Horses and Highways

I turned 20 on Saturday, and have had a great week. It really was more like a birthday week than anything. But Sat some friends came over and we indulged in worship, study, games, fellowship, and great food of course! It was a spectacular day, and know I am so blessed to have such people with beautiful hearts.
Sunday we were desperate for hay, so loaded up in the truck and headed out to pile 20 bales in 103 degree heat. I was exhausted on the drive home, but as we headed down the highway, we saw a couple of ladies trying to manage about 6 horses on the side of the road. We pulled off to see if they needed help. One of their tires blew out, so we jumped into the juggling act of moving around horses. They were actually fantastic with trucks flying by, tools being flung around, and horses beating on the trailer. It was a BFO for me though in that I want Tucker to be that good in new places. So we're now working hard at backing out of the trailer so we can start taking trips around town.
We're working hard on level 2 freestyle, and Lord willing everything go according to schedule, we will be starting level 3 freestyle next week. yay! I think it'll be fun, and think Tuck likes the pace we're learning at. I do too. Short and interesting!
That's all for now, lots to look forward to and work at!

Concentration is an interesting thing. It's amazing what can be done when you really concentrate. Or what you can't do if you concentrate too hard. For those of you who don't concentrate too often...it's really difficult to smile when you're putting in so much thought. This is particularly hard for me. I don't smile very often when I ride.
This week I have been working on a million transitions. Trying to get our "go" to equal "whoa". Tuck has been doing great, and I decided I would step it up a little. I have dying to lope for awhile now, but have had a threshold that I couldn't get past. But my communication and leadership with Tucker has gotten lots better the last couple weeks, and thought I would give it a shot.
So I practiced trotting then coming back down to a walk. Okay, our downward transitions are top notch! What about asking for more? We got into a high trot Tuck felt weird. I thought he was limping and that I would have to end things early. But I experimented a little, and he really felt okay. So I asked for a faster trot, and then maybe a lope...I want to emphasize the maybe. Tuck really felt that inkling of hesitation and wouldn't make that transition. So...I asked for a trot one more time, let the reins loose, and away we went! We loped down one straight-away, and I called it good! Gave Tucker lots of scratches and an apple for being soooo in tune with me. I couldn't stop smiling! What a great ride. It's all coming together GREAT one step at a time.

zone 4&5

Sorry I haven't been posting much...life takes me away sometimes!
Our goat died last Friday. After a week and a half of trying to keep him alive, coming to his side through all hours of the night. Poor thing. I think his wound got infected and just killed him. He tryed soooo hard to stay alive, but was suffering so much. I wish we would have put him down sooner, but am at peace that he's no longer having to live in the condition that he was. In a weird way, it makes me feel sooo much better about the decision we made for Avery last year. We made decisions so fast for him, as the colic came on, literally in the blink of an eye. We were faced with the option of trying surgery, but were very aware of what a tough recovery it would have been for him. I am now so happy we never put him through that.
On a lighter note, I have set up a great new way for me to get through my patterns efficiently. I wrote down specifically what I want to accomplish each day, and feel like it has really motivated me to JUST DO IT! Just get it done! If I keep at it I should be in level 3 freestyle next month, and definitely auditioning soon.
Tuck is doing great with Follow the Rail, and halt/walk/trot transitions.
Today we played on the ground backing through things. He doesn't like backing out of the trailer(can't blame him), so I've been working a lot in zones 4&5 trying to help him get more confident. He's doing spectacular, and I look forward to jumping into our routine this week!

get your good better, and your better best!

Well, Sammy goat is doing very well. He is definitely healing. The back of his leg is pretty gross where the wrap can't cover...but he's sounding lots better. My computer is throwing a major fit, so am not able to post pics now =(
So with the goat mauling, my time with the boys has been scattered. My patterns are all over the place!! I started driving from zone 4/5 and we're progressing. I have been using that to practice Follow The Rail. I've also begun asking Tuck to stretch waaaay down to the left or right while I hold up a leg. Hopefully this will lead to a bow and be less work for me, but I'm please with how it's stretching his back muscles. I've been wanting to up his calorie intake again, but suddenly he doesn't like sunflowerseeds!! He LOVED them...and now...sigh.
So today I will re-organize my patterns and set a schedule for myself. I really want to be ready to film my level 3 freestyle by April. I have been wanting to film my level 2 for several months now. Somehow my freestyle is the one savvy I have the hardest time following through on. I need some self discipline. I'm ready for that blue string!

Mr.Parelli always tells us, "if horses could scream the sound would be deafening". And last night I got a little wake up call to listen a little more carefully.
We got home from a wednesday night church service when I realized I forgot to feed the horses before we left. As we headed out back, I realized Tucker was still in his stall pacing back and forth. I have been bringing him in during the day to have some hay to himself. I was irretated because I thought he was upset that he couldn't see the other horses, I thought we had worked past this problem. I even told my mom that I was worried about him being ready to make the trip to CO next year with such high emotion. We wanted to catch him to put him back out with the other geldings, but there was no way I was going in that stall with him. So mom went to grab Twistie so he could see her, and maybe calm down...but she was already in plain sight. But mom headed around the corner to look at her, when she saw our goat was out with his leg dangling. He had been attacked by a dog. We were able to get a vet out and help our pour mangled Sammy Goat.
While we were waiting for the vet, Tucker calmly came over, put his head in the halter, and we walked out to the pasture. He knew something was wrong, and by making a comotion, drew attention to our goat who we probly wouldn't have seen otherwise. I feel so dumb for being so confused about his behavior. But he was pretty great, and I'm amazed by it all this morning.

Just got back in from playing with the boys. Today we just played with "touch it" I pulled out a BIG blue tarp and opened the trailer. I had to keep telling myself, "nose, neck MAYBE the feet". I tend to forget the maybe part. But it was incredible to see what approach and retreat can do in such a small amount of time. Rascal even braved picking up the tarp with his teeth! I was astonished to say the least.
Tucker watched it with skeptical eyes, then crossed it like it was the millionth time. I believe he is uncomfortable with things in zones 4 and 5, hence his worry about backing out of the trailer. So we yoyo'd(is that even a word?) back and forth over the tarp. What a fun toy!! Wonder what else we have in the shop to play with...