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| "Blue, Donnie & Dusty" |
We
finally had some decent weather this past weekend, temperatures in the 70’s and
lower humidity. Dusty and I managed to
ride. I’m happy to report she is still
standing quietly at the mounting block.
I even mounted from the four-step block in the outdoor arena just by swinging my leg
over and picking up the stirrups once I was in the saddle. The statue that is now Dusty never moved an inch. This
is getting scary but I could get used to it. My daughter rode Grady and he was
awesome. Afterward we loaded the tack into
the mule and deposited it back in the barn then headed back out to distribute
some well-deserved treats.
Here
are some pictures of the herd being themselves:
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| Mellon "If I could just figure out how to start this thing we could be the horses from hell" | |
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They've successfully subdued the mule and extracted the empty treat container
Now to figure out the next plan of attack |
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Grady "Hey, Nate do you think there's any treats on the roof" Nate "I dunno, let's check it out" (These two share a brain)
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| Grady & Donnie discover hay in the bed of the treat-mobile |
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| Blue being Blue and not getting involved with the rest of the beggars, he'll just wait for his slaves to hand deliver his treats to him | |
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| Dusty "Did those stupid boys leave anything for me!" | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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| Sami "I just know there's more in here somewhere" |
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| "Looks like the party's over" |
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Quote for Today
A little horseplay... the way best to enjoy a summer day!
They sure are fun, aren't they? I love how horses who are loved and well cared for develop such playful personalities. Wish all animals had that kind of lives. Yours are beautiful and a treat to see...and your pastures are still so green! Ours are cropped short and are brown and dead, dead, dead. Hope our hay supply lasts. I think Dusty's lessons are going to stick. The girl's got it!!
ReplyDeleteC-ingspots,
DeleteOur horses have a lot of personality because we let them. Even Grady is fitting in with the herd now that he's figured out nobody is going to get after him for the slightest infraction. He's such a sweetheart.
Our pastures were a little brown for a while but then we got some much needed rain and they came back. Hope your pastures do the same.
As for Dusty, well, she's always a wild card so I'll have to wait and see how it goes with her. I don't want to jinx myself by saying she's got it just yet...
the equine version of the ice cream man! :-)
ReplyDelete(and if mellon had opposable thumbs, forget stealing the mule, that horse would take over the world!)
Mellon is definitely an evil genius. I'm sure he's still thinking of a way to take over the world at large, he's already taken over his farm world!
DeleteThank you Cara!
ReplyDeleteAs always, I love seeing your herd - and happy to hear you had good rides! Maybe there is light at the end of this long, hot summer. :)
ReplyDeletebillie,
DeleteI hope this past weekend is the start of something good weather wise too.
The ponies and pastures are looking lusssssschious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori, I think things are starting to cool down a bit. And the horses are enjoying the cooler days and nights too. Wish the darn flies would take a powder too.
DeleteDo they lick the windows and mirrors to death? Ours used to do that long ago when we used the Landrover to bring hay and water to the field we were renting.
ReplyDeleteWe nearly had to put the wipers on when we were ready to leave!
Martine,
DeleteThey don't lick the mirrors because we don't have any on the mule. But they do give it a thorough going over to make sure no treat has been missed.
It's certain that you have some very clever horses on your gorgeous pastures!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos and your witty comments!
Sometimes I think they really do think they are smarter than us and other times I'm convinced of it. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteEverybody just looks terrific! I am glad that Dusty is behaving herself at the mounting block (well, today anyway...) I have to say, that last photo of
ReplyDeleteSami is absolutely adorable! I want to give her (him?) a big smooch!
Hi Mary,
DeleteThanks, Ssmi is adorable and a sweet little guy. He's the Arabian stallion we rescued about three years ago when he was five. He's no longer a stallion by the way. He's our littlest one at only about 14.2hh. I'd love to find a small adult or child to ride him.
My Boys are equally fascinated by the tractor. I swear if one of them could operate the controls they'd be hooleying all over with it! Looks like your gang is of the same mind.
ReplyDeleteNever underestimate a horse's brain....*G* (Meaning, don't leave the keys if the mule is in their reach. *lol*)
Hi Jean,
DeleteThe keys are never in their reach. I never underestimate them :)
"The statue that is now Dusty" ... just makes me smile.
ReplyDeleteHi Carson,
DeleteI'm smiling too. Thank you for your wonderful post about how to help her understand what I wanted her to do. If it wasn't for your help I don't think we would be this far along with her mounting issues.
Wow! Dusty finally got the memo about the mounting block, but I know that it was not without some tough love. Congrats are in order for her trainer (you)!
ReplyDeleteHorses can be so brazen. Non-horse people have no idea. They mug the gator-mobile like crazy if you drive in their paddock to clean up. They were getting their noses too close to chainsaws and wood chippers this summer, so we had to uninvite them as the trees around their paddock were being cut and cleared. Sometimes I wish they were more afraid of stuff like that. You know, stuff that could actually hurt them.
Hi Val,
DeleteI wish they were more afraid of things that could hurt them too. Amazing that they'll spook at a plastic bag but will have to snoopervise everything else in their pasture. I've had them hanging over painter's or handyman's shoulders seeing what they're doing.
Oh my goodness, that last picture of Sami is precious! I'd love to smooch that cute little nose too :)
ReplyDeleteSami would love you to smooch him. He soaks up attention like a sponge. I must have spent 10 minutes scratching under his jaw. He can't get enough.
DeleteGood going with the monting block momemteum! Brings a smile to my face.
ReplyDeleteThose photos are hilarious!! Mine would have gotten IN! Love that mule too.
Blue was funny, just waiting .
Happy that it seems to be cooling for most. Man, that hot humid , laps ones energies.
Hope it stays and thete are more excellent rides like you described!
I hope the weather lasts too. This summer was the worst yet. Blue is Blue he's a lone wolf horse. He's a very cool dude and marches to his own drum so to speak.
DeleteWow! Long may Dusty continue with her statue-impressions!! Great that you had another ride with her.
ReplyDeleteYour horses are just too cute; love the captions. And especially love Blue, don't know what it is about him but I do enjoy him, even when he's not doing anything *lol*
Hi Joy,
DeleteBlue is awfully cute. He conserves a lot of energy just by being Blue. He's very sweet too. Even though I'm not supposed to have favorites...
Glad Dusty is being so good. She's such a beauty. Very cute pictures and captions - you have quite the personalities there!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sending me the links to your stirrup reviews. I have exactly the same problem you had - Rogo wants to walk off (only in cold weather, right now he's too lazy lol) and I'm left trying to get the outside stirrup. It would be a safer ride for me as well as more comfortable. I'm wondering if these wouldn't help my husband ride more comfortably too, with his hip problem. Thanks again!
Carol,
DeleteI like the MDC Intelligent stirrups because it is easier to pick up the outside stirrup quickly while mounting and they're comfortable. I also used the Herm Springer System 4 Stirrups for a while and occassionally still do. They might help your husband with his hip problem. Here's a post I did on them a while back: http://greyhorsematters.blogspot.com/2009/07/review-herm-sprenger-stirrups.html Check it out before you make a decision, either stirrup works well depending on what you need it for.
Your horses around the treat mobile are cute. Mine do this to our ATV. Keep up the good work with Dusty.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sage. I guess all horses are curious about vehicles.
DeleteCute post, they clearly love their treat-mobile and no doubt the operator too. Such unique personalities, interacting with them is one of the best parts of horsekeeping. Nice pics, that last photo is really great!
ReplyDeleteThanks aurora, they do love their treats. Sami is a cutie, he makes the best faces and is very photogenic.
ReplyDeleteGlad the weather is making it more comfortable to ride and do just about anything out-of-doors, including enjoying snacks under the clouds. Hope the rest of the summer cooperates for you and give you more opportunities to hop on Dusty and enjoy the trails!
ReplyDeleteThanks dj, I hope the weather continues to stay like this for a while too. It should be good for you and Toby to enjoy your walks and swims too.
Delete