A Day of Many Faces

2.01 miles - 36 minutes - Rhulain, walk
0.24 miles - 14 minutes - Rhulain, groundwork
15 minutes each: Morgan, Sundance, Majesty, and Wasabi

 It snowed last night in the pass ... not enough to reach the valley floor, but it made for some spectacular views.  It rained yesterday and more rain is expected tomorrow ... so naturally I squeezed in some horse time between the storms.

First came Rhulain ... we did some ground work, then a good grooming and a saddle fitting (she is so patient).  Ryver was chasing a rabbit which darted under Rhu's belly.  The dobie dashed between her front legs and the hitching post in hot pursuit.  Rhu flicked an ear and yawned. Love that mare!

We did a two mile walk and soaked in the sunshine.  Sweet serenity!

Got back and put Rhu in the turn out.  Rhu dropped her muzzle in the sand and then chased me around trying to give me kisses ... she looked like a llama with a mustache. 

 I had the bitless in hand, and Sundance put her nose in it.  Well, ok.  I hopped on bareback and we did a few laps around the turn out.  She seemed to appreciate the time.  I rode Morgan bareback around the turn out as well.  The kid was riding his quad around the yard, but Morgan seemed less worried about it today.  Good job!

Since I was in the mood, I drug Majesty out of his comfy stall and made him carry me around the yard bareback too.  He walks on the buckle and it always surprises me for the first few moments.  He is such a good natured old man.

I thought about trying it with Wasabi, but she gave me such a cranky face I didn't think it would be wise.  Instead, I switched to a halter and we did a few laps around the yard with the kid racing us on his quad.  She wasn't finished yet, but it was time to feed so we called it a day.

Run Free!

It was warm and I decided to let everyone out and enjoy the sunshine.  I threw open all their stalls and the mares took off in a burst of speed ... sometimes Morgan led the pack, sometimes Wasabi. By the time Majesty figured out how to get out of his stall, everyone else was settling down.  Rhulain decided to play and got everyone to run down the driveway and back (letting Majesty lead) before they started milling about looking for snacks.  

I love watching them run about, kicking up their heels, and reveling in their pure joy.

Wasabi Needs Work

34 minutes - 0.97 miles - Wasabi

Took Wasabi for a walk this morning. She has started rearing when she doesn't want to do something, so we spend more time circling than walking forward. Little snot.  She was contrite and soft eyed after 20 minutes, but still tried to push past me on the way home. Sigh.

On a good note, Rhu was happy to see me when I got back :)

Got home early today!

34 minutes - 1.22 miles - Rhulain
30 minutes - 0.93 miles - Wasabi

We were asked to leave work early today because the final presidential debate was being held three miles from our office, and the roads were going to be closed.  Go home?! No problem!  I raced straight home, grabbed Rhu, did a few minutes of ground work, then saddled up and headed out.

We were having a great time and neither one of us wanted to go home. Every time I steered us towards home, Rhu would angle back out to the open area.  I agreed in spirit, but had to pick up the kid, so I couldn't comply.  Rhu had lined up perfectly to allow me to open and latch the gate. A little sad, I closed the front gate behind us, rubbed and hugged her, then put her away. 

LOVE these photos ... gave the kid a granola bar and Wasabi was pleading for a bite.  The kid was completely baffled as to the attention, but sure wasn't giving up his snack.  I gave her some of my granola and headed over to the trailer.

Wasabi wasn't sure, but she was willing to stick her fronts in if asked.  We worked for a few minutes and I was content with the progress.  We headed off for a walk, though there was lots of tail wringing and pushing forward.  She's forgotten her manners and needed a few reminders. All in all, not bad.

Wasabi the Escapee

 5 minutes - ground work - Wasabi

 

 Bill looked out the kitchen window and saw Wasabi wandering around the yard. What?  I went out and she walked right up to me for snuggles.  Checked the gate, still locked. Checked all the panels and it looks as though she might have stepped through one after kicking down a bar. Sigh.

Since she was out, and I hadn't worked with her in a while, I decided to spend a few minutes working on trailer loading.  It took a few tries, but soon she was loading her front half in the trailer willingly.  Bill called from the front porch and told me lunch was ready, so I rubbed her big head and put her in the turn out.

Bot Fly Infestation

Received word that a Bot Fly infestation had been identified in our valley.  We inspected all of our horses and found eggs on Wasabi, Rhulain, and Morgan.  We had to cut the eggs out and then bleached the area where the eggs fell.  I'll keep an eye on them over the next few weeks. Hopefully we caught it in enough time.

Three For Me!

40 minutes - 0.58 miles - Rhulain
16 minutes - 0.63 miles - Majesty
21 minutes - 0.28 miles - Wasabi

 We had all the brush removed and the front yard leveled.  Which means, it's a blank slate just waiting for hoof prints.  Lots of hoof prints.

 I grabbed Rhulain and took a few passes through the yard.  The wind was blowing and since there was no brush, the dirt kept blowing into our eyes.  After I was sure she was comfortable with the new area, I saddled her up and took another pass or two through the new yard.

Rhu was fine, but bored.  I handed the kid my phone and he had a great time taking pictures.  I didn't include the pictures of the horse poop.

I put Sundance and Morgan in the turn out.  Sundance started to roll, but half way through she fell asleep.  Adorable.

 Later in the afternoon, I decided I needed more horse time.  I ran outside and grabbed Majesty.  I let him choose his path and pace and once we left the front gate he ambled around the block.  He fully believes in slow and steady.  I was really glad to spend time with the old guy.  He's pretty spry for 33.

I figured I still had a half hour before I couldn't see anymore, so I grabbed Wasabi.  Gave her a quick refresher on the bitless bridle, saddled her up, and wandered around the front yard for a bit.  She definitely needs more saddle time ... she is rusty, but willing.  She got confused when I asked for turns with leg aids, she kept changing speed. I added rein aids and we were able to communicate and work through it with a little patience.  After I hopped off, she gave me a snuggle.  I like this horse, she's got spunk!

Wasabi had her cranky pants on

26 minutes - 0.72 miles - Wasabi

I realized Wasabi hasn't been on a walk since last month, so I decided to take her this morning.  She was cranky.  Ears pinned, clenched jaw, and circling.  


After 20 minutes, she loosed up and walked quietly. Obviously, she needs more time off property.

Lessons from a "Wild" Mustang

37 minutes - 1.02 miles - Wasabi & Foster Kid

 Wasabi met me at the rail as soon as she saw the halter ... well then, you get to go girl!  On the way to the front gate, we invited the foster child to join us.  He was dubious, but I told him we would climb sand dunes and he jumped in our conga line.

 I explained about Wasabi's itchy spots and showed him how her lips twitch when you hit just the right spot.  He laughed at her expressions.  

Then she stopped to go to the bathroom, and he was fascinated ... he's been with us six months and this is the first time he realized they poop.  This time I laughed out loud.

We climbed a few sand dunes and Wasabi would grab him by the shirt if he got too far away in her opinion.  He would laugh and step towards her which seemed to please her greatly.

Wasabi did stop twice on the way down the sand dune and rolled in the soft, warm sand.  I've never had a horse do that before and we all found it entertaining.  I was glad I had these two on the walk today.  Lots of laughter and joy, which was much needed.

Night Moves

27 minutes - 1.06 miles - Wasabi
17 minutes - 1.07 miles - Rhulain

I put the kid to bed at 9:00 pm and then took the trash outside.  It was a lovely 85 degrees and light enough to take a walk.  I grabbed Morgan's halter and headed to the turn out, but she hid behind Sundance.   

Wasabi put her muzzle on my shoulder, so I opted to see how she would do.  Fabulously well it turns out.

The first few minutes she kept her muzzle low to the ground, but then she was walking along as if this were broad daylight and she did this all the time.  I was really proud of her effort! 

 Figuring I had a few more minutes, I switched horses and headed back out the gate with Rhulain in tow.  She drug along behind me for the first quarter mile but then picked up pace and we jogged on an off for the rest of the mile.

I asked her if we could slow down and she stuck her tongue out at me ... She stayed that way until I took a picture of her ... silly mare!

Hoof Trim & Horse Time

16 minutes - 0.5 miles - Morgan & A
25 minutes - 1.02 miles - Rhulain

While holding the lead rope waiting for hooves to be trimmed, I have the opportunity for oodles of odd pictures.  Today's random shots are proof that I have entirely too much time on my hands.

Sundance (Red Heads unite!)

Morgan (cuddly and best behaved)

Wasabi (licking the farrier's stand. sigh)

Rhulain (filthy after last night's rain)

Majesty (slept with his head on my shoulder)

After getting a trim and some breakfast, we went for a walk.  It was almost 90 degrees, so we kept it slow and short.

Morgie seemed quite puzzled by the neighbor's stallion taking an interest in her ... in fact, she seemed quite worried about his studdish antics and hid behind me on the way home. 

Dropped off Morgan and the kid and grabbed Rhulain.  We did a mile at what I thought was a mellow pace, but we actually walked at 3.0 mph pace ... which shows me our hard work has paid off.

A Family Walk

65 minutes - 2.30 miles - Rhulain
1.0 mile - Wasabi & Bill
1.0 mile - Majesty & Bill

I talked Bill into joining us for our evening walk. He grabbed Wasabi, our foster child, and headed toward the gate.  Rhu was excited to have company ... she even tolerated the child's presence.

After a mile, we returned home and Bill headed inside the gate.  Rhu, the child, and I continued walking for an additional mile.  We did some mild dune work to stretch our legs and to allow the child to run amok.

On our way back home I saw some foot prints that looked like Bill and a horse.  I figured he tried to find us, but as we had gone off the beaten path he went home.  Later we saw Majesty down the road.  Our foster child ran ahead to join Bill while Rhu and I worked a little in the open desert before following them home.  

Much to my surprise, Bill had placed the child on Majesty's back ... wait, what?  No one gets to ride Majesty!!

Three in one day!

17 minutes - 1.00 mile - Morgan
25 minutes - 1.00 mile - Rhulain
20 minutes - 0.50 mile - Wasabi

 Morgan and I took a quick one mile ride and then we rode back home to find Bill had a fire going.  We strode up to it and she seemed bored.  No need for desensitizing.  Two carrots for you my darling.

 Hey Rhu, want to go for a walk?  Walk? Yes!

 We walked for a mile and she seemed happy about being out.  Guess yard work isn't for her after all.

Say cheese Rhu ... CHEESE!

 Then Rhu and I walked by the fire.  She wouldn't get as close, but she didn't back away either.  Good girl Rhu.

I thought I was done for the day but when I returned Rhu to the turn out, Wasabi shoved her face into the halter.  Well, ok.  She and I did some ground work ... she's rusty but not bad.  I walked her by the fire, but she could care less.

 Fed everyone, gave carrots, and collected snuggles from all my favorite horses.  Good day indeed.

Busy Saturday

23 minutes - 0.59 miles - Morgan
10 minutes - 0.21 miles - Morgan - lesson with A
10 minutes - 0.04 miles - Sundance
15 minutes - 0.25 miles - Wasabi

The morning started off with A and I painting the gate.  Nothing is more messy than a 4 year old with a paint roller and absolute freedom.  The gate is not pretty, but it looks much cleaner.

Then our new farrier showed up and surprised me by trimming their hooves in the turn out.  Rhu wouldn't hold still, so I had to halter her and keep her in check.  She was fascinated by the farrier and kept her nose pressed to my back or close enough to the farrier for shavings to get in her bangs while everyone else got their trims.  It was kind of adorable.

While I was scrubbing and filling water buckets, A came over to see if he could help.  I said, "Sure, keep Sundance occupied for a few minutes so she'll quit flipping water buckets over" and popped him up on her back.  She was delighted to have her neck and withers scratched and was extra careful about walking anywhere ... one step, check on the boy, another step, check on the boy.

After water buckets, I moved on to staining the front gate.  After all that work, I decided I needed some Morgan time.  We escaped out the freshly painted gate and rode around the block.  Of course, once I returned, a certain little somebody asked why I was riding his horse.  HIS HORSE.  Really?  I popped him in the saddle and walked in front of them from one gate to the next.  I had explained how to "steer" with the reins, and turned around to find he and Morgie wandering off to the other side of the yard ... apparently he decided to turn right and she, being the awesome mare that she is, obeyed the reins.  Hmmm.

For reasons unknown to either of us, I felt the urge to pull Wasabi out and take a short walk around the property.  Then she got a good grooming, a snack, and hugs before I fed dinner.  She seemed to appreciate the attention.

Time with the Herd

Walked a mile - alternating horses

Still trying to walk 5 miles each day. Some days it's harder than others.  It always seems easiest when I have good friends along.  

I took Morgan with me for a few laps around the yard, but she didn't appreciate my company as much as I did hers.  

So, I switched her out for Sundance.  She's the most laid back of any of the horses (unless you try putting a bit in her mouth or tie her to anything) and practically fell asleep during the walk. 

Wasabi kept sticking her muzzle over the rails when I walked by, so I dropped off Sundance and haltered Wasabi.  We made a few laps, she ate a few cubes, and then I dropped her off so she could take her afternoon nap.

Majesty was next up for a walk,  He tolerated it, but he's so slow I put him back after just two laps.  

Rhu was not sure why she was last in my pecking order.  I explained it was because we'd be walking the farthest together.  She seemed to forgive me ... after she ate a few treats.

Wasabi is NOT a morning person

24 minutes - 1.11 mile (approx) - Wasabi & Luppy

Wasabi was the only one to meet me at the gate this morning.  I assumed she wanted to go on a walk so I took her out of the turn out area.  She was fine until I asked her to leave the snacks and head towards the gate ... then I got the "this is not fun anymore" face.  Ha!

She was generally well behaved.  She got a little worried about Luppy being away from us so long so I stopped her and called Luppy to join us.  I snapped a picture of Wasabi with the sun, then she lifted her nose and blocked the sun so I snapped another picture.  Amazing how different the pictures are for just a fraction of inches.

Luppy came running back to join us and we headed home.  Unfortunately, I must have paused the app that records our walk while taking pictures, because it only recorded our walk from the house to the turn around point.  Ah well, I just doubled the time and distance and called it a day.