Tuesday, March 31, 2009
I think we have our routine down. Hell, I think I finally have a routine! Bout freaking time I get my shit together. LOL
I get to the barn and the girls are at the gate. Kinda odd, as they normally are still laying down sleeping. Guess they is hungry! Adiva even goes right into her stall. Are they getting used to our mornings?
After work I head home to do some chores and check the weather. It’s that time of year - afternoon storms - and I don’t want to be caught off guard. Good thing too, as there’s a big line coming. I have a bit of time tho, so I finish up some things before going to the barn. B. is on the tractor, and the girls are just grazing. I get Anni out to groom, then it’s Adiva’s turn. That ear is looking better - maybe it’s just healing slow. When I turn her out, Anni attacks me for treats. She’s a moocher! I can’t believe it!
They go off to watch B and I get their dinner ready. When I come out of the feed room, both girls are standing right there. Silly girls! They go straight into their stalls for dinner and nicker nicker nicker. Geez, you’d think I was starving them!!!
B. is up front making all sorts of noise, but it’s nice that the girls don’t even notice anymore. I go put their hay out, and…wait…that’s…holy heifer, that’s thunder!!! It wasn’t B!! Well, I better shake a tail feather so the girls can get out before the rain gets here. They run out, cantering all the way. Silly, silly girls. I clean up the feed room just in time. Hope the girls don’t mind getting wet! Cuz they don’t have a choice!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Lazy day
Monday, March 30, 2009
It’s a lazy day. When I get to the barn to feed dinner, B.’s doing tractor work. The girls don’t even care anymore. It’s great! I decide to just watch them. They are so freaking cute. Makes me feel happy just watching them graze. Oh, and Anni loves soft peppermints. I finally found something she’ll eat other than store bought treats. I’ll definitely be using that to my advantage when training begins!
It’s a lazy day. When I get to the barn to feed dinner, B.’s doing tractor work. The girls don’t even care anymore. It’s great! I decide to just watch them. They are so freaking cute. Makes me feel happy just watching them graze. Oh, and Anni loves soft peppermints. I finally found something she’ll eat other than store bought treats. I’ll definitely be using that to my advantage when training begins!
Monday, March 30, 2009
When it rains, it pours
Sunday, March 29, 2009
It’s dark when I wake up. Which is odd - I’ve slept in and the sun should be up. Oh shit, that means the front is here. I check the weather channel, and I have about 10 minutes before the bulk of the rain hits. It takes me that long to get to the barn. So, I drive like a mad woman. Ok, I know, I drive like that anyway! It’s starting to rain, but not bad. Yet. I get the girls in and fed, and notice that Adiva’s ear is a bit bulgy. I guess I’ll clean it later. I get back in the car just as things get bad. The girls don’t care, and we aren’t forecast to have too much, so I leave them out. They’ll have enough time in the stalls when our lightning storms come.
It rains most of the day, and when I get back to the barn in the afternoon, I’m surprised that there’s no standing water. Man, we are in a drought! The girls are dirty tho, so I can tell it did rain a bit out there. The flies are out too. I will say that was the only good thing about all the wind - no flies. Anni is especially annoyed by them. I figure I have to rinse them, and I had wanted to wash Anni’s tail anyway. She’s been rubbing her butt a lot lately, and I think it’s all the bugs. I get Adiva first, so I can check her ear. And of course, she’s an angel about it all, even tho I have to pull off scabs. And wouldn’t you know, there is still some nasty in there. Looks like I’ll be calling the vet again. The area that was lanced is healing mega fast tho. And it looks good. We may have to actually cut a lot of it out tho, and I’m not looking forward to that. I rinse her off, and I think she enjoyed it. I then give her to K to graze while I clean Anni.
She, unfortunately, is not too fond of water. Well, not fond of it hitting her back. She almost collapses to the concrete. No idea why, but we take things slow, and when she realizes the flies are gone, she really relaxes and lets me finish. I grab the shampoo and get to scrubbing her tail. She’s loving that! And major snaps to the shampoo - it sure does rinse out as quickly as they said it should. www.equiscentials.com I love their hoof moisturizer too. My fave thing is that none are too girly smelling. They are very neutral, almost masculine. Not overpowering at all, and the horses seem to like it too.
When I’m done, I take her out to graze her, and K and I switch mares. Adiva and I have some work to do on leading, and Anni just needs to graze. Adiva takes me all over, investigating, while Anni is content to keep her nose in the grass. We turn them back out at dinner time, feed them, then tuck them in for the night. I’d say it was a good day. But any day I see my girls is a good day!
It’s dark when I wake up. Which is odd - I’ve slept in and the sun should be up. Oh shit, that means the front is here. I check the weather channel, and I have about 10 minutes before the bulk of the rain hits. It takes me that long to get to the barn. So, I drive like a mad woman. Ok, I know, I drive like that anyway! It’s starting to rain, but not bad. Yet. I get the girls in and fed, and notice that Adiva’s ear is a bit bulgy. I guess I’ll clean it later. I get back in the car just as things get bad. The girls don’t care, and we aren’t forecast to have too much, so I leave them out. They’ll have enough time in the stalls when our lightning storms come.
It rains most of the day, and when I get back to the barn in the afternoon, I’m surprised that there’s no standing water. Man, we are in a drought! The girls are dirty tho, so I can tell it did rain a bit out there. The flies are out too. I will say that was the only good thing about all the wind - no flies. Anni is especially annoyed by them. I figure I have to rinse them, and I had wanted to wash Anni’s tail anyway. She’s been rubbing her butt a lot lately, and I think it’s all the bugs. I get Adiva first, so I can check her ear. And of course, she’s an angel about it all, even tho I have to pull off scabs. And wouldn’t you know, there is still some nasty in there. Looks like I’ll be calling the vet again. The area that was lanced is healing mega fast tho. And it looks good. We may have to actually cut a lot of it out tho, and I’m not looking forward to that. I rinse her off, and I think she enjoyed it. I then give her to K to graze while I clean Anni.
She, unfortunately, is not too fond of water. Well, not fond of it hitting her back. She almost collapses to the concrete. No idea why, but we take things slow, and when she realizes the flies are gone, she really relaxes and lets me finish. I grab the shampoo and get to scrubbing her tail. She’s loving that! And major snaps to the shampoo - it sure does rinse out as quickly as they said it should. www.equiscentials.com I love their hoof moisturizer too. My fave thing is that none are too girly smelling. They are very neutral, almost masculine. Not overpowering at all, and the horses seem to like it too.
When I’m done, I take her out to graze her, and K and I switch mares. Adiva and I have some work to do on leading, and Anni just needs to graze. Adiva takes me all over, investigating, while Anni is content to keep her nose in the grass. We turn them back out at dinner time, feed them, then tuck them in for the night. I’d say it was a good day. But any day I see my girls is a good day!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Happy Anniversary!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
It’s been a month - 4 weeks exactly - since the girls came home. Amazing. They have settled in so well. Time to start the next phase of our training. I think I’ll start with lunging. They are as ready as they can be. Guess I get to buy some new tack! LOL I can’t believe it’s been a month. And I can’t believe I’m talking about lunging already. OK, OK, it’s not like they just got here, but it seems so quick. Hell, I can be riding in no time! Lunging first, then long lining, then breaking. Easy to imagine being on them within six months. Did I just say that? I can’t even tell y’all how excited I am about riding them. Haven’t felt this way in forever. Hell, I can’t remember when. Riding Classy was a thrill, but it was always a struggle to overcome the fear. I didn’t have that fire - the passion - that I used to have. But…I think I feel it again now. A tiny flicker, but it’s there. That overwhelming desire to just jump on. And yes, I have that feeling with both mares. Odd. Really really odd. Most of you know what I’ve been thru, or have at least heard stories. I never thought I’d feel this way again. And I was ok with it. I honestly was. I knew I had lost my edge. And I knew I couldn’t be the rider I used to be without that edge. So, I was content to not ride. I still liked horses, but didn’t need to have one of my own. Then I saw Adiva, and the rest is history. And with the girls has come that feeling. The need to ride. The all encompassing desire. I truly eat, sleep, and breathe horses. I forgot how much I needed this. How much it was a part of me.
This is just the first chapter of the next part of my life. And I am so lucky to have Adiva and Anni to thank for all of it!
It’s been a month - 4 weeks exactly - since the girls came home. Amazing. They have settled in so well. Time to start the next phase of our training. I think I’ll start with lunging. They are as ready as they can be. Guess I get to buy some new tack! LOL I can’t believe it’s been a month. And I can’t believe I’m talking about lunging already. OK, OK, it’s not like they just got here, but it seems so quick. Hell, I can be riding in no time! Lunging first, then long lining, then breaking. Easy to imagine being on them within six months. Did I just say that? I can’t even tell y’all how excited I am about riding them. Haven’t felt this way in forever. Hell, I can’t remember when. Riding Classy was a thrill, but it was always a struggle to overcome the fear. I didn’t have that fire - the passion - that I used to have. But…I think I feel it again now. A tiny flicker, but it’s there. That overwhelming desire to just jump on. And yes, I have that feeling with both mares. Odd. Really really odd. Most of you know what I’ve been thru, or have at least heard stories. I never thought I’d feel this way again. And I was ok with it. I honestly was. I knew I had lost my edge. And I knew I couldn’t be the rider I used to be without that edge. So, I was content to not ride. I still liked horses, but didn’t need to have one of my own. Then I saw Adiva, and the rest is history. And with the girls has come that feeling. The need to ride. The all encompassing desire. I truly eat, sleep, and breathe horses. I forgot how much I needed this. How much it was a part of me.
This is just the first chapter of the next part of my life. And I am so lucky to have Adiva and Anni to thank for all of it!
Anni's Day
Friday, March 27, 2009
Adiva’s ear is still well coated so I’m going to leave it alone. Anni is looking lonely, so I decide to spend the day with her. I get her, groom her up, clean her feet (she’s so so so much better holding her feet up now) and take her for a walk so she can graze. Stormclouds are moving in, but she’s oblivious to everything but the grass. Until the wind whips up. Now, it’s been windy for at least a week, and they have gotten really used to it. In their pasture. Sigh. The wind outside of their pasture is still scary. Different wind, I guess. ;) She spooks once on me - big. And tho she almost runs me over, she stops herself just in time. I’m very proud of her - awareness and respect of my personal space is paramount and she proved that she’s been paying attention. I decide that I have to get her into her paddock as I can see the rain coming. She, on the other hand, isn’t as worried about getting wet. She balks. Twice. Luckily she just stops. I have to remember to carry my in hand whip next time. I only stop when I want to. Can’t let Anni think she’s in charge.
I turn her out just as the sky opens up. Both girls go into their stalls. On their own. I’m so surprised! Most horses don’t have the sense to get in out of the rain. I knew I had smart ponies! So I shut them in, feed them and wait out the rain. Now, do I turn them out into the rain, or let them stay in? They don’t care about the rain on the roof, so maybe I’ll leave them in. Nah - it’s only a little rain, so out they go. They are happier outside anyway.
Adiva’s ear is still well coated so I’m going to leave it alone. Anni is looking lonely, so I decide to spend the day with her. I get her, groom her up, clean her feet (she’s so so so much better holding her feet up now) and take her for a walk so she can graze. Stormclouds are moving in, but she’s oblivious to everything but the grass. Until the wind whips up. Now, it’s been windy for at least a week, and they have gotten really used to it. In their pasture. Sigh. The wind outside of their pasture is still scary. Different wind, I guess. ;) She spooks once on me - big. And tho she almost runs me over, she stops herself just in time. I’m very proud of her - awareness and respect of my personal space is paramount and she proved that she’s been paying attention. I decide that I have to get her into her paddock as I can see the rain coming. She, on the other hand, isn’t as worried about getting wet. She balks. Twice. Luckily she just stops. I have to remember to carry my in hand whip next time. I only stop when I want to. Can’t let Anni think she’s in charge.
I turn her out just as the sky opens up. Both girls go into their stalls. On their own. I’m so surprised! Most horses don’t have the sense to get in out of the rain. I knew I had smart ponies! So I shut them in, feed them and wait out the rain. Now, do I turn them out into the rain, or let them stay in? They don’t care about the rain on the roof, so maybe I’ll leave them in. Nah - it’s only a little rain, so out they go. They are happier outside anyway.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Ear cleaning day!
Time to clean out the ear! I get Adiva, and she won’t come thru the gate. Of course, the last time she came thru it, we cut her ear open. So, I don’t mind. She doesn’t take long to decide it’s ok, and I give her to K to hold while I mess with it. She’s good - I get a really good look at her ear, and I may not have to do much . All the blood is clotted well, and I don’t want to open it again. I do squirt some cleaner in there and she doesn’t care. I grab some gauze to dry it, and it’s a bit icky, but not infected or gross. Just some serum. Not bad. I grab the Alu-shield and get ready to spray it. She’s not a fan of that, but isn’t as bad as she definitely could be. I get a really good coat on it, then get her some cookies. She lets us give her lots of loving, and I’m very proud of her. If it’s still coated well tomorrow, I may just leave it alone. I can’t really justify messing with it when it’s got a nice scab going. I think y'all can get a good idea where this is on her ear. I circled it twice - the inner circle is how much scar tissue she has. But, it seems to be healing well, and it doesn't smell!!! Big plus in my book. And it doesn't really bother her tho she wasn't a fan of me getting the hair out of the crusty blood. I don't want to clean her face off yet - once it's not as tender I can get in there and get her all nice and pretty again. Time will tell...
Mid Week Update
Monday, March 23, 3009
A good a day as any for some work. Adiva wasn’t fond of being groomed, tho she was a doll. B was doing some tractor work and she wanted to go see what all the noise was about. She was very brave, and actually worked well, even with all the hubbub. Anni was wonderful too, and I think I figured out her issue from last Friday. She’s having a freaking temper tantrum. When she decides she doesn’t want to, she balks. I’m thinking I’m going to work thru it on her terms - I’m sure not going to push a horse that balks!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It’s so windy! The girls are spooking in the pasture at nothings! They did eat all their coastal hay from the morning, so I’m very happy. They are eating more hay, and seem to be more active. They use any excuse available to run around like fools. I tried to put lime down for the pasture - way way way too windy. Plus…Adiva kicked Anni pretty hard on her right rear leg and was three legged lame for a while. Luckily she worked her way out of it - no swelling or heat or anything - and by the time K got there to help me with the lime, you couldn’t even tell something had happened. When he started messing with the spreader, the girls took that as their excuse to run. Yeah, Anni got kicked - what.the.hell.ever. She moved better than ever! Maybe Adiva should kick her more often! Shh, I didn’t say that! She was just gorgeous to watch, and when she broke into that patented thoroughbred gallop, well, took my breath away. Literally, almost choked. I swear I’m the luckiest person alive!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Vet day! (Gross warning - well, some gross details, so skip this day if you are squeamish!)
Today is the day that Adiva’s ear gets looked at. The vets actually pulled up right before me, 15 minutes early. Kewl. I go to get Adiva, and they are as far away as possible. Of course. Then, wouldn’t you know it, Anni lays down. Flat out. And looks at her belly. Oh, so better not be colic. I walk all the way to them (Adiva won’t come without Anni) and startle Anni. Yeah, she was sunbathing. Silly, silly mare.
The vets (I’s special, I have two vets come out!) meet me in front of the stalls to look at the ear. They both are amazed at the smell. I tried to warn them. Anni won’t leave us alone, which is very odd of her - she’s not usually that needy. We decide to take Adiva to the concrete, sedate her, lance that thing open and pull out icky stuff. To be honest, we’re all very excited about what we may find. I should have taken bets.
Vet B is hoping it’s an ear tooth. Vet A doesn’t think it is - the area isn’t hard so it’s probably just pus. Drugs hit Adiva hard but of course, she can still react to the pain of lancing. Vet B is hand twitching her and we’re both patting and trying to distract Adiva from Vet A lancing that ear. Not bad, but Vet A can’t see anything. Freaking ear is bleeding bad and it’s hard to see anything but scar tissue. The hole that was draining didn’t lead to anything. Yeah, I know. How in the bleep can it lead to nowhere? Eh, I’m special, member? Vet A finds something that could possibly be a stinger, but nothing that can explain what’s been going on. Official diagnosis….reactive scar tissue. So disappointing. For all of us. We decide to leave it open so I can flush it. Plus, if it gets sutured, there’s nothing stopping the scar tissue from getting angry again and getting infected. So, her ear won’t ever be halter quality, but all I want is it to heal and be done with this. With my luck, of course, I’ll have to go thru this at least once more. If not twice.
Now, after the vets leave, Adiva is sleeeeepy. I put her in her stall to wake up and give Anni some hay in her stall. In about 10 minutes, Adiva pops her head out, and nickers for hay. So I bring her a few handfuls, and that really helps the anesthesia wear off. Another 15 minutes and I let her out, but she’s not budging. A while later, she stumbles out, turns around, and goes right back in. I think she finally made friends with her stall! She spent a lot of time in there during the afternoon, just hanging out. Not really looking forward to cleaning it tomorrow, but we’ll see how she does.
A good a day as any for some work. Adiva wasn’t fond of being groomed, tho she was a doll. B was doing some tractor work and she wanted to go see what all the noise was about. She was very brave, and actually worked well, even with all the hubbub. Anni was wonderful too, and I think I figured out her issue from last Friday. She’s having a freaking temper tantrum. When she decides she doesn’t want to, she balks. I’m thinking I’m going to work thru it on her terms - I’m sure not going to push a horse that balks!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
It’s so windy! The girls are spooking in the pasture at nothings! They did eat all their coastal hay from the morning, so I’m very happy. They are eating more hay, and seem to be more active. They use any excuse available to run around like fools. I tried to put lime down for the pasture - way way way too windy. Plus…Adiva kicked Anni pretty hard on her right rear leg and was three legged lame for a while. Luckily she worked her way out of it - no swelling or heat or anything - and by the time K got there to help me with the lime, you couldn’t even tell something had happened. When he started messing with the spreader, the girls took that as their excuse to run. Yeah, Anni got kicked - what.the.hell.ever. She moved better than ever! Maybe Adiva should kick her more often! Shh, I didn’t say that! She was just gorgeous to watch, and when she broke into that patented thoroughbred gallop, well, took my breath away. Literally, almost choked. I swear I’m the luckiest person alive!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Vet day! (Gross warning - well, some gross details, so skip this day if you are squeamish!)
Today is the day that Adiva’s ear gets looked at. The vets actually pulled up right before me, 15 minutes early. Kewl. I go to get Adiva, and they are as far away as possible. Of course. Then, wouldn’t you know it, Anni lays down. Flat out. And looks at her belly. Oh, so better not be colic. I walk all the way to them (Adiva won’t come without Anni) and startle Anni. Yeah, she was sunbathing. Silly, silly mare.
The vets (I’s special, I have two vets come out!) meet me in front of the stalls to look at the ear. They both are amazed at the smell. I tried to warn them. Anni won’t leave us alone, which is very odd of her - she’s not usually that needy. We decide to take Adiva to the concrete, sedate her, lance that thing open and pull out icky stuff. To be honest, we’re all very excited about what we may find. I should have taken bets.
Vet B is hoping it’s an ear tooth. Vet A doesn’t think it is - the area isn’t hard so it’s probably just pus. Drugs hit Adiva hard but of course, she can still react to the pain of lancing. Vet B is hand twitching her and we’re both patting and trying to distract Adiva from Vet A lancing that ear. Not bad, but Vet A can’t see anything. Freaking ear is bleeding bad and it’s hard to see anything but scar tissue. The hole that was draining didn’t lead to anything. Yeah, I know. How in the bleep can it lead to nowhere? Eh, I’m special, member? Vet A finds something that could possibly be a stinger, but nothing that can explain what’s been going on. Official diagnosis….reactive scar tissue. So disappointing. For all of us. We decide to leave it open so I can flush it. Plus, if it gets sutured, there’s nothing stopping the scar tissue from getting angry again and getting infected. So, her ear won’t ever be halter quality, but all I want is it to heal and be done with this. With my luck, of course, I’ll have to go thru this at least once more. If not twice.
Now, after the vets leave, Adiva is sleeeeepy. I put her in her stall to wake up and give Anni some hay in her stall. In about 10 minutes, Adiva pops her head out, and nickers for hay. So I bring her a few handfuls, and that really helps the anesthesia wear off. Another 15 minutes and I let her out, but she’s not budging. A while later, she stumbles out, turns around, and goes right back in. I think she finally made friends with her stall! She spent a lot of time in there during the afternoon, just hanging out. Not really looking forward to cleaning it tomorrow, but we’ll see how she does.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Weekend Update
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Adiva is figuring out the stall. Which is good, cuz I do not follow a horse around just to give it food!
Today is cleaning day. Paddocks, buckets, feeders. I do enjoy cleaning day. Everything looks new again, you know?
Grooming is a non issue too - the girls love all the attention - but I sure do wish it would warm up enough for a good bath. Oh, almost forgot! Adiva is really beginning to understand how not to act. A neighbor was over and something spooked Adiva. Bad. She took off, but the only place to go was thru us. We had no where to even move to. Adiva realized this and jumped sideways into her stall so she didn’t run us over. I can’t believe it. If I hadn’t been there, I still wouldn’t. For her to process all this that quickly, while being scared - I’m quite impressed!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Rain. Cold. Not a fun day to play :) Not that the girls care, but there’s only so many things you can do when it’s raining and cold and the wind is kicking up. So, it was a day of lots of patting and talking and just watching them. They never seem to mind that, of course!
Adiva is figuring out the stall. Which is good, cuz I do not follow a horse around just to give it food!
Today is cleaning day. Paddocks, buckets, feeders. I do enjoy cleaning day. Everything looks new again, you know?
Grooming is a non issue too - the girls love all the attention - but I sure do wish it would warm up enough for a good bath. Oh, almost forgot! Adiva is really beginning to understand how not to act. A neighbor was over and something spooked Adiva. Bad. She took off, but the only place to go was thru us. We had no where to even move to. Adiva realized this and jumped sideways into her stall so she didn’t run us over. I can’t believe it. If I hadn’t been there, I still wouldn’t. For her to process all this that quickly, while being scared - I’m quite impressed!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Rain. Cold. Not a fun day to play :) Not that the girls care, but there’s only so many things you can do when it’s raining and cold and the wind is kicking up. So, it was a day of lots of patting and talking and just watching them. They never seem to mind that, of course!
Friday, March 20, 2009
It was the best of times - it was the worst of times.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Can I just say how much fun I’m having with this blog? And the titles? LOL OK, on with the show…
The morning starts out the same…Adiva and I have our ‘stall dance’ and amazingly she agrees to my terms so she jumps into her stall. Did I just win the war? Anywho, after work, I head back to play with my girls. Adiva proves she’s learnt her lesson - she goes into her stall, hangs out, comes out, goes back in, looks at me like ‘see what I’m doing?’ and she’s so proud of herself. I’m proud of her too, actually. After I feed, Adiva wants to spend time with me, so I grab her out and go exploring. She takes me all over the property, and is having a blast. She’s grazing here, walking there - I love her so much. She’s really relying on me to not put her in a bad situation. She’s actually starting to really trust me as mom.
When I turn her out, Anni comes over for her attention. So I get her, groom her, and away we go. I’m still on cloud nine from how well Adiva worked, but I’m on edge as I still don’t know Anni’s buttons. She has yet to really spook, so I just don’t know what to expect. Well, I’m about to find out, in a big way, in a hurry. All around the house is all this plastic. It’s like what you’d use to line a garden for weed control. B used it to ‘tarp’ the roof, and it’s fallen off as the wind grabbed it. Now it’s all over, and while Adiva learned it’s not a big deal, Anni isn’t buying it. The plastic is going to eat her. She balks, pulls, threatens to pull me off my feet. Ok…let’s not do that. I slowly ask her to step up, and she does, one hoof at a time. That’s fine, it’s better than fighting me. I grab the plastic - she doesn’t care too much about that, but she’s not getting any closer. I can live with that and take her away so she can graze a bit.
After a few minutes of grazing, I decide to walk her a bit more, so I ask her to step up (it’s my code word for them) and we move forward. All of a sudden, we’re not walking. My right hand is moving up and behind me, and as I turn to see what’s going on, something knocks into my right wrist just as I glimpse a hoof. Shithellfuckdamn. I crouch and turn to the left, hoping I don’t get a hoof to my head. And that she doesn’t pull me off my feet. She lands, and I turn to her and start backing her. I’m not angry (tho I should be) and I’m just trying to comprehend what happened. She’s not spooked, we weren’t doing anything new or different, and there was no warning. We walk a bit more, then I turn her out. I’m so confused - what the hell caused that? She didn’t even seem to feel bad, or recognize that she had done anything wrong. My gut is telling me that I need to slow things down, that she got pushed too far, that she doesn’t trust me. No, not trust…she doesn’t understand that I love her and won’t hurt her. That it’s safe here. I know she is happy. I know she’s relaxed. I know she has fun and is really blooming. But maybe, just maybe, if she’s never been loved before, there isn’t that desire to please. That urge to be good. If her human interaction has been lacking up until now, she wouldn’t get how it all works. So, for now, we’re gonna just hang out. Graze, get groomed, get lots of love and attention. I’ll slow her “training” down for a while, and hope it’s a fluke. It has to be a fluke, right? I mean, the alternative is unthinkable. And don’t worry - my wrist is fine. ;)
Can I just say how much fun I’m having with this blog? And the titles? LOL OK, on with the show…
The morning starts out the same…Adiva and I have our ‘stall dance’ and amazingly she agrees to my terms so she jumps into her stall. Did I just win the war? Anywho, after work, I head back to play with my girls. Adiva proves she’s learnt her lesson - she goes into her stall, hangs out, comes out, goes back in, looks at me like ‘see what I’m doing?’ and she’s so proud of herself. I’m proud of her too, actually. After I feed, Adiva wants to spend time with me, so I grab her out and go exploring. She takes me all over the property, and is having a blast. She’s grazing here, walking there - I love her so much. She’s really relying on me to not put her in a bad situation. She’s actually starting to really trust me as mom.
When I turn her out, Anni comes over for her attention. So I get her, groom her, and away we go. I’m still on cloud nine from how well Adiva worked, but I’m on edge as I still don’t know Anni’s buttons. She has yet to really spook, so I just don’t know what to expect. Well, I’m about to find out, in a big way, in a hurry. All around the house is all this plastic. It’s like what you’d use to line a garden for weed control. B used it to ‘tarp’ the roof, and it’s fallen off as the wind grabbed it. Now it’s all over, and while Adiva learned it’s not a big deal, Anni isn’t buying it. The plastic is going to eat her. She balks, pulls, threatens to pull me off my feet. Ok…let’s not do that. I slowly ask her to step up, and she does, one hoof at a time. That’s fine, it’s better than fighting me. I grab the plastic - she doesn’t care too much about that, but she’s not getting any closer. I can live with that and take her away so she can graze a bit.
After a few minutes of grazing, I decide to walk her a bit more, so I ask her to step up (it’s my code word for them) and we move forward. All of a sudden, we’re not walking. My right hand is moving up and behind me, and as I turn to see what’s going on, something knocks into my right wrist just as I glimpse a hoof. Shithellfuckdamn. I crouch and turn to the left, hoping I don’t get a hoof to my head. And that she doesn’t pull me off my feet. She lands, and I turn to her and start backing her. I’m not angry (tho I should be) and I’m just trying to comprehend what happened. She’s not spooked, we weren’t doing anything new or different, and there was no warning. We walk a bit more, then I turn her out. I’m so confused - what the hell caused that? She didn’t even seem to feel bad, or recognize that she had done anything wrong. My gut is telling me that I need to slow things down, that she got pushed too far, that she doesn’t trust me. No, not trust…she doesn’t understand that I love her and won’t hurt her. That it’s safe here. I know she is happy. I know she’s relaxed. I know she has fun and is really blooming. But maybe, just maybe, if she’s never been loved before, there isn’t that desire to please. That urge to be good. If her human interaction has been lacking up until now, she wouldn’t get how it all works. So, for now, we’re gonna just hang out. Graze, get groomed, get lots of love and attention. I’ll slow her “training” down for a while, and hope it’s a fluke. It has to be a fluke, right? I mean, the alternative is unthinkable. And don’t worry - my wrist is fine. ;)
Round Two
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Sigh, here we go again. Adiva doesn’t want to come in for breakfast. OK, I’m ready. I send her away, but she just doesn’t want to come in. Well, fine, no food for her. I hay them, and head off to work.
After work I was supposed to have a vet visit for Adiva’s ear, but they had to reschedule, so now I have some extra time. What to do, what to do? How about rinsing sweat off? Sure, why not! Have to start somewhere, right? I grab Anni first, and she’s ok, kinda, until the water hits her belly. Then her bum. Well, I can handle some tail tucking! I turn her out, then grab Adiva for her turn. She’s a bit more antsy, but lets me wash her off. Of course, when I turn her out, she rolls so much she’s caked with dirt. Caked. And Anni follows suit. Sigh. I guess I don’t have girly girl pomees!
Sigh, here we go again. Adiva doesn’t want to come in for breakfast. OK, I’m ready. I send her away, but she just doesn’t want to come in. Well, fine, no food for her. I hay them, and head off to work.
After work I was supposed to have a vet visit for Adiva’s ear, but they had to reschedule, so now I have some extra time. What to do, what to do? How about rinsing sweat off? Sure, why not! Have to start somewhere, right? I grab Anni first, and she’s ok, kinda, until the water hits her belly. Then her bum. Well, I can handle some tail tucking! I turn her out, then grab Adiva for her turn. She’s a bit more antsy, but lets me wash her off. Of course, when I turn her out, she rolls so much she’s caked with dirt. Caked. And Anni follows suit. Sigh. I guess I don’t have girly girl pomees!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Laine 1 - Adiva 0
Yeah, first big battle today. And it wasn’t a bad battle, but it was BIG in the sense that I won! See, Adiva isn’t fond about her stall. Oh, she likes it cuz food comes from there, but she won’t go in without coaxing. I haven’t minded - it’s all still new - but I’m slowly getting over it. This morning was the last straw. When I led her in, she pushed past me to get out, almost knocking me down. Now, she isn’t scared - she isn’t rushing - she isn’t stressed. She just doesn’t want to be in there. Too effing bad. So, no breakfast for her. I’m not going to fight her every time I want her in there. She has to learn. She doesn’t come in, she doesn’t get fed. I almost feel bad, but she’s got some extra weight on her, and it’s not like I didn’t give them hay.
So, when I go out to feed dinner, I’m ready. I know she’s going to resist. Sure enough, she doesn’t go in. I ask her, but she just stands there looking at me. I go toward her, she comes toward me, then when I reach out to pet her, she turns away. Ok, game on! I’m done with this.
I send her away - she’s not going to be allowed near the barn until she cooperates. She acts like she wants to come in: nope, sorry, away you go. I do this for about a minute then allow her to come close and tell her to get in her stall. She goes right in! Yeah, you heard me, right in. And stood still while I closed the door. I praised her like no tomorrow, then fed her. We’ll see how tomorrow goes…
So, when I go out to feed dinner, I’m ready. I know she’s going to resist. Sure enough, she doesn’t go in. I ask her, but she just stands there looking at me. I go toward her, she comes toward me, then when I reach out to pet her, she turns away. Ok, game on! I’m done with this.
I send her away - she’s not going to be allowed near the barn until she cooperates. She acts like she wants to come in: nope, sorry, away you go. I do this for about a minute then allow her to come close and tell her to get in her stall. She goes right in! Yeah, you heard me, right in. And stood still while I closed the door. I praised her like no tomorrow, then fed her. We’ll see how tomorrow goes…
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Of hay, dogs and plastic!
Things have been going so well lately. Grooming time is getting easier - the girls are getting so much better and they try very hard to not be jittery. Hoof handling is a breeze too.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Off to get hay - they sure are eating a lot! I’ve gotten them off straight alfalfa and onto O&A (orchard & alfalfa for all you northern folk - hehe) and I’m debating on T&A. The coastal (local grass hay) isn’t spectacular and the grass isn’t really up yet. I decide to grab a bale of T&A to see what the girls think. It’s not very green, but wow, it smells great. The girls aren’t really enthused - it is a bit stalky - but they are picking at it. Guess it won’t be T&A for them - back to O&A while I search out other options.
B then tells me that he had gone out to the barn that morning, and the girls are running around. Not uncommon, on it’s own, but there’s a dog in there. And the girls are chasing it. Hunting it. K, not something you see every day. No idea where it came from, but I guess the girls knew an intruder when they saw one. But, you see, we have electro braid fencing. How in the world did it get in there and not get zapped? And how in the world is it gonna get out? Right back under the fence, obviously. Now, that fence is hot. Seriously hot. Either that dog is lucky, or dumb. I’m betting on both. I just hope the dog doesn’t come back for more and get kilt. Least the girls can take care of themselves.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
My grooming supplies arrived today!!! Detangler, shampoo and hoof conditioner from the equiscentials line. Smells great! I can’t wait to bathe them! I used the conditioner and it’s great. Even softened my hands really fast, without any greasy feel. I decide to work Adiva a bit - we take a little walk and she’s drawn to a big piece of plastic up by the house. OK, lesson time. I lead her over, and even tho she’s a bit worried, she comes up. I kick it, and walk all over it, and she just snorts. I make her walk over it, and she doesn’t even bat an eye. She’s so brave! I work on getting her to trot in hand a little, then call it a day. I then groom Anni and spend some time with her, but Adiva is hitting on something in the pasture, and wants Anni and I to pay attention to it. No idea what it could be, but Anni isn’t as focused on me as I’d like, so I call it a day once she’s groomed. Of course, once I turn her out, they just graze. Sigh…they tricked me!
I so love them. I wonder if it’ll be warm enough to bathe them tomorrow?
Monday, March 16, 2009
Off to get hay - they sure are eating a lot! I’ve gotten them off straight alfalfa and onto O&A (orchard & alfalfa for all you northern folk - hehe) and I’m debating on T&A. The coastal (local grass hay) isn’t spectacular and the grass isn’t really up yet. I decide to grab a bale of T&A to see what the girls think. It’s not very green, but wow, it smells great. The girls aren’t really enthused - it is a bit stalky - but they are picking at it. Guess it won’t be T&A for them - back to O&A while I search out other options.
B then tells me that he had gone out to the barn that morning, and the girls are running around. Not uncommon, on it’s own, but there’s a dog in there. And the girls are chasing it. Hunting it. K, not something you see every day. No idea where it came from, but I guess the girls knew an intruder when they saw one. But, you see, we have electro braid fencing. How in the world did it get in there and not get zapped? And how in the world is it gonna get out? Right back under the fence, obviously. Now, that fence is hot. Seriously hot. Either that dog is lucky, or dumb. I’m betting on both. I just hope the dog doesn’t come back for more and get kilt. Least the girls can take care of themselves.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
My grooming supplies arrived today!!! Detangler, shampoo and hoof conditioner from the equiscentials line. Smells great! I can’t wait to bathe them! I used the conditioner and it’s great. Even softened my hands really fast, without any greasy feel. I decide to work Adiva a bit - we take a little walk and she’s drawn to a big piece of plastic up by the house. OK, lesson time. I lead her over, and even tho she’s a bit worried, she comes up. I kick it, and walk all over it, and she just snorts. I make her walk over it, and she doesn’t even bat an eye. She’s so brave! I work on getting her to trot in hand a little, then call it a day. I then groom Anni and spend some time with her, but Adiva is hitting on something in the pasture, and wants Anni and I to pay attention to it. No idea what it could be, but Anni isn’t as focused on me as I’d like, so I call it a day once she’s groomed. Of course, once I turn her out, they just graze. Sigh…they tricked me!
I so love them. I wonder if it’ll be warm enough to bathe them tomorrow?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Hide n Seek
Friday, March 13, 2009
The girls are hiding again. It's too dark to see the entire pasture, so I have to walk it. No one's talking, no one's moving. And then, out of nowhere, I see ears. Knee height. Huh? Hold the phone, the girls are laying down sleeping. I walk over, say good morning, and both just lay there while I pet them. OK, pleasekthx, need to go to work now. Let's get up and get some breakfast! Nope, Anni goes flat out. Sigh. I wait a bit, and they get up, stretch, and finally decide to come eat. Guess they are relaxed and content.
B is working on the second paddock when I get there after work, so even tho the girls don't care about all the noise and the tractor, I decide not to push things and just spend time with them in the pasture.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
K has agreed to help me mess with Adiva's ear then fix the stall lights (for some reason, the light switch isn't working) in the afternoon. I get all the supplies together then grab Adiva. She's such a love. I've messed with the ear a lot, but here we are with clippers. And she's not used to two people at once. She is ok with the clippers – not a fan of them turning on and the vibration seemed to tickle her, but she handled it well. Until, of course, I got near her ear. OK, this ain't happening. By then, of course, she's on hyper alert and isn't paying any attention to either of us. So, I spend the next 15 minutes or so getting her to be aware of us. It's not fun, but she has to work this out. I'm just trying to get her to stand still. She isn't stressed, but she doesn't want to stand still. Too bad, so sad – I am boss mare.
She finally relaxes and sighs, so I praise her and give her some cookies. I take her for a walk then, to change things up. Well, she is amped! But, she wants to investigate so I let her lead me around so long as she's not crowding me. She leads me to the front of the property, so I decide to work her a bit. Just keeping her attention, turning left, right, stopping, starting. She's interested. We've walked around before, but somehow, she know this is a lesson. She's marching forward, letting me lead her, waiting to see when we're going to do something else. Are we turning? Stopping? I can tell she's having fun, that she thinks we're playing, but she's very intent and relaxed. She's not getting all worked up or anxious. She is still paying attention to other noises, but when she spooks, she doesn't jump into me. I'm so proud of her. All she does is jump then stop. I like that kind of spook! I decide to call it a day – she's done enough and I'm too happy with her to push things.
It was all a game to her, and that's fine – it should be a game at this point. But...she still wants to play. I can see it in her eyes. K agrees, and so I head into the pasture and both girls know what's coming. It's so cute! I clap my hands and away they go! LMAO, they are so adorable! I 'chase' them for a while – hell, they run without me doing much for most of the time – until I figure they've had enough. I stand still until they walk up to me (which takes them all of 10 seconds!) and they follow me calmly back to the gate. I really am lucky to have them.
I get Anni out so I can work with her a bit. She's so laid back. She just wants to graze, and is miffed I'm taking her away from grass. She lets me lead her around, working on all the same things that I did with Adiva. She is so bored. At least I know her training will go easily. I don't spend a lot of time leading her – she's either done all this before, or is the quickest study. I can handle that. Besides, she is enjoying the quiet grazing time. It's what she needs right now. Plus, Adiva is finally not as stressed about Anni being gone. Two birds, one stone. What an awesome day!
I think I figured it out...Anni is my problem child. She's too much of a thinker – she's going to wait til I drop my guard to test me. Constantly. Adiva is going to be rock solid once she settles in. She's my slow learner tho, so who knows when that'll be! Doesn't that sound like fun?!?!
The girls are hiding again. It's too dark to see the entire pasture, so I have to walk it. No one's talking, no one's moving. And then, out of nowhere, I see ears. Knee height. Huh? Hold the phone, the girls are laying down sleeping. I walk over, say good morning, and both just lay there while I pet them. OK, pleasekthx, need to go to work now. Let's get up and get some breakfast! Nope, Anni goes flat out. Sigh. I wait a bit, and they get up, stretch, and finally decide to come eat. Guess they are relaxed and content.
B is working on the second paddock when I get there after work, so even tho the girls don't care about all the noise and the tractor, I decide not to push things and just spend time with them in the pasture.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
K has agreed to help me mess with Adiva's ear then fix the stall lights (for some reason, the light switch isn't working) in the afternoon. I get all the supplies together then grab Adiva. She's such a love. I've messed with the ear a lot, but here we are with clippers. And she's not used to two people at once. She is ok with the clippers – not a fan of them turning on and the vibration seemed to tickle her, but she handled it well. Until, of course, I got near her ear. OK, this ain't happening. By then, of course, she's on hyper alert and isn't paying any attention to either of us. So, I spend the next 15 minutes or so getting her to be aware of us. It's not fun, but she has to work this out. I'm just trying to get her to stand still. She isn't stressed, but she doesn't want to stand still. Too bad, so sad – I am boss mare.
She finally relaxes and sighs, so I praise her and give her some cookies. I take her for a walk then, to change things up. Well, she is amped! But, she wants to investigate so I let her lead me around so long as she's not crowding me. She leads me to the front of the property, so I decide to work her a bit. Just keeping her attention, turning left, right, stopping, starting. She's interested. We've walked around before, but somehow, she know this is a lesson. She's marching forward, letting me lead her, waiting to see when we're going to do something else. Are we turning? Stopping? I can tell she's having fun, that she thinks we're playing, but she's very intent and relaxed. She's not getting all worked up or anxious. She is still paying attention to other noises, but when she spooks, she doesn't jump into me. I'm so proud of her. All she does is jump then stop. I like that kind of spook! I decide to call it a day – she's done enough and I'm too happy with her to push things.
It was all a game to her, and that's fine – it should be a game at this point. But...she still wants to play. I can see it in her eyes. K agrees, and so I head into the pasture and both girls know what's coming. It's so cute! I clap my hands and away they go! LMAO, they are so adorable! I 'chase' them for a while – hell, they run without me doing much for most of the time – until I figure they've had enough. I stand still until they walk up to me (which takes them all of 10 seconds!) and they follow me calmly back to the gate. I really am lucky to have them.
I get Anni out so I can work with her a bit. She's so laid back. She just wants to graze, and is miffed I'm taking her away from grass. She lets me lead her around, working on all the same things that I did with Adiva. She is so bored. At least I know her training will go easily. I don't spend a lot of time leading her – she's either done all this before, or is the quickest study. I can handle that. Besides, she is enjoying the quiet grazing time. It's what she needs right now. Plus, Adiva is finally not as stressed about Anni being gone. Two birds, one stone. What an awesome day!
I think I figured it out...Anni is my problem child. She's too much of a thinker – she's going to wait til I drop my guard to test me. Constantly. Adiva is going to be rock solid once she settles in. She's my slow learner tho, so who knows when that'll be! Doesn't that sound like fun?!?!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
I was mauled this morning...
for a peanut butter/grape jelly sandwich. Yup. I was eating my breakfast as I let the girls out after theirs. Bad bad bad idea. Who'd have thunk it? I had to offer each a piece - Adiva ate hers, Anni spit hers out, then Adiva ate it. Sigh.
This afternoon after grooming we went for walks again. Both were angels for grooming - I even pulled out my step stool to get them used to me being up high. Neither cared. They are getting really good about all the grooming experiences. I worked with Adiva first - she's trying really hard to be good on our walks, but she's too interested in Anni. She'll listen, and is learning quickly to mind my space, but I hope I can get her to pay more attention to me than Anni. Didn't realize she was that attached. Anni, of course, could care less. Adiva is bonding with me quickly - once I get her used to being away from Anni, there will be no stopping her. But even when I was walking Anni, Adiva was all worked up in the pasture. Or she was just using it as an excuse to run around. LOL
Anni, as usual, was a model citizen. Hard to believe she's a baby! She is starting to have her moments when I ask her to do something she doesn't want to, but she's so sensible about it. I'd have to say she's my easy one. Well, let me rephrase...Anni is super easy to handle, but she pushes every mommy worry button there is. And I don't know why.
The differences in their personalities are so obvious. Anni is the level headed one and Adiva is my guard pony - she notices everything. Anni is easy to handle and Adiva keeps me on my toes. I question every move Anni makes in the pasture - every little misstep, every cough - and with Adiva, I know she's ok no matter what. Anni loves attention, Adiva could care less. Anni will go off on her own but Adiva wants to stay close. Either to me or Anni. Adiva wants to be part of the herd, but she's not all lovey dovey like Anni. I know she will be - it's just taking her some time. And I get that. It's only been a week, and I think they are dealing with everything wonderfully.
The interesting part is I think Anni is going to be a wild child when we break her, and Adiva will go, oh, this is all? Wish I knew why I felt so strongly about them both. I really can't wait to dive into their training to see if they prove me right. Or make a liar out of me! It's so exciting.
And...have I just never noticed all the minute differences in horse personalities before or do I have two extraordinary mares? Or both?
This afternoon after grooming we went for walks again. Both were angels for grooming - I even pulled out my step stool to get them used to me being up high. Neither cared. They are getting really good about all the grooming experiences. I worked with Adiva first - she's trying really hard to be good on our walks, but she's too interested in Anni. She'll listen, and is learning quickly to mind my space, but I hope I can get her to pay more attention to me than Anni. Didn't realize she was that attached. Anni, of course, could care less. Adiva is bonding with me quickly - once I get her used to being away from Anni, there will be no stopping her. But even when I was walking Anni, Adiva was all worked up in the pasture. Or she was just using it as an excuse to run around. LOL
Anni, as usual, was a model citizen. Hard to believe she's a baby! She is starting to have her moments when I ask her to do something she doesn't want to, but she's so sensible about it. I'd have to say she's my easy one. Well, let me rephrase...Anni is super easy to handle, but she pushes every mommy worry button there is. And I don't know why.
The differences in their personalities are so obvious. Anni is the level headed one and Adiva is my guard pony - she notices everything. Anni is easy to handle and Adiva keeps me on my toes. I question every move Anni makes in the pasture - every little misstep, every cough - and with Adiva, I know she's ok no matter what. Anni loves attention, Adiva could care less. Anni will go off on her own but Adiva wants to stay close. Either to me or Anni. Adiva wants to be part of the herd, but she's not all lovey dovey like Anni. I know she will be - it's just taking her some time. And I get that. It's only been a week, and I think they are dealing with everything wonderfully.
The interesting part is I think Anni is going to be a wild child when we break her, and Adiva will go, oh, this is all? Wish I knew why I felt so strongly about them both. I really can't wait to dive into their training to see if they prove me right. Or make a liar out of me! It's so exciting.
And...have I just never noticed all the minute differences in horse personalities before or do I have two extraordinary mares? Or both?
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Bad Blogger = Good Mommy!!!!
So, I've been spending so much time with the girls that I've neglected my own blog. I'm going to recap the week now, one day at a time!
Monday, March 2, 2009
I drive out to feed breakfast, and the girls are sleeping in the middle of the pasture. Yay, nice and relaxed. I feed them outside, wait to make sure everyone is playing nice, and get going to work. When I go back out, it's grooming time!!! I'm talking to P on the phone, and as I round the corner, I see no horses. Um, huh? I pull into the driveway – no horses. Well, this ain't funny. Fence line is still up. I know they can't be gone. All the neighbors are old friends who would call if anything happens. I guess they can be behind the dirt in the nice shade. P suggests they are in their stalls, sleeping. No way, says I. Too soon. Well, mommy doesn't know her girls, because as soon as I slam the car door, they pop their heads out of the stalls. How come daddy knows them better, even if he's thousands of miles away? Sigh. At least they love their stalls.
So I grab Adiva and bring her to the concrete pad. I just loop the leadrope around the post – I don't want to tie her yet until I know how she's going to react to everything. She's an angel. Totally perfect. I even clean her feet and she's acting like she done this with me forever. I notice a scabby something in her right ear and decide to push the envelope. It looks gunky, and I don't want it to get infected. Yet messing with a new horse's ear is tricky business. I realize I need a cloth to clean it, and I am unsure if I should leave her even tho it's just a few steps. So I lead her into the tack room, back her out, wet the cloth and grab the scab and pull. Yes, she was IN the tack room and backed out like she does it every day. And no, she didn't freak out about the scab. She did pick her head up, but once the scab came off, all this nasty ick came out, and she sighed and lowered her head. Like it relieved some pressure. She let me scrub it pretty well, then came with me back into the tack room – I had forgotten the medicine. This mare is priceless! I give her some treats, and turn her back out. Anni is next, and she's just as good, other than she's quite sensitive on her sides – no currying there – and she's less good about her feet. I decide not to push things and just turn her back out. After a bunch of treats, of course!
They both decide to take a little nap by the gate, so cute as their heads start to drop. Anni decides to actually lay down, and just folds herself down. I'm quite happy, as I don't think she had laid down since she came. No dirt on her sides, no grass in her mane. Adiva either, but with her short coat, I'm not sure I could even tell. I hate to wake them, but it's dinner time. I ask them to go into their stalls, and both go right in. YAY, dinner in their stalls. What a perfect day!! I go home, higher than a kite.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The morning dawns the same as Monday, girls sleeping in the pasture. But this morning, I'm going to try to feed them in their stalls. Both come right up, Anni goes right in, Adiva goes in once the grain has been dumped. I can live with that. When I turn them out after breakfast, they go off to find the hay, and I head to work. I have two meetings after work, so I just hang with them for a bit before my first meeting, then come back to feed before the second. My sweet precious girls come right up for their feed. Oh, I'm so lucky! I have a bit of time to just watch them for a while before the next meeting, so I do. How can I not? They are wonderful!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Well, our morning routine is set. It's awesome! They come as soon as they see me, and nicker for breakfast. I's so happy! After work I have some errands, so this is the first afternoon I won't be spending with them. Sad. I get out at feeding time. Yeah, while they are a bit miffed I've been gone, they don't seem to hold it against me. I make sure to give them some extra treats, just in case. Hehe
Thursday, March 5, 2009
I can tell the girls are laying down at night – manes are a mess!!! I'm happy tho as it means they are relaxed enough to sleep. I, on the other hand, am beat. Luckily work is slow, so I leave early to grab a nap. After a nice 3 hour nap, I head to the barn. I clean the pasture as the girls help, then decide to take the girls for a walk. Anni is first today, and after she's groomed, we walk a bit around the property. She's quite good. Actually, she's just interested in grass. Then it's Adiva's turn – she's a little more 'up' and we have to have a little leading lesson, but all in all, I'm proud.
Friday, March 6, 2009
I love mornings. The girls are so peaceful. It's way more healing than I ever could have thought. I don't know how, but just seeing them, the way they respond to me, well, it helps deal with Classy. While I have way too much going on with P gone, and I'm more tired than I ever remember being, I think I'm in heaven. After work, as the girls come up to say hi, I notice that Anni's feet are a bit long. OK, I've been trying to hold off on the farrier until I knew Anni was more settled, but let's be honest, she couldn't be any more settled. So I call S, and he's like “oh, I'm free Saturday.” Um, like tomorrow? Yes please! Now I'm stoked, because I can't wait to see what he thinks of them. And how they are going to react to him. Then I notice her right rear. Both sides have split off. The flares must have gotten so long that they just snapped. I'm so glad S is coming out tomorrow.
I take the girls for walks again. Anni just wants grass. Adiva wants to smell everything. B comes by with Bocephus, and we decide that Bo needs to meet Adiva. He needs to learn horses aren't evil scary monsters. Now, keep in mind that Bo is an English Mastiff weighing at least 170 pounds. Adiva could care less, but Bo keeps barking. Then, if Adiva moves at all, he runs away. B is trying to hold Bo, but he's strong. It goes well, and Adiva starts grazing after a few minutes. He'll eventually get used to the girls.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
I have to work today, but I'm so excited about the farrier that the time flies by! I grab some lunch on my way to the barn, and wait for S to arrive. I decide to wait until right before he is due to grab the girls. This will be new for them, and I know that babies have a short attention span. ;) I don't want to stress them out, so I wait til the last minute to get the girls all set up in their stalls. They are happily munching their hay when he arrives. When I get Anni, he's watching how she moves, and we get her on the concrete where it's nice and level. He agrees her feet are long, but isn't worried about how they look. I'm not either – I know they look worse then they are most times. I do remind him of her past, but he isn't worried – just gets his tools and gets to work. Nice, slow, patient, fluid. But always moving. It was soothing to watch him work. Anni's not perfect, but she's not bad, and S says that most of her behavior is typical 3yo stuff. YAY! I can deal with baby stuff. I'm just glad that all her fussing isn't physical. All that pulling and fighting is just a temper tantrum. Silly mare. Even S said she was being silly. About halfway thru, she sighed, lowered her head and tried to nap. Mission accomplished!!!! I couldn't be more happy!!!! I have him take a look at Adiva just so he knows what her feet look like, and as I grab her out of the stall, she explodes! S laughs good naturally, and watches her intently. She's doing fine – he didn't do anything at all. Both have nice hard feet, and I don't have to worry about anything. YAY!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I have a show to run today, and the time changed, so I'm at the barn early. Really early. Like, they think it's still night. But I convince them to come in for grain, and they oblige. I am gone all day, sigh, but the girls are still munching on hay when I get there. Three cheers for feeding more hay so they have something to pick at!!! They get fed, and I clean Adiva's ear, and it's dark so I leave them alone. They are still getting used to noises in the dark, and I try to respect that by not pushing them yet. Hey, it's only been a week!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Today I want to walk them around again. Anni lets me pick up all feet, no problems at all, and calmly takes me for a walk all over. She's so happy. She's just blooming. I loffs her! Adiva is a bit more on edge. No surprise there. But she tries very hard to be good, so I give her extra time to take it all in and process it. Once she's figured it out, she's golden! When I turn her back out, she just hangs at the gate. She doesn't want to leave me. Oh, I'm so lucky.
Monday, March 2, 2009
I drive out to feed breakfast, and the girls are sleeping in the middle of the pasture. Yay, nice and relaxed. I feed them outside, wait to make sure everyone is playing nice, and get going to work. When I go back out, it's grooming time!!! I'm talking to P on the phone, and as I round the corner, I see no horses. Um, huh? I pull into the driveway – no horses. Well, this ain't funny. Fence line is still up. I know they can't be gone. All the neighbors are old friends who would call if anything happens. I guess they can be behind the dirt in the nice shade. P suggests they are in their stalls, sleeping. No way, says I. Too soon. Well, mommy doesn't know her girls, because as soon as I slam the car door, they pop their heads out of the stalls. How come daddy knows them better, even if he's thousands of miles away? Sigh. At least they love their stalls.
So I grab Adiva and bring her to the concrete pad. I just loop the leadrope around the post – I don't want to tie her yet until I know how she's going to react to everything. She's an angel. Totally perfect. I even clean her feet and she's acting like she done this with me forever. I notice a scabby something in her right ear and decide to push the envelope. It looks gunky, and I don't want it to get infected. Yet messing with a new horse's ear is tricky business. I realize I need a cloth to clean it, and I am unsure if I should leave her even tho it's just a few steps. So I lead her into the tack room, back her out, wet the cloth and grab the scab and pull. Yes, she was IN the tack room and backed out like she does it every day. And no, she didn't freak out about the scab. She did pick her head up, but once the scab came off, all this nasty ick came out, and she sighed and lowered her head. Like it relieved some pressure. She let me scrub it pretty well, then came with me back into the tack room – I had forgotten the medicine. This mare is priceless! I give her some treats, and turn her back out. Anni is next, and she's just as good, other than she's quite sensitive on her sides – no currying there – and she's less good about her feet. I decide not to push things and just turn her back out. After a bunch of treats, of course!
They both decide to take a little nap by the gate, so cute as their heads start to drop. Anni decides to actually lay down, and just folds herself down. I'm quite happy, as I don't think she had laid down since she came. No dirt on her sides, no grass in her mane. Adiva either, but with her short coat, I'm not sure I could even tell. I hate to wake them, but it's dinner time. I ask them to go into their stalls, and both go right in. YAY, dinner in their stalls. What a perfect day!! I go home, higher than a kite.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
The morning dawns the same as Monday, girls sleeping in the pasture. But this morning, I'm going to try to feed them in their stalls. Both come right up, Anni goes right in, Adiva goes in once the grain has been dumped. I can live with that. When I turn them out after breakfast, they go off to find the hay, and I head to work. I have two meetings after work, so I just hang with them for a bit before my first meeting, then come back to feed before the second. My sweet precious girls come right up for their feed. Oh, I'm so lucky! I have a bit of time to just watch them for a while before the next meeting, so I do. How can I not? They are wonderful!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Well, our morning routine is set. It's awesome! They come as soon as they see me, and nicker for breakfast. I's so happy! After work I have some errands, so this is the first afternoon I won't be spending with them. Sad. I get out at feeding time. Yeah, while they are a bit miffed I've been gone, they don't seem to hold it against me. I make sure to give them some extra treats, just in case. Hehe
Thursday, March 5, 2009
I can tell the girls are laying down at night – manes are a mess!!! I'm happy tho as it means they are relaxed enough to sleep. I, on the other hand, am beat. Luckily work is slow, so I leave early to grab a nap. After a nice 3 hour nap, I head to the barn. I clean the pasture as the girls help, then decide to take the girls for a walk. Anni is first today, and after she's groomed, we walk a bit around the property. She's quite good. Actually, she's just interested in grass. Then it's Adiva's turn – she's a little more 'up' and we have to have a little leading lesson, but all in all, I'm proud.
Friday, March 6, 2009
I love mornings. The girls are so peaceful. It's way more healing than I ever could have thought. I don't know how, but just seeing them, the way they respond to me, well, it helps deal with Classy. While I have way too much going on with P gone, and I'm more tired than I ever remember being, I think I'm in heaven. After work, as the girls come up to say hi, I notice that Anni's feet are a bit long. OK, I've been trying to hold off on the farrier until I knew Anni was more settled, but let's be honest, she couldn't be any more settled. So I call S, and he's like “oh, I'm free Saturday.” Um, like tomorrow? Yes please! Now I'm stoked, because I can't wait to see what he thinks of them. And how they are going to react to him. Then I notice her right rear. Both sides have split off. The flares must have gotten so long that they just snapped. I'm so glad S is coming out tomorrow.
I take the girls for walks again. Anni just wants grass. Adiva wants to smell everything. B comes by with Bocephus, and we decide that Bo needs to meet Adiva. He needs to learn horses aren't evil scary monsters. Now, keep in mind that Bo is an English Mastiff weighing at least 170 pounds. Adiva could care less, but Bo keeps barking. Then, if Adiva moves at all, he runs away. B is trying to hold Bo, but he's strong. It goes well, and Adiva starts grazing after a few minutes. He'll eventually get used to the girls.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
I have to work today, but I'm so excited about the farrier that the time flies by! I grab some lunch on my way to the barn, and wait for S to arrive. I decide to wait until right before he is due to grab the girls. This will be new for them, and I know that babies have a short attention span. ;) I don't want to stress them out, so I wait til the last minute to get the girls all set up in their stalls. They are happily munching their hay when he arrives. When I get Anni, he's watching how she moves, and we get her on the concrete where it's nice and level. He agrees her feet are long, but isn't worried about how they look. I'm not either – I know they look worse then they are most times. I do remind him of her past, but he isn't worried – just gets his tools and gets to work. Nice, slow, patient, fluid. But always moving. It was soothing to watch him work. Anni's not perfect, but she's not bad, and S says that most of her behavior is typical 3yo stuff. YAY! I can deal with baby stuff. I'm just glad that all her fussing isn't physical. All that pulling and fighting is just a temper tantrum. Silly mare. Even S said she was being silly. About halfway thru, she sighed, lowered her head and tried to nap. Mission accomplished!!!! I couldn't be more happy!!!! I have him take a look at Adiva just so he knows what her feet look like, and as I grab her out of the stall, she explodes! S laughs good naturally, and watches her intently. She's doing fine – he didn't do anything at all. Both have nice hard feet, and I don't have to worry about anything. YAY!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
I have a show to run today, and the time changed, so I'm at the barn early. Really early. Like, they think it's still night. But I convince them to come in for grain, and they oblige. I am gone all day, sigh, but the girls are still munching on hay when I get there. Three cheers for feeding more hay so they have something to pick at!!! They get fed, and I clean Adiva's ear, and it's dark so I leave them alone. They are still getting used to noises in the dark, and I try to respect that by not pushing them yet. Hey, it's only been a week!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Today I want to walk them around again. Anni lets me pick up all feet, no problems at all, and calmly takes me for a walk all over. She's so happy. She's just blooming. I loffs her! Adiva is a bit more on edge. No surprise there. But she tries very hard to be good, so I give her extra time to take it all in and process it. Once she's figured it out, she's golden! When I turn her back out, she just hangs at the gate. She doesn't want to leave me. Oh, I'm so lucky.
Monday, March 2, 2009
What a weekend!
Saturday started early – 6am – and I grabbed K. from the barn and headed to Cocoa to meet S. We got there just as S. was arriving, so we helped hitch the trailer and headed for Morriston! Nice uneventful trip up there, and we got there in enough time to hit the tack store and grab lunch. As we drive up to the farm, I see Adiva and my heart melts. I can barely contain myself. T. and I do the necessary paperwork, and we go to halter Adiva. Sigh, halter is too big. I try to reknot (nice rope halter) but I can't. Keeps slipping. We decide to bring her up and get another halter, but as soon as we take her out of her paddock she gets way way way antsy and I barely get her into the round pen. She's very nervous, no idea what's going on. Anni's already been haltered and is in the barn. T. grabs some ace and medicates Adiva then we load Anni. Takes a few minutes, but nothing outrageous.
Adiva is about the same – we do med her with xylazine to help, and she hops on the trailer after a few minutes. Anni is a bit anxious and she's pawing a bit, but once we're on the road they calm down pretty well. We do stop about halfway home to check on them – happily munching hay. We stop in Cocoa to grab my car and make it to the barn right before dark.
The girls unload easy as pie, and we lead them around the pasture. Anni just wants to graze, Adiva wants to smell everything. We decide to let them go, and they go trotting off to
investigate. They are just so cute! Checking out all the corners and sniffing all the grass. They find the water, take drinks, and proceed to trot all over. Nice and relaxed, just enjoying it all.
We stayed with them for a while, and I'd go check on them from time to time. They'd come right up to see what I had for them, and they were so curious about where I was going and where the treats were coming from! They eat some hay and are sleeping when we leave at 10.
Sunday we get to the barn around 8:30 – I had a headache you wouldn't believe – but when we get there, they are sleeping! Sigh, such good girls. They nicker for me, and P. hays them while I get the grain ready. They eat most of it but they are still a bit too 'up' to totally finish. Adiva is checking out some smell/sound coming from down the road and Anni is having a blast just trotting around. We head off to lunch and when we get back, the winds have kicked up and the temp has dropped. But, while the girls are a bit more on edge, they are still pretty relaxed. My brother had been out there, and said that Anni had been investigating her stall. All in all, everything is going perfectly! As we're standing there, Adiva decides to go into her stall, and I'm so happy. K. and I take off to the tack store to get some supplies, and when we get back, we halter Adiva, stick her (15.1) and deworm her, then get Anni (16.0) and deworm her. We then hay them and watch them for a bit. So peaceful.
I can't believe how much I love them, and how important they are to me already.
Adiva is about the same – we do med her with xylazine to help, and she hops on the trailer after a few minutes. Anni is a bit anxious and she's pawing a bit, but once we're on the road they calm down pretty well. We do stop about halfway home to check on them – happily munching hay. We stop in Cocoa to grab my car and make it to the barn right before dark.
The girls unload easy as pie, and we lead them around the pasture. Anni just wants to graze, Adiva wants to smell everything. We decide to let them go, and they go trotting off to
investigate. They are just so cute! Checking out all the corners and sniffing all the grass. They find the water, take drinks, and proceed to trot all over. Nice and relaxed, just enjoying it all.
We stayed with them for a while, and I'd go check on them from time to time. They'd come right up to see what I had for them, and they were so curious about where I was going and where the treats were coming from! They eat some hay and are sleeping when we leave at 10.
Sunday we get to the barn around 8:30 – I had a headache you wouldn't believe – but when we get there, they are sleeping! Sigh, such good girls. They nicker for me, and P. hays them while I get the grain ready. They eat most of it but they are still a bit too 'up' to totally finish. Adiva is checking out some smell/sound coming from down the road and Anni is having a blast just trotting around. We head off to lunch and when we get back, the winds have kicked up and the temp has dropped. But, while the girls are a bit more on edge, they are still pretty relaxed. My brother had been out there, and said that Anni had been investigating her stall. All in all, everything is going perfectly! As we're standing there, Adiva decides to go into her stall, and I'm so happy. K. and I take off to the tack store to get some supplies, and when we get back, we halter Adiva, stick her (15.1) and deworm her, then get Anni (16.0) and deworm her. We then hay them and watch them for a bit. So peaceful.
I can't believe how much I love them, and how important they are to me already.
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