Not much to report here. Black is suffering from and abscess and I think Lucy and Cat are trying to kill each other. It seems like if it isn't one thing with one of them then it is something with the other. Unfortunatly the KC doesn't help with injuries. If it did - I'd double their dose.
Lucy has cuts and scraps all over her body. Luckily none of them are too deep. Cat...............Cat is going to put me in a white jacket one of these days. Her cheese sliced leg is finally healing and her hair is growing back. Her chest fluctuates depending on what her and Lu have managed to do that day. As of last night it looked as "normal" as I think it is going to look. But now..........now she has a puncture wound on the cheese slice leg up above the knee. I have no clue what she could have gotten into. The pasture is mostly high tensil fence and minus a water tank and some hay bales - there really isn't anything in it. The only thing I can think of is that she poked it on a tree branch or something?
Needless to say her leg is swollen up about 3x the size of normal. I've wrapped her leg (which she despises) so I guess we'll wait and see. Once she's healed up she's going to go visit MIL for a while so I can seperate her and Lu. I don't need Lu getting hurt any worse before Nov. If I have to - I'll take Abby to TX but I really, really, really don't want to!
Lu has given me a few good/much needed laughs over the last few weeks. I made her go into the duck pond since she ins't a big fan of water. She pawed for what seemed like an eternity splashing duck poo water everywhere! After her third trip in she decided it was good enough to roll in. Yuck! She got a bath and I turned her out. I'm so glad those CA halters wash up well.
I did send Cat into it before her last injury. She wasn't as much fun as Lu but she went in. I'd never asked her to go in any water before so it was good for her.
Last night MIL and I rode bb down the road. I just wanted to "ride" so I didn't even bother to put a bridle on Lu. I just snapped some reins on her leather halter and we were off. We rode for and hour or so but quickly ran out of daylight.
Tuff E Nuff Quarter Horses
Lucy
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
Too Hot!
It has been horribly hot here! Too hot to ride – or at least it should be.
MIL and the drill team had a performance at the Carson Rodeo 08/7 and it was by far the worst performance they’ve ever had. They tried to get it back together but it didn’t happen and they left the arena w/o finishing the performance. They were scheduled to perform at the opening ceremonies of the Iowa State Fair in less then a week so this was not the confidence booster they needed.
MIL and I got back to her place around 2 in the morning and it took a while before we were able to fall asleep. We’d planned on getting up in the morning and going for a trail ride before heading home. Notice I used the word planned. By noon we finally got the horses loaded and headed to the trails. I think we should have stayed at home. The trails were horrible. They have had so much water this year that they haven’t been maintained. We got to the middle of one trail and the creek had been washed out. It had a “caution” sign. Caution? I don’t think you could get your horse through it w/o risking injury. IMO it should have been closed. MIL and I turned around and headed back.
We hit another trail and we could tell the horses (Sis mainly) were tiring. At one creek crossing she went to her knees coming up the hill. It scared MIL but I think she was just tired and missed her step. We headed back to the trailer and gave them a good rinse down before heading home.
Lucy did spook w/me for the first time. Luckily I was able to stay on. I’m not happy that she spooked but I was happy w/her response. She did a ORS before I could find my reins.
The drill team did perform at the Iowa State Fair Opening Ceremonies. I didn’t go but I was told it went well. You can see a few clips of them in this video talking about the new facilities at the fairgrounds.
State Fair Opens
Sis was used once again for the Cowgirl Queen Contest on Friday at the State Fair. Anna – our Jr. Queen made the cut for the semi finals. This is a pretty big deal to make the cut so we were very proud of her.
Anna doing the cowgirl salute on Sis (yeah can you believe she can run).
MIL and the drill team had a performance at the Carson Rodeo 08/7 and it was by far the worst performance they’ve ever had. They tried to get it back together but it didn’t happen and they left the arena w/o finishing the performance. They were scheduled to perform at the opening ceremonies of the Iowa State Fair in less then a week so this was not the confidence booster they needed.
MIL and I got back to her place around 2 in the morning and it took a while before we were able to fall asleep. We’d planned on getting up in the morning and going for a trail ride before heading home. Notice I used the word planned. By noon we finally got the horses loaded and headed to the trails. I think we should have stayed at home. The trails were horrible. They have had so much water this year that they haven’t been maintained. We got to the middle of one trail and the creek had been washed out. It had a “caution” sign. Caution? I don’t think you could get your horse through it w/o risking injury. IMO it should have been closed. MIL and I turned around and headed back.
We hit another trail and we could tell the horses (Sis mainly) were tiring. At one creek crossing she went to her knees coming up the hill. It scared MIL but I think she was just tired and missed her step. We headed back to the trailer and gave them a good rinse down before heading home.
Lucy did spook w/me for the first time. Luckily I was able to stay on. I’m not happy that she spooked but I was happy w/her response. She did a ORS before I could find my reins.
The drill team did perform at the Iowa State Fair Opening Ceremonies. I didn’t go but I was told it went well. You can see a few clips of them in this video talking about the new facilities at the fairgrounds.
State Fair Opens
Sis was used once again for the Cowgirl Queen Contest on Friday at the State Fair. Anna – our Jr. Queen made the cut for the semi finals. This is a pretty big deal to make the cut so we were very proud of her.
Anna doing the cowgirl salute on Sis (yeah can you believe she can run).
Friday, August 6, 2010
Catch me if you can!
Last night Lucy and I went to drill practice with MIL. One of the little girls had asked me to pull her horse’s mane in preparation for the Cowgirl Queen Contest next week at State Fair so I didn’t really anticipate riding much. While she was getting her horse warm for me Lu and I headed to the arena. I’m amazed at how much she changes w/the little amount of consistent work she gets. I’m constantly getting compliments on how good she looks and how relaxed and happy she looks. That of course makes me happy.
While the drill team performed I pulled Maggie’s mane while Lucy ate grass. After they were done with their run Lu and I headed back into the arena to play around some more. The team was standing in a group listening to their instructions for their rodeo this weekend so Lu trotted circles around them. She’s not rating my seat as much as I’d like her to so I’m trying to go back to the basics a bit.
Anna (the queen contestant) got on Sis to try her out. She still isn’t sure if she wants to use Sis or her horse. Lu and I had been loping around the arena (plunking more like it) when I told Anna to do the “Cowgirl salute”. She kicked Sis up a notch and I asked Lu to follow. OMG that filly finally found the gas pedal! She can book it when she wants to. I saw visions of my butt in the arena thinking if she moved just one quick step to the side I was a gonner! Luckily for me it didn’t happen. I don’t think Lu has ever gone that fast w/a rider before and I kind of think she enjoyed it.
After that I wanted to jump on Sis a bit. She was stiff and wasn’t driving the way I knew she could. We did some rollbacks and some bending exercises and then she decided slow and low was a better idea. While I was riding Sis another member of the team decided to get on Lu. I’m pretty picky about who gets on my horses but it was nice to see how Lu reacted w/a different rider. She had her head tucked nicely on a very loose rein. By the end of the night the mosquitoes got so bad we decided to get out of Dodge!
While the drill team performed I pulled Maggie’s mane while Lucy ate grass. After they were done with their run Lu and I headed back into the arena to play around some more. The team was standing in a group listening to their instructions for their rodeo this weekend so Lu trotted circles around them. She’s not rating my seat as much as I’d like her to so I’m trying to go back to the basics a bit.
Anna (the queen contestant) got on Sis to try her out. She still isn’t sure if she wants to use Sis or her horse. Lu and I had been loping around the arena (plunking more like it) when I told Anna to do the “Cowgirl salute”. She kicked Sis up a notch and I asked Lu to follow. OMG that filly finally found the gas pedal! She can book it when she wants to. I saw visions of my butt in the arena thinking if she moved just one quick step to the side I was a gonner! Luckily for me it didn’t happen. I don’t think Lu has ever gone that fast w/a rider before and I kind of think she enjoyed it.
After that I wanted to jump on Sis a bit. She was stiff and wasn’t driving the way I knew she could. We did some rollbacks and some bending exercises and then she decided slow and low was a better idea. While I was riding Sis another member of the team decided to get on Lu. I’m pretty picky about who gets on my horses but it was nice to see how Lu reacted w/a different rider. She had her head tucked nicely on a very loose rein. By the end of the night the mosquitoes got so bad we decided to get out of Dodge!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
A little peace & quiet
Wow, I haven’t posted in a while huh? Last week/early this week the boys (DH and Ty) were gone to the farm so Chase and I had some quality one on one time. He’s been riding Abby and I’ve been a mean mom only giving him 1 rein at a time. Since he has been riding I let him take Abby to the show and run games with her. This was the first time he’d had two reins in a while and he wasn’t quite sure what to do.
I warmed Abby up for him (wore her out) so she didn’t have much get up and go when it was time to run but they did great! He’s got a lot of fast kids/horses in his age group this year and he still managed to place. Why? Because he got the pattern right and he worked with Abby instead of against her. I was so proud of him.
Sunday I took Cat and Bell over to MIL’s. I don’t have time to work Cat and trying to manage 7 horses by myself was starting to wear on me. Cat’s leg seems to be healing fine. I took the bandage off and she’s been licking it. It looks better w/her caring for it then it ever did with me trying to so I’ll let Mother Nature take her course.
Monday night MIL and I went to the arena while Chase stayed with grandma. Sis got a new set of shoes (yes I know) so the trimmer wanted us to check them out to see if back shoes were called for. We worked on what I think we will work on in TX and all I can say is that after 25 min. MIL and I were ready to collapse (the ponies weren’t looking much better). There is NO way I’m going to be ready for TX. I’m just going to face the reality now. It was a nice ride though and Sis looked great! For the first time since her injury (May ’09), she was actually almost hitting her front footsteps with her back feet. Normally she short strides so bad on that side that she look lame. MIL was excited and sad at the same time. We’ve worked long and hard to keep from shoeing but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
Sat. the boys (Ty and Chase) leave for great grandmas for a week so I’m hoping to get some ride time in then.
I warmed Abby up for him (wore her out) so she didn’t have much get up and go when it was time to run but they did great! He’s got a lot of fast kids/horses in his age group this year and he still managed to place. Why? Because he got the pattern right and he worked with Abby instead of against her. I was so proud of him.
Sunday I took Cat and Bell over to MIL’s. I don’t have time to work Cat and trying to manage 7 horses by myself was starting to wear on me. Cat’s leg seems to be healing fine. I took the bandage off and she’s been licking it. It looks better w/her caring for it then it ever did with me trying to so I’ll let Mother Nature take her course.
Monday night MIL and I went to the arena while Chase stayed with grandma. Sis got a new set of shoes (yes I know) so the trimmer wanted us to check them out to see if back shoes were called for. We worked on what I think we will work on in TX and all I can say is that after 25 min. MIL and I were ready to collapse (the ponies weren’t looking much better). There is NO way I’m going to be ready for TX. I’m just going to face the reality now. It was a nice ride though and Sis looked great! For the first time since her injury (May ’09), she was actually almost hitting her front footsteps with her back feet. Normally she short strides so bad on that side that she look lame. MIL was excited and sad at the same time. We’ve worked long and hard to keep from shoeing but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
Sat. the boys (Ty and Chase) leave for great grandmas for a week so I’m hoping to get some ride time in then.
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