Missing the Girls

It's dark when I wake up and dark when I get home.  We're only able to ride on the weekends now and I've been missing my mares.  Rather than go out and feed right away, I grabbed two brushes and headed in to the turn out.

I started with Rhulain and when she figured out there was no halter in hand, no saddle pad anywhere, and no pressure to do anything she relaxed.  She tried to groom me and flattened her ears whenever Wasabi tried coming over.  It was cute.

Felt a nudge on the shoulder, so I turned my attention to my Morgie.  It was nice to spend time near her with absolutely no time constraints.  I love that she is getting her "fuzzy jammies" ... running my fingers through all that fuzz makes me happy.

Turned towards Wasabi and only got one side done before she took off.  Majesty was not up for cuddling and he walked off.  Sundance needed her mane pulled so I spent a good amount of time working on it and talking.  She's a great listener and ever so patient.

Wasabi came over as I was heading out of the turn out and asked for some time.  I was glad to provide some snuggle time, scratches, and a good brushing.  This might become an evening ritual until the time changes and I can start walking again.

Invaders in our Sand Dunes, Neighbors Getting Burgled, and Majesty's Eyesight

45 minutes - 2.28 miles - Morgan, Bill & Majesty

Morgan asked for head scratches ... she swears the bitless is itchy because Rhulain has cooties.  I told her I have the brown one if she wanted to switch, but it might have Sundance cooties and we'd have to walk back to the tack shed.  She decided I should just scratch her forehead some more.

Majesty and Bill had to wait until Morgie got her full head scratching session completed before they could head out the gate.  Sorry guys!

We noticed a white spot in Majesty's right eye as Bill was grooming him.  I think he might have moon blindness, as the eye was watery last week.  We'll do some research and schedule a vet appointment for the old guy.  In the meantime, I kept Morgie in his field of vision so he wouldn't have to crane his neck to find us.

Majesty's hearing hasn't been affected ... say the word "treat" and look how his ears prick right up!

Noticed the back window of our neighbor's house has been pried open.  That house has stood vacant for the 4.5 years we've lived there and no one has bothered it until now.  Our other neighbor had his quad stolen from his property last Wednesday.  *sigh*  Glad we have fences and the dogs running the property.

While we were out, three cars passed us and headed down a wash ... no reason for cars to be there unless they're shooting or dumping (both of which are illegal).  They drove down the wash where the calf/goat carcass is and then got out of the cars with their dog.  As we approached, Majesty caught a whiff of the carcass and started acting out; Morgan saw the dog and started acting silly.

We got the horses calmed down by heading a little farther north then circling around the sand dune.  Looks like the carload of people wanted to take pictures and climb dunes.  I know it's rude, but I hate sharing my dunes with outsiders.

All in all, a disgruntling ride.  The horses were awesome, but I don't like where the neighborhood is headed and I'm worried about Majesty.

Einstein Walks The Plank

22 minutes - 1.02 miles - Rhulain, Bill with Einstein and Zeus

Bill decided to take Zeus and Einstein for our walk today.  Zeus does well on walks but Einstein has limited leash experience.  After the first couple minutes, Einstein figured out how to stay on his side and to watch Bill's feet for speed and direction.

 

Rhu: What are they doing over there?

Me: It looks like Bill is teaching Einstein how to walk up a plank.

Rhu: Take as long as you need little dog.  I'll be right here eating while you figure it out.

 Me: Well, that didn't take long.  What, two minutes?

Rhu: Dinner's late and snacking time got cut short. Not happy.

Me: Love you Rhu!

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.

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.

Still Working Things Out

51 minutes - 2.28 miles - Rhulain
20 minutes - ground work

I love Rhulain.  She might not feel the same thing about me after today's session though.  

First was trying saddles on for fit.  I realized the new saddle fits perfectly with no pad, but the fleece backed pad was too thick causing pinching in Rhu's shoulders.  I switched it for Morgie's 1/2" felt backed pad and it worked like a charm.

Tossed on her bitless and out the gate we went.  Cotton tail rabbit hopped out from a bush about 30 feet away and Rhu jumped sideways.  We tried going up a sand dune. She lifted her head, started breathing quickly, and planted her front hooves.  I swung out of the saddle and lead her up and around the dune.  Then I got back in the saddle and asked her to follow the exact same path.  Hesitant, but she did.

* Saw a rattlesnake going in to it's hole on another dune nearby.  2nd time I've seen a snake using that hole, so I've made note not to go near that area/dune.

Rhu's brain wasn't with me today, at all.  She was jumpy and headstrong, so I turned her towards home after 10 minutes.  We fought the whole way home because I wanted a walk and she wanted a panicked lope.  We settled for a slightly rushed trot.

Once we got home, we worked on walk-trot-walk-stop in the circular driveway for 20 minutes until I thought we had our cues down.  Then I added a lope component and we fell apart.  

She was trying hard, but she started getting irritated.  I was trying hard, but I started getting irritated.  So we stopped, took deep breaths, and did absolutely nothing for 2 minutes ... a time out for both of us changed our perspective.  She stopped wringing her tail and I remembered the problem was my lack of ability to communicate in a language she understood.  We worked on it for another 15 minutes until I felt we had a good stopping point.  Did we nail it? Nope, but we got better.

  

After almost an hour, she was pretty sweaty.  I pulled out the hose and she made it clear she did NOT like the hose.  So we spent another 20 minutes approaching and retreating with the hose, gently misting her, then waiting until she relaxed.  Got both sides of her torso and all four legs so I called it quits.  Scraped off the extra water and told her our next outing would be fun again.  We'll back burner the downward transition cue for at least two sessions. 

She promptly rolled in the sand and shook it all over me.  Have I mentioned I love that horse?  I truly do.  I laughed and hugged her hard.

Learning the Half-Halt

20 minutes ground work - Rhulain
16 minutes riding - 0.37 miles

Rhu and I been having trouble with our transitions.  I know she was trained English, so I went online and read how an English rider cues a transition.  I learned was that they use a "half-halt" to signal that a change is coming ... kind of a "pay attention" cue.

I read how to do a half halt, practiced in the car while driving to try and gain muscle memory.  My mantra for the last few days has been "hands steady, sit deep, squeeze with legs, release."

Today Rhu and I spent time in the yard.  I asked her to take a bit today because she was trained with one.  We worked on walk, half-halt, whoa.  Then walk, half-halt, trot, half-halt, walk.  I tried really hard to be consistent and every time I got the cue correct she responded perfectly. I need more work on the trot to half-halt cue.

Rhu had saddle difficulties today.  I had her freestanding and as soon as I turned to get the saddle, she walked off. *sigh*  Caught her, lunged, and then back to the tack shed for saddling.  She ran off and dumped the saddle before I got it cinched. *sigh*  Checked the saddle pad for any debris, checked the saddle for anything that may be poking her, then set it back in place.  After our work out, she spooked when I placed the cinch across the seat (something I've done every time we ride) and she dumped the saddle again. *sigh*

I called her name, she turned around and walked back to me, then put her head in my torso.  I rubbed her ears, cuddled her and told her how very much I loved her and was proud of how well she worked today.  I thanked her for bearing with me while I learned something new and I meant every word.  

I love this horse and when I listen to her she speaks volumes. Today I think she was saying the saddle doesn't fit.  We'll try the treeless again.