First Snow!

Snow fell in the pass on Christmas eve, but none fell in the Valley.  This morning, I walked out to find ... well ... crunchy, icy, snow-like stuff on the ground.  Luppy had a great time running around and rolling in the "snow."  The goat wasn't impressed by it ... neither was Sundance or Morgan.  

I wasn't all that thrilled as I had to drive in the pass.  I figured the road would be covered in real snow.  Fortunately, the county had pushed dirt on the road so I was able to make it to work only 30 minutes late.

Goatly Kisses

Because what's a morning without kisses from your favorite goat?

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

It was our kid's first experience with pumpkin carving ... he LOVED the "guts."  We fed pumpkin chunks to Rhulain (she loved them) and to the goat (she warmed up to them).  

All in all, a great day!

Mondays with Morgan ... and Sundance

23 minutes - 0.53 miles - Morgan & Kid, Sundance

 Bill asked me to pick the kid up today because he needed to purchase a new water heater.  No worries.  I picked him up and he asked if he could go for a horse ride.  Wait, what?! Of course we can go for a ride!  I decided to take Sundance since we wouldn't be going off property and she needed to stretch her legs a bit.

Morgan has the patience of a saint, I swear.  Look at him brings those reins all the way to his chin although she had already stopped.  I will give him credit, he dropped those reins like they were on fire when I asked him to put them down.  We worked on turning right and left with rein aids and he was able to keep Morgan from dropping her muzzle in the feed bins as we passed by.  Not bad!

After untacking everyone, I hopped on Morgan and had her walk me to the mare motel because, yes, I am that lazy.  Plus it's nice to see where her brain is after he rides.  She's in heat and partially grouchy, but quick to listen to leg aids.  Good girl Morgie.

I fed everyone and then headed to the goat pen to check on Lips' wound.  She came right over for snuggles.  She's funny ... I held the camera and said "who's a pretty goat?" ... she promptly mugged for a picture.  Cleaned out her wound and gave her some raspberries with her dinner.  She's going to be ok, but she's certainly nervous about the dogs now, which is sad.

Terrible, Horrible, Very Bad, No Good Day

Today was de-worming day for the horses.  Four of the five were no problem. But Sundance made up for the ease of the other four.  Sigh.  She kept burying her muzzle into my arms and looked so sad.  After 20 minutes of patient touch, retreat, pet/rest, repeat we were able to get her to take the medicine.  I exited her stall and she shoved her big ol noggin up next to my face and proceeded to lick my ear.  Apparently, she was thanking me for the extra effort.  

The goat was playing tag with the doberman.  For some obscure reason our other dog Bosco decided to join in the game and bit the goat on the tail.  I had to smack him on the head with a shovel to get him to release.  Lips took off running, and Bosco chased clamping down on her butt cheek.  I ran after them and smacked Bosco again to get him to release, then had to get between the two of them so she could make it back to her stall.  I locked her in and went to get the first aid kit.  When I returned I saw the blood trails on her cover, and about started crying.  I love that girl and was upset she got hurt on my watch.  I cleaned her wounds as best as I could, then snuggled her and apologized before dog-proofing the goat pen.

I got Rhu a new saddle pad and had her try it on for me.  When I went in the tack shed to grab her headstall, the doberman spooked her and she took off running around the yard with him hot on her heels. She jumped the panels that had just been taken down and cleared them quite beautifully before running back to the safety of the mare motel.  I did some ground work to settle her, trailer loaded her, and then put on her headstall and took her for a quick lap just to test the saddle pad fit.

All in all, not a spectacular day.  The wind made it impossible to ride, the dogs were flat out stupid, goat got injured, neighbor's dog got in our yard (again), and if that weren't enough ... the water heater went out so I couldn't take a shower to get the day's sand out of my ears.  Sigh.

Stall Time

I spent an hour and a half in the horse turn out, horse and goat stalls today.  I entered their domain, handed out carrots, then started scrubbing water buckets.  They ignored me.

Majesty's Halloween Costume ... A Headless Paint

I hauled the wheelbarrow, rake, and shovel over to the goat's stall. Wasabi immediately came in and started to gnaw on the wooden handles.  I shooed her away and began raking.  Rhulain ran to a stall the moment I pulled out the rake ... she dropped her head and stared at me intensely.  I continued working and hauled out a full load of goat droppings.  The entire time Rhu stayed in the stall watching me.

The moment I left the turn out, Wasabi ran back to the goat stall and started mouthing the shovel handle. She's a dork.  I yelled and she dropped it.  Then Morgie and Majesty waltzed in to the stall to inspect my work (or check for food).  I went and dumped the wheelbarrow contents in the flower bed then ambled back to the turn out.  

Rhu's soaking wet back and Morgie sulking in the background

I cleaned out two more stalls with Rhulain watching my every move, Morgan nibbling my shirt sleeve (looking for treats), and Sundance and Wasabi trying to flip the wheelbarrow.  I put all the tools away then went back to the turn out and offered massages, grooming, and cuddles. Wasabi was first in line, then Sundance, followed closely by Morgie. Majesty ignored me completely.  Rhu finally ventured out of the stall and came over for rubs.

Sometimes I forget how nice it is just to hang out with them.  I love watching their "conversations" through body language.  I adore that each one has their own distinct personality and needs.  I like just being near them.

Morgan searching me for treats ... Sundance's rump in the background

And then the rain started.  Poor Rhulain.  She's not a fan of water and we're expecting three days of downpour and flash flooding in some areas of the valley.  When I headed indoors, she was standing solemnly under the shelter out of the rain.  I'm sure she blames me for the water.  Maybe I can convince her it was the wheelbarrow's fault.

My Crabby Morning.

15 minutes - ground work - Rhulain

The morning started out yucky and got worse. Rhulain and Morgan were not respecting gate rules, each trying to shove each other out of the way. Rhu wouldn't drop her head or hold still for the halter. We had to have a few "discussions" before ever getting out of the turn out.

I had intended to walk Rhu halfway down the street and then ride to her normal snack area.  Grooming = fine.  Hoof pick =  not so fine.  She kept yanking her rear hooves and then tried to walk off.  Since she was a fan of moving, she got to lunge. 

More "discussion" ensued when I asked her to change directions.  She was hard eyed, but she was listening while she worked.  After about 15 minutes we got a nice calm trot in both directions and then we slowed it to a relaxed walk.

So I called for a halt.  Bit of heavy breathing going on (for both of us), but her face was so stinking adorable I melted.  Kissed her soft nose and led her over to finish picking her hooves.  

She very politely gave up her hind hooves and snuggled a little while getting her mane brushed.  

I had yelled at Ryver for chasing the goat, yelled at the chickens for being in areas they shouldn't be, yelled at Morgan for being pushy, and yelled at Rhulain for not holding still for haltering.  

My mother always said, "If it seems everyone else is the problem, chances are, the problem is you."  Dang it.  I apologized to everyone.  Everyone except the chickens. 

Day of the Goat

68 minute ride
Morgan, Bill & Majesty
3.66 miles

Here we are getting for a ride ... and what's that at the far right hand corner of the picture?  The goat.  She was eating the trailer, of course.  Other people's goats don't snack on metal, do they?

Here is the ONLY picture from the day that didn't have a goat in it.  It's not that she didn't try ... Bill and I had to chase her back in to the yard three times before we could actually go for a ride.

Goat, goat, everywhere a goat.

2 Glorious Rides

46 Minute Ride
Reagan - Bill and Majesty
2.15 miles

Look who's a pocket pony now!  She's right behind me step for step once she's saddled up.  She certainly likes to go out now

And look who joined us ... Bill and Majesty!  It's the first time we've ridden these two together since November 2012.

We did some light dune work, but nothing too strenuous.  Just enough to have some fun

Goatly antics make Reagan wary ... 

She wouldn't take her eye off that silly goat

It was a nice, calm ride and the two of them seemed to be a match in temperament and pace.  I pushed Reagan into faster speeds to get her to stretch low and long.  After two tries she was reaching out beautifully.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

36 Minute Ride
Morgan
2.48 miles

Morgan was none too happy about having to go out solo OR being ridden second.  Look at that face!

We rode out the gate rather than having me walk for the first 20 minutes and she did fine.  A little hesitation, but she moved out nicely when asked.

The sun dipped below the mountain on our way back home, so we picked up the pace a little.  I love spending time with Morgie and today was no exception.

First Ride of the New Year

45 minutes

Rode with Bill and Majesty

* Hooves trimmed ... all 4 horses

Bill and Majesty saddled up and ready to go ... Morgan checking my pockets for treats

The boys forging new trails

Looking ahead ... 

... and looking for Bill

Morgan's "My goat senses are tingling" face

Christmas Morning Escape

Bill went out to feed the horses this morning ... only to find them running around the property. Someone (me) did not secure the turn out gate and one of the horses must have pushed their way out.  And of course, where one goes, the others must follow.

Wasabi was glad to be led around with a lead rope and carrot slices

Bill came in the house to tell me about the escapees, so I grabbed the camera and a bag of carrot slices and headed outside.  I announced that Santa brought me exactly what I wanted ... a Morgan!  Bill was not amused.

Look which two were pretending not to see me or the carrots.  Once Sundance figured out I had snacks, she ditched Morgan in a heartbeat

Majesty was the first one to be caught.  Wasabi realized the goat was eating carrots, so she came running over to get a few herself.  Who was the hardest to catch? *sigh* Morgan.  She only came in when she realized everyone else was in their stalls having breakfast and she was all alone.  Needless to say, no carrots for her.

Sweet Faces

Sunday, November 23rd  40 minute ride 
Rode with Bill and Majesty

Eclipse, our goat friend, didn't want us to leave without her.  Don't be fooled,  she didn't want to go with us, she just wanted to eat the leather straps on Bill's saddle. Again.

This is how most of our ride goes ... Bill and Majesty strolling along at a nice comfortable pace, and Morgan way out in front.

Morgan and Majesty discussing the quickest route home.  Majesty always wants to go for a ride ... right up until the point where you actually leave the property. 

I hopped off to Morgan to close the gate and turned around to see the three most adorable faces staring at me ... and one slightly miffed mustang in the background (1st pic, to the right of Majesty).

Interrupting Morgan's Naptime

Saturday, November 22nd  30 minute ride 
Solo

Me: Hey Morgan! Long time no see!  How about a ride?!

Morgan: How about you let me take a nap in the sunshine?

Me: Morgan, what are you staring at?

Morgan: Goat.

Me: Want me to invite the goat to go with us?

Morgan: ...

Me: Feels great to see the world through your ears again Morg. Missed you.

Morgan: I see home!

Me: That was great Morg ... thank you!

Morgan: Yeah, yeah.

A Day of Silly Faces

Saturday, November 8th  60 minute ride 
Rode with Bill and Majesty

Normally I am in charge of the camera, drinks, snacks, extra batteries, or whatever can be stuffed in to the saddle bags.  This time I handed the saddle bag off to Bill once we left the property, which meant we got some very different pictures :)

Our goat (Eclipse, or "Lips" for short), decided heading out on the trail sounded like fun ...

Hey guys, where ya going, can I come?  Slow down, I have short legs!  

I'm coming!  Wait, that bush looks tasty ... I'll see you later.

Whenever the camera comes out, so do the silly faces ... tongues sticking out, cheesy grins, downright goofy looks, and grinning goats!

We explored an area we hadn't been through before ... what better way to have an adventure than getting off the beaten path with your favorite person and most awesome horses?

Bill took the lead for a while, and was taking pictures over his shoulder ... he makes me laugh ... perhaps he should be in charge of the camera more often!

What's that in the sky?  A bird, a plane, superman?  Nope, just me and Morgan waiting for the boys to catch up.

Just a great day filled with smiles and laughter!

Goatly Madness

Came home from running errands to see this ...

Yep, that's our goat "Eclipse" hanging out on the porch

Here's her "wise and all knowing goat" face

Silly goat.  I adore her antics.

More Baths!

Saturday, September 27th

It's starting to be a bit chilly in the morning and the horse's "fur pajamas" are starting to show, so I figured it was time for their last summer baths.  I only managed to get 3 out of the 5 done, but there's always next weekend for Wasabi & Sundance.

First I started with Traveller ... he kinda looked like a puppy sniffing the ground and once he discovered the "delightful" aroma of alfalfa was coming from the trailer, he stood like a pointer for a bit before trying to grab a snack.  Silly old man.

Majesty is NOT a fan of the goat ... here he is closing his eyes and wishing the goat would go away.  That didn't work, so he tried making silly faces and noises, which did work, much to his surprise!

Morgan was supposed to be drying in the sunshine while I filled the dinner buckets, but she kept giving me "the eye" while I worked.  So I held out a cube and she promptly yoinked it and turned her head away, just in case I wanted it back or something.

Morgan's resigned face before the bath starts, and her "look at me, I'm gorgeous" pose after her bath.