Happy 100th Birthday New Mexico!!!

 

On Friday January 6, 2012, my beloved Land of Enchantment is turning 100 years old!

January 6, 1912 is the date New Mexico became the 47th state in the United States, signed into statehood by President William Howard Taft.

But statehood didn’t come easy for New Mexico.

It took more than half a century for New Mexico to achieve statehood. The U.S. government established the Territory of New Mexico in 1850, two years after Mexico signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo at the end of the Mexican-American War.

The terms of the treaty required Mexico to cede its northern land holdings in what is now the American Southwest and California. In 1851, Santa Fe became the capital of this new territory, which sprawled across lands that eventually would become the states of Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.

Visit my previous posts of our visits to Santa Fe

Many people will be visiting the Palace of the Governor's in Santa Fe to celebrate this special day, because that building is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the U.S., is 400 years old and has some fascinating history.

My post from our visit to the Palace of the Governors last Christmas

The Palace of the Governors, built in 1610, originally served as Spain's seat of government.
When Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, the Mexican government designated Santa Fe as the capital of the Mexican province of Nuevo Mexico, and the Palace continued to serve as the seat of government. In 1846, when the U.S. declared New Mexico an American territory, the Palace became New Mexico's first territorial capitol.

Link to a video showing a glimpse inside the Palace of the Governor's

And some people will be celebrating by visiting New Mexico’s State Capitol Building in Santa Fe, the only round Capitol Building in the United States.

It combines elements of New Mexico Territorial style, Pueblo adobe architecture and Greek Revival adaptations. The 232,000 square-foot Roundhouse was dedicated on Dec. 8, 1966. (The same year that I was born!)

From a bird's-eye view, the Roundhouse is fascinating! It resembles the Zia sun symbol, which is also emblazoned on the New Mexico state flag. The image, which originated at Zia Pueblo, incorporates elements representing the sun's rays, the four directions, the four seasons, and the four phases of life. For more info on our very special State Capitol Building, visit: New Mexico Capital Building

And it does truly makes sense to celebrate New Mexico’s 100 years of Statehood in Santa Fe, because, not only is Santa Fe the highest State Capitol in the U.S at 7,000 ft above sea level (yes even higher than Denver, which is only a measely 5,280 feet), Santa Fe is also the oldest capitol city in the entire United States!

But not everyone knows that Las Vegas, NM was New Mexico's first territorial capital (just for one day). Las Vegas was the largest city in New Mexico at the turn of the 20th century, and it was established long before its Nevada counterpart. Las Vegas, NM has 900 buildings in nine historic districts on the National Registry -- more than any city in the United States!

And I bet many people also don’t know that in some isolated villages in New Mexico , such as Truchas, Chimayo', and Coyote in the north-central part of the state, some descendants of Spanish conquistadors still speak a form of 16th century Spanish used nowhere else in the world today.

So, as you can imagine, there are many events planned for this weekend and throughout New Mexico’s entire Centennial Year. I have already started filling up my calendar with the events that I know my family and I will enjoy.

If you’re a New Mexican or have plans to visit New Mexico this year, check out: Official Site of the New Mexico Centennial 

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So, where am I going to be on Friday January 6th? And how am I going to be celebrating New Mexico’s 100th Birthday this weekend?

Well, on horseback, of course!!

(Me riding Etta Bay in the Manzano Mountains)

Yep, I’ll be outside in the warm sunshine, under the gorgeous blue skies of New Mexico, riding a lovely mare up to the top of the beautiful Indian Hills.

 

Once we arrive at the top, our group of about 40 riders and horses will join together to sing Happy Birthday to our beloved Land of Enchantment.

(Apache and I exploring the Carson National Forest)

And that’s not the end of the celebrations!

I’ll also be riding all day Saturday and Sunday, too. I’m so excited!

(Apache and I at the Founders Ranch ACTHA CTC last July)

If interested, you can read more about this event by clicking this link:

New Mexico Centennial Trail Ride

 

Now with this next part, you may think I’m mushy, but I just can’t help but feel sentimental about New Mexico.

First of all, as a Navy brat who has lived in a lot of different places and states across the country, and who was born in Texas, I can tell you that New Mexico is the only place I’ve ever felt that has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I belong. New Mexico is a melting pot of some very special and historically significant cultures, and everyone has a sense of pride, independence, freedom and individuality. Did you know that there are 19 Pueblo groups in New Mexico , speaking four distinct languages? The Pueblo people of the southwest have lived in the same location longer than any other culture in the nation. You don’t have to fit in here, you just have to be yourself. Not many places embrace that way of life.

(Me and Apache riding in the ACTHA Guinness Book of World Records Trail Ride in Estancia, NM)

Second of all, New Mexico is just drop dead gorgeous! It’s easy to feel like you’re on vacation all year round with so many visually stunning natural, historical, and cultural locations to visit. New Mexico has seven National Forests including the nation’s largest, 3.3 million acre Gila National Forest and includes the Gila Wilderness, which just so happens to be the first officially designated wilderness in the world! Though many people picture New Mexico as desert terrain, ¼ of the state is actually filled with forests.

(Apache and I riding on BLM land in the Sandia Mountains)

 

Third, New Mexico is not a cookie cutter state. There are things here that you will not see, smell, taste and hear in any other state or country. (Did you know that Hatch, New Mexico is known as the "Green Chile capital of the world"?) And once you leave, if you can even bear it, you will never get over your cravings and desires for these unique New Mexico attributes. Trust me on that one. My family had to move away for a few years due to hubby’s job and I missed my beloved home state something terrible! I can’t even begin to explain the sense of calm, relief, and joy that filled my heart and soul the day we arrived back home. By the way, did you know that Albuquerque hosts the world’s largest hot air balloon festival the first weekend in October? It’s a Must See!

Fourth, my twin sons are Native Born New Mexicans and were born here 15 years ago, next month.

And I saved the best for last……..this month my family is celebrating an anniversary, too! This month it has been 20 years since we moved to New Mexico to make her our home.

So, as you can see, we have much to celebrate here in New Mexico!

Pat Benatar, Horse Integration, Obstacle Photos

 

Time for a big catch-up (or is it ketchup?) post, as I’m preparing for my first ever horse camping trip this weekend with my mare Apache, (Have I mentioned how excited I am?) and I won’t be online for a few days.

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*Pat Benatar

The 3 chicks are still being kept with Mrs. Cotton in the temporary ‘quarantine pen’. Maybe another 2-3 weeks and I’ll let them out to integrate with the rest of the flock.

 

And I think fate may be smiling on me in regards to my cute little chick Pat Benatar.

I’m happy that she seems to be a pure-bred Polish chicken, with both Sid Vicious’ Golden-laced coloring, and Phyllis Diller’s Buff-laced colors, too.

But I was disappointed about 2 weeks ago when I thought Pat’s poofy head feathers were coming in spiky, which is the tendency for the Polish roosters.

But last week I noticed that the feathers are wider and not as spiky, as I originally thought, and are growing in thicker and becoming more of a bouffant style of top doo.

Pat Benatar, the chick, also has a personality more like a hen. And all of this makes me very happy, because having to get rid of Sid Vicious because of him becoming vicious towards us, made me a little bit sad. He sure is beautiful and I’ve always enjoyed just looking at him. If Pat Benatar truly is indeed a hen, I will be thrilled because she is turning into a beautiful chicken with her feather markings and coloring. Keep your fingers crossed!

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*Horse Integration*

I’ve only ever owned one horse at a time, so I’ve never had to integrate a herd of horses. True, last summer I leased the pasture across the road with Val’s 2 horses, Scout and Nadia (Yalla! had just been born and was kept with Annie at the barn), along with another neighbor’s 3 geldings. I just wasn’t as worried about Baby Doll integrating into a herd of new horses because she was an alpha mare and was quick to remind the other horses who was boss.

Apache on the other hand, is much more peace-loving, laid-back, and not at all an alpha mare. She’s actually a little ‘needy’ and I have a strong feeling to protect her and keep her safe.

Which is why it took me about 4 days before I finally felt comfortable about letting Etta Bay and Apache out together in the big paddock. Etta Bay wears metal shoes and Apache does not, and Etta Bay is more alpha……not like Baby Doll, but somewhere in between.

I think waiting was better than just throwing them in together the first day that Etta Bay arrived, because they did get to know each other across the fence.

But I was kind of surprised how easily they moved in together when I opened the gate between their two paddocks. It was a non-issue. No ears pinned, no kicking, and not even any squealing.

In the beginning, Apache kept walking up to Etta Bay and Etta Bay would ignore her because she was checking everything out, so Apache would walk or trot up to me for a hug, petting and some reassurance.

I think she was feeling a little insecure, like a child on the playground with potential new friends.

Etta Bay was curious about our chickens that we keep in a coop beside our house. She was listening to all of their odd noises, especially after one of the hens laid an egg and felt she must tell the entire world about her accomplishment.

But they both seemed happy and relaxed to finally be out together.

I thought it was cute to see Apache leading Etta Bay around the paddock, showing her around the Obstacle Course and also showing her that walking up to humans can be a wonderful thing, especially when said human has carrots.

I was also pleased to see that Etta Bay wasn’t at all concerned about my llamas either.

Maybe she figured that Apache wasn’t worried, so she shouldn’t be either.

Etta Bay liked our 3 goats, too. But  she really seemed to like Cataleya, my female llama, and the two of them nibbled on each other over the fence.

Look….Bay Twins!

Sometimes I think my llama Cataleya likes horses more than her own kind.

We enjoyed having Etta Bay here but we’ll see her this this holiday weekend for the horse camping trip. Apache is actually on her way up to Northern New Mexico right now, trailered with Etta Bay and several of Colleen’s other horses.

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*Obstacle Photos*

I finally received a few of the ride photos from the ACTHA weekend 3 weeks ago. They are of the water obstacle and the mailbox obstacle. I’ll just post them below….no need for words.

(All the photos below were taken by Cory Tourino, copyright.)

 

 

Can I just say that I love my custom made riding tights and matching helmet cover (I added my own silver star brads to it after it arrived) from the “The Tights Lady”. She made me my own pair of ‘chappies’ with fringe. They are so comfie with their padded crotch and padded knees, along with the extra long ultra-suede knee patches. It’s so difficult for me to find any kind of riding pants that are long enough, especially in riding tights and breeches. But these riding tights were made for me and are actually too long…….but I love that so much! I never have pants that are too long. lol!

Check her out sometime if you are wanting some of the best made, and most affordable riding tights:

Just for Horsin' Round        

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Water Obstacle

 

 

 

Check out my big goofy grin! lol! I was so stinkin’ happy, not only to have completed our first Competitive Trail ride, registered in the Pleasure Division, and not only because we crossed the water obstacle with no problems at all, but because I was finally realizing the dream I’ve had all along, which is to trail ride while also having goals to challenge my horse and I on interesting trail obstacles. Wooohooo!

  

Here were were waiting for our turn to play in the pond, after everyone in our group had completed the obstacle. 

I had so much fun and can’t wait to participate in another competitive trail ride again. I’m also so excited to ride my sweet mare during this weekend’s horse camping trip. I just love my Apache girl!

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I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend with family, friends, and especially with your equine friends. Be safe and have fun! 

The Horse Whisperer

 

Etta Bay was only here for a little over a week. Colleen let us borrow her to be a temporary pasture pal for our sweet Apache, while my neighbor sends her horses over to the leased pasture across the road. Seeing my Apache all alone during the day broke my heart. She doesn’t seem stressed or panicked and Apache only calls out to them when they are first led away from their barn in the morning, and maybe a couple times during the day, just to make sure they are still there. Once they return her call, she’s reassured and seems to be getting used to the routine. But now that Etta Bay is back home with Colleen, I’m grateful that my neighbor brings her horses back to her barn at night because I know it is reassuring to my mare that she has her neighbor herd nearby. I think the llamas and goats do help to keep her company, but I’m sure Apache would agree that another horse is a much preferred pasture pal.

Colleen is helping us find another horse to be Apache’s companion, but also one we all can ride, too. Colleen offered to sell Etta Bay to me, but I’m hoping for a horse more like Apache. Etta Bay is a much more opinionated mare who will throw temper tantrums when she wants her way. Nothing much more than a few head tosses, yanks on the reins, and maybe a bucking fit or two, not as cranky-pants as my Baby Doll could often get, but still just a little too much ‘tude than I want to ride on a weekly basis. I’d like another horse my kids can ride, so we can ride together.

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My Daughter ~ The Horse Whisperer

 

As most folks know, children with Autism seem to have a special kinship with animals. My 7 yr old daughter, who has high-functioning autism (Aspergers Syndrome), is certainly no exception. Animals seem to want to be near her, even when she talks, sings, or moves in ways that typical children and humans don’t. Animals seem to pick up on her ‘different-ness’, as well as her gentle, understanding, generous, kind way she treats them. I’m often amazed at how animals tend to soften and move extra carefully when they’re around her. 

She seems to communicate with animals on such a deeper level than most of us ‘normal’ people do.

It’s rare that an animal tries to move away from her when she connects with them. It’s as if they are in her magical spell.

 

I love to watch my daughter interact with her animals and I hope that my camera isn’t so intrusive that she loses her focus.

Looks like Jen put a spell on Etta Bay?

 

She’s not overly affectionate, but she does seem to know when a hug is appropriate. I don’t think Etta Bay has received very many hugs from small children. But she stayed very still and seemed to soften in Jen’s arms.

And then my daughter seems to know the exact moment when to take the pressure away, leaving the animal wanting more.

 

 

Please ignore my daughter’s bare feet. Persuading her to wear shoes, especially in the summertime, is like trying to put shoes on a rattlesnake.

I am not sure how she managed to join-up with Etta Bay, and so quickly, but she did, and Etta Bay followed Jen all around the paddock for more than 15 minutes.

When my daughter stopped, Etta Bay stopped. When she circled, the mare circled, too.

 

Wherever Jen went, Etta Bay was right behind or beside. She was like Mary’s Little Lamb.

 

 

Apache and I stood together watching Etta Bay and Jen as they walked around the paddock. I found it interesting that, at any time, Etta Bay could have stopped following Jen and walked up to be with Apache and I…or to head up to the barn where there was a pile of hay waiting for her.

Instead she chose to remain joined-up with her special small human friend.

 

 

During the last few minutes I remembered to video tape what was happening. I think I was just too entranced by what I was seeing, in the beginning and forgot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Colleen dropped off Etta Bay she warned us that this mare tends to be very difficult to catch.

 

But Colleen also said that she doesn’t spend much time with Etta Bay, except to catch her, ride her or have others ride her. Etta Bay is a hard working horse and is one of the horses Colleen uses in her guided trail rides and classes.

I believe that during her brief time spent here with us, she found her softer, more willing and giving side.

 

 

She was certainly not difficult to catch.

When Colleen showed up to take Etta Bay home, she was surprised at how easy it was to just walk up to her, halter in hand. She commented that she loved how Etta Bay didn't run away and she stood still for haltering and petting. I could tell that Colleen was pleasantly surprised.