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Spring Lilacs
2008-05-13 02:55:00
This is for you, Victoria. Here are the old Lilac bushes that are in desperate need of trimming back as they are starting to get top heavy. They are just starting to bloom and smell magnificent. I wish they would stay in bloom all summer!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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Crazy Weekend..........
2008-05-12 01:21:00
Well, as I work every Friday and Saturday twelve hour night shifts that leaves Steve in charge of all creatures indoors and outdoors. Our Goldfinches have returned. And the Cardinal continues to rival my truck. When I returned home Saturday morning from work, I was greeted by my Darling Husband, who had just spent two hours trying to capture escaped goats yet once again. Herman the goat has found himself a girlfriend in Kola and she him. Stephen said it was hilarious as Herman seemed to attach himself to Kola and the two of them walking around together, Herman at her side and Kola looking down and back at him to make sure he was by her side. As Steve attempted to bring the goats in again, they would take turns breaking out. It took him two hours to round them up finally. And this morning as I returned home, Stephen, afraid to tell me had somehow accidentally allowed Lilliput, the blind totally dependant kitty outdoors at about 9pm when he took the dogs out for their last wee of the...
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Happy Mother's Day!
2008-05-12 00:31:00
A Happy Mother's Day to those of you, who are Mothers and even to those of you who are Mothers to their quadrupeds!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

On A Lighter Note........
2008-05-09 01:02:00
So on a lighter note, I'm now done with my rant, I was busy today again. Yesterday evening, I was able to lunge the girls 15 minutes for Misty and not so long for Kola, she doesn't get it yet. Better than she was last year, but she slipped and then I was a bit worried about her torquing a leg, so this morning we hand walked 15 minutes each which went well. I'm exercising and building them up a little before I ride as they weren't worked all winter. Also Steve and I took the dogs down to the local conservancy for a nice walk in the woods. We came home to my tulips at the end of the driveway and a bunny hiding in the brush. The video is our Cardinal, who Stephen has named Mr.Special. He likes to sit on my truck and beat it up and sure enough he was there. Then we made ourselves the best dinner.........Lobster tail and jumbo shrimp with fresh sugar snap peas, roasted asparagus, new potatoes and fresh steamed spinach. We save Thursday night for special dinners. Please visit http://m...
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Oxy"moron"
2008-05-08 18:12:00
Bo Derek is the spokesperson for the National Horse Protection Coalition. This is a picture of her at this year's Kentucky Derby. What's OK for some, is not OK for others. I'm having trouble wrapping my head around this. She's so against horse slaughter, yet it's ok to abuse them and start them too young for the sake of the almighty dollar and prestige. As Jess said in her comment, "This is what really bothers me. BO DEREK! She was there to support the winner of the race and to once again get in her plug about ending slaughter in the U.S. What about another race horse dying tragically on the race track. What about all the horses that are run to DEATH so that people can gamble. Talk about a hypocrite, oh wait, they weren't going to eat her so it's OK. It broke my heart when Ruffian was put down. I watched that race and remember it like it happened yesterday. People with as much money as it takes to be involved in this sport consider the horses disposable. I'm not saying all,...

Does Anybody Realize What ..............
2008-05-08 14:59:00
Is really going on here? I know we are all ranting over the latest happenings in the horse industry and I have to totally agree with my good friend Mrs.Mom , who recently made an excellent post entitled Issues about the gamete of wrong in the entire horse industry, not only the the Thoroughbred Industry and I must agree with her. I know most of us have posted about the tragedy of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby and I did as well, and I know I went out and commented on a few, including in my comment the fact that we're the only country that is allowed to drug these horses and I must admit I thought I'd get more feedback on that. So I'm asking you all. What's your opinion about this? Is it ethical in any aspect of the horse industry to go ahead and drug your horse so he can perform for you and to what extent? I'm talking steroids, pain killers, etc.. What do you think? And does it need to change and how can we change it? I'm looking for opinions.""Trainers and vets make the d...

Let's Talk About Blogger Etiquette
2008-05-07 22:40:00
Ok, I'm writing this post because recently I've received a couple of comments from the same person with an embedded link in the comment itself. I'm a firm believer in publishing all comments I receive even if it's a disagreement with my personal view. Of course, unless it was particularly venomous. I can thankfully say that I've never received a comment I didn't deem worthy of publishing, however, I find it rude to find an embedded link in the comment to direct people to their post. I appreciate drumming up visitors and such as it takes a long time and dedication to establish yourself out here and most of us post regularly and work hard to bring fun and interesting reading to our fellow bloggers, not to mention just to document our lives. We can access each others blogs by clicking on a name and following it to the person's profile which I have done many times and often visited new people I haven't visited before. Is it just me or do we all feel the same way? I personally wo...
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Scenes From Today
2008-05-06 04:42:00
Whimsical birdhouses that Steve, Zoe and I painted. Guess which one is mine.Stephen and I cleared part of the fence line. See that beyond it? We have to clear that tomorrow.Steve used the DR power grader and made our driveway really pretty.Kola's silly face. Both girls are in much better moods.Don't we get anymore food?Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Today , Scenes

This Is So Sad.........
2008-05-04 22:08:00
I know a lot of us will posting about this tragedy, so I won't go into the details as we have all watched and read about it. I just find it amazing the heart within this filly. I remember as a kid falling in love with Ruffian, another filly with heart! It's as if they can't .....won't and try as they might, let a boy win. As you all know I'm partial to mares and this tragic ending just cements it for me. What a beautiful filly and what a sad, sad day yesterday was. Rest in peace, Eight Belles, your spirit should be an inspiration for all of us! What an awful, painful way to go. Oh this makes me so sad.........Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

MaMa's Kitty
2008-05-04 21:50:00
This is my kitty. His name is Ezekiel or as I pander to him "Zeke". He is the only boy kitty in this house. He has total bedroom privileges. He's polite and uses the cat flap to go outdoors, rain or shine to potty. He then comes back in announcing his arrival in which I start calling him and he answers me back. Mine is his only lap and he curls up on my chest to sleep at night. He is 7 or 8 years old now. He will anything from Mexican to Italian food. He loves spicy food. He ignores all others. This is Mama's kitty!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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What I Did Today.........
2008-05-01 23:04:00
That's the left over mess of mane all mixed up. Thought I would leave it out on the lawn for the birds to use for nest building. While it was still sunny, I went out and decided to detangle manes. It was driving me nuts. After a little correction from yesterdays attitudes, I found the girls, especially Kola in much better moods, so I did some detangling of manes. Jess had turned me on some time ago to cooking spray. This works better than anything I've ever used before and they tolerate the spray can pretty well. Kola and Misty both fell asleep while I was grooming, that is, until Daddy Steve showed up with a hand full of fresh green grass each for a treat. And a good brushing for both as they are really shedding out. It was a successful week. They got through their shots on Monday and I wormed them on Tuesday. I was concerned about worming Kola as it has just been over a week since her colic and I was worming for everything including Tapeworms, which can be a bit strong for them...
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I Thought This Was A Good Idea
2008-05-01 17:17:00
This idea came to me from Victoria at Teachings of The Horse when I had written the post about What Happens To Them. Victoria left a comment about putting a feeding schedule up in her barn so that even if something minor had happened and she wasn't able to get home to feed, the instructions would be there and available for someone to take over. What a great idea, I thought. So I created one to hang in my feed shed and I also identified each horse with a small photo. I sealed it in a sandwich bag for protection and detailed the horses and goats feeding instructions. This will be handy when Steve and I take small vacations or drive down to Missouri for a couple of days to pick Zoe up from University. I also created an animal identity page, since we have so many to hang on the fridge with a picture of each creature from outdoor to indoor and their name, so that a neighbor may know them. I know Victoria has something like this, Does anyone else have one of these?Please visit http://mid...
More About: Idea , Thought , Good

Just Puppy Portraits
2008-05-01 02:56:00
Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Puppy , Portraits

What Does Your Vet Offer?
2008-04-29 02:32:00
Today I stopped in the Vet's office to pay my recent bill and found this pamphlet sitting on the counter. I'm a bit perturbed that I was unaware of this program until now. But that very well could have been my own fault as I often receive mail like this and just pitch it without reading it through. This is an offer for an Equine Wellness Program through the Elkhorn Vet Clinic in my area. So here it is in a nutshell.You receive a...........*Annual Medical Exam*Annual Coggins Test*One Dental Exam*One Dental Level 1 with Sedation*Annual Vaccinations-Tetanus Toxoid-Eastern & Western Encephalomyelitis-West Nile-Rabies-Potomac Horse Fever-Influenza (Spring & Fall)-Rhinopnuemonitis (Spring & Fall)*Nutrition and Weight Management Consult-Body Condition Score-One 15 Minute Consult*Medical Record Sheet*35% Discount on Additional Vaccinations*35% Discount on DewormersThis program is offered for $250 per horse per year January to January. You must pay for it in advance and you sti...
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While I Waited............
2008-04-28 17:32:00
For Jeremiah to get here, Stephen was down at the boat fishing. This is one of the bass he caught. Right now he mostly catches and releases. Bass season doesn't open until May 1st. That's our boat 27 foot long. LOVE it! We'll go out on a warm summer night and camp out in the middle of the lake. Steve will fish and I will lounge. A nice big cabin with all the amenities and an aft cabin as well. We keep at Lake Delavan now. Used to have at Lake Geneva, a much bigger lake but really packed full of tourists and difficult fishing.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Pissy Mares
2008-04-28 15:35:00
These girls need to get layed! OMG! Especially Kola. This heat cycle has to be one of the worst I've seen. Still they could be more non compliant. Kola refused her Metamucil today. I added a little corn oil, hoping to disguise it and she said no way. So I'll have to get a bit more creative, maybe some apple sauce. Then it was an argument over the halter as I wanted their halters on because Jeremiah coming this morning to trim them. Misty was fine, but Kola was a turd! She is very irritated with Misty and me, but she eventually falls in line when I persist and don't go away. I will always win! On top of it all, which I don't think helps is the damned weather changes. It was so warm last week, then it stormed the weekend and now the temperature has dropped to the 30's and 40's. They will get their Innovator5 today and they'll get wormed as well. Then in about 3 weeks, they'll get their coggins drawn and a West Nile vac. I hope this heat cycle ends soon. Cheryl the cat now has ...
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Mmmm.........That's Good!
2008-04-24 15:45:00
Yesterday, the TSC store was out of 50 pound mineral licks so I picked up a small apple flavored lick to hang on the post until they restock their blocks and the girls went mad. They've already broken one the hangers for it. I can't use the Dumor brand ones that aren't as hard or compact because these will eat that kind of block in two days, so I have to use the generic mineral lick . Thought it would encourage Kola to better digest and drink a bit more. And in the poop post I mentioned Metamucil twice a week. It looks just like sand clear and it's the same stuff and much cheaper. Has anyone ever used Metamucil in place of sand clear or has anyone ever used a sand clear type product?Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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The Grass Is Always Greener
2008-04-23 15:21:00
Kola stretching yesterday to reach the greener grass. I though she was hilarious. Jeremiah comes Monday to trim feet and I'm on the hunt for Innovator 6, so I can get spring shots started on Monday while I have Jeremiah here, then I will call and make the regular appointment for coggins and a West Nile vaccination for them. Last year, when they got pounded with all at once, they had a reaction, especially Miss Sensitive here, so I thought I'd stagger them this year.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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A Pic Only A Horse Person Can Appreciate
2008-04-22 16:46:00
Well, Kola is doing well today. Yesterday I mentioned a couple of poops I found to be hers as I had them separated overnight. This morning I fed them separated and started their taste of grain back up. Kola was her usual self talking to me and getting excited about food. When I updated the vet yesterday, it was suggested that I start giving 2 tablespoons of Metamucil twice a week with her grain, so I gave her 2 tbs of unflavored Metamucil with her grain and she ate it right up and one flake of hay. A couple of hours later, I went out to check on her and she pooped in front of me. I love it when they do that so I can check it and know who it came from, etc. and this it! Yesterday's poop was still a little dry and finally this morning this is what Kola accomplished. Of course it's on top of their normal pooping place which I still have to clear, but once again it's due to storm today. This poop was large and more like what I want to see. A bit oily, so I think that mineral oil fina...
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Better Today
2008-04-21 21:46:00
I think Kola is better today. I noticed two big poops out in the paddock this noon when I went out to finally allow her to share one flake of hay with Misty. Now they are both bored and this warm afternoon finds them napping.......standing up. I need to replace their salt block and mineral block to encourage Kola to drink more water. I think this was due to her being a bit dry. Even though I see her drink, I think she needs to drink more.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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It Never Fails
2008-04-21 04:50:00
Why is it a horse will always colic on the weekend when vet rates are doubled because they are on call. That's my Kola.........Drinking fresh water with her normal dinner at about 4:30pm. And then laying down at the start of her colic which I wasn't sure about until closer inspection at about 6:00pm. And then in total darkness sleeping off her sedation at about 8:00pm. Of course now at about 10:00pm she is awake and can't figure out why she is in the paddock without Misty by her side. I have no idea what the bill will be, but it's worth it as I love her so much. Of course this all started after a busy day of major yard clean up and as I was about to take a bath to wash off the day's dirt. So I was out there walking a horse without underwear on in a t-shirt, shorts, sweatshirt and my slippers as Steve stood by the phone and we waited an hour for the vet as she was at another emergency call, so things didn't finish up until shortly after 8:00pm. She got tubed, mineral oiled and ...

What About.........
2008-04-19 15:23:00
Wouldn't this have made for a great reality television show? Why don't they do that? Steve thought about this yesterday on our way home. People are always watching Survivor and Big Brother. Why not follow the participants of a Mustang Challenge from the time they pick up the horse to the auction? And put it on Network TV. I bet there would be millions of viewers. And a portion of the proceeds made from advertisers on prime time go towards the Mustang Heritage Foundation! I thought about that. Don't you think that's a good idea? It would bring into light a lot of the unknown and educate the masses.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Ode To Le Mystere
2008-04-19 14:29:00
If you are easily offended by under garments, then turn away now. Yesterday at the Midwest Horse Fair, we bumped into The Bra Lady's sister, a very nice woman and a bit of character who attempted to shuffle us into the expo building yet one more time to check out her sister's booth of bras and yes Mrs.Mom they sold Enell as previously discussed in her post Ode To Enell. But I'm not a sports bra person. I like to lift and separate, so to speak. She also sold these nice Le Mystere bras, Oprah's favorite, so I've read. Can I just say, "Talk about a comfortable, shaping, piece of cement!" Steve forced me to get measured and try one on. Part of the process which I must admit was a bit embarrassing was to put a little smiley face sticker on, er, where your nipples were currently located on your blouse with your old bra on and then try on the Le Mystere, put your blouse back on and come out of the make shift dressing room (to all people milling about) and show all exactly wear they we...

Priceless!
2008-04-19 02:44:00
Tickets for two for the Midwest Horse Fair......$24.00Five DVD set training videos from Stacy Westfall.........$160.00A Diamond Wool Pad that looks pretty good with Kola's saddle.....$90.00A six hour day with my marvelous husband who allowed me to drag him around from barn to barn and roundpen to arena and throughout the exibitors hall without a complaint and a smile on his face the whole time...........Priceless !Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Images From The Midwest Horse Fair
2008-04-19 01:41:00
The back end of a Gypsy Vanner, I think they are so gorgeous....Some of the Mustangs lining up for the first leg of the Challenge......A big Friesian lounging in his stall.......A big Buckskin stallion.....My hero, Stacy Westfall on her new 3yr old Quarter Horse stallion. That was a great one hour clinic,"WHOA! Teaching stop from beginning to bridleless."My personal hero, Steve talking to Jessie's Remington.It was a great day!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Images , Fair , Midwest

Looking Forward To Tomorrow
2008-04-17 15:47:00
Tomorrow, Steve and I will be making the hour and a half trek to Madison for the Midwest Horse Fair. It's been years since I've gone and Steve hasn't gone ever and I'm looking so forward to it. First on the agenda is to see Stacy Westfall at 10:00 am, unless we get there early enough to do a little shopping first ( I'm looking for a decent saddle pad for Kola ) . Then at 11:00 am, the Midwest Mustang Challenge begins and I want to have a chance to watch some of it and find Jessie and Jessi and their Mustang boys to meet them in person. Obviously I plan on getting some pics. I've got two cameras charged and loaded, ready to go. Printed out the maps of the grounds and the schedule of events. We plan on hitting the road around 7:00 am. Also, my friend Todd and his significant other will be there and we're hoping to bump into them, so I can meet his "sig" other. Todd has a new colt on the ground, the last from his now deceased Arab stallion. Toots is Mom. I've written about Toot...
More About: Tomorrow , Forward

What's To Happen To Them.........
2008-04-16 15:51:00
If anything was to happen to me? I'm not sure if many of us or any of us has put any thought into what was to happen to your horses if something was to happen to you. It's not something I've thought about until recently. I cannot remember which month it was, but within this past year, A couple and their grandkids died of carbon monoxide poisoning in their camper/trailer while at a horse show. This couple bred and raised Clydesdales and were at a show, I believe, when this happened. I know in the end, the horses, and there were a lot of them, were auctioned off. If something was to happen to me, I could count on Steve to feed them, but when it comes to knowing they're ill or need trimming or need to gain weight rather than lose, or even if they were sore or injured, he himself admits, he would not know it. So we discussed this the other night and I told Steve what I would want him to do, unless for some reason, Zoe, would want the responsibility, which I doubt, I would want them ...

While I Seeded The Pasture............
2008-04-16 03:28:00
Kola was lounging and Spot was watching. It took me a couple of hours to seed the pasture.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Muddy Horses and Dryer Weather!
2008-04-14 22:37:00
So today was actually warmer. In the 50's and Steve and I decided to assemble the seed spreader and the DR Power grader. I should say that I supervised and Steve did the assembly. He referred to me once as Captain Birdseye, which I found rather amusing. Is it bad when there are extra bolts left over? I also found a tarp in decent condition and placed it between the panels of the riding arena and the goats in hopes to preserve what may be left of certain tails and for northern wind rain block. I just have to tie up the bottom of it and it will be totally secure. Tomorrow and Wednesday even warmer. I've let the girls out for a couple of hours this afternoon and tomorrow I will spread the seed and we'll try and get after our burn pile. The paddock and arena are still somewhat muddy, but there is hope. There are a couple of dry spots to the top that the girls stand on. I can't wait for it to dry completely and I can get after the arena with the power grader. I think their diets are ...
More About: Weather , Horses , Dryer , Muddy

So How Much Does That FREE Horse Really Cost?
2008-04-13 23:51:00
"2 Quarter horses one Red one Dark Brown 1 Mix W/ Quarter,& Arabian Needs work, very loving and friendly, good with people, but hasn't been rode in a while, reason for wanting to give away is due to daughter going to college and doesn't have allot of time to look after them anymore."I found this ad on Craig's List. These "free" horses are located in North Carolina. Unfortunately, in today's declining market, these ads are becoming more and more common. So how much money will this "free" horse really cost you?1) First thing to consider is the cost of boarding this free horse or if you have your own property and enough acreage to keep a horse on it, the cost of building a shelter and putting up proper fencing and having a place to store hay and grain. In my area, board is anywhere from $125 for strict pasture board only on up to $300 a month for full board, which includes a stall and feed and daily turn out. So for board alone, lets take an average of $225 a month, so annually...
More About: Free , Cost , Horse