My Newest Walking Partner

30 Minutes of Walking, 15 minutes ground work
Distance: 1.18 miles

Took Reagan out for a walk this morning.  Morgan tried to run out the gate and was not happy to be left behind. 

Psst, Reagan ... wanna go for a walk with me?

Reagan: Who me?

Me: Yes you cutie!

Awwww, thanks

 Reagan and I had good moments and bad ... she needs consistency when being led and she has some head-shy issues.  Looks like lead ropes must have been whipped near her head ... she's very jumpy and worried.  Some quiet talk and lots of rubbing for correct behavior/ positioning helped settle her down. We have a long way to go.

I can still hear my friends. Maybe we should head back.

We will, once you're done snacking.

We had to spend 15 minutes going in and out of the turnout gate and stall gates this morning. She rushes through with no thought as to where I am positioned, which is dangerous.

Made it safely home! Now, where's breakfast?

Coming your highness.

So we worked on standing still until asked to move towards the gate, and then walking (not rushing) through until asked to stop.  Just going to require a little more time to get her used to our rules.  She tries hard and I appreciate the effort.

Ahhh ... Back in the Saddle

34 Minutes Total
Walking for 20 minutes - Trotting for 12 minutes - Lope - for 2 minutes 
Distance: 2.42 miles  Average Speed: 4.23 mph

Three days in a row ... are you ready for this Morgie?

Hmmm.

Walked beside my Morgie girl for the first 15 minutes then we stopped at our normal spot so she could snack.  She took one mouthful and then walked over to the mounting area and stood still.  Ok then!  I hopped in the saddle and we headed down our path.  

We walked, we talked, we trotted, we sang out loud.  What a great way to start my morning!

We saw a neighbor as we were out and she shouted "I love seeing you squeeze in a ride so early!"  I replied "There's no better way to start your day than hanging out with your horse and seeing the world through fuzzy ears."  It's absolutely true.

Today I was in charge of scouting the path for obstacles and she was in charge of pace and direction.  It worked out wonderfully. Thanks Morgan!

Getting Back In The Routine

25 Minutes of Walking
Distance: 1.15 miles

Went out for a walk this morning with Morgan.  Still a little weak from being sick, but she didn't mind the slower pace.  We walked in the dunes today just for a change of scenery.

Um, Morgan, are you snacking on our walk?

Mmmmph ... *swallow* ... What?

Reagan's first walk

30 Minutes of Walking
Walked Reagan & Morgan
Bill walked Sundance
Distance: 1.09 miles

Came home sick from work on Thursday, and didn't get out of bed until Sunday afternoon.  No walks, let alone rides, for any of the horses or I.  

Reagan got her horseshoes removed on Saturday. Bill said she did well until the farrier touched her right rear leg.  Bill forgot she had a small injury on her right hock, but said she settled down quickly. Sorry I wasn't there to lend moral support Reagan.

The last time I saw the world through a pair of sorrel ears ... Reagan in November 2012

Sunday I thought I could manage a walk so I tossed halters on Morgan and Reagan. Reagan took a while to figure out which side she wanted to walk on.  Once we got that sorted out we headed down the road behind Bill and Sundance.

Reagan alternated between trying her best to touch Morgan or dragging behind us.  I thought having Morgan would help comfort and encourage Reagan, but I'm not sure it did any good.  

Reagan is going to need a refresher course on my expectations for walking on a lead rope.  Going away from the house she was crowding me and returning home she was trying to lead me ... and all the time she was trying to stop and snack.  She tried to walk through the gate at the same time as me, which could be dangerous.  So, we have a bit of work to do.

Reagan and I conquering the open desert ... November 2012

Walking both horses at the same time made me realize how very lucky I am to have Morgan.  We've been together four years now and she knows where I like her positioned, what speed to keep, what the route is, and what the expectations are for our walks.  So very grateful to have Morgie girl.

A little bit of work and Reagan will be back on track as well ... she's smart and she wants to do the right thing. It was unfair of me to expect her to know my rules after having been gone for a year.  Can't wait to start working with her in earnest once I feel better!

Extending our Route

43 Minutes Total
Walking for 31 minutes - Trotting for 10 minutes - Lope - for 2 minutes 
Distance: 2.97 miles

Had a rough start this morning ... I decided to ride rather than walk next to Morg for the first portion and her anxiety at leaving the herd was evident.  Wouldn't walk a straight line or focus for the 15 minutes.  

Once we got to the trotting portion of our ride, she settled in smoothly and we extended our route by an extra half mile.  Simply fabulous on the way home, even when I asked her to walk most of the way.  

Really enjoying our mornings together!

Amazing. Simply Amazing.

25 Minutes Total
Walking for 12 minutes - Trotting for 10 minutes - Lope - for 3 minutes 
Distance: 2.51 miles

We walked half a mile before breakfast,

then I hopped into the saddle and we trotted for 1.5 miles,

loped for .5 mile, and

trotted and walked the last .5 mile.

Absolutely perfect.  Wonderful heart rate, excellent breathing, amazing horse.  She did everything I asked her to do without me having to ask ... she knows the route and the expectation and performed brilliantly.  She got way more than normal amounts of cuddling and praises at home.

Love my Morgie.

Snuck in a ride before the Super Bowl

45 Minutes Total
Walking for 20 minutes - Trotting for 15 minutes - Walking for 10 minutes 
Distance: 3.21 miles

Decisions ...
I decided to change Red's nickname to Reagan.  Her registered name is Smokem Mochem, but calling her Smoke seems silly since she's a sorrel. I had tried Mochie in the past, but that didn't seem to work for either of us.  Since she's getting a new start here, she needed a new name and Reagan seems to suit her well.

Morgan laying down, Reagan watching over the herd, Wasabi snoozing, and Sundance sound asleep

Where is Majesty you might ask?  Well, he was standing by the gate waiting to go out for a ride!  Morgan hopped up as soon as she saw me grab a halter.  Such a nice mare!

Morgan was in a cuddly mood and kept scooting over to rub her head on Bill's leg.  He would absently reach down and rub her hear and she would sigh contentedly.  She was quite happy to let Majesty set the pace and follow along, but moved out very nicely when asked for a trot.  Couldn't be happier with how our progress is going!

Whenever we come in from a walk/ride, Morgan heads straight to the turn out and touches noses with Reagan. It's adorable!  Reagan gets her hooves trimmed on Saturday and then she should be able to start joining us on our daily walks.