Woof Whinny Whisper

Home Sweet Home

That is the golden glow of the sun on our herd as of last Friday night. Yep. Friday night and they were all home. There is lots of work yet to be done... and I promise I will update you on it all.

 
I know you all want to know how the horses did, if they were all happy to be together again and what is next.  There are stories to tell of contractors, horses with soft soles (sadly,) getting a Parelli ball for my birthday from Gabriel, updates on Little Bear, how I missed my grandsons birthday party and how I am making toddler chaps without a pattern....

It has been an exhausting, crazy and hectic time and I am so glad that right now, at least, things are starting to calm down and the girls are all home. 

And when I am exhausted at the end of day I go and stand in Cayenne's stall.  Although to my heartbreak, she had regressed this summer while she was away.... still.... as I stood in her stall and watched the moon rise over the mountain she stood behind me, her nose at the crook of my neck and breathed softly against my skin. 

My own heart overflowed with the love that lies within it for her and for them all as tears spilled from my eyes.  She seems to recognize this emotion and softly nuzzles my shoulder. The world gets no more perfect than this very moment.

Day 6...

and we are done.  Well... there is a punch list to complete and a final inspection before the rest of the herd can join us.  At this point it is clear that my beloved girls will not be home by my birthday but maybe... maybe the day after.

Of course, all of that beautiful dirt we put down will have to be re-worked, re-raked and de-rocked.  Areas will have to be leveled again and some additional debris removed. Oh for a tractor!

Yesterday was pony pedicure day for the shoed group of our horses and today is a family party for our youngest daughter's birthday.  Life is pretty full.  I will tell you later (after our punch list is completed) what I learned about dealing with contractors.  And... the bungalows will be photographed and put up for sale since we will no longer need them.  Someone else will get a lovely shelter with two 10' x 20' stalls.

I love the barn. I love the fact that the girls will be home soon. 

.....And after everyone is home and settled I will begin working on my rental property to get it ready to be lived in again.  My last renters were evicted for non-payment of rent, frying my electrical meter, having pets without permission but mostly... for growing pot in my master bedroom.

Yep, life sure isn't boring....

 

 

End of Day Five...

We are in the home stretch.... it was a busy day today.  Lots to do and we also did pony pedicures for the girls that are being so graciously hosted at our friend's barn.  Off we drove to take care of them.

And this morning I missed playing with friends but that is okay because it was pretty impromptu... I'm rather glad that I didn't get the five a.m. call but I'm especially glad I DID get the photos.  I think I'm going to nickname my friend Kerry: PlayswithPonies.

Kerry got a green Parelli ball.  Can you tell she was excited about it?

Kerry introduced Gabriel to the ball.

Gabriel sure is one lucky boy to have such an in-tune Mom, always looking to engage and partner with him.  I think the big green ball is a hit. So much so that an impromptu play date began at the barn and an obstacle course was set up.

Kelly (also known as RunsWithCamera,) takes her horse Fritz over the tarp.  And then Fritz met the Big Green Ball.

Which was, apparently, not as bad as meeting the large orange frisbee...

All in all though, it was a great time and even Fritz would have to agree that playdates are pretty good.  There is no end to the amazement, delight and bonding that happens with humans drop agendas and simply play with animals.  What can happen is simply amazing.

Well done PlaysWithPonies! Take a bow my friend....

Both of you.  What a wonderful relationship partnership you two are building.

 

End of Day Three...

and it is really coming along.  For the most part, I think it is all going well.  Last night though, I did go out and place a trash container within easier reach of the workers as well as a handy recycling bin for all those water bottles so they could be tossed in a convenient and ecologically friendly location. Yesterday afternoon we called for an inspection on the footers and the setbacks.  It is going up pretty quickly!

Some of the holes for the footers will need to be adjusted as the placement was not quite perfect but I am sure that will be fixed today.  I don't envy anyone out there digging in our rocky soil!  Are you excited yet?

Trails, Tarantulas and Drizzle

Every now and then, in spite of the craziness of life, one simply has to hit the trail.  Last Monday that is just what I did.  Lindy called me and simply wanted to get out of town, hit the trail and see what happened.  As busy as I've been, as frantic as life has seemed the trail and the desert called to me and I could not resist the invitation.

Last week our normally clear azure blue skies were laden with clouds.  What a rare treat for those of us that live in the desert!  This morning, the clouds threatened rain. Instead of the Pullman saddle I normally ride, I grabbed the synthetic one because I could have cared less if it got soaked.  Max stepped right up into the trailer and away we went.

The skies above us threatened rain and I could see the downpour off in the distance.

 

Max seemed to be pleased to be out as well and I have to admire this sweet Peruvian Paso/Quarter cross gelding.  He really is a good horse and we're fortunate to have him in our herd.  As we waited for Lindy and Kim to arrive both Max and I relaxed under the gray skies as drizzle steadily fell.

Once on the trail, Kim called out 'Tarantula!' and for the first time since I've been riding out here in the desert I've had my first encounter with one.  The tarantula was on the edge of the trail and seemed surprised to see our mounts.

In response to our presence, the fierce spider (as big as the spread of my hands,) reared back on this hind legs, and struck his most threatening pose.  Threat acknowledged, accepted and admired.

We rode off with a nod to this big boy and were thrilled to have seen him.  Lindy and I always love these encounters and are happy to see the natural wildlife in our beautiful desert.  The ride was long and peaceful even though we were actually lost for a portion of the ride. 

These moments in time simply settle my soul.

And lastly.... here is the barn progress at the end of day two:

Maybe the horses will be home for my birthday..... what a perfect present that would be!

Guess What This Is?

Go ahead.  Guess.  Not sure?  THIS is the beginning of our new barn!

 

Here, Kyle and Leo begin laying out the barn and setting the footers.

Better to measure twice and dig once!

And ground is broken on the new open air mare motel from FCP Barns.  We got our custom barn from Kyle Carter at C Bar D Barns.  An avid horseman himself, Kyle has been working hard with us to get our barn back up and to help bring our rescued horses back home.  Say hello Kyle!

We don't want to be rude and leave out Kyle's helper Leo.  Thanks for working so hard today guys.

And I know you are anxious to hear why I've been away and I promise we will catch up.  For now, please know that I've wanted to share it all with you but it has just been a little over the top for a pony girl that just likes to talk to horses and hit the trail.

I will tell you that Wildflower and Little Bear have had visitors lately.  Wouldn't it be just lovely if they both got adopted??  I'd say it would be simply dreamy!

Shocking!

I know that I've been missing and I do apologize.  There are good reasons though I'm not so sure a blog is the correct platform to go into detail.... let's just say that life has been ummmmm..... complicated and I hope to wrest the chaos into submission after this weekend.  I've lots of things to tell you....

Sale!

 

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.