MidWestHorse

RSS Feed Homepage

Articles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Horses, Dogs and Cats Cloning
2008-06-10 23:31:00
I have an old dog FIDO who I am truly devoted to who is also devoted to me and at 15 years old I consider each new year we are lucky enough to still have him with us is a bonus.While doing some research for my other site I came across a news article about Horse and Donkey Cloning , and on further research found it would even be possible to clone FIDO.Now this got me thinking would it be right to clone FIDO or when it is his time allow his time to pass and remember him for the great companion he has been.The article about horse cloning is here BBC Article First Horse Cloning back from 2003 which covers cloning a very pretty Haflinger Prometea in Italy and a Mule in Idaho.Now the interesting addition to the story is just this year Prometea has given birth to a colt Pegaso, story here Prometea Has A ColtOf course because these things cost money and because of the money in Horse Racing most of the discussions are with regard to Horse Racing , but it does raise a number of other questio...
More About: Dogs , Cats , Horses

Mom, Help!!!
2008-06-10 05:27:00
These are our boys. That's it for babies this year. Stacy ended up having a false pregnancy. It was pretty heartbreaking, I was hoping to finally get a filly. The little guy is Runt and the mini clydsdale is Flash ( he really is a quarter horse). They are less then a week apart. Flash was born May 5th and Runt on the 9th. They are at the age where they wonder off from their moms and they are starting to play. Runt has little horse syndrome and usually starts it. His mom was up by the feeder calling him, he was not in sight. He comes running from the other side of the barn with Flash on his tail. I think they will be our most entertaining pair of colts.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Definition # 2
2008-06-09 14:33:00
I've been fuming over the weekend and unable to post about it and with mixed emotions on whether to post about it, but at times I have a bit of a Scot temper and I just must say my piece and get it out there, which is why I've entitled this post as I did referring to the second definition of a Skunk.......a. A person regarded as obnoxious or despicable.b. A person whose company is avoided..............There was a lot of activity between Thursday and Friday that caused a good friend of ours to close down her blog, Mikey, The Horseshoeing Housewife. A blog that I and many more enjoy reading and getting our daily fix. Mikey, Please come back!This was all due to a group of people who blindly follow one that began posting approximately a year ago. In the beginning, it was an informative site, but has now gotten to be more of a place to "bash" others. Too bad! A place where they believe they hold the cornerstone on the moral authority and bully other human beings. I'm sure that not eve...
More About: Definition

A Skunk!
2008-06-09 14:16:00
I'm writing this for our European friends as I don't think that they have the mispleasure of ever having to deal with the torrid and rather smelly skunk. This is especially for you, Portraits de chevaux , our French friend, who asked me to explain a skunk as Kola had recently been skunked! "skunk1.a. Any of several small, mostly carnivorous New World mammals of the genus Mephitis and related genera, having a bushy tail and black fur with white markings and ejecting a foul-smelling oily liquid from glands near the anus when frightened or in danger. Also called polecat.b. The glossy black and white fur of this mammal.2. Slanga. A person regarded as obnoxious or despicable.b. A person whose company is avoided.tr.v. skunked, skunk·ing, skunks Slang1. To defeat overwhelmingly, especially by keeping from scoring.2.a. To cheat (someone).b. To fail to pay (an amount due)." Which will then lead me to my next post...............Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for...
More About: Skunk

Batton Down The Hatches!
2008-06-09 13:48:00
Here's some pics of the wonderful weather we've been having here lately! Hellashish storms! And high winds and tornados! All weekend!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

It's Hot and Humid
2008-06-06 18:10:00
It's hot and humid today, Jeremiah was here to trim the girls and they both had considerable attitudes. Most embarrassing. Because of the heat and humidity, the flies are now out, but not like they've been in the past, however, one fly is too many for the girls. Kola got skunked the other day and inspite of my efforts to clean, when Jeremiah lifted her right front to trim, I heard, "Geezus, did Kola get skunked?" and then the fresh aroma of skunk wafted upward and I said, " I thought she had, but couldn't quite decide where it was coming from." As I've mentioned once before, we have to throw the hoof trimmings out right away because Kola will pick one up and dig into the dirt with it and attempt to eat it and sure enough, we missed one and there she was playing with the trimming and then making the funny face sniff, lips all curled and head pointed up into the air...........I ask why? Why does she try and eat hoof trimmings? Does anybody know?Please visit http://midwesthorse.bl...

Is Anybody Else Really Feeling The Pinch?
2008-06-05 19:14:00
A fat cat squeezed into an empty water box, thought that would be an appropriate picture to accompany this post. We are really starting to feel the squeeze of this recession! I don't know if any of you out there are really feeling it, but we certainly have been, especially since the gas prices have increased so. For instance, I used to keep my gas tanks full. I haven't run my truck in over two months. It sits in the driveway nearly on empty. My car is getting to the "ding, ding" moment on the gas tank every single week and I only throw in 10 to 20 bucks at a time until "payday". Paycheck to paycheck living here lately and I make pretty decent money as a specialty nurse. My health care coverage cost has gone up this year and the benefits really stink! This is United Health Care, folks. My portion that I pay each month is nearly $600 and I have one bill I'm making payments on and just wrote another check for $106. This is not hospital stays here. It makes me sick, although I can't...
More About: Feeling

Images From This Week
2008-06-05 17:32:00
Stormy weather today and wet horses.Red caps or sand cranes off the road yesterday.A walk yesterday through the Kettle Moraine Forest and the Ice Age trail.Pywackette.....Queen of Gnomes........creepy!Wierd cat!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Images , Week

New Painted Ponies Of Lake Geneva
2008-06-04 14:43:00
This is a little video clip that my Darling Husband helped me put together. These ponies were given to local artistst to paint and be on display in Lake Geneva , Wisconsin and will be auctioned off after four months of display. All proceeds to go to S.M.I.L.E.S., an organization that uses horses to help disabled children and adults. Here's a link to an article written about it, Painted Ponies To Populate Lake Geneva. I will put the video up on my sidebar soon. I've only got a few pictures, but I believe there are about eighty of them, all of which are very nicely done.S.M.I.L.E.S. stands for Special Methods In Learning Equine Skills. I know I've written about this once before, asking if any of you have a program like this in your area. I think it's pretty cool. Here is the link S.M.I.L.E.S.. A very neat place and an awesome idea in my opinion.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Rode Yesterday And Hey Any Simularities?
2008-06-03 16:31:00
I wasn't able to ride last week, weather and prior commitments, etc.. So this week I made it my priority, however, I had issues with Kola. Nothing major, something I'm sure I did. So Misty was the only one ridden and I can already start to see a bit of difference in her muscle tone. I rode Misty with the saddle , but only a halter. I have to work on my hands. I carry my damned hands too high. I'm going to start putting wrist weights on. Has always been my problem, anyway she was perfect with just a halter. I had issues with Kola when I bridled her. I don't know what I did, but my guess is I pinched her ear and that set the tone, unfortunately. It wasn't that she was bad, but her mood up until then was fine and then, it was one of those situations, where your intuition comes in and you can feel the potential for a blow up, so I opted out of getting on. Instead we did some lunge line work and backing, since there was a bit of attitude there and she did popped in the nose once for...
More About: Yesterday

WTF?
2008-06-01 16:36:00
So as I've been gone to work my usual Friday and Saturday night shifts, only to return home this morning to be greeted by the proverbial "Lawn Gnome". Only there's not just one there are several lining both sides of my driveway. I, of course stopped the car and pondered the wonderment for a moment thinking, "Geeze, Steve and Zoe sure went to a lot of trouble." and "No way, They would never have been this creative on a practical joke and if anyone in this house was to play a practical joke, it would me." and " There is no way Steve would waste the money on so many lawn gnomes, would he?"Steve met me at the house as I got out of the car and I said, "What the hell?" and he said, "I know, I was so pissed this morning when I let the girls out and saw what I thought was trash all over the lawn!" I said, "So you didn't do this?" His reply, "NO!" We've since figured out that it was one Zoe's friends. He left her a present after she told him he sucked for not stickin' around to hang ou...

What Is Up With This Weather??!!!
2008-05-28 03:15:00
Just what is up with this weather? Is this global warming? Or is it simply a weather anomaly year? Yesterday, it was 88*F and last night it dropped with wind chills well into the 30's! I was going to ride today, but it was so cold I couldn't feel my fingers! And tonight they are talking about frost. For cripes sakes, it is the end of May. I know that because of the excessive rain and snow this year our local farmers are nearly a month late in planting and there is still some flooding in the fields and it's been dry for a while now. There are now permanent ponds where there never were before. It has driven my girls nuts today and so windy. I took the video, just a bit late of the real crazy behavior. I had just gotten out of a nice hot bath and was starting to get dressed and looked out the window to see Kola rearing and running and twisting and bucking with Misty right behind her. It was hilarious. I ran down with the camera in only my bra and a towel and ran outside to shoot the...
More About: Weather

Why I Love My Life........
2008-05-27 15:50:00
I can't put a photo to match all of the important people and creatures in my life that make it so great because this post would end up one ginormous photo album so I just put up a pic of my new roses. The first reason my life is so great, is that wacky British Husband of mine, Steve. He is the love of my life. He keeps me grounded and loves me inspite of me. He supports me and indulges me and he is always there for me. I couldn't ask for a better partner, lover, best friend. I'm so glad he's here with me. I know I am blessed to have him in my life. Our children. Between the two of us, we have three, Rebecca, Thomas & Zoe. Two of them came with him and one with me, but together we combine. They are all now wonderful young adults. They still give us the occasional headache and worry, TOM!, but that's what parenting is all about. We love all of them equally and worry about all of them equally and are proud of all of them equally. We are blessed to have our children. ...
More About: Life , Love , My Life

Those Pesky Flies
2008-05-27 12:01:00
I haven't done a fly post yet this year, so I thought I would now, since yesterday was really our first hot day and it seemed to be most noticeable. We, as horse companions and owners are forever battling the dreaded fly. This year I'm trying a new strategy and combining forces. It's important in so many ways to keep the fly population down for the health of your horse. Not only because they are annoying to our horse friends, but spread disease and parasites, so along with a good worming program we should have a good fly elimination program. I have decided to use Fly Predators this year to help keep the fly population at bay. I've already spread my second bag and I must say, I believe it's working already. I've heard lots of good reports about them and dozens of testimonies about how well they and so I ordered a 7 month supply that get shipped to me around the same time each month. The cost was about $130 for the season's supply. They come to me in a dormant pupae stage in a ...
More About: Flies

Memorial Day
2008-05-27 00:23:00
I thought I'd post up a couple of pics I found on the Internet of Patriotic horses to celebrate this day of remembrance. Remembering our soldiers. Unfortunately I was unable to get to a parade today, but we did have a nice breakfast at Millie's Pancake House. So a wonderful Memorial Day to all and hope you all have nice backyard barbecues with friends and family!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Just Me & My Girls
2008-05-22 21:35:00
Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Girls

Gas Rant
2008-05-22 19:27:00
I just checked out smellshorsey's post on using mules because of the high cost of fuel. We have been joking about riding our horses down the road too. This weekend coming up we could go to a couple different shows, but decided to stay home because it would cost $150 to go to one show and nearly $400 to go to the other. It cost Gerald almost $130 to fill his tank. Diesel is so much more then gas. I do not see the government stepping up to try and resolve these issues. No reducing speed limits, car pool commercials, reduced taxes, nothing! I remember when they reduced speed limits and the truck drivers got together and formed a convoy in protest. Why can't the schools limit students driving to school? They did that when I was in high school. You received a permit to park if you had a job after school or a school activity that kept you off the bus. I'm tired of my tax dollars going to the school district anyways. Of $6000 over half goes to the schools in town. I guess it bothers me...
More About: Rant

Wolf Teeth
2008-05-22 17:19:00
Well, the vet was here and the girls got their West Nile shots and Coggins drawn. I asked the Doc to take a look at Misty's teeth because recently she's been spilling her grain, not that it has affected her weight, but just to see if she needed her teeth floated and low and behold Misty still has her wolf teeth. She's so good, but often she does get mouthy with the bit. The rest of her teeth looked good and not in need of floating, but she could stand to have her wolf teeth removed. It more than likely does interfere with the bit and I'm sure they bother her. So I guess we'll be scheduling her for that procedure. While the vet was here, we looked at Kola and there were no wolf teeth, thankfully. Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Teeth , Wolf

Tuesday=Riding Day
2008-05-20 19:58:00
Well, I went out there and rode Misty first. Quite a few times around the arena and picked up the speed to a nice little trot. Amazingly, saddled up Kola as well. Last year, only a halter and saddle and Steve leading once. She's broke and used to be a lesson horse, but after my crash in 2006, I'm a little gun shy and I've had Kola for only 2 years and Misty now for 5 years, I think. I was surprised to see her just open her mouth to the bit as I approached her with it. Hell, Misty doesn't even do that! I still had Steve lead her around this time, but next week, we'll just do our thing. Steve thought she was weird on her front legs, however, she is gaited and hasn't been ridden in forever. I think she was just lazy and not used to it, but vet is out on Thursday for coggins and remainder of shots, so I'll have her look at her. Her feet are clean and she looks good to me. I think just not used to carrying the weight and that is why we are riding weekly and if it doesn't rain tom...
More About: Tuesday , Riding

Strangles
2008-05-20 06:44:00
This poor filly ended up with the worse case of strangles I ever saw, that lived. When she would nay it came out the holes in her face. Callie wanted to see pictures when she was really sick because she never saw a bad case. I couldn't bring myself to take them. I was weanie sitting this winter. She came in with 4 other ones that had just gotten over it. She came from a different farm then them. Evidently the breeder did not vaccinate her before sending her to the auction. It was a shame because she was the high selling weanling in a incentive fund catalog sale. She had gotten so down in weight that I could lift her. She is beautiful now. Hopefully the scars will go away in time. I'm going to use MTG on her. We started calling her Pusie or Pus Pus. I now it is awful, we did not think she was going to make it. You cannot give antibiotics or the infection goes to the organs and kills them, it has to run its course. I lost a gelding to bastard strangles, she had it too. The strain th...

I know I'm cute!
2008-05-20 04:47:00
Flash is turning into a real character. He looks like a mini clydesdale. He was born May 5th, he looks 2 months old, not 2 weeks! He is already chasing goats and dogs. Gerald has both his sisters and we are partners on this one. He will really enjoy showing this one when he grows up.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Cute

Frollicking In The Pasture
2008-05-20 01:56:00
Silly horses had a couple of hours out in the pasture today and the past couple of days. Saturday, they came in with a whistle. Yesterday, I actually had to go out with the lunge whip and coax them in. Today, just the whistle, but as I was walking to close the electric ribbon gate, Kola spotted me and looked me in the eye for a moment and then it was a race to close the gate, which is why I always grab the center ribbon first. Once Kola started to race me to the gate, Misty joined in. Sometimes I can fool them, other times, well, they're just too smart!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Speaking Of Great Horse Tips...........
2008-05-19 15:26:00
I thought I'd share a few of my own, well, those that I've learned from others and from experience...............1) I scrub my water troughs with plain bleach and rinse well. When I refill, I pour a 1/2 cup to one cup of bleach into the water. It makes it only slightly chlorinated and retards the growth of algae and the horses drink it.2) Now I know to use Walmart generic Metamucil (unflavored) instead of the expensive Sandclear to help prevent colick. Two tablespoons mixed with grain and a little corn oil twice a week.3) Corn Oil, another good thing. Great for disguising powdery substances in grain, such as meds or Metamucil. Also great for horses that tend to spill grain as it helps to glue it together. I've done this with Misty until I can get her an appointment to have her teeth floated.4) I keep a halter and lead rope handy in the feed shed close to where the horses are kept, just in case we have an escapee and need to capture them quickly, also nothing like a scoop of grain...
More About: Tips , Speaking , Horse

Today............
2008-05-19 04:06:00
My try at Photoshop Elements again which is the girls enjoying their time in the pasture. The cool horseshoes I bought today at the local flea market. Lilliput on her hind legs trying to play with me. A rose from my new climbing rose bushes that I planted yesterday.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Today

I Created A New Award
2008-05-18 19:42:00
Not that this is nearly as pretty as Midlife Mom's friend creates, but here it is. An award for those of us who give great tips for horse care. I've got a couple, like one half to one cup plain bleach in 100 gallons of water in trough to retard algae growth and now the Metamucil 2 tbs twice a week instead of Sandclear. Cheaper and so far just as effective. So the first one goes to Mrs.Mom at Oh Horse Feathers for all her helpful tips for general care and hoof care. And to the girls at BrownEyedCowgirls for all the posts on natural horsemanship. So I encourage everyone to take it and pass it along!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Award

I Think They Were Pissed
2008-05-17 17:25:00
Where as the dogs were gleeful and happy we were home after being gone for only 56 hours, my girls were holding a grudge and were pissed at me yesterday. Notice the tight lips and Misty's ears back. It cracks me up! They were pissed at me for leaving them for Jeremiah to feed, the dude that trims their feet. I can only imagine what they are thinking, especially Misty. OMG! Has anyone ever noticed their horse's attitude if you've ever been gone for awhile? This to me was so obvious.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Pissed

I Love Your Blog Award!
2008-05-17 17:00:00
I received this award a few days ago first from Mrs.Mom at Oh Horse Feathers and then from Jessie at Jessie & Remington . I would like to thank you both for thinking of me and I'm so glad I've come across and made some good friendships on line with some really great people with common interests! I think most of us feel similar when I say that it's pretty darn neat to share common interests and respect and enjoy the company of really perfect strangers, although, I think for most of us, even though it's an Internet world, we're really not perfect strangers. We give each other support and advice and camaraderie. I think it's really cool and I value the friendships I've made through blogging. Thanks again all of you! So I'll pass this along to Mikael at Rising Rainbow Arabians and Mikey at The Horseshoeing Housewife and to Arlene at Grey Horse Matters . Thanks again all!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Love , Blog , Award

Mizzou
2008-05-17 01:09:00
Well, Top picture in the dark, is Jesse Hall and the original columns still in place. Next a hot air balloon going over Zoe's dorm. My little Zoe coming out from her last night at work. I surprised her with that. We actually managed to get all of her things in the Jag, except the refrigerator, of which she was sure we could fit. Ultimately, one of her friends is staying in an apartment and offered to store it for her. The horse trailer that I made Steve take a picture of as we passed them on the I-70. And now we are so glad to me home! And so are our creatures, well, at least some of them.Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.

Horse Riding....YES!, Car Riding.....Booo!!!!!!
2008-05-15 15:56:00
Hey, Just wanted to apologize for getting to comments a bit late, but Steve and I left Wednesday morning for an 8 hour drive down to Columbia, Missouri to pick Zoe up from University for the summer. Unfortunately won't be back until Friday afternoon. A day to pack up the car, a day to clean and she has to work her last shift Thursday night, so we won't be able to come home until Friday. Jeremiah is watching and caring for the critters. So sorry if I left ya hangin' for a day! And thanks all for the support and encouragement for my riding!!!!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Riding , Horse

I Rode Today
2008-05-13 21:55:00
First, let me start by I know I'm a big girl, but the wind was blowing my shirt open, so it's not flattering to look at. Geeze, I need to drop fifty pounds! Anyway, every time Steve tried to take a pic, Kola investigated the camera. I first tried my hand at bareback. Oh, that was bad. The MS, I now have has really played havoc on my balance. It was hard. You can't see the concentration on my face, but it was there. Thank God for forgiving Misty mare! Then I threw the saddle on and things were much better! My goal is to ride at least once a week. Monday, I'll do it again and ride Kola as well, to Misty's relief! I'm bound and determined to put more time in the saddle and work with these girls and just enjoy!Please visit http://midwesthorse.blogspot.com/index.ht ml for more horse stories, information and resources.
More About: Today