Time on the ground

Time on the ground, healing the mare by cold hosing, poulticing and "Mare Walking," has meant seeing my home and kitties, husband and friends and family a bit more.

While the first 2 weeks were tense, with not knowing if the mare had a bone chip in her hock ( vet's first thought), after X rays showed something odd. The images were sent to the Experts at Oregon State University Veterinary Hospital.

The vet did the battery of tests as well as the X rays, 8 days after I found the mare lame.
Flexation ( which really hurt the mare) trotting....

Wa was thrilled to move! She tried to race her handler back to us.

So the waiting begun...me being sick to my stomach at the vet saying, "Maybe surgery" was in order to remove a bone fragment. I didn't hear any of the other stuff he said...
I got the write up in the mail, days later, that described what was to happen for my mare's " layup package" of treatments.
OH! 
4-6 weeks MINIMUM- of stall rest and hand walking, cold treatments and bute if heat was present. All I heard was stall rest till we could take Xrays again in 14-21 days.
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Since treatments had already begun, right away after finding the mare in the field, unable to bear weight on her left leg. I now continued all of what I had started....
 "SORE NO MORE'S" Arnica soothing clay poultice her hock. This has has positive results, each time I have done it! I slather the soft cool clay all over firstly...

Then I add a thin layer of gause, slathering it too.

First week She had Poultice and standing wraps too, as she would not bear weight....

Now, the vet's advise is Not to use standing wraps anymore, as she is bearing weight well on her injured side. It has been It has been 2 weeks. The vet wants the swelling to be allowed to move down the leg and out. So I cold hose, then hand walk, then every third day use the "Soothing Clay Poultice" overnight on her hock. It STICKS so nicely, I only put the Soothing Poultice on now.

********************
Finally, my vet called and asked me to call him back, the Oregon State experts had the results on the radiography. I am so glad that it only took a few days!!! I drove straight away to the Vet's office...needed to look him in the eye to hear the news. I figured that since he wanted me to "call", it couldn't be all that bad of news. Sure enough, he brought the x rays up on screen and explained that the image showed what they called, " an Artifact". It is something wrong in the X ray, that is not wrong in the animal. Whew...so no surgery for now.
*************************
Week 3-
I had my Equine Therapist and Vet "Certified" Thermography expert out, to check out the hock and give her opinion too. She mentioned something that I will certainly bring up with my vet soon, before they want me to do another inconclusive set of X ray's. The fact that soft tissue damage will never show up on X rays, only ultra sound, is what I will talk about.
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Week 3 of stall resting mare with the addition of 2 mi walks on the flat roads.
After The  Thrmography apt. I was so much relieved! She has done several POST Kick images on horses. Several that had wittnesses to the kicks, from 20 minutes after to several weeks. She knows my mare did not get kicked from the heat patterns all around the soft tissues of her hock. Kicks apparently are slice/straight line looking effects, with a jaggy edge.

 We the imaging on the mare's hock dry, and unwalked firstly. Then I cold hosed her for 10 minutes and we again took images of * WHERE the heat originated firstly. Definitely it came from the inside/ Medial of her left hock. But also showed up on the top of the hock in back and below the bone on the outside next. This is what I originally imagined...something she tangled with that effected her leg all around. The ONLY floating hard surface with an opening large enough for her to tangle with is- her "Porta Grazer"- slow feeder. I love it, but have always wanted it to be fixed to a wall, so it does not become a hazard like this! Pantz has one and we have fixed it to the wall by simple eye bolt .
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Week 7 already! December 3rd, 2012
I took the mare back to my Vet's office. This time, I asked for my actual vet...so it took 2 weeks longer to see him personally. He has 2 other vets in his facility so asking for him was a matter of schedule matching. While I knew in my heart that it was not a matter of bone; that mean't ligaments and tendons and maybe bone bruising. My Vet wanted to do one more X ray, and it did render the same results. All bones are fine, but the swelling is not decreased!
So we are now attacking that with DRUGS. A Cortisone injection +  descending amounts of it, for the next 2 weeks. Bute every day till results are visual. I am to call in 5 days. He wants results that fast!

So, My quiet times continue with the mare. Cold hosing, hand walking, poulticing. 
Here are some views of what my times here and there have looked like.

November 2012 road walking, during a small stint of sunshine~

Finding some color in our world while walking about~

November shoes, instead of riding boots~

 HayTherapy, while icing the hock

City walk with my man, Late November. Our home can be seen from this vantage point~

 Games with cones, while icing with "Ice Horse Hock Wrap"~

 The mare and me while out~

My front door wreath....reminding me of my mare~

December bright walk in the woods....Therapy continues....time on the ground with my Washashe mare~


 But- that doesn't mean.... I am NOT RIDING! 
To be Cont..............................................................

Laughing it up, for a second time!

This next ride out, a few days after the first local wind storm....it was again super windy! In light of  The "Columbus Day storm" in 1962, this was nothing...but just 3 days ahead of the Calendar day, remembering it. 

The leaves were blowing down in our dry October, and they were all green still!

Wa mare again, was perfectly intent on me and listening through the windy gusts and chattering leaves all about.  I laughed at how wonderful it felt to trust her and to achieve a dream; riding my mare in any weather, having her do anything I asked. Trailssage at it's finest!

 I have adored this mare all summer and now, into fall's attempts bring winter in. She and I have truly been linked in thought and action. I know her and she knows me. 

******************************************************

I had been helping my sister move in and move in and move in the first , second and third week of October ..nothing had gone according to plan. The property manager forgot to have the house cleaned (#x^!/*!wo!) and for some reason didn't order the rug to be cleaned either. So we had her belongings stuffed into 2 rooms and some still in the horse trailer. THEN- as if that was not bad enough, the power went out upstairs! She had been living there as a minimalist...then that!

NOT due to wind did the power fail, but a short somewhere. So we could not arrange furniture and paint, we had to clean and start the fence outside, for her dogs. But at least the weather was WONDERFUL! Sunny, warm not a drop of rain in sight, though we had gotten the word, by the weekend it would be here, in some measure.

I did most the cleaning...a 12 hour day of it. It was terribly disgusting! The owner was disgusted too...he did finally have someone come to clean last minute, and they did not a D---- thing, but steal our supplies! He stopped by after I txt'd my sissy to tell her nothing had been done- affectingly putting off our paint and decorating AGAIN!

And seeing how gross the place truly was, the owner did arrange to get the carpets cleaned. I told him, " I wouldn't even walk in that house with socks!"  It was an ALL DAY into NIGHT process, for him thinking they were not soiled.

While we moved some things into the house last month, I caught a glimpse of -what could be, in my eye! My sister said okay, go ahead... 

BEFORE

She found this sturdy old dresser at the dump years ago, and to her son's dismay and horror, as she asked him to help her save it from the pile. Some drawers broken, now duct taped. No knobs the same...5 coats of odd paint.

AFTER*

A "Re purposed" piece!

A kitchen island!

Black granite topper, "Devine"Toucan paint, like her walls. Black metal knobs and inside, I put Faux black leather liners!

We love it! 

***************************************************

So..that is pretty much how OCTOBER went......BUT....

Wa had a mystery accident and injury.

I showed up  early on a day I normally can not, due to my work schedule, and found my mare injured. I found her standing out in the field, her turnout buddy was being ridden inside the stables arena. I walked up and said her name...she suddenly neighed to me as she began to hobble towards me...SHOCK and horror at seeing her barely putting her left hind down and the size of her hock!

Being the detective always...I looked her over and over. No blood, no scrapes, no anything, including mud! Not even on her hooves barely a speck of mud from the very muddy field. This instantly had me thinking, she got this injury inside her stall, since there was fresh shavings on the right side still ( her favored side to lay in the stall) upon her turnout blanket.

I took her into the stables and checked her over more and began to cold hose her swollen and rock hard, left hock. There was a minimal amount of heat, only in the inside region of the hock. Hoof cool, lower leg cool. I gave her 2 grams of Bute, some Arnica, Rescue Remedy. 

OH!!

So...2 weeks have gone by quickly with me nursing the mare. It is November already! While those on the East Coast battle with Mother nature and "Sandy" storm, I am praying for them as I hand walk daily...praying for recovery for the mare and for the millions.

...to be Cont.

Laughing in the wind!

Fresh in from the field, Washashe's tail was statically charged! 

A Big batch of Breeze hit the PNW...I am calling it "A Big Breeze " simply because it is still warm and in the upper 70's. Even the high winds are warm.

 My  favorite station "All Classical 89.9"  is having a difficult time raising the $ for the non profit operating budget this week -due to everyone is OUTSIDE and not in, listening to the radio, 'cause it is still August like!

 Driving along to go see the mare on the day the above photo was taken, and  I was  pretty excited to ride and get out into this fabulous Autumn we are having. It has been 75 and lovely. Yes it is a drought, and leaves are shriveling up verses turning color, the ground  parched, fires have now sprung up in forests of Oregon- and in the city too! 

Only .25 of an inch of rain since July.

There is nothing I can do about all that; aside from enjoy the sunny, warm and bright days and not have a  fire in the Fire pit.

On this day, I was warned before I had left my house by another boarder, that the winds were fierce and to be careful if I chose to venture out riding. Having missed seeing WaWa for 2 days, I refused in my mind to worry about the winds. Suddenly as I turned a corner, there were flashing lights and a vehicle blocking the road., very abruptly stopping me.  I could see why too! A huge fir tree had fallen across the roadway. I turned around and went a few miles out of the way to the stables. I tried to warn my stablemate, but she was at the tree from the other direction already.

Once at the stable,  I walked in to see another boarder in the arena with her spooked horse. She told  me, "she was NOT EVEN going to ride outside, or in, for that matter!

 I thought, "humm, I wonder about today"...but persisted in my plans to ride out.  The mare was in a fitful state, all trotting up and down her run and whinnying. She was not too keen on grooming and kept looking behind herself. I was patient, though she was a bit nutty. I enjoy the process, even when it can be dicey, it's all my mare and I just work it out with her by addressing her with kindness.

 She clearly was reacting to the surroundings - BUT -the one thing she was also reacting to was my SHOCKING touch...I noticed quickly, that every brush motion was making the dirt fly back onto the section I just brushed it off! AND- I was shocking us! Once my mare hopped up, as I touched and shocked her jaw..so I had to employ the only solution I could come up with.... Conditioning spray, like each time I brushed!

 Another boarder showed up after awhile, and tacked up in record time, headed out with her Orange hunter ("see me") attire. She quickly came back too, saying, " It was really scary , I heard the trees knocking together and stuff was falling all around". 

So, with that, we headed out to ride, but, I decided to walk the mare for the first 1/2 mile before mounting!

I.C.E. dog tags below

I had gotten an important package in the mail from a former boarder, she does engraving and tags, for all sorts of things. I have really wanted to have identification on myself, and on the mare, in case of separation

( I am dislodged)  or injury. This gal made me the" I.C.E. tags"( in case of emergency) that I attached to my mare's saddle, and these above go around my neck and under my clothing.

  Ever since a  friend  I was riding with was bucked off and injured badly a few years ago, I have wanted to make sure; if I were in the same situation,  my pertinent Information would be available so

*** ANYONE could call the right people, and also know what medical information was needed for me and my mare. I had such a stressful time trying to figure out how to use my friends phone, in the heat of the moment when I thought she was dead, that I planned on getting this info made for myself and my mare.

I was thinking and hoping that it was not Symbolic that-TODAY- windy, windy as it was, would  be a day that the tags were put to use!

Reverse side is her boarding info and my sister's number as well, if I am unreachable.

Washashe mare was unaffected by the winds, as we walked along. We both watched some yellow leaves float curiously above our heads . They dangled and danced as if birds, above us. It made me laugh as the leaves seemingly played! It was wonderfully warm, though windy.

I choose a nice big stump to get aboard my mare and off we went...these feathers on Wa's bridle, I found in past weeks rides, began to dance and flutter too.

I was amazed, truly, that Wa was so calm and  this made me laugh out loud too! We were able to practice our "Trailssage" moves. We did serpentine's with me practicing keeping my hands still,  but in front of me, creating a wall rein that asked her to turn, as my torso and hips did too, with corresponding leg position to guide her. I have begun to divert my mare's attention this way, as often she focuses on  turning  homeward when approaching a trail intersection. If she becomes rushy I instead of a soft serpentine, choose a straight line to a destination and a carousel turn, once we reach it. It has been wonderful to have her listen to me and she does seem to enjoy the conversation.
This day at our intersections, she was soft and responsive which made me laugh with a gleeful happiness. Who'd have thought such a windy day, would render such positive responses??

We came up a tree'd lane that was entirely covered with fir needles. It was so neat. I was hoping that this one area I chose to ride through, in the thicket of large evergreens, would hold fast to their limbs in the fierce winds! The needles made sounds like crunching snow, as we walked into the mottled  looking trail.

Aside from that covered area, we stayed to the open. We practiced canter departs and I was so happy that we are in sync now with my new body stance. My hips are much looser and this day, along a straight long road, I asked for canter departs from halt and from the walk. The mare took the aides well and we did right lead for 4 strides then a trot , then left lead for 4 strides then trot. I was again laughing in the wind...as it was not effecting us in the least!
We went  riding further after our canter to cool down. At the walk I asked for some little jaw flexations. Left eyelash, then right eyelash. I noticed something that has not happened in some time, largely due to my former stance of blocking her. She had white lipstick not only on the left...but on the RIGHT this time! Nice.

We headed back after some more trotting and giggling coming out of me....this windy stuff ain't so bad. I do think if it were cold- that it may be a different story altogether. But for this forcibly windy day, the mare and me seemed to be enjoying the unique nature of it; the warmth, being out together in a totally absorbing wind storm, taking action decisively.

Laughing  (snorting blissfully for the mare) in the wind was fantastic, just what we both needed!

A "Good Trade"

Sunset Riding  Sept. 2012

As we bid Summer goodbye, we welcome Autumn and it's "good trade" like-ability! 

That "Good Trade"  line and statement is from a favorite movie of ours..."Dances with Wolves". We traded June, for this fabulous September! I am loving it since my August whirred by, like a naughty pony in a big field, not wanting to be caught.

I wanted to share some GREAT news after all that ick stuff. 
My man got a new job this summer! He wanted to get out of the difficult Nurse's Aide job at our local hospital, and applied for another type of job.
 He went away for nearly 3 weeks in July, doing his other Army
 (Musical) Job. He got the call  from the downstairs Dept. of "Physical Therapy" ,  while away: "We'd like to offer you the Position of "P.T. Aide".   WOW!! Our life has changed for the better. He has a normal hours- job! I see my husband, and we do things together, in the daylight and on weekends! 
So ,we are now doing things in our garden yard, having family over and we even went camping, in Late August!

                                                      Mountain view from Lake Timothy, Oregon

This is Freyda's garden bed. She is greatly missed, but now has motivated us to start, and hopefully finish, the side yard garden. 

Freyda's place 12/25 2011

This will be a raised vegetable and herb/fruit garden. She has a lovely Rosemary bush, my sissy got for us,  to plant over her. And we have a memorial stone with her name inscribed, that my neighbor got for her too. 

This fabulous September we are having plenty of time to work outside in the garden and- I have had plenty of time to practice our arena work and then, take it outside to the trail in 'Trailssage". 

My sister caught me doing something that was blocking my mare's right track work. I have a right hip problem and recently got an adjustment and massage work done. I am almost inflexible on the right, and it impedes my aides. She had me point my left knee to the ground which brought my left leg back. AND... it totally felt strange but, as she walked behind me she said, "NOW you are even and are balanced!" My mare responded immediately, and we have had some great, calm and forward  arena sessions! Can't wait to share more on those soon.

So, that is but a taste of the neat-o-happenings of late...off to help sissy move more!
 I leave you with a nice evening's glimpse of my man and his cat recently~

Thanks for all your wonderful words of encouragement my friends! I hope to visit more, at your places soon~

End of the Count Down

Today is that!

I know I have been missing in action here for a month. 
Though***I have been sighted with my mare out and about at the river, galloping along a farmers field, on the mountain, near some ponds, and a few nights horse camping, near a lake.
 Mostly though, day and night, at this Farmhouse above. 

My newly retired sister got word from her BO that their local Hay Man had a house for rent. She called, she and I looked, then she said, "I'll take it!"
 Ever since then, my life has been full of "TSP" and  "Devine" paint!
In fact, I am on the way now for more paint, lunch, to the bank, to another store and on out to Pantz mare, and the Farmhouse. 
I love calling it the "Farmhouse". That is what it is, and it so happens to be just a quarter mile, less than 120 seconds away- from her horse!

This week is the week we have counted down to...moving her, and setting up Farmhouse!

Dandi times pt 2

Now these times I tell you of below, are the " NOT-so-dandy" times as shared previously. Though the worst is over, and all involved can look up, and move forward.
                                               ***

 When things go south, I take cues in stress management  from our 2 lovely rescue kitties. They also shared some neat confidence booster tips, seen below, while taking in the summer's finest times~

Martina McBride, aka "Mari", shares her favorite secret and remedy to a stressful day (or week) by example.
 It works too, I have personally tried the beauty sleep/stress management method... outside, during the day!

Wild tiger cat, GloryB, has an altogether different example to share. 

 While the climbing of the tree comes naturally, and is surely fun,

her tip encourages "Personal Growth". Growth comes challenging yourself to reach NEW HEIGHTS ~ 

They afford one a certain self confidence and a whole new perspective. There usually is risk involved, but having someone around you trust, solves that.

These methods, shared by our kitties came in handy ....

_______________________________________________________________________

The  beginning few weeks of August were horrendous for shocking accidents, people at their worst, and horse health problems. Having made it a month away from it all...I am breathing/sleeping better and calming down. 

Thanks Mari, for this "how to handle the HEAT" tip! 

Yea...we joined most of the country in heat, during the trying times I will share now.

***

Standing at work and finishing up a client I got a cell call, from one of Pantz's caregivers. Pantz apparently was not able to breath well. We had been noticing a cough of sorts, after the winter being in a stall at her last boarding place. Though the stall door was never shut, and she had a large pea gravel paddock to roll and walk in, she stayed in her stall. 

We were not at all happy with the last barn's moldy and dusty atmosphere from the start. But choices to board Pantz have been limited by time restraints and availability. Every time we went to the last barn, we  cleaned the dusty fines out of her hay feeder, off the floors, and also swept out the stall.  DUST, DIRT  were everywhere. Leaving it, caused it to become moldy, during the wintertime.
It makes me love my stable all the more...my PBO's make sure it is SUPER CLEAN!

Now that we had to move Pantz again, unfortunately, the changes did not change the conditions she lived in. In fact, she has less space to be out than before. Her cough came back and with the onset of  HIGH HEAT- it tipped her off the edge of allergies. 
Before my sissy and I moved her into this familiar setting. We cleaned and cleaned. I was sick for a week after, and my sister was really sick, with respiratory ailments, for 2 weeks after. ( that was our warning signs)
Standing in the stall, though the door was open, gave her relief from flies, but she was inhaling molds, saw dust and Ammonia.


   Pantz with flaring nostrils, gathering vital air, though standing still.

She basically has the horsey version of C.O.P.D. Formerly called "heaves" and now I am told, by our vet, is called" R.A.O." Recurrent Airway Obstruction. She was feeling terrible and it stressed both my sissy and me out, till we could take her to the vets office. 
They gave her almost instant relief, once they found out she was not having any kind of infection. She gets what people get,  steroids and antihistamines.
24 hours was amazing relief for her. No longer did she have to breath through a straw. That sound was terrible!!
The vet told us, that is what she was having to do, since horses do not use their mouth, like we can, to receive air.

So the next day my sister and I stripped the mats from the stall to find concrete. There were cement like sawdust ridges under the mats. They become wet with urine and never dried out or got cleaned. Since the stall is not level, it pooled. 
We power washed it all out, Vinegar sprayed the mats  off and allowed them to dry in the sun. We decided never to use the stall pellets again. They are treated wood and become like dust. I always stuff up when I clean the stall, and that was what Pantz was laying her head down on, when she rested.
She now has no bedding,  just mats. She has begun to "P" outside and that is what we wanted. Whew! Now, I had to help sissy medicate the mare, twice a day, for 3 weeks. * sigh*


That crisis was afoot while another, unknowingly brewed. The day after I got the call about Pantz, I again was standing at work with clients, when my cell phone rang. I had no clue to who it was, it was an "unknown"  number. So, I opted to wait till my current client was done before I retrieved the V.M. 
When I did.....
   I listened to a horrific message, It was from someone I did not know personally, but someone I did know well, had them call me. 

There had apparently been a terrible horse accident involving a personal friend, and my former boarding PBO. The person that called me was told " I was probably the only one who KNEW EXACTLY where they were"- in the high mountain woods of Colton , Oregon. 
This gal calling me did not know where she was, and couldn't even find her way back to the road, to help paramedics get to my  badly hurt girlfriend.  

NOW*** this may offend some, but I must say*** I am NOT  personalty a fan of the new fangled " Paso Fino's". They are so  narrow in the chest , seemingly are unable to navigate themselves, with uneven terrains.  I have met several, and all have fallen with rider- on the high country trails we ride. 
This was the case here as well. This pony, praise God it was that, all of 700 lbs, would not cross a creek and backed up a steep, uneven trail. It lost it's balance and fell backwards. 

I was so shocked, while I stood at work, knowing my girlfriend was seriously hurt and no one knew where she was..I called my 5 remaining clients to cancel. 
I knew I had to go help her!
 I also called her husband before leaving the salon. He did not know anything was up yet. I told him where to go looking for them and also, I told him I'd come along soon, to help.

I called en route, while I drove the 25 miles to the accident location. This drive was familiar, as I used to board with these friends 2 years ago. I was told that it probably was not necessary  for me to come out, since there were some 20 odd emergency response personal,  on scene .
BUT, I just had that strong feeling, I should follow through. God had me go, I know now.

My girlfriend ( you see her  leg), tree gravity I.V. liquids above her. Colton, Molalla, Life flight  professionals, along with local volunteer teams with her.

The scene above is after I ran -as hard as I could -for a half mile to take Paramedics to my girlfriend. No one knew how to get to her. The woman that was with her got lost coming out of the woods, and then proceeded to get the emergency help lost on the way back as well. Bless her heart, she was just lost and in shock. 

Once I arrived and saw all the emergency people, I tried to tell them I knew where she was and they couldn't grasp that. I had my hand up in the air, as a grade school-er- that knows the answer. But they did not heed me.... So I just set out for my girlfriend.

I made sure to set my GPS "Cardiotrainer" phone app. , as I left the road to the high trail where I knew my friend was. The "Lifeflight" Helicopter was circling above as I ran. I got there finally, very much out of breath. The first responders had just gotten there, as well. It had taken them an hour to find her, with "the- long-way- there-trail", the lost gal had taken them on.  They were shocked at seeing me and said, "WHERE DID YOU COME FROM AND HOW LONG IS THE TRAIL?"

 I simply handed them my phone....

They were able to "Ping" from it, the location. Then,  they decided to NOT use the Army National Guard Helicopter-

to lift my friend out of the woods. They thought it was going to be 2 miles up or the 2 miles it had taken them to get to her. 

They opted for the "Life Flight" Helicopter, just feet away from the Army National Guard Copter.

I am so glad I went!! 

It was a 1/2 mile out to the road, the way I came!

My friend sustained 

* 9 broken ribs

* a punctured lung

* a crushed # 2 lumbar vertebrae

Her  Lf Femur had apparently come out of the socket as well...but was not broken as they thought!

She was able to come home last week finally, after successful back surgery and general stabaization.

Now taking cues from my mare and Kitty...

I am going to be like calm, cool and blend in with the scenery.

Washashe keeps and eye out always, then chills during the breaks of our rides, for a nice munch and rest before we ride on homeward again.

There have been so many wonderful events in our lives  more recently, that the shocking and difficult, ere now, are all but faded...onto the next I say!! 

Lord knows that He has all my times in His hands, and I do rest in Him, knowing everything is useful for my personal growth and also, for my worth/use in society. Nothing is by chance ( I believe) if you look inward firstly, then outwardly. I only can do either -by God's certain to highlight the truth- filter. 

Dandi Riding pt 1

Dandelion, that is!

The trails have been in full bloom and brilliant for colorful riding times. Too bad they are mostly weeds, not good for equine consumption, or to be too near your nice fields. But for photos and such, they are brilliant.

July just flew past...whoosh! And now that it is August, seems things are still in go-go mode. 

My sissy and I have been able to go out for some very nice rides together. Some local and also- TO THE MOUNTAIN!

Mount Hood National Forest is such a diverse destination. Sandy footing mostly, though smooth dirt paths can be found as well. There are rivers to cross, lakes to swim in... and then, there is the P.C.T.- Pacific Crest Trail that runs through so many of the places we ride.

I adore where I live and what it offers for Horseman's delight!

My sister is now officially "RETIRED". 

 She sure has done a great many things in her working career;  Lineman for the Railroad in California, Professional leather worker/ seamstress for a number of local businesses in Portland, including "Portland Leather Co."

Polo Pony trainer / exerciser and driver of many long haul trips of various horse groups. She galloped Track TB's, back in the day before she was repelled by the whole thing!

She was also Jumping and Dressage coach, with a flourishing and devoted group of clients throughout the years. 

Her last 2 jobs were through the police; 14 years managing the stables for "Portland Mounted Police", training the horses and coaching the policemen and women along to bond and learn about their specific horse partner. She was one of 2 trainers that would prepare the horses for street duties.

my sister in white

She  spearheaded and developed a conscientious feeding program for them that cut -substantially-the rate of colic to the horses. Having done extensive research of the horses digestive processes and she is a  professional, when it comes to the facts of feeding, as well as handling and training. 

Yea, I kinda adore her and many other folks do too. She is someone too rely upon for any kind of care of the horse, never " lording it over you" that she knows her facts and rarely is wrong. She does  assess the bottom line issues concerning a horse's well being and soundness of mind and body. She's worked with some of the best teachers/trainers of the previous, and our current generation.  Good Horse Sense and beyond, she is my mainstay go to gal. It will be nice to have her in town in future, to help with things.

Her last employment was also Police related and was most difficult. She raised her son alone, with it's good wage, but the price of life given to it= was high. I am so happy she no longer has to be a Corrections Deputy! 

So now.....she is scouting the area for housing and employment in the surrounds of Portland. Her mother, son, sister(me) and horse are here. 

She'd love to manage a nice stable or be  in retail of organic foods. I am keeping my eyes and ears peeled  for her, as well as for a nice country place to reside.

Looking ahead and all around, we are now!

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!