Mixing it all up

Put the Popcorn in with Bella & Blondie. Popcorn & Bella got into a kicking contest. Bella came away with to little hoof prints on her hocks. Popcorn had a bite mark on her rump. Guess they are just not going to bond. Perhaps we will give it a few more days!

Emma came for her lesson this morning. We put her on Sonny, again, still want to get to know Popcorn a little better before we give lessons on her. Emma walked & stopped on her on with no lead rope.

We put the lead rope back on for some trotting & a few times Emma got into a wonderful riding position. She is progressing very well & seems to love it. Emma is also remembering her horse parts very nicely.

Wednesday 23, 09

After feeding last night we put Blondie & Popcorn together in the front pasture. Blondie is usually a good pasture buddy & she was. She put her ears back once or twice at Poppy but for the most part they ignored each other.

Poppy would stay in the area Blondie was in, so I think she would enjoy the company but they didn't fuss.

Tue Sept. 22, 09

Went to Echo's for a barrel lesson. Took Daphney with us. She rode Blondie to show Nina how to stop her. Nina took Bacardi & the girls would switch up every so often.

Daphney rides Blondie very well & can control her better than Nina. I was hoping that by seeing Daphney ride Blondie it would boost Nina's confidence which it did. Nina actually let Blondie go some when riding around the arena there at Echo's.

Bacardi loves to do the barrels & he is such a good boy. Echo really liked him. Of course the teachers always like the more polished horses! Young ones have to learn sometime! ha

Echo is having a student show Saturday & she mentioned Nina should bring Bacardi -- good try, nope this is Blondie's thing! :)

Emily & Katlin ride at the same time & the girls enjoyed riding & hanging out with each other. After two hours I was ready to go!

We untacked, rinsed off, loaded up, & headed home.

New Pony! Hot Buttered Popcorn arrives 9-20-09

Drove up to Mr. Glenn's to view the cutest Palomino pony. After Nina tried her out by riding her around in Glenn's pasture & even over a jump or two; we decided to bring her home.

After conducting business, we loaded the pony up in our 4 horse trailer & headed to Fazzio's to get pony stuff!

Fazzio's didn't have many things for Pony's but we got what we could. Made several trips to the trailer to "try" stuff on Popcorn. She is so tiny! :)

Finally we left Fazzio's with our Pony, new Pony stuff, and happy hearts.

Once home, we put Popcorn in the front pasture so she could visit with both the boys & the girls. Getting to know them without endangering anyone. In a few days we will try putting some of them together & see how they get along.

For the most part, most of the other horses ignored Popcorn & she them. There were a few exceptions, Smokey was instantly in love with her, Blondie stomped her foot at Popcorn. Bacardi seems to be interested in Popcorn. Poppy of course ignored everyones attempts at communication. Too funny.

Pony Club Saturday 9, 19, 09

Nina took Bella to Pony Club. Julie Smart was the clinician for this meeting. She is wonderful with horses & riders. Her speciality is jumping. Bella did really well for just getting back in the swing of things after being off for most of the summer.

The rain, however, was still looming on the horizon & finally found us. It would fall, stop for a while, then resume just when we thought the humidity would send us all back indoors.


Nina rode in the rain, which kept her cool, almost the entire lesson! ha.

After riding & turn-back, Nina got together with her group to study horse management. She & some of the others are going for their next rating which is C1.

There was a photographer at Pony Club that was taking video of everyone. Since I was videoing Nina, he allowed me to share his tent with him. We got to talking. He likes my camera. He is starting a business that video's riders then allows the trainer & student to view the film in slow motion with commentary so the student can see exactly where their weakness & strengths are.

The photographer, Will, asked me is I would like to help him with videoing people in my area. I think that would be a blast. I hope this takes off & I'm able to be apart of it. What fun!

After Pony Club, we decided to go home drop Bella off & grab Blondie to head over to the Vancleave arena for the Barrel show that evening. We did take the time to change into dry clothing & on the way to the show we pulled in to our favorite restaurant for some food.

Once at the show, we saw friends we hadn't seen in a while. Ken, Mary, Belinda. Echo was there as well. Nice to see her again. Nina was pretty tired from PC all day, so we only rode in a few classes. The stakes & poles. Good experience for Blondie, which is exactly what she needed. We loaded up & headed home to collapse in the bed. Finally! All in all a very good day.

Early morning lesson 9-17-09

Went to Echo's for an early barrel lesson. Took Blondie, once we arrived at 9am seemed like everyone had beat us there but no worries, we tacked up & went to join the fun. There were eight or nine other riders who were taking turns riding. Nina warmed up Blondie then went for her turn.

The skies were threatening & Patrick & I just made to the barn before they opened up & poured. A few people came in, then as the rain didn't stop more & more riders opted for the dryer barn.

After a while of barn visiting, Patrick & I went out to get Nina. She and one other die-hard rider were out in the arena still riding! ha

We untacked, packed up, loaded up, & headed home soaking wet, tired, but happey!

Second Lesson for Emma

Emma came for her second lesson today. It was amazing how much she had remember from her previous time. We got our little saddle out, which fit Sonny perfectly. Em was able to sit more securley in the saddle and we did some trot work. Looking forward to her next time.

Afterwards the Farrier stopped by. Glad to see him as the horses hoofs were in desprate shape with all the rain we have been having. Horses are now all trimmed & shod. Hoofs looking great, thanks Mr. Glenn!

Sunday we will go look at a pony that is 49 inches tall. We know she is a good Games pony but what kind of lesson horse will she make. Last thing Idlefolly Ranch needs is another horse but oh how cute! :)

Western Saddles!

The Western Saddles from Texas arrived today. They are some old saddles from the OR ranch in Corsicana. Eventhough the saddles have been neleglected for 10-15 years they are better shape than you might think! There is a huge difference when you have a good western saddle on the horse -- I never knew.

Bacardi didn't seem to mind modeling for us. We need to condition the saddles & get some replacement parts for them, girths, stirrups, etc.

Best thing about the saddles is that they smell like Penderys the Spice Shop! Oh my how wonderful!

Looking back at June 9, 2009

One Rainy June day, Mr. B brought his grand daughters over for a ride. Sonny & Smokey enjoyed taking the girls around. We had to stop a few times due to rain, Smokey doesn't like the rain! ha The rain kept the heat away and we enjoyed our time. We need to get these girls back out for some more riding! Next time I want to get Mr. B up on Sonny! :)

Sonny the Wonder Horse: Starts Training a new generation!

Emma came for a lesson on Sonny. It has been several years since Sonny has trained one so little. Emma was a fast learner & very very cute! We must pull out the smaller saddle!