Just call me "Cool Hand Luke?"

Yes my new nickname from my new Barn Owner. No it's not because I'm an excellent gambler or a notorious outlaw. It's because my horse likes it when I clean his sheath. There I said it. Icky I know, but I had to do it the other day as it was swollen....turns out it was just a reaction to the new Dynamite products we switched to and cleaning wasn't even necessary. Either way, Thunder showed his appreciation by falling asleep in the process and lifting his tail and butt to the sky. Now mind you when the Barn Owner tried to get near, he tempted to kick her...didn't but was a pretty nasty threat. Well, it doesn't bug me to clean it really, it's necessary with a gelding and he might as well be one of my children (I don't have any)....with me not being grossed out by cleaning it, and him "enjoying it?", I guess this is what it amounts to: Just call me Cool Hand Luke. Guess I won't live that one down.

What Those Untamely Winter Coats Are Really For

The Winter coat that some horse owners dread.....I am personally in love with. OF course as long as it stays somewhat on the tame side ;). I was puttin' around the barn AGAIN today (as if you could even TRY to keep me away) and decided to spend several long moments grooming. Thunder is the type of horse that starts getting at least a half an inch of furriness around late August. By the end of the season he is a good 2" larger in fluff. So needless to say Spring shedding is a doosey. But I don't mind one bit. Why don't I use a blanket in the winter you might ask? WHY would I.... he's got all he needs from God's great hands to keep him warm. So oh ya back to being at the barn today, I was freezing my little tush off, and here he was this 1000lb animal, completely content with the elements outside. I gave him the biggest hug, you know the horsey bear hug. Wrapped both my arms around his neck, shoved my face in his mane, and gave him a good scratch in the process. Guess what I got in return.... A hug back :). He tucked his nose around my back and rested there for a few minutes, of course until something more exciting popped up....like a leaf blowing hahaha. Now that he is being stalled, I have the luxury of having USUALLY a clean coat. And boy do I enjoy that velvety soft fluff, it's very comforting! So what my story comes down to......"What those untamely winter coats are REALLY for:"

*Keeping me warm.
*Keeping him warm.
*Collecting all that unnecessary dust that floats in the air.
*Keeping him warm.
*Smelling like his own secretions, of course to mark his territory ;)
*Keeping him warm...
*And most definitely for the toning we will be receiving of our arms that he thinks we need, especially at Spring time when he decides he's too hot.
*Oh ya.....and for keeping me warm <3

See how it works?

Stall Boredom Driving ME NUTS??!

It is becoming that time of year again when the weather starts to turn on us and it's a little harder to go outside and "smell the roses." Thunder has always been a dopey kind of horse with little to medium energy. Well since moving to the new barn, he has been completely different...lets say a lot more SPIRITED. After being turned out 24/7 for the past month and a half he was brought in to his box. I call it a box because that's what it is....a 12 x 12 box. Granted it's warm and has nummy food and tasty fresh water, it's still doesn't compare to being able to gallop in the grass, chase bees , and eat acorns. With my natural motherly instincts I feel his anxiety about having to stand in one space for hours upon hours. Although it may not be as bad as I make it out to be, I still feel for him. And low and behold he had shown me how BORED he really was. Only being able to have 1 window open to stick his head out, he was grabbing at his halters and dropping them on the ground. What had happened with the other window? Well, there was some much to tasty stall door to chew on. So in loo of his new obssession with destruction of property, the window was closed shut and locked. Now it's even feeling more like a jail and I can feel my breaths shortening and my nerves being frayed to bits. I turn him out almost daily, he's under training twice a week, and he gets handfuls of treats and love a day. How does he show his appreciation? By reaching that big neck of his around and grabbing my new lounge whip, pulling it into his stall, and snapping it as well as chewing the rope. Yay. New solution. I decide to make him a lovely toy, made with love. Feeling pretty proud of myself, I hung that milk jug full of cookies in his stall. That was yesterday...and this was today.

He had managed to shake loose all of the cookies that were put inside. I am happy to say that it worked! However, I will probably have to start drinking a lot more milk.

So Just an Update...

It has definitely been a while since I have posted something new on here, but so much has changed with my boy and I. As of February 2009, I started my 3 year old under saddle. It was exciting and scary and could have been dangerous if I wasn't dealing with such an old soul. Here I am, a beginner rider and him putting all his trust in me.... and on the saddle went. Barely a flinch. After everything those old time cowboys had said to me and all the criticism that I didn't know what I was doing had gone out the window. I had done something right. There was a reason why I waited to actually get on until I felt we were both ready.... intuition? Smarts? or maybe we can just really read eachother. The first time I sat there in the saddle things just felt like I had found my legs, my eyes, my soul.

Eight months later, we have been on several trail rides, made it through some battles of communication, and are now instilling a stronger foundation of respect. In September 2009 we switched barns as we were not progressing where we were, and are blossoming under a trainer. That's right, I found me a trainer.... no more trying to do things on my own. It feels wonderful being surrounded by people that really care about horses and their well being. Thunder is becoming a very well rounded young man. I am very pleased and excited to see what else is in store for us.