Beatuful Friday afternnon - Great Sunday too

I went over to the barn on Friday to make sure I dropped off the check for board and some quality time walking.


Sunday was able to talk to the ladies especially Bonnie and then walked Duke in the filed on the left, Bonnies filed and it was really wet in the grass and raing infor us. I thought it would be good for Duke's fur. I had my full camera on both days and it helps me tell a total story not needing to save space on the device.  I hate being stingy on pictures.  There was rain on Sunday but I guess I loved it.  My feet were soaked but when Duke got ot the end and saw we were going over intot he big field he stops to see if I will pay attention to him. I guess I should but I always turn and look at him.  Theresa used to say not to look at htem and that way they think you did not understand the question and they tend to move along with you.  I like to think I am with my fiend and we are walking today.  last time he did that he told me by his face he wanted to walk the big field  He did this by his stop on foot and when I was riding too. Its almost like hes getting used to us doing stuff and looks forward to it.  I watch his back leg and am always worried hes sore or maybe hurt. So far so good.  <3

Quality Time last Sept weekend

So much going and things I need to do but how can I spend time with Duke w/out rushing him?  Well I know the best thing to do it to make sure I just get there.  I had tons of chores at the house so I got up really early to do all the chores while I have the time.  Floors washed, things put away and cleaned laundry but still left the house to get to Greenwood at like 1:30 - 2pm.  Seemed late to me but I had so many things I did.
Stacey and Hannah were in the ailses sitting with Townes and Sienna. Later she had a ton of pictures and video of Hannah jumping in the arena.  I got Duke from out in the paddock, he was very chatty when I retrieved him from the gate.  Doc wasn't as jerky as he had been in the past. I had a few candies and apples.  I gave Duke and Doc an apple.  Brought Duke into his stall and brushed him out checked his feet (they look excellent and I applied his hoof care). I saw that his tail is getting all crazy bad. I did some work outs with Duke to get him going by chasing him back and forth in the arena.  He was so cute. I worked his tail especially to get it some conditioning. As they other guys were setting up the jumps, I was walking down the road and then over the side to the left field (Bonnies Field of 10 acres).  My big boy was so good, no stealing grass. We walked through the woods which is something I want to do regularly.  duke doesn't like to go behind the houses that are on the edge. lso he hates the new houses over with the pool and the dog.  We walked around the edges and I talked to Duke the whole time. I think he listens to me.  We walked through the woods into the big field. I told him that he can have some grass when we got through the woods. Also I spoke to him loudly so that if there were any deer in the area they would know when we are in the area and make deciiions on if they were going to stay or go deep into the woods.  Well I didn't have my camera and my phone was full but it was so beautiful and we had a fabulours walk in the woods. He was warmed up in the arena and then walked out in the beautiful day.  Back at the barn I let Duke onto the grass because he was so good.  Then back to the paddock what a nice horse and I love to spend time with him.  He appreciates me.
Sunday was even better I got their totally late but all of the nice quality time with Duke yesterday make it so I could jump right in with that guy.  June was at the barn with Scottie. Scottie did some very interesting work wth Doc.  She had him hooked up to work with out in the field near the roaedge using the harness and special set up to teach him how to pull a cart.  Its very interesting. Well I was strictly working with Duke and got his saddle cleaned it up and brushed his fur.  Today I put him on the cross tie and fixed up the stirrups that I had switched off of the black saddle. I tightened them up. We quickly went into the arena before I tacked him and walked around our usual walk while June and Cisco worked out in the arena.  I brought him back got him tacked and while June was outside I got him in the corner, through down the carrot pieces and jumped on his back. The position is working out. On the way over I thought I didn't have enough time to ride but Duke proved me wrong.  He was so cooperative and it took me 2 seconds to get him all ready to go out the stable back door around the grassy areas and out onto the road. Today the car engine had been revving and I didn't want to go out if the race car on the hill was acting crazy revving its engine.   They stopped so I could walk out onto the road with no cars coming.  I had carrots so when we got to the jump I gave him a snack and then on he went with out any problems.  He walked carefully and his shoes. were great and he stopped each time  I asked him to  and gave him his snacks.  We walked to Bonnies edge and we looked at turning around and I asked him if he wanted to go a little further and Duke was very excited to walk on on the big field and I had one of the most relaxing rides ever in the big field.  Usually the flies and bees made me nervous.  duke was sprayed up good and we had no fly mask, it was the perfect ride.  Raychel called me to see about meeting and I explained to her that I had one of the best rides Ive had in a long time.  I took him back to the barn walked around front and I decided to jump down off of him in the front. I went to give him some grass but decided he could eat a little bit at the barn and he got his apples and carrots with his apples too.  Back inot the beautiful day.  The temps.

Dropped by the ranch then over to GW Barn for some love to Duke

Greenwood wedding prep

Friday nite Greenwood's wedding set up

Spooky Duke fun on the road

So close to the wedding.  Bonnie and Krystyn were still doing stalls. I had met Dave to tighten Dukes shoes. He had already finsshed and was on the way out the driveway.  We had a funny conversation in the driveway and off he went.
I worked on a couple stalls, Dukes Sienna and Townes then got to work with Duke. Spa day since he was sore yesterday. I ordered the Cosequin on Friday so Ill be getting the new stuff for Duke soon.
We did some good grooming and then went out on the road.
He was distracted the whole time.As we walked out the dirt road he pulled back a lot. HE stopped suddenly many times as we walked down the road. He was snorting a lot too.  He stopped and struck a pose almost pointing into the direction of the field's woods.  Glad I wasn't going over there.  He picked up the speed with his trotting. In the arena he didn't do his stepping like that at all.  Anyway we walked on the road I felt like it wasn't good for him so we stayed on the grass on the return walk homet.  It was a great visit for a long time 1040 to about 130 or so.  Good
Flipping the hay, day 5 then putting up hay tomorrow.  It looked so good to Duke.

positive times.

Sunday 2 late day peace alone

will update later