As usual I have been away from this for too long. I have no excuse, just been busy and spending time with the horses.
We have a trail ride this weekend to help the Manchester Mounted Police unit/ They have 2 Police horses and the department only covers vet bills. Everything else is by donation. They have a trail ride every year to raise money to take care of the horses and this year Joanne and I will be riding our Mustangs in it. We will carry BLM adoption info with us for all that would like it. This way we help the Police horses and spread the word about Mustangs at the same time. As we all know Mustangs can't be beat for trail horses and we aim to show everyone just that this weekend.
Vinny and Sadie are doing just fine. The vet was out to do Vinny's yearly stuff and he was a total gem for the Doc. Stood still getting shots, blood drawn, teethe floated and sheath cleaned. Doc. George just loves Vinny and Sadie and said he wished the rest of his clients were as good to work with as these two.
Sat. we did some trailer loading training. Sadie had only been trailered once or twice and last time it took forever to get her on the trailer. Vinny I had never loaded before as he was delivered to us by the old owners.
Well Vinny went first and he went right on with zero trouble, then Sadie loaded like a champ, but was a bit nervous at first inside. We unloaded and loaded a few times and then did some tied to the trailer testing. Both were just fine. This stock trailer is so much better than a straight load any day of the week.
That was the last hurdle I was worried about, so now I am happy that we will be fine going to and coming home from the ride.
We have several friends going as well and for most this will be the first time they have seen our Mustangs. The best part is our trainer is coming too and that will make me feel better.
I am 100% sure that Vinny and Sadie will wow everyone there as they always seem to do.
I'll take photos and post them next week .
Monday, October 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
NJ adoption
Just back fro NJ and it was a great adoption. we adopted out 51 animals and I am sorry to say that 9 went back to BLM. I wish it was a home run, but we did very well with 51.
Had a wonderful time working with friends from New England again and everyone worked very hard to make this adoption a winner.
While I was away our friend borrowed Vinny for a trail ride. When they got back all she could talk about is how good Vinny was out there. She said he was the best trail horse she had ever rode. He never once refused or balked at any obstacle on the trail and listened to every command without question. She really loved riding him and I think we have one more Mustang convert.
Our trainer's little girl also has ridden Vinny and she too fell in love with him. She was jumping him over a couple of shaving bales and he was doing fine. She wants to show Vinny and we are going to let her do so. We will have a table with Mustang info at every event.
Guess that's it for now.
Had a wonderful time working with friends from New England again and everyone worked very hard to make this adoption a winner.
While I was away our friend borrowed Vinny for a trail ride. When they got back all she could talk about is how good Vinny was out there. She said he was the best trail horse she had ever rode. He never once refused or balked at any obstacle on the trail and listened to every command without question. She really loved riding him and I think we have one more Mustang convert.
Our trainer's little girl also has ridden Vinny and she too fell in love with him. She was jumping him over a couple of shaving bales and he was doing fine. She wants to show Vinny and we are going to let her do so. We will have a table with Mustang info at every event.
Guess that's it for now.
Monday, August 11, 2008
I'm back
Hello again all. Been awhile since the last post. Many reasons for that, none that interesting.
Vinny and Sadie are doing great! Both are fantastic horses and we are having a ball with them. We took them for a short trail ride and they did great. Cars, motorcycles, dogs, dirt roads and water were no problem for either of them.
I am heading to NJ for the Mustang adoption to help out. Looking forward to seeing the gang from the NH adoption as most will be there, plus I will get to meet some new volunteers as well.
Been riding much more and Vinny is really coming around. He is now the good boy I always knew hae was, he just needed to get back intot things again. We added 15 more corral panels and now have about as much of the land corraled in as we can. The horses love it and have woods to run around in. Vinny showed that he really is a jumper as there was an old stone wall on part of the land and about 20 feet remains in one old section. He came runing throught he woods and jumped the wall several times and was having a bunch of fun with it.
I had taken 2 traffic cones and laid an old lunge whip across it and set it in the pen. Well Vinny jumped that thing most of the day. first in one direction and then in the other. every few times he would stop and look at it like he was grading himself on how well he did. I was watching from inside the house and he just kept jumping that whip over and over again.
We also bought a stock type trailer as the 2 horse we bought a few months ago seems to repel horses. It is pretty narrow and they just don't want to go in. They will jump right on the stock, but want nothing to do with the old Kingston so we are selling it.
We are also going on our first real trail ride in Sept. Just 9 miles, but it is local and everyone says it is a great time.
Gotta run for now.
Vinny and Sadie are doing great! Both are fantastic horses and we are having a ball with them. We took them for a short trail ride and they did great. Cars, motorcycles, dogs, dirt roads and water were no problem for either of them.
I am heading to NJ for the Mustang adoption to help out. Looking forward to seeing the gang from the NH adoption as most will be there, plus I will get to meet some new volunteers as well.
Been riding much more and Vinny is really coming around. He is now the good boy I always knew hae was, he just needed to get back intot things again. We added 15 more corral panels and now have about as much of the land corraled in as we can. The horses love it and have woods to run around in. Vinny showed that he really is a jumper as there was an old stone wall on part of the land and about 20 feet remains in one old section. He came runing throught he woods and jumped the wall several times and was having a bunch of fun with it.
I had taken 2 traffic cones and laid an old lunge whip across it and set it in the pen. Well Vinny jumped that thing most of the day. first in one direction and then in the other. every few times he would stop and look at it like he was grading himself on how well he did. I was watching from inside the house and he just kept jumping that whip over and over again.
We also bought a stock type trailer as the 2 horse we bought a few months ago seems to repel horses. It is pretty narrow and they just don't want to go in. They will jump right on the stock, but want nothing to do with the old Kingston so we are selling it.
We are also going on our first real trail ride in Sept. Just 9 miles, but it is local and everyone says it is a great time.
Gotta run for now.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The bad news from BLM
the other day the BLM announced that with the rising costs of fuel, feed, and everything else, that they are running out of money for the Wild Horse and Burro Program. They are looking at options and sadly one is to euth some of the older and unadoptable horses in long term facilities.
As much as this news saddened me, after looking at the reports and other info I could find, it looks like they really are running out of options.
The big question is can we as citizens find ways to be of help?
Well after thinking about it for awhile I feel there is some things we all can do to help.
1st As always we can educate and promote the Mustangs and Burros for what they are. They make wonderful trail horses, endurance horses, and can excel in just about anything we can train them for.
2nd The BLM is allowed donations. They do not flat out ask for them, but they can take private donations.
3rd Some of us are in positions were we can organize some kind of fund raising activity such as a trail ride, or setting up a booth at an equine event to inform and collect donations for the program.
4th We can help advertise local adoptions when they are in our areas and we can go out and volunteer to help at the adoption.
5th We can take our Mustangs to events so that other horse people can see a Mustang first hand and see that a gentled Mustang is a great horse. Many horse people have never seen a Mustang up close.
6th We can work to dismiss the bad PR Mustangs have had for many years. Such as they will try to kill you, they can't be trained, they will never accept a human, things like that which we know are not true.
7th If you have a Mustang and it is good at an event or discipline, make sure it is known that the horse is a mustang. Be proud of that fact, let them know at the event that it is a mustang and ask that they announce it when it is your turn to compete.
So far those are the things that come to mind. I also think we should look for a champion for the Mustangs. Someone that is well known not just by horse people but the general public as well.
I feel that with some effort, we can make a difference. It was done before to get the 1971 law passed, and together we can do it again.
As much as this news saddened me, after looking at the reports and other info I could find, it looks like they really are running out of options.
The big question is can we as citizens find ways to be of help?
Well after thinking about it for awhile I feel there is some things we all can do to help.
1st As always we can educate and promote the Mustangs and Burros for what they are. They make wonderful trail horses, endurance horses, and can excel in just about anything we can train them for.
2nd The BLM is allowed donations. They do not flat out ask for them, but they can take private donations.
3rd Some of us are in positions were we can organize some kind of fund raising activity such as a trail ride, or setting up a booth at an equine event to inform and collect donations for the program.
4th We can help advertise local adoptions when they are in our areas and we can go out and volunteer to help at the adoption.
5th We can take our Mustangs to events so that other horse people can see a Mustang first hand and see that a gentled Mustang is a great horse. Many horse people have never seen a Mustang up close.
6th We can work to dismiss the bad PR Mustangs have had for many years. Such as they will try to kill you, they can't be trained, they will never accept a human, things like that which we know are not true.
7th If you have a Mustang and it is good at an event or discipline, make sure it is known that the horse is a mustang. Be proud of that fact, let them know at the event that it is a mustang and ask that they announce it when it is your turn to compete.
So far those are the things that come to mind. I also think we should look for a champion for the Mustangs. Someone that is well known not just by horse people but the general public as well.
I feel that with some effort, we can make a difference. It was done before to get the 1971 law passed, and together we can do it again.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Vinny has a new saddle
Finally got to try out Vinny's new saddle and it is fantastic. With that and Tammy's help we have gotten past the bucking and fear that I had. I am now feeling better and enjoying the ride once more.This has really been a great week for us both. Vinny is now a great horse to ride, I am feeling better about riding and I was on TV the other night.Our local news station WMUR has a show called New Hampshire Chronicle and they did a story about the NH adoption. I was one of the people they interviewed and was on the show.It was a great show and really promoted the Mustangs. I hope it will have long term affects and that more people get interested in Mustangs.If I can post a link to the show, or put the episode up here I shall do so.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
NH Mustang adoption
What can I say!! It was a great adoption and I had a great time! 70 animals total, 12 were online adoption pickups, 58 up for adoption, 51 adopted, and 7 into foster care.
All trucks went back to BLM empty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I met some of the best people I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with.
Vinny and I have been doing a lot of ground work and out trainer Tammy is coming over to help me learn. I really need to get past my new found fears about riding as they have transfered to every horse I get on now. I think they are going to blow up at any moment. I love horses and I love riding, but I can't shake the fear for some reason.
I guess I have just got to get riding and it will go away. I sure hope so! I think I am going to try to ride Sadie tomorrow as she is safe as can be. I want to ride Vinny this weekend with Tammy watching and if I can get her out both weekend days and maybe take a lesson or 2 on a stable horse, I may be able to relax more. I think I just have to ride a lot to get my confidence back.
Will let you know how it goes.
3 of the adopted Mustangs are pretty close to me here in Chester so I hope that they will stay in touch so we can have an all Mustang trail ride in a year or two with their newly trained Mustangs.
All trucks went back to BLM empty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I met some of the best people I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with.
Vinny and I have been doing a lot of ground work and out trainer Tammy is coming over to help me learn. I really need to get past my new found fears about riding as they have transfered to every horse I get on now. I think they are going to blow up at any moment. I love horses and I love riding, but I can't shake the fear for some reason.
I guess I have just got to get riding and it will go away. I sure hope so! I think I am going to try to ride Sadie tomorrow as she is safe as can be. I want to ride Vinny this weekend with Tammy watching and if I can get her out both weekend days and maybe take a lesson or 2 on a stable horse, I may be able to relax more. I think I just have to ride a lot to get my confidence back.
Will let you know how it goes.
3 of the adopted Mustangs are pretty close to me here in Chester so I hope that they will stay in touch so we can have an all Mustang trail ride in a year or two with their newly trained Mustangs.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Been awhile
Folks, sorry to be away for so long. Been working like mad and spending as much time as possible promoting the Mustang adoption next week here in Southern NH.
Have not been doing any real riding, but have been working Vinny on the ground and getting him in shape and sweaty.
Have done a couple of newspaper interviews, a few radio interviews and at least on commercial, all for the adoption. I hope so much that it helps and many horses find homes around here. I will hate if I have to watch a lot of them get loaded back on the trucks with a strike against them. It will make me feel like I did not do enough for them.
Anyways, I hope it goes well!!!
Vinny was perfect for the camera man. He did cookie begs, stuck his nose in the guy's pocket, gave him horse kisses, the works. Camera man gave me his camera and asked me to take photos of him and Vinny. He said Vinny was awesome and looked like royalty! Made me feel great.
I wish I had more news, and I am sure I am forgetting something, but have to get back at it here. Still a few days left to spread the word!
Have not been doing any real riding, but have been working Vinny on the ground and getting him in shape and sweaty.
Have done a couple of newspaper interviews, a few radio interviews and at least on commercial, all for the adoption. I hope so much that it helps and many horses find homes around here. I will hate if I have to watch a lot of them get loaded back on the trucks with a strike against them. It will make me feel like I did not do enough for them.
Anyways, I hope it goes well!!!
Vinny was perfect for the camera man. He did cookie begs, stuck his nose in the guy's pocket, gave him horse kisses, the works. Camera man gave me his camera and asked me to take photos of him and Vinny. He said Vinny was awesome and looked like royalty! Made me feel great.
I wish I had more news, and I am sure I am forgetting something, but have to get back at it here. Still a few days left to spread the word!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Great weekend
Our friend Tammy came over to look at Vinny and see if she could advise us on what to do.
She checked him out, his tack, and everything else she could check.
Turns out that me saddle that fits every other horse in the world is a horrible fit on Vinny. We put Joanne's synthetic saddle on and it fit better. Then Tammy told me to mount up. I was pretty darn scared to get up there, but trust her.
Vinny was like a new horse! He listened to me, did what I asked and was solid under saddle!! After about 30 minutes of riding him around the pen I got down. I gave him a huge hug and was almost in tears I was so happy. I was really rethinking this whole horse thing. That I was not good enough or smart enough to handle it all. He also seemed happy and having fun. He followed me around and did not want to leave my side even after I took everything off him.
Now on Mon. Sadie did something that made everything worth it. She was laying down and I was coming in with the wheelbarrow to clean up. I walked right past her and she did not move. I walked up to her slowly and she still did not move so I extended my hand for a pet. She was laying there letting me pet her head so I sat down with her. I layed up against her side like a back rest and she hung her head over my shoulder and we just sat there together. Me stroking her nose and her pretty much falling asleep.
About 10 minutes later Vinny came over and touched my chest with his nose and also just stood there with us. For 30 minutes the three of us just hung out. Sadie with her head over my shoulder and Vinny standing with his nose in my chest.
I can't remember feeling so good for a real long time. It was a dream come true to hang out like that.
Sometimes there are days that are just too good.
She checked him out, his tack, and everything else she could check.
Turns out that me saddle that fits every other horse in the world is a horrible fit on Vinny. We put Joanne's synthetic saddle on and it fit better. Then Tammy told me to mount up. I was pretty darn scared to get up there, but trust her.
Vinny was like a new horse! He listened to me, did what I asked and was solid under saddle!! After about 30 minutes of riding him around the pen I got down. I gave him a huge hug and was almost in tears I was so happy. I was really rethinking this whole horse thing. That I was not good enough or smart enough to handle it all. He also seemed happy and having fun. He followed me around and did not want to leave my side even after I took everything off him.
Now on Mon. Sadie did something that made everything worth it. She was laying down and I was coming in with the wheelbarrow to clean up. I walked right past her and she did not move. I walked up to her slowly and she still did not move so I extended my hand for a pet. She was laying there letting me pet her head so I sat down with her. I layed up against her side like a back rest and she hung her head over my shoulder and we just sat there together. Me stroking her nose and her pretty much falling asleep.
About 10 minutes later Vinny came over and touched my chest with his nose and also just stood there with us. For 30 minutes the three of us just hung out. Sadie with her head over my shoulder and Vinny standing with his nose in my chest.
I can't remember feeling so good for a real long time. It was a dream come true to hang out like that.
Sometimes there are days that are just too good.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Things are fine
Well the horses are getting along like a house on fire. They are buddies now and hate to be apart.
Wife has put a couple more rides on Sadie, and I gave Vin a try.
That did not go so well. He was no paying attention to me and was wandering around. Then for no reason I can find he blew up and it was rodeo time! I hung in there for about 5 seconds and then bailed off. I did not get hurt, but I was pretty scared. Joanne held him and I got back on. He was still acting up, but did not buck. Joanne saw me shaking a bit and told me to get down.
I put calls into some friends for advice and they seem to think it was spring fever and told me to longe the heck out of him for a few days. Tire him out real good and then mount up. They feel after a week of this that he will be his old self again. Another thought is he is having issues with things abouve his head. and he looked back and saw me so he flipped out. While we are playing run in circles, I am also going to de spook him.
We will get through this I am sure, but I am still a bit scared to get on him again.
In case you did not know, men seem to become wimps someplace between 40 and 50 years old. After 50 it gets more like I don't care if I get hurt or not and younger then 40 nothing can hurt you. Well I am dead in the middle at 43 and am turning into a wimp. Heck I was a combat paratrooper in the Army and had no fear of anything. Sucks growing up.
Wife has put a couple more rides on Sadie, and I gave Vin a try.
That did not go so well. He was no paying attention to me and was wandering around. Then for no reason I can find he blew up and it was rodeo time! I hung in there for about 5 seconds and then bailed off. I did not get hurt, but I was pretty scared. Joanne held him and I got back on. He was still acting up, but did not buck. Joanne saw me shaking a bit and told me to get down.
I put calls into some friends for advice and they seem to think it was spring fever and told me to longe the heck out of him for a few days. Tire him out real good and then mount up. They feel after a week of this that he will be his old self again. Another thought is he is having issues with things abouve his head. and he looked back and saw me so he flipped out. While we are playing run in circles, I am also going to de spook him.
We will get through this I am sure, but I am still a bit scared to get on him again.
In case you did not know, men seem to become wimps someplace between 40 and 50 years old. After 50 it gets more like I don't care if I get hurt or not and younger then 40 nothing can hurt you. Well I am dead in the middle at 43 and am turning into a wimp. Heck I was a combat paratrooper in the Army and had no fear of anything. Sucks growing up.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Sadie is home
Sorry for the long vacation here. I was in fact on vacation with our new girl Sadie.
We drove up and got her on the 30th. It took a bit to get her loaded, but once in the trailer she was a perfect lady all the way home.
I have to say that the camera in the trailer was the best money I have spent! I was able to watch her on the road and would be able to see any problem right away. Plus being able to see that she was fine, made the drive much better for me.
She has been with us for a week now and is fitting right in. She and Vinny are getting along well.
As you can see she is a real pretty gal!!! Wifey loves her and took a first ride yesterday. Said this horse is a sofa, meaning real comfy.
We are very happy to have her and Vinny with us!!!!!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Lack of time
Been busy so no updates. Getting things set up for the Wifey horse. Corral panels are coming this Sun. getting a shetler tomorrow, trailer goes in for check up soon and the horse monitor camera system will be installed when it arrives.
Vin and I had a great day yesterday!!!! The weather was good and Vin and I spent most of the day together just hanging out.
I at last got to try out that McClellan saddle on him. He was so good! I did not tie him, just walked over with the blanket, let him sniff it and put it on. Then walked over and got the saddle and came back. He sniffed it and I put it on. I spent maybe 15 minutes setting it up and adjusting it and he did not take one single step the whole time!
The saddle looks like it fits pretty well, but I need a shorter cinch for it. The best part is it fits over his withers well so maybe there is something to what a friend told me. Mustangs are built like horses were 100 years ago so the older saddles fit them better. None of my western saddles fit him at all and I have looked at many others in stores and none look like they would fit. This 100 year old McClellan seems like it fits perfect. We will see how it rides as soon as I get a cinch and the weather gets better. Right now it is still ice in the pen and I am taking it easy on him as he slips around in some spots.
When I was finished and had to get in the house, Vin bit down on my jacket sleeve and just stood there. He was not trying to bite me, he just was holding on to my sleeve so I would not go inside and leave him. He let go when I asked and he followed me to the gate, then all the way back to the house as far as he could. I almost wanted to go back out and hang with him some more but had to get in. I cam back out and gave him his night hay and a carrot, and hung out with him for another half hour. Then when I gave him a pat and turned to leave, he bit down on my sleeve again and just looked at me.
I think we have really hit that special place where we are true friends and he knows I would never hurt him or put him in a dangerous position.
Vin and I had a great day yesterday!!!! The weather was good and Vin and I spent most of the day together just hanging out.
I at last got to try out that McClellan saddle on him. He was so good! I did not tie him, just walked over with the blanket, let him sniff it and put it on. Then walked over and got the saddle and came back. He sniffed it and I put it on. I spent maybe 15 minutes setting it up and adjusting it and he did not take one single step the whole time!
The saddle looks like it fits pretty well, but I need a shorter cinch for it. The best part is it fits over his withers well so maybe there is something to what a friend told me. Mustangs are built like horses were 100 years ago so the older saddles fit them better. None of my western saddles fit him at all and I have looked at many others in stores and none look like they would fit. This 100 year old McClellan seems like it fits perfect. We will see how it rides as soon as I get a cinch and the weather gets better. Right now it is still ice in the pen and I am taking it easy on him as he slips around in some spots.
When I was finished and had to get in the house, Vin bit down on my jacket sleeve and just stood there. He was not trying to bite me, he just was holding on to my sleeve so I would not go inside and leave him. He let go when I asked and he followed me to the gate, then all the way back to the house as far as he could. I almost wanted to go back out and hang with him some more but had to get in. I cam back out and gave him his night hay and a carrot, and hung out with him for another half hour. Then when I gave him a pat and turned to leave, he bit down on my sleeve again and just looked at me.
I think we have really hit that special place where we are true friends and he knows I would never hurt him or put him in a dangerous position.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Another mouth to feed
Wifey and I went up to VT to look at a Mustang Pinto cross. Only reason I agreed is that there was some Mustang in the horse!
Wife really liked the horse so she bought her.
She is a 7 year old 14.3hh tri color pinto and she is really pretty. So now I have to get another pen system and a run in shed for her. This girl is just such a neat horse and as funny as the Vin man. I'm pretty sure they will hit it off in short order and the old owner of the pinto thinks so too. She said that Mercedes always falls for the geldings and is a bit of a flirt. Should be interesting to see how they react when they meet. That is why I am getting another pen so they can meet and be seperate at the same time. Then when they get used to each other I can take the 2 pens and make 1 large paddock for them to share.
Also got a McClellan saddle to try out. Nothing fancy, just a cheap one. Looks like it will fit Vin well and on the saddle stand it does seem comfortable. When the weather decides to clear up and we don't have sunny days Mon through fri and rain and snow Sat and Sun, I'll saddle Vin up and see what he has forgot over the last month of no rides.
Wife really liked the horse so she bought her.
She is a 7 year old 14.3hh tri color pinto and she is really pretty. So now I have to get another pen system and a run in shed for her. This girl is just such a neat horse and as funny as the Vin man. I'm pretty sure they will hit it off in short order and the old owner of the pinto thinks so too. She said that Mercedes always falls for the geldings and is a bit of a flirt. Should be interesting to see how they react when they meet. That is why I am getting another pen so they can meet and be seperate at the same time. Then when they get used to each other I can take the 2 pens and make 1 large paddock for them to share.
Also got a McClellan saddle to try out. Nothing fancy, just a cheap one. Looks like it will fit Vin well and on the saddle stand it does seem comfortable. When the weather decides to clear up and we don't have sunny days Mon through fri and rain and snow Sat and Sun, I'll saddle Vin up and see what he has forgot over the last month of no rides.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Even I have down time
Sorry folks, but not much to report here. Things are in a normal mode and nothing too exciting is going on other than we may have found a Mustang Cross for Wifey. We are going to look at her this weekend so there may be another mouth to feed here pretty soon.
Still working on the trailer, but with all the snow it is hard to get under it to find the short I have in the wiring. Not a big deal for now, but would like to get it fixed. Also got the plates for it with very little trouble.
I did order a McClellan saddle today for the times I want to play Cavalry with Vinny at the shoots. Pretty short money and I have wanted one for awhile so said what the heck and ordered it.
I guess that's about it. Sorry it was so boring!
Hans
Still working on the trailer, but with all the snow it is hard to get under it to find the short I have in the wiring. Not a big deal for now, but would like to get it fixed. Also got the plates for it with very little trouble.
I did order a McClellan saddle today for the times I want to play Cavalry with Vinny at the shoots. Pretty short money and I have wanted one for awhile so said what the heck and ordered it.
I guess that's about it. Sorry it was so boring!
Hans
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A trailer at last
We went back to the satble and looked at the trailer again. It was not all that bad so we bought it.
It is an older Kingston 2 horse straight load with a pretty large dressing room up front. Needs a bit of work, but is solid.
The fun part is getting a plate for it. Here in NH anything over 15 years old does not need a title. Car or trailer. The old owners had it off the road and did not have a copy of the registration so I have to have the police come and look at it and issue a VIN. It already has one so maybe I can work around it. Dealing with the DMV is fun no matter what state you live in!
In the morning Farrier Fred is coming to give Vinny a pedicure and I need to give him his wormer. Should be a fun day. The folks across the street are on the same time frame as us and use the same guy so Vinny will get to spend some time with her 2 horses. With the weather here of late, we have not had a chance to get Vin over to visit the girls. I am glad that he will tomorrow so he sees horses again and interacts a bit.
Wife is looking at a few horses and 2 of them are Mustangs!!!! The one I really like is a Navajo horse and she has the Navajo brands and tribal brands! The other is a black and white pinto Mustang cross. Nice looking horse for sure and she loves pintos so maybe that will be the one for her. I'm still leaning towards the Navajo horse just for the WOW factor LOL.
All for now. Trailer pics and new Vin pics are a commin.
It is an older Kingston 2 horse straight load with a pretty large dressing room up front. Needs a bit of work, but is solid.
The fun part is getting a plate for it. Here in NH anything over 15 years old does not need a title. Car or trailer. The old owners had it off the road and did not have a copy of the registration so I have to have the police come and look at it and issue a VIN. It already has one so maybe I can work around it. Dealing with the DMV is fun no matter what state you live in!
In the morning Farrier Fred is coming to give Vinny a pedicure and I need to give him his wormer. Should be a fun day. The folks across the street are on the same time frame as us and use the same guy so Vinny will get to spend some time with her 2 horses. With the weather here of late, we have not had a chance to get Vin over to visit the girls. I am glad that he will tomorrow so he sees horses again and interacts a bit.
Wife is looking at a few horses and 2 of them are Mustangs!!!! The one I really like is a Navajo horse and she has the Navajo brands and tribal brands! The other is a black and white pinto Mustang cross. Nice looking horse for sure and she loves pintos so maybe that will be the one for her. I'm still leaning towards the Navajo horse just for the WOW factor LOL.
All for now. Trailer pics and new Vin pics are a commin.
Friday, February 15, 2008
The things we do
Today was hay and cookie refill day. I don't have a lot of room to store hay so I get 6 bales at a time from a farm right around the corner from me. Next year I will start buying by the ton to save some money, but for now 6 bales lasts 2 weeks.
Now I also had to hit the feed store and get some horse cookies. I am looking through the bags and find myself reading the nutrition info printed on them. I am the type that I will pick up anything on the shelf and if the picture looks like it tastes good, I'll eat it. I never read labels or care about what is good or bad for me. If it is food, it's mine. But here I am checking labels for horse cookies!!!!
Last time I saw a Dr. was about 3 years ago, but the Vin man has seen the vet once already and has an appointment in the books for Sep. The farrier has seen him and will be back the end of this month for a trim. So in short I don't take near the care of myself as I do Vinny! If I feel like I'm going to keel over, I still head to work, but if Vinny showed the slightest signs of being sick I would be on the phone in a second telling work I won't be in today.
The things we do for our horses!
Now I also had to hit the feed store and get some horse cookies. I am looking through the bags and find myself reading the nutrition info printed on them. I am the type that I will pick up anything on the shelf and if the picture looks like it tastes good, I'll eat it. I never read labels or care about what is good or bad for me. If it is food, it's mine. But here I am checking labels for horse cookies!!!!
Last time I saw a Dr. was about 3 years ago, but the Vin man has seen the vet once already and has an appointment in the books for Sep. The farrier has seen him and will be back the end of this month for a trim. So in short I don't take near the care of myself as I do Vinny! If I feel like I'm going to keel over, I still head to work, but if Vinny showed the slightest signs of being sick I would be on the phone in a second telling work I won't be in today.
The things we do for our horses!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Now I am really wondering about Vinny!!
O.K. Strange goins on last night.
For the last few days it has been wet and cold here. I lock the gate to the pen with a double clasp and it has been freezing up so that I can't open it and have to climb over the fence to get in and feed the Vin man.
Yesterday I had to climb the fence twice and Vinny was standing right by the section I was climbing over. Well in his shed is a set of mounting steps that Wife uses to get saddled. It has been in the corner of the shed for about a month.
I get home last night and toss Vinny a couple flakes of hay and am going to climb over the fence and say hello and give him his nightly cookie fix. I climb over and darn near land on that set of steps!!!!!! Right where I climb over, the steps are there. They are on their side, but they are there. Now Vinny has ignored those things for a month and the day I start climbing over the fence, he somehow pulls them out and pushes them to the exact spot I climb over??!!
There is no way he could put all of this together in his mind! It has to be chance, but man what timing!
I am now convinced that Vinny is a reincarnated genius from some bygone era and he thought, hey stupid, why not just use the steps. Never mind dummy, I'll get them for you. Man these humans are pretty dumb!
This is not a joke around story, it really happened!
Next week I am going to see if he can drive a car!!!
For the last few days it has been wet and cold here. I lock the gate to the pen with a double clasp and it has been freezing up so that I can't open it and have to climb over the fence to get in and feed the Vin man.
Yesterday I had to climb the fence twice and Vinny was standing right by the section I was climbing over. Well in his shed is a set of mounting steps that Wife uses to get saddled. It has been in the corner of the shed for about a month.
I get home last night and toss Vinny a couple flakes of hay and am going to climb over the fence and say hello and give him his nightly cookie fix. I climb over and darn near land on that set of steps!!!!!! Right where I climb over, the steps are there. They are on their side, but they are there. Now Vinny has ignored those things for a month and the day I start climbing over the fence, he somehow pulls them out and pushes them to the exact spot I climb over??!!
There is no way he could put all of this together in his mind! It has to be chance, but man what timing!
I am now convinced that Vinny is a reincarnated genius from some bygone era and he thought, hey stupid, why not just use the steps. Never mind dummy, I'll get them for you. Man these humans are pretty dumb!
This is not a joke around story, it really happened!
Next week I am going to see if he can drive a car!!!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Rain and then some
Well it has been raining since last night and I think it will be raining most of tomorrow too. Of course the Vin man will not duck into the shed so he looks like a drowned rat.
I know he was built for this kind of thing by good ole Ma nature, but I can't help worrying about him being wet for so long. I feel like I am dropping the ball somehow.
He is happy as a clam and shows no signs of the weather bugging him at all. He does his morning stretch, goes in for breakfast, comes out and begs for a cookie,and stands right next to me while I give him some pets and check him over for any overnight damage.
I will be so glad when the winter is over and I can get more saddle time on him. I think that will be the best thing for him, to have a job and learn Mounted Shooting. I will start the training this weekend. I will buy some baloons and tie them to his pen until he gets used to them. Then I will pop a few and see how he reacts. I will keep on doing that until he learns it is no big deal.
Then it is time to start with blank gun shots Acroos the yard at first and then closer and closer until I can fire the pistol right next to him. Then the big one!! Getting on him and shooting.
That's it for now. I sure hom Vinny can swim! It's raining pretty hard now.
I know he was built for this kind of thing by good ole Ma nature, but I can't help worrying about him being wet for so long. I feel like I am dropping the ball somehow.
He is happy as a clam and shows no signs of the weather bugging him at all. He does his morning stretch, goes in for breakfast, comes out and begs for a cookie,and stands right next to me while I give him some pets and check him over for any overnight damage.
I will be so glad when the winter is over and I can get more saddle time on him. I think that will be the best thing for him, to have a job and learn Mounted Shooting. I will start the training this weekend. I will buy some baloons and tie them to his pen until he gets used to them. Then I will pop a few and see how he reacts. I will keep on doing that until he learns it is no big deal.
Then it is time to start with blank gun shots Acroos the yard at first and then closer and closer until I can fire the pistol right next to him. Then the big one!! Getting on him and shooting.
That's it for now. I sure hom Vinny can swim! It's raining pretty hard now.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
The BLM
WOW!!!! Today was a great day! I got a call from Scott at the VA BLM office. I had emailed them with an offer to help in any way I could with the upcoming adoption in Sommersworth NH. Well he asked what I was willing to do and I told him name it.
He is sending me a package of promotional info like flyers and pamphlets to distribute around.
I was so thrilled about this as when I started this blog, my Yahoo group, and joined up on other boards, this is what I had in mind, to help out the BLM and the Mustangs. I plan on making a swing around New England to all the Tack shops, stables, feed stores, and gun shops I can find and leave these items in hopes that more people will know about the adoption and help make it a big win for the BLM and Mustangs!
Some people may say why help them out? They are a government agency and get paid to do this. My answer is simple. We ARE the government and these horses are public property. They belong to each and every one of us and if we can help, then we should and feel like it is our proud duty to do so! Will I get paid or even get money back for time and gas? No, and I don't care one bit!! I am going to be rewarded better than with money, I will know I helped the BLM get these fine horses homes and jobs where they will be cared for and treated well. How will I be sure they are treated well? I will be more than happy to run around and check on them, offer any help to the adopters that I can, and put them in touch with people that can help them train if I can't.
Everyone has something that they would like to do in life and mine is to promote the Mustang to the public of this great country. I can't do near as much as some people can, but I can do as much as I can and so can you.
He is sending me a package of promotional info like flyers and pamphlets to distribute around.
I was so thrilled about this as when I started this blog, my Yahoo group, and joined up on other boards, this is what I had in mind, to help out the BLM and the Mustangs. I plan on making a swing around New England to all the Tack shops, stables, feed stores, and gun shops I can find and leave these items in hopes that more people will know about the adoption and help make it a big win for the BLM and Mustangs!
Some people may say why help them out? They are a government agency and get paid to do this. My answer is simple. We ARE the government and these horses are public property. They belong to each and every one of us and if we can help, then we should and feel like it is our proud duty to do so! Will I get paid or even get money back for time and gas? No, and I don't care one bit!! I am going to be rewarded better than with money, I will know I helped the BLM get these fine horses homes and jobs where they will be cared for and treated well. How will I be sure they are treated well? I will be more than happy to run around and check on them, offer any help to the adopters that I can, and put them in touch with people that can help them train if I can't.
Everyone has something that they would like to do in life and mine is to promote the Mustang to the public of this great country. I can't do near as much as some people can, but I can do as much as I can and so can you.
Monday, February 11, 2008
The OTTB
So the Wife is looking at an OTTB horse for sale. I know nothing about them, but he looks like a good horse to me. Sometimes you learn about something by mistake and that is just what happened yeaterday.
My friend told me about a horse trailer for sale as he knew we were looking to get a cheap one. Yesterday Wife and I rode out to take a look at it. Older Kingston 2 horse straight load with a pretty big dressing room in front. Not bad for an older trailer, needs a bit of work, but again not bad.
We walk up to the barn to ask about the trailer and guess what she has in the barn. 3 OTTBs that she got from a local track. She is a real nice gal and shows us around her place. We get to talking horses and she starts telling us about the OTTBs that she has. I gotta tell ya they were not what I thought they would be! I figured they would be these sad looking leftover race horses that did not make the grade and were on the way to the meat lot. These horses were great!!!! Funny and happy and just full of love. She told us that at first they were pretty messed up in the head, but over time they learned to be horses and have adapted well. One named Elton had about the same injury as Barbaro had. He could never race again and was on the way to the meat truck when she saved him. When I saw that horse I could not believe he was on his way to die. He was a great horse and he had healed up fine. He would never race but can do trail rides and walk/trot/canter with no issues at all. He was so funny and happy. She turned him out and he took off running, then stopped and rolled. Then when she let out the others from that barn, Elton slipped back in and checked every stall for left over breakfast!!!!!
Then he came up to me and wanted his head scratched and just some attention. The gal said he was looking for a cough drop!. I'm like what?!! She said he loved Riccola cough drops, so she gives him one and he crunched it right up. It did give him nice breath and it's all herbal so I guess it won't hurt him any.
Back in the barn is a real sweet mare that was never raced. This goof ball wanted to get turned out, so she swings her head around, grabs a halter off the tack rack next to her stall with her mouth and tosses it at me. Pretty good throw as I caught it. Then she starts nodding her head and looking at me like come on bud lets go outside.
Well I gotta say I learned a lot yesterday. We all have our passions with horses. Mine is Mustangs, hers was OTTBs but we both learned about each others passions and had a wonderful time with her horses. I think Wifey is leaning towards an OTTB horse now more than ever after yesterday.
I never di ask her much about the trailer, guess I have to go back and try again!! This time I'll stay out of the barn.
My friend told me about a horse trailer for sale as he knew we were looking to get a cheap one. Yesterday Wife and I rode out to take a look at it. Older Kingston 2 horse straight load with a pretty big dressing room in front. Not bad for an older trailer, needs a bit of work, but again not bad.
We walk up to the barn to ask about the trailer and guess what she has in the barn. 3 OTTBs that she got from a local track. She is a real nice gal and shows us around her place. We get to talking horses and she starts telling us about the OTTBs that she has. I gotta tell ya they were not what I thought they would be! I figured they would be these sad looking leftover race horses that did not make the grade and were on the way to the meat lot. These horses were great!!!! Funny and happy and just full of love. She told us that at first they were pretty messed up in the head, but over time they learned to be horses and have adapted well. One named Elton had about the same injury as Barbaro had. He could never race again and was on the way to the meat truck when she saved him. When I saw that horse I could not believe he was on his way to die. He was a great horse and he had healed up fine. He would never race but can do trail rides and walk/trot/canter with no issues at all. He was so funny and happy. She turned him out and he took off running, then stopped and rolled. Then when she let out the others from that barn, Elton slipped back in and checked every stall for left over breakfast!!!!!
Then he came up to me and wanted his head scratched and just some attention. The gal said he was looking for a cough drop!. I'm like what?!! She said he loved Riccola cough drops, so she gives him one and he crunched it right up. It did give him nice breath and it's all herbal so I guess it won't hurt him any.
Back in the barn is a real sweet mare that was never raced. This goof ball wanted to get turned out, so she swings her head around, grabs a halter off the tack rack next to her stall with her mouth and tosses it at me. Pretty good throw as I caught it. Then she starts nodding her head and looking at me like come on bud lets go outside.
Well I gotta say I learned a lot yesterday. We all have our passions with horses. Mine is Mustangs, hers was OTTBs but we both learned about each others passions and had a wonderful time with her horses. I think Wifey is leaning towards an OTTB horse now more than ever after yesterday.
I never di ask her much about the trailer, guess I have to go back and try again!! This time I'll stay out of the barn.
The first of the many
Someone suggested I start a blog. What the heck I got nothing else to do right? So this will be the first entry into the saga of Myself, Wild Horse Hans and my trusty steed, Vinny.
Vinny is a 13 year old BLM Mustang and I have had him for a bit over a month now. I should say we have had him. I do have a Wife and she gave me the go ahead to get Vinny in the first place so I guess I should mention her. LOL
Joanne is the much better half of this family. I just take up space and spend money on hobbies. She is the one that keeps me in check from going too insane with all of this. Although she did go a bit overboard at the horse store after we bought Vinny and she loaded me up with all the goodies one needs for basic horse care. Brushes, poop buckets, poop rakes, feed and water buckets and the like.
One thing I have learned about horses is that for every pound of food in 3 pounds of poop comes out. Still have not figured that one out. I'll keep working the numbers and let you know the outcome, there has to be a formula for this.
Now as for Vinny, well I can say that he is 100% fit and in good all around shape according to my Vet. He loved Vinny the first time he came to check him out and so did the Farrier. So we are happy about that.
Now Vinny is a smart boy and is funny as can be. He is smart as he has one place that he poops and I mean one place. In the far corner of the pen you find a nice pile every morning and this makes for very easy cleaning work, however this pile will fill a standard size muck bucket. He will not poop in his run in shed. In fact he never goes in it at all except to eat. $2000.00 for the shed and he don't use it! KIDS!!!!!
That is just one of his smart traits. He has many and I'll get into them all later.
As for funny. Well, he thinks he's funny and sometimes so do I. The other day I am Mucking, a nice term for poop patrol, anyways Vinny is standing right in front of me looking at what I am doing as if to say you missed a piece. I finish up and am leaving the pen when I turn to see the Vin man pooping right where I had just cleaned up. Now to add insult to injury, he is looking right at me and gives me the horse lip. I can't describe the horse lip, but think of a laughing face and that's about it.
Now a few days later I am in there just hanging out with him when he turns his butt to me so I scratch his butt for him. I thought that is what he was looking for, a nice scratch. Well I'm scratching him on top of his hind and he FARTS on me!! Then he looks around at me and walks off. He is just a funny horse.
He also does all the funny stuff that every horse does, but it is still funny non the less. He has his big morning strech where he walks his front legs out as far as he can and streches out. Then he does his back legs one at a time by sticking them as far out behind him as he can. Then comes the morning yawn and chewing and head shaking. I swear if he could walk down the hall and scratch his butt he would be human!!!!
Well gotta end this now, but I'll add more as things move along and I can remember them.
Vinny is a 13 year old BLM Mustang and I have had him for a bit over a month now. I should say we have had him. I do have a Wife and she gave me the go ahead to get Vinny in the first place so I guess I should mention her. LOL
Joanne is the much better half of this family. I just take up space and spend money on hobbies. She is the one that keeps me in check from going too insane with all of this. Although she did go a bit overboard at the horse store after we bought Vinny and she loaded me up with all the goodies one needs for basic horse care. Brushes, poop buckets, poop rakes, feed and water buckets and the like.
One thing I have learned about horses is that for every pound of food in 3 pounds of poop comes out. Still have not figured that one out. I'll keep working the numbers and let you know the outcome, there has to be a formula for this.
Now as for Vinny, well I can say that he is 100% fit and in good all around shape according to my Vet. He loved Vinny the first time he came to check him out and so did the Farrier. So we are happy about that.
Now Vinny is a smart boy and is funny as can be. He is smart as he has one place that he poops and I mean one place. In the far corner of the pen you find a nice pile every morning and this makes for very easy cleaning work, however this pile will fill a standard size muck bucket. He will not poop in his run in shed. In fact he never goes in it at all except to eat. $2000.00 for the shed and he don't use it! KIDS!!!!!
That is just one of his smart traits. He has many and I'll get into them all later.
As for funny. Well, he thinks he's funny and sometimes so do I. The other day I am Mucking, a nice term for poop patrol, anyways Vinny is standing right in front of me looking at what I am doing as if to say you missed a piece. I finish up and am leaving the pen when I turn to see the Vin man pooping right where I had just cleaned up. Now to add insult to injury, he is looking right at me and gives me the horse lip. I can't describe the horse lip, but think of a laughing face and that's about it.
Now a few days later I am in there just hanging out with him when he turns his butt to me so I scratch his butt for him. I thought that is what he was looking for, a nice scratch. Well I'm scratching him on top of his hind and he FARTS on me!! Then he looks around at me and walks off. He is just a funny horse.
He also does all the funny stuff that every horse does, but it is still funny non the less. He has his big morning strech where he walks his front legs out as far as he can and streches out. Then he does his back legs one at a time by sticking them as far out behind him as he can. Then comes the morning yawn and chewing and head shaking. I swear if he could walk down the hall and scratch his butt he would be human!!!!
Well gotta end this now, but I'll add more as things move along and I can remember them.
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