Life's little Lessons

Life seems to teach us little lessons, and this year, I, as always, learned the hard way. I learned that when you stand up for something you strongly believe in, that you were taught at a young age is wrong and confront then demand changes, others will make your life a living hell. You either hold your head up, meet them eye to eye and deep down know you did nothing wrong, or you tuck tail and run...me, I dug my heels in and squared off.

One of the draft clubs we use to belong to, note the use to, in September we watched a gross display of abuse in the show ring by a farm that has draft horses and has been going on for 3 years now. Before you wonder why we let this go on for 3 years, let me explain that we did attempt to do something. Each time we were met with silence, a curt word, told to shut up, told it was none of our business, that it was their animals and that is how they do things in Virginia. A person can do what they want, when they want, and how they want on their own property apparently here, and if you push, are told that in the draft world, what they did was being "heavy handed". Long story short, we filed a complaint, several others gave us their complaint, we have a dvd of 3 years worth and yet, it was shoved under the rug and the association they are members off also politely told me nothing they could do. Abuse is let to happen and people are too afraid or worried about what will be said, how they will be treated, and what others will think of them. I know, I was made out to be a bitter, novice, ignorant, horsewoman who people took great relish in tarnishing my good name, as well as my farm. Keep talking, I have proof if anyone wants to man up and see it...maybe people are cowards and won't confront what they know is wrong...it's easier that way, ignorance is bliss. And I am also done with state email lists that have a list owner who is as much a coward as those people on that list who go after others for speaking the truth and doesn't let them let others know of the abuse. They also let the abuser be touted as the best farrier for draft horses when she knows what type of person he really is....I am SO done with them as well.

I have also learned that I am not alone though in my quest to do right by our equine friends. There are good people out there who care and who are not afraid to shout it from the roof tops that it is wrong.

I have learned that with a firm hand on the lines, love, and asking them to do it, Trixie and Smoke are a good honest team. They are honest in their work ethic, ears forward, a spring in their step, the grin on my face tells the story of how much I love these two girls. This year I drove them for the first time as a team, after only having a whole day of driving a team, then every class I went in I placed 2nd with them consistently. I don't mean to brag, just very pleased that I look that good as it isn't me, sure I have skill but it is The Girls who do the hard work. Look out this year, if we don't place over those who think I can't do it, I am certainly going to give you a run for your money and your going to work to get that placing!!

Disclaimer: These are MY opinions and my thoughts, anything that anyone may know or think is on them. I AM entitled to my own thoughts.....

Our show season is done for the season, in some ways I am glad but in other ways, I do miss it. I do have to brag a bit, I made Mom cry but it wasn't because she was upset or had been hurt, it was because we finally achieved what we have worked very hard to do, I got Senior registered halter Champion and Grand Champion halter mare at the Virginia State Fair!! Unfortunately I wasn't as calm and collected as I normally am, Trixi was right outside the ring and I wanted to be with her, so we did our best. As we were walking out of the ring, the ring lady presented us with a beautiful plaque donated by the American Percheron Association, AND I am eligible for the All American.

Trixi and I were ground driven by Mom in the best matched team class, getting a 4th place our first time out. We had to stand, back, then fan left and right. Both of us tried really hard to do what was asked, but Mom is still getting the hang of us together, she has been driving me for so long, takes her a moment or two....

Here we are together on Bob's antique wagon with his daughter Susie. Mom hadn't been driving us very long and for her to hitch us to a wagon without an undercut is quite a step for her, she stepped out of her comfort zone but Trixi and I took care of her, we love her so made sure nothing went wrong and did everything she asked.

Since the season is slowing down were going to do a fund raiser for Habitat for Humanity and hoping seeing Trixi and I, we will pull in folks and help with donations! Mom is taking our biography for folks, some of our photo's for anyone who wishes to look at them, and the history of our proud breed, the Percheron to give out as well.

Time for bed, going to go snack on more hay for a bit then curl up near Lucy and Trixi on the other side of the pasture. Hug your horse, take out a carrot or treat, we love that and know you do indeed love us too. Here, you can see I do indeed love and appreciate my mom!

Getting to know me

Mom took Terry out today riding with my Aunt Michelle and her girl Rocket. In some ways I am glad she took him, I mean, he can be a real bully to me when were all lazing around the hay bale, he finds just this perfect spot of great hay then if I get too close he reaches out and nips me. Really puts a mar in my coat, Mom tries to keep me pretty and I have heard her grumble about it. When I show I want to look my very best, I am very proud of my village cart, Mom sitting up there so proud to be driving me, me arching my neck, stepping smart and doing what she tells me to do.

Gosh, getting off track aren't I? Oh yes, besides living with Terry, his half sister Lucy is my BFF! We stand together, we swat flies of each others face with our tails, though mine is smaller cause I have a docked tail, and we walk around together too when in the field or munching grass. She is so pretty, with her dappled sorrel coat, blonde mane, and you know, sometimes she does act like a blonde, I mean, there will be a sound and she will spook over then spin and snort, causing me to do the same, all the while wondering what it was I was spooking for to begin with!

And the big excitement at the farm was when Mom bought my old team mate back from Texas!! I wasn't sure of her at first, I knew she looked familiar but wasn't sure. I wasn't the most polite to her, she came over to sniff my nose and say howdy to me and I squealed and kicked at her. I did appologize for that later on. Her name is Trixi and she is a white Percheron, where I am more flea bitten grey now that I am getting older, if you want to consider 16 old! Trixi is now out with all of us in the field, sure gave Mom some grey hair, course our farm is called Going Grey Farm and it is aptly named, as we do give her cause for alarm now and then.

I am going to go for now, but will be back. There is shade to be found as it is hot and the flies are getting to us. The fly spray and masks help but you know how it is, when your as large as we are, those danged flies sure get nasty!!

Happy driving!