Renny's Mounting Block Training Day!

This morning I went out to the barn and the weather was beautiful -- deep into the 50s with a light rain giving the promise of Spring! Renny and I have started our training in earnest! Today he stood quietly in the cross-ties, accepted his saddle, practiced lunging with a little bit of cantering, gave to the line around his hocks, trotted-in-hand and then we had a big surprise! I brought him over to the mounting block and he wasn't really looking at me, so the next time he turned around, he was shocked to see Grandma towering over him standing on the mounting block steps. He took off like a startled little bottlerocket. And spun around to keep his heinie away from his Grandma cougar! I laughed and laughed at his surprise and instead we turned it into the squeeze game, making him happily walk back and forth between the mounting block with tall Grandma and the viewing room wall. He was happy proving that he can do the squeeze game! I look forward to trying the mounting block again!

My Beautiful Foundation Mare

Here is a photo from late October, but I'm writing this entry on November 9th, a beautiful sunny Sunday. Today when I went to visit my girls in their Fall pasture by the road, I was so pleased because they both came walking up to say hello. In fact, Hailee came walking from a long distance, just to see me. I came down a couple different times and each time, she would come close just to be petted and chatted to while she was grazing. I am so proud that I have her trust. I pray that I can fulfill the social contract with her. Such a good and loving girl.

Renny Butt-High in Pasture

Here's my patient teenager, wondering what to do. Namaste.

Violet's Birthday Celebration!

Here are some photos from Violet's birthday celebration today. The herd loved her carrot molasses headbobbers. Renny was adorable. And Hailee was happy to celebrate too. A very nice surprise is that Sandy from Sugarbrook Farm posted photos of Renny's latest half-brother. He was this rich bay with the cutest white snip. And he had Renny's pert ears. I only have about 4 1/2 months to enjoy my remaining time with Renny. So, I am determined to make every minute count. Anyway, happy birthday to my big red girl. Notice in the one photo that she has her ears forward and she is eyeing that treat. My girl is ready for her birthday cookie!

Violet Turns 7!

This photo is from October 26, 2009 and you can see the sisters are in the bottom pasture. Today Violet is 7 years old, the beautiful child of Groomstick out of Wining Effort. You would not believe how genuinely miraculous she is. Take today for example. I am writing this entry on November 8, 2009 and I have had a rough horrible weekend. Some people betrayed my trust and I was feeling so wretched and horrible. I didn't sleep well, I was agitated, I couldn't concentrate, I was restless. My mood was angry to hurt. But I'd go out to see my horses and they were plain old wonderful. And Miss Thing? Well, she was just all that and a bag of chips. I drove her on both Saturday and Sunday and she just was so athletic, focused, delightful, talented. She would prick her ears with happiness when I laughed, sang or praised her. She listened to my voice leads beautifully and we cantered and cantered and cantered! But today she was her funny self. I went out to the pasture to get her and she was happy to see me and gave me kisses, but she didn't want to leave the pasture to work. So, she would just stop and wait for me to hug and convince her. She just wanted to make a point. But then she was superb. She stood patiently and well for the grooming, harnessing, and hitching. And she moved off and was a real athlete. And afterwards, I took her to her stall and she took a long, long, long drink and then I walked her to her pasture. She was standing right besides me and I released her and she took off like a powerful bottle rocket from right beside me with a squeal and snort and crow hop of annoyance and jetted around the pasture twice before running right back up to me and stopping, head high, just to see if I got her point. And her point? See? I told you I didn't want to work! But she did work and sweetly. You have got to love a super communicative, intelligent girl who will give you her best effort even when she'd rather be lounging in the sun, in the pasture with her buddies. Happy Birthday, my angel. I love you so very much!

My Big Weekend with Violet!

So, Violet and I have been working hard. I feel badly for her because she's such a good girl and she has to carry a fearful timid beginner rider. But Stacey has been working with us closely. I've been taking riding lessons twice a week and then Violet and I have been taking private lessons with Stacey weekly for about three weeks now. But we were having setbacks -- I couldn't shake my fear. Violet wouldn't want to work by the gates quietly. She would pull heavily into my hands or rush through her transitions. When we would ride with several people -- like Gay, Mary, Cheri, Baker and Sherry, the nicest ladies you'll ever meet -- I would get nervous. So, I was nervous about this weekend because we had a Saturday morning lesson and our first dressage lesson with Janet. But it was great, just wonderful. We had a wonderful lesson on Saturday morning, she worked quietly the whole time and I felt good on her. And we did a really nice three loop serpentine in both directions at the canter. It was a big achievement. Now that Saturday morning lesson was with bungee reins which is just a crutch or aid that will be temporary, but it sure gave Violet something to focus on rather than weight into my hands. And then today we had our dressage lesson. Janet is such a nice woman. She listened to my fear. She listened to my beginner status. She listened that I only want to have safe rides, and she worked with that. She worked our tail off! I was tired when we were all done, but it felt great! I am still having trouble getting Violet to work the corners, but Janet was very good at explaining how to speak to Violet with the reins and how to get the action I want through my seat and legs. Violet did a big loosey goosey thoroughbred spook by the door when she heard someone in the feed room (50 minutes into our ride when she was tired and looking for an end) and I toppled forward onto her neck. But I stayed on! And I just started her at the trot quietly again. I am really grateful to Stacey and Janet. I can definitely see a change in both Violet and myself in this short time. And I really truly believe that Violet has come further under 3 training/private lesson rides with Stacey than she did the entire 7 months she was in training. Violet is learning to supple, give, and carry her own weight. And she is learning to work for a full hour or more without complaint. And I am learning to ride square and straight and post like I mean it and drive that beautiful girl forward!

Cats in Shadows

Here they are, Jackass and Arcangelo, waking up from a comfortable nap and politely posing for their geeky mom.

Ren Pummels His Pals!

I really love this photo. You can see Ren is really happy and serious about his task of bugging Skippy Jon Jones. And this picture captures Skippy closing his eyes and pinning his ears in annoyance and clacking his teeth furiously to display his subordination. Happy naughty pony! And you know what's cool -- I was with boy of these boys on their first days of life!!

The Coolest Chicks on Earth in their New Home!

These photos and video were taken very soon after Thelma and Louise moved to Laurel Wreath Farm and before I left to visit my family in Rhinelander. They look sweet and happy and they have changed a great deal. I am writing this on October 29th and these photos were taken August 3rd. They are much larger, plumper, and have the most beautiful red combs and red flaps. They are elegant young ladies now rather than young girls!

Renny and his Krewe

What can I say? Namaste.

Learning from Horses

So, the previous post from September talks about learning to live in the moment and to be present to what the world is teaching. And so I am writing this entry on March 3rd as sort of an addendum. Much has changed since that previous post. I am still close friends with one trainer from that farm back in September. I appreciate his integrity and honesty and genuine care for horses and their humans. But sometimes doors close and if you're fully present in the moment, you realize that you need to move on. My herd and I are working on our new moments together at St. George. I love my herd and as you can see in Renny's sweet kind gentle "in the moment" eye, he loves Grams too. So, here's to hard lessons and loss, and here's to sustaining friendships. Namaste.

The Beautiful Bottom Pasture in September

I can tell you that one thing that horses have taught me is that you should enjoy the moment and live in the present. Here I am with the three most wonderful creatures on the face of the earth and when I was a child I had the most wonderful pony on the face of the earth. Right now, we are in a barn owned by a family I care a great deal about -- who have cared for my and my herd with love. And right now, I have two wonderful kind trainers who care about horse and rider and friendship. And someday this will pass away -- It is really important to appreciate the moment.

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My Girls Last September

Here is a photo and video of beautiful Violet and Hailee on September 3rd, 2009. I am writing this entry in October and we've had lots of changes to the farm. We have a new trainer, Coy, and Hailee has begun working with him. Violet and I are taking lessons from him and he is emphasizing gentleness and suppleness. And Vi and I are digging it. Plus I know that Hailee likes the activity and purpose too. This morning I went to the stable and Coy told me a story about Renny and his native intelligence. Turns out that he had put Renny into the indoor round pen and Ren decided to just open the door and walk right on out with confidence and relaxed purpose. Such a smarty pants!

Renny in Early September 2009!

I am writing this entry on October 29th and this photo and video are from September 3rd. You can see my independent fella, far off from his peeps in the background. He knows he's the man of the front pasture. Right now the Fall is so beautiful and colorful and the leaves are falling everywhere. We are almost transitioned into the last season of this year! But in this photo, the world is still green, green, green and my little guy is red and happy!