My Indian Pony

WASHASHE

* "People of the Middle Waters"

or otherwise known as :" OSAGE" tribe~

The other day, I spied a feather on the path. The mare stood nicely  on our sunset ride, while I took interest in the beauty .

With certain delight, I dismounted to claim the prize!

I have always been drawn to feathers, and find myself treating finding them, as special.

I "Google'd"- "Finding a feather on your path", and discovered that there are MANY thoughts on the subject ranging from;  "you are on the right path","you posses wisdom, for you are on a higher spiritual path" (weather you accept it or not). I chuckled at reading that one.

"Finding a feather on one's path is a sign of encouragement, as you philosophically travel this path".

Also, different colors can mean very different things. 

Some liken the finding of a feather on the path you take as: " the spiritual realm telling you, that Angels are near, and ready to assist you".

I associate feathers with my OSAGE heritage. A symbol of being apart of an Indian tribe. Washashe's Dam  was registered as "Me Osage" and her stable name was "Feather". 

Indian Chiefs wore Feathers to symbolize  their communication with Spirit.

Some other explanations claimed: " You are eating too many chickens, and are turning into one!" "Finding a feather on your path means-"NOTHING!"

All I know is, I have a collection of feathers that the mare and me have happened upon, some blue, some white, black, grey and this one; white with certain black stripes! I do think it's a tail feather from a hawk.

The day  we found the feather, I was investigating a trail used recently by a large group of organised riders. The trail was  now certainly "TOAST", and I had gotten off. It became pretty dicey and hazardous to ride through , certain parts.  A large metal cable was strewn through a section and I removed it, as well as some other debris that could damage legs and pasturns . Some of the mud holes were literally- knee deep.

 I was taking the photo below, the larger version of the top shot. I cropped it above, so as to show off the feather in Wa's forelock.

I have NOT TAKEN this route for some 6 weeks or so...it was bad  enough before the large group of riders. 

As I was standing there, I thought I heard -what my brain said was - the road and a large truck coming closer. In the 30 seconds I pondered weather or not it was a truck, and the fact I didn't think I had ever heard the road from there before....I REALIZED- The loud humming was actually a "Buzzing", and it was below us, and getting really, really LOUD! 

We were so outa there...running, me on foot and the mare behind me! Though I didn't see one bee, or the mare act like she knew they were there, I THANKED God, for the sparing of us such a terrible thing, as getting attacked by a swarm!

Reading through the different "finding a feather on your path" descriptions of meaning; this definitely falls under the category for "Angels being nearby, and  ready to assist!"

WHEW***

Safely home again, my Indian Pony and me are HAPPY and SOUND!

We will be riding with our wonderful feather, in the future too!

The Best Fantasy

Always looking to see what's out there

With a title like that...some may think I will be revealing something.

Nope- That is just the Registered name for my sister's mare, aka- "Pantz". 

She is a definite Lead mare , has had several foals. The last one grew to be over 16 hands. His name is Nickers.

My sister had lost her beautiful "St. Timothy" TB she evented with. He was near 30 and she had so many wonderful memories.

St. Timothy

 It was early in 2003, she still had  the green Washashe, but had recently met up with a group that did competitive "Drill Team" riding.  Desperate to ride,  with no place to do it at the Oregon coast where she lived, she joined the drill team group. She was offered Pantz to learn the drill patterns on. Eventually ride in events. "Emerald Rein" drill team was very successful and my sister enjoyed the competition of it.

drill team 

 They traveled all over to compete and when they were close, I went and was her groom and cool out gal. Pantz Knew the drills... litterally, when the whistle blew, she'd do a flying lead change of direction!

 To this day, I have to be careful if I blow my safety whistle on the trails!

move day recently to "Two's A Team" stable

Pantz mare has a definite opinion, and if you are not her leader, shell walk all over you.

You must earn her respect gently, and sometimes over and over...but NEVER by force, or she'll distrust you. She came from an abusive cowboy dude- that beat her with a broom handle and she always is suspect, when you clean her stall. Sometimes pinning her ears. I just tell her, " no fear, I'm looking out for you", and rub her withers with my hands, if she gets that look.

 If you are anthropomorphic about horses, this mare Pantz, will most likely set you back a notch. Her last barn caregiver did not like her unfortunately. They had a run in or two that we heard about -with some expletives  sprinkled on top of the story.

 It's just NEVER nice to have to trust someone, that dislikes your horse!

  GOOD NEWS- Pantz now is somewhere that the folks do seem to appreciate her. The last several times I have gone to see her, someone -new to me- that met her said, " I sure like this mare, she's a sweetheart!" The owner also told me how much she likes her, days after she moved back in.  

*** sigh of contentment...did you hear it??

And yes, she has been here before, years ago when I boarded here as well. The owner literally MADE a spot for Pantz, due to my sister's private facility at the Oregon coast selling and there was NO-Where-else to go  at the coast. Similar to how we came to moving her again now...owner quitting and selling, No-Where else  to go acceptable for quality care. Maybe there was someplace around?? But bad business practices kept them from bothering to call us back.  We found that to be so unprofessional, at least tell us, " we do such a good job, sorry, there are no openings"!

lovely  new electronic gate with stable name

So, now she is settling. My sissy and I have ridden together a few more times, I have picked Pantz up and trailered  out to ride as well. 

She is such a great little mare. My sister says, " she 19 or 20"...for like, the past 3 years. I think that makes her about 22 or 23!

 (Find her papers sis!)

This mare will do just about anything for you...Pony a green horse across a creek for his first time....

ponying Certo

Walk or swim in a mountain lake....

Go out to sea...

Climb a mountain for the view....

Or, ride into the sunset.

One thing is for certain, this was the best $1.00 my sister ever spent! Yea, you read that right, she practically inherited the mare!

Pantz is best friends with Washashe mare, and we have boarded  them together, when possible, in the past. They love each other and have shared several great years.

Winter mares, sharing a blustery day together...

 Romping in a favorite field in the summer ...

Hanging out for a bite in the shade....

Pantz Mare, I adore you and I am so happy that your horsemom, my sister, is so generous to share you with me!

Horse love is so special, they give us all they can , allow us to see and experience nature in themselves and also from the view of being with them- in it. 

How blessed we are to have them be so accepting and giving to us...

Go hug your horsey, I know I am gonna kiss and hug mine soon, and Pantz Mare too!!!

Summer Rain

Our rides have been kissed by heavy laden branches of moisture.


The air pregnant with a rain feeling, 65 degrees with a slight breeze. 
For Oregon, the humidity foreign, breezes make it bearable. Thunder storms have riddled our area.


Dressed in short sleeves, it is comfortable. The mare in her usual attire, we both get soaked! Wet drops  from all surrounding greenery were cold at first, but then welcome, as the drenching droplets land upon ears, legs, shoulders and face. 


Happy that I chose this trail to take out to start with; as we had time to dry on the more open lands of the ride, later.


Fresh was the air, but these trails showed signs of heavy usage since the last time we rode. A herd of folks must have come upon this area, in the last 2 days. That was confirmed to me, once I returned from this slippery ride. 
Trailers in the masses, had been seen in a parking area nearby.


Somewhere else we shall choose to ride, till this moist trend ceases for a few weeks, giving the local trails time to mend and dry.
***************************************************
Pantz was welcomed back to "Two's A Team" facility recently. The move was good and she seemed to remember the place.
 Now, maybe we can settle her into a nice routine for a few years...this moving every year ( last 3) because owners selling and quitting- is for the birds!


Enjoying a romp and roll in the recently upgraded round pen, she always takes such long looks about!

L*O*V*E is - this smartly done area. 

The coarse sand is 3-5 inches deep, very easy to walk/trot in and "corralled" by a nice  boards, making it last without waste. 

Once the move day was over and Pantz got rested,

my sissy and I took the Horses for a wonderful 

"Independence Day ride".

 After all the hard work and emotional stresses, the ride truly made the difference!

All ears

Refreshed again!

Tee he he!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE Times to you and yours!!