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.

2 in 1 - First Bareback Ride on Rhulain

24 minutes - 0.92 miles - Morgan

 Morgan was more interested in snacking than how the new bitless fit or looked.  That's my Morgie girl ... never one to miss a meal.  Love her!

 We started out with me walking beside her, but after a half mile she stopped next to a sandy embankment.  I know her well enough to know that means "get in the saddle already."  So I did.  Absolute comfort.  Thank you Morgie!

18 minutes - 0.90 miles - Rhulain

Rhulain and I started out on the same path, but she didn't feel like walking ... she wanted to trot.  So, I obliged by climbing in the saddle and allowing her to set the path and pace.  It was so freeing!  I had to slow her down a few times because of footing changes, but we spent most of the time just trotting along merrily. *sigh* She's dreamy.

After we got home and I untacked her, she stood there with the back leg cocked watching me.  Her bare back looked so inviting.  I didn't think twice ... I hopped up on a tree stump, slid my leg across her back before I could second guess the wisdom of this action.
Yep, she was dreamy.  
I really got a feel for her and realized I need to slide her saddle back a bit farther to accommodate her shoulder action.  She stopped when I asked and allowed me to take a picture with flash before I slid off.  

Have I mentioned she's Amazing yet?

Who Wore It Best?

27 minutes - 1.15 miles - Rhulain

Bought a new handmade leather bitless bridle so I didn't have to keep adjusting the black one.  I thought it was going to be too large, but it fit Rhulain with no issues.  Encouraged, I tried it on Morgan.  Dreamy fit for them both!  It will probably end up on Morgie as I like the black on Rhu.

Love the quality though! If I could get a black one for Rhu I would do it in a minute!

 

Rhu was very "in my face."  Couldn't get her to hold still for a picture, so everything turned out blurry.  She made sure she was sure close enough for cuddles or scratches.  Funny girl!

Rhu was in a great mood tonight ... we walked for about two minutes before she nudged me.  She wanted to trot, so we did.  I jogged along beside her from the gate to the first sand dune.  We walked up and down dunes to stretch our legs and then at her request we jogged home for 0.15 miles.  I was winded, she was not.

When we got home, Rhulain spotted Bill and made a beeline for him. She wanted her ears rubbed, and he obliged.  She's so spoiled.

Riding Rhulain (again)

27 minutes - 1.07 miles - Rhulain

Rhu and I had a bit of trouble putting on her headstall today.  When she realized it wasn't a halter, her head lifted in an act of resistance.  I flipped the cotton lead line over her poll and she lowered her head.  I slipped the bitless over her muzzle, laughing as I noticed her lips pinched so tightly together they should have turned white from the effort.

Then she realized there was no bit and her whole body softened.  She brought her muzzle over for snuggles ... maybe her way of apologizing.  

 

Morgan was clearly upset; she wanted to go for a walk this morning and I bypassed her for Rhulain.  Guess I'll be getting two walks in today.

Saddled Rhu up using Morgan's saddle and blanket ... it looks odd on Rhu.  We walked our normal .5 mile, let her snack for 2 minutes, and then I tightened the girth and hopped in the saddle.  

She carried me home at a delightful speed and only had three moments where she saw something which made her flinch.  Never felt a bit uncomfortable ... hard to believe we've only been together only 90 days.

 

I was able to open the gate while still in the saddle ... closing it was a bit more difficult.  She swung her nose about just as the gate was closing and it bonked her slightly.  The gate wasn't latching and she was getting cranky (it WAS breakfast time after all), so I hopped off and closed it.

Swung back into the saddle and asked her to trot to the tack shed.  Took a few cues to figure out how to get her to trot, but she did wonderfully and stopped appropriately.  More saddle time is definitely in order!

Blustery Day, Great Ride

30 minutes - Rhulain, Bill & Majesty - 1.14 miles

Heading out for a walk on a blustery day ... Rhu wanted Majesty to know she gets to lead the walks.  So adorable!

So, we walked for half a mile, let them snack, and then we hopped in the saddles and wandered home.  Bill said I never stopped smiling even with the wind blowing like crazy.  

We had them trot for the first time in the open desert.  This girl can certainly cover some ground and she's so smooth!  I love that she watches where the other horse is, but doesn't need to be near them.  She's solid going out alone or with others which is a huge bonus!

Note to self: Need to put Rhu back in the bitless bridle rather than the cross under.  She stops better with the bitless.  Also, fix the stirrups ... they're uneven.

When we got back, I untacked her and let her wander around the property.  When I called her, she looked up, turned around, and came right to me.  Hugs!

Majesty, Bill, and Rhu mugging for the camera

Fly Masks Are Our Friend

Rhulain
40 minutes ground work
15 minutes tacking
5 minutes saddle time

It's been windy lately so there hasn't been much flies about bothering the horses.  Realized Morgan had a few on her face, so I pulled out the fly masks.  Rhulain wasn't sure about the crazy thing I held in my hand, but she only slightly flinched when it touched her shoulder the first time.  Then she let me rub it all over her neck and ears.  I placed it on her face and secured it with no problems.

Later in the day I put a halter on Rhulain and led her around the yard again.  She handled the gate like it's been part of her everyday routine, didn't try to get ahead of me, and moved out nicely when asked to circle around.  She did so well that I decided to walk her out the front gate and into the street.  Not an issue.

We saw an ATV coming down the road, but she just looked at it for a few seconds then gave it her patented "so what?" look.  We climbed some of the sand and dirt piles on either side of the road, stepped over a log, and then I let her taste some of the local fauna.

I took her over to the tack shed and picked out her front hooves, then lifted the backs.  Much, much better than yesterday.  I took her back to her stall and gave everyone their lunch.

Later I decided to try on her tack.  I took off her fly mask and put on the bitless bridle.  I spent a few moments teaching her how the bitless works.  She was fine with it, but kept reaching out for the fly mask.  I laughed.  Didn't take her long to figure that out.  I put it on over the bitless bridle.

Saddle pad looks striking, but it's too long and she needs a cut out for her withers.  Saddle fit fine, although I'll need to switch out the cinch (36" is way too big).  No issues with cinching.  She stood there with her back leg cocked the whole time.  So, I put weight in the stirrup.  No movement.  I slid over and into the saddle, no movement.  I kissed and she moved forward.  

Had a little trouble with the bitless ... every time I picked up a rein, her head came around to touch my boot, but she didn't turn her body.  Ok.  I asked with leg cues and she turned on the forehand nicely, but a bit stiffly to the left.  Kept it short, two laps around her stall and one figure 8, then asked for a halt and she stopped immediately.  Slid out of the saddle, untacked, and put on her beloved fly mask.  She's going to be fun to ride!

Reagan's Ground Work

24 minutes
Reagan - ground work
0.14 miles

I knew it was going to be dark soon, but I wanted to work on Reagan standing still at the mounting area.  I saddled her up (and stole back my old saddle pad which Bill "borrowed" almost a year ago) but left her in a halter for flexing work.  She gave her head quickly, quietly, and consistently from both sides so I switched her to the bitless bridle.

We spent the next 15 minutes having her stand while I climbed in the saddle, then flexed her neck to each side.  Sometimes we flexed twice, sometimes three times, sometimes only once, but each time I settled in to the saddle she flexed before I asked her to move off.  I'll reinforce the lesson on Thursday and Friday just to make sure it's cemented and then let her new owner know what we've done.

An A-Ha! Moment ... Quietude

24 Minute Ride
Reagan - Solo
1.16 miles

Reagan: They're all looking at my butt, aren't they?

Today, Reagan:

• put her muzzle in the bitless bridle without any urging
• didn't look behind her when we left the turn out
• held perfectly still while I mounted

 

Reagan navigating the terrain on the path she chose

Today I:

• realized the sun was in Reagan's eyes and made her uncomfortable, so I
• let Reagan be in charge of where we went as long as we were moving forward
• stayed quiet in hands, mouth, thoughts, and attitude

Reagan: Look, they're right where we left them!

Me: Ayup. Usually happens that way.

Today we:

• took the road less traveled and didn't rush home
• provided comfort to each other and just relaxed
• found the Reagan I remembered and fell in love with five years ago

Reagan's Turn!

26 Minute Walk/Ride
Reagan - Solo
1.10 miles

Reagan: Quick, let's get out of here - Majesty sounds upset he's being left behind

Today was Reagan's turn for a walk. I saddled her up with the intention of riding her the half mile home.  Decided to try the bitless bridle today and it seemed to work better than the cross under headstall.

Why are you standing there taking pictures still?  Isn't it time to go?!

She did so much better today leading!  No rushing, no dragging behind, no crowding, and no trying to snack.  I could tell the rocks were bothering her feet, so we walked in the sand next to the road. The terrain changes had her working a bit more and thinking about her foot placement.

Reagan looking contemplative

Had to ask her to stand twice while I mounted, but that's a vast improvement.  Made her flex her neck both ways before walking off at the house, then repeated the request under saddle.  Repetition and consistency seems to help ease her worries. 

In her zen mode ... she's as quiet and calm as can be ... while eating

Rode her the whole way home, with only minor correction.  Anytime she moved faster than a walk she had to circle once then move forward.  Took us five circles, but then she settled to a beautiful walk.  

She jumped over the fallen log today without any prodding and headed for the "U" driveway rather than the gate upon arrival at the house ... which means she's learning the pattern and anticipating my requests.  The routine seems to be helping.

November 24, 2012 - Sundance: 15 minutes

Dance was awfully cuddly so I tossed the bitless on her and took her out of the turn out.  I hopped on and we wandered around a while.  She trotted for a bit, but I slowed her back down after a few paces.  It was dinner time, so we cut the ride short.

April 9, 2012

Rode Sundance, Smoke & Wasabi around the turnout; bareback with bitless.

• Sundance was limping at a walk, so kept it to one lap and then to her stall.
• Smoke took a few tries to get her to hold still, but allowed me to hop on.  Rode basically to her stall.
• Wasabi wouldn't line up at stall.  Tried a few times then tied up the reins and sent her on a few laps.  Stood still.  As soon as I got on, the wind picked up, so I asked her to hold still.  Never moved!  Didn't fight me so much for her head, and walked to her stall when asked (verbal).  Stall was closed, so she tried nosing it open.  I reached forward and opened it - no spooking.  She's pushy about food.

April 8, 2012

45 minutes

Rode Majesty, Morgan & Wasabi around the turnout, bareback with bitless.

• Majesty was a gem
• Morgan does not like to stand next to mounting stool.  Took 4 tires before I could mount.  Have to be very careful with cues because she is so sensitive.
• Mustang stood like a rock for mounting.  She does not walk off until the command is given.  Gives a little crowhop before moving out into a trot.  Fights for her head.  Wanted to go out the gate and fought me for a few minutes before I could get her off the gate.