In My Kingdom We Remember and Pray For Peace

Bot Fly Boogie

I dislike bot flies, actually I loathe them.  Small invading terrorists whose only pleasure in life is to disturb my peace!

In the past I have dealt with them doing what the SPS calls the "Bot Fly Boogie", no it has nothing to do with he of the spotty butt (however they could all bug him and I wuldn't care).  I trot around and around in circles until the fly is to dizzy to keep up with me anymore.  This has been a good tactic but with my lady love Little Sister needing me close it is one I am trying to avoid.  So this year I have tried playing dead.  Turns out the little pests don't care if you are a dead horse or not. I have tried rolling.  The persistent creatures just wait for me to stop. So I am back to the bot fly boogie.  I just try not to stray too far from my lady so she doesn't worry.  The things a royal horse does for love.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

New love

I have a new lady love!  She is of royal decent with a very regal name.  All of us here call her Little Sister, she is a bit younger than me.  The SPS brought her home to retire, you see Little Sister is the daughter and mother of champions and now just needs to have peace and quiet.  She is almost completely blind in her left eye, so I walk along the fence with her to make sure she doesn't bump it.  I nicker to her sweetly to tell her how lovely she is.  Little Sister nickers sweetly back to tell me I am handsome.  We have a quiet, gentle love.  It is not like the "run the fences like a maniac" affairs I have had in the past.  She is a lady worthy of my regal attentions.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Hope to see you there

Happy 4th!

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Swollen ankles

This is a photo of my hind legs. As you can see my ankles and fetlocks are usually nicely shaped. The SPS moved me to a large pasture hoping that I would make friends with Tahkoe...I didn't. But I did fall in love with He of the Spotty Butt's sister Dandi. She is sweeeeet. Zen the snooty Lipizzaner thinks he owns her and all the other mares in his pasture. He is mistaken, all the mares are smitten by my royal self. I have been spending most of my days for the past week courting all the mares, especially Dandi. Did I mention she is spicy? Well it seems I have been running the fence line too much and aggravated my hinds. They are swollen and sore, sore enough that I am not doing so much showing off. The SPS is going to start tucking me into a paddock at night and giving me extra joint supplements. She also told me that I need to learn to strut my stuff and not run around like a mad man. I heard mention of a cold hosing to help with the swelling, I hate getting hosed...I guess I will behave.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

To my friends at school

To my very special friends at school,

I hope you have a wonderful summer. Make sure and eat plenty of carrots. Also practice your reading, you can do that by visiting me here to see what I am up to.

I hope that you invite me back to visit your class again. I had a wonderful time and am so proud to have met each and every one of you. You are my heroes!

Love

Sir Darby

In love

Miss Breeze is a Tennessee Walker and I love her. She is a bit older than me, she is 24, but she is young at heart. She is the second horse at the ranch I have fallen in love with. I get upset when she goes in her shelter and I can not see her. I think she knows that and does it just to tease me.
The SPS says that this is my spring tune-up routine. I fall in love, run around like a crazy horse, and loose my winter weight gain.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Always Remember

May we be ever thankful to those who gave their all.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Queen for a day

So the new Cali guy thinks he can stare me down...sooooo not working. Quincy thinks he wants to be royalty like me, hardly. But to keep from being a bad noble horse I am going to grant him his with. I crown you Queen Quincy. Take that surfer boy.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Puttig the new guy in his place

The SPS has a foster horse from California. He is a beefy guy, but not as big as me. He is in the quarantine pasture right now, but I can see him. I am busy giving him the eye, making stud piles, and putting him in his place. After all there is no way a California boy can be any kind of royalty.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

This is what you get

So the SPS decided that I needed to have all of the paint and glitter washed off of my royal self. I was not amused for a couple of reasons. First I really do not like baths. I spend a lot of time and effort getting my hair just the way I like it. Secondly I was enjoying the looks of the passing motorists as they drove past my pasture and spied a pink horse. People would bring their little children by to see. The SPS says I just want the attention-really that is not it I simply wanted to continue to spread the joy.

The SPS is threatening to give me another bath to clean off the dirt. That is fine with me because I will just roll again. I can keep this up everyday and eventually she will be trained to not bathe me, after all it takes the time it takes to teach your human their lessons. Good thing I am patient and understanding.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

A very special visit

On Friday the 13th I was privileged to make the request on one little girl come true.

I went to school painted pink, a bow in my tail, flowers in my mane, silver hooves, and wearing butterfly wings. I thought this would be just another chance for me to be with kids, I love kids. I was so very mistaken! It was a magical moment, not just for the kids but for me also. I have never granted such a wish before. I had no idea how good I would feel doing so.

The smiles on their faces were priceless. One little boy cried, when asked why he said it was because he loved horses so much. Another little boy told the SPS that I was perfect. I think the kids were perfect. I was given so many carrots I couldn't eat any more.

I could have spent the entire day with them and been as happy as could be. It was a perfect day!

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them

Happy Easter

I think this you man says it so very well:

8 stages of aging on horseback

Stage 1: Fall off pony. Bounce. Laugh. Climb back on. Repeat.

Stage 2: Fall off horse. Run after horse, cussing. Climb back on by shimmying up horse’s neck. Ride until sundown.

Stage 3: Fall off horse. Use sleeve of shirt to stanch bleeding. Have friend help you get back on horse. Take two Advil and apply ice packs when you get home. Ride next day.

State 4: Fall off horse. Refuse advice to call ambulance; drive self to urgent care clinic. Entertain nursing staff with tales of previous daredevil stunts on horseback. Back to riding before cast comes off.

Stage 5: Fall off horse. Temporarily forget name of horse and name of husband. Flirt shamelessly with paramedics when they arrive. Spend week in hospital while titanium pins are screwed in place. Start riding again before doctor gives official okay. Stage

6: Fall off horse. Fail to see any humor when hunky paramedic says, “You again?” Gain firsthand knowledge of advances in medical technology thanks to stint in ICU. Convince self that permanent limp isn’t that noticeable. Promise husband you’ll give up riding. One week later purchase older, slower, shorter horse.

Stage 7: Slip off horse. Relieved when artificial joints and implanted medical devices seem unaffected. Tell husband that scrapes and bruises are due to gardening accident. Pretend you don’t see husband roll his eyes and mutter as he walks away. Give apple to horse. Stage

8: Go to see horse. Momentarily consider riding but remember arthritis won’t let you lift leg high enough to reach stirrup — even when on mounting block. Share beer with grateful horse & recall “good old days”.

Of course when the SPS reaches stage 8 I am expecting her to bring me fine wine and apple slices....

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them

I am going to school!!!!

I am thrilled, more than thrilled as a matter of fact. The special little girl has finally asked for me to come to school. Yes you heard it...she used her voice finally. She even asked that I come pink with silver hooves. The SPS and I are going to figure out how to turn me pink, we have the silver horse thing in the bag.

Lots of kiddos are really excited and so am I.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them

Mini Horse Gets Lifesaving Prosthetic Leg

Here I am with the little princess at her riding lesson tonight. This is her second lesson and our first lesson together. She picked me out "Sir Darby is the horse for me, he is a princess horse" One of my favorite things to do is to take children for rides and help them learn to be good horsemen.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them

Only a royal gelding could wear such accouterments and still remain a card-caring member of the He Man Gelding Club.

I indulged the SPS and wore these during the trail clinic. I enjoyed the extra support and protection, but I do believe there are more regal styles that she could find for me.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

What I do best

What makes me happy turns out to also be going about doing what I do best.

I am good at taking care of small children. I am good at bringing people together. I am wonderful at taking a simple moment and turning it into something very special-that is what I do best.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

As you can see I was stellar when it came to the riding portion of the clinic. I was the elder statesman and I showed all the yougsters how it is done.

Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

This is how you do it

The trail prep clinic was great. I showed all the horses how to deal with obstacles and maintain your royal aplomb at the same time. I am very proud of the SPS, nothing seemed to scare her...good thing she is trainable.
Tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Trail Clinic

I am going to a trail clinic tomorrow. Being a royal horse I will have to demonstrate what bravery looks like for the peasants who are coming in to learn.
The SPS's oldest son and her grand-daughter are pictured putting together the beginnings of the "car wash". There will be more things hanging down when they are done. I will be showing the students how to regally walk through it without getting your mane messed up.
tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

I have a trail clinic to attend next week. I have been preparing the SPS for some of the things we may be asked to do. Here we are playing peek-a-boo. I am showing her that there is nothing to worry about if a shirt ends up covering your eyes. Hopefully she will be up to having her eyes covered next week.

tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Reward for a job well done

I was richly rewarded by my small riders for a job well done. I got scritches and very special horse treats.

The SPS says that I become especially soft and gentle around children-that I am a gentle giant. Of course, what would she expect? After all I am benevolent royalty, not a dictator.

I hope the small ones come back again. I love making them smile....I also love the extra treats.

tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

A little girls's first ride

This past Sunday I was called upon to exhibit one of my many special talents. I honored a request to give a little girl her first horse ride. As with every rider I have carried, she was smitten... She is now requesting to pay me visits several times a week so she can perch elegantly on my royal back.
tu ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

The man in the photograph is Buck Brannaman, horseman extraordinaire. The SPS has dreamed of riding in one of his clinics but was afraid to do so. This was the year she was finally going to do it...she was going to take Friend and ride. When Friend passed away the SPS lost her heart for going. She also found out the next week that the clinic was full, the organizer forgot about sending her the information. The SPS was relieved, she wouldn't have to face riding in the clinic and facing her fears. Well it seems that Friend or fate believed she should fulfill her dream of going...the clinic organizer told the SPS that she could ride in her spot. At first the SPS was hesitant to take the opportunity, then something changed her mind. I changed her mind. I showed her I could waltz with her at liberty, I showed her that I could understand her and she could understand me-we just needed to work together. I made it clear I wanted the honor of carrying her at this clinic. So we are going.
I hope that Buck can handle having my royal self strutting around the arena. I am going to have a grand time showing the other horses how to take care of their riders. I also know that in her heart the SPS will be carrying Friend, it is my privilege to carry him too-he was an amazing horse.
Tue ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Happy Valentines

Tue ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

The SPS

Hi, it is me the SPS. I wanted to talk to you a bit about Sir Darby.

I know there are times on the blog that he may seem like a pompous horse, believe me that is so far from the truth. Sir Darby is a loving horse who gives the best he has at all times. However he can be a bit intolerant of silliness.

Today Sir Darby lovingly carried me and my tears as I try to heal my heart from the loss of a beloved equine Friend. Sir Darby even danced a waltz with me at liberty...something he has never done before. He brought a smile to my face and I really needed it.

Sir Darby seems to read humans and give to us exactly what we need.

Thank you grand sir for your love and kindness today. I so needed the gift that you gave me.

Tue ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Beauty treatment

So the SPS says that my royal self is terribly dirty. How dare she say or even thinks such a thing? I am simply indulging in special spa treatments designed to have me looking special at the show next month. I is important that I look my royal finest. The SPS is also threatening to give me a cold bath if I don't figure out how to be dirt free before the show. I think it is her job to brush me until I am dirt free, after all she has an entire month to remove all of the special spa treatment from my coat.
Tue ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Way to go kiddo!

There is a special young lady at one of the schools in the SPS's school district, she knows who she is. I keep track of how she is doing because I love her. I want to tell her good job for giving her report to the entire history class yesterday! I am so proud of you. I don't think I could give a report in front of entire class, well maybe I could if I got some special horse treats. I will have the SPS bring you some of my special horse treats because you did such a good job. Keep up the good work.
I am having to get ready to go to the college for a show next month. I will be a guest horse for the competetors to ride. I am a bit nervous, but thinking about you will help me be brave.
I am still waiting for you to ask for me to come visit school...I want to meet you in person.
Tue ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Tuning up

Remember how stunning I was as a guest horse at the CWU Western Equestrian show? I had a great time. Well I am gearing up to make an appearance at the CWU English Equestrian show.

I am going to be smashing in the new English saddle the SPS bought. I am thrilled to be able to help young riders compete and even more thrilled to have my royalness once again showcased.

Tue ne cede malis sed contra audentior ito (Yield not to misfortunes, but advance all the more boldly against them)

Happy New Year!

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