|
lindad
|
1# |
Rank:none
Status:
Score:522
Posts:430
From: USA
Registered:
09/06/2002
Time spent:
0 hours
|
RE:So...what have you been up to?
(Date Posted:02/29/2008 11:26 AM)
Sounds like worthy persuits. We are still in full winter weather. Its supposed to snow yet again all day today and the temps are in teens and twenties all week.
I am using this time to scrapbook with a dear friend who is housebound caring for her invalid husband. I found some wonderful albums for horses on clearence and it inspired me to get back to scrapping and make an album for my daughter of her growing up on her her pony and horse, that I will give to Lisa on her birthday. We have been friends and neighbors and riding companions for 34 years and our kids grew up together on horses and in 4-H, so this is a trip down memory lane and has been fun, as well as theraputic, and a positive distraction for my dear friend.
It warmed up Sunday to be in the 30's and without much wind, which gave me some time to try to seduce my little mule. Our extremes in weather and perpetual ice have kept me from spending as much time as I usually do out with the horses. Jerry the mule is 17 and gives kids no problems once he is caught, kids can bathe, groom and tack him up and he goes anywhere. He has been driven as a team. So this is one very gentled mule. He was advertised as not having a kick, a buck or a bite in him, "but a little hard to catch". I've had him 6 weeks and he has not let me catch him yet! He handled very easily when we picked him up, light and responsive on the lead line, loaded immediately without any fuss at all and was 100% cooperative, and met my herd without drama. Just an easy going guy! My daughter's Zonkeys were the same way. She had to earn their trust, and was not allowed to handle them for a long time. When I'm out there Jerry stands where he can watch everything I do. Of course, Chica and my donkey are always right there hanging out and begging for attention while I am working. Jerry waches intently.
At first Jerry would not even take a treat, and after a week or two he would take it if I was on the other side of the gate. Then he started letting me pet his face and then rub all over his head while offering treats, still on the other side of the gate. I then would lightly hook my finger tips on the halter under his chin and give the slightest pressure for him to take a step closer and release immediately when he did so that he would know that if I catch him he will get released not grabbed and forced. He is very light.
Sunday, I put the other horses in the pasture and left Jerry in the corral with me. I sat on a bucket and fed tiny treats to the horses on the other side of the gate, so Jerry could come to me without the other horses interferring and I ignored Jerry until he could not stand to not get any treats. It didn't take long and he came over for his share, and within a few minutes was standing over me sniffing my hair and letting me rub his head and kiss his nose. When I eventually stood up he left, still not ready to let me do more. But it was progress. It is so surprising to me to have to work so hard with such a well "broke" trained animal, just to touch him. Trust is an amazing thing. I think this little mule has a lot to teach me, 'cause he ain't just gonna give it up. I have to prove myself worthy or at least an adequate dispenser of treats.
Linda D
--------------------------------------------------------------
If I think I can, or I think I can't, I'm right!
|
OkieKigers
|
2# |
Rank:none
Status:
Score:3505
Posts:1941
From: USA
Registered:
09/03/2002
Time spent:
1273 hours
|
RE:So...what have you been up to?
(Date Posted:02/29/2008 3:45 PM)
We are doing some downsizing, having sold (or in the process of selling) five of our Kigers, and another horse. I'm trying to make time to get a couple of geldings under saddle this year. Some of you know my mom has been ill, and since I am her caregiver I don't have the time for the horses I used to. Never did really have the time or energy for as many of them as we had, so I'm kinda glad to see the numbers reduced.
Don't think for a minute that I'm backing away from Kigers, though! I've got a portrait on my wall that Lee did a while back of Sonny; every time I look at it I am reminded of the potential of this breed. I'm often tempted to breed his mom Angel again, to try for another one like him, to keep. But then I remind myself how old I am getting!
I'll tell you who I would sure like to see post here, and that is the Owens family. J D, if you still read this message board, I sure hope you will stop and give us an update on how the family is doing.
(Message edited by OkieKigers on 02/29/2008 3:48 PM)
--------------------------------------------------------------
If the world were a logical place, men would ride side saddle. --Rita Mae Brown
http://www.wilnet1.com/~okiekigers
|
|
tiffany1fantasy
|
3# |
Rank:none
Status:
Score:823
Posts:587
From: USA
Registered:
09/05/2002
Time spent:
0 hours
|
RE:So...what have you been up to?
(Date Posted:02/29/2008 4:07 PM)
Oh the sun shined ever so brightly yesterday, my daughter got off work early and I took a break from painting and we both went riding instead. It was a lovely ride.
I am back to painting today, the woodfloors go in this weekend..woohoo!
I forgot to mention I am also part time caretaker to my daughter's Kiger/Paint Cleo' that had hock surgery after a fall on the ice this winter, playing in the pasture, causing a bone chip and joint damage. Surgery was not a complete success as the bone chip was not found. With strict rehabilitation we hope she will absorb the chip and return to trail horse soundness within a year, so we will not have to repeat the surgery.
--------------------------------------------------------------
website: aldrichfarm.com
|
|
angelsdream
|
4# |
Rank:none
Status:
Score:171
Posts:107
From: USA
Registered:
05/22/2007
Time spent:
0 hours
|
RE:So...what have you been up to?
(Date Posted:03/01/2008 9:55 AM)
Tiffany, glad you got out to ride. It just teases you though dont it? To have a beautiful day where you get to ride then it will get cold again... Im ready for spring also. Today is going to be in the 60's here, so im going to be heading out in a bit to go ride and play with my boys.
Betty, I didnt know you were downsizing. I do know a lot of people are now, with hay prices, feed, etc going higher due to gasoline prices, I know its getting harder and harder to afford too many. I only have 2 and the cost are enough, I couldnt even imagine more. Thank goodness Mav's feet are so great I dont have to put shoes on him, that cuts down some costs :) How is your Mom by the way? I knew she was ill, but haven't heard any updates on her. Linda, sounds like you've got your hands full with the mule. That's too funny, I love mules. I used to ride one when I was little, they are very sure footed. There was this donkey that stayed beside my house and we used to feed all kinds of treats. He was so old, id say easy late 30's, well this was the time when my mom couldnt afford a horse and I so LOVED riding, it was all I thought about. Well one fine day, me and my cousin thought we'd go ride the donkey, we thought he was so old, surely he couldnt do anything.. WRONG, he threw both our butts.. HEE HEE
|
|
lindad
|
5# |
Rank:none
Status:
Score:522
Posts:430
From: USA
Registered:
09/06/2002
Time spent:
0 hours
|
RE:So...what have you been up to?
(Date Posted:03/01/2008 10:57 AM)
Angela,
LOL, He might not have been as old as you think. Donkey's and mules have a life span of 40+ years.
Bettye,
How are YOU doing? You sure have alot to deal with! Gettin old ain't for sissies, I am finding out.
I am going to have to sell one or two of my horses also, because of the economy in Michigan. Our income took a nose dive two years ago and keeps getting worse. I have not formally listed them for sale, but if Kiger folks hvae had an eye on them contact me. I can hardly type this, but I must.
Linda D
--------------------------------------------------------------
If I think I can, or I think I can't, I'm right!
|
|
tiffany1fantasy
|
6# |
Rank:none
Status:
Score:823
Posts:587
From: USA
Registered:
09/05/2002
Time spent:
0 hours
|
RE:So...what have you been up to?
(Date Posted:03/01/2008 3:56 PM)
Well the wood floors are going in today. It is cold and cloudy so I will be helping with that, no sneaking out for a ride ;).
Lindad...Your story about your hard to catch well trained mule just reminded me of a very special molly I met. She is a big beautiful gal that a friend of mine bought after her show career was over, as anybody young or old could ride her and feel safe and secure. But once he got her home and released her in his pasture that was the last he time he touched her for a week, it took him that long to catch her again. From then on he kept her in a stall or the outdoor arena. I wonder if this is a common phenomenon with mules when they transfer owners? I was told if the mule does not pick you, you have to prove yourself worthy to the mule. Yet once you experience a good mule, it is just the best relationship.
I completely understand everyones need to downsize, I am lucky enough I can afford the number of horses I own. But if the young horses I own do not sell it looks like the youngsters I have will be replacing my older horses as my next riding horses. I won't be making any horse purchases in the future as I had planned. That is OK by me should that be the case. Of course I would love for them to be sold and recieve more one on one attention with a new owner or reach their full potential. But I am sure they would be just as happy being my next trail horse.
--------------------------------------------------------------
website: aldrichfarm.com
|
|
nrly_nola
|
7# |
Rank:none
Status:
Score:421
Posts:373
From:
Registered:
02/21/2006
Time spent:
0 hours
|
RE:So...what have you been up to?
(Date Posted:03/02/2008 2:12 AM)
sun shinning here we have been working with all of our Horse's. Cleaning out their stalls, and grooming them and enjoying the warm weather. I got sunburned on my face last Staurday, and again today, I have to remember to keep sunblock on. Riddle, Stormy, Nova, Flashy,and Shooter are shedding out like crazy. Our Tempatures here have been in the 70's last week (few days) to the mid 80's. Am glad that the winter blues are over with. though our winters are not rough as some of you have still they tend to give us the blues.
I to am scrapbooking, I bought a cricut for scrapbooking, and other stuff, and it is so neat. I hope to have a book put together to take to Kiger Fest in August. If we are able to get the time off, and find help with the horse's.
enjoy your horse's ride em and love em, they are treasures givinen to us to be taught, what ever they want us to learn.....
(Message edited by nrly_nola on 03/02/2008 2:14 AM)
|
| |
LOL. Before getting back into full swing of working outside, I am right now redecorating the inside of my house repainting the walls and putting a wood floor in our living room. All much needed work, I want to have finished so I will have my late spring and all summer to play with my horses and work in my gardens. I am saying a VERY fond farwell to winter and I am very pleased that spring is just around the corner.