and have both settled in to the herd nicely.

Since this post is about Sami I can only say that he is one of the sweetest little guys I’ve ever met. He is a smart, sensitive horse who takes everything in stride. Despite his lack of handling before he came to us, he loves human contact, and is always ready to pop his head out of his stall for a scratch under his head or a rub on the neck. There have been many new things he’s had to deal with in the past year, but he is so sensible and never blows up or causes a commotion over things, even if he is very scared or uncomfortable with a situation. Sami is one of those rare horses that can be reasoned with and talked down from the ledge easily. What scary things, you may ask, has he encountered in his year with us? For starters the farrier, who he adores and stands like a little soldier for; of course, this wasn’t always the case, but he’s used to his trims now. He also had to learn to wear a fly mask, and he’s actually better than some of the other horses about getting his on!

We never thought he would be able to get turned out with the herd considering that, when we got him as a stallion, he would run the fence for an hour before we had to bring him in. Apparently, never being let out of a stall for 5 years had a negative effect on him. Can you imagine? He didn’t even know he should eat the grass! Now he can barely wait his turn to get out and he’s turned into quite a Hoover. He’s become such a fat little pony that he practically waddles in by the end of the day and is a candidate for a grazing muzzle (as soon as we find one he can’t take off! We tried one and he had that and his halter both off in record time.) His adjustment to blankets, halters, fly masks, fly spray, baths, tack etc. was easier than we thought it would be; even when he is afraid, he never acts up, but stands stock still and thinks about it as you’re explaining it all to him. He tries so hard to please.

Herd dynamics are interesting to watch as Sami finds his spot in the hierarchy. It would be accurate to say he’s an annoying little pest most of the time. He’ll pick a fight (mostly for play) with any horse in the herd, but his target of choice is usually Nate. Sami thinks it’s a good idea to run right up and rear in Nate’s face (or I should say belly, because that’s as high as all 14.2 hands of him can reach on Nate’s 17.3 hands when he rears back at Sami.) Nate is a good sport about the rearing game and likes to play along, but I shudder to think what could happen if Nate ever came down on him by accident. He’d probably squash him like a bug. Picking a fight with the biggest horse in the herd makes me think maybe he’s got the “short horse” syndrome and is such a little monster I considered changing his name to Napoleon or Bonaparte.

He spends his days mostly eating and trying out his wings, so to speak, by pinning his ears and trying to be boss. He is persistent, but most everyone simply ignores him. Surprisingly, Mellon seems to have taken him under his wing. It’s sort of like Sami is Mellon’s “mini-me.” Normally, the stunts he pulls would get Mellon riled and spurred to action to keep the discipline, but for some reason he puts up with Sami, and has even been caught grooming with him on occasion! Mellon also came from a neglect situation, and I wonder if maybe Mellon looks after him because he can relate to what Sami has been through, or if Mellon just sees a reflection of himself in Sami’s toughness and desire to be top horse... Or maybe he just likes having a sidekick. But if this keeps up, we may have to rename him Mellow Mellon.

The best part of all Sami’s antics may be when he tries to bully his mother. Though she gets no respect from the other members of the herd (and generally tries to avoid them in the field) one pointed look from her has him scurrying for cover. This leads me to believe she must have been one tough motor scooter in her days of mothering and rearing little brats like him. He’s petrified of her, so rough, tough, cream-puff Sami keeps his distance until he forgets himself and annoys her again. Testing…testing. Even though no one else is in the least afraid of her, at least Sami knows his place with her. He’s still on the bottom of the herd totem pole.

We haven’t done much training with Sami yet, but in just a few short sessions he has learned how to walk and trot on the lunge for short periods, is getting attuned to voice commands and soon may start long lining. He’s too small for us to ride but, when the time is right for a rider, I’m sure we’ll figure out something. For now he’s just learning to behave himself and have some manners. I find with him, because he’s so sensitive, you must take it slow and easy and not insist on too many things too fast. He has plenty of time to learn and once he gets it all together I am sure he is going to be a super-star and very safe for anyone to ride. In the meantime he’s a cute, sweet little guy to have around. We do love him and are happy to see him coming into his own.

Until next time

Quote for Today

By reason of his elegance, he resembles an image painted in a palace, though he is as majestic as the palace itself.
- Emir Abd-el-Kader

Review - Herm Sprenger Stirrups

Stirrup Review

Last Christmas my husband presented me with a new pair of stirrups. I hadn’t used them until today. These are the Herm Sprenger System 4 Stirrups;

(the following excerpts are from various sites and catalogs selling these stirrups)

Herm Sprenger System 4 Stirrups offer security, flexibility, strength and comfort! This international, patent-pending style consists of four links allowing for movement in four directions at the same time, enabling immediate release in case of emergency. The Herm Sprenger System 4 Stirrup are the only stirrups in the world with dual lateral flexibility thereby softening the impact on your ligaments, cartilage and joints. HS Sprenger System 4 Stirrups adapt perfectly to the movements that have to be made in all riding disciplines. The high quality material and the ergonomical form guarantee comfort and security for horse and rider.

• Sprenger has made the original flex irons even better. Now they flex at four different points (two points on each side), for added comfort, safety, and performance.
• More security: The four links now allow movement in four directions at the same time enabling immediate release in case of an emergency.
• More comfort: Improved flexibility for easy mounting, secure whilst in motion, relieves tension in the hips, knees, ankles and calves following the movements of the foot precisely.
• More strength: Resistance against breakage has been increased by more than 30%. Special treads adapt to foot, ensuring permanent contact with stirrup.

My Thoughts

While I have been riding Dusty for a few weeks now and am enjoying myself again, my knees still hurt during the ride and afterwards. I did not immediately try these new stirrups because I wasn’t sure how they would work compared to the regular Fillis Irons I’m familiar with. Figuring the flexing joints may possibly give me some trouble with stability, they remained in my tack trunk. After last week’s ride on Dusty and Blue my knees took about 3 days to feel better, so as it was time to get back on, I knew I wanted to try something to relieve those aching knees.

I should say that the right knee I had replaced wasn’t actually giving me pain but it was very stiff. My left knee, however, is not in great shape. Whether it’s genetics (arthritis) or just too many jumps and horses over the years, who knows -and at this point, who cares; the damage is done. But I digress. After installing the new stirrups on my saddle, I did some ring work then took Dusty into the field. We did some hill walking and trotting and general meandering out there.

Well, I could not be more pleased with the way these stirrups felt and worked. There was no wobbling like I assumed there would be, my leg was secure, I was balanced and comfortable. Dusty decided she’d had enough fun for the day and then she spied some horse eating monsters in the woods. We proceeded to have a few discussions about her going home and we decided that no matter how many times she spun around and headed for the barn, we would just stay in the field a while longer and show her how much fun she was having. Therefore, to date this is the longest ride so far and the most comfortable.

As I sit here typing normally my legs and knees would be very painful to deal with but they don’t hurt at all. I would recommend these stirrups to anyone who has knee issues, be it arthritis or diminishing cartilage issues, hip pain etc…. I’m delighted someone finally made something for us mature riders to ease the strain and pain of riding. I guess from my flowery, gushing review it is easy to see I like these stirrups quite a lot. The only downside to them is they are rather pricey at around $199.00. But, then so is my doctor and it’s worth every penny to be able to enjoy a mostly pain free ride.

Until next time

Quote for Today

The world is best viewed through the ears of a horse!

Friday's Funnies

Friday’s Funnnies

I just received this in an e-mail. I am sure most of you have already heard some of these fabulous lines, but if you haven’t, please enjoy them as much as I did. Wouldn’t it be great to have the opportunity to slip them into a conversation sometime? Have a great weekend!

When Insults Had Class

These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.

The exchange between Churchill & Lady Astor:
She said, "If you were my husband I'd give you poison."
He said, "If you were my wife, I'd drink it."

A member of Parliament to Disraeli: "Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease."
"That depends, Sir," said Disraeli, "whether I embrace your policies or your mistress."

"He had delusions of adequacy." - Walter Kerr

"He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." - Winston Churchill

"I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary." - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

"Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I'll waste no time reading it." - Moses Hadas

"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

”He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends." - Oscar Wilde

"I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend.... if you have one." - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill

"Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one." - Winston Churchill, in response.

"I feel so miserable without you; it's almost like having you here." - Stephen Bishop

"He is a self-made man and worships his creator." - John Bright

"I've just learned about his illness. Let's hope it's nothing trivial." - Irvin S. Cobb

"He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others." - Samuel Johnson

"He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up." - Paul Keating

"In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily." - Charles, Count Talleyrand

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?" - Mark Twain

"His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork." - Mae West

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.." - Oscar Wilde

"He has Van Gogh's ear for music." - Billy Wilder

"I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it." - Groucho Marx

Until next time

Quote for Today

Attributed to Lady Thornicroft after the hunt. When a saboteur asked her why the horse was so hot and sweated up; "If I had you between my legs for two and a half hours you dear sir, would be equally as hot and sweaty."

The Queen Is In

The Queen Is In

As this is our royal birthday, we started the day with a spa treatment. Bathing, clipping, mane and tail pulling and although the grooms tried they came up short when they realized there was no sparkle hoof polish to be found in my lady’s bathing area. Off with their heads ! Harrumph!

Her Royal Highness ‘Moon’s Stardust’ will be holding court all day, therefore her loyal subjects may come bearing gifts and treats as is befitting a Queen of her stature.

Queen Stardust has decreed that her wish-list will include all precious gems, which will be taken to the royal saddle maker and inlayed into her bridle’s brow band. Rubies would be best, after all it is her birthstone; then again, diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Such hard decisions… had better just bring both. Any new clothing would be appreciated (preferably trimmed in ermine or mink) grooming tools , new fly masks, tiaras, etc… Of course, it is understood, no toiling in the fields or arenas today anywhere in the realm. A serene enchanted day in which all subjects can properly worship the ground she walks on shall be trumpeted throughout the entire kingdom.

Official adoration is set to begin after breakfast and continue until the stroke of midnight when the festivities and butt kissing will end. Any subject wishing to partake of the buffet of unlimited grass, hay and their dinner grain, carrots and treats are welcome to attend. If no one chooses to acknowledge Her Majesty’s birthday with the proper adulation well then - let them eat cake - carrot cake!

Thank goodness her birthday only comes once a year; Dusty can be an unbearable tyrant!

Until next time

Quote for Today

An owner about her Appaloosa Mare - "She will do everything and anything I ask her as long as she thinks it is okay!" (It seems this also applies to my palomino mare, Dusty)!
- Mary Ann Holan