Trail Riding!

Got up early and went to church and then made it home in time to saddle up and head out for a ride. Well...I guess not really saddle up since I just decided to take Cocoa bareback... :)

I played with Cocoa in the pasture for a bit. Just did some of the 7 Games, traveling circling game...etc. I hopped on and we cruised around the pasture and then headed down the backroad to check the footing which wasn't very good. We were contemplating on riding today because it has been SO icy! But I rode Cocoa over to Michelle's anyways and she went literally leaping through the snow on the trail there.

Cocoa patiently waited for them to tack up and we were off. The horses cautiously stepped in the ditch and attempted not to slip and we finally made it to the trail. Michelle was able to ride again so she got to ride Ace and Liz rode Vic! We just hit the trails and even got in a little bit of cantering and trotting despite the bad footing. I had Cocoa stopped and Ace got a little too close so Cocoa tried to kick her (naughty horse) then once we got up the hill Cocoa and Vic were exchanging death glare glances. Vic wheeled around and kicked Cocoa. None of us were expecting this out of Vic...my guess he was mad at Cocoa for trying to kick his Ace. lol Nobody got hurt but I had slid off to get out of the way and had a fun time trying to jump back on Cocoa in my slippery snowpants and many layers of warm clothes! lol

So the horses got out for a good ride and it was a beautiful day...Dixie wasn't so pleased that she had to stay behind yet again.


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Out for a Stroll..

Cocoa and I headed out into the winter wonderland to go for a walk today. We didn't make it too far because the road was one bit sheet of very slippery ice. So we stuck to the ditch and she got to rummage for dried grass...she was pleased. I had her jump so huge snowbanks..Cocoa gets such a kick out of doing that where Dixie just plows straight through them..my little bulldozer!

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Happy Holidays straight from the Horses!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!!

Cocoa eating snow while waiting..and Dixie wondering what she's eating.

Cocoa the 'white-nosed' pony!

Dixie busy bugging Cocoa..as usual! :)

THE END!!

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Christmas and Presents!

Finally opened all of the presents and here are some of the things the horses and I got this year!

- Video Camera (and some accesories) Now I just have to figure out how to work it!
- Horse Slippers
- Ariat winter boots (don't fit and didn't seem to warm - have to send them back)
- Sock liners..(to try and keep my toes from freezing)
- Ariat Half Chaps from Dover (haven't come yet)
- Twilight book! (YAY! Already read the whole series...but just wanted to own it!)
- Clothes


And finally...I knew about this already since they told me right after they ordered it due to a umm complication...

-TICKET to the Parelli Madison Celebration

But..my cousin in Oregon's graduation is the same date..and we were supposed to go to that. So I might have to switch which Celebration I go to... :(

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Have a Very Merry Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Winter Wonderland

After Cocoa and I got home we headed to check the mail. Then I let her out eat in the front yard like usual. I headed to get little Dixie and let her out with Cocoa. She was very impatiently waiting at the gate for me to let her out. So...I had to take some pics. of the little stinker. :) She wasn't pleased that I was stalling...but she was still ah-dorable!

Dixie saying.."Let me out, NOW!"

She just spotted Cocoa eating in the yard.

"Alright already"...I let her out, and she's heading to find Cocoa!
And she's off!
Now where is Cocoa?




So they both happily got to eat...and still are eating in the front yard! I put Cocoa's green cooler blankie on and then left them in peace to try and find some roughage!





Cocoa saying hi!

I Spy some grass!

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Mission Accomplished

Hopped on Cocoa bareback and took her out for a spin! Dixie, much to her dismay, had to stay home for this route. Cocoa and I had a mission to accomplish.

This morning I was wrapping presents and I was painting some of my gifts and I realized I didn't know what the other side of Roxy looked like. I didn't have a pic. of her from that side either so I couldn't finish painting the figurine I had got for Jess till I had some footage. So...that is where Cocoa came in!

Cocoa and I headed over for a visit and to get some shots of Roxy's other side! We headed down the road, walked through the knee deep snow in the ditches (just for the fun of it!), and even continued to jump some of the big snowbanks that were made by the snowplow!! Then we finally made it to the trail to Jess's. The trees were all full of snow, I should have taken a pic. it was so pretty but very wet! Even though I tried to duck (did a lot of that) we still managed to bump the branches and then all the snow came tumbling down on us. Luckily I dressed for the occasion this time and had snowpants on...even though they are slippery and a challenge to ride in. I've mastered riding Cocoa in waders while she is wet down at the river so snowpants aren't all that bad! We finally made it out of the trees and then took a little detour to canter around the field and weave through some trees then I had her gallop up the hill to Jess's.

Cocoa was so excited since she hadn't seen Hank and Roxy in awhile. She greeted them and made herself look all big and Araby. :) Then proceeded to be sassy and bellow out little squeals at them. Roxy was thrilled to see her and was trotting all over the pasture! We all said hi, I took some pics. of the very photogenic horses, and then hopped back on Cocoa to head back home.

Roxy girl!
Hank!


We cantered down the trail from their house and then cantered all around the field behind their house! Cocoa wanted to go faster so I let her but then my little Arab got a wee bit RB so we had to tone in down a tish. I had her do some circles which she proceeded to do wonderfully. So we did some from the other direction and when she had simmered down we cantered around the rest of the field at a nice slow paced canter. Then the rest of the way we just walked home to cool her out and stopped for an occasional snipit of dried grass. Fun little outing! It wasn't too incredibly cold but my eyes were tearing up from anything more than a walk because of the cold air!



Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Dashing Through the Snow...

..In a one horse open sleigh... lol Now all I need is a sleigh to make that come true! My uncle wanted me to ask for one for Christmas...but I had some other things in mind that came before a sleigh! lol But I do want to teach Cocoa how to pull a sled and pony people around!! :)

I went out and played with the horses for a bit today. I had them out in the pasture with me and Dixie proceeded to lay down beside me again! And then Cocoa saw Dixie rolling so she rolled too...Hmm..hopefully I can take this and use it to teach Dixie how to lay down on cue. We'll see!

We romped around the pasture till I got too tired trying to run in all my snowgear. Then the horses headed down to the big pasture when they figured out the gate was left open. I let them eat out there for a bit and then grabbed their halters and headed down.

First I played with little Miss Dixie. I had her come to me in the pasture and put her halter on and then just let her munch for a bit more. Then we did some traveling circling game in the deep snow! I had her back from Zone 5 with just using my Energy!! And back by her hocks, and tail too. Then we did some circling game and change of direction. She was very spunky and took higher phases with a little snot off attitude. I had her cantering around for a bit and then let her come in. Then we did some serpentines towards me and even some serpentines sideways and towards me. She catches on so quickly. I rested in the snow and she licked my hat and just nuzzled me. She is such a keeper.

I then took her in the roundpen and did a little bit of the Catching Game with her. One lap and she came eagerly trotting right in to me. We played some of the 7 Games at Liberty and I picked up her feet. Then I sat down again and did some playing around with lowering her head. She was so curious, and wanted to paw me then tried to chew on the carrot stick. I wanted to check her teeth so after a little convincing I got a good look at her little chompers. Her adult teeth came in so nicely! But it looks like she's got a few baby ones left. She had so much fun slobbering all over me and grabbing my hat off my head. :) Then she nuzzled my face and tried to give me kisses....wet snowy ones..lol And who taught her that trick!?! lol :)

I let them both out in the yard..and then had them go for a walk with me. We just went down the road aways to say hi to the neighborhood horses, Ace, Vic, and Colby then headed back home.

I wanted to do one last thing with Dixie. I opened up the trailer and practiced some loading. Well..she didn't need much practice. She hopped right in there almost before I asked her too! What a good girl!! It was a little slippery so I was wary...cause it is just wood down in the trailer we don't have mats yet but she was ok.

They got to eat in the yard the rest of the day till we headed into town.

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Life Session with Farrah for Cocoa!

Today was the day for Cocoa's Life Session with Farrah! I was very thrilled to get to do this and see what doors it would open to figuring out what was wrong with Cocoa! I learned a lot and have a couple options to consider now. I'm not sure exactly what route I will be able to take with her or what I can afford but I'm going to try and help her feel better!

I'll post more specifics on it later!


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Playing with the Ponies in the Snow

I bundled up and went out and spent some quality time with the horses! They were very happy for some company...sometimes they see a little too much of each other I think. They seemed to be at their wits ends today with each other. I first attempted to chip all the frozen ice/snow out of their hooves then proceeded to spray them with PAM to stop the build up. We'll see how long that lasts! Then I asked Cocoa to step all four feet up on the tractor tire which she did...and then I stepped up there with her! After spending some good ole' undemanding time with them I opened the small pasture gait and we ventured out into the freezing cold white winter wonderland. The two munchkins followed me all over the front pasture and I finally laid down and attempted to make a snow angel while they were supposed to be pawing for grass. Well Dixers came over to investigate. That's my curious LB bugger! So she sniffed me and then finally was frusterated when I didn't move so she was going to start to paw me. That got me to to sit up awfully quick. :) Then she just tried to take me hat off and scratch on me. She went back to pawing the snow so I thought she was fed up with me and was going to eat some more grass but boy did she surprise me when she decided to LAY DOWN right beside me!!! Then I had to scoot out of the way cause she had major plans to roll all over that place. She tried to get over a couple times but she just couldn't get all the way with the blankie on...it was pretty funny to watch. So she had to get back up and go down again to get the other side. Haha.
Meanwhile Cocoa decided a roll sounded great too..so she went down too! She didn't have a blanket on and easily cleared both sides! Dixie got up and was going over to bug her so I tried to distract her from irritating Cocoa by giving her a good scratch and boy oh boy did it work. Apparently her neck was very itchy! We ambled around the pasture some more..I sat down again and again to my surprise SO DID Dixie!! Then we all three ran the pasture, fixed the fence, and shook snow off the trees to keep them from leaning their branches on the fence.
I think the running through the trees they've been doing..was the source of the hole in Cocoa's blanket that Dixie was wearing...grrr...
I finally opened the lower pasture gate and they went barreling out there cause their is a much better chance they will find edible stuff out there and they know it! I laid out there with them for a while till my toes froze and then headed back inside.

It wasn't an incredibly productive day but we still had fun. Hopefully it will finally warm up and get us out of this major cold spell....It only got to like 5 degrees tops today. BRRR...

Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

A Snowy Ride

I went and volunteered at Shopping with Santa and then was able to come home and play with the ponies!

Cocoa and Dixie were able to eat in the backyard and try and scrape and get grass all morning so I grabbed Cocoa out of the pasture and took her out for a spin! Just hopped on bareback and we were off....We ended up going on a pretty long ride..we were out for about 2 hours. Luckily it was surprisingly warm and we did a ton of cantering and racing through the trees! We were definitely kicking up some snow! :)

Cocoa did ah-mazing! At first she was a little pokey, but we had to follow the road so that was understandable because the road isn't all that exciting. We did a lot of cantering down the road since it seemed the footing was ok and not too slippery with all the snow. She was offering nice slow canters so that was great! Headed down to the St. Francis Tree Grove and stepped all over the tarps down there and then jumped all the trees they had cut down! Now that was fun! Continued on through the Tree Grove and we jumped a tree branch....Cocoa way overjumped it but I was right with her and it was amazing. When we finally got to the trail we cantered the whole way till we made it to our "Race Track". Cocoa and I galloped around just about the whole thing.....and it's HUGE! We made it all the way around this time and it's even bigger and windery than I originally had thought!

Then we got back on the trail and did lots of vertical flexion and collected trotting up and down all the hills. She got a pretty dang good workout!! We finally made it home after saying "hi" to the neighbors horses and Dixie heard us coming..she wasn't pleased with being left behind but I had wanted to take Cocoa on a long fast ride so Dixie would have gotten too tired.

They got to eat in the front yard for awhile and then I went and brought Dixie down to the round pen for a little playtime right before church. First we did a little bit with the barrel. I had her go sideways over it and then jump it. She didn't want to jump it at first and went a little RB but I calmed her back down and then asked her again and she just LEAPED over it! :) I did the Catching Game with her to start with and after about a half of a circle she wanted to come in and did. Then we just did some Stick to Me...backing by the tail, backing ..from Zone 5 and not using the tail just going by energy!! Sideways towards, picking up all four feet, leading by the lip. Then we had to run back up to the barn so I wouldn't be late!


Savvy Out,
Olivia, Cocoa, and Dixie

Playing in the Snow

It was snowing even more today..and now we have a nice covering on the ground. The horses actually have to dig/scrape to get to the grass....winter has started!

I let the horses out into the big pasture to graze and they went barreling down there racing each other and having a blast stretching their limbs. I took my carrot stick and ambled out there to just do a little liberty with them. I knew they wanted to eat the grass so I didn't ask for too much. Cocoa was SO into it..everytime I would even glance at her...or ask Dixie to come to me or something she would come running. :) LBE tonight! So I had Cocoa do some close range circling and then cantering beside me. We did some back up by the tail, serpentines towards me, and then just ran around like crazy! I didn't want her to do too much cantering though...since it was Slippery already! ugg..

Then I did some backing by the hocks with Dixie and improving her draw. It's amazing how fast she picked up on that. She loves trotting to me all the time! We did some sideways towards, with a swing your hiney over into a backup! :) That went well...and then I had her run around a bit and called it quits and let them eat in peace!

When I brought them in for summer they were caked with a layer of snow!

Snow and Pictures

We definitely have a white dusting of snow layering the ground here! I decided to take some pics. of my wet, snowy munchkins after breakfast. They stood on the tractor tire but didn't both want to be up there together and share since they were feeling a bit crabby towards each other. Most likely the cold weather has got to them too! They were following me everywhere... (isn't that how it always goes when you want to take pics??)

UPDATE: Well I had a 4-H Christmas party to go to...so I didn't have too much time but I put Dixie's halter on and the 22 ft. and we headed out for a bit. Cocoa was so jealous. We played a little bit in the front yard and Cocoa ran around the pasture. Cocoa and Dixie are usually little angels when it comes to be seperated but Cocoa was NOT happy to be the one left out tonight. I did some 7 games in the front...then headed to the big field. We attempted to plow through the thick weeds and did some traveling circling game. Then finally made it to my old round pen area...there is a cirlce indent but no longer a fence up. We did some circling game with change of direction and just played around. She had a couple RB moments but for the most part we improved our draw on the changing direction segment. She got really pumped and we even did a tad bit of cutting!! Then did some yielding the hiney and stick to me. She mimicks my every footfall...it's fantastic! We ventured over to the barrel and I stood about 15 feet away from it and sent her too it and she got herself all perfectly lined up beside it and then easily sidepassed over it! What a good girl! She's got that down PAT!....Then I had her jump it..with one barrel it took two circles till she jumped it and when she did she Flew over it.. :) haha Just a little bit of an overjump! Then I stood on the other side of the barrel and almost at a standstill she jumped it to come to me! We stopped with the barrel and ran up the hill...and just cantered all around. She and I got a bunch of energy out..she was having so much fun but I was tired. So we went back to the barrel I had her line up beside it and then tied by 22 ft. into a hackamore and hopped on. She walked off after a bit and did a little crow hop..it was rather cute. I haven't rode her in awhile so maybe that is why? But I was happy...because she's never bucked or anything for me when I've rode her so it's good she got something out! lol Then we just walked and trotted around the track and she did marvelous stops and back ups! I'm so proud of my little 2 1/2 year old she's come so far!! Then we had to bring it in so I could go. Definitely ended on a good note!

Playing in the Round pen

Snowy and cold out yet again...it warmed up to about 10 degrees. Uggh!
I had the ponies out eating in the back pasture and when I called for them Cocoa bellowed out one of her loud, low whinnys! It was so cute. Then they came walking up to meet me in the other pasture...Cocoa actually put some effort and JUMPED over the log! :)
I attempted to scrape all the excess snow out of the horses hooves but it was stuck in there pretty good. Then I put there halters on and we ventured down to the round pen. I let them both loose and then sent them out. They were having fun together running around. Dixie was in the back first but then decided she should be up front so it didn't work as well as it had when I used the signals to tell them to slow down since Dixie isn't quite that far at liberty yet. We did some change of direction and a lot of trotting and cantering! Cocoa was a little reluctant to come all the way in..when I disengaged Dixie would come running in right away and be right there so Cocoa was Jealous? She seems to be acting a little like that lately whenever Dixie wants to be right by me. I had them do some yo-yo at liberty and Cocoa was pleased to stay with me when Dixie decided to leave...she did about a lap and decided she wanted to come back in! After that we just did some Stick to me...and I had Cocoa cantering beside me and then even did some cutting and got her to rear up! :) Fun Fun!

After that I hopped on Cocoa bareback..in my pj's! lol And then ponied Dixie around beside us in the roundpen and then headed out. We followed the back road a ways then went in the 'old' pasture/clearing and followed the 4-wheeler track at a trot with Dixie sometimes occasionally cantering beside us. Cocoa was even doing some really nice vertical flexion. Then we went back to the yard and cantered up the hill from the back to the front..I let them eat a little grass then put them back in the corral with some hay.

Went to Buca's with some friends for a b-day..so didn't get much else done with the ponies and unforchantly no pics. with them in the round pen.

Trail Riding!

Finally hunting season has ceased!

Had the horses eat in the front yard then went out and grabbed Dixie! I had her 'help' mom with the Christmas lights...and sniff all that! Then did some sideways towards on her 'off/bad' side! Now...both sides are about equal! YAY! Did some more practice with tying and then groomed her all up! Then we sniffed around the trailer and I had her load. She walked right in the first time I asked..and I backed her out by her tail. She wasn't nervous at all..and found the edge and stepped down fluidly!

Then we went down to the roundpen. Cocoa came cantering from the front yard to the back to be by us! I did the Catching Game with Dixie again...and she figured it out so quickly!! Did some backing by the hocks, leading by the lip, and then standing with all four feet on the tractor tire!

Finally I went and got Cocoa so we could get ready for our ride. Groomed and played with her. I haven't practiced with trailer loading with her in a while and she was a little nervous last time so we did some of that. She stepped up with two feet and then the next time she loaded right up! :)

I went out with Liz and one of Michelle's friends. It was a nice day but pretty chilly out by the time we got back I felt like an icicle! So we all headed out and stuck to the road for a ways then finally went got to the trails. Did a little trotting and cantering. Cocoa wasn't feeling to peppy. I noticed before we went out she had a chip in her hoof so I filed that right aways but I also noticed she seemed to be walking a little funny in front but didn't seem to be bothering her at all. So we took it pretty slow and easy. We stumbled upon a couple new trails they made since they have been logging....and they made a track all around this clearing! So...it's like a private race track! Cocoa is going to be in such good shape..I can't wait to canter around it! Liz and I thought that it has to be atleast a mile in distance. Oh yah...and we saw a whole like flock of TURKEY's out there when we were riding!! Right before Thanksgiving.

Made it back and I had to head straight over to Anna's for Amanda's 17th B-day party!

Just Chilling Out - PICTURES!

I went out and let the horses right out to eat in the yard...since it was actually SUNNY out! But...still cold. I was going to put their halters on when they were eating in the yard and Cocoa suddenly perks up..and just stares at something in the trees. I look too because her attention was just captured by something..and sure enough it was big buck! Good thing I'm not a hunter because my horse is good at spotting deer! So...we both stood there and watched it just standing staring at us from our neighbors yard..then it hoppity hopped hopped away, across the road and then the field to the river. My dad and brother were not happy to hear that!

I played with Dixie a bit. Brought her in the barn and did some more with pressure towards me...yielding her hindqtrs. towards me...just the hiney not full sideways towards. I want to have her swing her butt and then go right into a back up someday Then we did some sideway towards me while standing on a bucket for prep for mounting. Friendly time...she is so cute! If I just sit there she will start nuzzling me with her little muzzle on my head! :) And she's getting better at kisses too! She's been pretty touchy and sensitive about her muzzle lately but I think that's probably because she might be sore cause of all her loose baby teeth!

I groomed her up a bit...then we headed out and practiced some tying. That is one thing Dixie hasn't been taught yet. I'm a little nervous about it...because she has a tendency to pull back...if something scares her or just in general. But she did great...stood there patiently after she realized she couldn't eat the grass! lol Then we went and sniffed my brothers bright orange huntin gear he had hanging from a tree. She put her muzzle right in the baseball cap! It was picture perfect. Here's a picture of Dixie patiently waiting to be untied!

Then we continued on to the trailer. First I had her back up to it and just keep Zone 5 there..it was tricky for her at first and she got a little confused so we just took it slow. Then I stood up in the trailer and had her swing Zone 5 towards me so she was standing parallel to the back of the trailer. We eventually went to the windows....this is Dixie's favorite part!! She loves looking at herself in the windows! She just stares and stares..! Finally I asked her to load up. She eageraly put her front two feet right up and then we took it slowly..a hoof at a time and she checked everything out. Then finally came in and I still had hay in a hay bag from the other night Cocoa and I went Team Penning so she got to eat that! We just sat in there and chilled...she was totally at ease being in the trailer. I had her back out a couple times and come back in. Dixie is still a little wary about backing out...but our trailer has a pretty big drop so I can see why that is going to take her a while to get used to.

After we went back in their corral I had her put both feet in the little pickup tire! Then we continued on to the tractor tire. She got two front feet up and then she would lift the one back hind leg and just rest it there....as if to tease me! Finally she got all four up and she was so PROUD and TALL! She enjoyed nuzzling Cocoa from up there...she was definitely feeling full of herself.

Later on I saw Michelle and Jerry walk by so I hopped on Cocoa and went to deliver Michelle's belt buckle I borrowed back...Pony Express style! Cocoa was pumped...rounding her back and trotting collected! It felt wonderful. We cantered all along the side of the road...and she was doing a beautiful slow canter. Then I let her gallop down the dirt path...boy was that fun! I had tears streaming down my face because of the cold air blowing by so fast! lol We continued on to Jess's...cantered down their long driveway..but nobody was home so we made a quick detour to say 'hi' to Hank and Roxy..Cocoa's best buds and then headed back home since it was starting to get dark. I had to get off and walk since my legs felt like iceblocks...when we got home I had Cocoa load up in the trailer. Last time on the way to Team Penning she was a little iffy. Well..it was dark out...but she put two feet up right away..and then finally all four. We sat in there and she got to snack.

LBE to the Max

I came home from school and went straight out with the horses. They followed me all over the pasture and would come cantering to me. I ran around with them for a bit. Cocoa was way getting into it...She was acting like a wild mustang! Jumping up in the air and trying to get Dixie to play with her. She was having fun rearing a bit and just joshing around. So we went running up in down the pasture a couple more times!

I let Dixie out to eat grass and brought Cocoa in the roundpen..because when she has all that energy she is just ah-mazing at Liberty. We did some backing between barrels...sideways over barrels one way and then the other. She was doing so good! Then we did some sideways towards, and Stick to me at the Canter. She was staying right beside me and doing little canter strides! :) Then I had her go into the circling game. She got a little RBE but we did some change of direction at the canter and that got her thinking again. Then just some backing by the tail and cantering towards me. It was a Blast!

Surprise Visit

I had the horses eating in the yard and had just hopped on Cocoa when Joan and Mattie drove in! :) (Cocoa was doing so good riding around the yard...She was super hyper and rounding her back, it felt great!) So we talked for a bit...then we took the horses and Mattie for a walk. Dixie decided that she was tired and just stopped about half way through our walk..lol What?!? She can be so goofy sometimes.

Dixie lost ANOTHER tooth!! :) All her baby teeth are falling out.

Parelli

Watched Parelli and then went and developed a bunch of horsie pics. to scrapbook!

Tooth Fairy

We have a little bit of white blanketing the ground. The horses don't have to dig yet...but Dixie attempted to at the grass. Let them eat some in the yard then headed down the road for a walk. We went at a fast pace..due to the sheets of sleet pounding down and the cold. The road was a little slippery but the horses did fine. I let them eat some along the ditches and then we headed home. Dished out their suppers and had them stay in the barn for a bit. I tried to get as much wetness off as possible and then blanketed them for the bit they were in the barn..got a couple pics! My wet girls! I checked Dixie's baby teeth....and sure enough she lost one of the bottom ones!! My baby lost a tooth! Too bad I can't find it. So she had a tad bit more trouble eating...the one that came in is a little smaller but wider.

How exciting!!

Snow..I mean sleet.

We have a little bit of white blanketing the ground. The horses don't have to dig yet...but Dixie attempted to at the grass. Let them eat some in the yard then headed down the road for a walk. We went at a fast pace..due to the sheets of sleet pounding down and the cold. The road was a little slippery but the horses did fine. I let them eat some along the ditches and then we headed home.

Hay

Picked up another load of hay today....total of 38 bales. I think that plus what we have in the barn and the horse trailer should get us through winter. :)

We went out 30 mins. away to get the hay..met Joan there and then went to her house to help her unload her stack. Saw Ty, Gabby, Storm, Cloud, and Mattie!! :)

Got home and unloaded our stack...and let the horses out to graze. Then put Dixie on the 22 ft. line that was frozen stiff..and headed to the round pen. Granted it was freezing out and my rope was like a stick, we didn't get much accomplished. Just had her do a little circling..the ground in the round pen was pretty solid and hard so I didn't push the topic of cantering. And something had dug a hole in the roundpen..so I had to fill that...lol

Did some sideways towards and bring the rump around into a back up! She learned that pretty quick..Pawing on que, picking up all four feet, backing by tail, backing by hocks. We did a lot of Friendly game and just some good scratching. Then finally we wrapped it up with a little Liberty of Stick to Me and Yo-yo.

By this time it was pretty much dark but I hauled everything up to the barn and then grabbed the horses and went for a quick ride down the road. Cocoa was just raring to go. The minute I swung up on her bareback she was like 'Let's GO!' Didn't even want to keep eating. With Dixie in tow we did some trotting around the yard. Cocoa was going at a good pace and ROUNDING her BACK! It felt great. Headed down the paved road...Dixie slowed way down..and Cocoa got in some beautiful vertical flexion. Ate some grass and headed home. The end!


UGG! I hate deer hunting season! It doesn't help that I live right by the trails...I can't go anywhere..and I have a horse that looks like a DEER!

Undemanding Time in the Barn

It's been so wet and rainy/sleet weather that I decided to hang out with the ponies in the barn...granted that is was dark out too!

Had Cocoa in her stall and Dixie roaming the barn and eating hay. Groomed them both up then put Dixie online. Just did some friendly with her and some more with touching her muzzle. She's been sassy about that lately.

Her 'kissing' trick is progressing so well! It's so cute! Dixie is fascinated with hats and hair so she got in some good muzzles!

Then we did some 'Put your nose' on it. She was right on with what I was telling her to touch! BINGO! :)

Revamped sideways towards...she forgot it momentarily. Did some backing by tail.

Then I stood on a bucket and we did some sideways towards to mount. She did that wonderfully and I hopped on. Backed up with the space we had in the barn, went over to visit Cocoa in her stall, then went to go eat some hay. Later I had her going sideways along the boat and Cocoa's stall! She's never gone sideways with me riding before..so that was a first!! Gave her a treat and hopped off. I brought Dixie over by Cocoa and was scratching them both..and Cocoa was demanding ALL the attention so Dixie started getting sassy with her...they squabbled a little. Finally I brought Dixie back out, hopped on Cocoa in the barn and did a little with her and then we headed outside and went for a ride down the road in the dark! :) Even cantered along the ditch, ate alittle grass, and then decided it was probably a good idea to head home since it was pitch black and my toes were freezing!

Team Penning!

We went Team Penning today!! It was ah-mazing and Cocoa did wonderful!

Will post pics, info, and many a video eventually!!

More later.

Parelli!

Watched Parelli on RFD-TV at Anna's!

Trimming

Didn't have much time...and I was just worn out. I ended up watching an episode of McLeod's Daughters just to have some chill time..and then I got the brilliant idea to trim Dixie's hooves.

So I go out and it's already pitch black outside so I brought her in the barn. Granted we only have 4 lights in the barn it doesn't really work so well. So I got another little hand light which lasted me about a 1/4 of a way through one hoof! Luckily I just found out by bringing her in the stall it was lighter in there. I had planned on just doing her front two but then decided I'm already dirty and sweaty I might as well just do them all. She did really good on the front two hooves. Dixie when I first got her had a tendency to try and just go down if she thought you held her foot too long and she was tired...she tried it once last night. The back hooves though...she was trying to rest so much weight on me so that got a little more complicated.

Finally we finished up and I did a little yo yo game with her in the barn, space permitting. Then we did some porquipine with lower your head and then follow a feel with her lip.

I also had them stand on their new tractor tire pedestal!! :)

Halloween!!

Yeah it's Halloween and I still get to go out trick or treating...well for canned goods for our school! :)

I'll post pics. later!! I was a cowgirl. Go figure.

Hay

Let the horses out to graze. I have to be very cautious now to just keep them in the back cause dad fertilized the front...so I'm keeping a very close eye on them.

Played with Dixie in the roundpen. She had a couple RB moments in the circling game. Got a good look at her baby teeth again. Did some backing by the tail, sideways, yo yo, maintain gate on the circle and then it was time to get hay.

Bought 24 bales of hay...and we put them in the trailer...haha So much for having a four horse trailer now.

Just a Stroll

Didn't get much other than a walk with the horses today..was super chilly. I was all bundled up! Dad walked Cocoa and I took Dixie and I was joking that we should have Lucy for mom to walk...haha They didn't go for that. The horses were happy to be out and about. They got a little aggravated with each other I noticed, when I got home from school Dixie had battle scars and Cocoa looked like she had mussed up hair. Ugg. They were a tad bit crabby I noticed too just in general. The weather must be taking a toll on them too.

Dixie was a fiesty snotty little bugger tonight but still super cute. I had her practice giving some more kisses. Then mom and I brought her in the barn and with a flashlight and all took a good look at her teeth. I'm pretty sure she's gonna lose them soon.

Had Dixie stand on the pedestal, she's getting the hang of it now. Then I just scratched Cocoa and Dixie too but forgot to watch out for her bites so she was none to happy about that. Whoops!

4-H Party

I can't believe I'm actually saying this...today Oct. 26, 2008 it snowed here in MN. Not just a couple flakes either it snowed for awhile and was windy on top of that. It was CHILLY!

I woke up late since I was up late babysitting. I headed over to Michelle's to borrow a belt buckle for my Halloween costume! We went out to see the horses and Colby got shocked by the electric fence and then kicked the board and down it went. So..we let him out with Ace and Victory. Ace luckily wasn't trying to kill him and let him go under the overhand! Yah!

So...I didn't do much with my horses. Just a quick grooming and gave them a lot of hay to keep them warm and the bellies full.

Then we headed to the 4-H Halloween party to set up. I was a cowgirl, spurs, belt buckle and all!! lol :) Even bobbed for apples..we had to do it all inside because of the icky weather that wasn't cooperating.

Riding All Day!

Beautiful day!! Wow! I woke up at like 9:30 and it was just gorgeous outside and I had to go for a ride at 10 am! I scooted out and had to get Cocoa all ready. I decided to go in the Wintec instead of bareback. Cocoa and I headed over and met Karin and Vic and then we headed out. Ace and Victory did really good with being seperated, we were expecting Ace to throw a tantrum. Karin and I went out on our ride and the horses were feeling great. Vic was tossing his head and full of himself just like when I rode him last week with Liz! Cocoa was peppy and just raring to go. She did some really nice slow canters and collected trots. Not too much to note on the ride. It went great, saw one hunter, the horses had a blast going up and down all the hills, and we were out till about 12:20. So it was a good ride! Victory was pretty sweated up but Cocoa was even sweaty at all!! That's my girl!

Then I let Cocoa and Dixie eat in the yard. Anna came over for a bit and we planned when we were going to ride to Amanda's. Cocoa had to go out yet another time!

I hopped on Cocoa bareback and we ponied Dixie with us and went to meet Anna, Pip, and Daisy. We didn't let the horses get too close since Pip and Daisy haven't officially met Dixie yet. Headed over and chilled with Amanda and Matt and then headed out on a short trail ride. Dixie was really chugging along slowly on the paved road and Cocoa was again raring to go... :) Not tired a bit! We went past a spooky ghost decoration and my horses didn't even blink an eye..Dixie hardly noticed it was there! lol Then we headed down the hill to the trail. When we were at the bottom Dixie just stopped. Just stopped out of the blue....and stood there. It took Cocoa and I backing up a couple times before she was just like "ohh...you mean you want me to walk." lol And then she continued on. Silly girl. She was a little pokey for most of the ride I'm not sure why, Pip and Daisy were behind us so maybe she was just trying to keep and eye on what they were doing but I thought she would be bouncing off the walls since I haven't got to play with her in a couple of days. Stopped to eat some grass...swampy grass. I trotted and cantered the horses which they did BEAUTIFULLY! :) Right beside each other...side by side! They were being very well behaved even though I've never actually ponied Dixie with other horses. We parted with Anna, Pip, and Daisy and Cocoa was doing her Lion Roar...literally! She does sound like a lion and she roars...not girly at all. She was calling to Pip and Daisy and totally disregarded Dixie. So I used that energy to my advantage...she did an amazing slow very uppity collected sideways trotting! :) It was beautiful and felt amazing. Then we did some very collected trotting and I swear she could have almost had a piaffe. All the while Dixie just followed us with not a care in the world at a slow walk. Then we cantered and trotted down a sand 'driveway' and Cocoa was off her RB energy moment.

They got to eat some more grass...and then I hopped from Cocoa to Dixie! Dixie didn't even blink and eye. I ponied Cocoa from Dixie!!! It was so diff. going from Cocoa to Dixie. Cocoa looked tiny when I looked down from Dixers. And Dixers has SO much topline and Cocoa is lacking...so I can just feel the muscle underneath..it's so cool. So we went like that for a ways did some walk, stop and a couple strides of the trot and then I got off and walked them the rest of the way home. I was so impressed with my girls.

Undemanding Time

A little chilly out, I didn't have too much time, and it was dark so I brought both of the horses in the barn. I put Cocoa in her stall and just had Dixie roam the little area since the pickup was in. Fed them their grain and then I started to just mess around with Dixie a bit. I did some backing up and sideways. We didn't have very much room to work with but she was very light. Then I did some practice with the Porquipine Game and following a feel. She did lead by the lip and lowers her head wonderfully. Then I did some desentitizing with her mouth. I put one finger and she chews and chews then finally stops and I take it out...and we keep doing that till I can get a couple in. I took a look at her baby teeth again today...I think they are going to fall out. :0 We'll see! Then I introduced the bridle to her...because she was curious. I had been just refreshing Cocoa on bridling..Cocoa totally was good about it, she still grabs and takes the bit all by herself. Dixie got a good lick out of it but didn't know what else to think of it. :) Then for the fun of it I semi- taught her how to kiss. I would blow in her nose and she would wiggle her little lip at me..She got the hang of it!

Then I just groomed them both and they were both begging for my attention. :)

Wet Wednesday!

It won't stop raining here. Just as soon as everything starts to dry it rains again and the pastures get all mucky AGAIN! So the corral and pasture is a mess....and speaking of mess. The horses are sopping wet and Dixie looks as though she rolled in a mud puddle. Wouldn't surprise me at all! I didn't do much of anything with the horses. Just let them eat grass all day while it rained when I got home.

Went over and watched PARELLI on RFD-TV! :) It was so good today!

Then later I went over and visited Jess. She just got surgery so we put in a little Parelli and watched that for a bit and just chilled.

Got home and gave the horses some more hay and their grain and that was about it.

Tuesday Twos!

Took both of the munchkins out tonight!

First I let them eat in the yard then I brought Cocoa in the barn. Trimmed both front hooves and then just spent some undemanding time and grooming.
Saddled up and pulled Dixie away from the grass and headed out. It was already pretty late so we weren't able to go too terribly far away. Just headed down the back road and did some trotting. Dixie didn't want to go any faster on the gravel road...I could see she was a little 'ouchy' with her flat footedness on the hard gravel. Headed down a very treey deer path..It literally wasn't much of a trail. We had a do a lot of ducking and little detours and came out covered in pine needles. Dixie cantered sanely beside us up a hill...I was impressed. She was ride in time with Cocoa and stopped when we did. Just followed the trail..Dixie had to go behind us for most of it because the trail wasn't very wide. We made it to 233 and cantered down a really long sandy driveway..it was too tempting to resist. The neighbors mini donkey and Paint ran along their fenceling beside us! haha That was cool!

Then farther down I let Dixie go and sniff noses with all the geldings. DJ thought she was cool but I told him he was too old for Dixie! haha And he's supposed to be Cocoa's boyfriend anyways...lol

Took a little detour home...and cantered (Dixie more like galloped) up a huge hill. She was having a little too much fun! After everyone calmed down we proceeded home! I stopped at the mail box and was able to grab the mail! Pony Express is back!

Monday

Back to school unforchantely.

I rode Cocoa through the shortcut to Jess's. She did AH-MAZING! I was so estatic. So I had just had the horses eating in the pasture and I pulled Cocoa straight from there to the roundpen to play around a little bit. She was keyed up and I had her cutting me..and throughly enjoying our little roundpen playday. She was able to canter a whole lap around the roundpen in the deep sand. Her back still looked a little tense but she didn't appear to be in any pain...So we did some very entergetic change of direction at the canter. Figure 8's at Liberty. Serpentine's off the fence. Then something she hasn't done in a long time...she usually only does this when there are no fences...but she did it in the roundpen today. Cantered right beside me in small circles! Then we just did some mirroring and Stick to me. Since all I had out there was the 22 ft. I did some playing with the flank rope. We did some circling game with it..she struggled a little at first and then picked up on it, we haven't done that task in a while. Did some backing with it and then after that I let her eat in the yard and then snatched her for our ride.

So we went through the shortcut..I was just bareback..and we cantered about the whole thing through all the low branches and trees...it was a little tricky but fun! Then we headed to the opening and did some lovely vertical flexion at the trot. I could feel her rounding her back!!! Then I was able to ask for a very slow rocking horse canter. Now that was fun.

I let her gallop up the hills rest of the way..and then we met Jess and Roxy. Let them eat a little clover and took the horses for a walk. Roxy and Cocoa were so happy to see each other again! It was so cute. We walked them down the road and on the trails. When we got to the horse camp..Cocoa went up to one of the 'curb' parking spots for trailers and while I wasn't paying any attention put one hoof up on it and was just staring at me like 'Look what I did!!' lol It was hilarious. So I had her get both feet up..she looked so proud!

Walked them the rest of the way on the trails and then back to Jess's. Cocoa and I had to scoot to make it home before dark...I always have a tendency to be out riding too late...just ask anyone! We did make it home in time and then I groomed Cocoa and fed the ponies.

Oh..and I almost forgot..I played with Dixie too. We did some traveling circling game and then some falling leaf pattern. After that I played with her in the roundpen. We just did some of the games basically and the Figure 8 pattern. Then like what I did with Cocoa...I used the 22 ft. line as a flank rope and had her back up by it and did some Zone 3 driving. She picked up backing by the flank rope so quickly. After that we practiced change of direction online some days she gets it and others she's a little stubborn/defiant about changing so we'll keep playing with that.

Joan's!

Hung out up at Joan's today with Joan, Mattie, Tyrone, Storm, Cloud, and little Gabbers! It was SO good to see them all again. The horses are all doing great and are happy! Got to help Joan with barn chores again..just like good 'ole times sake. :)

Came home and we took Mattie for walk. I had some major pasture cleaning to do when I got home for my own horses. They made a mess while I was gone...go figure! :) They were so hyper when I got home and I let them out to eat some more.

Then hauled some hay over for the neighbor and then finally got to head out for a snappy ride before it got too dark.

I rode Cocoa just bareback and then Dixie tagged along with us. We didn't get time to go too far but we did a lot of walking and stopping transitions, backing up together side by side, and trotting. They seemed to enjoy themselves, especially when we stopped for a little snack of grass. Got home and groomed them, let them clean up some hay in the barn, then fed them for the night and got everything ready for tomorrow...ugg SCHOOL! yikes, that's going to come early.

More Riding!

Went out riding with Liz today! We were out for a couple hours, I took Vic and she rode Michelle's Ace. They were definitely feeling good and spunky because of the cool weather! Liz was so much fun to hang out with and we had a fantastic ride. Victory even got a little gallop in and a few happy bucks! haha He was feeling really good. :)

Then in the evening I let the horses out in the yard to graze around a bit. Played with Dixie in the yard just a little bit and then hopped on Cocoa and we were off to Anna's. Cocoa did wonderful. I just went bareback cause I knew it was going to have to be a short but sweet ride. Went over the bridge....and there was A LOT of traffic..and big motorhomes and motorcycles. Cocoa did great with all that though. We took the warm up trail and did transitions the whole way. I had her on a lose rein the whole trail and then for the rest we did stop, walk, trot, and canter off just my seat. She was being very light and responsive. We headed a little farther and got a good gallop in and saw were they were logging. Headed back and did some vertical flexion, sidepassed around election signs in the ditch, and then finally made it to Anna's. I put Cocoa in with Pip and Daisy and went in to eat. When we came out all three of them were eating from the hay rack! We were both surprised that they were all getting along so well..they haven't seen each other in a while. Cocoa and I headed back in the dark...not enough time on our hands apparently. But we made it home just fine with no problems. After the horses were all fed Joan came to pick me up to go to her house. The end.

A Break from School!

MEA BREAK!

Haven't accomplished much with the horses yet. Everyone went to ND and I'm chilling with the horses. Stayed with Jess and Anna. Scrapbooked today! And now I'm heading out to play with my ponies! Finally!

Energy UP!

I got home from school and immediately let the horses out in the big grass pasture to eat! I could see they were pumped up. They go galloping down to it..and I in my school clothes and fancy white sandel shoes grab the carrot stick and run out there too!

I took Dixie's energy and used...I had her galloping all over the pasture and then running up and down the other paddock then coming back for her next task! After I had Dixie following me around and was satisfied she ran around enough I let her eat and went on to Cocoa.

Cocoa was PUMPED UP! I LOVE it when she's like that. She puts on her Arab face and arches her neck and streams her Arab tail behind her like a banner! She looks just lovely. I had her galloping to me, cutting, and rearing up! It was a blast.

With my shoes almost falling off I walked to the apple tree and picked them an apple and that was the end of that short but sweet Liberty playtime!

Dixie's Day - PICTURES

So..I finally did get mom to come out to get some footage before my baby is all grown up. I played with Dixie in the front yard for a tish. She had a couple of RB moments but for the most part she just wanted to eat grass. Did some trotting sideways, circling, and driving which was all mediocre.

She then stood proudly on her stump/pedestal. Got both feet up there...she offered!

Finally we went to the weedy pasture and just ran around. She really had her adrenaline up, and got RB for a couple moments. So I ran around with her till she got over that! She then mauled the barrel and then we proceeded to jump the single barrel which she struggled with a little bit tonight. Then went from that to totally blowing me away when she went sideways over the barrel from both directions. She did SO great with that! I would tell her at Phase 1 and 2 pretty much..and I would tell her to go sideways and then have her stop..and then continue over it..she really sensitive to my energy up and downs. Even did sideways over the barrel towards ME!

I had her paw the tree....that was hilarious. She totally understands it.

Finally did some backing by the tail, sideways, backing by hocks, recaps.

Then...dun dun dun! Big thing for the night! I was so thrilled!! :) I got her to go sideways from Zone 4/5 ish going to and away..It's definitely still shaky but she offered it and we'll definitely be playing with that concept. This was the WOW moment!

Went to the roundpen...did a little liberty. Not much to note...she was a little distracted with hunters, gunshots, and Cocoa. Which you can hear all of in the video! haha

Later...I brought her in the barn and groomed her up...or attempted too atleast. It rained earlier in the day when I was at school so I didn't get to take Cocoa out riding cause she was soaked. So Dixie doesn't look quite her best in the pics. and video but oh well.

Pictures Pending?

Well I'm heading back out to the munchkins. I think they had enough time free roaming and grazing the yard since I got home from school! I'm going to attempt to convince mom that YES I do need more pics. of the horses...haha :) The thousands I have aren't enough...and who cares if I'm 3 years behind scrapbooking because of it...so if I play my cards right, I might have some new pics. of Dixers up..that is if the computer cooperates too! :) We'll see!

Surprise Ride!

It rained yesterday morning but after I showed Michelle and Jerry how to take care of the horses while we're gone this weekend the sun finally started to shine! And boy was it hot and muggy then.

The little piglets got to eat in the grass the whole time so I put them in and let there bellies rest a little before I proceeded to take Dixie out. I brought her out in the the big pasture and I just had her on the 12 ft. line. We did a little bit of the Traveling Circling game. Then went on to the one obstacle other than trees out there right now, the barrel. So she jumped it and pawed it and all that good stuff. I tried a while back to get Dixie to go sideways over it and she has been slowly but SURELY getting better at it. Well today went great! I barely had to go to Phase 2 and she just was like "You mean do this?!" and sidways'ed herself over it with no hesitation! So I was like "Ok..that's great!! Now let's try the other side!" And Walhla! She did that with no problem either! I was so proud. Then we went on to the trees...which she loves to rub her head on then paw and paw and paw. It's so cute to watch her. Finally we just did some sideways with out a fence, some really fast sideways towards (She absolutely LOVES this!) and then just running around like lunies! :) Dixie got a kick out of this. At first we just did when I trot you trot, when I canter you canter beside me...but then we ran all up and down the hill and through all the tall weeds. She was bucking and kicking and having a good 'ole time!

Finally after some playtime we headed out down the gravel road for a walk. Cocoa wasn't necessarily pleased to be left behind but I told her it was Dixie's turn. Not much...just some Zone 3 driving...along the way. Found a goofy looking stump which Dixie pawed the crap out of and then to my surprise put one foot up and then the second!! She was standing up on it and it was like a 1 and 1/2 tall! She wasn't as graceful getting down...

We got to a car parking spot and I thought..."Mmm..perfect for mounting." Dixie lined her self up beside it and I hopped on. :) She didn't do anything so we proceeded to walk on and then after a little bit turned towards home. Now...it's such a good feeling to ride her! She has so much muscle and a really nice topline compared to Cocoa! I can't wait to see what she looks like when she's all grown up. Dixie has a long stride even though she toes out which is kinda a goofy feeling at the walk. So we just headed down the gravel road and Dixie acting like a seasoned trail horse not a 2 year old that has just been ridden a couple times. She turned great and we even had pickups passing us. She kept checking in and wanted to do lateral flexion and we did a lot of stop and backups. Then I got ambitious and was like I wonder how she would do if I asked her to trot...I've only trotted her once when my friend Katie hopped on Cocoa when we were coming back from the river and then I hopped on Dixie...and Dixie trotted to catch up. Well Dixie listens like a dream and immediately breaks into a trot. We trotted for about 10 strides and then I asked her to stop and she broke into a walk and then stopped and we backed up! Her trot was Ah-mazing, very controlled and smooth. Which surprised me the first time she trotted because she toes out...so I thought her trot would be rough but it was wonderful! So much easier to sit than Cocoa's, that's for sure. At that point I got off and then let her eat grass from the ditch! I was so proud of my baby! Walked the rest of the way home and she got a nice juicy apple I picked from the tree.

Out Riding

On Saturday morning I didn't necessarily wake up early and go out with the horses after homecoming like I would have liked.... :) I was tired!

But by afternoon I had Cocoa all saddled up and ready to go, Dixie played with, and we were off! (I played with Dixers in the round pen and she was hilarious! We just did some review...Figure 8 around the barrels, backing by tail, sideways towards. She had one RB moment during the circling game when I asked for a change of direction. She got bracy and was pulling backwards so I just drifted with her and then when she stopped licked and chewed I asked her to circle again and then change of direction went just fine! I put part of an apple on the barrel when we were playing 'Put your nose on it' and boy was she surprised when she found it! Then we moved on and played with a little liberty! I'm so proud of my baby...she figures things out SO fast. Just did a little 'Stick to me', backing, and 'Follow a feel'. Dixie totally gets 'Stick to me' she even pays more attention to the most subtle things I do than Cocoa does! I'll put one foot back and she'll put the same one..That about summed up our session..I let her go eat in the yard with Cocoa and then we headed out!)

Dixie is still having a hard time walking on the gravel road...she has flat feet like Chy did but not quite as extreme as when Chy first came to my house. So having Cocoa who loves to walk super fast and Dixie who is straggling behind makes it somewhat hard to pony! Cocoa is doing great though with finding a gait within a gait and that there is diff. speeds of the walk! We're getting a lot of vertical flexion in one these rides and that is great for her. Dixie just plugs along but for the most part stays right beside us.. I was just going to go down to the Tree Grove and have them graze but it was crawling with hunters so we just went and hit the trails. It took a little of reminding before Dixie remembered to stay on her side of the trail but once she got it we were able to canter a little bit! :)

We were out from like 12:30 to 4:30! Poor Dixie was pooped! We ran into two other riders and horses on the trails. One, ironically was the lady, Karen who I'm doing the painting of her horse for her! So we rode with them a little bit on the way home then continued our seperate ways. Dixie got to the point where we got to one hill and she just took a look at it and went 'no way' and Cocoa and I had to rest with her before we continued on our merry way! Stopped at Jess's and visited Cocoa's best bud Roxy. Then finally made it home. The horses rolled and took a long nap after that ride. It was SO much fun! Getting Cocoa and Dixie in shape at the same time!

Dewormer

Dewormed the horses today - Ivermectin


Still trying to do some research and get them on a herbal dewormer instead of chemical....

Wow!

Time has flown since I updated this! I have a lot to say about the past few weekends but no time to sit down and do the events justice...so that is why I've been putting it all off! I'm hoping to get new pics. loaded in if the computer decides to cooperate!!

Ponying the Ponies

Another riding day tonight! I planned on just taking Cocoa and Dixie out for a spin around the block...but we ended up going a lot farther!

First...in the corral they got a really good grooming session. The bugs were appartently pretty bad today while I was at school. Dixie was making such funny faces...what cute expressions this baby has. I cut Dixie's bridlepath. Fed them lots of grass and cucumbers! Their new favorite snack...especially Dixie!

Dixie and I played with backing by the hocks...she's getting SO light! Then backing by the tail...! Wow! I can't believe how quickly she is picking up on these tasks! Follow a feel on the front legs, picking up all four feet (just a good thing to practice with her...she's still a little iffy on her feet) Lead by the lip, Sideways towards (without a fence) is so light and fluid!

Then they got to eat and chill for a bit in the yard...before I took them out for their adventure. I rode Cocoa bareback and ponied Dixie alongside! They did so good...We even managed to do quite a bit of trotting on the trail!

Updates!

With school starting I haven't had much time to come on here and do write ups from the play days with the horses. I'm not doing so good keeping up with the blogging.

So here is the over do update of what the horses and I have been doing.

First we'll start with Dixers:

• Dixie has the seven games down PAT! :) She's making leaps and bounds of progress.
• She can do sideways without a fence...to me and away from me! Also..we're playing with a couple strides of the trot sideways!
• Ponying her beside Cocoa.
• Going for walks almost everyday!
• She is such a sensitive little girl...so totally mirrors just about everything I do. If I put my left leg forward she puts her left front hoof forward...
• Become SO much braver!
• Asks TONS of questions..
• Likes to paw and look at herself in the trailer window!
• Went for her first ride in the 4 horse trailer to Ann Lake the other day!
• Played in the river this summer....absolutely loves water..the fact that she gets to stare at herself...and sticking her head underwater. (looks like she's going fishing!)
• She is currently learning how to back by her tail and hocks.
• Playing with the 7 games at Liberty.
• Disengages and comes to me in the lush grass paddock, will now trot, and CANTER! :)
• Rode her to the end of the dead end road, past horses, and dogs, first ride that far...she volunteered to go and bareback with one rein.
• Learned how to back up while riding.
• Stick to me at Liberty going well!

Now Cocoa's turn:

• Still having some back issues.
• Her canter was very slow one night...beautiful..she was feeling good!
• Vertical flexion is coming along ah-mazingly!
• Riding bb and bridless in the grass pasture is progressing...trot, canter, stop...and circles around Dixie. Responding to just my seat.
• Going on bb and b trail rides!
• Trimmed her hooves the other day.
• Wore her green cooler blanket...and Dixie thought she looked like a green monster! lol Priceless!
• Back up getting snappier.
• Spins at Liberty.
• Close Range circling game at walk.

As you can see they are doing great!! :)

Busy!

Well....I tell yah..it's been so busy around here! Just taking my projects to the fair..chilling with the horses. Nothing to big...but it's keeping me going.

Cocoa got kicked in the right hind hock on Wednesday...so she's been lame. I might have to call the vet on Monday if it's still not better.

Dixie has been going for walks with me and she is coming along SO well!

The Road to Riding...

Big day for the horses today! Especially little Dixers....I had them out eating in the morning and it got pretty smoking hot out. So I decided to give them a bath...dun dun dun. Dixie has never had a bath before....other than a couple of days ago where I introduced her to the hose...in which she was like "As long as my body doesn't get wet and I can try and maul the thing with my mouth...I'm happy!" lol That was her attitude toward it..

So I gave Chy her bath first and that went all fine and dandy cause I let her eat while I did that...she'll let you do about ANYTHING if you let her just eat! :)

Then came Cocoa's....she got some of the colder water now after Chy...and didn't care for it that much. Cocoa has never fully enjoyed getting a bath or doing anything but drinking out of the hose. When I first got her she had a huge fear of the water running down her hindqtrs. She's a lot better about it now. :)

Finally Dixers turn. I started with the sponge and after a couple rub and rinses she was ok with it. When I presented it to her to check it out....she tried to bite and chew on it the look on her face was hilarious! I'm not so sure what sponges taste like....but probably nothing like Dixie has ever eaten before! haha
Then came the hose...she was a little nervous at first then she settled down and let me do her chest and with approach and retreat do the rest of her body. Once she realized she could eat then she settled down and let the hose soak her. I found out that as long as it runs on her she is generally fine but as soon as you spray it.....she doesn't like that! I think it's mostly the sound...since when I first got her she didn't enjoy fly spraying time at all! She's a pro at it now!

I then let the horses graze in the front yard....till they were dry so they didn't go and think they should roll in the mud right away! It worked...for a little bit atleast!


Cocoa and I decided then we were overdue for another bareback and bridleless ride! It was more toward early evening....we went out and hit the trails with our savvy string and carrot stick! She did wonderful....for not being ridden in a while since I just got her chiropracted a week or so ago. Also I haven't done much riding in general cause of her back and we haven't done much bb and b lately then because of that. It was hot...so I decided that that would be the most comfy for both of us.
After awhile just moseying on the road...making out way to the trails she decided she wanted to turn back so we did some Tit for Tat and I watched for thresholds. Finally we picked up a trot....only to have to do a slide halt..so we didn't hit the turtle attempting to cross the road! :) Cocoa came to a stop and put her head down..the turtle when 'Introverted' (haha) and she was sniffing it's shell. At one point she licked it and I was worried like maybe this is like 'Nose, Neck, and Maybe the Feet' only 'Sniff, Lick, and then Maybe Chew!!!' So I had her put her head up....the turtle came a little out of it's shell so she had to check it out again...and she blew really hard and the dust from the road went all over the turtle and it went back in it's shell again! It was the cutest thing ever!
Then we played with some seat connections...canter yo-yo's and finally reached the trails. She didn't seem to have to much energy but then finally in the end she was like 'WEEE...Let's go' And her stops were getting worse so we had to practice that and do some backing.
Other than that we saw a deer, crow, and sand hill crane and she was VERY responsive to my leg's in turning! It was a GREAT ride!

Once I got home...went for a quick bike ride then hopped on Chy and took her out right before it got dark! She needed some exercise since Tiffany hasn't rode her in weeks so I thought we would trot a little energy out of her! :) On the way back...so guys from my school went by in a pickup truck...and were asking "Can we have a ride..?" lol I was like "Maybe next time..." (hugs Chy...she's all mine! haha) Share? No way! :)