The Quest for a Decent Picture...

Is finally a success! I rode Joe for the second time today, and it went even better than the first! He is such a good boy, I can't get over it. Today I wanted to see what else he could do, so I played with some lateral work. We tried to do a bit of shoulders in and haunches in, both of which he did willingly for me. And thats with me not even sure I know how to ask correctly! We also did some... I don't want to call it half passing, because I'm pretty sure that wasn't it. More like a...two tracking thing. But he did that awesome too. All of this was at a walk...I  am still totally incapable of sitting his trot. I think it will take a lot of conditioning and practice on my part to get back in shape before I can sit that trot. Its so huge and takes some core strength I just don't have right now. And we did a walk-canter transition in both directions. Yay! And wait for it....a flying lead change! Ohhh this horse makes me excited to ride. A possible lease is in the talks. :)

Next quest for a decent picture mission....me on him.

Riding Joe!

I finally got to ride Joe!! I was so excited! I was told he was a very good wonderful boy, and I was not dissapointed! He is so much fun, and it is so nice to ride a horse that is well trained. I was sad to not be able to get a picture of me on him- what a change to ride a nice, tall horse! Just look at those stirrups! That is where I had them to ride! And for such a big boy, he is delightfully light on the aids, once he wakes up. The first few minutes he wanted to poke around, but a smack or two woke him up and he had just the biggest gaits I've ever ridden! And he picked up the canter like nothing at all! As I rode I thought, now this is a horse that I could really enjoy owning. And speaking of which, I am considering the idea of a lease on him.... HMMM..... :) It is still a big giant question mark, investigate details and such. But it is hiding out in the back of my mind. I would love to ride around on him and take a lesson or two on him.

Look how wonderfully giant and tall he is!

I hosed him off after our ride and let him graze a little. He was silly and just HAD to eat the grass at the top of this little hill.

Back to the barn

Well, I have decided to stop working at the barn cleaning stalls once a week. I am working 40 hours a week at the clinic now, and am just worn out and tired of working both. I talked with the barn owner, and she totally understood. But I did say, anytime you are in a bind and really need somebody on my old regular Tuesday, let me know and I will come. Today was one of those days. It has only been two or three weeks since I was there last, but it was nice to see all the horses, and I didn't mind much at all the work today. The babies, who are now 1 year and 2 years old, were in a pen together today, and I snapped this picture of them. Isn't that so cute? The grey filly is Charlotte- who I helped foal out last year! She is getting so very big! The bay is Leo.

Also today I lunged the Joe man. This is not a flattering picture of him....I plan on riding him in the next week or so, I am excited! He was usually very lazy to lunge, but today I really made him move out and pick up the pace. And boy was he always hiding what he can really do! So I am looking forward to getting on him!

Last of all...Yes, I did retire Gypsy and I am not riding her anymore. This was because I am buying a saddle (sadly, my first good english saddle I will actually own, instead of borrow) and I wanted to sit in it on a horse before I committed to it. Gypsy was the only one around. Haha. I really like the saddle. I also like this picture because I can tell I have lost weight in it.... something like 35 pounds!

Zoo Time!

Went to the zoo with a few friends. Haven't been in a long time. It was nice, lots of fun! Saw this duck. Loved it. Named it Frank. I was pretty sure I was going to steal Frank and let him live at my house. He was super cute, and make the most adorable squeak noise. Also saw a Giraffe. I LOVE giraffes. They are my favorite at the zoo. So here is a picture, because you really couldn't have gone the day without a random picture of a giraffe.
I closely listened for it to make a noise. But alas, it made no noise. Still waiting to one day find out the secret giraffe noise.

Happiness!

Oh my, its been almost a month since my last post! Incredible laziness! But I have been very busy working, but to make up for my lack of posting, here are some wonderful pictures!

This Friesian gelding is named Jupiter, and is owned by the owner of the equine clinic I work at. Jupe is wonderful and sweet and I love him. He is ridden by his owner in an equine 'dance troope' of sorts. They do tricks and performances to music at exhibitions and such. If you ever have the chance to watch them, I urge you to go! It is amazing and beautiful. Feather Dance is the name of it. I was watching lessons after work, and was given the chance to walk Jupiter to cool him out. I was the happiest person in the world to cool out a horse. I couldn't wipe that silly grin off my face the entire time. The owner had Jupiter do a few steps of spanish walk with me riding to show me his tricks, it felt so awesome to ride that! I never wanted to get down off his back. I hope one day I can ride him again, even if it is just cooling out!

Other happenings...well, not a whole lot. I can't remember if I already mentioned wanting to take Gypsy to some little shows this summer. I want to take her and show her in halter or showmanship. Not that I think we will win or be very competitive, but I am tired of doing nothing at all with her. I think we could potentially be fairly good at it though- since she has such lovely ground manners. Which would lean more towards showmanship, I suppose. So I have been buying the getup to show her in those. I have a beautiful fancy arab show halter, but nothing yet for showmanship. I can't imagine it would be appropriate to do showmanship in a patent leather shiny cable halter. Haha. So I am on the hunt for a low key leather halter that looks nice. I have been practicing with Gypsy on trotting in hand, haunch and forhand turns, and setting up. Setting up nicely definately being the toughest for us. In other news... farrier came today, trimmed up Jett's god awful feed. Thank goodness. His feet are night and day, but will still need some TLC and work. But we are on the right track now. Now to just rein in that sweet itch of his a little better.... 

Been working in the barn more again, this time on the pasture and fencing. Did lots of weedwacking the fenceline, and getting ready to start re-doing the back pasture fence so I can turn out horses on it. Got the arena tilled up so its nice and squishy. Much better. It seems when I'm not at my job working, I'm at my barn working! Speaking of barns, I gave my tentative notice on working out at the barn I've been doing stalls at the past year. I am just so exhausted all the time from doing everything. My boss is very understanding. I will still occasionally go I think, for holding horses for the farrier and such, and keep working until she has a replacement. Maybe I will miss some of those horses, but it is a relief to have one thing off my plate.  

Well, that must be all that has happened in my horsey life lately, besides some very interesting goings-on with horses at work. So until next time!