Beissin's blog

MISSY and I are doing well. I have been trying to get back on my feet lately so that I can take care of her feet- we need a farrier! We're keeping busy, riding almost every day and giving other people rides on her as well. I like to get people on the back of a horse and see how much it transforms them. Although they may be nervous at first, since MISSY is SUCH a WONDERFUL HORSE, they can't help but become excited over the prospect of riding her by themselves and around barrels. One little girl's dad has already promised to buy her a horse as soon as they have a place to keep it.

MISSY and I participated in our VERY FIRST SHOW! Although we weren't quite ready for it, we decided to get it out of the way while we were stranded in Washington, PA without a vehicle. I had spent an hour looking for my precious mare (we found out that another boarder had put her in an empty stall when she had gotten loose that night), and since there was a show going on down in the arena in the middle of the racetrack, I said, "Let's go, MISSY!"

I am convinced that this will be the year America celebrates the reign of a NEW TRIPLE CROWN WINNER. Go BIG BROWN! Has anybody WATCHED this horse race? Yeah, I know he didn't get the glory he deserved after winning the Kentucky Derby from Post #20, through no fault of his own- my utmost sympathies for America's late great princess Eight Belles, but have you SEEN him?

Today marks ONE YEAR since we bought MISSY, Doug's and my FOREVER HORSE. It is amazing to think of everything we have accomplished in this year and how much more there is to come!

Since we first loaded MISSY into the trailer to take her to her new home:

1. We started MISSY under saddle and now ride her six days a week
2. We have been on numerous trail rides with our MISSY
3. MISSY has made several new friends; humans, horses, dogs, a donkey, and a goat
4. MISSY has made a cross-country trip to Pennsylvania without any problems

My Quarter Horse doesn't like cows. That's okay. Tonight when two Texas Longhorns got loose in a horse pasture, MISSY stepped aside and let some other horses do all the work. There were so many other horses willing to do the job that no one even really missed her!

I am TOO happy right now! I had a wonderful ride on my VERY OWN MISSY! We took a walk around the cemetery, trotted and cantered up on the hilltop (although the first time was BAD- I had to come back down to lengthen my stirrups because I honestly felt like my ankle was about to split in two!). Then, I took her saddle off and sat on her bareback. It's amazing how much I trust my horse! I was just going to walk her around once and put her away, but when I saw four other girls going on one of their trail rides, I joined them- YEP, bareback! MISSY was terrific!

Well, things are moving along here in Western Pennsylvania. MISSY is being ridden every day, except on Mondays. She has a new friend also- a woman who takes lessons riding Western once a week or so, and she is a wife and mother who can't afford a horse, so I "gave" her MISSY to ride on Fridays. I know how it feels not to have a horse, and MISSY is a special gift that I want to share with everybody! Just kidding- NOT everybody. Otherwise, I would never be able to ride her!

Is it show season already? The show that I have been planning on to be MY (and my MISSY's) first show EVER is in about 3 1/2 weeks, I think. We have our Coggins, white breeches, a ride to the show, farrier and dental work (on MISSY) done, AND we have successfully ridden in her first indoor riding arena experience. Sounds like we're ready, huh?

Well, it looks as though things are going well for us at last! MISSY's really stepping up here at the new farm. She's amazing! She just got her first corrective shoe and first full hoof trimming last week, and it is already improving her walk. She was a pretty good girl, too- no farriers landing on their backs on the floor, no tranquilizers, and all of her feet look terrific! I'm so proud of my girl!

I am relieved to say, that after 6 WEEKS of NO RIDING, I finally sat in the saddle today! I am so excited! I had just come back from picking up some hay with my boss, and he got on a cute Palimino that's here for training. One of our owners was riding his Arab mare, Daisy, and after about 10 minutes, he rode up to me and said, "Want to get on?"

I didn't even pause! I said, "Yes- let me get my helmet," and I DASHED back to my room for my beautiful riding helmet that hadn't been worn in WEEKS, and I hurried up and pulled on some boots, and I was READY TO RIDE in a heartbeat!