Wednesday's Working with the Babies and Naming Shasta's Baby!!

FINALLY A NAME!!! His name is: Shasta's Mateo which (if I am correct) is Spanish for Matthew. Shasta's Dad's name was Mateo :)

Today I rode Harry for Sharon. He did well :) When we got back from riding him I went and got my little blue halter (which is too small Freedom now) and went out to Mateo. I had Shasta in the neighboring corral so I could work with Mateo without her interruption :) I caught him and put his halter on. Then I worked on him coming to me. At first he fought like crazy and pulled back real hard but he figured out that if he comes forward it won't hurt him. He has a lot of fire in him because as soon as he felt the pressure he would just stand there and just bulk against the rope and then all of a sudden he would lunge front and strike out with his front legs. He so has his mom in him as far as the bulking and being a little ornery :) :) I worked with him on letting me come up to him. I stretched my hand out to him and the first couple of times he backed away real fast. Eventually I got him to the point that I was able to walk up to him with the halter and lead on and he didn't back away. Then I just hugged him and held him a bit. After that I took the halter off and sent him to his mom. I went out and got Daisy and Freedom. Once they were in their corral and Daisy was eating her grain I picked all four of Freedom's legs up...I wasn't touching him at all all except on his legs and he stood stock still. I was so impressed. He is so much more people friendly now than he was before. I was quite pleased. Once both girls had their grain eaten I put Shasta and Mateo out in the meadow and then headed home. Not sure if I am going tomorrow (I have off from work) or not but if I do I will work with both moms ;) We shall see!! Hope you have an awesome rest of the week!!

Tuesday's Groundwork and Working with the Babies!!

Today I first worked with Shasta in the roundpen a bit to get her to listen to me. She is worse than Daisy as far as keeping her mind on me when I am walking her to and from places and just plain down ignoring me and paying attention to the baby. Which isn't all bad I realize but just because she has a baby doesn't mean she doesn't have to listen to me. So I lunged her and she did well. She did even better than yesterday and she followed me too :) I was very pleased with her. After we were done I hosed her off and put her in her corral and gave her her grain. Shasta had been on the meadow so before I put her in the other corral I put Daisy and Freedom out on the meadow and put Shasta in the other corral that doesn't go out to the meadow. Then I went and got a halter and went out to get Freedom. Once I got him I put the halter on him and lead him around a bit. Mostly though I worked on him with standing still and letting me touch him all over. He is a bit picky about his face so I usually pay close attention to that. He really fought puting the halter on so after I was done working with him before I let him go back to his mom I took the halter off and put it on again. He stood perfectly still and let me put the halter on without thinking about it. I thought that was neat. I touched him all over and lifted all four legs up without holding him in place..he stood perfectly still for that. :) That was the best ever. Then once I was finished with him, I clucked and let him go back to his mom. 

I went over to Shasta's baby (who still doesn't have a name..have a few I am mulling over) and worked with him a bit. He didn't stand very still he did let me touch him all over and just generally get to know him. He is a little feisty one..more like his mom. Freedom likes his independance and having his own way all the while having plenty of energy and he is full of himself but Shasta's baby is more easily worked up and high strung like his mom. He is really neat though :)

When I was done working with all my horses (I let Daisy have the day off..I loved on her though) I went with Riley on Rickie, Sharon on Bean and I rode Curly. That was an enjoyable ride!!! :)

Roses!!

Most of these pictures only have their color adjusted but beyond that there is not really any editing done :) Enjoy!!

Monday's Ride on Daisy along with Freedom!!

Today when I first got to Sharon I slept and ate some lunch. Then when I did go out to my horses I cleaned their water tubs and cleaned up piles. I would have done the tubs on Friday but I didn't have much time with my horses on Friday due to going to the cabin with the youth. I worked in the morning then picked Rose Mary up at Rough and Tumble. At Rough and Tumble I ate some lunch, said hi to a few people, and then Rose Mary and I left. We stopped at Sharon, said hi to the horses then headed home. I did have an awesome weekend at the cabin with the youth though. Very relaxing and refreshing. I enjoyed it immensly!!Anyway back to today. Sharon was away and when she got back she came out and asked if I want to ride. I said sure. So I put Shasta and her son out on the meadow and got Daisy and Freedom out. I hosed Daisy off and put the stirrups on her and Freedom and her and I went on a ride with Sharon and Harry. Note: Some of you may wonder why I take Freedom along for rides..well I personally feel there is nothing wrong with it simply because we don't go too fast or to far for him and not only that it is natural in my mind for the baby to go along..they do in the wild. He really enjoyed going along today..he was running around and bucking and kicking and just plain down enjoying himself. Daisy seemed to enjoy it as well.When we got back I lunged Shasta a bit because she was being a bit of a mess. She followed me and backed up nicely for me. Then I played with her baby a bit. He isn't near the handful Freedom was and I still don't have a name for him but some are running thru my mind. We shall see what his name ends up being!! Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!!!
p.s. Attatched a pic of a rose that I took as well as edited!

Pictures of the BABIES!!

I have two pics of Freedom and Daisy as well as a few of both Shasta and Daisy with their babies together and then the rest are of either just Shasta and the baby or just the baby :) Enjoy!!

Thursday's Ride with Daisy and Freedom!!

When I first got to Sharon I took a nap. I thought to take the camera along today and am hoping to get some pics up tonight yet. I got some pics of both Freedom and Daisy and Shasta and her baby. I also got some of them all together. I loved on Shasta a bit as well as her baby. He is so calm and laid back than Freedom was but I wonder if he won't get a bit more feisty as time goes on..We shall see I guess!!

Today I took Freedom on another ride (a bit longer than Tuesday's ride). This time though instead of just letting him run alongside I decided to halter him and pony him for the fist time. He did wonderfully well. A few times at first he lagged behind and tried to just pull on the rope but the horses that came along behind made it so he wanted to follow. I was quite pleased with the progress he has made especially with not really working on leading that much. I do try to do something with him every day even if it isn't long. He was a month old yesterday :) Freedom is quite tame and he is starting to just come up to me without me having to go to him first. Today he was laying down in the meadow and I went out to get Daisy and him and he let me come up to him without getting up. I was so happy about that!! Anyway back to the ride. Sharon rode Bean and Sarah rode Lightning and MaryRose rode Curly which made it that both Freedom's parents were along (since I rode Daisy). When we got back since it was so warm I hosed both Freedom and Daisy off. I kissed both girls goodbye and headed home!

Another Boy (Shasta's Baby) and a Ride on Curly!!

Half Brothers

Today I got to Sharon and after my nap, Andrea (on Sweet Pea), Sharon on Harry and me on Curly while ponying Sugarfoot. We went over to the farrier to get Sugarfoot (he is a yearling) feet done and Harry's fronts. While over there Sharon's neighbor called and said hey the white horse in the meadow is bloody. Sharon was like whats up? Then he was like does she have a baby and Sharon was like Shasta had her baby!! So as soon as the farrier was done with Harry and Sugarfoot we headed home. I so couldn't wait to get home. Curly did well the whole time :) When we got back I put Curly away first then went out to see the baby. Both Shasta and the baby (which we saw was a boy) were fine. We brought them in and put them in a stall (first I cleaned Shasta up though!!). Then I put iodine on his navel and touched him all over a bit. It was going to poar down rain so I quickly gave Daisy her grain and Shasta hers and loved on them and headed out. Tomorrow I plan to get some more pics of Freedom and Daisy and of course Shasta and her baby. I have some names in mind already but I want to spend some time with him more as well as check him out a bit more!! Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!!

Riding Daisy with Freedom Tagging Along!!

Today I got off from work an hour earlier which was totally awesome ;) So I took a nap first then Sharon had a mother and daughter come for a wagon ride which we went into the Panda Garden (a Chinese buffet). When we got back Andrea (who owns Sweet Pea) came over to ride. Sharon rode Harry and I rode Daisy and Andrea rode Sweet Pea (of course). I really wanted to take Freedom along but I asked Andrea first where she wants to ride and how hard and how long. She said up to Fairmount Trails is good so that is what we did. Since we weren't going to far I could take Freedom along. We cantered out the back field and up the field lane. Freedom was having fun running alongside his mom. Then when we got up to the home we just walked thru there and he did well with staying by his mom for the most part. I had decided that I wanted to take him one more time without leading him and so the next time if it works out I want to put the halter on and lead him. He does well with leading from the ground so we shall see how he does with leading from his mom. We cantered some on the way back too. Well once we were back Freedom was warm enough to hose him off so I hosed both him and Daisy off. He did so well with standing too. I just held my hand in front of his chest some of the time and he didn't run off either. I was so impressed with him. Then I loved on Shasta a bit and gave them their grain. Sharon and I also set up a foal feeder for Freedom so he can eat grain when Daisy does!! Tomorrow we shall see who I ride but I really want to work with Shasta sometime this week a bit!! Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!

Monday!!

Today I rode Daisy :) I didn't take  Freedom along as planned because my two cousins were there, Riley and Alta were there too and they all wanted me to go riding with Sharon and them. So I went along ;) It was too long for Freedom so he stayed home. I rode Daisy in the english saddle and she did so awesome..I am just so pleased with her!! <3 When we got back I put her out on the meadow, let Shasta out on the lawn and then went into Freedom. I messed with his legs a bit and he stood still without me holding him..I was so pleased. Then he came to me and such which was good too because he never did that before. I lead him around a bit as well. He is getting big and he is just the sweetest little thing!!

When I finished messing with Freedom I loved on Shasta a bit, put her back in her corral and gave both girls their grain!! Then I headed on home. I want to do some groundwork with Shasta and some riding work with her too but I am just holding off on riding her a lot alot till she has her baby. I do want to ride her a bit this week just not too much. I do want to take Freedom on a ride as well..we shall see what all happens I guess! Have a wonderful week!!

Saturday!!

Today I rode Shasta bareback and with the Paso-Fino bit. I so wished I wouldn't have but I did. She didn't do well at all and I think it is because we did walking and when we cantered we didn't go fast at all. It was because Sharon was riding Harry and he canters really slow and Shasta wanted nothing to do with that today. She was all speed for whatever reason today :D Anyway I worked with her and toward the end she did better. I want to do groundwork Monday with her..we shall see. I didn't ride Daisy today or take Freedom out but I plan to do that next week. We shall see how it goes!!
When I got back from riding I loved on both girls a bit, gave them grain and water and then headed home!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
p.s. Hope to have more interesting blogs next week :D

2 Corinthians 12:9

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

Just thought I would share what I have been learning :) These past 2 weeks..well almost 3 now..I have been really struggling with my job as far as getting used to it and not being sure if this is where I am supposed to be. At first it was a big adjustment for me as far as the hours were concerned. I really really LIKE the work in itself, it was just the fact that the hours are so different and it was just a big adjustment all around. I have been praying about it a lot and asking God if this is where he wants me and such. Note: I work at Bird In Hand Bakery and Creamery (http://www.bird-in-hand.com/index.php/places_to_eat/eat_overview/bird_in_hand_bakery/) and my hours are 3-11 am during the week and 2-10 Saturdays which I only work two Saturdays a month). I didn't realize when I started there they work on Sundays (they have an afternoon shift if I understand things correctly) which to me isn't right because I believe Sundays is a day of rest and I don't feel right working for a place that even if I don't have to work that shift. So right now I am in the process of seeing if I can work at the bakery I wanted to work at in the first place. Here is a link: http://www.bihbakeshop.com/. My mom worked there before she as married and it has always been my dream to work there. Right now I am waiting on an answer as far as to when I can start there if at all. So we shall see. But I do feel that I am supposed to stay right where I am at for now but if the opportunity arises to change if I feel that its God's will I will change :)

This verse (2 Corinthians 12:9) has meant a lot to me because I have been leaning on God thru this time. I have been drawn closer to him in a way that I wasn't before. I actually a while back had prayed for God to draw me closer to him in a way that is visible to me...well I got what I prayed for and beyond. I feel very stretched..spiritually but I am thankful!! I know God is with me regardless of what happens as far as my job goes and I am thankful for his patience with me. God is so good.

Friday!!

Today I rode Daisy. Sharon had to take Bean and Misty over to the farrier so she rode Bean and ponied Misty while I rode Daisy bareback. She did so awesome. She cantered so nicely and so slowly when asked and she just did great all around. I think that was the best cantering ride I have had in a long time on her. So glad I decided not to breed either of my horses again this year. When we got back I hosed Daisy off and brought Shasta in off of the meadow. I keep checking her every day and she looks like she could have her baby soon but I think she might wait till next week. We shall see I guess. I loved on her and Daisy a bit then headed home. I need to get to bed early tonight due to...work..hehe. Tomorrow I work for the first time on a Saturday and Saturdays we go in at 2 instead of 3 so it will be interesting. But the nice thing is we get out and hour earlier. We shall see how it goes!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Wednesday and Thursday!!

Yesterday I didn't ride  because I was quite tired so I just took a nap then before I went home I cleaned up piles and loved on my girls and Freedom. I also switched the girls so Daisy and Freedom (who had been on the meadow) were in their corral and Shasta got a turn on the meadow. I gave them their grain then headed home. I quick got changed around then went to my cousins house for a sleepover.

This morning (Thursday) I got up late then left my cousins and went to Sharon's place. She wanted me to work Harry thru some spots he doesn't really like to go thru and he always likes to follow another horse so we worked on him going first. He did really well. I was so pleased :) I rode him in my English saddle which was a lot of fun for me! When we got back from that I wanted to come home because my family is doing stuff today as a family. So I loved on both girls switched them again so Daisy and Freedom could be on the meadow and Shasta would be in a corral. Gave them their grain and cleaned up piles. Then I loved on both girls and worked with Freedom with picking up his legs and with just standing nice by me. He is such a cutie pie ;) Tomorrow I hope to ride one or even both my girls..we shall see. I had off today which was really nice!! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Here is a link to a song that my cousins showed me..I really like it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEt2XdN_TbQ

Here is another song I like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwdmqM3pc68

Tuesday!!

Yesterday I didn't go to ride because my truck's alternator gave out so I had to take my dad's truck to work so I came home right after work. I did stop in to say hi to my girls and clean up piles.

Today (Tuesday) I got to Sharon and took a nap after lunch. Then we went for a ride. I rode Shasta (just like I did Daisy before she had her foal) in the english saddle and snaffle bit. She did quite well with everything :) We cantered a bit (Shasta and I went with Sharon on Harry) but we did a lot of walking and talking :D When we got back I cleaned up piles, gave Shasta a bath, and led Freedom around a little bit. He is doing so well with that!! Then I gave my girls grain then headed on home. Tomorrow I plan to take Freedom on a ride with Daisy and then also take just Daisy on a ride. We shall see what happens. Hope you all have a wonderful rest of the week!!

Edits!!

 My Girls Shasta and Daisy

 Daisy

 Shasta

Here are some pics that I have had for a bit and wanted to edit :) I am using www.picmonkey.com as my editing place now..really like it..a lot like Picnik.com used to be!

Friday!!

Today I rode Harry and Bean. We went over to Riley's house to ride back with him and his brother Trevor to Sharon's house (it was Sharon, Alta, and my cousin Josh who went over to meet them). I rode Harry on the way over and then on the way back to Sharon I rode Bean. When we got back I first did some free lunging. I wanted to work on Daisy doing some nice turns when I ask her to change directions. She did very well with that even with Freedom calling for her and everything. Daisy focused on me and even followed me. Then I put her back out with Freedom and got Shasta. I worked with Shasta a bit on lunging but mainly got her to stand facing me without going anywhere till I tell her. I was impressed with how she did that. I brushed her and put her out in her paddock again too.

After I worked with both my girls I cleaned out Daisy's water tub and cleaned up piles. After I ate some supper then I got Freedom out and let Daisy in the corral. He follows so nice. I haven't worked that terribly much on leadin and putting the halter on but he did amazing!! He follows without thinking. So I took him over to where I have my grooming stuff and I groomed him. He was wiggling around and kicked at the brush a few times but he did great. I was so pleased. Then we went for a little walk which are what the pics are from. He didn't stand so well so I didn't get many nice pics but I was pleased with the ones I did get! After being out a bit I put him back in with Daisy and said bye to her and to Freedom and Shasta then headed home. It was quite the nice day with my horses :)

Thursday!!

First thing I did today when I got to Sharon was take a nap :) Afterwards I saddled Daisy up in the English saddle. Sharon had Harry all ready so she was waiting for me. Since I was riding Daisy without taking Freedom again this time she was dancing around more than normal but I did get her to stand a bit still. We were going over to the farrier who also floats our horses teeth (does a good job as well...he does it similar to this: http://horseandman.com/medical/geoff-tucker-dvm-equine-dentististry-without-drugs-or-speculum/). Daisy is quite skinny (worse than after she had her baby and she looked pretty good then) and she wasn't eating all her hay so we talked to the vet and he said he would feed her more grain and keep her exercise like normal and also maybe get her teeth done. Daisy did well the whole way and we even did a nice amount of slow cantering. Harry didn't do so well for Sharon but he has been doing so good for so long so I am not surprised :) When we got back I played with Freedom a little bit. I held him a bit against me and also picked all four legs up. He is getting so gentle and tame and he is so much fun to have around!! Then I went and loved on Shasta a bit. She is due on Monday and she looks like she is getting close to having her baby!! We shall see I guess! Tomorrow I will probably have longer at Sharon with the horses due to having off on Saturday so I don't have to go to bed early..hehe :) Also I will be helping Sharon for 3 hours at a benefit thing with the horses (we take the horses and give people rides). Hope you have a wonderful rest of the week!!

Wednesday!!

Today I rode Daisy without Freedom for the first time. Freedom had gone on two previous rides in the last week and today I was going on a longer ride and it was too long for him so I decided it won't hurt either Daisy or him to be separated for a short time like that..actually is good for both of them. Daisy did really well with the ride!! We did some cantering but we did a lot of walking too. I rode her in the hackamore and since it was going to be a lot of walking and riding on the road (walking) I put the stirrups on her. When we got back I hosed her off and shampooed her :) Then since I had let Freedom come to his mom I hosed his legs off. It was warm enough to do that. Then I cleaned up piles. I loved on Shasta then headed home :) Tomorrow I hope to work with her, we shall see!! Have a good rest of the week!!

Tuesday!!

Tis a rainy day here so after work I took a nap then I headed out to my horses. I took Daisy and Freedom into the main ring with the other horses. I groomed Daisy really good and also groomed Freedom with the one brush. He is getting a lot better with stuff like that and seems to actually enjoy it!! After I groomed Daisy I walked her around a bit and got her to move her hindquarters for me :) She did really good!! I loved on her then put her away!! <3 Then I groomed Shasta too. She really enjoyed it too. Then I also got her to move her hindquarters as she did good with that. I loved on her too and she really was loving that. I let her go back to the other horses. I then cleaned Daisy's water tubs really good and also cleaned out her corral. I also oiled Shasta and Daisy's saddle :) <3 Overall it was a good afternoon with my horses!!

Monday's Rides on Daisy and Shasta!!

My cousins were at Sharon (Sarah and MaryRose) and we were in the house talking for a long while. Then we went out and MaryRose and I were petting Freedom and loving on him a bit. He is a frisky boy :) I got him to pick all four legs up without a problem!!After my cousins left I groomed Daisy then I put the hackamore on her and Sharon and I headed out on a ride. Sharon was on Harry, me on Daisy and Freedom followed along behind. He was having so much fun. We cantered some but walked mostly!! When we got back I brushed Daisy off and put her and Freedom away.I got Shasta out put the Paso-fino bit on her (don't use it much but still do somtimes) and Sharon and I went for a quick spin. She was doing lead changes on Harry ;) We did some cantering with Shasta so she was a little sweaty when we got back so I hosed her off! Then I loved on both her and Daisy and Freedom then headed home. Overall it was a wonderful afternoon with my horses!!

Saturday!!

Yesterday I spent the day with my sister Rachel. We went up to a rodeo that some people put on for some of us from Sharon's barn and a collection of other people. It actually is more like a ghymnkana (sp) but we all call it a rodeo. Everyone rides their horses up to the rodeo (well all of us that are coming from Sharon's). I rode Shasta and Rachel rode behind me. For those of you who don't know Rachel is 7 and she is my sister. Shasta did very well I was quite impressed. When we got up there I took the stirrups off and hosed her down then I put the long rope I use to sometimes lunge the girls on her and let her eat grass with Harry. I wasn't going to do any games I just came along to watch and have fun with other horse people as well as take some pics :D I took some nice pics I was quite pleased :)  After the games everyone goes for a short ride together..we went along for that..then we got back ate supper and while everyone we rode up with rode home I trailered Shasta home. So Rachel and I went with Earl Dean in the pick up that pulled the trailer.When we got back I spent some time with Freedom and Daisy. I took a few pics as well as some better video of him and her. Then Rachel and I headed home. Overall it was quite an awesome day!!!!

she is owned by the same people who bought Ebony from Sharon!

Aussie Saddle

 Shasta at the rodeo

Daisy and Freedom :)