Happy Birthday Morgan!

13 Minute Ride
Morgan - Solo
0.71 miles

Starting the new month out right ... full of cuddles and smiles

It was wet, cold, and windy yesterday.  Today it was wet, cold, and windy.  Since it wasn't getting any better, I decided to hang out with Morgan for a while.

 

We celebrated her "birthday" by sweet talking Bill into taking a few pictures of Morgan and I before we went for a ride.  Morgan found a few mints in my pockets and was happy to stand around snacking and posing.

Nothing says Happy Birthday like cheesy photos!

 

We only rode for a few minutes ... the wind picked up and was blowing sand in our eyes.  So, I rode Morgan home, untacked her, and gave her some warmed beet pulp before returning her to the herd.  

I just adore my Morgie girl and look forward to many more years with my bestie.

Monthly Totals

February 2015

Morgan - 335 minutes - 5.5 hours
Reagan - 193 min - 3.2 hours
Bill & Majesty - 45 minutes
Wasabi - 0

Total time: 478 minutes, 8 hours

Happy 4 Year Anniversary Morgie Girl ... 

it seems like just yesterday you arrived, and yet it feels like we've been together forever ... 

I must have dreamed about you long before you arrived

Happy 17th Birthday my beloved mare!

Thank you for everything!

Should Have Stuck With The Original Plan

40 Minute Ride
Morgan - Solo
1.82 miles

Does this look like the face of trouble?

Nope, looks like an adorable Morgan ... yet she was a pistol today.  I should have stuck with the original plan of riding Reagan and ponying Morgan today.  I got greedy and figured I could sneak in a 20 minute ride on both Morgan and Reagan.  Mmm hmm.

It started out ok ... we walked for 10 minutes then I swung up into the saddle.  I should have stuck with the original plan and kept to our normal path.  But no, I decided to follow this wash and ride parallel to the sun. Mmm hmm.

Morgan wants a treat for putting up with me. 

And she wants it now.

Once we turned towards home, Morgan got high headed and snorty. She wouldn't walk. At all. I kept having to pull her down to a walk, circle bushes, do figure 8s, flat out run in the opposite direction, whatever I could think of to get her mind back on me.  What should have been a pleasant 20 minute ride turned into a 40 minute fight because I couldn't stick with the original plan.  I forgot she'd had 4 days off and needs a routine.

Sorry Morgie girl. I'll listen to my instincts more and my greedy side less. Tomorrow will be better. I promise.

An A-Ha! Moment ... Quietude

24 Minute Ride
Reagan - Solo
1.16 miles

Reagan: They're all looking at my butt, aren't they?

Today, Reagan:

• put her muzzle in the bitless bridle without any urging
• didn't look behind her when we left the turn out
• held perfectly still while I mounted

 

Reagan navigating the terrain on the path she chose

Today I:

• realized the sun was in Reagan's eyes and made her uncomfortable, so I
• let Reagan be in charge of where we went as long as we were moving forward
• stayed quiet in hands, mouth, thoughts, and attitude

Reagan: Look, they're right where we left them!

Me: Ayup. Usually happens that way.

Today we:

• took the road less traveled and didn't rush home
• provided comfort to each other and just relaxed
• found the Reagan I remembered and fell in love with five years ago

Reagan's Turn!

26 Minute Walk/Ride
Reagan - Solo
1.10 miles

Reagan: Quick, let's get out of here - Majesty sounds upset he's being left behind

Today was Reagan's turn for a walk. I saddled her up with the intention of riding her the half mile home.  Decided to try the bitless bridle today and it seemed to work better than the cross under headstall.

Why are you standing there taking pictures still?  Isn't it time to go?!

She did so much better today leading!  No rushing, no dragging behind, no crowding, and no trying to snack.  I could tell the rocks were bothering her feet, so we walked in the sand next to the road. The terrain changes had her working a bit more and thinking about her foot placement.

Reagan looking contemplative

Had to ask her to stand twice while I mounted, but that's a vast improvement.  Made her flex her neck both ways before walking off at the house, then repeated the request under saddle.  Repetition and consistency seems to help ease her worries. 

In her zen mode ... she's as quiet and calm as can be ... while eating

Rode her the whole way home, with only minor correction.  Anytime she moved faster than a walk she had to circle once then move forward.  Took us five circles, but then she settled to a beautiful walk.  

She jumped over the fallen log today without any prodding and headed for the "U" driveway rather than the gate upon arrival at the house ... which means she's learning the pattern and anticipating my requests.  The routine seems to be helping.

Snowy Morning

13 Minute Walk
Morgan - Solo
0.54 miles

Walked outside to see this:

And 5 soaked horses since it had rained all night.

My poor soggy girl

Morgan was shivering, so I towel dried her off and tossed on the light wool blanket to help her out.  We took a short walk just to help her warm up a bit.

So adorable ... thank you for being MY Morgan !

Two In One Day ... It's starting to be a habit

35 Minutes (25 min walk, 10 min trot)
Rode Morgan - Solo
Distance: 2.91 miles

I got a new saddle pad which fit Morgan perfectly!  Which means the green one belongs to Reagan. Figured it was going to rain tonight, so I'd better get a ride or two in quickly.

Morgan was reminding me I hadn't brushed her mane yet

We walked our normal path before I swung into the saddle.  She's so much better about holding still now when I go to mount.  She set her own pace today with me just providing guidance on where to go and when to slow down for the footing changes.  

Morgan selfies ... they make me laugh

Morg chose the route back, and we meandered through the streets until we arrived home.  It was a wonderful, but too short, ride in my opinion.

Morgan failed to notice a girl walking a dog ... when she did see them, she made a sharp swerve to the right which had me off kilter for a few seconds.   Never had her do that before, but no harm, no foul. 

35 Minutes (20 min walk, 5 min ride, 10 min mounting groundwork)
Walked/Rode Reagan - Solo
Distance: 1.24 miles

Saddled Reagan up just for the practice and because I wanted to see how the green looked on her ... it's not bad ... wish it was teal or navy blue, but I can get used to it

Reagan selfies are just as funny!

Took Reagan for a walk out the front gate, and the goat tried to follow us.  We had to turn around and chase the goat back onto the property.  *sigh*

Reagan is never too pleased about walking, but the tuft of hair between her ears makes me giggle every time I see it

When we got to the normal turn around spot, I led Reagan over to the area I usually mount Morgan from and tried putting my weight in the stirrup.  Reagan immediately moved forward.  So, we spent a few minutes relaxing and learning to just stand quietly while I got settled in the saddle.

Reagan's wonky ears

I slid into the saddle and let her move forward, but she wouldn't walk calmly and was breathing heavily.  I stopped her, walked beside her for a bit, then tried getting in the saddle again.  We had to have the discussion about standing still while I mounted again, but eventually I sat in the saddle and asked her to walk.

Yep, that's the view between sorrel ears, at a nice, calm pace

We repeated the process three more times over the course of a half mile, but finally she held still the first time I put my foot in the stirrup, relaxed into a walk, and dropped her head.  All the tension left her and I grabbed the camera and took a few pictures from the saddle.

She's going to be just fine, as long as I stay calm and quiet, she will learn what's expected and what is acceptable behavior.  I really like this mare ... she just needs guidance.