much as possible each day. The weather wasn't
Wednesday on the way home from school I stopped in Down's to mail the saddle I had boxed up, but the post office was already closed. So I went to LeRoy and got it sent off from there. I had a lesson in the indoor arena, so weather was not a concern. Amiga and I continue to try hard and learn lots, but we both have plenty of room for improvement. I worry that some of my cues might be confusing her. Sometimes she does things to test me and try to get her way. Other times her inappropriate behavior seems to be a release of tension or frustration. At least her fear factor has greatly decreased and she seems more relaxed and trusting while working under saddle.
Life on the farm rolls along as usual. The chickens have been busier scrounging around and foraging for whatever looks worth pecking at. They have been out around the farm yard much more, and egg production has shown a marked improvement. One day we actually got six eggs. Thank you girls and way to go. The barn kitties, Bro and Missy, have also increased their visibility on a daily basis. They love to bird watch/hunt and tend to spend quite a bit of time up in trees, on the chicken coop roof, and even on the wooden playground fort. I quickly took the picture above
of Bro about to jump off the chicken
coop roof. He had been sleeping and got up and stretched as soon as I came outwith the camera. 
Both cats, chickens and turkey have been up on the deck and in the picnic shelter often as well.
This series of photos was taken just after sunset. I like to go sit out in the shelter for a bit if it isn't too cold. As you can see in the last photo, Missy still intimidates Kaysha. 
Sir Loin has been on his own more because of the time I have been spending with Amiga. I have also been taking her out to the front pasture where there is much more grass and a lot less dirt.
Friday morning when I went out to feed, I took one look at Amiga, and decided some grooming was a must. I couldn't unload her at the fair looking like she did. You couldn't even tell she had one white stocking. She was caked in mud and manure. This is what happens when she hangs out with Sir Loin. LOL Dan helped me load Amiga and went with me to
Wellgreen Farm (Marj's place) to help
We got there, unloaded, and got the stalls and tack all situated in short time and with out a hitch. Big sigh of relief.... I need to quit thinking about all that could go wrong, and just live in and enjoy the moment and trust in God. Romans 5:3+4 speaks of the joy faith brings in our confident hope of salvation, the words also teach for daily living. "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our hope" filling us with joy and love.
After the horses had settled in and had some hay and water, we each (other Gaited Horse Clinic riders and Larry included) worked with our four legged wonders in the outdoor arena and in the indoor arena where our clinic would be. I did notice many dirty horses coming off trailers by the way. Larry, who had two horses stalled next to us commented about whether or not to bath his horse, and said "She really isn't concerned about how she looks". I like that viewpoint. I took a break and let Amiga rest, so
I could meet up with Joe and Daniel
who were in route to St. Louis for the Yellow Ribbon weekend (which I regretted not being able to attend). They took me to the hotel (almost 3 miles away) where I checked in and unloaded stuff. Once they dropped me back off at the fair grounds, I got Amiga back out to work with her again. The wind had picked up as well as the commotion with so many more horses and people now on the scene. Amiga was a little more worried and distracted than in the morning. But I was quite pleased at how well she did. For a first time experience for her, she was remarkably calm. She did have her head up, eyes wide open and ears forward several times as golf carts, people with dogs, noisy bags or strollers, other horses, wheelbarrows with manure, rolling tack and hay carts, etc went by. But that was all that she did...no bucking, rearing, spinning, jumping, etc. Another sigh of relief... oh yea, I am supposed to relax and not anticipate all that could go wrong. Right after we finished eating
Saturday at 4:30 I was up and at it...first figuring out how to get the coffee pot to brew me some tea. After working on this blog I tried to think about and get school work done, but the anticipation of the day was just too much of a distraction. I was ready to get back to the fair grounds but decided to wait till the breakfast buffet which didn't open until 7:30 am. As it turned out, Marj and Richard joined me for breakfast and then gave me a lift back to the fair grounds. Right away I started in on saddle shopping. I found an Australian Endurance saddle that I thought would be perfect. The sales man got it all rigged for me, I paid and then off I went with my new saddle, through the fair grounds, to Amiga. As soon as I put it on her, I wondered if it was going to work. Marj confirmed my hunch, pointing out that it did not sit down on her in the back and was tight in front. It was close to time for the clinic, so I decided to see if the saddle was going to work. I warmed up in the out door arena getting a feel for the new saddle. The wind was blowing cold and spitting snow, nothing unusual for Amiga and I. The saddle did not feel quite right but I figured I just needed to adjust to the difference. When it was time, we (Amiga, Courtney, Mike and I) headed to
the clinic arena.
We could not find Larry Whitesell with one of his horses.
an open door to get in, so there was a moment of panic on my part. We managed to find a small side door, which wasn't really a horse entrance. They were all waiting for us in order to get started. oops. Larry talked (a lot) so it moved slowly, and I got cold. Looking back, I realize the clinic was as much or more for the audience as it was for us five riders. I did get lots of re-education on lightness for relaxation and comfort of the horse, which needed to be explained to others. It was good to hear it again, and I did figure out two things I was doing wrong. I was disappointed that we only rode a short time during the clinic. But I got some good tips from Jennifer (Larry's other trainer) including that the saddle had too much twist (because it was made for a quarter horse) and did not fit Amiga well. Richard on Arboleda As soon as we were done with the 2 hour
clinic, I trudged back to the saddle salesman with saddle in tow. At this point the confusion and frustration began. He did all in his power to convince me that the saddle would work with some adjustments with the pad, and that surely it was worth keeping. I was leery, but he was very pushy, and wanted to see the saddle on Amiga. I was late for a meeting time with Courtney, so left the saddle there to return and discuss it later. Well, to make a long story short, and not get into details, Marj came to my rescue and the sales man did give my money back. It had put a damper on my mood, but not for long. Saturday night we all had a fun time watching the Extreme Cowboy Race, which was an exciting event in the main coliseum. Mike and Courtney took me back to the hotel and we were all out like the lights in very short time. I slept alright, but when awake, kept wondering what I was going to do about a saddle.
I am starting to get a feel for what Amiga is doing with her feet. Knowing where she is stepping with each foot is important for the training process to progress. Look at me concentrating in these pictures.
After the clinic was over, I did some sight seeing, ate lunch and then went back to shopping for a saddle. This time I knew right where to go and what to buy. I had kind of known it all along, but the cost had been an impediment. After giving it a lot of thought and talking to Joe, I decided to make the big investment. After all the time and hassle I had already invested, the fact that I was really in need of a well fitting saddle, and because I think I will be able to sell the saddle when my riding days are over, I took the plunge. To make sure it fit, I had Courtney and Mike help me get Amiga to the barn where the saddle was, I put it on her, and it fit like a glove. It felt great sitting in it as well. So I am now the proud owner of a Freedom Gaited Horse Endurance/Trail saddle. Since Amiga was mostly tacked up, we took her back to our barn, I put in her bridle and walked her over to the outdoor arena. It was busier than ever, and Amiga was the worst she had been all three days. I really struggled to calm her down without pulling on the reigns and her mouth. I hated ending the weekend on a bad note, so once I got her to walk almost a whole lap fairly calmly, I quit. I did get a pretty good feel of the saddle and think I am really going to like it.
Loading for our trip home went well. After putting all the tack (including my new saddle), remaining hay, wood chips, gear and other paraphernalia into the trailer and truck, we loaded Amiga. I stayed with the trailer while Richard went to get Arboleda. She went right on and we were ready to roll.
Monday was not much better. I did get 2 hours worth of work done before going to school, but took a two hour nap after I got home. A bad headache and fatigue were just too much for me, so it was early to bed after getting home from our Bible study.
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