Equine Mine

War Horse Trainer

2011-12-30T17:36:00.000-08:00

Thought many of you would enjoy the meeting the trainer behind the horses of "War Horse". His name is Bill Lawrence of Ellensburg, Washington. Enjoy!

War Horse, the movie

2011-12-26T17:56:00.000-08:00

A good friend and I ventured out yesterday afternoon for a matinee showing of "War Horse". I couldn't wait any longer, I was ready to see the movie even if it cut into my Christmas festivities. I read the book, so I knew the storyline and knew what to expect. Armed with Kleenex, popcorn, and a soda, I went in hoping I wouldn't be disappointed.It didn't take long, and I was in my pockets pulling out that Kleenex. I don't want to give any plot elements away, but anyone who has sold a horse they didn't want sold is going to cry when the horse is handed over to the British Cavalry. The beginning of the film is very "Disney"...touching, family, community, sweeping landscapes, and simple living. But as soon as the horse "Joey" leaves for France, the movie takes a different tone. It is visually stunning. Some of the shots were truly breath taking, if you can peak over your jacket you have pulled over your eyes. I wasn't that bad, but I did find myself holding my breath and gripping very tightly to my popcorn. Some scenes are going to be hard. Imagine men on horseback with swords taking on a gatling guns. It is not going to be pretty. The wonderful directing choice made by Spielberg, is that he chose to show zero blood or red. The horror of the battle sinks in without seeing any gore, just a battlefield full of horses and men.The horses in the film, beautiful. An amazing group of equine, that just made the cinematography even more stunning. Again, not giving anything away, "Joey" is like the "Forrest Gump" of the horse world. He seems to end up on these interesting adventures that eventually lead him back to where he needs to be. I really enjoyed the film, but it was emotionally exhausting. To me, that is what makes a good film. Anything that makes you feel that strongly, has done something right. I keep telling my horse friends they need to see it. To not see it, is to deny all those horses in wars throughout history their sacrifice.We left the theater checking our mascara when we got to the car, and couple big exhales, and the promise of Christmas dinner waiting for us made us feel a little better. This movie has impact, even on those who have never know love for the horse and that is invaluable. Go see it. Let me know what you think.

***Side note: There is a scene on the farm with a white "attack goose". Boy, did that bring back memories. We had one that looked just like that one. "Gandy"...he attacked everyone that showed up to the farm. He even managed to knock a few people down and was endlessly getting trampled by horses because he couldn't leave them alone. He lived about 16 years...it was like going back in time when I saw that goose come out of nowhere, chasing the man. A little bonus on Christmas day.

Horses at the Mall

2011-12-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

I headed to the mall up in Vancouver, Washington to get some last minute Christmas shopping done. As I pull into the lot, I see tons of horse trailers. What is up? Looks like a makeshift horse show is about to take place. Then I notice they are the Clark County Sheriffs Posse. They are patrolling the parking lots on horse back, making sure people don't break into cars. How great is that?

Showers and Nursery

2011-12-14T21:35:00.000-08:00

My stablemate friends are like family to me. Over the years, we have have all been through the ups and downs of horse ownership. Laughing, crying, progressing, sharing adventures, and crossing off things on our bucket lists...we have done it all. So it was so nice when the barn girls got together and threw a little baby shower this past weekend for the new little cowgirl that is on the way.I received the most special gifts from everyone and it was a fun night of making "cake pops" and having dinner. My mom happened to be in town from Minnesota, so she was able to be there too, which made it all the more special.I am almost done with the nursery with the help of my mom. I don't know if there are enough horses in it yet:-). I managed to find a little nursery set with a horse that looks like Maddy. I just love it. So 7 more weeks and little Arlie Fisher will be here. Counting down.

Horse 360 App

2011-11-29T17:22:00.000-08:00

I just bought this app for $1.99. It could come in handy. Check it out.

Ground Driving

2011-11-28T17:38:00.000-08:00

I have struggled with ground driving. I've tried it a few times and ended up with a horse that wanted to side pass all over the arena. She is "trying", but as her teacher, I fell short. I struggled with how I could help convey what I was asking. What was I doing wrong? Thanks goodness for Michael Sparling.
Michael is a Parelli clinician I met a couple years ago and have had quite a few lessons with him. He is an excellent teacher. I think he is the real deal, a wonderful "reader of the horse." Regardless of how you feel about Parelli methods, Michael goes beyond Parelli and is just an amazing student and teacher of the horse. A big "ah" moment was thinking of the horses nose as crossing the diagonal...when she did that to the inside..I left her alone. The side passing slowly went away.
I always walk away from the barn imagining I can't love this horse any more. Then she does new things that make me so proud of her and she finds ways to become even more special to me.
Can you tell I am 30 weeks pregnant in these photos? In ten weeks I will have a baby girl. One I hope loves horses as much as I do....looking forward to pony shopping.

Hitched...in more ways than one

2011-11-10T20:52:00.000-08:00

Hitched horsehair...always wanted to learn how to do that. I crossed it off my bucket list when I went to a 3 day intensive workshop up in Kettle Falls, Washington with famous horsehair artist, Shoni Maulding. I had an amazing time, learned a lot, and starting my first browband after many successful key fobs. Speaking of hitched, I got engaged in July on a trip to Joseph, Oregon surrounded by lots of friends and horses. My boyfriend was panicking about how to do it and after many nixed plans, on our final day as we were packing, I decided to walk down and look at the herd of mares and foals down the road one last time. I told him and headed out. A few minutes later, I heard him following behind me and caught up. We walked down and looked at the foals running with their moms...I picked out a couple I wanted to take home and all of a sudden he was down on one knee. He said "I knew I could never find you happier than when you are looking at baby horses." He was right. So lots more news to report on. Just need to get my feet wet blogging again...it has been too long:-).

The Better Bucket

2011-06-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

I saw this in the June issue of Equus. What a fabulous idea. I just ordered two. You can find the company that makes them on here, but I ordered them from Chick Saddlery.

Trailer Trip

2011-03-20T22:57:00.000-07:00

The rain, the snow, the mud can't slow the girls of Painted Forest Stables down. We decided to load up and check out some new trails. I was nervous. This new trailer is a straight load, 17 feet long, and much heavier than my previous Trails West. Not to mention...I haven't worked Maddy in and out of the trailer, so I wasn't sure what she would think. Skye and Maddy loaded right in. When we got to the location, she was sweating pretty good, so the ride must have been a little nerve racking for her. They unloaded nicely, great to have a ramp. We hit the Port Blakely trails. We were only out for about an hour and half. Skye is still working up to full work from a leg injury and we didn't want to push it. We headed back home. The hard part was still ahead of me. I knew I couldn't fully relax until I had that trailer backed into its little spot. With the help of the girls, they got me in there. I need practice on backing...tend to over think it and go the wrong way with the steering wheel. The cool thing about this new trailer....a huge, huge, huge dressing room. I could put a cot in there if I wanted. I am slowly getting it organized, have some decals ordered and soon a blanket rack installed. We have officially kicked off our road tripping riding season.

Horses Shot and Killed

2011-03-17T20:55:00.000-07:00

Investigators seek public's help in finding who killed three wild horses

PRINEVILLE -- Three wild horses were found shot and killed in central Oregon east of Prineville, and investigators are asking the public for help finding who did it.

KTVZ-TV in Bend reports that one of the horses was pregnant and accompanied by a year-old foal, which was found unhurt.

Crook County sheriff's Deputy Brian Bottoms made the discovery around 2 p.m. Monday while on patrol in the Ochoco National Forest about 18 miles east of Prineville.

Bottoms found the dead horse along a spur road off Forest Road 150 near the Ochoco Ranger Station. An investigation turned up two more dead horses. Two stallions were shot and killed in addition to the mare.

Deputies have gathered some evidence from the scene but are asking for anybody with information to call (541) 447-6398.

"Winning" Winners!

2011-03-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

Congratulations are in order for five lucky winners of the Absorbine Give-away. Thanks to everyone for playing. The correct answer, which everyone got right was "Smoken Now", or as he is otherwise known "Pokey." Also, Maddy has a Hart Ranch freeze brand of a heart on her left shoulder. I picked five names out of a bowl...even shot some video to show it was fair. Drumroll please....Kacy from AllHorseStuff, Ranae Rose, Grey Horse, Allison, and Mikael of Rising Rainbow all get a free bottle of Natural Hoof Spray to try out. Please send me the address where you would like Absorbine to send the product and I will pass it along. Please send info to my email address, photogchic@hotmail.com

Free Stuff...you know you want it!

2011-03-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

It is contest time! Absorbine has offered free Hooflex Natural Spray to the lucky five winners of this contest. I realize there may be more than 5 with the right answer...but if that is the case...I will put names in a hat and draw.

So...Here goes! You might have to do a little digging.

Name Maddy's sire. I have posted about him in the past. I have done videos of him. And he is listed on the ranch site where I purchased Maddy. He is the super hero looking horse pictured below.

Maybe for some bonus points...What is Maddy's freeze brand?:-)

Winning this spray is worth it. I have been applying it to the hoof recovering from the abscess to keep it from drying and cracking. Wonderful stuff and you can spray it upside down:-).

Good luck everyone. The contest closes one week from today, on Wednesday the 16th. If you are selected as a winner, I will contact you and get your address where you want your prize delivered.

Hiding til Summer

2011-03-01T20:54:00.000-08:00

Love this picture Kacy sent me of Maddy hiding in the trees. It has been dumping snow the last couple days in Beavercreek, Oregon. My last visit to the barn was Sunday. I'll head out tomorrow and see how it goes.

Road to the Horse

2011-02-27T21:37:00.000-08:00

It was wonderful to be able to experience the "Road the the Horse" from your own living room. This year they offered a webcast for $29.99. The first day we had a few freezes and audio problems, but they worked them out and the last two days went smoothly. What an amazing opportunity to watch 3 successful trainers, with three distinct methods, with three very different horses. It was fantastic.

Some things that happened along the way. Pat was bucked off on day two. He said "he had green lights the whole time, then it switched to yellow then red really quickly." He wasn't hurt and continued on. For a time, Pat went into teaching mode which riled both the audience there and those watching on the webcast. Many felt he was being disrespectful to the other clinicians. He came out for his finale speaking from the heart and seeming a bit more humble. He did an amazing job on his horse "Partner" and he announced that he would be taking this horse home with him after the show. Pat welcomed people in attendance to follow their journey.

I wasn't sure who was working harder, Clinton or his horse. They both were wringing wet and panting. There was definite tension between Pat and Clinton. At one point Pat offered free passes to his Colt Starting classes to attendees of RTTH, Clinton said "if it good, you don't offer it for free." Later they argued over a rule in the finale that got pretty heated before Tootie Bland calmed them down. I think Clinton struggled with his horse. He just never seemed to get him soft and was fighting his bit hard throughout his finale. Clinton took off his bridle at the end and galloped full speed around the arena...it was a bit exhilarating to watch, but the horse almost jumped out of the arena twice. The crowd went wild for it. It was clear, the majority of people in the arena were rooting for him.

Chris Cox was rock solid the whole weekend. He had a really difficult horse (reminded me of my own!) She was sensitive and escalated quickly if confused. Today on the way into the arena, the horse panicked, and nearly ran over a crowd of people. You could tell Chris was upset by the way the wranglers were bringing horses into round pen, so he had them change tactics and do it as a herd thing. In his finale, Chris shined. He was soft with his hands and did an amazing job with her. He deserved to win, no question.

Pat, Chris, and Clinton making their picks!

2011-02-26T14:51:00.000-08:00

This Looks Good!

2011-02-22T21:02:00.000-08:00

Buck,a film about Buck Brannaman, an official 2011 Sundance Film Festival selection. Looks like it is basically a documentary about his life. The trailer give you goose bumps. I love the clip from the trailer, "a horse is a mirror of yourself, and sometimes you don't like what you see in that reflection." It then shows him hugging a frustrated owner. That line always hits me. I remember feeling like such a failure right after buying Maddy. I thought I knew horses, but I had no idea. I left the barn in tears so many times the first couple months. Looking back, I know she felt the same. I pulled her away from the warm desert, asked her to be confined to a stall overnight, and asked her to do things she had never seen or done in her 4 years. Maddy and I were and are a reflection of ourselves, in her I was seeing my own failures, in her I see my own successes. I have heard of Buck, but don't know too much about him. After watching the trailer, he looks like somebody I should know. I am looking forward to seeing this film.

Porta-Grazer

2011-02-21T20:18:00.000-08:00

Have you guys seen these? I went to a horse expo up in Washington over the weekend and stopped at the Porta-Grazer booth.
This is a genius idea. It basically is a simple barrel you put hay in then you add a a restrictor pan that has holes for the horse to eat. Why is that cool? It simulates natural grazing. As hay is pulled through the holes, sand and dirt fall to the bottom of the barrel and hay never comes in contact with bedding or manure. The horse stomach is designed to receive a constant supply of forage in a slow, continuous manner. This is perfect for that. If you want to soak your hay...now it is easy.

A couple more things to think about with this simple "barrel". You can take it with when you travel, your horse will be ready to ride at any time, and you eliminate boredom if your horse doesn't get turnout everyday. I just think this is such a brilliant idea, I had to pass it on. My barn owner bought one and she is testing it out. She plans to buy 6 more in Albany at the NW Horse Expo. She thinks she will save money in hay waste, it will keep barn cleaner, and she can fill it a little fuller if she has too work late and horses will have stuff to munch on all day long.

New Absorbine Products

2011-02-17T14:11:00.000-08:00

I got a really nice surprise in the mail from Absorbine. I was contacted through my blog to see if I wanted to try some of their new products. Yes! So they sent 3 things, the new Hooflex Natural Spray, the Hooflex Natural Dressing, and Flex+Max pellets. The one that I am really excited to try is the Natural Spray. It is a new way to apply hoof dressing, now in spray form. What I like about spray is the ingredients; tea tree, arnica, comfrey, and avocado oil. All things to promote healthy hoof growth and maintain moisture balance. I looked on SmartPak and it sells for $9.95...not too bad.

The Natural Hoof Dressing also has great ingredients and contains no petroleum. Vegetable oils, comfrey, arnica, and tea and avocado oils...all good stuff. It is supposed to naturally enhance hoof color, keep moisture balance, and help with healthy hoof growth. This product is applied the "old fashioned way"...with a brush. But they claim it is fast and easy to apply, so I will check it out. Sells for about $15-$20 on most sites.

The Flex+Max is a pelleted supplement with glucosamine and flax seed. A recent study claims 100% of horses ate 100% of the Flex+Max...so it must be tasty. It sells for about $50 on different sites.

So some good treats! Nice to see a horse household name, Absorbine, altering recipes to make their products better and thinking about application techniques to stay ahead of the market. Cool that I get to try it all out. Thanks Absorbine!

Ansur CrossOver

2011-02-13T23:22:00.000-08:00

I just finished a little promo video for the new "Ansur CrossOver." What I loved about this shoot...it was out at Forward Stride, the therapeutic riding barn I volunteer at. We used one of our favorite therapy horses, Sindar the Fjord and Amanda Garrison, our volunteer coordinator. Notice the buffalo...yes buffalo! There is a guy behind the facility that has tons of buffalo and believe it or not, his name is "Bill." Buffalo Bill. Ha ha! As you know, I love this hybrid saddle concept. I was told after this shoot, to order up another saddle that I earned it. I am so excited, but don't know what to get this time around, the "CrossOver" or the "Enduro." Hmmmm.

Judges Announced

2011-02-08T16:04:00.000-08:00

They just announced the judges for the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends in Murfreesboro, Tennessee February 25-27. I have two friends going. I am so jealous. I am ordering the webcast and watching from home:-(.

Bill Enk
• Director of Judges for the National Reined Cow Horse Association, judging credentials with the National Cutting Horse Association, the National Reining Association, and the American Quarter Horse Association

Cody Lambert
• Long family history with AQHA racehorses, Vice President of the PBR Board of Directors, PBR co-founder and a three time PBR World Finals qualifier, nine NFR qualifications, recipient of the PBR Ring of Honor award, event judge

Marian Buehler
• Board of Directors for the Texas Horse Park in Dallas, over 30 years experience studying natural training techniques and methods among several species, transitioned natural horsemanship techniques into the performance arena

Jack Brainard
• Director on the Board of the Equine Program at Texas A&M University Commerce, original director of the NRHA, a founder of the Stock Horse of Texas (SHOT), active judge and member of the AQHA

Dr. Robert Miller
• Equine veterinarian, world-renowned speaker and author on horse behavior and natural horsemanship, father of the revolutionary foal training technique known as "imprint training"

Bob Moorhouse
• General Manager of Pitchfork Land and Cattle Co. 1986 - 2007, leadership or advisory positions with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the AQHA, the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show, the Working Ranch Cowboys Association and the Ranch Horse of America Association.

"Road to the Horse judges are selected from every facet of the equine industry. While some have experience with ranch, rodeo and performance horses, others have experience with dressage, show jumping and western pleasure. Combined they create the ultimate judging panel to determine who will win the title, prestige and honor of being named the 2011 Road to the Horse Legends Champion!"

English meets Western....The Ansur CrossOver

2011-02-07T11:23:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love this concept of an English meets Western. I think this will be the next big thing in tack. I am so fortunate to work with a company that is progressive in designing tack that is good for the horse as well as offer something fresh for the rider.

Diamond in the Rough

2011-02-01T20:09:00.001-08:00

You know when you own two horse trailers for one horse, you have crossed over into the realm of "crazy horse person." If you look at the above 4 trailers, two of those happen to be mine. Before you judge, give me a chance to explain. I am trying to sell my slant load. It is a wonderful little trailer, but I have been wanting a straight load for safety reasons. So this weekend, I thought my slant was sold. Long story short, it wasn't. In the meantime I find a straight load that seems like a good fit. I go to look at it and it sits up on this hill surrounded by trees, covered in green slimy moss. It is not pretty, structurally sound. I think a good detail on it will do wonders. The lady sells it to me cheap...she just wants it gone. So I spent today changing the trailer from green to white with every brush and scrubby I own. I know there is a really nice trailer under there somewhere and 3 hours and a hundred trips up and down the ladder, it emerged.

I am taking it in for some restoration on the oxidized hitch and just an overall safety check. Everything looks straight and solid, but I like to be sure. The inside is sooo cool...can't wait to show it to you. It is a straight load with a passage way to the dressing room. It was very well designed, made by Trailers, USA in Florida.

A solution...

2011-01-26T21:00:00.000-08:00

I have been in a "horse funk" the last two months. I returned from vacation the beginning of December to find Maddy with a lifted shoe and a big bite on her butt. The farrier came out, put her shoe back on and the next day went for a little ride and came back with a lame horse. My first thought was abscess, so I soaked for a couple days, then seconded guessed myself and called the vet. After flex tests and thermography, narrowed it to sore inner legs. I thought maybe the lifted the shoe was a product of slipping and splaying. Micro-current, ice, and anti-inflammatories later, she seemed on the mend. After a few rides in the arena, we did a short ride a week ago. The next day, dead lame. This time the other back leg. I am stumped. I start to think the lameness is a symptom of sore back or hip. So have bodyworker scheduled to come out this morning. Planning for the worst, imagining x-rays and months off, and my whole tax refund up in smoke.

Well, I get to the barn this morning....a huge blowout. It was a hoof abscess! I am relieved. The bodyworker saw and felt nothing wrong with back or hips, no heat in the legs. What a stressful two months. I just want to relay my experience so others don't over think it, sometimes it is the easy answer. Posted below is the gross looking abscess. It is large, over two inches, smells terrible. Has anyone had abscess issues where the lameness goes from one leg to the other? Maybe one will blow out the other side? Any thoughts or suggestions from fellow horse friends would be helpful.

Farewell Ms. Freebie

2011-01-21T10:34:00.001-08:00

Freebie was an old Appaloosa mare you could put anyone on. She was one of the sweetest horses I've ever come to know. I could trust her to take care of her rider, so when people came to visit, I took them to meet Freebie. She showed my mom, my step dad, my boyfriend, and a few friends the beautiful trails in Oregon. Her owner used her to pack into the mountains for hunting. She was the "old reliable" but she was also a good pal. She would often spend summers out at our barn and in the Fall, she would go back home and do her packing duty. Her owner went out to the pasture and found her dead the other morning. We are all sad. She was such a kind mare and will be missed. Freebie is pictured with Maddy this Fall out by the ponds getting a little snack and below, pictured with my stepdad Cliff. The picture says it all, Freebie brought smiles to everyone.

In love

2011-01-17T22:51:00.000-08:00

I first saw this saddle a week ago. I went to pick up my new Ansur saddle and Carole Weidner pulled me aside and said "You gotta see this one before you leave." I walked over and my jaw dropped.....I think I heard "Dreamweaver".....and I stuttered "I love it." I think it is the coolest saddle I have ever seen. Basically it is an English/Endurance hybrid called the Endeavor, that you can change fenders and change stirrups to fit your disapline. Well, Ansur Saddlery had a little bit of fun with this one and took it a bit further and tooled it. It is glorious. Today I went and shot some video of it before it heads out the door to its new owner. What a brilliant idea.

True Grit

2011-01-01T22:56:00.000-08:00

I finally got a chance to see the remake of "True Grit" starring Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon (and various equine stars). I loved it. I think the script was brilliant and all the actors shined. It was fantastic....except

****SPOILER ALERT******

"Why did "Blackie" have to die?"
Blackie is Mattie's ten dollar trusty black pony. Blackie's first time under saddle, he happy canters around in a circle a few times and then they canter off in the pursuit of justice and "Rooster Cogburn" played by Jeff Bridges. Blackie fearlessly jumps into the river to get Mattie across. The river rages, the girl hangs onto the bridle, yet Blackie prevails. The little pony glimmers as he comes out of the water, gives a tired exhale and basks in his achievement.

Blackie is the perfect partner; willing and noble. Then Mattie has to go get bit by a rattlesnake. The little horse carries Rooster and Mattie at break neck speed across the frozen landscape in search of a doctor. A flurry of hooves and passing miles, as Blackie becomes glossy with sweat. Then we see Blackie stumble, he goes down exhausted. Rooster draws his gun....Blackie is put out of his misery. Blackie dies so that Mattie may live. The last selfless act of this heroic mustang pony was to save his partner. For me, the title of this movie is aptly named for "Blackie," an equine with true grit.

Blackie is played by a 6 year old quarter horse named "Cimarron". Oscar performace Cimarron!! Nicely done. Read more about the equine stars of True Grit here.

Bye 2010

2010-12-31T22:49:00.000-08:00

As we retire the year 2010, let's hope we all end the year as happy as our favorite retired racehorse, Zenyatta. Happy New Year everyone. See you in 2011!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T15:26:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone from Maddy and Me. We are ending 2010 on a down note. Maddy pulled her hamstrings and week and half ago. She tried to do the splits in the pasture, came up REALLY lame. We used Equine Thermography to pinpoint the injury. Really fascinating to see this technology in action. The good news in all this, she just needs rest, cold therapy, and Previcox (drug they are using now instead of Bute). Hopefully we are back on our feet the beginning of 2011.

What would you do?

2010-12-08T00:42:00.001-08:00

I get back to Oregon last week, welcomed back with warm sun and a perfect Fall weekend. I rush out to the barn to hit the trails only to find Maddy with a little "lift" on her left front shoe. No! The shoe was missing one nail, the shoe holding with 5 and 2 clips. My farrier couldn't come for a couple days, it didn't seem bad enough to pull, so I opted to leave it and forgo riding or ground work. I am just curious, what would you have done if your shoe had this little bend in the shoe? Pull it or wait.....

First Snow

2010-11-21T20:47:00.000-08:00

I got done with my ride and looked outside to see the white stuff coming down. I love the snow. It reminds me of home (Minnesota). My barn owner has the most beautiful pines surrounding the property. It was turning into a lovely winter wonderland as I drove away. Stay warm Maddy.

Blogger Friends! I need your help!

2010-11-16T14:02:00.000-08:00

I used some of my GoPro video from the other day to enter a FITS Facebook video contest to win a free pair of Wind Pro Breeches (Yeah!). I am hoping my blogger friends will take a minute to go to the FITS page on Facebook, go to "contest", go to "enter contest", and then "vote now" to vote for my video (Julie Murray). Love to have those FITS! Thanks you all.

GoPro Test

2010-11-13T00:14:00.000-08:00

I bought a GoPro helmet camera this summer right before a beach trip. I shot about 5 hours of footage over that weekend. I went to go edit and found the footage wasn't compatible with my editing system. I shelved the camera until I had time to figure it out. Months later, (with some help) I think I solved the problem. Now I just need to figure out "MOTION" the graphics package for Final Cut. I struggled through it just to make this simple title...I think I need some online classes. So I will be playing with a lot of video and graphics over the next couple of months on my blog. You will get to know Maddy real well.

This video is a typical day for me and Maddy, groundwork, flatwork, and hitting the trails. One thing I like about watching the video from her back, I see how much her ears swivel all around. For some reason, the blogger upload cut off about 1/3 of the screen, but YouTube looks much better.

If you like the look of the video, GoPro are only about $225 for a HD cam. It really is awesome. I think it is perfect for riders. On this day I used the helmet mount, but I also have a "Chesty" (a chest mount) that may work better because you will see more of the horse.

Go Zenyatta!

2010-11-06T00:24:00.000-07:00

You go girl! Run your race, stay safe, stay sound. We are cheering for you. Zenyatta makes me tear up will joy. She is what we all love about our horses, magnified. All heart, spirit, character, silly, athletic, determined, devoted. I love this mare. Keep her safe tomorrow and let her go down in the history books as the most amazing race horse that ever graced this Earth.

The Horses of Abaco

2010-10-30T14:55:00.000-07:00

I journeyed to Abaco Island a few years back and spent a day filming the remaining Abaco Horses. At the time, I had big dreams to do a short documentary about the horses. It seemed a fascinating subject; horses descended from those that came with Columbus, a preserved blood line, a mass slaughter, and now the most endangered breed on the planet. At the time there were 8, they are now down to five. My favorite, Bellatrix, the lovely paint mare has since passed on. I remember reaching out and scratching her sunburned face as she munched away on leaves. I was hoping my film would help her, but I failed her. The footage lies dormant in my computer. I almost forgot it was there. I watch the trailer I did years ago and feel hopeless for their situation. I didn't feel that way when I was there walking among them. I was full of hope, but that slipped away and was replaced with frustration after a disagreement with their caretaker.

We had two lines of thinking that varied enough to cause a riff between Mimi and I. I believed they needed outside help; a program to explore diet, health, genetics to find out why they were dying and not reproducing. I wanted to incorporate the opinions of horse people into the film. Mimi wanted to keep things natural...just clinging to hope that one of the mares would have a foal. She is an amazing woman, so dedicated and passionate about her horses, but she is stubborn and set on what she believes is right. She wants no intervention or help. She is a soldier for those horses, works hard and loves them as family. But her years of working alone, has created one line of thought, with little interest in outside opinions.

The horses have an odd diet, surrounded by poisonous plants. I am not sure what can be done about that. I fear they are eating things that are making them sterile. For me, there is no right or wrong...there are just horses on the brink of extinction. In a blink, I fear they will be gone and we will be left to wonder if there was anything we could have done to stop it.

After our disagreement, the project was shelved. I haven't thought about the Abaco horses in awhile. I am cleaning out my computer and stumbled across the trailer. I get teary when I see Bellatrix look into my camera. She is gone, but I think I owe it to her to finish her film.

The Mane Event

2010-10-24T23:12:00.001-07:00

Just got back from my annual trip to Chilliwack, BC after attending "The Mane Event." It is a three day horse expo featuring Canada's top trainers and vendors. I always enjoy going because you see a lot of European products that aren't easily available in the US. Last year my favorite find was Tuffa Boots...this year I loved the HAF pads from Italy and the Sensation line of endurance products from Nickers Saddlery. Also, the distributor for Bucas blankets was there doing water demos with the fabric...can you say "amazing." The wicking fabric on the underside was like the Sham-Wow! The temperature range on the Power Turnout is perfect for Oregon. I will get one at some point...$300 is a little steep right now.

Some great clinicians are always there. One of my favorites is Jonathan Field. He does natural horsemanship, pulling most of his technique and horse philosophy from Parelli. He is really maturing as a teacher and student of the horse and he is a fan favorite up there. I have a clip of him performing the night of the Equine Extravaganza, it is similar to the performance Steve Rother does using a long pole.

Some of the clinicians that I enjoyed that were new this year...Michael Richardson, the man pictured in a wheelchair, had many strategies for acquiring an independent seat. I really enjoyed his perspective. He was always a horse person, but became a paraplegic after a jeep accident. Michael is involved with NARHA and makes prototype saddles for the handicapped. Aaron Ralston of reining fame was also there. He had a great demo on lead changes. Aaron is excellent at conveying information, I found myself taking many notes. He came out bareback and was an impressive rider. I missed the Trainers Challenge....I was disappointed last year in the judges choice, so I decided to skip it this year. The last photo is a group of ladies who ride side saddle called the "Nags." Can you believe ladies are still wanting to do that??

I know better...

2010-10-13T21:35:00.000-07:00

Stay out of the tack store!!!! Damn...now I found more things I just gotta have. The first thing I spot as I walk in...these awesome riding boots by Mountain Horse, called "Wicked Riding Boots." I have quite a few Converse All Stars in my shoe collection, so for me, these are perfect. Black, size 9 please.

I stroll pass the Kerrits, the FITS, the Equine Couture only to spot these awesome denim breeches made by Romfh. I want these. Not too bad at $118.95, considering the Goode Rider Ladies Couture denim is going for $160 and up. Linda over at Glisan Street Saddlery in Portland, really has a good eye for edgy stuff. She gets some of the most amazing bridles from Germany and fleece pads in wonderful colors like caramel. I love her store.

Why did I go in? I know better....must have, must have, must have.

Running from Within

2010-10-07T18:19:00.000-07:00

I am soooo looking forward to this movie this weekend. Desert Horses actually got to see him race. Wow. What a horse....we were lucky to have him for 19 years. Amazing spirit, the heart of a champion. This video clip of Secretariat is exhilarating to watch. Enjoy everyone.

I guess the embedded code was disabled by request...go to YouTube and watch it. It is worth it.

Hunting Season

2010-09-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Time to dig out all the orange...it is hunting season again in Oregon. Maddy wears her Equine Protectavest from Mac Mountain Tack in Maine. I have on orange (more like "cantaloupe") helmet cover I put on and I usually wear an orange jacket, but it was so hot today. If you need any great horse orange, check out Mac Mountain Tack. She is a really cool lady with really great stuff. I don't think you can ever have too much orange this time of year. I was thinking of getting some orange velcro and going around her medicine boots. I don't mind looking crazy to be safe.

Maddy and I did a beautiful, short ride before work. I love rides like the one today, very relaxed, the sun felt so good, but that hint of Fall was in the air. Tomorrow...Kacy from AllHorseStuff moves in. I am very excited to have my riding buddy back.

Little Bella

2010-09-25T22:06:00.000-07:00

My best friend's daughter, Bella, found a great bargain while hitting some garage sales today. Not often you find such a nice steed for $2. Score Bella! That is the horse to have...no board and no vet bills. Enjoy your four legged friend, looking forward to seeing it when I visit Minnesota again.

I went to some garage sales today as well. There is an event called "BarnHouse" that happens about every four months. A bunch of vendors that do rustic/vintage decor have a huge flea market. I went to get some ideas and maybe look for some things for my chicken coop. There were lots of nice things, but not quite what I needed. I did hit a good sale on the way to the barn. I will post a picture tomorrow of my wonderful treasure.

Live Wire Horses

2010-09-15T21:11:00.000-07:00

I received a wonder Live Wire Horse from a friend as a gift. She was shopping down in Ashland, Oregon while at the Shakespeare Festival when she spotted these cool little horses. I opened up the box and just fell in love with this tiny work of art. I went to the website and checked out the artist. She is really doing some cool stuff. Besides the Live Wire Horses, she is working with Ginger Kathrens of Cloud fame on another documentary...cool! With Christmas coming up, I think any horse lover would just love one of these. The website doesn't do them justice...they are very intricate and the colors are exquisite. Great gifts everyone.

Riding with Mom

2010-09-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

I have been off the grid more often than not this summer, so my blogging has been pretty sporadic. This just means more riding and more travels, so it is a good thing. My latest fun has been with my mom. After spending some time together in the San Juan Islands watching Orcas, she came down to Portland. We went to the barn on Sunday and she hit the trails with me. The last time we rode together was about 5 years ago, so to get on the trail with her is pretty special. I forgot my camera, so I got a quick pic of her with Ms. Freebie after we got back. I love catching people after a good ride...the smiles are always so big. Horses just bring us such joy, you can't help but exude happiness.

Timothy Lake

2010-08-16T21:32:00.001-07:00

The three amigos set out for a day of riding at Timothy Lake up near Mt. Hood. We created a list of places we wanted to ride earlier this summer, and we have managed to check off quite a few this year. Joni, Tammy, and I wanted to hit the water and do some swimming with our horses. I have heard wonderful things about the trails up there. I had no idea the water would be so blue and clear. We parked in the Joe Graham Horse Camp and saddled up. Maddy was already up to her water antics, tipping buckets and splashing.

We found our first water stop about 45 minutes into the ride. Maddy loved the boats. She started splashing and I kept coaxing her deeper into the lake...next thing you know...we are swimming! We rode on. I was soaked, but the swim was worth it. I took off my riding boots and strung them to my saddle. Stirrups are a little harsh on barefeet, I wouldn't recommend it. We hit another campsite with nice water access. Here Joni and Tammy did a bit more schooling with their non-water loving horses.
We rode on and on and on. We ended up doing the whole lake...not planned. Tammy and I are thinking demoting Joni from "Trail Boss":-). We think we did 23 miles...we think. All the literature on the lake trails are different...my butt says it was AT LEAST 23 miles. I am little sore, my calves are a little chaffed, but I will take it. I have great horse riding comrades and I am so proud of our horses. We rolled home about midnight, tired and with wet saddles pads. Timothy Lake...been there, done that, and I will be back to swim again.

Rogue of the Year

2010-07-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

Amy Platt of Bend says it's an image she won't soon forget.

On Saturday, she came home to find her four horses covered in blood. Two had been shot.

"There were four of them in the field, and they were all covered in blood, but she was the worst," she said Wednesday.

"This isn't okay," Platt said through the tears. "You can't go out there and shoot an innocent animal.

Police arrested Inga Kemnitz, the woman they say shot Platt's horses. Deschutes County sheriff's deputies say Kemnitz told officers she was shooting sage rats in a field. ((What???))

Platt, brought to tears at the thought of her distressed animals, says the whole thing confuses her. "We've never seen or spoke to this person," she said. "That's why it's so hard to wrap your head around why someone would do this to these beautiful, innocent horses. They're part of our family."

Sheriff's Sgt. Bryan Husband said around 9:25 p.m. Friday, a deputy patrolling eastbound on Hwy 20E east of Bend saw a woman running beside the road, a rifle in her hands.

The deputy stopped to talk to the woman, who identified herself as Kemnitz, 26, of Bend. More patrol deputies and detectives responded to assist with the investigation.

The owners of the horses were quickly identified as Platt and Justin Ward, who both responded to the scene. The horses were identified by their owners as a 3-year-old “Tobiono” paint mare quarter horse named “April,” and a 7-year-old “Dun” gelding quarter horse, named “Denny.”

Upon closer inspection of the horses, it was determined Denny had been shot in his head, just under his left eye, and April had been shot twice -- once in her chest area, and once in her hindquarter area.

The horses were loaded in a trailer by private party and transported immediately to the Bend Equine Medical Center.

Kemnitz initially was taken into custody by deputies for an outstanding local warrant and transported to the county jail.

On Sunday, more evidence linking Kemnitz to the animal abuse was located in the area of the horse pasture. Detectives went to the jail and added charges against Kemnitz, Husband said.

Husband said she faces three counts of first-degree aggravated animal abuse, two counts of first-degree criminal mischief, and a single count of criminal trespass while in possession of a firearm.

Kemnitz was arrested in April 2009 on numerous counts of theft, criminal trespass and other charges, accused of breaking into two cars and taking purses and other items at Black Butte Ranch, and other thefts in the Camp Sherman area.

Mountain Trail Course

2010-07-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

Today was another road trip. Joni and I headed over to my friend Nicole's house. Her property borders BLM land and lots of amazing trails. Can you say "water crossings!". But first, her neighbor had this amazing trail course. We had to check that out. This woman does competitive trail mountain courses, so she built one in her back yard. Lucky us! Unfortunately I was having so much fun trying all the obstacles, I didn't get many picures, but imagine a bunch of "stations" with different tasks. I loved all the trenches and there was this pulley thing that you lifted up by backing your horse and up comes and big tire and tarp. Joni's horse Sky, did great through the car wash and Nicole's horse Ari, jumped in the trenches. It was so cool and it gave us lots of good ideas. It also showed us what we need to work on. Car wash Maddy...go through it,don't eat it! Then we hit the trails......(to be continued)

Attacked!

2010-07-16T00:54:00.000-07:00

After our Parelli lesson on Sunday, I took Joni over to one of my old haunts, Whipple Creek Equestrian Park. When I first got back into riding seven years ago after a long hiatus, I leased a horse next to the park. I would ride every Thursday and I found myself falling in love with horses all over again. The park has a lot of good memories and I've been wanting to ride Maddy there. Sunday I had the chance to fulfill a little dream of mine. Little did I know, Clark County Vector Control has been slacking and the trails were still muddy, creating the perfect habitat for swarms of mosquitoes. Those nasty little things really got us. We cut our ride short and got the heck out of there, but not before poor Maddy was just mauled. I feel so bad for my bumpy girl.

Parelli Lesson

2010-07-13T23:48:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, my barnmate and I drove up to Battleground, WA for a Parelli lesson with Michael Sparling. We met Michael at the Redmond Parelli tour stop. He is a young, enthusiastic trainer so we thought "why not?" I was a little anxious about things...I haven't had a Parelli lesson since Ann Kiser left over two years ago. I still worry about trailering new places and how Maddy will respond. I need to get over my fears. Maddy walked off that trailer, took a casual look around and started eating grass. So once I was over my worries about her, I worried about myself.

Running through Parelli procedures...trying to remember all the things they teach without my modifications. My lesson went really well. We focused on all online things...he called it a "day of refinement." Polished up my weaves and worked on a better depart for the circling game. He pointed out I need to direct her zones better, which is why my circling game departs kind of started with a sideways and then depart. He was very observant and was clear with his directions. I was pretty pleased and excited to have some direction and homework.

Joni doesn't know a lot about Parelli, but was willing to try a lesson. Joni and Sky had a very similar lesson to my own, working on shoulder yields and hindquarter yields along with better departs. He comes down to our area about once a month. We are hoping we can convince Michael to hold lessons out at our barn in the Beavercreek area...wouldn't that be nice. Below are a few pictures of Joni, Sky, and Michael in their lesson. The last one is Maddy, content, not a care in the world, just make sure my haybag is full.

Off to New York

2010-07-02T11:02:00.001-07:00

A last minute garage sale find before I head out of town for 6 days. Check out these cool vintage Kentucky Derby glasses...one is 1962. Yeah! Anyway, I am off to visit a friend in New York. Forget the Statue of Liberty or Times Square, I made her promise to take me to Manhattan Saddlery and Belmont Park. Hope you all enjoy your weekend. Happy 4th!

Freeway Encounter

2010-06-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

I was driving down I-5 south, passing many a truck and trailer as it was the weekend of Inavale Horse Trials, when a large truck and trailer caught my eye. On the back was www.teamtryon.com . An infamous equestrian celebrity sighting, Amy Tryon. Many of you remember her from the Rolex investigation in 2007. She jumped the last fence on her horse ,Le Samurai, who was running on three legs. She dismounted at the finish line and left others to care for him. He was later put down. She was investigated for abuse and after reviewing footage, they disqualified her.

In 2008, she fell off Poggio II during the Olympics and was eliminated because she didn't complete the course.

I don't know Amy, but articles said she began riding when she was 8. She excelled and has an impressive resume in the horse world. But I hope she is the exception rather than the example. It's seems goals and glory have clouded her love of the horse. Maybe she is the type of competitor that never had it, maybe chasing the blue has always been more important. I can remain hopeful that the past couple of years have taught her some tough lessons. I hope she realizes that riding is a partnership. The better relationship, the better the ride. As I drove passed, I thought of Le Samurai and Poggio and hoped that whoever was riding along in the back of that trailer would have a different kind of legacy.

Good Day..

2010-06-23T21:08:00.000-07:00

I wish everyday would start this way. I woke up to sunshine and a text asking "are you going riding today?" I met Joni early out at the barn and she promised to show me a new trail she found. We both packed our clippers because we knew we would have to trim some branches. It was a great trail that a poker ride group recently broke for us. We vowed to keep this well traveled so we don't lose it. Great morning ride and we made it back in time to get me to work on time.

Beach Trip

2010-06-20T22:23:00.000-07:00

Kacy from All Horse Stuff invinted me and my barnmates for a beach trip to the lovely town of Tillamook, Oregon. Kacy boards with the woman who owns "The Bay Ocean House," so that is where we get stay. I think this is my fourth trip...every time I go, I love it more. Maddy has gotten accustomed to the sights and sounds of the ocean and this trip she behaved so well. I am really proud of all the horses...they were all rockstars. Enjoy some of my photos from the trip. We had so much fun, cooking, hot tubbing, riding, and watching "The Lone Ranger" and "National Velvet" in our down time. Kacy took took some really cool pics....go visit her blog:-). I was busy messing with my HD Helmet cam, which is still a work in progress.

Teeth Float

2010-05-11T22:33:00.001-07:00

Maddy got her teeth done today. I know how much I hate the dentist, so I can't imagine how much horses dislike this medieval torture. She did pretty well, a little skittish when Dr. Klugh approached. He wrote the book "Principles of Equine Dentistry," so I felt she was in pretty good hands. As she was rigged up, she kept giving me this look like "Why are you doing this to me?" Oh the guilt. The barn was full of groggy horses. We had 5 done today. As I was driving home, I realized that I just paid $248 for a teeth float without hesitation, but last week I was told I need new brake pads for $225. Horse comes first. The Jetta can wait. I am holding out for a few more weeks:-).

Shameful.

2010-05-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

People like Lorie Wigle make me sick. I mentioned I had a lot of problems with horse racing in the previous post, sadly people like Lorie Wigle are a dime a dozen within the racing industry. I have to give credit to Fugly Horse of the Day for bringing the story to light. I pass it along because she is a PR rep for Intel which is based in Beaverton, Oregon.

Allegedly, Lorie had a horse named "Feebie Fritz" which ran on Monday at Portland Meadows and on Tuesday he was sitting in a kill pen up in Zillah, Washington. I don't need to say much more. It makes me sick that someone who claims to have a "passion for raising Thoroughbred horses" can actually do something like this and have a clear conscience.

The only bright side in all this is that Freebie Fritz was rescued out of the kill pen by RACE Equine Rescue.

Kentucky Derby in Portland

2010-05-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

I can't stay away. I have so many issues with horse racing, but that first Saturday in May rolls around and I have to head to the track. For me it is nostalgia. My family always went down to Minneapolis to an old German neighborhood called "Bryn Mawr." We would visit with friends and family, go to the neighborhood garage sales, bbq, and watch the derby. To this day, my family does the same thing, minus me. So the best I can do is head to the local track, Portland Meadows, and take it in. Kentucky Derby day always makes me homesick. I find comfort in the fact that everyone from home called me yesterday to ask my picks. I know they miss me too.
I couldn't believe the crowd yesterday. Portland Meadows was packed. I even had a celebrity sighting...I am saving that for my next post:-).

Some friends met me out there and I ran into Richard of Nine Horses Studio. We did some gambling. I prefer $2 exacta boxes. I spent about $20..didn't cash in anything. I tend to bet on jockeys, not horses. It wasn't working yesterday. I always think, the better the joc is in the standings, the better the mount. Had I used this tactic in the Derby, I would have picked whoever Mike Smith was riding and Super Saver. But instead I had Sidney's Candy and American Lion as my picks. They were way back. I didn't care. It wasn't Bryn Mawr, but it was enough to be surrounded by friends, enjoying our drinks, taking in the sunshine pondering which beautiful horse would cross the wire first.

Day trip to Hopkins

2010-04-26T23:36:00.000-07:00

Joni, Tammy, and I took the "kids" to Hopkins Demonstration Forest. It is about 15 minutes away, so we thought it would be a good training trip to gear up for summer. I was working on trailering, Tammy worked on keeping her mare responsive, and Joni wanted to hit some water. We did all that and even managed to climb some stairs. Hopkins is a privately owned forest that is open to the public. In years past, lots of the trails were open to equestrians. This trip, we noticed more trails that are off limits to horses. I get bummed when I see these signs.We hit some trails outside of Hopkins and when all was said in done, we were in the saddle for about 3 hours. I was pretty happy with Maddy. She kept her cool in the trailer and came in and out calmly. My two weeks of intense work paid off. Below is a picture of Tammy and Joni enjoying a little break on "Lost Lane."

Splash

2010-04-16T20:13:00.000-07:00

My friend Joni and I hit the trails for a quick ride on Wednesday. It was nice and sunny. In Oregon you have to take advantage of those types of days. Joni, or as I like to call her "Trailboss," is a human GPS. I am so envious of people that don't get lost out on that BLM land. I lose my bearings quickly, and can only explore on days I don't have to get to work just in case I get lost. Joni took me to a new area that I am trying to map out mentally. It helps to have her connect the dots. As a bonus, we found a pond with a shallow edge that Maddy could go splash in. She loves the water, Skye the big palomino, thinks it is going to swallow him whole.

Some day Skye will have the courage to go in. Joni is working hard on getting him used to water, so maybe by the end of summer he will splash in with Maddy.

Walkabout Tour 2010 Redmond

2010-04-11T22:15:00.000-07:00

I had a weekend away with the girls down in Redmond, Oregon enjoying the Clinton Anderson tour. This is my third time going to see the Aussie. I headed down Saturday morning, the girls were a day ahead of me, so they enjoyed a day of shopping in the lovely city of Bend followed by a night of wine and hot tubing. As I rolled in Saturday, I met my crew headed out for their lunch break....Joni was grinning ear to ear. She just won the grand prize ($800 value) "Fundamentals" program. High five! Guess who is going to borrow that:-)
I missed the morning session, but arrived in time to watch a ground work session with a beautiful, but pushy, dominant buckskin named "Leroy." I took away from this session that I should strive for a "higher grade" with Maddy. She does most of the things I ask, but does she do them enthusiastically or the speed I want...sometimes, but not always. So I am going to raise the bar. I need to raise my expectations and get my horse out of kindergarten.

After that Clinton rode Diez, his quarter horse gelding. Diez looks like a body builder in the horse world, compact and muscle bound.

We stayed with Jim and Shoshana Buckendorf of Suite Escapes. They have a beautiful, jaw dropping property they rent out. We enjoyed the western themed decor, gorgeous copper accents, and big cozy rooms with fireplaces. It was so nice. I feel inspired to re-decorate after staying there. It was amazing.

We stayed up drinking wine and talking horses. We could have talked horses until dawn, but we had a clinic to get to! Sunday we watched advanced ground work, work under saddle, and trailer loading. When it was over, we went down to get our picture with Clinton. Of course, we had to torture our barn owner Tammy who couldn't come due to a agility dog trial. We got Clinton to sign a calender that says "Tammy, Where were you?" Clinton. He was happy to play along. He is signing her calender in the photo below. We missed you Tammy, but Clinton promised to return to Oregon on his next tour.

Save the Mounted Patrol

2010-04-01T15:40:00.000-07:00

Nine horses in Portland may be out of a job. The Portland Police Bureau is looking at $3 million dollars in budget cuts and the Mounted Patrol is on the chopping block. The unit costs a mere $570,000 a year. Not bad in the realm of public safety.

They are responsible for crowd control, public relations, and downtown patrols. They average about 150 arrests a month and they have a huge presence at downtown protests. In Portland, you know we have lots of those! The Mounted Patrol is solely responsible for moving crowds in these big events. It is pretty amazing to watch. The horses even wear face masks so they are not subject to the pepper spray.

I know they do a lot of dressage training and recently had Ken Mcnabb in for some instruction. They really are a great group of people and I think it would be a huge loss to the city of Portland to have their unit dissolved.

The Friends of the Mounted Patrol has a Facebook page...if you would like to join and support them.

Expo Likes and Dislikes

2010-03-26T23:48:00.000-07:00

It took a week to recover, but it was a lot of fun...the 2010 NW Horse Fair and Expo. Friday, three of us headed down and hit Steve Rother talking about body control. Next we went to Al Dunning talking about Western Dressage. Then it was off to shop. I bought a few things, a Courbette dressage bridle, a dressage pad, and a cool bag.

Sunday..we hit Steve Rother again, trail obstacles. Then it was the "Mustang Challenge." We did a little more shopping and decided to head back into Portland.

Things I liked about the Expo:

1. I went with a fun group of friends, interested in learning and exploring.
2. Steve Rother is coming into his own as a clinician. He did a nice job this year.
3. People were willing to "wheel and deal." Got some really good buys.
4. Parelli had a booth and I got to catch up with Ann Kiser.
5. Ansur Saddle was there. Beautiful saddles, and nice to see a big presence.
6. Mustangs that were auctioned off seemed to be going high. Great to see the demand for these horses and love that the program is gaining popularity.

Things I didn't like about the Expo:

1. A lot fewer vendors this year.
2. I liked Al Dunning, but wish he would have taught us about Western Dressage instead of giving us his resume. He started showing us some patterns with about 15 minutes left in his hour.
3. Tired of the ya-hoo's that do Mustang Challenge and place high even though they are just jerking their horses head all over the place and forcing their horses into maneuvers. Top two were said "ya-hoo's". I prefer watching trainers with softer hands and have a more willing partners.
4. Tired of judges who still give high scores to ya-hoo's.
5. They schedule it the same weekend as Canby tack sale. Boo!

I can bad mouth "ya-hoos" because I was one once...thank you Tom Dorrance for changing my ways.

Dude, Where's my Forest?

2010-03-21T21:45:00.000-07:00

What a great horse weekend in Oregon! We had the "NW Horse Expo" along with the "Mustang Challenge" down in Albany. On Saturday, we had the famous "Canby Tack Sale," the biggest tack swap meet in the country. We also managed to squeeze in one heck of a ride.

The only bad news in all this...they are cutting our trees! Well, not our trees, BLM trees, but they felt like "our" trees. We headed towards a trail with a decent water crossing and found our route was no longer. All the trees were down. If you watch the video clip, even the horses looked stunned. We knew they were planning on cutting portions of the forest soon. It was sad to see our routes decimated. We're never afraid to blaze a new trail, so my riding companions searched for any possible way of getting through but the trees were stacked too high. We found a way around it by going back out on the road. We rode long enough for me to be sore the next day. Sucks getting old. Anyway, the expo was tons of fun, even if I was hobbling around on Sunday. I will post some highlights and some disappointments later this week.

Ride with Cliff

2010-03-14T21:28:00.000-07:00

Maddy is looking over at Freebie thinking "I wonder is this old red roan can keep up?" My step-dad Cliff is out visiting from Minnesota and I was hoping there would be a clear day so we could hit the trails together. "Freebie" is the barn husband horse, the pack master, otherwise know as "the couch." She is the kind of horse that takes care of her rider. After brushing about two pounds of hair from her, we hit the trails. I promised a short ride so Cliff wouldn't be too sore tomorrow. We had a great time and the mares trailed so well together. We even got some good glimpses of Mt. Hood. I am really glad I talked him into saddling up with me. Even if it was a western saddle...Cliff was a dressage enthusiast back in the day. As we left the barn for our drive home, he said, "I hope this doesn't give me horse fever...." Cliff, by the look on your face...I'd say your temp is at least 104.

Fatal Horse Accident

2010-03-11T15:33:00.000-08:00

A really sad story came in last night while at work. A Battle Ground woman was found dead after a horse returned to its boarding stable without a rider.

She was identified as Candace "Candy" Morrison, 57. Morrison was a music teacher at Hudson's Bay High School in Vancouver.

Another rider found the horse and she immediately began to search for the missing rider, going down a gravel road on Longview Timber property.

About one mile along, the rider found Morrison lying on the road. She had head trauma and was not wearing a riding helmet.

I don't know the lady, but my heart goes out to her family. I think anyone who has experience with horses knows the risks, but we chose to take them anyway. I started wearing a helmet 5 years ago and will never ride without one. I wish she had one on yesterday. It may have saved her life.

Surprises

2010-03-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

A package arrived on my doorstep on Saturday morning. It came from Minnesota, the return address bearing my dad's name. I opened it up and found this letter on top with a picture of my grandparents.

Julie,

"All this things in here are over 100 years old. The horseshoe was made by your great grandpa in 1908. He was 14 years old. It was made at the stable at the lake. The horses had this kind of shoe so they could go out on the ice and pull ice blocks back. Great grandpa and great great grandpa would sell the ice in Perham and Wadena. The ice house in Wadena was two blocks from the farm."

I unpacked the box and found the horseshoe as described, an old lantern, some neat jars, and an old lock.

My dad and I have had a difficult relationship. It isn't always easy to love him and I work really hard at it. This package was so thoughtful and dear in so many different ways. I wondered what prompted him to do this. It was simple, but so meaningful. As I took the horseshoe out and held it, I knew in that one instant it will always be one of my favorite things.

Isn't it just amazing? Look at the size of it and the design. It now sits on my mantle above the fireplace. A simple, rusty old horseshoe that means so much.

Riding up in Heaven

2010-02-23T21:31:00.000-08:00

"Riding up in heaven" is a term I heard Walter Zettl say while giving a dressage lesson. He explained it to mean "look up, carry yourself like you are there, and with luck your horse is perfectly round and forward." I didn't know what that felt like, but hoped someday to experience it. I am a novice dressage arena rider. I had about two years of lessons, 6 months of which were on Maddy. When I changed barns last summer, sadly left behind my amazing teacher. I practice things I pick up at various expos, dressage books and dvds, and I try to remember things that Michelle taught me.

Maddy and I have been working on a Walter Zettl suggestion of warming up with walk trot transiitions and alternating with a fast/slow trot. It is really helping her get on the bit, round up, and stay forward. I have been loving the progress, but I had no idea what I was about to get.

I started today with some liberty work in the round pen. Maddy was having fun doing her figure 8 patterns and rolling barrels with her knees. Her favorite thing. I would love to see a barrel racer take this horse into competition. She would make a beeline for the first barrel, promptly knock it over and proceed to roll it across the arena with her ears flopped out to the side. It is so funny to watch.

Anyway, I still had some time to tack up and do some arena work. We started out with Walter's coaching in my head. All of a sudden I had this amazing horse underneath me. She was so forward and round, I felt like I was floating in my posts. I yelled "I have a dressage horse!" "Maddy...this is dressage!" Today I rode up in heaven....and it was amazing. Thank you Walter...thank you Maddy. I am a very proud horse owner today.

Dirtiest Horse Award

2010-02-09T22:50:00.001-08:00

I think this time of year we can all relate. Go to the barn, muddy horse, clean muddy horse, turnout, go to the barn, muddy horse, clean muddy horse, turnout and so on and so on and so on. This was Maddy's pile of grime on Sunday. I set my size 9 foot next to it just so you get a sense for how dirty my mare loves to get. I am issuing a "Muddy Horse Challenge"....anyone out there have a horse dirtier than mine? I would love to see a picture.

Saddle Fit Clinic

2010-01-31T20:02:00.001-08:00

Pumpkin Ridge Equestrian Center hosted a free saddle fitting clinic the afternoon with Ilene Nessenson. Ilene owns Holistic Horse Bodyworks.

About twenty five clinic attendees showed up, saddles in hand to learn more about how these things should look on our horses. Ilene had us flip our saddles over and check the flocking and really feel every inch of the saddle. One of the saddles brought actually had a broken tree...wow. Next we learned how to find the last rib and saddle placement on the sweet spot. Also, a reminder to pull out that mounting block and look down on your horse. Look for symmetry and straightness and note sides that may need work or shimming. Finally we tried all our saddles on three different demo horses, applying information we had just learned to assess how well the saddles fit. Sadly, one or two saddles worked out of the whole bunch. It was very informative and it was a reminder to really feel your tack. We passed around a bunch of cinches, that look acceptable, but upon feeling them, had serious issues.

A fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon with girlfriends, each of us dreaming of our next perfect fitting saddle.

New Truck

2010-01-23T20:23:00.000-08:00

I got a new truck yesterday! Horse camping and trailer towing is going to be fun in 2010! I wanted to let everyone know I am recovering from my car accident. Thanks so much for all the care and concern from all my blogger friends. I didn't realize the swelling, the bruising, and the stiffness that would follow my accident. Having never had a concussion before, I didn't realize how "tipsy" you are and that nausea and headaches that come with that. I spent my weekend on the couch, not on the trails as planned. My stitches came out this week and I and waiting to see how bad the scar is across my eye. But I am on the mend and trying to figure out what car is next. The truck is a hauling vehicle for the boat and trailer, but it will tide me over until I find my daily driver.
I drove the new truck out to see Maddy. My little Cairn Terrier, Ellie, enjoyed the ride out into the country (she rode up front, not in the back---just in the back for photo). My dog and I went for a little walk on the trails, since I have to hold off the riding for a little while longer. I am ready to have life get back to normal...days of sleeping and talking to insurance people and thinking of dealing with car salesmen are no fun. As you all know, I'd rather be riding!

Horse Neglect

2010-01-22T20:35:00.001-08:00

Notorious horse flipper Tania Herring of Mill City, Oregon finally busted for animal neglect. Investigators found 116 horses on the property, 70 showing severe signs of neglect. Two were found in a trailer with the worse case of strangles I have ever seen. They are the two pictured lying down. It was pretty sick watching the video of these horses the other day. Sores, starvation, and mange so bad some horses didn't even have any hair.
They seized 30 yesterday and figure more in the next few days. She is facing 30 counts of animal neglect and hopefully some jail time. Linn County Sheriffs deputies are saying this is the worst case of neglect they have ever seen. How about banning her from ever owning a horse again?

Non Horse Accident

2010-01-14T11:02:00.000-08:00

I got into a bad accident yesterday and the only way it is connected to horses is that I was driving FROM the barn. I was sitting at a flagger stop by a construction zone and all of a sudden WHAM! A car plows into me from behind. Felt like a got hit in the head with a bat. My face hit the steering wheel and I have a 2 inch cut across my lid and a giant mass on the back of my head. I got to ride in an ambulance...I think my poor little Geo Tracker is totaled. She was such a good little car...sad she had to go out that way. I was wearing my riding clothes, so everyone thought I was bucked off a horse in the emergency room. I am hurting today, very sore with a big black eye and stitches, but recovering. Amazing how one little event can really rattle your world. Now I have to deal with insurance, no vehicle, possible truck shopping, and doctors. All I wanted to do this weekend is hit the trails, not sure if I will feel good enough to ride by Saturday, but I am working on it.

Celebs to the rescue

2010-01-10T20:38:00.000-08:00

Sheryl Crow is working to halt the roundup of 2,500 mustangs in Nevada which began last month.

"My main concern is that horse numbers not be dwindled down to where they can become extinct," she said, fearing the roundups are leaving mustang herds with too few breeding horses.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Crow said the romantic symbols of the American West are being sacrificed, in part, because of ranchers' drive for land. She disputed the government's position that booming mustang numbers are threatening the horses with starvation, and harming arid range lands and native wildlife.

"I think there has to be a better way than taking them away from their native lands," she said by phone from New York. "I feel so passionate about the issue because wild horses are one of the last remaining ties to the land as it was and our history in America."

Meanwhile, there are other celebrities pushing the cause, including Willie Nelson, Lily Tomlin, Bill Maher and Ed Harris.

The photo is of Crow and Ginger Kathrens, the maker of the Cloud documentaries.

Get him a pony!

2010-01-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

This is my nephew, Weston. My brother and his wife say they don't want any ponies, but I think Weston has other ideas. Since they won't cave, he has taken to riding Vader, the black lab. Not sure if Vader is enjoying his time under saddle, but it is clear Weston wants to be a cowboy.

"Banging" a Tail

2010-01-07T10:24:00.001-08:00

Maddy has been blessed with a thick, healthy tail. It grows so fast, sometimes I trim it up and it seems a few weeks later it is brushing the floor again. I do put a conditioner on about once a week and I use Laser Sheen every time I brush it out. She also gets a cup of flax a day which may contribute as well. Some would look at that long tail and scream "Don't cut it!" I trim it because of a horror story I heard once.

A friend of a friend had a Lipizzaner with a tail that dragged on the floor. Well, one day he was lying down and went to get up, stepped on his tail and tore half of it out. The tail is so sensitive, it got badly infected and he couldn't be ridden for a couple weeks because he was in so much pain.

So I think of that story and out comes the scissors! After combing out completely, the secret to a good trim job is to use a leg wrap, towel, or boot and position it under the tail. This raises the tail up to is natural set so you can get a perfect straight cut. Make sure your horse is "ok" with putting something there before you try this.

Next, figure out how much you want to lop off. I think this time I did about 5 inches. Grab the tail in your hand and just cut straight across in one snip. Be conservative on your first cut, you can always take off more if you want it shorter. That is it. A perfect straight cut. Don't forget to remove your leg wrap and give your horse a treat for tolerating their makeover.

2010 off to a good start

2010-01-03T19:34:00.001-08:00

A group from the barn hit the trails today. The three of us headed out in search of new trails for the new year. This winter has been so dry and even with the snow last week, there have been lots of perfect days to ride. Last weekend, I went out with the barn owner, Tammy. It seems that everyone is working on their water crossing skills and for good reason. We crossed quite a few extra large puddles and streams. We only had one little incident, Mike rammed a tree with his knee rounding a corner. He said it was feeling better by the time we reached the barn. I've done that quite a few times, once at the canter. Ouch! I haven't posted about Maddy in awhile and just wanted everyone to know we are putting on the miles and getting out there. Happy Trails!

Happy New Year

2009-12-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year Everyone. Looking forward to an exciting 2010.

Avatar the Movie

2009-12-27T15:43:00.000-08:00

I saw the movie "Avatar" this weekend in 3-D. It is a visual epic with those funny glasses on. Things seemed to float right in front of your face and you almost get woozy from the rides on the backs of Banshee dragons. The premise...a paralyzed former Marine is sent into the forest in the body of an avatar to make friends with the Na'vi tribe. The information collected will help the government learn more about them so better able to fight, destroy, and steal their land. Think futuristic "Dances with Wolves." The Marine comes to admire the tribe, enjoys walking again, and manages to fall in love with the chief's daughter. Again, very reminiscent of Kevin Costner's role...the whole Lakota fascination, the near leg amputation, and his love affair with "Stands with a Fist." His loyalties are put to the test as the government is on the brink of invasion. The ending...well...I guess you will just have to go see it.

So what does this post have to do with horses? On the planet of Pandora, there are some equine like creatures called "Dire" and some "Banshee" (dragon) wrangling. But more importantly the characters in the movie have to build relationships with these creatures. They don't just hop on and ride away into the sunset. The Na'vi woman explains to the Marine that in order to ride a Dire, you have to connect with it. To become one, "every breath is your breath, every stride your stride." The Na'vi have a long braids that entwine with the Dire mane and it is what helps form the bond. Watching the first encounter with the Dire is good fun for people with horses. We can laugh as the Marine soon realizes it is a lot harder than it looks.

He eventually figures it out, but eventually the Marine wants to fly...he wants a Banshee. The Na'vi woman explains, "a Banshee has to pick you." He asks "how will I know I've been picked?" She says "it will try to kill you." Yep, another smile from the horse people. Reminds me of the day Maddy roared off the trailer, her first day in Oregon. She picked me alright:-). Fun aside, I like that the movie understood the deep bond between horse and human. You understood the empowerment, the freedom, and the grace that riding offers and that it is indeed a privilege to be allowed onto their backs. As the Marine comes to understand his bond with his animals and the forest, he grows and is compelled to be a better person. He is riding between worlds and there is something spiritual in that. Only horses can take us there and this movie understands that.

Christmas Horse Cookies

2009-12-23T23:47:00.000-08:00

Great idea for all you out there that want to get in a little holiday baking and make something yummy for your horse. I found this recipe a couple years ago and it sat and sat and sat and this year I slipped on my apron and fired up the oven. It is a pretty easy recipe for Apple Carrot Horse Cookies.

Here is the recipe:
1 cup of grated carrots
1 cup of grated apples
2 Tbsp. corn oil
1/4 cup molasses
1 tsp. salt
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup flour

Combine the ingredients and blend well. Drop the dough by spoonfuls two inches apart on an baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until lightly browned.I am delivering them to the barn tomorrow as gifts from Maddy to all her stablemates. They smell good and look good, but I will have to see if the horses enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them.

Kerrits Sale

2009-12-05T15:22:00.000-08:00

This unassuming little red building out in the Gorge holds some of the most coveted apparel for the equestrian, Kerrits brand clothing. To our delight, once a year they have a WAREHOUSE SALE!!!I went with two friends, Tammy and Nicole. We made the trek out to Hood River, visions of breeches, jackets, and fleeces dancing in our heads. The strategy...get there early and you are more likely to find samples and irregulars and cheap, cheap, cheap prices. We got there so early, we had to kill some time with coffee. We finally headed over and started our power shopping. Walking into that warehouse...you almost hear angels sing! My stack contained 2 jackets, 2 fleece, 4 breeches, 6 shirts, two hats, and two socks. My bargain of the day...my "Coach's Coat" normally $229 retail for a mere $39. That was the one things I really wanted and they had an irregular in my size sitting right on the table waiting for me to plop it in my bag.

For Tammy and Nicole, it was their first time at the sale. I was thrilled that they enjoyed it as much as I and both had comparable stacks. For Nicole, she was excited about her half chap find and some Christmas gifts she found for her mom. Tammy found some awesome breeches samples ($29!) made from fabrics that were soft and looked like denim and a really cool belted black pair that were really hip. Tammy is the sample size (medium) so she scored some killer deals on coats as well. Tammy brought her SUV...we filled it and headed off to lunch at the aptly named "Big Horse Brewery" to refuel after our exciting morning of bargains.

Legendary Art

2009-11-28T20:06:00.000-08:00

There was an open artist studio in Portland today that I went to check out. Near the back I spotted them....a whole herd of beautiful sculpted stoneware horses. The artist is Jan Rentenaar. You can see more examples of her work here. She says, "What you see here is myth made reality by the hand of a sculptor." My IPhone pics don't do them justice. These horses are stunning and as you stand back and look, you see characteristics in each one that resemble the horses we know. I ended up getting a beautiful green one that reminded me of Maddy. It had a floppy mane and big cheeks. It would seem I handed Jan a photo of Maddy and said "Make this horse!"

Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T00:05:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Enjoy your friends, family, and food.

Shrinking Equus

2009-11-19T12:03:00.000-08:00

I just got my December issue of Equus Magazine. I have been getting it for years because I enjoy the fresh information. I think even on the web, you can google horse related topics and it is very limited. Especially if you want to learn about equine science. Equus is always forward thinking in their publishing of studies and research on horse health and advancements in care. Sometimes the content available online seems as arcane as some of the training methods that are out there. Just in this issue, an article about a new strangles vaccine and a study about gender affecting trainability. I am not writing this to sell subscriptions, but instead to mourn the loss of pages over the last couple months. My favorite magazine is shrinking. I set a nickel down next to it and it is the same thickness, a mere 72 pages. Coming from someone who works in news, I have watched the steadily decline in print over the last couple years and now I am seeing the bottom drop out. Print is gasping for breath and I think within the next two years we will witness its death. That means newspapers, magazines, and eventually books. Yes books. Have you seen the Kindle or the app on the IPhone that just lets you download books? Everything will be online, electronic information. So today I am going to kick back and enjoy turning my pages...even if it is only 72.

Lucky Friday the 13th

2009-11-13T10:48:00.000-08:00

I promised a story from "The Mane Event" about survival, well here it is. This is a story about luck on this Friday the 13th. On December 4, 2008, the SPCA in Frasier Valley received a call about a pack of abandoned dogs. Upon arriving on the scene of the abandoned property, they heard a noise coming from a dilapidated shed. They entered and saw a shape huddled in the corner. It was an abandoned horse, surviving in this barn for possibly 5 months. He ate wood and his own feces and licked the condensation off stacks of tin. They suspected he was a yearling, his growth stunted from starvation. As they led him outside into the sun, he shook violently and was little more than a walking skeleton. It was a long road of rehab and recovery. A year later his adopter brought him to "The Mane Event" to participate in some of the Jonathan Field demonstrations. This little guy seemed to be in good hands, a caring owner that hopefully made this pact. "In exchange for your trust, I promise to never allow anything like that to happen to you again."

Love this

2009-11-09T20:56:00.001-08:00

Isn't this a beautiful painting? I love it. I saw it on a first Thursday Artwalk in Portland, Oregon a couple weeks ago. For a mere $600, it could be mine. (Gasp!) It is big, like 5x5. I have always been drawn to circus books, pictures, and paintings. Maybe in another life, I ran off and joined one. I don't enjoy going to them. I find myself feeling sorry for the animals, but the images and the lifestyle have always been intriguing. Maybe I just love those beautiful white horses. Oh, I love this painting...a girl can dream right? The artist can be found at www.bantampainter.com

Weston

2009-11-05T22:54:00.000-08:00

I realize he is not wearing a helmet and lots of people will be upset by that...but I had to post this pic anyway. My brother just sent me this photo. It is my little nephew Weston sitting on "Jessie". I love seeing him up on a horse. My brother and I grew up on the backs of ponies, so I hope Weston has the same kind of childhood. My sister-in-law doesn't like horses, so I think his only opportunity for riding will be when he comes to visit his aunt Julie or visits grandpa.

Maddy in the Mud

2009-11-04T23:42:00.000-08:00

"I head out to Maddy's run and think to myself, "she is not too muddy today."She turns to head my way, looking good, showing off her new trace clip. I love that Maddy is always curious. If I go out to her pasture, she can't resist coming over to check out what I am doingAs she gets closer...I start to see her left side. Yep, I knew it was too good to be true. She is muddy, caked, my little pig trapped in a horse's body. The great thing about my new barn is that the mud is very minimal, even when it is raining hard. They do pasture rotation and the runs have great drainage. No matter, if there is a bit of mud, Maddy will find it. Let the grooming begin!

Trainer's Challenge

2009-11-03T00:02:00.000-08:00

The Trainer's Challenge is something we have all come to enjoy at most expos. If you haven't seen one, the premise is simple. Selected trainers take unbroke horses and see what they can produce after 3 days of training. The challenge usually has a judging criteria, 10% horse, 60% trainer's ability to train the horse, and 30% the trainer's ability to translate to the public. The three contestants at The Mane Event this year were, Ken McNabb of RFD fame, Martin Black out of Idaho, and Bruce Logan out of Texas.

They all did a good job, but one really, really impressed me, Bruce Logan. This cowboy was so soft and he took everything the horse offered, allowing it to figure out how to do things correctly. It was amazing to watch and so different from the other two. It is no wonder; he trained under Ronnie Willis. For Bruce, the horse was checked in the whole time and there was language developing between the two. As the horse worked around the arena, you could see his confidence building and he was willing to let Bruce guild him over obstacles. That horse was becoming "solid." What a great foundation for that horse to start with. Way to go Bruce...I like what you are doing for the horse world!

Ken did a good job, but he seemed more concerned about the clock and talking to the judges...it almost seemed like he was bored with the whole thing. I know he does good work and I appreciate that he plugs People Helping Horses, but it just didn't seem like his heart was in it.

Martin Black, was the one I liked the least and yes, he won. He seemed like a decent guy, his methods just aren't in line with the way I like to see people work with horses. I know these guys have three days to get the horses as far as they can, and it is a competition. Everything they did was impressive, but just because a horse does something, doesn't mean it was done right. Martin's horse whinnied the whole time, raced around the arena, sweated out, and it seemed that he had a death grip on the reins. The horse did everything he wanted, but it felt forced. He was a bit more of a showman and won over the crowd.

At this point in my life, I just prefer watching the building of a relationship between horse and human over force and acceptance. I was bummed the judges didn't see what I saw, but the crowd was happy. They got their hero, but it made me sad to see yet another equine competition won by quantity not quality. I hope you all read up on Bruce..he really impressed me. Bruce Logan has a new fan and I wish him much success in the future. Go check out his website and learn more about him.

The Mane Event

2009-10-26T15:46:00.001-07:00

This weekend was "The Mane Event" up in Chilliwack, British Columbia. It is a three day horse expo offering plenty of vendors, training seminars, and a trainer's challenge. The cool thing about going to a Canadian horse expo is that you see many exciting and different products, mostly European. I fell in love with a few items and managed to scrape up enough cash to come home with a few of them. Move over Oprah...here is a list of Photogchic's Favorite Things from the expo.
Oh my gosh! These boots, Tuffa Suffolks...I couldn't pass up. They are lined with sheepskin, waterproof, and so comfortable. The leather is so soft, and when I put them on, they already felt broke in and ready to go. They also are available in "broad" for the larger calf. The velcro strapping seems to further fine tune the fitting. They were spendy, I splurged $285. Today as the rain came down and I trudged through the muddy pasture to get my horse, I knew they would be worth every penny. Love, love, love them.

I own two Horsedream products, a dressage pad and a sheepskin girth. For three years they have been used extensively and endured hours of sweat and miles on the trail. A gentle wash and they look exactly like the day I bought them. So imagine my excitement over a Horsedream bareback pad....YES! I sat in it...wonderful. It even has pocketing for Skito shims. They retail for $375 in the States, Canada they are much more, so I restrained myself and will watch and wait for a good deal.

Finally...I love these. Shire Equestrian stirrups. This particular pair is so new to the market, they aren't even on their website yet. They just got them in time for "The Mane Event." They feel "crafted" not just formed. The shape allows your heels to touch the horse, not the stirrup and they have a wide foot bed with amazing grip. They even have the 90 degree stirrup leather attachment for greater comfort. I came home with a pair of these. I am so excited to try them.

I have more stories to tell from the weekend; a neglected horse finds a happy home and I want to introduce you all to a trainer that really was inspiring.

Jockey Dies after Fall

2009-10-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

I find this article interesting, the horse involved was aptly named "You Reap what you Sow." In no way do I think this jockey deserved his fate, in fact I am saddened by his death. He probably went to work every day; starving, injured, uninsured, and under payed. The name is ironic and directed at the failure of racing commissions across the country to better regulate the industry. In most cases, jockeys ride without health insurance. If they are injured, they continue to ride because they need the money. I personally know some that have ridden with broken feet and fractured vertebrae. I have always felt the jockey weights, 105 for TB and 110 for Quarters, promotes sanctioned starvation. When you watch the big races, the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont, the Preakness; remember the jockeys not finishing in the money walk away with $50 in their pockets. Most of the time it is $25. It is sad what the industry does to it's heroes, the horses and the jockeys. In the end, both seem to end up injured, crippled, or dead.

Here is the story about what happened on Sunday.

The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission is investigating the death of a Texas jockey, Mark Pace, who was thrown from his horse during race at Blue Ribbon Downs in Sallisaw over the weekend.

Racetrack general manager Blaine Storey said Mark Pace, 58, died Sunday after falling off his horse, Reep What You Sow, during the first race. The horse, a 60-1 long shot, hit the rail on the backstretch, lost its jockey and did not finish.

The track ran a second race, but after other jockeys learned of Pace's death, they asked that the rest of the card be canceled.

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, which owns the eastern Oklahoma track, said more information would be available later Monday.

According to Darrell Haire, the western region manager for The Jockeys' Guild, Pace is the fourth rider to die in an Oklahoma race since 1940, when the guild began keeping records. Three of the deaths have come at Blue Ribbon Downs.

Haire said 150 jockeys have died in riding accidents in North America since 1940.

The race in which Pace was riding was a 5½-furlong maiden claiming race for fillies and mares 3 years and older with a purse of $5,000.

"I didn't actually know the guy, but nonetheless, he was a jock who was a part of the colony and anytime anything happens to one of them, it strikes close to home and it gets you thinking," said longtime jockey G.R. Carter. "This profession, it's not a matter of if you get hurt, it's when and how bad. We all know the chances are there."

Equine Bandana

2009-10-12T00:43:00.000-07:00

I asked a good friend who hunts a lot, "How much orange do I need for hunters to see me?" He said "Truthfully.....I would paint your whole horse." So I started thinking about safety ideas and then I started googling. There is a company in Maine called Protectavest that makes all sorts of orange horse safety gear. I went to Ebay and they had one of their bandanas up for bid...I got it for $9.95. I emailed them and asked if they would throw in an orange helmet cover at good price and they did so. I won the item on Thursday and it was on my porch Saturday morning. I had such a good experience working with this company, Mac Mountain Tack makers of Protectavest products...I wanted to pass it on. I think they have developed a really functional, smart product line for trail riders dealing with hunting season. We hit the trail today with my new helmet cover, my orange vest, and her bandana. I felt much more visible and bit more safe out in the woods. If you are curious about how the bandana works, it has a velcro strap that attaches to the headstall. It mesh rests on the neck and another velcro strap goes under the neck. There are two elastic clips that attach to your d-rings on your saddle.

Moving Mustangs East

2009-10-07T20:39:00.000-07:00

The government wants to deal with the booming number of wild horses crowding the western range by sending the animals east.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today unveiled his plan to control the rising environmental and monetary costs associated with wild horses and burros by moving tens of thousands of them onto new preserves in the Midwest and East.

"We must consider siting these preserves in areas outside of Western States because water and forage are extremely limited in the West, and drought and wildfire threaten both rangeland and animal health," Salazar said in a letter today to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The government estimates there are 37,000 wild horses roaming the range in ten western states including Oregon, and the Bureau of Land Management keeps another 32,000 of the animals in enclosed pastures or small corrals.

The agency tries to adopt these horses out, but it said the recession has slowed adoptions, and holding and caring for those horses now costs the agency nearly $30 million a year.

In a conference call with reporters today, Salazar and BLM Director Bob Abbey said they think the BLM should own and operate two new wild horse preserves created by Congress.

Those would cost about $92 million to buy and build, Salazar said, but they would reduce the cost to taxpayers from wild horses in the long term.

"It also will be better for the horses," Salazar said.

The secretary said he also hoped to partner with private organizations to form five more preserves. In all, the seven preserves would hold about 25,000 horses.

The other part of the secretary's plan is to limit the reproduction rates of western herds.

"This will require the aggressive use of fertility control, active management of sex ratios on the range, and possibly the introduction of non-reproducing herds in some existing herd-management areas," Salazar wrote.

The agency has been under pressure from Congress and other quarters to control the escalating costs of managing the West's population of wild horses and burros.

Some lawmakers have proposed reversing a decades-old ban on selling the wild horses for slaughter, but Salazar said today Interior's plan did not include the slaughter of any horses or burros.

"The fact is that the American public has shown that it does not want to have slaughtering of these animals," he said.

The department's attention to wild horses has already won praise from some in Congress, including House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) of the subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands .

"Years of attempts by BLM to shoehorn these magnificent animals into ever-shrinking territory has manufactured an overcrowding problem. Restoring horses and burros to the acreage from which they have been needlessly removed is critical," Rahall said in a statement. "However, if the agency wants to work with the Congress to find the acreage and the funding needed to relocate these animals to land east of the Mississippi River, I will work with my colleagues to explore these options."

Hunting Season

2009-10-04T19:30:00.000-07:00

Ladies, time to get out your blaze orange, hunting season is upon us. My barn owner Tammy and I hit the trails today and we both wore our loud orange jackets. At times, the gun fire sounded close and we wondered if that was enough for hunters to see us. Tammy rode "Willow", a lovely paint, I was thankful for her bright white color. We came up this hill and found this hunting camp. A glance to the right and we noticed a rather large blind (see it in those trees)....gulp. We chose our route carefully, and still we came close to hunters. I went to the fabric store and am working on a hunting vest for Maddy. It will be simple, almost like a drape around her neck. I am thinking of making a velcro wrap for her browband and and maybe some sort of clip with orange streamers for her tail. I will have to make sure my riding partners have horses willing to ride next to all that gaudy stuff! Safety is important to me and the easier it is to see us, the better off we will be.

Parelli Job Update

2009-09-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

I know I have taken forever to update people on my Parelli job interview. In ways, I am still processing my experience. It was a whirlwind of emotions for me. I flew in to Pagosa Springs, Colorado and met with Mark Weiler, CEO of Parelli and Sue Shoemark, VP of Parelli. We talked about everything "horse." Mark is very personable and I liked his energy. He made me feel so welcome and important. I think Sue is a kindred spirit, I liked her right away. On of my highlights is slipping away with her to get coffee. I felt I was out with a good girlfriend, not a potential boss. The morning flew by quickly and they had arranged for me to go visit Pat and Linda for lunch. I can't talk about specifics of our meeting just to preserve the confidentially of the interview, but I can tell a little bit about my experience. This is a story I will cherish and feel is fun to share for people who enjoy and practice Parelli. Mr. Weiler and I arrived at Pat and Linda's house and we went in. There was Linda, making lunch and Pat was just wrapping up on a video shoot. I put my nerves in check. They are important people to me, having been my inspiration for the past 3 years to become a better person for my horse. Not to mention, in my business, television news, I have been hired over the phone 4 times. Interviews are a new thing for me. I reminded myself to breathe, relax, and enjoy the opportunity. I think many would be surprised to know what an amazing cook Linda is. She started chopping things and whisking them into bowls. Within minutes, she had prepared a wonderful tuna salad and a cabbage salad with seemingly little effort. We sat down and talked horses and social media. We looked at many of your blogs. In particular, Mustang Diaries and Grey Horse Matters, I pulled you both up to show Pat. I enjoyed sharing with them the horse blogging experience and what our cyber community means to us. It was very enjoyable, but also very business oriented. I stepped out and they talked amongst themselves. I stood outside and took in the beautiful scenery of Pagosa Springs. The mountains surround you on all sides. It is a beautiful place. In that moment, I panicked a little. Could I be the right person for the job? Would they like me enough to offer me the job? Could I leave my life in Oregon? How would Maddy (my horse) deal with a move? Could I survive on half my salary to experience my dream job? Mark came out and we continued our tour of the ranch and then the rest of corporate. I ran into Ann Kiser, my mentor and teacher from Oregon. She is there on a trial position. It felt so good to see her. The Parelli Ranch is an amazing place. The corporate headquarters are stunning. I think they have revolutionized horsemanship around the world and they make a conscience effort to make this a better place for horses. So why didn't I take the job? Some days I ask myself that same question. For me, it was all about timing. It just felt "off." Things felt too perfect back in Oregon to disrupt and fears about the economy and a change in pay scared me. At the time, my decision loomed over me and kept me up at night. I quickly decided one day to just not take it. And as I hit the "send" in my email to Mark, I wondered "what have I done?" There is no way to know if I made the right choice. But I do know I will work for the Parellis one day in some capacity. Maybe I will become an Parelli instructor or a Parelli ambassador. The one thing I do know, I feel more confident than ever that I have chosen my mentors wisely and will continue to pattern my horsemanship after the two people, Linda and Pat, that have changed my relationship with horses for the better.

Bad Day on the Trail for this Lady

2009-09-28T11:47:00.000-07:00

Breaking News, Clackamas County

Scappoose woman injured in fall from horse on Pacific Crest Trail

The Oregonian
September 28, 2009, 11:00AM

A Scappoose woman was injured Sunday on the Pacific Crest Trail after a swarm of bees spooked the horse she was riding.

Donna Tewksbury, 70, had been riding with four other women when her horse fell to the ground, knocking her off. When the animal, which was not injured, tried to stand, it stepped on Tewksbury's abdomen.

Tewksbury sustained injuries to her wrist and stomach.

Because Tewksbury couldn't move after the incident, a fellow rider, Alicia Smith, began searching for help around the Frog Lake parking lot. Smith, of Gresham, found a group of hikers who allowed her to use her cellular phone to call 911.

The victim was airlifted by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital & Health Center in Portland about 8:40 p.m. after emergency personnel, including Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, reached the victim on the trail.

On Monday, she was reported in fair condition.

Hairy Trees

2009-09-26T18:56:00.000-07:00

Life has been a bit busy. My mom visited for a week. I love when she comes out and hate when she flies away. Riding eases my sadness. Sometimes I miss my family so much, I wonder what the heck I am doing way out in Oregon. Then I ride and it takes my breath away. I live in the most beautiful place. If I could just get them to move out west. They are happy in Minnesota and Oregon seems to have captured my heart, so for now, we book lots of flights. The clip above shows one of the reasons I love Oregon..."hairy" trees. I also posted a picture of my mom. For some reason we are both fascinated with old mills. We found a amazing one next to a covered bridge up in Woodland, Washington. It is called the Cedar Creek Grist Mill. Wonderful place and they still mill flour and cornmeal to take home. Yummy hotcakes!

Birthdays and Indians

2009-09-11T23:44:00.000-07:00

I spent Labor Day weekend in a little town called Springdale, Washington. It is just a bit north of Spokane near the reservation. It was my boyfriend's 38th birthday and we went to celebrate with his family and take part in the Spokane Indian tribe's annual pow-wow. Derek's mom works for the tribe and it is a good opportunity to meet her friends, visit, and enjoy the celebration. Every year, the tribe decorates tee-pees, they hold an Indian art auction, they make tons of fry bread, drum, and dance each night away. The video post is of one of my favorite dances, the Prairie Chicken Dance. Some of these guys are so amazing...the video doesn't do it justice. I shopped all the vendors and saw lots of little horse things, a few are pictured below. I wanted so many things, but right now I am in the midst of saving for a pickup for my horse trailer, so that kept me strong. I love turquoise and silver and there was an amazing necklace for $140 I was drooling all over. I left with some fry bread and honey and lots of good memories of the weekend. Sometimes that is enough.

Stupid Jury

2009-09-08T11:18:00.000-07:00

Hey Tom Selleck....it's called a "vet check!"

Tom Selleck wins $187k in lame horse dispute

A California jury has awarded Magnum P.I. star Tom Selleck $187,000 after he was duped into buying a lame horse.

Seller Dolores Cuenca was accused of selling Selleck a horse named Zorro with a medical condition without disclosing its history. Selleck paid $120,00 for the horse, which was intended for his 20-year old daughter to ride in competitions but the horse's medical condition made that impossible. The defense argued that Selleck should have checked the medical records himself, but the jury disagreed. The $187,000 award covers the cost of the horse plus boarding costs. That means $67,000 in board. Where was this horse staying? The Royal Penthouse Suite? A second trial will be held next week to determine punitive damages -- it is not known how much Mr. Selleck is seeking.

There is no word yet on whether Mr. Selleck will be offering refunds on all the lame movies people were duped into buying tickets for -- Perhaps Tom Selleck can use whatever punitive damages he receives to set up a college fund to support the children of anyone who actually bought tickets to see Christopher Columbus: The Discovery.

I think we all know, if you're thinking about buying a horse -- even if it isn't a $120,00 horse -- don't fall into the same trap Selleck fell into. Look at the horse's medical records, have it looked at by an unbiased veterinarian, and take your time.

Renegade Hoof Boots

2009-09-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

We had a woman, Kay Stowers, come to the barn on Saturday to do some fittings for hoof boots. Kay is an accomplished bare foot trimmer and a distributor for Renegade and Easyboots. In the above picture, Kay is putting on a pair of red Renegades on Willow.
Willow couldn't decide between red or black so she went with some Easyboots:-) (The Renegades didn't come small enough to fit Willow.) Kay usually spends about an hour with each horse, examining hooves, movement, and measurements. She had a lot of good information about the boots and was very honest about which ones people like and don't like. I own a pair of Boas and a pair of Epics. The Boas, a bit clunky, but not bad. They are about the only boots tall enough for her front because she has shoes. I do extra protection because of her previous coffin bone fracture. Someday, I hope to feel confident in her healing, but for now, I choose to put them on if I know I am going to be on rocky terrain. The Epics fit like a glove, but a pain in butt to get on. Even with practice, they can be difficult. I was excited to see the Renegades. I saw them last year at an endurance clinic, but at $189 a pair, I had put off trying them. We put them on Maddy, we watched her move in them, and I learned about why they are so great. They move with the horses' hoof and they are super easy to put on. Best of all, Kay had a used pair in Maddy's size that I got at a great discount. I rode today with them and put them to the test. We did lots of trot/canter transitions and the boots stayed on with zero impact on her movement. They took seconds to put on and take off. I am thrilled. I wish they worked for her front, but Kay advised that I stay with what I have been doing...the Renegades just won't work with shoes. If you have any questions about hoof boots, Kay would be more than happy to talk with you via email. Her email is shoelessnotclueless@verizon.net . Maddy is pictured below after our ride with her new-used rear boots. Very nice.

Stolen Horse Oregon

2009-08-31T11:36:00.000-07:00

UPDATE:
Dear ODS Members,
In regards to the horse reported stolen on Sunday, our office has received several reports the horse is safe. We have verified with the Lane County Sherriff’s office that the criminal case has been closed by their office.

We appreciate everyone’s kindness and concern.

This stolen horse alert came out today on the Oregon Dressage Society website. The horse was taken from a barn in Eugene, Oregon, about three hours south of Portland.

At 7:30am, my horse, Woric, was stolen from the farm where he was boarded. A gold pick-up pulling a white slant-load 3-horse trailer pulled up. The grey-haired driver and his tall, young, dark-haired female companion loaded my horse up and drove away.

Woric - affectionately known as Wromeo - is a 6yr. old, 16 hand, black Hanoverian gelding registered with the American Hanoverian Society. He has a white short strip on his face and 4 short white socks. He is sweet, affectionate and gentle. For those of you who saw us at the DevonWood and Lake Oswego shows, you know that we were a very good team.

If you have seen this horse, or have any information as to his whereabouts, please contact Biagina Lazaroni, 541-915-4521. If you were hired to haul the horse, please be advised that you have been - perhaps unknowingly - involved in a crime. If you see this horse offered for sale, it is being done so illegally.

The ODS Office has agreed to post updates on the ODS Website’s news page as they become available.

Biagina Lazaroni, Trainer
www.RisingStarFarms.us
(541) 915-4521

Not so horsey

2009-08-29T17:55:00.000-07:00

Back from a wonderful vacation with my best friend from high school. We "geeked" out and did a "Twilight Weekend" up in Forks, Washington. Twilight is a series of books written by Stephanie Meyer about vampires and werewolves living amongst humans in the Northern most tip of Washington. We both enjoyed the books and thought, "What the heck!" "Let's go check it out!" I would have never found La Push, Washington otherwise. What an amazing beach...I want to ride my horse there! I am not sure if you can "trailer in" on a reservation. I will have to do some research:-) The Quileute Indians supposedly descended from wolves, so Meyer based her werewolf stuff on the tribe. We did find lots of wolf-like tracks on the beach....interesting:-) For those that have read the books, we ate mushroom ravioli in Port Angeles, saw Bella's truck, went to see where Dr. Cullen worked, visited Forks high school, went to both the Cullen and Swan house, and even found the La Push/Forks Treaty line! Nerds...I know, but we had a great time. So good to catch up with my friend and feel like we were 15 again.

Elsa Sinclair

2009-08-11T17:07:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful clinic this weekend out at Templeton Equestrian Center, hosted by Elsa Sinclair. Elsa lives in up in Friday Harbor, a little island that is part of the San Juans. She focuses on natural horsemanship and centered riding. I did two one-hour lessons. The first night on the ground and the second night in the saddle. I really wanted strategies for getting her to soften and bend her ribs on the lunge line and under saddle. We worked a lot of spiraling in and out with lots of trot to canter transitions. I enjoyed my time with Elsa. She is a very enthusiastic, caring horse person with lots of good ideas. Another highlight of the weekend, I got to meet my friend Nora's new horse. They did the clinic together and even after two days, you can see a connection. She is thrilled with her new mare and it was cool just to see her so completely happy. This last photo is a picture of Capello, Pasha, and Elsa watching the last ride of the clinic. Capello and Pasha are good friends that board out at Templeton. A recliner in the arena comes in handy after teaching fifteen hours each day. Great clinic Elsa...look forward to seeing you again.

Horse Dies in the Street

2009-08-05T20:39:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend, a 23-year old horse was pulling newlyweds in a carriage with a "just married" sign on back when it collapsed in front of the Portland library and died. The incident happened while Portland was experiencing a heat wave with temperatures well above 90 degrees. The horse, Balatore, reportedly suffered a heart attack in the sweltering heat.

This story was so disturbing on so many levels. First, the owner of the horse should have canceled the gig, citing the horses well-being was more important than a few bucks. Second, the people renting the carriage even said, the horse "looked really bad" prior to collapsing, yet they happily got in carriage. Third, this horse died a horrific death. I saw his lips pulled back against white gums and I feel horrified and sick that any owner can calmly drape a small white sheet over their horse and wench him down the street into a rusty old trailer. As he was dragged across the street, they looked at him like he was garbage. Balatore's years of service were poorly repaid as he was hauled away for disposal. Finally, because of a horse owners negligent, idiotic behavior the lines have been drawn and PETA is riled up calling for a ban on horse drawn carriages.

I have talked about carriage horse ban before. This is an excerpt from a previous post.

For me, I would hate to see a ban as opposed to an overhaul of the system. I think the more uses we find for horses, the better. I see the jobs for draft horses diminishing and it would be nice if the world had uses for these beautiful, big horses. If the city could implement some sort of equine labor law and limit hours on the job, mandatory vet checks, and since they are such a tourist draw, maybe the city should subsidise the cost of transport and care of horses into the city from boarding stables with turnout. I would be happy if my tax dollars went to help these horses have a better life. Easy fix--and people can going on enjoying the beauty of these horses and the joy of just being around them and the horses are treated fairly and humanely.

PETA has taken this stance.

Horses do not belong in the city. There is nothing romantic about pulling heavy loads on pavement in the middle of traffic. They walk on hard pavement, inhale exhaust, and spend their days dodging cars and buses. Balatore's death should be a wake-up call to make the compassionate choice to ban the carriage horse industry.

My anger is directed solely at the owner and driver of that carriage. They clearly made poor choices about his well-being and it cost Balatore his life.

How do you guys feel about ban on horse drawn carriages? If interested, here is a link to the story that aired on our news channel and here is a link to a documentary about the carriage industry. It is called "Blinders."

Hittin the Trail

2009-08-02T22:54:00.000-07:00

I needed a day to just ride. I wanted to get out into the woods and just be one with my horse. Life has been pretty busy the past couple of weeks. I flew to Colorado to talk with the Parellis, we wrapped on our Keiko Documentary and submitted it to Sundance, I spent countless hours at the chiropractor after the trailer accident, and this weekend was my boyfriend's 20 year class reunion. Whew! I was so happy to hit the trails today and relax. We are in the middle of a heat wave here in Oregon, but you wouldn't know it when deep in the forest. Maddy and I were out for about three hours. I found a couple tree farms I hadn't ridden through before and a great new cantering path. I took a quick video clip while riding through and even managed to set my camera on a stump and get a "not so great" self portrait. Dang leaf! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.