Charity

Here are a few pictures from Charity's arrival on Saturday. I had hoped to also post pics of JJ and Laramie, but their arrivals were delayed (see my post below). Anyway, Charity was an absolute lady when I was in a lot of pain moving her around. She's a doll :) She'll be going to Painted Prairie Farm in a few weeks, but for now we're enjoying her here at Rose Valley Ranch.

Here is a picture of Charity herself:

And here is Charity and Bambi together (Bambi is the short, fat one LOL):

Charity is by Bearly A Diamond and out of Rojos Obvious Image. Congrats to Painted Prairie Farm!

Sudden Change of Plans

This last weekend's plans were forced off-course due to a very frustrating situation. Somehow I injured my back last weekend, but Saturday it got much, much worse. I was able to bring Seeker to meet Mo Hunt on her way to St. Louis on Saturday, but by the time I got home I was in terrible pain. Thankfully Charity, Dar's new filly I picked up from Mo was a dear and easily unloaded into her holding stall easily. I went inside and rested for a bit, then came out and introduced Charity to Bambi, her turn-out buddy and took a few pics to send to Darlene. I didn't get back out to bring Charity in, though--the pain in my back and legs forced me to go to bed early. Sunday morning I got up and hobbled to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and suddenly my right leg completely gave out. I tried to stand on the left but instead fell hard onto the bathroom floor. After a few minutes I was able to pull myself over to the shower, shut it off, then pull myself into my bedroom to my nightstand where my cell phone was. My first call was to my sister, who so kindly took her last day of PTO to care for me. My second call was to Mo--unfortunately the filly I was supposed to pick up from her (Laramie), had to ride home with her. My third call was to Vicki and all I got was a busy signal (JJ was due to arrive at my place that day as well). My fourth call was to Darlene. Thankfully she was willing to take JJ temporarily, and offered me some advice as to what to do. I didn't want to call an ambulance as I'd be paying for it forever, but I certainly didn't want to lay on the floor until my back healed, either--I needed to find a way to get better fast!

Once again Darlene came to the rescue. As soon as JJ arrived at her place and got settled in, she was on the road to my place. She and her daughter Sarah arrived at 2am with an awesome walker for me. Thankfully my sister had been there earlier, had taken care of my dogs for me and gotten me set up until Dar could get there. Darlene really went above and beyond any friend would do--she called my doc and set up the appointment, drove me in, filled out all the paperwork for me, drove me back home, hauled water for my horses, fed all my animals and checked on everyone and made sure I was not want for anything whatsoever. Because of her help I am able to get around and am no longer in constant pain. Today I was able to get myself set up so I can lay down and get online at the same time, so I can begin working from home as I heal.

I just can't thank everyone enough for all their help and understanding. I sincerely appreciate Mo taking Laramie to her house for me, to Kim for all her caring messages, to Vicki and Kelly W for coordinating JJ's travels so he's somewhat closer to home now, to my sister for caring for me on Sunday and to Darlene and Sarah for all your help over the last two days--traveling 10 hours in the snow and ice to help me out so much. I feel so lucky to have such amazing friends :)))

I thought I would close with a bit of good news. I decided to go ahead and keep Paula for now. I am so attached to her--she was one of my first babies and I loved her mother dearly. I hope to be able to show her at the 5-Star in September in Wester Pleasure. She's pictured above, about a week ago, now in perfect health.

Treasure (Maybe Baby) Update

I just had to share the picture I received of the "little" orphaned filly I sold to Lucy in St. John and who know lives with Stephanie in Great Bend. See my 11/25/08 post about her.

I just couldn't be happier to see that she is thriving and has been loved and so well cared for. She has grown into such a lovely mare (yes, I know her neck is short) but it's hard to fault her anywhere else. Not too bad out of a 14.2 cow pony mare! Just for fun, here is a picture of Maybe at just a couple of weeks old:

Thanks again so much to Lucy and Stephanie for the updates and taking such wonderful care of this FABULOUS Eddie baby!

Five-Star

Thanks so much to my dear friend Kim Noyes, I'll be able to take one of my babies to the 5-Star Futurity in Lincoln, NE on September 5th!

http://www.fivestarfuturity.com/

I am so very excited! I've already nominated Eddie so his foals are eligible to show and his name will appear in their Horsepower ad. Kim nominated her gorgeous boy VJM Rumor Has It ("Bubba"--see link for NSN Paint Horses at left) and Darlene has added her wonderful boy Almighty ("Al"--see link for Painted Prairie Farm on left). We're going to have a blast!

Of course the big question now will be who to take? I've been mulling it over and while I still have several months to decide and will be watching all the foals closely, I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that it very well could be Bambi! After all she's been through--not even thinking she'd make the trailer ride home when we rescued her--it very well could be that she's going to be "the one!" I'll be pushing her a little in the next few months as my only big concern about her is that she's a very average height, so we'll see how she comes along. It would sure make for an amazing story, though, how this little girl we thought might not ever live a normal life because of the severe neglect she suffered through has gone on to grow into a lovely filly worthy of futurity consideration. Who would have guessed?!?

2009's Great Start!

Yesterday I was finally able to bring all my horses onto my place, get the fencing up and start in on the barn. I still have another string of wire and a few more posts to put up to fence off the larger pasture, which I plan on doing tomorrow. However, I took a break yesterday to take some pictures of the kids. They looked so content in the setting sunlight. I'd like to think they somehow knew they were finally "home."

Here's Lil Baby. Please forgive her grass hay belly. No worries--they're on a 30-day rotation of Panacur, Ivermectin, and Pyrantel until spring when I'll put them on a normal rotation. I just love her gorgeous, sweet face. She is as sweet as she looks, too. I am so happy to have her in my little herd. I can't imagine anyone throwing this sweet baby away, but this person keeps doing it, and they keep ending up at my house. Hell of a way to get nice horses....

Here's Bambi. She's lost a tad bit of weight since our last photos but we're working hard to get it back on her. We'll start to work on her training soon as well. Both Baby and Bambi need to learn the normal stuff-standing tied, trimming, vacuming, etc. So far the little I've asked of them they've done very, very well. They are so much fun to have around.

Last but not least is Fabian. Now I normally don't let my colts run around in a halter and dragging a lead, but Fabian is a tank of a colt and not halter broke, so I broke my own rules and am letting him teach himself to give. I think it's a good method--just always worried about the safety issues. Well, tomorrow he's slated for some halter lessons and if he does well he'll get the halter and leadrope removed. He's also looking quite unkept--poor kid needs a grooming session as well. He's also only been weaned recently, so let's just say it should be uphill from here :) I still love him, though--he has perfect markings, a very laid-back attitude, and should end up a very nice big colt. His legs are so straight and good-boned that he'll be a horse that should be riding for years and years to come.

I wish everyone the very best in 2009. I feel so very lucky that my dreams are slowly becoming reality and I sincerely hope that all your dreams come true this coming year!