I can't believe that I missed posting on here for Danny's birthday! What's wrong with you Mom? The boy turned four on May 1st just a little after 6 a.m. And, yes, I know I shouldn't have gotten out the good camera but these shots from my phone will have to suffice. He's still a beauty even if the photos aren't great.

Danny and I both just got schooled. Our pasture is terrible and we still haven't had time to fence the good pasture. So I've been taking the horses one by one out into the green pasture on the back side of the farm that borders the woods. Usually the gates that cross the road are closed so that if one of them gets away from me, I don't have to worry about them getting in the main road where the traffic is. But today, Steve is mowing hay and he had both gates opened so he could get equipment through. I'd taken Django out first and Danny was very excited to get his turn. He met me at the gate and practically put the halter on for me. He did well on lead which I haven't worked with him a lot so it's great how quickly he's learning. So out we go and Danny is so eager to get to that green grass. He's eating and I'm searching for music on my phone when Danny suddenly screams and jumps sideways. I think he's been stung but then he continues to jump and dance. I keep calming him and head us toward the gate to go back into the enclosed pasture but he's getting more and more agitated. He bolts twice but I'm able to hold him and get him turned and under control but it was like holding a bomb that you know might explode at any minute. I finally get him to the safety of the pasture but I'm still in danger because it's impossible to predict what the young horse will do next. I finally see what's causing all of the commotion, he's caught a thorn bush in his tail. He's kicking backwards now and leaning into me for security but both keep me from grabbing the tangled thorny limb. Finally, I take the rope off of him and push him away Then I get to his side and grab the thorn bush ....forgetting I don't have gloves on! He turns and runs but I can't hold on and the thorns scratch my hands. I finally go and get gloves and carefully make another grab at the bush. This time, between the two of us, we pull it out. I close both gates with poor little Dan clinging to me because he's still scared. I put the rope back on him and take him back out. He's nervous but that grass is just too tempting. Poor baby, it might take him a while to get over this one. As Steve says, our Danny is not into pain. Me, I did pretty good considering how my fear of what could happen was working over time. All I could see in my head was him breaking free and being hit by a car. I'm such a worry wart but at least I kept my head and my horse.

Dan enjoying the green grass right before the monster started biting his butt. ;-)

Brothers

Face Plant

On March 24th: Danny just gave us a scare. He got out of the pasture last night and was in the roadside hay field which is scary enough. I hurt my back yesterday trying to lift a heavy shelf into a shopping buggy and then into my truck. Started having spasms last night and couldn't sleep. Back is a lot better this morning but Steve told me that I looked so exhausted from being up most of the night that he'd feed the horses for me. I'd just laid down when he came rushing in the door in a panic. He said I needed to come check Danny out. It seems that the apparent dangers of foundering, developing colic or getting hit by a car weren't enough for Danny. No, my clumsy boy comes galloping across the open field when he sees my truck, hits the mud in the plowed garden and face plants. Steve said that he hit so hard and then flipped over and he was certain he was dead or had broken his neck. I checked him out and could see no obvious injury or swelling. We will keep an eye on him. I think he's probably just sore. He indicated that his jaw hurt. I'm not surprised. Steve had said he wasn't eating but he did a pretty good job when he discovered The food Brandy left. I'd say he just filled up on green grass from being out heaven knows how long and doesn't want hay. I think he's going to be fine. I'd like to think he learned a life lesson but I doubt it. I love him so but what a putz! 

The imprint he made. I think it looks like a cave drawing of a horse.
You can see the arch of his neck and front legs really well.

What Is That Thing?!?

Big white puppy that showed up on the farm March 24th.

Horses' reaction to big white puppy. I think they must have thought it was a Polar Bear.

My Friend Huston

Today is my friend, Huston Jenkin's, 90th birthday. I got to talk with him and he sounds great. Wish I could go visit him. Miss him so much. Here are some photos, one from five years ago where he is getting ready to show Mouse and the other from the next year when he drove all the way from Missouri just to meet Danny. Huston raised and trained Mouse and my other two geldings, Django and Riley. Before I met him or Mouse, I was told that he had the best bred horses in Missouri. He told me that he breeds for temperament above all else and it shows.

This is the first time Huston and Mouse saw each
other after a five year absence.