"DOUBLE RAINBOW" STORY OF HOW  RITAKINS came to me - goes here:

August 2002: 

How am I?  Better, got run over by my mare today. My fault. lost my patience while checking her foot. LESSON LEARNED: never pick a fight with a 1000 lb animal. especially a female!

She spun around, knocked me down and ran out the barn, running over my ankles [as in both] but to her credit she stopped soon as she heard me scream and turned to look at me, first with a smug on her face as if to say ""So There!" then after she saw me crying I got a sympathetic look.

Nothing broken. just a bad bone bruise on my left ankle. Ouch! And lots of colour in my cheeks from crying. He he

January 2003:

Since Rockin’ Rita ran over my ankles me last summer she has been so sweet, so very careful with me. I'm still skittish around her! Often feeling nervous around a horse triggers them to feel nervous themselves but Ritakin has been unbelievably affectionate & patient with me. Maybe she feels bad? Maybe? Don't know.

Today, I surprised myself when she just turned around in the barn aisle & I flew up the stall wallboards. I jumped as if lightning struck right near my feet. Rockn' Rita didn't really do anything, With one leap, I literally jumped up the sideboards and started to climb. I was shocked how fast I moved. I was surprised to find myself actually shaking! She seemed surprised and gave me a funny puzzled look as if to say "What are you doing?" My reaction shocked me too! Guess being afraid isn't such a bad thing! I mean, I can see where I was too trusting before. Like my brother once said about motorcycles “You can only get hurt if you lose your fear.”

This adventure has given me a whole new respect for people who have horses and full time jobs! I've had allot of experiences recently that I've only heard others speak of.. i.e. breaking solid ice in the water buckets; carrying a 60' hose into the house to thaw without anyone seeing me! he he! ; hoses busting because of the cold [yup! that was this morning's latest adventure!]

We haven't had snow in years and now it seems to be snowing every week or couple times each week... and oh boy! do I love it!! took so more pictures from my window.. if they are decent I'll send them. got too bundled up tonight to feed dinner and do my pasture walk HA! felt like one of the little kids who's so overdressed they can hardly move!! ROFLMAO!!

July 2004:

This afternoon I roped off part of the run-in shed so Eclipse could go inside without Shetan kicking him out.

Rockin Rita and Shetan were sharing the far stall and adjacent run-in. Would you believe Rockin Rita had the nerve to leave her cozy corner, walk outside, in the rain and strolled over to block the entrance to the area where wulffe was down, just so eclipse couldn't go in. I was furious. Poor eclipse! he's the odd man out and he hasn't got a chance! Guess I have to let go and have faith eclipse will be ok.

Spent last night at the barn and discovered Since Wulffe's death, RockinRita has become overly possessive of her relationship with Shetan. I was sitting in the chair by the flower bed, under the citronella torch reading. The 3 ponies, Shetan, Eclipse & Rock'Rita were in the ring with the barn overhead halogen light on. All of a sudden Shetan realized I was still there. He just stood, staring at me. {Shetan & I rode alone earlier that evening. {RARE TREAT!} Not an easy task! No one wanted to go for a ride, ,but HRH Shetan put up the least amt of resistance. Why am I surprised? He's the one responsible for everyone's reluctance! He's telling the others they can't go so he could go alone! He he What a Hoot!

Guess Shetan had as good a time as I did becaue he was truly happy to see I was still there. He stood like a statue, just staring at me for I don't know how many minutes.

That is, until Ritakins walked out from behind to right in front of him, blocking his view of me. What a "Bitch"!Rockin Rita stood like a statue too. She didn't move either. She stood there for quite a while. This act on her part reminded me how difficult things were before Wulffe joined the family. Wulffe was the only horse not attached or influenced by Shetan or intimidated by Rockin'Rita. I miss him terribly. *sigh*

Oh well, another day, another challenge. Now that Wulffe's gone there isn't as much work for me to do at the barn. I even cut my feed delivery back from weekly to once a month. Amazing how much high maintenance Wulffe was. I never realized it until this moment.

The first night after Dr. Hallaron put him down, I didn't admit it to anyone, but I was truly afraid we'd find Wulffe waiting for us the next day at the back gate. That EQUUS article from years ago still haunts me. {STORY TO GO HERE}

God knew my fears! Having Wulffe's body lie there for 3 days was, in a way, a blessing. It helped reassure me and remove any doubts that he was definitely GONE.