Demon child!...

Ok, maybe it isn't that extreme but Danny has been trying my patience lately. It isn't just the scary things he does by just being a little boy and usually being far too curious with his adventures. No, now he's taking along his brothers as his culprits in crime.

Twice in the last two weeks, the geldings and Dan have been out of their pasture and exploring the greener grass on the other side of the fence when I've gone over to feed them in the mornings. Thankfully, the big gate blocks the drive to the road when it's pushed open so I don't have to worry about them getting into traffic so much. I'm not saying that they couldn't do it but it would take more effort than they are generally willing to put out without encouragement.

Steve has, for weeks, been promising to replace the rope which held the gate with chain (started to say unbreakable chain but I wouldn't put anything past Dan at this point) but you know how that goes. He is always so busy but he did at least buy the chain which is a good thing because we've moved beyond just  breaking or untying the rope, which is what I thought they did the second time. I tied a square knot and thought that I'd cut the rope if I needed to get them out of the pasture (I never use the gate and simply climb under the fence to enter and exit the pasture). Now, it looks as if someone chewed the rope in two. I'll give you three guesses as to whom I suspect but I'm betting you only use one. Steve called me this morning to say that they were out again. He immediately started to work on the chains and fasteners for the gates while I gathered the sweet feed. All I had to do was whistle and unlike Slim in To Have and Have Not, I do know how because the horses have given me lots of practice.

So I put my lips together and blow and who do your think was leading the herd as they came galloping off of the hillside? None other than the same one who most likely chewed the rope in two that led to their escape and also probably led them out of the open gate. Yeah, it was Danny Manny and he was just acting as if this was the usual morning routine, the arrogant little booger. Of course, he looked so pretty running down that hillside with his head and ears held high that I instantly forgave him. He's getting so big, too. He seems to be as tall as the other two now but his legs are longer and his body still much slimmer. I'd better get control of this young one now before he figures out that he's bigger than me!

Come on!

Danny seems determined to give me a heart attack. He's nearly scared me to death twice in under 24 hours! Last night, in his impatience to be fed, he uses his usual ploy of getting attention by propping his foot on the metal fence or gate. But this time, he puts his foot on the open V between the insulator and the post on the electric fence and his hoof falls down between them! I was feeding Mouse and Brandy and I look up the hill to see the other two boys scattering while Danny appears to be having some type of fit, kicking and rearing and often having all four feet off of the ground! I run up the hill as fast as my fat, out of shape body can carry me and I see what is wrong just as he calms down and manages to lift the foot out of the "trap." I checked him out and his leg was unharmed but the fence was a mess and I'm not so sure about my heart!

This morning I'm once again down the hill feeding the girls when I look up and see only the two geldings standing at the gate waiting for their food. I walk up the hill and then start to run when I see Danny laying virtually under their feet and still as can be. I'm yelling his name and he twitches an ear and his tail so I know he's not knocked out by a kick or rear from one of the bigger boys. I grab their hay and throw it across the fence which immediately gets Riley and Django's full attention but Danny just lies there, virtually motionless. I climb through the fence and I kneel beside him. I lift his head and his eye flutters open and he moans a bit. Then he closes his eyes and again and sounds like he's growling. I'm terrified by then and I start picking up his head and rubbing his legs and I'm getting little response other than an occasional eye flutter and moan. I'm ready to call the vet and Steve when I think to go get the feed bucket. I step through the fence and grab the food bucket and shake it. Danny popped up like a Jack-in-the-box!!

When I last saw him, he was munching on his hay with his partners in crime.

I'm very grateful that he's Ok but at the moment, I could ring his little neck......;-)

17 Months

Time to get my camera out again as Danny hit 17 months yesterday. I also need to start taking lots of photos again so that I'll have something to look at (and cry) while Danny is in Missouri with Huston this Winter. Fifteen hours away, I don't know if I can take it even though I know he'll be in the best of hands.

He's growing up, already as tall as his brother Django who's 14.2 and showing signs (long legs) of being at least a hand taller if not a little more. He's sweet as can be but I'll admit since I'm the one who's done it, a tiny bit spoiled....rotten. Still, he isn't a bad boy and not at all aggressive but I do know that keeping this blog isn't the only thing I've been remiss about.

Huston has asked me not to attempt to do any training with him but there are a few essentials that I feel we do need to work on before he makes his trek West. The first thing is lead training. Although Dan was trained to a halter from the day he was born and we did do a bit of lead training when he was young and following his mom, he still needs lots of work on a lead line. I've really come to realize that over the last two days when I attempted to lead him and was met with either him jerking his head or standing stock still. I've been doing some research and reading today and I've got a plan of action. I also know what I've been doing wrong. For one, I've been choking up on the lead line out of my own nervousness which really doesn't establish me as a leader. Also, I get him to walk forward by pulling on him until he moves and then releasing pressure. I've learned that is the wrong way to do it because it doesn't establish me as boss and puts me in the wrong position. I also allow him to crowd me out of his own nervousness and I need to work to keep a proper distance between us. The forecast is for beautiful weather for the next week. We will be trying to put hay up but I'm sure that I can save 10 or 15 minutes out of my day to work with Dan on leading.

The second thing that I need to work with Dan on before our trip to Missouri is actually essential to the trip......trailer loading and transport. Steve hasn't had the time for several months to help me get the trailer out and set up so that I can start loading and unloading Dan and we can start taking him on short trips in preparation for that one very long one. It isn't completely to blame on Steve's busy schedule however; I know that I've been dragging my feet, too, because I'm so afraid that he'll panic and hurt himself. I should have listened to Huston and left him locked in a stall when he was younger. I'm such a pushover when he's scared or upset. I don't know if I'm really cut out for horse training.

16.5 Months

Wow, I've neglected this blog. It was totally unintentional. Danny has continued to grow and learn and certainly amuse. I'll be sure to update with a more comprehensive story soon but for now, a few photos taken this afternoon that might just illustrate how much he's changed in four months and 21 days:)

Fly-by Danny Boy a Year Ago

Traveler's Sensational Flyby or as we will always call him, Danny, was born May 1, 2010. A year and a month have passed and today, he's taller than his mother. This video was filmed and the still shots taken on the day he arrived. He's just a few hours old here and I don't think Mousie can believe that he's truly hers. She looks at him with so much adoration and love that it still breaks my heart a little to watch this but it also makes that same heart sore with joy. It attests to how much I love these two horses that I'm willing to allow the world to hear my silly giggles but they were sincere and heartfelt giggles brought on by our fascination with this beautiful gift that Mouse had just given us. I said on that day, "Five years ago, when I first met her, I gave her my heart and today, she's returned the favor."

What a Difference a Year Makes!

Twelve, short months...

We woke to a gray and drizzle day, nothing like that morning exactly 12 months ago when Danny entered this new world to golden morning sunlight and his mother's gentle nuzzle. I trudged across the field with my camera hoping to get some gorgeous birthday shots but neither the weather nor Danny were really in the mood for that. Danny was still sleepy and unsure of what all of the fuss was about. I'm certain that he'll perk up later today when Dad-Steve returns home with some birthday treats for him but until then, this is the best I have to offer on this momentous day, a sweet, sleepy, mud covered boy who needs a good brushing but is still shaping up nicely for a one year old.