Goodbye Traveller

Traveller was our first horse and we had to say goodbye to him this morning.  Last night he was laying down and had trouble getting up, but this morning he could no longer stand and take more than a few steps before collapsing.  We called the vet and they came out to the house to see what could be done.  

As the vet was talking about options that were available, he mentioned putting Traveller to sleep, and big T started nodding his head.  Guess he knew it was that time as well.  He went peacefully, with his head in Bill's lap.  It was an incredibly sad morning, but I am so very grateful we had the opportunity to be with him at the last moments.

Big T on September 28, 2014

Traveller was rescued from a feedlot auction on November 3, 2007 for $200.00 by Shiloh Horse Rescue.  They estimated his age as 23 years and 11 months at that time.

When we first visited Shiloh Horse Rescue, the owner showed us a few horses that would be appropriate for our skill level.  The moment I put a halter on Traveller, I felt a zing and knew instantly this was the horse for Bill.  On January 19, 2008, Bill adopted this big thoroughbred and they spent the next 6 and half years as partners and friends.  

Traveller at Shiloh in November 2007

We owe so much to this horse ... he was a pivot point that changed the course of our lives forever.  Because of him, Bill got over his fear of horses and learned to ride, I got the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a horse, we moved from Las Vegas to our rural town, met a whole new group of friends, Bill got a new career, we bought our first house, and basically changed our entire lifestyle.

Everything we have done since January 2008 has been a direct result of purchasing that big lug nut.  I can't possibly imagine a life without my horses now, and I owe that feeling of being whole to Traveller.  

He taught us good things, like how to maintain your seat when your horse makes a 3 foot leap to one side for no apparent reason, or how to keep your feet out from under his gargantuan hooves, and how to fly - he liked to shove me with that big head of his and it would send me flying forward a few feet.  He was the first horse my son ever rode, and the reason my son won't ride at a trot anymore (Trav had the worst trot ever. Seriously, WORST EVER).

He watched over the herd and accepted all the horses that came and went until we were able to settle on our current pack of mismatched horses.  He was always a patient leader and mostly a good sport.

One of my favorite memories was when we turned all six horses out for the first time, and he gave them a "round pen" lesson.  I also loved when he would get wind up his nostrils and would buck and snort like a youngster. 

I'm going to miss that old guy.  The yard isn't going to be the same without his booming call whenever a horse trailer pulls up.  Thank you for everything T, I love you.

Monthly Totals

November 2014
370 minutes = 6 hours riding time on Morgan

170 minutes = 2.75 hours - Bill and Majesty

105 minutes = 1.75 hours - Bill and Wasabi

Wasabi's saddle time 2014: 
Jan - Jun - 5 hrs
July - 2 hrs
Aug - 1 hr
Sept - 0 hr
Oct - 0 hr
Nov - 1.75 hrs
--------------------
9.75 hours total

Traveller napping away the last day of November

More Baths!

Saturday, September 27th

It's starting to be a bit chilly in the morning and the horse's "fur pajamas" are starting to show, so I figured it was time for their last summer baths.  I only managed to get 3 out of the 5 done, but there's always next weekend for Wasabi & Sundance.

First I started with Traveller ... he kinda looked like a puppy sniffing the ground and once he discovered the "delightful" aroma of alfalfa was coming from the trailer, he stood like a pointer for a bit before trying to grab a snack.  Silly old man.

Majesty is NOT a fan of the goat ... here he is closing his eyes and wishing the goat would go away.  That didn't work, so he tried making silly faces and noises, which did work, much to his surprise!

Morgan was supposed to be drying in the sunshine while I filled the dinner buckets, but she kept giving me "the eye" while I worked.  So I held out a cube and she promptly yoinked it and turned her head away, just in case I wanted it back or something.

Morgan's resigned face before the bath starts, and her "look at me, I'm gorgeous" pose after her bath. 

Just hanging around waiting for the rain

Our version of Red, White, and Blue ... 
Sundance, Traveller, and Wasabi preparing for the storm that moved in 10 minutes later. 

Gelding Adventures

Sunday, August 24th  15 minute ride  88° 
Rode Traveller - 10 minutes
Rode Majesty - 5 minutes

So, I drug the old man Traveller out of the turn out because I couldn't remember riding him more than once in 2014.  He turned 31 this year and has been retired for the last 3 or 4 years, but we try to ride him once a quarter to make him feel useful.

He is a giant!  I'm used to my 14 hh Morgan, so hopping on this 16.2 hh Thoroughbred requires preparation - I have to use the treeless saddle because his back is higher than my head, I have to locate a step stool tall enough that I can clamber up into the saddle with my short legs, and have a good dose of bravery ... because sitting that high off the ground is very nerve-wracking.  He is so tall that he can stick this head into the feed trailer with the door closed and start snacking.  Yeah, that was fun.

After that adventure, I took Majesty for a quick spin because he kept trying to stick his head in the bridle when I went to grab Traveller.  Of course, once I got him tacked up, he didn't really want to go anywhere ... it was getting dark and it was definitely dinner time.

And how did Morgan feel about me riding the geldings?

She was just fine with being left in the turn out, thank you very much.

June 11, 2012 - Finding Contentment

For adults, hours in the saddle are stolen pleasures.

Rode Traveller in the turn out.  He wasn't happy as dinner had just been served.  Had to figure a way to climb on him bareback - decided to let him eat in his stall while I climbed up.  Rode around the turn out for a few minutes, but it was clear he didn't want to be disturbed.  I forget that sitting on him puts me five feet in the air.  Everything looks so different from that perspective ... I can't see over his head like Morg or Sabi and the ground seems so very far down.

He's bony and high-withered and it's uncomfortable to ride him bareback.  He's slimmer than Morg and not nearly as smooth, but he's oh so patient and slow. :)

Morgan was clearly upset that I rode Traveller.  She had called out to me when I approached the turn out with the bitless, and huffed when I put it on T.  I hopped on her, but she didn't want to ride in the arena and kept going to the gate.  If I had a saddle I would have opened it and gone out, but she was fired up and I didn't want to run with no saddle.

We sat at the gate and looked out at the sand dunes, and watched the sun set.  I realized how comfortable I was on her ... she's wide enough to make me feel secure but not stretched; her head is always straight up but I can see between her ears easily; she chuffs and huffs but it's not scary.  On her back I am at ease.  

With Majesty I get the feeling he'll take care of me.  On Smoke (Lil'Red) I get the feeling I'm the support base and I have to be alert at all times.  On Sabi it's a battle of wills for control.  On Sundance I am comfortable, relaxed, but I feel her limping so I worry about her too much to enjoy more than a few minutes.

With Morgan, I find peace and exhilaration, contentment and thrill.  I, too, want to ride out to the sand dunes with Morg!

May 22, 2012

Rode Wasabi in turn out for 10 minutes.  Really fighting to turn right or left.  Traveller was in the turn out eating, so that may be part of the issue.  Try blunt spurs.

Rode Morgan around the turn out for a bit.  I opened the gate and took her for a walk in the open acres behind their stalls.  Then I mounted and we rode back to the goats, down the driveway, and to the tack shed.  Untacked in front of the shed and walked her back to her stall.

Majesty looked like he wanted a ride, since I had the bitless I put it on him.  Seemed disappointed we didn't have a saddle, so he just walked to the open stall and started eating.  Guess he wanted to run.