tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post5142446738648181302..comments2024-03-26T05:15:39.663-07:00Comments on Equestrian Ink: Life With Horses....NowJami Davenporthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05259390150273030284noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-29569588858853625282008-11-12T05:15:00.000-08:002008-11-12T05:15:00.000-08:00I like the thought of riding in Uggs--or knock-off...I like the thought of riding in Uggs--or knock-off Uggs in my case. I usually head to the barn in my Wal-mart pull on mucking boots--tuck in my PJs--throw on a coat in this weather. I just can't seem to get out of my PJs to feed the horses. Today, however, there was a draw on the fence, and I walked the entire acreage in the cold rain, in my pjs, tracing the wire--NOT A GOOD IDEA. I froze my butt off!!!<BR/><BR/>I used to homeschool my kids. My daughter learned her most valueable lessons on horseback.Lindahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14303523299217618526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-54076498180167456952008-11-07T10:16:00.000-08:002008-11-07T10:16:00.000-08:00Laura, Didn't know where else to leave this :) I ...Laura, <BR/><BR/>Didn't know where else to leave this :) I saw the ad for your book Chasing Cans in Horse Illustrated that I just got yesterday. Cool!! Your books are definitely on the Christmas list my hubby just asked me to make for him :)ezra_pandorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04626213285612235702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-19265603716952683392008-10-30T19:31:00.000-07:002008-10-30T19:31:00.000-07:00Your place sounds like a slice right out of heaven...Your place sounds like a slice right out of heaven to me. I loved this piece. I also really enjoyed the pictures on your website. Once I've got a little extra money (it will happen, I just know it...) I plan on getting the first in your series of books. Amazon.com is my friend.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00977898784588176802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-9674301302024517402008-10-30T11:06:00.000-07:002008-10-30T11:06:00.000-07:00SOSHorses, I appreciate the thought. I'm trying to...SOSHorses, I appreciate the thought. I'm trying to get a chapter done on my book today and homeschool my kid at the same time. I checked out your tag game, and if I can get some time, I'll try to play. But if I don't get it done, its just cause I'm overimpacted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-11503451781543495032008-10-30T09:11:00.000-07:002008-10-30T09:11:00.000-07:00Hi, hope you don't mind but I tagged you for a gam...Hi, hope you don't mind but I tagged you for a game of Book Tag. I thought it would be neat to tag the bloggers that I've just discovered and kinda get to know them.<BR/>The rules can be found on my blog on the post titled <A HREF="http://bringinghomesammy.blogspot.com/2008/10/tag-im-it.html" REL="nofollow">Tag I'm "it"</A>SOSHorseshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04060612555090353297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-40363076900339085642008-10-30T07:43:00.000-07:002008-10-30T07:43:00.000-07:00Jackie, I loved the moonlit snow scene. Thanks for...Jackie, I loved the moonlit snow scene. Thanks for telling that story. I can totally relate.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-74584482897465875962008-10-30T03:21:00.000-07:002008-10-30T03:21:00.000-07:00Oh, Mugs...it takes a while to "exhale"...one day ...Oh, Mugs...it takes a while to "exhale"...one day you'll start having little moments when you realize you have actually relaxed!<BR/><BR/>JackieHorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-42893988011878700102008-10-30T03:19:00.000-07:002008-10-30T03:19:00.000-07:00At 51, I am pretty much a mix between you and Mugs...At 51, I am pretty much a mix between you and Mugs...I ride in what I have on...sometimes jeans, sometimes sweats. I ride in the winter bareback and a halter...one time in the middle of the night with a full moon and freshly fallen snow wearing my snowpants and snowboots. Someone once asked me what I rode in, I pointed to what I was wearing, and said "This."<BR/><BR/>All that being said, I would love to play around in the show ring..more to meet other horse people, and also to see how much my mare has learned from me. However, I would have to get dressed differently...don't know if that is a direction I want to take!<BR/><BR/>I have been in love with horses all my life, been involved more or less through my life, and now am filling my life with them again. I was never a big time trainer or competitor, but they have always been there, either physically or in my heart.<BR/><BR/>Now, off to feed!<BR/><BR/>JackieHorsesAndTurboshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03607758320356759231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-60645594099726759362008-10-29T11:23:00.000-07:002008-10-29T11:23:00.000-07:00The funny thing, mugwump, is that I look at you in...The funny thing, mugwump, is that I look at you in complete amazement and admiration. We're the same age and it sounds like we've got about the same miles on us, but you are continually trying to improve and become a better rider and trainer. I am in awe of your ability to stay engaged like that. In many ways, I've just opted out. Its true I enjoy what I'm doing, but I don't think that mine is necessarily the better path. You talk about spending some time working on cutting, and I think, oh, I remember how much fun I had with that. And a part of me is regretful that I just don't have enough, what, maybe enthusiasm is the word, to do the work and jump through the hoops to be there again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-76850745015883866532008-10-29T11:00:00.000-07:002008-10-29T11:00:00.000-07:00I haven't learned to decompress. I'm wondering if ...I haven't learned to decompress. I'm wondering if I will. I have retired as a trainer,I left my world because I couldn't handle the treatment of our "disposable" horses. My body is beat to death. <BR/>Yet here I find myself seeking out input from yet another student of the traditional California Vaquero style of riding. I still want to learn to create a bridle horse without hurting them. I still want to compete and win. I can' seem to quit.<BR/>I have started walking my dogs in the gorgeous Garden of the Gods again.Something I haven't had time for in years.I found myself running the trails, wondering if I could get in good enough shape to run the Bloom's Day run in Spokane Washington this coming spring.Why can't I just appreciate the scenery?<BR/>I'm writing for a living. It's wonderful and exciting. I'm also pushing myself to take the plunge on trying a book.<BR/>Why can't I take a breath?<BR/>I envy you Laura. You have learned to breathe. I worry about what I'm missing because I can't seem to just walk the damn dog.mugwumphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00319060800328355056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-22175719933008877212008-10-29T08:47:00.000-07:002008-10-29T08:47:00.000-07:00I'm lucky to be able to take riding lessons at a s...I'm lucky to be able to take riding lessons at a small stable where the most important expectations are fun and safety. We are allowed to ride in our comfy jeans, track pants and rubber boots (with heels) or we can dress to the nines with riding breeches, English riding boots and velvet helmets etc. Some riders/boarders show English or Western. Others like my DD and I just like to ride, hang around the barn and be around the horses. I have to confess that as a relatively new but middle aged re-rider who has only been riding for 3 years, I still wear the right shoes, clothing and helmet whenever I'm in the barn and on a horse. It's the comfort zone that I'm in right now. <BR/><BR/>Re the comment about bringing the horses in from the fields. All of our lesson horses are like big friendly dogs. They come to the barn when we call them - never had a problem bringing anyone of them in :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-40143698789120508592008-10-29T07:52:00.000-07:002008-10-29T07:52:00.000-07:00Thanks mns and Leslie, I had fun writing the piece...Thanks mns and Leslie, I had fun writing the piece. I know there's lots of us out there--sometimes it just needs to be said. As I told mugwump yesterday--I don't train anything any more....I just cruise around enjoying my horses and the scenery. It works for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-58521357693041219812008-10-29T06:59:00.000-07:002008-10-29T06:59:00.000-07:00Laura,I really enjoyed reading this post. It shows...Laura,I really enjoyed reading this post. It shows who you are and how you've evolved. With the exception of the horse experience,(me having only a 4 years so far) I can relate to your feelings. I really do admire the horse life you led! Love the idea of packing in the Sierra Nevada Mountains! <BR/><BR/>Anyway,I've decided being the age I am (47) it's my time do as I please. With my horses, being a new owner but lifelong enthusiast, I wanted to do right by them after I got them home. So, I tried to follow all the rules I'd learned. Now, it's my rules!<BR/><BR/>I do better with guidelines so all those rules I learned helped in the beginning. But, when I quit working at the small riding facility I worked at for 2 1/2 years, I decided I'd work and care for my own horses in my way and what is comfortable for me and for them. <BR/><BR/>I may not ride them as much as I should, which does bother me sometimes, but just being around them and caring for them has enriched my life. They don't care how I look when I feed them in the mornings! They don't care that I sing a little off-key when I'm grooming them. They really don't even mind when I make some mistakes while riding. We're all learning as we go.<BR/><BR/>I wish I had years and years of horse experience but I don't. I have a condensed version, and learning every day. I wish I had a covered arena to ride in during the bad weather months, as I read some folks do. I don't. But, you know what? That's ok. I'm happy and my horses look happy. That's what it's all about, in my opinion.<BR/><BR/>How fantastic to share your love of horses with your son! I am hoping that one day, when I have a grandchild (though don't get me wrong, I'm sure not rushing that!) I'll be able to share with her or him too. <BR/><BR/>Loved your last paragraph! <BR/>Leslie~Lesliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00224646742863478548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5037107797013641705.post-63102615505341834912008-10-29T06:47:00.000-07:002008-10-29T06:47:00.000-07:00Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this with u...Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this with us. I'm an almost-44, somewhat fluffy woman who wants to do exactly what you describe - just enjoy my horses. You wouldn't believe the funny looks I get when I say I don't want to show. In anything. Nope. I just want to be comfortable and enjoy my "teenage boys" (ie, geldings) and go on the occasional trail ride. Thanks for writing it out and explaining that feeling so well. <BR/><BR/>I think I'll be sharing the link to this blog with a few friends. :)mnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13781729580425653401noreply@blogger.com