New book review

I was so amazed and overwhelmed yesterday to see a new book review by Linda Ann Nickerson posted on Facebook, for my first book, Sometimes a Woman Needs a Horse! Thank You Linda, for your kind words and very thorough review of this book. You captured my purpose so well! I guess it's ok to talk about the book on my MARE blog, because the horse in that book was a very special mare! Fanny was my first real riding horse, and I've learned a lot since then. That book is still doing quite well in sales, more than 5 years after it was published, and even earned an award last year: first runner-up in the Eric Hoffer awards, in the Legacy Nonfiction category (of older books published).
OK, here's a link to Linda's book review: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2737403/book_review_sometimes_a_woman_needs.html?cat=38

A Mare with Fluctuating Weight!

I would like to share a friend's situation and see if anyone out there has some helpful advice before she invests in expensive lab work. Her 7-year-old TB mare had a foal about 11 months ago, and since the foal was weaned (about 5 months ago), the mare's weight has fluctuated from week to week. One week she looks good, the next week she will look ribby. You can definitely see a difference, the owner tells me, especially since it's been winter! She is in a pasture with 10 other horses, and they have 3 large round bales available at all times (orchard grass/alfalfa mix). This mare is pretty high on the pecking order and is not being pushed away from the hay. She was getting 3 or 4 pounds of grain in the summer and doing fine, but now she is getting about 8 lbs a day during these winter months (complete feed) to keep weight on. The owner tells me this mare loves attention and has a great personality, not a nervous type. She has a good winter coat, no need to blanket. In good health, good hooves, UTD on shots and worming. It's not like she has lost weight and stays that way, but her weight goes up and down, week to week. Anyone else have this kind of experience?

Lady's Escape

Lady will usually go from stall to paddock or from paddock to stall without being led, so I give her a lot of freedom. She recently made it quite clear, however, that she still has a mind of her own. Her stall door was open and her hay snack was inside and I expected her to follow the usual routine. It was a complete surprise when she walked past her stall and headed for the back door of the barn, which was still frozen only partly open. I was sure she couldn’t get through, but she proved me wrong. She stopped just outside the door to munch on hay droppings, and I tried to grab her halter. She resisted and took off across the road toward the farmer’s gate. As I walked after her, she seemed to be looking for some tasty grass, and perhaps decided it wasn’t there after all. Before I could get close to her, she came back to the barn in her fast gait and a bit of canter, back for more of that hay dropped outside the barn door—where I was able to capture her. You see, when horses are not under human influence, they do whatever comes naturally, which could be dangerous to themselves and others. Although Lady is about the most reliable horse I know about some things, she does have a mind of her own. I'd love to hear about other mares and their special ways!

Back in the saddle again!

Yes, it's been a long time since I added any comments. Christmas was a busy time; drove 1876 miles round trip to enjoy it with my kids and their families. But yesterday, I knew it was time. After 2 months without riding, I brushed off Lady's coat of crud as much as possible, and rode in the indoor arena. She was perfect. Stretched out so I could mount, did everything I asked, including stop, back, slow gait, faster gait, sidepass over a pole both directions, turn in place, and then she stretched out so I could dismount. And she was quiet and attentive all the way. What a girl! After I trimmed off about 4 inches of bridle path and cleaned out her hooves (which looked better than I thought they would after all my neglect!), I had to reward her. Four cookies this time; she deserved every one. I'll bet my young gelding won't be that good after a two month layoff! We'll soon see. This warmer weather is a welcome incentive.

Mares vs Geldings discussion you have to read!

Carol Upton has posted her review of MARES! (ya gotta love em) on a really great blog: http://ponygirlridesagain.blogspot.com/. In one day's time, there are already 36 comments about mares vs geldings and it's a discussion with a lot of interesting viewpoints and insight! Check it out and come back and let me know what YOU think about your mares!

Posting on this site!

I've become very frustrated at hearing from at least 4 people who have tried to post comments on my blog and couldn't. If anyone wants to post a comment, please try this: when the site tells you it can't post your comment, push the "post comment" button again and again, until the page opens up where you can sign in with a password. You do have to choose a profile, and I chose a Google account, which is free and quite easy to do. One person who tried to post already had a Google account and still couldn't post a comment. And I have no idea what to do about this situation! Can't even find a PERSON, or an email contact or a phone number to call! I'm considering putting my blog elsewhere...and I'd appreciate any suggestions. My email is goduseshorses@aol.com.

Lady is a jealous mare!

I rode Rocky not long ago, and then put him in the crossties to clean his hooves. He's my 9 year old TWH/SSH gelding. And I was loving on him and we were sort of nosing each other, when my husband warned me that Lady was having a jealous fit! Here I was, loving on Rocky right in front of Lady's stall and she was watching. Poor girl! Lady is very loving but also very demanding and very possessive, so my loving on Rocky just didn't set right. Yes, she was visibly upset, so I had to go and pet on her and give her a mint to make things better. Next day, I rode Lady, and she was a perfect angel in every way. At least she usually doesn't hold grudges.