Bill's First 5K!

3.11 miles - Bill, me, and the kid

Ready, set, run away with the circus! Wearing my lucky Solmate Socks, because life is too short for matching socks

The kid and I spend 3 to 4 days a week jogging so we can compete in the local 5K events.  Bill decided to join in the fun and accompany us for the Cirque du Soliel run.

He did very well and I am proud to say we finished in the top 2/3rds of the pack.

There were over 750 runners for this event, plus there were walkers, all on the same trail. Some of the Cirque performers joined in the run while others rode bikes and offered encouragement as we jogged by.

After the race, there was a trapeze class for all the kids who participated, face painting, and pictures with the performers.  I am pretty proud of my little running troupe.  Can't wait for the 8K event in April!

Dorks on a walk

33 minutes - 1.57 miles

Rhu, the kid, and I took a walk today.  They were making silly faces and acting strange, so I decided to document their antics.  Dorks ... I wonder where they learned it? Ahem.

Wasn't our best time, but anytime spent together is valuable!

Morgan vs. the Quad

40 minutes - 1.81 miles - Morgan

 I decide to do a little desensitizing with Morgan today.  She wasn't happy with me.  She's in heat and hates quads, so she couldn't figure out why I would torture her like this.

I had the kid ride the quad ahead of us while I walked beside Morgan for the first 1.5 miles.  He would stop, we would walk up him, and then he would take off again to help her get used to the quad.

For the last quarter of a mile, I hopped in the saddle and rode in front of the quad.  She was really not happy about my choice of mounting block ... the quad's back tire.  Her ears were pinned the whole way home, but she relaxed once we were in the gate.

The kid parked the quad and came running over to help me untack.  As a reward for doing such a great job, he got to ride her bareback to her stall.  He grinned the entire way.  I know the feeling; I love this mare too!

First Trail Riding Lesson for the Kid

60 minutes - Kid's first trail riding lesson
25 minutes - 1.21 miles - Morgan
21 minutes - 0.11 miles - Rhulain - groundwork

The kid has his first trail riding lesson with the trainer today.  They were gone an hour, which is the longest time he's ever spent on horseback.  The trainer she said he did pretty well, but sometimes he daydreamed and forgot to watch where the horse was going. :)

While we were gone, the other side of the mare motel got graded.  Now we can begin working on the turn out and the goat pen.

 The light was fading fast, so Morgan and I only got in a short ride.  She was fine up until we headed towards the gate ... then the neighbor's dogs rushed at us in full force, yapping and running underfoot.  I hopped off and shooed all six of them away while she stood still waiting for me.  

I had a few minutes before it became too dark to see, so I grabbed Rhulain.  She was clingy and seemed really nervous in the dark. So we worked on holding still while I mounted, and then flexing her neck to both sides.  It was a good session. 

Playing in the Dunes

62 minutes - 2.50 miles - Rhulain & the Kid

The kid and I took a three mile hike in the morning.  We climbed sand dunes and selected paths at whims. We scampered down inclines that were too steep or narrow for me to take a horse safely.  It was fun!

 So much fun, that we decided to go out in the afternoon for another few miles.  Only this time we took Rhulain.  She did well for most of the walk ... only one little spook that was easily managed.  

Had a great time with both of my "kids"! 

Sweat and Tears - All the Joys of Horsemanship

30 minutes ground work
36 minutes - 1.15 miles - Rhulain
15 minutes - 0.41 miles - Morgan

 Since Rhu had an issue with the branch touching her leg last night, I decided to work with her legs today. I rolled a ball in her stall over and over until she seemed to accept that it wasn't going to eat her.  After 30 minutes she let me touch her all over with the ball and kick it right to her while she stood still.  She was drenched in sweat, but finally calm.

I let her rest for a bit before saddling her up. We rode around the yard, then out the gate to step over brush and trash, then back to the yard for a lap ... rinse and repeat the pattern. She got a good grooming since she was still drenched, lots of praise, but no snacks.

About an hour later, I saddled up Morgan for the kid and worked on releasing the "reins" when stopping.  We worked on sitting the trot, and he got a bit ahead of me ... then the doberman got excited and snapped at Morgie's butt ... she took off running.  

I caught up with them a minute later, and found him in the saddle crying.  I asked him why there were tears and he said he was afraid of falling.  I told him tears were allowed only after falling!  Then we talked about why she ran off, how well she took care of him, and praised him for staying in the saddle without grabbing on to the horn.  Not a bad lesson.

Morgie & Sundance Ride Again

19 minutes - 0.50 miles - Morgan & Kid, Sundance

The kid and I did chores all day.  All.Damn.Day. Finally, we able to squeeze in a ride.  I saddled Morgan and left the kid in charge while I put on Sundance's headstall.  They did pretty well together, though he forgets to release when stopping. When reminded, he immediately drops the reins. Fortunately, Morgan's a patient girl.  We both start horse riding lessons in January ... can't wait!

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!