tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88151625889160311812024-03-13T13:43:13.076-07:00Ev 'n' HossesHi, 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 himEvergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.comBlogger405125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-67383260157471199002013-09-23T20:51:00.000-07:002013-09-23T20:51:18.540-07:00Ev and the magic bean- a horse owner's tale!GATHER 'ROUND, CHILDREN, FOR A MAGICAL TALE!<br />As the equine dentist cleaned up his tools, I casually reached over to remove some beans from Solomon Evsson. He was dropped, he was really sedated. He was still not in the mood, but I was like a ninja. A bean ninja. Oh god, what have I become...<br /><br />The barn owner said "I'm still a newbie when it comes to horses! Do you think my horse needs to be checked for these "bean" things, too? Would you be willing to try that?"<br /><br />The horse in question is Charlie Horse, a 14.1hh palomino pony of questionable ancestry and even more questionable temperament, on account of having been abandoned in a field for 5 years before the neighbor, who became a barn owner (well, pasture, as there is no barn) couldn't stand it any more and rescued him. He has about 8 molars, but he has all of his incisors, which he's perfectly happy to test the strength of on your flesh if you annoy him too much. He doesn't mind cocking a hoof, either.<br /><br />"Er... that horse? I'd say have a vet sedate him really heavily, and have that vet do it. One you don't like very much."<br /><br />"Oh, okay..." :(<br /><br />"Well it might be fine. Some horses need it more than others. It's only really an emergency if he has trouble peeing or can't retract his penis, or it's really swollen or something."<br /><br />"Oh really? Oh! Because he has been having a hard time peeing lately, I've noticed, he always tries so hard and not a lot comes out."<br /><br />In the back of my head, I heard my Shihan's words, "you are responsible for your knowledge."<br /><br />My knowledge told me that <br />a) this horse needed help, badly, and was drugged, so now was my best chance, and<br />b) with my horse experience and martial arts training, I was the best woman for the job at that time.<br /><br />"Oh, yeah, okay, I'll... I'll give it a try. Let's see how he takes to it. Sometimes they like it, and that's creepy but okay, because if they don't like it, it's like they have a magical spool inside of their body that they can roll their penis up into, and then you have to go spelunking up to the elbow for horse penis. Nobody really wants to do that. Nobody you want to allow on the property, anyway. Sometimes it helps if you like, pet their thigh a bit. They... they relax I guess. Oh god. There's no dignified way to do this, for anyone. Okay, here goes."<br /><br />I petted him a bit, and then reached over, wishing I had some gloves, briefly thinking about the urban horseperson legend that states that the smell NEVER WASHES OFF NOT EVER NOPE.<br /><br />Okay, yep, chevon 9 locked, I have secured the horse penis. The nasty, crusty horse penis. This is not what I woke up this morning thinking I was going to do.<br /><br />I had my leg pressed against his leg. I'd positioned myself next to the leg that was stretched back, so that I could jam up a kick as much as possible. I pressed my leg against it so I'd know the moment he moved it to try to kill me for molesting him after the dentist slipped him those drugs.<br /><br />First thing I noticed? He seemed really swollen in the pouch area. They have this pouch, you see, at the head of the penis. Smegma and crud collects there, and over time, it forms something called a "bean." It's sort of a hellish stygian pearl- layers and layers of the nastiest stuff that collects from and around a horse penis. Over time, it gets bigger and bigger and bigger, and eventually it can block the opening of the urethra, making it difficult, even impossible for the horse to urinate.<br /><br />This can lead to horrible things, even kidney failure if he gets blocked up or infected or something.<br /><br />I tried to peel open the swollen pouch, and managed to break out something that felt kind of like crumbly gravel. A huge something. A lot of it. And there was a lot more.<br /><br />At this point, Charlie Horse pulled himself out of his drug-filled haze enough to protest, as this had to be really uncomfortable, and started flinching and protesting. I backed off. He might be old and he might only have 8 teeth, but he is still much bigger than me, and probably faster, too. <br /><br />"Well, that was horrible. And the rest of the news is, there's more. Way more. It HAS to come out. Today."<br /><br />We moved him into his favorite place- the feeding pen. I repeated the process, twice more. I don't know where the...results of the first extraction went, but these two chunks are from the next two, which finally got all of it out. Not shown is the other side, which shows what the middle of it looked like- concentric rings of black, white, and yellow. Horrifying. <br /><br />This is by far the biggest bean I've ever encountered. I had it in my hand and I showed it to the barn owner. "This is horse smegma, Holly. THIS IS HORSE SMEGMA AND IT IS SITTING IN MY HAND." <br /><br />I scrubbed my hands and I scrubbed them and I scrubbed them, and I am putting some surgical gloves in my car as soon as I am done writing this so that this never need happen ever again.<br /><br />Not long after the extraction was over, Charlie Horse peed, and peed, and peed. His lip hung low, his ears drooped, and I have never seen a horse look so RELIEVED before in my life.<br /><br />As a show of gratitude, the barn owner sent me home with a huge sack of pears, apples, and squash gathered fresh from her property.<br /><br />Parents, if you have a young girl or boy who will not stop pestering you for a pet pony, share this story with them so that they can understand the true magic and majesty that is horse ownership...<br /><br />I'm going to go sit in the shower for 2 hours now while slowly rocking back and forth, back and forth...<br />
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<br />Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-72083031950767956312012-11-09T18:12:00.001-08:002012-11-09T18:12:26.013-08:00Thank you so much!Something to be very grateful for! A kind donor has enabled me to get a UV protection mask for Solomon! It works like a fly mask, but will protect his eyes from the sun a lot better than a normal fly mask. I can also buy him more anti-inflammatory pain medications! Thank you thank you thank you!Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-6432385878261517952012-11-06T00:32:00.000-08:002012-11-06T00:32:00.187-08:00Solomon's healthHey there,<br />
Well, Solomon has rallied! His swelling and itchiness has gone way down, with a simple bute treatment. Bute can do damage to the stomach and kidneys, but we have to balance that with his age and what will bring him the highest quality of life. We aren't really getting much into him because he's a clever and suspicious horse, but the little bit he is taking is helping!<br />
<br />
He has finally bonded with the new mare, Misty, who has moved in since Maggie and Breaker left. Misty is a Standardbred, and an ex racehorse.<br />
<br />
While Solomon was eating dinner, penned up because we didn't want the other horses to eat bute (not that he took more than 5 mouthfuls of the bait) Misty wandered off.<br />
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Then he noticed, and this happened, haha. I had to take his fly mask off before I could let him out. There's no barbed wire in that pen, by the way. There is some on the rest of the property, but with 100 acres and a lot of sense, he doesn't get himself caught in it, thank the gods.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0UlAop1wW-o" width="480"></iframe><br />
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Pretty amazing for such an ancient horse, eh?<br />
<br />Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-14479728645378105422012-11-03T21:02:00.001-07:002012-11-03T21:02:21.551-07:00Moon blindnessHi there,<br />
long time no post, I know!<br />
<br />
Solomon has moon blindness. :( It was really limited to runny eyes and some photosensitivity for a long time, but now he's getting really itchy, and lots of swelling. I don't think fly masks are enough any more.<br />
I'm going to get a vet out to him as soon as I can, and start him on steroid ointment, and I am starting him on anti inflammatory drugs now.<br />
<br />
The other thing that I can do for him (that implant surgery isn't recommended for a horse his age) is get him a Guardian Mask, which blocks UV and really helps a photosensitive horse like Solomon.<br />
<br />
http://www.horsemask.com/products.html<br />
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Unfortunately I cannot afford one this month. :( I am also dealing with one of my cats, who has a $1,000 eye surgery that he desperately needs.<br />
<br />
Hopefully I'll find a way to get him one soon. Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-83833817548910617422012-08-14T00:35:00.002-07:002012-08-14T01:09:10.846-07:00Back in the saddle!Hey, it's me again! Long time, eh?<br /><br />Solly is doing great. He enjoys goofing off with me when I visit.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/AABLOG1.jpg"><br /><br />He gets a ton of treats, though sometimes he does have to work for them. This helps him work his back and flexibility a bit. It's also entertaining.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/AABLOG2.jpg"><br /><br />The only problem is sometimes he'll decide to "bow" while I'm trying to get a hoof to pick, lol!<br /><br />He still really loves belly skritches!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/AABLOG3.jpg"><br /><br />And even more treats!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/AABLOG4.jpg"><br /><br />Today though, I visited some friends who live about 40 minutes away (well, when there isn't traffic) and I got to RIDE again! :D<br /><br />I got to ride two horses, in fact: Bella, a, 18hh 1900 pound Percheron, and Comet, a Paint/TB mix. I don't have pictures and videos of me riding Comet, but I have some of Bella and I!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG1.jpg"><br /><br />First of all... I'm 5'2". an 18hh is REALLY REALLY TALL for me, haha! The dismount onto the ground was... interesting. I am not used to falling THAT far before hitting the ground. I managed to maintain my balance and dignity, however.<br /><br />Her movements were HUGE. It was quite a different experience for me, because her movements were even bigger than Synergy, the draft cross mare a friend of mine owns that I rode a couple times.<br /><br />I really had the feeling that I was on a massive charger... except she isn't really the charging time. She's more the eating hay and feed type, lol! Sweet, sweet, PATIENT girl though! I just loved her!<br /><br />I am not used to short reins that aren't split. My hands were a bit high because I didn't want to catch the loop of the reins on the horn, but it was a little challenging to reach them and keep a straight back, haha!<br /><br />I was a bit rough starting out but we got to know each other and I started to get the movement that goes with riding again.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG2.jpg"><br /><br />I did have a little Bo in my head, saying "HEELS DOWN EV" and "relax your shoulders" and "chin up" and "line up your heels with your hips" and "keep your back straight" and "move with the horse!" That helped, haha. <br /><br />Bella was trained in dressage at some point, and she does prefer more contact with the bit than I am used to... I'm glad she does though, since those reins were so short!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG3.jpg"><br /><br />Patient patient girl. I had a hard time getting her to trot, but then I wasn't able to figure out how to sit a trot with such long strides. I'll get it down though! <br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG4.jpg"><br /><br />Just starting to turn.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG5.jpg"><br /><br />Man I was so happy!<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EVKBFT3iTUo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Here we are doing some big circles and then going around a barrel. Yay!<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8-w0wgFUKn8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Her back is different from the backing commands I've learned in the past, but we got it down... albeit one. Step. At. A. Time. I gave the command, she thought about it, and then she took one step back, hehe!<br /><br />This is Comet and his momma.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG8.jpg"><br /><br />This is Bella's daddy and Comet's momma.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG7.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/August1012blog/BLOG6.jpg"><br /><br />I had such a great time! After I hopped off Bella... well, dismounted and free-falled, haha, I got on Comet. He's a lot smaller but he has carried people who are a lot bigger than me just fine.<br /><br />BIG difference!<br /><br />The saddle fit me a lot better, which was a nice help, but also... he was so much narrower, and I found him to be much easier to sit. His gait was shorter and faster, which is what I'm used to, having learned to ride on stock horses.<br /><br />He tested me plenty, that's for sure. I was warned that he does that with everyone, haha. We had to have a conversation about how he was not going to rub me off on the fence... but once we got down to business, he was a delight to ride! <br /><br />I got him sidepassing in no time, and his momma taught me how to get him to turn on the forehand, and then we also did a bunch of TROTTING! He is a zippy, forward horse. His sire earned a quarter of a million dollars racing. <br /><br />At first I did not move well with his trot. Felt really bad about that, though he was patient with me. It took a little while for me to get a feel for it, but he was happy to just trot all over the place, and soon I found myself moving with him. He has a really nice jog that's easy to sit! All the riding I'd done on Bella had really limbered me up, and all the martial arts training I have done has helped me a lot with my balance and flexibility.<br /><br />I was SO HAPPY!<br /><br />I was worried. I took a major shot to my confidence last year, overhearing someone say that I am "less than a beginner" at riding. Well, that may be so... but I will only get better with hours in the saddle! The friends who let me come down and ride were delighted to have me, and they want me to come back and ride again! They said they'd be happy to have me along anytime! :D I'm going out there again on Saturday.<br /><br />I am so very grateful that these kind folks and their patient, sweet horses are giving me a chance, and giving me this opportunity. I felt really comfortable and safe with them... and there is nothing like time with horses!<br />Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-30590586343223000722012-07-19T02:18:00.003-07:002012-07-19T02:27:26.335-07:00Farrier woesMan, I am just about ready to teach myself how to trim feet. The farrier my pasture uses is TERRIBLE!<br /><br />One farrier who is a friend of a friend (but sadly not local) says that I could probably do a better job trimming the hoof MYSELF.<br /><br />Trying to track down Grant, the old farrier who trimmed Solly at Bo's ranch. I should never have let them talk me into leaving him. I just went with the easy option, so that's my fault. It's on me.<br /><br />The Barn Owner says he has been moving stiffly and painfully.<br /><br />I am betting he's getting some navicular pain from his terrible trims. I left explicit instructions this last time... though I wasn't able to make it on time in person thanks to someone in a minivan taking the entire length of Silverado Trail at 30 MPH. It's supposed ot be 55-60 MPH. Blargh.<br /><br />Let me show you why I'm firing this farrier.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0712/aftertrim.jpg"><br /><br />He didn't clean the frog or sole up at ALL. He didn't even trim a good section of the hoof, but strangely he did shave off even more heel, even though Solly's heels are really underrun, and his toes are really long, especially on this foot. <br /><br />I asked for a mustang roll. This is what they gave me. :/<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0712/aftertrim2.jpg"><br /><br />Note the flare at the side and the long long toe.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0712/aftertrim3.jpg"><br /><br />Once again, Solly's feet all look completely different, and are at different angles. I'm officially mad now.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0712/aftertrim4.jpg"><br /><br />They did slightly better with these, but still with the flare and not rolling the sides well, and arrgh.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0712/aftertrim5.jpg"><br /><br />Did he not even look at the sides of Sol's feet? D:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0712/aftertrim6.jpg"><br /><br />yeah, these are gonna crack even more now.<br /><br />I hope I can track down Grant and talk him into coming all the way out to Pope Valley to trim one horse! :oEvergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-18578438525610734822012-05-22T05:59:00.002-07:002012-05-22T05:59:43.668-07:00Hey folks,
Just going to spam you with a bunch of photos of Solomon.
He is loving his job as a herd leader and occasional therapy horse. Sometimes now I am about to take people who are trauma survivors or who just need a break from everything out to see my boy. He can always sense when someone's hurting, and always does what he can to make them feel better. He is a sweetheart and a love, and he is very good at what he does.
He's at a weight I'm happy with now. I think the nice folks who I am boarding him with have come to love him too. It's hard not to! Their house is in the middle of his pasture. Now that it's fly mask season, he ambles up to their house gate every day to have it put on, and he comes up to have it taken off, too.
He gets wormed, he gets fly sprayed, and when his eyes are really bothering him (we suspect a bit of moon blindness, possibly) they even give him a bit of bute. At his age, I figure he should just have whatever makes him comfortable.
He guides his herd well. When I'm out there, he tries to guide me, too, haha! He tried to stop me, with his head and even a nip in front of me (but not at me. He wouldn't bit me,) to stop me from stumbling into a really swampy area. I was dumb and didn't listen, and ended up with boots full of mud for my troubles. Lesson learned: listen to the wise old man.
Here are some photos from last fall to current. :}
Around eh, March or April. You can see that he is nicely filled out these days!
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/chunkers.jpg">
February. He found some clay to roll in.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/earlyspring.jpg">
Late spring:
<img src="">
How could he not be happy, with 95 acres of awesome grass, as well as probiotics, senior feed, all the medications he needs, apples, and carrots?
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/happy.jpg">
He also has forest to explore, streams and a big huge pond to play in, and hills to climb.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/heaven.jpg">
Once in a while, Momma still manages to come up and see him. These days, Solly's favorite thing in the world is to nap with a friend.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/loves.jpg">
Solomon loves Maggie. Maggie loves Solomon. Maggie wishes he had a clue when it comes to the ladies. Sadly, he is woefully lacking in this department.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/misadventures.jpg">
Ancient sleepy horse is both ancient and sleepy.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/napping.jpg">
If you're going to sleep standing up, the best way to do it is to have your human headrest handy.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/napping2.jpg">
"OH HI! THIS IS MY HUMAN! MINE!"
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/smile.jpg">
Solomon follows Maggie and Breaker when they get ridden. He doesn't interfere with the riders... just comes along and circles them, making sure none of his horses get away or get attacked. He LOVES trail ride days. He gets cookies from the riders, and it's a lot of fun stimulation for him. He likes to splash in the stream they cross out there, and dunk his entire head under water... especially funny since he is SO very dainty when he drinks, hah!
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/trailride.jpg">
They have to let him come along anyway. Otherwise, he'll just break down the gate or run through the fence and follow them anyway. The solution was simple- just let him come along. He respects working horses enough that it isn't a problem. No more destroyed gates, no cut up horse.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/trailride2.jpg">
I think he's just so gorgeous!
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/trotting.jpg">
It was winter, and he was so happy to see me that he came right through the tall grasses because it was the most direct route. He nickers when he sees me now. :D Sometimes we take walks together, he and I. Sometimes I'll stretch my hand out and we'll "whisker lead," where he keeps his whiskers touching my hand. Sometimes he'll just lightly keep contact with his head on my shoulder. He likes doing that, because then he can tell me right away if he thinks I'm going somewhere unsafe.
I wonder if he thinks I'm some kinda human foal? Heh.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/winter.jpg">
NOSE REST!
He loves to stick his nose in my cleavage and pass out. He was snoring here. I actually got a little worried because his nose was so wrinkled that his nostrils were almost closed, haha. He didn't seem to care at all though.
<img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0512/zzzcleavage.jpg">
So there you have it. This is the horse that one person said was going to bite off my face. This is the horse that another person said was going to kill me.
So glad I listened to Solomon instead of them.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-70056255608027234122012-05-22T04:08:00.002-07:002012-05-22T04:23:16.213-07:00Whabuh?Hey everyone,<br /><br />I don't really go on FiSH ever any more, and haven't in some time. I don't feel any desire to get in a bunch of fights on the internet. I work hard at focusing on the positive, and finding my joy, which is something Bo really drilled into my head.<br /><br />A lot of the lessons he taught me, a lot of the conversations we had, are a big part of my life today, in my head and in my heart. The experiences I had there changed my life. Often his words come back to me, often I find myself quoting him. Every time I am around a horse, something he taught me helps me... and often helps the horse, or other people, too.<br /><br />I miss him a lot.<br /><br />Anyway, I wanted to set some stuff straight, as it's finally made it's way to me along the grapevine.<br /><br />No, Bo didn't raise my board. I ended up having some financial situations come up that meant I had even less money than before. I could no longer afford board there. I found a place and I moved my old man to it. Bo trailered him there for me for free.<br /><br />Bo also went so far beyond just boarding my horse. He put countless hours into teaching me horsemanship, welcoming me into his home, and helping me to open up my world. My health, physical, mental, and emotional, improved so much because of the time he spent on me. When I was able to afford the drive regularly, he would often put 6, sometimes 8 hours in a day in with me. He did not take advantage of me, or rip me off. He gave an immense amount of knowledge to me, and wisdom, and care, and it was priceless. Just priceless. <br /><br />Solomon did get thin for a while at Bo's ranch. It was not for lack of food. Everyone was trying to put weight on him. He just ultimately needed another environment, AND he had a really rough winter. He is VERY old and it got very cold that year. Keeping in mind what is the right environment for each horse is another thing that Bo taught me. He didn't have 95 acres with hills and a small passive mixed-gender herd for Solomon to run. As it turns out, that's what Solly needed to thrive... lots and LOTS of land with a TON of grass, and a job that he could do, and do well, with very little stress, all the time. He has that now, and thus, is in much better condition. He is the kind of horse who will lose weight when bored, because boredom causes stress for him. I wasn't able to visit him as much either, not NEARLY as much. I ended up having a serious medical issue for months that required medication that prevented me from driving. That meant even more boredom for Solomon, because I could rarely see him.<br /><br />As it is, I don't get to see him very often now either... but now he's okay with that, because he has a ton of stimulation and a lot to do. He even gets to go along when the other boarders go on trail rides around the property. He just follows along like a dog, in "guard" mode, heh. <br /><br />I don't see the point of people fighting and getting nasty about stuff, on EITHER side of the fence. But that's me. I fight in real life, to learn to protect, to learn to defend. Why would I seek conflict purposefully? Actually, why does anyone? What isn't being fulfilled? What hole is filled by seeking conflict? Does it actually fill that hole?<br /><br />What's just fun, entertaining baiting for one person might be really hurtful to another. How will that fix anything?<br /><br />Just my 2 cents.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-13244894444555846652012-04-30T19:04:00.001-07:002012-04-30T19:05:23.757-07:00It's spring for Sollywog, and he's feeling frisky.Well, Solomon was in a pretty frisky mood today. He latched right on to me, nickering like I haven't heard him nicker in years, keeping his mouth on my shoulder constantly, following me around everywhere, and grooming me. At one point he stopped me from walking forward with his chin, and snapped his teeth really loudly close to my ear, like a feaux-nip. Not something he does! I ignored him, which was dumb of me, because when I took another step forward, I sank into some nasty mud, LOL.<br />Bossy, but meaning well?<br />Then I saw him try to mount Maggie. Except he couldn't quite figure it out right, and tried to mount her shoulder, LOL!<br />Then I realized he was doing the same things with her as he had been with me, keeping his mouth on her shoulder, nickering, throwing his head over her, grooming her, etc etc.<br />Oh.<br />OH.<br />Uh, well at least he didn't try to mount me?<br />She tried to back up on him to show him how it was done, but he squealed and pinned his ears and chased her away, then came back to me, nickering and putting his mouth on my shoulder.<br />Freak.<br /><br />Haha, love my boy though! He's fat and healthy and happy.<br />Every time I visit him he ends up falling asleep on me. He either squishes his nose up in my cleavage or rests his neck on my shoulder and starts snoring, haha. He doesn't run as fast as he used to, but he looks amazing.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-30060138518948368802012-02-06T01:30:00.000-08:002012-02-06T01:40:49.807-08:00Riding!Woohoo!<br /><br />I have a local friend with a really sweet solid draft cross mare. I'm about 14% of her weight, heh. She's 17 hands tall! A total babysitter, too. I've ridden her twice now, and we're learning to understand one another. I've never really ridden a horse like her before- her legs are so long that her movement is HUGE! Her hips swing in long, wide, broad strokes. Very different from the stock horses I'm used to riding. She's also an English horse, though she sure doesn't seem to mind me riding with a loose rein. She does require a little firmer signals, but I use the least amount I can, and she's starting to get softer with me, as well as starting to focus on me more.<br /><br />I still haven't figured out how to sidepass with her yet, haha! But we'll get there in time.<br /><br />I'm going to ride again on Wednesday. So looking forward to it! It feels like coming home, sitting on the back of a horse. It's been a long time since I've really gotten to RIDE, but we happily tool around in the arena together. Perhaps in time, once I'm up to speed, we'll get to go out on some trails.<br /><br />Here she is!<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PeSYpKJlffw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Solomon's doing really well. Last time I went out to see him, I followed along while Maggie and Breaker's mom and dad went on a trail ride!<br /><br />Here are some videos of the day. Heh, I totally fell on the side of the hill, which was a lot steeper than it looked like. <br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gxGi5pnQ59s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XxwO0udBYbg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />I'll try to get some photos up sometime. He is such a gorgeous, happy, healthy boy these days! :DEvergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-55060429048176490832011-12-18T15:54:00.000-08:002011-12-18T16:32:55.132-08:00Wet face, happy horse!I got to see my baby twice this month!<br />Sensei and I went out to the pasture, to bring up some grain, some wormer, and money for the farrier. Solomon's hoof trim was Sensei's Yule gift for me this year! <br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/MikenISMALL.jpg"><br /><br />When we got there, we saw Maggie and Breaker's people riding their horses back to their trailer. Running alongside them was none other than my boy, Solomon.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/wetface.jpg"><br /><br />See how wet his face is? According to Maggie's people, Solomon loves to tag along when they go on trail rides. I'm glad they've decided that's fine, since when they try to stop him coming along, he just bashes down the gate and follows them anyway, heh.<br />So they went down to the creek, which they tell me Solomon loves to play in. He gets right into the middle, in the deepest part of the water, and splashes around, pawing it to soak his belly. Then he sticks his ENTIRE head under water and shakes it around, haha! <br /><br />I'm so very happy to see Solomon so full of life. Playfulness is a sign of an emotionally healthy horse. He really did seem to be quite happy, too. Ears perked, tail flagging... he looked like he was 5 years old instead of 29! <br /><br />After so much time being tied to the trailer at Bo's ranch for treats and pampering, Solomon will happily stand at the trailer with no tie. He put himself in alongside Maggie, hoping to get a share in the treats... which he totally did, haha!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/selftying.jpg"><br /><br />He's sly that way.<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/Sollywise.jpg"><br /><br />"I went along for the ride, right? So I get treats too?" I thanked Maggie and Breaker's mom and dad for exercising my horse for me, haha!<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/trailertie2.jpg"><br /><br />After the horses were untacked, their people let them go. First breaker:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/breakerrun.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/breakfree.jpg"><br /><br />Then Maggie, that wonderful, love-bug, goofy horse.<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/maggierear.jpg"><br /><br />Then everybody had to have a nice roll.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/1rollsniff.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/2rollsniff.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/3rollsniff.jpg"><br /><br />And then Solomon showed me just how fast he was capable of running still, which was pretty amazingly fast. I wasn't able to get a clear picture. I think the thunderous fart he let loose when he started really gave him that extra burst of speed, haha!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/takeoff.jpg"><br /><br />Once everybody had calmed down, and got fed, I gave Solomon his spa treatment. Hey, like my new weave?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/weave.jpg"><br />(let's just not think about why his tail is so stained, okay?)<br /><br />I know I spam you all with a million and one pictures of Solomon, but I am so in love with his pretty face!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/prettydace.jpg"><br /><br />Haha, I'm a dirty girl.<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/dirtygirl.jpg"><br /><br />Maggie is secretly wrought of flame.<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/maggieflames.jpg"><br /><br />Breaker, looking pretty but being standoffish. If I lived in the area, I'd bring him around!<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/breakerboy.jpg"><br /><br />Since Charley is on an all-mash diet now, he gets to eat mash out of a wheelbarrow, heh. Solomon went to make sure there were no crumbs left.<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/barrowlick.jpg"><br /><br />Of course, when he cleaned it off, he flipped the thing over with his nose. He's a gentleman like that. Here he is, looking like he's the proudest stallion in Pope Valley, haha!<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/standingproud1.jpg"><br /><br />Or maybe he's just proud of knocking over that wheelbarrow. But then again, he did fight off that giant black Hanoverian stallion last month. That's pretty impressive stuff for an ancient gelding!<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/standingproud2.jpg"><br /><br />Sensei was much loved by the horses.<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/handsomeman.jpg"><br /><br />D'awwwwh!<br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/senseisol1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/MikenSol1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/MikenSol2.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/MikenSol3.jpg"><br /><br />After a while, Sensei's back started to bug him, so he went and laid down in the car. I brushed down Maggie and Solomon. Charley was feeling cranky about getting touched, so I left him be, and Breaker still won't let me near him, which is an issue I didn't try to push. <br /><br />Solomon happily lowered his head until his ears were below the level of my chin, and dozed off, making happy sighing noises while I stroked his face and gently scratched under his chin. It's a little ritual the two of us follow every time I visit now. I am his safe harbor, and he is mine. Our lives might not intersect nearly as much as they used to, to my great loss, but he is still my boy, and it's worth it to see him so very healthy and happy. He always has love to give to me, though, and time as well.<br /><br />So proud of my boy. His health is great, his feet are trimmed, he's likely wormed by now, he has probiotics and senior feed, nicely-floated teeth, and he has gained a bit more weight, so he is going into winter in excellent shape! The grass is starting to really come in, and everything is going well. There's a blanket waiting for him when it gets cold enough, and I suspect that he will have a very happy year.<br /><br />I am so very, very full of love and gratitude.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-77167228476568784392011-12-10T14:32:00.000-08:002011-12-10T14:52:00.639-08:00Tooth float 2011!Hi folks,<br /><br />It was time for Solomon to get his teeth floated again, so out came the vet and the dentist. Heh, the other boarders at the ranch decided that December was the perfect month to do this. :( Well, a happy horse is more important than obligatory gift-giving and conspicuous consumerism anyway.<br /><br />Solomon had to get a lot of drugs. A shot that was .8, and then a shot that was .4, of whatever non-Ace drug they used. The vet was worried and said "okay, I'm going to take your word on this and give him a big shot, but if he lies down, don't get mad at me, okay? This is on your word." Heh, a while later she gave in and gave him the second shot. <br /><br />Solomon is a stubborn fighter. He has also gained a lot of independence and status in the past year, so he's a lot less likely to want to automatically obey. I had to work leading out with him a bit too, but he gave in to that pretty easily. I don't blame him for being stubborn- that's what helped him survive the charro circuit.<br /><br />Anyway, on to the photo spam!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth1.jpg"><br /><br />Dr. Stewart is a really sweet man. He does a great job on the horses and is very kind to them.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth2.jpg"><br /><br />Solomon, getting his incisors cut so that they will slide together properly.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth3.jpg"><br /><br />"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth4.jpg"><br /><br />THE ORAL SPECULUM! *creepy music*<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth6.jpg"><br /><br />Sensei in his old Air Force cold weather coat, holding a very drugged horse.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth7.jpg"><br /><br />I also took this opportunity to remove Sol's beans. Thankfully the vet gave me a couple gloves to do it with- for some reason all my sheath cleaning supplies are at home! The dentist used to do it for free, but now he won't because a horse almost killed him earlier this year. The vet and the dentist were really worried. "That drug won't stop him from kicking!" I just sang some Barry Manilow and talked my boy through it, much to the entertainment of the onlookers. Found 6 beans too... poor baby! D: He swished his tail a bit but never sucked his boybits up into his body cavity (thank the GODS) and didn't offer even the threat of a kick.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth8.jpg"><br /><br />"...wha? Whazzhappenin..."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth9.jpg"><br /><br />Holding up his head a little bit so he doesn't faceplant. Don't worry, I was crouched and ready to move in case he seriously went down. He always does this- fights like hell against the drugs, and when the procedure is over, they SERIOUSLY hit.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth10.jpg"><br /><br />I have a hoss!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth11.jpg"><br /><br />Then it was Charlie Horse's turn. I'd been advising the ranch owners for a while to get his teeth floated, but the small animal vet they usually out said he didn't need it. He was feral and abandoned in a field for at least 5 years, and then taken in by them 3 years ago. They decided to have it done for him if he needed it along with the other horses, heh.<br /><br />He is missing a lot of teeth and the ones he has are bad, but the vet did what he could to make what he has left actually be able to chew. He needs mash from now on though- he doesn't have enough teeth to really properly chew hay. I'm really proud of the owners for getting this done now. Now they know. It's not their fault- they weren't horse people when they got him, they just rescued him because he lived in the abandoned property across the road, and then they trusted the word of the small animal vet. They've REALLY done good things for him this year though, after a number of conversations we've had. They've put him on senior feed and probiotics, and they have him on a worming rotation. They gave him a betadine scrub, they put a fly mask on him during fly season, and he's getting good care now. Now that they know what he needs, they can also go forward with that, and I think he'll do even better.<br /><br />Tooth floating still looks like some sort of hellish torture though, lol! Charlie tried really hard to have a major wreck, despite the drugs, but no one was hurt, thankfully.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1211/tooth13.jpg">Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-85704318345052035332011-12-10T14:05:00.001-08:002011-12-10T14:29:49.339-08:002008- 2011I just had Solly's teeth done again. There was a vet with the dentist this time. She said that Solomon is in excellent condition, amazing for his age, and that I must be doing everything right! <br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/SOLLYPROGRESS.jpg"><br /><br /><br />From November:<br /><br />Here they are running to the "people-meeting place."<br /><br /><iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ca32xX4YPww" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><br />Getting belly skritches:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/1camellips.jpg"><br /><br />Visiting with me:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/1backlit.jpg"><br /><br />Solomon really loves to "snuggle" like this. He'll put his nose on me, let me rub his face or cradle his head, and fall sound asleep, snoring away like the happy old man he is. Man, look how cresty his neck is, hah! But this is going to be a cold winter, I can feel it... he will need the extra fat. I also got him a blanket this year, just for really cold winter nights, as he is a bit too hold to keep his weight up when it gets really cold.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/1cresty.jpg"><br /><br />He really looks like a wise old man, doesn't he? I'm not Christian, but Solomon suits him all the same. The vet said she'd never met a horse named Solomon before, but said "he looks really wise, it feels like the right name for him."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/1guardian.jpg"><br /><br /><br />Solomon says that William could use a bit of grooming. Haha, I remember a friend saying "that horse is gonna bite you and you're gonna get really hurt, letting him get so close and personal!" Yeah not so much, heh! He is relaxed and calm and because we trust him and know he's a good boy, he trusts us! As for kids- he would never willingly hurt a baby of any species.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/1kidgrooming.jpg"><br />I miss him a lot, since I can only visit him a couple times a month, at the most. I think he misses me too. He has his eyes on me from the moment I show up to the moment I leave, even watching the car drive away. It always breaks my heart to leave him, but he's there because it's the best, happiest place for him to be. And that's what's really important.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/1lookingatsol.jpg"><br /><br />He did take a moment to check out Sensei's butt though, lol!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/1senseibutt.jpg"><br /><br />Haha, Solomon in his happy place. "Yay, my nose cushions!"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/2hair.jpg"><br /><br />He heals my heart.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/Loveyboy1.jpg"><br /><br />My noble beast, who fought off a giant black warmblood stallion a few days before these photos were shot. So far, Maggie appears to not be pregnant. Go Sol!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/Solomon1.jpg"><br /><br />Even if he does have the occasional spats with his lady.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/Spousalabuse.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/Wiseeye.jpg"><br /><br />He knows what's up.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/badass.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/curl.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/eye.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/golden.jpg"><br /><br />LOL, he's saying something to Charlie Horse the pony.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/grumpers.jpg"><br /><br />*nuzzle love*<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/nuzzling.jpg"><br /><br />Spot the hoss!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/spotthehoss.jpg"><br /><br />A storm begins to rise<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/storm.jpg"><br /><br />A hawk, watching for prey<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/hawk.jpg"><br /><br />A rainbow over Pope Valley<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1111/rainbow4.jpg">Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-28000655232970832602011-11-05T23:37:00.000-07:002011-11-05T23:44:42.502-07:00Solomon is kind of a badass old man.Hi there folks!<br /><br />I know, I know, it's been forever, right?<br /><br />Solomon has just been busy fattening up, living a peaceful life with his herd. He is doing well with a big pasture and a ton of food, and most of all with a JOB. His job is protecting his herd, and he takes it seriously.<br /><br />How seriously?<br /><br />Well, he's (as far as the dentist could guess) a 29 year old gelding. That's pretty old for a horse. And geldings, well, they don't have the hormones that a stallion does. <br /><br />Well, last night Holly, the nice woman I'm boarding Solly with, heard screaming and the thundering of hooves.<br /><br />Turns out a big huge black stallion and his little white pony buddy had escaped their home down the road and busted through the fence to Sol's 95 acre pasture. The stallion, of course, went after Maggie, Sol's mare.<br /><br />You'd think he'd get his way, right?<br /><br />NOPE.<br /><br />My sweet grey old man (who has only killed one buck deer that I know of, heh) stood up to that stallion and fought him off, as far as anyone can tell, keeping him away from Maggie. Solomon had grass stains on him, and he also had blood on him, but none of that blood was his. It was all the stallion's. <br /><br />The stallion and his pony buddy are now back in their own home, and Solly's herd is now safe and sound as well. <br /><br />Crazy stuff though!<br /><br />Heh, but that's my boy- a fighter and protector, just like his mom.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-13022276221831109432011-05-06T01:09:00.000-07:002011-05-06T01:25:05.641-07:00SproingHey all!<br /><br />Spring has been very kind to Solomon this year.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0511/fatsol.jpg"><br /><br />He is now fat and happy, the herd is all settled in, and he has a gorgeous place to wanted- almost 100 acres. In the late spring of Pope Valley, grass is bright and lush and green.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0511/fatsol2.jpg"><br /><br />Solomon is lord of all he surveys, along with his lady, Maggie. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0511/herd.jpg"><br /><br />He has somehow become the undisputed alpha of the herd, even chasing around the alpha mare when he decides to.<br /><br />Thank you, Holly, for donating that fly mask for Solly. He is quite grateful!Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-53578950844014744552011-03-01T01:20:00.001-08:002011-03-01T01:20:52.930-08:00The MareToday I went to the country to spend time in nature, to visit and learn from my mentor, to ground myself and to replenish my spirit in the company of that most noble of beasts, the horse.<br /><br /> <br /><br />I spent time caring for my sweet old man, but I ended up spending a lot more time in the company of mares.<br /><br /> <br /><br />There was a time when I distrusted mares. I felt that they were too willful and dangerous. I did not understand the mare.<br /><br /> <br /><br />A mare is a whole horse. She is a passionate being. She has her own emotions, her own moods, her own ideas about the way things should be, and sometimes she feels that her idea is better than yours. Sometimes she is right, for she can sense things that you cannot.<br /><br /> <br /><br />If you gain the trust and love of a mare, if you form a partnership with her, if you meet her half way with an open and honest heart, and consider her instead of simply commanding and attempting to control her, she will give you everything. She will run herself to death for you, if you are foolish and callous enough to ask it of her. She will be your friend, your ally, and your caretaker. She will obey you, and gladly give herself over to your will. Most of the time.<br /><br /> <br /><br />If you confine her, if you try to break her, if you imrpison her in a box and make her world smaller, you will see the light fade from her eyes, her spirit muted, and despair will rule her. Or, she will feel trapped, panicked, and she will fight you and the prison she's bound in with everything she's got. Panic will rule her.<br /><br /> <br /><br />Let her run free, let her be the beautiful, powerful soul that she is, and she might be a little more dangerous... she might be a little more difficult. But she will shine. And she will shine for you.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-8393350207730285722011-02-05T10:50:00.000-08:002011-02-05T10:52:39.378-08:00Smeone made this.... uhm? haha<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xS-z2wUHHb0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />In other news, my car is still broken down, which is part of why there are so few updates at the moment. Sorry about that, folks! D:<br /><br />Taking it in today. Hopefully I'll be on the road again soon!<br /><br />Solly's doing fine. He got himself scratched up on something out in the woods, but he's healing nicely and is galloping around, happy as a clam. His weight is still great, too. <br /><br />I'll try to post a blog entry soon.<br />Take care out there,<br />-EvEvergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-57839450946403979492011-01-16T13:57:00.000-08:002011-01-16T15:23:55.733-08:00Teddy Bear and BoI miss the ranch, and I miss Bo, a lot more than I tend to let on. He is my mentor, and has become a dear friend. We can talk for hours and still find interesting stuff to discuss. Every discussion is a discovery, and my world becomes bigger for it. He is a good person, and it is an honor to know him.<br /><br />So, it was with great joy that I drove my ailing car up his drive after my nap with Solomon.<br /><br />The conversation went as it always does.<br /><br />"You want some tea or someting, Ev?"<br /><br />Of course I did! <br /><br />I pulled out one of the mugs that I always use. Horses are creatures of habit, but so are humans. Bo prefers this one American flag mug a lot of the time, I've noticed. I prefer a mug that says something about cowgirls... there are a few of them, and it's the flared shape of them that I like. Wider at the top than the bottom. I couldn't tell you why it is that I always want to use that mug, but something about it's organic curves appeals to me. I find myself always seeking it out.<br /><br />I sit on the step stool, and Bo sits on the wooden stool across the kitchen from me. Or sometimes the positions are reversed. We discuss science, philosophy, martial arts, history, technology, and, always, horses. Everything ties back in to horses. There is so much meaning to be found. To understand them is to understand ourselves. To understand ourselves is to begin to understand them. The ride is a great joy, but it is not all about the ride for us. It is an entire journey. It is a lifestyle. No, it is more than a lifestyle. It is a life.<br /><br />Once the tea and coffee are done, and I've put in my three packets of sucralose that I keep stashed there, and used the last of the half-n-half, which I always seem to do, we take our mugs into the dining room.<br /><br />We continue our meandering over our ritual drinks- I with my tea, he with his coffee, sitting at the big solid wood coffee table in the lovely little house that he and DeDe built together. There is always a point, or a lesson, in what Bo says, and always an opportunity for me to expand upon the idea, so that we can explore and discover things together, hunting down new concepts, new angles, new connections.<br /><br />This was no exception.<br /><br />Bo said, presently, "well Ev, I've got a few things to check on. Why don't you go out and work with a horse? Maybe Teddy Bear?"<br /><br />I happily washed my mug out and headed out the door, putting my boots back on while sitting on the front porch that overlooks the ranch. Teddy Bear's pasture ran alongside the house with a stretch of flat green space between them. <br /><br />She recognized me when I walked over, and seemed happy to see me. Ears perked, she ambled over to the gate while I found her brown rope halter. A lot of halters on the ranch don't fit her because her head is so massive, but this one did, and I knew it. I got it all organized and read, then went to the gate.<br /><br />I walked in and said hello, being sure to give Lilah some skritches as well. I let Teddy Bear know that I wasn't going to pressure her, and was happy to pet her a little before haltering her. It didn't have to go that way- I could tell that she was perfectly willing to get right down to work- but I knew she would appreciate the affection. These little bits of consideration count with horses. I rubbed the underside of her neck and the bulges of muscle running along it's sides behind her ears. Then I haltered her. She stuck her nose in for it, and held nice and still as I tied it with confidence. I used to hate rope halters. I had a hard time figuring out how to tie them. Now it's second nature, even more than tying my belt when I put on my gi for karate. I tucked the end back into the halter so that it wouldn't be smacking against her face. I made sure that her mane wasn't tangled up in the ropes.<br /><br />Sedately we walked to the gate. I positioned us so that I could swing the gate inward, myself on the swinging side, and Tedders on the side with the post. Inward, so that Lilah would have a harder time trying to follow us out, and with me toward the swinging side so that if Teddy Bear spooked and ran into me, I would hit something that could move instead of something that I would be crushed against. Of course she was a good girl and followed me through.<br /><br />"Swing yer butt," I said, and lightly pulled the rope around so that she moved out of the way of the closing gate, turning herself to face it, as I was doing. I knew it was important to not let her get distracted at the gate- a lot of wrecks happen at gates, and Bo drilled that into me often. When I would become lax about it, he would scold me like a wayward colt. "OH THAT WAS SO BAD, YOU KNOW BETTER!"<br /><br />It all felt natural, like I hadn't been away at all. Like I'd never stopped coming up a couple times a week. I sure wished that I still could do that.<br /><br />Teddy and I walked to the horse trailer, past DeDe's garden, lovely even in the winter all cut back, and the 60 foot round pen with it's relatively new sand layer. They put it in last fall, I think. Maybe summer? The sand has to be replenished form time to time, and dragged so that it is even. A horse tripping in a hole can be deadly, and running in a circle is challenging anyway.<br /><br />I made certain to be extra soothing as we went around the trailer, because Teddy sometimes spooks a bit when she isn't sure what's on the other side. She also hates getting in the trailer, so she was a bit worried that I'd try to make her do that.<br /><br />There was a hay bag hanging at the trailer, and she happily dug in as I tied her. The rope was secure high so that she wouldn't be able to tangle herself up in it as easily, but she was given enough room to relax her head as well as balance herself while I worked on her hooves. I used a slip knot with multiple loops- secure, but easy to undo quickly in an emergency.<br /><br />Teddy Bear, I knew, could be fussy about her legs and her hooves because she didn't like having her chestnuts messed with. It was always a bit of a worry for her, but in the past year she'd gotten better about it. She was a mare with a lot of opinions, and Bo preferred it that was so long as she behaved herself. She is a teaching horse, and has to be able to do her job, which requires a bit of independent thought. <br /><br />I also knew that she would be more open to her feet being picked and worked with if I sweetened the deal first. Teddy loves to be brushed, so I got to work on her, first with the curry comb, removing bits of dried mud from her coat while runnign my other hand behind it to check for lumps and oddities, and then a couple of brushes, which I dual-wielded, working her body over with practiced efficiency. Then I sprayed some show sheen into her mane and tail and brushed it all out. <br /><br />Next, I picked her feet. She is supposed to wait while you run your hands carefully down her legs, asking her politely to pick a leg up. This she does with me for the first leg, but after that, well, quite some time ago I taught her that with me she could anticipate the next three hooves and just pick them up as I approached them. This is not something Bo wanted, since she was supposed to teach everyone a certain way, but she remembered that it worked that way with me, so that's exactly what she did. Sorry Bo! Amazing the things horses will remember, heh. <br /><br />I picked out mud, stones and manure from Teddy's hooves, scraping it out from between the hoof wall and frog. I picked in both directions. A number of people feel that one should always pick away from onesself. Certainly the chances of getting gunk on yourself are lessened that way... but I find that I can get the hoof cleaned out a lot better when I also pick around the bars toward myself. Just have to be careful- it only takes being careless and getting manure up your nose once to learn that!<br /><br />As I went back to brushing Teddy's mane and tail, Bo trimmed her hooves a little bit. There was only a tiny bit of drama from her- mostly she was a good girl.<br /><br />"Why don't you take her to the roundpen now, Ev, and roundpen her a bit?"<br /><br />"Okay Bo! Thank you for letting me roundpen- I haven't had a chance to since I left. There isn't one at the new place, and I want to keep my skills up. I want to keep that feel."<br /><br />"Well sure Ev, you're welcome!"<br /><br />I asked Teddy to walk and trot, and I asked her to turn around, walking and trotting the other direction. I kept my focus on her back half, making sure to not get my shoulders ahead of her, or she would turn. I used only enough energy to get her going at the speed I wanted. Any more, and things would escalate. Roundpenning can be a lot of pressure on a horse.<br /><br />"Okay Ev, we're going to do a new exercise, since you're in so much better shape now," Bo said.<br /><br />I looked over, and he was wearing the SenseiGrin(tm.)<br /><br />What is the SenseiGrin? It's the grin every martial arts instructor gets when they are about to have you do something hard that they know is good for you. But they know it'll be hard on you too. I've seen Sensei get it, Shihan, Sensei Wah, and Bo, well he gets that look on his face too. <br /><br />"I want you to get her trotting, and I want your footfalls to be in time with hers. Run around the ring with her."<br /><br />Oh, it was hard! Running in a circle on sand is very difficult. Doing it and trying to keep time to a horse's hoofbeats is harder. But then Bo stepped up the challenge and said "now bring her to a lope. And keep time!"<br /><br />Haha, it's a 3 beat gait! And I only have two legs! And I had to keep up with her but not get ahead of her! The grin got wider.<br /><br />I worked at it though, and worked hard. It... needed work, but Teddy and I managed. And Teddy got SO EXCITED! Her tail was flagging like an Arab's, her head was high, and she started snorting! She got really worked up, but whenever I stopped she'd run up to me, saying SNORT SNORT! And then we'd be off again in the other direction. She didn't pin her ears or swish her tail, but she was on high alert. Maybe she enjoyed it? I have to admit I am not 100% sure either way. But I think she saw it as a kind of high-pressure play.<br /><br />So then she was in quite a state of excitement. And Bo said "okay," and brought in the mounting block. <br /><br />I looked at her wide eyes, her ready-for-action body, and her fast breath, and I thought, just a little bit, "really? Really???"<br /><br />"Now we're going to take that energy, and we're going to bring it right back down again. Walk her around nice and quiet with the lead rope."<br /><br />So we walked around the pen a couple of times, and I focused hard on lowering my heart rate, on slowing my breathing, and radiating relaxed calm. <br /><br />"A lot of people will say 'oh I can't ride my horse today, she's too excited!' but you can affect the energy level of your horse with your own energy level. They will mirror you," Bo said.<br /><br />It is true. Horses have their own thoughts and agendas and moods. Sometimes they are just having a bad day. But they also rely on each other for input, especially their leaders. If I say, "hey, everything's cool," then they are more likely to believe it and relax.<br /><br />So I spoke softly to her, and I focused. Mindfulness, being in the moment, focused entirely on the moment, and ready for the next moment, is important both in the world of horses and martial arts. In many ways, the two compliment each other, as I find more and more. If you can be in the moment, you can bring your horse TO that moment, and you can then find harmony.<br /><br />"Now, stand with one leg up, prepared to mount, but do not commit. Be ready to fall, and plan where you will fall. Always know where you will go if you have to fall. Always know how much of yourself you are committing to the mount. Balance."<br /><br />So I stood with one leg up, almost over her back, but not quite. Remembering back stance, I had almost all of my weight rested on my back leg, which was very slightly bent, while my front leg rested slightly on Teddy Bear. I did not rely on her for balance, because she could have moved, and I did not want to fall forward under her hooves.<br /><br />"Okay, now rest a moment. And the next time you raise your leg up, commit to it and mount."<br /><br />So I stretched up my leg, which I had been working on the flexibility of in karate class, and smoothly mounted the sweet red mare. When I first arrived at the ranch, mounting was a hard and awkward process where I dragged myself on the horse's back. How far I have come!<br /><br />"Now, find neutral. Find your center. Find her center. Imagine connecting them. Feel her breath and her heartbeat. Keep the energy down low. And take a handful of her mane."<br /><br />I sat on her bare back, and I listened while I radiated calm. I felt so good and serene after my nap with Solomon. It was easy. I remembered the meditation I did just about every day that Sensei had assigned to me. I paid attention to our breaths, syncing them until they were as one. <br /><br />"Now, lightly, think walk. I'll be helping." And I let my legs drape. I thought, "walk," and we moved.<br /><br />I had thought that I would have a very hard time moving with Teddy Bear. Riding is like kata, in that you start to lose it if you don't practice. But the kata had served me well... all the stretching and drilling and sparring and balancing, all the weight loss and muscle gain, all the knowledge of my own body and balance that I'd finally regained in karate, and learning where my center was, they all helped. It felt... EASIER! I felt more in tune with my self, so I felt more in tune with teddy bear. She did not pin an ear or swish her tail. Willingly she carried me, and it felt comfortable. It was such a great joy and a gift to be on a horse's back again. And what a gift that she would carry me.<br /><br />First, Bo lead her. Then, we worked on some walk/trot transitions. Two steps of trot, then back to walk. I felt good. I didn't feel like I was constantly tipping over and falling. It was a joy!<br /><br />In time, Bo handed the lead rope to me. At first, he roundpenned her a the walk, and then I think maybe he walked out, but I don't really remember, because I was on cloud nine and really focused on Teddy and I. Maybe he didn't ever walk out... it didn't matter, because we were moving and it was awesome.<br /><br />Teddy and I did sidepasses. We turned. It was a combination of shifting my weight, signaling with my legs, and moving the lead rope, though the lead rope wasn't as big of a factor. Sometimes I used the lead rope like a neck rein, sometimes like a normal rein. It was just attached in one spot, and I don't think I ever flipped it over my head. We just did our thing, no big expectations, no pressure, we just MOVED. And it felt like we were one.<br /><br />Bo said, "Ev, this shows you you've remembered, and you've remembered because you've got it here in your heart. And you have kept an open mind and an open heart, and that's why you've been able to do this. Dismount."<br /><br />I easily hopped off Teddy.<br /><br />"That was 100% success, and nobody can ever take that from you, Ev!"<br /><br />Teddy got a lot of rubs and love from me, and got to eat fresh green grass and clover. Bo and I chatted a little more, then I had to leave for karate class.<br /><br />What a joy. What a gift! Life isn't always easy, but life is good. It's worth sticking around, when there is green grass and sunshine, when there are people like Bo, and horses. Always horses.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-41465531595951188302011-01-16T13:10:00.000-08:002011-01-16T13:57:11.382-08:00Great joy, great trust, great love.A horse's heart is far more noble than mankind deserves. What a great gift they give to us when they grant to us their trust. Massive, towering beasts, they could kill us in an instant. Mighty hooves, strength and speed we can only dream of, senses and reflexes we can only yearn for, and yet they lay their lives down for us. They are a precious treasure. They have been our steadfast companions for thousands of years. Our empires were built upon their backs, with their sweat and their blood. Never forget this. Never.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/Laphoss1.jpg"><br /><br />It was a warm and sunny winter day when Solomon put his life in my hands.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/pairbonded.jpg"><br /><br />Seeing me come up the road, he came to me.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/thethree.jpg"><br /><br />We know each other well. We say so much with a touch, with a breath, with a gesture. Slowly, over the past 2 and a half years, I have come to learn a little bit of his language. I will never be as subtle as him. My movements are large and clumsy. I am missing ears that swivel, a tail that swishes, and a couple of feet. My mouth is not as flexible, it's movements not as fine, but still, we have learned to understand one another. There is a reassuring comfort to our companionship. A friendship that transcends the line of species. We have joy, we have love, and we have trust.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/sayinghi.jpg"><br /><br />I have heard people say that horses are dumb. I think that they are wrong. There are things that horses are not good at. But there are things that humans are also not good at. A horse does not build cities. But then, a horse does not poison his world. He can sense a seizure, or a panic attack. He can read the racing of your pulse and know that you are excited. He can smell and taste your fear. He can interpret, if you give him the chance, the subtlest shift of your weight on his back.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/wiseboy.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/loveyface.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/earsneyes1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/earsneyes2..jpg"><br /><br />The smallest shift in position speaks volumes to his companions.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/mymare1.jpg"><br /><br />Horses love, and nurture.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/mymare2.jpg"><br /><br />They worry, and they grieve.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/noses.jpg"><br /><br />Their massive mouths can filter out a tiny leaf that they don't care for from a big bite of food. Or that little pill that you were sure they wouldn't notice.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/fuzzynose.jpg"><br /><br />They are creatures of equal grace and humor.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/breakerstretch.jpg"><br /><br />Finely tuned for speed and lightning reflexes, they are beasts of prey. But sometimes, if you learn a little bit of grace and tread lightly in their world, they will relax and let you in.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/breakerlip.jpg"><br /><br />Breaker is what Solomon could have become. If he was a different horse with a different personality. If he hadn't been stuck in a tiny stall for so long. If he'd not been shown that humans could be a good deal. He is a rescue as well, but he doesn't trust humans, and there's no pen to work him in. His current owners are good people, from what I hear. They simply do not have time to really work with him, and there isn't yet a space for him to work in close. He hangs around, wanting to be a part of the herd, knowing maybe there's something about people he should be interested in... but he doesn't want to let you get too close. He was treated very badly in the past. He has no reason to trust.<br /><br />If I lived in Pope Valley, I'd tame him for free. He is cute, and well built, but even if he wasn't, he deserves a good chance at life. And I think that I could break through. <br /><br />He let me get pretty close, and even dozed off a bit that day. Part of the key is keeping your energy really low. Not focusing hard on a big goal like catching him but just taking things one step at a time, and being prepared to back away if you need to. Being very patient, and approaching from the side, lined up shoulder to shoulder with him, instead of advancing by facing him, which is a challenge and and be a signal to move. Within a herd, the dominant, aggressive horse will approach a submissive horse head-on and expect him to move out of the way. Predators also approach in such a fashion, if they aren't ambushing their prey. It is a lot of pressure. Learning to communicate with low pressure can be the key for a nervous horse who fears mistreatment. He must be soothed and reassured. He must feel that he can rest, that you are a part of the group and that you are there to support and protect him, not attack him.<br /><br />As I was working a little with breaker, Solomon, who had been brushed and had ticks removed, began to fall asleep. I'd already soothed him quite a bit, rubbing his cheeks, which releases endorphins, and giving him brow-skritches, which is something I know he particularly enjoys. He is comfortable enough now to love getting the bases of his ears rubbed as well.<br /><br />So, he was nodding off.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/sleepyhoss.jpg"><br /><br />And as I worked with Breaker, I heard a little grunt and a thump behind me.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/fathoss.jpg"><br /><br />Soon, everyone but Breaker followed suit.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/naptime1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/naptime2.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/naptime3.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/sleepyhoss2.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/lipsquish.jpg"><br /><br />And then Solly began to snore.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pEK0yQhy2EQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pEK0yQhy2EQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />How far can I get, I wondered?<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hy5XON9qfJs?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hy5XON9qfJs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Then I decided to stop bugging him, since he'd woken up a bit again, and I wanted him to be able to nap. So I sat bside him, in front of his chest. And that's when it happened. He licked his lips a bit, looked at me, and put his head in my lap. I stroked his face, and he rolled onto his side. Then he began to snore again.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IgvIxxfwLJA?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IgvIxxfwLJA?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Hose heads are heavy! After a minute or two, I figured if he was going to show me such an incredible amount of trust, I would do the same for him. So I laid down. The top of his head was nestled against my chest, the rest of it snuggling against my belly.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/Laphoss2.jpg"><br /><br />The sun was warm and the grass was soft.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/Laphoss3.jpg"><br /><br />He didn't seem to care that one ear was all squished.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/Laphoss4.jpg"><br /><br />After a little while, I fell asleep.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/Laphoss6.jpg"><br /><br />When I woke up again, I took this final video. You know, for a time I had to use a stud chain with Solomon. His environment was wrong, I didn't know how to communicate and work with him right, and I hadn't earned his trust as a leader yet. But now, thanks to Bo, thanks to Solomon's noble, forgiving heart, and thanks to me finally opening my eyes and my heart, we have come to this place. A place of great joy, great trust, great love.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZd1HjQrPkk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QZd1HjQrPkk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />After a while, it was time to go. Reluctantly, I got up and trudged back to my car. Solomon awoke and watched me go. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon0111/naptime4.jpg"><br /><br />He peered in the window of my car as I drove away, tracking me until I was over the hill. <br /><br />It was a great gift that he gave to me today. Something few people ever experience. I will treasure it for the rest of my life.<br /><br />I do not know of a more perfect creature in all the world than the horse.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-71168438717559500792011-01-16T12:56:00.002-08:002011-01-16T13:09:26.536-08:00Winter WormingHi folks!<br /><br />Okay, I've been HORRIBLE lately at updating. I'm so sorry! I have some lovely pics and vids for you however.<br /><br />Just around Yule, Sensei and I went up to the ranch, bearing an apple and a tube of worming medication.<br /><br />First, the apple.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/apple.jpg"><br /><br />I decided to be crazy and share... a trick Solomon and I have done many times before, except I hadn't taken into account the Maggie Factor.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/apple1a.jpg"><br /><br />Solly went for it a bit faster than I'm comfy with, haha! But of course he didn't hurt me.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/apple2.jpg"><br /><br />And Maggie got some apple too.<br /><br />Now, Solomon knew that something sinister was up right away!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/Lippurse.jpg"><br /><br />I won't bother with the first attempt, except to say that Solomon really cannot be wormed in an open pasture without being tied. Just not gonna happen! Here's the second attempt, which was successful.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NBlovaRl774?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NBlovaRl774?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />After he shunned me for a little while, Sol came back for more loves, and some reassurance.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/evnsolly.JPG"><br /><br />And here is our lovely yule picture!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/horseportraitsmall.jpg"><br /><br />Sensei was happy to be out in the clean air, visiting with the horses. He might not have ever been a big time horse person, but let me tell you, the horses just adore him!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/mike1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/mike2.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/mike3.jpg"><br /><br />Sensei discovered Maggie's magic spot- under her chin and her cheeks!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/mike4.jpg"><br /><br />Maggie has a winter mustache! It probably is meant to protect a horse's lip from the ice a bit. It's so cute!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/mike5.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/moose.jpg"><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GIulyW-d_HQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GIulyW-d_HQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-10979467378686667722010-12-26T03:50:00.000-08:002010-12-26T03:51:56.971-08:00Technical Difficulties!Hi folks,<br />I have a nasty virus, but I DO have new Solly pics and videos! I will get them to you as soon as I can, okay?<br /><br />Meanwhile, while I contemplate installing Windows 7, here's a picture of Solly and I to tide you over. Happy holidays!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/23horseportraitsmall.jpg">Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-67972039810215908592010-12-04T19:55:00.000-08:002010-12-04T19:56:48.627-08:00AAAA SHEATH TICKS!Hey folks!<br /><br />I was able to get up to see Solly today. <br /><br />The first horse I saw was Charley Horse. I wonder what kind of pony blood he has in him? I don't think he's a pure quarterhorse, hah. He sure is cute though!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04Charleyhorse.jpg"><br /><br />The other three horses were hanging out in the pen that A__ and J___ are building. I advised them to feed the horses in that pen once in a while so they would associate it with good things. This way, if a horse needs to be put in it to be separated from the herd, he won't be quite as stressed. It's working well, since it seems that they go hang out there often now.<br /><br />Solomon, upon seeing me, broke off from the group to come say hi! YAY, he's interested in mom again!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04solly1.jpg"><br /><br />Yeah, the next three photos are very similar. But I love looking at his face, so you get to look at it too.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04solly2.jpg"><br /><br />A___ and J___ have been doing a great job. They listen to my input and they have been feeding and graining Solly well- that, combined with the 90 acres of grass, has caused him to gain about 20 pounds! Some of it, at least, is muscle. He has inner thigh muscles now that I've never seen on him before, haha! I'm just going to go ahead and say that it's because he's been climbing up and down hills and running around, and not say anything about Maggie the Mare.<br /><br />They've also removed a lot of Evil Pods From Hell, and fed Sol a lot of apples and carrots. <3<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04solly3.jpg"><br /><br />Solomon did have a problem today,however. As it turns out, it's tick season, and since there are some woods and tall plants on the 90 acres, the horses have been getting ticks. Solomon stood stock still for a good 40 minutes while I carefully searched his body for ticks. I removed about 13 or 14 of the evil things from him, and 4 of those were on his SHEATH! GAAAAAH! I don't know if I got all his ticks, and I'm hoping I didn't bring any home. He had little dark ones and huge tan ones. Ugh ugh ugh. <br /><br />I (and my tick-removal service) was more important than Maggie the Mare today, even. He let her wander off, because MOM was here, and she was pulling those horrible itchy painful THINGS off of him!<br /><br />He did still pull a face or two at Breaker. GRUMPERS!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04grumpers.jpg"><br /><br />That's about all that happened today. Solomon followed me around like a love, affectionately resting his nose oh-so-gently on my cheek and blowing into my hair. While I was pulling out ticks, he stood over me, keeping an eye on things protectively. He's back to being a good, sweet, careful boy. I think he's really settled in now.<br /><br />On the drive home, I finally stopped and shot some photos of the cormorants at Lake Hennessey. They've been there since I started driving up to Pope Valley, and I've always thought "oh cool," but I hadn't stopped to shoot them until today.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04cormorants.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04cormorants2.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04cormorants3.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04cormorants4.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04cormorants5.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1210/04cormorants6.jpg">Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-46705687680946333812010-11-13T00:07:00.000-08:002010-11-13T00:28:36.181-08:00Solomon and the huge pastureToday I went looking for Solomon, and he wasn't up by the lake, or out by the barn. He wasn't hanging out under the gazebo, and he wasn't itching his butt on the rosemary bush.<br /><br />I caught a glimpse of white horse through the trees, way down in the lower pasture.<br /><br />Time for Sensei and I to go hiking!<br /><br />This was the way down into the lower pasture.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12horsepath.jpg"><br /><br />Of course there was no sign of him or the other horses when we got down there.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12lowerpasture.jpg"><br /><br />Luckily I had a Sensei with me! He spotted them, way far away. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12hidinghorses.jpg"><br /><br />I was ignored or not noticed until I got about 300 yards away. Then Solly heard me calling!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12comingover.jpg"><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rhaISb7FLG8?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rhaISb7FLG8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />After saying hello to us both and getting a bit of skritching and cuddling, Solomon moved the herd towards the big open barn. When we fell too far behind, he stopped to come check on us. We were almost part of the herd to him, and he wanted to make sure we kept up.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12autumnsun.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12helloSol.jpg"><br /><br />At one point he stayed behind a bit too long, and when he noticed that Breaker and Maggie were walking together, I got to see him tear off at a full gallop to re-establish The Way Things Were. Gorgeous sight! Wish I'd caught it on camera... <br /><br />Maggie, of course, needed to get in on the action. Solomon expressed his opinion of this. I don't know what he got into that turned his tongue black!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12maggiensensei.jpg"><br /><br />Off to the barn!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12tothebarn.jpg"><br /><br />Hoss butts!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12hossbutts.jpg"><br /><br />This is a happy place.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12thethree.jpg"><br /><br />Look at the arch in his neck! For Solomon, that's quite an arch, haha! He is feeling quite proud of himself these days. He is also muscling up. And the farrier really needs to come out! But I love this picture.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12trotting.jpg"><br /><br />The herd on the move.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12herdonthemove.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12herdonthemove2.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12herdonthemove3.jpg"><br /><br />Solomon- he's narrow, but he's standing proud and tall!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12proudandtall.jpg"><br /><br />He is also really getting some nice muscle on him. When I press on his sides, instead of feeling ribs I feel muscle. His body isn't jiggly with fat. He is getting strong! And his topline, while still having a sharp wither, is filling in because of the hills and the running around. His butt is getting muscle, his shoulders and chest are getting muscle, and he is doing well!<br /><br />He had to say hi to Sensei. He adores the man! Also, Sensei had some candy, and Sol could smell it.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12solnsensei.jpg"><br /><br />The green grass is coming in, but Solomon isn't getting fat on it so far. His weight is holding steady, but his shape is slowly changing. Less fat, more muscle.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12greengrass.jpg"><br /><br />"Oooh, I smell candy!"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12oohcandy1.jpg"><br /><br />"GAH, IT IS SOUR CANDY! WHY HAVE YOU TRIED TO POISON ME!!!"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1110/12oohcandy2.jpg"><br /><br />After he spat it out, Solomon tried desperately to get the taste out of his mouth by vacuuming up grass, hah!<br /><br />We left the horses down by the barn, and went home, confident that Solomon was quite happy! The ranch owners send me updates since I can't make it up very often, and fun pictures. I'll see about posting some of those sometime, if they're okay with it.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-38658320310500375712010-11-12T23:56:00.000-08:002010-11-13T00:06:34.798-08:00Solomon and the evil barbed pods of doom.Hi folks!<br />So much to catch up on... I'm sorry I've taken so long to write! Life is crazy, like always.<br /><br />First of all... I discovered the most evil plant ever, on the 21st of October.<br /><br />Actually, Solomon discovered it. I don't know what it's called...<br /><br />But they get THIS tangled up in the horse's manes and tails!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/21thistles1.jpg"><br /><br />Those little Pods of Pure Evil have barbs in them. I had a couple of them embedded in my thumbs for a couple of weeks. I think I might even end up with a scar from them.<br /><br />Solomon's poor beautiful tail...<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/21thistles2.jpg"><br /><br />See how displeased I look? Yeah, that was kind of a miserable day, hah! He had a ton in his forelock too. I was actually tempted to just cut it off, but then he wouldn't have his beautiful bangs any more! That was also the last time I wore those jeans... after these pictures were taken, I lost even more weight. Now they look like M.C. Hammer parachute pants, hah!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/21thistles3.jpg"><br /><br />Do Not Want!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/21thistles4.jpg"><br /><br />Bahahhaa<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/21thistles5.jpg"><br /><br />Solomon is really not a Glam Hoss<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/21thistles6.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/21thistles7.jpg"><br /><br />It took a good 2.5 hours and half a bottle of mane'n'tail to get those horrible things out. <br /><br />They cut them down on their property, but the horses have access to the lower pasture on the neighbor's land too. It turns out there was a hidden thatch of them down by the creek.<br /><br />Solly had some in his tail today too, but I didn't try to take them out. Didn't have time... sigh.Evergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8815162588916031181.post-57122378025523000512010-10-15T12:09:00.000-07:002010-10-15T13:05:16.508-07:00Solomon is top dog!Hey folks, look who it is!<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A3Lntlfz-yE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A3Lntlfz-yE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />Sorry for the baby talk, haha! <br /><br />Solly is settling in to his new home fabulously. There's an unexpected development, however! My calm, sedate, ancient grey man has decided that he is going to be Mister Top Dog! Furthermore, instead of bonding closely with Charley Horse (who is, height-wise, a pony, and awfully cute!) he has decided that Maggie the Mare is the lady for him! Maggie has also decided that Solomon is much more of a dreamboat than her longtime companion, Breaker. Solomon is a home-wrecker!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08helloherd.jpg"><br /><br />So now, Solomon has decided that he has a job. His job is keeping the distraught, lovelorn Breaker away from HIS mare.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j7oR3UFei7M?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j7oR3UFei7M?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />I hear that things are settling down now, though.<br /><br />My boy and Maggie.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08SolnMaggie1.jpg"><br /><br />Solomon, who always hated being backed up, is voluntarily running backwards all over the place now! A horse backing another horse up is a sign of dominance. They also do it in play, but Solly? He's not playing around here.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08Politics1.jpg"><br /><br />Look at this suspicious squint! This sneer! "THIS IS MY MARE!"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08mymare.jpg"><br /><br />"She is big and brown and she is MINE!"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08politics2.jpg"><br /><br />So yes, this is what Solomon has been occupying his time with since he moved to the new pasture. He's being a bit of a jerk, but not too bad. Nobody has a mark or a scratch on them. He does everything with his voice, gestures, and body language. He re-directs the other horses. Solomon is an Aikido-hoss.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08politics3.jpg"><br /><br />But really, who can blame him? Who could resist this?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08maggiebuttbite.jpg"><br /><br />Poor, poor Breaker.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08breaker1.jpg"><br /><br />Saturns are also not allowed to be with mares.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08SolnMaggie2.jpg"><br /><br />Poor old Charley Horse must be content with the fiberglass horse. Later on, he cuddled up to my car, resting his lips on the trunk, cuddling up to the bumper. HE is convinced that my vehicle contains truly magical things!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08charleyhorse1.jpg"><br /><br />Look at that grumpers face! BACK UP BREAKER, BACK UP!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08politics4.jpg"><br /><br />And here you can see all the players in the drama, Solomon pulling some extremely silly faces, and rubbing his butt on the rosemary bushes. He has been wormed! So... I guess he just wanted rosemary-butt.<br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o9Zk8r-jBfo?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o9Zk8r-jBfo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />And now for some idyllic photos around the retirement pasture. <br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08grazing1.jpg"><br /><br />Doesn't Breaker have a cool coat pattern? What would you call this, exactly? It is some kind of paint pattern, not lacing. But I haven't a clue!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08breaker2.jpg"><br /><br />Four horses, 90 acres!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08sol%27sherd.jpg"><br /><br />My boy is going to muscle up with the gentle hill climbing and not so gentle Breaker chasing. That gelding is over 20 years younger than Solly, hah!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08Solomon.jpg"><br /><br />In exile, the two geldings are starting to bond a bit.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08Exiles.jpg"><br /><br />Charley Horse is wearing California Summer Camouflage.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08Charleyhorse2.jpg"><br /><br />Meanwhile, down at the big pond, there are a ton of frogs that scream and jump in the water when you get too close! I think they are young bullfrogs. Any guesses?<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08frog1.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08frog2.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/frog3.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08frog4.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08frog5.jpg"><br /><br />Speaking of the pond, have some postcard-like photos of my happy boy!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08Solomon2.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08solomon3.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08solomon4.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08solomon5.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08solomon6.jpg"><br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08solomon7.jpg"><br /><br />And my absolute favorite shot-<br /><br /><img src="http://www.niceboots.org/~evergrey/horsestuff/Solomon1010/08solomon8.jpg"><br /><br />Enjoy! :DEvergreyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03791202566531757466noreply@blogger.com5