Mid Night Ravin

Previously, I mentioned my friend Jane had been looking for a new horse (preferably an Arabian gelding). She found Josh, but, unfortunately, he did not work out for her. So this Saturday it was back out on the road, this time to look at a black Arab gelding near Dayton, OH.

Mid Night Ravin, or Ravin, was advertised as a "Youth All Rounder" by his owner. He sounded like just the kind of Arab Jane was looking for; sound at 13 and not easily excited by things on the trail.

Our trip started out with a BANG, literally. While Jane had just purchased new tires for her truck, the trailer tires appeared to be in excellent shape, and she had checked the tire pressure prior to departing. Appearances can be quite deceiving! Heading South on I-75 in Ohio, one of the trailer tires blew.

As you can see from the picture, the tire wasn't just deflated--it was destroyed!! We limped off the interstate at the nearest exit and into a gas station. Several friendly people offered their assistance, including a motorcyclin' out-reach pastor and his biker wife.

We finally reached our destination (after first driving past the appropriate driveway). Ravin was in a stall, a demonstration of his "stable manners." He had a lovely, very typey Arab face without the over-exaggerated jibbah (bulge at the forehead) displayed by some genetic lines.

His rider, a young but very tall girl, saddled him and warmed him up in an all purpose English saddle. I noticed that the silly boy likes to stick out his tongue!

After the girl rode him, Jane introduced Ravin to her Western gear.

A couple pictures of Jane's "test ride" on the handsome boy:

As I said, Ravin likes to stick out his tongue!

Ravin's good friend, an Appaloosa gelding, happened to be hanging out in the stall next door.

Among others, there was also an elderly Arab mare in the barn who apparently was quite accomplished at snatching food away from unwary passers-by.

The very face of innocence!!

Afterward, Ravin received a bath, and Jane debated whether or not she should take this boy home. In the end, she decided to give him a try. We loaded him up in the trailer and took him back to her place. Czar knew right away something was up! He was sooo excited that Jane brought HIM home a pony!

I even managed to get a picture of him in the barn with his ears forward!!

You may recall how difficult a task that can be!

At the end of the afternoon, Ravin showed no difficulty at all with settling in to graze in his new, big pasture. As with most guys I know, the way to his heart must be through his stomach!

Czar says...

Don't take my friggin' picture!!!

Did you hear me? I said...

don't take...

my friggin' picture!!!

(Unless you are outside. Then just try to get my good side!)

Ok, that's enough!! What are you, paparazzi? I'm outta here!

The horses I meet

Remember this little guy from my road trip post?

He lives in Oklahoma and is retired from the traveling Lipizanner show. His name is Topez.

Does he remind you of anyone? Maybe another small Arab stallion, this one black and living closer to my current residence in Indiana?

It turns out these two guys have more in common than just being adorable little elderly Arab stallions. In fact, these sweet-natured boys, hailing from different parts of the country, share a sire in common. His name was *Pesniar.

*Pesniar was imported from the Tursk Stud in Russia in 1981, when Russian-bred Arabians were a very hot commodity. His importer, Armand Hammer of Occidental Petrolium, paid $1 million for this elite son of Nabeg.

*Pesniar placed Top Ten in both U.S. and Canadian Nationals in 1982. While he sired many offspring, his name is not as common in modern Arabian pedigrees as some other big name stallion imports of the time. However, both of the *Pesniar sons that I've met are wonderful examples of the Arabian breed.

Horse sitting

My own ponies are far away (hopefully not for much longer), so I have to get my horse fix where I can. This past weekend I did some horse-sitting for my new friend Jane. Unfortunately, I didn't actually get to sit on any of the horses, it's just an expression.

The boys, trying to stay out of the rain.

Quimby came along, of course.

Quimby was trying hard not to look at Duchess. She's a little intimidated by her...

...because, as you can see, this is quite the intimidating face!

New friends and adventures

This summer has been absolutely miserable for riding (although I'm sure I don't need to tell anyone that!). Either it's pouring rain or the combination of heat and humidity drive us sweating and dripping back into the air conditioning within just a few minutes of being outside.

Poor Quimby has been very tolerant of staying in an apartment for now, instead of outside and free all day. She doesn't get a lot of walking right now, because I can't tolerate the unbearable weather for long stretches at a time. This morning, my air conditioning unit gave out. I can't wait until my house sells and I can find a house here so that I'm not feeling so caged. I think I've gained quite a bit of weight, I'm just afraid to step on the scale!

I've made a wonderful new friend named Jane. Jane lives not far from my apartment (less than a mile by distance, but I have to go a little out of the way to cross the river). Jane has three extremely well kept and very lovely horses. Destie is a 6 year old Tennessee Walker gelding. He reminds me quite a bit of my own (very much missed) Zeplin.

Then there is Czar, the 26 year old Arabian stallion (very cute little guy):

Here he is, waiting for his lady, the extremely lovely and sweet 12 year old Arab mare, Duchess:

I have to apologize for the poor quality of the second pic. My old camera died, so I've been using the limited capabilities of my new work camera phone. I didn't take the third picture with it, Jane sent me that one!

I still have so many stories to tell, just from this year. Bear with me, I'm not done yet!