Riding in the paddock...

As our trainer is on vacation & the past two rides have been canceled, due to weather & health issues (not mine).  We've been playing in the paddock.  Camryn has really caught on to disengaging her rear, today I needed her to move & asked her to sidestep, just a simple gesture, she hopped right on over.  I was stunned, what a good, good girl.  Backing is still her best & favorite thing to do, which is great since her weight loss has left her in need of toning up a bit along the topline. 
Today I decided to hop on and take a spin in the paddock as for once it's actually dry enough to do so.  Plus I changed out girths (old one to big) so wanted to ride in a contained area just in case it might throw her off a bit.  Didn't bother her a lick.  So, I wanted to work on turning off of my leg, Camryn wanted to work on backing, trotting, disengaging her rear, lower her head... LOL.  Took her a bit to realize she was only getting click/treat for turning but, she finally did.  I simply allowed her to offer up what ever she wanted but, she only got her reward for doing what my leg was asking.  By the end of our ride she had circling to the right off my leg down pretty well.  Hopefully she'll eventually realize it's my leg & seat that do the talking. 
Had a blast playing with her, I know she enjoys it when Mom gets out the clicker.  It is a pain that her dog is also click trained, & that he loves horse treats however!!!

A special/quirky wedding...(photo heavy)

Pre-story:  My eldest son Chris was engaged to Moria, they were a lousy couple this was in the early 90's.  Fighting constantly, we adored Moria and still do.  She's kind of "the other daughter" to us, we're kind of "the other parents" to her.  Chris and Moria discovered they made much better friends than they did a couple. They've remained close thruout, so when Moria became engaged of course Chris was to be her "brides man".  He's also become friends with her guy Mike.

Last night Mike and Moria became Mr. & Mrs., thru the photo's below you'll see the wedding theme:

Piratey youngest son Adam, Chris not so piratey girl Sam, along with deckhand Hubby Denzil...

Chris in his Brides man Pirate attire...

Groomsmen entering...This is now on my computer desktop as it just cracks me up...

Wedding was held at a local playhouse, so ceremony took place on stage...



Groom Mike  (in coat) having just exited his ship which he rowed on to stage being pulled by Andy (gold vest) who was Moria's (he's her little brother) Man of Honor 



Chris waving pirate flag to lead the bridal procession to the stage...

Chris took his job seriously "presenting" each member of the Bridal Party and assisting them up the stairs to the stage...

The Bridal Party...

Mike & Moria literally tying the knot as Moria's Mother leaves the stage...

Mike & Moria taking their vows...

Being presented as "Mr & Mrs. Kemp...





I loved Mile ever so gently assisting Moria from the stage...





The very happy couple...

My Chris with Sam.  She wasn't in Pirate garb as she had to leave for work after the ceremony...

An unidentified guest...

More guests departing, gives you an idea of how most followed the pirate theme with glee...

We had a blast, the reception was equally piratey, corked bottles of poison at each table, a huge table of bounty (candy) which the kids enjoyed as did I!!!  Dancers running amok, just the people watching on it's own was worthwhile.  Only thing missing were Haflingers, I did attempt to convince Moria that she could arrive being pulled by a friends pair of mares to the ceremony, would've been piratey I'm sure!

Camryn beats the heat...

96 degrees in the shade today, I've been spraying Camryn down with the hose regularly for about a week now.  Decided this afternoon would be a good time for a proper bath.  Figured with the heat she'd appreciate it quite a bit.  I did cheat and hang her hay net first, worked as she simply nom nom nommed the entire time.  Aside from the blasted bomber flies taking advantage of her being nekkid she held still beautifully.  Her tail really could use trimmed again but, I thought better of it with the flies after her so that will wait till another day.  Funny how her tail grows, grows, grows, yet her mane remains the same.  Not sure what's up with that. 
Did get some pix of after the soak down, after the comb out, and back in her cape crusader get up...


"Food & a bath! Now that's what I call room service"...



"Nom, hose away Mom, nom,  nom"...



"What do you mean my forelock makes you think of Kramer?"...

Can you tell where her mask doesn't cover?  At least if she keeps it on that is...

"Caped Crusader? Who's that?"

I'd planned to get a proper sweet itch rug this year.  But, they all mention electric fence around all trees.  Considering  there are 7 to 8 trees in her paddock & at least 15 in her pasture, well...that isn't probable.  I just can't consider spending hundreds on something she could tear apart in a heart beat.  Last years does pretty well combined with SWAT and spray and a barn aisle fan.
Camryn is a fly mask Houdini, she can get it off so fast it's amazing.  She's figured out all she has to do is lower her head against a post, make contact with it just behind her ears, lift head at certain angle very quickly and WALLA she's mask less.  Normally if she takes it off on a bad bug day, she'll realize her mistake and leave it on for at least two days.  Then she forgets it's helpful and it's history! 

Hot weather & hosing down...

It's been hot like August hot lately.  Working in a greenhouse 80 outside means 120 or more inside!!!  So 80 feels like air conditioning to me after work.  And who says chamois are only for cars?  I ice one down and wear it around my neck all day. I do enjoy my job though despite the heat, I get to work with flowers all day.  I did hose down myself today, & Camryn this evening.
Last summer Camryn wasn't to keen on being hosed down.  We worked with the clicker, while she did do it nicely after a few c/t sessions, she just never enjoyed it and couldn't hold totally still.  Last night I decided it was time to re intro her to the hose.  She suffers from sweet itch and the cold water helps with the itches a bit. Plus it's been so muggy at night I thought she'd rest better if cooled down a bit. I was totally prepared to start from scratch with the hose as it had been quite a while since I did more than sponge her.  I was very pleasantly surprised when she not only stood totally still, she also seemed to enjoy it!!!  I'm thinking all this practice at ground tying has helped with this. 
I've also noticed that since we began our lessons, that Camryn has become a willing participant in allowing me to give cuddles!!!  She now approaches stands in front of me, holds her head at my chest level where I can simply step in (she never touches uninvited) and give her a head hug forehead scritch.  This is not the norm, while Camryn has always enjoyed my company and seeks it out.  She'd never before been one to tolerate what we humans call affection.  
My friends have invited us for another ride for Thurs. unfortunately I've already scheduled Wed. off from work & with the new truck payment looming I can't take the extra day off SIGH.  Hoping perhaps on Sunday (fingers crossed).

1st big spook/4th lesson today...

First off, while Camryn had her pedicure this morning I practiced ground tying.  Not totally dropping the lead but, letting it just lay on the ground.  Trimmer noticed a big difference today, while Camryn was never horrid by any means, she could decide to be uncooperative.  Good girl Camryn.
This afternoon Danette & I decided to ride the girls over to our lesson.  They've been having racoons marauding in the barn so have live traps set out.  One was on the bridge behind Danette's home barn.  Camryn acting normally,being looky yet interested after all it could be something to eat right!  Just as she got her front feet on the bridge I'm guessing she caught it's odor (one of death perhaps).  Camryn decided exiting the bridge pronto was in her best interest.  She turned into the railing on her left, while Dakota was directly on her right.  As we turned I saw Camryn barging directly into Dakota's hip.  My first thought was SHIT two horse wreck!!!  I didn't even bother one reining or reining in anyway, kept my vision looking forward and sat my seat.  Once it was all over, Camryn was like "whew that was a close one", Dakota was "What the H happened".  Did try again twice once with Dakota leading the way.  Camryn just couldn't get over this one, so dismounted and lead her by, before remounting.  She's normally very non reactive, a live trap I can totally understand her upset.  Especially as she recovered each time just happy to be alive I guess.  As we approached the second bridge she was a tad worried but, fine once she saw no trap so we went on our way.  After our lesson I dismounted at the scary spot and lead her by it several times, till she no longer cared.
Our lesson well, it was like our trail ride "ROCK STAR".  So much better than our last lesson, she'd been in full heat, had been bargy, uninterested, blew me off, just like my daughter as a teenager!  Today the difference was amazing, soft, supple, totally getting it and wanting to get it. Like my daughter as an adult :).  We did so much it's hard to recall it all.  She was her best at liberty, on line we have homework in that she still leans into the line.  I was finally getting some of the line dance like body language which I'm sure helped her to succeed a lot more as well.  It went so well, we ended up working in saddle at the end. I'd like to be able to talk less with the reins and more with my legs.  I've tried doing that on my own with minimal success, I'm sure all the groundwork training we've been doing has helped tons as she began getting it very quickly today.  I can't wait till our next lesson which won't be for two weeks, we will be doing our homework however.  Another benefit to all our work, Camryn is allowing more cuddling from me as well!!!  I feel like I can see us becoming a team, not today, perhaps not tomorrow, but the vision is in sight.  Progress rather than perfection, we'll get there I'm certain of it.