Psymin and I loaded up Saturday morning and ventured off to Retama Race Park.  We left a little after 8am and got to the track a little after 12pm noon.  Once I got him settled in, I headed to the airport to pick up Jarrod who was flying home from 2 weeks in PA.

After we got something to eat, we went back to the track to spend time with Justice and watch Psymin as he settled in.

Here we see the grandstands of Retama Race Park. It was pretty easy to find as well as easy to find my way to the backside.

These are the barns where the horses actively training and racing are stabled. Justice's horses are located in Barn 3.

Here is a picture of the shed row for Justice's string. Psymin is on the end stall. Next to him is a gelding pony horse. He'll be bonding with him real soon! The next horse is Justice's 3yo filly, SSHR SWEETCHEEKS. After her is Dan and Everetta Woods' filly (which we also saw run her very first race Saturday night) ONE MORE TYME EW. Next to her are 2 other horses, both owned by Dan and Everetta - CLUNK, a winning gelding, and then THE TUNISIAN PRINCE, a winning bay stallion.

Justice indicated that Psymin was going to need better manners. I thought to myself...I thought he was a good mannered stallion! I guess he will be getting a good schooling in his training!
Here is Justice having a little meet and greet session with Psymin.

Here I am with my sweet boy! Doesn't he look so innocent?

Saturday evening, the 29th, was the first live race meet at Retama. ONE MORE TYME EW was going to be running in her very first race. She had a full card with 11 horses being entered. We got to watch the race day process from beginning to end. It was very informative. We got to see the vets come and check the horse. We watch all the little bits and pieces of race preparation. The filly had a great run out for her first time. She was in mixed company and came away with a 5th. Only 1 filly outran her so it looks like she has a great future ahead.

On Sunday Psymin got to go on the hot walker there at the track. He was opposite Prince and surprisingly to me, behaved very well. Him and Justice had a come-to-Jesus session in the morning. I think she has his number now. He walked to the hot walker quietly and like a gentleman. When Justice stopped, he stopped. When she walked, he walked. He got spooked out one time on the walker but after that, he got used to the noises it made as it stopped and started. That will become part of his every day routine.

Sometime in the next week he will get his very first pair of shoes. He can't go onto the track until he has them. I doubt I will be there for that extravaganza but I hope it goes well!!

With that, I said good bye to my little boy and made the trek home.

I think it really hit me, that he was gone, was when I got back to the farm. My friend Kriten's colt had been moved up to Psymin's stall/paddock. At first glance, I saw Psymin standing there. Then I realized, no, that's not Psymin. I think then is when reality set in and made me feel a little heavy hearted.

I hope to go visit in 2 weeks. Hopefully by that time I will get to see him working on the track. He needs to get his shoes and tattoo done as well. I don't think he wants ink!!

Tomrrow is THE day. I'm at work right now, and all I can think about is heading out to the track tomorrow. I still have to pick up 3 buckets to bring with me. I hope that I can get out of work early so I can take care of that. I'm also in the middle of doing laundry. The dog walker is coming so that means I have to make sure that my house is in some sort of presentable state.

Last night we got the trailer loaded with what was left that we needed - water, hay, and bedding for the stall area. I gave Psymin a shave and a bath the other night so he's good for that. I wormed him last night and he wasn't really thrilled with that nonsense. He had a lot on the side of his mouth where I was trying to sneak entry of the wormer tube. In the end, it was a successful mission. I have to remember to update my records at home and make a copy for the trainer.

Someone must be having a hot flash today because it is FREEZING in my office. I have a sweater on and just turned on my contraband heater. When it's 72, I want to throw on a blanket and SLEEP!

The still camera and video camera are ready to be loaded up. I hope that on Sunday someone gets on him and shows him around the track. Not sure if that will happen or not. I'd really like to be there for his first time introduction.

Well, only 3 more days until we head to San Antonio. I have almost everything I need. I just remembered I dont have my buckets in yet. I will have to follow up on that...

I am not sure if I want to work Psymin or just spend time brushing him and spoiling him. He had off yesterday because I had to mow the lawn at my house. It looks like it may rain. Again. We're now getting these afternoon, violent storms around here.  It's almost time for me to leave the office. The days seem to be going by slowly. Psymin has been enjoying his new "rocket fuel" feeding program. He has been on One N Only (11% protein and low fat/starch) for a year and a couple weeks ago we moved him to sweet feed, oats, and alfalfa. He's not as nutty as I would have expected him to be, so that's good for me. I hope that he gets all the energy he needs and can BURN IT UP on the track.

I had been wanting to ride Psymin since he popped out of his mom. So instead, I carried HIM around for his first few days. That didn't last long, trust me. I decided that at 2 1/2 years old, I would get him tacked up and get on him. After verifying his knees were closed via x-ray, the day came. It was October 18th, 2008. Everyone at Good Beginnings was coming out to watch. I think more like to see if it would be rodeo time or not.

I am happy to say that it was non-eventful! In fact, poor Psymin had NO clue what was up! He kind of just stood there. I was so happy! SEE??

So, that began our under saddle work. I didn't do a whole lot of riding since I was focused on getting ready for halter and SHIH at Scottsdale for Feb '09.

When we got back from Scottsdale, it was back in the saddle. Now, Psymin did go through phases of protest. He bolted when I tried to get on. He bolted when I tried to get off. He crow hopped. He got stuck in reverse a few time. All the typical ups and downs of a green broke colt.

Speeding things up a bit, Psymin was introduced to trail riding and has done many miles to date. He has ridden out with one horse at a time and out with several and in mixed company. Come May, I decided I would take Psymin swimming. There's a great facility about 45 minutes from the farm. We started weekly swimming and he has been going up until this last Saturday, which was his last session.  Here are some photos.

With that, we ride or longe as many times a week as we can. My riding out has slowed down due to the fabulous bruises my legs have endured from being bounced on the saddle during our "i dont like things touching my back legs" bucking sessions.

Ok, I think I am making my way through this thing. Looks like if you want to post, you have to be either an Admin or have me create you an account. If you want to be able to post, just drop me an email with your desired login and password and I'll hook you up.

Well, I am just setting this blog site up now. I have never even posted or subscribed to any other blog. I need to learn my way around, so excuse me if things are all out of wack.