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Post by Shar on Nov 11, 2009 22:54:40 GMT -5
Hey Sandy- Tomorrow is the day for the visit to the "breeding farm" or in-breeding farm, whichever... so will keep you posted. Today was an amazing day! Rode that new "crazy" gelding who thinks he's a stud... and I think I am in love! He was wonderful! He has settled down so nicely the last couple days, and is such a smart boy who needs a job... and so amazingly beautiful! Just rode him in the round pen while everyone watched with abated breath, but tomorrow will be the arena. Again, just a case of the wrong owner for the horse. He takes my breath away just like my crazy Jasmine! I didn't think that could happen twice in a lifetime. I know he will make an amazing endurance horse, and I don't do endurance or really anything besides train horses and trail ride... but he is almost worth being a keeper at the barn. And coming from me, that is saying a lot. =) Why do I fall in love with the ones who need the most work?!? The "boring" beginner horses are the ones that I train and sell and feel okay with them moving on... I do the opposite of any normal horse owner. I just love the challenges! I will keep you posted on the breeding farm, and let me know what you find out on those two "skinny" ones. =) I hope your day was as wonderful as mine! Have to love this warm weather!
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Post by SandyG on Nov 17, 2009 11:32:30 GMT -5
Happy Birthday, Lynn O. ! Hope your day is full of suprises and goodness!
By the way, Handsome sends a special Birthday Hug your way . . . 
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lynn
New Member
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Post by lynn on Nov 17, 2009 20:17:30 GMT -5
Thank you Sandy! It is the big 40 today! Thank you Handsome for the hug- he is so wonderful. I will be there for the Applebees breakfast. I had a blast working with Tracey in the kitchen. Thank you again  |
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Post by SandyG on Nov 17, 2009 20:50:10 GMT -5
The big 40! Well, for that special event Handsome sends a Handsome-sized hug and a Handsome-size kiss! Better bring a bath towel for the latter!
Will be good to see you for the Breakfast! Hope your day was a special one indeed -
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Post by Shar on Nov 20, 2009 15:19:11 GMT -5
Sometimes I wonder if people really realize how amazing it is to be part of Sandy's world... A friend of mine and I stopped by her place on tuesday while we were just driving by and saw how exhausted she is over Laddee and the toll it takes when you have the responsiblity of saving another's life every single day. Wait... actually twice a day.
We then watched in amazement as we saw Sandy walk the "killer horse" into the place to change and clean her wounds and saw the bond the two of them had as Sandy changed Laddee's trach... the trust and love that the mare has towards Sandy, and the trust and love Sandy also has towards the mare... Sandy, if that is marriage... I guess I have always had the wrong idea!
To anyone who has not had the chance to watch what Sandy is doing twice a day for this mare... it is the most incredible, heart-wrenching thing I have ever seen. I told Sandy that I didn't know if I could do it, she said sure you could if it meant saving a life... but truthfully, I really know in my heart of hearts that it takes someone like Sandy who doesn't just say "well the horse has cancer and will die anyway, so might as well put her down now"... Sandy says, this horse has had such a rough life, I just want to give her life and happiness for as long as I can until she no longer lets me. Let me tell you... that horse truly wants to live.
Today, I received an email from sandy just wanting to make sure that everything was okay since she hadn't heard from me since I was there... with all the craziness in her life, she still took the time to think of others... Anyone who has met Sandy, or even better, has the pleasure to know her... We are all extremely lucky to have someone like her walking this earth with us. As is every single horse that is lucky enough to wander into her path one way or another. Thank you Sandy... for each and everytime you amaze us with your kindness, caring, and bring a miracle into each of our lives.
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Post by SandyG on Nov 21, 2009 8:02:04 GMT -5
You are way too kind, Shar. Thank you for your words and for your support. You, too, know the work and hours of energy that saving a life can cost. But like I told you, I love this mare.
I love her. That means you go out of your way to help and support the one you love. It means you thrill when she has a good day and you laugh at her antics. And you put your own needs and wants behind hers for as long as she is with you. I love her, Shar. Plain and simple.
This mare has much to teach us. We humans who think we are so smart and crafty! We humans who work so hard at deception and masking our true feelings. Who are so bottled up and not nearly as free as this little Belgian mare. Laddee is a model to all of us - if only we will be brave enough to look at her with open eyes. With a mirror in our hearts. Rather than look at her with pity.
She doesn't want your pity! She wants to teach you. She wants to fulfill her destiny. And I love her. And yes, she loves me. What bliss this is!
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Post by SandyG on Nov 21, 2009 19:35:42 GMT -5
Thanks and more thanks to the many who helped with an assortment of projects today!
The tulle is rolled up nicely and should work wonderfully next year! Whoopee!
The Gala Committee met and our debriefing was beneficial and full of good ideas. Thank you, Ladies!
Then it was out to the barns! Man O' Pete! We cleaned the old barn, Beauty's stall, Dudely's pen, the Gelding's Side, the Helen Keller side, and even the end box stalls! Everything was cleaned! And the tanks were topped off without overflowing! Hurray!!!
So then it was time to get personal with some horses. And today, we worked with some we rarely play with - Gracie, PONY!, Appaloosa Mare, Blaise, and Laddee. Everyone was brushed and loved. Laddee was re-braided and was very appreciative of the many hands loving her. PONY! is without snarls and knots in his mane. Lovely!
Me? I once again stood back and just observed. So many willing hands. So many soft and kind hearts. So many strangers at 12 noon but friends hugging by 3pm. These barns are so very special. The horses they hold and the humans they welcome. How wonderful to be a part of such a day.
Many thanks to all of you for your visit, your work, your friendship, and your love of these creatures.
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Post by SandyG on Nov 23, 2009 9:11:33 GMT -5
It has been four years. My goodness, four years. I still remember the day like it happened yesterday. Big Jerry, the Roan Horse resting in the hay, soaking up the fall sunshine, looking at me with that knowing look as the vet approached us.
What a stalwart companion he was! What a magnificent creature he was! And what a gentle, enormous giant he was!
It has been four years and it is still like yesterday. I can still smell him and feel his breath on my face as we hugged while he fell into his deep sleep.
How unbelievably fortunate I was to have known him! What a gift and a great teacher he was! He knew I had no skills with big horses and so he patiently taught me what I needed to know. Sometimes he protected me when I was foolish or careless. Other times he pushed me to show me my folly. And other times he just stood there and looked at me . . . like a parent with a child who refuses to listen.
What fun we will have when we see each other again! Like the song in the barn this morning said, "I will run to him and hug his neck!"
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Post by SandyG on Nov 25, 2009 11:31:13 GMT -5
There is a bit of a nip in the air this morning. The feel of winter is finally making a show. A weak one, but a show at that.
Everyone is wet so I'll be watching the winds and the rain/snow to make sure no one gets to shivering. PONY! came in with an eye full of mucus this morning and Laddee's trach was so full it was almost completely shut. The change in the weather, I would presume.
So glad I put hay out when the ground was decently dry! Right now it would be like a skating rink out there!
If you are driving to be with friends and family tomorrow, please drive carefully. Anticipate the other driver's lack of attention. Get there and home safely. Please!
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Post by tracy1 on Nov 25, 2009 18:31:31 GMT -5
Yes, the weather is supposed to be really yucky tonight . . . I put slabs of hay in the quonset and on the floor of the barn so the animals didn't have to go outside to get their feed, and blanketed Sterling, who minds the cold and wet more than the others. He has SUCH great manners, he stood while I rubbed him down and blanketed him, without being tied, in the middle of the others, all busily eating.
Safe and happy holiday, everyone!
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Post by SandyG on Nov 26, 2009 12:40:07 GMT -5
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!
;D
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Post by Shar on Nov 29, 2009 17:01:45 GMT -5
Hey Sandy- not having any luck with that breeding farm. I had around 20-30 emails on the horses, yet no one is actually coming to look at them. I listed her number and when people email me I answer what I can, and then tell them to call her... so I'm not sure why they aren't coming to look at them, especially with the amount of emails I have gotten. Not sure if she's just not willing to sell them at a cheap price or just says something wrong... I don't know. Frustrating though! I want to just tell her I will just deal with the phone calls and I know I can sell them, and I know she would be happy with that... just don't want to have to talk to all those people and have them show up and realize what a crazy place it is and be tied into it with my name... even if I explain how and why. Plus when they go out there and see that 3 year old stud along with some 2 year old studs out with the older stud and all the mares, possibly breeding their immediate family... geez.
I just listed them again in another city to try to bring in some interest. We'll see what happens. Just sickening.
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Post by SandyG on Nov 29, 2009 20:13:45 GMT -5
My guess....? The conversations that are happening after you are going sour.... Tough, tough spot. Do you have any of their phone numbers to try to reconnect?
But your idea about brokering them....will she accept that? You could be the broker - legitmately and so disown the situation but work to correct it.....any thoughts there?
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Post by Shar on Nov 30, 2009 12:12:08 GMT -5
Hi Sandy-
Newest posting is finally bringing in some more interest. I pushed her more about taking what she can get on any of the young ones especially, and she is all about it now. I think maybe all the interest the first time, really made her think she could sell them for more than she was going to initially- still she wasn't asking a crazy amount- $300 for a registered mare who is bred and may have a baby by it's side isn't aweful- just maybe wasn't as willing to drop down to pretty much anything on them. And now it sounds like she is.
I am going out there this week to seperate a bunch of them out so it's easier for people who come and take a look at them. That will definetly help too! Going to put halters on them, so they are easier to catch and look at... even though I hate to leave halters on horses, hopefully they will be leaving soon. She said she would like to get down to 3 horses... so that is a very good sign! She is still wanting to keep the stud... but still if she had two mares and the one stud... that would be better than what she has now.
In the spring I am going to take a few of them to train out and sell for her, but I told her to take ANYTHING on all of them possible she can! She sounds more willing to listen now, so we'll try again.
Will let you know. Have you heard anything on the two thin ones? I am actually excited for them to be at my sister's... we have been riding over there almost every day since it's been nice out and the fields are all cut... Speaking of which! The corn on my parents' field is FINALLY CUT and deer hunting is over... so today is going to be filled with walking fences, and repairing whatever is down... and then all my kids will be so excited to FINALLY have the extra room to run!! I can't wait! =)
Talk to you soon.
Shar
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Post by tracy1 on Nov 30, 2009 15:32:46 GMT -5
Shar, you're the best, you're like this total horse angel, doing everything for everyone, a real resource! Of the horses on the 'needing homes' page, one I think you could do something with, given your contacts, is the blind kid's horse, the POA - Sandy has a photo of this horse with a little kid riding, presumably it runs barrels . . . the posting said they couldn't keep it over the winter. . . thoughts?
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