Now this takes me back...

I was digging through some old scans, and look what I found:

That's me on a lesson pony called Noah. It was at horse camp, and I was about 10 or 11. I still want to go back and visit Noah. He was a pretty cool pony.

People make me mad.

There's a horse property (if you can call it that) right on top of the highway, which I drive past every time I go to and from the city. I'm convinced the owner is a horse dealer.

Now, I know it's really none of my business (unless the animals start deteriorating. If that happens, I will raise hell with Animal Control). But it bothers me nonetheless.

Back when we first moved, there were several pregnant mares in the little pasture (there's also a tiny dry lot, which is a swamp most of the time). The mares all eventually had their foals, but they didn't stay there long. The horses all started disappearing until one gelding was left in the pasture, and a couple 2-year-olds in the dry lot. The gelding was actually pretty good-looking. Anyway...

As of a few weeks ago, the gelding and youngstock are gone, and several new yearlings took their place. Actually, they look like coming 2-year-olds. They're all in the tiny dry lot with a few calves, and are currently ankle-deep in muck. He's also got a sign out front advertising horses for sale. This is what makes me think "broker".

But here's what really irks me: The property itself is a pig sty. The fencing is barbed wire with uncapped t-posted, and there's junk everywhere. It's a horse death trap, especially for the young ones. When the foals were there, I was just waiting to drive by and find one caught up in the fence.

Also, the hay he feeds them is black. The same round bail has been sitting in the yearling paddock for over a month. The horses aren't terribly thin as far as I can see, but they look like yaklings right now, so I'll have to wait till they shed out. They do look wormy, though. And filthy.

I just don't like it. Sometimes I avoid going past there, but I want to keep an eye on the place in case things start going downhill. I know I sound like a nosy neighbor, but when it comes to animal welfare, I don't really care.

A drawing I did a while back...

Done in graphite and colored pencil. It's a silly, cartoonish thing, but I think it's the only one I've ever done of my own horses. Just thought I'd share.

New Photos - December 2010

The boys enjoying the first snow.
Sorry about neglecting this blog so badly. Life just gets in the way. I'll try to post more, promise. =]

*headdesk*

Well, we might be getting a pony and donkey from my mom's friend who doesn't want hers anymore because her son lost interest.

I do not want them. And frankly, we can't really afford them right now. That's two more vet bills, two more farrier bills, two more mouths to feed. And our pasture isn't big enough for two more critters. I told my mom that if the friend doesn't want them, she can just sell them. We need more horses like we need a hole in the head. We don't even have anywhere to put them! There's no more room in the barn. And we only have one pasture. We'd have to fence off part of the back yard, but that isn't an option right this minute because the ground is frozen. And they would have no shelter. We would have to buy a run-in shed, and those things aren't cheap. I just don't see how it would work.

I know my mom has always wanted a donkey, but now is just not the right time.

Please, just say no.

Things are not good at the old barn.

I am so glad to be done with that place. I cannot even express how much I do not miss it. And I know it's none of my concern now, but I'm really worried for Christy and Lorena. Management has gone to Hell (what else is new?) even worse than before and apparently, the BO suddenly thinks that Lorena owes her a ton of money for board. Lorena has always worked to pay off board, and payed for all her feed and supplies herself (like I did). That was always the agreement, but now the BO has it in her head that Lorena owes a year's worth of full-price board. Why? That's anyone's guess. Christy told me the two of them got into a huge fight over it and they're not speaking to each other. Poor Christy is stuck in the middle of it. God knows I love Lorena and have all the respect in the world for her, but she does tend to go off on tangents and overstep her bounds. When she gets angry, she doesn't always think straight. Therefor, she says things she shouldn't and doesn't know when to shut up. I don't know how much more the BO will tolerate.

The thing is, Lorena is the most experienced and knowledgable person there. She organizes all the events and shows, she helps everyone out, she gives lessons and trains a little. That barn would fall apart without her. I don't think the BO appreciates it at all, and I can understand why Lorena gets so fed up. I've been there, too.

I've known the BO for almost 6 years. I know how impossible she is. And I honestly think she's suffering from some mental illness. If she had any sense at all, she would have hired Christy or Lorena as the official manager a long time ago so she wouldn't have to manage things herself. She just can't do it herself. It's even more of a shame because there is such a wonderful group of people there. Ever since Cynthia and Mitch left, they've gotten new boarders and for the most part, they're all very nice.

There is one guy who sounds shady, though. Lorena tells me he "trains" his horse with a tree branch. I'm not sure what all that means, but it doesn't sound good. Of course, the BO doesn't mind at all. If she's even aware of it.

Sigh. It's a Hell of a place to board, let me tell you. I feel so bad for them. I wish Christy and Lorena would look for another barn.

I need to ride.

Seriously. I haven't ridden since July. How sad is that?

But lately, riding has become more of a chore than fun. I don't know why. I think I just need to get off my arse and go saddle Vic up.