Captain Butler - Rhett: January 2009

Thursday, January 29, 2009

My first Christmas with Rhett

Rhett and I enjoyed our first Christmas together. After things calmed down at home and the boys were busy playing with their new toys, I made a nice warm bran mash and headed to the barn. I spent time with Rhett, watching him enjoy his bran mash (which has become an anticipated part of my visits with him) and laughing at his molasses stained face when he is done licking the bowl clean! Then I gave him his new leather halter with his name engraved on it. I think he looks rather handsome! I look forward to many more happy Christmas Holidays with

"the other man!" (as Richard lovingly calls him!)

Thursday, January 8, 2009

xmas picture 2008

We had lots of fun doing our "cowboy christmas" picture at the farm!

I also managed to get a great picture of Rhett and I!

...and my two little buckaroos!

Winter is here

Rhett being a smart boy and taking refuge in the shelter

You got a treat???

I really like this shot!

Rhett and I enjoying the snow before its too icy and deep to ride outside!

Rhett and Sara

Rhett getting some lovin' from my friend Sara

Rhett's new pasturemates

We weren't quite sure what we were going to do with Rhett after he lost TJ. It was decided that he would share a paddock with Penny's ponies who are also on 24/7 turnout. I knew that it would be hard to replace TJ and, at first it was a bit of a tough go for him with the Ponies. But with time they seem to be getting along pretty well now and they share the shelter nicely too. Rhett is such an easy going guy that he made friends with the ponies, especially doodlebug.

This is Rhett and Doodlebug, they have become fast friends. In fact we recently had an incident where Rhett slipped on some ice and got himself caught up in the fencing. The horrible thing was that his back feet were caught/wedged between the gate and the gate post and in order to free him we had to remove the gate. This took time as we had to wait for the guys to show up and help. Rhett was amazing, putting all his trust in us and laying fairly quietly the whole time. Had he struggled, he could have broken both back legs! At one point I was with Rhett (I never left his side) and Penny was looking for a wrench to remove the gate. Little Doodlebug came over to his friend an was nibbling his cheek/neck. At first I tried to tell him to go away but then realized that he was trying to comfort his friend and let him know he was there and it would be ok. It was so sweet. I'm also happy to say that Rhett was freed and had absolutely no injury other then a very small cut to his back leg. We were very lucky, his temperament and trust saved his life!

Riding Rhett

One of the things the boys missed about TJ was being able to ride! Penny suggested that I give Rhett a chance to have the boys ride him. He was such an ANGEL and took very very good care of them. They were very proud to be able to ride Rhett. They aren't doing too much riding this winter but when the daylight lasts longer, we'll be back to the barn during the week so that the boys can get their time in the saddle!

Rhett

Rhett was trotting along the fence line watching the boys and I, I got some really cool pictures of him showing off that day!

Rhett wearing his Rhythm Beads

Memorial to TJ

On October 3, 2008 we lost our sweet TJ. I dropped into the barn to ask Penny a question and we found TJ down out in the pasture. We took the boys into the arena but it was soon apparent that TJ was suffering from a very bad case of Colic. TJ was an old horse and he was in a lot of pain. When a tranqualizer shot from the vet made no difference in his condition at all it was decided that the most humane thing would be to send TJ to the rainbow bridge. He died in my arms...I miss him so...

Rhett & TJ had a very special relationship right from the first minute we put them together in a field. I swear I heard TJ say "took you long enough" when Rhett arrived. They got along from the instant they met, no pinning of the ears, no challenges, nothing. They sniffed each other and went to much at the round bale. They were best friends from day one and I know without a doubt that Rhett misses his dear friend very very much.

Memorial to TJ

TJ was a patient teacher when the boys wanted to learn how to ride...

It made them so proud to ride him

Daelin got to the point where he was riding by himself with no lead rope. TJ patiently took him around the paddock. The pride on Daelin's face was priceless...The boys miss TJ so much.