Caption: Just hanging out on the Starship. Waiting for the universe to change. (the redhead is for Boron, freckles and all)
Skin in the Game: When I was growing up, we had eight horses on the property, which might make me sound rich, but we weren’t. Horses didn’t cost that much then if you lived in the country and had regular horses, not show horses. We could pasture-feed them and supplement pasture grass with hay we cut. MRSLL didn’t doubt the horse numbers; she visited the old homestead, so she knows. But she said, “It was you, your grandma, and grandpa.” I replied, “Yes,” and guess who did all the work? Horses are a lot of work. We boarded other people’s horses for pennies, and I always had my horse, my family’s horses, and horses to ride. During hunting season, we used them to pack out our deer and elk, and neighbors inevitably bagged a trophy elk in the back of beyond that required a pack horse and somebody who knew how to make it all work.
When people (meaning my children) suggest that I buy horses for their use (once a year) at the White Wolf Mine, I don’t bite. I wouldn’t mind a riding mule, but even that is a lot of work, and I still travel. Having lived a long and varied life, I’ve learned that behind every suggestion my kids make is a lot of work for me, and they don’t want the skin in the game necessary for an outcome to ‘work’. It’s one of those “if you buy a mouse a cookie” scenarios. If you have a horse, you need a barn, tack, a horse trailer, and a truck to pull it, a ferrier, a vet who keeps your credit card number available, and so forth.
In the photo (right), tying your reins around the front cannon bone is a way of hobbling your horse when you don’t have hobbles. The packhorse is packing out a nice mule deer buck in the badlands. Unlike white tails, you only count the antler tines on one side rather than both sides of the rack.
A horse with a pack saddle is still the best way to get a deer/elk out of rough terrain. You can take it whole or quarter it and put the quarters in the paniers.
Bullet Points:
** (left) Claudio at dinner forgot the rule – when his wife said, “Go ahead and do what you want,” he went ahead and did it. No, it will not end well. If you choke on your spaghetti, will she resuscitate you? (Note: I’m kidding here. I have met MRSCLAUDIO on two occasions, and she’s a truly lovely woman)
** Because it’s June, we need a wedding clip, don’t we? I mean, that’s what you do in June, isn’t it?
** Red China Blues – another interesting take on the worker’s paradise. It’s a little long, but I think it’s worth listening to.
** Why does the USA take such extraordinary measures to protect desert kingdoms on the other side of the planet? Oil is about 4% of the answer. The six countries that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) produce about 25% of the world’s oil. It is only sold in US Dollars. Every nation that wants to buy Gulf oil must first buy US Dollars – every day. The reserve currency means that you (if you’re in the US) enjoy disproportionate prosperity. The Gulf states buy American weapons and technology, thereby circulating money in the US economy. Much of the Gulf oil revenue is invested in the US – jobs, technology, and wealth. It means that the US can afford a $1.5 trillion military budget. When we protect them, we protect ourselves. It’s lost on democrats, but they think that men can give birth. We guard the Gulf because it’s the engine room of American supremacy. We deposed Maduro because Venezuela backed the wrong horse, and Venezuela is key to American energy dominance (as is Alberta).
** UK Royal Navy Air – it’s an interesting article (h/t Claudio). The RN Fleet Air Arm needs to be far better resourced if the hybrid air wing can really provide the mass, range, and persistence to maximize the huge potential of the carriers, given the chronic shortage of F-35s and Merlins. The article is one of many ‘puff pieces’ presented these days as propaganda to smear lipstick on the pig. The Prince of Wales (sailing without its air group), stuck in Norway for repairs, should disturb the RN more than it appears to be doing. The RN doesn’t seem able to sail any of its few ships more than a few hundred miles before significant breakdowns require port visits and repairs. Don’t misunderstand me, though. I know that ships are complicated, and warships are even more so. However, you have to ask yourself whether the Brits are any better off than the Russians when it comes to their surface fleet. At least the Russians seem to be able to care for their submarines – somewhat. The RN has a LOT of admirals – many more than they have operational ships. Most of them seem to be DEI hires. Flushing out the incompetents would seem to me to be a good first step. However, remedying the situations I’ve pointed out over the past couple of months would require investment at a level not available in the UK. And raising taxes just encourages the rich to leave the islands. When MI-5 is run by a female Muslim who wears the hijab to the office, you have much larger problems than a navy that doesn’t work.
** Some Ukrainian hits on Russian aircraft hurt more than others. (right) The recent destruction of a Russian TU-142MR by a drone strike will hurt. The specialized communications variant of the Russian Bear Bomber, designated Tu-142MR, is tasked with long-range communications duties for Soviet ballistic missile submarines. The Tu-142 was designed by the Tupolev design bureau and manufactured by the Kuibyshev Aviation and Taganrog Machinery Plants from 1968 to 1994. There are only a few left that are operational. Because the assembly line was closed 30 years ago, they are dinosaurs from another age, but they still work well enough, and the Russians work to keep them flying.
** Shawn Ryan asks if we’re going extinct.
** Australia clarifies its acquisition program for US Nuclear Submarines – and it makes more sense.
** How can Dr. Jill say she had not witnessed her husband’s failing mental state prior to the debate and that she never witnessed it afterward? That is truly unbelievable. When she told an interviewer last week that she was afraid he was having a stroke at the debate and then spent the next eight hours through the night dragging him to campaign rallies and touting his debate performance instead of having him immediately seen by medical personnel, it is even more appalling. Her behavior conflicts with the narrative she is trying to project. I recall her treating him like a dog, his face slack and uncomprehending. “You did such a good job, Joe, what a good boy!” If she’d tossed him a doggy treat, it would have completed the farce.
** (gcaptain) “If the administration intends to lead a serious American maritime revival, it should make that visible by launching the nation’s first Donald J. Trump Maritime Prosperity Zone in Alaska as a flagship effort to deepen American strength, Arctic access, and strategic presence in the High North.” VM comment – I don’t know that it needs to be named after Pres. Trump – but the zone isn’t a bad idea.
Rush
David J. Rush, a former senior CIA executive (SIS), was arrested in May 2026 for allegedly embezzling $40 million in government gold bars. Between November 2025 and March 2026, he requested and received the bullion and foreign currency for “work-related expenses” and did not use the gold, currency, and wristwatches as specified. RR asked me to comment. What is my reaction? I don’t know any more about the matter than is in the press. It doesn’t appear as though anyone is trying to cover it up. Quite the contrary. The CIA IG referred the matter to the Justice Department. The FBI executed a search warrant at his Virginia home and discovered: 303 gold bars, each weighing about 2.2 pounds and valued at more than $40 million; $2 million in U.S. currency; and 35 luxury watches, many of which were Rolexes.
The CIA uncovered the discrepancy during an internal review and referred the case to the FBI, leading to Rush’s arrest on a felony charge of theft of public money. Authorities also allege that Rush maintained his top-secret clearance and executive-level pay by repeatedly fabricating his military service and educational credentials. For more details on the ongoing legal proceedings, you can read the full reporting on NPR or the New York Times.
It’s not unusual for case officers to be entrusted with a million dollars in cash or gold that might be used to pay an agent, for example. The fact that David Rush kept the loot in his house speaks to incompetence as a crook, but there is a bigger story that speaks to systemic issues within the CIA, an over-reliance on the polygraph, and, because of the press releases, my sense is that the Trump people may be using this to clean house. I believe that the CIA’s structure is flawed in a number of ways, and it has hired woke for years under Obama/Biden that need to be purged. It’s more difficult to cleanse a bureaucracy than it sounds (ask Dan Bongino about his tenure at the FBI). If I were king, and I’m not, just an old blogger who lives in a remote forest (and writes interesting novels), I would fundamentally change the structure of the organization. Whether that would have fixed the Rush situation is something I can’t address.
Identify the Aircraft
1
63 built
2
136 built
3
Lots of hints
4
Two graphics
Not exactly a knock off of #1 above, but there are similarities.
Parting Shot
Broken people are willing to risk everything because they have nothing to lose…
Combat-wounded Sergeant Lucky Frank Brandt is taking on pickup work to supplement his medical retirement paycheck in a world where his skill sets are rewarded. As he plies his trade from the New Orleans slums to the Utah desert, his success puts him on a short list that will catapult him into the seats of power.
Captain Claire Hoffman’s life changed when an IED cut her Humvee in half, taking her legs with it. Struggling as a double amputee, army nurse Hoffman returned to school in search of a new way forward. The CIA, looking to fill a quota, offered her that opportunity.
Laurel Vega-Mendoza, a congresswoman from Texas, is tapped to fill a vacancy when the United States Vice President suddenly dies in office. Now on a trajectory to fill the sitting president’s shoes, she casts about for people she can trust among the most untrustworthy group of scoundrels on the planet.
Unbeknownst to them, an extrasolar spacecraft devoid of organic life crashed in the Pamir Mountains on the Roof of the World on November 4, 1932. There, in that place, an intelligence awaits its resurrection.
In a world of risks and rewards, they are poised to do things you wouldn’t.
End
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Fokker G.I
2. Blackburn Roc
3. Boeing Model 299 (prototype B-17)
4. Praga E-51
You got up early today, Surly. Well done!! (Early Surly)
You do realize that making dad puns is an early sign of … something, I forget what.
Early sign of being of dad age.
None of that augurs well.
Horses –
People have no idea of the work involved.
I grew up very similar usually about 4 of ours and maybe 6 other peoples horses spread over three properties.
As the oldest child by several years I did supplementry feeding and plus cleaning the stud bull pens before and after school.
My first wife (inner city) wanted a horse when we were on 20 acres outside of town. She could not grasp the idea of how much work was required. Told me I did not know what I was saying. I arranged for her to be able to go to neighbours and get free riding lessons on their horses plus how to care for them. She never went once. One of the many reasons she is an ex.
Horses enjoy being horses – being useful and, in their own way, being companions and partners. They’re not dogs, but they want to be wanted, and if you are not keeping up your end, the horse knows it. I was not a “horse whisperer,” but if you’re around them enough, you can’t help but understand their personalities. They have their preferences and their peculiarities, not unlike people. People can become feral just like horses and dogs. We’re all God’s creatures.
After decades we chose the easier ‘retirement’ path; less fixing fences, mucking stalls, maintenance, etc…and more flyfishing (yes, that specifically, but also a metaphor for things other than barn-centered chores and routine). Becoming ‘horseless’ after years affords opportunities for the ‘extra’ time the stewardship requires.
Horses are usually what people make of them.. Sometimes they have been through a lot of people -good and bad.
Some are naturally smarter than others, but mostly it’s as you say. We had a buckskin mare (Fawn) that had the most amazing colts, but she was the most gunshy horse I’ve ever been around. Somebody shot at her from behind before we had her, and that was that.
That saddle in the picture seems to of the Porter pattern with the high cantel. Very comfortable and my preference back in the day. We had several horses and boarded more. After both parents started working “town jobs” the ranch work fell on me. While no “horse whisperer”, without being abusive, all our horses knew who was boss. Many we boarded were “barn sour”. Not the horses fault, the owner.
If I put my mind to it, I could probably still do a diamond hitch. Sure did a lot in my pre teens and teens.
The best rider I ever saw was my Dad. Second best, my sister. I was riding solo by my fourth birthday and could “sit” any horse. My style was like a sack of potatoes tied to the saddle horn.
Great line from Tom Booker in The Horse Whisper, on some payphone outside Livingston:
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Annie: “I’ve heard you help people with horse problems.”
Booker: “Truth is, I help horses with people problems.”
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Truth.
Truth.
Horses are great, until they aren’t. A decent off-road motorcycle or ATV is, when driven with even half-a-lick of common sense, far safer.
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Don’t get me wrong. I love horses. But I understand the reason why feudal equestrians had lots of servants to do all the hard work.
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The old way of horses, that is, ‘no matter how tired you are, you take care of your horse first and foremost,’ is something most dilletante wanna-be horse people don’t understand. You have to know how to handle all the feed needs, how to correctly groom a horse, how to take care of their hooves, how to know when the horse isn’t in great health, how to anticipate problems, how to properly take care of all tack needs and how to use the tack correctly. That’s a lot of knowledge needed to take care of a horse.
A lot of the wisdom that goes into caring for horses (possibly more than any other large animal) is generational. There may be a “Caring for Horses for Dummies” book out there, but the subtle nuances are learned – and are almost experiential. Hints and habits are handed down and in some cases the horse will explain to you what they want and need if you’re alert enough to pick up on it.
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If you need an air-conditioned and heated ride with satellite radio and safety airbags, a horse is not for you.
I learned a lot of horse care and horse lore from Hollings Clancy-Hollings great ‘children’s’ book “The Cowboys.” You know, back when children’s books didn’t talk about human and abnormal sexuality. Seriously, teaches grooming, cleaning hooves, all that.
A lady needed some concrete torn out, and my equipment wasn’t big enough so I sent my buddy to bid it who had the right tools. I asked him how the visit went. He told me, “I could tell they didn’t have any money when I pulled into their yard, they had horses!”
The younger veterinarian who went to work for my large animal vet brother is certified in horse chiropractic and acupuncture. Because women well pay anything to fix their horse. Not so much to fix their marriage.
From your mouth to God’s ear.
So true…
As the veterinary ‘help’ (I was the truck and the box and handled the owner when out on a farm call), horse poor is often the case.
“You charge $25 just to come out then $30 for a Health Cert?” — “Yes, and that is a fair price to drive the 32 miles one way to your barn and do State required inspection paperwork on your horse.”
More stories than I can count.
Horses – now that you have talked the talk and walked the walk, you plan to sit the sit going forward. My dad was the same – he farmed with horses in his early years and once he could afford a tractor he never went back.
Skin in the game; From 6-10 yrs old, I had the experience of being able to ride. Dad was breaking horses for a short time with the neighbors where we boarded both horses, his one eyed roping horse and my welsh pony. A few fond memories riding there in rural Oregon. We moved to the farm in Nebraska where I had the benefit of caring for my Palomino for a few yrs. Hauling buckets of water to her stall. Taking her out and tying her off to fence lines along the bar ditch, and hauling more water. Having skin in the game made the riding pleasure more valuable.
Fast forward to 2000. My family and I were employed on a cattle ranch and we used four wheelers to move and sort the 80 cow/ calf pairs. My employer had grown up helping his dad with race horse stock. He didn’t want to see, let alone have another horse. For years he worked his cattle on foot. The four wheelers were a recently acquired luxury that I really appreciated.
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In 2011 Mrs W. got horse on the brain. Out in rural eastern Oregon I fenced and cross fenced 20 acres where we rented pasture. 2X a day for 10 yrs I was driving a couple miles out to care for her horse and eventually mine as well. We bought hay, purchased a trailer, and paid the farrier and the vet a few times. What little riding she did, we did, didn’t pencil out in my mind for the price we paid, and the sweat equity I invested in hauling hay, fixing fences, and driving out to do the chores most of the time. BUT, she really grew in confidence and skill ground training these two beasts in the 2 corals I set up for her. That educational investment alone helped change my bad attitude and grumbling that was so prevalent in the beginning years of that chapter of our life. Wiser men would buy a B.O.A.T. and “break out another thousand” to take their family out on the water, and /or catch fish in solitude.
I’ve had horses and boats, and boats are less work and money. BTW, the kids would also like me to buy a boat, and I’ve resisted doing so. I can rent them at the big Arizona lakes and have done so, pulled blaster tubes, etc. It’s a $500 problem + fuel vs the purchase. We always had lake boats or ocean boats when the kids were growing up, so they have memories. I’ve suggested that they buy their OWN boats now that they are grown. They would prefer that I do it. Of course.
I feel your pain GFW2. When we built Homestead#1 had more than a few ‘equine-oriented’ gals explain to me that I had to put up the barn first to house the horses and tack. Uh, yeah…no. First ‘barn’ was a $200 10×20 fabric coverall deal I picked up at Sam’s Club, lasted 6 months in the wind but got us through storing the hay and tools…the tack stayed in the tailer. The horses had plenty of trees for temp shelter until Morton could come out and get the actual barn built 6 months later. But it was the lifestyle that mattered, after nearly 50 years of riding, showing, and taking dudes out when on one of her summer gigs, running drop camps, MrsPaulM said ‘that’s enough’. A lo less complicated.
Horses are a fine thing for someone else to own and for me to rent the few times per year I may ride. Bailing rectangle twine tied hay on a 95 degree 60% humidity day the old fashion way teaches one not to own anything hay is needed for. Better is to be wealthy and buy hay and pay hired help to manage the critters that need hay.
*
Different topic. How is the Italian military doing now a days? At one time they had a pretty good Navy and Air Force. And do they even own any heavy tanks any more?
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“Broken Toys” is a good read. It starts off as a harsh read while you learn about the book’s title but then breaks out into a great story. Highly recommend buy both books in the series as you’ll enjoy the second book “Hungry Ghosts” even more.
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Number 4 aircraft puzzled me solid today.
I keep track of developments in the Italian Army, Navy, and Air Force through Claudio, who is in the business. Given that they are a Mediterranean power, they’re formidable in their sphere. It’s not a replay of Rome’s glory, but they don’t need that. There are a lot of communists in Italy, and politics can be volatile as they have been for many decades now, but I think they’re doing what they need to do.
The Italian Armed Forces are now superior to those of the UK.
They are not as well equipped with ammo and parts/supplies as they ought to be, but that’s
not at all unusual, especially in Europe. Hell, we aren;t nearly as well stockpiled as I would
require were it up to me. They are also investing heavily in them, currently.
*
They have a small MBT force, but have new tanks on order.
– Kle.
Even the best of horses may bolt, leave you stranded, or kill you trying to escape some imaginary threat. That, or stand with you, without restraint, while you clean, and trim, their hooves. They may eat moldy hay, and you’ll spend hours walking them until they stop trying to lay down and roll. They’ll eat your fence, if you don’t give them a mineral block to satisfy their lack of minerals. They’ll refuse to let you mount on their right side if you don’t train them on both sides.
I’ve owned horses; mostly from the whims of an ex-wife. They require riding to keep them toned, and trained. They require good hay, good feed, their feet maintained, monthly worming, medications to inject for respiratory infections, and can become lame from uneven terrain, or holes in the ground. You have to love them to keep them without any use. Otherwise, they can be the most treacherous, ungrateful beast known to mankind. Someone that wants something beautiful to look at should buy an aquarium instead.
I’ve ridden horses that go crazy at the reflection of a broken bottle in the Sun, and they’re challenging. I’ve ridden horses that are as steady as the Rock of Gibraltar, too, and it’s all about getting to know the horses and understanding their quirks. The problem with mounting an unknown horse is not knowing those peculiarities. Will they blow when you’re tightening the cinch? Bit or hackamore, light or heavy rein? I’ve had horses you can guide with your knees, and they enjoy that sort of interaction. I’ve had horses that love to hunt deer or elk once they know what you want. And they will chase the deer down (wear chaps or the oak brush will tear your trousers off). None of them like carrying a dead animal.
As MrsPaulM says, “Never ride a horse named ‘Widowmaker.” Heh
Sound advice. Or “Hell-Bitch” – Lonesome Dove.
Wife has a quarter horse nicknamed “Toyota”.
Unintended acceleration, no brakes. Hasn’t run off – yet.
Does your wife have a nickname?
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Self disclosure – MRSLL is referred to by daughters and husb as The Dragon.
Wife does have a nick: Dunn. As in, “I’ll pay attention to you when I’m done (with what I’m working on)”.
The horse’s papers list her name as Precious, the nick was given by former owners, and that’s the reason why we have her (the horse) now.
In the years my Dad made winter money guiding hunters, our Mule Jackson and my Mom’s buckskin Hobo were good at spotting game. The mule would stop, point with his ears, turn to look at you and point again with his ears. Fortunate he couldn’t speak, especially if you missed the shot. Hobo was the same. Neither were bothered by gunshots and never tried to run off.
If you take a horse hunting, the horse hunts and you watch the horse. I’ve see our Morgans run mule deer down to exhaustion and you needed to hold on for dear (deer) life.
See…you know.
MrsPailM was out clearing trail with the guest ranch herdsman one day, all of sudden her horse starts stomping around. She being an excellent rider stayed calm and stayed on but also tried to settle him down. The herdsman told her to let the horse do his thing…turns out she had ridden over a rattlesnake in the grass and the horse was ‘taking care of business’.
Many horses also pick up on the stupidity or lack of knowledge of their rider and will attempt to exploit those weaknesses. Actively exploit if possible. A good horse can be ruined by a bad rider. A good rider can control a bad horse.
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It’s all mind games and the rider has to be the stronger mind.
**The Prince of Wales (sailing without its air group), stuck in Norway for repairs, should disturb the RN more than it appears to be doing. **
Could the RN actually be so much less then we remember because this is not (really) a problem for them? GB today has made protecting your family a crime and has been protecting Muslim rape gangs for years it seems. Have a pretend navy is not that big a reach when you society like that.
Maybe they should promote more admirals to make the Navy seem even larger? Playing dress-up appeals to the DEI crowd. The more theatrical, the better.
Norway ought to seize it and put it to use in their navy.
They could do more with it than the UK could, and it wouldn’t be turned over to Muslims.
I agree with Al Kirk, “Broken Toys” is a worthwhile read (don’t mind me, I just think The Duelist series will still be on reading lists 100 yrs hence)
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My uncle would never have horses “Don’t have ‘nuf property, time nor money” said with a grimace in a heavily-accented mix of Hungarian and English); his daughters went riding with their friends on their own earned money. Me, I looked at the animal straight on n’ saw those big/huge whites smilin’ at me.
*
TNX 4 the freckles
I think you may like the 4th book in the series even more.
Was born into a family that ran cattle along the East Texas Gulf Coast. The family had 8 horses kept on my Grandfather’s place that he inherited from his Grandfather. In my early days the horses were used to work the cattle, so they earned their keep. But as time progressed and the bright lights and regular pay of oil refining took more of the family away from ranching and farming, the cattle herd dwindled, but the horses remained. Eventually, as acreage shrank due to residential construction and refinery expansion, the few cattle remaining displaced the working horses, who were allowed to live out their lives in familiar surroundings. Only issue with the unemployed horses was aptly described as “idle minds are the devils workshop”. Didn’t take long for them to learn to open wooden gates, turn the cows out and start harassing them. As time passed, age took it’s toll of the horses and things around the place grew quieter. In my opinion – horses that work are less of an issue to keep than those that laze around a stall most of the day and spending their brain power on how to chew down a barn or some other method of horse mischief.
They like jumping the fence and then standing on the free side, leaning back and eating grass on the fenced-in side… horses will be horses.
Well done painting that bit of history picture…and so true.
+1 to all the horse comments so far. I grew up as a young lad on our ranch in the California Gold Rush country. I will contain myself to just one story. I had a mustang mare out of Nevada whom we bred, and so had a young male colt. Shortly after, a couple of our other horses decided it would be fun to jump our steel rail cattle guard on our main drive entry and go exploring. One of them was my mare, so naturally her colt tried to follow. The cattle guard was open underneath because it spanned a small runoff. When we rounded them up, we saw the injuries on his legs from his struggle with the cattle guard. Being a colt probably saved him from breaking anything. We named him “Lucky”.
He grew to be about 700 lbs. soaking wet, and was about as friendly and willing as you could ask for. One summer day a few years later, I was riding him bareback rounding up the rest of the small herd. We were at the gallop when he stumbled over a squirrel mound and went down. The wreck broke my left arm and knocked me unconscious for about 45 minutes. Fortunately, my mother and some friends were trailing me in our surplus jeep. They didn’t see us go down, but saw Lucky re-join the herd without me aboard. I woke up in the hospital with my arm in a cast. Lucky was fine, BTW. I claim no lasting ill effects, but there are still a few who might argue that.
Riding on a hot summer day on my horse Little Red (we also had a horse named Big Red – both were sorrels), he/we jumped a wide ditch and landed on a hot oiled asphalt road. Red was shod, and the steel on oil + momentum produced predictable results. We went down hard and I luckly was unhorsed so I didn’t break my leg under him but I face planted on the hot asphalt road, broke my nose, and sanded most of the skin off my face. I walked the horse home (about a mile) and once my grandmother decided that I would live, she treated my torn up face with iodine – to prevent infection. The horse was fine – he lost some skin too. We both put a little skin in the game. I put soothing ointment on the horse’s injuries because I was not a saddist. (Little Red was a Welsh Pony – Big Red was a Morgan/Saddler mix).
Big Red. Funny you should mention. My uncle’s family had a big sorrel by that name. Again, about as friendly and willing as you could ask for. Giving him an injection was hilarious. They insisted on swabbing the site with alcohol first, the scent of which was an obvious clue. Red’s nostrils would flare, and his eyes would open wide, and he would stand stock still, literally not moving a muscle. When it was over, he would let out a huge sigh.
—
Having seen a horse attempt to break loose with a syringe flopping around still stuck in its shoulder, I much prefer to just palm a sharp needle. A couple of firm pats immediately followed by the stab. About the only thing the horse notices is injecting the medicine. By the time the become curios about what you’re doing. you’re done.
I had a horse that required an injection every morning for a respiratory infection. After two days, I couldn’t control him to stand for the injection. The smell of alcohol was all it took. An old timer told me to try the other side. He said horses have two sides, and giving the injection on the other side would probably not lead to a reaction. He was right. Giving the injection on the other shoulder that wasn’t sore wasn’t a problem. He didn’t flinch, and with it being at the end of his treatment, the problem was solved.
Skin in the game. No horses? BUT IT’S FOR THE CHILDREN…
groan
Are we going extinct? – Well, not rapidly, anyway.
*
I would suggest that the conditions of the world and civilization 100 years from now are utterly
unpredictable, and we certainly won’t have gone extinct (from not breeding) yet. The low fertility
trend will have to last a long time to result in extinction.
– Kle.
Horses are NOT for the faint of heart, or somebody that isn’t going to put in the time EVERY day to take care of them. At least you know that, and can turn the kids/grands off to ‘that’ idea.
I’m confused.
Is Australia now buying 3 boats out of our inventory that we have to make up.
We’ll wait for delivery instead of them and that will destress our yards?
Yes, three in service Virginia Class boats. We’re showing the Aussies a lot of love. Would they sink Chinese shipping with them or are they too woke to do that if it comes down to it? We will also get the use of a new sub base in Australia. I’m guessing we’ll base three boats there in the way we did during WW2 when we but subs in Perth.
Sitting here after reading – just today – comments sparked by our hosts own commentary on his horse experience (which, I suspect, may have foretold the life path)…with full respect for the memories everyone has given with their expert horse experiences…excellent details…that prove you all know firsthand. Can’t fake that. What’s more impressive is the knowledge base of our host and those who stop in and comment, whether horses, or military ops and gear, or space, physics, world economics, medical, or [pick a subject]. That’s what sets VM apart…the broad scope of topics and those who…just…know. Pretty cool. (As I sit here bumping up against a few foggy memory details of things not used in a while, which tend to get pushed far enough back and take a bit of digging to unearth what used to be second nature knowledge. Maybe I’m getting older and there’s only so much room in there to maintain it all.)