Redneck Camping at Ebenezer

I finished my cakes and took a long nap Saturday when the lights were out.  We couldn't check the weather in Jasper til the electricity came on.  I had already packed the trailer the day before so it was ready to go.  We went to the barn around 4:20 PM and loaded up the boys.  Red was pulling his head to Sarge's bucket and bashed my left thumb on a break away snap.  It was bleeding and I didn't even know it.  It didn't really hurt at the time but geez Louise...that night it was throbbing for goodness sakes.  It had a little bit of "flesh" hanging out and that rascal has hurt since then like nobodies business.  UGH.

We got up to the park (I "bought" Lee Ann B's spot!) about 6:50 PM or so.  We took the horses out, put them in the corrals and I started cleaning the trailer.  I had scrubbed it at the car wash a few weeks ago so it was very clean.  I just had two little piles to clean.  We took the mats and center divider out and I scrubbed it with soap, laid down a plastic drop cloth and blew up the air mattress.  Barry put in the little A/C and we were in business.  We visited with Esther, Kenny, Robin and her mom, Sharon, around the camp fire.  It was so nice.

The next morning I got up and got dressed and lunged Red.  We rode out and had a great time.  I got a little scared when Red was wanting to gallop up a hill...he just flies.  We got down to the water, Esther was riding Kenny's gelding and he just dropped into the water!  LOL  he was splashing his head back and forth.   He did that twice!!  Esther's boots were filled with water - it was a hoot!   I enjoyed my ride - Red is a good boy - he just has an idiot for an owner!

Red and Sarge are looking terrific!!!

I went out ot give Red and Sarge some alfalfa.  The boys are really slicking out and they both look fabulous.  Sarge looks like he has lost a little weight - he is such a chubby bubby!!!  Their color is shiny and bright.  Coats are slicking out.  They look terrific.  I can't wait to ride Saturday and Sunday. 

Going to take it easy though.  I need to build up to going here there to and from. 

Visited with Kellie and saw her horses.  Aladin is a fat little rolly polly.  He is looking better and I hope he continues to improve.

Screaming like a girl

I got out to the barn at 1:25 or so for my lesson.  I had been to Silsbee and Lumberton and was going like a wild woman to get back to the barn.  I didn't have time to warm Red up good.  He was a bit of a pill today.  Part of it was using both sides of the arena.  He wanted to turn when he wanted to turn instead of when I wanted to turn. 

I worked on stopping correctly. Sitting back on my butt and dropping the reins immediately when he stops so that he will square up.  Red was giving me a little bit of guff on turns so I would use the outside rein to bring him to the right spot.  I was going to give the canter awhile in the little arena.  I got him into a canter on the right side of the arena and he started going towards the center and I screamed "I am scared" like a girl and halted him!!  I am laughing at myself now, but I felt like I was bouncing around too much and I felt like he was going to turn at the edge of the arena too sharp and that I would come off. 

Esther rode Red for me and he was giving her some guff too on how he was turning.  He was just being a pill today.  She got him into a canter and she said he was rough and that she could understand my fears.  He doesn't keep pace and when he drops the pace and goes into a trot/canter/messed up thingy it makes me lose my balance.  She went round and round the arena at a canter with Red and I will be working on it this week.

After the lesson we were in the corner of the arena talking to LeeAnn B in the washrack and Red was all up in Esther's koolaide!  He likes her or he wouldn't be doing that.  She kicked his butt and made him mind but he likes her anyway.  I had to make him stand off aways and be still.  He wasn't too happy with having to stand but too bad.  When we were through yakking, I went up and hugged him and turned and said come on boy.  He followed me like a dog.  No leading...just him following.  He was the biggest pill he has been since I got him but we will be working on it as often as possible.

LeeAnn B won't be going this weekend to Ebenezer but had a site that she is "selling" to us.  I want to stay at Ebenezer in the trailer and Barry agreed.  He said anything is fun once.  LOL  I am excited about it.

So this weekend we will stay in #5.  I will be taking tarps, the little air conditioner, air mattress, sheets and pillows.  Can't wait!!!

Goodbye to Skar

Ms. Jean's first Arabian, Skar (don't know her full name) was put down today.  Poor old girl was around 38 years old.  She had such long hair she looked like she had Cushings Disease.  She was in the pasture next to Red and Sarge and I would give her nose a pat every now and then when she was at the gate.  I got out to the barn this morning to see Red's shoes and Dr. Sherwood was there to put her down.  Ms. Jean was sad, I am sure, but stoic.  She said Skar is who started the entire farm.  She is now buried in the back of the ranch.

Rest in Peace Skar. 

It is on like Donkey Kong for Memorial Day Weekend!!!

I went and put the deposit down on a 30' travel trailer today!  Woo Hooo!!!!!  We will pick it up Friday of Memorial Day Weekend and return it Tuesday.  We will get up to Ebenezer around 1:00 or so.  I will have to get the trailer packed.  Take hay.  Take feed and supplements.  Tack out the wazootie.  I will take 2 bales of coastal type hay and a bale of alfalfa.  Woot!

We will ride Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  I can't wait!!!  I hope the kids will come join us for some of the time.  We will have plenty of room for them.  The couch and the dinette make into beds and there is a double bed and a single bunk in the back. 

I will have to figure out what we are going to eat so I can get "stored in".  Sandwich and breakfast stuff.  I was thinking about maybe some cowboy cooking in a dutch oven.  Heck, that might be fun and I think I still have a dutch oven in the barn!

Riding on Mother's Day

I didn't get to ride yesterday - best laid plans of mice and men!!!  I did go see the boys after delivering my cake.  Barry and I delivered a cake in Colmesneil and then ate dinner at Carrabba's.  We went out to the barn and I got to hug up the boys.  They are so sweet!

Barry and I went out to the barn around 4:00 PM this afternoon.  We brought the horses up to the washrack and got them tacked up.  Barry took Sarge in the big arena and Red and I went into the little arena.  I worked with Red jogging at a steady speed, turning which he is doing a good job on, stopping, side passing.  He gave me some guff a few times on side passing but we keep working at it.  He is getting better and I will keep working at it.

Barry was hauling hinney on Sarge and stopping.  He said Sarge did a wonderful job today.   Sarge is such a little show off but he did look gorgeous today.

I was watching him ride and I leaned down and tried to braid Red's mane in a French braid!  Raquel used to try to show me how to do that and good golly...for the first time in my life I was able to make a running French Braid!!!  I took a picture of it with my cell phone...I thought it looked pretty good.  It wasn't real tight but I liked it.  I will braid his mane when we ride at Ebenezer next weekend.  I am  going to braid a ribbon in it...a purple ribbon!

Riding Thursday

I got out to the barn Thursday and Red's shoe was pretty darn loose.  I worked at getting nails out and Barry helped me and we finally got Red's front right shoe off!  Barry and I rode in the little arena.   I worked with Red and he is doing a great job.  We are working on keeping pace, turning, side passing and backing up.  I am going to try to ride 3 or 4 times a week.  Sometimes that is easier said than done!  Red worked hard doing what I asked...he was sweating a little when I got off.  I did save his shoe so that if Ronnie shoes him he can put it back on.

Red has a bump

Red had a bump right on his jugular vein near his jaw line yesterday.  Today is was larger and had been leaking.  I tried to see if it was pus and I think it was.  I put Furazone on it and there was another bump about an inch and a half away from that one.  I will keep an eye on it.  Red looks wonderful - he is super shiny and I am thrilled over that.

I bought two saddle stands today and a pink grooming tote bag at the Liberty Tack Shop.  I always love visiting Cheryl.  She is a darling.  She rode up to look at Ebenezer when we were there last but we were at lunch at The Stump!!  I told her to join us in 2 weeks when we ride.

Red's shoes are so loose but are still on.  I tried to call Doc's son, Casey, today to make an appointment but no luck.  Kellie said he is a fireman and is taking tests.  Poor ol' Aladin still has some issues and he was at the vet's again.  Poor guy!

Red Letter Day - I rode out of the arena by myself!!!!!

I went out to the barn today and brought Red to the washrack.  His shoes are SUPER loose.  I tried nailing them back on but they are still clanking.  I tacked him up and mounted up in the arena.  Woot - round and round waiting on Esther.  Esther came into the arena and we started.  Jogging around and around, hands low.  Turning Red and using leg cues to move him closer to the rail and he responded!  Woot!  We turned circles and u turns at the corners.  For the most part he and I did a good job.  He wasn't wanted to side pass in the beginning.  Worked on sitting straight going around corners.  Esther talked about flexing at his poll and taught me how to work with him on that.  I will work on the ground and in the saddle on flexing.  I am going to read up on that. 

After the lesson was over, I kept riding in the arena, round and round.  Lee Anne P.  came and rode in the arena for a short while and then out in the front pastures.  She suggested I give it a try - and I did!  She was watching me though.  Red behaved quiet nicely.  Barry arrived and Lee Anne suggested I go out in the back, she lent me her helmet and I rode Red down the ranch road and when we got to the trees I rode next to the trees.   It was blazing hot.  Down to the end....he had a tiny spook but just in place.  Down to the end and to the left down the back pasture.  Snippy came thundering up but Red was ok with that.  I was so proud of him and ME!!!  I am going to work as often as possible.  I rode for 3 hours today and enjoyed myself so much!  I love my boy!

Riding My Boy

I went out to the barn today.  The day started off overcast but by the time I went to the barn it was a bright, clear blue sky day!  I went down to the boy's pasture, they were on the other side at the other gate.  When Red saw me get out he came walking/trotting over.  He is such a big old sweetheart.  I love my boy. 

I brought him up and got him tacked up.  Lee Anne Brown was there and we were chatting about Rouge's issues.  He looks fantastic!  He is almost totally jet black since he has been out of the sun.  Wow!  He looked like tar.  

I put Red's bridle on and it was way too long, like someone had messed with it.  Hum.....Lee Anne and I took it up and I went into the arena.  I told Lee Anne I always get a little nervous getting on.  Red moved once, started over.  I stepped in but couldn't throw my leg over as the saddle moved.  I came off.  That makes me even more anxious..  Lee Ann said "grab his mane - not the horn" so I did.  I was up and on.  Red and I walked and trotted around and around.  Side passed both ways and he did great.  I would stop to talk to Lee Anne and he started to walk away and he was made to back up quickly.  With the new bit, he will back up fast to get off the pressure. 

Chelsey came out and visited with us and said she'd like to ride so I let her ride Red.  She rides very well...I am jealous!  She just loved Red and said he was such a good boy.  She hugged him up when she got off.  I told her he was a total sweetie and he is.

I took his tack off and gave him a bite of alfalfa.  He loves his alfalfa.  I gave Red a bath - he was a little sweaty, but the bath was more to make him feel good...it was hot!  I scrubbed his tail and mane and put condition in both and combed it out.  His mane and tail felt coarse and I want them to be silky feeling.  I will have to keep after it so that his hair feels soft.  He is shedding out nicely.  I noticed he had lost some weight though.  I will have to talk to Lee Anne P. about it if I think he is losing too much.  I want him to gain weight not lose it!

Sarge, Barry and Red

Red & Sarge aren't the only one who escaped & Glad I was dragging hinney today

I got a call this morning from Lee Ann and she said my boys had escaped!!  They broke the chain and were down by Sadda's pen!!  My little convicts!

I told Barry I was going out to ride after my cakes were baked but I was fiddling around, washed my hair and styled it...put on sunscreen, iron my shirt..yada yada yada.  Went to the credit union and Fed X to send the $125 to the radar happy cop.  Then I went out to the barn about 3:30.  I got the boys and walked them up to the barn and Barry started down the road to the back.  I got Red and Sarge tied up and Barry went to the bathroom.  He was gone forever.  When he came back he said that Lee Anne told him a sex offender escaped and was found on the ranch down by the trees by the pastures.  OMG...Lee Anne called the county jail and they asked her if she was calling about the reports on the TV and she said "no, to report a suspicious person on the property!  They came out with officers, dogs, helicopters.

OMG I am so glad I was dragging hinny today.  I would have been down there by myself with my car.  Ok...I need a hair standing up icon.

I tacked Red up amid phone calls from various people.  I put Red's new curb chain on and Edgar helped me punch holes in it because it was too tight.  Into the arena and I worked with Red on side passing and backing up.  He didn't even fidget with the new bit today - calm as can be.  We walked and trotted around and round and he did a tight circle when asked at a trot.  He is a good boy.

He seems to have a little thrush smell in his front right hoof.  I put the stuff in it that Dr. Sherwood gave me and I groomed him too.  He is looking terrific and Sarge too!

Sarge is trimmed, baby talking to Haflinger's & Billy Cook goes to a new home

Here is Red with the Billy Cook and his Les Vogt bit without the curb chain.

This morning Craig Williams trimmed Sarge's hooves.  Sarge was a little pill but not too bad - just a little sassy.  Craig did a good job - Sarge is easy.

Lee Ann Potter had her darling Haflinger's there.  OMG Mike and Andy are darling.  So cute!  I was talking baby talk to them and Mr. Gus thought that was hysterical.  He was teasing me about it and I told him that I knew that Miss Jean used to talk baby talk to him and he LOVED it.  He said naaahhhhh!  LOL  I told Miss Jean and she busted him...yeah...he liked baby talk when it was coming from Miss Jean.  They are such sweet darling people.  I just love them. 

Lee Anne mentioned that Krystina was in the market for a western saddle so I called Krystina left a message.  We later talked and she was interested so I told her I would bring the saddle out to Terra Bella Stables.  Barry and I took it after work and Krystina tried it on Fancy and she liked it and bought it.  Woot!!!!  She was happy with a BRAND NEW Billy Cook that just rode Red around the arena 3 times and I am happy it is gone and got a good price for it.  Woot!!!  I have an extra set of stirrups for her that I am going to give to her so the new ones can be kept for shows.

I got a curb chain for Red's bridle to make the new bit work.