Light Artillery - aka "Arty" aka "Maverick"
Stories from 2007 & 2008
April 20, 2008
Hellloooo All!
Not much new News, but wanted to give an update. Maverick should
be returning home to his best buds Reba and Gambler by May 2. I should
be home in early June and until that time my best bud and roommate
Shaila, Gamblers owner will still be at my house to help him get
all settled back in.
Before leaving last fall I worked really hard
on getting some good cross fencing up and getting rye, clover,
and then summer turf grasses planted. The whole place is GREEN now,
with enough grass the horses can't eat it all down! My mom was up
there checking on everything earlier in the week and said that the
dogs could ambush each other in the tall grass! No snakes seen since
I've lived there, I think there's normally too much going on. But
I cannot tell everyone how excited I am about going home to green
pastures and Maverick poking his big ol' head in my window or "ringing
my doorbell" or pacing the fence line as I check the mail or
watching him race the mail station wagon in the mornings, or him
mud painting the side of the barn after it rains! I really can't
wait!
The Greiners have really been a huge help letting Maverick
spend his summer with them! They have stayed in wonderful touch
and did their best to give him all the TLC he would take. For Easter
Mrs. Greiner even went to the extent of making him home made
horse muffins! She said Maverick was like what is this....? Not carrot
flavor in his opinion! ha ha. She said she left some in the pasture
with him in case he changed it mind just to see monster squirrels
taking the muffins as loot and Maverick watching very sadly.
Not funny, but I could picture it! They both said he really likes
the cool spring mornings; that he'll prance and gallop around and
sling his head and will strike out with his front legs and make the
ground tremble when he passes! I envy them for that almost as much
as I appreciate their help! I miss hearing him munch on grass outside
my open window as I wake in the mornings...again soon....
They told me a very funny story about Maverick. Mrs.
Greiner said that she was looking out the window and saw Maverick
slinking across the pasture. She said he looked like a cat stalking
something. I can just picture this BIG RED HORSE inching with long
quiet steps through the field. She said she looked and saw a large
crane in the field. She said Maverick was trying to sneak up on it!
She said this went on for a bit then WHOA!!! He ran for the hills
remembering his fight or flight skills and leaving his catlike stalk!
The crane had apparently moved. He will find anything to make a show!
I tell ya he's got character.
Maverick is quiet the "man". I never wrote this before,
but a while back when I was home, I was talking to a few people over
at the house. Well I had let Maverick into the yard to graze. And
wasn't I guess paying him the 100% attention he thought he deserved
so he had been nudging my back, nestling my neck with his whiskers
and top lip, even leaned on me some....well before I knew it all
I saw was blue! I was wearing a blue shirt...put one and one together....That
Dang Maverick had grabbed the bottom of my shirt in his teeth and
lifted his head...high...he's tall...this left my undergarments showing!
What a mess! I swear he knew what he was doing!
Well Mrs. Greiner said Maverick had been "flirting" with
some of the horses across the way in the neighbors pasture. She
said she was out with him teasing him...and giving him a hard time.
The way us horse people talk to our horses, since they can understand
it all. Well she said he hadn't tried to really bite before, but
he looked at her and went for just by her knee...like hey knock it
off, I just think she's cute! He is too funny!
Unfortunately despite all Mr. Greiner's attempts to spend time
with him Maverick is actually lifting his hind leg to kick at
him. We are coming to the conclusion he likes females better,
maybe it's just our demeanor, but Mr. Griener is definitely nice
enough, I think Maverick may be taking slight advantage of him.
We'll try and get this habit nipped in the bud. They also mentioned
he is cribbing more and more. We have decided against the collar
for now because he had that white "old injury" mark when I got him from
one. I think it's boredom to be honest. Least I hope. He seems all
well otherwise. He's had his feet done, spring vet check up, and
deworming all taken care of. I really love him and think the world
of him but had to mention his newly developed habits so that I can
update on his improvements later.
I can not wait to give him big kisses and hugs. It's a bitter
sweet filling. I won't have Maverick until Jared is gone. Something
about this picture just isn't right. A year from now I see it
all being different, having my horse and husband all at once,
o how joyous it shall be!
By the way I do think I drooled at Paula's new pictures
with Joe Bear. I remember him being worked while I was there "horse
shopping" for
Maverick, and the way he moved, and how much Paula was
at one with him then. And now they are learning "to fly!" Good
for them!!!
I still love the website! Trust all is well! Do expect
many picts and updates after June!!! :}
-Amanda :}
March 8, 2008 - Maverick is at "Horse Camp"
Hey Again!
So Maverick likes his new family! They sent me some pictures and
emails…wanted to share with everyone! He is in pasture alone
for now, but they said he acts like Mr. Big towards the two TB’s
in the pasture across from him…running… neighing … and
prancing all about!
He is really starting to open up to the father
and daughter so I hear. Mr. Steve is 6’7 and said when Maverick
tries to reach over his shoulders it’s more like leaning on
his shoulders! Ha ha! I don’t think they have tried riding
him yet, he’s still getting settled and becoming friends with
everyone on the ground.
Maverick has an open field pasture and with
pines and high green grass in all the shade. I am so relieved he’s
got people to rotten him up 24/7 until I can be back home or have
him out here! I will send updates as they send them to me. In the
pictures Maverick looks sweaty from strutting his stuff up and down
the fence line!
Hope all is well and Yeah for Artrageous and
his first new baby!
-Amanda :}
February 2008
Hey Elizabeth, Barry, and all the critters!
News from Texas…I really am still hating San Antonio. We live in the very
city part of it. The apartment is quiet a change from the small Georgia town
mini farm. The only way I stay sane is taking comfort in the fact that it is
only temporary.
I have decided horse people are the best kind of people! I am
trying to make some connections out here. Base will not have any openings in
their stables until March sometime and I am expected to be back home sometime
just around or after May. Shaila and my family have been wonderful these past
few months, making sure all my big babies are still cared for.
I am working
at Banfield the Pet Hospital out here. The vet that is inside all
the Petsmart. I do enjoy my work. The other day an older lady came
in and of course our conversation drifted to horses. I offered
to muck her stall, feed, brush, or anything just to be able to smell
and pet horses out here! It is driving me crazy…1st
step is admitting your addiction…but I don’t ever want this addiction
curbed! Any ways she looked at me somewhat stunned. I didn’t know what
to expect I had told her I didn’t expect pay. Then she informs me her husband
died just in the weeks past, and she was really falling behind. She has four
lesson horses and runs WestCreek Riding Academy. She said I was like an answer
to her prayers. So we’ll see where this goes…
Now about Arty…I have been calling him "Maverick". My nickname has always been Goose. And on Top Gun, Goose and Maverick
are great friends and fly together, kinda of like me and handsome.
Maverick sort of goes along with his real name Light Artillery. He
knows Maverick is his name. Enough crunchy carrots and apple treats
will reinforce anything!
For Christmas my mom flew me home for two weeks. Bet
you can’t guess who
I spent the most time with…yeap my horses! I attached quiet a
few pictures from the trip home. You can pick and choose between them
to update our page. We didn’t take any awesome action shots like
some of the other horses have from shows and stuff, but you can tell
Maverick is loved. The one of his big nosey face in mom’s truck
was almost embarrassing to send. I promise he never hurts himself, but
gets into any and every thing.
Thoroughbred horse, Light Artillery aka "Maverick" would get in the
car if he could.
Mom was sitting with the door open on
the passenger side talking on the phone while we were all outside.
She said she felt warm air on her neck…turns around…and what
does she see? None other than Maverick! If it’s not the doorbell,
tack room, mailbox, front porch, it’s him in a car window! He is
the funniest horse I’ve ever known! He’s got the biggest
personality!
The darker picture of my brother also attached with him
isn’t the best, but it cracks me up
every time I look at it. Their faces match! Then in the picture
of me lying on his neck was on one of our night rides he has his
tongue out! Such a turkey!
Keep in mind as you read the next part that the last
time Maverick was ridden was before I moved to Texas in September.
Well end of December I am back home visiting, so time to bring the
saddles back out. Maverick stood, not tied while I brushed and saddled
him up, even while putting on his bell boots, tightening the
girth…everything. He was perfect on each and every ride.
My brothers and I got in as many rides as possible. Some turned
out to be short, some longer, and a few at night. Maverick
was Perfect! Not a single buck! Never once tried to pull ahead
too strongly. He stayed just as confident in the darkness as
ever. This was such a relief because my brothers were a bit
timid about riding. They are great riders, but have been brain
washed by certain family members that horses are crazy. Now
every time I check my phone, I have a call from them asking
if they can take the horses out for a ride. It’s wonderful
to be able to share such a hobby and enthusiasm!
Light Artillery with Amanda's brother preparing for a night ride
with "headlights".
Luke and Zeke
were more scared of the dark than the horses. Notice in the
pictures one has a large Q-beam light strapped to the horn
and the other basically has a head light on his forehead. (You
might be a redneck if…sadly enough to admit it) The
horses handled the quick bright lights bobbing around like
pros! Any ways, I had a blast with Maverick while I was back
home!
I am considering letting Maverick go to “horse
camp” until I get
home. My aunt has a wonderful friend. He is a pilot and does
English competitions on his seven horses. Nothing is final yet but
he may give Maverick attention for me for the next few months. I
know Maverick enjoys time off, but it seems such a waste. I want
him to still get the attention he craves daily. The man has been
long term friends and neighbors with my aunt. He’s got a ranch
in Central Florida. It won’t be a lease, if everything works
out. I am not doing it for the money, more the experience. He
can have another horse to work with this season. And Maverick
will get to show off his stuff, and I will have a peace of
mind. I will require him to stay in very
close contact. And my aunt is just down the road to do check
on him. I told her she’ll have to take
pictures so we can all stay updated and cheer Maverick on.
Maverick is going to know every trick in the book from team
roping, cows, trail riding, swimming, night riding, and now
touch up the foundations y'all started with jumping and dressage
possibly!
Light Artillery and friend relax in the pasture while Amanda is
away in Texas.
I miss him, but will miss him the same in GA as
if he were in FL, but I’ll know he’s getting
a time to shine. He loves to show off!
I have mentioned Arelene Kirkland in a few of my prior updates.
She really is my best friend! I admire her. She has horse talent
like nobody else (except Elizabeth…)
Any ways, she retired he older roping horse, and has a new one she is training.
We have been keeping good contact. Neither one of us can wait to work our boys
together. They have a dirt track to work and build up the horses out in. There
is also a large pen and plantations to ride in. Not to mention a pond the horses
can cool down in the summer in. Any ways, while Jared is deployed in Iraq, Arelene
and I have decided well keep my mind off of it by really working our horses.
She is also the one that rides her Arab in Endurance competitions. Maverick sure
gave Taz a run for his money in the national forest though. Taz took quicker
steps, but Mavericks’ were longer. Any ways, us horse
girls have big plans for when I get home. Arelene is quiet
the picture taker, so hopefully lots of good action pictures
to be looking forward to after May! I wish I had more details
to update with, but I am not there. Be assured Maverick is
fat and happy right now with his buds Reba and Gambler.
By the way I look at the www.bitsandbytesfarm.com web
site every time I get online. I love it! I get so excited
with all the updates. Best of luck and wishes to all!
And just as a disclaimer for the husband…Jared
isn’t in any
of these pictures yet. The guy that is listed as Jared
is one of my good friends Cody Perrault from high school.
I taught him to ride over this past spring/summer.(Editors
note: Name correction made) And he always snagged dibs
on Maverick when we were going swimming! Next time I
come to Texas it will be with the horses, and Jared will
be back from the war, and then we’ll get some new “family
portraits”.
Keep up all the great work, your horses are impressing
people everywhere!
-Amanda.
PS. - I am attaching a wedding pictures too. It was very informal,
but was very special. We hope to have an official honey moon and
white dress wedding when Jared returns from deployment. Best of
luck with everything! You do a wonderful job even if you feel stretched
thin at times. I admire the woman you are!
-Amanda and Maverick!
Elizabeth's Note: We are very proud of the work
Amanda has done with former Horse For Sale - Light
Artillery. She
is juggling the life of a young woman who has just gotten married
and moved away from home for the first time. She has kept her commitment
to the former race horse she purchased from Bits & Bytes Farm. We
also want to extend our thanks and prayers to her husband Jared who
is serving in Iraq with the US Air Force. May God bless and watch
over all of our friends and family members who are serving in the
military so we can be safe at home. Thanks to them we can keep helping
get Thoroughbeds off-the-track and into great homes like Amanda's.
October 1, 2007
Hello!
I just spent almost an hour looking at the farm web site "Skinny"/Flame is
beautiful! What an amazing difference from two years ago! My mare
QH was like that! She is not white, but golden now and have grown
up and out! If I had nothing but lots of land I would take Flame,
but I hope he gets a great permanent home soon!
Arty is doing well.
I took him over to some friends of the family's home. They live
10 mins or so down the back roads from my place. Mrs. Arlene has
done a lot of training. She won a team penning competition with her
husband at 8 1/2 months pregnant. The husband Mr. Johnny got to travel
with the Navy many years ago to do rodeos. Their son Travis moved
to Dixie, FL near Orlando to train with the trick riders and horses
to the Arabian Knights shows!
A week into his time over there he
pulled a shoe and was rested for about three weeks and brought
back home. He is still such a baby! All the horses just had their
fall vaccines and teeth done.
I just got to Texas this week. Let
me fill you in. I got married to Jared, who is in the Air Force,
a long time friend and horse buddy. He is stationed at Lackland AFB
in San Antonio, Texas at least through his first deployment in
Dec. So I moved out here for Oct-Dec. There are stables on base,
but the haul seemed very long for a temporary stay. So Arty and all
his friends are still at my place. My best friend and roommate Shaila
is staying there and tending to the animals. Her horse Gambler is
there too. I miss them all dearly, but wanted to spend time with
Jared. My pets have been there when others haven't so I can't wait
to be back with all of them!
Late 2008 we hope to be closer to South
GA/North FL then I will bring my two horses. My mom and brothers
are keeping up with picking up hay in the trailer and my vet, farrier,
and feed store all know to do anything needed. I am sending some
more picts. Arty and Jared
are the two gentlemen, comedians, and loves in my life!
Hope all
is well and all the horses too!
-Amanda.
September 3, 2007
Hello!
Arty is doing very well. The past month or so we have worked a lot
together. Other people have ridden him. Shaila's younger sister
Erin just adores him. My friend Cody has Arty as his top pick when
we go swimming. Arty had seen a lot coming from y'all's farm. He
needed some finishing touches though. I was very busy June and
July of this summer and didn't spend as much time with him as I
would have liked. I think he picked up on this. His attitude changed.
He would make it a game to be caught. Smart horse! That way I would
HAVE to give him attention. He pulled back on his lead. Through
round pen work, and bonding time we are dong WONDERFUL again!
Who says ex-race horses can't have a second
career? Light Artillery wears a Western saddle and herds cows with
his new dad, Jared. September 2007
He
is such a baby. I have him at some friends of the family's place
now. They have 40 acres about 15 minutes from my house and it's
on the way home. He is fat from all the grass and sleek! He ended
up ripping a shoe off the front and making parts of his hoof too
short, so he is bare now, and toughening up. But I am putting shoes
back on next farrier visit. I can whistle again now and he will
come cantering across the field to me. When I leave he is like
a kid at day care telling mom bye. I told him this was just summer
camp. He whinnies to me when I get out my car.
The boy has a soft
spot in my heart! We share diner together st least 3x a week. He
is being worked around cows again. He loves it, surprisingly! The
bangs of the metal gate don't startle him. He likes the busy atmosphere
I think. We are giving him some "absorbing" time this
week. He is back down to a gentle western curb bit. The use of
the quick stop for about 3-5 weeks eliminated bucking, getting
faster and faster from a canter, and not wanting to stop. He will
now quietly canter in the front or back. I can also stop him to
a fast walk/slow sideways trot with the other horse still ahead
cantering. Or we can pass then other horse without the rockets
going off for take off. He is so kind hearted.
Reba and Gambler
miss him. I miss him being my yard horse when I am outside at
the house. I can't wait for him to be back home so I can look at
the window when I think it's thundering and see him running laps
and horse playing with Gambler. It is for the best and he is doing
very well to have him at the Kirkland's place now though. I will
try and give better updates and when someone watches us work
get them to take picts.
The hardest part of working with ground manners
is demanding my space. I want him to love up on me. But right
now he can only do it during non-work time outside of the pen.
Within just a few moments he was turned face in, not rear, and respecting
my space, then coming back in. He is so intelligent, and I
think that is why some of the problems came in earlier this summer.
He's smart, knows it and demanded me to work him and give him more
attention. He is much more lax now too. He is wonderful! I still
get compliments riding down the plantation roads, all little kids
stare. He just eats up the attention!
Amanda
July 9, 2007
Jared and Amanda with their horses.
March 13, 2007
Good Beautiful Morning! Today is going to be a wonderful day! It
is absolutely gorgeous weather this time of year. Warm enough to
give baths and play around, but not too sticky-icky hot. I gave all
the horses a bath last week. Shaila and I went for a ride on a breezy
afternoon. I said to her that I could smell her hair all the way
behind her. She laughed and said it was not hers. It was the horses!
They all smelled of coconut and other fruity scents! They had to
get a bath because earlier in the week I had burned parts of the
pasture and woods behind the house, and the soot made a wonderful
dress-up time for ALL the pets. My yellow lab, red nose bull dog,
2 chestnuts and palomino were ALL BLACK! The morning I awoke to them
they all looked so innocent. It was quiet the sight. Arty didn't
have a white spot on his face it was a faint gray! Forget the white
socks too! The farrier is coming this afternoon. Arty and I also
have a trail date, so today is going to be an all horse day! Wewhoo!
He's still just as comical as ever, always interested in any and
everything! After today's ride and the next trip to the store I should
have more stories and pictures to share.
-Amanda.
P.S. I worked at Red Hills Horse Trails Fri-Sunday. Each horse that
passed I scrutiny examined (none matched up to MY Light Artillery!)
but to see if I could recognize them from y'all's farm! All the jumpers
and competitors have me itching to ride this afternoon!
Amanda
February 20, 2007
Good Morning! Hope all is well at the farm. It has been quiet chilly
down here, can't image the weather further north. Every morning the
horses trot around. They are always cuttin' up and dashing around
in the field. Trees and the barn are obstacles to go around, and
the planted pines in the back are race paths.
I haven't been able
to ride as much as over the break, I must sadly admit with a full
school and work load. But when Arty & I do go out we really make
it count. We have taken many night rides in the DARK! (with funny
sounds and movements in the woods) Sunday afternoons are a guaranteed
ride though. These are normally about 3-4 hours. Considering me and
Shaila's mounts, you can bet that we make good time covering ground.
So it should be a given that we come to ditches, creeks, puddles,
ponds, bridges, down or fallen logs, as well as sighting abundant
wildlife.
The horses don't spook from the white-tails moving in the
trails and in the palmettos, they seem to enjoy it. Fleeting quail
keep them on their toes. And a opossum is broad daylight stopping
to focus at these big things with things on them is always a sight!
One of our favorite rides is down the power lines. This sounds innocent
and calm in nature, oh but what an adventure it is!!! A down fence,
lightly beaten path, waterline are all up for exploration!
A neighbor
kid had nothing better to do than follow us so we played hide and
go seek. Having four hoofers over a four wheeler was a great advantage.
The game turned more into tag than anything, eventually we lost sight
and sound of one another, and Shaila and I were off for more ventures!
Arty has almost 100% adapted to my style of riding, that when I
lean this way I want that, and this cue means this...etc. He can
sense my excitement, free will attitude, or even most importantly
when it's time to be serious. The first part of the ride was all
giggles, jumps, and canters, and random detours, with no end destination
in the mind. Heavy rain had washed much of a clay cross over away
over a creek. Arty had been so excited before prancing around and
even whinnied once, but he felt me change and he sniffed the ground,
pawed at it, and we crossed quietly and safely!
We have progressed
so far together. In the past month there were a few butt poppings
in the air, but no bucks, and they were "Ahh did you see my form
over that jump, or I want to go faster...please"...or ahh blue skies,
NO get off of me or mean bucks! They were small bursts of glee! WEEE!
He is still just as much of a character out from under the saddle.
He's not ringing the doorbell, but he will
knock...and HONK MY HORN in the truck. I was home alone inside. I had unloaded feed and hay
and left my truck by the barn with the window down...yep he had been
investigating the changed parking space and sniffing feed fumes,
by himself Reba and Gambler were off grazing and enjoying the sunshine....but
leave it to Mr. Big Arty...HONK!!!! That turkey, he is sooo funny!
I hadn't seen the movie Dreamer yet. Last week Lance,
Shaila, Erin, and I all watched it, the second time through we all
fell out asleep like lil indians on the floor. I am sure we all dreamed
our horsey dreams...so of course bright and early the first thing
we wanted to do was to go riding! Those type of movies always seem
to do that. Watching the race clip of the movie got me to wondering
if you think any of Arty's previous owners or trainers might have
any videos or pictures of him running!?!?! I might look through that
info you gave me when I first picked him up and see what I can find
out...OOOO FUN!
Going out to catch the horses has never been a chore.
they follow me any and everywhere, except for that morning. No we
played run from Amanda, Shaila, and Erin. Ha ha watch them try to
catch us. Well Gambler got suckered in with some treats. I hopped
on bareback and rode down the drive way trying to catch the others
attention. I jumped a pine limb, and oh look a there Arty is flying
with a good three ft over clearance...He was jealous! But also easy
to catch at that point. He was showing me he would jump to and follow.
We saddled up and rode by the dairy farm...and saw....a brown tall
slender "cow" with a rider...NO IT WAS ANOTHER HORSE! KEWL!
Gambler and Arty did big prances up to the other horse. I know we
were dancing on the tree tops. It was the herdsman from the dairy
farm working a 3yr old Paso he brought with him from Mexico! His
pony darted sideways and our well seasoned boys just watched. Interests
rose though, so with some distance we let them meet. It was an unexpected
surprise. Later in the ride Arty and Gambler speed walked against
each other progressing into a quick trot then pulling into a canter,
but then stayed side by side contently. This was nice, me and Shaila
could talk for the first time while letting them go faster than a
trot nest to each other. Normally I am in front setting the pace,
and Gambler brings up the rear. The best way to start another busy
hustle week is with a ride, the horses have one ear up at all times
and swivel the other listening to us chatter and at the surrounding.
Arty has a vet appointment this afternoon to get a
health certificate. We have a big trip planned for the weekend! Some
friends and family are all getting together to go down to Leesburg,
FL. There is a Angus beef farm that invited us to help herd some
of their new calves, back into the regular spring area. There is
about 1,500 head of cattle on 3,000 (!) acres! We will camp at least
one night of the trip. I think this will top off all the bonding
Arty & I
have had already! At least he is used to cows that run at him and
MOO (the Holsteins at the dairy farm) and these we're going to herd
will run AWAY! I am sure there will be many pictures and stories
to tell! Take care!
Amanda
January 20, 2007
Oh the stories to tell! We go together like peanut butter and jelly! Ha ha.
I got a lot of riding in over Christmas break. Family was up a lot. No one else is yet to ride Arty except up the driveway. Everyone is in awe of his movement, and he makes me look good! The secret is he looks harder to ride than he is. Shhhh...
No Arty isn't ringing the doorbell yet, but he does knock! One of the pictures I sent you looks just like blinds, but a closer glance will show.. ears...a white marking...a HORSE! He is such an attention ham!
I know why he is orange. He eats enough carrots to have the vitamin A overload that would turn a hippo orange! He likes to race the old station wagon that delivers the mail to our house out in the middle of no-where south Georgia. I always know when the mail women is there. She'll rev the old chuck wagon up and turn sharpe around our corner lot. Arty or Mr. Big beats her every time! The wagon probably tops out at 20mph (downhill), but still. I am going to have to figure out the camera so I can send a video! If I am home before dark I lead him down the drive and around the property to get the mail, and take a slight detour, over for a fast food pickup of Rye grass and crimson clover to go from the field. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence!
One of the best traits Arty has for trail riding is he collects him self instead of freaking and startling himself further. A deer, no exaggeration bounded out of some palmettos about 7 feet in front of us! WHOA!!!! WHEW!!! GEEZZZ! He stopped, snorted, blew, turned his neck to make sure he wasn't alone and still had four legs. Then went on like everything was fine as long as no spotted MOOing horse eaters were around he was fine. And actually we can walk...well okay float, prance and dance past the cows now! He is such a good boy! I am now known as the girl with that big cool horse and those pretty two little ones that drives a big truck.
Arty just charmed one of our neighbors! Ooo can he work it baby! Not only did he come over all interested in their four wheeler, but nuzzled her neck. She had just got new perfume that day, and said he was the first man to tickle her neck since. It was funny. Then he just wouldn't leave her alone. The son even enjoyed rubbing his face. He would turn sideways for a neck scratch. Arty likes little kids. He likes to lower his head to be on their level.
Shaila, her sister Erin, and I went to go get our hair colored. We all finally got the courage up to go un-natural! We all got the dark mahogany, auburn, and golds, just like....Arty's tail! Now we all really do have pony tails! I've said before Arty is a puppy. If I rub his ole side just right he will turn a nibble, not nip or bite. He's such a baby.
My baby did manage to get my off though. Ooooo! It was the first cool evening, windy, first ride in about 3 days, new shoes, and extra rider (on Gambler)...and an open plowed field not far from the house. We had already had a nice canter, and he was feeling it. I would let him strut it all the way home. I asked for a walk. He gave it...for a while...well the next time he stopped for me..stopped trotting, and went a-buckin' rodeo style. The 5th buck got me side saddle, no reins, one stirrup, kinda. And the 6th buck got me off! He bolted for home. Realizing he couldn't get back in, came back over the Gambler and us in the field. And when he saw me I literally saw his spirits drop. His change in expression was enough to show me he was just feeling good! Getting my breath back, he did everything to please me. He stood perfectly for me to mount, and was quiet the gentleman the rest of the ride. I think we needed one of those experiences. He has had one crow hop since over about 20 hours of riding. And this hop came when Gambler got out of sight when I took Arty down a side trail to do a few jumps.
Oh and jumps...he is the most coolest bestest funniest mostest awesomest horse ever! He he we get to show off! He hasn't refused a creek, ditch, of log yet. He is smart about where he places his feet and whether to step over/across or jump. I love my pet horse. He was asleep in the hay, scared me actually because he was laid out flat, and didn't flinch when I called him, but turns out he was just snoozing away! I went and sat in the hay where he lay. He acknowledged my presence by lifting his head, laying his nuzzle on my lap. Awe...he has my heart! I laid by him for probably 10 minutes!
This holiday season I was thankful for my family, job, friends, house, and pets - especially ARTY! I need a video for his mud bath too. Some of the break was warmer, and there are many lakes and ponds around the house...Arty has come to have a direct pull to them. He sees water...and a good time in one! He loves to blow bubbles and splash. KAAh-PLOOSHH! Kaahh-Plouushhhh! ha ha. He soaked Shaila. Gambler doesn't even have to splash, Arty has enough flying water to irrigate a field.
The other morning I was out in the rocking chairs on the porch, and surprisingly he wasn't all up in my business, but was making me laugh. I was some what dazed out, but he snapped me out of it. He was stretching. Literally stretching on purpose! He was in a position like he was going to pee, nope lean forward, bounce 1 and 2 and 3 and hold. Lean forward, bounce 1 and 2....then he would grunt a little then he stretched his neck all up into the sky...then to each side! WHAT?!?! I knew he was doing it on purpose then he walked over like, Ok all stretched all loose for a ride. Ready?!?! HA HA! I am going sometime this week to buy that book, "Stretching for you and your horse". I think he deserves it.
Lance drove my truck earlier in the week and I had his. He said when he got home the horses acted all crazy coming down to the gate. He got out and they kinda just went back to horse life. He said they thought I was home. Awe my babies! Arty is a wonderful part of my everyday life!
Thank you so much again,
I don't think I will ever be able to show all my grattiude!
Amanda
Light Artillery makes himself right at home on the front porch on Thanksgiving Day. Wait till he learns to ring the doorbell! Amanda will never get any rest!
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