Daisy n Shasta 2012!

 Secrets

 Best Friends

 I just cropped and added a white and black edging to this one :)

Not sure why this last one is turned but anyway!!

Here are some of the edits of the pics I took Friday..This last one of Shasta is pretty much unedited. I cropped it a bit and added a black edging but that is all!!

For more pics visit: http://photographyandphotoediting.blogspot.com/2012/01/daisy-n-shasta-2012.html

Horse and Man Blog!

Here are two links you should check out...they are from a blog I subscribed to get their daily email. Horse and Man :)

What do you think of horses chewing gum? :D

http://horseandman.com/musings/thank-god-horses-cant-chew-gum/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Horseandmancom+%28horseandman.com%29

I enjoyed this blog and though I might pass it on :)

And here is today's blog (every Saturday is a photoblog):



http://horseandman.com/saturday-phoblog/saturday-is-phoblog-day-a-petey-a-cupcake-dobies-and-an-eagle/
Love the pics!!

Enjoy the links!!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday's Rides!!

Monday morning I rode Shasta to the stables :) Again :) I really like riding her because she is so smooth and if we do a lot of cantering I just like her the best for that. I had chorus in the evening so I didn't see my girls that evening then!

Tuesday evening I didn't ride..I got some snaffle bits out and wanted to mess with both horses in them. I did mess with Shasta a little bit but not for long or much because she was favoring her left front leg. I did get her to stop and back up in the O ring snaffle (with copper in the mouth). I groomed both my girls and loved on them a bit. Shasta's hoof was hot so we figured she might have an abcess so we called the farrier to make an appointment for the morning!

Wednesday: I rode Sundance and ponied Shasta off of her. She wasn't favoring her leg all that much. The farrier checked her leg and no abcess and she was sound as a dollar going home. Not sure what was up till today (Friday).

Friday...I got off of work a bit early and went and took some pics of my girls:

They did do well though :) Here are some good ones of them:

 Daisy n Shasta

I had gone in the morning to work with Shasta and take pics. I used the snaffle bit that I had used on Tuesday evening and worked her in the ring for a bit. She did well and stopped and flexed nicely. She backed nicely too. I got her to do some turns on her haunches...her foot wasn't bothering her at all at that time.

I decided to work her a bit around the house and see how she does. She did really well but got mad when I asked her to stand still nicely. I just asked her to stop and that made her mad. It was kinda funny because she walked and trotted really nice but boy when you ask her to stop and she wants to go...temper tantrum. So I got her to go thru a puddle and stopped her in the middle of the puddle...she didn't like that at all. She hates puddles and then being asked to stand in the middle of one..that is againes Shasta's RULES :D She was pawing and snorting but she did stand nicely. I got her to stand nicely a time or two after that and then I got off of her and took her in the barn :) I then groomed both her and Daisy and put them away and went off to work!

Which brings us back to me taking pics of the girls. After taking pics of them I went in and ate supper with Sharon. By then MaryRose had come and her and I went on a ride..me on Daisy and her on Lightning. We just rode around Fairmount Homes on the macadam (sp). But we worked on Lightning going first and Daisy being asked to stop and stand nicely still while Lightning keeps going. We did the same with Daisy going first and Lightning stopping. They both did well :) It was so much fun just working with the horses in that way...something fun and fulfiling about that. Then Sharon and Sarah met up with us and we rode around the Fairmount Homes one more time (MaryRose and I had made two loops around it before they came). Then we went back to the barn and I groomed Daisy really good and just spent some time with her.

We (Daisy n I) had an argument because she wanted to run me over so I got her to back up and stand still. She kept moving forward and sideways and each time I brought her back to where she started off in the first place. She got it eventually and then we went in the barn and got her blanket. I put her away and got Shasta out. I groomed her really well and braided a small braid in her forlock and also a small braid in her mane. I tried to do it with Daisy but she kept moving her head to much and it was a tad to windy outside to do it anyway :) I will try another day! Back to Shasta I noticed she was favoring her front left foot again so we are taking her back to the farrier and hopefully he will find an abcess!! Overall I had a very awesome week with my horses!

I am so blessed to own two wonderful horses!!

Wednesday, Friday and Saturday's Rides!!

Monday morning and Tuesday evening I didn't ride. Monday since we worked at the stables we normally would have ridden but I didn't feel well and it was quite cold so we didn't ride. I did redo Daisy's braids and they looked quite nice! I had chorus practice that evening as well so I didn't go to Sharon then. Tuesday evening Jonathan came but we didn't ride then either. :D

My dad went into the hospital to get a hernia removed and when they did surgery they found that his appendix had burst so he was in the hospital from Sunday night (when he went in) till Friday afternoon. He is home now and recovering! Thanks to all who prayed!!

Wednesday morning I decided to ride Daisy in the english saddle to the stables. I haven't ridden her over to the stables in quite a while just because we have a lot of road to ride on (I usually ride in the ditch but still) and Shasta is nicer to ride over there when we are cantering a lot! One perk to owning a Paso-Fino ;) When we got back to the barn I redid her braids! I didn't work for my aunt instead I went home to be with my mom and sisters (we did visit dad that evening in the hospital).

Some scenery on the way to Matt!

My two girls in the meadwo :)

Daisy n I on the trail ride

MaryRose and Beauty

Friday/Saturday: Friday evning MaryRose, Sarah, Josh and I all rode. MaryRose rode Daisy bareback, I rode Shasta (bareback), Sarah rode Misty (bareback) and Josh rode Beauty with my English saddle. We just went up to Fairmount home and around and then came back! It was calling for snow that night and Earl Dean and Sharon, MaryRose, Sarah, their brother Josh, Alta (Jonathan's Sister), Riley (the guy who has Navajo and now Ricky) and I were all planning to go to the Horse World Expo in MD. Sarah, Josh and MaryRose and I stayed at Sharon's overnight. MaryRose and I in a very spontaneous moment decided to sleep out in the barn on the hay ;) We had carriage blankets (which are WARM) layed down on the straw with us on top then a sleeping bag on top of us. We stayed quite warm. We woke up in the morning to 4 inches of snow on the ground. Well it was decided that everyone but MaryRose and I will go to the Expo and since we didn't go along they figured it would be better to go in the truck due to snow. MaryRose and I decided to head out on a ride. She rode their Beauty and I rode Daisy both bareback! Sharon called us and was like could you take Curly to Matt  (farrier) to get reshod. So we turned around and got Curly. I rode him bareback and MaryRose used my English Saddle (which she liked) a lot! Then on the way back she rode Curly bareback and I rode Beauty. When we got back we decided to go in the house and warm up (it had been snowing the whole time and we were quite cold). We ate some food then I slept while MaryRose read. I got up around 3 and we ate some supper then went out and did chores around 5 so Sharon wouldn't have to do them when she got back. I took some pics of my girls in the snow...it was so funny because I took both girls blankets off and then led Shasta outside leaving the tack room door open so Daisy could walk thru. She didn't come right away so I closed the one door. Then I heard clop clop clop and opened the door and Daisy peeks out. It was just too cute ;) Then I took them into the meadow and let them stretch their legs a bit! I groomed Daisy and put her blanket on and put her away! After that MaryRose and I went riding me on Shasta (bareback) and her on Curly (bareback). When we got back I put Shasta away and MaryRose and I groomed Curly and braided his mane ;) We had quite a lot of fun. Then we went in the house and drank some coffe and played Uno till eveyrone got home!! Overall it was an awesome day!

Curly's braids

Friday's Grooming Time with Daisy n Shasta!!

Tonight I didn't feel well at all so I didn't go riding. Instead I brought both girls into the barn and tied them. I groomed them and loved on them as I was grooming them. When I was done I put purple ribbon in Shasta's mane and I didn't have time to do that with Daisy's but I want to on Tuesday hopefully ;) Shasta looked cute with all the braids and purple ribbon in her mane :D I think Daisy will look cute with blue in her mane ;) ;) :) It was nice just being with my girls and hanging out with them!! <3 Hope you all have an awesome weekend!!

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday's Rides!!

Monday: In the morning I rode Shasta to the stables :) Bareback of course. She did really well as I expected. I groomed her when we got back and then put her away. In the evening then we went down to my aunt and uncle (Sharon and I) to check on their miniture horse who had gotten hurt. When we got back I decided I wanted to line drive Shasta instead of going for a ride. For some crazy reason I didn't feel like it. Anyway I used the same double wire bit I use on Daisy to drive her on Shasta. I don't know if I will be able to ever drive Shasta or not but I figure it sure doesn't hurt to line drive her and get her ready for it. It is going to be more of a game and the aim is to have fun and learn as much as possible without Shasta feeling pressured. First I put the stirrups on her so I have stirrups to run the line thru so they aren't falling from the bit directly to the ground. I put the bridle on her and then fastened the reins. I kept her in the corral because I figured that way she can kinda figure out what she needs to do first before we go anywhere. Well that idea didn't work. She wasn't to sure what I wanted to begin with and wasn't so sure about me being behind her and she didn't want to go forward. So I took her outside the corral to walk around the house. I asked her to go forward like before by clucking and saying CUM (dutch for Come). She didn't walk forward only turned her head toward me and backed up. We did this for a bit till I figured ok you know how to back up lets try that. So I pulled on the reins a bit and said baacckk. She backed. Then I said Whoa and let her rest. Then I said CUM. She didn't go so we backed a few more times with a break in between. After doing it three or so times I asked her to CUM and slapped her lightly with the reins and forward she went. I said GOOD GIRL SHASTA and so we walked around the house. Each time we came to the barn she wanted to turn in but I urged her forward. I turned around in front of the house and went the other way. We even trotted a bit. Then I asked her to stop and start a few times. She only hesitated a time or two but overall she did wonderful. I was so impressed with her!! I never dreamed the line driving would go so well but I sure was pleased!! When we were all finished I groomed her and praised her good. Then I got Daisy out and groomed her as well!

Tuesday: This evening I got to Sharon decent time and we waited on MaryRose to get there. Well when MaryRose got there Lillian called and said she is coming as well. Since we had to wait for Lillian anyway MaryRose and I went out the barn to lunge Beauty. She has been having some issues latel with respect and such so I worked with her in the roundpen. First on the lungeline since she didn't want to turn and face me when I asked her to change directions (MaryRose took a turn or two as well). Once I thought she did well enough on the lungeline I took the lungeline off and free lunged her. That went ok. In some corners she would turn and face me and in others she didn't want to. We got it to the point that she pretty consistantly turned toward us in any corner. AND to top it off she followed me in the end. She had never done that that I can remember ;) I was impressed!!
Lillian came then and so off we headed on a ride. Lillian on Curly, MaryRose on Beauty, Me on Daisy (all three of us bareback) and Sharon on Bean. Daisy did quite well :) But she has been since she got over her grumpiness ;) When we got back I groomed her and put her away.

Wednesday: Instead of riding any of my horses to the stables I decided to ride Curly again :) He did really well...better than last week. And on the way home I got him to slow down totally by voice commands. My hands didn't touch the reins. I had done that last week and it surprised me that he would listen that well on me ;)

That was my week so far. I plan to go say Hi to my horses here in a bit and then tomorrow ride. Not sure who I will ride yet but we shall see! Hope you all have a good rest of the week!!

Trees!!

Here are the pics I have been taking of trees the last week or so :) The last two are the ones I took when I was on Shasta and with her moving around so they didn't turn out the best ;) Enjoy!!

Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday's Rides and Friday's Ride and Groundwork!!

Saturday: I did take my mom and sisters riding last Saturday then. Mom rode Lightning, Rose Mary rode Sundance, Rachel rode Speedy (and my cousins and their mom was along as well), Fannie (my aunt) rode Curly, Sarah and her sister Kate rode their Beauty, and MaryRose rode Daisy ;) We did some cantering and pretty much walking but EVERYONE had fun. Oh and I rode Shasta..haha. She did ok...I forgot how hyped up she gets in a group..LOL. I wanted to take some pics of trees and the rest of the group went ahead and wow did she get cross. The pics got ok but not like I had wanted them to because Miss Shasta didn't want to stand still. She did her normal hop d skip thing but I felt like I could handle her and I didn't feel unsafe just because I was riding bareback. Her tantrum wasn't near like it would have been if I would have done the same thing when I first got her. That part is a definite improvement. Despite that she did good ;) Mom was sure I was going to fall off and a few times it was close but I wasn't worried ;)

 Sharon and I not pictured

Monday: In the morning I rode Shasta over to the stables where we work bareback (I have been riding her all bareback lately and she does so well). She did really well and listens to whatever I ask pretty much. I am so pleased that I bought her and that she is turning out way above and beyond my expectations this far ahead already.

Then in the evening I rode Daisy. I honestly don't remember where we rode for some reason but I know I rode her :D I did ride her with the stirrups and not bareback because she had been being a bit of a grump lately but with the work she had been getting she is a lot less of one ;) She is such a funny horse sometimes but I love her!!

Tuesday: I had worked for the lady I usually work for Fridays for a  couple of hours and I got off early so I got to Sharon nice and early. I tacked Daisy up in English and Sharon and I rode the whole loop. It was so interesting watching Daisy because she had had the english saddle on her already before here at home and also at Sharon's but I hadn't used it on her in a really long time. Anyway we were going out the back field and Daisy was really listening to me. It was so interesting to watch because you could tell by her ears that she knew she had something different on. I really enjoyed riding her with the english saddle again. I think I will be using it more on here. It fits Shasta too ;)

Then in the evening when MaryRose and Sarah came I rode Shasta bareback. We rode for a nice hour and as usual Shasta did really well ;) I must say I am constantly impressed with her!!! I know I say that about everytime I write about her but I really am :D

Wednesday: Since I had ridden both my horses twice already and I badly wanted to ride a different horse I rode Curly to the stables. He was being a brat at first but he settled down. I had ridden him bareback and I guess he thought with the combination of it being cold and all he could be bad. Well he found out different. He kept wanting to canter really choppily which I know that he can canter really smooth. So I slowed him down and then he cantered nicely. He is so funny :) On the way home for the stables he did so awesome. He cantered a really slow canter with no problem. He holds a special place in my heart!!

Friday: Yesterday (Friday) I went on a ride with Riley, his brother Trevor and Sharon. I got to ride the morgan (Rickie) (at Riley's request..he is the one that owns him). I rode him thru the creek for the first time and he did good. I really think he will make an excellant horse for Riley!! When we got back from riding I took Riley home then came back to Sharon. Sharon had a supper with Earl Dean at his work so I had the evening to myself. So I got Shasta and longed her in the roundpen. I got her to walk and trot with just voice commands, my body language and just raising or lowering or cracking the whip. She DID just AWESOME. Way better than I expected. She did better this way than with even the lunge line. To get her to walk I would say walk and slow down my movement and she would slow down to a walk. Then for her to trot I would say TEROT and I would raise the whip. If she didn't trot I would repeat it and crack the whip and then she would trot. Toward the end I didn't even need to crack the whip. It was just awesome. Then when I was done I got her to face me and I turned away and she came to me immediately. Usually she has to decide but nope she came to me right away. It was SO AWESOME!!! <3 After she had followed me around I hopped on her with just a leadrope as reins and bareback and rode around the roundpen. She did good ;) Wouldn't try it out in the open right away but I was impressed. We also worked on some flexing and that sort of thing. I feel our bond deepened last night in a way it wasn't before. It was awesome!!



Sorry the quality of the pics aren't the best...they were taken in the barn at night last evening and in black and white ;)

I put Shasta outside again after I brushed her and I went and got Daisy. I did the exact same thing with Daisy as I did with Shasta as far as longing her. She did good as well but not quite as good as Shasta. I did like that when I asked either horse to turn though they BOTH turned toward me to make their turn. That I really like! Anyway Daisy followed me too. Then I brought Shasta in after I had brushed Daisy. I didn't really know what else I was going to do but I wanted to let both my girls be together for a bit before Sarah and MaryRose came. Well I had hopped on Shasta with a leadrope you know I figured I am just going to do the same with Daisy minus the leadrope. I got on her and she was walking around. She was by the one gate and sticking her head over it and kept bothering Harry so I used my right leg and got her to move. I had just used my leg not really expecting her to do anything as she wasn't trained for it and hasn't ever been. She moved. Well then right away I was like lets see what all you do when I do use my legs to tell you to move. She moved in a circle when I pushed my right leg against her side. She didn't do it when I used my left leg but that gave me an idea. I hopped off of her and using my hand I pushed against her side and she moved her hindquarters around. I did the same on both sided. I didn't have ahold of her head or anything. I was like wow (she had done this when I have a leadrope on her and when I am telling her not to go front but never just out of the blue like this). She didn't move front she just did exactly what I asked her to do. Then I did the same with her forequarters...same result (although she did move forward I did get her to move over without moving forward). I was so happy. She is way farther ahead than I even realized!! ;) I was so very pleased!! After I praised her I got off of Daisy and got Shasta and her together and took some pics ;) They didn't turn out the best because of the lighting and it being dark.

MaryRose and Sarah came and then the deciding came on who to ride. I wanted to ride Daisy but yet not really and I didn't really feel like riding Shasta...don't know what my issue was. Sarah said she would ride Daisy and then I said then I will ride their Beauty..bareback ;) And Maryrose rode Lightning bareback. Sarah rode Daisy with the stirrups. We headed out and went up to Fairmount Trails. Sharon caught up to us then ;) It was overall a very enjoyable evening..I got to ride twice (neither horses mine) and I got to do groundwork and spend time with both my horses. Now since I wrote a book I will sign off ;) Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!