Last Week

Was the big 3 year anniversary with the hubby today so I took the hit to my riding schedule. This is a shot from last week, when only two of us showed. Took along a boarder and her horse. We weren't sure what to expect from her old girl but she did remarkably well with everything. Max was his usual fun self and I got to try out my new 'Webbers' - low profile stirrup leathers made by Wintec. They're designed to remove that lump sensation that is, with some saddles, present under the inner thigh. Gotta say, I'm totally impressed. My not-so-comfortable-for-me saddle is now something I don't want to get out of. WELL worth ebay's $30. *wink*hint*wink*

Other than that, we've just been plunking around the yard and in the pasture bush. It's good to work on everyone's balance and comfort level in uber deep snow and the trees are great for bending your horse around, limbering up that lateral response. Nothing like a solid tree coming at your kneecap to motivate YOU to get them off your leg - lmao!

To cap off a gorgeous day with the hubby, we went out in the black of night to visit the ponies. This would be the first time I've approach Maximus in the dark bush on a crisp evening. He was his usual mellow and friendly self. No skittish, sketchy behaviour at all, which would totally be excused considering the conditions. I just LOVE THIS HORSE!

Picture Post!!!

Glorious sunny day full of clean, fresh snow... what else can you do with these fuzzy beasts but snap shots?!

First, the Fuzz-Miester... can even squeak under the electric fence into the skinny corral with all that hair! Durnit, we're going to have to figure out how to keep this little chunk monkey away from the Increased Ration Corral!

Standing tied like a GOOD boy!

All three of our boys, patiently waiting to have their pedicures...

Some pasture shots, this one of Checkers the Shetland gelding and Big Ol' Bill in the background.

The Chunky Princess herself, Frosty with little Noah in the background...

Maximus sharing some time with 7 month-old Noah.

Master Max, his afternoon snooze inturrupted.

Having a good stretch and roll before getting up.

And he's up and Oh So Handsome! (Okay I might be bias.)

Round & Round We Go

We finally got a chance to really play today, Max & I. The round pen has been set up inside our Ladies' Venue for the winter and we went straight for it. I've been dying to pick his brain with such a chance.

I didn't expect anything to happen beyond me chasing him around and getting dizzy. But yet again he astounded me. I should have known better as he did come from a place with a round yard (larger version outdoors), I just had no idea how much had been done with him. I pointed and he walked off in the right direction. I clucked for a trot and curled the rope at his bum for added incentive. He picked up a beautiful, calm jog and didn't require much encouragement to keep it going at all. When I gently said 'Eeeasy' he instantly came down to a nice walk once again. Huh. So I tried inviting him into my space (collapsed my torso a tad and stepped backwards, slightly cocked to side). He spun right to me and stopped halfway when I stood up straight again. I pointed the opposite direction, curled the rope on the end of my stick and off he went with a calm walk. I clucked for the trot and again got beautiful momentum out of him. The next time I invited him in, I dropped my stick and tested him out. That boy followed me around that pen in every direction, through every twist and bend like a puppy on a leash! I was so excited!!

Then I decided to test the canter. Didn't think he'd feel very comfortable in such tight confines, as unschooled as he is at it, and he wasn't, lol! I had to chase after him quite a bit and he wasn't so eager to take me up on my invitations to come in afterward. Lots of tail swishing but he did try for me and I didn't ask for much. We'll grow the demand as he strengthens and builds confidence.

After about 10 - 15 mins in the pen, we did some SERIOUS trot work and got a good sweat on. Trying to keep him from gaining too much winter weight, as well as trying to build our unity. It is coming. He's a lot more sensitive than I first thought.

Goin Treeless

Rode last Wednesday in a friend's Rebecca Treeless. Max spent a lot of time walking and trotting with his nose on the ground. I'm not disciplined enough to ride without the support of a conventional saddle and found my legs swinging all over and torso leaning FAR forward. I need to work out!

Max's response to the new toy had my gears turning. I've also recently tried out a Sensation Treeless and really enjoyed how much it felt like a normal saddle to me. I'd like to try it out again now that Max and I are getting on so much better (I had tried it before his training and was too distracted with controlling him to really absorb the feel). If it feels as good as I remember and Max likes it as much as the Rebecca, it'll be the new trophy I set my cap for.

I'd get an all-black model just like this:

Oh Drool... They're Canadian-made and of exceptional quality. Price-point is about $1400. It's on my wish list.

There was riding at my ladies' venue tonight and Patrick was invited. Good for him to get out with his horse. We're both quite busy with our businesses and sprucing up the homestead in prep for winter. He enjoyed playing around and testing his relationship with Bill but is a trail rider at heart. I hope he makes it out a couple of times a month, at least. I'm sure if the rumoured Men's night strikes up he'll be right there. He's always so frustrated with all the muffin parties.

It feels like a year since I last rode. Business has been hoppin on the dog front. I can't wait for the day after tomorrow! Don't tell the hubby, but I snagged some low-profile stirrup leathers on ebay in an effort to minimise my discomfort with the tweener saddle (that's what I'm calling my latest saddle purchase as the truth is it's just not comfortable enough to be a forever model). I can't wait till they come in!! I'm hoping that, as advertised, the lack of a buckle will reduce the pressure on the inside of my thigh. Nothing to do about the ridge on the back of the seat, but perhaps as I continue to lose weight, that pressure will reduce a little. It just may be the quality construction of a lower-end piece of tack with a specialty wider tree. ^shrug^ I can live with it for a while. As long as my growing boy has room to develop well...

Saddle Woes Be Gone!

Well, that was almost too easy. Sold my saddle the day after I actually listed it (true, a boarder was looking and it fit her hard-to-fit mare).

Then tried a dozen saddles belonging to friends - not any actually for sale, but none of them fit anyhow... well, except the $2000 one. Hmmm... can't swing that.

Spent a week emailing back and forth with a dozen sellers of wide-treed dressage saddles and a couple of western ones. Schedule the first one to try out, and she even brings it here.

Snuggle it onto his back and.... IT FITS!!! Beautiful clearance at the shoulder, gorgeous gap at the withers and perfectly nestled along his back. YAY YAY YAY! Next, the 2nd test. How do I feel in it? So I grabbed all my gear and tacked up. Pitch black outside, but hey we've played in that arena how many times (in broad daylight).... the boy was a champ. One walking lap around the perimeter of the lake within, and he gave me a yummy floating trot, all bendy and swishy. Wait a minute... aren't those the exact descriptors to bump between a friend and I during a recent recitation of what response the right saddle will get out of a horse?! And mine was doing it?! HOLY crap!

The seat is a little wider than I'm used to (duh) but otherwise, this is a very comfy saddle. Totally plain jane with no bells or whistles, but that's exactly what we need - for him to grow comfortably and for myself to learn about him as he does.

Anyhow, I promptly handed over cash and stowed the sucker into the house for some lovin' of the oiln' kind. Here it is all glossy, sexy and ready to ride!

Personality Swap

There have been extreme herd changes that I have yet to expand upon, here.

Liquid Gold is gone, replaced by this interesting trio:

The mare is in the lead, a dominant girl in hiding. The shetland is a little shit-disturbing gelding. Very nice riding mount, but I suppose you just can't shake all of the pony obstinance outta them. He's been enjoying pushing Bill's buttons. And the old man bringing up the rear is a sweetheart I used to look after at another barn 13 years ago! His pony has been getting him into a lot of trouble with our herd leader. Poor Sailor just isn't as wiley as his shorter counterpart and often gets the brunt of Bill's rebukes.

In fact, it was 7 hairy days during the nastiest fall weather that Bill was making me wish him 6 feet under. He's a phenomenal herd leader, offering protection second to none, but integrating males to his harem is tricky business. Once a horse is in, though, he's their valiant protector for life. I'm glad he's not a horse to corner or constantly pick at anyone. I guess he makes his point clearly enough that all is required to continue his assertion and maintain order is some serious Ugly Face. He's great about protecting herd members from bullies within, too. Yes, he redeems himself a zillion times over once the dust settles.

Poor old Sailor has bald patch gashes head to tail and was chased through our electric fence twice. Thankfully, it was internal cross-fencing (rather than perimeter fence) and we use electric rope, which offers plenty of give and avoids serious injuries. In fact, other than his surface trophies, he has suffered no other ill effects from the altercations. Checkers the pony sustains not a mark, of course. The little shit would go into Bill's buffer zone and stir him up. Sailor, like a good protector himself, would try to protect his little scamp. And Sailor's mare (Minuet) just flirted back and forth with everyone.

At miday on the 7th day, everything changed. Liquid Gold had left the day before and we had pulled Bill's #2 mare into a seperate corral to complete a weaning process and allow her bag to dry up.

Mini went into heat, barrelled into the middle of Bill's herd and let both cannons fly. "Hey bitches. I'm here - MOVE OVER". I'm thinking a smaller hullo may have won her more friends, but she did catch Bill's eye. After some clear rule-setting such as "Don't pick on the babies!", he's seperated her from her Old Man and her Mini-Me. He continues to keep those two on the perimeter of the herd, though they are now allowed to eat in the same hemisphere. Minuet still comes visiting every time I feed Sailor his seniors feed, the little piggy.

I'm glad Patrick talked me out of removing Bill from the herd. It likely would have increased his frustration and subsequently his aggression when we would have been eventually forced to put them together again. Better to remove the alpha's motivation for defensiveness. One happy herd is so much emotionally healthier.

We have a full house. Full of wonderful personalities!

Ladies' Wednesday!

Well, I've officially entered the world of saddle fitting woes. Max has outgrown my favourite yummy synthetic dressage saddle that I will blissfully ride in anytime, anywhere. I phoned to order one in a wider tree and there is no such beast. CRAP.

Tooling around in a bareback pad on an unschooled horse is tricky business and I'm far too inept to tackle much. Instead, we worked on such intricacies as leading (!lazy!ass!), side-passing from the ground (!champ!) and climbing over and around all kinds of obstacles. A few hissy fits occured on both our parts, but we made some serious progress, I think and had tons of fun doing it.

So I'm searching hi and low, trying on anything resembling a saddle that we stumble across. I'm aiming for either another dressage or a trail saddle. Must be comfy for both of us. Ticker is, whatever is wide enough for his shoulders is too low for his withers. GRRRR. And of course, current financial circumstances being what they are, I'm ridiculously limited... which kind of suits me fine, as I'm sure we'll be transitioning again before Max is finished growing & changing.

We will prevail!!

Winter Riding..?!

Trailered a friend's horse to her new home and brought The Beast along for the journey. For once he was the trailering babysitter! He does so well loading, now. Just marches right into the Sardine Can. I LOVE it. Was a little concerned when friend's mare shot out in reverse a few times loading. Max tried backing out with her each time, but didn't fight the buttbar. Just a "I'mcomintoo-whoops. No I'm not." My worry was that it might make him anxious to load again, but coming home he could barely wait for me to secure the lead around his neck before getting to that yummy low-starch complete feed, lol! The lower starch is meant to reduce the sugar spikes for his irregular loading-only treat. Not that his behaviour requires it, but I'm a believer that, just like us, it's greater benefit to their health to avoid such things. But who really knows?

Anyhow, puttered around in the arena while I was there, borrowing another friend's Wintec Isabel. Fit Max very well. It was an extra-wide. No wonder my medium ain't cuttin' it!

Here's the fuzzy chunk monkey... and Max, too.

Finally!

Missed last week's ladies' Wednesday on account of some serious stomach flu... yelch.

This week's event was no less rewarding and exciting than any other. After practicing our loading with Bill all weekend at the park, Max loaded in less than 30 seconds ALL BY HIMSELF both to leave and to come home. I was SO excited!! We may have just conquered our need for a babysitter.

The arena was at beautiful capacity, with 6 lovely riders. There was just enough distraction to really work on Max's focus. We did some serious trotting and even a couple of our hairy canter departures. A friend brought up a great idea I'm going to try next week - trot his drafty tukuss off then as for the canter. It's great rhythm-building, anyhow. I just love being so in tune to a horse and am excited for the day Max & I click. He is such a fun and engaging personality, I just know this will be my most rewarding horsey relationship yet! For myself, 3rd time definitely is the charm!

As soon as our new little pony boy can reliably tie calmly and without pawing, he'll be coming on our weekly excursions. Never too early to learn the ropes! I think he'll LOVE it!

I'm so at home with all three of our horsey personalities... like wearing a favourite sweater. They compliment each other so well and fit us and our needs so well.

Horse-wise, life is absolute bliss.

Bird's Hill!!!

We may have only made it out there once this year, but we made it count! We spent the night at friends', nearby and rode twice in two days for a total of about 4 hours.

Both days were windy and cool in the open, glorious in the bush. The sun almost made things too warm, bundled in fall-time layers as we were.

We put the horses through all their paces. Patrick is particularly proud of some serious trotting half-passing, including through corners. Unfortunately, this maneuvre seemed to anounce an impending race to poor Max. While his trotting remained calm and consistent beside Bill's fancy feet, the barest whisper for a canter had him instantly shooting off at top speed. The first time required some interesting tactics to get him under control but after that, we were back to our reliable canter in-hand.

Max does feel this need to break warp effort in his transition from trot to canter, which can be unsettling, but he's back under me before the second stride. We'll have to figure out some kind of exercises for that. I'm not sure if arena or open road would be the best approach for this boy.

And now for the good stuff:


Finally got myself a pair of nippers. Time to take my hoof care to the next level. Amazingly, it was the newest pony I tried them out on first, during his supplimental feeding. Scout (we finally named him) was better than Max at the entire process!

Another of my favourite Wednesdays tomorrow! I'll have to let you know if I can get him in the trailer without a buddy.

Equine Exploits Abound!

While we wait patiently for our next outing with the boys (Bird's Hill in 2 weeks!!!), we have not been completely idle.

Patrick competed in an awsome local Cowboy Challenge Race. It was a excellent obstacle course that put all 12 riders and their mounts through their paces. From ground work to bareback, these riders gave their all! Patrick was quite proud of his 7th placement among peers and was ecstatic to make some connections with fellow MALE riders. It was too dark to snap any shots by the time things started rolling, but I did get some shots during set-up:

And now for the latest addition to our little herd!!! I'm very excited to present our new little Gotland Pony boy, 5 months old:

Gotlands are known for their attraction to children and steady demeanours. Already today, this boy has traveled to a knew home (effectively completing his weaning process), met new herd members and learned how to lead consistently. He's extremely smart! We've sectioned off the herd of 7 behind our trusty electric rope, which is at a height that he can march right under if he feels threatened at all. It took him not two minutes to figure this out. The herd is thus kept close by, being contained at the front of the pasture and he is free to seek out his new relationships at will. He's a very sweet personality, content to graze around you while you lounge on the grass beside him. He's very interested in Kaleb, even came for a bush walk with the three of us, all by himself! The hope is that he'll grow into the perfect match for our son. If the little we've come to know of him is anything to tell by, I think their respective soft but eager seeking of adventure will tie together beautifully. And now, just cause who can resist baby pics, especially of a pre-historic-looking mohawk-sporting baby:

And finally, cause this blog is supposed to be about him, anyhow... Maximus. We're really looking forward to our first ladies' ride tomorrow! Well, I am. He's blissfully unaware of anything but dinner, right now. I did goof around with some groundwork tonight and he embraced the interaction whole-heartedly. I'm almost thinking he kinda likes me...

Trooper

We had our first teeth floating appointment yesterday. I have to say, I was quite impressed with the boy. We opted to tranq him to reduce stress and keep things happy. He was content to be left to his happy snooze after we were done. It took all of 3 minutes, total. There was nothing serious going on - he never has trouble gaining weight or accepting the bit at all, but some uncomfy points were brought down. I'm very happy to have done it before winter sets in, to put my mind at ease if nothing else.

No riding since we've been back, unfortunately. Been busy focussing on the business of dogs and the weather has NOT been cooperating with my limited schedule. We are hopefully looking forward to a Bird's Hill ride & sleep over for the middle of October, if we can pawn the spawn off. We shall see!

Hope all of you are enjoying all good things horse. We can't afford not to take in their wholesome therapy!

Love seeing the fuzzy beast in the pasture every day. He's such a delightful ham. I've got to remember the camera on my pasture walks one of these days...

Camping With Horses

What an amazing weekend!

We arrived at the ranch at 4 pm and set the horses up in their own corral.



A quick zip across the road to set up our own cozy diggs:



We had no time left for riding that evening, so hunkered down for some misty campfire sittin'. Up at a luxurious 9 am, we had a delightful campfire breakfast and zipped down to the ranch, on the trail for 11 am.

We traversed some spectacular trails out there. From the steapest sand dunes to deep water crossings, there isn't a moment you and your horse aren't engaged in your environement.

Bill had two oopsie incidents, one right out of the gate. We instantly forgave him for spooking at a spooking flock of geese around the corner. The second one wasn't so keen... he decided to be wary of some minor white water on a ledge and almost backed right up off the darned thing. 30 mins later, he marched through the wash-out at a bridge site without a hitch. Go figure.

Max was a champ through it all, only batting an eye when he sleepily walked past some run-off froth build up... we had already passed it so that it was under my boot, but suddenly he saw it and pulled some kind of amazing lipizzaner jump & kick-out manoeuvre that I sat like a pro, if I do say so. He also was very cautious whenever he was in the lead. His feet held up well through the rocky half of the terrain.

Very successful time and wonderful cool weather - NO BUGS!

Tacking up...


Goofing around the yard...

More Goofin...

Last one goofin...

Couple of trail shots:

Good Times.

So we've hit the trail twice. Not monumentous, but pretty fantastic!

The first ride was pretty tame, just exploring some freshly cleared fields. Hubby rode with me and it was neat to catalogue everything about what made Max tick. He was very tuned into Bill's status the entire time and constantly gravitated toward him. We practiced some tame trotting which can be a challenge in an open area. He came back to me instantly and remained extremely light the entire time. Some dairy cows in the distance wearing bells caught his attention but it was the vehicles near and far that retained it. We didn't bother trying to share the road this time around.

The second ride was phenomenal. A friend borrowed the hubby's gelding and we hit a local sand quarry via a friendly neighbor's bush trails. The trails themselves were beautifully groomed and we passed two bee colonies calmly, without incident. I had Petra take the lead with Bill and Max marched right into the sand, water and whatever we put in front of him. We crossed depths that got my knees wet, even once I pulled them up as high as I could. The other side was a do or die situation of scaling daunting inclines and he never hesitated. This sucker is a veritable mountain goat! We exited the quarry via a gorgeous little road at another controlled trot. Traversed some deep ditches and battled the vehicle phobia. He was doing very well sharing the road, especially if I kept his feet moving and gently asked him to control his reaction. He got to the point of a simple head-bob when some idiot ruined our progress. How can people NOT understand that a horse does not like a vehicle zipping up their ass at 60kms?! We had a quick scoot forward up into own Bill's tolerant hind end.

Tomorrow afternoon we load up for a two hour trailer ride to the lake! We'll be renting a corral at the ranch out there, a place I worked at for a handful of years. I know the stunning trails out there and can't wait to show hubby, not to mention explore just who Max is!

The Last Integration

I just knew Bill would be his typical crusty self. He was so great for all the mares introduced to his herd.

Max's re-initiation wasn't as brutal as the first time. He's taking it very well, maintaining a polite distance and immediately deferring when Bill feels the need to put a chase on. I know the time will come soon that he steps up and takes his place again. I hope Bill back off soon!

I was releived that for the initial event, the mares wanted nothing to do with the drama. We had pulled Mom and Baby right out of the pasture and distracted them with feed. The others hung out with us at the fence while the boys hashed things out. Even once they'd calmed down and we put Mom and Baby back in, the ladies stayed away from any tussling and Mom kept Baby close.

Still feeding VERY seperately. Actually, due to losing valuable hay in all the muck at the fence, we're driving our feedings out to higher, green ground. The herd on one side, Max on the other.

For all the thunder and flash, there have only been a few minor bite marks and chest-kicks exchaned. They sure are a gorgeous sight to see, running around all puffed up!

NOW He's Back!

Well I'm happy to say that the goofball has already come out of his shell. He must have been quite put out by being sent to boarding skool!

We continue to work on having polite feet while someone is handling them. I'm proud to say that we were able to rest them on the hoofjack and rasp!! Not a bad job done, either.

As I type this, the boy is grazing out on the yard with the other light horse in our herd, the grey appendix mare. Got to get those calories in! We were going to integrate today, but the footing is far too wet. For sure we'll have one solid herd by the weekend.

On the yard last night while the others glumly scrounged for hay scraps on their less-than-green side of the fence:

I'm loving his furry little fetlocks and am thinking I'll leave them grown out. Sort of balances his comical self!

Whoops! Just had a horse mug right up against the living room window! I think he appreciated my wave. Nobody is quite as inquisitive as Max.

HE'S HOME!!!

So I'm one HAPPY camper. It's as though someone taught him English and we can now have a proper conversation! No more misunderstandings, blank looks and lack of response! I'll let my picture mantage tell the story (GREAT shots, camerawoMAN!):

(yay!) walking things out...let's try the trot...and a rockin' canter...bee-utiful stop.the latest trick in his book...
He came back lighter and lighter. In weight more than I'd like, but it won't take any time at all to bulk him back up. The saddle doesn't fit as well as it did with some cusion. He's MUCH lighter in response and on the hands, all around. I just can't believe the difference.

There's still Max in there. I didn't want to lose him entirely. Still tricky to work those feet. I hope I can get a good trim going on him as I can on hubby's horse, Bill. As it stands, I don't trust him enough to crawl underneath. ^shrug^ We'll see how far we can get.

From him personally, I sense a growing up, which is what this entire adventure was about, after all. For the first time he had to work (hard) daily. He did very well and in keeping with his forgiving personality, didn't offer any stinky behaviour.

I'm really looking forward to our riding relationship from now-on, especially our camping trip in two weeks!! Look out Falcon Lake!!!

Mom + One

No, not the guy on the fence... the babe peeking out from behind. Appearances can be deceiving, though. This little guy is no timid mouse.

At four months old, he has not yet been with any other horses than Mom. The plan is to integrate them slowly, first with a mare Mom knows from another place, then with a very maternal sweetheart of a mare.

You will, of course have noticed the cribbing collar. The hope is that with the high environment enrichment our pasture offers, Mom will forget all about her habit born of boredom. We shall see.

Mom is half Shire, half Thoroughbred. Dad is one quarter Percheron, the rest Thoroughbred. Any dressage people shopping out there may want to take a peek...

Max comes home Thursday!! I cannot believe how ready I am to have his mug back in our pasture.

The Herd

The newest girl, another appendix like the pal, though of an entirely different type. This one was a school horse in a large jumping barn in BC, apparently. She's now doing very well teaching her newbie owners.



Purty Line Up.

Love Birds.

Friendly Gurl.

Boy, am I bored, waiting around for the trainer to work his magic, lol!

Hilarious how, all my riding life I would have done almost anything to ride a horse like Bill and now that I am playing with him almost daily, I'm totally bored! Have yet to get some good riding shots of the two of us.