Oct. 18, 2010

Today is Monday and Cleo will have to wait until Wednesday before I ride her again. We had a good ride yesterday even though I felt crummy.

Cleo is such a good horse

I had to force myself to ride today. I have a slight case of the Humboldt Crud. Headachey, tired, chest congestion.This feeling of general malaise is a sign of the middle of the semester, the change of weather, and the shorter days--not to mention germs. But Cleo was a real trooper both at my lesson on Wednesday and my ride today; she must know I am not at my best, so she behaved very well. We have been doing very well with the dressage saddle. She does seem to move better with the smaller, lighter tack, and I have to sit straighter and more correctly.

But two weeks ago, she showed her best self. We were walking down the lane toward her paddock after a particularly good ride that included a trip up and down the lane. Without warning, I slipped on a rock and went sprawling on the ground. Cleo just stopped and said, "What are you doing down there?" I needed help getting back up again; my favorite riding breeches no longer had knees and my own knees looked like a six year old's--bloody, and still to this day, scabby and red. My friend Vicky came to the rescue. She hauled me back up and handed me Cleo's lead rope, and I hobbled down the lane with Cleo patiently at my side. What a good horse!

I love my horse

On Friday, I had the first lesson I have had in weeks thanks to the demands of work, Paula's emergency eye surgery, and general life interferences. The break must have done us all a world of good, since I had a great lesson. I am still getting used to riding in a dressage saddle instead of a treeless endurance saddle. The endurance saddle is so comfortable I could sit in it all day, but it allows me to be lazy with my position, and it makes it hard to keep my legs in the proper place. The dressage saddle requires that I sit up straight or I don't feel well-balanced, and the knee blocks keep my legs from scrunching up and forward. As a result, I get tired and a little sore after about 35 minutes. I can feel my upper thighs, calves, and ankles are in a different position.

But Cleo moves so much better in the dressage saddle. The saddle pad and saddle, itself, are significantly behind her shoulders, and the saddle weighs even less than the 12 pound Bob Marshall. She didn't balk or refuse a single request, and her trot was free and floaty.

After riding, Cleo got new shoes as her 'reward.' We are all set for the next few weeks in terms of shots, footing, food, shoes, and lessons. Soon I need to clean and repair her blankets, and then we will be all set for the onset of winter and the rainy season. This year should be better than the last few now that we have a cover in her paddock. Fewer stalls to muck, dusty air to breathe, and stocked up legs from standing around. Now to figure out how to spend more time with her the semester I teach.

The seasons are changing

Less than one more week until the official end of summer. I have been back to teaching since mid-August, and since that time both this blog and Cleo have been on their vacations, so to speak, since my time is taken up by planning lessons, attending meetings, teaching classes and meeting with students. Cleo doesn't seem to mind. She is enjoying the relatively warm (70 degree) days, lounging in her paddock while I am working away at HSU. But we are enjoying our weekends together riding in the arena, and when Janice is at the barn, riding up and down the lane with Carrie and Artie, with Janice as my 'chaperone.' Cleo has been behaving quite well, but a scare a month ago going down the lane has eroded my fragile confidence. With Janice to calm my nerves, we have been enjoying riding outside in the warm summer weather typical to Humboldt County in September and October, our best weather months before the onset of the rainy season. No one is quite ready for rain this year, since our spring was so wet and cold. Our usual six months of dry weather--as long a you don't count drippy fog--looks like it will be reduced to a maximum of four months this year, and possibly down to three. Depends on when the rain starts coming down.

But this year, Cleo should be happier since a cover was constructed in her paddock. Now she doesn't have to spend drizzly days locked up in her stall to keep her warm and dry. She can hang out under her roof with a blanket on when it gets really cold, and breathe fresh, clean air instead of a barn dust. She would always rather be outside unless she is soaking wet. Last winter, I would find her at dinner time standing at her gate shivering so hard that I could hardly put her halter on to bring her to her stall for the night. But then in the morning, she was in such a hurry to get back outside, she would practically drag me down the lane to her paddock. This winter should be a lot easier on both of us. Less gross bedding to muck out of a stall, and fewer tugs of war to get her from one spot to the next because of the weather. Hopefully, we can keep a year-round routine of inside and outside time, riding, and relaxing without precipitation as the driving force. I don't need to look out my Founders Hall window watching the rain pour down sorry that I didn't put Cleo in for the day.

Ewenice is back with Marko and Rocky

Today my friend, Tammy, came and loaded up her four sheep to move them to her new ranch in Red Bluff. They spent the summer here keeping Ewenice company and mowing my back yard and field (and pooping all over my back deck). Ewenice was often overwhelmed by them since they were very aggressive about food. Often she hung out by herself or with one of the more timid sheep, but now that they are gone, she is looking for them. It shouldn't take her long to settle back in with Rocky, the miniature horse, and Marko, the thoroughbred, to keep her company. I suggested Ewenice move with Tammy and her flock to Red Bluff, but her ewes will be living with a ram, and at age four, Ewenice is old to be bred for the first time. Besides, she would have trouble adjusting to the heat of Red Bluff. She was born in my backyard with Lola as the midwife. That summer, I had two of Tammy's ewes as lawnmowers, and one surprised us with a lamb on Memorial Day. Except for a yearly visit to the shearing clinic at Eureka High School, Ewenice has never been anywhere else. This is her home.

Summer break is over

Tomorrow, I start teaching again full time so my Monday through Friday visits to the dog park with Lola and Bentley, as well as leisurely days at the stables, will draw to a close until January. The flock of sheep will also be reduced from 5 to 1 as Tammy will take the 'girls' with her when she moves to Red Bluff in early September. I'm sure Ewenice will miss her flock, but three of them are very aggressive and push her around, so I'm sure she will acclimate to the usual slower pace around here very quickly. As is always the case, the end of summer means many changes in schedules, weather, and wardrobes.

Cleo and I have been trying out a new saddle. When I first got her 6 years ago, I rode in a western saddle. Not long after, I bought a treeless, endurance saddle and sold my western tack. The endurance saddle is so comfortable, it's like riding in a chair. Sometimes, it's too comfortable and my riding position deteriorates. But since Kass went to a new home near Sacramento, I have started riding in his dressage saddle. Everything is different! But I think Cleo moves freer since it is smaller and lighter. In my next post, I'll relate my adventures with the new tack. Now I must turn my attention to preparing for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to meeting my new students, but the first day of school is always scary for both students and teachers.

Summer's Drawing to a Close

Cleo and I and the rest of the animal family are already getting ready for HSU to start and I go back to teaching full time through December. I didn't ride as much as I had wanted, but Cleo and I still met many of our goals. 1. I have ridden her alone in the arena with great success, although we always make sure someone else is around in case we get into a pickle. 2. I also rode in a dressage saddle for the first time. I really liked how it rearranged my position. The knee blocks and saddle seat forced me to sit straight and tall, and to let my legs hang directly below my hips. 3. I'm much better at insisting Cleo go forward even when she objects.

But for some reason, I have lost some of my courage riding outside and down the lane. So Paula and I have been working on that. We had a scary moment a couple of weeks ago when Artie balked at a change in the scenery going down the lane, and Cleo basically 'freaked out.' Thanks to Janice, we used the event as a learning opportunity that ended well--riding in the outdoor arena and than back into the indoor. But without Janice on the ground to keep both of us calm, I wouldn't have been able to do it.

Cleo's paddock has a cover for the first time. I am hoping that she can stay out more often in the winter, which is her preference. But when the wind blows, and the rain pelts down, she has not been happy with just her raincoat. Last winter she shook so hard when I got there in the late afternoon that I could hardly put her halter on to lead her to her stall. But then in the morning, she is always ready to brave the elements again regardless of the weather. I'll have an easier time deciding the best place for her to be now that she has protection from the wind and rain.

The next four months should be both interesting and a challenge since I have a five day teaching schedule. I have reserved Wednesday mornings for my lessons, but even though I rarely ride during the week, even the weekends are likely to be crowded since I won't have a day during the week to do my other chores and responsibilities. But Cleo and I will work out a schedule that suits us both.

After several weeks of near perfection, Cleo decided to complain yesterday by acting very bad going down the lane, and then to the outdoor arena, and back to the covered arena. It's not her fault that the barn management decided to do some remodeling in her paddock, and she is displaced in a small, dusty, inconvenient pen. The work was supposed to last two to three days, and it's over a week now. So she let me know how annoyed she is by pulling the 'backwards, twirling, balking' routine. She had been the model of a good horse until we started down the lane behind Artie and he shied at the 'construction site.' Thankfully, our friend Janice was there to help me get Cleo's attention again. But it was touch-and-go for the last 15 minutes of our ride. Janice remided me that every day is a new day with horses--good and bad. At least we ended on a positive note. I got off in the outdoor arena and got back on in the indoor and she was an obedient mount again.

The Clinic

After much preparation,anticipation, and anxiety, the day of the horse handling clinic arrived. After practicing at Redwood Acres for a weekend in late May, at the last minute the clinic was moved to the second Sunday in May (8:30 until 4:00) at the gymkana arena in a town 15 miles away. Just as well--I didn't have time to get anxious. Again Cleo did great. She loaded in and out of the trailer and seemed to enjoy the ride with her friend Artie.

When we arrived, Cleo was the perfect horse. She stood tied quietly during the lecture part of the clinic. She was perfect for the loading and unloading practice. She responded beautifully to the lead line lesson. Then, after lunch, we tacked up our horses and got in the saddle.

At first, Cleo and I were both nervous. Artie scared his rider so they went to the other end of the arena to lunge. Cleo and I walked around and around until she calmed down and we both were able to enjoy the location. The skateboarders, basketball players, and party-goers didn't seem to phase her.

We had a wonderful time walking and trotting with the other horses and riders participating in the clinic. Even Artie was back in the program. But two-and-a-half hours later--a record for me and Cleo under saddle--Carrie and Artie decided to get ready to go home. As soon as they left the arena, Cleo said, "Me, too!" In Cleo body language that is expressed as running backwards, spinning in circles, throwing her head in the air, and refusing to go forward. I had to call for an on the ground helper to grab her reins so I could jump off. I almost fell off, but was determined not to embarrass us in public. Eric, the clinician had to get on Cleo so she would not win the battle or the war. But I was pooped and she knew it. She was pretty pooped too, especially after she was loped around the arena for twenty minutes. I think Eric was actually having fun.

The end of the story is a happy one. I had a great time, and in spite of the grand finale, I gained information and confidence that have stayed with me the past two months. And I'll do it again when I have the chance.

Cleo has human, feline, and canine friends

In addition to the horses sharing their lives with me, many dogs and cats also have been members of our family. As a result, I will be expanding my blog to include the other mammals--and sometimes birds, fish, and reptiles--enriching my life. Stay tuned for more introductions.

Back on the blog

Cleo and I had a great lesson today. As I get to be a better rider, she remembers all of her excellent previous training, and she doesn't lose her patience with me as often. Today she didn't refuse, balk, run backwards, or complain one time. We walked, trotted, did leg yields, turns on the forehand both directions, halt, etc., and she paid great attention. It's days like this that I remember why I love having a horse. Sometimes I get discouraged and allow myself to add up the time and financial commitment, and wonder why I don't stick to dogs as companions. But then when Cleo and I work well as a pair, I find no comparison. I need to remind myslef, it is not how often, how long, or how complicated my ride, but the satisfaction and excitement I feel after a good ride--especially since riding a horse was never in my life-plan.

Later in the week , I will continue describing the clinic Cleo and I attended. We both are still benefitting from that experience.

Cleo and I are back on line

After more than a year, I can pick up where I left off last March. We had a very late and wet spring here in Humboldt County, so last March's discussion of horses and mud holds true until just last week. Poor Marko, the retired racehorse/dressage superstar who lives in my backyard,is finally recovering from a massive hoof abscess brought on by months of mud and moisture. During his treatment, I was visiting an Ohio, and Patrick did a great job as veterinarian, soaking his foot daily and changing the dressing as his foot oozed black gunk.

In spite of the miserable weather this spring--rain and wind--Cleo and I and her stable mate, Artie, and his owner, signed on to attend an all day clinic with a natural horseman who was going to teach us methods for improving ground manners, trailer loading, and under saddle responsiveness.

In order to prepare for this adventure, our friend Joan trailered our horses to Redwood Acres twice to accustom our steeds to loading, unloading, and behaving at a new place. Cleo had not been in a trailer or off the property at Freshwater stables since I bought her 6 years ago. The first time, I was NERVOUS.

Cleo was a pro. She remembered her early training and literally jumped into the trailer with a look on her face that said, "It's about time I got to take a ride. What have we been waiting for?" Our two practice sessions went well, and we walked and trotted in the covered arena with a herd of ponies and little kids, Artie and Carrie, and Joan as confidence builder. By the time we went the second time, I was as confident as Cleo. I eagerly anticipated the clinic in early May.