Pretty Pony Ranch News

RIO RETURNS TO THE ALVORD

2009-07-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

It has been just over a year since Rio's freak accident at the Alvord Ranch. Since then, Rio has had several different treatments all with the goal of, hopefully, restoring his knee's function ability. We did every thing from Cold Water Therapy, acupuncture, chiropractors, AquaThread, to range of motion excerises.

Yesterday I saddled Rio and rode out on Rio to gather cow and sort pairs. Besides having some major separation anxiety from his best friend Hank, Rio is sound and healthy. He acts like a 6 yr old insecure colt. I don't think he has had 10 days of riding all in one month since I've gotten him. Last year was a total loss. Now I have to begin all over.

As I rode out past the horse corrals ( passing Hank) and down the lane to the fields, Rio hopped up, put his head down and tried to buck. I felt pretty good because it was a very half hearted attempt buck and wasn't at all a serious attenpt to get rid of me. After that temper tantrum, we headed out to the field without a problem.

Once Rio had a job to do, he settled right down. Martin always says by keeping their feet moving, you keep a horse's brain working. Giving a horse a job is the best therapy! While we were sorting through the cows looking for pairs, Rio was fine. He moves slowly through the herd, and wasn't bothered by all the water crossings and streams we have to cross. When Rio was standing around holding rodear, he starts to get bored and fidget. I was helping get a cow out of the herd and took off in a slow canter to chase down the cow. Rio got right up to the cow, then his head down and bucked a couple of good ones. I went right off since I was leaning forward anyway. I hit the ground and Rio ran over to the other horses. Besides a few really nice bruises, I am fine. I got right back on Rio and rode him for the rest of the day. He was just fine after that little incident.

I am so proud of Rio and how brave he was during his recovery. I am grateful for my dear friend Katherine, who took care of Rio when he couldn't travel. Everyone at the Alvord are so amazed that he is walking again, much less back to work. I am in uncharted territory now. I don't know how much work I will be able to do with Rio. Only time will tell. For now, he is feeling good enough to buck me off! BIG SMILES!

A POCKET KNIFE BAN?

2009-06-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

This is hard to believe, but if you carry a pocket knife, read the following,

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=100679

WEAPONS OF CHOICE
Obama move would eliminate 8 of 10 pocketknives
'If this were to pass and you cross the state line with one, it's a felony'

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: June 09, 2009
8:40 pm Eastern

By Bob Unruh
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency is proposing a new definition that could be used to eliminate 8 of 10 legal pocketknives in the United States right now, according to activists who are gearing up to fight the plan.

The federal bureaucracy is accepting comments – written only – that must be received by June 21 before its planned changes could become final, but Doug Ritter of KnifeRights.org, said the implications of the decision would be far-reaching, since many state and federal agencies depend on the agency's definitions to determine what is legal in the United States.

For a long time, those switchblades that have long stiletto blades that are spring-ejected powerfully from the side or end of the handle have been illegal in the United States, but now a review by the agency of its own approval in 2008 of a particular type of knife for import is raising serious alarms.

Ritter said the effect of the proposed change would be that the new design in knives, many of which contain a tiny spring to help the user pull open the blade and lock it into position, would be classified alongside those true weapons where the user just presses a button and the blade is ejected.

"They are saying that any knife that you can open quickly or any knife that you can open with one hand is therefore a switchblade," Ritter told WND.

On his organization's website there are suggested letters for consumers to reproduce and dispatch to both the Customs agency as well as their members of Congress over the issue.

Ritter suggested that up to 80 percent of the pocketknives sold in America today either are one-handed opening knives or so-called assisted opening knives – and they all suddenly would be classified as illegal switchblades.

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The agency change came in a case involving a knife called the "VanHoy Assist," whose importers were represented in a request for affirmation of its legality by a San Francisco law firm.

Such determinations are not unusual since an importer does not want to have a shipment of products sitting on a ship waiting for unloading only to have a federal agent call them illegal.

The knives first were approved by the agency in 2008. But only a few weeks ago, Frederick McCray of the agency's Intellectual Property Rights and Restricted Merchandise Branch did a review.

"This is in reference to Headquarters Ruling Letter ('HQ') H032255, dated August 12, 2008, which concerned the admissibility of the 'VanHoy Assist,' a 'release-assisted' knife described below, pursuant to the Switchblade Knife Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1241, et seq. In the referenced ruling, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (hereinafter 'CBP') determined that the knives at issue were admissible into the United States pursuant to the Switchblade Knife Act. We have reconsidered the rationale of, and the admissibility determination made in HQ H032255 and found both to be in error. For the reasons set forth below, we hereby revoke HQ H032255," the letter said.

That could mean headaches for the knife industry, Ritter said.

"Customs," continued Ritter, "is the only place where the switchblade is interpreted in various rulings. Whenever a federal, state, or local jurisdiction is looking at what a switchblade is, whenever there's a court case or whatever … they will look to the feds."

He said the change came after the incoming administration of President Barack Obama reassigned some managers at the agency.

"What we do know is when the incoming administration reshuffled assignments at Customs, it moved the responsibility for knives and switchblades from one organization with Customs to a new organization," he said. "That group has, as far we can tell, virtually no experiences, background or anything with knives."

Officials with Customs told WND that they do not comment on issues during an open comment period, such as going on for the regulation change right now.

"We do not comment on pending proposals for changes in our rulings under 19 USC 1625. We are in the comment period and we will carefully weigh the comments that we receive before deciding whether to proceed to a final decision," the prepared statement e-mailed to WND said.

Ritter said the reason for the change isn't clear, "but certainly this administration is no friend to things like knives and guns," he said.

A successful campaign to change the definition would mean thousands would be out of work in the knife industry, and the impact would have far-reaching effects.

For example, if someone would be caught with a newly-illegal "pocketknife," would the resulting charges be structured to allege that person was dangerous or had an illegal weapon, and how would that change the defendant's right to own a firearm, he wondered.

"If this law were to pass and you cross the state line with a folder (pocketknife) in your pocket, it would be a federal felony," he said.

In reality, pocketknives are tools, he said. "Certainly they can be used as a weapon." But so could a screw driver or other hand tools.

He said the proposal, which puts pocketknives in the classification of switchblades – described by a Senate committee as "almost exclusively the weapon of the thug and the delinquent" – isn't fair.

"There are 40 million people in America walking around with pocketknives in their pocket," he said.

Further, the majority of crimes committed with knives are done with the "lowly kitchen knife," he said.

According to Ritter's website, the proposed revocation of the approval for "assisted opening knives," would impact "most other pocketknives, even simple old-fashioned slip-joints."

RHAA Rant

2009-06-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

Back in 2004, I went to my first WRCA Championship Ranch Horse Show in Amarillo. After watching Martin Black win on two of his horses, I decided right then and there that I wanted to show in the RHAA (Ranch Horse Association of America). I joined the RHAA based in Abilene, TX. in 2005 and have been a good member in standing ever since.

I worked hard getting my Maverick ready to show. He was just a rope horse and needed to learn his lead changes, rollbacks, spins and slides. All I had to learn was how to rope! We worked together and attended our first RHAA shows in 2005. At the time, I qualified for the Cowboy class, riders with less than $500 of earnings in any approved RHAA shows.

Since joining, the earnings levels increased every couple of years from $500 to $1000. Imagine my shock when I heard that for the 2009 show season, the Board of Directors of the RHAA decided to raise the limit to $2500, and the Ranch Hand class when from $2500 to $4500. Now, I have never cashed a check in the RHAA in the 5 years that I have been showing in approved shows. I have steadily improved as have my horses, but have never won a class or cashed a check.

When I heard the rumors that the Board decided at the RHAA Finals in Abilene to increase all the limits in the Cowboy and Ranch Hand Classes, I started calling the Regional Board members that I knew, trying to find out what the justification was for the increased earnings levels. One Board member, who was in Abilene in May, didn't know about the rule changes. The other one I spoke with (who was not in Abilene this year) had "heard they were going to increase" but didn't know what the amounts were going to increase to. I emailed the president, asking him why the board made this major rule change and none of the members knew about it. I was told the Board did a survey, so I asked to see the survey. Well, there was no survey. Apparently other than asking a few friends what they thought, this rule change was based more on a wink, pat on the back and a hand shake instead of asking the largest portion of the RHAA competitors effected by the rule change.

I started digging further only to find out that this rule change effected 78% of the members and that the Board was making these rule changes without even a poll, a survey or a vote, and without even notifying the members prior to the change going into effect. Of all the two dozen or so members I have personally spoken, or emails I have received, only ONE person thought the rule change was good. I have asked to see the RHAA by-laws, allowing the Board to change the rules at will and so far, none have been provided.

I officially requested that this rule change be put on hold until the members could be polled or a survey could be taken. The response was that the rule went into effect immediately and could not be changed.

I suggested, in the future, the Board publish any possible rule changes in the monthly newsletter prior to going into effect so the members could voice their opinions. (One Board member doesn't have a computer and the only place the rule changes are published are on the RHAA web site). No Response.

I requested that the regional directors (there are 4) hold a member meeting at a local shows to keep members informed and to allow the members to voice concerns. So far - No Response.

I requested that the board meetings schedule be published in advance of the meetings so the membership could attend if they wanted to. So far, you guessed it - No Response.

One thing is certain. The RHAA did not like me questioning them. When I started making inquiries, it was clear that I was treading on sacred ground. Being a "foreigner" - a non-Texan, and a women, it was very obvious by the condescending email responses I received from the president that I was just being a thorn in his side. However, I have been paying my membership dues, paying my entry fees and supporting the RHAA since joining. ALL MEMBERS DESERVE TO BE HEARD! After learning first hand how the organization operates, clearly something needs to change. I doubt that I will be as supportive in the future unless the Board starts playing fair. The RHAA is being run like the "Texas Ranch Horse Mafia", where the Board makes decisions that favor a select few friends and not the majority. The curtain they are hiding behind is that fact that the RHAA is a non-profit organization.

If you are a RHAA member, please contact me and let me know if you think this rule change is a good idea or a poor one. Maybe when the RHAA hears from the members, they will consider making changes that will have a positive effect rather than a negative one.

OK, that's all!

BOBBY HURLEY'S ROPING SCHOOL

2009-05-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

I just got an email from the BH Ranch. Bobby Hurley does a Roping School a few times a year. I was really lucky to be able to rope with Bobby whenever I was in Clarksville. Here is a link to a nice article that was written about it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/rodeo/news/story?id=4192656

WHERE YOU DRUGGED AS A CHILD?

2009-05-16T19:11:00.000-07:00

I just found this and copied it from another site. The author is unknown.

GOD BLESS THE PARENTS WHO DRUGGED US..

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question.
"Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"
I replied I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity.
I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburr's out of dad's fields.
I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Things I remember my mother saying to me and I find myself repeating are life's lessons that I never will never forget. Here are a couple off the top of my head that I live by.

"Breed the best you have to the best you can afford. If you can't afford it, don't bother to breed."

Anyone can breed a feed bucket to a mud puddle and you will end up with just another common horse. Anyone can have mediocre. To set yourself above all the rest, breed for quality, breed for class. If you don't like what you get, don't keep breeding that mare or stallion expecting to get different results. Take the time to study pedigrees. It will pay off in the end. Maybe the current down turn in the horse market will better the horse industry. People might start to think about what or why they are breeding and be more selective. The final results will be better quality horses in the future. It seems like everyone has a stallion they are promoting just to make a buck, and many of those stallions would make good geldings.

"If you treat an animal special, it will feel special, look special and be special."

I have followed this philosophy since I was a little girl. I remember seeing a scruffy, long haired pony in a pasture, and being able to see past all the fuzz, to be able to see that with some grooming and attention, that pony would be an animal I would be proud to ride into the show ring. I have always been proud of the animals I showed because I put the time into that animal. I would spend hours practicing, grooming, riding and basically fussing over an animal before I got to the show pen. Animals adore being brushed or pet or just spending time with you. Treat them special and they will be special. Special stands out in the show ring.

I need to get out and ride today. Any day I can get into the saddle is a good day. Happy Mother's Day!

New Babies Arriving

2009-05-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

The new foals are arriving! I have ALL STUD COLTS so far with one more mare to foal. Two of the colts are out of mares I bought from the Hurley's when they sold off a bunch of mares last fall and are still in AR. These two mares are sisters to Maverick. I am so excited to see these babies. They had a red roan and a line back dun.

The other foal born while I was in Germany is a red roan colt. He is the first foal I have from Goose and I am very happy with him. I have just one more mare to foal this year. I waiting for my grulla mare to foal with another Goose baby. It should be another colored one. I'll post photos as I get them!

Busy Month of April

2009-04-29T20:21:00.000-07:00

It has been a very busy month, starting with taking horses to Texas. I decided that Huey, my 2 yr old Blue Roan colt, was getting too full of himself. I even threatened to geld him! But decided against it and since he was big enough to start, he went to Martin's ranch in Sanger. I usually like to wait until the colts are 3 yrs old, but Huey was really trying my patience. All went well and by the 5th ride, Huey was out gathering cattle. Doing very well, and a fast learner, I like Huey the more I am around him. He is very sensible, until his juices get flowing and he forgets what he is suppose to be doing. Ah, springtime!

Also along for the ride to Texas was my sweet boy, Rio. Recovering nicely from the horrific trailer accident last June, I decided that Rio needed to strengthen the ligaments around his left knee before I try riding him again. I contacted the SELWAY EQUINE THERAPY CENTER in Whitesboro. The facility is a first class center with an AquaTread and EquineSpa. Rio arrived there looking like a woolly mammoth surrounded by race horses, jumpers, cutters and reiners. After all, it was just 10 degrees out when I left Colorado for Texas.

Since Rio has previously been through several EquineSpa treatments successfully, I wanted him to use the underwater treadmill. Rio stayed there for 2 weeks. His program included warming up on the free walker first, then the AquaTread for 3 min., a rest of 2 minutes, another 3 minutes, then finishing up in the walker. He did this twice daily, progressively getting up to 60 minutes on the AquaTread twice a day. You should see Rio now! His attitude changed, he is bright eyed and alert, and so very fit. I plan on riding him this summer. Watch for Rio's complete story on the web site soon. It amazes everyone that he is even able to walk, much less be ridden again. He must have a very special angel looking out for him (maybe his big brother, Maverick)!

Over Easter, I left my truck and trailer in Texas and took a quick trip to Germany to visit my German friends. There is a dear woman I call my German mother, who is getting older but still sharp minded. I spent many summers with her in Austria at her lakeside cottage when I lived in Heidelberg. Worldly, elegant and intelligent, she is a pleasure to spend time with. I just wish I wasn't so jet-lagged the entire time I was there.

Flew back to Texas, I was picked up at the airport and went straight to the Spring Cutting Horse Finals in Ft. Worth. After that, Jack Brainard decided we all needed to go dancing at his favorite honkytonk. Now that man can really two-step! By 9 p.m., I was completely exhausted.

While I was traveling the world, my brother stayed at the house in Colorado, caring for the animals so after a few days recovering from jet-lag in Texas, I had to get right back home so he could fly back to California. I really had to watch the weather and only had a small window to travel in so I wouldn't get caught in a major spring snow storm. I had a horse to drop off in Fowler, then as I got within 50 miles of home, the snow started to come down. I made it home just in time. We were snowed in for two days.

I was home just long enough to see the first foal of the year(a red roan stud colt that was born two weeks early), re-pack, take the dogs to the kennel, and fly to Red Bluff, CA for the Californios Ranch Roping and Stock Horse Competition. It was good to see friends, the roping is amazing and of course, the shopping was terrific. The flights were delayed at every airport I went through on the return trip. I am tired of flying and airports!

Now I am home for most of the month of May except for a couple weekend trips. I hope to go to Abilene for the Ranch Horse Finals. I have never been there because I usually go to the Big Loop Rodeo in Jordan Valley, OR. but this year, the Ranch Horse Triple Crown in Pueblo, CO. is the following week so there is no way I can manage to be in both places.

Any one care to follow me around for a month?

A Pastor with Guts and Balls

2009-03-29T10:17:00.000-07:00

Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at
the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some
people. When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open
the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting
the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask
your forgiveness and to seek your direction and
guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those
who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we
have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed
our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it
the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it
welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it
choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it
justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our
children and called it building self esteem..

We have abused power and called it
politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions
and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and
pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values
of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts
today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free...
Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of
legislators walked out during the prayer in
protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian
Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than
5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls
responding negatively. The church is now receiving
international requests for copies of this prayer
from India , Africa and Korea .

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on
his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,'and
received a larger response to this program than any
other he has ever aired.

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep
over our nation and wholeheartedly become our
desire so that we again can be called 'one nation
under God.'

A Special Day for Rio

2009-03-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

Today was a special day for Rio and I. It was eight months ago that Rio was severely injured in a trailer accident. He has been healing slowly, just turned out for the winter. His knee is still mending but is completely skin covered. I saddled Rio today for the first time since the injury and rode him around the arena for 30 minutes. This might not seem like much, but for me, it was just amazing to be back astride him again. He is sound and we will be proceeding slowly building strength in that leg, but Rio is ready to get back to work.

Rio's knee today:

A few weeks after the accident:

Next week, Rio goes to Texas with me to spend a week with the chiropractor, Larry "Thumper" Jones. Thumper works at the NFR, race horses and is the best in the business. I talked to Thumper about Rio last fall after the accident and he told me when Rio was healed, to bring him down. While in Texas, Rio is also going to be using an AquaTread to strengthen his leg, then swim for a week or two to build up the muscles in his knee. We will get back in training again soon after that.

A few weeks ago, I was in Winnemucca, Nevada, showing Hank in the Stock Horse Challenge. It was a long trip out there but great show. I had hopes of earning a top 5 spot but had to settle for a top 10 finish which was still very respectable. I was proud of Hank and he is getting better and better at each show we enter. His next show is in May at the Ranch Horse Triple Crown.

BACK TO BEING BUSY!

2009-03-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

After being home in Colorado for the month of December and most of January, I am back to traveling again. while I was home, my brother came in from California to help get the colts halter broke. He showed horses when we were both little and while he only gets to ride a couple of times a year, he loves working with the babies.

My big truck finally got in at "TRICK MY TRUCK" in Joplin, MO. with the Chrome Shop Mafia! I have been waiting for this appointment for almost a year. This will not be on TV but my truck did come out looking nice. Cowhide trim inside, train horns outside, I'm excited!

My truck at the Chrome Shop Mafia body shop

While the truck was in the shop, I stayed in Clarksville at the BH Ranch. Bobby Hurley was invited to the Governors Office to be honored for being the only Arkansas resident to be inducted into the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. As we were all walking into the State Capital in Little Rock, Bill Clinton was leaving after having lunch. Bobby received a standing ovation from the legislators which was very impressive.

Riding Hank to get ready a big Stock Horse Challenge in Winnemucca kept me busy for most of February. Since he had never traveled well, doesn't eat much and just seems to worry, I left a few days early to lay over along the way from Colorado to Nevada. It seems to have helped him relax. While I had hopes for a top 5 finish in the class, I had to settle for a top 10 spot and I was proud of Hank. I have to remember that this was just his 3rd show ever!

By this time last year, I was already in Texas trying to stay warm and out of the snow drifts. This year, the weather has been so nice in Colorado - translation: no major snow storms - I have been able to ride on most days that the wind isn't blowing 40+ mph. We really need some moisture though.

I still need to get down to Texas soon and bring home the two 3 yr. olds that Martin started for me this year. I have been getting reports that they are both coming to class everyday with a smile on their faces, being ready and willing students. I can't wait to ride my very first Maverick baby. It will be a very emotional and exciting ride for me.

A LICK AND A PROMISE

2009-01-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

'A lick and a promise' was just one of the many old phrases that our mothers, grandmothers, and others used that they probably heard from the generations before them. With the passing of time, many old phrases become obsolete or even disappear. This is unfortunate because some of them are very appropriate and humorous. Here is a list of some of those memorable old phrases:

1. A Bone to Pick (someone who wants to discuss a disagreement)

2. An Axe to Grind (Someone who has a hidden motive. This phrase is said to have originated from Benjamin Franklin who told a story about a devious man who asked how a grinding whe el worked. He ended up walking away with his axe sharpened free of charge)

3. One bad apple spoils the whole barrel (one corrupt person can cause all the others to go bad if you don't remove the bad one)

4. At sea (lost or not understanding something)

5. Bad Egg (Someone who was not a good person)

6. Barking at a knot (meaning that your efforts were as useless as a dog barking at a knot.)

7. Barking up the wrong tree (talking about something that was completely the wrong issue with the wrong person)

8. Bee in your bonnet (To have an idea that won't let loose )

9. Been through the mill (had a rough time of it)

10. Between hay and grass (Not a child or an adult)

11. Blinky (Between sweet and sour as in milk)

12. Calaboose (a jail)

13. Catawampus (Something that sits crooked such as a piece of furniture sitting at an angle)

14. Dicker (To barter or trade)

15. Feather in Your Cap (to accomplish a goal. This came from years ago in wartime when warriors might receive a feather they would put in their cap for defeating an enemy)

16. Hold your horses (Be patient!)

17. Hoosegow ( a jail)

18. I reckon (I suppose)

19. Jawing/Jawboning (Talking or arguing)

20. Kit and caboodle (The whole thing)

21. Madder than an wet hen (really angry)

22. Needs taken down a notch or two (like notches in a belt usually a young person who thinks too highly of himself and needs a lesson)

23. No Spring Chicken (Not young anymore)

24. Persnickety (difficult, overly particular or snobbish)

25. Pert-near (short for pretty near)

26. Pretty is as pretty does (your actions are more important than your looks)

27. Red up (clean the house)

28. Scalawag (a rascal or unprincipled person)

29. Scarce as hen's teeth (something difficult to obtain)

30. Skedaddle (Get out of here quickly)

31. Sparking (courting)

32. Straight From the Horse's Mouth (privileged information from the one concerned)

33. Stringing around, gallivanting around, or piddling (Not doing anything of value)

34. Sunday go to meetin' dress (The best dress you had)

35. We wash up real fine (is another goodie)

36. Tie the Knot (to get married)

37. Too many irons in the fire (to be involved in too many things)

38. Tuckered out (tired and all worn out)

39. Under the weather (not feeling well this term came from going below deck on ships due to sea sickness thus you go below or under the weather)

40. Wearing your 'best bib and tucker' (Being a ll dressed up)

41. You ain't the only duck in the pond (It's not all about you)

42. An Apple and an Egg (something that is real cheap, costs just an apple and an egg)

Bring back any memories?

THANKS FOR OUR HORSES

2009-01-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

Special "Thanks" for Our Horses

To have a horse in your life is a gift. In the matter of a few

short years, a horse can teach a young girl courage, if she chooses

to grab mane and hang on for dear life. Even the smallest of ponies

is mightier than the tallest of girls. To conquer the fear of

falling off, having one's toes crushed, or being publicly humiliated

at a horse show is an admirable feat for any child. For that, we can

be grateful.

Horses teach us responsibility. Unlike a bicycle or a computer, a

horse needs regular care and most of it requires that you get dirty

and smelly and up off the couch. Choosing to leave your cozy kitchen

to break the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose

responsibility. When our horses dip their noses and drink heartily;

we know we've made the right choice.

Learning to care for a horse is both an art and a science. Some are

easy keepers, requiring little more than regular turn-out, a flake

of hay, and a trough of clean water. Others will test you - you'll

struggle to keep them from being too fat or too thin. You'll have

their feet shod regularly only to find shoes gone missing. Some are

so accident-prone you'll swear they're intentionally finding new

ways to injure themselves.

If you weren't raised with horses, you can't know that they have

unique personalities. You'd expect this from dogs, but horses?

Indeed, there are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with

a sense of humor. Those prone to humor will test you by finding new

ways to escape from the barn when you least expect it.

Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic, obstinate or

willing. You will hit it off with some horses and others will elude

you altogether. There are as many "types" of horses as there are

people - which makes the whole partnership thing all the more

interesting.

If you've never ridden a horse, you probably assume it's a simple

thing you can learn in a weekend. You can, in fact, learn the basics

on a Sunday, but to truly ride well takes a lifetime. Working with a

living being is far more complex than turning a key in the ignition

and putting the car or tractor in "drive."

In addition to listening to your instructor, your horse will have a

few things to say to you as well. On a good day, he'll be happy to

go along with the program and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day,

you'll swear he's trying to kill you. Perhaps he's naughty or

perhaps he's fed up with how slowly you're learning his language.

Regardless, the horse will have an opinion. He may choose to

challenge you (which can ultimately make you a better rider) or he

may carefully carry you over fences - if it suits him. It all

depends on the partnership - and partnership is what it's all about.

If you face your fears, swallow your pride, and are willing to work

at it, you'll learn lessons in courage, commitment, and compassion

in addition to basic survival skills. You'll discover just how hard

you're willing to work toward a goal, how little you know, and how

much you have to learn.

And, while some people think the horse "does all the work", you'll

be challenged physically as well as mentally. Your horse may humble

you completely. Or, you may find that sitting on his back is the

closest you'll get to heaven.

You can choose to intimidate your horse, but do you really want to?

The results may come more quickly, but will your work ever be as

graceful as that gained through trust? The best partners choose to

listen, as well as to tell. When it works, we experience a sweet

sense of accomplishment brought about by smarts, hard work, and

mutual understanding between horse and rider. These are the days when

you know with absolute certainty that your horse is enjoying his work.

If we make it to adulthood with horses still in our lives, most of

us have to squeeze riding into our oversaturated schedules;

balancing our need for things equine with those of our households

and employers. There is never enough time to ride, or to ride as

well as we'd like. Hours in the barn are stolen pleasures.

If it is in your blood to love horses, you share your life with

them. Our horses know our secrets; we braid our tears into their

manes and whisper our hopes into their ears. A barn is a sanctuary

in an unsettled world, a sheltered place where life's true

priorities are clear: a warm place to sleep, someone who loves us,

and the luxury of regular meals. Some of us need these reminders.

When you step back, it's not just about horses - it's about love,

life, and learning. On any given day, a friend is celebrating the

birth of a foal, a blue ribbon, or recovery from an illness. That

same day, there is also loss: a broken limb, a case of colic, a

decision to sustain a life or end it gently. As horse people, we

share the accelerated life cycle of horses: the hurried rush of

life, love, loss, and death that caring for these animals brings us.

When our partners pass, it is more than a moment of sorrow.

We mark our loss with words of gratitude for the ways our lives have

been blessed. Our memories are of joy, awe, and wonder. Absolute

union. We honor our horses for their brave hearts, courage, and

willingness to give.

To those outside our circle, it must seem strange. To see us in our

muddy boots, who would guess such poetry lives in our hearts? We

celebrate our companions with praise worthy of heroes. Indeed,

horses have the hearts of warriors and often carry us into and out

of fields of battle.

Those who know them understand how fully a horse can hold a human

heart. Listen to stories of that once-in-a-lifetime horse; of journeys

made and challenges met. The best of horses rise to the challenges we set

before them, asking little in return.

- Author Unknown -

A Cold Colorado Morning

2008-12-16T10:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday morning, it was -5 degrees when I went to feed my mares. They are in a pasture that is 4 miles down the road on 2000 acres, running with about 80 head of cows (and a couple bulls). There is water in spring fed ponds year round. I like having the mares moving around, being horses instead of in stalls or small pens. I think they even foal out easier. I just have to hay or grain them each day.

Anyway, as I am walking into the trap to feed the mares yesterday, one of my fillies was standing over this lump in the middle of the trap. First the filly would look at me, then lowered her head to sniff the lump and even pawed the air with her front leg, but never touching it. As I got closer to the pile, I realized it was a dead calf. Over near the stock tank stood a big Hereford cow. The cow had just given birth to TWINS! The first calf never even took a breath or if it did, it's lungs collapsed from the freezing air and it died. It was still wet, steaming in the cold. The second twin was standing on the side of the tank. It had managed to struggle to its feet and was shaking so hard, it could barely stand. The momma cow was doing her job, licking the calf and bumping it, getting it to move.

I drug the dead calf out of the trap so momma cow would concentrate on keeping one calf alive. I will admit that I am not brave enough to get in between a momma cow and her calf. Too many of my cowboy friends have taken hits trying to tend to calves. I have taken one guy to the hospital with a broken collarbone, broken ribs and a collapsed lung after a momma cow freight trained him. So, I wasn't excited about getting too close to this momma. But with one dead calf and the other struggling for life, I really needed to do something.

I took a couple of bales of hay out into the trap, hoping to keep the horses out of the way and to give momma cow something to do besides knocking me down. As I managed to get closer, I took handfuls of hay and rubbed the calf hard, all the time keeping one eye on momma. I got the calf rubbed down pretty good and bedded it down with the rest of a bale. Momma was being good and I left to call the ranch manager.

Here's where I get really frustrated. This outfit is run by a man who lives in town near the fancy country club and drives out a few times a week to "check on things". If the weather is bad or if his back is sore, he has his nephew do the feeding. The nephew is a good guy, tries hard but isn't paid so there isn't much enthusiasm to do anything above and beyond feeding. Fences are down everywhere, cows are busting out daily and out on the road. No one cares too much about anything. When it comes to gathering in the spring and fall, I ride out on my horses while the ranch owner gets his country club buddies to be "a cowboy for a day" on 4 wheelers. It is a wreck most of the time because the cattle are all bucket broke sons of b*tch's that would just as soon run over the top of you and your horse. It's like herding cats.

It is a year round calving operation because the bulls never come off the cows. The calves are nursing until the next calf is born. And no body seems to care. Nobody rides out to check for newborns and I am sure that if that momma cow hadn't been in the trap yesterday morning, the coyotes would have gotten both calves. Every calf should count, right?

Hank at WRCA Ranch Horse Show

2008-11-21T07:25:00.000-08:00

Just got back from WRCA Ranch Horse Show in Amarillo. Hank and I were entered in the Cowboy Class. I just love going to this show. First of all, I love watching the Ranch Rodeo and seeing all of the friends I've made throughout the years. It was the first place I showed Maverick and so many people remember him being there. Secondly, it is a GREAT place to shop. The Trade and Trappings Show is one of the best I've ever seen. The only bad part of showing in Amarillo is that I have to get up so early to be in the arena at 6 a.m. to warm up before the class and it is usually so cold.

This year was Hank's turn in the show ring. It was just his third show but I really think he is finally getting what his job is and he is doing it quite well. He never really travels very well, gets lonely without a travel partner and usually doesn't eat well. I try to arrive a couple of days early to acclimate him. Show day comes very early, you feed in the dark and have to be ready to ride in a cold, windy arena at 6 a.m. Hank and I are just not morning people.

We did the reining pattern and his lead changes were right on the money. Hank is not the best spinner but we can work on that. When it came time to call for the cow, you always hold your breath in Amarillo. You can get a cow with firecrackers up their butts, charging straight at you and blowing snot or you can get a good cow that you can show your horse off with. One guy showing got whistled 5 new cows, each one worse than the last one! Anyway, we got lucky and drew a good one. We boxed it a few times then took it down the fence. I remember going down the fence on Maverick. When I would ask Mav for speed, his stride would lengthen but you wouldn't feel that burst of speed. With Hank, you get rocket fire! He just takes off and he is really moving at a high rate of speed. We get the cow moving down the fence and turned, but when I went to turn Hank to the right, his head went up in the air and he kept going straight! I was shocked because this has never happened before! We almost hit the bucking chutes at the end of the arena. I finally get him turned and got back after the cow to make another turn, this time to the left. No problems. Again, one more turn to the right and I can't stop or turn Hank without his head coming into my lap. I looked down and my rein was disconnected from the bit! Now I still have to get my rope down and rope my cow, with one rein. After I get the kinks out of my loop, I ride up, swing a few times, and roped the cow without a problem. I turn and drag the cow. Afterwards, I tie Hank up and try to figure out why my rein came off the bit. Nothing was broken, but the solid ring at the end of the rein chain somehow came off the swivel at the bottom of the bit. I tried getting it back on, my friends tried getting it back on and couldn't do it without two pliers. It was like those puzzles at the restaurants or bars that you have to get two pieces exactly in the correct spot before you can get them apart. It was very strange. We still got through it all without a wreck, we still roped our cow and I was still very proud of my Hankster!

The Good Ol' Days

2008-11-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

Before the Internet or the MAC, Before semi-automatics and crack

Before SEGA or Super Nintendo Way back ... ...

I'm talkin' bout hide and go seek at dusk.

Sittin' on the porch, Hot bread and butter.

The Good Humor man, Red light, Green light.

Chocolate milk, Lunch tickets, Penny candy in a brown paper bag.

Playin' Pinball in the corner store.

Hopscotch, butterscotch, doubledutch Jacks, kickball, dodgeball, y'all!

Mother May I?

Red Rover and Roly Poly Hula Hoops and Sunflower Seeds, Jolly Ranchers, Banana Splits Wax Lips and Mustaches

Running through the sprinkler

The smell of the sun and lickin' salty lips...

Wait... ...

Watchin' Saturday Morning cartoons, Fat Albert, Road Runner, He-Man, The Three Stooges, and Bugs, Or back further, listening to Superman on the radio

Catchin' lightening bugs in a jar, Playin sling shot.

When around the corner seemed far away, And going downtown seemed like going somewhere.

Bedtime, Climbing trees, An ice cream cone on a warm summer night

Chocolate or vanilla or strawberry or maybe butter pecan

A lemon coke from the fountain at the corner drug store

A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers, Cops and Robbers, Cowboys and Indians, Sittin on the curb, Jumpin down the steps, Jumpin on the bed.

Pillow fights

Runnin till you were out of breath

Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt

Being tired from playin'...

Remember that?

I ain't finished just yet...

Eating Kool-aid powder with sugar Remember when...

When there were two types of sneakers for girls and boys (Keds & PF Flyers) and the only time you wore them at school, was for "gym."

When it took five minutes for the TV to warm up, if you even had one.

When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there.

When nobody owned a purebred dog.

When a quarter was a decent allowance, and another quarter a miracle.

When milk went up one cent and everyone talked about it for weeks?

When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny.

When girls neither dated nor kissed until late high school, if then.

When your Mom wore nylons that came in two pieces.

When all of your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done, everyday.

When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking, for free, every time. And, you didn't pay for air. And, you got trading stamps to boot!

When laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box.

When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him or use him to carry groceries, and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.

When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents.

When they threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed ... and did!

When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.

Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't because of drive by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat! and some of us are still afraid of em!!!

Didn't that feel good.. just to go back and say, Yeah, I remember that!

There's nothing like the good old days! They were good then, and they're good now when we think about them.

Share some of these thoughts with a friend who can relate, then share it with someone that missed out on them.

Every American's Duty

2008-11-05T09:51:00.001-08:00

Ever since I was a small girl, my mother always told me how important it was to vote on election day. Her father came to this country by boat and each election day, he would dress in his best Sunday suit and proudly cast his vote. I hope you all got out and voted. Regardless of the outcome, it is our duty.

Here are some quotes I found appropriate.

“A government big enough to give you everything you want is strong enough to take everything you have.” - Thomas Jefferson

"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." - Winston Churchill

"A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul." - George Bernard Shaw

"Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys." - P.J. O'Rourke

The Age of Horses

2008-11-03T15:29:00.000-08:00

The Age of Horses

To tell the age of any horse,
Inspect the lower jaw, of course.
The six front teeth the tale will tell
And every doubt and fear dispel.

Two middle “nippers” you behold,
Before the colt is two weeks old.
Before eight weeks two more will come;
Eight months the “corners” cut the gum.

The outside grooves will disappear
From middle two in just one year
In two years from the second pair
In three the corners too, are bare.

At two the middles nippers drop,
At three the second pair can’t stop.
When four year old the third pair goes,
At five a full new set he shows.

The deep black spots will pass from view,
At six years from the middle two.
The second pair at seven year:
At eight the spot each corner clears.

From middle nippers upper jaw
A nine the black spots will withdraw.
The second pair at ten are white;
Eleven finds the corners light.

As time goes on the horsemen know.
The oval teeth three sides grow;
The longer get, project before
Till twenty, when we know no more.

(I don't know who wrote this but I liked it a lot)

New Stallion Photos

2008-10-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

The colts are weaned, the pasture "shuffle" I do each winter and spring is just about finished, the winter hay is stacked. It is starting to get cold, with a hint of winter in the air.

Finally I have gotten the new stallions photos taken and they really turned out nice. I actually forgot how pretty Goose is. It is hard for me to admit, but I still have not brought him home. I just couldn't bring myself to put Goose in Maverick's old stall, but it has been a year now and the time has come to bring Goose home for the winter. I need to ride him which I will love, and rope on him, which he will love. Goose is a real hard working horse. He just loves a job, mostly roping and chasing cows but that was just how Maverick was when I first started riding him, too. Then he transformed into an all-around performance horse. Goose will be the same way. I have already gotten quite a few breeding inquiries and looking at his photos, it's no wonder. I just forgot how nice he was.

Then there is my mini-Mack, as in "mini-Mack Truck". Mack is going to be a great horse. He is such a clown but he is still so young, just a 3 yr old. I will have to go slow with him. He is still growing and a slow maturing horse. When I had his teeth floated, the dentist repeatedly asked me his age. Finally he said, "This horse had the mouth of a 2 yr old, maybe 2 1/2 yr", and at the time, Mack was over 3 yrs. Same with his sexual maturity, so I have plenty of time to wait. I think riding out to check stock tanks and pushing a few cows this winter will be good for him. He will be a good size, too. At 3 yrs old, he is over 15.1h. I think he will be a nice one. I just might have something to show in the confirmation portion of the VRH shows that can win!

The one stallion "prospect" you haven't seen yet is Baby Huey. He is a big one. As a long yearling, he is almost as big as a 3 yr old. Sweet, big, blue roan with a nice head, he looks like a futurity colt. I'll be taking some of my own photos of Huey soon. I got him and Goose about the same time. Huey fractured his coffin bone when he was playing around and kicked a steel post. He is totally healed up, thanks to TOTAL HEALTH. These are the same products I used to heal up Rio so fast.

Just a quick update on Rio, too. He is doing just fine. There is still a scab about the size of a quarter on his knee that I am putting ointment on to keep it soft but, wow, he is sound and finally putting more weight on. I plan on starting to ride him by spring. He deserves the winter off!

The next big show for Hank is the WRCA World Ranch Horse Show in Amarillo in November!

Hank's First Show

2008-10-05T21:21:00.000-07:00

I just returned from the RMQHA Silver Jubilee which is the big end of the year Versatility Ranch Horse Show in Golden, CO. It was the first show I have been to all year. It was also Hank's first VRH show. There was no pressure on Hank to win. I decided that it was time to see exactly where Hank was at with his training, and to see how he would handle a show environment. We just went to enjoy ourselves and visit with all my friends that I haven't seen in over a year.

Hank really surprised me and I was so proud of him. The first class was the ranch cutting where you have to cut out a specific numbered cow, drive it up the fence, passed a marker and pen it within 2.5 minutes. No problem for the Hankster. He pinned his ears, made a few good passes controlling his cow and we went up the fence. The cow missed the marker but we never lost position or control.

Next class was the Working Cow class. We just started doing flying lead changes the week before the show but Hank learns very fast and remembers what I ask of him. I have always said that Hank was a fun horse to train because he learns, and remembers, so fast. Show him once or twice and he's got it down. In the Working cow class, you do a short reining pattern, then call for your cow, box it at the end of the arena, take it down the fence, then rope it. The reining went very well. Rollbacks and stops were nice. Spins could have been faster but were correct. I called for the cow and we never lost control. I went to take the cow down the fence and that was the first time Hank had ever run a cow down the fence. When you ask Hank for speed, you better be ready because he can really accelerate. We stopped the cow, turned it and it was time to rope it. I have been wanting to get better with my reata so I was using it in the show, which may not have been such a great idea in hind sight. I took it off my saddle and was building my loop as we tracked the cow around. I had a twist that I couldn't get out of my loop! It was twisted and the only thing to do was to throw a bad loop out there, and re-build a good loop. The bottom line is Hank was good, but I didn't rope the cow.

The next class was a Trail Class. Hank never blinked at anything. He was great and did everything I asked of him. After the Trail Class was the Ranch Riding Class. Just your basic walk, trot , canter kind of riding. For as big as Hank is, he is a very comfortable horse to ride. The judge even commented that he moved so nicely for being so big. We did well in that class.

Last was the Conformation Class, and I hate this class most of all. I know my horses a nice looking and correct, but the judges seem to go for the classic halter types. I raise big boned Ranch horses, not short, tiny footed, fine boned horses. Any way, I never score well in halter. But that sure didn't stop the compliments that Hank got all day long!

All in all, it was a very nice weekend and I really enjoyed showing off Hank. Maybe Hank even had fun, too! I will give him a few days off, then ride him mid-week. If he feels right, we might try another show next weekend. All building up to the WRCA Ranch Horse Show in Amarillo, in November.

One Year Ago

2008-09-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

It is so hard to believe that one year has passed since I lost my Maverick. I can honestly say that I still miss him so very much. It is said that amount you mourn is directly related to the amount you loved. If that is true, I am still missing him and loving him.

I realized now just how much I counted on him to take care of me. When I am riding big blue Hank, I have to be aware of our position in the herd. I have to put Hank in the right spot and watch the calves. Hank gets impatient and starts to fuss if he isn't doing something all the time, just like a little kid in the grocery store. Hank was just more work. Maverick was just so easy.

While branding calves, Maverick always knew where to be and what to do. He never got upset with me when I would do something stupid like hit him in the head with my rope. Maverick was a gentleman, always polite, always kind to everyone, just a pleasure to be around.

I went to my first horse show of the year in September. It was the same show last year that I showed Maverick in last. I haven't been to a Versatility Ranch Horse show or shown at all for that matter since losing Maverick. I just lost that desire for a while. Anyway, it was nice to see all my friends and many asked why I wasn't showing. It was hard to repeat the story of how I lost Maverick. Most of the people were shocked to hear the news and all were very supportive. I am not the first person to lose an animal that meant so much to us. If you are an animal lover, you know the empty feeling of losing a friend.

Every little milestone is important on life's highway. Each tear is important, each birth is significant. Everyday I can ride is a good day. Somehow, being in the saddle makes you forget your troubles. I just know that Maverick is watching from above and waiting for me to bring him some cookies. I miss you, Maverick.

I had three dun stud colts were born this year. Three little Mav's to worry about, three little boys to watch grow into shadows of their daddy. I wish I had a crystal ball to look into the future to see what lies ahead for them. But I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Great Weekend at the All American Futurity

2008-09-02T23:01:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend! If you haven't been to Ruidoso, NM for the All American Futurity, the richest Quarter Horse race in the world, you have to add it to your Bucket List.

I have been to the Kentucky Derby a few times many years ago and have always enjoyed all the pageantry and hoopla surrounding the race. But it is different at Ruidoso. Instead of elegance, you get casual. Instead of champagne, you get beer. Instead of gowns and suits, you wear boots and jeans. Just think of a red-neck version of the Kentucky Derby. Casual and relaxed.

I met Heath Taylor last year when I hauled some of his race horses back to Texas for him after last year's yearling sale. Heath is a successful young trainer with a wonderful family and is the great trainer. This year, Heath had 3 horses in the 10 horse field for the biggest race of the year for Quarter Horses.

The race was a great one, complete with a spectacular stretch dual between the two favorites in the race. At the wire, it was Heath's horse, Stolis Winner by a half length, giving Jet Black Patriot his only loss of his short career. Another horse trained by Heath finished third, Jess Zoomin. I joked with the owners of Jet Black Patriot prior to the race over which horse would be in the winner's circle but at that level of racing, you are just thrilled to be part of it all - win, lose or draw. After the race, I gave a hug to the owners and we took photos together.

The winner's circle was full of media, cameras, family and friends, tears and hugs. The jockey, G. R. Carter did his traditional back flip off the winning horse in front of the grandstand, with the crowd roaring in approval. After the trophy presentation and photos were finished in the winner's circle, we moved inside to the museum for more celebrating, a champagne toast to the owners, trainer and jockey. In the museum, all the monitors played the race over and over. It was great to hear the stretch call again.

The next morning, the official press photo is taken for the publications against the green grass and the mountains. The horse arrives and is saddled for the photo. Imagine dressing a two year old child, and expecting a child to stand patiently for dozens of photos. Stolis Winner was very good for the most part and I even got a picture next to him.

Since I still am having trouble attaching photos, here's a link:
http://s199.photobucket.com/albums/aa256/prettypony99/AllAmerican/

Before and After Photos of Rio's Injuries

2008-08-18T12:54:00.000-07:00

I wanted you to see just how bad Rio's knee was right after the accident and how far he had come. In the first photo, you can see the bones of the knee and just below the bones, the streds of damaged ligaments that cross over the face of the knee.

Before:

After 60 days, the tissue has granulated in, the joint is no longer exposed and new hair is growing:

I am having problems posting more photos but I think you get the idea of what I have been doctoring for the past couple of months. The wound over his whithers was the size of a football, now it is the size of my forefinger. The wound on the right hip was the size of a melon, now is the size of an egg. Lots of scrapes but over time, the wounds will heal and the hair will grow back.

It sure could have been alot worse. I am amazed at all the stories I have been told about horses getting drug along side a trailer or a horse falling through the floor. It is truly a gift that Rio is still with me.

Rio's Remarkable Recovery

2008-08-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

It has been 60 days since Rio's trailer accident. Everyone is stunned at how fast Rio is healing. This week for the first time, Rio was trotting around the paddock, completely sound! It was just a few steps at first as if to test his leg. Then little by little each day, he takes more and more steps, even bucking and cantering. You can tell he is being cautious but he is taking the steps all on his own.

Since Rio returned home in July, I wanted to give him every possible chance to heal. I have taken Rio to a chiropracter to adjust his right hip. It was 1.5 inches lower than the left side. The corrections that were made two weeks ago are holding just fine. We do flexing and stretching excersises daily. Rio hates this part but tolerates my yanking and pulling on his leg. In a two week period, his range of motion increased by 50%! He still has a bit of a problem when he wants to roll. He will try to go down about three times before he really bends that knee underneath him. He knows best what hurts and what doesn't, so I don't want to push him too much.

I also had Rio to the Animal Theraputic Center of the Rockies for cold saltwater therapy, icy cold 58 degree water over his knee for 20 minutes for 10 days. This stimulates the blood flow to the wound, increasing the healing and decreasing the swelling. This therapy is well-known in Europe and just becoming more popular around the racetracks here in the states. It really helps soft tissue injuries. I would really like to swim Rio for a month over the winter to get those tendons across his knee re-attached. The tendons probably will not re-grow across the face of his knee but the swimming will strenghten the surrounding tendons and ligaments enough to stabilize and support the joint.

For now, I will continue to pony Rio around the pasture on Hank. Then taking him along on trail ride so Rio has to go up and down hills. Realistically, I think by spring, Rio could be back under saddle again, as a green 6 yr old! I have to keep from rushing things which is hard to do when I see so much progress in his recovery. I will just rely on Rio to tell me what he needs to do. And so far, all looks good.

It will still be a long road to full recovery but he has made it this far. I never used antibiotics or steriods since Rio left the vet clinic. I have used only all natural products from Total Health Enhancement. I used MyBeau Equine vitamins to keep his immune system strong and stomach ulcer free. There are alternatives to chemicals, injections, pills and steriods. If anyone wants to contact me for more information on what I have been treating Rio with, I will be glad to share the details.

There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. I keep thinking that there is a reason I didn't have to put him down, that he didn't have a broken knee or leg. Maybe his big brother, Maverick, has been looking out for him from above.

Rio's Home!

2008-07-24T16:38:00.000-07:00

Finally, Rio is back in Colorado after his trailer accident! I went to Idaho last week to pick him up. How do you thank someone for taking care of an injured horse for you? My dear friend, Kathryn, had Rio in a big box stall for over a month. She wrapped his knee daily, hand walked him and fed him lots of cookies! I just can not thank her enough for all she did for Rio. True friends are such a treasure.

Rio really seems to be glad to be back home. His buddy, Handsome Hank, is right outside his pen. Rio relied on Hank to keep the bears and wolves away from him when he was unable to walk. Since Rio has been home, he is feeling better. When I take him out for his walks, he bucks a little, more like hops and even trots a few steps totally sound. I think he is just testing his leg a bit. In a few more days, I will start ponying him on his walks. I found a rehab facility not far away that will take Rio for aqua-therapy to help strengthen the tendons across the face of his knee. Other than that, time should heal all wounds.

Just when you think you have everything under control on the medical front, a colt ran through a wire fence and torn up his shoulder. Of course, it was a nice Maverick colt. So that little fella is getting doctored as well as Rio.

Did I mention the newest members of the ranch are two very cute mini-donkeys named Concho and Gringo? I have been taking them with me on some of my trips and they are so much fun. I hope to add their photos to my gallery page soon.

I should be home for the rest of the summer so give me a call. I need to get Hank back in shape for the ranch horse shows in the fall. The next big trip for me will be to Ruidoso on Labor Day for the All American Derby.

Have a great summer!