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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Let the Cross Country Training Begin - So to Speak


Although Jack and I have not been going out together anymore we have been going out for long walks around the farm going through the woods, up and down hills and across a stream.  It has been really fun and I got to say, this is one pretty farm!  Check out the video of me  following Kyle down the bank back by the big pond that had a bunch of ducks on it!  I don't know what Jackie is laughing at I think I stepped down it with more style than Kyle did.
 
I hear we're going to have a new red headed girl coming next week so we'll be back up to 4 horses in our group again.  It will be kind of nice not being the new one for a change. I don't think she is going to be staying long, something about Kyle training her some. So far I think he's a pretty good trainer.                         

We got another vaccination with some plastic thing stuck up our nose and one more shot.  I think we are done with that for awhile. I'm happy to report that Jack learned his lesson from the last time and he was much better behaved.  If he would just learn that it is easier to do it right the first time he would be a lot better off. 
That's it for now.

Jill

Sun was a great day! I got to spend some time with two of my favorite girls.  First I got to go for a walk with Jill.  Since she hadn't been out for a walk before I led the whole way except when we got to the stream. Kyle wanted to see how she would do by herself.  I got to say I was impressed, she walked right through the stream. So I guess you're not suppose to jump the whole thing!  So I walked through the stream too and it was much easier that way.  We spent some time playing in the creek and munching some grass before heading back to the barn.


When we got back to the barn Jill went in and I got turned out.  I noticed that Laura was riding Kat in the dressage ring.  I let out a whinny and ran down to join her but decided against it since I would have to pass near the big boys. I ran down several times and at the last minute ran away.  Finally I got brave enough and went down and the big boys didn't bother me at all; they were too busy trying to find grass to munch on. Anyway when I got down there I just followed and followed Kat as she was being ridden.  After all that running around I got a little warm so I had a great roll in the sand and another roll and another roll.  Finally I decided that I would just eat grass instead of following Kat all of the time.  When she was done I followed her over to the bank jump & I followed her up and down like I did with Jackie the other day.  Kat & Laura tried to get me to go down the bank into the water but I wasn't too sure about that but I did follow them into the other water jump.  Then they tried to get me to follow them down the bank into the water jump again and this time I did it.  That was fun!!  The rest of the day I was out with the big boys and I'm beginning to get use to it, but I still spend a lot of time hanging up around the barn by myself but closer to the girls.

Yesterday was another good day as I got to go for a walk with Jill again.  But before we got to go for a walk I had to learn another rule. Apparently it is not acceptable to get all excited when Jill leaves the barn before I do.  Sorry, I just couldn't help myself !  Anyway we had a nice walk and did a different bank jump.  It was a little bigger than the one I had done before and I figured out that it was easier to jump up with my hind end rather than try to walk up one foot at a time.

When we got back Jill went in the barn and I stayed out with the guys. I actually was looking for them in the pasture and when I located them I took a canter down to be with them.  I guess they're not so bad.  At least out in the pasture when the make a face at me I have a lot more room to get out of their way.

We were way out in the back of the pasture when I noticed Jackie & Kyle coming down the hill with Pip (my new friend) and Margee.  I could believe my good luck, I hadn't seen Margee in quite awhile.  So I started following her around like I did with Kat the other day, but when I got too close I was chased away by either Kyle or Jethro.  That didn't deter me, but I was a little more careful not to get too close.  Then when Kyle rode Jethro I followed him around too.  I'm not sure why but I did.

That's me in the middle
I spent more time hanging out in the pasture with the guys than I did hanging up around the barn to be nearer to the girls.

Jack
  

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Jack & Jill Go Their Separate Ways

Wow, I can't believe that it has been almost 10 days since we posted last.  With the nicer weather everyone has been a little busier especially Jack.  I kept hearing about Jack doing this and Jack doing that and it was getting a little annoying; I could do all that stuff too if Kyle just had the time to do it.  So last Sun I showed them all.  I worked in the round pen with a saddle on while there were three ponies in the ring right next to the round pen without getting distracted.  Well maybe a little but there were three of them and they didn't look like any horses I had ever seen before. First of all they were all small and odd colors; one was black and white, one had spots all over it (I hear they call that one a POA, what does Ponies of America have to do with spots anyway?) and one chestnut pony with a pretty almost white mane and tail, I think they call that flaxen. Jack has never done that before.  Then when we were done I followed Kyle up and down the bank jump and into the water jump and I did it three times and Jack only did it once!  So maybe Jack is getting more training time than me, but I don't need it because I learn quicker and I don't get worried like Jack sometimes does.

The other day Jack laid down in his stall and rolled and rolled until he got cast.  I couldn't see what was going on but it sure was noisy. Jack &  Jackie both seemed a little concerned and she was happy that Jack was able to take care of things on his own. I don't think that would ever happen to me so because I'm smart enough to roll in the middle of my stall.

We all got something called coggins test the other day.  I'm not too sure what it's for but I hear we need to have it done and then a couple of days later we got vaccinations to help keep us from getting sick.  It wasn't bad, just a prick and I was told I was a good girl.  I don't know what the deal was with Jack but things didn't seem to go  smoothly for the coggins test and things got  down right ugly for his shot a couple of days later. Dr. Dave sounded really irritated and was making some comment about Jack being the instigator of our late night escapes and then said that Jack could go if he kept that up. Go, go where? What did that have to do with getting a shot anyway?  I don't know, but Jackie definitely wasn't happy with that comment.

Up until that morning we had always been very careful to be back in the pasture by morning and we only did it a few times.  Unfortunately for us they came out to the barn earlier than usual that day and we were busted as we hadn't snuck back in yet. That's when I heard that since Jack was the instigator he had to learn to respect the fence and that he and I were not going to go out together anymore so we couldn't get into trouble.  I thought that last part was a little extreme but at least I got to stay with Kat & Margee.  I do feel kind of sorry for Jack though.  He doesn't seem very happy being out with the big boys.  Don't tell him I said so, but I kind of miss him. 

On a brighter note; our Jockey Club papers arrived in the mail today! So it's finally officially official if you know what I mean.

Hope it warms up a little, it's suppose to be spring isn't it?!

Jill


I think Jill is a little jealous because she hasn't been able to go for walks around the whole farm like me. It really is nice and I even got to go into the woods some more. I was much better about crossing the stream the second time and other than almost jumping on Jackie as I cleared the stream; I was walking right up there next to her, not behind her like I usually do.  We even practiced jogging in hand a little.  She said that I need to do that for the Future Event Horse class in May.  Since it is a class for future event horses I wonder if I get to show them how I can step right up and off the bank jump and go right into the water.  Jackie said something about Lucinda being impressed.  I guess she's some famous event rider who comes here for clinics every year and she has horses practice walking up and down banks just like I did but with riders on them.  I got to do the bank and the water jump again on Sun and it is a lot of fun.  I don't know what the big deal is.

Since it was a nice day and all the big boys were out in the pasture Jackie turned me out with them for a couple of hours.  It wasn't bad until they all decided to come back up to eat at the round bale that things got uncomfortable. They still aren't very nice to me and I decided the best thing to do would be to blast through the ribbon gate and just leave. Once I got out there all by myself I didn't know what to do so I just ran and ran and suddenly it hit me, I'm all by myself and I don't know where I am.  I managed to find my way back and just as Jackie was rounding the corner of the barn I ducked under the fence back into the pasture & she put be back in the barn.  Whew!!

Since I discovered that  it was pretty easy to blast through the bottom ribbon and duck under the top one Jill and I snuck out a few nights while Jackie was out of town.  Somehow Kyle knew we had gotten out.  He said something about leaving evidence in the back yard.  Anyway he put up metal gates and we stayed in until the other night and that was when we got busted.  Then we had the disagreement about the shot and then I heard something about learning respect for the fence  Somehow that fence that I usually just blast through zapped me when I put my nose on it.  I jumped back and trotted away.  I couldn't believe what just happened so I thought I would check it out again and I got zapped again. I decided that I better just stay away from the fence but that apparently wasn't good enough.  Jill and I aren't allowed to go out together anymore because we were getting into too much trouble together.  Not good, not good at all.  Thank goodness the training went well to save the day.
 
Today is the second full day out with the big boys and things aren't going much better.  Pip will play with me a little, Gopher usually ignores me,  Tintin sometimes chases me with his ears back and Jethro, well lets just say that Jethro is the boss for a reason.  So I spend most of the time but myself and hanging around the barn in hopes that I can go back in.  When the horses go out in the pasture I go over to the round bale and eat while I can.  Laura came out to ride Kat & I just had to give her a little nicker when I saw her and then I stood on top of the hill and watched her as she was ridden.  I can't believe I miss that cute little mare.

Jackie assures me that I will eventually make a friend or two and that things will get better when Jethro leaves in a couple of weeks.  They say he's going out for trial to see if someone wants to lease him.  Here's hoping that he won't be coming back.

Any way, the training was interesting today.  Jackie used two lunge lines on me today.  She called it long lining or something like that.  At first it was a little confusing and I almost got tangled up a couple of times but then I got the hang of it and I was trotting around the round pen and changing direction at the trot and being told that I was a good boy.  I like that ;)

One more thing, I don't know what Jill was talking about me being cast the other day;  I just got kind of stuck when I was rolling and I had to push against the wall really hard with me feet so I could get up.  Yeah it was a little noisy and to be honest with you I was a little afraid that I wouldn't be able to get unstuck, but I managed to figure it out.

I hope Jackie has time to take me for another long walk again; I really enjoy those walks.  Besides that; it will get me away from the big boy for awhile. 

Jack

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Training is Going Well

Jill Waking up from a  a Great Nap
Since Kyle is visiting a friend today Jackie decided to work with me to see if she could get me to 'join up' better.  We worked in the round pen for awhile and I guess I kind of did 'it' but she made some comment about Jack being better at 'it' than I am.  Doesn't she know that I'm a strong independent young woman and Jack is,  how should I say this ...a little needy?  I mean come on, while I was working in the round pen I could hear him calling for me.  If that isn't needy I don't know what is.

Laura came down to ride Jethro as I was finishing up in the round pen so I got to hang out and watch him go.  It was the first time that Laura every rode him and they looked pretty good to me, but what do I know?  Then we went back to the barn together, kind of, Jackie kept stopping me and telling me to quit stepping on the back of her boots.  Picky, picky picky ;)

It was a nice warm day and I took a nice long nap in the afternoon.

Jill

I enjoyed my day off but to make sure I got my grooming I rolled in the mud on both sides!   It worked, I got an extra long grooming yesterday.  Jackie was right the day off to think about all that has been going on with my training lately and I think I'm getting it where this training is concerned.  I think I had my best day yet!  We always do something a little different along with a review of what we have already done.  Today I got the saddle put on me before I was worked in the round pen.  I walked all the way down the hill with the saddle on like a prefect gentleman; no refusing to move, no trying to get ride of the saddle, and no calling. 

We only had to practice a little voice commands before I joined up.  Jill has this all wrong, it's part of being willing partners, it has nothing to do with being needy!  I was simply calling words of encouragement while she was working. Anyway after our short and sweet work in the round pen we went for a walk along the same route we did the other day but I was much more relaxed and really enjoyed myself.  In fact I even got to stop at the water trough by the stabling barn and got a good long drink of water. All was going well until we took a left and headed up into the woods instead of taking a right and going back to the barn.  The woods wasn't so bad, it was the steep short hill through some really deep mud and over the stream that I could have done without.  When we got there Jackie told me to wait until she got to the other side, something about not wanting me to jump on her and knocking her into the mud or the creek.  I don't know what she was worried about; I had no intention of following her.  Well Jackie was on one side of the creek and I was on the other, what was I to do?  I wanted to be with her and wanted to trust her, but I just wasn't sure.  I backed up and took out the slack of the lunge line and Jackie joked that she really didn't want to cross the creek and the mud again.  She told me to just come over it was no big deal.  Since I didn't plant all 4 and refuse to go like I have done recently she just patiently waited for me to figure it out on my own.  I was a little nervous sliding down the hill in the mud and when I got to the creek I took a gigantic leap and didn't touch a thing!  Jackie praised me and made a big fuss and said that was good enough for today. 

The rest of the walk home was pretty uneventful but Jackie kept complaining that I was walking on the back of her boots.  I don't know, it seems to me that if she has the same problem with both Jill and me; maybe she's the one with the problem and she's walking in front of our feet.  Just saying ...

When we were almost back to the barn I looked down the hill and saw Kat being ridden in the dressage ring and  I couldn't help myself, I had to give her a shout out.  But that was the only time I opened my mouth the whole day; much improved over the last time.

One other thing I learned today; I'm suppose to keep walking while I'm pooping.  You've got to be kidding,  I'd like to see her do that!  So rather than walk and poop; I waited until she stopped for a break & then I took care of business.  I did that twice.  Pretty smart huh?

It was not only a beautiful sunny and warm day; it was a good day of training and enjoying life ;) I wonder what she has in store for me tomorrow?

Jack

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Jack "Joins Up" - Jill is Still Working on It

After a brief break from the training due to snow the training has continued.  Jackie has had more time than Kyle so I have been worked in the round  pen four times since the last post.  The round pen work has gone well but there have been a few problems getting to the round pen.  The next time we went to work in the round pen after a few days off we had to go through the paddock where the the big boys were eating hay & they all came over to visit.  I decided that I wanted to stay with the guys and planted all fours and when Jackie put pressure on my nose for me to get a move on I stood and my back legs to show her I didn't appreciate it.  Well I forgot that was against the rules and I got a reprimand and when I refused to go forward again I was made to go backwards.  I finally realized that it is better to just do what is expected of me and I walked down the rest of the way without further incident although I did call to the horses a few times.  After working in the round pen for a little while I 'got it'; I did what they call 'joining up'.  I wanted to join Jackie and I would follower her wherever she went.  When she stopped I stopped, when she turned I turned,  when she backed up I backed up;  I just wanted to be with her.  I'm not exactly sure why, but it was pretty cool. When we were done we went for a walk in the pasture and it was nice just hanging out together. So the session ended on a really good note, so I thought.

When we got back to the barn Jackie said if I wanted to hang out with the big boys so badly then she would give me my wish and she turned me out with the guys while all of my regular pasture mates were in the barn.  Whoa baby, I really didn't mean that I wanted turned loose with them and asked to go in the barn.  Jackie laughed and said 'you asked for it, you got it' and left me out with the big boys for a couple of hours.  She kept checking on me and I kept asking to come in because the boys weren't being very nice to me, especially that Jethro who kept reminding me that he was boss.  Finally I got to go back in the barn with my friends. Whew, glad that was over.

The next morning we were going to have another training session but this time I wouldn't even leave the barn because Jethro was right outside the door and I didn't want to get near him.  Jackie couldn't believe that I hadn't learned my lesson yet and was more than just a little annoyed.  She decided that I was going to have to figure it our for myself this time.  She went out the door and wrapped the lunge line around a post and put a steady pressure on my nose.  I thought of going up but I could have hit my head on the ceiling.  Once Jackie chased Jethro away I decided that it was safe to come out of the barn & I better move it along.  I stalled a couple of times when I had to pass closely by the other guys but I 'm learning the rules and walked the rest on the way down the hill with no incident until I saw something sitting on top of a round pen panel.  It kind of spooked me but curiosity got the better of me and I walked right up to it to check it out.  It turns out that it was the saddle that had been put on me a few weeks ago in my stall.  Every time I went past it I  wanted to check it out.  I 'joined up' quicker that day and then Jackie decided to put the saddle on me.  She let me sniff the pad before she put it on me and then the saddle; it wasn't too bad.  Then she sent me out to trot around again and OMG it felt funny and all I could think of was getting rid of it.  Jackie laughed and sent me forward and made some comment about me looking like a rodeo horse.  I got use to it and settled down & we called it a day.  We finished up with a walk around the pasture.  It all ended up pretty good and Jackie praised me and said how pleased she was that I didn't even whinny once!

The next day Walt (the farrier) was here to do the other horses feet so all of the horses were in the barn.  I went out right past Walt's equipment and truck without a problem.  I did let out one little whinny because I felt all alone with everyone in the barn.  Jackie reassured me that I wasn't alone because she was with me & she was right.  A good day in the round pen, only a few bucks with the saddle, spent a little time on the lunge line for the first time and an extra long walk in the pasture and I followed her right over a log.  A good day ;)

That bring us to today.  A little out of the routine to see what I have learned and to give me a new experience.  I didn't like the sounds of that, but so far Jackie hasn't steered me wrong.  Jackie came out to the pasture and put a halter on me and went down to the round pen while my pasture mates were still turned out.  I was walking very willingly and Jackie was pleased.  Jill followed me most of the way down and then ran back to the others.  That got me a little excited and I was firmly told that I needed to listen and then she talked to me in a reassuring tone of voice and helped me to relax and I was a good boy and got my face rubbed (my favorite).  Good work in the round pen, I wanted to start our all 'joined up' but Jackie insisted that I practice learning my voice commands for trot and canter.  I'm getting pretty good at that and no bucking with the saddle today.  Since the horses were in the pasture, Jackie decided to take me for a walk outside the pasture.  I walked right through a big puddle, stood politely while Jackie opened the fence and then closed it again.  Then it hit me,  I wasn't in the safety of the pasture anymore.  I started calling for my friends but I did NOT stop, I kept marching right along next to Jackie.  Jackie kept complaining about me getting in her space and screaming in her ear.  Sorry, I couldn't help myself, there was too much to look at and I was nervous. We finally got to a trail that was just on the other side of the pasture fence so I began to relax and enjoy the walk a little more until the ducks flew out of the pond.  Jackie laughed and reassured me that was normal and I settled right back down.  When I got to the top of the hill where I could see the other horses they gave me a little whinny to welcome me back, even Margee ;)  I had to go through the back yard and I walked right past the mini excavator without even talking a look. Whew, back to the barn safe and sound.

I was turned back out with my buds while Jackie cleaned the stalls then we all were brought in and Kyle took Jill right back out to work with her and Jackie turned out all the big boys.  For some reason that really bothered me today (hasn't bothered me before) and I made a big fuss.  I guess I was a little stressed out from the walk outside the pasture today.  Finally Jill came back, I got fresh bedding, took a good roll and everything was quiet again. I think I heard Jackie say that I needed a day off tomorrow so I would have time to think about everything that has happened that last few days.  Sounds good to me, but I hope I still get my grooming.

Jack

Well I haven't been nearly as busy as Jack; I have only been worked in the round pen twice.  I don't have any problems walking down to the round pen although I do have to be reminded to be polite and not get in too much of a hurry and get in Kyle's space.  The saddle was no big deal, no rodeo bucks here just a few kicks.  I must say I don't quite get this 'joining up' thing and when Kyle acts like he's part of my herd I act like I do with any horse who is trying to herd me around and I pin my ears and open my mouth.  Well that boy has some spunk, he came right back at me.  I have to respect him for that.  When he was visiting me at the feeder last night I reminded him to stay away from MY hay and pinned my ears and came at him with my mouth open and he put his arms up and accidentally whacked me in the face.  Whoa baby, that was a wake up call, he's a human not a horse; he's not going to take me food.  Boy am I embarrassed ... sorry Kyle; it won't happen again.

After working in the round pen today we walked back up to the barn a different way and we went into the water jump.  No big deal, I just followed Kyle in.  He tells me that I'm going to be a good event horse because I'm pretty brave.  Well I think I would have been a pretty good race horse too.  I just found out that my big brother Heisman Star, won a race the other day.  Way to go bro!

That's it for today.

Jill

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Let the Training Begin ... Round Pen 101

Jack here, I get to go first today because I got to work in the round pen a day before Jill.  Let me start by saying that this was the first time that I had been led that far and the first time that I went anywhere without Jill.  I had to go past the big boys who were out and I had to stand and wait while Jackie opened a gate and  then we had to walk down the big hill that was kind of slippery because of all the rain we have been having.  I stopped a couple of times to check everything out.  Jackie asked me to continue and I did and she told me that I was a good boy and she was happy I wasn't acting like a mule.  I don't know what she was expecting; I haven't done that mule behavior in quite some time.  She also seemed surprised that I wasn't calling for Jill.  I am almost 3 years old, what does she think I am, some sort of baby?

Anyway we got down to the sandy rings and the footing was much better.  Then I was taken into a round pen (didn't look very round to me) when after a couple of laps around the round pen I was unhooked and I could trot around.  Actually it was nice to move without worrying about slipping; I just wish I had more room to really run!  To start with I just trotted around and Jackie seemed really pleased with the way I was moving.  She made some comment about me being free in the shoulder and easily over tracking by 2 hoof prints.  I haven't a clue what she was talking about but she seemed pretty happy with it.  When Jackie's happy I'm happy ;)

After a little bit Jackie started pressing me a little more to change direction and canter some.  It seemed like a big game so I let out some pretty good bucks; the leap up with a twist.  Jackie was impressed, but she also seemed a bit concerned.  Not sure why.  All of a sudden I heard the mini ho starting up by the barn and I had to stop and watch it and for some reason I let out a big whinny.  Jackie laughed and after a little more work decided that I had enough for the first time so she hooked back up to my halter with the lead rope and we walked back up the hill to the barn.  I was much more willing to walk back to the barn, but I had to be reminded to stay out of Jackie's space.  Doesn't she realize that she's my security blanket?

The next day it was Jill's turn.  She didn't have to worry about gates and stuff like that because Jackie was there to close the gates while Kyle led her.  From what I hear she led down to the ring with no stopping and no whinnying either.  She was pretty good in the round pen but she really wasn't paying much attention to Kyle.  Apparently she wasn't ready to 'join up'.  I hear that is something that you're looking for when you do round pen work, I guess I didn't do it either.  I still don't know what it is, but when it happens I think I'll understand better.  Anyway Jill got hot and sweaty and went down to roll but she didn't get to enjoy it because she was too close to the fence and they were worried about her getting caught in the fence.  On her way back to the barn Kyle practiced stopping and starting with Jill because she sometimes wants to go too much some times.

Kyle had to go to work when he was done with Jill so it was just Jackie and me today.  For some reason I just didn't want to go down the hill today.  I don't know why but I just didn't want to go down the hill so I told Jackie by planting all four feet and refusing to move.  She asked me nice to get a move on but I stood my ground.  Well I guess that was the wrong thing to do.  She tapped me with the end of the lead rope and I ran in a small circle and stopped before I slipped and fell and I planted again and she called me a mule!#$@ I didn't like being called a mule so I went a few steps before stopping again.  This time she called me a cow and she said that she can play this game too and she just planted like me but with pressure on my halter.  After a little bit the pressure on the halter was getting uncomfortable so I jumped up in the air to relieve the pressure.  WELL ... I was told in no uncertain terms that rearing was against the rules and that I better shape up NOW.  I did as I was told but now I was upset because I got into trouble.  Don't ask me why I did it, but all of a sudden I found myself letting out a cry for help.  Jackie laughed and rubbed me and reassured me that it's not big deal and I should chill out.  Easy for her to say.

By the time I got to the round pen I was already mentally whooped so Jackie took it easy on me.  She shot a video of me but I hear it didn't turn out maybe next time.  She did manage to get a picture of Jill though.  What work we did do in the round pen really helped me to relax and when I was done Jackie worked with me on my leading, backing up and moving when I was asked.  We practiced that ALL the way up the hill.  I did not have to be reminded to stay out of Jackie's space and she was really happy with me and gave me lots of rubs and good boys.  I think she has forgiven for my earlier inappropriate behavior.  Next time I will be better but that may be a couple of days, more rain ;(

Jack

Jill - First day in the round pen
Well I must say that my behavior was much better than Jack's.  He's such a drama king sometimes.  I don't know why he made such a big deal about walking down the hill especially since he did it the day before.  Oh well, not my problem.  I thought it was a nice change of pace and a chance to move around on good footing.  I just wish there was good sandy footing in the whole pasture like there is in the round pen so we could really run.  I guess we wouldn't have any grass to eat if it was all sand but I'm getting tired of the rain always messing things up. Right now we're locked up in a smaller pasture so we don't mess up the big pasture. 

One more note; Kyle put a proper saddle today.  It was a little heavier but still not a problem.  He said that next time I do round pen work he's going to put the saddle on me so I can get use to it .  So far this training stuff is going pretty good.

Jill

Friday, March 4, 2011

Does the Tooth Fairy Come for Horses? And Jack Gets Introduced to the Noisy Sucking Machine

It seems when Jackie is away and the sun is shinning either Kyle or Kevin let us all out together.  We were busy watching Mr. yellow boots building a fire to clean up some limbs from a tree that had been cut down.  It was kind of scary but very interesting too.  Dave had driven down through in a small green vehicle called a Gator (don't ask me why it's called that) and the dogs seem to love riding in it.  When it was sitting there unattended we cautiously crept up to it to check it out.  The dog they call Greta never got out of it so we checked her out too.  We didn't stay out with the big boys too long because Jethro started behaving badly around Margee and that seems to irritate Kyle.  It didn't matter I wanted my breakfast anyway.

My Tooth

I usually really enjoy eating my breakfast but for some reason I was having trouble eating my grain today when all of a sudden one of my back teeth come out. I was really worried at first but then I realized that it was much easier to eat after it fell out and there was another tooth to take it's place. I was told to get use to because I was going to be shedding more molars. What are they talking about, I'm shedding hair maybe, but I'm loosing teeth.  They made a joke about the tooth fairy.  I hope the tooth fairy comes for horses; I don't need any money but a treat would be nice.

It's starting to rain so it won't be quite so nice turned out but with rain comes mud and I love to roll in the mud; it feels soooo good!  Then when it dries I get an extra long grooming.  I just hope Kyle doen't try to suck the mud off with the noisy machine that Jackie used on Jack.  He didn't seem very happy about it.

That's it for now.

Jill

I like to roll in the mud but I do not like that noisy machine that looks like a giant snake and feels like it's trying to suck my skin off.   They call it a vacuum  cleaner; I call it scary.  Jackie rubbed me with the vacuum and I wasn't sure about it and then she turned it on and I really wasn't so sure about it, then she started to use it on my body & all I wanted to do is leave, but I couldn't because I was in those darn cross ties.  Jackie came up to my head and tried to calm me down but she was still holding the end of that scary machine & I tried to tell her I just wanted out of there!!  I guess reaching out with my front leg wasn't the best way to try to communicate.  Jackie yelled at me and called me a bad boy and told me that striking was NOT allowable behavior. She hasn't talked to me like that in a long time when I was first learning the rules.   She could tell I didn't mean it and put the machine down but she didn't turn it off.  She said something about me having to get use to it and started to groom me the normal way, but I just couldn't relax and enjoy it like I usually do so Jackie put me back in my stall.

I thought whew, thank goodness that was over, or so I thought.  Jackie brought the vacuum down by my stall and hung the long blue snake part over the top of the stall.  Of course I'm curious and had to check it out.  In fact I even tried to put it in my mouth but then it started making that awful noise and it startled me.  Well Jackie just let that thing run and make all sorts of noise for awhile and then she turned it off and back on and back off. That seemed to go on forever but I was very brave and never ran away from it. All the time she was talking to me telling me that I had to learn to trust her and that she would never do anything to trick or hurt me and she then told me I was a good boy and rubbed my head and all was good.  That is until she came in my stall and put a halter on me and started to vacuum me.  I still didn't like it very much but I tried really hard to trust Jackie and she didn't vacuum me too long and we finished with more good boys and rubs on the forehead.  This trust thing is a little hard when I'm scared but I'm working on it.

Jack

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

We Got Our First Pedicure Today

After a few weeks of practicing picking up our feet Jackie decided that it was time for us to have a visit from the farrier ( that must be what they call someone takes care of horses' feet ).  Margee got her feet done first and then it was Jack's turn.  They were in the wash rack which is right next to my stall but I couldn't see what was going on because of a tall wall between my stall and the wash rack, but I could hear what was going on.  Walt, the farrier, seemed like a nice guy and he was talking to Jackie and said that he would take it real slow so as to not make Jack nervous.  I heard a lot of good boys and only once did I hear that Jack pulled his foot away.  When Walt was done they remarked at how much better his feet looked after Walt  took the flair off.  Don't ask me what that means, but they say in a couple of more trimmings his feet should be in good shape.  Before I knew it Jack was done and it was my turn.

I was a little excited when I got in the wash rack but Dave had a great idea to calm me down ... he went straight for the sweet spot and scratched.  Yeah, it worked.  Anyway Walt picked up my feet and put them between his legs like Kyle practiced with me and then snipped my feet to trim them and then finished then up with a giant nail file called a rasp.  Jackie kept rubbing my head and telling me I was a good girl and when I tried to pull my feet a little Walt would make some silly joke and everyone laughed.  Before I knew it I was done and for a reward Dave gave me an extra long scratch on the sweet spot.  Life is good!!


I heard Jackie and Dave talking with Walt and he was happy with how well we behaved and said that we should be pretty easy to train.  Then he said something about putting shoes on us when we start getting ridden.  Whoa baby, one thing at a time please!  But he is right, we are good students.  Who wouldn't want to be?  All you have to do is follow a few simple instructions and remember what you learned the day before and they make a big fuss over you.  I like it ;)

Jill

I only have a little to add.  Walt seems like a really nice guy and I appreciate that he didn't get mad at me when I pulled  my foot away when the rasp tickled my foot. Jackie kept rubbing my forehead and telling me I was a good boy and I didn't pull my foot away again.  I think I would do almost anything for the good boys and getting my my forehead rubbed  ;)

After Walt left Jackie put me back in the wash rack for some serious grooming.  My hair is really shedding and Jackie used something called a shedding blade and it felt sooooooo good.  I hope she uses it again tomorrow.

Since Walt was here today all of the horses were in the barn at the same time which meant that I got to visit with Tintin since I just got moved to a stall next to him. He reached his head over the partition and started scratching and licking me.  I'm not quite sure why he was doing it, but it was kind of nice.  Maybe he isn't such a bad guy after all.

I hear Kyle and Jackie may be putting up a round pen soon and that Jill and I are going to start our training in there.  I'm not sure what that's all about but so far so good and if it means more good boys and rubbing my forehead; I'm good.

Jack