Classy Nita Lena

Well that was quick.  Went yesterday to where Jessie and Easy were thought we were gonna go riding and then last minute  I called the lady with the horse for sale if we could look.  She said sure so since it was 3 hours away I hooked up the trailer and away we went.  Took the scenic route there lol but still got there in time to see her with lots of light.  She was in a smaller pen and she was easy to catch he brought her out and looped the lead around her neck she never went anywhere.  We looked her over talked to them about what I was looking for and what they did and stuff and we decided we should try riding her.  I guess its only been 2 years since she was rode and she was an 11 year old boys horse so we kinda thought should be good but you never know.  She's shorter than expected and that's good lol, she has kinda  a long back but not crazy, she is super straight front and back, a little dip in the neck, not real pretty but generally nice looking.

(her papers)

(this morning in the fog)

He said last winter she was up and the other horses got across the creek so he jumped on her bareback to go get them and she just did it through the water and all.  Well he tied up her halter and jumped on her bareback.  He had a bit of trouble steering her she was in heat and pretty sure she should go see her gelding friend.  That took like a second and then she was fine away from him but didn't wanna leave but he climbed on her butt and stood up.  Not sure I'd do that on Jessie even lol.  We locked up her buddy and took her into the yard and saddled her up she didn't care and of course I only had curb bits so I just rode her in the halter.  She still wanted to go to her friend but less than 5 minutes I could make her go anywhere in the yard I wanted, around tires the barrel the pallet whatever.

(at my house, unsure about whats going on,

 she will settle in I think soon she doesn't seem very upset, 

quite quiet actually)

(finding out the waterer, she shares with Jess and Easy 

so that's why she's in her she can see them and they can get used to her)

(our first selfie lol she came to see what I was doing)

So we decided she's got the breeding, she's gentle enough and she is a good mother, they say she was only at the breeder 4 days last time lol.  That was her 4th foal, we saw him and he was pretty nice and so I made the deal.  She was cheaper than I planned to pay even though I still have to pay a breeding fee.  That was part of the deal but not a big part, I'd rather have the horse I want than cheap out but it helped, I'm sure if they rode her for a couple weeks they coulda doubled the price on her. We loaded her up she was fine but tried to turn around before I got the divider closed but second time around she was good.  We took the shorter route home but about an hour from home we run into thick fog it was miserable.  We sorta knew where we were going but we still missed the corner and had to go farther and find a place to turn around.  The last 4 miles to her place is gravel and that was even worse, finally got there and she offered me a place to stay over and I took it.  I had planned on driving home but not in that fog if I don't have to.  We put her in the front pen and fed her and went to bed it was late.

(Oh Jess, she loves her mud)

(Easy looking around, Jess eating)

(Easy :) )

(Easy eating)

(And I called him lol hes looking at Nita she's beside me)

This morning she had to leave early, it was still foggy but seems better in the daytime so about 10:30  I decided to head home.  I caught Easy and Jess and tied them to the trailer, wasn't sure how to load, Jess in the back and that's all I knew for sure.  Went to get Nita and she just stood there while I caught her and she loaded in the front no trouble even waited for me to close the divider.  Then Easy, he was kinda nosy trying to smell her but that's why there are dividers lol.  Then Jess in the back, she's so good just staying in while I close the door.  Got home and unloaded everyone and put Nita in her own pen for a few days then she will go with Jess and Easy and hopefully my arena will dry up and I can start riding her soon.

Horse Search is Over....and A Ride on Jess

Sunday I loaded up Jessie and drove to Hanna to meet a friend.  I picked her up and we headed to Forestburg to try another couple horses for her.  I brought Jess cause might as well ride while up there.  I had been to this arena a couple years ago, its where I tried out and traded Kali for Dee.  It's a cool arena that used to be a hockey rink then the town wanted a new hockey rink so said it was condemned so they got more grant money and built a new arena.  A few years back a few people figured it would make a good riding arena and so they talked to a bunch of people got an inspector out turns out not condemned and the town gave it to the ag society.  They spent a few years cleaning it up and getting sand.  Now it has roping chutes and they are still working on heaters, the one over the bleachers works but the others not so much.  But still nice to ride in.  Even better than when I was there last more organized.

She tried out the 2 colts really liked the filly and so she bought her.  Wasn't planning on buying right away but it was just such a good fit, exactly what she was looking for and she had talked a lot to the owners before so it was done.  Worked out good actually since I had my trailer there I just hauled her to my house.  She is still here till the weekend just couldn't get a time together.

(Filly in Summer clothes)

(the gelding, he was nice too but bigger and she really wanted a filly)

Shes pretty sweet, just 2 and shes been saddled and lunged and sat on.  No rides yet but just calm about everything she will be a good one.  And shes so friendly its kinda nice considering some of the others we have looked at.

(have to get pics of her while eating cause otherwise shes too close)

Now the search is over and we have no excuse to go galavanting all over the countryside lol.  It was fun

Cutting Horse!!!

Well I done it.  Bought me a cutting horse.  I mentioned to Doug in Novemeber I was looking for a new horse, maybe something a little more broke and lot more show experience that was still good for me, I am smart enough to know I can not ride an open horse right now (or maybe ever), Its been a year since I worked cows so we gotta work my way up to where I was and then continue on.

Well he said he had 2 geldings in mind and if they don't work out a mare but she gets cranky and he thinks she's not right for me.  And aged mares are a lot more if they have earnings so he was pointing me towards a gelding.  Which is fine, just been a long time since I rode a gelding.

Well the one has OCD and he was worried it would go lame, hasn't yet but they don't wanna lower the price on it even though they are honest about it.  Well I want something I know will be sound, I know its not guaranteed, but at least start out with no issues is a lot better.  So he was lower on the list before I even know I wanted to try the other one cause I know Doug trained him and that's who I been riding with so it makes it easier.  And Doug said hes never been lame, they don't even show him in shoes.  They gave him a shot of Legend before show season and he was good so far.

Well they brought him there and loped him for a week or so to get him back in shape and then called me and said I should come try him.  That was Wednesday.  So I did.  He was super cool, hasn't worked cows since Calgary and just does it, no herky jerky, no overly excitement just worked cows.  Even when I got a little wrong he just does the right thing.  Better when I am better of course and Doug said the better I get the better he gets too.  But he also said you can just go out and show him and get 71 or 72 no problem.  That made me feel a whole lot better.  And his steering is good, we did a cut between 2 cows there is no way Jessie woulda done.  It was a lot of fun.  Fun I been missing out on for a long time.

(After working cows, cooled him out while Doug worked the flag)

He is a bit lazy and tends to get fat easy, haha he'll fit right in around here just like all my other fatties.  He is super easy going just does whatever its pretty cool.  Hes won somewhere near 30,000 so that's a lot of shows.  Missed the finals in Red Deer by half a point and made finals in Calgary.  Doug said he could be used ranching and it won't hurt him cutting, that's nice to know too.  Said they used him quite a bit to get cows in and stuff he goes through mud and doesn't worry about that kind of stuff.  Hasn't been roped off but I haven't roped either so no big deal.

Well I had a lot to think about, pretty expensive horse and I already have too many to ride right now.  But before I left I made plans to come back Friday and try him again.  I had made a budget earlier this winter and it scared me a little but I think it was doable, at least I know how much it will cost for the year, rest of the time I'll just have to ride at home or with friends I guess to keep costs down, which is OK I like doing that too.

Well Friday was cccold but I said I would go and I also had plans to meet a gal in Airdrie for a blanket and mail some tack that I had sold of Facebook.  I'm actually going to a tack sale in Taber and have a table there but I had more than a tables worth haha, so I listed some for sale and it went fairly well.  Anyways got there and Doug sent his boy to get the horse ready and we visited a while then I went to warm him up and he said the owner was coming out today too.  Oh cool but scary for him to see how I ride his horse.  He come out to the arena as I was just trotting around and so we visited for a while then Doug came and we worked the flag cause it was cold.  He said hes not as good on the flag as on cows just finds it boring, haha so do I really I would much rather work cows than a flag how perfect.  But we did it and he tried turning in on one end but it was all me leaning and then he done it perfect.  Whew I really like him :)

(so only got a few head shots of him

 but no worries there will be lots more as time goes on :) )

Afterwards I was gonna take a couple pics of him but Doug said he would unsaddle him and put him away so I could visit.  All I can say is hes all red with a narrow blaze.  Not real tall which I like and not real wide which will be nice.  He warned me I was gonna get grilled (nicely lol) cause this guy really likes his horses.  Well he did.  Kinda he just wanted to know what we did and where from and if I had been cutting before and owned horses before.  I think he was quite relieved when I said I bought a horse off Wayne a few years ago and still had her and I been riding at Doug's a while.

We made the deal and he warned me he was giving me a deal on price only if I would take him to Doug if I had any trouble and he needed tuning and if I mistreated him he was gonna repossess him.  Said with a laugh, I think he would like to he really liked him and he's been a good horse.  I hope I can do justice by him.

I am keeping him at Doug's for the winter and we are gonna do the winter series, not the first one but mid January till March.  That way he will keep him in shape and haul to the show and warm him up and all I have to do is show up and get on and show.  He doesn't need much warming up so that's nice, and he said if I cant make it no worries someone else will ride him.

His name is Easy, LOL and he really lives up to is, Doug says hes a character, likes to untie himself and just have fun.  I think he likes him.  Said the only bad thing about him is he hates needles, but whatever that can be dealt with. Hes good to laod, haul, turn out, catch, just nice all around. I know his registered name but I don't have his papers yet so will wait on that for now.  I'm super excited, can't wait to go back next week and try ride him again!

My Little Pony

So I did it, LOL I got me a pony.  Not a horse I call a pony but a real under 14.2 pony!  Shes only 13 hands, 13 years old ans she is so broke she is just awesome.

(these are the sellers pics from her ad.

  Not that great but I dunno if I would buy a horse

 from a picture anyways going to go see her)

I wasn't looking for a pony.....well not really, I had pmed a few people about one here and there and never found one I really liked.  And I wanted to sell a horse or 2 of mine first before I got too many again. On going problem I have, I sure find it easy to collect :)  But I want them to be useful too so trying to keep it reasonable around here.  HAHA Like that is gonna happen....but I try.

Anyways Shirley from Ride a Good Horse blog tagged me in an ad on Facebook and I had to go look.  She was a 7 year olds rodeo horse, he barrel raced, pole bended, roped.  He rode her down the gravel rode "cause it sounds cool" (on the gravel)  and chased cows on her.   He's selling cause he wants to rope more and he's been riding his big horse more and more for that.  Exactly what I was hoping for.  And she's not really a beginner pony shes too much and way too fast for that, which I also wanted cause I don't need to steal a pony from a beginner, they are hard enough to find.

(my first glimpse of her)

(shes a little fat)

(but good, she just stood in the middle of the yard 

while I saddled her and 

the owner went to look for a bridle I could use)

Well I was going to Calgary the next day after I talked to her and so I asked if I could stop by on the way and she said yes, so I did, bright and early at 9:30 I was there and rode her in the pasture with her buddies, she tried going to them but never got upset when I said no and just did what I wanted.  She is actually really nice, more like a horse than a pony, she stopped when I asked, she backed up, and boy can she turn, and her trot is so comfortable.

 (at home :) )

(look at those ears I just love them)

(she stands weird, shes a little worried about getting close to Dee)

(follower)

(shes quite small compared to Trio, lol)

(I could take a million pics shes just adorable)

Finding tack for her is a bigger problem than I thought.  At least my saddle fits her.  I bought a bridle and shes in a correction bit so I went to K & K Livestock and they ordered one in for me which is still not here.  And I ordered reins off a Facebook group as well as a blanket.  Reins are by far the hardest thing to find, they are all so long!  But I got a split pair and I think I can make a single roping rein out of an old rope like I have before if I need to.

I went back to pick her up on the Tuesday afterwards and on the way home stopped at Doug's and asked  him to try and find me a horse.  Yikes that was scary but so excited to get back into cutting.  If only the pony cut lol.

New Ponies Are Here

So Yesterday I finally made the trip up to pick up the ponies.  Its been a long time coming.  I first talked to her in October about them, not really seriously looking but she seemed to have exactly what I was looking for.  Hmm.  So I kept asking questions thinking its not what I would want and every time it was.  Ugh.  So in January there was a nice day and I went up there and seen them.  Had no intentions of really buying.  I was looking for a 2 or 3 year old but she has the 1 and 4 haha.  But still wasn't serious even though I quite liked them.  Thought they would be out of my price range.  But they were not.  And so we made a deal as long as I could talk Neil into it ;)  Haha like he would ever say no.  

So they are full sisters., BBR Miss Caliente and BBR Miss Uniquity.  I saw the sire and dam in Jan when I went, nice looking horses.  And super temperment.  Kinda cool seeing siblings and parents.   So went to pick them up, the older one is halter broke, the younger one isn't.  Neither had been in a trailer before so they had them in the barn and we backed up the trailer to the doors and were gonna just chase them on.  Her husband wanted to try and lead Cali on and so he did, she just jumped on no problem, and then Trio jumped on after her, that kinda made Cali jump and rush forward but she was OK.  So we just left them loose in there together and they seemed fine.

We did all the paperwork and on the road again.  I stopped at Trochu for fuel and that was a little scay for them, a deisel truck on one side and a rattly trailer on the other but a bit of walking around and they were calm again.  Got home and it started to try to snow but wasn't cold.  Wasn't even frozen yet.  I backed up to the pen, Went in the trailer and took off Cali's halter and opened the big door.  They were a little hesitant to jump off but we just gave them time and about a minute later off they come, not too fast pretty careful.  Razz and Jessie were on the other side of the fence coaxing them haha.

Didn't do much last night since it was supper time, just fed them and left them to figure stuff out.  Seems like they are getting along well and as soon as the snow disapears it halter time for Trio.  Then as soon as there is a little grass she can go out with the pasture horses for the summer.  And Cali needs a new name.  I had a Kali before and too confusing.  And my friend's daughter is named Cali too so definitely needs to change.  Still thinking on that one though.  Super excited about them though :)

(Their Papers)

(First view around, Cali in the back and Trio in front)

(Kinda synchronized)

Kali and Dee

A week ago Saturday I had planned with a girl from Facebook that we would meet and she wanted to try out Kali.  She wanted to trade her ranch type horse that never liked being in an arena, so I figured it would be a good trade if we all got along.

We met in Forestburg at the little arena there and it was all easy to find, they have just converted a hockey arena into a riding arena a year or 2 ago so its still a work in progress but it worked for what we did.

We got there about 1 and got Kals saddled and I rode around on her she kinda jumped a bit whenI first got on her but I had pinched her skin in the cinch so I don't blame her but after that she was really good and just did whatever I asked her to do.  So the girl who is kinda beginner got on her.  She wanted to use her own saddle and that was fine and she was good for about 15 minutes then Kali wouldn't turn. It was kinda frustrating, I was puzzled so she got off and I got on and she was pretty hesitant for me, I wasn't bluffed by her and kicked her pretty hard and she tried to rear up (in slow motion of course, lol) and then I knew something was off.  I saddled Jess and ponied her around and she had her ears back the whole time and so then I was suspicious it was the saddle.  And sure enough it was pinching her pretty bad.  So I put my saddle back on and got on and she just relaxed and was back to normal, whew!

I showed her where it was pinching and how my saddle didn't pinch, then we saddled her horse and her saddle fit her horse and I showed her that.  She was surprised what a difference it makes.  I wasnt surprised, there is much more to know and if it fit it wasn't a big deal at the time.  Her mare was pretty nice, faster than Kali which I prefer better anyways.  So we made the deal and I headed home with Dee.  I put her and Jessie in the corral for the night since they traveled together fine.  I fed them and they are good.  Jess was a little upset with me for not letting her back on grass.  But Dee just settled in fine like it was where she came from, didn't even make a fuss over the horses in the pasture, just looked around corral and stick her head in the bale feeder (that was almost empty)

I came out in the morning and Dee is the boss, haha poor Jess.  Sunday we headed to Olds for Mothers Day then Monday caught up on everything and Tuesday moved cows and put Bailey in the corral and she's boss of everyone in there, and so poor Jess is still at the bottom, she doesn't like it much but its good for her.  Wed I hurt my back so I haven't had a chance to ride her at home yet, I'm sure she will be fine but I want someone here just in case.

Should be a good deal, shes registered appendix and pretty cute, super friendly, easy to catch and didn't get upset when I took the horses away and she was by herself so that's always a good sign.  Her previous owner pulled her ears and she just stood there didn't try to get away at all and I been doing a bit with her here and so far her temperament is nice.  She is already vaccinated and wormed and had her teeth done this year so that's nice as well.  I got her winter blankets and they need some repairs so they just got added to my pile of ones needing repairs.

Not sure I'm super keen on the name Dee it doesn't really seem to fit her well, shes more like a Dolly but I don't like that either, lol.  I better decide soon or it will be stuck with Dee.

Wordless Wednesday

Jessie's Home!

Yesterday I went over to Dougs with Charlene and met up with Jessie and her previous owner.  I paid for her, got her papers and she is now mine!  I rode her along with Char in a lesson, but I didnt work cows cause I wanna get her in better shape before she works so hard and dont want her to get injured.  I am pretty happy with her so far.  Last night it was dark when we got home and she just stepped out of the trailer and past the bale feeder Neil had set up in front of his shop and the bale for her and over 2 pipes on the ground and she never even looked around.  I let her loose in the corral and she just walked over to the water trough like she knew exactly where she was going.  I fed her and headed in for the night.

This morning I go out to do chores and as soon as I walk outside, she nickered, how cute that was.  She was a  little sad the other horses are so far away and probly pretty different from everywhere she has been before but she seems to be adjusting well.  So after lunch today I thought I had better take her for a ride since it was absolutly beautiful out.  So nice out I rode in a hoodie without a toque or gloves on and I was sweating!

I caught her easily and saddled her and of we walked out the yard no problem.  I was a little nervous but she just walked where ever I asked her to go.  I did ask her to trot for a short time but I was not relaxed so it was kinda awkward, but she never got upset so I was okay with that.  I am really bad at riding alone outside cause I get bored real easy.  In an arena I can always think of lots of things to do, but outside I just like to wander and visit unless there is actual work to do.

I even took a short video of her walking out there and I was not out very long, only about 30 minutes and even so I was pretty happy.  Although yesterday they said they want to see her skinnier next time I come so she is on a kinda diet and I am gonna have to ride a little more to get her in shape too, but for a first ride in a strange place I was really happy with it.

Tomorrow Char is going for another lesson and not sure if I will go with her or try to talk Susan into coming out here and so we can go riding together, if its as warm as this I would certanly not mind going out for longer.

Wordy Wednesday

Well since I run out of time yesterday, I have to write all about Jessie today so the wordless day is gonna have to wait till tomorrow cause I can't.  On Monday Jessie went in for her pre-purchase exam.  He says she is well conformed for a cutter, short back, nice neck and good croup.   They did the flexion test and she was sound on the straightaway on pavement and on the circles every fourth or fifth stride she was a little wonky but she come out of it within a couple times.  And she seemed a little stiff in the right knee (not sore, just stiff when flexing) even though it tested clean they x-rayed it and there is nothing there.  They also did x-rays of her feet and they show nothing out of the ordinary.  Her left foot is a little turned in but nothing he said he would worry about now.  He said no signs of arthritis, no rotation of coffin joint, but a little irritation on end of coffin bone but that is normal for a 7 year old horse.

He said her hocks were really good, and the only thing he was a little concerned about was the growth rings on her feet were uneven, which can say digestive upset.  But after talking to the owner, he said it is more likely because she is the boss mare and so her feed is probly gobbled down when they are being fed and she gets more than she needs,and then she evened out when on pasture so not too much to worry about.  He did suggest I wear shoes on her front feet if we are doing anything serious though. 

All in all he says she is low to medium risk and would probly be a good horse for me.  He said if I want to show twice a month and do some lessons  she would be fine, but if I wanted to go to Fort Worth (BIG show) then probly too intense for her.  And since I doubt I would make it there (or could afford it) I don't think that's a problem.

So I guess I am getting a new horse!!!!!!  I haven't decided what I am gonna do with her yet, I may bring her home for a week this Sunday and ride her a couple times in Brooks and a couple times a home if its nice out, and go back for lessons next weekend when Charlene's horse comes home we might board in East Coulee where she has a heated barn and then they will stay in overnight and go out during the day (if she has room there).

I got to get her in better shape before doing too much with her and I think that wont take too long, probly a couple weeks and then I don't know what will go on, hopefully some small shows and stuff before spring when everything and everybody starts to get competitive.  I also signed myself up for a Leon Harrel clinic in August and hopefully by then I will have a good idea of what I need to work on with her and be able to ride her better.  I am still definitly gonna keep taking lessons, once or twice a week.  Should be fun!  Now I just gotta wait till Sunday, it seems so faaaaaar away.

Also yesterday morning I had coffee with Susan and Lu.  I havent seen Lu in a real long time and it was nice to get back together.  Where we are thinking of boarding is where Lu has her horse so maybe I will get to ride with her a few times again too.  That would be good.  We are also gonna try to get together more often for coffee.

Saturday

Saturday was a really crammed full day. I knew I had a baby shower for my cousin Misty and her new daughter at 1, and me and my sister had planned to go watch a movie afterwards.  But I had called the guy selling the mare I tried and said I would like to try her again and we thought Sunday would work, but then the weather forecast was for super cold, so we decided Saturday morning on my way to Calgary I would stop and ride.  So I did. 

And wow, I think I learned more in 2 lessons on her than I did in a year on all the other horses I rode.  Sure is a lot easier when all I have to concentrate on is the cow and keeping the horse away from the cow.  (and staying on, always remember to tighten cinch before cutting on a horse that can cut)  I got to work a few and Doug picked me one that was pretty fast and she could keep up but I was having trouble and he kinda laughs and says that cow is too fast for you.  And totally true, I have to concentrate on doing the right thing at the right time and hanging on but not using my legs unless I need to and keeping my hand down except when sorting a cow out of the herd, and keeping right hand on horn and not pulling myself forward, and add speed I am lost. 

It was so much fun though!! I thoroughly enjoyed every minute and can see having a lot of fun with her as well and learning a ton and maybe even win some money in the mean time :)  I asked lots of questions about her, she sounds perfect.  His 4 year old grandson rides her around the pasture, she can be ridden in/out anywhere I want, she had her teeth done last Tuesday, she has energy but will stay at a walk unless you ask for more, she does have a lump on her leg, apparently it is a broken blood vessel that she did when she was 3 and it has been the same ever since, she hasn't been lame on it and the vet said he could drain it but it would probly come back.  She is out of a cutting family, her sire is a cutter (he's the one Doug tried to get for me, George Canyon's horse that they won't sell) and she has 3 sibling out of the same mare that all made cutters. He also has had her dince she was a foal.

She was shown as a 3 year old by Doug quite a bit, a few times as a 4 year old, and then not at all as a 5 year old, and last year with the owner.  Her last time being rode was last August at a show.  He thinks I can go out there and win lots this year on her even while learning.  I am pretty excited!!!!  He calls her Jessie (after her mom), but her real name is Maiden Dixie.  I asked about shoes and he says rides her barefoot unless gonna show cause you never know what its gonna be like in warm up or show area.  I asked about easy to catch and he says no problems, I seen her load and that wasn't a big deal.  I don't have any pics of me riding cause Char was riding Dude too.  But I did get a couple of her standing at trailer afterwards.  She is actually a good size for a cutter, probly about 14.3, about the same size as Razz. 

Then afterwards I headed to the baby shower and then went to see War Horse.  Was a good movie, but sad too.  I am curious to see how they filmed some of it.  I had read the book before and it has the same story line but doesn't follow it real close.  Then we went our for supper and I headed home.  Long but succesful day.  And then wake up today to wind and cold and ewww!! I plan on staying home for a week or more till it gets warmer out.  Kinda dissapoionted then I won't be able to go get her :))  Did I mention I'm a little excited, lol!!  I might board her at Dougs for a month or so and learn to ride her while getting her in shape.  I told him I am interested, but I forgot I run out of checks so I have to wait to pay for her (DUH!!!)

Had to show a pic of the cake as the shape of a baby onesie that my sister made.