Out of the blue

[2birds]

So this evening after stripping out one of my horses stall I got her ready for a ride. She tore the ligaments in her hock about 7 months ago and I have been slowly rehabbing her. She was being a royal pain in the butt, pulling back on her halter, dancing around, pawing, etc. Very unusual for her. She's always been kind of a pain because she is very curious but not a nervous or antsy horse. Anyway, I finally get her ready and we head out. We barely got to the end of the drive and WHAM!! Lightening bolt. I'm not really sure where it hit but it was a big flash and a crack at the same time. I even heard the electricity buzz and the hair on my body stood up. That horse just flinched and then froze. Mares can be a pain in the you know what, but if they love you they will give you a 125% and take care of you. I love that girl.

[kendrafitz]

OMG! That is crazy! You must have been freaked out. What a good girl!

[2birds]

It was crazy Kendra. The sky was fairly blue except for a black cloud in the distance. Laela was a good girl, she could have easily freaked out and left me in the dust if she wanted to. We high tailed it back to the barn for sure.

[Mare]

Whoa! That's crazy, as in crazy scary stuff. I've taken many tumbles from horses and don't wish to take another, thank you very much! I'm so happy for you that Layla took care with you! Lucky girl, indeed!

[Maddy]

That is crazy!

Lori, I would love if you could share some pictures of your horse when you have the time! :)

[2birds]

Maddy I have 3. Bella, Laela, and Star. Star's nickname is CooCoo. This is Laela.

Laela with my oldest niece.
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Laela and myself
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[Mare]

l LOVE your photos, Lori! Laela is a beautiful horse, what breed is she again? You look like a fabulous rider, do you also show dressage?

[kendrafitz]

Awesome pics!! You are all beautiful! :)

[2birds]

Laela is a Saddlebred/Friesian cross. Thanks for the compliment on riding Mare. I don't show but I was in the process of training her for working equitation. The base of working equitation is in Dressage training but used for working cows. More like a Spanish or Portuguese cow horse. That was before she ripped her ligaments up. What a long, slow process of healing. She is healing though and no longer lame, just a very tiny bit of swelling left. I'm happy because the vet said (and he's one of the best around here)that she would no longer be a riding pony, EVER. Ha, we're making a liar of him.

Thank you Kendra, I don't know about me but my nieces and horses sure are gorgeous.

[Mare]

My daughter has a reigning horse, his name is Casey, an amazing guy..in his time,, and we love him dearly. He is nearly 30years old now but what a talent he was! My daughter rode him competitively for a few years and did very well, I was always impressed with the ability of rider/horse, great combo :). I truly think, that's what it takes!

[2birds]

I'm glad that you guys still have him. When a person and their horse have a strong bond, they can do amazing things. I've always loved to watch reining competitions. I see so many horses loosing their home when they are no longer useful. My girl Bella (23 yr. old Saddlebred) is no longer very useful due to ringbone. I can't sell her or give her away because I imagine her ending up on someones dinner plate in Japan or somewhere and shudder. So, I feed her, love on her, and when she's having good days she will follow us on the trail. She's having more good days than bad since I found an amazing farrier.

[Mare]

I know what you mean, Lori,,they become family that we take care of, no matter what! We have a 31 year old here, one of my babies, that is still enjoying being alive, such a strong spirit. She and Casey are no longer on hay, Equine Senior and rice bran 3x's a day, to keep their weight up. They are at an age that their teeth aren't doing the job they should to eat hay. Hay here, is now going for $20 a bale, what are you paying?

[2birds]

Mare, alfalfa is about 23.00 a bale here. I buy pretty decent coastal grass hay and it's going for about 5 or 6 bucks a bale. Laela and Star eat that with Legends 11% pellet. My Bella get a little grass hay, alfalfa cubes that I soak, and triple crown senior. Alfalfa cubes are going for 15.00 for a fifty lb. bag at tractor supply. They are out on pasture most of the time but the grass isn't very good.

I grew up in Cali. and I remember when alfalfa was 1.25 a bale. I must be getting old lol.

[Mare]

I remember when, also :). I would have thought, for sure, that alfalfa would be cheaper where there was more rain! Most of ours in Cali, at this point, has to be trucked in from Arizona and other parts of the U.S. that can grow it.

[2birds]

I don't think that they grow alfalfa here either, probably too warm. They do grow peanut hay though which I hear is just as good. Very similar to alfalfa. I gave my horses some once just to see and they loved it. What's mostly grown here is the coastal. It's actually pretty good. What I like about is it is that it's not as rich.

[Maddy]

Laela is such a gorgeous horse! :th_heart:

[Mare]

Are you still doing lessons, Maddy?

[Maddy]

Are you still doing lessons, Maddy?

Yes, but no at the moment. Our barn is only doing big group lessons for the summer, and we (my friend and I) prefer taking lessons in our tiny group of me, her, my sister, and sometimes our other friend. However, as soon as they will do private lessons again (with should be soon!), we will start back up again. I can't wait, because I really miss my Boomer!

[2birds]

Thanks Maddy, It's good that you have the opportunity to stick with the lessons. Keep it up and learn lots. Horses can show you many things that you can apply to other aspects of your life. Plus, they are just really fun to hang out with.