I took Sunnie over to my friend Dixie’s house for some desensitizing exercises and she has a very scary home with lots of action.  Sunnie was turned out into her arena for some bonding time with her mustang Otter (one of the ‘original’ Extreme Mustang Makeover contenders who went to Fort Worth, TX a couple years ago.)  They got along pretty well and I was impressed with how nice Sunnie was, I wasn’t sure considering he was a stallion for five years of his life — on another note, did you notice I’ve officially found my real self, yep, I’ve named myself “Little Sure Shot Photography, after Annie Oakley’s nick-name.

Otter is an absolutely stunning horse, and the major plus is that he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body.  I really really like him, he’s a definite favorite of mine in the equine world.

He’s very gentle around other horses too, I think that’s one reason Sunnie wasn’t threatened at all.  Sunnie is a very gentle horse too, but I wasn’t sure how things would turn out… You never know when a horse used to know what hormones felt like.

Sunnie says, “Stop laughing.”

After the romp in the arena, Sunnie went into the round pen to start Dixie’s School of Desensitization — this is where Dixie really excels in horse training.  She can get any horse to accept various “scary objects.”  The noodles are a great idea because they fall apart quickly if anything remotely dangerous should happen.  In fact, there were a couple on the ground that Sunnie broke in half just by stepping on them as he trotted around the ring.

It wasn’t long before he was testing out the noodle ring for himself.

The ball was the scariest object for him to get over.  He’s still not completely sure of it, but before long, Dixie will have it bouncing off his whole body without a flinch from Sunnie.  Otter gets it bounced off his face and doesn’t bat an eye.

Today we attended a  little clinic that Dixie hosted at our local arena where we learned about colors of horses, body condition, different feeds and other educational horsey things.  I was told to bring two of my horses for their coloring as it is so different and many people get them confused with buckskins.  We had a great time playing around with the horses.

Nevermind the false name — it was  a brain fart from earlier today…

This is the daughter of a friend of mine with her little 18 year old Hackney pony.  He is such a good little pony for her and she is doing wonderfully with him — a definite little cowgirl there.

This is “L’s” little sister, “J.”  She posed with a lady who brought her quarter horse mare and couple weeks old colt.  The colt had enough for the day and lay down for a snooze.  Notice all the curious horses in the back?  The two on the left are mine, Otter is on the right… Looks like they all wanted to be in the picture.

Have a good weekend!

Now that was some fun evening light, and blended well with the Orton effect.

I am pleased to make this announcement and it is with a thankful heart to Patti Colbert of the Mustang Heritage Foundation who gifted Gracie back to Andy.  Thankfully Gracie and Andy had found their soul mate in each other, now they won’t have to be separated. 

THANK YOU Patti, for your very very good deed.

Above is Gracie, she’s a contender in the Western States Mustang Challenge with her partner and best buddy, Andy. 

They are over there at Dixie’s Mustangs along with Dixie and “Bertie.” 

I have been busy photographing these contenders the last couple of days before the big hurrah which is right around the corner.  They’ve been working hard and getting these girls used to lots of things, putting time in the saddle and intoducing them to new places such as our local arena.

These girls are in their prime.  They’re sleek, muscled up, energetic and ready for the competition.  I’ve been having more fun photographing them because they are such beautiful subjects, I get to practice on them, and Dixie and her family have been so happy to have a camera around.  Though, I’m not sure Andy is too keen on being photographed but he’s being a good sport… He’s kinda shy.

But rain or shine, he’s been out there with his little steed who trusts in Andy so much that it truly is a once in a lifetime bond.  They’ve really got an amazing relationship.

They laugh (if horses could laugh) and play together like a couple of kids.  In fact, Dixie and I have been talking about how kids work with horses.  It is free and open.  They aren’t scared, they aren’t bashful at trying new things and they just get out there and DO IT.  That’s what this little couple do, they point and shoot.

They’re in prime condition, the both of them with lots of hours under the belt.  They’re ready and willing.

 If you’re going to be around Sacramento, California on June 6-8th, 2008 be sure to stop in at the Western States Horse Expo and root on Andy & Gracie.  And if you’re looking for the ultimate trail horse, Gracie will get you down the trail, through water and bushes, up steep embankments all with her ears perked and full of energy.  She is going to be up for auction Saturday evening.  For more details visit here.

If this little guy isn’t gorgeous, I don’t know what is.  He’s a Kiger mule out of an online friend’s half Kiger mare.  She’s still trying to figure out a name for the little booger but I just had to show him to all of you so you can see those gorgeous ears, his soft muzzle, and his beautiful eyes.  Oh, it gives me a scratch I cannot itch.  I’ve always wanted to have a Kiger mule…