Raining and in the 40s I saw Duke in the herd behind the corral. The horses were ready to ride but the rain scared everyone away today. Should have been a busy Veteran's day. But it was quiet. Lucky for me because I was able to talk to both Theresa and Cassie about Duke and how he isn't feeling very good in his legs. Im going to see how he does and then maybe call the vet to see if he has Lyme Disease. If he does we can ge tit treated asap. He's had his joints feeling crappy so I think it will be good to get the Vet out to see how he's doing. I want to have him checked too. Ill finally feel a little better about his health. Catch anything now.
68 degrees today No trail ride, Duke's a little off today. He was limping. I hope he's feeling better soon.
Getting to know Duke as a friend as his new trainer or is he my trainer. We are working together, sometimes riding and then we spend so much time working on other things. Yes he loves the snacks.
But he understands so much more now.
The things he has done for me.
He's great on the ground
Hes taught me to be a litte tough with him in the ring
Hes taught me that he may not need a bit in the ring
Hes taught me that I can get on him from the ground
Hes taught me that he has some issues with his legs that I can help him feel better
like supplements for his legs
like hoofsnakx for his hoof
Hes taught me that the dentist is a good thing
Hes taught me that I can work with him and we can learn tother
Hes taught me he really misses his old herd
Hes taught me that the stall may be a benefit to the sacrifice of missing his old herd.
Hes taught me that Im stronger than I thought
Hes taught me that I can spend times with him and not even need anyone else around
Hes taught me that horse people are very nice English and Western
Hes taught me that its not just about going out and fast riding
and so much more
[I love how he's trying so hard to go out on the trails alone with me.
I am going to try to be able to go out alone with him and take pictures and then he will be patient and then Ill be able to go out in the woods alone with him and then jump back up on him and ride together.]
He runs back to the fenced in boarder area now and then i have been giving him a treat. He'll run along side the fence with me as I go back to my car. He's really a great guy.
Came around 1130 and everyone from the group had ridden and talked all morning and was on their way out. It sounded fun because . . . Domino went with Sandy. Kanti seemed happy and they all talked about how fun the ride was this morning. I put went down and Duke and the rest of th guys were still in the barn. I was running down to get Duke out. Theresa left him in and Katie was letting the others out as I was walked quick down the bend. When I went into the barn, Duke was kicking as her heard me call his name.
Well I brought him in and the ride went out, I spent lots of time with Duke putting him together then we went out following the ride. Duke was excited but when he trotted he sounded a little off on his steps. Im not sure what was up like he was missing a shoe. I ignored it then he did too. We rode for a while and caught up iwht Lexie and he trotting group. I went on the back end of them and got in about two more trots. Duke trotted most of the way there. He was pretty good. We had a nice ride the ladies were very nice and Theresa was behind us. I was talking to Duke the whole time that we were alone. He's getting better and even better is I feel so much more confidant with him. Maybe he trusts me a bit.
I want to keep taking him on rides and breaking away form the ride and catching up. I am pretty anxious about the dirt bikes, possibly being able to catch up somehow. I do trust Duke to listen to me. We went back, he was behind Pumpkin and she was very slow today. Hd didn't tailgate. Im proud of him. I think he's getting better with me.
After the ride I helped out a bit with the kids getting off. duke posed with some people after the ride. I loved it. He was pretty snacky. We went into the ring and did some trotting aboutk the goats were bugging me but Mama Lam was so sweet I gave her lots of peanut butter sandwiches. The big black sheep is not doing good. He blinded himself and he's got too many burrs on him. The little lamb Dodge is getting so big, too bid. Little mama looks great. The goats were trying to steal the crackers and Dukes snacks I hid them with us in the ring.
He did good in the ring and Im glad he mounted with me much better and he did pretty good mounting on the ramp too. He's getting to care about me more. I used lots of gentle cues this week and I think he liked it. He was perfect with his hoofs. I asked nice and talked to him the whole time. I do love him and how he tries to help me with the things we are doing. He's a sweet guy. Cant wait to see him again.
Before we left I put the saddles back Cassies and the 2 of Amandas, the tack sale was fun yesterday with Val in Billerica, bought lots of cool stuff.
