Friday, May 7, 2010

Golden Curls Ranch - Open House with trainer David Lee Archer and Golden Red

Hello All,

Woke up early Saturday morning April 23 and sloshed through the mud and rain puddles to the barn to feed the critters all the time wondering why Mother Nature chose the night before to give us a Spring shower. Well, she did it to cool us down and let the sun shine bright for Golden Curls Ranch Open House on Saturday and Sunday, April 24/25.

David Lee Archer, author of Be True to Horse came out from California to help me with Copper's D Golden Red. Actually, he really need to work on me but being the lady that she is Red allowed everyone to think she was the one in need of training. First, he and I went into her stall and he showed me several tips when haltering her. 

Then, we worked in the paddock on ground work and she made sure to give the audience a good time with a few bucks here and there {:>....

David Lee is calm and gentle, he watches the horse intently and understands when they "try". That's the point he says; "try is good". Sometimes I fear we (myself) want it right now and so learning patience is on the top of my goals list.

By noon time; Radio Station True Country was here and the BBQ was smelling good. After a short lunch break we went back into the paddock with our Llamas; Coco, Cesar and Carlos who watched very closely as worked on more haltering and then saddling. While Golden Red has been in a saddle before; it was not smooth nor positive. So I was pleased when she accepted David Lee's saddle and before I knew he was on and off they went. Not sure if you can tell from the photos but Golden Red is a big girl. He asked me to give her a tap on her hunches to get her moving and she accepted the command like a champ.

We retired for the day and got a few winks of sleep before the next lesson. Sunday morning was simply beautiful. We had father and son DJ's, Clem and Clem, who were ready and willing to help us kick up our heels and boy we did. Then, my son, Nicky, and two friends stopped by and gave us an "unplugged" acoustical set of Beatles and one my all time favorites, Louie Louie (amazing what sons will do for the mothers) and another good friend and his buddy opened up their fiddle and banjo cases for some real twang. Ribs and Fajitas were on the days menu and we had little feet, big feet and lots of paws and hooves enjoying the sunshine.

On Sunday,Golden Red was a great student and listened very intently to David Lee explain where I needed to stand when lunging her. I got a quick lesson on how I should use the "stick". Unfortunately, we were using a Clinton Anderson whip and the tip came off...David Lee wanted me to be sure and tell (his competitor) Clinton Anderson about the quality of the "stick" (oh well, as they say, when you get more than two folks in a room - you have politics:>)

Once, David Lee was standing in the round pen answering questions folks had while they watched him work with Golden Red and me. He backed up and since Golden Red was standing behind him she backed up. I was holding the lead rope (and not paying attention) and when she moved over towards me I fell back flat on my behind. I held on to the lead rope she looked at me like "can't you pay attention" and just stood there. Honestly, if it had happened two weeks before she was probably would have spooked and I would be wearing hoof prints, el grande hoof prints. That was an amazing moment for me. I realized she really wants to be my partner.

Since David Lee's visit I am spending more time with Golden Red because I feel more comfortable with her. She let's me halter her and we just walk and graze. I breathe a lot, now....and so does she!

She let's me come up to her but still runs from our new trainer, Levi, when he tries to halter her.I think she trusts me more. My hope is that she will be accepting of everyone but for now she seems to have a new friendship with me and I am hoping to keep it honest and pure.

All our best,
Golden Red and Angie

David Lee is calm and gentle, he watches the horse intently and understands when they "try". That's the point he says; "try is good". Sometimes I fear we (myself) want it right now and so learning patience is on the top of my goals list.

By noon time; Radio Station True Country was here and the BBQ was smelling good. After a short lunch break we went back into the paddock with our Llamas; Coco, Cesar and Carlos who watched very closely as worked on more haltering and then saddling. While Golden Red has been in a saddle before; it was not smooth nor positive. So I was pleased when she accepted David Lee's saddle and before I knew he was on and off they went. Not sure if you can tell from the photos but Golden Red is a big girl. He asked me to give her a tap on her hunches to get her moving and she accepted the command like a champ.

We retired for the day and got a few winks of sleep before the next lesson. Sunday morning was simply beautiful. We had father and son DJ's, Clem and Clem, who were ready and willing to help us kick up our heels and boy we did. Then, my son, Nicky, and two friends stopped by and gave us an "unplugged" acoustical set of Beatles and one my all time favorites, Louie Louie (amazing what sons will do for the mothers) and another good friend and his buddy opened up their fiddle and banjo cases for some real twang. Ribs and Fajitas were on the days menu and we had little feet, big feet and lots of paws and hooves enjoying the sunshine.

On Sunday,Golden Red was a great student and listened very intently to David Lee explain where I needed to stand when lunging her. I got a quick lesson on how I should use the "stick". Unfortunately, we were using a Clinton Anderson whip and the tip came off...David Lee wanted me to be sure and tell (his competitor) Clinton Anderson about the quality of the "stick" (oh well, as they say, when you get more than two folks in a room - you have politics:>)

Once, David Lee was standing in the round pen answering questions folks had while they watched him work with Golden Red and me. He backed up and since Golden Red was standing behind him she backed up. I was holding the lead rope (and not paying attention) and when she moved over towards me I fell back flat on my behind. I held on to the lead rope she looked at me like "can't you pay attention" and just stood there. Honestly, if it had happened two weeks before she was probably would have spooked and I would be wearing hoof prints, el grande hoof prints! That was an amazing moment for me. I realized she really wants to be my partner.

Since David Lee's visit I am spending more time with Golden Red because I feel more comfortable with her. She let's me halter her and we just walk and graze. I breathe a lot, now....and so does she!

She let's me come up to her but still runs from our new trainer, Levi, when he tries to halter her.I think she trusts me more. My hope that she will be accepting of everyone but for now she seems to have a new friendship with me and I am hoping to keep it honest and pure.

All our best,
Golden Red and Angie

2 comments:

  1. Your pictures are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Angie, so nice to hear from you, and look at you go, Girl! I like your spirit. Golden Red is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete