Downy Unstopables

It's been a long time since I've posted. Alot has happened since then. Old Jack passed away on the hill. His death was not so peaceful and it left an ache in all our hearts. It doesn't make me feel better to think he might be in the glue sticks I buy my kids for the new school year. But it does make me happy to know he is at peace now. Souls are Eternal. I do know that.

The horses have had a number of illness, absesses, aches, and pains, but everyone is in pretty good repair at the moment. Cajun gets one more shot and then I think I start riding again-- really slow rehab.

We've seen quite a few snakes of various sizes. Hopefully they were all gopher snakes.

I ran over a squirrel and contributed to the Vulture's buffet.

And now something totally unrelated. I got a free sample of Downy Unstopables. In order to get the sample, I promised to review the product and post my findings. And while I know they have no way of knowing if I am a girl of my word, the truth is I am a girl of my word and I feel I must follow through and tell you what I think.

This product is to scent your clothes. It does not clean them. It freshens them in the wash and it stays in your clothes/linens for weeks after they are washed. The scent is nice. I particularly like it when the wash is running and the whole upstairs smells like it. It gives me a false sense that my house is clean. It is not overwhelming and so far has no triggered any allergic reactions. This is a big deal for my household as we all have sensitive skin. I have used it on towels mostly, because I am too scared to try it on clothes when we do tend to have allergic reactions. If all goes well with the towels, I will try it on outer clothes, and then blankets and underoos.

You don't have to use very much of the product to get good results. But in a way it does seem silly to buy a separate product just for smells.

Paja the trouble maker

Paja went in for his x rays and what not. Too bad there isn't a mileage program from trailering horses. Paja would have earned some free flights by now.

On Saturday it was just me on the ranch. I took Shane and Cody up to the arena and let them stretch their legs. Neither one was very interested in running. Cody more so than Shane. They both wanted to stick their heads between the fence and nibble on the long green grass growing on the other side. I left them up there to graze.

I took out Cajun and let him roll in the round pen. He didn't like seeing the boys up in the arena, knowing he didn't get to join them. I tied him up and groomed him before he got an silly ideals. He is still going through treatment for his left injury. He can't be running around like a maniac. Next month we start the slow process of rehabilitation. I am going to do some research and write up a plan.

After I put Cajun away, I took out Prinze and did a 10 minute mini lesson. I would like to build up his endurance and get him in shape. He is in the prime of his life. Might as well. After wards we walked to the grass and I let him eat. He always eats the grass like it's the last time he will ever eat and he needs to get as much as he can. Kind of like me with chocolate.

I got the boys in the arena back in their stalls and locked up.

It felt good to get 4 horses out in one visit.

Another funny Aislin Story

Aislin was telling me about her amazing day and I responded, "Whoa!!"

Immediately she stopped in her tracks and looked up at me.

When we both realized what she had done we broke out laughing.

Aislin my dear-- Prinze is not a kleenex and YOU are not a horse.

Naughty Little Prinze

Aislin was walking Prinze in the round pen on a lead and I was on the other side of the fence grooming Cajun. Aislin yells to me, "Mom! You have to get Prinze! He is being naughty!" I immediately look up to see if naughter means dangerous, but they are both just standing there, doing nothing. So I yell back, "What's he doing?
She replies, "He is getting his boogers on me!" And just at that moment he nuzzles his head into her belly. She shouts at him, "PRINZE! I am NOT your kleenex!"

Oh man. It was funny.

Paja

Paja is the alpha male on the ranch.
And he has an ulcer.
He also a some nasty thing I can't remember the word for-- but basically his bone is pressing on the tendon in his ankle bone-- it's irreparable-- and eventually the pain will overcome him.

Not a happy day.

So he is now retired.

Cajun's diagnosis is also more serious than we thought. 8 months of therapy and then an additional 6-8 months to regain range of motion. So he is on a walk only regimen until further notice.

Both of these horses are so full of energy and LOVE to run.
It's really not fair.
But it never is, is it?

Finally made it back out

I had family events the past few weeks so Cajun was a little miffed with me today when I went out to see him. He was a little nippy--- regressing into old behavior-- because he hasn't had any reinforcement in the past few weeks. After the round pen he seemed much better and the grooming routine went really well. No pawing the ground or trying to get to the hay. He once again had lead in his feet when it came time to picking his hooves. He doesn't do this for the trainer or the ferrier. Just me. I think it's a challenge and he is seeing if he really has to listen to me, trying to jockey for position if you will, trying to see just who is the dominant one in the relationship. He has alot of trust issues, especially when you go for his face. I hope in time he will trust me and allow that trust to generalize to all people.

Prinze was a doll as usual. He had alot of energy and was still pretty nervous. He is getting much better at me touching his face and lets the ropes touch him all over, but he is still braced like he is ready to bolt at any moment. In time.... all in time.

Tranquility

Peaceful morning at the ranch. Just me and the boys and a morning mist.

I worked with Cajun on ground manners for 30 minutes. And then 30 minutes with Prinze.
They both were very responsive this morning and show a tremendous amount of progress for such a short amount of time. It's especially impressive when you consider they are only getting worked 1-3 times a week.

And I like being assigned to these two boys. It gives me the time to get to know their personalities, to understand their behavior, and to individualize their training.

At one point I was standing in the middle of the round pen, Prinze was busy eating the leaves that had blown in, and I was just standing, staring at the mist. It was so quiet and still. The only sounds were an occasional plane, a few birds, and Prinze crunching on leaves. I am not sure how long I was there, doing absolutely nothing. It was too perfect of a moment to pass up.
I find it very restorative to be with the horses. To be away from the city. To be away from everything. Everyone should have a place like that.