Lack of News

Sorry for the lack of posts... I've been taking a break from facebook, blogger, and just taking some time off. It seems I want to post more when I don't force myself and say that I HAVE to post every day.

I've been super busy lately... Playing with Eddie every day, sometimes twice a day, riding, taking Diesel for trail walks, doing chores... It's been so nice to take a break from the computer and internet.
Anyway, I'm back, except for facebook, and I shall be updating ya'll more regularly.
So, here is what Eddie and Diesel and Scout and I have been doing.

With Eddie, we've been working on our side-passes at the walk and trot, and transferring that to riding. Trail riding too! We've been riding around the property more and more and today we rode around the pasture, which we haven't done for a while. He did so amazing! I love him so much and he just does better and better every day!
With Scout, my sister and I have been taking him for walks twice a day. His feet are looking amazing, the vet is coming out soon to take x-rays, and he is as happy and spunky as ever. I've been taking him for walks around the property and he will snatch a bite from pines trees and patches of grass. He is so silly! :-)
With Diesel, we've been going for trail walks and he has been so eager for them! We go across the road, and a couple of days ago we were out for over a half an hour walking down to the creek. We didn't get all the way there, but it was more than half way!

It's been such a crazy, busy, past couple of weeks, but here's to a more easy-going end of February!

Picture Post

Our little Scouty is feeling so much better!

A LOT better!

"What? I didn't do it!"

'photoshoot' with Eddie! He is so handsome!

Look how pretty I am!

<3 luv him!

Scripture Sundays

Welcome to my very first Scripture Sunday! I'm planning on doing this regularly and also Words of Wisdom Wednesdays, when I'll post quotes from horsemen and women. Because those are two things I am always reading, the Bible and horsemanship books!

Source: google.com via Daphne on Pinterest

1 John 3:1
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!

Indeed! God loves us so much that He calls us His children.We should marvel that the creator of the stars & the skies knows our names, knows our thoughts, and knows our deepest feelings.

1 John 3:16-18
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Source: google.com via Trevecca on Pinterest

Let our hands be open and gladly give what we have to others that are in need. I woke up this morning wanting to give something of myself. Tithing perhaps, or my time, or grace, or just anything. God showed me right away what I had to give and even though it was something that I didn't want to give to a certain person, I did. I pray that God gives you all a joyful, giving heart. Because when you give, the Lord smiles down on you.

And I give because Jesus gave.

Cold Wind

Seasons Change by Tim Cox

Yesterday's high was 17 and today's will be 28. Thank the Lord for warmer weather. Although, I had fun with the horses yesterday. I took Eddie for about an hour walk around our property and we even went for a trail ride. Yup, my first trail ride out of a paddock. At least it's my first successful trail ride. Last time Eddie dumped me in the manure heap. It was funny, but I don't have a yearnin to do it again. I just rode around by the garden and Eddie was a champ. Man, do I love that horse!
Then I took Diesel for a long walk around the property too. We avoided the windy spots and I let him graze by the raised beds in the garden. The grass was a little less lush there, so I let him graze there instead of Laminitis Lane and Founder Freeway (aka the orchard). I guess rotting apples and pears make for a pretty good fertilizer.
Anyway, today looks to be warmer, a little windy, but sunny. Hooray!

P.S. Scout is doing better and better! He was trotting around yesterday and my sister took him for a good 20 minute walk. Praise the Lord!


1 Corinthians 13:6-7
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Blustery Blizzard

It was windy, cold, and snowing today. Crazy, crazy weather... It's going to go down to 3 this morning. BRR!!!
This morning I took Eddie for a walk all around the property. It was warmer, not windy at all and nice. So we only went for a short walk because I thought it would be nice this afternoon too. Oh well, the horses were happy to be in their stalls and eat hay all day! :-)

Here's to a warmer day tomorrow!


1 John 2:10
Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.

New Video!

I love the lyrics to this song,

"Take each day and make it last. Because you turn around and your future if the past.

Here and now is all we have. The beginning and the end meets the middle.

What matters most is what's in the middle."

<3



Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Legacy of Legends

Wish I was there. The annual Legacy of Legends event was this past week and horsemen such as Martin Black, Buck Brannaman, Wade Black, Reata Brannaman, and others showed their horsemanship, worked with horses, and worked with cows.
From their website:
"Clinics will be organized and presented featuring students that exemplify the spirit and ability to communicate a level of horsemanship introduced and taught by Tom and Ray."
http://alegacyoflegends.com/
Our good friends went and said that there was incredible horsemanship all week long. I can't explain how much I want to dive into that horsemanship and learn all I can about it.

Lately I've been so immersed in Equine Podiatry, my horsemanship has taken 2nd place on my horse priorities list. And that's not a bad thing. I really need to concentrate on getting my degree this year. But next, I really, really, really, really, REALLY, want to improve with my horsemanship. Ever since I stopped Parelli, Eddie and I have been making progress, a lot of progress. But I never want to stop learning from our amazing teachers - the horse. God has given me an incredibly blessed life and I want to honor Him with it. If that means dedicating my life to the betterment of the horse and reaching out to their owners to show them God's grace, I'll do it. Gladly.
The Legacy of Legends this past week has shown me how badly I want to continue my horsemanship. It's a lifelong commitment.

Colossains 3:23
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

No Matter the Weather

It was a cloudy, cold, day. The wind was so cold and damp that it just cut right through my carhartt's zipper. But, no matter the weather, there are three amazing horses in our backyard that are just waiting to be played with, or taken for a walk, or groomed, or fed.

So, I headed out to play with Eddie and let me tell you, he was spunky. We cantered around the pasture for almost the whole time and we would fly over the cavaletties, then jump over the log and anything else we could find. It was fun and he was having a blast! He would jump and kick and rear and literally just burn off his steam.
Oh, he is such a good boy and he is always ready to play. Every time I came around the corner and saw him waiting in his paddock, he would let out a huge whinny. Obviously he was waiting for me! :-) So I groomed him up and paid lots of attention to him in between caring for Scout.
On that note... Scout is doing so much better. His laminitis is gone, his feet are cool, and he is one happy, spunky boy! Praise the Lord. God has been so faithful in these past couple of weeks. It warms all of our hearts to see Scout so happy and well.


Proverbs 21:21
He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

A New Lineup

So, I was thinking... I think I might do special blog posts for Wednesday & Sundays... Like Words of Wisdom Wednesdays and Scripture Sundays. I don't know... We'll see! It would be fun and it would ensure that I blog more often. :-)

Anyway, today was a beautiful day!
I trimmed Jigs this morning and Crissie (his owner) met us down there to hold him and so that I could practice my final exam (all the questions and spectrum I had to go over.) Jigs did really well and his feel are looking great. He's such a teddy bear!
Then when mom and I got home, we all ate lunch together and then I went out to play with Eddie. We went for a really long walk all the way around the property and we even went in between the trees down in the south line. He was loving that! We went in the pasture after that and played around. He was SO hyper! So we cantered, jumped, did cavaletties, worked on our harmony and I worked on my lightness. It was super fun! He was bucking and kicking and flailing his front feet - oh he was having such a blast!
We finished up by riding in the round pen and we just did one lap. He was still kinda crazy and I didn't want to get dropped in the mud.
I took Diesel for a walk too this afternoon. We went for about a lap and a half around the entire property and oh boy - he just loves his walks!
Also! I have great news!!!!! Scout is SO much better!!!! He was trotting around when Al took him out for his walk and he just looks so much happier. *happy sigh* God is good. I don't think we've ever been so happy to see Scout so spunky. We love you our little pony-man! <3



Psalm 33:4-5
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

Dress Up

"Come on, Eddie! Let's play dress up!"
Eddie was not very happy with that. lol! I put the english saddle on him and we played in the round pen, went for really long walks and I rode for a little bit.
He looked really pretty in the saddle and the pretty green saddle pad, but he wanted to roll. So I quick took everything off and he rolled. Looked like he was in heaven. :-) I guess he doesn't like the saddle! I don't like it either. It was heavy, awkward, I could barely fit the girth on him (oopsie - I guess he's gained a wee bit) and it's so darn hard!
Won't be doing that for a while now. I think if I ever got a saddle it would have to be the BFTS. (black forest treeless saddle.) Those are amazing!

Anyway... I took Eddie for a nice long walk, we played with our harmony and just had a jolly good time together.
Scout is doing better and better and his feet have been cool for three days now! Yahoo!! Praise God!


Psalm 18:2
...The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Picture Post

Picture post because it's late and I'm too tired to post anything else! lol!

Back to Normal

For the first time in over a week things felt like normal again. Scout was 99% better, Eddie was calm and confident and Diesel was exuberant and hyper. Oh, it was such a lovely day! It was foggy and cold - reminds me of fall.... Definitely not winter. Ah well, fall is my favorite season anyway!
So, I played with Eddie and we went for a 45 minute walk. We went all around the property, played fun little games and you know what? He was so much better when it came to our harmony. I would stop really quickly and he would walk ahead of me like, "Why'd we stop?!" Then I would run forward quickly and he would look surprised. After about ten of those all along the east side of our property, he caught on and we would run, stop, walk, stop, backup, run, walk... You name it! And he was so connected to me and eager to follow. Yippee!! :-) I love my Eddie!

Then I took Diesel for his usual power-walk all around the property. We jogged about two laps and he was having such a blast! He would wring his neck and 'strut-his-stuff.' Oh my goodness, it was so cute.

Such a fun, foggy day. Pictures to come soon! :-)

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

The Release

"It's the release that teaches."
Is a common quote amongst horsemen. It summarizes that vital moment in communication when you let the horse know what he did was right.
I've been working on that lately, because I have gotten vague in my direct communication with Eddie. I admit it, I've gotten a little bit rusty. Either that or I have nothing to compare or measure my capability with, unlike when I had Parelli to measure every nuance of my communication.
I'm listening to the horse now... And Eddie is a professor compared to a kindergarten teacher. He tells me EXACTLY when I'm doing something wrong or when he doesn't want to do something or when I am asking something wrong or with too much pressure. He is the horse. He is setting the standard high and I am climbing to that height.
Anyway...
It's the release that teaches.
Ride with 10% physical and 90% mental. - Buck Brannaman
I'm determined to get that right and release the exact moment he tries.
Lately, Eddie hasn't been wanting to follow me when we go from outdoor to track to paddock. But I don't blame him because the footing is terrible everywhere. Instead, he meets me at the gate. Eager, verses dragging his feet... I think I'm starting to get this. He knows where the good footing is. Or where the good grass is... lol! Anyway, when I do ask him to come up with me, I'm using small amounts of pressure and the moments he leans forward or I see a shift, I release. Even better.... Fix the cause.... Not the symptoms. That's what I'm taught to do in Equine Podiatry. Why not with horsemanship? So... My homework: Learn what causes Eddie's reluctance to move and create harmony between us so that he doesn't get left behind me.


Harmony - That should be my next blog post! ;-)

Award

I've never gotten an award before! Thank you so much, Janine!

You can check out her blog here: http://enzo-janine.blogspot.com/
She posts about her Parelli journey with her two horses Enzo and Kaspin and she has an amazing relationship with them!

Liebster means “dearest” in German, and the award is intended to help up-and-coming blogs get the attention they deserve. Here are the rules:
~Copy and paste the award on your blog.
~Link back to the blogger who gave you the award
~Pick your five favorite blogs with less than 200 followers,and leave a comment on their blog to let them know they have received the award.
~Hope that the five blogs chosen will keep spreading the love and pass it on to five more blogs


So, here are my 5 favorite blogs with less than 200 followers!

1) Becca & Savannah's Life Long Journey: http://becnsavyllj.blogspot.com/
        I've known Rebecca since the 1st grade and we always used to dream about the day we would both have horses. That day has finally come and she owns a wonderful mare, Savannah. They have a phenomenal relationship and I feel blessed to be able to be a part of their journey. You two inspire me, make me laugh, and are always there! <3 Thanks for being such a great friend!

2) Spend the Thyme Farm: http://spendthethymefarm.blogspot.com/
        My mom's blog! She posts about everything farmy... From the horses, to the chickens, to our gardens, there's always something to write about. She writes in a warm, welcoming, down-to-earth style that perfectly reflects our desire for simple living.

3) "Beloved Star" http://desiringgodsdesires.blogspot.com/
         Nela is a wonderful teen who is after God's own heart. I love to read her posts, look at her pictures, and stare dreamy-eyed at her recipes.

4) For the Love of Life: http://katieoostman.blogspot.com/
        I've been following Katie's blog for a while now and her pictures never cease to amaze me and her faith in God inspires me.

5) A Journey of Many Seasons: http://journeyofmanyseasons.blogspot.com/
        Grace is never-ceasing in her journey to become a better horsewoman. She and her ponies, Gingo and Marsan have done so much together and they truly have a wonderful relationship.