3 years of Biscuit

On November 1, 2010 I paid Kenny for Biscuit.  We negotiated a price that worked for both of us and the deal was done.   I had bought a little yellow fellow named Goose.  I changed his name to PAC that stood for Piece of Cake.  He was a Piece of Cake to ride.  But, that didn't seem to fit him well.  I liked Nick Nolte as a name because his mane was as blonde as Nick Nolte's hair.  OMG Randy DeMary had a hissy fit - he didn't like that name and insisted that NN was not a good name for a bunch of different reasons!  We went back and forth on that one and I really liked the name Nick!!  I thought about Tucker - I like that name but it didn't fit either.  I called his "the other horse" for a long time.  I was riding with Susan, Kellie and Lee Ann B one day and Susan suggested Biscotti, Kellie suggested Scottie and Lee Ann B said Biscuit.  I liked Biscuit so it stuck.  A cake friend of mine just suggested I was Butter because I sat on a Biscuit.  hahahaha   I thought that was freaking funny.

Biscuit was underweight and full of worms when I got him.  Sarge ended up with worms as a result that I had a really hard time getting rid of - way harder than getting rid of Biscuit's worms!  Biscuit started putting on weight immediately - good food and free choice hay started him on the road to good health.  It took a year to put shine in his coat though.  Now Biscuit is filled out, in shape and looking like a million bucks.

Here is what he looked like the first time I saw him.  Esther was riding him.  He flopped down in the water three times while she was mounted on him.  He stuck his face in the water and was swishing it back and forth.  I took this picture of him. 

This picture was of the first time I rode him to try him out at Ebenezer in mid October of 2010.  He was a good boy but his ground manners needed some serious work and he was extremely fidgety too.  

Randy taught him to load up in my Brenderup.  The night before he had gotten scared and came flying back out of the trailer and hyper extended Barry's fingers.  Ouch!  I think he actually cracked his fingers.  They hurt for a year when he'd play golf!  On this day we took him from Kenny's and down to Kellie's where we gave him a bath.  The next day she and Randy hauled him to Houston where we rode at the Airport.  He was pretty good - sometimes gave me a little trash about slowing down from a trot but over all he was good.

Biscuit started putting on weight when I got him to Plum Nearly.  He had a thick heavy coat that winter because he was so thin.  It took an entire year of good feed to put a good shine to his coat.  Now he is shiny as he can be with soft hair, good feet, not perfect; they are tender on rocks! 

He has made a wonderful trail horse for me and he is worth his weight in gold.  He doesn't spook or act stupid.  He is pretty dang level headed.  He's my Biscuit Man. 

Wish I was riding

  My heart is so very heavy.  I miss my sister so much and am mourning her loss.  She was called home to the Lord 4 weeks ago today.  Today is Halloween.  We would have all gathered at Mom's to see the kids in their costumes.  She would have been helping us with Mom's care.  Her gentle soul was a balm to all of us.  Her little laugh was infectious - her smile lit up a room.  I know that she is in the hands of Jesus - that is the only thing that makes this bearable.  Tears are flowing down my face that I can't stop.    I searched for some of my favorite verses for comfort.

Our animals are always a source of comfort to us.  Dana's two little dogs, Sofee and Scooter were her constant companions and she spoiled them endlessly.   She felt about them the way I do about Biscuit and Sarge.  They are my babies.  I wish they were small at times so I could place them on my lap and stroke their coats like a dog - they bring me solace and comfort.  I can imagine riding them and it eases my soul.  Dana was like me in that respect.  She loved her animals and found great comfort in being with them.  She is so missed and I know that only through Jesus will this separation from her be bearable.  I loved my baby sister so much. 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

Matthew 11:28
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.

Isaiah 41:10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Matthew 5:1-4

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

The Lord Is My Shepherd

A Psalm of David.

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
²     He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.^[a]
3     He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness^[b]
    for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,^[c]
    I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
    your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
⁶ Surely^[d] goodness and mercy^[e] shall follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell^[f] in the house of the Lord
    forever.^[g]

 Psalm 51 (this is my favorite Psalm)

1 Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in Your sight—
That You may be found just when You speak,^[a]
And blameless when You judge.

⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
⁶ Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
⁸ Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
⁹ Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.

¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
The God of my salvation,
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
¹⁵ O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
¹⁶ For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.

¹⁸ Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
¹⁹ Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

Boys to the Vet

I went to the barn to pick up the horses to take them to the vet for shots and Biscuit's Coggins.  Dang, I stepped in the mud...well, my foot slid into it and got mud everywhere.  UGH.  I put their halters on them and then hooked up the trailer.  They loaded easy as pie as always.  Hauled to Doc's and unloaded Biscuit.  Cassie came out to the trailer and pulled the blood for the Coggins and then gave him shots on each side of his neck.

She commented on how pretty he was now and how skinny he had been when I bought him.  I went to load him back up and he was a little confused as to why I just walked him out and then wanted him back in!  Cassie encouraged him and up he went.  Sarge came out and got his shots and Cassie commented on how well behaved they both were.  I am sure she sees many horses that aren't well behaved!

They had their West Nile and Influenza shots and the Coggins was $128.  I will have to haul them back next week for their rabies shots.  Cassie said there were no reports of rabies anywhere near here but I am pretty sure I saw a post about a rabid bat in the Beaumont Enterprise a few months ago.  $36 isn't worth the risk of rabies.  So they will go back next week.

I hauled to The Cracker Barrel to wait on a customer - the boys got handfuls of treats which certainly doesn't hurt their feelings.  I hauled them back to the barn and parked the trailer where the road turns to go down to the pastures.  I unloaded them and put them both on the wash rack.  I got out my rasp and circular knife after washing off their legs and feet.  Biscuit's feet just needed a little rasping and I used the knife to cut out some thrush looking matter in his frogs.  He was a good boy about getting his feet done.  Didn't take too long.  Hoping to get the cracks out of his feet soon.

I then started on Sarge's feet.  He just had the farrier do them but he doesn't do a barefoot trim.  His bars were long and I think his feet were still a little long.  He had a flair on his back right which he tends to have.  I rasped his feet and used the knife a little on the frogs.  He was pretty good about it.  Sarge has a crack on one of his hooves that runs up almost to the coronet band - it is just a little surface crack but I will keep a watch out on it.

I cleaned off the wash rack, brushed out a mat in Sarge's tail and then loaded them back in the trailer to ride down to the pasture.  They were both good as gold today. 

Lost my dang phone but I could trot!!!

Barry actually went riding with me!  We delivered a wedding cake Saturday morning, changed clothes and headed for the barn.  I coaxed Biscuit into the little corral with treats and told Barry to shut the gate.  He was saying it wouldn't stop Biscuit - uhhhhh  yeah it will.  Biscuit decided to try and walk out but respected the gate of course.  He kinda looked like he would back up from me but let me put his halter on with minimum fuss.  I backed the RAV up to the trailer, telling Barry an after market back up camera would make a LOVELY Christmas gift.

We put his tack in the trailer and took off for the park.  We tacked up and I put Biscuit's boots on.  We went out through Cattail Marsh and went down the old road to Willow BaI spoike to Lee Ayou.  I did a little trotting down Willow Bayou but just 10 yards or so and then I would lose my balance.  We crossed the bridge and went past the little land bridge.  When we rounded the corner there were a number of bird houses and just then  little pigs went flying around - well, not really flying but they scooted into the woods and then more came out and around the curve and then into the woods.  There were about 12 of the bird houses.  I took pictures with my phone.  Kept touching my phone to make sure it was there.  
We went all the way to Hildabrandt Bayou and the grass was pretty tall.  We tried to go down the little trail but it was too over grown.  We went back to the wide trail and started for the other side.  Very nice ride!!!  Down the bayou and across the little cement bridge.  We headed up the side of the bog and it was a little warm.  The horses were sweating.  We crossed the big bridge and Barry was cantering up the bayou.  Kellie and I started trotting and OMG I wasn't losing my balance!  They got pretty far ahead of me cantering but I kept Biscuit at a trot and didn't lose my balance.  I was thrilled until I realized I lost my phone.  Kellie and I went back and forth looking for it.  Barry joined in and they were calling it.  The little purple wild daisy flowers were so thick I don't think we will find that puppy until winter when the plants are dead!

We could see the Lee Ann's and Alison in a distance going in another direction and we headed for the trailers.  Biscuit jogged quiet a bit.   I spoke to Lee Ann B and they had enjoyed their ride. 

I had to go get a new phone later.  Ugh.  I hated spending money on a dang phone.  I ordered a little pouch to put it in so I don't lose this one!

Riding on the Beach

Kellie and I made plans to ride on the beach Sunday October 20th.  She was going to pick me up at the barn but Bev and James decided to go with us so we were all going to meet at Tyrrell Park at 8:30.  I got up at 6:25 am and left the house around 7:00.  I never know how long it will take to catch Biscuit if necessary and hook up the trailer if it is being cranky in the soft soil.  I have been leaving it at the barn.

I packed up my lunch, 5 carrots for the horses, drinks, cameras, Garmin and extra clothing as it was supposed to be pretty dang chilly :-)   When I stepped outside it was cool but nice.  I stopped at the barn and got Biscuit's breakfast.  I got out at the pasture and had 2 carrots with me.  There was standing water and I kind of lost my balance and ended up stepping into the water ugh.  My boots are waterproofed but not totally!  I certainly didn't want to get my feet wet and cold!  Biscuit stood outside of the little corral - LOL I don't think he wanted to get his feet wet!  He hates walking in mud and avoids it if he can.  I gave Sarge some of the carrot and went around the mud and used Sarge's halter that was hanging on the corral panel to put on Biscuit.  He didn't give me any fuss.  I gave him carrots and hugged him up.  I tied him to the trailer while I backed up my RAV4 and hitched it up.  I noticed Biscuit has already started his winter coat and that is from Wednesday when I last saw him! I loaded him up and hauled out to Tyrrell Park.  I stopped at The Cracker Barrel to use the rest room and to buy some Burt's Bee's lip balm.  We then went on to the park.  I backed up into our "winter" spot closest to the trail head so I wouldn't be in anyone's way that came into the stable/office area.

At Tyrrell Park looking like a million bucks

I brushed Biscuit while waiting for Kellie and when she arrived she loaded my stuff bless her heart.  We headed out for the beach - James and Bev decided not to go.  We arrived at the beach and saddled up.  OMG the cockleburs were unfreaking believable.  We mounted up and headed out to the beach.  We got to the end of the road and Elan spooked at the restroom port a potty that is in a little wooden building.  LOL  Kellie couldn't get him to walk up to it at first until I got Biscuit to walk up to it.  Biscuit didn't see what spooked him so he wasn't bothered by it.  We went to the left for the first time ever.  We always ride to the right towards Galveston.  We rode along on a little sandbar for a good ways.  Biscuit was a little angel the entire ride.  We did a little trotting and cantered a little way but I am not balanced enough to canter well so we stopped.  We rode out 4 miles and turned around.  Elan wasn't a happy camper and kept trying to turn around and go the other way.  He wasn't convinced that was the way to the trailer.  LOL that is because every time we go to the beach we are going in a different direction on the way back.  The entire way back he was trying to turn around and walking so slow.

Biscuit, on the other hand, discovered that the beach is a great place
to trick or treat even if it is not Halloween.  He went up to some people and they were more than happy to give him a treat of pretzels and potato chips in exchange for petting him.  Biscuit thought that was just fantastic.  Everyone he saw after that, especially if they had a bucket, was hit up for a treat.  Kellie and I laughed at him and said he had no shame at all.  He got a treat of several flour tortillas.  Elan didn't care for the tortillas...they must have been to him like licorice always was to me....YUK!  Biscuit's last treat was a handful of trail mix with dried fruit and nuts...yummy!  He was loved up and petted by several people.  It was nice to see he is trusting of people now where he didn't used to be.

A black lab escaped his owner from the back of a golf cart and came running at us barking like crazy.  I turned Biscuit to face him and he and Elan just ignored the dog.  Owner of the dog wasn't too happy his dog didn't listen to him ... he didn't speak to us - just got the dog in the cart and he looked totally ticked off.  LOL no harm done to horses, people or dog so it was a good training session!

We got back to the fire station and got out their bag of hay.  Biscuit's had bahaia and alfalfa.  Elan wanted to share with him.  Kellie said you don't like that yukky hay and I said but he likes alfalfa!  Biscuit was doing all kinds of gymnastics to get to the alfalfa in the back side of the bag.

We rode 8 miles-the weather was perfect.  Sunshine, mild temps, clear blue skies.  What could have been better.   It did my soul a world of good.

Life Changing Events

I haven't been posting much.  My mother has pancreatic cancer and spent 6 weeks in a hospital and a acute care facility in Houston.  My uncle was there in the hospitals with her at the same time.  Two weeks ago Barry's father died on September 30.  We had the visitation on Tuesday.  That was Mom's birthday.  Barry and I went to Houston that morning for a doctors appointment and to see Momma.  That night I saw Dana at the visitation, my baby sister.  The next day was the funeral and Mom and Uncle Ethan both came home from the hospital.  The next morning on Thursday my baby sister, Dana, passed away unexpected.  Oh, the heartache I can't even put into words. 

I had rode Biscuit the weekend before with Kellie on Saturday.  He got astraddle of a tree but didn't freak out.  He is such a good boy.  I rode him the morning of Dana's visitation.  It helped calm my soul and spirit.  Horses are good for that.  We didn't ride long...2.5 miles around the roads in Tyrrell because it was wet.  We have new trails in Tyrrell compliments of Ricky Venable and we are grateful.

I was trimming Biscuit's feet Tuesday and he was being a pill - long and short he kicked over the hoof stand and bent the bolt down that holds the cradle in place - either it hit me or his hoof and I have a lovely bruise - skinned toes on the right foot AND I fell backwards off the stool flat on my back.  ugh. 

This could come in handy marking trails!!!

 

It is biotape!!!  What a great way to mark trails that will not cause any type of damage to the trails/trees/animals.

I saw it here....  BioTape

I saw it on this link about some  Pretty Neat Stuff   Check it out...I saw lots of useful information for camping out!!!

Piggy Piggy and New Trails

Kellie, K.d. and I went riding Saturday morning.  We planned on 9:00 but I realized it I didn't get there to feed Biscuit I might not catch him.  I went out there about 7:45 and got his feed and went to the pasture.  I didn't have any trouble catching him.  I closed the little fence and put his halter on while I hooked up the trailer.  I had to put the mats in place as they were hanging over the middle bar.  I loaded Biscuit up and fed him and took off.  We got to the park about 8:20 AM and I tacked up Biscuit.  He was skittish for some reason.  He was trying to get into the treat bucket and I fussed at him and lifted my left hand to brush his mane at the same time.  OMG he nearly had a melt down.  Poor fellow - had he had arms they would have been up around his face in a protective mode.  He cringed when I put the crop into my water holder.  He does that almost every time.  I have never hit that horse with my crop while on the ground.   I just use it to tap him while in the saddle.  He didn't stop being a little antsy until we started riding.

Since he was skittish I took him over into the grass while waiting for Kellie and K.d. and I was swinging the lead rope back and forth  -  left to right.  He was a little concerned but seemed ok with it.  Then I started twirling it over HIS head just above his ears - totally unconcerned with that.  I am sure he has been roped off of or at least desensitized to that.  Poor fellow - he is afraid of people hurting him. 

Kellie and K.d. arrived and tacked up.  I mounted up - didn't need any help which is wonderful.  We planned to ride to the Willow Bayou Bridge and set off around the road to Cattail Marsh.  We went through the gate and down the fence line.  It was hot out there - it hadn't been hot when I got to the park.  We decided to go into the woods and blaze a trail to the pipeline staging area.  Kellie went first and she thought she poked poor Elan in the eye.  He was blinking but seemed to be ok.  I got Biscuit to start going through.  He didn't like the way I went and backed up due to vines all on the ground.  LOL he had his butt up against a tree and his head was by a tree that he had to do some fancy moves to get turned around but we did fine.  It was just a little more than 10 or 12 feet but it was dense with little trees and vines.

Biscuit grabbing a snack

Selfies

Trail Blazing

We stopped and visited and Elan was trying to get more treats.  He is just a hoot.  Biscuit can turn his head easily to get a treat and Aladin likes them too.  Spoiling them rotten is fun for me.

We headed down the 2nd right of way and a little pig ran out in front of us.  Didn't seem to phase the horses at all.

Little Flying Piggy

We rode around the back side of the trails and then started up towards the front on the Cattail side.  We came to the formerly overgrown Picnic Table Trail and lo and behold - Ricky V had bulldozed it.  We went down the trail and two more trails went off of it.  We had thought there was a trail to the left and there was.  It came out where the walking trail starts that has been so overgrown no one could get down it.  We were ecstatic.  Some rebar sticking out of the ground so that will either have to be removed or we will have to be extremely careful.  The trail that went to the right went down a ways and stopped.  Ricky said on the Face Book post he was going to make more trails.  OMG we were so excited about new trails.  Kellie and K.d took the horses into the center of the park to canter and Biscuit and I stayed on the trail.  When they came back we went up the little side trail to the main trail and ran into the Crystal Beach people.  So nice to see others enjoying the park.  We rode around one more time and called it a day.  We rode right at 6 miles.  I didn't turn my Garmin on when we first left so I think 2 tenths of mile would cover that.

Conference of great minds

Here is a view of what we rode...check out those new trails!!!



I did put Biscuit at a very slow jog on the last part of the ride.  He did a great job.  When we got back I dismounted just fine.  Elan, Aladin and Biscuit mobbed me like a bunch of guppies for treats. 

Gobbling Guppies

We had a wonderful time and can't wait to go again.  My back was actually hurting when I got on Biscuit Saturday.  I have drove so many miles back and forth to Houston my back was starting to hurt.  I didn't think I would be able to ride but within 20 minutes or so my back quit hurting.  My leg was way less numb when I got off of Biscuit.  Riding really helps me with my therapy.

Biscuit is too smart for his own good

Last week I went to the barn with the idea that I was going to go on my first solo ride.  I had hauled the trailer home last weekend.  I have been leaving it right by Biscuit's pasture hoping it will STOP being an issue for him.  I had washed it and hauled it home so I hauled it back and left it up at the barn.  I walked down to the pasture and Biscuit thought bubble said "ok...the only time you walk down here WITHOUT the Rav is when you would take me riding."  He wouldn't come close to me.  I walked up and got treats.  He eventually came into the enclosure and I closed it but he wouldn't let me put a halter on him.  Ugh.  So frustrating.  I took Sarge instead up to the washrack and put Cowboy Magic in his tail where he had scrubbed mats into it.  I was able to clear it with just my fingers and it was a nasty tangle.  I brushed his mane and tail and did his front feet.

Ginger had a little squeak toy and he was quiet alarmed by it.  Hahahahah.  He was literally hiding behind my shoulder.  Lee Ann showed it to him and he was looking at it with the stink eye.  She threw it back to Ginger and she had it squeaking to beat the band.  Sarge wasn't too thrilled but he behaved himself.  His coat looks wonderful.  He is losing a little top line but he is still gorgeous.

I took him back to the pasture and Biscuit let me catch him and put a halter on him.  Go figure.  That horse is way way way too smart. 

Catch up of rides

After the spider incident on a Friday, Kellie and I rode on that Sunday.  I did quiet a bit of jogging and trotting which was a blast.

On another ride Biscuit wanted to join a party of people at the pavilion.  He would have taken off had I not stopped him.  He is such a funny little guy.  

Friday Ride in the Park August 16th

Kellie was off last Friday so we planned a ride.  I hauled out to get Biscuit and loaded him up along with my tack.  Got out to the park and saddled him up.

Kellie and I started off going to the left.  Most of the heavy equipment had been removed - there was some left and they were removing all of the mats too. We went around to other side and I was whapping spiders out of their webs.



We got around to the side closest to the public road and I hit at one above me and OMG it was huge and fell on my right leg.  I screamed like a crazy person and was flailing at it - I SQUISHED it on my leg.  Kellie was clapping and laughing like she was demented.  Hahahahahahahahaha I was belly laughing at myself.  We turned and went the other way because we were right by the equipment.  We rode back to the front, down the little trail, around the trails again, up the 2nd right of way to where the equipment is.  All in all we rode a little more than 7 miles.  When I went to dismount, I was able to dismount like a normal person.  I swung my leg over the cantle and put my right foot on the ground.  I had to use my hand to take my left foot out of the stirrup but at least I am getting better!!!

Spider Attack and Huge Machines

EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking in Texas

Biscuit is a horse of a different color

Before I left for Kentucky I went out to the barn and brought Biscuit up.  I gave him a bath and  used Mrs. Stewart's Bluing to whiten his mane and tail.  I think I used a little bit too much and his mane and tail were aquamarine colored!!

I rode him in the arena for about 30 minutes and he was a very good boy.  I haven't been able to ride much and that just bites.  I did his feet and OMG his back feet were way over due.