A First For Ripper and a First for Envy

We had another mild morning and later I heard we hit 64 degrees out but the wind was fierce holding steady at 24 miles an hour with gusts into the 30s. After the walk I made a couple of pumpkin pies for the dessert tomorrow. Joan came over to borrow the skid steer to start moving the logs they split. She and her kids spent most of the day hauling and stacking the firewood for this winter.

Rhoda didn't come until noon today so it gave me plenty of time inside to do laundry and bake. When she arrived the first thing we did was de-worm the horses we brought in from Middle Grove. Sheena got a Panacur, Ripper got a Quest Plus, EllaSkye got a Quest Plus and Easter Bonnet got an Ivermectin. She had been de-wormed not too long ago so I didn't want to use anything too strong on her. Next job was to take Ripper into the round pen. Today Rhoda introduced him to the tarp, saddled him and had him canter, and introduced him to the bow. All went very well.

 The tarp was no big deal. The first thing he tried was to pick it up with his mouth. He probably would have carried it around in his mouth except he was stepping on it. He did carry it around on his back.

 This half Andalusian 3 year old gelding has very nice gaits and is smart but he hated cantering with the saddle on. He has worn a saddle just had never been asked to canter with it on. He tried and tried to buck it off. 

Mike wants him trick trained so today for the very first time Rhoda introduced the bow. Ripper picked this up very quickly. He did not panic when the rope was put around his leg and figured out pretty quickly he was to go down on one knee.

If you would like to see the rest of his pictures click HERE. As soon as he was put away EllaSkye was brought out for leading instructions and to introduce her to the tarp too. EllaSkye is out of Sheena by Valiant and is almost exactly 7 months old. She is going to be a tall mare and we were really pleased with her big movement.

To see the rest of EllaSkye's pictures from today click HERE. Karin arrived after work and was willing to help Rhoda take Envy out on the trails for her very first time. Envy is Indy's filly and we usually leave her in with the other foals but today I wanted to see how she would do with the creek crossings. Karin pulled Rosalie out and gave her a quick round pen lesson before they left. She is such a huge mare, she makes Karin look short.

We started Envy out with a halter and lead rope on which gave her lots of leading instructions. Of course the dogs are always thrilled to go on the trail rides.

Once the horses were down the first steep hill the halter and lead rope were removed from Envy. Hind sight we should have kept it on until after the first creek crossing. Envy was so afraid to cross the creek. The picture below Rhoda and Karin's horses had already crossed the creek. Envy ran around to where I was and practically begged for help.

Rhoda had to bring Indy back.

 She made it across this small creek but the second was just too scary.

The second creek has a bigger bank and the water is much deeper. Rhoda and Karin were afraid Envy would give up, try to run home and get lost so they turned around and came back the way they came. They stopped at mom's to try for a few pictures with the Christmas decorations but we could not get the horses to prick their ears forward at the same time.

 Below Valiant is trotting up to greet the mares. He is such an impressive stallion, each morning on our walk, he comes galloping up to the fence hoping the dogs will play with him.

Darkness comes way to soon in the winter. The girls came in for a piece of pie then both took off. Mark and I put the log splitter back on the tractor this evening.  Winter is coming TONIGHT. The wind is howling and the temperature is suppose to drop like a stone. Thankfully there are an abundance of logs to still to split.