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Training the Mind of the Horse and Rider

Training the Mind of the Horse and Rider
Click on Logo (Original artwork by Lanie Frick for Messick Quarter Horses. Not permitted to be copied)

Monday, May 30, 2011

Happy Memorial Day


I wanted to get this message out sooner!

Thanks to all of our service men and women who served and who are serving now.


Thank you for keeping America safe. Thank you for our freedoms. Thanks to all the family members who served.

In my family, my brother served in the Vietnam war, my dad in the Korean War, and some of Tom's uncles in WW II.
I hope all your family members have been kept safe.
God bless and may He keep them safe and in his fold.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

The First Halter Days

Friday, May 27th and Saturday, May 28th, 2011








She wakes up, eats, runs around, eats, flops down, sleeps, and the cycle repeats itself many, many times!

Starlet's Filly Day 2

Friday Morning, May 27, 2011





Saturday morning, May 28, 2011



Saturday, May 28, 2011

End of the First Day

Starlet's filly...name still to be determined.

Maybe Skipas Graceful Dove
Grand Duke of Asset (sire) x Skipa Chief Starlet (dam)

I just love this shot!


awwww

 Time for snack....again!

 I see you over there!

Mama's resting!

Time for nap! Again!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Starlet's new baby

 Starlet is special.  She is my horse. She is not Sara's, or Jacob's, or Micah's.  She was born after the kids had their own horses.  She was born to the kid's first 4-H horse, Skipa, who taught everyone to ride.  Once Skipa was too old to compete, or so we thought back then (I wouldn't think that now), she was going to be sold or become a broodmare. I am so glad we bred her, as now we have Starlet, who is all mine.   Starlet, the story of who she is and who she became, will be a story for another day, as her story makes me a little sad, but I grew alot, at her expense.  Then Starlet became a lesson horse, and then she is a mama. 

Starlet is a great mama!  I just love that special nicker!

 And now another little girl.  She will teach the grandbabies to ride!

 Skipa is the grand-dam.  I am the grandmother who will teach my grandchildren all I know about horses!

What a sweetheart.  I squated down and she came to sniff me.  She put her mouth on my cheek and sniffed.  She gave me a "horse's kiss".  She just took my heart! She will always be mine just as her mama is mine.

 She tires, and then she just plopsdown, not gently or gracefully yet, but her mama is  close by.

With a small star and snip.  And she sleeps. All the time.

She doesn't even care that I am pestering her. I am about 3' away!


She just puts her head back and sleeps, contently.

I wonder what her name will end up being???

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Oprah's Last Day

Wednesday, May 25, 2011


After 25 Years

You have a calling. That was Oprah’s message today. With a stormy day yesterday, today was wet and muddy outside. Today was a “going to town day” and when I got home, while drinking a cup of coffee, I turned on the television to view Oprah’s last television show.

Some of what Oprah said:
I knew this is where I was suppose to be.

What sparks you?

Take what you have and make the most from it.

The Earth is your stage, your talk show, your platform.

Every day, you are showing people what life is for you.

Help someone, listen, give, heal.

You have the power to change someone’s life.

Everyone has a calling.

You carry whatever you are suppose to be doing, and don’t waste anymore time.

Newton’s Law: For every reaction there is a opposite reaction.

You are responsible for the energy that comes to you.

Everyone seeks validation. Do you see me? Do you hear me?

What you say matters to me.

And Oprah talked about God.

Be still and know. Everyone has a voice that speaks to them. Wait and listen and hear.

God is love. God is life. Your life is always speaking to you. Speaking in whispers. Something is odd. That makes no sense. Then it gets louder and louder. First a Whisper. Then a Thump on the head. Finally, a brick wall falls on you.

Your life is speaking to you. What is it saying.

Spread the story. Make someone feel that they matter. What you have to say matters.

Genuine kindness, love, validation.

And then Oprah’s 25 years of what we knew was over. But then a new beginning. I wonder how much more Oprah will do for the world. She lifts us up. She helps people. She is there to listen.

We can all learn from her. I will take a few days and reflect on what I heard today. And listen to all the reviews of her last show. And begin to change, hopefully for the better
.
Because Oprah brings out the best in people.

I want to be like her. And not to think about what is wrong but about what is right. And what could I do to make things better. And how can I make the world a better place. And what could I do to help others.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

A Beautiful Late Spring Night



What a lovely evening. I took a cup of coffee outside to lounge on the chair and look at photos posted on Sunday Stills. As I finished looking at everyone’s websites and their photos, I laid my head back on the chair and just took in the scenery and night noises.


The doves are cooing. One was calling from behind the barn to my right and another one was answering from the pine trees on my left.

The horses are quietly moving around in their lots. The night air is slightly cooler now, and I see the younger ones wanting to play. They move towards the grain feeders and are checking for any leftovers. The young horses are growing into nice looking young adults, feeling out nicely.


I hear some other birds now. We have lots of robins and a few cardinals. Some are singing and others are cackling. Other years, I have seen blue jays but I wonder where they are this year. And just last week, I started seeing a bird with some yellow on it, maybe a finch?

We have some woodpeckers in the trees to the west of the house, near the outdoor arena. I haven’t heard them since the storms started last Thursday. We moved the 2 bred mares to the outdoor arena to separate them from the other horses. They will have the luxury of going out to the trees every day, and enjoying that lush grass. We should have babies within the next 2 weeks.



The 2 mares, Starlet and Goldie, are 17 now, and they know how to be good moms. They stand quiet next to each other, eating their grain and hay. They walk through the gate and aren’t easily excited. There is no bucking and kicking and fast running, as I’m sure they are too fat to want to do that anyways.



I’m going to enjoy these 2 mares and babies this summer. The mares just seem so peaceful this time around. I’m hoping the babies are just as quiet and calm. I know I’m going to spend more time desensitizing them. And rubbing on them. And leading them around. And just playing with them.



The sun is setting . A streak of bright white is shining between the clouds. It shouldn’t be long before I start to see some color on the horizon.

The ring necks are in the newly planted corn field. I hear one or 2 calling. Then I heard them again, but soon after, I heard a coyote. He sounds awfully close, just in the field to the west of the house. Hubby went out to take a look.


The sun has set further into the western sky. Some light orange and yellow starting to show on the horizon. I’m going to have to pay attention to the nights when we get a lot of color in the sunsets. I don’t think tonight is going to be one of those nights.


The doves are on the same side of me now, somewhere in the trees behind the barn. Some are by the garden and some are down by the horses. What a peaceful way to end the evening, listening to their soothing tones. Cool enough to sit outside. And warm enough to be in shorts.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Rhino Virus EHV-1 Outbreak

Join the Horses Are Our Lives Chat Group to discuss this topic, as well as other Training Tips and Centered Riding exercises.  We talk about the overall health and well being of the horse, also. Brenda

Will this Rhino Virus outbreak turn into an epidemic?  Only time will tell.  I pray everyone can keep their horse safe.  Please consider staying home and limit horse travel for the next 2-3 weeks.  Let's see what is happening before we unknowingly spread the virus, or bring it back home to our other horses.  I don't want to see my herd sick.  I don't want to see another horse die for a long time.  I think that is what is bothering me the most.  Losing Finny, yes, it has made me goosey.  About everything.  But if the virus came here, and horses became positive, I would have to put them down.  There is no way I could afford the medicine.  Al Dunning, a prominent Cutting Horse trainer, reported that he spent $11,000 within a week to medicate 3 sick horses.  Yes, these are world champions or of that caliber, so well worth the money.  So are my horses, but I don't have those kind of funds to spend on medicine, even though my heart would want to do that.  I would have to shut off all emotions if Starlet, or Duke, or Duster, or Shaggy, or any of the others, including my 2 new babies that are almost here, would get sick and die.

Emotions aside, please make the decision that best suits you and your horses.  For me, my facility is closed to horse traffic for the next 2-3 weeks. I'll be riding the fields alone.  Hopefully, I can get my husband to ride with me a few times.  I will request that anyone coming here to visit, if they have horses at home, change clothes and disinfect their footwear before leaving home.  I'm lucky though, that all the families, except one, don't have other horses at home. I only "think" my place is safe.  I did take Shaggy to a dressage lesson at another barn last Tuesday, May 10, and this Tuesday, May 17.  I'm praying that there are no sick horses at that barn.  With this "spider web" effect that the states have been talking about, we have no way of knowing until horses become sick, what horses have been exposed to this virus.  Many horses went back to their barns or to the trainer barns, potentially exposed, and if they become sick, will have potentially expose many other horses.  Like I said earlier, only time will tell. We should know more about the spread of this disease within the next few weeks.

Here is some other information and links that I have obtained through this past week.  Every day, there is new info out. I'll post this on my chat, Horses Are Our Lives, if you would like to follow it there.  Please request an invite to join the chat, and when  you do, please tell me who you are and a little bit about yourself. thanks! Brenda

Report from a local vet clinic with number of potential cases and confirmed cases as of Thur, May 19, 2011. Make sure to go to the bottom of the article to see the chart of States were horses are infected, are potentially infected, and those that have secondary exposure.
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/ehv_2010_sitrep_051911.pdf

EHV-1 General Info from UC Davis Vet Med:
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/ceh/ehv1_general.cfm

Herpes Virus Brochure from the USDA:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahss/equine/ehv/equine_herpesvirus_brochure_2009.pdf

Equine Herpes Virus Factsheet:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/faq_equine_herpesvirus.pdf

Biosecurity Measures your barn can take:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/content/printable_version/HorseBioSecurity_final.pdf

UPDATES:
May 18, Update:
EHV-1 Update


Six Confirmed Cases of EHV-1 in Colorado Horses
LAKEWOOD, Colo. – The Colorado Department of Agriculture continues to investigate the spread of Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1) in the state.

UPDATE: As of 5/18/2011, 1pm

• 6 confirmed cases of horses with EVH-1

o Five of the confirmed EHV-1 positive horses had recently attended the National Cutting Horse Association's Western National Championships in Ogden, Utah.

o One of the horses diagnosed with EHV-1 received the infection through contact with horses that attended the Utah event.

o One horse, which tested positive for EHV-1, was euthanized after showing severe neurological signs associated with the disease. A second horse was euthanized with similar symptoms but test results have not been confirmed at this point. The others are currently under treatment by veterinarians and in biosecure locations.

• 14 suspect cases. Suspect cases are those horses that are believed to have been exposed to EHV-1 but confirmatory tests are still pending.

• 9 quarantine and hold orders have been issued in 4 counties (Boulder, Larimer, Mesa, & Weld)


UPDATE: Camelids

Camelids, which are alpacas, llamas and camels, are susceptible to EHV-1. There have been no cases of EHV-1 cases in camelids related to this spread and there are no travel restrictions. The main animals at risk for EHV-1 are those horses that traveled to Ogden, UT. Therefore, CDA believes camelids are low risk for
this disease spread.


UPDATE: Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital
The equine section at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital (CSUVTH) is accepting emergency patients and is not and has not been under quarantine due to the outbreak of equine herpesvirus. The CSUVTH has remained open to emergency equine and camelid patients during the outbreak, as well as to all other animal patients. Horses brought into the hospital are routinely and carefully screened for symptoms and history of possible exposure to the disease.  Any horse that may have been exposed to the virus is being held in a separate isolation unit away from the main equine section and other equine patients that
are coming and going. The isolation unit where horses that may have been exposed to the disease are treated is specifically designed for treating infectious disease cases, such as EHV-1 cases. The unit is not physically connected to the main hospital or equine section of the hospital and horses in the main hospital are not exposed to horses in the isolation unit.

BACKGROUND:
New Travel Requirements for Horses Entering Colorado Standard requirements for horses entering Colorado include a health certificate issued within 30 days of their arrival and a negative Coggins test within 12 months. The new requirement consists of a permit to enter the state. Horse owners who wish to bring their horse into Colorado must first call their veterinarian. That veterinarian can then contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture's State Veterinarian's Office at (303) 239-4161 and request a permit number. That number would then be included on the health certificate.
Additional Travel Tips for Horse Owners Traveling To or From Colorado
1. Contact the State Veterinarian's Office of the destination state to find out if travel requirements have changed for that state.

2. Call organizers of the event to see if they have new health requirements or if it has been cancelled.

3. If traveling, practice appropriate biosecurity measures. Biosecurity tips may be found at www.colorado.gov/ag.

4. Isolate any new animals and those returning to the home premises for three weeks when possible.

5. Use separate water, feed supplies and equipment.

6. Continue to monitor the CDA webpage at www.colorado.gov/ag for further information to aid in the decision making for transporting horses.

If your horse attended the Ogden, Utah event:

CDA encourages all horse owners who attended the Ogden, UT, even to notify their veterinarian and isolate and monitor their horses for clinical signs of the disease. These horses should have their temperature taken twice a day. Horses with elevated temperature can be sampled by a veterinarian to analyze whether their horse is shedding EHV-1. Individual horse and barn bio-security is very important. Some horses may not show signs of the disease but may still be a carrier. Those owners are also encouraged to restrict movement of their horses.
General Disease Information

EHV-1 is not transmissible to people; it can be a serious equine disease that can cause respiratory and neurological clinical signs; it can even result in death. The most common way for EHV-1 to spread is by direct horse-to-horse contact. It can also be spread by contaminated tack, equipment, and people's
clothing. In addition, the virus can be spread through aerosols (airborne) for a limited distance.
Symptoms include fever, decreased coordination, nasal discharge, urine dribbling, loss of tail tone, hind limb weakness, leaning against a wall or fence to maintain balance, lethargy, and the inability to rise. While there is
no cure, the symptoms of the disease may be treatable.

Horse owners should isolate any sick horses and immediately contact their veterinarian. Any individual horse with clinical signs consistent with neurological EHV-1 infection should be removed immediately from the area and placed in a separate enclosure for isolation.

Additional Resources—The following information is also posted on our website at
www.colorado.gov/ag :

• A Guide To Understanding the Neurologic Form of EHV Infection

• USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Resources

• American Assoc. of Equine Practitioners Fact Sheet

• CSU EVH-1 Fact Sheet
The Department has received numerous calls from veterinarians, horse owners and media. To help facilitate a timely response, please see the following list.

1. If veterinarians or horse owners have questions about the disease, testing, or other aspects of the investigation:
a. Contact your local veterinarian
b. Dr. Kate Anderson, 303-239-4161, Kate.Anderson@ag.state.co.us
c. Dr. Carl Heckendorf, 303-239-4161, Carl.Heckendorf@ag.state.co.us

2. If you are a media outlet and would like to set up an interview: contact
Christi Lightcap, 303-239-4190, Christi.Lightcap@ag.state.co.us

Apache Trail, Arizona

Thursday, May 5, 2011


Great vacation!  I would love to go back during the winter months and horse camp and ride!

 




Thursday, May 19, 2011

Visiting Phoenix Arizona

Thursday, May 5, 2011
Arizona State Capitol, Phoenix, AZ




One of the 2 anchors from the USS Arizona.  The other is on dispaly at Pearl Harbor.




Wells Fargo Museum,

I love the look of the old luggage.

Arizona vs Colorado Baseball

Wed, May 4, 2011

yes, we went to a professional baseball game while on vacation to Arizona!  This was our Wed evening entertainment.

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Colorado Rockies. Colorado won.








"TRAINING THE MIND OF THE HORSE AND RIDER"

Messick Quarter Horses

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