I had to let her go

Its been about a month since Zippity went to a new home, It was really hard to give her up.

I had the vet come out and take a look at Zippity because she wasn't getting any better lunging something was wrong with her. It turns out that Zippity had fluid on her stifle.
( knee cap) I had a couple options one to sell her, two to try and give her steroid shots and see if that would clear it up, but there would always be a chance that the fluid would return.  I had to make a choice on what to do. I talk to my trainer and she told me she would sell her if it was her. I also did some research on the Internet, once a horse has stifle issues they seem to always have issues. I knew I wouldn't be able to sell her in today's market. Who would want a lame horse?

After a few weeks a thought came to my head to find a horse rescue and see if they would take her in. I located one near me and told them about my Zippity. They said they would take her. I was joyed at the fact that she would be in a good home, but very sad at saying goodbye. Zippity has now been adopted to a loving home.Where she will be loved by just being her.

I am now trying to find a new horse to replace Zippity. I am not looking for a baby horse this time, because Ginger is 30 this year, and I really really want a horse I can ride. So far I have tried out an Arabian that didn't work out and a fox trotter that was nice but not for me. I now have found a 4 yr old quarter horse that might work out for me. I'm going to try her out for a few weeks and see if she is right for me.  I also have appointment to see a 10 yr old mare on Wednesday. I really hope to find a horse that will be my next horse and start a new adventure.

I will always love Zippity she taught me a lot, she just wasn't the horse for me. I really hope she is happy in her new home and that she is getting the love that she deserves.

Good News Bad News

So do you want the good news or the bad news? I think I will start with the bad news, because I want to end on a happy note. I always hate stories that end sad.

So the bad news is.......... you ready?  Are you sure?  Ok  I will tell you what it is,
I rode Ginger today, and I think it is almost time to retire her. I don't think I will be doing any mountain riding on her anymore. She is anywhere between 25 and 30. She is slowing down and her back legs seem to give out on her sometimes when we are riding. So I don't dare go any faster then a trot. When I was out today with her, I just got the feeling she was telling me, " I'm old and tired can we please go slow". I will still take her out around a bit just to keep her moving. Ginger has given me so much, I'm happy to let her spend the rest of her life just being loved.  I have so many happy times with her. I went on a few dates on her with my husband. Had many many wonderful times with her up at  Mona Pole riding with my cousin Candace.  Ginger has had 3 beautiful babies, all were buckskin.  I think she has had a good life. Hopeful I will have lots of time just to love her and baby her.

So now for the good news...... are you ready?  Yesterday I was working with Zippity on the lunge line. She is a lazy horse doesn't want to go any faster then she has too, and she will fight you if you ask her to go faster. By the way I don't understand because she ends up working harder by fighting me, anyways back to yesterday. I was lunging her and she decide she would come at me when I would ask her to go faster. I cant have her running me over. So I took the lunge whip and and would whip it in front of me if she started to come at me, so that she would hit the whip and not me. After a few mins she started to listen to me and I got her to LOPE on the lunge line. I then put the rope around her neck and walk around she started to follow me, I couldn't believe it.

Today  I went to work with her again, wondering what today was going to be like. Would I have to fight her again or would she just go? 
I had her going at a lope both ways I couldn't believe it. I think I finally got the respect I have been wanting.  I ended the work with Zippity with her just following me around without me holding onto the rope. I think I'm seeing hope here. This just might work out in the end.

WOOT Zippity is now 2!

Well Zippity is 2 now. I'm not ready to send her to the trainers yet, however I needed to do something with her. I needed to find a trainer that would come to my house and help me to work on ground work with Zippity. I didn't want someone to come in and do it for me I wanted to learn. I found a trainer that comes to my house once a week and helps me with Zippity. I can tell that I am feeling a lot more confident around Zippity. I still have a lot to learn.

 

I have been working on lunging Zippity and trying to get her to respond more to me and to listen to me. I am now putting the bareback pad on her when I work with her to get her use to having a cinch around her belly. I can get her to trot just fine but if I ask her to go faster she darn right will not do it, she fights it. I hope the trainer will have some idea as to why Zippity is doing this and how to fix it. When she fights like this it makes me wonder how Zippity will be once I get on her back. Is she going to fight it? Will I be able to handle her? Will I need to sell her because she is too much for me? So many questions that only time will tell. That's kind of a bad thing about me is that I HATE waiting to know, but there is nothing I can do about it.

 

Another thing we are working on is taking Zippity out on walks and trying to get her used to being out on her own without Ginger. She did really well the first time we took her out. When she got spooked she didn't freak out she would just stop and stare at what ever spooked her and then slowly move towards it, stuff like that gives me hope. I like to mountain ride and I cant have a spooky horse.

 

Soon we will be putting a saddle on her and a bridle. I wonder how she is going to take to that. Horses really are amazing animals.  By the end of summer I should be able to saddle Zippity up and take her out around the block and have both of us confident with each other. Thats my plan anyways, only time will tell if that happens.

Its been awhile!

Well its been awhile since my last post. Nothing much has been going on since it is cold and I don't like to be cold. Zippity is getting really big and has lots of energy.

The barefoot trimming is going great. Ginger and Zippitys feet have never looked better. I cant believe that Zippity will be 2 this April. I'm hoping to hire someone to come out here and help me work with Zippity, My barefoot trimmer knows someone that comes to your house and helps you with your horse. I am going to have to do a lot of work on Zippity this summer I hope I am up for it!

Sometimes I wonder if Zippity is going to be too much for me. I think I really need to take some ridding lessons on Ginger, and get more knowledge about horses. I am feeling like I know nothing but how to feed and water my horses.... lol. I really want to know more. This has always been a passion of mine, but I'm starting to wonder if I have what it takes.

To Shoe or NOT to Shoe?

I have decided to try barefoot trimming on my horses. I have been thinking about doing this for awhile now. The lady I ride with goes barefoot with her horses.
Ginger and Zippity really needed a trim, and my trimmer had some stuff come up and couldn't make it out. So I called my friend and luck has it her trimmer was coming soon to do her horses. I called him up and asked him if he would take a look at my horses. He came over after he did my friends horses and took a look at Ginger and Zippitys hoofs. I didn't tell him anything about the issues I have been having with them, and he could tell within a few mins. I was really impressed.
Ginger had a crack in her hoof that I have been watching for awhile now, it wasn't a very deep crack. Zippity had a tender hoof on the front. He told me that he could fix both issues. Ginger also was still having some issues with tripping. He told me that her hoof was part of the issue with her tripping.

He came back the next day and trimmed the horses. It has now been a few weeks and there feet still look great. NO more cracks!!!! Zippity is walking a lot better, and Ginger tripping has almost disappeared. The crack in Ginger hoof is gone. I have been trying for 2 yrs to get that crack gone and with one trim I cant even see it anymore. I cant wait for next summer when I can ride more, I cant wait to see how Ginger will be next year.

I bet Zippity will be huge next summer, I cant wait. It has been a great summer with my horses. I hope next summer will be just as great!

WOW, its been a year already!

Well its been a year since I saw Zippity add on ksl. Where does the time go? As I have read and looked back on the past year, I'm amazed at how much Zippity and I have grown. Zippity whinny no longer sounds like a baby horse, she is almost as tall as Ginger. She is reminds me of what it was like growing up going to my grandpa house and going down to the horse corrals.

My grandfather horses were always so friendly and trusting. I could go into any of the corrals and pet and groom his horses. They loved being around people. Zippity is very friendly and trusting. She lets me do anything to her. I can put a saddle on her a tarp, throw rope around her head and around her legs. I can lunge her, pick up her feet and she almost lets me deworm her.

My grandpa was amazing with horses. I really wished I would have taken a summer and lived with him and learned all I could about working with a horse. I did learn some things but not much. I also wished that my grandpa would have been able to come with me to help me pick out my first horse, tho I think he would have liked Zippity. One thing about my grandpas horses that I have always loved was the fact they all loved him and would follow my grandpa around anywhere. They were like big puppy dogs. There was this one horse named Posie, he would do anything to be with my grandpa. He would escape out of the corral go behind my grandpa and take his gloves out of his back pocket and run. I recall my grandpa telling me how when he was camping Posie untied himself and tried to climb into the tent with my grandpa. He was a great horse for my grandpa for everyone else he would tolerated them. I have always wanted this kind of relationship with a horse. I feel like I am getting what I wished for so far. When ever I work in the corral Zippity is always right next to me. She follows me around and has to have her nose into whatever I'm doing.

This is Posie with my brother in law on him, as you can see Posie is sleeping. This is just example of how he only tolerated other people ridding him

I am looking forward to this next coming year with Zippity to see where things will go. I am thinking I will send her to a trainer when she is 3, I will continue to work with her on the ground and work on getting a cinch around her belly and don't forget getting a bit in her mouth. She is a big part of the family, my kids just love her. My youngest always tells me that Zippity is her horse and maybe one day she will be.

This is a picture of my grandpa when he was younger moving cattle

Give me a WOOT!!!!!

I just put a kids saddle on Zippity, and she could have cared less. Can everyone give me a WOOT WOOT!!!

How tall will she be when she is done growing?

Zippity is 53 inches tall, any guess on how tall she will be when she is done growing?

Color me pretty!

I love watching Zippity shed off her winter coat, and reviling what a beautiful horse she is. Her main and tail is full of hair and white as can be. Her tail is very long and might one day reach the ground. A lot of changes has happened not just with Zippity but with me as well.

Cindy came out to see how we were doing, I showed her how I can lunge her. I can get her to trot on command and stop. When I tell her to stop she STOPS, and then she faces me. Cindy told me that she has noticed that I am a lot more confidant with her, and can see the difference in me and in Zippity. When we were just standing and talking about what steps I would be taking next with Zippy, she just stood there very relaxed. Once in while she would paw at the ground but I would tell her to stop and she would. In August we will be introducing the bridle to Zippy, I look forward to see what she will do.

I would also like to share that dreams do come true, if you hold on to them long enough. You have all read how I always wanted Ginger and now I have her, that in itself is a dream come true. But another dream has been filled I have joined a riding club, the Salt Lake County Sheriff Pose. We will be doing drills and parades. This is my first riding club ever. I used to dream of joining a club with Ginger, and now its here. I am so excited to start this adventure. I will post pictures and keep you updated on how we do. I am really nervous I hope I do well.

To sale or not to sale!

Well Zippity is full of energy, and I have been feeling very unfit to work with her. I'm starting to think in my head WHAT WAS I THINKING....... I have gotten some help from a lady at my dad's work, she has been coming over and helping me work with Zippity. We have been working on getting her to lunge. I was getting really frustrated with her, I didn't feel like she was getting it. I even put her up for sale on ksl, I got no calls on her for 6 days. I took that as a sign that I just needed to suck it up and keep trying. The weather has been making it hard to get out and work with her on a regular schedule. But I have been trying. At First when I was working with Zippity she would buck and kick and run around like a chicken without a head. I even got my first rope burn from her. I didn't know what I was supposed to do or if I was doing something wrong. But Cindy came over and helped me with Zippity and has shown me what I needed to do. I think my biggest issue I have is I am a little afraid of her. She is getting so big and I really really don't want to get run over or kicked. I am trying to over come my fear. I have been working with Zippity when ever the weather allows and you know what ? She is doing GREAT! Each day I work with her she gets better and better. I am able to lunge her without to many issues. I can get her to trot on voice command and she stops also when I tell her to. I am so grateful for Cindy for taking time to come over and helping me with Zippity. She is amazing person. I am really glad that I didn't sell her! I think that this says something about me when I get frustrated I want to give up. But I am learning to over come my frustration and to keep going. Its amazing what horses can teach us about who we are as a person. I hope to become a better mom, wife and friend with the lessons I am learning from Zippity. I hope I can get someone with a video cam to come out and record me working with Zippity so that I can show you what we can do.

YAY!!!

Zippity is getting so big, she is a very beautiful horse. I had a neighbor come over and work with her a little bit. He showed me more stuff I can do with her. He said that she seems like she will be a very easy going horse, I really hope that's true. He got her to start to lunge a bit. We put a bareback pad on Zippity and tightened it up around her belly, I thought for sure she would buck a little. She just stood there like it was no big deal.

I dewormed her the other day, and I will tell you she did not like it one bit, I had to get some help in holding her. She was not going to let me put that tube of dewormer in her mouth.

I worked with her today on my own, and I was very excited that I got her to do some of the stuff he showed me to do with her, It took a bit of time but then I got her to lunge around me a bit too. I was very excited about it, she seems to learn really fast.

She has a very playful personality, I was walking out this morning to feed them when all of a sudden Zippity was trying to pull off my hat from behind. It scared the crap out of me , I didn't even hear her behind me. If I am working in the yard she is always with me trying to help out. She likes to be next to me, as I try to take her picture she always trying to get up close to me, so I have to be fast with the camera.

I love to watch her with Ginger, the other day Ginger was laying down and Zippity kept walking around her and she would go by Gingers head Ginger would try and bite her. Zippity just kept walking around her for about 5 mins, and would once in awhile nip at Gingers tail. They are so cute when they are both laying down next to each other. I just love looking into my backyard and watching my Girls.

I cant wait for more nice days, when I can get outside more and work with her everyday.

Long winter

Well it has been awhile since I have worked with Zippity, due to how cold it has been and how muddy her corral is. I worked with her today it is 40 degrees right now. and the corral is starting to dry out again. I was a little nervous to work with Zippity since it has been a while and she is so much bigger. I was able to put the halter on her with out to much trouble, I was very grateful for that.
I brushed her off and got her mane nice and pretty looking. She was being really great. I then got out the bare back pad and put it on her and she didn't mind at all, I then used the saddle blanket and then the tarp. The tarp she got a little nervous with so I worked with that one a lot longer then the other two. I was able to lead her around with not to much problems. I think it would be nice to have a trainer come out her and watch me with Zippity and tell me what I need to work on, and how to handle her better. I will have to start to talk to people and see if anyone knows someone that can take the time and come out here and show me what I need to do.
I hope now that the weather is getting better I will be able to get outside more and work with her. I really hope to show her this summer, I don't really care if we don't place I just want to try it out.

I wonder

WOW Zippity was on one today. It kinda makes me wonder if I will be able to handle her next summer. I might need to seek help, I dont want to mess her up. She all but ran me over today, I know she is trying to play but man she is a lot bigger then when I first got her.

Winter 2010!

It has been a very cold first winter for Zippity. We have had so much snow. We have lost lots of tree branches due to the heavy snow. The night of the first storm one of the tree branches went through the shelter the horses were staying in, the horses didn't get hurt. However they didn't spend the night in the shelter and they got very wet. I have been giving them extra hay to keep warm, and Zippity has got a very nice winter coat. I have cleared out the tree branches and they are now going into the shelter again. I just hope we don't get any more broken branches, its going to take a lot of time this spring to clean up the mess. So if anyone needs somthing to do this spring call me I have lots to clean up.

I love to watch Zippity play in the snow with Kuma. When I let kuma out Zippity puts her ears forward and her head held high and watches for kuma to come into the corral. She then takes off running to meet her friend, they run around and chase each other around. One day I was on my way out to feed the horses and Kuma was with me. Kuma went into the corral to pee as she was going Zippity for some unknown reason stepped over kuma as she was going and just stood over her. Kuma had a look on her face that read what the crap are you doing horse.

Zippity also likes to dig in the snow and stick her nose in the hole she has made, she always ends up with snow on her nose. Kuma also likes to dig in the snow and if she started digging Zippity has to come over and see what she is doing. I love that they are becoming good friends. I hope in the future when I go ridding that Kuma will be able to go with us.

I'm proud to say Ginger is being a great companion to Zippity. She lets Zippity eat with her so I don't have to lock one of them up. She even let Zippity eat some of her grain, I was in shock. I feel so blessed to have animals in my life, and I'm thankful that I can teach my children to love and respect animals.

My History with Ginger

I want to tell you a little about my history with Ginger. I have know Ginger for most of her life. When I first met her I was afraid to ride her, it was many years before I started to ride her. After the first time I rode her I feel in love with her, we just clicked. I think when you are looking for a horse you need to ride the horse and get to know the horse a little and see if you click, that my advice when it comes to buying a horse. When ever I got the opportunity to ride Ginger I would take it, even if it was just for a few mins. I love Ginger so much. She has helped me during some hard times. I am so thankful that I have her and can take care of her like she has taken care of me.

Ginger knew me so well the moment I would get in the saddle we would take off, I love to run and so did she. When I met my husband I would take my husband riding he learned to ride on Ginger son, his name was Jasper he was a buckskin paint. (He passed away a few years ago it broke my heart. ) I think the only reason my husband learned to ride is so that I would marry him because he has only been on a horse once since I said I do. He supports me with my horses and that's all I need.

I am really looking forward to getting to know Zippity and see what kind of horse she will turn out to be. I have already picked out a horse trainer. Its my next door neighbors brother,it what he dose it for a living. The most important thing I was looking for in a trainer is he would not only train my horse but he will be working with me as well on Zippity so that I will know how to ride and work with her the way he trained her. I think that is really important that your trainer works with you as well as the horse.

I haven't been able to work with Zippity that much because of the weather and all the mud. I love to look out the window and see my 2 cute horses running around and bucking together, and sleeping together on the ground.

Woot!

Well Zippity is doing great! I am now able to lead her in a trot, and I can turn her by pointing a whip in the direction I want to go. I can also put a tarp on her and she don't mind. I can now pick up all her feet. It seems every day she is getting bigger and bigger. She is a sweet little horse. She is so willing to learn, I am learning so much with her. I am very greatful to have her in my life

I have been watching videos on the Internet about halter showing, and trying to get a idea of what I need to work on with Zippity. I have also purchased a book called In-Hand. I hope to be able to show her next year.

The one thing I like most about horse is how calm they are. When ever I feel overwhelmed I just go out side get a brush and spend a little time with my horses. The movie Flicka says it best when she talks about when you are ridding a horse you feel Free. That's how I feel every time I am with my horses, I feel like I'm me and just me. I'm not a mom, wife or a daughter I'm just me. I feel like I can do anything I set my mind to. Horses also accept you for who you are, all they care about if you treat them right. I just love horses.

The First Month

WOW....... its been about one month of having Zippity. She is doing great, her leg is almost healed up. It has been fun working with her. I now can pick up her front legs and now I will be working on her back legs. I had her feet trimmed the other day and she did GREAT.

When I work with her it takes me back to my childhood with my grandfather. I recall him working with horses, I am trying to do the same stuff that he did. I have been taking the lead rope and swinging it around Zippity. I also have been working the rope all around her, now that she is doing well with that I'm going to use a saddle blanket then a tarp. I have been working on ponying her, she doesn't like it to much but I will keep doing it till she likes it. I often find myself singing the same songs that my grandfather would sing when we were out riding. I feel so close to my grandfather when I'm out with the horses.

I went on vacation for about one week, it was kinda hard to leave my new horse. I have been working hard with her and I didn't want to lose what I have gained with her so far. I had some neighbors take care of her and they did great, they worked with her for me. I am so grateful for them. When I got back I noticed Zippity has gotten so big and she is really filling out. I was glad to come home, I missed feeding and brushing my horses. Here is what Zippity leg looks like!

I took Zippity out for the first time today around the neighborhood. My friend Erma helped me out by leading Ginger and I lead Zippity. She did great, she didn't spook she just walked around like it was no big deal. I'm planning on taking her out more. What a great day!

The First Week!

Well Zippity has now been with us for one week. It has been fun to watch her with Ginger, Kuma (our dog) and the kids. I have been working on leading her around and backing her up. She is doing great and I am loving spending time with her. Tomorrow we will be changing her bandage, I look forward to see how it is healing up. I will post a new picture of it when I can.
I am so grateful to have Zippity and to learn how to work with a young horse. I know there may be times where I feel like I am getting no where, I will have to read my blog at those times to remind me of how far we have come. I wish I had spent more time with my grandfather and learned more about working with horses. I do recall some stuff he did with them and I will try to become a great horseman like my grandfather. I am very lucky to have great neighbors who are taking the time to help me with my project and I look forward to take in as much knowledge as I can. I am also grateful to my husband for allowing me to full fill my dream, I couldn't have done this without him.

Zippity is home!

What a great day! Zippity arrived around noon, boy was I glad to see her. I had her purple halter ready for her, she is so cute in purple. Ginger got so excited and she started to whinny then I see my neighbors 4 horses pop here heads over the fence to see what was going on.
I put hay in zippitys food bucket, and she started to eat. I was able to get her halter on her, and lead her around a bit. Zippity has a injured leg and it was not looking good. I called my neighbor and she brought over some spray to help the leg, there were a lot of flies around the cut. On Sunday (I will call him trainer one) he came over to take a look at Zippitys leg. He said I needed a vet to come and take a look at it. He helped me get it wrapped up and put some medicine on it. I called the vet and talked to them about Zippitys leg. I made a appointment for the next day to have the vet come and take a look. The vet arrived around 11:00, she said the wound was about 2 or more weeks old and needed treatment. She washed the wound out and put medication on it, she said it will take a few weeks to heal but should be fine. I was so glad to hear that.
Zippity is doing really well, I can lead her around make her stop and back her up. She is such a easy going horse, the vet was really impressed with her and told me I have found me a treasure, I also think that. I hope to do some halter shows with Zippity. I have a lot of work to do, and I look forward to it.

The first time I got to see her

Well I was just looking through the horse ads like I do almost everyday. I then saw her, as cute as can be for 200.00. I called my friend to ask her if she would go with me to see her, but she was busy getting her sheep ready for the county fair. I sent my husband a text to call me asap. I then called the owner and she said I could come see her but not until after 5:00. I was going nuts I didn't want her to go to someone else. I then called my other friend to see if she could go with me and she was more then happy to tag along. I had to feed my kids and get them over to my mothers house before I could see the horse. I was going NUTS, I really wanted to get her. I got to the house around 7:00. I was so excited to see her in the pasture. I fell in love the moment we meet. I was able to get up close to her and pet her. The seller was amazed that I was able to get so close to her. Zippity had been out in a big pasture for the last few months and hasn't had much human contact. I was able to touch her head, ears and legs, which was amazing. I wanted to take her home right away, but I didn't have a trailer with me. I also thought it would be best if they brought her to me with the mom horse so that Zippity wouldn't be so scared. The day I meet her was a Monday, they said they could bring her to my house on Saturday. This week has been long it is only Thursday 2 more days to go. It has given me the time to get ready for her. I wasn't planning on buying a horse this year, but what can you do when you find the right horse for a dream you have been wanting to do.