Welcome to Fern Valley

Here in central Alberta prime farm country,my husband Martin and I work together raising beef cattle and Appaloosa horses. Fern valley appaloosas have long been known for their quality of temperament conformation and color.I have recently rediscovered a love of writing and have published 2 collections of poetry. "Telling Tails" and Tails Trails and Campfire stories" . I look forward to a future spreading my wings as an author and as a horse woman .

Sunday 23 October 2011

Baby steps

Well after my last post about that case of the "I ought to's" I figured, "alright girl,put your money where your mouth is!"
I can't say that I did all I wanted to , but I got a start on things.
Comet has been getting by on  "cute and little" for a while now, and he tried on "Bigger and snotty " on Friday. It didn't go well for him.


Saturday I cleaned stalls, and spent a bit of time "getting in his space " Also inviting him into my space in an appropriate way (ie , not ears pinned and demanding feed! ) It didn't take long at all and he was accepting and moving off of pressure , and coming back for more attention. HE is a sweet colt , but they all have to test boundaries sometime .
A lot of the same work with Quinn.It is important to remember , just because he is really sweet and friendly , he does not automatically know what is expected of him. Colts like Quinn are great as long as we don't forget to teach them all the same stuff we would teach any other horse . After all , its sweet when he is little , but a 1000 lb lap dog is NOT my idea of a good time .
Once the barn cleaning was done , and the work with the little guys . I moved on to Dandy . His lessons this weekend were about patience (standing tied) and willingly giving his feet . He is pretty good , but patience is not his strong suit , so we are working on that. Another one who would be easy to let slide, because  he is willing and gently , and BIG!But like kids in school, just because they are taller or bigger than the others , doesn't mean they know more. Dandy got a good grooming and stood tied for about 20 min .I am impressed , never took more than the slack in the rope ,as soon as he feels pressure he stops! Once I was done that I did chores and  packed it in for the day . Dang I am out of shape for that kind of stuff!




Deb and Brian stopped by last evening to help (read Deb and I watched while Brian worked) hang my pictures that got taken down for painting . Looks terrific! Thanks Brian!

Up this morning and they came with me to get a decent load of square bales (I have been getting smaller loads at the mill on my own ,its nicer to go with help when you have to load and unload yourself .

Once that was all done , back into the barn with the boys , for some more focused work . And another lesson with Dandy . He did well, but we had a little whoops and he beaned me in the head with his jaw. This actually made me smile after I finished cussing . One of the best horses I ever owned Sunshine (nicknamed Shiner)  , was white ,and the first horse ever to give me a black eye! and broke my nose (all with the side of her head!) Weren't we just all talking about safety ? That said , she was an awesome horse ,and if Dandy turns out to be half the horse she was ...
Besides I bang my head on the door of my car fairly regularly , I need a helmet most days to get out of bed in the morning so I wont hold it against him for now .
Worked with my sweet Annie  as well, though all I need to do with her these days is just get back on and get  her going well under saddle again. She was started last year, and is good , but had some soundness issues . She seem resolved now so we can get back at it .

Was going to go spend some time doing ground work with Cat and Andee as well, but was getting tired. Also Marc needed some help with a repair on the bale mover (which basically did me in) it was not a lot  of  work but standing bent at an odd angle which is a bit tough on my back .
 Off to our church this evening for a talent show and chili cookoff. Had a very nice time .

So all in all a pretty good weekend . Not all I want to get done , but a start . And every little  bit counts right?Just got to keep up some momentum, and ad a bit each day .
Stay safe!

11 comments:

aurora said...

Sounds like you got a lot done to me! Shorter lessons with frequency goes a long way. Glad you smiled after cussing, hope your none worse for the wear.

Reddunappy said...

You did get a lot done!
I need to schedule my days, just doesnt seem to work out.
I am going to try to break out of my routine this winter and take Emma up to my sis-in-laws for a few weeks and ride her!!!

Jeni said...

holy cow! I'm exhausted just working my two mares - I can't even imagine that kinda work.

Thanks about your comments in regards to Bonnie. Sometimes I regret not breeding her to some fine Paint. Not only does she have good confirmation and moves nice - she's a smart, opinionated mare with a sense of humor. Not to mention she's saved my life a time or two out on the trail.

Anonymous said...

Busy, busy, and all good stuff - those babies are growing up fast! Glad your head is OK!

GoLightly said...

I bang my head on my car door alot too. What is it with that? Why can't they make the doors less aggressive??

Sounds like a busy productive weekend!
Have a wonderful week!

Cheyenne said...

There is always more work to do...and lady, you got piles done! Well done! I'm glad you had help for loading & unloading bales too....I can't believe you've been doing that yourself. Egads! Always get help. :)

I don't know if I told you the other day, but I've been loving your series on safety. It's such a good reminder.

Hope your Monday goes well. Take care of yourself this week!

Shirley said...

The look on Comet's face- "holy crap- she means business!")
Dandy and Quinn, full brothers aren't they? sound like they have the same disposition.
Baby steps for babies, and don't work too hard.

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Dandy and Quinn are 1/2 brothers ,Dandy is out of JAzz , and Quinn out of Ritchie . Quinn is full bro to Justus. But same or similar disposition all round .All sons of Cactus . Actually I think now that Comet has the sillyness out of his system he will fall into line like the others

Sherry Sikstrom said...

Cheyenne, thanks so much , and thank you for your sweet and insightful comment on my last post as well

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Your big snotty lap dog is just beautiful!!! 'Reminds me of the Appaloosa I was raised with. I had a pony when I was a little chicklett who tried to follow me in the house. She thought she was a puppy too!

God bless ya and have yourself an extraordinary day!!! :o)

Nicole said...

baby steps is good! Don't wear yourself out!