The Little Spotted Guy's Story

In the summer of 2013 this little face showed up in a kill pen in northern Washington. He came in with a group of Appaloosas and Welsh Ponies. He was about 3, a cryptorchid stallion, and completely unhandled. This face reminded someone of a certain appaloosa we all know and love who came through the very same KP. Pony Up Rescue for Equines decided to be his angel and take him home.

He came in with a mare who was suspected to be his mother. In a short time he found himself away from the only world he had known. He was shy and not halter broke. The rescue attempted to use round pen work to connect with him When they didn't make enough progress they brought in someone to help halter him. They found he didn't have a mean bone is his body. He didn't try to kick or bite even in fear. Slowly they made progress. He tolerated a farrier and attention from people he trusted. He discovered treats. Just when the rescue made enough progress to send him for the complicated surgery needed to remove an undescended testicle ........peek a boo, the other ball came out to play. 

Two testicles meant an easier procedure so he was sent to training. He became a gelding and was started under saddle. He came back braver but still incredibly shy. The rescue continued to handle him and show him that people are good and trustworthy. Because he is so shy the appropriate home hasn't materialized. 

My mom died at about the same time my friend had an opening at her farm. My recently had to put down a kill pen rescue who was in too much pain. About that time there were also two older starved horses left in the kill pen. If my friend could make room for Pippin (new name) then the rescue would be able to pick up the oldies. My mom loved to rescue. One of her favourites was a little appy mare. So in the blink of an eye this little spotted king made his way to my friend's house. He had an amazing start from Pony Up. Now he gets the chance to to find his niche. He can take as long as he needs. More to come on my amazeballs friend and what they have been up to. 

* all these photos are from the kill pen before he came home with PU

Three Weeks

As of Monday (tomorrow) morning my parents will have been gone for three weeks. I was cleaning out the house this weekend and it was surreal to think just three weeks ago Mom and Chuck were still there. It's been a crazy three weeks. I requested an extended leave at work and getting the house cleaned has been a full time job. I really want to get it on the market before my hip surgery. Its a lovely property and not much needs to be done but people acquire a lot of stuff in 70+ years of life. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family. My dad and step mom have made sure at least one of them could meet me out there daily. Sometimes people lose out when their parents divorced. I lucked out and ended up with not one but TWO amazing sets of parents. Both of my step parents have been my best friends. My girlfriend is taking all next week off to tackle the barn and service planning. My BFF is amazing and makes the trek out to help too. And one of my barn BFFs spent her only day off packing dishes.

 The place is gorgeous. There is a big barn with half set up for horses and the other side is a man haven shop. Lots of room for tools and shelves for camping supplies. The other side had three big stalls and a tack room. The stalls all open up to the pasture and it is currently cross fenced so horses can go in their own paddocks at night. There is a lovely flat pasture in the back and miles of trails just across the private street. We've had many wonderful experiences there. 

I just keep putting one foot in front of the other and check things off my list. One of the things that keeps me going is imagining opening up these boxes in my new house that mom bought me. Some of the trunks she had already packed up and I like to think about her watching me open them. I think Chuck would like me using his tools even if sometime I almost lose a limb. If anyone needs some xc jumps built I have more than enough power tools to get it done. 

Pics I meant to be in that last post ;)

This is my parents poodle Bailey. He's been slowly adjusting. 

Dickie is already working on his summer coat. 

Bre is still sexy and happy. 

Treats please

The bro. He's dark bay with spots in the winter. 

Good Things and Bad Things

Hi everyone. I will probably be scarce on blogging for a few months. My mom and step dad died last Monday so I'm busy prepping a house with five acres and big barn to sell. There isn't much time for ponies and you wouldn't want to hear about what I'm doing all day.  

Dickie is doing well but he decided to poke his knee and my friends have been out giving him abx and cleaning the wound. It's not bad but I get nervous with cuts over joints. He's sound and still full of piss and vinegar. 

Bre is as pretty as ever. She made it through the whole winter without a blanket. She has started to shed like crazy. I went out for some pony therapy beauty parlor time on Friday. I can't wait for her shiny summer coat. 

In happy news I've decided to foster Dickies brother once probate closes. He needs me and emotionally I need a project like this. Dickie is to the point where he isn't a project. He's a horse I can get on and go to shows but I always crave a greenie. Isn't he cute? He has the same tb father as Dickie. They are the same age. His mom looked appy but we are thinking there might be some welsh in her. The farm that dumped him in the kill pen had a welsh stud. He moves much flashier (like a welsh) than Dickie and is smaller. He's not a pony but under 15h. He's the same color as Dickie in the winter but last summer had those pretty dapples. My friend who lives near the rescue is my partner in crime for this project. She will take him for a few months and get him used to being led in and out. Then once probate closes he will come here and get some under saddle training from me. 

Stay Tuned For Giveaway

This is a big teaser. By the end of the month I am going to set up a give way for my bonnets. I actually started selling them and set up a little Facebook page. I started out adding borders onto pre made bonnets but would get so annoyed at the asymmetry that I came up with my own pattern. My learning curve has been steep. I never picked up a crochet needle before September but my various injuries mean I have way too much time on my hands. I have always been against learning how to sew but made an exception for pony bonnet ears. Making the full bonnet increased my cost a bit but the difference in quality is worth it. I have more color options and can customize fit. The yarn I found is much better than what you find in the average store bought bonnet. I took the month of January off from new orders to catch up on my local orders and plan give a way on my blog for you guys and one over on my FB page.

Here is my business page if you have anyone in need of pony hats:
www.facebook.com/Bresbonnets

The top royal bonnet is one of my first. This color combo is striking in person. The royal I am using now is brighter so the colors pop even more. 

Between the royal and this one you can see where I started making more of the bonnet so everthing was neat and tidy. 

The brown ended up with pretty pink and turquoise crystals. I hope the owner sends me photos!!

This is when I started make the bonnets from top to bottom. It is for my friend who loves turquoise and bling. 

 I wish the black photographed better. I love this yarn. It is polished so the colors are really deep. I don't think they will fade either like many of the affordable bonnets do. Sometimes I wish I wasn't selling them and could keep all the bonnets for Dickie. 

This is for my friend's gelding. I wish the burgundy didn't look so bright. It the same color as the black and silver one above. I need to make Dickie one because he has a matching pad.

Riding Guilt

I had an MRI on the "good hip" on new years eve. I have been limping around and it feels almost as bad as the other on did pre surgery. The results are what I expected. I have a tear of the labrum (rim of the socket) and breakdown of the acetabular cartilage (the part lining the socket). That means the second I can have more FMLA (July) I will be back under the knife. That leaves me wondering what to do in the meantime. 

I feel like crap 90% of the day but far as just riding goes so far I feel pretty damned good. I have major limitations but I am so grateful to be in the saddle that I am happy with anything. My neck is sore and I have numbness in hands and right leg from the accident. However, of all the things I do in a day (including sitting on my arse) being on a horse is the least painful. Getting on is tricky but there is a tall mounting block and Dickie tolerates the flailing required to keep my hips lined up correctly during the process. 

Once I am on I feel great. Dickie doesn't have much rib cage and my saddle has a really narrow twist so he isn't a strain on the old lady hips. I won't be ready to canter on him for a long time, maybe not until after surgery #2. I am reallllly careful about my surgical hip I know what kind of pain is ok and I avoid that pain. We walk a bit, trot a bit, then leave the arena for the trail. I actually feel better after a ride for a few hours. 

Here's where my guilt comes in........ I am cutting back on work due to pain, seeing multiple people to treat the car accident injuries, limping around, and planning for yet another surgery. Non-horse people have to wonder how all of that compatible with getting on a giant animal. It's impossible to explain that not all riding is created equally. And for an experienced rider what I have been doing is easier than walking to the mailbox. It just feels like people are thinking I am reckless for riding right now. Or that I am being dramatic, if I am well enough to ride a horse I am well do other things.  

I don't know what I am looking for by saying it aloud. I guess I just needed to tell someone I am being smart about my riding. That I am not one of those people who says they are injured then spends all weekend at a tennis tournament. There's my useless worry for the day. My brain always has more where that came from. 

Grateful for 2014

**Pictures of the Spotted Princelet are chronological from 2014.

2014 definitely had it's rough patches. From the crazy barn owner who decided to lock up every one's tack unless we wanted to hand over some as collateral (she decided everyone was leaving without giving notice, we weren't BTW), to the nagging back/hip issues that culminated in surgery, family illnesses, and a car accident.

 I would be lying if I didn't admit I have been in a bit of a melodramatic pity party. However, the majority of the time I just keep thinking about how lucky I am. I am lucky to have a great job that pays well. I had disability benefits to cover the first surgery and a boss who took it easy on me when I came back. 

Being unable to work let me spend time with my step dad. He's such an amazing guy and I wouldn't be what I am today without him. I am so fortunate that both my parents married amazing people. 

I have a girlfriend who took time off and waited on me after surgery. I would have gone stir crazy without her. She watched hours of really stupid tv, put my pants on for me, and brought me snacks. My step momma hauled me to PT appointments and friends checked in on my horses. 

I found a wonderful trainer who is also a friend with a heart of gold. I had months where I couldn't do much more than sit around and she put up with drive buys to watch her ride and let me tag along on horsey adventures. 

I have friends who checked on my ponies, sat around on the couch with me, and kept calling even though I am not up to doing much beyond seeing the horses and resting. 

My barn situation started out rough but I landed at paradise just before surgery sidelined me. We have been at Sherwood for seven months now and I still can't find anyone wrong. He has a giant stall (14x12+), it's bedded so deep it looks clean even in after a night, he has daily turnout (real turnout, not the "oh we turnout" then as soon as winter hits they are in everyday), he has HUGE turnout. He's so happy there I don't think he has noticed my absence. 

I am soooo thankful for Dickie. He hasn't always been easy but he's turning out to be a fine young citizen. I can hop on him after weeks of not being ridden. The most excitement I get is the occasional scoot when he spots a horse coming towards the arena. I don't need to lunge him first. He will take my crippled self on the trail in the pouring rain and wind. I might get a snort or a prance here or there but nothing that requires any skill to stay with. 

I am pretty damned lucky the way I look at it.