Cleo and Her Friends

Oct. 18, 2010

2010-10-18T13:51:00.001-07:00

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

2010-10-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

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

2010-09-27T09:13:00.001-07:00

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

2010-09-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-22T19:29:00.000-07:00

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

2010-08-03T14:36:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-07-14T16:06:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-09T15:02:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

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

2010-07-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

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.

Spring has Sprung

2009-03-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

For those of you who love horses, but don't have one, the months of December through March are not the most fun. The rain, cold, short days and long nights,and especially mud are challenges for both two and four-legged creatures in Humboldt County. We have had a mild winter with a 6+ inch rain shortage (we have still have had almost 26 inches) all crammed into 4 and a half months, and the frequent high winds don't help. Furthermore, for us mare owners, March signals 'coming into season' big time, distracting our horses and in Cleo's case causing bouts of total lunacy. But we are almost over the worst.

Today my lesson was spent reminding her that I was in charge. She had been pretty complacent until about three weeks ago, when she returned to her old tricks of backing up, balking, throwing her head in the air, and refusing to go forward. Both Paula and I attribute much of her obstinance to the weather and change of seasons. As recently as last month, she was giving lessons to little girls, until she started shedding in huge globs signaling the onset of spring. Now she is a total bitch. By the end of today's lesson, she had decided to cooperate, but we were both tired. I'm looking forward to summer when I have more free time, more daylight hours, more sunny, dry days, and a more agreeable horse. I can hardly believe I have had Cleo almost four years already, but I'm just now starting to figure her out. She's smarter than I am; she had me figured out the first month!

The sky is crying

2008-12-28T14:28:00.000-08:00

The full brunt of winter has arrived and I am not motivated to ride. The past six weeks have been fraught with trouble and tragedy. Hopefully, both the presidential and the English Department elections promise a fresh beginning for the next year.
Although Obama will take office next month, I have until the begining of August before I return to 'civilian life.' Although I will be teaching a heavy load next fall semester, I am looking forward to working again with students and having more control over my work life. Currently I am deciding if I will jam all my courses into a Tuesday/Thursday schedule and change my riding lesson day or take a more spread out schedule and teach Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Each option has its advantages, and although many colleagues fight for the two day a week teaching schedule, it has its challenges. But enough dreaming of the future....

Now for the sad events of the recent past. To begin, Patrick fell off a ladder building an aviary for my cockatiel and peach-faced lovebird so that I could move into the bird room for my study, and redo the study as a guest room. After ten days in the hospital with broken ribs and a punctured lung, he is home recuperating, but the project is on indefinite hold. The birds don't care, but I hope they have a new room by the time the summer sun (if we are lucky) dries up the December rain and mud.

Not long after Patrick returned home, my friend Lisa's daughter was riding their beautiful, new horse, Carousel when they had a freak accident. Emma will recover but Carousel didn't survive the accident. The entire barn is still in still in mourning.

Now the chill and gloom of winter keeps my spirits low and I prefer the company of my dogs and cats to my seat in the saddle. Actually, Cleo doesn't mind. But she is miserable locked in her stall or out in the muddy pasture. When she's in she wants out, and when she's out, she stands by the gate to come in.

But there is one ray of happiness......Cleo is being borrowed by Emily to give lessons to three ten-year-olds and a five year old. All six parties involved--not to mention parents--are thrilled. Cleo gets groomed several hours a week by adoring young girls, Emily is living her dream of being a horse instructor, Molly, Cobie, Adrianna, and Reesa are fulfilling their horse obsessions, and the parents love watching Cleo move carefully around the arena with her precious cargo. She seems to understand that she has an important job to do and behaves accordingly. In fact, she saves her more rambunctuous behavior for me, which is fine. I just need to get through January so I can look forward to hanging out at the stables with Cleo more often; now I spend all my energy mucking her stall.

Here's hoping my human and animal friends have a better year in 2009 than in 2008. Happy New Year from Susan and Cleo.

The rainy season has arrived

2008-11-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

I have neglected my blog for two months now. I'd like to say all that time was spent riding Cleo, but much of it has been devoted to work. I have been very good about riding on Tuesdays during my lessons and most weekend days. Actually, I have been making great progress with Cleo. We have been spending more time riding outside,up and down the lane, and in the outdoor arena, but now that the rainy season has arrived, we will probably be spending most of our time in the indoor arena. On Tuesday, I will move her fence line up for the next six months so that the grass can grow over the winter and she won't turn the entire paddock into a mud pit. So far this year, she hasn't gone crazy when the weather turned windy and damp. I haven't had to use the stud chain in months to walk her to and from her stall.

In fact, she has started a second career--a lesson horse for two 9 year olds. She seems to know they are little and vunerable and behaves perfectly. Yesterday she gave one of them a lesson with Emily as the trainer. She still misbehaves sometimes for me since I ask her to do more than they do, but a swift but humane flick of the whip and she gives right in. Last year at this time, I would have been afraid to reprimand her fearing some buck or spook, or whatever, but now I trust both of us more. Today I had to remind her three times--once at the mounting block when she wouldn't stand still, once when I asked her to trot to the left, and once when we were following Carrie and Lisa toward the outside arena after a successful jaunt down the lane through puddles left from last night's rain. I had a great time. It was so much fun. The sun peeked through the clouds just long enough for us to take our little trail ride; it was unseasonably warm and I rode in short sleeves and a vest. Now if I can just get through the next few months with respites like these every so often.

Last night and tonight Cleo slept in her stall for the first time since last April because of the rain and the wind. She was covered in sand and mud when I got her out of her pasture to ride today. Winter is a mess. But at least I can ride year round here. And she has a fuzzy winter coat that makes her look and feel like a stuffed animal. Cleo is the perfect horse.

The last day of August

2008-08-31T18:40:00.000-07:00

I had intended to ride Cleo today, but the wind is rivaling a hurricane and I have a headache from dust and pollen. The sun is shining like a hot summer day, but fall is in the air. The leaves are whirling around mingled with the dust and dirt of the stables. Alex's horse came up lame so she couldn't ride either. We hope he was just acting goofy in the wind which always riles the horses up to a frenzy, and stepped wrong or on a rock and that he will be better in the next day or two. I did ride yesterday and, like most rides, I won the war after the battles. Cleo really does think she knows what we should do better than I do. But we made it up and down the lane with Janice as our guide. Tomorrow we'll try again. I am curious how my relationship with riding and Cleo will change when I am only teaching one semester a year instead of Chairing 12 months a year. It seems like I schedule my work week and then what little spare time I have around the horses. I'll still have lots of things competing with riding, but they will be of my own making. Maybe it will feel like being a stay-at-home mom--which I never have been. I've always imagined what it would be like to be able to juggle all the demands of living without the complications of a job with definite deadlines and hours that don't belong to you. I hope that is what retirment is like. I can't understand people who get bored or have nothing to do when they retire. I never thought I would say this...I can hardly wait.

Summer's almost over

2008-08-05T18:00:00.000-07:00

I'm mystified how the summer ran away. I haven't even visited my blog site in over a month; all of July is gone. I have been doing a fair amount of riding. Cleo and I even go down the lane as long as we have Carrie and Artie to follow. Unfortunately, Carrie has been gone much of the summer, so I have spent most of my riding time in the indoor arena--sort of a waste of sunshine--when it does peek out of the Humboldt fog. We had a great lesson today. Cleo is much more cooperative going both directions and trotting with energy. I doubt I will ever learn to canter--at least on her, but I never was one for speed. I still amaze myself every time I take her out of her paddock, groom her and tack her up, lead her to the arena, and get on--all without help or supervision. Who ever would have thought.......She really is the perfect horse for me in many ways. She is friendly, never needs to be caught, neighs when she sees me, and generally does what she is told. Last month I was leading her down the dark barn aisle, caught my boot on a rock, propelled myself forward and landed sprawled down the aisle. Rosemary heard a thud and came running and Alex who was tacking up Kassidy so we could ride together came dashing around the corner too. I thought I had broken both my knee caps (just badly scraped) and all I could do was sit there catching my breath. Cleo was the perfect horse. She didn't bolt; she didn't turn and run away from the commotion. She didn't step on me in the confusion. It could have been a disaster. She could have gone runnning back to her paddock her lead rope hanging dangerously from her halter. Instead, she stood there surprised but calmly and then walked slowly toward me with her nose next to my now sitting body and asked, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING DOWN THERE?" I took a deep breath and actually got on and rode. My knees turned out to be fine, but weeks later, I still have a sore ankle. Riding is worth it.

June in Humboldt County

2008-06-06T20:11:00.000-07:00

Horse people in Humboldt County wait for June. The rain stops, the mud dries up, the wind dies down, the light stays until 9:00,the temperature hoverss in the 50's and 60's, and the mares have recovered from their first 'in season' in the spring. That is, until global warming, or El Nino, or whatever is causing the unusual weather all over the country this spring. Most Aprils I can't keep the hummingbird feeders full to accommodate all the migrating hummers; this year they just arrived this past week. The weather has been unseasonalby cold following a four day hot spell that broke all time heat records since recorded time. Although our annual rainfall is down four inches (from 37+ by this time with 38+ the yearly average), we are still plagued by the early spring 20--30 mph winds that drive both humans and horses into a frenzy. Cleo seemed to have escaped her annual spring 'marish' behavior until this week, as well. At our lesson, Paula had to rescue me out of a corner that Cleo wedged us into and wouldn't leave in spite of taps with the spurs and whip. She was busy trying to intimidate the other horse in the arena as well as me. We finally got her to pay attention to her task at hand, but she had numerous regressions into belligerent behavior. It didn't help that it was not only windy outside, but also drizzling as well, and she was wet from the overnight showers. We had beeen making great progress walking and trotting up and down the lane outside at the end of each lesson, but the weather canceled that opportunity on Tuesday. The day before she had been bratty as well. Tomorrow I will try again and hope she has turned back into her sweet, cooperative self.

Spring has sprung

2008-05-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

I rode Cleo today for the first time in a week; Paula, my trainer, was sick on Tuesday and I used the day to recuperate from a miserable few weeks at work. I have been missing weekend rides due to work-required travel and other responsibilities, but many of us in Humboldt County have spotty riding schedules from November through March related to weather and often the winter gloomy blues. But I have been making progress during my weekly lessons and on the weekends when I can ride. Even though I missed Tuesday, I had ridden both weekend days last weekend, and I rode today and will ride tomorrow as my Mother's Day present to myself. Cleo has been pretty good lately, especially since it's spring and very windy. Not only do horses often react to wind because it flashes unfamiliar objects within their vision, but also the wind carries new and sometimes scary smells from far away. Spring also turns mares' thoughts to love, even though stallions are forbidden at our stables. But then there are the exciting smells carried in by the wind, perhaps. At any rate, our new accomplishment is riding up and down the lane without Paula there to rescue me if necessary. Today the weather was almost warm, and Cleo was pretty good considering she is 'in season,' the wind was blowing, and three other horses were also in the arena--one also a mare, and new to her. On occasion, she has rebelled when a horse she doesn't know is sharing her 'space.' But she behaved until the very end when she wanted to hang out at the rail with the other horses while their riders gossipped. "It's not fair,"she complained and tried to avoid trotting in the other direction away from the fun. But thanks to my whip, spurs, and some firm direction on my part, we 'worked through it' and then managed to follow the other horses down the lane and back into the arena with no argument. In other words, 'a good horse day.'

I love my horse

2008-03-05T19:31:00.000-08:00

I am dismayed by my absence from my blog for almost two months. Riding and blogging are both luxuries, and while I have been riding the past couple of months, work, traveling for work, and hours on the computer for work have kept me away from writing about my horse adventures. But yesterday I had a wonderful lesson and ride. On Sunday I also had a fun recreational ride. On both days, Cleo was cooperative, willing, obedient and acting like she was happy to have me on her back. Yesterday, we escaped the confines of the indoor arena and rode outside up and down the lane. We even 'trotted' up the lane! True Cleo was following Paula, my trainer, as much as anything, but that's the nature of a trail ride at some level, a skill to develop like any other. In the past, Cleo has tried to go sideways, backward, in circles to avoid going where I asked. As you might imagine, this is very scary outside where there are ditches, electric fences and all manner of dangerous obstacles when your horse is not going in a straight line or in the direction you are attempting. So we are working both on her manners and my confidence. Yesterday we achieved both. Paula had me ride up a modest hill and next to the barn, places I usually avoid. The sunny weather made all three of us happy and relaxed--which is the key. Although I was happy to get off at a perfect time, I felt as though I could have stayed on for hours. Cleo is a great pet because she is alert and attentive. She knows the sound and sight of my car and voice and neighs to me when she hears or sees me. She never runs away or avoids being caught like some horses. But mostly, like most horses, she loves food, and if I could hear her words she would be saying, "Here comes the food lady," so I don't let myself get too flattered by her attention. But when we have a good ride, I feel like we are a team and waves of love for her wash over me, if you know what I mean. The feeling is so exhilerating, I am motivated to slog through the mud, or walk in the rain, or bundle up against the cold so that I can clean up her messes, brush her, clean out her feet, tack her up, and climb on her back even for a few minutes to capture that unpredictable feeling of teamwork.

Every Day's a New Day with Horses

2008-01-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

I'm not always sure who will be greeting me in the morning or the evening when I go to feed Cleo. Sometimes she stands patiently at the gate or in her stall and nickers 'hello' and other times she is a regular bucking bronco. Winter and spring are the worst since horses seem to respond like little children to changes in the barometer and the weather in general. This morning Cleo started bucking and kicking when I came down the lane with the wheelbarrow full of food. She got Kass to jump around and her other neighbor, Kassy, to rear on her hind legs. Kass and Kassy are both Trahkaners and probably related at some point in their pedigree. Kassy is as white as a horse gets and Kass is almost black. Cleo, who is smaller than either of them and white and chestnut (sort of orange) is quite a contrast in that she can out rodeo them both. Usually after she has a few bites of food, she calms down. But today, she would snort, make menacing faces at Kassy, jump and buck and then return to her food. Her unpredictable behavior extends to her ground manners; lately, I have had to have a 'back-up' in case she tries to act like a wild horse as I am walking her to and from her stall and paddoock. I used to question my decision to have a horse when Cleo tested me this way. I felt like an incompetent horse owner--a fake--a wannbe-- who should give up riding for knitting or crocheting. But I have come to terms with my abilities and limitations. Cleo has taught me that it's all right to ask for help; that's what friends are for--and I have wonderful horse friends. I repay their skills with my mine--like getting up every morning early and feeding my horses and those who have owners who want to sleep in.

Happy New Year

2008-01-05T10:15:00.000-08:00

Today is already January 5th. I gave Cleo a week off from being ridden since she seemed a little gimpy after her Christmas Day 'rodeo exhibition.' I rode her on New Years Day and she trotted fine except for extra exuberance. Then yesterday I had my first lesson in a couple of weeks. We had a great time. Paula had set up a course of ground poles and cones that acted as gates, and Cleo and I walked and trotted in and out of gates, over and around poles, and back and forth in patterns and circles. We were both exhausted and proud of ourselves afterward. We were lucky to have our lesson in between torrential rains and hurricane level winds. Cleo even had an opportunity to go out for a couple of hours afterward and roll in the mud and sand. The rain and wind promise to hang around for the next week, which is miserable for two and four legged creatures, but I am told snow and ice are even worse. I don't plan to find out. The challenge is to keep stalls and paddocks clean and dry with no help from nature. Today I plan to ride for a spell and then let her stand in the rain, if need be, while I clean her stall and get it ready for another night of cold and rain. Last night we even had thunder and lightening. Horses benefit from breathing fresh air even if it means getting wet and dirty, otherwise their lungs get clogged with bedding and hay dust. I always dread this time of year since I have had horses. It's not that riding is less fun--although sometimes I feel like a kid in a snowsuit after I get bundled up--it's that most of my effort and decision-making surrounds what I call land management. Who goes where and for how long.... I have to tell myself, "It could be worse."

After Christmas Slump

2007-12-27T10:13:00.001-08:00

Even though we don't officially celebrate Christmas in our household, now that it's over, we're all in a kind of slump. Even Cleo seems to notice the difference. For at least a week, carrots and other goodies kept appearing at her stall door usually accompanied by a card from one of her stable mates. She particularly liked the homebaked cookies from both Kinkaid and Scarlett, but the carrots from Buddy and Kossack were pretty tasty too. But she really doesn't want to work during the winter any more than the rest of us. It's extra damp and cold. Christmas Day was so cold when I went to feed that she and the rest of the horses put on quite a show with running and bucking, rearing and sliding to sudden stops; it was beautiful and scary at the same time. One of the horses across the road managed to slip and slide several feet on her side. Sure enough, when I went to ride Cleo that afternoon, she seemed sore when I asked her to trot, although I don't know if she was hurt or asserting her opinion. So yesterday, she had the leisure to hang out in her paddock. This morning she trotted up to greet me at feeding time and looked perfectly sound, so I may try and ride today. It depends on everyone's schedule. I miss not having Lisa to ride with since her horse is at home being pregnant. In spite of time off, it's often harder to arrange riding dates since none of us is on a reguar schedule. And no one wants to be in the arena during a hail storm or even rain storm since the metal roof makes it sound like a war zone. There are some riders who take the winter off, but I can't imagine retraining Cleo after a four month lay-off. Besides, I'd get terribly out of practice, myself. So I'll have to shake off the winter doldrdums and trot her around today. I always feel better afterward anyway.

The First Day of Winter

2007-12-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it's hard to remember summer. It has been raining for a day now with no end in sight. The horses get depressed by the weather too. They slack off on their drinking and eating, and some even get physically sick from the change. Others, like Cleo, can't decide if they are despondent or obnoxious. Today. Cleo was the perfect horse on the ground. She behaved walking from her stall to her paddock and back to her stall. But once under saddle and in the arena, she wanted to be the boss. We rode with our friends Carrie and Artie. Cleo liked being in front with Artie following behind as we walked and trotted around the arena and in and out of the orange cones we set up to practice patterns. But she made it clear she, not I, was in charge. Not okay for a safe and pleasant ride. Artie had his issues too. Lucky for everyone, Emily, our 24ish riding friend, showed up and took a turn on each of our horses. I managed 40 minutes on Cleo and Emily 'finished her off' with a 20 minute trotting regimen of circles and dirction changes. Cleo looked like a regular parade horse. She was round, on the bit, forward, and beautiful. Patrick reminds me it's opnly 90 days until Spring. I remind him I have a mare.......

Having Horses in the Winter

2007-12-20T11:49:00.000-08:00

Winter in Humboldt County is marked by wind and rain, two obstacles to happy horse ownership. Although horses are basically cold weather animals, they prefer dry conditions. Their feet and joints don't like too much dampness. So winter here means moving horses to dry spots when possible, putting them in stalls at night to allow their fur to dry out, and then putting them in pens during the day so they can breathe fresh air and stretch their stiff legs from sleeping in a stall all night. Unlike some horses who benefit from a blanket to keep out the cold and wet, Cleo goes uncovered twelve months a year. She has thick, almost long, fuzzy fur all over her body; she looks like a stuffed animal. Her fur serves as an insulator against the cold, but she waits impatiently at the gate to come in at night for her evening meal.

Tuesday, we had a great lesson, but we were both exhausted at the end. We practiced leg yields at the wallk and trot, counter leg yields at the walk and trot, and lots of circles at the trot. That afternoon when I went to bring her in, she appeared stiff and her fetlocks (ankles) seemed swollen. By the next morning, they were visibly 'stocked up.' I fretted all day while at work, but by the evening, they were back to normal as they were this morning even after a night in the stall during a pounding rain storm that managed to keep me awake, and I don't have a metal roof over my head! Horses, like children, require daily attention and concern. That's why I love having them--they require that I get outdoors and think less about myself.

Thanksgiving

2007-11-24T17:32:00.000-08:00

Some diners go around the table and say what they are thankful for. We didn't do that at our Thanksgiving dinner--ten of us--five horse-girls--Karinna, Alex, Emily, Lisa, and me. But I am thankful I have a horse. I would have had a hard time filling my week off without horses to keep me company and in the out of doors. It was great having Karinna here from Davis, having Alex to watch ride Kassidy, and Patrick cooking a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner, but the smell of crisp leaves, brisk, cold temperatures, nickering horses, and the need to feed, muck, and ride got me away from the table, the computer, the piles of clean clothes and out doing physical labor. I rode too. On Thanksgiving afternoon, before eating an enormous meal, I rode Cleo with Karinna as my trusty spotter. After a satisfying ride, we gave Cleo a partial bath to clean her poor rump after a bout with diahrrea. She was very well behaved and appreciative. The weather was sunny and surprisingly warm. Then, today, Saturday, I rode again. Cleo was very good and we are practicing keeping her head down. I only lasted about 25 minutes since I was sore from too much housework. Another quick shower for her rump, and we called today another 'good horse day.'

Sunday, Nov. 11-I feel like a veteran--horse person, that is

2007-11-11T19:53:00.000-08:00

Today, Cleo and I rode with Carrie and Artie, and Emily and Kincaid. Both of the other horses are also paints. Artie is a tri-colored paint--black, white, and brown. Kincaid is a dun and white paint--sort of beige and white. Both are geldings and Cleo loves riding in the arena with both of them. She gets to be the lead mare. When the three of us are in the arena, she is lively and 'forward.' For non-horse people, forward means she is using her hind end to propel herself--like a rear-wheel drive car. She doesn't want either of her 'boyfriends' to get ahead of her. She is so busy trying to stay ahead, she forgets to misbehave. We had a great ride today and I concentrated on my riding technique for almost 40 minutes which is a good workout---mental more than physical in many ways.

One thing I like about having a hobby like this is that it transcends generations. Emily is a 20 something horse crazy young woman with an HSU degree in business and recreation who works at a lumber yard to support her horse passion. Her horse lives two stalls down from Cleo--with Artie in between--and we see each other every morning and evening depending on our work schedules. She helps me with Cleo--wormed her today--and I feed and muck Kincaid when she is out of town.

When I moved to Freshwater Stables, I don't remember there being any paint horses, now there are over a half dozen with four coincidentally living in adjacent stalls. Even though I have had Cleo for over three years now, I am just learning more about paint horses. I didn't buy her for her breed or appearance but for her suitability for my goals. But paint horses are a particular breed with mostly quarter horse lineage and certain markings--although there are solid colored paints--horses with paint parents who came out without patches of white. Thoroughbreds can also be registered as paint horses. But other breeds with such markings are called pintos.

Today was also a good riding day because the air was fresh and brisk after a light rain overnight and the sun shone a brilliant yellow. Tomorrow, a vacation day from work, promises to be overcast and rainy. Much more typical for the time of year.

TUESDAY LESSON

2007-10-31T19:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had my regular Tuesday lesson. On Tuesdays I appreciate my job--English professor and Department Chair--because I can arrange my schedule to accommodate this hobby/obsession of mine. If I were still a middle school language arts teacher, I would be in the classroom from early morning until late afternoon and too tired to ride a horse after work. I admire my riding partner, Carrie, who teaches first graders all day and still rides Artie several days a week. Or maybe if I had started riding before the age of 55 I would have a different mindset and think nothing of jumping on my horse at 6:00 pm to unwind. Instead I ride Tuesdays and every weekend and vacation day I can with an occasional Friday thrown in for good measure. To unwind, instead I muck poop, feed, and water various species. Riding Cleo is still a 'special occasion' rather than a daily habit. Maybe that's good.

But back to yesterday's lesson.... What great fun. I invited Emily and her horse Kinkaid to practice the pas de deux with me. Paula is still helping us to work out the kinks and turn it into a treat for both horse and rider pairs and spectators. Considering Emily is 24 years old and has been riding since she has been a young child, and Kinkaid is still a teenager in horse years himself, Cleo and I had to be on our toes. Cleo was wonderful. She behaved better than usual and demonstrated her best speed! In fact, she was very competititve refusing to allow Kinkaid to get ahead of her even when we were supposed to be trotting next to each other. Cleo picked up the pace and and gave the youngsters a run for their money. I had a blast and hung on for dear life. I can hardly wait to practice again.

I think I'm becoming a real horsewoman.

A typical Sunday

2007-10-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

Today I rode Cleo with my friend Carrie and her horse Artie. We were alone in the arena and had a good time walking and trotting in circles, diagonals and along the rail. Cleo was pretty obedient and we practiced for about 30 minutes. Our friend Jen watched. Often she rides her horse, Duncan, with us, but today she had a headache. One thing I like about having a horse is that I have friends from different generations. Jen is in her 30s with a three year old. Emily whose horse I took care of this weekend because seh was out of town is in her 20s, and Carrie is in her 50s. My border, Janice, who also has a horse at Freshwater is in her 40s, as is Shaelawn, the barn drama queen. Sue Natzler and my trainer Paula are in their 60s like me.

My training routine

2007-10-27T15:37:00.000-07:00

Most every Tuesday at 11:00 I have a 45 minute lesson with my trainer, Paula Lacy. Paula is a well-respected dressage judge who is in demand for shows and clinics all over the Country. She is my fourth teacher. I have learned many lessons from all of my riding instructors--not all good ones. (A future blog) But Paula is an excellent teacher and horsewoman. She usually works with students who have ambitions to master the sport of dressage--often with very expensive horses bred for this activity. I was leary of asking her to give me lessons since I don't own English tack; I will never be able to post and maybe never canter, and my skills and ambitions are very basic. But she is as attentive and respectful a teacher of me as she is with all of her students. And I think she enjoys our lessons as much as she does those leading to blue ribbons in the show ring. She appreciates how much she contributes to my happiness and self-confidence.

As of last Tuesday, we began preparing a new pas de deux for possible half time entertainment at the next official dressage show at our barn, although it's in two weeks and I' don't think we will be ready. My riding partner, Carrie, and her paint gelding, Artie, performed a pas de deux at the last show and we hope to repeat our success. I should have practiced today, but I had to work until 1:00 today--yes on a Saturday--and I had too many other things on my mind. Sometimes Cleo can fill myb gloomy times with gladness, but other times, I'm just too weary. Tomorrow, though, I plan to ride and make myself feel glad again.

My first horse competition

2007-10-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

Sunday I actually competed in a schooling show--for fun. In the morning Cleo and I did two dressage 'tests' both at the introductory level because they don't require cantering. We had a great time; she behaved well and I didn't even notice the 'audience' which was why I had resisted showing before. But I accomplished my riding goals. In the afternoon, we played games on horseback. I actually lasted half way into the egg and spoon relay before I lost my egg, and we did quite well in the pole bending contest although we didn't make it into the finals. Cleo likes it when we are the only ones in the arena, and for the games there were several horses and riders. She was literally chomping at the bit. But I'm gaining lots of confidence and feel likea real rider, not just an old lady on a horse. Today, at my lesson, both of us were sweating from trying so hard. We are preparing a pas de deux for the next show in November. The problem with getting better is my expectations change and I don't want my horse activaities to shift over into demanding more from me. Work is bad enough.

A new leaf

2007-10-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

Since setting up my blog, I haven't written a thing. But today, now that the rainy season has begun in Humboldt County, I am going to capitalize on my forced houseboundness. Tomorrow, I am going to be in my second horse show. Both have been schooling shows--the first one I did a pas de deux with my friend Carrie on her paint, Artie. Tomorrow, I am going to ride in two classes--Intro A and B, and participate in 'play day' events. Cleo and I will also ride in the pole bending contest, Simon says on horseback, and doing patterns with cavelleties (ground poles) to trot over. It's all in fun. Let's hope it turns out that way. Whoeverw ould have guessed that this woudl be my hobby? I'll post another entry to document my level of success tomorrow.

2007-08-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today Cleo and I are taking the day off from riding, but I have already spent the morning with her cleaning, feeding, watering, and starting the day in a fresh and positive way. My favorite part of each day is spent with the horses. They are all glad to see me--and their hay. Cleo is one of the most talkative horses at the stables. She recognizes my car and starts neighing as soon as I drive up the lane.

2007-08-01T11:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a great ride on Cleo. The weather often influences the way each of us feels and behaves.