Billys Echo

2010-09-16T19:56:00.000-07:00

This will be my last post. Billy was put down this week. He was a sweet boy, we had alot of fun together, and he taught me so much, about horses and about myself. He will be forever in my heart. I love you Billy.

2010-03-23T20:29:00.000-07:00

Give it to me, give it to me. I want the carrot.

2010-02-19T14:23:00.000-08:00

Valentines Day, who loves ya baby? Still a bit cold, but have been working in the indoor arena. Getting the hang of it. I'm enjoying the ground work with Claudia, shes the boss, yep, shes the boss!

Stretching

2009-11-12T21:59:00.000-08:00

Left, and right, and left and right. You do the hokey pokey and you turn yourself around

Just plain tired

2009-11-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

This retirement is just wearing me out!

Learning to Tie

2009-11-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

You can teach an old horse new tricks! Learning to tie. First day. Did pretty good, Claudia was more nervous than I was. But she had backup, Terri was there she kept saying "Does it look like hes worried?" Nope.

We have been working on so many things lately. Alot of ground work, but I am loving it. Especially the rewards!

2009-11-07T09:37:00.000-08:00

Cold, cold, cold, 55 the winds blowing, snows falling, but still, she brings me my grain and carrots. Nice crunchy snack, and a big gulp of water.. then back inside!

Big Ole Belly Ache

2009-09-30T17:35:00.000-07:00

So the last couple of days has been terrible, I've had a severe belly ache. The weather went from 80 to 59 overnite. I don't like sudden climate changes. Claudia called out the vet and he stuck a tube down my nose, and filled my tummy with oil and water, yuck! He stuck stuff in one end and the other! Well after a couple of scary painful days.... I pooped. The ladies around the barn told me I was such a good boy for pooping, I havent heard someone tell me I was a good boy for pooping since I was a small colt. But if thats what makes em happy, I'll oblige.
But everyone is breathing a sigh of relief, one more day of banamine, and I should be feeling much better. Pooping is good!

Rolling

2009-09-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

O the joy, the joy!!

Rearview

2009-09-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

This is so embarrassing, a butt shot!!! A nice butt, but still a butt shot!

Easy Afternoon

2009-09-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

Just enjoying the company of Claudia and the warm September afternoon.

Eating Panache's Grass

2009-09-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

I don't think he can see me if I stay below the fence line. I'm grazing in Panache's pen. Shhh, he doesn't know I'm here!

Did you hear that?

2009-09-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

I heard that! O it was just a pheasant.
For a moment I thought it was a beastie!!!

2009-09-05T08:17:00.000-07:00

Canter on!!!!!!!

Lita loves me.

2009-09-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

She whispered "Sweet Nothings" in my ear.

Lita on Billy

2009-09-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

Lita came for a visit,
it was fun to see her again
I told her to tell my sisters
hello. I miss her, and all the carrots she fed me! Hopefully she'll be back soon.

2009-09-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

Were posing for Equus, I love the clover.

vacation

2009-07-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

Claudia went on a fantastic trail ride in S. Calif with Lita. I would have gone but noooo they didn't have room for a horse in first class.

Perfection

2009-07-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

I am. Absolutely stunning! And I'm not the only one who thinks so, just ask anyone who gazes upon me. Okay, I just had a nice little work out and a bath, who doesn't feel good about themselves after that?

2009-07-20T07:44:00.000-07:00

Oooohhh yea that feels so good! She always knows where the itchy spot is.

Grace on Billy

2009-03-30T18:23:00.000-07:00

Grace thinks I'm wonderful. She isn't so bad herself.

2009-03-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Grace took me out for a little ride. I am starting to get the hang of this dressage thing.

2009-03-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Hey Buddy Got a Carrot you could spare? Times are tough. C'mon give an old guy a break!

2009-03-24T07:41:00.000-07:00

Leave me alone!

I'm going to my room!

Monday Afternoon

2009-03-24T07:16:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Snooze

Making Snow Angels

2008-12-25T13:09:00.001-08:00

Christmas Day In Idaho

2008-12-25T12:56:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone

Ho Ho Whoa!!!!!

Billy The Bloodhound

2008-12-01T20:57:00.000-08:00

I'm on the trail.... I've got the scent.... CARROTS!!

My Friend Henry

2008-12-01T18:19:00.000-08:00

Finding out whats happening on the other side of the fence. Yea, I was rolling in the mud, it felt good!

Warhol Land Again!!

2008-12-01T18:14:00.000-08:00

She's at it again! I told her I am not a horse of a different color! She is burning out my retinas!!!

Cool Night

2008-11-29T20:31:00.000-08:00

Went for a little trail ride this evening, entered a new outdoor arena, went over the bridge, and around the track. Wonderful night.

Baby Pictures

2008-11-13T23:40:00.000-08:00

How embarrassing! I just hate those baby pictures.
I am about 3 mos old here. Okay, say it, I'm cute!!

Evening Stroll

2008-11-10T17:42:00.000-08:00

Took an evening stroll the other night. Its getting cold, and I'm getting fuzzy. The sun was setting, the air was crisp, old man winter is on the way..........

Letting the Little Guy Ride

2008-10-28T21:37:00.000-07:00

He not to bad for a novice, and a pretty light load. I get double treats for this one!!!!!

Days Done

2008-10-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Done for the day, what a workout, now its time for dinner, snack, dinner, dessert.... cruncy sweet carrots. My favorite.

2008-10-26T20:55:00.000-07:00

I just love this photo.

Great Day for a Ride

2008-10-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Well, I must say the weather is holding up, absolutely stunning day for a ride. We are slowly getting it all put together, and I feel we are quite a team.

Good Night

2008-10-02T20:36:00.000-07:00

We are enjoying the last of the warm evenings. Snow is on the way. Brrrrrrrr. Mom says I'm getting fuzzy.

What The?

2008-10-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

I think she is color blind, she thinks she related to Andy Warhol!!!!

Let Me Out!!!!

2008-10-02T19:45:00.000-07:00

I know my treats are waiting for me as soon as I am done in here. I want out I want out now! Anyone? Anyone? Hey, you, with the camera.......

The Boys

2008-08-22T08:10:00.000-07:00

Boys night out. What else can I say? We are a pretty wild bunch.

Ewwwww

2008-08-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

She kissed me!! Girl cooties!!! EWWWW

A Good One

2008-08-21T16:42:00.000-07:00

Yea, that was a good one alright! I laughed so hard I couldn't keep my ears up.

Mane Braiding 101

2008-08-21T16:24:00.000-07:00

Braiding is such fun, at least there is no pink ribbon!!!

Got Carrots?

2008-08-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

I know she is over there getting me my carrots.... Whats taking her so long? Patience is a virtue. Im' a bit dusty from a luxurious roll in the sand.

A Walk on the Wild Side

2008-08-06T00:07:00.001-07:00

I went on a bit of a walkabout with Claudia tonight and I swear these things almost ate me. As you can see the pair of carnivores are especially frightening! And the other thing I have no idea what it was but it was BIG! Good thing she was there to protect me.

My New Fashion Accessories!

2008-08-06T00:03:00.000-07:00

Its not my best shot, but I think I look pretty good in black.

A Visitor

2008-07-22T23:23:00.000-07:00

Auntie Teena came for a visit, and yes, she thinks I am beautiful too.

New Home

2008-07-18T10:48:00.000-07:00

Working in the new round pen.

Looking Good

2008-07-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Go on say it...... I'm beautiful!!!!

Just the two of us

2008-06-18T09:08:00.000-07:00

New way to walk

2008-06-18T08:59:00.000-07:00

I can actually see where I am going!

Love

2008-06-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

Pure and simple..... its love!

2008-05-28T18:20:00.000-07:00

Otto, you will be missed.

2008-05-28T18:08:00.000-07:00

Whisper, Whisper, who's the horse whisperer?

More Hard Work

2008-05-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

I truly thought I was retired, this is just to stressful for me.
Focus, Focus, hold onto the thing, don't drop it. Its just to much!!!!

Hard Work

2008-05-11T12:19:00.000-07:00

I get to hold the hat, its one of my favorites.

1st class

2008-05-11T12:11:00.000-07:00

HereI am teaching a few youngsters the rules of horsemanship.
1. Feed the horse
2. Feed the horse
3. Brush the horse
4. Feed the horse
Looks like their paying attention but you never know with these young boys......

What is that?

2008-05-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

Is that a mare? I like girls!!!!

Crazy Weather

2008-05-01T05:07:00.000-07:00

O this crazy Idaho weather, do I shed? Do I not shed? O look spring flowers, o look spring flowers with icicles hanging off of them. Okay some days I do miss the temperate climate of Southern Calif.

Sleepy Time

2008-04-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

I had a really good day ate, pooped, pooped again, then my girl came by groomed my until I shined, fed me carrots, stretched my neck, hugged me, told me I was a big beautiful boy. Then as you can see I fell asleep in the warm spring sun.

What a team!

2008-04-23T19:36:00.000-07:00

We are both learning from our fantastic trainer Grace Owsley, even though we are both a little lopsided, Grace is getting us straightened out.

Main Staff Member

2008-04-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Well, here she is, the main member of my loving staff, as you can see she is overjoyed to be in my presence, and on my back!!

another work day

2008-04-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

Grace says I'm getting better every week, so where is my extra ration of grain? I'm beginning to figure out what back means, and walking with my head lowered sure feels good.

What retirement?

2008-03-27T06:36:00.000-07:00

I thought my life as a retired racehorse meant an easy life of eating, sleeping, pooping on a continuous loop, but nooooo. I am finding out that retirement actually means reschooling, which involves, dare I say it, work! Here I am learning a new style of living. By the way, what does "back" mean?

2008-03-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

I love to hug this guy, he doesn't smell to bad either! Actually, he smells like he has a carrot in his pocket.

A Good Chin Scratchin

2008-03-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

Life is Good

A Lesson with Grace

2008-03-16T16:53:00.000-07:00

Here I am learning a few new tricks. Thats Grace, my trainer, shes smart, and kind, and very patience with an old horse like me. I am so glad my owner found her.

One of My Girls

2008-03-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

Here is one of my girls.... She's a bit older than me, but thats okay. I think it was love at first sight. She loves to do hair and nails, and my mane has never looked so good. I think I heard her say something about braids and ribbons, fine as long as there is no pink, and leave the hooves alone.

My Little Friend

2008-03-13T12:18:00.000-07:00

One of the members of my family is a little guy. He isn't like most of the short guys I have met in my life. I know he loves me, because he feeds me carrots, rubs my eyes, and sings to me..... alot.

Spring in Idaho

2008-03-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

I have been living here in cold, Idaho for awhile now, I have adjusted pretty well, the move to Idaho from the California racing scene was a long one. The snow is finally gone I must say it was fun to snack on, and its just starting to warm up. I have found a wonderful loving family, that gives me lots of my favorite foods.......like carrots. I have a made a few good friends, one I really like her name is Lilly and shes a filly. I am just beginning to learn a new way of life, its called Dressage and I have a teacher named Grace.