Happy Independence Day

I am celebrating today with some red, white and blue. 

Red dahlias, white petunias, and blue salvia and phlox.  

The only problem are the red dahlias.  

They were supposed to be pink.  But they still look nice for today's celebration.  

I thought I might also update you on the new puppy.  No name yet but Joe has suggested Puff and Sadie has suggested Girl.   I am considering Sparkle or Glitter but then I decided those might be good names for the bottle goats.  We had been keeping the puppy with said bottle goats.  Then one afternoon Joe commented that one was a little lethargic.  I went to check and found she had been chewed on.  Nothing life threatening but totally unacceptable.  So it was time to try to start getting her with the other dogs where she could learn some manners.

We started by leading her to the herd in the evening and feeding her with the other dogs.  In the morning she was back at the barn.  So back on a leash and to the herd again.  In the evening she was back at the barn.  This has been going on for three days now.  She has gotten very good at walking on a leash.  

And the other dogs are starting to accept her a little more.   But if you want to be accepted, you really shouldn't chew on someone else's tail. 

 

Happy 4th!  Next, we are headed to the church potluck and fireworks. 

Trying To Change

Sometimes it is hard to go out there and ride a horse that I don’t have a lot confidence in.  The boot camp trainer said something to me that has helped some.  When he recommended that I sell Draper he said she wasn’t going to change and neither was I.  Well, I never like being told that I can’t do something, it just makes me want to do it all the more.  So I am trying to change, trying to not live with fear from past experiences, trying to be brave like when I was younger.  

 So far so good.  Draper did good in the barn, walk, trot, canter, leg yield, side pass...  Her stopping still needs lots of work.  She slipped at the canter once and wanted to get sassy and I just pushed her on forward.  She continued on without a problem.

And she did find for a little ride around outside.  I sometimes dread starting but I am usually glad that I sucked it up and did it.  Maybe it is not to late to change.

Scary Sunlight

I have a lot of excuses for not riding Draper for the last three weeks.  But today worked out where I was finally able to go for a ride. I thought things got off to a good start, she seemed calm.  Then when I got on and just started walking, she threw her head up and started spooking at a board halfway across her barn that I had just lead her past 30 seconds before.  I finally got her over that spell.

Then she spooked at the sunlight on a board at the other end of the barn.  I had been trotting past it for ten minutes when she decided to spook and run sideways for 50 feet.  So then there was lots of circling at this end until the sun moved and there was no longer an excuse to spook.  Of course, these are all fake spooks, because we all know Draper really isn’t scared of anything, except maybe work.  She earned an hour at the thinking post when I was done.  I am hoping to ride again tomorrow and see if she is over this silliness.
 

Good Draper Streak Continues

I rode Draper for awhile in the barn today.  I had taken down the panels at the end where the horses had access to the barn from the lot.  The lot is completely grazed down and there is no need for them to need shelter there for the winter.   So that made my riding area larger. Once again, she did very well.  She is not the happiest acting horse about work, but she is doing it.  Plus, I haven't lunged her any since I got her back.  Before, I would lunge her sometimes for 30 minutes or more and then still not get on because of how she was acting.  So it has been nice to not have to do that anymore. 

After that, I rode her down the driveway.  

Joe was feeding so we watched the cattle for a minute. 

I was very happy about how quite and relaxed she was.  I can probably start riding her around the farm by myself again if she keeps this up.  

 

Draper Outside

I rode Draper out by herself today.  We started out in the barn, routine walk, trot, canter.

 Then we headed outside.  I stayed in the barn lot, but it is pretty big with lots of steep up and down areas.  I trotted around on the flat spots and took her up and down the steepest areas.  Then it was back in the barn for more walk, trot and canter.  After finishing, I left her tied for about 45 minutes.  She actually stood nicely, no pawing, and was just standing with her leg cocked when I went to unsaddle her.  It was another good day.

Yet Another Trail Ride

It was already 1:00 by the time we were ready to catch the horses for a trail ride.  So we decided to just head up the road to Horse Heaven, 10 minutes away.  This time we did the Iron Mountain loop counter clockwise.  

Hugo’s little feet are going to get worn to nubbins with all this barefoot trail riding.  It doesn’t seem to be an issue yet, so we are just continuing to go with it.

We started out without lunging either horse.  Draper took the lead again but she didn’t motor along quite as fast as she did on Tuesday.

We did let Joe and Hugo in front for a little bit, but that didn’t last too long.  Hugo just didn’t walk fast enough to suit Draper.

There was some pretty scenery still.  These serviceberries were still bright red.

And if you peak between the trees, you can see a bit of a view.

Then there was this unexpected display in the middle of the trail, a hymnal, Bible, guitar and jacket, then a   baseball bat leaning up against a tree.  I hope whose ever it is, is ok.

Hugo did great as usual for his fifth trail ride with us.

And Draper was great too.

Once we made it to the gravel road, Draper really turned on her walk.  We would have to stop periodically to let Hugo catch up.

As long as she wasn’t offering to break to a trot, I just let her walk as fast as she wanted.  The good thing is that she has a very comfortable walk so as long as she is relaxed I can relax.

She’s Home

We picked up Draper today.  I discussed with the trainer about him keeping her to sell.  His response was, “I can’t sell ice to a man in hell.”  And after talking with him more, I would have to agree.  He is not a salesman.  So I am back to seeing what I can do with her. 

 First off, there is lots of drama between her and Otoelene.  They were best friends when she left last month but now there is Hugo.  Otoelene does not want Draper anywhere near her new boyfriend.  This is going to take some sorting out.

I did get some video of the trainer riding Draper today.  Here is a short clip.  I will just have to keep reminding myself that this is what she is capable of, and do it.

Draper’s Month At Boot Camp

I have been having trouble with Draper ever since she threw me last year.  I decided to send her to a trainer to see if that would help. His first update wasn’t encouraging.  I said I hoped he would just tell me I’m crazy and he didn’t know why I even sent her. But no, he said she bolted with him and him was afraid he wasn’t going to get her stopped. 

It has now been a month and I went to go to see how she was doing.  No additional bolting episodes, so that was something.

 She had lost her big grass belly, and looked fit.

But she was not relaxed like I had hoped.  Michael rode her around in the round pen to start.  Then I got on and walked, trotted and cantered.   He had done well getting her to move forward, give her face and lift her shoulder.  But it just seemed like she was tolerating things, not really accepting.

 

I rode her around some more by myself while Michael went to saddle up another horse.  There were a few moments of relaxing at the trot.  Then we headed out from a ride around in the hayfield.  She was doing ok until Michael started loping around on his horse.  I could just fell her energy increasing.  I was ready to get off but Michael wouldn’t let me.  I finally got her energy back down and we headed back toward the barn.  She did good with that and we continued past the barn and down the road.  She was much more relaxed doing this.  At this point I just don’t think she is a horse for me.  But how do I sell one that I can’t ride to show to a buyer?  I am hoping that if I bring her home, we can go on some trail rides with Hugo.  Maybe that will help get her mind more relaxed.

Outdoor Time

Today, after dropping off Draper at boot camp, we came home to work more on Hugo.  I saddled up Otoelene and we went for a ride outside.

Hugo was out walking Otoelene most of the time. 

Joe did some off the rode work and Hugo took it all in stride.

He seems much more comfortable in the out of doors than the barn.  He may not be the easiest thing to catch either.  But what’s life without a few projects.
 

New Arrival

We decided to get Hugo.  We went for more of a grandchild pony than endurance horse.  We are hoping that a couple of more years of riding had hauling around will make him a solid citizen.

He did well, never blew up about anything, but not totally relaxed either. 

I tied Hank up in the barn for some good calming vibes.

Joe walked him around everywhere to show him his territory.  We lunged him and did some ground work.

Then it was on with the saddle.  He accepted each step with a little apprehension but that was about it.

When Joe got on, Hugo was a little nervous and didn’t want to stand still.  We are guessing this was his first time being ridden in a barn.

Lots of walking and stopping.  His stop isn’t much and he seems to know nothing of giving his face with rein pressure, but there is always something to work on with any horse.

Then Joe rode him around outside for a bit.  No issues there.  I think we might try to take him out on a trail ride this weekend. 

Lunging Draper

 Draper is still being a handful.  I keep thinking she will settle down but it is just not happening.   I have been lunging her for an hour before I try to ride.  All she wants to do is run.  

She did slow down to inspect Zipper. 

I have been riding her in the barn and mostly just lunging outside.  Maybe I will get her worn down eventually.  But I am looking for some help now.  I need someone that can take her trail riding and do a lot of out in the open work.  I am hopeful someone will turn up.

Draper and Zipper

Draper has been turned out since late fall when I had her shoes pulled.  I have been choosing to ride Otoelene because I have just wanted to ride and not have to train.  Draper is still taking a lot of training.

There are no problems with ground work.  She is just a lot of horse for an old person to deal with in the saddle.  Because I haven't done anything with her in several months, yesterday was just a ground work day.

And a meeting Zipper while working day.  She has seen Zipper out in the field lots.  Only Draper wants to chase Zipper.  Forgive the video, it is hard to film and lunge at the same time. 

In the barn, Zipper wanted to chase and bite at Draper's tail.  After lots of yelling and threats with the lunge whip, I finally got Zipper to leave Draper alone. Then we tried outside. 

Draper really got wound up out here.  But it was a miss when she kicked at Zipper.  This is going to take some work.  

Desensitizing By Zipper

Zipper had drug my sack full of plastic jugs all the way to the house this morning.  J carried it back.  Then, when I went to tie Otoelene up, I heard the plastic rattle  sound and there was Zipper dragging my sack around. 

I use the sack to help desensitize the horses, but plastic stuff is still the one thing Otoelene hates. 

Zipper didn't seem to mind helping. 

I moved it into the shop before I started riding.  I wonder how Draper will take all of this different activity.  

Enjoy The View

The weather has been beautiful.  We still have not had a frost yet.  The leaves are starting to turn a little more.  

I was able to ride Draper today.  She does great in the barn but has still been acting sassy outside.  So today, after I rode in the barn I took her to the outdoor arena and lunged her for 45 minutes until I thought she was done with all of her sass.  When I got on she was fine walking and trotting and probably would have been fine cantering,  but I am still taking baby steps in my trust building with her.  Maybe if it is nice tomorrow, I will see if I am brave enough.  
 

Feed Bag and Draper

First, a brief Draper update. 

Three successful rides since my fall/throw.   Normal stuff in barn, walk, trot canter.  Then just nice calm walks outside around the farm, no outside trotting.  My nerves are still recovering.  So far so good.  

I ordered a feed bag from Tractor Supply for  Hank.  He has few teeth left so his chewing isn't the best. 

This is what the ground usually looks like after he finishes. 

He took right to the feed bag, and the ground was clean.  

But the problem is the poor design.  The seam is on the inside so a lot of feed got trapped between the sides and the seam.  

So today, I think I will try in inside out.  This will put the slick rubber side on the outside.  

And the rougher fabric on the inside, but also a smooth seam on the inside.  I will let you know how this works.