A friend once told me, "Never hold a grudge against a horse."

I can't remember why he said it that day. We were standing around the barn, cleaning stalls, tending our horses, and maybe I told him about my little mustang taking a strike at me--or maybe it was Cowboy taking a kick at me and missing--it doesn't really matter. Anyone who works with horses knows things can go along smoothely 99 percent of the time and then one day something unforeseen happens and we're reminded how half wild, proud, and strong these phenomonal animals really are.

Last week, when Katie's Zippy broke through the fence like it was nothing and my herd of six horses joined her on that wild rampage, it was clear to us that there was no stopping them unless they decided to stop. In those minutes of not knowing which direction they'd go--through the fence and into the wild city, or to us to let us halter them, I was reminded how little control we really have except what they give us.

When Zippy finally stopped for me and let me catch her I was thankful, but she was new to my herd and the rest of the horses did not take her lead. As far as they were concerned, there could have been a cougar or bear that had got her running around in the first place, and they were going to be ready to tear out of there and save themselves.

But lucky for me, my three year old filly, Cia, stopped and listened to my whoaing and tried to use the rational side of her brain rather than the flight side the rest of the herd was using. She stood there looking at me while her buddies circled around her and would not be caught. I thought, as the second lowest in the herd, she wasn't the best to catch, but since she was the only one stopping, I took her anyway and the rest soon followed.

It did not escape me how unnatural a thing it was she was doing, to stop and come to us rather than taking flight to escape. Some would say it is actually a natural thing for them to stop and listen to you if you're truly their leader, since they'd listen to their horse leader in the wild, but even so, isn't it amazing that they'll allow us to lead them at all?

The spirit and will of a horse is strong, and when it's unleashed the power will overwhelm you.

Those of us who choose to work with horses are drawn to that power--it's something we always know is there just under the surface. When they're calm and gentle toward us and our children, we're amazed and grateful, knowing that their true nature is half-wild and proud.

There are days we work with our horses and that wild nature asserts itself--usually when we're asking for more work than they want to do or taking them out of their comfort zone. In those times--maybe the wind is blowing, maybe it has been a cold day--they may do something that puts us and themselves in danger--even a "dead-broke" horse can have moments like that. Then, the very next day, or even the very next hour, they are back to themselves with no memory of the event that just occurred. Every minute is a new minute with a horse and maybe that is how it should also be with us humans, too.

I remember the spirits of my horses that have passed like they are still living--they made such a lasting impression on me. The ones in my herd today have captured me in the same way. I can't get enough of them, can't thank them enough for bending their wildness to my instruction and their fear to my care. I think when they do this, it speaks strongly to that timeless part of us--our own spirits--and spirit to spirit we know and remember them.

Thoreau said, and it's one of the only quotes I really remember from him, "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

I think we've all come to horses for the same reason--their power teaches us to pay attention to the moment we are in and that same power reminds us that we are, indeed, living, and we're happy we are.

The ever challenging spring condition, the shedding horse. Also the challenge this spring of weather changes. The last nice weekend we had I spent forever combing the horses, all this hair everywhere, then what does it do but snow the next day. I felt so bad for them, as if I took half their insulation off. On the other hand spring must be coming or they wouldn't be shedding so bad, right? I miss those warm spring days we usually have. Tired of rain and snow. You can finally see all of my pasture, most of the snow is left in the trees. Now I am just waiting for the little green sprouts to start coming up and know that feeding hay daily will soon be a thing of the past, well for a couple months at least. The mares are in their pen and not happy about it, but the grass will grow better without them nibbling at it. I figure the pony can't do that much damage to the field, especially since if I pen him up he just walks through the fence, he only stays in if he is happy. My goal for the year as always is to do more riding, last year I did more than the year before so I figure if I keep up that trend we will be good to go. So happy riding everyone and look forward to all of the get togethers this year!

Winter, 2007-2008, second snowiest in Spokane history--two inches from a first place tie. Last Sunday, April 20, a high of 39 degrees--coldest April 20th on record, beating the previous record of the late 1800's.

What is going on here?? Will Spring never come?? The horses are even grumpy!

What I've learned since moving to Spokane is if you get a nice day--take advantage of it. Don't let one warm, sunny or warm or sunny (sometimes you don't get both) day go by without getting out with your horses! You may not see another for a week!

This Saturday and Sunday we are expected to have sunshine and temps in the 60's and 70's. Yahoo! We can't let the opportunity pass us by to saddle up our horses and get out there with our friends and daughters. And, we need to work off that spring "fresh" before our club trailride in May--it's our duty.

The last nice day we had--a Sunday two weeks ago--seven of us met for a trailride at Riverside State Park. While some of the horses acted dead broke and had good trail manners, others **cough, cough** like myself, were riding Lipazaner wannabes. The interaction of new horses and riders, plus all of the non-equestrians out with their boyfriends or husbands, children, and DOGS, didn't help matters.

The horses are like us--sick of the cold, wet, dreary days. When they get a little sunshine--with all of those rich groceries they've had all winter and no exercise, they're feeling good! Tis the season to get....dumped!

Which brings up another thought--yesterday, at Will Rogers Saddlrey--the gal there told us that she can't even count the number of people who have been dumped this Spring already. Since we've had only one or two days of true spring--that's alot of dumping in a small amount of time! Maybe we should work a little of the fresh off of our horses before we ride? A little ground work can do wonders in getting their brain in gear.

Disengage front and hind from the ground and back them up. Make sure they're showing you respect by staying out of your personal space--your bubble. Make sure they're paying attention to you before you mount--even if there are dogs and people--and they're feeling good.

I make excuses for my horse a lot, and I shouldn't. I find myself saying things like well, he hasn't been out in a year and half. Or, it's spring and he's feeling good. Or, he was abused by his first owner, so this is how he acts now. LOL. But last week I went to a lesson with my horse and the trainer expected him to act right no matter what. And guess what? He did.

Spring will come--I think--I hope. And, each nice day we get is an opportunity and an oasis. Let's get riding this weekend and race right through this long winter and, hopefully, into greener pastures together. This is going to be a great year to RIDE, ladies!

Animals are very caring towards others, that it surprises me sometimes. We had a old blind mare that was turned out with the other horses. Our youngest at the time kept close to her side at all times and when she couldn't find the water trough he would gently bump against her and then lead he to the trough. When we went on rides and came to something that scared her he would stop and go through it very slow, looking back at her to encourage her to move on. She always trusted him to not lead her astray. Later on we separated her and gave her a goat, they were the best of pals. He would run in front of her if she was going to run into the panels and he would lead her where ever they were going. One winter it was extremely cold so I bought her a hood, which never seemed to stay on. One day after putting the hood on I walked out and watched through the crack in the door. As soon as she thought I was gone she lowered her head and the goat pulled it off. After that I figured she must not be that cold. ha ha. One summer we were repairing the barn and the goat was on a saw horse and the mare walked up to him and felt his head then ran her nose all the way down his back to his tail. Next thing I know she has his tail in her mouth and a huge grin on her face. The goat just wiggled and played with her--they must have done this game alot. We all can learn a lot from animals and how they care for each other no matter what species. Animals are fun and always surprising us with their antics

Did you ever notice how much more you can get accomplished when you board your horses? I went 4 to 5 times a week to spend time with my horses when they were at the stables. The indoor arena, the round pens, and all the neat little items I just can't seem to get at my house. It was so fun even when the weather was bad, you could just go inside with your horse and hang out. Now I spend more time fixing fence, putting up hay, and trying to stay out of the wind. Don't get me wrong I love looking out into the field and there they are, I love watching them. But the thought is always there that I spent more time actually working with the horse when I didn't have to maintain their living space. Or try and get the right equipment, which if you have checked into barns and roundpens and all that stuff can cost quite a bit. So little by little I will get my perfect set up and in a few years I have this dream of spending more and more time with my horses! (and less time trying to build everything)!

I lost a foal quite a few years ago to this awful infection. It is a bacterial infection that a foal can get thru it's umbilical chord or by ingesting the bacteria and it's a blood infection so it is very very difficult to fight. Signs of a foal that is septic is unable to suckle, swollen tongue, or kind of swollen looking, and or lethargic. If a foal is septic, antibiotics must be administered daily for a MINIMUM of one month. I lost my foal because I had a veterinarian who wasn't very experienced with this type of infection and only gave my foal a week of antibiotics. It was a long and mentally painful fight to save my foal, but I ended up losing in the end because of that one mistake. Cleaning the umbilical chord at foaling is not always a fail safe approach to preventing this infection. Late spring, summer foals are more susceptible to this type of infection because bacteria tends to flourish in the warmer weather. If you are going to have a foal next year or in the near future, I would definitely recommend reading up on this deadly infection to try to prevent it from happening. Most foals are born without help and healthy but you should always watch your foals closely every day for the first 2 or 3 weeks of his life.

I read an article recently that stated horses with dappling is a sign of good nutrition and fitness.

Horses and cows eating frosty grass can sometimes die from it. Apparently the frost increases the sugar content of grasses and legumes so a horse that is insulin resistant may become ill or die from eating frosty grass. Not a common occurrence, but it can happen.

For worming your horses, an old cowboy saying goes: After the first frost in fall, and after the first blade of green grass in the spring. Worming horses in the winter doesn't do any good. The worms are smarter than we think and actually burrow into a horses intestines to hibernate for the winter. When your horses have the runs in the early spring, a lot of people think it is from the fresh green grass, but it is actually from the worms coming out of hibernation along with all their other stuff from being in hibernation. It may sound disgusting, but it is true. So save your daily wormer for the warmer days.

In 624 bc at the greekOlympiad, the first race on mounted horses was recorded.

Fossil skeletons found in the American South, believed to be as old as 50-60 million years, are the earliest traces of the modern day horses' ancestors.

my favorite: To ride a horse is to ride the sky-anonymous

all found on my desk horse calander.

This is a nasty subject, but with winter fast appoaching it reminds me me that we all need to take on the responsibility of horse ownership. Unfortunately the world is over populated with unwanted horses that have been cast away for no other reason then the owner can no longer care for them or they have became too old. Everyone has different opinions on this matter, but everyone needs to take the time to really evaluate what we breed and how many we breed. Everyone from horse breeders to back yard owners should decide if it is worth it to add to the amount of horses going to slaughter each year or if they instead can buy a horse already here. There are many many wonderful and talented horses out there it may take some time and work to get them to the level you want but it is worth it. I am not saying don't breed at all just take the responsibility to evaluate if we are breeding good quality horses that can lead a healthy happy productive life. Slaughter has been taken out of the united states but it still goes on in New Mexico and Canada, and unfortunately the amount of horses going to New Mexico has increased since the closure of the US plants. This obviously was not the answer, so we as a horse society need to look at our own practices and see if we can improve a little at a time. Special thanks to all of you who are take a active role in the fate of the modern horse, and all those that jump at the chance to help the unfortunate.

Raising a green colt or filly can be scarey, funny, unpredictable--but I doubt that it will ever be boring. The benefit of taking a youngster and training them up is that we get to imprint on them and influence how, what and when they will be exposed to each new experience. If raised correctly, they are quick to trust, well-mannered, eager--and should run to greet us at the pasture gate. They give more of themselves and push themselves harder for the reward of being with their herd leader--us! As some of you know, we've started The Green Horse Project to help each other raise our babies correctly and stay safe doing it. If you're interested in being the one who starts your horse from the ground to the saddle, this group is for you. We will be roundpenning, driving, saddling and, ultimately, riding our green horses. We will strive for respect with our young horses--so we become leaders in which they can place their trust--to take those first steps across water, up mountains, and into the showring--wherever we take them they should go, if we've raised them right.

Some of us have horses that have already been started and we've come to their lives a bit later, though they're still "green". We may have to overcome obstacles put there by other handlers, but this can also be rewarding as we teach them to trust again and help them overcome deep-seated fears. If you'd like to join with us, sign up at the forum and let us know. The more the merrier!



Linda

Winter always seem to be a quieter time since the activities seem to slow down but I always feel guilty about not riding my horses. So what can you do? Riding in the dark is an option. If you have a loop or trail that you ride all the time and know pretty well, those nights when there is a full moon is a really great time to ride, especially when their is a little snow on the ground. Lights up the area like you wouldn't believe. And some of the full moons in the winter time are huge! It's like having a great big dome light in the sky. And you would be amazed at how despooked your horses get. It's pretty tough to jump at shadows when everything is a shadow. Your trust in your horse also increases plus you get more in tune to riding looking forward instead of at the ground since you can't see that well. It really is a great experience if you can ever get the chance to ride at night in the dark.
Shelley

Hello ladies I went to Ride the West on Friday and watched Mary and Kitty in a clinic it was interesting to watch. I won a drawing for a CD from that clinic and will be giving it to Katie for the library if anyone would like to look at it. The CD is called "Cornerstone for Communication" the lady presenting it is Karen Scholl - Horsemanship for Women. The only thing is she wants feed back on the CD so if you view it please either call the toll free number on the back or go to her web site. She wants to see if she can improve and what is good about it. Thanks ladies.