New Era, New Blog

So much has changed since I updated this blog. So much. I still miss my Mistress every single day of my life, that hasn't changed. We sold Frosty to a loving little girl who competes in 4H and at county fair shortly after we sold Fancy. My husband and I have moved back to Virginia (in June 2015). I went to start a job as the Equine Coordinator for a Boys and Girls Home. It is a rewarding job. I love the kids who I work with each day and I love the staff. It was truly a God given opportunity that I do not intend to waste.

I always always believed that I would have a Trinity baby at some point, but that was not in the Lord's plan for me, so since moving I have adopted 3 foals from the Nurse Mare Industry. I bean a new blog to document the process of raising them through the challenges, training process, and all of the other ups and downs that end up occurring. The set-up of the blog and all the "about" pages aren't completely finished yet, but I thought I would go ahead and share it with you, my loyal followers!

Please check it out, comment, give me suggestions!


http://foals.homemadefaith.com

Fancy and Life Update

SO, I told you I would clarify how things happened with Fancy. We got a call that a woman wanted to come see her. We scheduled a time for her and her husband to come out and see Fancy Smancy. Shane and I went out on Friday to prep her and make sure that everything was all set for her to be looked at.

Shane worked her on the lunge line. 

She worked really well in both direction. We have been working her half time in a figure-8 nose band and part time without a nose band. This is forcing her to understand that she needs to listen to the bit and accept that it isn't going to attack her. I think she had previously worked in a harsh port-shank bit. She does not like any pressure. So, this pattern of work has really been working well. After we take it off, she seems to really respect the bit more.

She is a really sweet horse, and such a cute mover. 

After Shane lunged her, I got on and worked her on the flat in both direction. She was doing really well. If I keep my hands down, soft, and loose then she really trots and lopes well. The problem is that she fights the bit and is looking for a fight. I think that she wants to have a soft mouth, but that she has been yanked on in the "cowboy" method in the past. So, she is confused about whether she is supposed to be in pain or not. My problem is not giving in the the fight. 

If we had the time and money I would have TOTALLY kept her and trained her to be a killer English Jumper Pony. I think she has the temperament and the brain to do that. 

On Saturday the prospective buyers came out to see her. The woman led her around and checked her out. She seemed liked she really knew what she was talking about. She asked a lot of questions. I was completely honest with her. I wanted to make sure they knew what I knew. They knew I had her about a month and that I thought she was great, but that I didn't know everything about her. 

Shane lunged Fancy for them, and then the wife rode around at the walk for a bit. Then the husband rode around for a bit. Neither got out of the walk. They did all the right things though, or so it seems. They checked her lateral flexion, walk, stop, turn, and backup. They realized that she didn't back up, but I think this is part of the bit issue that I mentioned above. They then had me get on and take her through the paces. They saw the issue that I had mentioned with the bit. The final hat trick was that they wanted to see what happened if the gate was left open. I jumped off and walked away and she just followed me and stood perfectly. The agreed to buy her on the SPOT! YAY!

Goodbye old mommy!

So, we got the brand inspection done on Thursday, and she went to her new home on Sunday. For those not from Western States, I will explain the brand inspection. I have never sold a horse in Colorado so I didn't really understand. The only horses I had bought were from auction and the brand inspection is built in to the paperwork. So, it dates back to the Old West days of horse rustling and cattle rustling. Basically, it is a government oversight to make sure that the horse isn't stolen and that you have the legal authority to sell the horse. A horse without a brand inspection is worthless in the western states. A Bill of Sale and Papers will get you so far, but a brand inspection is the end all be all. If your horse is ever evacuated to a fairgrounds for any reason (fire, flood, etc.) then only the Brand Inspection will get them free. Also, if you don't have one, then you can't ever sell the horse or commercially ship it. The inspector comes out and makes sure that the horse being sold is the horse on the paperwork. They also make sure that you have a brand inspection with YOUR name on it before they write one with the NEW name on it. 

Goodbye Fancy Smancy!

We are very excited to have Fancy off the payroll. We are going to be able to take care of the rest of our family much better. Hopefully one day we will be able to have another second horse. One that is more suited to Shane's needs, and then we can achieve our equine goals. First though, we need to achieve our human goals to become debt free and financially independent and able to save! save! save!

Frosty is still doing well! She got her feet trimmed finally, and so we are ready to get her back to work and get Shane back in the saddle!

In other news, we have found an amazing produce food co-op, called bountiful baskets. For only $15 you get an unbelievable amount of produce. Plus, each week there are add-ons like breads, wraps, extra veggies, a bushel of apples, etc. etc. This is the third week we have participated. The nice thing is that you only participate during the weeks that you want to participate. There is no obligation. You opt-in when you need it and you don't opt-in when you don't. You should all check it out and see if there is one in your area, it is sort-of nationwide! Here is our bounty!

You bring your own container to carry all of the loot home. This is what our basket looked like!!! It is a normal size laundry hamper, not one of those smaller college hampers or something. 

Here is the loot all laid out. It was 1 head of leaf lettuce, 1 bushel of celery, 3 cucumbers, 5 huge normal potatoes, 2 GIGANTIC sweet potatoes, 4 yellow onions, 6 tomatoes, 6 apples, 1 bag of carrots, 1 bag of purple grapes, and 1 bushel of bananas. This all for $15!!! I just want to say bananas in Colorado are running about $5.99/lb! I would say it is a good deal. 

I used a lot of our produce to make a big pot of Sweet Potato, Black Bean, Chili. It was delicious! 

On Sunday mornings, Shane and I do a big cooking escapade. We get all of our meals prepared for the week, so that it is easier to pack lunches and make dinners at night. This makes life a whole lot easier and saves a TON of money. We were getting pretty bad just grabbing food out, instead of cooking at home to save time. Now, food is all made up and we don't have to worry about it. 

SOLD!

So, we sold Fancy Smancy. I will do a more detailed post later, but I know I hadn't posted in a while. Unfortunately, Shane and I sat down and begin assessing our bills and our lives and decided that for now, One horse was enough. We sold Fancy for a profit, but it wasn't as much as we would have liked. It is okay though. We have Frosty and we are happy with her. We are motivated and focused in the right direction for our family.

Getting the babies in shape...

Fancy is not nearly as far along as we were told by her past owner. I think that at one time she was probably a really nice horse, and she may have even done some rodeo. For the past two to three years...doubtful. She is extremely out of shape. I worked her on the lunge on Friday night. We didn't work very long, but she was running pretty fast and out of control. After about 15 minutes she was drenched in sweat.

Also, I haven't figured out a bit for her. I started her in a French Link loose ring and she was NOT having any part of it. Friday I put her in a mechanical hackamore...NOPE. My thought was that she may just be really far out of training. So, we are going back to square 3. I wouldn't say square 1 because she is a smart and pretty little mare, but she needs a lot of work on basics and ground work and obedience. So, Sunday she got put in a small full cheek snaffle, a figure 8 noseband, and side reins.

While Shane and I worked Frosty, Fancy was made to stand in the side reins to adjust to pressure on the bit in her mouth. For the most part she stood quietly, but at other times she was NOT a happy camper! 

She is still pretty cute though! After Shane rode Frosty, he lunged her. He is getting really really good at doing the ground work with the horses. He taught her some really good manners and worked her really hard (for her level of out-of-shapeness). I am not sure why she looks so downhill in this photo. She isn't really that downhill. Maybe the arena was slightly off?

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Shane put Frosty on the lunge to start her workout. He wanted to make sure her head was in the right place. She did a really awesome job. So, he legged up and started working on small circles and steering. We decided to get him back to basics. He really wants to learn how to properly ride and understand the horses from the saddle. Like I said, he is doing awesome at ground work, but he still has a lot of work to do in the saddle. So, we are going to lesson format. I am working at him as if he were a lesson client. We have only done one lesson, but I think it is going great!

Frosty is such a cute horse. After he was done lunging, while he was working on steering, I put up the pole bending poles. He worked on getting her through a strange area and steering through the obstacles. He did such an awesome job. I didn't get any pictures though. 

I am working on getting the video rotated.

I then put Shane on the lunge line and he worked on trotting balance. He worked on trotting with no hands and keeping her going. Frosty is also very out of shape, so she is hard to keep at a solid pace. When he was tired (he now respects thigh muscles he didn't know he had), he set out to lunge Fancy while I rode Frosty. I attempted to trot through the poles, but Frosty's steering isn't 100% sound yet. I then knocked all of the poles over and we trotter and canter through the poles. They weren't set right, but she handled it like a champ!

The stupid time change now means that it is getting dark well before 5:15. I get off work at 4:30 and it takes 30 minutes to get to the barn...you can see the issue? Shane works evenings, so he has been put on get the ponies in shape duty with side reins and a lunge line. 

A transition decision

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Shane and I discussed this decision for a long time, and we feel extremely comfortable with what we came up with. We have decided to buy and sell a few horses. I think that this will allow me to connect, ride, and train while still allowing my heart to heal.

The surprising part of this decision was his decision to put Frosty up for sale. She will be our first buy/sell horse. She was originally supposed to be sold (about 18 months ago), but we decided to keep her. He has no decided that he is willing to let her go. He has formed an attachment to her, but she is not his heart horse. She is a work horse, and we aren't work horse people. So, she is officially for sale, though I will be EXTREMELY picky about who gets this little mare. If you know anyone looking she is the smartest and sweetest thing in the world.

Such a lover girl

Cute little Daisy Cutter movement

Great confirmation for a still growing 4 year old. She measured in at 15.05hh and 1050lbs on Sunday.

"I love everyone!"

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Saturday we went to the Adams County Auction and picked up a sweet little bay paint mare. She is about 14.1 and 8 years old. She isn't AS broke as I thought at the sale, but we got her for an amazing price and I think that she will be a fun project/sale horse.

She has very straight front legs and is a little over at the shoulder, but besides that I think that she has a solid conformation. What do you all think?

She doesn't look as over in this picture. Even though she is only 14.1, she takes up a leg well. She is very stout. Those stirrups are set for my 5'10" husband. 

I think she has just the sweetest little face. 

Anyways, she is on the broke side of green/broke. When I rode her she did NOT appreciate the bit I chose, so I will need to figure out her preference before really making a solid determination on where she is in her training and where she can go. It is very obvious that she was on a rural ranch or country farm, because the cars constantly driving by, dogs barking, kids screaming, buses braking, trucks honking, etc that comes with being in the city kind of makes her nervous. She is really settling in well though. I would love to be able to get her sold within a month or two. I think she would make someone an amazing long term project. I even think she would make a cute English pony. I would like to get about $1500 out of her before I do too much training to cover costs and fees. Does anyone know someone in Colorado that is looking? 

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As I start out on this new endeavor of giving horses a second chance of finding a forever home, a job, a new lease on life, or a combination of the three, I find myself wondering about my blog. Should I start a new blog as I start a new adventure or should I continue to write this blog as a memorial to Trinity. This is her legacy. Its not like I have a ton of followers (but I LOVE those of you that do follow my blog, even maybe in silence). Let me know what you think...I know your out there!

She was only on loan

There is a new blog that I am stalk following. That means that I found it, fell in love with it, and have gone back to the BEGINNING, and am now stalking this person's life story. I haven't told her that I am stalking her yet, but you should ABSOLUTELY check out The Process of Learning. It is such an inspirational story.

While stalking a bit after I wrote my last depressing post, I came across this quote in the very next post:

"All the animals in the forest are Mine and the cattle on thousands of hills. All the wild birds are Mine and all living things in fields." Psalm 50:10-11 

 

I had forgotten Psalm 50 through all of this and it was an extremely helpful and inspirational reminder that the Lord loaned my Trinity to enjoy, get me through some tough times, help me adjust to moving across the country twice, help me meet new friends, and to love me unconditionally. She is now needed back home with him. It really does help to comfort my heart. 

Thank you Ashley, I have never met you, but you have really helped me in ways that you wouldn't even know. 

 

My sweet little Goober.

Digesting

SO, I have been digesting my new reality for the past week or so (since being back from Mexico). I still don't think it has fully sank in that my girl is gone forever. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and been so kind and understanding. Your support means the world to me.

I'll start by saying I'm sorry for the long post and no pictures. I promise to provide some in the future...

I went to the barn last Sunday to see Frosty and to break the news to the BM and other boarders. Everyone was so supportive. Frosty seemed fine. People talk that pasture mates know. I don't know if it was because Trinity was taken away to a different stall when she was sick, then moved to the hospital, and then passed there. Frosty was extremely attached to Trinity, but doesn't seem to be showing signs of depression or any upset-ness (word? I don't know...).

The BM was amazing and is letting Frosty stay in the big paddock. Shane and I need to decide it that is where we want her. Their old large run and enclosed stall is still available and a small single horse run is coming available. I know that I don't want the single horse stall, because I do like Frosty having room to move around. The BM said if we decide to stay with the paddock, she could find Frosty a nice paddock mate. She is the best. I am so glad we moved locations.

We are going out this afternoon after I get off work. This is one of those days that won't end. I am hoping Frosty Pants is still in good spirits. During Trinity's illness she scuffed up her back leg. Last time I was there it was still showing some swelling. If it is still swollen today I will stop and get some Furosone and do a sweat wrap and try to get the swelling down. I feel really bad that it wasn't better cared for, but Trinity was my only priority. Looking back, I am glad I did what I did, but I do feel awful about Frosty's leg. She isn't lame or even tender, so I think it is just some built up fluid. I think some work and a sweat wrap with fix it right up.

I have been reading all of the blogs I follow and I have really been thinking about my future. I am happy with Frosty and training Shane to ride and enjoy his horse. I do know that I will need something to call my own again. I have been tossing around a couple ideas:

1. Getting a new horse. Shopping around and finding a small, broke but mot made, little pack horse that I can enjoy and just goof off with. The downside is that I don't see myself rebonding with another horse like I did with Trinity. If I go with this option will this horse always be a second or third or even fourth in my life? Is that fair to get a horse knowing it won't be loved with my whole heart? I am not saying I wouldn't love it. I would love it and care for it and cherish it, but it wouldn't be Trinity...
   
2. Starting a horse flipping "business". This way I would get project horses and resell them. I have always wanted to do this and I think that I would be really really good at it. I was always afraid of getting attached, but I think that I am in the place where I wouldn't get so attached anymore. The downside here is the initial investment in a good project horse and the volatile horse market. There is no guarantee. We are floundering in our budget since the wedding a honeymoon and I am not sure if I am ready to make that sort of investment. It could really work out, and it could really not. If it doesn't though, wouldn't that just be the same as having another horse (see above)?
   
3. Getting a weanling and raising it up. I always wanted a Trinity baby. I know that I can't do that now, but maybe if I started at weanling I would be able to form another bond. The bond would never replace Trinity (EVER), but perhaps this is a way that I could open my heart in a totally different manner and really embrace the life of this weanling. The downside to that is Shane and I would still be sharing a horse for at least 3 years, because I wouldn't be able to ride my new project. Would that be so bad? We have dreams of riding in the mountains and camping and I couldn't do that with a weanling. Plus if we want to have kids, would the breaking take a back seat? Do I want to be breaking a horse when I have a new baby (or kids at all?). 

I am obviously not going to make a move (unless something really comes along and smacks me upside the head) until at least the first of the year. I know that Trinity wouldn't want me to stop being passionate about horses and wanting me to give another horse a chance at a better life. How do I do that though? What do I do? How do I make the decision?  How to I convince myself that she isn't coming home?