Rode with the new bareback pad today

I was so excited today just to see Duke. It was so much colder than the last few days.  He was in his paddock and he came running over when he saw me.  Lake Greenwood is taking over big time out there.  Today Doc didn't come over and Duke came right over.  There was Christie was on Johnny in the arena and I wanted to put Duke in the tie backs and get his tail, mane all beautiful with the new stuff, Manely, https://manelylonghair.com/

It was fun to brush him out. I took the bareback pad out.  I prayed that I may get to put it on. The tacky bottom and the quick clip was very easy to use. I put some peppermint on his bridle.  After lots of time grooming I went into the arena. I was alone. I worked for a long time to coordinate jumping on him.   I maybe made a mistake  by taking out some peppermint. NOt sure if it was a great idea or a terrible idea. After a long time and I had considered giving up.  I was setting p the step, and then line him up, go up the stair and then put my body over his back and then clammer over with my leg. I feel like I am almost kidding him.  As I was doing it I felt he would walk away like last time.  He didn't. I finally got on him by many tries of swinging my body over him. 

70 degrees, Duke was shedding so much, Safari and Jess joined us

So busy at the barn.  When I got there it was muddy as hell so I parked in front of Fred's truck against the hay barn.  Fred was working around the front of the barn and KristenP was coming out of the office. It was really warm.  70 degrees.  Crazy beautiful.  I looked out at the field and it was partly snow and mostly grass.  It makes me feel so good. I went over and talked to Safari and Jess.  Safari's eye is still gray and he was so cute in the ties.  I was happy to see her and Kristen.  I was beautiful to go get Duke from the paddock.  There was a lady yelling in the arena she was giving someone who leases Manny a lesson.  Manny is blind but hes a pro in the arena. The lady or girl who was riding him was happy to be workin ghim.  The lady teacher was just too loud.  I went and got Duke and put him on the cross ties.  Brushing him out was amazing.  He was so hairy.  The fur was coming out like crazy.  When I got Duke from the paddock he looked great.  He was not dirty at all like the other horses.  Doc was trying to keep him from the gate.  I had to tell him to back off.  He hates Doc.  Its too bad that they have to room together. 

Brushing out Duke was fun.  Tons of hair. I worked on him for a long time.  I had brought my knew bareback pad for him.  The arena was just too busy.  I wasn't even going to ride but the field looked good.  So, I asked Fred to grab him so I could jump up.  I absolutely hate that hes always moving while Im trying to get on.  Fred grabbed his reins and I jumped on.  We went out to the field quick.  Duke was careful on his footing but it seems like he likes that first field the best.  I don't think Ill take him over to the trailer ever again. I hate that path.



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It was so nice to go into the arena with Duke again through the side door and walk around a little bit alone.  Scotti came in but I only walked for a minute and then I took that guy out to the middle to stand, which he did perfectly and then I slide off him, got his bit off and walked him by Safari, into his stall.  Such a good boy. I took his saddle off and gave him some cookies, apples while he munched on his hay.  Kristen said that the horses were coming in and he would be good for the night.  He was happy. I gave everyone around Duke cookies. I like Misty so she gets lots now.  She even yells at me know. So cute. I love her.  It was the best day, who knew it would be so fun.  Next time I want to go out into the trails.  I hope so.

Oh maybe next time it will be quiet and I can jump on him bareback in the arena again.  :)

Sunday Sunny Day 58 degrees

What a nice visit. I felt so good about yesterday's visit all I wanted to do was to walk in the snow with Duke. He was truly happy to see me. I took him out and we didn't do any saddle taking. It was about 58 degrees.  So beautiful. Still cant find my coat. I guess that Bonnie and Krystyn had seen it but I must have left it at the corner.It had my bill frm Dave in the pocket.  Anyway, When I got to the barn that lady Christie was working with Johnny. I was happy to go into Duke's stall and he had some hay.  I walked out with my new boots and cleats and walked into Lake Greenwood over to Duke. He looked as though he was sleeping when I pulled up. It was beautiful today.
Don't need to actually ride him although I need to ride bareback more so I got a new pad, no stirrups because they give a false sense of security.  Anyway I got Duke and we went directly out into the deep snowy field.  HE seemed very excited about it. He kept his pace and I could barely keep up with him As I was walking in the field I could see Fred.pull up in his red truck. I was already out in the field. Duke was so excited to walk with me. He stopped and put his nose in the snow and started to roll some as he walked. I had never seen him do that in the soft snow.  He walked along and when I felt like he had done a great job, I gave him his peppermint. He really appreciated it. We walked along in the reallyh deep snow. I was so proud of how he listned. I let him run a little bit and he was so happy. He listned to me on the lead line today. IT was much better. Made me have so much more confindance in him and with him.  We went over at the end of Bonnie house, and the boat still makes Duke uncomfortable. There was grass tall and crunchy at the base of the boat. I thought for sure he would nose over to the edge and snack but he sort of gave me a sign that he didn't feel comfortable close to it yet.  I tried my best to move fast but the snow was so deep. Duke was very patient with my slow ness. All together we walked about 1 mile and a half plus the deep snow kept me busy.


Safari was in with Jess getting tacked up. I could see his eye. Its amazing looking. Like white. Im praying that hes going to be ok. The is limited in his sight but I could tell that he was feeling a little bit caustious. I walked by him and he was kinda nippy. Then I realized he maybe could see me. Poor baby. I talked to Scotti only a little bit. Shes kinda in her own world. Its good, shes happy about Doc and that's good.  When I left Mike was there with Hannah Stacey had just got in and Kristen, Krystyn Bonnie Fred Jess.  I put Duke back out and gave out tons of Peppermints. Actually while I was just hanging out in Duke and Doc's paddock, all of those people arrived and started a tea party. Id like to spend more time just hanging out with that guy.  Hes got a strange crack on his hoof. I will take a pic of it soon.  Class starts tomorrow so I will  be limited again.
Anyway we went into the stall and I did his brushing.

Saturday, ended up getting into the deep snowy field

When I got to the barn, seems crazy.  There were 2 girls with 2 sweet little horses from Flying Change Stables.  They were packing up their horses they had just used the arena. I trieed to help with the water for the horses.  It wasn't long before the Perry's showed up with Safari back from the hospital. I was admiring



Duke my little Chicken Wing

This sweet guy is really so much fun.  I went over real quick on Sunday.  Bob waited outside while the snow came down like crazy. They were all tucked in their stalls, Bonnie was on her way out. I intruducted her to Bob. I didn't have any snacks. It was late but not that late. I went in through the office, just as Bonnie reminded me and turned on a couple lights. Used snuck over to th eother side through the tack room. Went down and got Duke out and brought him into the arena. I took off his blanket and let him in to scoot around. I got out the whip too. I made lots of cracking sounds. The snow was coming down like crazy and there was a tracktor outside plowing.  I stayed for a while and had some fun with him in the arena and I didn't have any treats for him.  Bob went out to the explorer and got him a couple pepperments. Saved the day.  After a while I put his blanket back on and then back in his stall he went. It was fun.  He was a funny boy.

Saturday too

On Saturday

I tacked up Duke about 3 times and then just took off his saddle and let him relax.  Scotti was there and she had Doc in the arena.  I wanted to go in too but there were people tacking up to ride in the arena, the lady who is always there with the the male horse.  She is very nice. She shaves the horse in the front.  I don't see why you would do that.  I walked Duke a bit but he was a little unruly.


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Sneak over to bring some carrots, apples and take a quick walk

tonight I went over to visit Duke.  By the untouch snowy paddocks they horses were not out today. And I worry about yesterday.  I went in and the drive was beautiful and the moon shined over the icey snow on the fields as I drove in it was so beautufl there were patterns of clouds over the sky like lace.
I had to go in the office and put the check in Bonnies shelf.  I went over into the first aisle and turn on the lights then the arenda lights and then came around, I could hear Duke mumbling for me.  Hes so funny.

I went in and he was kind of helping me put his halter on.  He was ready, I hooked on his lead line and then we went out passing Babe in the e out to the light up arena. It was about 7 40 and we started to move about. duke was very peppy

 

 

 

 

. I think that he was very happy to see me. It was pitch dark when I got there so the guys must have been sleepy.  We walked around I teased him with a carrot. We had a lively walk and he even jumped around and rolled with me.  I loved it.  We went back ot the stall, I shared some snacks with everyone split up an apple and then I headed out.  It was a perfect visit.