A horse, sunlight, and dust~SkyWatch Friday 091809

On one Indian summer afternoon, after her workout in the round pen, I took Gigondas, my big red thoroughbred, down to the arena for a run. And, as you know, she LOVES to run! On that day, she stirred up so much dust that it turned into an interesting photo! SkyWatch Friday for September 18, 2009.

Gigondas' training and the arrival of autumn

This has been the week from @#%%. Testing, testing, testing at school and Open House. I've been exhausted every night...too exhausted to drive up the most dangerous road in California to see the horses. BUT...the weekend is coming! YEAH! I'm still working with Gigondas on her training, especially putting the lead rope over her head and ears. When we first got her, there was NO WAY I could get near her head. She either raised it up or backed away. Now, she is used to having me touch her ears, head, and throwing a rope over her all over. GOOD GIRL! Here are some recent pics of me with her in the round pen where I work with the horses. It was a beautiful day (see the clouds?). Autumn in the mountains is very different from autumn here in the desert. First of all, it gets colder up there! Now I have to keep a sweater and jacket in my car! Second, the trees are beginning to lose their leaves, where here in the desert, most do not. As the days shorten, I'll have less daylight during the week to work the horses, so they pretty much get the winter off, except for weekends.

Wind 'er up! ~ Gigondas

Gigondas LOVES to run! Run, run, run! Now I need to get her to WALK! Her training is coming along nicely. She remembers her lessons, THINKS about things, and is very responsive now. But, boy, does she love to RUN! But, she also stops and gets some nice words and praise for listening and doing a good job!

With age comes a certain wisdom...

Over the past 3 years, I've learned a lot. I've learned that each horse is an individual with his or her own personality. Sunni IS what he is. Gigondas IS what she is. Quad IS what he is. Beauty WAS what she was...a friendly, loving, caring, patient, intelligent horse! Just like my current German Shepherd, Rommel, is different from our other two German Shepherds that we've had. He is the most mellow of the three. Our first one, Metternich, would have taken on ANY male that approached me. Yes, with FANGS showing and a deep growl. He was my protector. Our second male shepherd, Maverick, also completely guarded me and growled at everyone who came to the house. He hated every vet we ever took him too, except one old guy at PetSmart who told him to "Knock it off" when Maverick growled at him. And, he gave him a cookie and patted him on the head. Rommel loves everybody. I've never even heard him growl. And, he is the one with the most physical problems. BUT, his personality has allowed him to continue to be the mellow gentleman that he is. Quad was bred to race, but he prefers to walk everywhere and look and smell the roses and enjoy the air! Gigondas was bred to race, and she LOVES to run! In fact, she wants to run EVERYWHERE, so we have to slow her down. Sunni...(sigh...) Sunni is Sunni...we don't know what kind of life he had his first year, but obviously, there is still some fear there. Fear of things that move, fear of unknown shadows. Cali, on the other hand, and Scout, are totally UNafraid of anything. Must be a mustang thing. Every horse is different, just like every dog is different, and each of us are different. No one training program fits ALL our horses. I guess it's time for me to really reflect and decide what each horse REALLY needs. Sunni needs a LOT of groundwork. Gigondas needs a little bit and she'll be ready to ride (hopefully). Quad IS rideable and now that his feet have healed and he has recovered from his colic, I would love to have Valerie ride him and see how he does. Cali and Scout are both ready for their groundwork. BUT...the days are getting shorter. The mornings are cool, and even COLD in the mountains. Soon I'll be running out of daylight during the week...time to train the horses during the week is drawing to a close as summer ends. I'll have to do what I can on the weekends. Valerie will be bringing her horses down to the desert soon and she'll be closer to me, but further from my horses. Ahhhh...the changing of the seasons.

Training setback with Sunni

First, I want everyone to know that Valerie is okay, BUT...

While she was riding Sunni on Thursday, he spooked. She wasn't ready for that (he bunny hopped) and was thrown against the metal railings of the round pen. She is okay, but she cut her hand and bruised several ribs. Of course, she sent him around and around and around the round pen and then put him away for the day. She is on vacation with her family this week and we will have to rethink his training when she returns. He still needs a LOT of groundwork! In the meantime, I am working with Gigondas in the round pen. She is doing very well. She remembers her lessons and is no longer the scared, nervous horse she was 2 years ago when we first got her. Quad continues to recover and we will see the horses this afternoon after school.

Quad and a little friend~Camera critters for 091209

Quad has now recovered and is quite perky! And demanding FOOD! NOW! I'm going up every day and giving him an extra snack of feed, bran mash, beet pulp, and vitamins. His tummy is now fine and his feet are fine, and he is FEELING GOOD! Like he should! Hubby went with me yesterday and I worked Gigondas in the round pen and she did everything Valerie and I have taught her, so I didn't have time to take Quad out to the arena. Maybe today...I have to take my shepherd up to the vet for his shots and an appointment to give him some new meds for his skin condition (poor baby...) That's Quad with one of the ranch dogs, sharing his bran mash. And, just look at "Mr. Bran Mouth"! Yesterday, when I gave him his bowl, something immediately flew by my shoulder...a HUGE glob of mash! Quad had picked up his bowl and flung it upside down. Bran was flying everywhere! Hubby and I were lucky that we didn't get any actually flung on us! So, from now on, he gets it in his feeder!!! (I've learned MY lesson!)

Look, ma! I've got a person on my back! Sunni saddled

Sunni's big day finally came this week~! My cousin, Valerie, came over on Monday and saddled and rode him. He was very calm, no spooks! She has done a wonderful job with him. He is now very confident and secure. I took some pics of the two of them. Valerie gives him LOTS of praise and her voice is so calming that he wasn't afraid. Look at him! I'm so proud of Sunni. She also rode him Wednesday and gave me a report on that ride, but I was at school and didn't get to see them together.