I have been working on lining the foaling pen with stucco wire to prevent horses poking their heads through and pulling back like Stella did; I saw Drifter doing that and having to turn his head sideways to get out- could have been a wreck if one of the mares had threatened him at that moment.
That should do the trick! It's a small weave so little foal feet won't go through it.
As I was working on it, I was watching Beamer, he was feeling playful, rearing and leaping around and snorting. I felt sorry for him so I took him for a ride. He so enjoyed getting out, love the way he steps out so eagerly.
Eagerly, that is, until we got to a certain log.... but I'll get to that farther on in the story....
Today was just as lovely, so I rode Gussie. She was feeling a bit "up", so instead of ponying Mesa like I had planned I took her down the trails. She was a bit looky at stuff like big rocks that were partially snow covered, must have looked odd to her like they were floating? Anyway, we got to the cement barriers and I was about to ride her around them instead of through them and she spotted one of those rocks and did a 180... but she telegraphed that she was going to by doing one of those front feet stomp and drop the neck before she wheeled around so I wasn't caught unawares; no different than riding a rollback. I kind of laughed at her.... and then we rode past it no problem.
Remember that log I mentioned?
On the way back we spotted this lovely bit of colour:
Oregon Grape in it's winter loveliness. I noticed all the Mountain Ash berries are starting to rot, too bad, I'll miss their bright cheerful red.
Gussie got a bit prancy as we neared home, so she had to do a little bit of work- writing her name in the snow!
Lots of rollbacks and backing up to do that. Cursive writing! She was backing crooked so I had to use a lot of leg to keep her straight. It was fun for me! Maybe not so much for her haha. Then I leg yielded her the rest of the way back- you wanna hurry home girl you will have to work! Hopefully next time I ride her she will be a little more relaxed as I really want to pony Mesa.
Since it was still early, I brought Drifter out and went for a walk with him. Guess what.... he was on his best behaviour!
Much softer eye! He was curious about things and not spooky at all.
(Gussie, are you paying attention? ) I worked him in the round pen, he did really well. A few times he thought he should stop at the gate, and a few times he sped up; just normal stuff. He did keep away from me as requested, and worked well both ways. I'm just working him off a standard lead rope so he is only a few feet away; it's easier to teach them close and then let them get farther and farther away as time goes on and they figure out what I want.
I dropped the lead rope for photos and he just wanted to face up and follow me (good boy!) so I tied him to the rail for a photo- excuse the stains, it's too cold to wash him!- to show how he is bulking up. He is gonna be a big boy!
As you can see, he is in a growth spurt! He is 13.2 at the hip right now and 13 hands at the wither. I can't wait to see him all shed out!
Riding day 3 & 4
4 comments:
Beautiful!
He is big boned.
As you know, I wrapped my enclosures, too, but then I realized Tweed was being put in many different places as I rotated him throughout the day, and some weren’t covered in wire, so I gave up and figured he’s going to have to learn, like all the others did. I haven’t caught him with his head between the bars yet. 🙏
I think it’s wonderful that you’re keeping so busy with the rides and walks despite winter. I hope to soon start back up, but I’ve been obsessed with organizing my ridiculously unorganized life. Years of hoarding and stuffing my junk into every nook, is not quickly remedied.
Such a pretty wintery scene & tone in that first photo! Our boys are both feeling fresh these cool winter days, sigh. So great that you can just laugh it off, and not add fuel to the fire.
I love the quiet solitude of winter. Especially if its in the country. To me, that sums up peace, and quiet. All of which all of us on earth can use once in a while.
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