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Al·lit·er·a·tion Pronunciation: ə-ˌli-tə-ˈrā-shən noun circa 1624 : the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or more neighboring words or syllables

Well there is your literary lesson (again with the alliteration) for the day. My weekend was easily summed up in the alliterated blog title with homage to @equichord and @stressagequeen). Let’s see the tractor broke, part of a tree fell on the fence and tore it down, the arena was completely flooded, and that was just farm related topics. It’s interesting how things seem to come crashing down all at the same time. I remember my grandmother, RIP, used to say that bad things happen in threes well gosh grandma, we’re talking multiplication theory right now. But seriously, what else can you do but laugh when things seem so down otherwise you’ll just cry your eyes out which of course we all do time and again. Ex always says (taken from his wise mother of course) that you have the choice each day to be happy and it truly is a choice.

In the last three years (pre-launch anniversary coming up this labor day, thanks @novatago) I’ve dedicated my time to new media development in hopes to revolutionize production in the equine industry by creating what I hope will be an educational and entertaining series about horses and horse people. I’ve been fortunate enough to talk with amazingly talented Olympians, humble cowboys, top FEI Reiners , police officers who create the bond with the community through love of equine, fabulous foxhunting families (alliteration abounds!) and so many more. The HorseGirlTV series has lent me the opportunity to go to The Netherlands to train with the best dressage rider on the planet, Anky van Grunsven and I’m looking forward to doing a few fun interviews with amazing international riding talents like Joyce Heuitink and staples in the industry like Ralph Stübben of Stübben Saddles.

Being that this is the horse world where ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is considered subjective I’ve come under fire. Some serious fire these last few years! I’ve been called every name in the book by anti-foxhunters. Seriously, EVERY name – including some UK insults that were new to me. I’ve been accused of hurting my horse with the riding system I choose to study. I’ve been called a suck up to cops. I’ve been slammed because I haven’t done anti-slaughter or anti-racing webisodes. I’ve even been chastised for how I wrap standing wraps and bandages. Wait one darn tooting minute! No one told me by trying to revolutionize the horse world I would need some seriously thick skin. Again, I just have to laugh it off.

What’s the lesson here? The lesson I am still learning from a lifetime of horses, over a decade in IT & new media with the last three years specialized in horse lovers is not too surprisingly, Buddhist in nature. If you focus on the positive and try to help others with what you’re doing not solely focusing on self then no matter what anyone says to you or how they feel about what you’ve produced, you’ve done your best to put out positive vibes to the universe and that’ll somehow come back to you. How has it come back to me? I am hopelessly and utterly in love with the man of my dreams who I never believed existed and has been the best partner anyone could ask for these last three years. I have the cutest paralyzed doxy on the planet and a incredibly fun to watch weimaraner pup. I get to ride a highly talented mare who gives her all even if I don’t ask for it all that well and who’s going to become even more of a moving machine with Anky’s expert lessons. I receive the NICEST emails from folks who tell me how they have bonded as a family through my series. People who said they continue to learn and be inspired by the show. Young riders who are so excited I virtually connected them to an Olympian by asking a question they requested answered. AND overall… I have a fabulous fan-base for the series that leads the way in quality online equine entertainment for the whole family.

Just remember like Ex’s mom says, you have the choice everyday to be happy. It’s a conscious decision. Now… go out there, grab a tiger by the tail and take on the world!

This was too cute not to post and share!

[youtube width=”640″ height=”364″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcVLXAipCII[/youtube]

The ever abundant, yet often ominous working student position is sometimes a precarious road to travel. It’s a road that could teach you the ins and outs of the horse world, general horse care and even riding. It could establish you for the long term in your community as an equestrian professional or even lead you on a path to the Olympics whether that be riding, judging, coaching, grooming or even the promotional aspects working in media. Let’s be honest here. The horse world is an interesting place to take up residence and is never short on wild tales, huge success or massive failure stories as controversies abound. So what about the young rider or passionate horse person wanting to learn more about the equestrian lifestyle? Whether you’re interested in just learning about horses and how to ride or have aspirations fueled to drive you to the international riders circles, beginning that path as a working student is a fabulous way out of the starting gate.

Watch your local book stands for the rest of this blog! Details to follow!

Bucky is owned and loved by David and Nancy Brickey. They have had the honor of owning him for the last five years. His personality is unique, he’s the most easy-going and loving horse I’ve ever met! In August of 2008 Bucky was on a trail ride vacation and during the evenings he was secured to a picket line. A picket line is one rope tied very tightly high in the air between two trees. A lead rope is then tied to the picket line securing the horse. When Nancy and Dave went outside in the morning, to their horrified eyes, they found poor Bucky hanging upside down by his back foot and head. He apparently went to scratch his head with his back foot, got his foot caught and went down, hanging himself. Bucky was immediately cut down and just layed there as if he were dead. They were able to get him to stand up but he was not able to stand for any length of time. His eye was swollen shut, he had rope burn from the halter from one ear to the other and under his chin, his lip was hanging down and was in tremendous pain from the rope burn on his foot. He was a sorry sight. They nursed Bucky as much as they could and located a local veterinarian to assist in antibiotics and pain medication. After three days Bucky was able to stand long enough so that they could transport him the 4 1/2 hours to get him home.
Bucky arrived home and they contacted the Quakertown Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Susan Lutz responded to the call. The diagnosis was not a good one. Bucky had such a severe rope burn that he was treated extensively with antibiotics for weeks. The fear was that the rope had cut off the circulation to the hoof which meant that he might lose the hoof. Also there was danger of infection, bone infection or laminitis. To their dismay, the hoof did fall off within two weeks after the incident, leaving the coffin bone exposed. The amazing thing is that he just stepped out the hoof like we would walk out of a shoe. Nancy cried the entire weekend thinking Dr. Lutz was going to euthanize Bucky. When Dr. Lutz came out she examined Bucky and said “he’s eating, drinking, walking, happy and not in any apparent discomfort so I won’t put him down, but it still is not good.” Not bearing to part with Bucky and his wonderful personality, they did everything they could to make his life comfortable. They made him a boot that enabled him to walk around and keep the dressings clean. In all honesty, you never saw him look as if he were in pain, he stood and walked and was never in distress.
Unfortunately, six weeks later he lost the coffin bone which was the end of any hope that Bucky would ever grow back his hoof. He was put back on antibiotics and again he did not appear to be in major pain. Dr. Susan Lutz who was a complete godsend has put alot of time and effort in doing everything she could to help Bucky. She came over to the house weekly, x-rayed him and checked him over. Each time she left in disbelief saying it’s amazing that he doesn’t seem to really be bothered by the missing hoof. In her words, the odds of a horse surviving this kind of trauma is close to impossible, most horses would have just laid down and given up. Part of what saved him from laminitis was the fact the he likes to take morning, afternoon and evening naps lying down. The fact that he has fought to survive is a miracle. Dr. Lutz honestly didn’t think he’d survive past Christmas.
Nancy and Dave would spend a half hour, three times a day soaking the foot and dressing it. Unbelievably, Bucky just stands there and lets them do whatever it is they need to do. He is just amazing, most horses would not tolerate all that Bucky has been through. He never tried to kick while they worked on him even if they hurt him. At one point, he had to have the shots in his buttocks since his neck got so sore that the antibiotics wouldn’t go through the needle or the medicine would run back out of his neck. He didn’t care for that but he tolerated it. They cleaned and dressed it constantly. They applied a medicine called Equaide to help with infection, promote new skin growth and to avoid developing proud flesh. He even allowed Nancy to pull his shoes and trim his feet while he was taking a nap. He looks like he was sedated or dead on the pictures but he was just being easy-going Bucky.
It has been 11 months since the incident happened and Bucky is doing extremely well. He is still wearing a boot to assist him in walking. He still has to grow new skin around the bottom of the stump. He never developed any infections and he is in tip top shape all around. They have modified the boot several times but no matter what they have tried it still isn’t a perfect solution. Bucky likes to run around in the yard, he rears, kicks, bucks and just likes to have fun. Unfortunately since the boot just isn’t the same as having a hoof, it slips, turns and causes him to re-injure his stump.
They still go out and change his dressings consistently for he produces a serum which has a very foul odor, they completely clean the stump, still use the Equaide to prevent proud flesh, use diapers as padding and have even gone as far as using silicone breasts to help pad the stump. They cover it with a large sock to help keep the diapers in place. They then pad the inside of the boot with foam padding, insert his stump in the boot and a harness made of velcro goes up his leg and is attached to the boot. A half piece of PVC pipe is put on his leg to keep him from tearing everything off and also to keep him from chewing up his socks. Then it is duct taped to keep everything in place. Lots of duct tape! They put a lot of work and effort to make him comfortable and keep his wound clean. I don’t know many people that would have put all their time, effort and money to give this horse a life. Nancy also spends approximately 1-2 hours per day shredding newspapers her friends and neighbors collect for Bucky’s bed. She’s on her third heavy duty paper shredder.
Nancy and Dave have searched all over trying to find someone that could help them with a prosthetic device for Bucky. They weren’t able to find anyone anywhere that was willing to really help them. They did finally find someone but they would have cost them a small fortune for them to assist. Nancy was very lucky because one day she was searching for an amputee gel sock to put over the stump to help aide against damage by the boot. In a miraculous event, she was put in contact with a place called NexStep. She spoke to Rick Milen, a prosthetist for humans, who was very happy to assist. He has been searching for years for an animal that he could help, without any luck. It really was a miracle that they found each other, Mr. Milen is doing everything he can to make a prosthetic device for Bucky. He has taken cast molds of Bucky’s leg and is working closely with Dr. Lutz to design the perfect prosthetic device. Bucky is now wearing a temporary device made by Mr. Milen. Because of the angles and movements and how close to the ground the stump is, it’s real challenge to get a perfect fit but we have the upmost confidence in Mr. Milen.
Bucky is a very unusual case because he is a horse that has a big will to live. Please check out our website to get the whole story of how fascinating this horse and his owner’s really are.

Please check out Bucky’s Website at buckythehorse.webs.com for other pics and must see video.

It’s going to be a long time going but we’ve been weeding through over 800 photos from our shoot this past week here at HorseGirlTV Studios! I thought I’d share just a couple samples. It was just too much fun and Janice is awesome behind the camera making for a fun time!

I don’t remember what we were all looking at but it must have been something quite interesting!


This is definitely a Eddie Bauer/Gap moment of HorseGuyTV for sure. Zita’s not a bad model either. Tech style tee is by Draper Equine Therapy.


This was all Janice in a creative moment. I love the juxatposition! Chanel pearls with gown by Hanna Hartnell.


All American photo. HorseGuy in American Apparel and HorseGirl in Bebe psuedo cowgirl top (thanks Denise!), turquoise neck piece and Silver jeans. Of course this All-American photo wouldn’t be complete without the beautifully obedient Weimaraner.


Again, another nice evening gown shot juxaposed with the old hay barn!


Like I said, there’s MANY more but these were some of the ones that immediately popped to me! Janice you rock!!!

It’s been an artistic month at the HorseGirlTV studios in North Carolina! We’ve experienced the fabulous sounds from Frank & Cece of EquiChord and began the baby steps to dancing with horses and yesterday we had an equally artistic experience with our somewhat unusual photo shoot. A sofa in the field with horses was pretty darn fun. Carrara seems to enjoy the softness of the cushion and nuzzled and sniffed it with great intent.

This is Cararra and I having some couch time with another guy off in the background enjoying some afternoon grass! A wicked fun time!

Janice and I had a fun-filled time with the Draper folks. Kristin and Kat were great and so my kinda peeps! Of course we had a few minor bloopers getting started. I should have practiced Kat’s last name!

So it seems I wasn’t sure if I was doing an intro for Draper Knitting or Draper Equine Therapy. It all worked out in the end! 🙂
[youtube width=”640″ height=”364″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=422B2vd-65Y[/youtube]

Hey! I said Kat’s name correctly but just put it behind Kristin instead. Whew! Rough starts with the laughing but great interview and some kewl content by the end of it!
[youtube width=”640″ height=”364″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkXL1Y0TcwY[/youtube]

Frank and Cece of EquiChord drove down from Maryland today to shoot a series on musical freestyle for me. We’ve been virtual friends for quite a while now but this was the first time we met in real time and GOSH they are the NICEST FLIPPING PEOPLE! OMG! Too much fun! They are so talented, easy to work with so check them out if you get a chance online at http://equichord.com/ and make sure and look into their book too!

Some great folks from Wilmington drove up to meet and check out the working process. They were part of the über kewl NC caravan to the recent PVDA Ride for Life (And NO, Frank and Cece are NOT flipping the bird at the camera, just showing off bands). I’ve been adopted to be part of next years caravan so check out our photos with our “NC Caravan For The Cure” bands!



Course what would it be without a vblog opportunity taken on my trusty 3Gs iPhone to get everyone to say hi and Ride for the Cure!! Check out the behind the scenes post EquiChord shoot!

[youtube width=”640″ height=”364″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCZW7_s0IfE[/youtube]

Had a nice light workout with Carrara and Ex was kind enough to cool her out for me.



Here’s a video of the cooling out taken on my 3Gs iPhone!
[youtube width=”640″ height=”364″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3dlw6H5eDg[/youtube]

Okey so I know some of you are going to say this person and blog post has absolutely nothing to do with me, horses or HorseGirlTV but I must declare all of you incorrect. Much like Sir Paul McCartney and his Beatles buddies shaped modern rock n’ roll, this man (love him or hate him) Michael Jackson changed modern rock n’ roll forever by infusing it with his secret recipe; dash of moonwalk, pinch of crotch grabbing, simmered to create his genre changing pop style.

Now how does this have to do with horses, me or HorseGirlTV?

I grew up listening to MJ. I watched the advent of MTV with Friday Night Videos by way of a flicking black and white television screen. No, I’m not that old to have a black and white TV. We were just that poor to not afford color until later. I remember boycotting Pepsi after “they” burnt his hair. How sick (strep throat) I was when the Pepsi scandal happened and how it only made my hormonally fueled female self sicker but how much brighter my evening was when Brent dropped off flowers and the People Magazine with an article about MJ.

I learnt to moonwalk on the zebra striped linoleum of my father’s old taxidermy shop showroom wearing my knock-off red and black Thriller jacket. I watched in awe and terror (never been a scary movie person) for the world premier of Thriller and like many, I could still perform the dance sequences for you even 25 years later! I have been to quite a few concerts and have told people for years the Jackson Victory Tour (the final time he and his brothers ever toured together) was by far the best concert of my life. I’ve performed countless dance routines and tried to find new and exciting remixes of his music for incorporation into kur. Wait, did I type kur? Yes, how many musical freestyles have been inspired by Jackson? How many arenas have played his music during competitions?

Born to a sleepy southern town where kids grow up, take their parents jobs, produce babies and never leave that same sleepy town (think the 80s flick with Kevin Bacon, Footloose) I was inspired from an early age to be more than just a big fish, little pond person. If little Michael Jackson from small town Indiana could have the top selling album of all time then I could certainly achieve more and thus we’re here today, post dotcom luck/success story, producing the Internet’s leading equine based series about to take a sabbatical traveling to Holland, horse in tow (or flight as this case may be) to train with the best dressage rider in the world. Ok, so it’s not the top selling album of all time but I’ve moved around, seen the world and while it’s an ever evolving process I’ve have been and will continue to make my mark on this world with a tip of the hat to that early on inspiration.

So I do not feel silly or amiss when I say I mourn the loss of the life of a person I’ve never met. People are likening this to the assassination of Kennedy or the equally untimely death of Elvis Presley but to kids that grew up with the “Off the Wall” and “Thriller” Michael Jackson, we’re worlds apart from those ages and to compare would simply negate the power those losses held for the people of that time. You might not like me for admiring someone who’s been in company with some extremely bad press but all that aside, the man was the greatest performer and entertainer of my generation. He will be missed by many but the inspiration he’s created in his fans does not die with him. RIP Michael Jackson.

Photo is from one of my birthdays. Yes, it’s me, Brent and a Michael Jackson cake and NO I don’t remember if it was chocolate on the inside or not.