Red is in a Stall & I got a new Saddle

Red was put in Sadda's stall today.  I went out to check on him this afternoon and he was just fine.  Two fans pointing into the middle of the stall.

I bought a new saddle today too.  It is basically a cheapy that if it gets wet I won't care.  It is an Aussie Stock Saddle that is synthetic.  It is a 19" black with no horn and a monkey grip.  Woot!!!  Can't wait to get it.  I will ride Red right into the lake and if it gets wet I won't care.  Just want him comfortable.

I will try to ride him in the mornings/late evenings.  I am going to try to make a cool sheet for his butt and shoulders when we ride.  LOL  I may be making a sensation!

Red will have to go into a stall

Barry and I went out to the barn this afternoon after 6:00 PM.  Poor guy's nostrils were flairing - not bad but he was just standing there. 

I put my hand up under his back leg between his leg and his sheath and he was pretty darn warm.  I went over to Sarge and did the same...LOL  he was a little offended that I got so personal with him!  Red is used to me putting my hands all over him but Sarge not so much.  Sarge had a huge sweat pattern on his back - Red didn't.  Red's shoulder area was much warmer than Sarge's.   In all - he is not handling the heat well. 

I will have to put him in a stall for the summer.  I just can't see in way around it.  If they had electricity out there I could just put a fan up but there isn't.  I am going to the barn first thing in the morning to pay for their board and to discuss options with Lee Anne.  Sigh...poor boy.

Memorial Day Ride at Tyrrell Park

Kellie, Susan and I went for a ride at Tyrrell Park.  We went down the side of the golf course to the reservoirs and down to the end of them.  Woo Hoo it was hot!  I was sweating!  It was a nice little ride.  Elan wasn't a happy camper and didn't want to go!  LOL  We were met by Helen and Kelsey.  I'd never met them before but I knew the horse Helen was on.  It belongs to another girl I have rode with once.  Nice horse!

Kellie had to leave early so we went back to the trailers and she loaded up Elan.  We hit the trails.  Since it had rained yesterday it had softened them.  They were way nicer than yesterday!  We rode around the trails twice.

Red was breathing really really hard.  I worry about him.  I don't think he was sweating enough either.  Helen asked if he had heaves.  I looked up heaves when we got home.  I don't think he has that.  I think his anhydrosis is kicking in.  Sigh....I will keep him in light duty but try to keep him fit.

Ride on Sunday Morning

Susan H and I went riding at Tyrrell Park this morning.  It was a blast.  We encountered a little grass snake and those darn dogs.  I hollered at them like Daddy used to do and they shut up.  This time they appeared though - last time we didn't see them...just heard them.  They looked like 3/4 grown lab pups.  Susan and I made another full lap around and the second time I hollered at them and they stood there barking.  I trotted Red towards them yelling at them to shut up.  They decided they wanted no part of the 1200 lb horse and the crazy woman.   We had such a good time.  We rode for around 2 hours.  We are going back tomorrow morning.  woot!!!

Riding in the Arena today

Geez Louise but it was HOT today.  Barry left with the Brenderup to go work with Private Sargent San Peppy loading and unloading on the right side of the trailer.  I believe I will be calling him Private Peppy from now on! 

I went down to the pasture and got Red and tacked him up.  Barry was riding in the arena by that time.  I got on Red and hadn't even completed a round when Margaret came out!  She got to watch Red and me work on our exercises.  She thought he was doing great and me too!  Woot!  Ms. Jean came out and said hi and said Esther said my lessons were going well.  I am working hard to do right.  Margaret did work Red off of his haunches and he did most right today.  Woot!!!

It was hot and my face was sweating and running into my eyes and they were stinging like crazy.  We went round and round, turning, side passing both sides, side passed to get my coke!  Woot!  I asked for the stop and once he stopped and slide when I sat back deep.  He is getting it.  My boy is BRILLIANT.

Barry worked with Private Peppy.  Private Peppy and General Talbot went round and round.  End result, Private Peppy decided getting into the trailer on the right hand side was just what he was ordered to do and he decided that he would certainly follow orders.  I think Barry loaded and unloaded him about 8 or 10 times.  Private Peppy may re-earn the rank of Sargent.  I told Barry I can just imagine him as a foal bossing around all the other foals - that is how he got the name Sargent!

I rinsed Red off.  He wasn't really sweaty...damp but he wasn't running sweat.  We didn't work that hard.  I hugged him and he was hot though.  Even after rinsing him in cool water.  Geez.  Poor guy!!

Sarge is busted down to a Private - long journey to no where

We rented a travel trailer for our big adventure to Ebenezer.  Rented a space months ago.  Got up, loaded up the RAV4, hooked up the Brenderup, Barry went one way and I went the other.  He was going to get the trailer and go up HWY 62.  I got out to the barn and they were feeding the horses.  I loaded feed and tack.  I hauled down to the pasture and the boys both took off.  Sarge was easier to catch.  I had to get feed to catch Red...he is such a chow hound.  I tied Sarge to the side of the trailer and loaded Red in the left side.

I got Sarge and tried to load him in the right side.  No way Jose.  I ran him in a circle and still he refused.  I was getting hot and needed to get gone.  I thought I would change them around and wrap Red's leg.  So I unloaded Red, loaded Sarge (he was more than happy to go in on the left side) and reloaded Red.  Hauled to the barn..he is bleeding after 200 yards in the trailer.  I get a diaper and duct tape and duck tape the diaper to the wall so it has a thick bumper pad.  Sarge poops....ok that is the other side of the trailer.  There goes Red's tail...I say no Red and press down his tail to no avail.  He splatter cow poops like he does when he gets excited.  OK...woo hooo....working around two piles of poop.

Off we go.  NOT a smooth haul.  Red is banging around, I am nervous as a cat because I am hauling a large load.  I did learn NOT to turn on the cruise control going up an overpass.  There was a nasty wreak by the old Palace and we had to get off the highway and this guy got in front of me and stopped and I was trying to slow down easy.  I wanted to drop kick him for a field goal.

I stopped in Buna and checked them and got a Subway.  Talked to Barry ... he may have to drop off the trailer and then go home.  His mom is not well.

I get up to Jasper and text him that I am in town.  The last 18 miles are the hardest...biggest hills.  It is 100 miles to the park from the house.  18 miles from 190 by Lowe's to the park.  I unload the horses.   Red has two holes in his leg.  UGH.  I got them in corrals and happy.  I unload my Rav into the trailer.  Barry talks to sisters.  We have to leave.  We pack back up.  A PBR guy helps me get Sarge into the trailer on the right side, thank God.

The trip home was much smoother due to Red not kicking and stomping to keep his balance.  Sarge was busted down to a Private and will remain Private Sargent....Red is His Highness.  The chariot was bought for him so he has first pick of where to ride!

Got to the barn, unloaded them, unloaded tack, talked to Lee Anne, went home, backed the trailer up through the gate (hey, I am getting good at this) unloaded the cold stuff Barry brought back.  I was filthy so I took a cool bath and plopped down.  Barry went to his mom's.

I am going to go riding tomorrow at the ranch.  Red and I will work on stuff! 

His Highness

 

I received a text from my instructor stating Red and I were doing a good job!  Woot!!!  Working on it.  I wasn't able to ride today - when I got off of work the weather was threatening - lightening popping etc. and I was keeping Kade.  Hopefully tomorrow before we leave!

Turning on the haunches

I had a lesson today and we worked on turning on the haunches.   I am getting the hang on it but it will take some work.  LOL  Red was not too amused a few times today when I asked for the jog right out of a stop.  We stop..wait..and then he is to take off into the jog and not have to ask a zillion times.  His ears went back flat several times to let me know he was annoyed.  LOL  I was unimpressed.  I tried to get a canter in the arena but it didn't happen.  He keeps wanting to go too much to the center.  I will keep working on my skills.   I rode with the snaffle today.  He is doing a good job and he is such a darling.  One of the screws came out of the throat latch so I am going to get a nylon set for using the snaffle.  I want a headstall and maybe the reins but I really really really love the reins Ronnie gave me. 

I rinsed him off and took him back down to his paddock.  He was yawning to beat the band and I snapped some pictures.

Later, Kade came to visit while Brandi went to visit her grandmother in the hospital.  We took Kade for an icecream and then to the barn.  He sat on Sarge!!  Woot!  Brandi is going to bring him to the barn tomorrow. 

I am playing with my Flip Camera!

Riding in the Arena

I went out to the barn late this afternoon and got Red out to ride.  Saddled him up, put my Flip Video Camera on a post and filmed my ride.  I will know where to put it next time for better coverage of the ride.  Red did a fantastic job today.  I rode him in his snaffle bit - not his medium port.  He still did a great job - side passing like a wonderboy, stopping quickly and efficiently, backing up, responding to leg cues!  Just an all around good boy.  I snagged some pictures of our ride.

I also set my Horse O Meter!!!  Woot!  Red went approximately .7 miles in the arena in 36 minutes.  That is probably not quiet right.  I don't think I have his stride right.  I will get Barry to help me mark his stride.  He had a bath and was returned to his paddock where he then rolled.  LOL  he sat back kinda on his tie rope while getting a bath...he was promptly yelled at and he stopped that nonsense quickly.  I had the water hose pulled across his chest so maybe he thought he should back up!!  Here is my boy - working it in the arena!

A terrific ride at Tyrrell Park

Barry and I met Randy, Kellie, Robin and Pam at Tyrrell Park to ride this morning.  AAACCKKK.  Kellie said 8:00 AM - it had originally been 9:00.  Barry and I got to the barn before 7:00 and I loaded the trailer while Barry got the boys.  I lunged Red and he was full of beans this morning...bucking on the lunge line some...round and round he went.  He was sweating some but standing there getting groomed he popped out with all kinds of sweat. 

Barry tried to load Sarge on the right and Sarge kept refusing.  He ran off from Barry down around the side of the barn, through the wash rack and over by Sadda.  Sadda wants no part of Sarge though...he stays on the other side of his paddock when he sees Sarge.  Barry put Sarge in finally in the left side.  He could see REd and he went in.  I put Red in the right side.  We went back to the house because Kellie sent a message saying Robin wouldn't be there til 8:30.  We went make home made fly spray...I used Listerine and vinegar and a touch of soap.  I was out of fly spray so I made my own.  Seemed to work ok.

We hauled to the park and I got Red out - his hock was bloody and he was bleeding.  UUUGHHHH.  Sarge is going to have to learn to get in the right side.  I can't have Red hurt and then be pissy about trailering.  I tacked him up and got on.  I rode him at a slow trot in circles while Barry rode Sarge around a little to get him ready to go.  We went through the woods!   Woot!  I had never rode through the woods there.  I got Red right after Hurricane Ike and the woods were tore up with trees down.  Then this winter it rained constantly.  I liked the woods!!!  At was fun.  We came out about the middle of the reservoir and we went down the canal.  Red was ready to go when we went into the woods but he calmed down and was a good boy.  We crossed over the bridge and I actually was able to look around.  Randy (God bless him) is like me...it makes him uncomfortable.  He walks over the bridge.  He was riding Regan and he is looking so good now!  We went down the side of the canal and I had not been down there!  It had little hills.  There was a ditch and I got off so Red wouldn't jump it and hurt "Harriet Hemmatoma" and then got back on when Barry held him into a low spot.  I got on ... it wasn't pretty but I made it!  We did a few little lopes during the ride too.  Woot.  I am such a sissy.

We went down a rideaway and then turned down a pipe line.  Red started stumbling and I actually thought he threw a shoe.  Barry checked it and his shoes were on. He didn't want to go down a little ditch  which is odd...he loves to go down and up hills.  He stumbled quiet a bit but we were riding under trees going down the rideaway.  We got to the actual pipe and went back over the bridge.  I was proud of myself...I did more than look at Red's poll!

We walked along the canal and then down the road.  We went through the woods and back out to the park.  Red was stumbling some and he was huffing and puffing.  Red is a lazy boy for the most part!   I checked his feet as soon as we got back and I couldn't see anything.  We took their saddles off and loaded up.  It was about 11:15 when we were ready to go.  We said goodbye to everyone ... we had such a good time.  Kellie and Randy, Pam and Robin are so much fun to be with!

We got back to the barn and I was rinsing Red off and found a cut on his neck under his mane.  Ugh..It looked like it had a small puncture in it.  I put Fur-a-zone on his hock and neck.  Bless his heart.  He is such a sweetie.  I pulled the trailer down to the back and cleaned it out by fertilizing the ditch.  I swept out the trailer - it will make it so much easier to clean! 

I need to take it to the car wash and wax the top.  I need to bring a ladder to clean the top!!!  I went back this afternoon to put Fur-a-Zone on Red's boo boos and give them hay.  Lots of hugs too for both my boys. 

My lesson is Tuesday and I can't wait.  I am going to ride in the arena tomorrow. 

Pictures from our trip to Ebenezer May 15th, 2010

Pictures from a ride in April

Esther took this picture April 6.   Barry and me by the Beaver Dam.