Riding Freedom and Daisy

Wednesday evening I asked my sister Rachel if she wanted to go with me to the horses. I planned to drive Freedom and wanted some company. I drove Freedom around the block which is a bit longer than I usually drive him but he is built up for it. I was really pleased because he drove really nicely for me and did really well with the extra time. When we got back I took two of Anthony and Lori's children for a very short ride up the road and back.

Today I had off from work because Jimmy had off today and tomorrow but tomorrow I still have the boys. Anyway I cooked and put the salsa in the jars that I had put together last evening. We had some extra tomatoes, peppers and jalapenos in the garden that needed using so why not make some salsa. After lunch I went to the horses.

iphone photo of the salsa

I knew that this week I wanted to give both horses a bath at some point and I figured I would do that on Saturday if no other time worked. Since I knew I had the time I figured I might as well work the horses then give them baths. I decided to work with Freedom first. I had planned that I would wait till Sept/Oct to start riding Freedom. Today I lunged him first and then got on him for a short bit and rode him around. He did really amazing. I just used my voice cue that I use to tell him to walk and off he went. We did a few turns around the back of the barn and then I got off. I was so pleased with the first ride. Probably won't ride him again till next week but I plan to drive him again later this week. I want to take it slow with starting him but I am so excited to be riding him though it will be for short periods here for the first while.

riding Freedom

After I rode Freedom, I gave him his bath. Then I left him dry while I rode Daisy. I took Daisy down the road and we just went on a leisurely ride. I enjoy riding her and she did really well. Tomorrow I want to drive her or Freedom but if it works out, I want to work both horses. When we got back, I gave Daisy her bath too. Overall I enjoyed spending a good part of my afternoon with my horses and I feel like I got a nice bit done.

It's September!

It has been a busy week :) Wednesday (August 27) I wasn't able to ride due to having a meeting. It also was my first day back at work which I am so thankful for. Looking forward to another great school year with Cameron and Jackson! Then on Thursday evening my friend Elana was staying the night. She is serving at Mountain View in VA right now but she was in the area for the weekend and stayed by my place. Then on Friday Tyler came up and was here for the weekend as well. Friday evening Rose Mary, Elana, Tyler and I went biking at the Union Canal Trail in Reading. We had a gorgeous evening for a bike ride. After our bike ride we went to a Chinese buffet for supper. Saturday we had an afternoon wedding so our afternoon was spent there. Sunday we had church and then ate lunch at my grandma's house. After lunch Tyler and I went riding with another dating couple and for the evening then my family had some friends over to meet Tyler. Labor Day we went riding with Josh, Chris, MaryRose, Sarah, Rose Mary, Tyler and I at Sharon's place. After riding we ate went for lunch. Then Tyler and I came back here to my house and did a few things till he had to leave. Overall we had a wonderful weekend.

This evening I was able to work with Daisy. I did some bareback and bridleless riding and mainly worked on just fine tuning my cues with her. It took her a bit but she got into it pretty quickly and was really responsive. I wasn't sure I would have time to ride since I was planning to meet a friend and it looked like rain but I was able to ride in the rain for a bit. I am hoping to work with Daisy and Freedom tomorrow evening but we shall see how the evening goes. Hope you are having a wonderful September thus far!

On a side note, I just noticed that this is the 900th post that I published. I can't believe I have been posting for that long :) Hope you have enjoyed reading thus far!

The Last Week

Last week after Wednesday I didn't work with any of the horses. Thursday evening I went with my cousin to something concerning her business. Then Friday Tyler came up for the weekend. We had a wedding Saturday, did some different things Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening we were with my youth group. Sunday we were at my cousin's for lunch and some of the afternoon and then it was time for our parting again.

Rose Mary, Tyler and I had gone shopping for the wedding gift and we saw a wading pool. We decided to buy it for Lucy to see how she would like that since she so enjoys splashing in her water bucket. Well Friday evening she wanted nothing to do with the pool but then Saturday we put it in her pen and she was quite a happy dog standing in the pool. That dog makes me laugh so much!

Sunday Rose Mary and I took Freedom for a drive. I love that horse, he makes me laugh so much. He is such a pleasure to drive because he wears his expressions on his face and you can so see what he is thinking. He did quite well with being driven and I am hoping to drive him some more this week.

Monday I rode Mika. I have mainly been working with her and putting hours on her. I was really pleased with how she rode. We cantered quite a bit and she responded really well. Right at the moment I am working with her on going straight and not shying at everything and she definitely has come a long way since last month when I started to ride her. After I got back from riding Mika and had put her away, I got Daisy out to drive her. She did really well and I am hoping to ride her sometime this week yet.

Today I didn't work with the horses because I was helping my mom and aunt with canning. Tomorrow I should be able to work with the horses as well as the rest of the week :)

Driving Daisy and Other Stuff

The weather today was so gorgeous. There was a breeze going for most of the day and it was just the right temperature. It definitely was a good day to work with the horses. Since I had stayed home to keep an eye on Rose Mary's dog's puppies, I cleaned the house and then this afternoon I went to the horses. I rode Mika first. I rode her for about half an hour and we did an equal amount of cantering and walking. The biggest thing I had to work with her on today was staying along the side of the road and walking in a straight line. She has been doing pretty well with it but she still struggles with it at times. Overall though I feel like our ride went really well and I can tell that she is improving.

When I came back with Mika, I hosed her off and then put her back in her meadow. I had planned to drive both my horses but wasn't sure if I would get that accomplished or not. I needed to come check on the puppies again so I had decided that I would drive Daisy down here to the farm since it is a nice distance away and it would give her a nice work out. I really don't like driving along the road we live along because the drivers do not have a very good respect for a horse and rider or a horse and cart but we arrived safely at home despite some people not giving us much space when passing us. I tied Daisy when we got here and checked on the puppies and fed the mom. I had been thinking as I was driving here that it would be fun to take my grandma (who lives here on the farm as well in the main farm house) for a cart ride if she would be into it. I went and asked her if she is interested in doing something adventurous, like a cart ride. She said yes she would be. So I took my grandma for a short cart ride :) It was something I won't forget right away and when I get to be the age my grandma is I hope I am as spunky as she is.

After I dropped my grandma off at her house again, Daisy and I headed back up to the barn. Overall it ended up being like an hour drive. I was really pleased with how Daisy did and with the breeze and all she didn't really sweat all the much. I hosed her off and then put her back out. I told her she did a great job!!

Since it was already quite late in the afternoon and I still had some odds and ends around the barn I needed to do, I decided I would try to drive Freedom tomorrow evening after the show if I am able to. It was a great day just being by myself and I enjoyed spending some of it with my animals.

Working Mika and Going Through Pictures

Monday I was able to work with Mika. I rode for about 20 minutes and we did the most cantering we have ever done. I wanted to mostly work with her on being consistent in whatever gait I ask her to go in. She did amazing and I feel like it definitely was the best ride we have ever had. I didn't have much time to work with my horses since I had a chiropractor appointment in the evening. Today (Tuesday) I didn't work the horses at all due to it being rainy. Instead I spent a good part of my day going through the photos I have taken this summer and finally writing blog posts about them (hence all the blog posts today). Tomorrow I am hoping to spend time with the horses since I am home for the day to watch Rose Mary's dog, Matilda's puppies that will be a week old on Thursday. So we shall see how the rest of the week goes but it has been great having a day of rain!! :)

Driving Freedom, Riding Daisy and Training Mika

Yesterday I drove Freedom for the first time in a while. It felt really wonderful being able to drive him again. He did amazingly well but I definitely could tell that it had been a while. It was a really gorgeous evening for a drive and I am hoping to drive Freedom again tomorrow. I also worked with Mika a little. I worked with her on the ground and I was pleased with how she responded.

Today Rose Mary rode Mika while I rode Daisy. Mika over all did really well. She rode in front, beside Daisy on both sides, as well as cantered in front of Daisy. I can see improvement in her and am looking forward to seeing how the rest of the month goes with riding her. I didn't drive Freedom tonight due to it almost being dark but I was pleased that Daisy had been driven twice over the weekend and then worked today again. I am hoping to work with Mika, Daisy and Freedom tomorrow before going to Chincotegue Thursday.

A Busy Week

 So this past week was quite busy. I worked with Mika two days this week. Tuesday evening Rose Mary went with me to ride and she rode Mika while I rode Daisy. Mika did really well for the most part but I definitely was able to see the areas I want to work with her on. Thursday then I with her a bit on leading since she has a tendency to crowd you when you lead her.

The reason I was so busy this week was because my mom and I finished up most of our house cleaning. It feels so good to have the entire house cleaned :) There is something so fulfilling about knowing the house and porches are all clean. We also did some painting indoors on Monday. Tuesday I spent the day with my mom and Rachel at sister's day, my mom's sisters and sister-in-laws get together once a month to do things at each other's houses. Wednesday we did some more house cleaning and Thursday I think was the easiest day. We finished up our regular cleaning and in the evening I did the weed whacking at the horses and did all the odds and ends I do over the weekend since Tyler was going to be around. This next week I am hoping to drive Freedom now that my cart (which Tyler so nicely fixed for me) is fixed. Also mom is planning to can and Thursday-Sunday my cousins and I are going to be tenting in Chincotegue. It is something we have wanted to do for a long time and we are finally doing it!! :)

Tyler was around for the weekend. He came up on Friday and we spent the day with my family and went for a date in the evening. Saturday we went canoeing with my cousins, Sarah, Maryrose, Josh and Chris on the Juanita River up close to Port Royal PA. We spent an enjoyable day canoeing down the river. We all stopped for a late lunch at Cracker Barrel and then headed back here to my house. Then later in the evening we went to my youth group's ball game and spent the evening there. Today Tyler and I went for a cart ride and spent some time together till he needed to leave. :) Thankful God brought him into my life!!

Roses Tyler gave me :)

Training Mika and Riding Daisy

 

Tuesday evening I didn't work with any of the horses because I had plans in the evening. Wednesday evening as I was about ready to ride, a thunderstorm moved in so riding didn't work out. Thursday I was able to ride again. Mika did exceptionally well leaving the barn. I was really impressed with how she did. We rode for about 30 minutes all together and I think it was over all our best ride.

 

Today (Friday) I asked my sister Rose Mary if she would ride Mika and I would ride Daisy so I could gage how much work Mika needs since another person would be riding her. With Daisy in the lead Mika did great. Rose Mary couldn't get her to come up beside Daisy on my left side but on the right side of Daisy she had no problem. Not totally sure what her deal with that was but it is something we will have to work on. We rode for about 20 minutes. It felt wonderful being able to ride Daisy again and it was really good for Mika to have someone besides myself ride her. She still has a bit more work I need to do with her but I am quite pleased with the progress I see in her. Hoping to ride her again tomorrow if everything works out!

 

I haven't worked Freedom since he got gelded but hoping in the next week or so to start messing with him again. He is the horse I remember him being since his gelding!

Riding Mika

Today I rode Mika again. I was running a bit short on time since right now my vehicle is out of use so I am using my dads. My mom took me to the horses and was waiting for me so I didn't do more than I had to. Anthony and Lori had another boarder move in and the horse's name is India. She is also an older horse and she is out with Mika. Well I figured that Mika might be the fact that she is a bit barn sour but now I am sure of it. I worked with her in the yard right in front of the meadow she usually is in and she did ok. At first she didn't want to step foot away from India but I got her to go. I just rode her for a bit there in the front and then I decided since she was doing well I would see how she does with going out the lane and then leaving the property. Well she did fine going out the lane, but not so fine with leaving the property and India behind. So I backed Mika up the road a bit in the grass and then got her to turn around. She wasn't overly pleased about the prospect but after a few tries I was able to get her to start walking away from India in the pasture (the pasture Mika and India are in is right along the road so it makes it a bit more difficult). I wasn't sure I would be able to get her to move at a faster pace away from the pasture but after a few times of asking I was actually able to get Mika to canter. I didn't take her to far because I figured she did so well. When we were almost back and could see India I decided to test Mika and see how she would do if I decided to turn around and walk away from home again. She wasn't too happy about leaving again but Mika obeyed and went like a good horse :) I turned her around again and headed back. I was really pleased with how she did. Hoping to see improvement as I work her this week but we shall see how it goes!! I didn't have a chance to work with either of my horses due to lack of time but I am hoping tomorrow I can work with Daisy as well!

A Week of Working with the Horses

 

It has been quite the busy week. Got in a nice amount of work with Mika but not so much with my two. Monday I didn't do anything with the horses because I mowed the bottom end of the meadow and by the time I was finished with that and some other barn chores, it was threatening to rain.

 

Tuesday I was able to work with Mika. She did pretty well, especially for having not been worked in over a week. I rode her down the road and she was wary about everything like she is and a few times she didn't want to go forward but we worked through it. Overall I felt she did well. After I came back with her, I took Daisy and Freedom out for a short ride. I wasn't sure how Freedom would do ponying off of Daisy as we haven't done it in a while but they both did really well!

 

Wednesday I didn't have a lot of time till it was dark since I had cleaned the porch because we were planning to paint it the next day. I just rode Mika. She fought me the entire ride. She balked at everything and didn't want to move forward. It took twice as long to go half the normal distance we usually go. The more I ride her the more it seems to me that she was at some point in her life allowed to do as she pleased and got away with stuff going away from the barn because headed for home, she acts perfectly wonderful and doesn't refuse to go forward. I worked her through her balking and we had a pleasant rest of the ride. I didn't ride Daisy or work with Freedom because it was close to dark, I had to feed all the animals at the barn, and I still had some things to do when I got home.

 

Thursday evening I didn't work anyone. I had spent a good part of the day painting our large middle porch and was quite tired from the day. I also was in charge of feeding all the animals since I had been on vacation the week before and I like to take my turn even if I miss it one week.

 

Today (Friday), I was able to work with both Mika and Daisy. Today Mika behaved like a charm. I actually rode her farther than we have ever gone before. Not sure what changed her attitude other than the fact that Wednesday we worked through a lot of issues. She was very pleasant to ride. We were able to ride at both a trot and a canter without any issues. I hope we continue to have rides like the one we had this afternoon. When I got back from riding Mika, I hosed her off and put her away. I then got Daisy out and worked her a bit there at the barn. I wanted to see how she was doing on her response to my body cues. She really impressed me. We did some cantering and I was able to get her to turn on a dime just by using my body cues and very, very light rein cues. I am excited to see how she continues to do. I didn't do anything with Freedom because I want to give him another week or so before I start doing too much with him. It will be three weeks today that he got gelded. Really looking forward to driving him a bunch the next three months till he is 2 1/2 and I can start riding him! Hoping tomorrow to do some work with all three horses.

Training Mika

Monday I worked with Mika all on the ground. Mostly did some in hand work along with some lunging. Tuesday I rode her for on the road. I didn't take her too far but she did pretty well. I could tell she was worried about quite a few things but I am hoping the more time I spend riding her the better she will get with things like that. Today I didn't ride her because of all the thunderstorms we had moving through this afternoon/evening. I didn't work with Daisy Monday because I was babysitting my cousin's children in the evening. My cousin had called me last minute so it changed my evening a bit. Tuesday I mowed the top end of the meadow and started the bottom part till the belt came off of the mower. Freedom is doing well. Hoping to work with both Daisy and Mika tomorrow as well as maybe Friday morning. I shall have to see how my Friday goes. Hope you all have a wonderful July 4th weekend!

Gelding Freedom and Riding Daisy

 

Yesterday was my last day at work as a nanny till fall. It was bittersweet leaving work but I definitely can say I was excited to start working for Dad. I am really looking forward to working here at home and being with my family this summer. Today was the day I started for Dad as well as the day Freedom got gelded. The vet came around 12. The procedure went well and at the moment Freedom seems to be doing quite well. He is in a stall for the night and just came home from checking on him. He definitely is not happy about being stalled but he will be fine till he gets to go out.

 

I didn't work with any of the horses last evening. I had Lucy out for a while in the evening while I was talking to Rose Mary. By the time I was headed to the horses, a thunderstorm had started to roll in. So I took care of all the animals and headed home. Then I spent the evening talking to my dear friend Elana who is at Mountain View.

 

Today I went up a little while after the vet had left to check on Freedom. I rode Daisy since I was up there anyway. I worked her a bit there at the barn then took her for a ride. She didn't do as well as I had hoped she would but I was able to get her to do really well till the end. I was thinking probably some of her issue was that Freedom was in the barn and she was out in the meadow and she was not pleased about that fact in the least. Hoping to ride tomorrow evening before going to my cousins for the night since I am going canoeing on Saturday with their youth group. I didn't work with Mika this evening either but tomorrow hope to do that as well. I believe it will fit into my day no problem but we shall see. :)

Training Multiple Horses

Mika

 

I feel like I was able to accomplish a lot this evening. I got to the barn and brought Mika in first. I did some groundwork with her first.  Since she seems a bit spooky at times I got the tarp out and lunged her over that on the line. She is also nervous around the steer so I lunged her past him too. I wanted her to stop on the tarp before we finished up and I was able to get her to do that. She did excellent with the lunging so I took her into the barn and saddled her up. Once I had Mika saddled up, I thought it would be best to lunge her under saddle first before I hop on so I have an idea how she behaves with the saddle. I know she has been ridden before but not for a while. Mika is an older horse (not sure her exact age) but I wanted to cover my bases before hopping on her myself. She didn't react to the saddle so I got up on her. I walked her around a bit and then asked her for a trot. She went right into the trot. She is larger than Daisy by a bit and she is broader. I posted with her and then asked for a canter. I loved her immediately. If I actually needed/wanted another horse I so would want her. I guess I just have a soft spot in my heart for older horses especially after having Navajo :) Anyway since I had done all this work right behind the barn in a fenced in area I decided to take her out front so I have more room to work her. I worked on trotting with some cantering mixed in. Mika responded to everything I asked. I know I want her to be a bit more responsive to some of my cues and other things but I am so excited to see how she does the more I work with her. I really like her a lot :)

 

After I worked Mika, I hosed her off and then put her out in the meadow again. I brought my horses in and with Brooke and Cali's help (Anthony and Lori's 5 and 6 yr olds) I brushed Daisy and Freedom. I worked with Freedom a bit on the ground and he is really getting quite good at doing a move on the forehand and hindquarters. I think within the next couple days I want to see about teaching him to sidepass. I really want to get my cart fixed so I can drive him because I know he would really benefit from that!

 

I put Freedom out and tacked Daisy up with the French link snaffle and saddle. Tonight she did the absolute best she has ever done in a bit. I am really excited to ride her again and see how she does! She was so responsive to my cues to transition up to a trot and then down to a walk and stop. Going the one way, she kept wanting to break her gait but I worked her through that and was able to get her to trot consistently for me. I actually didn't work her very long but for the length of time I did, she did amazing. Not sure if I will get to work with anyone tomorrow because it is my last day of work and it looks like I will be working late. I also have piano lessons in the evening. I do plan to work the horses Thursday and Friday.

Catching Up

Its been quite a while since I blogged. Its been quite a busy month so far and I don't really see my summer slowing down. It will help that I will be working for my dad after Wednesday of this week. It is hard to believe I only have two more days of working as a nanny for this family for this school year. I plan to work for Dad for the summer and this family asked me back so I plan to work for them next school year. :)

 

Last week I had Bible school every evening so I didn't work with the horses at all. Friday I had off from work so I gave both horses a bath. I had worked with Freedom first. I was going to drive him and I did for a little bit before my tire on the cart went flat. So I need to fix that :) I didn't have time to work with Daisy but it was good to give both horses a bath.

 

I wasn't planning to go deep sea fishing with my youth group on Saturday but it ended up working out. I caught a star fish (which I kept), a sea creature that looked like a miniature sting ray, and a fish that was too small to keep. Overall our group caught 30 fish though. It was quite an enjoyable day!!

 

 



I had asked Anthony if he would show me how to run the weed whacker so I could do all the weed whacking around the outside of the meadow as well as along the dividing fence in the meadow. So I got there this morning before he left for work. It wasn't working so he left and I messed with it a bit more and got it running. I was able to get all the weed whacking done in 2 hrs. I came home and walked Lucy. I ran some errands with my family this afternoon then, this evening, I was able to work with my horses. First though, I worked with Mika, Anthony and Lori's horse that I am going to be training. She is an older horse who hasn't had work in a while so they want me to get her ready to ride for their children. I believe she will make a good child's horse. I worked her in the round pen tonight and I could tell she knew what she was doing. I was quite impressed with how she did. In the end she joined up with me and then followed me. I also got her to back up and do some other groundwork. Then I gave her a bath and put her out.

 

Mika

 

I then worked with Freedom. I lunged him and got him to do some work at the canter. I am very pleased with where he is with his training. Thursday the vet is coming out to geld him so not sure how that will all affect our work schedule but we will play it by ear. I actually didn't ride Daisy myself but Anthony and Lori's two girls, Brooke and Cali rode Daisy. I called my mom and asked her if she wanted to bring Rachel up. She did so, I let Rachel ride Daisy as well. :) Tomorrow evening I am hoping to ride Daisy and work with Freedom a bit.

Brooke and Daisy

 Rachel and Daisy (cell phone photos :)

Lots of Groundwork

 

Above is another one of the photos that my mom took on Saturday. I am just amazed at how tall Freedom has gotten. He is looking quite nice :) So this week I haven't done so well with working Daisy every day like I wanted because between helping my parents get ready for the show and my funny work schedule, I haven't had time to work her. I did get to work with Freedom every day since Monday though because I am just doing groundwork with him. I have mainly been working on a turn on the haunches and on the forehand, and he has greatly improved. He has been doing pretty amazing and I believe very soon I will be ready to teach him to sidepass. The rest of this week I won't get to work with either horse because I am going to be heading up to meet my family at the show they left for today. So I will be busy with the show. Next week we have Bible school and I am teaching 1+2nd grade :) Depending on how my week goes I am hoping to still work with Freedom even if I don't get to work with Daisy. Then the week following Bible school is my last week of work and then I should have more time to work with the horses. Hope that you have a wonderful rest of the week!!

 

sunset a week or two ago

Some Photos

 

Today I didn't do all that much with the horses like I had planned to. Instead my mom was willing to take pictures of my horses and I. I have been wanting to get some pictures of Freedom with him being two and all. Also its been a while since I have had some pictures with my horses. I did work with Daisy a bit when I rode her and she did excellent. I also worked Freedom with some groundwork too. The beginning of next week I will get some time to work with the horses but the end of the week my family has a show that I am going to be helping with.

Tarps, Laying Down, Groundwork, and Riding

Freedom

Freedom

Daisy

Daisy

Since it is June and this summer I am hoping to have more time than I have had in a summer for a while, I have written out a weekly schedule for what I want to do with each horse. They might get ahead or behind but the idea is to have a better plan than what I have had in the past.

Monday evening I worked with Freedom first. He was being a bit of a mess coming out of the meadow so I took him through the gate a few times till he behaved the way he usually does. I had decided to work him in the round pen this evening and then work with him using a tarp. First I free lunged him. Different times he asked me if he could stop but I just asked him to keep on. After he was consistently doing everything I asked (which didn't take long), I asked him to stop and face me. I then allowed him to come to me. I praises him. I had brought a plastic bag in with me and after I let him process the lunging, I rattled that at him. He could have cared less about the bag. I also ran it all over him and again showed no interest. I put it over his ears and eyes. He wasn't happy he couldn't see, but otherwise was ok with it.

So I then brought a tarp in. I lay it on the ground for him and he was snorting at it but wasn't overly concerned. After I let him get used to the tarp I asked him to stand and I shook the tarp and put it over his back. As you can see in the first picture, he didn't care. He was just quite curious about this strange and somewhat noisy object on his back. After he showed so little concern for the tarp, I was curious if he would allow me to put it on him when he was laying down. And he did. I really praised him for doing so wonderfully! I really wasn't to surprised but it made me so proud of him. After I took it off of him he just walked off :) Over all, I felt my session with him went wonderful!!!

After I finished with Freedom, I got Daisy. I wanted to work her over the tarp too but knew I should do the riding work I want to do first and if I have time I can play with the tarp. I already knew she stood with the tarp on her, I was curious if she would go a step farther. So I put her bridle on and worked her a bit. My goal with her is to get her better in-tune with my seat and leg cues. We worked on her stop and back up. I was really impressed with how she did. After working her a bit with that, I got off and praised her. Then I put her halter on again, put the tarp over her and she stood there and just looked at me. So I praises her, took the tarp off and asked her to lay down. She did. Then I got the tarp and put it over her again. No problem. She laid there like we did this every day. I praises her and took the tarp off and asked her to get up.

 

Tuesday evening I went to the chiropractor. I had been having issues with my one knee bothering me for a while now. Driving to GA a couple weekends back really bothered my knees. My chiropractor put it in place and then taped it to support my knee cap. I think he said I have Chondromalacia Patella. Whatever the correct terminology is, I am not supposed to go down stairs or hills more than I need to, or kneel. Not sure how this all works with riding yet. I went to the horses after coming home. I put flyspray on both horses and fed them. I also worked Freedom a little bit on doing a move on both his forehand and haunches. Didn't work with Daisy at all.

 

Wednesday evening I worked Freedom a little bit as well. I free lunged him and in the end he followed me around. I also got him to lay down for me as well. I didn't work with Daisy at all. Thursday evening I didn't do anything with the horses besides feed them because I was in a lot of pain with my knee.

Today I had off. I spent most of my day working on pictures from the rodeo in May. Got those finished and then after supper I went to the horses. I rode Daisy and worked her at stopping when cued all by body language. She did excellent at all three gaits. :) I was really pleased with her. Since she was doing so well, I got her to do a turn on the forehand both ways. Daisy did excellent with that too. I also got her to do a lot of turning all by leg and upper body cues and not using the reins. Now she knows all these things but I want to fine tune it a bit more. Tomorrow I am hoping to work her again. After I worked her, I got Freedom out. I did some in-hand work. I then worked him at both a turn on the haunches and the forehand. Turning toward the left he was being a mess but I just worked him a bit more and he did it well without a fuss. I also got him to stand nicely as well and he did that nice as you please. Looking forward to working him tomorrow as well! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Lunging Freedom and Riding Daisy

I didn't work with either horse like I had wanted to this week. A few evenings it rained but I hadn't been feeling to well all week. Last evening I just went to bed early instead of going to sleep out with the youth girls at my youth leaders house. I did feel a bit better this morning.


I went to the horses this afternoon. I worked with Freedom on the lunge line and afterwards I worked him a bit on moving his hindquarters. This evening I am going to be writing out a training schedule for him. I know he might not stay on schedule but it will help me keep my goals in order for him. I want him to be trained as good as I am able to get him on the ground for when I get ready to ride him come fall. After I had worked with him, I hosed him off and put him out in the meadow again.


I brought Daisy in. I had planned to ride her and decided to ride her bareback with the bit again after having ridden her with the hackamore the last few rides. We went around the block which was about an hour ride. She did a really good job but I want to do some fine tuning work with her this week. I am hoping to work with the horses every evening this next week but we shall see how the weather and other things work out. I am excited to see how far I get with the horses this summer because I feel this summer I will have more time than I have had with the horses in a while :)

Working Freedom, Children Riding Daisy, and The Cabin

 

Thursday evening I worked with Freedom a bit. I got him to move his feet and then after a bit allowed him to come to me and he came and followed me. Friday I had planned to work with the horses but instead went to help my family set up at the show in Kinzers (half an hour from our place). Rose Mary and I came home around lunch time and did the chores and packed to go to the cabin. We left to meet everyone at 2.

 

I had a relaxing weekend at the cabin. I was able to chat and spend time with friends and get to know some people better. We came home Sunday afternoon. I spent my evening listening to Radio Theatre's "Billy Bud, Sailor" (dramatization of Herman Melville's story) as well as spending time with my family. Monday I did a lot of different things. I had planned to ride Daisy and work with Freedom but instead mowed the meadow. :)

 

Today I brought Cameron and Jackson to my house (the two boys I babysit). Before lunch I took them to the horses and let them both ride Daisy. My mom had gone with me so she could watch the boys and make sure they stay on Daisy nicely. I was impressed with how sweet Daisy was with the boys. I let Cameron guide her with me standing by her head and she listened to him quite well. I want to see about letting Rachel ride Daisy a bit and see how that goes with her. This evening it rained. I had planned to go to a graduation but haven't been feeling all that well the last bit so stayed home. Tomorrow I hope I feel a bit better. If I do, then I hope to ride Daisy and work with Freedom. We shall see.

A Trip to GA, Riding Daisy, and Working Freedom

Project I have been working on to hang on my wall

Last week I didn't do much with the horses. Thursday evening I had piano lessons so I didn't work with either horse. Friday it rained most of the day and so I spent the day inside as well as getting some fly spray, some of my feed, and a few other things at the feed store. Saturday I was away helping a friend with her horse (going again tomorrow evening so I most likely won't work with my guys) and spent some time with my cousins doing errands as well as doing our Bible study of Hebrews. In the evening I was able to ride. I rode Daisy and Rose Mary walked Freedom along behind Daisy and I. Both horses did pretty good although Freedom was acting a bit full of himself. When we got back, I worked him on the ground a little bit because he was being a bit pushy. Sunday, two friends of mine and I went to visit one of my friends in GA. She is getting married in July and after she is married she will be living in GA. We went down for the bridal shower that they had for her down there. Then on Tuesday we came home.

This evening I worked with Freedom. I decided to round pen him tonight and then just do some more groundwork hopefully later this week. He did excellent with the round penning. After he joined up with me, I turned around and walked away to see if he would follow. We did that for a bit and then I wanted to see if he would do good if we went out into the fenced area behind the barn. He did really well with that then too. Since it was actually quite warm, I hosed him off and then just gave him a bath. Now he is quite clean. Hoping to give Daisy a bath with in the next week or so.