Riding a Draft Horse on a Narrow Regular Horse Trail

This is how you ride a draft horse on a narrow regular horse trail LOL Lucky thing that draft horses are patient, cool and solid ;) This other video - below - is how not to video a how-to video...

One of the really cool things that happened today is that I was riding in a halter, so when I finished videoing was just sitting with a loose halter rope and meandering around the field and Spirit kept heading back to the narrow trail to do that fun stuff, that videoing and laughter, again and again. So much fun!

Winter Into Spring

A last look at winter as we slide slowly into spring: Spirit looking fluffy and wintery. And the next photo: Taz looking kinda goofy yet noble.

It's a challenge to exercise the horses regularly this time of year because the days are short and I don't have a lit ring. 15 minutes at dusk in the roundpen isn't ideal but it keeps the boys from losing muscle tone. Spirit, especially, needs regular exercise to maintain his muscles in order to keep his old injury from starting to bug him.

It's fascinating to me (and reassuring) that most healing modalities work on ANY beings: humans, horses, dogs, etc. Reminds me that we are all one and connected. I did Namakoshi Shiatsu and Acupressure on Spirit's back yesterday for a couple of hours. He was really enjoying it (me too).

Taz has one leg that he is getting a bit 'trippy' with. Worked with him to get energy flowing through to earth. Will do some Shiatsu on him in the next few days too.

Riding is a lot of fun right now, although my cheeks and feet sometimes get cold. Crisp, clear - the air so fresh and bracing.

Geez, what was I thinking...

I sure set myself a job by saying in my last blog that 'next time I will show you the 'best' way to take a photo of a horse.' In hindsight (no pun intended LOL), what I could have said is that there are three million ways to take a good horse photo and that I am going to share a couple that I think fit the description 'good horse photo'.

This is one of my all-time favourites of the photos that I have taken of my boy, Spirit. It feels moody but not sad. I like the light. What do you think? Next post, I'll show you another one.

Mud and Photos

It's THAT TIME of the year again. A faint hint of Spring and of longer days, still mired in the paddock mud of dark afternoons. Just enough of a hint to make me impatient. Impatient for morning feedings, during which I can actually see the horses, instead of glinching my way through the mud and dark.

See this photo of Spirit. It's an example of the 'worst' way to take a horse photo. Next time I'll post the 'best' way to take one. In my opinion, I like this photo for it's goofy feel; that's why I titled it 'Spirit The Cool' :) I think it all depends on what your intent is for the photo. I wouldn't use this photo angle to sell a horse, but I would use it as an image for a funny story.

Rain Warnings and Horse Eyes

Rain warnings in effect for my area. Most of my new 'road crush' footing is holding up in the paddock except for one slope that insists in turning into a muddy bog!

Here are some photos of the eyes of the boys, Taz and Spirit. What is it about horse eyes that are so soulful...

What do you think they are saying or feeling? I hear a lot of things said about horses eyes. What have you heard?

Did you know that a horse's vision is its primary detector of danger. And that even though they have poor colour vision, they can differentiate blue and red from grey hues. Horses also have poor depth perception when using only one eye. They can't tell a trailer from an endless tunnel, or a mud puddle from a bottomless lagoon. Their perception is improved by about five times when using both eyes (binocular vision). They can instantly change their focus from near to far objects. This is why horses cock their heads in different ways to see close versus distant objects. They also have an acute ability to detect movement. This is why a horse is much flightier on windy days; things that are normally stationary are now moving and perceived as a potential threat. I find it interesting that horses are able to see fairly well at night - BUT - their visual contrast sensitivity is less than that of a cat. [Source: www.extension.org/pages/Basics_of_Equine_Behaviour]

Update on Spirit the Cool

Soooo happy to say that Spirit is sound now. I thought I would go on five rides first before saying so. Still using linament before and arnica gel after on both hind stifles. Still giving Renewal (glucosmine, etc. supplement). Still excercising as close to every day as I can. As the days get darker I will be walking the horses and dogs at the same time LOL. Anyways, I'm dang happy, as I'm sure you can imagine.

Herd Watch 09 Memories

Spirit and Taz (the Chestnut) rocking the world of horses with their coolness :) [photo by Brenda of Relative Peace]

The first Herd Watch of 2009 - kinda cold but check out the grass. Sooooo fresh. Soooooo lovvely.

Yum. Yum. Good Grass. Pretty Chestnuts Tibby and Taz.

More of the gang hanging out and re-aquainting at the first Herd Watch of 2009.

The mowers in action LOL

Later on in summer. Lazy days. Grass not so green (understatement).

Some of the many reasons we have Herd Watch.

Check out the grass now! Summer time and the grass is ... BROWN!

'Yucky but I'll eat it', says Spirit.

Heading off to the Herd.