Goodbye Beautiful 2010!

Here are some June photos and video of my handsome adorable kind-hearted, hard-working Renny who really delivered on his promise of wonderful this past year.  My time with him and his friends has been so special as he learned how to be a good pony.  He's the hardest working pony in rock-n-roll!

Grateful

June, 2009 photos.  "I'm feeling grateful for the small things today."  -- Cracker

I See You!

 

Happy Birthday To Me!

Happy Birthday to Me! Thank you, Cracker!

My Happy Winter Baby

I am writing this on the day before my birthday and this photo was taken February 27, 2010 a few short weeks after Renny's arrival at his new home.  He was so happy with his new buddies, but especially with Awjay who he felt was coolness itself.  Here you see Ren  sneaking a hug!

Cute Flash of Red and White

Here is an October 2009 photo of my little guy ripping around on a cool Fall morning.  And in the distance, you can see his trainer, Coy!

Merry Christmas!

This photo of Ren was taken in December 2008, the year of his birth.  Peace.  Love.  Understanding.

I Love Our Vets

As I was working on my blog just now, September 14th, I got a phone call from our equine veterinarian.  And I have to just say that I love our veterinarians.  Zelia, Jackass and the cats have a great friend and caretaker and skilled physician in Dr. Amanda.  And my herd could not possibly do better than Dr. Ryan.  Happy blessings to them and their families and creatures on this wonderful holiday.  And by the way, this photo was taken almost exactly a year ago...my baby is much bigger, stouter, stronger and more mature -- but he's still a cute little guy like this winter fella in my warm heart!

Happy Holidays from Jackass and Arcangelo!

Happy holidays!  Lots of love to you from me and my critters!

Hailee Starts Over!

I am writing this entry on September 14th and so many things have been happening lately.  Violet and I are having wonderful fun working on our transitions, halts, lightness and jumping.  Renny is becoming a wonderful working pony who I have had 7 rides on as of this morning for a total of 36 rides for him!  And Tracy, Hailee's original mom, wants to work with her and ride her and get a feel for her again which will be super exciting.  So, I am going to start working with Hailee all over again.  I feel bad for her that I got her when she only had 30 rides under her belt after being terrified at that one farm.  She deserved a better trainer and beginning -- but at least she had me.  And now I have a few more arrows in my quiver.  So, I've decided to help bring Hailee along with longing, natural horsemanship ground manners and desensitization work, and some saddling and mounting, so she will be ready for Tracy later this Fall.  Oh, and here's something wonderful -- when I worked her this weekend, I saw sparkling glints of her colt in her -- the same look, expression, and softness of eye.  I was thrilled!

A Cozy Night

Last night, September 13th, Violet and I had a great lesson with Gaye, Baker, Cheri and Shorty, Parker and Pan.  Stacey helped us really work on the downward transitions to a walk and to a halt, and really helped us refine out to halt from a canter.  And then Stacey helped us with our form over crossrails and verticals.  I had a great wonderful time.  So, by the time I got home, I was exhausted and just crashed.  And because it is becoming cooler at night when I woke up this morning, I was delighted to find all 5 of my house critters in bed with me, all cozying up to get some of my warmth.  I felt like it was a rocking wonderful way to start the day before I went out to ride my red ones! 

So Happy Together!

So, I'm writing this entry on Tuesday, September 14th and we are having a gorgeaus simply spectacular Fall day.  I snuck out to the barn early this morning and worked Renny long-lining and then riding.  We had trouble long-lining because I was stiff and a little hard on him, but we finally cracked the code.  And then Coy showed up to work with Melissa and Blaze, and to ride the trial horse for St. George, and he got to watch us ride.  He thinks we are doing great -- that we are really becoming a team and that I seem more relaxed on him than I do my Violet.  He is going to work with me to help me tweak and refine my tasks and to know the details of what he's doing with the reins and weight and legs, so that I can help develop Renny.  And I was very happy because he said that he felt that I was just a lesson or two away from not needing him at all in order to develop Renny -- that I was doing a great job on my own.  Which I don't think is necessarily true, but I have to say, it was wonderful to be under a beautiful cloudless blue sunny sky on my pony with my friend watching who trained my pony with such a blessed gift and have him praise me for my work too.  I mean, that moment didn't even need a cherry on top it was so perfect!

And then I got my Violet and she was all mellow and cute and happy and Robin called us the "Sanchez girls," and we had a great ride in the outdoor arena -- all light and responsive and quiet.  Violet was light in my hands and listening to my weight and legs and hands and giving and bringing herself up. And then we jumped these 7 verticals and 1 cross rail several times and then put the whole 8 fence course together.  We felt like superstars in the sun.  This morning was a true blessing! 

Plus it was fun to see so many friends -- Stacey, Sandy, Robin, Beth, Baker, Melissa, Coy...I love St. George!

Winter Buddies

Here's a February 27, 2010 photo of my little guy, Renny, standing outside with his pal, RJ.  You can tell that they are close happy cheerful little buddies!!

Renny and His Tall Dark and Handsome Friend

Here's a June 1st photo of my beloved little buddy and his gorgeaus dark friend!

 

My Macho Girl

Namaste.

Big Boy and His Big Pals

Here's a spring photo of my handsome fella with all of his big boy pasturemates.  He really knows how to hold his own and feels like the main man out there.  He knows how to boss around his pals.  He knows how to get along.  He knows how to play.  He's beloved by certain close horsie friends.  He doesn't mind giving up his weanling herd back at Showgate!

My Cats and Aunt Ruth

Here is a cozy winter night shot of Jackass and Arcangelo resting on the afghan I knitted and my Aunt Ruth's chair, with the National Geographic's and birdwatching books, and horse breeding sire book, and the present from St. George, and the photos of my beloved pets and family.  This spot is a cozy sacred little spot.  And right outside the window are my chickens and squirrel and bird feeders and winter resting garden!  Namaste!

My Catnip Lovers

Here are my beloved boys, resting so sweetly together.  Yesterday, I put some fresh catnip in my dehydrator and the boys love to just sit cuddled against the hot little dehydrator and listen to its hum and smell the fragrant drying catnipies.  They love it.  Love it.  LOVE it!

Grama Writes a Grant

Here're April photos of my scruffy darling baby boy, months before he's ready to carry Grandma happily around arenas and over pastures.  What a good little beloved guy.  I am writing this entry on Monday, September 13th, and I just last night decided to write a grant application on horses and humans that has a December deadline.  I feel like I am going to have fun with that task!

A Relaxed Canter

I'm writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th, a few hours after a happy quiet ride in the indoor arena with Renny which included the second time I trotted him.  And this time, I had much better control of turning and steering him.  So, here's a photo of my goal -- I hope to canter this sensible sweet pony over the next week or so.  Wish me luck!

Stepping Lively over Groundpoles

Namaste!

Good News

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th, and this week was a busy one for Jackass and myself.  I was worried about him because he's been losing weight.  But he still has an appetite, is lively and bright-eyed, keeps to his usual routine and seems happy.  He doesn't miss a treat and he eats his meds.  So, I took him for bloodwork on Thursday and his physician, Dr. Amanda, called on Friday and said that his bloodwork was all normal -- his thyroid, creatinine and BUN were all in the normal range, so that we should just keep doing what we're doing!  He can have his medicine-laced tuna snacks, which he loves!  I was astounded, and so happy.  She says that she believes that he does truly have kidney disease in conjunction with hyperthyroidism, but that it's being managed right now, and that he's probably skinny because he's an old guy at 13 1/2!  It turns out that the average life expectancy for indoor cats is 13 years, while others say it is 14-16.  My fella is a wiry old guy!  And I love him!

My Dressage Pony

When I see a photo like this, taken in early September of my hard-working talented pony, I just don't see how I can sell him.  He is truly a magical hardworking dear pony.

Violet and I Work on Jumping

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th.  This past week, I rode Violet 5 times and at least 3 of the times, we practiced jumping.  We were very happy and relaxed and good at it.  And we even jumped crossrails.  So, I am really happy to report that yesterday, we had a jolly lesson with Mary and Baker and it was fun.  Violet was a little fussy, like a tempermental mare, but she was willing to work hard.  And we were great over jumps. I was giving her face and leaning forward without roaching my back.  And I worked at keeping my shoulders back.  I still have a bit of a problem with a lean to the left on the flatwork, but I am really enjoying trying to improve my riding with my darling red girl!

My Hardworking Mama

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th and this photo is from September 2008, showing my girl getting ready to help her son by going to a American Sportpony Inspection.  She earned a blue premium at that event and was very focused on helping her son do his best and earn his papers.  Anyway, today I went out to the barn and rode Renny in the indoor arena and trotted and circled and figure 8'ed.  And it was awesome! I had a wonderful flatout happy time.  And I was happy afterwards because I cleaned my western saddle and had a joyful moment remembering that over 30 years ago, I was using that saddle to ride Snowflakes Princess, so that was a nice moment too. 

And then, I went and got Hailee, figuring that she needs time and attention and a workout too -- to feel purpose in her life.  She was so delighted to be picked over Violet and happy for her grooming.  And she was completely satisfied to work at Parelli.  She played the games with interest and then she seemed so eager to please and she had a soft eye, as I jumped her both directions over cavaletti and then both directions over double cavaletti.  She worked hard and elegantly.  She wants to be included among the working horses!  I just love her for that desire. 

And what made me love her even more is that she just kept throwing me some of the exact same expressions as Renny and her eye was soft like his and she worked hard like him, so I felt proud and happy and joyfully filled with love to work with generations of that great family!

My Beautiful Boy

I am writing this entry on Sunday, September 12th, and I am feeling blessed.  This past week was the transition from Coy to me as Renny's main trainer.  And we had a blessed week.  I rode Violet 5 times and Renny 4 times and it was wonderful.  The weather was cool but gorgeausly sunlit with big puffed white clouds.  And my little guy was a true joy to ride.  I rode him on Monday, after his very busy hard Sunday making his sale video.  And then I gave him two days off and worked him on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  We worked in all three arenas and I rode him between arenas, and we trotted, and we worked big loops and circles and figure 8's.  We are working on becoming a happy team together.  Renny likes me and always comes up to me in the pasture willing to work hard!

Nice Forward Trot!

Blessings on your good head, Easy Blue Renegade!

My New Orleans People

Here they are, pets 1 and 2, holding down the fort in comfortable fashion.  You have no idea how happy and relaxed and mellow I feel when I am in my bedroom and they are in those exact places.  All is right in the world when Jackass is surveying us from the king spot on mama's pillow!

Good Sunlit Snooze

Namaste!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

So, Renny is the gift I gave myself for surviving my accident with Hailee.  And let me tell you, I had absolutely no idea how this wondeful gift would transform my life.  I am enjoying every second with him, from researching and finding his daddy, to hoping and praying for his conception, to grooming and taking thistles from his mama's tail, to singing songs to him in the womb, to waiting for and attending his birth, to playing soccer with him, to enjoying morning coffee with him, to suffering through his weaning, through being prideful at his wonderful attitude at the inspection, to his elegance and good spirits in training, all of it.  All of it. All of it.  And it keeps going on.  Renny is a bountiful bountiful gift to myself!  I am spoiled!

Working in the Setting Sun!

Namaste, my angelic sport pony!

Dramatic Pony!

I love this photo because you can just imagine Renny working a herd of cows, trying to get them closer to safety before the storm rolls in.  He looks like his mama's son -- a good old cowpony!

My Beautiful Dog and her Chicken Friends

I am writing this entry on September 9, 2010, but this photo and video is from August 3, 2009.  My beautiful darling Zelia is looking at me with love and appreciation.  And I am truly blessed to say that just this morning, she looked at me with agreeable appreciation too.  We went for a jolly walk and had a happy breakfast and we kept each other cozy warm during the night because I've been leaving the windows wide open and the weather is getting brisker.  We are really a happy family!

My Happy Cutie Pie

Here's a June 1st photo of my delighted boy, grazing on long grass, enjoying his life while comfortably knowing that he's adored by Grandma and handsome as all get out!

My Untrained June Pony

Here's a photo and video taken June 1st, just a few weeks before Renny went into earnest training to become the most wonderful pony on the face of the earth.  His mane is strawberry blonde, his coat is still wintery, and he has the look of rough youth all about him.  Now he has a wintery coat coming in and a well-plucked mane and the look of responsible youth!  I adore this boy!

Cuddly Smooches

Namaste!  I hope you find a cozy corner and cuddly friend today!

Handsome and Annoying as a Baby!

Okay, so you all know that my darling, sweet pony went through an extensive month of training and that he's turned into an agreeable lovely sport pony.  He is genuinely affectionate toward family and friends, has a solid good nature, an outstanding work ethic, and a desire to learn.  No one could ask more from this pony.  So, I thought I would remind you of his absolute adorableness by showing you a picture when he was a little suckling.  This photo was taken on August 28th, 2008, when he was deeply in love with Ruthie, and the king of his little pasture!

Jacques Mamou Lagniappe, My Dear One

I love Jacques Mamou Lagniappe.  Everyone knows this fact.  He runs my household with a velvet paw.  He takes an interest in all matters, such as being an effective domestic lion, household tiger, and perimeter checker.  He has strong opinions about how and when I should feed him and his companions and clean his quarters.  And at night, he is insistent, with a solid tap-tap-tap on my shoulder, about waking me up and demanding that I lift the covers and let him snooze with me.  But he's losing weight again, after a nice long year of holding steady on methsimazole.  So, he's gone back to the doctor a few times over the past few weeks, and he'll go again today, September 9th.  He wants to explain his "position to his physician," so we can assess where he is on his kidney and thyroid troubles.  His eyes are bright and he hasn't really changed up his routine that much, but he is developing strong opinions about what he will and won't eat -- and I am working to oblige him.  I love this lovely fellow.

My Life So Far

So, I'm writing this entry on Thursday, September 9th, and I am feeling very thoughtful and mortal.  And so this morning, I woke up and realized that for as much as my entire life revolves around these horses and my financial life hangs on them that I am literally without doubt having the time of my life.  I am having the time of my life.  That I am tied into their lives and that they know and care for me as I care for them.  And that when I'm finally too old and rickety to ride or to Alzheimery to know much about anything that I'll be grateful so grateful so grateful that I had a friendship with Renny, and a relationship with Hailee, and a real meeting of minds with Count Fleet's granddaughter, Violet.  My herd, from Snowflake's Princess onward, just rocks.  And I had that happy thought this morning as I was sitting on my bed, relaxing and enjoying my time with my New Orleans krewe, Jackass and  Zelia.

Johnny Depp and Renny

So, I am writing this entry on September 9th and I'm feeling thoughtful.  Yesterday afternoon, I went out to the barn and brought Renny in from his pasture and set him up with his long-lines and then he professionally executed flowing changes of direction with trotting and happily quietly without fuss trotted over raised cavaletti multiple times on a circle.  He just banged it out, even when I was being all awkward and uncertain and clumsy with the lines.  He knew that I was sending him forward and so he just kept going quietly forward until waiting for direction.  I love him and I'm proud of him.  So, later that evening, while I was chatting him up in his stall, I talked with him about who should play him in the movie of his life -- James Dean or Marlon Brando.  And he and I decided that no one could play his cute adorable durable sweetness, but if someone were going to come close, it might be Johnny Depp.  So, that's where I'm at in life -- even Johnny Depp is not good enough to play my pony!

Patient Pony

Here's my pony, getting ready to give a brilliant little quiet happy workout!

Beautiful while Stepping Out

Namaste.

My Dressage Pony

It won't surprise you to hear that Mary at my barn is encouraging me to keep Renny and have him as my own little dressage pony.  As you can see in these photos, he would be a beautiful dressage pony!