My Foundation Mare and Me!

Namaste from the both of us.

Violet is so Friendly!

Okay, so the day that I brought Zelia to the stable for photos, she was a little nervous naturally. But Violet always tried to throw out a friendly loving gesture or olive branch whenever she got the chance. Such a good girl. She wanted to say hi to the sister she always smells on me. I really love these two girls more than I can say.

Charming

Charming darling loving creatures and the silly with happiness girl who gets to share in their lives!

We are Leisurely and Joyful!

Namaste. Violet, Zelia and I are relaxed and happy and a joyful little family.

Again, The Good Life!

We could not be happier or more beautiful! Namaste.

My Vi and Z Girls

Last September, Barbie got some tremendous photos of me and my herd and puppy, including some elegant shots of me and Vi and Z, taking a happy stroll in a pasture. I am truly blessed to know these lovely lovely girls!

My Beautiful Zelia

Here is a photo from September 2009 that Barbie took of my darling Zelia. I love this photo because you can see my bright girl's shining eyes. She was very tired by this point because she had spent an exciting afternoon at the stable and even had to pose with the entire herd. When we got home from the photo shoot, she took a big long long drink of water after dinner and went straight to bed snoring!

My Sweet H Girl!

Hailee in late December 2007, many months away from delivering Renny, but thinking about those happy times to come, nonetheless. I do not see how I can part with her.

Breaking News! Violet Rocks the House!

Okay, so here's a photo taken on December 22nd of the lovely Violet at a Christmas party with a St. George Pal. Look how relaxed and happy she is. She's a wonderful mare. A few short days after this photo, she was injured by a short trim, so she was off work for almost 4 weeks! Just this week, I started to bring her back and I am just delighted to say that we are back to our cozy loving ambitious partnership. Today we had our first formal lesson with our pals and trainer on a damp cool Saturday morning. And as soon as I showed up, I knew it'd be great. Violet gave me her prick-eared happy expression as I walked through the door and she was playful and lippy and kissy as I got her ready. She didn't pin her ears or do anything except act happy to be at work. And she was relaxed and responsive and lovely at the walk, trot, and canter and over ground poles. She even was willing to do a bit of a half pass. Just love that girl. I mean I love her. When she fixes me with her gentle good eye, I feel like a Queen. She got praised today for being such a good mare and Baker suggested she was good because she's never known any hardship like the life of a race horse. And I suppose that's so, but Cheri said that she thought it was just in Violet's genes to be good. And I think that is true too. Violet has decided to bring a good and loving heart into the universe. And do you know what else is nice too -- I got hugs from Hailee and Renny. And I did yoga for the first time in forever. Truly a nice Saturday.

My Jack on a Sunday

Such happiness to see my guy. And such happiness to lay down and wonderful if I'll be able to take a nap and then suddenly I wake up an hour later to the perfect perfect warm weight of my Jackass on my legs and I know I was lulled into sleep by his wonderfulness. What a guy!

Breaking News! Some Thoughts on Renny

I planned Renny. I chose his sire. I cared for his dam. I sang to him when he arrived at Breezy Acres when he was still in Hailee's womb. I talked to Dr. Zimmerman numerous times before his arrival about his wellbeing. I dreamed of him. I slept in a barn for him. I was at his birth and remember vividly him shaking his little head and laying on the ground like a teeny tiny dinosaur. And I loved him loved him loved him as he jetted around the arena his first time out. And loved loved loved him as he engaged in every little activity, including cute naps, chomping his mama's hay, eating his baby grain. I loved him as he quietly let me check his temperatures and clean his rear from his baby diarrhea. I loved him as he let me lead him quietly around the barn and hug him around his girth. I loved him because there was a time when I could wrap my arms all the way around his girth. I loved him for how quietly he travelled to Michigan for his inspection. I loved him for how good he was about getting his braids and how adorable yet manly he looked in those braids. I loved him for the smart cute calm way he looked at me when we opened the trailer door in Michigan and how he waited calmly for his mama to get off the trailer in the dark and how he stood in the doorway of that barn in Michigan and gave a high-pitched cute little "Renny's in the house" whinny. And I loved him for how he shot out a hind foot the next morning and connected with my thigh when I tried to groom him during his breakfast. And I loved him for being the best-behaved baby at that inspection. And I've loved him for a million million million moments since then. I love him for loving me.

So, I can say this to you. Renny depends on me to do well by him. Renny depends on me to make loving safe nurturing decisions for him. I pray that I can help Renny have a safe adventure-filled joyful life.

Thelma and Louise in their Happy Home

Namaste.

Breaking News! Violet back to Work

Okay, so this is a photo of Secretariat and not Violet, but she's related to this majestic creature, so why not! This morning I went out to the stable and lunged Violet and she felt fresh and eager. Her hooves stayed cool and were an even temperature all around, so we saddled up. I finally had a chance to use her new dove-colored pad with pink and silver corded trim and grey sheepskin accents. The pad is great. She and I went for a lovely relaxed responsive ride. She was light to the feel, had good breaks and turning, and gave to the aids with real sensitivity. It's the usual thing - take a big long break and when you first come back instead of being nervous or afraid, you're just generally better at riding. I don't know why. Anyway, I am delighted to report that she wasn't lame or ouchy or short in her strides. She didn't trip. Her feet were cool when we were done. I think the girl may be growing out of her short trim. I sure do notice that there's more growth by her coronet band and considerably more since she started the Grand Hoof treatment. Tomorrow evening, I'll take her out for another spin at the walk, trot, canter and then we'll be ready to get back into lesson mode with lessons on Saturday morning. Wish us well! Namaste!

My Beautiful Pert-Eared Girl

There are a few happy transcendant moments in my daily routines. I feel transcendantly happy when I walk both Hailee and Violet out to their pasture together in the early mornings. They are calm and happy and peaceful and satisfied to be walking with each other and with me. We feel right with our world. And I feel happy when Hailee looks at me when she's out to pasture and she walks up to me with sweet expectation.

Hailee's Best Work!

Here's Renny with his peeps. He enjoys traveling with the youngsters as his backup dancers!

Renny the Smart Sport Pony!

This photo was taken on December 22nd and I am reporting about Renny and my work together. He's just wonderful. He's very good at Parelli and lunging. He's very good about "hiding his butt." He's super patient and fearless and agreeable. He knows he's supposed to be learning. He is happy to bounce over ground poles. He can trot-in-hand by his grandma's side. He can yield to a rope on his hocks or fetlocks. And yesterday, I am delighted, just delighted to say that yesterday Renny let me put on his surcingle, cavesson and long-lines and he just was super duper patient! he trotted in both directions and yielded to the pull of the reins. He's just awesome! His goodness, real goodness delights me, but at the same time makes me sad. I need to find a home for this good pony, so that he has a fun life as an adored family pet and show pony! Please may he find a joyful number of homes during his long, safe, healthy and adventure-filled life. Namaste.

Breaking News! 2009 Eclipse Awards Announced!

Well, I was surprised. I thought Zenyatta had it in the bag. She is the only mare to ever win the Breeders Cup Classic. She's won all 14 of her starts. She beat all the best boys. She's awesome. But Rachel Alexandra with her Preakness and Haskell Stakes wins and 8 wins in 2009 edged her out, 130 to 99 votes, for Eclipse Horse of the Year. Both girls are preparing for a 2010 season, so hopefully they will meet in a race sometime this year! Obviously, both girls won their divisions, Z for Champion older female and RA for Champion three year old.

In other Eclipse news, the champion two year old filly and colt are She Be Wild and Lookin at Lucky. The Champion three year old male is Summer Bird. Gio Ponti won two Eclipse Awards as Champion older male and Champion turf horse. The Eclipse female and male sprinter champions are Informed Decision and Kodiak Kowboy. And the female turf champion is Goldikova with Mixed Up winning the Eclipse for Steeplechasing. The Eclipse Award winning jockey and apprentice jockey are Julien Leparoux and Christian Santiago Reyes. Steve Asmussen won his second Eclipse Award as trainer, and he should because he has trained the winners of the Eclipse Horse of the Year for the past three years straight -- with Curlin winning Eclipse Awards in 2007 and 2008 and now Rachel Alexandra. Juddmonte Farms with Jess Jackson won the Eclipse Award for breeding and Godolphin Racing won the Eclipse Award as owner!

I am disappointed. I wanted Zenyatta to win or both fillies to share. But what a great batch of years we've been having -- Rachel Alexandra, Zenyatta, Rags to Riches, Sugar Swirl, etc. I am delighted that I lived in a year where a filly won the Preakness and Haskell, and a filly won the Breeders Cup and where fillies were the only ones nominated for the Horse of the Year. Rock on! This photo of the Eclipse Award itself was taken by Anne M. Eberhart.

My Beautiful Elegant Girl

Can you imagine how happy I was at this point? I am sitting in my beautiful new cart behind my bright red girl and her ears are forward and happy. I could have floated on a cloud. Namaste.

Rethinking My Life

So, I am writing this entry on September 20th, a beautiful Sunday in which I worked dehydrating apples, making basil, paying bills, cleaning the coop, reading the newspaper. During these activities, Coy, our new trainer called and said that he found a gentleman who might want to buy Hailee. He is a reiner who is looking for a shorter reining horse to work cattle. So, now I am confronted with the decision -- do I sell my girl? Would it be responsible given that she hasn't been ridden in such a long time? Would I be heartbroken to part from my Doc Clabber and Easy Jet mare? Would Violet be heartbroken? Would Hailee feel that I had broken our social contract? So, things take time, but right now I am deciding how do I really feel about keeping my beautiful girl forever, but without a job to her name. It's a muddle. And this photo doesn't much help. Here you see the happy happy sisters, relaxing and grooming eachother, satisfied with their friendship and companionship satisfied to know that they are the Sanchez girls.

My Foundation Mare at Rest

Namaste.

My blessings

Here is a photo from September 8th of Violet in her beautiful harness. That was such a glorious fun day. Violet has been very popular. She's taken many people for drives, including me, Barbie, Tom, Patti, Lexie, Karla, Megan, Megan's mom, Nikki, Montgomery, Angie, KT, and Riley. She is just super!

A Handsome Popular Sport Pony

Okay, on September 8th, 2008, I was out at Showgate for a lovely drive and then to take photos of my happy beautiful family. I love this picture. You can see Renny with his peeps and then in the background across the creek, you can see Violet and Hailee, with V watching the proceedings. I really am so blessed. Look at that handsome athletic pony in the foreground and then my foundation mare and wonderful thoroughbred are in the back ground!

The Girls Get Down!

On the morning that I left for Rhinelander in August, I was saying a last goodbye to the girls and caught them in them in the middle of a happy dirt bath. These girls really know how to rock!!

My Winter Wonderland

So, I've had sort of a weird winter -- some wonderful things, like Christmas at Elena's, time with my mom and dad, preparations for a summer of teaching -- and I've had some icky things -- Hailee colicked on New Year's Eve, Violet got a short trim, and I had a car accident.

But I am trying to live like my mom and Tammy told me -- without worry because that's not in the plan. And trying to live like Katie told me -- mindfully responsibly in the present. And so here are photos of my winter garden taken this week, and it's a week where I feel the invincible summer in the midst of winter -- the coop where my chickens make their eggs and go about their day, the garden resting, the place where squirrels, birds, and rabbits visit Zelia. Namaste.

Gorgeaus Gorgeaus Girls

My treasures. Namaste.

Last Year was Great!

Okay, so I am writing this post on September 17th and it's been an amazing equine year. Violet just took to the cart instantly and I had a great vacation at Gayla, and I found very nice people who helped me get a wonderful amazing cart and harness, and Violet's training under Barbie went so well that Violet is both an outstanding driving horse, but also a lovely hunter under saddle and beginning dressage mount. She's a treasure. Over the past week, I've had several sunlit drives and for two days in a row, Violet and I had big moving large wonderful rides in the outdoor arena. Also this year, the new trainer arrived, Coy, and his partner, Nikki, and he got me interested in rehabilitating Hailee, so my foundation mare will go into training this year which makes me very happy. Plus, of course, my little man, Renny, just ruled the farm as the sport pony who captured my heart. He has been a funny, smart, agreeable little charmer who is becoming a gorgeaus guy -- the NASPR folk are lucky he's a member! Namaste!

Ren the Sport Pony

Here's a September 8th photo of my little

Renny with his new pals, the weanlings of 2009! He seems to like this group of pals and he's been getting more exercise, so just last night, I noticed that he's become even more handsome. He's got lots of muscle and his neck is getting longer and filling in. He's really quite a handsome boy. The new trainer, Coy, lets the horses be in their stall without their halters, so last night I really had a chance to look at his handsome intelligent face and realize -- he's a flatout sweetheart smart charmer! My darling sport pony!

My Foundation Mare

Here is an early September photo of my foundation mare, Hailee. We are growing out her mane as you would a broodmare. And her coat is glossy and silky and soft because of her great fat-laden diet, her access to pasture, and her desire to eat her rich straw bedding. She just looks gorgeaus. I am thinking about putting her into training with the new trainer at Showgate. He thinks that he can rehabilitate her which would be a nice thing. I am writing this in mid-September and I am thinking about it!

Stitched Photos of Renny

I found this feature by accident on my camera in early September -- the stitching feature! So, now I'm going to happily put little pictures together of my creatures. Here's my very first accidental effort -- didn't it turn out great! It's my handsome little perfect man! My darling darling Renny!

Violet Moves Out All Sexy!

Violet is just gorgeaus in this photo with her bright red summer coat (all dirty and covered in fly spray) and he beautiful new harness trotting out over the grass! Here's my Labor Day happiness!

Violet's Harness Fitting

The Saturday of Labor Day Weekend, Violet's harness arrived. So, here is a photo taken on Sunday when Barbie, Tom and I worked on fitting her. She was unbelievably patient! We worked with her for over an hour in the aisleway and then took her for a drive. She took it all in relaxed mature gorgeaus stride! She has the sexiest cart and harness. Which is good because she is one sexy girl!

Breaking News! Missing My Herd and the Eclipse Awards!

All right, so this past Saturday, I had an accident and my car was towed to the shop. The estimate arrived yesterday and the cost of repair was 90% of the 75% bluebook value -- almost at the cutoff for being totaled. But still repairable. So, the nice man at the body shop said that they ordered the parts and had a tentative completion date of January 15th. So, I am grateful that it'll only be about a week and a half without my car. But I am so very much missing my herd. The nice thing is that today Julie contacted me and said that Carissa would be very happy to give my herd love and care while I'm out of comission. So, I am relieved that my horses are at St. George. It's nice to be at a place where people are so outgoing and caring and such obvious horse lovers with great skills. But still! I want my herd! I want to see their cheerful goofy faces!

Here is a photo from New Year's Eve, a few hours before Hailee began to really display colic symptoms. I should have known something was up because she was determined to follow Violet in as I went to pasture.

Anyway, the big news is that the Eclipse Awards were announced today and the ONLY two horses who were nominated for Horse of the Year were Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. I am so excited. I hope that either the nominations committee lets them share the honor or that Zenyatta takes it. They are both amazing fillies, but Z girl really puts on a show!!!

My Gorgeaus Late Summer Girls

Here is a September 3rd photo of my beautiful girls. They had an amazing summer. Violet has developed her talents as a driving mare, Hailee got in touch with her boss mare nature, and they matured into elegant mares! I just am so blessed.

Renny and the Weanlings

Here's a September 1st photo of little Renny in the first few days after B left and he earned turnout with the new batch of babies. He is fatter than them all, but two of them are taller! And he is working hard to make friends with them when he's not busy tussling with them or grabbing their halters!

Renny's Cute Nose

Here is a photo of my darling Renny in early August, during the last few days of his time with his big thoroughbred girlfriend, B. He is a happy satisfied saucy fellow! And in a few weeks after this photo, he had to be spanked and tied to a post by the gate because he took off and pulled his caretaker off her feet when he was brought in from the pasture! Naughty darling sweet rotten boy!

Hailee Peeks Shyly

My foundation mare, standing by her favorite girl and quietly asking for some attention from me. What a good royal girl! Namaste.

They Come in Threes

I am at home right now with Jack in my lap and my house clean and all animals accounted for. And I am feeling badly. Last Saturday, Violet was injured in her hooves. And then on New Year's Eve, Hailee colicked. And now today, the day after I planted paperwhites, I caused a two-car traffic accident. I got up this morning, cared for all my animals, went to the stable and groomed all three horses, and then was driving home to go to Kroger's and then the library. And I just got distracted. I had a momentary lapse of concentration and after stopping, I continued and hit the rear driver side of a car. The young lady was so upset and rattled. I am sorry. Please help me to be a better person.

Jack and Zelia

This photo was taken on August 6th and I am writing from the exact same spot on the evening of August 30th. AND, Zelia and Jackass are in much the same location! These critters, these New Orleans Street Trash, are my muses!

Happy New Years!

Hi. The past 24-36 hours have been eventful. Here is a photo from New Year's eve morning when I went to visit my girls and baby boy. When I went out to pasture, both girls came up to me and I thought they just wanted to say hello, but Hailee followed us right into the barn. I should have realized something was wrong. I put them into the arena to roll and Hailee rolled and bucked and snorted and then acted like a real crazed nut job. So, I put her back in the cross ties and here's a photo of my girls. And what I thought was a funny photo of Hailee making faces actually turned into something serious. Last night, at 7:30, I got a call from Stacey saying Hailee was beginning to colic. So, we gave her banamine and I got there by 8:20. By 8:45 Hailee pooped, by 9:45 she drank and ate. And with walking, she seemed more comfortable. And then at 2am, Stacey texted me and said that Hailee looked great. She was calm and quiet and had made a big pile of poop. And today, Beth told me that they were keeping a close eye on her and listening to her, I knew that was so. She knew the exact sounds Hailee's belly was making and how she was acting and how much she was yawning. So, I told her that Hailee had passed lots of gas last night and Beth seemed to relieved. She thinks it was just a gas colic.

Anyway, I am telling you that I am a bit sad on this day -- my Violet still has heat in her right front hoof and Hailee is getting over a colic. But I know that they are safe and happy and well-cared for at St. George and that makes me so happy.

And what else on this day!? Well, last night once I knew Hailee was okay, I went to Danielle and Todd's for a yummy New Year's dinner and conversation and cheer at midnight. They are such good friends. Todd is so kind and funny and smart and tells good stories. And Danielle is the most unique person, bright and quick and real. I was glad to be sitting at their dinner table relaxing at midnight! And then to get the 2am text from Stacey that all was well at St. George.

Then today, I went out to St. George twice today to check on Hailee. I took her for a walk outside and she was fine and interested in her surroundings, but Violet went bonkers, running up and down the fenceline and pawing with her bad tootsies! And then I read Dave Eggers' Zeitoun about a Syrian American Muslim contractor in New Orleans and what happened to him after Hurricane Katrina. It was just the right thing to read on New Year's Eve night and New Year's Day and I got to listen to the book on tape as I was driving to and from St. George twice a day over the past two days.

I was feeling out of sorts that I didn't have a theme for the new decade, but the past two days clarified it for me without me needing to think about it too much. This decade will the the "Service Decade." I need to widen what I can do to try and do good. Namaste and Happy New Year. Blessings to my beautiful creatures and family and friends.

My Girls, My Future

These photos and video are from July 28th, and I am writing this entry on August 30th, the anniversary weekend of Katrina, and you are seeing it on New Year's Day! Happy New Year's! The year 2009 was filled with lots changes, some good, some bad. On the good side, my creatures are well, including Jackass who was treated successfully for hyperthyroidism. I even added new creatures to the mix with chickens, Thelma and Louise. I enjoyed teaching and earned money to purchase a wonderful cart. I had a wonderful garden. On the down side, Aunt Ruth and Aunt Judy passed and my dad is very sick. And in my own life, I wonder whether I can maintain all my commitments to my creatures. BGSU is suffering and I don't know what for certain what the next years will bring. But on this day, a good day, let's be positive. A year ago, Renny was a fresh little sport with big friends, Sedona, B, Te-Awa, and Lily. Now he is a fresh big sport with a world of friends, young and old. Much to be joyful and grateful for! Namaste!