Tonka seems to be 100% better. Must have been that one little bit of dry poop holding up the works.

I was thinking last night that what I said about this special bond with my mustangs might sound like I was implying that you can't get that with a domestic horse. I didn't mean it that way at all. I think the bond comes from spending so very much time with them, learning each other's ways and motivations, reading each other and building an amazing partnership. I know people with domestics who spend quality time with them every day and they have that same bond. I don't think you can get there unless you're in the horse's head, which takes time and love and understanding. It wouldn't come from just saddling up and telling the horse what to do.

Linda mentioned being totally heartbroken over the death of her goats. I've can relate! It's nothing to belittle, even if they are "just goats." I've been there too, with my sweet little ewe Roseanne. She was wonderful. So devoted and happy. She would have lived in the house if she had her way. There were so many times I had to push her foot out the door as she tried to come in with me. She died of bloat and I don't think I'll ever forgive myself. She was another one that was totally irreplaceable, thanks to the loving way that she was raised by my friend Melissa and her natural sweetness. Bottle babies are special, but Roseanne was really special. I don't think there will ever be another Roseanne.

Here's a picture of Baab and Roseanne sharing a treat with Tonka a couple weeks after I adopted him. Roseanne is the colored one. Baab, the white wether, was a bottle baby too, but he was always a rambunctious and pesky little guy.
We're going to look at a mustang today. He's supposed to be a mellow guy, packs and rides, just kind of plods along. John said he would ride with me if he had an uncomplicated horse, so hopefully this is the one. We're going fairly blind, they didn't even have a picture to email. I'll let you know how it goes later.

Late night update: We have another wet poo! Yay! Looks like it was nothing to worry about after all. But I'm still going to worry some.

It's hard having so much of my heart invested in one horse. Just the thought of him really having something wrong brings tears to my eyes. He's my boy, The Horse that I was meant to have. And we have so much invested in each other. So much time, trying, learning, growing together. I didn't realize exactly how special this is, and how in tune we are with each other, until I started working with Mack. My mustangs just have something more, and whatever it is Tonka has it most. I can't put words to it. He's my big fuzzy goofus dork, my special boy, and he's totally irreplaceable. I hope he's with me for the next 30 years, and I hope those years pass slowly.

I know a lady who's been in horses a long time and she says ride 'em, like 'em, but don't marry 'em. Don't give them your heart. Well, maybe later I could, maybe I'd learn to keep that distance someday, but for now I'm in this with all my heart for the long ride. When he rides off into that last sunset without me... (deep breath) I'll look back and remember and know that it was worth it.

Tonka is off his feed this morning and looking miserable. I just offered him warm water and warm water with molasses and he refused both (but Scout was happy to lip and dribble it and then stick his nasty foot in there). I decided to give him a dose of Banamine. He does have gut sounds on both sides and I saw him poop, so that's good. I suspect he didn't drink enough last night. I'll be putting the tank heater in later today, for sure.

I finally got to ride Mack last night, after several days of just walking and grooming. He was a good boy. I'm heading out to ride him at the arena today. Hopefully I'll get some pictures too.

I was really looking forward to riding Tonka today as well, I really miss him after spending all my time with Mack. Hopefully he'll be feeling better tomorrow.