A Beautiful Day!

The sun was shining, it was above 40 degrees.... It was a beautiful day!
I played with Eddie for an hour. We rode, went for walks out around the property and played out in the pasture. When I rode, we worked on lightness and feel. For about 20 minutes we played with it and by the time we were done, I could back him up with just a shift of my weight and turn him too without touching the reins. I own a pretty amazing horse.

I took Diesel out next and we went for several laps around the property, through the trees, a lap on the track, around the buildings, through the south line... We had a blast and we were so pooped when we were done. He went to take a nap and I went to go and get their hay around the the night. *sigh* have I ever said that I love the smell of hay & horses? There isn't anything better.

Scout is doing much better too. His feet are cool and he isn't shifting his weight anymore. Also, he went for a little walk today and was perfectly comfortable. Slow. But comfortable. So this evening we're going to take his pads off and let his feet air out. Also, I thought I should share this with you all... If you need any information about horse nutrition, laminitis, or really anything relating to the horse's diet, this is an excellent, excellent, excellent, resource. http://drkellon.com Take her courses, you won't be disappointed.

More Snow

We got more snow two days ago which added up to about 5-6 inches of powdery snow. Not a whole lot, but enough to be pretty and fun to play in.
Yesterday I rode in the outdoor for quite a while, we took all three of the horses for walks, and we went for a whole lap around the property. Let me tell you, in 5+ inches of snow, that is very tiring! But it was so fun. The sun was shining and it was warm. It has been in the teens for the past week and it dips down to the single digits at night. So 20 degrees feels like a heatwave!
Today, I'm going to get all my playing and riding in this morning with Eddie before the rain comes. Yup. You heard right... Rain. Yuck. That means everything is going to thaw and get all muddy. Ah well, it is still only January, we could get a lot of snow between now and the end of February. I took this picture yesterday when I was going out for a walk. Tundra much? It's so pretty though!

Hope that you all are staying warm and enjoying this wonderful Sunday!

Dressage in the Snow

Wish I had pictures, because Eddie was so beautiful when we rode yesterday. We did our extended trot through the snow, started to do our sidepasses at the trot and lots of them at the walk.
He was so eager and willing! Then we did a collected trot because he was really putting a lot of energy in his trot and I could hardly sit it. So we slowed it down and his trot was much smoother and slower.
I'll have to get pictures of our sidepasses today - maybe a video and I could upload it or something... Anyway, I'd better do it before the rain comes today and melts away all the snow. Say, Eddie, how do you feel about a morning ride? :-)

Trimming & Riding

Today was such a beautiful day. It's been cold & windy lately, so I was very happy to be outside all afternoon. First, I played with Eddie in the pasture and we cantered, trotted, jumped and worked on the right lead some more. He did better with it and when he did a few strides, I brought him in and gave him some apples. :-) Yummy apples!

Then we went into the outdoor and rode for a nice long time! We trotted around, herded Diesel in and out of the paddocks and went over the cavaletties a lot. It was muddy, so we couldn't do too much. But we did have a lot of fun and it was nice to ride again. It's been a while since we really rode.

Opening and closing the gate. He was SO light! You can see the soft feel I had on the reins. He just knew exactly what to do and was so willing. I love Eddie boy!!

After I rode Eddie, I trimmed Scout up. His feet were pretty long because I had my wisdom teeth out and couldn't trim for a while. But it was good to get back in the groove of trimming. :-) Here is the after picture!

Yippee!! Pretty feet! Also, I'm working on a name for my trimming career. The one I like best is Heartland Equine Podiatry. It's just... right. I don't know, I just like it. Or there's Natural Horse Hoof Care. Natural Equine Podiatry. The list goes on. Do you all like Heartland Equine Podiatry?

Scouty's footsies!

Trimmin' away! Doing what I love to do!


~Lea & Eddie~

Colossians 1:9
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Blind Driving & Riding

Thank the Lord, it has been SUCH beautiful weather!
I am so thankful for it, I've been able to play with Eddie and Scout and even Diesel every day. Today, I played with Diesel's mouth since we have to flush it every so often. See, he's a 'packer' and packs food up in his mouth. So we have a tube and just squirt water into his mouth. He didn't like it at first, but once we let him see what it was, he was totally fine with it! He is such a smart cookie. All our horses are so much smarter than we give them credit for.
Scout and I went on an amazing walk today. We went around the ENTIRE property and he was just having a blast. Scout was kinda hyper, so we did some circles. Just so that he could get some of his energy out. But I think he was just excited. What's more fun than going for a walk? After we did another lap around the whole property, we went into the outdoor and I rode to the gate, opened it and then we went in his stall. ;-) hehe! It's interesting to ride in a stall. I thought to myself, "Hey, an indoor arena!" lol!
Eddie and I played in the outdoor in the morning and rode too. We did some more blind driving. He is REALLY getting the hang of it! All I have to do is hold up my hand and he will turn like a pro. I am so proud of him. =-) After we did that for a little bit, I hopped on and we rode for a while. We trotted, did a few laps, played with some side passes (which looked really pretty, btw!) and just had fun. I was going to play with him again tonight, but he and his herd were all running around quite a bit. So he got his exercise, for sure! They were really huffing and puffing.
It was such a lovely day and it was very fun to play with all the horses.
Getting off topic a little bit but... We're redoing our bathroom and painting it for the first time since we moved here. It is so pretty and so nice to have it almost finished. Yes, in between playing with the horses we were painting all day. It was fun!


~Lea & Eddie & Scout & Diesel~

Proverbs 19:20-21

Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
      That you may be wise in your latter days.
       There are many plans in a man’s heart,
      Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

Ridin' in the Fog

Windy and rainy day. But hey, we got to play!

This morning it was the only nice part of the day. After noon, the rain came, the wind picked up and it was not very nice outside... There are 60 mph winds out there!
Anyway, we did get to play this morning and we had a wonderful time! Eddie and I did some more invisible long reins (which my sister called Blind Driving.) I like that better than Invisastyle... LOL!

She took some pictures which I posted down dare.

 l           l           l
 l           l           l
V         V         V

We worked on those few things and some more changing eyes. Then I hopped on and we rode for a little bit!
Mainly we just did some trotting around and stuff. Although I did ask him to flex at the poll a little bit. I saw my friend, Rebecca doing it and it inspired me to try it with Eddie.
He did really good and collected himself more than he usually does! Yay! :-)

This afternoon Al and I did take the horses for a walk around the track. they were SO hyper and I let Diesel go and he just RAN around. It was so funny!

They are such good boys! And now it's freezing out and windy so they are all snug in their barn. <3

Hope that you all are having better weather than we are here.



~Lea & Eddie & Scout & Diesel~

John 3:20-21

For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

An Amaaazing Day!

With my friend!!! Check out her blog here: http://becnsavyllj.blogspot.com/
That's a picture of her jumping with her horse. Way to go, guys!!!

But yes, it was an amazing day!

First I played with Eddie this morning. We went for a walk around the property, played in the outdoor and he jumped a few times. Well, more like he flew over them! It was so funny! Then I hopped on and we rode around for a little bit. He was really hyper, so when we first started trotting, he was SO elevated and extended! It was like riding a dressage horse. :-)
We went for a walk around the track after that and it was raining a little bit. Oh yes, it was raining while we rode too, but we didn't mind.

So, in the afternoon I headed down to the barn and met Rebecca there. We brought down Savannah and Jigs and played in the indoor for over an hour! We would run back and forth in the arena and Jigs would just GALLOP after us. It was so fun! Savannah just stood and watched Jigs like, "What a weirdo!" Rebecca rode Savannah for a while and I laid on Jigs. He was really good and stood really well. What a good boy!
After that we went out to the outdoor and I let Jigs graze while I took lots of pictures. It was so nice out and the clouds totally cleared up. Such a beautiful day! Plus I think Jigs was happy not to be trimmed. Usually it takes me a while to trim him, so I don't have time to play. But today we had TONS of time!
I put Jigs away when he had his fill of grass and then we went into the woods. It was so pretty back there and I took lots of pictures and videos. I love to take pictures! :-)

Oh, such a fun day and such good times with my best friend! <3

~Lea & Eddie & Jigs & Rebecca & Savannah~

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Wonderful Ride!

It was a wonderful day out today! Sunny and just a little hot, but that's ok. :-)
While the horses were out grazing, I hopped on my bike and did a lap in the track. It was fun and even more so because I was listening to The Sound of Sunshine. It's a song that was in Soul Surfer and is just a happy-go-lucky song.
Anywhos...
When it was time for the horses to come in, I brought Eddie into the outdoor, he got a big drink and we rode for about 45 minutes.
We did a lot of things, so I'll only talk about a few of them. We trotted around a few barrels and almost did a whole lap! I'm so proud of him! Then we worked on backing up. Well, we actually didn't... lol! I would ask him to back up and even if he shifted his weight back, I would let go and we would go and do something else. See, he has a bit of a hard time backing up because he gets stuck and I don't know what to do... So I just released on the slightest try and went and did something else. That seemed to help a lot and by the time we were done, he was taking 2-3 steps back without getting stuck. :-) So there's an improvement! Yay!
Eddie and I then jumped over the cavaletties and just had a ton of fun! He really reads my focus now, especially when we're trotting. We kinda have to be in tune.
So yes, it was a fun day and we had a great time riding!
Time to go and feed the horses! :-)

~Lea & Eddie~



Ephesians 3:12
in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him.

Updates!

Well, sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Just been kinda busy.
But, Eddie and I have doing awesome! We are making lots of progress with our riding and we're having so much fun!!
First of all, we've been doing more laps in the outdoor. He's gotten a lot better with the corners and today we trotted (at liberty, not riding) around the whole thing multiple times. So I'm excited! I think we'll really be able to do it riding soon! :-) He is such a good boy! <3 I love him so much!
Today we played in the outdoor and just hung out together. Kind of a lazy day. :-) It's cloudy, yet bright out and cool (because of the breeze) yet warm. It's a little weird...  lol!
Anyway, I'll post some pictures of what Ed and I have been doin!
P.S. I also got a new hat! It's an outback hat and I like it a lot!


~Lea & Eddie~


1 John 3:16
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.

It's Kinda Hot

hehe, that was Eddie's choice mood today when we rode. :-) He is so cute. <3
This afternoon we rode in the outdoor for a while. We trotted around, work on some more of the Think Harmony and then we went back to the barn and he got a lot of drinks and licked his salt block while I sat on him. :-) I love my Eddie so much!

Fun Day with a Friend

What a fun day!
My best friend came out and we played with the horses and rode in the outdoor.

Check out her blog here: http://becnsavyllj.blogspot.com/

Eddie was so good! He was a little sleepy, but we trotted with Scout and Bec and trotted over a few cavaletties. It was really fun to be able to ride with my friend again! We definitely have to get together more and ride, it was a blast!
Hopefully, now that it's cooler out Eddie and I can ride some more and work on some fun things. I just started reading Think Harmony With Horses by Ray Hunt. So far I am glued to it and I just finished reading the introduction! :-) As I learn things and come across good quotes, I'll post them on Wednesdays. hehe, I think I'll call it something clever like Wednesday Words with Ray. Whatta ya think?


~Lea & Eddie & Scout~

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Warm Weather

Yesterday, no wait... Two days ago, I trimmed up Scout and took a lot of pictures of Eddie's, Scout's and Diesel's feet. They are all looking great! Today, mom and I went out to OEW's and trimmed up Jiggles. I did a full trim! Yahoo!! Jigs' feet look good, flares, but that's ok. Got em back to where they need to be. :-)

So, lately I've just been riding in the morning and hanging out in the afternoon. Today is not so hot, so I'm headed out to play with Eddie once I finish up here!

Our riding has gotten really good though. Eddie is becoming a lot more soft and light, which is really amazing. And I've also worked on becoming more soft and light and not holding any braces in my body.
We've just been having a lot of fun, keeping cool, riding and doing chores. Speaking of chores, I gotta go clean water troughs too!
Here's a pictures of Diesel and I under the apple tree two days ago. We went for a half hour walk and he loved every minute of it! Or maybe he just loved the lush grass.... Hmmm... ;-)


~Lea & Eddie & Scout & Diesel & Jigs~

Psalm 18:30

As for God, His way is perfect;
         The word of the LORD is proven;
         He is a shield to all who trust in Him.

We Cantered!

We sure did!
I knew it was going to be a scorcher today, so Eddie and I rode early in the morning. I'd say around 8 am. It was already 80, but we had a blast anyway! We trotted countless times, and for most of the time, we trotted two whole sides. Then we jumped a few times (I have video coming, but here's a picture for now!)

Eddie was so amazing and offered so much!! I am so proud of him and how far we have come!!

Dad came and took a few pictures and videos, so I was like, hey! Why don't we try a canter! Eddie was sleepy and the only down side was that it was windy. We went for it anyway, and tried 3-4 times. On the second try though, we took a few strides and he decided it was too hot to canter. And I can't blame. Especially because of another reason...

About an hour before we we rode, we brought the horses in off of their initial graze. Eddie decided to itch his butt on part of the fence. Therefore, because of his mass, ;-) he cracked the board and popped the bottom one out. :-( During that, he must have scraped the inside of his hind legs and took the skin and hair off. :-( So, I was riding and he had open cuts on him. I felt really, really bad. However, he showed no signs of lameness or soreness when I rode, so I guess it didn't hurt too bad.

Anyway, the point of me telling you this is because you never know what affects your horse during his day! Yesterday, when I had my good friend out, we discussed this and talked about it. Anything can happen to them during their day and it affects our rides with them. So, lesson learned. Always check your horse out before you ride! :-)

Hope ya'll are staying cool!
~Lea & Eddie~

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
      And lean not on your own understanding;