Some Real Horse Therapy...

For several months my honey and I have procrastinated going to see a friend named Ray and his horses.  Ray is a real cowboy and his spirit is with those horses.  He is in his 70's and still kicks ass!  He has the energy to be with his horses and I am in aww of that!  I was amazed at how he was at one with each of his horses as he rode them and handled them so easily.  He hangs out with his horses everyday and also takes other riders out as an experienced guide.  He just got a new Champion Morgan Horse for which he has been very proud of and wanting show us for a while. We finally made it!  For some reason I thought  that his other horse must have been a Morgan too but he turned out to be Romeo the pure bred Arabian!  What a gorgeous  dream horse and I sure loved watching him play!

Since I was a little kid I had always wished I had an Arabian and I kinda sorta got one after we had sold my beautiful little Bay Pony named "Sue Belle".   She was a total sweetie pie!  If the cows ever got out; all I had to do was whistle and Sue Belle would whinny back to me and then she would  run as fast as she could even  bucking her way up to me.  I would grab her main and leap onto her back! I only only had to lean my weight in order to guide her; no need for any saddle or bridle.  She was so dependable; all the time.  The unfortunate thing happened as I was growing up.  I had ended up growing out of her practically; my legs would drag on the ground as I rode her, and she didn't mind a bit; she just loved me more than anyone could ever (with the exception of my husband).  She was still the very best trained horse I have ever had the pleasure of riding or just hanging around with.   She even knew how to give a good horse hug!   She was  so wonderful and one day I do hope I will meet her up in heaven!)

After Sue Belle, my mom decided to go to a livestock auction to sell some calves and maybe even save a horse's life from slaughter.   We kept our eyes open and then I saw him.  My mom was heavily intoxicated at the time when we purchased my Appaloosa /Arabian Gelding and eventually she let me have the keys to the truck as we drove Skippy home in our home made side wracks which could have been very dangerous.   We had about a 60 mile trip ahead of us and even past a prison.   I will never forget that scary, scary ride home with my mom.   How I just wanted her to just fall asleep and quit scaring the living shit out of me  with her arguing  and shouting  updates on Skippy nearly knocking over the sides of the truck.   He was OK, but for some reason the alcohol was making my mom crazy.  Another reason to legalize responsible use of cannabis.  We made it home all in one peace!)  There really wasn't that much to stress about, except how  cheap alcohol can affect my mom.   It was also another moment of Skippy/Skipper Boy and his funny drama.  He got out of the truck fine and made fast friends with "Graple"; our other Gray Appaloosa.  We also had a cute quarter horse filly named Ember.

Skippy was more or less a Heinz 57 variety just like myself; he was part Arabian and you could totally tell with his perfectly chiseled beautiful face and of course he had that white appaloosa coat with a main that was very thick and it seemed to never grow longer; just always thick and sticking up like a Mohawk; his neck was also very thick as if he had been castrated later in life.  We also found out from the wild rides that he was also near sighted so we really had to build up a trust and bond with each other because some things he couldn't see very well would spook him.  After years of riding him; he totally trusted me in guiding him and he never feared those scary things that he couldn't see; instead he trusted my voice of reassurance.  I never feared riding him anymore and jumping and /or his the jerking to the  side.  It sometimes would knock me rifde off!  What a team we eventually became!)

Well anyway back to my fun day of horse therapy, I got to brush Ray's beautiful Morgan horse; I chose not to ride because my honey and I were afraid that the wire in my back from the pain pump might accidentally pull itself out.  That would not be good!    Oh how I wanted to ride but I was happy just being around those horses.  Blue Belle didn't spook at all and it was as if she were used to being around those horses.  My friend had brought her kids, husband and his daughter in order to meet up with us.  She hadn't seen me in a while and to be with me in my element was definitely a moment not to miss!  My honey and I kept smiling at each other as we had fun brushing and loving on the horses.  There were lots of other horses there and Romeo the Arabian was so happy to have all the attention on him while I was brushing Commando the Morgan Horse gelding.  

When my honey and I first arrived; I had cut up 2 Golden Delicious Apples and emptied a bag of baby carrots to give to the horses as snacks!  I asked Ray if I could feed them some snacks and my honey said there was no way he could ever tell me "no". I have to tell people all the time not to give Blue Belle any snacks because she is having a little bit of a weight problem.  Yes, she got a little chubbers problem!)  It's kind of made her little boobies bigger than mine? I'm kinda jealous?  Why does my dog have to have better boobs than me? Anyway, those 2 horses loved every bit of those snacks as you can see here!)  They sure didn't last!)

After brushing Commando, we took both horses into the ring and my friend and her husband's daughter got to ride on Commando around in the ring as Ray rode along side them on Romeo.  He was there to make sure nothing scary happened.  The young girl was scared and her feet kept wrapping around the horse tightly that it caused him to want to run and of course Ray was there to stop him each time.  How I wished my honey would have ridden; it would have been very good for him.  Being on a big powerful animal like that helps something with building confidence and eliminating some depression.  Yes, these animals can actually cheer you up; they sure the hell did for me!  I loved every moment I got to spend with these wonderful animals! 

I'm so thankful that I got to have horses in my lifetime and even though I didn't grow up and get my dream horse which would have been either a Golden Palomino  (just like the one Roy Rogers rode!) or a Dappled Gray Arabian Mare.  I ended up getting something even better; my soul mate!  He makes up for everything I have ever dreamed of having!)    Thank you sweetie for another great day with you!)

As for my health and getting other things resolved; it almost seems that I'm still outliving expectations?  My abdominal, kidney,  and back pains are getting more and more under control with the Methadone and of course utilizing my medicinal cannabis.  It is causing me to eat and get munchies for all kinds of things?  I just have to puke everything out or make sure that I can?   Oh God how I wish I could eat and not have to throw it up!)  I guess I'm just asking for too much in life to do that!  But at least I can get out and enjoy things!  Wow!  I'm even having some bowel movements!)  That makes up for everything!) and I am getting more and more energy!   

While I am still trying to eat, I am at a point where I can relate to being almost bulimic; only I'm not that much down with the vomiting everything out of my system.  The only difference is that I know I have a bony ass!  I can see what my body looks like and "NO!" I'm no fat ass!)  I would love to gain some weight!  My intestines just didn't get fixed right after that last woozie of a surgery so I can't trust that anything will go through my intestines?.    It's always that question?   I still can't walk for very long distances, but I sure can ride my bike! Even though I'm going through what most would consider hell, I have soooooo, sooo much to be thankful for.  

Peace and Love to all of you! 

Now for another horse who needs a great happy ending!  Her name is Puff.   She is a draft cross mare who stands at 16+ hands. She is trained to lead but she isn't very easy to halter up.  She's just got a mind of her own.  Isn't she just gorgeous?  She has been used as a brood mare; although she is not currently bred to foal.  We think she might be deaf which makes her a bit of project.  Her Adoption fee is only $800.  The Adopter must pick her up at the Animali Farm in Santa Maria or arrange for transportation.

If you are interested in Miss Puff; you may contact Jennifer Johns or Cheryl Forbes at the Animali Farm. (805) 938- 0174.  animali@aol.com