Adding to the Herd

It happened today. We brought three horses home to meet Clyde. Doyle and I brought home the trailer last night to air up tires. We drove out around 9:30 this morning.

Debi had come out to say her goodbyes. It was bittersweet for her. Two of the three horses were the last of her Dad's that he raised. My heart hurt for her. She reassured me that she and her husband were very pleased we were taking them. It was just stirring up memories.

We loaded Patches the 13 yo mare first as the other two were inseparable. We had hoped that loading Diamond the 12yo gelding would make it easier to load Dixie the 7yo who had only ridden in a trailer once when she was brought to where she is now as a young filly. Doyle and I had prepared that it might take us a while to convince her to get in the trailer. It did. About 2hrs but we did it without her being upset or getting anyone hurt. It did take me, Doyle and Debi's husband David to accomplish the task successfully. Well worth that in my opinion!

There were several suggestions on how to introduce horses. Doyle and I opted to put them out and see what happened. Since Dixie was the last to load, she was the first to unload. Clyde was most interested...of course...it's a girl! Then we unloaded Diamond and then Patches. We had anticipated squeals and kicks. A new "pecking order" (who's the leader) has to be reestablished. Clyde has been the leader around any other horses since we've had him. I think he met his match today in Diamond. The girls were most interested in meeting Clyde but Diamond was very protective. He keep trying to keep them away from Clyde. There were some serious enough blows that I took Diamond out of the equation to give the ladies a chance to meet Clyde but by that time Clyde had enough and he wasn't even interested in the girls anymore.

See the "horseshoe" imprint on Clyde's left butt cheek?! Clyde got Diamond pretty good too. I noticed swelling on his "cheek". Same location! 

He would just stand in the corner of the pasture and every time one of the girls tried to approach him, he got defensive so I shut him up in a different area so he wouldn't feel threatened.

I took off work tomorrow too. I think I will try introducing one at a time and give them some time to get acquainted.

With Clyde safe, I spent the rest of the afternoon watching the three. I just can't get over how pretty they are!

Dixie (L) and Diamond (R) are two peas in a pod. I was thinking I would just leave the names they had but Doyle would like to change Dixie and the more I think about it maybe I do too but not sure what it will be yet. I also learned yesterday that I know the woman that used to have Dixie. She is the nursery worker for our church! She was so excited to learn I would have Dixie. She told me that she had named her "Rain".

This is Patches. She is the half sister to Diamond.

This is Dixie. Her mother was a Mustang and her father a registered Paint. She has a little bit of color but not a lot. I just love her head. She is the one who will require the most work as she only be halter trained. I am looking forward to working with her.

They enjoyed running around the pasture.

I will be happier when I can blend Clyde into the mix and I believe he will in time. Tomorrow's another day!

Have a good one!

A Gift From Papa

I've been sitting on this news for about 2 weeks! I've been afraid of saying anything for fear of jinxing it and I'm not superstitious! I will be officially getting this gift on Monday and will blog about this day but first I must share the story behind it.

May 2007 my beloved horse Blue died. He was 18yo. I had owned him for 12yrs. We had been through alot together. I can't begin to tell you how deep my bond was with him but the day he died a little bit of me died with him.

Christmas that year Pastor Kirk gave me a gift as he usually did but this gift was extremely special. Here is an excerpt from a blog (January 1, 2008) I had on a previous blog site.




On Friday before Christmas Pastor Kirk came in with a rather large wrapped gift for me. He usually gives me something every year. I decided to wait to open it until Christmas. When I opened it I felt bad for not allowing Kirk the blessing of seeing my expression upon the revelation of the gift. As you can see it is a sculpture. The name of the sculpture is "The Gift". I began to cry as I looked at the intricate details of this awesome piece of work. God began to show me through this artwork that I was the little girl and He was the cowboy. I believe it was God's way of reassuring my heart that I will have another horse one day. I know I have a horse now but I do not have the connection with Clyde that I had with Blue. I believe one day God will give me another horse that I will bond with like I did Blue. And I'm just foolish enough to believe that someone will give it to me. I don't know when or how but I believe I will have another horse other than Clyde. I couldn't quit crying for several minutes. I finally did regain my composure. I have found when I tell people about this sculpture and what I believe it stands for, it makes me cry again! I will have to say this is a very special gift and such a tangible reminder of God's love and promise to me. Geez, there are tears in my eyes now even as I write this! I did call Kirk later and thank him. Even as I was thanking him and sharing with him what God had showed me I began to cry on the phone....so he didn't miss out entirely on the affect the gift had on me!

Fast forward to 2013...six years later. Doyle and I have been discussing getting a couple more horses. Clyde is 23 will be 24 in February. He is a "senior citizen" in horse world. Every day I have him is a blessing. Not only does he need company as horses are herd animals but no one else can ride with me because I only have one horse and I want to teach my grandchildren to ride. 

Sunday afternoon September 8th, I was on Facebook. I saw a picture from a friend of mine, Melanie,  I meet through scrapbooking, of her two little girls on horses. The caption was "Giddy-up...of course now they want their own!" I don't always look at comments but because horses were involved I did. Someone posted "We have three horses we're trying to find homes for, if interested. LOL". I posted "I might be interested. Can you give me some more information? I currently own an older horse and want to add." Then Melanie posted "That would be awesome but absolutely nowhere to put them. Valerie would be a definite 1st choice for me! I know she would take wonderful care of them!"

This lady messaged me through Facebook and we chatted back and forth. In the end she gave me her phone number and I called to make arrangements to see the horses on Tuesday September 10th. I was in love the moment I saw them! It was all I could do to restrain myself but I knew that I had to have Doyle's approval to go through with this. I knew I had it when he said to the people "Valerie always said she liked seeing color in the pasture. I guess now I need to go work on the barn to get ready for them." 

Let me introduce you to Patches. A 13yo registered Paint Mare. Stands about 15H.

Meet Diamond. A 12 yo registered Paint Gelding and half brother to Patches. He's about 15.1H. He's the same height as my Blue was and built about the same.

This is Dixie. A 7yo half Paint half Mustang Mare. She's probably about 14.2H. Not any relation to the other two. She was taken in by this family from a friend when she was a filly (less than a year old). She has never been ridden. I am hoping to change that.

All three are very docile and of gentle temperament. Doyle picked up their feet without any of them having a halter on. I was impressed! The other two have been trained but haven't been ridden in 5 years. 
 
The two registered Paints are horses left from the father of the woman who owns them. He used to raise Paint horses. He has since died. She and her husband are retired and want to move at some point. They didn't want to sell them for fear they wouldn't go to a good home.  
 
Can you tell that Diamond and Dixie are buddies!

I did ride Diamond Wednesday. I chose him because where they live now is VERY rocky and he is the only one with shoes. He did just fine.  I was very pleased.

These guys are the reason I've been so quiet of late! I've been busy helping Doyle prepare our place for 3 more! We now have everything ready and have scheduled to bring them home with us on Monday. I am so excited I took off work so I can spend time with them and watch to make sure they don't beat up on the old guy!

That's a pretty good gift huh?! I believed Papa for "a horse" to be given to me and He gave me three! That's so like Him. It drives home the truth from Ephesians 3:20 "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us"

My heart is full!
Have a good one!

Exploring

The day of Kennedy's birthday the weather was just beautiful. I decided to take full advantage of it by going to ride as I knew a cold front was forecast to come through the next day.

After riding Kaidence and I went exploring the property next to where I keep Clyde.

Nice view.

The landscape is very diverse. Love how the rocks jut out.

Kaidence and I began our decent. On my way down I turned around and saw the moon.

At the base of the rocks was a long flat bottom then we came upon some water. Evidence of how dry it is.

A cattail in full maturity.

Kaidence and I walked over to the big rock then found a way up that wasn't too terrible steep.

The sun is setting but we are close to being back to the barn.

The sky is so beautiful.

I thought it was cool how the sunset was reflected in my windows.

There is talk among meteorologists that we could possible get winter weather Christmas Day. These things are very hard to predict in timing and the track they will take. For now it is looking like we could but I will be watching this closely. The little child in me wants to see the white stuff for Christmas! I am chopping at the bit to play in the snow with Kennedy! I also know it means travel problems for those having to commute to be with family. Only time will tell how this will play out. I will be watching that's for sure!

Have a good one!

Card Box Completed and Afternoon Fall Ride

The card box I am referring to is not the one I did for my mother. It's the one that inspired me to do one for my mother. The one I started as my own card box in a class two months ago!

Still not sure I'm all that happy with it but it's glued down now.

I also made a card for my granddaughter Remi.

This image is from Sliekje Digi Stamps. I just lover her images and they are free! Makes me like them even better! I colored with my Copic Markers then put glossy accents on the butterflies and on the kitty's eye.





I also made a card for my Dad's birthday.

I used a sketch# 122 from Catch The Bug Challenge Blog. If I read the challenge rules correctly I have to use a bugaboo stamp to enter their challenge so I am not entering this card. I liked the sketch though and wanted to give credit where it's do! The papers I used are Authentique and the image is from SU. I heat embossed "happy birthday" and added three gold brads on the other end of the sentiment.

Now on to my adventure! I had gone to ride. I took Kaidence with me. I went to the barn for Clyde's halter. I was leading him to the gate when he began to snort and be antsy. I started looking around as I knew something had alarmed him when I saw Kaidence sniffing at something in the road. Then I saw it....

I yelled at her to get away not realizing the snake was dead. I thought perhaps he was sunning himself on the pavement. I wondered by Kaidence hadn't disturbed him when she went to investigate. I lead Clyde to the trailer. To get there I had to lead Clyde by the snake (a safe distance away) snorting and prancing all the way! I tied him to the trailer and went to get a rake to either kill or move him. It was then I realized he was dead yet I saw no reason for him to be dead.

I picked him up and moved him off the road. When I laid him in a grassy area behind the truck I noticed a bit of blood on the underside of his mouth. The only thing I can figure is I must have run over him when I drove up.

The snake was on the road behind where Kaidence is standing.

Pretty fall day.

Kaidence got a work out but she loves to go with me.

After our ride. Something has his attention. He is still good looking for 22!

Have a good one!

Treasure In My Backyard

The treasure I'm referring to isn't real treasure and it's not really in my backyard. I'm referring to Lake Mineral Wells State Park that is about 6 miles from me. This is a great place to do all sorts of outdoor activities. My favorite being riding horses! The State Park has about 8 miles of equestrian trails! I absolutely LOVE IT! For people like me who don't own their own land or don't own much, the State Park is a nice change of pace. Even with the $5 entry fee (which is for all day) is well worth what you get! There is about 30 acres where I keep my horse that I ride very regularly but it gets old after a while riding the same place all the time. The State Park adds a lot of variety. I've even taken the dogs on occasion and walked the hiking/biking/equestrian trails. There is rock climbing, fishing, camping, paddle boats. There are even special events for kids teaching them about nature.

My rig with the horses. Yes, I know there are two horses and only one of me! I have a system when I don't have anyone to ride with me. I ride one and lead the other then switch. I am looking forward to when my Lil' Peanut is big enough to ride along unassisted! The big bay is my horse Clyde and the other horse belongs to the people who own the property where I keep my horse. At the end of the parking lot is the where the trail begins.

The State Park is just beautiful this time of year! Wildflowers are everywhere, its green and foliage covers the trails several places making for a nice canopy of shade. I took time out from my ride every so often to take pictures. I want to go back with my big camera. I was using my compact digital on the ride (less expensive to replace if it gets damaged!)

A picture of some of the trail. These yellow flowers are EVERYWHERE!

Isn't this a beauty?

Last week, my son-in-law came with me. He's enjoying the scenery. It was his first time to ride out here.

And Clyde is very pokey. He walks very slowly and wants to trot to catch up when all he would have to do is walk faster! Silly horse!

Here we are going through the low water crossing.

I just love these trails! I could stay out here for days....but alas....I must go home. Until next time...Happy Trails to you!

Time for a Change

I have been wrestling for months maybe even a couple of years now about my blogging. I love to blog but now that I help with the care of my granddaughter (who is 2) I find that I can't sit at the computer for long...usually not at all when she's here. I have another blog site which is where I originally started but this one seems so much more "user friendly" and I know many people who already blog here. Just makes sense that it might be time to move. I am following several blogs and realized I really need to update mine. I did finally put up a more current profile pic but its time to change that again too!

 My daughter is getting married in 17 days! Egads! She had a bridal shoot last Friday that required my help as she wanted to use our horse. It rained 2.5 inches last Monday and everything was still soggy. I was hoping I didn't have any trouble getting the trailer out of the pasture. I got the trailer out of the pasture but got stuck trying to put it back! Had to unhook it where it was and go back a few days later to park it properly.  I waited until Friday to bath the horse because if I didn't he would promptly roll in the mud!

Before and after bathing.

 I had been trying to groom him every day as he is shedding his winter coat so there is lots of loose hair to brush out. I used clippers on the long scraggly hairs on his face. He's a good looking horse for 22! He's the last of the original three we bought 17 years ago. He stands 15H and weighs probably about 1500 pounds! He's stout!

Went shopping Tuesday for an outfit for the wedding. I DID NOT want to wear a dress. I thought I was going to have to until I finally found something I thought would work at Dillards.

Made a card the other night for a friend having a birthday. I used sketch#66  from Operation Write Home and some scrap Basic Grey papers from their Valentine collection last year. Turned out cute I think.

Finishing up a Beth Moore study at church "James - Mercy Triumphs". This study is on the book of James and Beth's newest. It is very good and I highly recommend it. Just a word of caution. If you're not ready to be confronted to change don't take it.

Another lady from my church and I have been asked by our pastor to consider leading a "single" women's group on Wednesday night after this class. This would include unmarried, divorced, widowed or women whose husbands are not spiritually active what I am terming "spiritually single". There seems to be a great need for ministry to this group. We will hold an informational meeting on April 18th to see how to best minister to them. I am looking at some possible studies to do with this group that are not DVD driven. I will know more once we meet with these ladies how best to proceed.

My other granddaughter Remington lives in Arkansas. She is here this week for a visit. Keannon and Vanessa had a meeting with our pastor Sunday evening and they asked if I would like to keep the girls. Of course I said "YES!". This is the first time I had both of them for any length of time. We had so much fun. We played with big rubber balls that I had bought them, blew bubbles, played with pinwheels and when it got too dark to be outside we colored and put stickers on paper. Needless to say, I was one pooped gal by the time they went home but I wouldn't have traded it for anything!

Went riding with my future SIL. He expressed an interest in riding with me every time he comes home from the job. He is working 2 weeks at a time away from home then is home a week. When he is home, he picks up Remington (Remi). I am excited to have someone to ride with me! I enjoy riding alone but its nice for a change.

 The wildflowers are sprouting up everywhere! Bluebonnets are my favorite and our State's flower. Indian paintbrushes are my next favorite. Lots of weeds have beautiful blooms too! Such beautiful colors scattered across grassy land makes me smile. God is such an amazing artist!

 I was on my way to shop for a wedding outfit when I saw these beauties! Bluebonnets (above)...if you look close you can see the edge of the field where the yellow flowers are. This field was just beautiful and covered in these yellow flowers.

 I think these are blooms to some weeds and not really flowers but I don't know that for sure.

 Bluebonnets with some albino mixed in. Not sure how common that is. I've not seen them very often.

 A little Indian Paintbrush (orange/red flower) mixed in this batch by the side of the road.

 A close up of the albino Bluebonnet

 Bees love the Bluebonnet's nectar

 Found a patch of Indian Paintbrushes. I set my camera up on a tripod for this one. I am hoping to get pics of my granddaughters out here soon.

 Aren't they beautiful?! I am such a sucker for wildflowers! I can't seem to quit taking pictures of them!




 That about wraps it up. Have a good one!