Foal Pool 2020

Guess what time it is??? Quarantine approved equine activity.
I waited later this year because the mares were bred late last year. Roscoe already has cute new grandsons out of Tanner and Mini Me.

So this year he has two foals expected.
First is a full sibling to Carousel, Draco and Turbo. Tawe and Roscoe produce excellent foals. What will this year bring?

Tawe, smokey black  Bred 8/16

The next foal will be out of a chestnut section C mare, Chanel. We know it will be chestnut, but how much chrome?

Chanel, chestnut  Bred 8/3

Same parameters as usual.
Basic: Date/Gender
Bonus: Color/ Chrome(head, body, legs)

Winner of each will get a $25 RW gift card.
Overall Grand prize winner of both (points combined) will get the personalized cross stitch.

Post your guesses below until 7/1

A Difference of Degrees

Well on top of all the virus fun and event cancellations, I found out my trainer was leaving. Though we have had our rocky moments, she has still moved Mom and I forward in our riding. So I signed up for two lessons the weekend my camp would have happened.
The way Sprieser is set up, I could pay online and we could go straight to the indoor limiting exposure. Rosemary was up to doing the lesson and Roscoe was hot to work. We ended up riding the whole hour and a half and taking turns. This allowed Rosemary enough breaks to catch her breath.

Lauren had both of us start over poles set in the corners and two in the middle. Roscoe decided the poles were going to eat him. He did eventually find his working brain. We slowed him down and put him into a longer Training level frame. When he consistently stretched over the poles, we put him together and picked him up. Man the quality of trot was amazing. He was coming through.
After a break for mom to work, we played with canter. Lauren wanted canter half halts. Last time we did this, I ran out of steam. This time we actually were able to work it. She had us do a working canter, which was bigger than I normally get at home, and then engage my core to help a half halt. Typical for Roscoe, right was better than left. His overall response was better. At times I could feel him sit and lift. He can't do it long, but what a difference.
Then the fun began, leg yields. You all know I have battled these for awhile. Lauren finally seemed to hit on my problem. I keep Roscoe too straight. She had me let his shoulder lead by five degrees. This immediately unlocked his movement. So we tried three degrees, but with less fluidity. Four degrees was the best of both. We finally could move forward and sideways. Hard to believe it was only a difference of degrees preventing our success. And I was able to get the same results at home.
It really stinks to make progress and have to pause lessons. But mom and I have taken advantage of our time to move Ember forward. He will get his own post. Stay well everyone!

Looking forward 

Camps, Thrush and Heaves Oh My

Long time, no write. It has been a "too much happening, not enough time" thing rather than nothing to write.
Back in December Sprieser posted the dates for their Camps. This year they actually teamed up with an eventer to do a combined Camp. This meant Mom and I would have to go at different times. With inventory and the wet weather, we both signed up for the March dates. Well as March got closer, we worried about Rosemary. Last year she developed heaves due to all the mold around this time of year. We managed it last year with Cough Free and holistic remedies. This year was really bad so I gave in and purchased a nebulizer. It is just a budget friendly one with a small air compressor from Big D's.  She is pretty good about getting her treatment once a day. Though she has managed to get her foot over the tube and flip the container during her impatient moments.

Sadly she was still belly breathing a  bit and camp would not be good for her. The stall she would be in is really dusty. So Mom made the hard decision to take Roscoe instead. She did manage a couple rides before camp and worked out some things with him.

 Her first ride was with the newer trainer Jess Idol. I really liked how she worked with them. Mom psyched herself out a bit about cantering, but she did some nice lateral work. Her second lesson was with Lauren doing a seat lesson. This was in the round pen. Roscoe thought the fancy gate would eat him, but he eventually settled. The fun began when Lauren pulled out the Posture Sling. They go over the shoulders and down to the opposite heel. They really seem to help keep you down and around the horse, while keeping you centered. Mom had been leaning forward a lot when asking for canter, but not with the slings. She did all three gaits and could feel a difference when they came off after only ten minutes. I looked up the slings afterward and they come in size ranges for about $130 for three tension band levels. Mom's final lesson was with Lauren on Sunday.

The posture sling

Pony boy was not happy we left him. They both did well and carried on from what they worked on in the seat lesson. Plus I told Mom to use the whip. Rosemary is a bit reactive about the whip, but Roscoe is fine with it.
As great as her camp was, we did get bad news. Lauren said they may cancel my camp due to lack of people. Turns out cornona virus had the final say, so no jumping camp for me. Instead Mom and I will go tomorrow for a lesson.
Meanwhile we have also been dealing with thrush in both of DaVinci's back feet. Thankfully Peggy had a bunch of thrush products since we have never dealt with it before. Iodine and Bannix twice a day for the first week or so. Did I mention there was a little blood and the front of his frogs were gone? Yeah it was scary. Then we moved to Iodine and Thrush buster twice a day for a week. Then down to once a day, just the Thrush Buster. As those got low, I ordered the Equiderma Thrush and White Line treatment. That stuff smells really good, lavender oil, and seems to have finished the job. My farrier looked at him yesterday and said to do a few more days. Of course as we start to see improvements in him and Rosemary, the rest of the world goes to pot.
I still have to go into work, but we can no longer do some of our jobs. It makes for a very long work day sometimes. As a DOD employee, I can't travel more than 100 miles away from work. On the plus side, since so many people are teleworking in northern VA traffic is so much more managable. I am taking advantage of the daylight to ride so light traffic is a big plus. Stay safe out there guys! We shall see how the coming days are.

My handsome boy

Health Check: Baby Bronc

anuary is my month of inventory at work so riding has been nil. The weather has also been wet so I have not really missed too many riding days. But Mom and I do try to work Ember when we are both there.
After the last ride where we cantered, he was a bit sticky. Ember would trot a little bit then stop suddenly. He has not done that since the very beginning. With all the mud we have had, we worried he pulled something and was a bit sore. So we moved on to him following Rosemary and learning about being in company. We chose her because either of the boys might incite him to jump and play. Ember was pretty quiet and followed her around. We even did a little trotting. That got him a bit excited and he thought he could play with Rosemary. Luckily he settled down. Mom trotted Rosemary while I had him stay in the middle and then we made him trot while she stood in the middle. Not too bad for his first time.

Last week we were together again so we tacked him up. This time I put the bit in his mouth which is the first time he has worn it while I was on him. The reins were still on the halter. He was still a little sticky but more willing to work through. He was a bit of a drama king, stomping his foot. I just moved him on. The wind picked up as we rode. Ember did not do anything that would lead me to believe he would be very dramatic. So I wanted to canter.

My difficulty was that he kept going high on the rail where there is a bank of sand which tripped him up. Added to not having much steering, the transition was interesting. I like to ask going into the solid fencing rather than the temporary one. Well Ember picked up canter and proceeded to do his impression of a bronc.

 I had a death grip on the horn as I just tried to stay on. The entire episode lasted about 6 seconds, but it was pretty amazing. I did manage to stay on and I kept him going at a trot.

 The next canter was smoother, but faster. Ember does a good job of staying under me even with all his funny business. We did a little to the left before ending the ride with a walk in the big side of the arena.

Though people would see it as Ember being naughty, I choose to see it in the positive. He picked up canter when I asked, only his second time under saddle. I was physically able to ride his drama. We all know six months ago it would have been a disaster. And after all the fun, he was still listening and willing to work. I shared it on Facebook because it was an accomplishment for me. For once the video matched what it felt like. No one should think less of Ember because he was a baby bronc. I have always heard some of the most talented horses can be difficult. He has time to grow up and I have time to let him. We also scheduled a chiropractic appointment to give him a tune up. And can you believe Mr. I HATE Needles actually let her put acupuncture needles in his butt??? Even Roscoe won't put up with them.  Ember had some tightness in his pole and his right hind. Hopefully he will be feeling better.

Next time I am not putting the bit in his mouth, maybe he will be less distracted. Yes I may still have to shell out some money to get a pro on him, but I am not ready to give in yet. I passed that health check, bring on the next.

Flying High

This year has been the hardest one yet after losing both my grandmothers and hitting rock bottom health wise. But I have an amazing support system in my family, friends and my online cheering squad. So I am skipping the year end review and focusing on the recent high points.

First I felt a bit lost when I received my blogger gift exchange person and she did not want stuff. For the last five years my sister and I have done a framed cross stitch. So we had to think of a way to still give our person a personalized gift that did not fall in the category of stuff. Fortunately I remembered my sister gave my mom and I shirts with heads of our horses painted on them. My person had a cute picture of her two horses wearing bows, which sparked the idea of putting Christmas bows on the painted heads. My sister was the mastermind for this project and she really pulled it off and even made her own ribbons using an infant sized ribbon. The best part was when our person asked if it was okay to frame a t-shirt.  Of course now I have a ton of Christmas movies to watch since I did not have late nights cross stitching.

Painted Portion

With external bows

Second riding has been at a minimum due to the weather. The times I do ride I enjoy fully. On New Years Eve I did short rides on the three older Cobs. Roscoe volunteered to go first. I nearly regretted the choice to ride bareback. My core was screaming, but having muscles to scream was refreshing. We are not perfect, but I feel like the move to first level is doable.

Up next was Rosemary. She has come so far in the nine years we have had her. I was pleased she did not have any hind end issues after all the mud we have had. She is always full of drama, but also willing to try. We made her day today by taking her for a drive. Her heart is really between the shafts.














Then it was Comrade's turn. He is still recovering and healing his tongue wound. His weight has improved and he looks healthier. I was not sure how much he could do since like me he lost a bunch of muscle. Surprisingly, we walked, trotted and cantered. He had a literal bounce to his step, that again had me questioning the bareback pad. I think he was really happy to work.

I was totally glared at by Ember, but since I was solo I could not ride him. He had to wait until today.
Which brings us the the third point, my awesome baby boy. On Christmas we did another ride offline and he was better. He still had some stops and our steering is nonexistent. He had some spring in his trot and we actually did one stride of canter.

 I shared a bit of his trot and a Cob breeder said it was "suspended and reachy." The next day was the first time we have been able to work in twice in a row. He was even better and listened mostly to me instead of mom. At the end we opened the little area and walked him into the bigger side of the arena. He stayed next to mom and was pretty brave.

Today it was all me and Ember. Mom took video while we walked and trotted. I carried a whip for the first time and used it to keep him from falling in and to encourage him to keep going. Man I was so happy with what he was giving me. I decided to try for canter. Mom had to help so no video. Ember once he picked up canter was actually pretty smooth. I am flying high with how good he is doing. I can't wait to see what happens next time.

Bring it on 2020!

2019 Blogger Gift Exchange

Tracy of Printable Pony has hosted this exchange for seven years and I have been lucky enough to participate each time. Normally I can think of something small I have wanted/needed. This year I drew a blank. You would think with all my horses I could think of something. I felt bad for who ever got me.

So when my gift came in today, I was happy to recognize the name of the sender. Karley is a friend on Facebook and I enjoy following her horse and family fun.

The box contained something for the horses and humans. Chocolate for me and Mrs. Pastures for the horses. And then she nailed it with a brush. I don't think I have mentioned before, but my favorite brush is a mixed stiff/medium made from natural fibers. The brush she sent is just like that. Happy dance!

Thank you Karley! and thank you Tracy!

Three Years Together

Ember has officially been ours for three years now! He has fit our herd perfectly. Which considering I had five foals to pick from is awesome. And now we have started working with him under saddle. I am excited to see how he will be. We have taken it really slow since Mom and I are not often at the barn at the same time. Ember has been figuring it out a little more each session.

Baby got moves

He likes to keep me on my toes though. One time he did a big spook with a leap. I was shaking like crazy after that move. Then when we started to ask him to trot, which he really does not think he can do, he went about a half a circle before falling to his knees. Amazingly he was able to stay under me and get himself up.

Each ride we both figure out things. I have to remember to sit back and just be there. Ember is figuring out that he can trot with me on his back. The Sunday before Halloween, Mom and I made time to work him again. He had not had a session for a couple weeks, so we did not know what to expect. Mom got him listening to her on the line before I hopped on. We actually managed a circle at trot both ways.

Then the weather went to mud and rain and wind, causing us to delay further work. It is so tough when he shows progress. So this past Sunday we set up the portable panels to shrink the arena with a plan to take him offline. Mom worked him first so he could get used to the panels on the lunge and then off. He was a bit full of it, but soon settled. I got on and we started out on the line. Ember was listening really well and was better about maintaining. Sometimes he thinks too much and has to stop to check to see if he is doing the right stuff. I am okay with him choosing whoa over go right now. Ember actually started taking verbal cues from me for our trot transitions. Man is he going to have a great trot.

After a deep breath and a break to wait for dogs to pass on the road and the barn dog to get contained, we started to work him offline. Ember questioned being able to move, but did listen when Mom told him to. He was behaving so we moved up to the trot. We kept it to short periods so he could gain some confidence.










I am so proud of our baby giraffe, who seems to get bigger each time I hop on. He has not had the work time Roscoe did, but he has the brain and work ethic to retain what we do with him. Of course he has a bit of Rosemary's drama which keeps things interesting. One of these sessions we will manage to get some video of him trotting. But it is tough for Mom to move him and video, so just a picture for now.

I am finally feeling more human and less chained to a bathroom. Now the dang weather needs to cooperate so I can get back to riding. Ah well I will enjoy these times while I can.

My baby giraffe, he is getting so big

Seriously, he can be handsome