tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64561258219629281002024-03-05T13:08:46.392-08:00HoofprintsSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-66422573353306352272014-08-15T08:52:00.000-07:002014-08-15T08:52:02.943-07:00Oh My Gracious...<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Testing, testing -- 1,2....3?</div>
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Is there anybody still out there in blogland...somewhere? lol</div>
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Many MANY apologies that I haven't blogged since -- JANUARY?!???! </div>
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Gracious me...</div>
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Um, let's see, what has happened? </div>
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(Hah. You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you.)</div>
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Well, I finished my freshman year of college. Sophomore year starts on Monday. Geez how time flies. I feel like I should be inside doing school with the kids at the kitchen table instead of enjoying the sunshine in this hammock and...being a terrible steward of this blog...buuuh.</div>
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My plans for the summer were few but still plans: Work a few horses for some people I knew around town. Attend Breyerfest with my cousin. Show Joey Joey in the local horse shows this summer. I got a job, so there's that to keep me busy. And enjoy the swimming pool -- aahhhhh.</div>
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What ACTUALLY happened this summer: </div>
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I, er, I.....kind of went to Alaska for 3 months instead?</div>
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Working horses?</div>
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Cliff diving?</div>
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Beach racing?</div>
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Bear hunting?</div>
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Halibut fishing?</div>
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Crabbing?</div>
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Canoeing (with killer whales)?</div>
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Climbing?</div>
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Counseling?</div>
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But I'll stop making excuses now. </div>
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We also obtained a tenant this summer just before I left (which was, like, two days after school ended):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrVSIw5VL6bsh66gUMtoX_nbXmtcyLZY2rdvSYbVNaG7uKMxs16CEd3Yec9sqYRUWbXlqJJvew95sSYbAAHUIkaBurRM3GpwyaCeBfJMao8nY5rXCYKZ1cvttdSiygx0fuuIVlAIYOBY/s1600/PIC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrVSIw5VL6bsh66gUMtoX_nbXmtcyLZY2rdvSYbVNaG7uKMxs16CEd3Yec9sqYRUWbXlqJJvew95sSYbAAHUIkaBurRM3GpwyaCeBfJMao8nY5rXCYKZ1cvttdSiygx0fuuIVlAIYOBY/s1600/PIC_0008.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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Joey's first horse interaction in 5 years. ^.^ </div>
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Name's Cody. And we all know age doesn't matter in this world, regardless of who you are. He's my pastor's reliable mount who hasn't had serious work in a long time. Pastor wanted me to come over and train him. I was always busy. So Pastor brought him to me -- two weeks before I left for 3 months. Woops. And now I understand perfectly why he wanted me to come give him some serious rides. -.- </div>
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Pastor or Pastor's Wifey -- I'm sorry if what I'm about to say offends you or worries you in any way. But this is my blog and I'll say what I want.</div>
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*ahem*</div>
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After those two weeks of consistent riding on my part, Cody was deemed unridable for the rest of my family (and honestly I was a little afraid to keep climbing on him. There was just no end to his bad attitude). </div>
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I come home (last week) after 3 months of gaining new confidence in risky ventures on wild young horses in Alaska and find my barn much worse than when I left, both unhealthy horses, and Cody pushing and threatening all the humans around him. The old fart. -.-</div>
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First day back I rode both of them -- just out to the field, a few circles and a little trotting and then back again. (They were honestly that malnourished and left to themselves that I didn't feel safe or comfortable doing anything more.) But boy did I miss my Joey. He was an angel, just as always. ^.^ <3 A day or two later, I saddle up Joey and we go on a long walk with Cody following freely behind us. (They have developed quite the friendship.</div>
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...oh dear.)</div>
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And yesterday morning I was rudely awakened from my slumber by the exclamations of "Sam! Come quick! Cody's out [again]!" -.- I take my sweet time getting ready...for war. I go out, tie him up, feed Joey. And then Cody and I saddle up and ride away. </div>
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First I took him to the field to figure out how the heck to lunge this horse. I've been told he can do it. But the last time I tried, he was the local idiot. This time, I made him figure it out. Made him.</div>
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Yay! That was [finally] a success! Now let's go on a trail ride and see what you can really do undersaddle when you're not distracted by Joey Joey. </div>
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Man can this horse run.</div>
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And man can this horse pitch a fit.</div>
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And I haven't been this afeared for my life on horseback in.....at least a while if ever. </div>
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But we don't let him know that. Hah.</div>
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He tried every trick in the book to scare me off. But I've just come back from riding The Big Cheese at Echo Ranch in Alaska -- I bet I'm tougher than you. lol</div>
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Anyway, to make a long and scary ride short: I didn't die. And Pastor or Pastor's Wifey -- I'm not giving him back. At least not right now. </div>
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But yeah. So that was pretty much my summer. I a teeny tiny nutshell. I'll try and write more about Alaska later (some pictures? would you like that?) :)</div>
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Thanks if you're still around. lol You're hilarious.</div>
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~Sam + Joey </div>
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.....and now Cody....</div>
SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-34364067854023955812014-01-28T17:03:00.001-08:002014-01-28T17:03:13.360-08:00Snow Day! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv4CNpqgCsv-ufEX5VuYUR0MPGeDk42in9sSY22ot-Wt_kTRaBtT0V5TFXbc6KEaRIdB1VtFJ2gMhCYDp_qyRJjbmBu826r8k8VOLRhZ4MU-xsuFYZYfinAEHxhOQgOhzLOM7y8k7xzE/s1600/PIC_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKv4CNpqgCsv-ufEX5VuYUR0MPGeDk42in9sSY22ot-Wt_kTRaBtT0V5TFXbc6KEaRIdB1VtFJ2gMhCYDp_qyRJjbmBu826r8k8VOLRhZ4MU-xsuFYZYfinAEHxhOQgOhzLOM7y8k7xzE/s1600/PIC_0768.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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So today we had a snow day. :D</div>
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Morning feed time:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI259mTi42vnMewoeRY0XtUzUT5fJn8QjU64PDCiBWkE0v-_AOQ6779jkrlu9sDfTzQ2R8TKC8ZaFdZipUAzST-4l73r62SowXs8hRlXj6s5q_EnJwdE4udep1arsyMyPiIKYuaT7h7SQ/s1600/picture365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI259mTi42vnMewoeRY0XtUzUT5fJn8QjU64PDCiBWkE0v-_AOQ6779jkrlu9sDfTzQ2R8TKC8ZaFdZipUAzST-4l73r62SowXs8hRlXj6s5q_EnJwdE4udep1arsyMyPiIKYuaT7h7SQ/s1600/picture365.jpg" /></a></div>
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Snow is falling -- but not sticking...</div>
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Evening feed time:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9es0fJ86Z4VFKT-6Y0Th18-OUD0bvZeon7S3YKr3PQYt7fwlVHTLUynUpPsOan3DNmCn9tDWZD7o6glQkIomJLJZSQ2Qj5s-bdeNZ4q7UXXBLLN9cu1G49-8dPx-HdB0oWwqCoV_7hpg/s1600/PIC_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9es0fJ86Z4VFKT-6Y0Th18-OUD0bvZeon7S3YKr3PQYt7fwlVHTLUynUpPsOan3DNmCn9tDWZD7o6glQkIomJLJZSQ2Qj5s-bdeNZ4q7UXXBLLN9cu1G49-8dPx-HdB0oWwqCoV_7hpg/s1600/PIC_0853.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Note: Not real horse.</td></tr>
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Up to Joey's chest! :o (haha Stablemate-sized Joey braves the cold. xD ) (Custom-made by my cousin, <a href="http://modestmarestudios.weebly.com/" target="_blank">Erin Long</a>) But then I thought: O.O BREYER PHOTOSHOOT! O.O</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwEgaqrq-4BKxL36ozISDxP1iZm38pxUEi8o0ADyzMcSeFQcaZ8CAiZg56ZrufeuS4XlCqzymGJXwfLb039-NJS9QP10OI62UFHw5Y0M4uO2YpeHpECDos0poxFbGQkmixVurcW7nRrg/s1600/PIC_0779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwEgaqrq-4BKxL36ozISDxP1iZm38pxUEi8o0ADyzMcSeFQcaZ8CAiZg56ZrufeuS4XlCqzymGJXwfLb039-NJS9QP10OI62UFHw5Y0M4uO2YpeHpECDos0poxFbGQkmixVurcW7nRrg/s1600/PIC_0779.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional-sized Joey Joey</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMIYKa4HGfCgmc4A5JnzP1CW4g1ggOtKkNuWW3wb2JbacioPGHNwuMC9s_YUGWZzANc-q9tt1AHQvIYtjXBjq36HTwNQHI9W3c-jzP1LMANzbadk61KIYhMAQ_HmBDuqP3RUnSQd3Q_8/s1600/PIC_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsMIYKa4HGfCgmc4A5JnzP1CW4g1ggOtKkNuWW3wb2JbacioPGHNwuMC9s_YUGWZzANc-q9tt1AHQvIYtjXBjq36HTwNQHI9W3c-jzP1LMANzbadk61KIYhMAQ_HmBDuqP3RUnSQd3Q_8/s1600/PIC_0837.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loki, hock-deep. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7054xRtYCpngq0Y1XwIct9gRi_jHeSkVHrcdHUa11Pb8Ry-jRQCdXn8MBLtYX1TLP3OsPUU1vpHCaqdUsKq1L1v-MvTr1FiOFU0lDoh6AoLdouCk85_U0cBPJwzwr97d2GP8nsxfnMA8/s1600/PIC_0789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7054xRtYCpngq0Y1XwIct9gRi_jHeSkVHrcdHUa11Pb8Ry-jRQCdXn8MBLtYX1TLP3OsPUU1vpHCaqdUsKq1L1v-MvTr1FiOFU0lDoh6AoLdouCk85_U0cBPJwzwr97d2GP8nsxfnMA8/s1600/PIC_0789.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thor -- my sister's new handsome devil.</td></tr>
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Upon Maggie knocking Loki over in the snow during one of her mad dashes to catch my own dog, I got yet ANOTHER genius idea:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5tuuc3xbYJvSIn9njiiVLjQW9nBxWMzlTFe7FYhNP-bAvp32dlmbTKOXD9RiIY0LHjl30uVQ6e2iVf8fqm0CMz_rq2gPSBH9gBd25R5ANP2NuumS-IlMHQOn0Y_Opco9FSO9LeQGUhE/s1600/PIC_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5tuuc3xbYJvSIn9njiiVLjQW9nBxWMzlTFe7FYhNP-bAvp32dlmbTKOXD9RiIY0LHjl30uVQ6e2iVf8fqm0CMz_rq2gPSBH9gBd25R5ANP2NuumS-IlMHQOn0Y_Opco9FSO9LeQGUhE/s1600/PIC_0845.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loki</td></tr>
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Horsey snow angels!! ^.^</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe1QNJIwOcsorT8xKOUbawo5KPuPdNNQm5YedG_gMM3ceUYcNU5jCc2A03QTmA4Z3669hnNXVNA3x2_x1YV14urbJQsnI6Ze82069fHfWnNfaQgtJfqcWKQBUwQO4xdzyG__3jQGOrCM/s1600/PIC_0846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihe1QNJIwOcsorT8xKOUbawo5KPuPdNNQm5YedG_gMM3ceUYcNU5jCc2A03QTmA4Z3669hnNXVNA3x2_x1YV14urbJQsnI6Ze82069fHfWnNfaQgtJfqcWKQBUwQO4xdzyG__3jQGOrCM/s1600/PIC_0846.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional-sized Joey Joey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTXh8FjmI6zUFZzdMbLzqQli_29JMhIpwKfNtR4RS2abCg16lVnOEauzWMsGfJ00wu58LEdhdQosr-xtVxT_ZZVQEa8RyGTBJqOeLfPOng9v8BlbFpfCHI0CI3ByA7C7xy8WyHq58FVI/s1600/PIC_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgTXh8FjmI6zUFZzdMbLzqQli_29JMhIpwKfNtR4RS2abCg16lVnOEauzWMsGfJ00wu58LEdhdQosr-xtVxT_ZZVQEa8RyGTBJqOeLfPOng9v8BlbFpfCHI0CI3ByA7C7xy8WyHq58FVI/s1600/PIC_0847.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thor</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW6VItH6BT0tU_acJSIw5NznbeuEGuA9-tJZ4ZQOqWoS_8fqzzQlxXpI7pMyLcZvYCbweVivlh1zP15zbGN6vVNaLKF_DeY8LDhameV_cCL13e61h4XEdLHjOPqU7PORR3mKqzXYbYao/s1600/PIC_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZW6VItH6BT0tU_acJSIw5NznbeuEGuA9-tJZ4ZQOqWoS_8fqzzQlxXpI7pMyLcZvYCbweVivlh1zP15zbGN6vVNaLKF_DeY8LDhameV_cCL13e61h4XEdLHjOPqU7PORR3mKqzXYbYao/s1600/PIC_0848.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slick looks like an Appy in this one. x)</td></tr>
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These next two are actually different sides to the one horse: Slick N Shiney, my Rocky Mountain Horse model. It's kinda cool how different they look. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEencUHQ90lTRTimQs54dQDbH8gdNFLStaDSadY6NT6EVWjbbl7b9ddL10tJgqBASC3QaTxF3jcqtal54LyJY8BVm9Z_PdF3SGOkvqHUK0VcNDMrOEscGAjlUiw-k77X-Z0GIHU6Gboo/s1600/PIC_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEencUHQ90lTRTimQs54dQDbH8gdNFLStaDSadY6NT6EVWjbbl7b9ddL10tJgqBASC3QaTxF3jcqtal54LyJY8BVm9Z_PdF3SGOkvqHUK0VcNDMrOEscGAjlUiw-k77X-Z0GIHU6Gboo/s1600/PIC_0849.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O.O</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, Lexi's enjoying herself...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ATTACK!!</td></tr>
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This is usually where Maggie is --><br />
...always waiting in stealth mode...<br />
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And then suddenly (!!!) ---- A VISITOR.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x-XaWPBYKhvWBfvfYPiFPVdge8MX_g4wuKNGYKoA1RyG4nZp9xWKVqJwzbJbRtMrj-iSPeOEqxpMhMmpWezehasrf47XV3h97aizvREW-ssXCRLiqTfIDCNMzRE9va5XWCnLg-J9Q88/s1600/PIC_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x-XaWPBYKhvWBfvfYPiFPVdge8MX_g4wuKNGYKoA1RyG4nZp9xWKVqJwzbJbRtMrj-iSPeOEqxpMhMmpWezehasrf47XV3h97aizvREW-ssXCRLiqTfIDCNMzRE9va5XWCnLg-J9Q88/s1600/PIC_0854.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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The day we moved back in and saw a Hispanic man coming out of our woods with a machete and his massive Chow dog by his side, claiming that his lambs had gotten loose and were roaming through his neighbors' yards, we knew that we would have an interesting time with P. as our neighbor... I can't help but wonder if Titus (as we've dubbed the intrusive billy goat) was one of those lambs that got out that day. hmm.</div>
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Aaaaand of course Joey's just as cute as ever. <3</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*snuffle*snuffle* snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mustache you a question; but I'll shave it for later. ;D</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goober horse...</td></tr>
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Hope you're having a vonderful day! Thanks for stopping by. ^.^</div>
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SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-63210529965829610202013-12-17T19:24:00.000-08:002013-12-17T19:24:03.119-08:00Hello? Anyone There?Not that there's anybody still reading this blog, but....<br />
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I thought I'd post a (very overdue) update. Joey and I aren't doing so hot. :/ As of this minute I am confined to the couch on what is my first week of winter break from school. What a way to kick it off, after all I had planned -- with a terrible chest-cold. -.-<br />
As a result of my busy schedule of the last few months (I have a real job now! and school. bleh.) Joey isn't feeling the love. He's been listless lately and not eating all of his food. He nickers when I come out to feed when I get the long-awaited chance; but that's all I have time for now, and I can tell it's taking its toll on him. It's really sad and makes me want to cry when I think about it.<br />
Thus, I cannot bear to keep up with the blogs I used to love to read. At the same time that they give me my quick horse fix for when I can't hang with my boy, they only make the longing worse.<br />
For some reason the other day, I threw an old Horse Illustrated magazine into my purse to skim through during my break at work a few days ago. It was when I was doing just that on my break when I realized why I had shoved all my horse books and such to the side: I long to jump again. I want to fly. I want again to work on training myself and horses to move fluidly around the ring together, striving to make it look effortless. I want it so badly to the point where it scares me sometimes. So I bury it, telling myself it was just a phase when I was 12...<br />
So here I lie on the couch -- while my heart frolics in the front paddock with Joey, lifting his spirits as well as mine.<br />
I thought I would watch my only horse training video -- the one with the trick riders and the barrel prospects. But I have torn my room apart looking for it. *sigh* So I blog, and whine to my fellow horse obssessors who may stumble across this pathetic post.<br />
I bought two new Breyers today and they're gorgeous. I thought having a new horse to play with inside and drool over would help. Seems to only make things worse.<br />
Houston, we have a problem. And after waiting with my parents for over 10 years for it to subside...I think it's time to accept it as more of a chronic condition.<br />
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Anybody wanna add their two-cents or advice for how to soothe the horse fever? I don't mind the chest-cold...but it's doubly hard when I have such an insatiable horse craving at the same time that I can't get off the couch.<br />
<br />
-Sam<br />
<br />SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-25694453548138938272013-08-12T18:31:00.000-07:002013-08-12T18:36:54.978-07:00What I've Been Up To and Gorgeous Horsey PhotographsBad blogger! Baaaad blogger! >.<<br />
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Hello, once again, friends! So sorry for the delay. I've been. . .<br />
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. . .away at music camp. Man, what a blessing! I REALLY didn't want to go (went kicking and screaming, as it were); but God never fails to use those situations in my life to teach me some big stuff. I made some of the best friends ever and learned more than I expected there was to learn about being a vocalist (I now know the difference between sopranos and altos, and basses and tenors. :P ).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> My solo recital piece. :)</td></tr>
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. . .finishing up preparations for college -- which starts next Monday (August 19). O.O In prep, I have received my very own laptop (touchscreen, too :P <--funny story. . .) as a graduation gift from Mom and Dad. Her name is Stella, and her favorite color is purple. ^.^</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, Stella, LuLa, and demon-puppy-Lexi. :P</td></tr>
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. . .playing a whole lota guitar. It's been way too hot this July/August to ride. *sad face* :( (of course, what summer isn't?) Poor Joey is sweating buckets of black sludge from 7:00 AM to 9 o'clock at night. I feel so terrible for him; especially because I'm such a weakling that I can't bear to go out and visit him very often. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That black log kinda off to the side is my other dog, Maggie. :P</td></tr>
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Ok, one more quick thing before I sign off for now (and she did not ask me to do this ;) ):<br />
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My cousin, Erin Long, is just about as horse crazy as you can get. Which makes us the best of cousins (sometimes we wonder why we weren't born sisters?? o.0 ) Horses have been her hobby since we were leetle kids. (We kinda host a webpage together of anything and everything having to do with horses; still kinda new, but check it out: <a href="http://herdnerds.weebly.com/">http://herdnerds.weebly.com/</a> ) She rides all the time; and we've both always been HUGE fans of Breyer horse models. But within recent years, she has been trying to make a name for herself in the artsy world of horses: she customizes Breyer models, sketches amazing equine artwork, and takes simply stunning photographs of everything and anything horsey (will give you a view into horse heaven down below)! In short: You NEED to check out her website. At least check it out, if not help her spread the word about her amazing talent. The best part is that all of the proceeds (outside of shipping and materials) go toward JustWorld International, a charity that aids children in third world countries through the equestrian world! <br />
Here's the link to her studio site: <a href="http://modestmarestudios.weebly.com/">http://modestmarestudios.weebly.com/</a><br />
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And here's the link to her studio's facebook page; give her a like and stay that much more up-to-date on what she offers: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Modest-Mare-Studios/184302188413841?ref=hl">https://www.facebook.com/pages/Modest-Mare-Studios/184302188413841?ref=hl</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQSk7UqKG95itrsOXiUFnC6aLxE2S1s5-d7YYXt5f57JbITDHd7cL8aAEvD8aD7jmAZql-jhx9SlkkFPvmpdMKm_lQSJu21tfTzAIrkABiplr5h1beECj8deR4VdkN42jK5L9HAvAbas/s1600/8606714_orig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQSk7UqKG95itrsOXiUFnC6aLxE2S1s5-d7YYXt5f57JbITDHd7cL8aAEvD8aD7jmAZql-jhx9SlkkFPvmpdMKm_lQSJu21tfTzAIrkABiplr5h1beECj8deR4VdkN42jK5L9HAvAbas/s320/8606714_orig.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of her photos are of her own horse Sid and his pasturemates.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69_LqTGTRZC7XkUxzghPE-TDLv55LGduHRGSy9j1G8NxgDS0uGjbNnHF1Xhwl_A0oQQrSgZlg52KmfhjkGr4WrPsI6vlQr1MYt1z4JsxVKyyKt8SDe40mT4rA8r5Qiu4jaj0jDCvw5U8/s1600/998437_316462795166521_346968634_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69_LqTGTRZC7XkUxzghPE-TDLv55LGduHRGSy9j1G8NxgDS0uGjbNnHF1Xhwl_A0oQQrSgZlg52KmfhjkGr4WrPsI6vlQr1MYt1z4JsxVKyyKt8SDe40mT4rA8r5Qiu4jaj0jDCvw5U8/s200/998437_316462795166521_346968634_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I call it "Contentedness". :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVa-CfadbJSO7UqrweHlrt__XybbQBHnnWLs44os8NR9xLpQCWp8dGr2KBz4n58PC5kQvsUpyI5_B9xG7kJRyyMs5LcXKXYxsbr8P2VIvd5zZ0mMwDWIbgODjsP-mROJ68o_DsN-2g4A/s1600/1012214_184309221746471_708922278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVa-CfadbJSO7UqrweHlrt__XybbQBHnnWLs44os8NR9xLpQCWp8dGr2KBz4n58PC5kQvsUpyI5_B9xG7kJRyyMs5LcXKXYxsbr8P2VIvd5zZ0mMwDWIbgODjsP-mROJ68o_DsN-2g4A/s320/1012214_184309221746471_708922278_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo she took of my Joey during our own personal photo shoot.<br />
I've used it as a possible book cover idea. :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbyH4sT38SSMUmyTowGZE2h_2hz3tBA5F7JzzYbrUd1CM4FkqT5MGpigXblVSBK2S2SUi3dEEfaMyaQFtyWNxGn58DN25UDURI3rX1rS2L5TCNp_BpxZFuNI7ir8T-zHVSEfiOZk_Z8M/s1600/1006026_186893614821365_2120267043_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbyH4sT38SSMUmyTowGZE2h_2hz3tBA5F7JzzYbrUd1CM4FkqT5MGpigXblVSBK2S2SUi3dEEfaMyaQFtyWNxGn58DN25UDURI3rX1rS2L5TCNp_BpxZFuNI7ir8T-zHVSEfiOZk_Z8M/s200/1006026_186893614821365_2120267043_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of her sketches.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another sketch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her latest project (and my personal favorite so far): somewhat before. . .</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">. . .and somewhat after :P</td></tr>
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You should really go check out her website. She has some really neat-o in-barn pictures that I simply adore (she's currently loading them onto her site, I do believe; if they're not there, I know they are already posted on Modest Mare Studio's facebook page).</div>
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I hope you have a wonderful day!</div>
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~Sam</div>
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SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-74764422040944764232013-07-05T15:52:00.002-07:002013-07-05T15:52:35.965-07:00Just Some Pictures of Joey and I Out Doing the Impossible<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Did I mention my horse is blind and that people told me that I would never be able to ride him?<br /><a class="_58cn" data-onclick="[["HashtagLayerPageController","click"]]" data-pub="{"id":427952940632431}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/inyourface"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">inyourface</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-onclick="[["HashtagLayerPageController","click"]]" data-pub="{"id":485137858212991}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/thepowerofgod"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">thepowerofGod</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-onclick="[["HashtagLayerPageController","click"]]" data-pub="{"id":457935600942277}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nevergiveup"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">nevergiveup</span></a> <a class="_58cn" data-onclick="[["HashtagLayerPageController","click"]]" data-pub="{"id":479646242084361}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/dreambig"><span class="_58cl">#</span><span class="_58cm">dreambig</span></a><span class="fbPhotoTagList hidden_elem" id="fbPhotoSnowliftTagList"></span></div>
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<br />SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-92184942273491387972013-07-03T08:27:00.000-07:002013-07-03T08:54:56.519-07:00The Liebster Award -- from Briana!<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Ok, I have been nominated for this same award twice in the last month. I guess I was just too lazy to claim it the first time. :P So, after much thought and pondering, I have decided to accept the award both times (it’ll be fun!).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">But I’m gonna tweak it: After every blog or blogger that I name, I’m gonna give a short bio about them or their blog; since the whole point of this award seems to be getting know lesser-known bloggers. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">HOW TO ACCEPT THE AWARD:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> The Liebster Blog Award is a way to recognize blogs who have less than 200 followers. <i>Liebster</i> is a German word that means beloved and valued. Here are the rules for accepting the award:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<ol type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Thank the person who nominated you and include a link back to their blog. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">List 11 random facts about yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Answer the 11 questions given to you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Create 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Choose 11 bloggers with 200 or fewer followers to nominate and include links to their blogs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">Go to each blogger's page and let them know you have nominated them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I was given my first Liebster Blog Award by Briana at </span><a href="http://equestriandiaries.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Equestrian Diaries</span></a><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">. Equestrian Diaries logs the adventures of a young college student who is studying to work in elementary education while maintaining a huge passion for horses. It’s a really fun blog – especially now that she’s entered the world of horse-ownership through the buying of River, a gorgeous grandson of Seattle Slew! So go on over and check it out; leave an encouraging word or some advice you have from your experience with horses. I know Briana would appreciate it all! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></b><b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">random facts about me:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Bratty teenagers quickly turn me into the Incredible Hulk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I will dream and philosophize all day if you let me (and if you do let me, you will not be able to snap me out of my trance for literally hours; my sister timed me once).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I have lived in 7 houses and moved 9 times since I was born (and we’re about to make numbers 8 and 10, respectively!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I am working on building my collection of books of photography (books <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">of </i>photography, not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">about </i>photography). I could lay out on the floor and flip through them all day. They never fail to send me to a world of wonderment and inspiration. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Right now, I am buying/reading all the most recent memoirs and biographies about people and their horses so that I can better understand what’s selling and tweak my book to make it more appealing (sometimes I refer to it as cheating ;) ).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I am very protective of my bed. Having six siblings (and sharing a room with another teenage girl) I generally have to share just about everything. I view my bed as my own personal space that I am not called upon to share (that often). I can get uptight if somebody sits on it without being invited.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My tastes in everything are pretty broad; I couldn’t tell you about my favorite genre (of anything), color, flower, scent, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I love hats, and I collect them (even though I can pull off only a few styles).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My “scent” (ya know, perfume and lotion and stuff) *is coconut-anything. (Mom recently got me some cherry blossom, and I am finding that I do really like that one, too.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I either imagine the majority of love songs are between a person and their horse, or I rewrite them to fit that way (I have whole movies in my head with complete soundtracks).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Believe it or not (you probably won’t, it’s so ironic): The only Monopoly game I have never won is Horse-opoly. (All the other ones I win pretty consistently.)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">My 11 questions from </span></b><a href="http://fromthehorsesmouth.me/"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Briana</span></b></a><b><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> were:</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<ol type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">When and why did you start riding? </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I first climbed on the back of a horse when I was between the ages of 8 and 10. I was taking English riding lessons while we lived in Florida. I don’t really remember the reason why except that that was when my horsenality exploded and was born after seeing “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimmaron.” I was just so in awe of these magnificent creatures.</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">But the first time I rode a horse and really understood that I was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">riding </i>was when I took lessons at a jumper barn for two years in California when I was 13.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Have you ever taken any time away from riding?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why? </b>Well, I had to stop riding after we moved from California because there was nowhere to ride here. But that was inevitable. If you’re asking have I ever <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">deliberately </i>taken time away from riding to do something else, then sure. I don’t ride on days when Joey lets me know that our relationship could use some cookies and hang out time instead (like when I’m at camp all summer). And I don’t ride on days when I feel really, really bad (but it normally takes a few up-chucks for me to get there).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If you couldn’t ride, what would you do with your horse(s)?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> If I suddenly woke up this morning and learned that I would never ride again, Joey would stay with me. I would probably try to scout out somebody willing and special that I trusted to ride and work with him. But if he had to spend the rest of his days being a lawn ornament, then so be it; I highly doubt he would have any qualms about that. And besides, he’d get plenty of visitors when he becomes famous through our books. ;)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Where have you lived during your life?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> Perfect! Since I told you how many times I’ve moved, and all. :P I was born in Washington (state), and then we moved to England. Since then, I’ve lived in Mississippi, Florida, and California. But we’re about to make our next move to Ohio!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If you could travel to any place in the universe, where would you go?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> I do catch the whole “universe” bit here. But honestly, I’m content to view space from Google. I’m not quite that adventurous. One place I do so desperately want to see, though, is Africa! :D<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What horse (real or fictitious) has had a big influence on your horsey career?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> As much as I would like to say Jeanette Sassoon’s <a href="http://www.valianttrust.org/home.html" target="_blank">Valiant</a>, the first horse that comes consistently to mind is the Black Stallion. As silly as it may sound, right after Joey went blind I didn’t know what I was going to do with him, or how I was going to handle him or even behave around him. But soon after the ordeal, I was watching the Black Stallion movie. And for some reason, Alec’s awesome beach ride on the Black reminded me that my horse was still a horse and still possessed all his former potential. Watching that amazing scene (and rewinding it a few times) gave me hope, and let me dream that Joey and I could still have that kind of a friendship. I am now less apt to shut down or give up on dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. <3<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What is one big thing on your “bucket list”?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> To have some of my writings published and read; whether it’s the fictional or nonfictional.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What are two goals you would like to achieve with your horse?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> (Jumping is still one buried deep in my heart.) To ride bareback and bridleless as effortlessly as Gandolph on Shadowfax; and trailering him out successfully to ride on a public trail.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What is your horse’s favorite thing to do with you? </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I’m not really sure. I think it would be a draw between riding (he loves it when I climb aboard! ^.^ ) and just hanging out with a pile of hay (when I have to leave, he looks up sorrowfully over his shoulder and watches me until I’m back in the house; makes me feel so loved <3).</span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Do you play a musical instrument? If not, what is one you’d like to play? </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I’ve been playing the piano since I was 10, yet I’ve only had a grand total of two years’ worth of lessons. I bought a pink guitar off of the interwebs in January of last year, got on YouTube, and have been jamming ever since. And most recently I have been spending a little time learning to play the Ukulele and the Mandolin. I will go ahead and name two instruments that I’ve always wanted to play, though: the violin and the banjo. It’s a draw between the two. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #222222; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What is the most “spur of the moment” thing you have ever done?</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> If we’re talking most <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">crazy </i>spur of the moment decision, then buying the horse I did not want tops it all, I’m pretty sure. Other than that, I’m not sure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">My 11 Questions for my Nominees:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Who’s your favorite cartoon character and why?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done (on horseback, if you have a horse)?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What is the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn in life thus far?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">If you could have any super power, what would it be?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What’s your favorite voice-accent?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What’s your favorite scented candle?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What was the last dream that you remember?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">What three songs would be on your life’s soundtrack? (They don’t have to be lyrical, either.)</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Choose: A rumbling summer storm, or a cozy fire by the hearth?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Which question above was the most fun to answer?</span></b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #222222; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;">I present the Liebster Blog Award to *drum roll, please* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></b></div>
<ol>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Mare and Missy at </span><a href="http://simplyhorse-crazy.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Simply Horse Crazy</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">! These girls are two peas in a pod. I’ve always been an admirer of Mare’s choice of design on their blog, as well – always so tastefully put together. If you enjoy colorful pictures and consistent posting of everyday life with a horse at a boarding stable, then you should definitely check these crazy girls out! </span></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Karley and Henry at <a href="http://dondeestahenry.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">All In</a>! Karley’s posts are consistent and full of information on training with Henry – it’s been so educational following her blog! Even on days when they’re not in the arena, Karley shares pictures of her beautiful chestnut goober-horse, and those are always so entertaining. ;)</span></span></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gingham and her three beautiful equine children at <a href="http://piasparade.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pia & Prairie’s Parade</a>! This is another blog that I thoroughly enjoy all the time. With Gingham’s great sense of humor, it’s entertaining as well as educational. I learn so much from her posts about training and showing! She recently added an older Trakhaner gelding to her brood. His name is Gus, and he seems to be really enjoying his new life with his new sisters. Check them out! You won’t regret it.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Amy and the gang at </span><a href="http://galsandhorses.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">A Work In Progress</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">! Honestly, this has got to be one of the most fun blogs I have ever read! My mom is constantly telling me that that is <em>exactly </em>what I'm going to be like when I grow up. xD Whether she's taking her sainted mare Sugar out for a spin, creating memories with her kids, or critiquing Brenda Breyer in a model horse show, Amy's bound to have you chuckling by the end of her entry.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">Sarah at </span><a href="http://benlairdfamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;">The Laird Family</span></a><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"> blog! This is one of the non-horsey blogs I follow, but I love it just the same. Sarah is a great friend of mine with a wonderful sense of humor and love for the Lord and her family. She's always posting fun tidbits from their humorously southern life! She's fairly new to the blogosphere, so drop on over and give her an encouraging word. You won't be sorry you made friends. :) </span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I don't know that many blogs (and even then, it seems to be Liebster Award Week as most of the blogs I've been wanting to nominate get nominated by someone else by the time I get around to working on this post. -.- )</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">So I will nominate half of 11 here, and then do the other half in my next award.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">I hope you enjoyed getting to know a little more about me. Now I'm off to snag my nominees before somebody else does.</span><br />
<br /><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: black;">~Sam</span><br />
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PS: Since I copy/pasted this from a Word document, the colors are a bit funky. I apologize if it's throwing you off as much as it does me.SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-77143218347510912032013-07-01T10:47:00.000-07:002013-07-01T10:47:15.422-07:00Babe, the Mustang Racehorse<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;">
<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Somebody I met at camp last week asked me for some advice/suggestions on how to get his new mustang mare to go forward without going 0 to 60 in 2.3 seconds. I thought I'd (b)log what I told him here in case anybody's ever interested, but mostly just so I could have some place to file it away. :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">"I don't know how you've been raised to think about horses or what theories you may have developed about how best to train and work with them. This is my opinion after all that I've seen and learned about horses, from horses so far. The biggest thing that I can tell you is that when I listened only to the human voices and advice, Joey and I were much more confused and frustrated. But when I would actually take the time to listen to the horse and open up my mind to what it could possibly be thinking about the situation, things became so much clearer and progress and success is usually inevitable. Like I said: this is my opinion; you can take it or leave it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">"It sounds like your mare could have people problems worse than her owners having horse problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">I don't know how she handles on the ground. If she's wonderful and just lets you do anything and everything with her, then we won't have to start from square one. But if she's a little standoffish or wary of you then I would suggest that you spend as much time as possible just hanging out with her, letting her know that you're not the bad guy. I've found that horses are really just like everything else in life in that you get out of them what you put into them whether it's time, effort, or affection. I don't know if you'll be willing to spend time just hanging out with her, but I'm telling you what I've learned is that it helps a whole lot. We've got to take into consideration where she's been so far in her life. If it's been rough for her, either due to stupid people or her own nature, then you've got to set a different standard. You've got to help her realize that she can trust people, and she can trust you. I believe that gaining that trust is the first step to getting her to ride smoothly for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">"Next I would say that you need to be able to bet your life on her brakes before you start working with the speed (even trying to downsize it). If the only speed she knows right now is full-speed, then logically you're gonna need some reliable brakes so you both don't get hurt like before. Since the only forward motion she seems to know is run, then let's try backing up. You can stop from back up, so let's give it a go. I just recently taught Joey how to back because he hated it and normally would only do it if I was super rough and loud with my cues; and even then, he was angry with me while doing it. I knew that wasn't right, so I tried to think how I could get him to be more supple and consistent. Guess what worked? I had to get supple and consistent in my cues. Horses can feel the slightest movement or touch. So we went back to the beginning, to the softest cue: I shifted my weight backwards in the saddle. At first, it was an obvious shift, just to let him know we'd changed our tune; but now I just have to think about shifting back, and he gets it. So I shift; then almost immediately on top of that cue, I pick up the reins ever so slightly (not pulling them back, just picking them up); and then almost immediately on top of that cue, I gently bump my legs in a steady rhythm against his sides while saying "back" or "back up" in the same voice. Everything has to be the same every time I do it; you'd be mighty surprised at how observant horses can be to detail. And I'll let you know that I'm somebody who is hard-wired to try the quick-fix system. But it is true what they say: practice makes perfect. And the more Joey and I work on backing, the better we are at literally backing up, or even just slowing down from a faster, forward gait. It really does pay to be soft and consistent. I've tried the harder, "more dominant" methods out there. But I've found that this works the best; and Joey and I are both having a ton of fun by the end of a ride that may have started out less than perfect.<br /><br />"After you can rely on Babe to back up at the slightest pressure (and stop from that backing up and stand still), then I would begin slow work on getting her to move forward without becoming a frantic racehorse. Keep in mind that this may take quite a while to work through and get right for her. It may really depend on how much time (and affection) you put into her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">"Like I said: Joey used to be very much like your mare. It was either we stood still or we galloped around the paddock; there was no happy-medium. And since she responds so well to heavy pressure, this is where you'll really have to pay attention because we want her to respond to light pressure. We want her to respond to light pressure, because the slap with the reins seems to make her frantic and take off (at least that's what it did to Joey: it made him get super tense). I have a dressage whip that helps me in this department. But just a long-handled anything could work (preferably with something ticklish on the end). Again, I would start from the beginning with the softest cue: a squeeze or bump with my calves just behind the cinch. He didn't respond, so a squeeze with my calves and then a slight tickling or teeny-tiny tap with the whip. That would usually get him to wake up and pay attention. Maybe he wouldn't move off just yet; so I squeeze again, tap a little harder with the whip, and now he may be ready to jump out of the starting gate like he used to, but here is where I do something different: instead of tensing up, ready for that jump, I stretch my spine up and my heels down into my stirrups in balance and I shorten my reins gently and softly massage the reins until he slows back down. Sometimes I have to sit deep in my saddle and roll with him while I massage the reins if he decides to be hard-mouthed. Bring him back down to a halt and start again. If you work at it enough and are soft and understanding every time you do it, eventually your mare won't tense up anymore which will then let her be able to go from fight-or-flight mode to thinking mode: "Hey, I wonder what he really wants me to do?" The key is rewarding every time you feel a try. Even in backing up or stopping, a try might be just a teensy shifting of weight. But you've got to be on the lookout for even the tiniest try, and reward it. You'll gain success and progress much faster if you keep your eyes open like that. And then build on the tries. To begin with, you might reward a slight shifting of weight in the correct general direction; but after that you can wait and reward her when she takes a step in the correct general direction after shifting her weight. You see what I'm getting at? And rewards can be anything from a pat on the neck, to a generous word of praise, to the complete release of pressure, or even a cookie. Joey responds much better and tries much harder if I notice even the slightest effort and give generous praise while we're out riding, even if it's for something that he should have already known how to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">"Another key is to give your mare a chance to respond to your cues. After you squeeze with your legs, give her a second to try and figure out what it is that you want from her. More than likely at the beginning of training, she won't think for herself, because she's expecting you to just slap her and tell her what to do. But if you consistently give her even a millisecond of chance to think for herself and respond, she'll get it that much faster."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">Thanks for reading. I'd love to hear your opinion on the matter, so leave a comment below.</span></div>
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SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-64806887432678303282013-06-21T13:07:00.000-07:002013-06-21T13:54:35.810-07:00Guitars and Horses -- Who Needs Anything More?So, apparently reverse pschology doesn't work as well as I had hoped. <br />
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But here I am, back again to raise your hopes that I will be more consistent with my posting. Whatever.<br />
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Joey and I have been lazy so far this summer. <br />
Through the first couple of weeks in June, I was pulling out old training articles from my saved Horse Illustrated and Horse & Rider magazines, and we were riding pretty consistently -- every morning before the sun was fully up (and the heat could get us down). I was rereading training techniques on things that Joey and I are less than perfect on like suppleness and response time (for him), and softer, yet firmer cues and more compassion and understanding (for me). Those rides were some of the best we've had yet! Five out of six mornings on most weeks we were perfectly syncronized, and it seemed that neither of us really had a care in the world, though we each gave it our best shot every time we tried to bend a better circle or refine a cue of some kind. It was great!<br />
But reach the middle of June and it brings with it scores of horseflies the size of baby carrots, 100% humidity by 5:00 in the morning, and buckets of grimy sweat from just trying to tack up alone. I just can't bring myself to go out and cinch up that hot, bulky saddle onto my boy, no matter how much he may whinney and run to the gate, obviously wanting to go out and jog around on the trails as much as I do. I know he gets awfully bored in his own fenced acre; but go out to pet him, and your hand comes away with black, sludgy ink all over it. Poor boy. :( <br />
So we've been going on handwalks when the air outside is bearable enough for me (I know, I really am a sissy), grazing along the trail and just enjoying the sweet companionship of being with each other. I love my sweet horse so dearly! Hard to look back and remember that it was everything less than love at first (and second and third. . .) sight for the two of us. We've come a long way on our many, many adventures together. <3<br />
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A short random video showing you my boy in "action". ;)</div>
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The only other thing that I've been up to is spending all of my spare time on my guitar (which is adding up to quite a few hours, lemme assure you). Have you seen her? Her name is LuLa, and to some she is obnoxiously pink. Ya can't miss her. ;)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYfZsZAo-e7LBi2PCsV1QepB9EsbA7Qs4UpG5YgUUfWYAu67c5EnBgkV9i3MochIsRqniiyd_LRonBdqacz4oXUdVrVV-YsN_6AwZc0pybkbCWM7s4Jw1dGzg-3XxhZt1W59jv4AMJAM/s1600/DSCF1219+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYfZsZAo-e7LBi2PCsV1QepB9EsbA7Qs4UpG5YgUUfWYAu67c5EnBgkV9i3MochIsRqniiyd_LRonBdqacz4oXUdVrVV-YsN_6AwZc0pybkbCWM7s4Jw1dGzg-3XxhZt1W59jv4AMJAM/s200/DSCF1219+2.jpg" width="200" /></a> The cheapest pretty guitar I could find on Amazon, and with the exceptions of my clingy dog and my blind horse she is my baby. Only started playing last January, but with the help of YouTube, I (and I counted them) have learned and memorized 50+ songs. I <em>was </em>hoping to have reached 100 already, but in due time. (And given, the majority of those learned <em>are </em>Taylor Swift -- it doesn't get much more repetitive than that, folks.) I am proof that anybody -- ANYBODY -- can pick up and learn the guitar. I tried taking a year's worth of lessons once. Good money wasted is how I look at it now. I didn't learn <em>a single thing </em>that I use today; not even the names of the strings. I came away with sore fingers and a broken ego, declaring that I would never again pick up a guitar because it was stupid and not worth my time. For a long time after that I seethed inside at every guitar solo that came on the radio (and there sure are a lot of them).<br />
But still, inside, there was a dream. . .<br />
. . .To make a long (and oh, so hilarious) story short (so that I can save it for another day ;) ): I mistakenly bought a bright pink guitar off of Amazon for $50. She arrives, and it's love at first sight. Even though I knew absolutely <em>nothing </em>about guitars. I knew that she was pink, her name was LuLa, and she was now mine.<br />
First song I learned? "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson. The guy on YouTube said it wasn't for beginners. Guess I showed him. <br />
So there ya go: I'm living proof. But not just for people who have that deep longing to play the guitar like a boss when their favorite song comes on the radio. No, if I've learned anything through this experience it's that I shouldn't be afraid to do anything that I dream of doing. Because honestly, I can do anything that God sees fit to bless. And that's the real adventure of life: finding out what those things are.<br />
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~Sam<br />
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SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-60193586140203016152013-05-31T15:02:00.000-07:002013-05-31T15:51:57.997-07:00Consistent Posting? *snort* What was I Thinking??<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok. So, when I say I'm back for more consistent posting. . .it never quite works out, does it?<br />
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*ahem* I am NOT back for more consistent posting. <--period for added effect (Let's see how reverse psychology works.)<br />
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My cousin apparently wants me to be a contributor on her new horse website <a href="http://herdnerds.weebly.com/" target="_blank">HerdNerds</a>. Check it out. And pay close attention to her side of things -- she is <em><u>super</u></em> experienced and <em><u>super</u></em> talented when it comes to the horse realm. My stuff: eh, not so much. I mean, seriously: my experience is riding my blind pony around in my backyard. O.O<br />
With a few years of hunter and jumper training mixed in there somewhere. And riding a couple'a barrel horses a time or two. But that's ALL the hands-on experience I have. Everything else is via reading and reading and reading and some more reading -- oh, and research. <br />
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Since I last left you: I finished and graduated from highschool/gradeschool-- kind of an exciting time *_* ; participated in my piano teacher's year-end recital that she holds for all of her students -- I played "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co1-GiL-pJA" target="_blank">Dawn</a>", from <em>Pride and Prejudice </em>for both of her recitals in the same afternoon; I've FINALLY completed registration for and will be officially attending my town's local community college in the fall (that only took how long and cost everyone how much effort? -.- )<br />
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And I'm being lazy and spending my first summer days reading all about horses and training and messin' around with JoJo. :) Oh, not to mention all the fun my sister and I are having with my new camcorder and Breyer Horses. ;)<br />
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WAAAAIIIT!!! I almost forgot to mention one of the most exciting things! "See No Evil" is in its third editing process; and it is already available for *purchase* through myself (I may have a teeny little secret. . . ;) ). Ok, ok, so it's not "officially" published -- but it's a start, right? And I'm hoping to try to get it out there on the table and at least figure out what the word "publishing" really, truly, exactly means by the end of the summer.<br />
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Last year my summer project was to crochet an afghan. This year it's to publish my book. A step up? I think so. But Joey and I are ready for it (I hope. . .) ;)<br />
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~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-14180452293721253302013-04-22T13:33:00.000-07:002013-04-22T13:33:39.274-07:00More Changes to the Blog and Votes for Photos!Ok, so, I want to enter a horsey photo contest that ends in June. June the first, to be precise. And these are the two pictures that have gotten the most votes so far. The judges are looking for a clear, clean photo that has a good subject and doesn't show poor horsemanship; and the "theme"/objective of the contest is "your horse being a horse/doing what he loves best". They didn't mention grazing on their list of horsey things for some odd reason, but knowing Joey. . .it was a no-brainer. ;)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGDIUfZqOIbdlRCf4Y9juIdiiqdqcIGScilvW8TiutR61abNjhLEzDpZht9Q9-toa9m2aYfqai3gf1lFJ1dMpNrb5wKSmXajGanzskqI2BM8wwlOFGuJdG7KgW7LBUmHbgmAcdaIb29A/s1600/horse+pics+(video)+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeGDIUfZqOIbdlRCf4Y9juIdiiqdqcIGScilvW8TiutR61abNjhLEzDpZht9Q9-toa9m2aYfqai3gf1lFJ1dMpNrb5wKSmXajGanzskqI2BM8wwlOFGuJdG7KgW7LBUmHbgmAcdaIb29A/s320/horse+pics+(video)+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture #1</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9RTehQn2xMF9A04y0K-OMH7BvnvLj02jc6IoZ0-dgphWTAmfmuPnMv4pXL_NAGvibNDrdk1IBnDF97MWkf88zNAVHOi8V3Q-IYLksFwgq51_2ksImlcKmU74nluMerGUTsOJ6fERPUc/s1600/horse+pics+(video)+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9RTehQn2xMF9A04y0K-OMH7BvnvLj02jc6IoZ0-dgphWTAmfmuPnMv4pXL_NAGvibNDrdk1IBnDF97MWkf88zNAVHOi8V3Q-IYLksFwgq51_2ksImlcKmU74nluMerGUTsOJ6fERPUc/s320/horse+pics+(video)+031.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture # 2</td></tr>
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Yay! It worked! (The silly blogger-thing wouldn't let me type here, only on the captions to the photos. I've been sitting here trying for a good 10 minutes. -.- )</div>
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And THANK YOU, SILLY BLOGGER-THINGY; now I am all out of time to actually type a legit blog post-entry-thing. -.-</div>
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So yeah; vote for your favorite picture above, (<-- comma. there) below in a comment -- Haha: "above below". :P </div>
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Probably better add a comma. . .</div>
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Registering for college has been unnecessarily hard. -.- Making my THIRD trip to the admin. office tomorrow, or Friday, or whenever <em><strong><u>I</u></strong></em> choose to go back. I'm done doing it on their time.</div>
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. . .but then, I guess I would have to go more times, huh?</div>
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Oh, and more updates to Prints. I retyped Joey's page and added some different pictures. Check it out. See if you can spot all the changes. ;)</div>
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Out.</div>
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~Sam</div>
SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-41525254841443046962013-04-21T10:58:00.001-07:002013-04-21T10:58:52.446-07:00Blog Under Construction. . .Well? Did you read the title? o.O<br />
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What do you think of the new blog look for Prints? I'm hoping to add a header picture and few to go on the sides and I may organize a bit. . .to be determined, I guess.<br />
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Dude! More followers! O.O That shocks me, honestly; haven't been on and all. . .<br />
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BUT THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE! (maybe. . ) lol I hope so, anyway. :P<br />
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Just wanted to let you all know that I have NOT fallen off the face of the earth. Geez, almost a whole two months has been and gone without me posting. I'm so. . .sorry. . .? I've been pretty busy (graduating in less than a month; yup, prepping for that'll take up some time).<br />
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So, don't give up on me. I WILL be back with pictures and posts and lots of good tidbits about what Joey and I (and all our freaky retarded cats) have been up to lately. ^.^<br />
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Until then, enjoy your Hoofprints-less life. ;)<br />
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Out.<br />
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~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-18870975044947726922013-02-22T15:21:00.003-08:002013-02-22T15:21:37.360-08:00No Access to Blogger And A Horse Journal EntryI will not have access to blogger from Monday to Friday. Just sayin'. :)<br />
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<strong>Horse Journal 2-18-13</strong><br />
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I haven't been writing much in here because Joey and I haven't been doing as much. I think weather is to blame, again.<br />
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As far as training the bow goes: Joey can bow his head to the ground between his front legs and lift his left leg at the same time, on cue.<br />
Mosie still hasn't gotten the second video up for training the bow; but I saw she mentioned in one of her comments to somebody else that one of the next steps is to get Joey to extend his right leg. After thinking forever on how to make that step up (and wondering if I should even attempt it on "my own", meaning without any idea of what I was doing), I decided that we would go about it like we did the leg-lifts --- I mean, it's kinda the same thing only uncurling out. <br />
So the last three sessions, besides reviewing what we already know and just plain messing around, I've been lifting Joey's right leg and slowly uncurling it to the front until it's resting, extended on the ground in front of him. <br />
I even started saying an unconscious verbal cue right from the start: "Forward". I never thought about what verbal cue I was gonna use; it just happened, like most of my verbal cues, because I talk to my pets while working with them.<br />
During the first leg-ex. session, because he had no idea what I had in mind, Joey's leg was quite stiff as I slowly uncurled it to extend as I lowered. Since then, in three sessions, we've done it the same way numerous times and I think he's starting to get the idea of what I'm looking for. He's not one who will generally try to figure it out on his own; he needs a lot of guidance during the first few lessons. But with most things, he's a pretty quick learner. And he usually remembers things well.<br />
Sometimes, he still thinks I mean "back" when I say "left". And when we go into "forward", he thinks I'm looking for "left". <br />
<br />
In other news, he bit me on purpose for the first time ever the other day --- just chomped down on my arm and left two large bruises. We were girthing up for a ride, and even though he didn't appear to be girth-sore when I checked, I still wonder if it was just a knew-jerk reaction to some sharp pain from the girth. Either way, I let him know that biting is not okay <em>period </em>by telling him to get away from me and leave me alone for a few moments. He stood, saddled, looking very sorry and dejected on the other side of the paddock while I checked my arm for severed skin underneath my sweatshirt. Then I went over and clipped the lead line back onto his halter and we continued on with our ride and breakfast as if nothing had ever happened. He hasn't bitten me since, though he watches me closely while fiddling with the girth. <br />
<br />
As far as riding goes: for the last four days or so, we've been riding consistently. I haven't been pursuing that partner-connection as much (or rather, I just haven't been completely focus on it). We've just been riding for the fun and sake of riding.<br />
I've noticed that his brakes hardly work at all from anything faster than a fluid trot. The only time I felt in full control while trotting and cantering was when I felt like I had the bit too high after I experimented by tightening/raising the bit in his headstall. It can be kind of a problem, and I'm not really sure how to fix it.<br />
<br />
I also want to take note here that Joey has not been acting completely like himself lately. He picks at his hay and acts bored and grumpy --- or did until we started riding again. I think maybe it was because I couldn't get out to spend time with him because the weather was bad.<br />
<br />
<strong>Back to present day.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
I do have an update to post since this entry in my Horse Journal was written; but I am out of time for today (and have already done two posts today). Unfortunately, it will probably have to wait until the week after next. :/<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your comments!<br />
<br />
~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-58108705334005794632013-02-22T14:47:00.001-08:002013-02-22T14:47:38.740-08:00Mom's Birthday [Cake Incident]Yesterday was Mom's birthday (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!! ^.^ )<br />
<br />
*ahem* It was also grocery day: the day of the week that my mother goes out for a good couple of hours to have lunch with Dad and buy the week's forage. The perfect opportunity to make her a surprise birthday cake, eh? ;)<br />
<br />
Before we get any further with this I will state right here that despite my efforts, the only things that I have actually been requested to make by my family are fruit smoothies and my oatmeal-raisin-chocolate chip cookies. Yeah; not such a hot mama in the kitchen. :P<br />
But I was <em>determined </em>to bake Mom something special in honor of the day. (I never dreamed Dad would have the same idea. . .)<br />
<br />
To give myself the most possible amount of time, I began my baking venture <em>as soon </em>as she walked out the door, which was around 11, or so (she got a lot of, "So, when <em>are</em> you leaving?" "Shouldn't you go soon if you're going to have lunch with Dad?" "You might want to give yourself quite a bit of time to get there. . .why? oh, just because. . ." lol!) <br />
I had perused all of the dessert cookbooks on her shelf for easy recipes for cake <em>icing; </em>I was prepared to not go beyond my limits and just use one of those Betty Crocker cake mix boxes. But for some reason the one I wanted to use didn't have a recipe for icing on the side --- you'd think that they would make things easier than they are by doing that for people, but they don't.<br />
<br />
Anyway, upon my futile search for chocolate cake icing, I found a recipe for chocolate fudge pudding-cake. Now, I've made one of these in the past at Mother's request --- but in the crock pot. It was a slow-cooker recipe then. And I certainly wasn't going to do that now. But the one I found in her many pages of random recipes printed off of the Internet was for a pudding-cake that was baked in the oven. And it was easy. And it was from a source I've used for a tasty brownie recipe before. And Mom apparently really likes pudding-cake. Bingo.<br />
<br />
Mix up all of the ingredients, heat up the oven, and [nervously] pop it in (I'm always nervous when I have to do <em>anything </em>in the kitchen because, as I have previously stated, I am no Julia Child.) <br />
As a plus to the garden hedgehog statue that I got for Mom to sit in her herb garden this year, I decide that I will also help her out by keeping up the housework while she is away. And I mean, <em>really </em>keeping up the housework.<br />
<br />
A few loads of laundry later, I open the oven to find. . . . . a messy, but decent chocolate pudding-cake. Okay, so it didn't turn out horrible as I had secretly expected. Heck, it might even be called pretty rich. I set the oven on "warm and hold" to keep it warm until Mom gets back home and then we can all marvel at how awesome my pudding-cakes are. The day will end lovely and I will feel like I actually did something special for once on Mom's birthday, something that she can appreciate. I sing my way through the dishes and back into the laundry room (not to mention being exceedingly patient with the littles as I put them down for a [much needed] nap). Nothing can go wrong.<br />
<br />
And then Dad gets home. I'm out feeding the horse as it's pouring rain, telling my boy all about the wonderful surprise I have waiting for Mom. I can't wait! <br />
I hear Dad's truck pulling up the drive, he stops, rolls down the window and calls out, "Hiya! You almost done? Can you come up and help me? I got some stuff to celebrate Mom's birthday." He continues up the drive as my heart starts to pound and eventually sinks as I think about how inevitable it is for him to buy a cake. I take plenty of time making my way back to the house and his truck, kicking myself for not thinking that of <em>course </em>Dad would buy Mom a cake on her birthday, trying to formulate a plan in my head of what I'm going to tell Dad. I can't possibly tell him that he's just set a full-blown thunderstorm on my lovely little parade. *sigh*<br />
<br />
"What did you get?" I call above the beat of the rain as I near his open truck door. "Oh, just some flowers and a big, beautiful, chocolaty cake!" He says this last part with the look on his face that he gets when he thinks he's doing something very special for us and he knows that we're going to love it. Normally, he's right; but now my mind races with what to say. <br />
He hands me the flowers and requests that I find a vase for them and arrange them. "Oh, Shelby's much better at that than I am," I quickly say, coming up with a plan. Shelby will take care of the flowers and I will hide the cake that is still warming in the oven. . .somehow. <br />
<br />
We make it into the kitchen and I am amazed that he doesn't even seem to notice the oven that is on. Usually he would immediately ask me why in the world the oven is on, as if I had purposely turned it on with the motive of burning down the house. But he says nothing, as he <em>turns around and goes back out the door! </em>Now's my chance. I wait a second to make sure he's not coming back in right away, and then I frantically grab some potholders, switch off the oven, and rip my cake out of the oven. But --- what to <em>do </em>with it?? How do I get a hot cake out of sight?? Shelby comes in as I'm unconsciously opening a drawer. "I'll grab some hot pads to sit under it so that he has no reason to get mad at us if it's discovered," she says sensibly. Yes, hot pads, why didn't I think of that? My younger sister helps me hide the cake just as Dad walks back into the house. <br />
<br />
I nonchalantly sway back into the laundry room to finish folding a load from the dryer as Dad and Shelby continue with the preparations for the dinner table. I think I'm covered with the cake incident. . . .until I remember: There are six other people in this house who have been looking forward all day to eating my chocolate pudding-cake. They are <em>surely </em>bound to say <em>something </em>when Dad presents his flashy, chocolaty tower to them. But how to let them know of the situation discreetly? Then I've got it.<br />
I call each child back to put away his/her clothes, whispering to each a quick explanation of why we will not be eating my cake. Everyone agrees not to say anything to Dad. We don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or cause a scene. And now that I think about it: if word got out to Dad about <em>my </em>cake, certainly pulling it out of a drawer in his presence is going to be rather embarrassing. Oh dear. <br />
Now I'm thinking of how I can get the cake <em>out </em>of the drawer and into somewhere else that would not be so embarrassing to pull it out of should the need arise. (A drawer, really? Who's idea <em>was </em>that??)<br />
<br />
It turns out, the best idea comes from Mom, herself. I slink upstairs with my own clothes and the telephone hidden beneath them. No, it's not safe to use the land line; what if Dad were to need the phone while I was on it and noticed that it was being used? Best use my cell.<br />
So I call Mom and explain the whole thing. It sounds pretty silly when I actually try to explain it to someone else. Funny how it seems like such a catastrophe at the time. <br />
She laughingly tells me to put it in the back of the refrigerator. Why didn't I think of <em>that</em>?<br />
<br />
We end up eating Dad's cake that night, and the pudding-cake today after lunch while he's at work. I still don't think he knows. :P<br />
Next time, I think I'll check with him before I surprise everyone with a cake.<br />
<br />
~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-91918157517900173962013-02-20T13:40:00.000-08:002013-02-20T13:40:53.308-08:00A Tribute to LexiLast week--as well as being my birthday week (February the 12th!! ^.^ )-- marked the one year anniversary for Lexi and I.<br />
*ahem* So here is a sort of tribute to my girl (and ohmygosh it didn't save any of it from the first time I typed it all out!) :<br />
<br />
In late January of last year, I was going through a really depressing time. One day, a dog came up the drive way. He was a big male that I thought had a bit of pitbull in him; but I needed a friend, and he was sweet, so I said, "Ok, Lord, a special dog would be nice." I named him Fella and fed him and we became friends. . .before he left 2 hours later, never to be seen again. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoGWH2BrO997zzR__GprIi2xJZcbiVImMK00K77kZ7WzrKoGhpSRahH-Hg7UHmMkLRTtaJT-eqrCiGUKpgHYf9L0A2sc3Yn1sQ7NzWv7WAt9sLE2SYwBbB_8-qkHURYrZYcKE1k0PRQk/s1600/2012+002+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOoGWH2BrO997zzR__GprIi2xJZcbiVImMK00K77kZ7WzrKoGhpSRahH-Hg7UHmMkLRTtaJT-eqrCiGUKpgHYf9L0A2sc3Yn1sQ7NzWv7WAt9sLE2SYwBbB_8-qkHURYrZYcKE1k0PRQk/s200/2012+002+%25283%2529.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The very next day, my mom was leaving the house to go grocery shopping. She called the house when she got to the bottom of the driveway and told me that there was a stray puppy down there that she wanted me to feed. So I went tramping off with a bowl of food once again, though I thought it was an odd coincidence.<br />
I honestly expected the cute puppy to wander away as soon as she was done scarfing down the food. After all: once a wanderer, always a wanderer, right?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfQO0kJvpP5qxYGntyauqq_Kuo6H16RD3x0spAQBl2oQIry10N-XT9f8jkKcdiwtkXtwQA4z-x7ZsXDSWdZot4n5WnsxxLKrBu4chvx9C0VdHPI3_Yx4fQ03bunI3mtP9KA8LTbdsypg/s1600/2012+001+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfQO0kJvpP5qxYGntyauqq_Kuo6H16RD3x0spAQBl2oQIry10N-XT9f8jkKcdiwtkXtwQA4z-x7ZsXDSWdZot4n5WnsxxLKrBu4chvx9C0VdHPI3_Yx4fQ03bunI3mtP9KA8LTbdsypg/s320/2012+001+%25283%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was very much afraid of the kitties when she first arrived.<br />
I don't think she'd ever seen one before. :P</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But she ended up shadowing me everywhere I went, except into the house, because we don't allow strange dogs into the house. She was afraid of the other kids, though I could tell that she wanted to make friends.<br />
<br />
The stray puppy stayed at our house for four weeks straight without leaving. We fed her every other day, because my dad didn't really like the idea of taking on yet <em>another </em>animal's care. But after four weeks, he was calling her <em>my </em>dog and laughing about her persistence.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P1CnNLV-RaGtJ-4xYoA8r3Div43fNcZUOZClewQl6tW4nwzCG8JzK1NlAHtHBxYQPfGLlQj0agAcgZ9xfi9Zjt_Fk2f0hJFvYnVcCo2oyOiOUDTmxhBT2oTqfp_CUJZ1VgOV1paJNS4/s1600/Breyer+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8P1CnNLV-RaGtJ-4xYoA8r3Div43fNcZUOZClewQl6tW4nwzCG8JzK1NlAHtHBxYQPfGLlQj0agAcgZ9xfi9Zjt_Fk2f0hJFvYnVcCo2oyOiOUDTmxhBT2oTqfp_CUJZ1VgOV1paJNS4/s400/Breyer+017.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie wants to go out and play with "the stray puppy".</td></tr>
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<br />
I started calling her Lexi because I got tired of referring to her as "that stray puppy".<br />
<br />
For my birthday last year, my mom took me and a friend of mine to a small conference given by one of my favorite Christian authors.<br />
After the weekend was over, we arrived home late that Sunday night. It was an especially cold night and snow was predicted. I couldn't help but worry about the puppy; I hoped that she wouldn't run away since I'd been gone and it had been cold. She was still afraid of the other kids.<br />
<br />
When I walked through the door and upstairs to my bedroom, I found her, with a brand new pink collar, bouncing off my bed ecstatically to greet me! "I'll expect you to take full responsibility for her," my Dad told me, standing in the doorway.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoH02tqL_AZyVMSRn8wBRAa81eVgnr2stHoko1LW-qTOoGE7TX2zRVPMGTP_iAtODkw1oih2Bg_e9nphr0KynvUVgFvJoYmibvi0kNEVjjaHzi9uwxxnah8XyQx3mxdsyg2zyJ-jpqHg/s1600/Lexi.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoH02tqL_AZyVMSRn8wBRAa81eVgnr2stHoko1LW-qTOoGE7TX2zRVPMGTP_iAtODkw1oih2Bg_e9nphr0KynvUVgFvJoYmibvi0kNEVjjaHzi9uwxxnah8XyQx3mxdsyg2zyJ-jpqHg/s320/Lexi.png" width="320" /></a>I hadn't expected that I wanted a dog. And, funny as it may sound, a tri-color was the <em>last </em>color that I would have wanted (but then, I didn't want a black horse, either). And because I was so depressed at the time, I didn't want to have to care for somebody else other than my horse--I wanted only to live in self-pity, at least for a little while longer. But Lexi soon changed all that.<br />
<br />
She eventually graduated to a bed of her own (still way too large); but God brought this puppy into my life at the perfect time. Her seemingly inexhaustive energy has kept me on my toes. And she has been so needy for love and human approval that she forced me to get over my depression faster by giving me someone to love and hug and care for. <br />
Sure, Joey needs his care, too; but this little stray puppy that never leaves my side and is bouncing off the walls nearly all of the time begs for attention and affection way more than my introverted horse. In fact, she is the horsenality that I wish Joey had, and he is the dog that I always wanted. How weird is that? xD<br />
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It has been one year. Thank you, Lord, for the puppy that I didn't ask for.SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-11343469310066971602013-02-20T12:04:00.002-08:002013-02-20T12:04:38.125-08:00Joey's Two CentsJoey here.<br />
<br />
I was beginning to doze the other day as Mom and I stood together absorbing the sun's warm rays, when she began one of her jabbering spells again. (She does this most times, I think, without realizing it: we'll have a long period of thoughtful silence, and then she'll startle me awake with a spell of talking. It makes sleep nearly impossible because she usually starts talking just as I'm beginning to doze off.)<br />
Anyway, this time what she had to say actually interested me. She said that she had been asked by more than a few people to write a blog post on what it's like to own a blind horse. And she was despairing of the fact that to her, interacting with me was pretty much like interacting with any other horse. She said she couldn't think of any differences to set out in a blog entry.<br />
Now, hearing the sometimes frustrated comments that I do from her from time to time, I know that what she says about there being no differences isn't entirely true. Perhaps she was just having one of her super uncreative moments -- I don't know. But I thought that, since I <em>am </em>said blind horse, I would help her out by writing my own bog post. (Technically I'm dictating to Lexi, who is typing it out for me seein' as how I appear to lack fingers. In return, her tribute will be finished and posted in the next entry.)<br />
<br />
Being blind isn't nearly the sob-story that some might make it out to be. Sure, it can be frustrating at times, not being able to see where you're going (I'm <em>constantly </em>tripping over roots; Mom says I just need to pick my feet up more. . .but, whatever.) The way I see it, you can't spend your whole life just standing in one place. Despite the darkness, you gotta move on, always reaching forward -- that's how you go places.<br />
<br />
Training used to be a problem for Mom and I. It took her a while to understand that she couldn't use the same body language cues like she does with other horses because I just couldn't <em>see </em>them. I could hear her sighs and growls of frustration as I didn't respond the right way when she tugged on a rope -- I tried my best, I really did! Especially when she got it into her head to rely on sounds rather than sight. But, again, she didn't completely understand. She was headed in the right direction with her theories; but there were too many sounds -- the wind whistling in my ears as I cantered around her on the lunge line; the beat of my own hooves as well as her boots stomping, trying to cue me to do something; along with the many clucks, smooches, words, tones, and breathing -- all the sounds seemed to pile on top of each other and they became confusing as well as frightening!<br />
Add to the mixture my analogies of the ground under, behind, and in front of me as well as what I thought was around me, and you've got a potentially stressful training session in sensations alone, at least, for me.<br />
<br />
For a slightly accurate example: Has there ever been a time when you were in one room, and somewhere else in the building there was what appeared to be a strange noise. You can't see what made the noise, but in your mind you race through all the possibilities that you know of that would explain it. Well, that's kinda what it's like for me -- only most times there's much more than one sound to analyze, and there's smells and my image-less surroundings as well. A lot of horses my mom tells me about sound like they couldn't even take the guessing game with helpful images to add to the picture. My world sound a lot more frightening and stressful -- and sometimes it can be -- but, for the most part, I enjoy the logic that goes into figuring out the guessing game. And, for some reason, I don't get scared.<br />
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The only thing that frustrates me about being blind (besides the tripping over numerous roots in a row) is when my mom likes to play hide and seek with my food. I will hear her in the grain room getting my ration; and then suddenly everything will get really quiet. . .and I don't know where she is with the food. . .<br />
Then I'll hear her rattle the feed on the other side of the pasture, and I'll have to figure out where she is, exactly, and how I can get to her. She laughs and pokes harmless fun at me while she encourages me; she even moves to an easier spot if it proves too difficult. But no matter how many times she says it's good for me, I will always believe it is an unnecessary waste of energy. -_-<br />
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Some days the blindness leaves for a little while and I can see some vague shapes and bright colors. Mom never wins hide and seek when she's wearing her bright red rain coat on those days. ^.^ <br />
But for the most part, my world is made up of sound, touch, and smell.<br />
<br />
That's all the time I have for today; unfortunately the farrier just got here to trim my hooves (and I thought I heard something about worming. . . >_> ). I might do another post some other time. I like this blogging idea. For once people can hear it "straight from the horse's mouth". ;) <br />
If you have any specific questions about blind horses concerning working, training, or just life in general-- or questions about myself-- feel free to ask in a comment below.<br />
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Here comes Mom with the rope halter. Gotta go.<br />
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~Joey<br />
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SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-36965820305160845922013-02-15T13:35:00.003-08:002013-02-15T13:35:47.336-08:00UPDATE!! (And Blog Change)Okay, so I really wanted to customize the blog. And--Viola! Like it? The Creative Images pic at the top is one of my senior pictures; I will change it to one without the label soon.<br />
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Just wanted to update the blog and say that I promise that I will back into blogging soon. Our Internet has been out since my birthday (which was Tuesday, the 12th. YAY!) So no opportunities there. :/<br />
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If you're reading this: thanks so much for being a faithful reader. So sorry I haven't been on much. Hope to give you some good material to read later this week. :D<br />
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Until then,<br />
<br />
~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-48840570738206814902013-02-01T15:05:00.001-08:002013-02-01T15:05:38.578-08:00Teaching Joey to Bow -- Parts 2&3THE BOW PART 2 -- I totally agree with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/feed/UCGqKydzg7E8rpsgqMLrCEGQ" target="_blank">Mosie</a> when she says that training tends to sink in better over night (for both horses and humans, I think). The next morning after that first session of teaching Joey to bow, I went out to grain for breakfast. I figured while he was eating that I would tidy the paddock until he was done and then we could have another small session before I had to go in and take care of schoolwork. Well, out of habit, I accidentally threw hay out for him to eat. *facepalm* Now I thought there would be NO WAY we were going to have a morning session -- Joey tends not to be very interested in anything, let alone WORKING or LEAVING when food is available. But after a while, I noticed that he had come over -- LEAVING the hay completely -- and was just hanging out while I tidied the pasture. I asked him if he was bored with eating (we have been making free-choice forage available 24/7, after all), to which he replied with a big sigh. :P So I put away the manure fork and the wheelbarrow and grabbed some treats and our dressage whip. To see if he was really interested in working with me while food was available, I asked him to follow me around, which he did eagerly; and then I asked him to back up, which he also did willingly. So I tapped his leg with the whip, said "left", and went to pick it up for him the first time or two, thinking he might not remember yesterday's lesson. But before I could bend over after the tap and the verbal cue, he popped his foot up on his own, put it back down, and asked for a treat! I was so happily surprised! ^.^ Treat, and we asked for the trick again; he complied eagerly. I'm so excited that he got it after just one quick session (I've never really worked on teaching him anything like this before)! And now that he's got lifting his leg on cue, we're going to concentrate on holding it for longer periods of time. We've had two more session since (5 total), and he's getting the idea, which is really exciting. :D The next thing to incorporate that Mosie introduced in the first video is the target touching.So last night after supper (our 4th session) I tied a plastic baggie onto the end of our dressage whip. He was very curious to know what the sound of it meant (since he can't see, and plastic bags are generally noisy objects), but he soon got used to it (I was actually surprised he was never afraid of it). During that session, we began with what we knew: a few leg lifts, which he performed easily and eagerly (he even tried to do a few "extra" without the cue, to see if he would get extra cookies :P ) Then we introduced targeting. Mosie suggested that since he's blind, we adjust "targeting" to him just keeping his nose on the target. I'm open to this idea, but I wondered if he could find the target, especially if I used a noisy plastic bag? So I began a method: I shook the plastic bag a little, said "touch", and then touched his nose with it and praised. We did this exact thing several times, and then ended the training session with a few leg-lifts (I'm a firm believe of ending every training session on a positive note, with something that your horse already knows how to do and preferably something that he thinks is fun so that he will think he's had a very productive and fun lesson and will be more receptive of the next session).This morning (session 5), we began with a few extended (meaning time) leg-lifts (he really likes doing these; he thinks he's very clever ;) :P ); and then we worked more with the targeting. After how well he's progressed with the leg-lifts, I was kind of hoping that things would "click" in his brain the same for the target -- but it didn't appear that it had. After doing exactly what we had done the first time, several times, without any real recognition of what we were attempting to do that showed on him, I thought about switching things up. Now, I no longer brought the target to him; instead, I kept shaking the bag gently, and repeating "touch", and when he moved his nose and slightly brushed it, I praised. Well, he was very surprised indeed that THIS was what I was looking for! And I saw some recognition in his eyes, like something had finally clicked in his brain. By the end of the session, I was still shaking the bag lightly and saying "touch, Joey", but he was definitely LOOKING for the bag, and even lipping it. I was so ecstatic with our progress! Again, we ended the session with what we were confident in: leg-lifts. :)<br />
THE BOW PART 3 -- Sorry I haven't been updating as much. Actually, I felt there wasn't much to update on; Joey and I were faithfully practicing our leg-lifts and our targeting at least in one session a day. He absolutely loves doing the leg-lifts (he thinks he's VERY clever ;) ); and the targeting has become a kind of game for us, even to the point where sometimes I'll dash away to a distance and say "touch" and shake the plastic bag, and he'll see how quickly he can follow me, find the bag, and touch it. He's liking that game more and more every time we play it. ^_^<br />
But I didn't feel there was much updating to do since we've been working on the same things as in the other two entries I've done thus far.<br />
Last weekend, when I was sure he knew the leg-lifts by heart and knew what the concept was for the targeting, I tried to begin asking for them at the same time and came up with a problem: We're using verbal cues for both "left" and "touch"--how was I supposed to say them at the same time and ask for them in a way that Joey would understand what I was asking for? We tried a couple times, but to no avail, and we both became frustrated at something that didn't come quite as clearly and easily, so we immediately went back to what we already knew: leg-lifts and targeting, and we were ok and having fun again. But it bothered me that I couldn't think of any possible way for us to get both tricks done at the same time in a clear and concise way. :/ I slept on it for a few nights with no inspiration; and then I got suddenly and unexpectedly busy with school, chores, and extracurriculars; so our play sessions had to be put on hold for the first few days of this week.<br />
After we rode this afternoon, it was so clear that Joey still wanted to spend some quality time hanging out, that I went to get a few bits of cookie and our dressage whip. We practiced our leg-lifts a couple of times and played the targeting game for a few minutes when I began to realize something: When I asked Joey to touch the target closer to the ground and nearer his front legs, he was doing a leg-lift at the same time -- putting the two tricks together on his own! He acted like it was almost a game with himself: let me see if I can balance on three legs while I touch the target really low like Mom's asking me to. I could tell he thought he was really clever, and even a bit funny. :P I was shocked that he would do such a thing, though; but I was so ecstatic!! I didn't have to come up with a way to ask him, after all; I just had to give us both a little while to mull it over, and then just remember that it's all about having fun and building our relationship, even if that means we won't get to do everything that I might want to do. I'm so immensely proud of him! <3 ^_^SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-25663533417560124372013-01-22T17:32:00.001-08:002013-02-01T15:05:57.383-08:00Entries From My Horse Journal and Teaching Joey the Bow<strong>1-19-13</strong><br />
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Today, I really wanted to have another lesson bareback and bridleless; but Joey shifted away from the fence twice when I tried to mount. And though I didn't pay attention when he did that yesterday, I took it as him telling me that he didn't want to ride tonight. <br />
Now that I think about it, he did the exact same thing last night -- I just wasn't paying attention in my eagerness to be consistent with our bareback, bridleless lessons; I quickly slid on before he could move away a second time. And you know what? We rode <em>all the way </em>down to the second paddock, and even half a circuit around it before Joey quit! It didn't feel quite like the connection we had the last time. . .but still. <br />
So it was <em>really </em>tough for me to respect Joey's movement away today as a "no". But, though I had the fear that he'll now say no <em>every </em>time, I finally decided to go with respect instead of "ignorant" force this time.<br />
Instead of riding, I wanted to see if he would walk willingly with me; that's one of my big horsey dreams (besides bareback/bridleless riding): to have a horse that will want to be with me no matter what; even following to the point of running with me. Joey and I walked the entire perimeter of both paddocks. He took some coaxing at only a couple of spots; and I reinforced with bits of cookie at intervals. Not once did Joey's ears go back or head and neck relax; even when he stopped and looked as if he might not follow me, he always looked interested. And I guess that alone (much less coupled with the fact that he did end up following me all the way) is a step of progress just as much as anything we could have accomplished bareback and bridleless. It's all about the attitude and the perspective.<br />
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Here's some more really helpful advice from <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/LittlePistolAnnie/videos?view=0" target="_blank">Mosie</a>:<br />
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"The best thing that really changed everything for Annie and me was approaching
[ riding] not like an expected service a horse must give but rather a
gift they are giving you. When you are on him, I believe it is better not to
even think of what he "isn't doing" or what is "not right" (of course being
safe). Rather, focus on and rejoice in every small gift he gives you. It will
make you feel better, and thus allow him to be more receptive, if you aren't
commanding/demanding him to turn. Evey thing should be a question - a request.
If you ask if he would like to turn and he does, then praise like there is no
tomorrow because he is willingly giving you the joy you are looking for! He will
be more likely to turn for you again the next time if he knows it is a grateful
partnership. With this attitude, if he doesn't do what you ask, it is not big
deal - you are still happy to just be with him and because it wasn't a demand,
your "pride" isn't hurt and you (meaning whoever!) can stay calm. You want the
experience to always be positive :) ... you sound like you know this though ;)
This is still how I ride with Annie - every ride is a gift she gives to me - I
try to always be very grateful and conscious of that."</div>
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<strong>Present day.</strong></div>
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I've been worried about Joey's fitness lately. The other morning he galloped up from the second paddock for breakfast; and though it was 5 or 6 strides, he had sort of a coughing fit when he stopped in front of me. I remembered a fitness schedule that was published in one of my DK "Horse and Pony Care" books, and decided to start him on that. They start you out just walking for the first two weeks, gradually building up from 20 minute lessons to 45 minutes. No training and gridwork or hacking is involved -- just a pleasure walk on level ground. </div>
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So we walked around the only little bit of level ground that we have in a clearing in the woods that we kids have always called the "wheat field" (there's no real wheat there; but the grass grows shoulder-height and turns golden in the summer). Joey tried to be fresh; and I found that there were a lot of things that I need to work on, like staying still and steady through my legs and seat and hands (we rode bareback).</div>
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I'm part of a little horse-owning/loving group that Mosie brought together on Facebook. She came up with the idea of doing a kind of group project. We all agreed on the project of teaching our horses the bow. She put up a video of her teaching it to a new horse named Sierra using liberty methods (I also got to see the way she uses clicker training-- something new to me). She really only did two steps in the first video: getting Sierra to lift her left front leg on visual command, and then combining that with a target-touch between her front legs.</div>
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I was so excited to do this group project; but Joey can't see my visual cue [of lifting my hand to indicate a leg-lift] and he can't see the target to touch it. But I wasn't about to give up the group project; it's just the accountability I need to teach Joey the bow. So I just shrugged my shoulders and told myself that I would just have to get creative.</div>
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Because I'm not a very creative person, all I could come up with was tapping Joey on the leg with my whip and saying "*left". (*My idea with "left" is that maybe Joey can memorize his left and his right? It sounds a lot like "lift"; so if I need to abandon that thought and go with the simpler idea of "lift" just meaning lift a front leg, then we can. :) ) But right off the bat, Joey was backing up instead of lifting; and Mosie emphasized (kinda) be careful what movement you reward.</div>
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Now I was torn: I feel that I would really like Joey to think about the training and try and correct himself/figure it out himself; but in the past when we've taken that attitude, he doesn't try<em> anything except</em> what he did before that isn't working (in this instance, the back up), and then we both get frustrated.</div>
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So I opted for the less painful route: I asked Joey to back up to the fence and then I picked up his leg as if I was going to clean his hoof, and said "left". (I should note here that before I asked him to back to the fence, I did try to break it down to me picking up his leg as if to clean his hoof; but even then, for some weird reason, he kept backing.) Then I remembered that we were going to use the whip as an aid; so I began tapping his leg, saying "left", <em>and </em>picking it up. After several gos at this, I stopped picking up his leg and just tapped it and said "left". He lifted his leg! But after that, he wouldn't; so we went back to what we knew: me picking it up. We got to the point where I was gently leaning into his shoulder to shift his weight, tapping, and saying "left", and he was picking it up (for the most part). </div>
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I have a feeling that it's going to take us a while to get to the actual bow. But that's ok: slow and steady wins the race; patience is a virtue; and most of all: I'm learning a <em>ton </em>about training horses while doing this, and I am finally clued into breaking the big things down into little steps and working at the horse's pace (both things I've never been able to wrap my mind around and totally understand).</div>
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I will note that a couple of times Joey pawed instead of just lifting. The first time, I accidentally rewarded; so he did it a second time, which I did not reward because it wasn't the movement I was looking for. I was excited when I asked for the lift a third time and I saw him thinking hard about what it was I wanted him to do. He tried just lifting his leg like we had been doing and he got rewarded! :P</div>
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We had another lesson in leg-lifting after supper. I screwed up my courage and positive attitude (I was sighing a lot, believing that because it was a little difficult the first time, we were never going to get it). Do you know what? I was prepared to lift his leg like we had already done so many times because he seemed like it wasn't connecting in his brain; but I tapped his leg with the whip, said "left", and touched his shoulder with mine as I was bending down, and his leg popped up before I could grab it! You can imagine the praise he got for that! ^.^ I only gave him a second to think about it (Joey tends to lose interest if I let him sit too long without presenting the cue again) and then I tapped his leg, said "left", and touched his shoulder. He lifted his leg again! We did it several more times; and though we were not able to do it just yet with just the voice command of "left", at least I wasn't having to bend over and pick his leg up for him anymore!</div>
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I'm beginning to think the bow <em>is </em>possible for Joey and I! ^.^</div>
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~Sam</div>
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SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-84620587279906674122013-01-18T12:51:00.000-08:002013-01-18T13:03:55.725-08:00Lots of Stuff About JoeyTime for a new blog post! <br />
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But first, an announcement: I am proud to announce that Joey Joey won the honor of Horse of the Day on horsechannel.com on Sunday! ^.^ I was excited; we've been members of the website (and subscribed to the magazine, Horse Illustrated) for three years now and hadn't ever gotten HotD.<br />
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<strong>An entry from my Horse Journal, 1-16-13</strong><br />
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It is Wednesday. I am not kidding you: it has not stopped raining since Saturday night. Really. I've kept careful track. So, I haven't been logging much because it has been too wet (and cold) to do <em>anything </em>with Joey as of late. <br />
Today, to boost my spirits (not really specifically for me), Mosie posted the amazing, dream-attaining video of her and Annie riding bareback and bridleless on the beach -- just like The Black Stallion! I was [jealous, but more] so excited for her! She totally deserves that experience after all of the faith she's put into the dream. Joey and I wouldn't be where we are today without her, so I am truly ecstatic for her! (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZqkWmS_LZE" target="_blank">Here's</a> the vid. You need to watch it.)<br />
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Earlier this week, Shelby and I took Joey for another walk in the woods. He enjoys getting out.<br />
And I think back on rain-less Saturday, Shelby and I put him under saddle for a 10 minute walk-halt lesson; but that was all the real exercise he's gotten in almost a week. But that's ok, because it's been super cold and he needs his energy to stay warm in such a damp world.<br />
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Yesterday, he and I went on another walk -- or tried to. We got down to the tractor shed and all of a sudden he got it in his head that he knew exactly the way home from there. He took off without me, not seeming to realize it until he was in the front yard, standing on a slope in the drizzle. He suddenly stopped in his march homeward and began looking around anxiously for his herd mate. Of course I was following the whole way, but I don't think he knew that; I called out to reassure him, and he nickered in his relieved tone. Silly boy. Then it was a cookie for comfort, and a squeal and playful head toss + paw combination from him, and then we settled down to graze in the misty rain.<br />
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This evening, while he was eating his grain, I piled gravel in his doorway -- it was the worst muddy mess I have ever seen, and I was beginning to get worried about him really hurting himself by getting a leg stuck in the thick mud. I'll have to dig it all out again when I want to close the stall door (which I rarely ever do) (we really just need a gutter) -- but it was worth it (<-- picture that mess). O.O<br />
Then, I decided that Joey and I aren't going to magically be able to instantly ride bareback and bridleless, no matter how much or what kind of prep work we do. . .right? <em>[Not so sure I feel the same anymore; but we've begun the progress, so might as well continue and see what happens.] </em>So, I tied the lead rope from his rope halter that was hanging nearby into a loop/"liberty neck ring" and draped it over his neck. I got on his back (which, he had the option of walking away from me perched on the fence; I made sure that was clear) and we gave it a go.<br />
I think he did really well (keeping in mind that this kind of thing doesn't happen over night). Whereas before, I had no way of directing him without a bit/when I just hopped on naked Joey in the paddock, I had some more control from the neck ring; which surprised me since it wasn't connected to his face. Let's just say that I felt before that Joey had lost all ability to neck-rein and could not be controlled without reins attached to his nose. <br />
But tonight, even though he gravitated to the gates as usual, we backed and made some turns with only *slight* cues from the neck rope! What a major break through! At some points I found myself really hauling on the rope, trying to get him to go away from the gate. But then I made myself relax and remember that it wouldn't come over night and that this was just for fun. And then just sitting by the gate, or backing a step or two <em>was </em>fun!<br />
But the overall best part that's got me so excited was near the end: I nudged him away from the gate and <em>asked </em>him (lightly and loosely/relaxed) to go out into the paddock, headed away from the gate -- something he hadn't done willingly for me yet. And you know what? I felt him really step out <em>willingly</em>! We walked the length of the barn, toward the second paddock without so much as a slight pick up of the neck rope from me -- <em>we </em>walked there <em>together</em>; he and I! I was ecstatic -- I still am! <br />
It was our first real connection under saddle!<br />
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Note: I've also begun giving him free-choice forage 24/7, and I think it's making him feel good/better; he's been more energetic and interested in whatever I'm doing, and it would appear that food is not always on his mind anymore. Yay! ^.^<br />
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<strong>Back to present day.</strong><br />
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Joey and I did another lesson in bareback, bridleless riding last night, after supper. He seemed to be more contrary yesterday; I think he's just tired of all the wet. (For the big finale of the nonstop-rainy week, it snowed two inches yesterday morning, and then melted completely away under a bright sun by the afternoon! What a finish! It was beautiful! ^.^ ) Because he seemed more contrary, I tried to be patient and remember: it's just for fun/it doesn't come over night/"always strive to build good habits and good memories" (a quote from one of my horse training books). So, I did not get worked up about his grumpiness -- which is a big break through for me. ;) And you know what? By the end of the lesson, we had walked willingly the length of the barn (stepping out away from the gate) twice -- <em>bareback and bridleless</em>! I was so proud of him, even though he was being tough for the rest of the ride. And he seemed to perk up a little after I praised him for walking out like that.<br />
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As for other business: Last week, I had a moment of discontentment with my horsey situation. (Rather keep the motive to myself.) So I headed out to the barn to do the chore of washing the linens to put myself back in my place, and I ranted to Joey. And do you know what he told me (more or less)? He said that things happen for a reason -- but then, some things <em>don't </em>happen for a reason.<br />
He said that he has me right now and that I have him right now; and that we might not be famous and/or have the most ideal circumstances (in my mind), but we're learning from each other just the same. And that's the best thing that can happen between a horse and human.<br />
He told me that he's happiest just being able to be a horse and to have good care and good companions -- he couldn't care less about being on the road and/or being some hot shot (like sometimes I wish we were), because that's just not how horses wanna live out their lives. They're quiet, gentle, slow folk. <br />
And when he saw that that didn't quite cheer me up, he reminded me that we'll always have each other -- even into the future, after college.<br />
He's not just my horse or my pet for right now; he's my partner forevermore, even after I get done with my learnin'.<br />
And maybe now is not our time to shine; maybe we just have to be patient, or even just be content to shine through the stories we'll tell when we're old. I mean, how many kids can say that their first horse was a blind one? A young blind one that taught them never to give up in life? That taught them that there's <em>always </em>light in the dark tunnel -- even if it's artificial light you gotta make yourself to keep you believing until you reach the real stuff at the end of the darkness. There's <em>always </em>light. Simply believing that and being friend these past three years is a wonder in and of itself.<br />
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So thanks for reading. I hope you did check out the video of Mosie and Annie (if not, you can always scroll back up and check it out ;) ). And I hope you come back for more and/or decide to follow. Don't be afraid to comment if you have questions or advice or anything to say at all.<br />
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~Sam<br />
<br />SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-56288346362712910732013-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:002013-01-11T12:42:13.404-08:00Ranting About Lists and CleanlinessAck!!<br />
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It's raining and muddy and yucky out; so that puts much of a damper on my time spent with Joey. We want to be together; but the air itself is just so wet and heavy that neither of us are enjoying being out much. So, we go out for feed and a rub, but that's about it at the moment. I love to ride in the rain (except for the mess it makes all over my clothes if I ride bareback and my tack if we ride with tack) but Joey hates getting rained on. He sees no point in going traipsing through the muddy woods with wet leaves clinging to him all over (remember our bur problem?).<br />
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I do not feel quite myself anyway, what with all the med doses I am having to take with this lymph node problem of mine. What? I didn't tell you about that? Well, long story short: Since Thanksgiving I have had a golf ball-sized lump under my arm; it appeared about the same time as an infectious-looking knot on my finger. Mom and the doc are hoping that it's one and the same thing (my lymph node reacting to trying to get a foreign object out of my finger). Doc prescribed me three doses of steroids three times a day and antibiotics twice a day for a little while and we're hoping that'll take care of it. If not, then it's off to get a biopsy done (ew). <br />
But anyway, the meds (mostly the steroids) are being no fun, making me feel irritable and foggy-headed and nauseous; and to make things worse: I have to take my last dose of steroids for the day at 10 in the evening, so that pushes bed time back a couple of hours (which a horse owner who does enjoy sleeping in can't really afford to do). So yeah. No fun. And messing up the whole routine. Not to mention this weather. *sigh* -_-<br />
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So, upon this rainy, muddy, damp and foggy-headed day, I have decided that it is a good day for making lists. Lists of all kinds of things (well, speaking in the horsey realm, of course). It just occurred to me: All my childhood, I dreamed of having a nice, clean, organized barn, even when I just had the one childhood pony. What happened? Did I lose that dream? Because my barn currently does not resemble in any way, shape, or form the cleanliness I had envisioned. I know what happened: reality attacked. Owning a horse takes up a lot more time, effort, and thought than I originally expected as a young girl. Still, my love for the barn work has not been ruined for good; just. . .depressed by the lack of organization.<br />
So, lists it is. Lists of barn chores that I <em><strong>will</strong></em> make it a habit to complete daily; as well as lists of things that I would prefer to be done weekly-- such as rinsing buckets and sweeping up hay, etc. I mean, come on, I was certainly raised better than this (meaning, by the hunter/jumper barn I used to work at during my early teen years). I will strive to create these habits of cleanliness over the next several months and strive to instill them in my apprentice, Miss Shelby Hoskins of 13 years. If anything, I must teach her to run a neat, tidy, and safe barn, even if there is only one horse.<em> </em>The world depends upon it (well, in a way). <br />
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During all of this list-making, I am educating myself finally on everything that is usually done at horse farms to prepare for spring. Stuff that we've never done. What do you do around the barn to prepare for spring? I know many horse people compete their horses come spring and summer, but obviously Joey and I can't. But what about barn maintenance and upkeep? Care to enlighten me on your annual routine come March? I dearly hope so.<br />
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Note: Took lots of "before" pics to compare with when I finish organizing my messy barn. But alas, blogger is still being a booger head. So we will have to remain patient (although I'm not sure how much more patience I have for this problem. . . I blame the steroids. . .I do with everything else that's been going on. . . -_- )<br />
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~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-6957333662617256342013-01-09T18:55:00.001-08:002013-01-09T18:56:12.886-08:00A Grand Day OutThis afternoon, I went out with the intention of riding through our bends and walk-halt transitions since it's muddy. But when I went out to see Joey, he was girth-sore and sleepy, and I remembered that yesterday, after our ride, I had made a mental note that we would take today off from riding since Joey was likely to be sore. Sill me. :)<br />
But I still wanted to spend some quality time with my boy. So I went down to the second paddock and grabbed the blue tarp off the fence and <em>we </em>played with that for a few minutes, eating cookies, and just enjoying being together.<br />
Then I got the grand idea to get out of the paddocks and take a walk on our [only] trail; we hadn't been out in a while. So I grabbed Joey's rope-halter; he came eagerly to have it put on, wanting to know what we were going to do next. We went out the gate; and from the way he "settled in", I knew he thought we were walking laps. :P I grinned and changed the course on him, going around to the backyard. It was a little scary at first (he thought we were going to fall into the pool). We inspected grass, acorns, rotting timber, leaf piles, rotting hay, and old plastic wagon, oil drums, and my dad's goods trailer (ya know: one of those small covered trailers that you can't put horses in?). The trailer was a little spooky, but we managed.<br />
Instead of going down our regular trail, though, we suddenly felt adventurous and turned off of the trail and headed into the woods, down the leafy hill, trying our best to find spaces between the trees and shrubs big enough for a certain large bottom *ahem*ahem*. Joey was just as interested in exploring these new woods as I was; yet, he stayed calm. He had to figure out how and when to reach each hoof up and over in turn in order to get over a tree branch from time to time. And he got his legs into some situations in which I was expecting him to panic; but he never did. Instead, he either calmly worked his way through his predicament, or stood there, patiently waiting for me to get him unstuck.<br />
A couple of these times included there being too much slack in the lead rope, so he would accidentally step on it, pinning his nose to the floor. Each time, he would only sigh and calmly back up, releasing his face. Then I got an idea: why did I need to hold the lead rope when he was following right by my side? Sure, there was the risk that he would spook, bolt, and either run into a tree, or step in a hole and hurt himself; but he had already handled so many other new situations with success on that walk that I decided to risk it (<em><u>always</u></em> consider <em>all </em>of the possible risks before doing something out of the ordinary with a horse!). I knotted his lead rope into his mane, leaving enough loose so that I could grab him if I needed to, but not enough so that he was stepping on it. It worked: he followed close behind as we explored our way down the leafy hill, deeper into the strange woods. <br />
Of course, soon we came to the old barbed wire fence that divides the properties. The fence is down in disrepair and buried well under the ground in some places -- Joey and I could have walked across with no problems. But, alas, a large tree had fallen close on the other side of this, and I thought that even the smaller branches looked too solid for Joey to navigate. (And I've always, always had a fear of barbed wire when it's around horses; I've learned the hard way to always expect the worst and the unexpected; especially when it comes to barbed wire fencing.) <br />
So we turned around and headed back to the familiar trail. The only exploring Joey felt like doing after that was of the old, dead grass along the trail. So I went on ahead, trying to see if there were more hidden trails big enough for the both of us away back in the trees. After a while, I threw a glance over my shoulder to check on him, and, much to my surprise, I saw him trot right on past me down the trail, head and tail up, looking like he was searching for me. Suddenly, I thought of how the trail dead-ended at the pond a little ways up, and I came out from "hiding" and he came right to me.<br />
Calm walk home, except for a part where he was once again afraid that we were going to fall in the pool. (I really hope someday we can work through that fear; but I have a feeling it's going to take a long while. :/ )<br />
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Aaaand pictures are still not working on blogger. -_- <br />
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So I guess to finish up, I want to share something that my friend Mosie told me:<br />
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"The difference is (when working with horses) is the intention. It is not about the goal, making sure the horse is "correct", or forcing "fun/activity/etc" - its about the relationship and communication you make on the way. The thing is, the simplicity of it is what makes it so complicated. Children, with their innocence and pure love for the horse and who they are when with the horse, hold the key of trust without trying. The simple connection they have is something people work to get back for years. They automatically possess the "missing piece". Think of yourself, when you were younger - that little girl, the horse-crazy girl who simply loved horses for their grace and beauty (in every meaning of the word), she did not think about what "needed to be done". And she was fulfilled. She was natural with her friend. This is all we need you see... the pure love, the great bliss of simply enjoying each other... this can be the only key. At least that is what I see."<br />
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Again, you can view Mosie working through these methods/ideas with her mare Annie at her YouTube page<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/LittlePistolAnnie/videos?view=0&flow=grid" target="_blank"> here</a>, or get in touch with her via Facebook<a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001176625073&ref=tn_tnmn#!/mosie.trewhitt" target="_blank"> here</a>. She's always ready to talk horses, and she's super friendly and encouraging! :)<br />
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Thanks or reading; and, as always, I hope you decide to come back for more. <br />
<br />
~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-71975246695545064132013-01-09T08:58:00.003-08:002013-01-09T08:58:51.777-08:00Unconditional Blessings--But Even More To Be FoundJust some thoughts I had the other day that I wanted to put down somewhere:<br />
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I think that before, in my spiritual practices, I honestly thought that God would not do as I asked/take care of me unless I consistently read my Bible and prayed for these things. If I was not consistent in my spiritual practices, I honestly thought that as a result, I was more vulnerable to bad things happening to me -- I had not asked for His belssings/guidance/protection, nor had I remaind faithful; so He wouldn't love me. At least, that's how my train of thought used to travel.<br />
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But what I've seen over the last year is the opposite. I believe that I have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, and therefore I am a child of God, receiver of all of His blessings as well as His fatherly, loving discipline.<br />
Over the last year, my spiritual practices have been sporadic at best. And yet, the LORD has dealt boutifully, generously, and mercifully to me. I have discovered, truly, that God's blessings are not dependent on me. He gives them freely to me without conditions. Amazing, isn't it?<br />
Rather, the spiritual practices are for my own benefit. There are so many "extra" blessings that can be gleaned from reading God's Word and talking to Him that He has hidden there for me. It's like having a treasure in a chest; I just have to take the time to open the chest. That's all. No conditions and contracts attached to taking time to open the chest. And you know what? There are even <em>more </em>hidden blessings to be found in consistency and routinely commiting the spritual pracitces. No strings attatched. <br />
So, if God's blessings are not dependent on the consistency of your spritual practices, and if there are a bounty of extra, hidden blessings to be found upon commiting the spiritual practices with absolutely no strings attatched, why not take the small amount of time it takes to simply open the chest to access the treasure?<br />
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~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-16023104079027317712013-01-08T19:28:00.002-08:002013-01-08T19:28:45.202-08:00Happy To Be Together (Well, Except For A Lump On Joey's Foot...)Joey has been pretty much left to himself in the paddock over the last 2 or 3 days. We've been really busy. But this afternoon, I went out to take his blanket off (it was still <em>that </em>cold by noon O.O ), and then decided that he ought to be groomed (he was looking a little unkempt); and I thought we could both use the time together.<br />
So we were grooming in our new cross ties, having a blast just being together. He's picked up the habit of always wanting to investigate <em>everything </em>before I tough his body with it -- from my own hands, to the saddle, to the curry comb, and even the hoof pick! Yet, as a result of me being polite and letting him be curious (and even respecting him when he says "no" every so often) we are working much better together; and h is willing to follow me just about anywhere and do just about anything for me.<br />
our goal lately has been to get back in the saddle -- to give me practice before riding lesson horses again in college, and to give him practice for patiently teaching siblings how to ride when I'm gone. Even though we were consistent in our thrice-daily walks for about a week, and it's been a few days since our last walk, he was being so interactive during grooming, that we decided to tack up -- leg wraps and all!<br />
Soon, we found ourselves eagerly taking the bit out of my cupped hand as if it were a treat -- first time he has <em>ever </em>taken it like <em>that</em> *gasp*! -- and climbing aboard to set off for a ride. We were both super happy to be stepping out in the "arena" (the second paddock) again.<br />
We were only going out to do a walk-trot-halt transition lesson to tune up the brakes before siblings start climbing aboard (mostly walk; and we had to keep in mind that we are [both] still toning our riding muscles.)<br />
But as soon as we got in the pen, Joey swerved into a ginormous fire-anthill, demolishing it between his back legs. I knew immediately what to expect; and no sooner did I shorten my reins and tighten my seat before Joey went from a standstill to a bucking, galloping, head-tossing, snorting bronc! The pen isn't very big, so I was trying to stay sweet but firm with all of my aids as I tried to get him to calm down while steering him around obstacles (like the fence) and trying to keep my hat on with one hand during the wicked breeze that had decided to strike up (I have <em>got </em>to make a stampede string for that hat. . .). I wasn't sure if he would, but Joey angrily stopped moving long enough for me to swing down and wipe the biting fire ants off of his legs and out of his tail, checking all of his polo wraps, as well. <br />
Then it was calmly and alertly back to our walk-trot-halt transitions -- more walking than trotting, of course. (I do feel really bad for him when it happens; but when the ordeal is all said and done, I can't help but laugh out loud at the pure monster of rage my often placid, sluggish young boy turns into when it comes to fire ants -- and burs; he absolutely can't <strong><em><u>stand </u></em></strong>burs being anywhere on him. Which makes riding on 17 acres of country woods challenging at times. -_- )<br />
Shelby (my 13yo sister) had been sent out by Mom to monitor me since I haven't been feeling very well lately. She swung up for a quick ride to work on her walk-halt (we're still working up the confidence to trot ;) ). She's got nice hands and a nice seat, especially for a "beginner" -- hardly any of it having anything to do with me or my teaching, I'm sure. No, I strongly believe that the all-time best teacher for riding is to just get on a horse and ride.<br />
. . .Which means that if I want Shelby to be able to handle Joey without any supervision, I'll have to share. Hmph. ;)<br />
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Joey was a sweet baby-face the whole time we were untacking and grooming (and we took our time, let me tell you). And he nickered at me the whole time I walked back to the house. ^.^ <br />
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We were all three simply happy just being together. <3<br />
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I did notice that Joey has a hard knot on his pastern, close to his coronet band. I was a little skeptical about riding, but we decided to go ahead, since it didn't look like it was anywhere super risky. I meant to take a picture to ask if any of my readers could tell me if it looks familiar to them. I've never seen one like this in this particular spot before. And when something out of the ordinary pops up on my horse's skin, then I become a worry wart. I'll try to get a picture of it up soon. In the meantime: can anybody tell me anything about bumps on the front of the pastern? It was maybe the size of a penny. And it was hard and didn't appear to give him any pain, even when we were riding.<br />
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*Well, I wanted to post a few pictures I took of my buddy today; but blogger has decided to be a jerk. So we will just have to wait for tomorrow. <br />
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Now it's off to take my [prescribed] steroids dose for the evening and stay up a couple more hours with that coursing through my body, catching up on Downton Abbey. :)<br />
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Thanks for reading. Don't be afraid to comment! I hope you decide to follow and/or come back for more.<br />
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~Sam<br />
SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-85279727309163543532013-01-03T10:53:00.001-08:002013-01-03T11:04:47.131-08:00A Ride So Glorious, It Deserved Its Own Entry! Yesterday, Joey and I extended his walks to a total of eight laps around the yard each time (when before, we were doing only four); and we try to talk these laps at least twice a day. But on our morning walk yesterday, before breakfast, I decided that I could begin to put him back into a bit and ride him bareback at a walk around the yard all eight laps; I thought that maybe it would help tone his back muscles to prepare for the saddle a little better; and it'll help me get back into shape and "relearn" how to ride again (I haven't ridden on over two months!).<br />
He doesn't like the bit. Yesterday he didn't say "no," but he had to play with it a long moment to get used to it again (and I'm sure the metal was cold). <br />
This morning, though, he flat out said "no" to it when I jingled it to let him know what my intentions were. He walked to the other side of the fence with slanted ears; but when I just remained quietly, warming the bit under my shirt, without pursuing him, his ears came forward, his eyes grew soft, and he watched me with an interested look. I talked to the cats a little as I stood there, and he took a few steps closer to me again. I turned and said in one of my sweetest voices, "I guess you don't want your cookie then, Joey?"<br />
I don't know if he understood what I said, or it it was my voice or the fact that I hadn't pursued him and forced the bit into his mouth like I now remember I used to do without realizing it; at any rate, he ended up standing quietly (though <em>without </em>slanted ears) by my side. I let him nose the bridle, reminding him what my intentions were, and giving him every opportunity to say "no." But he didn't. He accepted the reins over his head and the chilly bit in his mouth and me on his back. He knew exactly where we were going, too; and without my having to steer him too much, he began his laps around the yard.<br />
I made an observation, too, while I was riding:<br />
<br />
Ob. 6: You don't have to exaggerate your movements in the saddle. A horse can feel a fly landing on him; he can definitely feel every one of my "heavy", "jerky" movements.<br />
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One of the gifts I received from my parents on Christmas was a DVD with episodes from a television show that is titled "The World of Horses". I'd never heard of it before, but it's really informative, being a show that is all about the different jobs horses have in the world.<br />
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After studying the way the barrel racers rode during training on one of the episodes on this DVD, and then noticing how Joey was stiff in his turns/corners, I decided that we should work on becoming supple in our turns while we were just walking laps for exercise. I realized that Joey is already well on his way to having fingertips control on the bit; but even when I exaggerated the leg motions that went with turning, I found him trying to resist me. <br />
But then, I <em>started out </em>in exaggerated motions; I was leaning too far and stiffening up my legs and seat in expectation of his own "bracing" against me. I tried to keep a positive attitude as we turned to walk in the other direction, remembering what I've heard time and time again about suppleness not coming over night.<br />
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Suddenly, my attention was turned back to my riding as I realized that I was instinctively but lightly curing Joey around the turns -- and he was responding like a dream! I tried to figure out what he was responding to, and I think the biggest and most helpful difference I found in my absentminded riding from my super-focused riding was that I wasn't leaning my body at all. I also found my seat to be firm, yet relaxed; and I remembered what one Canadian barrel racer had said on my DVD: everything is worked from the center of your saddle. <br />
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As I embraced my new discovery in riding, Joey's ears were pointed forward and his stride had more purpose. His turns were very supple, as well.<br />
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That ride, at a walk, and simply for exercise, was one of the most beautiful we've had together! ^.^<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMF7uLlhMTY1RFLIXvJZeW8wow8WGi-j2fJQgwlBkqmEuGBsh4mp5lO1E-_dwvPdgrTfy8yvLsAbf8s0Ihc6QnBGetKIWCFlCCBqvb6SZ0iVwHyUxOYi6u6LX2C8fvlXIdtkxWmfU0NM/s1600/2011+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMF7uLlhMTY1RFLIXvJZeW8wow8WGi-j2fJQgwlBkqmEuGBsh4mp5lO1E-_dwvPdgrTfy8yvLsAbf8s0Ihc6QnBGetKIWCFlCCBqvb6SZ0iVwHyUxOYi6u6LX2C8fvlXIdtkxWmfU0NM/s320/2011+080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A picture I found of us on another ride a couple of years ago. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Thanks for reading. Don't be afraid to come back for more entries later! <br />
<br />
PS: I added a couple of quotes that I really liked onto my sidebar. Like them? :)<br />
<br />
~SamSammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6456125821962928100.post-16525476139984084132013-01-03T10:30:00.005-08:002013-01-03T10:53:17.162-08:00Entries From My Horse Journal And Advice From Mark Rashid On Horses<strong>12-29-12</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Joey has been unresponsive and mostly disinterested so far, and it's downright discouraging. The only time he showed real animation was when I went back to using a halter and tying him up and grooming-- "aggressive" behavior with goals [is the best way I can describe it compared to what I was hoping to accomplish with him].<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-7DRDqepgC2qIULecmyk1d7xsHo-TEdb8-UTsv4kGjfJXmQqW8D4EtiRBwQDffyZ68e8PwQ_davpFdTLsifJu6zZ8no7mSryLmxuYFh1ZMHvaMFSCGDYA2d7k612q1552gLx4WTIKsU/s1600/HorseNeverLiecover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG-7DRDqepgC2qIULecmyk1d7xsHo-TEdb8-UTsv4kGjfJXmQqW8D4EtiRBwQDffyZ68e8PwQ_davpFdTLsifJu6zZ8no7mSryLmxuYFh1ZMHvaMFSCGDYA2d7k612q1552gLx4WTIKsU/s1600/HorseNeverLiecover.jpg" /></a>The following are quotes from Mark Rashid's book "Horses Never Lie". I bought it the other night in a desperate attempt to figure out what Joey and I were doing wrong. I think I'm beginning to understand what the problem is now.<br />
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<strong><em>"The title ['passive leader'] actually refers to the way the horse is chosen for the role, not what it does once it's 'appointed'.</em></strong><br />
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". . .people automatically assumed that in order for our horses to see us as passive leaders, we must treat them in a passive way. . .<br />
". . .the word passive, by definition, means 'not acting'. How could we possibly train or work with our horses by not acting?"<br />
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According to Rashid, the qualities that one must possess in order to be chosen as a passive leader by their horse are as follows: quiet confidence, dependability, consistency, and a willingness <em>not </em>to use force.<br />
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I was too passive before. And even though he did it (kind of), I could always tell that Joey was not happy being allowed to "walk all over me" [as I now view what our interactions were like].<br />
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<strong>Back to present day.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
Since the 29th of December, after observing the way Joey perked up and was more friendly and comfortable when I used a halter and had a goal in mind, I decided that he was looking a little flabby. So, we began taking regular walks in the front yard, before meals and, recently, at around noon, even though it's been very rainy and a little on the chilly side. I originally incorporated these walks into our day to get Joey to exercise a little bit. But lately I've noticed that he whinnies again when I come out; and he comes to me me or just stands alertly without taking steps away when I go to halter him. Maybe it's the cookie he gets before and after the walk; or maybe having a consistent routine makes him trust me better -- all I know is that even through the chilly wind, the mud, and the rain, he's still eagerly, yet calmly following me in laps around the yard, now three times a day. On days when the rain stops, I take him inside and groom him every day at noon. Other days, he's too wet. <br />
We're reliable friends again. ^.^<br />
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Here are some other quotes from Rashid that I think are really helping Joey and I to understand and work better with one another:<br />
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"He [talking about the first horse trainer Rashid worked for] would set things up for the horse to make a decision and allow the horse to make it. He never seemed overly concerned about forcing a horse to do something it wasn't comfortable doing or punishing a wrong decision. He would simply let whatever was going to happen, happen, and then go from there. It was a simple idea, but very effective -- for both horses and people.<br />
". . .he always had a very easy-going air about him. That wasn't to say that he would let horses have the run of the place or that he didn't expect them to behave themselves and have decent manners. But he also made a big effort to allow them to have their say in everything being asked of them. He would listen to them, take their point of view into consideration, and go from there. As a result, all his horses were extremely consistent, willing, quiet, and responsive."<br />
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The same trainer from the above quotes explained to Rashid on the subject of "lazy" horses that horses go slow because they are wisely conserving energy that they might need to get away from a predator. Even though there may not be any wolves or lions anywhere about, the horse doesn't know that; the number one priority in their lives is just to stay alive from one day to the next. Rashid claims that this thinking is programmed by Mother Nature and is therefore a way of thinking, to an extent, for all horses, no matter who they are or what they do. As a result, they will not expend energy unless they see a purpose in doing so/the reason seems important to them.<br />
" 'So, what we need to do is find a way to make what you want to do important enough so that she wants to do it with you.' "<br />
Rashid goes on to explain, through the example of his work with this "lazy" mare, that attitude is everything. <br />
"He told me that the way I was riding had a lot to do with how Star had perceived the situation. He explained that I was riding without purpose or direction. Up to that point I had been demanding that she go, but not giving her any place to go. He pointed out that the whole time I was hitting her with the reins and kicking her in the sides to try to get her to move faster, I was also staring straight at her head. By looking at her instead of where I wanted to go, I wasn't giving her any direction. . .It turns out that by constantly staring at the mare's head in such a way, I was actually riding in a sort of ball. . .As far as Star was concerned, my body had the feel of a giant, uncomfortable lump that she had been relegated to packing around. There was no 'togetherness' in how I was riding; I was simply riding on the mare, not with her.<br />
". . .The mechanics of what we had done weren't difficult to understand. It was a matter of not expecting the horse to do the work if I wasn't willing to do it with her. By showing her with my body position and attitude in the saddle that I actually had a clue as to what I was doing, the work became important to both of us (even if it was just going across the arena)."<br />
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Upon reading reviews of Rashid's book "Horses Never Lie" before reading it myself, I found very mixed opinions on it. While several people simply stated that every horse owner should have this book in their library, there were quite a few that expressed disappointment at how the book was put together -- they said that it was more of a story book than the training book it claims to be.<br />
Unsure which side to believe, I went ahead and skeptically bought the book and began to read Rashid's discoveries for myself. <br />
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I give this book five stars and beyond! <br />
I whole-heartedly repeat what those others have said: if you own a horse, you need this book on your shelf. It has shown me ways of thinking that I never would have come up with on my own; and thus Rashid's "methods" have already given me successful communication with my horse.<br />
There is so much more to it than what I post here. All I can say is that you should definitely get this book for yourself, and your horse. Your equine friend will thank you profusely; take it from a skeptic turned believer.<br />
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Thanks for reading. I hope you come back for more!<br />
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~Sam<br />
<br />SammyJohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13336510256423236479noreply@blogger.com0