Busy Month of April
It has been a very busy month, starting with taking horses to Texas. I decided that Huey, my 2 yr old Blue Roan colt, was getting too full of himself. I even threatened to geld him! But decided against it and since he was big enough to start, he went to Martin's ranch in Sanger. I usually like to wait until the colts are 3 yrs old, but Huey was really trying my patience. All went well and by the 5th ride, Huey was out gathering cattle. Doing very well, and a fast learner, I like Huey the more I am around him. He is very sensible, until his juices get flowing and he forgets what he is suppose to be doing. Ah, springtime!
Also along for the ride to Texas was my sweet boy, Rio. Recovering nicely from the horrific trailer accident last June, I decided that Rio needed to strengthen the ligaments around his left knee before I try riding him again. I contacted the SELWAY EQUINE THERAPY CENTER in Whitesboro. The facility is a first class center with an AquaTread and EquineSpa. Rio arrived there looking like a woolly mammoth surrounded by race horses, jumpers, cutters and reiners. After all, it was just 10 degrees out when I left Colorado for Texas.
Since Rio has previously been through several EquineSpa treatments successfully, I wanted him to use the underwater treadmill. Rio stayed there for 2 weeks. His program included warming up on the free walker first, then the AquaTread for 3 min., a rest of 2 minutes, another 3 minutes, then finishing up in the walker. He did this twice daily, progressively getting up to 60 minutes on the AquaTread twice a day. You should see Rio now! His attitude changed, he is bright eyed and alert, and so very fit. I plan on riding him this summer. Watch for Rio's complete story on the web site soon. It amazes everyone that he is even able to walk, much less be ridden again. He must have a very special angel looking out for him (maybe his big brother, Maverick)!
Over Easter, I left my truck and trailer in Texas and took a quick trip to Germany to visit my German friends. There is a dear woman I call my German mother, who is getting older but still sharp minded. I spent many summers with her in Austria at her lakeside cottage when I lived in Heidelberg. Worldly, elegant and intelligent, she is a pleasure to spend time with. I just wish I wasn't so jet-lagged the entire time I was there.
Flew back to Texas, I was picked up at the airport and went straight to the Spring Cutting Horse Finals in Ft. Worth. After that, Jack Brainard decided we all needed to go dancing at his favorite honkytonk. Now that man can really two-step! By 9 p.m., I was completely exhausted.
While I was traveling the world, my brother stayed at the house in Colorado, caring for the animals so after a few days recovering from jet-lag in Texas, I had to get right back home so he could fly back to California. I really had to watch the weather and only had a small window to travel in so I wouldn't get caught in a major spring snow storm. I had a horse to drop off in Fowler, then as I got within 50 miles of home, the snow started to come down. I made it home just in time. We were snowed in for two days.
I was home just long enough to see the first foal of the year(a red roan stud colt that was born two weeks early), re-pack, take the dogs to the kennel, and fly to Red Bluff, CA for the Californios Ranch Roping and Stock Horse Competition. It was good to see friends, the roping is amazing and of course, the shopping was terrific. The flights were delayed at every airport I went through on the return trip. I am tired of flying and airports!
Now I am home for most of the month of May except for a couple weekend trips. I hope to go to Abilene for the Ranch Horse Finals. I have never been there because I usually go to the Big Loop Rodeo in Jordan Valley, OR. but this year, the Ranch Horse Triple Crown in Pueblo, CO. is the following week so there is no way I can manage to be in both places.
Any one care to follow me around for a month?
Also along for the ride to Texas was my sweet boy, Rio. Recovering nicely from the horrific trailer accident last June, I decided that Rio needed to strengthen the ligaments around his left knee before I try riding him again. I contacted the SELWAY EQUINE THERAPY CENTER in Whitesboro. The facility is a first class center with an AquaTread and EquineSpa. Rio arrived there looking like a woolly mammoth surrounded by race horses, jumpers, cutters and reiners. After all, it was just 10 degrees out when I left Colorado for Texas.
Since Rio has previously been through several EquineSpa treatments successfully, I wanted him to use the underwater treadmill. Rio stayed there for 2 weeks. His program included warming up on the free walker first, then the AquaTread for 3 min., a rest of 2 minutes, another 3 minutes, then finishing up in the walker. He did this twice daily, progressively getting up to 60 minutes on the AquaTread twice a day. You should see Rio now! His attitude changed, he is bright eyed and alert, and so very fit. I plan on riding him this summer. Watch for Rio's complete story on the web site soon. It amazes everyone that he is even able to walk, much less be ridden again. He must have a very special angel looking out for him (maybe his big brother, Maverick)!
Over Easter, I left my truck and trailer in Texas and took a quick trip to Germany to visit my German friends. There is a dear woman I call my German mother, who is getting older but still sharp minded. I spent many summers with her in Austria at her lakeside cottage when I lived in Heidelberg. Worldly, elegant and intelligent, she is a pleasure to spend time with. I just wish I wasn't so jet-lagged the entire time I was there.
Flew back to Texas, I was picked up at the airport and went straight to the Spring Cutting Horse Finals in Ft. Worth. After that, Jack Brainard decided we all needed to go dancing at his favorite honkytonk. Now that man can really two-step! By 9 p.m., I was completely exhausted.
While I was traveling the world, my brother stayed at the house in Colorado, caring for the animals so after a few days recovering from jet-lag in Texas, I had to get right back home so he could fly back to California. I really had to watch the weather and only had a small window to travel in so I wouldn't get caught in a major spring snow storm. I had a horse to drop off in Fowler, then as I got within 50 miles of home, the snow started to come down. I made it home just in time. We were snowed in for two days.
I was home just long enough to see the first foal of the year(a red roan stud colt that was born two weeks early), re-pack, take the dogs to the kennel, and fly to Red Bluff, CA for the Californios Ranch Roping and Stock Horse Competition. It was good to see friends, the roping is amazing and of course, the shopping was terrific. The flights were delayed at every airport I went through on the return trip. I am tired of flying and airports!
Now I am home for most of the month of May except for a couple weekend trips. I hope to go to Abilene for the Ranch Horse Finals. I have never been there because I usually go to the Big Loop Rodeo in Jordan Valley, OR. but this year, the Ranch Horse Triple Crown in Pueblo, CO. is the following week so there is no way I can manage to be in both places.
Any one care to follow me around for a month?
posted by the Pretty Pony | 8:21 PM
