Mini Happy Trail's

Echo's Field Trip

2012-01-06T15:23:00.000-06:00

The most important thing we do in the summer is a paint the minis activity at the special needs camp. Right in the middle of Summer the horses caught a cold, not quite half the herd, but more sick horses at one time than we'd ever had before. Since we usually have none, this was frustrating for me and I had to get to the bottom of it. The vet wasn't too concerned and said the virus would run it's course in about 10 days. We were grounded and all activity had to cease for 10 days. We missed a volunteer week and the next week not all the minis that participate were well enough to go so we enlisted in our healthy donkeys who were never affected by the virus and with one spot left we filled it with our mascot Echo, the smallest (and now fatest) mule in Texas. Echo has been known to be honory and never worked out going to parties and events like some of his pals, but we needed him. He was placed under the supervision of his daddy Tibideaux the whole day. He did very well and stayed patiently tied to the trailer like his dad. He was even good about being hosed off after he was painted. Echo doens't mind these things normally anyway, but it is usually on his time schedule not ours. OK he's spoiled, extremely, not only by us but the other minis and donkeys too.

Echo's field trip started out with a good brushing and an hour ride to the camp. He then ate hay and waited for his turn to be painted. The whole day went well and he was such a trooper to fill in for the mini horses!

When a Horse Chokes!

2011-07-18T14:25:00.000-05:00

The scariest thing I have encountered in horse ownership is a choking horse. I have been through colic, parasites, cuts and stitches, seizure, moonblindness illness, but next to a life threatening disease, Choke is the one that springs you into action. The horse will have mucous and salivia, coming out the mouth and nose, they may thrash or just get up and down, Their ears may twitch from the discomfort every time they try to swallow. Horses don't throw up or burp and what goes in must go through to come out. They are also nosy and touch things with their lips always looking for a morsel of food. So one track minded the horse. They can't even seen their mouth to know what they are putting in therir body. Once they have been given treats, they will always be checking things out just in case their is some declicious tidbit just for them around every corner or every knook and cranny. I've had only two horses choke and they are both minis.

Sparkle our oldes mini at 23 years had choked twice, both times we know the cause. Once was on acorns, which is her favorite thing to eat in the fall. The next time she bolted her food. Now she gets her food soaked and we keep her contained in the fall as acorns are not suppose to be good for horses due to the toxins they contain. Sparkle doesn't agree and she will still compete with the squirrels for acorns every fall.

Mariah sharing hay with her best pal Dreamer

Mariah is next oldest at 21 years. She has choked twice,both times we have no idea what the cause was. Her teeth were blamed both times. She has also suffered colic multiple times and her teeth determined as the cuase. Mariah was born with split molars in the back of her mouth and that has caused her many problems. finally last year on set became loose enough for the vet to pull them out. She still has the other side to go. Maybe when she has her teeth worked on this year. Mariah is called the cookie monster around her because she will gladly take anything out of your hands and gobble it up, so you have to be careful wht is in your hands around Mariah. She has to have her molar cleaned out when she eats fresh grass or alfalfa. She chews dry hay the best and loves her mush of senior feed.

Around the Farm

2011-05-02T00:33:00.000-05:00

We did it, bought some property. We've been clearing brush and picking up trash, getting things ready for the horses. The addition of 5 acres is such a blessing. We have all been coming together as a family; humans and horses to raise the funds to develope the land. Our first goal was a survey which is done. We are going to have the water put in. Oh, a fence first, we have had trespassers. The fence posts and gates are in. Now the draining and the excavation of the pond so it will once again be beautiful. The site has been chosen for the barn, right in the middle of the most treed and grown over part of the property. A good high and dry location with protection from the elements and privacy. An arena is in our future. There is a mama coyote living behind the property. I'm grateful for the donkey that guards the mares. Last night we saw the biggest tree frog, about 8 inches long and 5 inches wide, huge. Draining the pond and clearing brush has caused alot of snake activity as well as other creatures as I witnessed when I saw the frog. The only fish we have found so far was a large alligator gar. A few mailboxes and tires have been found in the pond also. I'm still hoping for catfish. The port a potty is in place which I was grateful for. The property used to be the community park, for 30 years. It has been neglected for more than 10 years. Each week it looks better than it did the week before. It will be awhile before I can set a date to move horses but we have the property and the right day will surely come. This 5 acres is the beginning of a dream that started many years ago.

John Henry Magee IV

2011-05-01T23:56:00.002-05:00

He's a little older now. Henry is always faithfully waiting at the front door for me whenever I return. He's quiet most of the time, When we take him somewhere with other equine (mostly horses, we don't know any other mule people) he must always bray/nicker his own unique sound, I don't get to here that sound often enough. The kids ride him everyday. He is very headstrong, literally and will pull the reins right out of your hand if your not ready for it. Not a better mount for the kids exists. He would protect them, teaches them, and is very aware of where his people are. Henry is losing his eyesight and he has a little more grey than last year. I've already decided that when Henry has his final days, he will get a Big Mac and a Chocolate Shake plus all the alfalfa he wants,soaked of course! My friend John Henry, if only I would have known him his whole life. I worry now that his sight is going, he doesn't have a specific buddy. He has been with every equine on the place,he gets to go where he pleases, but not one friend does he seem to have that hangs out with just Henry. John Henry likes all he meets, even if they don't like him. We have to talk to him now when we are behind him,as he is always ready to get out of the way or kick out at one of those minis that are always picking on him. Even though they are a group of mostly seniors, they still move pretty quick and feel they should boss Henry around. I have added the younger donkeys to the group hoping he would pick a pal amongst them but he seems to stay with each of them equally. Maybe that's it, he has many pairs of extra eyes. My mare Mariah has had vision problems for a while and she stays with her best pal Dreamer most of the time. Henry hangs out with whoever is doing what he would like to be at the time. I couldn't take enough pictures of my beautiful mule, who was once unwanted and definitely not appreciated! I am honored to know him and look forward to many more years together. If the kids let me I hope to still get in a few more trailrides with my favorite pal before he peacefully retires, as is Henry's style, peaceful.

Parade with 4-H
I will never know why silly horses spook at Henry,
he is only 12.3 hands tall and is very docile.

Little Girl's Dream

2011-03-06T08:46:00.000-06:00

We went to a party this weekend and the cutest little girl ever loved the "pink pony". She wanted me to take her and the pony to the store so she could buy her carrots. "I wish I could." I replied. The little girl wanted to pet her and ride in the carriage over and over. That is the best compliment. she asked if the pink pony could live with her and I explained we were there only for a short visit. I would miss the pink pony terribly if she didn't come home with me. I told her that the pony could be hers in her Dreams. She said she would sleep and dream the pony was hers.

My Beautiful SnowBelle

I imagined as I walked that she woke up and her dream had come true. There was that pony in the backyard next to the bounce house and party decorations strewn about. she raced down the stairs to touch the pony and see if it was real, oh it was! I must feed her the little girl thought. Oatmeal and apples! We'll have breakfast together. In the warmth of the sunshine of a new day they shared a meal. A good brushing was next. The pony has such soft hair. It just glistened with every stroke of the brush. Then she heard her mother calling but didn't want this moment to ever end, so she kept quietly petting and brushing the pony. Then she heard her mother calling louder and now she was being shook. As her eyes blinked she looked up at the ceiling above her bed and then at her mother. She jumped out of bed and raced to the window, looked down at the backyard only to see the bounce house deflated and no pink pony. It was only a dream but it seemed so real. The pony really was hers in her Dreams! Now she looked forward to bedtime every night to the pony that could be pink, purple, or just white.

Dream Boat

2011-02-28T00:45:00.003-06:00

Dreamer and Mariah in the trailer

Dreamer is the sweetest horse I have known! He is inseparable with his friend Mariah. He loves treats and attention. Always looking at me with a questioning face. He is my Hollywood. It is very rare that Dreamer is seen dirty. Always a gentleman, lowers his head for babies to touch. Loves to lick hands. Such the charmer, has stopped parades while children pet him..

Mariah has been his companion for 4 years and they are never far apart. He is her eyes as she has moon blindness. They spend every afternoon napping together between the pastures where the breeze is the best. He is very rarely challenged for herd position as he runs his own special herd of mares mostly seniors and those that has been most neglected

Maraih following the cart

when they came in to our life. Destiny weighed 80# on a weight tape when she came to live with us. She should have weighed 150#. The other lead gelding who has a wild nature tried to kill her and tore through fences to get to her. Soon she put on weight and joined the herd and became strong enough to find her place in the pecking order. Destiny found her place in Dreamer's herd. She has mellowed in the last year we have had her and she is no longer in recovery. She follows his lead mare Sparkle who is 21 years old. Destiny is 5 years old so she has bonded with Sparkle as her adoptive mother. Never too far from this quiet gentle group. Dreamer has been a carriage horse for about 11 years and can also give saddle rides to toddlers. We visit handicapped facilities and nursing homes and they even let him come in the building.

Dreamer was the first mini to bolt on me in harness. I bounced out of the cart when he got scared of a pit bull in a fenced yard. Horses don't reason and they react lightning fast. My daughter who was 5 at the time was still in the cart so I couldn't let go. He drug me several hundred feet down the street when I finally got my arm around his chest and pleaded Whoa. I was scraped and bruised but otherwise OK. Dreamer to this day is still very afraid of large dogs. He must have had an experience before I owned him. He is small and there are definitely dogs bigger than him and we have seen some together. He is still the most wonderful mini to drive with his elegant movement and pleasant attitude. Six months after I bought him his previous owner asked if she could buy him back and regretted his sale. I couldn't part with Dreamer ever, and he will live out his life with me and his best girl Mariah.

Dreamer

Country Pony

2011-02-20T10:48:00.001-06:00

We had the opportunity to go trailriding on some new trails. A drive through the city and we end up at a park that has equestrain trails. It was so peaceful and was a setting right out of the 1800's....to look across the wooded field my thoughts wandered to the pioneers that may have settled in this place at one time and those that may have fought and lived or died here during the civil war. Maybe this place has always looked like this and no-one has ever appreciated the serenity that lies here with the hustle and bustle of progress only moments away. I forgot my reins so I constructed some Hillbilly reins out of rope I found in the toolbox. One may have done something similar long ago? Hmmm

For the horses this was something we don't get to do often enough, enjoy adventures together,human and horse as one looking upon this land for the first time. For most people looking at a place for the first time is usually done out of a windshield. Looking at something new from the back of a horse (or behind one) is so different. There's no back ground music. The sound is of insects and the chirping of an occasional bird. The sound is of the wind as it blows through the trees. I look at the hoofprints, no tire tracks, no human footprints, only hoofprints.

Hoofprints in the Sand

Little Prince was the smallest horse on the trailride at 10.2 hands (not counting the minis). He didn't know it and kept up with the big guys, climbing up steep hills, walking (and galloping) through the shallow creek. Sliding down the embankment. I think he ended the ride with a smile and a kind of tiredness he has not known. Like when we exercise and feel exhausted but exhiliarated at the same time. The trails boasted a time from long ago when people rode with a purpose. To get their mail or supplies. To get frompoint A to point B.

Now we just ride to capture that feeling for a short time. Where are those endless trails?

City Pony

2011-02-20T10:19:00.000-06:00

What a lucky girl...rides her pony (just to the trailer) on a pony in an upper class neighborhood. Little Prince is such a great guy! The weather was perfect,not too hot, cool breeze, the street so quiet almost as if these large houses were vacant. The party was so large that we had to park a block away and by the time we were leaving there were just a few cars left on this quiet street. Staight ahead was a beautilful pond that just added to the serenity of the surroundings. All that was missing was a pony until this moment which was only to last a few minutes. Little Prince goes places that no pony has ever been before and sometimes will never be again. Watching my daughter ride Prince to the trailer while I was leading the minis, I remembered my youth and riding all over the county. So, many kids these days tell me how much they wish they had a pony. Most will never get the opportunity and some will be fortunate enough to take riding lessons to be around horses. The larger percentage will ride Big Horses only the lucky few getting to enjoy the smaller ponies.

My first horse was actually a welsch pony named Bonnie Belle, a smart red roan pony standing 11.2 hands tall. She taught me more about living with a pony than I will probably ever learn from another pony in my lifetime. Maybe it was because she was my first or maybe it was our special connection. I remember her now in my dreams and my thoughts and have probably said her name a trillion times since we parted. I had a step dad that thought it was time for me to move up to a larger pony and sell my beloved friend. This was the saddest moment I have ever known and horses were never quite the same to me. I was not old enough to speak my mind about the situation and still to this day will never understand why I had to part ways with my best friend, my pony, Bonnie Belle.

All the kids that say to me I wish I had a pony, how many would actually stick with it and enjoy a relationship with a pony that could last 30+ years? How many people actually do that with their horses? So many of the equine that live with us have had multiple owners. Some not even given a chance to get used to their new surroundings only to be wisked away to a new location. Equine can form lasting friendships that can last up to 40 years.

I watched Little Prince walk so carefully and slowly such a gentleman. My daughter with the biggest smile ever. My thoughts went to all the city girls that may look out their windows and dream they are riding a pony down their street. Breeze blowing their manes, warm sun on their faces, and smile so big they almost hurt. I wish I could capture all the fun rides and adventures I had with my pony and share it with kids today. Some would be content with just one ride, others would realize their dreams and that dreams can be possible....so never stop dreaming because they might come true even if for a little while!

Accidental Lena AKA Fanci Bar O' Lena

2011-02-06T19:30:00.000-06:00

What a Sunday, woke up a little late, hoping it was warm for a change, which it was. Not long after we started feeding, my son comes running up and says part of Lena's cheek is hanging off. We ran back to the pasture and sure enough she had a serious wound on her face. Our immediate plan of action began, my mind was groggy only moments ago, but now it raced with thoughts.

Lena came to us with a scar on her side from an injury that definitely had stitch marks. She also had a large growth on her elbow. We had the growth removed and biopsied, no cancer, whew! Lena loves the sun, not a lazy shade dweller, she is always playing and basking in the sun. So, to prevent future growths on her pink skinned body, sunscreen is in her daily routine when needed. Lena always smells like she's going to the beach or pool. Thank goodness for Lena's sake they carry spray sunscreen with a 70 spf and it's waterproof, her next favorite thing to do.

Fanci Lena spent most of the day Saturday playing with the donkey guardians, a standard and mini Jack, that are to be gelded this spring. The kids remember late in the evening seeing Everette the mini palying rough with Lena and somewhat hanging on her face?! HMMMM. Neither of them are talking, but $300 later Lena is not phased by the incident and Everette spent the day in his pen. Lena had torn muscle which took an internal stitch and the outside flap of skin matched up perfectly, Staples all the way around finished off the Doc's good work. Several injections for, tetanus, an antibiotic, and bute sent her home feeling pretty good. She felt good enough in fact that she was playing with Paco the standard Donkey. Lena was put in her own pen for the night and Paco sleeps with Everette. Alls well that ends Well......

Lena's Home

Clover

2011-01-19T23:41:00.002-06:00

Clover is a POA. She came to us as a kid pony, but a kid pony she is not yet. Trust issues are certainly her biggest problem. After a long turnout and time to get used to the routine and our smiling faces she is finally coming around. She was willingly caught and moved to the training pasture with the donkeys, they are sweet and calm which spills over to their herd mates. She still longs to be back with the mares doing as she pleases but it's time for some education. Clover from the best I can figure went through 2 auctions and 4-5 homes and/or traders in about a years time. She is 7 years old so what must the first 5 years have been like? She is small about 13 hands. I think what a cute baby foal she must have been how could someone not have wanted to touch and love on her? Maybe someone did she just forgot the feeling of love. We will never know her story and past but we can strive each day to make her future better. I'm pretty sure her fear proved to be too much for someone wanting a pony for the kids. Her catching problems..well..it's not fun to have a horse that runs the other way when they see you coming with anything other than a feed bucket.

She has gained some weight this winter but with consistent training and exercise she will look really fit soon. In a month's time her ground skills should greatly improve and our hope is she will learn to trust again.

Surprisingly, I had someone tell me recently they thought some horses needed/deserved to go to slaughter. This wasn't just any person but a trainer with lots of skill and experience. I have pondered on this knowing I have a several horses who are afraid which has made them dangerous at times to them selves and others. Do they deserve a shortened life because they are afraid of something that did or didn't happen to them in their past? I thought if I had the credibility to back my skill as the trainer does I would want to share that skill with those horses that really need it. That is why each of us unique and no two dreams or thoughts, likes or dislikes are exactly the same for the same reasons. My dream is to take the knowledge I have gained and share it with Clover, take the time she needs to become a more willing partner. She deserves the chance, as many as possible do. Time is something they need but not always readily available to them. Time can be a few days, months, even years. Time does heal wounds of all kinds, physical and emotional.

The Herd Shall Rest

2011-01-19T23:06:00.000-06:00

After much rain the herd rests under sunny skies. The full moon is incredible this month. I enjoy going out when its high in the sky and watching the light of the moon cast a cool glow on the horses. The white and grey ones shimmer. There is something soothing about watching the horses sleep together under a clear star filled sky..Peace! After breakfast in the mornings they will stretch out and soak up the sun. I believe they enjoy the rain after coming out of a drought. They roll and like to get dirty as soon as the first rain breaks. The downfall is the pastures are now muddy a typical winter problem. This spring will require the french drains to be cleaned out. Already the spring to do list is growing. The chickens will be getting a new coop this spring as well, the framework has already begun. Fences repaired, automatic waterers hooked up again, run in shed walls repaired from flying hooves, etc....All the while the herd shall rest.

Buying Land

2010-11-29T22:01:00.000-06:00

What a task....I have been looking for property for 5 long years, it has always been something. The land had floodplain, wrong location, etc.. Funding was not available or if it was it was for the wrong properties. So I have these huge property folders where i have printed off my Favs. I have paid off all our credit card debt and our vehicles, now we try again. I found a piece of land that has potential. We will now find out if it's possible to have our small and what may seem irrelevant dream to most which is to have a place for our rescued equine to call home and a place where we can still see the stars shine for our kids, before they are grown. I have been on edge awaiting the results. I don't have a plan B but I feel I can come up with other ideas rather quickly. The toughest part really is the down payment. They want so much for land as opposed to buying the typical urban home and no incentives at all. So I await the start of my american dream....

Everette

2010-11-29T21:41:00.001-06:00

I noticed the horses all excited in the pasture. I walked out to the first gate and listened...I didn't hear or see anything. Must be the cows or deer I thought. I walked to the next gate, the horses are blasting around, but not blowing and snorting, huh? As I turned to walk back up to the house I saw a donkey in my neighbor's pasture. Then I saw my neighbor. She said I rescued this donkey. He's a Jack. I commented on how cute he was and the little guy was playing and having fun with her big paint gelding. I walked back to the house glad to know what the horses were so excited about. I was working in the office a while later when I heard the loudest (and longest bray) I've ever listened to. It wasn't just the neighbor's rescued donkey it was one of mine too. Willie was up in the front of our property and he and the nieghbor's little donkey had just discovered each other. WOW, it was like they were long lost friends. I had never witnessed anything like this, braying as loud as possible without even taking a breath. Waylon who hasn't brayed since he was gelded just watched shoulder to shoulder with Willie, he was taking it all in. Willie who only brays occasionally was proving he was very long winded. We finally broke up the meeting of the donkeys and went back to work. a few minutes later I looked out the window and the new little donkey was in our yard playing with Willie and Waylon. I walked out and my neighbor was standing at the fence. She said I'm sorry he got through the fence, which neither of us really wanted to fix right at the moment. This poor fence has been through horses, dogs, and the hurricane and it still does a good job of keeping our animals on the correct side, but this donkey, the fence was no match for him. I told her just let him stay, they are having fun. She said he wasn't easy to catch and he kicks. So for the next 24 hours he just hung out with Waylon and Willie. The next morning we decided to put him a pen to give Willie a break. How do we catch him? Well we'll rope him. So my son gets the rope around his neck and away they go, it looked my on was water skiing. After a couple of laps around the yard, he was finally able to get his nose tipped around and his hindquarters to disengage, then he just stopped. We slipped on a halter and just petted him, he was sweet, just afraid. We led him to the pen and he walked very politely with us. We limited his play time as to give Willie a break,since he was recently gelded. Some of our neighbors have a female donkey that they wanted to breed so their jenny could have a companion and they could raise and love a baby donkey. I don't normally promote breeding but the (baby and) mother have a great home for life. So Everette is currently with Jenny and they are courting. Everette will come back to us to be gelded and trained.

Everette's Rendevouz

The First Mini

2010-04-28T23:29:00.001-05:00

Sparkle was my first miniature horse in alot of ways. She was my first horse as a christmas gift. She was my first horse to give birth to a mule. She was my first horse to choke (and go to the vet on emergency). She was my first horse to have a seizure. She was my first grey horse. She was the first horse I put a harness on. She was my first horse to kick me. Now she is 21 years old and a very special friend. She is high in the herd. We separate her to feed her and hang out with her at meals. She is groomed and clipped to maintain her beauty. Saprkle can read my mind and know when I want her and will come out of the herd to me. She is much slower now than she used to be. I think all the years of having babies took a toll on her somewhat.

In this photo, she is the first horse I went through a hurricane with. Note the tag in her mane with our contact info. I even shaved our phone number on her body which on a mini took her whole body all the way around.

Waylon Nelson tales of the Pink Donkey

2010-04-28T22:51:00.001-05:00

Waylon is a large Standard Donkey. He is a beautiful Pink Donkey not a common color bit still an approved Donkey Color. It's not important where he has been, and there's no way to know. He didn't have a name and 2 of his feet were in bad shape. It didn't take him long to warm up to us. His feet have been trimmed and the damage from white line disease cut away. Waylon is on the road to recovery. He is young maybe 1 or 2 and deserved a chance to be healthy and loved. Waylon is friends with every Equine he meets. He is playful and shy. We are honored to know him. The picture above shows what a Donkey's hoof SHOULD NOT look like! He lost most of the outer wall and it could take up to a year for him to grow a new hoof. When he's feeling better he will be gelded. Until then lots of love, rest, good nutrition, and hanging out with his Donkey buddies. Get well wishes Waylon Nelson the Pink Donkey.

Little Jasper

2010-03-26T22:54:00.001-05:00

I had several trade offers for Jasper. The one that sounded the best for Jasper was a man that had 30 acres in Waller. On the other hand the pony he was trading me was a 6 month old Welsh cross gelding. I thought OK, he can grow up with the kids. The man delivered him one morning. I didn't know the pony had not been weaned. I didn't know he had not been handled much and was not familiar with a halter. I'm being really nice here to this guy. The man unloaded this crazy pony and I walked my calm beautiful appaloosa onto the trailer dumbfounded. He asked do you want to trade? I though too late now....my horse is in the trailer and this pony is running around like he's crazy with no halter on ?! Then I thought about the 30 acres Jasper would get to roam on and though he would rather that lifestyle....loose on all that land with no kids.

As the man got in his truck he said by the way he's part mustang too. I watched the trailer go down the street. Then the persistant nickering snapped me to attention. I needed to get this baby in the pasture before he breaks a fence. The pasture fence is much more solid. So I opened all gates leading to the pasture and began to walk that way. He decided to go behind my husbands shops which was a narrow path between the shop and the neighbor's fence. He decided to take this path at full gallop. To get tot he gate he needed to take a left behind the shop and the gate would be on the right which leads to the small pasture. Instead he decided to go straight and hit the small pasture fence and flipped over. I ran as fast as I could to him and just before I got to his side he jumped up and ran to the back of the small pasture. The poor scared baby. I got him some hay and our relationship began. He never suffered any ill effect from flipping over the fence. Although, he was much more aware when he ran around and careful of the fencing.

I knew this was pony was not going to work for me. I even quit watching training tapes because I couldn't get near him and my knowledge of training was very low. I placed another ad this time for a mini only and I was trading a Welch Mustang cross. I continued to try everyday to touch this baby. He began to associate me with food and in the beginning he stayed his distance in no time he was the opposite and was all over me at feeding time. Finally, on Thanksgiving Day I touched him and haltered him for the first time. A couple of days later my ad was answered.

My ad was answered by a man's wife that said he needed a project and they were geting out of breeding minis. The had a small herd of mustangs so her husband was knowledgeable in their training. They offered me a 16 year old mini mare. It was a trade.

Jasper

2010-03-26T00:49:00.000-05:00

In 2004, I was getting in the car at the food store after picking up some chicken food. My kids said look look at that appaloosa in the horse trailer. My kids knew my favorite horse was an appaloosa and I had always hoped to own one. I looked across the parking lot at an open stock trailer with a red roan appaloosa looking back at me. The lady that owned him was coming out of the feed store and heard my kids talking about him, it was early fall and we had the windows down on the car. She walked over to me and said he is for sale, we were on our way to the auction with him. She said she would much rather him got to a home instead of possibly getting bought by the meat buyer at the auction. I asked her how much do you want for him ( I expected to hear a price that was high for me like $1200) the lady replied $400. I thought for a moment.... that my husband would throw a fit...then I though about my dream right in front of my for a price I could afford. I asked her would you deliver him? She said YES I asked if she could wait while I got the money out of the ATM....She said YES☺

Within 45 minutes I was the proud owner of a 2 year old appaloosa gelding. My husband came home and actually though this was neat. Jasper was his name and he spent the rest of the day enjoying a pile of hay while we groomed him. The next morning we went hurriedly out to see Jasper and feed him. He came right to us from across his pasture but he seemed to be much more alert and didn't seem to like the kids too much. It didn't take me long to realize he must have been sedated for the auction. I had heard of people doing this when selling a horse but why me? The dream horse..my appaloosa... I've waited 20 years for. Well, he will need to be trained I thought. I began reading everything I could find on horse training from the internet and library. I watched some John Lyons videos and ordered his series of books. I checked out a Parelli video at the Library and was instantly hooked. I became the house wife horse trainer.

When I owned horses as a kid they all did what we wanted and we rode all over, went swimming in creeks and spent the whole day in the saddle everyday. I don't really remember much about training them. We just rode and it worked?!

So I trained with Jasper everday and he improved alot but he still didn't like kids and tried to bite them. My husband said why don't you get a pony or a mini the kids can enjoy too. The kids are such a big part of my life that I thought about my Dream horse and decided to do what is best for the family. Another Dream Appaloosa will come into my life again one day if it meant to be. So I set about the task of trading Jasper for a pony or mini.

Why Blog?

2010-03-26T00:28:00.000-05:00

The reason I started this blog was to create a Journal of life with my equine friends.I actually just found out about blogging last year. I enjoy writing and this give me a way to document memory pages I can look back on in years to come as well as share with my family. I also don't have paperwork everywhere and the blods stay so organized by date. Since the beginning I have been writing about this or that but I should write about how each of these special creatures, My Herd, have come into my life. Let the real blogging begin.

Spring Ideas...Unicorns

2010-03-19T00:53:00.005-05:00

The days have been so nice but with this nice weather also comes the blooming of plants and pollination as well. I have had allergy symptoms for days and have been cooped up avoiding the pollen. After more than enough rest it must be time to get creative. So I came up with unicorns....as close to the real thing as possible.☺ The minis are very co-operative while we play dress up. Now I can say unicorns have walked on Texas soil.

Freindship

2010-03-03T20:31:00.000-06:00

♥ Destiny came to us very thin and I wondered if she still had a will to live. She has a petite frame and seemed so frail. Each day she seemed to get a little stronger. One day she began kicking and hurling herself at the buddy she came with, who's weight was good. I knew that of the small amount of food they were getting he ate the most by his body condition. When I first met them and they first came to live here they were inseperable. Destiny followed Kiwi like a shadow. Then the day of strength must have came for her and she let Kiwi know he would never eat all the food again. For me it was a relief, the first sign she did have a will to live. To this day she has to be separated at feeding time, which is most of the time according to her and has only been allowed surpervised visits with some of the younger geldings. When my mare Sparkle had the seizure and went on a special diet I began separating her with Destiny. Sparkle is 21 now and is the lead mare of the senior herd but now she needed rest and a break from leadership for awhile. Destiny who is 5 immediately made it clear she was to be the boss in their herd of 2, unusual for Sparkle she accepted this and let Destiny be in charge. They have been together for several weeks now and I've not seen any sign they were becoming friends or even liked each other. As I was leaving for my afternoon errand I noticed Destiny mouthing Sparkle's neck and back. I backed out slowly because I wasn't sure if Ishould see what they were up to and break them up in case Destiny was picking on Sparkle. I kept watching and Destiny switched sides while Sparkle just stood there. I realized that Destiny was going to groom her, that friendly scratch horses give each other on the withers. I watched them intently as my son closed the gate. I felt so happy for Destiny she now had a freind or a buddy at least. She really didn't seem to know what to do at first but Sparkle patiently showed her and tolerated her clumsiness. ♥

Sparkle

2010-03-01T22:42:00.003-06:00

Sparkle was my first mini horse. I got her when she was 16 years old ironically 16 years after I had seen a miniature horse for the first time. Today Sparkle is 21 and counting! Recently she had a seizure. She was twitching and couldn't stand up without help but at 250# it wasn't easy to help. I couldn't imagine if this was happening to a full size horse. I now empathize with those that have HYPP positive horses and appreciate how important their diet is to them. After our emergency trip to the vet and some bloodwork results the solution was simple?! Karo syrup as she had a low blood sugar level. Total opposite of what some of my other minis have trouble with which is insulin resistance, with spikes in blood sugar. This has all set in motion countless hours of research on equine nutrition, diabetes, hypoglaucemia, vitamins, minerals, holistic treatments, etc......I really love it. Sparkle is now on a special diet I have developed for her and has not had another seizure or a need for more Karo Syrup.

This is my favorite picture of Sparkle and her mini mule son Echo with Thibideaux his Dad in the background. The only baby she ever got to keep! She had 6 owners previous to me and was a broodmare. Around here she is our special girl and Echo is her constant companion and friend. Echo is believed to be the reason she had low blood sugar as he is 4 years old and was still nursing...now he is being weaned by us because for whatever reason Sparkle has not made him stop. I never worried about it since she was not going to be bred again until the night of the seizure. She is just too good of a mommy. Currently Echo is hanging out with his Dad, Tibby.

Horses are not so easy to feed and care for as they are grazers yet have small stomachs and miles of intestines. I find the challenge of feeding each one as an individual very gratifying. Funny though the kids and I still like junk food and don't spend half as much time worrying about our own nutrition. I think that's because we don't really want to hear about the things we shouldn't eat since some things are too good to resist even if we could make better choices. I have a couple of minis that feel this way too and I'm thankful they don't know about Sonic and those shakes or what french fries and hamburgers are.

Brandy

2010-03-01T21:59:00.002-06:00

Well tonite we got a call from Down Under Horsemanship and they selected another horse, although Brandy is still on the back-up list. I actually feel good about this because she must not be naughty enough for a Demo Horse. I've been to Parelli and Clinton Anderson tours and think Clinton Anderson picks some really tough Demo horses. The best trailer loading demonstration I've ever seen (and learned from) was at a Clinton Anderson tour and I've seen a 3+ hour trailer loading demonstration by Linda Parelli. Not that that says alot because they are all my favorite trainers.

I think I will take the money I would have spent on taking Brandy to the tour and invest it in some Clinton Anderson DVD's. I already own about everything Parelli has done and last year I began following Down Under Horsemanship but have only purchased a couple of halters for Brandy and Dancer and an absolute must, an Aussie Tie Ring. I still have a collection of John Lyons books I enjoy reading and drawing information from but I saw him do a demonstration once and unfortunately it put me to sleep, so I will stick to his books.

We will resume Brandy's training with the Down Under method and see how it goes.....it will give me something to blog about.

Demo Horse

2010-02-27T09:21:00.002-06:00

Our mare Brandy is in the selection process to be a Demo horse at the Clinton Anderson tour stop in Texas. Brandy is the reason people prefer geldings.... personally I like mares...even night-mares. I will find out soon if she is selected.

Brandy was purchased at the auction not because we were going to buy another horse, we actually went to see the tack auction which preceeds the horses. I was still intently eating my nachos when the first horse came out, it was Brandy. I noticed the auctioneer point my direction, I was not even mildly interested at the time then he pointed my direction again. I looked over to my husband and said someone near us must be bidding on that filly. My husband smiled and the lady behind me said your husband is bidding on her. I was speechless and the only thing I could think of to say to time is you don't have a number (you have to sign in and get a # to bid). Then the auctioneer said sold and pointed directly at my husband, asked for our # which we didn't have called security and laughed. My husband promptly got up and went to the window to pay for the filly he just bought. I sat there in shock until he returned and then he said let's go home and get the trailer. We got back to the auction with the trailer and presented our paperwork to the handler at the gate and he said 1 of you can go in and get her out cuz the auction is still on. I looked at my husband and he said you go get her. Great, I though! She was tied really short to a corral panel in a pen that probably was 10x10 or less, next to what must have been her buddy, a nice appaloosa gelding that was older and sold as a riding horse. I saw him auctioned while my husband was paying for Brandy. I had to go behind him in tight quarters to get to Brandy. I untied her and led her through the small space behind her buddy. As soon as we got through the gate the appaloosa started to nicker. She answered. This went on all the way to my trailer and the farther away from him we got the louder and more aggitated the nickers became from both of them. It was heartbreaking! Brandy didn't want to go into the 2 horse bumper pull, I took the divider out so it would be roomy and no way!, she could hear her buddy. The auction ended and all sorts of horses began to nicker, sadly, as some of their lives were changing if they sold. They may have been losing friends or even family members just like Brandy. Finally after much patience and all sorts of food bribery she went in the trailer. We had gone about a 2 miles when a deer ran into the front side corner of my truck, by this time it was almost midnight. It really didn't phase my truck as it was a small deer. What an adventure! At last home! She unloaded beautifully and we let her stay with Dancer and her family the very first night as we didn't want Brandy to be alone. She was just turning 2. She was scrawany and small. It didn't take long for her to bloom and today at 4 she is beautiful!

Brandy is the kind of girl that doesn't like other horses and has broken fences, gates and ruined corral panels to get at another horse (PMS). She does have her friends, 3 mares and a mule gelding she likes to pick on. Although some horses she wants to attack?! She has some trailering issues (Brandy was born in Montana)and round pen issues so if she is chosen I hope this is what she will be the Demo horse for. Just to have a top trainer consider her is an honor beyond belief and if she's not chosen, we will still use Clinton Andersons program to train her and of course we will always love her the way she is. I've been told to sell her, but that could become her life. One home after another.....or worse.....slaughter...She deserves more. We will keep her and all her strife's. She just turning 4 and is still a young girl. Besides she's pretty to look at.

Her best buddy is Dancer and they live together just fine. Brandy spends her nights with Dancer and her days with her "family"; Dancer, Dancer's mom Silver and Dancer's sister Tango, of course Brandy has to be the leader but they all put up with her. In time and with lots of patience and training I feel she will get over her problems. Brandy's goal is to become a 4-H horse.

Time Flys

2010-02-18T01:36:00.001-06:00

This year is moving fast! It has been a cold miserably wet winter. To keep the horses in good cheer we've added some special hay varieties, timothy, orchard grass, and alalfa. The quality and price of coastal hay is always poor this time of year. Apples and carrots are sure to bring some excitement even on the coldest of days. Some of the seniors have worn their coats for those chilly nights more often than usual love to have a good roll on the days they get to have them off. I believe we've had 10+ freezes this year. Amazing for Texas...Spring is on the way, the horses have started shedding their winter woolies. The lillies will bloom soon. This is also when I start to watch the oak trees. Overnight it seems, the brand new leaves will appear which will eventually shade us this summer. The horses have been very playful this week with the sun during the day and cold at night. This combination gets everyone spunky in the morning. The donkeys are especilly fun to watch play. They bite at each others knees to bring their oponent to the ground. The donkey that hits the ground lost that match and another match begins immediately so LOOK OUT! The horses just like to blast around the place and seem to avoid any physical contact. Just a good ol' run. The mini mule always corners one of his pals and engages insome ruff housing just for the fun of it. As soon as they see me, almost as if I rang a dinner bell they stop and come right to me ready for their morning pats and breakfast. On the sunny days breakfast is followed by nap all stretched out in the bright morning sun.

Winter Thyme January 2010

2010-02-18T01:28:00.001-06:00

The blues were about to set in when these glorious warm sunny days showed up. We've been toting buckets of water out of the house and hand watering the horses daily. They're buckets haven't completely thawed in two weeks even with the recent sunshine. Most of the horses are unimpressed with my efforts. Although, There are 3 that really enjoy the lukewarm water from the house. Brandy who always loves to be hosed off in the summer, Tango who spends most warm days with her feet in the trough and Willie. Willie the donkey who was afraid of buckets loves them now. Just don't change the color....then he has to get used to it again. He likes red and dark green buckets, even lime green buckets, but blue or...?! I brought him water in a hot pink bucket today and after a few sniffs he took a long drink. Now that the pastures are drying up it is suppose to rain again.

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T12:47:00.001-06:00

This will be my last post of 2009. What a year...We had a horse have colic surgery, learned more about parasite control, the mini mule has a bone spur & had a visit with a surgeon (which is getting better without surgery as the Dr. had hoped), we took in 4 horses in need, this is the wetest winter I've known (my truck has been stuck in the mud 3 times, all this winter, and I've owned it for 6 years), business has been good for both companies, had to put another engine in the truck, my son and the quarter horse both had a growth spurt recently and are eating everything in site, & I may have found the location for our farm (which will happen in 2010!). We start closing the books for 2009 tomorrow and look forward to a prosperous New Year!

Willie

2009-12-23T17:21:00.004-06:00

Willie is a standard paint donkey we acquired recently. A young one as we have found out. He is so shy!! When he first came to us he didn't know what a bucket was, he was actually scared of a bucket and would walk way around one. I think he drank water out of puddles the first couple of weeks until the rain stopped (lucky for him it was raining) and the puddles dried up. Then he became curious about that big red bucket. He HEEHAWSSS at breakfast and dinner. Such a welcoming sound. Willie fit in the herd rather well and his best buddy is our miniature Donkey, Tibideaux. Tibby is the daddy to our miniature mule and has adopted Willie as his stepson. Willie is so gentle that kindness just flows from him. It's a shame no one ever took the time to get to know him. His shyness definitely stems from his past handling or lack of. It has been an honor for us to get to know Willie! We plan to train him for a cart Donkey. Although, Willie is very flexible. So flexible in fact he can bend around and almost touch his nose to his tail without moving his feet. When he doesn't want to move getting him to go can be a challenge. He has acquired the nickname "Gumby " Willie has a heart, upside down mickey mouse ears, and a paw print on his side, note the photo below. Looking at Willie's coat pattern is like playing I Spy.

Kiwi's Christmas wishes

2009-12-21T23:20:00.002-06:00

Kiwi and Destiny are really getiing used to us and have come along way since the first day they arrivedalmost 4 months ago. Kiwi has fit in nicely with the herd. His best buddies are Frodo and Echo, the mini mule. They are all about the same size and age. Kiwi's Chriatmas wish is for Destiny to be friendly too. She is very food aggressive since she was not getting her fair share before. She will kick and be defensive at feeding time which in her opinion is all the time. We have been working with her on this and she has made great progress. I've bee watching videos on training horses with this dominate (aggressive) behavior and am learning some very good techniques for teaching her to be different and tolerant of others. Patients and time will make a difference too. Destiny is frail and petite but her personality shows us she is strong amidst it all.

Every little girl's dream... a pony for Christmas....

My youngest daughter has been grooming and walking Kiwi. She asked me one day recently "could I have Kiwi for Christmas" to love and take care of all on my own? How could I say no. So her special gift was complimented with a grooming set of her very own, too. What a difference in Kiwi. He has become much more social and can easily be caught now. He totally enjoys the attention. I'm so glad he has come to this point in our relationship. They will soon be cutting the trails. Kiwi is somewhat blind in one eye but at one time was a driving mini so he will be trained as a team hitch with my mini Frodo. They are the same size and age. Frodo has already been driving a year but he's still green as he doesn't have the experience in a variety of situations yet.

Frodo is the jokester of the bunch. We keep our hay in a utility trailer and when we open the door he is the first to jump in (not us). He is always on the lookout for Alfalfa. I like to indulge in Chocolate and Frodo likes to indulge in Alfalfa! He is learning to smile and bow. All for treats of course. His next trick will be the spanish walk. He bends and spins better than a reining horse and can run the barrels in 16 seconds and my daughter Jordan is improving . (You must have a bucket of feed in hand and run. Oh, the barrels need to be closer together too.)

David's Dream

2009-12-21T16:16:00.001-06:00

I have a file folder marked David's Dream. It is tucked away in a special section in the file cabinet. David is a friend that is handicapped and he is a miniature horse owner. He would like to drive his mini(s). That's the Dream! When I first met David this was his goal and not only does he have physical limitations but he also lives far out in the country. I had always hoped to make it to his place on a regular basis and help train his horse, Ranger. Although, my focus was turned to a cart as this would definitely be needed. Time never slows down and here I am years later and David's Dream seemed no closer. David even got another mini for Christmas last year. This year I didn't keep in touch with David like I want to, yet, he was always on the back of my mind. Then a month ago his grandmother called and as I was talking to her suddenly I realized I knew where the perfect cart to modify was and it was for sale. Funny how things can come together, just like clockwork! (David likes Clocks, too!)

His family was even able to buy the cart at a lower price because the people selling it wanted to help also. The cart has been getting it's makeover and will be ready for "fittings" soon. I hope to help train his mini(s) this coming spring so David's Dream can be complete. I have been so inspired by David that I may start helping others with their Equine Dreams as well. My daughter calls it Equine Wishes.

Gone Buggy!

2009-12-14T22:44:00.002-06:00

We went on an adventure tonight for 3 hours to get an antique buggy. I have decided to focus on our collection of carriages and carts this coming year (New's years resolution). We have one cart that we are customizing for a handicapped friend so he can drive his minis. Then we have another mini cart ready to be restored. One of the carts I currently use needs new seats. Now we have another restoration project. This one is really cool because it is over 100 years old and all original. On the way home from picking up the carriage the seat blew off and got hung on the back gate of the utility trailer.....So Gald! It has stayed together for over 100 years and tonight it was Alomst separated. We didn't think to check the seat it looked attached and the carriage was heavy. We took off the wheels and put them in the back of the truck. The seat was actually held on by a really old piece of bailing wire. Lesson learned...always check it out good before hauling. The antique carriage is HOME now and will be restored and used. Buggy madness has begun....

Snow Cold

2009-12-10T23:23:00.000-06:00

Finally some snow in December. The horses were unimpressed. The feed store where we normally get hay had gotten a bad batch, so we had to buy hay elsewhere and the herd disliked the quality. So snow and poor quality hay made for a dull weekend. Monday the feed store got a new batch of hay and the herd was once again happy. Not enough snow sticked in our neck of the woods to make a snowball. It was still pretty falling from the sky. It would have been great to have a carriage ride with the sleigh bells on but, I just couldn't stay outside for long and I wouldn't be able to feel my toes. We're not acclimated to the colder weather I guess. So, staying inside with a cup of hot cocoa was a better choice that day. The equine herd was content in the barns with their coats on and under heat lamps munching on the hay even as untasty as it was. By sunday the snow seemed a distant memory and Monday came work as usual....

Dreams.....The Climb

2009-11-29T21:44:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-29T21:28:00.001-06:00

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

2009-11-15T08:45:00.004-06:00

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

2009-11-12T00:17:00.002-06:00

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?

2009-11-09T11:35:00.002-06:00

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

2009-11-08T08:46:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-06T23:29:00.000-06:00

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

2009-11-06T23:08:00.000-06:00

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.....