Two weeks ago, I ended my post about Tippecanoe River State Park by describing our arrival at my classmate’s facility in Delphi, Indiana. Dawn provided a wonderful place for us to park our motorhome and we even had a water hookup. The horses hung out in an adjacent half-acre lot. There had been several Purdue […]
Purdue Vet School, Forty Years Later Read More »
Last week I wrote about my beloved Arabian gelding’s surgery at Colorado State University. I am very happy to report that as of this post, two weeks post-op, he is doing great. His leg is soft-splinted from his hoof to his chest. He moves around his tiny living space with ease. I was even able
The First Week Post-op & Regional Perfusion Explained Read More »
Two weeks ago, I ended my post about The Perils of a Puncture Wound by talking about two friends who reached out to me and described similar experiences with their horses. Specifically, I said, “One had involvement of the splint bone which required surgery and six months of rehab. I consider us very, very fortunate
Surgery for an Infected and Fractured Splint Bone Read More »
This post will be about an incredibly successful method of treating inflammation in multiple different areas of the body. I will do my best to make is as free of “medical-ese” as possible, while still explaining how it works and the various ways to do prolotherapy. I have personally had multiple prolotherapy treatments over the
Powerful Prolotherapy for People and Animals Read More »
This will be my last post about our incredible 6-day rafting trip down the Grand Canyon. Last week, I ended with our Toga Party and steak dinner. Next week, I’ll return to more horse-related content. But first, let me describe our last day, including our final “10” rapid, Lava Falls. We spent our last night
Lava Falls and a Helicopter Ride, Day 6 Read More »
By the morning of Day Five, the 34 passengers on this trip were not moving very fast! The feature photo shows our guides patiently waiting for us to get with the program. I took that photo at 6:45 AM. When I said something to Stephen about us being late to leave that morning, he said
Upset Rapids and Havasu Creek, Day Five Read More »
The primary difference between a 5-night and 6-night trip with Western River Expeditions is how many Grand Canyon day hikes are included. You cover the same number of miles on the river, but you have an additional day to explore the canyon hiking trails. I say “trails” somewhat loosely. Those of us used to riding
Beautiful Grand Canyon Day Hikes, Day Four Read More »
At the end of our second day on the river, we stayed at Nevills Camp at the 76 mile marker. Day Three began, as usual, with a wonderful breakfast. We needed food in our bellies to be able to withstand the multiple rapids we were going to encounter on that day. It was also on
Phenomenal Rapids and Phantom Ranch Mules Read More »
There was so much to see and so much to learn as we rafted down the Grand Canyon. It will be very difficult for me to write about everything I want to share! But Redwall Cavern deserves special mention. Lees Ferry, where our rafting adventure began, is the “zero mile marker.” Our first night camping
Captivating Redwall Cavern in the Grand Canyon, Day Two Read More »
Rafting down the Grand Canyon was Alan’s suggestion, but I am always up for an adventure. What an adventure it was! We opted for the 5-night, 6-day tour… and that was plenty! We covered the same distance as the 7-day tour, although I believe more side hikes are available for the longer one. One of
An Epic Adventure Rafting Down the Grand Canyon, Day One Read More »
I have written several blogs in the past, addressing the need to have a relationship with your horse. We aren’t just passengers up there… To have a safe, enjoyable, and mutually beneficial ride, we need to be partners with our horse. That doesn’t mean it is a democracy, with each party having equal say. But
My Amazing Mane Man… My Relationship With My Horse Read More »
Let me start this post by stating that I am absolutely NOT a professional horse trainer. What I AM is an “aging horsewoman” who has been riding for over a half-century. Right now, I don’t need a show pony, I need a great trail horse. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t expect great things
Expect More From Your Trail Horse (and Yourself!) Read More »
Sometimes, I wish I didn’t have any education in veterinary medicine. That is never more true than when one of my own dogs presents with a problem. I go from A to Z in a heartbeat… but strangely enough, this time I was right. My sweet little Leah has been diagnosed with canine lymphoma. Leah
Little Miss Leah has Canine Lymphoma Read More »
Most horses don’t have a view of whales spouting in the ocean behind them… but the horses of CJM Stables in Kauai do! “CJM” stands for Come Join Me, and Jimmy Miranda, the personable owner of the stables, really wants you to do just that. Jimmy started constructing CJM Stables over 30 years ago. He
A Paddock With a View… CJM Stables in Kauai Read More »
I guess if you have to experience at least part of your life as a shelter animal, there are far worse places to land than the Kauai Humane Society. At least, that is true now in 2022. That was not-so-true as recently as a half-dozen years ago. As I mentioned in last week’s blog, I
The Beautiful Kauai Humane Society Read More »
Aloha from beautiful Kauai! Alan and I left the horses and dogs with a sitter and headed west… way west! So this will be a post about a gorgeous, albeit somewhat treacherous, hike along the Napali Coast in Hawaii. Hanakapi’ai Beach Trail is beautiful, but very muddy and slippery. Since we spend most of our
Hanakapi’ai Beach Trail–NOT HORSE FRIENDLY! Read More »
My husband Alan and I lead a nearly trouble-free life. We are incredibly blessed, and we know it. We have “paid our dues” so to speak… and our good fortune at the moment is not lost on us. We both spent decades in marriages where we were abused or invisible or both. Because of that,
Trouble Comes in Triplicate, But Blessings Abound Read More »
Last week, I wrote about our last Colorado ride to Odessa Lake. Although that ride was three weeks before our departure from our much-loved cabin in the mountains, we didn’t get a chance to ride again. We had company for a week, and there was a lot to do before we left. First Leg… to
Miles to Go Before We Sleep Read More »
I have debated for a couple of weeks about whether or not I wanted to write a post about my recent experiences with the USPS. Clearly, it isn’t horse-related, unless, of course, you are trying to send some horse product across the country (or expecting something to come to you) and USPS fails to deliver.
USPS Woes…Higher Rates & Horrible Service! Read More »
Recently, I wrote about our ride around the Cub Lake Loop, originating at the Fern Lake Trailhead parking lot. We decided to park there again, only this time we would ride out into the meadow area. The Moraine Park meadow had a somewhat special meaning to me. My love of the Rocky Mountains, and the
Moraine Park to Aspen Brook… An Emotional Ride Read More »
This is going to be an easy and fun blog to write. Moreover, I am dedicating it to any ladies (or gents, for that matter) out there who despair of ever finding love again. If you get nothing else out of this story, take away the message that it is never too late to find
Our Horse-Themed Third Wedding Read More »
In early May, Alan and I packed up the critters and a whole bunch of stuff and headed north, back to our home in Colorado. Sadly, we left our Arizona residence in complete disarray… We moved into our Arizona property in mid-February. Immediately, we ordered cabinets for a kitchen re-do. Thanks to Covid, the cabinets
Back Home Again in Colorado Read More »
Owning horses, or animals in general, is not for everyone. Most folks that I know that have horses also have dogs, and of course, the prerequisite barn cats. I have often heard people explain their disinterest in owning animals as an unwillingness to be “tied down”. For me, the blessings my animals add to my
Critter Sitter Solutions… Trusted Housesitters Read More »
In mid-May of last year, I posted a blog about how I was preparing to sell my beloved Barndominium. I built it before my awesome husband Alan was in my life. It was my oasis in a terrible storm that began when I filed for divorce. Honestly, the storm was brewing before I filed, but
The Barndominium is Sold! Read More »
Almost exactly a year ago, I wrote A Hole in Her Head, a blog about how our gelding kicked our new mare in the head. We sutured up the skin, but obviously, it was up to Mother Nature to deal with the rest. For the most part, Mother Nature did a great job. However, for
Detour to Purdue University Read More »
Never again will I encounter a firefighter that I won’t acknowledge my extreme indebtedness for what they do. In last week’s blog about the medical evacuation by helicopter from 4-J Big Piney, I indicated I’d talk about Coldwater Ranch this week. Things have changed. The feature photo is a view of the fire consuming much
Wildfire Burning ON OUR MOUNTAIN! Read More »
If you want to stay connected to the outside world, don’t go to 4-J Horse Camp on the Big Piney River in Duke, Missouri. Cell service is frustrating on the best day, and WiFi is essentially unavailable. But if you want to have a fabulous time riding, eating, and meeting new friends, plan a trip
The Fabulous 4-J Big Piney Horse Camp Read More »
Pushing cows around can sure be a lot of fun! The last opportunity that Kadeen and I had to herd cattle was about 8 years ago. We don’t know much of anything about it, but we sure do have fun! He LOVES being the boss and makin’ those doggies move! Alan and I drove from
Daniel Boone Days in Virginia Read More »
I can’t possibly count the number of times accomplished horsepeople told me I needed to relax to get my horse to relax! Sure, easy for you to say! How is a person supposed to relax when they are sitting astride a volcano about to erupt? A trip to Fort Robinson One of the first times
If You’re Riding a Volcano, Just RELAX! Read More »
For the past several weeks, I have been writing about the wildfires plaguing the country. My husband and I accelerated our departure from Colorado. We were under a voluntary evacuation order. On Labor Day, the temperature was 80 degrees on the mountain. Thirty-six hours later, it was 60 degrees colder and we received 6 inches
Emotional Overload Read More »
Colorado, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming are all experiencing wildfires. Actually, those are not the only states, but some with the worst problem right now. Let me tell you, living on the bubble of imminent evacuation is super stressful. I have preempted several previously scheduled blogs these past few weeks to describe what is
On the Bubble for Fire Evacuation! Read More »
It is very scary to awaken to the smell of smoke. Colorado had more than average snowfall last winter, but the summer has been very dry. As I write this, a forest fire burns a mere 35 miles from our location on Storm Mountain. This photo shows smoke in the sky, as viewed from our
Forest Fire in My Backyard!!! (And Rattlesnakes Too!) Read More »
Five years ago, when I lived in Estes for two summers, I rode many different trails in Rocky Mountain National Park. One of my riding buddies was the co-owner of the liveries, and she knew all the trails! My clear favorite at that time was the Bierstadt Lake trail to Bear Lake and back around to Sprague
Bierstadt Lake… My FAVORITE Trail in RMNP Read More »
Photo credit Michael Chow/The Republic The Wildfire Crisis Arizona is struggling with three extremely serious wildfires. The Bighorn fire is nearly out, but it was the 8th largest in the state’s history. This fire impacting the Santa Catalina Mountains is in the southern part of the state, near Tuscon. It burned for nearly a month
Arizona Wildfires and COVID Struggles Read More »
I guess Alan and I were just having too much fun. Not that moving is fun… but we’ve had a pretty good run of good times since we met. This past week or two brought our relatively idyllic life to a screeching halt! Still, we had each other to lean on, and mostly it involved stuff, so
The Week From Hell Read More »
I have written several blogs in the past about the need to develop a relationship with your horse. I believe this is true for just about every horse. However, I think it is practically mandatory with Arabians (and Mustangs from what I have read.) Two years ago I wrote a 5 part blog series titled Does
Building a Relationship With Your Horse Read More »
It has been a little over a week since we arrived at our new home in Colorado. While there is still “stuff” scattered everywhere, I am no longer looking at piles of unpacked boxes. In my barndominium, I had built an awesome closet with tons of hanging space, shelving, and storage. Our closet here is
Living With the Wildlife (Human and Animal!) Read More »
I am somewhere way south of totally exhausted. It is not even lunchtime yet and I have consumed more calories than I usually do by dinnertime! Whatever works to keep me going! Our trip to Arizona to drop off our 5th wheel was over 2200 miles round trip. Our “schedule” called for us to leave
Greetings From Beautiful Colorado Read More »
In a past blog, I talked about that heart horse or dog. What about that heart house? Although in some respects it is inconceivable to me, I am selling the amazing barndominium I built not quite 4 years ago. However, my needs have changed. In fact, my entire life has changed. My beloved barndo is
Selling My Beloved Barndominium Read More »
I got married last weekend… in a virtual wedding. Since we are all tired of bad news all the time, I thought I’d share my good news. Everyone needs a reason to smile these days… As dictated by today’s pandemic rules, there were a mere 10 people in attendance. We belong to a large church with
My Virtual Wedding Read More »
More than once, I have seen a reference in a Facebook group about someone’s “heart horse” or “heart dog”. Have you had a heart horse or dog yourself? I have lived with dogs since I was a baby, and I have many, many incredible memories of incredible dogs. I loved them all fiercely. However, two
That HEART Horse or Dog Read More »
One day morphs into the next. No point in straightening my hair, putting on makeup, even wearing a bra! I have no idea what day of the week it is. The highlight of my week is going to the grocery store, decked out like a wild-west bandit with my bandana over my nose and mouth. (Alan
This is the fourth and final installment about scammer activity in the equine world. Parts One, Two, and Three discuss one individual who has perpetrated numerous scams on many unsuspecting people. A Google search provides numerous articles by reputable horse businesses about how to avoid being scammed. Equine.com, Dreamhorse.com, MyHorseForSale.com, TheHorse.com, HorseTrailerWorld.com, and SavvyHorsewoman.com all
Tips For Spotting a Scam Read More »
As a victim of an online equine scam, I’d like to make sure it doesn’t happen to you… Part One and Part Two on this topic discuss the bogus Equine Mall, a scam perpetrated by Maryann Pattyn, aka Maryann Montour, aka Dedy Pattyn. I was supposed to get married in early May. The pandemic has
Equine Scams! Beware! Part Three Read More »
Last week I wrote a blog about my recent victimization by “Maryann Pattyn” of “The Equine Mall”. I promised you that this week I’d write about online equine sale scams. But so much information has surfaced about “Maryann” that I need to devote at least one more blog to her activities. Who knows what “Maryann’s”
Equine Scams! Beware! Part Two Read More »
I am a recent victim of a scam. A horse-related scam. I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person. I am not overly suspicious, by any means. However, I have seen, heard, and personally experienced scams in the past, and I am teachable! Currently, I am typing on my old computer as my regular one
Equine Scams! Beware! Read More »
I have written many posts about my animals and friends and the experiences of this past year. I thought perhaps I would provide an update to some of those stories… Kara the Puppy In April, I wrote about the addition of Kara the Border collie to my household. She joined my family when she was
Last week, I blogged about my rather challenging week with my two horses. Note I said two horses, not a herd of twenty. I guess Murphy’s Law states they’d both have major issues in the same week! My new little mare, Sadie, greeted me last week with a lovely gash in her head. It was
Holey Horses and Herpes Read More »
Spoil alert! Somewhat graphic photo at the end of the post! My horses are ganging up on me. I only have two… and I make sure my facilities are as horse-friendly as possible. There isn’t any rusty farm equipment in the dry lot begging for a horse to cut herself. Nevertheless, the new mare found
A Hole in Her Head Read More »
Last week, I blogged about Finn, a half-Arabian, half-Quarter horse/Thoroughbred that I have owned for 2 years. I described how I have struggled for that entire time to convert a horse bred to be a show pony into a confident, comfortable trail mount. My awesome gray Arabian, Kadeen, was a show horse when I bought
When to Hold and When to Fold Part Two Read More »
My 7-year-old gelding, Finn, has been the topic of numerous blogs. In this post, I even declared that Finn’s objectionable behavior was improving! Perhaps my mindset was “fake it ’til you make it?” I have put two years of work into this horse. Sadly, last week while camping at 4-J Big Piney, I realized Finn
When to Hold and When to Fold Read More »
In Part One of this story, I described the late 2017 addition of Bailey the Border collie to my multi-dog household. Although Bailey fit into my active lifestyle quite well in many ways, she challenged the pack hierarchy. In particular, she hassled Leah, my current alpha female. At one point fairly early after she joined
The Bailey 2 By 4 Part Two Read More »
Sometimes God needs to smack me with a 2 by 4… Usually, He does it in relation to my responses (or lack thereof) to a particularly challenging family member. I am to the point where I believe that reaching out to her is an exercise in futility. However, occasionally I will get a “message” that
I just returned from a 3-day ride organized by Tom Seay of Best of America by Horseback. We stayed at a palatial estate that was originally built by Don Imus of morning talk show fame. There were ten guests at this event. Tom and Pat Seay were our hosts. Del Shields provides the music for
Sleeping in a Saloon! Read More »
I have written many blogs over the past year about my ongoing education of Finn, aka the Finnster. He turned 7 this year, and he is part Arabian, part QH/Thoroughbred. I maintain all the goofiness comes from the Thoroughbred side. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! He most definitely has a young brain.
The Finnster is Improving! Read More »
As I write this, it is hotter than Hades here in Kansas. I am really missing the crisp, cool air of over 7000 feet elevation in Colorado. Very few bugs, incredible scenery, and a multi-sensory experience. You can SEE the beauty, HEAR the water and the hooves on the rocks, FEEL the movement of your
The Last Ride in the Rockies Read More »
I have the amazing pleasure of riding the Rocky Mountains this week. I spent two summer living here, the year before the flood and the year after the flood. Last year, Alan and I spent a week in Colorado camping and riding, and it was Finn’s first time in the mountains. I wrote about that
Rocky Mountain Trails and Trials! Read More »
As I mentioned in last week’s blog, Alan and I had a riding lesson with my awesome young instructor, Erin. Kadeen has been taking excellent care of Alan when we are walking on the trail. However, trotting and cantering under different conditions can result in a “different” horse. Alan has had only a minor glimpse
Never Too Old to Learn Read More »
Last January, I wrote a blog about how Life is What Happens when you are busy making other plans. I wrote about a couple of things that happened to me over the course of a few days. Things that reminded me of how little control we have sometimes over how things unfold. In this blog,
Do You Know What You Don’t Know? Read More »
Last weekend my boyfriend and I got on his boat for the first time all spring/summer. The monsoon rains here in the Midwest have raised the lake 25 feet. Docks are inaccessible unless you swim to the boat. There is no electricity to operate the boat lifts. Many folks have not even taken their boats
Update on the Finnster Read More »
Animals provide incredible enrichment to our lives, but we need to be able to live together safely.
Human Safety Comes First Read More »
Traumatized Children Recently I hosted a dinner party at my home, My guests and I celebrated the 25 year anniversary of an organization I started in the mid-90’s. The Attachment & Trauma Network (ATN) serves families parenting children with attachment or trauma-related behaviors and challenges. All three of my internationally adopted children exhibit many behaviors
A Steel Box With a Velvet Lining Read More »
It has been less than two weeks since this little bundle of energy joined my already dog-rich household. I have a very solid understanding of the fact that she isn’t a replacement for my beloved Reilly. Nevertheless, she does have big paws to fill in terms of my memories of her deceased big sister. Right
Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover Read More »
In my last few posts, I have been sharing about some of the horses I have owned, and how they happened to come into my life. I often mention Kadeen in my blogs. He turns 17 this April, and I purchased him as a 7 year old. His registered name is Bluespruce Design, and they
In my previous post, I discussed various horses I had owned or ridden in my youth. Several of my past horses were acquired in unusual ways. Additionally, my love of Arabians was a direct result of my sister’s love of the breed, as I inherited the horses she initially rode. When I was a child
Embryo Transfer & Cloning Read More »
My gray Arabian, Kadeen, is for all practical purposes the first horse I really researched and purchased for myself. Nearly all of the horses that preceded him either “fell in my lap” or initially were acquired for someone else. That’s pretty crazy considering I have been riding horses since I was in the single digits…
Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth Read More »
When I wrote my last blog, I was about to board a plane to embark upon a 10 day Caribbean cruise. In spite of issues with our plane, we did make it to Ft. Lauderdale and on board our ship the next day. We had rough seas and missed our first port, but good weather
Animal Welfare Here and There… Read More »
Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. Have you ever heard that saying? John Lennon used that phrase in his song “Beautiful Boy”, but the quote is said to have originated before that. I have certainly found that to be true in my life. Recently I had a client who experienced
Life is What Happens… Read More »
In Part One of this story, I wrote about riding in Estes Park in the summer of 2013, before the great flood that occurred that fall. I spent a great deal of time that first summer riding in Homestead Meadows, often by myself with just my dogs for company. Usually, I ran into at least a
Riding the Rockies AFTER the Flood Read More »
I spent two summers riding in Rocky Mountain National Park and the surrounding national forest. It was two of the most amazing summers I ever spent on horseback. Talk about a multi-sensory experience! I could HEAR the sound of hooves on the trail, SMELL the amazing scent of evergreen trees, SEE the majesty of the
Riding the Rockies, BEFORE the Flood Read More »
If I hadn’t seen it happen every year for the past 9 years, I wouldn’t recognize one of the two horses that greet me when I throw open the barn door. My beauty truly becomes a beast! My gorgeous, refined Arabian gelding turns into a woolly mammoth every winter. I have never seen a horse
Beauty Becomes the Beast Read More »
Anyone who has ever been on the back of a horse has had one (or more) of those “Uh-Oh!” moments when you really aren’t sure how things are going to unfold… Perhaps if you are a trainer or a lifelong rider, you don’t have those moments anymore. I have been riding since I was about
Pushed to My Limit! Read More »
Preview in new tab I am way past due for another blog, but it has been a very, very busy 6 weeks. I started a blog a couple of weeks ago but didn’t get it completed before heading out for a week of horse camping at 4-J Big Piney Horse camp. This past 6 months
Splints, Spoons and Snots Read More »
Recently a client asked me about DNA testing their dog. Years ago, I tested a couple of my own dogs, but I hadn’t thought about the DNA companies in quite some time. I do remember being less than convinced that the results on my dogs were accurate.
DNA Testing in Dogs.. Who’s Your Daddy? Read More »
It has been a couple of weeks or more since I last blogged. Much has happened, and I just wasn’t able to find the motivation to write about it… On June 21st I wrote “I Am Not Prepared” about my “dog of a lifetime,” Reilly. I wrote about how she had developed a wobbly gait. Sadly, I
As I mentioned previously, I am a small animal veterinarian, not an equine one. I can very accurately tell you the weight of just about any dog by looking at it. However, I’m not nearly as adept at assessing horse flesh. I told my equine vet friend about my young gelding’s attitude. After a visual
Gastric Ulcers in Horses Read More »
This is the fourth blog in a series about my education as it pertains to my horse’s education. If you haven’t read Part One, Part Two, and Part Three I would encourage you to start there. In this post, we pick up the story after two long, hard days of lunging 2 hours in order to get the most basic compliance from Finn,
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 4 in a Series Read More »
In Part One and Part Two of this series, I described how I learned the hard way about the need for groundwork to develop relationship and respect between my horse and me. At least, I had figured it out with my Arabian Kadeen, but I had to have a blunt reminder to address it with
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 3 in a Series Read More »
In Part One I described my “A-ha!” moment when I realized what my young trainer had been trying to tell me all along…. I did not have the respect and the relationship with my gray Arabian, Kadeen, that I needed to be successful. Once I figured that out and “raised the bar,” things really started
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 2 in a Series Read More »
This is the first in a series of blogs I am going to write about the need to have your horse respect you. It won’t be as much a “how to make it happen” blog as it will be an overview of what I have personally learned about gaining my horse’s respect, and what that
Does Your Horse Respect You? Part 1 in a Series Read More »
