Riderless Horse

I found this article online and just had to share it...

Article on the Memorial Day Celebration that goes with the photo above:"Our smalll equestrian unit, known affectionately as "Paso Fiesta", had already been participating in local parades for several years. We had entered the Palatka Memorial Day parade the previous year donned with patriotic attire. We decided the following year, 2006, we wanted to do something special. Something that really paid tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our Country.We were hesitant to go through with the idea that came to mind and so we set it aside. We were going to use our tried and true patriotic red, white, and blue theme. Then one day while gathered for lunch the subject came up again. Why not go thru with it. Who cared if it was ethical, or went against regulation or not. It was the least we could do to show the veterans and their families we have not forgotten about them.Weeks were spent gathering up the props needed… an authentic Army saber, actual Cavalry spurs used by one of the riders ancestors, black riding boots, all black English tack with the proper bit, rigging, and a hand made saddle pad with the US insignia. The beautiful black Paso Fino stallion, Fantasma de Dominar, would play the starring role. Lastly, MSG Donald Rollison, a friend of one of the riders, would be in full dress uniform volunteering to lead the "riderless horse".Fantasma (aka "Phantom") was bathed and clipped and looking his best. This was to be the most important role of his life. He’d been everything from a trail mount, endurance competitor, team penning horse, show horse, and breeding stallion. He knew something was different that morning that we all arrived at the muster site. His normally quiet demeanor was exceptionally solid and serious. The rest of the horses in our group were also quiet and reserved.Though the rest of our group were dressed in our usual white attire accented with sequined red, silver, and blue vests, sequined bowties, white top hats, sequined saddle pads, and red, silver, and blue ribbons in the horses’ manes and tails, Phantom was the focal point. We took our time getting him ready as everything had to be just right. Don too was making sure every accessory to his uniform was in its proper place.It was time to get in line and wait, wait, wait. It was getting hot. We were getting anxious. We didn’t know how the crowd was going to react to our presentation. A few people that were near where we were lined up came to pet the horses and have their pictures taken next to them. Even the Mayor of Palatka came to stand by Don and Phantom as well as a few soldiers from one of the local military units.It was time to march. Don and Phantom leading the way. Ahead the crowd was loud. The Shriners were revving the engines to their go carts, fire trucks blasting their horns and sirens, hot rod cars gunning the motors to their big V8 engines. The noise was almost deafening. We gave ourselves plenty of distance from the commotion that was going on ahead of us. Not only to save the horses from the fumes and noise, but also to ensure that our presentation had the full visual effect we were hoping for. We were not disappointed.A wave of silence spread out before us as we approached. Hushed whispers could be heard on either side of the street. Parents and Grandparents could be heard murmuring to their children and Grandchildren the significance of the "riderless horse". Spouses and mothers of fallen family members wept at the sight they saw before them. One ragged veteran in particular caught our attention. He struggled to rise from his power chair, his wife steadying him as he rose. His hand lifted to his brow in a proud salute as tears trickled down his checks from behind his dark shades. He was fighting hard to retain his composure. We nodded in acknowledgement and quietly passed.
We knew we had done the right thing.And so it has been every year since. Phantom proudly leads the way and we still get choked up as we watch the reactions of the crowd. Veterans stand at attention and salute. Family members wave and thank us as we pass. All too often the true meaning of this day is forgotten amongst the hype and commercialism. This is our way of getting back to what it’s all about. Remembering our troops, our fallen soldiers, our heroes."

Thats a DIRTY pony!

So...

Laredo the tri color Tobiano paint came out to my barn yesterday afternoon!  He was so dirty you couldn't tell he was tri-colored!

I got off work and headed out to the barn.  I got my TB first, and got him all settled in his stall.  He was all soggy and wet, and glad to be inside.  Dummy would NOT eat his hay outside!  Its like he is annorexic horse or somehting. 



Anyway



Then I got Laredo and took him inside.  I lunged him for a few minutes, and honestly Iwas not impressed.  He behaved bad, but I then had to remember he has been out to pasture for a year.  In the end, he did some very interesting trotting, with his tail up like an arabian, all stretched out like some sort of walking horse.  Pretty funny!



Then, It was time to wash him off, with lots (a whole bottle) of soap.  The black was pouring down his body in waves.  I wanted to check him for cuts, rot and anything else I should know about before I ride him, buy him, or give him back.  I found a few cuts, and some bite marks, but nothing bad. 

After my friend and I worked on lathering him up for almost an hour, we were done and he was sparkly clean!  All beatuiful and tri-colored! He has spots I didn't know exhisted!

What a weekend!

It all started when a friend came out to the barn to help me with my TB.  She rode for a bit and then I jumped on him (naughty i know..) brace and all.  We did great... for about three cirles, then I asked him to lope.  He did.  check.  Then He stopped, so i  urged him on ane he went straight up.  Now normally, I would just lean iN, squeeze hard and ride it out... NOPE!  That dang brace kept my from using my left thigh to squeeze in, so instead, after a failed attempt, I just slid right off his back onto my bum.  I rolled and covered my face, anticipating the kick... but it never came  That stupid horse just stood there with his ears back waiting for me.  So I got up, dusted off, remounted and rode him again.  I win.  I always win. 

Then we went out and rode my friends horses.  Then we roped.  Then we went out and looked at (and rode) a big gorgous paint QH gelding I am looking at buyin.  He rocked my socks.  I really want him. 

Anyway, the sun was in and out, the hail came and went, but it was a good weekend. (Minus the butt bounce)

Chicks, Horses, and Sunshine!

My little chicks are growing up.  Every morning I feed them and fill their little water trough and they run up to me and peck at the food and fluff their yellow feathers.  They are soo  cute!  And the best part is, our Jack Russel Terrier stays home now, running in circles around the coop barking.  I won't ever have to worry about him running away again! 

I am also going to be leasing a horse for a few months to do some western stuff, ride in clinics, do some drill team stuff and generally enjoy the spring and summer.  He is dead broke so I can ride him, and not worry abut my knee. 

My thoroughbred is doing FANTASTIC.  He is doing wonders on the long lines.  He tucks his head into a beautiful arch and is learning to propel forward from the rear, instead of pull the rear behind himself.  He is loping better, not throwing his head and body all over, and learning to round himself.  I can't wait to ride him, and feel the difference in the saddle.

Speaking of saddles...

I need a new one.  Anyone have an old jumping saddle they don't need???