Mikey’s Blog

Tuesday, July 31st, 2007

Casper’s Boots

The Boa Boots have arrived!

Casper’s front end

You can see why Casper was retired. His front end is so wide naturally and his knees have knobbed up after years of roping. He still gets around just fine and I think he’s real happy to have a job taking care of a little girl. His job is important and he takes it very seriously.

As a parent, it’s such a relief to have a horse as good as Casper. I never worry that he will buck, run off, do something dumb. Not going to happen. Casper is steady as a rock and handles like a Corvette.

He sure is happy having these boots. They make all the difference in the world. Casper had a very hard time on our rocky ground. Every little rock hurt him. Now he goes out without a care in the world.

Cruisin along

Riding with Mommy

Mercy’s outriders

She doesn’t need us

Just her dogs

Tuckered out

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Monday, July 3oth, 2007

The Ladies Ride

Judy on Monte

Grandma and Mercy on Vinnie

Bye girls

(and little dog)

Ok, here’s how you turn barrels

1. Keep your hand on the horn

2. Don’t fall off

3. Remember to smile cause Mom’s taking pictures

We don’t always do horse stuff

Doesn’t everyone play T-ball in heels?

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Friday, July 27th, 2007

Trying Equicast

We spent this evening trying out a new product at the request of the client.

We LOVE new stuff.

Details about this product to be found at Equicast.us

Here’s the pics

This is what we started with

Shelly walls, low heels, laminitis

Shoe on backwards

Yes, it’s supposed to be

The right front

Not as bad, but low heels

Right front almost done

The pink stuff is vetwrap.

It held things in place

while the cast cured

Left front, working on finish

Purple vetwrap

Both fronts done

Now, “did it work” you ask? So far, yes. The mare walked out much better than when she came up. Fingers crossed, this makes her life a little easier.

Because not a day goes by without a visit from Arizona’s wildlife

Here’s your token tarantula picture for the day

He was hanging out by the faucet in the dark

Did anyone notice?

He only has 4 legs on one side.

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Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

It’s all about the horses

The youngest farrier - under the biggest horse

She’s a cowgirl too

Riding in the desert

Working with Kat

Today I got this mare’s paperwork. She is a former racehorse, bred in Kentucky. Went through the Keeneland sale as a yearling, raced at 2, won a race in New Mexico, $4k. Huh.

She’s fun to ride.

We like each other

Wade and Nina

Wade’s been fooling with Nina for a while now. I’ve had her a few years and just never got around to breaking her to ride. She has this slight aversion to the saddle….

Who wants the first ride?

Wade, apparently

He’s waaay braver than me!

He gets it done

Wade shod 8 horses this morning, then came home and helped me get 5 ridden.

Isn’t he the best?

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Monday, July 23rd, 2007

Mood: Exasperated

This evening Mercy and I set out to hang with the horses. Take a few pictures, brush some manes and tails. 3 horses had cactus in them, blown around from all the monsoon storms. I like to just go out and be among them sometimes, fuss and putter, ya know?

The old gray mare

Smokey

Note the large brands on her hip. These apparently tell you where exactly she was rounded up on the Navajo Reservation. There is a Bar N on her shoulder, although it’s hard to see in this picture.

She is boss mare. This is her job. I believe every horse has something they excel at. She lives to be a big meany to the youngsters. She’s nasty mean.

Hey, someone’s gotta do it.

She gets ridden about twice a year, just to keep her reminded that she IS broke to ride. I got on a few weeks ago, bareback. Wade had quite a laugh watching this. Smokey chose not to recall a thing about being ridden. Just a little bit goofy. But she settled down and got with the program. Which was good, cause she was making me nervous for a second there.

This is my handsome devil, Monte

Oooo he’s pretty isn’t he?

He knows

My camera ran out of batteries at this point. I collected Mercy and headed indoors.

At this point I need to insert something. If any of you watched the internet news today, a Chihuahua saved a toddler from a rattlesnake. I had just read this story, and had them dang snakes on the brain again, which probably worked in my favor. Cause you know what’s coming next….

Lookit there!!!

Right next to my front steps!!!!!

AGAIN!!?

Oh yes.

BUT…..

This is a repeat offender. Yes folks, it’s the SAME snake that was next to my back porch last week. What’s with this guy anyway? Either he has issues or he’s just plain not smart.

I do have to say, when I saw him last he wasn’t far from the house (100 ft maybe) but he was on the other side of the fence. Like that means anything to a snake. I know.

I’m guessing of course. He might be a different snake. But judging his rattles, size, blah blah, I’m pretty sure it’s him. He looks familiar.

You know, he never let on he was there. No rattling, and I stepped my foot less than 12 inches away from his head. Then Annie the dog got too close - to see what we were so interested in. I was ushering Mercy into the house, turned to see Annie’s face less than 3 inches away from his. I screamed at her, you better believe it.

She listened too. Got no choice when I scream. Hey, it’s screaming or a big vet bill. I’ve got a big voice - not a big checkbook.

With all this, he never rattled until we moved the rocks and put the loop around his head.

THIS time, he got a car ride. He’s now about a quarter mile away. He BETTER NOT come back!!!!

No, he doesn’t have 2 heads. He’s just too quick for my camera.

Pissed too

Not happy to leave his hiding spot

Don’t come back

or off with your head

I count at least 8 rattles. I know - my camera sucks. Santa better bring me a new one for Christmas. (hint hint)

Anyway, that’s the first one that’s ever come back in 7 years.

For that, he earns a special place in my heart. He really liked me. I could tell.

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Sunday, July 22nd, 2007

I shall miss them

Mercy and Ellie Mae

I’m all done feeding at Painted Promise Ranch and sniffle I’m going to miss them!!!

I took Mercy, Grandma and Great Grandma with me last night to dole out the love while I cleaned pens. Mercy just LOVED Ellie Mae and I think it was mutual.

The Three Amigos

(don’t they just LOOK like trouble?)

Mercy inspecting Eve’s feet

and Mary Ellen’s

Grandma

surrounded by ass

-they stripped her naked in less than 3 minutes-

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Saturday, July 21st, 2007 – 7 a.m.

All I do is feed

My name is Tanner and I am CUTE

(aka – the ankle biter)

Folks, it’s been a long week. I’m honored to be feeding for Painted Promise Rescue Ranch the last few days. So breathe easy, Tanner is not mine. I just couldn’t resist picturing his cuteness for all the world to see.

Every morning and evening I am feeding their 8 dogs, 2 cats, and 24 (yeah, that’s right) mini donkeys, mules and horses. Then I come home and feed my 15 horses and 9 dogs. And I got off light, they took 2 dogs and 6 horses with them!!!

I’ll do the math for you. That’s 39 equines, 17 dogs and 2 cats, TWICE a day.

I’m having a blast!!

On top of that, the last 2 days we’ve been so busy I’ve had to go out and shoe a few horses.

Yesterday I spent time with a gorgeous Welsh stallion who was terrified that I would smack him. His owner said he had a bad experience with another farrier and since has been super jumpy. She wasn’t kidding. He thought for sure I was going to hurt him. After a few minutes reassuring him, we got the job done. He relaxed - sort of.

In other fantastic news, I hear through the grapevine one of our clients was saying nice things about us on the local radio. Whoever it was, thank you!

Quit taking pictures and FEED ME

It is an experience feeding them all. Not just that, but there are several that require medications, and very specific instructions on who gets what. I carry the list with me and consult it at least 20 times per feeding to make sure I get it right. Their human being, Susan, is like me. I like things done a certain way, ON TIME. Most people don’t realize that if animals are used to being fed at a certain time, and you mess it up, bad things happen. Animals get cranky and start kicking each other, or worse. So I adhere to Susan’s schedule.

I also check waterers, observe for problems, and clean pens.

So by 6 a.m this morning, I was running around covered in hay and yesterday’s horse sweat. I haven’t had a shower lately (whew stinky). 90some degrees out, raining, rainbow in the sky. Gotta love it. Not to mention I had Tanner biting my ankles, going back and forth with each step I took. Little devil.

It’s a fine life J

In even better news, the truck is back and IT WORKS!! Thank you God, thank you thank you. I was going to post a picture of me kissing it, but I haven’t had time. Now I just have to get the flat tire on the trailer fixed and I’ll be caught up.

Speaking of which, it’s time to get hay, so I better run off and hook up the flatbed.

I hope everyone is having a good time up north riding their horses. Susan, thanks for trusting me with your babies. Fingers crossed, I haven’t screwed it up yet.

If anyone is interested in adopting, fostering, or donating to a good cause, please consider Painted Promise.

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Sunday, July 15th, 2007

Mood: Jumpy

It’s only slightly ridiculous, the amount of creepy creatures this state has, and why they persist in following ME.

This little guy tried to land on me

These actually grow to be 4 inches long. But this was big enough to drive me inside the house.

You only think you’re safe in the house. This was my wake up/cardio workout for the morning today. I caught him out of the corner of my eye.

Yes, that’s my pants he’s on.

Sitting on the bed, putting socks on, I almost put my arm down on this little guy. Once I SAW him, I shrieked and jumped up. Scared Wade half to death.

Not very big

But big enough to hurt!

Remember, shake out your boots, pants, whatever. You never know who’s decided your boots smell good.

We released him. So he can come back and get me next time….

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Thursday, July 12th, 2007 - in the p.m.

We are a Rattlesnake Preserve

Or

There’s a snake in the grass!!!

I once saw a sign on a gate out here that said “Rattlesnake Preserve – No Trespassing” and I thought, now that is the best No Trespassing sign I’ve ever seen. I think I might have to make my own.