Summer to Fall

What a summer. What a year.

 For that matter, what a life.

I am truly sorry that I have been neglecting my blog. I want to assure you that I have NOT, however, been neglecting my horsie duties, or CJ, or my students and clients. I HAVE, however, been taking a little bit more time for ME. I, through a recent revelation, have discovered the joy and happiness of loving myself, letting myself be me with someone special, and really just letting life treat me better than it has in the past. It's a little scary, but mostly just refreshing to feel so alive again.

On the horsie front, I am moving good ole CJ (and my entire lesson program) to a new barn. I have trained out of the barn in the past, about 5 years ago, and this really does feel a lot like "going home". Toi is coming, as is one other client horse. I will share photos of our new home soon, and will update you on some of the recent happenings in our world.

CJ is sound, still barefoot, and we have a wonderful trimmer coming every 3 weeks to get him re-balanced. So far, so good!! We even went on a trail ride barefoot, twice, and he held up wonderfully! (Everyone give a little victory whoop, please!)

What a summer to fall...and I have fallen. Hopelessly. Happily. YAY for me! :)

Be back soon, folks. In the meantime, Happy Trails!!

Parelli

I try so hard not to be a hater. I really do. But, having this man market his "program" to backyard novice horse owners, encouraging them to do their own training without the common sense to even advise them to don a helmet...well, let's just say it has been burnin my ass for quite some time.

Now, this:

Parelli Fiasco


Thoughts? Am I the only one who finds him disgusting?

Life Is A Roller Coaster

You know how it is when you live your life, and on occasion, you may look over your shoulder at where you've been, but as time goes on and you walk farther, those things are fuzzy and out of focus? In other words, time forces us to forget. Sometimes it's only in small degrees, sometimes in large increments. Then, out of nowhere, a wall of recollection hits you. You're a victim of long-forgotten emotions, flashes of images that have been tucked safely away for decades...it's almost painful. No, it IS painful.

I am currently dealing with an emotional blast from the past, and I'm becoming almost obsessive in trying to "resolve" issues from 20 years ago. I need to get my head back on my shoulders and deal with TODAY.

Everyone is doing well, for the record. It's been very humid and miserable, the bugs are taking over the world, but other than that...summer is being good to me.

CJ has been on ulcer treatment supps for almost 2 weeks. I see a noticeable change in his behavior and attitude. Just plain perkier. I guess that's good AND bad. I will keep him on them for as long as I need to.

I'll fill you in next week, after Toi's next horse show on Sunday. I'll try to take some good photos for you.

Happy Trails to everyone!

Photo Update for June

Toi is awesome. And handsome. Here's my proof:



Seriously. All y'all can't get the full effect just from pics. He is truly a cool dude. His looks are just icing on the cake, if you can believe it.



Have I mentioned that he is extremely smart and easy to train?



Super handsome and cleans up like a dream.



AND ADORABLE!!



CJ and I on a workout day. I'm ashamed how dirty his polos are. Don't look. :)



No one can tell me he's not a beefcake. Cuz he is.







Believe it or not, I've lost weight. Sad, huh? LOL!




I am truly sorry that I've been MIA. I will try to do better from here on out. It's tough when life is so hectic and there's barely even any time to sleep. This is my busy time of year, but I have no excuse for neglecting my blog.

Thanks for tuning in!!

Toi, Dancer, Life

I promise that I will be back soon with a detailed (photographs) update.

For now, all I can say is that Toi went to his first open show of the year last weekend, made his Western Pleasure debut, and blew everyone away. I couldn't be more proud. Pictures to come.

Dancer is doing better and better. She has been happy and positive, forward and full of impulsion.

Life is just crazy. I can't seem to get a breathe of air. I have made it a goal to drop some of my extra weight that I found after I stopped smoking. It's been 7 months, and I need to develop some healthier habits. Thankfully, this decision coincides with warmer weather so that I can get outside and walk the dog or whatever...of course, I wish I could ride every night, but that's not the case.

A favorite fellow boarder is moving to Indiana, and I will miss her a lot. You know how it is when you discover how REAL someone is, and wish you had met them earlier? Yep, it's one of those deals. I didn't get a chance to get to know her as well as I wanted to, and she is already moving. Damn.

CJ is doing great, as well. I am trying some ulcer treatment via SmartPak with his B-L Pellets, just to see if I observe even more improvement. He can still be cranky, and I've made all the other adjustments that I can think of. Cross your fingers, folks!

Be back soon with photos! Love y'all, and hope all is well!

Happy Mother's Day!!

I am still breathing and functioning. For the most part.

A little over a week or so ago, my brother in law died. He was 44. He would be 45 today. My sister lost the love of her life, and it gave me a pretty scary peek into the life of losing your spouse. What a wake up call. I may complain about my husband's lack of interest in my passions, the fact that we NEVER go out and do anything anymore, he has poor listening skills, he talks too much, he never listens to MY music, he moves the seat in my van and doesn't put it back, and the list goes ON AND ON. But, you know what? I'd be SO freakin lost without him. He is my soul mate, and he has helped me construct the last 15 years of my life, and it's a life that I'm very proud of. I couldn't have done it without him. So, although tomorrow is designed with me in mind, as a mother, you can bet your a$$ that I'll be showing him how much I appreciate him, as well. I spent some time watching him sleep last night. I watched his chest rise and fall, and wondered if I could survive finding him with his chest completely still, his skin cold, and no matter how hard I try to make him breathe, he won't do it. I don't know if I could go on.

On a happier note, today is Autumn's prom night! She had a bit of a scare with waking up to a sore throat and a cough yesterday, but she feels much better today. I am doing her hair and makeup, since we're on a limited budget. Wish me luck that I don't fail her!! Isn't she just gorgeous?

As I'm sure you've guessed, we're finally all moved in to our new house. We all really love, although I have to "bomb" it again for spiders. I let hubby do it before we moved in, and he only used half of the kit. We did see less spiders for a while, but lately, I've noticed that they're having little spider parties in my kitchen and dining area. Not cool. Yuck. Other than that, we're settling in and talking about new living room furniture, etc. It's fun to make plans...even if you can't see it through for a while.

CJ is doing fantastic. He had a day last week that he was stiff and a bit "broomstick like" for the first lesson of the day, but then he got much better. I suspect that we have arthritis issues at hand more than we have navicular issues. I did give him a little Bute that night, just in case, and he was fine the next day. Who knows....he may have just played too rough with Toi, too. Myah is riding again, too, which is good to see. She struggles with a fear of heights, so clambering up on our 16 hand horse is tough for her. Once she's up there, she does great, though!

Yes, I know his throatlatch is too tight. I need to punch holes. He survived, though.

I don't have much more to update you on. I want to wish you all a very happy and fun-filled Mother's Day weekend! I'll sign off with some photos of beautiful Dancer, just for fun. Don't look at the fat lady trainer on her back...seriously.

Baby Dancer:

Dancer, Early Stages of Collection

She has one BOUNCY trot, but is really a joy to work with. I think she's looking pretty good! She turned 5 on Friday. This ride is from Saturday morning.

Birthday Wishes!!!

I just wanted to wish Jen a very Happy 25th birthday today. I can't believe how fast the time goes. I do believe she was 17 when I started working with her and her aged Palo mare. She has come so far, and I'm so very proud of her. Happy Birthday, Jennifer!!

Jen happens to share her birthday with Dancer, who is 5 today!! WOW! It's amazing to remember how LITTLE she was when I met her, and now she's so HUGE. Happy Birthday, Dancer!!

Then

2 winters ago

Happy Birthday to two VERY special ladies!! Love you!!

Photo Update

Myah and Sunshine, enjoying their new yard

Autumn, in her new prom dress

New house!

Random awesome horse at Midwest

Sunshine, wiped out from a day of play

CJ, sporting his BLUE and packing one of his fave students around

Almost forgot this one! Autumn and Toi

Breathe (Almost...)

Not finished moving, but we're very close!! Sneak peek:

I'll be back soon, I promise!!

Life..checking in

Quick update, and hopefully things will slow down soon.

Yep, found a house!! It's still in the city, but it's a whole house (and a nice one) for only $50 more than we're paying per month for a lower flat in a duplex. The girls can stay in their current schools, and it's only a few minutes further from work. We will be moving on or around the 15th, so I'll be sure to share photos and information at that time.

I had jury duty this week. This was my first time being called. I had to report on Monday and Tuesday. Well, Monday afternoon, the first jury panel that I'm called for, and I'm selected. Here is the case I was on, and it took 4 days: Hernandez I can't begin to tell you how emotionally and mentally exhausted that I am. My fellow jurors and I were almost deadlocked. We had no concrete evidence, only testimony, and both sides made a weak case.

Came back to work yesterday and I have a ton of stuff to get caught up. Easter is tomorrow, and for the first year ever, I won't be coloring eggs with my daughters. I have lessons tonight, and won't get home until late. Tomorrow morning, we're striking off to go pick up the beater truck that my dad is giving us; we need it to get moved, anyway. Then, back home to make Easter dinner and hopefully get some much needed REST.


CJ is doing good. His fecal test came back all negative for worms, but he tested positive for sand again. So, he's back on the Metamucil and I'm trying to brainstorm a way for him to eat his hay outside like the rest of the horses, but not inconvenience the b.o. Ideally, I'd love to have a feeder in his paddock. I'd have to buy it, and I'd have to buy at least one more, for Toi, his pasture buddy. They alternate hay piles. Ugh. Ideas, guys? My brain is SHOT!!

I miss y'all. I'll try to check in more after the move, I promise...Hope all is well with everyone!! HUGS!

Fugly

You know, there are some who despise her, and maybe for good reason (I've never met her that I know of, but she does originate from the same area that I do, so I MAY know her and not know it), but every now and then she sure hits the nail right on the friggin head.

Fugly Blog

Seriously, I try to make room for the NH'ers, too. It is a big world out here, after all. And many of the beginners and newbies who normally would let a trainer do EVERYTHING and not even bother to get to KNOW their horse....well the NH videos can help them play games and gain confidence. I want to be a fan of anyone who is spending quality time with their horse. But, then, like Fugs pointed out, sometimes one of them NH'ers comes along and just burns my a$$, and this is one of those times.

Thoughts????

Whew! 9 Lives?

What a weekend! A refreshing whirlwind, and I truly feel ALIVE in a way that only horses can make me feel. This crap is in my blood; there is just no denying it. By the way, still no news on what's going on with our home...no one has contacted us.

CJ and I had a real big weekend with lessons. This would be my true test of his soundness, since we were booked full both days, other than the time slots set aside for Dancer's training session and Toi's training session. I had to work at my job on Saturday morning, then I headed straight out to the barn for my 1:00 session with Dancer and Kelli.

Dancer was quite good, considering her reluctancy to WORK lately. She is happy to run and buck and play with CJ, but if you tack her up and ask for more than a walk, she gives me that ugly face and swishes her tail, bogs completely down and sometimes even kicks out when I squeeze! She was better on Saturday, though. We worked almost solely on our upward transition to trot and she did very well. My 2:00 lesson was with a young man named David, age 9, I think. I decided to use Dancer for "follow the leader", a fun game that I play with my kids. Sorta like Red Light/Green Light, but more exciting because I don't announce what I'm doing as they follow me. I just do it. So, they develop the habit of looking UP and developing good feel for where their mount is at. CJ loves to follow Dancer, so this would be a breeze. We go about twice around the indoor arena, and as we're coming down the rail at a nice trot clip, I feel Dancer stumble. The area of the arena that we are in when this happens is a little valley, then a hill, then a valley. VERY slight, but has been this way for years. Anyway, ...stumble....wait for recovery....forever passes, and I realize that she is not recovering. I am sailing through the air, and my glance down only reveals the complete folding of Dancer's left front leg before I hit the dirt, about 3 feet in front of her; my head BOUNCES off the arena floor. I lay there a second, clean some of the dirt from my teeth and wipe it from my eyes, just in time to hear a fellow boarder come out to us, run right past me, and go to Dancer's head. Dancer is still on the ground, laying on her side, and making some weird hiccup-y noises. Poor girl knocked the wind out of herself!! Keep in mind, she's 17 hands and 1400 lbs. Boarder tries to encourage Dancer to get up. Dancer's not having it. My eyes slide down from Dancer's head, to the dressage saddle of Jennifer's that I borrowed that day, to the stirrup leathers, to the iron....with my left foot still in it. I almost had a heart attack. Yes, my head was pounding and I felt like a freight train had hit me, but my biggest horsie fear is that I'll be dragged. I couldn't get my foot out of there fast enough. Thank God Dancer was calm and not in a rush to get up, or hadn't panicked and run off. I'm sure I'd not be here to relay this story. Anywho...I have a black eye now.

Ouch. But, really, it didn't hurt. I didn't even notice it until after I got home many hours later, stepped out of the shower, peered in the mirror and said, "Why didn't my makeup come off?" and then tried using makeup remover. PSA of the day: Makeup remover WILL NOT remove a black eye. HA!

Anyway, Dancer was fine. No swelling, no heat. I linimented her twice that day; once right after it happened, around 2:15, and then again at around 7:00, right before I went home.

Oh, and folks, I wasn't wearing a helmet. Dumbass.

I got through the rest of my lessons for Saturday, and I was proud of that. My body hurt SO bad but I doped up on Advil, washed it down with a Miller Lite, and went to bed. Woke up yesterday (Sunday) morning, and my head felt fine. The rest of me DID NOT. I want to pad my clothes with Kleenex or something, but I just get dressed as normal, and drive out to the barn for another day of lessons.

Here is my navicular horse, riding in the outdoor arena for the first time this year. Forgive the Kimberwick (he hates it), but I wanted to be sure my lesson kids had the control they needed. We only used half the arena to keep him focused on his job and not distracted by his pals who were all sun-batheing and playing in the rear paddocks.

Hopefully, that 2nd vid will be done processing by the time I post this update. If not, hopefully this link will work?





See any signs of 4 years of navicular?

So, gang, what're your thoughts on Dancer's stumble and fall? We were fearing EPSM before this happened (reluctance to move forward due to muscle pain/fatigue was a huge red flag), but the vet ruled that out without testing her today. He advised we start her on a high intake of Vitamin E (no added selenium), though. I have heard of E for EPM, but not EPSM. Strange. I love my vet, and trust him a ton, but I also found it strange that he wasn't alarmed about our fall. I described the incident to him, and he didn't have much to say. He did mention that I shouldn't be surprised if Dancer is much more careful about the placement of her feet from here on out, though. Ha ha. Funny funny man.

CJ received a body score of 5, *** insert victory dance here *** and many comments about what great condition he was in. When the vet asks you what your secret is, you just HAVE to feel good, right? He got his teeth floated, Coggins pulled, spring shots, and doc collected a fecal. Same for Toi, minus the teeth float, which he received last fall. So, all in all, a good day.

Here are some shots of some of my favorite student moments yesterday.

CJ and Victoria, above. Victoria was TERRIFIED when she started riding with me 2 years ago. She's a lovely quiet rider, and really tunes in to CJ very well. He adores her, and tries his heart out to make her feel safe. When she says "trot" with that tremble in her voice, he just jogs. I love him.

Here is their "trot". HA! It's his jog, for sure. I sometimes feel sorry her as she posts to that, but hey...if it's her comfort zone, who am I to question?

Focus-faced Victoria and CJ. He has one ear on her and one on me since I'm crouching like a weirdo. I can tell he wants to stop and ask me WTH I'm doing on the ground, but he has a job to do. Jog on.

HA! Practice makes perfect. Victoria masters bending a horse at something faster than a walk! :)

I think this time the ear on Victoria is due to his concern; she's assuming fetal position, and he knows to stop trotting when that happens. Lovely scenery, yes? Complete with step stool/mounting block device!

And, I'm going to sign out and leave you with one of CJ's youngest riders, posing for their photo. They were so cute in all their blue!! I took a video of them, but it didn't come out right. Aren't they a lovely pair? :

Surviving

I'm still alive. Still no news on the status of our residence...

I have tons of lessons this weekend, and you're all overdue for pics, so I'll get some this weekend and post em on Monday.

Happy Trails!

Sorry

I apologize for being quiet. The house we live in (and have for the last 10 years) is being auctioned today. My nerves are shot. I don't really have a Plan B. For that matter, Plan A is a flop, too. I'll be back when the dust settles, buds.

Wordless Wednesday

A Bump In The Road

I don't even know if I should call it that. I've come to expect them; they are part of the package with horses, and of course if you have a horse with any physical issues (or mental ones, as well) you have more bumps on that road than your average horse owner.

All in all, we've been coasting along pretty danged well. My farrier, Autumn, is friggin phenomenal and she pretty much single-handedly had stopped my horse from limping. ONE TIME, after pulling the PHW's (see this site for more info, if you want Applied Equine Podiatry and do some digging...very enlightening stuff), he was sore after she came out: The PHW's are wonderful, but can be difficult to remove (the glue is SUPER strong!) and I do believe his RF was torqued from poor little Autumn's attempts to get the PHW off. He was sore for less than a day, and that was the last time he had a head-bob. He has been out of the PHW's now for almost 2 months, and hadn't taken ONE lame step. Matter of fact, now that his "navicular shoes" are off and his hoof is well-balanced, he has also stopped dragging his toes in the back....the squareness he had on both hind toes is GONE. Trust me, you feel it when you ride him, too. A true spring in his stride...yay!

But, this past Saturday morning, I was at work when my cell phone vibrated. It was a text message from Jen (my best friend), telling me that CJ was off, and that I may have to cancel any lessons that I had scheduled for that afternoon. I called her immediately, and she said that one of my lessees was there to ride CJ, and Jen noticed him walking a bit gingerly, so she interrupted the lessee before she could ride, and checked him out. She said he had a distinctive head-bob, and it appeared to be his RF. I told her I planned to come out right after work, and to tell my lessee that she can't ride today. I picked up my daughters after work at around 12:30 and we made the drive (45 minutes, by the way) to the barn. I grabbed CJ and Dancer and put them both in the indoor to run. Yep, although he didn't want to admit it, running and bucking, nipping and squealing with his best girl, CJ was absolutely lame on the right front. Damnitall.

When they were done playing and rolling and being goofy, we groomed him up, crammed a bunch of pears down his throat and then tracked down the barn owner. Instructions were given for 1 gram of bute at dinner and 1 gram of bute at breakfast, and I would be back out Sunday morning to see how he was. I was bummed, as it had been almost a year since he had required any bute whatsoever. Navicular my a$$. I worked Toi and went home.

Sunday morning, my daughters and I pack up the van and prepare for a long lesson day, just in case CJ was all better. We arrive to the barn fully prepared to have just another grooming/loving/treat-giving session. Pull him out, throw him in the arena, and......no limp. Not even a little one. Free lunged him both directions, w/t/c and gallop. Nothing. I have Autumn clip the lead on him and trot him away from me and back a bunch of times. Nada. Nothing. WTH? Well, we take what we can get, so...on with the day! :) CJ went on to provide several wonderful lessons to several very grateful kids and adults, ate a bunch of apples and pears, got a good rub-down and a huge pile of hay, and we headed home.

I can't figure it out. I guess I'm not supposed to.

Popped out there last night after work, threw on his bareback pad and bosal, and in the arena we went. I hopped up, warmed him up, and then loped some circles. Solid as can be. Even his brakes were sharp! It was a fun ride, and we had Dancer and Kelli join us, which was a huge honor! My new barn friend, Marissa, came in to watch Dancer (she LOVES her) and chatted with us a while. We did a lot of sitting around on our horses and talking. I remember when I was younger, I would see the older folks doing that a lot, and I often wondered why they even had horses...couldn't they just get together at the coffee shop to talk? Why weren't they RIDING?!  Now that I'm older, I totally understand.

Wordless Wednesday (late)

Me, 50 Years From Now

I just thought this was the coolest, so had to share:


A page from an 87 yr old horsewoman's journal



I Ride



I ride. That seems like such a simple statement. However as many women


who ride know it is really a complicated matter. It has to do with power


and empowerment. Being able to do things you might have once considered


out of reach or ability. I have considered this as I shovel manure, fill


water barrels in the cold rain, wait for the vet/farrier/electrician/hay


delivery, change a tire on a horse trailer by the side of the freeway, or cool a gelding out before getting down to the business of drinking a cold beer after a long ride.






The time, the money, the effort it takes to ride calls for dedication. At


least I call it dedication. Both my ex-husbands call it 'the sickness'. It's a


sickness I've had since I was a small girl bouncing my model horses and dreaming of the day I would ride a real horse. Most of the women I ride with understand the meaning of 'the sickness'. It's not a sport. It's not a hobby. It's


what we do and, in some ways, who we are as women and human beings.






I ride. I hook up my trailer and load my gelding. I haul to some trailhead


somewhere, unload, saddle, whistle up my dog and I ride. I breathe in the


air, watch the sunlight filter through the trees and savor the movement of my horse.


My shoulders relax. A smile rides my sunscreen smeared face. I pull my ball


cap down and let the real world fade into the tracks my horse leaves in the


dust.






Time slows. Flying insects buzz loudly, looking like fairies. My gelding


flicks his ears and moves down the trail. I can smell his sweat and it is perfume to my senses. Time slows. The rhythm of the walk and the movement of the leaves become my focus. My saddle creaks and the leather rein in my hand softens with the warmth.






I consider the simple statement; I ride. I think of all I do because I


ride. Climb granite slabs, wade into a freezing lake, race a friend through the


Manzanita all the while laughing and feeling my heart in my chest. Other


days just the act of mounting and dismounting can be a real accomplishment.


Still I ride, no matter how tired or how much my seat bones or any of the


numerous horse related injuries hurt. I ride. And I feel better for doing


so.






The beauty I've seen because I ride amazes me. I've ridden out to find


lakes that remain for the most part, unseen. Caves, dark and cold beside riversfull and rolling are the scenes I see in my dreams. The Granite Stairway


at Echo Summit, bald eagles on the wing and bobcats on the prowl add to the


empowerment and joy in my heart.






I think of the people, mostly women, I've met. I consider how competent


they all are. Not a weenie amongst the bunch.. We haul 40ft rigs, we back


into tight spaces without clipping a tree. We set up camp. Tend the horses.


We cook and keep safe. We understand and love our companions, the


horse. We respect each other and those we encounter on the trail. We


know that if you are out there riding, you also shovel, fill, wait and


doctor. Your hands are a little rough and you travel with out makeup or hair gel. You do without to afford the 'sickness' and probably, when you were a


small girl, you bounced a model horse while you dreamed of riding a real


one.

I've Been Tagged

Today is a SeeSaw Day. In case haven't figured out what I mean by that, it's a day that is filled with ups and downs. It's for SURE one of those, and I'm not even halfway through it yet!

I was notified that I'm losing my favorite (bad me for just saying that like that?) advanced youth student. She has recently lost interest, and her mother doesn't want to push her. I think that's great, as I am surrounded by parents who are the OPPOSITE, at every danged 4H show I go to. I want my students to WANT to do this. Otherwise, what's the point? But, I'm very sad. Not only did I totally dig her personality (and my daughters love her, too, which DEFINITELY is the test of her coolness) and loved teaching her, but my HORSE ADORED HER! CJ took total care of her, regardless of the circumstances. He carried her to her first Equitation win, and he showed her how to kick butt in halter classes. They were a cute pair, and it was truly my pleasure to share my horse and my time and my space with such a great girl. Her mom said that she hopes she'll come back. I do, too.

No more than 10 minutes after receiving that news, I get this wonderful award from a new, but very dear, friend of mine:

Thank you, Mrs Mom at OhHorseFeathers for the thoughtful gift!! And, honestly, guys, she came into my life for a reason, no doubt. She has really boosted my motivation and encouraged me to hang in there, that I'm on the right track. I can't tell you how good that feels. When trimmers and farriers, vets and chiros, trainers and traders...all look at you like you're crazy cuz your horse is barefoot and navicular, well...it can be easy to believe that they're right! Mrs Mom helps me to realize that I know what is best for my guy, and as long as I'm watching and listening, he will guide me. She's a very valuable pal. If you all have just 5 minutes to check out her blog, please do it. She's awesome! Oh HorseFeathers!!

So, with this award, I am to share 7 things about myself that are currently not known to my blog-readers, and then tag 15 fellow bloggers. Eeek! That's a tall order for little ole me. I'll see what I can do. Firstly, the seven things:

1) The only true friends that I have are also horse people. Many times, they started out as students or clients. I find that they have the same character that I do, and I trust my life to them.

2) My mother and I were extremely close. I am the youngest of 3 girls, with the closest in age being 7 years older. My mother passed away of Lung Cancer when I was 14 years old. My father wasn't capable of caring for me, so I lived with my sister and her family.

3) I have an Associate's Degree in Equine Management. I live in the city, and HATE IT!

4) I am happily married to a man who is of a different race, and is 19 years older than me. We have been married for 13 years and together for 15.

5) My husband and I have lost a daughter, early in our marriage.

6) My oldest daughter is caucasion (like me) but her biological father has been out of her life for many years. She calls my husband Dad, and means it.

7) I tried to live completely devoid of horses for a couple of years. I was as close as they come to being an alcoholic because of it.

Sooo, WHEEEEEEEEE!!! Wasn't that fun?

Now, for my 15 blogs to pass it on to...** drum roll please **

1) This will probably creep her out, but I feel a sistah-hood with Andrea. She and I share the dream for our horses to happily perform with no shoes. Eventing-A-GoGo

2) Full of common sense, a wonderful writer, and I am jealous that she has a pony!! GoldenThePonyGirl

3) Probably the coolest chick that I don't-know- but -wish-I-did. How cool is too cool? Not sure, but Heidi's probably got the insight on that one. HickChic

4) Nothing like living a horse life from a 1st person perspective! Gotta love BIF! :) BIF

5) A retired trainer that doesn't know how to retire. :) Love Mugs for her brains, sense of humor, honesty and her writing! I wanna be her when I grow up. Mugwump Chronicles

6) Shirley is so down-to-Earth. If you don't know her yet, go find her. You'll be glad that you did: RideAGoodHorse

7) I'm convinced that I wouldn't last a DAY living her lifestyle, and for this, she is my hero. And, I have never felt so lucky as to be able to view her world through her eyes, with her photos and stories of life in rural Oregon. One of the first blogs I started following, and still one of my faves: JKsRoughString

8) A new pal of mine, and it turns out we're sorta neighbors. How cool is that? Love her writings, and think she's totally the coolest. MidwestHorse

9) A wonderful writer, and old friend of mine. I admit that I miss her, but I fear that there is no repairing our friendship this time. Regardless, visit her blog. FearlessRiding

10) Did you know the editor of Horse & Rider has a blog? She's way cool, and it's fun to "watch" her travel for her stories. JuliThorson'sHorseTalk

11) EVER'BODY should have this one bookmarked. I come here for my daily chuckle: HorseLaughs

12) Another blog that I've been following for a long time. We seem to be so alike, with the ups and downs, the blues and the silly's. :) FoxyPants

13) I'm a huge fan of Perchies. And Perchies that do cool stuff REALLY steal my heart. This blog and the next blog are daily checkers. Daun had disappeared for a while, thanks to some cruel-hearted individuals on the internet ( gee, they're SO BRAVE to talk smack while hiding behind their 'puters). She's back, and I couldn't be happier!! Brego is just total eye candy. Drool.  EventingDraft

14) Like the above, I'm also in love with Klein. She is so athletic and sweet and gives her heart to her "mom". It's fun to watch their fun! JumpingPercheron

15) Lastly, but NOT LEAST, a blog in which a bunch of equine-savvy lovely lady authors share their talents with us, and even invite other bloggers to submit their stories. I never miss an update on there. If you haven't been addicted all along to this, you will be now! EquestrianInk

So, they've been tagged. HA! And, they all get the Award, and have earned it much more so than I have.

Thanks, Mrs Mom for my tag/Award, and thanks for your support.

I leave you with a short story, late from Wordless Wednesday. Oops!

Toi (left) says, "Yeah, yeah. Your mom is here. Big woop-di-do, CJ. Let's play halter tag."

And, CJ gives him what he wants, no warning whatsoever. HA HA, TOI!!

(Sorry for the poor quality, ...taken with my cell phone camera.)

Happy Trails, All!

Product Review Moment!!

Hey, does anyone else have one of these? I bleeping LOVE MINE!! Just picked it up at a tack sale last weekend for $25, and would totally pay the full price! Bestestestest invention evah! Add a pair of fullseat breeches (I did) and you're glued to this thing!!

Best Friend Western Bareback Pad - $79.95

Rated the #1 Bareback Pad and a Top Ten Product of the Year in June 2006 by The Horse Journal. The Best Friend® Bareback Pad features:

Breathable synthetic suede fabric top.

Non-slip neoprene bottom and girth.

High-density foam padding throughout.

Additional cushioning in withers area, contoured to fit the horse's back, providing a superior fit and appearance.

Convenient side pockets with a free water bottle.

Easy-care.

To clean: Brush off with a gentle brush and then wipe with a damp cloth.

Colors:



Tan (chamois) with brown trim

Navy with navy trim




And, CJ and I will begin our bareback adventure! WOOHOO!!

Musings For Today

I ran across this quote today, and it's always been one of my favorites...it's clean and crisp, and oh so honest:

"Remember, a horse can tell you a lot of things, if you watch....and expect it to be sensible and intelligent." ~ Mary O'Hara

So, as I mulled this over for the umpteen hundredth time, I asked myself what horses really think about the ways we attempt to "listen", and communicate,  such as the 7 games and clicker "training". Most horses don't need education in the area of "How To Be A Good Circus Horse", yet many folks find such joy in seeing their horses master these false magic tricks. They swear that it leads up to a better saddle horse, but I have yet to see that....and I've been doing this for over 20 years now. I would've noticed.

 A blog I follow that belongs to a sensible and unfortunately retired trainer talks about how plain and simple we need to keep things with the horses we work with. Why do we complicate things for them? What makes us think we need to constantly improve our methods? If it ain't broke, why fix it? Do we need to be flexible and let the horse tell us what they need? Absolutely! But, if they say they need time, why do we buy them a new watch?

These questions will forever go unanswered, I'm sure. And, it's methods like I mentioned above that help me stay in business. I do find pleasure in helping the horses be secure again. I just wish I didn't have to see them be so screwed up to start with.

It's just one of those days, I guess...I'm feeling down and blue, and really need some CJ to cheer up. Tomorrow night, for sure.

No News is Good News? Not so much!

I’m sorry that I haven’t checked in lately….I’ve had my fair share of hustle and bustle, mixed in with a 4-day weekend, an episode of migraine headaches, and juggling work/horse/family stuff. I know you can all relate…




Latest update: as of last weekend, CJ was feeling pretty gol-danged good, if you ask me. Very forward under saddle and in some cases, (like with my walk-trot students), a little TOO forward for my liking. HA!
 No complaints here, as it was so refreshing to see his head up, bright and alert expression, ears perked, as he trotted (hugely) around the arena. I managed to get him outside in the hayfield for a canter lesson, which he seemed to really love, although he had to work a bit harder in the snow. He sure was moving nice!! YAY! I can’t tell how nice it was to see all 4 legs working equally, a solid cadence in all gaits, even in the deep snow. WOOHOO!



My best friend is getting married next year. She has her incredibly talented warmblood mare on a free lease for 3 years, so I don’t see her that much anymore. I am supposed to be a bridesmaid in her wedding, which was fantastic until she told me that they’re now hoping to have a destination wedding. My husband won’t fly. We don’t spend nights apart…we’ve been married 13 years, and it would be tough to leave him behind. I’m at a tough spot. I have some thinking to do.



We live in a rental duplex, and have been there for 10 years. Myah took her first steps there. It’s our home. It has changed owners a few times, and our most recent owner fell prey to the horrible crash in the industry…it has been foreclosed on, and is being auctioned next month. I fear we will be forced to move, which would be fine if we had a game plan. I have no game plan. Our credit is shot, and there is no time to fix it now, anyway. I spend hours zoning out on Craigslist, looking for a new spot to dwell…ugh.



On the up side, I’m riding tonight. :)

Horse People

Only Horse People Know...




Only horse people...

* Believe in the 11th Commandment: Inside leg to outside rein.

* Know that all topical medications come in either indelible blue or neon

yellow.

* Think nothing of eating a sandwich after mucking out stables.

* Know why a thermometer has a yard of yarn attached to one end of it.

* Are banned from Laundromats.

* Fail to associate whips, chains and leather with sexual deviancy.

* Can magically lower their voices five octaves to bellow at a pawing

horse.

* Have a language all their own ("If he pops his shoulder, I have to

close that hand and keep pushing with my seat in case he sucks back".)

* Will end relationships over their hobby.

* Cluck to their cars to help them up hills.

* Insure their horses for more than their cars.

* Will give you 20 names and reasons for that bump on your horse.

* Know more about their horse's nutrition than their own.

* Have neatsfoot oil stains on the carpet right next to the TV.

* Have a vocabulary that can make a sailor blush.

* Have less wardrobe than their horse.

* Engage in a hobby that is more work than their day job.

* Know that mucking stalls is better then Zoloft any day.

The Gift Horse Talks

Okay, I'm going to give this a shot...I have the distinct feeling that this original post here may be edited several times, as some of the feedback and experiences that I am sharing are all muddled up in my head. I'm not at all sure how it will type out from my brain to this blog, but I will try to keep it as organized as I can.

Before I go into a lot of detail, I have to say that I was a bit skeptical of this whole thing. I wanted to talk to my horse, of course (wouldn't anyone???), but bigger than that...I wanted to HEAR HIM. I know he hears me. I see him twitch his ears, bend his neck, drop his head, even roll his eyes at me. I know we connect. We always have; it's why I belong to him, and it's why I walk around calling him Big Guy. We get each other. But like all of us meandering around here in the human realm, we wonder what it is that the animals know that we don't know. We wonder how their lives can be so simple while ours are such a friggin mess. We marvel at their no-nonsense simplicity, and how easily they find such joy in the most minutely satisfactory things...like food and fresh air, and companionship. But, I digress..sorry. Anyway, I was skeptical that it would be possible for me to truly talk to CJ. And for CJ to truly talk to me. I had found a very highly respected person to help us do this, but...if you've never done anything like this before, you feel like a weirdo.

At the end of the day last Sunday, I was sapped. Drained. Beyond exhausted. I have never felt quite that tired before in my life, and trust me...I've had a busy life. In retrospect, I think I was drained to that degree for a couple of reasons. For one, I had very high expectations and my excitement for the day had been building for a week. I had so many questions rolling around in my brain, and so many worries about what I may find out...like, what if the horses hate me? Also, I have a bond with all of the horses who had a reading. I was there for all 3 readings; if not holding the horse, standing very close by, and was involved in each of their experiences. I didn't know the meaning of the word "tired" until Sunday.

Our communicator came very highly recommended. I won't use her real name here. We shall call her Sherry. She started off with Dancer. As it turned out, Dancer had the most to say. She is 4, almost 5, and has been owned by my client since she was 29 days old, brought to live with my client when she was only 3 months old. I came into her life when she was 6 months old, and have been a steadfast part of her education and well-being ever since. She told Sherry (and us) that she wishes she could get more time outside to play. She said she is the most special horse in the barn because she has 2 moms. (Insert teary-eyed grin here) Dancer wants more pink stuff, as she says that too many people mistake her for a boy horse. (She is a big girl, so that may be why that happens...and it really does happen.) She wants more time with her boyfriend (CJ). She has some tummy trouble that her mom already knows about, but she wanted to confirm that...but also wanted us to know that she will be okay. It's part of a 3-part process, and the next steps will reveal themselves at a later date. Dancer wants me to relax, and to not push her. I had to laugh a little bit, because she's almost 5 and we have YET to canter under saddle. If I go any slower, she'll be in retirement before we take a trail ride. But, that was DEFINITELY something Dancer would say. Dancer also had some very private messages for her mom, which I won't share here. But, there is no way that Sherry could've known the things that Dancer shared. No. Way. In. Hell. Dancer had Reiki performed on her, focused mostly on her digestive area. She "released" (more on this later) by attempting to french-kiss me (no, I'm not exaggerating, ask her mother) and by flopping her big ole head all over the place. Sometimes, she had to take a break and just walk it off. Incredible stuff.

CJ was next. I recall my heart pounding when it was time to get him out of his stall. Sherry said the first thing she got from him was that he didn't feel good. His tummy hurt. He was sick, and he had been for quite some time. He said he was ashamed of his coat, that he's always been the horse in the barn with the prettiest coat (SO TRUE!), but his coat isn't nice because he doesn't feel good. (Yes, folks, I will be power-packing him for worms.) Sherry said he also felt a "heaviness" in his belly, separate from the sick/nauseous feeling that he had. I didn't piece it together until later, but we did find sand in his gut 2 years ago when we pulled his fecal. He probably needs more Metamucil treatment...fecal wasn't pulled this last fall. Bad Mom. :( Next, he asked where Dad was. I was speechless. And thoughtless. Dad? Meaning...my husband? Well, he's just not a horse person, and has been around CJ a handful of times in the last 5 years. Only 2 of those times were since we "purchased" him. I was embarrassed that CJ was calling us out on it, and I also felt a chest pang...as if CJ's feelings were hurt. It was so weird, and surreal. So, I vocalized to him that Dad didn't have a lot of time, and just wasn't a real animal guy. Sherry said CJ thought that was fine, but that he thought Dad was a pretty cool guy and he wished he would come out and visit more often...be a part of the family. I was blown away by this, because it really is only me and the girls that spend time with CJ, and even that is very rare. CJ and I give lessons and when we're done, I go home. That's our routine. Which brings me to the next topic...CJ wanted to know why I don't spend more time with him...one on one. Immediately after asking that question, he asked me why I felt so guilty. Well, here is where I burst into tears. How could he know how guilty that I felt? When I composed myself enough to speak, I explained that I felt bad that he had to work for a living. I felt bad that he had to earn the money for his keep. I looked around the barn at the horses that didn't have to work so hard, and I apologized to CJ for putting him in that position. Sherry was crying now, too, ...and CJ said....that he didn't mind working at all.

< I was so shocked. So, this horse who has developed a habit of pinning his ears and swishing his tail, feigning like he's going to bite his rider when they squeeze for forward movement...he doesn't mind giving lessons? What?! I wasn't prepared for this. I thought he hated what he was doing. My shock must've shown on my face...CJ said he acts this way because his tummy hurts and he just doesn't feel good. Once his tummy is better, he will act better. Wow. He also had these requests: More time with Dancer, his girlfriend No more purple halters and leadropes; he likes blue and wants blue stuff He will behave himself in the trailer if I'll stop making him go to shows; he wants to ride the trails. (GASP!) He likes little kids, but especially little girls. He mentioned names, which I won't mention here. He wants me to start braiding his tail again. He wants more treats, and specifically wants pears. He would like to try an orange. (I have never fed him a pear OR an orange, so...I'll keep you posted on those) His saddle doesn't hurt, other than pinching his belly sometimes (yes, I have a fuzzy cinch I can start using again), and a little over his withers. He requests a soft foam thing to go in that spot. Help??? He is afraid of loud noises and some men. Loud noises? I have been ON him when someone started up a chain saw on the other side of the wall, and he didn't bat an eye. I have never known him to spook from a sound. His rebuttal? He takes his job very seriously, so if someone is riding him, he knows he shouldn't jump around, so he swallows his fears. Had no clue about the men, either, but he's not around many of them, so... He wants his stall to be on the other side of the aisle. And, he wanted to know why he couldn't have the double stall. I had to laugh at that one! Greedy hound. :) He loves Toi like a brother, but Toi can be irritating. (Toi is a high-energy Arab cross, and CJ's turnout partner...this wasn't surprising news to me) I can't remember a whole lot more right now. He gave me his opinions of some people, which was very helpful for me. I want to make the right choices for him, and his input was greatly appreciated. I have to mention that the entire time he was communicating with me, Sherry was performing Reiki on him. The entire hour. My very well-behaved gelding stood in the aisle on a loose lead, and with a rubber feed pan between his teeth, he proceeded to shake his head up and down for at least 15 minute intervals, non-stop. I have never seen him do anything like that before. Ever. The energy work requires the animal to "release" and Sherry explained to me that this is what he was doing. It was incredible to see this...I have no words to describe it. She spent almost a full 30 minutes on his left knee (who knew?) as this is where he kept asking her to work. He also demanded work on his legs more than anywhere else in his body. Makes sense, for a "navicular" horse, doesn't it? Just wow.

Wow.


A very good friend of mine brought photos of her dog and cat, and Sherry spent the next hour working with my friend on those animals. I took that time to let CJ stretch his legs in the indoor arena. Blog-readers, I have never EVER seen him be so athletic. He ran for the simple joy of it. Sliding stops, rollbacks, dolphin bucks, rearing and squealing. Halting, puffing up and snorting at me, then taking off again. I'm sure most of it was releasing all of that energy. But, I tell you what...not ONE misstep. Not one head bob. He ran like he was a colt. He ran because it felt good. So, he ran some more.

Wow.

When he was bored with running for no reason, he stopped at the opposite end of the arena, looked at me, and perked up his ears. I asked him if he was done, and he just kept staring at me, stone still. I opened the gate and walked out toward him. As I got close, he dropped his head lower to the ground, ears still perked at me, eyes bright...his legs did a little shake/hop so he was sprawl-legged and low. I stopped walking, and crouched a little bit...he took off like a shot. When he stopped, I'd crouch again. His tail would flag, and off he'd go again. He was playing with me! My 10 year old navicular horse that hated moving was PLAYING WITH ME. Let me tell you something, all you skeptical folks out there...I'd pay double what I paid to do this again. Maybe triple...um, yes, for sure I'd pay triple. This was priceless.

Around this time, Toi's mom arrived, and it was almost time for Toi to have his reading. I'm going to let her type up what she wants to be mentioned. So, not intentionally leaving you hanging here, guys...I promise. My fingers are about to fall off, anyway...but I wanted to get something up here for you to chew on.

Thanks for tuning in. :)

Reiki for The Big Guy

I have to apologize to anyone who has been waiting for details on our sessions with the animal communicator. All I can tell you right now is that it was really informative, educational, and emotional. I am still chewing on everything I have learned, and will be sharing with you very soon. All 3 horses were cooperative and CJ was lavished with energy work for his entire hour. He really needed it.
I'll be posting details soon. I still have to organize it all, and find a way to put it into words. I am drained from the day, and although I slept a full 12 hours last night (right after the sessions), I still feel exhausted!

Horse Talk, literally

So, after much deliberation, I have decided to have a communicator come to us on Sunday and see if she can help us sort through some issues....not to mention, I've always wondered what my boy had to say about his life with me in general...I'm hoping he'll be talkative!! I am excited about finding out if/when/where his pain exists, and how I can help him be comfortable. If he likes being a lesson horse, likes to show, likes to trail ride...I want to know what he's afraid of (he is SO brave!), what makes him sad, what things I can do to make him happy. What a wonderful opportunity this is! Some client horses are going to be involved, as well, and I'm looking forward to receiving feedback and input from them, as well. Dancer is a nice filly that I've been working with since she was 6 months old...she is 4 this year. I'm curious to know what her opinions/thoughts are. And, Toi, of course...he will for sure have something to say. He is the boisterous one of the whole bunch. This will be enlightening and hopefully really fun!

Have any of you done this before? What were your experiences (if you don't mind sharing..) and were you a cynic before you did it? If you're not comfortable posting here, you can email me privately at lw4training@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Strange Horse Laws

Strange Horse Laws
Here is a collection of some of the wildest horse laws ever passed. This is a compilation of approximately 41 loony laws. Hope you enjoy! A great many of these laws were aimed specifically at horses and riders. No one knows how they got there and no one living has a memory of anyone arrested under them.

In Omega, New Mexico, every woman must "be found to be wearing a corset" when riding a horse in public. A physician is required to inspect each female on horseback. The doctor must ascertain whether or not the woman is, in fact, complying with this law!

In Hartsville, Illinois, you can be arrested for riding an ugly horse.

In Pattonsburg, Missouri, according to the Revised Ordinances, 1884: "No person shall hallo, shout, bawl, scream, use profane language, dance, sing, whoop, quarrel, or make any unusual noise or sound in such manner as to disturb a horse."

A Wyoming community passed this one: "No female shall ride a horse while attired in a bathing suit within the boundaries of Riverton, unless she be escorted by at least two officers of the law or unless she be armed with a club." And continues with this amendment to the original: "The provisions of this statue shall not apply to females weighing less than ninety pounds nor exceeding two hundred pounds."

A misworded ordinance in Wolf Point, Montana: "No horse shall be allowed in public without its owner wearing a halter."

A Fort Collins, Colorado Municipal Code: "It is unlawful for any male rider, within the limits of this community, to wink at any female rider with whom he is acquainted."

West Union, Ohio: "No male person shall make remarks to or concerning, or cough, or whistle at, or do any other act to attract the attention of any woman riding a horse."

Abilene, Kansas, City Ordinance 349 declares: "Any person who shall in the city of Abilene shoot at a horse with any concealed or unconcealed bean snapper or like article, shall upon conviction, be fined."

1899 vintage law from Waverly, Kentucky: "Any person who shall ride a horse in a public place while wearing any device or thing attached to the head, hair, headgear or hat, which device or thing is capable of lacerating the flesh of any other person with whom it may come in contact and which is not sufficiently guarded against the possibility of so doing, shall be adjudged a disorderly person."

A 1907 Cumberland County, Tennessee statute reads: "Speed while on horseback upon county roads will be limited to three miles an hour unless the rider sees a bailiff who does not appear to have had a drink in thirty days, then the horseman will be permitted to make what he can."

Figure out this 1913 Massachusetts law: "Whosoever rides a horse on any public way-laid out under authority or law recklessly or while under the influence of liquor shall be punished; thereby imposing upon the horseman the duty of finding out at his peril whether certain roads had been laid out recklessly or while under the influence of liquor before riding over them."

Male horse buffs in Basalt, Nevada, are prohibited from eating onions between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. while out riding.Law specifies only men!

Ice cream lovers beware in Cotton Valley, Louisiana. Citizens aren't allowed to eat an ice cream cone while on horseback in public places.

An antiquated city ordinance in Quartzite, Arizona, prohibits anyone from playing cards with a pregnant woman, a child, or an Indian, "lest they acquire a taste for gambling!"

In McAlester, Oklahoma, it's taboo for a woman over 235 pounds and attired in shorts to be seen on a horse in any public place.

It's illegal in Marion, South Carolina, to tickle a female under her chin with a feather duster to get her attention while she's riding a horse!

It's a violation of the law for a married man to ride on Sunday in Wakefield, Rhode Island. Married women aren't mentioned, so it must be okay for them.

A newly married man in Kearney, Nebraska, can't ride alone. The law states that he "can't ride without his spouse along at any time, unless he's been married for more than twelve months."

It is strictly against the law in Bicknell, Indiana, for a man to leave his new bride alone and go riding with his pals on his wedding day. The penalty is a week in jail.

In Bismark, North Dakota, every home within the limits of Bismark must have a hitching post in the front yard.

Budds Creek, Maryland, has an antique law which prohibits horses from sleeping in a bathtub, unless the rider is also sleeping with the horse.

In Headland, Alabama: "Any man on horseback shall not tempt another man's wife. An unmarried horseman should not stop overnight when the woman is alone."

Bluff, Utah's legislation regarding the Sabbath: Women who happen to be single, widowed or divorced are banned from riding to church on Sunday. Unattached females who take part in such outlandish activities can be arrested and put in jail.

Citizens are prohibited from buying, selling or trading horses "after the sun goes down" in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, without first getting permission from the sheriff.

In Schurz, Nevada, they have an old law which prohibits the trading of a horse after dark.

In Pee Wee, West Virginia, people are prohibited from swapping horses in the town square at noon!

A unique law in Pine Ridge, South Dakota where horses are banned from neighing between midnight and 6 a.m. near a "residence inhabited by human beings."

And in Pocataligo, Georgia, horses aren't allowed to be heard neighing after 10 p.m.

Paradise, California, retains a most unusual law that says it is illegal to let a horse sleep in a bakery within the limits of the community. What about goats, cows, etc.?? Only horses are mentioned.

In Sutherland, Iowa, a law governs how horses may be seen when on the streets during evening hours. The animal must always have a light attached to its tail and a horn of some sort on its head.

No rodeos in this town! No man is allowed to ride his horse "in a violent manner" if he happens to be in Boone, North Carolina.

Female riders in Clearbrook, Minnesota, be aware of this one governing the heel length of a horsewoman's shoes. Any such woman can wear heels measuring no more than 1-1/2 inches in length.

A loony clothing ordinance in Upperville, Virginia, bans a married woman from riding a horse down a street while wearing "body hugging clothing." A $2 fine can be imposed on any female rider who wears "clothing that clings to her body."

An attorney can be barred from practicing law in Corvallis, Oregon, should he refuse to accept a horse in lieu of his legal fees.

Trying to find a wife? Watch out in Tranquility, New Jersey that you don't violate this law. The law states that a person can't distribute handbills while on horseback as a means of advertising for a wife.

It is against the law in California for horses to mate in public within five hundred yards of any church, school or tavern! The penalty can be a $500 fine and six months in jail. This law isn't clear as to whether the horse or the owner is fined and jailed.

McAllen, Texas, has outlawed citizens from taking pictures of horses on the Sabbath. Any person who "disturbs" or "otherwise antagonizes a horse" in this manner will be subject to a fine of at least $1.50 and can be jailed for as much as "three full days and nights."

In Burdoville, Vermont, it states that "no horses are allowed to roam loose between March 1 and October 20!

In case you have an accident in Hortonville, New York, here's their antique law: "The rider of any horse involved in an accident resulting in death shall immediately dismount and give his name and address to the person killed.

Watch out in Rhinelander, Wisconsin if you are riding a horse while intoxicated! An old ordinance takes care of the problem. Such a horseman, per the law, must be given a "large dose of castor oil." Who doles out the penalty? The horseman's wife! Refusal to take the castor oil results in a fine!

In closing, a summation of Clergyman Henry Ward Beecher's view on the art of lawmaking holds so much truth. "We bury men when they are dead, but we try to embalm the dead body of laws, keeping the corpse in sight long after the vitality has gone. It usually takes a hundred years to make a law; and then, after the law has done its work, it usually takes another hundred years to get rid of it."