Saturday, June 27, 2009
Summer Swamp A$$
It is hot. Really hot. I have been wet all day. Too hot to tack up. So I rode Bec bareback. Add sticky, sweaty, dirty horse to sticky, sweaty dirty person and you get the funk. I am kinda proud, though. I've ridden 5 out of the last 7 days. I am in love with ALL of my horses and with my life. Too cool.
Heat + Horse = SuperCrank
Today was farrier day. It is hot, humid, and calm. Not a good combo. Begin the morning with Prissy nailing Bec while she is tied. That is not playing fair. This has not happened in eons. Priss just doesn't pick on Bec. All 3 were fidgety and cranky for the farrier. Tug, tug, swish!
Everyone looks better. The dry weather is really hard on the feet. We are trimming every 5 weeks. Should have done them at 4. Crazy. Especially Prissy. I don't know if I should call her crank or crack.
FHOTD board suggests riding Diesel in a halter to see if head dropping, nose out is a tooth issue and if not, trying a different bit. Maybe he is sensitive from so much time off. We'll see. Later. It's too hot already. This evening will have a breeze. Sweltering hot right now. What a life?
Everyone looks better. The dry weather is really hard on the feet. We are trimming every 5 weeks. Should have done them at 4. Crazy. Especially Prissy. I don't know if I should call her crank or crack.
FHOTD board suggests riding Diesel in a halter to see if head dropping, nose out is a tooth issue and if not, trying a different bit. Maybe he is sensitive from so much time off. We'll see. Later. It's too hot already. This evening will have a breeze. Sweltering hot right now. What a life?
Friday, June 26, 2009
2ChunkyMonkies
As I sit inside enjoying the a/c in my pajamas I realize...there are only 2ChunkyMonkies. Me and Bec. Geez. I work really hard to slim her down. Special diet and daily exercise. Mostly, she's just gas-ey. As for me, I'm a pig. Oink, oink.
I tried a new recipe for artichokes today. Absolutely divine. Saute artichoke hearts in butter and garlic. Add salt, paprika, and lemon juice. Good stuff. Really good. Oink.
I tried a new recipe for artichokes today. Absolutely divine. Saute artichoke hearts in butter and garlic. Add salt, paprika, and lemon juice. Good stuff. Really good. Oink.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Gotcha
Just when I am letting my guard down....
I lunged Bec this evening. She has got a stop on her. Wow. What a sweet girl. She tries her hardest to make you happy. Such heart.
Then, I brought Diesel over. The cat was in the round pen. This is not unusual. But not running out when I fuss at her is very unusual. And Diesel was frozen in place where I left him at the gate. Red flags all over the place. Kitty was staring at the grass. Uh oh.
Sure enough, laying in the tall grass is a 4 ft. speckled king snake. What to do? I try to shoo it off with the lunge whip. No go. Do I kill it? They are not only harmless but will kill other snakes in their territory. And this is rattlesnake alley. So I left him alone. Diesel did not get lunged. I did not ride Bec. And it was cool this evening. Only 85 degrees. What a waste.
I sometimes wonder why I accept responsibility for so many animals. I am a dog person. Hands down. I still love the kitties. I spend a not-so-small fortune on Blue kitty for his allergies. But, do I really need this much to care for? Yep. Cats rock. Punk herded that snake all the way off the property. And she wandered into the sorghum field to make sure it stayed away. This is the second time this year a cat has warned me of a nearby snake. Repeat, cats rock!
I lunged Bec this evening. She has got a stop on her. Wow. What a sweet girl. She tries her hardest to make you happy. Such heart.
Then, I brought Diesel over. The cat was in the round pen. This is not unusual. But not running out when I fuss at her is very unusual. And Diesel was frozen in place where I left him at the gate. Red flags all over the place. Kitty was staring at the grass. Uh oh.
Sure enough, laying in the tall grass is a 4 ft. speckled king snake. What to do? I try to shoo it off with the lunge whip. No go. Do I kill it? They are not only harmless but will kill other snakes in their territory. And this is rattlesnake alley. So I left him alone. Diesel did not get lunged. I did not ride Bec. And it was cool this evening. Only 85 degrees. What a waste.
I sometimes wonder why I accept responsibility for so many animals. I am a dog person. Hands down. I still love the kitties. I spend a not-so-small fortune on Blue kitty for his allergies. But, do I really need this much to care for? Yep. Cats rock. Punk herded that snake all the way off the property. And she wandered into the sorghum field to make sure it stayed away. This is the second time this year a cat has warned me of a nearby snake. Repeat, cats rock!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Life
Bird nests with big, blue eggs, alligator gar, fiddler crabs, spoonbills, pelicans...This is the life. I enjoyed a peaceful, fun kayak trip this morning. I followed this with an afternoon nap that got out of hand. The five of us snuggled up under the fan. What a puppy/kitty pile! Pumkin took her nap in the living room.
I may take the day off from riding. I got my exercise already. I'm feeling a little sluggish. And my blister is still tender. It is hot. Tomorrow will be hotter. If this keeps up I will mildew before long. On the upside, hot ponies are lazy. The evenings are really not bad. My next ride will be Diesel. Need those boots comfortable. Or I could ride Bec bareback. Eek. Oh, the possibilities. Again, What a life!
I may take the day off from riding. I got my exercise already. I'm feeling a little sluggish. And my blister is still tender. It is hot. Tomorrow will be hotter. If this keeps up I will mildew before long. On the upside, hot ponies are lazy. The evenings are really not bad. My next ride will be Diesel. Need those boots comfortable. Or I could ride Bec bareback. Eek. Oh, the possibilities. Again, What a life!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Two-fers
I rode two days in a row! And I rode two horses today! Not so perfect rides.
I rode Diesel for less than 10 minutes at a walk. He is sound on the lunge. I felt him a tiny bit "off" at a trot under saddle. So we quit. He was very lazy and did not accept the bit at all. Too much time off. We start over. He was not bad. Just not responsive. But, like always, the boy has got a great "Ho".
I then rode Bec, again. Girth fit better today. Got it buckled on the first try. Ugh. It fit two holes higher than yesterday. Gas, be gone! She was not so perfect today. The others wandered away. She was nervous but not out of control. She didn't respond to leg near as well as yesterday. They can't all be perfect rides! It got dark on us before I was ready.
I managed to rub a blister on my heel after the first ride in the new boots. It was very sore today. I need to lay off the new boots for a few days. Maybe I'll ride Prissy bareback in sandals. Shhh. Don't tell. I promise to wear my helmet.
Today was horse day. The Boy hung out with me alot. Plenty of love. I pulled manes. Hosed twice. It was hot. Thank goodness we have a breeze. Of course, it blows in the skeeters. I use alot of fly spray. I've started mixing coat conditioner in with it. You should see the shine. They look great.
I'm loving the long days. It means I come in well after 9pm, soaking wet. By the time I get cleaned up and my hair dries it is very late. No worries, though. Summer = afternoon naps. Too hot to do anything that time of day, anyway. My life is blessed.
I rode Diesel for less than 10 minutes at a walk. He is sound on the lunge. I felt him a tiny bit "off" at a trot under saddle. So we quit. He was very lazy and did not accept the bit at all. Too much time off. We start over. He was not bad. Just not responsive. But, like always, the boy has got a great "Ho".
I then rode Bec, again. Girth fit better today. Got it buckled on the first try. Ugh. It fit two holes higher than yesterday. Gas, be gone! She was not so perfect today. The others wandered away. She was nervous but not out of control. She didn't respond to leg near as well as yesterday. They can't all be perfect rides! It got dark on us before I was ready.
I managed to rub a blister on my heel after the first ride in the new boots. It was very sore today. I need to lay off the new boots for a few days. Maybe I'll ride Prissy bareback in sandals. Shhh. Don't tell. I promise to wear my helmet.
Today was horse day. The Boy hung out with me alot. Plenty of love. I pulled manes. Hosed twice. It was hot. Thank goodness we have a breeze. Of course, it blows in the skeeters. I use alot of fly spray. I've started mixing coat conditioner in with it. You should see the shine. They look great.
I'm loving the long days. It means I come in well after 9pm, soaking wet. By the time I get cleaned up and my hair dries it is very late. No worries, though. Summer = afternoon naps. Too hot to do anything that time of day, anyway. My life is blessed.
Aloof, Be Gone!
Becca has been reserved since we moved in February. She rarely seeks me out. After our ride yesterday I was afraid she'd avoid me even more. She let me halter her without a move in the other direction. She even sought me out after breakfast. Has she been holding a grudge? I remember why I love her. Wonderful, sweet mare. This evening she is going to get a haircut. Her mane has grown below her neck but is brittle with split ends. And it is thick and hot. We expect to reach 98 degrees this afternoon. Bless my wonderful A/C. First hose-down complete before lunch. Two half dirty horses. Why do they always roll? Priss has spots on her right side. Diesel has spots on his left side. They both rolled on only the left side. Get it?
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Timing
It has been some time since I checked in. This month has been packed full of activities. My neighbors threw me a "Welcome to Green Lake" bash and invited all of the neighbors. It was a stunning success. Crawfish are my new favorite food. *Gotta love living next to a crawfish farm.* Summer began 2 weeks ago. I've done work around the house that kept getting put off. I've done work out in the pasture. I've done fun stuff like paint the planter my mother restored as a house warming gift (Go Mom!). Scruff got heartworm treatment. Poor guy. He's handling it quite well. Very busy for not having to work.
Something I hadn't done was ride Bec. New place, old fears. Last week, I went to Houston for the dentist and stopped by the saddle shop. It was across town ;). I now have new Ariat field boots and breeches. I highly recommend the Kerrits Breathe Tights. Worth every penny and you are glued to the saddle without the restrictions of traditional full seats.
I have an excuse to ride. I'm pumped. Last night I lunged Diesel to feel him out before I ride. No go. Mildly lame. No swelling but definitely off. Priss deserves a break. Maybe next time. This morning I woke long before the alarm. I have a couple of hours to kill before heading to see dad and grandpa for Father's Day. I go out to feed. The need to ride is burning in me. So, I catch Bec while she is still engrossed in feed. She has learned that 25 acres is alot of room to evade me. She always gives up but it may take up to 10 minutes of calm persistence. I take her to the round pen and attempt to tack up. I am in my new get-up. Girth is too short. There is no way the saddle will work. I am not ready to give up. I head inside for the old, too small for my lard butt Blue Ribbon.
After alot of sweat and swearing I manage to squeeze her into it. Minus the riser pad that she needs. We gotta work on this. Regardless, we had a fabulous 15 minute walk-trot ride. I remember why I keep this tempermental, disordered mare. She has the greatest ride. Supple, responsive. She did great. We never left the round pen. Baby steps. The crazy thing is I had no nerves at all. It has been a year since I've ridden her. She is amazing. So it begins. Baby steps until I can ride her out on the property. We've done it before.
Diesel stood at the gate the entire ride and threw a fit. Pawing at the door, chewing on the panels. He's jealous that I wasn't riding him. It is clear on his face. His time is coming. Just as soon as he is sound we'll start with the same treatment Bec is getting. We are all going to get in a shape other than round. My life is blessed.
Something I hadn't done was ride Bec. New place, old fears. Last week, I went to Houston for the dentist and stopped by the saddle shop. It was across town ;). I now have new Ariat field boots and breeches. I highly recommend the Kerrits Breathe Tights. Worth every penny and you are glued to the saddle without the restrictions of traditional full seats.
I have an excuse to ride. I'm pumped. Last night I lunged Diesel to feel him out before I ride. No go. Mildly lame. No swelling but definitely off. Priss deserves a break. Maybe next time. This morning I woke long before the alarm. I have a couple of hours to kill before heading to see dad and grandpa for Father's Day. I go out to feed. The need to ride is burning in me. So, I catch Bec while she is still engrossed in feed. She has learned that 25 acres is alot of room to evade me. She always gives up but it may take up to 10 minutes of calm persistence. I take her to the round pen and attempt to tack up. I am in my new get-up. Girth is too short. There is no way the saddle will work. I am not ready to give up. I head inside for the old, too small for my lard butt Blue Ribbon.
After alot of sweat and swearing I manage to squeeze her into it. Minus the riser pad that she needs. We gotta work on this. Regardless, we had a fabulous 15 minute walk-trot ride. I remember why I keep this tempermental, disordered mare. She has the greatest ride. Supple, responsive. She did great. We never left the round pen. Baby steps. The crazy thing is I had no nerves at all. It has been a year since I've ridden her. She is amazing. So it begins. Baby steps until I can ride her out on the property. We've done it before.
Diesel stood at the gate the entire ride and threw a fit. Pawing at the door, chewing on the panels. He's jealous that I wasn't riding him. It is clear on his face. His time is coming. Just as soon as he is sound we'll start with the same treatment Bec is getting. We are all going to get in a shape other than round. My life is blessed.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Choices
Choices can change your life forever. The older I get, the more aware I am of the risks associated with my actions. I have built a very comfortable life for myself. I cannot afford an accident.
Regardless, I got on Prissy last night- bareback, in a halter, helmetless. I rode her with the lead rope as a single rein- not looped. How exhilarating! She maneuvers solely off of seat and leg pressure. Aren't I proud. This is not the first ride like this. Back when boarded I regularly jumped on and rode her this way w-t-c with no problems.
This mare is special. Not spectacular but definitely a once-in-a-lifetime horse. I have 2 others to give her a break from riding. I never ask her to open up anymore. I never allow her to even if she wants to! Her will is stronger than her aging body. I still find myself riding her ALOT more than the others. At her worst misbehavior I am not nervous. Her worst misbehavior stems from wanting to go-go. At 23, she is still in pretty darn good shape. I want her to stay that way. Gotta love her grunting, growling, cranky, aloof, wonderful, willing self. She may not follow me around looking for love but she has a huge chunk of it. Hard not to play favorites. My life is blessed.
Regardless, I got on Prissy last night- bareback, in a halter, helmetless. I rode her with the lead rope as a single rein- not looped. How exhilarating! She maneuvers solely off of seat and leg pressure. Aren't I proud. This is not the first ride like this. Back when boarded I regularly jumped on and rode her this way w-t-c with no problems.
This mare is special. Not spectacular but definitely a once-in-a-lifetime horse. I have 2 others to give her a break from riding. I never ask her to open up anymore. I never allow her to even if she wants to! Her will is stronger than her aging body. I still find myself riding her ALOT more than the others. At her worst misbehavior I am not nervous. Her worst misbehavior stems from wanting to go-go. At 23, she is still in pretty darn good shape. I want her to stay that way. Gotta love her grunting, growling, cranky, aloof, wonderful, willing self. She may not follow me around looking for love but she has a huge chunk of it. Hard not to play favorites. My life is blessed.
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