Midnight's Log

September 19, 2004 Sunday
So way cool...Midnight and I went on our first field trip. A poker ride at the Taylorsville state park. Ruby, Greg, Jimmy, Bill and his friend Connie. Midnight was so wonderful. has such a wonderful attitude. Trailered well then behaved so good at the staging area. Life is so good. He handled the creeks hills other horses so well. I had so much fun!

Okay time to catch up with the life and times of Midnight!
After coming home from the long holiday of travel...riding in North Dakota, Montana,and Seattle Washington, plus the Alaskan cruise. I had the joy of seeing my boy. The first weekend back I went for a ride with Ruby on High Class and then she had me get on Midnight and ride him in the round pen...after a few minutes she asked if I was ready for a short trail ride.. I took a deep breath and said yes. Since then Midnight and I have been riding buddies. Up and down hills, sometimes even sliding down muddy banks. He has such a wonderful fast walk, and slow comfortable canter. His four beat gait is getting better by the day. Ruby has done a wonderful job training him! OH I do love the boy! I even can put the western saddle on him by myself...thanks to the Montana trip.

June 14, 2004 Monday
Received this email this morning....Ruby sent it yesterday
Hey mom heza Big boy now!! He went on his 1st trail ride today,sweetie rode him, I rode Andre',and Katie my niece rode bones.Midnight didn't do the 1st thing wrong, I was very pleased with him he excepted. everything great! we just went on the back trail on our farm,which was all he needed because of his age and it being his 1st time.BIG SMILE!!!!! hope you had a wonderful weekend,I did!!! You should be proud you have a very nice horse,we need to keep taking it slow and not push him so we wont mess up a good thing.hes very level headed. I'll talk to you this week see ya Ruby

June 10, 2004 Thursday
Went out to Ruby's. After a wonderful trail ride Ruby worked Midnight. He looked so great. She saddled him and then rode him out of the barn into the round pen, a new first. He was funny, every time he passed me he would try to stop so Ruby would have to get on him. One time he actually did a sort of buck...she said that was very rare, in fact she could not remember him ever bucking with her on him. After she worked him she had me get on him...oh great after him doing a buck...lol. Of course I got up on him. She then walked us around several times with me doing the reins. She just kept her hand lightly by his halter. So cool.

June 5, 2004 Saturday
YeeHaww! I actually got to sit on Midnight today, then Ruby led us around the round pen for a few laps...oh my Gooodness Life is way cool. Ruby first warmed Midnight up with walking, gaiting, and some cantering then she let me get on him to pose for a picture while mom had her camera. So cool so cool.

May 30, 2004 Sunday
Got to Ruby's and Midnight was all saddled up...he looks great in his new purple and red blanket. Later Ruby put the saddle that Gerald gave me for my birthday gift. It is a used Big Horn 16 inch for gaited horses. Ruby took him out to the round pen. Without lounging him she got on him and he walked around and was so good. She then rode him out of the round pen for the first time and rode him into the barn. So cool how well he did riding into the barn for the first time...wow! Ruby says the saddle is perfect!

May 24, 2004 Monday
Yesterday I went out to see Midnight and go for a trail ride with Ruby. I rode her horse Shumu. The following is part of an e-mail Ruby sent that evening, and yes I have a proud Mommy look on my face....lol

.midnight was great when i rode him again after you were here,greg was mowing around the round pen and the cows and horses were running and he looked around a little but he pretty much stayed focusd on me, i'm really proud of his progress in such a short time on his back.you made a good choice when you bought him.were just going to still keep it slow so we dont mess him up by pushing him to fast and taking a chance on messing up a good thing.hope your happy with him,i am!!!!! see ya ruby, i had fun riding with you today.

May 9, 2004 Sunday
Midnight has a new best friend a two year old filly Teha.

May 8, 2004 Saturday
Received pictures of Jim Bob...on my cannot believe how much Midnight looks like his daddy. Have to thank Jim and Diana Sharber at http://www.sundownstables.biz/

May 7, 2004 Friday
Oh my I felt silly. I sent Gerald an e-mail about a rocky Mountain horse farm in Ky. Turns out the stallion, Jim Bob, is Midnights sire. Have e-mailed them to see if I can get a better picture of him. Way cool. Went to see Midnight today. Ruby had the farrier out and Midnight's feet were trimmed. The farrier found an infection in the frog so he opened and drained all the bacteria and then Rudy and him treated it. Midnight was not limping or favoring the foot so I would never have know about the infection. Ruby is so good with the horses, catches problems before they become serious.

May 3, 2004 Monday
Was so great to see Midnight to day. Ruby took him out to work him in the round pen. First she had him on the long reins. Then she let him off the reins and he just took off running around and around, like a wild boy. He seems hate the cows. Then when he settled down Ruby got on him. Greg kept him on a short line and walked him with Ruby on Midnight. Then he undid the lead rope and ruby practiced walking, stopping and turns. Ruby is doing wonderful things with him, she is going slow because he is so young. I really appreciate all her hard work. Will try to get back out there again Wednesday or Friday. Also will try to take a lesson this weekend with her.

April 18, 2004 Sunday
Ruby is such a great person. While checking up on Midnight Ruby came over and told Gerald and I that she thought Midnight had ringworm and that she had scrapped the dead skin away and was treating it. She then got out her vetenarian books. She then read several sections on ringworm and how to treat it. I like the way she likes to double check her work and explains everything to me in normal terms. It seems ringworm is not a worm but a fungus. The ringworm is easily treated with iodine and time. Gerald agrees with me that Midnight is becoming very muscular particularly in the upper legs.

April 16, 2004 Friday
Arrived at the stable in time to see Ruby working Midnight. Ruby was doing verbal commands with Midnight. Having him go through his gaits, then dropping down to a walk and then a halt. Ruby has done a great job with him. Then she went to the long reins. She worked on his turns, backing, halting. Midnight was doing great serpentines and turns. Midnight looks great, sleek and more muscled than before. He is a great natured horse.

April 10, 2004 Saturday
Gerald and I went out to see Midnight today as well as take a trail riding lesson. Midnight looks great! Ruby has been exercise him on the hot walker. Midnight is already developing some very nice muscle tone. Ruby has been saddling him and putting his bridle and bit in his mouth. Midnight takes both very easily. She is going to start reigning him from the ground this coming week.Ruby seems to really like Midnight and he really like her...wonder if I should be jealous. Midnight still adores Gerald. Guess he knows his parents..lol.

April 5, 2004

Today I went out to check on Midnight. He looks so great! Ruby says he has a great gait and is very good. A friend of hers commented that Midnight was a great looking Rocky Mountain, great head and attitude. I am like a proud Mommy. Life is so great.

April 3, 2004 Saturday

Today Gerald and I moved Midnight to Ruby's out by Taylorsville lake. It is about an hour drive to her place, but well worth the effort. Ruby will be training Midnight to trail ride. I cannot wait till I can go riding with him. Any way the great thing about today was that Midnight loaded into the trailer like a pro. I was so happy that he trusted me enough to follow me into the scary trailer again.

Midnight looking out of his new stall.

Midnight's new pasture area!

Midnight's stay at THE BARN off of Dixie Hwy in the city of Louisville,March 7 through April 2 2004

Jean, the lady of the Barn, really liked Midnight. She thought he was such a sweet boy and a quick learner. After only two days Midnight was able to go out to the pasture with out being lead, and then come back in at night to his own stall. Such a smart boy!

There was an evil rooster at the barn who hated me. He would attack me! Flying at the back of my head every chance he could.

Midnight made some good friends while here, a yearling filly who adored him. One of my favorite memories of the two was when Midnight was laying down. The filly decided to step up on him with her two front legs...as if to say get up and play with me. I wish I had my camera at that moment. Oh well I have the picture in my mind.

March 6 2004, Saturday

Midnight comes to Louisville

The farrier was out at Shaneland Stables ready to work with Midnight's hooves. He trimmed them and it really did make a difference in how he walked. Then we got the trailer ready and I walked into the trailer and Midnight just followed me right into it. This just made my heart sing with joy. My baby trusts me. Then we had a long drive home. Midnight was not always the happy camper, but he was not terrible either. We made very good time and got to the barn by 4:30 ish. Midnight unloaded like a pro! He seemed to take to his new stall fine. Did have to convince him the bar gate was okay.
Life is so Good! Gerald and I did very good-we will make fine parents for Midnight and Amy, Gerald's horse. The picture below is of the outside of The Barn.

March 5 2004 Friday

Went into the barn with a gust of wind, to find Midnight laying down munching on his hay. My baby boy knows how to live in style. Was able to pet and love on him and his mom, Rebel Star. Even during the terrible wind Midnight climbed right into the trailer, when we were practicing loading him.
The vet came out to check Midnight and give him his shots and coggins test. Not all the news was good. Some problems with his front left frog and both legs in the front. The problems may cause problems in the future, such as arthritis. With good shoeing and extra care Midnight should be fine. It is just hard to hear your child is not perfect and his life might not be pain free smooth sailing, but life has no guarantees.

March 4 2004 Thursday

Drove from Louisville to Shaneland. Rain and a flat tire have helped Gerald and me become more comfortable with driving a horse trailer. Once we made it to the stable , I went in to see my new baby. He was in a stall with his Mom. When I kissed he came over to be petted. His is well worth the labor pains of the drive. Dan, the owner of Shaneland and trainer, told us he had put a bridle and saddle on Midnight this week and that he did wonderful. Life is good with a horse.

Feb. 14 Saturday 2004

Gerald took me to Shaneland Stables to look at the horses. We looked at Midnight a wonderful gelding that is almost two years old. I was able to work with Midnight in a round pen. He was so good and beautiful. I was able to get him to step onto a scary blue tarp. He was so trusting of me. As we, Gerald and I, were leaving Gerald told me we were getting Midnight.

So starts the story of midnight.

Midnight as a yearling.