tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48919707304329603182024-02-19T05:42:18.857-05:00Hoof Prints and Far Away DreamsThe Adventures of Me and a Horse Named De Oro SiagaBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.comBlogger213125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-35967960057255694642014-06-12T17:18:00.001-04:002014-06-12T17:18:18.844-04:00Slowly coming alongI've been slowly working on my horse trailer! Far more slowly than I'd like, but so far:<br />
<br />
Today I pulled out the mats and finally got a good look at the floor boards. With the more expert help of my brother and my dad, we've decided we're gonna put untreated oak down. My brother works for a construction/black topping company, and this is what they use on their open flat bed trailers to haul the road equipment. He said the untreated oak would be stronger and last longer than pressure treated pine or anything. The people who put the current floor in apparently didn't know that you're supposed to space the boards at all, they were smashed tight together and were holding moisture. The rubber mats that I pulled out were basically long rubber strips like from tires or something that were 'sewn' together. In other words, they did jack for preventing urine from hitting the boards and then sitting there! I figure I'm going to have my oak boards spaced, and then put solid mats on top, with bedding, that way vast majority of wet spots gets trapped in bedding where it can be picked out and doesn't sit on the wood floors.<br />
<br />
I've had to scoop out a mosquito-larva laden puddle out of the manger. I'll still have to clean that out well, though thankfully the water's all out of it.<br />
<br />
Mom and I are going to buy the vinyl fabric needed to recover all the mats (black! Unless I find really cool red vinyl, then I want red!) since a couple of them are really really torn up. I'll have to get some more plyboard to use as backing there though.<br />
<br />
I also need to fix the lights, some of them aren't working. And, I also need to find a way to turn the plug-in on my jeep for the lights, the trailer plug won't fit the box because it's sideways instead of straight back-facing.<br />
<br />
And then I also want to remove all the decals (shame, some of them I like, although there's a fade-through on the front of the For Sale sign that was on it and on the drivers side there's the outline of an old decal that reads Save a Horse... Ride a Cowboy!) and power wash and repaint. I'm going to keep the white/black/red color scheme because it's absolutely adorable, but I also want to paint the inside (it looks like crap, the inside paint is spattered with black and shriveled and cracking) and scrub rust off the latches and handles and hinges and give them all a good WD-40 treatment.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-79329776080635738322014-05-14T00:37:00.000-04:002014-05-14T00:37:46.090-04:00Eye of the HorseJust popping in to share this absolutely stunning photo I took of Siaga's eye. Getting him to hold still is a horribly difficult challenge! But somehow, the Horse Gods and Goddesses smiled upon me yesterday when I toted my camera up to a very curious horse.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rByUfx9Habi2YPG_m2Afl7LQdH8T6Me7TZNakCSMVwnr5aZo5Lezby8qY3zk7-Mm7kG_iKKbmu0jUkXgn-COMPzNwCbhtDG26oaa9grIzMLXALolxbK_6vlK957HIgarPuEPlfGassM/s1600/Eye_of_the_Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rByUfx9Habi2YPG_m2Afl7LQdH8T6Me7TZNakCSMVwnr5aZo5Lezby8qY3zk7-Mm7kG_iKKbmu0jUkXgn-COMPzNwCbhtDG26oaa9grIzMLXALolxbK_6vlK957HIgarPuEPlfGassM/s1600/Eye_of_the_Horse.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This photo is, by way, <a href="http://www.deviantart.com/print/35959999/" target="_blank">available for sale as a high quality print here.</a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-10084876839795894552014-03-14T16:04:00.002-04:002014-03-14T16:04:29.917-04:00Riding season is upon us!Well and so... <br />
<br />
I bought a new saddle, bridle, breast collar, reins, saddle pad, girth,
wither strap for the breast collar, and a few other things. In other
words, an entirely new tack set, of the Western variety.<br />
<br />
I used to ride western primarily until I learned a bit more about saddle
fit and how my western saddle was damaging my horses back, wherein I
completely overhauled. I jumped in headfirst and bought my horse a set
of English tack, starting with a Wintec dressage saddle with an
easy-change gullet system. I've taken dressage lessons and really
learned how to hold myself in the saddle.<br />
<br />
Missing the Western riding, I dug back into it (with a flying leap) and
bought a whole tack set in preparation for the trail riding season. I
applied to the Ohio Horseman's Council (I'm still waiting to hear back
from them) and I've already been out to ride once this season.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1798309_855604114455939_2120610052_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1798309_855604114455939_2120610052_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The saddle fits well, though it's a smidge long and certainly makes him
look so tiny! But then again, he is tiny! And the breast collar is
definitely too big, I'll have to punch some holes in the straps and get
the wither strap on there when it comes in, which will help hold it up
where it's supposed to be.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1507062_855604147789269_2050247132_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1507062_855604147789269_2050247132_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Siaga was also so *thrilled* to be my coat hanger for a few minutes
while I prepared to switch out his bridle for his halter. At least I can
100% say that my horse is not afraid of bright blue and white plaid
flannel shirts. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1780835_853841221298895_2066997736_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1/1780835_853841221298895_2066997736_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously though, he's so beautiful. :D <br />
<br />
And one more thing before you go, just watch this adorableness.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/S2R4FgoL3TQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-5875443183494328482014-02-25T11:52:00.000-05:002014-02-25T11:52:02.196-05:00Big updates!Well, last Saturday, on the 22 of February, my friends and I went back to<a href="http://www.lastchancecorral.org/" target="_blank"> Last Chance Corral</a> again to see all the babies and take a hefty donation!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1891099_846297032053314_1903160487_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1891099_846297032053314_1903160487_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1782064_846296968719987_779850475_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1782064_846296968719987_779850475_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bay and the buckskin filly in the middle were both adopted while we were there.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
My other update is that.... I bought a horse trailer! It's in pretty good condition, mostly needs some minor repairs and some cosmetic touch ups, but it's already super cute as it is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1798364_846688585347492_137295662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1/1798364_846688585347492_137295662_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Some of the floor boards under the mats need to be torn out and replaced, some new pins for the top halves of the back doors, and some serious cleaning and replacing the spare tire and a couple of the pads on the inside need replaced, too. But, I got a good price on it and even haggled the starting price down a couple hundred bucks! <br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-11989196323894305982013-12-29T12:26:00.000-05:002013-12-29T12:26:17.621-05:00Barn ThoughtsIn the quiet mornings when I'm in the barn, mucking Siaga's stall and whatnot, I have lots of time to think. Today I thought about some revelations found in a book I'm currently reading (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hiking-Through-Journey-Freedom-Appalachian-ebook/dp/B0073UNAN4/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1388336932&sr=1-1&keywords=Hiking+Through%3A+One+Man%27s+Journey+to+Peace+and+Freedom+on+the+Appalachian+Trail" target="_blank">Hiking Through: One Man's Journey to Peace and Freedom on the Appalachian Trail</a>) regarding how we spend so much effort trying to gather physical wealth when, according to the author, the wealthiest person he knows is a man he knows as Sailor, a fellow hiker, who had both his sons AND his wife pop into the trail at scattered intervals to hike a section with him. The author, Paul, who went by the trail name of Apostle, never knew Sailor's real name, and certainly never knew his social or wealth status. On the trail, everyone is the same.<br />
<br />
"If you can't carry it in your heart or on your back, you probably don't need it" -Sir Enity, another fellow hiker.<br />
<br />
Anyway, in the barn this morning, I was comparing this to my own life. My family does pretty well, somewhere in the middle of America's middle class. We have several TVs and computers and live on a small tract of land in the country where we have a car for each of us, a barn, a horse, a dog, and two cats. There's always food and electricity. But ultimately, it's the bonds we have between us, yes, the animals, too, that makes us wealthy.<br />
<br />
Over Christmas, I found myself irrationally jealous of my friend, who I will give a trail moniker of "Blind" to. Blind had received for Christmas something that I have been wanting for a while. Her family is not nearly as well off as mine, but somehow, my family couldn't afford to give me such a thing, nor would I ever even think to ask for it. I was happy to receive enough money from my dad to buy my next bale of hay.... even though I was still jealous.<br />
<br />
But now that I think back on it, even though I still want the game that she got, I also look back on how unhappy she is. I chose "Blind" to call her because she can be very blind indeed. She's always unhappy, even during the best of times. She claims she's always tired, EXHAUSTED, even, but she only works one part time job. The rest of her life is free to be hers. She has a family that loves her and a boyfriend who she brags about, many adorable loveable fluff ball cats, and several friends who love her to death... but she's still unhappy. She's blind because she ignores the many wonderful blessings she has.<br />
<br />
I, on the other hand, am perfectly content to work my two jobs, both technically part time but one with almost full time hours, and attend college part time, AND have to come home and do my barn chores every night and get up and do them every morning. Ultimately, very little of my time is *my* time... but I'm still happy.<br />
<br />
The difference between Blind and I is that she looks up, at all the things she doesn't have, and says she doesn't have the energy to climb up there to get them because it's too hard, while I look all around. I look down and see the people and animals who love me, my strongest support system, I look directly around me and see I'm right where I'm supposed to be, and I look up at my future hopes and goals and dreams... and then proceed to climb. I'm not leaving my loved ones behind, because they climb with me. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-9879088665523312572013-12-27T01:00:00.001-05:002013-12-27T01:00:26.263-05:00Brrr!I know I don't update much. Like, ever.<br />
<br />
But you know you really don't want to read a post every few days that goes like this: It's cold. I fed the horse. He has a blanket. I hauled water out of the bathtub again. Hose is frozen.<br />
<br />
<br />
EVERY.<br />
<br />
SINGLE.<br />
<br />
DAY.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
...Yeah, really.<br />
<br />
I don't know about you guys, but I'm craving sunshine and warmth! I'm ready to do some trail riding! Some hiking! Some swimming! Some camping! Hell!! I even want to go FISHING! (Ewww! Worm guts and fish stink!!) hahahah.<br />
<br />
I'm going stir crazy in this cold weather.<br />
<br />
Why do I live in Ohio?!?!<br />
<br />
Also! On December 18th, it was officially 9 years that I've had Siaga. :)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1488158_807467899269561_1455370521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1488158_807467899269561_1455370521_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking out his stall door in the morning, ready to go for a run in the snow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-82088215594991646092013-10-25T12:05:00.000-04:002013-10-25T12:05:17.144-04:00Saving for a Rainy DaySo I've been saving my money. I've got a savings account that I opened with a mere $100 and I add to it every pay day. This savings account is my "Rainy Day" fund. But I don't mean "Rainy Day" like "in case of emergency." No, indeed.<br />
<br />
Since I've been attending school for business, I've started to see a slow rise of expectations in myself, this gathering of hope and joy and awe for the knowledge that my rescue I've been aiming at for so long will finally be coming to fruition within the next ten years or so. I've been thinking up names... because names give me a feeling of a solid goal to work towards, something more specific than just "my rescue." "Rainy Day Rescues" is one of the many. It's far to soon to settle on one, however, so I'm not going to list them all, I just wanted to share with you all this little tidbit of how I'm coming along.<br />
<br />
In other news, Siaga is getting fat and is a happy hoofer, and while I don't necessarily want him fat, I prefer fat over winter than skin and bones over winter, of course, so we're stocking up as much as we can. :)<br />
<br />
I have a new tack box that started out as a 4'x4'x4' shipping crate, and the back of the barn is cleaned out for hay storage. I've got a round bale out side under the shelter he's munching on, and one inside that I use to hay him for over night, though he doesn't eat as much at night as he does in the day, so the outside bale is inevitably going far faster than the inside bale!<br />
<br />
I haven't been riding much, but maybe this is a weird confession to be making. I love horses, and I love riding, but it's not the riding that does it for me. It's that simple bond, that trusting feeling I get. Riding Siaga makes me nervous and I'm sad to say that because of that I don't ride as much as I should. I am simply happy to be around him and take care of him and give him a happy life... though that nervous feeling isn't going to stop me at all from eventually learning to canter with him. I can canter on many other horses, I just get in my own way with Siaga. If I had the money for a trainer, I'd have him go to the trainer for a month just to get his directions and everything down. He's still so green, even though he's a wonderful fellow on the ground. I don't know. I'm considering starting mild endurance training with him in the spring, which will help give us the miles needed to relax us both lol.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-31316268407513198712013-07-13T12:50:00.003-04:002013-07-13T12:50:54.879-04:00A week and a half inSiaga's been home for a week and a half and while the renovations aren't complete, the basics are done and Siaga now has a nice big paddock with safe fencing and a run in shelter, and a giant stall (that's cleaned out every day unlike the stall at the barn I was working at, hrmph). I've settled into my new routine and he has, as well. I've had the chance to take a small ride and it was hilariously awkward as it seemed he couldn't remember ANYTHING about directions.<br />
<br />
Anyway, enjoy some pictures!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1002710_708319152517770_992571063_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1002710_708319152517770_992571063_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In his new giant stall with new mats.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1011971_711126555570363_837360050_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1011971_711126555570363_837360050_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming out of the run-in like a bronco.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/10639_711126595570359_651261047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/10639_711126595570359_651261047_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOK MOM, GREEN STUFF!! And my dad in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1043914_711126582237027_573631457_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1043914_711126582237027_573631457_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying his new space to run. :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-56464374384473311342013-06-22T13:53:00.001-04:002013-06-22T13:53:31.900-04:00Barn progressWell. Here's what's done so far:<br />
The double cattle stand stall (about 6'x11' in size) has been joined with the pony stand next to it, making it nearly 11'x10'. The old hay has been raked out and burned. Trees in the back and most of the old fencing have been removed. Ground has been mostly cleared. Fencing and posts and new stall mats have been bought.<br />
<br />
But we still have holes in the roof to fix, a main post to fix, the stall gate to rehang, trash to be removed, and fencing put up. D: Not to mention we're bringing in gravel to put under the mats and in the carport that we're turning into the run in. Lot of work but I'm glad to see it getting done. Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-68185282639681494922013-06-17T09:47:00.001-04:002013-06-17T09:47:38.992-04:00Trust me, you haven't missed muchIt's been forever, I know. But then, I've barely even looked at my horse this year. Since I've started school, and I'm working two part time jobs (though one has the hours of a full time job, somehow) I've got maybe two miles worth of riding in this year. But that's going to change, I promise!<br />
<br />
We are currently in the middle of renovating my barn so that Siaga can come home from the barn I've been working at and so that I can also leave that barn. We are expanding his stall, the pasture, creating a run in shelter, putting up new fencing, fixing holes in the roof, fixing wall beams, and so on and so forth. Siaga will be returning home in the first few days of July.<br />
<br />
One thing that did happen that I should have blogged about was my trip to <a href="http://www.lastchancecorral.org/" target="_blank">Last Chance Corral in Athens, OH.</a> Since my dream is to open my own horse rescue (probably not around here, I'd really like to move to a warmer place with less dramatic winters and a lot of my ancestral heritage (perhaps New Mexico or Arizona?)) it was really amazing to go there.<br />
<br />
The place sits on like a single acre of land in the Appalachian foothills of Ohio, with the house and the foal barn atop a cliff overlooking the single turn out paddock. The paddock is front and center, with two curved hills to either side that lead to the house and foal barn directly above. On these hills are the two "big horse" barns. All the horses are turned out together, but there was no skirmishing or fighting, only a love of life.<br />
<br />
Honestly the whole place was amazing and I'd really love to go back one day, and I can't wait to build my own little horse sanctuary.<br />
<br />
Can't forget the pictures! Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHKgXKoEjhpiXUt3YArp_9-zHE2b2kAJKBkYERWR1USuET_NqNryJmrAAkaPUYxgcY72bZhP_Z3bHeeky3Lk6Ir9zU1dEt75FapYcl7tuaN3nbHxNd_Q0zgGVXsdJeHCV4kbxKJj7b9M/s1600/Trailerfull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrHKgXKoEjhpiXUt3YArp_9-zHE2b2kAJKBkYERWR1USuET_NqNryJmrAAkaPUYxgcY72bZhP_Z3bHeeky3Lk6Ir9zU1dEt75FapYcl7tuaN3nbHxNd_Q0zgGVXsdJeHCV4kbxKJj7b9M/s320/Trailerfull.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the trailer load of donations that we took with us. It might have started out as a small two person road trip, but it ended in a community donation of 50 bales of bedding, tons of blankets and horse tack, horse treats, and foal milk/colostrum replacement, and a hearty dose of monetary donations as well!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwYRgz0mhnKj8AmNw59OU4hTFeHwQPDhvB1fLg0pFomFGaHZfQPAUfaVL7JgCK5zonOQf5C1Qa4XtDlURCE_mB18emeQwxcnQD1SN1mpI1Aeftvk08x-nXRwJQVGSi8kKuvwYKL0XvCE/s1600/LCCsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIwYRgz0mhnKj8AmNw59OU4hTFeHwQPDhvB1fLg0pFomFGaHZfQPAUfaVL7JgCK5zonOQf5C1Qa4XtDlURCE_mB18emeQwxcnQD1SN1mpI1Aeftvk08x-nXRwJQVGSi8kKuvwYKL0XvCE/s320/LCCsign.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the road as we pull in. Willow trees everywhere. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKVMcZdZ50ArkLgMmdPN3frUGSkpj9ZclM0XPLkUfkKKAGE6slxg6ddVb80lrYDqctkvFe03Mh8lqbyLvQXbgg8CoHmQu0z5s57OIAEU4_jYru9p3y3D0JkdRSBahpCQwRE8xmMg_OJY/s1600/foalbarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKVMcZdZ50ArkLgMmdPN3frUGSkpj9ZclM0XPLkUfkKKAGE6slxg6ddVb80lrYDqctkvFe03Mh8lqbyLvQXbgg8CoHmQu0z5s57OIAEU4_jYru9p3y3D0JkdRSBahpCQwRE8xmMg_OJY/s320/foalbarn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The house and foal barn sitting above the paddock. The cliff isn't that huge, but it's enough. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLC4yF2QY8g3CUjCZEBsaxN6SDBUv7AVvjYx9LeCswvZhMCbn0vF2TjiPAW-KacIwi6DIt-unSvppfAiZH9Xt8qXvStzqARSavZK4_os5RK_pghtwgmMYYOkYXVgdv1DyVpOxHPBqSDg/s1600/frolic_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLC4yF2QY8g3CUjCZEBsaxN6SDBUv7AVvjYx9LeCswvZhMCbn0vF2TjiPAW-KacIwi6DIt-unSvppfAiZH9Xt8qXvStzqARSavZK4_os5RK_pghtwgmMYYOkYXVgdv1DyVpOxHPBqSDg/s320/frolic_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frolic and play! The big horses! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo0qH0SapE3iuTrrPswPgop-2lxpfPW2S3N5Gesse32hxJqaZtrZsUPUxTo5jUMSbP-r0t5KVPjvfgxaPdv_Gm7iH09itZFWW6fm5ctQ-i6GRgQBkl0stDYeI0JKjZJlFGk8FT1Sj-gM/s1600/foalbutts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwo0qH0SapE3iuTrrPswPgop-2lxpfPW2S3N5Gesse32hxJqaZtrZsUPUxTo5jUMSbP-r0t5KVPjvfgxaPdv_Gm7iH09itZFWW6fm5ctQ-i6GRgQBkl0stDYeI0JKjZJlFGk8FT1Sj-gM/s320/foalbutts.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BABY BUTTS!!! They all seems to think that if they turn their butts to the crazy humans, the crazy humans no longer exist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35JIm8e-ah1qQK3aMQmOLEWcuVRPUzUB3vSFzUXPrkT85lkGWf4QMneCPwFuRdv5DJ33r-aJ_zUu-veyQ_ni8gwCXg-N49rKWE6qdbbPYi1IQwvYPLyGlHPj6dR_bdxyRbVXVKBAMnAA/s1600/premielove_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh35JIm8e-ah1qQK3aMQmOLEWcuVRPUzUB3vSFzUXPrkT85lkGWf4QMneCPwFuRdv5DJ33r-aJ_zUu-veyQ_ni8gwCXg-N49rKWE6qdbbPYi1IQwvYPLyGlHPj6dR_bdxyRbVXVKBAMnAA/s320/premielove_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But not all were scared of people. This little tyke, named Paparazzi, a TB/Arab orphan who's mommie died when she had him premature, though not feeling well at the time, was inquisitive and loved attention and nuzzled me quite a lot and I loved every moment of it. I wish I could have brought him home. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOVOsLzCgI9VGdTvTCCdnaMsQmY0hCWP8V_dQ8Uv1NqK_D7G5ZAduTncH_4w65XIRPP3liL1UYW5mKxep8tdLO3lghDXwWi9IsUGlXBzPjcpUqof4e8_zC8lF2kOAO6MHrmVFk6DJYG0/s1600/chosen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOVOsLzCgI9VGdTvTCCdnaMsQmY0hCWP8V_dQ8Uv1NqK_D7G5ZAduTncH_4w65XIRPP3liL1UYW5mKxep8tdLO3lghDXwWi9IsUGlXBzPjcpUqof4e8_zC8lF2kOAO6MHrmVFk6DJYG0/s320/chosen.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And of course, at least one of us couldn't leave without taking a baby home, so Jeni came home with this TB/Draft cross, a lovely huge bay fellow she named Comet. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-25705335276398024332013-02-21T09:19:00.001-05:002013-02-21T09:19:15.754-05:00More trotting and a new goalSiaga and I are trotting more and more every ride, though half the time he has ZERO sense of direction while riding the trot, mostly because he's focused on getting back to the gate so we can just STOP ALREADY, MOM! lol<br />
<br />
Anyway, I think this Sunday Kathryn and I and a few other people at the barn are going to go on our first trail ride of the season. As long as the trails aren't total mudslop, Siaga should be perfectly ok with this, he actually has shown me to be a more relaxed horse on the trail than in the arena.<br />
<br />
I've decided that I'm going to attempt to learn mounted archery. When I was a kid, I loved playing with my brother's compound bow and I had good aim with it. It's been a while but since I've borrowed his recurve and got some new arrows for myself, it's all coming back. So my goal with Siaga is tackless riding, which is what we've been working on in the arena, going at a walk/trot with minimal interference from my hands, and I've been accomplishing this by riding him in just his halter and bareback and carrying a crop to tap him into the right direction if he doesn't listen to my seat and legs before I go for the lead rope that's tied as his reins.<br />
<br />
Not bad for being a little rusty at it still, eh? All three large holes in the box are from me. I hit it a few more times after that, but I admit most of my shots missed. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJuZpjfTp7RIRI5NHCHGb8XhvakS9EyAUlnSgGjRUKuRjXCXHz6ahh02XvNBWKBMBt66NE9jV4HUdurIwRaoHFCzCMj1Cs0YbrAFaDYVvfmtRhzDQaLTU2E7PdHJoMiHgBE_h9LrBuME/s1600/arrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJuZpjfTp7RIRI5NHCHGb8XhvakS9EyAUlnSgGjRUKuRjXCXHz6ahh02XvNBWKBMBt66NE9jV4HUdurIwRaoHFCzCMj1Cs0YbrAFaDYVvfmtRhzDQaLTU2E7PdHJoMiHgBE_h9LrBuME/s320/arrow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-90604022785897314682013-01-30T00:44:00.002-05:002013-01-30T00:44:37.439-05:00"Just ride the trot!" So today at the barn I took Siaga to the indoor for a little bareback ride. I had my helmet, Siaga had his halter and a leadrope looped around his neck and tied at the clasp like reins on a bosal.<br />
<br />
After about 20 minutes of just walking around and reminding him of how to change direction, whoa, and go, from my seat, I lifted my ribs, pushed my hips, and asked for a trot. Now normally Siaga is either "Nooooope, I'm waaaaalking." OR he goes "You want fast? I'll show you fast!!!" But today, he was like "Oh, trot? Ok." And he took a few pattering strides and stopped, and I praised him wholeheartedly.<br />
<br />
And we kept doing it until we got a span of trotting half way around the indoor. It was lovely! He has such a nice trot and it's so easy to ride, even bareback with no bridle, as I wasn't focusing on guiding his direction, just keeping him moving along at a trot. Next time will be a "cruise control" lesson, I think, with pretty much nothing but trotting.<br />
<br />
Hurray!Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-23438481404894639442013-01-27T13:02:00.000-05:002013-01-27T13:02:42.318-05:00Holy Moly!Wow, yeah, I've been gone quite a while, haven't I!?<br />
<br />
Let us update, yet again.<br />
<br />
So I've started back to school, I'm officially enrolled in all online classes at Ivy Tech of Richmond, Indiana, and I'm studying Business Administration, aiming towards that dream goal of mine to run a rescue.<br />
<br />
Siaga is getting wonderful at moving off of my seat. I don't normally have enough time (between working two jobs (even though I still am employed at the tractor place, I am laid off until spring) and going back to school) to fully saddle up and actually RIDE, so Siaga and I just don a halter and a lead rope looped around and tied like reins on a bosal, and my helmet, and we just putter around the arena like that. Because of the decided lack in contact to his mouth, I'm getting more forceful with my seat and making him listen to that, and gradually I have been able to relax and give him lighter signals that he responds to.<br />
<br />
I also thought lately that it would be really amazing to take up mounted archery, since that will really help he and I work as a team and as one rather than two separate beings with two minds working not together.<br />
<br />
We'll see. I have to get a bow and arrows first and master my aim from the ground before I climb up there for that. lolBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-78377489687518427642012-12-10T17:47:00.001-05:002012-12-10T17:47:08.286-05:00UpdatesSo Siaga is no longer living here with me. My riding instructor, Kathryn, called me a few weeks ago to say that she's moved to a new barn that's closer to me and said she needed some help and she'd be glad to give Siaga the last stall if I'd come out and do stalls and feed a few days a week.<br />
<br />
So last Thursday was moving day and Siaga and I now have an indoor arena and an outdoor arena, lots of fellow horses, lots of trails, etc, to play on.<br />
<br />
We rode in the indoor on Saturday, and he was behaving so well! I had a lot of fun playing "snake" and winding around the puddles on the floor (I guess the roof leaks a bit in places) and he was moving off my seat and woahing and going and changing direction with all the ease of a well trained dressage horse. Or maybe not quite that well, but he's getting there! Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-31015359727194718102012-10-17T12:18:00.000-04:002012-10-17T12:18:02.054-04:00Yellows and browns and greens and pinksSo my lichen fermentation is going well, I definitely collected the right lichen, it's turning into an absolutely beautiful magenta red.<br />
<br />
Today I'm dyeing a t-shirt yellow with goldenrod. :) It's hang drying as I type.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_vBxRV0wmFF2hGvWPd6mnYhKFtYvHFhgolt7pYFfUpDACQMB54T86BUMfY9FzQgBBIUPS8bh6LdhwEORFtds8ej8J-4U2qbbVab3wGI03q9CvwC43ubf6GN9ka9XeEsaLQGF1ZZ6y6c/s1600/goldenrodyellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_vBxRV0wmFF2hGvWPd6mnYhKFtYvHFhgolt7pYFfUpDACQMB54T86BUMfY9FzQgBBIUPS8bh6LdhwEORFtds8ej8J-4U2qbbVab3wGI03q9CvwC43ubf6GN9ka9XeEsaLQGF1ZZ6y6c/s320/goldenrodyellow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm so excited, I can't wait to see how beautiful it is when it's all dry. <3 br="br"></3><br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-89551049778984055642012-10-07T12:22:00.002-04:002013-06-22T13:55:25.015-04:00SorryI'm incredibly sorry I haven't been posting lately, but really nothing has been happening. I've got Siaga back on his timothy pellets to pack weight on for winter instead of being his fit summer self. We've done a bit of bareback riding but nothing major, since the weather has coincided with my work schedule to be rainy and dreary and cold on every day off and warm and beautiful and sunny every day I have to work. :/<br />
<br />
In the mean time, I have taken to my crafting again, with a new vengeance, combining my love of nature and my artistic qualities to form a new passion for herbal dye. I even thought "I'd really like to have a sheep or two" just for the wool to dye! Maybe someday. And maybe someday, I'll have an outdoor fire pit just for sticking big vats of herbal dye and fabric over. :)<br />
<br />
Currently I have a jar of British Soldiers Lichen soaking in a solution of ammonia and water to steep for 12 weeks (will be ready December 30th or so) for a beautiful magenta dye. I've got turmeric for yellow and rosemary for a soft sagey green.<br />
<br />
This is bliss.<br />
<br />
Edit: Also, I just realized this is my 200th blog post here in Hoof Prints, go me! <!--3-->Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-77998870797881115012012-08-09T09:08:00.001-04:002012-08-09T09:08:23.306-04:00I've been told I'm fearless.I have a friend who believes, apparently, that I am fearless, because every evening, and whenever I can, I go up to the barn to visit Siaga, climb in his stall, and sit on his back. No saddle, no bridle, no halter or rope or anything. Just horse... and me. It's my equine therapy.<br />
<br />
I told this friend, no, it's not that I'm fearless, just that I love it so much that I'm willing to risk everything for the chance to ride. And it's true.<br />
<br />
Yesterday Siaga and I had our second lesson with my instructor, and he was so much better. He's really starting to listen to my seat, requiring less and less input from the reins, we even walked one of the starting patterns of a first level dressage test!<br />
<br />
And then came the part that really scared me. Kathryn put Siaga on a long line and we lunged at a trot, with me riding. We were working on my rising trot.<br />
<br />
I. Was. Terrified.<br />
<br />
But I pushed through it, lift ribs, ride the trot to ask him to pick up the pace, click click, and we were trotting, no spanking or leg signals involved, he picked it up when I asked. Granted, I can't hold a trot on him like I can on Spirit or Arwen (Rose, the horse I started my lessons on, her name has been changed) where I can go and go and go on them, but fear just really squeezes my innards all to heck and back on Siaga. But, I was brave, and I asked for it anyway. I didn't fall off, though I almost did a few times. Each time my balance started to slip, he would stop, wait for me to right myself.<br />
<br />
Didn't I say he'd shape up into a nice riding horse some day? We're getting there. :)Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-87231931681754737142012-07-13T16:44:00.000-04:002012-07-13T16:44:12.538-04:00LessonIt went like this.<br />
<br />
So we get Siaga in the trailer after a little bit of cajoling and drive to the barn, wait around for half an hour for someone to get there (aka the instructor) and then put him in cross ties in the wash stall away from the other horses and groom and tack up there. Surprise: Siaga has no problems in cross ties unless other horses are around or he feels like you're gonna leave him all alone.<br />
<br />
We lunged and got some bucks out. And then I got on.<br />
<br />
We had a few sticky spots and Kathryn helped me guide him through those. He threw one little buck at the one pony outside of the arena and squealed, but didn't unseat me at all. By the end of the two hour lesson, we were working on trotting.<br />
<br />
Kathryn rode him some as well and it was weird to see someone else riding Siaga.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I did get lots of video but Brenda accidentally took my camera with her so it will have to wait. D:Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-62729945221087196952012-07-13T09:23:00.002-04:002012-07-13T09:23:36.077-04:00Big dayYup, today Siaga gets his butt kicked by my riding instructor. :D<br />
<br />
I'm really nervous, but that's to be expected, I guess. I'm taking my camera so that Brenda can snap lots of photos and maybe even a video or two. :DBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-14111007757793898132012-07-05T11:14:00.001-04:002012-07-05T11:14:47.687-04:00ImprovementsSo last night I took Siaga for a ride and worked on nothing but his being barn (yard) sour for an hour or so. We worked at it by resting as close as we could get to where he didn't want to go and if he moved then we trotted back the way we came so that he really had to work if he wanted to go back.<br />
<br />
In all that heat, he was not pleased. So we were both dripping sweat when he finally decided... ok, maybe resting here in the shade by the mail box isn't a bad thing.<br />
<br />
Yeah... the mail box. That's as far as we got. Gah.<br />
<br />
On the plus, farrier is coming out to tidy up his hooves in a couple of days and next Friday Siaga is going with me to his first ever riding lesson. :D I can't wait.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-4119925486357934612012-06-30T09:49:00.000-04:002012-06-30T09:49:03.159-04:00Siaga, truely blessedI've said before how I'm pretty sure Siaga is a gift from above, a being meant to move through life with me. He's been in many near-death situations, including apparent starvation, several bouts of colic, and a near run-in with long wood splinters from a tree struck by lightning.<br />
<br />
Last night was different. Last night I wasn't there.<br />
<br />
I had to work 12:30 to 9pm at Walmart. About 4:30 or so I had my lunch break and went to sit in my jeep and watch the storm roll in. I went inside before it started pouring.<br />
<br />
When I got home dad was waiting outside, and informed me of all of the following: First, we have no power, so if Siaga needs water, you'll have to haul it from the neighbors pond. Second, we hope you have hay in the jeep because there's none in the barn (I had hay.) Third, two trees fell in your paddock. Siaga was outside.<br />
<br />
These two trees fell in such a way that Siaga was trapped in a little tiny area, unable to get out of the rain and into the barn. One of the branches went through the roof over the stall (which is sheet metal, basically) and looking at that long spear of a branch, I can't help but think how easily that could have been Siaga. Thanks to my brother and my dad, they got most of the trees trunks out of the paddock and temporarily fixed up the fence.<br />
<br />
Siaga is completely, totally, one hundred percent whole, entire, and ok. Not even a scratch.<br />
<br />
My dog... on the other hand... got a fish hook stuck in his bottom lip last night and without electricity to see it well, we couldn't remove it, so he got to go to the vet this morning. He's still recovering from the tranq. But he's ok. :)Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-41558421017796471122012-06-10T11:27:00.001-04:002012-06-10T11:27:45.647-04:00So GladI'm super glad that when I took the opportunity to buy Siaga a new saddle, that I bought a Wintec with the Easy Change gullet system. I only have the extra wide gullet for the saddle, which fit last fall, but it is now too wide since he lost top line condition through the winter. I just placed a bid on the wide size (red) gullet on Ebay, here's to hoping I'll win that.<br />
<br />
I'm glad I only have to fork out $10-20 for a new gullet rather than several hundred for a new saddle. Besides, I'm really daggone fond of my saddle. It's certainly the most comfortable saddle I've ever put my bottom in!<br />
<br />
For now, I'll double up my pads and use a regular square pad and the fleece pad to help protect his spine. The saddle appears to fit when it's just sitting on his back, even when I girth it down, but once I'm on there it squishes down almost to his withers.<br />
<br />
But thankfully, not a big problem! Easy fix, hip hip hooray!Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-53096975764890787362012-06-07T19:12:00.000-04:002012-06-07T19:12:03.891-04:00Well...Siaga and I went for a ride today. Instead of the normal routine, I took everything up to the barn and got him ready in the paddock and we rode around there after a lunge for a while, working on "whoa" and "go." And then we went for a while down the road.<br />
<br />
Here is what I have learned today.<br />
<br />
The good: Siaga will now usually whoa when I ask him to, and will usually stand still after that. Siaga also will usually turn direction with a shift of the reins of the reins and a press of the leg and a turn of the seat bones. Siaga will, almost without fail, start walking when I ask for it by walking my seat bones. These are all VERY wonderful things, and I can see in him a truly wonderful dressage horse in the making if we ever get over our fears.<br />
<br />
The bad: Can we say... barn sour. Only he's sour for the yard, not the barn. He actually doesn't want to go back to the barn and pitches a fit if I try to ride him back to the barn. He just wants the yard with the grass. Sometimes he was ok, moving forward easily, stopping when asked, turning when asked, other times, he'd get himself stuck in reverse and back up in the ditch and try to turn around and I lost count of how many times I popped him with the riding crop. A few times I even got off and walked him through the sticky areas and remounted when we got past it. But there are so many deep ditches, and he through a fit by a bridge where the drop off is 5 or 6 feet, and it's just sooo dangerous.<br />
<br />
I'm planning on getting him to the barn where I take my lessons (when I can afford them again) and having my instructor work with both of us at once.<br />
<br />
He also has issues with standing still while I am mounting up, though I can actually mount from the ground in the dressage saddle now if I need to.<br />
<br />
The ugly: He only works when he wants to, or when there is no grass to distract him, or when there is no barn or yard to run back to, or no dogs to scare him. UUUUGH.<br />
<br />
He really is like riding a giant troll. lol.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-42579517225370426182012-06-05T13:50:00.003-04:002012-06-05T13:50:37.177-04:00What the heck happened?When I was fired from the barn, the horses there were still covered in winter fuzz. But... you could see they were still healthy. Their coats were shiny, if covered in mud, and they were spry and full of energy.<br />
<br />
But today... that isn't the case. They have shed out, but they aren't shiny. None of them have much energy, some of them have big scrapes and cuts, one of the mares has cracks up the toes of her feet almost all the way to the coronet band, and hair rubbed entirely off of her face. Some of them are too skinny, some I can't even feel the ribs of. All of them were huddled in one of the shelters except for the one mare, instead of out grazing, and its not even a hot day.<br />
<br />
Some had open fly bites on their legs and faces. The one mare, when she walked, looked stiff and in pain, taking short, stiff steps and only going a little way at a time. None of them seemed to have much energy except for the ponies, who seemed to be just fine.<br />
<br />
I'm just really confused. What happened? :/ I mean, Siaga gets minimal care to ensure he is healthy and happy, because I'm limited on time and what I can do, but even though he's still a little skinny, his coat is shiny and gleams like the sun and he's full of piss and vinegar and just entirely LIVELY.<br />
<br />:/Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4891970730432960318.post-78563963623871443202012-05-21T19:37:00.002-04:002012-05-21T19:37:42.447-04:00I'm going PrimalIf I asked you, what does a lion eat? Or a bear? Or a horse? Or a shark?
You could tell me. Lions eat meat. They are designed to kill and eat
meat. Bears eat meat, too, but they also enjoy some plants. They are
designed to be omnivores. Horses eat grass and other plants, they are
herbivores and designed to eat plants. Sharks eat fish and other sea
life... because... well, that's what they are designed to eat! <br /><br />What
are humans designed to eat? Twinkies? Ice cream? Candy? Nope. Not at
all. Bread? Actually, no. Humans aren't meant to eat grains at all. In
fact, horses aren't either, except for the small amount they have in seasonal times, but I'll get to that in a moment. Humans
aren't meant to eat pizza (though I admit it is DELICIOUS) or pasta, or
bread sticks, or cookies, or brownies, or chocolate, we aren't even
meant to eat corn! <br /><br />Going back to the horse thing, my pets have
problems with their health, and I feed my house cat, my horse, and the
dog grain free foods. My horse, grain causes excessive hotness in him,
or at least, what he does manage to digest of it does. The rest passes
through completely unharmed. Money for that grain right down the drain.
My horse already has issues keeping his weight up because he is reactive
and not a generally calm horse, this makes him hard to keep. My secret
for putting weight on him? No grain. All the hay he will eat and all the
grass I can give him, and then several cups every day of timothy
pellets and a vitamin calmer. <br /><br />The dog and cat, yes, I know what
you are thinking. OF COURSE the dog and cat are grain free! Why would
you feed them grain?! They eat dog and cat food right? That's meat
based! ... Uhm, no. It's not. Read the label. If the first ingredient is
corn meal, wheat middlings, brewers rice, or anything like that...
you're feeding your dog or cat very unhealthy food. Often it will say
the first ingredient is meat, and therefore the main ingredient, but if
there are 2 or 3 different types of grain products after that listed,
they probably overall make up more of the food than the meat does,
still. My cat and my dog are kept on Taste of the Wild Grain free food.
The main product is meat, with fruits and veggies after that, which ARE
healthy for them, so long as they get those in moderation. <br /><br />So...
I feed my animals grain free diets for their health... so why am I
eating all these grains myself? I'm trying to prevent future problems
and fix current ones. I'm going Primal. <br /><br />Learn about Primal Blueprints here: <a href="http://www.marksdailyapple.com/">Mark's Daily Apple</a>Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01660277328441543313noreply@blogger.com0