Waiting, Waiting...

We got our final figure for compensation. It will cover but none too generous.  They have killed 10,000 cattle so far and so I imagine the bills getting rather large.  Really a silly way of doing things but I'm not in charge I guess.  Neil went to a bull sale and bought 2 bulls yesterday and they will stay there until July 1st and hopefully we are off quarantine by then and can bring them home to work, or we will need to talk to these people and find out something else.

Jessie and Easy both got massages Monday from Bridgette, I won 6 free ones and so figured after Easy's leg caught episode he could use one and Jess always has a tight neck.

Jess's neck is from holding her head out when we ride she is used to using the top muscles and not the bottom ones so they are overbuilt.  She did give me an mobility exercise I should use before riding as it turns on the neurons on the lower neck muscles getting her to use it more.  She does the same with her hamstrings, uses them more than her quads, so again another exercise from there.  So I will do them every time I ride and hopefully it makes a difference.

And Easy, he was pretty good, not even anything in his armpit.  But he has a weaker muscle on his outer front leg (I can't remember what its called) and gave me an exercise to do after I ride.  And she said he holds some tension in his back so some belly lifts wouldn't hurt him.

(tried a mustache knot in Easy, did it wrong, need more practice)

She's coming back in 4 weeks to reevaluate and hopefully we will be in better shape than now.
And yesterday the farrier come and Jess got new shoes and Easy a trim.  They are not at home so the rest didn't get done till my guy comes in a week or 2.  The sun is out and the ground is melting, if only I could get rid of this nasty cold I would be out riding.  Cant wait till these 2 are home again, maybe next week :)

Finally Farrier Day

I've been waiting forever for my farrier to call.  Well maybe not forever but it seems like it cause he won't come when its so cold out and I don't blame him.  So I was first on the list and he called when I was out riding was gonna come out but was too late.  So I called him back and he come out Tuesday.  Yay!!  I wish I woulda taken a before shot of Pally's feet they were so bad, she has a crack and her feet kinda pancake out cause of it.  He trimmed it pretty short and said I have to call him if it starts spreading or he will come back in 6 weeks, Mar 1, and trim it up and the crack should be gone.

I went out and caught all the mares, gave myself lots of time in case the geldings were far far away and of course as soon as I open the gate and call them they come running, Easy first of course :)  I had them locked in the alleyway cause sometimes Jax is a dork to catch and sure enough lol.  I got Easy first and he was a bit sketchy till I talked him down and then was his sweet normal self.  Not really looking forward to putting the first ride on him come spring.  Then George and he was good so thought get Jax at the same time and save me some walking but no he didn't want any of that.  So I take George away and of course Jax tried to make a break for the gate but I'm wise to his tricks now and he got thwarted on that one.  I'm hoping one day he quits that nonsense and I think he will when hes in and worked consistently.  I came back and he just stood there, I guess no fun running around when you are the only one left.

(Easy)

(George and Jax)

(Jess, Razz and Pally)

Then I was about half hour early but that's OK they stood nice and patient.  I like having them tied for a bit before the farrier gets there they seem better.  Razz was a bit fidgity with her feet for some reason but everyone else was good.  Was good timing now that I am gonna start riding cause its warmer out feet are all ready too.  And I got a pretty good look at the geldings and they seem fine, not over fat but sure not thin either so that made me feel good.  I see them everyday but not necessarily up close and touching.

(Look I'm bigger than you Jess!)

Jessie has been felling good haha as soon as I let her free she runs around just by herself.  Then Razz and she just goes to the feeder same old.  And Pally she rolled and played with Jess its fun watching them.

Farrier Day

We are a bit more settled in this week. Although I messed things up again yesterday.  Farrier came out and so everyone got trimmed and wormed (except Easy, he can wait another month, kinda  a pain but hes down doing other feet in the area so will stop by and do his and check on Pally's crack and I don't know when he was wormed so he got skipped this time, will have to ask)He loves Easy, says he has heel horse written all over him.  I said hes not for sale yet :)  And he said if Pally was a gelding he would take her home today....umm no I still want her too.  Wish he wanted Dee or Trio would be easier to make a deal that way.

(Easy and Pally stood side by side 

all the time the farrier was here, 

I wasn't too worried 

hes been tied by lots of strange horses before and is fine)

 And then I put Jessie, George and Razz in the north pasture.

 And Dee in with Trio. And Pally in with Easy.

(his arched neck protecting Pally haha)

(she looks at me like really in with him?)

(Trio shes so sweet unruffled by all the craziness, 

and Easy being silly in the background)

(Dee in one of her rare fast moving phases)

They got along perfect, he herds her a bit and she just moves away and ignores him.  But boy did he not like Dee in the next pen, he would run at the fence at her and she would run away flag her tail and when he'd leave shes paw the gate so back he'd come.  Easy sure got his exercise!  This morning seems a lot more settled down.  Easy and Pally eating out of the same pile and ignoring the others, whew.  Never had this much hassle when introducing a horse to the herd.

Spent Sunday and Monday trail riding with friends on Jessie. Shes such a good horse just pull her out of the pasture load her and pick up a friend and go ride.  Then the back trailer tie is right beside the latch and we went in for coffee after a ride and the other horse must have got her halter caught on the latch and pulled back and it broke.  So we can't haul home with no door latch so we left the horses there.  Jess and Twister shared a pen and it was like they were always together, whew good thing it wasn't Easy.  Went Monday to Airdrie to get a part which they had in stock luckily and put it on and since we were there we went riding again.  Perfect 2 days in a row :)

(and a pretty sunset last night)

I'm trying to decide which shows I will go to.  Not going this weekend but maybe the central show on the 23/24. And probly central shows May 7/8 and the 14th.   Hopefully can do June 11th and July 2/3 too.   For sure the ACHA shows April 30-May 1st and June 18-19th.  June is a hard month for me cause of brandings.  I also found a Pony show in Red Deer on July 15-17th.  No shows then so maybe I will take Pally to that, not sure what we will go in yet but be fun and get to see more ponies too.

Farrier Day Again

Today was farrier day at my house.  He was coming at 2:30 so at 1:30 I went out to get the ponies.  The weather was above zero but there was a wind.  Of course the wind was coming from towards me so the horses never heard me till I was really close even though I was calling them.  Finally they all seen me and I was only about 50 feet away.  They were surprised and I didn't think they were gonna come, which would suck cause I never brought out any halters, but again I underestimated my Bailey girl, she comes galloping over and leads the rest up too :)

(I was being watched)

I get them in the corral and go to get some halters and see Jason!  I had to ask him if he was early and was lucky he said yes, whew, I didn't think I was that behind.  I caught Jessie, Kali and Bailey and led them out and we did them first then he said he had more time so I got George, Razz and Disco.  I didn't know how much time he had cause when he phoned back he talked to Neil and Neil never asked all the questions, just the time.  But he said he had time so they got done too.

I turned out everyone except Jessie and Kali they stayed in the corral and they didn't even notice the others leaving, just got sidetracked by sticking their head in the bale.  The place we want to board is putting in new fences with pipe poles and their pen is not done yet :(  I sure hope its soon or I might have to start hauling somewhere to ride, way to slippery here at home, specially with Jessie and her shoes.

Then afterwards I cleaned my brushes cause they were so grimy I didn't even want to touch them, I am liking the way they come out, almost looks like new.

Farrier Day

Wednesday was the day I had planned for my farrier to come out. He was planned to come at 8 and I was worried it was gonna be cold out, but turned out to be just perfect.  I had 6 trims and a front shoe.  Wow after 3 or so hours I was exhausted.  But I did not have to walk far to get everyone in.  I caught Bailey and Kali and Jessie and had them tied up and I could see the others just outside the corral gate so I opened the gates and let them in, but of course then they decide they need to run and buck and play so I left them and come back in 15 or so minutes when they were done being silly.  And caught Razz, Disco, George, and Belle.

 (Kali off by herself cause she thought she needed to squeal and strike at the other horses)

(someone always has to get in trouble, lol Bailey didn't even know her rope wasn't right)

After everyone was done I put Razz and Jazz in the alley way and turned out everyone else.  I really need to get something done with Jazz and since Doug is so busy I won't be takin lessons for a while I figure now is a good time to get started.  I picked Razz to go with her cause I am thinking after a few days workin with her I might start ponying her, although I am not sure how that will work yet but that is my plan so when I find a trainer she will be at least a little farther ahead.

That evening the sunset was so pretty and I asked Neil to get me a bale of hay and he did so quite late so I was feeding just as the sun was setting and looked so pretty.

Farrier Day

So Wednesday morning the farrier was coming at 9 to do 5 horses.  I thought of locking them in the corral but they been coming in every morning and it was after dark Tuesday when we got home so I didn't worry about it.  Well Tuesday we got home and there was a message asking if Jason could come at 8 before the heat and if it was a problem to call him back.  Well I guess it was OK it would just mean I have to get up before 8, lol.

(Ponies are so cute when they are sleeping )

Well I was up by 6 cause it got so cold in our house even our furnace came on.  I don't like to sleep when its so cold.  So I figured I might as well stay up.  I went out at 7:15 and caught Jessie, Kali and Bailey and had them tied and ready and of course the other horses were at the far end of the field.

(Of course its always Belle that has to get up first)

So I grabbed the 3 halters and off to get them I go.  I kinda thought they would just follow me in, but no such luck and how is it the only horse that wants to be caught is the one that doesn't lead very good (Jazz).  Well I just wandered around behind them and figure I will catch Razz cause she is probly the easiest to catch out there even though she is not getting her feet done she will hopefully lead the others in.  Well I walked up to her and she walked away but Disco just stands there so I caught her.  She was glad, especially after I rubbed all the bugs off her, all the sudden everyone wanted to be caught.

(Magic looks so good, kinda like shes being ridden)

(Both girls are lookin good)

I led her back in with Magic and Jazz following right behind and the others a ways back ( I was hoping they would come too so I don't have to go back out).  And as soon as the corral was in sight everyone just rushed in and so I had them in the small pen as Jason was driving up.  I tied Disco out and caught George and Belle and we were ready to go.  Jessie got her shoes tacked back on and just trims on the other 5.  He is booked to come back in 8 weeks, but that will be  11 weeks for Razz and I don't know if she can wait that long, she might be taking a trip down to their place halfway in between.

 (everyone gets oats afterwards, they were all so well behaved)

I put the oats out first so I don't have to close the gate when I put these 3 back)

We got about half done and Neil comes walking in the yard.  I knew it couldn't be good cause he headed out swathing that morning.  He said he had a belt that wore out and since he had no truck out there he was bringing in the swather but he blew a tire 1/2 mile from home.  I was gonna pick him up after Jason was gone, but I guess it didn't last that long.  Then he goes in the house to phone about getting it fixed and comes out and says the power is out.  Yikes he was having a bad day!  Well our neighbor had a tire fixing machine so he went over there and got it all set up and before Jason left the power guy was out and had the power back on.  And Jason was gone and horses all put away by 10, so pretty productive morning.  But I was exhausted!

Catching Up

The last few days have been kinda busy around here, but I think I am caught up again for a day or so.  Friday we headed over to Strathmore to go to K and K livestock for some basic supplies, I bought a cinch and latigo and then I ended up with a really pretty carry on bag with another matching bag.  I had no intention of buying it but I love it, so pretty :)  We also went to Lammle's and I got a pair of Aura jeans, I love them they are sooo comfy.

Saturday it was cold and kinda rainy but we went riding anyways, we rode indoors and it was fun.  The barn was really busy which was surprising cause it was cold out.  We rode for quite a while and it was a lot of fun.  I was planning on going to the show this weekend so I figured I better ride lots.

Sunday was Neil's birthday so we had his parents and sister come out and had dinner and cake and presents.  It was good, even if I wasn't looking forward to a day of missing riding.  But the weather was really cold and we actually had a little snow on the ground, brrr.

(mm chocolate cake with chocolate icing and chocolate sprinkles)

Then yesterday my farrier come out and trimmed 6 horses, Bailey, Belle, Disco, George, Kali, and Razz.  I went out early in and Magic was good, but I don't think she or I was ready for her to get trimmed yet.  So I caught the pasture horses (George, Bailey and Kali) I have to take them one at a time cause its a wire gate that is really wide and I cant control it with too many horses.  If I could catch George first I can lead Bailey and Kali together but otherwise Kals leads awful with other horses.  And George doesn't like to be caught so I usually leave him last and then he wants to go cause his friends are all gone.  He was good and I tied them up by the chute.  

Then the others, I had them in the corral and caught Disco, then Razz, then Jazz.  I was a little worried Jazz was not gonna let me put the halter on her, but she was really good and led across the corral well and I tied her near Razz then caught Belle and put her on the other side of Jazz.  I was way early cause everyone was so good.  It was only about 8:30 and Jason was not coming till 10, but he is usually a little early so I was planning on being ready by 9 anyways cause they are usually a little better after standing tied for a while anyways.

Since I had so much time, I grabbed a flower shedder and went out and brushed them all.  That took a while and most are shedding quite good, except Bailey is not started shedding at all.  Disco and Belle are almost all shed out and the others are shedding like crazy.  I love brushing Kali cause she loves it soo much and makes it so obvious.   Even Jazz was really good, she also loves brushing and I love to brush her.

I was tired and thirsty so I left them out there and went in for a drink and Jason showed up right on time and we did Kals first and after that I decided I better untie Jazz cause she had gotten her rope really long and has never tried pulling back and I don't want her to.  She was really good to stand for that long and wasn't getting done anyways, so it was good.  After I untied her she stood at the fence for along time like she was still tied, it was funny.  I never got a pic of it, but her butt is the same height as Razz's right now, but her withers not as tall yet, I am thinking she is gonna grow taller than Razz.

(I got Neil to hold his horse so I could go to the bathroom and quickly snapped a pic,

 even getting the UFA guy in it)

Everyone got done and the UFA truck came and delivered fuel, then I put everyone back and went to have lunch then hooked up my trailer and went riding.  I was already tired but figured I still needed to ride.  Although after riding I decided not to enter the show cause I am too busy and Jessie is out of shape and I haven't practiced in a long time, so if its nice out we will ride out.  Jessie also needs her feet done and I am gonna put front shoes on her and that is probly gonna happen Friday if all goes well.

Silly Horses

So yesterday the farrier was supposed to come about 9:30, so I went out and my silly horses love being in the corral so I just opened the gates and they all walk in.  I put them in the small corral cause there are usually a few who think they don't need to be caught, but as I was walking the gate closed George rushed out the gate and I just let him.  Of course after I closed the gate he wanted back in but I just ignored him and went to get his halter.  He is usually the one running around getting everyone riled up, so he didn't know it but this worked perfectly for me.  By the time I got back with his halter he was just standing at the gate waiting for me to catch him :)

(Razz pretty sure she should be in the pasture)

I tied him up by the barn and then caught Bailey and of course she is always wanting to be caught.  Then Kali and she thought she was being hard to catch by walking away 2 steps, lol.  I don't think she knows she can run away if she wants and I like it like that.  Then Duchess and she was good as always.  I cut those 4 out cause I planned on putting them in the north pasture later so they might as well stand together and be friends for a couple hours away from everyone else.  Then I caught Razz who is good, but her face still is bothering her I wish I knew what was going on there.  I tied her in the corral then Disco who was so sweet just waiting for me.  And I had just grabbed Belle's halter and was about to put it on her when Neil comes out and says Jason isn't coming cause his wife (who is a vet) had booked him to pick up semen in Calgary this morning and forgot to tell him.  So I just scratched Belle and walked away.  Then I went over and scratched Jazz too.  I shoulda picked up her feet while I was there, but now I have till the 16th so I hope I can get something done with her before then.

(Pasture ponies who wanted to be in corral)

Belle is being really weird lately.  I noticed it all this winter she was acting really curious and always wanting to be close.  Before she was always watching but standing at the back of the herd.  Now she is less than an arms length away.  She almost acts like a yearling/2 year old when they get to that point where they just want to learn something.  Don't know why it took her so long to get to that point, but it is kinda nice she is relaxing a bit more around me.

(Trying to get better shots of Magic but all I got was a nose)

So I put the 4 out north and they all wanted in and the ones in the bull pasture all wanted to be out.  So it was kinda noisy around her all day.  Magic got a little excited when I was walking horses out cause they have to walk right past her pen, but after she couldn't see them anymore she didn't care.  Even when they were calling she just ate and ignored them.

(feeding horses on pasture)

This morning I looked and they were all standing so they could see in the yard and Magic still had food so I sat down to computer a while before going out.  And then Neil comes in from doing chores and says there is a horse in the yard.  I look out the window and see Duchess.  So I go out and get a halter and catch her and instead of putting her right back I took her over to the hitching post and brush her.  It had to feel good, there was a ton of hair that came out!  Then I put her back and fed everyone and Neil gave a bale to the horses in  the bull pasture.  I just want to leave them there for a couple weeks to let the summer pasture grow and hopefully it will rain in there and make it really grow.  The calves were out there for the last week so any new grass is probly chewed off but now they are moved out to real grass and it can grow.

(More feeding horses)

I filled hay in my truck and hauled it far away from the gate and fed the ponies although I am not expecting more trouble cause the in horses won't be looking over the fence and the pasture horses can't see the other horses when they are eating off the bale (which I imagine they will be doing pretty well all the time).

(Bailey posed for me)

Looks so funny out there all that pasture and the horses want hay!  Sometimes they are just silly.

Catching Up

On Sunday I went to Calgary and everytime I go there, I forget

how beautiful the mountains are!

We went to a funeral which wasn't a funeral, more like a party and it was in this pretty boring looking building.

It was at the Calgary Golf and Country Club.  I had never been there, mostly because it was a private club and I am not a member cause I don't golf.

Its actually a gaited community, houses and golf course were closed in with speakers to get let in by.  Also no cell phones were allowed on the property, which would actually be kinda nice.

On Monday Gypsy and Razz got thier feet trimmed, and Gypsy has had a crack in her foot since I got her last fall, so we put a set of front shoes on her to hopefully keep it from moving so much and letting it heal.  Matt would have liked to put some epoxy in the crack, but he never had it with him this time.  I am not sure what the best way to deal with this is, but we will see whats going to happen in afew weeks.  She seemed  sounder right after, but after extended trotting, she was still a little sore, but not as bad as before.

I rode her again today and it was so much fun.  We took the trail out by the coulee, and it was such a beautiful day, we took an extra long ride, and Gypsy was pretty sweaty when we come back, but the good thing about that was I know my saddle fits her pretty good cause she was sweaty all over very evenly.  She was a little unsure she should leave the herd, especially when we walked right through the mares.  Although I was impressed with Razz, who was loose out there, she looked and looked at us, but didnt call or come over, so thats a great improvement for her.

Oh and on Monday afternoon, we gave a massage to Razz, cause her neck has been stiff for a very long time, and the farrier said her knee or shoulder was stiff  and didn't want to lift her leg very high.  She seemed to enjoy it, and after she gets her teeth done tommorow, she should be ready to get ridden again.  I cant wait!

Happy St Paddys Day!

Okay, so I feel like I haven't been on forever! It has been so nice out and I haven't been on the computer very much because of it. Sunday and Monday I spent working in the wood shop on a set of nightstands and a plaque for door numbers for my Aunt Bonnie. I am almost done both and its nice to be back out in the wood shop. Tuesday I was on my way to lessons, and Jardi phones and said she wouldn't be there for lessons. I got there as she was about to go to the vet. I went with her and stitched up Dots ankle. Not an emergency, but it just was at a bad spot so she got it stitched. We also stopped for lunch while she woke up from the drugs.

Afterwards, Linda came just as I was gonna ride Bailey so we rode together. Her colt is very nice and quiet. It was a nice ride and we might go outside next time if Linda is brave enough and the wind isn't too bad.

I soaked Princess foot, and it looks way better and she is walking sound again. Jardi is tying her outside everyday for some sunshine and she seems to like the change of scenery.

I talked to her about lessons, cause I want to do more with Bailey than just the same old same old. It was okay with Razz cause she needed more riding and basics, but Bailey is past that now. Charlene was saying she wanted some lessons on Ricky, so I might take some with her when she gets less busy. It should be fun, Jardi said I could try the mechanical cow! That would be so much fun.

We also are gonna pound some posts around the yard so I can finally have a fence and an arbor, I'm quite excited about it. I'm not sure if I want a walk through arbor or a bench, I'm leaning towards the bench, cause I think it would be fun to sit under flowers. I would like to plant climbing yellow roses over it.

I thought its about time to worm the horses this spring, and I usually do that the same day the farrier comes, so I called him and hes coming Monday, so that's the big day, I decided I should get a good look at everyone's feet and they all look pretty good for not being trimmed since end of October, the only one who look like he needs his feet done is Dinero, and they are really not that bad.

I am also looking at getting anew trailer, mine is old and wearing out, I have two in mind, so I should be able to get one of them. I am looking at a three horse with tack room, that's all I'm specific about. Oh and it can be pulled by my half-ton.

I hope everyone is wearing green today or here's a "pinch" for those who aren't.

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.