Musiqus LLC

Since my last post (whenever that was) I have taken a break from my EAT (Equine Assisted Therapy) work to do my own work through reflecting and re-remembering. It has taken some time to grieve the loss of my soul-horse, CJ, who lives in my heart still ( he even sent me an image that I painted on a rock!). And it has been powerful, ongoing work that reminds me of my lifelong, complete love, and passion for horses!

My two miniature horses, Thumper (Indian Peaks Mystery Man) and Ty (JSW Imperial Deed)have been a great help in my healing journey as I have fallen even more in love with them in all their adorableness! We have been working on basics of learning to drive. I have met some folks when I went to the RMMHC shows (RM Classic & Mile High Classic in Longmont), all of whom have been helpful, open and willing to share their experiences with their minis. In fact, their friendliness and encouragement have led me to rejoin Rocky Mountain Carriage Club (RMCC) and Rocky Mountain Miniature Horse Club (RMMHC) in the hopes of learning things from those who have way more knowledge and experience. With minis becoming more prominent in my horse life, I have also taken on being the Boulder County 4H Miniature Horse project leader. This is the second summer doing this with the 4H mini project growing in numbers and having a lot of fun! Long ways to go but I am enjoying them! Both Ty and Thumper are real gems!!

Howie is still a large part of my equine world (literally and figuratively!). I am still hoping to ride him again as he still has a lot to give. I just need to regain my confidence along with some physical strength after some health setbacks. Just grooming and caring for Howie is fun because he enjoys it!

I will sign off with a question; for reflection and/or responding. How have horses shaped human history in ways that likely impacted your life? 🐴🎻

I wanted to share an update on my professional work... after all, it is a big part of my world!

As I look at this picture on this page, I realized how it illustrates both my and these horses' journeys over the past year. It has been a very difficult, stressful and sad year!

The red (sorrel) mare, Laki, I surrendered to Colorado Horse Rescue Network last September when I was told the property was going to be sold. Laki is now in a pasture as a hospice companion. She gets to graze and hang out with horses who are in hospice type care at CHRN. It is perfect for her as she has always loved just being in pasture; after all she is half mustang!

The paint is CJ; my soulmate. I got him as a coming 2 year old. Through him I began my learning journey of natural horsemanship when I took him to be started in a clinic by Buck Brannaman. That experience ushered in a new era for me. It profoundly changed my life and who I am as a person in many ways: how I approach life; my parenting; my relationships with others. AND I got to have 24 years with CJ, who was truly my dream horse. He had to be euthanized after his Cushings Disease took over to a large extent. I said goodbye to CJ on October 29, 2024. He was 26 years old. I miss him and often think of him with profound gratitude!!! I believe he, literally, kicked me into a new era of my life; not once, but twice.

Howie, Thumper and Ty, my remaining horses, were moved to a barn in Erie, Colorado on November 1, 2024. It was a big change and adjustment and (particularly for Howie) has been hard. They are all doing ok though.

I cannot adequately express my gratitude to Dave Farmer and Rene Meade, who so generously shared their beautiful property with me, to use in my work helping people through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy for these past 10+ years. None of this would have happened without them. I truly believe that in those years, many people were touched and helped.

Also a huge Thank you! to all of those who helped us recover from the Marshall Fire in 2021. We had a couple more years to help people and revel in the beauty of Mother Nature as we worked.

And so, we say goodbye to the beautiful place in Spanish Hills that we all lived and worked together since June of 2013. I am posting pictures of those years too, so that those of you can better understand what we, I and my 3 horses, have left behind as we embark on a new era together.

As Xcel turns off power all around Boulder/Louisville/Superior area because of predicted high winds, the memories of Marshall Fire pop right back into my head. Interestingly, earlier this morning when there was a bit of wind, my old boy, CJ was galloping around in what seemed like a whole lot of fear and anxiety. It's not like we haven't had wind storms since the fire, but today seemed different. And then around 1 pm there is the announcement by Xcel. Hmmm.....

It looks like I haven't put anything on here for a year! Wow! I can list all the reasons everyone has; crazy busy, time flys by, way too much going on, etc. All true.

There are a lot of new homes going in around the barn to replace the ones that burned down. The barn and the grounds around it are reliably and comfortingly the same as before the fire. The horses are doing well and still enjoy seeing new folks, going out in the pasture, and going on walks around the neighborhood. Neighbors stop by while on their walks to say "hi" and frequently say how much they enjoy seeing the horses there.

Important updates since last post then are:
9/11/22 Skip Farley passed away overnight after he had a great time the previous day out in the pasture. He was going on 37 years old!!! What a great life he had! He is thought of often with love and smiles!

10/22 Howie and the minis came home from CSU Spur/Temple Grandin Equine Center in Denver. Howie, Farleys velcro buddy, was pretty lost seeming when his buddy wasn't there. He has taken awhile, but he is bonding with CJ and Laki.

Overall, the horses themselves are doing great; yet there are remnants of the trauma of the Marshall Fire. For example: they graze much closer together than they used to; they get very anxious when one horse leaves the property (something that was not the case before), neighing repeatedly until the missing horse returns; and little Thumper, at 30" tall, seems to have taken over as herd boss much of the time. Hilarious to watch!!! Laki, the only mare, has much more influence on what the boys do when in the pasture. All these things are changes from what they were before the fire and once Farley left this world. It is all very interesting to watch!

Gratitude continues to be in my heart in so many ways. Life moves on...

Big changes in the past few months and the biggest is that 3 of my horses are now living and working at the Temple Grandin Equine Center(TGEC) and CSU Spur in Denver. Howie, Ty and Thumper moved in June where they have been getting used to their new digs and adjusting, which has been going well overall. They are all bringing their gifts to the programs of Equine Assisted Services offered at TGEC. It was a tall order asking them to leave their home of 8 years especially after having been back only 3 months after returning after the Marshall Fire! Honestly, their leaving my care has probably been most challenging adjustment for me! Since I am also working there, providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy(EAP) a couple of days a week now too I still get to see them and work with them. My boys are THE BEST!