I rarely ever watch the news.
Tom gets the local paper, but I do not read it.
On Mondays I come to work and my co-workers inform me of the latest news.
Riots in Islamic nations over a movie that some guy made. The guy has gone into hiding....afraid for his life. Meanwhile people have died as a result of this movie. I hear the movie has only been shown in one theater in the world (CA) but the clips have been used by fanatics to incite riots in the Middle East. I respect the mans right to freedom of speech, but if he believes in his movie, why is he in hiding while others are being killed? Coward. The people using this info to incite riot and unrest....bigger cowards.
But really I don't want to know what is on the news. I don't want to hear about any of it. I could care less what the movie stars are doing. I don't care what the politicians have to say (don't believe a single one of them Rep or Dem alike) Perhaps I should care, but why? I live in a state that only counts for 1% of the national vote. So even if the entire state voted, what difference would it make. How many presidential elections are made by 1% of the vote?
I live in a bubble. I like it here in my bubble. I have horses and dogs and kids and Tom. I have friends, and my own little life. Its all I can do to keep my own life on track. I cannot save the world and do feel like killing myself in the attempt.
In my bubble there is a lot more honesty than in many places. Horses are honest. A horse cannot hide his true feelings. Neither can a dog. Cats...well maybe, but we love them anyway. (They are like the CIA of my bubble...sneaky!) A horse would never infiltrate another herd under the guise of camaraderie only to kill half the herd later on. When Stallions fight for dominance, it is on common ground, they do not sneak around about it. (I'm referring to Afghanistan here, something else I just learned about from my co-workers). There is no hidden agenda with horses, or dogs, what you see is what you get.
I think more people need to live with animals. They need to learn to communicate like animals, with honesty. Then if they could take that honesty and go out into the human world...well the world would just be a better place.
I'm pretty sure its never going to happen like that though.
That's okay I guess.....I'll just stay in my bubble...with my dogs and my ponies and my family.
Maybe that is a copout, maybe I need to be more informed, but I cannot see why I should be. What difference is it going to make? If the world is coming to an end, I'd just assume not know. I have no intentions of surviving something like that.
What a morose post.....see what information does??? Its depressing.
Ssssshhhhhhh......do you hear that? That is the sound of honesty...peaceful and serene....(heavy sigh)
Monday, September 17, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
OH BOY!
Yesterday I went out and found two of my ponies, Sassy and Trax with puffy eyes. Not swollen shut, no discharge from either, and no nasal discharge. Just a little puffy. With all the stuff going on in Riverton where my horse allegedly infected Randy's horses with Pink Eye, naturally I am a little nervous. I'm not freaking out yet, not calling the vet just yet, but definetly watching them all closely. We still have a lot of smoke from the Casper Mountain fire so it could easily be a reaction to that. I know that the last two days have been horrible for me and my allergies.
Sassy is the worst of the two,l so last night I took her temp. 98.7 so no fever, that is good. I have not been out yet this morning but am on my way. Keeping my fingers crossed that they have either gone down, or haven't changed. Main thing I do not want to see is green discharge. Everyone is eating, drinking and pooping normally. Also a good thing. Sassy seemed a little down yesterday afternoon though. Tried to hand feed her a a hay cube and she turned it down...that is not normal for her. But she ate fine later that evening, so not freaking out yet. (okay well maybe a little)
I did get to ride Trax a few nights ago. Just took him out and down the road and back. I'm still leary of taking him anywhere where other horses may be. Glad I made that call since now he is having puffy eyes. Too much unknown. He was a good boy, a little pissy since it was, in his opinion, feeding time not riding time. But when the neighbors dogs ran out under his legs and started barking, I expected more reaction out of him. He handled it very well with nothing more than a snort and a wide eye. He has been penned up for the better part of the last week, so his energy level was up. That was why I expected more of a reaction out of him.
I asked Randy to get me clinical terms from his vet as to exactly what his horses were diagnosed with. The term "pink eye" is pretty vague and covers a few different diseases. Well of course he didn't do that for me, and when I asked for his vet's name, although he did give it to me, he also asked me not to call him. THAT bothered me. I think I have the right to know, don't I? I wasn't going to call and argue, I wasn't going to question the diagnosis, I just want to know exactly the what the diagnosis was and exactly what they treated with. I probably will call on Monday, he can get mad if he wants, and if he does, well that is just too bad. You can't call me up, tell me my horses made all of your horses sick, tell me that one has gone blind in one eye because of my horse, and then expect me not to want to know exactly what my horse gave to your horses.
Today is Sunday, my house is a mess my stalls need cleaned again, and I have paperwork to do for Tom's trucking company....makes for a pretty boring day. Actually I do not mind boring one bit!
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
UPDATE; Eyes are looking more normal today...yay! Everyone is eager to eat and feeling frisky....another yay!
Sassy is the worst of the two,l so last night I took her temp. 98.7 so no fever, that is good. I have not been out yet this morning but am on my way. Keeping my fingers crossed that they have either gone down, or haven't changed. Main thing I do not want to see is green discharge. Everyone is eating, drinking and pooping normally. Also a good thing. Sassy seemed a little down yesterday afternoon though. Tried to hand feed her a a hay cube and she turned it down...that is not normal for her. But she ate fine later that evening, so not freaking out yet. (okay well maybe a little)
I did get to ride Trax a few nights ago. Just took him out and down the road and back. I'm still leary of taking him anywhere where other horses may be. Glad I made that call since now he is having puffy eyes. Too much unknown. He was a good boy, a little pissy since it was, in his opinion, feeding time not riding time. But when the neighbors dogs ran out under his legs and started barking, I expected more reaction out of him. He handled it very well with nothing more than a snort and a wide eye. He has been penned up for the better part of the last week, so his energy level was up. That was why I expected more of a reaction out of him.
I asked Randy to get me clinical terms from his vet as to exactly what his horses were diagnosed with. The term "pink eye" is pretty vague and covers a few different diseases. Well of course he didn't do that for me, and when I asked for his vet's name, although he did give it to me, he also asked me not to call him. THAT bothered me. I think I have the right to know, don't I? I wasn't going to call and argue, I wasn't going to question the diagnosis, I just want to know exactly the what the diagnosis was and exactly what they treated with. I probably will call on Monday, he can get mad if he wants, and if he does, well that is just too bad. You can't call me up, tell me my horses made all of your horses sick, tell me that one has gone blind in one eye because of my horse, and then expect me not to want to know exactly what my horse gave to your horses.
Today is Sunday, my house is a mess my stalls need cleaned again, and I have paperwork to do for Tom's trucking company....makes for a pretty boring day. Actually I do not mind boring one bit!
Hope everyone is having a great weekend!
UPDATE; Eyes are looking more normal today...yay! Everyone is eager to eat and feeling frisky....another yay!
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Casper Mountain Fire
On Sunday afternoon we noticed a plume of smoke coming up from the back side of Casper Mountain. We watched it burn from our house all night. We live on the other side of the interstate so the chances of it actually reaching is is pretty slim to none. Yet we know that there are many others who live right there and we heard that several cabins had burned.
The next morning we woke to smoke on the front side of the mountain. There are many homes and ranches on this side. By noon they were calling for a full evacuation of the Hat Six Road Areas.
Up in that area is the state trust land where I enjoy riding. I know that there is at least one ranch that has about 30 head of horses. I was wondering how they would get them all out of there. This spread so fast I don't know that they would have time to round them all up.
My friend Jay said that he heard that the gates had been opened and all the horses let out so they could get to safety. Whewwww!!! When I see stuff like this I always want to grab my trailer and offer assistance, but they weren't even letting anyone in.
This one was taken closer to my home. We got a tiny bit of rain which helped some and then the fire had moved down and around the mountain.
This one is the scary one. Jay sent me this from his phone. He is friends with the people who own this ranch. Have to give some huge kudos to the firemen. Not one single structure was lost on this ranch, only the fence.
Not everyone was so lucky. I heard that several ranches did burn but I do not know the exact number.
The fire is pretty much out now, and they are letting people back in. I heard a rumor that someone actually saw someone start this fire. I hope they catch that person and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. If that is in fact what happened.
It makes me think of our camping trip a few weeks ago. There is a fire ban on the entire state right now. Yet there were many people who chose to ignore it and build fires anyway. It did not matter to them that they were putting the entire area and all of their fellow campers at risk. I just don't get it!
Anyway, no lives were lost that we know of, so that is good. I have not heard if all animals made it to safety, prayers go out to all of those who are suffering loss and damage from this. And thank you to the brave men and women who fought this fire tirelessly until it was contained.
UPDATE: Not all of my information was correct, 6 structures were lost on the back side of the mountain. 400 people evactuated, and the fire is only 10% contained as of this morning. They do expect to have it completely contained by Saturday though. I still do not know how many ranches in the Hat Six area were lost yet.
The next morning we woke to smoke on the front side of the mountain. There are many homes and ranches on this side. By noon they were calling for a full evacuation of the Hat Six Road Areas.
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| this was taken from the back door of my job. |
My friend Jay said that he heard that the gates had been opened and all the horses let out so they could get to safety. Whewwww!!! When I see stuff like this I always want to grab my trailer and offer assistance, but they weren't even letting anyone in.
Not everyone was so lucky. I heard that several ranches did burn but I do not know the exact number.
The fire is pretty much out now, and they are letting people back in. I heard a rumor that someone actually saw someone start this fire. I hope they catch that person and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. If that is in fact what happened.
It makes me think of our camping trip a few weeks ago. There is a fire ban on the entire state right now. Yet there were many people who chose to ignore it and build fires anyway. It did not matter to them that they were putting the entire area and all of their fellow campers at risk. I just don't get it!
Anyway, no lives were lost that we know of, so that is good. I have not heard if all animals made it to safety, prayers go out to all of those who are suffering loss and damage from this. And thank you to the brave men and women who fought this fire tirelessly until it was contained.
UPDATE: Not all of my information was correct, 6 structures were lost on the back side of the mountain. 400 people evactuated, and the fire is only 10% contained as of this morning. They do expect to have it completely contained by Saturday though. I still do not know how many ranches in the Hat Six area were lost yet.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Too Much
I haven't posted in a while, it has been a rough couple of weeks.
2 days after the clinic, I got a call from Riverton - where Brickster lives- Randy's herd of horses all came down with something, started with swollen running eyes.
Killian had just left there on Sat, he had had goobery eyes for a couple of weeks. I had been using Natures edge to keep the flies off, assuming that it was just from the flies, and dust. After all I live in Casper Wyoming...the wind always blows here. He was not sick in any other way so I assumed all was well. My horses are always current on shots and worming, as are Randy's.
When I took him down Randy had asked about his eyes, and I told him what I believed to be true. Bugs are driving him nuts. Plus he has one eye which has a damaged eyelid and that one always runs a little more when it is dusty. It doesn't close as well as the other.
Randy's vet said it was Pink Eye. I think what he really meant was EVA which is the only viral form of pink eye that I know of. It usually comes with a host of other symptoms though, none of which my horses have had.
I started going back through all my recent photos, none of my other horses have shown any signs of pink eye. Even Killian never got real swollen, so I don't know.
His vet drew blood for testing and started dosing with viral type antibiotics (according to Randy- but he is not good with technical terms) We are still waiting for the blood work to come back to find out what it really is.
Friday I talked to him, he said all but one of his horses are recovering nicely. The one that isn't, has gotten much much worse. She tries to get a drink and her whole head falls into the water, and she can't figure out how to get out. She is losing an eye for sure. He will probably end up putting her down.
I offered to help with the vet bills- he declined. I feel terrible about all of this.
Because of all of this and because I do not know if my horse gave this to his horses, or if my horse could come down with what they have, I have had all my ponies under quarantine.
I did not get to compete in the ranch horse competition. Until I know exactly what his horses have, they will stay at home.
But mostly I am so sad for Randy and his ponies.
I have been in constant communication with one of my vets, and she is anxiously waiting to hear (as am I) what the test results come back with. She assures me that this is not my fault. She has seen my horses lately, they have not been sick. They still are not sick, and I am watching them like hawks.
Dr. Bruce has been to my house to see Danny. and actually looked at all of my horses a few weeks before all of this started. He would have noticed if they looked sick.
I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if they were sick. I spend a few minutes minimum with them everyday, usually more.
Still I feel responsible.
Icing on the cake.....I went to watch the show on Saturday to support my friends even if I could not join. In the middle of the show I get a phone call from my 18 year old son who was on his way to Denver..."Mom I need you to come get me- there's been a 3 car wreck, I was in the middle of it."
Good news, no one was hurt. Bad news, it took half my hay money to go get him and get the truck back from the tow company. Would have left it but I just put a 700 dollar transmission in it. It doesn't even have 2000 miles on it. Gonna have to sell it and the motor, so he has money to get another vehicle. Then I have to scrape up more money for hay cubes.
While I was at the competition, my farrier, who is a very spiritual man, saw me and asked how my horses were. Of course I had to tell the whole story. He was so sweet. He said to me, "God takes care of our animals if we ask, so lets stop right now and ask." We bowed our heads and he prayed for my ponies that they all stay safe and healthy, he asked that a shield be place over them protecting them from illness." Yup I cried...yup I'm crying now.
I cry everyday it seems, for Andrea and Tonka, for Randy's little black mare, for my son who is still alive and unhurt, and for the other people in that accident who although shaken are also scratch free.
Okay yes I cry a little for myself for the financial hole I am in right now. But I know that God does watch over us, and as long as I keep doing the next right thing, he will make sure I have what I need.
One day at a time is all I can do right now.
oh and now I see that I am repeating myself in my posts. I forgot about the last one I had done.
2 days after the clinic, I got a call from Riverton - where Brickster lives- Randy's herd of horses all came down with something, started with swollen running eyes.
Killian had just left there on Sat, he had had goobery eyes for a couple of weeks. I had been using Natures edge to keep the flies off, assuming that it was just from the flies, and dust. After all I live in Casper Wyoming...the wind always blows here. He was not sick in any other way so I assumed all was well. My horses are always current on shots and worming, as are Randy's.
When I took him down Randy had asked about his eyes, and I told him what I believed to be true. Bugs are driving him nuts. Plus he has one eye which has a damaged eyelid and that one always runs a little more when it is dusty. It doesn't close as well as the other.
Randy's vet said it was Pink Eye. I think what he really meant was EVA which is the only viral form of pink eye that I know of. It usually comes with a host of other symptoms though, none of which my horses have had.
I started going back through all my recent photos, none of my other horses have shown any signs of pink eye. Even Killian never got real swollen, so I don't know.
His vet drew blood for testing and started dosing with viral type antibiotics (according to Randy- but he is not good with technical terms) We are still waiting for the blood work to come back to find out what it really is.
Friday I talked to him, he said all but one of his horses are recovering nicely. The one that isn't, has gotten much much worse. She tries to get a drink and her whole head falls into the water, and she can't figure out how to get out. She is losing an eye for sure. He will probably end up putting her down.
I offered to help with the vet bills- he declined. I feel terrible about all of this.
Because of all of this and because I do not know if my horse gave this to his horses, or if my horse could come down with what they have, I have had all my ponies under quarantine.
I did not get to compete in the ranch horse competition. Until I know exactly what his horses have, they will stay at home.
But mostly I am so sad for Randy and his ponies.
I have been in constant communication with one of my vets, and she is anxiously waiting to hear (as am I) what the test results come back with. She assures me that this is not my fault. She has seen my horses lately, they have not been sick. They still are not sick, and I am watching them like hawks.
Dr. Bruce has been to my house to see Danny. and actually looked at all of my horses a few weeks before all of this started. He would have noticed if they looked sick.
I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if they were sick. I spend a few minutes minimum with them everyday, usually more.
Still I feel responsible.
Icing on the cake.....I went to watch the show on Saturday to support my friends even if I could not join. In the middle of the show I get a phone call from my 18 year old son who was on his way to Denver..."Mom I need you to come get me- there's been a 3 car wreck, I was in the middle of it."
Good news, no one was hurt. Bad news, it took half my hay money to go get him and get the truck back from the tow company. Would have left it but I just put a 700 dollar transmission in it. It doesn't even have 2000 miles on it. Gonna have to sell it and the motor, so he has money to get another vehicle. Then I have to scrape up more money for hay cubes.
While I was at the competition, my farrier, who is a very spiritual man, saw me and asked how my horses were. Of course I had to tell the whole story. He was so sweet. He said to me, "God takes care of our animals if we ask, so lets stop right now and ask." We bowed our heads and he prayed for my ponies that they all stay safe and healthy, he asked that a shield be place over them protecting them from illness." Yup I cried...yup I'm crying now.
I cry everyday it seems, for Andrea and Tonka, for Randy's little black mare, for my son who is still alive and unhurt, and for the other people in that accident who although shaken are also scratch free.
Okay yes I cry a little for myself for the financial hole I am in right now. But I know that God does watch over us, and as long as I keep doing the next right thing, he will make sure I have what I need.
One day at a time is all I can do right now.
oh and now I see that I am repeating myself in my posts. I forgot about the last one I had done.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Oh Sad face!
My big ride this weekend in the ranch horse competition has been canceled.
Bricksters owner just called me and said that all of his horses have what appears to be Pink Eye.
His vet came out and took blood tests and started treatment.
Killian has had runny eyes for about a month, I assumed it was from the flies and his one eyelid that was damaged and closes funny.
I don't know for a fact that my horse has Pink Eye, but I certainly am not willing to take any chances.
My vet has set out some topical ointment for me to pick up for him.
None of my other horses show any signs of it.
I did ask if he wanted me to pay his vet bill....I'm glad he declined, I'm sure it won't be cheap and I can barely afford my own vet bills right now.
I am so bummed out that I won't get to compete. I was really hoping for some good pics of Trax working a cow to post. It will be a while now before I get those since I will be keeping him at home.
Even if I find out between now and Saturday that it isn't Pink Eye, I won't ride him. I need to be riding him all week at the arena, but I can't take him down there till I know, and I won't put other peoples loved ones (horses) at risk.
Jay says, "Look at the bright side, better to wait and get your pony soft, doing it the slow and easy way, then to do things fast and wrong." I hate it when he is right!
I guess I will just go and watch and learn from the grandstands...... Major Sad Face! :(
Bricksters owner just called me and said that all of his horses have what appears to be Pink Eye.
His vet came out and took blood tests and started treatment.
Killian has had runny eyes for about a month, I assumed it was from the flies and his one eyelid that was damaged and closes funny.
I don't know for a fact that my horse has Pink Eye, but I certainly am not willing to take any chances.
My vet has set out some topical ointment for me to pick up for him.
None of my other horses show any signs of it.
I did ask if he wanted me to pay his vet bill....I'm glad he declined, I'm sure it won't be cheap and I can barely afford my own vet bills right now.
I am so bummed out that I won't get to compete. I was really hoping for some good pics of Trax working a cow to post. It will be a while now before I get those since I will be keeping him at home.
Even if I find out between now and Saturday that it isn't Pink Eye, I won't ride him. I need to be riding him all week at the arena, but I can't take him down there till I know, and I won't put other peoples loved ones (horses) at risk.
Jay says, "Look at the bright side, better to wait and get your pony soft, doing it the slow and easy way, then to do things fast and wrong." I hate it when he is right!
I guess I will just go and watch and learn from the grandstands...... Major Sad Face! :(
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The Neighbor
I am very fortunate to live next door to a wonderful older couple. They have 2 very nice, but slightly spoiled Arabians. One is named Smoke, he is a flea bitten grey color, and the other is Attan (sp?), who is black. They are such characters to watch and you would swear they are brothers, but they really aren't. When I say spoiled I mean they are well broke and well mannered, but they don't get ridden much so they live an easy life.
The lady, whose name is Charlie (her husband is Bob) has been having some pretty bad back issues lately, so I try to lend a hand when I can. They are also always willing to feed for me if I am out of town, and they are always watching out for my animals, as I do theirs. It is a good to get along with your neighbors, and it is easy when you have neighbors like mine.
Yesterday I was watching Tom dig himself into a hole in the side yard (our well hydrant was freezing up last winter and so he was digging it up to fix that) when I looked over at Charlie's horses. Attan was limping. Not just a little, it was a serious limp. I went right over and checked him out, fetlock was swollen. I called Charlie, and she came out side, but could hardly stand she was in such pain. I had the vet on the phone when we saw the wet spot on the bulb of the heel...abscess. :(
Luckily the vet was already out and about and was not far so she came right over. We had him draining and bandaged with some pain meds and antibiotics, in a matter of minutes. When I went over to feed for her later in the day he was putting weight on it again so that is good.
I went to check on Charlie as well (her husband was working all day) she was in bed resting, where she needed to be. She also raises Basset Hounds. I went ahead and took care of them too. What a loud bunch at feeding time!!!!! I left Charlie sleeping, and spoke with Bob this morning. Attan is coming along nicely. I will help Charlie out with his antibiotics tonight, and the feeding as well. She won't get better if she keeps over exerting.
I have to admit that it felt good to be able to help yesterday. There was a time in my life where I was always the one needing help. To be at a point in my life when I can do for others....well it is a good thing.
I will try to get some pics of the two Arabian clowns today. They are such fun!
The lady, whose name is Charlie (her husband is Bob) has been having some pretty bad back issues lately, so I try to lend a hand when I can. They are also always willing to feed for me if I am out of town, and they are always watching out for my animals, as I do theirs. It is a good to get along with your neighbors, and it is easy when you have neighbors like mine.
Yesterday I was watching Tom dig himself into a hole in the side yard (our well hydrant was freezing up last winter and so he was digging it up to fix that) when I looked over at Charlie's horses. Attan was limping. Not just a little, it was a serious limp. I went right over and checked him out, fetlock was swollen. I called Charlie, and she came out side, but could hardly stand she was in such pain. I had the vet on the phone when we saw the wet spot on the bulb of the heel...abscess. :(
Luckily the vet was already out and about and was not far so she came right over. We had him draining and bandaged with some pain meds and antibiotics, in a matter of minutes. When I went over to feed for her later in the day he was putting weight on it again so that is good.
I went to check on Charlie as well (her husband was working all day) she was in bed resting, where she needed to be. She also raises Basset Hounds. I went ahead and took care of them too. What a loud bunch at feeding time!!!!! I left Charlie sleeping, and spoke with Bob this morning. Attan is coming along nicely. I will help Charlie out with his antibiotics tonight, and the feeding as well. She won't get better if she keeps over exerting.
I have to admit that it felt good to be able to help yesterday. There was a time in my life where I was always the one needing help. To be at a point in my life when I can do for others....well it is a good thing.
I will try to get some pics of the two Arabian clowns today. They are such fun!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
How Many Laps does it Take....?
Remember the old tootsie pop commercial with the kid and the owl? Well that is sort of how I felt today.
I took Trax and Killian to the Ranch Horse Clinic, and I am so glad I did. I learned much about my horses today. First off, Killian is a steady rock, we know that, and he is wonderful for trails, conserves his energy..etc But he just doesn't have what it takes for competition. Not enough get up and go when he needs it. Doesn't make him a bad horse, just doesn't make him THAT horse.
Then I tied him up and put my saddle on Trax. He was WOUND UP! I round penned him before we even left the house. Then after I saddled him I lunged him some more. I got up on him he was a dancing and prancing. We practice the "trail" he did fine with the "bridge" stepped over poles and that was nice too. The had a rope "gate" it totally freaked him out. He doesn't like ropes. Finally one of the gals in charge told me to go ahead into the arena and just lope him for as long as it took to wear him down.
So we loped, and we loped, and in the straight aways we stepped up and flat out ran, and we ran and we ran and I was getting tired, but he kept going and going and going. I brought him down some to give myself a rest and he said no, and so we ran and ran some more. We ran to the left and we ran to the right. One guy watching asked, "Who is going to wear out first?" (It was me) But we kept on going. Finally I could feel him starting to let down a bit. So we did some figure 8's. And finally we stopped....finally! But the question in my mind with each lap..."How many laps does it take to get to the center of a paint horse?!?"
Then she says, "are you ready to try him on a cow?" Sure! Now once before I was able to go help some people on a cattle drive. It was 11 miles in 60 mph winds, and snow and rain. So I have always known he has stamina, because that day he never did get tired. He worked his butt off the whole time. With that I mind I knew that he also had some pretty good cow training. I was not prepared though for what happened today. My horse kicked Ass!!!
She let the cow out and said, "Now just follow, lets see if he will lock on." Um yup, no problem there! Then she had me move him around from one end to the other, trying to pen him in. This was a fresh cow, and we really had to move to keep up with him and ahead to turn him around. Pretty soon it was cake. I let Trax know what my intentions were and he took care of the rest. I held on and let him do his thing never taking my eyes off the cow. Now this was not like in the NCHA, where the horses get down low and hold that cow, but he was pretty damn impressive for being handicapped by a rider who had no idea what she was doing. When we were done I was complimented by many and was told that I would have gotten good points off that run in a Ranch horse competition. YAY!!!!
After that we did some reining exercises, and he was calmed down enough to open and close a real gate but he never did do well with that rope gate. Also he did not do so well with dragging a log on a rope. He did it but it was obvious he was trying to get away from the rope.
At one point though I was just sort of messing around on him and I bumped him with my right leg, lifted off with my left and I'll be damned if he didn't take 5 or 6 beautiful steps to the side with legs crossed. That is a first for us too! He did it the other way also but not as nice. My friend Kim saw the whole thing, and said it was textbook.
We need to work on lead changes and his spins, but I knew that would be an issue. We also need to keep working on our lateral flex. OH!!! I almost forgot! I actually got THAT out of him yesterday too. First time to the left he ever stopped spinning. Usually he just goes and goes. So major progress has been made in the last few days.
I have made the decision to go ahead and enter him next weekend. It is still all in fun and it is wonderful practice for him and me both. I will do a whole lot of laps before we start though, will have to get there early I guess. All in all it was a pretty awesome day. I wish I had been able to get pictures. Maybe next time.
Oh and can someone please tell me why I thought I needed a different horse for this?
Ride safe everyone.
I took Trax and Killian to the Ranch Horse Clinic, and I am so glad I did. I learned much about my horses today. First off, Killian is a steady rock, we know that, and he is wonderful for trails, conserves his energy..etc But he just doesn't have what it takes for competition. Not enough get up and go when he needs it. Doesn't make him a bad horse, just doesn't make him THAT horse.
Then I tied him up and put my saddle on Trax. He was WOUND UP! I round penned him before we even left the house. Then after I saddled him I lunged him some more. I got up on him he was a dancing and prancing. We practice the "trail" he did fine with the "bridge" stepped over poles and that was nice too. The had a rope "gate" it totally freaked him out. He doesn't like ropes. Finally one of the gals in charge told me to go ahead into the arena and just lope him for as long as it took to wear him down.
So we loped, and we loped, and in the straight aways we stepped up and flat out ran, and we ran and we ran and I was getting tired, but he kept going and going and going. I brought him down some to give myself a rest and he said no, and so we ran and ran some more. We ran to the left and we ran to the right. One guy watching asked, "Who is going to wear out first?" (It was me) But we kept on going. Finally I could feel him starting to let down a bit. So we did some figure 8's. And finally we stopped....finally! But the question in my mind with each lap..."How many laps does it take to get to the center of a paint horse?!?"
Then she says, "are you ready to try him on a cow?" Sure! Now once before I was able to go help some people on a cattle drive. It was 11 miles in 60 mph winds, and snow and rain. So I have always known he has stamina, because that day he never did get tired. He worked his butt off the whole time. With that I mind I knew that he also had some pretty good cow training. I was not prepared though for what happened today. My horse kicked Ass!!!
She let the cow out and said, "Now just follow, lets see if he will lock on." Um yup, no problem there! Then she had me move him around from one end to the other, trying to pen him in. This was a fresh cow, and we really had to move to keep up with him and ahead to turn him around. Pretty soon it was cake. I let Trax know what my intentions were and he took care of the rest. I held on and let him do his thing never taking my eyes off the cow. Now this was not like in the NCHA, where the horses get down low and hold that cow, but he was pretty damn impressive for being handicapped by a rider who had no idea what she was doing. When we were done I was complimented by many and was told that I would have gotten good points off that run in a Ranch horse competition. YAY!!!!
After that we did some reining exercises, and he was calmed down enough to open and close a real gate but he never did do well with that rope gate. Also he did not do so well with dragging a log on a rope. He did it but it was obvious he was trying to get away from the rope.
At one point though I was just sort of messing around on him and I bumped him with my right leg, lifted off with my left and I'll be damned if he didn't take 5 or 6 beautiful steps to the side with legs crossed. That is a first for us too! He did it the other way also but not as nice. My friend Kim saw the whole thing, and said it was textbook.
We need to work on lead changes and his spins, but I knew that would be an issue. We also need to keep working on our lateral flex. OH!!! I almost forgot! I actually got THAT out of him yesterday too. First time to the left he ever stopped spinning. Usually he just goes and goes. So major progress has been made in the last few days.
I have made the decision to go ahead and enter him next weekend. It is still all in fun and it is wonderful practice for him and me both. I will do a whole lot of laps before we start though, will have to get there early I guess. All in all it was a pretty awesome day. I wish I had been able to get pictures. Maybe next time.
Oh and can someone please tell me why I thought I needed a different horse for this?
Ride safe everyone.
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