Glad That’s Behind Us……..Until Next Year

 

Apache had her Spring Vet Visit and Vaccines last Tuesday. To save the Farm Visit Fee of $35, I decided to just trailer her to the Vet Clinic, which is only about 5 miles from our house. I must admit that I wasn’t looking forward to it at all, mostly because we hadn’t trailered Apache anywhere since last July. We had practiced trailer loading at least once each month since then, but just hadn’t driven anywhere. And I was also a little nervous because I still harbor residual trepidation and yes, even some fear, from my injuries that were caused by Apache’s kicking behavior last year.

But I pulled up my Big Girl Panties and pushed past my fears and did it anyway.

When I went up to Apache’s paddock with the halter and lead, I was surprised that she walked away and then turned her back to me. I wasn’t about to chase her down, what with her history of kicking at me, so I just turned my back to her and ignored her. I wasn’t in a hurry as I made sure to give myself and Apache enough time before her Vet appt.

She didn’t make me wait very long, though, and within about 5 minutes, she turned around to face me, licking and chewing. I was still standing with my back to her, and could just see her out of the corner of my eye. But I slowly turned and casually walked in her general direction, but not directly at her. I stopped just to the right side of her head, rubbed her neck, gave her a cookie and she lowered her head so I could place the halter on her head. And we were ready to take a stroll to the trailer where I left her some bran mash and hay.

She loaded up just fine and was busy munching her snack while we checked to make sure everything was locked up safe and secure.

(All of the photos in this post were taken by Ranchman John with his cell phone)

When we arrived at the Vet Clinic, we unloaded Apache and had to wait about 10 minutes (in the fierce gusting wind) while the Vet laid out all of his supplies on a table. Apache was very high-headed and nervous and kept stepping into me, but thankfully she quickly moved away with just a shake of the lead rope. I felt safer standing on the trailer’s ramp while waiting and the trailer helped provide a bit of a wind break, which both Apache and I appreciated.

I found it funny after we got home, that Ranchman John had taken photos of me and Apache. I had no idea that he was doing that. I did see him with his cell phone, but figured that he was just texting or reading a message. Besides I was too focused on Apache with keeping her calm and me safe.

Last Spring’s Vet Clinic visit, we had him come to our house for the first vaccines and the float, and then we hauled her to the Vet Clinic for her booster shots (we gave booster vaccines because her previous owner had never given Apache any vaccines) At that time the Vet just gave Apache her booster vaccines while she stood outside.

(Check out how tight her lips are, how drawn up her neck is, and how worried her eyes appear)

But last week it was so terribly windy and Apache was very on-edge standing outside, so the Vet suggested getting everything done inside his clinic.

It did seem to calm her down quite a bit once we went inside, although she was very concerned about the chute at first. But we just went slow and closed it on her when she was ready.

Apache was a good girl while he gave Apache the VEWT, 4 in One, Strangles, West Nile and Rabies vaccines. I found that, by gently rubbing her cheek, just above her lips, she seemed markedly calmer. She even stood still and calm while the Vet drew blood for her Coggins test. (Got the results back today and she was negative)

The Vet gave Apache a full body check up and inspected her teeth. I had planned to have her float done, too, but the Vet said that her teeth looked and felt good from last year’s float and were only just beginning to have a few points that he could feel. He recommended having her teeth rechecked later this summer and have her floated then.

When it was time to get her loaded back in the trailer, she balked for a moment at the door, but I focused on walking with purpose and didn’t pause as I led her in. Up she went and Ranchman John dumped the rest of her bran mash into the manger, and she went back to happily munching as we made sure everything was safe and secure before heading back home.

(This is what the land looks like without any rain for 7 months and only two good snowfalls all winter)

She was happy to be back home again and tried to back up a little too fast for my liking (she usually just slowly backs up) when we removed the butt chain, but I was surprised that she didn’t call out to my neighbor Val’s 4 horses or try to gallop down to them once I removed her halter. She did walk away from me and headed in their direction, but then turned around to come back to me. Silly mare.

I gave her a couple cookies, some rubs and a hug, and left her to rest from her Vet Visit.

 

 

Vet Visit, Thank You and ACTHA

 

First I want to say a huge thank you to all of you who have left me such wonderful comments on my last two posts (Just Chickens and Crossing the Bridge). I know not everyone enjoys or has an interest in chickens, but I really do. Owning my own flock of chickens and gathering my own fresh eggs every day was one of the motivating factors in encouraging my family to escape the suffocation of the suburbs and move out to the country. So, all of your gushing comments about my chickens really meant a lot to me. But I wish you all lived closer so I could share some of our fresh eggs with you.

And all of you that have followed my horse-related journey over the past year, know how important my goals were, to not only get back in the saddle again, but to ride in a Competitive Trail Ride. And with the help of my special new horse, Apache, I was able to finally meet that goal. And with you all along to help cheer me on. Thank you!!!

~~~~~~~~~

Speaking of Competitive Trail Rides, the next ACTHA CTC ride is for the Guinness Book of World Records! The American Competitive Trail Horse Association has planned a special event, on June 13th that will span all 50 states to get as many riders as possible to ride together during an ACTHA CTC all at the same time. And the main focus is to honor the trail horse while helping raise money for horse rescues across the country.

ACTHA's Mission is to “Provide an enjoyable venue showcasing the wonderful attributes of the great American Trail Horse, granting them the recognition they so richly deserve, and to maintain a registry open to all breeds and a point designation system which will stay with each horse for its lifetime, thereby adding to their value and distinction. ACTHA’ s focus is also to enable the humane treatment of horses in need by donating up to 50% of its proceeds to eligible horse charities annually.”

Here’s Apache and I running walking and trotting, the barrels during our last ACTHA CTC Ride. (photo by Cory Tourino)

 

And if you join ACTHA now, as a member you get the opportunity to participate in hundreds of rides all across the country: “Six Miles, Six Natural Obstacles, Six Judges, or.…just come and ride the trails! And if you hurry, you get $25 in gifts from ACTHA’s wonderful horse-related item sponsor's stores! Act now and get an additional $25 from Cavallo!”

So, check out ACTHA’s website to see which rides are within driving distance for you and your horse, and join me on June 13th so we can set a world record!

~~~~~~~~~~

And finally, Apache is all caught up on her basic health care with this last vet visit we did yesterday. Apache’s first vet check was her pre-purchase exam, which included some chiro adjustments, that Apache enjoyed so much and made her so relaxed afterwards, that she could barely stand up. Her second Vet visit was to administer all of her vaccines, get her tested for Coggins(Equine Infectious Anemia), do a fecal exam for worms, and float her teeth, which were in terrible shape, as you all probably recall.

This final Vet visit was to administer Booster vaccines for VEWT(Encephalomyelitis-Tetanus), Influenza, Strangles, Rabies, and West Nile because I know for sure that poor Apache received no health care at all from the previous owner that I bought her from (besides farrier trimming to treat her very overgrown feet, caused by the owner before her). And the owner before that, neglected Apache so badly with her hoof care, that I can be pretty sure that her health care was neglected as well.

So, with my Vet’s recommendation I decided to give Apache a good start in her health care maintenance by making sure she had adequate immunization protection, especially since we do plan on joining many other horses on group rides, and I don’t want Apache to get sick nor be a carrier of any diseases and infect other horses.

Apache’s Vet, which was also Baby Doll’s Vet, is an Equine Specialist. I appreciate that he’s educated on equine health and doesn’t have to juggle his time between working on dogs and cats and other livestock, too. Until recently, his was a mobile practice and he only came to his patients’ barns. Now he has an actual office, too, and not just the one he has from the back of his truck. And even better still, it’s less than 10 minutes away. From my neighborhood, I literally only take one left, one right, and a left into his parking lot, and I’m there….all without having to drive through any traffic lights or towns. His office is smack dab in between Interstate 40 and Route 66.

(Yeh, that was an 18-wheeler, one of many, driving on I-40 behind the Vet’s office)

 

So, to save the $35 home visit and get the chance to finally see our vet’s new facilities, as well as to be sure that Apache hasn’t forgotten all the trailering work we did together a couple weeks ago, I decided I wanted to load her up and take her there for the Vet visit.

She was a very good girl and loaded wonderfully. But after I unloaded her at the Vet’s office, she was understandably quite concerned, muscles taut, snorting and eye-balling everything around us. She spooked just a little bit when the vet stepped down from the back of his truck, but I just kept working on keeping her focus on me and we did pretty good, I think. Even with the strong gusts of wind that about knocked us down, too.

 

Ranchman John had remembered to grab my camera before we left the house and he took all of the photos. He kept laughing at Apache, because her expression clearly said, “Ummm, why did you bring me here, people? There’s no trail ride going on here, ya know.”

You can see that her normally perky forward facing ears were in a less than happy place. Poor girl. I don’t like needles either.

But my sweet girl received all of her booster shots, on both sides of her neck as well as the intra-nasal squirt, with my hand over her eye to keep her calmer. Apache was very trusting and I was very proud of her, of course.

And best of all she loaded up easey peasey back onto the trailer again. But that was probably mostly due to her wanting to get the heck out of there and back home where no one was poking her with needles and squirting vile concoctions up her nose. lol! I think the cookies I gave her and lots of petting helped make up for it a little bit, though.

But most of all she was just happy to leave the Vet’s office behind.

            

Feeling Better

 

This post isn’t really about me, but yes, I’m feeling better, too. The knee is still swollen and weak and I’m still wearing my brace, but I can walk short distances without my crutch now. Thanks for all the well wishes. You all are awesome!

~~~~~~~~

So today, Apache had her vet visit and floating appointment. Everything went well and she did great. Even when she knew something was up, she was easily calmed. She’s such a good girl.

Ranchman John drove me up to the barn, but after the vet arrived, we remembered we had no electricity up there due to a gopher chewing the lines, so we had to head back down to the house for the vet visit because the Power Float requires an electric outlet.

I had forgotten that several chickens, two roosters and a hen had gotten out when I went in to feed them this morning. I was able to get the hen back into the coop, but the roosters were enjoying their freedom too much and I didn’t think it was a big deal for them to be out so I left them to their own devices.

But the coop is beside the house, so we had to deal with flapping, squawking roosters blasting out of the bushes, at least until the Power Float turned on, because the sound scared the roosters away.

Apache was so good and only startled in place anyway. Even with all the wind smacking the plastic feed bags that I zip-tied to the chicken coop wire to protect the chickens from some of the wind, Apache didn’t get her panties in a bunch. She was a very good girl with all the new sights, smells and sounds.

And she was very patient, too. Her Float took more than 30 minutes because her mouth was such a mess. In comparison, Baby Doll’s dental floats never took longer than 10 mins because they were just simple maintenance. Poor Apache she had just about everything going on with her ouchie teeth.

Apache had:

                               Ramps

   

 

                              Waves

                            Trans Ridges

                           Enamel Points

                   

                          Caudal (rear) Hooks

                          Rostral (frontal) Hooks

My vet, who is also a licensed Performance Equine Dentist invited me to reach in and feel all these abnormalities and I was surprised at how sharp and uncomfortable they felt to my hand……I could not even imagine having all that discomfort in my mouth for years, like poor Apache had to endure.

I could feel the rear hook, and it was very sharp, but it was the frontal hook that I could see as well as touch, and I was floored. That frontal hook had even caused a small ulcer in her mouth, which had toughened up with scar tissue.

Check out that frontal hook jutting down in the upper right side of this picture!

 

My vet told me that monstrosity could have easily caused Apache to rear when her previous owner bitted her in the single-jointed Tom Thumb and used force on her mouth to get her to cooperate. I think I would have reared to the moon to get away from that kind of pain myself.

Apache doesn’t have canine or wolf teeth, but this diagram shows the pressure that would have pushed against her sensitive teeth and that frontal hook by a harsh bit and rider.

 

Here’s a diagram of the frontal hook. Can you imagine what a metal bit hitting that might feel like?

 

And then try to imagine what Apache must have felt like when her previous owner ignored her display of pain and just slapped a tie-down on her instead and still rode her in the same bit in the same harsh way, except now using a crop, too.

I swear….I just don’t get people sometimes. I really truly don’t.

This is the only ‘After’ photo that turned out because my camera refused to focus. But it shows the points smoothed out and that horrible frontal hook significantly diminished.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m really looking forward to trying the Dr. Cook’s Bitless Bridle on her. I can only imagine how much she will appreciate it. She’ll probably be confused at first because of what she’s been used to for so long, but I think she deserves a break. She’s already shown me that she will move off seat and legs alone, and the more Jax and I rode her the less she needed any kicking to make her move forward. Our last ride, just a squeeze and she went. Maybe it’s too soon to think about, but I hope she appreciates all these new changes and becomes a true willing partner for me and my family. She has such a big heart and deserves a good life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So after the teeth floating, my vet pulled a Coggins for me to not only check Apache’s health, but to prepare for the upcoming ACTHA CTC Trail Ride I am registered to ride in with Apache (!!!!whooohooo!!!!!!).

The vet seemed surprised when I presented him with a fresh sample of Apache’s poo so he could do a fecal exam. This way he can tell me, what type, if any, worms or pests might be infecting her system. Once I know what she might have, I can deal with the specific pests without creating resistance from blindly deworming. I’m also interested in using diatomaceous earth as a natural dewormer, as several other horse owners I know have had great success with it. (Thanks Dan & Betty!)

After turning poor Apache into an equine pin-cushion giving her all of her vaccinations: rhino virus, strangles, influenza, rabies, West Nile, Tetanus, and Encephalomyelitis, my vet presented me with the bill for his services and I had my own pin cushion moment…………with my bank account now $436.61 lighter. (eeek!)

But it’s all worth it if Apache feels 100% better.

Her Hooves and the Vet Check

 

Sounds like a simple enough title, eh? But her hooves sure don’t seem simple to me. I’ve never seen feet like these before….of yeh…in pictures, but not up close. ‘Sugar’s’ owner said they were much worse when she bought her. Her feet had basically been neglected and it took many months of trims every 5 weeks to get them ‘better’.

Colleen and the vet all agree that ‘Sugar’s’ feet are a mess and unbalanced. When I rode her yesterday I noticed that she stumbled and tripped several times. We were just walking over gravel, dirt, some short grass, a couple railroad ties and some muddy places, all flat work.

But I did notice that she is moving better, probably due to her chiro work. She really likes to step out sometimes and when she does, her Morgan Horse breeding really shows.

Several folks, including some knowledgeable blogger friends, have told me that ‘Sugar’s’ conformation reminds them of a Morgan. Even a breeder of beautiful Morgan Horses told me they wouldn’t be surprised if ‘Sugar’ was a half breed or even a full bred Morgan. The vet, upon seeing ‘Sugar’ for the first time, said, “Oh ! You’ve got a cute little Morgan there”. She said that explains ‘Sugar’s’ cresty looking neck (after finding nothing to suggest thyroid or IR issues) and ‘Sugar’s’ other Morgan-like conformation.

I was surprised because I just assumed that all Morgans only came in solid colors, but the vet said they come in many other colors, including Splash White, like the famous Morgan Stallion War Paint and the lovely Morgan Mare Shahaylee. 

‘Sugar’ has a very forward, quick, smooth, little flat walk. I took her for a walk up and down the road from Colleen’s the other day and I had trouble keeping up with her on the lead. Unlike Baby Doll’s rambling, slow, peanut-pushing slow walk, ‘Sugar’ keeps her head up, ears perked forward, and her legs stepping up high. She reminds me of some of the videos I’ve seen of the Paso Finos and Peruvian Pasos. I’ll have to get some video soon. I had no idea that Morgans could be gaited, but I did find a great website devoted to gaited Morgans that was very helpful.

Oh and other interesting news is that ‘Sugar’s also not requiring any kicking to move up into a trot or a canter now either. Colleen got her into a canter with just a kiss and a squeeze. She’s much more cooperative. 

The vet did a flex test on ‘Sugar’ and she has a slight  range-of-motion/ability-to-bend issue in her right front, but otherwise she doesn’t have any other weakness and her feet weren’t sensitive at all. She’s a good girl with her feet, too. She’ll hold them up patiently for as long as I’m holding a pastern in my hand, except that right front. After a minute or two she asks me to please put it back down, especially if I’m holding it fairly high up. ‘Sugar’s’ owner said that she is 12 years old, but the vet believes her to be closer to 9 yrs old, according to her teeth (which are desperate need of a float).

I asked Mrs. Mom of Oh Horse Feathers if she could take a look at ‘Sugar’s feetsies and let me know what she thought and give me her opinions and advice of what ‘Sugar’ requires to get her feet looking and feeling better. My own farrier did an awesome job on my mare Baby Doll’s feet in the 2 1/2 yrs I owned her, and she never had to wear shoes, never had any tenderness or lameness, and her feet were beautiful, big, strong, and hard as rock.   So I know he’ll know what to do, if I decide to keep ‘Sugar’, to improve her feet.

Mrs. Mom was awesome enough to take a quick look at the photos and let me know she didn’t see anything in her hooves that should dissuade me from purchasing her. Her feet are way overgrown, including the bars, walls and heels and she has some thrush to get control of, but nothing a few routine trims 5-6 weeks apart shouldn’t take care of. (Thanks Mrs. Mom! You Rock!)

Along with the trims and some better nutrition I think she’ll be looking and feeling much better, too. Colleen keeps her well stocked with hay 24/7 and ‘Sugar’ is getting Senior Feed every evening. And with the carrots, and apple cookies we all give her, it’s no wonder she’s got a spring in her step now.    

I took photos of her hooves to show y’all, after a quick clean up yesterday. I should have done a better job cleaning her feet, but it was windy and cold and wanted to get in some riding before dinnertime. Jenna insisted on being led around a few times, too.

I hope enough of the hooves are visible and clear enough to get a good idea of what is going on.

Here ya go:

Front left:

     

 

Front right:

Rear left:

 

Rear right:

 

Ranchman John was there and happened to take another shot of that right rear hoof from a different angle:

 

 

 

Pony Ride

 

As some of you may know, my almost 7 yr old daughter, Jenna has Aspergers Syndrome, which is a high functioning form of Autism. She has her issues, but she is also very bright, loving, affectionate, funny, and she has a keen sense of intuition. Especially when it comes to animals. Laughing Orca Ranch was actually named by my daughter. You can read about that in my very first blog post actually.

One day when I asked my daughter what color horse she would like, she said “An Orca Horse”

So when I discovered Dakotas Baby Doll, a black and white tobiano paint horse, who looked a lot like an orca. I figured it must be destiny.

I obviously let my heart control my head.

Interestingly, I never placed my daughter upon Baby Doll’s back before I bought her, and after I brought her home, Jenna refused to ride her even on a lead line. In the 2 1/2 yrs I owned Baby Doll, my daughter never sat on my mare’s back. She would help me groom her, feed her, refill her water, and even give her cookies, but Jenna didn’t trust Baby Doll enough to sit on her back.

I would say my little girl had excellent intuition.

Now, over the last 2 weeks, I’ve shown my daughter pictures of ‘Sugar’, including the one that ‘Sugar’s’ owner sent me, and she seemed very interested in meeting this horse in person. But I was shocked when Jenna told me that she wanted to ride ‘Sugar’. Jenna hasn’t sat on a horse’s back since she was 3 years old. She was also very affected by the injuries that Baby Doll caused me. I didn’t know if she would ever trust a horse again.

But, thanks to sweet, kind, gentle ‘Sugar’, my little girl has regained her trust.

Jenna insisted on going with Ranchman John and I today for ‘Sugar’s’ Vet Check. Before the vet arrived we visited with ‘Sugar’ in her stall. She seemed happy to see us and I even forgot to bring treats yet again. I was most happy about the gentle and curious way ‘Sugar’ approached Jenna, nuzzling her softly and allowing my daughter to hug her around the head and kiss her on the nose. My daughter was thrilled. It was beautiful to watch.

 

And after the Vet Check (I’ll share more about that later. ‘Sugar’ checked out just fine, though.), I saddled up the little mare and Ranchman John helped Jenna climb up onto ‘Sugar’s’ back.

The ground was covered in about an inch of slick, greasy mud, and I had to hunt for higher ground so I could lead ‘Sugar’ and Jenna around.

I figured we’d walk around a couple times and my daughter would say she was done. But every time I stopped and asked her if she wanted to dismount, she’d tell me no, that she wanted to keep riding. So we did. And ‘Sugar’ was calm, quiet and gentle the entire time, even when the horse herd on the other side of the fence got excited and were bucking and squealing. She watched them, but seemed to know she had a job to do. To take safe care of my daughter.

I was even able to talk Jenna into playing “Flying Horse” a couple of times. She spread her ‘wings’ out and helped ‘Sugar’ ‘fly’ as we took a few steps. That exercise did wonders for my daughter’s confidence as she grinned from ear-to-ear!

‘Sugar’ only did one ‘naughty’ thing while Jenna was on her back, but I credit that to the chiro work that was done on her during the vet visit. ‘Sugar’ was so relaxed and feeling good, she was almost sleep-walking. At one point we walked over a deeper area of mud, and I was talking to Ranchman John, all of a sudden I saw ‘Sugar’s’ knees buckle like she was preparing to lay down in the mud. I quickly told her “No! Up! Stand!” and her eyes shot open and she straightened up right away, seeming to realize that she had made a mistake. But she didn’t startle or jump and unseat Jenna at all. And though Jenna was surprised at being tilted forward and down so suddenly, she and I had a good laugh about it afterwards realizing that Sugar just felt so good and relaxed with us after her chiro adjustments.

We walked around in the wind for about an hour until our tummies were growling for lunch. I think Jenna could have rode ‘Sugar’ all day long, though.

Colleen wasn’t there with us as she had some appointments to attend to over at the horse rescue, but she did show us where the horse treats were, so after I removed ‘Sugar’s’ saddle, we were sure to give her some. I liked how gently ‘Sugar’ took the treats, too.

And she likes to give kisses and nuzzles, too.

After we led ‘Sugar’ back to her pen, we hung around for a little while longer, brushing her and scratching her cheeks (her favorite thing). She really likes to be given head hugs and just totally relaxes in my arms.

‘Sugar’ definitely scored huge points with me today for how well she related to my daughter and for how safely she carried my daughter on her back. Now if only all this mud and snow would dry up so I could ride ‘Sugar’ again.  

 

Baby Doll's Vet Visit

This has been a busy horse week. Monday Baby Doll had her hooves trimmed. Tuesday night I went riding with my neighbor under the full moon. And Yesterday was Baby Doll's Vet Visit. We got all of her vaccinations done (except for the boosters in a few more weeks), a check-up, and her teeth floated.

The Vet, from East Mountain Equine came here and I really like him. I met him the first time at Lori's Barn where I have been taking lessons and from whom I bought Baby Doll from, as well.
Dr. Bobbit was friendly, polite and willing to answer all of my questions and allow me to be hands-on. Usually he has an assistant, but it's summer and she's busy.
So, I was happy to help him take care of my horse. I actually worked as a small animal vet tech for a couple years when I was a young adult, but wished I had gotten into large animal and livestock. Defintely alot more interesting than cleaning out Fido's anal glands.

One of the things I love about my horse is how she always comes to the gate when called and is ready to be haltered and stands still. I suppose she knows that only good things happen to her if she does this.
So, I hope she won't hold it against me with the vet visit. haha

Really, though, the vet visit was a piece of cake. Baby Doll was calm and relaxed and the vet was gentle, experienced and quick.
Dr. Bobbit did give Baby Doll a low dose of the sedative, Xylazine, but except for the actual rasping of her teeth, she wasn't fazed by any of the vet's handling.

And even during the 'floating' or rasping of her teeth, she focused on me with her one half-moon blue eye with a bit of concern. But all I had to do was talk gentle and rub her neck and poll and she was calm. I'm so glad and feel honored that she trusts me that much. She's such a good mare.

During the procedure, I appreciated that the Vet invited me to feel her teeth, way back in her mouth, before and after, too. She had a few sharp points on both sides/top and bottom, but nothing serious. The vet filed them right down to a rough texture so she could still chew properly. I was also surprised at how soft and smooth her tongue is. I think I was expecting a tongue more like a cow, sort of raspy and rough.

Dr. Bobbitt also looked at Baby Doll's chest and between her legs because she's been getting some welts from the nasty gnats that like to burrow into her fur. He didn't want to put her on steroids because that would end up being a long term thing and he likes to stay away as much as possible from giving horses too many chemicals.
He suggested trying different brands of fly spray, a fly blanket, or maybe FrontLine for horses. Looks like I'm off to the feed store again...or online. haha

Baby Doll did really well and she checked out "Healthy as a Horse".

I created a little slide show from her visit. Wanna see?

Teeth Floating

After the vet left, I decided to hang out with Baby Doll and keep her company. She was still a little loopy and tipsy from the sedative, and she seemed to want me to stick around. Normally after I leave her at the gate, she grabs a drink of water from her bucket and then heads down to our fenceline and stands around with my neighbor's 3 horses.
But today, she just stood there and looked at me. And when I walked into her paddock she stayed right beside me all the way down to our favorite pinon tree which has a stump that I like to sit on while I pet Baby Doll and enjoy the weather and views.

Maybe I'm jumping off the deep end here, but Baby Doll usually seems to like having me around. Does anyone believe that horses can communicate telepathically? I'm starting to believe it myself. I stayed with her for about an hour (who really knows when one is on 'horse-time', right?) and as I stroked and petted her all over, under the shade of our pinon tree, she fell asleep. My kids were back at the house. Rancher John was taking a nap, and I was doing one of the things I love best.

You can view a slideshow I created of Baby Doll below:

Post Vet Visit