' Outsmarted '

‘ Outsmarted’

 
We had hoped to ride on Saturday, but plans sometimes go awry.  By the time we finished with the barn, the farrier, and some other tasks it was turning colder and windier.  We decided if the horses that needed some exercise couldn’t be ridden we would do a few minutes on the longe.

I grabbed my grooming kit, which I left outside the paddock, and a lead rope and headed into the paddock for Dusty.  Have you ever had a horse walk two steps ahead of you just out of range? Not running away, just walking fast enough so you can’t catch them.  Even though I had the lead behind my back as I maneuvered through the muddy moon craters Dusty was not fooled and kept just ahead of me half way down the fence line.  Her demise came about when she couldn’t resist a full hay net hanging on the fence; while she stopped to take a few bites I was able to snap her halter with the lead.

Once we were out of the paddock I started grooming her while she grazed on some green sprouts of spring grass. This kept her contented throughout the currying, shedding and brushing process.  As I said, it was windy and by the time I was done I was covered in white hair and could have passed for a very realistic impersonation of a Yeti.

Dusty longed beautifully even when she picked up the canter, which is her most “enthusiastic” gait, she was calm and collected.  Unlike the other night when she was a galloping bucking maniac, this time I was pleased with her performance. My daughter longed Nate, who was a total jerk, Grady who did well, Donnie who was a superstar and Sami who is starting to “get it.”  Now it was my turn to get Blue, who had been eating from Dusty’s abandoned hay net on the fence the entire time everyone else got worked.

With the lead rope in my hand and a song in my heart I headed out to catch Blue. Except that by now Blue has done the math and knows he’s next in line for some work.  Blue has disappeared.  I’m sure he moseyed away in his inimitable way; I swear if that horse could whistle he’d be looking up at the sky with his hooves in his pockets doing the impersonation of some nonchalant rambling man. We looked up and down the fence line as far as we could see into the next paddock and assumed he must be in the trees or had taken himself to the paddock way in the back.  They have access to all the paddocks over culverts and through opened gates, so we gave up.

When I got to the house and looked back at the paddocks once last time, I could just see this white splash of color behind the run in shed.  You guessed it Blue had taken himself behind the shed and was lying down - not necessarily sleeping, because he had his head up looking towards the house, [so I can’t be sure if he was lying down for a much-needed rest, or for cover.]  I’m only sorry I was too far away to get a picture. You’ve got to love this horse, he’s so smart and such an odd character he keeps me laughing.

I give him a lot of credit too; if he’s that motivated and smart enough to figure out how to ditch being worked he deserved the day off.  Next time perhaps instead of him outsmarting me I’ll be able to return the favor and work him first.

Until next time

Quote for Today

On the first day god created horses, and on the second day he painted the good ones.

Happy Birthday Blue

' Happy Birthday Blue '

Blue's Baby Picture

I almost let Blue’s birthday slip past without acknowledging him. As of March 26,1997 there was one more gorgeous paint arriving on the planet. The only thing I can say about Blue is that he is one unique horse who has never followed the crowd. There are so many of his antics over the years that had us laughing hysterically I’m afraid I’d never fit them into one short post. Except my favorite one comes to mind and I will have to share it. What happened was, they had all gotten to know where there stalls were, so we’d occasionally let them mosey in from the pasture through the catch pen into their stalls. While we were in the barn directing traffic, we noticed all of the horses had made it into their stalls except Blue. When we went out into the catch pen to see where he was, we found him standing in the dumpster (which we kept inside the catch pen behind the barn) acting as naturally as he would have in his own stall. I think he had decided he’d like to sleep under the stars for the evening, and the dumpster seemed a likely place as it was full of shavings - sort of like a convertible model stall. Only Blue...

Happy 12th Blue

Until next time

Quote for Today
On the first day god created horses, and on the second day he painted the good ones.

More Awards!

Share the Light Award

I have recently been honored with two more awards. The first is from Cactus Jack Splash. Cactus Jack is a wonderful Appaloosa, who is currently teaching his DOR (dope on a rope) how to become a better horse person. This award is very special to me; after all, it is the first award I’ve received from an actual horse! Thank you Cactus Jack Splash, I am truly privileged to receive this award from such a clever horse. This award was created to share the light and inspire others. Sharing the light is simple and costs nothing and by inspiring others, it adds goodness in this world and encourages others on their journeys.
So share this award, as I will with the people who inspire those around them and Share the Light.

Callie at Midwest Horse because she has a great perspective on life in general.

Victoria at Teachings of the Horse for her terrific insights into her horses and for sharing the deeper meanings of things horses teach us.

DeeJ. at Oak In the Seed because this award just seems tailor made for her.
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Paint Horse Award

Lisa at Laughing Orca Ranch has awarded me with the Paint Horse Award. Thank you Lisa, you must know how much I love paint horses. I think most of the bloggers with paint horses have already received this award, and if you haven’t please feel free to take it for your own and pass it on.

I’m sure everyone knows we have a paint horse named Blue. Very original name, since he has one beautiful blue eye. Blue is an enigma wrapped in a mystery. He is inquisitive yet lazy. Blue can get into more trouble on his own than any horse on the property. Most times you can find Blue off by himself, thinking of things to explore next. We always joke that he needs a blanket with the logo ‘Lone Horse’ or ‘Mr. Cool’. Normally he keeps to himself and doesn’t interact with the other horses except to harass them. Biloxi Blue would like to be a lone backyard horse where a little girl could spoil him all day. He just seems to prefer humans to horses. Obviously, we all love him, even with his odd personality.




We had another paint horse named ‘Lifeguard’. Lifeguard was hands down the best horse any of us have ever had the privilege to know. He was a unique horse and there will never be another to fill his hooves. There is not enough space here to expound on all his virtues or his antics . I could fill a book with Lifeguard stories. For now, I will just tell you the curious way he got the name ‘Lifeguard’. His very squishy soft pink nose would sunburn and blister in the summer months. Years ago, there was no such thing as sun block but there was a white cream used by lifeguards at the beach to keep their noses from sun burning and so we used it on his nose and he became ‘Lifeguard’. Here are a few pictures in tribute to our ‘Best Horse Ever’.

' Lifeguard '

Nothing cuter than a rolling paint!

Probably waiting to unlatch the gate again



My daughter Lori at a local show


My daughter Jacquie at the Hampton Classic



Saratoga Springs



Lifeguard and myself at a local show

'The Best Horse Ever '

' LIFEGUARD '

April 10, 1979 – July 22, 2003

In remembrance of “Lifeguard” a unique horse who brought laughter and love into our lives. His qualities of uncommon intelligence, dignity, grace, leadership, gentleness, talent and spirit, will never be forgotten. He unselfishly taught all he came into contact with and quietly commanded respect from his friends, humans and horses alike. To have been a part of his life for 17 of his 24 years was a privilege and an honor. We are grateful for having known this wonderfully kind horse. You are missed and will always be remembered for your irreplaceable individuality.

Until next time

Quote for Today

The love for a horse is just as complicated as the love for another human being...If you never love a horse, you will never understand.