some of joshes mob
Sunday, December 11, 2011
SLEEPOVER PARTY
so on Saturday we had a sleepover party, it was epic!! we were going to stay up and watch the lunar eclipse but we all fell asleep! and slept through the alarm. hehe :)
On the Saturday we rode to Freds pass with EVERYONE, but Renee couldn't ride because of her injured hand and maddi got sick. I was going to ride Magic to Freds pass, but she started going nuts when I got on her and I fell off because she bolted 2 minutes after I hoped on. I walked her down the driveway and she skittering sideways and trying to bolt, so I hoped off and led her, she was crazy so I told Joshels mob that I was gonna take her back. Kaelan offered for me to ride Betty and he take magic back but that wasn't really fair so I just went in the car with Renee, maddi, Riva and Rach.
When we got to Freds pass we did secret Santa and had lunch... fun fun!!
Then we rode around at Freds pass. A group of us went to he toilets (since I didn't have a horse I held horses :) and Cadbury kept trying to bite me :/ lol
someone told us to come back over because something had happened... it turned out that Jamie, the little cutie riding marble had fallen off. Marble had taken off at a canter and went all the way across the polocrosse field. Jamie fell off over there. Jamie was okay, but a little bit scared. We were all so worried about her!! Jamie didn't ride back so I rode marble back for her while she went in the car with Rach.
When we got back we all lined up and hoped off of our horses, we untacked and washed down our horses. After we went swimming in the creek. We pushed each other around in the creek and had piggy back fights, it was tonnes of fun. Adeles mum brought pavlova which we all ate quickly.
We got Betty in the creek and tried to get her to roll, that FAILED haha.
The sleep over party was actually a surprise party for my friend Ely, So we had pizza for dinner and cake for desert!!!!
We also rode the horses at night, that was fun!
All in all the sleepover was awesome!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
I love Lily and magic and of course COLA BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I miss Cola :( but we did dresage yesterday and I rode lily... she was pretty good but she rushes her trot and she has a hard mouth at the moment so it took some effort to slow her down but towards the end she was doing a lovely trot! We did a mini dressage test at the end and lily kept on missing the turn and running to her foal which was in the stables. In the mini fun dressage test we entered at A in a working trot and stopped at X to salute at the imaginary judge. Then continued to C, at H we had to sit trot to E and then canter in a 20 metre circle from E. But because lily was rushing her trot so much I just had to get her to do a nice steady trot for the circle. Once finished the 20 metre circle we canter past K and trot at A. We trot to F and then diagonal to X and H. Then turn left towards C, at C we started a 3 looped serpentine. Once finished that we trot to A and then X, at X we stop and salute to the imaginary judge. Then we walk on a loose rein out of the arena.
It was quite fun!
Monday, October 17, 2011
PICTURES
Sorry I havent been on for a while but here are some pics from sat club and the holiday program....
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A story me and ma friends wrote
Running from the Future
The sun was rising. Silent crows hid in the darkest shadows. Cats stopped and stared. Vultures hungrily circled, slowly descending as if they could smell the stench of death in the air. Not exactly death, but so close to it. A blood curdling scream echoed into the distance...
Skye bolted upright, her deep blue eyes wide open. She was desperately gasping for breath, and she was drenched with sweat. "James?" she called softly, looking around the dark orphanage. Everything seemed normal, but something just didn't feel right. It was as if there was someone, or rather, something watching them. She tiptoed into the boys dormitory and shuffled over to the bed, where James was lying, sound asleep. She shook him violently until he had woken. Skye was about to tell him what had happened, but she hesitated "I-I just had a bad dream" she stammered. Again - Skye whispered to herself. James looked groggily up at her, rubbing his eyes when suddenly she collapsed in a heap on the ground, shivering uncontrollably.
It was happening again. The vision.
The two of them were standing outside the orphanage holding hands. "James," she murmured, "The spirits are getting to you." James snatched his hands away from hers and turned. His eyes flashed red. "They've already come" he said harshly. Just at that moment the orphanage erupted into flames. James laughed coldly.
Skye's eyes flickered as she gained consciousness. James was looking down at her, concerned. Skye saw through her brother's hollow eyes and he felt like she could look right into his mind. James couldn't handle the thought of it, and the darkness that possessed him started to take control. He started shrieking wordlessly.
The matron suddenly burst through the door. Her small, squinting eyes scanned the dormitory and suddenly fell upon Skye's petite figure cowering underneath James's gaze. "You, young lady are coming with me!" Skye glanced fearfully at the matron and back at James, hoping he would remain calm. Sister Katherine stomped over to Skye and grabbed her by the collar of her night gown. Skye struggled against her firm grip. James charged forward, his last shred of sanity had snapped. He shoved the matron to the ground and took Skye by her hand and led her out the front entrance.
They stood outside the orphanage, just as it had in the vision. But something was wrong, they were too close to the building.
"James, the spirits are getting to you" she murmured. Skyes mind spun with fear and confusion.
"They've already come" he said harshly.
The orphanage erupted into flames and the force of the explosion flung Skye across the courtyard, landing her in a crumpled mess. It hadn't effected James. He trudged through flames and into the night, not glancing back.
The sun was rising. Silent crows hid in the darkest shadows. Cats stopped and stared. Vultures hungrily circled, slowly descending as if they could smell the stench of death in the air. Not exactly death, but so close to it. Skye's blood curdling scream echoed into the distance...
What do you think?
The sun was rising. Silent crows hid in the darkest shadows. Cats stopped and stared. Vultures hungrily circled, slowly descending as if they could smell the stench of death in the air. Not exactly death, but so close to it. A blood curdling scream echoed into the distance...
Skye bolted upright, her deep blue eyes wide open. She was desperately gasping for breath, and she was drenched with sweat. "James?" she called softly, looking around the dark orphanage. Everything seemed normal, but something just didn't feel right. It was as if there was someone, or rather, something watching them. She tiptoed into the boys dormitory and shuffled over to the bed, where James was lying, sound asleep. She shook him violently until he had woken. Skye was about to tell him what had happened, but she hesitated "I-I just had a bad dream" she stammered. Again - Skye whispered to herself. James looked groggily up at her, rubbing his eyes when suddenly she collapsed in a heap on the ground, shivering uncontrollably.
It was happening again. The vision.
The two of them were standing outside the orphanage holding hands. "James," she murmured, "The spirits are getting to you." James snatched his hands away from hers and turned. His eyes flashed red. "They've already come" he said harshly. Just at that moment the orphanage erupted into flames. James laughed coldly.
Skye's eyes flickered as she gained consciousness. James was looking down at her, concerned. Skye saw through her brother's hollow eyes and he felt like she could look right into his mind. James couldn't handle the thought of it, and the darkness that possessed him started to take control. He started shrieking wordlessly.
The matron suddenly burst through the door. Her small, squinting eyes scanned the dormitory and suddenly fell upon Skye's petite figure cowering underneath James's gaze. "You, young lady are coming with me!" Skye glanced fearfully at the matron and back at James, hoping he would remain calm. Sister Katherine stomped over to Skye and grabbed her by the collar of her night gown. Skye struggled against her firm grip. James charged forward, his last shred of sanity had snapped. He shoved the matron to the ground and took Skye by her hand and led her out the front entrance.
They stood outside the orphanage, just as it had in the vision. But something was wrong, they were too close to the building.
"James, the spirits are getting to you" she murmured. Skyes mind spun with fear and confusion.
"They've already come" he said harshly.
The orphanage erupted into flames and the force of the explosion flung Skye across the courtyard, landing her in a crumpled mess. It hadn't effected James. He trudged through flames and into the night, not glancing back.
The sun was rising. Silent crows hid in the darkest shadows. Cats stopped and stared. Vultures hungrily circled, slowly descending as if they could smell the stench of death in the air. Not exactly death, but so close to it. Skye's blood curdling scream echoed into the distance...
What do you think?
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Joshels Barrels!!!!!
Sorry I have been busy lately but today we had barrels. Unfortunately I was not allowed to ride but that gave me the opportunity to take lots of photos!!
Joshels did their own barrels and racing at the BRC grounds.
These are the riders and horses
Bec - Marble,
Ely - Cosmo,
Samo - Betty,
Riva-May - Pedro,
Adele - Cadbury,
Miya - Neddy,
Kaitlyn and Monty - Magnum
and yer I think thas all.
Riva-May was sooooo cute!!!
Magnum was one of the oldest horses there but he came first in a race!! Everyone had fun.
Oh yea my friend Ely who was riding cosmo fell off twice lol haha :D and unfortunately there was a small accident where one of the girls stirrup snapped while she was galloping and she fell off and hurt her shoulder. I hope she will be okay.
The derby day is next sat!! I cant wait and its gonna be soooo much fun!!!! Cola might not be there though :( but awwwell
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
BRC Games Day
BRC Games day was really fun!! Nearly every single person got a ribbon. Cola was really naughty at first, he bucked me off when I was trying to do the diamond bottle race. Bounce a pony was really scary because the jumps were so high and so close together. Cola isn't famous for jumping either lol.
Pedro was the smallest pony at the games but he and Riva-May came first in Riva's age group!!
A lot of the games I had never heard or done before.
At the end of the day Cola cantered for me without bucking!! that sure is an improvement.
Next week is Barrels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!! i am riding Cola Bear again, I hope he is good! and no bucking or taking off! I remember last time when Ely rode him he stopped in the middle of the arena and wouldn't walk again!! Ely was there kicking him and trying to get him to walk forward, everyone was laughing!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
BRC Games day is coming up this weekend!!!!!!
We are all excited :D I am riding Cola...
Its gonna be real fun! I cant wait
In 2 weeks time its barrels! and then its the FINAL barrels of the year
Again i am riding cola :/ ahahaha lol
Its gonna be soooooo much fun :D I will be sure to take tonnes of pictures.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
cantering!!
Cantering is so fun!! Once you get it it is sooo cool.
Here's a song Joshels mob made up to help you canter, the tune is row row row your boat.
'roll roll roll your hips gently with your horse merrily merrily merrily merrily rocking back and forth... sorry I kinda forgot some of it but that's the start.
Anyway, it's really annoying when you keep losing your stirrups!! but practice will make them stay in!
Yesterday I did some cantering, it was my first cantering lesson, which was great because in all the others we'd do a little bit of cantering and then we'd move onto something else, and you don't have time to like get INTO the canter. Unfortunately my friend wasn't there because she just loves cantering!
We also went on a trail ride before that, Me and Rachel (the instructor) we cantered down the driveway which was FUN and the I had a FAILED attempt at opening the gate hehe :) the we walked and trotted down the road. We got to a dead end after a few minutes, so we turned around and rode back to Joshels.
I then did the cantering lesson (more above)
Here's a song Joshels mob made up to help you canter, the tune is row row row your boat.
'roll roll roll your hips gently with your horse merrily merrily merrily merrily rocking back and forth... sorry I kinda forgot some of it but that's the start.
Anyway, it's really annoying when you keep losing your stirrups!! but practice will make them stay in!
Yesterday I did some cantering, it was my first cantering lesson, which was great because in all the others we'd do a little bit of cantering and then we'd move onto something else, and you don't have time to like get INTO the canter. Unfortunately my friend wasn't there because she just loves cantering!
We also went on a trail ride before that, Me and Rachel (the instructor) we cantered down the driveway which was FUN and the I had a FAILED attempt at opening the gate hehe :) the we walked and trotted down the road. We got to a dead end after a few minutes, so we turned around and rode back to Joshels.
I then did the cantering lesson (more above)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Quiz
Here's a fun short quiz about how much you know about horses. (It's made by me)
please comment you answers
1. What is a curry comb used for?
a) picking up horse pooh
b) picking out hooves
c) removing dirt and grime from a horses coat
d) to hit a horse when it is really naughty
2. What is a saddle?
a) something you sit on when you ride a horse
b) something you use to wash a horse
c) something you use to steer a horse
d) something you brush a horse with
3. Why do horses need to be rugged?
a) so they don't get cold
b) to keep them clean
c) to flatten the rosettes in a horses mane to make them look neater
d) all of the above
4. Why would someone want to lunge a horse before they rode the horse?
a) for the fun of it
b) to get rid of some of the energy in the horse so that it is easier to control the horse when your riding
c) to teach the horse a lesson because it's being naughty
d) because it's just something you do before you ride
5. What colour is bay?
a) yellowy with black mane, tail and legs
b) brown
c) grey with dappled
d) brown with a black mane, tail and legs
6. Why do you ride or hang out with horses?
That's the end!!
The answers, please don't look until you have done the quiz
1. c)
2. a)
3. d)
4. b)
5. d)
6. YOU answer that one
please comment you answers
1. What is a curry comb used for?
a) picking up horse pooh
b) picking out hooves
c) removing dirt and grime from a horses coat
d) to hit a horse when it is really naughty
2. What is a saddle?
a) something you sit on when you ride a horse
b) something you use to wash a horse
c) something you use to steer a horse
d) something you brush a horse with
3. Why do horses need to be rugged?
a) so they don't get cold
b) to keep them clean
c) to flatten the rosettes in a horses mane to make them look neater
d) all of the above
4. Why would someone want to lunge a horse before they rode the horse?
a) for the fun of it
b) to get rid of some of the energy in the horse so that it is easier to control the horse when your riding
c) to teach the horse a lesson because it's being naughty
d) because it's just something you do before you ride
5. What colour is bay?
a) yellowy with black mane, tail and legs
b) brown
c) grey with dappled
d) brown with a black mane, tail and legs
6. Why do you ride or hang out with horses?
That's the end!!
The answers, please don't look until you have done the quiz
1. c)
2. a)
3. d)
4. b)
5. d)
6. YOU answer that one
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Gymkana
The gymkana was soooo much fun!! My friend Renee won like 6 1st place ribbons and 1 2nd ribbon!!! My other friend Maddison Won Champion of the led line!!!! Helina and Sinead both did really well, everyone had fun which was the main thing. At the end there was a fancy dress comp. Riva - May dressed up as dorothy from the wizard of oz and her horse Pedro was the tin man. They looked fantastic!! Riva was so cute in her red sparkly shoes!!!
Friday, August 19, 2011
GUESS WHAT??
Guess what happened last week at sat club?????
I GOT KILLED BY COLA (the horse I was jumping in a previous post)
Yea I was jumping him like 50cm and I kinda fell of (lamos bamos :) and sprained my ankle. I like couldnt walk properly all day :/ ahahaha and I had a sleepover that night!! Anyways I survived and another sat is coming!!
I GOT KILLED BY COLA (the horse I was jumping in a previous post)
Yea I was jumping him like 50cm and I kinda fell of (lamos bamos :) and sprained my ankle. I like couldnt walk properly all day :/ ahahaha and I had a sleepover that night!! Anyways I survived and another sat is coming!!
AWESOMENESS PICS
I know I know this has nothing to do with horses but aren't these pics just awesome??
ME JUMPING AND CUTE WIDDLE CHICKS
Me jumping Cola!!
Nawwwww look at the cute widdle chicks!!!
2moro I have sat club and there is a gymkana at Freds Pass. If you wanna go watch or compete I am sure you can go or enter. My friends will be participating in the gymkana, I hope they do well and have a whole lot of fun!!! Maybe see you there!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
B... BB..... BARRELSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
OMG barrels was so fun everyone did so well!! Little Cola had his first barrels and he did so well without any bucking!!!! Becka and Bri Bri did awesome as usual and Elley went well. Renee did well and did a nice canter home. Riva-May was the most awesomest of them all!! Everyone had fun!!!!!!!!!! Shaylah did really well on snackpack, Samo on icecream went really good.
One of the best Barrels I reckon!!
One of the best Barrels I reckon!!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
BARREL this coming sat
Are you going to barrels? or even better are you participating?
I hope you are it's a lot of fun, even if your just watching!! Joshels is competing Yay!!!
I hope you are it's a lot of fun, even if your just watching!! Joshels is competing Yay!!!
Monday lesson :D
YAY its Monday and it's a public holiady!! Did you know that today is every horses birthday!! So even if a foal was born yesterday today it is considered a year old! Funny aye!
Anyways today I rode Ice-cream, she was pretty good... We had a different teacher, I forgot her name hehe :)Elana rode Marble.
We did sit trotting, diagonals and figure of eights all in 45 mins!!! The lesson felt like it went on for an hour which is a good thing. Oh yea we also did some cantering. Ice-cream actually cantered but she and I both suck at turning corners and we ended up cantering off... to the round yard and to stables 2. lol quite a lesson. It was fun though.
Anyways today I rode Ice-cream, she was pretty good... We had a different teacher, I forgot her name hehe :)Elana rode Marble.
We did sit trotting, diagonals and figure of eights all in 45 mins!!! The lesson felt like it went on for an hour which is a good thing. Oh yea we also did some cantering. Ice-cream actually cantered but she and I both suck at turning corners and we ended up cantering off... to the round yard and to stables 2. lol quite a lesson. It was fun though.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Sat club
Today was soooooo fun!!!!!
Ely's BACK and she had pressies for everyone!!
It was Raches birthday yesterday so Bri gave her a present on behalf of all of us and I gave her a home made card from all of us. We did the feeding and mucking out (the usual lol) and then the first lessons started. Mine was at 10 with Nee-nee and Monty, Elana was also in it but she couldnt make it. I rode Ice-cream, Monty rode Summer and Renee rode her stallion Whizz-fizz. Me and Monty swapped horses in the middle of the lesson cause it turned out that over the holidays Monty had grown to big for summer.
Summer was naughty at first for me and her saddle kept slipping forward up her neck so Rach had to change the saddle and then the girth and so on lol!!
Once that was all sorted we did some cantering... well I atempted and got bucked off hahahaha, it hurt but it was rather funny. I flew off Summer!!! I was FLYING!!!!! and then KAABOOOM! splat on the ground :)
Later in the afternoon some girls lunged and rode the young ponies who are still being broken in. All the horses were good and there was no bucking!!
Ely's BACK and she had pressies for everyone!!
It was Raches birthday yesterday so Bri gave her a present on behalf of all of us and I gave her a home made card from all of us. We did the feeding and mucking out (the usual lol) and then the first lessons started. Mine was at 10 with Nee-nee and Monty, Elana was also in it but she couldnt make it. I rode Ice-cream, Monty rode Summer and Renee rode her stallion Whizz-fizz. Me and Monty swapped horses in the middle of the lesson cause it turned out that over the holidays Monty had grown to big for summer.
Summer was naughty at first for me and her saddle kept slipping forward up her neck so Rach had to change the saddle and then the girth and so on lol!!
Once that was all sorted we did some cantering... well I atempted and got bucked off hahahaha, it hurt but it was rather funny. I flew off Summer!!! I was FLYING!!!!! and then KAABOOOM! splat on the ground :)
Later in the afternoon some girls lunged and rode the young ponies who are still being broken in. All the horses were good and there was no bucking!!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
All ready
Now the riders are just getting changed and like Bri who is already dressed is warming up her horse for the show! Every rider is pretty nervous and there is pink practicly every where you look.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
some pics from da show!
Brianna washing Neddy's tail!!
And the last of the horses being led to judge.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Darwin Show
pics are coming... I have to find my cam cord lol!!!
Anyway Darwin show was awesome. Joshels horses got some ribbons!! Unfortunately I wasnt there boooohooooo but anyway I was there when the gals were rossetting their horses and braiding their tails... but best of all when they put all the PINK glitter, the PINK ribbons and the PINK glitter paint on the horses horses hooves. the horses looked amazing!! and very very very joshely!!!
I heard the gals won some ribbons!! Unfortunately I missed the ponyclub ring :( all because i wasnt allowed to saty :(.
dont blame my mum, shes in adelaide, I blame someone else...
aww well whats done is done. There is no way in the world am I missing next years one though!!!
I was there however for the RIDES!!! that was sooooooooo fun, we went on the cha cha and others went on the hurricane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We also got yummy slushies and fairy floss, which was gone in like 5 mins!!
What was really cool though is that when we went on the cha cha, Joshels girls pretty much filled up the whole ride!!!
Anyway Darwin show was awesome. Joshels horses got some ribbons!! Unfortunately I wasnt there boooohooooo but anyway I was there when the gals were rossetting their horses and braiding their tails... but best of all when they put all the PINK glitter, the PINK ribbons and the PINK glitter paint on the horses horses hooves. the horses looked amazing!! and very very very joshely!!!
I heard the gals won some ribbons!! Unfortunately I missed the ponyclub ring :( all because i wasnt allowed to saty :(.
dont blame my mum, shes in adelaide, I blame someone else...
aww well whats done is done. There is no way in the world am I missing next years one though!!!
I was there however for the RIDES!!! that was sooooooooo fun, we went on the cha cha and others went on the hurricane!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We also got yummy slushies and fairy floss, which was gone in like 5 mins!!
What was really cool though is that when we went on the cha cha, Joshels girls pretty much filled up the whole ride!!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
DARWIN SHOW!!!
WOW the darwin show!!! its this Thursaday!!!!!!!!!!
I am so excited!! :D Are you going to the show if you live in Darwin??
Friends are riding in the show!!
I found a way to get to the show :D
1 problem.... I dont have much money to spend at the show :(
hehe, I spent it all at caz!!!!!
I luv joshels heaps! :D
I am so excited!! :D Are you going to the show if you live in Darwin??
Friends are riding in the show!!
I found a way to get to the show :D
1 problem.... I dont have much money to spend at the show :(
hehe, I spent it all at caz!!!!!
I luv joshels heaps! :D
Monday, July 18, 2011
NEW BEGINNINGS…
A short story i found, what do you think?
I’m about to start one again. A horse, I mean. I’m sixty-two and he’s three - that means I. Q. wise, we are about the same. Joe Ben Black is the blacker than steel baby I always wanted, and now he and I are about to begin. It’s been some time since I started a roping horse, and I’m struck by how different I am now. Sitting here in my barn I think about them all and about how I was…so different back then. I knew all about it in my early days. A man with all the answers and no questions. Like Dylan said in a song once, “I was so much older then.”
My dad and uncles trained all the others I rode when I was a child and into my teen years. Baby, Little Joe, and then the mustang called Buddy. My dad refused to discuss buying small horses for his son. Many would question his safety practices these days, but he always said, “Learn to ride the good ones now.” I was six years old at the time.
The horses he put me on were so skilled that I paid not the slightest attention to them or what they might need. They just carried “Cork’s boy” to the calf or steer with such silver grace all I had to do was rope. Now that they have been gone so long, the only thing I can think about is how sorry I am that I never thanked them for all the skill they displayed and their hard work - and how well they roped. And then there was Susie…
A pretty little King Ranch filly my daddy didn’t want me to buy. But seventeen year olds don’t listen well, and after mowing yards, umpiring countless little league games, and lifeguarding at the local pool, she was mine. She couldn’t have been twenty months old the first day we roped, and she loved it from day one.
While I was never mean to her, I did commit the sin of impatience countless times, and when she failed to perform some desired maneuver, like most of us tend to be - I was too rough. As a friend once said, “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but when my horse didn’t know how to do something, I hit him across the butt with the rope. Funny, if my daughter didn’t know how to do her homework, I would never consider hitting her for it.” And I did that. We all have. So what have I learned?
Later Blue came. The Otoe colt was ready when his momma laid him on the ground. Third steer I ever ran on Blue, he ran over and bit the cow on the butt. From that day forward, he tried harder and did better than the day before. And without realizing it, I unconsciously began to believe I was quite the horseman and really knew how to train horses. After all, I never had a failure. Besides, if I did have a failure, I knew it couldn’t be my fault. Look at all the good horses I had trained. Using that mental approach, I could completely ignore the fact that my dad and uncles actually started those early horses in my life, and then I was blessed to have two – Susie and Blue – who wanted to rope more than anything. And then there was Shine…
Beautiful, gorgeous, could run like the wind…and a complete lunatic. After the longest time of trying to get through to this idiot, I finally realized the angels in heaven’s horse making department put everything in this horse a man could want - except one thing… a brain.
He drove me crazy. Afraid of everything – squirrels, blowing sacks, tin cans, and even chicken feathers, he burned my last nerve to a frazzle. No progress for over two years. Lost friends over him, all of whom wanted me to “gettaridda that idiot.” And for the strangest of reasons, I didn’t. I kept on because in some strange way Shine made me think of all those other horses in my past – the ones who despite my clumsy mistakes still roped their hearts out for us. On some days it seemed that Buddy and Susie and all the rest somehow lived inside Shine. I could feel them and remember how and when I had done them wrong. We swapped roles Shine and me, and Shine became the teacher.
With help from men and women so much farther down the path than me, the Shine Man healed from the abuse he suffered before he came into my life, and finally became the horse I always knew he could be. Now I sit in the barn lookingout at Joe Ben and he’s looking at me. And I think… “What have I learned? What on earth do I do now?”
Some things at least…
There is no system. Every day and every breath he takes will be different.
Be careful not to frighten him. When he’s afraid, take him back to a place where he is not.
No place for force. No place for rushing.
He will never be finished any more than I am. The work is never done.
In the past, I wondered about each and every horse I ever started… “Will he be good enough for me?”
And now I wonder, “Will I be good enough for him?”
After all this time, now I’m a man with so many questions…and so few answers.
Joe Ben is still standing in the pasture staring at me with his ears pointed.
“I’m ready, Pop,” he says.
All I can think of to say is, “I hope I am, son.”
And Shine said to the other horses, “He’ll just screw him up like he did us. Him with his lists of things we should do, his wristwatch, and his calendars.”
“No, no, he won’t,” said Blue. “He’s doin’ better. He cares about us. He’s twyin’.”
“What’s he gonna’ do with me?” asked Joe Ben. “What’s dis’ ropin’ all about?”
Blue looked at Shine and Shine looked away. Neither of them spoke for the longest time, and finally Blue said, “Well, I’ll tell you, Joe Ben. What’s dis wopin’ all about? Dat, my fwiend, is a wong, wong story.”
I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
“If we are around horses long enough, eventually we’ll treat them right.”
-- Michael Johnson
thanx to http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/articles/johnson_newbeginnings.html for providing this story :)
I’m about to start one again. A horse, I mean. I’m sixty-two and he’s three - that means I. Q. wise, we are about the same. Joe Ben Black is the blacker than steel baby I always wanted, and now he and I are about to begin. It’s been some time since I started a roping horse, and I’m struck by how different I am now. Sitting here in my barn I think about them all and about how I was…so different back then. I knew all about it in my early days. A man with all the answers and no questions. Like Dylan said in a song once, “I was so much older then.”
My dad and uncles trained all the others I rode when I was a child and into my teen years. Baby, Little Joe, and then the mustang called Buddy. My dad refused to discuss buying small horses for his son. Many would question his safety practices these days, but he always said, “Learn to ride the good ones now.” I was six years old at the time.
The horses he put me on were so skilled that I paid not the slightest attention to them or what they might need. They just carried “Cork’s boy” to the calf or steer with such silver grace all I had to do was rope. Now that they have been gone so long, the only thing I can think about is how sorry I am that I never thanked them for all the skill they displayed and their hard work - and how well they roped. And then there was Susie…
A pretty little King Ranch filly my daddy didn’t want me to buy. But seventeen year olds don’t listen well, and after mowing yards, umpiring countless little league games, and lifeguarding at the local pool, she was mine. She couldn’t have been twenty months old the first day we roped, and she loved it from day one.
While I was never mean to her, I did commit the sin of impatience countless times, and when she failed to perform some desired maneuver, like most of us tend to be - I was too rough. As a friend once said, “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but when my horse didn’t know how to do something, I hit him across the butt with the rope. Funny, if my daughter didn’t know how to do her homework, I would never consider hitting her for it.” And I did that. We all have. So what have I learned?
Later Blue came. The Otoe colt was ready when his momma laid him on the ground. Third steer I ever ran on Blue, he ran over and bit the cow on the butt. From that day forward, he tried harder and did better than the day before. And without realizing it, I unconsciously began to believe I was quite the horseman and really knew how to train horses. After all, I never had a failure. Besides, if I did have a failure, I knew it couldn’t be my fault. Look at all the good horses I had trained. Using that mental approach, I could completely ignore the fact that my dad and uncles actually started those early horses in my life, and then I was blessed to have two – Susie and Blue – who wanted to rope more than anything. And then there was Shine…
Beautiful, gorgeous, could run like the wind…and a complete lunatic. After the longest time of trying to get through to this idiot, I finally realized the angels in heaven’s horse making department put everything in this horse a man could want - except one thing… a brain.
He drove me crazy. Afraid of everything – squirrels, blowing sacks, tin cans, and even chicken feathers, he burned my last nerve to a frazzle. No progress for over two years. Lost friends over him, all of whom wanted me to “gettaridda that idiot.” And for the strangest of reasons, I didn’t. I kept on because in some strange way Shine made me think of all those other horses in my past – the ones who despite my clumsy mistakes still roped their hearts out for us. On some days it seemed that Buddy and Susie and all the rest somehow lived inside Shine. I could feel them and remember how and when I had done them wrong. We swapped roles Shine and me, and Shine became the teacher.
With help from men and women so much farther down the path than me, the Shine Man healed from the abuse he suffered before he came into my life, and finally became the horse I always knew he could be. Now I sit in the barn lookingout at Joe Ben and he’s looking at me. And I think… “What have I learned? What on earth do I do now?”
Some things at least…
There is no system. Every day and every breath he takes will be different.
Be careful not to frighten him. When he’s afraid, take him back to a place where he is not.
No place for force. No place for rushing.
He will never be finished any more than I am. The work is never done.
In the past, I wondered about each and every horse I ever started… “Will he be good enough for me?”
And now I wonder, “Will I be good enough for him?”
After all this time, now I’m a man with so many questions…and so few answers.
Joe Ben is still standing in the pasture staring at me with his ears pointed.
“I’m ready, Pop,” he says.
All I can think of to say is, “I hope I am, son.”
And Shine said to the other horses, “He’ll just screw him up like he did us. Him with his lists of things we should do, his wristwatch, and his calendars.”
“No, no, he won’t,” said Blue. “He’s doin’ better. He cares about us. He’s twyin’.”
“What’s he gonna’ do with me?” asked Joe Ben. “What’s dis’ ropin’ all about?”
Blue looked at Shine and Shine looked away. Neither of them spoke for the longest time, and finally Blue said, “Well, I’ll tell you, Joe Ben. What’s dis wopin’ all about? Dat, my fwiend, is a wong, wong story.”
I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
“If we are around horses long enough, eventually we’ll treat them right.”
-- Michael Johnson
thanx to http://www.ultimatehorsesite.com/articles/johnson_newbeginnings.html for providing this story :)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Car trouble
Don't you just hate it when your car breaks down!!
Well mine did the other day and Kerrys said (the car company) that they couldn't fix it until the 27th!!!
What are we gonna do??
I haven't been to joshels for a while now and i am itching to get back!!! :)
The darwin show is coming up!! is anyone going?? I am going to try and go!! I hope my friends win some ribbons! Its going to be so much fun... Although how am i going get there?? :(
Well mine did the other day and Kerrys said (the car company) that they couldn't fix it until the 27th!!!
What are we gonna do??
I haven't been to joshels for a while now and i am itching to get back!!! :)
The darwin show is coming up!! is anyone going?? I am going to try and go!! I hope my friends win some ribbons! Its going to be so much fun... Although how am i going get there?? :(
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Friday, July 1, 2011
Holidays!!
Sorry I have been busy all week but its what everyone loves....
THE HOLIDAYS!!!.... well for some. lol mum is jelous that im on holidays and she isnt!!!
Anyway for the past week I have been going to the joshels holiday program, it was great fun and I met some new people. As usual there is a lot of work to do but thats whats comes when you own horses. Co-coa was away on camp for most of the week... and a new horse arrived on Tuesday. he is a gorgeous 2 and half year old gelding. He is a stunning sight!!
there were a lot of little kids on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
When we rode we did lots of really fun course with jumps, barrels, bending poles, etc. It was so fun, we also went for trail rides around the property and we also took the horses into the creek bareback!!!!!!
THE HOLIDAYS!!!.... well for some. lol mum is jelous that im on holidays and she isnt!!!
Anyway for the past week I have been going to the joshels holiday program, it was great fun and I met some new people. As usual there is a lot of work to do but thats whats comes when you own horses. Co-coa was away on camp for most of the week... and a new horse arrived on Tuesday. he is a gorgeous 2 and half year old gelding. He is a stunning sight!!
there were a lot of little kids on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
When we rode we did lots of really fun course with jumps, barrels, bending poles, etc. It was so fun, we also went for trail rides around the property and we also took the horses into the creek bareback!!!!!!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
NTSHA!!!
I got no Idea wat it is!! but I know its some sort of horse show, my friend took these pics by the way hehe I couldnt make it. No one i knew was riding in it though.
Speaking of shows are you guys looking forward to the Darwin Show!!!!?????!!!!
I syre am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)