Winter Wet Season Update

Susan in Idaho: I snorted coffee on my computer at your "last furlong of the Kentucy Derby" comment! Thanks, ya'll, for understanding it was SO unexpected when Dude and the little mare ran off!! Thank God no cars were coming.

Dude did it again a couple of days later even after the little mare had gone home and you should have seen him jump the street ditch when I rattled a feed bucket (after checking for cars!). It was a beauty of a jump at a gallop -- long a level like he was carrying a rider.

It is quite the wakeup call when these 1100 lb. boys and girls suddenly remind you just how strong, quick and athletic they are. Those aspects are, after all, a big part of the thrill of having them around.

The weather has been wet, wet, and more wet. The pasture is a giant lake alternating with a mud hole.

Had a chance to trailer to a trail ride at the Barn for MLK Day Camp, but Dude would not load. I have been remiss in not working with him when I am not under the gun to get him somewhere and I paid the price. Matt went in because I hollered at him and swatted him with the end of a rope. Can't do that with Dude, though, he freaks himself out. He's such a drama queen. He would have none of the coaxing although he almost got in when I put my own head in a bucket of sweet feed and made slurping noises up in the front of the trailer.

Anyway, the ride was terrific. I rode a part Hafflinger (half Hafflinger ? LOL) gelding named Renni and followed my daughter and Matt. We went through a lot of little creeks and water holes, but cantered and had fun. Matt slipped badly once, but didn't fall and kept his back level. I enjoyed watching how my daughter's butt stayed glued to the saddle. She is really riding well. The Hafflinger I rode seemed to "rack" in between his trot and canter, but I was so busy ducking (small but painful) tree limbs it was hard to tell what he was doing. Hee hee. A good time was had by all.

Our former pony, Bay Boy, was on the ride, too, carrying a 6 year old who fell off due to no fault of Bay's. He stood calmly for her to get back on and she was a brave little cowgirl about it. Bay surely has come a long way since we rescued him from the goat pen a year ago.

Good Times and An Escape

My daughter and I have done several trail rides with Dude and Matt. We have explored and found some really good trails (4-wheeler trails) behind our house along a creek -- very scenic. The paper mill owns the land. There's also a pea-gravel road that is good for trotting and cantering.

Dude has been fabulous for bridling and grooming, including back hooves. He still has to move a little for girthing, but is much, much better. We've settled in to some enjoyable times.

Matt and my daughter went off to camp again this week, so I brought home Dusty Rose, a roan mare, from the Barn where Dude and Matt used to live, to keep Dude company this week. The two of them got up to no good the other day when I let them out to graze in the front yard -- they both RAN out the open gate and toured the neighborhood for awhile until I caught up to them with a feed bucket. You should have seen my face when all I saw was Dude's blanket flapping and the bottoms of his back hooves. I stood there with my mouth open for the longest time because when I let him out usually he just sedately crops the grass. The little mare had him in a frisky mood!

Later that evening when I checked, Dude was lying down. I laughed at him since he must have worn himself out on his little adventure!! Thank God nothing bad happened, but you just never know what (creaky old) horses will do! Dude turned 18 in January, but thinks he is 8.