double or nothing

For our horses second day in the big green pasture, we decided to double their turnout time.

Yesterday's turnout brought on high energy & sounds of freedom from the horses. Did you watch the video on yesterday post? If not, I recommend turning up the volume & expanding the screen. It's short, and worth watching.

Day two, Brad opened the gate annnnd Harmony walked out. Grazed, and meandered towards me. That wasn't very exciting for a photographer.

Once again, Koda watched the pasture "action". But this time, so did Nemo. Really? You have fresh pasture to roam, and you guys would rather hang out in the dry lot?!! I couldn't believe my eyes. You have a chance at double the grazing, and you prefer not to graze at all? I don't get it.

I was almost to the pines, and called and kissed and clucked to Koda. His head was raised, he was listening. Maybe it was too much effort? Brad went over by the boys, and did a little coaxing. Koda decided to head out, at his regular jog. A much different pace then yesterday... 

Nemo finally came out to the pasture. Stopped, grazed by Brad/gate, and then he took off towards the pines. Again, at a much different pace... 

It wasn't long before he caught up with Harmony... 

...and rounded Koda up...

...and just like that, the three of them stopped and settled into grazing. No running, no snorting, nothing. Guess the pasture is old hat, already. Lol. One hour yesterday, that is all it took.  

Eventually they worked there way back towards the dry lot, drank water, and used up their green turnout time, they way they wanted to. Peacefully.

the spirit of freedom

The day finally arrived. The day our horses got to stretch there legs, in the BIG pasture with green stuff growing in it! For the first time, ever!!!

Brad turned horses out into the dry lot first

Nemo & Harmony wasted no time exploring
Koda didn't go out to the big pasture on his own. Weirdest thing ever.
He just munched on hay and watched the other two zoom around.
Brad had to get a halter, and lead Koda out.
The gate opening was right in front of him. 

Koda ran like the wind across the pasture

He joined up at the far end of the pasture

they all turned and came running back past me

Nemo, the leader of our herd
He was breathing in the freshness, and blowing out the loudest.
Prancing, with tail head high, and leading the fast and furious running.

We called out, in an effort to slooow them down.
Of course we wanted them to enjoy, but not get injured.

Deer & turkey frequent our fields, and pines smell so fresh in the mornings. It must have been exhilarating for them!

Harmony was so happy to be out
Harmony frequently walks the perimeter of the dry lot, looking in the direction of the big fields. She grew up in a larger herd (20 horses?) and lived in a back pasture. I think this is where she will be happiest.

they settled into grazing by the pines
(iphone pic)

I walked back, and left them to be horses(iphone pic)

After one hour, Brad haltered Nemo

they all headed back 

I found it interesting that after being in the big pasture,
they hung out unusually close to each other
(iphone)

after tearing up the fields,
Koda & Nemo were all tuckered out
(iphone pic, through my window)

Watching and hearing our horses run free, like the wind, was priceless...it sounded and felt like the spirit of freedom. It makes every ounce of painful moving, worth it.

"I have seen things so beautiful they have brought tears to my eyes.
Yet none of them can match the gracefulness and beauty
of a horse running free."

~ Author Unknown

mind over matter

In the midst of our moving craze, Brad showed Cierra in Ranch at two AQHA shows. I feel bad I completely missed his first show this season. The May venue is two hours away. In typical show world style the times predicted, shifted. I was too far away to make it in time. Sounds like the riding went okay, but not as well as past years. With everything he has going on, Brad hasn't been able to put in the riding time. They did really well in Amateur Ranch Conformation, coming home with all 4 firsts out of 6 or 7 horses. 

This past week/end was Brad's second show. I had our son's dog with me the first day he showed, so I didn't even bother attempting to take photos or video. She is new to horses and horse shows. Our "little horse" is a sweetie and got lots of attention. We are really proud of how she handled everything! It's a huge busy show, with multiple arenas in two pavilions. The horses were at this show Tuesday-Sunday. 

Remi

Brad placed & did okay with his rides again. Ranch trail/riding classes had around 12 entries. He continues working on not letting his nerves get in his way. Mind over matter is hard to achieve. Most riders at AQHA shows are so very seasoned, that any little thing puts you out of point placement. Placing is far from the only thing that counts anyways. Brad is having fun living his dream, and that's what's important. I am really proud of him! 

The only other ranch rider from our trainers barn got some firsts & seconds, and came home with a beautiful handmade Dale Chavez halter for winning high point ranch. We are good friends & thrilled for her! 

Father's Day was Brad's second day of showing, and both his rides improved. Our son & daughter came to watch, as well as his parents. This was the first time they've ever seen him ride. 

I shot video with my phone. You'll notice Cierra didn't want to line up on the log side pass for both Brad (& our trainer, she shows her in open classes). Silly girl, I've seen her do this right 100X. He also got docked for inadvertently dropping his rein after the log pull, right in front of the judges. Whoops! He didn't want me to share the trail video. Too bad. I think Brad should have gotten bonus points for gracefully grabbing his rein and continuing on like nothing happened. SO many other good parts to his rides, like his flying change and his transitions are getting smoother. If you are interested, take a peak:

AQHA Amateur Ranch Pleasure Riding 

AQHA Amateur Ranch Trail

build-a-barn ~ a few changes

A few things that changed in our barn, after moving:

• Our barn is looking more lived in by the day.

It smells and looks like horses live in it, except for the back half. 

scratch-n-sniff?!

• Brad installed three permanent feeders to the stalls we are using, a couple days ago.

We were using buckets for grain, removing them overnight for safety, which meant rehanging them daily. When they became noise makers, we decided to purchase feeders. I like that you can take the bowl out & clean them, similar to the waterer's.

feeder (L) auto waterer (R)

• Halter holders were added to the stalls.

Cute story: Brad welded 8 horseshoe hooks that sat in our garage for years, way before we designed the barn. We decided to use them as halter hooks on each stall. I painted them, and they turned out to be a perfect fit! Funny how he made just enough for the number of stalls we have. I love it when things like this happen!

homemade makes everything more special

• I’ve discovered our fans are amazing!

At first I was a little alarmed at how large our fans are. You can see them in the first photo, altho it doesn't show perspective of how big they really are. They span the entire aisle, from the edge of the stalls to the edge of the rooms. It took me some getting used to, horses on the other hand didn't bat an eye. I love these fans, they quietly spin slow and keep the air circulating! I highly recommended Big Ass Fans.

I love sitting underneath these fans!

• We have a functioning toilet :))) 

our out house

• Brad welded more horseshoes, this time for hooks to hang brooms etc

I am painting them today. Next on the never ending list is staining the feed area wall, so these horseshoes can be hung and put to good use! 

• I made two boot planters. One from a pair of Brad's cowboy boots, and the other from mine.

my old boots

What hasn’t changed? The long list of things left to do, and the sheer enjoyment of living the barn life!!