Navajo's new Home, Beauty at Sharon's, and Curly is here!!

Navajo is at his new home and you know I am so thankful and happy he is where he is..The home is perfect for him!! The boy that is in charge of him is like 13 or 15 or so and he will learn to ride on Navajo..Navajo is perfect for him =D And also the neat thing is he has a miniture pony as a friend and also some calves and other animals too in the other pasture so he will be fine that way to. God answered my prayers as far as the people allowing me to come and see him AND RIDE HIM if I want. The riding part I wanted to do but wasn't going to ask and I was so happy when she said that!! Beauty is settled in at Sharons and she has some sheep as her pasture mates and she will do fine there =) I hope to work with her tomorrow evening!! =) Curly (an american Curly horse..also a stallion and the horse I rode somewhat on Tuesday) is here for a while while Beauty is at Sharon's. I am looking forward to riding him! I am sad Navajo isn't her and I cried a few times but I know tonight and the next few days are when it is going to hit me the hardest!! I will be fine though because I have Beauty and Curly to think about and work with and ride, wonderful friends and family and also GOD!! He is the one who opened all these doors and I am ever so grateful to him!! Will have pics of Navajo at his new home and Curly as well tomorrow or at least will try..Will try to get new pics of Beauty at Sharons tomorrow maybe!!

Tuesday Morning!

Well Navjo  leaves this afternoon =( I know he is going to a good home and that has me very happy!! The really neat thing is the people live not far from Sharon (found this out today) and two times a week I will be going right past on my way from work to go to work with Beauty..the third time I will be coming from home so I won't go past there but that to me is awesome. Only will be that way as long as my aunt and uncle stay at the place they are at now and as long as Beauty is there at Sharon's but to me I am fine with that. Things are all working out and I am so happy about that!! Anyway hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!
p.s. will update this evening probably!

Monday!!

Thought this one was pretty good =D

Today was a good day =) I got up and washed the clothing. After I was done with that I decided to give Navajo a bath as it is really cooling down in the evenings and I wanted to have him looking nice and clean for tomorrow! So I gave him a bath and he is very white, soft and clean smelling! I took some pictures of him by himself and then I asked my mom to take some pics of me on him.
Then this evening I first groomed Beauty and put flyspray on her. Then I took her down the strip and I got her to trot very nicely beside me and even stop really nice like!! That had me very pleased with her. She walked on my foot twice when she was supposed to be standing still =D That didn't have me to pleased with her but anyway. I then tied her to the fence and went and bridled Navajo and rode her for an hour. That went very awesome and I enjoyed riding him. It was a bittersweet time as it is the last time I will ride him as my horse. I had to cry on his shoulder a bit because it is sad. I know I am making the right choice but it sure is hard to see him go. He leaves tomorrow =( I know he is going to a good home and that has me very happy!! Well we shall see how tomorrow turns out I guess!

7 Hr Ride!!

Sundance (Tennesse Walking Horse)

Andrea and Misty in the lake at our first water stop..Andrea is my age and she is also into training horses. I wouldn't be surprised we go on trail rides together in the future!!

Three of the other girls in the lake at our first stop by the water!

Some scenery..it was a gorgeous day!

Lunch break

Second water stop (Sharon on Lightning..recently gelded)

Andrea on Misty

Earl Dean on Curly (the horse I rode some last time) and more scenery.

Some of the people behind me

I was farther behind the group this time

In the back of the group

Me on Sundance after our ride

Lightning

Sundance waiting to be loaded into the trailer to go home

I am not sure how to write about the ride yesterday but I am going to try. I left home here at 6 am so I could be down at Sharon's a bit before 6:30 so I could try out the bareback pad setup to see if I wanted to do that. I knew I would be way to sore riding in the saddle (I was more saddle sore on Tuesday than anything else) and I am not sore in the least from riding yesterday =) Anyway we left Sharon's house (there were 11 of us and we were meeting one guy up there at Blue Marsh (where we were riding) so there were 12 of us all together. We got up there a bit before 8 and I would say that we were out on the trail about 8:10 or so. The first half of the day was pretty uneventful. We rode in a lot of woods and we did have some open spaces but mostly wooded area. We stopped for lunch (I didn't have time on me so I don't know what time it was or how long we rested for lunch). After lunch we rode a ways and got to another area we could go into the lake at. My horse drank her fill of water and we just stood there for a bit. One of the guys 4 year old (Moonlight) decided to roll with the saddle on. He got off and nobody was hurt but he was wet from the waist down. Poor guy but his horse sure felt great =D

We crossed a few little streams and one not really river but it was deep enough that it came just below the stirrups on my horse. It was lots of fun crossing streams and going in the water like that. A few times we crossed over on the bridge instead of going thru the water. We did a fair amount of walking but we did add soem good canters and a few gallops in as well. So much fun and there is not feeling like sitting on a horse at a canter..such freedom!! We were about half an hour from being back and me (on Sundance) and Andrea (on Misty) and Marybeth (on Jack) were a little bit behind our group (Sharon and her husband Earl Dean were farther behind as we had cantered a bit and they couldn't keep up because Lightning lost some of his shoe) and we were just talking as we were just walking along on our horses. All of a sudden Jack starts putting his head down and acting real funny and then Sundance did the same. Andrea was behind me and she yells BEES and JUMP OFF!! I got off and ran into the forest and Marybeth just runs ahead with her horse. Andrea gets off her horse and runs back (so not to go by the bees..which were actually wasps we later figured..apparently they had a nest on the ground or something and when the group ahead came thru they stirred them up then we came thru and we got the brunt of the attack) and Misty runs to catch up with the rest of the group. I ran up to the rest of the group and they are like what is wrong and we said bees. They asked if anyone got stung. Marybeth got stung on her ankle and I got stung on both ears and by shoulder (a bee got inside my clothing). Needless to say I was a bit miserable. The one guy calls Sharon on her phone and tells her we had some trouble and they came thru the forest to avoid the bees. We weren't far from being back of which I was thankful because my ears were hurting. They did swell a bit and they were red...the group was laughing at my red ears =D I must say that is one trail ride I will not forget. 

We rode back to the trailers and I took some pics. We loaded our horses up and took them back to Sharon's house and unloaded them. We unsaddled them and tied them out by the fence to hose them off. I had to head home because I wanted to go to the youth meeting but if I wouldn't of had that I would have stayed and helped. It was a fun but very memorable ride. I enjoyed being able to meet other horse people (my age which was awesome) and just spending a day on horseback. I must say there is nothing like feeling like you are in the middle of nowhere on horseback!! I would not be surprised in the least that I get to ride with Andrea again. She has a horse of her own that she is training (she wasn't riding him as he is only 2) and it was interesting talking to another person that is my age and looks at training a lot as I do. Pretty neat!!

I did go to the youth meeting and I got to hang out with the girls from the different Hope Church's Youth. Very much fun. I didn't go to church this morning as I was not feeling so well (my bee stings were hurting me, I got the cold my mom has, and my stomache was feeling upset =D). My mom gave me Benedryl (Sp) for the bee stings so I feel a bit better now =)

Friday!!

Well tomorrow I go for a seven hour trail ride. I sure am excited about that!! You guys have heard me talk about Sharon. Well anyway she has offered to let me keep Beauty at her place and she will help me work with Beauty when I can get here (3 times a week..that is how often dad said I would be aloud to go) and Sharon said that will work fine. While Beauty is there I will have one of Sharon's horses here to ride and such. So in other words it is just an exchange of horses but I get responsability for both =D I am really excited about this because I get to learn from an experienced horse trainer and I also get to train Beauty. I have pretty much concluded that I think I would do fine with training a young horse on my own but the fact is Beauty was just left set and the people that had her didn't work with her so that is why she is the way she is. She is pretty much set in her ways and DOES NOT LIKE TO BE TOLD WHAT TO DO. Sharon will help me start her under the saddle and such. Sharon had one of her horses (misty) on the trail ride on Saturday and I found out that Sharon had gotten Misty in March and she didn't know a thing. If she wouldn't have told me that about Misty I would have thought she had been trained for a long time!! So I know that Sharon will help me a great deal with Beauty (Misty was also 3). Guess we shall see. So Tuesday Ebony (the horse I am keeping for Sharon) comes, Navajo goes to his new home, and Beauty goes to "school".

I just spent time with Navajo this evening grooming him and loving on him. He sure looks handsome =D

Thursday!!

Today I worked for my aunt and uncle. I cleaned up their RV and put things in there place. By the time I left it looked like a different place. I also hooked up their wireless interent. First time I ever did that and I was a bit surprised I could do it =D I talked to Sharon today as well three times. The last time she told me one of the three families that were interested in Navajo finally agreed to take him. They have no experience with horses but they are going to be asking Sharon and I for help if they need any so I am not worried in the least. They have young children as well. So Navajo will leave Tuesday if things work out. I am sad but excited for that family!!
Tonight I worked with Beauty. The first time around I worked with her on getting used to the lunge whip as she acts like it is a monster. Then we worked on walking beside me. That she does no problem but as soon as I ask her to trot Beauty decides to act like a brat and rear and such. This made me cross because I know she can trot without a problem as she does it in the pasture. (I checked her over to see if she is sore and she didn't flinch anywhere I pressed). So I just put her out to pasture and came in and did some computer things.

Then I went out again and decided I am going to give Miss Beauty a chance to behave herself at a trot. Well she did =) For the most part. Whenever she tried to rear I just would pull her nose toward the ground so she couldn't or at least made it difficult. We did some successful trotting and that was my goal! I am tired though because I sure am not used to running around =D She did try to take some nips out of my shoulder but she found that wasn't the smartest thing to do. So I think I got my point across but tomorrow we will do more of the same =) Also tomorrow my cousins are coming to see her. They haven't seen her since she came (well some of them didn't anyway). Guess we shall see how that goes!

Thursday!!

Today I worked for my aunt and uncle. I cleaned up their RV and put things in there place. By the time I left it looked like a different place. I also hooked up their wireless interent. First time I ever did that and I was a bit surprised I could do it =D I talked to Sharon today as well three times. The last time she told me one of the three families that were interested in Navajo finally agreed to take him. They have no experience with horses but they are going to be asking Sharon and I for help if they need any so I am not worried in the least. They have young children as well. So Navajo will leave Tuesday if things work out. I am sad but excited for that family!!
Tonight I worked with Beauty. The first time around I worked with her on getting used to the lunge whip as she acts like it is a monster. Then we worked on walking beside me. That she does no problem but as soon as I ask her to trot Beauty decides to act like a brat and rear and such. This made me cross because I know she can trot without a problem as she does it in the pasture. (I checked her over to see if she is sore and she didn't flinch anywhere I pressed). So I just put her out to pasture and came in and did some computer things.

Then I went out again and decided I am going to give Miss Beauty a chance to behave herself at a trot. Well she did =) For the most part. Whenever she tried to rear I just would pull her nose toward the ground so she couldn't or at least made it difficult. We did some successful trotting and that was my goal! I am tired though because I sure am not used to running around =D She did try to take some nips out of my shoulder but she found that wasn't the smartest thing to do. So I think I got my point across but tomorrow we will do more of the same =) Also tomorrow my cousins are coming to see her. They haven't seen her since she came (well some of them didn't anyway). Guess we shall see how that goes!

Three Hour Trail Ride!!

Curly the Stallion (he is part American Curly horse (hense his name) and I am not sure what else)!

The horses waiting for the riders.

Still waiting =D

Sundance (mare)

Something we found when we stopped because one of the riders lost her glasses which we thankfully found!

The group when we got home

Me on Sundance

Waiting to be unsaddled

I called Sharon around 10:30 and asked her if she cares if I come early to just hang out. She didn't mind so I got to her place around 11. I helped her saddle the horses and get them ready for the riders (there were going to be four other girls besides me and Sharon). The others got there a bit before 11:30 and we all got aboard and headed out. I started out on Curly (he is a Stallion). Sharon wanted me to ride him as he has a mind of his own and can be a bit stubborn (btw he reminded me a lot of Navajo as far as temperment). We rode on the rode for a little bit and then veered off and headed on a field lane. We walked a while and then we cantered. That was fun. Once we had cantered for a while we slowed to a walk again. We rode on field lanes and fields (only rode on the rode three times the whole time) on our way Woodcrest Retreat/Campground. Once we got to Woodcrest we walked on the trails thru the woods. I have hiked trailes but never rode a horse on a trail and if you didn't know better you would think we were in the middle of no where. IT WAS SO PEACEFUL!! We stopped and ate lunch about an hour into our ride. Then the girl that was riding Sundance switched with me and she rode Curly and I rode Sundance. The reason was that Sharon thought since Sundance is the one she plans I ride Saturday I should get used to her a while =) Then after lunch we rode around Woodcrest on the trails headed back to Sharon's place. Not long after (well it seemed that way =D) we were on the way again one of the girls lost her glasses because a branch swiped them off. So we stopped for a good half an hour looking for them. We found them thankfully. We walked thru some more woods and then started home again. We got back I think quarter till 4. It was LOTS of fun and I would do it all over again. I was not near as sore as I thought I would be =D Then after everyone left Sharon and I took Beauty (one of her horses not Beauty the one I am training) and drove her to Daniel's Farm Store to get some things. This gave me a chance to talk to Sharon. Overall it was a very fun day!! I got home a little after six. I am looking forward to Saturday and I should have saddle bags by my horn (forget what they are called) and that way I can get my camera in and out when I want. We shall see =D

Some of you are wondering about Navajo. I still don't have a definte home for him but I am really hoping soon. I am praying about it and Sharon is finding people who are interested!! It is taking a lot longer than what I planned but I wondered if it wouldn't =D

Monday!!

Sorry I didn't on here Monday but I got home around 12. We went to help my aunt and uncle finish moving their stuff out of the house and finish putting the last minute stuff into the RV they are living in till they find a house. Then we went with them to take the RV to where they are staying. After that we helped my uncle load the play house and do some last minute things at the house (my uncle moves sheds for a living so he has a big truck). It was really awesome because I got to spend some time with my uncle. I rode with him in the big truck and he turned the music up (I think he has a little kid inside him and he peeks out occasionally =D). It was fun riding with him because we had a chance to do some talking =) It was pretty cool. Then we came home and I went and made sure the horses had water and loved on them a bit and then I went to bed =D

Finally a Ride!!

It has been exactly two weeks since I last rode. I know it is because I was so busy between helping my aunt and uncle and training Beauty =D Also we had some rain in that time as well so that didn't help any. I rode Navajo for about 45 minutes today. It was SO WONDERFUL to ride him again. We rode down the strip and turned the corner at the bottom. We did some trotting and even some cantering as well. The awesome thing is Navajo doesn't really loose anything he was taught the only thing he looses is muscle tone. He is great condition for his age and I do believe it is in part because ever since I have had him I have tried to ride pretty much every day (all except in winter). Also he is turned out 24/7 pretty much. I read already that turning your horse out is really really good for them =)

Anyway about my ride. As I said we did some trotting and cantering. I also got him to move his forquarters and hindquarters and the time off must have made him really good at it because he instantly did what I asked him to do!! Then I did some stopping with him and he remembered that quite good (hehe maybe I shouldn't be so amazed but I am not really amazed just happy he did so well). We also rode over to my neighbors and just rode around over there. We cantered toward home but I stopped him and turned around. I was so happy because he didn't even try to balk. He went right into a trot when I asked (it was awesome because we were headed away from home). Once we had done that a few times we went home and I groomed him good and spent some time loving on him!! He looks real shiney now again (he was dirty this morning from rolling!).

I didn't work with Beauty at all because I just wanted to spend time with Navajo =) I loved on her a bit though! Hope you all have a great week!!

Birth Announcements!!

These are some birth announcements I did for my aunt and uncle! I would like your opinion on which you like best =) Thanks!

Three Hour and Seven Hour Rides!!

I am so excited. Some of you have heard me talk about a lady named Sharon. She owned Navajo three owners ago (something like that). Sharon gave Navajo to her friend and then Sharon's Friend gave Navajo to my cousins who it turn gave Navajo to me. Hope that made sense. And now Sharon is helping me find a home for Navajo. There are these people that are interested in taking Navajo but they are a bit concerned about his age. I was actually told by Sharon that when the guy that looked at the horses teeth checked Navajo's teeth out he said that they are like 5 or six years younger than his actual age. I thought that was pretty neat. He is a young horse at heart that I know! Anyway I don't know when they will come look at him or if they will take him but I hope they do because Sharon said they keep their horses once they have him and that is exactly the kind of home I want for him. I am so going to miss him but Sharon has told me that she will keep me posted on Navajo and I am sure the people that are getting him won't mind if I come see him every so often..that is something I want for sure! Anyway that is what is going on here with Navajo.

Now to know what I am excited about. Sharon asked me yesterday if I wanted to go on a 7 hr trail ride at Blue Marsh (we will trailer there) and I was like yeah I am interested but have to talk to my dad. My dad said yes and I will be going on that ride next Saturday. I plan to take my camera to take pictures of where we will be at. We shall see. Then Sharon told me about a 3 hour ride they are going on Tuesday. It is not far from here and we will be riding just from Sharon's home there and then back again. I am so excited about this whole thing. Sharon also said she may be able to find more work as far as trainng horses and such so I guess we shall see. I am seeing some of the reason that maybe why God wanted me to not have Navajo anymore. If I wouldn't have made that decision I would not have these opportunities. Just makes me excited to see what else God has in store for me!

Today I was at my aunt and uncle and they are mostly moved out of there house. Boy it was a lot of work and I am very tired. I am going to head to bed after bit and hopefully sleep in tomorrow. Hehe I don't need to go along to the show (at least that is the plan for now =) I am not working with the horses at all tonight as I am just too tired. I picked the pastures and gave them water and just loved on them both a bit =) Hope you guys have a wonderful weekend!

Thursday!!

Today I just groomed both horses. I got my mom to hold Beauty for me while I picked her hooves. Her front right hoof she does real well with and doesn't act dumb about. Her right back hoof she likes to kick at me with and not stand still. I am very careful with how I handle her with her hooves. She did pretty good over all. Then her front left hoof she just wanted to hop around. We finally got her to lift her hooves a few times without a problem =) So that went well. Other than that I didn't work with her. Then Navajo I just spent time with once again and groomed him. I love spending time with him =)

I had a good day at Rough and Tumble although I didn't enjoy it like I could have because I was so tired from helping my aunt and uncle. Tomorrow I help them again but will come home in the evening again then =)

Wednesday's Training Session!

As you know I was helping my aunt and uncle yesterday and today. We got the basement, attic and upstairs all packed ino boxes. Some furniture are still in those areas but that will be moved either tomorrow or Friday. I was very happy how much progress we made. I have tomorrow off and will most likely be at Rough and Tumble Show with my family.

Anyway this evening I worked with Beauty. For some reason she does have a problem with wanting to act crazy when I lunge her. The problem seemed to be with the whip so I decided to desentize her to the whip. That went very well and if tomorrow doesn't go to late at the tractor show I will do the same with her tomorrow evening. I also flysprayed her all over and she never moved a muscle. That made me so proud of her. I even sprayed her legs and she usually doesn't like that =) I had a trash bag full of trash sitting in the yard and I let her sniff that..didn't run it over her but just let her sniff it. Navajo HATES trash bags..just goes to show every horse is different. Then I tied her to the tree and went and groomed Navajo. He is nice and shiney now =) I loved on him and spent time with him. I am not riding him as much as I probably should but I just want to spend these last few days/weeks with him loving on him and spending time with him. ♥ Well I am tired so off to bed for me =)

A Youth Activity, A Slumberless Party, Training Session and Moving!

Well I have been so busy lately so I have not have had the chance to update much lately =) Anyway first things first!

Youth Activity and a Slumber(less) Party

I had my two cousins over Friday night, Saturday night and some of Sunday. It was LOTS of fun and I think overall we had about 7 hours of sleep both nights. Quite fun though and I wouldn't change a thing about the weekend. We did crash on my bed Sunday afternoon and slept a few hours =)

Saturday evening I had a youth activity. It started at 5:30 so I had to hurry around a bit because it was a bit earlier than I figured. When I got there we had supper and we sat around eating our food and talking (there were 4 girls and 7 guys). After supper we got numbered off into two teams. First we played a game each team had to line up in order alphabetic order of our first names. Our team lost because we weren't quite organized =D Next we played a game to line up in order of our birthdays in order of the day in the month. We won that game =) After that we played a game we had to run from point a to point b and back again with a watermelon that had crisco on it without dropping it. The other team won by just a tiny bit =)

Next we played water kickball. This game was the most fun I think. It was like regular kickball all except you had a cup of water in your hand and the goal was if you got a home run then you got to dump your water (what was left of it) into a bucket and whichever team had the most won. But if you got out you had the permission to dump your water on the person who got you out. Hehe our team lost but I think the other team was more wet =) Then we played another game called prisoner's base/Ten sticks or something like that. The goal is to have all the sticks on your side without having any prisoners. It is hard to explain so I won't =D After that we played a game that we passed a present around and when the whistle blew whoever had the present got to take a layer off. And in each layer you either got a "job" to do or a small present. This game was lots of fun. The next game was we wrote three things on a paper one was something we didn't do and the other two were things we did..but you were to write it on the paper as though you did all three things. Then you handed hte paper in and then you were to guess whose paper was whose and then guess which one is the false one. This was quite intersting and fun. Then we had devotions. After that I had to leave so I could be home by 11:00 p.m. It was SO MUCH FUN!!

Training Session

Tonight I worked with Beauty. I mainly just worked with leading her around and I worked on the first game of Pat Parrelli's 7 Games. She did very well with this!! Well actually she did good with the whole thing. I was so happy with her and how she did! I didn't work to long with her as the ground was quite wet from some heavy rain we had gotten a bit before. Then I took some pics with Navajo. My mom took them for us. I know I won't have him much longer so I wanted to get some good last pictures together!

 

I won't be on much this week as I will be helping my aunt and uncle move this week. So I won't be riding or training till next week! Have a wonderful week!!

Tuesday Evening!!

This evening went a lot better. I was at my grandparent's (mom's parents) today doing corn and I got to see my cousins which was awesome. Then when I got home I had to pick the pastures which took me longer than I had planned. Since it was warm and I wanted to head to bed soon I did some leading and that sort of thing with Beauty. I would give her the cue to walk forward (did it four times and if she didn't move then I used my long whip (think it might be a dressage one but not sure) to smack her on her behind to tell her to go) and once she figured out I meant business she did quite well. She balked a bit at first like she usually does but toward the end no balking and she would move as soon as I asked. Then I had to get her to stop without running over me. I slowly came to a stop and that was to be her cue to stop as well. Since she didn't I would stick my whip in front of her and that made her stop. We did this on both sides and did it a few times and by the time I was done she was very good at stopping and starting when I did without me having to touch her. I was very pleased. I probably only worked her for 10 minutes but sometimes it is better to work a little bit with a horse than not at all. I then just loved on Navajo a bit. I hope to ride Thursday when I am done working with Beauty. We shall see! For such a short session I am happy with the results. Tomorrow I will be working away so I won't work with her till Thursday night again! Have a great day!

Monday's Trainig Session!!

Tonight was a bit of a trying night. On the way over to the hose Beauty tried to bite me. I smacked her for that and then she tried it again and the same results (she didn't try after that) but I had to think this will be the day she is going to test me again. And I was right. I started the water and she drank out of the hose no problem. Then I started to turn the water toward her while she was drinking. Her legs were getting wet and that seemed to be working. She did ok with that for the most part. Beauty tried to back up a few times and I do not know what got into her but she backed up and ripped the lead rope out of my hands and ran away from me. I went over and got her and made her back up. That is when she exploded (the best word for it). I had just stepped back a bit and made her back up and then she rears and runs around acting like an idiot. Since I couldn't control her and I was a bit worried about my safety I asked my mom to open the gate to put Beauty in the pen. Once inside I turned her toward me and then got out and let her go. She was bucking around and such and I honestly do not know what got into her. I let her go for a bit and then got her out and lunged her.

I got her to run in a circle around me. She kept trying to run away with me and this did not make me very pleased with her in the least. She tried this the whole time I worked with her but each time I made her stand and then I sent her around again. At the very end I made her back up and back up and back up. She did not like this in the least but at that point I was not happy with her and I didn't care if she liked it or not =D Before I put her out again I loved on her a bit to make sure she knows that even though we seem to clash a bit on who is going to be boss (she thinks she needs to be) I still love her. She is by far more challenging than Navajo but so far I am still enjoying myself. I had to think to myself she can be quite the drama queen when she wants to be =D

I got Navajo and just loved on him and let him graze a bit when I was standing there. I was quite worn out from working with Beauty. We shall see how tomorrow evening goes. If you have any exercises besideds moving her hindquarters and forquarters and backing up that I can do with her to help me earn her respect I would love to hear your comments (that is what I am realizing needs to be done next because I think she respects me somewhat but I need to make sure it is firmly in place)!! Thank you!

Sunday!

Today I groomed both horses. Beauty looks so nice and soft now =) I got my mom to hold her while I cleaned her hooves. Same story as before that she is fine with her two hooves and then her hind left and front right ones are the ones she acts dumb with. By the time I was done with her she figured out that the nonsense she tries to throw at me doesn't work. Once I was done with that I decided for the fun of it that I wanted my mom to lead me around with me on Beauty's back. Beauty did well with this but you got to consider that my cousins have been riding her (with someone leading of course) somewhat since they got her in June. So she knew what I am doing. She doesn't really know anything about what a bit or leg cues mean but I figured it is a good idea for her to get used to my weight.
I then got Navajo and groomed him. I rode him for about 20 minutes along the strip. We did some cantering and trotting. It was fun just riding for the fun of it. He is a much better horse as far as willingness and listening to my cues. I am very pleased with him. Also he does really well with trotting down the strip. He doesn't even balk anymore! That has me very happy. So overall it was a wonderful end to my Sunday =)

Success and a Ride!!

Tonight went so much better than last night!! I used a different approach and IT WORKED!! I rubbed the hose (with a spray nozzle on this time) all over Beauty. That didn't bother her in the least. She was like ok I know what this is what is next? So then I started spraying the water on the ground in front of her. This she didn't like to much as it sprayed her a bit. She backed up and I was like ok I need something different. But before we could move on I knew we needed to work a bit at her coming to me when she back up and we worked on that a bit. She did good with that! Then Beauty seemed a bit  interested in the hose head/nozzle so I let her sniff it. Then I started to spray the water and she sticks her nose in it. What she was after was a drink but it was definitely success that she stick her nose in at her own accord. I let her think that it is her idea to get wet and not mine..haha! She kept sticking her nose into the water and getting a drink. We did this on both sides. Not sure how long we worked on this but before I quit working on this I wanted to see if she was brave enough to walk toward the water of her own accord. She did it three times and each time stuck her nose in the water!! I was so amazed and happy with her and how she did tonight! We are going to continue working with this hopefully a bit each day. Once we did that I got her to walk beside me and even trot beside me a bit. Then I got Beauty to back up and then I called it a day with her. I was so proud of her!

Then I turned her out and got Navajo. I groomed him good first and then bridled him and rode down the strip. He went very willingly and at a nice brisk pace. There was a sign along the strip for the corn or something. I let Navajo sniff it and then we walked around it. I trotted up and down the strip a bit and each time turned around the sign. He did quite well and we rode for about 20 or so minutes. Overall I must say it was a wonderful uplifting day. Yesterday I felt a bit down after the not so good training session. I know there are days like that but it still can be a bit depressing =) Hope you have a great weekend!

Water and a Terrified Horse!

Well tonight didn't go so well. It was quite warm yesterday and today and so I had wanted to get Beauty used to the water so I could cool her down. That didn't go so well. I knew that she is terrified of water before I got her. She doesn't mind the sound of water but touching her with the water is a completely different story. I was working with Beauty with the water and she didn't like this one bit she kept wanting to back up and I saw that this is not going to work without help (because in order for her to get used to it is I need to hold the water on her one leg till she stops moving then take it away and with her backing up I couldn't do that as the hose only reaches so far) =D So I got my mom to come and hold the hose while I tried to walk Beauty around the hose first before I tried to spray it on her legs again. After a while of working with Beauty this way I saw that we were not going to get anywhere so I lunged her a bit (which went ok but she tried to rear a few times although not sure why). She did go around in a circle but the lunging also going to need some work! I knew that some of this stuff is going to need work and now I have more of an idea what I need to work with and such so it was a good learning session for me as the trainer! So I ended on a good note by getting her to walk beside me and backing her up and moving her hindquarters. Although it didn't all go as I had hoped (which is the way it goes sometimes) I did read some things about horses that are scared of water and also talked to a friend on what to do and what a better approach would be to work with Beauty on this and I feel that we will get it eventually but it is going to take a lot of patience on my end. I know that tonight didn't go so well because I didn't use the smartest approaches but I know better now so we shall see! I guess we live and learn! So I am going to try again tomorrow evening and we shall see how it goes.

♥

What an eventful weekend I had!! With having Abby here Thursday night, Friday and a little of Saturday I didn't train Beauty or ride Navajo really. Not that I minded in the least though. I did groom both horses Saturday evening and figured that way they could both have some time just being with me and not think it is all work and no play =)

Sunday early I put both horses in because it was raining then came in and went to bed again till it was time to get up. I went out and gave both horses water. I loved on Beauty a bit then went over to Navajo. Once again she was going to push him away so I said ok you go away and took her over to her hay. That made her upset I guess and just like that she swung her butt at me and kicked me on my posterior. After I got over the shock of it (I wasn't really hurt just shocked although I do have a bruise from the kick) I went over to her and made her back up quite a bit. Then in the afternoon before I went out to give them water. I set the water down and Beauty came over to get a drink. I let her drink and then so I wouldn't get kicked (or that was my thought =D) I asked her to move her but over. She tried to kick me but I got out of the way and got out of the pen. I didn't go in again because I didn't want to risk anything. After supper I went and got her and lunged her. I got Beauty to do some walk trot transitions and also made her change directions quite a bit. At first she didn't listen to well but toward the end she did great! After I was done lunging her I told her she did a good job and then tied her to the fence while I got Navajo out. I am taking extra precaution when I am with BOTH horses. I will put Navajo inside first (if they need to be indoors) and then Beauty and always take Beauty out first. Also plan to take her out when I need to put water or hay inside. They both are turned out in different areas so they aren't turned out together. I am thinking that more than anything else the reason she kicked was she is challenging me because she wants to be the boss. I got some advice from a few horse friends and I am glad to have their advice!

Now for today (Monday). Since my cousin was here from Florida I talked with her for a bit and only got out to the horses around 8. First I worked with Beauty. I worked with getting her used to the flyspray again and that went quite well. The more we do it the more she improves. She doesn't walk around as much as she used to. Then I was like I am going to get her to move her feet and move her feet some more (that is one way of getting a horse's respect is by moving their feet lots). Before I got her to move her feet I did some in hand work. I got her to lead quite well beside me both sides. She does almost as well as Navajo does and that is pretty good! Once I finished with the in hand work I then made her move her hindquarters both ways and she did very well with that. Then we moved to the front. That didn't go as good but she still did really well. I then backed her up. She tried walking toward me a few times but each time I made her back up more steps than she did frontwards. Once we were done moving her feet I praised her and then tied her to the tree.

I had decided not to ride Navajo as it was getting late and I want to be in bed decent time because I need to work tomorrow (not a very good excuse =D but my parents don't really want me to ride down the strip in the dark). Anyway I spent some time loving on Navajo and grooming him too. He seemed to really enjoy the good grooming I gave him. I wanted also to just spend some time being with him without doing much of anything. I had ridden last evening after dark around the yard a bit. I just wanted to ride my gentle horse who I knew wouldn't kick me or hurt me in any way. I love Beauty but it is so nice having a horse that is so gentle (we do have our moments though). I am hoping that once I get home from work on Wednesday evening I can work with the horses a bit (we shall see depending on how late I get home from work). This is quite the long update but I guess it covers a couple of days worth of updates!! Enjoy the rest of your week!

The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you. -Unknown

When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you but merely opening your hands to receive something better! -Unknown

I got these quotes thru an e-mail I recieved today. I really liked them!! ♥