Feb 26, 2011
Feb 24, 2011
Their Own Roads to the Horse
So exited about this event--just wish I could have gone to cheer on my fav horseman.
Feb 23, 2011
On the Subject of Grooming
Barn this afternoon, take the horses one by one to the indoor arena, clean stalls, waterbuckets, bring the horses back in, one by one. Distributed flakes of hay, doled out mints, made sure all were comfy. I decided to work on Forrests mane, banding and hoping to tame it on the right side. He was flustered about it. He's really particular about his hair I guess. I gather he's had his mane pulled at one time, and probably not very gently as he's pretty nervous when I mess with his mane near crest.The other day I was fussing with it to get the globs of mud out and he swung his neck around and clacked his teeth in warning. Being an appendix, he's so sensitive! He's usually compliant with many things, he even seems to enjoy having his ears clipped--go figure-- but was downright cranky about this spot as I ran my fingers through the hair.
So, I'm working on him, and Lady in the stall beside his, takes little peeks at us and flicks her tail briskly--she's the one that usually gets the beauty treatment--how dare Forrest get special attention! I get the banding done and he looks a little pathetic, a few times shaking his neck at the odd sensation of his mane on this foreign side, and I'm feeling tonight, first thing tomorrow I should just say 'heck with this!' and pull out the bands and let his mane lay where it may, cause you know, sometimes bedhead hurts!
So, I'm working on him, and Lady in the stall beside his, takes little peeks at us and flicks her tail briskly--she's the one that usually gets the beauty treatment--how dare Forrest get special attention! I get the banding done and he looks a little pathetic, a few times shaking his neck at the odd sensation of his mane on this foreign side, and I'm feeling tonight, first thing tomorrow I should just say 'heck with this!' and pull out the bands and let his mane lay where it may, cause you know, sometimes bedhead hurts!
Amazon.com: Grooming To Win: How to Groom, Trim, Braid, and Prepare Your Horse for Show eBook: Susan E. Harris: Kindle Store
Amazon.com: Grooming To Win: How to Groom, Trim, Braid, and Prepare Your Horse for Show eBook: Susan E. Harris: Kindle Store
Have been waiting to get this manual for a long time. A must have for anyone's grooming box. I was disappointed that it didn't give a good suggestion for how to actually bang a tail and get it right.
best thing, I can loan this to other kindle users. Leave me a comment if your interested--show season is almost here!
Have been waiting to get this manual for a long time. A must have for anyone's grooming box. I was disappointed that it didn't give a good suggestion for how to actually bang a tail and get it right.
best thing, I can loan this to other kindle users. Leave me a comment if your interested--show season is almost here!
Feb 22, 2011
It's a Weather Roller-Coaster
It's crept up to almost 60 degrees this past week. Horses have been stuck in for at least five days because the ground is so saturated. They did get to go out Saturday, but yesterday we had the rain, then sleet, then rain again. Today was worse--50 degrees this morning and steady rain. I had to just stick my horses in the arena, clean their stalls, and stick them back in. It's been really rough and they are all getting pretty grouchy. Temps steadily dropped. By late afternoon, snow, then ice rain covering everything. When I got home I just curled up with my kindle, then took a nap. Were going back down to 11 to 14 degrees the next few mornings, then back to more moderate temps.
Feb 7, 2011
From Today
I'm attempting to get my horses out for some hay in the paddock, instead they just want to goof off.
Feb 5, 2011
Winter Blahs Not Always So Bad
It's been a real challenge this winter getting the horses out for even 10 minutes.Last week the whole perimiter was under a sheet of ice. We're at a nice barn but the layout doesn't provide for easy turnout --even when the weather's good. Having an indoor arena available is great, but since our barn is not attached, it can be treacherous trying to get into it. Most of my time lately has been spent ensuring my horses get out at sometime during the day so there has been very little time to devote to riding. That said, it's our groundwork that really gets ramped up when we can get to the arena. Seems my three are so thankful to get out of their stalls they offer me more of their attention-- they are actually interested in what we're doing! You know, they really partner up with me. I love that I can focus on refining my skills and technique-- less fumbling around with ropes and sticks that are never in the right place when I need them, and my horses sure appreciate getting clearer communication from me as I get better. We are having a lot of fun and I find myself loving and appreciating my horses more for the creatures they are and the things they offer me--I'm so glad they are a part of my life. So, the winter blahs have been a good thing in a way, as during the long grey days shut in at home, I find myself reflecting on what we've been able to accomplish despite the limitations.
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