Big Girl

Here's a February 8, 2008 photo of Renny's mother, Hailee.  She is a wonderful relaxed sensible intelligent dam.  I learned a lot from her.  I owe her a lot.  I can only pay it forward.

Good Samaritan Day!

Today is Good Samaritan Day!  And I want to thank my good samaritan, Paula Newton, for the goodness she brought into my life and the life of my herd.  It's been two years since I made the mistake of misplacing my trust.  My error in judgement resulted in this beautiful mare, Hailee, ending up starved, abused, and drugged in a kill pen with over 100 other animals at some livestock auction in Tennessee.  Paula visited that kill pen that day and saw Hailee.  She saw her and rescued her.  And she wrote to me to say that she'd found my mare and wanted me to know that she was safe and loved and in her forever home.  And she let me visit Hailee and meet Paula and her family and her herd.  She opened her home and told me stories about her love of horses and family.  She opened my home so I could say my regrets and apologies to Hailee.  Paula befriended me and my herd.  I believe that G*d sent Paula to that kill pen to protect Hailee and my family.

I received that letter which changed my life the day before Thanksgiving.  And so, I consider the day before Thanksgiving to be Good Samaritan Day!  May we all have the courage and love of people like Paula Newton.  May we all aspire to be earthbound angels.

To celebrate this day, I thought I would post a little video of Hailee with her first foal, my Renny, in the first few days of his life.  You can see my radiant lovely happy gorgeaus plump beloved Hailee relaxed and content.  In this past year, she's had her second foal, a filly, with Paula's Paint stallion.  Hailee threw color -- a beautiful cherry and white filly.  Every single day, I am grateful for the blessings G*d pours onto me, my family, and my herd.  Every single day, I am grateful for Paula Newton. Prayers of blessings for the Good Samaritans!

So Sweet!

Here again is a photo take in April 2008 in the days before Hailee delivered Renny.  You can see her sweet peaceful happy face  And here she is with her beautiful mane trimmed.  She's going to be a gorgeaus healthy mother when she welcomes her baby into the world.  And she will take such good care of her baby.  But on this sunny afternoon, we're just enjoying our time together!

Sweet Mama

Here is an April 15, 2008 photo of Hailee, waiting to deliver the very best pony on the face of the earth.

Then and Now

I'm writing this entry on September 16, 2012.  Here's a photo of my beautiful Hailee, Renny's dam, when she was living in Paris, Kentucky, getting ready to become a mother.  So much has happened since these days-- I've had the best and worst of times for sure.  Buy me a glass of wine some day and ask me about it.

More Kisses

I'm writing this entry on September 2, 2012.  Today I spent an afternoon at my barn, visiting my horses and cleaning their tack.  And on my way home, I had a reason to drive on the road I took to visit Hailee for many years -- Poe Road out of town.  And I thought about my beautiful mare and how much I love her.  And I thought about how grateful I am that she is safe.  So, here is a photo taken March 7, 2008 about two months before Renny's birth.  Violet and Hailee were wonderful dear loving friends.  What's funny is that before I even drove on that road today, I had a chance to think of her (I think of her every day).  When I drove up to the barn, I saw Renny standing with a friend, grooming and giving swirls, just like in this photo.  And my mind just filled with the times I'd seen these two mares groom each other and Renny groom the girls!  I miss her so much.

Getting Back on Track

I don't know if this ever happens to you, but sometimes while you're planning, working, setting goals, training, riding, and loving your herd, you get lost and a bit off track and something will give you a big nudge.  I had that with the classical dressage clinic.  I had a chance to rethink my goals and priorities and my emotional connections to my companion animals.  I've decided that I'm going to keep enjoying Violet for all the wonderful things she brings me and her enthusiasm about every single task put before her.  And I've decided that Renny is going to be for me -- my own special wonderful pony who was a gift from Hailee.  He doesn't have to be a Pony Finals pony.  He doesn't have to be "kid ready."  He just has to be my darling.  These were good happy decisions over the past week or so!

Weird Conversations and Classical Dressage

A Classical Dressage Clinic Lesson!

So, during the dressage clinic, the instructor said that Renny was an example of what happens when you start a horse too young -- that he has a dip in his back between the croup and saddle which is indicative of a weak damaged back.  I asked whether it could be conformation and in front of a room of people, he said no.  So, I was pretty upset.  The last thing I'd want to do is hurt my pony.  And after instructor said that, he used Renny as an amazing example of the technique -- Renny was soft, round, reaching, lifting his belly.  He was one of only a few horses invited to canter this weekend. He was amazing.

Anyway, later the next day, I was in the viewing room, making a sandwich, and K was chatting to someone.  You will have to ask me in person for the details of the someone.  Anyway, I'm just making a sandwich and I hear him ask K who she rode in the clinic.  And she's telling him about riding Renny and how great he was and how I was nervous because the instructor said his back was weak.  And she started explaining that she doesn't think that could be so.  And this someone starts talking about Renny.  He says that he doesn't think Renny has a weak back and that possibly he just entered the ring with his head and tail high because of interest and enthusiasm and the instructor made an incorrect judgement.

So, I just keep making my sandwich, feeling that they'll likely move on to another topic when that someone keeps talking about me and my herd.  He says that both my horses are great.  That most of the time when he gives a horse back to its owner after 30 days, the horse moves backwards.  But my horses are always moving forward.  That Renny is consistent.  It doesn't matter who he sees on Renny, Renny looks great -- whether it's me, K, or a little girl he's seen riding her.  He said that most people are lucky to have only 1 good horse, but I've got two.  And that he thinks that I prefer Violet, but that he'd keep Renny.  He says Renny was easy to train because of all of my training - I gave Renny to him ready to learn.

I got uncomfortable and nervous because the conversation wasn't brief, it was extended.  I couldn't believe that my herd was being discussed.  More was said -- all strangely good -- and I couldn't take it anymore, so I interrupted.  I told someone that I was worried about what the instructor had said about Renny's back because we had started him at 26 months, but that I knew he'd gotten a good start from someone.  This was the first conversation since Hailee went to auction.  

And someone said that he'd learned a lot since he started Renny and that he would only rarely start one so young now.  But that he wanted me to know that in many ways Renny was more consistent and could make people look good, better than his own stallion.  He said that he could ride his stallion and it would look good, but if someone else got on, they wouldn't look good.  But Renny is so consistent, he makes everyone look good.  

I heard that.  I said my piece.  And then I turned and walked away.  It was one hella weird dressage clinic, let me tell you!

Baby-Making Blues

Here are photos that were taken on April 15, 2008, two days before Renny's due date and almost three weeks before his relaxed arrival.  You can see that Hailee was thoughtfully resting and getting ready for motherhood.  She was round and plump and ready!

A Mouthful of Hay

Here is an August 2008 photo before Renny was weaned.  He is having a relaxed happy meal with his mother, Hailee.  I'm writing this entry on Sunday, February 26th, 2012.  And right now, I have to share a barn with the person who drove Hailee to an auction house.  I made a terrible mistake and Hailee suffered.  So, this photo breaks my heart.  Hailee looks so happy and satisfied with her job as Renny's mom. May she be safe and loved at her new home.

Renny's Mother

Here is an April 15, 2008 photo of Hailee, taking a little sun, in the weeks before Renny was born.  Technically he was due in 2 days -- April 17th.  But he took his sweet time as all patient good creatures do.  And even then, though I was hoping he would come on the 17th, I could tell that he was a ways off. Hailee hadn't started her bags and didn't seem too troubled.  But you can see in this photo that she is beautiful.  And she knew that she was making something very special!!!

Alone Again!

Here is a September 4, 2008 photo of Hailee on the day Renny was weaned from her.  She took the separation well.  Some times I truly deep miss that beautiful jaw and her serene look.  I am grateful that she found Paula. I am posting this entry on Hailee's birthday -- she is 12 years old today.  Love you, my beautiful American cowpony.

Breaking News! Hailee Delivers Second Foal -- A Filly! Congratulations to the Newton Family!

Here is a photo of Hailee in the days before she delivered Renny.  I am delighted to report that Paula Newton posted pictures yesterday of a brightly-colored chrome-splashed little filly with her mama, Hailee!  It's amazing!  Paula fussed over and groomed Hailee for two hours and then hand-grazed her in plush grass and not once did Hailee act like she would deliver.  And then in the middle of the night, Hailee had her baby.  I'm so glad it happened that way!  Paula said it was a big surprise and that Hailee is a wonderful mother and she couldn't be more proud of her and that the filly is a perfect doll baby and smart and fast.  Namaste to Paula, Mark, Hailee and Baby Girl!!!

A New Year!

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Here are July photos and video of Kelsey training little Renny.  I am writing this entry on November 23, 2011.  It's a beautiful Fall day.  The sun is low in a clear blue pale sky.  The neighborhood crows just alighted from a tall tree near my office window.  Thelma and Louise are eating tomatoes for an afternoon snack.  My pets are sleeping in bed.  I have a beautiful flower arrangement before me from Uncle Carlo's funeral.  And I spent a productive day balancing my checkbook, paying bills, writing thank you and condolence notes, and resting.  And I am grateful.  Grateful beyond measure.  Because a year ago today I received a letter from a good samaritan who saved Hailee from a livestock auction.  I will never forget receiving that letter and feeling so shaken to my very soul that my beautiful mare was not safe.  I was so upset that I had put Hailee in the hands of a careless coward and a cruel sadist.  But a good samaritan not only rescued her, but went the extra mile of writing me a letter and befriending me.  Hailee didn't disappear from my life and I was even able to visit her.

And even better, over this past year, I've learned so much and benefitted from friendships and family.  Lex came to my home and cared for me and my herd.  Lillian became a special Aunt to Renny and friend to me.  Lisa picked me up at the airport in Atlanta and set off my weekend adventure with good spirits and fellowship.  Paula was a kind person who befriended me, showed me her art which included a painting of Hailee, and wrote me a letter saying she'd be a friend.  My mom and dad who said that I needed to go see Hailee and make sure all was well.  Danielle and Elena who were quite happy to simply believe that the coward and sadist were just plain awful. 

I learned so much about how love is like grass -- it can break through concrete.  I'm glad the year has passed.  It took me most of this year to finally put down my anger and hurt -- I still have some white hot flashes of those emotions. But even with some of those ghost emotions lingering, I can see that my life is rich with friendships, kindnesses, and good samaritans.  And that is why I think of today as a special day to celebrate G*d's grace and Good Samaritans. 

Equine Travels with Laura! Episode 3

Equine Travels with Laura! Episode 3

Welcome to Equine Travels with Laura, our weekly Monday video cast about Laura's horse adventures.  In this weeks' episode, Laura reflects on the birth of Easy Blue Renegade and how Hailee, his dam, was such a loving solid mother!  Listen in!

June 2, 2008

My Sweet Beloved Girl

Namaste.

A Beloved Girl

Namaste.

Creative Mounting

From Bounce  by Robert J. Wicks (page 126):  'The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and the lightning bug.'

A Free Young Girl!

From the book Bounce by Robert J. Wicks, a story about Martin Buber (page 109), 'The Rabbi Zusya said a short time before his death, "In the world to come, I shall not be asked, 'Why were you not Moses?' Instead, I shall be asked, 'Why were you not Zusya?'"