Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Sunday ride

Sunday was warm! It made it all the way up to 41. I went out to water the herd in the pasture and make sure that all of the buckets had thawed out and couldn't resist grabbing Belle's halter and some barrel reins and hoping on. It is the first ride in a bit because of the ice and snow. Belle was excited but she actually listens better when there is not a bit in her mouth. I keep meaning to try a bitless bridle, standard hackmores DO NOT WORK. I rode up to the house and posed in front of the window to wave at Mr. BPA watching football. (I can't watch. The colts haven't even tried the last few weeks. And the Patriots, AAAAAGGGGGHHHH)
Critter came out and rode, too, but she doesn't like bareback as much, but we had fun. Foxy and Lady kept trying to play with Belle. Foxy was really not happy that her buddy was otherwise entertained. Lady kept trying to stop in front. They finally ran off to the barn to pout. I kept Belle at a walk and a jog, but she was so excited and doing her crazy Ivans (for no apparent reason, she will do a 360. I just rewatched Hunt for Red October. Sean Connery is a way hot Soviet with a Scottish accent)that she sweated a bit. I had to cool her off and then break out her blanket. She seemed amused by it, but she stayed warm. When I took it off the next day, Lady was "helping" so I threw the blanket on her. No fits, or even a jump when the giant blanket draped all over her little body. I flapped it around, tightened it around the belly, etc. She did try and nibble it, but that was it. When I took it off, I flapped it around. . . Nothing, she just stood there. She is such a good baby. Then I told her to go and play, she took off bucking and kicking and chasing Shooter.

I really appreciate all of the time that we put into playing with her when she was born. I can't even touch the foals next door, even though they come right up to the fence. For as big as she is at 9 months, she is generally fairly sweet. Just don't turn your back on her when she is feeling frisky. She WILL run right into you! As long as I turn around in time, she will swerve, but if I am distracted, watch out. I pulled a whip out last time, so I am hoping that it is getting better. She just likes to play! She is almost bigger than Barnaby, the 29 year old. I will try and get a good pic of them together.

Shooter finally got kicked badly enough that he couldn't shrug it off. He is walking on three feet. But in true Aussie mentality, when we go to the barn and Barnaby is let out, Shooter forgets his injury and they will still chase each other at full speed. The nerve endings are a little screwy in that skull of Shooter's!

2 comments:

  1. I'm looking forward to some new Lady pics! Looks like from the last post that she's getting pretty big!

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  2. She really is. I just signed up for a Equine Massage Therapy Class. Should I bring Lady or Belle?

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