Phase 1 complete

It was back to Menard's first thing this morning for the 10' 2X6s, an extra 5" post and some work gloves and a fence stretcher.

Once back, we nailed up the runners. The bottom rail is 12" at the lowest with 18" between the 3 sets of runners. It looks great!

After storing the extra lumber, we loaded up the gear and hauled it to the east end where we'll start our next phase of this project. We've decided to use our round cedar posts instead of railroad ties, except for the gate. For that we'll use the left over 5" post and the extra one we bought this morning.

We started clearing weeds from the space so we could mark the post lines -- and it started sprinkling. It was lunch time anyway. After lunch it turned into an all out rain. So I changed course and moved upstairs to my latest inside project - painting and carpeting a small bedroom. That's another blog.

It did clear up enough later in the afternoon to pick some more cherries before Bob had to golf. My leg is still bothering me so I had to pass on golf league.

Posts are in

We got an earlier start on the fence today. First we finished digging the holes, then planting the posts and tamping the dirt down. The post hole near the silo is not very deep. We ran into a pile of bricks at 2 feet, but it will have to do because we ran into a huge boulder next to that spot.

We need to let the post settle, so we switched to taking care of the overgrown area which will be new pasture. We almost mowed down a nest of 3 red wing black birds. There was debri and rocks that had to be picked up. I cut down the burdock, vines other weeds. It's starting to look like something.

Five little holes

I slept in this morning. I've been burning the candle at both ends so I needed it. Then it was off to Menard's for 5 - 6" treated landscape posts and some 8' 2X6 treated runners. Nails, large staples and 2-ply wire. I'm hobbling from a pulled hamstring, but this just has to get done.

The plan

The fence we worked on today has no gate - just 2 short lengths of fence with a little pass through section which is a 1 foot overlap about 12" wide. The original plan called for 6 posts but we found some difficulty having to avoid the electrical wire and pipe running down the middle of the area. We found we could get by with one less, but we will need to go buy 3 - 10' runners. If we planned this right, we won't need to cut any of the runners.

Dig, dig, dig

Most of the time today was spent marking, remarking and digging. The clay and rock is so tough to get through, even with an auger, that we had to fill the holes with water and wait til things softened up, then dig some more. On one hole we ran into a huge rock. Since we don't have much leeway where we place the posts, we had to dig it out. Not much to show for a day's work. Good thing I took Monday off.

Fencing lessons learned from past projects

• 1" cedar won't work - the horses just ate it and it was too flimsy
• 2" rough sawn oak was sturdy and the horses won't eat it, but they are heavy and you have to pre-drill the holes. Treated lumber is lighter and doesn't need pre-drilling
• Nail the runners to the inside! They look nicer on the outside, but the horses will push them off

Fencing barnyard

I took today and Monday off work to *finally* do the permanent fencing in the barnyard area. There are 2 areas we need to work on. One between the 2 barns which will be wooden, and one along the
east side which will be stretched wire with a gate. The temporary fencing we put in when we first bought the horses is looking pretty unsightly, but its lasted 5 years! This project is so past due.

At least, that's the plan. Bob had a different idea for today, though. After some house cleaning, he golfed nine holes with our friends, Jan and Jeff. I finished cleaning the cherries and joined them for the second nine. I just drove the golf cart since I injured my leg last weekend (it was too much golf, nothing to do with the horses). Then dinner at Grizzly's.

Thrush busting

I ran out of Hooflex for Banjo's thrush. I've been trying to get it on his feet regularly, but it's not easy. I checked out Thrush Buster on Kate's recommendation. You only need to use once a week! Since you should rotate products anyway, it seems like a no brainer. It went on easily, but I had to give it some time to soak in and dry before dropping the foot. Banjo was very good, so that was no problem.

Back in the Saddle Again

Yesterday we made a trip to the cabin to try out our new kayak. I didn't want to let any more time lapse before working with Banjo, so early this morning, I went out to the barn. He had to wait while I groomed Gilly and Sparkler. I spent some time on both their manes--a thorough brushing and some trimming. When I got to Banjo's mane, it needed some detangler. Once again, it felt like he'd never seen a spray bottle. We went through the same routine as with the fly spray. Just holding the bottle on his back and making circles. Then shaking it, then spraying it. I did get the results but didn't feel he was completely comfortable with spraying. Good enough. Sigh. Off to the arena.

We worked a bit with sending him left and right into lunging. He only moves well to the left. Asking him to move right causes him to back up to no end. So it was back to the basics--moving the front quarters with one hand behind the front leg while leading the head away with the lead rope. Then once he got moving, I would make a chopping motion with my hand near his head. Pretty soon he was doing nice foot-over-foot pivots with a small amount of pressure. One thing I've learned with Banjo, you don't want to overdo the pressure. You rarely need to whack him to get him to move. If you do, you get too much reaction.

Then I went back to the sending routine. Face Banjo, point the right foot to 2:00, right hand and lead rope pointed to the right. Whirl the end of the lead rope toward the face using the left hand. He got it. It was as if a light bulb went off. I could see it in his eyes - he finally knew what I was asking. And he did it eagerly and willingly. Not full circles as I can with the left, but a few steps is enough for me.

As was the case last Wednesday, saddling and mounting was perfect. Groundwork really pays off. On the first lap, Banjo wanted to stop near the gate, but just a small amount of coaxing and he went willingly. On the second lap he refused to turn where I wanted him to but I kept insisting with several pull/releases on the rein and he accepted. That was it. The rest was perfect. circling the cones, serpentines, backing up between the cones. Only once did I ask him to do more than a walk. All I had to do was cluck (no kicking or squeezing) and he took off at a gait. Half a circle and he wanted to go back to a walk. I'm fine with this. Soooooo much better than last year's Banjo.

First ride since the accident

I rode Banjo tonight, my first ride since August 20 when I was bucked off and fractured my pelvis. I can't blame the delay on weather, my physical or mental state, or lack of time. It think its a combination of all four.

I've been busy with the yard, garden, work and my new grandbaby, Kylie. My energy level has just not been what it was last year (age, accident or both?). Thinking about the prospect of riding during the day today had my stomach tied in knots. I've simply been been postponing this.

More thrush

After Kate trimmed hooves on Monday and discovered an abcess in Banjo's front right foot, I wanted to treat him twice a day, so I bounced out of bed at 5:00 am on Tuesday and before I knew it it was 6:30 and I had to hurry to get to work. I was so impressed with progress on lifting his feet, getting him to relax his head, and relax when I moved to his side, I was motivated to keep going.

Yesterday (after hoof treatments) I found I couldn't even lay a rope across Banjo's back and he would take off in circles, so I backed way off and started by laying just a few inches halfway across the back, then extending the rope until it dropped over the side. when he took off, I just turned with him and pretended we were practicing leading until he tired and stopped. Then more rope. After a half hour of this I was sliding the rope off the rump and head and twirling above the head without a problem.

Then we went into the arena. I saddled him without a problem. Getting him to stand by the mounting block took several tries. When he finally stood still next to it, I stepped on the block and he took off, so I quickly lunged him several laps and tried again. He got it. He stood completely still and let me step up and down, circle him around the block again, stand still and have me step up and down again. I didn't sit in the saddle. I just didn't feel I could. This is enough progress for me.

The ride

So tonight I was resolved to ride. Since the flies were biting, I tried to spray him. Man, I thought we'd gone back to square one. Just moving to his side set him off, as did shaking the bottle, much less spraying it. So I set the bottle on his back and moved with him as though we were just doing the leading exercises. When he settled I moved to shaking the bottle. Then spraying while we walked. After 20 minutes I was able to get him to stop, then when he started to fidget, I could shake the lead rope ahead of him indicating he was not to move forward and that would anchor him while I sprayed.

Moving to the arena, I worked on the rope across the back and it was as if he never had a problem with it. Same thing at saddling and at the mounting block. Working out the fly spray issues seemed to work out all other problems. So I stepped up and into the saddle and we sat there--and sat there.

Last year, the minute I mounted, Banjo would take off gaiting like crazy. And wouldn't stop for what seemed like ages. Tonight, I asked him to walk 2 laps then dismounted to recheck the saddle and remounted for about 10 more minutes of nice peaceful walking.

Still have to work on backing up - he tosses his head and kicks a bit with one leg -- and one rein stopping -- same thing.

Its a start.