The Drama Queen lives!

The air was crisp and chill, the kind of fall day that energizes the soul and feeds your exhiliration. I took my pretty blue bike for a spin, having spurned her for well over a year now. How could I have forgotten the rush of freedom, the giddy sensation of speed at the flick of a wrist? Our time together was short, but it left me flushed with a joy in life I haven't felt in ages.

Partners once again with the Drama Queen!

My new blog!

Don't worry (I know you were!), I will still be posting to this one! I just wanted to let my faithful readers know that I've decided to start another blog! No, this doesn't mean that my daylength expanded to include even more hours for endless rambling. I just wanted to keep from boring to tears those of you (the few of you who read this blog) who aren't interested in hearing me wax eloquent on my main obsession--the Arabian horse.
Appropriately enough, my new blog is called "Arabian Horse Obsession!" Be warned--that is exactly what it is :-) My friend Julie, of Reinbow Valley Farm, has agreed to co-author this project with me. We may not always agree on everything the other posts, but we will do our best to add as much dimension and breadth to the topic as we can.

Please excuse the rough appearance for now--it will get better as I have time to work on it more (as this one has, right???).

(*Ibn Al Hassan+/ - one of the many gorgeous Arabs I will be discussing in my new blog)

'Nipping out

Friends don't let cats do the 'nip!

It's highly addictive and can be a "gateway" to more deviant behavior!

It can even lead to black outs, loss of consciousness, your cat acting like he is swimming on land, and your cat pretending to be a rug. Don't take a chance!!

Steer YOUR cats away from the dangerous substance that is catnip!!

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!

Miley's doppleganger

I met this fellow today:

Look closely; that is NOT Phat Tiger. While I thought my blue-eyed, silver tabby-pointed siamese cross Chunka Lunka was fairly unique colored, it turns out there is ANOTHER cat out there with very similar coloring. But never fear, Miley...

There's not a cat alive who pulls off the Tiger 'Tude like you!

Zeplin

My boy doesn't like me at all :-) (Notice how Jazzy is moving pretty quickly at first, then she decides that's a complete waste of her precious energy).

Working those furry butts

Yesterday after work I headed south to where my ponies currently reside. I plan anything specifically; I just wanted to work both Layla and Zeplin. Weather in the mid 80s with moderate humidity was a definite improvement over the extended heat wave and high humidity of a couple weeks ago.

I took my time grooming each horse, using several brushes to dig out the grime and polish their sleek coats. Zeplin stretched out with a rapturous look on his silly face, urging me to ease the worst of his itches. Layla allowed my ministrations but did not relax until I started singing softly and applied the softest body brush along her long neck and back.

The late afternoon stretched into evening as I combed out knotted manes and tails. Layla's mane was impossible to untangle without any type of product, so I merely tidied what I could. Both were saddled and then worked individually.

I asked both Layla and Zeplin to canter a lot on the longeline. We were all a dripping, sweaty mess by the time we finished, but I had a chance to observe their gaits and attitudes.

Layla and I need plenty of time together to bond. Zeplin oozes confidence, but he still isn't sure he really wants to commit to serious effort or if he just wants to play. Mental maturity (if such a thing can be acheived by a gelding!) will help stabilize his goofy streak and cement our partnership. I'm certainly looking forward to endless hours riding my lovely Ay-rab mounts!

Here is some footage I took on my phone a different day when I longed Layla. I tried the same day to record some of Zep's session, but he required more attention and both hands to keep his silly feet moving.

Arab picket line

Anyone feel like riding an Arab?

These lovely ponies are ready and waiting! Operators are standing by, so call now!!

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!!

IDNNAC!!!

I Do Not Need Another Cat!!!

As mentioned in a previous post, I already have three (formerly indoor) cats living at the barn where the horses are boarded. I also have one fat Chunka Lunka at the house. Do I need any more feline companions? Do I need any more mouths to feed?

Apparently, to the squatter pictured below, the answer to both questions is yes:

I don't remember the first time I saw her, but she grew bolder and bolder. She went from sneaking around the other cats to steal some food to brazenly hanging out at the barn all day and begging me at mealtimes. Now she never leaves! She follows me around, purring in a smug, self-satisfied fashion. I even saw her cozying up to Chyornee, my eldest cat!

Do I have **free meal ticket** stamped all over me?

A few horse pictures

Just wanted to share a few July pictures. Not much to say, so enjoy!

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!