Hi shirley, cash is beautiful!! Is he named after johnny cash? That's what I'm gonna name my next percheron (he'll be black of course) Lucky you!! Just curious how did you find this great site? Did you live in canada at one time?

Good morning shirley! Well, we have 5 rocky mountain horses, 1 welsh pony & my beast. I bought my girl from a friend who bought her & her mother at auction. Leonie fell in love with the pair on the spot ! She called me to come & see the baby ( i was just going to look!) anyway....I saw this hilarious baby draft horse who bit me on the bum & actually let me sit on her when she was laying down & that was it!! I was sold! She came to live with me at 4 mths ols & that was 5.5 yrs ago. She is now just under 18 hh & gentle as a lamb. She has NEVER bit me since that first day (funny huh?) Too make a long story long, the fellow who put her up at auction sold his whole herd because he was very ill. Turns out he recovered, and I met him at a fair 3 yrs ago by chance, I told him I had one of his babies.......he cried. I am so grateful to have her shirley!! I'm going out riding right now!! Have a great day with cash!

p.s. I know, BUGS!! ARGGG!!That's why I like fall the best, no bugs, no wicked heat!

Very cool. It reminds me quite a bit of the equestrianlife.com too. I'll have to look up Chris Irwin for sure.
The photo is a fun one from one of the schooling shows last year. This year I'll have the wonderful Jean Watson coat to wear!!! I can't believe how great it fits. I told Jeff it's the nicest piece of clothing I will probably ever own!
I'm on a mission to find a trailer! If we don't I don't know that we'll get to do any shows this year:-O and we've been working so hard. I keep checking online but nothing is coming up so far.

Hey - Here is a link to an article that Michigan Equine Partnership asked me to post to their website. It's about closing trails in Michigan and some groups that are fighting to keep them open:
http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904190322

I have been checking craigslist and ebay because I thought the same thing. The huge trailers with living quarters are there and when we win the lottery in the office pool I will certainly change my plans and get one of those! Until then though, just a basic three horse. I found one at the Expo and I'm beginning to wonder, with the deals being offered on trucks if I might not be better off looking into a new truck/trailer combo? Mine is paid for but it has 150,000 on it. Jeff's is almost paid for.??? What do you think? For sure a three horse if at all possible. In an emergency I would never be able to choose which one of our horses would have to stay behind. Sounds a little crazy but it's one of the things I consider in the selection process.
On the trails - I COMPLETELY agree. Steve and a number of people I know are actually traveling to Ohio and Indiana because they get it. They have invested in trail and camping systems within their state park system. Steve says you can go on a trail ride, stop for breakfast at a restaurant inside the park (they have places to tie your horse). It's a whole different mind set.
As for greed, I think it's at the root of a lot of problems these days - banking crisis, mortgages included. I know it's maybe not that simple, but....
Had another great productive weekend. Not sure how Jean's went but it didn't sound too good for weather. More rain today:(

Hey Shirley,

Wheels is a TB (that also thinks hes a bloodhound/retriever puppy). He's such a wheener LOL but I love him

Hi Shirley. You're not on palominohorse yahoo group are you?

Want to go? Check out this person and their website!!!

http://www.lizmittenryan.com/info

Hello Shirley,
sorry it took me so long to respond. Oh yes, your photo looks very close...twins? I don't own the horse, he is being used for lessons and my trainer who showed him to me for leasing does not know and we are trying to find out more from the owner. Long story ;(
I am thinking about leasing, since I am too new to horses to already own one. I would love to have my own horse, but I think this could be a compromise.
Finding a good trainer is not easy. I watched a lesson of a "horsewoman". She was absolutely outstanding how she handled the horses, compared to what you normally see. That's what I want to do: horsemanship, to really enjoy and understand a horse, not just the riding. I am not a big trail ride fan, could be because I am still working on all my posture problems :)
I am so envious of you, sigh.
How is riding in your neck of the woods? Can you go outside already? We are lucky with all year round good weather, but in the summer it gets almost too hot.

Until we get a trailer I doubt I'll consider anything else, but it sure looks wonderful! Now that being said, we have an office pool for the lottery. If we win - the trip is ON ME for both of us!
All these sites are great, but it does bring some info overload. My goodness, I don't know how I'll ever keep up with them all. Still, I'm loving all the articles and more.
Glad to hear the weather is turning. Rain is good, but really, this is ridiculous. Our place has never been so flooded.
I found a place in Sparta Michigan that sells trailers and Chevy trucks. I checked out the site last night and the prices seem good. I think we are going to go on Saturday to check things out and ask questions. I need to know what we have to have in order to make this happen. With the prices of vehicles I'm really wondering if it might be best to replace my truck and get a trailer together??? The used one's I'm finding don't seem to be any less money and I think % on loans will be higher. I don't know??? Going to go to the barn tonight and not think about it:) My jaw is a little achy from my dental work yesterday, but not as bad as I thought. Some Secret time will do me good. If you don't hear from me by tomorrow - come looking, I'm probably stuck in the mud:)

I certainly will shirley.Close.....I call call her tulsa;)

Hmmm, I better check. I was a little worried about it expiring when I posted it on the MEP site. I wasn't sure if newspaper sites would keep things because it would mean a HUGE database.
I'm not sure about Steve. We got feet done a short time ago and I saw him at the barn after that once or twice, but not for awhile now. If he did - I want to hear how it was!!!

WOW - Sounds like you handled it all really well. That can get your heart pumping plenty hard. The other day I had Apache on a lead rope and he generally does very well. But all of a sudden he decided to get playful and he took off. I hung on so all he could do was circle but he pulled so hard I was having a hard time. Jeff happened to be right next to me so he grabbed the rope and gave a Jeff sized tug and then backed him up a few steps. Must be spring is in the air!
We will be picking up the trailer tomorrow. They have Jeff's truck today and are installing the hitch. They have a used truck in now that we are going to look at but my feeling is we would be putting ourselves in too much risk. I figured up the Dodge and we still have about 8 more payments. If it was only a couple I might be more willing. But for 8 months I'm thinking it will be me that does all the stressing out over making it work and I'm not willing to do that to myself. Now - if he wants to take on the bills and make it work and get the trip to TX paid for this year, and do all the projects he will want to continue to do, that's fine. More power to him. But, that's kind of where I'm at. I have a truck to drive and yes the deal are really good right now, but it isn't good if all I do is worry. His thing is that there will be shows I will go to by myself. Well, he my have to do the unmentionable and trade trucks with me for a day here and there. It's a big step for me to not think of how to make it happen only and not what it will do to me later. But - we'll see, maybe the payments won't be that much???
OH - Secret will be coming home on Sunday if everything goes as planned though!!! Jeff will do the trip. I'll need a lot of practice out in an empty lot before I'll feel comfortable.

I started using my iPod and listening to some of the meditations when I get in bed and I'm amazed at how much better I've been sleeping. Not sure why except that I was thinking it might take my mind off things? I seem to be asleep faster too.
It is nice in the early mornings. Lot's of birds at our place - and we have a new family of baby robins again this year.
You'll have to let me know how it goes when yo do go to horse haven. I've read about them and wondered what it was like. Well - gotta finish off work for the day!

Oh my, there sure are interesting people out there aren't there? I must admit I'm feeling sad today. You've already been through it, but it was hard leaving the barn and knowing this was it. I will especially miss Arturo, he is such a special horse to me. Well, thankfully I'll still have lessons with Kellie and she said she'll help me to find a place for next winter. No lesson this week though because Hunter has a show this weekend. We've got plenty to work on though.
Well, gotta get back to work, just wanted to say "hi"!

Hey Shirley,

Yea he's a really...wiener! LOL He has more personality then I know what to do with. I should change my picture so you can see some more of him...He's always in trouble! Lol

Hi Shirley,

Thank you for your advice on working with a spooky horse. I will definitely try to walk him near the door while not on him tomorrow and hopefully he won't spook. I really think he is an amazing horse and want him to get over his fear so he can be less stressed. I am comforted to know that you have also had the same problem and have helped your horse through it.

Thank you very much,

Kelly
Still Green

Hi Shirley, thanks for the invite. I really am blessed to be able to work with horses for a living! And to live in such a beautiful corner of the world. Life is always great on a horse ranch, horses center me like nothing else ever has...
Cheers,
Cheryl

Hi, Shirley, thanks for the comments on my photos!

Hi Shirley, yes I do have posters for the clinic in August. Did you want me to send you one? You can also find info on Fawn Anderson's website naturalhorse-man-ship.com or Google her name. We are listed under Princeton Aug 14-17/09. Also spent time in Reno and California with a marvelous clinician named Richard Winters, he was under the tutelage of the greats Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrance and Pat Parelli. He is becoming famous now as he has won the World Championship in Reined Cowhorse a few times and has his own television show. Alas I do not get that channel in Canada, but do have access to his DVD's. They are fantastic - his website is wintersranch.com if you are interested. He is one of the best in my opinion. Very kind to horses and humans. Have you ever read Mark Rashid's books? They are some of the best I have read...particularly Life Lesson from a Ranch Horse, marvelous book for furthering understanding and listening skills. Ongoing process of course! We have also hired a 2 Star Parelli instructor to come to the ranch from June-September for private training. If you or anyone you know is interested please let me know. I have more info under the Parelli Horsemanship Group on this website. At any rate I am on lunch so better not get too long winded.
Nice chatting with you.
Cheryl

No Baroque means a type of horse. They are the heavy set type of horses. I don't know how else to explain it.

Hi Shirley.

Thank you for the information. I will google Clinton Anderson.

That big boy is Friesian. Unfortunately, He's not mine but when I take my dressage lessons he is my partner. I think I have fallen in love...
but as I am "still green" I don't think I can handle a horse that sometimes spooks. I see him a few times per week so I think I can help him through this. I also know that this won't change overnight. I will keep you posted on our progess.

How long have you had cash for? He also quite the "stud"! I was just wondering what made you go back to horseback riding and why did you stop?

Have a great evening and thanks again you've been very helpful.

Kelly

Hi Shirley,

I really appreciate how you got back into horseback riding. I have read what you wrote me almost everyday since you wrote it. I apologize for not writing back sooner, I wanted to write you back when I had no interruptions.

Through the telling of your experiences, you have encouraged me to be more determined and yet more patient to realise what I want to accomplish. Although you have an absolute love of horses, you waited for the exact right moment to start again.

You also had a lot of courage to continue even though you were spun off a horse after not riding for so many years. There is a big difference in perception and fear when we are younger and when we are around horses all the time. When I was younger I fell off 5 different times and was actually proud to say so. Now all I think about is I could break a something!

Taking on the challenge of a green horse is something to applaud. You worked hard and kept with it. Not many would do so. Cash is lucky to be with someone like you. Your relationship is much more meaningful as you had to work harder than with a broke horse.

We, the "green" riders and "green" horse owners on Barnmice are lucky to have people like you who have already been through what most of us are going through now and are willing to teach us through the sharing of your experiences. You always give me good advice and are very helpful.

Thank you very much,

Kelly
Still Green

..Hi Shirley...Thanks for the friend request !!!....yes, this is going to be my year for Moving On...I am ready....and my Ziggy is a lovely boy.....the old style Haffy...so he is a Big Boy !!!
Cheers.....Ann...

hey
AWWWW it is cute..
So how long did you have him for?

Courtney xx

Hi Shirley,

How did the introduction to Promise go? Did she seem okay with the new surroundings? Did Cash make himself a new friend? I hope eveything went smoothly.

It's funny how you mentioned "gold stars" in your comment as I got my first "gold star" yesterday since returning to riding.

We were in a working trot and were going into a less controlled trot because I had become quite exhausted and was not focusing on my aids and pushing him enough and he tripped badly. Don't worry he didn't hurt himself nor did I . My leg muscles were so tired from all the riding I've been doing that I couldn't hold on with them. All of a sudden my whole body was in front of the saddle. I am so happy he's a Friesian as he has a huge neck. I was just afraid that he would get scared because I was essentially now on his neck and no longer in the saddle but in front of it and kind of to the side. He galloped for a about 10 ten seconds to get his balance back at the same time I was trying to position myself towards the saddle and quickly slid back down as his head was coming back up when he stopped which helped to push me back in the saddle. I was so grateful that he didn't try to get rid of this "predator" latched onto his neck!!! I then spent a good ten minutes just letting him know that he was good boy. It scared me but I was in good hands. We finished off the lesson and the whole time I kept thinking that the situation turned out in the best possible way and boy was I grateful. I was also very exicted as yesterday was the first time we went out in field after our lesson. We walked a bit and enjoyed the surroundings. I hope to be able to spend more time with him out of the arena as we both need a change sometimes from the lessons.

I will be returning today and I won't forget to bring his carrots!

Hope to hear from you soon.

Kelly

Hi Shirley,

I was just wondering how you and Cash were doing?

hi
i am goood. on the weekend i rode casper for a bit but he was a bit naughty and geting very excited as our next door nighboors own a stud farm full of horses witch were all running around! but in the the afternoon i rode a 13hh pony called party time (she is sooo preety shes a bright bay!) for a friend as he is to big and needs her exercised as he is trying to sell her. that was the first time i rode her and she is very edicated and turns on a dime. i just rode her around the paddock.
then on sunday i took party time on a massive trail ride up the backroads twards the mountains we live near. we didint go to far though. whenn we were coming back we walked past another stud farm. at first i could only see two horses grazing on top of a hill but then party time nighed and then all you could here was the hoof beats as 20 or so brood mares came cantering towards us! ha ha but party time was great and just ingnored them as they troted next to us alone the fence line.
hope all is good for you:)
cheyenne

no we dont have cardians over here. at the momet over here it is winter. the days are usally nice and bright but cool. you can do anything in this type of weater:)
tamworth always has nice days all year round.
though in the winter we get a beutiful bied called a king parrot. they are fluro green with bright reds and yellow on the chest and are quite big.
we geta varritey of other birds but that may be because we are close to bush land. this weekend i am thinking of takig the horses down by the river for a trail it is very nice and shaddy down there

I love your display picture. Is that your QH? When I first got my boy his name was Cash, my daughter renamed him Cooper. If we ever decide show we will include Cash in his name somewhere.

Ah, yes, your poor cousin! My sister lives on a street called Pennylane and used to live around the corner from a Coin Street, LOL
It does look like Cash is a very popular name, a well known QH line.
About the ACL, I really only know about it from reading. My dog was attacked by another dog and damaged her anterior cruciate ligament in her knee, this site tells about it http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/knee.htm
"warning" there is somewhat yucky picks if you are squeamish!
She will never be allowed to run off leash again, she gets very sore and limping when she does.

Hi Shirley, I don't mind you getting carried away with conversation, I love it! I haven't been feeling well last few days, headaches with the heat and rain we have been having. I prefer the cold and winter to the summer and rain. I miss my Cooper, haven't been to see him all week, he must be wondering where I am. I am waiting to get a new prosthesis. It’s time for a new and this one I have now bothers me when I try to walk around too much.
It's Cooper's 3rd birthday today, I will be heading out to see him this evening. I like to go late rather than early.
Cash and Cooper sound like they have similar personalities, lazy with go on some days LOL When I am working Cooper it sometimes really seems that he knows I have a disability. I sure hope, and I think, he will be a very good horse for me when he matures. He is a nice good natured, relaxed boy, but the baby stuff kicks in sometimes, that's ok though.
I get scared sometimes and think I should have someone train him the regular way, then I remind myself there is no hurry and tell myself I am doing fine. It would be nice if there was someone else at my barn too, like you, who did natural. Same thing here, a couple who are thinking about it but not doing anything yet.

hey
how are you?how is cash?
i rode party time on the weeekend she was soo good! we went for a trail ride down at the river and cantered up a couple of hills witch was a lot of fun. we rode up to a friends house and they were worming and taging there cows. while they did that me and my friend went for a bit of a trail on her propety we had a litle time race and i kicked her butt! ha ha we were only cantering around but it was funny as her horse is a massive quater horse with a long legs! and i was on a 13hh pony! nyway i ended up rounding up the cows with them witch was fun. but i didint see the storm that was breewing so i had to canter back in the rain! party time was soooooo good though!
what you do for your weekend?

Hi Shirley
How are you and Cash???

Brianna

hey
cash looks in beatuful condition! he has such a nice coat!
i hope that tb goes to a good new home. i to think it is sad when people miss treat animals. i think people should have to past some type of test to own a pet even for a fish. as then more animals would have a beter chance at longer happer life.
what part of america do you live in it sounds like it gets hot there!
in summer it is really hot at 35!
but in winter it gets down to -5!

Oh for the days when I can go for a hack with Cooper LOL, mine would just be around the outdoor arena, no where to hack where I board. I am thinking I will try to go further north to someplace that has acres for hacking, but then it will farther for me to drive again.
I wondered too if there are toxic weeds in Cooper's paddock. In the last few months Cooper has gotten ill, almost colicky, a few of his buddies in the paddock have around same times too. This is his first spring summer season at this barn. The barn manager gave him something for the pain the second time and walked him around the indoor arena. This was new to me and it really is scary!! Vet said it is the time of year, with the grass growing. I was thinking maybe sand colic, since there is no grass in his paddock, but there are weeds around in spots.
I made it to the barn to see Cooper on his birthday. He really seemed happy to see us. He got a bucket of yummy treats and a good grooming. He is getting bum high again and his chest is starting to fill out. I'm thinking he just might actually hit 15 hands, have to get a stick to measure him again.
That sounds like a great book, I will have to look it up.
Well, back to work, it's 1:58 p.m. here in Toronto and pouring rain outside LOL

I love that picture you attached to my thread. You should add them to your photos!

Shirley I missed hearing from you!!!

I am glad that Demi has settled in even if it has been a bit of a rollercoaster. I am sure her owner is happy to have someone like you helping her out with all her horses. Did you do any ground work with her horses yet? I was just curious, Is she the only one who rides in her family? Four horses seems like a lot for one person. I hope she gets well soon so she can enjoy them.

How did the "spreading of the wings" go? Did you ride around the near the outdoor arena? Hopefully there were no new cows at the neighbours! It's always a bit scary because you don't know what is out there but when it goes well there is nothing like the feeling of you your horse.

I also wanted to ask you what is a one rein stop? I have never heard of the term. Maybe I know what it is but I don't what the name is.

Yes I did paticipate in a clinic! I rode with Frank Grelo. Have you ever heard of him? I hadn't until this clinic and then i googled him. I wasn't sure if it would be worth it for me to actuallly ride in the clinic because I am so new to Dressage and I didn't want to waste his time and/or embarass myself. Amanda had mentioned that she had ridden with him in one of her posts and I asked her if she thought I should do it. And she did. So I did. Wow what an experience! I had spoken to others who had participated in the two days before and they all told me that it was great learning experience and it was all done on the walk. Imagine my surprise when more than half of my training was done on the canter!!!! Mr. Grelo asked me what I wanted to work on and I told him that half of my lessons where in class with another rider and it had become very apparent that I did not use my aids effectively enough to control the direction of my horse. He really likes to ram up the other horses butt!!! so for a little bit we worked on direction and control. And then he decided we would canter and I would not use my reins and he would control the situation. Scary!!!!!! I think he did this so I could get a better seat. Since I had that stumble I am very scared as my big fella often trips. I was so so scared that Mr. Grelo told me that I was spookier than any of the horses and that there was no wolf out to get me. Mr. Big didn't help the situation either when he decided he would buck when I asked for left canter. Mr. Grelo was just such a great trainer. He kept pushing me to continue on the left even after the bucking. He kept me laughing throughout our session and I felt much better afterwards about my riding. I left there knowing I didn't have to be so scared and even if Mr. Big bucks I have the strength and the know-how to stay on. Also by using the canter to work on my seat I felt a HUGE difference. I've only cantered a little bit in lessons. This was very different. I found out today he will be doing another clinic in October and I would not miss it for the world!

By the way Shirley, I am happy you have added some pictures so we can see you and your handsome boy. Keep me posted on your work with Cash.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Hi Shirley: Sorry for the late response but have been away. I have a farrier friend who has used this trimmer and he say it does a fine job. Since I have oftern shown may clients how the use an old rasp to remove chips between trims I dont object in the least. As for topical dressings I have 2 faves. As a hardener I like Tuff Stuff. As a general restorative there is nothing on the market better than Fiskes Hoof and Hide Balm. Hope that helps a bit. Be well, Barney

hey
thats a beatful photo u posted on my profile is that were you live?
ill have some of my photos up in the next day or so. yay!!!!
on the weekend i rode my friends horse again(i dont know if ill ride casper anytime soon he played up so bad last time i did!!) i was going to go for another trail at the river but as we got down there her paddock mate witch is paddoced down there was calling out and galloping around. hence party time did not wamnt to go on so i had to go back up to johns(her owner)and have a litle schooling session with her. the next day i rode her up the back ally way (its quite nice its about 300m) and she was calling out for her friend the whole time and once she relised she wasent going to see him she refused but i did some of the stuff what john told me to do when she acts the way she dose and she responded stright away. i took her up to my farm and i just jumped and did barrels and rode around the paddock witch she was happy doing. when casper saw her he was running up and down the fence line wanting to fight her! but she was fine. when i took her back i thought i saw one of my old friends so i was yelling out to her as i walked home hence it turned out it wasent even her!!! it was sooooooooooo embarrising!! ha ha ha ha
well i hope you are felling beter soon!!

hello
when i started to working on her in the padock jhon noticed that she wasent bending propley to my leg aids on corners so he got me to apply a litle more when i was turning corners or when she was trying to go somwere i didint want her to. we did serpantines walking for a bit then trot then canter i took her over some trot poles and figer of 8's. i found it helped her a lotand she is more willing to ride. i've only ridden her around six times and she is a extremly forward moving and wants to go go go! but she is sooooooooo much fun and i looooove her soooo much[=]
but she is for sale, we were going to by her but she is only 13hh so i would outgrow her to fast. but its like i own her anyway im the only person who rides her ect. but im happy just ridding her for now[;]

hay
the turkeys and bufflow are great!! our male turkey looks like that but he is only 4mounths old so its interesting ot see how big he'll get. but our females are white and are verry preety. are you fleeing any beter?

cheyenne[=]