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 :)

Riding and Groundwork

 

Today I got off from work a half an hour early so I was able to do all the things I wanted to do this evening. I walked Lucy for a while. I had taken her for a short walk this morning but then for a longer walk this evening :) After I fed Lucy, I headed to the horses. I rode Daisy first. I was really pleased with how she behaved this evening. I believe we had the best ride tonight than we have had in a LONG time. We had gone up the road a little ways and then turned onto a side road that I usually ride along. She wanted to trot without me asking for it; we just worked through that and I got her to go nicely at a walk first and then after she walked nicely for a bit, I asked for a trot. I was really pleased how nicely she trotted as well. On the way back, she did the absolute best she has ever done as far as trotting. I am really excited to work with her later this week and see how she does!!

After I got back, I brushed her and then put her away. Got Freedom out and worked with him a little bit on some groundwork. Did some backing, doing the moves on the haunches and forehand both ways. We also worked a bit at his walking and trotting off when I did as well as stopping when I do. I was really happy with how he did. Hoping to maybe drive him later this week.

Signs of Success

 

This evening I worked with Daisy once again. We came down to the farm because although she did pretty well on Saturday, I want to keep working with her so she gets better. Today Daisy did really well with staying in the speed I set for her. The whole way out the field she did wonderfully but then on the way back (as I expected) she kept wanting to canter instead of trot. I haven't been cantering her for that very reason because I want her to wait for me and not just go when she thinks we should. So I just made her work hard by trotting in a circle since she wanted to canter. Then on the road back to the barn, she listened pretty well. I feel I see improvement in her but definitely want to keep working her! I feel we were able to end the ride on a good note :)

 

I did work with Freedom too after I groomed him. I am really enjoying seeing both horse's summer hair shining through. Daisy is almost finished shedding out, but Freedom has a ways to go. He is so hairy :D After I groomed him, I mostly worked on the move on the forehand and backing up. Worked also a bit on trotting when I start off without my hand on the lead. He did really good with that as well! Not sure if I will get to work with either horse Tuesday and Wednesday because the weather forecast has rain, so we shall see. Friday and Saturday I should get plenty of work in with the horses :) Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!

Warm Weather

We had absolutely gorgeous weather today! I had extra time this morning so I worked with Freedom. I groomed him, which means I was all hairy :D I mostly worked him on doing a move on his haunches and forequarters but I also got him to side pass both ways. I was really impressed with that. My friend who I was going to take for a drive with Daisy came and we went for our drive. After we got back, she left and I met up with my cousins and my friends for lunch which we ate outside ;) Then for the afternoon and evening I helped out with my youth group's work day. I was going all day but I immensely enjoyed the nice warm weather and sun! I also got to be in flip-flops and then barefoot some of the evening. Tomorrow looks like it will be another gorgeous day so I am looking forward to that as well!

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Ok so no riding on Saturday. We had a rainy day so instead, I spent my afternoon resting and doing not much of anything :) I had my youth activity in the evening. Spent a good part of it chatting with my friends and catching up with people. Sunday afternoon I spent inside because of the rain. I finished a book and started another one. Also just enjoyed spending the evening with my family.

Today (Monday) was sunny. :) It was really nice. I spent the evening working with the horses a bit. I had wanted to ride but since my knees have been causing me lots of pain. If it continues as it has been I shall go back to the chiropractor. So since I didn't feel up to riding, I just worked on some groundwork with both horses. I am planning to just improve on Freedom's turn on the haunches and forehand and maybe even having him side passing before riding him :) I am pleased with the progress I have made with him so far! We shall see how the month of April goes. It seems hard to believe that two years ago I was anxiously anticipating his arrival and this April he will be TWO. I was thinking how all good things take time and that I am really excited to start working him under saddle.

Some pictures of the day he was born and the next day:

First meeting

2nd day

2nd day

 

Freedom and Daisy this past December.

 

These pictures make me smile for lots of reasons. I had so much fun the day after he was born, spending time with Daisy and him. I must say raising a baby from day one is the best!! Freedom was a dream come true for me. I always wanted to raise a baby and then train it. So glad that God has blessed me with the opportunity to raise Freedom!

 

Anyway, I also worked with Daisy a bit as well. Not quite as much as Freedom but I am hoping to maybe ride tomorrow. Overall it was a great evening!

A Ride and Hay

Last evening I spent time just grooming both horses. I did get to work with Freedom a little bit on groundwork. One of my goals for this summer, besides starting him under light saddle work, is to really be able to control all his feet, anytime, anywhere. Hoping that if I have some solid groundwork as far as a turn on the haunches and forehand, then it will be so much easier come time to do it from the saddle.

Today I was able to ride Daisy. My cousin Sarah, her brother Chris and I got some hay first. I had gotten quite a bit of hay out of the field but with such a cold winter, I used more than I had planned for. No problem, only now it is more expensive :D Ordered my hay for next winter already and I ordered extra.

So after we got the hay and unloaded it, we did go for a ride. Chris rode Mischa, I rode Daisy, and Sarah rode Harley. Chris and I rode bareback. One of the simplest pleasures (at least I think so) is horseback riding and the next best thing is riding with friends! Daisy did well. Tomorrow I get off from work early because of some things with one of the parents. SO if it all works out, I plan to drive Daisy and maybe Freedom too.

Lucy is doing well. I have been able to walk her every morning this week. I have been getting up earlier to make time for that but for some unknown reason, I have been waking up at 6 each morning which is before my alarm clock :D I am thankful, because not only do I get to walk my dog, I get to spend extra time in God's word! Really appreciating what I have been learning! Hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Friday!

A Full Weekend and A Busy Start To The Week

Thursday and Friday I didn't do anything with the horses. Friday I had planned to drive Daisy in the cart and see how she does but then it was foggy so I didn't drive or ride either horse. I ended up just doing chores and getting the horses stuff ready for the weekend. I had youth retreat this weekend. I always look forward to youth retreat.

Last year I didn't go because I had been dealing with severe headaches. Looking back, I was still working at Pellman Foods icing cakes, and it was quite noisy there and I believe I was just getting nasty noise headaches. Anyway, this year was amazing. I really enjoyed the topics we had and I loved that I was able to have my sister, Rose Mary there, as well as my cousin Sarah. I also felt that I got a lot more out of this year than I did some years because I feel I am closer to God than ever before. I love that about God. You think you are close to Him, and you go thru some more trials and tests, and you realize that you only had a small taste of closeness to Him. :)

Sunday afternoon, I went for a drive with Sarah before supper. Rose Mary and Sarah had gone riding. I had plans in the early afternoon but I told Sarah I still want to go driving after that. We drove Freedom and he did pretty good. He acted up a bit going out the lane but did pretty good once on the road. He still shies at some stuff but he seems to be getting better. We only drove for about half an hour and after we got back, I fed my horses and went home.

after we got back! I just love how she looks all hooked up (cell phone picture)

Monday, I had off work, because Jimmy had worked the weekend (meaning I had off Friday and Monday). My day was quite full. For some reason I couldn't sleep past seven, so I got up even though I was quite tired yet from the weekend :) I headed to the horses. I decided to drive Daisy first. I hooked her up to the cart and she didn't mind the cart in the least. I started out the driveway and she acted like she did this all the time. I don't remember the last time I drove her single. We had trained her via double hitch and then gone single hitch one or so times. It was at least two years ago. Anyway, I was by myself and I knew with it being Monday, and the road I was on, I wasn't going to face much traffic. I drove her for about half an hour and she did absolutely perfect. She tried to canter a time or two, but I always asked her to go back to a trot and she listened very well! I was so pleased with her!!

Daisy (cell phone picture)

Once I got back from driving Daisy, I got Freedom all hitched up. By that time, Sarah was there. (In case you all wondered, we do have jobs and such, but sometimes it works out that we are able to do impromptu things). She hadn't planned to come till Tuesday evening but some things changed that made it able for her to come. She went with me when I drove Freedom again. He did so much better than Sunday. He shied a time or two but definitely was better than on Sunday.

I had put Daisy in the stall till we got back with Freedom, and when we got back with Freedom, I put him behind the barn. I got Daisy, and saddled her up. I thought it would be good for her to be ridden for a short bit since she had been driven and that was something new. Sarah and I rode for about half an hour. I had plans to go down to Sharon to ride all afternoon cause she knew I had off and wanted to ride with me for a couple hours :)

So after the horses were all put away, I came home, got some food and headed to Sharon. Once at Sharon I just threw my stirrups on Lightning (the horse I was going to ride) and we headed out. We were going to be going on a 3 hour ride. It was good to ride with Sharon again, especially since we haven't for a while. Abby was along as well. She is a person that boards her horse there at Sharon and I haven't seen her in a while so it was good riding with her as well! Once we got to the place we were riding to, we unsaddled the horses and then hung out with the people we had gone to visit. We ate supper there. Earl Dean (Sharon's husband) came with the truck and trailer to trailer us and the horses home. I didn't get to the barn where my horses are till 9 and then home here till 10. It was a long day, all spent outside, but it was good!! I loved that I was able to spend it with friends and an added benefit was riding and working my horses :)

Tonight I am not doing anything with my horses besides feeding and loving on them a bit. I need to get to bed a bit earlier to catch up on sleep. I was blessed to be able to see the gorgeous sunset this evening (pictured above). Hope you all have a blessed day tomorrow!

Warmer Weather, Line-Driving Daisy and Getting Stuck

Ah warmer weather!! Today we had nice jacket weather. I asked Cameron (4 yr old I babysit) if he wants to go on a walk today, so we could soak up some sun and warmth. He said he wanted to ride his bike. I said he could and I would push Jackson in the stroller. We went around the block twice. It felt good to be outside and do stuff and not just be in the house! I will agree, winter has its benefits and all, but give me a warm, sunny, day and I will be quite happy. Part of my reason for liking the warmth is, then I don't have to bundle up to be outside. I love being outside in all the seasons, but when its warm I like it best. Ok enough on the warm weather :)

This evening I decided I probably would be ok if I backed down the driveway, and park at the bottom. I thought it might be a bit slushy but not too bad. The driveway at the bottom had quite a bit of snow on it so getting slushy wasn't going to make it really conducive to driving on it. Well wouldn't you know, I got stuck again. I should have asked Anthony how their driveway was but didn't think of it. (For those of you who know, this would be the 5th time this winter. I don't have four wheel drive (at the moment) but anyway. It could reflect a bit on the fact that I don't know how to drive too well in deep snow either..hehe). Such is life. Guess it gives me a good opportunity to be willing to accept help. I was thankful Anthony was there and able to help get me unstuck.

Sharon had come and dropped off some things for my harness. I have a collar instead of a breast strap for my harness now. I prefer the collar over the breast strap, but that is my personal preference. I put the harness on her and then I line-drove her in the driveway. Not for a long time because getting my truck unstuck took a lot longer than anticipated :D I want to hook the cart up to her Friday morning, and then maybe Monday take her for a drive. We shall see how it all goes. I can tell that she remembers all the commands and such for driving so that is helpful! I didn't really get to do more than pet Freedom and love on him a bit but tomorrow evening I am hoping to take more time doing some things! Hope you are having a great week so far, staying warm, and not getting stuck :D

Driving Freedom

 A photo of our return from line driving on the road for the first time

 

Yesterday I wanted to drive Freedom again because it had been a week since the last time. I would have driven him sooner but the weather was too cold and too snowy for me to be able to drive him. So yesterday after the snow we did get, melted, my sister Rose Mary went with me and we drove him. We hitched him up and then took him out of the lane. I wanted Rose Mary along so if we happen to run into anything scary I can have some help if needed, just as a precaution. She walked out the driveway since it is so steep and I figured he would do better pulling two people on the flat. We didn't go as far as the last time, about half as far but Freedom did great. On the way back we did meet a truck coming toward us, just like we had the last time right after our truck going around us scare. Anyway Freedom did freak out a little bit but not near like the last time. I was really happy with him. I have a feeling if I keep driving him once or twice a week, not too far, just enough to condition him a little bit, and if we keep meeting trucks he soon will get over his fear :) I am very pleased with how he has been doing so far. Once we got back to the barn, I groomed him again and then put him out. Since it was getting dark, I didn't have time to ride Daisy too, so I just groomed her as well then fed them. Hoping to ride today but we shall see!

 

 Driving Freedom on the road with the cart

What one does when the driveway is steep and too snowy and slippery to drive down to deliver the hay to the barn :)

p.s. All I have of driving Freedom are phone photos :)

Happy New Year, Riding and Driving my Horses

Freedom 

Daisy

 

Hope everyone had a good New Year's Day. :) I was able to spend mine with my Mom's side of the family. It was great seeing cousins that I don't see much any other time of the year.

 

Thursday I worked for two hours. It was great seeing Cameron and Jackson again. I enjoyed having off for Christmas break and spending time at home with my family some, visiting a friend who is at Mountain View as volunteer staff, and being able to ride during the day but it is always nice to go back to work. Monday, Lord Willing (and if the weather cooperates), I will go back to work for full days.

 

After I got home from work on Thursday, I changed into riding clothes and headed to the horses. I decided to drive Freedom first. I went a little farther than the last time I had driven him. Instead of turning right out of the driveway like we always have before, I turned left. I wanted to take him over the turnpike since it is something he has to get used to anyway and I figured what better day than today. Everything went well. We trotted to the bridge and right before the bridge I allowed him to walk. He really looked at the bridge and the cars going underneath but walked over it no problem. Halfway across I asked for a trot and he trotted off really nice. We turned into the little road that I work Daisy along sometimes at night and went the length of that and back. Then we headed back toward the barn. We crossed the turnpike once again, no problem. Well just as we finished crossing the bridge, this truck (I kinda glanced behind me and I thought it was just a big dump truck) came up behind us. We were right on the corner and I was kinda hoping the guy waits to pass us till  we are in the straight stretch. But no, he starts to pass us. Freedom starts to freak out, and starts pulling toward the middle of the road. He has seen big trucks and has had them pass him when he is with Daisy but never like this. Since the truck turns out to be a big cattle truck with a trailer, he takes some of our side of the road since the corner is so sharp and it turns the right which is the way we were heading. I asked Freedom to stop and he does almost immediately, but not before we had almost collided with the cattle truck (since the truck was so long and on our side of the road, the corner so sharp, and Freedom not being totally alongside of the road like he should have been since he was freaking out). I pretty much just reacted along with lots of yelling WHAO. I stopped Freedom and got him to back up a bit and then we just stood there till the truck passed us. If  Freedom would not have responded to me like he did right away, things could have turned out much differently. I am so thankful to God that we arrived back safe and sound and in one piece. Although Freedom is now scared of trucks because right after this happened and we had gone a little ways, a small box truck came our way on the opposite side of the road and Freedom pulled to the side away from the truck. He never has freaked out like that about cars or any other trucks we have encountered. But we arrived back and I unhooked the cart and unharnessed him. :)

 

After I got back from driving Freedom, I rode Daisy. Since it was so cold I decided to just hop on her bareback and go for a nice ride. I believe the French link snaffle has made such a difference because she behaves so much better with this bit. We rode for about half an hour and we did some cantering. On the way back, Daisy walked like a good girl instead of trying to trot when I didn't ask her to. Overall I felt like my day with the horses was quite profitable.

 

 

 

It snowed as I was finishing things up. I am not sure how much snow we got but I am hoping the roads will be clear enough to go to the horses this evening. Hope you all are having a blessed New Year!

This is my mentality for the new year: Don't Let Circumstances Intimidate You. I read this in my devotions a while back and it made an impression on me! :)

Driving Freedom on the Road and Riding Daisy

 

Thursday I didn't do anything with the horses because it snowed in the morning and in the afternoon I was hanging out with my cousin's. Friday I was able to drive Freedom again. I took him on the road with the cart. I hopped in the cart for the ride because he trots quite fast that I have to run to keep up. He didn't mind the weight at all. We weren't gone long at all but long enough to see how he did. He really enjoyed himself! He only really looked at some trash along the road and a wood pile but other than that he went trotting on by. I was really pleased.

 

I went home for lunch and then came back to ride Daisy. I rode her for a little while in the English saddle and the French link snaffle, which she loves by the way. She did really well. I honestly think the bit made some difference. She responds a lot better to it than she has to almost any other bit! I am so pleased with how both my horses are doing. Over the weekend I didn't do anything with the horses because I was visiting my friend Elana in Virginia. Hoping to go work with the horses later today.

Progress

 Daisy

Daisy 

 Freedom

Round Bales in the Evening Light

 

This evening I rode Daisy in the arena again. We worked on pretty much the same thing we have been working on every time I have ridden her for the past week. Tonight she was being a bit of a mess and I think it was because tonight she would have benefited from riding outside the arena and coming back tomorrow or Friday to the arena. Anyway, she has been walking off when I mount her but tonight she stood still. I have been riding her with the saddle and snaffle and tonight was no different. We started off at a walk and I have had an issue in the past of her wanting to trot before I told her and this evening I didn't have an issue with that. A few times she would be trotting along and she would break into a canter but I worked her thru that and got her to nicely trot along. We also worked on our stopping and tonight she definitely did better than she had the other evening. Overall I felt like this evening went well. I told Daisy as I was grooming her that she has been my greatest challenge but definitely fun to train and work with!!

After I had groomed her and put her out in the pasture, I brought Freedom in. I laid him down, then brought him into the barn and worked him at disengaging his hindquarters and forequarters and backing up. It was fun because he backed up as fast as I walked for him. If I walked slow, he backed up slow, if I walked faster, he backed up faster. Love that he is trained that way. Then I got him to disengage his hindquarters both directions just by stepping toward them. I was really pleased with how well he remembered everything from our last lesson! He is going to be fun to start under saddle! I groomed him as well then put him in the meadow.

Not sure if I will get to work with them Thursday or Friday but Saturday we are planning to take the horses to a beach in NJ. I am doing a equine portrait session for my cousins and while we are there then I plan to get some photos of myself and my horses ;) We shall see how it goes!

Riding Daisy and Working with Freedom

I have been faithful the past few days of working with both horses. This past Friday I rode Daisy in the arena. I have decided to go back to working on some basic training things that I want her to get better at and what better time to do that then winter :) I worked her on responding to my body cues and stopping and starting. She did ok. I wasn't overly impressed with how she did but we did end on a good note. I had worked her in the round pen a bit before I rode her and although she was to an extent paying attention to me, I didn't have her total attention. I figured since Saturday I had plans I probably wouldn't ride her so I decided to see if I could fit a ride in on Sunday.
I also worked Freedom. I worked him at paying close attention to what I was doing from the ground. I mostly walked and trotted him and got him to the point that I would be slowing down, he would notice and slow down without me telling him to. I want to line-drive him sometime this week maybe but if I don't drive him I plan to just work him on the ground.

Sunday then I did ride Daisy. I was tired so I had taken a nap, woke up refreshed and decided to ride. I rode Daisy in the arena once again and this time she did amazing. There were a few times she ran right thru my cues but not like she had when I had ridden her on Friday. I got her to slow down, do turns, stop, start up and everything, all with light leg, rein, and seat cues. I feel like if I keep working her at this and keep my mind focused on where I want her to be come spring I will be able to get somewhere. I feel like for the last year I have been focusing on getting her responding well to the snaffle bit which I wanted, but then not focusing on some of the other important things I want her to know. So I am not sure how this will all work this winter because I know I have a busy January and February coming up but I am determined with a little planning and determination I will be able to still get my training in. Anyway, back to Sunday, I got her nice and soft and had her responding so well, I praised her and ended on that note. As I had been working her I had been praising her and that seemed to make a huge difference. :) I was pleased with where we got Sunday.

Today, (Monday), I worked with Freedom again. This time, once again, just on the line but we did some things I haven't worked with him to much on. He does know how to disengage his hindquarters and back up but today I really got him to move his feet. I got him to back up, all body language, and when he decided he could stop, or slow down, I just twirled my rope in a circle at him and that is his cue that you better listen. He did amazing with that. I have been working him on that periodically so that didn't surprise me. Then I asked him to disengage his hindquarters on both sides. I used the same method as when I ask him to back up, first just kinda leaning in toward his hindquarters, slowly twirling the rope, and if that doesn't work, twirling the rope faster and eventually tapping him with the rope if he doesn't move. I don't really have to tap him with the rope at all since he is so sensitive. I was happy with how he did. We also just worked on him following me around and keeping up with me. I got him to walk and trot alongside me and he did very well. I was pleased with how well he did.
I put him in the stall and then got Daisy out. I hopped on her bareback with the snaffle bit, and rode her for a bit in the front yard. I honestly was really pleased with how she did. At first she walked off before I was ready so I asked for her to back up to the spot she started from. Got her to stand still then told her she could walk off again. After we walked a ways, I asked for her to stop. She walked right thru the cue so I got her to stop, then backed her up to where I had asked her to stop. After that I didn't have a problem with that :) Mostly I just worked her at stopping and starting, as well as disengaging her hindquarters both ways. What I love about Daisy is that she is sensitive so I can just lightly lay my heel against her side and that gets her to move. If she doesn't move I just add a bit more pressure and then she usually moves. :) I was quite pleased with how the evening with both horses went!

Trip to Washington State

We flew out from Philadelphia Pa to Seattle WA.

Seattle with the Space Needle

Space Needle

Some scenery on the way to my friend's house 

 more scenery (love this photo)

 Deception Pass Bridge from Fidalgo Island to Whidbey Island where my friend lives

 A boat in LaConnor

 

Rainbow Bridge also in LaConnor

 My friend and I

 

 View of LaConnor

 Mussels

 Empty Fishing Crates

 

 My sister Rose Mary and I

 

 Admiralty Head Lighthouse close to Fort Casey

 

 View from the Lighthouse

 Dugualla Bay...this is one of my favorite photos

 Bowman Bay

 Dock at Bowman Bay

 same dock

 On top of the dock

 

Rosario Beach

 

My sister Rose Mary and I flew out of Philly on August 26th around 7:30 (Monday) morning. Our arrival to Seattle approximately 5 hrs and 40 some minutes later at 10:30ish Seattle WA time. We met up with our friend Lisa and headed the two hours north of Seattle to Oak Harbor WA on Whidbey Island. So we spent the week doing some sight-seeing, getting to know the area, and spending time with a dear friend and of course her family. I did some things that I have always wanted to do, one of them was riding on the beach!!

 

riding my friend Lisa's horse Aly on the beach

I'm on Aly, Lisa's on Julio her other horse

We also picked blackberries (some of which we brought home, I plan to eventually make some of them into blackberry jam which is AMAZING) which was quite the experience ;) Nettles and all :D Although I think the most fun thing for me was just hanging out with a wonderful and dear friend as well as traveling with my sister all on our lonesome, something we haven't done before! :) Overall we had an amazing trip and definitely would go back!! We flew home on Saturday, August 31st. It was short but fun!!