Man and/or Beast

Our next  field trip was back to Charley's turf and this time Buddha and Pardy walked right up to him -  paid their respects and we saddled up.  We had a great time trotting and cantering within the large space and after awhile....we decided it was time to call it a day.  I had switched out Bud's bridle for a halter and  lead rope and was in the process of undoing the chain  that was wrapped around the gate.  As soon as Bud felt slack in the lead rope - presto - he was gone!  He was tearing around the field like a maniac, with his lead rope blowing in the wind behind him- scaring him to death -  and would not let me get close enough to help calm him down.

Meanwhile, Pardy is watching  him with a quizzical look, but continued  to stand perfectly still and enjoy his nice juicy red apple.  I decided to ignore the haltered beast and give all my attention to Pardy - something I had learned in my 6 year career working in a  preschool.  When you can't get a childs attention - place your attention on another and curiousity/jealously will get the better of them.  (There is not a whole lot of difference between man and beast in that area.)  I bet it wasn't 2 minutes and guess who was trying to horn in on my love fest with Pardy?  Yep, Buddha couldn't stand not having my attention  and was standing right behind me waiting for his beloved apple.  I did make him wait a bit and finally turned around.... picked up the now filthy lead rope and handed him his juicy red  apple.  He seemed unphased by what had happened and this time stood perfectly still while I undid the chain and we walked quietly through the gate and back to the trailer.  I wish I had a memory like Bud's...... there one minute and erased the next.

Happy (?) Trails

Later that month Bud and I were invited to join my niece and Pardy on their yearly outing with 26 other horses - do I know how to have fun or what???  By this time, Bud was an expert at loading, traveling, and unloading and was happily munching away at his hay when word came that it was time to mount up.  I had lounged him before hand and he seemed mellow.  Once in the saddle, we let other horses go by first and slowly followed behind them.  Other riders came up behind us and greeted us and moved on.  This is when Bud decided if they can pass him HE can pass them.  Before I knew it we had arrived at almost the front of the pack.  Some riders were not happy with Bud's arrival and told us to "stay back - my horse is green and isn't fond of horses following that close" - like this was MY idea??  When I tried to slow Bud down and take him to the side and do circles, he decided to imitate Trigger and was rearing up and bucking.  At that moment......I felt like .....give it your best shot cause I'm staying on!!  He performed for a few minutes (altho it felt like hours) and settled into a nice slow gait.  I turned around to locate my niece and she was right where we had left her... at the end of the pack with Pardy plodding along enjoying the view of other horses' rear ends.  One of the riders  asked who the lady as that was having SO much trouble with her horse........my niece replied " I don't know - never saw her before!"  So much for family ties.........

Needless to say, we were the talk of the BBQ that followed and one lady stopped by our table and stated,  "Wow, that horse looked so docile tied next to the trailer earlier - I wonder what happened?"  Another said, " If that had been me - I'd had been off and walking".  I just smiled and looked over at Bud and Pardy as they seemed content to bask in the sun and enjoy their surroundings.  I'm sure Bud had thoughts of winning our little battle of wills - as I did.  Truth is I loved every moment of playing Roy Rogers on her trusty steed...........

                                             Buddha and I ready for our next adventure 

                                           My niece and Pardy after our trail ride & BBQ

The Wooden Adventure

Our first official trail ride, Buddha loaded like a champ and enjoyed munching hay from the bag without any problems.  We arrived at the park and proceded to unload the horses, groom, and tack them up.  Buddha always has to lounged - to get the "stupid out" aka pent up energy - and he usually tears around at first and then settles into a nice quiet trot.  My niece and I saddled up and we're walking very nicely UNTIL they spot a large foreign object in front of us.  It's called a bridge. Both horses stopped on a dime and developed hooves of concrete!  They evenually would take a couple steps forward - with our urging - and then step backwards even quicker and farther.  I really thought Bud would be the brave one since he ALWAYS  wants to be first.  After a lot of cooing and coaxing we finally made it to the middle of the bridge.....where both horses decided that this distance was just fine and they refused to move.  We then decided we had to pick our wars and dismounted and walked them over the rest of the bridge remounting on the other side.  A little later down the path we both noticed a rather bright  orange construction hat lying on the ground.  She asked if I saw it and I nodded.  We were totally ready for them to freak - but they simply walked right past it and continued onward.  There is just no telling what will spook a horse.

Now, on the way back to the trailer, we had to go over the bridge again and were wondering how they would do this time.  We remained in the saddle and Bud literally tried to jump into Pardy's lap!!  It was hilarious and happened so quickly that we made it to the other side in record time.  The horses both turned back to look at the dreaded bridge and seemed  satisfied  they had conquored the wooden beast.

                                         Buddha and Pardy boarded and ready for adventure.

Meet Charley

My niece was kind enough to send me a photo of the infamous donkey that scared the bee gees out of our horses on our first field trip.  He certainly does not look like much of a threat pictured here with his owner and son.  But, maybe when you are a horse...........it doesn't take much.

Katie is finally home.......

I am back on Illinois soil and my Aunt is resting by her Mother in Ohio- as was her only request.  It was a VERY small funeral attended by only 6 people - 4 of which were family. Thank you SO much Jay and Venita for making the drive to be with Barb and I during this time.  We really appreciated it more than you will know.

I think Katie would have enjoyed the police escort and the limo being driven around Chillicothe in her honor.  We drove by her old home on Water Street as well as the Aunts and Aunt T.  She was the last of the Baaders - an end of an era. 

I also feel she got the last laugh because she never liked cold weather and on the day of her funeral - it was COLD, WINDY and SNOWING and she was all warm and toasty next to her family up in heaven.  I'm sure she looked down and said........." sure looks cold - glad I'm not down there".

Good bye for now Katie..........may you rest in peace & warmth.