Richard bought a beautfiul buckskin (love that color!) Kentucky Mountain horse and took him to the Pecos 6/19/2010. They did great--stayed over night, high altitude, steep climbs, water, bogs, other horses, tying to trees..all fantatistic. (I didn't get a picture!) Yeah! More on the Pecos farther down.
Tabooli. Lost a shoe, but got my size 0 easy boot epic on so can still ride him!
He pulled that shoe off when he was running and playing. He was out grazing on the dead cheat grass--this place is beginning to look like California...so much for perennial grasses--we are getting over run with short-lived annuals and after the initial green rush of spring they die. Now there are big swathes of straw-colored dead grasses. "Forutnately, they are still tasty!" says Tabooli.
The neighbor kids came to the upper fence and the horsie girls all took off to see what they were up to. Tabooli, being in a different pen (being a stud and all) was quite miffed that he was left out. So he began running, bucking and sliding at the fence. After all that, I found his missing shoe. He caught his hind foot on the edge of his front shoe and pulled it off.
Riding-wise we are up to ride 27! He is getting lighter and trotting really well both in and out of the arena! Upward bit pressure, lateral work and always trying for immediate release is working. Also, I am working to keep him improving off my leg, too, so I can use the reins less. He doesn't need a show frame--he is going out on the trail, but he does need to be responsive.
Loping is also steadily improving. Our biggest day was Thursday 6/17. We rode out in an open field where I have ridden enough that I have scribed a big circle. He loped out there on the circle--first time loping outside of an arena. He picked up both leads (with a little struggle to set up the right lead without a fence to work against--took a few tries!). he was pretty relaxed about it, too!
Still need to work on:
1. standing still right after mounting. He was so good at that to start with I let it slide. Mistake. Must reinforce that now. I get on. he just stands there.
2. Whoa. He stops fine, but I'd like it to be a little more direct and softer--always softer.
3. Soft in general. He is, as I have mentioned, not super soft naturally, so it has to be built in him.
He is slated to go home at the end of the month....10 days to go...boo hoo! But he is far enough along mainly he just need the ol wet saddle blanket treatment--ride him.
May and Scratches. According to one vet, it is not scratches but a photosensitivity event that leads to skin inflamation, cracking and bleeding. I have changed her diet to grass because some alfalfa's can contribute to this. I have her in the most shaded pen. I keep treating the cracks with MTG and keeping her legs covered, but her left back leg is somewhat swollen and painful and doesn't want to respond. She is relaxed and friendly, but that one leg hurts!
I have a friend with a magic cure for this---don't have all the details yet, but she said to shave the leg and I am scared to do that....less protection from the sun!!!! Will find out more about it.....
Penny and Risa. Both are doing well. I am still working on Penny's softness and suppleness and I like how she is doing. Her lope is becomng more up in the withers, but she still will stiffen her neck and jaw, so have to keep dong flexibility exercises and pay attention to my hands. I am also riding her out on the trails a few times a week. She likes to get out of the arena. Sometimes I pony Risa and sometimes Risa ponies Penny.
Penny is a good lead horse (and now she does water and mud with little effort AND she learned to drink from streams this Pecos trip.) Penny is also good at being the ponied horse. Risa is the lead mare in the herd, so Penny naturally follows her. Plus Penny, takes a lot of things in stride.
Risa is super sensitive which I love, but it is also hard sometimes because it is easy to cause her to feel that I am being too hard on her. At the same time that she is senstiive, she is not always interested in cooperating, so getting the balance between her sensitivity and convincing her she needs to give it a try is interesting and fun.
Loaded with 100 pounds. The blue thing is a table.
Risa is also working on learning to pack and she is carrying real loads (we've done 2 real loads so far). On the trip this weekend, the Pecos Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen http://pecos.bchnm.org/
brought tools and supplies in for a group that is doing trail work this week in the Pecos Wilderness. Risa carried food (coffee--it smelled great! and tables that roll up.)
I think you are getting a little close there Buddy!
Risa has a large personal "bubble, and doesn't like to be crowded on the trail. Her problem is complicated: She is the lead mare so wants to boss all new horses; and she is afraid at the same time. And she becomes is herd bound when in new places. She seems to figure that her best defense is a strong offense!!! As with most things, time and repetition will allow her to be more at ease.
Risa is doing well on water crossings and is drinking from streams also. This seems like no biggie, but some horses just won't do it and run the risk of dehydration in the back country. Mud bogs--not so much--still jumping those. Wish I had a photo of her 10 foot leap from a stand still. She got high as well! While fully loaded.
In the arena: Risa is loping better and better. Lead changes are doing well, spins are coming along, as it stopping. As her mind quiets, her catty, light and quickness will be channeled. She is multi-faceted and I am really enjoying bringing out her best qualities.
The Pecos trip was really fun this weekend and hope to go back next week. During the week, we will do arena work as well as some trail and ponying work. And if the weather cooperates--cow work on both Risa and Penny!
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