Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I can't believe it's Thanksgiving again, but hey, there's no complaints here! = ) I love Thanksgiving and am always excited to celebrate it.
I am so thankful for all the things that the Lord God has blessed me with. Especially Chester! Chester is one of the biggest (literally biggest) = ) blessings I have ever gotten. Chester was an answer to prayer and he is so special to me. I am a total animal person and working up through the years from a rabbit to a goat and finally to a horse, proving responsibility, is a dream come true! Chester, was the one that made that dream come true. I wouldn't have wanted another horse....Chester is my horsey! And I'm so thankful for him!

May we all be thankful this Thanksgiving as we see all the blessings around us. There are so many things to be thankful for every moment of the day!

 I have a few verses for you.

 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15
 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

Psalm 100

 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

 

Day Eighteen

Day Eighteen- Your favorite horse show picture.

I haven't ever showed so I don't have any pictures. = )

Day Seventeen

 Day Seventeen- Your equestrian Idol

                                                           Stacy Westfall

This was the first picture I saw of her. I didn't know who it was but I thought it was amazing that she was riding bridle-less. Later on, my friend told me about her equestrian role model and let me borrow her Stacy Westfall training videos. I watched Stacy's Ground Work video and loved the way she trained. The way she does things is simple, easy, profitable and she makes it look so easy; and you want to go out and work with your horse that very minute! = ) 

                                   Stacy Westfall's "Live Like Your Were Dieing Ride."

This was the first video I saw of her riding. The words to describe it? How about one. WOW. And please don't tell me I was the only one that got teary eyed when I watched it. =)

Here it is for you all to watch! (If you haven't already!) ; )

A Quick Little Update

I decided to give a quick update about what's going on, on my blog. Right now I am in the middle of a thirty day challenge. It's been fun and I have enjoyed always having something to blog about. = )
Someone asked if I could do a post with the thirty day challenge listed. I have listed it below for ya'll to see. Feel free to join me in this fun challenge! 



1. A picture of you and your horse                             16. Your most recent fall

2. A picture of your horse                                          17. Your equestrian idol

3. A picture of your best riding                                  18. Your favorite horse show picture

4. A horse that impacted your life                              19. A discipline you would like to try

5. The last time you rode your horse,                         20. Your favorite horse show  
 and what you did  

6. Your most accomplished horse                                21. Your favorite schooling outfit

7. Your best ribbon                                                     22. Describe the importance of riding in your life

8. A little about the barn/stable you are at                 23. First horse you rode

9. Any injuries you've gotten from riding                   24. Your best riding buddy

10. How does your family and friends feel                  25. Your dream trailer 
 about your riding?    

11. Find a sale horse online that you want to buy        26. Biggest riding pet peeve 

12. Favorite horse color                                             27. You know you're an equestrian when....(list five things)    

13. A picture of your worst riding                              28. Helmet or no helmet? 

14. Your dream barn/farm                                         29. Favorite brands...boots, breeches, tops, helmets, etc

15. If you could say something to any                         30. Your future with horses  
 one horse, what would you say?


Hope you all are having a safe pleasant weekend!

Day Sixteen

Day Sixteen- Your most recent fall.

The last time I fell of Chester, was actually my first "falling" off. I have slid of a couple times at a trot while riding bareback. One time when I was sliding off, I was asking him to slow down, and once he slowed down from a trot to a walk, (bareback again) I was holding on for dear life and I was in a really weird position and I probably had a foot in his rib, hence he bucked me off and I landed upright (right on my feet) right next to him. Not bad uh? haha
The first time I "fell"/slid off was like, the third time I ever rode Chester and my sister and I tried to ride double and Chester didn't like that, and as we were riding bare back he gave a couple crow hops and a buck and we slid right off! 

But, falling off, that was probably three to four weeks ago, I was at the arena and we were about done and I untacked Chester and rode him around bareback for a little bit. I decided I wanted to try to canter him bareback, so I did. The first time I did ok, I almost fell off in between his trot and canter. It was kinda bumpy and rough as he was realizing I was asking him to go faster. He loves to canter and I don't ask him to that often. (I think he may hesitate a little bit making sure I'm asking him to go faster.) So, I was sliding off a little bit while he was in transition but I stayed on and when he cantering I stayed too. Well, after that I wanted to do it again but wasn't as confident as before. But I asked him to trot and then asked him to canter. Well, in that transition time again it was too much and once he took that first step into a canter, off I fell! Hands and knees in the sand. Thankfully I didn't get hurt; I  got up, grabbed Chester, (who had jumped of to the side, as he was like, whoa!) and hopped back on and trotted off. I didn't canter anymore and decided I needed to work on my balance more before I went faster.
Practice makes permanent right? 
   ~On I ride! 

Day Fifteen

Day Fifteen- If you could say something to any one horse, what would you say?


Hmmm....this could be a hard one. Well, is a paragraph something? haha 

To any one horse; I would choose Chester and say, I love you. Because in those words, mean so much. It's not just, I love you, it's; I love being around you, doing things with you, I'm glad your mine, I care for you, ect.
I would also tell him, that all I want is to be his friend, companion and to be a team together.

I if were to say something to all the horses in the world, now that would be different. I would probably say, "We're not trying to hurt you, we're trying to communicate with you, take care of you and be your friends." I don't know if that would be weird or not, but other then that I don't know what I'd say. Or is that just an obvious one that everyone would say?

                                          Isn't this guy too cute?? He's adorable!

Day Fourteen

Day Fourteen- Your dream barn/farm.


I don't know if I have a dream barn or farm. I love ranches and I know I love the big red barns. Ok, so I do have a dream barn and farm. = ) Maybe we'll sum it up with, a ranch. Would that work? = )

I would love a barn like this! With lots of stalls, a high roof and a windmill next to it! Oh, and notice it's sunny with no mud!! = )

                   This is a cool barn too. But I don't know if I would want to use it every day.

 My dream barn/farm isn't this perfect picture. I like things loved and used. Here is a picture that I found and for some reason I love it. I think it's because it's used and it's not perfect. It's loved.
I do like a clean barn/farm though. I keep my barn very clean. So in other words, if this were my barn, I would probably clean it up a little bit. = )

I couldn't find a picture of a farm I liked or I would want to have as my dream farm. Just think of a dusty ranch with horses, a couple lazy dogs, (but ones that are willing to work) = ) some cats, other animals, and the smell of fresh baked bread coming out of the kitchen window. You should find me somewhere on that ranch; whether out riding my horse or in the kitchen baking. = )

Don't We All Dream? And Winter Care For Horses.

Don't we all want to be like this with our horses? Or at least dream about it with the little girl that is within your heart?

I have been really busy the last few days and have slacked off of my blogging. I am hoping get back on track though and keep going with the thirty day challenge.
But, I have been keeping busy with Chester and made wonderful memories with him and been faced with challenges with him too. I am hoping to make some other blog posts rather then just the thirty day challenge.

I wanted to encourage you guys a little bit. If you guys are getting busy in life, challenges are coming up, things are changing, people are coming and going, your discouraged, excited or sad.....my encouragement?......(First look to the Lord for His peace and joy. Which He will freely give if you ask.)....But, also, go hug your horse. = ) Pause for a moment and count your blessings. Be thankful for the horsey friend that the Lord is allowing to be in your life right now. And for friends and family that are there for you. Christ is always there for you and is willing to carry your burdens. You just have to hand them over to Him.

Hey guys, I had this idea. Winter is coming and we are all getting ready to care for our horses in colder weather and perhaps wet rainy weather, I was wondering if you all would want to share your winter "tricks"/techniques for taking care of your horse during the winter. You could send them to me, then I would make them all into a post and post it on my blog for everyone to glean info from.
Your advice/tricks/techniques don't have to be that long, (they could be one sentence) or they could be a couple paragraphs. Up to you! I would give you total credit and have a link to your blog along with your advice.
Let me know what you all think! If I get enough people that want to do it, I will do another post letting you all know what we're going to do.

Happy Trails Ya'll!

Day Twelve And Thirteen

Day Twelve- Favorite horse color

I have always wanted a palomino mare and to name it Ginger. But, I love the color of my beloved horse Chester. It was actually funny, because before I got a horse we had certain things we wanted about the horse we were to get. We didn't want a specific color except we didn't want a white one. Well, I am not picky about horse colors but I have never loved a black horse with a brown nose and legs or a bay horse. Well, what color of horse did I get? A bay horse. = ) I even prayed that I would get certain things in the horse we were to get but I didn't pray about the color as I didn't really care.
I love Chester's colors and I don't really consider him a bay. In non horse colors, I would say he's a copper color. And, he's not all bay; he has black legs and a star, a thin blaze and then a snip/another star on his nose.
Over all though, I'd say my favorite color is palomino.....and Chester's color! = )

Day Thirteen- A picture of your worst riding. 

Oh...I don't have a picture of my worst riding. I think I have said before that I don't have a ton of pictures of me riding. But, we took some pictures, (I think it's the end of the first summer I had him. Last summer.) and looking back at them, I was slouching. 
Even though I'm not riding, I will put these up as my "worst riding" pictures.




                              In this one, I'm not slouching as bad as the first picture. 
I don't know- What do you all think?

Sorry this post was so choppy. I've been busy and don't want to get too behind on my, Thirty Day Challenge. = )

Day Eleven

Day Eleven- Find a sale horse online that you want to buy.   

Registered 1/2 Saddlebred (National Show Horse)

Beautiful Palomino filly 2 years old. DOB: 5/3/2011
Can be triple registered. Registered 1/2 saddlebred and can be registered as a National Show Horse and Registered palomino
halter broke, good ground manners, cross ties, bathes and has started lunging.

Beautiful Head and neck, Nice shoulder and upward movement.
Excellent saddle horse, gaming, Eventing/Dressage horse prospect.
Brave and bold, and well mannered. Will be 16+ hands

Day Ten

Day Ten- How does your family and friends feel about your riding? 

My dad is a huge encouragement to me; he always wanted a horse growing up (a brown one) and when we got Chester he filled both of our dreams of getting a horse. And my dad got a brown horse too! He drives me and Chester to the arena and helps take care of him in the bigger ways: pays for food, farrier, gets hay and what not.
For specifically riding though, I think we agree that I need riding lessons to know how to do things properly and control Chester.

My mom- she trusts me when riding and trusts me to be wise while riding. She thinks it would be nice if I had ridding lessons too, to have the experience and to learn more.

Sisters- My youngest sister is ready to join me anytime and thinks Chester and I are improving.
My other sisters are great with it all.

My brothers- My oldest brother likes to ride Chester every once in a while. I'll tack Chester up, he'll ride around, then hand me the horse and he's done! = ) I don't mind!
My other brother thinks it's great I'm riding and could care less himself.

Grandparents- both Grandma's and Grandpa's are proud and very happy for me.

Friends- my good friend (I'll call her my horsey friend) is always encouraging and I don't know what she thinks of my riding. The last time she saw me ride was awhile ago so she probably thought I looked like a drunk clown riding a horse. = )
She's really encouraging with anything horse related.

Other Friends- might, think I'm a good rider and cowgirl. Well, sad to say I am by FAR a good rider and.....

Really, all the things that a cowboy or cowgirl wears, is really practical and necessary things to have around a horse.

I think I wandered away a little from what the question was asking. But it would've been pretty short if I didn't. = )
 

Day Eight and Nine

Day Eight- A little about the barn/stable you are at.  

I am very happy to say, I keep my horse at home on our small farm. He has his own shed/little barn. It's a two stalled barn- with an open stall for him and a tack/feed stall. It was custom made by my dad and me, so it fits us both for our sizes. (If that makes sense.) So if I was another foot tall I would have duck to get into the tack room and also Chester wouldn't fit too well if he was a 16 hand horse. = )
We both love it and Chester stays nice and dry through our wet winters. Sometimes he doesn't even come off his rubber mats. When I feed him he will manage to turn around to say hi, turn and have his head in front of the feed stall door, and then turn back into his stall with out touching the mud. Pretty smart. = )

He has a small yet good sized yard. Mostly fenced in with wood fence but still some electrical fencing, as we haven't finished the wood one yet. He respects both types of fences; which is nice.  

 In the summer I put him out in our field, we have a small one closer to our house and then a big one farther out. I usually have him in the closer one because when he's out in the farther one he is icealated from everyone and doesn't like that. Which, I could work through that but there is plenty of grass in the "First Field", as we call it.

Here is the most recent picture I have of our horse barn.

                      This is from down the hill a little bit. On the path that go's to the main gate.

I wanted to show you guys what it looked like when we first got Chester. It was definitely cleaner and there was no mud! = )

We hadn't finished the upper door on the tack room when we got him.

                                             A couple hours after we brought him home.

He didn't want to walk on the rubber mat. So we took his hay out of the feeder and put it closer to him. This was hours, well maybe one hour, after we got him.

                         Then some pictures from last spring when we added on more roof.

                                                              Further down the hill.

                                                               A little up the hill.

                                              You can see the goat barn below, there.

      I love this picture- Chester's like, "Are you done taking pictures? Can I please eat in peace?!"



Day Nine- Any injuries you've gotten from riding

I haven't gotten any injuries from riding and I hope that I never get any serious ones. = )
Or any at all for that matter! lol  

Day Seven

Day Seven- Your best ribbon.

I haven't showed at all so I don't have any ribbons. = ) I want to get into gaming but have no clue what they do for that type of stuff in that type of competition.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found some beautiful Autumn horse pictures and I thought I would share them with ya'll.

                                                              Is that not gorgeous?

                                   This one, looks pretty close to how it is around here.

              You all have a great weekend! Enjoy your horses and stay safe! ~ Country Girl