Harumph...When she's feeling stubborn: She bucks.
She's back in heat, and a bit cranky the past couple days. Of course I understand, and do my best to explain to Steven: he might have 'cramps' or perhaps frustrated that she is surrounded by Boyz....who will have nothing to do with her: that way. Nonetheless: she must learn to deal, and behave.
He barely caught the first one.....but was quick to correct the second wave, and the third was the last. Apparently his correction must have made an impression. I heard the verbal parts, but missed the actual corrections, and he stayed on and made her do what he'd asked: every time. That would include splitting her off from Dazzle and Caly to an adjacent trail, trotting when they were walking, leading the group, and walking when they were trotting. She would verbally protest when separated, same as before: whin nn nnn nnn nnn eeee, which makes her sound like some sort of wierd Sunday morning cartoon horse, trotting along. Ryan remarked that she sounded a bit like the end of a bad western....and she did!
Sage has some odd ideas. I forgot to tell about her water concerns during the previous ride. We'd approached a few ponds. Sage was having nothing to do with entering the water with her feet. With nose outstretched, she would sip, but no classic western pose of horse drinking standing knee deep, Uh Uh, no way baby. She stood her ground, reaching out her neck for just a sip.
At one stretch of beach, Steven dismounted, and handed me her lead rope, removing the reins. I was on Caly, who had quite some time ago, given in and learned to enter a pond.....but it involved about a half hour and spurs. This time, I have the spurs for him.....and just a rope for her.
She ponies, not well, but it's not really necessary at this point. I eased Caly into the edge of the pond, thankfully without much effort. In a matter of seconds, she joined him. They splashed along and she appeared to get over the 'Oh my God that is just a big black hole' kinda phobia....or so we thought.
Steven remounted: nope. She has decided that is just not safe, ok alone but no way: with a rider, and she again refused....will work on that....but another day.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
An Amazing Thing.....
I still can't believe it myself.....and has little to nothing to do with Sage....but thought I would share a real shocker.
The Anti~Rider took to the saddle yesterday. He actually has several titles....My Personal Undertaker, Pet Babysitter, and Favorite Son amongst them....But his real, given name is Ryan.
On our last ride just Caly and Sage got to go out. We felt a bit bad that Dazzle had to stay home. With just Steven and I available, I was going to take Dazzle with Sage....On a whim, I asked favorite Son if he would like to go....to my utter shock, he said " Sure, I have nothing to do anyway."
I was surprised he didn't hear my jaw drop. He is 23 with limited riding experience. His horse contact ( as far as I know) is usually in the form of feeding those "beasts" while I am away.
As I recall, his last horseback ride was in the paddock, on a horse named "Fred" who belonged to young lady about his age, 14, Nicki. Fred was not what I would call 'pony material'.....a hot Morgan, whom Nicki adored, but years later did admit that she was surprised didn't kill her. Fred had some issues, as well as a number of positions and cues that strictly meant "go"....in fact all positions and cues meant "go" to Fred. He was the ONLY horse I ever got off because I could not get to a place where I felt safe......but she rode him like a pro.
She barrel raced him, and trail rode, but primarily barrels, like a madman. Even Caly preferred to follow Fred, so he could watch the show, and thankfully not learn what Fred knew, how to dance, jig and otherwise get his way.....and she just rode along, apparently not noticing.
Ryan had ridden Domino and Angel, our first 2 horses, but always on a lead and not for long. His younger brother, Colby actually did compete with Dazzle years ago at the local horse club, and did OK, in his odd Mother~taught way.....Ryan attended some of the shows, but I don't believe he ever competed but possibly once: leadline on Fred with Nicki leading....or that quite possibly could have been their friend Wes: tall, lanky teen like them, it was rather humorous....the other leadline riders were about 5 years old or so....and Wes/Ryan, whichever one, stuck out like a sore thumb.
Nicki convinced Ryan that Fred was harmless.....I am quite sure it was to impress the very pretty girl boarding her horse at my house, Ryan agreed to get on Fred, but only in the paddock. I missed the whole thing, I was not home, but I heard that it was quite an experience, one he would not repeat and it had something to do with a broken rein and a crazed Morgan in the paddock. That was Ryan's last ride.....until yesterday, 9 years later, which seems like an eternity to me.
Steven and I tacked up, and out comes Ryan, a jusbravery can of beer in his hand: a tall boy. I know what that was: I have had them myself. My former brother calls the regular sized ones " 12 ounce Tranquilizers". Finishing the 16 ouncer, and setting it on the ground, he gave Dazzle a good scratch. Dressed just as he'd asked me: boots and jeans....and a ball cap, he offered that when we are away he goes out and talks to them.....He TALKS to them??? I really thought he didn't much care for them at all, never mind talk to them! I remember he nailed Dazzle's door shut once because he'd opened his sliding door, and done the limbo under the stall guard more than once while I was away ..... he was sick of going to the neighbor's lawn to retrieve him....but I digress....I offered to have him use the stump to get on....he said, no, I know how to do this...and he did, mowed over the empty can, without incident, and followed along behind Caly and Sage.
Let me say, even with that long hiatus from horse back riding, I was impressed. Very impressed. He figured out very quickly how to avoid Dazzle eating every leaf in sight, How to speed up, how to slow down, and even how to neck rein. I checked his foot position several times: Heels down. Wow! I turned around to check Steven and Ryan.....they were both TROTTING and later, when I was trotting....Ryan and Dazzle were loping! Yay! He IS his Mother's son....
It was just a short ride, no sense in beating Favorite Son his first time up....his back was getting a bit sore and we arrived home in one piece, and here's the kicker:
He admitted: " That was fun".
The Anti~Rider took to the saddle yesterday. He actually has several titles....My Personal Undertaker, Pet Babysitter, and Favorite Son amongst them....But his real, given name is Ryan.
On our last ride just Caly and Sage got to go out. We felt a bit bad that Dazzle had to stay home. With just Steven and I available, I was going to take Dazzle with Sage....On a whim, I asked favorite Son if he would like to go....to my utter shock, he said " Sure, I have nothing to do anyway."
I was surprised he didn't hear my jaw drop. He is 23 with limited riding experience. His horse contact ( as far as I know) is usually in the form of feeding those "beasts" while I am away.
As I recall, his last horseback ride was in the paddock, on a horse named "Fred" who belonged to young lady about his age, 14, Nicki. Fred was not what I would call 'pony material'.....a hot Morgan, whom Nicki adored, but years later did admit that she was surprised didn't kill her. Fred had some issues, as well as a number of positions and cues that strictly meant "go"....in fact all positions and cues meant "go" to Fred. He was the ONLY horse I ever got off because I could not get to a place where I felt safe......but she rode him like a pro.
She barrel raced him, and trail rode, but primarily barrels, like a madman. Even Caly preferred to follow Fred, so he could watch the show, and thankfully not learn what Fred knew, how to dance, jig and otherwise get his way.....and she just rode along, apparently not noticing.
Ryan had ridden Domino and Angel, our first 2 horses, but always on a lead and not for long. His younger brother, Colby actually did compete with Dazzle years ago at the local horse club, and did OK, in his odd Mother~taught way.....Ryan attended some of the shows, but I don't believe he ever competed but possibly once: leadline on Fred with Nicki leading....or that quite possibly could have been their friend Wes: tall, lanky teen like them, it was rather humorous....the other leadline riders were about 5 years old or so....and Wes/Ryan, whichever one, stuck out like a sore thumb.
Nicki convinced Ryan that Fred was harmless.....I am quite sure it was to impress the very pretty girl boarding her horse at my house, Ryan agreed to get on Fred, but only in the paddock. I missed the whole thing, I was not home, but I heard that it was quite an experience, one he would not repeat and it had something to do with a broken rein and a crazed Morgan in the paddock. That was Ryan's last ride.....until yesterday, 9 years later, which seems like an eternity to me.
Steven and I tacked up, and out comes Ryan, a jusbravery can of beer in his hand: a tall boy. I know what that was: I have had them myself. My former brother calls the regular sized ones " 12 ounce Tranquilizers". Finishing the 16 ouncer, and setting it on the ground, he gave Dazzle a good scratch. Dressed just as he'd asked me: boots and jeans....and a ball cap, he offered that when we are away he goes out and talks to them.....He TALKS to them??? I really thought he didn't much care for them at all, never mind talk to them! I remember he nailed Dazzle's door shut once because he'd opened his sliding door, and done the limbo under the stall guard more than once while I was away ..... he was sick of going to the neighbor's lawn to retrieve him....but I digress....I offered to have him use the stump to get on....he said, no, I know how to do this...and he did, mowed over the empty can, without incident, and followed along behind Caly and Sage.
Let me say, even with that long hiatus from horse back riding, I was impressed. Very impressed. He figured out very quickly how to avoid Dazzle eating every leaf in sight, How to speed up, how to slow down, and even how to neck rein. I checked his foot position several times: Heels down. Wow! I turned around to check Steven and Ryan.....they were both TROTTING and later, when I was trotting....Ryan and Dazzle were loping! Yay! He IS his Mother's son....
It was just a short ride, no sense in beating Favorite Son his first time up....his back was getting a bit sore and we arrived home in one piece, and here's the kicker:
He admitted: " That was fun".
Monday, June 22, 2009
Steven's Little Honor Student.....
Three more rides since the last entry....You really don't think he can stay off her for very long do you? Not if you know Steven.....He even took her on a short ride solo....no fireworks, just a bitt of calling home to make sure her Boyz were still there and within earshot: they were.
She lopes, she lopes just fine now. First few times was a bit wobbly.....like running with a book on your head, figuring out how to move along without it going flying. Each time is steadier than the time before. She's a quick study that one.
Tianna and Steven took Dazzle and Sage out as I was working on stuff at home. They say there was no loping involved.....I only half believe them. For Tianna and Steven to refrain from any sort of speed activity without the watchful eye of Herself the Warden, would be like leaving 2 children in a room of M&M's without a parent and expecting them to not eat even one....Nah, ain't gonna happen....they ate an M&M, I just know it....
Steven and I decided to get out and ride this past Saturday afternoon, before the onset of 4 days of promised rain....All went well with the preparation.....Steven suggested we bring the video camera to get footage of Sage loping....so if there is any disappointment from this peanut gallery that there is no video, it is my fault! I just couldn't imagine loping along ahead, on Mr. Progressive, dropping the reins, to turn around and shoot video from the back of what would soon be a galloping horse, was somhow.....not my idea of a relaxing time....
With only a small amount of pouting, Steven saw my point....I really do, sometimes, prefer a ride that is not an ordeal, a fiasco, as was the rest of my week. This was one of those days.
She did great! Really great. Steven and I decided to try her all the way around the park. Lots of varying terrain to see what she can do....I'll tell ya! She can do! Steven was really thrilled with how smooth and comfortable she was climbing this hill that is washed out and rocky with roots.....None of the horses is smooth going up.....but Sage is. Steady and confident, without notice of new kind of footing...just marched ant a trot, right on up.
She led, she followed, she even trotted ahead.....and just a couple "ET"'s! from Steven when she threw a buck or two....not mean, not hard, but it was there. I was kinda surprised that his reaction took as long as it did once when I was watching....the head go down and the ears back.....pay attention Steven! But she was having fun......doesn't make it right, but I really think it was excitement.
Heading home, Silas Rd: long dirt/grass road with extended flat and clear areas that scream " speed, baby, speed!"....called to Steven to try her out...I think this is where the video camera woulda come in. I loped Caly, I hear him asking Sage for the same, behind me, a pause, then a LOOK! I turn around....she was loping, she sure was. Head nice an level, ears up, focused and appeared to be very smooth! She was also just a hair below gallop...very very close. Saving that for another day. It was really quite impressive that she had such a steady lope.....on the heels of Stinkerbell, who surprised me and didn't bolt.
All went well. Really well. Thinking I will try to get Steven to stick in this stage for a bit.....for perfecting purposes......before that eventual gallop. I reminded him, when he was riding ahead of me at a walk....and the distance between us was growing, that one of his primary concerns was if she would able to kepp up with Caly.....I got a thumbs up.
Please? Can I say it now? " I toldja so."
She makes a honking noise.....really: honk, honk, honk~honk....Gotta talk to Robin 'bout that one. Wierd: a mustang with a horn....5.0 maybe?
She lopes, she lopes just fine now. First few times was a bit wobbly.....like running with a book on your head, figuring out how to move along without it going flying. Each time is steadier than the time before. She's a quick study that one.
Tianna and Steven took Dazzle and Sage out as I was working on stuff at home. They say there was no loping involved.....I only half believe them. For Tianna and Steven to refrain from any sort of speed activity without the watchful eye of Herself the Warden, would be like leaving 2 children in a room of M&M's without a parent and expecting them to not eat even one....Nah, ain't gonna happen....they ate an M&M, I just know it....
Steven and I decided to get out and ride this past Saturday afternoon, before the onset of 4 days of promised rain....All went well with the preparation.....Steven suggested we bring the video camera to get footage of Sage loping....so if there is any disappointment from this peanut gallery that there is no video, it is my fault! I just couldn't imagine loping along ahead, on Mr. Progressive, dropping the reins, to turn around and shoot video from the back of what would soon be a galloping horse, was somhow.....not my idea of a relaxing time....
With only a small amount of pouting, Steven saw my point....I really do, sometimes, prefer a ride that is not an ordeal, a fiasco, as was the rest of my week. This was one of those days.
She did great! Really great. Steven and I decided to try her all the way around the park. Lots of varying terrain to see what she can do....I'll tell ya! She can do! Steven was really thrilled with how smooth and comfortable she was climbing this hill that is washed out and rocky with roots.....None of the horses is smooth going up.....but Sage is. Steady and confident, without notice of new kind of footing...just marched ant a trot, right on up.
She led, she followed, she even trotted ahead.....and just a couple "ET"'s! from Steven when she threw a buck or two....not mean, not hard, but it was there. I was kinda surprised that his reaction took as long as it did once when I was watching....the head go down and the ears back.....pay attention Steven! But she was having fun......doesn't make it right, but I really think it was excitement.
Heading home, Silas Rd: long dirt/grass road with extended flat and clear areas that scream " speed, baby, speed!"....called to Steven to try her out...I think this is where the video camera woulda come in. I loped Caly, I hear him asking Sage for the same, behind me, a pause, then a LOOK! I turn around....she was loping, she sure was. Head nice an level, ears up, focused and appeared to be very smooth! She was also just a hair below gallop...very very close. Saving that for another day. It was really quite impressive that she had such a steady lope.....on the heels of Stinkerbell, who surprised me and didn't bolt.
All went well. Really well. Thinking I will try to get Steven to stick in this stage for a bit.....for perfecting purposes......before that eventual gallop. I reminded him, when he was riding ahead of me at a walk....and the distance between us was growing, that one of his primary concerns was if she would able to kepp up with Caly.....I got a thumbs up.
Please? Can I say it now? " I toldja so."
She makes a honking noise.....really: honk, honk, honk~honk....Gotta talk to Robin 'bout that one. Wierd: a mustang with a horn....5.0 maybe?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Hmmmm, I Think She Will Keep Up Just Fine
Remember Steven's concerns about Sage being able to keep up? Have a bit of fire? Keeping pace with Caly? Well, she walks quick, real quick.
Days have passed since the actual excursion for a trail ride with 3.....been busy.
Steven saddled Sage, Tianna on Dazzle and I rode Caly. Still suffering from that blasted headcold, we went out into the woods. mainly walking at first, we added a bit of trotting: Caly in the lead, then Sage, with Dazzle poking along behind with Tianna, for now anyway....
Sage has no qualms about trotting up. In fact, I think she really enjoys going out with her boyz, and they, thank heavens, are not at all aggressive to the girl. Caly has a history of pretending to be nice....and then the true colors come out: teeth, strikes and spins with attempts to kick out: nothing. Apparently, there have been some fenceline discussions about how where SHE comes from: Mares rule, and he is quite possibly listening to her? Harumph....she's doing better n'I am. He didn't give her an ounce of hoof.
During a rather brisk trot, that I was sure that Dazzle would lope to, I hear Steven say something....behind me. I slowed down with the usual "WHAT?" he says: " She was loping!" WOW....how was it? He said she felt a bit unbalanced, but she was more than willing, that's my invitation to try it again....So I did.
She learns in threes. We noticed that with everything we have covered so far. The first time is " Is this ok?, I think so" Second time is " oh, that again....not so bad" and the third time " I like this, having fun guys...."
Second lope, steadier, still trying to balance herself with a rider, but O so willing, even to slow the pace. Third time: much steadier and really enjoying herself....
Trying not to push the envelope off the table, we left it there. But I actually experienced a first. I trotted down a long stretch of trail, solo, after turning a corner. Sage lost sight of us and let out a whinny.....at a trot, and it was the funniest sound I think I have heard....every hoof fall was verbalized...Like:
Whin~n~n~n~n~n~n~n~n~eeeee~eeeee~eeeee
So....She can talk and walk at the same time.....Talented girl!
Days have passed since the actual excursion for a trail ride with 3.....been busy.
Steven saddled Sage, Tianna on Dazzle and I rode Caly. Still suffering from that blasted headcold, we went out into the woods. mainly walking at first, we added a bit of trotting: Caly in the lead, then Sage, with Dazzle poking along behind with Tianna, for now anyway....
Sage has no qualms about trotting up. In fact, I think she really enjoys going out with her boyz, and they, thank heavens, are not at all aggressive to the girl. Caly has a history of pretending to be nice....and then the true colors come out: teeth, strikes and spins with attempts to kick out: nothing. Apparently, there have been some fenceline discussions about how where SHE comes from: Mares rule, and he is quite possibly listening to her? Harumph....she's doing better n'I am. He didn't give her an ounce of hoof.
During a rather brisk trot, that I was sure that Dazzle would lope to, I hear Steven say something....behind me. I slowed down with the usual "WHAT?" he says: " She was loping!" WOW....how was it? He said she felt a bit unbalanced, but she was more than willing, that's my invitation to try it again....So I did.
She learns in threes. We noticed that with everything we have covered so far. The first time is " Is this ok?, I think so" Second time is " oh, that again....not so bad" and the third time " I like this, having fun guys...."
Second lope, steadier, still trying to balance herself with a rider, but O so willing, even to slow the pace. Third time: much steadier and really enjoying herself....
Trying not to push the envelope off the table, we left it there. But I actually experienced a first. I trotted down a long stretch of trail, solo, after turning a corner. Sage lost sight of us and let out a whinny.....at a trot, and it was the funniest sound I think I have heard....every hoof fall was verbalized...Like:
Whin~n~n~n~n~n~n~n~n~eeeee~eeeee~eeeee
So....She can talk and walk at the same time.....Talented girl!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Pretty as a Picture
Short on time lately so it seems, it's that blasted work that gets in the way. Between that, the weather,and low energy reserves due to a horrible summer cold, have not gotten much done.
Steven did take advantage of a sunny afternoon to longe Sage out in the back. As usual, he reported that she did much better one on one than when I showed up, with camera, to resume my stump sitting position.
She was doing quite well, so I snapped some pictures.
It's hard to believe she has been here a month already! She has learned SO much with minimal drama....good! She actually loped for Steven on the longe line, without the antics of head tossing, attempting to bolt, and pull away during this session. She got a bit distracted with a human stump sitter watching her every move, and I asked Steven to let me give it a try. Much to his delight ( he probably will not admit it) she was the same if not WORSE for me....So I handed her back over.
She has gained some weight in the last month. This picture makes her look like a real porker, but she's really not. Hay belly is diminishing with work, and her muscles are really starting to show....She actually has a bit of a chest starting....and with more work, it will only get better and better.
Now.....if only this cold would go away and the weather would cooperate!
Steven did take advantage of a sunny afternoon to longe Sage out in the back. As usual, he reported that she did much better one on one than when I showed up, with camera, to resume my stump sitting position.
She was doing quite well, so I snapped some pictures.
It's hard to believe she has been here a month already! She has learned SO much with minimal drama....good! She actually loped for Steven on the longe line, without the antics of head tossing, attempting to bolt, and pull away during this session. She got a bit distracted with a human stump sitter watching her every move, and I asked Steven to let me give it a try. Much to his delight ( he probably will not admit it) she was the same if not WORSE for me....So I handed her back over.
She has gained some weight in the last month. This picture makes her look like a real porker, but she's really not. Hay belly is diminishing with work, and her muscles are really starting to show....She actually has a bit of a chest starting....and with more work, it will only get better and better.
Now.....if only this cold would go away and the weather would cooperate!
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