Be Still

At the end of last week, my heart rate had been up many times during the horse shopping experience.  I was nervous about the process, didn't want to appear like I was an inexperienced equestrian, and negotiating terms makes me anxious. 

And then, once we had paid for Rico, my heart was all a flutter with excitement, anticipating his arrival.

I (my heart, mind and even body) could not be still, coming down off the mountain as Joe drove us home.  My butt hurt from all the sitting and the roads were scary.  Also my mind was racing with thoughts of Rico.  This was more exciting than Christmas!   

Horses have a soothing effect, so spending time with them helps calm my nerves.  If I talk to God (pray) that also helps slow my racing heart down.  When I talk with God while riding, the slowing of my heart is even more noticeable (except when they spook). 🤠

Saturday 10/12 - I spent a lot of time here finishing last week's blog because I had all the horse shopping experience to narrate about, along with plenty of photos and videos to add. 





Why can't the animals just be still when I pull out the camera (i-phone) to take their photo?  Even the horses and wild critters outside my window don't hold still for very long.  In fact, this morning I thought I saw a young bobcat by the pond, but it was gone way too quickly.

Joe was hustling around doing several last minute things, getting ready to leave town for a week.  I had tried to get in touch with Rostin (the horse seller) to find out what he fed Rico, along with some other questions.  But he never replied, all... day... long...! 


I ended up not having time for the gym and went to the ranch to ride with Karen.  It was perfect riding weather.  Our Pasos did very well, although were a little tender footed from their trim a few days ago. 











I was covering chores for Patty, so Karen helped with the feeding.   

Karen left while I was feeding Dorado.  Then I went down to muck the paddock and throw the horses some hay.  The sun was getting low in the sky and the horses enjoyed the cool shade.  Notice Wanda at the pond.  

Joe had made it to Miami, and I had a quiet evening at home.  But was not sure why Rostin hadn't answered my questions.  It was making me a little nervous about this whole deal.

Sunday 10/13 - I had troubles falling asleep Saturday night when I first got in bed and a few times when I woke up in the middle of the night.  I could not stop thinking about Rico and all the things I needed to do to prepare for his arrival.  I was also worrying about when he would get his vet check and then be shipped.  Be still my mind, so I can sleep. 

I finally got up, way too early (4am), and sat here at my computer.  I didn’t understand why Rostin had not contacted me, so decided to try contacting him by way of Facebook messenger, which is how I first got a hold of him about a different horse he was advertising.  And then I saw this (video) of Rico on Rostin's Pleasure Horse Facebook page, and I started freaking out. 







The video was posted on Wednesday and said SOLD.  I thought how could this be, it appeared that Rico had sold before I even looked at him.  They had said they weren’t going to put him up on auction until Monday, but it looked like he’d already been put on the auction site, and sold.  I was so confused, extremely worried, and getting worked up into a debilitating anger. 




My heart was racing, beating out of my chest.  Had Rico already been sold and they just 'played us?  I was seething mad.  I waited until 8am (9:00 FL time) and called Joe, waking him up.  He made contact with the auction people and did finally talk with Rostin.  There was an explanation. 

I got this photo from the video.  Isn't he (the horse) magnificent?  I also saw that today was his birthday.  We had been told the horse was going on auction Monday and that the ad was all set to go (which is what I had seen on their site) this morning, but it wasn't on the Classic Horse Auction page.  Later, Rostin’s wife had added the sold remark to the post Friday after we bought him.  They do this to promote their business. 

And notice, not only was Rico being ridden bareback, he has a rope in his mouth instead of a bit.

The person at Classic Horse Auction assured us that Foster's Pleasure Horses (Rostin's business) was reputable and trustworthy.  Rostin still hadn’t been real forthcoming with information so I was not 100% sure I trusted him.  So then I worried that Rico might fail the vet check, which was supposed to happen Saturday, but was delayed until today.
"There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us."  James Truslow Adams.

I had been so busy with all this horse stuff, that I didn't make it to church.  I was exhausted from lack of sleep and worry, so rested (and napped) out on the deck, in the sun, with Maggie.

My next quandary was how exactly I was going to acclimate Rico to his new home while keeping him quarantined, limiting his grass intake (he'd not had ANY the last two months), and converting him to different feed.  I finally found out that Rostin makes his own mix of feed, which I wouldn't be able to duplicate. 

I spoke with Betty on the phone and we worked out a game plan for putting Rico in his shed up by Dorado.  I had decided to wait and go to the ranch tomorrow, with plans to be there for the day (and night) to keep an eye on Rico (assuming he would get shipped in the morning).  

My body needed to get some movement and I needed to feel productive, so I worked in the yard picking up sticks, trimming bushes, and watering many things. 

After dinner I got word from Joe, who had talked with the vet, that Rico passed his health check and could be shipped.  Yay, now to wait to hear when exactly that was going to happen.  Rostin's nine month pregnant wife was going to be induced (for delivery) Monday, which complicated things for him, for sure.  

Monday 10/14 - I was up again in the middle of the night.  This time my active brain and beating heart were more excited and impatient, than nervous or worried.  I saw this quote and really appreciate it, however, I struggle with the possibility of anything I want not being obtainable.  Now I just wanted Rico to be shipped... today.  I couldn't wait to have him here and start getting him used to me and his new home. 

Monita in my 'hangout' watching me make the bed in our bedroom. 











I am glad there seems to be more calm among the cats, especially between Styx and Monita. 





After getting packed up and ready to spend the rest of the day and the night at the ranch, I got there at 10:30.  I did several things to prepare for Rico's arrival.  The transport came down the drive at 12:15.  I  had them turn around and come back up to the garage area to unload.  I got my horse! 





However, I was a little perturb... Rostin had not put new shoes on Rico, did not send feed with him, and didn't even send him with his health paper or coggins.  (The last two are a must to trailer across state lines.) 
I had Booger, the transport driver unload Rico and walk him to the top paddock.  I met him at the gate, paid him his gas money, and took over with Rico. 

I walked my new horse around the perimeter of the paddock so he could see where the fence line was.  And then I let him loose for 20 minutes to stretch his legs and walk around.  He mostly just ate grass. 











Rico has not been in a pasture with grass for two months.  He did look around some, but could not see other horses.  Dorado was with Betty, out on a trail ride up in Jamestown.
 

I had to run to the feed store to get feed for Rico, but had no clue what to get.  He loved the grass, but it’s way more than he is used to or needs.  I’ve got to be really, really careful with changing his diet. 

Betty was back with Dorado before I returned with the feed.  I walked Rico around the ranch, to give him a little tour while Betty got her horse settled in, out in the pasture. 

Rico was fairly well mannered and stayed quite and calm, considering this was all new to him and he didn't even know me (or trust me) yet. 






He did get a little excited when the three 'Amigos' came trotting up to meet him (video).  But he was not out of control. 





I tied him to the hitching post to groom him and do hoof care.  He kept still and watched the horses in the back pasture. 








But he also turned to see what I was doing when I went into the feed room to get my tack box. 







He was such a good boy, being still, staying relaxed. 

Rico really likes the water from the stock tank, and got a big drink before I put him back in his stall. 

I mucked down in the lower paddock and chatted with Karen (helping her some) while she did chores. 
I fed Dorado and Rico, in their separate sheds (stalls) across from each other.  Once Dorado was closed back out in the side pasture, I let Rico out in the paddock for 45 minutes on grass.  He could now see Dorado, but they both were more interested in the grass.
 

Dorado eventually came up to the paddock fence to meet Rico.  They couldn't touch noses because the fence was hot and they knew to keep their distance.  There was no squealing or any aggressive gestures from either of them (video).  I felt like this was a good sign.

Maggie and I headed into the ranch house for a late dinner.  The temperature had dropped so it felt good to be inside.  I had hot soup which also warmed me up. 

Maggie asleep in her bed at the foot of my bed in the ranch guest bedroom.  She slept better than I did.  I had the window shade open so I could see out to the shed where Rico was.  The motion detector light kept coming on as he moved past the gate of his stall.  And I kept peeking out the window to check on him.  Be still my horse.

Tuesday 10/15 - I was up before the sun, went out to check on Rico, and he was glad to see me.  He was a little antsy and wanted to get out of the stall.











I gave him hay and then went back into the house to have my breakfast.



After breakfast, I took care of the horses in the lower paddock and then gave Rico some grass time.  I mucked his stall and was glad to see there was no change in his manure, a good sign. 






Rico was not happy about going back into his stall.
I came home to catch up on some chores here, spent two hours at the gym, hit Food City and then Patty’s to feed her cat.

I was covering chores for Patty so was back at the ranch to feed all six horses.  Rico got more grass time while I took care of the four in the lower paddock.  After Rico and Dorado ate, I took Rico for a walk. 

We went down through the front pasture and said hi to the four in the paddock. 

I took Rico into the barn and tied him there to groom him.  He was not his usual self.  He was excited/nervous and wouldn't stand still.  He made me nervous.  Be still my heart.  Horses will feed off your nerves. 

I brought Rico up the drive.  He had settled some, being able to see the other horses.  Also walking him seems to help calm him too. 

I put Rico in his stall with Dorado closed into the front pasture and went into the house to eat. 







As the sun set and the moon rose, I checked on Rico to see how he was doing.  He seemed to be fairly settled.  He likes looking out his big window. 





Looking out his gate he tries to see Dorado, and I am guessing he can see straight through Dorado's shed and out its back window also.

I returned to the ranch house, put on my pjs, and settled in with my book, until I heard a commotion.  Rico was screaming and kicking the stall gate.  I went out and took this (video) and sent it to Betty for advice.  

It was rather windy out, which didn't help any.  I was worried Rico might hurt himself.  We decided to move Dorado into the paddock where Rico could better see him.  I was glad I had the full moon and my head lamp to see what I was doing, going out to catch Dorado in the pasture.  I closed the gate so Dorado couldn't get out of the paddock. 

I returned to the house, but Rico was still pacing back and forth.  He had gotten so worked up, he had troubles calming himself.  Betty gave me permission to put Dorado in his stall, so back out into the cold I went.  Finally, Rico settled down.

Wednesday 10/16 - I let Dorado out, fed Rico, and came home to do computer work.  Britney sent this photo of her cat.  The pillow says it all.  I have missed having the cats around while at the ranch.  It's just not home without a cat or two nearby. 

I was back at the ranch at 10:00, let Rico out and went down to the barnyard to get Amiga ready to ride.





Rico loving the grass... I just don't want him to get too much. 

Betty, Christie and I had planned to ride.  I took extra time with Amiga because Christie's GPS had sent her down an impassible FFG road and she had to turn around.  But first she had to back her trailer up a rutted section of grave road. 

Christie got here!, unloaded Twister and got him ready to ride.  She did some ground work because Twister was not paying attention to her.  Rico was in the upper paddock yelling because Dorado had been taken away.





Christie was ready to ride...




Betty was ready to go...












And I was riding Amiga, using my saddle for the first time since May.
 

Betty and I took turns leading and bringing up the rear, keeping Twister in the middle most of the time.  Amiga was a blast.  She wanted to canter up hills (I did not let her) and was gaiting really well.  I can just tell she is feeling so much better.  This cold weather really livens them up also, and maybe she was showing off for the two boys. 





It was perfect riding weather and we three really enjoyed ourselves.  We had a great ride. 







After untacking, Christie put Twister in the round pen and I stuck Amiga in her stall. 





Betty had gone back up to her truck to put her Halloween costume on and came back down to show us.  I had also gone up and brought Rico down to let Christie meet him and review with me a few simple little ground exercises. 








If Rico could not see another horse, he got very nervous.  So we got Amiga out of her stall and tied her in the barn.  I hope he is much less nervous by himself once he settles into his new home.

Rico got more grass time in the paddock, with Dorado closed off in the side pasture.  I ran home to grab a very late lunch, or early dinner.  I took care of the cats and then went back out to the ranch.  Maggie has been traveling back and forth with me. 









I cleaned chicken waters and messed with them a bit.  Maggie follows me around the ranch, 'helping' I suppose. 



I waited until pretty late to bring the two boys in and feed them.  Dorado would be spending the night in his stall, across from Rico, again.  I looked back as I went into the ranch house, and could see it was going to be another full moon night and that Rico was calm & quiet. 






Dark is descending earlier (by 6:30) these days so I am ready to hit the hay sooner.  With no internet or TV, there isn't much entertainment at the ranch house.  I finished my James Patterson book and had the lights out much sooner than normal.
 

Thursday  10/17 - 6am, It was 30° and we'd had a  heavy frost.  I put Dorado on the side pasture and turned Rico out in the paddock.









Rico dug right in dinning on grass, but kept an eye on Dorado's whereabouts. 




I enjoyed my tea and toast while watching my new horse and letting the sun warm things up. 

After mucking the shed and paddock, I headed home, did a little bit of blogging, and then went to the gym and Patty's for cat duty. 









I didn't have time to join my fur babies and 'be still' laying on the floor in the sun for even a minute. 

I met Betty at the ranch so we could put our two horses out in the side pasture together and see how they'd do.  (video) It was anticlimactic.  Not a single squeal or show of aggressive behavior.  We sat up at the house and watched the horses while I cleaned some old bridles and reins hoping for something that will work on Rico. 






I had been so admiring Betty's 'Big Dogs' cap the day before, that she brought me an extra one she had.  How nice!  It is a 'fur' lined ball cap with warm ear flaps that stay tight when you cinch it up under your neck.

Betty helped me get the horses in off the side pasture and into their stalls and then headed to line dance class. 

Before Rico finished his feed, he had a small choke (a common emergency in horses that occurs when their esophagus becomes blocked, usually by food).  It wasn't bad, (no green, frothy discharge from his nostrils etc.) but he did stop eating, laid down and got back up, was stretching out his neck and trying to swallow.  I brought him out of his stall to get a drink, but he only splashed in the water with his nose.  I didn't feel a lump of food, but massaged his neck and soon he put his head down and started eating grass and I knew it had passed.  Phew!
 

I waited awhile and left with Rico 'being still' in his stall, watching his buddy Dorado out in the paddock.  I had planned to sleep at home and needed to feed the masses. 

Arriving home... watch out deer ones.

I had gotten way behind on this blog so worked at it until I was just too tired and was making tons of typing errors, even dozing for a second and leaving my finger on a key for too longggggggg, and getting ← this.

Friday 10/18 - Be still... I really think cats are good at this.  These creatures have a calming effect on me too.  They just are so good at lounging, relaxing, and being tranquil.  Although there are moments when they get crazy, bouncing off the wall, anything but still.  That playful energy is nice at times, but they do give me angst when they’re hacking up hairballs or food. 





I didn't have much time to work here at my computer, and was back at the ranch at 9am, to have a lesson with Bonnie and Susan's trainer Pete.  Brooke (as instructed) had turned Rico and Dorado out in the side pasture when she did morning chores.  Well, when I went to get Rico, he was laying down, apparently sunning, with his buddy near by. 

As I approached Rico, he did not get up and was looking at his belly and even bit at it a few times.  I then became concerned that he was colicing (colic - abdominal pain in the horse that can be caused by abrupt changes in diet or overfeeding).  I put his halter on and asked him to get up, which he did right away.  He seemed fine as I walked him down the drive to the barn.  I think he was just resting in the sun.  Phew!
 

 
I had brought Amiga into the barn so Rico wouldn't panic, being by himself.  We had started with her in her stall, but Rico was not able to see her, so after a bit, we tied her in the barn aisle for the rest of the 75 minute lesson.  She stood there quietly the whole time.  She is such a good girl, so calm and patient. 









Bonnie and Susan watched my lesson as Pete worked with me and with Rico.  They took lots of photos and videos.

The main or most important thing I need to first work on with Rico, is 'Owning my bubble' (keeping him out of my space). 


When we pet Rico to praise him, he then turns closer and gets in your space. 

Here is just one (video) of the many during my lesson... working on backing Rico and keeping him out of my space.



We tried my saddle on Rico, and it fit quite well. This was good news.  Then Pete worked on circling (lounging) Rico with the saddle on.  Rico did not seem to know this skill. 




Pete said Rico's got a good head on him and a good amount of training, but there’s some holes and areas he needs work on.  He is a very willing horse, so I felt good about all that.  Now to do my 'homework.'

One thing I’m concerned about is Pete said Rico has way too much fat up on his neck.  What???  I had asked Rostin (the seller) about the same concern and he said that it was because Rico was gelded late.  Pete said 'No, he is at borderline risk of foundering' and I need to be careful.  That, I’m not too happy about, but it’s the way it’s been with Amiga for years so I know what to do to keep a close eye on him.  It’ll be less grass time, and muzzling him in the spring and early fall when the grass has a spurt in growth.
 

I ran to town for some supplies, dropped them off at home and ate a very late lunch. 

I was back at the ranch at 4:00 to do feeding chores.  First the four horses in the paddock. 

Betty had come to try her costume on Dorado again, and work through the feeding process with me and the two boys in the upper paddock.  While Dorado was gone, Rico had a fit (video).  He did not like being separated.  After we fed both boys, I closed Dorado in the paddock with Rico in the stall for overnight. 





Coming home, I was thankful things were settling down somewhat. 

Be still Maggie, don't scare the deer.

When working with horses, it is important to be still.  Work slowly, quietly, softly, and don't be reactive.  But always be ready to gently correct them because they will always be testing you.