Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Summer’s End

Blue & Rosie
As the summer draws to an end, thought I’d do a quick update.  This summer was brutally hot and humid and we didn’t get much work done with the horses.  It was too hot to work them and they were as miserable as we were.  I did get in a few rides on Rosie and Blue very early in the morning around 6:30, before the barn had to be cleaned.

Rosie has had a few hacks around the farm under saddle.  She’s a good girl, not really spooky at all.  When she does come upon something she’s not quite sure of, she simply plants her feet and refuses to move until she figures out that the gremlins won’t attack her.  A few gentle squeezes and she sighs and moves on.  After my horse Erik, I’ll take it!  Anything is better than a spin and bolt.

She’s really improving in her gaits, too.  Her trot is lovely when she brings her front end up and tracks up with her rear foot into her front footprints.  I didn’t know she had it in her, but I’m pleased she does.  Her canter isn’t bad, but it is still off-balance and her legs sort of do that egg-beater thing as she canters around.  We’re working on it and she’s coming along.  We found out that she’s a superstar at free longeing, too.  One piece at a time and plenty of time to get there because we’re in no hurry and want to take it slow with her.

Rosie -Free Longeing
Rosie was drawing a crowd of admirers
"Keep your head down Grady or we're next!"


Blue continues to be …well, Blue.  Instead of riding him, we thought we’d give him a break and longe him one day.  Well, Blue walked around twice, took himself into a trot once around, then took himself into a canter for once around and stopped and walked over to get his pets and basically say “I’m done!” When he was unhooked from the longe he took himself into the barn and stood by the tack room door.  He knows after work everyone gets a carrot and stud muffin with a peppermint.  You just can’t argue with an opinionated horse that’s smarter than you!

Blue after a grueling ten minutes of self - longeing
Grady " Um, you know you're drinking from the wrong side of the fence right?"

" So what's your point"

Quote for Today
It is difficult to explain ones love for horses, it cannot be explained, it is simply felt!

20 comments:

  1. Lol. I totally get Blue. He's smart! It's too hot. My horses are so lethargic in saddle right now, I can't tell if they're sick and dying or just conserving energy. I got off an early trail ride today that was much more work for me than my horses. :) But Autumn is so close, I can smell it, and I can't wait! Rosie sure sounds like a fun horse to ride!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blue is a character. He always makes me laugh. Glad you got a trail ride in. The weather is changing, it seems cooler here too. I can't wait for Autumn, it's my favorite season. Rosie is a good girl, I'm very happy I got her.

      Delete
    2. Replying to your comment on my blog:

      Do the Duluth shirts run big or small? True to size?

      We do have one nearby. I may need to go there in person. They have a food sale right now.

      Delete
    3. Good sale, that is.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the update. It’s been a hot summer for sure. Rosie sounds wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Rosie is a sweet girl. I can't wait for this summer to be over, it was brutal.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Frankie prefers Blue's work schedule as well except all he gets is "cookies" and a free graze at the end. Regardless, two laps is plenty, eh? ;-D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! If Frankie is anything like Blue he's got two speeds- Slow and Stop!

      Delete
  5. Blue cracks me up. I love horses with a sense of humor (who use their powers for good and not evil lol.)

    This summer has been wretched, temp and humidity-wise at least. Val and I both had to be medicated for allergies, and he - along with almost all the horses on the island - stopped sweating once July hit. It has been just delightful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blue makes me laugh almost everyday. God forbid you're late with his morning feed, he throws his lead rope and anything else he can reach on his door into the aisle. When the vet came for Spring shots he was still sleeping/resting and refused to get up. So he got his shots laying down. Even the vet was amused.

      And yeah, this summer sucked!

      Delete
  6. Hi, i new rosie (was known as Rosita) in MN. Yes she was a western pleasure horse and had been shown a couple times. She had been ridden in both i door and outdoor arenas. I rode her quite a few times and started to bond with her until she was sold. I tried to buy her but finances stopped that. She had had 1 foal that I know of. Im so happy she ended up in a home that doesnt force things on her. I lived this mare!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Chris, it's so nice to hear from you. I am happy to learn some things about Rosita. When we bought her there was no information available as to what she did or where she came from. Her papers say her name was Rosita but they were calling her Rosie so we did too. I'm sorry it didn't work out for you and her. You should know that we all love her. She's my horse but a favorite with my daughter too. She is so sweet and lovable. She spends her days out grazing with the boys all day and comes in to a huge stall with a ceiling fan and they all get carrots or a treat every night with their feed. They're all a little spoiled. All of our horses are family and here for life, she will never be sold so she has a forever home. She doesn't have to work much, mostly just on the weekends when we have time.

      When I was looking for another horse I tried one at the place where Rosita was, he wasn't right for me. I saw her in a field grazing and asked about her. Then I rode her and fell in love with her on the spot. We've been together since that day and I couldn't be happier.

      Please feel free to stop by any time and add to my knowledge of her I would love to know all about her past life!

      Delete
  7. What a great update with so many lovely photos to go with it! Looks like everyone is happy and healthy. I am laughing about Blue and know he brings you much humor in his/your daily lives. What a character! Rosie continues to sound like a really nice horse for you and I hope once we get fall weather you can enjoy her even more. It has been hot here too and very buggy this year. I see all of us perking up some as we have highs in the 80s instead of 90s+ and lows in the 50s a few nights this week. It’s time for some cooler weather! I haven’t ridden since March. It’s awful and I feel like my body and my spirit needs it. Keil seems happy enough without work under saddle but I think he’ll enjoy some work with the treats that come after once we get back to it. Cody too. There’s a 10-year old interested in riding the Little Man - not sure it’s going to work out schedule-wise but if it was a good fit between she and he I would love it. He needs a little girl to keep him thinking. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Blue is a character and can always bring a smile with his antics. Everyone is happy and healthy and enjoying their grazing time and the weather that seems to be cooling off here. The flies are still annoying though. Rosie is a sweet girl and seems to be enjoying herself here. I hope it works out for the Little Man and the little girl. It would be a nice experience for both of them.

      Delete
  8. Sorry about your hot and humid summer - miserable! We've had a really nice summer overall. Some scorchers for sure, but interspersed with pleasant days, cool nights and even a few rain showers. Almost perfect by my standards! I'm happy that fall is just around the corner though...I love the Fall.
    Your horses look great - fat and sleek! Was good to hear from you again!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lori,
      Glad you had a good summer. I can't wait for the Fall. It's my favorite season too! Good to hear from you too.

      Delete
  9. Rosie seems like a real sweetie, and Blue? Well, he’s a joker, that’s for sure!
    We’ve had a fairly pleasant summer in the Pacific Northwest...but I’ve been sidelined, first with cataract surgery, then a major rebuild of my wrist! Snuck in a ride last weekend, but got my first cast off today, and the doc chided me for doing too much with the arm (and I didn’t even tell him about the ride😉). And this weekend, Kate came up lame! So we’re probably done for the season. Next year!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sorry to hear about your wrist that must have hurt. I had cataract surgery a few years ago too. Everything seems to go to pot as we get older doesn't it? Glad you snuck in a ride and I think you'll still have time before the cold weather hits. Blue was lame for two weeks with a bad abscess but I think he's healed now. And, yes, he is a character! Rosie is a real sweetie too. Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Catching up here, and everywhere. Love the photos & captions!! What a character Blue is, my Koda is similar in some ways. How awesome to hear from someone that knew Rosie before she joined your family. I tried with a lesson horse that I passed on purchasing, but not everyone is open to connecting. Please do share if you learn more about your girl. I've followed your blog for years. I feel like I know you fairly well and can confidently say, Rosita hit the jackpot!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi aurora,
    Thanks for stopping by. Blue is a real character, he makes me smile or laugh everyday. I was really happy to hear more about Rosie's previous life. I hope the girl continues to contact me with as much information as she knows.

    ReplyDelete

It's so nice of you to take the time to visit. I appreciate your stopping by and commenting on what I've written. Even though I sometimes don't have the time to reply to each comment, I do enjoy reading them.