Class Act

This pretty mare is Maddy's best bud. She is the lead mare and quite a character. If you head for the pasture, she comes running. She can't get enough attention from humans. She is very dramatic with her expressions and she is always thinking. Michelle has taught her how to "point" with her nose to where she wants to be scratched. It is so funny to watch this game go on between horse and human.
I have watched Classy evolve into a wonderful partner for my trainer, Michelle Merkin. I just enjoyed these photos and wanted to a share a little about the horse that keeps Maddy so happy. This bottom picture is "classic" Classy. When she gets an idea, she will stop at nothing to do it. On this day, she wanted THAT piece of grass and turned into a contortionist to get it. Funny girl:-)

Out with the Girls

Maddy is a new horse. This week I have seen amazing progress. She is working well in the arena, she is calm outside, and two days ago she returned to her "gang." She is out with the mares again and so happy. I thought there would be some squabbling, but she walked out there and went right back to being Classy's best bud and Novi's nemesis.
I quit giving her ACE last Thursday and best of all, I hopped on her today and worked on some one rein stops and lateral flexion. It felt so good to ride my horse. I can't even put it into words. My farrier, Andrew Maris, did her shoes today and she behaved herself and didn't pull back...much:-). Still need to work on that. She gets a little tense from the sound of hammering, but Andrew said "she is on the verge of being a great horse." That means a lot to me because when I first got her, Andrew didn't even want to work on her. The sweat and tears are starting to pay off.

Shadow 1986-2008

My dear friend Richard, an equine photographer, lost his horse, Shadow today. I don't know the details, but Shadow was getting up there in age. I know Richard loved him dearly. I found the poem over on Midwest Horse comforting and forwarded it to him. I just wanted to say goodbye to the sweet old gelding that held Richards heart. Goodbye Shadow:-(

A riddle:-)

I have this old sign that hangs in my house. Everyone who sees it stops just to make sure they read it right then "Huh?" Can you guys guess where this sign hung back in the day?

Days Outside

So I took the plunge. I decided to work every day to get Maddy outside. I am putting everything else in my life on hold for the next seven days and Maddy is my priority. My plan is to go out every morning, work her, and go for a long walks around the pastures so she can visit with the horses and then I put her in a small pen for a few hours. I am giving her 3 cc of ACE which I know a lot of people don't agree with, but this horse has so much adrenaline, my vet and I think to protect her from herself, she needs it for this first week. Everything is coming together and she is adjusting very well. I am allowing her to trot for longer periods to build some muscle before she goes out with the mares. She looks sound and looks like she is feeling good. I introduced her to a big blue tarp and a giant mirror...she was very brave and managed to touch both by the end of our work in the arena. I have been setting up barrels to drive her through and around both on and off line. I am dreaming of trail rides and fun this summer. We are closing in on normalcy.

First Day Out

I worked Maddy yesterday and was able to turn her out in a small paddock for a couple hours. She did really well and it was nice to see her as a dirty horse. She must have rolled at least 5 times. She just kept touching her mouth to the ground and rubbing on trees. She didn't know what to think of the small pony that was next door rolling and frolicking. It was a beautiful day. For the next week, my goal is to get to the barn every morning and do the same thing. Hopefully by the end of February, she will be fully transitioned to outside life again.

Cloud the Wild Stallion

I watched Cloud: Wild Stallion of the Rockies today. I had some down time at work and had it in my bag. I saw it a couple years ago and loved it. It really is a beautiful movie, very violent and hard to watch at times but really fascinating to watch horses interact. I had goosebumps more times than I could count. I think Ginger Kathrens, the filmaker, was so fortunate in finding this horse to follow. Besides his unique color, Cloud really had a dominant personality and it was so interesting to watch him take on horses much larger and older. Through the years of following the horses, Ginger adopts a mustang and rides him back among the herds. It showed a little of their bonding and training process. I thought that part of the movie was pretty cool. The DVD that I have has the follow up movie called "Clouds Legacy: The Wild Stallion Returns" which I haven't seen before. Looking forward to watching that tonight before bed.