Saddle fit and sorting

This wonderful fall weather continues, this is the nicest first half of November I've seen in a while.

Last post I mentioned that I may have found a temporary solution to my saddle fitting woes (other than riding bareback!). I have one of those thin neoprene pads that has a bit of extra padding where the bars of the saddle sit, so I put that under my Diamond Wool pad and went for a trail ride. Just down to the river, and looking at all the plants that have winterized themselves.

It seemed to work, the saddle didn't slip at all . The true test would be a longer and more active ride though.

So Saturday I went sorting again. 

5 hours later and after 7 runs the saddle stayed put and I think it may work for now.

Lots of standing around in between runs, so I rode down to the other end of the arena a few times and worked Gussie at the trot to keep her warmed up. The first 3 runs were practice runs and my partner and I did it perfectly, all 10 cattle in order and none of the trash got through the gate. Then it was time for the jackpot runs, I had a different partner, and the time allotted was 30 seconds shorter- and we trashed out every one of the 4 runs! Oh well, we had fun! Next one is December 14, and barring a super cold snap or major storm we'll be going again. Gussie really seems to enjoy it as much as I do.

I also found another trail riding partner, hopefully I'll get to go somewhere new soon.

Riding day 66 and 67

The young 'uns and a happy Gussie

The 2 colts are sharing a bucket of foal ration now... finally got Booncat eating it. I hung a bucket on the fence and of course he just had to see what his big bro was eating, so that solved that problem!

That style of bucket is perfect for sharing. Booncat is actually doing well with the weaning process. He hasn't lost any weight and he isn't stressed out at all. All the horses were dewormed after the last full moon and I didn't see any worms expelled so it looks like my pasture management program is working. It helps that we didn't have any bot flies this year.
Eli will be leaving within a few days so Belle will get to go back in the herd and will be there as company for Booncat when I take Gussie out to ride. I have decided to leave Drifter in his separate pen until February to avoid any risk of a late heat with Gussie. I haven't yet decided if Booncat will live with him.
I turned Belle and Gussie out in the hotwire pen the other day- happy mares to be reunited and have room to zoom!

Does my heart good to see them enjoying each other's company. Having a happy herd is so important to me. Look at all the horses I have sold because they didn't have the right attitude- Poco, Delia, Coulee, Loretta, Sparkle and some yearlings back in the day when I bought weanlings and sold them as long yearlings. Even Rosalee- she was lovely in the herd but didn't have the right attitude under saddle to suit me. The only one I sold that was a nice mare was Clancy- but she wasn't athletic enough for me. (Which is odd to say about a High Brow Cat granddaughter!)

Drifter is making progress, I can now tie him to the trailer and saddle him up. He has had a couple of moments though, I call them learning curves. I was grooming him and something startled him- maybe a cat jumping out of the tack room, I'm not sure- and he pulled back hard. I stepped behind him and hollered and made noise and he stood up. So the lesson that day was all about standing tied, and of course he didn't try it again. I think he is a little reactive because of being in with the mares and having to skeddadle when they get after him for being too pesky.
His next learning moment was when I took him into the round pen saddled up, the first time I had saddled him at the trailer and then led him to the round pen as opposed to saddling him in the pen. He dropped his head to graze and I got after him and he jumped, realized that he had a saddle on and bucked about 4 jumps until he got to the fence and then just stood there, thinking about it. After that he was good as gold and we even got his first lope saddled up. Not even a hint of a buck after that. I really think he's the kind of horse that processes things like that and learns from them.

 I am quite pleased with him! He is a sensible horse and so far deserving of being kept a stallion.

We have a local cattle sorting series and I finally decided to go. The person who brings the cattle and organizes it is the guy who has Tillie and I promised him I would go- so yesterday I loaded up Gussie and off we went.
This is a really good bunch of people- there were 24 horses and their people there, everything from ponies to Tennessee Walkers, Rocky Mountain horses and of course a plethora of Quarter horses. Everyone cheered everyone else on and it was a lot of fun.



Because I had never worked cattle with Gussie I wasn't sure how she would do. I know she was used to cows having lived right next to them at our last residence and I think she was exposed to working them with her last owner. However, she was a rock star!



We got 3 practice runs and 3 jackpot runs. There was a lunch break with potluck (I didn't know so next time I will bring something!) Yes there will be a next time, every 2 weeks . Gussie loved it and was so well behaved both standing around waiting our turn and in the sorting pen. I also got lots of compliments on the way she moves. She does carry herself well!

Love my big red mare.

Riding day 61 (rode down for the mail) and day 62

Me'n'Beamer

Today was cattle sorting day. Unfortunately we got the bad news that Bill Conrad suffered a severe stroke and is hospitalized in Alberta. We wish him a full and speedy recovery and our heartfelt sympathy to his family.

So, without our mentor, we did the best we could. Since only 4 people showed up, we opted for cutting practice- 2 for turnback, 2 for herd holders, and one to work. It worked out quite well and we had a lot of fun. Ted showed up and took photos, so guess what- you finally get to see me on the B Boy!

The youngster on the sorrel was holding herd. These are the roping cattle we use, hence the horns. Beamer loves this job, and frequently he'd be watching for escapees while I was watching the girls ride. Ted said if one got away that Beamer was watching and I wasn't, he'd swish his tail at it,which is what he was doing in this photo:

That horse is Cowy! We got some nice moves from some of the cattle and Beamer is learning that if he stays with the cow, I don't haul on his face or get after him with my legs. ( I gots strong legs, and he knows it!)

We both had a lot of fun. I sure hope I can take a cutting clinic this year, or some lessons. With Bill out of commission, I might have to travel to do that.

Lonesome

Well, after spending New Years alone, and not having Janice come team sorting with me today, I got to the arena and it was really lonesome there. Not a soul showed up! (Just me 'n'B-boy), so I spent over an hour schooling. And- Woo-Hoo! I got my flying lead changes! We had a great ride, nice lope departures, lovely spins, and worked on some of the stop and turns on a direct rein that I need for learning cutting. Horse knows all this stuff, I just need to learn how to put it all together.

Beamer had to inspect the roping dummy. He tells me that he really does not want to be a rope horse, he prefers playing cowgames. Suits me! However, I think that when Velvet is old enough, I'll be swinging a rope from her; her mama was a natural with ropes.

Happy Dance!

Happy because we had a blast team sorting today! First of all, Beamer behaved himself, which is always a concern when you are riding a stallion in a mixed group. He did a little bit of quiet talking, which earned him work, so he didn't do too much of that. Secondly, the boy's got cow! He had never worked cattle before, and these were corriente roping steers; he caught on really quickly and we even had some fancy moves getting the right steer in the right place. He loved pushing the cattle back into the pen after our runs; those ears just disappeared on his neck , and he was heads down lets go! Between runs, he stood quietly on the sidelines, behaving himself and looking pretty- so much so that we got a booking for breeding next spring. I'm always happy when he gets compliments, and he got plenty today. I think Beamer has found his niche.

And to top it off, and make the day perfect- our team won the jackpot! Woo-hoo! We won a whole $4!

Did I mention that I love this horse????