Zeke, Border Collie
Sheepdog
Zeke came from Twincedars Border Collies in Irving, KY. He is absolutely indispensable! I use him weekly on the sheep and sometimes to round up ducks as well. I LOVE having a dog who is eager to go to work no matter how dark, windy, cold, rainy, icy, miserable the weather or ornery the sheep are!! He is truly a blessing to have on the farm!
MWH (Retired) Bullet, Caisson Platoon, HHC, 1st Battalion, 3rd US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)
Bullet was retired from military service in August of 2010. He had been a stallion for many years; a few of his sons and daughters also work in the Caisson Platoon at Arlington. After being gelded, Bullet joined the Caisson Platoon and was a very successful and integral part of training soldiers and participating in funeral services at Arlington Cemetery.
Bullet was among the first six horses to be offered to the public from the Caisson Platoon. The process was very intense; along with a lengthy application and references I had to send in photos of my property. In August I made a trip to the Caisson training facility at Ft. Belvoir, VA to meet the adoptees. Bullet looked very small compared to the 18h black Percherons beside and across from him. Despite a cougar having been inside the barn the night before, and having not been ridden or turned out for a month, Bullet handled like a dream. Of course, he was the horse most people were interested in because he was the easiest, so I tried not to get attached. After explaining my physical limitations I was assured Bullet was the best horse for me.
The young sergeant who showed me the horses was very honest and gracious. The requirements for a soldier to enter the Old Guard, and furthermore a special Honor Guard like the Caisson Platoon, are very strict. These young men (women are allowed to enter but very few pass the training) work from sunrise to sundown, and someone is stationed with the horses 24 hours a day. Their day begins at 4am and the horses that will be used that day (generally 14-18 out of 63) are bathed and groomed. Their uniforms and tack must be perfect and they may not smile during the lengthy full honors burials in Arlington National Cemetery. They undergo rigorous training and must be able to mount and ride bareback at every gait. Each horse in the Caisson Platoon must become accustomed to different riders, pulling in different teams, crowds, narrow areas, gunshots, traffic, and standing still for long periods of time. Both horses and soldiers play as hard as they work; among the special opportunities they have are riding through the battlefields at Antietem and other Civil War sites.
The Army delayed their decision for an agonizing month! I'd given up, thinking they'd decided against me, when I received both a phone call and an email informing me that I had been selected as the adoptive home for MWH Bullet! Eight members from the DOD convened a board to decide the home of each retiring caisson horse. They graded each adopter's application on a scale of 0-134. I received 6/8 134s and was one of 4 unanimous approvals.
I used B & B Horse Transport out of New Salisbury, IN http://b-btransport.com/homeaboutus.html to bring Bullet home. They were WONDERFUL! I've never had better communication from a hauler and Bullet arrived in great shape. In fact, he was asleep when they went to unload him! They said he was just a sweetheart to haul and if I didn't want him they knew several people who'd love to have him! (Yeah, right!)
Bullet had been moved from the training facility to the barns at Arlington for his send-off. His shoes were pulled (my request, his feet are awful), he was bathed, combed, and show sheened, and the soldiers gathered around to say goodbye, many of them giving him hugs. Then, led by a pristine white lead rope, he stepped onto the trailer to enjoy civilian life.
Like any good soldier, Bullet likes his early morning coffee! (No, he's not allowed.) He also has a fondness for tortilla chips. We give rides on him every Shearing Day and it fills me with joy to see my gentle giant being tender with children. "He's so big!" "Look at his feet!" "When I grow up I'm going to be a farmer so I can take care of your horse!" Great plan, kid! There was the little boy who wanted desperately to ride him: "Only you have to help me because I'm not so good at telling things where to go."
Bullet was among the first six horses to be offered to the public from the Caisson Platoon. The process was very intense; along with a lengthy application and references I had to send in photos of my property. In August I made a trip to the Caisson training facility at Ft. Belvoir, VA to meet the adoptees. Bullet looked very small compared to the 18h black Percherons beside and across from him. Despite a cougar having been inside the barn the night before, and having not been ridden or turned out for a month, Bullet handled like a dream. Of course, he was the horse most people were interested in because he was the easiest, so I tried not to get attached. After explaining my physical limitations I was assured Bullet was the best horse for me.
The young sergeant who showed me the horses was very honest and gracious. The requirements for a soldier to enter the Old Guard, and furthermore a special Honor Guard like the Caisson Platoon, are very strict. These young men (women are allowed to enter but very few pass the training) work from sunrise to sundown, and someone is stationed with the horses 24 hours a day. Their day begins at 4am and the horses that will be used that day (generally 14-18 out of 63) are bathed and groomed. Their uniforms and tack must be perfect and they may not smile during the lengthy full honors burials in Arlington National Cemetery. They undergo rigorous training and must be able to mount and ride bareback at every gait. Each horse in the Caisson Platoon must become accustomed to different riders, pulling in different teams, crowds, narrow areas, gunshots, traffic, and standing still for long periods of time. Both horses and soldiers play as hard as they work; among the special opportunities they have are riding through the battlefields at Antietem and other Civil War sites.
The Army delayed their decision for an agonizing month! I'd given up, thinking they'd decided against me, when I received both a phone call and an email informing me that I had been selected as the adoptive home for MWH Bullet! Eight members from the DOD convened a board to decide the home of each retiring caisson horse. They graded each adopter's application on a scale of 0-134. I received 6/8 134s and was one of 4 unanimous approvals.
I used B & B Horse Transport out of New Salisbury, IN http://b-btransport.com/homeaboutus.html to bring Bullet home. They were WONDERFUL! I've never had better communication from a hauler and Bullet arrived in great shape. In fact, he was asleep when they went to unload him! They said he was just a sweetheart to haul and if I didn't want him they knew several people who'd love to have him! (Yeah, right!)
Bullet had been moved from the training facility to the barns at Arlington for his send-off. His shoes were pulled (my request, his feet are awful), he was bathed, combed, and show sheened, and the soldiers gathered around to say goodbye, many of them giving him hugs. Then, led by a pristine white lead rope, he stepped onto the trailer to enjoy civilian life.
Like any good soldier, Bullet likes his early morning coffee! (No, he's not allowed.) He also has a fondness for tortilla chips. We give rides on him every Shearing Day and it fills me with joy to see my gentle giant being tender with children. "He's so big!" "Look at his feet!" "When I grow up I'm going to be a farmer so I can take care of your horse!" Great plan, kid! There was the little boy who wanted desperately to ride him: "Only you have to help me because I'm not so good at telling things where to go."
More About the Caisson Platoon
http://www.army.mil/info/organization/unitsandcommands/commandstructure/theoldguard/specplt/caisson.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjcE4oLQigA (amazingly, the rope that the horse is tied with IS a quick-release!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioiZU6e9Ovk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjcE4oLQigA (amazingly, the rope that the horse is tied with IS a quick-release!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioiZU6e9Ovk&feature=related
Redwood Heart (Penny)
Penny is my special girl. She's smart, sweet, and incredibly athletic. This mare can clear 6ft! Penny's favorite treat is fresh pears. She's a tremendous mother. She's sound, extremely correct, very forward with great scope to 3'6" under saddle. Grocery string soft - you think and she moves.
I am willing to lease Penny to an advanced jumper, equitation, eventer, or x-country home.
I am willing to lease Penny to an advanced jumper, equitation, eventer, or x-country home.
Widget
Widget is an inside/outside kitty. He enjoys hunting for mice and insects, watching the world from the window, sleeping in my closet, and rolling in catnip. Widget suffers from Feline Aoertic Thrombosis, a condition that is 90% fatal. He's doing very well on blood thinners and a pill to regulate his heart murmur, but is not as active outdoors as he used to be. Madeline is grateful for every day with her first cat.
Maccabee and Aria
Maccabee (left) and Aria (right) stalked the choir during a practice of their 2012 outdoor Christmas program. After choir practice they hid under a bass's car, mere inches from his rear tire when he drove away! Of course they ended up at Ballyhoo, where they are now fat, happy, feisty bundles of love!
Mac enjoys climbing trees, catching bugs and birds out of midair, stalking the ducks and chickens, and playing with Zeke.
Aria is an even better hunter than her brother, helping rid us of a field mouse problem and equally willing to cuddle.
Mac enjoys climbing trees, catching bugs and birds out of midair, stalking the ducks and chickens, and playing with Zeke.
Aria is an even better hunter than her brother, helping rid us of a field mouse problem and equally willing to cuddle.
