My pointless musings over todays COTH happenings... (and thank you)

[Rockford]

In light of the ‘happenings’ on the BB this afternoon, I must admit that at first I just sat there staring at the computer screen like a dummy, quite disturbed. When I went out to the barn later, I began to think about my own horses, and I took great comfort in knowing that I’ve done my best to care for my own horses so that they could lead a happy life. It was a subject I mulled over for quite a while because in the past two weeks my horse has lost some weight, so lately I have spent more time than normal second-guessing myself.

So anyway, I thought maybe now would be a good time to take a moment and think about how lucky our own horses are that they have loving owners to care for them (with the means to take care of them). I don’t know exactly what the point of my post was, except that I figured I would share, since it was gratifying to think of all the fortunate horses out there with their sweet feed, alfalfa, supplements, plentiful water, clean stalls, turnout, daily exercise, and caring owner, rider, vet, acupuncturist, dentist, and trainer. For some horses seem to not have these luxuries…

(below is a pic of my beloved horse- who is getting a visit from the vet today to check for ulcers- saying thank you to all the wonderful people here who take wonderful care of their horses)

-Megan-

[JumpItHighPie]

What a great post Megan

I’m going to read up on this whole Seger thing because I am lost!

Jen &*** Pie***
“It is easy to live in the world after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live in your own;but great is the one who in the midst of a crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” R.W.E.
http://hometown.aol.com/pithegr8t/PiePie.html

[RumoursFollow]

considering I am in the process this week of buying another horse. I find myself buying brushes, koppertox, fly spray, etc- stuff I havent bought myself in probably 10 years. I’ve just been in barns where that stuff was taken care of for me. Not that I dont know how… and not that I havent helped out myself…

But I’ve found myself wondering whether I’m capable. I’m buying a 2yo and expecting myself to train it and care for it and all that. It will be fun- and actually- I find the worry comforting. Atleast I care, you know? And I always surround myself with people who know more than I do so that I learn more and more every day. I think thats one of the most important things to do!

Other than that I’m just giddy over the fact that I am getting a horse to play with!

---

Yeehaw- Formerly RF
COTH BB Resident Cowgirl
"She’s gone country… look at them boots, shes gone country… back to her roots, shes gone country, a new kind of suit… SHES GONE COUNTRY!! HERE SHE COMES!!!

[sprite]

I was really glad to see this thread, its been a rather depressing week or two. Between trying (and so far, failing miserably) to raise funds for my gelding’s bladder stone surgery, dealing with my sainted mare’s frog puncture and now tendon problem, plus I think i have strep…i totally lost it the other night while i was cold hosing the mare, she was just being such an angel and i was so stressed out. i realized how much i value these two and how very sad i would be to lose them…

[Cactuskate]

Well this has been a busy day of communicating with my BB friends. As I have said to some, I consider it an honor to be Bud’s caretaker. Heck the horse has held me hostage more than once.

But when he gives me 110% of his heart and soul how can I NOT provide the best world possible for him? I felt guilty last night not having any carrot treats for him. Had to make him think those pellets in my hand were just as meaningful. I think he bought it.

So when people, husband included, insinuate I am over the edge compulsive about my horse’s care, I just ask “And your point is what?”

“The older I get, the better I used to be, but who the heck cares!”

[Cactuskate]

InWhyCee you are soooo right. So I should probably start the list of things Bud does that makes me his slave:

Knows the sound of MY truck when it pulls on the property (has to learn a diesel now, new wheels!)

Knows the sound of my voice when helping my friend in the arena, keeps looking my way from his stall.

When I ask poorly for the umpteenth time for the right lead canter, he just sighs and tries to get out of my way and canters. OK 50/50 chance so I got it wrong and he tries again. If he had emoticons between his ears his would look like this .

And since day one as Skinny Bud (see attached) he will work and work and work and never complain.

He just came back from “summercamp” in the cool of San Diego, had not worked since the first of July, and we are riding daily, and he is right where we left off. “Let’s see we were working on that sideways thing (leg yeild). Yah, right now I remember, oh too much shoulder leading, ok, how’s this?” God he tries.

And that is why I love my horse!!!

“The older I get, the better I used to be, but who the heck cares!”

[Royal_Blue]

After reading certain things this morning I was completly sick. I take complete joy in making my horse as comfortable as possible. I spent my morning at work on the phone w/ the blanket lady giving her my boys measurements for his robe. I next contacted 3 feed manufactures to discuss nutrition, which I then called & related to the vet as we devised the best feed plan for my horse taking into account the whole hay problem. We also talked about the new maint. shots that we are gonna start him on as soon as it is available. I then left work in order to make it to the farm just in time to watch my boy, who couldn’t walk without tripping & afraid of strangers, canter a beautiful little course changes & all with trainer. I then went & re-cleaned his stall (groom does it 2x’s a week for me to have a day off but I always end up coming out & re-doing it since I am nerotic), gave fat boy a good bath & did up his legs. He then got his personally tailored pellets, a bucket of chopped forage, & 3 flakes of his 32 dollar hay. One of the more colorful people in the barn came over to ramble on once again that she can’t believe I spent so much on my horse for vet work, if she only knew how spoiled we are by not getting charged farm calls & having the vet available to us daily (his office is in one of our barns). I left checks for the blacksmith & paid off Septembers vet bill (except for the 10 I always withhold - you know how it goes as soon as you pay off the vet something happens ). The reason for my complete rambling - no cost is too much for the welfare of my horse. Everything I make goes to him, I do with out new clothes (except show clothes of course), I still live with the parents, & I have him on partial board so that I can spread out the money I put out. If I had to continue paying the 32 dollars a bale for his hay to keep him healthy I would do it in a heart beat. My parents always say they hope I take as good care of them when they get older as the horse gets. So to end it all before I left the farm this evening I sat in my horses stall (I clean it soo good that you could have Thanksgiving dinner on his shavings) & thanked him for being the most wonderful & expensive (monthly cost wise not price) horse that I have ever owned. I wouldn’t give it up for anything!

[Rockford]

In light of the ‘happenings’ on the BB this afternoon, I must admit that at first I just sat there staring at the computer screen like a dummy, quite disturbed. When I went out to the barn later, I began to think about my own horses, and I took great comfort in knowing that I’ve done my best to care for my own horses so that they could lead a happy life. It was a subject I mulled over for quite a while because in the past two weeks my horse has lost some weight, so lately I have spent more time than normal second-guessing myself.

So anyway, I thought maybe now would be a good time to take a moment and think about how lucky our own horses are that they have loving owners to care for them (with the means to take care of them). I don’t know exactly what the point of my post was, except that I figured I would share, since it was gratifying to think of all the fortunate horses out there with their sweet feed, alfalfa, supplements, plentiful water, clean stalls, turnout, daily exercise, and caring owner, rider, vet, acupuncturist, dentist, and trainer. For some horses seem to not have these luxuries…

(below is a pic of my beloved horse- who is getting a visit from the vet today to check for ulcers- saying thank you to all the wonderful people here who take wonderful care of their horses)

-Megan-

[Coreene]

And the lovely photo of him sending good vibes over the mountains to Chino when Bullet was sick. And they worked!

[Bumpkin]

Hoopoe is meeting me at the stable tonight to give Elliot his winter clipping.
I know there will be lot of hugs with Elliot.

[Winglet]

… I spilled hot oil down my arm into my armpit, then almost dropped a car on my head… methinks I need a desk job of some sort…

JoHn (WiNgLeT)

“No one teaches riding better than a horse.”
-Lewis Carroll

Look at my ultra cool site!
www.geocities.com/winglet18

[gwen]

That was sweet!! Everyone…go to the barn and give your horse a hug!!!

Barb

[Everythingbutwings]

Especially as I am about to leave to do my nightly 2 hours from home to barn to home to feed, muck and groom my threesome.

I frequently go way overboard (recently with the discovery of Pocket’s eyesight and Maddie’s teensy knee injury) but I am confident in the knowledge that my horses get the care they need to be healthy, happy and secure.

The terrible distress I felt when I noticed our dear Gally and then my Taffy pony deteriorating from their extreme age and I had to make the decision to euthanize. In between, the tragic loss of my mare which left Maddie orphaned and me and my family sharing in the raising of a bottle baby makes me particularly concerned whenever anyone needs help, advice or comforting in the care of their horses.

I think that the majority of us share those tendencies. To be able to come to this BB and talk about these things that are so very important to us is a blessing.

Wings, Maddie and Pockets will be very happy horses this evening. I need their solace and comforting.

[Duffy]

My daughter and I went to the barn this evening. She rode and I just loved on her pony and my guy.

Here is a recent picture of my daughter and Mini.

[Royal_Blue]

I work for dad, about 2 doors away from my room . Needless to say I do alot of personal stuff (example my 6 page paper) & web surfing on company time. In my defense I work efficiently & get my work done early so I have alot of free time. Plus theres not a person in this world who would be able to put up with him, he likes to scream.

[KellyS]

That’s where I’m going now!

[Colin]

Poor Jake and Charlie – out in the cold this afternoon. Pete and Hannah are in stalls. I don’t think a day goes by that I don’t think of them while at the office.

Currently, two horses out for 12 hrs/in for 12 hrs; other two are flip flopped with them. Entails stall cleaning 2x/day, but at least nobody is stuck inside for too long.

I tried to hug my children yesterday, but Hannah ran me over, Jake bit me on the back, and Pete tried to buck me off!! I am rethinking the evening bran/grain/MSM/wheat germ oil/red cell dinners they have been getting! Maybe going to a lower calorie carrot!!! LOL!

[I]“If you can’t beat 'em with brains, beat 'em with bullshit!”

• Tommy Serio, 2001[/I]

[Duffy]

And here is a picture of my guy…(almost anyway )

[Everythingbutwings]

Had I but known I would have dropped hot oil on you long ago!

I spent the evening dosing our three with Quest (they got Safe-Guard on Sept 3rd after an end of July ivermectin) and noting on the tack room calendar that the farrier was out on Sunday and will return in eight weeks (Dec 16th Winglet!)

I got nasty looks over the wormer but the bunch was quite interested in my feed room activities. I purchase feed on Fridays and never seem to have a regular order. One week it is 3 Equine Adult and 2 Complete Advantage along with 4-6 solid gold bales of pine shavings, the next is 2 and 1 of feed with 6-8 shavings. My entire family will think I have gone off the deep end if I were to tell them what I truly wish for Christmas - a semi-load of baled shavings!

My take home pay is just under $400 a week. Mr. Wings gets half of that for our mutual bills. That is mortgage, car payments, utilities, credit cards (including Maddies maxed out VISA!) the rest is two tanks of gas, groceries for the week (you all know I love to cook so that is a gimme) and $70-$120 in horse/dog/cat/bunny/cockatiel/parakeet/fish food and litter. Weekly. I love it.

I spend at minimum 2 1/2 hours a day on the care of my horses. That is 30 minutes each way travel time and then time spent at the barn doing minimal care. Every day. Several days a week I, GASP!, am now able to sit on a horse (Wings) and get carried! That takes longer, thank goodness my job allows me to be off early in the day.

Then I feed the fish, cat, dog, bunny and birds. Minimal home care, I cook something Mr. Wings won’t eat (hey, I have gotten good, I make stuff that freezes well for all you local COTH BBers!) Laundry, catch the news, walk the dog, etc.

Then I come back home to the COTH BB and see what I have missed since leaving work. Sometime I need to mulch the raised beds in the back yard!

[gwen]

Mabye slip in a carrot or apple or some kind of yummy treat!!

Barb