Arbor Meadow

10/24/2025

Just found out my everyday ordinary trails are called Holloways. I’m seeing it on British FB pages I follow. Now I know!

10/18/2025

My steady eddy heart horse Whimsey. Yesterday was such a peaceful day. A day that heals your soul.

10/14/2025

Yesterday I let sweet Parcel go. She is 30, has had cushings for years and the mom to my beloved Geronimo and Kewpie. She spent the last week sunbathing but not eating much so I knew it was time. She had a good last week. A few weeks ago Janet Rooker shared a nice explanation of the hardest part of horse husbandry. Thank you for posting it….I have 5 horses between 27 yrs and 30 yrs right now….it is a daily concern if I’m doing right by them.

“What does it really mean to "let them go on a good day?"

It means it will be your hardest day. It won't matter if you've never done it before, or if you're gifted a dozen good days, each good day is always the hardest one.

It means they won't know what the fuss is about, why they're getting so many treats and extra belly scratches and hugs.

It means you will second guess your decision right up to the very last moment, the very last breath. You'll second guess yourself afterwards.

They'll knicker at you when you arrive, just like any other day.

The weather, perfect. They are content. They look sound today. They are breathing well, eating well, they get up easily enough from a nap in the sun....the list goes on. Whatever issue they struggle with, today they aren't.

Today you euthanize them.

This is what going on a good day means: sending them out while they are happy, while they are healthy, while they are eating well, walking well, etc. You make the choice to do it before an emergency takes the choice away from you, before your horse has to experience any more trauma or pain.

Their last memory will be filled with love.

It'll rip your heart out every time.

We can see the patterns and the increasing trends. We can predict it a little. We can obsess over the past and worry about the future.

Fortunately, horses, all animals, live in the moment. They don't worry about those things. They aren't worried about winter. They aren't worried about July, or allergies, or progressive diseases like cushings or dsld. They don't think about the close calls they've had before, and they certainly aren't thinking about the close calls that are destined to come, as their body continues to age and break down. They just are. They are happy and healthy, or fearful and in pain, on that day, in that moment.

It is the most difficult, most loving gift we are blessed to be able to give.

And that first ice storm will come, that first deep snow, that first heat wave....and you will find a little relief, no longer doubting the choice you made.

They were happy, and safe, and loved. That is all that matters.”

It is never easy. ~Kelly Meister, author

10/11/2025

10/09/2025

Gorgeous crisp morning! Hat and gloves required. Stingy cheeks are my reward for early morning chores and quick walk❤️

10/08/2025

Super fun morning!!! A group of lovely homeschool kiddos organized by Cindy Caro came to read to B Autumn, MSU Whimsey, Ice Krystal, Geronimo and Violet. BUT….i didn’t get any pictures😢 Hopefully some pictures will appear in comments🙏

The horses were awesome as usual! Special credit to Violet who had her first group kid experience. Lenna Caro (9 yrs) has been assistant trainer working with Violet and has done a fabulous job. Violet did GREAT….until she didn’t….lol….but she wasn’t naughty just a little over stimulated🤣

Thank you Cindy, Lenna, Doug and Grace Miller and to the parents and kids for a wonderful morning! Hope to see many of these kiddos in the near future❤️

11/13/2024

https://paulickreport.com/horse-care-category/study-can-standing-on-foam-pads-really-help-improve-equine-balance?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3B9V7wSAwrK__79OrOrOShX_mEp9QCygHtjYos9P6xF4WL_1pI2oVm4JI_aem_ft8z6xjOM_AlwBTem8CO0A

Foam pads of varying levels of firmness are marketed to help improve equine balance, with veterinarians and owners reporting anecdotal success. Now, a scientific study on the use of balance pads has been published, and shows promising results.

10/12/2024

Well today did not go as planned!!

Plan: To help Tom Guthrie teach First Responders how to handle horses and other large animals in emergency situations.

Thank goodness the shift gear linkage something something broke as we were pulling out of the driveway and not on the way or at MSU. Geronimo and Violet were excellent as always getting on and off trailer without causing drama….just the truck causing drama today!

09/23/2024

Just received a message from a relative of a former client. My family produced the pony they bought and I started his training. What a pretty pony!
“Leo” possibly registered as Esker Leo?? Half Arabian/Half Shetland….distantly related to event pony Teddy (Theodore O’Connor produced by Wyn Norman).
We only produced about 20 of these crosses but a majority went on to great careers and added to breeding programs producing Sport Ponies.

09/15/2024

All the hay is “in” for the year. Beautiful stacking job thanks to my unloading crew!

09/10/2024

My morning walk to work was very peaceful!