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Monday, December 31, 2012

Saturday, December 29, 2012

No DAWGZ Allowed!

Oriel and Griffin are not allowed in the dining area.
 Griffin gives one final optical plea!  :/

The "M.G." went to the field with me today to see the "ponies"
M.G. has not been around horses much and he was amazed at their winter "furry-ness"

We opted to take a "leisurely" walk with them up the lane.
Nevel was being pushy and a little spooky and I told M.G. to boss him around.
I need to get Nevel in the round pen and teach him some manners!

We took them across the road for the first time.
Falcon immediately started blowing some, but was not too alarmed with the new surroundings.
We started down the trail, but decided to turn back when we reached the creek.

A few people were out riding and M.G. has been pushing me to ride Falcon before 2012 ends.
However...that is not my goal.  (I don't have a goal)  : )
Whatever will be will be.
Regardless it was a lovely day to be outside.

Something to Crow About

One of the hens has happily launched into their egg laying business!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

2012 (mostly) with the "boys"

Music by my brother-Todd Patton

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

A Glimpse of the Sun

The day before Christmas...
 Was our only glimpse of the sun for the week
The ground is sodden...
I think we need an ark.

Monday, December 24, 2012

I think there is an apple in her pocket!



Christmas Eve Visit

My mom and step-dad are visiting from Montana and wanted to go visit the horses, so we went to Machado's and got a 20lb box of apple seconds before heading out to the "field."

Falcon took a liking to my 81 year old Mom.
Horsey kiss...please?
Falcon is the new "people whisperer"


Friday, December 21, 2012

Bleu Slips into the Snow Kissed Earth




Hope Valley-South Lake Tahoe, California

Thursday, December 20, 2012

I'm sorta new with the video stuff...

Maybe next time I won't plaster the title right across the middle of the video!  : )

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

36 Degrees

This morning was cold and damp as I drove out to the "Field."
The horses came immediately and Nevel almost escaped when I pulled Falcon out through the gate.
Falcon received a little snack wilst I brushed and combed him.
We were supposed to meet the trainer at 7:30, but no sign of him at 7:35.
We ventured in to the round pen and I slowly worked Falcon.  It was wet and there was standing water on one side of the pen.

All was quiet and peaceful
The flock of geese appeared silently then the sound of their wings whirred in the wispy fog.

It was a nice way to start the day.


Saturday, December 15, 2012

Time in the Saddle

My time in the saddle this year was approximately a total of ONE hour.  Surely there is an award for THAT?

No?

Considering that my hopes were dashed to shreds following lameness and bad trainer issues, I think I have made a lot of progress...or someone has made a lot of progress.

I am happy to report that Falcon is coming along nicely with the new trainer who says he can't understand why someone though Falcon wasn't trainable...the trainer really likes Falcon...who is willing and has a good temperament despite his spookiness.

Falcon is still having some lameness issues which I hope gets corrected with the next trimming...we will see...if not, maybe another X-ray and Opinion.  But his feet have come a long way since we brought him to the new farm.

I trust the new trainer enough to have him work with Nevel, who has now filled out and grown up enough to carry my weight.  But that can wait til spring.
The days are so short that I barely have time to run out after work and feed them and brush the prickly stuff out of their manes and tails.

And now that I have a week off?  It is RAINING AGAIN!!!

I have been asked if I will ride Falcon this year.  Maybe, but this year is almost gone and I will start working him myself from the ground this week if the rain holds off.  Even that is a major improvement since I was having fear issues with myself when I was around him.

It is a good feeling to be bonding with Mr. Falcon again.

Monday, December 10, 2012

Trial

I am looking for a saddle to properly fit Falcon.  My Tucker Cheyenne fits pretty well, but would fit better if the Falcon lost a few pounds...
Allegheny Mountain Trail Saddles sent me some Steele fit forms so below are just a few of the pics of many that I took.  We have narrowed it down to 3 maybe 4 forms and I will need to take more pics this week before sending the forms back.

Munch munch, the last of breakfast slides down the gullet.
 The joys of living in a pasture with a creek to cross...
where are my GLOVES!  YUK!  : )


Wednesday, December 5, 2012

...and then...

THERE WAS MORE RAIN!!!!

SLOSH SLOSH, GOOSH GOOSH
Muck everywhere
My "mostly white horse"
Is Brown now...not bare!  : (

Monday, December 3, 2012

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Friday, November 30, 2012

Happy December!

Crazy ponies  are running around my Christmas tree!
I made them years ago-before the "bad times" and they haven't been out of the box that my friend Betsy packed up for me 4 years ago in Virginia.  It was good to let those "ponies" run free again...
Even if they are a bit mussed up-But after-all-that is what life doles out-a bit of "mussing" and somehow we keep on cantering!  : P





Fall is Suddenly Gone

Just a few days ago
 Luscious Orange Claimed the Throne
 Then the Sun went to down
And woke up on the wrong side of the bed!
"Red in the morning
Sailors take warning"
That sure was an understatement!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Promise-Under the Rainbow

Nevel has the Promise
Yes he does!
The Day I purchased him I saw an amazing rainbow on my drive home from Redding.
Today T (owner of the place Nevel is boarded at) took the following pictures and shared them with me.


THANK YOU and THANK YOU once again to K (Irish Horse) & Major for introducing me to this place!
Thank you also to T-the owner of this wonderful little "peace" of paradise`

The Deluge

First
A light pitter patter
Gently falling on my head,

Then a rush of wind
Chases red and gold
Blowing leaves from every limb


Droplets of rain come
In speedy flight
Deluging the earth
From morning til night.

Three more days
The weathermen say????

My poor ponies
Doth need an ark !!!!






Monday, November 26, 2012

Quick Sale

Wow, my saddle sold in one day on ebay!


Sunday, November 25, 2012

more steps

Next I took him to the arena.
Mike exposed him to a big bouncy ball and a tarp.


Falcon did pretty well, Mike says he might bring out some flares next week.
Mike had me put weight in the stirrup and next I put my knee up on his backside.
No weight fully in the saddle for me yet.  We only had a lead rope on Falcon, no bridle.
After that we tried my plantation saddle on Falcon.  TOO NARROW
It is so comfy (for me) but it won't fit Nevel either
So it is for sale.  : (
It is a Tucker Plantation.



Small Steps

It was rather nippy this a.m.
Mike came over and explained some of his training to me.  I have never had a trainer allow "outside" turns.  Mike says that he teaches both and it does make sense.
Falcon did pretty well, but not perfect.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Another Fabulous Day

A few hours of work, then off to the FIELD!  : )

Who goes there???
My Pet Giraffe?
 Balancing horse?
 "Carrots you say???  How about some of those apple flavored treats?"

 "I am almost certain that I saw that rock move!!!"
 Nevel doesn't care where his treats come from!  ; )

I spent my Happy Thanksgiving...

...at the Coast!  Fabulous/Glorious Weather!