Today I had two options to ride. Bonnie and Linda were going to Phippsburg. But, they were riding at 10:00am. Not a good time for me unless I took the night off work. Susie was also riding and was open on time. We decided to ride at 1:00 and go to Monmouth. When Susie arrived, she asked if we might just ride from my house and that was fine with me. We decided to try the trails to Sabattus. We figured if any trails were dry enough it would be the Sabattus trails. Susie was riding Cody today.
We did about 15 miles today. But, had to to slow things down a bit as Louie feet were sore. The ride in Phippsburg had been harder on his feet then I realized. We still had a great ride, we just took it easy over the rocky sections. Louie was wonderful
Monday, April 25, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wonderful Ride in Phippsburg
Finally, we had absolutely lovely weather today. It was sunny and warm but not too warm for our still winter fuzzy equines. A friend, Trish, was riding Marie today. She has never ridden Marie before. She has two nice horses of her own but neither has been ridden much this year and today was going to be a faster conditioning ride for us distance riders. So, Trish agreed to ride Marie for me. I was thrilled to have Trish along. Louie loaded into the trailer good this morning. He was quiet and relaxed. Marie was delighted to not be left behind.
I picked up Trish at the Bowdoin Central School and we then met Susie, who was riding Spark, and Joanie with her wonderful mare Frannie. We parked by Devil's highway and were in the saddle by 10:15. Louie was just fabulous today. It's like some switch has gone off in his head and he seems to understand what his job is. We rode quite fast today. We did a lot of trotting and cantering. Louie did great today keeping up. He is not strong on hills yet with trotting. He will power walk up or is happy to canter up the hills. Because of the soft tissue injury to his hip last year, I'm not pushing the trotting right now. I let him do what he feels is easiest for now. And Louie was very good about the speed. He seemed to be really enjoying moving along like we were today but he didn't get silly about it. And he did not eyeball any mule eating rocks today. Nor did he hesitate any any ditch, water or mud hole. We were able to get out on the trails today too. That sure was nice. We went to the top of Fuller's Mountain. It's kind of a stretch naming it a mountain but it is high enough to get a fabulous view of the tidal basin. And it was so clear today we could see Mt. Washington in NH.
On the way down Fuller's Mountain, we were crossing a swampy spot and Marie's saddle slid around. Trish was able to get off and land on both feet before the saddle went completely around. We quickly got Marie's saddle back on properly and were on our way. I think Trish had a good time riding Marie and it sure was fun having her along. All four of the equines were good today and made a nice group.
I am just amazed and delighted in the transformation I am seeing in Louie. He's proving to be tougher then I expected. He doesn't have the speed of my last mule Ruby but he he's forward and willing and shows no signs of being at all lazy. His confidence is growing in leaps and bounds right now. I'm going to be grinning from ear to ear for days now!
I picked up Trish at the Bowdoin Central School and we then met Susie, who was riding Spark, and Joanie with her wonderful mare Frannie. We parked by Devil's highway and were in the saddle by 10:15. Louie was just fabulous today. It's like some switch has gone off in his head and he seems to understand what his job is. We rode quite fast today. We did a lot of trotting and cantering. Louie did great today keeping up. He is not strong on hills yet with trotting. He will power walk up or is happy to canter up the hills. Because of the soft tissue injury to his hip last year, I'm not pushing the trotting right now. I let him do what he feels is easiest for now. And Louie was very good about the speed. He seemed to be really enjoying moving along like we were today but he didn't get silly about it. And he did not eyeball any mule eating rocks today. Nor did he hesitate any any ditch, water or mud hole. We were able to get out on the trails today too. That sure was nice. We went to the top of Fuller's Mountain. It's kind of a stretch naming it a mountain but it is high enough to get a fabulous view of the tidal basin. And it was so clear today we could see Mt. Washington in NH.
On the way down Fuller's Mountain, we were crossing a swampy spot and Marie's saddle slid around. Trish was able to get off and land on both feet before the saddle went completely around. We quickly got Marie's saddle back on properly and were on our way. I think Trish had a good time riding Marie and it sure was fun having her along. All four of the equines were good today and made a nice group.
I am just amazed and delighted in the transformation I am seeing in Louie. He's proving to be tougher then I expected. He doesn't have the speed of my last mule Ruby but he he's forward and willing and shows no signs of being at all lazy. His confidence is growing in leaps and bounds right now. I'm going to be grinning from ear to ear for days now!
Continuing with our Training
Even though the MulesOnly trainers challenge is completed, I've found I just can't stop training. I have gotten into such a regular pattern of working with Louie and Marie. And they both enjoy and look forward to our training time. I blame Wendy Lawrence for this!!! *big smile*
Today I worked on bowing with both of them. Louie did GREAT! For the first time today he went into a bow on his own and held the position. He only offered this twice but up until now, when he got into the bow position he would get back up just as quick as he could. He seems to feel vulnerable in this position so I guess it takes a bit of trust for him to hold the bow.
Marie did well too. She will bow quickly but only if I hold her foot up. She won't offer the bow without assistance yet. I am not going to work on fetching with her anymore. It is too complex a trick for her to grasp and she just gets frustrated. I want to work on some easy things with her so she can have some success and rewards.
Today I worked on bowing with both of them. Louie did GREAT! For the first time today he went into a bow on his own and held the position. He only offered this twice but up until now, when he got into the bow position he would get back up just as quick as he could. He seems to feel vulnerable in this position so I guess it takes a bit of trust for him to hold the bow.
Marie did well too. She will bow quickly but only if I hold her foot up. She won't offer the bow without assistance yet. I am not going to work on fetching with her anymore. It is too complex a trick for her to grasp and she just gets frustrated. I want to work on some easy things with her so she can have some success and rewards.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Stone Wall ride at Allie's
Little Louie being careful of his ears as he pulls his head back into the trailer.
Cody and Little Louie in Susie's trailer ready for an adventure!
Today Susie and I trailered up north east to ride with Allie. I'm not sure what town we went to but it was up Ellsworth day and a 2 hour drive. It was yet another cold windy day. I was meeting Susie at the Exit 46 gas station. From there she trailered us up. Louie loaded well at home. I was a little early arriving at Exit 46 station. So I gassed up and had just parked when Susie pulled in also a little bit early. Louie jumped right into Susie's trailer happy to be going on an adventure with Susie's horse Cody. The drive to Allie's was uneventful and we arrived in good time. Allie bought a horse from Susie last year. A 16 yr. old Marie named MacKenzie. The farm where Allie is boarding MacKenzie is lovely and the owners seems to be super nice people. A 4th person, Diana, was riding with us. A friend of Allie's that Susie and I did not know. Susie and I got tacked up. Louie was gawking around pretty hard but seemed quite relaxed. When we were ready to go, Diana had not yet arrived so we just went down the road a little way and came back. Diana was there when we got back. She'd had trouble loading her horse Harley which is what caused her to be late. Harley is a 7 year old Morgan gelding. Diana was soon tacked up and we were on our way.
Getting ready to ride. Allie with Mackenzie, Cody and Little Louie
Allie has started out riding with just a bareback pad. But, MacKenzie was not behaving well so when we'd returned to the barn while waiting for Diana, Allie borrowed a saddle from the farm owner to put on Mac. It was a good think as Mac's behavior did not improve during the ride. Cody was being ....... Cody. Both Cody and Mac wanted to be in front and were being quite the handfuls. Diana's horse Harley was a bit stirred up at first due to the behavior of Mac and Cody but he soon settled down. He is a real nice horse. Louie did extremely well. He was not sure what to make of Cody and Mac but he minded his own business and listened to me very well. We'd had hard rain the previous day and there was a lot of water on the trails. Louie was great about going through the water. Quite a few times I was in the lead with Louie. He did not hesitate at all and was very steady. He was not looking for mule eating monsters behind every rock today. The only thing he balked at was a stream crossing that was a bit funky looking. There was snow and ice right in that spot and it was a bit "ditchy". The ice was soft so not slippery but it was breaking and scary to the equines. Cody hopped right over but none of the others liked it. I ended up leading Louie over. He was doing his best to work up his courage to cross but couldn't quite do it with me mounted. I was pleased with his "try" even though I ended up leading him. There were several blown down trees along the trail I cleared out of the way. But, we finally came to one that was too big and we couldn't get around it. So, we headed back. When we came to the stream crossing, Susie once again led the way. Cody made quite a leap over it but Susie rode it out perfectly. Then Allie crossed with Mac. She too took a huge leap that threw Allie off balance a little and Mac bolted down the trail. Allie got her balance and quickly got Mac under control. Then Diana crossed. Harley also made a huge leap. Diana too got off balance. Thankfully Harley stopped when he got to the other side and she slowly slid off him. I decided to lead Louie over once again.
Allie and Cindy on Louie convincing him to cross a ditch
On the way back we took a side trail and had to cross another funky looking ditch. Louie was not happy about it but did do it with a bit of encouragement. And I was very pleased that he did not make a huge leap but rather negotiated it carefully. This piece of trail was quite muddy but Louie plowed through gamely. We went also went down another dirt logging road to see where it went. At the end of this road was a steep slope that was deep in snow. The deep snow also worried Louie a little but he went and was good about it. This turned out to be a dead end and we had to slog but up the hill through the deep snow. A boot came of Diana's horse in the deep snow. I was wishing that I had refined Louie's new fetching skills so he would pick up the boot. Guess I'll have to work on this. No one wanted to get off in the deep snow. So, I had Diana give me her riding crop and I was able to snag the boot with the crop.
Cindy on Louie and Diana on Harley riding in the snow
Cindy on Louie and Diana on Harley rescuing Harley's boot
Allie on MacKenzie, Cindy on Louie and Diana on Harley
Susie on Cody and Cindy on Little Louie
Mac, continued to be a very naughty girl. She bolted off on Allie a number of time. Once when I was in the lead she flew right by me. Allie did a wonderful job of riding MacKenzie and Louie was SOOO good about this and did not attempt to follow her. I was extremely pleased with how Louie handled being with horse that were behaving this way. And it was good to see how he would be in this situation before getting to a competition where you know you will run into this kind of thing. So, I had a great ride though I don't think poor Allie enjoyed herself much. When we got back we loaded Louie and Cody onto the trailer. Louie just looked as happy as a clam and it was so nice to see him so relaxed and content. Diana was having trouble loading Harley. We went down to see if we could help. We really weren't much use so had a quick lunch and then headed home.
Cindy on Little Louie
Diana on Harley, Susie on Cody, MacKenzie and Cindy on Louie
Cody and Little Louie in Susie's trailer ready for an adventure!
Today Susie and I trailered up north east to ride with Allie. I'm not sure what town we went to but it was up Ellsworth day and a 2 hour drive. It was yet another cold windy day. I was meeting Susie at the Exit 46 gas station. From there she trailered us up. Louie loaded well at home. I was a little early arriving at Exit 46 station. So I gassed up and had just parked when Susie pulled in also a little bit early. Louie jumped right into Susie's trailer happy to be going on an adventure with Susie's horse Cody. The drive to Allie's was uneventful and we arrived in good time. Allie bought a horse from Susie last year. A 16 yr. old Marie named MacKenzie. The farm where Allie is boarding MacKenzie is lovely and the owners seems to be super nice people. A 4th person, Diana, was riding with us. A friend of Allie's that Susie and I did not know. Susie and I got tacked up. Louie was gawking around pretty hard but seemed quite relaxed. When we were ready to go, Diana had not yet arrived so we just went down the road a little way and came back. Diana was there when we got back. She'd had trouble loading her horse Harley which is what caused her to be late. Harley is a 7 year old Morgan gelding. Diana was soon tacked up and we were on our way.
Getting ready to ride. Allie with Mackenzie, Cody and Little Louie
Allie has started out riding with just a bareback pad. But, MacKenzie was not behaving well so when we'd returned to the barn while waiting for Diana, Allie borrowed a saddle from the farm owner to put on Mac. It was a good think as Mac's behavior did not improve during the ride. Cody was being ....... Cody. Both Cody and Mac wanted to be in front and were being quite the handfuls. Diana's horse Harley was a bit stirred up at first due to the behavior of Mac and Cody but he soon settled down. He is a real nice horse. Louie did extremely well. He was not sure what to make of Cody and Mac but he minded his own business and listened to me very well. We'd had hard rain the previous day and there was a lot of water on the trails. Louie was great about going through the water. Quite a few times I was in the lead with Louie. He did not hesitate at all and was very steady. He was not looking for mule eating monsters behind every rock today. The only thing he balked at was a stream crossing that was a bit funky looking. There was snow and ice right in that spot and it was a bit "ditchy". The ice was soft so not slippery but it was breaking and scary to the equines. Cody hopped right over but none of the others liked it. I ended up leading Louie over. He was doing his best to work up his courage to cross but couldn't quite do it with me mounted. I was pleased with his "try" even though I ended up leading him. There were several blown down trees along the trail I cleared out of the way. But, we finally came to one that was too big and we couldn't get around it. So, we headed back. When we came to the stream crossing, Susie once again led the way. Cody made quite a leap over it but Susie rode it out perfectly. Then Allie crossed with Mac. She too took a huge leap that threw Allie off balance a little and Mac bolted down the trail. Allie got her balance and quickly got Mac under control. Then Diana crossed. Harley also made a huge leap. Diana too got off balance. Thankfully Harley stopped when he got to the other side and she slowly slid off him. I decided to lead Louie over once again.
Allie and Cindy on Louie convincing him to cross a ditch
On the way back we took a side trail and had to cross another funky looking ditch. Louie was not happy about it but did do it with a bit of encouragement. And I was very pleased that he did not make a huge leap but rather negotiated it carefully. This piece of trail was quite muddy but Louie plowed through gamely. We went also went down another dirt logging road to see where it went. At the end of this road was a steep slope that was deep in snow. The deep snow also worried Louie a little but he went and was good about it. This turned out to be a dead end and we had to slog but up the hill through the deep snow. A boot came of Diana's horse in the deep snow. I was wishing that I had refined Louie's new fetching skills so he would pick up the boot. Guess I'll have to work on this. No one wanted to get off in the deep snow. So, I had Diana give me her riding crop and I was able to snag the boot with the crop.
Cindy on Louie and Diana on Harley riding in the snow
Cindy on Louie and Diana on Harley rescuing Harley's boot
Allie on MacKenzie, Cindy on Louie and Diana on Harley
Susie on Cody and Cindy on Little Louie
Mac, continued to be a very naughty girl. She bolted off on Allie a number of time. Once when I was in the lead she flew right by me. Allie did a wonderful job of riding MacKenzie and Louie was SOOO good about this and did not attempt to follow her. I was extremely pleased with how Louie handled being with horse that were behaving this way. And it was good to see how he would be in this situation before getting to a competition where you know you will run into this kind of thing. So, I had a great ride though I don't think poor Allie enjoyed herself much. When we got back we loaded Louie and Cody onto the trailer. Louie just looked as happy as a clam and it was so nice to see him so relaxed and content. Diana was having trouble loading Harley. We went down to see if we could help. We really weren't much use so had a quick lunch and then headed home.
Cindy on Little Louie
Diana on Harley, Susie on Cody, MacKenzie and Cindy on Louie
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Tail Gate Birthday Party
Barbara, Susie, Linda, Bonnie and I had decided to ride in Phippsburg today. It was going to be a cold windy day but that was ok, we'd just bundle up. We had decided to throw Susie a surprise tail gate birthday party. Bonnie was going to bring coffee and Linda was making some cupcakes. I just happened to be up very early this morning so decided to make some brownies to bring along. When I first got up I grabbed my watch and put it on. I had not worn it in a while but needed to keep track of time and would be outside a lot this morning. We were doing to meet at 10:00. I got a call from Bonnie around 8:00 am. She was not going to be able to ride as her dog was sick and she had to get her into the vet. So, I would have to make a pot of coffee to take with me. Since I had extra time from being up early, I pulled my trailer up to the garage and cleaned and vacuumed it out. We had my granddaughter this weekend. Fred had to take his motorcycle into town to get a tire put on it. So, I was doing to drop Madison off at my mother's house. She lives right next door so that was no problem. I was inside making coffee, so pleased to have gotten so much done and still have nearly an hour before I had to leave. That was when I looked at the clock in the house (I'd been checking my watch) and realized I'd never changed the time on my watch when the time changed!!!! It was a hour later then I thought!!!!! I needed to leave at 9:00 am and it was 9:05! YIKES! I went into warp speed, finished making the coffee, told Madison to hurry and get ready while I loaded the horse and mule. I threw everything in the truck and headed out. I'd called my mother and had her come down to the end of the driveway to get Madison and Lance. I called Susie to tell her I was going to be a bit late arriving. I felt bad as Susie had time limitations today and had to be headed home by 12:15 pm.
I actually wasn't too late. I arrived at 10:10 am. And Linda was running late also and had not arrived. A friend of hers, Diane, was coming with her. They arrived shortly after I did. We got tacked up and Linda realized she was missing the cinch strap off her saddle. I dug a spare one out of my trailer for her and soon we were on our way. Louie was a bit jazzed up but behaving very well. We rode down to the basin. On the way back Linda and Diane split off to make a longer loop. Barbara and I decided to ride back to the trailers with Susie, have our little party then go out riding again after Susie left. Linda told us to get the cupcakes, cookies and coffee in her truck for Susie.
When we got back to the truck, we tied Louie and Marie to the trailer with a bag of hay. I went to get the food from Linda's truck and it was locked! All we could do was drool on her windshield. I was glad I'd made the brownies and brought coffee also so we had a quick party anyway. After Susie headed out, Barbara and I mounted back up and went out for another ride. We were just going to ride to the end of Devil's Highway and back but decided to do a nice longer loop instead. I led with Louie most of the way and he was wonderful. He hesitated a few times at some things but was easily convinced to keep moving along. He seems to really starting to trust me again and I'm feeling a change in him with each ride. Both physically as he gets stronger, and mentally as he gains confidence. We didn't see Linda or Diane and they were gone by the time we got back to the trailer. It was a really nice ride.
I actually wasn't too late. I arrived at 10:10 am. And Linda was running late also and had not arrived. A friend of hers, Diane, was coming with her. They arrived shortly after I did. We got tacked up and Linda realized she was missing the cinch strap off her saddle. I dug a spare one out of my trailer for her and soon we were on our way. Louie was a bit jazzed up but behaving very well. We rode down to the basin. On the way back Linda and Diane split off to make a longer loop. Barbara and I decided to ride back to the trailers with Susie, have our little party then go out riding again after Susie left. Linda told us to get the cupcakes, cookies and coffee in her truck for Susie.
When we got back to the truck, we tied Louie and Marie to the trailer with a bag of hay. I went to get the food from Linda's truck and it was locked! All we could do was drool on her windshield. I was glad I'd made the brownies and brought coffee also so we had a quick party anyway. After Susie headed out, Barbara and I mounted back up and went out for another ride. We were just going to ride to the end of Devil's Highway and back but decided to do a nice longer loop instead. I led with Louie most of the way and he was wonderful. He hesitated a few times at some things but was easily convinced to keep moving along. He seems to really starting to trust me again and I'm feeling a change in him with each ride. Both physically as he gets stronger, and mentally as he gains confidence. We didn't see Linda or Diane and they were gone by the time we got back to the trailer. It was a really nice ride.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Life with a Mule
My farrier came today to put shoes on Marie and trim Louie. Louie's tough mulie feet are doing fine barefoot at this point. Scott showed up around 9:15 or so. The first thing Louie had to do was show him his neat fetching trick. Scott was quite amused by that. About the third throw, Louie decided to return the toy to Scott. But, when Scott reached out to take it, Louie chickened out, dropped the toy and ran off.
I caught Marie and put her on the cross ties. Louie was such a bug! He was just dying for attention. Just as Scott was getting done with Marie, Louie had a total spazz out spell and started tearing around the paddock at warp speed. He ran for quite a while and it was quite a show. And Scott was especially impressed with the mud Louie spattered on his truck. What a goof ball Louie is. He was a good boy for his trim though.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Didn't get to Ride
Louie giving me his halter
Well, my original plans for today were to go riding in the afternoon with Linda and Bonnie. But, as happens in life sometimes, this was not to be. My truck has been having some problems and needs to be inspected. So I had to take it in today to the repair shop. A call later in the day from the repair shop confirmed that one of my front brakes was shot. $$$ I also had a few other errand to run so by the time I got home, I just didn't have enough time to get a decent amount of sleep before riding. I was already short on sleep the past two days so was just really tired. Bonnie had called me at work to let me know that she was staying home today because her dog was sick and she was going to try to get an appointment with the vet. Bonnie and Linda did manage to hook up for a ride down at Brown's Point in the afternoon. I had a good long sleep. Well, not as long as planned as the repair shop called at about 3:30 pm and woke me up but long enough to at least feel human again.
Louie giving me the shedding blade
I wandered out to play with Louie an Marie about 4:00. Louie was ready to play, Marie was hanging back. I had Louie picking up a brush, shedding blade, hoof pick, screwdriver and his halter. He was happy to pick them all up. I took some pictures of him with all the different items but they weren't great as it's hard to take pictures of a moving subject that is alwasy waking towards you. So, I I got some good nostril shots and cut off his ears in most shots. I think it's totally cool he will pick up his halter. He is not a problem to catch but now I when I want him I can just toss the halter out of the barn and tell him to fetch it. And he will get it and bring it right to me. Caught mule! I worked with him on bowing also. He is doing pretty well. He did a few full bows but he still plunks his forehead right on the ground when he does a full bow.
Louie giving me the screwdriver
Louie giving me the hoof pick
Marie had finally come out of the run-in so I worked with her for a bit. I put all the "stuff" I was using for Louie to fetch in a pile along the side of the paddock. I then went out into the middle of the paddock to work with Marie. Or I TRIED to work with Marie. Evey time I dropped the rope bone in front of her to target, Louie would dart in to grab it so he could give it to me. I finally drove him off. So then he started going to the pile of things I'd had him picking up, getting an item and offering them to me one at a time until he'd moved the whole pile. If I ignored him, he would gently nudge me in the back with his nose to get my attention. He is such a goof ball!!! And too smart for his own good.
Louie giving me the brush
Louie fetching the rope bone
Well, my original plans for today were to go riding in the afternoon with Linda and Bonnie. But, as happens in life sometimes, this was not to be. My truck has been having some problems and needs to be inspected. So I had to take it in today to the repair shop. A call later in the day from the repair shop confirmed that one of my front brakes was shot. $$$ I also had a few other errand to run so by the time I got home, I just didn't have enough time to get a decent amount of sleep before riding. I was already short on sleep the past two days so was just really tired. Bonnie had called me at work to let me know that she was staying home today because her dog was sick and she was going to try to get an appointment with the vet. Bonnie and Linda did manage to hook up for a ride down at Brown's Point in the afternoon. I had a good long sleep. Well, not as long as planned as the repair shop called at about 3:30 pm and woke me up but long enough to at least feel human again.
Louie giving me the shedding blade
I wandered out to play with Louie an Marie about 4:00. Louie was ready to play, Marie was hanging back. I had Louie picking up a brush, shedding blade, hoof pick, screwdriver and his halter. He was happy to pick them all up. I took some pictures of him with all the different items but they weren't great as it's hard to take pictures of a moving subject that is alwasy waking towards you. So, I I got some good nostril shots and cut off his ears in most shots. I think it's totally cool he will pick up his halter. He is not a problem to catch but now I when I want him I can just toss the halter out of the barn and tell him to fetch it. And he will get it and bring it right to me. Caught mule! I worked with him on bowing also. He is doing pretty well. He did a few full bows but he still plunks his forehead right on the ground when he does a full bow.
Louie giving me the screwdriver
Louie giving me the hoof pick
Marie had finally come out of the run-in so I worked with her for a bit. I put all the "stuff" I was using for Louie to fetch in a pile along the side of the paddock. I then went out into the middle of the paddock to work with Marie. Or I TRIED to work with Marie. Evey time I dropped the rope bone in front of her to target, Louie would dart in to grab it so he could give it to me. I finally drove him off. So then he started going to the pile of things I'd had him picking up, getting an item and offering them to me one at a time until he'd moved the whole pile. If I ignored him, he would gently nudge me in the back with his nose to get my attention. He is such a goof ball!!! And too smart for his own good.
Louie giving me the brush
Louie fetching the rope bone
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