Dude Incites Matt to Badness (Broken Trailer D-ring)

Yesterday was a total (literal) bust on trailer loading for Matt (the 22 year old QH Gelding). One of the (I lost count) times Matt pulled away from me, you should have seen Dude kicking his back legs higher than my head and running off with Matt. What a hoodlum. I wanted to kill them both. Some little angel hid my lunge whip (I'm just saying I thought about it and looked to see if it was in the tack shed) so I settled on a little crop. I didn't hit him (Matt) hard, or a lot as it wasn't doing any good (but I really wanted to be flailing away like a banshee!!!!) I don't know why Matt would not get in the trailer. He has been loading well the last few times. It was like having bad children who make you laugh, but you can't let them see you laugh when they would run behind the house (cause then they're invisible to the human eye!). Anyway, stupid Matt pulled back so hard the one time I got him tied then he dislodged an actual piece of the trailer itself so now my trailer is broken. There's a jagged piece of metal sticking up!! What a poophead Matty is.

My daughter was trying to close the trailer door, but she was right to get clear when Matt started really really backing out. Time for a wider, taller trailer anyway. Grandmother (our backer) has agreed we need a newer and better trailer. It was a good thing it happened at home.

We were supposed to be going to take lessons at Ms. Dee's Ride-A-Horse (I swear that's the name). She teaches western showing and timed events, too. She's a legend around here. I'm sad we didn't get to go!

I put Matt in the cross ties and made him stand there while I drank a cup of coffee, smoked a cigarette and rested my feet (poophead!). Then, I saddled him and my daughter got to ride in her new show saddle and bridle up and down the street out front and show off to her little friends. I took pictures. Dude exercised himself by running up and down the fence row and practicing his sliding stops. What a doofus.

At least the days are getting long enough to ride after school/work now. Thank God. I'll post the pics later.

Shoes, etc.

Last week I had the farrier over again and resolved to put shoes on Dude as well as replacing Matt's shoes. Matt was an angel for the farrier and stood patiently.
The glucosamine is really helping Matt with being able to stand on 3 legs when needed.

Before we began on Dude the farrier said "Are you sure you want shoes on him?' Now, understand this farrier does not say a single word that is not necessary, so for him to ask that meant he was worried. I forged ahead and am glad that I did. Dude was really well behaved on the front feet and just side-stepped a little when Bill began on the first back foot. We did not even have to put a chain on him (On the previous farrier visits Bill put a chain on Dude, but didn't have to pull on it because he recognized what it was). I like that Bill the farrier does not employ any restraints until he finds it necessary (unlike the vet I had out). Bill, Dude and I were all proud when all 4 shoes were on Dude. It was indeed a lovely day.

Dude did what I have come to expect -- when you approach his rear feet you pat his haunches and he just has to take a minute to accept what you are doing. I usually detect a relaxing of his tenseness when he is ready. It doesn't take more than a few seconds, but makes all the difference. I'm proud that I have learned to read Dude in this way.

The weather is still wet and cold and little to no daylight on the week nights. However, Saturday was warm enough for baths! I set up a cross tie station between 2 trees in the back yard with rings on screws I got at the feed store. 2 lead ropes stretch between them perfectly for cross tying! I tied quick release knots on the lead ropes at the rings in case of "panic at the disco" (LOL). Bathed Matt in his new fleece cooler folding back the sides as necessary to not chill his now 22 year old bones. He's doing great.

By the time I got to Dude it was warmer. I had my warm water bucket and stuff ready so I could stay with Dude while he was cross tied and also gave carrots. He was very calm and I think liked getting clean down to the skin. I put listerine in his water because his mane part looked crusty, but I have since learned its not rain rot, just dry skin. I tested Listerine on my skin first and it didn't burn and I also diluted it a lot. MMM, minty fresh horse. I bathed and bathed, including his hiney area and around his penis area. He didn't let down, though and I wouldn't have used the listerine water on that anyway. Anyway, my big news is that later in the day I was brushing Dude out and he did let down. His shaft is all crusty again. Bleargh! But, as I was currying around the area I tried touching "it" and he didn't have any reaction to that. (Unlike when he tried to kick the vet). So, I think under the right circumstances I will be able to clean his sheath. Only you horse folk will understand the thrill of that discovery. It just bothers the heck out of me to see the crustiness, ya know? I want it clean.

My daughter took Matty off to camp again - by the way Matt loaded like a charm going and coming back. I came down with the flu and felt like death while she was gone. I promise, on my honor, that I am going to practice loading Dude one day soon. The days are getting longer and I hope to do more than throw food at Dude every day soon! My daughter has a horse show and demonstration days coming with Matt, though, so as usual, Dude and I have to work when time allows.

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.

My Daughter and I Trail Ride

We had a nice, warm weekend. My boyfriend had to work, but now that I know how both horses will do on a trail ride, I felt comfortable taking my daughter (age 10) out on Matt. Matt is her horse, anyway. I haven't done anything with Dude since last Sunday except feed and pet him. This time, I got Matt tacked up first and left Matt tied to my springy tree. Then, I tied Dude right next to him for grooming. They get along extremely well or I wouldn't do that. This made Dude more amenable to being groomed. I had to start at the shoulder and work my way slowly down his back to his hip and then down his back leg on each side to pick his rear hooves. For bridling, he wanted to back up, so I untied him completely and let him step back a couple of steps. He let me put the bridle on, then, with carrot bribes, of course. I took him out of the paddock, into the front yard for saddling and he was fabulous! He moved around less for saddling than he had for brushing! He barely walked around for girthing!! He stood still for mounting. I had a "senior moment" and cuoldn't figure out how to tighten my saddle while mounted. I had a mental picture of E's hunt seat saddle in my brain and went blank on getting my dressage girth tight. I had to dismount to get my helmet, also. When I got back on Dude stood still, but the saddle turned. This startled him a little, but not too badly. He circled a little more vigorously when I had to undo it and retighten it, than he had earlier. He continued to stand still for the third mounting. On the trail, when we came to one of the big ditches, someone had put some plywood in the crossing so our boys were hesitant. My daughter was getting alittle nervous, so I got off and led Dude and Matt through the ditch. Dude stood still for me to mount again on the trail. We had a nice ride. Some dogs started following us and we were afraid they were going to follow us all the way home. So, I asked my daughter if she wanted to turn and chase the dogs and she was all for it. Matt and Dude for for it, as well. Matt was snaking his head at them! LOL. the dogs ran off and didn't follow us anymore. It was a great, safe ride for my daughter and me. I think Dude is behaving better because he is learning that we are going to get out and have some fun and not do boring arena work. I've yet to try to canter him on a trail, but I probably will next time I have my boyfriend with me. Dude is getting what he needs -- lots of slow, relaxed work with me that lets him know I'm not a threat. I wish I had more time to do things like this with him, but with winter hours, the weekends are about all we have.

Another Good Trail Ride

My boyfriend and I took Matt and Dude for a trail ride on Sunday. Matt was saddled first and the kids rode him while I worked with Dude. I tied Dude to a small tree with a lot of "give" while I groomed him, so no trouble there. He likes to move ALL the way over when I switch sides while grooming him. No go at all on lifting the back feet, which is usually not a problem (?). He was slightly reticent about the bridle, but nothing like he used to be. He walked around a little for the girthing, but not very fast. I got the girth underneath on the first grab and got it in the buckle. I went side to side tightening. The only thing I had a problem with was my off side stirrup leather came off and I had to approach him several times and let him smiff it and see what I was doing before he let me reattach it. Carrots were given at intervals, of course. He let me mount from the ground with no problems at all. It took me until now to figure out he likes to be mounted out of his paddock because that means a trail ride and not ring work. Dude finds it hard to train his human. His human is a slow learner (LOL). On the trail, he was great. We even jumped a little ditch. As long as his Matt is with him he will go anywhere. They both balked at an up-bank ditch thru mud so we went around. Dude didn't want to drink out of the pond we found. The funniest part was when we came to a paved road through an empty field, it took me quite awhile to get Dude to step onto it. Even with Matt walking back and forth illustrating that it would not swallow up a horse, Dude was nervous until he felt its solidness. Dude responds well to my reassurances that something is okay. I love that about him. My boyfriend thought Dude was afraid of his shadow which was projected onto the road and I agree that didn't help the situation. Both boys went through ditches, mud, tire trails through high grass, and ditch banks on the side of the busy road with no problems. They ambled home with no trying to run and were generally a joy to ride. I only walked and trotted Dude. We walked a stretch I want to canter next time, but I want to check it good for holes first.

Dude Gives a Pony Ride

Its been mostly nasty and cold. The day after Thanksgiving the kids (mine and R's) talked me into saddling up for them. I saddled Matt and my daughter was teaching R's son to jump on him. Dude was still standing around in his blanket. I put a halter on Dude and hoisted up R's 8-year old daughter to get a pony ride. Dude's face was PRICELESS. He had the same look on his face that he does when he knows I've got carrots, like "I'm a good boy?!" He carried his head low and moved ever so carefully. I led him over our homemade "jump" at a walk and let Livvy pretend she was learning to jump, too. Dude barely picked up his feet over the crossed broom sticks. He went patiently around and around carrying Livvy, although he got sour on the "jump" pretty quickly. What a love he can be sometimes.