PLAYTIME! Sort of....

Since everyone else in the office is on holidays, we got ot leave a little early from work yesterday. Just enough to make it to the barn and still have a little daylight left to play with! And the weather was even being reasonable, so that was a total bonus.

When I got there, Mo was on the other side of the lower pasture fence again, and she just looked at me while I approached, so I went out back with a cookie and a halter to see Indy. When I got to the back door I was swarmed by Trixe and Tucker and Pride. I was able to defend my space enough with out [I hope] being rude, just in a "Sorry I am not just here to socialize with you all today" kind of way. They made their way carefully away across the ice while Indy actually came to me! I was so relieved when she did, because the last time I had a halter in my hand [even after all kinds of great come to me at liberty stuff!] she walked in the other direction.

She walked right up to me and said hi! When I went to put the halter on I wasnt demanding at all, I just WAITED. That is a HUUUGGGEEEEE thing for me that I learned at the ISC. I waited for it to be her choice to put the nose piece over her nose, and that made all the difference to her. As soon as it was her choice, and the halter was on, she licked at chewed A LOT! YEY for good starts!

When I sent her through the gate into the barn she tried to go in her stall, which is the first one on the left, so I had to stop her and brought her back to the gate for a cookie so she would hopefully see the point is to stick with me, not make up her own story lines for now...

We played a little practice yo-yo up and down the barn aisle before going outside onto the laneway - which was now perfectly melted and I have somewhere to play!! We walked partway down the laneway, going handy grass patch to handy grass patch - she was thrilled with that because the pasture is obviously picked clean. The mysterious re-appearance of grass in december is nigh unheard of!

We moseyed down the lane past the swingset and into the yard where there was some tasty longer grass. Indy was pretty pleased with that. After point to point grazing for a little while I tested how light we could be to get up and leave the grass - she is pretty light! On the laneway again we played with walk/stop beside me transitions. The first stop leaked a little, but when I added in back up she understood the intention more and each other stop was right with me! Back up is still a little stick, its not her favorite direction to go, but its definately better!

The first time I transitioned from walk to trot she got this big energy burst and I could hear her doing her BIG TROT behind me, and she came up and passed me for two steps and then, just when I was thinking I would have to get in a power position to hang onto her [we have done this before] she disengaged herself and looked at me like "OH boy, that was a big energy burst... can you help me control it??" I was floored! Indy got a cookie for that! And we played more with trotting not being a scary-cant-go-there-without-being-right-brain place. Just two steps of slow trot and then walk or stop. Transitions, lots of them, until we got a few steps of slow calm trot without it looking like it might explode any second. YEY!

And thats where we stopped! Mo was at the fenceline by this time, and its a good thing she was. I like to play forever, but Indy right now needs short little bursts of learning [because it makes her unconfident] combined with lots of happy go lucky undemanding time, so she still likes to be around me. Having Mo waiting for me at the fence essentially tapping her watch MADE me stop with Indy when I should because I wanted a chance to get Mo out of the icey ring to. So Indy and I walked back to the barn, still practicing our transitions, and when I let her go, she actually turned her head to me AFTER I took the halter off. What a nice treat!

Catching Mo was easy... go anywhere near her, she comes over and tries to find the halter and shoves her face in it so we can GO ALREADY! It might be anthropomorphizing, but to me it looked like she was ecstatic to see me and tickled pink that we were doing something. LOVE IT!

We slowly stepped across the ice and out the gate onto the laneway. I could see Mo visably relax when she realized she had solid footing under her. It must be terrible trying to walk on mostly ice all day! I think it is better out further into the pasture, but come 5:00, they all start coming to the barn begging for dinner!

After loving on Mo for a bit I took off at a trot over to where I had been grazing with Indy. Mo sumarily attacked the grass with an enthusiasm reminiscent of a fat kid given smarties... it was so cute! Her ears were all perked and she was all happy to just eat grass! Thats pretty much all I did with Mo, just hang out with her, shadow her while she ate, let her graze until it was dark and then bring her back to the pasture.

She was so funny when I was trying to leave. She kept shoving her head under the gate chain [two narrow gates chained together, space in between] thinking she could fit and sneak in with me. Then giving up on that and putting her head OVER the gates and into the barn so I couldnt close the doors. Mo got a lot of extra hugs because she was so persistant. I had run out of cookies in my pocket though, so when I finally got the door closed [sorry Mo] I ran into the tackroom to grab a few more then out to the front gate to call Mo for her treats, so she wouldnt get attacked at the back door.

I think she knew exactly what I was doing because as soon as I called her name she was on her way over. I feel like if it had been solid ground she would have trotted to me. She got her extra cookies and love and then I finally had to go home. She always looks so forlorn when I leave her at the gate like that.... I keep telling her I WILL come back though.

It was really nice to be able to play with/hang out with both of them. Even if it was just short, fifteen minutes maybe for Indy, maybe a little more for Mo before it got dark? Or maybe a hlaf hour for both... I am not sure, I lose time when I am there.. but I was there for an hour doing all that I did. But yes, very nice, I felt very successful with Indy, which was a welcome change, as she has been my brick wall, and hang time with Mo always makes me happy.

I am SO glad I got that time yesterday, because today the winds are gusting around 100kms and its COLD. Welcome back Winter.... dang..!

:-)
S

Ponies are TO Useful

For everyone who thinks horses are useless, I defy you with this story.

Yesterday the weather was... interesting. Gorgeous, but interesting. Sunday is my day to do stalls, so I went out to do them, marvelling in the WARM that came in over night. Eleven whole degrees. Celsius. That is ABOVE freezing! Snow was melting left right and centre! The laneway was almost ice free, and the sun was almost out. Whoo! While I was doing stalls though the wind picked up... to 100km... WHOO! So obviously... in my infinate wisdom, reveling in the warm, I decide to go out with my handy carrot chunks and spread the orange love.

The pasture was pretty much still an ice chunk unfortunately. But it was ok, because I could sort of jump poop pile to poop pile - gross, but effective! Pride was adorable and met me at the gate. She has decided I am her new best friend and now comes with me eveyrwhere. I think it is so cute. She gets this cute little whuffley breath when she gets happy and she always does it when I am coming now, and she looks at me all perky.

So I crossed the ice after seeing Pride, and she came to. Tucker came to say hi, so he got a little treat and then I got to Crystal and Tripp onmy way to get within yelling distance of Mo [windy...] Crystal was all OH BOY A PEOPLE! but Tripp is always more reserved, so I waited for him to come to me before giving him anything. This approach really seems to be working for ihim, Mr Skeptical, because on my way OUT of the feild later, he walked right up to me and Indy and basically said "cookie please?" which was cool. He is very polite about it, gently takes it and does the horsey equivilant of saying thank you. Cute.

Mo was out in the lower part of the pasture with Trixie and Clarisse, across a huge expanse of poop-free ice that I wasnt about to cross... so I do the clever thing adn start yelling her name at the top of my lungs [which sounds dismally silent in the wake of howling winds] and waving my arms hoping to catch her attention. As if I can possibly adore her even more, Mo looks up and comes over - as far as the fenceline, avoiding the gate where there is tons of ice. I get the "Whatcha got?" look so I give her a bunch of carrots and then go find Indy, since neither of us were crossing the ice right now.

Indy was part way out in the big pasture, so I went over to see her. She came over to me when she finally noticed me so that was nice. We played a little tag-for-cookies for a little while, and a little stick to me which was a FIRST and very fun! She LOVES food, and sort of needs to learn a little decorum when taking cookies from fingers... but I will work on that. I am still just happy with her wanting to be with me - food induced or not!

We wandered over to Mo who was watching us at the fenceline to share some more carrots with her and Candy who wandered over, that was fun. Indy got a little offended that the pony warranted carrots as much as she did so I had to be the leader enough to keep the peace. I actually got her to back up by the nose really lightly to - which is something she has always leaned on me for, so whoo!

Finally, my fingers were getting cold from all the hrosey slobbers so I decided it was time to go in, and Indy followed me like Old Faithful all the way to the ring gate where Tripp met us happily and got some more carrots. More leadership points for Indy because she doesnt like to share.

And then I had to cross the ice. The BIG ice. The ice I avoided by going all the way around the edge of the ring before. *sigh* I started doing the poop pile hop, but soon ran out. Horses arent stupid, they know not to hang out on ice! I was looking around thinking I would really like my Jax about now [he is a good balance board] when there is Mo! She is walking all happy in my direction, l;ooking proud that she navigated the ice to get to me [she is so cute] PERFECT! I spent a few mintues just loving on her and giving her carrots when she got to me and then grabbed mane and asked her forwards. AND WE WENT!

She was a perfect angel, walking us across the ice, straight to the gate. My very own guide-pony. GOtta love her!!! I was so thrilled! And, so was she because of the amount of carrot chunks she got!! Hopefully she will remember the tasty bits next time I need a hand across something.

So there you have it, my pony is not useless, she HELPS. A lot! :-)

:-)
S

Adorable Indy

Just a little happening today. It has been ice raining and cold and obviously the holidays. So I havent done to much in the way of ponies, other than make sure they are fed and happy :-)

Today when I went to get hay for Dakota I called a hello to Indy and Mo who both looked up, and then went about my business. I hauled out hay and grain to the truck and was all ready to go, but first I wanted to say hello to Pride, who was right by the barn. She is just so cute. She is this adorable standerdbred 29 year old mare. I grew up learning to ride on her - an ex pacer! She is an adorable old lady these days.

Much to my surprise, when I stopped to say hi to Pride, I noticed that Indy, of all horses, was making her way over to us at the gate from halfway across the feild! WOW!! I ran inside to grab a cookie for her and waited. She got all the way to the ring fence and then got stuck. I think she forgot the gate was still open so I made my way over to her. Pride got all happy and hufy so I gave her half a cookie - this mare is impossible to catch when you want her!Indy just looked tickled pink that I was coming to see her and she met me at the gate WHAT A DOLL!

Her eyes were just so bright and happy that I ave her the cookie, a horsemans handshake and a hug! We hung out for a while, with her expressing her desire for more cookies by nibbling [attempting] on my mitts and jacket. She is just so cute! She looked so happy.

When I finally walked back to the gate to go back to the truck, both Indy and Pride followed me. They were both adorable!!

This change in Indy, her suden interest in me, is amazing. I love it! I cant wait until the weather starts to remember it actually likes me again... so we can PLAY!

:-)
S

The Horse is Our Gift

Someone posted this on Savvy Club and I really enjoyed it, so here it is;

To have a horse in your life is a gift. In the matter of a few short years, a horse can teach a young girl courage, if she chooses to grab mane and hang on for dear life. Even the smallest of ponies is mightier than the tallest of girls. To conquer the fear of falling off, having one's toes crushed, or being publicly humiliated at a horse show is an admirable feat for any child. For that, we can be grateful.

Horses teach us responsibility. Unlike a bicycle or a computer, a horse needs regular care and most of it requires that you get dirty and smelly and up off the couch. Choosing to leave your cozy kitchen to break the crust of ice off the water buckets is to choose responsibility. When our horses dip their noses and drink heartily; we know we've made the right choice. Learning to care for a horse is both an art and a science. Some are easy keepers, requiring little more than regular turn-out, a flake of hay, and a trough of clean water. Others will test you - you'll struggle to keep them from being too fat or too thin. You'll have their feet shod regularly only to find shoes gone missing. Some are so accident-prone you'll swear they're intentionally finding new ways to injure themselves.

If you weren't raised with horses, you can't know that they have unique personalities. You'd expect this from dogs, but horses? Indeed, there are clever horses, grumpy horses, and even horses with a sense of humor. Those prone to humor will test you by finding new ways to escape from the barn when you least expect it.

Horses can be timid or brave, lazy or athletic, obstinate or willing. You will hit it off with some horses and others will elude you altogether. There are as many "types" of horses as there are people - which makes the whole partnership thing all the more interesting. If you've never ridden a horse, you probably assume it's a simple thing you can learn in a weekend. You can, in fact, learn the basics on a Sunday, but to truly ride well takes a lifetime. Working with a living being is far more complex than turning a key in the ignition and putting the car or tractor in "drive." In addition to listening to your instructor, your horse will have a few things to say to you as well. On a good day, he'll be happy to go along with the program and tolerate your mistakes; on a bad day, you'll swear he's trying to kill you. Perhaps he's naughty or perhaps he's fed up with how slowly you're learning his language. Regardless, the horse will have an opinion. He may choose to challenge you (which can ultimately make you a better rider) or he may carefully carry you over fences - if it suits him. It all depends on the partnership - and partnership is what it's all about.

If you face your fears, swallow your pride, and are willing to work at it, you'll learn lessons in courage, commitment, and compassion in addition to basic survival skills. You'll discover just how hard you're willing to work toward a goal, how little you know, and how much you have to learn. And, while some people think the horse "does all the work", you'll be challenged physically as well as mentally. Your horse may humble you completely. Or, you may find that sitting on his back is the closest you'll get to heaven. You can choose to intimidate your horse, but do you really want to? The results may come more quickly, but will your work ever be as graceful as that gained through trust? The best partners choose to listen, as well as to tell. When it works, we experience a sweet sense of accomplishment brought about by smarts, hard work, and mutual understanding between horse and rider. These are the days when you know with absolute certainty that your horse is enjoying his work.

If we make it to adulthood with horses still in our lives, most of us have to squeeze riding into our over saturated schedules; balancing our need for things equine with those of our households and employers. There is never enough time to ride, or to ride as well as we'd like. Hours in the barn are stolen pleasures.

If it is in your blood to love horses, you share your life with them. Our horses know our secrets; we braid our tears into their manes and whisper our hopes into their ears. A barn is a sanctuary in an unsettled world, a sheltered place where life's true priorities are clear: a warm place to sleep, someone who loves us, and the luxury of regular meals. Some of us need these reminders.

When you step back, it's not just about horses - it's about love, life, and learning. On any given day, a friend is celebrating the birth of a foal, a blue ribbon, or recovery from an illness. That same day, there is also loss: a broken limb, a case of colic, a decision to sustain a life or end it gently. As horse people, we share the accelerated life cycle of horses: the hurried rush of life, love, loss, and death that caring for these animals brings us. When our partners pass, it is more than a moment of sorrow.

We mark our loss with words of gratitude for the ways our lives have been blessed. Our memories are of joy, awe, and wonder. Absolute union. We honor our horses for their brave hearts, courage, and willingness to give.

To those outside our circle, it must seem strange. To see us in our muddy boots, who would guess such poetry lives in our hearts? We celebrate our companions with praise worthy of heroes. Indeed, horses have the hearts of warriors and often carry us into and out of fields of battle. Listen to stories of that once-in-a-lifetime horse; of journeys made and challenges met. The best of horses rise to the challenges we set before them, asking little in return.

Those who know them understand how fully a horse can hold a human heart. Together, we share the pain of sudden loss and the lingering taste of long-term illness. We shoulder the burden of deciding when or whether to end the life of a true companion.

In the end, we're not certain if God entrusts us to our horses--or our horses to us. Does it matter? We're grateful God loaned us the horse in the first place.

Author Unknown

Little Things That Make You Go Awww

I think today is one of the coldest days yet this year. Incredibaly chilly PLUS a windchill. Just not fair. Simply not fair at all. Today was our baking day for all the pre-christmas things. Two people came out to see Dakota. The first one isnt very promising, didnt even want to ride, but the second was a VERY nice lady who really seemed to get on well with him and she rode and things and it seemed good. She is looking at another horse after christmas though, so we will see how it works out.

This afternoon though, when I went to pick up some hay for Dakota, Mo and Indy were so cute! I was just going out into the ring to say hi to them for a second, but it never ends up that way, does it? They both walked over to me, which was a REALLY nice treat. I gave them each a hug and a piece of cookie I had from playing with Kota earlier. They really liked that!

I hung out with them for a few minutes and then noticed Trixie pacing the fenceline like she forgot there was a gate and she thought she was locked out from everyone else. How weird! So I ran over to the gate to try to get her attention - I was worried she might try to jump or something - and then behind me I hear this crunch crunch crunch..... I turn around and there is Mo TROTTING behind me!!!!

I just about burst. My liberty, I have said before, is the savvy I neglect and therefore it isnt very good. The last few days in Ocala we were actually finally playing and doing some good stuff at liberty but then obviously I had to leave... BUT WOW! I havent had draw like that with her before! She was trotting after me! I hadnt even asked her to come! I was amazed.

After I got Trixie to relax and be on the right side of the fence I started running around again and guess what... Mo kept running with me! We ran and played tag around for a good fifteen minutes! It was so much fun! I was actually warm to because I had a zillion layers on PLUS snowpants! I forgot how much I love my snow pants - they are even SAVVY with beltloops I can put my string on. That is my big annoyance with winter [one of several] is that I end up wearing a zillion layers of fleece and flannel and none of them have belt loops so I never have a string handy when I need it! So big bonus that my snowpants have belt loops :-)

Me and Mo played for a good while, and at the end, Indy was even joining in! One big breakthrough with the two of them is that they were standing close together - think line up, Mo, then me then Indy - and they werent trying to kill each other!!! Which is very new! I like to think its because I am being a good leader for Mo, because she is always the defensive one who starts it. Her bubble is LARGE!

So thats my story. OH! And Mr Shy Guy, Tripp, actually came over to say hi and got close enough to get a cookie. Fun stuff. I was totally thrilled that I got to play tag - in my rustley noisy snowpants none the less! Mo is such an awesome girl! Indy is getting so curious about me to! Its great! She was going through this "pfft.. I dont need you" phase right when I got back, so I hope seeing Mo get so excited and happy every time I come is helping.

Thats another thing I adore. EVERY time I get to the barn and call Mo's name, her head snaps up and shes all OMG YOUR HERE WHERE ARE YOU!? And she comes right over to get a hug. Its SO adorable! I love my ponies <3

:-)
S

Hard Choices

Now that I am basically settled back from my adventure I have had a lot to think about. A lot a lot. I want very much to back and participate in the Extern Program with Parelli. I want my future to be in Parelli, and to do that I need to get back to Florida or Colorado. Either will do, although I would prefer to leave sooner rather than later. Which begs the money question. How do I get it? What do I do with it? How can I be smart about it? Where will it come from once my job ends?

It also begs the question of horses. I have three, yet only a two horse trailer. A recent fiasco has seen Dakota evicted from his barn, and so he is at home. This is working out alright, but it isnt my favorite layout. I do prefer keeping all three in one place, just for convienence sake, but this is what I have to do, so be it. Sadly, since I have been back I havent done anything basically but go and feed ponies. The weather has been dreadfull, and is scheduled to get worse. Cold subzero and windy, with upcoming forty centimeters of snow. Joy oh bliss.

So the choice I have made: I have decided that in this situation, right this second, I am not being fair to Dakota. I dont have the time to dedicate to such a great horse in the prime of his life because I am infatuated with Mo and Indy. Both are young and need the time, and when I think of who I want to play with more, it is them. Mo I adore just because she is who she is, and Indy fascinates me with all the talent she has about EVERYTHING! She could do L4 stuff no problem [when I figure out how to do it first]

Thus the desicion has come about that it is time to sell Dakota. It has been a really difficult choice to come to terms with, but I know in my heart that it is right for him. And thats what this has to be about. It isnt fair to him that I would be galivanting off for months at a time with Indy and Mo and then leaving him high and dry all alone at home to sit in a pasture. He deserves his very own person to love and dote on JUST him. He is that great. Sure he can be a dork, but what horse is perfect all the time?

They say that if you love something, set it free, right? Well, since I am pretty sure it isnt legal to just open the gate and let him go, I am doing my best to find him a new home that will suit him and be his next forever home. He has been with me for almost nine years. I dont want him to have the trauma of home jumping now. I am going to be very picky about where he goes.

So thats my news.... sad but true.

S

The Trip Debrief

I am now officially back in Canadia – the affectionate name B gave to my frost ridden home country. I am starting to wind down from my post school adrenaline. But not so much. The last two weeks were especially intense for me, as I am just starting my own Finesse. There were a few days where I attended morning class, vacuumed up all the info I could, and then took off shopping for the afternoon because my brain was melting. My brain was just so full that I couldn’t be in the moment for Mo, so I didn’t want to cheat her.

My internet is down right now so I cant remember my last blog, but I know its been a while. I think the last time I wrote was on Jumping Day in Fluidity 1. Since then a lot has happened. After being in the jumping Demo, Mo and I had a great few days. We played with all of the Freestyle concepts we were learning and had a great time. I got to see Twilight on the day it opened – and again on the next day! B and I went and took our Europeans too.

The weekend of Fluidity 1 ending was supposed to be Beach Weekend, but the weather wasn’t agreeable so we postponed. Fluidity 2 began with only 14 people checking in. I would have helped with check-in again, but there really wasn’t enough to do! J, my hostess, was actually attending this course to, so we got to hang out a lot more! Instead of helping on check in, I went over and watched Brandon Crew trim and shoe a bunch of horses. Very interesting stuff! The whole methodology of balancing a horse is really intriguing. I should probably learn how to trim my own horses in a vaguely soon manner… Mo could have used a touch up while we were away.

In Fluidity 2 me and Mo were in another demo! This one was about bending properly on a circle and snakey bends. Since I had no idea how I was supposed to do these things, I thought it would be a prime demo to participate in! I LOVE being in demos like that – it was a perfect mini lesson on how to help support Mo through her spaghetti noodleyness and help her find the right bend through pushing with my KNEE – NOT LOWER LEG! One little adjustment from lower leg to knee and VOILA ! Success. AND do in my body what I want her to do. That has been a really powerful statement for me – the biggest thing being sideways on the ground so far. Her hind end tends to lag, so on one of the last days [Tuesday maybe?] I started to finally clue in and mess with my body language, shifting my hips over more and her hind end instantly tracked over! SERIOUSLY! I felt dense, but at least I did eventually get, even if I am slow!

The first weekend in Fluidity 2, the weather gods finally agreed to our standards for a day at the beach. First thing Saturday morning M, B and me loaded up Jack, Chance and Mo and took off en route to the BEACH! The beach we picked wasn’t just any old beach on a lake… no, it was the COAST!! An hour and a half from the centre is a HUGE gorgeous beach on the ATLANTIC ocean that just goes for miles and miles – we didn’t even find the end! We showed up around 11 I think [?] and played on the ground first [obviously!]

All three horses were total stars. Literally! We apparently signed up to be the entertainment for the day because all the people on the beach were looking our way and taking pictures with cameras or cell phones. It wasn’t long before a crowd actually came to visit Jack, who kept bee-lining to them.

We played approach and retreat with the waves until everyone was in to their bellies and knees. It was amazing. When we mounted up it was like a dream come true – one of those things you always have on your Bucket List, you know? We all rode bareback off down the beach. We walked and trotted on and on and on. We waded into the water – and found the most interesting thing…… Standing in the moving water, on a horse that is standing still, feels like being in a crazy kitchen. The tide is coming in and out, the horse is still, but you feel certain that they are drifting backwards or sideways – for me it was enough of a strong feeling that I grabbed mane to make sure she really wasn’t moving. It was the most bizarre thing!!

Eventually we turned around and headed back to B’s trunk, which is like a pantry, for some lunch. The ponies were happy to go and stood tied nicely while we ate. After eating we tacked up and rode down to the beach again. We played and played on the beach, racing around, taking pictures and videos and generally having a blast. Chance was so funny, we would walk up beside him and he would pin only one ear at Mo. Just the ear on the side she was on. It was to cute, I have never seen anything like that before. And I don’t just mean ear back, I mean FLAT to the head on one side, and perky happy on the other. SO funny! Chance and Mo had snarky face making contests. Chance would turn and make a face, then go back to walking straight, and then Mo would turn and make her face and go back to walking straight… lather rinse repeat. To funny.

We didn’t want to leave the beach in the afternoon, but we had to get home… The best day ever came a close with a beautiful sunset. I cant wait to go back!

And so the last week of Fluidity snuck up on me. Me and M were lamenting the fact that we have to go home to cold snow – M is from Michigan, so she feels my pain! B gets to stay in Florida with J, in our now empty echoey room … Hopefully to start the apprenticeship in January! [GOOD LUCK!!!!]

There was sooooo much info in the last week, I cant even express. Thank goodness for notes, because I couldn’t remember it all in one shot. I found out that Mo is ready for finesse, and she picked up fluid rein in one session. We played with duck landings and suspension rein. Avery also pointed out that her bit-fidgetyness was not an opposition, but her just asking questions. VERY cool. We rode in the confidence snaffle pretty much for this course. Except for a few times when I could feel Mo getting fried [ just like me!] and I ditched everything and went and played bridless and bareback in a round pen. M’dear enjoyed that.

I discovered that as much as I adore the end result of Finesse, I have a tiny little brace about it. I haven’t figured out the root of it yet, or exactly what I am bracy about, but I feel it there, and that’s half the battle. One more thing to work on – whoo!
I decided to apply for the Apprenticeship Program. I just need to save up, and hope I get accepted. It would be so much fun to go to Colorado!!

BIG NEWS: On Finale day, I had to wait for the vet [because of stupid extenuating circumstances] and so I was missing the little graduation ceremony. I finally went back into class to sit and watch and wait for K to come tell me he was here and no sooner do I walk in than John is pushing me up to the front and Avery is telling me to come here… Obviously I am very confused by this point, and even more so when she tells me to turn around… I thought maybe it was a simulation for something so I played along and turned around … I turn around face the class and then… A BLUE STRING IS DRAPED AROUND MY NECK!!!! I had taped and submitted my level 2 tasks on the third week and I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much squeeing and hugging Avery and Kathy later, I found a seat with M, who had grabbed my certificate for me [thanks!] The vet did finally come, and Mo and I got our pass out of Florida.

The weekend inevitably drew nearer, and Friday came when I had to pick up my dad at the airport so we could make the journey home. On the up side, we went boot shopping and I am now the proud owner of a pair of cowboy boots!

Saturday morning we went and loaded Mo and my things and set off on our journey home. We made it no problem to NC for the night – although it was COLD. We set of at 6 am the next morning for the long haul home – a trip we did in two days we crammed into one, neglecting to stop in PA this time. We pulled into home at 2 am, unloaded Mo, ditched the trailer and went to Dad’s. It was so late/early I just didn’t bother to do the return trip home and crashed on his couch.

Much to my pleasure my Aunty was off on Monday so I got to hang out with her and catch up and talk for most of the day – until she had to go to the dentist, but Chels was home an hour later so I probed her for the goings on when she got there.

Dakota and Indy are FAT! I pulled in on Monday morning at nap time apparently because Kota was sleeping. He let me come and hug him while he layed down, which was really cool, and I controlled myself to wait for Indy to come to me before hugging her to.

I was off from work on Tuesday too, so I slept in [something I haven’t done in six weeks!] and snuggled with Cairo – I missed that kitty more than I thought! He was adorable and following me everywhere and meowing at me to hug him. Goodness I love him! <3

Tuesday was stormy. Winter Storm Watch and all that… yey… welcome back to Canadia! EW! I still went to the hardware store, grocery store and then to visit my ponies. Even though I closely resembled the Michelin Man, I made it out to see them. It was snowing quite hard by then and Mo looked miserable. I opened the back door to the barn and called her name. Her head FLEW up, she looked for me and RAN! She ran to me! It was so cute! I brought her in, got all the snow and ice off her that I could and gave her some hay. She liked that.

My next mission was de-snarling Indy’s mane. She has that nice straight hair that gets snarly and tangled so easy… *Sigh* I went out to fetch her, but instead of barging into the pasture I waited at the gate… and waited and waited… Dakota finally got curious and came over and started Spanish Walking to see if it would get him a cookie. Seriously Kota? SO CUTE!!! The look on his face was priceless.

Indy finally waddled over [although honestly it is NICE to see her chunky after how much Ivy sucked out of her!] and I walked over to say hi. I let her be the first on to touch me before rubbing her withers and offering the halter. I tried to remember everything I learned in LHB and offered zero brace. It took a while, and it was hard to wait in the blowy snow and frosty cold, but it paid off when she put her nose in the halter. I did it up and then did the hardest thing for an extrovert…. I waited…. And waited some more. After what felt like an eternity Indy finally licked and chewed!!! SUCCESS!!!

When I turned to go to the gate, guess what, zero brace, she was right with me with slack in the line! Through the gate no problem and on to the barn entrance which was partially blocked by a tractor… well, approach and retreat similar to trailer loading and she went in confidently. I had her go first because I didn’t want her to suddenly get claustrophobic and run me down. Safety = Savvy and all that…

I spent a good amount of time getting the snow off of her, and bushing out her mane and just loving on her. Every time I approached I asked her permission to touch her, because one of the things we talked about was horses who shiver [like they do for flies] when a person touches them. Indy does this and I learned it was her saying I didn’t have permission so I asked her a lot of questions and let her always be the first one to touch me. I had a very different look from her at the end of this session.

I played with picking up her feet with INTENTION and you know what? She tested me once and that was it. I have been fighting with her and her feet for a year…. DOH. When I put her back out she went right past the tractor when I sent her and was really soft. HOW INTERESTING!

After finishing with her I toweled off Mo as best I could and put her back outside. She wasn’t to pleased, but I couldn’t leave her in all day. It was still crappy and snowing so I went home to clean and organize my room and catch up on my Heartland – since it’s a Canadian show, I couldn’t watch it stateside!

Today I am back at work, its ok, but not Florida. I really want to look forward to each day and be pumped about getting up in the morning. Each day I am working my way back to Florida .. or Colorado, whichever comes first!

:-)
S