Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Hip bones still showing, but definitely more weight across her back.

At first glance, it may appear to be a branch reaching over Firecracker's back. Rather, it's my very stiff lariat. For the past three or four days, there have actually been a couple hours where I've been able to go out and work with the horses without any rain. Hooray!

Jet was saddled up two days in a row, although with the ground as wet and slick as it is, there wasn't really any riding going on. I turned her around a couple of times in the paddock, and did walk to the end of the pasture and back, but that was it. The ground is just too soft for me to risk her slipping while I'm on board. Still, it tickled me pink to have her stand there quietly while I saddled her up, mostly because I hadn't tied her to anything. In fact, she wasn't even haltered. She's such a good girl and I sure wish I could get a few days riding in here at the house so that I could feel more comfortable about taking her out on the trail.

Then again, the lack of riding weather means that I've got a bit more time to focus on Firecracker.

With the halter and lead off, I'm forced to work things differently than I have with the other horses. I'm trying to teach myself patience. Not that I'm impatient with my wild ones, but a halter and lead gives you more control over the situation. I'm now faced with a horse who's had a head injury and doesn't want me near her face. Despite rubbing all over the left side of her body, the right side she's made pretty much off limits. And although she's letting me rub the lariat up and down her back, she no longer wants it to touch the top of her head. Who can blame her?

We did have an exciting moment yesterday, however, when I used the rubber curry on her for the first time. She loved it! So much that when I stepped back a few feet, she looked at me and then shuffled her body a little closer. A clear invitation for me to step back and brush some more. That left a nice smile on my face.

I'd been hoping that I could use Firecracker as a way to test my skills, making it one of the determining factors in whether or not I should apply for the mustang makeover. She's the same age as those who are used in the competition, making her a better example of what I'd be up against compared to my others. But now...well, I can't really push her. Sure, she'd probably come around and forgive the push, but what's the point? I mean...really? I've got nothing to prove with her, and horses haven't got personal goals and timelines that match up with ours. All she knows is that ropes and halters cause pain to heads. She knows that rubbing and scratching feel good, and eventually she'll make the choice to give herself up completely.

So I'll wait. I'll let her forget the pain and completely heal. Slow and steady wins the race, right? My ultimate goal for her is to have that injury heal and make her a safe mount for Darling. For now, I'll have to trade off days of brushing the right side with days of sitting on a chair with a pan full of grain, and sneak in an occasional trip to her right side when I can.

My attempt to frame the photo with my lariat didn't turn out as nicely as I'd hoped!

Internet Adoption

Weanlings at Burns; the duns are included in the Internet Adoption

The BLM Internet Adoption will begin on January 16. Right now, the horses available are listed online for your viewing pleasure and consideration.

Among the horses available is a sweet little Kiger filly who you'd swear is Firecracker's daughter. Same color, same facial expression, just not quite the right age. At least, I think not. Firecracker would have been about 8 months pregnant when she aborted, so this filly wouldn't be quite old enough to be hers. I think I'd be in trouble if she were, as I may be tempted to adopt her!

Another very striking individual who happens to have stolen my heart is this beautiful Kiger stallion. He's six years old and hasn't a speck of white. Darling captured this head shot while we were down there in November.

There are some pretty cute horses available, so go check them out! Once you ride a 'Stang, you'll never go back to domestic!

Firecracker

We actually had a couple days without rain, which I'm giving thanks for. The paddocks, despite scraping the mud and clay out, then adding gravel, are still struggling with water and drainage issues. City Boy went out this afternoon to put up salt licks and bridle hangers and saw how bad it was for the first time. He said decidedly that we'd have to put in drain tiles this summer. I definitely agree! Mud management seems to be an ongoing issue when ever you've got horses, but in the northwest it's a real challenge.

Since it wasn't pouring down rain, I went out and played for a few minutes with Firecracker. She's comfortable with me walking in and out of her stall, and sometimes doesn't even bother to move her butt over to make room for me. It alway need to pause and make sure she knows I'm there, but usually she's just got her head buried in her hay and knows that I'm carrying grain, meaning nothing to get worked up over. She'll lift her head and cock an ear just enough to let me know she's aware of me, and continues munching as I carry in her extra goodies.

I can get up close enough to rub for a moment or two on her back, just behind her withers, before she'll move out of reach most days. I pulled out the lariat, though, to see if I could convince her to allow me to get closer or stay longer. Once it was laying over the top of her neck, she stopped moving out of the way and stood still. It was as though she still had the halter on, as I could rub from about the halfway point on her neck, under her belly and over her hips without her exhibiting any sign of fear or flight.

Still, getting close enough to look at her wound isn't happening. With a chunk of mane falling over the top of it, and her not allowing me to move it to the other side, I'm unable to see how it's healing. The good news is that I can't smell it anymore. I'm hoping we don't end up with any scaring or super sensitivity up there or it'll be a real bear getting her to wear a headstall. I'm going to go shopping for one tomorrow; something without an ear piece or browband so it won't have any added pressure points near her ears. Tomorrow is Darling's 14th birthday, so I'll give it to her as a gift. Maybe make a little sheep skin cover for it, too.

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