An adopter for Empire?

Darling accepts her third place ribbon in Fitting & Showing

Little Em came home with us this past weekend when there were no adopters looking for fillies. "No mares", was the comment I heard over and over again. That's pretty disappointing when half the horses you've got are fillies. It was difficult to send Avalon and Willow back to the corrals, especially when little Willow had been giving me everything she had. She didn't have much, mind you, but she gave all that was there and it breaks my heart to see her returned. But as I'm constantly being reminded, "Tracey, you can't save them all!"

But I can save one, right? And Empire came home. Darling informed me she didn't want to work with her anymore, because it was too hard to fall in love and let go. She told me it wasn't fair that I always got to keep my competition horses and she was force to give hers up. But Empire simply is too small for our long legged family, and Darling wants a jumper...or Dibs (and hopefully, she says, they'll be one in the same.) So a new home for Em is a priority.

Darling & Empire also took third in In Hand Trail

One of our sponsors for the event, Elenbaas Feed, had donated several bags of grain for the yearlings as well as grain for high point prizes. I received a call from Ty on Tuesday wondering how things went, and then he proceeded to tell me that he was hooked on this mustang idea. We'd talked a bit about mustangs when I'd picked up the grain and he'd been intrigued. Over the weekend he'd started looking up information on them, and now he was telling me that they are approached by many rescues looking for help, but he thinks the mustangs are where it's at and he'd like to sponsor our efforts!

And me, I'm thinking "Cool Beans!", and saying how it'd be fantastic to get some grain for the horses. He pauses, then said that was easy enough, but he was thinking of donating a percentage of sales...

Okay, it's warm out and I think I've just fainted. Can someone lift me up, please? Did he just say they'd actually donate...m...m...money? To our little mustang project?

After I stumbled for words and thanked him, he said that he and his wife would like to come out and see the mustangs I had, because he'd always sorta~kinda~wondered if he should get one for a trail horse. Well, now we're in my world...and of course he can come out and of course he should adopt a mustang!

So we took a tour of Greenhill and visited with Steve Holt! and Sandy, then wandered over to Empire who was hanging out in the arena with a couple of her domestic friends. And being the curious, friendly sort she is, she was right there in our pockets and checking out the newcomers. I explained how she'd been passed by, most likely because she was a filly but also her small stature hadn't helped. Ty, he's a tall man, but his wife was standing there stroking Empire softly...and as I looked towards her face I saw it happening. Em had hooked this petite woman, and by the end of our visit she was asking for an adoption application.

So it would appear that our sweet little girl will have a home, pending application approval, by the end of the week. Darling is very happy; she'd liked how softly Empire's future mamma was touching her and running her fingertips over the filly's face. Em seemed to enjoy it, too. They should have plenty of happy trails together in the future.

If you do nothing else...

Call and be heard!

Stop National Animal ID before it's too late!

If you've not heard of it, read up. The USDA claims it will help prevent the spread of disease. I'm not sure when a disease has listened to the USDA and stopped spreading simply because they say a rule will prevent it. What's important to know is that your freedom is at stake. Your freedom to move about without reporting your where abouts to the authorities.
Now, if you don't mind sending in a form each day your horse (or pig or cow or chicken) crosses the road, by all means, support this. But if you'd prefer to be able to enjoy a nice trail ride, or leave your horse in your neighbor's pasture without having approval from the USDA, the please, please, please get on the phone and make this very important call.

Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance Action Alert

Now! Let me do a little bragging.

It's been stinking hot and beyond humid here, so sitting down to the computer has been unbearable for me. But I had to make the effort today as it's been a full week since I last wrote, and so much has happened!

Isn't that the cutest little yearling? Darling took third place with Empire in both the Fitting & Showing as well as In Hand Trail Class at the YAY Show this weekend! Unfortunately, there were very few adopters on hand, and Empire, Avalon and Willow, along with the other two fillies in the competition, did not find homes. Four of them were sent back on the truck to the corrals. We hung on to Empire in hopes of finding her a good home where she'll be appreciated. Her size is the only thing detracting; she's going to be a half pint, but a half pint with heart! Perfect for that kid who wants to head out and do cross country (she can jump!) or do a bit of ranch work. Please pass along to any and all you know that this adorable little filly is available.



Peek A Boo! Who are you? I'll tell you who's doing the peeking...it's Liberty's Chance! Yes, our dear sale authority mare is finally in the custody of Mustang U, along with her filly, Chance. You can follow their story at the Mustang U blog.

Now it's time for me to turn off this computer for the day before I find myself melting into a puddle due to the heat it puts out. Y'all have a great...and hopefully cooler!...day!

Goin' Out With My Spurs On

Our first trip to Burns we spotted a man decked to the hilt looking all the part of a 50's Hollywood Cowboy as he strutted across the road and into...the fabric store? Certainly you wouldn't have seen John Wayne doing that. Or would you? After all, this guy was wearing his work clothes, from cowboy hat to jingle bobs, he was the real deal and in the dusty high desert ranch town he was not one bit out of place.

In my town, people do not dress the part of the old west, but rather you'll see them in their business suits or dresses as they scurry about from desk job to the counter at the bank to the line at Starbuck's. Except me that is. I go out with my spurs on. Heck, it's what I wear when I go to work, so that's what I've got on when I head out to do business. Pink boots and pretty little spurs. Maybe I need to invest in a wild rag to go with?

This has been a rough couple of weeks here for me. Typically when I get a cold, it's a 48 hour deal. They can get as nasty as all get out in that 48 hours, but by day three I've bounced back and am kicking harder than ever. But not this time. My throat still burns and there's a mild fever that floats in and out with it. I suspect the fever is more humidity related than anything; it's barely there and most often found after I come in from working with the horses. A recent trip to the Dr confirmed there is nothing I can take; this is viral and attacking the vocal cords, so suffer through is the best I can do. Hence, I've severely limited my phone calls.

I've also limited my time with the new trainees in an effort to heal a bit sooner, rather than drag this thing on and on. I actually took the entire weekend off, something I'm not prone to doing, and I've cut my training back to once a day, or sometimes twice, rather than working them 3 times a day. My goal is to keep at it just enough to not lose anything we've gained up until now.

Dakota is leading, a bit shyly, but willingly in his small paddock. If I'm patient and keep my back to him, he'll come up and investigate, wiggling his lips on my shoulder in an attempt to familiarize himself with me. I've never had a horse who's not been gelded until age 4; he's different than the others. Gentle, quiet, but there's a power there that I don't want to awaken...at least not in a defensive manner, so we're taking things a bit slower, and I'm happy with where he is. It won't be long before he's relaxed and comfy with people.

Addie struggles still just a bit, but I've been able to scratch both sides of her at the shoulder, and today she decided it was okay to move in a forward fashion when I was 'leading' her. Typically she plants those big hind feet of hers and pivots, but nothing more. She's the most fearful of the bunch, even though I was able to touch her first. She freezes, but then jumps, so I need to be careful. I've decided to let her drag a line with her so she can learn to give when she steps on it. Much easier when they teach themselves.

Denny...oh, what a boy he is! As previously mentioned, I can nearly climb all over his right side, but he's not comfortable withe me on his left. Although~I did manage to get him lunging just 6-7 feet from me with his left side facing me. He didn't like it and made several get away attempts, but he's coming around. He's also not fond of being touched on his face, so we're working at that. He did, however, figure out the leading thing last night.

Once they get to this point, things do tend to move along. A lot will depend on my 'recovery' though. Feels funny to say that as I'm not really sick...just tired (probably increased with the heat/humidity) and feeling crummy due to the sore throat. Hopefully I can shake this in the next day or two, because...

The big Youth & Yearlings event is this weekend! I know, I know...3 months have passed and now it's time for the kids to show off what they've learned, and most will be saying goodbye to their dear little friends. If you're in the area, please come out and support them at Black Raven in Arlington.

Best Thing Since Cottage Cheese!

Or at least that's what Darling says:
"I seriously love this little horse. She is one of the best things since cottage cheese. Thats some pretty amazing stuff. She's so smart. She's adorable. She'll try to do whatever it is you're asking ..."

When you're done watching, why not run over to Mustang U and offer up a possible name for the new yearling we've taken in? You could win...something! Oh, come on, now! You're not only gonna play for the prize, are you? Nooooo....you're going to play because it's the right thing to do!

Avalon

Such a sweet face...

Inside such a fearful, reactive body!

Granted, she's not been worked quite as much as Empire...then again, maybe she has? But I asked Darling to step back and let me do some work with this one. So glad she's only a yearling and not a full grown, fire breathing dragon! This is the most reactive horse we've had here. In the photos she's reacting to being touched with the long pole.

In the beginning, standing in the pens at the adoption, we questioned whether this filly was even well. She was aloof, standing with her head droopy and not very attentive to what was going on around her. Darling had drawn for the number around Empire's neck, but selected Avalon as her second yearling to work with. I don't think anyone expected her to be so reactive.

Avalon is very co-dependent. She struggles to be away from other horses, even walking across the paddock can be a challenge. She's done well in overcoming some of that, but when I went to load her the other morning into the trailer, she began rearing, striking, and bucking. Very dangerous. When Darling got home I told her I thought it best if I worked with Avalon for a couple of days, just until she stopped this behavior.

So Darling stood at the rail with the camera as I lead Avalon around, rubbed her back and neck, then began desensitizing with the pole. She wasn't too concerned about the pole on her back; we'd done that early on. But as I moved it to her chest there was a wild, explosive reaction as the filly reared and struck out with all her might. I stuck with it until the reactions slowed down and were not so furious, eventually letting it rest on her back again, and then leaving the pole all together and rubbing and patting with my hand. She was relieved to be done with the pole, shaking slightly but very willing to stay close to me and let me touch her sides and chest. On that good note, we finished.


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Correction to yesterday's post! It would take 20 years (not four) for the current population of wild horses to increase to over 400,000.