Final Ride

Yesterday was the day...the day our chapter in Steve Holt!'s life drew to an end, and his new life with his new owner was to begin. Before she arrived, we led him from his stall out into the barn, removed his blanket and began to groom him. That beautiful, long thick tail took some time, but when we were done, he looked like one of those show ring beauties who wears a tail extension!

Darling didn't really want to saddle him. It'd been a year and a half since she'd ridden bareback, but her goodbye ride was done just that way. An easy, slow walk around the arena on a horse who had magically transformed himself this week to a western pleasure pony.

Saying goodbye is never an easy thing to do, but we're so thrilled with Steve Holt!'s new owner. She showed up with a baggie full of sliced apples for him, and you know he was in heaven over that! She let us know we could come visit him any time we wanted...she didn't even need to be there...just come! She thanked us for putting so much time and effort into him, and made us feel so much better about him going to such a loving person. She'd ordered him a new blanket, she told us...one with a belly band to help keep him snug and warm. "I know, I know, I'm spoiling him!" she said. That's okay...Steve Holt! loves to be spoiled! He's going to be a happy camper, and that makes us happy.

And then he was gone...leaving us with nothing but photos and memories...

Memories of a Goober Called Steve Holt!

Late last week I had not one, but two emails from people interested in coming to see Steve Holt!. I set up the first appointment for noon on Saturday. That evening, the second woman called to set up a time to see him, and I had to tell her that a down payment had been left. Steve Holt! had found a home.

My first good look.
Can you pick him out of the line up?
He's the tall one!

As you can imagine, our emotions are springing and swaying to and fro, from joyful to sad, back to joy again. Naturally, we wouldn't let him go to just any home, it had to be a good fit.

No worries. The woman who came to see him was in love. Head over heels in love. She'd been looking online at mustangs and had no idea that the one handsome bay gelding that she'd so admired was the one she was coming to look at! How's that for fate?

Eating hay and grain from my hands (well, the pan in my hands)
the first week home.

She and Steve Holt! clicked right away. I warned her that his lope was big. From the ground it's not so noticeable, but once in the saddle, she exclaimed with a smile, "Oh, yes, it is a big lope!"

To the round pen we go...with an alder tree doubling as a bamboo pole.

She climbed off Steve Holt! and we led him into the barn alleyway, chatting and talking. She'd brought a bag of carrots...and he was in love. Head over heels in love! Who was this magical woman with delicious treats? This was good stuff!

The end of week one...or was it the first day of week two?
Doesn't matter. First saddling. In the snow.

She'd been looking since July. I asked about her last horse, a paint who opted out of the 'leave the barn to go for a ride' program, it seemed. He didn't like to go alone. She'd asked if Steve Holt! was willing to go alone. Oh, yes, indeed, I replied. I ride alone all the time. He jumps into the trailer and loves to explore trails. No problem there.

My, what a handsome boy he was!
My, what a white winter we had!

She had a dreamy smile on her face when she left. Steve Holt! had a dreamy look, too. She'd left the bag of carrots behind.

First ride...28 days into training.

Barn life seems to agree with Steve Holt!. She'd worried he'd be bored living at a boarding facility in a stall, but this week at the Cowboy's has been good. He just gets better and better each time we lead him from the stall. The Cowboy's wife said that perhaps he's just needed to have that added security of a snug shell of a home (box stall) and the companionship of humans leading him from point A to point B. I don't know, but whatever it is, it seems to be working for our big boy. He moves slower and slower each time we ride around the arena, content to be just a little lazy.

Darling at the reins...Steve Holt! becomes a jumper.

As the truck pulled away, Darling and I were smiling. "She's so nice!" said Darling. Indeed, she was. "And she brought carrots!" chimed in Steve Holt!. Okay...maybe not out loud, but he was thinking it! Darling's smile waned for a moment..."I'll miss him."

So will I, Darling...so will I. We've got a couple more days left with him, though. A few more rides before we say goodbye.

Artsy Video by Darling

You may find yourself needing to let this one load for a couple of minutes before watching. Darling has pulled up some old footage, plus added some recent clips, to create this video. Hope you enjoy!

Bits and Pieces

I am happy to say, not a bit of the snotties yesterday! And she was mildly interactive as well, so obviously feeling better, even if not 100%.

The other day I received an email from someone mildly interested in looking at Steve Holt!. I didn't hold my breath, but since he'd not been ridden in over a month, and at that, it was only 2 trail rides in September, I thought it best if I at the very least climb on him in the round pen for just a bit.

I'd had the new Myler bit on him, and just as in the last round pen ride, he dropped his head and held his nose perpendicular to the ground, just like a pleasure horse. And his trot...wow...while not super western slow, it was light and easy to sit. Amazing what a bit can do for a horse. Never, EVER, let someone tell you that you simply must be able to ride in a snaffle, or you're not worth your salt as a horseman. Hog wash! Each horse is different, just like any child in the classroom, and any teacher or trainer worth a paycheck knows this.

During my brief round pen ride, I watched in amusement as Impulse darted in and out of her stall. With paddocks attached directly to the round pen, she had an up close and personal view of Steve Holt! actually allowing a human to sit upon his back. Fascinating! Frightening! But really fascinating! She rushed in and out of her stall, not sure if she ought to be brave or hide. While standing inside...ooops!...a chicken flew up onto her back! She flinched, looked back to see what had happened, then ignored the chicken in order to pay attention to the goings on in the round pen.

Too funny! My wild horse is broke to ride...if only by a red hen.

The following day, Steve Holt!s ride went very well. It was as if he'd been ridden every day all summer long. His trot was sitting trot slow (not western pleasure jog, but comfortable enough) and his lope was easy and soft. He picked up both leads like he'd never given a thought in his life to not picking them up correctly. It went as smooth as could be...now we just wait and see. The young woman trying him out had just begun her search, and no clue if she's in a hurry or not. And while it would be nice to move him on, the Cowboy has said we can move him in down there for the winter and continue his training, and that is just about as nice as it gets.

The sun was shining all weekend, and I was wishing I didn't have a dead camera battery when I went out to clean Impulse's stall. Watching the proceedings the other day obviously increased her curiosity, because she began slowly working her way up to me, and cautiously reaching out in an effort to get a good whiff, no doubt wondering why the other horses seemed so intrigued by me. I had a pocket full of treats, of course, and stood at the round pen rail, feeding them to Max. Impulse eventually got close enough and brave enough to attempt taking my last treat, but it fell to the ground before she managed to get it all the way into her mouth. When I bent to pick it up, she moved off, so I put it inside a grain pan that was sitting nearby and walked away. When I was a safe distance, she walked over and lipped it up. She may not want grain, but for some reason, she's decided it's okay to eat treats. Well...whatever it takes!

Goober's New Bit

^^ This is a Goober. ^^

It's been over a month since my less than graceful, acrobatic dismount to club dirt. Last week I began riding Kitty, just a couple of days, nice easy rides. This week, we picked up the slack a bit and worked the bull a few times. The back was certainly tired, but the real pain is in lifting and turning. You know...the motion you go through when cleaning a stall? So when a friend offers to help, I certainly do not turn them down, and send them straight to work, lifting and turning, while I do the more tedious job of saddling and riding...

It is too more tedious!

Anyway, prior to the fair I'd purchased a new Myler bit for Steve Holt!. I don't like the way he's been pulling through the snaffle and really ought to have changed it out some time back. Finally, yesterday, with the back feeling more capable of climbing on and riding, I got that new bit onto a headstall and climbed on the goober boy.

It was against my better judgment to ride while I was alone. But since when has better judgment come to visit when it ought to? Lucky for me, nothing bad happened, but I bet you started to wonder if I visited Club Dirt again, eh?

At first, Steve Holt! thought the bit felt funny. Actually, he wasn't too impressed for the entire ten minutes I was on him. But hey, I was! He didn't like the added pressure on his tongue, and that head that's always struggled to stay down where it needs to be? Dropped down. And it stayed down, loose rein. Well, sorta loose. Goober pony loose. No fighting or arguing, just put it down while jogging around the pen in an as close as he's ever gotten pleasure horse frame.

Impressive!

And that's the story of Goober Boy's (aka Steve Holt!'s) new bit.

Sorry. All I got. Nothin' more!

Another Day, Another Rain Drop

Will it ever stop? If it weren't for global warming, we'd be in an ice age!

Steve Holt! stayed at pony day care while we were away earlier this month. In other words, my place of work, so that someone could keep an eye on his royal pain in the patootie. Upon return, Darling thought to take advantage of the arena and saddle him up for a ride. One small problem...

...Darling didn't bring her helmet. So Steve Holt!, all dressed up with nobody to ride, got turned out for a few minutes of saddled play time. Can someone tell me why I've not sold this handsome gent yet???

As long as I had the camera, I snapped a couple of shots of Berta, a lovely little mare also looking for a home.

Berta is a rescue horse. She'd been used as a brood mare, barely even halter broke, before being sold to a family who knew nothing of horses. They left her tied to the branch of a tree, which eventually broke and she then drug it around. My employer tried a few times to get them to give the mare to her, and finally succeeded about a year and a half ago. Berta was thin, but has now gained weight along with some confidence.

Seriously...who could hurt a pretty girl like this? A little hard to catch, but once you've got her she tries so hard to do the right thing. Berta is registered with the Pinto Horse Association, and according to her registration papers, she's 25% Kiger Mustang (no wonder I like this girl!) She's also free to the right home...a place who will take the time to love and understand her.

...Sigh...I still hear raindrops pitter pattering outside my window...

Making a Splash

The sun came out today for the first time in what felt like an eternity. Not only was it out, but it was almost feeling warm...you know, like spring!

Darling said she had a hankering for wanting to ride Steve Holt!, so after she was done in the round pen, I went outside and snapped a couple photos of her crossing the creek. They didn't end up being much good, at least not in terms of something that could be used for marketing the big goober boy. But this one made me giggle, what with the big splash he made!

After a few months off, Darling has come to the realization that she doesn't really want to give up horses...but she does want to switch back to western, and Steve Holt!, fun as he can be, is simply not a western type horse. And further more (she told me), she's going to have to start over from the beginning, because we do mustangs, and that means getting one from the corrals.

Sigh...teenagers. Simply can't keep up with them.

Steve Holt! and Darling aren't the only ones getting back into the swing of things. Today I saddled up Tika and climbed on board for the first time in a month. Because I had about two whole minutes before needing to leave, I decided it was best not to temp fate by climbing on in the round pen, but rather did it inside her paddock. Not so much room to bounce around in there. Of course, there wasn't so much as a flinch of a bounce.

Seriously...it was only 2 minutes. A couple turns left and right, a couple of stops. Just enough to let her know that it's time to return to work. Or maybe enough to let me know that she's not forgotten what we're doing? Either way, she was fine, and I look forward to many more sunny afternoons.

After pulling off the saddle, I decided I had just enough time to play with a little toy. At some point I'd like to be able to use clippers on her, and this little massage tool seems to be a nice transitioning tool. There's just enough vibration and noise to get a horse's attention, but no clipper blades to accidentally slip and cut a horse if they jump. Tika is none to sure of anything new that approaches...heck, a new brush can send her screaming backwards down the barn alley...so I figured this little do-dad was a perfect way to get her into the right frame of mind.

It took about five minutes, but once it was on her neck I was able to run it up and down, concentrating on the area where her brand is (in case we should ever need to shave it), as well as running it down her back and shoulder area. She was tense, but stood quietly. I'll need to practice with this a few more times, I think, and then maybe I'll pull out the clippers and see how we fare.

Horse Shows and Trail Rides

Such a busy life I lead! My head seems to be spinning most days, though for the most part it's in an attempt to get things situated for the Cascade Horse Fair.

Last week I got an email from some friends asking if I wanted to go ride. We'd not ridden together since last summer...they live a couple hours south of me and we meet up at a lovely tree farm trail.

Recognize these two bloggers? It's Paint Girl and Pony Girl!

It was a beautiful, sunny, hot, dry day. Pony Girl wore her chinks. I'm not sure why, but she thinks it's cooler than having the sun hit her blue jeans. Okay, Pony...like, whatever! (I'm actually just jealous. I want a pair! They make her look sooooo skinny.)

The horses were happy to come across the river where they could drink from the cool, clear water. They insisted they'd worked hard enough for the day, despite only being five minutes down the trail.

Did I mention dust? Wheweee! Dusty. Very. I turned around at the bottom of a hill and couldn't find Paint or Pony for a good five minutes. They looked like they'd been covered in soot. Like chimney sweeps from Mary Poppins or something. Paint Girl was crying. Look at the poor girl, wiping her eyes!

Steve Holt!'s long legs carried him way out in front of the pack. No dust for Darling!

It was a great ride. I'm glad we got the call to come down and ride with the Girls!

I received another email from a gal who said she had a horse that needed a home, and since I did the mustang thing, she hoped I may be able to help her out. I drove out to her place to take a look at what she had. All I can say is...wow!

Berta had been neglected and abused by a neighbor before this woman took her in. They called her a 'bad horse!'...but she's nothing of the sort. Fearful...yes. Bad? No. Incredibly distrusting and difficult to catch when turned out into a pasture, Berta was in a stall when Darling & I stopped in the other day. Even there, she wasn't so sure, but once the halter was on, she walked out into the open on a light lead.

She reminds me of a pinto Tika. Only not quite as flighty. I led her around, stopped, backed, had her pivot on the hindquarters. At one point in her life, someone cared enough to teach her manners. Whether or not she was ever ridden is anyone's guess.

Are you tired yet? I'm tired. And we're not even done! Nope. We went to a horse show where Darling did pretty alright with her long legged partner. Steve Holt! managed to hold himself together and the two of them came home with an armload of ribbons...mostly 3rd and 4th...from the day's event.

It's been a long week, to say the least. I'd like to say I'm looking forward to the weekend...but I think it's going to get even busier. Crazy busy. But that's okay. And if anyone knows where to get a pair of chinks like Pony Girls? Please let me know. I wanna be skinny, too!

Me thinks it's love...

Baby, I Love You

Er...maybe not so much?



Bad Pony!

Fun in the Sun

The sun was shining the other day, so Darling agreed to a photo shoot with Steve Holt!. I'm rather happy with the results, though the sun was somewhat bright.

Normally, for you new readers, Darling does not ride in a dress. When I sent a copy of one of the photos to a friend, her remark was "She looks cute, but don't put that online..." She was concerned people would think my kid goes riding in dresses. I, personally, am not bothered by someone riding in a dress...but if you happen to be someone who is, rest assured this was simply a matter of getting a cute photograph. Or two. Or three. Did we succeed?

I love that his brand is so bright and vibrant here!

Darling wasn't about to waste the day in a dress. She had other fish to fry on a sun shiny day and got Steve Holt! all tacked up for a romp in the pasture.

And of course...we may as well spread our wings and fly the friendly skies while we're at it!

Titled!

He's ours! 100%, officially, and completely.



The manila envelope came in the mail the other day.



The paper inside said, "Congratulations!"



And Darling is one happy camper...

Sunday Potluck

Over at Sunday Stills, the theme is Potluck. At first I was confused...was I supposed to host a potluck and take photos? But no, it was simply meant that we could post an array of photos of our choice. Basically, bring to the table whatever photos we wanted to share. Now, does life get any easier than that? I dun think so!

Naturally, my potluck involves horseflesh. First up, we've got a nice walk along the creek with City Boy and Sandy. We'd been on our way down to the pasture for some grazing time, and it was just too pretty with the cherry blossoms over top, wouldn't you agree?

Oh! And I've got to tell you, because this is exciting (at least to me)...Tika got her feet done! All four! And she only tried to kick out once. Sadly it was with gusto, and the farrier was not too happy about it. He took the lead and got on her case big time, which was really good for her because, you know...I don't seem to have those same issues with her and she needs to know she can get into trouble and still be friends with someone. She got over the punishment and stood nicely for him after that, and he complimented her ability to come back around and be such a good girl. He's very impressed with my wild child. Of course, she kept doing her funky lip thing through the entire process...

( I know...this potluck photo is leftovers!)

One last tidbit (okay, it reads more like a novel) that I'll leave you with is this: I've decided to stop thinking about what Red and I have not accomplished. It's far too easy to dwell on the negatives and as slow as he's moving, they tend to overshadow the positives. But a snail's pace is still progress, right? And progress he's making. The lead is back on, though in a shortened state so that it no longer drags the ground under his feet. When it first began to swing around beneath his face, he was startled and confused. But rather than running in a blind panic (which he'd have done a couple months ago) he simply bobbed his head and tried to figure it out. Yeah! Progress! And proof that he's a thinker.

Red is able to tolerate being touched on the left and the right. I can now touch him up near his poll, just behind his ears, when on his left. I ran my hand halfway to his knee yesterday. I rubbed down onto his ticklish flank. He leads nicely. When we come to a stop, I can now walk towards him, right past his face and stop alongside his neck without him turning his hip to me. He allows me into his 'head space' on the right side, too! While eating grain from a pan on my lap, he'll let me rub on his cheeks, and he's even eaten a mouthful from my hands.

Gone are the days when he used to kick out like a bronc and not stop until I feared for his well being. He's not broken into a white lather in weeks. I tied a piece of sheet to the end of my lunge whip and can drop it over his back and neck, and let it bump on his hind legs. I can throw the end of my long rope towards him and he doesn't go cuckoo; it can even bounce around his front legs without any reaction, and limited reaction when I toss it over his hindquarters to fall down his back legs (he's destined to be a roping horse, so rope training is essential!)

But Red's biggest accomplishment this weekend was the placing of the saddle blanket into his back. He allowed me to rub his left side with in, and I could even pull it off from the right side with little trouble. In fact, I put it on him, laid the rope over his back and came in to get my camera and found him standing where I'd left him, no worries, just waiting for my return.

So there you have it. A little bit of almost everything. And just so Steve Holt! doesn't feel left out...here he is. He needs a shave.

Look at my Little Girl Ride!

The guys? They're watching football. Darling just finished up a video late last night, though, and that's what I'm watching. Special thanks to Equiscience for sponsoring Darling & Steve Holt!.

Oh...and if you've ever wondered where Steve Holt!'s name came from...well, I found it on Hulu. The show...not Steve Holt!.

Name It. Win It.

First, a big thank you to all who wished me quick healing! Must have worked, because I woke up yesterday feeling much better. Still a little pinch of whatever it is, but nothing like the previous day or two. Trying not to over do it, but hey, what can I say? Ponies must be ridden!

Darling had a lesson on Tuesday, and since Steve Holt! hadn't been worked on Monday, I hauled him to the arena for a bit of a warm up. He was great! Nice, soft, and supple. Big improvement over what Darling's been dealing with the past month.

We've got a new bit on the boy; a full cheek with a slow twist. Because he's been slow to respond to his loose ring snaffle, we decided it was time to find something that got his attention a bit faster should he fail to respond to the voice and seat when asking for those downward transitions. This has always been Steve Holt!'s weak point; dropping from a canter to a trot for a simple change was nearly impossible last year, and Darling is a bit lighter than me when it comes to both weight and soft touch, so a bit of help was in order. At first we didn't think he was responding, as he'd try to bully his way around the arena, but after a ride or two he began listening and this lesson was mighty pretty to watch.

Of course, the beautiful afternoon light made everything seem more poetic!

There for awhile, Darling was very frustrated with Steve Holt! and back to wishing she had a broke pony on which to learn to ride. But the past week has proven to her that struggles happen, and if you persevere and work through them, there is a reward. To get to that reward, sometimes it takes more than hard work...with Steve Holt! it took some play time. We'd set up obstacles in the arena just like I did a year ago while he was training for the makeover. Steve Holt! has an active mind that has difficulty processing circle trotting, but throw a few barrels out there, and some poles and cones, and things become a game. Darling had fun, too, pretending to be a rodeo queen in an English saddle, cantering around all the props and doing her queen wave as she passed by her imaginary fans. It lightened the load for both of them, and in the end they were both in better form when it came time to trot those circles again at her lesson.

Barb commented on how fluid her circles were and wondered if she'd been practicing? No, Darling answered...but in an odd way, she was, simply because she'd had to think about going around whatever I'd scattered about in her way. Never under estimate play time, my friends!

And speaking of play time...I spent a bit of time playing myself last night, taking the above photo and tweaking it just a little to the image you see below. Now I need a bit of help...can you give me a name? Winner receives a 5x7!