Happily eating dirt

Bobbi (from my 'trails with the newbie' post) came over to ride again. We caught the horses and she got on Ray western while I took Pigeon English. Keep in mind this is only Pigeon's fourth ride ever, and it's her first ride with another horse. Also her first ride off trails.

They both were doing awesomely! Heads down, no spooking, Ray was ignoring the fact that Pigeon is a mare and he didn't know her... 

We went to the fields behind Callie's house to ride, which was a big mistake. When we got there, Bobbi had Ray trot up behind us to catch up and the horses thought they were playing. I got bucked off but Bobbi managed to stay on a bolting Ray until he stopped and she could get off to catch Pigeon.

We got them calmed down and mounted again, then took off through the corn fields.

The corn was taller than me riding Pigeon, and she's 15.2hh! She was a bit unsure of the corn hitting her sides and stuff, but each time she acted like she was going to spook, I'd stop her and let her calm down before asking her to go again. We eventually made it to Callie's house to get some water.

After we cooled off some, we rode back to the barn and gave both horses baths before putting them up. I made sure to work Pigeon some before she was put up so she wouldn't become barn sour. 

Training after work

Last night after work, I went to the barn to work on the bit issue the mares have some and to do some round pen riding to get them used to me some more. I caught the paint first and tacked her up but didn't put a bridle on yet. 

She stood perfectly still for me to get on her, let me tie her leadrope as reins while I was on her back, and did fine at a walk around the corral. I asked for a trot, and she really didn't understand what I was asking her to do, but eventually trotted for a bit. 

Then I decided to see how calm she would be in different situations.

She did so well that I took her on a short ride to my house!

We got back to the barn and I made her walk over some logs and walk around up there some instead of just going straight back to the pasture so she won't be barn sour. Then I caught Riley. 

Riley was being a little numbskull. I took her on a walk to the railroad tracks and back, and she did totally fine except she was freaking out trying to see and smell everything at once. 

When we got back, I tacked her up for a second before letting her loose. She did fine, no spooking or anything!

Meet the girls

Once I figure out names and personalities a bit more, I'll update my 'introductions' post from forever ago. Either way, I had a 6 hour drive yesterday in the rain to the middle of nowhere south of Nashville to pick up the girls! Here's a basic introduction of them.

The first is a 6 year old sorrel overo paint mare. Her sire is Dip N Gold, and her dam is Diamond Kristy. She's got scars like crazy and her ribs show a bit. She's more wary of humans and cautious, but definitely prettier. She was scared of some pretty irrational stuff yesterday, but today she was a lot more brave about stuff and didn't really mind us at all. She was nosy when we went to see them yesterday, and was following us around and stuff, so I think she might just have to get used to the new area and people. 

The second is a 6 year old dun quarter horse mare. Her sire is Peppy St James, and her dam is Sands Friday. They had her advertised as buckskin, but the leg barring and dorsal stripe give it away. As far as white markings, she has none. She's really plain to look at, but so far she's proven to literally be the female version of Ray. She's curious and brave, and really in your pocket. She's got a few scars as well, and doesn't like ropes flying around one bit. I sacked her out with the lead while she grazed, but if I didn't start off slow she would freak out.

I'll work them a bit in the corral tonight, but training won't start until they get used to the area and me some more.

New farrier

Today was Ray's first mani-pedi since last fall when Ricky beat him for no reason. At first I caught him and walked to the house to meet Jason, but it started raining so we went back to the barn. 

Jason is a freaking saint. Enough said. He was kind, patient, willing to do stuff like open barn doors when my hands were full of pony, he didn't beat the brat boy.. I literally have no complaints about him! This was ray's first time getting shoes on so he kicked a bit when the nails went through, but Jason just held his leg until he stopped. He was definitely working with both ray and I the whole time to get it done as easy as possible so it wouldn't be too traumatic of an experience for the beasty boy. Ray really liked him too! After a while, Jason could just reach down and ray would lift his hoof and put it in his hand without even being touched! And Jason didn't complain a bit when ray chewed on dirt and smeared it all over his back and butt. I think I've found the perfect farrier, guys. You can all go home.

Plus he offered to put hoof conditioner on ray before he left. Just because he wanted to be perfect I guess, I don't know. 

Hot ride

Alright.. Going back to I frequently have really bad ideas. The heat index has been over 105 all weekend, and I've been working through the worst of it. We went to tunica yesterday and got back this morning.

 It isn't even lunch yet and the heat index is already 98, so naturally I decided to ride. Ray was super easy to catch and didn't really fuss about being groomed or sprayed for flies so that was my good sign I guess. I decided to use a saddle mainly because I wanted to tie the mecate on my new bridle to it. I was too hot to care about tying it up correctly though.

It was a pretty standard trail ride. Just through the fields behind my house up to the road and back around. He did spook at a piece of plastic, though. He's still trying to get used to the rope halter thing, but actually started neck reining today! I'm really proud of my boy.

Got back and reapplied fly spray after untacking. I switched out bridles and rode him bareback back to the barn! 

Naturally he drank some of his fresh, freezing cold water and went to roll. I'll see you tomorrow for your mani-pedi, raybe!!