A Good Mustang Day

What a beautiful day it was Sunday! The weather couldn't have been more perfect. The grass is green and the wild flowers are in full bloom. We had a good day with the horses. We put a surcingle on Maverick and it was no big deal to him. He acted like he's always worn one. We were also able (I should say Jim) to get all four feet picked up and cleaned. He's still not happy about picking up the back ones but he's getting better. Shawnee was turned out in the back paddock for a short while. She didn't like the dogs but once she figured out they were on the other side of the fence she settled down. Exposing her to 7 barking dogs across the fence should be a good way to desensitize her. Fancy was taking in all the action and ran up to the fence to meet me as if to say "what about me?"

Marley & Me

I have been reading the book Marley & Me while sitting in the pen with Fancy. She must be very interested in this book. Fancy practically crawled in my lap to read it with me! She wanted in the worst way to taste the book, but of course, being a library book I couldn't exactly let her have it. When she couldn't have the book she decided to taste my shirt, my jeans, and my dirty boots. The silly horse! We can't touch her but she sure can touch us. Just proved to me that all of our subtle efforts have been paying off.....or is it just complete boredom? Whatever the reason, she is certainly coming around. Sitting in the pen does make a difference. She is very relaxed with us on a lower plane then she is. She is on her guard the minute we stand up.

The Fancy Project

Well this little mare is taking a whole lot of patience! She is getting better little by little but it is baby steps with her. My friend Kathy mentioned her to a vet today. The vet's advise since she may be pregnant is to continue slowly but spending much more time with her. He said we should just park ourselves in the middle of her pen for about 3 hours a day until she learns that humans won't hurt her. I'm sure I won't find an extra 3 hours a day but I will try to spend more time sitting with her. He suggested this because if she turns out to be pregnant we need to get our hands on the foal for imprinting or the foal will be as fearful as Fancy is. Makes sense to me. She really is getting better. I did sit with her for a while this evening and she settled down quickly. The photos above I took while in the pen with her.

Good Friends

Maverick and Shawnee are so cute together. They really like each other. They share hay and stand around and scratch each others backs. I will have to get a picture of them. They are really a beautiful pair...both dark bays. I'm so glad they are getting along.

Two for One?

We are almost 100% certain that Fancy is in foal. She is kicking at her stomach, constantly bumping it with her nose, and acts very startled as if something just kicked her. Not quite what I had in mind when we brought her home but it should be interesting.

Shawnee's New Home

It has been such a busy week! I'm way behind in updating this site. We did decide to bring Shawnee home with us. She is a beautiful little horse. She traveled like a seasoned pro. We arrived home and turned her out in the arena. She enjoyed bucking and running and is also quite good at standing on her hind two feet (I hope she doesn't do that with a rider on her back). I left her in the arena until Monday afternoon. Monday I turned her out with Maverick. She is certainly the boss but they are getting along quite well. Maverick is very submissive and is happy to be chased about by someone smaller then he for a change. Everyone who has seen her comments on what a beauty she is. I can't get over the way she moves....I can sure see her behind a cart one day.

Shawnee

We are going to look at another mustang this weekend. Her owner loves her but Shawnee never grew past 13 hands and is just too small for her. If her temperament is right she may be the perfect horse for my girls. She is absolutely beautiful and is being ridden: even shown once. She is going on 5 years and was adopted when she was about one. We're not taking on an additional horse we are swapping: Ginger, our "foster" will be returned to the parks soon. As stated in my previous post....I don't have the time to add to our collection.

Daylight Savings Time

Well, I hate the idea that I have to get up an hour earlier next week but I will appreciate the longer days. Snow, rain, cold, short days....I just haven't spent the time that I need to with these horses. Maverick is so great that with just a little time he'll be good to go. We've been working with Fancy...still trying to get our hands on her. She will walk right up to us now for grass and hay but is a long way from haltering. Now that the days will be longer, Jim and I can double team her.