Awesome first ride out...

     Camryn & I trailered out for our first off property ride yesterday.  I was so proud of my Hafy Gurl, she was a ROCK STAR!  We rode with three other horses, two she knows well, one she's met so I'm sure that helped.  Apparently Camryn doesn't mind riding alone as more than half the time we were waaaaaay behind the others LOL.  I didn't mind as I thought of it as a test.  The others even turned out of sight a few times, Camryn couldn't have cared less.  Her only concern was if she could sidle over to check out the greenery along the trail sides.  Yes, once I did allow it, just cause she's a ROCK STAR though.  Came across a downed tree which was over her knees, I was hesitating on if she could do it.  Shouldn't have doubted the ROCK STAR as she walked over as if she'd been doing it daily.  Encountered a group cantering towards us, ROCK STAR was like "hey, hi you guys".  A dog and his people, Camryn wanted to say "howdy", several joggers and a group of Fox Trotters doing their fox trot. 
     At one point just beyond a bend in the trail was a house, someone out of sight was pounding a hammer.  Lead horse was, "nope not going there", second horse was with him on that decision, third horse agreed as well.  Camryn was, "what's the hold up guys, let's get going".  We ended up taking the trail away from the house, I'd have been interested to see how Camryn did up close. 
     On our return the lead horse I understand has a habit of hurrying home, his rider was having an arm wrestling match to keep him from doing so.  The second rider having experienced her horse taking off to follow before, had plans to bail.  The third rider decided her best bet was to ride with Camryn &, I'm guessing because calm begets calm.  They never did take off, but it wasn't for lack of trying on the geldings part.
     Camryn did pick up her pace a bit on the way home, merely walking a little faster.  Once she attempted to out trot a bomber fly, settled right down with a half halt.  Several times we trotted to catch back up, again slowed down to a walk as soon as she was asked.
     Everyone (especially those who'd ridden with my TWH) were so thrilled at how Camryn did.  None as much as I though.  Camryn got lots of petting on the wither with a "That a girl" thrown in.  Hopefully out schooling will have her ground manners as good as her in saddle manners up to par soon.
     Only negative is that her trailer loading after our trial run went to H in a hand basket.  While it doesn't take long to convince her it's OK, she makes it clear it's not her idea of a good time.  Something we'll be working on, do have to wait till our area is dried a bit, can't circle till it's her idea to go in with all the mud out back.  I am wondering if taking the middle partition out in the trailer would help?  For the most part, we won't be trailering with another horse.  Once in she settles, exits calmly as well.
     Once home she enjoyed her sponge bath very much.  As I did her udders, her head lowered, eyes closed, lips just smooching a way LOL  She even quit eating to experience it properly.
My birthday truck pulls the trailer like there is nothing there at all!

GOOD GIRL CAMRYN!!!

Did I mention she's a ROCK STAR?

Practice makes perfect (I hope)...

This afternoon I hooked the trailer up to my new truck & drove it around a bit empty.  Hubs made me back it from the road into the driveway.  Don't know why but, that is way difficult for me to wrap my head around.  I can back straight, or curves but, sharp angles make me sweat.  I did do it but, took forever.  Hubs makes it appear so effortless.
Anyway, afterwards my neighbor came over to assist/support me in loading & taking Camryn for a short trip in the trailer.  All went well, I'd practiced loading several times though had never closed the butt bar or shut the doors.  Camryn was concerned when she felt the butt bar, once we'd closed the doors we heard road apples hit the floor inside.  She did move around a bit, nothing involving kicking or load noises.  So, off we went around the block (country block which is 4 to 5 miles.  Once home while Camryn didn't back off as slowly as in practice she didn't fly out either.  She was damp from sweat though not dripping by any means.  I'd call our maiden voyage a success.
Tomorrow we have plans for our first off property trail ride, the drive is just about 10 minutes more than today's drive.  While she'll be trailering alone, we'll be following and riding with her two best buddies (weather permitting of course).  I can't wait, while both Camryn & I have trailered out to rides, doing it together we're virgins!!!
Wonder if I'll sleep tonight, very exciting week with new truck now our first adventure too.

Best Hubs ever/Camryn's butt fan...

I do believe my Hubs qualifies for a "Bestest of the Best Hubby Award".  As I already posted this past Wed. was my birthday.  Hubs had to be out of town for business but, had left a card by the computer.  The card made honking horns noises upon opening.  Besides your typical birthday greeting was a note "Now lets go look for a F-150 4x4".  Believe me, once I finished my mental cartwheels I was calling his cell to make sure I wasn't hallucinating LOL.  I wasn't, and today we went out shopping & purchased...








"New 2 Me"

It's rather buggy here with all the rain we've had, I keep a fan just inside the barn door.  Camryn prefers being outside but, has discovered the fan keeps her bum bug free.  Smart girl stands with her bottom just inside the door to enjoy it's effects.

Oh, Camryn is very excited about "her" truck!

Lots of differant "stuff"...

Guess I should start with the fact that today is my birthday.  Suffice to say the numbers appear better reversed!!!  Hubs surprised me with a cute little card, inside a note says we'll be shopping at truck dealerships this weekend!!!!!!!!!  What guy, and no he doesn't have any brothers.  I'm so excited, Camryn has requested a pink truck by the way.
The baby robins have flew from their condo.  Sunday morning I noticed only one left in the nest as I went to fetch the paper.  A little while later I noticed the little guy was flapping about so stopped to watch him.  He hopped on the doorway, leaned out and "flew" off.  I'd never ever seen a first flight that wasn't part of a documentary.  It's one of those experiences I think that stay with you always.

Day before they flew from the condo

If the weather holds (fingers crossed) Camryn & I will have our 3rd class this afternoon.  We've been doing our homework.  She now backs with just a wiggle of our fingers, then comes into me as I turn my shoulder away.  This is one she must enjoy as she's constantly offering to back away LOL.  I've also been working on sending her away, it had been something we could do but, with no consistency.  As I suspected it had been my body language all along.  I'd either be to far back causing her to disengage her rear, or to far forward telling her to stay put.  Now that I have my part down, she moves out smoothly.  We're also working on side passing from the ground.  I ask for her shoulder to step over, then quickly the same on the rear.  Once again she's one smart gal, while it's not 100% she caught on after just a few tries.  Clicking with a jackpot of treats really says "you got it girl"!  Still issues with criminalizing grass as we lead, just can't help herself on that one I guess!!!
Danette & I rode the girls thru the woods, as we're headed back to the barn I lost my left stirrup.  I fished around with my foot only to find that I'd literally "lost" my left stirrup.  It was laying on the trail a few feet away!!!  Doesn't say much for Cashel's rotating extender does it!!!  Seems that as the stirrup rotates it also unscrews itself.  Camryn of course was a good girl, we finished the ride back to the barn with my having just the one stirrup.  She also didn't bat an eyelash as I dismounted from her off side. 
Her sweet itch is beginning to rear it's ugly self once again.  Also Camryn was feeling quite hormonal, normally I have no clue when she's in season.  As soon as we walked into the arena she began squirting, Danette saw the "wink" from across the arena.  She didn't want to leave the gelding area, stood with her rear legs splayed behind her.  At one point she attempted to back her bottom at one of the boys.  Danette has noticed that Camryn had been quite vocal yelling towards her place from the paddock the day prior.  I'm guessing that will be my first sign now that I don't want to tempt her with boys LOL  Poor girl.

Belated signs of spring...

The reason for "Belated signs of spring pics!  Hubs is studying hard...

Taken on one of many rainy days...

I wish the blooms would last longer than the rain...

Can you guess what these eggs will hatch out as?...

Mrs. Robin keeping her eggs warm.  They've since hatched into three little ones.  Not so little any longer, while Mom picked a cute condo it's really way to small for her three growing babies.  Sorry not pix of them, being bombed by Mom Robin isn't something I wish to happen...

Little Ms. Ivy caught in action climbing the pond rocks.  She's adorable even being naughty...

Ivy: Uh Oh!  I've been spotted, time to vamoose.