Friday night the boys and I headed over to MIL’s so we could get up and go shopping for TX on Sat. The boys crashed pretty early so MIL and I headed out to the barn. Cat was being pretty pushy so I put her halter on and put her to work. She is a very smart girl and didn’t mess w/me too much.
While I was working with Cat, MIL starting working with Sis. The next thing I knew – MIL was riding Sis bareback around the dark pasture. Temptation overwhelmed me and the next thing I knew I was up on Cat bareback riding around with MIL in a dark pasture full of loose horses. It was wonderful! Cat was so quiet and laid back, almost as if I’d been riding her all summer. We rode for probably 30 – 45 minutes before calling it a night.
I just looked back and my last ride on Cat was June 13th! I knew it had been a while!
Saturday we got up and went shopping. I finally found a new pair of boots and picked up a couple of pairs of jeans. After our shopping spree we headed back to the farm and cleaned out the trailer. I gave it a quick power wash inside and out and then we loaded it up and headed back to MIL’s. Sunday we got all of the packing (for the horses) complete. I brought Black back home so she can stay on her feeding schedule while we are gone but the others (Bell, Cat, & Abby) will be staying at MIL’s while we are gone.
Lucy got a quick trim this morning so she’s ready to go (as ready as she’ll be). Now it is just time to get me and the boys packed!
Tuff E Nuff Quarter Horses
Lucy
Monday, October 25, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Hitting the trails
Friday night Chase and I headed up to Brushy Creek for an overnight trail ride. This was the first “overnight” we’ve done this year. I don’t typically take Chase up to Brushy because the trails are a little more challenging but I felt he was finally up for the challenge. I didn’t think he was up to the challenge w/Abby though so he took Sis and I took Lu.
We got up there late Fri. night and parking was quite the task (he almost backed me into a tree). We finally got settled and snuggled down for the night. Sat. we got up and headed out on the trails.
Right off of the trail head is a steep hill. Chase was a little nervous but this quickly became his favorite trail head.
The weather was perfect and the trees were lovely. We went South on Saturday and ended up down by the river.
One of my favorite signs. It reads “trail closed”
On the way back we found an old warming house. Chase thought it was the coolest thing so he pulled the DNR guy over and asked him what it was for. It was an old snowmobile warming house that hadn’t been used in 20+ years.
Sat. night we had a bonfire with farm fresh steaks, potatoes, green beans and of course – smores! Chase was in bed and out cold by 9:00. lol
Sunday we headed towards the spillway. These are my all time favorite pics from this weekend.
Up, up, up and away
When we made it to the spillway Chase said “I’m not crossing that!” I informed him he had no other choice. He told me he did, he could turn around and go back. In the picture you’ll notice the water in the top right-hand corner of the picture. That is where we normally cross. There is typically a sand bar there that you follow and then you cross a short section of water to the other side. Last time DH and I went up the deep part was up to my ankles. When I took Lu down into the shallow I was in up to my ankles and I could feel her going in deeper and deeper. I was pretty uncomfortable pushing her to go in any further since I know that was the “shallow” section so I backed out and opted to try to navigate the top part.
We don’t typically take the top because a) it is very rocky and b) the current is pretty strong. I coaxed Lu out into it and told Chase to stay behind. After we crossed safely I had him bring Sis on through. You can’t tell from the pic but that is a straight up & down jump up out of the water. Chase (and Sis) handled it very well.
More smiles
And here is the end. Chase heading up his favorite hill.
It was a great weekend!
We got up there late Fri. night and parking was quite the task (he almost backed me into a tree). We finally got settled and snuggled down for the night. Sat. we got up and headed out on the trails.
Right off of the trail head is a steep hill. Chase was a little nervous but this quickly became his favorite trail head.
The weather was perfect and the trees were lovely. We went South on Saturday and ended up down by the river.
One of my favorite signs. It reads “trail closed”
On the way back we found an old warming house. Chase thought it was the coolest thing so he pulled the DNR guy over and asked him what it was for. It was an old snowmobile warming house that hadn’t been used in 20+ years.
Sat. night we had a bonfire with farm fresh steaks, potatoes, green beans and of course – smores! Chase was in bed and out cold by 9:00. lol
Sunday we headed towards the spillway. These are my all time favorite pics from this weekend.
Up, up, up and away
When we made it to the spillway Chase said “I’m not crossing that!” I informed him he had no other choice. He told me he did, he could turn around and go back. In the picture you’ll notice the water in the top right-hand corner of the picture. That is where we normally cross. There is typically a sand bar there that you follow and then you cross a short section of water to the other side. Last time DH and I went up the deep part was up to my ankles. When I took Lu down into the shallow I was in up to my ankles and I could feel her going in deeper and deeper. I was pretty uncomfortable pushing her to go in any further since I know that was the “shallow” section so I backed out and opted to try to navigate the top part.
We don’t typically take the top because a) it is very rocky and b) the current is pretty strong. I coaxed Lu out into it and told Chase to stay behind. After we crossed safely I had him bring Sis on through. You can’t tell from the pic but that is a straight up & down jump up out of the water. Chase (and Sis) handled it very well.
More smiles
And here is the end. Chase heading up his favorite hill.
It was a great weekend!
Monday, October 11, 2010
Woo hooo! Pony Time!
I’ve already informed my parents that they aren’t getting their house back. I’m loving being out on the farm!
Sat. MIL and I headed to the vet for out coggins/health certs for TX. Sis got out first and Lu wasn’t very happy. I’m not sure if it is the weather or what but she typically doesn’t care. After Sis got done I grabbed Lu and she was full of it. She was antsy and didn’t want to stand still for the vet. I would have loved to have done some LFR but the vet was in a hurry & she wasn’t any worse then most horses so I just let it be.
When we got back to the house I decided to do some gw with her since she seemed to have so much extra energy. I put the long line on and she did very well. It didn’t take her long to start thinking. ;) She was dripping sweat by the time I got done so I tied her up in her stall to think about it and we headed to town to pick up feed. They had mini hay bales at the feed store so I bought one for Ty to carry around. I think it is too cute!
After the feed store we headed up to Ames to look for new boots and to buy bagged hay (they don’t sell it locally). I really want a pair of boots that doesn’t have a thick, grippy sole but I can’t seem to find a pair. Since we were close to Brandon we decided to take the boys to go see their dad. By now Lu had stood for a good 4 hrs. so I asked my sister to go untie her. Good thing I did as we didn’t return home until after 8.
Sunday I got up and did some gw with Lu again. I put her on the long line and made her do LFR on the hill and over the creek bank. After she was nice and hot I grabbed Sis. Sis did have some swelling from her shots so I took it easy on her. She was still huffing and puffing but she didn’t work nearly as hard as Lu did.
Later in the day MIL came over and we rode. I saddled up English and MIL rode bb. My bridle was at home so I used MIL’s bosal. Lu did well in it but didn’t like the heaviness of the bosal. I know she’s light because I can just barely pick up the reins and she will tuck her head – in the bosal she thought I was picking up when I wasn’t.
When we got done riding I decided to see if Lu would lie down. I worked on her in increments and treated her often (she’s a lush for treats). Let me tell you – when she decides to go down she falls like a ton of bricks! I was just trying to get her to touch her knee to the ground when she decided to come on down (almost on top of me). I got her to go down twice and then put her away.
Later I went down and spent time cleaning up her mane, clipping her and I even blunt cut her tail! I actually like the way it looks on her. Did I mention I love being out at the farm.
Sat. MIL and I headed to the vet for out coggins/health certs for TX. Sis got out first and Lu wasn’t very happy. I’m not sure if it is the weather or what but she typically doesn’t care. After Sis got done I grabbed Lu and she was full of it. She was antsy and didn’t want to stand still for the vet. I would have loved to have done some LFR but the vet was in a hurry & she wasn’t any worse then most horses so I just let it be.
When we got back to the house I decided to do some gw with her since she seemed to have so much extra energy. I put the long line on and she did very well. It didn’t take her long to start thinking. ;) She was dripping sweat by the time I got done so I tied her up in her stall to think about it and we headed to town to pick up feed. They had mini hay bales at the feed store so I bought one for Ty to carry around. I think it is too cute!
After the feed store we headed up to Ames to look for new boots and to buy bagged hay (they don’t sell it locally). I really want a pair of boots that doesn’t have a thick, grippy sole but I can’t seem to find a pair. Since we were close to Brandon we decided to take the boys to go see their dad. By now Lu had stood for a good 4 hrs. so I asked my sister to go untie her. Good thing I did as we didn’t return home until after 8.
Sunday I got up and did some gw with Lu again. I put her on the long line and made her do LFR on the hill and over the creek bank. After she was nice and hot I grabbed Sis. Sis did have some swelling from her shots so I took it easy on her. She was still huffing and puffing but she didn’t work nearly as hard as Lu did.
Later in the day MIL came over and we rode. I saddled up English and MIL rode bb. My bridle was at home so I used MIL’s bosal. Lu did well in it but didn’t like the heaviness of the bosal. I know she’s light because I can just barely pick up the reins and she will tuck her head – in the bosal she thought I was picking up when I wasn’t.
When we got done riding I decided to see if Lu would lie down. I worked on her in increments and treated her often (she’s a lush for treats). Let me tell you – when she decides to go down she falls like a ton of bricks! I was just trying to get her to touch her knee to the ground when she decided to come on down (almost on top of me). I got her to go down twice and then put her away.
Later I went down and spent time cleaning up her mane, clipping her and I even blunt cut her tail! I actually like the way it looks on her. Did I mention I love being out at the farm.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Life on the farm……………….
My parents left for a 10 day vacation so I’m house sitting for them until they return. They still have some baby squirrels to take care of and a fawn so instead of going out two times a day (with my kids in tow) I decided to just stay in their house while they are gone.
Last night I went out to get my computer and a few other things set up and then headed down to the barn. Lu was just standing there looking at me awaiting her dinner. The boys were enjoying their nightly dig in the dirt with their toy trucks. I decided I needed to work on my balance so I grabbed my rope off of my stick, looped it around her neck and jumped on.
Our ride was pretty interesting. If Lu feels me get unbalanced she stops. I’m not saying this is a bad thing but sometimes I need to work through it. I pushed her on and started trying a few different things to get in sync with her. She was being really good and I the ride was just what I needed. I did learn that her steering isn’t so good. She doesn’t move off of my legs as well without a bridle to help guide her. I did end up getting her to go where I wanted a few times but I had to use my crop to help back up my leg cues.
Her steering might not be the best but her stop and backup were pretty darn good. If I took my legs off of her she sat down. When I rocked back she tucked her head as if I was picking up on the reins and backed up (almost better then when I do have a bridle on). If I would have had my camera, I would have had Chase take a video even though I was in capri pants and flip flops.
We messed around a bit. I laughed as she decided to take off after the dog – until she started to pick up speed! Then I shut her down. We tracked the dogs a bit and then I got up the courage to lope her. This was the first time I’ve loped her bareback. Now I’m not typically afraid of loping bareback but when it comes to Lu, I find I have a difficult time getting in rhythm/sync with her. I don’t know if it is her size, her athletic ability or if it is just me.
We headed down to the end of the pasture and I hopped of. On the way back to the barn I did a bit of yhq and yfq with her (halterless) and she did great. I’m hoping to do the same again tonight (only maybe w/an English saddle this time). I love being back on the farm!
Last night I went out to get my computer and a few other things set up and then headed down to the barn. Lu was just standing there looking at me awaiting her dinner. The boys were enjoying their nightly dig in the dirt with their toy trucks. I decided I needed to work on my balance so I grabbed my rope off of my stick, looped it around her neck and jumped on.
Our ride was pretty interesting. If Lu feels me get unbalanced she stops. I’m not saying this is a bad thing but sometimes I need to work through it. I pushed her on and started trying a few different things to get in sync with her. She was being really good and I the ride was just what I needed. I did learn that her steering isn’t so good. She doesn’t move off of my legs as well without a bridle to help guide her. I did end up getting her to go where I wanted a few times but I had to use my crop to help back up my leg cues.
Her steering might not be the best but her stop and backup were pretty darn good. If I took my legs off of her she sat down. When I rocked back she tucked her head as if I was picking up on the reins and backed up (almost better then when I do have a bridle on). If I would have had my camera, I would have had Chase take a video even though I was in capri pants and flip flops.
We messed around a bit. I laughed as she decided to take off after the dog – until she started to pick up speed! Then I shut her down. We tracked the dogs a bit and then I got up the courage to lope her. This was the first time I’ve loped her bareback. Now I’m not typically afraid of loping bareback but when it comes to Lu, I find I have a difficult time getting in rhythm/sync with her. I don’t know if it is her size, her athletic ability or if it is just me.
We headed down to the end of the pasture and I hopped of. On the way back to the barn I did a bit of yhq and yfq with her (halterless) and she did great. I’m hoping to do the same again tonight (only maybe w/an English saddle this time). I love being back on the farm!
Monday, October 4, 2010
Cleaning out the barn!
Well since I can't ride I decided to clean out the barn. I've got a lot of stuff I don't use so I've decided to put it on Craigs List. Hopefully I can get ride of most of it.
I'm going to list some stuff here in case anyone is interested. I hate tossing stuff and I'm not sure if I'm up for selling on E-bay yet.
So far I have:
A vintage pony saddle (metal horn, slick seat, tapaderos)
Professionals Choice skid boots (green)
2 sets of cotton mecate reins
Flat halters
Rope halters/leads
Whither pads
Muley Horns - I linked it because I know someone is going to ask!
Will add more when I get through more trunks.
I'm going to list some stuff here in case anyone is interested. I hate tossing stuff and I'm not sure if I'm up for selling on E-bay yet.
So far I have:
A vintage pony saddle (metal horn, slick seat, tapaderos)
Professionals Choice skid boots (green)
2 sets of cotton mecate reins
Flat halters
Rope halters/leads
Whither pads
Muley Horns - I linked it because I know someone is going to ask!
Will add more when I get through more trunks.
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