26 and counting...

That number is the amount of Postings I have missed in 2 days...some folks write MULTIPLE posts in 24 hours! I am amazed at what goes on here! I did not want to miss them all, but I just had to do some real work at the salon and with my husband home with me these past two nights when I got off...could'nt even sneak over the to desk...would be rude! he may think I care more for responses and awards or something!
Oh...I think I hear the car in the drive...gotta go..I am havivg a massive inward meltdown....I miss you all and have to go! catch you sometime soon ..I think! one of my new years goals is to be more "in person" with my husband instead of here!

AND>This is the first time anyone has actually asked me questions about anything on my blog...and I can't even respond now! hahah! gotta laugh it off!
hope you are okay Lisa! I will keep praying!
KK

Monday Cavalletti Training nights are on

What is gained by using Cavalletti for training a horse?

"The development of the muscles is dependant upon stimulation by regular planned exercises. They disappear if they are not used.

This is why Cavalletti work is so exceptionally well suited to the development of the muscles, because it requires the horse to undergo disciplined exercise. The horse is required to lift his feet higher than normal and therefore to put them down again on the ground more firmly and securely."..... "Cavalletti work can also be adapted to loosen up the muscles and ease off stiffness." Reiner Klimke

These are the patterns Washashe and I used tonight. 2 sets of TROT rails with a 10 foot break in between for a 10 meter circle.Mondays are the marked out times for use of the arena for jumping and this kind of work...though, many days I am there alone and may set it all up on my own. Tonight was awesome as My friend with her Thoroughbred Vinnie, set up all out polls! I took it down this time. It goes much faster with help! Next time I will set up.

Washashe was very quiet today when I went to get her...she just stood at the gate. Yesterday we were able to go out in the snow again...but it was the PERFECT temp for the ground..not frozen- and not slick..we cantered quite a bit and found a few areas to hand gallop. I think she was pooped today!

Tomorrow...just walk trails I think. Oh and, Got some news today too....the owner has no one to clean the paddock and stall for the mare she just moved in there-BUG.- her owner apparently don't visit and were not told that they should clean up after her...I am off duty for cleaning others poo..just got my time back after doing Pantz's stall for a year and both mares stall + paddock now since May. WHEW...done with 2. Need more time for my one mare for the $ I spend.

This is a reminder........Brighter and warmer days are comming! And then the beach times!! Yea!

Silent Sunday Solo Snow

Farewell Ride

Our Fare well Ride of 2008 was just about as blustery as it could be for us without knocking us both to the ground. Most of our trails were redecorated either with water, as see here, or by remnants of our white powdery Christmas gift from the sky.

Some thought me crazy, yet, I had to go. Pantz just left, and my sissy was so late I did not get to talk to her, at all, and that bummed me .

The trail and wood called me to it's solitary places deep inside and far away from where I was...promising to give me new insight and strength.

My mare met me at the gate with head hung over the electric tape that apparently, was not hot. I think tree limbs and such must have severed the connections . Our wind and rain storms have now replaced the snow, of late.

We bundled up, me and my mountain horse jacket and my mare in her fleece quarter sheet. Down the path we went with the wind to be greeted by a raging creek where once, was none. We forded the wet rush and up the first hill to find white remnants , spattered randomly .

Redecorated trails for New Years ! Paths of fresh forest greens smelling lovely. Natural Cavallettis, strewn throughout our once familiar paths. Once, as we walked through the thickest part of the wood a tree, that was destined to fall as it was half way uprooted, decided to come on down as we passed near.

That was a bolting shock for me ,as Wa made sure we were not the final resting place for it's trunk!

All in all, it was a nice ride. Us, sheltered from the wind inside the forest thicket. My mare not having been ridden or having stretched her legs, but a few times in the past 12 days, really was entreating me to let her rip..but, I feared the slick ground and massive debris, would have claimed one horse and rider!

Home again, we decided to go meet our New Years Pasture mate ,in person, as she was moved to the lower paddock of Wa's field.
Bug, kissed her new friend's face sweetly and Wa returned the gesture. This older Arabian mare has been pastured below my mare for the past month.

I was pleased that Wa received the mare gently and I sensed that she respected her. And she did the darndest thing too....she began to nibble on her nose, ever so lightly. It was endearing, to be sure.

WATCH The SWEET FIRST MEETING - "CLICK" statement Below,

She said to her new Grey mare..let me nibble on your nose!

December Rolling Frenzy

This was the last time Pantz and Washashe would have together...little did they know, or really care!
They had been cooped up in the pea gravel paddocks for almost 2 weeks with our snow and ice. The stable was still on arena turn out mode, so this was all I had time for.... again....The mares could NOT get down to roll fast enough after I took those heavy winter blankets off! It truley was hilarious...them prancing in place to find the right spot to go down..then the Rolling Frenzy began!!
After that, Pantz thought she'd "herd" the Wa around the arena...and she did till Wa got tired of it and Kicked out! I like how horses don't have to miss..but they do!
Wa said ENOUGH!

Last time for them together... Pretty Pantz left yesterday for the coast to a different facility with her true mom owner, my sister.

It was a tough day for me, being weepy. Pantz knew something was up...she'd follow me till I would stop then she'd sniff my runny nose and I would just break out in sobs again. She pinned my head to her neck at the last and I just let er-rip.
She is deffinately the mare that stole my heart for how she could read my mind and act accordingly. I am going to miss her greatly.

I am still beat to heck after 5 hours of paddock management. I knew I was in for it when the owner said, "your paddocks look terrible". OH my friends....if a horse poos once and hour-roughly-I picked near 168 Craps out of two paddocks! They only crapped in the gravel, since the snow was 2 feet deep where they normally go!
My dear friend helped me and she told me today...she was SORE-SORE!!!

So, Pantz is gone and I am still very weepy. I have words for you on Wa's adjustment to a new pasture/roomate and her parting from Pantz went later but-Not to leave you in wonderment now- It ended up being very good. Will fill you in soon .
KK OUT

Bye Bye Pantz

My sister came and retrieved her mare Pantz yesterday. She had to bring her to the Portland area last January 2008 to board with me, as her private barn had sold. She got 20 days notice...and at the Oregon coast, there is not too much going on in the way of boarding stables!

These are some of the memories I have of the Appaloosa Pantz, that stole my heart.

The mares Pantz & Wa reunited, after being separated for a year, when my sister brought Washashe to me in 2004

Pantz frequently would show off her Yoga moves to acquire what looked better to her~

Pantz always took care of my best friends that would ride my "second horse"..........

I adored my fall rides with this Pantz..just her and I and the colors of our world. She would check in with me if I took a little too long, making her stand!

Bye bye~dear Pantz I have loved you whole hearted...and you sweet mare, have loved me in return~