Hi, I'm Ev. I'm training to become a horsewoman. These are my adventures and misadventures. I'm green as hell, but so far, so good. I'm now learning from Bo (and sometimes his wife DeDe) at D&D Ranch in Pope Valley. I am extremely lucky to have this opportunity, I feel quite blessed, and I feel that they, and horses, have really turned my life around.
Solomon is my baby- a big old flea bitten grey Appendix gelding who is very kind and way too smart! I love him so very much. He is a rescue and was meant to be co-owned rehabbed, and maybe rehomed to a good home. He turned out to be over 25 years old with injuries that ultimately do not make him riding sound, so he is retired.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Solomon's first day in the big pasture!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md7pcbfgBAg
It's his first day in the 90 acre pasture, and he is taking to it like an otter to water. I s'pose he has been in a pasture before at some point in his life, and he has been around electric fences too, because he isn't taking any chances with the ones out there. He is getting on with the new herd well, though he's a total wuss and runs when anyone decides to chase him. Hey, that's better than attacking everyone!

He already knew the feeding guys on their John Deere, so when they drove into the pasture he went cantering after them. They drop flakes of hay all over the place so that a horse can eat even if he's being bullied, which was good news for Solly. Also, the flakes are HUGE. He'll get enough to eat, though I'm still going to pull him in every day and feed him some supplement. Bay Meadows (the local race track) is shutting down. I don't know what will happen to the horses there or where I'll get my senior feed. We will figure it out though.
Thanks to my wonderful boyfriend and best friend, Solomon is getting a slew of nifty things (and I am getting a helmet) as soon as horse.com decides to ship the order:

He's getting a blanket for the winter, a fly mask for the summer, clear eyes because his eyes get runny and irritated, liniment gel for his hurty foot, a leather punch to make some holes on his bridle so that it will fit properly, some anti-sand colic supplement since he's in a rather dry pasture that has some sand, (thank you Fugly Horse of the Day,) some pro-biotic supplement, some hooks and whip holders for the tack locker, thrushbuster, sponges, a squeegee, and a jelly rubber, vetrap and a medical kit just in case. Next time I might order a jollyball, but since he's out in the pasture I think he'll find stuff to do, and they'd just steal if from him out there anyway. When he comes in for inclement weather, however, I'll probably get one for him to occupy himself with.
Now we just need a saddle pad, girth, some proper riding boots for me, and a saddle. That stuff can wait, however. Solomon's basic needs come way before my fun. Gentle riding will be good for him, but for now running around the pasture will be a big help, I think. For now, he can run around and just be a horse.

2 comments:

nope said...

That's AWESOME.

I'm so so so glad to hear that.

-hugs for you and Sol-

Evergrey said...

:D Thank you!
I am sleeping through the night now, knowing that Solomon is safe and sound, and he seems well-rested too! Also, now he doesn't have to sleep in his own poo, which is a pretty big bonus if you ask me.