The One Where Luck Bites Us in the Butt - ..err Flank

I should just resign myself to this. Seriously. It happened AGAIN. EXACTLY two weeks before the show – just as last time. I should have known – WHY didn’t I know??? I should know so that I can prepare myself for it emotionally and mentally. There’s nothing more scarring than walking in to the barn to groom your horse to discover a huge chunk of hair and/or flesh missing from his neck, shoulder, rump, or this time – his flank. *sigh*

Since Sudi is such an agreeable little boy, he gets to go out with the lovely mares. Unfortunately, as breeding season is around the corner, Tammy is trying to get her mares to start cycling regularly. Her clever means to this end? A Mini stud: Sliver. So two days ago, Sliver got to go out with the lovely mares and Sudi. Sliver is quite the cute little mini, but he can be a little ferocious. Unfortunately, he took his little ferociousness out on my precious, sweet, UNCHALLENGING gelding. *sigh AGAIN*

Consequently, Sudi is now relegated to the ring for the remaining two weeks before the show. After that, we’ll see where Sliver is.

So my next thought: I have about three to five (depending on Sudi) more shows to attend this year. Is Sudi destined to be marred before each of these? Or is he destined for a summer in the ring? Or will the ring start suddenly taking chunks out of him too? (Haha.)

Anyone up for taking bets?

The One Where I Share a Good Quote

One of my favorite treats that I get at work are my "Horsey" e-mails. I get a couple a week, and one of them this week had a fantastic quote. Naturally I had to share as I thought it spoke worlds about my current sentiment.



"Young horses are like kids--they are basically in elementary school. They need recess and variety. They have different personalities and developmental levels. Some are behind schedule, some are ahead and some are gifted." --Scott Hassler

The One Where Nothing in Particular Has Happened

So this past week has been very uneventful for us. Perhaps it was the recent solar eclipse, but I have found so many of us are commenting on how "OFF" everything is. Not so unfortunately, my boys have been the perfect gentlemen lately.

This Thursday Kehbir and Sudi are both getting a visit by the dentist! I'd be willing to bet, though, that the sound of that doesn't lurch their stomach as much as mine. I grew up needing braces twice and multiple teeth pulled. Needless to say, I LOATHE the dentist.

As far as I know, Sudi is the only one to have had a rough encounter. This was when his wolf teeth were being extracted. One of them seemed surprisingly stubborn, and he - thoroughly drugged up - was able to haul both me and the dentist in circles around the barn. Ever since then, every time I come near him with a tube of wormer, he's POSITIVE that I'm about to yank another tooth out.

Kehbir's wolf teeth experience was much smoother. He certainly can't remember a thing as he was out cold within seconds and mid-bite of his apple (This was our sneaky ploy to just knock him out - *insert evil plotting laugh here hahaha* ). Of course, when he started coming out of his anesthesia, he was ready to tell the whole world about his experience and wouldn't shut up for several hours.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this dentist trip shouldn't be so bad as it's just a check up and perhaps a mild floating- at least my wallet is hoping so!

This past Saturday was Onyx's birthday - she turned a big, adorable ONE. Lemme tell ya - this girl made off better than any other one year old I know. Sudi and Kehbir both gave her a box of Stud Muffin treats (I promise I didn't make that name up!), a soft purple brush - with an even softer brown, heart shape in the center (because they LOVE her!), and a beautiful lavendar hat with gold tassles (I call it her lingerie...haha). :-) We all believed that Oni truly realized we were celebrating her birthday as she was quite the little princess indulging in all the attention bestowed on her.

Ok, well lots to look forward to this weekend - Kehb's is getting a new Wintec saddle (nice and light!), Sudi is getting new shipping boots, the boys are going trail riding at Mullet Hall on Saturday, and we have SPA day on Sunday - complete with a mani/pedi. (Full Report to Come!)

Until then, many happy, uneventful moons to you too!

The One Where We Go Boating

So Sudi discovered THE BOAT on Saturday. I have to say that Saturday entertained perhaps the best weather we’ve had all year (I can say this because I actually made it into short sleeves!!! I can actually be found wearing sweaters all year round) The temperature was in the lower 70’s, and there was a slight breeze to ruffle up your hair.

Sudi and I were practicing our best Sport Horse in Hand behavior up and down the driveway – at which point in time I realized that I am INCREDIBLY out of shape (*pant pant - gasp gasp*). Ending one of our trotting spree’s, we came upon the upside down boat/home made cross country jump, located nicely under a huge shady oak. Gasping for air, I flopped down onto the boat for a short break.

Now, I will try to give Sudi some credit here. This boat does have some depth to it. It’s about two feet high, by two and a half feet wide, and a nice pale green color. Sudi gave it his best “I’m a brave Arab” snort, and then proceeded to pound on it with his left front hoof. Discovering he could make a loud enough racket to wake the dead, he decided to snort and then prance around proudly. He came back to the boat for another try. The boat did not give way to his obnoxious poundings; instead, it firmly held its ground - without a dent.

As we were already practicing for his Future Event Horse competition in Aiken next month, the trainer in me decided to give the boat a try and see if I could convince Sudi to sail smoothly over it. I slowly slid to the other side of the boat and encouraged Sudi to come up and over the top of the boat. Sudi's expression blatantly said “WHAT???” Patiently, I waited for him to gather up his confidence and paw at the boat again. He banged a few courteous times, and then decided to pull his head up and take off in a beautiful passage around the boat (No one has informed him that he’s not supposed to know how to do that yet!). Several of the horses in neighboring pastures had noticed us and come up to watch. I am confidant that my little "ham" was definitely showing off for them.

Not to be dismayed, I gathered his focus again, and we proceeded again to the boat. This time I took a huge leap up to the top of the boat and down the other side. Sudi, now comprehending, decided that he too would place his front hooves on the top of the boat so that he’d be able to bunny hop over it. This idea completely backfired. As his front hooves hit the top of the boat, they both slid all over the place. The poor horse, struggling to regain his balance, pulled himself back and off the horse eating boat. His eyes were the size of golf balls and his nostrils had doubled in size. He looked at me as if to say “You deceived me MOM.” I rushed over him to tell him everything was ok, and that I was very proud of him for trying. I think he forgave me because he quickly tried to nuzzle me for treats.

My barn manager, Tammy, upon hearing the raucous, decided to help me try to get my not-so-quick Arab over the boat-jump. After MUCH MUCH persuasion, we managed to convince him to jump on top of the boat and then to the other side. I honestly don’t think he understood that he was supposed to actually jump OVER the boat. He would manage to get his front feet on top, look to me for encouragement, and then somehow lift his backend to bunny hop over the rest of the jump. Needless to say, Sudi received many praises and treats for his brave and obedient behavior – After all, he was doing it the hard way.

Tammy and I sat down on the boat and encouraged Sudi to come “hang out” with us. We were trying to reinforce that the boat was a happy/fun place not to be confused with mean-evil-horse-eating-machines. Sudi, however, had already picked this up and now equated it with all things happy and treats. As we were seated, he proceeded to start making his way AGAIN over the boat – without even being asked (nevermind that Tammy and I were both still relaxing after the whole ordeal)! With the lead still in her hand, Tammy stood up and encouraged him over. Again he crawled halfway and then did a BIG jump with his back end, firmly tucking his back legs underneath him. He landed, looked around at his fan club (the many horses milling about in their pastures staring at him), and then firmly walked over me so that I could resume his hugs, scratches and treats.

We both died laughing, but at least this was progress. Let's see if he remembers the boat tomorrow... :-)

The One With the Broken Arab

I was on a mission, and standing before me to help complete my task was a two story tack shop. Equestrian paradise in suburbia. I didn’t even notice the screaming children in jodhpurs and cowboy boots – I was completely zeroed in to equine comfort in the shape of bits, girths and saddle pads. Well almost. I had to buy my defective Arab a horse sized halter (more on his defectiveness later though).

I love spring. Laid out before we was a mass arrangement of halters in an array of bright colors. (And it was so organized! That just makes me want to buy more, ya know??) I selected a bright cerulean blue color with matching lead. Although, it kind of makes him look more like a western pony, but that’s his fault for not fitting into his Arab/cob halter. (I’m holding a grudge, can you tell?)

My serious mission still needed to be completed, however. It was mission COMFORT. I decided that if my horse was super comfortable, then perhaps he would enjoy being ridden more. Right? Right? So I found a French link snaffle, a fleece lined girth, and a super fluffy saddle pad. I was set. Riding would be a breeze, he would love me, and we’d all live happily ever after.

It was a perfect day too. The sun was shining, the temperature was around 70, and my horse was standing happily at the gate waiting for me. My mother and I each went to fetch our respective horses. Kehbir gave her his best “moo” of a whinny and went trotting up to her.

Sudi was standing patiently at the gate as I presented him with his bright new halter. I had the halter halfway up his nose when his eyes suddenly doubled in size, nostrils flared, ears perked up, and OFF he shot to prance around, tail flagging with his new girlfriend Willa (a six year old Trakehner playmate). Maybe this particular blue was going to eat him or something. I trudged through the sand to the middle of his pasture where he was stoically standing as if to say “Are you coming to get me yet or not? What’s your problem? And where are my treats?” As I inched closer, he caught sight of the life threatening halter again, and again did his best impression of an Arabian stallion in a liberty class. Willa thought this was just the best fun ever and joined him in his escapade around the pasture. (Was it me, or was she suddenly looking like a freaky Arabian too??) Eventually they tired of doing laps around me, and I was able to throw the lead over Sudi’s neck and get the new HORSE sized halter over his ears. On a good note, it did fit him perfectly. However, the new shiny cerulean was in stark contrast to the gray sandiness of a horse it adorned.

We trudged into the barn, but I was not to be hindered by his filth. I had new tack, and I was determined to use it. Well...maybe not the new white fluffy saddle pad - I could handle that staying clean a little longer. :-) So, we tacked up and mounted successfully (although he didn’t seem to appreciate the fluffy new girth as much as I would have imagined – and by that, I mean that he didn’t want to stand still to let me tighten it). We were off to hit the trails…Or rather the driveway and several scary pastures – it’s all the same to three year olds.

So we’re coming up to the part where I realized that my Arab is truly defective. We were tromping through some slightly soggy footing when we came to a woodsy area. All of a sudden, it sounded as if a huge Tyrannosaurus was going to come barging out of the woods. Kehbir struck his most beautiful Arabian stance – Neck arched forward, ears perked, nostrils flared, tail up, long mane flowing in the wind. I looked down expecting to see my horse pose for his “fight or flight mode” (I KNEW he could do it, as he demonstrated earlier in his pasture), but was sadly dismayed. He definitely was watching the woods, but was not about to begin looking like the Arabian he was so specially bred to be. He rather reminded me of a “Good ‘Ol Boy” about to lounge on the couch to watch a movie. He was munching on his new snaffle as if it were tobacco, his back leg was resting and his head was cocked to the side, mane flounced everywhere. Why is my Arab broken??

Well, we made our way around other pastures 89% successful (we really had to suddenly jump three feet in the air when we caught sight of a piece of green sheet metal lying across the ground). So all in all it was a fun ride. But if it was comfortable or not, I really don’t care: My back-woods, horse-sized-halter-fitting Arab is broken.

The One Where I Start the Blog

Welcome to my blog. This blog, however - while about me - will be more about my two Straight Egyptian Arabian horses and their growing up adventures.

To begin fairly, I must tell you I bought them off the internet - sight unseen - Thanksgiving of 2006. They were both approximately 18 months old. This is how I know God loves me: I do something really foolish (by any horseman's standards), and in return am truly blessed by two of the most endearing horses I have ever met: Sudi and Kehbir (the elf - complete with elf ears). They have taught me more about life than I could have ever imagined.

We currently board at Traveler's Crossing with the BEST barn manager ever (check out her website: http://brown44365.googlepages.com/home), and many furry friends that I have come to love as much as my own animals. With the end of hunt season rapidly appraoching for our barn, everyone is beginning to switch gears to start prepping for show season, but more on that later..... :-)

Happy Trails!