Brushy Creek Friday Day 2

Barry and I got up at 7:30 AM.  We went out on the front porch and were greeted by the little green head duck.  Barry went and fed the horses and I made breakfast - Egg Muffin Sandwiches and grapes.  Mist was rising off of the water and it was so pretty.  We heard a number of gun shots going off…someone hunting squirrels or hogs. 

Barry caught several fish so we planned on having those for dinner!  Beverly came by to see how we were doing and I said the cabin was way too warm.  She had just turned the AC on when I called about 20 minutes before we arrived.  She said she would bring us another AC for the downstairs.  Woot!!!

Barry and I just enjoyed the morning…beautiful quiet scenery as we were the only ones in the park!  We rode up to little store and picked up Crisco Oil to fry the fish in and some worms for Barry to fish with as he was using the chicken we bought last night. 

I made us sandwiches for lunch and we ate outside on the in front of the porch right on the water.  The cabin is absolutely precious - I think I could live there!!! 

We went up and got the horses out and I said I would do Sarge's hooves if Barry held them for me.  Sarge was a bit of a toot but he will listen to Barry.  I need to bring his back toes in more.  I think they are a little too long.  Barry tacked him up and I was tacking up Biscuit.  Barry said he was going to run back to the cabin to get something and I said to bring my GPS.  Barry took off in the truck and OMG Sarge was bobbing that head up and down, swung his butt around to the front of the trailer and hung his big teeth on the front window of the B'up.  I told him to get his big teeth off of it and to calm down.  He was going back and forth, banging into the trailer.   Several times I stopped and went over and talked to him and told him to calm it on down.  OMG I told Barry when he got back to never tack Sarge up and ride off in the truck.  He wasn't a happy camper.  I think Sarge has OCD.  LOL  : )

I got Biscuit tacked up and didn't realize I was standing on his purple reins.  Barry got his bridle out of the tack closet for some reason it spooked Biscuit and he jerked his head up and back and Good God it lit me up.  I felt like I had a major electrical shock run all through my body.  I had to go over to the bumper and sit down.  It made me so weak.  I finally mounted up (no GARMIN dang it) and we headed off down a trail.  The wind was blowing pretty hard.  We crossed a little bridge and went down the trail and down to the creek.  It is so pretty.  I was stiff and my legs felt funny.  I think I am going to have to go to a chiropractor even if I am scared stiff of them.  Last night I had so many zingers run through my back and legs that it is making my trip not fun. 

We went back up to the trail, around a little stretch of rocky road and around another section that had drop offs and a really steep trail.  We didn't do down that trail.  We went another route and Biscuit knocked my right foot into a tree.  We went down to another section of creek.  Barry thought it was 4:00 PM so we headed back.  Biscuit didn't want to go through the deep cut section we had just went through and went to the side of it then had to jump into it anyway.  Gaa…not good on the old back.  Trotting didn't seem to bother me…it is the unexpected jarring to either side that made me get zinger electric shock feelings.  We went back to the ranch and worked the horses in the arena.  I made Biscuit jog round and round.  I then took his tack off and let him eat grass.  Barry kept working Sarge and then later rinsed him off.  I scraped him off while Barry cleaned the stalls.  I got hay for Biscuit and brought him back to his stall and fed him.  Dang…It was JUST then 4:00.  I don't know why Barry thought it was 4:00 -  we didn't want to go further and get caught out there late!  Hahahahah  oh well, there is always tomorrow and maybe it is best with my back all jacked up. 

Beverly had ran out of gas on her little golf cart and I drove her up to the main house to get some gas.  She is a super nice lady and works like a Trojan.  She came and put in the little AC in the living room and it made a huge difference.   This cabin is in direct sun light almost all day where the other two cabins are totally in the shade all day.  This cabin has the best view of the pond but the others are backed by the creek. 

Barry and I came back to the cabin and he was piddling with fishing and I  took a nap on the couch.  After I woke up I made us dinner, nice salads, home made crutons, fried fish, rice a roni and baked chicken.  I didn't like the chicken but the fish was pretty good.  

Brushy Creek Guest Ranch Thursday Day 1

I made reservations at Brushy Creek Guest Ranch in Gloster, Mississippi in the Homochitto National Forest months ago and our trip day has arrived.  On Wednesday I went grocery shopping to get the food we would need as it is in the boonies. 

We left the house a little after 9:00 to fill up the truck and get ice.  When we got to the barn we loaded up Barry's tack, the orange vests I borrowed from Lee Ann B, hay and feed.  We went down to pick up the horses and we saw them running, bucking and playing. 

I set out to get Biscuit and he let me catch him with no problem.  I thought he'd run but  he didn't.  I was walking him towards the shelter and all of a sudden his butt came around and he was in front of me and I heard running hoofbeats.  Sarge had ran from Barry like a hotdog.  Blowing past me and cranking up the Biscuit.  But….good news…Biscuit listened to me and didn't run off and yank the lead rope out of my hands.  Sarge blew by right behind us and over to the other side and I started walking Biscuit to the trailer and Sarge finally let Barry catch him. 

We loaded them up and Biscuit smelled to high heaven of nasty mud!  We then took off.  Had a few idiots pull out in front of us….dang…what is wrong with people?  At the foot of the Mississippi Bridge in Baton Rouge we went north and crossed the Mississippi on the old Huey P. Long Bridge.  It is 3 days older than dirt.

We got to Brushy Creek and headed up the 1 mile gravel road.  OMG deep deep DEEP drop offs on the north side and deep drop offs on the south side.  Lumpity bumpity to the Brushy Creek Property line and OH MY how pretty it was!!!  We drove in and winded our way past the big arena to the covered stalls.  We got out and I unsnapped Biscuit and let down the butt bar.  He finally started backing out and poor fellow, he was shaking like a leaf and looked scared to death.  What a sissy boy!  I patted his shoulder and spoke to him and led him over to eat grass and he stopped shaking but he had white stuff running out of his nose and he snorted and got snot all over me and  he was nearly walking on top of me.  LOL he was fine when I told him to chill.  He had poop all over his butt and I was covered in horse snot.  Oh Yay!

Sarge was fine.  Or he looked fine.  We put them in stalls then changed to the other side and got their water and hay.  I sprayed Biscuit with fly spray and Barry sprayed Sarge.  There seemed to be lots of flies even though the place was immaculate.  I took Biscuit out and washed his backside.  We went and unloaded the stuff out of the truck, realized I forgot the dang chicken strips.  Morgan used some last night and they were put back in the house freezer instead of the cake kitchen.  Duhhhh…we headed for town and found a little store that had chicken and we ate at a little restaurant.  It was just ok. 

We came back and got the horses out.  I took Biscuit into the arena and had him walking around me on his lead line in circles and he went to the right with literally no fuss.  Good boy.  Stopped and did left, then right, then left, then right without being a butt.   Barry tacked up and was working Sarge in the arena.  I took Biscuit out and let him graze.  I took him down to brush him as he was pretty dirty looking.  Barry finished up with Sarge and had him tied to the other side of the trailer.  I was going to trim/rasp his feet.  He was at attention in giraffe mode and wouldn't pick up his hoof.  OMG he was looking at a crane by the little lake like it was an alien.  SNORTING like a bull.  Wouldn't listen to me and acting like grizzly bears had appeared.  Barry took him across the road into grass and was trying to lunge him but Sarge was snorting and blowing and practically walking on Barry.  I think if he could have he would have jumped in Barry's arms.  Barry walked him towards the crane and Sarge was BLOWING BLOWING SNORTING did I say he was S-N-O-R-T-I-N-G?

Biscuit was concerned when he couldn't see Sarge…I thing he bought into the idea that a Grizzly ate Sarge.  Barry brought him back from around the other side of the stalls and Sarge was calmer.  Barry said the crane flew off and I guess Sarge thought he made him go away so he was ok then.  Hhahahahahahaaha he is such a funny little horse.  We put them in their stalls and I gave Biscuit more hay as his was all gone.  Sarge had plenty.

Barry and I sat outside and watched the stars.  We could see the Milky Way and the little sliver of the moon sure put out a bunch of light.  Had it been a full moon you could have taken a late night ride. 

Rasping Biscuit's Hooves

I went to Gander Mountain today while my computer was being examined at Best Buy.  They had some big hog traps...dang....Tyrrell Park needs some of those!!

I went to the barn today and sat and chatted with Lee Ann P and Elise about their upcoming endurance ride.  I am so excited for them.  I offered my Aussie saddle to Elise and she tacked Jabare up in it.  It seemed to fit him well and Elise liked the saddle.

I started on Biscuit's hooves and was pleased to see some cupping in his front hooves.  He was a bit of a pill today doing his hooves but I did get it done.  He had a huge bite mark on his side....I think he must have been aggravating Sarge.  I will be doing Sarge's hooves tomorrow.

Flora and Fauna

I hauled out to the park and tacked Biscuit up.  I got there a little earlier than Kellie as a client was picking up a cake out there.  I grew up with Karen so I have know here since childhood.  Biscuit looked so nice in his tack and the little girl Allison wanted to pet him.  She loved her cake by the way.  

Kellie and I headed out at a walk.  We went to the left and went down the little trail to Cattail.  We got to the sign that says "Trails" and Elan startled at it and didn't want to go near it.  It had been freshly painted.  Kellie and I laughed about it and I took my treats out of my little pouch, let him smell it and placed it on the post.  OMG I had an electrical shock run through my back.  I must have pinched a nerve!!  Anyway, it took Kellie a little bit to get Elan to go up to it and get the treat but he finally did.

We went back to the main trail and I saw these little mushrooms growing.  How cute is that?  LOL  I spent some time taking pictures of "spores, molds and fungus" like Egan in Ghost Busters.  Kellie and I were remembering how our boys loved Ghost Busters as little kids and how funny that show was.

We only went around once and we did go down the little path to the picnic tables.  We haven't been there in a long time.   On the last 1/2 mile of the ride Biscuit tripped a number of times on his front left hoof.  When I got back to the barn and got off, I got another little shock nerve jolt.  Gaaaa...that needs to go away.  Anyway, this was stuck in the little cleft of his left front hoof.  It was a little sliver of a wood chip.  Poor guy, it was totally wedged into his hoof.

It was a nice relaxing ride.  Oddly, the Garmin Track really doesn't show the picnic trail part of the ride.   Kellie and I sat and let the horses eat hay - Kellie shared some Jiggs with Biscuit.  Elan dropped quiet a bit on the ground but didn't want to eat that....Kellie finally put the bag on her lap and he was eating out of the bag!  He is such a funny little horse!!!


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Cantering with Kellie and Barry

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Barry went riding with Kellie and me Saturday morning.  There were quiet a few people there - James had a little group but we rode out ahead of them.  Through the woods and out onto the bayou.

We cantered down the bayou some.  Biscuit did a good job - not great but ok.  We got to the bridge and went left to take Elan over the Yellow Brick Road Bridge.  He balked, Biscuit backed up.  I used my crop to pop pop pop him a little on the butt and Biscuit did as I asked and went across the bridge.  Kellie was finally able to get Elan to go.  Barry crossed after Elan.  Kellie then wanted Elan to go back first.  He kept backing up when she'd get him up there and I finally gave her my crop and she bopped him a few times and kept urging him and YAY....Elan went across the bridge.  We went across the big bridge and went straight.

We were going down the bog and got to where more solid area is to the left and I heard something in the woods, sounded like hogs to me, and Barry said Sarge was a little tense.  The wind was blowing and Barry said it was that kind of weather that made the horses cranked up.  There was the hog walking sound again and Sarge BOLTED.  OMG not spooked up...Bolted about 30 to 40 feet hauling hinny.  Elan and Biscuit looked at him like he had lost a few marbles.  We kept going and got to the point overlooking the Bayou and it was blowing!  I looked behind me and James' group was not that far off so we went down the wooded little trail to the main trail.  We did some trotting.  Got down to the bayou area where the little hills are and we were moving a little faster.  Did a little canter up hill.  We got to the little drainage bridge and stopped so Kellie could put on her Kewl Vest.  Off we went.  We were cantering and Biscuit can't canter slow yet and Barry stopped quickly and dang...we almost ran up Sarge's butt.  Barry got behind me and we picked up the canter. Slowed when he went around a dip and spooked at something.  Tried to canter again but he was just trotting FAST.  Kellie was cantering.  Stopped and asked for the canter and got it.  Cantered all the way to the end of the bog and around the first part of the hairpin turn.

Kellie said Biscuit was "side tracking" which I could tell he was.  He doesn't go straight yet.  We will work on it.  He did a pretty good job.  We crossed the big bridge and started cantering again.  OMG he was all over the place.  Then Sarge come spooking across our path, he was closest to the bayou, then Elan and then me.  He was spooking at a boat in the bayou.  It was pretty funny.  He looked at it like it was a fire breathing dragon.  We spoke to the man in the boat and his two kids.  They caught a bass that they showed to us.  How cute is that?

We took off again at a canter,  Barry and Kellie ahead of me and Biscuit going a little faster to catch up...but he was all over the place...fast then slow, the area is uneven and his going from side to side, slow/fast kept throwing me off balance.  I finally called a halt to it and walked back!  When we got into the woods Kellie and I hit a fast 6.5 mph trot almost all the way back to the stables.  Woo Hoo almost took a huge spider in the face but managed to get my crop up there and woosh it away.

We rode 8.8 miles and had a freaking blast.  We did see a good sized alligator sunning in the water on the way back.

Pushin' the Biscuit down the trail

I hauled to the Barn and Lee Ann P and I talked about Kisatchie and endurance riding.  Biscuit and Sarge were up in the arena as they were baling his pasture.  He was out in the big arena and came to me when I called him .  Good Boy!!!  He and I went to the park for a ride.  Margaret visited with me out there before I tacked up.  I put my heart monitor on and mounted up.  We walked slowing til I go to the half mile mark and I stopped and made a way point.  I picked up a way point from before when I marked a mile. 


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We did some trotting and jogging and went down the side trail.  He didn't like passing up the trail head and I was PUSHING him down the trail.  We went down the side trail again.  It was hot today and humid.  I did an in and out on the little trail.  His heart rate was wonderful when he was jogging.

I gave him a bath and hauled back to the barn.  I talked to Lee Ann B while she rode Rogue in the arena. 

I have a little saddle sore which is the pits.  I put neosporine on it and hope it heals quickly.  It made riding a little unfun today!

Dead Batteries and Heart Monitors

I hauled out to get Biscuit this morning.  I loaded up and got the stuff to make fly spray as my bottle was empty.  I stopped at the store by Tyrrell Park and got cokes, water and scrambled eggs for breakfast.  I unloaded Biscuit, gave him a hay bag and sat on my stool and ate scrambled eggs in the park.  How nice is that?

 

I tacked Biscuit up and put my heart monitor on him for the first time in a long time.  It sync'd easily and read 31 bpm.  I mounted up and took off to the right.  Biscuit's heart rate was around 60 or so.  I walked til we rounded the back and went a little further and then hit a jog.  Heart rate went to 98-100 and then dropped to 87-91 while we jogged.  We varied speed from around 4 mph to 7.5 mph and his heart rate varied between 87 and 100.  I jogged/trotted all the way around and down the little trail to Cattail Marsh.  He did trip bad once.  We kept going and I passed the trail head with no problem and kept the jog/trot going.  We completed another round and down the little trail.  My Garmin quit at the head of the entrance on the other side near Cattail Marsh.  Too bad but I got alot of use out of those batteries!!! 

 

We passed the trail head and he was good about it but I turned him around and hit a walk.  HR dropped to 70 immediately and within 3 minutes or so was down to 49 or less.  He did a great job.

 

I took his tack off, gave him a handful of treats and then washed him off.  He drank from the bucket and I washed off his tack.  He got his faces sprayed and he was good about it.  I scraped him and let him graze while I waited for a client to bring cash for her cake. 

 

I loaded him up and hauled him home.  He dropped and rolled!!!  Had a great ride with my boy!  I rode 4.6 miles today. 

My Little Yellow Horse is the Bomb

I went out to the barn and talked to Lee Ann B while she was riding in the arena. She said they had a great time at Kisatchie. I want to go back there and ride again! I told her about our bomb proof clinic. We want to do some of it in the arena. I think we can get some of the stuff like cushions, black "holes", feed bags, the crunchy bottles and I think we can maybe get some "boxes" made. Lee Ann B has a big ball and so we may do a little bit of bomb proofing at the ranch. I went down to the pasture. Biscuit and Sarge were under the shelter.

I got Biscuit and loaded him up and hauled to Tyrrell Park. I tacked up, mounted up and walked to the end of the house and had to return for my helmet! We went to the right and walked all the way to the little trail and went down that. The old gentleman I ran into last week had cut those branches that nearly knock you off the horse - Thanks!!!

I got to the trail head and heard someone talking and all of a sudden there was Lisa and Kash Kitty from the barn! Kash and Biscuit both startled HARD. LOL it was funny. Lisa and Kash Kitty joined me on the ride. We went to the right and I told her about the clinic. We came to the ride aways and there was a plastic bag so I made Biscuit walk over it and she got Kash Kitty to go over it. He was a little flummoxed but he did it.

We went around the woods, down the little trail and down both ride aways.  We went out on the bayou and down to the bridge.  We went to the right and across the Yellow Brick Road Bridge.  Biscuit gave me a little flack but he finally went.  We crossed and went to the right down the side of the drainage ditch to the water pump.  Had a little issue going past that but they did it.  We went to Willow Bayou but the back going down to Hildebrandt was not cut so we went back and Lisa wanted to cross the big bridge.  LOL  Kash Kitty backed up right into my leg and Biscuit's butt but it was ok.  He got half way across and started backing up.  He finally went and Lisa crossed over.  I said I would need to be returning as it was 4:48 or so!!!  It would have been too late to have gone all the way around the bog.  We will have to save that for another day.

We started back up Willow Bayou and when we got to the road that goes down Cattail Marsh we could see 2 horseback riders.  We kept going straight and Lisa wanted to do a little cantering so I kicked Biscuit into a canter - it was a little fast to start out - I told myself to relax and asked Biscuit to slow down and lo and behold...he did and hit a very nice slow controlled canter.  I kept the canter until Lisa slowed Kash Kitty.  Woo Hooo  My little yellow horse is the bomb.  We went into the woods and went left.  We got to the area where the bag was and Biscuit spooked a black bag on the ground.  I stopped and made him go over it.  It rattled around his foot and he jumped up like it was a snake but he was good about it.

It was a fun ride and Lisa was fun to ride with.  She told me all about getting Kash ready to shoot off of.  He is a super laid back horse - what a sweetheart!  I rode 10.3 miles and Lisa rode 8 miles.  We had a blast.  This is the track we rode.


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Bomb Proof Clinic

What a day! So much fun - just wish I had hadn't stayed up all nigth doing cakes because I was tired! I loaded up The Biscuit and hauled out to Tyrrell Park. There were 13 participants and a few folks auditing the class.

We had an orientation first where he had his horse that he hadn't rode in quiet a while. Nice looking dun gelding. He hadn't done all of the obstacles so he said he'd be learning right along with our horses. Someone's horse got away and we stopped while the horse was retied. Later we heard a HUGE CRASH and Kenny's tractor engaged and rolled off of the trailer and banged into a trailer! OMG thank God their horse wasn't right there - it was on the side of the trailer.

He stated that horses have to go straight. That is the biggest thing is going straight. No butt going to the side. Let them dip the head maybe 3 times when looking at something new and that is the limit. Keep pushing til they go and give them props for just trying. Ok ...we are ready to go so then we saddled up the horses. We were asked to get the horse to move around us in a circle and Biscuit will to the left and was doing well but he has always been a pill about going to the right. I was making him turn turn turn but he still wouldn't walk on. Chad came and used the stick high on his neck (where Lee Ann and I did it on his shoulder) and he decided pretty darn quick to go to the right. We did some desensitation for a stick and bag. Biscuit did a good job for the most part but at one time his eyes were bugged out! I was proud of him.

He said not to direct your attention at the horse as you are swinging this all over the place and not to be "sneaky" about it. Just matter of fact. I was surprised at how well Biscuit took it as he can be a little anxious about things swinging around him.

We were directed to start circling the arena with just enough space to see the hocks of the horse in front of us and keep that speed. Chad's wife put out crumpled up and flat feed bags. We were going to have to walk straight over them...not side step them EVER. Back them up but the horse can not go forward or the "win". Push their butt over if they swing their butt over. Walking straight over it is ok but not side stepping. It took a little bit on some of them but Biscuit finally stepped on them. He tried to give me trash and came up a little off his front end once but that was it.

She then put out some flat wooden disks in various sizes and colors. They were maybe 12" so they were not large but the horse had to step on them. Biscuit wanted to side step darn near everything but he finally did what I made was directing him to do. She then put out sofa cushions. By that time Biscuit was pretty much resigned to "I will have to walk over what ever she makes me go over" and put his hoof right on it and went on.

We started with the bigger things. Walking over a flat piece upside down astro turf. He had some "bridges" made out of two by fours. They were probably 8 feet long or so and 2 feet wide. One was not covered with anything and the other had a rubber mat run over it. Biscuit wanted to walk around it but I made him go across it. He was ok with everything like that. Later we went horizontal down both of them. Stopped backed up, etc. They put out a small mattress like maybe a double bed size. It had a mat or something over the top of it and Biscuit went over it and I think he was a little surprised by its squishiness (is that a word?)

We then progressed to stepping into a 1 foot tall box about 3.5" foot square. Lots of the horses wanting to go around it but they have to step into it and then out of it. Biscuit tried to evade it at first and then he stepped into it. There was another smaller one with the corners blocked off. He hesitated and then went. Once he got a back foot kinda funky in it and he stumbled but other than that it was flawless. Next they put down a bunch of plastic bottles. Lots of noise of course on that and Biscuit hesitated but went after a little urging. Most of the horses did just fine. One little paint mare that Kellie and I thought looked so familiar was giving her owner a little flack. Chad got on her and worked it out. They added more bottles and containers and it was a bigger area to go over but Biscuit just went and didn't seemed bothered. Progressed to filling the box with the bottles. They set up a tall thing with the funnoodles which Biscuit passed through but had a little hissy when it touched his butt. I told him "for God's sake you walk through trees that do the same thing!"

We broke for lunch around 12:00 and I took Biscuit's tack off and Barry and I ran home, got the wedding cake, ran to the Elegante, dropped it off and ran to Jack in the Box for lunch.

Walked over half round barrels which was not a problem as Biscuit crosses downed trees all the time. They had some barrel things up on a cross bar that the horses are to push with their chest or nose. Biscuit was not a fan but I finally got him to push it with his nose once - that is because Elan was on the other side pushing it! Elan could have turned that into a merry-go-round!!! Biscuit had to move to keep it from hitting him in the bum. Then they pushed huge balls around and some horses really got into that. Biscuit pushed it but he wasn't the best at that by any means. A frame set up that was covered with tarps so it was like walking through a "garage". Biscuit didn't have a problem with that at all.

He told us to just walk the horses in the free area during the day if they were getting anxious or getting overloaded. I did that several times when I could tell Biscuit was getting a little annoyed. A crotch rocket rider keep zooming around the park and the city road next to the park revving up the RPM's like crazy but oddly enough none of the horses paid attention

He had us go in a circle while he started popping a bull whip low and not that hard while he increased the noise and how high it was. He said not to increase the grip on the reins but to continue to act like that is all normal as to not make the horse think it is more than it is...just noise. It made Biscuit a little anxious as I think he has been on the receiving end of a bullwhip from the trainer he was sent too. That is really the only thing that made him anxious. Some of it he didn't want to do but this was a little different. When it was over the guy was walking towards the back of Biscuit and Biscuit scooted over fast to move away from him. Sissy.

Then they started with smoke and loud noises. Biscuit did fine with that. He said some people complain about the smoke. I said it smelled like fun because it smelled like fireworks. That is what it was...smoke bombs. The horses were kinda curious about it. Biscuit and Rogue walked through parts of Kistatchie this spring that were still smoldering and were fine with it. They had a pipe to add more smoke to the garage....Biscuit and Elan did just fine.

Biscuit didn't want to step on some of the stuff but he did. Once he did come up off of his front feet a little bit to let me know he didn't want to but I just kept pushing him on. At the end of it we were in a tight circle with the horses heads literally touching. We were throwing a nerf type football to each other. Object was to catch and not bing a horse in the head. Some one binged Biscuit in the poll area but I still was able to catch it. Biscuit amazingly didn't have a hissy over being binged.

Biscuit is not a very spooky horse at all. He is more afraid of a human hurting him than stuff on trails. He is more about avoiding stuff, throwing it into reverse to evade. This gave me tools to stop that or to work it at. I think I may have grown a 1/2 a cajonie yesterday and along with the 1/2 cajonie from cantering in the arena Wednesday I think I have 1 small cajonie. I now need another cajonie and I will be doing a Limited Distance ride without whimping out.

Kellie and I thought we recognized a horse there and I asked the lady what kind of horse it was and she said a Spotted Mountain. I later asked her where she got the horse and she said the horse originally cake from Tennesse and I asked her who she had purchased her from. She said a neighbor and then said, Maurice. I said "my cousin and I thought we knew this horse! I have rode this horse!" I went back and looked in my blog and I had never put anything on the blog about the day we went over to Maurice's house. It was 2 days after I dropped Red off to Heather. I rode this little mare to try out a gaited horse and I loved her!!! Maurice took this video of me and I found it on my MAC computer. The little mare screamed at Elan right in his face when she was nose to nose with him in the woods. LOL Elan did a quick 180 turn and off he went...he didn't have to take that trash from some little mare!!! Kellie and I both laughed at him.

Working on a Canter with The Biscuit

I hauled out to the barn with the intention of taking Biscuit to Tyrrell Park to ride.  Lee Ann P was on the porch of the office enjoying her lunch.  I needed to pay my board so I stopped to talk to her.  We were talking about rides, riding, places to ride.  I told her that I still would like to ride in a Limited Distance but I sometimes have trouble getting Biscuit to go out by himself.  I said this is something I am going to keep working on. 

She said she had dragged the arena and was going to ride there so I decided to join her instead of going to Tyrrell.  LeAnne B drove up and said her afternoon appointments had cancelled so she came out to get ready for their trip to Kisatchie Friday.  We visited for awhile and then I headed down to get Biscuit.  Thank goodness he didn't go to the other side of the pasture and I loaded him up and hauled him up to the barn.  He was sweating when I took him out poor guy.  It was warm today but not blazing hot.  I tacked him up and took him into the arena. 

I walked and jogged him around the arena.  Did some side passing to both sides.  He was snotty a few times but not bad.  Lee Ann P was riding Legato in her dressage saddle and Ms. Legato was NOT a happy camper.  Lifting up that butt, being snotty at times.  Lee Ann made her back up several times very firmly and take off again.  She finally stopped her and changed into her Sharon Saare Saddle and then Ms. Legato was a happy camper.  Lee Ann was cantering her round and round so I stopped to watch her.  Round and round cantering so smoothly. 

I jogged/trotted Biscuit on the other side and the geldings (Toreque, Nebbie, Sakkara and Jabarre) all were racing in their paddock along with Sadda in the next but Biscuit just ignored them and kept going.  Good boy. 

Lee Ann finished her ride and said it was time for me to canter.  Oh boy...I am a sissy.  I started out on the whole arena and Biscuit did a head toss and a skiddle off the rail thing so we closed the gates so I basically had a large round pen.  The Lee Anns gave me tons of encouragement and instruction to get the trot like I liked, reins like I liked and ask for the canter.  There was a wet muddy spot towards the back that caused him so feel like he was slipping but we worked through it.  She said to left up the inside rein to keep him on track.  The first canter there my butt was coming off the seat and I was way too forward.  She said sit back.  Next time I got him going and was too forward and sat back and he almost stopped!  Good boy.   Lots of whining, pissing and moaning and that was from me - not Biscuit!  Started again and was able to sit back on some of the rounds. 

Was able to kick him up and keep him going.  One time I popped him on the shoulder to get him going.  It was scary and sometimes I was afraid I was going to come off of him.  Once time I held on to the cantle to balance myself and went around several times but my elbows were all over the place.  Lee Ann P said my butt wasn't all over the place - just my elbows and to keep them down and locked and my reins up, fingers around reins.  Did it again and got a pretty nice rounds...some not so nice.....some me stopping him because I felt like I was coming off. 

I had been going counter clock wise and started a clockwise.   He felt a little more herky jerky going that way but he was slower which was good.  Changed and went the other way and Lee Ann said not to hold on to the pommel that it will not serve me well in the future.  I did the last go around and I want to say it was 4 or 5 rounds - the last two I made a very concious effort to keep my elbows tucked in and still, hands still except for lifting the inside rein to keep him on the correct track. 

He did a great job and I wasn't scared or stiff.  My legs were pretty much relaxed - not totally but way better than last week.  Biscuit wasn't really even breathing that hard. I walked him around a little to cool him off.  I took his tack off and washed him off.  He was sweaty somewhat so I cleaned him up and rinsed his sheath out.  It was full of junk!!   He got lots of hugs and kisses and treats.  He really is a good boy and we are going to work on his cantering more next week. 

It is so nice to have friends who will help.  I was grateful.  Maybe one day I can do a limited distance ride with Lee Ann and not whimp out!!!  It is my dream. 

Biscuit is a Keeper - He keeps me in my saddle

I decided to go riding again today (Tuesday).  I loaded him up and loaded my tack and hauled to Tyrrell Park.  I tacked Biscuit up and went to the left.  We got around to the side trail and went down it.  The hangman tree was gone!! 

I got back to the main trail and then ran into a older gentleman on the trail.  He thought the trails were gorgeous and said he was from Woodville and visited Beaumont at times.  He had a big walking stick and said he didn't understand why the park wasn't used more.  I explained about some of the unsavory folks using the park and so some people stay away.  I moved on and kept going til I heard a growl!  I thought it was a dog and proceeded cautiously.  Then I heard oinking and squealing and movement on both sides.  Gaaa.....there are so many hogs out there.  You can see where they are rooting around.  Used to be just every now and then you would see it...now it is all over the trail where they have rooted stuff up.  Biscuit was a little nervous.  We went on and kept going.  On the second round I had him trotting and we were over on the side by the park road and he spooked hard to the right.  OMG I felt myself fling forward to the right, my right foot came out of the stirrup and my right hand grabbed for his mane.  I was unseated and unbalanced.  Biscuit stopped INSTANTLY.  I righted myself...said a few choice words to Biscuit and turned him around to see what he had spooked at .  Not real sure what it was so we turned back to our trail and kept going.  We went all the way around and then back the other way.  Tons of trotting at a good clip.

Went to the fence where the dog was at and it seems it dug its way in there.  I posted a picture of it. 

 Ran back into the older Gentleman and he was cutting some branches off the sides (he'd asked me earlier about it and I said it was ok).  He said "I just realized I might be invading just a horse trail" and I told him no, it was for people to walk or jog on.  Very nice fellow and he said he'd cut the bad over hanging branches that nearly take Biscuit's bridle out of my hands on one side and when I went to the other today it stabbed me with stickers.

We had a good ride.  I spoke to Ricky when I got back and told him the hogs were going wild!  I called Cassie and took him to Doc's for his Coggins after our ride.

Working to make Biscuit a top notch trail horse

I have spent quiet a bit of time working with The Biscuit.  I will own him for 2 years on November 1 of this year.  I took possession of him on October 22 of 2010. 

When I got Biscuit he was terrified.  He was outside of his comfort zone and was scared someone was going to hurt him.  He wouldn't pick up his feet, his ground manners weren't the best, he ignored commands from the saddle, was a nose to tail trail horse, couldn't hold a jog, and couldn't transition to a canter softly, tossed his head constantly when asked to slow down.

He has improved so much but he still has a long way to go.  I think he would have improved way more if his owner was a trainer!  Biscuit is smart as a whip but he also has a head like a rock!

The first was consistant in his paces.  Biscuit gets a B.  He has greatly improved and I can set Biscuit at a pace at times and yes, he will keep that pace for a long time.  Will pick it back up instantly when having to slow down to cross a log or muddy spot, etc.  He will keep that jog at a very consistant, easy to ride speed.  He will walk a slow walk nicely and sometimes a fast extended walk.  Generally more on the way back for that one!!!  As for cantering, we are working on it.  Biscuit is handicapped in that area by a sissy owner.  I am working on my own issues and learning to relax so I can canter.  Biscuit will also balk about going out by himself in places he is unfamiliar with.  He is like pushing a tractor down the road that is not turned on.  We are working on riding by ourselves and he does a great job in Tyrrell Park woods by himself but not so well out on the bayou section.  He was nervous.  He will also throw it into reverse if he doesn't want to go somewhere so he does evade at times.  He doesn't jig.  He doesn't kick.  He is never aggressive with other horses.  He has stopped crowding up a horses backside when riding so it that area, major improvement.  So, Biscuit gets a B - he has improved greatly but has a way to go. 

His gates are enjoyable.  He can jog like a pro and his trot is nice.  His walk is nice.  His canter is getting better and it going to be very nice. 

Neck reining - Biscuit can neck rein but I generally have both hands on the reins. 

Independent?  Well, sometimes.  I am working on the walking away from other horses on the trail.  Getting way better.  I took him back to the trailer after a ride and then turned and made him go back to the trail.  He did it willingly.  He is not totally there but getting better. 

Stand for mounting - most of the time.  Sometimes he will take a step forward or move laterally towards me.  I would give Biscuit a A- on that.  He was always good on the trail mounting.  It was more of a problem in an arena.  He stands now perfectly in an arena.

Ground tie.  I can let Biscuit just stand somewhere and for the most part he will stay right there.  He is still a horse though!

Standing tied.  Biscuit is terrific when he is tied to something.  Never ever have a problem with that..

Crossing water.  Biscuit will cross water easily.  He gets more icky about a mud puddle - Biscuit isn't a fan of mud!!!  It makes me laugh because he will cross a creek up to his knees easily and willingly, but looks at a mud puddle or little bit of water like it is the devil and will contort himself to go around it.  He will walk right into a lake up to his gut with gusto.  Gotta watch him though.  He starts pawing and could go down if not watched.  The first time I ever saw Biscuit, he dropped in the water at Ebenezer with Esther on him three times.  So I pay attention when I put him in water!

Biscuit will climb hills and go down them without a fuss.  He listens when I tell him slowly.  He would like to trot up and down and would if I allowed it but I don't really allow that!

Leg yield....he will leg yield but sometimes wanted to speed up.  He is getting that down pat nicely and his leg yields are nice!

Backing - Biscuit will back nicely and without a fuss.  He also knows how to turn on the forehand. 

Side passing - when I got Biscuit he would side pass to the right A TINY LITTLE BIT.  When asked to go to the left he would have a melt down.  I have worked with the leg yield every time on the trail just about to where I am sure people behind me thought we were drunken sailors but I was asking for the yield.  Now Biscuit will side pass nicely and I am so proud of him!!!!  It really helps with spider polo to know how to side pass!!! 

Stand and whoa means whoa.  Biscuit for the most part will stand nicely where ever I put him.  He is not perfect but he is pretty chill when asked to stand with other horses or on the trail.

Load in a trailer - Biscuit will load up in my ramp Brenderup, the ranches 3 horse slant and the 4 horse Featherlite, hops right in Kellie's 3 horse slant so once I taught Biscuit to get into the ramped Brenderup he is a doll about it.  He would sometimes not want to load for awhile after I got him but a tap with the buggy whip encouraged him to go.  Now my boy is strickly self loading.  I walk him up to the trail and he easily walks in by himself and stands there quietly.  He unloads just as quietly where it is the ramp or step down. 

Drink and eat on the trail - Biscuit would eat anywhere.  He loves to grab a bit of grass on his way through tall grass!  As far as drinking out of a nasty puddle we have never had the occasion to do that but Biscuit is pretty much a "do what you have to do" kind of boy.

That is the list as it was posted by Jamison.  I personally would like to add:

Non spookiness - Biscuit isn't a real spooky horse.  That is not to say he hasn't spooked on a trail but he has never bolted or thrown a fit even when pigs literally exploded out from under his feet.  He jumped to the right about 1 foot.  He got his back feet tangled in vines earlier this year at Kisatchie.  He worked to get his feet untangled and quietly walked away.  Biscuit mostly spooks in place or within a few feet and I just go with him.

Ability to that the lead.  Biscuit will SOMETIMES.  We are working on it.  Yesterday was not a day he would take the lead until we were basically half way through the ride and "heading" home. 

Go where you point them.  Biscuit will do quiet a bit that I asked him but not everything.  Sarge is way better at that!!!. 

Dog, Frog, Hogs and an Alligator

 

I went riding today with the Lee Ann's.  We hauled out and saddled up.  I mounted up and Biscuit was going sideways and acting like a semi-goober.  I think it is cool and breezy and they felt good! 

We started off and when we got to the 2nd ride away we heard a dog barking like crazy and it was behind a chainlink fence around a valve coming out of the ground.  Poor thing.  I called Ricky Venable with the city and told him about it and he said "that is probably who has been eating our chickens!!  I will call someone to take care of it".  I am assuming he called animal control.

We rode out onto the bayou and headed for the bridge.  We saw an alligator in Willow Bayou.  You can see it in the middle of this picture.  It wasn't a huge one but looked about 5 feet long.  We crossed the bridge and I got off half way across because he was limping on a rock.  I cleaned his hooves when we got to the other side. 

We went straight and down the side of the bog.  It is grown up but could see someone had drove back there.  We went about a 1/3 of the way down and Biscuit spooked up hard and dang near unseated me.  LOL  thank God he stopped when I pulled back.  I hit the back of the cantle and think there may have been some daylight between me and my saddle!!!  Lee Ann P said a frog had jumped off a log.  OMG a F-R-O-G!!!  We kept going and Biscuit was refusing to lead.  He generally will after being on the trail for a while.  We got to the back and were going to go through the low trail.  Legato was sinking and Biscuit was going to go...he got his tootsies wet and said "no" and backed up.  We went down the higher little trail watching out for Spiders!!!  Biscuit took the lead when we hit the main trail FINALLY and we got over to where there are boggy areas on both sides and he lifted up his head and was alert.  I could hear something to the right and we kept going and he stopped again.  Hogs started running from right to left across the trail.  I counted 6 hogs.  I asked him to go forward and he threw it into reserve  (ggggggggrrrrrrrrrrr) pushing into Legato and Rogue and they had no place to go.  Rogue took the lead and Lee Ann was right under a spider and she wasn't too happy about that. 

We went down the back and around to the other side.  We completed the ride through the woods.  We rode 8.5 miles in 3 hours because we were walking.  Biscuit was a pretty good boy.  We hauled back to the barn.  I had a blast and felt better than this morning.

I couldn't sleep last night - had chills and then was too hot off and on all night with body aches and pains.  Ugh.  Felt so much better after I rode!