I...love...mud!

Ahhhh, all in all, a good day!

I wonder why Mom nicknamed me Kramer........?

Vacay!

Been enjoying my time off.  First with front hoof issues, then with hock & back issues...yep, besides having to go to the vet, it's been really great!
I was a little ticked theother day when MOM decided to climb on my back after not riding me for weeks.  I threw a shoe in hopes she wouldn't ride me, but she insisted.  I acted like I might run away or buck, but she stayed on & kept me walking around for a good 20 mins until I was warmed up & forgot my silliness.

These pictures are of me standing in the wash rack (which I hate!)as MOM rinses off the mud that's on my hooves & legs.  I like the squishy mud & try to get it as high up on my legs as possible.  If I get to splashing really well, I can get the mud all over my belly, good times!

Posting for Kramer

Thought I'd post on Kramer's blog since he hasn't been for a while.
Pretty sure he hasn't been in the mood as his hocks and back were bothering him significantly.  He's been acting like he feels much better as of Tuesday so I hope that's still the case. 
In my heart of hearts, I pray that he doen't have issues and that I should've vetted him for before making the trade with Cheryl. 

Why?

Why do I have to keep my neck & head level when doing transitions, hmmmm?
It's so much easier to raise my head, neck & shoulders when taking a different gait.  I just don't understand......

Here's what I really don't understand.  Why in the world is it neccessary to put this rope thing on me that holds my head level when I'm trying to get things done?  It's so much easier my way.  Oh well.........

As long as I get treats afterward, I guess it's not too bad!

Yehaw!!

This is me, bored after our ride..same ol, same ol.....until the man with the truck and lots of horseshoes pulled up.  He put shoes on all my feet.  Which was no big deal; I've had them before.  After that was done, MOM took me out for some grass which was great but then she took me over to a different outdoor pen.  It had been newly divided so a fast horse like me can't really get to it's full gallop, but it's still nice and roomy.

Good, good times!

Sweet, sweet pen!

I was finally able to relax and check out the edibles...

Life is good....but I still have to keep an ear out for danger.........

Busy barn

I was a little itchy when MOM brought me in from my run (yes, I've moved from the round prison!).  I wanted her to scratch me, but she took my picture instead!
It was busy at the barn today with all the action centered around a big man with a big voice.  I found him to be too loud, but everyone seemed to be enjoying being yelled at-humans-can't understnad them!

Had a nice ride outside with MOM, It was really windy like I like it and the ground so nice and soft on my feet.  I didn't feel sore at all.  Something moving in a strange way in one of the pastures startled me, but MOM said it was ok and we finished our ride and then went back to the big, busy barn.
I didn't get to graze like I wanted, but I got some good treats.

It's good to be home

Not sure why MOM takes these pictures as they all look alike.  Had a nice, short ride yesterday and a lot of good grass afterwards.  My kind of day!

This furry little creature whom they call "Jackson" (must be what they call  these little creatures) wanted to be scratched by MOM.

He kept encroaching in my area.  I feel I shouldn't mess with this "Jackson"...

Field Trip!

After a very long trip in the box, I finally was unloaded at some strange, but happy place.  MOM put me in a large stall that had a lot of shavings.  It was pretty comfortable and very large.  I felt comfortable.  This is a pic of MOM bringing my evening hay; why is she teasing me??

The first two nights I needed my heavy sheet to keep the chill off.

MOM insists on posing for pictures when I'm trying to eat my hay!

I wanted to sniff noses with this little guy, but he just barked at me!  I decided eating my hay was more interesting......he was a little fellow with a big attitude!

C'mon!!!  Quit taking pictures! Let's go, let's go, let's go!  The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I get some grass!

Great day!

Well MOM came out as expected and she let me nibble some grass before turning out to run in a run.  I was having a good time.  I was really enjoying stretching my legs and bucking.  I stumbled a bit and then my right shoe didn't feel right so I quit my running around.

MOM caught me and took me straight to the barn.  She seemed a little angry about something...oh well!  She tacked me up and lunged me and I had to give a little on that right foot, but she got on me anyway and did some walking exercises.  She got off after maybe 5 mins and took off my saddle and put me in my stall.  I got my treats and a little more hay and that was it.  Ahhhhh, life is good!

Martha

I like this lady.  I posed with her after my shot.  Usually she gives me a carrot.  Like I said, I LIKE this lady!!

What the...????

Had a good day, was chillun by the rail waiting to be untacked and given grass and treats when before I know it, MOM's sticking me in the neck!  Can you say:  "Ouch, the bee stings?"  I didn't think it was that bad,  I was very brave & cheerful.

Manhattan

Thought you'd enjoy a picture of Manhattan after his rinse off.  He's not very patient;  he was looking for a snack.  He gets hollered at a lot...

Bath time

I look trim when wet!

By George, she got it!

After a couple of sessions of MOM asking in an exaggerated way thereby throwing my haunches out of position when asking for my left lead canter, she finally got it.  I think Paul may have said something to her but I couldn't understand what it was.  Anyway, she kept her leg on my right side holding my haunches on the line and gently asked for me to canter.  What was so hard about that?  I pretty much do whatever she asks and she asked me over and over again to take the right lead while going to the left-then she gets frustrated.  Sometimes I have to be really patient! I was getting a bit distracted by the weather that was changing rapidly towards the end of our ride, but it was nice seeing Manhattan having to work too.  As we were standing around talking, the wind really started blowing and it was getting dark and cooler.  That's when everyone decided to go back to the barn.  The picture is of me after she took the saddle off; I was hot!  She gave me a nice warm rinse off which I didn't mind at all.  Then she let me drip dry for a bit while she got my snack.  I rained very hard for a while and she had to wait before going to make my snack.

MOM's here!

Got mask?

Glad MOM is here today, I'm pretty bored with this round pen once I finish my hay.  She let me munch on grass before our ride; wonder what that was about?  I ran around in those circles to nowhere for a while and finally she seemed tired of watching me and said "Whoa".  Then she put that heavy saddle on my and rode.  It was fine, I understood that I need to stay in frame from my canter to the posting trot which seemed easier today; however, I like my right lead better than my left no matter which way I'm going and she wouldn't let me keep it.  I was a bit frustrated with her insisting that I take my left lead when I didn't want to.  She did some different exercises with me until it felt right to take the left ("Nobody in his RIGHT mind would have LEFT her".......  : )  ).  She also made me work closer than I was comfortable with by this big thing hanging on the arena fence.  I didn't like it at all and wanted to stare at it and maybe creep up on it; but she made me look staright ahead and keep focused on what we were doing.  Next thing I know, I'm trotting right past the thing.  It didn't reach out and grab me so I didn't care any more.  When we were finished, she stood on something so she could reach my mane and twisted some of it into tight pieces for some reason.  Now my favorite part; going to eat grass....wait a minute, she's putting me directly into my stall!  &^ #@**%!  THAT'S why she let me eat earlier.  Oh well, treats were good......Hey, like my face thing?

Sunday afternoon

Had a good day with MOM; she seemed pleased with our ride and showmanship.  She even gave me a kiss at the end of our visit!  I didn't mind too much.......

Look at that!

MOM caught a picture of me as I'm totally mesmerized by one of the other horse's get up!  It was a curcingle thing with reins running here and there.  Donna was leading the what looked like a circus horse out to the outdoor arena.  I just couldn't look hard or long enough!

Got grass?

MOM came out to get me a little later than usual, not sure why but glad she came out at all!

She made me run around my round pen prison with my saddle on for a while and then insisted on riding me in the really big round pen that's covered by a roof.  I was bored with what she was doing and really wanted to look at the horses in the pasture, the horses in the other barn, the car in the driveway...but no, she made me keep my eyes straight ahead.  Oh well, it's always worth the try because sometimes she's not paying attention, ha!  The halter thing was going ok and then I got distracted by a lady hanging on the rail.  She talks without stopping, I find that interesting.  She must've thought I was terribly beautiful as she followed me around when MOM was through doing tasks and let me have my grass.  I found that lady comforting; kind of like the noise of the fan in my stall; what do they call that, white noise?

Brrrrrr

Good think i've grown a furry winter coat, it's chilly this morning!

What's up with all this riding???

Geez!  Had one of the toughest weeks ever!  Just when I thought life was great; no riding, just some showmanship practice for MOM and lots of attention and grass.  Then I went to the vet who said I could be ridden and that was the end of good times.  I went to a pretty lady who rides me for a long time and doesn't let me get by with ANYTHING two times in 5 days!  And yesterday MOM and her filly, Allie took me the neighbor's arena (it's huge!)for a ride.  I really like that place.  I thought I could run around and buck and play once I was in the arena because the other horses were doing that in their pasture.  But MOM and the filly, Allie had other ideas.  I mean, I've been known to buck and play before, I don't understand why it wasn't ok this time.  MOM could've hung on and stayed on my back while I acted out, right?  She wanted to get off, but the filly insisted she stay on and correct what she called my "bad behavior".  I was surprised that MOM did just that.  And she continued to ride me while I got a bit more focused on my job at hand.  Things were boring after that.  MOM rode me for a while and then she and filly Allie worked me in hand doing that stupid showmanship stuff.  I was tired since they rode me at the pretty lady's the day before for a couple of hours.  I was glad to make the short trip home.  Kinda hoping I don't see any of them today........even though I think this picture of me and the filly Allie is nice.....

Grass!

I really, really am looking forward to a nice long grazing session.  I hope MOM has the same plan in mind!!!  I just wish I could stretch my neck far enough to be able to reach the grass from my round pen; it's so frustrating!

No Comment

Just eating and sleeping today...

Worst Day Ever!

This was the worst day since being in my new home.  MOM(Mean Old Mare)came to get me out of the round pen prison early this morning, even earlier than yesterday and I thought, great I get to eat some grass earlier than usual!  But NOOOOOO, she took me right into the barn, brushed my coat, wrapped my legs, put goop on the soles of my feet and then put this screen thing on my head, wth?  To make things worse, she shoots some yucky paste stuff in my mouth.
We traveled further than yesterday so I know we're going someplace different.  I hate that highway close to the stinky fairgrounds.  It's so bumpy!

We arrive at someplace I've never seen before, but it's quiet and there's several horses ( and dogs and a pot bellied pig)around.  MOM takes me down to the big arena and lunges me while a pretty blond lady rides another horse around.  I feel good and I buck a little, but I think I'm tired and ready to quit.  MOM does too so she puts my bridle on and gets on my back.  I'm nice enough, walking and trotting, minding my own business when the lady asks us to canter.  Oh boy, I have new-found energy, yea!  I think I'll try to buck, just a small one.  Uh oh, the lady tells MOM that I need more lungeing only this time The Lady does it.  She put the chain OVER my nose; things go well until she says "Whoa". Usually this means for me to turn, face and walk up to the person holding the line.  The lady doesn't agree and she jerks the line to make me stop and let's me think about it.........we do that a few times and I finally thought about it enough that I knew that "Whoa" means whoa, freeze, don't move!  Then the lady rides me...oh boy...not good.  I got several lessons from her in that hour, but I must've finally been good because everyone seemed happy and then MOM gets on me!  Will this lesson ever end????  Luckily, the lady was more concerned with how MOM was riding me than what I was doing and finally, finally the lesson was over.  I was untacked, hosed off and tied to the trailer with some hay while MOM and the lady talked some more.  I've posted a picture of me at the end of the lesson from hell.  Hopefully, MOM is tired enough that she'll take tomorrow off!

Tired but happy

I was tired but by the time MOM put me in my stall, I was feeling relaxed and happy!

Well MOM(Mean Old Mare)came out today which was kind of a good thing. I thought it was going to be a great thing, but she had too many projects for us. First, I thought she was leaving me when she came to my prison to let me out & then ran off towards the tack room. Didn't have a clue. She said something about "bot fly". I guess she didn't want to release me when I was stomping, bucking and carrying on because of that stinging insect! Anyway, she came back and squirted me a few times and that was the end of the bot fly. Things got back to our normal routine after that-or so I thought-. She put the small saddle on my back and had me run the endless circles to nowhere. At first, I was bored with it and could barely trot, but then the new guy fresh off the track came out with his caretaker Paul. It was a great opportunity to show that racehorse that I can run too. And run I did! I actually got him all excited; it was so much fun! Well I got tired after a while and MOM tied me up and took off the small saddle. "Great"! I thought until she put the big saddle on my back. WHAT?? She's going to ride me?? Yes, but it was a very light workout. I'm glad because I was getting tired. She told me I did really well. I'M not surprised at that, but she seemed to be. Finally, she get's off and takes off my saddle and bridle. Good! Now I can eat some grass. Wait! She's putting the chain under my chin....showmanship! Ok, I was really good for her as I've discovered that if I'm good, I don't have to do that stupid posing, etc. for very long. Now we're finished. But no, she has to pull my mane. How I hate that. I shake my neck a lot, but she's a persistent one. However, I have to admit, shen she does it, I don't feel any pain. I'm just about to give up on getting any grass time, when she takes me out for a bite. That grass tastes so good! Later, she puts me in my stall with fresh water, hay and some carrots. I guess the day wasn't so bad after all.

Just great!

Is she coming or what? I'm getting hot out here and the grass is withering away while I watch! Oh great....here come Leonardo, that means MOM isn't coming today. I'm not happy about this.

Wait! I smell my dinner, oh joy!

UGH!

I hate these stupid black flies! They are so annoying. Oh great, now a bot fly is buzzing around me! When is MOM going to get here?

Nice day! Can't wait for MOM (Mad Older Mare)to get here so I can get out of my round pen prison and eat some grass. Oh boy, grass! Love my grass! Hope she hurries

What's up with the attitude?

I was glad to see "MOM" (Manic Older Mare, hahaha!)when she first arrived, but now I'm not so sure. After taking me from my round pen prison as usual and letting me eat grass for only a minute or two; she said something about having plans for me today. Some plans; they involved putting a saddle on my back, tying my reins to the stirrups to keep me correct and then longeing me in those idiotic circles to nowhere. I didn't really like my head tied and began grinding my teeth. MOM must've noticed because she "reined me in", haha (horse joke) and took off the rigged bridle. I was thinking "great!" until showmanship practice began. I was ready to go eat more grass and she wants me to practice her showmanship? Not so much! I tried putting me in the statue position, but I made it hard for her today; just couldn't quite get that hindfoot set most of the time....oh, and when she asked for the walking around on the front end only, yeah......I got all bendy on her and had to move my back foot. Oh yeah, and the back ups? Haha! I had a really hard time backing straight. Poor MOM seemed to be a bit frustrated as she acted like a manic monkey when I wouldn't get out of her space. Geez, who knew she had a space? Excuuuuse me! I had a lot of fun today.

Feeling good!

Must say, I love my life! Once "Mom" returned from vacation, things got back to normal again. She comes and releases me from my round pen prison and allows me to eat some precious grass before going into the barn. Then she grooms me, wraps my legs, cleans my hooves, sprays fly spray on me which I hate, but it does help keep those pests off me. Finally she insists I run around her in circles while teathered to a long line. Not sure what that's all about. I feel great going to the right, but still feel a bit sore while trotting to the left. It makes bucking a little uncomfortable! After finishing endless circles, she practices walking beside me. We stop, back, stand in statue pose (so silly); the hard front leg cross over she practices a lot. It's really easy if she'd let me move my hind leg, but she doesn't like that. I just wish she'd tack me up and ride. I like that a lot more than everything else.

My Turn

What about me? There's been nothing said about what I've been doing for the last two weeks. I must say, I've not been too pleased with the absence of my main caretaker. She told me that she'd be away for a while but that she would be back. I was beginning to think that I'd been sold agian and was waiting for the new owner to take me away when out of the blue, she comes driving up with two strangers. I found out these were her sire and dam. They seemed nice enough, but what I really wanted was to get out of the round pen so I could eat some grass. I haven't eaten much since she's been gone. My hoof abcess seems to have found a way out of sole of my hoof and I feel better. I just wish it would rain so the ground wound't be so hard on my feet and the grass would grow again. I'm posting a picture of myself since my owner hasn't done that yet and she claims that I'm her inspiration in creating her blogs in the first place!