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.