It's Winter in Maine

I apologize that I haven't posted in ages. It's been a crazy couple of months with school and everything. Winter has officially set in here. It was 25 degrees last night and didn't get above 35 today. We even got a light dusting of snow yesterday and we're supposed to get a storm tomorrow or Thursday. Might stay north of us, but we could get hit with it. Only time will tell... I wonder what Yada will think of the snow? 

To update you on a few things:
-Yada's new adult teeth are coming in quite nicely!
-The new filly is getting big! She's on the last holes on her foal halter... she'll be getting pony halter soon, I imagine. She's also getting really independent and will run away from her mother to greet people at the fence, now! She used to be clued to her mom like glue!
-There are three new boarders at the barn! One owns a thoroughbred gelding, Neb. One has a morgan mare, Champagne. And the other just purchased Jason's little white pony. So the boarder is new, but not the pony.

I have also been working on Yada with a few things. She has this habit that as soon as I mount up she immediately starts walking forward. I had had enough one day when she walked forward and I almost landed on her back, behind the saddle. I was NOT happy with that because she refused to stop. Now, I get on and I make her stop and stand there. Only issue is that she hates to stand still. She wiggles, side passes, goes backwards, and on occasion she rears up a little and throws her head. As long as she's not going forward, I just try to make her stay in one place. I'm hoping one day she backs into something and learns her lesson about going backward but so far she keeps stopping before she hits anything. She's also started acting up whenever she hears Louize whinny in the pasture. She stops, stares, whinnies, and then starts pacing, rearing, throwing her head, and wiggling everywhere. Somehow, she thinks this will make Louize magically appear or I will stop riding and let her back out with her sister. NOT happening. When she finally stops (in both occasions) and stands still for a few moments, I pat her, say "Good girl!", and then let her walk forward and we continue doing whatever it was we were doing before.  This has only happened 4 or 5 times but I think she's finally getting the idea. The last 3 times I've ridden she stands still until I'm settled but then she just launches forward before I tell her to and the process starts again until she can stand still.

Today we did a lot of work on halting. I was riding bareback with just a set of reins attached to her halter and I want to make her as good at stopping as Louize. With Louize, I lean back slightly, pinch lightly with my knees, and every so softly pull back on the reins and she comes to a dead halt. It's awesome! Yada is getting there. I practiced a lot with just the knees, leaning back, and saying "Whoa" and she was starting to get the idea and became quicker at responding. She is even starting to stand still better! What a good girl!

On to Louize: She has an AMAZING winter coat this year! I don't remember the last time she has such a thick winter coat! It was 25 last night and she didn't need a blanket! Usually she shivers because she doesn't get fed properly by stupid barn owners and she doesn't stay outside to get acclimated to the weather. Now, she spends about 50% of her time outside so she's WELL adjusted and is doing great! I'm thrilled! On top of that, she's officially eating all of her hay and grain without her omeprazole! I have been giving it to her about once a week just for maintenance and I don't want to chance taking it away completely but so far she's doing amazingly well! I taped her last Friday and she was about 850 lbs (she lost a little water weight since the move) and then today she was 865 lbs. That's a record since last year! She's come such a long way when last February she was measured as low as 739 lbs. Looking back at those pictures brings tears to my eyes. Even thinking about it now upsets me. So people out there just shouldn't be left in charge of horses...

Louize has also been super pampered these past couple of months. When I ride her I usually ride bareback with a halter and lead rope. We wander the arena a little and then we head outside to eat grass. She is living the dream! Yada actually has to do work and get trained! She lives a tough life... haha! This winter will also be the "canter project" in which I will get started on really cantering her and perfecting that. I can't wait! I always feel 100% safe on her. Even riding bareback (I'm very insecure riding bareback because I'm used to Louize who is narrow, wiggly, and I fall off of her easily when riding bareback) I feel secure! It's great! She really takes care of her rider. The first time I cantered her she didn't even go fast like a maniac! She was mellow and it was amazing! She just didn't want to stop cantering... that's all.

In all, I have been having a blast with my horses. Even if I only have time to visit them in the pasture and give them treats. I always have fun with them!