My Wish List

As spring slowly begins to draw near...well, at least the promise of spring, I begin to get more excited about riding. I suppose being in the saddle two weeks ago, after over a month off, helped!
Even though times are a bit tough and we are all cutting back in our own ways, I think it is important to continue to spend a little, too. Somebody told me that if nobody spends, it only hurts the economy more. We've got to support our horse industry and our local businesses, or they won't be there when we need them and things get better! I have decided that I'm not going to panic and stop spending. Rather, I'm going to spend less and save more. So I'll still be doing my share to contribute to the economy.

That being said, I will still have a wish list of items! Doesn't every horse owner? In terms of tack and equipment, I was inspired by the Buck Brannaman clinic I attended this past fall. Paint Girl ordered herself a new bridle, a treat for meeting a goal she set for herself. I forgot to take a picture of it (Pony Girl forgetting to take a picture is usually unheard of!)

If you have the November issue of Western Horseman magazine, you can see the bridle on page 154. It is the complete bridle set by Brighton Saddlery. She ordered it to use on Fritzy, their black and white Paint mare. Goodness, it will look really spiffy on her! By the way, Paint Girl was really happy with the customer service at Brighton and was thrilled that they put the whole bridle, reins, bit, and mecate, together before they sent it to her!

I covet a pair of the Buck Brannaman parachute cord mecate reins from their Houlihan Horse Gear site (these are the same ones on the Brighton Saddlery bridle as well.) I want to get a pair of mecate reins. Horsehair ones would be ideal, but are out of my price range right now. These parachute cord reins have a great weight and feel to them. I have my color picked out, which are not the green ones pictured below. I would prefer the brown/tan/black.

However, I realize that even more than the mecate, what I really need is a pair of reins to use with my shank bit. On the trail, I prefer to ride one-handed and neck rein. While in California last year, I got a new headstall and reins. It is hard to find a headstall that matches the mahogany brown tones in my Circle Y saddle, but the one I got was a good fit and I liked the rawhide diamond trim.

However, I found that the matching leather reins stained my gloves, jeans, or chinks (that hasn't actually happened yet because I make a point of not when wearing my butter colored chinks when using these reins.) I am not sure why this is happening, I even used them a while in hopes that the "newness" would wear off. As a result, I have ended up using the snaffle bit and yacht rope reins more regularly. This is also fine because when I ride in the arena, I am working flexing and giving to the bit with My Boy, which is better with the two-handed snaffle.

While at a tack shop over the holidays, I noticed pairs of romal reins for a pretty good deal. These are not the fancy, $600 a pop rawhide variety, but they were rustic, heavy, and thick. I am thinking that I am going to take my headstall up to the store and match a pair of the reins to them. This seems to be a good solution for finding reins for trail riding. I always knot my split reins anyways, as I tend to have rein-dropping fumble fingers, so it makes sense to get a pair of romals.

Something else on my wish list is a fleece cooler. This is one piece of horse wear I do not have yet. My mom used one on her gelding last month after a heavy workout, and it was amazing how well it soaked up moisture and dried him out.

Here is My Boy a couple of years ago, back in the first month I leased him. He was boarded at a stable so we had an indoor arena so he was worked more often and harder, often requiring a hose down and a cool-out!

I really like the Valley Vet Supply catalog and have good luck with their Brookside brand name items, like My Boy's winter turnout blanket, which is on it's second year and holding strong! They have a double-sided fleece cooler for a reasonable price of $49.95. I'd get the hunter with tan trim to match everything else I have for my horse. Isn't it funny how we horse people get into our "colors?"

Now on to the items I don't really need, but just W*I*S*H I could get. The if I win the lottery kind of wish list!

I really want another pair of chinks. No, I have hardly worn out the pair I have! Don't laugh, but I have considered ordering a pair of these hair-on-hide chinks from National Ropers Supply. I said don't laugh because they are youth chinks. I am not sure they would fit me, but I am thinking the size large might, just maybe. Goodness, it might be prudent to call and get some measurements first? It would be worth a shot since they have such fun details , are only $119, and would show less dirt than my butter elk chinks. I really just want a second pair so I'm making that up. I'm not afraid of a little dirt. The hide color will vary, the catalog says. Who knows what I'd get! If they were black and white cowhide, I'd have to give them to Paint Girl. Then she'd match her horse!

Boots. Here comes trouble. I have a darn tootin' decent boot collection for a cowgirl just two years back into riding. I have boots to get me through a variety of cowgirl events, for fashion and horse-riding function. But one always has to have a pair of dream boots on the horizon, right? Here is a pair I've been eyeing for over a year! See, a whole year! I have restraint!

I don't know anything about the boot brand Corral, but I love the details, such as the cut-out crosses, and the python toe. I found these on Rod's.com and luckily, they haven't sold out in my size yet! My restraint might be going out the window.... I do have a birthday coming up, beloved family members!

I would also love to have a pair of Lucchese boots. As I mentioned in my last post, my friend got her first pair in Vegas a few years ago and said when she tried them on, she understood what everyone was talkin' about. Here are two styles I found on Cavenders.com that I like. Even though I like square toe boots for riding, I like the classic pointy toe for wearing with jeans. They are simple and traditionally classic!

Goodness, why I can't just have something as simple and affordable as this $3.95 leather curb strap on my wish list, I'll never know!

Boots, Boots, COWBOY BOOTS!

Ariat boots were the overwhelming favorite in my recent poll, "What will the brand be of the next pair of cowboy boots you'll purchase?" The fact that Ariat had the most votes both surprises me, and doesn't.

I have one pair of Ariats, they are what they call "fat baby" boots. Kind of short with a chunky lug sole, a cognac colored ostrich. I enjoy wearing them with jeans. I would not actually wear them riding. They are pretty comfortable, although I probably could have gotten a size smaller as they feel kind of clunky.

When I finally bought a pair of real riding boots, I chose Twisted X brand and was happy with my choice. I tried on some Ariats too, but at the time, I was looking for square toed boots and Ariat didn't seem to offer as many riding boots with a square toe. Most of their boots looked more like a fashion boot, not something I'd want to get dirt on.

{ My Twisted X~ before I broke them in }

My friend who is a bit of a cowboy boot connoisseur told me that on her annual NFR trip in Vegas a couple of years ago, she and her friend were shopping for boots, looking at Ariats that were on sale. The retail clerk kind of laughed and said Ariats weren't "real cowboy boots." A year later in Vegas, she tried on a pair of Lucchese and said, oh, that's what they've been talking about. She ended up buying them.

{ These aren't mine, but I sure would love this collection! }

When I was shopping for my boots, the store owner (who only wears custom made boots) tried to sell me some Boulet, but I didn't like the particular style in stock. He also said that a lot of men don't like wearing Ariats or other boots with a "sneaker last" because their feet tend to sweat in them.

{ My cousin's red pirate boots! }

Interesting perspective, but I do notice that when you slip a boot on, you can tell immediately if its love or not. I do have one pair of boots I've yet to really break in, they are stiff and I wonder if they ever will or if that is just their design. They are Tony Lamas and the only black boots I have. They are shiny and I love them, they just aren't comfortable yet.

I could write about boots all day. In fact, in Friday's post I'll post pictures of a few that are on my wish list! I would love to hear more about your favorite boots, too. Tell us your brand of choice and why. If you want, consider this a tag and post a picture of your favorite pair of cowboy boots on your blog, be sure to let us know to stop by and check yours out!

P.S. I realize I left all you English riders out in this one but it was a cowboy boot poll and besides, I bet some of you have a few pairs of cowboy boots, too, right?!

The Filly Not Meant to Be Mine

Before I barely knew who My Boy was or that he might be for sale, but when I had started riding again and was thinking of buying a horse, I spent a lot of time window shopping. Thank goodness for Dreamhorse.com! Entertained me for hours.

There was on filly I found and became fixated on. I emailed the owner/breeder at the ranch she was raised at, and she so kindly obliged my requests for photos, pedigree information, etc. I told her my life story, that I was getting back into horses, that I really wanted a Quarter Horse, and that her mare was something I wanted to look at when I was ready (in other words, had the money saved up, which I was nowhere near ready for yet.) I printed out all of the information she emailed me and added it to my file of "potential horses." Yes I was being a total lookie loo, but as soon as the time was right, I was ready.

This filly was a coming three year old when I first saw her ad. She was a 14.3 Quarter horse, and sorrel, two of my prerequisites. She was greenbroke, barely. She had 30 days on her. I thought this filly was so pretty. Shiny like a copper penny and a perfect white star. They wanted $2500 for her which I thought was a reasonable price.

I kept the filly's information and dreamed. I'd check back now and then and she was still for sale. In fact, even after I leased My Boy, fell in love with and decided I wanted to purchase him over a year ago, she still hadn't sold.

I happened to be on the site last weekend and lo and behold, she'd finally sold. They had a few new pictures up as well. She had really started to grow up and fill out a bit.

It's kind of funny, looking back at what I thought I wanted. First of all:

{Pony Girl} + {greenbroke filly} = a situation I was not ready for after a 17 yr. riding hiatus!

Besides, I always believe that things are meant to work out the way they should. The pretty sorrel filly wasn't meant to be mine, she's making someone else happy. But my Appy Boy obviously was.

{Pony Girl} + {15 year old retired reining horse spotted stinker} = perfect!

Monday Musings

I didn't get to see my horse this weekend. I spent most of it on the couch, fighting off a bug. The weather was also iffy, spitting snow and chilly and probably not good for a girl to be out in while she's trying to get healthy.

I missed my horse. I always feel bad when I don't get to spend time with him. There is nothing I would rather do, really.

I did sneak out to attend my friend's surprise 40th birthday party. While there, I started talking to a friend of a friend, whom I had not seen in a few years. It is always interesting to broach the "I'm a cowgirl now" conversation. It goes something like this:

"So how are you, what have you been up to?"

"Hmm, well, I'm still teaching. Living in the same place. Oh, did you know I have a horse?"

"A horse? Really? Where do you keep it?"

"I got back into riding a few years ago and ended up leasing a horse. Then, with the help of my family I bought him a year later. I keep him at my sister's place, they have acreage and a plethora of animals of their own. I spend a lot of time up there!"

"That's cool. Are you dating anyone?"

"Oh, you know, I'm dating. But I suppose how I want to live my life has changed in these past few years, too. So I'm kind of being particular, hoping for a cowboy, or at least someone who is comfortable with me being a cowgirl, and maybe living out of the city."

"Well, it's good that you know what you want. You'll find it. You just have to put yourself in the places to find the kind of person you're looking for."

I've had this conversation so many times that it feels almost rehearsed. I wonder if people think I'm a little nuts. Like what happened to her, good golly, she's gone country. The funny thing is, most of them never knew me when I was country to begin with. They never knew that I spent half of my childhood sleeping outside in the yard under the stars (by choice.) That collecting tadpoles and raising them into frogs was one of my favorite spring past times. That for my ponies, I made halter nose band covers out of old tube socks and blankets out of old floral flannel sheets. That I nailed half of the boards on their lean-tos myself. That one of my first jobs was cleaning stalls at a local barn. That I am not afraid of a little horse dirt and in fact blow it out of my nose on a regular basis.

I guess I shouldn't expect them to know, just because I don cowboy boots once in while. It's more of state of mind, a way of being. I just have to live it my way and hope they get me. And well, someday, they'll get to visit me at the ranch. We'll sit out on the front porch, drinking cosmopolitans out of my Pottery Barn martini glasses, laughing and talking girl stuff as the sun sets and the horses (My Boy and his cousins) eat their hay and the crickets began to chirp.

And if they want, I'll gladly loan them a pair of my cowboy boots.

The Rogue Eyelash

See that curly, twangy, wacky eyelash on the top eyelid?

When it grows long enough, it can curl back into My Boy's eye.

I really think this causes him to be bothered.

A year ago he had some irritation and head shaking symptoms while wearing a fly mask (which diminished within half a day of the mask being removed.)

I think the fly mask was pushing on this rogue eyelash, poking his eye.

Strange theory, but possibly true?

I noticed this crazy eyelash last summer and now keep it trimmed for him.

What else are mommies for?

Look Who's a Cover Boy!

Have you seen the February/March issue of American Cowboy magazine? I was at the store last night and I couldn't believe my eyes! It's especially coincidental because I had just picked up the "Comanche Moon" DVD, the television series prequel to Lonesome Dove. I have yet to watch any of the Lonesome Dove sequels. I am still savoring the original. I feel guilty watching the sequels.

Now I realize that "Comanche Moon" doesn't star Robert Duvall nor Tommy Lee Jones and nobody can play Gus or Woodrow like they can. But I have to give it a chance because I'm just so addicted to their characters and their adventures in the wild west. What do you think? Were any of the sequels any good? (The Streets of Laredo, Deadman's Walk.)


I won't give away the article, but it is strangely ironic to me that the 20th Anniversary of the television mini-series is this February. That is because it is also the one-year anniversary since I first saw Lonesome Dove. I was introduced to it one year ago February, while visiting my Auntie J in the desert.



Speaking of my Auntie J, do you remember the post I wrote, in my second month of blogging, about how she met Robert Duvall in person? Seems appropriate that I link it here now because it is such a cute story. That being said, stories like that are the whole reason I encouraged my aunt to start up a blog of her own, which she has finally done (you can find her on my sidebar, the Ms. Desert Rose.)

This February I will not be making my annual trip to the desert (sob sob, sniff sniff) so I will have to re-watch the miniseries as a tribute to my great desert adventures.

Pictured below is my first desert ride on a Tennessee Walker~

what fun, I was grinning from ear to ear!

With that I leave you with one of Gus McCrae's bits of philosophy from the movie:

“If you want only one thing too much, it’s likely to turn out a disappointment. The only healthy way to live, as I see it, is to learn to like all the little everyday things.”

p.s. I just saw that the Hallmark Channel is running a wild western weekend....and premiering a movie called "Unforgiven" starring Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman tonight. In case anyone is staying in and has popcorn!

Goodbye, Sweet Zoe

Rest in Peace, Zoe.

Thank you to your mommy for sharing you with us.

Thank you for being part of our family.

As we ride the trails and the barrels this summer, it will not be the same without you.

May you gallop the trails of heaven in peace and without pain.

Hugs from Your Pony Cousins

{I just got word last night that Zoe had to be put down. She had tumors in her throat and guttural pouches, which she had undergone surgery and treatment for. Sadly, the cancer had spread to her lungs. My heart goes out to her owner, she was her best friend. In this picture taken at our family guest ranch trip last summer, Zoe is decked out for a pink themed cancer ride in honor of family members that have passed from cancer. }

Catch-Up Thursday

I wanted to catch up on some things that I haven't written about lately.

{My Boy's Catch-Me if You Can Game}

You might notice from my photos of My Boy that he's still occasionally in a double-halter. For those of you that don't know, My Boy decided to revisit an old bad habit at the end of last summer, which is being difficult to catch. After he had an abscess and I embarrassingly couldn't catch him for the vet, I decided to keep a breakaway halter on him, even though that went against my better judgement of horse keeping. The double halter look happens when I am just too lazy remove the breakaway halter once I get a regular halter on him. I could probably just use the breakaway, but for some reason I fear that it might "break away" at an impromptu time. Oh goodness, I can't imagine anything worse that a hard to catch horse loose in the neighborhood! But lately, I've been removing the breakaway out from under the regular one. When I put him away, I can usually just unbuckle the regular halter, reattach it around the throat latch like I do when I bridle, so he's "held" while I put the breakaway back on. I don't do this when I catch him in the pasture because he's still a little touchy and I'm afraid he might bolt and then I wouldn't have as much control of him with just a halter hanging on his neck.

My Boy has actually been pretty good about catching lately. He usually comes down to the gate, or halfway, then lets me approach him. I just have to do it slowly, and act very non-threatening and disinterested. I also make sure I always have incentive, as well, which he does not get until he is caught and haltered. I have little problem actually snapping the lead onto the breakaway. It's when I go to put the regular halter on that he almost immediately starts raising his head and balking in anticipation of being caught. It's like he doesn't realize that he is already caught. I know, what a goofball! I usually back him into the corner by the gate, so he can't back up, then halter him.

Las weekend he pulled the balking the minute he saw me start to raise the regular halter, and I'd had enough of his antics. I whacked him on the side with the halter and said "WHOA!" In other words- mommy'd had enough! Then I haltered him without a problem. I think half of the time he's just pulling this attitude because it's a habit for him. He needs to know I'm going going to stick it out. I need to break his bad pattern of behavior. I also think my confidence has grown as I've been dealing with this. It's frustrating, I will admit. I have such little time with my horse anyway, it was not ideal last summer when I spent half of our time together chasing him around the pasture trying to catch him. And it's disheartening because one would like to think their horse kinda likes them and wants to spend time with them. I mean really, the horse pretty much lives "The life of Riley!"

When spring sets in and the pasture is dry, I hope to turn him out without a halter again. Then we will be back to ground zero with catching and haltering (the two go hand in hand for his problem.) The only time I'll turn him out with a breakaway will be when he has a farrier or vet appointment, because I can't mess with the catching issue and not have him ready to go at these times. Then again, if we can't work through this, he may just wear a breakaway forever.

{Auntie's Fancy Albert}

Remember my Aunt's search for a horse? (That ex-rope horse gelding we looked at did eventually find a new home!) As you might recall me mentioning in a past post, she decided to just lease the Arabian gelding, Albert, that she was taking lessons on. Being a lease-before-I-bought kind of girl, I completely support her decision. Whether she ultimately ends up with Albert or not, I know that she is enjoying him immensely and learning a lot along the way. However, it is hard not to get attached, as I learned while leasing my spotted boy. Warning Auntie: look where that got me!

{English Invasion}

I thought I wanted to go in on the purchase of an English saddle with Paint Girl. The saddle is at my sister's now, on loan as a trial by the friend who would sell it to us. Paint Girl and I have yet to try it on our horses. But I am thinking that because I am cutting back a bit, it would be wise to not spend money on something I am not going to use that much. Although it would be fun, my goals with my horse for this summer don't really include riding him hunt seat. There are a few other horsey items I am coveting and saving my pennies for (see tomorrow's post for the scoop on that!) so I think the English saddle purchase is on hold for the time being. That being said, I have not tried it on him yet. Once I see it on his back, who knows what could happen!

{Blog Schedule}

I'm finding that my new blog schedule is helping organize my chaotic mind. It gives me something to start with should I feel a bit of writer's block for a post (which lucky for me, rarely happens. I never seem to have a shortage to write or talk about!)

I discover new blogs all of the time. I always think oh cool! Then I look at their sidebar and notice they have been blogging 3 years and have over 400 posts and I think....how will I ever go back and read them all, to really learn their whole story? One of the greatest compliments I received was a comment at some point during my first year of blogging, that someone printed out my entire blog, took it to work, and read it on their lunch break! Okay this is giving me a scary idea, but I have plenty to read at work and it is mostly education journals. Have you ever gone back and read a blog from the beginning? I have! If anyone's "site meter" has shown me hanging around there for a couple of hours, don't worry, that will be the reason!

One thing I hope to do off and on is "repost" links to old posts that might relate to something current, or that I just want to bring up again, in particular for new readers who might have never read them in the first place. This will be in the upper left-hand corner, where I also hope to put links to interesting sites now and then, like the necklace contest at Two Dog Pond. I often highlight and put links to previous posts in a post if I refer to it as well. Any other suggestions out there on how you catch-up on other's gazillions of posts or help other's catch-up on you?

And speaking of catch-up, is there anything I forgot to catch you up on in this post that you are wondering about?

It's almost Friday, everyone!

Polo Pony Ponderings

Last month I was reading Buck Brannaman's book The Faraway Horses and came across a chapter where Buck describe his foray into training polo ponies and riding polo.

Buck said that many polo riders rode horses in a variety of gimmicks (tie-downs and harsh bits, for example) and these horses were ridden and handled quite hard, partially due to the nature of the game itself, and partially due to players who just didn't know any better and lacked horsemanship skills.

I can only imagine the kind of mental and physical state these polo ponies end up in after a few years of playing the sport. So my wonder of the week is....what ever becomes of these ponies once they are retired? You hear of "off the track Thoroughbreds"....what about "off the field polo ponies?" Where do they end up? What kind of riding or discipline would they best be suited for using the skills (or lack of) gained from being a polo pony? Do they need rehabilitation? Are they any different at the end of their game, in terms of usability, than say, a champion reining horse or hunter/jumper?

Help me out readers. Do you know anyone that rides polo? That has ever owned a retired polo pony? What breed of horse is it, and what do they use it for now? I worry about these horses, galloped hard on all over the field. I worry that they don't go on to live productive lives once their career as a polo pony is over.

But thats me. I worry too much.

My Back in the Saddle Weekend

Show me some love, handsome!

What a weekend! Having three days off is always nice, it means more horse time for me, so I won't complain. The weather was also agreeable. It was finger-numbing cold, but there was lots of blue sky so it was a fair trade-off. I headed up to the Painted Creek to see my horse. My plan was to saddle him up, longe him out, and ride. And I did!

By the time I got up there Saturday, it was late afternoon but it still felt like a chilly morning. I love the afternoon light as the sun begins to sink low in the sky. It's my favorite for photographs. Everything was covered in dew, it hung from the arena panels and clung to the grass. My Boy's hoof prints from last weekend were now frozen in the dirt.

An eerie fog hung around in the trees and fields. I could see My Boy's breath, and couldn't tell where it began and the fog ended.

I was glad for my warm chinks, what a difference they made! I have to tell you though, I've been wearing my warm and comfy muck boots so often this winter that I could barely even walk in my riding boots! I felt like I was wearing high-heeled fashion boots, for goodness sakes!


These are not my good riding boots (my Twisted X.) I had to walk through about 2 inches of watery muck to get the arena and no way was I sinking them into that.

I asked Paint Girl if she would come outside at some point and take some pictures of me riding My Boy. I always take a gazillion pictures of my horse, but I rarely get any of me with or on him. She said she would. But when it was time for her to take the pictures, as daylight was fading fast.... I found her curled on the couch under a blanket, napping to the sound of a football game, one of her favorite kitties tucked in next to her. Oops. Luckily she was kind of enough to rouse, bundle up, and head out to take a few pictures for me. Thanks, Paint Girl!

It felt good to be back in the saddle again!

Riding into the fog.

Sunday night, Paint Girl and I watched a few of the reined cow horse competitors from the AQHA World Show, that she had taped off of network television not long ago. I have never seen a reined cow horse competition but I loved it. A horse that can do a reining pattern is one thing, but a horse that can follow that up with the real action and turn a cow is another! It was fun to watch Carol Rose ride (I think she was the only woman to qualify in this event) even though she spun the wrong direction in her reining pattern. My farrier said that he has shown under Carol as a judge at an AQHA show many years ago and that she is best known for being a breeder of performance horses, cutting and reining horses in particular. For example, here is a link to the stallion Shining Spark. Oh Nellie, can you say gorgeous!?

Afterwards, Paint Girl and I ate popcorn and watched Silverado, a western remake from 1985. Kevin Costner was so young in this movie! We had fun trying to figure out how often they switched out the "horse actors." We only really picked up on the pinto being switched throughout the movie. Only horsey people notice these kinds of details in movies!

On Monday, it was shoeing time. I gave My Boy a bit of bute with his breakfast to help ease the aches of farrier work. I have done this once before and he was much better about having his hind legs done. Not that he's ever been really awful, but at times he was obviously cranky and uncomfortable about standing on his arthritic hocks.

After his bute, as promised, I cleaned out the run-in shed and gave My Boy some fresh shavings. He thinks he might wander over and help me out. I'm sure he's just wondering if I have any more handouts for him.

Nope, this was not My Boy in the snow. This was how frosty it was, even at 1:00 in the afternoon! Everything in the shade was coated in a thick layer of white. I longed him out and then we waited for the farrier, who showed up a bit late. Luckily I have a very patient horse, he'll stand forever. It's a very redeeming quality. We just hung out together, walking and standing around, trying to keep warm in the sunlight. He was perfect for the farrier this time. I let him graze before putting him away, this time without his blanket. It's been cold but it isn't supposed to rain for a while, and his blanket was beginning to rub the hair off his shoulder a bit. So long, clean horse!

For those of you who took a guess on the mystery bay gelding in Sunday's post, here is a shot of his whole body (although it doesn't help much that he's wearing a blanket, I suppose!)

For those of you that guessed he was a Morgan, you are correct! This Morgan gelding is owned by the barn manager at the stable my mom boards at. Being a fan of Morgans, I had to snap his picture when I was there over the holidays. He'd just been turned out in the snow and was not that thrilled with walking around in it. He is a handsome boy and was going to be a dressage horse by his previous owners, until they discovered he was gaited.

I hope you all had memorable weekends! Happy MLK day, too!