Frosty Pants

I got off work early yesterday, which was exciting; however, it was tainted by the reason. The reason is I have several 6am mornings ahead of me, bleh! The bright side though was that Shane and I were able to get out to ride the ponies early enough in the day that we didn't conflict with feeding time and we still had time to take the dogs for a romp in the gardens before our dinner time!

When we got to the barn I grabbed Frosty Pants and Shane grabbed Trinity. I really want to ride Frosty mostly this summer so she is ready for Shane to really get a feel for her. She is an amazing horse and her gait is SO smooth, but for a beginner any horses trot (no matter how smooth) is going to be a bit jarring. So, I want to work on getting her to a good place for him. I stared by lunging her really well to let her get some steam out. We got a few crow hops and then she settled in to work.

She has the cutest movement, don't you think?

Shane did really good with Trinity. He had to ride English, because we only have the one Western saddle right now. His form is 100x better in the English saddle. I think it is just the way my amazing saddle holds you. English is definitely the way to go to learn proper horse posture. They mostly walked and turned. I am sure Trinity was thrilled to have a walking lesson. It was good for Shane as well to get the feel for it again. 

Look at that form! Better then mind, I am embarrassed to say!

After we lunged I got on Frosty and we did a lot of trot work. Mostly learning to turn and listen to the new hackamore. She hasn't quite gotten the whole steering concept. That is something we REALLY need to work on. She is so stiff in the neck and almost dead to me legs when trying to bend her around my leg. Anyone have any ideas? She was cowboy broke (we assume), so I am wondering if they killed her face and sides with thumping? Any suggestions would be appreciated! 

Here she is resisting to the pressure on her nose. She does not get asking for softness, roundness, or flexion.

Doing better but she is counter bending the wrong direction.

I love her stride. She is so the cutest little thing. Here she is relaxed in the reins, but she is still stiff through her whole body.

Shane also took a video so we can maybe see if there is anything I am doing or I could be doing to make it better. I am just at a loss right now, she is the first total stiff horse I have worked with...

It is Summer

I don't care what the calendar says, my internal clock says it is summer. It is staying light until after 8:30pm, it is hot as all get out, and I got my first sunburn. This was TOTALLY on accident. I know I need to be super careful this year so I don't have a major farmers tan on my wedding day in October, but I forgot it was summer in Colorado (we are 5,280ft closer to the sun than most people!).

This was a rare moment of calm in turnout!

Saturday I spent a good 4 hours out with the girls. I started by turning them out in the small arena/paddock and let them run and roll. And Run they did! Even Trinity was tearing around like she had a bug up her butt! I went to catch T and she was like "Nope, still playing, Thanks Mom!". She never runs from me so I just let her keep going for another few minutes. Then I brought her in and gave her a good grooming and braided her mane to keep it off her neck during the hot days.

"Hi Mom, I was enjoying playing with my sister..."

"I am going for the rugged, wild Mustang look here, whatcha think?"

Then, I outfitter her in the balance system and we went to work on another lunging session. She is doing so good and is really building back up. I can't wait to get back on her! While Trinity was being lunged, Ms. FrostyPants got put on the Hot Walker and walked and walked and walked for about 45 minutes. It is good for her brain!

Trinity did really well! We started out going left and she really stretched in to the system several times. I am so excited to see this, because it means she is working her back and really getting a good stretch of those muscles. 

As you can see, the lines were pretty loose most of the time. She is starting to remember where to hold herself and how to really get the most out of her sessions. Nothing will replace riding in the way of getting her to come up through her belly and step out, but this system really helps to start developing the right muscles in her top line so it is a bit easier once we get back to riding. Sh also REALLY needs her feet done, the farrier should be coming out next Monday.

I love this mare so much. It is so hard to believe that I almost lost her only 8 short months ago. She is my little rockstar and I wouldn't trade her for anything! When she was done, I untacked her and gave her a good squirt off with the hose. She loves baths and even loves getting her face washed, which is so rare for a horse! When bath time was done she swapped with Frosty on the hot walker and had her brain decompression time!

I groomed Frosty up real quick and got her all saddled up. I fitted her into the mechanical hackamore for the first time. As she is growing she is getting a bit to strong willed for the simple side pull that we have been using. I would love to get her started in a snaffle bit, but she needs her teeth done first. So, we worked in the hackamore. She actually did a really good job and the curb strap definitely seemed to get her attention. 

After her lunging session I got on her and we took several laps around the big arena. She did a great job. Frosty's biggest issue that we are working to overcome is that when she is tired she is DONE. She decides that is it and puts her feet in one place and stops. We worked passed it this time and even went on a tour of the property. She was really really good. I do know, though, that I need to wear spurs today when I go ride. 

All in all thought it was a really good day at the barn! Then, I came home and went to get in the shower only to find a dreaded farmers tan sun burn! GRRRRRRRRR!

Welcome Back

HELLO OUT THERE! I am so sorry for the LONG LONG break away. I haven't been a horrible and neglectful mother, though most of my breaks are because I don't want to admit that. I have just been super busy doing wedding planning and living life with the boy, the horses, and the puppies. We spent a few weekends getting the back yard all situated and looking pretty. Last year we moved mid-summer and we never had time to get the house looking like we wanted it to look. So, it never felt cozy. This year is different. We got some Tikis, and fire pit, put down some gorgeous mulch, and planted some pretty flowers. I like it! Then, we spent some time out there with the puppies!

Enjoying the fires with the three girls! 

We have also been doing a great deal of wedding planning. Mom and Sis came for a visit to do a whirlwind weekend of planning. On top of a ton of stuff we bought my boots and the bridesmaids boots (yes we are all wearing BOOTS! YAY!). 

I don't know why this is upside down or how to fix it :-(

Shane and I also found our wedding bands! We were so excited to find them that we went ahead and bought them! YAY!

Shane's Wedding Band

My engagement ring set inside my wedding band!

Then, work sent me to Florida to get my Certified Technical Specialist Exam. It is the only real international certification for my field. It means I know my stuff! The trip was fun, but Florida was miserable. It was hot and humid and yucky. PLUS it made me miss a whole weekend away from my ponies... :-(. I passed my test though, so I was very very happy!

Setting up for the show!

MY NAME!

Yay! I was the first woman to pass during the conference!

So, on to the horse stuff, which you care about. The ponies are doing so so well! We are very happy with them. I am headed out as soon as I write this blog post. I am hoping to get on Frosty today and let Shane work with Trinity. I really want Frosty to start getting some good conditioning and some time in the saddle. We shall see how they are feeling today. 

I love the skies in these photos! Trinity is doing really well!

Starting to get into things! She has definitely lost some of her extension. 

Finally, We had a photographer come out and take some engagement photos with us and the girls. The couple that I have seen turned out so so well! I am so anxious to see the other ones, but the photographer hasn't posted them yet... BOO!

Getting Prepared for their photo shoot!

I absolutely LOVE this photo!

Baby girls!