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Oh my sweet Paso Pinky (my friends tell me since he's not a baby anymore I should call him his big boy name Pellito De Oro but what a mouthful...one friend just calls him Oro because she refuses to call a gelding Pinky-haha)has been just a joy to play with on the ground...he follows me at liberty (NO lead line in an open area), backs when I do, moves sideways...under saddle that gait is the cadillac ride no doubt...uh then we decide out of NO WHERE it's time to plant that powerful hindquarter and stop for no apparent reason. Years ago, I would've been angry, or not known what to look for...so I check the saddle..fits great, check the girth, it's fine, check, check, check...off we go again and the corto is beautiful, rounding the cones doing some fun patterns and bam...sinks down and stops...so I am thinking I may train my little man to do sliding stops since he seems to be heading in that direction...obviously his stifle is better..we had one small soreness issue since I have been riding him ALL over the place...the wooded trails on the property and even over to other farms to visit friends...he has thrown a couple fits..but that is just his lack of experience..I deal with it, ride him through it and he's fine again. So now we are working on the "ok mom it's time to stop out of nowhere FAST" with a twist...I get him up to a pretty good speed AFTER he has done his quick stop...and ASK for that WHOA NOW! Hmmm funny how stopping on his own has lessoned immensely...he still does it now and then...but not like he was...think like a horse I guess. Will let you know the next challenge and joys he continues to give me! Share some of yours! Jo

Just thinking how fortunate I am. My family and I celebrated Thanksgiving with plenty of food and good times. The horses did too with carrots and treats. However, it just reminds me of the less fortunate people and animals. There was a wonderful movie on last night, a Hallmark presentation, called "A Dog Named Christmas". It's about a homeless dog that changed many lives by coming to a foster home just for Christmas and then was going back to the shelter. Of course, the family ends up adopting him. But he and his young friend influenced other people to adopt other dogs too, even if it was just over the holidays. Great story.

There are so many dogs, cats, horses that need help, especially this time of year. I hope everyone will lend a hand or donate to their favorite animal charity.

It is with a heavy heart, but with great relief knowing that he is now pain free and can see and frolic again, that I let you know my friend of 13 years was laid to rest on October 12th. He was in great discomfort, loved by me and many, I had to let him go. There comes a time I sadly discovered when letting something you love this much go is the greatest gift you can give them. I do not regret one moment of living at the barn(literally to help him through his day), I was his "eyes", he would get lost from Pinky even though I put a bell on Pinky, and would panice until he heard my voice ..and would follow me to them or anywhere I went, he viewed me as a true herd member. I would sit in the pasture with him when he did nose out some good cloverfilled grass, he just did not adjust to the blindness, would panic- try to run and hurt himself, he also had a respiratory condition, and due to stress I was not able to keep his weight up. My vet said he had great discomfort and pain in both eyes, even with the endless litany of meds I had him on as well as holistic treatments..He did not deserve to go out that way so I made my heart wrenching decision, he was only 18 yrs old which made it more difficult for me. He took me places I never thought we would go. Under saddle for me, even blind on flat ground he was still as wonderful a partner as when he had sight and could do most of the great things we always did. He was a great horse and is deeply missed. I remember and focus on what dedication I had to him and his training so Pinky and I can also become closer friends. It is truly what I learned from Coyote that enables me to continue my journey with Pinky. We are trail riding quite a bit now, he does throw his fits every now and then, but with patience he will become the best horse he can be! I hope to be checking in with you more and trying to catch up on all the posts I have missed. Always seeking Savvy, Jo

This is a newborn offspring of Taskin, Gypsy Stallion owned by Villa Vanners that was born in Oregon . These pictures were immediately after his birth on April 6. The mare laid down and then he trotted around and crawled right up into her lap.

Our new boarder, Beau, has proven himself as an escape artist in the last two days. We have metal panels as part of the west fence in his pasture. One panel ends just behind the big work shop and serves as a gate when I can get the shop door open. We've had about six different horses in that pasture--including my stallion--and none of them ever figured out that the panel can move. Until Beau.

I hadn't formally introduced Beau to Shiloh until last Wednesday. I expected hoof stomping and squealing. They sniffed each other twice. Shiloh walked away and Beau started eating grass. Big deal--so much for equine drama.

Once Beau was back in his area, he started running back and forth and hollering for Shiloh, and Shiloh for Beau. Once Beau could see Shiloh, he would calm down.

(Our house is between the two horse areas--Beau to the east and Shiloh to the west.)

Yesterday afternoon, he hollered and hollered for Shiloh. Well as you know, when the kids are quiet, somethin' ain't right. I'm back here on the computer and hear Shiloh squeal. I looked out the window...and there was Beau, standing outside Shiloh's fence. Rick and I went out and caught him and put him back in his area. We thought we put the panel back to where he couldn't get out again.

HA!

Just as we finished dinner, we heard the sound of hoofbeats in the driveway...and there goes Beau back to Shiloh's fence...so we caught him again and really fixed the panel this time!

HA!

I got up this morning just before the sun. It was a little too quiet outside and I couldn't see Beau standing in the corner of his area. As I waited for the coffee to brew, I put on my shoes and quietly went outside to count noses. No Beau in the east area. I looked to the west. No Shiloh!

I walked around the corner of Shiloh's barn and there they were, down at the far end of Shiloh's area. Beau on the outside of the fence and Shiloh on the inside. Once they realized they had been "busted", Beau trotted up the fence line, up the driveway and put himself back into his area the same way he came out!

I re-re-re-secured the panel so Beau could not get out again and gave both the boys their morning meal, figuring that would keep them busy for an hour or so while we ate our breakfast .

HA!

I was almost done making Rick his pancakes and...there goes Beau up the driveway and back to Shiloh.

Sigh....

I went back out to catch Beau again. This time, I was just going to put him in with Shiloh and be done with the game. Beau saw me walking toward him, so he started walking toward me. When I was close enough to grab him, he did a head duck and trotted off up the driveway back toward his area with me following him.

This time, he stopped at his gate and waited for me. He gave me a look that said, "I'm at home base, you can't tag me"! I had to laugh.

I removed his halter from where it was hanging on the gate, put it on his big fat head and led him back to Shiloh's area. I put the two of them together. Rick and I will get around to permanently fixing the panel today. THEN we'll see what Beau comes up with next....

Several years ago, when I first started reading this website, there seemed to be a lot of people participating. Where has everyone gone? I loved reading their stories and getting advice for solutions or problems with my horses. It really saddens me to see that there doesn't seem to be as much interest. Very few of us are posting pics, just saying hello, writing reports or stores. For everyone out there that does read eons - horse lovers from time to time, I really hope you will more actively participate. During this down economy, there are a lot of challenges for horse owners. Many horses themselves are endangered, facing starvation, abuse, and slaughter. It's important for all of us to help, be aware, and participate to not only keep our own horses healthy and happy, but to be a part of the horse world.

Also, there has been such good advice coming from those who participate on this website as well as support and information. Please, please keep it up!!! One member's spider bite solution helped me tremendously. My old mare, Maia was literally saved because of this!

Rally horse lovers! Keep participating on this site!

I am appalled by what is happening to horses in the name of 'Medicine', using them for Lab Rats so to speak. I am glad this rescue group is helping!

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