Growing Up Tiger

If you read my last post, than you must be curious to hear more about my new friend Arnold Pillar. Arnold is a fuzzy little caterpillar that I met yesterday morning. Mr. Arnold Pillar I was just smelling dirt and licking pebbles, you know, minding my own business. And all of a sudden I got a itch on the tip of my muzzle, and it didn't go away. So I snorted and picked my head up, trying to cross my eyes and see what it was that was tickling my nose. But I couldn't see anything, so I bumped Mommy in the arm and she looked over, "What is it Tiger Baby?" She asked. "Uh what do you mean "what is it" obviously my muzzle itches and I lack those magic scratching tools that you call thumbs!" "Oh, do you have an itch?" "WELL DDDUUUHHHH!" "(chuckles) Well no wonder there's a little caterpillar on your halter." "A cater-what?" "Aww he's a cute little guy, here let me pick him up...

I not sure about the horses you guys know, but I LOVE COWS! And not just Smarty the dummy steer..but the real thing too! They are fascinating little guys. I enjoy hanging out with all the cows and steers here at the Ranch, but I do have a favorite. There is an old, red, brindle cow that lives in a "big apartment" with the young roping steers as a nanny. Mommy and I don't know if she has a name or what it is if she does. So we call her Bridget, Bridget The Brindle.    Bridget The Brindle Now, I get along with pretty much ever animal I come in contact with!  Birds, Lizards, Dogs, Rabbits, Goats, Fish, Mules, Squirrels, Butterflies, it doesn't matter, I LOVE EVERYONE!! It was obvious from the first time I met Bridget that we were going to be friends! Whenever she sees me she comes to the "front yard" and waits for me to walk over and say "Hi"   then she greets me with kissies! Kissies from Bridget Sometime...

Earlier this week, Mommy and I said goodbye to Papa Pollo. Don't worry! He's perfectly healthy!  But Pollo's Mommy lives far away and missed him very much (anyone would).  So she built him a nice little apartment in her backyard, he will live there, where she can see him from her office and love on him everyday!  Me and Mommy are going to miss him SO MUCH , but we are so happy that he will get to be with Bonnie! We love you Papa Pollo! Apollo in his new house (Photo credit: Apollo's Mom Bonnie)

A few posts ago, we talked about the different types of manes and ways to care for them. Today, is all about tails! Morgan Stallion With Beautiful tail! (Photo found on Google) As with manes, tails can vary in length, and style depending on Breed standards, your Human's personal preferences, etc. For example, many draft and carriage breeds are required to keep their tails cut short. Hackney Horse With His Tail Trimmed Short (Photo found on Google) Others such as most gaited or some pony breed standards prefer their animals to grow their tails as long and thick as possible. American Saddlebred With Her Tail Grown Out (Photo found on Google) On average however, most horse owners prefer to keep their horses' tails (what Mommy likes to call) " Maintainably Long", Short enough to not be stepped on, but normally long enough to cover the top of the fetlocks. Mommy currently keeps my tail "maintainably long",  My Current Tail...

Yesterday (Monday, May 8th) was a big day for me for many different reasons. One of them was receiving my papers! I rest my head on Mommy's arm and enjoy kissies! Mustangs are registered differently than horses born in captivity. There are two main groups responsible for wild mustangs. The BLM (Bureau Of Land Management) and The USFS (United States Forrest Service) . Once adopted, every Mustang is still technically owned by their original registry for one year.  During this time we are not allowed to be sold, traded, or even move facilities without expressed permission from that registry. After the year is up, (if all goes well) a title is issued to the adopter which gives them full ownership, and freedom to do with us whatever thy wish. My herd was owned by the El Rito New Mexico Ranger District (a branch of the USFS) . After adoption, additional registration is optional.  But, my Mommy wanted me to have papers (like a fancy horsie)....

This Weekend has been wet and rainy here in SoCal. Yesterday morning the "neighborhood" was muddy, our coats and manes were damp, and fresh, clean smells filled the air! Now, I (along with most horses, especially Mustangs) LOVE the rain! Mara & Me hanging out in the rain Mommy likes to say that I like to "dance" in the rain. Whenever I feel any drops at all, I just can't help kicking up my heels and tossing my head toward the sky, letting the rain drops fall on my muzzle. Lola likes the rain too! We'll run around together in the storms, kicking up our heels and squealing as loud as we can! Lola & Me "dancing" in the rain When Lola and Me finally get tired we will stand together under our shelter and have deep and meaningful conversations. Under My shelter! Yesterday, as Mommy was feeding Mara, she watched Me and Lola play in the mist and she was reminded of one of her favorite quotes. (Photo ...

Manes and tails can be quite frustrating! Well, at least they can be for humans. Us horsies don't mind them at all! They help swish flies away! Today we will be focusing on Mane Care (let's leave Tails for next time). Now, each breed of horse has a slightly different type of mane. For example, Thoroughbreds and Arabians tend to have thin, straight manes and tails while Morgans and Mustangs are known to have thicker, waver (harder maintained) manes and tails. Whether you keep your horse's mane long or short can depend on multiple things such as Breed standards, personal perference, time constrants, etc. Currently, Mommy keeps my mane trimmed short. My Short Mane (Do for another trim) There are a few different reasons for this. I have a very thick, very wavy mane (especially for a baby), The thickness combined with the waves cause constant tangles and split ends. I tolerate quite well the brushing, spraying, bathing and trimming of my mane, ho...