Much Ado About Nothing

In an effort to not think about the tour of the vet school I have to give to ~20 people this morning, I am writing this post. I don't know what it will be about; I suppose I'll find out as I go.

Flash was pretty great this Saturday. She even loped off immediately a couple of times right when I kissed- I was so surprised one of these times that she almost left me behind. She is wont to lope in tiny circles with her shoulder dropped, so after she got a little more consistent at the canter departure, we worked on doing larger loops and staying in the bridle. We worked on some other things, like moving her off my leg, and all in all I'd say we had a very successful ride.

Next up was Sienna. I should have known something was up when she, of her own volition, took off trotting and then cantering on the longe line... this usually lazy horse of mine. I got on her, and immediately things went south. She fought me for her head, she wanted to trot like a jackhammer, and she was just as unpleasant as she could be. After working her slow for a good while, I asked her to canter on her right lead- and we were off to the races. She grabbed the bit in her teeth, shook her head back and forth, and was like "later, sucka". I grabbed my outside rein and started s l o w l y pulling her into the fence to stop her (without tripping her), and she threw her head up angrily in the air, her feet wanting to follow.

And that was it. I had had it. I leaped off of her, sending her flying backwards with me barely hanging onto the reins, and we had a little pow-wow about her horrible attitude. Once that was over, I got back on, and we had a beautiful canter on the right lead. We next had to work through how to whoa at "whoa", a concept that we keep having to come back to, but we got that settled, as well. I got off feeling like we had at least accomplished something. And I vowed to ride her more- Flash takes up my daylight on weekdays, so Sienna has had a lot of time off.

Finally, I tacked up Chica with my English saddle and just her halter, and we went off down the road to relax and unwind (for me, at least). We went further than we have before, and of course the sky chose to start sprinkling, but it was a great ride that reminded me how awesome Chica is. At one point, we were cantering down the side of the road, and we got into a boggy area that started sucking at Chica's feet. Rather than stopping, Chica slowed to a lope unlike anything she has ever done before and loped through the mess, striving to stay at the gait I had asked for. On the way back, my back started hurting, so I rode side-saddle for a little ways (something I still hope to learn for serious one day). It's SO SO nice having a horse that I trust, especially in the midst of Flash and Sienna. Sienna was getting there last semester, before Christmas break, but I dropped the ball with her.

Sunday turned out to be a stormy day. I woke up at 7 to the wind picking up, saw on my phone that we were under a tornado watch, and went into action- I let my dogs out before the storm hit, and ran outside, with the intention of trying to get the horses fed before the rain and wind and such. I made it out to the feed shed, and there was a flash of light, and a huge "boom!", and I thought, "Abort! Abort!" Since my roommate's baby is right next to the feed shed, I threw her hay and feed, and then ran back inside- right as the rain started. So the horses had an impromptu day off, and I cleaned a little and took a nap and had an impromptu day off for myself.

Neat clouds

Beautiful sky

So, I guess this post turned into a horse post, as do most things around me. In ending, here is a non-horse picture of some ducks that have taken to the pond behind my house. Every time I walk out of my front door, like 20 of these guys fly up quacking, scaring me to death.

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Flashy Flash

When my friend asked me to break her horse for her, my first thought was, "Wooo! This will be fun!" My immediate next thought was, "Oh noooo I need to go hide in a hole ahhh how am I going to do thissss," all at the same time. You see, while I've had experience breaking several horses, I've never done the whole process with a horse that hasn't at least been backed before. Especially not by myself, with no one coaching me.

Enter Flash.

"Hello!"

 When I came back from Christmas break, I decided to bring Sienna and Flash back with me and leave Chica momentarily. The whole loading the trailer experience, however, really made me second-guess my decision.

Sienna loaded easily enough, but then Flash- Flash acted pretty much how I would expect a just auctioned off mustang, fresh off the prairie, to load. Like this: "AHHHH WHERE ARE YOU TAKING ME STRANGER DANGER SOMEONE SAVE MEEEE!" I had to unload Sienna and try loading Flash in the front instead, which worked a lot better- until I shut the divider and she realized she had nowhere to go and tried to crawl under the divider. Cue freakout!

She bashed her head pretty good, and I thought we were all going to die, but I managed to calm her down. With the help of a worker out at the stable, we were able to figure out a system that kept her head up and yet left it loose enough that she didn't try and fight it. Poor Sienna was like "?" when I loaded her afterwards, but thems the breaks, kiddo.

Once we got back to my house, then new problem was figuring out how to unload her. By myself. I knew that as soon as the divider opened, she'd be outta there. I tied Sienna at her head to distract her, and somehow, we got out of the trailer in one piece.

Things didn't appear so bleak once she was out, but now I was seriously unsure of how I was going to be able to break her. She was skittish, head-shy, and in a new place. I was grateful for the small paddock we built at the front of the pasture, because I knew I'd never catch her at the rate we were going out in the big pasture.

She and Sienna hit it off; or, at least, she hit it off with Sienna. Sienna was pretty indifferent, and, surprisingly, she has grown to be quite jealous of Flash.

"Remember how you're my mom? Not hers?"

I started off doing a lot of ground work with Flash, because, if I was going to get on her, we were going to have to get a few things straight ahead of time. I longed her, swung ropes around her, put a rope around her girth and tightened it, like I was cinching a saddle, taught her how to give her head and turn in response to pressure, how to trot in hand- the more we accomplished, the quieter she became. I put the bareback pad on her a couple of times before saddling her, since it had a cinch, and she tolerated it way better than I expected. Soon, I brought out the saddle, and she took to it very well- she hardly even bucked once it was on.

"I'm a big kid now!"

 Next came the bit and bridle. I was pretty sure we were going to have to work through some issues there- as I said, she can be head shy, and she tends to go up to get away from pressure. I started driving her, so that she could rear and work through all of that without me on her back. The first couple of times were grim, indeed- she almost fell over at one point in response to me asking her to turn her head- but before long, she was walking out, turning in circles, and giving her head in response to slight pressure on the lines. We even trotted, with me running behind her in what I'm sure was a classy rendition of a carriage ride.

I've been riding her for about 12 days now, and I'm still surprised every time I get on her how well she has taken to everything. The first few times I sat on her and asked her to move forward, she would only back- so I had to get off, bump the stirrups against her side while I clicked, and basically show her what the "go forward" cue meant. But now, we're walking and jogging all around. She does try to test me and see if she can stop while we're trotting, and then she gets cranky when I bump my heels into her sides- but so far, she hasn't given me much grief.

I have to be very, very light with her- if I get too snatchy with the reins, or I kick super hard, or I go to smack her with the reins, we'll probably end up in the next county- but as long as I stay quiet and confident with her, she stays quiet. She's like a child- if she feels like I'm in control and assured, she is happy to follow me. And the funny thing is, she really likes me. I think she likes me more than Sienna does. And that definitely helps when I'm asking her to do something she's not sure about- I've found that if she's spooking at something and I blow into her nostrils, it brings her back down from her scared place and kind of grounds her. Who would've thunk it?

This has been a really good experience, and I thank God for sending me what I needed when I was feeling down. I'll be glad when it's back to just my horses and I, mostly because I worry all the time that Flash is going to injure herself while she's here, but also because they have kind of gone on the back burner while I've worked with Flash. Also, I realized last night that I should probably give Flash a day off every now and then. Can't say I've ever had that thought with my own two...

In ending, enjoy this video of Romeo, who was scared to death of horses, pulling Sienna around. What a good pony!

 

I apologize for my high pitched, over-enthusiastic voice.

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No time to create a title!

I knew what this was when I sent in an application to start on a Master's degree. I knew that between work and school, time was going to be pretty tight.

But then, a friend asked me if I could saddle break her horse, and of course, I said yes.

And I also decided I wanted Sienna to the point where she was working well enough to ask what I want when selling her.

So now, between a 40-hour a week job, 9-hour a week school, and who knows how many hours-a-week rides... there is no time. Literally. No time. Let's not forget that I also have a third horse, 2 dogs, and a cat that all compete for my attention. And family and friends that enjoy seeing me.

Yesterday was fabulous- I had the day off from work. All of my horses were ridden. I was caught up with school. I got to hang out with one of my best friends. Everything was kosher.

And then, today happened. I'm taking a break from my Legal Environment of Publishing class to write this, because I am not sure I can physically read anymore law cases at the moment. I have a paper due tomorrow (that is honestly not a big thing, but still), and more work due Friday.

Oh, and I found out today that I am going to Africa in March for work. So, you know. Better get my passport and vaccinations in order, on top of EVERYTHING ELSE.

I am not complaining, not a single bit. I enjoy staying busy, I enjoy working with the horses, and I am OH MY GOSH SO EXCITED about my upcoming, all expenses paid trip.

But I am so tired!! I told one of my siblings yesterday that I needed a vacation, even though yesterday was a vacation day. Really, all I need is a quiet room that I can sleep in for about 24 hours. Is that too much to ask?

AFRICA! (Seriously excited)

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Happy Anniversary!

Yesterday, January 9th, marked one year of togetherness for Sienna and I.

CRAZY.

I simply do not know where the time has gone. I can't believe that a year ago, I was picking up this free, little red horse and thinking a) "Did I just make a mistake?", b) "Will I be able to afford 2 horses, or will this end in miserable failure?" and c) "Oh my gosh another horse! A registered one! A paint! What will I call her?"

I called my mom to inform her of our anniversary, and her response was,

Mom: "A year?"
Me: "Yes! Can you believe it?"
Mom: "I can't believe it has only been a year."
Me: "I know! How has it already been... wait, what?"
Mom: "I would have thought that you've had her like, 2 or 3 years."

Hmm. Well, alright then.

I'd like to think that Sienna is better off from working with me this past year. I think she has made a lot of progress since last January. She is pretty good to handle on the ground and in the saddle, she walks, trots, canters, and whoas like a big girl both on the longe line and under saddle, she knows, if she steps on her lead rope (my bad), to give her face rather than fighting against it, and she has a new registered name that makes people laugh (with her, not at her).

I don't know that we will make our next anniversary, but I certainly appreciate the experience and the confidence that she has given me this last year.

My first glimpse of Sienna

Her first night home

First introduction to Chica

First haircut!

First show

First trail ride

First lesson with 2 kids who had never ridden a horse before

First time at Dr. Buff's

2012 was a good year with a lot of firsts. To more firsts (and seconds, thirds, etc) in 2013!

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Sienna's First Trail Ride

Last Saturday, one of the more ridiculously cold days of the year (I'm pretty sure), I was invited to go on a trail ride with some friends at 7IL. I have been trying to get Sienna out amongst the people, so I had the bright idea to take her. Put some miles on her, as it were.

After making the trek to Cat Springs with Teana and her gorgeous palomino, Sonny, along for the ride, we discovered that there was a competitive trail ride going on... meaning there were like a million horses and trailers already there. Fortunately everyone else in my party seemed to know where to go, so we headed to the "day rider" unloading area, parked, and unloaded. In addition to Sienna, Sonny, Teana and I, Jacqui and her paint, Outlaw, and Bevin and her paint, Nyala, came alogn. It was a colored breed fest, to say the least.

Sienna got out of the trailer looking a little too bright eyed and bushy tailed for my liking, so I longed her- during which she plodded along peacefully and only cantered because I got after her with the whip. It was literally freezing outside, which did not help matters. I ended up wearing a thick coat, thick gloves, ear muffs- if I had had a ski mask, I would have been totally prepared.

We all saddled up, mounted, and headed off through the chaos that was several hundred endurance people/Arabians milling around. I wasn't sure Sienna (or I) was going to make it. We finally got to the trail head, and I dropped a glove... so I scrambled down to get it. As I was third in our little caravan, Jacqui and Teana, who were leading, did not realize that I had dismounted... so when they saw me on the ground, they automatically assumed that I had been thrown already. Thanks for the vote of confidence, guys.

Everyone wanted me to lead because "if any kind of rodeo bucking happens, it's going to be Kristin, and we don't want to miss it", but I stuck Sienna with older, calm, golden-hearted Nyala in the back instead. I think her reassuring influence saved us more times than anyone else realized during the ride.

The ride had its ups and downs- most of the downs happened when a group of Arabians trotted past us and Sienna had an identity crisis and tried to follow them- but no one got bucked off, and no one *really* had their horse run away with them... in an uncontrolled fashion, at least. Circles were definitely our friend, and there were a couple of times our forward motion had to be suddenly thrown into a loop. But I was very proud of Sienna otherwise. We crossed streams, waded through rivers, climbed paths that seemed to go straight up, trotted (on purpose), cantered (semi- on purpose)- she accepted everything that was thrown at her. As Chica always liked to buck going up hills, I have a sincere fear of them, but Sienna handled all of them without trying to get rid of me- I just threw away the reins, hung on, and hoped for the best. Also, I would like to note, everyone would go out of their way to watch Sienna every time we had to cross a stream, hoping for a show- and she disappointed them (but not me) every single time.

The most exciting incident happened when we arrived at a large pond and decided to water the horses. Sonny, Outlaw, and Nyala all waded in about pastern deep and assumed the drinking position, but apparently no one told Sienna that the trail did NOT go all the way through the pond. Rather than stopping and taking a drink, she started hauling it out towards the deep end.

Remember, it was in the low 40s.

I started hauling back on her, screaming, "NO! NO! IF YOU GET ME WET I WILL KILL YOU!!" while all of my companions sat on their horses and laughed. I managed to turn her around, but now we were in the position of being in water over her knees and her suddenly thinking it might be a good idea to lay down. I have never kicked as fast and furiously as I did in that pond. It was only through sheer you will not get me wet determination that we made it back out of the pond in a dry state.

Three hours later, we arrived where we started. Sienna finally got back into her normal frame of mind at around the hour and a half mark, except when other riders passed us. I think with more experience, she could be a good trail horse. She did not balk at any obstacle, and she did not tire easily. She just needs to get over the "OTHER HORSES!" excitement, and she will be golden.

There is nothing like a cold, cold day, hundreds of horses, dogs, and people, and random trail obstacles to throw at your horse for her first trail ride. Maybe our next outing should be, like, team penning. Or goat tying.

Making a move on Outlaw

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What's a girl to do?

So last weekend, I took both of my ponies to Katy for a horse show (more on that later). I decided that rather than bring them back home, and then right back to Richmond a week later, I'd save gas and just leave them for a couple of weeks.

Last I heard, they were enjoying the pampered lifestyle. They have large stalls right next to each other, and they get turned out into a herd of mares each day. Apparently the first day they went out, Chica blazed a trail for the two of them straight to the round bale, and none of the other mares even questioned her.

Perhaps they remember... what a $#&* she is. Since Sienna is her friend, I'm hoping she will defend her from the masses, as Sienna will not defend herself.

As I was getting ready to take my dogs and leave Sunday night, my dad casually mentioned that I could leave Romeo with them for the week if I wanted (there was no invitation for Fiona). I decided that since next weekend I'm going to be bringing a cat, a mouse, a Corgi, and a lot of luggage, it would be easier to not have a 70 pound lab in the mix as well, if they were offering.

So now, it's just me, Fiona, and Ramses. And the house has never been quieter! Fiona really misses her big brother... I find her laying in his bed, looking sadder than any Corgi should ever look. I fished out a ball for her yesterday so that she could at least entertain herself (since she does not have his face to chew on), and once she learned that it was not something to be afraid of, she had a ball (ahem) with it.

I'm sure I'm going to pay for her not getting to chase Romeo around once she sees him again this weekend. Why do I think that? I let her outside this morning into the cold, blustery day, and a gust of wind hit her- causing her to bolt and run a lap around the yard before finally doing her business.

There's a lot of Corgi energy brimming there beneath the surface.

And for any nay-sayers who think that there's no way an animal can miss another animal, allow me to present you with this evidence:

Fiona always has to sit on Romeo...

...lay on Romeo...

...or, in some fashion, lay against Romeo...

...

...

...hence, she misses her big spoon.

Meanwhile, Ramses will have to do for now:

I don't think he *hates* it...

And as a random aside, DANG MY CAT HAS BIG FEET!!

I really miss riding. I had gotten into the habit of riding every day, and now I feel like a lazy bum. I'm sure Sienna is enjoying the time off, but I feel lost without my ponies! Soon... soon.

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Sick Children Are No Fun

There's nothing like sitting up late into the night with a sick 1100 lb animal to make you rethink your life.

"Remember how easy it was when you boarded, and there was always someone else around to check on your horse?'

"Did I really need that nap while she was out grazing and getting into who knows what?"

"If I have to call the field services vet in, this is going to get really expensive... why do I own these animals, anyway?"

On the other hoof- er, hand- it is an amazing feeling knowing that said 1100 lb animal trusts you enough to find comfort in your presence.

Chica possibly had a touch of gas colic last night. I let the dogs outside around 8:00, and I noticed that she was laying down in her pen. I walked over and looked at her, and she did not look abnormal. That's when I noticed that she had not eaten all of her hay.

Ring, alarm bells. If there is a horse that eats her hay (and then some), it's Chica.

It noted that it was unusual, but then she clambered to her feet, walked over, and started munching on her hay again.

I watched her for a few minutes, and she seemed ok. She was eating maybe a little lackadaisically, but she did have gut noises, and she was eating.

I went off to the store to pick up a few things (mostly completely unnecessary things- aka 3 movies from the $5 dvd bin in Walmart), and when I got back, Chica was down again.

Saddest picture of Chica ever, due to her blinking at the flash on my phone's camera.

Interestingly enough, so was her buddy:

Sienna was also blinded by the light.

There was still a pile of hay left. At this point, I was really getting worried. I sat next to her and stroked her face for a little while, talking to her and praying. Eventually she stood back up again. Her stomach was making lots of loud gurgling noises- which seemed better than it not making any noises at all- but occasionally it would make these rumblings that sounded like they moved from her gut up through her chest, to her mouth. She would make this groaning sound, almost like she was burping with her mouth closed- if horses could burp, that is.

I called Texas A&M's large animal clinic, and I have to say, I was impressed. The lady with the answering service was very courteous, and the doctor called me almost immediately after I spoke with her. She was polite and gave me lots of advice, free of charge. She even called me this morning to see how Chica was doing today.

I stayed up fairly late and kept an eye on Chica. She seemed to perk up around 11 PM- she wasn't quite as lethargic, and she took notice of what was going on around her more. Her stomach was still quite loud, but she was passing gas, so things were moving along in the intestinal tract.

I looked out my window around 12:15 AM or so and checked on her again, and she was still standing and walking around a little. At about 5:30 this morning she was scrounging around, looking for dropped hay. At feeding time, she was pacing from the feed shed back to her feed pan, wondering why she wasn't being fed. I gave her a flake of hay, and then checked on her during my lunch break. She seemed pretty much back to her normal self. Her stomach was still making some noise, but there were poop piles all around.

Colic can be a scary thing in horses- it is a situation that can come on and then deteriorate rapidly. I thank God so much that it did not get any worse and that Chica trusts me enough to let me poke and prod her, take her temperature, walk her around and around, hug her- all while she's not feeling well.

And I was so impressed with Sienna- rather than wonder off by herself and graze, she stayed with her the entire night. I knew Chica was feeling better when I got home from lunch because Sienna was no longer next to her.

Apparently my horses share a bond that was deeper than I realized- how can I ever separate them now?

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