Something bit me! Wednesday

Blondie has a huge bite on her, as big as Hayden's hand! Doesn't seem to bother her & we were able to ride her yesterday. It is right in the girth area so I was worried it might hurt her, but doesn't seem to, thank goodness.

Our lesson with Kari was canceled due to rain, love the rain, hate it when interferes with our lessons. Even though the ground was way too wet to trot, canter, or jump we did walk around some & went back over to the Doc's to trail ride.

I was having problems getting Bella out of the arena, not sure why & when we walked out of the arena she would start trotting around the tree back to the barn/arena, so I did what I usually do & I switched with..... wait for it Hayden! He got on Bella, walked her right out of the arena & they had a great trail ride. So what... I mean really, Bella's just fooling me, I really am going to ride her on that trail ride & I'm going to have to get tough with her, when an 8year old can out ride me, that's just a shame! ha

Maybe today when we ride I can get over my fear & just ride the horse, whether she acts horsey or not -- haha. Bella is a great horse & I know she is, so why oh why does she make me nervous, I just don't know.

Trail riding Monday

Was so beautiful yesterday morning we decided to ride a little. I hopped on Blondie, Nina on Bella, & Hayden on Pops. We couldn't get Patrick to ride. Patrick surprised us with a three day week-end this week, he didn't have to fly out until this morning. He put up the flag pole, next to the arena, that had snapped off from the flag pole in the front yard durning one of those windy days we had last month. The pole is shorter but will work well near the arena. We can put our pirate flag out there which might be fun.

Anyway we rode around a little. Hayden practicing cantering on Pops, then we went out in the field. Hayden & Pops jumped the jump course & did okay. Pops got a little carried away galloping around the jumps. I had Hayden run her in a circle until she calmed down. Not sure why she was so keyed up. He did jump the course maybe a jump at a time or two at a time to calm Pops & they did well. Hayden is going to have to learn how to calm Pops on his own & not tear around the course.

Nina & Bella jumped the same course & Bella was feeling pretty good too, going way too fast. We will keep the jumps at this height until everyone settles down some & it becomes very boring to both horses.

To cool everyone off we walked around the pasture. I love walking Blondie around because nothing bothers her at all. Nina wanted to venture over into the Doc's property. He has given his permission, so why not. I have been dying to go over there, but just haven't had the opportunity. Nina & Hayden walked around first then Nina came back & took Blondie. Hayden rode Bella on the second trip & I walked with Pops. It was fun, there was once when the small pine trees were as tall as Pops & she didn't really like that too much.

All the horses did great riding around at the Doc's I can't wait to ride over there again. Unfortunately today it is raining. Hayden & I were waiting until Nina got off work so we could ride together. Hayden & I should have ridden earlier, it wasn't raining then.

Hopefully tomorrow will be better -- oh we have lessons tomorrow!

Vet day

Dr. Mim"s came out yesterday to give everyone , even the dogs their annual shots. Sonny, Blondie, & Pops teeth all looked good . Bella had some sharp points, & Bacardi had some minor floating done because he was already sedated.

Smokey was the big news of the day getting his tear ducts cleaned out. We have eye meds to put in Smokey's eyes twice a day to help with his allergies. His teeth were also floated, & that horse is almost as precarious as Sonny under sedation. His feet were going in 4 different directions & I thought he would fall several times but alas he never did, thankfully .

Thought Sonny & Bacardi were going to be sore this morning, Son is a little stiff in the neck, cant tell any stiffness with Bacardi. No riding today, everyone gets the day to recover from shots.

The spot on Jasmine's back was lanced & drained , I have meds to put on it twice a day for a week & she should be fine. If the bump comes back, we should go in & have it removed.

No heart-worm surprises this time, thankfully. Everyone has a clean bill of health!

Back on Bella Wednesday 4/11/12

When I went out to ride yesterday, Blondie ran from me. Bella walked up to me so I rode her instead. It was so nice being back on Bells. We trotted a little, I had a little trouble keeping Bella on the circle, as before, but it was nice to ride her again.

Miss J came to ride with us a little. She wasn't feeling well, stomach hurting again. I wish the Doctors could get to the bottom of what is happening with her.

We did walk in the pasture, Bella did her fast walk again, so I really didn't get the opportunity to walk with anyone ha. The flies were out bothering the horses, it is going to be a bad year for flies & the horses.

It was too much fun riding, can't wait to ride again tomorrow.

The day was so beautiful, I thought it would be terrible to waste it inside, so we took the classroom outside. Nina opened up the fences in the pasture & blocked the drive way so the horses could join us. The boys visited us, the girls stayed in the front pasture enjoying the grass there.

Not much time Tuesday 4-10-12

We only had like 25 minutes to ride today so we hopped on hurriedly. Nina & Hayden rode bareback. I did put a saddle on Blondie. We rode around the pasture once & in the arena a time or two. Blondie was her terrific self & I enjoyed the ride immensely!

Poor Blondie is getting eaten by the mosquito's blasted insects. Going to have to put a fly sheet on her. Not uncommon usually do, before it gets so hot she sweats underneath it.

Oh my goodness! the Pigeon is back!

Through the pasture

Rode Blondie again yesterday. I really love riding her. While I was waiting for the others to get tacked up, Blondie & I warmed up in the arena. When I would use my leg to keep her on a 20meter circle she would trot. I think she just insn't use to people putting leg on her. I will have to work on that with her.

When everyone was ready we went walking through the pasture. It was fun. Blondie doesn't get upset about anythiung & is so calm. Makes riding her so nice. I wish I could slow her return to the barn walk, but I'm really not complaining.

When we walked around for 30 minutes building their stamina, I had Hayden jump Popcorn over the small course we have in the pasture. He did great, had a steady seat. After the first jump, he pertty much stayed in 2 point. I think Pops is going to do great on Hayden's rating for D2.

After H when through the course, Nina & Bella went through. Nina's leg has gotten so much better. Bella did canter through the course, & I wish she would kept it at a trot but that is really no big deal. We will do this course again today & see how everyone does. We should keep this up until both horses are so bored with this height.

Hayden will have to go up to 18 inches I think for his D2, but I do believe he will be better prepaired than Nina was when she took hers.

Visiting Pigeon

A few days ago a Pigeon showed up in our barn. We thought it was injured but it isn't and the bird seems very tame. However the bird is remaking havoc on the barn. Pigeons notorious for being very messy & I must admit they really are.

It rained all last night, so the pasture & arena are soaked. Had to cancel lessons today, but with the rain came a little cooler weather. It was absolutely gorgeous out this evening, so we decided to take advantage & go for a trail ride though the pastures . I rode Blondie, Nina hopped on Bacardi bareback & ponied Pops. Hayden rode Bella bareback. I had a blast. It was fun riding a horse who wasn't afraid of walking through the water or mud puddles. Blondie did get a little fast when we turned back towards the barn.

I can't wait to ride again, hopefully tomorrow!