Our new home!

So, as you all know, I have moved. 7 miles away. Now I am in Barneveld. My sister took some nice photo's of the place. I have to say that the horses and I are very happy to be here. I had looked at a few places to rent and NONE of them were as nice as this place. AND i only moved 7 miles. Could have been worse. Now we are dealing with our utilities- such as our phone! I am trying Magic Jack. Its a phone service through our computer/internet. $19.95 a year and that is unlimited calling in the US. Boy, my phone bills before were about $80.00-120.00 a month. And that was land line and also internet. Being out in the country you don't normally have a choice on telephone. And I don't have a cell phone and refuse to get one! Too expensive! So the Magic Jack has been working and not working. MJ received good reviews, but we haven't quite figured it out yet! Not having a phone for almost 3 weeks has been a bit of pain, but ok so far. No emergencies.
So here is a look at the new house. The barn is NOT being used as you can see. I have some of my tack in areas where it doesn't rain into. Too bad the owner didn't keep up the barn. It is a great barn! You can see some of the horses in the pasture. It has wonderful, BIG, mature trees for shade! Yesterday was in the car dealership getting my car fixed. Something always seems to come up for sure! But dealing with it, because there is no choice!

My sweet Harley

Well, I have to tell you all about Harley. He was a 20 year old TB gelding (past racer) who was surrendered to me by a woman who couldnt afford him. Actually the story is that she had him about 10 years ago and then let him go to a family with an autistic boy who rode him. They had him for years. Then the husband died and the wife didnt know how to care for Harley and his companion. He ended up getting pretty skinny. The woman who had him before got wind about Harley and took him back and actually got some good weight on him even though he needed more. He had a back leg injury which took some care from her and our vet (we both have the same vet). She then lost her job and then contacted me to see if I could take him. Funny thing is- I was pretty full up but this woman and I both do rescue work and she needed to find him a home. 1 month later, I got Baby Breeze back from his owners and I might have said no to Harley if I knew I was getting Breeze back. Sometimes I do believe in fate. So in the winter of 2008 I got Harley. He had a wonderful calm about him. He was also very tall. 16.2 hands. He was a bay and just wanted to do his own thing. He wasnt all that close to the horses but he liked to be around them. The next year after the winter, Harley got to have the lawn to himself to eat at his leisure. But the boy just couldnt get over 1075 pounds. He really needed at least another 100 pounds if not 150 pounds put on! But i just couldnt get it on him. He ate, he ate like a pig! But anything like weight builders and other stuff - he wouldnt eat it. He just liked his sweet feed and senior feed along with grass and hay. I spent hundreds of dollars and had people donate tons of stuff to try to add or just feed separately to him. He never ate it. I guess I could have just left it there for when he got really hungry to eat it, but I couldnt do that to him. He couldnt go without even one feeding in my book! And he was happy, not in pain although he had some pretty mild to advanced arthritis in his back hips. But he loved his life i think! Jean, my vet came out and did blood work on him, all normal. Fecal was done, teeth good, all normal. He loved carrots, didnt like apples much. But i just couldnt get him over that 1075 mark! I got called in to the Iowa County Humane officer about him this year. She came out and i explained about him, she called my vet and she knew everything that could be done with Harley was being done. First time anyone has ever called me in. Any time someone comes over, I make sure to explain about Harley so they know that he isnt being neglected. But someone called me in. I guess I shouldnt have been so upset, but i was. But i guess i would rather people call in about horses that they are worried about than not. I have called authorities myself. But only after I have spoken to the owners. Most times its just a matter of education, sometimes not. Anyways, that part was taken care of.
Since i had to move, i was worried about my Harley. He was just too unstable to take a trip, even 7 miles up the road! I also knew that Harley wasnt going to be able to take another winter so I wanted him to have a great summer doing what he wanted. He was so spoiled, he would knock into people to make them pet him! He would go wherever, whenever he wanted. I feel bad that I couldnt take him, but he also wouldnt have been able to get his normal feeding in with the other horses. I couldnt chance him to get knocked over by running horses. So I made the decision to put him down the week after the other horses left. He was with me at my old house for a week by himself. I was also worried that he would have a big fit that he didnt have the other horses, but he went on like normal. We had a great week together, he got probably way more grain, way more carrots than any horse should. And still he had not gained any more weight. But he loved the time we had together. Jean came out to help me with Harley on June 23, 2010. I had the tough time, Harley did not. It was very peaceful. Jean even commented on how it went. I dont want to say it went smooth or well, because those arent the right terms or words. I think Harley was ready. I wasnt ready, but I am never ready to put a horse down. Harley just knew. And he was a great boy. Totally different than any horse i have had. He was a beautiful boy. I loved him so.

Do you all remember me?

Hello Everyone!!

Well I am finally ALL moved!! Yes, it was more of a nightmare than moving the horses! the horses were at the new place for 2 weeks before I got to move in! I closed on my house on June 25, had to store all of my stuff (junk) in my old garage until i could move in to the new place on July 1st! Stayed with my sister, had off from work and went to see the horses everyday. The time went so fast. Didnt even seem like a vacation! Sometimes alot of sleep, sometimes not! But I am thankful. I am moved. the house still has boxes but for the most part, we are moved in things are in their places!! I am going to also have a garage sale sometime in August. I just have so much stuff in my garage and instead of throwing it away (although, i threw away alot!), i will just try to sell it and get a few bucks! So lots have been going on. A wonderful girl, Brooke has fell in love with Antar and so she will be adopting him this month! She is a vet student as well! She came out a few times to ride him and was deciding on either Antar or another horse from another rescue. Antar is such a good boy. Rebecca took him out on trail by himself and he did wonderful! She also took him out with Missy with Rebecca riding Missy and Brooke riding Antar. Both did so well!! I think it will be a good match! I will miss that boy, but know that Brooke will take good care of him. He will be near as well so i can come and visit him! So then I will be down to 11 horses!! Mya is coming along beautifully in her training! She was ridden for the first time last night since being here at the new place! Rebecca has just been getting her used to the new pen and ground working with her! I know she will be a great trail horse! Also been working with Raven, the Missourri Fox Trotter filly (age 3) and I think i will be putting her up for adoption now. She has only had some ground work done and is picking up her feet, letting us touch her all over and getting brushed. She is a little bit nervous but really wants to please! From looking at her teeth, she cant be over 3 years of age. She is the one I got from a guy who just wanted her gone. We couldnt even put a halter on her! I am her 4th home! She wont be all that big, but she is a little more than 14.2 hands right now. And is she pretty or what?? I am actually going to downsize my herd and not take in anymore horses until probably next year when I can safely do so depending on my finances and my sanity!! But anyhow, I want to thank everyone who came to help me out. Without all of you good friends and family, i would never had made this happen!! I am so blessed! Thank you all!

Tired and stressed!

Hello Everyone!
Is is morning??? What day is today? My gosh, my brain is totally fried. I still packing the house, going through the garage, working 2 jobs and moving horses and horse tack. Thursday night.... Wow, what a whirlwind. I had my friends, Barb and Joe with a trailer and my neighbor Steve with his trailer. I was going to have my vet come out to sedate horses (2) to transport to the new place. I also had helping, Jodi, Brianna, Helen, Austin, Morgan, (barb's daughter- sorry i cant remember her name right now!), Rebecca and Ross. We needed to haul 7-8 horses and panels. took us a few loads, but it was done. My poor Vet Jean, got hurt Thursday morning. She literally had a Jackass that actually fell on her while she was working on him/her. I hear she is fine, but very sore and badly bruised. Well the horses that needed sedation but they got on without sedation. Used coaxing, butt lines and then finally panels finally did the trick with those two (Mya and Breeze). Poor Brianna was the only one to get hurt during this processed. Baby Breeze kicked her square in her upper thigh. She is doing better, thank goodness. It actually went quite well with Honey and Kobb. I got her in the barn with some grain, shut the doors and then we moved them up with panels to the end of the barn, backed the trailer up the doors and then let them go to the trailer. Honey seemed so trusting. If you dont know who Honey is, she is my paint mare who is blind and feral. Even after almost 3 years, she will still not allow me to touch her. But she and Kobb did well. Kobb is taking good care of her at the new place and sticking to her like glue until she gets the feel of the place and knows where her boundries are. Yesterday, we got together all of the rest of the horse tack and took it up. Michelle and Rebecca helped with that! Unfortunately Harley will not be making the trip. He is just too unbalanced to go on a trailer ride. Me and Harley are hanging out at my place until its time for Jean to come out and let him go to Horse Heaven. Dont worry, Harley is doing fine without the other horses as well. I am giving him plenty of love, grain and treats. He is going about his business like there isnt any difference or no other horses there. I was worried about him, but he is a good boy and loves his routine. It helps me as well not having the horses here with me. I go up at least once a day (if not twice) to check on the horses. There is a couple who lives at the place that I will be moving into and she is watching and has my numbers in case there is a problem. I have electric up there but it doesnt seem to be working at this time! So a call to John will be made today! I have this sick feeling in my stomach. Called stressed. I will be so glad when this is all over. I close on my house on Friday, and then move into the house a week from Wednesday. Trying to get all packed. But man, do i have wonderful friends. Even Helen's family has been up to see the horses and make sure they are ok! Thank you for that! I do appreciate the help. Like i have said before, I would have never been able to do this on my own. Never. I will be off of work from JUne 23 noon and not go back to my day job until July 6, Tuesday. I go back to Walmart on July 2. I just have this one more hurdle in moving stuff into the garage on June 24 and then moving the stuff out on June 30. And then i will be in my new home. I hope the new owners of my home will love it like i have - for 17 years. It will be hard, but i will make it through. thank you so much all of you for your support, help and love. I love you all!
Will hopefully give you an update by the end of the week. And say a prayer for Harley! He is such a good boy.

STARTING TO MOVE!

Ok, so my life is shambles right now. I close on my home on June 25, I cant move into the new house until June 30 late or July 1st. Yesterday we started to move horses to the new place. It is only 7 miles away so i can go and check on them before work and then after work. Not that i want to not be there, i do, but circumstances are different. I also wanted the horses to go out on pasture. They have been busting wood fences all over to get to the grass. I had to take down my electric rope fencing to put up at the new place (Thanks to John, it looks great!).
So i decide to get a couple of trailers with the help of my good, good friends. We had a few problems at the first, but we ended up loading and taking 5 horses. Papa Jack, Duke, Missy, Prize and Cheyenne. I was worried about Prize, but she didnt take too long to load. My home now is the only home she has known. She isnt afraid of much and she just didnt want to load. Didnt give us too much of a hassle, just loaded after much coaxing. We tried Mya, but she wasnt having any of that! You know those trailers, you get in, some monster will torture, scare and then eat you alive!! Now i have 8 more to go! Pouring rain! One couple with a trailer said they had major storms in their area so didnt come. Thank you to Tammy with her truck and trailer! Rebecca, Jodi and Brianna helped with loading! Then me and Rebecca had to come back with a water tank so the babies can have water! these above pics are taken last night with Rebecca's phone camera! Boy, do i wish for a fast forward to July 2!! Horses doing well this morning in the grass and trees! They love that!
Thank you so much my dear, dear friends! More news on the moving coming!

blogger down

I have had to try to blog for a few days now and have had no success. It was simply down. Man, the times I can blog, I forget to do so or its down and the time I cant blog, I want to. Go figure. Anyhow, plans for moving is underway. Lots to do and boy am I extremely nervous about it. If it were just me, I wouldnt worry much, but its me, my brother, my 2 dogs, our 6 cats and of course - 13 horses. Was 14 horses but Daevin got his forever home Memorial Day weekend. Which, by the way, he is doing absolutely fabulous. I figured they would beat the crap out of him for a few days. Daevin is NOT an alpha horse at all. But the two he joined just ran with him for awhile and then they went on to graze. The Arab mare is in love with him and i think the gelding is trying to figure out if Daevin is all bluff or all bite. Well he will figure it out. When i went to see him the day after he left, he was right in the middle of the two horses not caring at all. Normally he would be all jittery watching for the two and not getting in the middle. Anyhow, he is fitting in nicely and Shania is his new mom and she is very happy with him. I am very happy he has a great home!
ok- so back to moving. I will be moving the horses next Tuesday afternoon, and then I will not be moving until either June 30 or July 1. I will of course go up there every day to make sure they are ok. The lady who lives there also said she would keep an eye open as well. But leaving them will be hard. But they will have a few acres of grass and they desperately want and need that! They have been trashing my wood fences because they arent getting grass yet. It seems every time that i go out to feed that they are saying when is it grass time mom?? How come we dont get grass this year? And man! with all of the rain lately? Getting very tired of that! it seems that we got our april showers in June now. Pretty muddy. Boy, am i looking forward to no dry lot or what?? I will not know what to do with myself in not feeding them 2 times a day! Well at least for awhile! I have great friends who will be helping me with hauling! Tammy and Barb! Poor Jodi has an axle problem and cant help. Good thing the new place is only 7 miles away. I have a guy, John who is helping me with fencing in more grass area for the horses as well. So I am just hoping everything comes together and works out. Cant wait for July 2! Will be in the house (hoping I didnt jinx myself) and getting settled.
Also- training update. We will now be working with 'little miss sassy pants' Raven. She is not a horse who likes humans to get close, but she is curious and is most times a good girl who has tantrums. Her buddy is Antar and he lets her get away with alot. She is actually mean to him and he either likes it or just doesnt care. I have to get a picture of her biting him and him getting annoyed but not getting after her. She likes to stomp her foot as well and I am not liking that. When she wants something, she will let everyone know! So more pictures coming soon!
Hope you all are having a great summer with your babies!

And she came down!

ok, so another post to do! Mya was also worked with last night with Rebecca! BUT! Mya had a bit of meltdown! Mya absolutely hates the bigger flies, horse flies all of them bugs! She gets frantic, upset and starts her bucking, crow hopping whatever. She got tense on Rebecca when she got on her. Rebecca did feel that. We didnt know the bugs were there for poor Mya. I went into the house for something and i come out and Rebecca told me she got dumped!! the bugs are all we could think of because she got all weirded out and saw more flies and bugs. We spray her but man! Those bugs be-line to Mya! (pun intended!) So the first time in a long time for Rebecca to get dumped off of a horse. We all know it happens, we just try to fall gracefully, with dignity and hopefully the least amount of soreness and bruising as possible! Rebecca ended up with a scrape on her hand and on her thigh. And she says good thing for helmets cuz she hit her head. her head protected because of the helmet!! So wear your helmets kids. I know its awkward sometimes and for us girls who never even had helmets to wear when we were kids riding horses, we should be! So lesson there! Its everyone's decision though (over the age of 18) but a good habit to get in to! So here is to Rebecca and being a great trainer that she is and gets back on Mya. So while the bugs are out, we will be riding Mya when its hotter and the bugs are out of the heat! Mya doesnt break much of a sweat anyhow! But I hope you are doing ok Rebecca!! (she emailed me today and said she was!) That is one of my fears that i fall off of a horse and break something! Yikes! Anyhow, Daevin will be leaving my ranch this weekend to his new mom Shania. I will miss you dear Daevin. He is such a good boy! He will only be about 25 minutes away from me and will be buds with a large paint gelding and an Arab mare. NICE place! I love you Daevin!