A few days of Rest, Relaxation, and Eating...

We have had a busy week and little riding has been done.  Not that the horses are complaining.  The weather has been nice and they have enjoyed being let loose in the big pastures, although there really isn't much to eat.  The four geldings that share space are really a great group of guys, but feeding time is always fun to watch.  Above, Sebastian sees Oberon coming back from a short ride and would love it if Oberon would share his grain... ha! Right.

I also thought I would bring to my readers attention that Sebastian's breeder has a few of thier horses up for sale (due in large part to a shortage of hay!).  A number of the mares are in foal by Sebastian's Friesian father, Raven.  Click HERE if you are interested.

Oberon may be the smallest, but when it comes to food, he is the orneriest.  His little leg often paws at his grain pan.   He loves his grain (and I did sneak a small handful to Sebastian)

The fact that Oberon can move big Buddy always makes me laugh.  Buddy is the oldest and kindest of the four geldings.  A gentle giant, truly.

The almost white horse, Mystic, just looks resigned.  "OK, I'm moving"...

and Oberon says "Oh no, I'm not moving..."

Oberon IS willing to share his hay with Sebastian, though.  And did I mention that Buddy is the wisest?...  (I linked the photo below to Friday Fences #14.)

He knows seeking solitude farthest away is best...

Hope you all have a wonderful New Years' Eve and Day!  

Merry Christmas!

Ha!  It should have read Santa and his Elves!  Oh well, I'm sure Oberon won't mind top billing.

Friday's Fences #12

It could be worse, I could own a white horse.

If you roll, Sebastian, there is a consequence and be happy it was a brush and not a hose!

I love his shot of my daughter and the big boy.

Look how nice his coat looks now (and his mane & tail)

I have linked this to Friday Fences #12.

Stationary Lunge with James Cooler

When I had horses as a child and teenager, I never ground worked.  EVER!  Now I wouldn't ever consider not doing ground work before a ride.  Sometimes, if time is short, I choose ground work over riding!

Ground work, when I was young, meant lunge line work with the horse trotting and/or doing a lot of cantering.  Now it means so much more.  Cutbacks, backing up, mobile lunge, making them move their shoulders on an outward turn... it goes on and on and my girls and I are just learning the basics and have a long way to go.

The video above is of James working with Indigo.  I'm not sure when it was filmed, but Indigo now does a lot of stuff off the halter and line and their Freedom work is so fun to watch.

Below is a video of my daughter working Oberon on "cutbacks".  When we fist started this, we were so "gangly" with the stick and string, our cues and the rope.  We have much improved and will soon add a longer rope to the equation. 

and Sebastian chilling while watching his buddy, Oberon work:

 Our goal is do Freedom work.  The video below is of Robin Gates and her beautiful horses - I believe they are located in California.  

Video "Having Fun" demonstration

The above is a video of James Cooler having a bit of fun with his horse Indigo at the Colt Starting Competition in Virginia.  This was a demonstration during one of the breaks.

And following is a link to a video of James and Kate Cooler at Fiore Farms where they teach and train in North Carolina.  Come join them for a ride on this beautiful property (where I also get to ride and enjoy my horses) by clicking HERE.

I was just informed I received "Blog of the Day" over at "Hay-net".  I urge you to check it out as it is RICH with horse enthusiasts and I believe there is something for every horse lover.

Stationary Lunging

Below is a video of my daughter working Oberon on "cutbacks".  When we fist started this, we were so "gangly" with the stick and string, our cues and the rope.  We have much improved and will soon add a longer rope to the equation.

War Horse - December 25th

I came across an interesting blog "The Hoof Blog".  The website describes itself this way:

The website is "About Hoofcare & Lameness Journal and Fran Jurga's Hoof Blog".  Hoofcare Publishing chronicles progress in the art and science of preventing, recognizing and treating lameness problems in horses. Written for and by the dedicated professionals from all fields who are at work in this rewarding pursuit, Hoofcare supports a diverse worldwide community of subscribing professionals via an award-winning journal, a website, a blog, and a source for reference books and media.

Two posts that feature the above movie "War Horse" coming out DECEMBER 25th!!  are highlighted on this blog in the below links:

November 30, 2011 "New from War Horse":  Off Screen Actors Speak on the Film (and the Horse)

Another post was done on June 29, 2011:  War Horse:  The Movie!

I know what our family will be getting in our stockings Christmas morning!  Movie tickets.