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"!

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!

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.

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!!!

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

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:)

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.

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

http://www.lizmittenryan.com/info

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

Hey Shirley,

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

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 - 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

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.

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!