School is in Session!

Melody has officially started her training!

We took her training into the round pen.  She was very distracted because Star was screaming for her when I took her away - so annoying!  Star is really bad right now because she's in heat...mares...  I sent her off on the circle using the lunge whip as encouragement only, just moving it along the ground to keep her moving forward.  This is her first time with the whip - I've only ever used a lead rope when round penning her but it was time to put her big girl panties on and learn what all of the training equipment is.  She protested a little bit by cutting in and then would buck.  I disciplined her by sending her into the canter and when she got to the spot where she wanted to cut in, I would step into that space and "shoo" her out of it with the whip.  After a few times around she realized what she was doing wasn't working and did what she was told.  I asked for a trot for her "release" for being a good girl.  We switched directions and the same problem arose as before...cutting in and bucking.  Repeat discipline and she reacted but changing directions, bucking as she did so.  I forced her to change directions (back to the way I wanted) and she blew up again, bucking and kicking.  I got after her by sending her into a more intense canter (we have a large round pen, by the way - plenty of room for this stuff), not quite a gallop.  She responded by galloping.  Fine.  I kept her at the gallop until she gave in and went all the way around without cutting in and bucking.  Again, her release was trotting.  It wasn't long and she was licking and chewing so I thought that now would be a great time to stop and let that lesson process.  She stopped and I rubbed her all over with the lunge whip (like a carrot stick or stick and string, I don't have either so I just use my lunge whip).  I half expected her to move away but she didn't.  I wasn't holding her at all and she stood perfectly still while I rubbed her in every little nook and cranny on her body.  I figured that went so well so I thought I would see how she would do with the string part flipping all over her body.  Again, didn't move.  She was so relaxed and happy to let me rub her anywhere I wanted.

At that point I hooked her back up with the lead rope and reviewed some of the bending exercises.  She gave me her head going down perfectly.  When I asked for some flex first to the left, she didn't want to do it.  So we circled around and around until she finally stopped her feet and gave ever so slightly.  That was a good first step.  We repeated this on the right side with the same results at first.  I switched back to her left side and she circled around only once before stopping and giving me some flex.  Again, I repeated on the right side and she repeated the same behavior as she did on the left.  A few more times on each side and we ended with her flexing with almost no hesitation.  I made sure she knew she was a good girl by giving her lots of love!

We also reviewed moving her shoulders and hips.  Each time I asked her she resisted less and less.  I was getting the correct response (her feet were even crossing correctly with the correct foot going over the other one - BONUS!) with a lighter cue than when we started so we called it a night.  She was such a good girl and I told her so lots of times! 

Training day was a success!  Can't wait to get back at it tonight!

Until next time,
Lynell

Riding Gunner

Middle daughter had a great ride on Gunner over the long weekend.  I wish she could've gotten more rides in but our weekend was a blur!

Gunner has been acting kinda "studdy" (Star is in heat) lately so we round penned him before middle daughter got on.  We didn't know how he was mentally but soon found out that he was ready to work so she warmed him up and then they started working.  They were both relaxed and working well together.  Middle daughter's position was perfect!  I didn't have to remind her about her leg or sitting up at all!  So proud of the progress she's made since last year!

I put three orange cones out for her to practice some turns and patterns.  She got frustrated because Gunner didn't understand that he had to go AROUND the cones!  I went out and led them both around all of the cones and just like that, Gunner was bending nicely around each cone on his own.  He just had to have it "explained", I think!

After the work was done, the other children wanted a quick "pony ride".  I walked them around the cones and then called it a night.  Gunner was a good boy and we all told him so!  He really appreciates the treats (like all horses do!) so we gave him a couple and put him away.

It was a good night of riding - hopefully we will string more good rides together this year!

Until next time,
Lynell

The Farrier Visit

Just thought I would document how the farrier visit went...

First up was Melody.  She's been doing good with picking up her feet for us most days so I figured we would start with her since she would probably be the worst one of them all.  I needn't worry because she did excellent!  Stood there patiently while the farrier did his work.  The only thing that surprised me was when he first approached her she did a big spook away from him.  I think he must've looked funny to her with his chaps and tools in hand.  She settled down and he was able to get her done.

Star was no issue...never is!

Gunner stood like a good boy.  Sometimes he pulls his feet away but this time he waited until his feet were given back before he put them down.  Good boy!

Tyson also was a good boy.  I was particularly interested in what the farrier thought about his feet.  Ever since Tyson's accident at my brother-in-law's house (which was why he came to live with us), he's never been sound.  He's been getting around pretty good in turnout but I like to hear from a professional what they they think about him.  The farrier said Tyson's feet looked surprisingly good!  He said if he seems comfortable that we should start riding him again!  Seriously?  I haven't given that the all clear yet but I think I will saddle him up and give him a schooling in the round pen to see how he goes.  I'll decide after that if he can be put back to work after that.

All in all, it was a great time with the farrier.  It's been too long since he was last out so it was fun to catch up with him again - he likes to talk a lot so he (and his wife) stayed for 2 hours!  Good people!

Well, that's all for now!

Until next time,
Lynell

Saying Goodbye

Saturday morning I got up early.  I had set my alarm for 7 am but my mind was with Zoe and I got up at 5:30 am instead.  I made my coffee, got dressed and headed out to the barn.  I checked all the calves (we have several right now) and made my way to Zoe.  She gave me a little nicker, God I love this horse!

I decided to feed and water everyone - it was early but I was sure they wouldn't mind!  I also decided to take Zoe out and feed her separately in the round pen.  That way I could get some much needed one-on-one time before she left.

As she was eating, I groomed her.  If it would've been a little warmer I would've given her a bath too (still only 50 degrees in the morning).  She loves to be groomed and stopped eating in order to fully enjoy her brushing!

"Why did you stop brushing?"

I let her finish her breakfast and got my own breakfast.  But I wasn't hungry, my stomach was in knots...but I ate anyways. 

I went back out to see Zoe and decided to go for one last walk together.  We just went down the road for a bit but it was so nice.  She was so good!

My husband took this last picture.  My mom saw it and said it said so many words...

Zoe's new family arrived just after 9am.  They showed up in a nice truck and trailer, and thanked me profusely for the opportunity to buy Zoe.  It was the mom, dad and daughter who came to pick up Zoe.  The daughter is 16 years old and very nice.  We'll call her T.  I really liked talking with all of them - good people!  They asked if T could ride Zoe to see if she had any questions right away.  Of course I agreed!

I got Zoe saddled up - which, if you can remember doesn't always go well for Zoe.  She stood like a good girl while being saddled up.  I'm not sure if it's because I didn't "hard tie" her this time or what but it went really good.  She didn't want to put the bit in her mouth, which is unlike her.  I know she's due for her teeth so that's probably what she was telling me.

I showed T how I round pen her first before getting on so I can see where her mind is.  Zoe did really good again and didn't need much of a warm up.  I told T that Zoe will mirror whatever emotions she's having so if she's nervous, Zoe will be nervous. If she's calm and confident Zoe will be too. T got on carefully, asking if Zoe gets upset about mounting because she'd been thrown off many times by a horse she was testing out (before Zoe).  I told her no, Zoe was fine about mounting. 

She started walking and they were getting the feel of each other.  She made the comment on how Zoe really seemed to tune into her right away - which I've always noticed too!  She asked how I got her to drop her head into a headset and what the command for back was.  I told her and also told T that Zoe needs verbal confirmation that she's doing good.  Zoe responds when she's told she's good, rather than just a release of some kind.  After those quick instructions, T rode Zoe walk-trot (the round pen had a slick spot,so no cantering) and really got a good feel for her.  T is a great rider!  They did so well together!

T thanked me again for Zoe.  While I was talking with T in the round pen, hubby was talking to T's parents about their own horses.  The dad was trying to sell his horse because his gelding acted like a stallion and he couldn't take him trail riding - which is what he loved to do.  He asked about Gunner and so we took Gunner out for him to look at.  Brother-in-law hasn't been in contact with us about Gunner, so parents-in-law said to sell him (they are half owners) if we could.  I'm still on the fence about that...  Anyways, the dad rode Gunner for a bit.  Gunner did good for him but the dad said he had to sell his own horse before he could bring another one home because he was only set up for 4 horses.  He said he would give me a call once his gelding sold. 

T loaded Zoe up in the trailer and we all shook hands.  I said goodbye to Zoe, one last time, and they were off.  I admit...I cried a good amount as they were driving away.  I feel good about Zoe's new home but it still hurts to say goodbye. 

We found each other on facebook so I can stay in touch with T and Zoe's progress.  She invited me to come see Zoe any time and that she would let me know when they have their shows so I can watch.  She's on her school's equestrian team and 4H so she's going to be busy with Zoe - which is great!!

I texted them a few hours later to see how the trip home went and how Zoe was once they got home.  The dad said the trip home and unloading went great!  All three of his daughters thoroughly groomed Zoe and that Zoe was taking a nap in the sun in the round pen (her transitional pen).  Looks like she settled in nicely!

 Another chapter in my life closes as a new one starts for Zoe!

Until next time,
Lynell

Warming Up!

The weather is finally starting to warm up!  Our February was the coldest I can remember ever having!  We basically just went into survival mode that month...so glad that's over with!  The horses took the cold weather as good as can be expected.  Gunner was the only one who got cold, which surprised me.  Before he came to live with us, he was kept outside without a shelter most of the time so I half expected him to winter better than the rest of the horses.  But I ended up taking him in and putting him in a stall every night and during the frigid days.  We all got through it.  I just hope we don't ever have another month like that ever again!!  IT WAS FREEZING!!

Anyways, we are back to ground work with the horses, all of them.  Tyson had to be reminded that even though the other horses were calling he had to stay with me.  He was not thrilled about that.  Zoe is a hot mess any time I take a horse out without her.  I can't decide if it's jealousy or worry...either way, she's been a handful.  Gunner and Star have been fantastic with ground work, not much to report there.  I'm not riding yet because the ground in the round pen isn't good yet for riding (the first ride always happens in there) so I will keep taking them out for leading/ground work.  Melody has been a handful, just like Zoe.  But I believe her issue is that she's buddy sour.  Time for her to be in a separate turn out!  I have to get a pen set up for her so for now she's still with Star...not for long though!  I will be interested to watch her shenanigans when she figures that out!! (insert evil laugh)

Our cows should be calving in the next month or so.  It's always exciting when they come!  I will take picture!

Lola, the puppy, is also doing fantastic.  She's been such a great puppy to train and has a knack for working the chickens.  She wants to work the cows so badly but we don't want her to get her confidence crushed if one of the cows kicks or hooks her.  She will work cows after she's a year old.  Then the real cow dog training will start!  Until then, we work on her basic commands.  She does pretty good!

Well, that's all for now!  More later!


Quote for the day:
"Lost time is never found again."

-Benjamin Franklin

Star & Melody's Shenanigans

We've completed the bute pills regime for Star now.  She's doing much better now but still ouchy in the spot at the end of her ribs.  Might have a cracked rib in there, but there's really nothing we can do for that.  The swelling has gone down to almost nothing now so the vet doesn't think we need to do another blood test, but if the swelling reoccurs definitely need to have him come out again.  She was feeling so good the other day that she was bucking and leaping around in her turn out withe Melody!  I can't even tell you how happy I was to see her acting that way!!

Speaking of Melody...I was bringing Star to her turnout and left Melody in her pen in the barn by herself.  She didn't care for that at all!  She got to bucking and leaping in her pen while Star and I were walking away.  That stuff never phases Star...she had one thing on her mind and that was her turn out!  I went back to get Melody and she met me at the gate.  She tried to be patient while I put her halter on.  I could see it in her eye that she was anxiously waiting to get past the gate.  As I opened the gate she pushed past me and got the end of the lead rope and jerked around.  Naughty, naughty.  I don't tolerate bad gate manners - too many accidents happen at gates (or anywhere with a naughty horse)!  We did a few more passes in and out of the gate until she walked through like a good girl.  Then we were on our way to the turn out.  Star was standing at the gate waiting for us.  Melody was practically dragging me all the way to the turn out, so I decided we would do more leading work.  We would walk away from the gate/turnout, then circle back.  Every time we would turn away she would whip her hips around and face me like she was saying "Umm, you missed the gate lady!" and then pull on the lead all the way back to the gate again.  We did this for a while...I'm not sure how long it took but I know my hands were cold by the time she "calmed down".  I decided we were at a place I was comfortable with ending so we headed back to the gate.  We were almost to the gate when she reared up and started bucking and jumping with all fours off the ground.  She never came at me or tried to strike me so I waited for her to finish.  Then we were off to the round pen for some work.

Once she got her bucks and kicks out, she actually worked really well.  On a side note: Our December weather here has been unseasonably warm with temps in the 40's most days so the footing in the round pen was fine for working.  I was very pleased at how well she listened and had retained what work we had done in the fall.  To be honest, I haven't done much since we had the major snow storm in November.  To end our work session, we worked on her bending.  She still has issues with that so we will keep working on that.  Then she was finally out with Star and happy about that!  They played together for a few minutes and then got the serious business of finding blades of grass that could be eaten.

That's all for now!



Quote for the day:
"It is a fine seasoning for joy to think of those we love."

-Moliere

Moving Foward

My last post talked about saddle fitting on Zoe.  I can honestly say that I haven't ridden Zoe even once since that post.  I feel ashamed and guilty for letting her 'sit' in the pasture.  My life has been so full (imagine that!!) that my progress with Zoe has come to a complete stop.  My work with Melody hasn't been consistent and yet she still amazes me with how well she retains her lessons.  I rode Star a handful of times and middle daughter rode Gunner a handful of times (his back was sore).  I'm so let down with how the end of summer and fall have gone as I had BIG plans.  Have the horses been well cared for?  Yes, but I haven't spent the time with them that I feel I should.  The guilt is overwhelming...but I can't dwell on that, right?  I'm moving forward with a new plan...

I know I may have to do lessons with Zoe that we have already done but I'm ok with that.  I've found an indoor arena that I can haul to this winter that's really close to home (and SUPER nice) so I can continue our work together through the winter. We will be doing a lot of leadership exercises, trust and body work before I throw a leg over her.  She's gonna stand in cross ties (she's never been cross tied before) and stand like a rock when I put the saddle pad and saddle on her among other things.  We are going to have all this stuff DOWN!  I've put up with her dancing around the saddle and her tying issues long enough!  It's time for her to behave and act her age!! ;-)

Melody will be coming along as well, along with Gunner, if middle daughter can make it out to ride with us.  Melody will learn to be lunged (already knows how to round pen) and get better with her verbal commands.  We will keep working on shoulder and hip yields, giving at the poll, and flexing to both sides (she's not very good at her right side).  Her back feet still seem to be a problem with letting us hold them for any length of time so we will continue to work on that as well.

Gunner will need some time in the saddle as well.  The last time middle daughter rode him, he bucked her off when she asked him to canter.  I have no idea what that was all about!  I was so proud of her for picking herself up and getting back on!  She landed hard and it really shook her up.  No serious injuries, just a little stab at her pride I think.  Afterwards, I checked to see if his back was sore again but his back was fine.  I checked other spots that might be sore but he seemed fine in those places too.  The saddle fit is good so maybe middle daughter did something that triggered the bucking fit or else he learned before that if he bucked he got out of doing it.  Either way, I'm gonna have to get on and figure it out.

In other farm news, we replanted the front horse pasture.  It was getting full of weeds and the ground was so compacted from years of horses walking on it that the grass couldn't get a good root system going again, hence the weeds.  We had the soil tested to see what the ground was lacking and was able to pick up a fertilizer to help the ground produce the best horse pasture grass mix it could.  We have to keep the horses off it for one full growing season (all of 2015) so the root system can really take hold.  We were told to hay it so it will help the grasses to come in nice and thick.  We are really excited to see the fruits of our labor!  Oh, and while we were at it, we tore down all the old cow fencing that was up around this pasture.  We are putting up electric instead - always hated that fencing!

Not only did we replant the horse pasture, but we built a new horse catch pen.  While all of this replanting was going on, we had them in a cow pen.  It was fine but it was a reminder that without the horse pasture in the front, we were going to be short on turn outs this winter!  So we took another weekend and built a safe catch/turnout pen for the horses with a shelter.  This is where Star and her buddy (undecided on who) will spend the winter nights while the others are in their stalls.  Speaking of stalls, we built insulated water bucket holders for the stalls.  I'm excited to put these things to use this winter!  Last winter was awful with trying to keep the water fresh and unfrozen.  (Hubby doesn't like to use the heated water buckets because he had a bad experience with them once and now refuses to use them....)  We also built two extras for outside in the shelter for Star and her buddy.  I'll try to take a picture of them so you can see what we built...I will let you know how they work too!

Another farm project completed is my new tack room/office in the barn.  It's wonderful - and much bigger than my old tack room!  In order to complete the new tack room, we also built new saddle racks.  This time I have enough saddle racks for ALL of my saddles.  I used to always be 1 rack short so it was kept in the house, which is fine except it's a pain to haul a big western saddle out of the house whenever you want to ride.  So my brand new Billy Cook saddle still has very little use...  The new feed room is going right next to the new tack room but we haven't finished it yet.  Just have to put the floor in and then it will be complete.

In addition to all of that, we also built a new lean-to for the cows (it's HUGE) and are working on another one.  We added beef cows to our regime of animals this summer so more and larger shelters were needed.  I guess you could say we've been busy!

One more announcement...we added a new member to our family!

Meet Lola!  She's a red tri Australian Shepherd and we love her to pieces!  Couldn't be happier with our choice!  She and Riggin (black tri Australian Shepherd) have become good friends!  She will follow him anywhere and learns from him all the time, which is why we bought her now instead of waiting.  Riggin is probably the BEST dog we've ever had the privilege of owning and is getting up there in age.  We wanted him to pass along his knowledge to the next pup so now was the best time.

So that's a snapshot of what's been going on with me lately.  Not to mention the fact that I have 5 children, two of which are on student council this year, one is in high school and just had her first homecoming...My life is full, but that's exactly how I like it!

That's all for now!



Quote for the day:
"Never mistake activity for achievement."

-John Wooden

A Few Random Things

I just thought I would quick share what's been going on with the horses lately:

Melody has been getting round penned three days a week.  She picked up on it pretty quick.  I think she enjoys the work and I enjoy watching her move - what a beauty!

Zoe gave me a great ride last weekend but that's not without a little drama beforehand.  The last few times I've thrown the saddle up on her she's acted like she's never seen the saddle before and FREAKS out.  I did the slow, let her sniff the saddle approach.  I tried the deliberate, don't make it a big deal approach.  Freaks out the same both ways and didn't improve at all.  This has got me thinking about why?  She's muscled up quite a bit now (and gained weight) so I'm wondering if this is her way of telling me that the saddle is too small.  Hopefully tonight I will be able to get the saddle I've been using on her and take a close look.  If that saddle appears to be too small, I will try my other saddle.  I hope I can figure this out soon.  I don't want to ride her in a saddle that's too small...

Star has been doing great!  She hasn't coughed since the medication regime was finished.  She's been staying sound as well so I hope to take her out more often but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day since I work a full time job, have other horses, and have 5 children.  It's a balancing act for sure!

Gunner has had time off.  He's been bucking lately and actually bucked middle daughter off.  She's fine but I would like to get his back checked to make sure it's not bothering him.  I guess it also wouldn't hurt to check the fit of the saddle as well...

Tyson, well Tyson is lame.  He's just not getting any better.  He's another one that the vet is going to come out and take a look at.  I think there's scar tissue in his foot from when he got caught in some wire that's causing his continued lameness.  We'll see what the vet has to say...  But he's in great shape despite his lameness - he plays out in the pasture all the time so he actually has good muscling.  He's such a goof!  He looks great though!!!

I never think to have a camera with me to take some updated pictures - I will try to get better about that!

Until next time!



Quote for the day:
"It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself."

-Eleanor Roosevelt

Sore Gunner

Gunner got the day off on Thursday because the farrier came out.  So Friday we decided to get a ride in during the afternoon because we didn't want to try to ride while people would be starting to shoot off fireworks.

Going back, Wednesday we tried Gunner in the hackmore and he did AWESOME!  So quiet and relaxed!  I have a phone call in for brother-in-law about Gunner's teeth, though.  I would like to know when the last time he had them done just so I can or cannot rule out his teeth as the culprit with the bit.  Don't get me wrong, I will still be scheduling an appointment for his teeth and we will probably continue to ride in the hackmore but I would like to keep him on a better schedule.

Anyways, middle daughter was grooming Gunner before the ride and when she ran the brush over his back he dropped his back out under the pressure.  He's been doing something similar to this ever since we turned him out with Zoe but this time he seemed more tense.  My gut says that Zoe got a hold of him...  Anyways, we decided to try him out and all was going well until middle daughter asked him to canter.  He jumped up in the front end more exaggerated than usual but picked up the correct lead and went around the pen once before she asked him to trot.

She changed directions and when she asked for the canter he gave out a small buck.  Middle daughter stayed in the saddle and didn't really know what happened.  I told her riding was done and to cool him down.  I'm guessing he was too sore.  Poor guy!

Since the ride was cut short, we decided to pamper the little guy and gave him a good shampoo bath.  He has one white sock on his back foot and when we were done it was glowing!  He looked like a million bucks!  Middle daughter took him out to the yard to let him eat while he dried off and he behaved so nicely for her.  What a great little horse he's turned out to be!  I'm hoping that we will be able to keep him for her to ride for 4H...

Anyways, he's gonna get some time off for his back to heal.  If I don't see much progress in a week or so, I'll have to call the chiro and see about getting his back adjusted.  I've never used an equine chiro before...it will be a learning experience for both of us!

Until next time!



Quote for the day:
"The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion."

-Arnold H. Glasow

Melody Update

We've been thoroughly enjoying Melody!  She's such a sweet heart and takes every lesson in stride.  She's been doing so well with leading and picking up her feet that last night when we (hubby and I) were cleaning out her feet we were surprised when she wouldn't give her back feet.  Like at all.  As soon as she picked a back foot up she would lean all the way back and almost fall over!  She did this with both of her back feet.  Only once did she pick up her back foot nicely out of the multiple times trying.  And we couldn't duplicate it.  I thought maybe she was lacking confidence in her ability to stand with only three feet so we put her next to a fence where a pole was for extra support.  At first it worked but it quickly went back to her putting all of her weight on her back feet. 

Apparently the feet lessons need to be repeated.  This happens with young ones...testing out what they can and can't get away with.  Which, did I mention that she started biting again?  She got be good on my shoulder but I told her that was not acceptable in no uncertain terms.  She hasn't tried biting me since.  Anyways, back to her feet.  Because we weren't making any progress we thought maybe we would get her mind off it and give her a new lesson to think about - round penning.

When I first took her off the lead she immediately was more interested in her friends across the driveway.  There was no interest in moving...lol  I got bigger and more intense with my request for her to move out which she finally obliged while charging after the dog.  Dang dog...I didn't see him come in with me and I don't allow him in the round pen with me while working horses.  The horses usually try to run him down and I don't want him or me to get hurt in the process.  I got the dang dog out and got back to work.  She actually was getting the hang of it rather quickly.  Changing directions was a bit sticky but we got through it and called it a day.  She was perfectly calm and had no issues with me hooking her back up to the lead (Zoe always got nervous in her younger years, but she's quite a bit more high strung than Melody is).

Farrier is coming out tonight so we'll see how she does with her back feet...could be interesting!!

Until next time!



Quote for the day:
"We didn't lose the game, we just ran out of time."

-Vince Lombardi