Back To Work

It was really hard to get back to work today. The first job on the list was to take care of Sheena's leg and meds then put eye salve in Zephyr's eye. He scratched the cornea.  He was haltered and brought inside the stall for that but he stood very well and didn't really need me to tie him. Mike has been putting in the salve but left for Gulf Shores Friday.  The van was mostly unloaded while listening to AC Central. Each Monday and each Thursday I look forward to seeing who spoke where and pick out a few to listen to. I listened to two today while working inside. The first was Rick Kaisner from Chicago and Earl Ringger from Gridley but speaking in South Bend for the morning message. Earl's was especially interesting to me, he spoke of going to Dwight prison and also of Shirley Triplett's wedding to his uncle Ray Ringger.
When Karin arrived after work, she and Rebekah Martin worked first with Valiant and Indy. Rebekah was in the round pen with Valiant while Karin was working with Indy in the outdoor arena.

It is so nice for me to see Valiant behaving for other riders. He really was good today. Karin brought Indy over for Rebekah to ride and then they both took the horses in the barn for untacking. 

This would have never been done in the past, to expect Valiant to stand quietly for untacking while a mare was being untacked in the same area. Below he is just walking quietly over to be tied. He noticed Indy but ignored her.

The next two horses worked with was Oksana and Tory. Tory got the flag treatment today as she was on a trail ride with Anni over the weekend and each time Anni would reach up to grab leaves Tory would spook.

 She did so well with the flag above her head, on either side of her face while galloping down the long side of the arena, or back by her legs that Karin was well pleased. They traded horses, Karin riding Oksana but Oksana didn't care at all about the plastic bag. She is well used to whatever Karin throws at her.

Rebekah took Tory into the round pen, did some ground work then walk, trotted and cantered her.

As soon as these two mares were put away, the two weanling colts were taken into the stalls so Karin could work with them one at a time. Drifter was worked with first and by the time Karin was done working with him, he quietly accepted Karin picking up each hoof and touching him all over with the plastic bag.

 He was taken outside, led over to the trailer, loaded and unloaded. 

Then led back to the paddock.

After he was put away Zephyr was worked with. 

 Below Karin is introducing him to the plastic bag. As soon as he stops moving the bag is taken away.

 He too was taken out, loaded and unloaded. 

 He has such a long bushy tail as a weanling, we can't imagine how thick and long it will be when he is full grown. His mane is also thick and long. He sure inherited the mega hair. 

By the time we finished with the colts Mark was home and ready to go work on the trees he cut down while I was gone. These were two big elm trees that were bent and over hanging the field. They will be used for firewood for the Reinhard family in 2020. 

We STILL need to take down some dead trees on the property for THIS winter.  There are plenty around to be harvested but most are not in a real convenient spot. 

It is now 8:00 pm and I'm going to hit the sack, getting to sleep in my own bed for the first time in a week.