Monday!!

Today I rode Curly for about an hour and a half. Then I lunged Daisy for a bit (I kept Freedom in the corral). She did quite well with that and she followed me too :) I also touched Freedom all over and he did good with that :) I didn't work with him quite as long as I wanted and I plan to do more with him tomorrow!! Sorry this is short but today was my first day at work and I am quite tired ;) Hope you all have a wonderful week!! :)

Saturday's Ride and Naming Daisy's Baby!!

First things first..Daisy's Lil Guy's name is Spring's Freedom. I like the name Freedom because it so fits him and his personality. He loves to be independent, feisty, and so full of life :) Also it fits with his flag marking on his right side on his neck :) I will be calling him Freedom though. As for weather I am selling him or not I don't know that yet :)

Today (Saturday 4.28.12) a group of 11 people and horses (including Shasta and I went to Brickerville. We arrived there around 11:00 a.m. It is a nice place to ride and we do mostly walking with some cantering so it was a perfect ride for a pregnant mare. It was about 3 hours long with a good amount of time sitting at an area with grass so the horses could eat and we got to eat our lunch as well :) Then we headed back to the trailer after lunch. We loaded the horses up and headed back to Sharon. Overall it was an awesome time. Shasta did well and I even rode her in a snaffle bit (I had done that about two times but this was the first time riding her with a big group like that).When we got back I unsaddled Shasta and brushed her. I then cleaned out her stall so I could put her in there (she is in the main ring with other horses during the day which is nice for her). I also cleaned out Daisy's corral.

Then I got to play with Freedom a bit. I rubbed him all over and of course I was messing with his legs. He didn't usually mind me touching his back legs and picking them up but today he was kicking at me and he figured out that once he stops kicking then he gets to stand still without being touched :) Freedom is one smart guy :) I really love having him!!Anyway enough of that!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

♥ Friday Misc. ♥

pic taken 4.27.12

Friday: Today I got off from work early :) We did some odds and ends around the barn (Sharon, Abby, and my cousin Josh) then Sharon, Josh and I went to Weaver Aucker (he is a harness maker) to get some saddles fixed. My breaststrap rings on my english saddle had tore out so I took that to get fixed. I also got some other things fixed. When we got back I was messing with the Lil Guy (hehe temporary name..I think I might have a name picked out but we shall see). I put the halter on him again and was working a bit with leading and he did pretty good with that. But before I did either of those things I was just touching him all over and loving on him and hugging him. I found out that he loves his neck scratched but doesn't like his belly touched so much. We worked on that though. I also got him to pick his two front feet up as well. He is just so cute, independent, full of life and feisty!! :) After supper Earl Dean took two riders on a ride and while he did that Sharon was messing with Harry and I was messing with Lil Guy again. I groomed Daisy a bit and Lil Guy was just standing there eating and watching me..I even ran the soft bristled brush over him :) I wanted to walk Daisy a bit so I decided to hop on her bareback and walk her around the meadow along with her baby. We walked for about 10 or so minutes and then I let her eat grass. Her baby was running around and being quite the energetic little guy :) Too cute!! While they were out I got Shasta out and groomed her. She then got the chance to eat grass too while I fed everyone outside and Shasta their grain and hay in their paddocks and stalls :) Then I tucked them in and headed for home. Tomorrow we are going to be going on a 3 hour ride and I am taking Shasta. She is good shape and feels real good :) Can't wait till she has her baby though. I think after tomorrow though her work will be cut back just like I did with Daisy..still will make sure she get exercise just light exercise :) Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

It's A Boy!!, Lunging Shasta and Riding :)

To see more pics go to this link:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3120009798236.2122074.1204284458&type=3&l=b33effc499 I realize its on FB but you should be able to see it anyway!!

Wednesday: On my way to work I did check Daisy to see how she is doing and to see if she had her baby. No baby but she was showing signs of having it soon. I was at work and around 9:30 Sharon calls and says Daisy is really looking like she will have a baby soon...if you want to see it you better come. So I left work around 10 to go drop some stuff off at Sister's Day then I headed over to Sharon's. Daisy was fine and I petted her and spent some time with her then I went into the house. Well I stayed at Sharon till 2:15 then I left because I decided I want to go finish up my work at work and then come back at Sharon, stay the night and just be there all day Thursday. Well wouldn't you know half an hour after I left (Sharon was there at home by then..she had gone away the whole time I was there) she had her baby..Sharon send me a picture text and right away I knew Daisy had her baby. I was sad I missed it but I finished up my work at work (for the last time for that matter) and then by 8:00 got to see the baby for the first time. What a cutie he is. He doesn't have a name yet but I am working on it!! He is a little brown and white paint and he has a flag on his right side on his neck..Really cute!! Check out all the pics on FB (link at top of page). Note* Even if you don't have an account on FB that is fine because you can still see the photos.

Hehe I did love on Shasta after I met the baby :) Looking forward to seeing her baby!! So far Curly's baby's have all been boys and this guy is the first paint out of him!!

Thursday: Then Thursday morning of course I couldn't sleep at Sharon I had to go see my little guy and Daisy so I got up and went out to see them. I just peeked into the stall and then said hi. I cleaned out the stall and also went over to Shasta and cleaned her stall out (She is out of it during the day but in during the night). I then went in and ate breakfast with my cousins and Sharon. After breakfast I got Daisy and the foal out and took them out to the grass :) They really liked that and I got a lot of nice pics of the lil guy and his mom. Sharon and my cousin got the corral where they were going to be ready and then we put them in there so they can be outside and have plenty of place to move around along with having a nice shelter :) I did mess with the Lil Guy as far as touching him all over and I did put a halter on him :) He did better the second time which was neat!! I took it off again though. He is going to be quite a handfull I think even if he does have constant contact with me :D :D He has a lot of spirit and energy :) Love that in him though!! After a while my cousin Sarah and her brother Chris, Sharon and I went for a wagon ride (Curly was pulling it) with Sarah and Chris driving. When we got back we did some odds and end then got some lunch. After lunch we decided to go up to Woodcrest and I rode Curly up there. When we got back from that I lunged Shasta a bit over a pole in the meadow and she did well with that. After I did that I groomed both Daisy (in her corral with Lil Guy right there) and Shasta then headed home. Over all it was a wonderful day with the horses!!

Lunging Shasta!

Monday and Tuesday's Rides!!

Monday: I didn't ride or do groundwork with either of my horses but I rode a friend's horse that boards where I board as well. The horse's name is Harry and he is a TB (here is the post I wrote about him in: http://musingsofacowgirl.blogspot.com/2011/12/monday-wednesday-and-fridays-rides.html). I had ridden him last Thursday and he had done quite well. So he did really well for me this time around too!! :) I was pleased with him!

Tuesday: Last evening I rode Daisy. She is looking quite ready to have her baby and actually this morning I am going to be stopping in to check on her on my way to work. She did very good for me last evening and really seemed to enjoy herself. We did mostly walking with one spot of cantering :) She wanted to so I figured what the girl wants is what the girl gets :) Then she seemed content the rest of the way!! Oh and for those of you who don't know yet..I GOT THE JOB at the bakery..I start Monday morning. The hours are from 3-11 am..early I know but I get the afternoons to spend with my girls!! Well off to my last week of working my other jobs!!
p.s. Yesterday (4.24) was Shasta's 9th bday!! :)

Friday's Ride on Shasta and Ponying Daisy!!

Last evening I rode Shasta most of the evening. Sharon had a group of riders and one of the people was the person I got Navajo from (not my cousin but her friend Steph). It was nice seeing her again!! Sharon rode Speedy, Sarah rode Harry (for the first time) and I rode Shasta (obviously). Anyway we had a mostly walking ride with maybe two spots of running. Shasta did well. I was using the Paso-Fino bit but when we got back I put the snaffle bit and lunged her in the meadow a bit while Sharon and Sarah were getting ready to go again (this time with Sharon riding Harry, Sarah riding their families Beauty (who by the way is going home today (Saturday) while she ponied her horse Misha). Shasta did really well with the lunging although I believe we have quite a bit of work to do with that. I got her to go over a pole (jumping pole) and around a cone. :) I thought that was good!! Then when everyone was ready to go I put the stirrups on Shasta and got Daisy to pony her. That way Daisy still gets some exercise but without a rider. We mostly walked but we did canter just a bit. Daisy did amazing :) Shasta did well too especially with having the snaffle bit and ponying Shasta. When we got back I hosed Shasta off and brushed Daisy :) I tucked them into their stalls and headed home :)

Wednesday and Thursday's Groundwork!

Wednesday: Last evening I rode my friend's horse Harry. He did really well for me. When Sharon and I got back from riding I worked with Shasta a little bit. I lunged her and she did the best she has done in a long while. I was quite inpressed with her.

Thursday: I got Daisy and then I lunged her at a trot in the main ring. She did quite well and followed me. Then I gave her a nice bath. She was closing her eyes and all..she really enjoyed it. Then I tied her in the yard while I gave Shasta a bath. Both girls really needed it and it was such a nice warm day today. Once Shasta was done I let her eat a bit too and then I put Silverado (its like show sheen) and then I put both girls away. No foal as of tonight but hopefully soon :) :) If she doesn't have her foal by the end of the month I will be talking to a vet. No word about having a job yet but should know tomorrow. Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week and an awesome weekend!!

Tuesday's Rides!!

I rode Daisy this evening. We just walked until the very end :) I cantered just a bit with her. I rode her with the hackamore and she did very well. She wanted to walk and she was quite happy the whole time. I was pleased with how she did. I groomed her good then put her away! No baby yet but it wouldn't surprise me if it is soon (hehe hope so anyway).
When we got back I put the snaffle bit on Shasta and we rode around the meadow a little bit and since she did so well with that I decided to take her out on the trails by herself. We cantered out the back field and up the field lane then turned around and she walked quite nicely for me. She wanted to prance right before we turn to head back to Sharon but I just stopped her and turned her in circles until she was willing to walk up toward home. Then she walked nicely that whole stretch. So since she did so well I asked her to canter and then when I asked her to slow down she did very nicely. I was quite amazed..that was the best she ever did with the snaffle. When we got back I brushed her and put her away and loved on her a bit. Oh just a bit on when I went to get her before the ride..she came right to me..I was so pleased. Like I said you have to know Shasta and how she was..she never used to do that..she always hid behind the other horses. I am so happy with her progress!!

Monday's Groundwork!!

Last evening (Monday) I was at Sharon again (no more chorus practice Mondays anymore ;). Sharon had taken a horse to the farrier so I was there by myself at first. I decided to do just some groundwork with Daisy. First I got her to walk nicely beside me (and we hadn't done any roundpenning or anything like that). She did well with that but she kept thinking she could eat grass and I let her know that that was a no no. We went in circles both to the left and right and we even trotted a bit all with me having a very loose hold on the rope (I wouldn't of had the rope but I knew she just thought she had to have grass so I figured she would be more focused with the rope on her halter). After we trotted around a bit I took her out to close to the end of the driveway and asked her to stand still while I walk away. I told her WHOA and walked away. She looked at me like "why do I have to stand here?". My goal was to walk in a wide circle the whole way around her. I was at her side when she decided to take a step forward. I made her back up then said WHOA then walked the whole way around her. She stood so nicely although you could tell she wanted to go somewhere ;) Then I told her she may come to me and she did. I just really liked that! After that I got this idea lets get her to say yes (by using a pin/nail or something to touch the front of her chest to get her head to come down to say yes :) She at first thought I meant to back so she backed up but she did it twice for me. :) I was proud of her. The last thing I did with her was lay her down (The last time I did it was the 2nd time I ever did it (March 30th) (the first time was a year ago) so this would have been the third time. She did very well. She ate grass for a bit then got up ;) I hosed her off since it was quite warm yesterday and then I went to Shasta. I didn't do anything with her because I was going on a ride with a group of friends. I went in to her (she is with 4 horses during the day then by herself at night). The first time I went in to her she went and hid behind the other horses THEN came to me. I praised her and loved on her then I started to walk away and she followed me so I stopped AND SHE BUMPED ME WITH HER NOSE ON PURPOSE. You gotta know Shasta to see why this is a big deal. Every other time she bumped me or touched me when joining up it is when I offered my hand or put some part of my body out farther so she knows to touch me before I touch her. THIS TIME we didn't even do any join up or anything and she voluntarily touches me. I praised her and loved on her all the more. It was so special. Then later when I went in to her she came right to me didn't even think of going to the other horses and that is a first. I felt so happy!! :) Anyway that was my evening!!
As of now no foal yet..SOON I hope :)

Friday and Saturday!!

I didn't do anything with my horses either day besides love on them but I plan to do more this next week. Daisy hasn't had her baby yet either..I can't wait to see the foal and introduce him or her to you all!! I have an interview tomorrow at a bakery and I am hoping I get the job. We shall see!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Wednesday's Ride!!

Wednesday evening I didn't have too much time so I cleaned up my girls manure piles then I hopped on Shasta using the snaffle bit. I got her to stand still then we went around the house a few times. My whole purpose was to get her to speed up and slow down as I asked her too and to stop and stay still until told to go forward. She did really well with that..so well that I didn't work with her for to long. When I was done riding her I groomed her really good and put her in her stall. Then I got Daisy out and groomed her really well too! Both girls are doing well and Daisy is still as big and round as ever. Hopefully she foals soon!! Have a wonderful evening and a great Friday!!

Tuesday's Ride!!

Yesterday I rode Daisy for a very leisurly ride :) I rode her with the stirrups and with the hackamore. She didn't have her baby yet but it wouldn't surprise me if she is late a week or two. We shall see I guess. Anway she did really well for the ride. We did some cantering for a short ways and even a flat out gallop but it wasn't for long and we enjoyed walking the rest of the way. My friend Sharon was along and we were just walking our horses and talking which is a lot of fun. My cousin was along and was riding their horse Beauty and ponying his sister's horse Misha (Russian for Michael). Overall it was a fun ride..hoping to ride today as well!!

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday's Rides and Groundwork!

First off here is a cute video clip of an ipad..for horses: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h57yh2AarNw&feature=3Demail

Tuesday: I got to Sharon around 7 in the morning so I could take my girls to the farrier. For those who wondered we could trailer our horses there but we often choose to ride simply because it is fun :D He doesn't come out to us because he is a Team Mennonite which means they don't have vehicles but drive horse and buggy. Anyway when we got back we did some other odds and ends till lunch. After lunch we went to Sharon's mom to help her with some work. When we got back Sharon had some rides and the one ride had small children on it so I rode Shasta along to keep an eye on the children. For some reason Shasta was all hyper and was acting like a total brat :D She can be that way sometimes. When we got back I was going to work her a little bit but my cousin brought her siblings and I went with her to keep an eye on the children. That time I rode Curly. When we got back I headed for home.

Wednesday: This evening I went to Sharon again but I didn't really do anything with my girls but groom them because I was doing some barn work. I did lay Shasta down for the second time and she fought me a bit but she did well otherwise..I am so proud of my girls :)

Thursday: I got off of work early so I went and did some groundwork with Shasta. I free longed her first and she did really well. At first she was like what are we doing and is this enough of work. Eventually she got going in a circle and she joined up quite well. I got her to touch me before I did anything. Then she followed me around really nicely. :) She had a sore on her leg so I took her out to the wash stall and didn't tie her and I hosed off her leg and cleaned it up good. I thought it was really neat because she stood really nicely..big improvement for her. I groomed her then put her away. I was going to do groundwork with Daisy but since I was going to be coming the next day I figured I would do it then.

Friday: I slept in late and then I headed on over to Sharon. First thing I round penned Daisy. She did awesome with that and then I led her over to where the snaffle bit is and put that in her mouth. I wanted to work her a bit in doing some different things. Well she decided she is going to act like she has no clue what backing up is and what turning right is. She was like I like turning left and while we turn left lets go in a circle right away :D So I worked her in backing up and going to the right. She went into the barn at the one point in time and I got her to turn around and headed out. Then we went around the house. I stopped her and got her to back up. Once she did it well then I praised her and got off. I see we have some work to do but she is getting light work till her baby is born and will get some time off afterwards :) She was due Tuesday but Monday will be the last day she was bred so after that she will be late :) Shasta is due in a month! Hope you all have a wonderful Easter Weekend!

Blue Marsh and a Collage of Shasta n Daisy Laying Down!!

Yesterday (Saturday 3.31.2012) Sharon, Earl Dean, Abby, MaryRose, Sarah, Chris and I all went to Blue Marsh. I didn't ride any of my girls due to them being so close to their due dates :) I rode Speedy!! We spent the day riding down there. We left the trailer around 8:50 and rode till around 12:30 or so till we stopped for lunch. We rode then till 3:30 or right around there till we got back to the trailer. It was a very fun day. I didn't take any pics but there is the oens of my girls laying down!! :)

March 30th 2012