Side by side

Since it's too yucky outside to ride, and I was stuck inside with housecleaning, of course I spend my evening poking around in my old pictures...

See this neck?

Compare it to this one:

I love my boy. 

 But he's not exactly long and stretchy.  

He's the compact model.

Thunder's not a lot taller, but he has a longer, leaner build...

And withers.

The boys have the same genetics on their sire's side - I can't find his picture at the moment.  But the mares?  If you've been reading for a while this won't be a challenge, but see if you can guess which foaled which....

ASA Copper Pennie

ASA Sauds Mariah

 I really can't wait to get Thunder working this summer and see how he moves from on top!

Good-bye ladies...

News, news, NEWS, remember?

Well, yesterday three of the mares went north. A month or so ago someone contacted the farm owner interested in locating horses with Royal Zaltar breeding. He'd sold her a mare 15 years ago, and was wondering if she still had her, or knew where any of her foals might be.

The answer? There are several of the same breeding grazing right out in the front pasture.

Long story short, he came down and looked at the mares and liked three of them very much.

We said goodbye to ASA Copper Pennie, ASA Sauds Foxie, and Sauds Sahara Fyre FS yesterday morning. I (of course) forgot my camera. :( I took a few cell phone pictures, but haven't managed to get them to upload, darn it.

They loaded up like the ladies they are, and with promises of pictures and updates, and to contact her if he ever decides to sell them, they were off for new lives.

It was hard to see them go, but good to have three of them settled somewhere where they'll be well-cared for, safe and valued.

Pennie & Foxie

News of the week

My news? I'm not sure there is much. Horse time has been scarce as hens' teeth. I've patted noses & checked that all 4 (x 8) legs are still on the ground. Not much else, unfortunately. J stopped by last night, catching me sitting on the floor in the living room with a stack of clean laundry - she thought that was really funny - to ask where I'd been. Our schedules haven't had us crossing at the farm since sometime last week.

She had news. Not great news, but news. The lady who was to have looked at Pennie found two really nice geldings that were already buddies and had good kid-experienced backgrounds. She decided she'd rather go that route rather than introduce a strange mare into her gelding herd. Which I can understand.

T and I will continue to ride Pennie. No sense letting her slip back into pasture complacency when he got along with her so well and I enjoy her, too. And since I know she'll pony, we might just let her drag her son behind her a time or three this fall yet. Thunder and Amyra are both due for more work than they've had, so as long as the weather and the daylight hold....

I have horse plans for the weekend. The weatherman (and we know they neee-verr lie) is promising sun, 80's and more sun. Sounds lovely. Only a few weekends left until pheasant season opens and the roadways get clogged with gun-toting men*, so I plan to make the most of them.

*************
*For those of you not familiar with pheasant season
in South Dakota, a short overview follows.

Background:When I first contemplated moving here to SD from Michigan ten years ago, my female friends winked & mentioned cowboys. My male friends (and acquaintances, and strange men in stores who overheard my moving plans... you get the picture) salivated at the thought of pheasants and pheasant season. "When are you moving and how soon?" they'd ask. "Do you know anyone there with property yet?"

Present: For some reason, SD is a pheasant mecca. Every year in October, hoards of shotgun-wielding natives and hunting-crazed tourists hit the back roads and the fields in search of chicken-sized, ring-necked, brightly-plumaged birds. [Funny story: a few years ago in October at the annual SD Library Association conference a woman from out East somewhere - VA? - flew in to speak. Our opening speaker, after she was introduced she mentioned that it was the first time she'd ever been west of the Mississippi, and described getting off the plane in Sioux Falls. "It was amazing," she said, "to see all those musicians collecting their instruments in the airport. South Dakota must be a highly cultured state - all those violin players!" ???? Shotgun cases=instruments=lots of culture, you betcha! LOL.]

In SD, road hunting is legal. I didn't know this when I first moved here, but I learned fast, let me tell you.

It's not legal to shoot a bird on the ground in someone's pasture, but it is legal to shoot one in the air over the road and then climb the fence into the pasture to retrieve the dead bird.

It's illegal to shoot within so many feet of inhabited buildings or livestock - but a lot of hunters ignore these rules in the heat of the moment. (How do I know this? Because on more than one occasion I've had drivers slam on their brakes, dive out of their cars, and shoot over my horse's head to drop a horse-flushed pheasant. And I've seen cars stop on the road next to the large, orange, NO HUNTING sign, hunters leaning out across their hoods to take a shot over the horses grazing in the pasture. And I take license plate numbers.)

Not to mention, SD is the first place I have EVER seen the following: blaze-orange, gun-carrying figures lined up all the way around a mowed field, walking towards one another to chase up any birds that might be lurking in the stubble. When a bird does lift, the shooting side fires toward the beaters. Over their heads, yes, but shot that goes up, must come down.... Doesn't look like something I'd want to make a habit of, but hey, whatever works for them, I guess!

It didn't take long before I learned to wear blaze orange if I was going to ride the gravel roads after opening day, and to ride early in the mornings before it's legal to hunt (before noon, and late in the season, before 10 AM). And to get used to being buzzed by the Game Fish & Parks helicopter if I was out riding early in my vivid new vest - they take poaching pretty seriously.

But so far, although I've flushed out a lot of birds out riding, I haven't developed any great desire to shoot them. They're pretty.

Don't get me wrong - my family hunts and so does my husband. (And those pretty pheasants are mighty tasty when cooked properly!) I have absolutely no problems with responsible gun owners and/or hunters who hunt for practical reasons, or who use what they shoot. Nor with those who abide by hunter safety guidelines & exercise some common sense and courtesy. What I don't like are the irresponsible ya-hoos who fire at random movements, hunt in areas posted "No Hunting" and trespass to get their bag limits!

Pennie: Ride 3, and a change in plans

Friday evening, T and I went out to the farm, dragging H along (she took a nap in the car while we rode). The horses were up and happy to see us, and it was short work to brush off the dust and tack up. Looking over while T saddled Sunny, I was surprised to see Sunny's back feet tucked up underneath him, leaving his back slightly hunched, and his expression - well, resentful.... Odd.

We double-checked saddlepad and Sunny's back for pointy things and any soreness, but finding nothing went ahead. He seemed quiet and easy enough walking down to the pasture, but when T started to mount, Sunny wrung his tail and scooted away. Even held, he was NOT happy, and he's been really good about standing planted for mounting lately. This was the worst evasion I've seen him try. T thought his weight might be pulling the saddle cock-eyed as he swung up. Sunny's pretty witherless, and it's hard to keep saddles from shifting on him, no matter how snugly cinched. Still....

I wanted to check the saddle one more time, so he took Pennie, "Why don't I just ride her?" Pennie was dozing, back foot tipped up. "Okay - let's try that." So I held the off stirrup while he mounted, (Pennie stood politely) and they walked off as if they'd done it a thousand times.Sunny just plain didn't want me on that saddle, either, even readjusted. He'd stand on loose rein until I put weight in the stirrup, then scoot away.

But with T on Pennie, that was an easily solved problem. Lose the saddle - which I promptly did. Bareback (I still couldn't find anything on the pad or his back that should have caused a problem, but he was definitely reacting to something) he was fine for mounting, and mosied along around the pasture like always.

The only thing we can come up with is that either something was pinching or poking somewhere, or the saddle fit is uncomfortable enough with someone's weight on it to make him protest. I've avoided using that saddle with him more due to the length of the skirts (he's so short-backed) than anything else. Don't know if that's what was bothering him, but whatever it was went away when I took the saddle off, so....

In any case, we probably rode 45 minutes to an hour all told. A lot of looping in and out of the ground poles and winding around the pasture - then we tried riding tandem figure eights & took turns playing follow the leader & mirror image for a while. I took some very wobbly video from Sunny's back, and a few blurry pictures (not enough light).

Before we quit, I popped up on Pennie and asked her for a bit of a trot. Not sure if it was the failing light, stiffness, or something else entirely, but it proved difficult to get her out of a walk, although she does have a lot of different speeds at the walk! We'll keep working.

Pennie: Ride 2

No rain, nothing but some big black, disconnected clouds mixed with nice bright fall sunshine! Which meant I could make riding plans for this evening. Call me a chicken, but I really wasn't up for ride #2 all by myself, cell phone or no, so I wheedled T into going out with me.

Me: "If we can leave work by 4, we'll have two full hours before you have to go bowl...."
T: "Well,...."
Me: "I don't want to ride for long - we'll just be there for an hour or so."
T (who's heard that before - more than once, and knows better): "I don't know... I have some things to finish up, and students who might stop by the office later...."
Me: "We could throw a second saddle in and you could ride Sunny, if you wanted?" Wait a minute, what did I just say?
T: "Hey - that sounds good! I'll see what I can do."
Ulp!

Don't get me wrong, I don't really mind if he rides Sunny... not really. But.... Sunny's my horse - he's used to me, and I've been working on getting him to listen and respond as I like. But T sounded so enthusiastic. So, my options were a) back out, b) have him ride Pennie (er, no!) and c) shut up, and let the man ride my horse. Sigh.

On the plus side, it would give me something else to focus on besides being nervous on Pennie. And as it turned out, it was fine.

But then, we both had plenty to focus on!

I've been graining the horses lightly (a couple cups each) when I call them up, in hopes that they'll reacquire the habit of actually coming when I holler rather than me walking the 1/2 mile to the back pasture to retrieve them. Well, they all came up, but Amyra, T's three-year-old filly was acting a bit odd.

She stuck her nose in the feed pan readily enough, but then backed off and started looking uncomfortable. We kept an eye on her while we groomed & saddled, and when she laid down, called the vet. I don't like messing around with anything that looks like colic. She didn't seem too distressed, but this is not a horse that's bashful about getting her share of the grain.

Rather than not ride at all, we decided T would pony her off Sunny (oh help - now not only is he riding my horse, but ponying off him....), a first for at least two of the three of them. I certainly wasn't going to be so bold as to pony off Pennie. Oh, she'll pony, or at least she used to, but I wanted both hands free - oddly enough!

So, there I was, torn - worry about the balky, possibly colicky mare who could be stopping because she's irritated she's being made to follow, or because she's uncomfortable. Or, worry about the mare I'm on that's not exactly operating on full power steering. Or watch Sunny and worry about what he's going to do with a strange rider who's using only one hand and who's also concentrating on watching the balky mare beyond him. Yeesh!

But you know what - other than Amyra's balkiness and Sunny and T having a few communication issues (T's used to well-broke horses that neck-rein - Sunny's used to, well, me), none of which were serious - everything went pretty smoothly.

The vet arrived, and of course, by that point Amyra seemed fairly perky again. She had good gut sounds in all four quadrants, but he gave her a shot of banamine anyway, and left after telling us to keep an eye on her for a bit. If all continued as she looked then, she would likely be fine.

T & Sunny dragged Amyra 'round the pasture a few more times for practice. Pennie was still a bit resistant and wanted to get back with the other mares, but more settled with company.

After the vet left I paid less attention to the other three - since I'd already survived being distracted, and Pennie'd shown no signs of escalating her resistance, I was more relaxed. And after a couple of good heel-to-ribs thumps when she balked & stiffened her neck, Pennie paid attention and was even beginning to soften, neck-reining through the figure-eights if not exactly effortlessly, at least more smoothly than the plow-reining I was resorting to yesterday.

I never did manage to locate the full-cheek snaffle, but changed out the Myler snaffle for a simple grazing curb with a loosely adjusted leather chinstrap. She was immediately happier with that set-up.

Amyra was trotting around flinging her head at the other mares when we left, so all seemed well there. Sunny looked pleased to have T's greater weight off his back, but not unduly disgusted with his ride. It was interesting watching him respond to T - who was having a heck of a time with my extra-long reins. Both of them were fairly patient even through the mixed signals, and I think given a few more rides, they'll figure each other out.

Overall, I was pleased with Pennie's behavior tonight - maybe tomorrow we'll trot.

Pennie

Overcast, damp, cool & still, Sunday evening was a great night for sticky heel flies. I'd collected the horses already (having remembered to pick up the salt block, wormer, and some iodine shampoo - well, the last just caught my eye - on the way) when J came out to tell me that the lady who was supposed to come look at Pennie had called. Their calves were out, and she was running late, could she come another evening? No problem.

But since I was there, saddle etc. in tow....
It's been 5 years bare minimum since Pennie has worn a saddle for more than a brief session of leadline around the pasture with J's grand-nieces & nephews. Anticipating nothing more than that, she thoroughly enjoyed the grooming, and slept through being saddled. Evaded the bit slightly on bridling, but generally wasn't concerned.

Since my usual pasture for riding is half covered in downed trees, and Pennie has at best, reduced vision in her left eye, I let her take a good look around before we started.

She was snorty & nervous to be away from the herd. Even though they were right up the hill, she was definitely displeased. This was not how she'd pictured spending her afternoon. Sorry, darling, it wasn't my idea, either!

About 30 seconds after I stepped onto her the first time I got right back off. Maybe in a nicely turned (and fenced) arena, I would have stayed aboard and let her kite around a bit. Maybe. Instead, I retrieved gloves, longe line & dressage whip, and we longed until she'd settled enough to pay attention.

Promising signs - no bucking, no snorting, squealing or charging. She whipped around the circle at a pretty good clip, digging up turf & pulling, but eventually settled into a nicely cadenced trot with up and down transitions in both directions. When her jaw unclamped and she'd whoa & walk on demand, I let her rest a bit before we reviewed transitions in both directions again. All told, she probably circled for about 30-45 minutes. (And if you don't think 24 hour turn-out on a hilly pasture will keep a horse fit, by the time we finished longeing I was wet - it was about 55-60'. Pennie, who was doing most of the work, had damp patches under the saddle, cinch & bridle, and was warm & barely damp to touch on her neck & flanks. No froth, no foam - she wasn't even breathing that hard.)

By this point, she was actually paying attention, so I stepped back on. (And yes, this is definitley a "where's my helmet" moment.) I let her have her head as long as she'd listen to whoa & turn when & where I asked. We walked big loops & figure eights for about 10 minutes, which was enough for the evening.


She has a long, rocking stride, even at a walk. That big hind end is powerful. She didn't seem to much like the Myler comfort snaffle I used, but I'm not sure if that was actual discomfort or simply dislike of the whole riding business. I couldn't locate the full cheek snaffle I think I used with her previously, but I'll have another go at locating it before I ride her next.

Interestingly, her attempts to evade are more side-side head-shaking and stiff-neckedness than nose in the air antics. She has (well, had) a beautiful neck-rein and is good off leg pressure. I wasn't getting that last night, though.I'll longe her again and ride a bit longer tonight if it stays dry. She needs a refresher in "listen" but the basics are there, and there was no thought of a buck to be seen. J took pictures & some video of Pennie on the longe line to send to the prospective buyer - hopefully she's still interested and the escaped cows weren't just a convenient excuse!