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

Sunday, Sunday

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Not so much in the sense of weather - it was humid and threatening rain, although gracefully breezy - but in the sense of what events came to pass.

Saturday during the day my aunt had told me "If its not raining tomorrow, come over and make me ride!" So Sunday morning when I woke up and things were drying off from the night time downpour, I was quite enthused. I walked into their kitchen and proudly announced "Its muggy, its cloudy, its breezy, and we are going riding!" Turned out all four of us would be mounted this day!

When I went to fetch Indy the funniest thing happened. All of the horses except Mo were down by the lower fenceline, bordering Candy's paddock. Mo was off near the road on the barn side. I had to wade through ponies in order to achieve my goal [Indy] because I have been going out for undemanding time with treats in my pockets so now all of the horses are my best friends. I shared a few treats before starting to protect my herd of two and haltered Indy quietly and calmly.... until behind me I hear thunder. No, not thunder. Mo.

I turned around to see what was going on and I see Mo galloping hell bent in our direction looking right at me. She gallops by and I laugh at her and call her name so she trots over with this "You have the wrong horse haltered" look. It was priceless. She hasnt figured out she will be stuck with me for six weeks straight yet....

I gave her some crunches from my pocket while Indy stands back indifferent, and Mo just looks at me with bright eyes. Aww... I hugged her and loved on her a bit, but I really really wanted to take Indy out so I eventually [softly] asked Mo to move. You would think I shunned her for leprosy or something at the way she took off galloping away. My whole [considerable] walk back to the barn was followed by an entourage consisting of the entire herd, with one dorky Mo galloping circles around us with her tail and head up like an Arab, and then trotting for all her Hackney blood is worth. Jesus. What a goober. A gorgeous goober, but a goober none the less. It was hysterical.

My aunt and Chelsea were standing at the fence post when we got closer and asked me what was up with Mo. I had to answer jealousy, because that was completely what it looked like! It was like Mo had super sonic hearing/eyesight and as SOON as I tied that knot on Indys halter she thundered over.

Before I brought Indy into the barn I called Mo's name again and she came to get more hugs, so I am glad she wasnt offended enough to not want her hugs. After I brought Indy back I brought Mo some treats at the gate to, which she came over willingly for, so that was good. An offended Mo is never a good thing, it behooves one to stay in her good graces.

*Pan back to Indy* I spent some time gussying up Indy and saddled her in the stall mostly just because I was trapped and had to kill time. When I could get out, we did and went to play on the ground in the ring. We played with our figure eights with barrels, and I found out that blocking zone one with the carrot stick works better to slow her down than using the rope, so neato!

Indy offered me some really nice sideways steps as well as relatively fast backwards at phase one. She also offered some BEAUTIFUL vertical flexion out on the circle at a trot, stretching into the saddle and new shim positions again. So that was nice. I switched to my hackamore and felt spoiled because the mounting block was out. I sent Indy over to investigate it and she was so cute. She went over to it, sniffed it, and just stood there resting her nose on it until I came over.

When I climbed up onto the block she actually positioned herself for me to! How sweet! Once mounted we set off at a walk [very energetic] and worked on our follow the rail at a walk and trot, with lots of back up transitions - which are getting better! We didnt canter A) because it was to wet and B) because I have decided she needs more balance before we up our speed.

It was a really nice feeling though when she was responsive off of my leg. Both in speed and in turning. It wasnt long ago that I had neither. What a treat. Our general group plan had been a mini trail ride for our outing. So ring stuff was basically just a warm up. A good one though. I have to be more concious of transtions in the trot though. I get so caught up in her wonderful flowy giant stride that I forget to ask for transitions.

Chelsea opened the gate for us as we headed out down the trail. Chelsea and Tripp were in the lead, with Colleen and Candy second, then Indy and me and Aunty and Tucker. We trotted most of the trail, I had to make sure to give them a head start so Indy's super trot wouldnt just over take Candy's pony trot in two strides. It worked out well.

When we decided the galloping trail was to moist for action we walked up the laneway - some where Indy has never been ridden before. I trusted her with a casual rein, and my trust was returned tenfold - she was a STAR! Indy was perfect! Tripp spooked once right in front of us because Legend was rustling in the bushes and she responded perfectly when I did a one rein stop, stopping and relaxing completely. She had only tensed a little when Tripp jumped, but still, I was very proud!

We wandered up the laneway, wending our way slowly until we hit the road. At the road we decided to make a left and ride out the width of the pasture. A good first road ride for Indy - and Tucker for that matter. Indy looked a bit crosswise at the mailboxes, and one of those electric kid cars someone had in their laneway, but I never pushed her and just let her do her own thing. It was perfect. Indy was perfect. We rode the whole time on a completely casial rein, relaxed, happy and interested! I was SO PROUD!

When we got back to the barn and untacked we brought the horses to graze in the backyard. Chels actually got a leg up onto Tripp, so I got an idea and brought Indy over to get personal with Mr. Trampoline. That went super well and I was able to mount her from the crinkly trampoline! How cool! I was pretty proud of the to - especially since the siddling up/sidepass towards thing Mo does isnt something I have taught Indy yet. So YEY Indy!

When I finally let her go out the back gate, she stayed and waited for me to run and get her another handful of crunch. She even kept her happy look when I ran back directly towards her!

What a spectacular horse... she is so clever! I will have to make sure to play with Mo a few sessions in a row now though to aleviate any residual jealousy *giggles*

:-)
S

Flying!

Summer is sadly coming to a close. Last night was only a measley 24 degrees out [celcius] Simply gorgeous riding weather, but in the grand scheme of summer-swimming-weather, its not all that toasty.

When I got to the barn I rounded up my cousin to ride with me. She starts highschool next week [nanner nanner.. butnotreallybecauseIloveschool] and she needs a good sendoff. When we got out to the barn her horse and every other horse except Mo, my darling loner was in the run in shed at the barn. While Chels caught Tripp I let Indy and Ivy in for their dinner. Once they were settled I went out to see about fetching Miss Mo, who was half way out.

The song on my ipod was sort of slow - Low Rider by Queen - so I switched to the next song which was [much to my ever-present amusement] Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake. My history with this song is such that every time I hear it, I giggle a little bit and it puts that extra bounce in my step. So, newly amused and energized I started jiving my way over to Mo, who until then had been ignoring me. Interestingly enough, when my happy attitude came up, my step became springyer and a smile worked its way across my face, Mo looked up and MATCHED my springy happy step to come over to me!!

I was so excited that I waved to Mo and continued on my way to meet her. We met halfway and I gave the obligatory hugs and scatches along with some bug swatting and then - at LIBERTY - we walked our way back to the barn! Mo was so enthused and happy!! I played with my stride on the way back and she mirrored me the whole time, and when we got close to the gate, I got her to put her foot in 'our' tire! It was so neat! We havent played that much with liberty due to lacking proper facilities, so to have that excellent display of relationship like that was a total unexpected JOY!

I finally haltered Mo at the gate, because Tripp was in the barn and I didnt want to risk upsetting him in the crossties. In the barn I brushed and saddled Mo - Chels and I decided on a trail ride. Based on Mo's pre-flight walk to the barn I deemed her ready to go and forwent any other ground play. I forgot my leather short girth at home, but I tried tacking up with Dakota's saddle anyways, with his girth. Ended up having to come back to the barn to change into her regular saddle as it just wasnt stable enough - kept riding up her withers!

Out on our ride Mo was a doll. Casual rein all the way. We played on the trails for a while then crossed the river and played in the long hayfield over there for a while. Then we decided to make our own trail in the forest-ish area .... THAT was fun. It was incredible. Mo had to play total bulldozer at times, with weeds as big as her! We stealthed through the foresty parts and wondered at the beauty in the glades. Eventually the skeeters came out and we had to turn back, but Mo had a blast across the river.

We crossed back to our property and went up the galloping trail where we saw the neighbouring hayfeild was cut and the hay was off. A significant glance in that direction from me was all it took for me and Chels to head that way!! We got to the end of the laneway and saw that the hayfield across the street was also cut, and baled in round bales [which make excellent point-to-points] and that field is actually three feilds all attached and with rolling hills... needless to say we changed tactics and went in that feild!!!

Mo thought that round bales might eat her, so we DID play point to point with four or so of them as we went, canter to each one, grab an [inconspicuous] bite and move on. In no time we were flying around the whole pasture..err... hay field. It was so much fun!

We cantered all the way to the other end and around and up the 'big' hill. On the plateaux we went around some more, weaving in and out of the bales and then got clever and decided to Man-From-Snowy-River it down the hill - which is not all that steep at all. Of course NOW is when I truly fly. Cantering down the hill, Mo sees her shadow and goes *oh no* and does her Mo-spook [patented] shifting to the right by a foot and a half without ever breaking stride. Me on the other hand, totally absorbed in enjoying the flight down the hill, forget to read my horse, missed the momentary *Oh no* and when she shifts [that delightful TEENY tiny spook that I adore about Mo because I CAN ride it] I end up in the dirt, on my ass. Nice!

Thanksfully, nothing broken, just a bruised bum, and I laughed while Chelsea caught Mo for me - who had taken in my WHOOHOO spirit and cantered to the end of the field. Mo came back happy as a clam and I mounted back up, carefull of my tender toushie... Oops. Bet I wont get that distracted again! ONE mistride to land in the dirt - ONE!

Of course none of that stopped me from continuing my canter journey all around and back to the starting point, back to the hill and all the way back again before cooling out. Mo was a TOTAL PRO at maintaing gait to!!! Something that I had HUGE problems with at the start of summer!! How cool!! I love having journals because then I can recognize PROGRESS rather than a vague "Oh this seems better?" kind of thing.

So, we flew together, I flew solo, and we flew together some more. I loved it, it was spectacular, and I was super high on happy endorphins all night and all day today :-)
Even though I had a really creepy vampire dream that I got turned and went against one of my best friends who was on the enemy Pirate team *sigh*


:-)
S

OH! AND MY PARELLI PATTERNS ARE SCHEDULED TO SHOW UP TOMORROW SAYS MY FEDEX TRACKING NUMBER! WHOOOO

Multiple Jacks

Last night was a flurry of activity. In the span of three and a half hours I managed to go to the post office, get gas, do groceries [being clever and getting ALL and only heavy things ...ugh] ride Dakota, ride Indy AND ride Mo!

My afternoon began innocently enough. I planned to hang out with Dakota, because he is home and has just been a pretty pasture ornament for the past few weeks other than undemanding time really. I went over to the fenceline and he was there already, waiting for me with a happy "Is it dinner time yet?" look on his face. I hated to dash his munchy hopes, but I offered solace in a good brushing. He seemed to enjoy that. He did a really cute thing, that is really rare for him to - he explored the thing on the ground! I had dropped the fly spray bottle on the ground near him so I would be able to spray him after I finished brushing him, and there he was, investigating is, lipping it, shoving it around, testing its flavour and generally just playing with the bottle! It was so cute! And so nice to see his little play drive coming out!

After he was brushed and doused in fly repellant we drove from zone three over to a stump to use as a pedestal so I could check out his feet. I've got a call in to the farrier, because I know what Mo and Indy's look like, but I wanted to check his to. They are long but solid, which is interesting because Mo and Indy both have a few cracks... I wonder if the uber wetness at home attributes to the non-cracks? I dont know, hoof health is one of my gray areas. I let my farrier take care of them. I *should* learn more about feet, but I just cant wrap my mind around it.

We played with getting a foot on the pedestal for a while, but Dakota was playing obtuse and was exhibiting the classic Kota " I cant do it - I just cant get positioned right!" halfheartedly flapping his leg around, more often that not just resting the leg, bent at the knee, on the stump. I have to laugh at him. He is such a goober in everything he does. I didnt precisely give up with the stump thing, I just accepted on decent try and then mounted. Ungracefully.

The irony is, I KNOW Dakota is tall, but when I got on I turned and looked and the first thing that crossed my mind [honestly] was "Wow, he is small!" I know, I know, a 16h horse is NOT small BUT! Now hear me out! BUT Dakota is built in an uber compact way, short back, short neck. Mo and Indy are both of the longer variety - long necks and normal sized backs. Since I have been on both of them lately more than Dakota it was a little unusual being on a short coupled horse - it felt small! I got a chuckle out of that anyways.

Once I got over my giggle fit we walked off. We walked around, trotted around, doing nothing in particular. I was just enjoying being with him and being fully capable of SITTING his trot in a comfy way, not hanging on for dear life hoping I dont bounce off. The first few trot strides I just sort of melted into his back, revelling in the comfiness of it all. I didnt ride for all that long. I just had to get that need to sit on him out of my system. We walked back to the gate where I dismounted and opened the gate for grazing in the backyard. A whole step and a half later Dakota's nose was glued to the grass! Way to wander, Kota!

I had scooped his grain earlier and it was waiting on the picinic table so I went to get it for him when he would be ready for it, but as soon as he heard the can grass was second best and he trailed me to his bucket. What a goof! So I fed him his dinner, unhaltered and thanked him for my mini ride and set out to go feed Indy. Really. I only intended on feeding her and then coming back home. I swear. Famous last words, yes?

Ivy's people were there when I got there, so I chatted a little bit. Chelsea was riding Tripp around doing her own thing in the ring. While I talked with Ivy's people, Indy made it clear that she felt neglected and needed major attention ASAP! She kept coming in for hugs and following me and cuddling so I went to get her a halter - at which point she walked away! HA! I followed her, mirrored her until she came to me again and haltered her. I dont think I have quite picked her lock yet though, because she doesnt lick and chew a lot? I am not sure what thats about though.

For a while I just stood with her haltered, loving on her, and then I made my rope into reins and attempted to mount via the water trough. I say attempted because.... well because the water trough wasnt very full and when I stood on its edge I went trough skiing! Now THAT was funny! I didnt fall in, but the trough tipped and I surfed and eventually jumped off. Indy had jumped back a bit [but not as far as I thought she might given her water fear] and I think she sort of took me with her. I thought this was hysterical personally. Ivy's people looked concerned, but I was just laughing!

When I regained some manner of composure I untied Indys reins and played with a little falling leaf and sideways, ending with put-your-nose-on-a-barrel. Then in another show of spectacular gawkiness, I scrambled up onto the barrel and finally mounted my poor tolerant horse. We walked back to the gate to just sit and talk some more. When they left I walked Indy around the ring some and then asked for a trot.... and got nothing! So we proceded to entertain thought of miraculous speed and finally came up to a respectable trot. For three strides. Thats ok! We got something at least!

We practiced our transitions from walk to trot. I need an effective phase four I think. Next time I ride her I will try the old savvy string on the wrist trick. That helped Mo a LOT when she was young and obstinate... oh wait.. she still is! By the time I finsihed with Indy we had a pretty speedy trot going at phase two. I was happy with that and jumped off. That speedy trot is incredible. I see it when I play on the ground with her and her extension is amazing. She resembles Mo though, in that when someone is on her back she wants to go very slow and take care of that person. It took me forever to convice Mo I could take care of myself! Hopefully I have learned from her and can move passed this slightly more quickly now !

After hugging Indy thanks I trotted off through the little gap in the fence to find Mo. Chelsea and Tripp had gone off into the pasture to chase the tractor doing the bush hogging, and while declining the offer to go with Indy,[because of Ivy] I thought it would be good fun to take Mo! All the horses were ranging out in front of the barn but there was no sign of Mo. I sighed inwardly because usually when she isnt easily spotted its because she is in the farthest corner possible from the barn. I still couldnt see her so I got excited and peeked around the corner into the run in shed annd VOILA! THERES MO! YEY!

Mo looked all happy and perky so when I ran up to hug her she hugged me back. Shes such a doll! I played a mini game of stick to me and yo-yo over the the fence rail I use for mounting and then we were off after Chelsea, Tripp and the tractor, who were all in the middle of the feild. We trotted most of the way over, me just feeling out Mo, doing some bending and things and then when we were closer we cantered up to them.

Together we started trailing the tractor at a very slow trot, then riding beside it until the bush hog ran over some of those not-trees I befriended a few days earlier and spat out some extra angry mulch which hit Mo, who jumped sideways a foot and a half. I love Mo spooks. They dont go anywhere. Bored with the tractor we continued on ahead of it, cantering down the rest of the feild and then coming up with our grand plan to instigate some disturbances in the herd.

Turns out that is easier said than done! No one wanted to run with us! We ended up picking out Trixie, who caused us all kinds of grief last summer and this winter before the Great Re-Fencing Project by slipping through the electric strands. She is young anyways and can handle the play. I would go as far as to say she enjoyed it to! At first she kept doing little circles, coming back to the herd and we werent on the ball enough to stop her. Mo and I got some good cutting practice trying to keep her out of the herd to! Mo got really focused on what I was focused on [Trixie] and got down and went for her, cutting her like a real cutting horse!

Talk about your independant seat builder! WOW! I just focused and let her do her thing and boy did she! She was jumping back and forth after her, all I had to do was stay on! Trixie finally set out on some bigger circles. That was so fun to! Mo took off right after her and was right in her trail. We did circles after her, blocking her return to the herd and then in a last ditch effort to play, Trixie bolted to the barn! Tripp and Mo both took off right after her! Any qualms Mo may or may not have still harboured over being speedy with a rider were surely gone. We galloped flat out over the pasture after Trixie. It was the most fun I have had in a while! I laughed and smiled the whole time.

In the shed we herded Trixie out and she bolted back to the herd, bringing us with her, for more flat out fun. This time Mo jumped a ditch on the way, which was interesting! Around and around and back and forth we went! It was so fun! After a few rounds we let Trixie have a breather and went to pick on King, the littlest pony with the biggest Napoleon Complex. He was more like a cow than Trixie - he was crafty. He kept trotting and cantering away and then he would stop dead and wheel away the other dirction. More independant set practice! Mo was a little less precise with her tracking skills though since she was all energized from the runs after Trixie.

Still lots of fun though! We eventually went back to Trixie though, not wanting to stress the little pony over much. In the shed Trixie looked like she was waiting for us. She saw us coming, ears pricked and started walking out of the shed. I swear she looked back at us and said "Catch me if you can!" before she took off for the herd again! And take off we did! We whooshed out of there after her, around some trees, circling the herd until she finally managed to weasel her way back into the centre again where we called it quits and decided to walk out. We were sweaty! All that galloping was a good work out! More moist pants for me!

We toured the whole feild a few times, got distracted by cutting Teddy [dog] a few times and then eventually made our way back to the barn once everyone was dry and the mosquitoes were coming out in full force.

Mo got lots of treats in the barn, a good dose of fly spray and then let out into the backyard to graze while I filled the water trough for Candy and Indy. When all that was done Mo even came up to me when I called her to come in. I thought that was really sweet. I gave her a bunch more apple snacks after I put her out in the pasture, and left with her looking over the gate at me, begging for more snacks!

What a cool night.... I havent played with everybody in ages on the same day! PLUS I galloped hell bent on Mo which is a total first!

:-)
S