Day Before The Horse Fair!

Tomorrow is the day! And I am sitting here so tired! I was out with Daisy for four hours riding, bathing and getting all our stuff together. TIRED. I also see I have a light sunburn on my lower arms, the one day I don't wear a tank top!!

I'm SO thankful the sun came out and it quit raining today! They were saying all week that today was going to be our best chance of rain. They don't know my God, I made a request and the day was awesome! I got everything done I was hoping to.

So after running to town to get my mom and dads avalanche (this will be my trailer puller) and pick up a few things I came home and parked by the round pen. The child had thankfully decided to take her nap so I left her in the car and fetched Daisy. A BIL had appeared thankfully and he kept an eye on Chlo to make sure she was till sleeping.

I was very happy to have one more chance to ride before tomorrow. We refined a few things, solidified a few things, and got as good as we are gonna get in this time frame! I really wish I had known about this last week. Anyway flexing was much better today as well as my trotting. It rained a bunch yesterday and all night so the round pen was a bit soggy which was making Daisy even slower then she usually is, lol. I had spurs on today hoping that would save my legs a bit. They annoyed her a few times and she kicked out at them so I smacked her and gave her another jab to keep going each time. By the time we were cantering she was done with her protests and I didn't have any trouble with her. I only did a few strides of cantering because of the sloppiness.

After our ride I took her over and gave her a good bath. Her white socks are white again! She was a good girl for that even though its been years since her last one, lol. With all the rain her hoof crack, divot, HOLE whatever it is flipped up on one edge so I had the FIL snip it for me.

After that the husband got home from work early so he went and got the trailer from the neighbors. Daisy and I went over and checked it out and I tied her up to the side while the DH cleaned out the stalls. Then it was time to do our test load! She wasn't too keen on the first two tries but the third time she hopped right up in there. I had left a pile of carrots in the manger so hopefully she remembers this in the morning, hehe. I am not above bribery! ;) So then we decided to take her for a little ride. I threw her some hay and we took off. She didn't seem to have any trouble and hopped off nice and slow after we got home.

I took her back up in the yard and we brushed her out again since she was now dry and then I tried my braid again. Success this time!! I think the key was braiding SIDEWAYS not straight and it stays up tighter to her neck long enough to get all the hairs in.

She was such a good girl just chilling resting a hoof! The FIL thought itd be funny to braid her tail so he stood back there and did that for awhile, lol. And Chloe also sat on her back most of the time, she loved it.

So thats about it! Almost time for our small group for church so I better scat, I'll be back next with our report on tomorrow! Wish us good riding and a good time!

Ride #2 Great Progress! Ride #3 Okay...

Hey again! So I have two rides to blog about! First our ride on Tuesday, which was awesome. Daisy took everything we went over Monday and doubled how well she did it! Steering was much improved, as well as her lateral flex. She was awesome at that! I got the second half of my ride on video this time, so its not QUITE so boring. Still hard to see a whole lot and my battery was dead in my video camera so we are still with the Nikon!

We also did some vertical flexing, this is the first time I've ever tried this with her and she did great. Any little bit of movement with her nose towards her chest I rewarded and by the end of the ride she was dipping her nose nearly to her chest! One especially good one was what I quit on and jumped off and loosened her girth as extra reward.

I did mostly trotting this ride, my posting was much improved although after watching the video I see I was on the WRONG diagonal nearly the whole ride, well, at least all that was on video! How embarrassing. I also did a lot of two point this ride. I feel like I struggle a lot with keeping my leg under me. (which is confirmed by the video) I read somewhere that that can sometimes mean your stirrups are too short so I decided to try lengthening them a hole next ride.

Daisy did really well with a bunch of distractions as well. Of course Stormy was calling for her, and then two little ankle biters (some sort of fuzzy mutt and a weenie dog) came running at us in the round pen from BEHIND and she just flicked an ear at them, even while I was yelling and waving at them to go away, lol. (there is a house behind the round pen that they belong to) There was also a bunch of chainsaws going off a little ways away and the husband and his brothers and dad were walking around in and out of the woods near us, etc. Such a good girl!

Think thats about it for that ride! Here are a few video stills:

I also got to ride yesterday, even though the husband was not home to watch little girl. I gathered our stuff up and headed out there hoping the mother in law might want to watch her. I feel kind of guilty about it because she watches her Mon and Tuesdays while Im at work, then this week I have pawned her off to the husband while I ride all afternoon! I then finally get to see her around 7 or 7:30 when I'm done with Daisy. What a bad mommy! Its hard to have an extracurricular life with kids, it really is. I'm having so much fun, but also theres this guilt that I'm putting other things before Chloe. Sigh. What do you mommys do?? I guess when she gets older and able to ride with me it will get better...

Anway my mother in law wasn't home so I decided to just get Daisy out and groom her again and practice on her mane for Sat. I'm thinking of the running braid like I do on Dixie sometimes:

Problem is I've tried it twice on Daisy so far and it gets too low before I can get all the hair in, grr. I watched a few videos today so hopefully I can get my act together. I also thought of doing something like this:

Isn't that AWESOME!? But just imagine how LONG that would take? And I'd never get it that pretty. I also think its a bit 'western'. So we will just go with the running braid I think.

So I grabbed Daisy while my father in law watched Chloe for a minute and then parked her in the yard there to brush her. Sweet baby helped of course! She loves any sort of animal. The FIL got on the other side and started scrubbing her too and did my side to shame! He is a lot rougher then I am! There was hair all over the ground on his side, lol. Then I asked him if he had any clippers (he used to show at the QH shows in halter back in the day and has nice clippers) he said yeah so I got her bridle path and whiskers trimmed up! Also the long hairs under hear chin/throat. She looks so much less shaggy. I wish I could do her legs but I have no idea how to do it without making it a hack job and I worry about the flies. Also the reason I left her ears.

Then I decided to try banding her mane a bit so we walked over to the round pen where I left my bands. By then a brother in law had shown up and was able to babysit Chloe. After about 4 bands I decided that was for the birds and ripped them out. Then I set about doing another running braid. This one came out better so I left it in. It's probably STILL in since I forgot to take it out! D'oh! I still had about two or three more sections to get in. I'll try again today if it's not raining!

The wonderful mother in law made it home about then so I had a chance to ride! I'm wanting to squeeze in as much saddle time as possible for both of us. I highly doubt I'll get to ride today or tomorrow :(. Stupid rain! At least there is only a 30% chance Saturday of scattered showers. Scatter around us!! If it does rain I believe the arena is partially covered so we should be good as long as we are in the arena, haha.

So by the time I got her tacked up it was, well, dusk. The sun had set and it was cloudy. Boo. I knew I had limited time so I wanted to make the best of it. I planned on doing lots of trotting sans stirrups and lots of posting with stirrups. So I hop up, Daisy didn't move! Points for her! Then did our pre ride flexing. And I waited. And waited. And waited. Sigh. Minus points Daisy! I kept looking around and seeing how dark it was getting and my plans flitting away. So finally I got some decent response out of both sides, and some good vertical flexing. I had flipped my stirrups up already so we set off at a walk for a good bit, I know the old mare needs lots of prep before trotting, and I don't feel like I gave her enough. By the time we moved on to sitting trot she was okay, but at the posting I could feel that head bob 'off' feeling I talked about after riding her day three a few years ago. So I walked her some more, then moved off in the trot again, posting. She felt fine. :shrug: I think she just has some creaks, I dunno. I did quite a bit more trotting (a lot on a small circle trying to get her to flex to the inside) and never felt or saw her bobbing her head again. I think a day off or two will be beneficial and hopefully she will be good for Saturday. Like others said before I know she still short strides on that left hind for whatever reason, mostly at the trot. And I'm sure she has arthritis! Maybe I can get the vet that is there to answer questions to take a look at her.

Also, I noticed a HUGE chunk out of her hoof Monday that I hadn't see last Saturday. I was like what the?? Here are a few pics of it, what can you hoof people tell me?? I bought some Fiebings hoof dressing and have been putting that on her for the dryness. Her hoofs are so dry right now. But she has never had anything that looked like that before! It doesn't seem to be bothering her, I dunno... I know she is ready for a trim. I hope you all aren't about to tell me its something awful!

 I wish I had some good barefoot trimmers out here, its hard to find anyone to do good horse work around here. I ALSO may get the farrier that is there to answer questions to look at her too if I can! Hey, why not take advantage, haha.

 So the ride went okay, I don't think Daisy was thrilled about running around in the near dark and was ready to go eat her hay. Thus not cooperating as well. I finally quit when I could just still see and took her back to the pasture. Thank goodness its staying darker lately!  

I did have my video camera this time, I set it up on a chair but the panels still block a lot. And it got so dark you can't see much anyway. For some reason it shut off after 25 mins as well. So no posting trot, just some walking and trotting without stirrups. I put both days together, I'm having troubles getting it uploaded so I'll put it up whenever its done.

I feel SO much more secure and in good position without stirrups. I dropped them a hole and felt better but still not as good as without. What am I doing wrong? Just not enough riding? Another big thing I need work on is riding with contact, Daisy too. She immediately wants to halt or slow down when I take up the reins to make contact. I try to be real flowing and keep my leg on. Its just hard to remind myself to do it instead of just letting them be all floppy.

Oh! I almost forgot! I got my booootssss in today!

They are sweeet. I can't wait to ride in them. So soft and supple. They are a tad on the long side but I also was trying them on with no socks so we will see! I know they will be a vast improvement.

So I have yammered on long enough! Until later!

Fun Saturday Ahead!

Whoo hoo, two posts in one month!

Some exciting news too! As you can see Daisy is THRILLED ;) ~~>

I got a text about 9 o'clock Sunday night from one of my old college riding buddies. We are still good friends and try to meet up every so often. Just wish we didn't live an hour from each other! Anyway she goes to a cowboy church about an hour from me, and they are putting on a horse fair this Saturday. Its sponsored by several riding clubs etc in our area. Here is the flyer for it: A Unique Equine Fair

So she asked me if I had any english stuff still. I replied yes, except for field boots, I gave them away to my instructor in exchange for riding lessons, lol.  I do have some dress boots that would work. (for those that don't know, dress boots are generally used for dressage, while field boots are for hunters, jumpers, general flat classes, etc)

I then asked her what was up? And she told me all about the horse fair they were putting on and that they wanted me to participate in the Breed Parade. They needed an english rider to show how Quarter Horses can be used in many disciplines. They didn't know any english riders so she called me! I was like SURE, that sounds like a lot of fun! I told her I could bring my fat mare if she needed me to and she said that was fine, if I couldnt she thought the preachers son would let me ride his paint roping horse, haha. Well I thought about it but I figured I'd rather ride a horse I know then one I don't although it will be a lot more work getting her there. But also more fun!

From what I understand we will follow a few other QH's into the arena when the Quarter Horse breed is called and they will say 'do your gait' and we can do whatever we want while they read a history of the breed. I'm going to just post the trot. What is more english then that?? I'm not sure how many other breeds will be also have their turn but I know there will be some gaited horses and probably some arabians and paints.

So that night I ran around the house gathering all my show clothes up and trying them on. I was fairly sure everything would fit about the same, I haven't changed shape in 10 years, lol. And it did, and I looked so sharp! The only thing is I have a hunter green hunt coat, and not the fashionable navy, brown, or tan etc like they wear at the breed shows. Oh, well! I feel fairly confident there will be no one there to know better!

I'm going to ride Daisy girl in my dr. cooks bitless bridle and the BEAUTIFUL saddle that Becca gave me. Daisy looks so good in them. I used to have a pretty puffy white show pad but its been lost in never never land somewhere so I'm just going to wash the one I have real good Friday night.

Anyway, I am SO excited. I haven't been able to trailer Daisy anywhere to ride in years! I'm also kind of nervous, I haven't rode much in the last few years at all, so we are so out of shape! I'd feel better if I were riding western, you can fudge not riding much a LOT better, lol, but we will deal! I'm thinking about tacking up western first to check out the arena etc, then changing before the parade. (and then changing BACK to western afterwards to hang out!)

And pertaining to the boot situation, which was sort of bothering me, I found some yesterday for around $70 online that were really nice and convinced the father to buy them for me! Hah! It pays to be daddies little girl! Here they are: Tuffrider Ladies Field Boots

Nice, right?? I've never had zip tall boots! Fancy! I know they are not leather, but I really don't WANT leather. Who wants to have to clean them and worry about messing up a $200 dollar pair of boots? Not I, besides the fact they will get worn maybe once a year, lol. The lady assured me they would get them to me by Friday, so we will see! I got them off horseloverz.com, anyone else had any experience with them? The lady on the phone was VERY nice and accommodating, so hopefully they will be just what I want. I had to get a 10 in them since I usually wear a 9 1/2 and they didnt have half sizes so I went up rather then down to make sure they weren't too small. I also got slim, which is nice that they had that option. I have a very narrow foot and CHICKEN legs. Sigh.

I went out right after work to ride yesterday afternoon. I got a video, but used my Nikon instead of my VIDEO CAMERA (-_-) and forgot it only takes 10 minute videos. So I got a bunch of us riding around walking and doing lateral flexion at the beginning of the ride but NONE of our trotting and cantering! I also forgot the tripod. I'm going to try to ride again this afternoon so I'll get the right equipment this time. I need to see how I look to see what main issues I have that need to be worked on! So little time.

But the ride went VERY well. She was a rock star! Stormy was screaming her head off every so often and it didn't phase her. She wanted to walk off while I was getting on again, boo, but we fixed that and she stood once I was on which was nice. It took her a bit to accustom herself to the bitless but after she got it (and I started using my hands like an ENGLISH rider and not a WESTERN rider) it got better. Our trot was great on Daisys end (after I got her to quit stalling on me at the rising trot) but my position was AWFUL, I lose my balance so easy. My thigh muscles suck. I got a little better though, and Daisy was such a good girl just trucking along in a good little working trot. I had the brother in law go fetch my whip and we even did a good bit of cantering! Left lead was great (after the first inital transition; I had to do some serious whipping lol) and she was so sweet and smooth. I have never rode her canter for more then a few strides until yesterday and it was SO fun. To the right we had a bit of an issue with lead, and she was also much 'bumpier' on her weak side, but nothing serious. I also about dumped myself off into the panels when I lost my stirrup but thankfully she stopped in time! Phew, it was a close one. I get so busy keeping her cantering that I lift my foot right out of the stirrup sometimes.

So thats about it! Gonna try and go out again today, its supposed to rain towards the end of the week and we need lots of practice!

Here are a few stills from the video...

Practicing our flexion

Falling asleep after practicing flexion, lol

 Some walking

I just edited the video and realized after I started to make it that it will have a huge watermark in the middle until you buy it. SO DECEIVING!! I guess one of these days I'm just going to have to buy a movie maker. Sigh.

Here it is anyway! Until later!

My Little Cowgirl

I know it has been FOREVER since I had a good post, especially one about the subject of this blog! Well I can deliver today!

Yesterday afternoon I actually had a Saturday free, and the weather was great. The husband and little girl and I all took off for the inlaws. I grabbed my bridle with the mullen mouth on it and also wanted to get my billy allen curb but it is seized up with rust so I left it. Side note: anyone know how to dissolve BAD rust on a bit? Its been in the weather a LOT and the roller in the middle is crusted so it won't turn.

Anyway! I got all the brushes and tack set out in the area I planned to tack her up in and we trekked out to the pasture. Because of course the girls were waayy out in the back. So we located them and easily haltered Daisy girl up. I love that she is so easy to catch. Stormy was with her but moved off as soon as we got close. Daisy kept eating, lol.

We had a somewhat Harrowing experience bringing her back with Stormy bouncing about and the geldings going crazy in the other pasture, but we managed to lock Stormy in the back pasture and had peace up the lane. The father in law and BIL were near the place I took Daisy working on a pickup but it didn't bother Daisy girl. Chloe helped me brush her down, it was too cute. She was even smart enough to want the shedder and not the soft brush, lol. Its definitely the start of the fun shedding season!

Then I handed Chloe off to the husband and finished tacking up. Daisy wasn't real happy about the saddle so I had Lee hold her. I she was thinking 'what is this foreign object!' lol. It has been a LONG time! I ride her bareback a bit but this is the first tack up in forever. So got her cinched and then walked her around a bit, cinched her again. Up I went! Had to get onto her a bit for walking off but we got that sorted and then strolled around the yard and pasture a bit. Even did some trotting. SO FUN! Daisy was such a good girl, its an awesome trait to have a horse you can turn out for a year and come drag them straight from the pasture and hop on and your good to go! She is feeling good too. I saw her just yesterday trotting and loping around her pasture at will. Thats so good! I think she has tons of years left in her!

She kind of surpised me a little bit when we rode over by her pasture. Her 'girlfriend' was out in the far pasture and apparently Daisy felt the need to make sure she hadn't been abducted by aliens, so she let out a deep neigh to her. (she has such a funny 'voice', so deep and masculine! lol) Which of course Stormy returned, and then Daisy returned, you get the picture. But we headed back towards the other area and she was just fine, even while calling she wasn't too concerned, love that mare! Doesn't she look pretty!! ~~>

After I had my fun I had the hubby bring Chlo Chlo over so she could have her first horsey ride!! She was initially a bit unsure (she's going to be a tad timid in nature I think) but after I got her up there and we got going she was having a ball. She kept saying 'yeehaw yeehaw', lol! And grinning, according to the onlookers. She fit really well up there right in front of me. Although I need to teach Daisy to neck rein ASAP if there are going to many more pony rides. It was NOT fun trying to steer her and also try to keep a hand on Chloe, although she did fit nicely in the little 'box' of my arms. The husband walked with us most of the time, you know, for 'just in case'. But I would have had a much better time of it if I could ride one handed. But neck reining is something that takes LOTS of rides and time, so who knows if it will ever get accomplished! Back when I was riding her half way consistently she was starting to get it. When we were going the direction she wanted, lol ;). Here are some pictures from that! (btw, all the pictures and such were taken from my husbands htc phone)

 Pose! 

 Daisy getting fired up ;)

 This is my favorite

So after that we untacked her and put her up. Where she promptly trotted and then cantered her little self over to the fence near her friend, ;). So a great Saturday afternoon! I gotta say I am LOVING this mild winter, even though it kind of scares me at the same time, strange stuff! We are going to be so spoiled for next winter! Oh, almost forgot, here is a short video of me and little girl.

So not much else to say, none of the other horses have been out in a while. I have a feeling Rusty is going to have a relapse in behavior since he is not getting ridden regularly. Which I knew was going to happen. Shrug. And Stormy has a hoof issue the BIL said? Not sure what.

Anyway, till next time!

An Update for the New Year...

First off, Happy New Year everyone!!

Just thought I'd put up a short update. All are still alive and well! Tuff is doing so well with his new owners. He has rode him about three times so far in the round pen. I am so proud of him! I feel like I've succeeded in setting him on a good path in life by the work I did with him from birth up. Makes me feel good! His only issue is getting 'stuck'. His owner has even taking to wearing spurs, lol, definitely not something I would do on a baby, but, sigh, not my horse anymore! Anyway, he hasn't figured out what the 'go' button is yet, but it won't be long! What I love most is how calm and nonchalant he is about it all. Such a good boy! I get to see him every time I leave or come back from the house (the pasture is right on the road before my driveway) so thats nice.

Daisy is good too! Her and Stormy are pasture mates. I went out and saw her Monday, she got her feet trimmed up. I brushed her and got all the tangles out of her mane and tail while she munched on her hay. She seemed to really enjoy the attention. She's starting to get a little thinner then I want, and we haven't even had the hard temps yet. So I'll probably start her on her senior feed here soon. We have had such a mild winter so far! 50's and 60's in the day, rarely freezing at night. Love it! Last year it had snowed three times by now, ugh! (that white Christmas last year was pretty awesome though)

Anyway, not much else going on! I haven't rode in forever, not counting my last two jaunts on the BIL's horses. I feel guilty getting on Daisy since she is getting so old and has that leg issue. Maybe I'm just making excuses! I found her papers while I was digging through some stuff the other day, she will be 22 this June. I told the husband the other day when Chloe gets old enough to ride I'll probably pass Daisy to her and get me another horse to ride/play with. I can just see us going down a beautiful wooded trail with me on my horse and Chloe on Daisy while I pony her. Fun stuff!!

Well not much else to report, hope all is well with everyone else! Till later!