Sally's Poppy Seed Dressing Cole Slaw

Danny continues to grow and it continues to rain so there still are no current photos or video to post. I do promise that by or before his birthday on May 1st, I will scrub and brush off the mud, trim the winter coat that still holds on tight in odd spots and pretty up this already pretty boy....at least he is always pretty to me even with a thick coat of mud and muck.

Since, there isn't any Danny news or photos, I thought I'd use the opportunity and space to post a recipe that's been requested many times over the years. Maybe I shouldn't give my secret away but since I got it from someone else, I figure that sharing again is the least I can do with this delicious, easy recipe that always receives rave reviews from hay crews, family and friends.

This recipe comes from Sally sister and business partner of Nancy Gould who owned the Gallery Americana in Huston (sadly, no longer exists). Their gallery was in an old house that had been a restaurant in a previous incarnation. All of the ladies who worked there, most family, cooked and each day, they had wonderful, delicious lunches. Occasionally, a confused businessman would wander in off of the street asking where the restaurant had gone. They never turned them away but invited them in for a lunch that was probably more memorable than what they'd gotten at the actual restaurant. I've often wondered if the business men weren't like the little boys who use to feed their lunches to my dad's dog (a well known thief of bagged lunches and women's lingerie) so that he would buy their lunch. I'm sure that word got around in the Huston business district that there were some generous ladies who were not only good cooks but very gracious and easy on the eyes southern belles who would take in stray business men and give them a free and delicious lunch, lol.

Put in Blender:

1/3 cup vinegar (although the original recipe does not specify, I only use Nakano Roasted Garlic Seasoned Rice Vinegar)

1 tsp. mustard (Steve loves mustard so we have many varieties on hand. I've used them all and can never really tell much difference.)

1/3 onion

1/2 cup sugar 

1 tsp. salt

1 cup salad oil 

Blend until smooth then add a rounded teaspoon of poppy seeds and pulse until well mixed.

The recipe calls for one package of prepackaged cole slaw but that is way too wet for me and I usually use two packs of slaw.

Also, this recipe seems to turn out well even when I guess at amounts.....I never measure the mustard or salt and the onion sizes are widely varied. But I have found that even though people seemed to love it before, they love it even more since I started using the Nakano Vinegar....know that we love it more anyway:)

Visitors

A few weeks ago, we had a very busy but very enjoyable weekend. First my little nephew, Randy, finally got to come by and see my horses. We'd been to an Introduction to Horses at Brandy McDonnell's farm, Blue Point and Randy, who is horse crazy, had a fantastic time. His mom had driven so when she was dropping me off at my house, I asked if they wanted to go see the horses. This was Danny's first experience with a "little" human and I wish I'd had my camera with me because the curiosity was so evident.

He was still curious the next day when our friends Rhonda and Alex DelCarmen brought their youngest daughter, Adison, by to see the horses. I'd planned to just have Django haltered and standing there for her to pet and brush and get acquainted with since Django is the friendliest of my big horses. He loves people and adores attention but then so unfortunately, does Danny. I finally had to halter Danny just so I could lead him away. At first, I would just say food and he would run like a puppy to his bowl and lift it up to me so I could fill it. But eventually, when he started jealously biting the attention getting Django on the rump, I decided that maybe I'd better get him under control.

He is a smart little guy but I'm not certain that he understood everything I said to him when he started getting rambunctious and impatient after I'd haltered him. I whispered in his ear, "I don't care if we do have company DO NOT think that I won't put a knot on your little head if you don't start behaving!" True, that is a lot for any baby to understand much less a little horse baby for whom "human" is a second language. No, I doubt that he understood what I was saying but how I said it must have gotten the message across because Danny was a polite young man for the rest of the visit.

Adison and Django getting acquainted

A Busy Day

On the morning of the eighth, we had visits from both our farrier and vet scheduled. The day started very early for us. If you are expecting a story totally about Danny, you aren't getting it. Danny was actually better behaved than his older counterparts. He did protest a little bit when our farrier, Dale Collis, trimmed his front hooves but he was a perfect gentleman for the back hooves and acted like an old pro with the vet, not even flinching when she gave him his shots. The other horses made up for his complacency....big time.

 

If you've been following any of my blogs for long, you know that the only difficult thing about our big red boy, Riley is that he can be a bit head shy and hard to catch and halter. Expecting the farrier to arrive not long after 8 AM that morning, I herded all of the horses into the round pen and put their halters on the very first thing. I envisioned a smooth transition from horse to horse with Steve and I taking time about bringing one of them up to the tying post. 

When Dale arrived, I already had Django ready. I started with Django since he's usually the most difficult where the farrier is concerned. He was actually, almost a gentlemen with just a wee bit of protest but nothing as drastic or dramatic as the time he threw Dale about ten feet and then dragged me down the hillside. No, this time there was just a little eye rolling and snorting but he soon realized that the large, solid post was a lot more difficult to intimidate than me.

As we'd planned, while I helped with Django, Steve brought Brandy up, who is always easy all around. I brought up Mouse after her and she was having a "lady's day" so the diva exploded a bit but we got her under control quickly and then she just stood there and looked offended. 

Steve asked which one I wanted next. I told him to just get Danny because Riley was difficult to catch. He of course took this as a challenge and said that he would get Riley. I reached in my pocket and handed him the "Indian" halter that Huston made for me and that I try to always carry with me. It is basically just a length of soft rope with a loop on one end. It is usually easy to slip it around even the most skittish horses neck and capture them before they realize it. Steve said that he didn't need it but I made him take it anyway. Dale and I were concentrating on the oddly, disagreeable Mouse and paying no attention to Steve. Just as we finished up with Mouse, he comes walking up with not Riley but Danny....no explanation, no excuses, just Danny. 

So, it was now my turn to go and get a horse and only one was left. I walked off forgetting to get the rope halter from Steve so I was left to my own wiles to capture him. He was wise to me and avoided me at first and no matter how I tried to corner him, he quickly slipped away. So, I decided to follow some of Huston's advice, I stood still and waited. At first he was concentrating on the feed I'd put in his bucket in an effort to distract him hoping that I could grab his halter but that plan had proven fruitless. As he ate, I stood silently behind him and he kept looking back at me with more than a little concern but then, the oddest thing happened, he turned and walked toward me, stopped right in front of me and dropped his head for me to hook the rope on the halter. Then, we calmly walked up the hill. Steve didn't seem to notice that I'd managed to capture Riley and he certainly never asked how but I did make sure he knew the entire story before the day was done. ;-)

Who's the Teacher?

The final laugh was on me. Last Saturday, I was bragging to everyone who'd listen about how well nine month old Danny is doing with his lead line training. Between the weather (which is now beautiful but for weeks seemed to be freezing and wet) and the nearly two weeks that the flu had me laid low, I haven't been working with him like I should have. I've been worried that I'd fall too far behind with his training to catch up but Huston kept reassuring me that I had plenty of time. This weekend, I had to play doctor for a sore he'd gotten on his nose from an imbedded hay splinter that had become infected. In between the steps of betadine, water and antibiotic, I would attach the rope to his halter and work on leading. I was so pleased with how well he was doing because as I said, I haven't been working with him that much. I was happy with him and happy with myself for learning how to stay calm and keep my energy low, so we both did well. After the antibiotic, I decided to try something before I removed his halter. I removed the lead line and  gave him voice commands: come on (Huston told me to cluck instead so that is what we're doing now), whoa, back, side (which is how I tell him to turn but I have to come up with something new since we only turn one way at the moment, lol). Without a lead rope and with those simple word commands, he performed perfectly and he backed at least six feet straight back before I asked him to whoa which he did immediately. I was so darn proud that I was calling Huston and Steve and like I said before, anyone who'd listen, lol, to tell them how perfect and smart my baby is. I don't know about the others but of course Huston and Steve agreed with me. 

Well, fast forward to yesterday; the wind and Danny joined forces to give me a lesson in humility. It was so windy that I could barely see between the hay, dust and hair that were blowing across my face. Just taking care of his nose was almost more than I could handle. Danny was jumpy, dancing and throwing his head around fighting the rope and halter. When I started leading him, he repeatedly balked and he was easily distracted. He didn't appear to be paying the least attention to me and he'd suddenly walk away as if neither I nor the rope were there. I kept correcting him but he'd just try something new and I could already tell that this was a futile task. I was embarrassed that Steve was present to watch all of this especially after all of the lauding I'd been doing the day before.  Steve was of course supervising, playing armchair quarterback or maybe cowboy and so I asked, if he wanted to give it a try. I knew of course that Danny would be even worse for him. I'm beginning to think Dan's going to be a one person horse because he won't do anything for Steve. Which is why I let him try getting Danny to pay attention and behave, I didn't want to be alone in my misery and humiliation, hehehe. I did make certain that I ended on a good note by making Danny back  then stand still for a few minutes and lower his head for me to remove the halter (true that isn't so important now but if he keeps growing it one day will be.)Today, it's windy again and I'm not even going to try working with him until it is calmer. I was the only one who learned anything on Sunday and my biggest lesson learned was....I now know not to boast too quickly because children will always make a liar out of you if given half a chance. ;-)

the sore in Danny's nose

It's much better now but at first I was certain that it was a Sebaceous Cyst or Atheroma. My vet is right, I do google way too much. Doctor Hamilton told me that it was most likely a thorn or hay splinter. The moisture is from the antibiotic ointment which remains on the spot about two seconds. Most of this application was already on my sweater when I took this photo. It appeared on Friday which was when this shot was taken. It is healing nicely today, Monday. I've been cleaning and applying ointment to the now open wound twice daily. Danny is being very cooperative although I have to use a bit of persuasion to apply the ointment which in my mind would be the least painful step. I'm thinking it must be the way it smells to his horsey nostrils which are far more sensitive than mine.

Personalities Plus

I've been reading a lot lately about horse personalities. It seems there are four different, distinct types and I appear to have one of each.

Mouse is a dominant. She's confident, strong willed and independent. She's very intelligent and learns quickly. She loves to be challenged and she loves to compete. I know from experience that I have to keep control over Mouse and make certain that all of my decisions are precise and clearcut because I'm certain that if I ever give her a choice, she will know that she knows better than I do....and honestly, she probably does. But, by making certain that Mouse always knows I'm in charge, we've formed a wonderful partnership and my "push button" horse is sheer pleasure to ride. She is always attentive.

Riley is a faithful horse, sweet and gentle, but he is a bit standoffish and avoids attention. He became head shy after someone left his halter on when he was turned out and he became caught on something. This incident not only frightened him but also left him with terrible sores on his face and an ear that was sliced from on side to the other. It took weeks to heal his wounds but even longer to heal the psychological damage. I started gaining his trust again by just feeding him a little sweet feed while scratching his withers until he stood still for me and didn't move away.  Then I moved to his neck and head area until I was able to wrap my arms around his neck. Eventually, he began to move his head toward me instead of away and then hugged me with his neck. Haltering can still be a trial but is no longer extremely difficult if not impossible like it was right after the incident. Still, this is the one horse that I didn't need this happening to because he wasn't the horse who would seek out human's attention or companionship in the first place and he is a thinker so I doubt he will ever forget the injury completely. Riley is also the horse that you have to complete every task with; there are no partial victories with him. You must always be gentle and patient with him but you never quit until you win. He is an amazing trail horse and I think he would walk through fire as long as his rider is confident.

Django is my eternal baby. He is the life of the party, loves people, loves attention, seeks out the attention of humans, and makes friends easily. He loves to play, is always friendly and affectionate. He is a beauty and a charmer and everyone falls in love with him. He is the horse who will walk up and drop his head into the halter. He's ready to work and ride or as he calls it play. He makes up games like chase the other horses with the water hose but he is gentle with the other horses and always submissive. He is also energetic and a bit jumpy. He's a great ride with lots of go but you always have to be aware of your surroundings when you are riding him and ready to react to his spooks. The other horses react to a loud noise with cautious curiosity first but Django's first reaction is have no doubt, run away run!

Brandy is my sweet old girl. She came to live with me when she was twenty-five because her owner had too many horses and could no longer care for her. That will be six years ago in October. She has an easy going personality with both horses and humans. She's low energy, never flustered, and in the days when I rode her and allowed others to (she's retired now), she was bomb proof. She is the only horse I own that is not a Missouri Fox Trotter. She's a red roan Appaloosa. She's also very wise and intelligent in her old age and still has plenty of kick left in her when needed. When Riley and Django first arrived on the farm, she sized their personalities up quickly. She was immediately affectionate with Django and never saw him as a threat. Riley is more dominant and she realized that, too. She would chase him all over the pasture in reverse, backing up and threatening to kick him. That worked for quite a while until Mouse returned and took over the role of alpha mare in the herd and Riley realized that he was second in the pecking order. Now, poor Brandy is paying for her early bluffs but usually manages to avoid Riley and his aggressiveness quite well.

Danny is still a mystery. I see a little bit of all of the personalities above in him. He is loving and affectionate and also seems to be developing into a playful clown and trickster like his big brother, Django. He is sweet and low key like his unrelated by blood, Aunt Brandy. Truth be told, he has been in love with Brandy since he was a new born. He would follow her along the fence that divided them in those early days and try to give her gifts, which were objects he'd usually stolen from me...ala Django. I think he will be a leader like Riley and since it appears he will be much larger physically than Riley, I think Riley should rethink his current often aggressive behavior toward baby Dan. He has his mother's confidence and intelligence but also shows signs of having at least a touch of her occasional stubborness.  I think he also takes very much after a horse that does not live on our farm, his sire, who is a very personable, easy going and intelligent horse.....and also quite beautiful. Huston tells me that even Danny doesn't know who he is yet and I will influence and shape him as much as the other horses will. Watching him grow, learn and develop into Travelers Sensational Flyby is proving to be both enjoyable and exciting. Can't wait to see who he becomes.

Eight Months Already!

I'm going over to the pasture to work with Danny Boy a bit this afternoon. We are having such absolutely beautiful, totally untypical for January weather here in East Tennessee. It's been warm and gorgeous for two + days and that is supposed to last at least one more. Spotty showers but who cares; it's warm in January!! This is especially nice since our temps have been in the teens for several weeks. Suddenly, a light jacket and sweater feel like resort wear.

So it seems that my sweet Dan will have a lovely day to herald in his nineth month tomorrow. He will be exactly eight months old tomorrow morning and he looks like such a perfect little horse right now even if he is a bit shaggy and muddy. He just gets sweeter by the day much as he seems to grow each day. I'm planning on putting on his halter and doing a little ground work before I groom him and knock off a few layers of that grime.

He is still staying with the boys and I don't know if that's a good thing or not. They can be a bad influence at times. He was brave like his mama and not scared of anything before we started weaning him. Now, a month into his separation from Mouse, he's beginning to jump at his own shadow just like Django and becoming a bit more aggressive like Riley. Not that any of them are bad or spooky horses and their aggressiveness is just with each other and never with me.  Oh well, maybe it won't be much longer before we can turn him back out with Mouse and he can begin to mimic my brave girl instead of my chicken boys. As far as herd aggressiveness goes though, Mouse will always be the alpha and leader of the pack.