Weekend Plans Start with a Clinic

Last Thursday night I was asked if I wanted to be in a clinic over the weekend, well I was busy Sunday so I said if I can only go Saturday I sure would.  I like his clinics they are fun, we do all sorts of things and he makes everyone feel good :)  So as I was looking online for him and I never found it lol but I did come across the girl who bought my grey Princess horse.  She still has her and they look good together so I stole some photos off Facebook of her.

Anyways back to the clinic I took Jessie cause shes always good and I like to work on me, I'm tired of working on the horse and I need to improve.  So away we go.  He has a few things in mind but asks us what we all want to work on, there was a few things and so he worked them in.  We started with crazy riding, just going all over working on steering exactly where you want.  Then we set up cones and loped circles at the same speed making an even circle.  I had a little trouble, Jess kept slowing down as we approached the crowd so I had to pay more attention.  Then we put the cones in a row and 2 barrels at the end and we weaved through them steering with only one hand.  I never thought of it but as we come away from the second barrel she just booted it home, lol I had to slow her down and make her go back through the cones.  Been a long time since we barrel raced but I guess she still remembers.  We did it a few more times and made wider circles and she slowed right down.

Then he put a half full bucket of water on barrel and we had to carry it from one to the next, she had no trouble with them she wanted to stick her nose in in thought it was food I guess lol.    Then we sidepassed over logs and carried a raincoat around and then stepped on it, I didn't think she would but sure enough.  Of course I sometimes feel like I can cheat with her cause its so easy to move her shoulders if I do it at the right time she has to.  of course sometimes I think she just does it to get it over with so she can stand.  Then lunch time.

After lunch we opened and closed the gate and walked over the bridge and then we got to jump!  Jess isn't much of a jumper but we did jump over it a couple times.  It was set pretty low so they could make it over without jumping.  Then we went into the indoor and we got to work cows :)  I got to go first and Jess was pretty well right on.  Yay I was super excited for her cause its been a really long time since we done that and I might borrow her out for a few lessons this fall so a neighbor can try cutting.

That was all for the day, whew I was tired but it was so good, wish I coulda made it back for a second day, but we are gonna set up a smaller clinic with just us and take a couple horses each and see what we can work on cause we are all at the same level.  He has a ladies night there as well might try to join that have to see what winter brings.  I do want to ride Jessie and Dee and hopefully get Trio going as well.

Perogies and More riding

Well after the Perogy post, I got asked a few questions, so here's some answers. Not all the answers cause I just don't have all the answers.

Umm my favorite way of cooking them. Well I like to fry up some onions and smokies and then put the boiled perogies in until they are just browned

Then add sour cream until it just melts, and eat. These are the potato and Cheddar ones, and they never fell apart, so not sure I can help there. I wonder if it helps I freeze them first, never cooked them fresh so I dont know if tha makes a difference?I also like to use sauerkraut sometimes. Neil likes it when the smokies aren't cut up then he can have them in buns and its more filling.

My other favorite is the prune perogies, I just boil them 5 minutes or till they float, and put icing sugar and a little butter on and mmmm, no wonder some people call them desert perogies.

I never thought of putting a Mexican type filling in, but I love Mexican food, so maybe next time I will try that one.

While I went riding yesterday and look like Dinero slipped and is sore in both back legs, so we gave him little a bute and will give him three days off and see how hes doing then. But it gave me more time to practice taking pictures indoors. I got Susan on Princess

I rode Bailey and I got the girls to take some pictures, but they weren't very clear, but I had to put this one of Bailey in cause it shows how fat she is, lol

After this Jardi rode Tangle and I found a new and better setting, ISO 3200 and it takes pics super fast they mostly turn out clear

She said she would rather me take pictures of Tangle without her on him, so we did some of that too

And then she rode Shaken and even though the picture is a little dark, it turned out not bad, I haven't gotten a clear stop picture before, so was pretty happy with this

And I commented in the comment section, but just thought I would say again, the arena footing was fabulous, I have never seen it as good down there as it has been these last two days. I think if she keeps it watered and worked it can be really nice, a little deeper than Jardis, but sure nice to ride in.

New Blogger

Yaaa Linda I'm so glad you found me and are blogging as well! Her new blog is Cowboy Coping Cowgirl and its a gooder! She has some good stories to tell about living on the ranch and working as a lease riders wife.

Well the girl come out and tried the Princess out yesterday and I think she had a good ride, she rode in the arena first and then we went out on the trail, and I of course didn't have a horse, so Barb let me ride Dusty while she tended to Sid's ucky hair loss. It was good, Princess trotted away from us when we rode and she eventually got her to lope out there as well. She was gonna look at a few more from Stettler area before making a decision, so well see how it works out.



I am staying home today and making relish and shortbread and doing laundry and I don't even mind those things on a day like this when the weather is really windy.

The Boys as they always are when I look to see them!



When I was coming home yesterday I seen some antelopes on our road, so I slowed down andthe took off, so I stopped and they all turned and looked at me and stayed till I drove off again. They are so curious Im sure they would come right up to the truck if I waited long enough.


O an update, as I was witing for pictures to load, I got a phone call, and they bought Princess, so tommorow they are gonna try her in the girls saddle and then pick her up and take her home. im sure it will be perfect for both of them.

Easter Sunday 2010

Happy Easter Everyone, may you enjoy the day with your family and friends and remember what it means.

It seems like so much has been going on here I don't have much time to write anymore.

After moving the mares all I heard was mmm green grass, mmm hay bale while fixing fence. They seem to like it there a little more.

I went and got my trailer and decided I would pick up Bailey and bring her home and turn her out with the mares. She seems to be a little better, and all that walking around in pasture has got to be better for her leg.

We celebrated Easter Dinner on Friday because my sister is working Saturday and Sunday this weekend, and we didn't want to celebrate without her there. It was kinda nice, but I missed my riding time on Friday.

Sooo... today I thought I would go get a ride on Princess. She was good as always. I rode inside for a while, while Rochelle was lunging Moxie and then Barb and Jessica came and wanted to go for a trail ride, so I got off Princess and waited for them. They are in no hurry, so I washed Princess tail, because it had kinda a yellowy tinge to it. The water from the hose was warm from it sitting in the sun all day, so that was nice on my fingers, I washed and rinsed it and it was almost fry by the time we went riding, so when I turned her out, it wouldn't get all dirty right away.

I have been moving the boys from the round pen at night to the pens in the daytime. Dinero has been having problems with rushing out the gate, so we been going in and out the gate at least five times every morning and night. I think its starting to pay off because yesterday morning I had him about half way through the gate and George was being silly and bucking, and a big gust of wind came up and Neil started his tractor all at the same time and he tensed up and then stopped. I was so proud of him! Those things aren't scary alone, but all at once...yikes.

Today he was in a hurry to get to his feed, cause I was a little late, and when I walked in the pen, he hit me in the face with his nose. Ouch!! He knew that was a bad idea right away because he just backed up and stood in the corner. I was kinda surprised, but said in a deep voice he was bad, and he walked up to me with his head hanging really low. I think he was feeling bad, so I just ignored it, haltered him and took him to his dinner. he was good after that.

Thursday April 1, 2010

Wow so much has happened in the last few days and I haven't even been around to blog.

Tuesday I went and got my truck serviced at Dodge and there are a bunch of minor things that need to be replaced, so whenever the parts are in, that will get done (about 7-10 days wait) Then I went to ride Princess and she got her front shoes. Greg was there and he said its low enough and seems healed over, he doesn't think it needs a pad, but the shoes will keep it a little higher off the ground. So that's good news and she was happy to be turned out into the pasture again. Bailey is still sore, we felt around a bunch more and it seems the big muscle on top of the hock on the inside of her left leg is really whats bothering her. We are gonna put her on a herbal antiinflamitory for a week or so and then maybe do another massage and then see whats going on. I also mentioned I might want to sell Princess and there is a young girl (16) who might try her out.

Yesterday I went to pick up a friends colt and take him to the trainer and then on the way home, pick up hers from Jard's and bring him home. We were close to Stettler so we stopped at Tim's for lunch and I won a coffee. Then we went to Peavey Mart and Ufa (for broodmare feed) and got fuel and came home. Linda rode her colt at Jardis (Princess we turned out already, so I brushed and fed Bailey while they rode).

When we got to Linda's last night the trailer lights wouldn't work so I left the trailer there and am going to pick it up today and hopefully they will work.

This morning I moved the mares ot a new pasture with more grass(some tame so its green) and a hay bale. I went around the edges and put in all missing staples and am now exhausted. It doesn't look too bad, last year I put in half pail of staples and fixed three patches of wire, this year only a handful of staples and a new gate rope.

Winters back, for now...

Sure have been having yucky weather here, its been cold and windy for the last tow days. I was getting used to having spring weather. I know its early yet for spring, but I am just getting tired of winter.

I went over to see my pony and it was so cold and snowy I put her in the barn and fed her then decided I would go to town instead of ride, so I did and as I came outta the stores, it was nicer, so I went back and we had a coffee, then Jardi had lessons, so I just brushed up Bailey and redid her tail braid and turned her out.

Princess was looking sad because she didnt get her turn outside today becasue its so wet, so I gave her some extra treats and headed home, I will give her extra attention today.

I had a roast readym, so Neil turned on the oven and when I got home it sure smelled good and it was nice to come home to supper ready.

I'm pretty sure that spring is on the way, cause today I seen a snowy owl, they must be passing through to go back up north, and I seen a herd of antelope, and they leave and head for the river in the wonter and come back in the spring. So good news I hope.

Saturday March 13, 2010

Well I figured something out about myself today and I'm not sure I like it. You all know Princess has an abscess and she is in the barn getting it soaked everyday and wrapped, and she is getting an antibiotic daily as well. When I am there, every Tuesday and Friday and sometime on the weekend, I soak it. When I'm not there, Jardi does it for me. This has worked fairly well, and Princess loves the attention, even if its to get her foot soaked.

Today I went over and was riding Bailey and Jardi walked in with a pail of water, I told her I can soak it, and she says its no problem. So I'm okay with that, but wondering because she always says she has so much to do and not enough time or energy. Then I look later and she has Katie doing it. I was not very happy, when I am paying Jardi and she passes it off to someone else, when I was right there. I am kinda picky about my horses and don't like anyone else doing anything with them. Its very hard for me to leave them at the boarders because of this. I know she was just trying to show Katie what an abscess is, and Jardi did watch and she wrapped it, but it irritated me.

I don't know why I am like this, but I think its because I have always had full care of my horses before I started taking them there, and I like how Jardi handles horses, but not all the boarders. I never would handle one of their horses and I guess I was hoping they would feel the same way, but now I'm not so sure. I wish I had a barn here so I could take her home and care for her myself.

Bailey and Linda and Princess

Today I went over and rode Bailey with Lou, but after only about 10 minutes, Linda showed up. She wanted to ride her colt but was a little worried about it, so she brought her husband to try him first. I got off and visited with her and Doug rode him and he was really good. Pretty mouthy on the bit, I think it was too long, but he did eventually get used to it, so maybe its okay. I rode Bailey again for a while and then Susan came and we visited with her, she never rode, but we visited anyways. I showed Linda and Doug how cool and fun Baileys rollbacks are and they were surprised. After everyone left, I soaked and re wrapped Princess foot. The infection looks like its getting better, less black looking and more yellowy green. I took some pics, but they never showed up very good.


Then I used a flash and its a little better, but not great.



Its getting better I think, she gets and antibiotic everyday on her grain and eats it right up. Its not that deep and she seems sounder than before. I have never had to deal with a abscess before, but it looks weird to me cause in the hole looks like a bubble, but i guess as long as its draining and shes getting sounder its working.

I am having a problem with our dogs, they keep wandering away to the neighbor, not our closest neighbor, but one that is like 5 miles away. We had Betty-Sue tied up for one night and they were good, but then we tried to tie up the puppy and she slipped her collar and they are gone again tonight. I think its time to get rid of one (or i would prefer both) dogs. I don't want a dog I have to tie up or wanders away. Any suggestions would be handy.

Bailey and Princess Update

Today was our regularly scheduled riding lesson and since I left Bailey there, I rode her in the lesson. She was pretty good, but I have to remember how to ride her because she is sooo different from either Razz or Princess.

She is so much quicker in her reactions, and she LOVES rollbacks. We went to rollback and she didn't stop very well, but backed up really well and I put my leg on her to turn her and she just jumped around and into a canter! I wasn't ready for it and wow! It was fun, and a little better stopping the next few times. It is so much fun to ride her. I cant wait till next time I get to ride her. We measured her cause I thought she looked bigger and lo and behold, she made 15 hands! I never thought she would get that tall, she was always little, figures it took 6 years to finally get there.

We also soaked Princess' foot and it looks like she is less sore and there was no more pussy stuff coming from her foot. I cleaned her and Sid's stalls and then headed to town to buy the wood for the floor in the basement, time to get that done.

Sunday Feb 28

Last night we went up to our local hall at Homestead coulee and we did discing. Which is like floor curling with large wooden discs that get thrown onto a ring that looks like a curling rink. It was a lot harder I thought, especially the aiming. I was to busy plating to get some pictures, maybe next time.

Today was East Coulee Breakfast again and it was awesome as usual. They have the best hash browns I have ever tasted. After breakfast, I went to the barn and Princess is pretty sore and her right knee was really warm, but not swollen and not sore from pressing on it (which I did lots of). I never rode her, just cleaned her and left her in the corrals for the night.

Catherine was there riding her two horses that hadn't been ridden since fall and Canuck was okay with other horses, but Blue was by himself and having a fit and scaring Catherine so I grabbed Razz and rode with them and he calmed down pretty good. We went in for coffee and then I took Razz home and turned her out with my ponies and they actually didn't bother her very much, mostly Bailey, but she Knew Razz from before and Razz just chased her away, so I'm sure she will be okay.

I was gonna bring Princess home to heal, but Jardi thinks we should wait another week or so and see if she gets better. So since she wont be better on Tuesday for our lesson, I think I get to ride Dot. That should be fun, Dot won the Canadian Supreme snaffle bit at 4, she looks like lots of fun to ride, I cant wait. Super duper broke, but it will be a challenge to ride with one hand since I haven't done that since two years ago with Henry.

Also watched the Closing Ceremony of the Olympics, was pretty good, and entertaining, woulda like to go to the games, maybe next time in Sochi.

Saturday Feb 27

Yesterday was another riding day. I picked Princess to ride first cause she goes slow like Sandy, so its easier to ride them together. I thought she was walking in a little sore, but its hard to tell cause shes got a crooked front foot, so it always looks weird when she walks. I brushed her off and that took forever. The temperature the last few days over there has gotten way above freezing, so when they come into the corral in the morning, after eating and getting a drink the first thing they do is roll in the muddiest spot there. I think shes losing her white guard hairs, cause she looking pretty brown on her butt. Ill have to get some pics, cause I guess I don't have any, like I thought I did.

I saddled her up English and we went into the arena and she was okay walking, but when we went to the trot she felt funny, so we didn't do much, Jardi came by and I asked her to look and she said she looks normal at a walk, but definitely off at a trot. I thought it was the same front leg again, but she kept resting her left hind. So I walked her around a little more and we quit and I brushed her and actually got her clean by the time Lu was done riding Sandy.

This morning, Jardi phoned and said she was sore walking in, so shes in the front corral for now. The ground gets so hard at night and still gets quite cold, so not sure if that has something to do with it or not. We will see when I go up there tomorrow.

I caught Razz as Jardi was letting the horses outta the corral for the day, and Razz never even got upset she wasn't going out. We went for coffee, then I rode Razz. She was full of beans today. I would ask her to walk and that was good, lots of flexing n=and bending. Then I ask her to trot, and she kept trying to break into a lope. We usually only do one lope (about 5-6 laps) each direction while riding, but I did 3 times each direction cause I couldn't get her to do a decent trot without loping. Finally she gave me a jog and it was so nice, we walked and cooled out after about 45 minutes. I think she was so gung-ho because I don't usually ride by myself and every time we ride alone in the arena (even with other people on the ends or middle) we lope, so its different when I don't want her to lope, even when we are by ourselves. So unfortunately, she sweated but wasn't warm, so we had a glass of water and waited for her to cool out. Finally she was dry and I fed her and went to turn her out, she couldn't see the other horses over the hill, so she slowly walked down the hill, then a slow trot to the top of the hill and started to graze. Musta seen the other horses, even though we couldn't. I'm glad she didn't act silly and go running out there. I didn't think she would, but ya never know. We usually try to keep two in to turn out together, but Razz is pretty level headed and careful so we never did. She also wasn't very dirty, I think its too much work for her to roll anymore.

I am going tomorrow to ride Razz and hopefully Princess if she is better and then bring Razz home. Should be fun. Cant wait till the foals come!

Tuesday Lesson

Today was another lesson and I rode in my English saddle again. I think I am finally getting better in it, cause now I notice I am not slipping from side to side when I trot. I also wore my spurs today cause its so much work to get her to canter without spurs, cut I was a little afraid my legs weren't still enough to wear them. Jardi says they are, so I wore them and we got two laps around the arena without Princess slowing down till I asked and me not slipping sideways! I was so proud. We spent most of the lesson at the trot and she was pretty tired at the end of it, not from overwork, but its hard for her to trot when she is kinda lazy.

Razz was really good again, she tries to be bad sometimes and its kinda frustrating cause it's just a step here or there or pushing on me, nothing major, but always trying something. I think I am gonna bring her home on Sunday. I would like to bring Bailey up for a month or two, but I might have to wait till summer and just trailer her over for lessons, cause she gets stressed in the big herd, even if they don't bother her.

Sunday at the the Barn

It was so nice today I thought I should go see my ponies. I like going on the weekends, especially Sunday cause other boarders are there that I don't usually see cause they are working or going to school all week when i usually go. Today Jessica, Barb, Charlene and Rochelle were there. It was fun riding with different people, good for the girls as well.

Rochelle's mare is gonna foal this spring as well and she is really excited about it. It will be fun to see how they turn out.

I rode Razz first and she was really good (as always) I am liking her more and more. I never planned for that to happen, but things don't always go according to plan. I bought her with the intention of riding her for a year and selling her, cause it seem like there are lots of horses with 60-90 days on them and no one wants a horse that's not broke. I like them at that stage, its so fun when they figure stuff out and keep improving all the time. I wasn't supposed to like her!

I wasn't sure I would ride Princess cause of her sore leg/foot, but I thought she wasn't looking too bad, so I tried and we did some walk and trot, and she was a little sore, but it didn't seem to bother her too much, so we rode for about 40 minutes, mostly walk, and she seemed better at the end actually. I will see on Tuesday and I hope she just stepped on something and was tender. Its hard to tell with her cause that right front isn't completely strait.

Funny Friday

I went riding and there was a car there I never recognized, but no big deal, cause Jardi and her family sometimes live there. It was her sons friend. I walked right by the car and never paid much attention to it except it was old.



So I just went into the barn and walked out later to get the ponies in and Jardi was sitting there laughing and couldn't tell me what was so funny, she just kept pointing at the car, so I took a better look



There were three BIG dogs in the car. They never barked or growled, just sat there waiting for their owner to come back.




I also went riding and Princess musta stepped on a stone or something cause she is lame. Not bad enough to need a vet, but pretty sore when I lead her, especially in circle. Its her front right foot. I cleaned it out and it doesn't seem sensitive, and its not warm, so I just gave her the day off and Jardi will keep and eye on it.

I had a wonderful ride on Razz. After quickly tacking up, I got on and she was so eager to go. I made her walk and trot a little to warm up. It took very little to ask her to lope and she was so good. No cutting corners and no bad turns. We even made small circles around half the arena. I was so surprised. Both ways were awesome. I'm kinda sad shes bred, cause I just want to ride her forever now. I guess its good for her to have a break and she will still be good in the fall.

On the other hand, I cant wait to ride Bailey again and get Dinero going. Should be a good summer (if it ever gets here)

Fuzzy

When I went riding on Monday, I seen Razz has many colors of hair in her coat. She is supposed to be a buckskin, but most of the time looks black except for the yellowy hairs in her ears.

I tried to get some cool pictures of the many colors, this is how they turned out. I can only see it in the sun though.


#1Not my favorite, looks dandruffy but does show the different colors


#2Better but a little farther away. I still never really got the picture I how I really wanted.

I also took some pictures of Princess super long hair, it is really hard to not catch it in the cinch buckles.


Then I was just playing around and got this cool shot of Princess


Then out in the corral when I turned out the ponies, I saw my next horse. She belongs to Jardi and I have always liked her. She is very sweet and kinda sensitive. Just how I like them. But before I get her I think I need to get rid of either 2 horses and a baby, or 2 babies and a horse. Her name is Mermaid.

Tuesday Feb 16

I had an awesome time this weekend and got so much done. I love having a break to get some done like that.

The weekend was very cold, and windy, which I was hoping for nice weather so I could ride as well, I went out on Sunday for a while and rode Princess, but it was really cold. My mom came out to take some pictures as soon as I got off, so I had to get back on so she could take some pics of us.

Yesterday was really nice, sunny and above freezing. So I went and Rode Razz and she is still having trouble turning right. I didn't turn her hard at the corner and she kinda run into the wall and stepped on some poles. The next time round, she turned a little better, but still very stiff. I never rode Princess, but I dd brush her and trimmed her bridle path.

(the cats staring at Princess eating cause they are outta cat food)

Today I rode Princess in the lesson and have never worked so hard in such a short amount of time. Wow I was exhausted. we did a lot of trot and jogging. I am okay at eh jog, cause we sit trot and Princess is very smooth and she likes to go slow. At the faster trot, we are supposed to trot, and this means I have to kick her more which puts me outta position and then we are expected to post. I was so tired, but it made me realize how much I still need to work on . I may try my spurs again next time. I hadn't been using them cause I want sure about my leg position, but the instructor says they don't move that much (which kinda surprised me).

(Clara enjoying a bone)

I rode Razz after a break and coffee and I thought that was enough rest, but I was still tired. I gave her lots of opportunity to do the right thing at the lope by not asking for a lope till I got a nice right turn at the trot. This took about 15 minutes after we had warmed up. I actually ended up riding her for about 45 minutes, and was feeling pretty tired when we quit, but she was being really nice. After I had unsaddled her, i massaged her neck a little and she seemed to really like it. I try to do that every time but sometimes I forget. I also rub where the hackamore sits on her face and she really likes that.

(Clara and Chevy getting some lovin from my Mommy)

Now I need a bath and rest up so I can ride even better on Friday, I heard something about Cavelletti, but I'm hoping its not for me.

Feb 9, 2010

I rode Princess in my English saddle in a lesson today and it was good. We trotted over poles and it sure made Princess lift her feet up and pay attention to where she was stepping. This of course is after she had a snorting session at the poles. They fortunately didn't bite, so she walked over them. I never did much lope again, about a lap and a half until I lose my balance.


Blizzard left side

After coffee time, I rode Razz and she was very excited about being by our self and wanted to go quicker forever. We trotted until she slowed down and then we walked calmly for a while. Jardi came and rode her horse as well with me for a while. We had a good talk about how some horses are broker than we think they are or we give them credit for, because we knew them when they were young and silly. Like my Bailey girl, she had attitude when she was just started, but now I can do anything on her cause she trusts me and I trust her.


Blizzard right side

I put more old pics on CD today, and I still love looking at the old ones and remembering:) Pics are of a paint clyde cross I had a couple years ago, I traded him for Belle.

Pictures, Brandy, Riding, Memories!

I finally got a bunch of pictures printed that were on film, I went to the walmart and scanned them in and put themon a disk, I could only do 60 in one day cause it takes so long. My sister was talking about something that you can put your film in and it puts it on a disk? We are thinking if we can find one, we might get one for my mom and her husband for their birthdays (they are both in July) because they have millions and millions of films that are so hard to look through and find a picture. That way, me and My sister can use it too!

Anyhow back in my post on Dinero I was mentioning pics of Brandy so here she is:



and her eating out of the same dish as Bailey


Its so fun to look back on old pictures and the memories they bring.

I also rode both girls today, and I have figured out I still have no balance, I am doing lots and lots of turning and its helping, but still along ways to go in the english saddle. Maybe nest week I will get pics of me riding, and Razz will get her massage as well next week.

Feb 2, 2010

I went to see my ponies again today and we had good rides on both.

Razz I rose western again and she is still stiff when turning left, but I think it's her teeth again. By the end of the lesson, she is way softer, I think I just have to do more softening exercises without pulling on her too much. I have been bumping when she doesn't give and it seems to work better than just holding it there and waiting for her.

I rode English on Princess and I am finally starting to feel comfortable sitting in it. I actually loped for a round before I had to slow down before I lost position. She was really good though. She is really bad for wanting to stop when we walk, so I would trot, slow down to a walk and she would decide to stop after like 5 steps, so I asked her to trot some more, after about 20 minutes of trotting I had to stop cause I needed a break, and she was finally figuring out when I wanted her to walk, I actually meant to walk! It was fun.

Both horses also got trimmed today and I was a little worried about their feet being sore, but neither one seemed that way, so that's always good to know. Razz has been nervous about her feet, but she was really good today, helps we have an excellent farrier.

I started painting out basement yesterday and its finally looking like a room down there, instead of a storage facility. I will take pics after the second coat.

English Riding and Pain Free (almost)

Well I got inspired by Adventures of A Horse Crazed Mind to try English riding. So since I have been thinking about it for a while, I have the saddle and pads and so I thought what the heck, I can do this. Wow, I forgot I don't have any balance! I did enjoy it for the small ride on Princess, about 25 minutes. Mostly trot and walk, was feeling out of control for the corners, so didn't want to attempt a canter yet. She was sure a lot more sensitive to leg pressure without anything between my leg and her though. The best part is, I got off center and she just stops and waits for me, lol.

I rode Razz as well and discovered she doesn't like to bend her neck for some reason, thinking its still part of the stiffness, so I made it a big deal to turn and get a bend, we did many circles going left, before we could go straight again, to the right it wasn't so bad. I never noticed this before except in a tight circle, cause she turns when you pick up the rein, but its a stiff turn.

The restorers came and delivered all our stuff back and it sure doesn't look like much.



I also got an email from the guy I traded my Belgians to, and he has them driving and is gonna send me some pics of them, I'm so excited. So I sent him one of me riding Princess and gypsy getting all fat and furry. The want to see her foal, because she used to be his wife's riding horse, so I wanna get some good ones of that.

Oh ya, I am still almost pain free in my shoulder, I should never underestimate my chiropractor, he knew what he was talking about, wow, I still cant believe it doesn't hurt, except a little tender, but wow!