Woof Whinny Whisper

How To Groom A Mustang

 

New Friends

Well, yesterday was a big day for me.  In the first place, aside from all of the running I am doing, I got to take a break and meet GiantSpeckledChihuahua, most of you know her as Cyndi at Stumpy's Daily Dose of Dirtville.  We had a great time meeting and talking in spite of the near withering heat we've been getting.  I loved meeting Cyndi and I applaud her for taking in and finding a home for Alf! Hurrah! I didn't get to meet Alf because he was off at the vet getting neutered for his new home.  Thank you Cyndi... thank you for the sacrifices you have made to give this boy a chance at a life he would otherwise not have had.

I hate to admit it....

I might be a stalker. Really.  Each time I go to care for the girls I drive past a certain barn.  I do this because in that barn there is a beautiful Donkey.  I've resisted the urge to get out and drool over make friends with him.  I've resisted that urge because there has never been an owner in sight ... until yesterday.

So yesterday I got to meet Eeyore.  I've been worshiping him from afar for weeks now.  He was a sweet boy and allowed me to fawn all over pet him.  He was a 'reclaimed' burro from the National Wild Horse Association in Nevada.  Beautiful, yes?

 

My sister, who once mistakenly (and sadly) thought that Burros were stubborn, stupid animals was given the opportunity to change her mind about these beautiful creatures.

I hate to say it ... but Eeyore found Nicker-Makers so irresistible that when Sis stopped feeding them he gave her a little nip to remind her he was still waiting for another.  I can't blame Eeyore for this behavior ....  Eeyore was once used as a roping Donkey. He was so badly mistreated that when his current owner brought him home Eeyore would run to the corner of the barn and kick wildly in an effort to get this new human to leave him alone.  It broke my heart to know the suffering that Eeyore endured.  It also made me very angry.

Eeyore was a perfect gentleman with me.  He stood with his head pressed against me and allowed me to stroke his beautiful ears, to rub his head and neck and to whisper how very sorry I was that he had been treated so badly.  Eeyore has a wonderful home now.  His owner said I could stop by anytime to see him.

You better believe I will be doing that regularly.

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner?

And Lunch?

And Breakfast?

I am going to name it Stewart in honor of Jimmy Stewart and his invisible friend, Harvey. I hope my new bunny stays forever and ever. Just look at those adorable little feet! And those BIG, BURRO-LIKE EARS!

Love is In the Air....

Mae and Wildflower share a moment of bonding.

Max and Sun have become close buddies.  I'm surprised by this as Mas is usually a bully.  Since our emergency this spring, the resulting moves for the horses and the stress involved have resulted in changes within the dynamics of our little herd.  Interesting indeed.... they are reaching out to bond with and reassure each other. ....

Quiet Conversation

I entered her stall and immediately her head flew up in alarm signaling that a potential predator had entered her space.  Though my own heart fell in disappointment I did not try to appease her and talk to her in sugared tones to convince her that I was no threat.  I simply stood there for a few moments, chin tucked downward and eyes turned away from her.  I heard her breathe in short, alarmed breaths and knew she was prepared to save herself from danger by bolting away from me.  Quietly but not slowly in the stealthy way of a predator, I propped my muck rake against the fence then extended my arm in her direction. Her breathing and her evasion posture elevated.

I stepped backwards.

She inhaled quickly but extended her nose forward.

I step back again.

She tosses her head, neck extended and stretches ever so slightly forward.

I step back.

She tentatively steps forward and extends her head and neck as far as she can.

I lean backwards now to give her more room to approach.

She begins to sniff my hand.

Suddenly she is here with me, sniffing me as my hand quietly rounds her nostrils, her mouth, her chin. She steps forward again and sniffs my hat, my face and I close my eyes and let this moment simply be.

She leans her strong, beautiful neck against my shoulder and rests her head against me. I wrap my arms around her and we stand as we have stood so many times.  We both exhale long and deep breathing in this moment that we completely share.

This beautiful red mare reaches deep into my heart. She has been wounded so badly by the hands of man and yet she seeks to make a connection. In my mind, that makes her one courageous horse indeed.  I am sick to think of how they starved her, deprived her of water, roped her, choked her, hog tied her and beat her.  The defiance they imagined in her was simply fear. I hold her tighter thinking of it all.

Right now she has reverted her behavior a bit because she is away from home. Still, she reaches out to me every time and I know how much potential there is within her. We have no true agenda and if I never swing a leg over her my heart will know no disappointment.  My friends say I will never be able to part with her but that is not true.  If the right home comes along, the right person... someone that wants to reach her, is willing to work with her that will lead her with confidence and benevolence and love... someone who will love her as my own heart does...

I will open my hands and heart and allow her to run headlong into her future and love her every single step of the way.  Beautiful, brave Cayenne... the Wildest Flower of them all....

HoneyBuilt

After the addition of the shade stall, we decided to add a shade to The Bungalows.  The Bungalows are temporary and they do have a roof but the afternoon sun still assaulted the inhabitants relentlessly.  HoneyBuilt swung into action! My sister put together the shade while I was off doing horsey stuff, I put in the rivets (smashing only two fingers in the process,) and Honey and I put it up last night under Sun's supervision. We are liking this product, Easy Gardner Sun Shade.  We'll let you know how it holds up.

Lacing the shade to the stalls with polypropylene rope.

Sun supervised the installation carefully.  Please note that the entire time we were installing this that Max could have cared less.  If there is hay in his feeder Max is not lifting his head. Period.

The completed shade. Now the horses will have protection from our fierce afternoon sun.  It is amazing to me how much cooler it is behind the shade.  And as soon as we finished Honey turns to the temporary shade we put up last week and says, 'Now we need to put this on the back of the other pen.'

Really?

Gimme Shelter

As you know, we lost our barn awhile ago.  We've farmed horses out everywhere until we rebuild but the running was getting to be a huge burden.  To that end, my husband put up The Bungalows and we brought our geldings home.  Then we decided to bring Wildflower Grace back home... that meant that one of the horses could be in the turn out and two could use the stalls.  The problem was shade....

So Hubby built this wonderful shade for us:

Honey added higher sides to existing panels and fashioned a roof frame.  Sis and I sewed up some shade fabric to cover it, added grommets and Honey laced it to the top.  Hurrah!  All ponies are happily shaded! 

Since these are easily portable and connect together with clamps, Hubby thinks we could sell these.  I dunno... what do YOU think?  We could call them Portable Shades by HoneyBuilt?

The Dance

Well hello you, it's been awhile. 

  

 

Okay, okay, let's get serious....
 

 

Are you ready, buddy?

Well, let's get to it then... where's your Mum?

Easy. No worries now...

All relaxed? Let's take a step. Just one will do.

 

Ready? Here we go...

 

And that is how Kerry rode her Mustang for the very first time. How do you feel, Kerry?

Yep.  I kinda feel that way too.

Some good men are STILL available!

Can you believe it?  Better snatch this one up before you're left standing there with only a leash in your hand and just longing in your heart for your own special someone.

Single, tri-colored male, looking for lasting relationship. Loves long walks, lots of cuddling, sharing meals in any light (or location,) and willing to share affection in open relationship with others.  Willing to relocate.  Please view more information at Giant Speckled Chihuahua.

uh-huh.... look in those eyes and tell me you're not melting.  Just try to. Go on, take a long, lingering deep look into those dark umber pools of love...

Hey! I mean, hay!