Be Brave

We all desire a brave horse; one who is willing, calm, predictable and does not spook.  But this also takes a brave rider.  Building a brave horse involves establishing trust, taking things slow, and gently exposing them to new experiences.  By being a calm, confident leader and rewarding them when they conquer their fears, we can help them build the confidence needed to handle spooky objects, new environments, and challenging terrain.  

Bravery comes from teaching, not pushing.  A horse needs to know you will not harm them.  When your horse spooks or gets nervous, help them calm down and relax instead of letting them overreact.  Your horse looks to you for safety.  Many riders freeze and pull back when a horse spooks, which can actually escalate tension.  If you grip tightly with your legs or tense your back and hands, they will assume the perceived threat is real.  Keep your posture soft, breathe deeply, and sink your weight into your heels.  This takes being brave, to stay calm and relaxed as a rider.  Rico's first response to fear has been to spin and run away, but thankfully this first reaction has become less prevalent.  I got a laugh out of this (video) of someone's 'spin' dismount. 

Cultivate bravery and build trust rather than trying to force it.  Always monitor your horse's current comfort level, and never do more than they are ready to handle.  When your horse spooks or gets nervous, help them calm down and relax instead of letting them overreact.  Take pressure off if their fear becomes overwhelming.  This is an absolutely hilarious (video) of a voice-over of a horse spooking at a number of things and the brave rider's response and calming voice.  I love the joy and patience she has with her horse.

Saturday 6/6 - I was scrambling to get last week's blog finished and posted so I could then get out to the ranch for morning chores.  Cookie is slowly figuring out that she is not to bite or pull on Maggie's feet and ears.  







Maggie does like to wrestle with Cookie, if the biting doesn't get too rough.  

Maggie will actually, sometimes lay on Cookie to kind of pin her down and immobilize her.

Patty had actually gotten to the ranch ahead of me to check her trail cam.  She has had very little luck spotting what might me digging under the side of our barn.  Last night Wanda had made two appearances.  

This photo of the injured gray and white Tom cat was from Thursday night.  You can see he is still not putting much weight on his back left leg.  

Patty and I felt that probably the critter that made the hole was gone and not coming back.  So we decided to fill in the hole from both sides of the barn wall.  It was a tight fit between our shavings bin wall and the outer barn wall, but I got in between the two walls to work.
  

I had to dig a little and move some dirt to fit this cinder block across the hole in the ground and board.  It was a little cramped working because my shoulders didn't even fit in the space.  



Patty assisted me and then she filled in the hole with gravel from the other (outer) side of the wall.  




This is what the second hole looked like (with the one rock I had used to block the first hole).  And then how it looked when we had finished blocking both holes with the cinder block and gravel.  


We will keep an eye on this and see if a new hole is made.

I did some neatening up in the shop and of the manure and hay on the backside of the dam.  

Cash came over to see what I was doing behind the dam and I noticed his fly mask was half off/on (video).  Silly boy, I fixed it for him.  

I mucked the upper paddock while draining the water tank.  Once it is this empty, I can flip it over to remove the rest of the scum from the bottom and then clean it.  

 
I noticed both bluebirds trying to get into their house and saw that the metal washer that Patty had just re-glued back on the hole in front, had slipped partway off.  I removed it.  


Before I'd finished filling the water tank, Zorro came in for a drink.


Soon the other two Pasos joined Zorro for a drink of fresh, cool water.  I watered some plants while I had the hose stretched out across the yard.  







Then the decision to either go to the gym or ride Rico was rolling through my mind.  I’ve heard it said that you should ride first before doing extraneous barn chores otherwise you’ll never get to the ride.  I definitely can attest to that.  Now it was too late to both ride and get to the gym. 

I am a little nervous about riding Rico alone because he can become quite anxious and then difficult to manage.  I know I need to 'be brave' and keep riding him out by himself though.  He does continue to improve.
I get so frustrated with people who dump their brush and trash, especially right in the middle of the road.  

Rico was very forward moving the whole ride, but not really nervous... just ready to go.  

At one point he became unmanageable because he had a horse fly on his belly.  Once I could carefully get off, I rubbed his belly and finally killed the horse fly who flew up onto his rump.  We were then able to continue 'safely' down the trail.

I took Rico down past Lake Kirkstone and rode in that area.  We haven't been there in awhile, but he did fairly well.  As you can see, our pace was much quicker than usual.  



The day had heated up and I also realized the advantage of riding sooner than later.  Because the day gets kind of warm later.  I hosed Rico off and he quietly joined back up with his buddies.

I had planned to take a nap once home, but had some phone calls and household duties = no time.  Joe had wanted to go out to dinner, so we tacked it on to the front of my night out with the girls.  






We ate ate Club 1660 and soon after Bonnie arrived, Joe headed home.  Micki and Johnny also joined us and we sat at Big R's table once the band started.  It was a fun night of dancing, chit-chat, and jokes.
Bonnie gave me a ride home just after 10pm.

Sunday 6/7 - I saw this posted this morning and did a follow up inquiry and Robert (who posted this on Facebook) confirmed that this is the new build at the corner of Marmaduke and Beachwood.  Right where we ride sometimes.  

It was another beautiful day in the neighborhood, but Shirley and I were both sleepy at church, due to our sleepless night.

Patty and Joanne had gone for a morning ride.  They did not see the bear, but flushed a turkey who aggressively tried to scare them off, protecting about a dozen young babies.  Thankfully, neither horse over-reacted.  




Joanne sent this photo of the three Pasos happily grazing together after their ride.  

I did end up napping after church, upstairs with Kitty and Paco.

I woke with very little time to get ready for work and rushed off to the pool.  I was thrilled to discovered that they were having a pot-luck party and there was plenty of food to share, since I had left home without fixing a dinner, or getting much lunch.  Party's do require a little more work with extra trash and tables to clean up and stow away, but I like to keep busy during my shifts because the time goes so much faster.

Monday 6/8 - My morning chocolate tip.  Confidence doesn't come before bravery, but is the self-assurance you earn afterward.  So being brave will boost your confidence. 

It was a very rainy day so the pool was closed and I didn't have to go into work.  I did clerical things here at my desk, then ran out to the ranch to muck until the rain really started coming down.  From there I went to town to do my big shopping trip, primarily to get pet food/supplies, but to also buy a ceiling fan to replace the one in our bedroom.  

By the time I got everything unloaded, I gave up trying to get to the gym before they closed, because I was starving and tired.  I ate, read, and took a nap.  Perfect rainy day activities.  

When I woke, it was already past feeding time and then I did household evening chores.

We had to walk the dogs during breaks in the rain.  They were getting a little 'cabin fever,' especially Cookie with all her puppy energy.
 

Tuesday 6/9 - I got word first thing this morning that John Cannon, the owner of Wildwood Stable’s, had passed away unexpectedly overnight.  I know he will be dearly missed by his family.  

I guess we don’t necessarily need to be brave as we age and see those we love or know pass away, but it’s definitely weighing on my mind, at how fragile life is, especially as we get older.   
Then there's the question of do we need to be "brave" in the traditional sense of hiding our pain or "staying strong" during the time of loss of a loved one?  According to AI: "Denying grief, to appear brave can make the healing process much harder.  Authentic bravery in grief simply means having the courage to feel your pain rather than suppress it."




I was at the gym from 10:30 - 1:30 which included 30 minutes rowing machine warm-up/aerobics, a great all body weight workout, balance & stretch cool down, and a shower. 

While home eating lunch, I looked at the weather and decided to go a little early to do feeding chores to beat the 6:00 prediction of rain.

I had hooked Cookie up in the yard and ran down to get a few supplies for up-top, and it started to rain.  By the time I hurried back up, got my car windows shut, and brought Cookie into the ranch house; a flash ran storm struck (video).  I started a jigsaw puzzle while waiting out the storm.  

When the rain stopped and I went down to the barn to feed, I walked around to see how the drainage ditches were working.  

Most were doing their job, but there were a few areas that have 'filled in' that could use some work. 

It was later than usual when I got home to feed and care for the masses here.  Poker Joe was gone and so I read quite awhile before 'lights out.'

Wednesday 6/10 - My night of slumber was interrupted by a 'knock down, drag out' cat fight outside; accompanied by dogs barking inside.  By the time I got up to quiet the dogs, take them out for a walk to scare off the two cats, and bring them in after they'd done their business, I was too wide awake to fall back to sleep.  So I read for two hours.

I had a successful, somewhat invigorating, ride on Rico, going on trails between the back nine of the Dorchester golf course, where we haven't been for a long time, or by ourselves.

We were on the trail from 11-1:40.  My riding app. failed to give me mileage, but it was probably close to 6 miles.  Rico spooked at a large, long pile of tree logs at the edge of the dirt road.  He did end up doing a 180° spin, three times, but did not try to run away.  He just did NOT want to face his fears and go past the logs.  I probably spent nearly ten minutes working with him to finally get him to go past.  And when he did, it was at a rather fast pace.  At one spot we rode across Westchester onto Lancashire, looking for the backyard of a possible property & house Debra‘s considering buying.

Rico really did quite well, but because I never know when he’s gonna freak out, it’s very difficult to relax and completely enjoy a ride on him, out solo.  We both need to be brave.

Cookie had been in Amiga's stall.  I hope someday she can go with us, off leash, out on the trails.  We both came up to the ranch house to rest.  I worked on the puzzle while eating a late, light lunch.  

I tied Cookie in the yard, where she played, rested, and chewed on her bone, while I mucked and did other little jobs.  She never barked or whined, but watched me much of the time.  I had bought staples so finally got to work on repairing the two posts Rico had partially pulled the carpet cover off of.  



We'll see how long this lasts now.  



I felt exhausted by the time I got home.  I am not happy with the reality that my 70 year old body just doesn't have the same energy and it can't keep up with my needs like it used to.  





After a short nap up stairs with Dan's cats, I woke to Kitty on my pillow, staring at me.  

This 14 year old boy is equivalent to 72 in human years.  He is showing his age also.

Joe and I watched two episodes of the forensic thriller, murder mystery, 'Scarpetta.' 

Thursday 6/11 - The pain sleep aid I took last night, enabled me to get seven uninterrupted hours of sleep.  Maggie and Cookie 'sharing' a toy.  Cookie continues to learn she needs to play nice or not play at all.  











I haven't seen the pregnant doe in several days, so think this mama and her very tiny baby that showed up this morning, is probably her.  

The day was heating up quickly and I was undecided about how to spend my time and get exercise.  The two beds in our front yard are in desperate need of work, I usually go to the gym on Tue & Thur, but had been sore yesterday from Tuesday's workout.  I knew a ride should be done sooner than later, but I had evening chores and didn't want to make two trips to the ranch.  So while 'figuring out my day', I did a bunch of little chores and a few 'fix it' projects.  My three cats got their nails trimmed and so did I.
 

Joe got word from Debra that she was 'getting' a house (right up the road from us on Snead) with a moving date of July 18th if all went well.  We'd also heard from Jem that his one sale fell through, but he had another one, with a closing date of July 10th.  Now if Dan and Vale's house would just sell.
 
Cookie needed to run off some energy and I needed to get in some aerobic exercise, so I took her for a long, three mile walk.  

The Community Church, ¼ mile up the road from us, was ready for Flag Day.  

Another ¼ mile up Snead, is the house (seen in photo) that Debra's brother is buying, which he will then rent to her.  





I picked up the pace with Cookie, after she'd done her business and I took a few photos.  It was very hot on the road, so as soon as possible, we ducked into the woods on the paved trail from Peavine up to the Library building.

The day was heating up, I was hot and tired, so next I went to the pool to cool off, relax and chat with folks.
 

By the time I changed at the pool, to go to the ranch at 3:30, I was already hot and sweaty again.  First I did the mucking.  The Pasos were up in the shed cooling off from the sun and waiting for their dinner.  Sometimes you have obstacles to work around while you’re cleaning up manure.

After both groups of horses had been fed, I walked Amiga down to the barn, did a quick curry job on her, and then headed out on a ride.  I was soaked in sweat but the shade of the woods helped cool me down (video).  I kept the ride short and slow, but Amiga was a tad sweaty by the time we got back to the barn.  
I decided, rather than walk Amiga up the drive, I would ride her with just the halter and lead rope.  The closer we got to the boys (who, especially Rico, had been hollering off and on the whole time we were gone) Amiga got rather revved up.  I had my hands full for a bit and was sweaty all over again.

Friday 6/12- It was fast to heat up outside and felt like a lazy day of summer; but I had to get going to work.
During my shift at the pool, I was chatting with the morning water exercisers and we decided, you can't be a sissy as you get older and have more problems with your aging body.  Ya got ta be brave, or at least have courage to face your limitations and difficulties.  





I was hot and tired and even forgot to clock out when I left the pool.  With the 30% chance of rain and the way I felt, instead of going to the ranch to ride, I did myself a favor and decided to go to the gym where it was air-conditioned and much cooler. I think I did my horse a favor too.  LOL.   Isn't she a brave one?  



When I came home to change into gym clothes, that's when I took these photos of the deer just outside and below my desk window.  

I had a decent workout in spite of my fatigue.  At least I wasn't too hot.
By the time I showered, went to the Center to correct my time card, got gas and a few groceries, ate dinner, fed the pets, cleaned litter boxes and walked the dogs; it was bed time.