Sister Time

Well my sister just pulled out with her horses. She's been visiting since Thursday night. It went so fast!

We had HOT sunny weather~ 90 degrees! We hit the trails 3 times, even twice in one day (morning and night when it was cooler.)

 Jen on Brandy.

Through the ears of My Boy.

We also had some arena time with the young ponies.

Jen's Mustang "Chance."

This was Jen's 3 year old Mustang's first trip to the ranch, or first trip anywhere, for that matter! She actually did very well considering she has never left home in the 3 years since Jen got her as a weanling. There was a lot going on and she has a lot to learn, but the more she gets out, the more relaxed she'll become at seeing lots of kids, trailers, trucks, harrow bed trucks, bikes, horses, and commotion, commotion, commotion!

Jen leading Luna.

Now my little sweetie-cakes is a pro at being around the commotion at the ranch now. One of the things we did with Luna was work on her lounging. I was having problems in the large arena with Luna pulling on me and not staying in a circle and she even got away from me one time when she got spunky and galloping too fast and straight.

My sis helped me wrap a chain with some fancy wrap from the Arabian stable she used to work for, then we fashioned it under the chin and into a "V" (so that it tugs evenly) and attached my lounge line to that. One quick tug the next time she started pulling or being silly, and my roany pony was back in line! She lounged perfectly on the line this way. Whew! Now we can settled down and get to work!

I also got some more bareback time. I used the halter and lead as "reins" and just practiced her moving off my leg and turning a little. My sister stayed at her head and kept her on another lead rope just in case she got silly. Luna is only 2, so I will not be doing a lot of riding on her this summer. Just playing around and not letting her forget that she can wear a saddle and a person! Next summer we'll get more serious!

I also wanted to try loading her into my sister's trailer. Luna walked right in without hesitation. We will need to work on backing out. My sister has a slant load which is easy to turn around in, but at the ranch there is only a straight-load which she'll have to back out of.

I also sprayed my pony with water. She left me run the hose on her front hooves and shoulder without too much fuss! So, a lot of good pony time this weekend and hopefully one more good lounge lesson in the arena today after it cools down. I really want her to learn to whoa on voice command (as well as using body language) and trot at a cluck, and lope at a kiss.

I was sad to see my sister go but we will have more pony time together when she visits this fall! Hopefully she'll be able to do some trail riding on Chance by then!

I hope you all had a good weekend!!

Ranch Girl

It's July??

Seriously? The last time I posted was June?

Where does time go?

I just spent a really fun weekend with my family!

My ponies spent some time at the ranch. My Boy even got to lead a nice family trail ride. He was awesome! I will say this, he is in LOVE with Luna. He is experiencing more separation anxiety with her then he ever did with Loretta, and he's not even pastured with Luna, just next to her! I am wondering if being pastured with Loretta (after being alone for 4 years) then having a pasture buddy come, then go, and a new pasture neighbor (Luna), has just created him to be more sensitive to having a "friend" now.

 I even got to go on a pony ride!

Yes, 41 year olds like to go on pony rides, especially cute two year old roany pony rides!

Look at my girl's fun roan coloring, it keeps changing! She is getting quite light now but has all these red spots and "slashes" of color.

I had lots of young helpers this weekend. My cousin Miss C helped me pick out Luna's pen. She said I had to email her mom this photo so that her mom would see she was responsible and ready to get a horse of her own. Oh, the dreams of young horse crazy girls.....

Luna met lots of my family this weekend! Speaking of family, I am excited to say that my sister will be visiting me soon with her pretty Mustang pony and Brandy pony and we will be doing some riding. Yee Haw!

Have a happy and safe 4th of July, everyone!!

Ranch Girl

"Junuary"

I haven't been able to do anything with my horses this past week. The weather has been awful.

Cold temps (low of 35) chilly wind, thunder, sideways torrential rainstorms.....

It was so bad that I had to put My Boy's blanket on a few days. I would have used his rain sheet but by the time I was able to get to him he was already soaked and shaking so I decided the warmth of the heavier one is better suited. He doesn't have shelter in the back pasture (trees nor run-in shed) so I feel bad leaving him in the weather. So yes, I guess I baby my horses!


I don't have a blanket to fit Miss Luna yet, and has a run-in shed so on the bad days she even got to eat inside and stay dry. This morning, the first truly sunny day all week, she was actually laying down in her shed in the sun! I almost felt bad disturbing her for feeding time.

Our dogs like to guard Luna while she eats, then help her "wash" her feed tub once she's wandered off. Luna always obliges them by leaving a few stray pellets for them to nibble on!


Hopefully I can get some pony time in tomorrow afternoon, I heard the temps might hit the high 70's~ almost normal temps!!

Ranch Girl