- This is a series of cross-posted blogs from Livejournal -
So why does nose-blood get SO sticky and nasty? And sorry, there's actually nearly no pictures taken today...
Today was slow, didn't do much. Severe weather warning with hail due (and tornadoes in the flatter areas) so we didn't want to walk out to far.
Woke up, had a fruit cup and some orange juice. Showered before that, poked lee after all that. Got his butt up and walked up to see Echo. Banged on some doors but no one was around, had to look a bit for the tack bucket. Found it though.
Echo was at the very very back of the field, hanging with the Donkeys. Kinda glad he's not up front anymore at least. Easy enough to catch, doesn't LIKE being caught, and doesn't come to you... but he doesn't 'run' either. Anyway caught him and got up top. Brushed and saddled him. Went to hop on, and he spooked at something. So one foot in the stirrup one hand on the horn (with the reins) he took off on me! Running from mid-back-yard to the mid-side yard. I held on, thought about trying to jump off but was positive as soon as I let go he'd either speed up or I'd get drug further. That, and the bottom driveway gate was open and I really didn't want him getting out. So I sat tight (har har) and pulled the rein towards me as much as I could. He freaked out that I was still there (AHHH what's that on my side!) and jumped to the side, flinging me to the left as he went right. Thankfully that move got my foot out of the stirrup (bad me, not bringing riding shoes..just hiking shoes) and I landed on my feet, reins in hand!
I think he spooked at the rain and wind gusting up. But honestly who knows. He proceeded to be a bit odd as I marched back and grabbed the lead rope. (Halter off, I really don't like riding him in it/having it on him constantly). Hooked the lead to the reins (small running reins) and let him some slack as he proceeded to throw a fit because of the lead line. Hrrrmmm, seems to me either someone's been a bit naughty with it and he's got a reason to fear it. Got drug around a bit while simply handling the lead rope and giving some basic ques with it (Back up, step away, step forward) but mostly step forward. Once he decided he'd listen slightly better, we got to making friends with the rope, rubbing it on him, bumping him with it, lightly hitting him in the leg/shoulder with it so he wouldn't freak out as the girls tend to ride with the lead ropes.
Butt-bumping didn't go quite so well, he freaked out a few times there and did the 'rock back' thing. Usually when Kandy did that she was giving up or about to explode. Regardless he didn't do anything...we did get stuck shortly after that (he spun around and got tangled with the lead rope, barbed wire and fence) but we got out of that fine. Oh and by this point the reins were over his head and the lead was directly attached to his bit. The bridle doesn't have a throat latch or really anything, even the forehead band is just decorative. Arrrgh.
So after a little more working on that, and when I clicked and waved the leadrope from behind him, he walked forward and in a fairly consistant circle, we called it a 'day'.
I had Lee hold him, as it was beginning to rain a bit more and I really didn't want him to bolt if it thundered, I hopped on, and did a bit of a lesson. Reminding him how to turn, to move his butt and not just his front end, worked on responding to pressure and not making me nag him for a trot. He trotted off quite willingly, though I'm PRETTY sure it's just because the weather made him frisky feeling. Hopefully we'll see tomorrow, it hasn't stopped storming.
After a very short ride I hopped off, he was sweaty, foaming (both ends) and I felt like we accomplished a ton. Untacked him, brushed him out, watered him and put him out. good day... to bad we didn't actually tell anyone we were there. I think Colby knew to expect us? Since Natalie and her friend left.
I'm coughing a lot, think i've cought something. No fun :( also got bitten a few times by god knows what. Lee guesses a tick. Giant red bites on my left under-arm.
Returned to Ruby's, toured the property a bit. Got to see the orchard, milk barn, smoke house, storage thingys, outhouse, old shed... quite neat :) They had horses, cows, and chickens back in the day. Being in a farm with so much history (and the Henson family owning all this land is pretty awesome.) Hung out in Lee's room for a bit, chatting about stuff and me ranting. I rant...a lot.
Heard someone over the baby monitor (come in to Ruby's) and went to visit. Jim I believe his name is, dressed all fancy coming to help with the tractor. It'll be fun to watch more of the farm life. I really could get used to living out here. Not sure where I'd work, but it's cheap enough. And so beautiful. Beginning to accept the bugs, just need some OFF!
Oh, and my shampoo now makes my hair super greasy, and my lotion and face scrubs don't cut it. Rawr, body changing! Knees still crack, toes still hurt while hiking, but I'm able to ignore it. No blisters yet!
Lee made some killer French Toast for lunch, I'd never thought to add SUGAR to it, but regardless tasty!
While hanging with Lee we sorted video games, not the funnest thing ever but hey, busy work!
Eating way to much cookies again.
My room smells like feet and dirty laundry, probably have to do some tomorrow or wednesday. Booo.
Watched Huston animal cops, so depressing :( and had round 'steak' for dinner. Something I'm noticing out here is the meat is completely different then the meat back in colorado. Nothing tastes remotely like it does there. Not the burger, not the round steak, not the stuff in a french dip >,>
Its texture is closer to that of... ham? And it cooks so dark!
I love the sounds out here, the night is filled with frogs :)
Remembered something about yesterday that I forgot to mention, Aunt Julia asked about braces. ARRRGH I knew people noticed. Not that I didn't think they would, but why'd you bring it up if you didn't? Stupid dentist from younger years. He had the chance to correct it...
Anyway after dinner we watched Iron Man 2. I could watch it, unlike Iron Man 1. Still just brainless shiny action. But ah well.
Tomorrow I need to try something different, this hair is NASTY.
- Current Location:Dunlap, TN
- Current Music:Thunder
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