Unfortunetly it doesn't take much to please me when it comes to horses. I don't expect them to be able to jump 2 feet, do fancy dressage moves, or be a trick horse. All I really expect is good ground manners, nice disposition, and to pretend to like that I am there with them.
To my delight today I got just that from the horses, well mostly from Rollo and Desi. I was having trouble with grooming the horses and picking their feet out. I know they were just testing me but it was starting to get to me, so I talked with my boss and asked her if I was doing anything wrong, she showed me what she does and it was pretty identical to what I do, and she says it's not me, they are just testing me. I know that Desi had two abcesses on her front feet so that could be one reason why she detests getting her feet picked so much, but as for the other horses I couldn't think of a real reason.
Today I changed my approach to grooming. I did my daily things (spread out hay, feed Legend, sweep) and then I went to groom. Usually I just groom in the paddock, away from the other horses, but the horse I was grooming always seemed distracted (even with hay). So today I had the BRILLIANT idea (mostly because it has been raining and the paddock was yucky) that I would just groom outside of the paddock, but still tie the horse the fence. Outside of the paddock is a nice stone mixture (not sure of exacts) and it was very nice looking and welcoming compared to the mucky and wet pasture.
I couldn't wait to try out my new plan. I first decided I would groom Rollo. She is looking better, her coat is slightly more shiny and I saw that some of her scars had tiny hairs growing, YAY! I have started apply aloe heal to her scrapes daily. I lightly curried her, the scars don't seem to bug her but I didn't want to disrupt any hair growth (that is just my simple mind thinking) and brushed her. She was perfect, stood there munching on hay enjoying life. I read her binder that we have in the barn and I read that she doesn't like her feet being picked (story of my life haha) but she has showed some progress. Today I just worked on getting the mud off her hoof itself and didn't pick up her feet or pick them out. She didn't mind me getting the mud off and I think on Monday I will try picking up her feet. I also brushed her mane and tail and she looked so awesome after I was done. Of course she got many treats for being such a delightful horse, and she does need to put some weight on. I am really hoping I will be able to ride her one day.
Desi was next, I like to groom her as often as I can because we are working on her ground manners. She did a fantastic job also! Again, I tied her outside of the paddock and she munched on hay very contently while I groomed her and only moved to shift her weight. Desi has been one of the horses that has given me some of the hardest time with picking feet. But today, she was almost perfect! There was only one time where she took her hoof out of my hand, it was her back one and I believe it was because I was trying to get a rock out. Other then that she didn't resist to me picking up her feet at all and stood perfectly still!
I was so ecstatic after this! It seemed like my hard work, along with some of the other employees, was paying off! I consider myself very lucky to be working where I am working. Sure there are some things that could make it better, but I walk to work every morning with a grin on my face, loving the fact that I get to go see the horses I enjoy so much!
I need to get a camera so I can take some pictures so you guys can see these wonderful horses.
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend!
Oh my gosh almost forgot! I found out that Rollo is Mr P's mother!! *squeel*
October 14, 2011
October 11, 2011
Rollo
Okay I decided to share about Rollo, the new horse in the herd.
The main herd consists of Maddie (boss mare with an attitude), Mr P ('boss' gelding), Legend (gelding), Jealousy, and Desi (a green broke mare).
Today I walked to work like I usually do, unlocked the fence, and walked to the paddock where the horses are kept. I said my daily hellos to Mr P who always has his head sticking through the fence and looking at me like he is starving, and then went to go get some hay. As I came back and started spreading the hay I finally saw a new white horse in the far back corner of the paddock. I was shocked. I could see that the horse (who I soon found out was a mare) was skinnier then she should be, and as I got closer I saw that she had lots of scars on her back , neck, and withers. I put the wheel barrow by the hay feeder (that I actually rarely put hay in ironically) and calmy walked up to this new horse. My voice stayed nice and low and calm and I said hello and started talking to her. She pricked her ears as if she was interested in me, but didn't seem frightened. I walked up beside her and stuck my hand out and she sniffed it eagerly and moved her lips along my hand. I slowly petted her neck and she stood there very calmly. So, I got some hay and made a few nice big piles for her.
Legend goes inside the barn in the morning to get grain and his vitamin E supplement, so I made up his grain, brought him inside, swept the barn as he munched away, and brought him back out. By the time I went back outside (which wasn't any more then 10 min) I saw that Mr P or Maddie had pushed Rollo away from her pile of hay and she was just standing there. I felt so bad, so I took some of the hay from the front of the paddock and walked it over to her. As she was eating I ran my hands along her body, looking at her scars and wondering how she got them. She just has patches and patches of missing hair, it is so sad and made my heart break. But I knew that no matter what her story I was going to give her some much needed TLC. While I was running my hands over her, I realized that she had a lot of heat in her shoulders, and that one of her scars had opened up and was oozing, and made a mental note to tell my boss. It was hard to leave her because I wanted to just pat her and love her, but I had to get to class.
Walking to class I texted my boss asking her who the mare was, her story, and told her about the heat in the shoulders and the oozing. Boss said that she would buite her and check out the wound, and also said that her name was Rollo and she needed some extra TLC until she was looking healthy again (I told my boss I was all over the TLC part, I plan on spoiling Rollo).
I went back this afternoon to check on her before I rode, and maybe attempt grooming her (which was hard because of the patches of missing hair). As I called out her name when I got to the gate she lifted her head and pricked her ears and walked right up to me and started investigating the bucket I use to carry the grooming items, she eventually noticed that I was there and started sniffing me all over. This mare is such a sweet heart and I already adore her! She ended up walking away from me because Mr P was interested in the bucket also (which he should know by now there are no treats but still he likes to believe I am going to change my ways). I left the bucket for Mr P to investigate while I went over to Rollo and continued stroking her and lightly brushing the brush across her body (I'm not sure how much "grooming" I did but I wanted her to realize she could trust me). After a few moments I walked back to the fence and was just looking at the other paddock of horses and talking to this mare who was looking at Desi very intently. Next thing I notice, a big white head is by my shoulder, and Rollo is standing right beside me. I was so touched that she just stood there next to me. I talked to her and stroked her some more. The heat in her shoulders was reduced a little by the afternoon but not fully gone.
I can already tell I'm going to adore this horse for a long time and hopefully forever. My Boss says that once she gets healthy enough she wants to get her under saddle, and I'm hoping that if she is well broken that I will be able to ride her.
Can't wait to see her tomorrow and give her some more lovings!
The main herd consists of Maddie (boss mare with an attitude), Mr P ('boss' gelding), Legend (gelding), Jealousy, and Desi (a green broke mare).
Today I walked to work like I usually do, unlocked the fence, and walked to the paddock where the horses are kept. I said my daily hellos to Mr P who always has his head sticking through the fence and looking at me like he is starving, and then went to go get some hay. As I came back and started spreading the hay I finally saw a new white horse in the far back corner of the paddock. I was shocked. I could see that the horse (who I soon found out was a mare) was skinnier then she should be, and as I got closer I saw that she had lots of scars on her back , neck, and withers. I put the wheel barrow by the hay feeder (that I actually rarely put hay in ironically) and calmy walked up to this new horse. My voice stayed nice and low and calm and I said hello and started talking to her. She pricked her ears as if she was interested in me, but didn't seem frightened. I walked up beside her and stuck my hand out and she sniffed it eagerly and moved her lips along my hand. I slowly petted her neck and she stood there very calmly. So, I got some hay and made a few nice big piles for her.
Legend goes inside the barn in the morning to get grain and his vitamin E supplement, so I made up his grain, brought him inside, swept the barn as he munched away, and brought him back out. By the time I went back outside (which wasn't any more then 10 min) I saw that Mr P or Maddie had pushed Rollo away from her pile of hay and she was just standing there. I felt so bad, so I took some of the hay from the front of the paddock and walked it over to her. As she was eating I ran my hands along her body, looking at her scars and wondering how she got them. She just has patches and patches of missing hair, it is so sad and made my heart break. But I knew that no matter what her story I was going to give her some much needed TLC. While I was running my hands over her, I realized that she had a lot of heat in her shoulders, and that one of her scars had opened up and was oozing, and made a mental note to tell my boss. It was hard to leave her because I wanted to just pat her and love her, but I had to get to class.
Walking to class I texted my boss asking her who the mare was, her story, and told her about the heat in the shoulders and the oozing. Boss said that she would buite her and check out the wound, and also said that her name was Rollo and she needed some extra TLC until she was looking healthy again (I told my boss I was all over the TLC part, I plan on spoiling Rollo).
I went back this afternoon to check on her before I rode, and maybe attempt grooming her (which was hard because of the patches of missing hair). As I called out her name when I got to the gate she lifted her head and pricked her ears and walked right up to me and started investigating the bucket I use to carry the grooming items, she eventually noticed that I was there and started sniffing me all over. This mare is such a sweet heart and I already adore her! She ended up walking away from me because Mr P was interested in the bucket also (which he should know by now there are no treats but still he likes to believe I am going to change my ways). I left the bucket for Mr P to investigate while I went over to Rollo and continued stroking her and lightly brushing the brush across her body (I'm not sure how much "grooming" I did but I wanted her to realize she could trust me). After a few moments I walked back to the fence and was just looking at the other paddock of horses and talking to this mare who was looking at Desi very intently. Next thing I notice, a big white head is by my shoulder, and Rollo is standing right beside me. I was so touched that she just stood there next to me. I talked to her and stroked her some more. The heat in her shoulders was reduced a little by the afternoon but not fully gone.
I can already tell I'm going to adore this horse for a long time and hopefully forever. My Boss says that once she gets healthy enough she wants to get her under saddle, and I'm hoping that if she is well broken that I will be able to ride her.
Can't wait to see her tomorrow and give her some more lovings!
Back in the Saddle
YES it has finally happened, I am back into riding and I am L.O.V.I.N.G. it!
I officially started last Thursday with my first ride on a very nice horse named Mr. Perfect (aka Mr P. or P). I was nervous at first, since I haven't been riding in a while and I was a little nervous about how my boss would react to my riding. Turns out she was understanding that I hadn't been riding since the middle of summer and a handful of times since my surgery in December.
We tacked up and then went out to the outside arena. Mr P wasn't spooky at all and acted like this was just a walk in the park. We walked around the arena and then I got my stirrups where I thought they needed to be, tightended the girth, and looked over my tack again. We walked around to warm up and, oops need to tighten the girth again. My boss gladly did this for me, I guess Mr P as learned how to bloat before riding, which I'm use to haha.
After some walking and trotting my boss asked if I was ever going to canter. I told her that I hadn't cantered much except for on a lunge line. She told me that it was the same thing off a lunge line. I was already really comfortable with Mr P and we seemed to be in tune with each other for a first ride. Before cantering I asked my boss what the cues were for canter again and she said that once I get him into a really nice trot he will automatically pick up the canter around a corner. I was a little wary about this, but I was glad that I had less to think about. So I got Mr P's lazy buttock into a nice trot and just as my boss said, he picked up the canter at a corner. Surprisingly I not only stayed on, I stayed on even after loosing a stirrup and didn't panic! Granted, I needed to work on my control but I was ecstatic that I cantered off the lung line, kept my balance, and stayed on! The ride after that was pretty uneventful. I ended up having to carry a whip because once Mr P decides that he is done working, he stops and won't budge no matter how much you squeeze or kick, but after I got the whip he did much better even though I had to tap him a few times. My coordination with a whip is not the best, I'm not use to having to use one, but I am sure I will get use to it.
TODAY I rode Mr P again and again he was a super good boy! I couldn't wait to work on my canter and today my canter was much more organized and controlled.
Note to self: Finish writing about ride and talk about new horse in the herd!
Thanks for reading!
I officially started last Thursday with my first ride on a very nice horse named Mr. Perfect (aka Mr P. or P). I was nervous at first, since I haven't been riding in a while and I was a little nervous about how my boss would react to my riding. Turns out she was understanding that I hadn't been riding since the middle of summer and a handful of times since my surgery in December.
We tacked up and then went out to the outside arena. Mr P wasn't spooky at all and acted like this was just a walk in the park. We walked around the arena and then I got my stirrups where I thought they needed to be, tightended the girth, and looked over my tack again. We walked around to warm up and, oops need to tighten the girth again. My boss gladly did this for me, I guess Mr P as learned how to bloat before riding, which I'm use to haha.
After some walking and trotting my boss asked if I was ever going to canter. I told her that I hadn't cantered much except for on a lunge line. She told me that it was the same thing off a lunge line. I was already really comfortable with Mr P and we seemed to be in tune with each other for a first ride. Before cantering I asked my boss what the cues were for canter again and she said that once I get him into a really nice trot he will automatically pick up the canter around a corner. I was a little wary about this, but I was glad that I had less to think about. So I got Mr P's lazy buttock into a nice trot and just as my boss said, he picked up the canter at a corner. Surprisingly I not only stayed on, I stayed on even after loosing a stirrup and didn't panic! Granted, I needed to work on my control but I was ecstatic that I cantered off the lung line, kept my balance, and stayed on! The ride after that was pretty uneventful. I ended up having to carry a whip because once Mr P decides that he is done working, he stops and won't budge no matter how much you squeeze or kick, but after I got the whip he did much better even though I had to tap him a few times. My coordination with a whip is not the best, I'm not use to having to use one, but I am sure I will get use to it.
TODAY I rode Mr P again and again he was a super good boy! I couldn't wait to work on my canter and today my canter was much more organized and controlled.
Note to self: Finish writing about ride and talk about new horse in the herd!
Thanks for reading!
September 17, 2011
Summer Catch-Up
Its almost fall, school has started, but WAIT! I barley posted at all this summer, WHAT GIVES?!
Well this summer was like no other summer I have had in my life. Did it involve horses? No unfortunetly not, but none the less it was one of the best summers I have ever had.
What made it so special?
1) I got a job 77 miles away from my home. I was home only 2-3 days out of the week and sometimes I was home every other week. I decided to take a job up at a campground in the mountains. My job was to give out quarters to kids at the rec-hall (aka arcade), keep the two playgrounds clean, and also make sure kids follow the rules. If I never say "NO BIKES ON THE RAMP!" or "I'm sorry Sir/Ma'am, but there are no dogs allowed on the playground" again I will die a happy lady. The job had it's ups and downs like any other job, but I met some fantastic people and made some even greater friends. To begin with my "boss" Jennifer became like my second mother (I have never called any one my second mother before, it is big shoes to fill). Her daughter Jordan, became like the little sister I never had (Tia, your my twin you count as a different kind of little sister) ;-)
During my last week at camp and working I became friends with a great group of people, and I have never played so many consecutive games of pool in my life (haha thanks Austin)!
My job was a fantastic job, and even though there were times where I thought I should have stayed home instead to prepare to leave for college, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
Pictures of my summer:
Well this summer was like no other summer I have had in my life. Did it involve horses? No unfortunetly not, but none the less it was one of the best summers I have ever had.
What made it so special?
1) I got a job 77 miles away from my home. I was home only 2-3 days out of the week and sometimes I was home every other week. I decided to take a job up at a campground in the mountains. My job was to give out quarters to kids at the rec-hall (aka arcade), keep the two playgrounds clean, and also make sure kids follow the rules. If I never say "NO BIKES ON THE RAMP!" or "I'm sorry Sir/Ma'am, but there are no dogs allowed on the playground" again I will die a happy lady. The job had it's ups and downs like any other job, but I met some fantastic people and made some even greater friends. To begin with my "boss" Jennifer became like my second mother (I have never called any one my second mother before, it is big shoes to fill). Her daughter Jordan, became like the little sister I never had (Tia, your my twin you count as a different kind of little sister) ;-)
During my last week at camp and working I became friends with a great group of people, and I have never played so many consecutive games of pool in my life (haha thanks Austin)!
My job was a fantastic job, and even though there were times where I thought I should have stayed home instead to prepare to leave for college, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.
Pictures of my summer:
My hammock, I spent many lunch breaks taking a nap in this hammock.
Oh did I mention I slept in a tent all summer?! YES! When I was at camp I only spent 1 week and 1 day actually sleeping in the camper.
The great group of friends I met during my last week!
Also I stayed with my Grandfather all summer (he owns a seasonal campsite at the campgrounds) and we do a moose/deer count every summer. When I left I was up to 16 moose and 3 deer...Pep was up to 40 something moose and only 5 deer.
It was a fantastic summer and it has been so different then any other summer I've had.
September 1, 2011
College and Spreading My Wings
Wow I can't believe it has been this long since I have written anything! There is so much that I want to type but I am sure that I am going to forget somethings.
First and most importantly, this country girl is now in a big city! I have moved half way across the country and a time zone away from my friends, family, town, and everything I have grown accustomed to. Instead of a home where I spent my nights with my Mom in the living room, I am living in a 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom apartment. I am currently enrolled in a animal science/pre vet degree program (is that really a big surprise? haha). But before I give the impression that I hate it here I have to say that I actually really like it here. Like it enough to see me living here? No way haha. I love Maine and will always love Maine and I want to live there. The apartment I am staying at is beautiful, my room mate is awesome (she is a 4th year biology major and has a vehicle and lets me tag along on grocery trips and little errand runs). I really couldn't ask for a better room mate. School hasn't started yet, it starts next Wednesday (September 6th). I am taking genetics, horse management, introduction to animal science, issues in the environment, and a class about POULTRY! (Hey it was a 2 credit class and it seems like it would be fun!) It seems like a full load but I am very excited to start.
I can't say it has been easy adjusting to being here. I have to take two public buses to get to school, and not counting a school bus, I have never ridden a public bus before. Also around night time is when I start to miss home the most, because I know that is when I would usually be in the living room with at least my mom in the room with me. I know I will see them in December so that makes it much easier.
So before the horsey people who read my post start freaking out I DO have some horse news actually! I have applied and got a job at the equestrian center on campus! It seems like it will be a morning job (which I am totally gun-ho about) mucking stalls, grooming the horses, giving hay and grain, you know the basic stuff. But I will also be getting lessons! There is also a green horse at the barn who is super friendly that the center is in the process of getting her (her name is Desi) saddlebroke, and my boss said it's possible that I would be able to help with her training!
I figure when I am on campus and if I start feeling down I can just walk to the horses and I know I will start to feel better!
Well this is a quick snip of what is going on in my life :) I hope I start blogging more.
First and most importantly, this country girl is now in a big city! I have moved half way across the country and a time zone away from my friends, family, town, and everything I have grown accustomed to. Instead of a home where I spent my nights with my Mom in the living room, I am living in a 2 bedroom and 2 bathroom apartment. I am currently enrolled in a animal science/pre vet degree program (is that really a big surprise? haha). But before I give the impression that I hate it here I have to say that I actually really like it here. Like it enough to see me living here? No way haha. I love Maine and will always love Maine and I want to live there. The apartment I am staying at is beautiful, my room mate is awesome (she is a 4th year biology major and has a vehicle and lets me tag along on grocery trips and little errand runs). I really couldn't ask for a better room mate. School hasn't started yet, it starts next Wednesday (September 6th). I am taking genetics, horse management, introduction to animal science, issues in the environment, and a class about POULTRY! (Hey it was a 2 credit class and it seems like it would be fun!) It seems like a full load but I am very excited to start.
I can't say it has been easy adjusting to being here. I have to take two public buses to get to school, and not counting a school bus, I have never ridden a public bus before. Also around night time is when I start to miss home the most, because I know that is when I would usually be in the living room with at least my mom in the room with me. I know I will see them in December so that makes it much easier.
So before the horsey people who read my post start freaking out I DO have some horse news actually! I have applied and got a job at the equestrian center on campus! It seems like it will be a morning job (which I am totally gun-ho about) mucking stalls, grooming the horses, giving hay and grain, you know the basic stuff. But I will also be getting lessons! There is also a green horse at the barn who is super friendly that the center is in the process of getting her (her name is Desi) saddlebroke, and my boss said it's possible that I would be able to help with her training!
I figure when I am on campus and if I start feeling down I can just walk to the horses and I know I will start to feel better!
Well this is a quick snip of what is going on in my life :) I hope I start blogging more.
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