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!

Easter and a Ride

Hallelujah, He is risen!!!! Thank you, Lord, for what you have done for me!!!

It's about the cross
It's about my sin
It's about how Jesus came to be born once
So that we could be born again

 

It's about God's love
Nailed to a tree
It's about every drop of blood that flowed from Him when it should have been me

It's about the stone
That was rolled away
So that you and I could have real life someday
Its about the cross
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nwwwOW8eyj0

 

This song has been running through my mind the last few days and it was perfect for Easter weekend! The verse above is what really hit me and once again, I am so thankful for what Christ has done for me and that by His dying on the Cross and rising again, I may have new life in Him!!!

 

I didn't work with Daisy and Freedom on Thursday evening because I had my first piano lesson :) Friday, although I had off, I didn't spend much of it with the horses. I spent some time with my one cousin I don't get to see much in the morning. Since my parents had gone away for some of the morning, I did some cleaning and helped out around home here. I did take my youth leader and her two children for a cart ride with Freedom mid-afternoon. I didn't do much else Friday then. I did have an amazing Easter weekend. I was able to be with some wonderful people all weekend long. I went for a ride at Sharon's place Saturday morning. Really enjoyed that. In the morning  before going to Sharon (Saturday), I went to the barn to grab some things for Sarah I had forgotten to grab the evening before. Since I was up there anyway, I decided to love on the horses a bit as well as maybe work them just a little. I laid Freedom down and also got him to do a move on the forehand both ways as well as back up. Then I hopped on Daisy bareback with the rope around her neck and worked her a bit. She did pretty good ;)

I didn't do any riding on Sunday but then today I did ride Daisy. I rode her down to the farm here. She was a mess the entire ride, with the exception of about the last 15 minutes of the ride or so. I am hoping to work with her another evening this week but I know I am working till 5 the three days I work this week, which is a blessing :) I know I keep saying it, but I guess I will say it again anyway. Freedom turns 2 Friday :) :) :) Not planning on riding him hard but I do plan to start doing some under-saddle work with him. Next week I won't have my sister's school program and a few things like that so I should have more time to work with the horses ;)

Driving Daisy, Groundwork, and A Rainy Evening

Yesterday (Tuesday) since I get off from work late, my evening was shorter. I was able to drive Daisy and work with Freedom a bit. Daisy did really well with driving. I decided to take her over the turnpike bridge and then turn her around and come back. I laughed at her because she sped her trot up to go over the bridge both ways, because she really doesn't like the bridge :D Overall though, she did really well with driving.

I had planned to work with Freedom longer but knew I had some important things to do when I got home that were more important than that. I did work him in the meadow a little bit before I fed. I was pleased with how he did. I got him to lay down as well as do a turn on the haunches and forehand (both ways) all without his halter on. He is turning into quite an amazing young horse. Pleased with his progress so far!

Today I didn't work with the horses. We got a lovely afternoon of rain. I know some people don't enjoy the rain but I do. Even if it means feeding in it (I feed everyone at the barn once a week and today was my day to do that). I enjoy hearing the sound of the rain on the roof, feeding the horses inside and knowing they are snug and warm. I listened to my music and took my time feeding everyone. I do think, especially when it is cold out, the most fun of getting all wet, is to come home and change into some warm and dry clothing. Tomorrow if it isn't raining, I want to work with the horses but not sure what I plan to do. Friday evening I do plan to ride Daisy most likely, so I will plan according to that. :) Hope you have a wonderful rest of the evening!

A Trip and Working the Horses

Been a bit since I wrote last. Thursday evening I just worked with both horses on groundwork. I got Daisy to do a turn on the haunches. She does really well going to the right but when I ask her to move to the left she is like "You want me to do what?". I also worked with Freedom as well. I got him to move back, do a turn on both his haunches and forehand. I was pleased with his response.

I was gone all weekend. I went to VA for a youth retreat at a friend's church. My cousin Sarah and I left Friday morning and got down there around 3:30. We ate supper at my friend's house and then after talking for a while headed to the gym to play some volleyball. Saturday we had sessions in the morning and one in the afternoon. After the session in the afternoon, Sarah and I went back to one of my other friend's house to rest. We went back to the gym for supper and an evening of fun and volleyball. Sunday we had church/sessions in the morning, ate lunch and after many not so fun good byes, headed for home. On the way home, Sarah and I stopped by Mountain View to see Elana. It was amazing being able to see her again!! We had the chance to talk for a good 2 hours or so! While we were at Mountain View it started to snow. We stayed for supper, took some pictures, then Sarah and I headed the 4 1/2 hours for home. We had snow for about 2 of those hours but then the rest of the way was mostly clear. It was good to get home again but I must say I had an amazing weekend with some awesome friends (some I knew before, some I got to know, and some I felt I knew for a lot longer than the 2 days I actually knew them, but all of them I WON'T be forgetting right away), faced some challenges but was able to come out on top. I definitely learned that if we leave ALL things to God, He will work them out and give you grace and strength for the day, no matter how hard the day/week/month, ahead may seem! Overall it was a stretching, challenging but most of all a fun and amazing weekend!

Me, Sarah, and Elana (or as everyone that knows her, call her, Lane)

 

On the way home from VA, I saw the red barn and asked Sarah to stop so I could take a picture. I just really like a red barn in the snow :) The picture below, is a house that I saw for the first time back in July when Charlotte and I took Elana to Mountain View. I look for it every time I go that way because I just love the blue roof, red trim and the yellow outside! :) Seems like such a cheerful house!

 

Today (Monday), Sarah and I slept in (woke up to snow on the ground, it followed us home), went for some breakfast, and then headed to the horses. We were at the horses for about 3 or so hours. I worked with Freedom on the lunge line and also laid him down. I was impressed that he laid down so nicely for me 3 times in a row and waited till I told him to get up. Definitely see improvement.

I then laid Daisy down too. I wasn't sure if she was going to lay down nicely without a rope or not but she did lay down just by me picking up her leg and asking her to. Sarah was working Mischa in the "round pen" and I sat on Daisy for a bit to watch her. Then I took the horses in the barn and groomed both. After putting Freedom out in the meadow, I put Daisy's bridle on and just decided to see if I could improve her turn on the haunches from the ground. I worked a bit on my cue to see if that would make a difference. It seemed to because she definitely went to the right a lot better than she had on Thursday. When I asked her to move to the left she gave me a bit of a hard time, but after working a bit more on how I ask her, she responded better. I think if we keep working on it, we will get there.

I put her out in the meadow and then cleaned some tubs and filled water buckets. Sarah and I had decided that we don't want to spend all afternoon at the barn. We are planning to go to Chincoteague and Assateague Island in September and tenting. So we spent some of our afternoon after coming back from the horses, seeing how much it will cost us and what all things we want to do while down there. We are also hoping to go backpacking in June sometime. Guess we shall see!

Hope you have a great week!!

Adventures with Hay and Working with My Horses

 

Friday and today (Saturday) were quite interesting days. Friday while still at work, the guy (Walter) that boards at the barn called me and asked me if I would be able to go with him to get some more hay (he doesn't have a truck at the moment so I had offered the use of mine; a couple of weeks ago we had gotten a load too). I said sure, I think that should work. Well we get to the place where we were to pick up the hay, and realized that we wouldn't be able to pull in to get the hay because the driveway hadn't been plowed and we were afraid we would get stuck. Side note: My truck is not four wheel drive (I know, I know, smart), and I have gotten stuck a total of four times this winter already. I was not in the mood to get stuck another time. Anyway, back to my story. So we just parked the truck along the road (it was a back road) and put the four ways on. We decided to investigate how we should do this. We went in to the top of the bank barn to where the hay was, threw down 12 bales to the barn floor. Then we carried the hay to the front of the barn, and threw it out the front, down to the concrete outside. We closed up the back of the barn and went around to the front. I had a sled in the truck because that is how I had taken it down to the barn when the driveway at the barn was too snowy to go down. So we loaded up the sled with 6 bales and pulled it to the truck. With ice on top of the snow it made it slightly easier to get it to the truck. We loaded those bales onto the truck, then went back for the second load. It didn't take overly long to get everything loaded and then we headed back to the barn. We stopped for 3 bales of shavings on the way back. Once at the barn, we backed down the driveway and backed into the barn to unload the hay. Once we had the hay unloaded then we took care of our horses. I must say though, that was the most work I went to getting a load of hay. Something I definitely won't forget.

 

Today (Saturday), was a good day. Around 10:30 I headed down to my friend Sharon's house. My cousin Sarah, Sharon and I were going to ride on horseback to the Panda Garden to get some lunch. We took our time riding in, grabbed some lunch, and then headed back. It took us a good part of the middle of the day but it was so relaxing and a lot of fun. After we got back to the barn, I headed out pretty much right away. Sarah was going to come up to the barn to work with Mischa. I came home and talked to my parents for a bit and then once Sarah got here we went to the barn. The guy that boards there as well, Walter, was there. We all had an enjoyable time talking and working with our horses. Sarah worked with Mischa and I was doing chores. Walter worked with two of his ponies and I got the chance to work with Daisy and Freedom. I worked with Freedom on laying down and got him to sit one time. Then I rode Daisy a bit on the road, with the French link snaffle and bareback. She did ok but she was just being a mess. I need to work with her more by herself. I really want to drive Freedom again but the driveway at the bottom is really bumpy and not sure the cart would do so well. Overall I had a great day hanging out with horse people :) Hoping to work with my horses more this next week if it isn't too cold! Have a great weekend!!

Odds and Ends

This week was quite a busy one. My mom was in AL with the We Care Prison Ministry from Friday, January 24 - today (Feb 1st). She got home this afternoon. But it made my week a bit more busy but I am just thankful the week went well. It made life interesting having to get up a bit earlier to get my younger sister, Rachel, off to school in the morning before heading to work and then making sure the laundry and supper was made. I was thankful for my sister, Rose Mary, who is two years younger than me because she helped out a lot too! Although it is good to have mom home again!


With being busy with all the other stuff, I was glad that two evenings this week I was able to work with the horses a bit. The one evening I laid Freedom down just by picking his leg up and he got up before me asking him to, so I laid him down again. He once again got up before he was supposed to and so the third time I laid him down he stayed down till I gave him the ok to get up. He can be such a good boy and other times he likes to see how much he can get away with. Then on another evening I rode Daisy around the meadow bareback and bridle-less. I didn't work her long but it was good just to sit on her again.


Friday evening my cousin moved her horse Mischa in. She is working at an accounting place for over tax season and it is an hour or so away from her house so she lives elsewhere over tax season and it is nice for her to have her horse close by. :) So I am really looking forward to having her around because that means I will not only get to see her more, but I will also have someone to ride with! Friday and today I didn't do much with my horses as I had planned. Yesterday I was doing last minute things getting ready for mom to come home today and today we were spending some time as a family :) Hoping to ride tomorrow maybe and if it is nice Monday, drive Freedom and ride Daisy, because I had a four day weekend because of one of the parents where I work is working the weekend so he had Friday and Monday off. Hope you had a great week and enjoy your weekend!

Cold Weather and Short Moments

 

Last week I only worked Thursday and Friday due to the snow day on Tuesday and then just a day off on Wednesday from the very cold weather and the not so nice roads. I do not remember a winter being so COLD for so long. Sure we had temperatures down in the 20s but hardly ever do I remember single digit weather and wind chills in the negatives. I am just thankful that my horses have been staying warm and though I am not a fan of the cold, they don't seem to mind it.

 

Thursday and Friday I didn't do anything with the horses. Thursday evening I had Bible School and on Friday my mom left in the morning for Alabama for a week of prison ministry. I also took a friend for a load of hay. Saturday it snowed again (not much) but just enough that I didn't ride or work with the horses during the day. In the evening when I did make it to the horses, I hopped on Daisy for a short spin around the meadow, bareback and bridle-less. She behaved herself quite nicely, turning and stopping as I asked her. Since Freedom was running along side, both her and Freedom burned some energy.

 

Sunday the roads were a bit nasty in the morning from blowing all night but then the sun cleared them. In the evening, Rose Mary went with me to the horses. I just got to spend some time with the horses. Freedom can be a bit over-nosy so both Rose Mary and I were making him mind his manners. I also asked him to lay down. I can't remember the last time I asked him to do that, but I just picked his leg up and said down and he laid down. I made like I was going to sit on him although I didn't rest any weight on him. I hopped off and then he decided to get up before I asked him to. So I laid him down again. Usually he throws a fit the second time but he laid down real nice the second time and stayed down till I gave him the ok to stand up. After being such a good boy, and laying down nicely, he decided he can be naughty, I made him back up and stay put, despite me moving around, till he showed signs of wanting to be good. Then I praised him for being such a good boy. I can't wait till it isn't so cold and snowy then I can drive him again and work him some more.

 

Tonight I didn't do much with the horses. I did take my sister, Rachel, along and she messed with one of the other boarder's ponies, Tokyo. It has made for an interesting change of schedule, having my mom gone. It helps when everyone pitches in and does their part :) Hope you are staying warm. They are calling for a high of 15 and windchill of -9 here :)

Riding Daisy

This evening I rode Daisy. I brought both horses in from the meadow first and groomed them both. Then I put Freedom in the stall and gave him grain while I worked with Daisy. Mostly I just worked her at a walk and worked at her slowing and stopping by body language. Since I haven't worked her in a while, I figured I would work her on that since she can act like a brat after I haven't worked her in a while! She did really good. At first whenever we were facing the barn she didn't want to stop or slow down but I just worked her thru that and at the very end she did really wonderful! Since she did really good I stopped and hopped off. Took her in the barn and gave her grain. I want to work her more tomorrow but we shall see how my evening goes.

I also laid Freedom down because one of the people at the barn wanted to see it! He did really good too because I just picked his leg up and he laid down really well! Pleased with how he is doing!

FL Trip and Groundwork

Well I had a great time in FL but it is great to be home. We arrived home around 3 this afternoon after leaving around 9 last evening down in FL. I was able to come home, unpack, and then go to my horses.

I brought both of my horses in. Put Daisy in the stall and then groomed Freedom. After grooming Freedom, I just worked him from the ground, asking him to disengage his hindquarters, backing up, and trotting while leading him. He did really well. I also laid him down. Really love how well he does with that!

After I finished with him, I put him in the stall and got Daisy out. I groomed her and then worked her in the round pen. I want to ride tomorrow hopefully so I just wanted to do some groundwork with her tonight to get a feel for how she is feeling. She did really well in the round pen. After she did well with that I also laid her down. Well I brought her in and tied her. I then helped one of the guys up at the barn with his horse. I joined up with her and she did amazing, especially for a horse who had never (at least to either of our knowledge) done that before. I was pleased with her. I finished up loving on my horses and then headed home. Tomorrow hope to work with my guys more but we shall see! Have a lot of photos to go thru from FL. ;) Have a great week!

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!

A Week Long Update

 

This blog post has been a long time in coming! I have been wanting to write about driving Freedom as well as working with getting Daisy to bow and Freedom to lay down but just never had the time. I have been busy since Monday revamping my pricing on R A Photography and that has occupied my time. Just ask my family and some of my friends, I have been wearing their ears out with my questions and wanting their input. I believe I have everything ironed out now though! Anyway enough for that.

A week ago on Thursday I didn't get the chance to ride but I did get to work with Daisy a bit on bowing and with Freedom on laying down. My sister, Rose Mary, was along and so she was watching. I asked Daisy to bow and she did really well. I think she had done better on Wednesday evening when I was working more on it but I definitely think the connection with my voice cue and leg cue (tap her leg with my toe right above the hoof) is sinking in and she is understanding what I mean and she is to bow. I want to work with her some more on that! Then I got Freedom out and worked with him a bit too. I asked for him to lay down and he did really well. I honestly cannot remember the last time I had gotten him to lay down but he did amazing. I just love that about him, I can do anything I want, pretty much anytime I want, and he will remember how to do it :) And do it well :D

I didn't work with the horses on Friday evening but Saturday I drove Freedom. I had made up my mind that one of these times I want to line drive him along the road and Saturday I thought was as good of a day as any. It took us some time to get up the drive way because Freedom kept wanting to turn around whenever I asked him to turn. Not sure what was up with that because he knew what I was asking for. Anyway we got up to the end of the driveway and it was like all of a sudden he realized, "Whoa, I am all by myself here!!!!" Daisy was in the barn and there are no horses in the front meadow so to him he was alone. And every time we have gone totally away from the barn, Daisy has always been with us. So he realizes that he is by himself, and he stops, looks around, and takes a step back. Then he wants to turn tail and walk back to the barn. I didn't let him. I stopped him and tried to get him turned around to head back out. He thru a bit of a fit about it and then got over it. After he thru his mini tantrum, I was able to get him to walk out the lane onto the road. Then the most hilarious thing happened. We were walking along and he realized, hey this isn't to bad. Then a car came in the opposite direction and he kinda hops in the ditch and is like, "Wait, what was that?" and I just talked him thru it and after that it didn't matter about the traffic or anything. You could literally see him puff himself up and be all proud about the fact that he is doing this all by himself and was quite proud of that fact! He totally enjoyed himself. He was looking around and checking everything out. A couple of times he heard noises and I could tell he was about to hesitate but I just urged him on and he was fine. I then turned Freedom around and headed for home. He actually didn't walk faster on the way back than he had on the way out. When we turned in the driveway and the whole way to the barn I was praising him for doing such a wonderful job!! I am so pleased with how his first time out by himself went. I am hoping to do it some more. Especially after seeing how much he enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing how he responds the next time!

Once we came back, I praised him a lot, I unharnessed him, hosed him off and then put him in a stall. I got Daisy out and we went for a really, and I stress really, short ride. I talked to a neighbor about riding in his field and he was showing me his steers. While I was talking to him, my mom called for lunch, so Daisy and I headed back to the barn. Overall I had a great Saturday!!

Then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week I didn't do much of anything with my horses. I went away with my family Monday evening, Tuesday evening had a party at a friend's house, and Wednesday I had church. So each day I pretty much fed the horses, loved on them a bit and left again. I was hoping to ride tonight but the weather has foiled my plans. It is raining and has been all day so no riding here. If the horses aren't too wet, I might groom them. If they are too wet, I will just love on them and spend time with them that way :) I have a long weekend ahead because I believe I have off Monday so I should have plenty of time to spend with them then. At least I hope so! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

A Bowing Horse and Longing Freedom

So far this has been a bit of a crazy week :) Tuesday my phone decided to totally give up the ghost so at the moment, no phone. Last evening (Wednesday) we as a family spent the evening at the phone store (switching carriers) and deciding on phones. We are now all on the same plan, making our bills cheaper, funny how that works. Anyway this evening (Thursday) I finally was able to spend with my
horses.

First I worked with Daisy on bowing. She knows how to lay down and does that pretty well and consistently but I have been wanting to teach her to bow. I have gotten her to do it one or two other times but decided tonight I would get her to actually do it. At first Daisy was like, "I thought you wanted me to lay down but you are telling me WHOA before I get the whole way there, What's wrong with you?" :D but I got her to bow twice in a row. I believe if I keep working on it and showing her the different cues she will figure out that one means bowing and one means laying fully down.

Since Daisy had done so well I got Freedom out and worked him with lunging on the line again. Today he seemed a bit scatter brained and full of energy. Not necessarily a good combination. Once he settled down and was willing to listen to me, he did excellent. Next time I work with him I want to do something different :) He is doing really well with the lunging but I do want to break up what I do with him each time I work with him. Pleased with the progress I am having with him so far though.  Guess we shall see what tomorrow holds! :)

Sorry I haven't posted my WA pics yet....just haven't had the chance to take the time yet :( I will have them up eventually!!

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

I didn't ride then on Wednesday after the pictures because it seemed like it could rain. I did work on laying Daisy down a bit. She did well with that. Thursday (July 4th), I didn't ride. I had planned to but our family got invited away for supper and then some of the youth went down to Hershey, PA to see their fireworks. I should have taken my camera along when we went to the people's place for supper but I didn't so I didn't have my camera for the fireworks. I was disappointed about that but totally enjoyed the fireworks anyway ;) I got to bed quite late but such is life ;)

 

Friday I was busy doing housework as well as baking food for my friend Elana Nolt's farewell party (I made the above cupcakes as well as chocolate chip bars). I didn't get any riding in then either. Today (Saturday) Charlotte (a friend of mine) and I took one of my best friends, Elana Nolt, down to Mountain View Nursing Home to serve for 15 months. Here is a link to their sight: http://www.mvnursing.net/voluntary%20service.htm. I enjoyed being able to see where she will be living for the next 15 months as well as getting to spend a good portion of the day with her. It was one of the hardest things I did, leaving her behind as Charlotte and I drove out the driveway, heading toward Pa, four hours away :) It was a day well spent. So today I didn't get to really do much with the horses but this next week I am hoping to get some pictures posted from last evenings farewell party for Elana, some pictures from today as well as writing up some blogs :) We shall see what this week all brings :) Tomorrow I might just relax and do nothing :D It is Sunday after all :) May you have a blessed rest of the weekend and a wonderful Lord's Day!

Riding Daisy

This evening I rode Daisy for a bit. I rode her around the meadow a bit to make sure there are no buttercups in there. There weren't any really so I was happy about that. So I hopped off of her and took her outside the fence. I laid her down and got on her. I rode her down to the barn and took her out to the arena. Out there I worked her at a walk and a canter. I got her to stop, turn and back up with very little pressure on the reins. Working bridleless has helped a lot I think :) Daisy did so well. I was quite pleased with how the ride turned out. I don't know how much riding I will get in before tour but after tour I hope to ride her a nice amount.

I didn't work with Freedom but I did love on him a bit and put fly spray on him.

More Bridleless Riding on Daisy and Working with Freedom

This evening I decided since I have been working Daisy with riding bridleless I figured it would be good to do some concentrated work with it in the arena. I put her in the arena and layed her down. At first she didn't want to lay down but she did. I praised her for doing so well, then hopped on her. We walked a bit and then I asked for a canter away from the barn...at the other end of the arena I asked for a stop. She nicely stopped, so I asked her to walk off toward the barn again. She walked nicely and halfway to the barn I asked her to stop and then back up. I was so pleased with how she did this evening. I didn't work her very long in the arena. Once I felt we were finished, I took her to the gate, opened it and we walked to the barn. We went in the barn and I walked her around in there. She is listening quite well with everything. So excited that we have come this far! :)
I gave her grain. While Daisy ate her grain I got Freedom. Walked him in and on the way in worked him a bit. I stopped him, got him to back up, move his but and just stand still. Overall he is doing quite well. I gave him his grain and then put flyspray on both him and Daisy and put them out again. So pleased with the progress both horses have made!

Riding Daisy Bridleless in the Meadow

Freedom all harnessed up with me

Sorry about the graininess, it was getting a bit dark for pictures!

 

This evening I didn't really do a lot with the horses. My sister and I had taken Chloe to the vet so that is where I spent some of my evening. When I got to the barn, I headed out to Daisy in the back meadow. All three horses, Harley, Prince and Daisy, were back there. When I was almost to Daisy, she came to me. I loved on her for a bit, then asked her to lay down. She nicely layed down for me so I hopped on her back. I had done this the other night and she had taken me into the gate. This evening I had a rope (like I had before, only this time I had a purpose in mind). I put it around her neck and asked her to walk forward. We walked around a bit mainly using legs with some neck reining. I got her to stop, back up, turn, and just walk around. We did canter a little bit and she stopped nicely when I asked her too. I was so pleased with how she did. I haven't really done any bridleless with Daisy and maybe this wasn't the best way to really do it but this is how I did it for this evening. I might end up messing with it a bit more in the arena :) I think it would be awesome to train her to go totally bridleless..we shall see.

 

Once I had stopped her a couple of times, I really praised her for how well she did. Took her into the barn and fed her grain. I also went out to Freedom and just loved on him for a bit. Didn't do much with him this evening but plan to tomorrow.

Riding Daisy and Line Driving Freedom

This evening I had wanted to take pictures with my horses but it didn't work out. So I put the bridle with the snaffle bit on Daisy. Since I didn't put the saddle on her, I laid her down, then got on her. I just rode her around, bareback, right behind the barn. I just worked her on stopping, backing, moving her hindquarters and forequarters around. She did so well. She was soft and very light on the bit and responded quite well with everything I asked of her. Once I was finished working with her, I brought Daisy into the barn and gave her grain. While she ate her grain, I harnessed Freedom up.

Sorry for the not so great picture...it was getting a tad too dark for pictures :)

I called my sister Rose Mary to help me. She came up and helped me by walking by Freedom's head so when I asked him to walk forward, she could give him the cue he already knows and in the way associate my cue with walking forward. Also that way when I ask him to go left or right she can be there to guide him along so he does it correct. We got some nice pictures of him and I together as well as him by himself all nicely harness up ;) He looks quite cute! I will hopefully post more pictures in the near future. Recently Freedom has had a growth spurt and instead of just coming up to my chest, his back comes up just a little below my neck. He is taller than Prince now too. I believe he will be growing quite a bit this summer. At least we hope anyway!

Just Hanging Out with the Horses

 

The trees don't look like this anymore since they have their leaves on them but I am thankful that spring is here. I do wish that it would warm up now but I am thankful that we have color once more ;)

 

This evening I didn't really work with any of my horses. I went out to Daisy and she started heading into me when I was halfway out because she saw me. Once she came to me I loved on her a bit. Then I layed her down so that I could hop on her. I had planned that she would just stand there possibly but she started to head into the gate by the barn. I didn't mind. Once we got in there she stopped and I asked her to turn around to head back out. Once heading out I asked her to stop, just seeing if she would stop. She did :) I just sat on her back and hugged her and loved on her for a bit. I then hopped off of her and I took her out of the meadow and into the barn. There I gave her some grain. Once she was done eating her grain, I took her out into the meadow again.

 

Before I left, I went out and gave Freedom his grain. I just loved on him a bit too. Looks like he will be a mini replica of his dad :) He is just so adorable. I want to get some pictures of him and I here sometime soon. I want to get some of Daisy and I soon too. So thankful for the horses I have been blessed with! :)

A Dog Named Chloe and Working with the Horses

Chloe

 

My sister Rose Mary bought a dog named Chloe from a friend of hers. I have been working with her since Rose Mary already has two other dogs she is working with so she is allowing me to train Chloe. We have had Chloe since the 4th of May. So fare I've been working with her to not pull on the leash, sit, and not jump on you when you go into the pen and when you leave to stay inside the pen. I can see a definite improvement since we have gotten her. Tonight we had her out and I was taking some pictures of her :) I have some experience taking pictures of dogs but tonight I believe I got some nice pictures. Above is one picture.

 

Well after I had worked with Chloe and taken some pictures I put her away and then Rose Mary and I went up to the horses. First I got Daisy out and lunged her. I didn't lunge her long but worked with her on turning, up and down transitions, as well as stopping, facing me, and then sending her off in a different direction. She did so well. I was so proud of how well she did. Hoping that tomorrow I can ride but we shall see.

 

I put her in a stall and gave her her grain. I went out to Freedom and worked with him on turning his hindquarters away from me on both sides as well as turning his forquarters away from me. He did well on both sides both with his hindquarters and forquarters. I got him to back up too. Freedom did the best he has done in a while with all of the stuff I asked. Rose Mary asked if I would lay him down and I said I would. So I laid him down right there in the meadow and he laid right down :) He is just getting so well with everything. AND he is getting so BIG!! :) So excited to see the horse he will become. Once I was finished with him I gave him his grain and then put Daisy out in the meadow where she had been before. Over all it was a really awesome evening working with the horses and Chloe!

Working with Freedom

This evening I worked with Freedom for a bit. I layed him down first and he got up right away so I asked him to lay him down again and he layed down very nicely and waited till I told him to get up. Then I put him in the roundpen and got him to go around for a bit as well as turn a few times. I didn't do it too long, only long enough for him to get a bit of a feel for it. I also worked on his backing up, walking when I ask, as well as what whoa means on the lead line. He is getting better each time I worke with him. I believe he will make quite the horse...at least I am hoping.

I didn't work with Daisy but I loved on her. Hoping to work with her a bit tomorrow!