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Dakota, Part 3
2008-03-13 16:17:00
A couple of years came and went with the same routine.......... A trainer here and there. I had gotten my trailer in 2005 and that seemed to be the best year I had with Dakota . By that time I had the little grade mare worth her weight in gold, Misty, who Jess and Gerald had found for me. I had been able to get him on the trail. The first trail ride, Todd took him out along the road while I rode Misty, Dakota reared at a passing truck. The second was on the trail and Todd rode again. Getting him to cross water was a challenge, but once he did get in the water, we had to get him out quick. Dakota loved water! The next few trail rides, I was able to take him out with a group, although he could behave so badly on the ground, he wasn't too bad out on the trail. He loved the trail and wanted to go, go, go................Every now and then, he would give a little kick and then try to run, but was easy enough to stop and spin around. I could put complete non riders on Misty and she would t...
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Dakota, Part 2
2008-03-13 15:13:00
So Dakota was here and I had connected the training pen to the lean-to temporarily until the fence for the paddock and pasture were finished. I had gotten all the things I needed. The 100 gallon water trough, feed dishes, feed and cleared out a space in the garage and layed down some pallets and ordered my hay. I believe it was about September of 2000 when Dakota moved in. I can't remember exactly, may have been October.I set up the training pen and starting lunging Dakota on my off days as Jess had taught me. That is until Winter set in and I was limited to just spending time with him feeding and watering and he eventually got better with Huck the farrier. I sucked in every piece of advice I could. Bought the books on training, veterinary, horse care and all I could. Many a call to Jess for advice and silly worries. Started his worming schedule. He had is Autumn care done at Jess's. Winter watering was difficult because dumb me had managed to freeze the hose and outdoor water spi...
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Dakota,My First,My Love,My Nemesis! Part 1
2008-03-13 00:11:00
There seems to be a lot of talk recently about the right horse, the wrong people, the right trainer, etc.. So I thought I would share my experience with my first horse. The horse of my own. The first horse I ever bought. And this horse is Dakota , registered name Dusk Te Troubles. And don't ever let anyone say that there's nothing in a name..........This story begins in the year 2000, when I had finally good reason and bit the bullet to get a divorce from my daughter's father. I had the property. I had wanted a horse and pony for years, but the marriage being what it was, well, it just didn't happen. So onward I went, keeping the home and Zoe in my care and meeting Steve over the Internet. I decided that it was time to get my horse.I asked Jess to keep an eye out and help me find my horse as I had "0" experience with this process and Jess had horses currently and off and on throughout the years. Of course, me, knowing nothing at this point wanted a gelding and one with color and ...
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Infested!
2008-03-12 12:08:00
In the immortal words of Popeye, " That's all I's can take! I can't takes it no more!" I'm gettin' a bigger gun! Today! I chased one down all over the backyard yesterday evening. Must have hit the rat at least ten times at fairly close range. And it's still roaming around. Steve took the dogs out at about 10pm last night and Fido had one cornered and one went up a small tree. Steve got the dogs in and went out with the gun and cornered the big one and shot it at least five times and it came at him snarling.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Another Great Goat Escape
2008-03-10 21:30:00
Another great goat escape caught on video. Too funny, they are crafty. Thought this would be some good entertainment. It was finally warm enough to unveil the girls. Guess what, it's diet time. Seriously diet time, especially for Kola. We will definately be cutting back on all horse food. Geezus, Kola got fat! It's been too cold to pull blankets and it's been awhile since I seriously checked, so now Diet! They'll be pissed, I suspect, but "Oh Well!" Strict diet! Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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It Must Be Nice To Know It All!
2008-03-10 17:34:00
Let me begin this post by simply saying, that I'll share my personal experiences, but I'm always, I mean always in the learning mode. That other's out there involved with horses certainly have more experience and knowledge to offer and though some of it, I may disagree with at times, I will keep my listening ears on. When it comes to horses and training and, what works for some may not work for others. I recently went out to visit a certain very popular blog (and I'm not talking about Big Green), only to find a certain well known trainer's ideas being trashed. I must admit that I personally have only read tidbits about this trainer's ideas and a lot of people follow these methods. I recently did a post myself about the "horsenalities" this trainer had described. I thought it was fun, and the article itself was interesting reading. In my limited consistent horse experience of a short eight years, I've learned alot, but certainly not all, by any means! I've learned alot from m...
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The Opossum Saga Continues
2008-03-10 02:07:00
Fed up with my complaining of the opossum continuing to visit us and while I have worked my usual Friday and Saturday night shifts, Stephen went out to Walmart to get us a pellet gun, of which we will be getting heavier pellets tomorrow. I was surprised to hear this afternoon that when I awoke he had popped it in it's bottom twice. He knew he had gotten it because the first one he saw it's fur move and the second one made it jump. However, I believe that we have a family here as we were certain that we had scared it off, another had returned this evening and as I grabbed the gun and had a straight shot at the bastard, the gun jammed. Damn!!!!!! The lady behind the gun counter assured us that five pellets ought to do it in as it has the same pop of a ".22". I went on a mission this evening. Where Steve doesn't feel right about killing it, I was not sure about it and I now am certain. I'm done! I'm running them off, even if it's in a garbage bag, permanently. I could not find hi...
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A Stellar Day.....Not!
2008-03-06 22:48:00
So here it is..........Stephen went out to Lake Geneva to check with The Abbey about getting our boat at dock there this Spring and while he was out, I decided to sit in the extension and watch our Saltwater tank for awhile, interesting fish. I like to look for the elusive "Jack Blenny", a lawnmower blenny who likes to hide and the dogs started barking out the window. So I look out and see Zeke, my kitty truckin' across the yard and tell the dogs off only to realize that what they were really barking at was that bastard opossum! Now we all know what opossums can bring to horses...EPM! Now I see this creepy thing in broad daylight. I keep the feed locked up in the feed shed in lock containers, but I can't stand these things around my property at all and although it wasn't near my feed shed but in and out of the garage, I go out. I need a pellet gun! I'm getting one first thing next week (payday). Call me paranoid, but I armed myself with an old African spear, chucked it at him, b...

Big Spring Plans
2008-03-06 16:26:00
OK, Big plans for this Spring .........These are the things on our list of purchases from trusty Farm n' Fleet next week. I'm going to re-seed the pasture. Of course this will piss the girls off as Misty is still pining away at the pasture, although it's currently filled with snow and ice, but I plan on re-seeding with a horse pasture seed mix, may have to look around a bit for the right mix, but as soon as this winter breaks and ground has thawed, we will get right to it. The de-thatcher as well as for weeds, but I'm hoping this will help in riding arena/training pen as well to soften up and loosen ground. Not sure about that one, may have to re-think that plan. What I really need is sand in that area, but I worry as in the Winter, I extend the paddock by opening riding area so the girls have more room to stretch, which then means I will have to change feeding habits as often we just throw hay out there and if it's sand, can't do that. It wouldn't be such the problem as I gen...
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Treats?????
2008-03-06 02:47:00
Do any of your horses receive treats from you? And if they do, what are they? Is there anything unusual that your horse likes to eat? I know alot of people out there don't approve of treats, but I like to give my girls occasional treats. And when I do give them treats, it must be even. I swear they count. I know some horses will eat weird people food, but I'm always afraid to let them try odd people food, but that's just me. The treats my girls will get on occasion are apples, pears, carrots, regular horse treats of most varieties, including raisin treats, butterscotch, licorice and peppermints. I have given them an occasional peppermint candy. So what's on your horse's diet?Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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On A Cute Note.............
2008-03-05 15:45:00
The young man is resting on the old man who is resting. I thought this was too cute. Fido, the old man can be quite cantankerous and cranky. He usually doesn't have much patience with the younger much more energetic border collie, Spot. But in this case apparently all is right with the world................Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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The Girls Have Protested!
2008-03-05 01:03:00
As I mentioned yesterday, I had the full intention of clearing out the Lean-To of horse poo, only the winter gripped wheel barrow did not cooperate. Something that happens in the great Wisconsin winters. Now, mind you, I keep up with the cleaning fairly well as entirely half of this building is clear, I mean clear. I sometimes throw the hay in there as the girls' hay feeder is now surrounded by an ice rink. Today, they protested and once again it is freezing cold, when the average temp this time of year should be nearing the 40's, it is in the teens with single digit wind chills. I crawled under the fence with an arm load of hay this evening, usually the girls will come towards me and anxiously await their hay. They stood soundly on the frozen poop and mud peppered ice rink in the paddock extension, which turns into a training pen during warmer months. "We would rather eat out here on the ice rink, you jerk." "You haven't hauled out our crap and we're not eating in there!" "We d...
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The Best Layed Plans
2008-03-04 00:46:00
Well, today I had planned on cleaning out the Lean-To for the girls. A fair amount of horse poop, but nothing I couldn't clear in about thirty minutes, however, because it warmed up last night and then froze again by morning, my wheel barrow has now frozen into the ground. Even at my best efforts with a decent spade shovel, I was unable to release it from the grips of winter. And I now have to be creative where I throw hay for the girls because the pen and paddock have turned into an ice rink. Poor girls are walking gingerly over the crappy frozen ground to keep from sliding. The picture above was the snow the day before it all changed to ice with a dusting now over it. The other picture is Fido, who managed to get himself locked in the goats' pen the other day after they had escaped once again. The small animals in this household are on my naughty list right now as Fido has eaten at the horse apple buffet yet once again and promptly came indoors to puke in my kitchen. Rotten reta...
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Just For Fun Google Maps and Horse Blogs
2008-03-03 23:51:00
Hi Guys and Gals thought you might like to play with this still loads of blogs to add so if your not added will be soon , It is pretty cool if you would like to change Photos or anything else let me know. I generaly go to larger map which takes you to google maps to play .View Larger MapI do plan to add some other horse related stuff later but one thing at a time You can get your own little version like the one in Callies Side Bar with your location.I will try to add a number of other blogs over the next week or so . All I have used is information you have made available in your public profile if you want it changed or want to be left off let me know .I love the little pics click on the pick to go to the bloggers blogStevePlease visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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Seeing Eye Horse, But There's a Twist
2008-03-03 16:13:00
Now the fact that Miniature Horse s are being used as Seeing Eye Guides for the blind is not funny in itself. I think it's rather cool. What is funny is my husband's reaction. I recently showed Steve a couple of posts out there. One at Simply Marvelous and more recently at Home On The Range . He did not believe it and swore that these horses were the mechanical Hasbro Butterscotch Pony......... We just argued for 15 minutes about it. I am laughing so hard......"How can a toy act as a seeing eye guide, Darling? " "Dogs do, why not mini horses?" His reaction, "Nooooooo????????" Oh what a silly man he can be sometimes, makes for great conversations and he gets his own back every now and then. Once I convinced him that a Jackalope truly exists, even went so far as to get him a mounted Jackalope for Christmas one year, although, he was skeptical, he might have just gone along with that one to amuse me. Had Zoe convinced as a toddler that if she was to get chicken pox, she would turn...
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I'm Posing A Question..........
2008-03-02 23:50:00
Ok, Now this is a tough one for me, but the question is this...........Other than your own discipline, What do you admire most? I do extremely light riding, occasional trail, not nearly as often as I would like, but I plan on changing that this year with a new schedule that allows me a little more time, but unfortunately I no longer have a trailer, ie: kid in college...... About three years ago, I managed to get quite a few trail rides in and even a few two years ago, but last year was bad for me, for many reasons I will not go into, anyway.........I love to trail ride with a group. Mostly a small group, but even the huge group, 100 plus, that I got to go on for two hours with my best friend Jess and Gerald, was too much fun and so confidence building. My horse even jumped a tiny creek as if it was a damned huge tree and I stayed on, Thanks to Gerald insisting on re-adjusting my saddle and helping this MS riddled heavy weight weakling to get back on, Bless his big heart. I loved it...
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In Like A Lamb
2008-03-01 20:45:00
Here it is March 1st and I'm still using my winter hay moving device. I would really like a nice big sled like the ice fisherman use. Maybe next winter. Harry rode it out that far then jumped ship. The first show in the area is today and I didn't even feel like going. There is a 2 day one at the end of the month that I'd rather go to. A lot of my friends will be at that one, they are all out of town right now. My friend Sue is out in Las Vegas for a show and her son is at college so she sent her broodmare over to foal out. She is due March 6th and looks like she should go on schedule. The rest of her horses are due in late April and they should be home. Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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Naughty Naughty Blogger
2008-02-29 17:03:00
I posted this yesterday and then retracted it, now I'm bringing it to light again. It may be childish and stupid of me, but I get pissed when I feel that my friends and myself have been attacked, maybe not personally, but none the less as a whole. If I offend anyone, read apology on previous post.I've been holding back for some time now and I just cannot contain myself any longer................Of course most of the comments I've read on my own blog and on a few other's blogs of this now notorious mean spirited so-called horse blogger, state that she is entitled to her opinion. I have read this blog, because......curiosity that anyone could not possibly be that vile, and it has stirred us up so much. These may be her opinions, but my best guess is that she is a lonely pitiful human and her intent is to piss others off. What she shares most likely is NOT a matter of opinion, but designed to bring her attention. "Even negative attention is better than none." She has a vile "opinio...
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I Apologize
2008-02-29 01:42:00
I temporarily posted a rant about "bad blogger".We know who I'm talking about. I have resended it and saved it for a rainy day, so to speak. It was only posted for about 20 minutes so if I offended anyone, I apologize.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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Misty Rolling During Dinner
2008-02-28 23:37:00
I just took this video this afternoon as I had been out cleaning and replenishing water troughs and since it was afternoon, the girls naturally decided that it was time for dinner. While they were eating, Misty just decided to start rolling, of course directly after I had straightened her blanket. I tried to zoom in and my camera won't let me while shooting video, bummer. It's always fun to catch them doing things like this. Usually in the summer directly after having been given a bath and good groom. The dirtiest part of the paddock, usually. Again, Pardon the state of my hardened ice/snow mix of poop, hay and all. Unfortunately not much I can do about until Spring.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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Farm & Fleet
2008-02-28 03:55:00
This is a little post about one of my favorite stores. We have them in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. I don't know what farm type stores y'all have everywhere else in the world. We also have Tractor Supply Company, but Farm & Fleet is one of the greatest. I've decided that Stephen and I can no longer visit this store without walkie talkies or both with our cell phones on. This store is very large. There is clothing, boots, shoes, farm equipment, agriculture, gardening, car and truck, horse stuff of course, fishing, candy, toys, and many other fun things. Tonight, Steve and I thought we'd stop in for a bit and check out the merchandise. You mustn't ever separate as we spent nearly an hour looking for each other. Back and forth, up and down aisles, just missing each other and there were hardly any people in there tonight, until finally I heard my name paged to the customer service desk. I thought "Thank Christ!" I was beginning to give up. And it was about the time I was co...

A New Award
2008-02-27 19:19:00
Of course, I gave this to myself, to showcase it to others. And will pass it along. This is the brain child of Midlife Mom over at Home On The Range . I think it's a great idea and shall first pass it on to Mikael at Rising Rainbow who clearly shows her passion through the writings and stories of her precious Arabians including following their stories even after being sold. Her love of horses is clear. The next is my friend, Mrs.Mom, over at Oh Horse Feathers who rehabs barefeet and gives great advise and absolutely makes my day with marvelous posts. And to Grey Horse Matters , another great horse lover, with lots of experience and marvelous posts and advice. I could certainly keep going with this and I again will invite all of you to take this award as it's well deserved to all of us who love our horses and horses in general, regardless of breed or discipline.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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An Arabian Mare
2008-02-27 17:23:00
This post is in response to a post written by my friend Mikael at Rising Rainbows . Apparently someone out there in the blogosphere has trashed the Arabian Horse for some unknown reason, only reason I can come up with is simple ignorance. The Arab was always my favorite as a kid and I always hoped to have one when I grew up. As it turned out, I ended up with my muttly girls, which suits me down to the ground, however, I met a friend, who has Arabs and I had the opportunity to keep one of his own at my property for awhile, so that my husband could get the feel (because that is one of his favorite horse breeds). I also had a house full of young adult non riders and newer riders at the time. Todd lent me his beautiful Arab mare, "Toots".Her registered name escapes me. But I have never met a sweeter, more well trained mare in my life. This horse would load herself on a trailer without lead and back out when asked. She rode bitless and was quite forgiving as all kids took a turn on her f...
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An Afternoon's Entertainment
2008-02-25 23:44:00
This was my afternoon entertainment. My goats acting silly. They often like to show off. Saturday morning when I returned home from work at about 8:45 am. I peeled myself out of my car, gathered up my purse, keys, etc. and started towards the house, only to notice three goats which had filed out of their pen and headed towards me. They must have been out since 7:30 am when Steve had fed everybody. If you do not drop the latch to the gate as far down as possible, these clever boys, Pumba, in particular, will use his lips to lift the latch and out they come. They had to have been in and out of the pen as evidenced by various amounts of goat droppings all over the yard. I had to sneak them an extra scoop of grain to encourage them to return to their area. The horses chose to ignore them. I thought it was hilarious!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
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I'm Lucky Really..........
2008-02-25 20:33:00
A reason for reflection..........It seems lately that allot of friends both personally close and those I've connected with over the Internet with horses have suffered losses of their equine friends this year already. This brings me to this post....... And why I dread that day, hopefully long into the future. Why my mares are important to me and why, even on days when my energy is sapped, I muster the strength to go out in the cold and just be with them, even after the chores have been done. It's simple really, they give me piece of mind, comfort, challenges and a sense of freedom. I can't say the loved returned is unconditional because they are unlike dogs that way, but it is returned in simple ways, a nicker when they see me approach and the way they come to the fence when I'm there. The trust they have in me, knowing somehow that I would never do anything to harm them and everything to protect them. The nuzzle I receive after I've stopped the scratch in their "spot" to encour...
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Introvert or Extrovert?
2008-02-22 05:30:00
These poor girls are as tired of winter as I am. I went out to take pics of feet to send to my new friend, S, for an opinion. Kola is most cooperative. So easy, just picks up her feet like she is supposed to, never an issue. My stubborn redhead, Misty is quite a different story. Not so easy, but not dangerous, just stubborn. This leads to me to an interesting article I just read in Horse Illustrated about introverts and extroverts related to horse personalities. After reading this, I decided my call on their personalities was pretty darn close. Kola is a Right Brain Extrovert needing, "Get me calm, help me feel safe, focus me, Then I'll do whatever you want." Misty is a Left Brain Introvert, "Alright, give me a reason to do this. What's in it for me? Please tell me it's food!" These I quoted from the Pat Parelli, Secrets for Success article I read. I found it to be spot on and quite interesting.I'm listing the four different horsenalities as described in the article. You decide ...

Pet Peeves
2008-02-20 18:22:00
I've been tagged by Grey Horse Matters for a rather fun game of pet peeves. This is a good way of "sounding off" and not only fun, but good for the soul! So I will try and limit mine to five, although once I get rolling, who knows what may show up on this post. Muhahah! Some of this may be related to the blogosphere and some may not.1) And this first one is NOT related to any of my fellow bloggers that I've met and respect out here, but there have been places I have visited with many a follower who will leave a comment, but then hide behind a made-up profile that is not accessable. If you have a statement to make or an opinion, please have the "kahunas" to stand behind that opinion and don't just follow the leader and hide. 2) What I learned, especially when I first got back into horses eight years ago and I especially noticed this in the horse world, is that everyone is an expert........It amazes me, the number of "horse people" (self proclaimed experts) that really don't know ...
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Lady O Lena
2008-02-19 15:51:00
Here are a few pics I have of Lady , that I took of her last Spring. I thought I would put this up for Jess and I added a poem I found. I know she, Lady, was very loved by Jess....."Don't Cry for the HorsesLook up into heaven,You'll see them above. The horses we lost, The horses we loved. Manes and tails flowing, As they gallop through time, They were never yours. They were never mine. Don't cry for the horses, They'll be back some day. When our time is gone, They will show us the way.Do you hear that soft nicker? Close to your ear? Don't cry for the horses, Love the ones that are here.Don’t cry for the horses, That life has set free. A million white horses, Forever to be.Don’t cry for the horses, Now in God’s hands. As they dance and they prance, To a Heavenly band.They were ours as a gift, But never to keep, As they close their eyes Forever to sleep.Their spirits unbound, On silver wings they fly. A million white horses, Against the blue sky"Author UnknownPlease visit ht...

Bye Lady O Lena
2008-02-19 05:43:00
Late last week Lady 's hind legs gave out on her and she couldn't get back up. We tried to help her and she just fell. I prepared myself all weekend to have her put down. Due to weather conditions and the fact that I can not emotionally handle putting my animals down Gerald done it today. I kissed her good-bye this morning before I went to work. She was in the stall, so she was put down in there. She was dry and warm. She couldn't even prop herself up to eat and drink. I had to hold her head up to drink and I dumped her food on the stall mat and she ate it laying down. Her mind was so alert and she was still eating and drinking, her body failed her. I think the winter was just too hard on her. It broke my heart watching her try to get up. She would just look at me as if she was just wanting to go to sleep and not wake up. She didn't seem to be in pain, she just couldn't get her back legs to work. I cried when I saw the empty stall, It would of hurt more seeing her struggle one ...

Manicure Today
2008-02-18 15:33:00
Well, Finally back to some sense of normalcy. Still not 100% ,but at amongst the living today. Geeze, How long does this damned flu last anyway. Today is manicure day. The girls are due to get trimmed today although it is snowing, but it needs to be done and they'll feel better for it. They both have hidden in the barn today. Yesterday, I watched the goats trim the rest of their tails. Boo Hiss! Sorry, I haven't been around. I promise that today, I shall make the rounds and get caught up on everyone's posts. Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.