Weekday all Percherons Ride! 65 degrees

So excited to meet up with Michelle, well the day was even better.  I ended up seeing Cassie and she fixed my breastplate for Duke.  He's now got a black Leather Breast plate that absolutely rocks.  Oh not enough my working on the latigo, or girth strap lead to a tighter saddle and then one more time . . The stirrups Ive been working on all winter worked amazing!
What a beautiful ride. I got there with plenty of time to get Duke ready.  When Michelle got there she was so happy to see Duke.  She went right down t him and he seems to know her.  I liked that a lot.  She was thrilled with how he knew my voice.
When I entered the barn,  Cassie and Theresa were both there with Katie.  They were working on the horses.  I went to the back and there he was so sweet.  I went and got him brought him over to the rail  clip.  We were all set.  Michelle loved how he knew my voice. I got him ready in peace at th end of th rail on a weekday.  Wow,  he almost bent down and put the bit in for me.  He's a mazing.  Such a nice guy.  I appeciate him so much .  He forgives me for so many stupid things.  I put the brown breast strap on no prob  Also the stirrups were on perfectly.  I do have to take the one of the right and bring it up one.
We got out there quick.  Duke was happy to be in the the guys but I do have to worry about him on the way back.  I think  I will dismount at the edge and then walk hi over to the rail.

The farm was so busy, when I got Duke his eye was swollen shut

I was excited to go to the farm today.  When I got there everyone was there earlier.  Looked like Laurie had Apache tacked up.  Kanti was running in front of me trying to get on a ride. She said that the rides were full and she hardly got in for a ride, had to run.  I told her I was interested in riding along on 11am and would skip the leasers ride with Cathy and Laurie.  Just wanted some time with Duke.
Sandy had already come back from a ride.  Cathy was tacked up and probably going with Laurie.  Laurie is spending all of her time with Cathy.  Amy has been focused on working with some horses.  She likes the smaller ones.  Midnight, Finn, Chiquita.  Today when she got Chiquita I was walking Duke out to the back hill field.  Later when I saw her Chiquita had a huge gauge in her side.  It looked scary like she fell on one of those terrible sharp fence steaks.

Jared said he'd be around the barn too.  Even Sandy had taken an early ride with one of the horses.  It was a busy day.  Theresa and Katie were working.

When I got into the Barn, Duke was in his stall he must have eaten already.  I came behind him and I thought he may have been sleeping.  He went to back up and go with me right away.  I had to run and get my lead line from my car.  ITs the one that Val gave me so I love it.  Anyway when I got back I looked him in the eye when I was talking to him about how he was doing and I was very shocked to see that his eye was shut. IT was swollen and when he turned toward me his other eye was open.  The white one.  I right away felt so sad.  He was hurt.   He seemed kinda bummed too.
I got Theresa and she stopped and applied some ointment to his eye.  She was so sweet with him.  Yesterday watching her tack up Domino and seeing how much Dom was loving her as she had put his bridle on him.  He loved her.  It was very sweet to see.
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[Theresa sent me this pic of Duke healed today 14 April 2015]

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Yesterday he was so happy to get out on the wet horrible trails but it was great to get him tacked and out there.
I said good bye to everyone that may think I was riding. I was hoping to get him on the 11am and have a fun ride but Ill take care of him, spend time.  Brushing him and as Cathy would say,
Spend the time "Hugging my horse".  It gave me time to walk with him, bring him over to the boarder barn and meet with Jim and Jered.
When I walked him over to the edge of the parking lot, he started to pick up the steps and walk much faster across the dirt.  Then we went around the outside ring and down the hill.  There was a point when he saw I was brining him over to the boarder barn.  He stopped and looked at the big Percheron, Jim.  He neighed so loud at him.
We then walked over.  He was slightly hesitant but then he came over to Jered on the back trail with Jared.  We didn't stay long over there.  Both Duke and Jim walked back and Jared was on his back.  I had to let them go in front of me because I know the power of huge Percherons.  I felt Id let him go ahead of us.  I had a chance to walk over for the 11am ride with everyone else and hung out a bit.  The ride left and then I brought Duke in the barn and hugged him so more. Dotted on him as he deseraved.  Got him some treats after the brushing and then worked on his tail to straighten it out.

59 degrees, windy Short ride then lunch at Brit Beer

I was up early and over in plenty of time.  Im not sure why it took so long to get on the trail, I was ready and Duke was out with the group.  Today it was Kanti, Laurie, Amy and myself.  Very nice but wet ride.  Seems as though Duke was so geared to go on the trail.  He may have even went in the front.  I think Apache is starting to drag a littel. Seem as though he is looking around and not interested  as he was in teh past.
I felt alot different with Duke.  He was so very happy to get on the trails.  I could feel that he was getting excited when I was saddling him.  He loves to  hit the trails.  It makes me so excited to see him grab his bit and just get excited to be getting ready and gettin gout there.  

He ran to go to the gate and then again couldnt help but trot fast on teh way back.  I almost thought he was feeling like taking the lead but then Amy jumped in with Midnight.  I know that Ill start to ride with Theresa and the guides with Duke and also bring Melody.  Im really lookion forward to the weather and working with the group.  I dont really get that excited about going to Groton Woods.  There will be times but I will also enjoy the every day ride around the lake.  I know that Duke loves that too.
The water was so high at the split, we went to the right and the sandy area on the left and center was so deep in water.  Ill post a picture.  We went over the rail way bridge and it the water hitting the bottom on the bridge.

Tomorrow the group is getting on the trails but Imay want to go with the trail ride and relax with Theresa or Amanda and Katie.

Funny Tonto

In the 50s just hanging out in the sun with Duke and Cowboy Magic

 Great visiting Duke today.  The other guys went out on the trails but Im ok not going today.  Too wet , not enough time and I loved spending all the time grooming Duke.  I had to bring him away from Kellie and the others to keep him diciplined.   Bobby was shoeing, Theresa and Amanda took the first ride I have seen since January go out.  It was exciting.  I have no feelings for going out with those terrible winds and the wicked deep puddles.  I brought my riens home to oil.  I spend some time on his tail again.  He was kinda fresh sneaking the bag with the treats in it.
Cathy said that Kellie has been feedling the horses by hand and now Taboo was getting fresh.  I notiecd it too with Duke.  He was getting a littel better.  I wish she didnt think she didnt need to follow the proper training like everyone else.  I think she is not as experienced as she says.
I loved  my time with Duke.  I had to wear my muck boots iwth not socks.  It gae me a blister.