Villhauer's Farm Blessings: Ride 'Em Cowboy

I am not a cowboy, not even close. But I used to pretend I was. This photo of our three children, shows the joy in how I used to play. I have always had a love for horses and riding and the old west. This week has been engulfed in riding. So it has been a fun (and busy) one for me. And I almost feel like a cowboy, or at least a horse woman. Although, the three day clinic I just finished today was a humbling experience. There is so much I still need to learn.

Monday morning it was cool for my walk. I spent several hours working in the yard and gardens, painting, putting away building equipment, and making sure all the plants and animals were watered. I met Nan at Marj's to work with, ride and get to know her horse Roxie who I would be ridding in the clinic. Roxie is so different from Roni. I had to really work to keep her moving forward and to get her to gait. It took a lot more leg than I am used to. Marj took this photo of cute little Roxie earlier. I had to rush home, take a quick shower and then Joe and I were off to Growth group. It was just the Hotts and us, so after pie and ice-cream, we sat and talked and then played a few games of pool.

Tuesday I went to Marj's right after my walk, breakfast and Bible time. I went out and caught Roxie from the pasture, brushed and tacked her, and then rode. When I finally got her to gait for a whole loop in the indoor arena, I got off and quit, to reward her for giving me what I was asking for. Then I moved my saddle onto Ariana, who was Richard's horse. A lady was coming to look at her today so I wanted to help Marj get her ready. She reminds me a lot of Roni. She is a beautiful Paso Fino with lots of spirit. Once done with her, I got back on Roxie to work another 20 minutes.

I spent the afternoon resting and cooling off here at the computer. After dinner (Dan bought us Subway) I went out to water, clean stalls, and help Joe move the rest of the hay out of the corn crib. After that I rode Amiga and then Roni. Amiga really needs a lot of ground work to refresh her about the bit and different cues. I need brushing up on that too, so the clinic came in very helpful.
Roni and I had a good time around

here and at Becks. We rode till nearly dark. Look how nice Beck's corn looks, even with the drought. I had Roni canter down one road, but was able to keep him at a slow canter and not a race speed. Mostly we just walked and enjoyed the sun setting.

By the time I got un-tacked and Roni turned out to pasture, Dan had his outdoor theater set up and was watching "Alexander".

So strange to see a larger than life size man on a horse across the front of our barn. I watched while Stew drank his bottle.

Wednesday I was riding Roni to Marj's by 8am. I had him walk the whole way, to keep it low key and relaxed. It took us 45 minutes to get there. Then I worked with Roxi. We were in the indoor arena until a large truck load of fence panels arrived. I thought it might be better to move outside, but she got freaked out by all the commotion. This is the first I have seen Roxie on an adrenaline rush. When I took her back inside, she was easy to get gating. After I brushed and put Roxie out, I got Roni ready
to go. He had been tied and waiting

patiently. I worked him in the indoor arena for quite some time, and was pleased at how well he did. Then we went out to ride home.

He walked calmly past the big noisy truck, and even stood quietly while I talked with Marj. She got these two pictures of us. I am so proud of him and how well he is doing.

We walked all the way home, going

the long way along the canal ditch. As you can see in this photo, it is for the most part dried up. The drought is really starting to get bad. Everything is drying up. Marj has had issues with well water. Farmers are very concerned about crop yields. And I continue to water flowers, trees and garden. Hope I don't overtax our well.

As soon as Joe got home; he, Dan and I went to Marj's to help put up the heavy fence panels around her outdoor arena. It was a hot, tiring job, but we were bound and determined to get it done, which we did by 7pm. After getting cleaned up, we enjoyed Chinese carry out Marj treated us to, that Nan ran into town to pick up. Here is Nan resting on a gate looking into the indoor arena, with the outdoor arena (and it's new panels) behind her.

Thursday I decided to wait and ride Roxie later in the day. I got tons done in and around the house. Dan also decided to power wash the dirty/mossy parts of the house. He wasn't even told or asked, just decided it needed it... which it did. He has been off the hook when it comes to cutting the grass, because it has been dormant for several weeks now. The weeds still manage to grow though.

In the top photo you can see how bad the grass is. To the right, Dan is off task. Yes, that little streak at the bottom right is Abbey.

Bad Daniel... do not power wash kitty. But look what a nice job he is doing when he is on task.

The cows now have the whole corn crib to get in out of the sun and rest in.

I went to Marj's at 4:00 and people had already started to arrive with their horses. Larry Whitesell also showed up. Courtney came and we started doing some clean up jobs, washing chairs and white wall panels. I spray painted some gates and Courtney sprayed weeds.

We finished at dusk and then I got Roxie tacked to ride and Courtney got Carmeleta. I noticed Roxie was not moving smoothly and Marj watched and we decided she was mildly lame. So I put her away and helped Courtney. Carmeleta is a three year old Paso Fino that was started this spring. Marj wanted to see how she was doing. She is very young and early in her training but Courtney did a fine job on her.
When I got

home at 10pm, Joe and Dan were watching "War of the Worlds" in our outdoor theater. It is odd to see aliens killing people across the side of our barn. Our barn kitties thought it scarey.

Friday was a long, tiring, busy, educational day. The Clinic went from 9 to 5 with a one hour lunch break. I arrived at 7:00 and helped with last minute preparations, hosing down the indoor arena, and getting visiting riders what they needed. Roxie looked better, so I rode her. She did fine but I made some of the same mistakes on her as I do Roni, throwing her away by having my reins too lose. Joe and I took some old electro-brade fencing down once I got home.

Brother laying in the shady grass. Too bad it isn't soft and green. Friday evening I got a call that Nan had been given the okay from Larry to ride Roxie, and Marj offered me a great deal to ride Roni the last two days of the clinic, so I took her up on it. I was so excited for Nan and I. Down deep, I was really wishing I was on Roni. And I know Nan really wanted to ride Roxie.

Saturday morning I went to load Roni as usual. After I hooked him to the trailer tie, something spooked him and he pulled back. I couldn't get him to stop and the elastic cord stretch probably 3 feet before it snapped. Roni went flying backwards off the trailer. Neither of us got hurt and I said a little prayer of thanks. But boy was my adrenalin pumping. Roni just stood there, looking to me for direction. Here he is at Marj's waiting to get started.

I was watching and listening while sitting on Roni. There was a ton of information (some old, some new), all of which was great to hear.

Larry giving me instructions. Some things I have been doing were correct, but several things needed changing.

Larry hopped on to see what Roni was doing, and stated that Roni is a tough horse.

After riding for awhile, Larry would have Roni doing so much better. He would then stop and explain to me (and the audience) what he had done. (What I need to do.)

He worked with each rider, helping them with their "problems." And we all learned by watching and listening.

Marj rode Bien.

And Nan did a great job on Roxie.

Even though I was exhausted once home, I had some chores to attend to, although Joe took care of most of them. The night before I had seen Zorro eating off our new willow tree. He had gotten ahold of a sprig and was pulling it toward him and had the tree bent way over. So Joe and I took a ladder and some ties out to secure the top of it a little better. There was a chance of a storm, but we have learned not to wait on rain. You can see some dark clouds approaching as our herd searches for food in the dried up grass. Below shows the edge of the storm. Many times this summer, we have been missed by clouds this close.

I was back at the barn by the time the clouds let loose, and we got over an inch of much needed rain in about 30 minutes time. It really came down. Rain was a new experience for Stew. He just stayed with Babe, who, like the horses, put her butt into the wind.

Today's clinic started with a lesson on massage. That's not the same as dressage.

Marj in the audience.

Roni "on deck" waiting patiently in a stall. He does much better at this than I do.

Larry coming to help me with ground work.

Once in the saddle I get some more instruction.

He watches as I do the best I can.

Then Larry came over to show me again. He was very patient.

Finally he climbs "on board" to show me, and see how Roni is handling.

     Larry making a point while riding Roni. He says it like it is, and can be kind of tough on ya... but he really cares about the horses and wants what is best for them.

     Lightness does not mean riding with a lose reign. That is "throwing the horse away." The horse needs to "come to the bit" to collect and work under itself, which is easier, and more comfortable for the horse. Otherwise they "fall forward" on their forehand and are not moving in balance. This is why Roni rushes, because I take him out of balance on the turns. It makes soo much sense to me. Now I just need to remember how to turn him balanced and working from his haunches.

Joe joined us for lunch, and helped out by picking up the order of food for all of us.

Nan continued to progress on Roxi...

getting helpful advice from Larry.

And Marj fine-tuned Ariana.

It was a great clinic, with lots learned, and the making of new riding friends.

I got home around 5pm, showered and put on my pjs. I was done for the day. Abbey and I sat on the front porch and watched Luke cut our alfalfa as I worked on this Blog.