Good Ponies

Middle daughter had a friend over a couple weekends ago.  Her friend is a horse lover but doesn't have a horse.  Her mom told me she used to cry herself to sleep because she wanted a horse so badly.  Sounds vaguely familiar...

We took the mares out and the girls got busy brushing.  My two ponies were seriously muddy!  The snow was beginning to melt and Star LOVES to roll in the mud so she had mud crusted all over her.  The girls had a great time brushing and the horses enjoyed all the fussing too! 

Star stood like a good girl and closed her eyes while they were brushing.  Her tail even got a thorough comb through!  Zoe handled the fussing fairly well.  After a while, she got impatient and started swinging her butt around making it difficult to brush her.  At that point the girls were basically done with Zoe so I walked her around.  Once she wasn't fidgety I put her back out.  Star is my 'steady eddie' and nothing ever phases her so no worries with her. 

As soon as she was free (right after I let her go) she got busy - rolling in the mud.  The girls were NOT impressed.  I just had to laugh - it's just like Star to roll after getting all dolled up!

We all went inside for about an hour to get warmed up and then it was back out with the horses.  This time the girls each had a lead rope.  They led the horses around in the pasture for at least an hour.  Star and Zoe did so good for the little girls.  I was so proud of both my daughter and my horses.  When the friend's dad came to pick her up she didn't want to go!

Another good day with the ponies!

Until next time!



Quote for the Day:
"You change your life by changing your heart."

-Max Lucado

Cause & Effect

Today I'm going to touch on the importance of good feed.  This past summer we experienced a drought, which is so rare in our part of the country!  Although it was a beautiful summer, in terms of it being sunny every day and warm (if not hot) temperatures.  This made the summer very enjoyable because you never had to worry about if your plans were going to be rained out.  Unfortunately, for those of us who farm or have livestock, that is not a very pleasant summer at all.

Because of the drought, our hay season was cut short.  Our hay didn't grow like it normally did so we would wait for it to get taller so it would be worth cutting.  But in doing so, the hay quality goes down.  The nutrients were slowing draining out of the grass and alfalfa (because it was drying out). This has been evident this winter in our animals because usually our animals come out of winter in bit on the chubby side.  This year it's been a struggle keep a healthy weight on them.  We are forced to supplement the, otherwise nutritious, hay with grain, of which the price also increased due to the drought.  We just can't win!

A typical year we get 3 cuttings on our hay fields, sometimes even 4.  This past summer we got 2 cuttings and the cuttings were small.  We weren't the only ones in our area with that same problem!  Everyone was in the same boat as us and had to buy hay.  The hay farmers raised their prices (ya know, supply & demand) and hay still sold out quickly!  And because the nutrients are lower in the hay this year, we've had to increase our feed.  It's a lose-lose situation this winter, a snow-ball effect. 

Sometimes I wonder if we will ever be rid of the snow so we can turn them out on pasture!  Fortunately, our pastures are rich with nutrients.  We spent the extra money and planted each of our pastures with a good pasture mix and do a pasture rotation for all of the animals.  Pasture management is key to keeping your pastures working for you. 

I'm not going to get into grain and all of its pros and cons...I've still got much to learn before I post on that subject.  All I know is that we are struggling with our hay this year and it's all because of the drought of 2012.  I'm hoping this coming spring/summer/fall will be better!

Here's to the warmer weather!

Until next time!

 

Quote for the Day:

"Be faithful to that which exists within yourself."

-Andre Gide

Just Looking

We (my husband and I) are kicking around the idea of having our middle daughter start 4H this year.  I know we need to decide soon as there are fees that need to be paid.  I asked her and she said she didn't know because she didn't know what kind of shows there are.  She's not into Western Pleasure, or any english classes.  I'm thinking she's going to be a speed and action kind of girl - she likes to run on those big horses!  You should see her go!  Last summer we had my brother-in-law's APHA horse at our house, he's close to 16 hh, and she would run him around the front yard like it was no big deal.  She thoroughly enjoys going fast and I think barrels (maybe poles) will be her style.  But I'm wondering if there are those kind of events at the 4H level?  What about doing a trail course?  Do they offer that as well?

I know it's blurry...sorry!  Middle daughter does wear her helmet when riding...she was all done and I wanted a quick picture so she hopped on quick - without the helmet!

Anyway, in thinking about her possible 4H showing this year it got me looking at horses for sale.  No, we aren't in the market right now but I enjoy looking at what's out there.  Do you ever do that?  I find myself looking at horses for sale all the time, not because I want/need another horse but just because seeing what's out there is fun.  I enjoy looking at beautiful horses of all breeds and colors. 

I blurred out her face - middle daughter on Star.  We were doing a photo shoot of the horses and I had her hop on quick.

I think Star could do well for our daughter at the 4H level, with some work.  She's going to need a refresher this spring too because she hasn't been ridden since the bad weather hit.  That mare likes to go and not much phases her so I think she would handle the horse showing thing just fine.  She's never ran a barrel pattern before so she will have to be taught that as well.

Looks like I have a busy spring ahead of me!

Until next time!


Quote for the day:
"Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses."

-Alphonse Karr

Our Journey Starts

Hello!  I'm starting this blog because I want to have a training journal for me and Zoe's upcoming training.  A little background on Zoe and myself (and my other horse, Star) can be found on the 'About Us' page. 

My goal for Zoe and I are to be riding W-T-C without round penning first. It's a pretty attainable goal and I don't have a time frame on it because who knows what pace will be right for Zoe?  We will move at a pace that is comfortable to us.  To date,  we have walked and trotted but not without extensive round penning.  She has some buck in her right now that I would like to get past so I don't always have to round pen her before getting on.  I know that with some time in the saddle, she will be able to get past it.  Plus, a few times while being tied, I would ask her to move over by barely touching her side and she freaked out!  Flew backwards and acted as if I had stuck needles into her sides.  I have no idea why or what triggers that but we will be working on that as well.  She's already gotten better at being touched to move over but that's something we need to keep a handle on.

Last summer (when I purchased Zoe), we worked on round penning, ground manners (she's pretty good on the ground), saddling, steering, stopping (AWESOME stop!!!), walking and very little trotting.  Unfortunately, I don't have an indoor arena so our training has been put on hold for now.  Once the weather breaks and more snow melts, we will have a few refresher sessions and then hopefully be able to pick up where we left off. 

Over these cold months, Zoe has become quite accustomed to me and the way I do things so that should help us this spring when training resumes.  I'm really excited to get working under saddle again.  She is very tuned into her rider, very sensitive to cues and a sensible horse.  I know that once finished, she will be an awesome riding horse! 

Until next time!



Quote for the day:
Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.