Dreams.....The Climb

I really like the song The Climb by Miley Cyrus!  I believe sometimes she wrote that song for me and I hope others feel that way too.  We all have a goal or a dream, or at least we should...that's what keeps us trying to do better. Of course things get tough and ouch! maybe I should give up......Let the songs keep rolling....Nickleback sings songs with lyrics about gettin' the most out of life or givin' the most......Aerosmith has some songs that can bring tears to the eye....Music has a powerful way of getting us thinking about life.........

I recently had my cards read (Tarot)  It was fun and very accurate!  I had my palm read many years ago, it was fun and also somewhat accurate.  It got me thinking about what my  dreams and goals are and the belief that anything is possible...We just need to work at it and stay focused. 

Here is an example of a goal.  I thought if I ever had a party of event around the coast I wanted to get a photo of the minis at the ocean, which is difficult because of beaches not being horse friendly.  I happened to have a party in Texas City and it was 1 block from the dike.  We dove down there after the party, but most of it was closed due to Hurricane Ike damage.  As we were looking at the water some of the people enjoying the day were asking about the horse trailer and I told them I wanted to get a photo of the minis with the ocean in the background.  They encouraged us and we unloaded and got a photo.  We didn't go to the water's edge as it was rocky.  Their hooves still haven't touched a sandy beach yet...one day! We did feel the breeze of the Gulf of Mexico and it was great.

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving was great...the food, the weather, and best of all I got to hitch a mini and drive somewhere different for a change.  We also too our mule and we each had a chance to ride as well.  John Henry the mule is a calm boy...unless you ask him to lope then you have a 50-50 chance he might buck. Henry likes to walk and trot.   That is fine with me though because the minis can be fast when we're pleasure driving and having fun! It's good to relax and have a slow ride.  There were alot of cars on the road, which is normally quiet, due to the holiday.  That actually cut our drive and rides short.  It was nice to return home and hear the horses nicker for supper.  Everyone in the herd got apples for a Thanksgiving treat.  I will be sad to see fall end as I like scarecrows and pumpkins.  Although, the gloomy weather leaves me looking forward to spring!

Roy Rogers and Trigger

My hero has always been Roy Rogers. I have even, as a pre-teen,  owned a palomino and a German shepherd just like Roy.  When I was a child I watched Roy Rogers re-runs every Sunday.  I sat  and enjoyed every episode without leaving my seat.  We all have Heros..he is mine!

A palamino has come into my life again, Bonnie Belle, named after my first welch pony.  She is a big 16 hand Saddlebred.  She hasn't been handled enough in her 18 years of life but is starting to look forward to seeing us at feeding time and gives a welcoming nicker when she sees us.  If we touch her she pins her ears but tolerant of  us.  Some days though she doesn't want to be messed with .  Bonnie is a great companion to other equine.  She has a mule buddy and a 2 year old horse. She is much bigger than they are at 12 and 13 hands respectively.  The 3 of them eat shoulder to shoulder and if her pals leave the pasture for training, grooming or riding, Miss Bonnie has a fit. Bonnie is currently working on her trust issues with humans.  She has learned to lower her head for haltering as I'm 5' tall and her head goes up about 7 or 8 feet in the air.  Bonnie is learning to back up, which has been a big challenge for her, and has lengthy sessions of the Parelli Friendly Game.

Kiwi and Destiny

We took theses 2 minis in a couple of months ago.  Destiny was so very thin when she came to us but has gained weight very nicely and has the most beautiful winter coat coming in.  I've already bought her a blanket for those freezing nights we are sure to have.  Kiwi never had a weight problem but was very afraid to come near us.  Now he seems to like a little attention and lets us pat his face and catch him easily.  Kiwi is making friends with Frodo who is a mini the same size as he is; they are both brown and a cute 28" team.

What is a mule?

What is a mule? And what does a mule look like?

A mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey!!! when you breed a (female) horse and a (male) donkey you will get a mule. A mule always look's more like it's  father so a mule look's more like a donkey  than a horse. But what is a cross between a horse and a donkey and look's more like a horse? A Hinny!!!

A hinny is also a cross between a horse and a donkey but a hinny's mother is a jenny not a horse.

What is a jenny? A jenny is a (female) donkey.  A hinny's father is a horse not a donkey so that means that a hinny look's more like a horse than a donkey.  This is my mule Henry!!!!!           

He is the best mule in the world!!!!!

Horse Boots

There are so many types of boots on the market it's a lot to think about when you start searching.  I have some new polo wraps that were given to us a year ago and they are still in the package...every time I look up information on them I find the cons out weigh the pros of using them.  Maybe they would be better served as a table runner on the nick nack shelf. I have a mini that has always unloaded the trailer (2 horse bumper pull)backing out but as she has gotten older she now clips her back leg between the stifle and the hock on the inside of her leg.  I started researching shipping boots only to realize they don't come up as high on the back legs to the spot she is nicking.  My solution... to unload her forward.  I take the back 2 pins out of the center divider and swing it to the side enough for her to turn around.  Luckily she is a mini! It took her some getting used to but it has solved the problem.  Now I should consider splint boots for the impact when she exits the trailer?!

Echo a small mule in Texas

Echo is a miniature mule.  He was born on Christmas night in 2005.  He lives today with his mother and father and is one of the few... equine that live with their parents. He's ready for winter sporting a heavy winter coat. Echo is the constant companion of SnowBelle.  When he was born he had two moms Sparkle his real mom and SnowBelle.  His mother sparkle is the oldest member of the mini herd at 21 years of age. Sparkle has a passion for acorns.  3 years ago when Echo was a yearling Sparkle choked on acorns.  This of course happened on a Saturday night when the vet office was closed, fortunately the vet was in and prepared for an emergency.  A 30 minute ride to the vet  and quick response by the veterinarian her airway was cleared....and in no time she was headed home to her very distraught little mule son.  He was so happy to  see the truck and trailer. He ran circles around the vehicle so we had to stop and unload mom.  To this day every time he hears and/or sees the truck and trailer he makes is very unique mule sound waaaaaaaah he he he he!

Pink Snow

SnowBelle is a lead mare to a herd of mini horses, a mini donkey, a mini mule, and a shetland.  SnowBelle is a party pony (mini) and goes to kids parties and helps to raise money for her herd.  She used to do this single handledly but now has members of her herd going also.  SnowBelle is always on the look out for food which has gotten her into trouble.  She foundered 2 years ago.  The first year was a long process of rest, special diet, vet and farrier visits.  SnowBelle has fully recovered and the experience has not changed her attitude about diet or exercise.  She loves to eat and do nothing.....