C.S. Wilson's Blog, page 16
March 10, 2015
Copper Has A New Trick
I came home from work today and both horses were soaking wet. It was warm and they still have their winter woolies, but it wasn't hot enough for them to be absolutely soaked. The area around the water trough was an absolute mud pit, so I wandered over to investigate, thinking that it was leaking or something. The closer I got, the more clear it was that someone - ahem, Copper the water baby - had learned the joys of playing in the trough.
Skeeter was soaked as well, but not quite as thoroughly as Copper. It looked like they had learned Jesse's trick of putting both front legs in the trough to play and I was surprised because Princess Skeeter does not like her feetsies to be wet.
As I was laughing at them and wondering what the heck they'd been doing, Skeeter was kind enough to demonstrate her new trick. She buried her face in the water and exhaled through her nostrils to make bubbles.
"Did you see Mom?"I tried to catch it on video, but she doesn't perform on demand, no matter how many times I asked. I finally kissed their soaking noses and went back into the house. While loading the dishwasher I heard a noise I couldn't identify coming from the pen, so I peeked out the window. It seems that Copper learned to empty the water trough with his head.
Skeeter was soaked as well, but not quite as thoroughly as Copper. It looked like they had learned Jesse's trick of putting both front legs in the trough to play and I was surprised because Princess Skeeter does not like her feetsies to be wet.
As I was laughing at them and wondering what the heck they'd been doing, Skeeter was kind enough to demonstrate her new trick. She buried her face in the water and exhaled through her nostrils to make bubbles.
"Did you see Mom?"I tried to catch it on video, but she doesn't perform on demand, no matter how many times I asked. I finally kissed their soaking noses and went back into the house. While loading the dishwasher I heard a noise I couldn't identify coming from the pen, so I peeked out the window. It seems that Copper learned to empty the water trough with his head.
March 8, 2015
Skeeter Training 1/27/15
Y'all are lucking out. It's been so long since Skeeter's last training day that I can't possibly bore you with the minutiae.
When Mom and Bill first got here, Bill decided to teach Skeeter how to drag a log, but I think he's confused.
She got to stand tied at the round feeder next to the Bionic Cowgirl for almost an hour, while Copper was getting worked. It was good for her. Without a proper hitching post, we're tying to anything we can, but that doesn't necessarily mean that what we tie her to is strong enough to hold her if she throws a fit. I mean, she already made an accordion of the fence and tried to break the trailer. Mom was close enough release her if she needed it, and also close enough to correct her for pawing. Skeeter is impatient and likes to paw - it's an on-going battle with us.
When Grandpa and Jay were ready to take a break with Copper, we decided on a little saddle refresher course. Skeeter still doesn't like it much. She's good about standing to place the saddle, but she hates the cinch. She's not cinchy, she's just a mare. I need to spend more time with her and the saddle to get her past it. I also need to find my leather punch and fix the length of my stirrups so we can start learning to mount from the ground.
She learned she can drink with the saddle on and it's not very scary.
Over all, she's doing well. She will follow someone on the ground with a rider, but hasn't quite made the connection between the bump with the heels and the click. It'll come soon enough, I think. I did get my first "ears" pic of the year, which made me very happy.
And afterward, when the focus returned to Copper, she got to stand tied at the trailer. I'm not sure she thinks that's a whole lot of fun, but standing tied is a fundamental skill.
Here's a quick video of our day:
When Mom and Bill first got here, Bill decided to teach Skeeter how to drag a log, but I think he's confused.
She got to stand tied at the round feeder next to the Bionic Cowgirl for almost an hour, while Copper was getting worked. It was good for her. Without a proper hitching post, we're tying to anything we can, but that doesn't necessarily mean that what we tie her to is strong enough to hold her if she throws a fit. I mean, she already made an accordion of the fence and tried to break the trailer. Mom was close enough release her if she needed it, and also close enough to correct her for pawing. Skeeter is impatient and likes to paw - it's an on-going battle with us.
When Grandpa and Jay were ready to take a break with Copper, we decided on a little saddle refresher course. Skeeter still doesn't like it much. She's good about standing to place the saddle, but she hates the cinch. She's not cinchy, she's just a mare. I need to spend more time with her and the saddle to get her past it. I also need to find my leather punch and fix the length of my stirrups so we can start learning to mount from the ground.
She learned she can drink with the saddle on and it's not very scary.
Over all, she's doing well. She will follow someone on the ground with a rider, but hasn't quite made the connection between the bump with the heels and the click. It'll come soon enough, I think. I did get my first "ears" pic of the year, which made me very happy.
And afterward, when the focus returned to Copper, she got to stand tied at the trailer. I'm not sure she thinks that's a whole lot of fun, but standing tied is a fundamental skill.
Here's a quick video of our day:
February 21, 2015
Copper Training 1/27/15
Mom and Bill came down to help us with the horses again on an absolutely beautiful day. I had to work (as usual), but Jay was off, so they started with Copper.
Since Copper *hates* being left in the pen when we take Skeeter out, we thought we'd see how he did if we took him out and left her in the pen. He was a rock star. Skeeter couldn't have cared less that he was out and about, and Copper was happy to play along with Jay. They went for a walk and slalomed between the fence posts, but Copper drew the line at crossing the ditch.
It was good, focused time for Jay and Copper. By the time I got home, they were back in the pen. Copper got to wear the bareback pad and try to load into the trailer, which he still hates. Not even bribery worked. He was being such a good boy, that we thought it was time to get some weight on his back again. It's been a few months since Jay and Bill have played Dead Indian with him.
Copper does not like people standing above him. Does not. We tried getting him to line up next to our "mounting block", which is just a turned upside-down feed tub and he was having none of it, so we back off a bit. Instead of taking him to the mounting block, we turned a bucket upside-down and took it to him. Jay and Mom spend a good deal of time just placing the bucket next to him, stepping up, leaning over, and getting down just to repeat the whole process on the other side.
It was good for Copper to understand that just because he doesn't like the black feed tub (which is a lie, he plays with it all the time) doesn't mean he's going to get out of work.
Since Copper *hates* being left in the pen when we take Skeeter out, we thought we'd see how he did if we took him out and left her in the pen. He was a rock star. Skeeter couldn't have cared less that he was out and about, and Copper was happy to play along with Jay. They went for a walk and slalomed between the fence posts, but Copper drew the line at crossing the ditch.
It was good, focused time for Jay and Copper. By the time I got home, they were back in the pen. Copper got to wear the bareback pad and try to load into the trailer, which he still hates. Not even bribery worked. He was being such a good boy, that we thought it was time to get some weight on his back again. It's been a few months since Jay and Bill have played Dead Indian with him.
Copper does not like people standing above him. Does not. We tried getting him to line up next to our "mounting block", which is just a turned upside-down feed tub and he was having none of it, so we back off a bit. Instead of taking him to the mounting block, we turned a bucket upside-down and took it to him. Jay and Mom spend a good deal of time just placing the bucket next to him, stepping up, leaning over, and getting down just to repeat the whole process on the other side.
It was good for Copper to understand that just because he doesn't like the black feed tub (which is a lie, he plays with it all the time) doesn't mean he's going to get out of work.
February 4, 2015
Nite Beams
While I was at SHOT Show in January, Mez and I ran across a great product called Nite Beams. Though the product is primarily aimed at joggers, I immediately thought of my endurance friends. Or really, anyone who rides at night.
Nite Beams are LED lights that can be seen up to 1/4 mile in each direction. If you have a dark horse like I do, or like to ride at night (*cough* *cough* crazy endurance peeps), this could be a great product. We spoke to the owner for quite a while - he's passionate about safety of people and animals. When I mentioned that I thought it would be a great horse product, he said that he had made some halters in the past, but didn't really have a market for them. (P.S. he still has a few in stock, you just have to ask nicely for them - I think I'll order one just to try it out.)
Here's a quick video of his products:
There area multitude of ways you can use the products. I'm planning on ordering two sets of the arm bands an putting them around Skeeter's legs, just above the hoof, so that she can be seen from any direction. Bill suggested using the dog leashes as reins. As long as you're comfortable using split reins, I could see that working. I also just saw on FB horses that had LED strips hanging from their tails.
For you endurance peeps who use glow-sticks, couldn't you just attach these to your breast collars?
The lights will last for thousands of hours, but the batteries will eventually need to be replaced, and that's okay. I'm seeing this as a one-time investment (unless Skeeter destroys them, which is a real possibility).
Nite Beams are LED lights that can be seen up to 1/4 mile in each direction. If you have a dark horse like I do, or like to ride at night (*cough* *cough* crazy endurance peeps), this could be a great product. We spoke to the owner for quite a while - he's passionate about safety of people and animals. When I mentioned that I thought it would be a great horse product, he said that he had made some halters in the past, but didn't really have a market for them. (P.S. he still has a few in stock, you just have to ask nicely for them - I think I'll order one just to try it out.)
Here's a quick video of his products:
There area multitude of ways you can use the products. I'm planning on ordering two sets of the arm bands an putting them around Skeeter's legs, just above the hoof, so that she can be seen from any direction. Bill suggested using the dog leashes as reins. As long as you're comfortable using split reins, I could see that working. I also just saw on FB horses that had LED strips hanging from their tails.
For you endurance peeps who use glow-sticks, couldn't you just attach these to your breast collars?
The lights will last for thousands of hours, but the batteries will eventually need to be replaced, and that's okay. I'm seeing this as a one-time investment (unless Skeeter destroys them, which is a real possibility).
February 3, 2015
Kitten Break!
A few days of horse stuff, so now it's time for the cutest ever kitten break.
RapDom tactical gear gives away beer koozies every year at SHOT Show, but they're not your ordinary beer koozies. Nope, they're in the shape of plate carriers (or if you're old school, flack jackets). We've been wondering if we could get Abby into one. Jay and I weren't going to attempt it, because neither of us wanted to be shredded while attempting to put it on her.
Ashinator came over this morning and was willing to hold the shitten while I dressed her. I don't think too much blood was shed, or skin lost, and we managed to get the dang thing on her.
Abby was not impressed.
But we got a good case of the giggles :)
RapDom tactical gear gives away beer koozies every year at SHOT Show, but they're not your ordinary beer koozies. Nope, they're in the shape of plate carriers (or if you're old school, flack jackets). We've been wondering if we could get Abby into one. Jay and I weren't going to attempt it, because neither of us wanted to be shredded while attempting to put it on her.
Ashinator came over this morning and was willing to hold the shitten while I dressed her. I don't think too much blood was shed, or skin lost, and we managed to get the dang thing on her.
Abby was not impressed.
But we got a good case of the giggles :)
February 2, 2015
Happy Birthday!
Following the convention of all horses' birthdays being January 1st, Skeeter and Copper both turned 5. They're probably both a bit younger than that, but since they were wild born, we have no idea of their actual birthdays so using the conventional birthday works for us.
They weren't too excited about their big day, but they graciously accepted their birthday carrots anyway.
They weren't too excited about their big day, but they graciously accepted their birthday carrots anyway.
February 1, 2015
Winter Woes
Being December, we knew the nice weather was just stopping by for a visit and wouldn't last, but we did not anticipate being unable to use our gates to get into the pen.
The combination of humidity and cold-cold conspired against us and the thumb latches on our gate chains froze. I'm not exaggerating when I said we couldn't get them to budge.
Skeeter, of course, had to help.We tried warming the latches with a lighter, but that didn't work either.
It wasn't just one gate that we couldn't get into, but both the "people" gate and the gate into the hay. When we realized that there was no way those latches were going to give, we realized we had two choices: over or under.
It was even colder than it looks.
Trust me when I say climbing gates was a lot more fun when I was a kid. It was so cold my gloves stuck to the metal.
We sprayed WD-40 in the latches daily, and waited for the day it would warm up enough we could move the latches. After four or five days, it finally warmed up enough for me to get one of the thumb latches to move. Because it was still bitter cold, I didn't risk re-locking the chains. Instead, I used baling twine to tie shut both gates.
After about a week of tying the gates shut, it warmed up enough that we decided to trust the thumb latches again. So far, so good (but we haven't been as bitter cold as we were then). Hopefully the amount of WD-40 we pumped into the latches will keep them working nicely the rest of the winter.
The combination of humidity and cold-cold conspired against us and the thumb latches on our gate chains froze. I'm not exaggerating when I said we couldn't get them to budge.
Skeeter, of course, had to help.We tried warming the latches with a lighter, but that didn't work either.
It wasn't just one gate that we couldn't get into, but both the "people" gate and the gate into the hay. When we realized that there was no way those latches were going to give, we realized we had two choices: over or under.
It was even colder than it looks.Trust me when I say climbing gates was a lot more fun when I was a kid. It was so cold my gloves stuck to the metal.
We sprayed WD-40 in the latches daily, and waited for the day it would warm up enough we could move the latches. After four or five days, it finally warmed up enough for me to get one of the thumb latches to move. Because it was still bitter cold, I didn't risk re-locking the chains. Instead, I used baling twine to tie shut both gates.
After about a week of tying the gates shut, it warmed up enough that we decided to trust the thumb latches again. So far, so good (but we haven't been as bitter cold as we were then). Hopefully the amount of WD-40 we pumped into the latches will keep them working nicely the rest of the winter.
January 31, 2015
Catch-up Post, Again
I think I'm going to forever be playing catch up. Training has slowed because of time and weather constraints. Jay changed jobs, so our schedule is even more erratic. I'll eventually get everything caught up, I swear!
On December 18, I had some dental work done that required me to be drugged up, so I asked Mom and Bill to pick me up from the dentist's office and drop me off at home. While they were here, they were willing to work with the horses a bit. It was tough twisting their arms, I tell you.
They did a lot of work, but because of my drugged up state, I only remember parts of their work. Copper is very buddy sour and throws a fit when Skeeter leaves the pen without him, so part of the plan that day was to separate them and try to work him through it.
Grandpa Beel thought that maybe Skeeter wanted to come tell Mom hi, so he brought her over to the bedroom window.
While Skeeter and Grandpa were out on their walkabout, the Bionic Cowgirl was in the pen with Copper. She had him haltered and was working him a bit on the lead, but when he started having a temper tantrum, she let him go and then kept him going until he decided that maybe standing quietly was a lot easier than pitching a fit.
Making him move also helped him stretch out his shoulder. He was healed up pretty well, but hadn't really pushed his shoulder since he hurt it. He looked good and moved smoothly without a hint of his previous injury.
On December 18, I had some dental work done that required me to be drugged up, so I asked Mom and Bill to pick me up from the dentist's office and drop me off at home. While they were here, they were willing to work with the horses a bit. It was tough twisting their arms, I tell you.
They did a lot of work, but because of my drugged up state, I only remember parts of their work. Copper is very buddy sour and throws a fit when Skeeter leaves the pen without him, so part of the plan that day was to separate them and try to work him through it.
Grandpa Beel thought that maybe Skeeter wanted to come tell Mom hi, so he brought her over to the bedroom window.
While Skeeter and Grandpa were out on their walkabout, the Bionic Cowgirl was in the pen with Copper. She had him haltered and was working him a bit on the lead, but when he started having a temper tantrum, she let him go and then kept him going until he decided that maybe standing quietly was a lot easier than pitching a fit.
Making him move also helped him stretch out his shoulder. He was healed up pretty well, but hadn't really pushed his shoulder since he hurt it. He looked good and moved smoothly without a hint of his previous injury.
January 1, 2015
Our REAL Wild One
... and she's not a horse. Abigail, the abandoned kitty, is our wildest animal.
She, at a pound and a half, is far more dangerous to be around than our 1,000# "wild" mustangs.
She, at a pound and a half, is far more dangerous to be around than our 1,000# "wild" mustangs.
December 12, 2014
Adventures in Christmas Cards
Oh my.
I had the perfect Christmas card composed in my head. Jay and I each with our well-mannered horses with Allie-bird sitting calmly between us. Each of the horses were going to calmly stay in place and were going to set up for their pictures like pros. They weren't even going to mind wearing their Christmas colors.
We spent some time a couple of weeks ago getting them used to their Christmas clothes.
I should have known that it wasn't going to go as planned when Skeeter pulled her clothes off the fence and proceeded to shred them. I think she liked the sound of the material tearing, because she kept doing it.
I didn't like how not-Christmas-y Skeeter's blue halter looked, so I changed to a purple flat nylon halter. Have I ever worked her in a flat halter? No, but she's got good ground manners, right? She's solid, I shouldn't need the reinforcement of the knots on the rope halter, right?
Jay got the camera all set up and it was show time!
After trying to get Skeeter (the damn mare) to line up nicely, I said screw it, let's just do pictures one at a time.
Since Copper was being a good boy and was already in position, he and Jay went first.
Then Skeeter and I took our turn. Lord is that girl food-driven.
Skeeter needs some serious work; she hasn't been worked in a few weeks. Her ground manners in the pen are amazing. Once we leave the pen, it's like her brain falls out her butt.
Sigh.
We said, screw it, let's just get our picture with Allie-bird and call it good. We put the horses away, threw their hay and got ready to take pictures with the dog. As soon as we got ready to take the pictures, over came the horses, like, "whatcha doin'?" Skeeter even kicked the fence to remind us she was there.
I had the perfect Christmas card composed in my head. Jay and I each with our well-mannered horses with Allie-bird sitting calmly between us. Each of the horses were going to calmly stay in place and were going to set up for their pictures like pros. They weren't even going to mind wearing their Christmas colors.
We spent some time a couple of weeks ago getting them used to their Christmas clothes.
I should have known that it wasn't going to go as planned when Skeeter pulled her clothes off the fence and proceeded to shred them. I think she liked the sound of the material tearing, because she kept doing it.
I didn't like how not-Christmas-y Skeeter's blue halter looked, so I changed to a purple flat nylon halter. Have I ever worked her in a flat halter? No, but she's got good ground manners, right? She's solid, I shouldn't need the reinforcement of the knots on the rope halter, right?
Jay got the camera all set up and it was show time!
After trying to get Skeeter (the damn mare) to line up nicely, I said screw it, let's just do pictures one at a time.
Since Copper was being a good boy and was already in position, he and Jay went first.
Then Skeeter and I took our turn. Lord is that girl food-driven.
Skeeter needs some serious work; she hasn't been worked in a few weeks. Her ground manners in the pen are amazing. Once we leave the pen, it's like her brain falls out her butt.
Sigh.
We said, screw it, let's just get our picture with Allie-bird and call it good. We put the horses away, threw their hay and got ready to take pictures with the dog. As soon as we got ready to take the pictures, over came the horses, like, "whatcha doin'?" Skeeter even kicked the fence to remind us she was there.
