Home from Missouri!

[dana]

Okay, so i've been home for a couple of days but have been having WAY too much fun hitting the trails.
But! Thanks to Ronnie, i have a couple of pictures of Totoa and i to share from Missouri.

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p40/drae06/DanasVisitLookatthatsmile5-0714.jpg



http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p40/drae06/DanasVisitwithTotoa5-0721.jpg

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p40/drae06/DanawithTotoaDoneriding5-0726.jpg

and of course, it rained the day we moved her over to Donoso's new house to load the next morning so we're soaking wet but it just didn't seem to matter! :D

[Linda Y]

You two look great! Gooood lookin' horse there.
Nice place, too.

[CarolU]

Great pics Dana....Totoa is sure a BEAUTY!!!

Glad you two are doing so well (sorry about the rain...could you send it here? We're really dry already)

[Fuego]

Rumor has it that Dana hasn't been able to stop smiling from the instance she got to Missouri to be reunited with the Dragonqueen.
I heard she even SLEEPS with that paso smile on her face !!!

Glad you all made it home safe Dana.

[Barbwire]

Hey, it's good to finally be able to put a face with a name. You two look very moist in the pics, but very content, too. I'm happy for you both. 8-)

[dana]

This mare really is very special to me. a once in a lifetime mare. had anyone told me that i would end up with a mare instead of a gelding, i would of told them they were nuts.

but mare it is and she has proved herself more than once that it's her job to take care of me.

we took a quick ride already this morning. should of worn my long underwear! it's 34 degrees here this morning! i love how she goes OUT of the driveway on a ride as fast as she comes IN the driveway when we come home. she is always ready to go and WAY happier when she's working.

[Laura S]

That is so good, sounds like you have found the perfect match for you. So is she new to you? Or just got trained?

[Bonnie M]

Great looking mare! You look really happy!

Gosh, look at all that grass, gorgeous countryside!

[dana]

She just turned 9 years old in May, Laura and i bought her fully trained by the Donoso's as a 4 1/2 year old.

but two bad shoeings exactly one year apart and i thought i would have an 8 year old pasture ornament instead of a riding horse. :cry:

spent close to $6000 in vet bills, x-rays and hauling two hours (one way) to a vet clinic in two years and nothing helped. if i tried to leave her barefoot, she completely ran off her heels and walked on the bulbs. had someone told me i could of spent the money up front and saved her from all the pain, i would of done so in a heartbeat.

so unable to accomplish anything for her in minnesota, i took her back to the only other people she and I both trust and that's the Donoso's. after one year, i have my mare back and i'm in seventh heaven! :D

now i guess i should change my signature line. well, maybe after i come back from another ride . . . . . ;-)

[Laura S]

Wow, no wonder you are so excited! Congrats to you and Totoa!

[Monty]

Great - and Congratulations to both of you for figuring out what was happening ! Sometimes it can be extremely frustrating!
You two look so "together" in those pics ! It really was fun to see you so happy and she was so relaxed!

:D

[dana]

Okay, have Ronnie's permission to post one of her hubby from back in February. i only "thought" i knew what a hill was until i got to Missouri!

http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p40/drae06/totoa2-07hill.jpg

[greyhorsewoman]

Congrats, dana ... I know what it's like to have that 'mare in your heart' ! So glad things finally worked themselves out.

[CarolU]

You know, I believe I recognize her hubby...from Vence's pictures. Correct?

Dana, is that an old Simco saddle you have on her?

You are one determined horse rider, riding in all that rain.

[dana]

Yep, you are right on the money, Carol. this is T.J. who Shelley bought her awesome stallion, Vencedor from.
i never even looked at the make of the saddle. guess i was having WAY too much fun! the one that T.J. is riding is from his home country of Chile.

[Carol Nelson]

Yes, Dana...at last to put a face to a name...to think of all the phone calls we've had and I never knew what you looked like...(not that it would have mattered, of course...but it's nice to be able to visualize who you are talking to!).
I am so glad that this all worked out for you...I remember those agonizing days you went through when Totoa was so bad. That mare is so lucky to have such a special caring owner...! :smile:

You BOTH look terrific!!! :D

[Pasogirlz]

Great looking mare. 8-) And congrats on all the hard work...it paid off. :D

[TrueStepPaso]

OMG, Dana....you are too cute!!!! All this time, we never knew you were such a looker!! :D

Totoa is a beauty, too! So glad you have her back! Hopefully you get to use your beautiful saddle soon.....oh, and I really love that headgear you have on her...

[dana]

Carol, you just dont know how much i appreciated your phone calls and steering me to Rae. she was an absolute lifesaver for Totoa and I.


OMG, Dana....you are too cute!!!! All this time, we never knew you were such a looker!!

and Abbie? see my new signature line. a close up would show a road map of lines from too many years working out in the sun. but thanks for the nice compliment. ;-)

[TrueStepPaso]

Naaaaa.....you look great! :D

[Ronnie]

Wow, Thank-You Dana, for posting that photo of the Ozark hills down here in Missouri. Totoa went up and down that hill twice a day, for a week. Love that shot!! And Mitch, I believe your right about that smile of Dana's >> I think Its gonna be a long time, before getting that Grin off her face!! We're just so pleased Thello could finally, get Totoa's feet back under her!! What a delightful horse Totoa is!!! Long Happy Trails to you Both!!

~Ronnie~