Belle Star
She's Back
- #233 Chestnut QH mare. Appx. 14.2 hands. Appx. 10 -12 yrs.
old Rides well and would require an intermediate rider. Possibly
ringbone in right fore. This mare was previously in the feedlot
and is now back due to the fact that she limps. The ringbone seems
to have fused and does not cause pain as she was ridden quite
a bit while she was gone. At one time, this mare was used to gather
wild cattle. She also now has a Mexican brand on her.
Update
6/13/01 - This lovely girl, named
Belle Starr, will be headed home on Sunday! Mom Catherine and
family are anxiously awaiting her arrival. Thanks to the generosity
of Lynne who will be transporting this Chestnut beauty to her
new home, arrival time will be soon! Thanks to all who helped
to make this happen for Catherine and for this lovely mare! We
will be waiting to hear of Belle Starr's arrival, subsequent settling
in, and teaching Catherine what it means to be owned by a Starr!
Update
6/19/01 - She is being such a good girl. I gave her a bath
today. She was great. Very still for the water and got a little
scared when the soap didn't rinse out and I had to MORE water
on her. The scraper was unsettling too. She stuck it out like
a real trooper. I talked to her the whole time and let her sniff
everything first. I gave her a treat bucket and she kept looking
at it like "are you sure this is for me?" She took a
few very tentative bites and then those taste buds took over.
All to soon the bucket was empty. Thank goodness I had a horse
cookie in my pocket. The poor thing was wasting away. LOL! Lenny
a cat at the ranch has already greeted Belle with his fence climbing
and meowing. So things are going well. I gave her some turn out
and she walked to the far end of the arena. I didn't notice a
limp. But still the vet is coming out next week for a tune up
and worming. I heard from one of the other borders that she already
begs for treats! She calls to people when they walk by. She likes
to sniff my face. Today when I had to leave she followed me to
the stall door and wanted to follow me out. Then she walked down
the side of the stall watching me.
What a joy she is.
Update
7/14/01 - Belle has new shoes!! She has bar shoes on the front
with pads and regular shoes on the back. She walks more fluidly
already. The english trainer where I board even commented on her
limp reduction. She liked the shoer. He took his time to see how
she moved and look over her conformation and injury. He had some
ideas about her treatment before he lifted a hoof. I really like
that about him. She got in a bit of a scrape with a very unstable
3 year old gelding. He went at her no holds barred. I was scared
as all get out. I had to lead her out of her pen through his and
he just went bezerk!! When it was over, neither one had a scratch.
Amazing! I had to clean his pen and her's so that I could switch
them. That way I wouldn't have to go through the hassle and anxiety
of facing him every time I wanted to take her out. Well, there
was added excitement when we realized that the pen hen was still
sitting on a clutch of eggs in the feeder. Belle was taken aback
but soon the call to eat over came any apprehension. She is in
general population now. Her arrival did not go unnoticed by a
charming arabian gelding, Shalomar. He is quite taken with Miss
Belle, much to the dismay of the 4 year old tovero gelding Tex.
Tex beat Shalomar up pretty badly over her (before she was in
the big pen with the others). Tex got moved out and now all is
fine. Belle and her beau took a nice long stroll when she was
let in. He is a very friendly guy. I couldn't have picked a better
match. ( love is in the air, everywhere I look around.....every
sight and every sound ) The western trainer is going to give us
an assessment of what we know and what we don't know in a few
weeks. I want her to settle a little more. Here are some picts
of her new shoes and hooves. The farrier said that she had been
walking on her toes.
rear
legs on the left and front legs on the right.
Just for fun, here is sunset at the ranch.
Update
8/5/01 - Belle is a gem to ride! She pays very close attention
to the cues that I remember and does exactly what is asked!! To
think they didn't want to keep such a well mannered and fine lady
is just beyond me, (.....but not so beyond me that I want them
to have her back, nope she stays put) She has new human friend
of mine that she likes. She does well with her snaffle and the
bareback pad. What she really wants is for me to move in with
her and take her everywhere. I get the feeling that she thinks
she's a dog or a lap horse. hmmmm, what on earth (carrots, cookies,
apples, grain, bathing, talking, etc.) made her think a thing
like that? hahahaha
Update
1/4/02 - It's been a while! With a brief break in the chaos
I wanted to let you know how Belle Starr was doing. The shoeing
is amazing. There is no sign of any injury. The Vet is impressed.
She got kicked ( she's the belle of the barn) in a scuffle over
her affections. IT was a good crack on the outside of her left
knee. The Vet came out and luckily nothing was broken. That was
about 2 months ago. She healed up very nicely. She is so funny.
If I've been to long between visits, she pouts and won't play
with me. Then the next time I come it's as if my infraction never
happened. She likes to play hide and seek in the small eucalyptus
(sp?) forest. My mother is one of her favorite people. The stand
together and just look around. She and I go and look for the cows
too. I tell her to go and take a look and see if the cows are
in the front pasture. She and I walk up to the end of the arena
and peek out. She lifts her head up high and snorts.
Catherine
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