Todays post starts about 15 years ago- when I found the most adorable puppy under a "free puppies " sign at the local walmart... ok so perhaps I might get in trouble for bringing home such a fuzzy bundle... but what is life without a puppy!! So Haley came to us.
Always a bit aloof-- but ever the watchful companion - keeping Logan out of the street by holding onto his diaper.. playing in the snow -- her favorite thing...later she moved in with 3 other older dogs and had free run of 40 acres with a pack of goofy hounds just like her! She was a happy girl.
Over the last year -- her once robust figure became thinner.. and she walked more slowly -- and as the other pack members passed to the other side... she was allowed to come in the house - to not be alone - then there we a couple of more puppies.. she was not terribly tolerant of them - barking and snarling when they got to rambuncious - trying to keep order.. that was always her job.
Last night she had a HUGE ration of puppy food and beef broth.. ate it all and snoozed, stayed with us as Mike brush-hogged the field and sat comfortable in the green grass.
She followed me out to feed the horses - her normal routine. It was then that she decided she had enough - and laid down for the last time. Mike, Logan and I sat with her -- as she was in no pain - and kept the sun off of her as she made her quiet journey out of this life. As always - unobtrusive - gentle - it was strange to see the horses walk by - looking down - Bonnie stayed very close - and watched - looked at me - and was concerned with my sadness... but they walked on - and Haley was gone.
I will miss her...but it was her time to go - no doubt about it - hard to say good bye - but at least I had that chance. It was my priveledge to pet her soft and furry head as she breathed her last breath and wish her well and an easy journey... who knows - maybe we will see her again.. I hope so!
Friday, August 22, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Success alone
Today -- Bonnie and I rode in the 10 acre field all alone... only one challenge of leadership be for we went in the gate.. and after that - it was smooth sailing... it also helped that mike had just brush hogged the field so it was all new looking -- she was very interested and went up and down and around the hay barn. I have to say it was so rewarding... she was alert and interested and I let her lead for a while - wherever she wanted to go-- awesome!!!!I even was relaxed enough to self check.. for tightness... moving with her.. pedaling..,, some - we practiced moving the hind quarters...when my confidence started to wane because we were so far from the barn... SSIGH....
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Breaking Through and other thoughts
I rode today -- and had 2 break throughs. First I played with Image. I have been working with her with lots of friendly and food - but also concentrating on not allowing her to get in my space. And that has been it for a few weeks - wehave ridden a little - but I just felt sad with her introversion...she would almost go catatonic if confronted with anything strange -- she would do what she was asked - But I could tell she was not"present". but TODAY -- she was present... and this is going to sound strange - but I Reveled in her fears. That she showed them to me-- that and a teeny bit of curiosity. I went to spray her with flyspray and she EXPLODED. SHe had never exploded before. It was easy to deal with - but she showed me that she was afraid!!!! YAY!! SO we played approach and retreat etc.. until she was not too scared. then we played with a plastic bag-- some 1/2 circles and lots of friendly- swatting horse flies. I got a good couple of circles and some front and hind quarter yields... and some back up--- then we stopped to snack of the grass -- then it was up to ride. She did well - we got a few back up steps and some movement. I have decided to take her back to a hackamore until she is more open. Then we would go here and there....with Shadow following. Then she spooked and jumped into a HUGE trot.... I was almost ready though --- she had been very sensitive to things moving around.. another example of how she is coming our of her shell. I stayed on up straight and let her go -- very short lived... and then she was scared..... we petted and walked and went in our circles till it passed...walked a little more -- and I praised her for showing me how she felt instead of shutting me out. It was a breakthrough.... Now next on to Raven - Bonnie was not wanting to play but Raven was - so I thought what the heck -- rode her on the bareback pad for a while then saddled her so I could ride in the field with more confidence with Mom. We rode for over an hour then Kelly rode for an hour--- and Raven only stumbled 3x and all three were because she stepped in a hole... very very minor. SO we rode in the field with Mom and Reno -- and Raven led -- we had 2 battles over leadership -- but I have learned since last time....:-) she tried to rub me off under a tree and was rewarded with beign asked to do circles around the tree-- we used that tactic 2 or three more times when she wanted to go somewhere else.. then we had a great ride. I relaxed into her and we dogwalked and foxtrotted around. Reno following. Then Mom and I practiced walking side by side. So on the way back -- I decided to stop Raven at the gate and prepared her and me to head off faster....and yes -- it is true --- we cantered. 3 or 4 strides - but we cantered. It was on a slight incline .... and what a blast. She was alert -- ears forward - interested and Mom said over and over how pretty she was when she is in the interested and happy state. So - today was a good horse day.. cannot wait for tomorrow!!!
Instructions to Proceed
From Susan:
Ride Bonnie every day. It gets better if you ride every day. It sounds like you could go on the trail ride now! Well, you had a threshold to find and cross. You have crossed it!The rule is to do what you are doing 7 consecutive days. If you ride and practice going, coming, stopping, hind quarter and fore quarter turn - you won't believe the advancement you will make. If you can't make 7 consecutive days, just as many as possible. Horses in training with Tony and Jenny...5 days a w eek and that is important for young horses!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
PART II -Bonnie Trail Ride at Home
I rode rode Bonnie today with Mom and we went out into a 20 acre pasture with hills and trees... SHe balked but we got through it -- she even threw a fit - but I didn't give up so then she started biting my boots ( Faking flexion) everytime... and I got wise to that. SO we went all the way up to the top and back --- it was so very cool
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Bonnie and the trail ride lesson
ok - so we are off to try trail riding. Everyone around here trail rides.. and well - Bonnie can trot around and ok so she does not steer real well and come to think of it.. she does not walk off real well -- and ok - so when she does walk off-- I am not so sure I can stop her.. but what the heck -- lets trail ride!!!! She does stand to let me get on...
I took Bonnie and Mom/Reno to a trail ride class with Tony and Jenny at Fair Play. ALl the usual suspects were there and it was 96 degrees and very very humid.
I took Bonnie and Mom/Reno to a trail ride class with Tony and Jenny at Fair Play. ALl the usual suspects were there and it was 96 degrees and very very humid.
we play on the ground- we do well... we get on... we go -- but go no where... but to the next threshold and I find mine as well -- I reach the end of my emotional strength and have to get off...and walk back
From Susan
You are the person clearly in charge. You use the strengh of your knowledge and product to persuade all people to recognize the suprior product you have. You are the person in charge in the room...all rooms. The minute you walk into the room, your energy tells the people that you are the leader. Your energy confidence overpowers all othersCan you make yourself this same person at home with the horses?Cesar Milan asks this of his dog clients all the time. What energy are you transmitting when you ride Bonnie? Make it be the energy that you take to a work site.Read Cesar's book on all the television shows. Each 1-3 pages tell about the dog, the people, what Cesar said and did and the followup success of failure of the people. Even I understood it after reading about 20 stories. I found myself in Cesar's book too. Worry about stuff and the energy of that worry projects its self into the dog's behavior. I have translated that into projecting myself into Sue's behavior.We are mere bits of emotionalism pieces locked up with a brain will to follow.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
The Pioneer Spirit
Bonnie and Apryl go on a hike-
Some things never change – or at least I seem to have adventures at 50 that reflect how I was at 10.
When I was a 10 year old- I was staying with my favorite Aunt and my cousin.. I decided that my cousin and I should have a picnic and hike to the back of the property to eat our PBJs… My Aunt Judy being the trusting sort made us a lovely lunch and off we went – surely we would not go far…Well two hours later – she picked us up at a neighbors turkey farm – she was well how should we say – not happy.… You see the lure of that next—more beautiful spot, then the next – and the next…t had lead me to a stream and 3 feet of muck – in which my cousin lost her PF fliers to the mud goddess. She cried.. and I got mad – or scared or a little of both…. She was four…and now we were in the woods all alone.. and I had no idea how to get back.. -the pioneer spirit in me was in full swing --- I kept moving – hoping to find something familiar before the coyotes ate us. Thankfully - the mud goddess accepted our offering and lead us to a turkey farm when my aunt was called and we were IN TROUBLE.( Sorry Annjeanette)
*****************************************************************************************************************
So fast forward to today…Bonnie – my Clydesdale mare and I rode in the arena – life was good—Mike and Logan were pulling up old fence posts – life on the ranch was good… so I thought we would take Bonnie on a hike..to the east 40 – so get us ready for our Trail ride weekend coming up. Now the east 40 is a vast WILDERNESS….grass as high as your eye.. fallen branches and trees – ahh a great obstacle course for us. SO off we went. I dismounted and lead her.. ( I am not THAT courageous)—this is the place where deer make their home—there is a ravine – a pond – black berry bushes – lots of tall green grass- trees with low hanging branches….hidden springs and pools of water, did I mention the springs? She followed me like a trooper – eyes all keen and interested ,, ears on me.. eating the occasional head of ripened grass. Hmm I thought – looks like a place where there might be ticks.. ahh no matter.
We walked on – she watched carefully where her feet went – in the waist high grass – but she could see the rocks and logs that I could not.. and went over them with ease… We were having FUN!!! She trusted me…she was having a great time.. so on to the next beautiful spot.—a little more dense—leading down to a pretty LITTLE stream—hmm a little marshy. Well lets see how she does with that. Splash! She did great—following, pleasantly eating the more lush green grass that grew by the springs that wound around the little valley we were in. Well now time to cross a BIG stream – about knee deep – so I stepped out first – and immediately sunk to almost my knees --- Bonnie had already started to come. I slowed her some and she found a gravel bar to stand on while I struggled to get out of the mud – If I believed in anthropomorphism… I would tell you she was smiling at her superior position, I think I heard her giggle. He spritely face covered in mud splashes.. She DID have a twinkle in her eye.
OHHHH!!! look ahead – once we Squeeze through these trees and under that one…. we walk down the stream ( knee high..) up on this bank – oh look --there are the trees that surround the pond. Bonnie does a number on the creek bed with those large hooves and mucks through the mud…did I tell you there was lots of springs and marshy mud? I never realized there were so many little springs or tributaries down there.. they are everywhere. SO the closer we get to the pond… the marshier it gets and the farther we sink if we stand still. Marsh to the left—pond to the right and in front of us the canon wall… hmm don’t think we can climb that vertical thing. If we just stand here we will be gone in two minutes, without a trace.
OK so now I am starting to think about how we are going to get out of here.. going back the way we came would be traveling through the places we had been and sunk deep and made 4 foot holes in the ground. Bonnie was happy – she didn’t care- she was on an adventure… and eating lush grass. She after all is a big stron Clydesdale with a rear made of steel. She followed me with enthusiasm.. sinking and pushing herself out of the mire like she did it every day. Back into the stream..I am not sure how it grew in size since we went through it a few minutes ago. I stepped where she had stepped and sunk above my kneecaps – and could NOT get out… Bonnie was sinking and using those powerful hinds quarters to push past me – so I undid her rope and let her lead the way – that was the most savvy thing I have done in a long time. As she walked by me – I grabbed the stirrup and let her help me out of the sink hole. The she looked up and lead me to a place I NEVER would have tried. Tall brush – but she could see over them, they were not stickers – or locusts or setting in 3 feet of mud. She made a trail for me .. and we walked out together. Back into the tall grass and back to civilization both of us glistening with black mud – and water lines to our bellies. Splattered with muck and mire--- the only thing white on either of us was my smile. She and I walked side by side for a ¼ mile. Loving the feel of wet and mud and the companionship of a shared adventure. I was so happy with how far we have come…not only tonight but over the last few years.
We walked back to the feed house where I have her a nice portion of grain..and my husband came to greet us. He kindly recommended that I undress outside and burn my clothes before I came in. So here I am 2 showers, 1 hairwash , 7 ticks and 1 pr of thrown out socks later…and alright… I know it maybe was not the best idea to go on a hike like that.. but sometimes my pioneer spirit calls… and now the mud goddess is with me.. in her furry Clydesdale form.
Some things never change – or at least I seem to have adventures at 50 that reflect how I was at 10.
When I was a 10 year old- I was staying with my favorite Aunt and my cousin.. I decided that my cousin and I should have a picnic and hike to the back of the property to eat our PBJs… My Aunt Judy being the trusting sort made us a lovely lunch and off we went – surely we would not go far…Well two hours later – she picked us up at a neighbors turkey farm – she was well how should we say – not happy.… You see the lure of that next—more beautiful spot, then the next – and the next…t had lead me to a stream and 3 feet of muck – in which my cousin lost her PF fliers to the mud goddess. She cried.. and I got mad – or scared or a little of both…. She was four…and now we were in the woods all alone.. and I had no idea how to get back.. -the pioneer spirit in me was in full swing --- I kept moving – hoping to find something familiar before the coyotes ate us. Thankfully - the mud goddess accepted our offering and lead us to a turkey farm when my aunt was called and we were IN TROUBLE.( Sorry Annjeanette)
*****************************************************************************************************************
So fast forward to today…Bonnie – my Clydesdale mare and I rode in the arena – life was good—Mike and Logan were pulling up old fence posts – life on the ranch was good… so I thought we would take Bonnie on a hike..to the east 40 – so get us ready for our Trail ride weekend coming up. Now the east 40 is a vast WILDERNESS….grass as high as your eye.. fallen branches and trees – ahh a great obstacle course for us. SO off we went. I dismounted and lead her.. ( I am not THAT courageous)—this is the place where deer make their home—there is a ravine – a pond – black berry bushes – lots of tall green grass- trees with low hanging branches….hidden springs and pools of water, did I mention the springs? She followed me like a trooper – eyes all keen and interested ,, ears on me.. eating the occasional head of ripened grass. Hmm I thought – looks like a place where there might be ticks.. ahh no matter.
We walked on – she watched carefully where her feet went – in the waist high grass – but she could see the rocks and logs that I could not.. and went over them with ease… We were having FUN!!! She trusted me…she was having a great time.. so on to the next beautiful spot.—a little more dense—leading down to a pretty LITTLE stream—hmm a little marshy. Well lets see how she does with that. Splash! She did great—following, pleasantly eating the more lush green grass that grew by the springs that wound around the little valley we were in. Well now time to cross a BIG stream – about knee deep – so I stepped out first – and immediately sunk to almost my knees --- Bonnie had already started to come. I slowed her some and she found a gravel bar to stand on while I struggled to get out of the mud – If I believed in anthropomorphism… I would tell you she was smiling at her superior position, I think I heard her giggle. He spritely face covered in mud splashes.. She DID have a twinkle in her eye.
OHHHH!!! look ahead – once we Squeeze through these trees and under that one…. we walk down the stream ( knee high..) up on this bank – oh look --there are the trees that surround the pond. Bonnie does a number on the creek bed with those large hooves and mucks through the mud…did I tell you there was lots of springs and marshy mud? I never realized there were so many little springs or tributaries down there.. they are everywhere. SO the closer we get to the pond… the marshier it gets and the farther we sink if we stand still. Marsh to the left—pond to the right and in front of us the canon wall… hmm don’t think we can climb that vertical thing. If we just stand here we will be gone in two minutes, without a trace.
OK so now I am starting to think about how we are going to get out of here.. going back the way we came would be traveling through the places we had been and sunk deep and made 4 foot holes in the ground. Bonnie was happy – she didn’t care- she was on an adventure… and eating lush grass. She after all is a big stron Clydesdale with a rear made of steel. She followed me with enthusiasm.. sinking and pushing herself out of the mire like she did it every day. Back into the stream..I am not sure how it grew in size since we went through it a few minutes ago. I stepped where she had stepped and sunk above my kneecaps – and could NOT get out… Bonnie was sinking and using those powerful hinds quarters to push past me – so I undid her rope and let her lead the way – that was the most savvy thing I have done in a long time. As she walked by me – I grabbed the stirrup and let her help me out of the sink hole. The she looked up and lead me to a place I NEVER would have tried. Tall brush – but she could see over them, they were not stickers – or locusts or setting in 3 feet of mud. She made a trail for me .. and we walked out together. Back into the tall grass and back to civilization both of us glistening with black mud – and water lines to our bellies. Splattered with muck and mire--- the only thing white on either of us was my smile. She and I walked side by side for a ¼ mile. Loving the feel of wet and mud and the companionship of a shared adventure. I was so happy with how far we have come…not only tonight but over the last few years.
We walked back to the feed house where I have her a nice portion of grain..and my husband came to greet us. He kindly recommended that I undress outside and burn my clothes before I came in. So here I am 2 showers, 1 hairwash , 7 ticks and 1 pr of thrown out socks later…and alright… I know it maybe was not the best idea to go on a hike like that.. but sometimes my pioneer spirit calls… and now the mud goddess is with me.. in her furry Clydesdale form.
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