Zoe's New Kitten...........

Who is currently nameless. At least until this weekend when Zoe's boyfriend gets here and helps her to name it. It's a girl. She's just 6 months old and very tiny. She is a grey pastel tortoise shell. She has one cream colored toe. Very pretty little kitty and has a great personality!

Updates.......

Kola has lost some weight. She's looking much better, but still has some weight to lose. Both girl's are desperate for a bath. Last week they got hosed off a few days in a row because of the heat, but they really need a serious soap and bubbles bath. I will get to that next week as it is actually chilly these past couple of days. Kola likes the taste of her Thyro-L mixed in her Equibalancer pellets. Misty gets the pellets as well. I no longer feed any grain to either of them. I haven't been able to let them out in the pasture because it is chocked full of clover in spite of my best efforts to mow it down. And after last years incident with "slobbers", I'm not taking any chances. Although "slobbers" really isn't a big deal, it means I would have to go and buy electrolytes and shove them in them to prevent dehydration., so I'll wait until I mow it down again. The fly predators are doing a good job and it's time to trim these feet again.

Meanwhile, Mina has managed to dig up my dead kitties and the dogs had commenced in rolling in them. I managed to re-bury them this morning and will put a couple of cement blocks over the burial site. Zoe adopted a new kitten, very cute, however, she hasn't given it a name yet. It's a grey pastel tortoise shell female and very pretty. Quite tiny for 6 months old as well. She will be taking this kitty with her to her apartment when she goes back to University. It will be very pampered. It was tough to see so many kitties and pups needing a home at the Humane Society. Such a great place. One of the best shelter's I've ever been to. It's where we adopted Mina from last year.

I was planning on perhaps hitchin' a ride with a club member and riding in the July 4th parade, but I don't think I'll get these feet trimmed before then and I wanted a little time for growth before I put Misty out there on the pavement and besides she's starting to get her summer flares. I always have to trim more often in the summer. It's just been five weeks, plus the hoof supplements they were on prior and the extra vitamins found in the Equibalancer feed.And Jeremiah has been unavailable for awhile as he had gone back to school for embryo transfer. Interesting as he's very involved in horses and cattle.

Sunday Stills..............Wings

Michael Jackson.............

I know that some people may disagree with me on this, but however mixed up or eccentric this man child was, we've lost an incredible entertainer. One that in my opinion ranks up there with the likes of the Beatles and Elvis. I find the news of Michael's sudden death very sad and disturbing. I grew up with his music. There isn't a Michael Jackson song that I hear that doesn't remind me of a certain time of my life. And I'm sure that goes for many.

I don't believe that he was a creepy pedophile, but rather a perpetual little boy trapped in a man's body, who never ever got to live his childhood as a boy and was desperately trying to. A naivety of sorts. A true Peter Pan who was severely misunderstood and tortured in his own mind.

My heart goes out to his children and his family. The world has lost a truly magnificent performer and genious musician. R.I.P. Michael, you are missed.....................

Aimee Oak

My one and only filly, out of my first show mare Stacy is truly everything I hoped for. Her half brother Dockit is doing well and is going to be entered in the Open and the NCHA Futurity. Her full brother Oakco has not been shown a lot. When they have time to show him, he brings home a check. I did leave Stacy open this year so that she could heal up. She is doing well. Since I have my filly, I don't care if she ever settles again. I bred my show mare Anna and my Buffy mare to Spider, they should cross really well with him. I haven't had a Spider baby in 4 years. I didn't have anything that I really could bred to him. I'm going to leave my Kansas mare open and go back to riding her. We are going to have 2 babies a year so that Gerald and I both have a horse to go on with to the show pen. Gerald wants to take Catsolena to the futurity next year. He has to catch up on his training to get him there. We are so busy getting my farm ready to sell. He is buying the house next to his and I am going to move in there. We have to get his farm ready for our horses. He has 40 acres so it will be better to keep his place. We have had to make a lot of adjustments due to this economy. We have proven mares that we had to decide whether to sell or just feed them and leave them open. We did place 2 of the mares with a breeder that needed broodmares for his Stallion. We mostly end up trading, no one has the money to pay what they are worth. I would not let them go to an auction just so they could end up in the killer pen. They are the only people buying around here. Out of the 6 broodmares that Gerald and I have only one that is riding sound. Out of the six only 2 were broke to begin with. All the babies are really good. We are keeping 4 out of 5 of them. The one I named Murry will not fit into our program. His parents are 15 hands and under and he will hit 16 hands. He dwarfs the rest of the babies and he is only 2 months old. He is really a smooth mover, very slow legged. I think he will make a roper or western pleasure. All the mares are cutting horse bred, it doesn't guarantee that you will get that in the foal. We have friends that are leaving all their mares open for the next year or so to see what will happen to the market. Every time I pick up a horse magazine I find pages of dispersal sales. What really scares me is the big name breeders are cutting back for the first time in years. At least they recognize that the market is not there. Hopefully things will turn around.

What now?

This doesn't really have anything to do with horses, except that the government once again did not think it out. By now everyone is digital, that is if you bought a brand new HD TV. You may have sent for a coupon for a box as I did. Finally a government handout that I can take advantage of. I still had to pay the amount over $40 and buy a digital antennae. You only get half the channels without one. So what do I do with these? I can use them for lawn ornaments or I can dry socks on them. I have more in the house, these were my favorites. I pay for one TV to hook up to Dish. I really do not watch a lot of TV. When I do, I like to be able to see it as well as have a choice. I had them spread thru the house for when I use the treadmill or if I just need noise to fall asleep. So now I have to send at least 2 TV's to the dump. I wonder how many TV's and obsolete antennas will end up in a land fill. That will also cost, we pay by the pound in this area. Will they be dumped on the sides of roads like unwanted tires that are so hard to get rid of? This ends up back to horses that are no longer needed. What's next? Wait, I think they are starting a program for clunkers that get less then 20 or 25 MPG (I forget). Who's fault is that, the consumer or the government that allowed the manufacturers to produce them? Bottom line, all of us who work, pay for this. Over 30 years of paying taxes and I have a "free" converter box. I'm proud to be an American. I think I need some sleep, I had to get that off my chest!!!

Great Horse Lovers Bargain Books

I was doing some research yesterday on Barnes and Noble for bargain priced history books , and thought today I would check out Horse Lovers Books for any bargains, Pretty cool below are some that took my eye and ideal for presents / gifts or just keeping for reference

Horses in My Life List Price: $29.95 Online Price: $3.99

Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horse Breeds List Price: $9.99 Online Price: $7.98

The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of Horses List Price: $12.98 Online Price: $9.98

Mustangs : Wild Horses of the West List Price: $39.95 Online Price: $9.98

Stud : Adventures in Breeding List Price: $24.95 Online Price: $3.99

The God of Animals List Price: $25.00 Online Price: $3.99

Just my own selection , to find them go to Barnes and Noble choose bargain books then search for horse


Well worth a look for Horse Lovers

Steve

What Do You Think Of Bing ?

I thought I would have a look at the much hyped Bing from Microsoft to see if it lived up to the hype .

Pleasantly surprised for example

1. Search for wild mustangs and choose video, the videos are displayed but the great thing about it is that as you run cursor over video it plays part or all of the video , pretty cool

2. Love the daily photography on the home page some fantastic photographs I wish I had taken

3. Checked for Callies Blog and few others including Mrs Mom, Nuz Muzz and Grey horse matters and they all come up in the first few results plus you can see part of the post and shows links to other posts so pretty cool

4. Search Results themselves are not bad few bad sites get in but so do they on Google

5. Think I prefer the Image search results and presentation on Bing to Google

So is it an alternative to Google , YES,
Are the results as good and spam free , nearly
Is it more interesting to use most definatly

Check it out worth looking at and let me know what YOU Think


Steve

Another Hot One!

This was dinner last night and will snacks today. Nothing like a cold salad on a hot day!


And fresh fruit salad for dessert! Yummy!

It's Days Like Today................

That make me wonder what it would be like to live in Alaska! Today in Wisconsin almost 100* with humidity at 74%. YIKES! And mind you, this is a very large converted barn, too expensive to cool, so no air conditioning, just a mass of ceiling and floor fans blasting along. I will say that the first floor with it's 3ft wide and 6ft tall stone walls/foundation, does act like a cool damp basement, so I suspect we'll all hang out down there this afternoon with the pups. Anyway, Steve & I will go pick up the Jag this morning as we had to have it serviced, and this afternoon the new washer is being delivered. We had to get it out of necessity. The old one lasted 8yrs and puke the other morning and last week I actually had to spend an early morning at the laundromat. Ugh! I hadn't done that in over ten years, it sucked! This morning, I made sure to throw the girl's hay in a largely shaded area, unfortunately on the ground, but I thought it's better that they spend as much time in the shade today. I also freshened all water as well. I was outside this morning for all of 15 minutes and my cotton t-shirt is sticking to me already!

Kola & Her Exercise........

Well, Miss Kola started her light exercise program today. It all began with a five minute chase to put the halter on and then she was winded and gave up. Another 5 minutes on the lunge line and then another five minutes trotting after Miss Misty who was allowed out in the pasture. I wanted to start easy on her and build up. If it's not storming we'll get another five minutes on the lunge line this evening. Still displaying excellent ground manners. Thought we'd work on that a bit too. Good Girl!

They're At It Again................

This year in Lake Geneva, they are displaying theses beauties, both large and small. Much like last year's ponies. Only this year they are carousel horses. Sponsored by loacal businesses and painted by local artists to be auctioned again in the fall with proceeds to go to S.M.I.L.E.S . Certainly a worthy cause.

A Heartfelt Thanks & A Solid Plan...........

First I'd like to thank-you all for your kind words to Stephen with our recent loss. Unfortunately, I had never met Stephen's Dad, but have heard all sorts of warm stories about him. He sounds like he was truly a one of a kind and knowing my Stephen, he really did give Stephen a lot. And all of your words do mean a lot to Steve. Thanks again.

Next, I have come up with a plan for Kola & just because, Misty will be included. I have ordered the Thyro-L which is a supplemental hormone I believe- levothyroxine. This will help Kola's Thyroid to work and help her to lose the weight. I have ordered it through Valley Vet with a prescription and it should be here sometime this week. She will be on it for about two months. About $30 for a one pound of powder.Three to four teaspoons a day to start. Misty will Not get the Thyro-L. I have given the left over 11% grain to the goats and bought a pelleted "Equibalancer" feed for both the girls. I spent an hour on the phone to our local equine nutritionist and decided the Equibalancer would be the right stuff. It costs $18 a 50 pound bag and to get their daily required vitamins they both get 9oz. each twice a day. I started that last week and they both have adjusted easily to the new feed. The feed doesn't cost that much more than what I was paying for the regular grain and this feed will stay the 9oz twice a day year round. I used to up their grain in the winter, so I think the feed costs will equal out throughout the year. And in the winter I will instead up their hay intake, which I normally do anyhow. Right now they are getting a flake of hay two to three times a day. The pasture is closed until I mow it today and Misty will be allowed out. Kola will NOT until she drops the weight. Also the saddle I just bought for Kola, should arrive sometime this week and she will get some exercise. I will lunge her as well, when I don't have a thousand and one chores to do everyday, like today. So that is the feed plan for now. I only hope that this works. I think it will.

In Memory Of My Dad

A Couple of weeks ago my dad passed away and it has taken me this long to get to grips with the fact that he has gone

My dad was one of the Old School and a true Gentle Man

He taught me so much and I owe him much

He taught me the love of the sea and all water ( and he taught me how to swim 1 mile at 11 years old ).

He taught me the love of all animals great and small.

He taught me to respect the fairer sex whoever they were and what ever their age.

He taught me to allow children to make mistakes and to love and cherish them ( He was not the disciplinarian in our house my mum was ) and I always remember fondly my mum telling him to take a strap to me for using a swear word , he took me upstairs and told me he never wanted to hear me use that word again and used the strap on the chair for sound effects and me making all the right crying noises. ( I never did use that word again and do not to this day nearly 50 years later ).

I remember as a a kid asking him about the war when his destroyer was sunk while protecting a convoy of food to Russia and all he would say was it was super cold in the water. I also remember asking him about killing the enemy and I remember his words to this day ( It was kill or be killed but no man should be proud of or talk about taking another mans life as each mans life is sacred ).

I miss you dad you were my hero and if I have grown up to be half the man you were I will be quite happy .

Rest In peace dad

In memory of my dad

Mr Edward Terrence Pearson

I miss you

Your loving son who will not forget you

Equine Wellness Program Visit & More.........

Well, there's good news & bad news............Things that need a little adjustment. Part of the Equine wellness program that I pay $300 per horse for the year, includes besides all their spring & fall shots, a teeth float with sedation and a full exam.


We've decided that Kola more than likely has Equine Metabolic Syndrome- A pre-Cushings condition. We did this without the blood tests: A-Partially because she had not fasted for a glucose level. B-Because of her breed (gaited) she is predisposed to it and the location of her fat pads (cresty neck, around the shoulders, tail area) & she is 15 this year (right age). C-Both the Vet & I agreed that hitting her with a high dose of steroids to follow cortisol levels is a ridiculous test and risks a laminetic episode. However, the rest of her exam was great. A thorough check of her eyes and so forth. So both mares will go on a special low starch feed made by Purina. I will probably pick that up this afternoon & Kola will start getting more exercise. I may ask for the script for Thyo-L to help her burn some of this fat faster & possibly a supplement for this. All & all, I feel like I can manage this. The food is about $8 more a bag , but they don't get much anyway.

Misty did her get teeth floated this time and also proved to very healthy and in spite of never getting her teeth floated since I have had her, about 7yrs, her teeth needed very little and are in good alignment. She had old areas in her eyes where she might have had an old infections, but not since she has lived here. And the Vet said that this is not a future problem. Misty is in serious heat and did not cooperate with a rectal temp, but other than that, the Doc & two assistants were amazed at how well behaved these girls were for their exams and Misty's teeth float. Misty is a light weight, just needed a little bit of sedation. So all & all am pleased with their exams and not at all surprised by the Equine Metabolic Syndrome with Kola. I'll manage it.

Then as was about ready to leave for work, scrubs donned and everything ready for my mandatory overtime, they called and cancelled me. Yay! It only took me seconds to pop back into my jeans and sweatshirt. See? I'm happy! That means I'm done with my mandatory until they decide to reinstate it again. WooHoo!

I've decided that Mina looks like she's wearing Micky or Minnie Mouse ears........LOL

Spot always tries to hide his face when I want to take a pic, but I surprised him with this. Smile big for the camera!

And he such a baby. He leaned himself into Stephen and cuddled last night.

Today's Task List!

The homestead as we approach after running some errands, much needs to be done!


The girls after yesterday's storms came through. Today's list includes putting back a divider gate in that three sided loafing shed so that Misty can eat in peace and Kola is deterred from chasing her away from all food. Kola's a piggy!


Mina spent yesterday barking in my face! Hilarious, yet very annoying!

So today, I must pick up my mud chunks, I've deposited all over the kitchen from my boots and fix up that divider. Then I guess I do a little more laundry and then who knows, but it's chilly outside and still wet.

Updates.....................

Well, Kola blew up again this weekend while I was at work. I came home yesterday from work and was looking at her and thought, "Geezus, she was looking so much better, what the hell happened? She looks like a Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon again!" And I asked Steve how much he had been feeding and he had been splitting one scoop of grain between the two of them plus supplements. I have been giving them only 6 oz. of grain with supplements. No wonder, so now Miss Kola is pissy & in spite of rain & storms, I have to still keep her separate cuz she's pissy with Misty again.

The dogs have been ridiculously an ass pain this week! So all tennis balls have been confiscated until they remember that there are times to play and times to POO!

Stephen is taking a nap and I'm tidying up the house today, since it's such crappy weather, raining & cold. It sounds like I haven't been nearly as busy as everyone else has been.

Work was work this weekend, however I did have a pt. in H1N1 (swine)Isolation. Gagh! the masks one must wear are HORRIBLE! One has difficulty breathing in it and I had a headache all night because of the thing! My sinuses were killing me by morning!

Still Dieting...................

Misty is following me to the pasture gate........


Misty enjoying said pasture...........


Kola returning to the gate between the training pen and paddock (which leads to the pasture).

"Hey now, come on, I'm waiting patiently"

"Seriously? you're walking away without letting me out there?" "Nicker, nicker..."

Scenes From Today................

One of our flowers that has not yet been ravaged from either bugs or disease. It's been a weird spring.


Which one of these things just doesn't belong together?


My Dorks!

The biggest Dork. I swear he's smiling at the camera.........

Misty says, "Bugger off, I'm eating."

Kola with her usual "What?"

"Look Mom, I'm slimming down. You can let me out into the pasture!"

Horses, Dogs, Fleas?

Mina, unsuspecting and before her bath!


Mina, unimpressed with her bath..............


Mina got a flea bath today............ And the house got a thorough flea spray, including beds and carpets! A lot of work, because Miss Mina likes to play in the old sand left over from where the pool used to sit. Everyone got de-fleaed as a precautionary task.

I think that Miss Kola's regimen is working. She's already looking a bit better. Today, since it had dried up a bit from last night's storms, I let Miss Misty out in the pasture and it did exactly what I expected it to do for Kola. Three hours of intermittent exercise.