Sunny Sunday

Do yous have treats fors me?

Today was beautiful! I was up late last night making birthday cakes for Ms. Denali. She has her own cake, then I made individual cakes for all the other ponies at the barn. She's been very good, she must know it's her birthday! She is getting a new Lik-it for her stall, cherry flavored, along with an insert that is like an Uncle Jimmy ball, but I think it will be less messy than the ball.

Denali's Birthday Cake

Denali's "cupcakes" to share

Today was beautiful! I was up late last night making birthday cakes for Ms. Denali. She has her own cake, then I made individual cakes for all the other ponies at the barn. She's been very good, she must know it's her birthday! She is getting a new Lik-it for her stall, cherry flavored, along with an insert that is like an Uncle Jimmy ball, but I think it will be less messy than the ball.

I was up really late due to some horse drama, I couldn't sleep. Plus, my husband was away, and I let my mind run wild.

This morning I went to my lesson at 11. Today I rode an old Eventer. He was a huge TB, but the smoothest trot I've ever ridden. I could have ridden him all day. I feel like I did a better job of sitting the trot and doing it right. I also cantered on the old man, it was the sweetest ride ever! He was like a giant 17.1 hh rocking horse. I tried to sneak him in my car, but he wouldn't fit. ;) I think Denali needs a boyfriend! Seriously, I LOVE HIM!! :) He reminded me of Yukon, and that made me smile.

Ran and spent some time with the girl. She was in a really good mood, and very well behaved. We got the driveway re-done at the barn and the big machine was still parked there. Ms. D was pretty sure it was a scary monster that was about to jump out and kill her. We walked past it a few times until she figured out it was fine. Then she started to lick it.

I ran to my car to grab some stuff and she started licking my car too. She got really into it. It was hilarious!

200th Post

And I wanted to use it to thank you! Thank you for following along on my journey through horse ownership. Thank you for your comments, and your insights. Owning a horse, I assume, is just like having a kid. We have our ups and our downs, but I love her regardless. I assume that the next one will be easier, just like children. I have learned more in the past year and a half about horses then I ever thought possible. I'm still convinced that if I can "tame the beast" that the next horse will be nothing. :)

I begged, pleaded, and cried for my own horse growing up. I never got it. One Christmas my dad had bought hay to put in the dog houses. I was CONVINCED I was getting a pony for Christmas, I had just read a book, maybe Summer Pony, so the idea of the horse living in my garage didn't seem so far fetched. At the time I was always so mad at my parents for not getting me my own horse (I leased an Appy named Misty, I'll tell her story someday) but I appreciate Denali that much more. She is mine, and she picked me. Things happen for a reason (and believe me I HATE THAT SAYING!!) but it is true.

I also want to say a huge thank you and welcome to Yukon's new mom!! He was adopted yesterday! (*insert loud clapping here*)There are no words to describe how happy I am for him (and for you!) He is an amazing boy and deserves to be treated like such.

Thank you everyone!

If you haven't seen this yet...

I bawled my eyes out...



It just makes me so sad that this is not how all horses are treated. I try not to think about it, it just depresses me. The fact that a horse I loved more than anything was given "to a forever home" and then left in a field. I read on the rescue blog that Yukon is almost ready to go to his forever home. I am forever grateful to them for taking him in and taking such good care of him. How he got there I'll never know. I wish I would have known at the time he was soon about to be homeless. He'll always have a spot in my heart. I am thankful that I was able to spend a day with him this summer. Thank you Pony Up Rescue!

My Boy

I guess I can't call him "My Boy" anymore since he's not. :( I went to visit Yukon, and he's doing amazing!! The people at PONYUP Rescue have done a great job with him and the other horses that are at the stable. Yukon's new "mom" Chelsea was absolutely wonderful to me!! I did start to cry like a baby when I got to go see him. He still stomps his foot and demands food. It makes me very sad that he was in a field by himself, stomping for food, and no one was there to feed him. I don't know what happened to to him, or how he ended up in a field, but there is no excuse. I hate people!

Here are some pictures of my boy for your enjoyment! Also, the website for PonyUp if you ever have extra funds you want to donate to a good rescue! (There are a lot of NOT good rescues out there.)

www.ponyuprescue.com

(Please ignore my large butt)

Mr. Yukon

(Caution: I swear :) )

About three years ago I answered an ad on Craigslist from a barn looking for someone to do some repairs around the barn in exchange for board/lessons/leasing etc. I responded, knowing that the person would probably want a man, not that I can't fix things, I just have no references to that fact. The barn manager humored me and offered me to come and clean stalls in exchange for riding time and lessons.

I did this for a few months, and rode a little arab name Najah. Najah was probably 14 hands, and I just felt really silly on him. That's when the barn manager humored me and introduce me to Yukon. Yukon was a 21 year old OTTB who had done 3 day Eventing for the majority of his OT time. He taught me SO much in that year and a half that I rode him. I bought Denali, and even had the animal communicator ask him if he was mad at me. She said he wasn't as long as he could still get treats! He's part of the reason I named Denali, Denali. Not that the two area's are even close, but I like the sound of Yukon Denali.

Last September my barn closed down. The property was crappy, and instead of the owner of the property fixing it up, he upped the rent to $3,000 a month. My original trainer/barn manager did all she could, but with a facility that didn't merit an expensive board price it was hard to keep people. She found Yukon a "amazing forever home." A lot of people gave her crap, and spread horrible rumors about her, all untrue. She is and amazing horsewoman, and unfortunately never ended up at another facility that I would take Denali. (See previous boarding facility)

Well....I love craigslist, and guess who I saw on there today...Yukon. The ad says that he was abandoned in a field. It broke my heart!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/grd/1293577692.html

My biggest fear is that he will end up at auction. I e-mailed Ophelia's mom freaking out. Want to know how much I love her? She offered to split his board if there are no other options for him until we can find him a good forever home. He's such an amazing horse.

There is always a small chance that it is NOT the same horse in the ad. Yes, the horses name is Yukon, the same as my first love, he looks just like "my" Yukon, and also did 3 day eventing. I'm hoping it's not him!!

If it is, to the woman who promised him a "forever home." You're a !@#$(*$ bitch! How dare you!! I e-mailed you in February to see how he was doing and said "contact me" if you ever need to find him a new home. Not that I can EVER take him, but I can at least do better than sticking him in a field. He is so well trained and amazing. I really hope they respond to my e-mails and tell me I'm nuts. Sigh...

It hit almost 100 today, Anna... I don't know how you live like this everyday all summer. I'm going to die.

Happy Birthday Yukon

Yukon Heir, an OTTB, and my favorite lesson horse turns 23 today! I rode him for over a year when I bought Denali. I even had the animal communicator talk to him to make sure he wasn't mad I bought a different horse. I'm not sure where he is, but I hope he's happy. Last I heard he was adopted by a family with two other geldings. I miss that boy!!!