We'll look back and laugh...

Our contractor called at 5:00 am yesterday to say he's coming over to install the inground watering system. Talk about short notice. Since it's really late and we're not relishing the thought of dragging a hose out every day to water the horses, we said OK! Little did we know what a mistake that was.

Now that Bob's retired, he's driving school bus, and after returning from the morning trip, he came back home to find a 6 foot trench up to the horse fence and the guys waiting for him to do some 'shopping'. "Where's the electrician?" they asked. Off goes Bob to find the waterer, electrical and plumbing supplies. After arranging for a waterer to be transferred to the Osseo Stockman's tomorrow and two tries for other supplies and still short, it's on to Menard's where his truck breaks down and I get the phone call. I wrapped up what I was working on (I wasn't having the greatest day at work so why not?) and went home to find my inlaws in the drive (Bob called them to tell them not to come today, but the message arrived 10 minutes too late) and Pete knocking at the door to tell me to go rescue Bob. I picked up Bob at the auto shop and got him home in time for him to do his afternoon 'delivery'. Then I tried getting an electrician (no luck, what are you thinking - you want me when?), got another hose from the garden, dragged a water trough out back and filled it with water. Next I stole some plastic posts and tape from the front pasture and roped off the construction area so the horses could get back to their hay supply. Whew.

This morning we playfully told each other - see, we can laugh about this today. Turned on the shower. No hot water.

Saddle woes

Dawna stopped by tonight to clear up some nagging questions I have. Am I saddling Sparkler correctly? How can I get her to overcome her headshyness? Why is this girth strap so long? First we saddled Sparkler with the Abetta saddle I bought in Kentucky. I had no idea how high up or back to place the saddle, but Dawna gave me the lowdown. The saddle should be placed with the pressure point (the point of most pressure on the shoulder under the saddle) about an inch behind the shoulder bone to allow freedom of movement. This is a lot farther forward than I'd thought.

We slid our hands underneath the pressure point to make sure it wasn't too tight, and lo and behold it presses harder on one side! It also sits crooked. It's as if the saddle is twisted. Try as we might, we could not relieve the pressure. Sparkler is wide in the shoulders but narrower in the chest - typical of Tennessee Walkers. The conclusion--not a good fit for her.

Note: later I found this site with excellent information on saddle fitting.

Dawna went out to her truck and brought in her gorgeous Circle Y and we tried that. It, too, was tight, so back to the truck to get her Wintec 500 English saddle. It fit really well! So I'm on the lookout for one.

Bridling is a problem. As soon as we get it near her ears, she spooks. Moving your hand near her ears is troublesome. So Dawna did the approach and retreat method of rubbing up the neck but back down as soon as she showed signs of freaking. Eventually, and ever so slowly, you can win her confidence with this.

She rubbed the bit with a chunk of apple (what else does Dawna carry in her truck?) and Sparkler readily licked it. So if she sees the bridling experience as safe and good tasting, she'll like to be bridled? I guess time will tell.

Good feet

What a relief! I have been trying to get a farrier for months. After the local guy left, I found the names of a couple of others. The first on the list never answered my calls. The next was too busy, but recommended his new protege - a young gal named Kate. I worried a bit because of Red's size, but I'd be the last person in the world to let sex alone be the judge, so we set it up and she came at 8:00 this morning.

Was it the Quietex or did Red really love having his hooves cut, rasped and filed? Or did he just like Kate? He was an angel. So was Sparkler. Kate was done with both in a half hour.

She says Red's feet are perfect, despite the light color. She says color has nothing to do with their toughness. Sparkler's feet show a tendency to wear more on one side (don't remember if she said inside or outside), and grew faster than Red's. Another 8 weeks and I'm calling Kate again!

Back and forth we go

We've been having a fantastic fall with temperatures above normal. Yesterday, Saturday, was one of those days you dream about. Sunny with temps in the 60's, no bugs to bother you and you have the day off. So I ignored Red and took Sparkler out for a ride. It went well. This was the first ride in my new riding area which is now about 50 X 100 feet, roped off with plastic posts and one row of 1 1/2" tape. The only real problem I had was that Sparkler did not stay stopped for me to dismount. Luckily I am in the habit of freeing my left foot from the stirrup and jumping down with both feet because she took off in mid dismount and there was no chance of dragging my foot along with her.

Well, today was another great day weather-wise -- almost a carbon copy of yesterday -- so why not try again? Saddling was no problem, but bridling turned into a epic battle. No matter which side I tried, she would not let me get the bridle near her ears. She has shown this headshyness before but I've always been able to work with it. Not today. After fighting for 15 minutes I decided to put the bridle away and just work on getting my hand up by her ears and pulling her head down. After another 10 minutes we had that down.

While it was disappointing not to ride, I've come to realize just how nice a mare she is. All the while we were struggling, she never displayed any meanness. And when I pull her head down, she is just as submissive as can be.

Greener on the Burdock side

I've read that horses won't wander if they have green grass and I guess it's true. Now that we've had frosty nights, there's slim pickin's. So the horses are getting into the taped off area that's supposed to protect them from the deep ravines to get to the good stuff. Unfortunately that'a also where the burdock is. I just found out what that obnoxious weed is called.

Both Red and Sparkler look like unicorns. The burs from this plant have bound all the hair in their forelocks and it's standing up straight.

So, we slid the round bale feeder in place in the loafing shed and used the skid steer to put the first round hay bale in it. Actually we tipped the feeder on its side and dropped it over the bale. Then we mowed down the roped off area and hopefully chopped up all the burs.

Burdock it turns out, has a two-year cycle. The first year it only grows those elephant size leaves close to the ground. The next year it develops a stalk, has pink blooms and then develops the burs that stick to everything. If you are really hungry, you can eat the root. They say it tastes like chicken (just kidding, artichoke hearts).