LOSING MY NOBLE AND GREAT HORSE!

In my fantasy series, "The Mist Trilogy," I made up a story about the noble and great horses who are chosen to be unicorns when they die.

I now have sent a second "noble and great" horse to Celestia, the unicorn kingdom in the afterlife.

On Sunday, Oct. 15th, my beautiful Kit left this earth life. Kit was an amazing horse that I had the privilege of owning for twenty-two years. He was almost twenty-nine when he died which is old for a thoroughbred. His health was not great. He had already lived through a surgery to remove a tumor around his optic nerve. He also had to have daily medication for cushings. Cushings is a common desease in older horses though it has been diagnosed on rare occasions in younger horses. The symptoms include: 1. Excessive thirst and urination. Normally, a horse drinks 5 to 8 gallons of water a day. A horse with cushings drinks 20 gallons of water a day. 2. His coat gets long and doesn't shed in the summer. 3. He looses muscle tone and weight and his eyes get dull. They often develop a hay belly. 

Your vet can do a blood test to determine if your horse has cushings. It can not be cured but can be managed with medication. I was giving Kit daily Prascend pills by hand. They made a world of difference.

However, even with the best of care that I was giving Kit, I can't stop time.

Kit was the leader of my band of horses at my house. Yet he was always the gentleman. The other horses respected him and deferred to him but he was never unkind to any of them. I called him my "benevolent dictator!"

Kit was the RMDS Dressage Champion at First Level and First Level Freestyle. He was also the cover boy for all my trail guide books titled: "Riding Colorado." I bought him as an untrained six year old and trained him to compete in Dressage and ride the trails in the Colorado mountains. We shared some amazing adventures together.

I am so grateful that I had the privileged of owning and loving this amazing horse.

Here is a beautiful poem that a friend sent to me. Maybe it will make you feel better if you've lost a horse, too.

Don't Cry For The Horses by Brenda Riley-Seymore

Don't cry for the horses that life has set free.
A million white horses, forever to be.
Don't cry for the horses now in God's hands.
As they dance and prance to a heavenly band.

They were ours as a gift, but never to keep
As they close their eyes, forever to sleep.
Their spirits unbound, forever to fly.
A million white horses, against the blue sky.

Look up into Heaven. You will see them above.
The horse we lost, the horse we loved.
Manes and tails flying, they gallop through time.
They were never yours, they were never mine.

Don't cry for the horses, they will be back someday.
When our time has come, they will show us the way.
Do you hear that soft nicker close to your ear?
Don't cry for the horses, love the ones that are here.

If you would like an autographed copy of "The Mist Trilogy," go to the website: 

www.dancinghorsepress.com

The series is also available in print and ebook wherever books are sold.

MY BLIND HORSE-HE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE AGAIN WHEN HE BECOMES A UNICORN!

Kit in the Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO

Kit at Fox Run Regional park in El Paso County, Colorado

My precious thoroughbred, Kit, is now 24 years old. I found him in a pasture in northern Colorado as a barely trained six year old. I began training him in dressage and on trails. I competed with him through 2nd level in dressage and he was the RMDS champion twice before I retired him from competition and just used him as my main trail horse. He is the cover boy of all three of my "Riding Colorado" trail guide books. I love this horse with all my heart.

On Halloween, 2014, I was on a trail ride with my friends and Kit ran into the horse in front of me. "Weird," I thought. Then,  on another ride last fall, he ran into a tree. "Weird," I thought. Then on the trail ride at Fox Run pictured above, I was standing beside him and he ran right over me! I knew something was very wrong. I started swinging my hand toward his left eye and he didn't flinch or even blink. I called my vet, Dr. Marc McCall and told him I thought Kit had lost his vision in his left eye. Dr. McCall said it was probably just a cataract and he could remove it, making his as good as new.

When Dr. McCall checked him, he discovered that it wasn't a cataract, that it was optic nerve damage and that there was nothing we could do. Kit would be blind in that eye for the rest of his life. I was heartbroken for him.

So, I started re-training Kit to get used to half a world. At first, he appeared to be super sensitive to sound and they would spook him, but now he seems to be adjusting and coping much better. I ride him knowing I have to be his left eye. I have been riding him with a slight flexion to the left in order to center his right eye more. When I approach him from the left (the "near side" where we equestrians do most of our work) I make sure I talk to him so as not to startle him.

Kit, like all of us, needs to be allowed to accomplish all that he can. None of us is perfect so we just do our best with what we have.

I found this youtube video of a completely blind dressage horse being competed at 2nd level dressage. The horse is in Oregon, my old home state.
Click here to watch it:
https://youtu.be/NS0TqVafEeI

Horses are healers for people but people can also be healers for horses!

WHY AND WHAT I WRITE!

Dear Readers,
This post is a bit different from my typical posts about horses, horses and more horses! I was invited by author Ann Goldfarb who writes Time Travel/Mysteries to participate in a "Blog Hop."  A "Blog Hop" allows readers of a blog to get connected to other blogs. All of the authors are asked to answer the same four questions...questions that are typically asked of authors. I really enjoy doing school visits and these are the type of questions that I am asked by the students. So, here is your chance to learn a little bit about the life of an author! I hope you enjoy it.

1. WHAT AM I WORKING ON?
Right now I have a few irons in the fire. As you know, I have just released "Riding Colorado III-Day AND Overnight Trips With Your Horse." That is, obviously, a non-fiction trail guide book. In writing non-fiction, the best part is the research. In this case, "research" means I have to personally visit places and trails all over the state with my horse. How fun is that! Returning home, cleaning out the trailer and doing laundry, then sitting down and writing up all that I did is not as much fun. That is where writing fiction, and fantasy in particular, wins out for my heart. Right now, I am making final decisions with my publisher on the third and final book of The Mist Trilogy: "The Rising Mist." I am so excited about it. I have just re-read the entire book and love it! (I know...author's always love their books! But this one really is good!!!)

All horse-lovers are going to enjoy this fantasy. As in the other two books of The Mist Trilogy, this is the story of the noble and great horses that are chosen to become unicorns when they die and the first boy and girl who are allowed to become unicorn riders. In the beginning of this book, Nicholas and Bethany and their unicorns are sent on several missions to earth to rescue animals, particularly horses, that are in danger. My favorite chapters involve the Legion of the Unicorn members saving ten of the Lipizzan stallions form Vienna that have been kidnapped and held for ransom. They return from this adventure to Celestia only to find a crisis awaiting them. The evil unicorn, Hasbadana, has kidnapped Nicholas's sisters. Urijah, the Lord of Celestia, sends Nick and Bethany to the Dark Kingdom to confront Hasbadana and bring the sisters home. Instead, Nick and Bethany are themselves imprisoned in a swirling mist of darkness deep within the crumbling stone walls of Hasbadana's castle. When Urijah willingly sacrifices himself to take the place of the humans, Nick is determined to find a way to free Urijah. I think this is the best book of the trilogy and that you will enjoy it even if you are not a horse-lover! It will be released by Two Harbors press in late July 2014. I can't wait!

2. HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?

I have never read a fantasy that is at all like The Mist Trilogy. Horse stories are one thing. Fantasies are another. The combination of horses and unicorns is unique. I also combine real locations with the fantasy world of Celestia, the home of the immortal unicorns. In addition, because I love art, I insert bits of information about famous artists in all three books. Look for that!

3. WHY DO I WRITE WHAT I DO?

First, Why do I write? I grew up in a family of artists. My mother's art form was ballet. My grandmother and aunts' art medium was painting. My outlet for creative expression is writing. I love to paint pictures with words. I chose to write for middle grade readers because I want them to love to read. I am thrilled every time I get letters from readers that have loved my books. They make me cry! I am over-joyed when I get the occasional letter from a mom who tells me that my books made their child love to read. That makes the many lonely hours in front of the computer completely worth it!

Second, I write what I am passionate about...most of my books, both fiction and non-fiction center around horses. I think I must have been born with manure in my blood. I have been horse-crazy since birth. I have worked hard all my life in order to be with horses. I supported my own horse as a teenager by babysitting, cleaning houses, etc, etc. Now I use my book royalties to help support my horses. (Notice I wrote "horses." I have three!)

4.  HOW DOES MY WRITING PROCESS WORK?

I have learned some handy tricks over the ten years that I have been a professional author. First, regardless of how great you are as a writer, there is no getting around the fact you have to put in the time. And it takes a lot of time! I have the over-arching story in my head when I start to write and I write and write and write until the entire story is done. That means I don't look back until the entire story is done. Then I go back and reread and revise and alter as seems necessary. Another trick I have learned is to never stop writing for the day at the end of a chapter. Stop in the middle of a paragraph or even right in the middle of a sentence. That way, when you return to your writing, you already have a start. Beta Readers are also helpful. but remember, it is your book. You don't have to take their suggestions. However, I am always open to what they have to say and I appreciate their comments. 

Here is the cool ad that was created to announce the release of "The Rising Mist." How do you like it?

Now, I know you horse-lovers also love to eat! I have the blog for you. Michele Morris is an award winning cookbook writer and amazing food photographer. Her book: "Tasting Colorado" (of which I have purchased several copies for gifts,) was the winner in the Colorado Author's League Book Awards non-fiction category. Her next beautiful cookbook, "Tasting Washington," will be out soon!

Click here to visit her blog in the author "Blog Hop."     www.cookingwithmichele.com 

She will help you create the food you have always dreamed of. She will answer the four questions about being an author that I did above. 

Another great author to discover is Sandy Whelchel. Sandy is the author of the award winning book: Fox and Geese and has recently released the historical saga: Willow Switch. she is the author of six non-fiction books, three fiction books and five coloring books as well as numerous short stories and articles. Her blog was a finalist in the Colorado Author's League writing awards Blog division for one of her articles. 

Her blog is perfect for history buffs! You can access it by clicking here:

www.authorsandy.wordpress.com/tag/sandy-whelchel

I was invited to participate in this "Blog Hop" by time travel/mystery writer Ann Goldfarb. Please visit her blog by clicking here: www.timetravelmysteries.blogspot.com

HOW TO CELEBRATE YOUR BIRTHDAY

 Everyone has a birthday now and then. If you are getting up there, you would rather not keep track any longer. However, my test riders from my "Riding Colorado" books and I have a fun tradition. Whenever we have a birthday, we go on a birthday ride. The birthday girl gets to choose where she wants the group to go. Since I have written three trail guide books for Colorado, it is a tough decision. I know so many great trails! However, yesterday, I chose to stay close to home so we could have cake with one of our riders who is recuperating from a terrible event (Her heart stopped! It's a miracle that she is still alive. Her husband performed CPR for 15 minutes until the paramedics arrived. I'd say that qualifies as a "terrible" event wouldn't you?) Anyway, I chose to go to one of the new day trips in "Riding Colorado III". It is a new open space created by Douglas County called "Lincoln Mountain." I am the leader in the line above riding my wonderful thoroughbred and cover boy Kit. I love that horse as you know if you have been reading my posts for a while. One thing I love about Colorado that is obvious from the picture is that you can see forever! Having grown up in Oregon, surrounded by trees, I couldn't believe that the sky was so big when I arrived in Colorado. Now I get claustrophobic when I return to Oregon. I want someone to cut down those trees! (I know, I know, my Oregon readers will think I'm nuts!)

Anyway, if you have a birthday coming up, gather some friends and go for a trail ride. Better yet, plan a trip with your horse and your friends to Colorado. If you want to know where to go, buy Riding Colorado III-Day and Overnight Trips With Your Horse. I have previewed campgrounds, resorts, cabins and Bed and Breakfasts that will host both you and your horse. In addition, I have reviewed trails around each destination. Riding Colorado III is available on Amazon.com

Happy Trails to You!

MORE ABOUT RIDING COLORADO III

My third equestrian trail guide book is now available!

Want to see what it's all about?

View this video!

http://youtu.be/FNIWI1sexos

Riding Colorado III is now available on Amazon for a great discount! Just $17.95!!!

Click Here:

Riding Colorado III-Day Trips and Overnight Trips With Your Horse

JOE CODY: CREATING A REINING DYNASTY IN CELESTIA

Not all noble and great horses are thoroughbred race horses or movie/t.v. stars. Take Joe Cody for example. He is arguably the most famous and influential American Quarter Horse ever! Little Joe was born on Tom Cochran's ranch in Buckholt, TX in 1952. As a yearling, he was purchased by Robert F. Roberts of Tyler, TX. With Doc Spence in the saddle, he earned the AQHA Championship in reining in 1955...just a 3 year old! 

He was eventually purchased by the well-known breeder, photographer, magazine publisher (Practical Horseman and Performance Horseman) and movie producer (The Horse America Made,) C.T. "Tom" Fuller of Catasauqua, PA. In 1964, Tom moved the stallion to Willow Brook Farms where he became the basis for his quarter horse breeding operation. This was all thanks to his daughter's love of horses I might add and a groom who brought two of Joe's daughters to the ranch. Tom decided he loved the mares so much, he might as well own their father.

Joe Cody is considered the founding sire of Reining horses even though he won championships in both reining and cutting. A little side note, just before Tom bought him, he was invited by the government of Bermuda to perform reining and cutting at their agricultural fair and he stunned everyone with his performance.

Both Joe Cody and C.T Fuller have been inducted in the AQHA Hall of Fame. Joe Cody died in 1989 at the age of 37 and is buried on Willow Brook Farm. 

A little commentary: Tom Fuller's father had purchased the land for the farm in an effort to keep the area rural and to stop development and industrial encroachment. Currently, much of the farm is now under the airport when the land was taken (stolen) by the government claiming eminent domain! 

GREAT NEWS! I have just finished writing my third equestrian trail guide book for Colorado: Riding Colorado III - Day Trips and Over-Night Trips With Your Horse.  YES- Over-Night Trips! So, all you Colorado wanna-be's who have always dreamed of riding your horse in the Colorado Mountains can find out where to come! I'll let you know when it is published. For a sneak preview, here is the picture for the cover: 

Start planning a summer trip to Colorado!

How to Fatten Up Your Skinny Horse

I have had Kit since he was six years old. He is now twenty-three! I competed with him through second level dressage, bringing home two championships and a reserve champion. He is also the cover boy for my trail guide books. Now he is my main trail horse as I work on my third trail guide book.

I LOVE this  horse. He is my buddy.

This summer he started loosing weight. Now, since he is a thoroughbred, he has never been fat. Just like the difference between a greyhound and a St. Bernard, Thoroughbreds just don't like to get round! However, he has always been in great condition. I kept giving him more and more hay and all I was getting was more and more manure! I had the vet come out and he decided the problem was worn down molars due to his advanced age. He was having trouble chewing the hay sufficiently to digest it. So, it was just passing through. Our new diet plan is to decrease the amount of hay and greatly but GRADUALLY increase the amount of complete feed. I use Omolene 400. The average horse needs about twenty-five pounds of feed a day between hay and grains. I also use soaked beet pulp. I decided to also add some soaked alfalfa pellets. All this to make it soft enough for easy eating. He is already looking much better.

So, here are some tips for fattening up your horse. Remember, any changes you make in diet must be made GRADUALLY. Always consult with your vet and plan on it being a slow process.

1. Have the vet do a health check, especially the teeth. Worn down molars are only one possible tooth problem. Broken teeth and infections can also be the problem.

2. Increase the protein intake whether through hay (alfalfa is higher than grass) or through complete feeds. Extruded Soy is both high in fat and protein and that makes a good additive.

3. Increase fat. This can be done with beet pulp, soy and/or corn oil.

4. Make sure your worming is up to date.

5. Keep him warm in cold weather.

6. Consult with: Your vet, your horse friends and the feed store for advice.


Great News! The Third Book of The Mist Trilogy, The Rising Mist, will be out in ebook format soon! I'll let you know when the print version is out. Here is the cover that just came back from the publisher:

TERRIBLE TRAILERING TAILS

I hate to age myself but this is what horse trailers typically looked like when I was a little girl!

While it is true that trailers have come a long, long way since then, it is still really quite remarkable that horses trust us enough to step into a noisy moving can. To them it must look very frightening. Just imagine that you were a horse and your owner wanted to put you into this:

Does it surprise you that many horses have trouble being convinced to get into a trailer? 

I sold my wonderful horse, Tai, when I got married but I warned my husband that when the last child went to first grade, I was going to get a horse again. Twenty-five years later, Nick went to first grade and I went horse-shopping. I also went trailer shopping and I came home with a brand new trailer that looked pretty much like this, only hunter green inside and out.

I had no idea that my wonderful new thoroughbred, Kit was cluster-phobic! The dark, enclosed trailer put him over the edge. He became harder and  harder to load. After a few trips, he lost control and went crazy in the trailer. He bashed the back door with two-hoof kicks and climbed up on the front feeder and bashed out the front window. I needed a crow bar to get the door open and was finally able to get him out. I put him in a pen at the stable and drove to Parker Trailers, where I had purchased the trailer. I said, with tears in my eyes, "I can't use this trailer." They took one look at the trailer and said, "We'll get you something else." They took my bashed up trailer as a trade-in (and gave me a very generous amount considering all the work they would have to do to get it fixed again to re-sell) and sent me off with a white, slant-load stock trailer complete with dressing room for me.. Kit happily walked right in this trailer and has never been a problem since. 

Over the years, I have heard so many horror stories about horses and trailers. Here is a picture of a horse that tried to dive out the window. They used a picnic table shoved up beneath the window to get the horse out. Believe it or not, this horse was not hurt. 

Other horses have not been so lucky. Two weeks ago, I was expecting Ron from Arizona to bring his two horses to my house for the weekend. Ron had been planning for a year to ride the Colorado Trail. This beautiful and, in places, challenging trail is five hundred miles long and winds its way from Waterton Canyon near Denver down to Durango. It has been built and is maintained by the Colorado Trail Foundation in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service. It is broken into sections for easy on and off and re-supplying. Thus, hikers and equestrians love this trail. Ron's plan was to take his two horses, one to ride and one to carry supplies and ride the trail in thirty days, taking Sunday's off. He was driving up to Denver when his mare started kicking the back door of the trailer, broke it open and slid under the rump strap. At the time, Ron was driving at sixty-five miles per hour and by the time he was able to stop, the mare had been dragged and so damaged that she had to be put down. This is so very, very sad for both Ron and his mare. 

I'm sure you have heard of other terribly sad stories as we drive around the country with our horses in tow. Writing my trail-guide books: Riding Colorado, Riding Colorado II and the one I am working on now: Riding Colorado III, means I have put thousands of miles on my trailer (and it shows, believe me!) Add driving to horse shows and I get even more miles. Even though I have had a lot of trailer driving experience, it is still a worry. I wish I had one of these in my car: 

So, after I load up my horses, re-check my connection and doors, I always say a prayer!

Other safety tip: Have your trailer floor boards, brakes and ties checked regularly.