I was sitting in my office this morning, bored and avoiding work, while threatening to stab irritating people with my pen -- you know, a normal day, when my phone rings. I was surprised to see it was my DH, because I'd just talked with him and couldn't figure out why he'd call me right back.
"Did you play musical horses this morning?"
"Um, NO -- WHY?!!"
"Well, Razzie and Petunia are in the lower paddock, and I can see two big brown horses up in the front paddock."
Yikes! Ok, so the morning barn help wasn't paying close attention today, and seems to have forgotten to close the gate between the two pastures. There is a hot wire along the top of the gate, however, so how did they get that down? (and yes, the forgetful barn help would be me. Sigh.)
It turns out that all four horses did the limbo this morning, and slipped under the hot wire, and swapped pastures.
Maud (otherwise known by her actual name of Annie -- why my DH calls her Maud is beyond me) and Petunia (otherwise known as Lilly -- again, why DH named her Petunia is anyone's guess) are not friends. Maud is the boss mare, and the hot guy she's turned out with is HER MAN, and she does NOT like the new young 'ho that has moved in next door. Taz, however, likes her A LOT.
We were fortunate, however, and apparently they swapped fields without bloodshed and DH was able to lock them into respective fields and let Sara and I switch them back this afternoon. Everyone was mannerly and put on halters to go back to where they belonged, but I'm still baffled as to how a 17.2 WB mare can shimmy down short enough to slip under the wire . . .
Truly never a dull moment.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Two week update
It doesn't seem like it is worth writing when there is so little to report -- this whole first month is all about relaxing into farm life. But, we still are doing some fun stuff. In the last couple of weeks, Lilly has had a couple of baths, and worked on getting caught and increased her appetite. She is even now running Razzy away from her feed, which is a major improvement!
I keep having the feeling that I don't know what I'm doing and that I should be doing *something!* and then I remember -- the best way to make haste is slowly and that the most important thing to remember with horses is patience.
I keep having the feeling that I don't know what I'm doing and that I should be doing *something!* and then I remember -- the best way to make haste is slowly and that the most important thing to remember with horses is patience.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
I've always been told I'm very like my grandmother . . .
But, I've never been sure if that was true. I do know that I share one of her everyday concerns: Is everyone eating enough?!
My grandmother dieted all her life, and had no problem pointing out if she thought you had gained weight, or could stand to lose a pound or two -- it was one of her main topics of conversation.
But. If you showed up at the house, she wanted to feed you. And at any family dinner, it was "eat, eat, eat! Go back, get more! Take food home!" She loved to feed people and it worried her if you didn't eat enough. Just one of the woman's central contradictions!
I'm the same way, but with the ponies. Lilly hasn't had much of an appetite since she came, and yes, I know that it was a big environment change, and yes, many racehorses are finicky eaters, and yes, she may have ulcers that would make eating a little stressful, but darnit all -- I want her to eat!
And starting last night and this morning, she made me happy! :)
My grandmother dieted all her life, and had no problem pointing out if she thought you had gained weight, or could stand to lose a pound or two -- it was one of her main topics of conversation.
But. If you showed up at the house, she wanted to feed you. And at any family dinner, it was "eat, eat, eat! Go back, get more! Take food home!" She loved to feed people and it worried her if you didn't eat enough. Just one of the woman's central contradictions!
I'm the same way, but with the ponies. Lilly hasn't had much of an appetite since she came, and yes, I know that it was a big environment change, and yes, many racehorses are finicky eaters, and yes, she may have ulcers that would make eating a little stressful, but darnit all -- I want her to eat!
And starting last night and this morning, she made me happy! :)
 |
| Hey, whatcha got?! Can I have some? |
 |
| Wait, I have my own! And it is soooooo yummy! |
She ate her entire breakfast, except for maybe one bite. I was so happy. Then she came and let me pet her and snuggle a bit at the gate as I was going back to the house.
It's the little things. And the journey. And patience is a virtue. I know, I know. But, geez, I am so happy when they will settle in and eat!
It's the little things. And the journey. And patience is a virtue. I know, I know. But, geez, I am so happy when they will settle in and eat!
 |
| We can share, right? |
Sunday, May 20, 2012
It can't all be perfect . . .
'Cause then, it would really be too good to be true, right?
Good things today -- the filly has a barn name. Sara and I both came up with Lilly separately, but once we knew we had both picked it, it stuck. Dennis still wants to call her Petunia, and he probably will, since he calls Annie "Maud" and he's the only one that does. Sigh. Anyway, she survived the night out in the field, and survived breakfast not arriving as early as she expected. She was quite perturbed at me this morning when her hay arrived after daylight. Not what she is used to, but she survived it!
She really is gorgeous, and we got to watch her move a good bit today. We didn't deliberately start the trotting-prancing-cantering-running fit on *purpose* though. It just sort of happened. See, we went out to try to catch her, and she wasn't having any of *that*. I'm certain she thought she'd get to go back on the trailer, which I had just moved and parked, and she wanted nothing to do with that idea. And, the first time Sara had her caught, she stepped back and hit the hotwire. Jeepers. That meant in her mind, of course, that Sara was responsible for her getting stung and she was not a happy unit.
She's a beautiful mover -- loved her trot and her gallop was pretty nifty too. :)
We took Razzy out and put her in the yard on the washrack, and Miss Lilly Had.A.Fit. Sara and I stayed patient, and hung out with her through her antics, until she began to calm down. I finally went to grab a bucket, and put some grain in it that made a little noise, and she stuck her nose in that, and I was able to get a lead rope around her neck and get the halter on.
So, we went out to find Razzy, and had some grazing time in the yummy yard grass, and then put them both away.
Other than that incident, and the fact that I can't get her to eat, (not the good things), and the fact that she is In heat, and Taz thinks that is great, and Annie does NOT, everything is lovely! I went to town today, and was able to get a bag of the feed she was more used to, and she ate about half of her dinner. In talking with the trainer today, he keeps telling me not to worry -- she will eat when she is ready.
Not worry? You've got to be kidding! I always worry! That is just what I do!
Good things today -- the filly has a barn name. Sara and I both came up with Lilly separately, but once we knew we had both picked it, it stuck. Dennis still wants to call her Petunia, and he probably will, since he calls Annie "Maud" and he's the only one that does. Sigh. Anyway, she survived the night out in the field, and survived breakfast not arriving as early as she expected. She was quite perturbed at me this morning when her hay arrived after daylight. Not what she is used to, but she survived it!
 |
| Oh, Hai! You can't catch meeeeeeee!!!! |
She really is gorgeous, and we got to watch her move a good bit today. We didn't deliberately start the trotting-prancing-cantering-running fit on *purpose* though. It just sort of happened. See, we went out to try to catch her, and she wasn't having any of *that*. I'm certain she thought she'd get to go back on the trailer, which I had just moved and parked, and she wanted nothing to do with that idea. And, the first time Sara had her caught, she stepped back and hit the hotwire. Jeepers. That meant in her mind, of course, that Sara was responsible for her getting stung and she was not a happy unit.
She's a beautiful mover -- loved her trot and her gallop was pretty nifty too. :)
We took Razzy out and put her in the yard on the washrack, and Miss Lilly Had.A.Fit. Sara and I stayed patient, and hung out with her through her antics, until she began to calm down. I finally went to grab a bucket, and put some grain in it that made a little noise, and she stuck her nose in that, and I was able to get a lead rope around her neck and get the halter on.
So, we went out to find Razzy, and had some grazing time in the yummy yard grass, and then put them both away.
Other than that incident, and the fact that I can't get her to eat, (not the good things), and the fact that she is In heat, and Taz thinks that is great, and Annie does NOT, everything is lovely! I went to town today, and was able to get a bag of the feed she was more used to, and she ate about half of her dinner. In talking with the trainer today, he keeps telling me not to worry -- she will eat when she is ready.
 |
| I'm cute, right? |
Not worry? You've got to be kidding! I always worry! That is just what I do!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Whew, long day, and I have already broken some ground rules I set for myself in bringing home our first OTTB. She is turned out and with a friend, not alone. I had planned to follow advice and do a gradual introduction to turnout and then add a friend after a week.
Um, well that didn't happen!
She loaded like a champ, even though she'd already ridden all the way from Miami to Ocala. She rode home great -- eating her yummy hay we picked up to make sure we had something similar to what she had been eating. I was really worried about unloading, as if a horse hasn't done a step up much, it can be tough to teach them to back off the trailer. I've had a couple take real nosedives when allowed to turn around and go off forward, so I didn't want to go there.
But, she was great! When she unloaded, she looked around as if she had landed on an alien planet. Horses trotting around pastures, dogs barking and OH! All the green grass!
She ate in the yard for a while, and we decided to give her a tour of the pasture. She was doing so well that we took off the lead rope and let her wander.
Then we discovered that the electric fence wasn't working. Oops. So, fortunately, Sara could hear it snapping and found where it was grounded out and helped us fix the problem.
Uh-Oh. Miss Priss was NOT happy to discover the electric fence was now working and if she wanted to try to talk to the friends on the other side of the fence, it would bite.
I watched this for a minute, and got really concerned when I realized she was so desperate for friends, that she was going to continue to try to play over the fence, which was resulting in lots of kicking out and bucking -- far too near the fenceline to suit me.
So, I asked Sara to get Shiraz, who is such a sweet, easygoing mare, and we put them out together.
Now, there is much happiness -- they are BFFs. I have been stunned that there wasn't more running and playing and showing off, but pretty much, everyone has been quiet.
Annie is furious still that Harvey has left, but she will hopefully get over it. Surely Sara can change her mind!
She is a pretty girl and hopefully this will be a fun adventure!
Um, well that didn't happen!
She loaded like a champ, even though she'd already ridden all the way from Miami to Ocala. She rode home great -- eating her yummy hay we picked up to make sure we had something similar to what she had been eating. I was really worried about unloading, as if a horse hasn't done a step up much, it can be tough to teach them to back off the trailer. I've had a couple take real nosedives when allowed to turn around and go off forward, so I didn't want to go there.
But, she was great! When she unloaded, she looked around as if she had landed on an alien planet. Horses trotting around pastures, dogs barking and OH! All the green grass!
She ate in the yard for a while, and we decided to give her a tour of the pasture. She was doing so well that we took off the lead rope and let her wander.
Then we discovered that the electric fence wasn't working. Oops. So, fortunately, Sara could hear it snapping and found where it was grounded out and helped us fix the problem.
Uh-Oh. Miss Priss was NOT happy to discover the electric fence was now working and if she wanted to try to talk to the friends on the other side of the fence, it would bite.
I watched this for a minute, and got really concerned when I realized she was so desperate for friends, that she was going to continue to try to play over the fence, which was resulting in lots of kicking out and bucking -- far too near the fenceline to suit me.
So, I asked Sara to get Shiraz, who is such a sweet, easygoing mare, and we put them out together.
Now, there is much happiness -- they are BFFs. I have been stunned that there wasn't more running and playing and showing off, but pretty much, everyone has been quiet.
Annie is furious still that Harvey has left, but she will hopefully get over it. Surely Sara can change her mind!
 |
| BFFs! |
She is a pretty girl and hopefully this will be a fun adventure!
She's Here!
Wow! She has arrived, at least into our care, custody and control. She is BEAUTIFUL and will be a great size once she is filled out. Right now, she looks like a racehorse. Well, duh. She IS a racehorse!
Despite having shipped up from Calder and having been on the van all morning, she loaded up pretty quickly -- she had one step back from the scary trailer without a ramp and then on second try, decided it must be a safe place after all.
Did I remember to take pictures? Ha! Only one and it is a view of her looking through the stall door when she first arrived. Not what I had in mind.
But, it has been a good day so far. Harvey settled right down at the Holling's farm, and he has everything he will need until his real mom can pick him up on Monday. We had a great lunch and then did some shopping and arrived immediately as the van got in from Calder. Lorraine has a great operation and they were extremely nice and very helpful.
Only problem? She needs a barn name! At this point, Dennis is insisting her name is Petunia, and Sara and I are not on board with that suggestion!
Accepting any ideas and suggestions!
Despite having shipped up from Calder and having been on the van all morning, she loaded up pretty quickly -- she had one step back from the scary trailer without a ramp and then on second try, decided it must be a safe place after all.
Did I remember to take pictures? Ha! Only one and it is a view of her looking through the stall door when she first arrived. Not what I had in mind.
But, it has been a good day so far. Harvey settled right down at the Holling's farm, and he has everything he will need until his real mom can pick him up on Monday. We had a great lunch and then did some shopping and arrived immediately as the van got in from Calder. Lorraine has a great operation and they were extremely nice and very helpful.
Only problem? She needs a barn name! At this point, Dennis is insisting her name is Petunia, and Sara and I are not on board with that suggestion!
Accepting any ideas and suggestions!
Friday, May 18, 2012
The Start of an Adventure!
I have always, always loved racehorses. As a young horse crazy kid, I read books about horses set at the track. When I finally got a pony from my Grandfather for Christmas one year, I was already picking out colors for our racing silks and wanting a sign with a farm name on it. (Never mind that there weren't enough secure boards on the old barn/run in shed to nail a farm sign onto, I was still planning, dreaming and scheming!)
I was lucky enough to inherit a horse from a cousin who went off to college. She was no racehorse, but put up with me hopping on and hacking around the fields. She had to be retired completely when I was about 17, though I still loved going out and just inhaling the scent of sun warmed horse on an afternoon after school.
The summer before I started law school, I treated myself to a subscription to the Blood Horse, and my big treat near the end of the summer was a trip to Ocala to tour a couple of Thoroughbred farms. I was in heaven! I was the only one in the group that would actually pet the horses, and the highlight of the trip for me was getting to snuffle a foal. He was too cute, and very cuddly.
Once law school was over (perhaps survived is a better term!) and I was practicing law and discovering that I didn't like it much, I began to dream once again of having a horse. I ended up with a fabulous, sturdy QH that is still with me today. But, I learned he would rather chase a cow than a fox, and since my goal by then was to learn to ride well enough to fox hunt, I began to look around for another horse that would be more interested in running and jumping things.
Enter my first exposure to a horse bred to race. He was a QH, and not a TB, but I was thrilled. He and I had an incredible journey together, eventing at the lower levels, and he is now retired with my cow pony. My next addition was finally a retired racing TB -- although this one had run only on the local "bush tracks" racing against quarter horses. It didn't matter to me -- I was hooked!
Several years later, I finally had an Official Off the Track TB -- Sammy, aka Southern Shuffle, a son of Dixieland Band, raced until he was 10. His last stop was out west, where he ran in 1k claimers in Arizona and New Mexico. After my friend found him there, he limped in to her farm in KY with ankles the size of grapefruits, and she intended to retire him.
Well, he wasn't interested in retirement, and so, she began to look for him a new home. I was the lucky winner of the contest to have Sammy come and live with me, and he is now retired in the pasture with Ben and Bubba and they have a grand time.
Since then my herd has expanded, mostly because horses usually find me, rather than the other way around. Currently we have two TBs (one from NZ!), two warmbloods (one Selle Francais, and one Hungarian) and the two QHs, but tomorrow, we will have a very Special Addition.
Our first TB right off the track! I'm so excited and so nervous. It has been a dream of mine for years to be able to take an OTTB, and do some letting down and restarting work, and then find the horse a fantastic home. And, now, that time is finally here!
Her name is Rare Hyde and she has run at Calder and Gulfstream. She is a Florida-bred, and was bred and owned by her trainer. She is sound, but slow. She's a smallish bright chestnut, white stripe blaze, and three white socks. We pick her up tomorrow afternoon and bring her home to the farm, where she'll go in the paddock and will hopefully eventually make friends with my guys.
There will be lots of pictures to follow tomorrow, and a full report of how it goes. Here's hoping! :)
I was lucky enough to inherit a horse from a cousin who went off to college. She was no racehorse, but put up with me hopping on and hacking around the fields. She had to be retired completely when I was about 17, though I still loved going out and just inhaling the scent of sun warmed horse on an afternoon after school.
The summer before I started law school, I treated myself to a subscription to the Blood Horse, and my big treat near the end of the summer was a trip to Ocala to tour a couple of Thoroughbred farms. I was in heaven! I was the only one in the group that would actually pet the horses, and the highlight of the trip for me was getting to snuffle a foal. He was too cute, and very cuddly.
Once law school was over (perhaps survived is a better term!) and I was practicing law and discovering that I didn't like it much, I began to dream once again of having a horse. I ended up with a fabulous, sturdy QH that is still with me today. But, I learned he would rather chase a cow than a fox, and since my goal by then was to learn to ride well enough to fox hunt, I began to look around for another horse that would be more interested in running and jumping things.
Enter my first exposure to a horse bred to race. He was a QH, and not a TB, but I was thrilled. He and I had an incredible journey together, eventing at the lower levels, and he is now retired with my cow pony. My next addition was finally a retired racing TB -- although this one had run only on the local "bush tracks" racing against quarter horses. It didn't matter to me -- I was hooked!
Several years later, I finally had an Official Off the Track TB -- Sammy, aka Southern Shuffle, a son of Dixieland Band, raced until he was 10. His last stop was out west, where he ran in 1k claimers in Arizona and New Mexico. After my friend found him there, he limped in to her farm in KY with ankles the size of grapefruits, and she intended to retire him.
Well, he wasn't interested in retirement, and so, she began to look for him a new home. I was the lucky winner of the contest to have Sammy come and live with me, and he is now retired in the pasture with Ben and Bubba and they have a grand time.
Since then my herd has expanded, mostly because horses usually find me, rather than the other way around. Currently we have two TBs (one from NZ!), two warmbloods (one Selle Francais, and one Hungarian) and the two QHs, but tomorrow, we will have a very Special Addition.
Our first TB right off the track! I'm so excited and so nervous. It has been a dream of mine for years to be able to take an OTTB, and do some letting down and restarting work, and then find the horse a fantastic home. And, now, that time is finally here!
Her name is Rare Hyde and she has run at Calder and Gulfstream. She is a Florida-bred, and was bred and owned by her trainer. She is sound, but slow. She's a smallish bright chestnut, white stripe blaze, and three white socks. We pick her up tomorrow afternoon and bring her home to the farm, where she'll go in the paddock and will hopefully eventually make friends with my guys.
There will be lots of pictures to follow tomorrow, and a full report of how it goes. Here's hoping! :)
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