Happy Valentine's Day: My Girl's New Life

This photo is from November 2nd, right as Hailee's life was changing.  I had asked Coy in late September to try and find a home for Hailee.  I wanted a home where her talents could be used.  So, he found a place for her in Tennessee, but I thought it had fallen through because I never heard from the gentleman.  And then suddenly on Halloween night, Coy called me and said that the man wanted Hailee and he would be calling me.  And sure enough, the next evening he called.  He is a physician who owns several farms in Tennessee and he trains, shows and breeds cutting and reining horses.  I spoke with him for a long time and he seemed like he had a loving plan for her.  She would be spending time in a herd with geldings and young horses until she had adapted to the new farm, then go into training for cutting and reining, and then eventually show and be bred.  I told him about her skittishness and he assured me that he felt that a desensitization program would help her and that she's probably no more skittish than his best performance and show mares.  And so I invested in a week's worth of crying as I prepared for her to leave.  And here's the first photo of her as these plans were crystallizing.

Me and My Girl April 6th

Here's a photo a month before Renny was born.  I was so happy and Hailee was thoughtful and ready.  She's a wonderful mare.  I am writing this entry on October 27th and I'm very happy to report that Hailee's first mom has come back into the picture.  Tracy has visited Hailee  several times at St. George and this past Sunday even rode her for a bit.  Both Coy and Tracy mounted her and I was just so proud to watch Hailee I could really tell that she was trying to very hard to be a good good girl.  She wanted everyone to be happy with her and she was so glad for the attention.  I think she's super glad that she has me, Coy and Tracy.  I am hoping that this winter and next Spring that Tracy helps Hailee feel like she has a job and purpose.  I'm proud of my Easy Jet mare.  What got me excited is that it sounds like Tracy is hoping to breed Hailee to an Dash for Cash related stallion some day.  That would be an awesome breeding project!!!

 

Again, What Can I Say? Cutie Pie!

Here's a photo taken on May 10, 2008, 8 days after this pony's birth. I remember sitting in the straw with him, and petting his beloved little rear end!

Day 8, Saturday

Handsome and Annoying

Here's my handsome little fella in August 2008, annoying his girlfriend, chewing on her halter, pushing on her face, bossing her around, and she is just eating it up with a spoon. She has the handsomest rock star boyfriend in Ohio!

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My Happy Boys

Namaste.

My Little Guy

I've been really tired lately because I am working on all fronts.  So, this morning, I stayed at home, cleaned the house, did laundry and balanced my checkbook.  And while I was doing these tasks, Arcy took it upon himself to follow me around supervising and visiting.  And my little Jackass took it upon himself to curl up in a little happy ball on some clothes I'd been wearing, in my direct view.  And Zelia took it upon herself to lay on the bed, facing me and watching me as she had her head on my own pillow.  It was a morning of domestic bliss and tranquility!  Much needed.

Renny Approaches 60 Rides

I am writing this entry on October 28th and here are photos from 2008 when Renny was getting ready to go to his inspection.  This evening I am feeling thoughtful because he has had 59 rides so far, so tonight will be a little achievement for him.  He is just so much fun to ride -- he's sweet, talented, quiet, steady.  He likes being in the arena with others.  He enjoys bringing his best to his tasks.  And he is loveable and intelligent!

Violet's and My First Show!

In October 2010, Violet and I had been separated for a week because I was in Florida visiting family at Disney World.  In the days leading up to my trip, Violet and I had such fun relaxed rides.  We rode in the outdoor arena and jumped quietly and happy.  And she was calm and sweet and satisfied as we rode deep into our corners and worked in being soft and round.  So, I was excited to see how she might be after a week off.  I got back on a Saturday and our first show was on Sunday.  Well, it was a genuine hoot to see how she reacted to the show day.  You could just see the wheels turning in her head as she tried to figure out why all the people and horses were there.  But she was perfect.  She was calm, elegant, agreeable and talented all day long!  She was soft and relaxed.  And we had lots of fun jumping in our hunter under saddle and equitation classes -- though I trotted in and let her relaxed canter out.  We ended up earning two firsts and two thirds!  I was super happy because she was just beautiful. And the judge (who I had taken lessons from earlier that summer) said that I was like a different rider -- that Violet and I had come a long way.  She and I are a great team!

My Beautiful Jackie

Here is a January 26, 2008 photo of my most lovely creature, Jackass, aka, Jacques Mamou Lagniappe!

 

Violet Checks out her New Cooler

Here is a January 2008 photo of my beautiful happy Violet, checking out her Christmas present of a new lovely purple-trimmed black fleece cooler.  Happy happy girl.  I am writing this entry on October 5, 2010 and so I can tell you that she will definitely need the cooler this winter, as she works as a hunter under saddle, learning to jump oxers and verticals and bounces and gymkhanas.  Lucky happy girl at St. George!

Sweet Hailee Thinks about Baby

The only way you can see Renny in this photo is by noticing the sparkle in his mama's eye!  What a lucky baby to have such a beautiful strong mama! January 2008 photo.

Sweet Hailee

Here is a photo of Hailee in January 2008, several months before she delivered Renny.  She had just come back to me from Kentucky earlier in November and so she and I were getting reacquainted. Look how regal and beautiful she looks.  I love this mare.

Spared

Here's a photo from the 1/11/2008 New York Times, discussing horse slaughter and the auction hose at Shipsewana.  this "loose" horse was purchased by a Michigan lady and thus was spared death.  I am glad because even in this photo, you can see the kindness and love and intelligence in that horse's eye.

 

My Baby with His Mama

Here's a photo and video from August 20, 2008 while Renny  was still a happy joyful beautiful sweet adorable kind loving trusting agreeable funny suckling.  He even still has his baby halter. I can barely stand how happy this photo makes me feel, as I write this entry on October 5, 2010, more than two years later, when Renny is now part of Team Renegade with his grams!