Adjusting

Life is full of changes; some good and others not so good; some necessary and others irrational and down right stupid.  Some change occurs due to natural events that can be uncontrollable and horrendous, while others are the result of miraculous occurrences.  We have to adjust to each.  I've been adjusting to change this week.
 

Saturday 10/5 - The Methodist Church steeple and low lying fog in the distance, seen driving to the ranch at 7:15. 

The sun trying to burn off the fog as I arrive at the ranch at 7:30.

Dorado is adjusting well to his new home.  He loves the run in shed but has also been very interested in the other four horses who are close enough to see but not get next to. 










Joe had helped me move Wanda's feed station (wooden box) up higher so the neighboring dogs can't get into her food or run her off.  I took some canned food for her this morning to encourage her to get up on the top shelf to eat.  She has already adapted to the change and scampered up the ladder and jumped to the top of the box.
 

I put Amiga in the round pen before opening the pasture gate to let the boys out.  I could hear crackling noise over at the power lines and went to investigate.  Listen to the noise of the current on this (video) or the crackling sound coming from the power lines. Google search: The crackling sound you hear from power lines is caused by a natural phenomenon called corona discharge. This occurs when electricity flowing through a power line causes the air around it to become electrically charged, or ionized. The charged air molecule then collide, creating the crackling sound.

This is more likely to happen when the weather is damp (which it was this foggy morning), as air is a better conductor of electricity in damp conditions. 

While waiting for the fog to lift and the ground to dry off a little, I did all of the mucking and other morning chores.  Then I took Amiga for a ride.  She did great and felt nearly sound (video).  Her slight give on the one leg may just be age (arthritis) and something she will always be affected by.  Easy movement will actually help it.  She does more harm to herself running around out in the field, especially when it is wet and slippery. 






I only rode Amiga on a one mile loop. 

Coming back down our woodland trail, we paused at the back corner pasture to say hi to Zorro and Cowboy, who had come running when I called.  Notice Banner way off in the distance in the above photo. 





On my way home, I met Joe at the Hit The Trails Festival.  We picked up our t-shirts.  Joe had ordered me a large.  What part of me is large?  ...oh, my mouth  Bah, ha, ha.  Anyway, they told me to come back to exchange it just before 2:00, which I did, getting a small that fit nicely. 



I finished cleaning my hangout, except for stapling the cover back on the bench cushion you see here on the couch with Mama Styx. 








We had an afternoon time scheduled to Face Time with Britney and Juanca.  Joe was sitting here on the swing playing a game on his i-pad, waiting to connect with Britney.  It was nice to talk with them both.

My day ended on a very fun note... Ladies Night Out.  Richard and Micki picked me up and he dropped us off at Reds.  Soon Randi joined us and then Sherri was the next to arrive.  

We were sitting at a table for ten with a nice couple displaced from their home in Georgia (who took some of these photos).  They would be heading home in the morning because their power was now back on.
 

Linda was next on the scene and by now most of us were on our second drink.  We put in our song requests along with a lot of others who were more serious about singing karaoke.

Alice (in the lower photo), Josephine (Jo), and their designated driver Gary arrived unexpectedly, and joined us at our table. 








I had started in on water (needed to pace myself, plus I try to stick to the rule of alternating water and beer), and I ordered a pitcher of water and glasses for all five of us.

Jo is in this photo.  It is difficult to get a bunch of silly, giggly girls all looking at the camera at the same time.  

Oh what a night!


These photos capture just a bit of the fun...

...not included is the dancing, jokes, laughter, and rowdy good time we had.

Even though I had one beer over my two beer limit, these two out did the rest of us when it came to consumption and goofiness. 











I just love them and all my dancing girl friends. 

















This was a great way for me to ease the pain of Stevie's demise.

Richard drove the four of us home, which was a pretty crazy ride, trying to decide who to drop off first.  I walked in the door at 11:15, way past my bed time, and was quick to hit the hay. 

Sunday 10/6 - The Lubrigen supplement for Amiga had arrived in the mail and Monita decided the box would be her 'safe haven' for the time being.  At least she was out from behind the washing machine.  

The Methodist Church had decided to keep the service outside three more weeks, so Shirley and I enjoyed a beautiful morning outside, worshiping God.  It will be an adjustment to move inside.





I had windows open, along with the doors to the screened in porch.  The cats enjoy it out there.  This is Babe, who is the only one who seems clueless about the absence of Stevie. 










Mama Styx looking all cozy in one of Maggie's beds.  I read and took a much needed nap out in the sun. 

Sunning didn't last long because I got too hot and I needed to get ranch/co-op business organized.  This is what my desk looked like at one point. 







Karen picked me up and we went to the ranch.  When we called for Amiga and Zorro they came right in off the back pasture, along with Cowboy.  There was no Banner in sight.  They all got a big drink of water and then we took A&Z to the barn and got tacked up to ride. 



We had a nice little two mile ride, and Zorro did very well.  You'd never know this was the first for him to be ridden in three months.  Betty, Joanne, and Patty were all at the ranch when we got back.  I love all the people and activity out there. 

On the way home we dropped in on Wildwood Stables to say hi to Carole and Sharon.  The place is turning into a ghost town and I can't get used to (having troubles adjusting to) the idea that there will no longer be a barn/stables in Fairfield Glade.   

Monday 10/7 - After blogging, and organizing Ranch papers into this booklet, I had a little time left to do some horse shopping.  I was making a list of ones I was hoping to go see this week.

 

Patty picked me up about 12:15 and we headed to the ranch to go for a ride with Betty.  We brought the horses in and they got a big drink out of the water tank.

We all tacked up and soon hit the trail.  It was a perfect day for riding.  We took turns leading and shifted the riding order of the middle and end positions also.  Patty leading on Zorro with Amiga and I in the middle. 



Me leading on Amiga with Dorado in the middle.






We would split up at the cul-de-sacs, going around the loops in opposite directions (video). 

And on the roads, we would often ride side-by-side. 








Amiga was more animated than usual, keeping me on my toes, but also being a lot of fun.  All three horses did wonderful and Maggie enjoyed joining us as well.

We only went two miles, because we are working on getting Zorro and Amiga back into shape. 

I did some hoof care after un-tacking.  When you ride bare-back, tacking-up and untacking is quick and easy.  Although I do leg wraps which take a little more time. 

Betty brought Dorado down to the barn to get him used to it before the farrier comes in a few days.  He is a very mellow boy. 









Meanwhile, Wanda and Maggie were hanging out, hoping for a treat or something.

Once home, I continued horse shopping.  There were two that I wanted to look at but when I called each owner, I discovered they had both sold already.  Dang it. 


Monita is making progress, adjusting to Stevie's absence.  She worries about (doesn't get along with) Mama Styx.  Having Stevie nearby helped Monita, because Mama Styx stayed clear of Stevie.

Joe and I watched TV, starting a new mini series called Brilliant Minds.

I fell asleep thinking I may need to make adjustments in my 'must have' list of requirements for a new horse.

Tuesday 10/8 - Our new co-op chore schedule has me working Tuesday morning and Friday night (rather than Mon, Wed, and Sat).  I am still adjusting to it, looking at my calendar a few times a day to try and remember if I have chores.  I was at the ranch by 7am, and it was cold (47°).  It is definitely going to take some adjusting to get used to these cold mornings.  I need to get hat, gloves, and a jacket.  After turning horses out, I mucked both paddocks.  

This is Ponder - A 14.2 hands tall, three year old gelding, who is over my price range.  Plus he is not a Mountain horse.  His dad is an Icelandic and his mom is half Paso Fino and half Standardbred.  So that's three things that don't meet my 'must have' list.  But he is so cute and moves so well.  And why not spend the extra money? 



I had gone to town from the ranch and did my big shopping trip, getting lots of supplies and pet food.  Once home, I had a late lunch, took a much needed nap, and then started back in on horse shopping.  And that's when I saw Ponder. 










I got these last two photos of him at a tolt, from two different (video)s.  He is being auctioned next Monday.  His winter coat looks tanner than his summer coat, which seems more gray.  I am really attracted to him, especially since he moves kind of like Amiga.  I contacted the seller who was available, and said I could go look at and ride Ponder on Friday.

Wednesday 10/9 - My blog entry for yesterday took no time at all because I hadn't done much or taken any photos.  That left me with some horse shopping time, but not much because I had to get to the ranch for the farrier.  This is Betty with Dorado while Chris' apprentice Andy looks on. 







Joe, Betty and I cleared trees and branches from one loop of road we usually ride, but has been blocked off.  The mower guys, during my sabbatical from riding, had actually cleared two big trees, so smaller trees and branches is all we had to deal with.

Joe drove the gator (video) and wielded the chain saw, while Betty and I did the clipping with our large loppers.  I also stood in the back of the gator and clipped some higher branches over the road, where necessary. 










It was such a pretty day and the weather was perfect for outside activities. 

We discovered that the mower guys had knocked over the postal box on the 'mailbox' cul-de-sac.  The pole was actually broken so I just set the top in the hole next to the base. 

I was home for a 1:00 lunch and then spent the afternoon horse shopping and trying to finalize travel plans for Friday.  I got up from my desk numerous times to do little household chores.  After being set to go see and ride Ponder and also a Rocky Mtn named Wild Card, I got this text at 8:04pm, from the seller... and I sent this reply: 

I was so disappointed because I really liked this horse and thought he would be cheaper because he was not a pure bred/registered horse.  Wild Card was listed at 15,000.  There was no price on Ponder and his current bid was at 2,700.  So I thought there was a chance I could get him at my top price.  I was feeling quite discouraged.







I continued to stew a bit and then sent this message:  Emerson's reply was even more disheartening.  I am definitely out of my league with these rich horse people.  A little later, Emerson texted that he could come down to 12,000 for Wild Card. 






I tried to read (Styx and Babe joined me in bed) but my mind couldn't let this horse shopping go.  I reassured myself that because of how things went, these two horses weren't meant for me.  I said more prayers for guidance, patience, and reassurance. 

Thursday 10/10 -It is so nice to not have to constantly worry about, feel sorry for, and clean up after Stevie.  However, I am not yet used to Stevie being gone and I still glance at her favorite spots thinking I'll see her there... but she's not.  I continue to miss her a lot, but I'm adjusting.  Also, Monita has come out of hiding and is more relaxed around Styx and Babe finally. 





Joe and I had a heart-to-heart, and he conceded that it’s only money and we can’t take it with us after we’re gone.  So I could go higher on price than he had originally allotted.  The reality is that I will be 70 next year, my riding days are somewhat numbered, and I need to pursue my dream now.  It’s been on my bucket list to ride many of the trails here in Tennessee. 






I contacted Emerson and set up a time to try Wild Card Friday afternoon.  The prices for good horses may seem outrageous, but if you think about the time, trouble, and cost to get a good horse, their price is quite reasonable.
I know this cost is not a waste of money.  Horses are my love, passion, exercise, therapy, and solace. 

As I was finishing contacts with horse sellers, I realized that we really needed to hit one spot today or Saturday morning.  Rostin, from Whitley City, said he was available this afternoon, so I had to scurry around and get things ready for us to be gone.  I lined up Karen (Patty was in Iowa) to do pet sitting since she was already covering my Friday pm horse chores.  I got packed for an overnight stay at a motel, and neatened up the house.  We hit the road just after 2pm.

The horse I looked at today, in Whitley City, was a Puerto Rican Paso Fino.  He had three different names (registered, past owner's, and current barn name) and Rostin (the owner) just referred to him as The Paso.  I had watched horse shopping videos, but really had no idea what I was doing.  I looked him all over, with hands on, feeling for signs of trouble.  The only thing I noticed was his left eyelid. 












Come to find out, he had caught it on something as a young colt, but it did not affect his tear production/elimination or vision at all.
 

Hunter, a hired helper who was showing me the horse, got him and a second horse saddled up and we set off on a 30 minute trail ride.  I really liked this horse.  He wasn't at all hot like my Paso, but was very willing to move out when asked.  He was much stronger and sturdier than Amiga as well.  He had a smooth gait and canter.  His stride was much longer than the Purivan or Columbian pasos, so even his walk felt much different than what I am used to.  Hunter said his gait is very similar to the Mountain horses.  We took turns leading and following out on the trail, and went on rocks, down the creek, up and down a steep hill, over logs, and even stopped and got off to tighten cinches. 



Joe and I left Foster’s Pleasure Horses, the name of Roston’s business, and headed for Mount Vernon where our $50 motel room was.  Well, you get what ya pay for, it was in shabby condition and not super clean, but it did have a nice bed. 

We had eaten on the road so were going to settle in, Joe with football, and I on my computer.  I had forgotten my power cord, and the travel laptop was dead, so I read instead.  Once I got sleepy, I took a sleep aid to help me sleep through the night.

Friday 10/11 - I slept well for four hours but then could not get back to sleep when I woke at 1am.  I kept tossing and turning thinking about the Paso and the other three horses I would be looking at today.  I ended up sitting in the bathroom to read so I wouldn't bother Joe, from 2 to 5am. I did manage to get two more hours of sleep afterwards.  I had forgotten my mug for tea in the morning so I got Joe up and moving at 7:00 so we'd have time for tea (him coffee) and breakfast. 
The sun burning off the fog as we headed to Mickey D's.

We enjoyed the sights of rural KY during our drive.  This calf was munching hay while the driver waited for his Mc-breakfast at the drive through.
During breakfast I decided two more horses to look at was plenty, cause I really was swayed towards the Paso already, not having even seen a Rocky mountain yet.  I was also already tired of riding in the car, so I canceled our last stop which was scheduled for 5 PM way up in Salyersville.  The fella there had a 13 year-old rocky mountain that hadn’t been ridden in over a year.  It seemed to be the least likely to make the cut so I removed it from the list.

We got to Levi's, in Owingsville, at our scheduled 10am time.  He was a very humble Amish man with a beautiful black, 4 yr old RM horse, and at a lower price than the Paso.  I always have the owner ride first.  This is Levi going down his drive.  Chance was well gaited and even went at a nice little canter and then came right back down without being wound up. 


I started out on Chance in the round pen, getting used to his gait and all his 'buttons.'  And then took him down the driveway.

I really liked this horse, and now was in a quandary as to which of the two I favored. 
I love this goat playground we saw while driving around. 




On our two hour drive to our second destination of the day, I made a spreadsheet of the pros and cons between Chance and The Paso.  I still had Wild Card, another rocky mountain to see and try.  I had a preference to Wild Card because he was chocolate with the flaxen mane, and very high stepping in his gait, a real mover and a beauty.

We arrived at Emerson Williams, up in Hillsboro.  Aaron, a hired helper got Wild Card out of the stall and groomed him while I looked (with hands on) him all over.  He had lots of dings on his neck and cinch sores.  He had also spooked when Aaron went in the stall to get him.  Already I was a bit turned off. 






After Aaron got Wild Card warmed up, I got on to see how he felt.  It took a little effort, but I did get him into his high stepping smooth gait.  Here are (videos) of some of my test rides the last two days.  Wild Card tripped once in the arena, was tough to keep on the rail, and later spooked when I took him down a trail when out on our own.  He is just a three year old so needs more confidence and more miles put on him.  I decided he wasn't the horse for me. 

 


But man does he look pretty when he is gaiting, almost racking actually. 


















A very young, cute little colt at Emerson's. 
I told Emerson I needed to 'sleep on it,' before making a decision.  But I think he knew I was not that interested in Wild Card.

Joe and I were back in the car, discussing horses as we headed out from Hillsboro.  I made a decision, I wanted to buy The Paso.  We stopped for gas, for me to 'clean up' after riding, and to get ice cream.  We called Rostin, I with a few more questions and then Joe to make a deal.  It was only an extra half hour of driving time to swing past Whitley and seal the deal. 





I'm not a fan of mountain driving, even though the views are spectacular. 

While in route, I told Joe I needed to come up with a name for this horse since we didn’t know what to refer to him as.  Joe said he'd already thought of one, Rico (after Puerto Rico) and I absolutely loved it.

I got more history on this paso when talking with Rostin.  Rico was actually born in Puerto Rico and imported here.  The Puerto Rican bloodline is very small compared to most breeds.  Rostin said this group of Passos has a much longer stride and it gaits more like the Rocky Mountain versus the Colombian and Peruvian Paso finos, with their fine little footsteps.  Amiga typically does the paso corto, slightly more extended than the show 'classic fino' gait, which she does when she gets revved up and I am holding her back, or I am trying to get her to do and have her very collected.  The speed of the paso corto gait is comparable to the speed of a trot but is much smoother.  The Puerto Rican Paso Fino does more of the paso largo, a fast, lateral, four-beat gait in which the horse can reach speeds equivalent to a canter or slow gallop.  The paso largo is not just an increase in speed but also shows a distinct extension in stride.


Getting papers signed and handing over the check...
Rico is now ours.  I think I am really going to like this boy and I am so glad my search is over.  Now I can't wait to get him home.  Part of our deal was to have him transported to the ranch. 


While standing in the cross ties, Rico was nibbling on (or mouthing) the end of this rope.  He wasn't antsy or anything, just keeping himself preoccupied.  Reminds me of Zorro.

Another thing I liked about Rico's up-bringing is that he wasn't gelded until he was three, giving him the sturdier 'stallion' kind of build.  And he wasn't started under saddle until then either, giving his bones and joints a chance to mature more before putting too much wear and tear on them.

During our KY horse shopping trip, I met a lot of really knowledgeable and nice horse people. I saw some beautiful countryside and enjoyed the Kentucky mountains, although sitting in the car was not my cup of tea, nor were the windy curvy roads.  I am so thankful for Joe, doing all the driving, and helping me with the negotiating. 

It was good to get home.  The cats were happy to see me.  Monita keeps her distance though, when Mama Styx and Babe (seen on the bed) are near by.

Joe and I watched Survivor before bed but I could barely stay awake for the end.

Rico and I will both have some adjusting to do once he arrives sometime next week.  I look forward to getting to know him while developing a bond and trusting partnership.  We have many trails to ride.