Hurricane Gustav - Ready

The first one of Matt with his head in the bucket shows my cute little yellow house. I used spray paint on Matt and Blue Lotion on Dude. Both were pissed off. LOL. I'm staying here, but if they should bust out for some reason someone can see the numbers and call me on my cell. I expect the power to go out tonight, so see y'all on the flip side!!! Hope everyone is safe and sound.

New Truck and Hurricane Gustav

We got the new truck yesterday! Its a big old 8 cyl, 4X4. with its current hitch, the front 2 wheels of the horse trailer are off the ground. LOL!!!! Gotta flip the ball or even get a different stinger. Anyway, getting ready for the storm. We got shoes Friday, now picking up the yard and all that good stuff so the lawn furniture doesn't fly thru the windows. Hoping we'll get no damage, but 2 or 3 days off from work with little rain so we can ride a bunch. Prayers to all in harms way. If you're in Plaquemines Parish or New Orleans, GET OUT!!! Bye for Now.

We Need Shoes!

The farrier should have come Friday, but he couldn't make it. Monday? No, he had car trouble. Now, he's sick. I can't ride Dude or even longe him -- I saw sky between his shoe and his hoof. Last time his shoes were loose, one twisted and I was afraid the nails would stick him in his frog. I'm so frustrated. I was just getting into a rhythm. Plus, I need him shod (well) before the show on Saturday. I thought it was going to be too wet for the show, but T. S. Fay has dried up and the sun's been out pretty strong all day, today. If this keeps up, we may be able to have the show on Saturday.

I'm looking at trucks! I have a line on a '99 V8 Dodge P/U for $3,500!

Hurricane Fay

Rain, rain and more rain. But we are undamaged. A squirrel feeder blew down. Its really wet and Dude got really nervous.

Almost a Rodeo

Dang Dude is so herd bound!

I left Matt loose, cruising around grazing today while I worked with Dude. Tied him up and bathed off the nasty wet poo. Then, I picked his feet, even the one he usually doesn't like me to do. Saddling was okay -- he stepped back and forth nervously, but didn't pull on the rope. On one swing of the hips he met my elbow in his side (oh, oopsie - not). I just stuck it out. He's the one who ran into it.

Bridling went very well. My clumsiness was the only holdup. Carrots were used throughout. I led him toward the mounting block and stopped to tighten the girth. He stepped on my boot, but missed my actual toe.

Anyway, I opened the big gate to the back and started to go through. I met all kinds of resistance, grunting, head tossing and, finally, some bucking! I took him back in the front yard and made him do little circles for awhile. Then, I started into the back again. I took mugwump's advice and stopped before we got to the balking point. I just sat there for awhile and then made him go one step forward, stop and rest some more. He tried some more balking and backing, but I kept his head up and made him circle and he finally got tired of that and we went forward the way I had wanted to go all along. the whole time in the back he was awful, jigging, balking, backing, but I made him do what I wanted for awhile, holding his head way up so he couldn't buck. Haha. After he settled down some I made him slowly walk to the front. then, in the front yard I made him jog and trot in all different circle configurations for about 30 minutes. Little bugger. He was at target heart rate for at least 20 minutes there, butthead. Then, we walked it out, me smoking and making him not cut corners and keeping him guessing which way we would turn next.

I couldn't figure out what the devil was wrong with him in the back at first, but then I realized it was because of leaving Matty. Jeebus, he is herd bound. It makes it really miserable. We're going to have to work on that. At least he knows he can't get away with cutting up with me. He's learning that, anyway. The bucks weren't very hard and I didn't come anywhere near to falling or anything. I was just praying my girth was tight enough and it was. The best things were I didn't panic and I didn't hurry. I just took it one step at a time until I got him going how I wanted. We worked at a really good jog, as well, that I could sit quite comfortably.

Whew, another productive day under our belts.

Triumph in Saddling!!!!!

Today I saddled Dude tied to the tree in his rope halter. He moved toward me a little, but, we did a "dance" where I messed with him, going toward his girth and then stepping away several times and laughing like it was a game. He finally stood still and let me grab the girth from underneath. He moved around a little more for tightening, but not too badly. I just took my time and let him adjust to each step. Matt stood by, faithfully ... sleeping. Bridling was easy. He likes his new bridle (and carrots keep coming for these "new" accomplishments). We had a good ride, but Dude wouldn't pick up a canter following Matt. He, rather, beat me up with a blazing, bone jarring trot from hell. We had a good day, though.

New Bridle, Tied and Rode

I looked and looked for new bridles on eBay and finally just got a good headstall at the feed store today. The best one was latigo colored with brass buckles, but has ties so silver can be added later. Turns out I have 4 big "silver" tie on conchos that I got with my bead making stuff that are too big for necklaces and are going to be perfect on the new bridle for shows, yet removable for every day and cleaning.

When I got home and started fitting the new bridle, Dude was a butt, so I tied him to the tree with his rope halter. Then, I went out repeatedly for fittings and bridled him while he was tied! This is a major step forward! He stepped toward me once at first, but I pushed his butt over and he didn't try it again. Matt was in the pen where he had run to escape when I came out with the bridle. Dude ended up staying tied and getting bitted about 6 times! Then, I shortened my stirrups on the Western saddle and let Dude loose for saddling. I didn't want to push him too much in one day, but I foresee a day when I can saddle him tied. Thank goodness he respects the rope halter. Who knew? (Well, Jeff H., the local trainer, told me to get a rope halter at the last show, so he knew ... LOL). We had a nice little ride around the yard, doing steering, at walk and trot. then, I got my daughter to come home from her friend's and go with me on Matt around the block. I worked on a nice sitting jog on Dude. The weather really cooperated -- there's a thunder storm coming, so it really cooled off, but held off long enough. On the way home we passed my daughter's friend's house and she got off and I ponied Matt home! That's the first time I've tried that and it worked perfectly. Matt cooperated and did exactly what Dude did. I love my old, broke horses!

"Lather, Rinse, Repeat"

Wow, Dude is getting as sway backed as Matty! I hope his topline improves with this latest round of conditioning. Anyway...
Tied Dude to the tree with the rope halter again last night. I watched him through the window. No drama, but slow, determined escape attempts. He slowly pulled on the rope in each direction, testing the pressure. He fooled with the knot and flipped the rope around with his nose. He never got away, though, or even reached the grass. Plus, Matty was roaming around loose, eating grass. After about 1/2 hour, I went out and started picking his hooves. On the back right he stepped toward me again! That is so totally unacceptable! I pushed him over by poking him in the hip several times until he knew I meant business. Then, he offered up the foot the next time I reached for it.

I let him loose. I bridled and saddled (about per usual) and rode around some, doing walk, trot, halt and back, transitions. He was "bad" once, backing up out of the front gate corridor. So, I made him go in a tight circle and then go back in there. He startled a little at his shadow as it got dark, but continued on bravely. Dude will go almost completely off leg cues at the walk. I'm a little less coordinated in cuing him at the trot. I cued him to do some impressive spins. His power steering is excellent in this Western bridle and bit! I don't know if I ever mentioned this, but Dude "has" to do 4 full body snorts the first time you trot him every single time. It really makes his back go up, so I think its a good stretch for him. I'm enjoying getting him ready for the show not this Saturday, but the next.

Training Day

We practiced staying tied to a tree, today. Poor tree got some bark bitten off, but not too violently, more out of boredom. He also tried to untie it repeatedly and to rub it off his head. Ha ha on you Dude, rope halter. He didn't try to violently pull, but he got the slack out of the rope and reached the grass once. I went and tied him back up. I had Matt cross tied nearby for comfort. After about 10 minutes, when he was being "good", I let him loose.

Today, we fought about the bit, some. I put the (Western) bridle on 3 times and took it off twice before I left it on to start saddling. After the first time, he ran off and acted like a wild thing, but he came back to me (for carrots -- I cheated a little). It got a little easier to get the bit in each time. Saddling was about the same as usual, except I put it on and took it off an extra time before I left it on. I was feeling patient despite the sweltering heat -- it was overcast and humid today, so not burning hot.

I had set up my 2 cones and the trash can in places in the yard to do a varying pattern around. No problem about mounting. I tied Matt to the trailer so he would be nearby. I walked different patterns and then made Dude trot, which he did not want to do. He really resented me making him work those tight turns. It was all at a sitting trot, because I needed to regain some coordination at using my legs. I had the long Western reins on so I mostly used my legs and seat for the "patterns." Dude shook his head and lurched to the side a couple of times. I popped his neck with my hand, fussed at him and made him keep working. I made him do things he didn't want to do. His halts were excellent - he stopped on a dime on "ho" because he is so fat and lazy (like his rider). I made him back up, too as he is so good at it. He tried to balk at one spot and I popped him with my hand and made him go forward. I jerked the reins a little hard (for me, not mouth damaging hard)when he wouldn't turn. I.e., we're working on respect and getting some. I'm shooting for being able to tie, tack and steer at the upcoming show.

When I untied Matt from the trailer he went nuts and acted like a total jackass! I wouldn't let go of the lead rope, though. He flopped out like a trout and then longed himself around me countless times before I could finally pull him in and get him to whoa. I don't know what was going on with him, but I put a loop on his nose and played lead line around with him making him whoa and back up for awhile before I let him go. The "boys" were really trying me today, but I made them behave and work. I'm tired. Bed soon!

No Bit Problem today and I Cantered!

Every day is a new day with my boy, Dude. I walked out and put the bridle on him on the first try. I was as surprised as anybody. As I watched Westerns on TV yesterday I was sad because they lope all over the place with no problems. As I lay in bed last night I thought of my plan, so today I implemented it. I put my Western saddle on today. When we got into the power line right of way, my daughter took off cantering on Matt, so I just let Dude be on a long rein and followed. Dude cantered, too, right lead, a little head toss, but no buck. Ha!

We had a balking incident in the middle of Brown Road, of course. Scared the piss out of me. Bad, Dudey. The rest of the ride was good, lots of walk/trot transitions. I got off to potty and tighten the saddle in the woods. No problems. "Our" cows were all in their pasture when we passed, but Dude was giving them the stink eye just in case. No problems going past the neighbor horses, or not much of a balk on that, anyway. I noticed it takes me awhile to get where I'm supposed to be sitting in the Western saddle. I need to take my stirrups up a notch, too. It was a beautiful day and we got back at 11:45 a.m., so we beat the heat to a certain extent. Off to shower and nap, then clean house.

Bit Problems

Pics 1 and 2 = Dude today in the western bit. Pic 3 is from week before last and is just too cute because Dude wants to come inside the back door. "I can has inside please?"

Wow, what a fight we had getting the bit on this morning. The show is cancelled due to arena conditions (too wet), so, I decided we better start getting us in shape for the next round of shows with some jogging around. Dude's topline is sad looking from standing around getting fat for weeks. I just wanted to tak up and do about 30 minutes of jogging around. It took about an hour to get tacked up! I couldn't get the English bridle on because of the noseband. Dude kept nodding and nodding and avoiding the bit. He really pissed me off, but good. So I came in, cooled off and got the western one I had put together with Ella's old show bit. It was easier to put on with the curb chain undone. The only thing I can say is persistance and patience pays off, eventually, with Dude. He did better saddling than usual. I turn around and ignore him when he's moving around, then reward him with carrots when he stands still. He's learning he has to stand still for the carrot. Mounting was no problem. My daughter finally got up and wandered outside. She said she'd go if she could ride bareback which was fine. We went around the subdivision block twice, alternately jogging and walking. I couldn't beleive they didn't balk when we passed the house and kept going.

Nothing feels better than after a ride when the horses are washed and I've showered and had something to eat. I'm off to nap and be glad I don't have to go to the show. Its too bad because I had everything packed up last night including having the drinks iced down and ice chest loaded! I had to unload everything this morning before it got hot.

Loving Matty

Every morning and every night, unless given an occasional respite by my daughter, I take Matt (age 22) out of the pen so he can eat undisturbed. In September last year he came, with Dude, to live at our house. My daughter would love and hug on him and go on about he sweet he is and I would think she was deluded. At first he seemed cold and stand-offish and he still has his grumpy old man moments, but I tell you that lately, I've begun to love Matty. He used to be kind of checked out and tuned out -- after being a lesson horse for 10 or 12 years, people meant "work." But, a few months ago, I started to just be easier with him. Instead of trying to make him do things, I kind of give him a minute to think about it. Now, he goes to his pen when he's finished eating, except sometimes, like last night, he decides to mess with me and play chase. Not fast, just enough to make me laugh and come after him. And now, he stops and puts his head on my shoulder to "hug" me goodnight before he goes back into the pen. It makes my heart melt. He's learning to be a pet. He knows he's loved.

Dude was all sweet last night, too. I wanted to pick his hooves and he wanted to act like he's never had his back hooves touched before in his life. But, he would stand and let me pet him and love on him and try to talk him into giving me his back hooves for the longest time. I had to get firm with him because he stepped towards me when I went for his right rear. I repeatedly made him step over the other way at the hip and at the shoulder until he got my point. Never did get that hoof. Tomorrow will be another day when he will stand like a gentleman and I will wonder where the scaredy boy went. What a nutter.

It is So Hot

Its hot and wet. And not in a good way. We get a T-storm about every afternoon, so it is staying very wet by the gate. The path to the run-in is sunken and water stands in it. All the sand I put there has gone to mysterious depths. Its pea gravel next, I promise. I am watching carefully for thrush. Here's a link to a page with healthy hooves. Dude's and Matt's frogs look like #4 on that page; kinda black and peely, but not smelly or gooey.

http://www.thehorseshoof.com/gallery_healthy.html

I want to clean out the run-in and start again with pea gravel - at least a yard of it. I'll have to do a little bit every day to avoid heat stroke.

There's a "show" Saturday. We're only going to the timed events, but I'm determined to take Dude and run him in some "exhibitions" (untimed, schooling runs). Can't wait to see if he bucks... again. My trick to beat the heat is to get up real early, load the truck up and bathe the horses. Then, I stay inside until time to load the horses at about 3:00 p.m.