Harold Boy

I went out yesterday morning to get Harold out of the back pasture like I said in my previous post I was going to. And I wasn't expecting him to be perfect, maybe even not really good. Although I was hoping he would be. And he came through again! He was great.

I put the baby monitor as close to the other side of the house as I could and still hear my baby and then took off with my 2 year old in the stroller full of horse supplies and one arm full of my english saddle. I was hoping to get a chance to play dress up ;)

I grabbed my halter and stick and parked Shelby by the pasture with some kids YouTube on the phone and headed out to find him.

I brought a pocketful of horse cookies and a bucket in case they needed some encouragement to come see me, lol.

But they actually were right up near the fence! All except HAROLD. Sigh.

I called for him as I was opening gates but didn't see him. I was kind of worried. But as I topped the hill there he was just grazing by himself facing the opposite direction. I called pretty loud and I was fairly close before he noticed me! I had brought Biscuit along, my bulldog cross puppy (he's about half grown). He had never seen horses before but did pretty good! Harold walked up to see me and as biscuit started getting close to his hind legs I kind of growled at him and told him to get out of the way and apparently Harold thought I was talking to him and took off down the hill. I was like aw man! I hadn't even had a chance to show him his cookies!

But all he did was walk into the trees a bit down from the others. He really doesn't fit in with them. The boss horse Rusty doesn't like him so chases him off all the time.

Anyway I walked into the trees and caught him and gave him a cookie, easy peasy. I shook the lead rope at him a bit and he backed up good as you could ask. I did that a few times to make sure he knew I was on the end of the lead rope. Skip tried to come see him but I smacked my stick on the ground a few times and chased him off.

Then I took a deep breath and went for it. All three were up by the gate, so I let my lead rope slide a bit and started hollering at them and smacking my stick on the ground. Stormy tried to be a little cheeky, kicking up and running about but I got her chased off into the trees with the others. We hustled through the gate (just barely, Skip was right on his heels!!) and we're safe!

Harold was a champ through all of it. 

Never getting worried just following right behind. He probably enjoys me running about all the horses that usually run him around, lol.

So after we were safe I did a bit of yielding the haunches with him, some backing up. He did pretty good. And had no trouble leaving his buddies. We got almost to the gate before Chatterbox decided to come annoy us. I threw the feed bucket at him and smacked the stick at him and he took off to the manger. And we were out!

Sigh. I'm tired just typing all that! And THAT is why I haven't been working with my horse. And yes, I could have put him up there before now but we had no hay. And the grass in there is nonexistent. So! The father in law brought some out yesterday and we are good to go.

I worked him a little more up there and then brushed him down, checked his feet and then put him back out. Hailey had woke up and I needed to get back.

Tounge pic!

Shelby and Harold boy

Not a conformation pic, but shows you he's in pretty good condition for being out on pasture for two years!

Overall I was so pleased with him! And get this! He has his first massage appointment today! Yeah! The lady I'm going to ride with from my riding team was recently certified as a equine massage therapist so she was coming my way today. I said come check out Harold. I'm pretty excited, will definitely get pictures!  Until then!

SO. MUCH. FUN.

But so sore!! And yes, I was expecting it, and I also feel like it's a good hurt. In my thighs and core. Which means I was riding properly! Yeah! (although my butt bones are also a tad tender! lol)

So hot and tired!

So I have no media!! I know, unheard of for me, right? Sadly I was the only one there and since breeches don't have pockets for phones, it got left in my car. Next time I might set my phone up somewhere since she said I could record if I liked.

I got a text from my instructor (we will call her L henceforth!) saying to go ahead and get Goldie out of her stall and put her in the cross ties and start grooming her and she would be there shortly. I kind of panicked a bit because I was still at work and trying to get kids gathered and into daddy's truck. But thankfully by the time L got there I had managed to get her out and in the cross ties and curried and brushed. She went over all the things she likes to do before tacking up, and while tacking up. And what bridle she likes to use on her. So I grabbed some green splint boots, my saddle and a pad and bridle and got her all tacked up (the ease of tacking up english as opposed to western never ceases to amaze me).

It was in the 90's out so we opted to stay in the lower half of the arena where the shade was, yeah! But I was still dripping with sweat soon after starting, lol. I hardly noticed though, I was concentrating too hard!

So my memory is pretty much shot after three kids but I'll try to remember best I can!

Main positive points I took from it were my shoulders looked great! (Yes! That was my main downfall in college) I have good arms. My stamina isn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. Heels and leg are generally good. 

Things I need to work on! (This list is much longer, lol) 

1. Shorter reins

2. Lengthen my core

3. Get off my pockets! Close my hip angle

4. Flatten back in two point

5. Figure out how to do a turn on forquarter and haunches without having to be reminded.

6. Look up, not at poles or ground

7. Work on canter seat (close hip angle, keep balance, sit light, give with hands)

That's not all I'm sure but I can't think of more at this moment.

My friend also had a private lesson the next day and we have been whining all week about how sore we are! Lol. L had a lot of good strength building excercises. My favorite was posting trot to a cone then sitting, then next cone was canter to posting trot then 2 point over poles and then do it all over again. It was in a circle. SO FUN. And a great work out! 

As I knew it would be my canter work was the worst. I just haven't had as much ride time at that gait. I completely lose my balance, brace with my outside leg. Stop following with my hands. She wants me to sit in almost a two point because I sit so deep and get behind. So major practice needed there! I felt like I was riding my best (according to her) when I was poking my chest and butt out. Lol! I've def been riding western a lot more these past few years. 

So! Now I'm pumped up. I want to get at least one practice ride in at home on Mr. Harold. And that means getting him back up to the front pasture so I can actually work with him! 

I have the brother in law looking for some hay and got some senior feed to start giving him twice a day.

Today while the littlest stinker takes her nap my middle child and I are going to go out and move him back up with Chatterbox and feed him. We bought him some treats too ;). Depending on how he acts I may work with him a bit. I'd love to ride but not sure how long my youngest will nap and the baby monitor only reaches so far! I have to periodically walk back towards the house to get it to pick up. 

I'll post back with how it goes!

Back To 'School'!

So I know it has been a long time since I've posted! Life just ended up taking all my time and energy!

What has happened since I've been gone?

The BIG thing is my newest little stinker!

Hailey June, born March 3rd 2016, a total of 5 tiny pounds!

5 months and a little teething machine!

So in case your counting that is THREE little girls now! I have a 6, 2.5 and 5 month old. All so different and beautiful in their own right and we are so blessed.

But frankly it leaves me little time for myself! (Or horses!) In fact I'm rocking my sweet one to sleep as I type this on my phone!)

And really that's ok. This is my season right now. Taking care of my girls and my hard working hubby (who is awesome by the way, he works from 5:30 am to 3 pm in horrible heat and humidity building custom homes) are who I am at this point in my life. And I don't regret it a bit. (In fact I'd have more babies if the hubby would let me! Lol, which if you knew me would totally confuse you since I never even liked kids!)

But I have never forgotten my love for horses and riding.

So usually once a day I peruse my blogger list and check out my favs, living a vicarious horse life through them! And last Tuesday as I was doing this it hit me. Lessons. I could take lessons! 

I rode IHSA in college (many moons ago) and my riding coach lived nearby my work and gave lessons from her house. She was our english coach. Sweet, sweet lady! Her husband is also my dentist, haha. Just a random fact there. In between now and then we both have had three kids and I had no idea if she was even still giving lessons!

So on the way home I decided to just go check out her place and see if it was still there etc. Well she was actually giving a lesson!! So I decided to pull on in and just talk to her then, say hi, how have you been. She thought I was with one of her students for a little bit so I got to watch her teach. And I saw two familiar faces from our set of team horses in college! Goldie, a palomino quarter horse who used to do western pleasure. And Chloe another QH. So neat! They are both in their 20's now but look awesome and going strong. 

So while her riders were taking a break she came over to see me and recognized me, lol. We talked a while and she was so excited to see me. She said she'd love to teach me and totally understood how it's sometimes easier to SCHEDULE horse time even when you have a horse at home!

Then she shocked me by saying one of my former team mates was going to be starting lessons this coming week also! What are the odds?? She was always a sweet girl and I really got along with her well. So then I was even more excited! I immediately Facebooked her and we both squealed over cyber land haha. I have kept sort of in touch with her but every time we tried to meet up something happened. It's been around 12 or 13 years since we have really saw each other. Gosh, time flies.

So we talked a little longer then I let her get back to her lesson. So there you have it! I get to ride again! :squeal:

Some of you may be like uh, you have a horse at home you don't even ride. I know!! And it sucks! He's so far away, by the time I get home from work I am immediately thrown into cleaning the house up, laundry, dinner, I don't have time. Plus nothing like THIS to ride in!

Where I get to ride! I will be riding the palomino in the middle, Goldie :)

And I also have to worry about 4 other horses in my way. The motivation just wasn't there. I needed a goal. 

So I when I got home I immediately pulled out my old english riding clothes. Breeches still fit! But out of style and a tad worn out. Boots are good, I bought those around 4 years ago and haven't worn them but maybe three times. Helmet is OLD and out of date as well. (I bought it back in 1998!!)

So I jump on the internet and find a nice new helmet in a good price range and also a really good deal on some breeches. $30 dollars? Yes, please! They had a neat tank top for $7 too so I grabbed that! Kid in a candy store? Yeah, sorta, lol. 

Troxel Intrepid Helmet

Ovation Euro Seat Tights

After a few back and forth conversations my friend and I decided with our instructor that a group lesson with one other lady on Tuesdays after work will be the best. But! This week I ended up having to schedule an eye appt for my middle child that day so I sent my instructor a text and she set me up with a private on Monday. One day sooner, whoo hoo!

Anyway so that's where I am right now! Will definitely update after my lesson tomorrow!

Until then!

Quick Visit

Well it's been forever since I've been able to get out to see my horse. Yeah, I DO STILL have a horse, it's something I have to remind myself of! I have been looking fairly seriously for a new house with land for Harold, but nothing comes up in OUR price range. Not yet at least.

We need at least a 3 bedroom, preferably 4 (I'll tell you why later!) At least 1400 sq ft with at least 5 acres, preferably more like 10-20. We don't want to be around people. We want to feel like we live in the woods, but of course with plenty of cleared land too. My ideal place would have lots of cleared pasture land for Harold (and other horses/ponies!) But surrounded by lots of woodland for the husband to hunt in and go for hikes etc, and privacy!
We also need to be in a certain area so Chloe can stay in the same school, plus its the area my husband works and we like.

We have had a few come close, we even put an offer in on one, but the price they need for it is a LOT more then we are willing to pay. (It had 20 acres of beautiful land but the house was built in the 40's and needed a lot of work)

Anyway, I used to just take my girls out there with me to see Harold but it's become too dangerous with him out in the other pasture. The three other horses (along with Chatterbox on the other side) are too much of an x factor. I'm not going to risk them. And the times I have without the girls are VERY few and far between. Usually the weekend which is when I finally get to spend time with my husband and all of us do something together. My family comes first, that's just the way it is.

But, I think it will be better soon. It's about hay time and I will be moving him up to the top pasture with the FIL's horse and start graining him again. Then I will be able to leave Chatterbox in the pasture and work him either in the round pen or out in front of the pasture without having to worry about any other horses being stupid or getting in my way.

But! I did get to see him last weekend! Friday I went out to feed Chatterbox  after I dropped the oldest munchkin off at kindergarten and I just happened to look back and saw they were all grouped at the pasture fence way in the back of the front pasture. So we traipsed out to see them! I think they have probably picked up on his feeding schedule and stand back there hoping someone will feed them too, lol.

I didn't get any pics since I left my phone in the car, but we just stood there and petted him awhile, well, Shelby had to pet all of them SEVERAL times, lol. Rusty tried to be a pain and push everyone around but I threw a few sticks at him and he stayed away from me, at least, lol. Harold seemed happy to see us and was eager to get lots of pets.

The next day was opening day of dove season so we were out in the back pasture hoping to shoot some birds. No luck though. We did enjoy the gorgeous weather and I got a few pics of the horses when they came to visit.

This is the hierarchy of the pasture in one picture! Poor Harold is the bottom of the pile, lol,
 but Skip is pretty nice to him

Pretty boy!

Posing for me, lol

His condition was a lot better then I thought it would be. But we have been getting good rain all summer. I also think he has setttled into the herd and is not so nervous, which would make him lose weight as well.

Whenever I can cough up $300 extra bucks I'm going to get his winter hay and start feeding him the senior feed again to get him where I want him before it gets cold. Fitted out and at a good weight I bet he would be a stunner. He is FULL of halter blood after all!

So! If you read my other blog you already know my news, but if you don't here it is!

I'm pregnant again! Here we go with #3!!

Little jelly bean at 8 weeks

So I'm currently 13 weeks, about to start my 2nd trimester, the FUN one, whoo hoo! I'm feeling pretty good! I'm staying more active with this baby, and plan to still do lots of ground work with Harold. If I feel like my belly is getting in the way or I'm being strained too much, I will quit, but for at least another two or three months I should be good.

I really want to set up an obstacle course to play with him on since I won't be riding any time soon. I've been watching some Clinton Anderson shows on the course on RFDTV and it looks like so much fun, and great for building communication and respect between the handler and horse. But we need to get our fundamentals down better. I haven't even done the sending exercise with him yet, which would be essential on the course.

Anyway the course has things to jump, trot/canter over, ditches, water, platforms, etc. Some of them will be more doable then others!

Well thats about all for right now!

No, I Haven't Sold (or Killed) My Horse

He is still out there! I think...I haven't been able to go out and see him in 2, actually 3, weeks. Yeah, that is my horse life right now. Sucks. The only horse I get to see is my father in laws goofy palomino because I have to feed him every morning -_-.

This is him 2 (or 3) weeks ago.

This picture makes his head look gigantic

After much yelling and screaming and such, I finally extricated him from his pasture and got the FIL's stupid palomino to leave me alone so I could work with him for a few minutes. Mainly just did some lunging for respect because his mind was on everything BUT me.

I was so annoyed about the whole situation I got him going half way good and then put him back out. By the time he went back out he was acting like a gentleman and had done well, but I still felt like it was a failure because I had to fight so hard to get him out AND back into his pasture. Plus I didn't get time to do much at all. Cue the pouty face!

So I'm just kind of in a holding pattern with him right now. I keep HOPING the father in law will quit hogging the front pasture so I can see my horse once in a blue moon. I could put him back in there and feed him again but there is NO hay left and NO grass in there. No, I don't know why the FIL doesn't realize his horse is getting pretty much no forage. Or why he doesn't seem to care if he does realize this. -_-

We have been halfway looking for another house. We actually looked at one the other day that had a flipping AWESOME place for horses. At least 8 acres of just hot wire fenced pasture. Plus 1 more that the house/yard was on. A huge, HUGE, barn with 4 stalls and a tack room plus indoor area to ride. But, sadly the house was crap and the area was just so-so.

Well, thats about all right now, just wanted yall to know we were still around!