My Animals
Note:  I moved the Tope and Cabalgata pictures to the Local Events page.  

The Current Herd:
Bon Bon
Ares
Cassie
Bozo
Rocky
Astro
Regalo

Costa Rica Horse Care Tips		 Former Horses:  
Miss Mare
Turbo
Harley
Gavilan

The Dogs
Mack
Ripley


Richard, the pied piper of Rancho Tranquilo.



8/18/07 - On Saturday mornings I teach my worker Enrique's two girls how to ride.    


This is Daniella, who is about 6 years old.  She is fearless, has a great seat, and will be a great little horsewoman.  She loves riding BonBon "muy rapido."




Her sister, Francini, is a little bit more cautious.  She's doing great with Cassie, who is just a big sweetheart with everyone.  




I had Enrique build a shelter in the day paddock for the horses.  It gives them a place to get out of the rain in the winter, and out of the sun in the summer.
Around 1 in the afternoon, Cassie comes up next to the house and stares in the window, as if to say  "Hey Mom, isn't it time to eat?"  Today, BonBon joined her.  


Horses at play.



3/13/06
Just got my new riding ring put in.  Total cost: $200 -- $175 for the backhoe and $25 for the wood to build the fence.
 

4/17/06 - A few weeks ago, Jane asked if she could bring some friends over to go riding. Izzy rode Palomo -- remember the horse I won at auction and gave to my worker Enrique? -- and they became fast friends.  Palomo is looking forward to Izzy's next visit so he can take her riding again.  It was Izzy's first time, and she did really well riding by herself.  Palomo was a real gentleman and Izzy was all smiles.  (Thanks go to Izzy's mom, Lucy, who just emailed me these pictures. )   


Playing a game called 'grab your halter.'  
 Harley and Ares play this game all day long.  


Turbo, BonBon, and Harley.  


6/28/05
This is the way we mow the lawn...
 mow the lawn, mow the lawn....
...this is the way we mow the lawn....
 ...early in the morning.

This is what is referred to as a "Tico saddle."  They are quite comfortable and very practical for riding terrain that is basically straight up & down.  When I first came down, I was riding BonBon with an English saddle, but quickly learned that it's not very practical around these parts.  

For example, when BonBon got to the little slope (45 degree angle) coming out of the property he jumped down and over the stream at the bottom.  (Hard enough walking down an angle like that on an English saddle. )

Oh by the way, the cost for this saddle (including a heavy saddle pad, a nice felt cinch, two leather cinch straps and a bridle) came to less than $100.  Gotta love CR!