Cackling Ranch - A journal of things and stuff.

Oh my goodness! I'm surprised, but certainly understand your decision. You're right that you can always get back into goats when the time is right. Follow your passion!

wow I'm also surprised! But, doing it yourself and working the insane hours you do, I can't blame you. Those are two lovely horses and I hope you're able to have less stress and more fun with the small amount of spare time you have!

I've been milling it over for a while now.

My husband and I talked about it in depth. Losing Maya was a wake up call.

I can't wait to start riding again. I've been buying all new tack for Xena, Secret will use Mayas old tack, because she's a monster and nothing I have fits.

Sometimes you just have to do what is right for you. My first love is horses too. I know it was a hard decision to give up your goats, but you have to take care of you first. You were pulled in too many directions and something had to go.

I love your new horses, they are beautiful.

Our new boy is looking good, fat, slick and sweet. He is perfect for the grand kids, calm, gentle and almost spook free. I like him because he is 13 hands and with my crapped out knees, it is a struggle to get on 16 hand horses anymore. Last time I rode him, he got a serious study on a big wooden box out by the road used to keep dogs out of the trash. He never spooked, but just stopped and studied it before moving on. Love that boy!

So this evening after I got done playing in the garden and feeding everyone, I went out to give Xena her medicine. She has an upper respiratory infection ( basically shipping fever ) and has been getting Penicillin for the last few days. She's definitely feeling better... she saw me coming with that needle and was on the MOVE. She does NOT like getting shots.

I can do anything to this mare, and I mean anything, except spray her with fly spray and give her a shot.

After I finally gave her her medicine I brushed her down, picked her feet, and leaned on her for a while just scratching her back. She seemed to really enjoy it. I'm absolutely in love with this mare.

This made me smile It's great that you are following your passion, as you should. I can see you are feeling good about your decision and that is wonderful. Please keep us posted on these two beauties and how things are going.

When I grew up I was mad for horses and wanting to ride too. I did for awhile, but had to stop. I haven't been on a horse in… 13 years now. I miss it! There are so very many horses here in Ireland, they are everywhere. I should get into riding again.

Yes Sumi, you should get back to riding. It is good for your soul.

Can't wait to hear more about your horses, they are beautiful.

I caught this moment when Joe struck a pose while enjoying the new fenced in area! Joe is 28 years old.

@baymule I know Joe is a Cremello, but he reminds me of Mama (My few spot App mustang mare.)

Post coming, I'm just going to copy it from the other forum I posted it on. I'm lazy like that.

The garden isn't doing as well as I would have hoped this year. We have nothing to can and it's coming to the end of the realistic growing season. It's about to start getting hot and they don't really like the heat that we get here. My tomatoes have only produced one or two here and there. I think I'm going to give up on the garden this year.. soon...

The chickens have been drug over to the compost pile and are having a field day digging for bugs and turning my compost for me! I'll move their tractor next week or so and let the compost rest but it sure looks rich and pretty in there right now!!!

When DH gets home next we're going to start working on our pallet barn. We have a plan to build a 12x20 barn and put 4 horse stalls in it. It may take us a few months to collect all the pallets but I really enjoy the idea of us building something together again.

Once we get done with the barn we are going to get started on a round pen for the horses I'm training.

Life is looking up again. Its nice to be back in the saddle.

I am sorry to have kept you waiting. Life has been keeping me busy.

Most of you I believe know my mustang mare Mama:












Not her most flattering pictures but ya'll already know how pretty she is.
I got Mama when I was 14, and she's a permanent member of my herd. She's retired now after an injury to a tendon two years ago. She's who I refer to as the love of my life. We've done many crazy things together and been all over the country together. You name it, we've done it. I love this mare! I miss riding her. I really do.

Back in the day we used to FLY! Mama and I were the inseperable duo. We jumped, we ran barrels, we did endurance, we ran around the country like two peas in a pod. She had her days though. Her days where she wanted to kill me. Her days when the world was out to get her. It never stopped me from loving her.

Back in the days when everything I put on her was orange:



She was dirty:


Here's a few more. I've had this mare almost 20 years we have a few pictures together.