cierra update

Hard to believe it's been over a month since we've seen Cierra. It is only remotely okay, because we know our trainer well and checked in via phone. With the holidays, vacation, and work conflicts behind us - a day finally came that we could go see her. We arrived to find Cierra enjoying turn out time. I had to look twice, yep that's her. She is still very affectionate and had a lot to say, in her own quiet way...

telling secrets

We were not expecting our trainer to be home, but her plans changed. Patty was eager to show us Cierra's progress, who would say no to that? The indoor arena was unusually busy, with some encouragement Cierra took it all in stride. I apologize in advance for the crappy video's, in particular the classic floor shot ending...

The only sticky spot in her training so far was in the very beginning. Cierra got off to a slow start, needing more time then usual to realize that it's not so bad doing what people ask. It took a couple weeks, but she was given the needed time to figure that out on her own, so she could be happy learning. Some things simply shouldn't be rushed...

...as you can see Cierra is coming along nicely! I was surprised Brad turned down a first ride on her, but then again much of this visit was unexpected. He will enjoy that special moment another day. Cierra rode with a quiet mouth and head, ears perked with interested eyes, soaking it all in - and sweet as ever...

one special girl

Sunday Stills ~ Old Barns

There is no shortage of old barns in rural Wisconsin. I thought it would be more fun looking for an interesting old barn instead of shooting the one I see everyday on the family farm.

We took the back roads on the way home from our trainers yesterday, and stumbled upon these...

old barn

another old barn

two old barns together
a third structure in between these two barns,
has collapsed into a heap of old wood and is unrecognizable

...old barns, well actually anything old, makes me wonder about their past...what were they like in their prime...how did they come upon such disarray...ohhh the stories they would tell, if only they could...

looking into the past

...this was my favorite farm building out of the four we found grouped together, altho not technically a barn. Could it have been the homestead, or a smokehouse, or some other type of farm building that was actively used back in it's day? The photo above looks through what appears to have been the door, into the past...

old farm building

...I could shoot photos of old barns & buildings all day long...see other old barns at Sunday Stills.

horse legends

While drinking my wake me up before I go-go morning cup of coffee, I came across a horse term on All Horse Stuff blog that I had never heard before "bloody shoulders". Of course I had to look it up, I love learning! It turns out the term "bloody shoulders" is based on a legend, and an interesting one: 

"Legend has it that the dead Sheik arranged with the gods that his mare’s dedication would be commended so that forever after, any descendant of hers who was possessed of outstanding courage or ability would bear the blood stains as a mark of honour"

Photo credit: Pat Slater

Read the full legend here:

http://www.tophorse.com.au/legend-of-the-blood-stained-shoulder__vicarticle_bloodyshoulders__F

I can't help but wonder what other horse legends are out there, among others there must be some legends about Native American horses. Do you have an interesting horse legend to share??

equine youth scholarships

So which one of you bloggers has gotten an equine scholarship? 

Not me, I only wish. I know someone who has, and the good they can do. There is an Appaloosa Youth Scholarship up for grabs - the deadline is March 20th. If you know of a deserving youth, don't wait:

http://appaloosablogspot.com/2013/01/10/appaloosa-youth-foundation-scholarships/