2007-2010 March 15th

March 15, 2007

The snow is melting, but it freezes back over at night and this morning the roads were a sheet of ice and the pastures were frozen solid into ruts and hoofprints.  I groomed Phoenix, then took him for a walk - the footing was too dangerous to ride.  I tried grooming Onyx today in the run, but he was completely disrespectful and kept walking away from me.  That boy is definitely going to need some heavy-duty groundwork in the Spring to remind him who's boss!

March 15, 2008

Finally had a beautiful day today - mild temp, sunny skies and very few people at the farm - so I actually got a chance to ride both horses!  Dave led Onyx and I rode Phoenix for about 30 minutes up and down the roads.  Had to do a few serpentines but overall he did great.  We did a smaller route (about 15 minutes) with Onyx, with Dave using the mecate rein to lead and me riding.  Discovered that Onyx needs some desensitizing work from the saddle - he kept trying to trot when I slap my leg or the saddle.

March 15, 2009

Beautiful Spring day - 10C and sunny, and I even saw my first robin of the year!  After Dave and I cleaned stalls and groomed on the concrete pad (it was very muddy everywhere else!) I clipped Phee's bridle path, then did some flexing, Lungeing for Respect- Stage 1, Yielding the Hindquarters- Stage 2, circle driving and desensitizing to stick and string, slap the ground and Run Up and Rub.  I handed him off to Dave for some grazing time, then Onyx and I did flexing, Lungeing for Respect- Stage 1, backing, desensitizing to stick & string, slap the ground, then we practiced some leading exercises up the driveway.  Some Amish boys got to pet Onyx by the road and Phee got desensitized to motorcycles!

March 15, 2010

The draining of the property has slowly begun, but there's still water standing everywhere, so we left the horses in the corral today.  When we got home, we took them out and let them "graze" for awhile on the other side of the creek.  Onyx was very keyed up and kicked Dave on the thigh coming down the driveway.  We walked down Substation (towards 14) a ways - on the way back we could see the neighbour lady with her dog on the road and Phee was very bothered - even shaking!  They definitely need some exposure!