Not really, I just plain didn't feel like writing on my blog. Maybe I was a little burnt out? Who knows. It's been a while so here we go.
I spent the summer showing my special horse Murphy as much as possible. We did six Mini Trials and several hunter paces, took lessons and went XC schooling whenever we could. I had a blast riding him and learned to have fun on a horse I really trusted to take care of me. On Oct. 30th I took Hannah trick or treating...that night we ended up in the ER at Akron Children's Hospital. She has to have a catheter to remove urine form her bladder because she "held it" for so long that she was on full. She'd been riding her horse a lot and made herself sore....therefore it hurt to "go." Not a fun trip but at least it was nothing serious. The next day (Halloween morning) I was allowed to sleep in because the previous night turned into morning and I'd had little sleep. I ended up out in the barn around 11am and noticed one horse was missing from the herd out in the pasture. To my horror I discovered my beloved Murphy had died and was laying near the pasture gate. I was hysterical, heartbroken and feeling robbed. Later in the day we discovered he had not struggled, there were no signs of distress....my vet said it was most likely and Aneurysm that killed him. While the entire situation SUCKED, at least I knew my sweet horse had not suffered.
I had several offers from friends....but really didn't want another horse at that point. I decided to start riding Tipping again and even though she'd had most of the summer off, she behaved perfectly. Giving me some time to enjoy the ride and have peaceful alone time in the saddle. I'm sure she could sense my sadness and I was grateful to her for being so good for me.
We decided in December that we were going to breed Tipping to Dark Kestrel in the spring. So I took her off the market (of course right when I finally got some interest) and made plans for her future date.
This is where "Vegas" comes in.
Back in August I took a listing for a trainer (coincidentally the same one I bought Murphy from) for a pretty chestnut gelding he wanted to sell. He told me this horse would race until sold. I was smitten with "He's My Tuff" from the moment I saw him. I'm not a huge fan of chestnuts...even when they have as much white as he did.
But his personality was so kind and his eye was so soft. He was a fancy mover and he was a big, solid, strong looking horse. I told the trainer I thought he'd sell quickly...and I was wrong! Over the next four months I bugged the trainer weekly. Asking how "Tuff" was and if he'd had any interest. A few callers but no buyer committed. I know this trainer pretty well and I knew that if this horse didn't sell, eventually he'd give him away and I'd find out later....
So I told him if it came down to it....this horse was MINE. I wanted him for a resale project badly. I never thought I'd actually need another horse for myself...and Christmas Eve I got the call. I wasn't looking, still heartbroken over Murphy. However, there was no way I was going to say no when "Tuff" was available.
I picked him up on the 29th and brought him home. He was thinner than I has remembered, had a new-ish osselet on the right front ankle and he was sore everywhere. Poor fella. He still had the soft look in his eye and he was very people oriented though a bit shy. "Tuff" was not going to stick as a name. I asked lots of friends for suggestions and finally decided on "Vegas" for several reasons. Since I have always wanted to go there...and this fella has numbers freeze branded on his neck....it just kind of fit him. Plus, with the money I've had to spend to help get him sound I figure I probably could have had my trip to Vegas by now!
Long story short, Vegas has bad feet. The ankle was no biggie, I knew it would get better with time. The feet...well...that's been a chore. He's had abscesses in both front feet that have left him nearly crippled over the last five weeks. He's spent each day wrapped up and in his stall until more foot grew out. It finally did, both feet finally grew out enough that he was ready for shoes. Only problem, thin soles, thin hoof wall. So we decided on putting Sigafoos glue on shoes on him for one cycle. My lovely chestnut gelding is now sound and happy and finally starting some work. I'm so happy to see how fancy he is and how smart too. I am planning on just doing light riding and mostly ground work until the footing outside is good enough to ride on. He needs to have his hocks injected at some point but the pocketbook needs a breather for a while first. He'll be fine for the work I'm asking at this point. This is "Vegas" a week after arriving:
I miss Murphy badly but Vegas puts a smile on my face. He has huge shoes to fill for sure. The plan for now is to see how he does with training and then hopefully he'll take to eventing and foxhunting. If he does, he'll be the lucky one to spend his winters in Aiken with Sharon and his spring/summer here with me. He'll get more real jumping experience down south and have more refined flat sessions here. We decided to do this because I've been waiting for one of our racehorses to retire so I can keep him. I've been riding this horse since he was two (he's five now) and I adore him. If Vegas takes to what we teach him, then he can stay here...I don't really have time for two horses and this would be the ideal situation because I really don't want to sell him if I don't have to.
OKay, next topic? Hannah of course!
She's now 3yrs old and happily tells anyone that that asks. She's talking up a storm....but we can't always understand her. She loves to dance and sing and is a Dora/Diego/Team Umizoomi addict. Thankfully these shows are the same ones that have gotten her to speak up. She counts to ten in Spanish and has also learned a bit of Chinese form another show she watches. She keeps us on our toes for sure! I wouldn't trade a second of it though. She is my world.
Racing will start back up full time on the 1st. We had a fantastic year last year. I feel blessed to have such nice horses to gallop and have such good luck. Crossing my fingers that the good fortune continues for years to come.
