Finally...the saddle pad picture

Downloaded, uploaded... right loaded left loaded...whatever. i did a bunch of these and voila, i FINALLY got my pictures off my camera. the real issue was remembering to bring in the dang contraption, along with the necessary cords and software.

So here she is, in all her spectacularness- wearing a saddle pad!!! Way to go Cassie!!!

This was a few weeks ago, while still at the old place. We had been working with extreme friendly game stuff- meaning slapping sticks and strings and tarps all around her. She still isn't too keen on a rope being tossed OVER her, but that'll change as we work on it more. But once she was semi successful, i moved to something else, which was my $1 garage sale saddle pad. I figured I wouldnt be too bummed if it got ruined.

As you can see, she was ground tied, and pretty calm about the whole thing. Very brave girl.

I had a most wonderful weekend with my other pony kids. The weather was great, the horses were happy. I got to spend a lot of quiet time with them, and i did manage to do a little grooming, barn cleaning, and a few games.

The horses love the sunny weather, they laid down to soak up as much of it as they could- it was very cute!

The other horse kids...

Brief Hiatus in visitin Cassie/ Zanaella. She just moved to new property, and while they are getting set up, I am respecting their space.

Of course this means I have *some* extra time to devote to Frank and Faith, pictured here, for a Christmas picture. What that means, really, is that I get to shovel poop and mix feeds, clean water buckets, move manure piles...LOL Yesterday, for about 10 minutes, I got to play with Frank. We played the 'put your nose on something' game. At first he was like 'what on earth are we doing?' but after about the second object, he got it. From there, all i had to do was send him, and he followed my focus right to the object I was thinking. It was lots of fun.

I chose to play with Frank because he WANTED to play yesterday. Faith wanted to watch. Frank watched part of the lesson I was giving, and waiting anxiously for the rider to dismount and untack so he could wear the saddle. To give her a break, i got my own halter out, and he followed me, ready to 'do' something.

Still too messy/ mushy for me to be riding unfit, green horses in the arena. One slip and we're in trouble. I'd rather not take the chance right now. Even our ground games are walk only, and have to do with following feel and giving to pressure. Like yesterday, I started to porcupine Frank's leg w/ a leadrope, have him follow the feel. He's really smart and got it after 2 tries.

I don't know if I mentioned, but Frank is moving! To a smallish boarding barn, where there are some horses to play with, and lots of excitement. Access to trails, instructors, and a playground. Frank is the kind of horse who needs a lot of stimulation, so i figure this move will be excellent for him. He's young and he's a 'mover and a shaker' out to see the world. heck if i get in the way!

That'll open space up for me to move Cassie/ Zanaella up to Maple Valley- which will be good for me- and her as we'll have more time together.

So there's a little update. Horses all seem healthy *knock on wood* and happy. Much happier now since the sun has decided to come out to play for a few days!

-Ally

Sooo Sorry!

Ok...I know life gets busy, but i really have no excuse for not updating my own dang blog.

I'll have to keep this short and sweet.

Cassie is doing well. She's adopted...cuz I adopted her!!! WOOHOO! That all went down last week, and I couldn't be happier about it. I had been on the fence, really wanting her to get to a nice home- but one that wanted her just was not popping up.

In the meantime, we really buckled down on working with stuff like saddle pads, ropes, halters- you know, the scary horse eating monsters that live at the barn just to torture horses.

Cassie is making piece with these, and is really trusting my judgement. So i figured now is just not the time to find her an adoptive home. she's showing so much potential, and i really want to be the one who sees her through. i want her to be my riding buddy. really, i need her as much as she needs me.

I have pictures i need to post of her conquering the saddle pad monster, but i have to figure out how to download them from my spankin' new camera.

Also, Cassie has moved, along with the barn...20 acre haven in McKenna. She is still with her QH friend. Eventually she'll move to Maple Valley to be closer to me, but that is still at least a month out.

I'll try to update more often, but i can't promise anything, apparently....

-Ally