My beloved Prince came to me as a most treasured gift. He was enormously power- ful…an athlete who had already had more than his fair share of show miles, trailer rides, bent lines, combinations, and lineups. The first time that he bit me was the first time that I groomed him, it was crushing and defensive with the exhaust of … Read More
April 2018 Culture Message
It was 10:10 am. The sun was gently warming the east side of the ranch; the fragrance of spring was lightly laced with the clean aroma of fresh shavings. With the precision of a Swiss watch, Legacy was taking his morning nap…flat out recumbent, not just snoozing…but snoring; grumbles, groans, and grunts comically disrupting an otherwise tranquil scene. Keeping with … Read More
January 2018 Culture Message
He didn’t know it, but we were the best friend that he had ever had. “Tower” was untouchable, but not because he was bad, or wild, or aggressive, but rather because he had never had a friend. I don’t mean that in a sophomoric or even an ethereal way…quite frankly, he had been abused…not once or twice, but rather had … Read More
September 2017 Culture Message
The hug caught me off guard. It came from behind; it was confident, flirtatious, friendly, and brimming with affection. He gently pulled me into an embrace, wrapping his neck around me. I could smell his sweet breath as his whiskers danced across my skin. I felt him wiggle his lips earnestly, gently nudging my hand, hoping that a treat might … Read More
April 2017 Culture Message
We crouched quietly just outside of the stall. The baby, Tavish, dozed peacefully in the straw at his mother’s feet. Shamrock, aware of our presence, patiently stood over her 3-day-old foal. Her lower lip hung a bit and her hind hoof was slightly resting…Shamrock was giving us permission to admire her precious and very tiny colt. To the average bystander, … Read More
February 2017 Culture Message
There are many questions for which there are no answers. Sometimes in the face of not knowing, we find ourselves sharply inhaling without the ability to exhale, or even breathe at all. The resulting dizziness is more than the lack of oxygen; it is the numb yet stinging reality that there is an absence of compassion, accountability…humanity. We were in … Read More
January 2017 Culture Message
We changed Echo’s stall today. That probably doesn’t mean a lot to the average person, but it means the world to us…and to Echo. Echo waited a very long time to come to Red Bucket….we were more aware of him than he was of us, as he fell onto and off of our waiting list. He was, of course, just … Read More
December 2016 Culture Message
Touch. A few years after my dad died, my mom told me that touch was what she missed the most. The comment brought back a flash of tender (and some comical) memories; my father touching my mom’s shoulder as he passed her in the hallway, my parents brushing hands as a casserole was handed off, or dad putting his arms … Read More
October 2016 Culture Message
The weekend, and our recent loss, brought conversation about the Amazing Jack. Usually, we talk about our horses starting at the beginning. But our little impromptu gathering started the reminiscing near the end. His last few years had been a gift, and not one of us had taken it…or him…for granted. It seemed poignant that the conversation was sparked in … Read More
September 2016 Culture Message
Ironically, I was humming “The Birthday Song”. The reality is that outside of Christmas Carols and a few favorite hymns, it is the only song that I know all of the words to. I was humming it over and over as if the “repeat” button on my limited musical library was permanently jammed in the downward position. Of course, being … Read More