Horseblr

Our dearest Clydesdale, Epona has past away. With her age, she simply ran out of steam and was laid to rest.

Epona was not planned, Max and I were up to Idaho to go pick up a mustang to break during the pandemic. When we arrived on site, I saw a skinny Clyde in the field. We went and talked to the owner, who owned the mustang and her. I gave the man my $500 cash, and we loaded up Epona up. He seemed tickled that he was getting out a body disposal cost. Even charged me $10 for her halter.

Max and I promised 1 good day for her was enough, and gave her the strongest name possible, 'Epona' - goddess of horses.

Out of all the rescues I've done, Epona knew. She knew she was out of that shithole and she turned a corner. She fought with us on clearing up her maggot filled leg infection, her weight, and her health in general. In turn Epona gave back ten fold. She had a soft eye, a gentle giant nature, and a really big heart. She really had a fan club. She was loved by truely hundreds of people. She has given pony rides, lessons, mountain adventures, showed, and even honored the lives of UGRA rodeo family. She went into retirement last year due to arthritis.

Her last year was full of love, care, and the occasional spin around the home arena.

Her favorite season was winter, so it feels right she decided to step away from the farm before the real heat started up. She simply was tired, and was ready to be in heaven. She will be missed by many, but we all cherished her deeply and am glad she got the honorable passing she always deserved.

28 in a few months, this old man shows no signs of slowing down.

Hello my poor neglected Tumblr comrades!

What a wild 2025, from building a new barn for the babies, building a boarding buisness, and unholy amount of vet bills... here is a summed up version of the happenings...

First, let's all start with the barn favorite rescue... Epona! She has had a pretty great retirement life, doing the basics like 'property maintenance' (eating the long grass in hard to mow spots) and simple pony rides here and there. Sadly, in November.. during yard maintenance, she poked her left eye on a spiky weed. Off to the vet we went.... and started an aggressive 4 medication 3x a day treatment. Sadly, her cornea failed, and the whole eye was dying. Through much debate with her age, and quality of life Max and I decided she would be a great prospect for a half blind Clyde with her gentle nature and we removed the eye in December, and she has been doing incredible, not an ounce of spook in her. Though she may accidently wack you with the big noggin looking for her special mush diet.

She now has her own 16x16 stall and huge 30 x40 run. She loves her new room and spends most her time resting and begging for cookies out her window. Post op surgery photo day of.

Next on the list... the rest of the herd!

We had a farm water pipe bust under my pasture and flood about an acre.. with the hot summer heat and nasty water came bugs like I have never had before.

Fortunately, in all my years I have never had summer sores... unfortunately Scipeo, Freedom, and Arwen the new rescue donkey got hammered.

Freedom, the paint only had 1 tiny one on the neck, easily treated with Coat Defense.

Arwins legs got hammered and we are still fighting the back leg wounds due to it going into proud flesh despite vet intervention, we debreeved but the vet felt with her poor body conditon her immune system was low. We have made great progress, but it is much slower than we like.. this year she has her own stall, netting to prevent, and a box fan for summer.

Scipeo had the most wild thing even the vet has seen. A summer sore on her eye. I sure hate when vets say 'I've never seen that before.' With intense care and treatment, she has made a full recovery!

Luke is going on to 28 this year and still considers himself a spry 2 year old. His diet is premium for a king of his age, and only showing mild weakness in the hips. Vet has no concerns and Luke continues to refuse to age despite some new gray hairs sprouting. (Don't tell him that, he will be self conscious.)

Booner is my lazy boy and has enjoyed mostly trails and very little hard work.

There has been many challenges this year, and now with the small boarding buisness we take care of 7 board horses as well. I have made great friendships from well rounded equestrians in my facility, and I have also been reminded there is a lot of beepity beep beep people who shouldn't own horses - or animals in general. It is frustrating to watch a rescue situation in the works with poor horsemanship. At least with it being my facility and being full care I ensure the horse is well fed, not abused on my watch, and cared for - but ultimately bad people run and I can't make them stay.

Not to end on a bad note... here is a boarding horse I have the honor of taking care of...Finn! Eating my hoodie. Gosh, the thanks I get around here...!

Alas, now we are in mud, ice, awful horse season. But I sit back and think of a crazy year and I am thankful. I am continuing my farrier apprenticeship and every day trying to push to educate myself on this wild obessesion of the love of animals....

Bonus: as the barns have grown so has a stray cat colony. Currently feeding 4 to 7 cats, some friendly some feral. But one in particular took a liking to the horses and Duke, my dog. Cowboy!

May 2026 be better health, no summer sores, and more saddle time.

But! Please admire this stray cat that showed up who we have names Cowboy. He is obsessed with riding. Rode with me around the arena for quite some time.

Sorry for lack of updates. Things have been nutlately!

Without major details I've been taking care of my neighbors horses for years. Sadly, he put down his last horse about a month ago. I have worked his barn for a long time and in return he has allowed me to use his tractor, barn for Epona, and just been an incredible neighbor full of great kindness.

Now with no horses to tend too he told me to start using the barn for boarders. For $500 a month I get to use the whole barn and run a boarding operation. Since he used his barn for brood mares, all stalls and runs are 'oversized stalls running 16x16 and runs well beyond that. Plus a couple dry lots with three way shelters.

Needless to say the gesture is beyond kind, and Max and I have been working like crazy to get everything up to boarding standards.

Now just to wait and get boarders... ads are up and running. I can house 8 horses easily with confidence, I will not accept more. This is a small operation.

Please know the herd is in great health. Epona is thriving, and Arwen the donkey is fighting some rain rot so just been focused on donkey baths and medication before continuing riding her. Ground work for training lately, she's a wonderful donkey.

Bonus photos of Max first ride on Booner and Arwen being cute, of course.