Saturday

I had a great day today! FINALLY! I'm getting my energy back after 7 weeks of bronchitis. I was able to work with Gigondas and Sunni and I haven't been able to work two horses in one day for over 8 weeks! :-) I took Gigondas down to the arena first, since I honestly cannot remember the last time I did so. I think it was...November??? Isn't that awful? But, remember, I've had 3 bouts of bronchitis since the second week of school in September, and this final one nearly put me flat on my back during my entire Christmas vacation! Ugh! And, I haven't had much energy or lung capacity to do ANYTHING except go to school and crawl home every afternoon. I've had NO extra energy to do ANYTING except survive day-to-day. So, I'm proud and happy that today I got to work with two horses! I brushed Gigo all over and she stood still (she doesn't always...) She stood by her gate (which means, "I WANT to go down to the arena, Mom!), so I haltered her and led her around her corral first. She now has impecible manners while leading, but I'm always nervous once I get her into the arena as she LOVES to bolt before I can get the lead rope off! And, yup, she started to, but I had the energy today to hang onto the lunge line (25 feet, thank goodness) and yell, "WHOA!" and she did. I made her stay until I was ready to unclip the rope and she stood quietly. (phew...) I let her run and run and roll and roll and roll and eat weeds. She quietly followed me up and back down the arena rail as I was taking photos of Sunni and Quad. Then, when Her Majesty was ready to go back to her corral for her treat, she waited calmly at the gate. I led her up to the tying post, tied her there for a little bit, then walked her up through some brush above the round pen and led her all the way around it. I want her to get used to brush and trees (I'm planning on doing this with ALL the horses). There is a trainer just down the street and I notice that she has hanging car wash strips, an area full of brush, and trail-training things in her front yard for the horses. Hm....that seems like a good idea! So, anyway, my plan is to take each of them for a walk among the trees and brush up at the ranch. It's 9 acres, so there is plenty of room to walk around! And, it will get them used to other objects touching them. I didn't do much with Sunni because the wind kicked up quite strongly and I was concerned that he would freak out, but I'll take him for a walk tomorrow.

Whatcha' doin'?

It was so darn HOT everywhere yesterday, that I didn't do much! I stayed inside down in the desert (it was 117 yesterday), and finally, about 3:00, I dragged myself out to the car and drove up the mountain to visit the horses. Hmmmm....it was over 90 degrees even up there. Ugh! Too hot to even think clearly, so I just hung out with Gigo and let her investigate my tennis shoes. I didn't wear my boots because it was too hot and when I come back to the desert, they are really uncomfortable! I figured I wouldn't get much done (and I didn't...)!!!! It's supposed to be 114 here in the desert for the next two days, then temps will drop down to 108 for the weekend. I have school stuff to do for the rest of the week, and I may not get back to see the herd until Saturday.

Gigondas

Gigondas and the love of her life, my hubby! The two of them really hit it off. She is learning and relearning. She came off a feedlot. It appeared that she had been worked some. She tries to please and do things right. She had NOT been ridden, however. Our trainer, Angi, saddled her several times. Finally, she just exploded when saddled (nobody was on her, thank goodness!) I'm not sure if I have a photo of that session. If I do, I'll add it later. She was very fearful when we first got her and we are taking our time training (retraining) her. She is very smart, but DOES have some issues. She still doesn't like her head touched or her rear end.