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Let there be paint! The studio is looking fantastic! I love how painting the ceiling really brightened the room. (You can see a bit of yet unpainted ceiling in the back to contrast with how dark the entire ceiling used to be.) The walls, of course, are also much brighter with the paneling gone. It’s going to be a light, bright, airy space. Once painting is completed, the floor will start going in. Exciting!
Note to studio backers with photo rewards: Photo rewards are going out. Each photo reward must be handled individually as the order is shipped directly to each of you. I email each backer after the order is placed, so please bear with me as I work through each order. I place orders every day, and you will hear from me when your order is on the way, I promise. (I wish I could be faster and do them all in one day, but I also want to be careful and not make mistakes with photo selections or addresses, so when my eyes start crossing, I have to stop for the day.)
I also want to make a note about Patriot here.
For those of you who have children, remember what it’s like to be a first-time mother? And everywhere you go, people are giving you advice? And you don’t really know anything about taking care of a baby anyway, but all the advice can be a little stressful? And you just want to take your baby home and hide in a closet? Okay, maybe that last part is just me.
I didn’t just buy Patriot and take him home. I am adopting Patriot, and the adoption process extends for a full year. You can read more about the Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue adoption contract here. A quote from that page: “We [Heart of Phoenix] retain ownership of adopted equine for at least the first year to be sure the horse will be safe.”
At this point, I don’t really own Patriot yet. The Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue still owns him. Tinia Creamer, an experienced horsewoman and president of the Heart of Phoenix, has been to my farm twice now to inspect fields where Patriot will be kept and to advise me on caring for Patriot. From Tinia: “We’ve handled over 80 placements of rescue horses to date and are a group of life long equine owners before becoming one of the only non-profit equine rescue groups in the state, and we have advised Suzanne on what we know is the best and happiest way to care for Patriot. Remember, equine care must be tailored to the individual horse, and what works for one, will often never work for the next. We recommend care based on the individual horse. She has him on pasture at our recommendation.”
All of my decisions on Patriot’s care must be approved by the Heart of Phoenix, as per the adoption contract. And I’m totally okay with that. As a new horse owner, I really appreciate the guidance and mentorship. In fact, I view it as a benefit of the adoption process. I am doing my best to follow their recommendations in accordance with our contract. Please understand also, though, that a barrage of conflicting advice is really stressful for me, and makes me want to take my baby and hide in a closet. Only that would be a super tight fit, me and Patriot, so please don’t make me do that.
Thank you for understanding!
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on April 4, 2012
8:38
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8:45
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Knowing nothing about horse care, I can’t weigh in on Patriot’s care at all. I know he looks beautiful. And I think it was time for you to comment on all the advice. I understand people wanting to help, but I read several blogs and this is always a problem. The minute someone does anything, there are the “OH NO, YOU CAN’T DO THAT” posts. Or the “DO IT MY WAY”. It’s a common problem. You have expert help from the rescue group and that’s as it should be. Carry on without further advice from me. LOL
9:00
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Thank you for explaining about the set up with the Heart of Phoenix Equine Rescue folks, it is very educational for us all. Of course, we all saw photos of him there out on pasture too and I’m sure their ‘spring’ was even earlier and just as ‘green’ as yours has been, so we can all relax and let you get on with things.
9:08
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9:13
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In re Patriot. Your thoughts are “spot on”. I totally agree with your feelings. We all want you to succeed, and succeed you and Morgan will.
A thought flickered through my mind (and stayed..amazing!). Patriot might surprise you once under saddle and comes up behind the other animals. Any chance you have a cutting horse there? I think it would have been noticed by the Phoenix people, but it could always happen. If he was, no more issues about moving GB around.
9:30
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9:32
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9:39
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Concerning the horse advice, I think people (me include, I have controlled myself most of the time) give it because when something goes wrong with a horse (halter dangers, for example) it goes very, very, very tragically wrong.
9:47
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Anywho, the studio is really coming along. I am very curious about the murial that is going to be painted. Which wall is it going on or have you decided?
9:47
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9:53
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10:10
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10:33
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10:36
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Thank yous o much for sharing.
10:41
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=D
Hang in there, Suzanne! I hope Morgan is totally in love with that beautiful creature.
11:01
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11:12
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11:15
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Looks like the studio is well on its way to completion. The pretty stuff is going to be happening now.
11:16
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11:48
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11:48
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Even I was getting stressed reading the multitude of Helpful Hannah’s with conflicting advice. Aside from feeling overwhelmed, I thought Suzanne might opt never to share anything about her animals again.
So, let’s hear it for the rescue organizations caring for Patriot and Coco. That’s the sure sign of a genuine caring rescue—once they place an animal they want to do everything they can so that animal and owner thrive.
Soapbox moment: Do all you can to support your local dog, cat, horse, cow….animal rescue organization. These animals deserve it.
12:13
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As for the unsolicited advice- I’d just smile and keep on doing what you are being told to do by the rescue group.
12:14
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Sad to see you have to put out another disclaimer, having to explain yourself. :(
1:11
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For me, it was like reading the discussion on de-horning, with the differing ideas about whether animals should be de-horned at all, and if so, which method is best. I didn’t even know it was an issue, so reading all the different viewpoints was enlightening and interesting for me. I knew you would make an educated decision about which course to take with your babies.
I feel certain that those who offered advise were simply trying to spare you possible heartache, because they care about you and your animals.
1:15
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1:49
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As for Patriot, I have no horse advice since I never had one, but I do have a brand new baby granddaughter born Saturday morning! I understand about the advice. Your analogy was spot-on! My daughter’s head has been reeling from so much advice and finally last night she just started crying–it was just too much confusion and stress! I have been staying with her while her hubby is at work and I told her the same thing I will tell you. “you do it the way that feels right to you from what you have been told by the doctor (in your case the equine rescue) and just tell the rest, your baby, your rules!” Then today I see basically the same thing only about you and your horse! (Morgan’s horse!)
Please don’t put Patriot in the closet with you and Morgan….I have a feeling baby diapers have NOTHING on horse diapers!
1:53
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2:43
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My advice on Patriot, enjoy him!
2:52
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Good job on the studio. It gonna be lovely….
Happy Dance……
3:38
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3:43
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Anyway, in such a short time you’ve done so much: new house/farm, tons of fixes, gardening, fencing, studio project, tractor, book, horse(s), possibly 2 pregnant cows, master gardening class, beekeeping class… and stuff I’m sure I’ve left out. I remember a post about landing on your feet. Ha. Landing on your feet was just the first millisecond — you hit the ground running and nobody can stop you! You are amazing.
4:28
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The studio looks AWESOME! I wish I lived near enough to come for a workshop!
6:24
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Love him…..
7:12
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The first time I was on a full grown horse was on a trip to Mackinac Island, about 20 years back, where they don’t allow cars (except emergency vehicles). Horses are the rule.
That rental horse knew he had a real bozo on board and he took me on several wild rides not of my own design but of his. I only got back to the stable because my wife (who can ride) convinced both her horse and mine that it was the best way to end the horrible experience for all of us.
At one point my untrusty steed and I were literally waltzing through someone’s back yard. Said someone came out of the house, pulled the nose of the horse around into the correct direction and then smacked the horse a good one on the backside and got us out of there fast. Me just hanging on for dear life, of course. She (from the house) said nary a word through it all.
So when the kids eventually took riding lessons, so did I. To get even, I said. Ha!
And I know enough even now that if I ever went back to Mackinac I would be much less likely to end up in that backyard again.
Possibly over a cliff, but not in that back yard.
9:07
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12:20
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Everything is lookin’ good, Suzanne!
7:48
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There. Wait, no, that’s advice for you!
Glad to see the studio is on its way, and it looks great! Can’t wait so someday see it in person!
Sincerely,
The Not Horse Whisperer
9:07
am
With your heart for animals and your willingness to learn, and the great support of Phoenix, you are all going to be just fine. Better than fine. I was almost 50 when I started riding and got my first horse. Didn’t know a thing. Wanting to do right by your animals is the most important thing and you got that!!
Ditto, Murphala!
10:04
am
I learn something new from horses and horse people almost EVERY day.
Oh and enjoy your new 1000 lb toddler. Make sure you have those safety plugs in all of your outlets. You don’t want Patriot sticking a fork in one!!!
Good Luck ,
Boss Mare of her OWN pasture
5:38
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