Mazzy

Mazzy is doing well. She is extremely content and quiet and really seems to be enjoying her down time. I still use a chain on her when we go out to graze, just in case she decides to leap into the air and start bucking (which she has been known to do), but lately she has been perfectly behaved with no outbursts. There are also alot of stallions on the property, which is something I am not used, so I need to make sure I have full control. So far, they all seem to be completely well behaved and unphased by Mazzy. We shall see how things change when she is in heat. There is one that ran in the Kentucky Derby, stabled right next to where I take her to graze and he doesn't seem to even notice her.

I popped in to visit her at an unusual time yesterday and still not one poop in her stall (so this confirms that they don't just clean it right before I come). Normally I would worry about colic when her stall is always so spotless, but they have guys that are constantly cleaning the stalls. So nice, and it really eliminates almost all of the flies.

DAPPLES!

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RCR Summer Classic Horse Show

We hosted a horse show at our barn last weekend and I set up my jewelry booth. I can't say it was a huge success for me, but the horse show was nice, and I had a great spot for viewing and cheering on my friends. I opted not to show because it is too difficult to run my jewelry booth and ride. I have done that before and unless I have help it is nearly impossible.

I donated a $50 gift certificate for one of the championship prizes and the winner picked out a beautiful sterling silver, chalcedony and pearl necklace.

My trainer worked tirelessly for the past several months organizing the show, building new jumps, and getting sponsors. There were tons of great prizes, a hunter derby classic, an equitation flat challenge, and an equitation derby classic.

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August Birthstones: Peridot, Sardonyx

Fairway Necklace

If fire appears to leap from the vibrant green surface of the Peridot, this may be because this gem is formed as a result of volcanic activity. Many years ago, natives discovered Peridot crystals in the black sands of Hawaii, explaining their presence as tears shed by Pele, the volcano goddess. Throughout history, August's birthstone has been used as a means to connect with nature. Early Egyptian priests drank a stimulating beverage called Soma from cups made of Peridot, believing this practice to draw them closer to Isis, the goddess of nature.

Mojito Earrings

The name Peridot comes from the Arabic word "faridat," meaning gem. Ancient Egyptians called them the "gem of the sun," because of their dazzling brilliance when seen in the desert sun. It was believed that the Peridot glowed with light even as darkness fell, which is why miners were said to have scouted for these gems during the night, marking their location, and returning in the light of day to retrieve them. Perhaps this legendary mining method is the reason that the Peridot is sometimes called "evening emerald."

Chardonnay Grapes Earrings

Peridot is predominantly green in color due to the presence of mineral Olivine and iron. Within that color, though, they cover all the different shades ranging from a spring reminiscent light yellowish green to a much sought after deep velvety green. The golden yellow peridot is called Chrysolite, Olive green gemstones are called Olivine peridots and those that have a bottle green color are simply referred to as Peridot. Early mining for this gem was done on Saint John's Island near Egypt around 1500 BC. The green crystal was considered protective against evil and when set in gold, especially helpful against night terrors. It was ground to powder and used as a remedy for asthma and as a cure for thirst brought on by fever. Gem quality Peridot is found and mined in the United States (Arizona and Hawaii), Brazil, South Africa, St. John's island in Egypt, Norway, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Australia.

Isabelle Bracelet

The force of nature is alive within a Peridot, making a gift of this gemstone symbolic of vitality. It signifies strength, both individual and within a relationship, as well as the promise of new growth in years ahead. It is associated with the heart chakra.

An alternate birthstone for August, Sardonyx is a variety of onyx which is a form of banded chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz or SiO2) or agate. The name sardonyx derives from the word ‘sard’ and ‘onyx’ relating to the striped or banded appearance of layers of white, grey or black interspersed with reddish brown. This stone was worn as a talisman by the Egyptians to protect against infections and evil. Today it is highly polished and carved into beautiful beads and cameos. Sardonyx is mined in India, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Brazil and Uruguay. Sardonyx is said to calm the mind, aid communication and promote happiness in marriage and relationships.

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Intaglios - Reverse Carved Crystals

Intaglios are my favorite - they are miniature works of art! The art of carving gemstones in the intaglio technique originated in Europe is over a thousand years old. Belgian Artist Emile Marius Pradier is attributed for using this technique with crystals. His designs were hand etched and filled with different materials or hand painted. Some of Pradier's early pieces were signed, which makes them particularly appealing. Such was the beginning of a treasured art form, which evolved into incredible works of art in miniature. The designs varied and included miniature portraits of people, animals, flowers landscapes and many other images too numerous to mention.

In the 1960's, Thomas Cooke who resided in England began making crystals for Lambeth and Company. The crystals gained immediate favor and as their popularity increased Cooke trained a student to assist him. This student - Thomas Bean - later trained his own son, Edmund and subsequently his grandson, Edgar (d. 1954) in the crystal making process.

NOTE: At one time, crystals were wrongfully attributed to William Essex, an artist well known for his miniature enamel work. Although he had no connection to the reverse intaglio process, many people commonly refer to "Essex Crystals" even today. His rock crystal miniatures were popular during the Victorian and Edwardian Era. The most popular backgrounds for the crystals included Mother of Pearl and foil.

Technique:
The reverse intaglio technique requires patience and time. Whether you are carving Lucite or rock crystal the "stone" will need to be cut, polished or prepared/prepped to accept the carving. For example, carving rock crystal which is a natural quartz mineral will need to be cut with a diamond saw and ground into the perfect cabochon and that requires polishing and more polishing which is all done by hand. The design is then painted on usually with watercolors. Next, a scribe etches the design into the stone. Finally, when the engraved design is finished it is painted. The design is so tiny that often brushes with a single hair are used to apply the paint. In some case, silver was employed to further enhance the design. The clear cabochon dome magnified the miniature a bit. These pieces are generally unsigned. These "paintings under glass" are remarkably life-like with the produced three-dimensional effect and its exceptional depth. Their value depends on age, condition, subject matter, setting, and size. An intaglio that gives the illusion the subject rises above the base is termed cavo rilievo.

As time went on types of materials used changed, rock crystal was replaced with glass, and clear Bakelite and transparent Lucite were very popular. When designers used plastic, they stopped framing the carvings because unlike glass Lucite has very smooth edges. Advanced paints became available. Designs changed along with the size and material of etched or molded matter. After World War II, there was an abundance of Lucite, which was used for manufacture of windows for our planes, and artists and crafters scooped the rest. Reverse carved Lucite Jewelry was very popular in the late 1940s - 1950s. All of these changes help us to date a piece.

Crystal carving and painting has always been a family enterprise and is one of the few art forms of modern times to develop in secrecy, and passed on from one generation to the next. Yet, today, with very few artists possessing either the knowledge or ability to produce crystals, the process of reverse intaglio is considered one of the most respected art forms. The popularity of these crystals lasted until the 1960's.

Show Stable Artisans have some exquisite pieces:

Grey Horse Reverse Crystal In 14k Gold Pendant Setting $1,800

14mm Bay Horse Head Reverse Crystal Earrings $2,800

Bay Horse Head Reverse Crystal Pendant/Enhancer $3,200

18k Gold Reverse Crystal Fox Mask and Horse "Accessories" Bracelet $6,800

Three Reverse Crystals Bay Horse Heads Bracelet $5,500

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Emaciated thoroughbred with illustrious pedigree saved from certain slaughter

My dream is to have a horse rescue one day. So many horses are bound for slaughterhouses, neglected or mistreated. Luckily there are many rescues out there, but just not enough.

So glad Tacticianor is safe now. Unfortunately so many are not.

August 4, 11:53 PM - Equine Advocacy Examiner - Maureen Harmonay



When the story of Tacticianor is written, it won't be about his rather pedestrian record on the racetrack, or even about his rather illustrious pedigree and family connections, as a grandson of the great Storm Cat and a half-brother to the much-heralded and fabulously successful runner, Evening Attire.

No, Tacticianor's claim to fame will spring from the fact that as he stood forlorn in a notorious Ohio kill pen--an anonymous, emaciated, and broken down horse whose days were numbered to the amount of time it would take for him to travel to a slaughterhouse in Mexico--some good-hearted people stepped forth to save him, not knowing who they'd found.

When they spotted him on Friday, July 30th, as he awaited his fate at the Sugarcreek Auction, rescuers had no idea who Tacticianor was. Some speculated that because of his grey color, he was part Arab, and most assumed that because of the tired look in his eye, he was quite old. And even when someone flipped up his lip to determine if he had ever been tattooed, she was able only to confirm that he was a thoroughbred who had spent some time on the racetrack. No one knew where, no one knew when.

That's when they called Deborah (Deb) Jones, a passionate thoroughbred advocate who has made it her life's mission to identify and protect thoroughbreds destined for slaughter, and intervene before they are loaded on to a one-way trip to hell. It was Deb who researched Tacticianor's tattoo, and learned his true identity, but that information was put on the back burner because Sugarcreek's owner, Leroy Baker, had already booked the six-year-old gelding on the truck to Mexico. It was leaving on Sunday, August 1st, so there wasn't much time.

Deb quickly contacted Mandae Lewis at nearby Greener Pastures Equine Rescue, who agreed to take the horse on short notice. She and Lori Armstrong essentially dropped everything to arrange to get Tacticianor out of Sugarcreek with the help of Rena' Martin of Drafty Barn Equine Rescue, while Deb wired the $75 that Baker said he wanted for the horse. By the end of the day on Sunday, he was safe.

Plagued with assorted aches and pains, a shoulder injury of indeterminate origin, and ribs sticking out so far you can count them, Tacticianor may be out of harm's way, but he's facing a long rehabilitation. He's currently receiving loving care and medical attention under the supervision of Amy McLeod, who runs a quarantine barn for Greener Pastures. The question is: how did Tacticianor, who finished off the board in his last race--a bottom-level $3500 claimer at Beulah Park on March 10th--fall so far, so fast?

Here's what we know. It was with high hopes that Tacticianor's racing career began, in the fall of 2006, when he competed against two-year-old Maiden Special Weight foes for his owner/breeders TJ Kelly and Joseph Grant. The extreme success of the horse's older half-brother, Evening Attire, had led them to dream that Tacticianor might be as good. But he finished 24 lengths back, and in his next start, was eased. Tacticianor's original connections tried everything: they ran him long and short, on dirt and on turf, but the results were always the same: Tacticianor seemed to run out of gas and finish up many lengths behind the competition.

The good-looking grey was sent to Suffolk Downs in the summer of 2007, where he raced without distinction, but managed to hit the board in lower-level claiming races, while never making it to the winner's circle. By October of that year, Mr. Grant apparently realized that Tacticianor just wasn't cut out to be a runner, and in good faith, he gave him to someone who promised to provide the gelding with a good home.

But four months later, Tacticianor was back in the starting gate again, this time at Turfway Park, where he ran twice and finished unplaced. Over the course of the next two years, Tacticianor made 26 more starts, managing to break his maiden for a $4000 tag, and win two other bottom-level claiming races. He made his last start over a sloppy track at Beulah Park on March 10th of this year, and ended his career with total earnings of just under $16,000.

By April, Tacticianor was listed for sale for $750 on the CANTER Ohio website, with photographs indicating that he appeared to be happy, healthy, and well-fed, stabled in Barn 17 at Beulah under the care of his last trainer, Kristi Van Meter. The CANTER site describes the 16h grey as "sound on an old, set osselot," with "no stall vices." Whatever happened in his last race, though, it appears that Ms. Van Meter had determined that Tacticianor needed to be retired for good this time, because his CANTER writeup further says, "He's decided he's done racing and can get cranky at the track but is a 'perfect angel' at the farm--when he came out of his stall to get his picture taken he was relaxed and a perfect gentleman. He'll make someone a great horse--maybe a beginner hunter."

It's not clear how long Tacticianor remained with trainer Van Meter, but by early June, he had been transferred to Angela Perry, who runs Bluestone Farm, a sales and breeding facility in southern Ohio. She advertised him for sale at $850 on the Horsetopia website on or about June 13th. According to a story in the Daily Racing Form, Ms. Perry said she sold Tacticianor about a month ago, but could not--or perhaps would not--identify who bought him.

We don't know how the lanky grey gelding ended up at Sugarcreek, but an agent form the Meigs County Humane Society is conducting an investigation, and intends to find out.

As for Tacticianor, his future now looks very bright indeed. As soon as breeder Joseph Grant learned of his plight, he immediately stepped up to contribute to his old colorbearer's expenses, and also put in a good word for him at Akindale Thoroughbred Rescue, the retirement home of Tacticianor's celebrated half-brother, the $2.9 million dollar earner, Evening Attire.

Once Tacticianor has put on some much-needed weight and recovered from his injuries, he'll be heading to Pawling, New York, to live out the rest of his life with his look-alike relative at Akindale, where they'll both be treated like royalty, without regard to how they got there.

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windmills of my mind treasury

My Promenade Earrings were featured in a cool treasury by The Divine Depth of The Ordinary Handmade OOAK Jewelry

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Visit with Mazzy

Through the guarded gate....

One of the many horse farms along the way:

The side of one of the barns:

It was such a beautiful evening last night and just the right temperature...peace and quiet:

I went to visit Mazzy last night and she seems very content. Walking into the barn it is bug free, dust free, cool and peaceful. There is just the sound of horses munching hay and fans blowing. What a wonderful place for a horse to recover. If I ever need a lay-up that is where I want to go! Mazzy's caretaker said she was very quiet and relaxed...that was until I got there and started feeding her carrots. Then she became naughty Mazzy knocking her foot against the door for more treats! It is so nice not to have to worry about that part of her recovery!

It is very hard to get a picture of Mazzy in her stall, she needs to be VERY close at all times.I gave her some food to distracted her:

Checking out the view:

She has a view of the bull pen:

The stalls are cleaned all day long - her stall is always spotless!

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KING!

After I rode Kylie last night we went over Chad's mom's for dinner. She made delicious enchiladas (her mother's recipe).

For dessert we had a light, moist, flavorful Cherry Cake with Marsala, Crème Fraîche, and Cherries. Yum!

Ingredients:
•1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
•1 teaspoon baking powder
•1 teaspoon salt
•1/4 teaspoon baking soda
•1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
•1/2 cup Marsala
•1/4 cup fresh orange juice
•14 tablespoons (1 3/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
•1 cup plus 4 tablespoons sugar
•2 large eggs
•1 teaspoon vanilla extract
•1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
•4 cups cherries

Directions:
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 400°F. Butter 10-inch-diameter springform pan. Whisk first 5 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Combine Marsala and orange juice in small bowl. Beat 12 tablespoons butter and 1 cup sugar in large bowl until well blended. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and lemon peel. Beat in Marsala mixture in 2 additions alternately with flour mixture in 3 additions. Transfer batter to prepared pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cherries.

Bake cake until top is gently set, about 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Dot top of cake with 2 tablespoons butter and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar. Continue baking until tester inserted into center of cake comes out clean, about 15 minutes. Cool in pan on rack. Release pan sides; transfer cake to platter. Cool to room temperature.

Mix crème fraîche and 2 tablespoons sugar in small bowl. (Cake and crème fraîche mixture can be made 8 hours ahead. Let cake stand at room temperature. Cover and chill crème fraîche mixture.) Cut cake into wedges. Top each with dollop of crème fraîche and fresh cherries and serve.

Note: I think the original recipe called for raspberries, but cherries were delicious!



Since I came directly from the barn, Chad and I took separate cars. We were on our way out to the car at about 11pm and I heard what I thought was a dog crying, Chad's mom thought it was a peacock, which there are alot of in her neighborhood, so I didn't think much of it. I got in my car and headed home. Chad walked through the door about 15 minutes after me, which I thought was strange since his mom only lives about 10 minutes away, and we both walked out to our cars at the same time. Then I see a teenie tiny critter in his hands. The dogs noticed it RIGHT away! What was it? A scared wet, neglected dog. He asked the neighbors around where he found it, but no one had ever seen him before. No collar, and he doesn't look like he was very well cared for. You can feel all his bones. We fed him, and he ate like he was starving to death. Poor little guy!

Barely bigger than a key!

Looks like he is possibly a Yorkie, Chihuahua mix? He has two rows of teeth like a shark. Thankfully he doesn't bite! Not neutered, of course. Because I am sure you'd want to perpetuate this mix - NOT! I am sure Chad will look for his owner today, but I think whoever ownes him isn't doing a very good job taking care of him. I would like to keep him, but we'll have to see what happens. I hope our much bigger dogs can adapt to a very tiny new family member. He is half the size of Topaz, who isn't a very big cat!

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Boarding realities and fantasies

It is very difficult to weigh out what the most important factors are when boarding your horse. There is no perfect situation unless you have unlimited funds, and still it may not be perfect. For me the number one reason I keep my horses at the facility I am at is the trainer. However, there are many things I would change if I could about the facility and how it is run.

In a perfect world (or if I wasn't financially constrained about where I keep my horses) my priorities are lots of turnout, good modern footing, and quality hay. These things all lead to a healthier athlete, and should be part of a competitive show program. Different horses can have very different characteristics and requirements. Consequently, a horse stable which is ideal for one horse may be a disaster for another.

When researching different boarding stables, don't forget to ask about their turnout routine. Having a good turnout regime can make a huge difference to your horse's mental and physical state. My friend at Springfield Stables wrote a fantastic post about turnout. I know many of my readers are of the same school of thought and are aware of the wonderful physical and mental benefits. Regular turnout (and I mean in a space where the horses can move, not a tiny pen for 20 min) eliminates the need for daily lunging, it also keeps horses in better physical shape by allowing them to move around. In order for all space to be fully utilized, the facility has to be well planned out. I get so frustrated seeing tons of wasted space and teeny tiny turnout pens. Fences should be sturdy, horse safe and in good repair.

Bedding: For your horse's health and safety, as well as his/her warmth and comfort, the stall bedding is also extremely important. Poor quality bedding can have a critical effect on your horse's health. It goes without saying that the horses' stalls need to properly cleaned and not just the poop picked out. Moisture promotes mold growth, and excess ammonia (a noxious gas from urine that irritates the airways). And when the stalls are cleaned the bedding must be properly disposed of, or kept far enough away from the horses, not sitting in a huge pile breeding flies. The barn should have good ventilation, smell relatively fresh, not like manure or ammonia.

I would love if my horses' stalls were lined with the ComfortStall® Equine Flooring System and then bedded with some nice dust free shavings. I like straw too, but at the rate Mazzy eats it, I'm not sure that is the best long term choice for her :-). However, it is the best choice for now to keep her stitches clean.

Safe stalls: Above all else, materials used in horse stalls must be substantial. No sharp edges, no screws sticking out, or small spaces for them to get a leg caught in - to me this seems like a no brainer, but unfortunately it is not. A horse is a big, powerful animal, and one kick could take out a wall…and a hoof or damage a knee as well, leading to months of healing and no riding. So, if a material looks thin, it probably is. The size of the stall itself is also important for horse health. A horse 16-hands tall will be at least six feet long, nose to tail, meaning even a 12-by-12 foot stall is only twice the horse’s body length. Since a horse cannot decide to go out for a stroll if he’s feeling cramped, it pays to avoid making him spend boring hours in a cramped space. Inside of that stall, they have nothing but time on their hands and that time can easily lead to mischief. A bored horse will look for trouble, chewing on stall walls, kicking and making a fuss. That’s tough on the walls, tough on the horse handlers, and extra tough on the horse. Giving the horse a view of the aisle or the great outdoors, with stall gates or even horse-friendly windows, is also helpful in keeping horses healthy and happy, and avoiding behavioral “issues” or vet bills for the horse. Of course in my dream world I would love a palatial 14 x 14 stall with an attached paddock, however, the majority of the time I would like them to be out in the pasture.

It is essential that someone knowledgeable will check on your horse frequently. If there were to be an accident in the stall or if your horse suddenly got colic, there needs to be someone on hand to notice promptly and to be competent enough to deal with the situation. At least when the horse's stall is cleaned and when they are fed they should be given the once over. This will eliminate the horse having to stand around until another boarder notices that his eyelid is half ripped off, or cheek sliced open. It is never fun to arrive in the evening to find an injury that no one noticed all day, thus requiring an emergency evening vet call.

Feed: Quality. What are the horses fed? Are the hay and food supplements of high quality, or just the cheapest available? No matter what age of the horse, or activity state, proper nutrition is important and can contribute to a sounder horse and a better athlete. My preference is timothy hay, however the barn I keep my horses (not where Mazzy is currently) does not offer that choice. Alfalfa comes with board, but I have to pay an additional $100/month for oat hay or orchard grass hay. Anything more than two flakes of alfalfa am/pm is extra $.

Quantity. Do the horses get all the food they need, or is there a quota (2 flakes 2 times/day) and the owner is responsible for the rest? A horse should receive at least 2 percent of his body weight per day in good quality digestible forage. So that means a 1200-pound horse would need 24 pounds of hay each day. If average flake of hay weighs around three pounds, that is 8 flakes a day (depending on the weight)! Frequency. How often are the horses fed? It should be at least twice a day and preferably more (access to quality pasture qualifies as a feed). Mazzy is a growing girl and therefore an eating machine! She would starve to death on the normal feed ration. I have to feed her an additional 150-200 lbs of timothy pellets/week, soaked beet pulp, rice bran, and Triple Crown Complete to keep weight on her. She is in heaven at the layup facility getting all the hay she can eat!

Buckets. Are the food and water buckets kept clean? Is old food removed each day and the buckets cleaned out well, or simply new food dropped on top? Water. Do the horse have adequate access to clean water? Thankfully we have automatic waterers. I also provide my horses with Himalayan salt licks.

The general facility upkeep is important. When things break are they fixed properly, or are they gerry-rigged together. Eventually a nice facility will become run-down if it is not properly maintained. Horses are tough tenants and there are contantly things that need fixing.

It is so nice to visit Mazzy and not need to reclean her stall, scrub her buckets, soak her down with fly spray, or find new injuries. She is clean, well cared for, and happily eating. All I have to do is enjoy her company. It is pretty darn close to a perfect situation, too bad it will eventually have to come to an end. If only I could win the lottery, my horses would be living a pampered lifestyle!

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