It we had no rules, life would be kaotic. Each of us doing exactly as we pleased without consequence to the other. Danger would be everywhere, whether driving a car, riding a bike, working or even riding a horse.

It is the responsibility of the governing body of an organization to establish rules and then, and most importantly, ensure they are followed. If for no other reason but for safety.

Rules are made to be followed, contrary to popular belief. When we establish those rules, we are establishing them for the safety and concern for all involved, not a select few.

When it comes to riding a horse, there are so many safety issues, one cannot possibly count them all. For that reason it is imperative that the rules set forth by whatever organization are followed and followed correctly. When dealing with a horse, it is not only the welfare of the rider that is at stake, but those around the area the horse is being used. Rules are extremely important.

Now that being said, there are always "circumstances" that pose a problem or imposition or inability to follow the rules. When this happens, it is not the fact that the rules were broken, it is how the organization deals with situation after the rules have been broken. Simply saying "we'll try harder next time" doesn't cut it. At this point, procedures should be put in place to prevent the same incident/circumstance from happening again. In this manner further incidents will be avoided.

Now if you think I am talking about something specific, I certainly am. That is another story, but please keep in mind if you set rules, ensure you follow them. If the rules are broken, correct the situation. And all will be a better and safer place.

 

Well that's unique. I just received an email saying this journal/blog was awarded Bravenet's "Journal of the Week" award. I didn't know there was such a thing, but proud of it I guess. Maybe I should put the Saturn Stables blog under Bravenet as well - it's usually more interesting.

  Donner Morgana Formerly Pinot Noir

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Why is it we see the need to change the name of a horse when considering buying them or after we've purchased them. I can see the tons of thought that would go into a name if the horse was born on your farm to an existing mare, but when we purchase them. What is wrong with their existing names? Is it that we feel the need to personalize them? Or maybe it's that we just don't like their original name? Who knows?

The funny thing is we have to come up with the new name before the decision to buy the horse is actually made. Almost as if, if we can't come up with the name, we can't buy the horse.

We recently bought a Hannoverian that came with the name Pinot Noir. I personally really liked that name, but my other half (Bill) decided he needed to change the name. He decided on Morgana and added the stallion's name in front to become Donner Morgana - we call her Morgan for short. Bill likes the tv show "Merlin" and liked the name Morgana - a little harsh for this sweet-faced four-year-old mare.

Now one of my boarders are looking at buying a horse. The horse's current barn name is princess. Again - not to be liked - the names being thought about are quite unique and some very good - so we'll have to wait and see whether the horse is purchased and what the name gets changed to, if it all.

My own horse Maxx - well his registered paint name is Toohotaflashdance - go figure!. That name has nothing to do with his ancestors or anything else - so I sure would like to know where they got it from - it's almost embarrassing registering him for a show that way (only at the Western shows, he is shown under Maxx for the jumper shows). Anyway, his barn name was Flash when I bought him seven years ago. I couldn't stand that name, it was way too common.

So, not having a clue what to call him, I looked at his papers. And what did I discover. His grandma's name was Raggity Deb and his great-grandma was Deb's Maxine - thus the name Maxx.

And yet I have another horse in my barn KK Doc's Lucky Streak. I call him Streaker, one of the other of his owners also called him Streaker, but there were another couple owners that called him Cricket. Why cricket I don't know? Streaker suits him to a 't'.

So, what's in a name?

The last couple of weeks I have been helping gather food for Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue in aid of their mission to bring back to health 14 horses that were starved. I cannot believe that any human being could be so cruel as to let these animals starve, offering no care or concern for their welfare.

I think we should have a place on earth where we can put the people responsible for this and offer them the same kind of treatment they offered their horses. It is a disgrace to mankind to think there are people out there like that.

From what I understand the people who own these horses will be charged and quite possibly the owners of the land the horses were on may also be charged even though the horses didn't belong to them. I hope they get it and get it good.

I thought the plight was bad enough reading about the situation from Brenda at Whispering Hearts, but then when I visited her farm and saw them, it was that much more overwhelming. There was a three year old Percheron cross mare with a 2 month old painted foal at her side. The mare was so disgustingly thin, and ony that weekend had she started to produce milk for the foal again. While we were visiting, the mare rolled for the first time since arriving at Whispering Hearts. The foal is a cutie, rather subdued for a foal, but cute and curious just the same. Another Fjord was due to have its baby within a week or two. There were a couple of Percheron's as well - massively huge and massively skinny. The male's skin was dangling on his chest where the mass muscle used to be. They were very sweet and curious, enjoying their new home and food. It was funny watching them try to get their head in the feed bin meant for smaller horses. I think bigger one's are needed.

What would we do without the work of people like Brenda MacArthur of Whispering Hearts Horse Rescue? Her amazing desire to help these animals has benefited many and provided good horses for people to enjoy when she has completed their care and rejuvenation of the animals. I was amazed at how many people dropped food and things off to her farm and how many dropped things off here for me to take. People are over-all kind at heart, especially when animals are involved.

It has been an eye-opener for many. But thanks to the work of Brenda at Whispering Hearts, these horses stand a fighting chance.

With so much to do this summer, it is hard to decide. Every time I open my email, check my website and/or facebook, there is some new equine event to attend. And in this case a new place to visit with the horses.

Last year I went to Otter Creek with Timer, a boarder's appy - the safe, bombproof, go-anywhere, do anything with kind of horse. This year, I bravened up going to Sandaraska taking my own horse Maxx. Luckily they were easy, non-threatening trails - for both me and my horse. LOL.

I was browsing a couple magazines and papers lately to discover, I could literally live in my fancy horse trailer and travel from point to point with my horse. You know, if it wasn't for the Canadian winter's I might just consider that. Maybe I should move south of the border to the warmer states - then maybe it would be feasible. I'm sure, my better half would have something to say about that however.

Regardless, travelling with your horse, enjoying nature and good friendship with other like-minded souls is a great way to spend the day, weekend and best of all your life. When I look around at all the people I know, the healthiest ones are those that are active and particularly active with their animals. I have more friends in their 60s and 70s that are more active than some teenagers. It's hard to imagine, but true.

So maybe, the key to life - enjoy it to its fullest and make sure you have a horse!