Cold strange day at the farm - Time with Duke

Called ahead this morning, it was so cold.  I could tell by the tone of Bobs voice on the phone that things were a little different today.  I received a text from Kanti that Sheila has left the farm.  It made me feel sad inside and out.  I know she was feeling uncomfortable lately and getting lots of stress while she was working from Bob.  I wish it hadn't happened but things change sometimes not for the better.  I began to hope I did the right thing with the  lease.  I wouldn't miss one of my last times to see Duke.  Texted Kanti to see about our plan, she said she hadn't set up anything yet.  I called in and let Bob know we wanted to ride for 10am.  It was barely 40 degrees maybe colder with the wind and the gusts. The sun was peeking so we may be ok.  There was a large group that came in a van with an older woman.  It was an interesting bunch of young people maybe in their early 20s.  Cassie has her hands full with this change so I was there to help but I don't know what Im doing.  Kanti knows.  Bob on the phone said that I need get there and get my horse ready.  Wow the responsibility on Sarah and her value will be recognized soon.  She has actually had some challenges with working.  It isn't easy to be responsible for all the people and horses.
Well Kanti was talking with Cathy while she administered some medicine to Tabu.  I know that people had a trust for Sheila that is important to maintain.  Anyway we were going out on this ride.  I had requested Duke and was happy to get going.  He had gone on the ride with the girl with the dark hat and long hair's mother before me.  I know that Duke is for sale but he wasn't himself on the ride. A couple times he had walked on the soft edge but during the trot he was skipping steps to take the weight off his foot.  After I told Cassie I wanted to walk him back to the farm.  She said it would be ok.  I was truly uncomfortable but still took care to keep me safe.  I love him for that way he is on rides.  Anyway I couldn't wait for the ride to be over because it was getting too difficult for him especially going top the hill before the barn.  I was getting worried. The woman in front of me was asking lots of questions about the farm and Kanti was talking with the young girl who is sad about her classes and how she wants to be a game developer.  The conversation was interesting but I wanted to get off the ride and get Duke in the barn to check his back hoof, (I thought).  Kanti didn't see any of the limping until the end of the ride.  I got off Duke and walked him directly over to the barn Kanti took his clip and attached him to the hook.  I gave him bites of carrots and then Cassie took a look at this right rear hoof.  She was  talking about a hoof test before Duke is sold.  I was a little worried.  Duke is a great horse and a little TLC would be nice.  I was not able to take too many pictures today of the ride but it was just as beautiful as any other.  It was the short ride that goes up past the lake then around back to the dry area and over the sand to the bridge, rail bed around the corner over the stream and up the hill to the barns.  I wanted to be off of Duke especially as he tried to make his way up the hill before the barn.
I brushed out Duke and then spoke with Bobby.  I noticed that the newer woman that is kinda creepy seemed almost jealous of my conversations with Bobby.  She is a strange woman and I am worried about her intentions.  Anyway I want to make sure that she is not near me.  I got a chance to brush out cedric too.  Freckles jumped when I was over by his stall to give him a carrot.  I hope they are ok.
I went into hang out with Bob in the office, nothing said about Sheila, I figure it is best that way.  Im sorry to have things be like that but young Bobby says he and Cassie will carry on.  Not sure about next spring but for this winter it may be ok.  I asked Bob what he was doing for Thanksgiving and he said he'd be there for the meal, doesn't want to leave the farm for any amount of time.  Just like Uncle Alfred, too responsible for too many things.

First day on the lease -- Apache

Set it up for a 9am but it became overbooked and the 10am that was full, the Boy Scouts cancelled so I was able to go on the smaller ride, 10am.  They were running out of horses, because there was a few men on the 10am ride.

Val getting Duke ready for the others to ride at the 9am

I made sure I visited Tabu and gave she and Tonto and fed them carrots before our 10am ride while the 9am was out.  Those two are getting better so quickly.  Tonto is such a nibbler on the one side of the inside barn and Smokey was getting brushed at the same time by the young woman that was on the ride last week.  She said she was grumpy on a ride last week but she was feeling good today.  She said there was no such thing as Sweet 16, it was more like miserable 16.

I talked with her and this week she seemed in a great mood.
I think I like being a leaser. 

Blue was in a stall and they said he wasnt riding today. He was covered with mud and he kept looking at me to see if I would visit him.  Bogie was all set so Kanti and I had a hour to kill before our ride.  I asked if we could maybe brush Blue.

I didnt think we could.  Kanti ran right in and asked if she could remove Blue and we could take the metal comb and the brush and get him all cleaned up.
I want to get better at taking care of the horses.  While we were doing that in the barn, Val was walking Tonto to stretch his legs and get him moving.  She was laughing at me because while I was brushing out Blue, she said I was so gentle it was funny.

I found myself brushing my hand along his fur and then running the metal comb over it.  I didnt want Blue to think that I was being pushy.  It was fun and I really like him!  The first ride finally returned it was a huge ride.  The weather became so much warmer and the sun making it easy to sun outisde.  While Lexie her mom and Kanti sat on the stone wall waiting for the ride to return, there was a strange person walking on the other side of the boarder field behind the shelter with 2 large dogs, a light and dark one.  He seemed to be running the dogs and I thought it was dangerous for him to be doing that while we were out in the woods.
Hunting season had started again and I had my bright green/yellow hoodie under the Carhart jacket.  I was almost too warm.  It was climbing into the 60s.  Nice Day.

The ride of 19 people was on its way back and I was getting excited to ride.  There were too many men in this ride and I had a feeling that I would not get to ride Duke. I  was getting worried, Duke wasnt available for me but for a guy.  So all the riders were on and i was waiting at the rail.

Sheila walked back to the office and on the way by she said, Dont worry Jules they are getting a horse for you.  I was getting excited.
So they took out Apache, and while Cassie was getting the bridle on his face she commented that he was very stubborn.  Actually she called him a DB.  i was suddenly worried about this horse.

So Danny said OK hes ready lets go Jules, so I jumped on his back.  He was kinda small for me.

 Cassie said he was a good horse he just doesnt like doing anything.  Well, as she was adjusting my stirrups he started walking, I pulled back.  Danny said have a great ride and as I looked back Cassie was smiling.  I knew I was in for an interesting ride today.  Apache started to trot to the water barrels.  I pulled back on him.  He seemed to hate it.  I began talking to him kindly.
As we went I could tell this would be a different ride.  Apache is aggressive. As I approached the water barrels, Apache pushed his way and Bogie and he dont like each other.  We got in line and then the ride began.  I had to make sure that he didnt tailgate poor Belle.  He trotted up the first hill.  His lively steps gave me a different walk.
He uses short quick steps and when its time to trot he wants to go fast.  We trotted the test trot, at the desert and then the long trot.  This guy was loving going fast.  He seemed to think that everyone else was holding him up.  I had petted him a few times on the side and on the head as we rode and also worked to see if he would feel loved.  I was slightly worried that maybe I was more challenged with Apache because I needed to make sure he behaved.

During the 3rd trot he began to go into a canter.  I was totally surprised.  Cassie smiled at me and said, Jules did you get into a little canter?.  I was pretty dam excited.  I had to sort steer him to make sure that he stayed on the trial.  He wanted to run the ride his own way.  Im pretty sure that Apache is usually with the guides and I feel that getting to ride him is a new challenge for me.  As we walked along Apache's walk was more like a cowboys walk.  I was bumping up and down with his strides and his trot was powerful and ready to speed up to a faster canter and possibly whatever I would let him do.  As fast as he wanted to go maybe he would do a great job as a guide horse, wanted to be first.  I was so excited the whole ride.

After the ride I took some pictures of Duke and gave him a few carrots.  He knew I was there for him and backed up to get his carrots and pose for his special pictures.  I also tried to get Apache's attention but he didnt look back once. I threw some piecies of carrots on the ground at his feet I hope he gets some.  At the end of the time I gave all of the horses carrots with Kanti.  Hershey, Bogie, Mariah, Midnight.  I made sure that Domino got a few carrots before I left too.

 Today I was able to get to go in the barn and help with the horses.  I am working with Kanti to learn more about how to care for each one of them.  I am honestly timid  but she is forward and helps me to feel more confidant.

I stayed a little while after and spoke with Bobby and with Bob and make sure I gave the rest of the carrots to to Bob for the horses. Also I made sure I went on the side of the Barn to give Sargent and Winston a few carrots and some attention.
I was so happy when I left the farm and didnt even get apples either.

Saw a man about a horse today, a leased horse

Left work on a Friday at 12 noon, grabbed a little sushi at Bamboo and then headed home and to Bobby's.  I was happy driving there in a different time of day.  I imagined how cool it would be to ride every Friday.  Stopped at Donegan's its parking lot was totally full, much different than Saturdays at 9am.  Well went in and grabbed the carrots, some milk and they were having a wine tasting so I had a chance to take a sip of wine and get out the door to head to the farm.

When I go there a woman was looking at Bogie.  I went into the office not the window with Bob but went into the office's back door and sat down with Bob.  He smiled and seemed happy to see me.  I told him that  i had taken time off from work to come talk to him about some business.  I told him I would like to do a 1/2 lease for the winter.  A winter lease.  He seemed happy to hear it.  His first question was, what horse did I want to lease?
Well, I really was expecting him to suggest a horse for me.  He asked me who i wanted to ride . . .
Besides Duke.

Well I said I love them all.  I couldnt even think.  Hershey, Domino, Smokey and of course Blue and Tulsa. We mentioned Tulsa but I said I wanted a larger horse that could handle my size.  Young Bobby came into the office. I asked him for some advice about who I should lease.  We all came to the conclusion that I love all of the horses and was challenged to chose one of them.  I asked if I could just not chose.  If Duke came back from his sales deal I would take him but otherwise could I just lease the available horse for now?
Bob and Bobby said it would work out fine if we agreed to that one.  I can lease all of them.
:)
I am very happy today.  I never thought I would lease a horse because I Love them all so much.
This is the perfect solution.  $200 a month for riding as much as I can.  I cant wait.

I went out to see the herd and check on Domino.  I was able to give him a carrot but didnt give any more so they wouldnt fight.  Its tough to be in a herd.

10am Kanti Val Anja Sheila plus my guy Duke

Sheila said that Bob sold Duke again.  I hope nothing bad happens.  He has taught me so many things and I love to spend time with him. I was hoping that we could have a relationship and he would get to know me more.  Bob said that I should have bought him. That I could have stopped the sale if I had bought a horse.  Maybe he's worried about money and feeding the horses.  I might think about leasing a horse for the winter.  The ride was nice today.  There were only 3 others on the trot ride and there were 2 people on the walk ride.  Anja was leading on our ride and we rode with Sheila too.  It was nice to have her able to go out on rides with Kanti and I.  I was riding Duke thinking again about how much I missed him last time he left and that this time he make not come back. The woman Sandy was there.  She is a little strange to me.  So long as Cassie is comfortable with her I guess that is enough.  Bob does seem a little annoyed with people.  I came in the office and hung out a litlle.  I hope he's feeling ok.  Sheila is getting stressed and I hope that doesnt keep happening.  She is too valuable to feel the way she says she's feeling.  She needs to be appreciated.

Lakota is on the left and Callie is on the right

Sheila says that Lakota doesnt like Callie because they are from different herds.  So cut.

My Horse friends