Wasn't the best training day but a good day with Duke 85 degrees

Seems that all this grass is just too much for Duke.  We wasn't as responsive in the ring but pretty good on the trail.  He really has had his own way for years with the herd.
Well today Lexie brought her horse in with Duke.  I kept him still.  He's been snacking too much grass.

Training

I took him in the ring and he did the first walk trot great, then that stupid rooster was pacing outside the ring and he was stalking us.  When we stopped on the edge, I never got Duke back in the groove again.  It stinks.  

Later Lexie came into the ring with me and Duke when I was making him stay still because he eats too much grass.  He was pretty good.  Lexie's little horse Lacota is very nice.  She listens to her so well. I have some important training to do.

Trail Ride

New Fly Mask, it fits better but  think Ill have to fix his ears.  He was totally fine with it though.

Relaxing with Snacks

After bringing Duke back to the out back gate he came back to the back gate.  I think he is so handsome.  Beautiful tail and mane.

Little Mama Lamb is getting so bored in boxed in area.  I think tomorrow Ill go in with her too. Ive been just sneaking her the peanut butter crackers. 

Photos: How To Saddle A Horse

Photos: How To Saddle A Horse

This is a great link for sharing how to put the New Saddle together.

Therapy from my Duke, he fell asleep in my arms, we went out for a ride, 80 deg, then grazed

GROOMING

I couldn't wait to brush I'm out.  When I went to get him he saw went to the back the barn.  H waited at the back door. I yelled at him that I get him from the gate. He waited for a while and then he came to meet me.  While I was waiting Pete and Journey were running back and forth so fast.  They are so sweet. Then duke came to the gate and Pete stood so near it that I was afraid that he was going to sneak out. I had to let him know that I need him to step back.  Well I got Duke and brought him back to the rail.  He was very happy to walk quickly with me.  I did his feet first. He was very good.  then when I was working on his rear left, he stomped so much.  Very hard into the ground. I went to pic his foot up.  He was so uncomfortable.  I brushed him and gave him hoof snacks.  We hung out to gether.  I had gotten there right at 10 so I thought I Had missed the Kanti, Barb ride.  Then skipped the 11 ride.  When Laurie, Amy, Sandy and Cathy got back I was sitting with duke relaxing.  As Laurie talked about her stuff, I stroked Duke's nose until he fell asleep in my arms.  I kept my arm under him.  Sandy was pretty impressed that Duke was so relaxed.  He said that Duke was very into me love and he really was soothed.  I was very complimented.  Im glad to have had that time.  It was amazing.  He was so relaxed as I put him together.  I even put his bridle on backwards and he forgave me.  I finally slipped it on correctly.  I was worried about him on the ride so I sprayed him alot.  I need to get him a fly mask.  The 2 hours grooming alone was so for me.  Im a lucky lady.

TRAINING

In the Ring

Today was great for training with Duke.  We both
spend some time with his grooming, snacked, spent
 a lot of time hanging out, and skipped the 11 and
 actually took a ride at 12 noon,  then went into
the out door ring.  I put 2 shine red apples on a
board with my jug of water.  I took a bite out of
 mine and then I went into the ring with him.
  I walked around with him a few times, then
 I got on him in the center of the ring and he
was ready to go.  He knew it was time to trot
with me.  First time alone with me.  He acts
like its a choppy trot but I know soon we
will be cantering in the ring.  I tried to get
on him quickly with no step. I can barely
get my foot in the stirrup and up on him.
I think he must of laughed.
Maybe we will be cantering in the
ring soon.

Just hanging around grazing the beautiful day before going back with the herd

The ride

TRAIL RIDE

There were 2 families with Moms Dads and the kids. They all wanted to trot so it was a relaxing little ride.  Amanda, Olivia, Theresa and Katie were working on the ride. I was able to control Duke so much better than in the past.  He took the last spot and It worked out great because I was behind Olivia and Katie.  He coughed a little.  We were able to see if the left back foot was really a problem as he was saying or did he need to stomp for the bugs. I don't have his fly mask yet. I need to buy one this week for him.  I sprayed him and it worked pretty good. I was a small ride and I enjoyed it.

Needing to work on his friends issue

Today was like a failure lined with a success that built an understanding.
The failure was that I couldn't get Duke to walk or move after the ride on my own for many many minutes. The success was when I moved him over to the outside ring but only after really getting after him to listen, and the in the ring I walked him by hand around the ring.  He constantly went for the grass.  He was like a teenager that you are trying to make do their homework.  He was totally looking for the grass.  Overtime I let him go he reach down for the grass.  He didn't walk along side me.  4 times around.  He seemed to start to like it.

Then I mounted him from the small stairs and and really got on him to go round the ring.  And then he did something he never did, he began to trot.  He went around with a terrible broken trot for me about 3 times.  The beautiful thing is, he made me so happy and I didn't even see that there was a terrible wall of water coming over the barn.  I looked as we rounded the edge of the ring and then quickly heard the loud sounds as it pelted the barn.  I was so happy I didn't even freak out that we were getting so wet.  My camera and phone got soaked.  I almost lost my phone it was so wet.  When I tried to call I coudlt hear anything.
Anyway that was my success and then the understanding is that Duke thinks he's still a trail horse.
I held him close a few times as I took off his saddle in the barn.  He was very happy and so wet.


Kelly was there and gave him some love.  Bryce was working on Shawnie's hurt leg.  She is a good mom for that sweet little horse.   Bryce loves her.

The ride before was very nice, the group split up with a little bit of trotting.  Duke was able to ride with Domino and the 3 younger women and the mom and the dad stayed with Anja and Winston for a walk ride.  It was pleasant.  Olivia makes me happy.  The area near the lake was strange. There were two cars parked way past the sand near the edge of the water.  Then we heard so much noise and dogs running wild.  Sargent owner took him out today and they seemed happy.  Sergeant made neighing sounds and Domino repeated a cool snarling type sound.  It was pretty cool. w avoided the lake area and that was disappointing but its ok we had a nice ride anyway.

Back to see my buddy, first time we rode alone, Duke was so excitable

Im so proud of my guy, spent an hour and a half just hugging him, then took a nice trail ride and then we went out together, behind the trail ride and Duke was so loud with his neighing to his buddies.
 had to turn him around back and he loved trotting and he slipped into a quick canter.  Brought him back and gave him hoof snacks.   He's such a great boy.  I adore him with his new saddle and going on trail with only myself.
Good Boy

The ride with the rest of the riders was pretty good. There was a more advanced lady who was hoping to go on a canter trot ride.  I like her a lot because she rides Domino.  I stayed with the small family group and was able to hang out with Theresa.  Amanda took the lady and Domoino for the faster ride. The broke free ahead of us.  They didn't do too much exciting footing and we all went around the lake.  Duke was nice but he made a noise when he saw that Domino was pulling ahead.  Duke made a sound to him it was cute.  We were able to do some trotting and I was pretty happy in general.  Duke had a great attitude.  He stayed at the back like I Like him to do.  ITs going to be tough to break him from his buddies.
Talking with Theresa on the ride was so fun.  I really like her but when I was in the tack barn later Cassie said she was so hung over from too much fun at the Tiki Hut.  so cute.

After the ride he did give me a hard time and not pull over to the side.  It took me some time and I was able to finally after everyone dismounted on the ramp convince him (after I had asked Amy for the smallest amount of encouragement. I asked her if she would just without going near him, walk past the gate and behind the corral.  It worked thank god.
Laurie and Cathy was there and were going for a ride.  Laurie has been having some issues with Apache and she was trying to solve them.  I had seen her heavy on the crop.  After we got back I decided to go out for a very short walk with Duke and I.  Cassie said that the other horses may follow so I needed to wait for the ride to leave.  I think this caused some unneeded anxiety for Duke.
As we went out the gate I asked him to trot.  He quickly got over excited and constantlycalled to his buddies on the ride way ahead of us.  He by the time I went down the path to the edge of the trail near the rock wall before th birds nest, he was ready to run.  i had to be heavy on his reins and talk to him as he called out neighing the whole time.  I knew he wasn't ready today to go out alone but we did about 1/2 mile and then headed back.  HE was so happy after we turned, I think he felt relieved.  It seemed like he was worried that he would never catch up to them and miss out on the fun.  They are so his buddies.  As we went up the trail to return he trotted happily and then began to break into a canter.  I have a feeling that he needs a little fast work.  Ill be happy to get him out there soon.
Hes a great boy and Im so happy.

Cleaning up the new saddle and Ive orders some additional parts, hobbles, cinch, cinch strap, and a billet.  

Kanti first time on Bogie for a while

Before going out on the 10am ride, KAnti asked me if I would take a walk around the farm with her and Bogie.  I had just gotten Duke most of the way ready so its was easy.  I had placed the saddle on his back and it seemed to fit pretty dam good.  Im excited.

Mama and Baby

Boarder Barn's roof is completed

Duke and the new snack bag,  Tails looking great too