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!

A chip off the old block

Yesterday, I posted about Josh, my friend Jane's new trail mount. While we were at the residence of his owner, Mike, we also met two of Josh's sons. Both geldings are out of SF Asmaru-Jabask, a double *Bask-bred mare.

I wasn't able to get a good picture of the younger brother, Lightning (Bint Lightning Safire). Here is the picture I have:

I did, however, get quite a few pictures of Fadjur (Joshuas Fadjur Bask) while Jane and Mike were messing with Josh. Fadjur wasn't keen on having Josh out of the barn.

"Where are you taking my dad?"

"What are you doing with him?"

"I do NOT approve of this!!!"

"Are you paying attention to me??!!"

"You humans are soooo heartless!"

You can watch the drama unfold right here (you can also see Josh, the grey, in this video):

Another new face

I love to discuss the stories of the interesting horses I meet. Recently, i added another character to the list. His name is Shoguns Joshua Fadjur+ (Josh). For those of you unfamiliar with Arabian horse honors, the plus sign (+) behind his name indicates that he is a Legion of Merit recipient. In Josh's case, the points racked up at Arabian Horse Association-sanctioned events to earn this honor were all in endurance. This incredible gelding (former stallion) has knocked out over 4000 competetion miles!

Josh is retired from endurance now. I met him when my friend Jane and I visited his owner's place to look at the horses he had available for sale. Mike, the owner, first obtained Josh when he was a yearling. Mike trained him and competed with him for many years. Later on, Mike sold Josh to a lady in Colorado who competed in endurance. The situation did not work out, and the woman wanted Mike to take back Josh (whom she gelded before dropping him off in Iowa for Mike to get).

Jane has been looking for a new trail mount since she sold her Tennessee Walking Horse, Destie. Destie's stride was just too large for Jane's bad back, so she decided to try to find an easier ride.

Josh enjoyed being the center of attention, just like he had been back in his endurance days!

Josh had not been ridden in quite awhile, and he was excited to get out. First Mike, then Jane, then I each took a quick spin on him around the property.

Jane felt immediately comfortable on his stout back, and she informed us that his walk didn't jostle her back in the slightest.

There could just be something here!

Of course, Mike and Josh will always have a strong bond after years of training and competing together.

The only remaining concern was an issue of Josh's soundness. He sustained an injury that resulted in a chipped bone in his leg. Mike and Jane agreed to have a heavy (220+ lb) man put some miles on Josh over the weekend to see how he fared.

Today, Jane informed me that Josh passed his 10 mile "test" with flying colors. He's coming home with her!!! Congratulations, Jane!!

Zeplin's new girlfriend

She's here!!

Let me introduce you (or rather re-introduce, as she's already been mentioned here and here) to Starlite Duchess. This dark beauty is the latest addition to the family. I will go into more of her story later. Today is about introductions and the love of geldings for pretty mares. Well, ok, maybe just the love of one gelding in particular.

Zeplin couldn't keep his eyes off her from the moment she stepped off the trailer. Jazzy enjoyed meeting the new herd member as well.

Zeplin appeared determined to check her out thoroughly, even if it meant pushing through the fencing separating them. We decided to put him in with her to see what happened (under our supervision).

Zeplin quickly let her know who was in charge, but then they settled down to share some hay. I think my enlarged herd should work out well!

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!

Am I in Texas?

This here is Longhorn country!!!

This lovely red heifer (top) and the wild colored heifer calf and black and white bull calf belong to a friend of Jane's. I'm sure I'll be seeing more of these little guys!