Sunday Stills - Your Best Shot of 2010

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Your Best Shot of 2010.  As soon as I saw this challenge, I knew which picture I wanted to use.

I chose this one not because it's a great shot (it's not - it's grainy because of the lighting and I was using my old point and shoot camera) but because of the subject matter.  I took this as the sun was setting less than a week before Jet died on June 11th.  It shows the relationship that T had with him - they were truly a team.  She could go out in the pasture and just hang out with him.  I was absolutely heartsick when he had to be euthanized and we all greatly miss him.

View other challenge participants here.

Snacking on Corn

I was going to post this late last week but then things took an abrupt shift.  These pics are so bittersweet for us now that Jet is gone.  This was my herd of three snacking on fresh corn a few days before he died.  Jet loved the corn cobs the most but would eat everything.  Zip prefers just the cob and the juicy kernels but will eat the husks after he's finished with everything else.  Kali just preferred the husks and would share with Jet.

Life goes on

A heartfelt thank you for everyone's support in the loss of Jet.  It totally sucks but life does indeed go on.  I have a child who is grieving in her own way, a husband, a job, and other critters that need attention and care.  Zip and Kali are adjusting to being a pair and we will adapt to the hole that Jet left in our lives.  We had a horse show on Saturday afternoon which was all the more difficult in that we were planning on bringing Jet along with Kali for that show.  We were a little concerned that Zip would be ok by himself but he did just fine.  We got home about 10 PM.  It was hot and humid with a mist over the pond and thousands upon thousands of fireflies.  It was pretty cool to be able to stand in the mist shrouded pasture with the two horses in the dark.  T gave Zip a big old hug which I'm sure will help to heal her heart. 

Thank you again to everyone.

Macro Monday - In Memory of Jet

One of my favorite pics of Jet that I took last summer.  I liked it so much I used it on my business cards.  It really captured him well.

It has been a very tough weekend since Jet died on Friday.  He was fine one day and gone the next.  Please bear with me as my world sort of rights itself again.  We had a horse show on Saturday afternoon so I tried to focus all of my energy on that.  It sucks because T was planning on bringing Jet to that show.  I'll post show pics once I get through them all.

Jet has crossed the Rainbow Bridge

Today has been a very difficult day. It's with a heavy heart that I type these words. Jet was euthanized today. He was having neurologic issues that the vet felt he would not recover from so we made the difficult decision to end his suffering. I held on to him as he took his last breath so he would know we loved him until the end. He was my buddy and is irreplacable. I will miss his goofiness, his flappy lip, his Big Bird legs, his sensibility and affection, how he took care of T. I will measure every horse against all that he was. We are fortunate to have had him in our lives for two and a half years and I am comforted by the fact that we gave him the very best life. He didn't have an easy start to his life, as evidenced by the marks on his back and his poor feet when we got him, but he had a great life with us and especially as T's partner. He was my steady-Eddie, my trail leader, the one you always grabbed to work with an inexperienced horse, the confidence booster. He would take care of a small child or run flat out. And he was Reserve Champion in 2009. Not bad for a little horse of unknown origins who will forever hold a big place in our hearts. Rest in peace, my Jetty. May you gallop in green fields forever. Say hello to Diego, Snoopy, Binky, and Cocoa for me. I miss you already.

Silhouette

T on Jet, silhouetted in the doorway of the arena

Our Little Herd

Our little herd of 3 - Zip, Kali and Jet

wandering back towards the shed after running around and chasing each other

Heading for a collective drink from the pond

Kali in the lead, followed by Zip with Jet bringing up the rear

Sunday Stills - the Letter "B"

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is the Letter "B" - only nouns, no adjectives.

Bandit, 3 year old Border Collie (that should count for 2)

I very rarely get pictures of him as he usually turns away from the camera.

Covered Bridge over part of the pond and small stream at the farm. 

My horses are currently in this pasture and use the bridge for shelter (it's bigger than it looks)

Bling on a Bridle with a Bit (hey, that's 3)

Kali waiting for her classes at the last show

Blue Merle Border Collie (that's 2 again)

Zoey dozing (she's got some Aussie shepherd in her too)

You can view other contributors to Sunday Stills here.

Fly Like a Bird

Every time I watch this it makes me laugh.  Jet thought she was taking off.  He's such a good guy!

Fly Like a Bird from CTG Ponies on Vimeo.

First show of the season is Saturday so we will all be busy little bees until then.

Freedom of Movement

Kali, Zip and Jet enjoying a good run in the field

Wordless Wednesday - "TA DA" and a horse worth his weight in gold

Sunday Stills - Hands

This week's Sunday Stills Challenge is Hands.  I wasn't sure what I was going to use but then Craig took some pics of T being silly on Jet.  I think this one is perfect.

He's such a good boy to let her do stuff like this.

You can see other contributors to Sunday Stills here.

It's a big pond...

but for some reason they all needed to drink from the exact same spot.  And the funny thing is they lined up in size order, shortest to tallest (Zip is the tallest, Kali in the middle, Jet is the shortest).

Wordless Wednesday - Taking a Sip

Playing in the Pond

We did get a chance to ride at the new farm this weekend but I took it easy since I wasn't feeling well.  T had the chance to run each horse on the track (she galloped about half way which was a quarter mile and slowed down for the rest) and rode each in the indoor.  When we were finished on Sunday, we were playing around in the pasture.  T wanted to see if Kali would go in the pond but Princess Kali had other ideas so she set her sights on Jet (Zip was in the back corner eating hay - I swear he doesn't really like people but lots of treats will fix that).

Since Jet was so willing to go in, I suggested she get reins and her helmet so off to the barn she headed.  I gave her a leg up and she headed into the pond.

I love the fact that she was having a great time and was all smiles.

She headed off to the other side where it was a bit flatter.

Kali followed along to see what was going on.

The water was a bit deeper near the bridge.

Jet settled down to take a drink.

It was a fun experience and I look forward to being able to ride in and along the creek in the near future.

Still Here...

I have a cold this week that is totally kicking my butt.  I spent most of Saturday sleeping and finally ventured out into the sunlight today.  Some things changed this week and the horses are now at another farm in the next town.  All are settling in well and T and I got some riding in.  The new farm has a 1/2 mile conditioning track which has been great for T to work Jet and Zip.  Even Kali got a run on the track, part of it anyway.  1/2 mile is way too much of a run so T's doing one long stretch and taking it easy the rest of the way.  We've also ridden all 3 in the indoor to get them used to it.  The pastures have ponds so T rode Jet bareback into the pond for the first time today.  Pics to post later this week.

The Gang

With the arrival of Kali, I realized how unique each horse is, especially in the way they move.  Jet has very rolling comfortable gaits.  Zip is very steady and has a ground eating stride.  Kali has a lot of movement but doesn't cover a lot of ground (definitely bred for Western Pleasure).

Of the 3, we've had Jet the longest - since October of 2008.  For a scrappy little horse with wonky knees, a bone chip in his ankle and arthritis, he is fluid, sure footed, and graceful.  He turns on a dime, can almost anticipate what you are going to ask of him, and takes care of his rider.  I absolutely love riding him.  And for a horse that was chronically lame to the point where euthanasia was considered, the fact that he was gymkhana Junior Reserve Champion last year is quite an accomplishment.  He's sound barefoot now and has some days where he's stiff but then again so do I.  And he's the most playful of the bunch - he's quite the tail puller.

We call Zip the grumpy old man.  He's the tallest at almost 15.2 hands.  He'll do what you ask of him because you asked but I don't think he's had much kind handling in his life.  He is just now getting used to treats and used to turn his nose up to peppermints but loves them now (Jet was kind of the same way when we got him - standoffish and not sure about people).  I don't think that Zip has been exposed to much beyond ranch work.  He'll come around once he realizes that sometimes we just want to hang out with him and feed him treats.  He is very well broke and like Jet will turn on a dime.  He tends to be a hotter than the other two so we make sure to give him lots of time to rest and just stand still when he is being worked.  His feet are improving as is his overall health and I'm hoping that his coat is nice and shiny once he sheds out.  I'd love to look back two years from now and find that he's a pocket pony like Jet.

Kali is the princess of the bunch.  She loves to be groomed and fiddled with.  She's also very well broke for both English and Western but she has a slower overall movement than the boys.  She's been trained for jumping (unlike Jet and Zip) and has very good form.  She's also the most conformationally correct of our three. We look forward to getting her more fit so we can see what's she's capable of.

Note - all pics were taken last weekend after a bath. 

They didn't stay clean for long as they all rolled pretty much as soon as they were turned out.

Sunshine and Back Scratches

Jet says "Hey Zip, hurry up will ya?"

"Oh good, ya done?"

"My turn!"

Wordless Wednesday - Itchy

Kali's First Ride

Since Kali came to the farm, T has been dying to try her out but the weather has not cooperated - rain, snow, more rain and a snow-hurricane with fierce winds and drifting snow - all in less than 5 days.  Friday afternoon I trimmed her feet to get rid of all of the flares and even out her feet.  Saturday brought more snow flurries and errands to run so Sunday was our day to ride even though it was gray and gloomy in the morning.  T groomed and tacked up Kali while I trimmed Jet's feet.  Then it was off to the ring.  Kali did really well - walk, trot, canter, neck reining, sidepassing, backing up.  She definitely needs to get back into shape but she has excellent manners, both on the ground and under saddle and is very easy going.  I got the chance to get up on her for a few minutes.  Her whoa is instant.

When I finished with Jet, I brushed him off (barely) and threw the comfy sheepskin bareback pad on him.  After a few minutes in the ring and a long canter up the driveway, T and I headed off down the road to the first cross street, about a half a mile away.  We just wanted to take a stroll and see how Kali handled distractions and being on the road. 

It was a non-event, even when a horse in a field came charging up to the fence.  Neither horse even reacted.  Kali just strolled along behind Jet and didn't care if he got ahead of her.

Please pardon my pink Wellie rubber boots - I know they are quite the fashion statement.  I feel like I live in these boots.  They've gotten much use over this winter with all the snow and wet that we have had.

T even dropped the reins completely.

When we finished with Jet and Kali, it was Zip's turn for a pedicure and then T did some pattern work with him in the ring.  More pics of Zip will post later this week.

The girls