More Ground Work & Lips Runs Free

60 minutes - Ground work - Rhulain

Rhulain and I did more flag work until it didn't seem to bother. Then we worked on lunging and stopping on command. A few more bending and flexing sessions, then back to lunging.  Good session and I like where we are heading.

Bill let Lips out so she could wander the yard while he relocated her pen.  She followed me around, head-butted trees, checked out the tack shed, and generally was an adorable nuisance.  Her new pen is closer to the mare motel so she can have company.  The yard will be leveled and construction on the turn out and the goat pen will start next week.

Goatly Kisses

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

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.

You know you've lived in the desert too long when it's 72 degrees and you think "Sweatshirt Weather! Woo Hoo!"

0.5 miles - 12 minutes - Morgan

Overcast, damp ground, sun slipping quickly behind the mountain ... perfect time to squeeze in a walk.  Right?!

I told Morgan she looks like a branded mustang with all that dirt on her neck.  She ignored my comments and grooming attempts in favor of snacking, as usual. 

The goat and Ryver were up to their usual chaotic play ... bark, feigned head butt, romping around ... good times.

I always love getting the first hoof print in the sand after a rain.  Feels like we're the first ones to ever traverse that area.  Got my boot print as well ... just Me and Morgie doing me and Morgie things.

Wasabi and Rhulain looked on as we cruised by the turn out.  Neither wanted to walk, they just wanted dinner to be delivered.

Not much to say ... quick half mile walk with my bestie.  As usual, no fuss, lots of checking me for food, and the obligatory cheesy photo that Morgie likes to take.

Rhulain Likes Music!

29 minutes - 1.08 miles - Rhulain

Lips (the goat) and Ryver (the dobie) were playing tag and generally being annoying.  They kept bumping into me as I was trying to saddle Rhu.

These two insisted on walking Rhu and I to the gate and I think they would have joined us on the walk if I hadn't chased them away.  Sigh.

Discovered a secret about Rhulain today ... she likes music!  Her attention kept getting drawn away from me towards a neighbors' house where they were playing music.  So, I turned on the music player on my phone, dropped it in the saddle bags and she walked along merrily with the beats.

I rode her home through the open desert because that was the path she chose.  She's such an uncomplicated mare!

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!