Heartsong Horses

A Trail Adventure

2011-12-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

I had a trail riding adventure a couple of days ago.

My partner Sandra and I were riding out in the foothills following cattle trails and two tracks when we could find them. There are LOTS of holes out there, everything from a foot across to a few inches. So, you have to stay on a trail and you can only ride out there in the winter when the grass is dead and you can see the ground. Some how we got off of the main cow trail we were following and got onto one that petered out on us.

While we were trying to work our way back to the main trail Chardoney stepped in one of the really big holes and panicked, then jumped out of it. Since I was leaning forward so that I could see the ground to look for holes, I went right off over her shoulder. I landed on my shoulder with my head tucked. I don't think I am hurt too bad, I just have a catch in my back when I breathe too deep, so hopefully it is just a muscle spasm. Waiting for the Aleve to kick in right now.

Chardoney took off and ran over the crest of a hill out of sight. Sandra and I looked at each other - Sandra asked if I was OK and then made her horse stand still. I am so thankful for a riding partner who doesn't panic. I am thinking that if Char doesn't come back, I am going to have a loooong walk home - we were several miles out. Sure enough though, we hear a high pitched "OMG I am all by myself!" whinny and she came running back to us.

As we were walking along, me leading her while I caught my breath, Chardoney stepped in a smaller hole and got snorty and scared. I have thought about hobble breaking my horses before, just in case of something like this. Now I think I will find a trainer to help me. If she were hobble broke she wouldn't panic when she feels her legs trapped. It is a good thing for trail horses to know for just such an occasion.

I got back on and we rode the few miles home with no issues, just like nothing happened. Chardoney was calm and cool. I really love this horse!

Old Age

2011-12-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

I was just thinking today about how our horses all have their "birthdays" on Jan 1. This will make Delight 20 years old! Tawshi will be 11, and Star will be 6 - is she really that old? She was just born! My new girl Char will be 6 as well.

I have been thinking about the age "20". It sounds so old. I read all the time about people retiring horses in their mid teens! Heck, that's when I first started Delight in Endurance! Delight is getting grey on her face and she is loosing some topline but other than that she is a maniac. No signs of slowing down at all. In fact, I really feel like her attitude and her "go" are a lot younger than her body. I went for a 2 hour ride the other day and had to work hard to keep her at a walk, she was sweaty and ready to fly. We both love zooming down the trail!

Last year I skipped taking her to the last endurance ride because I felt like it took her so long to come back from the one before. It wasn't that her "go" was any less or her attitude was lagging. It was just a gut feeling based on the look on her face from her pictures out on the race trail. It seemed more work for her than other rides.

Maybe I pushed her too hard - we did have a fast time - or maybe it was a failure in getting her really fit - or maybe it was an age related thing. I dunno. I will make sure she is very, very fit for next year. (This is done with long slow miles not speed work).

I don't think she is ready to retire yet but it is kinda scary to ride a horse who is "20".

Fuzzy Ponies

2011-12-13T13:43:00.000-07:00

Delight and her good friend Mo

It has been a dry winter so far. I have been glad to not have to deal with mud yet. The air is clear and cold. The horses love this kind of weather. They are pretty frisky and often take off in the pasture tails flying high. As long as the wind isn't blowing it is quite pleasant to work in this weather.

Delight

Cozy, Warm and Toasty

2011-12-08T14:17:00.001-07:00

Star is COZY:

Delight is WARM:

And Chardoney is TOASTY:

Morning Chores:

2011-12-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

My Morning Chores.

I wake up drink my coffee and realize it is in the 20's outside. I put every layer of clothes on that I own, then head down to the barn.

With Lyn's help I move 14 (thousand) horses from their stalls and paddocks to the pastures. My fingers and toes start to freeze and I can't feel the front of my thighs. Dang, I should have put those longjohns on. At least the sun is out and there isn't any wind.

Next I break 2" of ice in the water trough and pitch it out. Hmmm I am feeling warmer now. Gee that sun feels nice. Unzip Carhart coat.

I walk briskly back to the barn and by the time I am there I shed my coat. I have nine (billion) stalls to clean. Time to crank the Country music up in the barn. Then I start on the First stall. Oh that sun feels good. It's 30 degrees! I take off my vest.

Second stall... work work work. Man, I am getting warm! Hat comes off. I can feel my thighs!

Third stall, oh boy, it is officially above freezing. I have toes and fingers now.

Fourth stall - you can see where this is going, right? Off comes the scarf and my sleeves are rolled up.

Fifth stall... hey you guys have dirty minds! Nothing else comes off! But I am now nice and toasty, muscles limber and enjoying a beautiful cold Winter morning. I think to my self, "What a wonderful job I have!"

Don't Bother Me, I'm Eating!

2011-11-14T15:25:00.001-07:00

I enjoy the simple things with the horses so much.

Nearly every day when I feed I always take a minute to stop, give each one a pat and tell them how much I love them.

They may not understand my words, but I have no doubt that they understand my heart.

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Floating

2011-11-07T19:32:00.001-07:00

I rode Chardoney's really big trot today.

It was like floating on air.

Amazing.

For a brief moment I *was* the person whom I saw riding her at the show where I first laid eyes on her.

I can't believe it.

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My Two Best Girls

2011-10-25T11:26:00.001-06:00

My two best girls in the whole world. I am blessed beyond belief.

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First Trail Ride

2011-10-25T10:36:00.000-06:00

This looks like a wonderful trail

I had a very nice 2 mile trail ride on Chardoney.

She was calm the whole time. I rode her with very little contact on the reins and in a western saddle. She stopped a few times to look around and smell the air and to smell the ground. Went by a few things that are scary and she just cocked her ear and looked at them but trusted me completely, not even tensing up. We were with my endurance partner Sandra and her horse Tia (hot endurance horse) - actually I think Char might have helped Tia to slow down and smell the roses a little.

I didn't take a camera because honestly, I didn't know what to expect. Now I really regret it! I wish I had a pic or two. It was a VERY good ride. It was so nice to just be relaxed and not take a lesson, or work on anything, or ask her for anything. It's like walking with your best friend. I love being out on the trail so much with my horses.

I feel like this is the first time I have really gotten to "ride" my new horse. I can't say how happy I am that she likes going out on the trail without having a spookfest.

Beauty In Motion

2011-10-20T01:22:00.001-06:00

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A Glorious Roll

2011-10-03T13:42:00.001-06:00

I always love it when a horse feels comfortable enough around me to have a good roll.

Ahhh Chardoney. I love you.

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"Everybody gets them. Champions use them"

2011-09-26T19:16:00.000-06:00

Overcoming Fear Article

2011-09-26T18:42:00.000-06:00

A friend of mine shared this LINK with me. It is to a blog named "Horse Junkies United". They have some wonderful articles on their site, one of which I want to share with you.

It's a great article about overcoming rider fear.

I have made great strides in overcoming my AOF, (Adult Onset Fear) but it still rears it's ugly head once in a while. I have such compassion for other people who struggle with this. I keep thinking I will write some sort of a mini series of my own articles about the things that have helped me gain my confidence back. I may get around to it... someday! Until then, I hope this helps somebody out!

I have copied this article in it's entirety and included all of the links in the original article. I hope that's kosher! I want to spread the word about Sommer and Horse Junkies United.

Sommer Christie is a certified Mental Performance Consultant from Ottawa, currently finishing her PhD in Sport Psychology. She will contributing to HJU in the following weeks to help you on the Journey to Improve Your Performance. Her article today is about rider fear and it was inspired by a thread on The Chronicle of the Horse. Thankyou Sommer for sharing these great tips and techniques!

From Sommer:

Before digging into this topic I want you know that one of the most common issues that I deal with when working with riders is fear – so take a deep breath and know that you are NOT alone!

Equestrian sport is extremely high risk and offers plenty of opportunities for fear to develop, in riders of all ages and abilities. Although injury tends to be one of the greatest factors leading to fear in riders; fear of competition, fear of failure or even the fear other people watching can be just as debilitating to performance.

Fear can be paralyzing, both physically and mentally. In fact, fear of injury or re-injury may elicit a cycle of psychological (e.g., decreased self-confidence and concentration) and physiological (e.g., increased muscle tension and over-activation) effects that can result in decreased perform-ance (Nideffer, 1993). Although fear can be a major factor in your performance, it does not have to be.

Listed below are a few tips that should help you reflect on your fear and set goals in place to overcome it.

Tips for working with fear:

1. NORMALIZE

Accept your anxieties as normal – it is normal to experience fear.

Talk to your coach. Often, we are fearful of what the coach might think, yet, they can actually help us overcome the fear if they know about it.

Coaches should try to be open with riders. Riders may not talk about fear (hide it) because they are afraid it may be interpreted as a weakness, or feel that they are the only one’s experiencing it.

2. IDENTIFY YOUR FEAR

What are you fearful of? Be as specific as possible (e.g., what exact skill or action causes my fear). For example, are you afraid of falling all of the time or are you afraid of falling when the jump is at a specific height.

What does this fear make you do (e.g., tense up, lose focus, stop training)?

Does this fear help your performance or hurt it? What is this fear preventing you from doing?

Should you be this fearful?

3. ADJUST

Adjust your goals to target specifically what you are afraid of.

Accept that you may have to slow down and take a few steps back.

Set small goals that are achievable.

Be specific and define clear actions that you will take.

Make sure that your goals are progressive and ensure successful attempts.

Build confidence by mastering the small steps before you move on.

Be proud of your accomplishments, even if they are small.

If you are injured

Talk to your therapist – educate yourself on the nature of the injury, treatment options, phases of treatment and the expected challenges along the way.

Become an active member in your rehabilitation – set goals and work towards achieving them.

Find support – seek out other riders who have gone through similar experiences and ask them how they coped with and came back from injury or fear.

Maintain your athletic identity throughout process – Coaches can support this process by giving injured riders roles and keeping them involved.

4. PRACTICE mental skills techniques

Relaxed breathing – Use slow abdominal breathing to relax yourself and your horse.

Body scan – While you are breathing slowly, do a quick scan of the important muscles in your body (e.g., legs, arms, neck, jaw) to see if you are tense. If you are holding tension anywhere, try to let it go with a few deep breaths.

Thought stopping – If you are thinking negative thoughts (i.e., If you are anticipating falling), stop! Say “stop” out loud or to yourself and then change your thought to something more positive.

Positive self-affirmations and self-talk – Stay positive with yourself and your horse. Negative self-talk should be stopped and then replaced with positive self-talk (i.e., “We are ready, and we can do this”), as well as positive, relaxed confident actions.

Imagery – Use imagery to visualize yourself successfully accomplishing what you are afraid of. If you see yourself making a mistake or failing, stop and start again with a more positive focus.

Simulation – Simulation training involves putting yourself and your horse gradually into more and more challenging situations until you are doing exactly what you are afraid of.

5. PERSIST AND HAVE FUN

Focus on the process (the small steps)

Stay positive

Have confidence in your plan

Be patient

Do not focus on obstacles, focus on solutions

Believe in yourself

Enjoy yourself

I sincerely hope that these tips help you on your path to eliminating fear and bringing back the joy in your riding once again.

Good luck implementing these skills and feel free to ask more questions in the comments!!

Sommer

If you wish to work with Sommer Christie on an individual basis, you can send her email or phone 613-407-7669 .
To learn more about Sommer, visit her website.

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Jonker

2011-09-26T18:07:00.001-06:00

Chardoney's sire is named Jonker - pronounced "Yon - kur." He is a Dutch Harness Horse.

He was born in the Netherlands in March 1991.

In 1999 he was the Dutch National Champion Harness Horse. In 2000 he was the Reserve National Champion.

He is KWPN approved. Here is a LINK to his current records, and to the records of his get.

He was imported in 2000 and lives in the US now. He is in Ohio. I would love to visit him the next time I am there visiting my family!

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Out and About

2011-09-25T14:04:00.002-06:00

Char had her first turnout in the 20 acre field on the hill today. I had my camera ready as I expected some serious running and galavanting in the wide open spaces.

She acts like she belongs here already.

Well, she and her buddies took a long draught of water and set about eating sagebrush and sunflowers.

First Ride

2011-09-18T23:14:00.001-06:00

Here's the first picture of my first ride on Chardoney.

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Selling Star

2011-09-18T23:05:00.004-06:00

I have decided to sell my Star.

It has been a hard decision, and one I made a while ago, even before Chardoney came into the picture. But I am just now writing about it. There were lots of factors involved in this decision. I don't want to share them just yet. All of the unknowns are very scary, but I do have peace in my heart about it.

Star was my dream foal. On they day she was born I felt God smiling as he gave me my heart's desire: a black filly out of my beloved Delight. I doubt I will ever have the experience of foaling out my own mare again. I won't be breeding anytime in the foreseeable future.

I am sad. In a perfect world I would keep every horse that has come into my life. Each one of them has been a gift of God, come into my life to show me His love and to teach me life lessons. But it's not a perfect world.

And, I do believe that sometimes we must hold onto things loosely so that new things may be placed into our hands.

I have a vision that I will find an owner who's dreaming of a beautiful black Morgan mare, much like I dreamed of Delight and now of Chardoney. She's out there... now to wait and have the honor of being on the other side of Adoption.

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Halters

2011-09-18T22:25:00.001-06:00

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Feed Buckets

2011-09-16T13:20:00.001-06:00

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Chardoney's Day Yesterday

2011-09-02T13:35:00.000-06:00

Chardoney's day yesterday: Had her breakfast in her quarantine stall. Went to the pasture for 30 whole minutes (2x her regular time - woo!), then into the big paddock which shares a fence line with the pasture.

Makes her very first friend (Tia) over the fenceline and they spend the whole day winking and peeing at each other (Regumate has worn off) eeew.

Walked up to the barn that evening and Char whinnies - her first acknowledgement that there are other horses here! (yay!)

Put her into her very own stall in the barn (out of quarantine now - yay!) and she commences to buck and snort and pace calling out for her new girlfriend Tia, who is racing up and down the one acre paddock snorting and whinnying.

Proceeds to flood her new stall. Buries her whole nose in the automatic waterer in order to pull out the plug - which is flush with the bottom. I put plug back in and watch. Walks straight over and pulls it out again. Evidently she has experience with this.

Different stall with no drain plug. More whinnying for new girlfriend.

So much ruckus that Tia gets to come in and spend the night in the barn for a sleepover. More, well if you have mares, you know. Two stalls are now flooded, this time with urine (eew).

I wonder "Could they dehydrate themselves this way?"

Appropriate screaming at each other about how h*rny they are before they settle down.

Yep, she is feeling more at home.

Delight and Star 9.1.11

2011-09-01T18:42:00.001-06:00

After all this hubbub about Chardoney I thought I would share a picture of my other lovely girls Delight and Star. I am the luckiest girl in the world!

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Adoption

2011-09-01T17:08:00.000-06:00

I am still amazed that this amazing, beautiful, talented dream horse belongs to me. I can't believe how lucky I am to have her. She is so beautiful. This page has precious pictures to me - many are from the day I picked Chardoney up.

Chardoney

I am so happy that I have a great relationship with Char's former owner Lynette. Chardoney officially has her Very Own Fan Club. We are the co-Presidents. Purchasing Chardoney feels much more like an adoption from one loving owner to the next. It's really nice to have one other person out there who is willing to talk about this horse with me and never tire of the conversation.

Lynette and I

Adoption

I had only admired Chardoney from afar up until this point. I had never actually met her.

Very first touch

Char and Char

Chardoney was bred, raised and trained by Terie Ellis at Ellis Supreme Arabians . She has her own fan club there too. It is wonderful to have a horse that is loved and cared for by so many.

Terie and Char

Welcome to my home Chardoney! This is a new chapter just waiting to be written for both of us.

Canadian Arabian Nationals

2011-09-01T16:12:00.000-06:00

Char with one of her riders

Chardoney recently traveled to Canada to compete in the Canadian Arabian nationals. She brought home two top tens in Sporthorse In Hand. SHIH is a class where the horses are judged for conformation, quality of movement, temperament, and overall suitability as a sport horse.

Here she is with the whole team in Canada

She traveled with her owner Lynette and Ellis Supreme Arabians. It was a long drive, but well worth it for everyone who worked so hard to get there. All of the horses came home with ribbons.

Smiles all around!

Congratulations!

Lynette, Chardoney and Kayla

New Friends

2011-08-31T10:32:00.001-06:00

Chardoney meets new friends. Star sees a friend, but Tawshi is NOT impressed.

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It happened! She's Here!

2011-08-30T21:34:00.001-06:00

Dreams do come true.

Here is the newest member of my horse family. E-Chardoney.

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Chardoney at Sunset

2011-08-30T21:16:00.001-06:00

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The Pink Flamingo

2011-08-01T23:37:00.000-06:00

It's nearly time for the Pink Flamingo!

This is the ride that started it all for my riding buddy Sandra and I last year. Since then we have each logged 100 LD miles on our horses! We also have logged 25 on Lyn's horses Sam and Tacki. I think we have definitely found a new passion.

This year we will be bringing 4 horses and 4 riders along. Sandra will be riding Tia in her first ever 50 mile ride. I will ride Delight for the 30 miler on the first day and the 25 miler on the second. Katrina will be riding Sam with me on both days. On the second day we will be joined by Nancy, a first timer riding Takima.

Our crew will be headed by the best crew leader ever Lyn. Chase, Cherish and Nancy, will help her crew on the first day and Chase and Cherish will help on the second day. Lyn has big plans for some yummy food and Sandra will bring her metal fireplace so we will have food and firelight every day.

I can't wait to hit the trail in the cool green mountains of Cascade. We'll have food, fun and friends. I am so blessed!

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Dreams

2011-08-01T16:25:00.001-06:00

I was reading a thread on a message board the other day that was titled: "Heart horse or Dream horse, which would you choose?"

When I read it, I agreed with the people who responded "Heart horse". Delight is my heart horse. I have shed many a tear in her mane and many joys too. We both make an effort to know what the other is thinking, often times with hilarious results. She has a heart as big as Texas on the endurance trail. We have had so many adventures. Unlike other horses that I have owned, I will never sell her. She is my friend.

Delight started out as a Dream horse. I dreamed for 20 years of having a horse. The horse of my childhood was a little red quarterpony mare named "Babe". She was sold by my parents while I was in my teens and I grieved for her for years. Then there came College and Marriage and Kids... and life. To have another equine best friend was just a dream. In 2005 my dream came true when Tom bought Delight for my birthday. She quickly moved from Dream horse to Heart horse.

I now have the opportunity to own a second Dream horse. I'll share more details later, once she is here. I first saw her a couple of years ago as a three year old at one of her first Class A Arabian/Half Arabian show. She was stunning. I couldn't take my eyes of off her. I was blown away by her talent and beauty. I started to watch for her at other Class A shows and I got to know her owner/breeder. At one time I thought about purchasing her, but I decided to put training on Star instead. I thought that this horse was a superstar and way out of my league.

Over the last couple of years she has grown into a beautiful full bodied mare. I have followed her career from afar, asking for updates from her breeder. She was sold once. I never thought I would see her again. I was excited when she came back to her breeder. Then she was sold a second time. I got to meet her new owner and we hit it off. I was very happy that she had found such a kind, loving person.

Now she is for sale again. I am excited because this time I have the opportunity buy her. Just like Delight, she is a once in a lifetime Dream horse. I have high hopes she will soon become a heart horse too.

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Owyhee Cheap Thrills No Frills

2011-07-14T21:25:00.000-06:00

6.24-25.2011

I rode the Owyhee Cheap Thrills No Frills endurance ride last month and I thought I would share a few pictures. It was the first ride of the year for me. I rode Delight 25 miles each day. Sandra was with me riding her trusty steed Tia. On the second day we were joined by Katrina riding Lyn's horse Sam on her first ever endurance ride.

Ridecamp

Chase climbed a nearby mountain to take a great picture of Ridecamp. Or, maybe he was trying to get cell phone reception in order to check his Facebook page? We were some of the first to arrive, so there aren't many rigs in this picture. Lyn's truck and trailer are at the top right hand side.

A Canyon

Sandra and Tia hightailing it up a hill

In spite of being out in the middle of the high desert there were interesting things to see and stunning vistas to explore. On the second day we went straight up and down a mountain gaining about 1000 feet. We walked our horses both ways. Going down was a LOT easier. Climbing back up, Katrina easily rode Sam to the top. Sandra and I wanted to give our horses a break so we chose to hike up. We were gasping for air. We very quickly taught our horses to "tail". We unsnapped one side of our reins and then followed our horses up, holding tightly to their tails. The horses pulled us up the mountain by their tails!

An old dugout

This was where the trail went along the spine of a mountain. It was very rocky. This pic doesn't really show how high or steep it was. We rode all the way to the top in the distance and then down the other side. This part was thrilling to ride!

Katrina and Sam. All smiles.

Sandra and Tia. All smiles.

I don't have any pictures of myself from this ride... or any of our wonderful crew Lyn and Chase. They were once again the best crew ever. We had the best support team of all of the riders there!

My view through Delight's eyes.

It was a wonderful couple of days. The weather was beautiful, the horses healthy and the company the best.

Star

2011-05-20T20:34:00.001-06:00

5.20.11. Star and Tom.

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A Word About Helmets.

2011-05-03T16:23:00.000-06:00

These video features a woman named Courtney King-Dye.

HERE is a link to her website that gives a list of her amazing accomplishments. She is among the best in the world at her sport.

Here is a beautiful video of her riding:

In March of 2010 Courtney had an accident in a warm up ring at a dressage show. She was riding her horse at a WALK, he stumbled and fell and Courtney suffered a fractured skull and a traumatic brain injury. It was a freak accident. She remained in a coma fighting for her life for several weeks. The horse world held it's breath collectively for Courtney.

Most high level dressage riders do not wear helmets. They wear a beautiful formal coat and a top hat.

I would love to see the riders all wear helmets, at least in the warmup ring. I wear a helmet every time every ride. This next video shows one of the reasons why.

Lovin's

2011-05-01T21:32:00.001-06:00

I caught Delight and Star grooming each other this afternoon. I enjoy watching my girls so much!

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Celebration Park

2011-04-09T16:27:00.002-06:00

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go to Celebration Park. It is located on the Snake river near Melba Idaho.

My endurance riding pal Sandra came along with me. Since her mare Tia had a banged up leg, we rode my two horses Delight and Star. Tia is our endurance-buddy horse and I missed her! I am glad Sandra willing to ride one of my ponies.

We rode a 12 mile loop on the North side of the canyon. This being the first real ride out, the horses were excited and kept up a pace of about 4 mph the whole way.

We ate some food from our packs along the way and the horses munched on the fresh Spring grass.

The weather was spectacular, just the perfect temperature. It was a brilliant first ride of the season.

This picture wasn't taken by me, but it shows what the canyon looks like from the rim. We rode down by the river.

The south side, showing the Snake river

Looking toward the North side of the canyon.

An old stone cabin.

Beautiful worn volcanic rocks strewn across the canyon floor.

Petroglyphs found along the canyon floor.

Testing testing...

2011-04-04T23:19:00.001-06:00

I am hopeful that I will be able to post to my blog from my Droid X phone. If this works out, it will be so much easier to share adventures and pictures!

You can expect some funny autocorrect fails as well.

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2.21.11

2011-02-21T09:27:00.005-07:00

Star and Tacki waiting to be saddled up

I am going to training today. This month Nancy has been riding Lyn's horses so I have just been grooming and warming up. That has given me a nice chunk of time to work on my own horse. So I have been trying to get Star legged up.

Nancy climbed on Star for me that day and has coached me a couple of times since and things are going much better. I don't know what I would do without her help.
It really helps having Lyn ringside encouraging me on. My friend Courtney also gave me some great ideas to work on, and a lot of encouragement too. I guess it takes a village to raise a rider!

I know this arena work is sooo important. It is also very hard! I can't wait till the weather turns and I get to hit the trails.

The Beginnings of AOF

2011-02-01T09:08:00.003-07:00

When I was a kid I had no fear. I rode whatever people would let me climb aboard, including sitting two horses for the first time. I remember being bucked off by one and landing on a car hood. I thought it was great fun!

I had two horses, one I did quite well on at the state level in 4H with my horse "Babe". The second, "Spooky," I started and was soon riding around town on by myself. Then my parents sold my horses (out from under me) and I took a 20+ year break. College and a family and a non horsey husband were my new life. I never dreamed I would ever have a horse again.

My husband bought me my first horses 6 years ago.

Five years ago I took a nasty fall at a canter when my mare ducked out from under me. It was in an arena setting. I hit my head hard and messed up my back. It started a very deep root of AOF in me.

Funny thing is in the last 5 years I have successfully started 5 different horses. I have had to pass each one off once we got to the canter stage. Isn't it crazy to not be afraid to back all of those greenies for the first time, yet still have serious AOF about cantering? But I did.

It took me a year or so to canter again on Delight and even then I had to talk myself into it and I rode stiff and grabbing her mouth. She actually used to "pop the trunk" on me quite often at a canter while my Tom and kids rode her with no problems. I know that I was causing her bucking by asking her to go with my legs and holding her back with my hands, but I couldn't do anything about it!

Since then I have been riding several horses for Blue Note Arabians, done two endurance rides and been to several shows. I still deal with AOF sometimes, but I have made tremendous strides against it.

I am hoping to share some tips here on how I am overcoming this monster with the hopes it will help someone else. Maybe someone else will grow in confidence to beat It too.

Catching Up - Part Three

2011-01-16T13:56:00.007-07:00

I also need to share a bit of a speed bump that I had last week.

I was trying for my second canter last week on Tacki and I fell off.

It was the first time for a "real" fall for me in 5 years or so. (I have fallen off bareback a couple of times just fooling around). I was stiff for a couple of days, but I survived.

As I was cantering Tacki she ducked her shoulder to the inside. I over compensated and it just got worse from there. I finally decided to bail off but by then it was too late, I already was "falling with style" as Woody said to Buzz Lightyear.

It was NOT Tacki's fault. She doesn't have a mean bone in her body and didn't buck, I just lost control of her shoulder wasn't able to think fast enough to fix it. I hate it so much that I "grab" when I get scared... it is just the opposite of what I need to do.

What's ironic is that my last fall 5 years ago was nearly the exact same event. Delight ducked her shoulder ( out that time) and I fell off hard like a sack of potatoes. Delight was definitely being dishonest. I was really lucky. I wasn't wearing a helmet and I did hit my head. I also hurt my back badly that time.

The difference this time is that I knew what was happening even as it was happening, I just couldn't get my body to work right fast enough. The first time I fell it took me YEARS before I understood what happened.

So I guess I need to work some more on shoulder control, eh?

I did get back on and cantered both directions. Tacki is a very forgiving mare. She really is a wonderful horse.

One of the best things that came out of this is that my AOF did not kick in this time. I think I must really be making some progress against that Monster!

AOF - Nada. Me - Three Million!

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Catching Up - Part Two

2011-01-16T12:55:00.005-07:00

Not of me, but of how I feel!

I went to the second jumping show yesterday. I was worried again, but this time for different reasons; "What if my wins last month were a fluke? What if I fall off? My goodness, I haven't ridden Delight in the English saddle in a month!" Worrying is my specialty it seems.

In the weeks before the show I had been teasing Sandra, who planned to ride Sam, about riding against "The Champion of the World," and that she needed to "Be Very Afraid." I didn't really expect to duplicate my wins of last month so I talked a lot of friendly "smack" with her. Sandra is my endurance riding buddy. In the summer we spend a lot of saddle time together and I enjoy riding with her very much. This winter we haven't been able to ride together much and so I was looking forward to spending the day with her almost as much as I was the show itself.

My husband Tom came along with us, so I had several of my best friends there: Lyn, Nancy, Pat and Sandra. I am so grateful and blessed with my circle of friends.

This time the jumps had numbers on them so learning the course was much easier! I didn't need the help of my little bitty pony girl to figure it out. I saw her pony there but he had a different rider on his back. Maybe she was her big sister.

I was a little later getting into the arena this time for warm ups. There were also nearly twice as many entries into this show so warm ups were quite chaotic. It was hard to get Tacki to settle in and drop her head. One of the areas Tacki is the greenest is in playing off of the emotions of the other horses. It's one of the biggest reasons I wanted to take her to these shows. She is a forward little horse and if another horse is cantering she thinks that the race is on! I am sure my hands were too high and my seat too forward, but I tried to work on them.

I worked Tacki for 1/2 hour and then I rode Delight into the arena. She was buddy sour, screaming and nearly bucking. Between hoping I could sit the English saddle that I was riding in and trying to keep her from darting out the gate every time we passed it, I was smiling at my little red dragon. Delight also picks up on the energy of the horses around and she thought she should gallop around like they were. I know my hands were high and I was quick to grab her, but again I concentrated hard to get us both settled.

Delight and I were first up. I could never get her into a nice even working trot in my training round nor my actual round. I knew we were too fast so I actually brought her down to a walk over the last "fence" both times. The first round we were 6 seconds off the pace and the second time we were only 3 seconds off.

Tacki had settled down quite a bit before my rounds on her. She always does better out there alone. There is something about this little mare that I love - actually there are many things I love about her- she really tunes in to her rider and tries very hard to trust when she is afraid. When we are both focused it is a wonderful feeling. On our training round she nearly refused one "jump" but I think it was my fault. We were coming around a tight circle and I didn't get her straight and focused on time. We were 4 seconds off the pace. The second time was very nice and we were only ONE second off of the pace!

Then Sandra rode Sam for his two rounds. During the warm up time Sam had been a little bit of a handful. Sandra is a great rider and she handled him beautifully. Sam's tail was flying. He was so lovely! Their training round was only off by 6 seconds. Their second round was better and only off of the optimum time by ONE second!

So, once again I took first AND second place! And, Sandra shared first place with me! I could not have dreamed up a better outcome! Congratulations Sandra, "Wee Ha!"

There were 16 rounds, twice as many as the last show.

Maybe I am learning to ride these horses after all? What a nice boost to my confidence. This is the second time in my adult life that I have won a ribbon riding horses. It has been beyond my biggest hopes and dreams.

The best part?

AOF - Zip. Me - Two Million!

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Some Catching Up to Do - Part One

2011-01-16T11:48:00.006-07:00

No, it's not me. Just a lovely picture. In fact, I don't jump. My classes at the jumping show are over ground poles in between the standards.

I have a few things that I want to share, things I should have blogged here about as they were happening, but life got in the way.

I went to the Jumping show on the 18th, and won first AND second place! I took First on Tacki and Second on Delight.

I have never tried anything like this. I went because the series is a fundraiser for Nancy Roche and her horse Breezer so that they can go to some big horse shows this year. I took Tacki* because she is my green endurance prospect and I wanted to expose her to other horses, scary jumps etc. I took Delight because she is mine and I love her. ♥

My goals were to remember the course, and to not have any refusals. Oh, and staying on the horse was a goal too! The first time they blew the start whistle it spooked Tacki and she almost fell down right underneath me. Everyone laughed, including me.

One thing I loved was that while I was having to remember all that stuff the Fear Monster was pushed right out of my brain. In fact, trying to remember everything turned out to be an unexpected bonus. "Which is the next jump? Stay straight, keep the horse soft, keep the working trot pace, and oh yeah, 'Which one is the next jump?' " I was focusing so hard there was no room left over for fear in my brain. I felt like I was riding like I did as a kid. It was a wonderful, powerful feeling.

There was a little bitty girl on a little bitty grey pony who helped me learn the course. She was the cutest thing. Her mom was trying to explain to me the mysterious symbols on the jump map and she suggested that her daughter lead me through the course. She was so proud to be helping a grownup! I gave her my second place prize, which was a bag of yummy candy! She was in another class, so I didn't see how she did.

So, I was not expecting to place, let alone win! I was one second off of the optimal time with Tacki and 4 second off with Delight. There were eight rides in the competition.

AOF - Zero, Me - One Million!

*Tacki (and Sam) belong to Lyn Kinney of Blue Note Arabians. Sandra and I are conditioning them for Endurance this summer.

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A Breakthrough!

2011-01-09T10:21:00.003-07:00

On Friday I had a wonderful breakthrough!

I cantered Tacki both directions in the indoor arena. I was a little scared, but not uncontrollably so. I know I will be able to canter her whenever I want to now. I can't wait to canter her again! What a wonderful feeling to have after suffering years of fear.

Most of Tacki's training has been at the walk and trot. I have cantered her up hills, and a teeny bit out on the trail. He original trainer has started her in a canter, but Tacki is still green and unbalanced.

Since Tacki has had only a little bit of canter work my ride was all head up and hollow back, me with elbows flying at first. I was worried that I was getting in her way up front so I pretty much dropped the reins and tried to steer with my legs a la Clinton Anderson's passenger lesson. I wanted to make sure I didn't get in the way of her "forward". It was really hard to trust her, as she is so green. But we did it!

AOF, Take that!

A New Saddle

2011-01-04T21:28:00.005-07:00

I am in the process of buying a new saddle. It's my first English saddle ever. When I was a kid I rode English quite a bit, but never owned my own saddle.

It's a brown Wintec 500 All Purpose.

I am hoping it will serve two purposes. Number one I want to continue learning to ride dressage. I have been learning that dressage is a wonderful cross training for endurance.

Number two, if I can get confident enough riding in it I would like for it to be a future endurance saddle. It fits all of the horses I ride without having to add padding. I love the cordura Western saddle I have been riding in, it is as comfortable as they come, but I have to heavily pad it in the front. This adds weight and also adds heat to the horse's back.

I'll share some observations about it as I go along. So far so good. I have ridden Tacki and Delight in it at a walk and a trot, and it is the saddle I was riding Delight in at the jumping clinic. I still need to canter in it. That darn canter! Actually I just haven't had a good opportunity yet. Soon. I promise myself!

Jan 4, 2011

2011-01-04T15:45:00.006-07:00

I had a great ride today. I lent Delight to one of the boarders so that she could take her granddaughter on a trail ride. The granddaughter was riding her (the boarder's) horse named Cody. I planned to ride Tacki.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances I had to stay back and do a few things at the barn and they took off without me. I rode out on Tacki alone, riding in my new English saddle. I have only ridden her out alone one or two other times, and I can count on one hand the times I have ridden I have ridden in this saddle. English saddles are scary doncha know!

I headed down the road that I thought my friends had gone down and as soon as we were almost off the property Tacki started getting sticky feet. Instead of fighting with her I abandoned the idea catching up with my friends and turned around back to the farm. I didn't force the issue as I really wanted this to be a relaxing adventure for both of us. And, I knew my friends were at least a mile down the trail ahead of us. I didn't feel like hurrying to catch up with them.

Tacki on a ride this summer

Tacki and I went all over the property (It's 100 acres or so), but not up and down the hills as the ground is too hard and uneven. I love riding this little mare. Sometimes she was very worried but with the slightest encouragement from my legs or hands she gave it her best try. She's not 100% trusting of me yet and she scooted a couple of times. But I am so pleased with her try that instead of becoming uneasy it made me look forward to seeing how she does after a whole summer of riding her out. We will be going out lots more times as we get ready for the endurance season.

In the end, I am glad I rode out alone today because I have some wonderful quiet time to think about things other than my troubles. Sounds corny but the horses really are a balm for my soul. After Delight, Tacki is my favorite horse to ride right now. I am really looking forward to our summer of riding together.

Oh and I did just fine in the scary saddle. Maybe I will get my love of riding English back after all....

Char

2011 Bucket List

2011-01-02T20:01:00.004-07:00

I posted this challenge on my Facebook page today. I have edited it to add a few more of my "horsey" dreams here for my equine minded readers. My challenge is the same here, make a list and I will send it back to you in 6 months.

I want to challenge you, my friends and family, to make a few sort of New Year's un- resolutions.

This morning I was writing in my oft neglected gratitude journal. After writing my few things I am thankful for my mind turned to the second half of the page where I record random dreams for the future. Things I have written in that section over the months have included such grandiose things as buying a house to incidental things like having a baby goat named Lovely. I believe that giving myself permission to sit and dream for a few minutes each day and then reading back over the months of the things my childlike heart has dreamed about has been the most a healing and freeing practice that I have endeavored to do in 2010. My only regret is that I did not sit down more often and record these dreams more often than I did.

Ahh, but had I practiced more "discipline" then perhaps I would have lost some of the freedom of that exercise, thereby defeating it's purpose!

Anyway, back to this morning. Although I would love to share with you the journey of a Gratitude/Dream journal and to encourage you to embark on it with me, my challenge for you is much simpler.

It occurred to me this morning to make a list of dreams and desires for this year, a sort of Mini Bucket List. Some of the things on my list included:

1) Ride Star in her first endurance ride (25-30 miles)

2) Try a 50 miler on Delight

3) Try a Dressage test, maybe on Sam?

4) Become a member of AERC, PNER, AHA, and MHA and start collecting points for my endurance rides

5) More LD's on Takima

6) Canter at will on Sam, Tacki, Star and Shuga

7) Learn to make goat milk soap

8) Begin trying out a new recipes once a month or so.

I am challenging you all to make a short list like mine. If you make a list and send it back to me I will send it back to you in 6 months or so and you can be inspired by the things you have checked off, and/or be inspired to try for some more things on your list. Your list can be as long or as short as you like. I will put it on my calendar so I can remember to send them all back.

The things on this list are NOT resolutions nor are they self-improvement goals. They are NOT rules to live by in 2011 nor even positive changes we want to make. Resolutions and goals and changes are all good, even if they difficult to keep through a whole year. What I am asking for ARE dreams and endeavors that unless life makes a dramatic change (as it is wont to do!), that can be at least "tried on for size". Think, "Something new."

" I want to lose 20 lbs" does not fit in this list. "I would like to try out an aerobics class." or "I want to check out the Wii fit program on my son's Wii." do fit... kinda. However, I challenge you to think bigger than this. Do you have anything you would like to learn to do, but have never made the time; a new recipe, a craft, an adventure? What about trying a different variety of flower in your garden or learning a new sport? What about a drive to visit a place you have always wanted to go to but just haven't ever made time to do it. Think outside your box, I dare you!

Remember, no resolutions allowed, those are for another list.

Take a few minutes to dream. It's good for you!

Looking forward to a dream filled 2011,

Char

Ready For The Jumping Show and a Saddle

2010-12-17T18:37:00.004-07:00

So no cantering on Tacki today although mentally I absolutely could have. We set up some jump standards and ground poles and I worked on getting Tacki and Delight used to them for the show tomorrow. Delight will be a piece of cake as long as I ride her "Western" on a loose rein. Tacki was really concerned, but she never refused and did her best to trust me. I love riding that mare, she is such a pleasure to ride even in her greenness.

I tried out a Wintec AP saddle today. It fit Delight and Tacki well. It is not my dream saddle but I think it might be a good transition-to-English-Endurance-type-saddle. When I am riding in it I feel like I am driving a Chevette with vinyl seats. My dream saddle will fit me more like a Jaguar. Unfortunately it will cost like one too. So, all that to say it's not real comfortable but I think it will do. It is 175oo. Of course I don't have the money right now. I am thinking about asking the tack shop where I have my western saddle on consignment if they want to buy it outright.

So tomorrow I will be going second up in the whole show. I am right behind Mr Mitleider. I was sure to thank Nancy for that honor. >.<

I haven't ever memorized anything but a trail course since I was 16. I figure if I can get the horses to actually trot the course in the right order I will be happy. I am thinking of using the English Wintec on Delight... we'll see how brave I am.

Pushing Forward

2010-12-16T09:53:00.004-07:00

I finally cantered on Sam yesterday! Yeah it was on the longe and it was awkward unbalanced, clutching, tense, insert all the appropriate adjectives here... but I did it!

I have a hella time staying over my inside leg at the canter and Sam is one of those horses you have to direct every body part or he will trip over himself and fall over. (Well, not really, but he is still very unbalanced.) He also is very lazy and has to be kicked up to stay round and engaged even at the slower gaits. Nancy said I looked great so I must have done something right in there somewhere. Next step is to do this off the longe. It won't be long! Stay tuned for updates next week!

Here is a nice picture of Me riding Tacki and Sandra riding Sam.
We were doing some desensitizing work on this day...

I have decided to take Tacki and Delight to a Jumping Show on Sat. It is a winter series put on by my trainer Nancy. NO I WON'T BE JUMPING! In fact will be riding in my tacky cordura western saddle. My Sexy Breeches should make things all better right?? Ha ha.

At the show the rounds are all timed and there is a certain target time put on each level. The goal is to finish in that amount of time with no faults. I will be in the class where you ride your horse through the course with all the rails down. There will be ground poles to ride over in each jump. I am taking Tacki for experience and Delight so that I will have one horse that I won't fall off of in front of everybody. Neither of them has even ever SEEN a jump course.

I know I am probably asking for trouble, but it should be fun and maybe another blow to my AOF. Sara Mittleider's parents will be there with some horses (Google her!) No I will not be intimidated at all... I will just enjoy being in their presence... I will enjoy... I will enjoy... and be in awe :)

Horse Racing Festival of Lithang, Ba e

2010-12-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

12.8.10 continued...

2010-12-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I didn't ride either of my training horses! My endurance partner Sandra came to ride Sam. I ride Sam most often because she can't. But, she is the one who rides him in the Endurance rides. I can only ride one out on the trail at a time! Darn! We had an issue with not having enough tack. When she was done riding Sam we tacked up Tacki and I encouraged her to ride her too. Sandra has only had the opportunity to ride "my" Tacki a couple of times. It was really fun watching them. Seeing someone else ride her really helped me see some of the progress that I am making with her!

I came across a lovely quote yesterday: "The horse you get off of is not the same horse you got on. It is your job as a rider to ensure that as often as possible, the change is for the better" - unknown author

Wed Dec 8, 2010

2010-12-09T08:37:00.002-07:00

Well, today is training day. I will be riding Sam and Tacki the two little black Arabs. I didn't sleep well and I don't have cream for my coffee so I am starting a little slow. I need to shower and heat my soup to go into my thermos and head out.

I have cantered Tacki but only out on the trail, and I have yet to canter Sam despite being the one who started him 2 years ago. Even though the arena is super little dark and spooky My plan is to "get over it" and canter them both in the indoors soon. This summer unless they sell I will be doing endurance rides on Tacki and hopefully Dressage test or two on Sam (and maybe Tacki though she is much farther behind in her training.)

Winter Is Here!

2010-11-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

We have had some pretty cold temperatures and now a few inches of snow. Winter is officially come to Idaho.

Moving hay from the hay barn down to the paddocks

I really enjoy the snow. I think, If it is gonna be cold, it might as well snow so we can enjoy it!

The horses don't seem to mind. In fact they are friskier than usual when the temperature drops. I have decided to go ahead and blanket Tawshi, however. Of my 3 horses she is the only one who shivers sometimes when it is cold.

Delight and Star just walk around with a blanket of snow on their backs. I suppose if there is snow on the roof, the house is well insulated. I love their warm fuzzy winter coats. They are my living teddy Bears!

Tom and Star

One of the things I enjoy most about my horses is how very affectionate they are. All three of them gently vie for attention and scratches when we go into their paddocks. Most of the time they will come right to me for attention. Pick me! Pick me! They seem to say.

Pick ME!

Ok, I choose you both!

Blogging again...

2010-11-21T11:17:00.000-07:00

I have realized that I have spent too much time and energy sharing things on Facebook and not enough time here. On Facebook my photos and experiences go into dusty photo folders. Here I have this beautiful uncluttered palette. What have I been thinking?

My Delight

I have so much to share. My horse life is very busy right now. I am riding 4 horses (well 3 and 1/2 but that is another story) for Blue Note Arabians, as well as our three. My goal is to get at least one ride on each one every week. A huge undertaking to say the least. We are riding in a new spooky arena, and I am getting lots of chances to work on my AOF. I am grateful for this time of riding lots of horses. I am growing so fast!

I am branching out into a little dressage training, hoping to ride in a few 'Test of Choice" shows next Spring. On which horse, I don't know. I have lots of choices and lots of time!

This summer I rode Delight in a 2 day endurance ride called the Pink Flamingo. The first day was 30 miles and the second was 25. Then I rode one of Lyn's horses, Tacki in a 25 miler this fall. I have really been bitten by the endurance bug... so much to share here about that!

Delight at the Pink Flamingo Ride 8/10

I am more inspired than ever before on this journey with horses. With the support of my friends and family I have been blossoming as a rider and horsewoman. I have even lost a little weight along the way.

Yeah. Life's good with horses in it.

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Speedy has a new home

2010-01-08T22:15:00.006-07:00

A chapter has been closed today. Speedy is going to a new home. He will be adored by some very lucky grandkids. His new owner plans to clean him up and present him to them this weekend with a big red bow. He already has a new purple halter. I really hope she sends me some pictures of the event!

I am confident that he is going to be a very happy boy in his new home!

Happy trails Speedy! You have come a long way and I pray that you will have a long, happy, kid filled life.

I have such mixed emotions. I will think very hard about ever buying another horse because selling them is so hard. Especially with Speedy and Spinner.

It has been quite a journey from rescue to solid citizens and kids horses. I don't regret a single bit of it. In fact, I feel like I have learned and grown as a person and as a horsewoman.

Will I do it again? Maybe someday. Gotta let this tender place heal for a while.

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Speedy Learns English

2009-12-11T17:41:00.009-07:00

Now that my son has outgrown Speedy I need to sell him - that is the horse needs to be sold, not the boy. There is now officially no one in our house who is small enough to ride him. Sure, I do put training rides on him myself, but he is nowhere near big enough to be a regular mount for me. And grandkids, well lets just say I am hoping for some, but they are too many years away to justify letting this horse stand around.

I am praying two things. One that he will get a great home not far from me like his brother Spinner did; and two, that it will be a long long time before I ever have to sell another horse. It is heart wrenching to give him up. It isn't that I don't want another kiddo to love him, in fact that is my dream for him. What worries me is that once he is sold and the papers are signed I lose all control over what happens to him. My fear is that someday he might end up in a worse place than the one where he began.

In October I had the opportunity to send him for a month of English training. My hope is that the more rounded his training the better of a show pony prospect he will be. I am very pleased with the results. In fact, we found out that Speedy likes to jump!

Here are a couple of pictures of him with a little girl who recently came to try him out. He was a super star for her that day. I was so very proud of this little guy whom 2 years ago was starving in somebody's field!

I have a few ads out there and if he doesn't sell by Spring I may have someone ride him in a jumper show. Isn't there anyone out there who needs a pony who is practically perfect in every way?

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Happy Trails Foxy!

2009-12-11T12:09:00.006-07:00

A am so pleased to share that the gal who has been leasing Foxy has decided to buy her. She also owns Spinner and I couldn't be happier with the home where they live!

Picture in your mind trees and a river bank and grass...

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A Moonlit Ride

2009-12-03T19:14:00.004-07:00

A Moonlit Ride by Carol Herlihy

There's moonlight dancing o're snow covered ground
Enticing me out for a late night 'go round'
Donning jacket, some gloves, and a wool hat
I sneak out the backdoor, silent as a cat.

Emerging outside in the brisk winter air
A soft nicker of welcome from my sweet mare
She's chestnut and furry, a right jolly old girl
Oh, my pretty pony is always up for a whirl

With two hay strings attached to the halter for reins
she knows what we're doing, no need to explain
As we ease open the gate and head for the stump
I slide onto her back and pat her round rump

Into the forest so silent and still,
Are you ready to go for a wild winter's thrill?
The trails are all silver, with shadows in blue
Dark pines like sentinels, watching us two

Threading the woods on these ribbons of snow
Twisting and winding to the meadow we go
Prancing and jigging then tossing her mane
We dash away over the sparklingly plain

Her hoof beats fall silent in this white ocean expanse
Moving faster and faster, as fast as we chance
Wind tingles my cheeks, my heart's pounding away
Skimming over the snow, whichever which way

She brakes to a trot, sending snow all about
Her breath plumes of white as she exhales it out
Arching her neck and pricking her ears
Dancing and prancing, shedding her years

Back into the woods so silent and deep
no sounds mar the silence, all are asleep
the moon and the stars are our beacons of light
as we head back for home, its nearing midnight

I slide off her back and remove all restraints
then toss her some hay so I'll hear no complaints.
A pat and a hug plus a hard rub of the head
then it's back in the house and quick off to bed.

I came across this poem HERE and thought I would share. I haven't ridden at night in a long time. I feel inspired.

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Junior Apprentice Trimmer

2009-12-03T13:56:00.005-07:00

Today Julie came out to trim Star and Delight's feet. Star was her usual wiggly self. She doesn't believe in just standing about and relaxing in one place.

The whole time I was holding her she was moving her head around getting into everything within reach. She thought she needed to make a call on Julie's cell phone and spent a lot of time trying to pick it out of her pocket. Then she tried to get eye level with the work Julie was doing on her front foot. I swear it looked like she was trying to learn what Julie was doing. Then she grabbed the hood on Julie's jacket and then the strap on the back of her chaps. Then she did it all over again. Can horses have ADD?

Then it was Delight's turn for a trim. Star was like a 3 year old child rather than a horse. She was there the whole time, getting into everything, busy busy busy. Delight just sighed. Being the mother of a few busy kids myself, I can relate.

The "Off" Season

2009-12-01T18:39:00.004-07:00

This morning I spent some time out in the pasture with Delight and Star. I haven't done that in a long while. It was a bit foggy and a lot cold. I expected to be breaking ice and filling water tanks. Some sort of December miracle happened however, and my kids had already completed that chore. I found myself with the valuable gift of free time.

I used a curry and went straight to their itchy spots, leaving the "start at the head and work your way back" grooming rule completely behind. If I spend too much time on one, the other gives me a gentle reminder by bumping me gently with her head.

My horses have a way of drawing me into their herd, grooming my hair with their noses and breathing into my face. They come close and press their heads and necks in for a hug. Their love and acceptance fills up the deepest reservoirs of my spirit.

I am thankful.

Sometimes when I am grooming one, she grooms the second, wiggling her nose all over her wither. Today the second turned around and groomed my back, so we three were a complete circle of happy groomers.

This is the "off" season for riding. The days are short and cold and the weather seldom cooperates even for a trail ride. But, it's the time to reconnect really. No training schedules, no time lines.... just time to be with my pony girls.

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Quote of the Day

2009-10-28T20:15:00.005-06:00

This quote expresses what I am trying to learn right now.

"Something I often tell my students is: Before the horse can make a change, you have to make a change. This doesn't necessarily mean a physical change either. It can be a mental change - changing the way you view your riding. If you've ridden in a particular way for ten, or even five years, and achieved show ring success with this style, it becomes almost a leap of faith to accept that there can be more beyond this. It is a huge act of humility to admit that you may not be *correct* in your riding, after several years, and put yourself back into the mind of a beginner and have to learn to learn again. "

This is taken from the webpage: Why Ride Classically

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"Every Cowboy needs a Horse"

2009-10-14T23:53:00.001-06:00

"I Wish I Had a Horse"

2009-10-14T23:51:00.001-06:00

From the Milk Stand

2009-06-29T20:37:00.006-06:00

I know, I know... this is a horse blog. But I love all of my critters so that's what I like to write about!

I have been milking Mia for almost 3 months now and I have learned so many things from her. Almost every day has a lesson for me and I have witnessed several amazing events as I have sat in the same place at the same time everyday. I am beginning to think that everyone should sit in the same place morning and evening and just look around. But, more about that later.

So to begin I will show you my stand.

The clear vessel with the red rag inside is my milking bucket.

I sit here every morning and every evening at 9 o'clock. To the left is the small goat pen and to the right is the chicken coop. In the background you can see one of my brooder pens for the chicks and turkey. In the back corner are the grain bins containing various and sundry feeds for the many species of animals on our farm.

The orange cord brings power to the heat lamp for the smallest chicks. It's not in use right now as those chicks are grown and have a "date with destiny" soon.

In the foreground is my helper Amelia. She tests the goat milk every morning and evening for me. If the milk ain't right, it doesn't go into the house!

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Mia Moo Update!

2009-06-29T20:01:00.009-06:00

Mia is doing so well! She has grown attached to me and me to her. I have to be careful when I go outside because if she hears my voice she cries until I go and pet her. Most of the time I am happy to oblige.

I brought Merri home to be her pal, but right now she still prefers me and pushes her away. I have high hopes that they will become sisters in time. Merri has every sign of being a sweet loving goat. I can't wait to have two "mooing" for me!

Mia gives a gallon of milk a day. She gets all of the Show Chow she can eat along with a handful of grain at each milking. She also gets free choice grass hay and alfalfa. She loves to be brushed and her coat is now very shiny as a result.

Her feet are slowly coming around. I have her almost upright on one of her back feet, but the worst one still has a ways to go. Here and here is what they looked like when we got her. I trim a little off of them once a week.

I have only had her for 3 months and she has improved so much. I can't wait to see what the next 3 bring!

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Merri Moo

2009-06-28T23:53:00.008-06:00

Meet my new dairy goat Merri! She is a one year old grade Nubian. She is 1/8 La Mancha, but I will try not to hold it against her. I do love long Nubian ears!

I got her to be a companion for Mia. I sold Java last month to a family with little children. I don't have time for a goat without a job, so I got another doe. This Fall I will breed her as well as Mia. I suppose then I will have to decide who I am going to milk. Milking two sounds overwhelming right now!

Mia is doing very well. I tried to get some updated pictures the other day but they didn't turn out. I plan to post some very soon. Her coat is nice and shiny, and her feet are slowly getting better. She has become a very sweet goat.

Java in Motion

2009-04-17T09:18:00.003-06:00

So, yeah I know this is a horse blog... but I have to share a couple of cute vids of my baby goat!

Enjoy!

Mia is doing well too... hopefully this week I will be able to give her a bath and then I will put some pictures up of her too. She is putting on some nice weight and she has had her feet trimmed twice already. I'll give her her own blog post. I am enjoying her so much!

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1 Week Old Java

2009-04-03T16:50:00.003-06:00

Java is really growing strong. I am so pleased as I was worried that he wouldn't even survive the condition that his mama was in when we got her.

He still loves his tote even though he is outgrowing it. Hopefully, no not hopefully... we WILL have his outdoors pen finished this weekend and he will go out and live next to his mama like a real goat should!

I have been house bound with near pneumonia and he has been an entertaining diversion during my convalescence, but it is time for him to go outside! He is sleeping less and less and demanding more attention.

Believe it or not he is house broken... ha ha I would never have thought it was possible to housebreak a goat. We have been diligent to take him outside when he wakes and when he eats and he knows what he is supposed to "do". It is so funny. If he hadn't come so quickly after we got his mama and I hadn't gotten sick and unable to build his pen outside, we would never have learned this little known goaty secret!

Maybe someone needs a pack goat they they would like to keep in their tent without worries about accidents? I can dream right?

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It's a boy!

2009-03-28T13:12:00.003-06:00

Mama Mia freshened on Thursday! She gave me a buckling. He is skinny, but otherwise healthy.

The (human) kids have decided to name him "Java" because he is the color of frothy coffee.

Basically he eats:

Sleeps:

And PLAYS!

Welcome little Java!

Mama Mia is doing well. She has shown us that she is a veteran milker, jumping up onto the stand and bawling for her grain. She has gotten her shots and has been dewormed and has had her first foot trim. We weighed her and found her to be 25-30 lbs underwieght. So far no signs of any illnesses she might have picked up from the feed lot!

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Mama Goat

2009-03-25T14:10:00.004-06:00

Okay, I did it again... I have rescued a another needy creature.

Not a horse this time though... she is a goat!

I thought maybe I would like to try my hand at a milk goat so I looked around and found an ad on Craigslist that said "6-7 thin goats". I called on it and it turned out to be a goat (meat) dealer. He told me he had only one Nubian. She was a former 4H project and was ready to freshen in the next couple of weeks.

He warned me that she was thin and that she needed her feet done badly.

I went yesterday to look at her. It was already dark by the time I was there, but I could tell even by the light of the flashlight that she was 1)very sweet and 2)in need of some serious TLC.

I am so very, ummm dissapointed in the people who let her get into this condition, let alone in a feedlot waiting to be slaughtered - especially if they were a 4H family. I am pretty passionate about this subject, but I'll save that rant for another day. I want this to be Mama goat's big debut.

I walked her around the yard today and found that she leads very well. I was happy to learn that, as goats can be very stubborn. I hope she also has milking experience.

She doesn't seem sick at all, just in need of some groceries. I put her on a medicated feed today and and tonite I'll give her a CD and T shot to help stave off whatever she was exposed to at the feedlot.

Except for her bag it is even hard to tell Mama goat is pregnant. I really hope her kid survives. It is alive an moving inside her, but it is pretty small.

I will have someone over as soon as possible to help me with her feet. I don't think I have the knowledge to do them on my own.

I'll be trying to get some baby oil on her legs to soften the mud and treat the scalds on her legs as well.

She is really making up her bag. I hope she will hold off a while on having her kid. I want to get some more calories and those vaccines on board.

Welcome home goaty!

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A Spinner Update

2009-03-17T14:52:00.003-06:00

Today I received a set of pictures from Spinner's new owners. These pictures made me so happy!

Look at these boys having a great time foolin' around with their pony!

The(first) fella up on top is Keegan, Spinner's new boy:

This last picture - I have no idea what Foxy is into... looks like she thinks there is something yummy in the green house! I can tell she is real worried about all of that horse eating plastic!

I hope Keegan and Spinner have a whole summer full of adventures together!

Kinda makes ya want to go build a Fort and play Cowboy's and Indians, doesn't it?

Pony Express... Lone Ranger...

Ahhhh those were the days....

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Riding in a Rainbow

2009-03-16T20:35:00.003-06:00

Cody and I went for a ride today. He wanted to try out the new "buttons" on his horse. It was windy and rainy and sunny and warm and cold all at the same time! At the beginning of the ride was the rainy part and we saw a beautiful rainbow.

We didn't know it at the time, but Katy took a photo of us and it looks just like we are in the rainbow!

Cody is the rider in the white coat, I am the rider at the end of the rainbow

Here is a vid of the rainbow. Speedy was being a little antsy so Cody was asking him to "move parts of his body". I can't believe how much softer Speedy is getting!

We had a wonderful 2 hour ride. We went around a bunch of fields and we followed all of the canal banks we could find. We even met one of our neighbors and his son walking around enjoying our unusual weather.

At one point we flushed up some birds and Speedy squirted forward. Cody was able to bring him right back down to a stop within 4 or 5 steps. It was a courage building moment for Cody, knowing that his horse will "whoa" when it is most important to "whoa".

We have another ride planned for tomorrow. I hope Katy and Chase will join us.

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Happy Cody

2009-03-15T22:59:00.004-06:00

We brought Speedy home from the trainer's tonite. It was a three and one-half hour drive one way, and also several thousand feet higher in elevation. So the weather there was quite different than ours here!

The wind was blowing so hard and it was very cold! Thankfully it didn't rain or snow. But, it was miserable nonetheless.

I only got a few pics and a couple of videos.

Here is the boy himself.... Cody ! He was so happy!

Corrine rode Speedy first and I could tell that she really did a lot of work for the short amount of time she had him.

She had him turning on his hindquarters, turning on the forequarters, side passing... lope departures, stopping...

He didn't always look real graceful, but I loved how he was trying so hard for Corrine. I was really impressed with how often Corrine stopped to praise him too.

Meanwhile, the wind is blowing SO hard! I couldn't believe all that she was getting him to do in that weather.

Here is a vid of her asking him to side pass. You can see him get confused, she looks for the smallest try, rewards it and soon he is doing what she asked:

And one more video. When you watch it remember that Cody hasn't really ever loped much on Speedy except down the length of an arena. Also take note of the wind whipping through the gate. On the far side Cody couldn't even see. He had to close his eyes to keep the blowing sand from stinging them!

I am so pleased with how well they both did in spite of the horrid weather conditions.

Stay tuned to this channel because very soon I will be posting much better video of a softer Speedy and a more relaxed Cody. I think it is going to be hard to keep Cody off of his horse from now on.

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Riding out

2009-03-14T22:36:00.003-06:00

I had a wonderful ride on Friday that I thought I would share. I rode Delight out for almost two hours.

During the first part of the ride after we were warmed up we did some cantering on an area that had been plowed and leveled. The footing was perfect. Delight seemed to be listening pretty well so I decided to canter her straight up the hill. It was the first time I have ever done that. What fun!

Then, we moseyed all around Lyn's place and headed down the canal bank.

The mountains in the distance are where Bogus Basin is located.

It was the longest and farthest we have ever ridden out alone.

Sheep corral

This is an old sheep corral. In the foreground is a bridge across the canal. I was tempted to ride over there and look around, but I think I will ask permission first. I think it looks like there are lots of interesting things to see over there! I need to do it before the grass grows high and the snakes come out of hibernation for sure!

Fuzzy Shows

2009-03-06T09:41:00.006-07:00

Even though my heart is out on the trail this Spring I have been going to some "fat and fuzzy" horse shows.

I rarely take pictures because it is dark outside and dark in the indoor arena where they are held. A couple of my friends challenged me to actually take some pictures anyways.

So here's your proof girls:

This is right before the adult beginner showmanship class, which we won fair and square inspite of the fact that there was another person in the class. I am pretty sure we only won because Delight stood still-er than the other horse did. Don't tell Delight though... it might go to her head! First place was my favorite candy bar!

Delight won 2nd in the mares halter class - again I am pretty sure it is because she stood stiller than the 3rd place horse!

Here's proof that I really did tack up...

I had her all saddled up and ready to go and then they canceled my class! There weren't many adults at this show riding English.

Delight hollered the almost *whole* time so I got lots of training opportunities in the practice pen doing hips over, shoulders over, back up, sidepass, head down.... wash - rinse - repeat. It takes a lot to keep her little mind busy! Making myself focus on moving specific parts of Delight's body helped me to relax. It helped her too.

I used a bunch of my Julie Goodnight techniques which really helped, especially when I realized I hadn't shown in an English saddle since I was about 16! Yikes! And I hadn't ridden in a regular English saddle in months and months! (What was I thinking??)

So, while I didn't actually ride in a class, I did:

Tack up, ride in the warmup time (think 'mass chaos in a pickle jar'),
Sit for 30 min on my horse who was being a nutcase, and was able to calm both of us down!
I did all this calmly and without panicking and running back to the trailer to cower in terror.

Come on Spring. I am so ready to hit the trails!!

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Ride With Confidence!

2009-03-02T17:02:00.010-07:00

So today I don't have any pictures of what Delight and I did today, but I sure wish I did! I won a major battle with my AOF* today.

Before I share, lets back up a week or so....

When I went to the Equine Affairs I was really excited to hear Julie Goodnight speak. She had a couple of seminars on rider fear. I really took to heart the things that she said, and even bought her book and CD. I felt like the things she had to say really helped me to intellectualize my fear and put it into perspective.

One of the things that really impacted me was an equation she shared:

FEAR + GRIEF =DEBILITATION

It was in relation to post traumatic fear. I was surprised to find that most of my fear fits the post traumatic category, even though I haven't ever had a terrible wreck on a horse. I do have some "suspects" though, which I will share later.

Here is an excerpt from Julie's book Ride With Confidence! :

"Sometimes a traumatic incident in other areas of your life may lead to an increased fear around horses... Characteristic of post traumatic fear is a sense of loss and a high degree of frustration. A sense of grief can compound the feeling that you have lost something you once had, something very dear to you:the ability to ride unencumbered by fear. Sometimes people even fear that they have lost their riding ability and no longer have the skills they once had. " page 19

These words were written about me! I have been so frustrated by my fear of cantering. I know that I am not and never will be the worlds greatest rider. But, I used to have a halfway decent seat and I used to ride without fear. Riding horses used to be one of the things I thought that I was good at... Sometimes when I have climbed on the horses that I have started in the last couple of years I have been so afraid. I have always "done it anyway," but sometimes it wasn't too much fun.

"FEAR+ GRIEF =DEBILITATION This means that you can not deal with both of these emotions at once; it is simply too much for a person to handle. If you are suffering from this sense of loss and frustration in addition to your fear of horses, thinking that you no longer have the ability you once had before your injury, you must set aside your grief and deal with the fear first. You must have faith in the fact that you still have the same skill and ability that you had before your injury. You still have the same knowledge and skill with horses, you have just temporarily misplaced it. Once you have regained your confidence, you will ride like the wind again." page20

When I was able to identify grief as part of my AOF equation it was like a light bulb went off in my head! One of the things that I grieve is the loss of the 20 some years without horses. Even though I know that horses wouldn't have fit into my life for most of that time, I still often think to myself, "I need to enjoy every moment of this day with this horse... I don't have a lot of years left to enjoy them..."

Wow... that's a lot of pressure!

The other part of grief that I recognized was the loss of my first horse. My parents sold her right after I earned 6th place at the State Fair and had just completed the County Fair. They didn't tell me about it until the last day of the fair when my horse was loaded into some other girl's trailer to go home. Her loss makes me sad even just thinking about it now, 20 some years later. She was my world as a teenager.

So I have spent some time working through my grief in the last week or so. Acknowledging it, feeling it, moving past it. I know that it will pop up again as grief is wont to do, but I have decided not to try to bury it any more.

And today I reaped the first benefits of that hard work! I cantered on Delight! I have cantered her before, even hand galloped her. But today was different. I feel like something has broken free. I felt relaxed. I felt my seat moving with Delight. My head was clear. We did flying lead changes. It felt like my "feel" for the canter came back! My hands and feet and muscles were moving without direction from me. It was a huge breakthrough.

"You still have the same knowledge and skill with horses, you have just temporarily misplaced it."

Yes I have!

*Adult Onset Fear

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The Saddle B(r)itches

2009-03-02T12:08:00.008-07:00

Here is a rare picture... A bunch of B(r)itches all in the same place at the same time! We were gathered together to celebrate our friend Lyn's birthday. Karin decorated her horse trailer and hauled it to the horse show.

There are some ladies missing... We missed you! I am looking forward to many more (warmer) good times with you gals!

Left to right: Kathy, Karin, Lyn, Pat, and Denyce in front.(Shoot D! - I still don't know how to spell your name! sorry!)

Tom Rides Star for the First Time

2009-02-28T15:57:00.004-07:00

Well, my little filly is growing up! Star has been sat upon before, but today was her very first time to carry around a full sized rider. I am so proud of both of them! Tom rode her sever times around the RP in both directions.

Tom did all of the work himself. I just sat on my wooden bench in the sunshine and watched him work. he RP'ed her, sacked her with the rope, sacked her with the pad and with the saddle. He also bridled her today but didn't really focus on rein cues.

It is so fun for me to watch him work with the horses. He is a natural.

Here they are!

And one more of my proud cowboy with his trusty steed.

A Laugh for Today... and Tomorrow... and the Next Day

2009-02-26T10:54:00.001-07:00

French and Saunders

I have never seen this duo before, but they are hilarious!

Girls and Horses

2009-02-24T14:02:00.002-07:00

My good friend Courtney posted this video and I thought I would share it here. If you are a girl and you love horses... well... this one's for you.

Horse Affairs part 2: Dan Mink

2009-02-23T12:10:00.003-07:00

One of the headliners for this years Horse Affairs was a real live rootin' tootin cowboy named Dan Minck. I took a few vids with my cell phone. I really wished I had my real camera with me.

Here he is singing and twirling his lasso. He really is singing too - it's not a lip sync.

Here he spins it around his horse;

And, my favorite his horse lays down while he is riding bareback;

He also threw knives at his girlfriend, twirled his six shooters and his shotgun. It was quite a show!

I have several other vids... here is one more where he is snapping a target out of a little girls mouth with a bull whip while he is blindfolded!

Horse Affairs 2009

2009-02-20T23:39:00.004-07:00

I took several photos today with my cell phone at the Horse Affairs that I thought I would share.

9 month old Gypsy Vanner colts. Only 7500.00!

Cody with Richard Shrake

One of the most exciting things that happened was that Cody and I had several minutes with Richard Shrake before the Horse Affairs even opened. We were just walking down the aisle, and I was wearing an exhibitors badge (I was helping with the Arabian horse exhibit) and it caught Richard's attention. We stood and talked to him for a long time and Cody shared about starting and training his horse Speedy. Richard shared some of his first training memories, from when he was about Cody's age.

Later Cody and I attended some of his seminars and Richard kept talking to Cody. "Cody do you hear I am saying? Do you understand what I mean Cody? You have to...." He was very grandfatherly to him! He signed a book for him saying, "See you in the winner's circle Cody." What a nice guy.

I introduced myself to Julie Goodnight before the show opened too. I was so surprised to see her there and not a crew setting up for her that my mind went blank. I meant to tell her a few ways that her show had encouraged and helped me... but all I could stammer out was, "Hi Julie, I love your show. Welcome to Boise."

I felt like a pimply teen aged boy trying to ask his first crush to the dance. Gah.

I did shake her hand, however. I don't think I will ever wash it again.

Julie Goodnight teaches about Horse Psychology

Here's a candid cell cam pic of Stacy Westfall. I choked so badly when I introduced myself to Julie Goodnight that I didn't even speak to Stacy. I hope tomorrow before the show opens I have the nerve. I need one of my B(r)itches friends to egg me on I guess...

StacyWestfall

Here Cody points out some really cool longhorn horns for his Dad. I had my eyes fixed on the chinks below the horns. Wow I really want a pair of those!

And last but not least, (although probably the smallest), there was a baby service monkey being cared for in the booth across the way from the Arabian horse booth where we were.

As a rule I don't like monkeys, but this tot was so very, very cute!

What are those beady little eyes planning?

Speedy's Going to Boot Camp!

2009-02-20T23:18:00.003-07:00

So I sold enough tack to send Speedy to a real trainer for two whole weeks! he is going to work on his upward and downward transitions to the lope. I also asked her to work on his vertical flexion. She rides every day, so he will get a full 14 rides.

These pictures were taken of him this last week. I think that Speedy would make an amazing English pony!

Cody is a great little horseman who has a lot of natural "feel" for horse training.

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Selling some Tack and Crossing my Fingers

2009-02-16T09:04:00.004-07:00

I have the opportunity to send Speedy to a trainer next week. Her name is Corrina. She does a lot of work with Blazers and understands their temperaments. I have seen her ride and I have seen horses that she has trained. I am pretty excited about sending him to her.

I talked to her a few weeks ago bout putting some time on Speedy, working on his loping and on some finish work. Corrina said she didn't have any time until April... Well last week she said she had a cancellation and could I bring Speedy next week! Sure... except I don't have the money together yet! I have told my husband that I was going to earn my own horsey money this year. Now I am having to put my money where my mouth is! (Pun intended.)

So, I am selling some tack on Craigslist and crossing my fingers that at least the saddle sells so that I will have some "horsey" money to spend! I have gotten several calls already this morning about the small stuff I have for sale so I am pretty sure it's going to happen!

If this works out we may use Corrina to help with Star's training too.

Here's another pic of my great-niece brushing Speedy.

My Friends

2009-02-13T16:52:00.008-07:00

I thought I would share a picture of some of my favorite horsey friends. This is Sam and his "mom" and "dad", Lyn and Wayne. We had just finished riding lessons at the indoor arena and were blanketing the horses for the trip home.

It was a miserable cold day when this picture was taken... but we were out trying our best to enjoy our horses and it shows!

This summer when I am tempted to complain about the heat I will look at this picture and be thankful!

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A Small Visitor

2009-02-13T16:16:00.005-07:00

I love sharing my horses with horse crazy little girls! Today I had a pint-sized visitor who came and helped me do all of my chores, and then (of course) she got to go for a ride!

This is my great niece. I can't believe I am old enough to be a "great" anything. I remember as a kid that all of my "greats" were ooooooold people!

This is Caddy, one of my favorite hens. Caddy is an old lady - 6 years old!

First she brushed Speedy up, and he tried to eat her hat.

All I had at the house was a bareback pad, so she didn't get to ride "all by herself" but she didn't mind. I hooked up some reins for her, although the reins didn't really serve any purpose except for her to feel like a big girl. Her grandma (my Sister -in-law) got some pics with a big smile, but this was the best she got with my cell phone.

My niece is concentrating hard in this picture! She really wasn't scared at all. In fact, I would like her to be a little more scared. She is so brave!

Speedy is saying "Lets go!", or maybe he is trying to eat my mitten, or maybe both!

I lead her around for about 1/2 an hour or so. This girl LOVES horses! She kept reaching down and patting Speedy on the neck. This summer I am going to try to talk her parents about letting me enter her in a leadline class.

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I Hate Animal Abuse

2009-02-05T17:00:00.002-07:00

WARNING GRAPHIC PICTURE....

I hate animal abuse. I don't care if it is committed against a kitten, a horse, dog, or even an animal bound for the slaughter house. I believe that we have a moral obligation to all life to protect, preserve and honor. No, I am not a vegetarian. I eat meat. But I believe that even our animals destined to be harvested for food deserve dignity, respect and kindness.... but I am headed for a tangent here.

Today I went with Tom on a service call into the mountains. We pulled over to the side of the road right before we went into a pass so that we could make a few phone calls before we lost reception.

We had the windows rolled down and we heard a vehicle coming that was making a funny noise. It pulled around us and parked in the restaurant parking lot. The "funny noise" was coming from a dog's carcass that he was dragging behind his truck. The dog was tied to his bumper by a piece of bailing twine by his hind leg. this was NO accident. He didn't tie a dog by it's hind leg and then then "forget" it was there!

Tom took a picture while I called the sheriff. Actually I have called them three times today. It seems that Scumbag lives in the mountains and the Sheriff was in another part of the county today. They promised me they would go visit him tomorrow.

Sigh. I have emailed the officer this picture and I gave him a good description of what this monster looks like. I hope they do something. If they don't I might just send my little picture to the TV station....

No way this is an accident. NO WAY!

Goals Part One

2009-01-31T23:47:00.008-07:00

Figure, the Justin Morgan horse. The one who started it all...

So I have been thinking about some goals I would like to have for this year. Yes I know it is February already, but the sun is finally coming out, and so am I ... well sort of.

I have signed up fo the Morgan Horse Pathways program. I will be keeping track of the hours I spend riding and training Delight and Star. The first award starts at 75 hours. I think I can do that this summer, right? I hope the first award is a Tshirt... I have a feeling it will be a teeny tiny little lapel pin.

In order to join this program and win my prize: I had to register as a member $70, pay to enter the Pathways program $45, and work my butt off for a pin or a t-shirt worth less than 15 bucks.

Priceless.

The hours are cumulative and roll over from year to year, which is great but there is one catch - I have to be a member every year at 70 dollars a pop. Doesn't seem quite fair does it? I won't be breeding or showing at any rated shows, so there isn't really any reason for me to pay all of that money. Lessee that is...... 70/12 = ..... Five dollars and 83 cents a month.

I think I can afford that for a little bitty pin! Or maybe one of these:

I have a couple of other goals in mind too. I probably won't get any prizes for these goals, unless I buy a prize for myself, which is always a possibility!

So here they are. I am going to post them so that in the middle of the summer when I am being a big fat baby chicken I can look back and be inspired.

1) Get Star going well under saddle
2)Lope lope lope on Delight get over my fear of loping
a)continue with lessons
3)Get Delight (and myself) fit and go on a BIG trail ride, or CTR or whatever
4)Concentrate on learning to ride with my seat and with my feet
a)lessons!
5)Earn at least the first Morgan Pathways program's first award.

And always remember......

Star Enjoys Some Shavings

2009-01-31T20:21:00.006-07:00

The horses are in the small (sandy) paddocks in order to escape the muddy mess in the pasture. Lately I have noticed that Star has been sleeping in the "poo" area, so I bought her some shavings. I figured that I could keep both her and the pen cleaner that way.

She really enjoyed them!

I would really like to figure out how to get black animals' eyes to show up in pictures. We have a black lab who doesn't have eyes in pictures half of the time. Poor Stanley and Star!

Tonite I went outside to check on everybody and sure enough, Starry was lying in the shavings with her Good Mama Delight standing guard over her.

Squishing Speedy and Carousel Rides

2009-01-29T22:20:00.006-07:00

Midway carousel at Cedar Point, Sandusky Ohio

I have been riding Speedy... I know he thinks I am squishing him. It's rather fun training a horse that you actually outweigh. Nah... just kidding... I don't out weigh him... well... not by toooo much!

When I am riding him I feel like I am riding a carousel horse, except without the up and down, oh and without the wonderful calliope music. Usually at the indoor arena there is Country music in the air.

I think this carousel is in Europe

Speedy is so little and narrow, but so full of life and sparkle. I know it wouldn't do to take him on and extended ride, but for our short training rides he carries me with ease. He is a strong lil' guy!

As a kid, I loved the carousel at Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio because it had REAL horse tails. It was located at right at the entrance of the park and you could hear it's happy calliope music before you even made it through the entrance gates. I always rode it the first thing and the last thing of the day.

Can you see the real horse tail?

It was always my favorite carousel because it had REAL horse tails. I always raced to find the pony with the longest tail. When the music started and my magical horse began jumping up and down I would throw my head back and close my eyes.

I would give a lot of money for a picture of me on this carousel as a little girl

(These pictures and a link to information about the Midway Carousel at Cedar Point can be found HERE )

I even found a short vid that someone posted on YouTube of this ride:

No, I don't know any of these people!

When I was an even littler kid, I remember going to the Huron County fair and literally hyperventilating at the thought of riding the real ponies around and around in the little circle. I tried to memorize the feel of sway as I rode, and the sound of the squeaky leather saddle. I remember smelling the smell of the horse barns, and feeling the horses noses. I always tried to remember some of the horses names so that I could pick a "favorite" for when I had a horse of my own someday.

Here I am today on my carousel pony. Only a cell phone photo to share with you. It was a great ride. His neck reining is coming right along and I got a couple of really good stops on him today. He is flexing well side to side, but not at all vertically through his jaw and throatlatch. I am sure Cody never has asked him for that kind of give, I don't think he even knows how to ask. So we'll work on it. One thing at a time.

I am so thankful to have horses in my life and to have had the opportunity to rehab Speedy and Spinner. I feel like I am richer for the experience. I really hope that Speedy's dream kid shows up soon. I would love to see him shine in the show ring and on the trail again this summer.

A Walk in the Sun

2009-01-28T19:50:00.005-07:00

So the latest inversion has blown out and we has some sun today! I celebrated the blue skies by grooming Speedy and Star and then taking each for a walk down the road. It did my winter worn spirits some real good!

I can feel the seasons turning... I swear I can! Stay tuned for the first sign of Spring because I am already looking!

I have been enjoying getting Speedy ready for his new home. I have been riding him, teaching him a few leg cues and neck reining. Now when I go out to the pasture, he thinks *I* am his person and he come walking right up to me! He is a sweet patootie! I hope he gets a kiddo who wants a pony to spend time with, because he sure likes to be with people.

Here is the view that I will be having by the end of the summer.... the view between my Starry's ears! No, I wasn't riding her today. But, it won't be long!

After Speedy is sold I will be able to begin training my "perfect" horse as John Lyons would say. It is so nice to ride a horse that you know what cues are there, because you put them there yourself.

I hope I still have enough youthful nerves to get this girl going well under saddle. I have learned so much from training the Blazers... I hope I can apply it all to my Star.

Buds

2009-01-20T20:06:00.004-07:00

Two of my favorite equine friends, Delight and Sam

I wonder if Sam gets any radio stations? He is such a sweet boy, I'll bet if he does they are all love songs...

I rode these two in the indoor arena today. I am so thankful for the horses in my life!

Spinner

2009-01-15T17:02:00.003-07:00

I really really like this little guy.

I have been riding him, ostensibly to get him ready to sell. But, the more I ride him, the more I want to keep him! He is so sweet and willing. I rode him out from the barn today and other than hollering a couple of times he was good as gold. Seemed like the farther away we got from the barn, the more he listened to me. He is a trail horse delux! It was such a relaxing ride.

I had a really nice family look at him last weekend. They decided that he wouldn't be a good fit for their daughter.

In a way I am glad because I love this 'lil guy so much!

I am having serious second thoughts.

AHHHH!!! He Did it Again!!

2009-01-13T14:22:00.003-07:00

A snapshot from the production sale of 2007

Neil Hinck that is.

Neil is the founder of the Blazer Breed. His Blazer horse is a nice creation, and he did a good job of selective breeding for many years. But now he is old and ailing and lets just say that he hasn't been making the best of decisions concerning his horses, and concerning the budding Blazer Horse breed.

Last year when I got involved with our two Blazer Boys it was because I saw an ad for a "Production Sale" of more than 200 head of horses. I knew at the time this wasn't going to be a typical "production sale." With those numbers, how could it be? I went and visited the herd and, long story short, we wound up with Speedy and Spinner. Click on the label "Speedy and Spinner" below to read more of that story.

Recently I found out that this last summer Neil only had 3 or 4 babies born. A reasonable number. But then, he decided to put his favorite stallion out with the remaining mares. This Spring he will have a whooooole bunch of new babies in his field! All by the same stallion.

I have heard that he has gelded most of his stallion herd which is good news... but... still...all of those babies!

Here we go again!

It is so sad because there are some people out there who are promoting Blazers. They are doing some really great and responsible things to promote and save this gentle breed.

But then Neil does something like this and shoots all of their efforts in the foot. I don't think he even realizes that by flooding the market he is killing the value of all of the other horses... Not to mention that with herd numbers up again next winter, having to feed all of those weanlings...

Hoah Boy... will they go hungry? Will there be another "Production sale?" How many get to take the long trip to Canada this time?

Not my two. That's for sure.

Spurrin' Life in the Belly (From "A WalkThrough Grief")

2009-01-12T13:47:00.002-07:00

Melange of boots and spurs - from the Loveland, Colorado
Cowboy Collectibles Show & Auction, June, 1998

Whoa there pardner! What the heck kinda title is that for a post on a blog about walking through grief of the death of your mother?

I think it is a pretty good one. When you lose a loved one, your own mortality stares you in the face. You sift through things that you thought were valuable both in the physical and the unseen realm. I have been doing that sifting.

Time is short. It's almost half over for me, so I figure I can decide to keep living the way I have or I can choose to kick it up a notch and really live.

I have a horse who is lazy. He needs a little spurring now and then or else he chooses to just meander through life and let it all happen around him. I guess that's an ok way to be... laid back and lazy. But I want more. So, since this is the beginning of a new year I am going to set out a few goals, starting with spurrin' my life in the belly.

I want to figure out how to deal a final blow to my tendency to enable. I also want to finish the book "What's so Amazing about Grace". I need to learn to accept more of God's grace.

Strength and mercy. Judgment and Grace. I want to develop a soft hand and a firm heel this year.

Gonna do the same with my horses too. I have a pair of real life spurs that I will be wearing more often. Motivation. I also have a new set of nice long reins I bought from that Amish guy last summer. Loose reins and soft hands for my horses. Grace.

So if you see me in the grocery store looking out of place wearing my spurs, cheer me on.

Candy Canes and a Christmas Tree

2009-01-02T00:48:00.016-07:00

Every year we give our Christmas tree to the horses. They seem to really enjoy playing with it, tearing it up and eating it! Isn't this a great way to recycle trees?

It was a grey, gloomy, windy, muddy, miserable day. I am so sick of the mud! We had a record amount of snowfall over Christmas and then it warmed up to 40. UGH! When we buy our own place I have a plan all ready for managing *mud* for my horses...

Ted was the horse who loved the tree the best. He always would trot right up to it and munch on it and drag it away like a dog with a giant bone. We don't have him anymore and this was Foxy's first year to get a tree and since she was chicken, everyone else was chicken too... The Blazers didn't get a Christmas tree last year either, it was their first experience with this treat too.

Here she is telling everyone they had better run away. Spinner is waaay ahead of her!

We tried bribery. Most horses love peppermint. Especially Tawshi horses...

Isn't Star getting big??

Foxy is still worried about the green monster:

Speedy didn't go for the peppermint trick so we tried the 'ol "scritches in the right spot" trick.

It worked.

Tom and his girl Foxy (and Tawshi looking for another candy cane):

Foxy and Star:

Cherish and her boy Spinner:

Cute Overload

2008-12-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

I just love the internet!

My Drug of Choice

2008-12-22T17:37:00.006-07:00

I went for a trail ride today along the canal road. The snow was about 5-6" deep. I have ridden a horse in the snow before, but this was my first time riding Delight. She was pretty fresh, but once I let her out a little she settled and we had a great ride. I rode in a bareback pad and a plain grazing bit.

I had a friend along who was riding a green horse who was also pretty fresh... I won't say toooo much in case Lyn is reading this post. He did a great job, though and once he got his mare settled and we had fun plowing new trails.

Every time I ride my horse I feel like I have just taken the most wonderful drug. I come back relaxed and happy. All is right with the world.

Something a little different....

2008-12-11T09:38:00.005-07:00

... than pictures of a red horse. even if she is the most wonderful horse in the world!

This is one of my favorite horse videos. Lorenzo the Flying Frenchman. Enjoy!

"Called "The Flying Frenchman," Lorenzo perfects his routines on the beach near his home town of Saintes Maries de la Mer in southern France. His popularity has led this equestrian prodigy to perform at many prestigious venues, including the World Jumping Championships in Calgary."

Want more??

http://www.lorenzo.fr/page2/page2.html

On the trail... well sorta

2008-12-10T17:49:00.005-07:00

Fun

2008-12-05T21:32:00.006-07:00

So I had a bit of fun this afternoon with my Delight. First, I brushed her down and picked out her feet. I noticed that she was getting a bit of a mohawk , so I decided to trim her bridlepath. She doesn't tolerate clippers on top of her head, so I was trimming it with scissors. My friend who was watching me said, "Why don't you just use the clippers, they are laying right there?"

"Well, she has never let me use them on her head before... " I said, as I reached for the clippers.

I reached up and I'll be darned if she didn't let me trim her bridlepath, the long hairs coming out of her ears and her whiskers! It was the first time ever! I hope she remembers the next time I need to trim her for a show! You think she will??

I couldn't find anyone to hit the trails with me so i just plunked around Lyn's place.

I was pretty proud of myself... I rode Delight all alone on the backside of Lyn's hill. We couldn't see the barn or the pastures. I guess it was only a 20 minute ride but it is the longest/farthest I have ridden her out alone. She didn't get too antsy and I stayed relaxed and we had fun!

My Delight

2008-11-17T11:03:00.004-07:00

My sweet horse. I love her so...

I was hoping to be able to ride this weekend, but alas, this headcold kept me from it.

I did get Star into the roundpen though. She did just fine and seems to be ready for more. I want to really work on "float" with her. That is I want her to learn to keep slack in the rope when someone is handling her, and for her to anticipate the movements of her handler.

Star is growing so big. I need to get fuzzy winter pictures of her and everyone else to put up here.

That Time of Year Again.

2008-11-06T13:11:00.007-07:00

It's that time of year again. Ugh. Rainy season in Idaho. Some people around here call it "Mud Season." Same thing. It will be muddy and miserable until the ground freezes. Then it will be tolerable until the Spring thaw when we get to do it all over again.

It is snowing in the mountains now. Here is a picture of the butte behind the pasture. I was going to crop it to look similar to the picture at the top of this blog when i noticed that my chore buddy Amelia at the bottom. Can't crop my 'lil buddy out! See her widdle ears?

Here's a link to an earlier post I wrote about Amelia:

Thought I'd share the best sound in the world. I wish someone would record one of those relaxing musical things and put the sound of horses eating on them. You know, instead of the whale sounds? I sure would buy a copy!

I'm BAaaaaaAAaK!

2008-10-31T09:30:00.004-06:00

On the day after the kids 4h fair back in July I had to leave on an emergency trip to Ohio to care for my mom... I ended up spending the whole summer there with a few quick trips back home. I didn't have much time for blogging or for spending much time with my beloved horses. My dear husband was a real hero, taking care of the business, the kids, and all of the (other) animals on the farm.

When I was in Ohio I found my new favorite tack store. It's called the Painted Cowgirl. I was able to get a really great deal on a used trail saddle. I rode Delight in it yesterday and it fits me wonderfully and seems to fit her as well. I'll be getting an expert opinion on it before I take her out on a long ride, but for now I am in love! Here is a picture from the store (taken with my cell phone):

It is so comfortable and secure feeling! If it turns out not to fit Delight well enough, I will definitely be looking for a similar saddle to replace it! When I was a kid English was my favorite way to ride and I feel like I am being pulled back to my roots. It remains to be seen if this old lady body still has the muscle and balance to ride in an English style saddle. I sure hope so!

I really missed Delight and the other horses this summer. The first thing I did (after hugs and kisses all around for my family, of course) was to go out back and greet the horses and then bury my face in Delight's mane. I am so very blessed to have horses in my life.

Here are couple of pictures from a trail ride last summer...

I hope there is time to squeeze a few more trail rides in before bad weather sets in this Fall....