Happy Spring ....
is it safe to say that? Or are we due for one more arctic blast?
I wake up every morning and sling my legs over the side of the
bed, peering out my bedroom windows and hoping to see the sun.
I look out the back window and take a head count - Haiaku, Precious
KC, Asha, Arne, Bob Cook - yup - all there and looking for the
sun, like me.
I walk to the kitchen
and peer out my window -
taking a count of the horses in the lower arena. Then my eyes
turn to look out my living room window to take count there.
I am surrounded! What a blessing to be so wonderfully saturated
and yet what an awesome, anxiety-producing responsibility all
at the same time.
I want to share about
the clinic, and thank those that attended. We had people there
to observe and take in the expertise of Sue and Troy from Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, Chicago, Illinois, and Michigan, as well as from
near and far in Wisconsin. The day was a lesson for me in a
lot of ways.
When I awoke last
Saturday morning I expected the sun's rays to be warming the
hides of my equine compasnions, but instead I saw the wind and
moisture. No rain - just dampness... yuk. I was praying for
sun, but I would gladly accept the day as long as it didn't
rain on our clinic. Troy, one of the clinicians, had joked with
my husband that I wouldn't be up when they arrived at 8 am.
Just to spite them all, I got up even before my husband did
- at 6 am! I went outside and fed the horses, got dressed, and
was halfway presentable by 8 am. Troy was stunned, and poked
some fun with me. I know I am the brunt of a lot of jokes about
getting up on Saturdays (they are the only day I usually can
sleep in until 9 am or so!).... I admit it! Anyway, before long
people began to arrive and I invited them in for some hot coffee.
One horse already
here, and four on their way.... and four coming from our own
neighborhood. There were only four Standardbreds - the other
horses were a mix of Arabians and Pintos and ponies. I want
to say a special thanks to Terry and Katie, who volunteered
their time to haul and deliver and few horses from around Viroqua.
Now we needed the riders to match their horses! Where were they?
Oh well - the clinic got started a few minutes after 9 am. .
. kind of reminded me of trail rides that never start on time.
Before too long, the clinic began, with trainers answering questions
according to each participant's individual needs and riding
styles. There were two fairly green horses there, and then there
were very well trained horses there. All were wonderfully unique
and made the clinic as uniquely special as it was. The outdoor
arena (150 x 300) was suitable, but a little wet in some places.
Next year I will have my indoor!!!!
In hindsight, I can
laugh about some things. Things like my own horses who never
pay attention to other horses being led or ridden to the outdoor
arena suddenly becoming extreme distractions during the clinic,
almost to the point of frightening the clinic horses! Cricket
was especially naughty Saturday. She would begin at one end
of the pasture and RIP and buck and run all the way to the arena
and stop short the arena panels. That caused Chief and even
Star (who is 28 and usually only walks anywhere he goes!) to
join in the fun. Finally the trainer hollered up to me, asking
me to put my horses away. I had to catch them all and put them
in the back round pen, for peace sake.... I felt like I had
naughty children, or naughty students!
My mother in law
could not make it to serve lunch, as she had thought she would.
She delivered the wonderfully-made-from-scratch barbecue and
went home. So, Craig and I took turns at the stove and crock
pot, and setting up the table for lunch. As this was going on,
the gal who came from Cedar Rapids had her heart set on riding.
I saddled up Janimal the first time for her to ride, with her
own English saddle. She just could not sit his gait in the arena.
She left the arena to come back up to the barn to unsaddle,
and Janimal decided he would rather go up to the round bale.
So.... he did! There she sat on his back, while he was munching
hay calmly around the other horses. Marisa got Janimal and brought
him back to the hitching post. The gal decided to give Chief
a try. He was very well-mannered in the arena, although the
gal was less than comfortable in a Western saddle that fit Chief
properly. Chief was just happy to be out and be giving what
he thought was a lesson!
I went inside to
check on the meal and set the tables up. Just then I saw our
friend Pete carrying his 6th grade son over his shoulder to
the porch. Next thing I knew - they were asking me for gauze
bandages and something to wash off a wound with. Right after
this my head and heart got fuzzy - they believed he had a fracture
of the leg from a kick from another horse that was in the arena
during the clinic. The horse meant to kick the horse that the
boy was riding - the boy became the victim of a blow given by
two back legs of the mare. Today this little boy is in surgery
in La Crosse, and we are so very sorry that this happened. It
kind of set the tone for the rest of the afternoon, since we
all became very solemn and distraught. He will be alright, but
this only goes to show that horses are very powerful animals
that deserve our full attention and respect and discipline.
This has never happened at our place before, and hopefully it
will never happen again. No one's fault - just an accident -
but the reality of the damage that can be done by a horse will
always be with us.
This brought another
thought to my mind.... the security and self-confidence that
I have always experienced working with Standardbreds. With 750
horses having been placed, and many of them to our farm prior
to placement and adoption, we have never had an incident of
a horse breaking anyone's bones (knock on wood!~!!). Maybe it
is also a testament to our ability to judge the safe horses
from the not-so-safe horses and to match horses to people accordingly.
I don't think I am an expert at anything, and am always learning.
What I DO KNOW is that the Standardbred horse has given me 12
years of experience in matching horses to people, with much
success. This is due wholly to the people who handle the breed
from day 1, the people who love their horses and train their
horses and race their horses, and then allow us the privilege
of taking them to place and the majority of the time it is a
joyful, safe experience! This is the beauty of the Standardbred,
and why I stand behind the breed that gives me such passion
for what we do.
I finally got through
lunch, choking back tears. We resumed the clinic, and I shot
out to the round pen to pull out Randy and Janimal and get them
saddled up. Hannah was right behind me, ready to ride. Ready,
set, go! Away we went on a little road ride first - a glorious
trot down the road one way, then the other. Hannah (an exuberant
9 year old rider) wanted to go faster, faster, faster.... but
we kept a moderate pace and then started to the arena to join
the clinic. What? What's that? I saw the trainers coming up
- what did you say? The clinic is over? Well, I guess I missed
it.... late again! Nevertheless, Hannah and I rode longer and
soon it was time for her to join her brother at the hospital.
The sadness of everyone
leaving before I had time to spend with them settled upon me,
and I started chores alone. It had been a wonderful, horrible,
event-filled day. Troy and Sue were UNBELIEVABLE and you will
see by the testimonly of one of the people attending the clinic
that they definitely will be asked back for another clinic before
too long.
I have more pictures
of Mayatuk to show you, and he is almost 30 pounds now at 12
weeks! I guess he will be almost 14 weeks by the time you read
this. He is such a quiet, smart, sweet pup. We love him dearly.
Oh, to add to Saturday,
my husband gave me one of those "head down, eyebrows up"
kind of looks when I came inside. Turns out an owner/trainer
from Chicago had called to "remind" us that there
were SIX horses arriving on Sunday to our farm. I told my husband
not to worry - I would take care of it. I got the trainer/owner
to agree to wait until next weekend to come. In the meantime,
I have at least five horses to find foster homes for. If you
know of anyone, could you give me a call? That doghouse and
kennel get awfully chilly this time of year.......
Hugs,
Susan
