Mr. Crankypants

Posted on November 25, 2013November 25, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Have you ever seen a group of cats together? They roll around play fight, they butt heads to say hello and they groom each other. This behavior spreads the scent around and each cat then smells like the group. It gives them a sense of belonging.

When I brought the stray who became “Buddy” into my home there was the usual spitting and hissing but eventually Buddy worked his way into the group. He and Rocky roll around play fighting and race around the house .

They groom each other. Smokey will have no part of it and in the beginning I actually saw him acting like a prey animal, slinking away to hide under the couch. This made me very sad.

As time has gone on Smokey has gained more confidence around Buddy but he still won’t groom him or let himself be groomed. Rocky can groom both Smokey and Buddy and both will groom Rocky but Smokey gives Buddy a wide berth.

About a week ago things began to get interesting. Buddy came bouncing over to me meowing persistently. Now Rocky is the vocal cat, Buddy gives me little chirps and “merps” and Smokey just purrs so this was a little out of character. Clearly something had Buddy upset. At first I didn’t see anything to cause his distress but then my eyes went to the cat tree.

Rocky was stretched out under his heat lamp but Smokey was not on his usual perch. No Smokey was in the “Crow’s nest” at the very top. From the first day Buddy joined us this has been his place. And here was his sworn enemy sitting in his special place.

To make matters worse Smokey couldn’t get down. He start and his clawless paws would slip so he’d back off. I helped the miscreant down and Buddy climbed up and all was peaceful again.

A couple of days later I got a visit from a very agitated Rocky. In actions very reminiscent of Buddy, Rocky was meowing and pacing until I got up and followed him to…the cat tree. There, under his heat lamp was Smokey.

Rocky would stretch up and nose him and all Smokey would do is turn around and show him his butt. I had to laugh. As I stood there Rocky got up on the perch too and unceremoniously pushed Smokey off. I guess he just wanted “Back up”.

Poor Smokey. Buddy came over , ears up, whiskers forward, just being friendly and Smokey would have none of it. He flattened his ears and whacked Buddy’s nose with his clawless paws and stalked off. Ok Smokey. Clearly you have not learned to play well with others. I think we’ll just have to call you Mr. Crankypants from now on.

Are Horses Vicious?

Posted on November 24, 2013November 24, 2013 by Dusty Roads

While I was at the Equine Affaire I was surrounded by horse lovers and owners and I couldn’t help but hear the buzz about a case that is working it’s way through the courts in Connecticut.

Horses bite but they aren’t pit bulls or alligators. They aren’t wild animals but they aren’t really pets either. They are domesticated but in the wild they are prey animals. As prey animals they can be skittish and their only defense, if they can’t run, is to kick or bite.

Some horses are more prone to this behavior than others. Over the years I was exposed to some horses with nasty dispositions. My neighbor had a pony that was notorious for biting and wouldn’t hesitate to kick either. In college I rode a mare that would try to bite your feet by pulling her head around to get at the boot in the stirrup.

My own horses never showed any tendency to bite or kick but my paint quarter horse, Jack would not hesitate to buck if he wasn’t ridden regularly. He was just too full of energy. He also had a sense of humor. He loved to try to scrape me off with a low branch but then he’d come back, sniff me and laugh at me. I mean it. He’d look at me sitting on the ground and nicker, ears forward, clearly enjoying himself.

He wasn’t mean. But he was mischievous. You had to stay alert when riding him.

And I think that sums up my feelings about horses. They are large, they are prey animals, they can be skittish but if you are alert and use a tad of common sense you won’t get hurt. I could go on but lets take a look at the Connecticut Court Case.

2006: A toddler was bitten on the cheek by a horse at Glendale Farms, Milford, Conn., owned by Timothy Astriab. The little boy wasn’t provoking the horse — just trying to feed him. He was held up by one of his parents to feed the horse, despite the presence of “Do not feed; do not pet” signs. The horse, Scuppy, took a chunk of flesh out of the child’s face.

Ok so what’s wrong with this picture? I’m no lawyer but immediately I see that supposedly intelligent adults ignore the “Don’t Feed, Don’t Pet” signs. They even lifted the child up so he could reach the horse. We don’t know why the horse bit the child. He was trying to feed the horse. How old was the child? Was the child holding the carrot, sugar or whatever out or was the food close to his face because he had his arms around the parent? Was the child squirming or waving his hands about? None of that information is given.

Forward to 2012: The Glendale Farms incident works its way to an Appellate Court that ruled horses are “a species naturally inclined to do mischief or be vicious.”

According to the Connecticut Post: “Astriab won the initial case at a lower court in 2010, when a New Haven judge ruled the child’s father, Anthony Vendrella Sr., failed to prove the owner knew of previous incidents of aggression by any of the horses at the farm. The state Superior Court judge said Astriab testified that in 28 years, none of the horses at the farm bit or injured anyone.”

The case is now before the Connecticut Supreme Court. If the state Supreme Court maintains horses as “vicious,” insurance rates and the horse industry would be turned upside down in Connecticut.

My humble opinion? The parents were wrong to let the child feed the horse and to lift the child up to be closer. The parents are trying to avoid responsibility for their actions and place the blame on an animal. Who is more intelligent here? Humans or horses?

What do you think about this case?

Finale

Posted on November 23, 2013November 23, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Intermission at The Fantasia was a chance to rake the ring and set up for the rest of the show.

The first act after the Intermission was called Take You Higher. It was clear from the set up that it would involve jumping but I wasn’t expecting the show that we got.

Did you know that a miniature horse can jump just about as high as a full sized horse?

That’s what this little demonstration was all about. First the miniatures , then the full size. Then the bar was raised and around they went again.

As I recall the bar was raised 3 times before they started knock the top rail off.

The Friesian Spectacular was a real crowd pleaser. Clay Maier rode one horse while driving a 2nd.

It’s pretty amazing to see the coordination between the two horses and one rider

But just in case that wasn’t exciting enough for you, The Canadian Cowgirls were back.

Their show was exciting enough to be the finale.

You know, the last song or dance in a show that brings everyone to their feet?

But there was one last segment.

Look familiar?

And then it was time to fight the crowds and the cold and the traffic and head for home.

I apologize for the poor quality of some of the photos. I need much more expensive equipment to avoid so much noise in low light situations, but even with the shortcomings, I had to share.

50 Years Ago Today

Posted on November 22, 2013November 22, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. Words that are always associated with John F. Kennedy. Words that helped inspire us to walk on the moon. But words that today speak to the many sacrifices made by our loved ones in the armed forces.

Today our Nation is divided in more ways than ever. While loved ones fight on foreign soil, welfare, drugs and crime run rampant at home. Ban guns or protect our right to bear arms? Democrats and Republicans would bring the country to a standstill rather than work together.

50 years ago today John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. The controversy and conspiracy theories still abound. Single shooter, pawn of the evil empire? For some that question will never be answered.

But today, none of that matters.

Today is a day to Remember.

The Fantasia

Posted on November 21, 2013November 21, 2013 by Dusty Roads

Billed as “A Musical Celebration of the HORSE”, Fantasia is a separate show, separate admission, that wraps up the night.

Most of the people I spoke with go every year.

I had a great seat. I was near an entry/exit to the ring and only 1 tier up. The lighting by now was all artificial. It was full dark outside so no light from the windows to help. As good as my seat was, it was still too far for a flash to be any help. Photography would be a challenge, for sure.

The first act, Jeff Wilson riding Delview Catskill Valiant (Morgan) was done with the lights out. Just a spotlight followed the pair. I just didn’t have the equipment to capture that and some of the other acts with similar lighting.

The Opening Ceremony consisted of 3 parts. A solo ride on a Morgan, The Canadian Cowgirls Drill Team and The National Anthem/Our Heroes.

Melissa Serra performed the National Anthem and it was magnificent, a beautiful rendition but the segment titles “Our Heroes” had me fighting tears, it was so beautiful.

Next up…Extreme Roman Riding

The rider did all the stunts standing on the backs of his pair of Paints.

He did jump the Fire but I only caught the moment after he landed.

Patriotic Fusion was next. A Quarter Horse and rider. A serious piece and demonstration.

Followed by some fun. Chariots of Fire started out with quite the surprise! 2 Roman Chariots each drawn by a miniature donkey.

The crowd roared with approval. So cute, but that wasn’t all.

After a couple of swings around the ring the gates opened again and they were joined by a miniature horse ! That miniature horse was so fat it made me think of a pot bellied pig.