Cabin!!

This weekend will be quite busy for me. I am getting ready to go to the cabin with Daisy :) It will be a group of us heading up to a cabin approx 2 hrs away tomorrow afternoon. We are taking 8 or so horses. I so am excited and can't wait to see how this all turns out. Freedom is staying home, of course. We shall see how he likes that. So I am hoping to get some pics from this weekend too. For those of you who knew, I was looking for a buyer for Shasta and I FOUND ONE :) They came to look at her today and they are going to be picking her up in two weeks. So happy. They actually will be most likely be showing her so we shall see. Can't wait to see how she does for them! Anyway hope you all have a great and safe weekend!

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday!

Sunday: Sunday evening I worked Daisy on the lunge line. She did quite well. She did try to pull me around a bit but I worked her thru it and it seems like she is getting better with the lunging idea. Really happy with her!

Monday: I did ride Monday evening. I measured out a nice sized circle to trot thru. Then I climbed on Daisy and off we trotted around the circle. Going the one way it went quite well and it seemed like she was having good balance and not letting her shoulder fall in. Then going the other way it seemed like it didn't matter how hard we both tried her shoulder still fell in. It was quite annoying but we worked thru it. Once we went the way that her shoulder kept falling in and it went almost perfect then we quit with that. I asked her to do a move on the haunches going to the right and she did that perfectly then trying to get her to do it going to the left was almost impossible. I tried different things and finally got her to do it but that definitly needs some work. Since she had done so well I figured we could go for a short ride down the road as a reward for her hard work and her doing so well. So in the English saddle and and snaffle bit we headed off down the road. We mostly did trotting but with one or two times of cantering in there :) Daisy did quite well for the most part. I feel like we are getting somewhere :)

Tuesday: It rained then on Tuesday so all I did was bring both Freedom and Daisy into the barn and put them in stalls to give them their grain and love on them. I gave them both some hay out in the run in shed then put them out. I didn't do more than that.

Tuesday's Rain

I have someone looking at Shasta tomorrow so not sure I will get to ride Daisy or not. Tonight I have cleaning here at home as well as church tonight (planning to go unless some things change) so I don't know what all I will get to do with Daisy tonight. Then Friday evening Rose Mary and I are going with the youth up to Bald Eagle Boys camp and tenting out then Saturday working up there then coming home that evening so no riding Friday. Possibly Saturday but I really doubt that. Hopefully Sunday. I was really planning to do a lot of riding this week but that isn't happening. Next week I should get more in :) We shall see!!

Lunging and Groundwork Session!

2 Collages of the picture Rose Mary took Saturday!

This evening I didn't ride but did groundwork. First I got Daisy out of the meadow..I whistled and said hey girl and she didn't come right away but she met me about halfway :) So proud of my girl. I put her halter on and then we went into the barn. I got my tarp, lungeline, lunge whip and Daisy and we headed out to the areana. First I put the tarp on the ground then I lunged Daisy over that. She didn't even care which didn't suprise me in the least. We worked on her trotting and walking on command. She did very well at speeding up and slowing down when told. Daisy also did very good with stopping and turning when asked. I also got her to stop a few times as well and back up. At the end I told her to WHOA and she stopped then I asked her to come. She came so nicely then I unclipped the lunge line and I was like lets have fun. So off we walked. I got her to trot beside me and turn both ways. I did it with me on both sides which was impressive. She stopped and trotted and walked so nicely beside me being free. I was so pleased with her!! Once we established that she was ok with being free I told her to WHOA and I got the tarp and ran it between her legs and then as the final test I put it on top of her. She was like ok this is different then I put it over her head and she was totally covered with the tarp. SHE WAS TOTALLY FINE WITH IT. She didn't move a muscle and I didn't have her on the lead at all. I took the tarp off of her and praised her big time. I am so proud of my girl. I think she does everything I ask her so willingly cause she knows I will hug her and praise her :)

After I put the tarp away I decided to give Daisy a bath. She stood nicely for that (no wash stall or place to tie her really) and now she is so nice and clean. I gave her her grain then put her out in the meadow. She is so sweet cause when I put her out in the meadow and she eats the grass right inside the gate. Then she will walk out past the run in. Usually I stand there a bit and watch her then head into the barn. Well she usually turns around and comes to see if I am still watching. Usually I turn around and see if she came back to see me leave and if she is standing there I say bye girl. I just love her :) :) We shall see what we do tomorrow!

 

Shasta seems to be fine where she is and Freedom and Mateo are both happy at their respective places. So can't wait till Freedom comes to Daisy though!!

Sunise and Mateo!!

Here are the pictures I took Saturday of the Sunrise and of Mateo!! :)

Tonight I am going to just hang out with Daisy and give her grain since it probably will rain and I have a meeting this evening :D Have a great day!!

Moving the Horses and Just Organizing my Things and Saying Hi to Daisy!!

Yesterday was moving day...........for my horses that is! I got off from work around 3 and got to Sharon around quarter of 4. The trailer and truck were already hooked up so we got all my things together (amazing how many things you accumulate in 4 yrs) and loaded Daisy and the babies in the trailer and headed off for Joel's. At Joel's place we unloaded Mateo and Freedom and took Mateo back to the corral where he will be staying till he is sold. He is with a filly about his age so I think he will be happy. At first he wasn't too sure about thing but I think he shall be fine. We got Shasta and loaded her in the trailer and put Freedom back on. Then off we went to take ALL my stuff and Daisy to her new home 2 minutes from my place. Once we got there we unloaded Daisy and took her over to the meadow (in case you wondered my cousins, MaryRose and Sarah, were helping me out!!) and let her go in there. She was like OH LOOK GRASS :D and chowed right down on the grass. With her in her meadow we unloaded all my things. I didn't really organize anything due to having to take Freedom to his place and Shasta to hers. I said bye to Daisy and we headed on our way. Next stop dropping Freedom off.

We got to Burnell and Shannon's place and unloaded Freedom. We put him in the meadow and he was a bit unsure of himself so we put him up in the meadow at a different place and he seemed to be fine. Shannon texted me today and said he was hanging out with Kate (her older horse...they own Dusty, Kate, Beauty (not my cousin's Beauty) and Beauty's baby). He will be moving up to Daisy on Labor Day (thats the plan anyway).

Off we headed to my cousins place to drop Shasta off and pick up Ricki and Beauty and take them back to Sharon's. Shasta settled right into her meadow with Misha (my cousin Sarah's horse) and seemed glad to have grass to eat. My cousin MaryRose is going to have her on trial to see if she wants to buy her :) Then we left there with Ricki and Beauty and went back to Sharon. By this time it was 9ish. By the time we got back to Sharon and I left it was quarter of ten. I got home around 10..made for a LOONNGG afternoon but I felt good knowing my horses were all settled in :) Here are pics of Freedom and Daisy :)

 Freedom at his Temporary home till he goes to Daisy on Labor Day

Today I went to say Hi to Daisy. It felt weird..a good weird though..to be able to go see Daisy and not to have to drive far. So thankful mind you just different :) It will take some getting used to but I am looking forward to it!! I had bought some tubs to put my things in and I organized that all and put my saddles on their wracks and all that such like. Then I went and said hi to Daisy..she came right up to me, was like oh you came to see me then was like yummy grass...LOL..such a horse. :D I didn't stay long but I do want to ride sometime this week..We shall see because tomorrow after work I help with canning peaches but beyond that I don't know how the rest of the week will go..Sat and Sun though I might get to ride ;) Anyway hope you all have a great rest of the week!!

Riding with a Friend and Changes!!

Friday: Yesterday I took my friend Elana riding at Sharon's. She rode Misty and I rode Daisy of course :) We did a mostly all walking ride but cantered for a short bit twice on the way home. It was so enjoyable and relaxing just hanging out and riding and being together! I did get some pics but I won't be posting that till another day. Anyway since you might be curious I will tell you about the changes that I mentioned in the title (and might have alluded to in one of the last posts).

I have come to realize that changes are a part of life :) I have been wanting to have my horses here at home which isn't possible but I was thinking the next best thing would be to have them at a place nearby. So this past week I was looking for a place. First I asked at 4 places and they all said no but at the fourth place the guy said check at my neighbor and see if he would be ok with having your horses there. Also that evening I had checked on Craigslist to see if there were any places I could board and found one located in Stevens (in my area) and they were asking for a reasonable rate as well as exactly what I wanted which was pasture and a run in in the pasture. Note: I am just moving Daisy and Freedom. For those of you that don't know (haven't really said anything) I am looking for a buyer for Shasta and someone will be trying her out and deciding if they are going to buy her or not..if they don't I have a few others I will be asking. Also selling Mateo. Back to the story. The guy didn't  call me back till today and he said no we would love to have your horses but it won't work out. He gave me another place to check and they said no as well. I was like ok so I don't have any place as of yet then I came home and the lady from the ad on Craigslist has emailed me back :) :) :) I called her husband and at first couldn't get ahold of him but on the third try I got to talk to him and set up a time and got the address to go check it out today. I just got back a little bit ago from seeing the place and it is PERFECT :) There are two pastures..one with a run in shed (3 acres) and the other one without a run in (2 acres) and then there are stalls that I could use if needed for whatever reason. They also have a RIDING AREANA. A decent sized one too :) That was something I wasn't expecting and was more than I could ask for. I had wanted a place that I could work my horse and I had been praying that I could find a place that would have a pasture and all that but NEVER a riding areana. I am looking forward to having my horses here :) :) :) Daisy will be moved there Monday!! So excited!! They themselves have horses in their other meadows and they look awesome ;) :) Mateo is going to Joel (where Shasta is now) to be with his mare's foal, Shasta is going to my cousins for a while (till she gets sold most likely), and Freedom, till he is totally weaned from his mom, will be going to Bernell and Shannon (people that own what used to be Sharon's Beauty). After Freedom is weaned he will go up to Daisy. So I am pleased with how everything is turning out!! :) Anyway that is all I have for now! Have a wonderful and safe weekend!
p.s. The place is TWO MINUTES from my house which is a plus especially since Sharon's place is 15-20 minutes :) Thankful I could have them at Sharon though for the time I did!!

Another Training Session with Daisy!

Today it was warm again here but I did ride regardless. It wasn't too bad I just am not to big a fan of warm weather (at least in the middle of the day..LOVE my cool evenings). I tacked Daisy up and we headed out to the pasture to work on our circles. She does the circle perfectly without much of her shoulder falling in when going clockwise but when we go counterclock it doesn't go to well :D Today though it went well. My posting is feeling more natural and Daisy seems to be getting the hang of it. After we worked the circle a few times we did some work just trotting on the straight mainly for my benefit of posting. I did canter one time and I got her to stop and she stopped SO WELL. She really surprised me as far as that went. Then we went to do it again and I believe she would have stopped perfectly again but someone I knew blew their horn at me (which was fine) but it scared Daisy and she didn't respond to my cues the way she would have I don't think. We stopped farther down and she did ok. Then we did some more trotting and walking before we finished up. I am so proud of how far she has come. I feel like I am getting somewhere with her and that gives me a good feeling.

For those of you who don't know I plan to sell Shasta. My cousin is going to have her on trial (that is if everything works out as far as having Shasta at their place) and if she doesn't buy her we shall see what happens then. I plan to keep Freedom but Mateo will be sold as well and of course I am keeping Daisy. :) There are some more changes coming up as far as my horses are concerened and when they actually happen I will let you all know :) Hope you have a safe and wonderful rest of the week and weekend!!

Some Pics and an Update!

Here are just a few of the pictures I took today (of Daisy) and the sunset ones are of earlier this week. Look here for more sunset pics and here for more pics of Daisy!

Today I didn't ride but I did take some pics of Daisy as well as lay her down. She did well with that. I didn't go see Shasta either. Tomorrow I hope to do more things with my horses but I am in the middle of doing some other stuff so I might not get to spend as much time with them right now but hopefully soon things will change as far as they are concerned and spending more time with them :)

Groundwork with Daisy!!

Today I worked with Daisy on the ground :) First I got her out of her corral then I got the rope and crop and we trotted surpentines and figure eights in the yard. Daisy did really well with turning with me when I turned. I was quite happy. Then I got her to back up using my body language and the crop waving in the air toward her. She backed up nicely. I also got her to stand while I walked around her. Then I got her to move her hindquarters around with me using body language and waving the crop at her hindquarters. She moved better than she ever did. I also got her to move her forquarters like that as well although she didn't do so well with that. I think we need to work on it. Am looking forward to working her some more later!! :) I also spent some time with the babies. Freedom nickered at me. I love how they both come to meet me at the gate when I go to say hi to them!! I didn't see Shasta today but I will either tomorrow or Thursday.

Training Session with Daisy and Riding Moonlight!

Today I rode Daisy :) I groomed her really good first then saddled her up in the English saddle and snaffle bit. I first started off at a walk around the house and I worked at her stopping when I asked. She did well with that. I was working her on a circle on the driveway but I think my circle was too small so her shoulder kept falling in at the one area. So I did like the my one friend suggested and made a big circle with cones in the meadow and trotted around that. Daisy's shoulder didn't keep falling in as much. I believe it will take practice till we are able to get a full circle without her shoulder falling in but I plan to work on it. For me it is fun trotting because I get to post. I am getting better at it. Sometime I will have to get my mom or sister to take some pics of me riding again. Anyway I was pleased with how she did. I worked her on her turn on the forhand as well, from the saddle. She has that almost down pat. Now for the what seems to be harder part of teaching her to do a turn on the haunches..We will get it though with practice!! For Daisy's reward at doing so well with the circle and turning on the forhand I let her trot over some poles and we even cantered for a short bit. She did PERFECT. She stopped immediately when I asked her to do so. She at one point would not have done that in the snaffle. I feel like I am getting somewhere. I hopped off, put the saddle away and the hosed her off and put her away. I said by to her and the foals then headed over to Shasta.

My cousin MaryRose came over to ride her and I rode one of Joel's mares (Moonlight). Shasta did quite well for MaryRose and I enjoyed riding Moonlight. We went for a short ride but it was quite fun!! :)

Friday!!

Today I got to ride Daisy again. I rode with my cousins (Sara, Rhonda, and Rachelle). Sharon came along as well and it was such an enjoyable evening. Daisy did wonderful. The most fun I think for me as far as playing with my horses was I was cleaning up my piles and Daisy followed me from each pile to the fence where I thru it over to fertilize the stuff on the other side. :) She is such a sweetheart. Then I went to play with the babies and I loved on Mateo first then I loved on Freedom. I got Freedom to say yes and no (using my finger (to say no I say "say no" and tap his neck and he shakes his head no and to say yes I say "say yes" and tap his chest and he shakes his head yes)..I thought that was neat. Then I got him to pick all four hooves up and he stood still like a statue. I was so pleased with him. Overall it was a wonderful and relaxing evening. Tomorrow I got to Washington DC with my youth group. Looking forward to that!!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday!!

Tuesday: I didn't ride any of my horses I just rode Curly over to the farriers for Sharon. Once he was finished there I went to visit Shasta for a tad bit while Harry (who Sharon had ridden) was getting finished up at the farrier. I brushed Shasta and hosed her off then went back over to the farrier (Joel (Shasta's former owner) which is where Shasta is for over this weaning period, lives very close to the farrier..he is actually the next door neighbor). When we got back to Sharon's barn I said hi to Daisy and the foals, fed them and headed home.

Wednesday: Wednesday I didn't ride either. I got to Sharon later than normal because I got off work an hour later. So I gave everyone their grain and hay and then I got the babies out and put them in the meadow. I got some really nice pictures of them too :) They got the chance to burn some energy which they really liked. I like how tame they are too. :) I then put the babies back in their corral and let Daisy back on the meadow. I got a few pics of her but hope to get more better ones later. Tomorrow I don't know if I will ride or not..will depend on what time I get off from work!!

Here are the pics I took yesterday (above)

Thursday: Today I did ride :) I got to Sharon right after work. I talked to Sharon in the house and I said I am going riding right away and asked her if she is coming along. She said yeah sure after she finishes her beans so I went out and said Daisy girl. I went into her paddock (which is connected to the meadow..the horses that are in the 3 paddocks attatched to the meadow get turns in the meadow) and she was halfway out in the meadow. She heard the gate and walked in to me. I stood waiting for her and she walked right up to me. I was so happy with her :) :) Then I took her in the barn and groomed her and put the hackamore on and off we went on a ride. We rode for about an hour. We did some cantering and some walking. Daisy and I even ran flat out :) She really liked that. Tomorrow if I am able to before I go riding with my cousins I want to work her a bit with the snaffle and see how that goes. We shall see!! When we got back from the ride I cleaned water buckets and then gave Daisy and the foals their grain and filled water buckets then headed out. Looking forward to tomorrow!! I did stop and see Shasta as well on the way home :) She is doing well!!

Monday!

I didn't ride as much as we planned today because Riley fell off of Ricki. He hurt himself a bit so we went back and took him home ;) Then after Sharon, Chris (my cousin), and I got back I cleaned up piles and gave Daisy and the foals water. I didn't do much honestly with Daisy but before we went on the ride I had gotten her to move her forquarters around from her back which is the first time I have ever done that from her back. It was such an awesome feeling especially since I had never done it before!! After I left Sharon I went over to Joel's (Shasta's former owner)'s place to give Shasta a bath and check on her. She is doing great and Joel said she was totally ok with the weaning as are the babies. I am very impressed and pleased with how both mothers and both foals responded to the weaning!! :) Tomorrow I hope to do more with Daisy as well as Shasta..we shall see how things work out!

Friday!

Today was a pretty good day. Got off from work a bit early so I headed over to Daisy and the foals (didn't see Shasta again today..hoping to Monday). I first did the chores for my horses then I groomed Daisy and saddled her up with the English saddle and used the snaffle bit. Using the suggestions a few friends have given me I worked her in a circle around the house (wanted to use the meadow but we got rain..so thankful for it since it has been so dry lately). Going to the right she didn't get so soft right away but she got nice and soft pretty much right away going to the left ;) I was so pleased. She responded well. I trotted her the whole time at a slow trot as well as at a faster trot posting the whole time. It went well for both her and I. To cool her down I worked her at stopping when asked from a walk and she did excellant with that. I was very pleased with how the whole afternoon with her went. After she stopped really nice I got off of her and put the tack away, hosed her off and put her away. I praised her a lot then let her have her reward for doing so well. I played with the babies a bit too. Sharon had taken a ride so after she got back her and I went for a ride and I rode Curly. Over all it was quite the eventful but fulfilling afternoon!!

Wednesday!!

I didn't ride today at all but I did get to just enjoy my horses today. First I did some cleaning (piles and scrubbed buckets) then I gave Mateo and Freedom a bath..they both really needed it. They are doing great with the weaning. They call for their mom's occasionally but both are enjoying each other and not really minding it at all. I am pleased with them. Daisy is doing well with it as well..didn't go check on Shasta today but I am sure she is doing fine too. Tomorrow I am hoping to go give her a bath too. I gave Daisy a bath today as well. It took all my afternoon to give everyone baths but everyone felt good and it was fun for me. We shall see what we will do tomorrow with everyone.

Tuesday!!

Today I got alot of riding in. I got to ride with Andrea today and she was on Sweet Pea and I was on Daisy. We went down to the creek and we just hopped off our horses and just played around in the water a bit. After we left the creek we went to some other trails she knows. We walked alot with some cantering..then on the way home we went up the field lane toward the Fairmount Trails and went home by way of Fairmount Homes. It was so relaxing and enjoyable to ride with her again!!

When we got back Lillian was at Sharon's. Andrea left and then Lillian and I cleaned up some piles then went in and ate supper with Earl Dean and Sharon. After supper I saddled up Ricki and Daisy and got Shasta and we headed over to Joel's (where Shasta will be for the next two weeks). Sharon and Lillian went along. Sharon ponied Ricki since Riley was going to meet up with us at the Matt's (farrier). They branched off at the farriers and I went on with Shasta and Daisy to Joel's. I dropped her off and talked a bit with Joel. I am hoping to stop in usually after Sharon's but I might not go every day..we shall see. Either way I know she is in good hands. After I left Joel's place I met up with everyone back at Matt's place. They were soon ready to head home so home we went. We did canter some on the way home but it was mostly walking just like the way over had been. When we got back I put Mateo and Freedom together and Daisy went in her own corral. We shall see how it all goes with this weaning. I do believe the foals will be fine. Guess we shall see!! :)

Monday!!

Today I got to ride a nice amount..been awhile :) Riley got there soon after I did and Sharon had taken a group of riders out on horseback so Riley and I went to find them. We caught up to them when they were on their way back so we just went back with them. Then I got Freedom and we went on another longer ride. About an hour or so long. We went by the way of the creek and Riley and I went in. I took Freedom in far enough so he could swim..he really liked that. Daisy got wet a bit too and I know she really liked that!! After we left the creek we did a nice amount of cantering and some just walking. This time it wasn't raining though but it was nice. When we got back I hosed Daisy off. I think Freedom felt really good after having been in the creek and also after stretching his legs like that. :) I had gotten to spend some time with Shasta before we had went riding and so after we got back I did the rest of the chores (had done some before) and since it was starting to rain I headed out.

Tomorrow Shasta goes over to where she used to live for two weeks to start off the weaning period. It won't work to have her and Mateo on the same property just because of the way she is. She doesn't do so well with seperation. So this way it will make things easier for everyone. Daisy it won't be necessary to take her anywhere else of which I am very grateful!! So we shall see how this weaning goes!! I have confidence though that it will go fine just because both foals are confident and don't seem to mind being seperated from their mom now already ;) Well hope you all have a great week!!

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

Tuesday and Wednesday I didn't ride at all but I did groom both my girls and just love on them :) Then on Thursday my cousin Sara and I went riding and we rode double on Daisy. We didn't go too far and we actually walked on the way back for the fun of it. It was quite relaxing and enjoyable! Then this evening (Friday) I did ride. First I ponied Shasta and we didn't go to far because her one leg has been a bit swollen so I am slowly now getting her back into getting used again. Sharon went with me on Bean while I rode Daisy. After we went as far as we had planned to go we went back. Riley was just getting to the barn so he went to saddle up Ricki. I put Shasta away and cleaned up piles. By that time Riley was ready to go. I still had Daisy saddled up English so I just hopped on her once more and off we went. It was raining by now too or at least trying to. Still we rode in the rain. I haven't done that in quite a long time and it was fun for something different. We badly have needed the rain and today it has rained a lot so I wasn't going to complain about the rain although it was more inconvenient :D

This week I plan to put Shasta over at her former owner's house while we wean the babies. Daisy it won't be a problem to be on the same problem as her baby but Shasta she will just call and call and it will make things go more smoothly having her elsewhere. I plan to still stop and see her even if she is over there althought it might not be every day. Daisy will stay there at Sharon's along with the babies. So we shall see how this goes! :) Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Monday!!

Today I rode Daisy and just worked her on moving her hindquarters around ;) From on top of her. I have done this with her from the ground lots of times and she does well with it as well as moving her forequarters around. She did great doing it both ways. I can't wait to work with it some more. I didn't do anything with her moving her forquarters because I figured she did so well that I will let her think about how she did and we will go from here. I then got Shasta out and did the same thing with her all except just from the ground ;) She did well too. I also moved her forquarters around and she didn't do so good with that but she does it for me. I played with the babies a bit. They soon will be weaned (next week...some of you may think it is a bit too soon but for Freedom it is just right and Mateo is wearing his mom down with his being on her so I think its for the best for him to be off of his mom..also this way he will be weaned with Freedom). I have thought about this alot and I think it is for the best. :) I have been seperating them every so often to get them a bit prepared for it!! Anyway hope you all have a great week!!

Riding Daisy and Ponying Freedom!!

Today I wasn't really planning to ride but then my cousin Chris (rode Curly) was at Sharon (rode Bean) as well as Riley (rode Ricky) and his brother Trevor (rode Misty). They were planning on going on a ride with Sharon so I hopped on Daisy and got Freedom and we went along. Riley was riding his horse Ricky who decided to be a bit of a jerk so I ended up riding him while Riley rode Curly and Trevor rode Daisy and ponied Freedom (who did excellant for him..I was pleased with my horses). Sharon and Chris went back before Riley, Trevor and I so they did some switching of horses. I rode Ricky, Riley rode Curly, Chris rode Misty and Trevor rode Daisy :) Ricky did ok but I am not sure what his problem is..I guess we shall see how things work out with him!! Anyway I am hoping tomorrow to spend more time with my gals!!