Sunday Stills ~ Hand Tools

Hammers are one of the most common and oldest hand tools. Like everything, they have evolved over the years. When I asked my husband for his oldest hand tool, he gave me this hammer. I thought, a hammer? How common & boring. It's actually pretty cool tho, and very aged. As soon as I started shooting it, the memories came back. It's the one hammer I can always find, and never want to use. He has had it forever, and doesn't remember how old it is. I know it's at least 25 years old, my husband had it when I met him. It's very heavy, and meant for driving nails while framing houses. It doesn't see much use these days, but if I ever need a hammer - I know I can at least find one!!

California Framing Hammer Head

California Framing Hammer Handle

See more Sunday Stills Hand Tools

naughty pants

I got to ride today, sort of. You didn't know we were going riding? Me either. Guess I forgot to check on the weekend plans, silly me. I certainly wasn't going to turn down an opportunity to ride, so we hauled our muddy horses up to our trainers. It's so nice that she lets us trailer in once in a while. We really appreciate her! She likes to see how the horses are doing. It gives her an opportunity to tweak something before it gets really out of whack. Today was one of those days, Koda was really out of whack ~ sigh.

Things were not as hectic at the barn as last time, altho still plenty busy. Until Trainer Patty mentioned it, and I tried saddling, I didn't notice Koda put on more weight. I had to change the way I saddle him again, never a good sign. Time to cut back on his feed. 

We started with a warm up lunge, without a lunge whip - which has never works well for me/us. Asking forward with the end of a rope, is a challenge. We managed okay, switched directions, add a trot and that didn't work so well. Trainer Patty offered to help, but I wanted to do it all on my own this time. I mean really, how long have I been riding? Long time. I decided to skip the lope on a rope, end on a good trotting note, and just get on and ride. We only lunge a couple circles each way anyways.

First try mounting, another rider was having trouble figuring out their lope and Koda scooted away as they approached too close. No big deal. We waited, and I hopped on between their lope offs. Things were going well, until that same horse (who was doing nothing wrong) came near us. Wow. Koda got antsy, wouldn't stop, started shying sideways/backwards, it got bigger - and I chose to hop off. That made his reaction grow, I was barely able to hang onto the reins. What the heck!?! I started petting Koda to calm him down. He got in big trouble from the trainer. Don't for a second think he was mistreated, he wasn't. Correcting a safety issue appropriately is different. I was told not to reward him for being naughty. She was right. I thought Koda was scared, and it was a natural reaction. As the ride continued, I clearly saw he was choosing bad behavior. 

I always blame me. The way everyone else saw it, he was being naughty. I held sweet Cierra, while our trainer rode Koda - and he acted the same way for her. What's the difference? She has the confidence to make him listen when he gets big, I don't. After she was done riding him around, and near other horses, I got back on. We rode around for a while, but he started up again. I rode a bit longer, and got off. I'm just not interested in a battle, and could tell this wasn't going to end anytime soon. Our trainer didn't think he should be put away, and if I wasn't going to ride Koda she asked if she could. 

Let the horse trading begin. If our trainer rides naughty pants, I could ride Cierra, or I could ride Nemo, and Brad could get on Cierra. Um? I've never ridden either of Brad's horse's. Being the great guy that he is, he wanted me to pick. I chose Cierra. He said he was okay with me riding her first. Really? What an honor. I love my husband! She is an amazing, quiet thinker. I only walked her, since Patty was busy with my horse - who didn't let up the entire ride. Beside, I do want my hubby to have some firsts with her. Cierra is one special girl! He sure knows how to pick them. 

Cierra
Patty & naughty pants in the background.
(looks like he was doing his boredom chomping on his bit thing, another lovely trait)

Koda was shying away from every horse but Nemo, even Cierra. At one point Patty asked us to stay put, we had a trio of horses (Fred & his fjord Lena were riding with us) and she rode Koda in and around and weaving through us. Koda did not want any part of this, but he did it anyways. Wow, what a piece of work. Patty still insists he is the quietest of our three horses, but I just don't see it. None of the three horse cones were very happy with Koda's silly horse behavior. Lot's of ear action while he was weaving in-between Nemo, Cierra, and Lena.

Some of you may remember Koda's backing "I don't want to do that" attitude. Pretty much the same thing. Needless to say, we determined Koda needs a tuneup. I am so disappointed, and thankful, at the same time.

This is what I learned: I thought I was wrong jumping off, and not riding it out. Patty assured me I did the right thing, it was bigger then I was. This wasn't just me/my fault, Koda did the same thing to our trainer - the entire ride. I need to keep my rewards in check. My horse needs a firm rider when he chooses to be difficult, guess I better get stronger inside & out.

Sometimes I think Koda & I are mismatched, but we do well together most of the time. I just wish he made better choices. Today he made a whole bunch of work for himself, over nothing, but I still love him.

Koda & his friend Belle

unless your a duck

With spring thaw, we all expect mud. It's more like mud soup around here these days. Who pissed off Mother Nature? She's been dumping rain, torrential rain, and then more rain on us - for endless days. It's a mudfest. I hate to complain about moisture, when last year we had a drought. Guess this year makes up for it. I actually like rain, but not long stretches. Sprinkle in some cold wind, we get coated with ice and everything is more like a fudgsicle.

The pasture lake is back, poor trees are taking another beating. Doesn't look like they will ever recover from the power line destruction. My hubby is down there daily, trying to keep it draining. Endless job, until it drys up, and it will. I frequently get asked how our horses handle the mud sucking pasture lake. My answer is always the same "horses are smart, they just don't go down there until the footing gets better".

Animals don't enjoy this weather any more then we do, unless you're a duck. They do much the same. Take cover. Stay out of the wind. Get a little agitated. Snuggle. Look forward to warming meals, and turn the not so pretty color of mud...

there is a Nemo hiding under all that mud

...when the weather breaks, the sun will feel all the better & so will another reeeally good scratch...

Koda, in scratch heaven

here I am, unfolding

One would think after more then 4 months 'er 129 days - riding my horse would end with that horsey-high we all know and love. It didn't. It was rather anti-climatic. Not sure why, could be the way the first ride of the year unfolded?

I haltered & loaded Koda first. While walking out of the pasture in what feels like forever, it hit me. Our horses have not left the pasture since early November...

While hubby and my brother-in-law talked it up at the back of the trailer, I went on a mission. "Excuse me" "Pardon me" "Sorry, I've got a horse to load" Koda & I parted the sea of chatter, but it picked up right where it left off by the time I walked out of the trailer. I guess they didn't see the big brown horse walking an arms length in between them?

Ohhkay, guess I'll go get Nemo too. He was, after all nudging my arm while haltering Koda. Nemo all but put the halter on by himself. I love it when horses do this! Nemo & I walked up to the trailer where naughty pants was doing the occasional "kick the trailer wall game" while impatiently waiting. Maybe he was trying to see if that would get the guys attention? It didn't, and they say women are bad! I handed over the lead, and said "here, load your horse". Hubby did, and Nemo walked right in. Don't get me wrong, I could care less if the brothers spend all day standing around talking - but not right before a ride. A long awaited ride.

We got to our trainers, and it was unusually crazy busy. We waited. We watched. We finally unloaded. We played musical stalls. Poor Koda got stuck next to a screeching witch while we waited for a spot to tack up. Don't know what that horses problem is, but she's definitely got one. Doesn't like anybody or anything near her. Glad I don't have to listen to that day after day. It continued off & on with other unlucky neighbors. I got Koda outta there as soon as a spot opened long enough to tack up. In the midst of all this, another couple trailered in to share the arena with us.

Koda is so fluffy (me too!) I had trouble getting his saddle on right. Doesn't help that he is a "puffer". We ended up down two strap holes from the usual, and that was after warming up. Everybody but our trainer & Cierra were tacked up and riding by the time Koda & I started a warm up lunge. We went down to the scarey side of the arena, where the horse eating stored hay is kept & boogie monsters hide. Koda was a little wired. When machinery started up outside, he bucked & pulled - this time harder. The silly boy spooked himself after the lead line chain end somehow flipped up over his nose. Poor baby. He stopped so I could help him get outta that jam. We did a little more lunging, just so he knew things were okay. Our trainer saw Koda act out, and asked to ride him first. She hopped on, and that boy tried so hard for her. Even after 4 months of doing nothing he looked so good, especially when she rode him. In the truck on the way home, Brad mentioned the very same thing. 

Nemo & Brad went about their ride, as usual unfazed by all the commotion. They enjoyed their ride together and didn't look like they had missed a day. 

After all the rigamarole, I finally started riding. It wasn't what I had envisioned, but Koda listened well. It was a good ride. Maybe our three horses would get to ride together after all? I missed capturing all the cute moments. Like when our horses realized who each other was, with perked ears & wide eyes, and Koda nuzzling with his horse riding cat friend Belle. The two pictures I did take, were way out of focus. Bummer.

During all this, Cierra was golden. Such a good girl. She waited forever tacked up in the arena for our trainer to join us, while the interruptions continued. Some days just turn out busier then others. I never did work up to a lope. By the time things settled down and I felt we were ready, my fuzzy boy was too sweaty, itchy and looking to roll. He was done. Last one in, first one out. Oh well. We will ride together another time. 

I walked, brushed and cooled Koda down before heading back outside to the cold (er) trailer. When we went to load, he headed right back to the barn. Everyone busted out laughing. He didn't want to leave. It's no secret, Koda would rather live there. Sorry buddy. Someday I hope things unfold in our favor, and we have the best of both worlds.