Wordless Wednesday

After the rain

A few days of heavy rain made a mess here. Mucky horse pens, squishy lawn and Lake Beamer is back.

That circle in the foreground is where the round pen used to be. The water receded today, but it's going to be muddy for a bit yet.

 No, I didn't load that photo upside down, that's Delia's reflection in the pond in her pen.
I gave them more turnout time today- the cows were in the pasture next to that pen, so I figured it would be a good chance for Delia to learn to get along with them.

 She was quite intrigued, didn't know if she should investigate or get outta Dodge!

The flight instinct took over I think!

I think lots of turnout next to the cows will be good for her- she'll figure them out someday. Hopefully before I'm riding her down a trail and we come across some!

After I brought the girls in, I gave Beamer some turnout time.

He was happy to get out and get a change of scenery and stretch his legs a bit.

You can see how soft the ground is, they tore it up a bit but it's better than keeping them cooped up in their pens.
Beamer found mare smells... Delia is in heat at the moment.

I've been watching to see if his arthritis bothers him, sure doesn't seem to so I might put him in regular riding, nothing too strenuous, just to get him in shape; he's kinda round!

Delia gets adjusted

Delia got her visit from Green Haven Therapy today, and it was pretty much as I called it. Her neck was out, at the axis and C1. Of course, there are connected issues to that, with her teeth needing doing and tightness in her jaw, also tight neck muscles and several other places.

Check out that lip.... Melissa hit the spot!

Throughout all the poking and prodding, Delia was really well behaved, never once offered any cranky behaviour- she was a lady. This video shows Mel trying to get her neck adjusted- she did finally get it a little later.

When we tried the upward stretch, she couldn't lift her head very high, and was limited side to side. Also when she yawned when she got release, at first she couldn't open her mouth very wide. By the end of the session, it was about an inch or two wider.
Next week we will have a follow up session. We are getting rain today and tomorrow, so once it dries up again I'll turn them out again and see if she still drops her head to see- I think she will behave much more normally. There was a lot of licking and chewing and yawning at the end of this session, so I think she is feeling much better.

The girls get turn out together

I think a chiro visit is in order for Delia. I'm pretty sure that her neck is out, she is really touchy especially behind the ears. The way I understand it, the optic nerve runs through the spinal column and if the axis is out, or the 1st vertabrae (correct me if I am wrong please) it puts pressure on the nerve and affects the eyesight. Case in point- we went back to visit the cows yesterday, and although she is much calmer around them she still gets snorty and worried. They are Herefords, so there is high contrast between their white heads and their brown bodies, and of course the brown blends in with the brown background.
After I turned her out with Josie in the turnout pen, I always encourage them to run to get some exercise, and Delia was not wanting to break into a lope- and when she finally did- it looked like this:

Oddest thing I've ever seen for a lope departure! She did this for a few strides and then picked up her head- it's a small pen so she couldn't lope more than a few strides.

Curious, I got them going again to see if she would repeat this behaviour.

Sure enough. It almost seemed that she was checking to make sure the ground was there- by lowering her head to see it more clearly? After a few strides, again, she loped normally, and after that she loped easily every time miss Josie got her going.

They had some fun for a while....

especially Josie, who was showing off come of her cutting horse moves- always when the camera wasn't pointed at her though! But boy o boy she can drop right down to the ground on that front end and switch directions like crazy! Did get some cool shots of her though.

Man she is a little powerhouse!

She will be  2 years old next Thursday. What a lot of fun she will be when she grows up!

Then they got down to the serious business of searching for the tender new shoots of grass coming up. I didn't leave them out for long on the fresh grass though.

Basics

Today's training session with Delia went well. She was pretty relaxed today, she is settling in well now. The cows no longer have her on high alert, and she is becoming accustomed to all the local sights and sounds.
I did notice that when I saddled her she got a little antsy, possibly some soreness or tightness in her back, although I did palpate her and check for soreness and didn't find any. Did find some in her neck though, and definitely she has tightness in her jaw.
I switched from my Wade saddle to my older Bowman Roper tree saddle- the saddle pad was slipping out the back with the Wade yesterday, so I think it's too wide in the shoulders although it sits up off her withers nicely. This one seems to fit her just a bit better. (You can see the Wade saddle in the post below this one )

This photo was taken after our session and the saddle pad hadn't moved at all. I slid my hand under the bars and they weren't tight, so I'll go with this saddle for her- good thing, because the Wade is Beamer's saddle.
I worked on just getting her to pay attention to me today, making sure that I got both eyes at the whoa; she kept wanting to check out things moving in the distance, like the guy walking 1/4 mile away. So I would tap her with my stick on her cheek on the side away from me to pop her head back. Her whoa was much better  today, and we worked on moving that shoulder around from a standstill. She got some nice crossovers done properly with the crossing foot in front and not stepping behind before I quit. She is easier to the right than the left. Also worked on backing her up with a loose lead rope. She didn't get it at first, so I had to wiggle the rope hard and take a step towards her before it clicked- by the end she was stepping back nicely. She just doesn't know stuff, but she picks it up fairly quickly and seems to be willing to learn all the new games. She leads really well now, stops the instant I do and, is alert to whether or not I will ask her to back a step.
Hopefully I will have a side pull in a day or two and can get back to riding her.
After riding I massaged some essential oils into her loins and did find some tight muscles there- I used Relieve It, Aroma Seiz, and Marjoram oils (all Young Living oils) and she was licking her lips when I massaged there.

I think she is happy here- she doesn't seem too upset about  anything now that she has the cows figured out, and gets along well with Josie. Josie does try to boss her a bit though! (Redheads!)

Building a relationship

Such a beautiful warm day today- not to be wasted! I hauled Delia to the local arena, but opted for the outdoor round pen since it was so nice out.
I wanted to start from scratch to see what she actually knows for basic training.
Turns out, not a lot.
She had no idea about round penning- which I was prepared for as her former owner said he doesn't round pen his horses. So I did some free longeing with her, working on getting her to go the direction I wanted, at the speed I wanted, and to stop when I wanted her to. I'd give her a C- if I was grading her! Or maybe a D!

I would, however, give her an A for disposition, which is far more important to me than what she knows- I can always teach her new things. I made allowances for this being a new place for her and only the second new place in her life. She kept trying to check out her surroundings instead of keeping her attention on me- looking over the fence when I stopped her instead of giving me both eyes. So I worked her until she did give me both eyes, and then I rode her around the pen for a bit- I'm not too concerned about riding her at this point because she really needs her teeth done, my focus is more on building a connection with her and getting her paying attention to me, and focusing on working with me. I also worked her in hand before I rode, and she is quite familiar with moving her hip, but not so much with moving her shoulder over. So that gives me plenty of things to work on at home, no need to haul as I can do the ground work in the turn out pen.
When riding, she follows the rein well, and has a glimmer of what legs mean for direction but not at all for collection- again, that will have to wait until after the dentist visit. Meanwhile I am trying to borrow a side pull- or I may buy one if I can't find one in a couple of days.

She has a really heavy winter coat, and got really sweaty today.But she is shedding like crazy!
Of course a sweaty girl has to have a good roll afterwards!

Sunday Silence

First ear cam

Just this.

Not too exciting.... just the way I like it.

Took miss Delia over to the cows... ho hum..... saddled her up and did a bit of ground work. Josie was ripping around the pen, Beamer was calling, but she took it all in stride- one heads up look when Josie started galloping but after that she was back to plodding along. So I had Ted take the lead line and we went for a walkabout in the yard. Very nice, but you could see that she was unhappy with the bit- she has never had her teeth done-  so I didn't ask a lot of her. Dentist is coming next month. Didn't get over to the indoor yesterday, had other things going on in the afternoon. Next week! Our session got interrupted with company so I didn't get a chance to go solo. Back in the day I would have had a bunch of rides all over the countryside by now, but I'm getting old and cautious. :0) I'm in no hurry either.

Better progress

Yesterday I had tried a couple of different approaches to stop Delia from dropping her shoulder into me as she circled me when she was trying to avoid facing the cows. I asked Shayla for advice, and she suggested using a flag. I wanted something that didn't take a lot of physical effort, but was effective, so this made sense. Also, her previous owner always packed a flag around, so I knew she was used to it. Sure enough, when I sacked her out at the beginning of today's session, she didn't move a muscle. So off we went to visit the cows. This time when she tried to circle me and leave, I brought that flag up in her face and shook it, and she stopped. She tried two more times, and then gave up and just stood there, relaxed on a loose lead line.

Good girl, Delia! After a bit, I took her over to the other side of the cow pen; this is the west side where there are just the two old cows and one little bitty calf; we went over to the north side closer to the cows you can see in the background, which is the pen we started on with our first cow session, there are a couple dozen cows in it. She did try to circle again, but I worked on her standing straight and facing the cows, which only took a little bit: again, good girl Delia! A couple more sessions and she should be over it.
After that I took her for a little walkabout, working on keeping her at a respectful distance, and then back into her pen. I'm pleased enough with her progress that I think I will haul her to the indoor tomorrow. I want to know how well she will take to another new environment.
She seems to be settling in well now. Josie is still dominant at the feed bunk but not out in the pen.

I took Beamer out for a brushing and touch-up on his feet, then let him have a treat- a few minutes of nibbling on the lawn, which is starting to grow again.

Happy Beamer!

Pocket Pony

Today's session with the cows was marginally better, but got cut short because the Landlord came roaring in with his bale truck so I had to get out of the way. Delia was not quite as petrified, but she did drop her shoulder into me in her hurry to get her butt turned to the cows. I did get her to stop, stand and look a few times before I had to leave.
 So the thing I need to work on is keeping her out of my personal space.

This is how close she wants to be.

In fact, every time I walk in her pen, she is right behind me....

She even followed me as I walked all the way around the tree....

She definitely keeps an eye on me.

And on the landlord as he walked into the cow pen too!

The next few days I will be working on getting her to learn where my bubble is, and to keep a respectful distance unless invited in. She does lead well, including stopping and going and turning in unison with me, just have to work on keeping a little further away especially so that when she gets worried she will not run over me but have that space ingrained enough to keep me safe.

Facing fear

Not my fear- miss Delia's fear. Of cattle.
Today I took her out of the pen and did a walkabout with her, started off with an in hand session of moving her feet and body until she was nice and light and paying attention. Then over to the cows.....
I did a bit of the advance and retreat, she was blowing and snorting and dancing, jumping away and trying to leave- but I was ready for all that; I'm a big girl and she couldn't budge me when she hit the end of the slack in the lead rope.

 Every time she tried, I'd bring her back, wait til she stood still, then back her off circle around and come right back. We eventually got within 5 feet of the very curious cows, who are accustomed to my horses over the fence from them.

Once we were that close and she stood quietly for a minute and licked her lips, we left- but she was in a hurry to leave so we had to make that a schooling opportunity too; walk away 10 ft., turn and walk back; away 15 ft. turn and walk back etc.
After that we went to the hitching rail and I tried my Wade saddle on her- it seems to fit well so I'll use it on her at first until I can determine if it is truly a good fit by the sweat marks.
Back in the shelter, I tried to trim her other front foot- it was a bit of a struggle because THE COWS WERE WATCHING!!!!!  She kept trying to turn into me, only there always seemed to be an elbow or a rasp handle in the way... funny how that works....  I did have to move her out and let her know that I could still control her feet by moving them and finally did get a rudimentary trim done- backed the heels and brought the toe back but until I have someone here to hold her that will have to do.

So what this session has determined is that until I have her full attention on the ground, and she trusts me to keep her safe even around those aliens from outer space cows and stops trying to push through me, riding will be put on hold. You ride the horse you lead, and without respect on the ground you darn sure won't have it in the saddle. The Buck Brannaman clinic is going to be really good for me and her. Since she has led such a sheltered life, it will be good to take her to the indoor arena and let her have a look around there, with some work in the round pen.

Small progress

I didn't accomplish everything on my list today that I wanted to do with Delia. I started out this morning with trimming her front feet..... I got one done no problem and then the cows came up for water and it totally got her on high alert again. They are about 40 ft. from her stall area where we were and came into view around the corner of the building unexpectedly. I decided to err on the side of caution and leave the second foot until tomorrow. I think it's going to take a little longer for her to settle in than I thought, but that's understandable, she has hardly been off the farm where she was born and this is her very first big adventure. I did work on her respecting my space when she was so worried, spent some time moving her feet- hip over, shoulder over, both sides; forward and back etc. Then I led her out to the middle of the pen and we hung out together leaning on the fence watching the cows while I told he all about how her Granddaddy Wranglers War Leo was a world champion in Jr. Working Cowhorse and how fun it was for horses to make cows move. I swear she understood what I was talking about, because she licked her lips and gave a big sigh, and after that when I turned her loose she followed me around, stopped when I did, and walked with me when I walked. Until we got to the hay pile.... I think she is so concerned with everything that she forgets to relax and eat.
I did measure her and as I thought she is 14.2 hh.

After that the weather turned nasty so I left her alone. Tomorrow after work I'll get that other foot done and if it isn't too windy will get her out of the pen and over to the hitching rail to check out saddle fit.
I need to get some body work done on her too (Shayla!!) Her neck is out on the right side about the middle of her neck. I have the horse dentist coming next month so she will get her first ever float. Keeping all that in mind I'm not going to be in a hurry to expect big things from her.

She spends a lot of time at the top of the pen- she can see a long ways from there, that's probably new to her too as she was in a narrow valley before.

That's not a bump on her back, that is her fur all scuffed up from rolling. She's shedding- I owned a grey before and that are slow to shed out.

Delia

I had a friend haul my mare home for me today- my truck needs brake work- and sensible mare that she is, only took a few minutes to load her; she had only been loaded once before. She is 11 years old, has raised 2 sons, and was started under saddle last year. Yes, she is green, more so than I was looking for. However, I had come to the conclusion that I wasn't going to get everything I wanted unless I was willing to spend a lot of time -and money- looking. When I heard about this mare, who was only an hour away, I knew I had to go check her out. I had seen her granddaddy Wranglers War Leo in the show ring years ago, and absolutely loved him and always wanted one of his get. Her bloodlines are all reining. As we drove into the yard yesterday where she was I knew as soon as I laid eyes on her that this was my horse. She just had that look that I like, short, stout and pretty. The gentleman who was selling her is the one who started her under saddle- he is 69 years old, had a broken back a while ago and broke a rib in December- but he saddled her up, did a little ground work moving her feet around, and climbed on and rode.

 He has a gentle touch and I could see that the mare was really calm and willing, no silliness in her. I rode her too in the round pen- oh what a smooth trot she has- and then he got on another mare and we rode out on a little trail ride. Mud, ice and snow, bridge crossing, logs, creek crossing- all good. The only time she tensed up was when she heard one of the horses from back in her pasture calling, but it was easy to get her attention back on the job at hand. I felt right at home on her.
He wanted me to come and ride her a few times to be sure that she was right for me, but I knew that this was the mare for me. He also had checked me out beforehand by phoning some mutual friends and asking about me (he admitted this after we rode) and he liked the way I rode and talked so he agreed to sell her to me.

She's checking me out....

Anyway. we got her home and I turned her in with Josie. I usually keep a new horse separate for 2 weeks, but since I only have 2 pens and no extra panels due to having to use my round pen for fencing when the landlords took away my corral fence, I had no choice. It went well, Josie tried a couple of little squealing rushes and was quickly put in her place by this mare who is very experienced in the herd. Pinned her ears, threatened to kick, and Josie got real respectful quickly. I think she is just glad to have a buddy again.

The cows really got her attention! She spent the better part of an hour watching them, probably hasn't been pastured near them before.

She has lovely little ears!

I watched them for a bit, made sure everything was good and safe, then had to head up to Janice's place to pick up Tess. She has been looking after Tess the last few days and taking her to see Moss, the dog who sired her last 2 litters- yes, I bred her again because now it's my turn to keep a pup and I have several people who are asking for pups. May 1st or thereabouts! Puppies! Thanks Janice for helping me out, it's a long drive so it was really nice that you looked after that for me.

When I got home, of course I headed right out to check on the girls. The mare is  still really looky but is settling down a bit. Her barn name has been DeeDee, but since I have a cousin by that name I wanted to change it but keep it similar since she is used to it. So I call her Delia.
She was up at the far end of the pen, I called... Deeeeeeliaaaaaa and her head snapped around....

She turned and trotted briskly towards me.....

until the cows distracted her....

I'll go check on her  again before bedtime :0)
Tomorrow I'll take her around the yard in hand and show her all the sights and sounds including getting closer to the cows, as well as measuring her, I'm guessing 14.2 hh, and trying my tack on her to find the best fit for saddle and pad. I plan on hauling to the indoor arena for the first rides to get  a little more familiar with her and teach her about me and how I ride. I'm hoping I will find someone to ride with there that will go down the road with me after the arena schooling.
This horse gives me a happy!
I plan on riding her for 2 years, and if her 5 panel test is clean, I'll breed her to Beamer once Josie is a little older and broke to ride.