It does not get very warm where we live very often, but last week there was what the human partners were calling a Heat Wave. All we wanted to do was stand in the barn and try to stay cool.
Then another thing happened - a Thunderstorm. The sky at night kept flashing, and there was loud noise after every flash! You should have heard the noise rolling along the treeline. It was very spectacular. I appreciated having a barn to stand in to watch the show, because not only was there light and noise, there was rain. We know all about rain where we live, but this rain, as the human partners said, "came down in buckets." I didn't see any buckets, but there was sure a lot of rain!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Rodeo
Wilma here.
My partner tells me there is a thing called "rodeo", where horses can be found doing a lot of running and other things. By that definition, I think the other night we had a "rodeo".
We Friesians were in a new pasture enjoying the tall grass. We were allowed there because we are, of course, very special, and deserve only the best.
As it was getting dark, my partner whistled for me. I always come; I know there is a reason to be whistled in, and I trust my partner's judgement. So I came in and headed for the piles of hay.
Marieh and Emerald had other ideas. They pretended they could not hear, and kept munching grass, even though the yummy hay was right there waiting for them. Silly girls!
Marieh's partner came outside with the "carrot stick" and started herding the girls toward the barn. "Ha ha ha!" they cried, "That won't work today, partner, there are a dozen places to get past you!" And off they went, galloping in the opposite direction.
Well, that was all it took to get the boys going, too. Ernie and Twister started galloping in their pasture. Soon all four horses were galloping every which way, and leading Marieh's partner on a merry chase. What a fun game! My QH friend Willow and I had a great time watching. "Rodeo", indeed!
In a bit the girls slowed down a little, and then they REALLY strutted their stuff. Long trot strides, manes and tails streaming behind them, they looked like a pair of fantasy horses floating through the gathering dusk. They were truly beautiful and mysterious. It made me proud to be a Friesian, and our partners just stood there, enjoying the spectacle.
Eventually, my partner went outside to help Marieh's partner, and soon both the girls were back in the barn with me, enjoying their hay and still giggling about all the fun they had doing "rodeo."
My partner tells me there is a thing called "rodeo", where horses can be found doing a lot of running and other things. By that definition, I think the other night we had a "rodeo".
We Friesians were in a new pasture enjoying the tall grass. We were allowed there because we are, of course, very special, and deserve only the best.
As it was getting dark, my partner whistled for me. I always come; I know there is a reason to be whistled in, and I trust my partner's judgement. So I came in and headed for the piles of hay.
Marieh and Emerald had other ideas. They pretended they could not hear, and kept munching grass, even though the yummy hay was right there waiting for them. Silly girls!
Marieh's partner came outside with the "carrot stick" and started herding the girls toward the barn. "Ha ha ha!" they cried, "That won't work today, partner, there are a dozen places to get past you!" And off they went, galloping in the opposite direction.
Well, that was all it took to get the boys going, too. Ernie and Twister started galloping in their pasture. Soon all four horses were galloping every which way, and leading Marieh's partner on a merry chase. What a fun game! My QH friend Willow and I had a great time watching. "Rodeo", indeed!
In a bit the girls slowed down a little, and then they REALLY strutted their stuff. Long trot strides, manes and tails streaming behind them, they looked like a pair of fantasy horses floating through the gathering dusk. They were truly beautiful and mysterious. It made me proud to be a Friesian, and our partners just stood there, enjoying the spectacle.
Eventually, my partner went outside to help Marieh's partner, and soon both the girls were back in the barn with me, enjoying their hay and still giggling about all the fun they had doing "rodeo."
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Education
Wilma here.
Education is important, even for horses. My partner and I went to some education last weekend. There were other horses with their partners. We horses got massages, and the partners learned some things to help them ride better. My ride with my partner was excellent. After all the massage and other work I really knew where my body parts were so I walked better than I ever have. My partner helped too, because she sat lightly in the saddle and moved with me. We had a great time.
Here is a picture of me and my partner at the clinic. We look happy because we are! The picture was taken by Karen Wegehenkel, who also made my spring photo at the top of the page. I added a link to her website in Favorite Links. She takes very nice photos. She understands what it takes to make a horse look good. Of course, it's not too difficult, because horses are generally very beautiful creatures.
Education is important, even for horses. My partner and I went to some education last weekend. There were other horses with their partners. We horses got massages, and the partners learned some things to help them ride better. My ride with my partner was excellent. After all the massage and other work I really knew where my body parts were so I walked better than I ever have. My partner helped too, because she sat lightly in the saddle and moved with me. We had a great time.
Here is a picture of me and my partner at the clinic. We look happy because we are! The picture was taken by Karen Wegehenkel, who also made my spring photo at the top of the page. I added a link to her website in Favorite Links. She takes very nice photos. She understands what it takes to make a horse look good. Of course, it's not too difficult, because horses are generally very beautiful creatures.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Walkabout, Part II
Wilma here, with the rest of Willow's story.
One cold, wet, day, Willow was standing in the mud with another one of her horse companions. Her feet really hurt, and it was hard to move around. She didn't have a blanket, either, so her long winter coat was soaked through.
Two humans showed up. One she recognized; it was a friend of her owners. The other human was a stranger, but she had a nice look about her. Willow had seen other people with nice looks, though, and looks could be deceiving.
While she watched, the friend pointed to her, and the other human nodded. Uh oh. Into the pasture came the stranger, with a halter and lead rope. Willow, ever stoic, decided that it would hurt too much to run away, so she just waited for whatever was going to come next.
The stranger walked slowly up to her and spoke softly. She stroked Willow's neck and then gently put the halter on. When she asked Willow to walk, Willow did the best she could, but it was very difficult. The stranger stopped, stroked Willow some more, and then asked her to move a little more. In this way they very slowly made their way out of the pasture.
The stranger and the friend talked for quite a while. The stranger seemed upset; the friend tried to be reassuring. Eventually the stranger led Willow to a trailer and asked her to get in. Willow had no idea where they were going, but she was at the point where she really didn't care anymore. Anything would be better than standing in that pasture in the mud, getting rained on. She hobbled into the trailer.
After a short ride, the trailer came to a stop. Out the trailer window Willow could see a barn and a big area that had a cover on it. Inside the big area were some other horses. They looked okay! Willow's spirits rose just a little, and she began to hope. The stranger took the other horses and put them in the barn. Then she opened the trailer door and asked Willow out. Willow shuffled out and was led to the covered area. Inside the big area, the floor was covered in thick shavings. It felt pretty good on her feet. The stranger brought her water, some grass hay, and even had a blanket for Willow.
Over the next couple of weeks the stranger made sure Willow had plenty to eat and drink, and brushed her and took her for short walks and watched Willow's feet carefully. Willow made a little bit of progress. The stranger talked with Willow a lot, too, telling her how pretty she was, and hoping that she was enjoying her stay, and that she was going to see how Willow's feet did before she tried riding her, and meanwhile Willow should just relax. The stranger could tell that Willow was keeping her feelings to herself. She told Willow she understood, and it was okay.
One day the stranger came to Willow. "Willow," the stranger said, "I hope it's okay with you. I made a deal with your people to buy you. I was only going to borrow you for a couple of weeks, but I can't send you back. You are too sweet and nice, and I hope you won't mind staying with me for the rest of your life. I promise I will never sell you or give you away, unless that is what YOU want. You have a forever home with me, and you don't have to work if you don't want to, and we'll do what we can to get your feet feeling better so you can run with the rest of the herd."
Willow could not believe her ears. This person didn't care if she worked or not?? This person thought she was sweet and nice without doing a job?? Wowwwwwwwww.......
That all happened three years ago. Willow was skeptical for a while, but gradually she realized that the stranger was no longer a stranger, but her friend, who found people to work on her feet and help Willow feel better, who kept her protected and warm and loved, and who didn't really care if Willow ever did a lick of work again. She loves Willow for who she is, not for what she can do.
For a long time Willow didn't want to do anything at all, but lately she has thought it might be fun to go on trail rides with me and other horses. Her feet are not 100% when she walks around barefoot, but she gets boots on her front hooves and when they're on she can walk and trot like normal. She gets regular trims and special food and lots of love, and all of that has given Willow a new lease on life. She is the oldest horse on the farm, being 23 very wise years. Her calm nature is good for the younger Friesians. She helps me keep them in line. Willow is my friend, and I'm happy to share my partner with her.
This is a picture of Willow with her winter coat and blanket. Our partner is a little slow getting pictures taken. Soon we'll have some new spring shots to share!
One cold, wet, day, Willow was standing in the mud with another one of her horse companions. Her feet really hurt, and it was hard to move around. She didn't have a blanket, either, so her long winter coat was soaked through.
Two humans showed up. One she recognized; it was a friend of her owners. The other human was a stranger, but she had a nice look about her. Willow had seen other people with nice looks, though, and looks could be deceiving.
While she watched, the friend pointed to her, and the other human nodded. Uh oh. Into the pasture came the stranger, with a halter and lead rope. Willow, ever stoic, decided that it would hurt too much to run away, so she just waited for whatever was going to come next.
The stranger walked slowly up to her and spoke softly. She stroked Willow's neck and then gently put the halter on. When she asked Willow to walk, Willow did the best she could, but it was very difficult. The stranger stopped, stroked Willow some more, and then asked her to move a little more. In this way they very slowly made their way out of the pasture.
The stranger and the friend talked for quite a while. The stranger seemed upset; the friend tried to be reassuring. Eventually the stranger led Willow to a trailer and asked her to get in. Willow had no idea where they were going, but she was at the point where she really didn't care anymore. Anything would be better than standing in that pasture in the mud, getting rained on. She hobbled into the trailer.
After a short ride, the trailer came to a stop. Out the trailer window Willow could see a barn and a big area that had a cover on it. Inside the big area were some other horses. They looked okay! Willow's spirits rose just a little, and she began to hope. The stranger took the other horses and put them in the barn. Then she opened the trailer door and asked Willow out. Willow shuffled out and was led to the covered area. Inside the big area, the floor was covered in thick shavings. It felt pretty good on her feet. The stranger brought her water, some grass hay, and even had a blanket for Willow.
Over the next couple of weeks the stranger made sure Willow had plenty to eat and drink, and brushed her and took her for short walks and watched Willow's feet carefully. Willow made a little bit of progress. The stranger talked with Willow a lot, too, telling her how pretty she was, and hoping that she was enjoying her stay, and that she was going to see how Willow's feet did before she tried riding her, and meanwhile Willow should just relax. The stranger could tell that Willow was keeping her feelings to herself. She told Willow she understood, and it was okay.
One day the stranger came to Willow. "Willow," the stranger said, "I hope it's okay with you. I made a deal with your people to buy you. I was only going to borrow you for a couple of weeks, but I can't send you back. You are too sweet and nice, and I hope you won't mind staying with me for the rest of your life. I promise I will never sell you or give you away, unless that is what YOU want. You have a forever home with me, and you don't have to work if you don't want to, and we'll do what we can to get your feet feeling better so you can run with the rest of the herd."
Willow could not believe her ears. This person didn't care if she worked or not?? This person thought she was sweet and nice without doing a job?? Wowwwwwwwww.......
That all happened three years ago. Willow was skeptical for a while, but gradually she realized that the stranger was no longer a stranger, but her friend, who found people to work on her feet and help Willow feel better, who kept her protected and warm and loved, and who didn't really care if Willow ever did a lick of work again. She loves Willow for who she is, not for what she can do.
For a long time Willow didn't want to do anything at all, but lately she has thought it might be fun to go on trail rides with me and other horses. Her feet are not 100% when she walks around barefoot, but she gets boots on her front hooves and when they're on she can walk and trot like normal. She gets regular trims and special food and lots of love, and all of that has given Willow a new lease on life. She is the oldest horse on the farm, being 23 very wise years. Her calm nature is good for the younger Friesians. She helps me keep them in line. Willow is my friend, and I'm happy to share my partner with her.
This is a picture of Willow with her winter coat and blanket. Our partner is a little slow getting pictures taken. Soon we'll have some new spring shots to share!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Farewell, Friend
Wilma here.
My Friesian friend, Sasha, who lives on the other side of the trees in our Forest Reserve, got very sick about two months ago. On May 27, she died.
I will miss her wisdom and playfulness, even though I know she is now gamboling joyously and will return in a new, strong body.
Farewell, friend. See you back here soon.
My Friesian friend, Sasha, who lives on the other side of the trees in our Forest Reserve, got very sick about two months ago. On May 27, she died.
I will miss her wisdom and playfulness, even though I know she is now gamboling joyously and will return in a new, strong body.
Farewell, friend. See you back here soon.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Walkabout
Wilma here.
My friend Willow is a bay quarter horse. Even though she is not a Friesian, I still like her because she is kind and gentle. She has had an interesting life, although not all of it was great. When she was younger, she was a "roping horse". She told me what that meant was she and her partner ran very fast after a cow, the partner would throw a rope and when it went around the cow's head, Willow would put on the brakes and keep the rope tight until the partner could finish whatever it was he did with the cow.
Willow was very fast, and she was proud of her work. It was her life, just like in my earlier life I was a broodmare, and proud of making such beautiful babies. Her partner liked her, too, but it always seemed her partner wanted her to go faster; no matter how hard she tried, she was never quite good enough. She was well cared for, but she was a "working horse". I'm not sure what that means, but I do know it takes her a long time to trust the humans because as a "working horse" and "roping horse" she was always told what to do and when to do it, and it seemed the work never ended. She didn't get a lot of free time, or chance to make her own decisions. She didn't get loved on that much, either. She just did her job.
When she got older, the "roping" stuff took a toll on her body, so she was sold. At some point she developed a problem with her front feet, called founder, that caused her a lot of pain. She had to wear special shoes and was on something called "bute", so she could walk. She says the shoes always made her feet feel tight.
Eventually she came to a family who bought some quarter horses to breed and ride. They were completely new to horses, though, and didn't understand them very well. The family discovered that having six horses was a LOT of work, and they didn't want to work that hard, so Willow and her five companions ended up standing around in pastures. Willow had her shoes taken off, which helped her feet feel less tight, but she was being fed food that was not good for a horse who had foundered. The people weren't cruel, they just didn't know any better.
Willow's feet got so painful she could barely move. Her trust in humans was pretty much at an all-time low. She was wet, cold, her feet hurt, she was standing in mud up to her ankles, and her back itched. She wondered what was going to happen to her next. It was a long way from her glory days as a "roping horse". At least then she felt useful. Now she just felt useLESS.
I'll continue Willow's story later. It's time to take a stroll around the pasture and make sure the other horses are behaving themselves. Part of my job as lead mare at Harmony's Heart is keeping the peace.
My friend Willow is a bay quarter horse. Even though she is not a Friesian, I still like her because she is kind and gentle. She has had an interesting life, although not all of it was great. When she was younger, she was a "roping horse". She told me what that meant was she and her partner ran very fast after a cow, the partner would throw a rope and when it went around the cow's head, Willow would put on the brakes and keep the rope tight until the partner could finish whatever it was he did with the cow.
Willow was very fast, and she was proud of her work. It was her life, just like in my earlier life I was a broodmare, and proud of making such beautiful babies. Her partner liked her, too, but it always seemed her partner wanted her to go faster; no matter how hard she tried, she was never quite good enough. She was well cared for, but she was a "working horse". I'm not sure what that means, but I do know it takes her a long time to trust the humans because as a "working horse" and "roping horse" she was always told what to do and when to do it, and it seemed the work never ended. She didn't get a lot of free time, or chance to make her own decisions. She didn't get loved on that much, either. She just did her job.
When she got older, the "roping" stuff took a toll on her body, so she was sold. At some point she developed a problem with her front feet, called founder, that caused her a lot of pain. She had to wear special shoes and was on something called "bute", so she could walk. She says the shoes always made her feet feel tight.
Eventually she came to a family who bought some quarter horses to breed and ride. They were completely new to horses, though, and didn't understand them very well. The family discovered that having six horses was a LOT of work, and they didn't want to work that hard, so Willow and her five companions ended up standing around in pastures. Willow had her shoes taken off, which helped her feet feel less tight, but she was being fed food that was not good for a horse who had foundered. The people weren't cruel, they just didn't know any better.
Willow's feet got so painful she could barely move. Her trust in humans was pretty much at an all-time low. She was wet, cold, her feet hurt, she was standing in mud up to her ankles, and her back itched. She wondered what was going to happen to her next. It was a long way from her glory days as a "roping horse". At least then she felt useful. Now she just felt useLESS.
I'll continue Willow's story later. It's time to take a stroll around the pasture and make sure the other horses are behaving themselves. Part of my job as lead mare at Harmony's Heart is keeping the peace.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Anybody Home?
Wilma here.
My granddaughter, Marieh, has quite the sense of humor. Our human partners set up an area around the house so we could eat the grass. They call it "mowing the lawn." There is a deck at the back of the house, with steps leading down to where we were eating.
Marieh got tired of eating all the grass, and decided it might be interesting to see if anyone was in the house, so up the steps she went. Here she is, looking into the dining room.
"Marieh tested, family approved. The partners' builder built a good deck!"
My granddaughter, Marieh, has quite the sense of humor. Our human partners set up an area around the house so we could eat the grass. They call it "mowing the lawn." There is a deck at the back of the house, with steps leading down to where we were eating.
Marieh got tired of eating all the grass, and decided it might be interesting to see if anyone was in the house, so up the steps she went. Here she is, looking into the dining room.
"Marieh tested, family approved. The partners' builder built a good deck!"
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Something to Say
Wilma here.
It's been a while, but now I have something to say.
My partner went away for a week. When she came back, she was changed. She feels different. It's a good different.
Then, I got a new saddle. It is sooo comfortable, much better than the other one! I can go for a long time with this saddle on.
My partner has started riding me, really riding! We went for a ride down the road with Twister, a young gelding in the next pasture who needs some road miles. I led the way because my partner said I was calm and sensible. Then the Friesian club had their meeting near our house and my partner and I directed a trail ride for some of the club members and their horses. It was a lot of fun being out on the trail with all the other Friesians. We were a gorgeous parade.
Another day, my partner and her mate took me on the trail. My partner rode me first, and we even did some trotting. That was great. I could feel how quietly confident my partner was, and that made me more confident. We went to a picnic area where I got to graze for a while. Then my partner's mate rode me home. I like taking him for rides. He is just learning, and I'm helping him build HIS confidence. Soon he'll be riding his own horse, my granddaughter, Marieh.
This new feeling partner is very nice. I've waited a long time for it. I knew she could do it. Patience has paid off. I love being a riding horse. Here is a picture of me and my partner on the day of the Friesian ride. It's a goofy picture of me, I look like big-head horsey, but you see my new saddle very well. Don't my partner and I look wonderful together?
Monday, March 3, 2008
Breakfast of Champions
Wilma's PARTNER here.
When I went into the barn this morning, what did I see but three, count'em, THREE Friesians standing in the aisle munching on grain! They had tipped over one of the garbage cans (looking for the stash, I'm sure), then popped the top on the grain can and were happily throwing it EVERYWHERE. I'm sure I looked like the partner from hell, flailing a training stick, whacking it on the ground, and yelling at them to GET OUT OF THE BARN!!! They can move their buns pretty smartly when motivated.
That Marieh is a Houdini horse. I'm sure it was her who jiggled the latch open. It's back to putting bike chain and lock around the gate.
Fortunately, it doesn't look as though they got much more than a normal serving each, and at least half of what they stole was scattered around the floor...and in the grooming kit, and inside Willow's boots, and stuck to the sides of the clipper box...they must have been having a ball. I'll keep an eye on the little darlings today, though, to make sure everything comes out okay on the other end, and nobody ends up with sore feet.
Luckily for Cabo, he's afraid of the Friesians and chose to stay inside the horse area, although he did seem as though he was wishing some of that grain would roll HIS way. And Willow was in her stall/run - Phew!
Oh, AND they also pulled a bale of hay down for me. And then left it alone. I can just see it:
EMERALD: "I got some hay! I got some hay! Look at me, hey, look! I did this! I got the hay down!"
MARIEH: "I know there's grain around here somewhere...nope, not in this can, maybe the other one...YEAH! Hey, kid, get over here, this is better than that green stuff."
WILMA: "Out of my way, girls. The queen eats first. (munchmunchmunch) Oh, you want some? (tossing the grain around) Here you go."
Monday, February 25, 2008
Shopping for New Clothes
Wilma here.
I have nice clothes to wear. My saddle is quite pretty, and mostly comfortable. Because I'm a Friesian, though, the straps that hold the saddle on are not in the right place for the way my body is built, so the saddle will sometimes end up too far forward on me. That doesn't feel real good, and it makes it hard to move my front legs.
The other day my partner put my saddle and bridle on, and then she fastened the driving reins to me and we went for a walk. I love doing this. I get to lead, but my partner is right there helping me find the way. We walked through the woods to the house of some of my Friesian friends.
Hi, Friends! I say. They all said 'hi' back and what are you doing here and are you going to try on some new clothes too. What new clothes, I ask, and then my saddle comes off and a human man (I cannot tell if human males are stallions or geldings, so I call them all "man") with a different kind of talk starts looking at it, and saying why it doesn't fit me right. THEN comes another human, a mare this time, with a saddle, and they put it on me and fasten it up, and it feels pretty good. My partner gets on, and it still feels good. We go for a little walk, and feeling good continues. I can move my front legs, and the saddle stays where it belongs. Pretty nice!
My partner has told me we are going to look for some new clothes for me. I liked that saddle from the human man with the different talk, but we will also look around and see what else might fit good. Too bad about my old clothes, but everybody needs something new now and then.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Gate
Wilma here.
My partner is back!
The other day we played together in the round pen, and then my partner got on and went for a ride. She asked me to walk, then stop, then walk, then trot, then walk, then trot, then stop, then TROT, then....well, you get the idea. I have to admit that when we were done with all this walking, trotting, walking, stopping, it was easier to carry my partner because I remembered where my back legs are.
After all that activity, my partner swung open the gate. Hurrah, we were leaving the round pen to go for a little walk, and maybe even get some grass. It turned out the gate wasn't open quite far enough and it spooked us both when we rode through. So my partner turned me around, opened the gate further, and we RODE BACK INTO THE ROUND PEN.
Wait a minute. I was not prepared for more time in the round pen. We were done in there as far as I was concerned. I got very fussy and deMANDed to leave. My partner just chuckled and decided it would be a good idea if we circled the buckets she had put on the ground to play with, and do figure-of-eights around them, and step around the hula hoop (but no feet inside!). That was a lot to think about. Eventually I forgot about leaving the round pen, and pretty soon we were walking past the open gate and I barely slowed down for it. I did keep hoping, though.
After we went past the gate a couple of times, my partner stopped me, and stroked my neck. She told me how brilliant I am (of course), and then jumped down from the saddle. We were done!
I got a nice back rub and brushing while still in the round pen. It felt so good! My partner massaged my legs, too, mmmmm! Then she let me go.
The gate was still wide open but I stuck with my partner until she left the round pen. Then I got to have my snack of grass before settling in with the other horses for the night.
It was a fun time, and I'm glad my partner is back!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Where is my partner?
Wilma here.
For the past few days, Marieh's partner has been coming to the barn to feed us. That's all well and good for Marieh, but where is MY partner?
Marieh's partner says my partner is sick with a "coldandflu". That doesn't sound very good. I would like to be able to comfort her, but I am not allowed in the house. Instead, I'll send her love via Marieh's partner. I hope he remembers to tell her.
Hurry back, partner.
Monday, January 28, 2008
White Stuff from the Sky
Wilma here.
Last night it snowed. I have seen snow before, although it doesn't happen often in this part of the world. It can be fun to play in. This morning the younger horses ran around in it for a while. It looked like so much fun I even joined in for a few minutes!
My partner came out and took pictures of us. Here is me, and my friend Willow in the background. We are wearing coats because we're older and don't like being cold. Willow especially needs some extra help, because she is olllllld. She will be 23 this year. I'm only 16 and 5/6. My birthday is in March.
Here also are Marieh, my granddaughter, and Emerald, our young one. Emerald will be going to a new home in a few months. She fell in love with one of the children down the street. She follows him around like a puppy. It is a very nice story, and my partner even wrote the story down and gave it to the child as a gift. If you would like to know more about the story, or read some of it, you can email me and I'll tell my partner to contact you.
When it's cold like this we get extra hay, yumm yummm! We just had lunch. When is dinner?
Last night it snowed. I have seen snow before, although it doesn't happen often in this part of the world. It can be fun to play in. This morning the younger horses ran around in it for a while. It looked like so much fun I even joined in for a few minutes!
My partner came out and took pictures of us. Here is me, and my friend Willow in the background. We are wearing coats because we're older and don't like being cold. Willow especially needs some extra help, because she is olllllld. She will be 23 this year. I'm only 16 and 5/6. My birthday is in March.Here also are Marieh, my granddaughter, and Emerald, our young one. Emerald will be going to a new home in a few months. She fell in love with one of the children down the street. She follows him around like a puppy. It is a very nice story, and my partner even wrote the story down and gave it to the child as a gift. If you would like to know more about the story, or read some of it, you can email me and I'll tell my partner to contact you.
When it's cold like this we get extra hay, yumm yummm! We just had lunch. When is dinner?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Con-di-tion-ing Myself!
Wilma here.
Yesterday my partner let me out into the yard while she cleaned the barn. She only lets ME out without a halter because she knows I'll stay close by. The other horses have to stay in the pasture.
When it was time to come in, my partner called me but I decided not to listen. Let's see who's boss today! Dangit, she got the orange stick and instead of begging me to come in she drove me away! Okay, I'll play that game! I ran along the grass to the drop off and leaped down to the driveway. Wheeeee! It was fun! My partner was laughing and telling me that my jump was awesome. Then because I was still giving her the raspberry she put back on her "Boss Mare" look and kept driving me away. I ran down the side of the pasture and into the high grasses. That's when things started going not so good.
The high grasses were hiding things like stumps and branches and bumpy ground. I had to pick my feet up very high to get around and really work on my balance. It was hard. My partner stopped driving me, told me to be careful, and went back toward the barn. Wait a minute! Aren't you going to help me out of this???
The other horses came to the pasture fence and were watching. I got myself into this mess, so I guess I had to get myself out. I turned around and picked my way over to the horses. It was easier to walk right by the fence. I let them know I was all right, but it didn't feel good being out there without my leader. She sent me away and I got myself in trouble. Better to stay with her!
I trotted up the edge of the pasture and headed toward the barn, double-time. My partner saw me coming and came out to meet me, smiling and telling me what a good horse I am. She let me come right up to her, and then she gave me a peppermint treat and petted me. She wasn't angry, just glad I had decided to let her be the leader. She is fair! Then we walked together back to the barn and I went into the stall area and started in on the hay. After that adventure I needed some sustenance!
Con-di-tion-ing myself was kind of fun, but I think it will be more fun to do it with my partner, and come when I'm called!
Yesterday my partner let me out into the yard while she cleaned the barn. She only lets ME out without a halter because she knows I'll stay close by. The other horses have to stay in the pasture.
When it was time to come in, my partner called me but I decided not to listen. Let's see who's boss today! Dangit, she got the orange stick and instead of begging me to come in she drove me away! Okay, I'll play that game! I ran along the grass to the drop off and leaped down to the driveway. Wheeeee! It was fun! My partner was laughing and telling me that my jump was awesome. Then because I was still giving her the raspberry she put back on her "Boss Mare" look and kept driving me away. I ran down the side of the pasture and into the high grasses. That's when things started going not so good.
The high grasses were hiding things like stumps and branches and bumpy ground. I had to pick my feet up very high to get around and really work on my balance. It was hard. My partner stopped driving me, told me to be careful, and went back toward the barn. Wait a minute! Aren't you going to help me out of this???
The other horses came to the pasture fence and were watching. I got myself into this mess, so I guess I had to get myself out. I turned around and picked my way over to the horses. It was easier to walk right by the fence. I let them know I was all right, but it didn't feel good being out there without my leader. She sent me away and I got myself in trouble. Better to stay with her!
I trotted up the edge of the pasture and headed toward the barn, double-time. My partner saw me coming and came out to meet me, smiling and telling me what a good horse I am. She let me come right up to her, and then she gave me a peppermint treat and petted me. She wasn't angry, just glad I had decided to let her be the leader. She is fair! Then we walked together back to the barn and I went into the stall area and started in on the hay. After that adventure I needed some sustenance!
Con-di-tion-ing myself was kind of fun, but I think it will be more fun to do it with my partner, and come when I'm called!
Thursday, January 10, 2008
What does it mean, Con-di-tion-ing?
Wilma here. My partner and I have started doing con-di-tion-ing. So far that means we are going for walks in the neighborhood. Fast walks. During our last walk we even did some trots. My partner walks and trots beside me. Her legs aren't as long as mine, but she works hard to keep pace with me, so my trotting is with small steps right now. She says that over time we will do more trotting and less walking, and then when the time is right she will ride me and I will trot. Her work then will involve going up and down in the saddle to make it easier for me to carry her.
I like this con-di-tion-ing. We get to spend time together. My partner apologized for ignoring me so much for the last couple of months. I understand; it's been cold, and dark, and rainy. She did not hurt my feelings by skipping con-di-tion-ing in those days! So now we walk, and when we come back to the barn she rubs me all over, and then I stretch for treats - between my front legs, to the right side (ick), and to the left side (easy). That is fun, too. I love doing things with my partner.
I like this con-di-tion-ing. We get to spend time together. My partner apologized for ignoring me so much for the last couple of months. I understand; it's been cold, and dark, and rainy. She did not hurt my feelings by skipping con-di-tion-ing in those days! So now we walk, and when we come back to the barn she rubs me all over, and then I stretch for treats - between my front legs, to the right side (ick), and to the left side (easy). That is fun, too. I love doing things with my partner.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Partner Foolies
Wilma here.
My partner thinks I'm serious, but I showed her today that I also have a sense of humor.
She came to the barn this morning to feed. Like usual, she let Willow in with the rest of us, and then opened the gate to the long pasture. We all ran through to the pasture to get our hay. But we couldn't find any!
So I went back to the barn, where my partner was picking up some poops we had left for her. She had the gate to the aisle open. I scooted right past her and into the aisle. I didn't even look at the bales of hay that are across the aisle. My partner got all flustered but she did shut the gate to keep the other horses where we're "supposed" to be. Ha ha ha, I got to wander around in the barn, and went in and out of Willow's stall a couple of times, just to show I could.
I've been wanting to check out Willow's stall and run for a long time. Kind of interesting. I like being with the herd, though. Willow goes in the stall at night because otherwise Cabo picks on her. This way she can eat her dinner in peace. My partner is good to us that way. The rest of us can keep Cabo in line, but Willow is so gentle she lets him push her around. She was born before the Mare's Liberation Movement.
After I was done investigating Willow's stall, I came back out and stood by the gate back to our area. I could see that my partner had some hay she was putting out, and it was more interesting than trying to get hay from a bale.
Pretty soon my partner opened the gate again and gave me the signal to come back in. I decided fun time was over and returned to the "horse space". Time to get serious - about food!
My partner thinks I'm serious, but I showed her today that I also have a sense of humor.
She came to the barn this morning to feed. Like usual, she let Willow in with the rest of us, and then opened the gate to the long pasture. We all ran through to the pasture to get our hay. But we couldn't find any!
So I went back to the barn, where my partner was picking up some poops we had left for her. She had the gate to the aisle open. I scooted right past her and into the aisle. I didn't even look at the bales of hay that are across the aisle. My partner got all flustered but she did shut the gate to keep the other horses where we're "supposed" to be. Ha ha ha, I got to wander around in the barn, and went in and out of Willow's stall a couple of times, just to show I could.
I've been wanting to check out Willow's stall and run for a long time. Kind of interesting. I like being with the herd, though. Willow goes in the stall at night because otherwise Cabo picks on her. This way she can eat her dinner in peace. My partner is good to us that way. The rest of us can keep Cabo in line, but Willow is so gentle she lets him push her around. She was born before the Mare's Liberation Movement.
After I was done investigating Willow's stall, I came back out and stood by the gate back to our area. I could see that my partner had some hay she was putting out, and it was more interesting than trying to get hay from a bale.
Pretty soon my partner opened the gate again and gave me the signal to come back in. I decided fun time was over and returned to the "horse space". Time to get serious - about food!
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