Freezing rain, ice, and snow.

Today was damp, cold, and miserable. I cheered myself up by pulling UK away from his hay after taking care of the barn this morning to brush him and switch blankets. UK wasn't terribly thrilled as hanging with his buddy is far more interesting then me putting Thrush Buster on his feet and putting detangler in his tail. But then I went to the car to get my camera and when I returned there were treats in my pocket, suddenly I was much more fun! UK has learned to associate the camera with treats, thus he poses shamelessly knowing that if he's cute enough I'll reward him after snapping some shots.

I took him out to the snowy ring to get him to stretch his legs even though it was misting nasty half frozen stuff. There was ice hidden under the snow in some spots so I let UK stick to a relaxed trot so he'd be able to handle himself if he slipped.

Even though he's a wuss about the cold, he was born up here in the north so he knows the snow won't eat him (unlike a certain TB I used to own who was terrified of untouched snow). He slipped a few times but wasn't overly concerned as it's normal this time of year to encounter ice. 

We did some follow the leader and he tried to eat my camera, hoping that maybe it had turned into a giant banana rounder. No such luck. He's matured a great deal in the last year, he's much braver and has a calmness about him in the ring now that he used to lack. Part of it is because he's learned to trust me a great deal, finally understanding that I will never put him into a position or place that will get him hurt. 

We finished up and I put his blanket on, returning him to LD and the rest of his AM hay. Hopefully the weather will get better soon and we'll be able to go out for a ride. 

Oh! His feet are really starting to improve. By late spring/early summer he should have amazing feet again. Yay for mother nature! 

Living in New England can be a bit hard.

So UK had a light week leading up to Holloween as I was away Thursday and Friday. Saturday dawned cold and brisk and then 15 to 20 inches of snow dropped on Connecticut. Other New England states got hit as well but not quite as hard as Connecticut. UK was wrapped up in a blanket and sharing a shed with Ethan, so he had it easy. The humans didn't have it quite so good.

100% of my county was out of power by the end of Saturday, and the rest of the state didn't fare much better. Trees, wires and telephone poles were down everywhere. Sunday was bright and sunny, but no one really noticed as they were too busy trying to dig out of the white stuff. I was actually stuck without a car for a couple of days so I couldn't even check on UK, but luckily Sally had him covered for me.

The week slowly warmed up and the snow started to melt. Everything was snow and puddles and mud. It was just gross. The ring was a frozen mess, so I rode UK up and down the driveway on Thursday and even made down the road a little bit so we could walk around a field owned by the state.

Then Friday, Saturday, Sunday and today we trail rode with Jean. Friday she rode Rebel and the rest of the time she rode Maggie. At first we tried going down the trails but weren't able to get very far thanks to all the downed trees. We bushwhacked a little and I found out UK likes being an equine battering ram. So Saturday Jean and I decided to ride down the road and had a nice three and a half mile walk to survey the damage on the nearby streets. UK kept his cool over bridges, past barking dogs and when people flew by us in their cars.

A combined effort of some of the guys from our barn and a couple other people who use the trails made it so Jean and I were able to ride the majority of the main trail again yesterday and today. We even jumped a one of the downed trees before it got cut!

UK still throws his temper tantrums when we go down the trails, but they disappear when we go somewhere new. He's a little too smart for his own good. I think I'm going to have to get bigger spurs because as he gets stronger and fuzzier my little prince of wales become less effective when he misbehaves.

Tomorrow I hope to ride him in the ring and give him a little refresher in moving off of my leg, as it should be thawed enough.

Oh! I almost forgot. The hunter pace got postponed to the 20th of this month, thanks to Winter Storm Alfred. So I have more time to get his giant ego-ness ready. ;)

Wonder of wonders.... Sun!

Really, sun is a big deal! After all the flooding we had a little over a week ago, it's wonderful to see the sun. The massive amounts of rain melted the majority of the snow, and in it's place is now lots and lots of mud. Yay.....not. I loath mud only slightly less then I loath flies.

 Luckily UK doesn't seem to be the type to roll in mud every chance he gets, that's Dacharia's job. His sheet is clean, while her's is a patchwork of mud.

Look! The ring is actually visible!

So on Monday I decided to take a walk out towards the big field we use as extra turnout. I always bring some haystring when I do a fence walks, just in case I need to do a quickie repair job. The big field is fenced with one line of electric tape, I know it doesn't seem like much but we haven't needed anything more. Our one rule is no ponies, as they wouldn't be as happy to stay out of trouble as our horses have been.

Every spring a long lost horse shoe surfaces.
This one is from Tessa, I'm certain and at least 2yrs old. 

So I after an inspection and some time spent tightening the fence back up I decided that it was ok to let the horses inspect the big field. Getting them to do it was a whole other matter. UK was suspicious as to why I was trying to lure him out past the gate and Dacharia had a look that said, "Why should I bother?"

So I decided to resort to bribery. 

As you can see, they didn't exactly come running... I was only able to convince them by starting to eat their carrots. The distinct crunch and snap got Dacharia's attention immediately, she was greatly offended that I would dare to start munching on what was so obviously for her! She'd walk ten steps closer and then pause, glaring at me. I would then take another bite and the process would start all over again. UK followed her, but not with much enthusiasm. Once through the gate, and after eating the carrots it dawned on them why I wanted them to  come over... There was room to move!

Then the inspection of the field commenced. There was a little trotting and a lot of UK imitating a hound dog. He had to sniff everything! They walked all over, checking out everything and seeming to relish the ability to stretch their legs again. 

Eventually they reached the bottom of the field, where UK decided to roll gently on one side in the cleanest patch of snow he could find. Then he and Dacharia realized they could run! 

Well I was going to post a video but it seems it just won't cooperate... stupid program.

On a separate note, I got to lunge UK today! He was awesome, very relaxed and using his back end. I'll do more once the weather improves again as it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow. :(

More snow, more rain, more ice and Smartpak!

So it's been a crazy month or so. The weather has been all over the place. The horses are going stir crazy and their stalls reflect that. Their small turnout area has gotten slightly bigger due to some meltage (not a real word I know). So it now is an ice flow. 

Haven't been able to ride or even lunge UK. So my mental state is not much better then the equines.
The one bright spot was getting my Smartpak Equine Supplement & Horse Care Guide for Winter 2011 on the third week of February. As usual it was interesting with great product reviews, but what I was really excited about was on page 52.

Look! It's UK! And a quote from me!!! 

So after making excited noises I brought the guide to the barn with me to show UK. I know it isn't much, but even just having a few sentences of mine published in something that went all over this country is pretty wicked for me. (Also my quote was the longest out of the 11 they picked.)

UK was very intrigued and took a moment from enjoying the 54 degree day to take a look. 

Then Dacharia had to see what all the fuss was about. 

The only thing somewhat different this week is both UK and Dacharia will be getting their feet done. I cannot wait till the ice thaws so we have some traction. So maybe I could lunge him and then, maybe, just maybe, get to ride him. 

I can dream, can't I? 

Bodyclipping

So I've noticed a few posts and mentions regarding bodyclipping over the last few days. From tips and hints to suggestions as to what clippers to use. I have quite a few opinions on those subjects...

I've done a lot of bodyclipping over the years. I did my first bodyclipping at 16, it was terrifying as I was handed the clippers and left to fend for myself. Also they were the huge and heavyweight Oster Clipmasters. I struggled through however and managed to do a pretty decent job, it didn't help any that it was a black and white paint.

After that I read up and watched other people who had more experience than me. Then I started small, by perfecting trimming noses, ears, feet, etc. Then I moved up to a basic trace clip on my QH. My first pair of clippers were refurbished Wahls that I got for twelve bucks. They lived a good life till a horse spooked and sent them flying down a concrete aisle.

Years passed and I eventually got to a point where people were asking me to clip their horses. Instead of using other people's clippers I ponied up the money and bought a pair Wahl KM2 clippers, which I still have (and love).

For some reason I really enjoy doing a great bodyclip. Maybe it's my small way of showing my artistic side. Once I was barn manager I had some real fun bodyclipping. I started leaving a marking in hair on a hindquarter. It started simply enough, I used a maple leaf and traced it on a horse I was riding at the time. Everyone liked it so much that the next year I got creative. I put a dollar sign (by fair the hardest ever) on a jumper named Show Me The Money and a hard candy on The Sweetest Thing. To this day I wish I had taken pictures!

Well, if you're planning on bodyclipping your horse, make sure your blades are sharp and you have plenty of time. Rushing a body clipping never ends well.



On a different note, things are pretty much the same here. I managed to lunge UK walk trot the other day, then it got warm and things started to melt, followed by a deep freeze so that area is now just ice. So much for being able to lunge again.

Oy, I'm ready for spring, with as little mud as possible please!

Winter continues...

It's the still the first week and February and Winter has not relented one iota. Snow and freezing rain have combined to imprison not only my horse, but my freedom as well.
Hell, just trying to drive my car has gotten very dangerous, as with the snow banks so high it feels like playing russian roulette when you try to turn onto a main street. Scary!

We're all slowly starting to go stir crazy, and I include that horses in that statement. I try to leave them outside as long as possible, but they have such limited space to move in that they don't burn much energy. Everyone is getting twitchy and cranky, it's just not pleasant. We're all bored and there is nothing we can do about it.

On top of it all I am currently unemployed and looking for work. So normally I would ride lots, but I can't as I have nowhere to ride. *sighs* It just sucks...

There is nothing new, and nothing going on. I just clean the barn, change blankets and feed the horses when it's my turn. I bring my camera and take pictures occasionally.

Meh!

This is when I wish my truck could haul Betsy's trailer, then I would be able to trailer UK to an indoor at least...

Freezing Rain Sucks

Yes, yes it does.

One of the many joys of living in New England is the strange and violent weather patterns. I usually take great joy in nature's shows of strength, but freezing rain is not something I enjoy. Snow? Yes. Large amounts of snow? Very much yes! Freezing rain? Eeeww. The horses seem to feel the same way. UK especially hates getting wet ears.

Needless to say I really haven't been able to ride. It's been in the single digits or below zero every night this week and the days haven't been much warmer. Those temperatures combined with the 2+ feet of snow have made things a bit difficult. These are the times I dearly wish that  I had an indoor ring or had the time and the resources to trailer to an indoor ring. My truck is out of commission at the moment, and it still needs a trailer brake control before I could use it anyway.

Even though I was wet and cold I did manage to enjoy myself as I was caring for my horses this evening. There is just something about being surrounded by my four legged friends and some good honest manual labor to take away the stress of the day. General and UK were funny to watch. General desperately wanted to play and UK humored him for awhile, trotting along and playing tag with his "little brother". When UK was finally tired of playing he just stood there ignoring General, which made General start barking to get his attention. It was quite amusing, as this is pretty much the only time I hear General use his vocal cords for something other whining.

The night beforehand was quite exciting! Kristy and I had finished taking care of the horses, said goodnight and then went our separate ways home. I was a few miles from the barn when my cell phone rang. It was Kristy, there were horses running loose in the road. I did a u-turn and flew towards where she was. When I got close it was then time to slow to a crawl, as the road she was on was curvy and I didn't want to  run into the scared horses that were roaming the road somewhere. Eventually I came up behind Kristy's car and put on my hazard lights. I grabbed the only thing I had that would be of help in the car, a dog leash, and went to help Kristy who was in the process of trying to herd two frightened horses up a driveway.

I got the leash around one of the horse's neck, and grabbed the mane of the other one, luckily they were small horses. Then I pulled out my cell phone and called my mother-in-law to see if she knew who the horses belonged to. Meanwhile Kristy is trying to get the attention of the people that live in the house that owns the driveway by yelling as there was two large irish wolfhounds that were keeping her from getting anywhere near the door.

Eventually someone poked their head out, and it turned out that they were the owners of the horses. They were very grateful, and we helped them get Ollie and Lola back to their barn. Ollie who is a 28yr old gelding had managed to bust through his electric fencing. It also turned out that they knew my mother-in-law, as she is their bookkeeper. I was really happy that our little adventure ended well!

Tomorrow will be gross, and then it's going to get really cold. Oh winter how I love you and yet wish you would end soon!

---

As a bonus, I just realized that I forgot to mention I started to do some clicker training with both UK and General last month. UK is the smarter one of the two. UK will now pick up a brush from my hand and hold on to it. This is a great thing as he's really touchy about his muzzle. I hope to get him to really get brave and move on to holding "scary" things, but for now we'll just stick with brushes!

Snow Days!

I'm just going to say it. I love the snow! I really really love large amounts of snow! I don't care if it makes life harder, I still love it! It's my favorite thing about winter (the second favorite thing being no bugs!). We've had snow every week now for the last few weeks. I can't get enough.

Last Saturday Kristy and I took advantage of a break in the wind to ride together. This was to be her first ride on Dacharia since trying her out in the beginning of December. She was nervous (understandably), but Dacharia was fine as was my expectation. The only hiccup was when a jogger came down the road, he was silent and showed up behind her, which immediately triggered the fight or flight instincts. She just skittered a little and was fine. The exception however was that she was immensely offended at Kristy yelling at her. Such a mare attitude! So she then proceeded to trot with her nose in the air to prove a point. Kristy was also having problems due to her saddle, which really doesn't fit her anymore. She's saving up for a new one thankfully.

What about UK? He started by not standing still for me to mount, which is not like him. Uh-oh! I then said a prayer before getting on and commenced to warm him up at the walk with a fleece cooler over my legs and his rear end. I figure taking a cooler on and off while in the saddle will help him with his fear of fluttering cloth *coughtarpscough*. When I finally took the cooler off and hung it on the fence he was fine, no spooking. He did eye it suspiciously when we trotted past, but otherwise behaved himself.

I could just feel he was full of "piss and vinegar" as I told Kristy. There was a definite attitude waiting just under the surface of his calm facade, I just knew it! He worked well at the trot, we worked on more suppling and moving off of my legs. He really did well due to his extra "energy" and was rewarded by getting to walk and stretch for a bit before we moved on to a quick canter.

As we were riding in the snow I wasn't planning on doing a lot of canter, especially as there was an icy spot we needed to be careful around. I asked for the left lead canter and he was good for a few strides.... then the bucking began. They weren't horrendous bucks, but they were still real bucks. I dug in and kept him moving forward while cursing inwardly as I felt my back kink. As soon as he returned to a normal canter we walked and then went back to the canter, being rewarded for cantering without the attitude this time.

Meanwhile as all that was going on, Kristy is laughing heartily! She said that if you hadn't been able to see his back end you'd never know he was bucking as his ears were forward and he never changed pace. I was less amused then her however.

We did our canter to the right, which of course was fine. I really think his earlier issues had a lot to do with him showing off for his new "girlfriend". Silly animal. He let me put our cooler back on from the saddle with no spooks. We walked for a bit while Kristy did some more trot and I tried taking pictures from horseback.

As for today, we got over two feet here at the house and there was about three feet up at the barn. The horses were in the majority of the day as Savannah really can't take the wind anymore. Dacharia and UK were overj0yed when I finally let them outside. UK kept burying his face in the snow like a dog does, it was very cute.

My husband was awesome and had come along to move snow with the tractor so I could actually make it all the way to the manure pile without being buried alive. I cleaned the barn and got things ready for when the critters would come back in. I also shoveled snow, which was up to my mid thigh in most places.

UK seemed quite at home in the snow, and Dacharia tended to follow him around. When the wind wasn't howling it really wasn't bad out. In the end I brought them in early as Savannah looked like she'd had about enough. UK and Dacharia had to be bribed to even get them near the barn. Oh Haystretcher, you are wonderful!

I'm not looking forward to having to go back to work tomorrow, it was really nice to have an extra day off! I hope to be able to ride on Saturday again, weather permitting!

New Year, New Friends

On January 1, 2011 I met my friend Kristy at my Mother-in-law's house and we all climbed in her truck to go pick up Kristy's new horse, Dacharia.

I had already been to the barn prior and took all the blankets off UK and Savannah as it was in the 50's! The weather was glorious! I was really enjoying only needing a sweatshirt for warmth.

UK proved just how weird he is by never rolling once, all day... Most horses roll like crazy once rid of the evil blankets. I think UK is secretly OCD or something. I just don't know, as he gets plenty of poop and mud on him in the summer. Oh well, I guess I should just be grateful.

Anyways, on to Dacharia! Queen Bee is her registered name, she's an imported German Westfalen Mare, 16 years old and 16.3 hand high. She had been shown since age 2 in the Jumpers and then later on Equitation. She was jumped until she developed a bone spur in her right hind. She is sound currently and really needing to just be a horse for awhile. The mare is stubborn and smart but pretty darn bombproof. Kristy fell for her pretty quickly when we went to look at her.

Once we brought her to the barn UK was so excited! A new friend? For me?

But Mom? Another girl? Geez....

There was no epic screaming match, chasing or anything like that. A couple squeals and head tosses and they were done. Savannah could have cared less, it was UK who was the most excited. They quieted down and chilled for awhile. I cleaned the barn and ignored them for a bit.

Kristy and I decided to show Dacharia that she could go out in the big field later in the afternoon. UK helped us by leading the way, and Dacharia eagerly followed. It was very cute, horsey glee was very evident.

I have to say that despite the fact she's a fancy warmblood with extensive dressage training, my little paint gelding seems to be a better mover naturally. She has the knowledge, but he has raw talent. Of course I'm bias as he's my guy, but he really seems to have a certain grace to his movements that can't be denied.

I ended up riding him in the dark the next day. That's my resolution, that if I plan to ride I WILL RIDE. No matter what, within reason of course. I'm not going to ride if the weather is extreme or I get hurt, but you get my point. So I procrastinated on Sunday and got to the barn late and was going to wuss out, but decided that this would be another great learning experience for UK. So I tacked up and went out after the sun had set. The ring was sloppy due to the rain we had gotten Saturday night.

It was a great ride, he behaved himself very well considering he didn't want to leave his new girlfriend. I used to ride Jake in all weather and in all times of day. I would get mad when the indoor had 20 people riding and take Jake and ride in a dark half flooded outdoor just to get some space. So riding in the dark is nothing new.

Due to the iffy footing we only did walk/trot, but with lots of suppling and stretching. Once I got his attention off of Dacharia he buckled down and did some really nice work. In the end we managed to trot some very nice straight lines down the long quarter lines. Getting him to go straight so easily was HUGE! Due to the "headset training" he got when he was 2 and 4 he is constantly trying to go behind the bit with his whole body bent one way or another. So getting him to trot forward and straight and into the bit was fantastic.

What's next? More work to try to keep him balanced at the canter once there is enough snow on the ground to cushion us again. He has a short attention span, but if you use your time right he doesn't forget what he's learned.

Now here's hoping we get more snow soon!

Also, one more cute picture (Kristy and Dacharia)!