The Personal Blog of Erika Hunter

(this was meant to be yesterdays post)

I really really really really really miss my husband. He is the world to me, and nothing is as good when he is not here. the sky isnt as blue, the flowers arnt as pretty, the waves arnt as majestic, and I just walk around with something missing. a piece of me is gone when he is not here.

the only real escape I feel is when I see this big long face peek around the corner.

Nate doesnt care what is going on in my life, but he knows when I am sad, and he lets me stand there and hug him as tight as I can squeeze. Then he gives me a big head butt to tell me to cowgirl up, and follows me around because he knows I will be sad as soon as I drive away.

i love you Shane! I cant wait to hug you again.

We always joke about Cameron getting wiped out in another motorcycle accident or car accident and just walking away. I mean seriously how many people do you know that have been ran over by an F250 and walk away with just a broken coller bone ?

So when Cameron called today and said he was in a wreck, it didn’t really process it. I mean it has only been one month and 2 weeks since he was stopped at a red light, and some sucker in a truck slammed on the gas and rear ended him, totaling “Tessie.”

(Not only that, but the driver didn’t have insurance, so Cameron has been trying to collect some form of compensation, but it looks as though he’ll have to go to small claims court about it. )

So when I get this call, it doesn’t really seem like a big deal, until he asks me if I can bring some gauze and hydrogen peroxide when I come pick him up. Now my brain starts processing, Wait what? I have to go get him, so that means its bad enough he can’ t ride the bike home. he needs medical supplies, so he’s hurt in some way. and he’s on the freeway, so it had to be at top speed. Now im kinda freakin.

I gather stuff around the house as quick as I can, thinking of my awesome stockpile of first aid stuff up at the barn, miles away. I manage to find a few essentials.

I usually dont freak out until I process things. and I was totally calm until I heard on the radio traffic report that said to avoid the 15 north of Poway rd because a motorcycle is down, and it looks serious, the announcer said. I will admit I got pretty emotional right then. good thing I was all by myself. I was just thinking, we hear things like that on the radio everyday, car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and fatalities, and we feel inconvenienced that traffic is backed up.

I was just so thankful that I knew Cameron was Ok, and that I could be there to help out a friend.

when I finally got to the right freeway, I knew I was close because traffic was a nightmare, and there were black plastic and metal parts strewn all over the lane. Again I was overwhelmed with emotion at the fact that this could have been much much worse, but it wasn’t. Thank You God! I cruised the Xtrerra down the shoulder driving over many other broken mutated bike parts, and past the left mirror to the bike, and see the crinkled blue wreck standing up on the shoulder. And I see Rays truck just ahead.

I park on the side of the freeway, hit the flashers, and run up to the off side of Rays truck, Cameron gets out, and I had to give him a big hug. Seriously. I am so happy he is ok.

He says im getting blood all over you.

I dont care. ive been at the barn all day. still wearing my boots. I could care less about a little blood.

Ray waits for the toe truck, and I take Cameron back to his work to clean up. The ironic thing he is that they got off work early today, and yet he’s back, and Rays on his way.

When Cam starts cleaning the wounds, I get the honor of helping peel and cut the shredded skin off his hands. I admit I love blood and broken bones. it fascinates me.

*saline, hydrogen peroxide, neosporin, non- stick gauze, and tape, my Mom would be so proud.

And he’s  all fixed up.

Thank God!

i didnt say I was great at taking pictures. I do have to say I am better at taping a hand up then I am at taking  the picture of the taped up hand!

So today I was procrastinating, and cruising over craigslist (I was kinda looking for a new dream home, kinda looking for a new place to rent, and kinda looking for a horse trailer since I really have ants in my pants to go to a horse show. )

the add was simple, “6 yr. Old paint not afraid of anything. He is really great on trail. He has no health problems. He’s an easy keeper. His feet are nice and hard. loads and rides in a trailer just fine. He has excellent ground manners. He ground ties and stands at the wash rack. He is solid black with white blaze. And some white on his two left legs. getting rid of him cannot afford him. Have to sell asap or he is going to the auction.”

I figured it was worth a shot. and hey, my budget last week for Emma was $1000, and this guy was only $1000. Perfect!

I really really truely had in mind this horse for Shane. I asked the lady selling him if he was bombproof and husband safe. Oh yeah, she said. He’s perfect. (awesome!)

SO I drug my friend Audrey out to camp pendleton Marine Corp base to test out “Repo.”

He was fun. I will say that. he was fast. definatly fast. But broke? Im not so sure. Trail horse? Ummm do you like hand galloping or running in place o your trail ride? No? Me either. Do you remember the crazy horses at horse shows that the people had no control over? Yup I felt like that. “he’s also trained on barrels” she said. well he was already running in place, I might as well have some fun. and like I said before, He was fast. but he didn’t really understand some key elements like Whoa, Stop, walk, or trot.

Sorry Repo, but of luck buddy. you were cute.

Sorry Shane, no horse for you! (wait I know you are happy I didnt get him!)

So actually, Sorry Erika, still no black beauty for you.

but I know there is one out there! it is calling my name! I will find you blackie! where are you!?

and thanks Audrey for snapping my pic of the day today!

here are some more just regular Pics of me riding!

How do you have your horseshoes?

According to old western legends,you should always hang a horse shoe over your doorway for good luck. How long have you known me? I have ALWAYS had a horse shoe hanging over a doorway in my house. Growing up, it was Annies first shoe, painted purple and green, and hung up by a piece of sparkly black pipe cleaner over the doorway to my Coca-cola themed room.

When I first moved out to the tiny apartment in Everett, Annies purple show went with me. and it was tacked up over the front door.

the “second street” house had really small shoe that was more U shaped than C shaped. I don’t know what horse it belonged to, but it was really small, I just found it out in the pasture at Greg’s house. Maybe it belonged to a pony, or a horse with really bad feet since shoes should be more rounded than U shaped. All I know is that it looked rustic and I liked it hanging in my western-y living room.

Now I have one of Nates Mongo Sized shoes hanging on our Gate. Its not above the main doorway, but it is still in a doorway, and everyone can see it when they are in the driveway, or walking up to the house. It is right next to the front door, so the good luck can still be accessed easily.

You  have probably heard the tale go both ways.

Either you hang the shoe like the letter u, so you keep the luck in, and it wont fall out.

or

You hang the shoe like the letter n, so the luck can fall out onto you.

I personally have always had the shoe like a u, until now, and now Nates shoe is like an n, and we are not only blessed, but very lucky in everything we are accomplishing in business.

Will the luck all fall out?                                                                                                                                  Will it hold the luck in?

or will it fall onto me?

How do you have your horseshoes?

alright, I heard this idea along time ago, and always wanted to try it. One picture every day. just one.

I got the idea from a coffee table book that i was flipping thru somewhere, it was by a really talented nature/outdoor photographer who went out in the wilderness for 3 months, and only allowed himself to take one picture every day. so it had to be perfect every day.

Well Im not a perfect photographer by any means, and I dont have the fanciest camera in the world. (actually it is the cheapest camera i could possible find) So I won’t lie, I may take several pics of the same thing to get one in focus, but the point is you have to really be inspired to take that particular photo. It has to mean something, and then I will tell you why I took it.

so here is the start!

enjoy!!

This gorgeous flower is blooming just to the left of my parking spot. I love all the beautiful flowers here in Encinitas, and I really love our driveway, it has many beautiful flowers, and I feel so happy and blessed everytime I walk out the front door.

But this particular flower I have never seen before. And it is huge! about 5-6 inches in diameter, and about 2 ft stem! it is right in the middle of a bunch on long grassy bushes.

It was the first thing I noticed when I got into the car today, and I just paused to enjoy it, and then took a moment to look around me, and be happy.

Love the little things in life. stop and smell the roses, or gaze at the flowers.

This is about not always getting what you want. And why you always do a reaaly good check on the horse you are thinking about buying.

I almost put an offer on Emma sight unseen, relying on videos and photos, and vet check to do the work for me. But none of those things will really show you what a horse is like.

Emma was beautiful! No doubt about that, and so sweet. She would lick you like a dog, and was immdeiatly very affectionate. she was super quiet, sound, and had perfect conformation. But upon the closer look with the trained eye I saw a few things that a picture never would have shown, and the owner didnt mention. This is why I now know to always inspect in person. The cosmetic things were her nostril was ripped as a foal, and is missing a small chunk, and her mane was rubbed out, the more serious things were the two shin splints that were very large, and the cuts in her mouth from the twisted wire snaffle that had been used on her the last week to ‘tune her up’.

The only of those things i was really worried about were the splints. But i watched carefully as she warmed up on the lungeline and she appeared to have no lameness at all.

But as sweet and as well put together as emma was, she was still really, really green. So green that the ‘trainer’ at the barn had worked her all week, and that morning, and she still needed a long lounge warm up time, and they wouldnt let me ride her until the trainer lady warmed her up. (which looked alot like yanking on her face to me).

When i finally got on, she was very calm, very smooth, and definatly there is something there. She responded really great to the bit, to moving off legs, and backing. She was really trying to listen, but the owner had all her own signals, and Emma had no idea what the simplest cues were.

Overall, a nice horse, but ALOT of work. She was definatly a baby in training, at least she doesnt have a baby brain still.

So I walked away, and said I would think about it, and make an offer that night. Shane and I had agreed on $1000 since we would have to ship her eight hours south,( cost btwn 400-1000$) and we had paid $500 to go meet her.

The lady said she couldnt afford her, but had said No to other offers other people had made on dreamhorse. She also said I was the first person to come and see her in person, (the first in 4 months.)

So, i made the offere, and I told her I didnt want to insult her by such a low offer, bc Emma was a quailty horse, but $1000 was the most I could spend on her purchase price. She said she would think about it and call me the next day. Well, instead I got an email saying No Way, and that I wasted her time. Believe me, that wasnt my intention. I really really liked Emma, but a greenbroke mare, that hasnt been shown, trailridden, bred, or anything, is not worth more that about $1500 max in this economy. I was hoping to provide a great home for her, and releive the financial burden of a hay burner from someone who needs the help.

I said when we went out there, if it is meant to be, she will be mine, and if its not, then I wont worry. So I am not to stressed or sad. I still kinda think I have a chance of getting her. If another 3 months go by and the owner has had to pay another 3 months of board, and shoes, $1000 cash will look mighty fine at that point.

And if someone else buys her, I wish them both a happy life. It just means there is a better horsee out there for me and Shane.

And I cant wait to go ride my PERFECT big boy tomorrow!! Who i truely believe is the best horse in the world!,

Well this weekend will be fun!

three awesome and fun things will be taking place, and here they are:

One. I get to have a fun weekend in San Fransisco with Shane! We have only been there once together, and we had a blast! This time, we get to spend a 3 day weekend there! I cant wait! We are sure to have a great time, probably see Alcatraz, definitely do the touristy things! and Goof off the way we love to do. I am so lucky to have a husband that when I say, Hey, wanna go to San Fran for a few days to look at a horse, and see my cousin, he says Sure! right away. It will be great to have one last fun adventure before he has to go back to Illinois for 10 more days. BOO! i dont like being home alone! I miss him far to much when he is gone!

two. In addition to having an amazing husband who says Sure! with two days notice, I also have an awesome Cousin who I text-(ed?) just two days ago saying Can I Sleep at your house, and steal your car for a day, and she says Of Course! without hesitation! I cant wait to have two nights and one whole day with Tara! She rocks! and I cant wait to meet her little kitty, cocomero (‘watermelon’ in Italian), who I have heard so many funny stories about! Im sure she will be a riot!

and Three. Emma. I get to meet Emma, the dreamhorse. I hope she is perfect. because then I wont feel guilty I get to meet her on Thursday, and if we are a fit, the owner says I can spend as much time as I want with her on Thursday, Friday and Saturday! Maybe it will be better if she is just horrible, because then I can enjoy my vacation, and not have to worry about if the owner will accept what I can offer, or how in the world I will get her down here. I have done all my research. Her bloodlines are good foundational, but not really flashy. She’s a solid horse. She’s ready to go in any direction. I can rent a truck and trailer if I need to. we’ll see.

Im sure there will be a follow up blog about it!

Ok, All you horsee people know exactly what I am going to be talking about, and all you non-horsee people think that we are crazy, but that is totally fine.

I found my new horse. i wasn’t even looking  for a new horse. I was just cruising dreamhorse.com, like all us silly horse people do on occasion. And I found her. The same way that I felt about Nate when I first saw him, I felt about Emma.

And she is exactly what Shane wanted, Jet black. SO Pretty! Better yet, She’s am Impressive granddaughter, and I do love that line. as breakable, hoof problem, weird eating disordered, to fat and to skinny, allergic to everything and problems galore as I have had with the 3 that I have known, they are the 3 best horses I have known.

Shane said I can make an offer on her. I am thrilled to have a husband that loves me so much that he is willing put up with my horses.

I really really want her. But how much can I pay for a horse in this economy, when we are self sufficient in our own business? Am I being to selfish to even ask for another horse, when I have Nate the Great? Who I love to death, and is more than enough horse to keep me happy. And she’s 8 hours away. we dont have a trailer. Is this to much of a problem? Horsee peeps! help me out, did you know your horse was meant to be yours when you first saw it?

Two years ago, i got the wonderful privilege to go Branding with Ashley and her family! I still talk about it all the time, becasue it was one of the best weekends of my life!

Here’s a breakdown from what I remember:

Day one.

We pack Big Ol Braunzy, Big Tall Nate, and enough gear for two cowgirls into my dads two horse trailer. Now, if you ever saw how much room these two big boys take up, you will know that once you squish them both in, there isnt room for an extra fly. We take off in the Crombies Durango for the few hour drive across the mountian to the big Ranch.

It is a beautiful place, and we unload the horsees and they are lucky enough to get the 2 last stalls in the barn. I get to go out and meet the wonderful mares and the tiny newborn foals! The one I fall in love with is “croppies” foal. I think of the best name possible to describe her, “little princess sparkles” She is a beautiful buttermilk buckskin color, with white socks. SO adorable!

We set up a tent by the river, and campout like real cowboys!

The crack of dawn comes very early and we get a real good breakfast! then its time to tack up, and head up the mountian.

Nate does so great all the way up, he’s never done this before, and I wonder what he’s going to do when he actually sees a cow.

We round up a huge group of cows, and I am having the time of my life!

I could tell every minute step bu step, but Im gonna short cut it for you.

We bring the cows and calves down to the branding shed, and seperate out the the calves. then the family gets to work, they take turns giving the cows shots, medicine, and tags, while the cowboys rope up, tie down and brand the calves.

I have to say, I was worried at first that the calves were getting hurt, but I watched all of them, and after about 10 seconds, they walk away with no recollection of what just happened. then they go find mom in the field, and they are totally fine.

here are some of the pictures! enjoy! wait, I might have to add pics later… haha! I dont know how yet!

Uncle Chayne and The Handsome Sunny!

The two Giant Horses that we like to shove into a 2 horse trailer!

Me branding a calf!