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...
Maximus
Well, OK... 1/2 Norse. He's a Quarter Horse/Norwegian Fjord cross.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
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:
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:
Thursday, September 9, 2010
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 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!
Friday, September 3, 2010
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!
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!
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