Monthly Totals

May 2015

Morgan - 188 minutes - 9.28 miles
Reagan - 20 min - 0.92 miles
Rhulain - 376 minutes - 8.23 miles 

Bill & Majesty - 66 minutes - 3.2 miles
Bill & Sundance - 10 minutes - 0.5 miles
Wasabi - 40 minutes - 1.2 miles

Wasabi Saddle Time:
2014:     12.25 hours

2015:  
Jan: 0
Feb: 0
Mar: 1.5 hours
Apr: 0
May: 40 min/10 min ground

I think I may have lost my horse

36 minutes - Rhulain - 0.71 miles

Bill decided to join Rhu and I for our walk today.  I asked him to hold her lead rope so I could get a picture of her with the sunset 

Then this happened ....

Yeah, they started walking down the street ... together ... without me holding the lead rope

He had her going up and down small dunes, over poles, and then he cuddled Rhulain. 

HE CUDDLED MY HORSE.

And she LIKED it.

The agony.

Don't get used to this you two.

*Contented Sigh*

18 minutes - Morgan - 1.19 miles

Morgie girl, let's go for a quickie

  

We'll take a quick walk, let you snack on some stuff, and then I'll ride home, k?

Best.View.Ever.

Morgie was exceptional today. I never lifted the reins, and she never moved faster than a walk.  I wasn't in a rush to get home either Morgie girl ... if only that sun wouldn't set quite so quick.

Rhulain's First Ride Off Property

40 minutes - Rhulain, Bill & Wasabi - 1.13 miles

Me: Pssst, hey Rhu ... wanna go for a ride ... outside the gate?

Rhulain: What? Really!

Yep.  Bill and Wasabi are going to join us.  We'll walk down the street to your favorite snacking spot, then I'll hop on and we'll ride home. 

Um, Rhu, what are you staring at?

Wasabi.

Oh. She doesn't want to step over that log ahead of you. Shall we try it?

Sure.

Well that was easy. You're pretty amazing Rhu.

As we were almost home, Bill decided to walk Wasabi so he could open the gate for us.  

They looked deep in conversation, so we hurried to catch up, cause eavesdropping is fun.  They weren't talking about how awesome Rhulain was, so we stopped listening.

Good ride ... Rhu knows more than she has let on so far.  Her trainer did a great job or she's just really smart, or both.

Had a little trouble bringing her down from a trot to a walk; we might need to work with a bit to reinforce that lesson.  Otherwise, no complaints!





* Updated 6/12/15 - Bill had taken a picture of Rhu and I together for this momentous occasion:

She's so beautiful

Human Pez Despenser

24 minutes - Morgan - 1.09 miles

Took Morgan for a walk this morning ... she kept inspecting me for snacks, so I couldn't get a decent picture.  Maybe I shouldn't take her out before she's had breakfast

Morgan started sulking when she figured out there was nothing in my pockets.  She'd sulk for a bit, then come up and check me again ... as if the snack fairies had deposited more goodies in the last 30 seconds.

Oh Morg, you make me laugh.

Four Horses Got Cuddle Time

31 minutes - Morgan, Bill & Majesty - 1.59 miles
23 minutes - Rhulain - 0.90 miles
10 minutes - Wasabi - ground work

 

Rhu was inspecting Bill's hoof cleaning technique

She seemed to approve (really, she was begging to go too)

Morgan and I heading out & waiting on the boys

It was such a lovely ride ... no stress, no fuss, no worries ... weather just right and the clouds were amazing

Once we got back, I put a halter on Rhu and went for a walk down the street to the sand dunes

She got a bit nervous, then I realized she had spotted the quad coming down the road.  We stepped off the road and let them pass.  She watched it for a few seconds, then we continued on 

We climbed a dune, let her survey the area (and snack a bit) before we headed down the dune at a walk.  We took a different path home, crossing the open desert with jackrabbits bounding about

Great walk ... The only thing is, she doesn't hold still for pictures!

Wasabi wanted some attention too.  So, I tossed the halter on and took her for a walk around the monorail.  She pressed her nose to the glass, then stepped back and nodded.  I'd swear that horse was admiring her reflection.  Oh Bill, you have one spoiled horse.

I put Wasabi back, then started to walk back to the house when I heard Rhu call out.  I turned to see all four mares standing there watching me.  I sighed with contentment ... I get to live out childhood dreams every day.

Can't stop staring

14 minutes - Rhulain - 0.65 miles

We took a walk around the block, in a direction we hadn't gone previously

She got a little nervous when the neighbor's two dogs came running out to circle us.  I shooed the dogs off and she snorted marbles at them before we continued our walk

She settled quickly ... she was more interested in snacking than the dogs.  

We're working on "eating on cue" ... a training session she seems to be excited about

When we got home, we worked on ground tying for a bit

She's great at it, as long as there's food around

I sat there for another 30 minutes just staring at her ... she's just so adorable

I can't believe I have the two most amazing Morgans on the planet in my yard

First Ride Around the Yard

17 minutes - Rhulain - 0.5 miles

Me: Rhu, how would you feel about taking a ride around the yard?

Rhulain: How do YOU feel about taking a ride around the yard?

Me: I'm up to it, let's go! Through those cones, a couple figure 8 formations, take a left at the gate and let's follow the fence line, then circle back around to the tack shed and we're done.

Rhu: Wait, we're done?  That was all you wanted?

Me: Yep.  Just wanted to check your steering.  Here's your "after ride" snack.

Rhu: We're going to get along just fine.  

Me: I think so too Rhu.

Morgan: I don't see what the fuss is about.  I ride around the yard all the time.

Me: Yes Morgie girl, you do and I love you for it!

Different Views

30 min - Morgan - 1.42 miles
22 min - Rhu (ponied) - 0.93 miles
8 min - Bill & Sundance - 0.5 miles

Normal view.

Wrong view.

Better view.

Interesting view.

No time to ride Morgan and walk Rhu ... so I figured I'd pony Rhu.  Morgan was not a fan of this idea and expressed herself in no uncertain terms ... flattened ears, hard eyes, grinding of teeth, and even a little kick aimed at Rhulain.

I made quick corrections to Rhu's position and got her behind and off to the side of Morgan, but Morgie was clearly not happy.  Rhu couldn't figure out why Morgan didn't want to be her buddy.  

We cut the ride short ... a mere 22 minutes. 

Got home to see Bill on Sundance. Wait, Sundance??!!  He hasn't ridden Sundance in about 4.5 years.  I put Rhu in the turn out, hopped back in the saddle and went out the front gate to catch Bill.  We basically rode to the corner and back.  Just enough to stretch Sundance's legs but not enough to take her out of her comfort zone.  

Morgan was still not happy.  Apparently I need to feed before we go out and she doesn't want to share my time anymore.  Noted, thanks Morgie Moonpie!

The Picture I Never Thought I'd Take

18 minutes - Morgan - 1.10 mile

Rhulain and Morgan together?! Wait, what?  

I've never seen them near each other, and here they were sharing a snack.

Morgie dear, it's your turn for a walk/ride

Such a wonderful sight ... sun dipping low and Morgie's funny "fringe"

After unatacking, she usually wanders around the yard for a snack.  Today, she just stood there for 15 minutes just watching Bill and I do chores around the yard.  

Or maybe she was blocking the tack shed entrance so I wouldn't grab Rhu's halter.  

No worries there Morgie ... I'm content with our time together!

Rhu hits the 1 mile mark

28 minutes - Rhulain walk - 1.06 miles

I took Rhulain for a walk heading down the same path as yesterday.  I wanted to push a little further and complete a full mile. When we got near the house with the dogs she tucked in directly behind me for protection.  Adorable. 

Once we got past that house, she resumed her normal position.  She was a bit talkative today ... I asked her if she had marbles in her nose and got a perplexed look.  She makes me laugh.

The sun was rapidly dropping on our way back to the house, but she didn't rush or push past me.  She did tuck behind me again as we got close to the "dog" house, but they weren't outside so she relaxed within a few steps.  I see this may be something we have to work on.

My intention was to take Morgan for a walk as well, but there was very little light left when Rhu and I got home.  I let her out and fed her some carrots, spent a little time just snuggling, and making amends.  

She seems confused and a bit hurt lately so I'll need to take her out first and spend more time with her ... after all, she is my bestie Morgan and I truly enjoy our time together.

Fabulous Clouds!

22 minutes with Morgan - 1.09 miles (.5 mi walk)
31 minutes with Rhu - 0.97 miles

Morgan made it clear that she wanted to be the first one out of the turn out today.  She was standing at the gate calling out as soon as I stepped off the front porch.  That's my girl!  We saddled up and walked the half mile down the street (with her constantly checking my pockets for snacks).

At the end of the street I let her snack on the dried grasses for a few minutes before hopping into the saddle for the ride home.  Such a delight to be with my Morgie girl!

 I took Rhu out, walked her through cones, in and out the "other" gate (since we hadn't gone through that one yet), and then tied her off to the trailer.  When I walked back with her saddle I found her parked out ... nice form Rhu!

We walked down the same road I had just taken with Morgan.  I knew the neighbor's dogs were out and I wanted to see how Rhu would handle them.  She circled around me then stopped facing the three barking dogs before dismissing them.  Nicely done.

I let her stop and snack about half a mile from the house and she managed to get bits stuck in her forelock, get her muzzle filthy, and even a few burrs in her fetlocks.  She made me laugh really hard when she lifted her head and was covered in food particles.

We walked parallel to the road on the way home just to practice with different footing and followed washes whenever possible.  We came upon my favorite downed tree log, and though she was hesitant at first, she stepped over it cleanly.  I adore her attitude ... willing and sensitive.   She's stunning in both beauty and brains!

Busy Day - Three horses in 60 minutes

22 minutes with Rhu - 0.75 miles walk; 8 minutes with Rhu under saddle
10 minutes with Morgan - just around the yard

First, Wasabi got a much needed bath.  She was a good sport, but not really loving the attention.  She thought she'd be going for a walk or a ride, not getting wet.  Ah well.

Morgan spent the afternoon "inspecting" the alfalfa cubes as I filled buckets for the other horse's lunch.  While she was standing there looking adorable, I stood on the trailer hitch and slid on her back ... no halter/lead rope ... and she started walking towards the open gate, but I had her turn back.  One day Morgie girl we'll go out that gate bareback.

Then it was Rhulain's turn.  Bill was outside scrubbing graffiti off his monorail, so we talked him into leading Rhu around on a lead rope while I sat in the saddle.  I borrowed Morgie's saddle, but it didn't fit well ... so we kept it to a quick ride down driveway twice and then untacked.  I did get to sit out her trot on the second lap, can't wait to try it out for real!  Oddly, the stirrups felt too short when I was on Rhu ... looks like my knees are bent too much.

Then I took Rhu out for her second walk off the property.  Last time was just about half a mile, so I decided to go a bit farther today.  We walked down the same horse path as last time, came back on the street, and then veered through the open desert as we got close to the house.  

Practiced going up and down small dirt patches, sand "dunes" (really, they're about 6-8" high), and wandered between the desert brush and trees.  Couldn't ask for a better walk with her ... so calm, no trying to get past me, and no rushing home.

Great day, great horses.