Day Five And Six

Day Five- The last time you rode your horse and what you did

I know, I slacked on my Wednesday post. Here it is though! 

Saturday was the last time I really rode Chester. I took him to the arena and rode him all tacked up and bareback too for a little bit. (Love bareback!) 
I set up some poles and did some pole bending. Oh ya! = ) Chester is teaching be how to do gaming while my teacher is out. He taught me how to barrel race last summer. (Summer 2012) I am far from actually doing it properly. But he was like, "Malory, this is how you barrel race. Just hold on and I will show you!" I held on and HE SHOWED me! Loved it though! 
Back to my teacher, if any of you didn't know, (I can't remember if I told you all or not) she fell off a horse and got a super bad concussion. She has been out for about six weeks and she probably won't be back for a while. In the mean time, I am going to the arena each Saturday, the time my lessons would be, and working and enjoying my horse. I have already gained lots of confidence and learned tons. But, I need some help in knowing what and how to do things. I am praying that my teacher will heal and be back soon.  

Chester is really good at turning. He'd rather go in tight circles than big ones. Just one more thing to work on! I think it's the barrel mode in him. 

 Trotting!

 Turning...

Go!

The first time I did poles with him, once I was comfortable, I asked for a little more speed. He cantered a little bit, and oh, his body was so smooth around those poles; he just bent right around the poles. So fun! I can't wait to see how far we get in a year or two!

Day six- Your most accomplished horse 

That would be Chester! He's a easy keeper, gentle, ideal husband/kid safe horse and good beginners horse. He was a search and rescue horse for a year, passed 4H horse- knows how to side pass (at least used to,) barrel race, pole bend and probably any gaming.
This is all I know, so he could have done/know a lot more.

 I have a question for you all. (Sorta going back to day five.)

How high or low are you supposed to hold your hands while riding? (That is, while using both hands and a snaffle bit.)

I think I'm holding my hands a little to low, but I really don't know. Plus, you can't really tell in those pictures of day five.

Day Four

Day Four- A horse that impacted your life.

My one and only precious, Chester.

Day Three

Day Three- A picture of your best riding. 

I don't think this counts as we are standing still. 

I really don't have that many pictures of me riding. These are the best ones right now.

Day Two

Day Two- A picture of your horse.

Day One

Day one-  I picture of you and your horse.

Course, I can't do just one. = )

*Thirty Day Challenge!*

Hey Ya'll, I decided to take up the thirty day challenge! I think it will be fun! Though, I have to warn you that I might not get every day right in a row. I am really busy but will try my best!
Supper excited to get started!

Here we go!

Ride Free!

I have been thinking about the different places people ride horses. I decided to do a post on the different ones.


Arenas;
                                                             Covered-

                                                         That's where I ride!

 Not covered-

Round Pen;

                                                                   Not Covered-

                                                                  Covered-

                            This looks really cool! I have one of these in my dreams! = )

Trails;

Fields; !!

Ok, I did pick nice looking fields. Fields that I would love to ride in! I am sure that we can all say the fields we ride in aren't as pretty. = )

Tracks;

Beaches;

In Snow;

   I love this picture! Does it not make you want to go ride your horse in the snow, right now?

Mountains;

A Ranch;

Farms;

Then, I realized that I probably could go on forever on where people ride horses.

So I decided to stop and ask you guys where your favorite place is to ride your horse?

Or even better yet, where is your dream place to ride your horse?

This is mine- 

                            Rolling hills with grass knee high, or short brown grass.

Or a huge flat field with short grass.

Rolling hills

Basically; an open, rolling field with wild grass.

Where's your dream place to ride?

A Cool Chart

I found this chart and thought it was totally cool! I found it on Paola's Horse Blog. 

Which, she got it from here! http://kppusa.com/tips-and-topics/gym-membership-when-horses/. I think I am going to start doing horse stuff by the hour. lol! It's kinda hard to do stuff by the hour, when you only have one horse; only one stall to clean, one horse to groom, one horse to feed. But, I will get my exercise out of the chores I have to do. I only ride once a week but when I do I make it worth all my while! = ) Go head and take a look! It's pretty neat!

It's the time of year when we all start figuring out how we are going to keep in shape during the winter. I think it's fun to figure out how you want to exercise each day, but it's also a time when you need to commit yourself to doing it. Really. You know the saying, "It's easier said then done." Well, it really is easier to say something and then not follow through with it. (At least it is for me.) = ) I hope you will all take up my challenge and follow through with your winter goals, for you and your horse.

As I am deciding, right now, what I want to do for exercise this winter, I will follow up later with a post on what I am doing. = ) I would love to hear your winter plans! Not just the ways you are going to stay in shape, but also in regards to your horse. Are you going to be riding through the winter? Do you have goals to accomplish with your horse this winter?

With Chester, I am still deciding what I really want to do. It's really hard in the winter months/even the spring time, because it is so wet and cold here in Washington. So if it's not raining, the ground is still soggy. My horse sinks in the ground and then panics (overall not fun). Even in the summer I am limited to where I can work and ride him, as our property is very bumpy and has lots of hills. I don't lunge him during the winter unless it froze and the ground has hardened up. And, even with that, it's just a little trotting, as I don't want to hurt his joints. I then switch to basic ground work and some bare back riding (mainly walking around). You gotta love Western Washington; the worst place to own a horse. = ) BUT! This winter should be different, as I now have an arena to use!

Good luck on those winter goals! 

~Your Cowgirl Friend~

Sunshine Award!

Kalin at Modesty Is My Policy gave this reward to several of her followers including me! This is the first reward I have gotten and was very surprised and delighted to find out that I was one of the nominees! Thanks Kalin!

 

"Here is what the sunshine award means, "bloggers who positively and creatively

inspire others in the blogosphere." Of course all awards have rules for awarding people. Rules below. (Please read with care if you have been awarded)"

First, the nominee must

thank the blogger that nominated her and link to her blog. (Done)

Next she must nominate ten bloggers for the award and let them know. 

Then, she must answer a list of ten questions and post to her blog.  

Finally, the Sunshine Award button must be posted on the blog (Done)

 I decided to make my own questions. I thought you guys might want to know more of my horse likes and dislikes. (Or opinions.)

1. Do you prefer Mares or Geldings?

I truly don't know. I like both- but have only owned a gelding and think he's really sweet tempered.

2. English or Western?

I'm totally a cowgirl! But I have nothing against English. I think it would be fun to try out some day.

3. Do you prefer "younger" or "older" horses?

I like both. For my first horse I like it being "older" and being able to learn from him.

4. Have you ever trained a horse from ground zero? 

    No, but I would love too someday!

5. Do you prefer riding or ground work?

I like both...if it's not good one the ground, it won't be good in the saddle. I have worked a lot on ground work and I think that you make a really good relationship in the process. You gain their respect and they trust you more. But I do LOVE riding!!

6. Do you board your horse or keep it at home?

 I keep my boy on our small farm.

7. Do you do all natural things or commercial stuff? (In the sense of products.)

I am all for natural but have no problem buying treats or helping a horse that needs it.

8. All Tacked up or Bareback? 

I love both! Riding bareback you can be one with the horse. With a saddle you are like a foot off the horse. = ) I do like an all tacked up horse and enjoy riding with a saddle.

9. Equestrian model?

 Stacy Westfall!! Totally! = )

10. What's your, one, main goal while being in the horse world?

To create a awesome relationship with my horse and to be able to be one with my horse when I ride. To ride across a field bareback, being one with my horse and friend. 

Time for my nominees!!
(I only have six. As that is how many followers I have. And they are all awesome followers!) = )

Kalin at - Cash's Steppin' Up

American Girl at - Paola's Horse Blog
Allison at - Adventures with Shyloh
Ashly at - Into The Western Wild

Ashley Bergen at - Kansas Country Girl
Mrs. Blanchet at - Pur et Simple


Have a great weekend!
 

Just A Good Ol Picture

My youngest sister made this picture for me. I love it! Such a nice picture of Chester and she did such a great job. Thank you Annie!

Last night I had about two hours to do whatever I wanted and was planing on making/coming up with ideas for blog posts. But, guess what? I drew a blank. I. had. no. ideas. Can't believe it!
So I decided to ask you guys. Is there anything you want to hear about or see? I am of course going to keep updating on what's going with Chester and random pictures of him. = ) This is totally making me look like a bad blogger. But hey, I don't have all the time in the world. Plus, blogging is not the most important thing in my life. It comes after the Lord, family, school and...horse chores. = )

I did run out today and take some self portraits of me and my boy.

                                                             He's like, "really?"
 I walked up there, we said "hi" to each other and then I was like, "SNAP!" That's when he was like, "really? Come on!"

Straight on!

 I love his star and stripe; he actually has another star on his nose. It makes him so unique.

                                                  That's Chester....Isn't he cute?

                      I gave him a snack; sense it was later he thought it was dinner time.

Later folks!