Idlefolly Ranch

Spooky Bella

2012-01-03T21:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Can't believe it has been so long since I checked in. Bella & I have been riding steadily along & have overcome some small issues. I can mount without anyone holding her now. She still tries to bite me & she continues to walk around but it is all halfhearted.

Today was a chilly beautiful day. High was 50 something. We had a neighbor clearing some land which had Bella convinced something big was coming after her ha. She had a big walk & a happy trot. We did some good trotting with Bella not wanting to stop. She made it so easy for me today.

I am somewhat sore from jazz class last night & tennis this this morning, so I wanted really just to have a nice trail ride. We walked around the pasture at a nice fast clp. Went back in arena trotted some then went out in pasture where Bella went spooky. Nothing I did could calm her down. Finally I got her back in arena & thinking we should end on a good note. Nina who was riding good ole Bacardi, wanted to hope on Bells.

Nina had no spooky issues with Bella. I just don't get it. Well this is something else we have to work on. Patrick says I need to carry a crop & to remind Bella that she needs to listen to me & get her head out of her pin cushion! Not sure I feel comfortable with the crop but I will use methods to get Bella's head back in the game.

Hayden rode Popcorn. He did a little walking, trotting, & cantered a little. Working with him on getting his elbows back.

Hayden wanted to ride Bacardi around some, so He did & walked him around and trotted some. Bacardi is such a good boy Hayden did well.

While Hayden was walking around on Bacardi, Nina traded Bella for Popcorn. Pops is so cute & a sweet horse.

We had a great ride & I can't wait to ride again. Tomorrow is Silver Lining day so not sure if we will be able to fit it in but we will see.

Caucus night so off to watch the votes come in.
Right now with 96% of precincts reporting Santorum & Romney neck in neck. Exciting stuff!

Happy Trails

Trying to unseat me

2011-11-30T11:32:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we were able to get back in the saddle again after the Thanksgiving holidays. I had missed riding & was anxious to get back to it. Bella & I are getting better & better. I had a lot of fun with her. I'm learning I have to keep both my legs on her all the time or she will run out of whatever leg is not there. Also with my hands I have to ride with a tighter rein or Bells will run out of whatever side I'm not paying attention to.

I am finally getting to a point where I can get a circle out of Bells & a pretty good one, at the walk anyway. trotting to the left is Bellas bad side & she cuts into the circle. We still have a lot of work on that one but her right side is almost perfect!

Nina was out riding Blonde for 30 minutes then she was switching to Bacardi for 30. When Nina went in to switch horses, Bella pitched herself a little fit. She kept jerking the reins trying to unseat me! She is so tempermental that one is! ha I got off for a second & let Nina trot & canter her a little & she straightened up some. I don't know why she didn't try to unseat Nina, guess I'm just the lucky one. Anyway, when I was going to remount, Bella wouln't stan still even though Nina was holding her. She is so bad about that! I'm really going to have to work on her standing still when someone is trying to mount.

I finally was able to get back on & we did another circle at the trot & it wasn't too bad. While we were out, I worked with Hayden on a few problem areas he is having. I hate the way he rides Popcorn. He makes aoo the traditional mistakes, but he has been riding now for two years, he should be improving his position and use of aids. He is constantly pulling in Pops mouth instead of using his legs or seat. If we are to move forward he needs to practice these things. He is getting better, I see improvement in his trot almost every time we go out.

I'm so sore from Jazz class, spin, and riding that I think I will take today off. I hate it because it is such a beautiful day but I think my legs would revolt if I even tried to use them much. I will of course streatch later, as much as I can & take a little walk. Hopefully tomorrow I will be able to ride again, can't wait!

Sonny mellowing in his older age

2011-11-21T18:38:00.001-08:00

Sonny has always been the top dog, alpha horse, leader of the pack, so to speak. He never has spent much time "hanging" with the other horses under his care.

The last few days Sonny has been playing with Bacardi. It is just too cute to watch them biting & rubbing on each other. I'm so happy to think that he is enjoying his time in retirement and that he is letting his hair down.

Sonny looks like he is feeling better & I have been thinking that I might let Hayden walk him around bareback a little in the arena. Probably would have done that today if Hayden hadn't been caught STEALING again! Man o Man.

Circles

2011-11-21T18:31:00.001-08:00

I have been enjoying riding Bella so much. I love being back in the saddle. Nina & I go out to ride most days. I have been sore, more sore, can't ride sore, back to sore, but it is a good sore right! ha

Bella & I are trotting now, which is good. I'm having a little trouble keeping her on a circle. Bella obviously hates doing circles and I'm going to have to convince her that it really isn't that bad ha1

Riding Bella is sooo different than Sonny. Son made me look good & with Bella I actually have to ride. I have learned that you really have to hold her head with not only your hands but your legs as well.

Even though I hate getting in the horses mouth, If you want Bella to stop you have to get in there a little.

She is a stubborn thing but I love her & I have so much fun riding her. It is terrific to be riding again & enjoying it.

I also think I have Sonny's seal of approval. He does come to the arena's edge sometimes to watch, but I think he is so thrilled that it is Bella & not him. He has earned his retirement.

Bella is Mad

2011-11-07T18:25:00.000-08:00

Bella was mad

Riding today was kinda a challenge. Bella was mad. I think she isn't use to being ridden two days in a week much less three in a row. She was probably a little sore as well, poor thing. She didn't want me to get on her. She kept moving away from the mounting block & trying to bite me, haha. I had Nina get on her twice to try to help me work out the kinks & just to make sure she wasn't going to buck me off, Better to buck Nina! ha But I did eventually get up & ride around a little on her. I really wanted to trot some but not today, perhaps tomorrow!

It was so much fun riding her, even with her acting up a little. I can hardly wait to ride her again tomorrow. Hopefully she will be over her temper-tantrum.

Foxy did really well and Nina rode Blondie as well. Blondie I think was feeling a little left out and needed some TLC so we gave her some. She did fantastic, we set up some trot poles for her, even though she doesn't like to jump -- at all, and she did great.

Patrick came out again, but didn't ride again. He helped Hayden on Popcorn. They did a little lounge line work to help Hayden with this posting & I think that went very well.

Looking forward to another day in the saddle tomorrow!

It's Bella time!

2011-11-06T19:37:00.000-08:00

Nina and I have made a wager. We will do the same dressage test in the next horse show & I will beat the pants off her! ha So this means I actually have to ride some. I am riding Bella & loving it. Today was the second day this week that I have gotten on Bella which is a lot for me.

Nina has a horse she is "training" named Foxy. Foxy is a great horse and Nina has to ride her at least 5 - 6 times a week. I was hoping this would jump-start our riding program here at the Ranch and to a great extent it has, hers and Hayden's. Hayden rides Popcorn while Nina rides Foxy most of the evenings.

Patrick came out today and even though he didn't ride Bacardi as I had hoped, he gave Bella & I a lesson which was totally fun. I thought I would be nervous but I really wasn't. I have seen other people and the kids ride Bella so much, that I know she isn't going to kill me. I even trotted like two or three steps with her!

Riding horses hasn't been this fun in a long time. I really miss my trusted ole steed, Sonny, who I must say, stands near the arena watching me ride. He was a wonderful horse & I usually feel guilty riding Bella with him watching on.

A few weeks ago, I bought some new riding pants, gloves, and a headband for my bridle, all in the hopes it would get me back in the saddle. I'm back now & I'm enjoying myself. Can't wait until tomorrow & we can ride again!

Jumping Pops

2011-06-02T19:48:00.000-07:00

Got to ride for a little again this evening. We got home around seven & hurried out to the barn before the flys came out. We were able to ride nearly an hour & accomplished alot in that hour.

Put Haidyn on Popcorn & set up a little jump course. They both did very well and it was a lot of fun. The jump course had nine jumps they had to traverse. Haidyn was doing very well at looking past the jump & on to the next one. Can't wait to do it again tomorrow!

Since I was arranging the jumps, I didn't actually ride, but I did groom Bacardi. Poor boy, looked like he hadn't been groomed in weeks. He sweats so much that he has salt residue on his coat. I brushed all that away & he now looks so much better & hopefully he feels better.

Riding Bella

2011-06-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Since Sonny is officially in retirement, I have been riding Bella. She is very different from Sonny and we are getting use to each other. Sometimes I feel guilty riding Bella when Sonny stands near the arena watching us. ha

The weather is turning hot! The high today was 97 so it is difficult to find a time to ride that doesn't include heatstroke. We tired 6pm today & I think it is going to be a perfect time. The bugs aren't out yet, and even though it is still hot, the sun is going down & the temperatures are falling to the bearable range. Not going to lie, I still come in covered in sweat! ha

This evening I rode Bella bareback & with just a halter! I was scared just for a moment, but I think it is the best ride we have had so far. I don't know if it was just we are getting comfortable with each other, or what but I really really enjoyed my ride with her. We actually were able to complete a 20meter circle both ways. And I was able to direct her more to where I wanted to go. She seems to turn on a dime & I have had a hard time directing her, but not tonight. Only a time or two she did a 180 but I redirected her back to the direction I wanted to go & we were fine.

I can hardly wait until tomorrow to ride again! :)

There is a show at the BCM Mooring Farm later this month. I would love for Haidyn & Pops to enter in the 12 inch & under class. I might even take Bella for Intro 1 or something -- who knows!

Living it up in Retirement!

2011-05-25T11:43:00.000-07:00

Sonny was going through some hard times there for awhile. We thought he died, oh maybe 5 times. I finally noticed that he was having problems mostly around feeding time. He was getting 5.5lbs of grain each feedings. I thought because of his age (29) & the amount of grain he was consuming he might need it spread it out some. So we have started feeding him 4 times a day.

He gets fed at 8:30am
12:30pm
3:30pm & lastly at
8:30pm

that is a rough idea of the schedule.

Since we have been feeding on this schedule, Sonny is like a new horse. He acts like he feels so much better & is having no problems with colic or digestion.

We think he may have had a stroke that left his left hind leg kinda out of whack. But he can still canter in from the pasture sometimes & he trots around when he has to. He does lean, so much sometimes that I'm afraid he may fall over. ha. Doesn't seem to bother Sonny at all, though & for that I'm grateful.

He is our ranch mascot & I'm so glad he is feeling better & looking good.

Sonny is Officially Retiring

2010-08-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

Sonny out of commission

2010-07-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

Sonny is having problems with his back right leg. We are hoping he just pulled something in his back & it hasn't put him into early retirment. Sonny & I are still headed for the Olympics. Wouldn't want to go without him!

Games & Quiz Rally 23, 24, & 25

2009-10-26T14:44:00.000-07:00

Popcorns first Pony Club Rally! Nina and Popcorn did real well. They were part of the Rainbow Racers team for Games. They won second place in Games & Horse Management, at the advanced division. At Quiz Nina was part of a Gulf Coast Gallopers Team & they got third place in the senior division

Brookwood Nursing Facility Oct 22

2009-10-26T14:11:00.000-07:00

For our second year in a row we have gone up to Leaksville, MS to the Brookwood Manor Nursing Center for their annual Fall Festival. We go up with Cyndi, she takes her ponies and gives cart rides. We bring dogs of all sizes as well for the residents there at Brookwood Manor to pet and enjoy.

This year the rain would fall, then stop, rain again, then stop. The residents and staff were real troopers but the third time we decided to fold up or tents, load the horses & head on out.

We did the opportunity to visit with some of the residents and take several for a ride.

As always it is a joy to go.

Home School Fieldtrip Oct 20

2009-10-26T13:11:00.000-07:00

Homeschool Visions went to Mobile to visit 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center . It was a beautiful place and we really enjoyed ourselves and the weather was perfect for our sack lunch.

We had a nice crowd, funny everytime we go somewhere with Visions there are always people there I have never seen before! We should wear name tags :)

Seward Farms Show Oct 17

2009-10-26T12:59:00.001-07:00

Went to the Sewards Farms combined training show. Nina took Bacardi. They participated in Beginner Low which is 18" to 20" and Beginner Novice A Dressage test. They got first place which was thrilling. Bacardi only faluted at the first jump but flew like the breeze over the rest of the jumps. Good going Nina & Bacardi, you guys make a good team!

Lesson with Julie Smart

2009-10-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Nina went up to the Roberts place today for a lesson with Julie. Boy is it a hot one out today & Bacardi is acting up, not wanting to jump. Everyone has off days even horses! Patrick drove today. Rowan went came along. Hopefully they are not dying in the heat!

Last week Daphney rode up with us and had a lesson on a horse at the Robert's farm. Stormy, the horse, was having issues then & Daphney was bucked off. Like the trooper she is, Daphney hopped back on Stormy & the rest of the lesson was completed in saddle! ha

Mixing it all up

2009-09-25T16:45:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-24T14:08:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-24T13:30:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-24T13:22:00.001-07:00

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

2009-09-24T13:15:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-18T13:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-09-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

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

2009-09-16T05:14:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-09-16T05:02:00.000-07:00

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!