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 :)

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. :)

Chicks

Our two bantee chicks

 

Tonight went slightly different than I thought. I got home later so I walked Lucy first and hung out with her till the rest of my family came home to eat supper. I have started walking Lucy without a leash the past week because I can now trust that she will listen to me and come back when called. It is so much more fun walking her this way. After supper, I helped my sister and Mom, do some work out by the dog pens. Rose Mary then went with me to the horses. We checked the electric on the fence and I now have a better idea where it needs fixed. Since it was my evening to feed all the animals, we started on that. Rose Mary was doing the chickens and she noticed two little chicks in with the big ones. I called Lori and asked her about it. We discussed different options as far as where to put them and such and she said we could take them if we want. So Rose Mary and I said yes and brought them home :) I did get the chance to love on my horses a bit. Hoping to work with both horses on Friday and Saturday if the weather is nice!

My Weekend

Its been a busy few days. Thursday evening I went riding with my two cousins and a very good friend of mine at Sharon's place. We got rained on a bit which in its own way, added to the ride ;) Friday I had off from work and I spent the morning doing some odds and ends. In the afternoon I went with my family to do some errands and before supper my mom and I put up all the fence posts for the dividing fence line in the meadow. Saturday I didn't ride because I was busy doing a craft (which when it is finished I will share), ate lunch with my cousins, Chris and Maryrose. After lunch I came home and the person I did senior pics for came to order her pictures. Then for the rest of the afternoon and evening, my cousins Sarah and Maryrose came and we did their brother Mark and his wife, April's wedding book. We didn't get it quite finished but almost. Sunday I was able to ride in the evening. I rode Daisy bareback for a short ride. It was good to ride by myself and Daisy did a pretty good job! Today (Monday), I didn't ride because I helped out here at home and Mom and I also strung all the tape for the fence and got everything set up. This evening I groomed both horses and just spent time with them. Hoping to ride tomorrow unless it works better for my friend to do piano lessons, then I will just ride on Thursday :)

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!

A Hike and A Ride

Sunday I went with my sister, Rose Mary, and we went up to the Project 70 for a hike. We took Lucy along for the fun of it. Lucy really enjoyed hiking up the mountain and I enjoyed the warm weather and getting to hang out with my sister.

Today (Monday) I had the chance to ride with my cousin as well as Sharon up here at the barn. Sarah moved Mischa out tonight. She had planned to stay till the end of this month but then it worked out better to move to Sharon early. So it was fun riding with her and Sharon for one last time before moving to Mischa. Daisy did pretty good but I am looking forward to riding her later this week and work her thru some things :) I am hoping to work Freedom later this week as well.

Odds, Ends, and Spring In The Air

The signs of spring are everywhere!! I really am enjoying driving down the road and seeing the trees slowly showing signs of color. And Easter is almost here, the time we celebrate Christ's death and resurrection! New life all around us, not only the plants but also with baby animals. I see lambs and kids out in the meadows. I so enjoy baby animals!

I have had a busy week. This week as well as some of last, was spent with friends in the evening. I am so thankful for the friends God has placed in my life and I am thankful when I am able to spend time with them. Tomorrow (Saturday), I am actually spending the morning with a friend of mine who has been at Bible school for most of the first part of this year and I am so looking forward to catching up with her in the morning, Lord Willing. Then right over lunch, I will spend some time with my two cousins as well as a friend I used to go riding with a lot at Sharon's. Really excited about that! Then in the afternoon/evening, I am going to be helping with the youth work project. So a full day but really excited for it!

As for my week, Wednesday evening we had church and Thursday evening I went out to eat with Sharon and Sarah. Had a good time of talking and just being together!

Tonight (Friday), Sarah and I had planned to ride. It rained, so instead we spent the evening talking about some things. I feel like it was supposed to happen the way it did. Tomorrow morning I am going to take my friend for a cart ride, if the weather is nice anyway, so Daisy will get some work. Next weekend I am hoping to get some time to work with the horses on Friday and Monday since I have off both those days because of Easter (and my boss doesn't have school). Guess we shall see!

Here is a link to a half an hour video: http://www.noahthemovie.com/ It gave me a lot to think about :)

 cupcakes I made with Cameron on Thursday

Sir William

A Dog and A Cart Ride

Another beautiful day here in Lancaster County, PA. I took the boys to the park again today, this time we walked there. I enjoyed being able to be out in short sleeves and soaking up the sun. I think one can really appreciate the feeling of spring in the air after such a cold winter!! I have made up my mind, I will not complain about the mud since it is a part of spring and it means warm weather is on its way here! :)

I hadn't walked Lucy this morning so I took her along to the horses. I wasn't sure how it would go but Lucy did well with everything. Rose Mary went with me because I wanted to drive Freedom but wasn't sure how it would go with taking Lucy along for the first time. Lucy did great and Freedom did great. Rose Mary even commented on how well he has improved in not spooking since the last time she had gone on a cart ride with me. Tomorrow they are calling for rain, so not sure I will get to work with the horses. It will be fine if I don't because I have some odds and ends I need to get together for my cousin Sarah and I's trip to VA for the weekend. :) I won't mind the rain either :)

Warm Weather and Working the Horses

Hope you are enjoying the longer evenings as much as I am. Tonight I got to walk Lucy, drive Freedom, and ride Daisy. I am not planning to be able to do this every night but was thankful I had the chance to do so today! I spent a nice amount of time outside even at work. Took the boys to the park and we ate a picnic lunch too. I was so glad it was warmer today :)

I got home from work and went to walk Lucy. I hadn't walked her this morning, due to leaving for work an hour earlier. She did excellent at not pulling on the leash and I also did some training with her. :)

After supper, I headed to the horses. I drove Freedom for about half an hour. He did an excellent job and he hardly shied at all. I think he was just going thru a phase and I don't think the scare with the truck helped at all as well as the snow being on the ground making everything look different. Either way, he did wonderful and I really enjoyed driving him. Sarah rode Mischa out to meet me since she wanted to talk to me about something. She hopped off Mischa, climbed in the cart and ponied Mischa that way. Freedom wasn't too sure what to think about the idea of a horse following but he soon got used to the idea.

When we got back to the barn, I put Freedom out in the meadow and got Daisy all ready to ride. By the time both Sarah and I were ready to ride it was still slightly light out but we knew it would be dark before we got back to the barn. We put the reflectors on the horses and ourselves. Soon it will be light the entire time we ride and we won't have to worry with reflectors at least for the horses. ;) We rode for an hour and just had the chance to talk and work with our horses. I am so glad the she moved Mischa here for this last part of the winter because it has helped motivate me to ride especially with the really cold weather we have had. Once we got back to the barn, Sarah kept going past the driveway after I let Daisy turn in. While I waited for her and Mischa a bit, I worked at Daisy's turn on the haunches from the ground. She did really good both ways. :) I am really looking forward to keep working with her on that and then hopefully this summer having her know side pass. We shall see!

Hope you have a great evening! Enjoy the warm weather!!

Shedding and Driving Daisy

Ah Saturdays are so nice!! Friday I got off from work early due to some things with my boss, but instead of working with the horses, I talked with mom and took care of the horses. We had a WeCare banquet (it was for the prison ministries that mom helped out with for a week in January) in the evening which I enjoyed so much. It just reinforced in my mind once again how important relationships are and how we relate to people.

I stayed at my cousins for the night because we were planning to work on their brother and sister-in-law's wedding book on Saturday at my house. Although we didn't get much sleep, we did get to talk and enjoy each other's company. One thing we did on Saturday, was stop for coffee on the way back to my house :) We did work on the book for a bit. After they left, I went to the horses. I did some odds and ends around the barn. I had thought of driving Freedom but I must have drank to much milk within the last 24 hours so I didn't feel well. So instead, I just did some groundwork with Daisy. We worked on the turn on the forehand, as well as a turn on the haunches. The turn on the haunches to the left was the worse. She picked up very quickly the turn on the haunches to the right. She has done the turn on the haunches and forehand on the ground and the saddle but I really want her to get better at her turn on the haunches before really working at side passing. Although I did get her to side pass to the right from the ground one time just to see if she would do it. I didn't do anything with Freedom but spent a little time grooming him.

Today (Sunday), I drove Daisy. I took my sister Rose Mary along. Both horses are shedding and I really thought about it Saturday when I groomed both horses. You walk away from grooming them, and the floor has hair on it and you do too. Well then when driving Daisy, we got a hair shower because of her shedding. I am not going to complain about all the hair because it means SPRING is coming!!!! Actually it means the days are getting longer but that points to spring too :D

After I fed the horses, Rose Mary and I came home and walked our dogs. I hadn't gotten Lucy out yesterday but she was really glad to get out today! Hoping to walk her every day this week like I did last week but tomorrow I leave for work an hour earlier than normal for a Monday so not sure if I will get the chance to or not. Looking forward to the extra hour in the evening though!! :) Hope you have a wonderful week!

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 Trip to the Vet and COLD

We have been having some single digit weather over night. Both horses are doing well with the cold but it helps I am giving them extra hay :) Tonight I was thankful that I got the chance to hang out with the horses a little. I would have spent more time with both of them but since I got off from work till quarter after 5 and didn't get home till quarter of 6. Since our appointment was at 6:30, Rose Mary, Lucy and I headed to the vet. Since Lucy has had the privilege of riding in the vehicle more than once already, she has become quite the pro. :) Since the people we bought her from had never taken her to the vet, this was her first time. She was a bit nervous about going into the vet but once inside she did great! She got a clean bill of health as well as all her vaccines and shots. So pleased with Lucy. Hoping tomorrow evening to spend some time with Freedom and work on some groundwork. I want to take Lucy to the barn one of these evenings too. I have been walking her in the mornings and some evenings. Well hope you have a good rest of the evening.

A Cold Ride

Tonight was quite chilly for a ride but Sarah and I rode anyway. It sure is nice to have motivation to ride. What I love about riding with her, is that we have a chance to talk and we never run out of things to talk about. Well at least it has yet to happen, and we have been together a lot! She rode Mischa and I rode Daisy. I think we would have cantered if we wouldn't have been discussing so much stuff. We talked about how God is working in our lives and how important trusting in Him is. We didn't ride as long as we do sometimes due to our feet getting cold but other than that it was fun. We walked the whole way home and it was good for both horses. We got both of our horses to walk nicely on a loose rein on the way back.

Tomorrow evening Lucy has a vet appointment but I am hoping that I can still groom Freedom and spend some time with him. I would like to work on some groundwork with him again. I am also looking forward to implementing some of the things I learned at the expo on Saturday in both horse's training. Hope you all have a great week!

A Dog and the Horse World Expo

This sunset was taken the Friday of youth retreat. Just love how the sun looks! Thursday was an extremely cold day so I decided to not ride. Friday, my plans were to ride with Sarah and have a chance to talk with her. Well I find it so amazing how God works! I had talked to my dad about some things and I had wanted to buy a dog but it never worked out. Some people we know, had a Lab female for sale and my sister, Rose Mary, thought she would be perfect. We talked to Dad and he ok'd the whole idea. So instead of getting to ride with Sarah Friday evening, we went to pick up Lucy, my dog. The really neat thing is that she is born the same day as Freedom (April 25th, 2010) only a year earlier.

 Lucy and I today

Saturday, I had the Horse World Expo. I had stayed at my cousins the night before, so that instead of having to pick me up in the morning, we could leave right from their house. It was so much fun hanging out with my "second" family all day. I feel like I learned a lot of things and I know there are some things I am definitely going to implement in Freedom's training, as well as Daisy's. After getting home from the Expo around 7:50 or so in the evening, I wanted to take Lucy to get a bath. We have a place to wash dogs at the car wash and Lucy really, really stank, so Mom and I took her for a bath. We dried her mostly there but since she wasn't totally dry, we left her here in the house while I went to the barn and did the chores. She was waiting for me at the door when I got home. She was nice and dry so out to the barn she went :)

Today I was able to get some pictures of Lucy. Since I haven't been able to catch up on my sleep since the youth retreat last weekend, I took a nap this afternoon. I was planning to drive one of my horses today but after my nap it was rainy/snowy, so no driving :) Hoping to catch up on my sleep next weekend a bit but we shall see. I have a lot of 9 hour days coming up this week so it will be a bit of a longer work week but I am looking forward to it!

Hope you have a wonderful evening and a great week! Hoping to ride a bit this week and next Sunday, Daylight Savings Time begins so that means more DAYLIGHT in the evening!