Trips, Trails, and Trailer Adventures

It's been quite a while since I've really said much in terms of what I've been doing with my Curlies, not for lack of doing, but lack of time to tell.
I've been working with Epona, Lyra, and Rhys, under saddle quite a bit.  As you know I've recently started Lyra jumping and she is continuing to do really well with that.  Epona is just so easy and laid back about everything she's not been coming out as often and when she does she's been quickly conscripted to helping me with riding lessons, which she is such a patient and gentle teacher, it makes what I have to teach so much easier, at this point anyway, very relaxing soul to be with, she is.  I've been implementing an intention of mine to enrich the environments my youngsters are in.  Both the girls and the boys have lots of new items in their pastures now.  Added a helium balloon and wind spinners this weekend, repositioned their cavalettis, and am working on a new tunnel items with my new Nerf noodles, for outside their pastures, to walk through.
Thought I'd send a couple videos and pics about what we've been doing aside from that...
Brandon got a truck a couple weeks ago, a big Dodge 2500 Diesel, Cummins engine, short box, quad-cab, 'arctic' white, great little Beast. :-)  I've been making as good of use as I can afford to re-fuel, having this new addition tot he family. 
We're trying out our first haylage bales, picked up two on Saturday, so far, they're great!  Had my first real ah-ha break through moment with Memri (BCF Enjolique Remember Me, from Lisa Wytiaz's Bash Curl Farm II), she was a little concerned having this monster truck drive around her pasture with these big white marshmallows on top of it.  Xandra, Rogue, Rora, and Ravyn have been in their field with us driving hay around, before, so they just followed after, Memri wasn't too sure though.  Did she sprint off though?  No, she came over and stood shoulder to shoulder with me as I directed Brandon to drive the hay where I wanted it, she then followed me around the whole time as I helped off load the bales, position them and get the feeder back up around the bale.  When I left the hay to head over to the mare's field for round two with the other bale, she made to come with me.  She was just so calm and assured with me, I hated to leave her.  Was really her first moment of showing such a clear preference for feeling safe and secure with me rather than her fellow horse friends or another person.  Was really nice! :-)
Right, so We have also been heading into Capitol Forest with a mountain bike for Brandon and with two of the Curlies.  Our first trip was with Lyra ponying Xandra, they both did really well!  Here's a couple of clips of Xandra ponying behind Lyra and I, easy and quiet and calm as can be:





...and then the next we switched off and Xandra ponied behind Brandon and his mountain bike!!



and one more, you have to wait a little while for something to happen, but once it does, well, it's great!


Then we went out again on Saturday afternoon (I got out of work early!), this time with Lyra and Epona and a mountain bike. 

Dorothy came along for the ride, was a beautiful, sunny day, a brisk breeze blowing, lots of people out doing target practice things, ugh.  We did a bunch of huge hills, trotted a bit, walked a lot, and had a Great time!!  Dorothy hadn't trotted before, she said she was game for it though, so we did, she did very well with Epona, the two seemed very content and calm with each other, which was wonderful to see.  This was Epona's first time off the property this year.  True to form she took it all in stride. 

Iris, my German Shepherd was along for the trip too, she enjoyed the adventure quite a bit.  Parker and Gavyn were home on lay-up unfortunatly, Parker's still recovering from getting hit by a logging trip almost two months ago and Gavyn... I'm not sure, but his stifle is inflamed and he's a little gimpy on it, so he's on rimadyl for inflammation and restricted movement.  It was a really great day though!, pics are attached.
I'm hoping to take Shaylise (my niece) out with Lyra and Epona this weekend, should be fun! and also get Xandra out with Memri, hope there's time, I think it should be a really terrific experience for all involved though!
Enjoy!!
Best,

~Heather Keller
Standing *Rhys and *Sandor
Incredible, Versatile, Hypoallergenic, and Athletic
American Bashkir Curly Horses
Skygazerranch. com

Okanagan Breeder's Showcase

Hello all,

This past Saturday and Sunday I attended the Okanagan Breeder's Showcase.  This was their second annual show and they had a lot of interesting stuff going on, clinics and events and a great used tack sale, along with the Stallion show of course!

 

I'm not sure why I didn't go last year - other commitments or something, but I am sure glad I went this time.  It was a pretty good turnout and lots of interest in the stallions - in particular *Sandman of course - he always creates a "stir" as he is so unique looking - not just his lack of mane and tail, but he is an impressive horse in person - people just "have" to look at him :)  I could hardly make my way to and from the indoor arena where the stallion show was - SO many questions and really really nice comments about him.  The one trainer that I use quite a bit, though I haven't seen her since last season, she even had to tell me how good he is looking, so that was great!

 

So we had two sessions where I rode him for the show in the indoor arena - of course the lighting in there is terrible so no photos from inside and we only have a few pictures of him outside, I will attach them though.  I have to say that he was a very good boy, and we have only ridden him for about a month or so this year and last year he was only ridden about three times, so it is taking him a bit to get back into it completely.  But, when he hears his music "Mr. Sandman, by the Chordettes" (I always play this music while they read his information, so cute and fitting) he puffs right up and shows off like crazy LOL.

 

I'm also going to copy/paste the lyrics for his "song" - I find it soooo hilarious and fitting for him - plus the music is quite nice to ride to :)

 

Standing Curly Sporthorse Stallion *Sandman's Magichttp://www.curlystandardplace.com

 

(scat “bung, bung, bung, bung..........)

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Give him two lips like roses and clover (bung, bung, bung, bung)
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.

(scat “bung, bung, bung, bung.….)

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I've ever seen
Give him the word that I'm not a rover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over.
Sandman, I'm so alone
Don't have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream.

(scat “bung, bung, bung, bung)

Mr. Sandman (male voice: “Yesss?) bring us a dream
Give him a pair of eyes with a “come-hither” gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace
Mr Sandman, someone to hold (someone to hold)
Would be so peachy before we're too old
So please turn on your magic beam
Mr Sandman, bring us, please, please, please
Mr Sandman, bring us a dream.

(scat “bung, bung, bung, bung….) 

Golden Curls Ranch - News Clip

Hello All,

We took Denise up on her challenge to share our Curly Friends with news articles and here is one of several we have done. 

May your rides be filled with Curls,

Angie

www.goldencurlsranch.com

T-Bars and Flag Tape

Not a great weather week up here so another week of mainly manners and respect while being fed and handled. Not as exciting as some other things we do, but important nonetheless.
We racked our brains all week for what kind of fencing we were going to try Linus with. Dad ended up being able to take home about 20 T-Bar posts from a job site, Bonus!! We screwed small blocks of wood to the posts, then screwed on the insulators only to find T-Bar Insulators the next day at TSC!! So, we put our new fence higher than the first and left the first up then I flagged the crap out of it so no way can Linus not know where he is meant to be.
I got to the farm yesterday morning, did some chores and put our Easter calf (Owen named her Chick) outside with the herd. Then it was Linus' turn. This time I played him out by taking him for a 2km walk with the dogs. We walked, trotted and checked out the "monsters" because this was the farthest we have trekked in that particular direction. I expected to have to start all over from last week's lesson in manners while being led but Linus actually retained almost all of it and we had a very pleasant jaunt. Very little traffic went by but he seems beyond worrying about that. Our biggest obstacle was a massive pile of stone with black tarps strewn through it. It was a very windy day and on a hill so the tarps were all over the place. Obviously there for the sole purpose of eating Linus. He used to bolt first then look but I find more and more now he is looking to see what it is before bolting. There was a page wire fence between us and the nasty tarps so we couldn't investigate too closely but we did stay until he was convinced that there was no threat. We headed back to the farm, I swapped his halters (just in case we had a repeat of his Houdini side) and walked the perimeter of his new turn out area. He immediately started munching away on the new grass and didn't seem to be interested in escaping. Seems getting the wind out of his sail beforehand was worth it!
I'm just about to head to the farm now to see what he is up to and how he is taking it. I'm sure he is loving it!!
Linus is growing beautifully. Every now and then he is a bit gawky looking as he approaches his first birthday but he is going to finish absolutely gorgeous. He's so athletic and flashy looking. I love the flow of his shoulder up through his neck and head. I'm so anxious to see him in 3 years!!!

a quite satisfactchall ride !!

I can't remember but I may have already posted about the best ride in 2010... but this past Wednesday takes first place as the best ride so far of this year. Unseasonably warm weather - we headed to the floodplains for a water crossing. The boots I ride in are quite sopping still this evening.. but what a great trek !

Both Zoe and I took along cameras - so there is plenty of pictorial documentation .. and as usual you can visit the farm blog for the full blow by blow. My camera died toward the end of the trip.

The first leg of the trip, we didn't bother with photo's... we did trot through North Springfield on the sidewalks and past the Mobil station on Route 106.






Looking across, we spy the car belonging to friends who rent the red building (used to be a tack shop) --- we decide to tarry a bit and visit.

As we all learned from Denise -- horses CAN enter human dwellings. Knock Knock -- Keri and I open the door and find our friends are vacuuming.... not wanting to be rude guests.. we remain on the porch and visit with them out there.

Time to get on our way ....

There are a couple of options as far as routes to the floodplains - we choose to trot over the dam bridge this trip. This is only our second journey over this bridge ... last time was April 8, 2008- and that day there was still ice and snow on the reservoir and crossing the river would have been CHILLLEEE. Today- is beautiful and sunny and as I remarked on my farm blog -- a real Zippity Doo Dah day !

As Uncle Remus said --it's the kind of day where you can't open your mouth without a song jumping right out of it.

Trail that runs along the river.

Last time we trekked the floodplains for a river crossing was July, 2009 . The river banks were grown up and green then, but due to the persistent rains -- the water level was almost as high as it was this trip. Unusual for summer.

Keri's first trip to the floodplains was as a 6 year old along with her Mom on a 25 miler.

Here's the little path down to the water-- in mid-summer, this path is completely camouflaged with tall weeds and brush.

Keri takes the first step -- shallow, then deeper, then, OK my shoes are wet.... Elektra is blowing bubbles with her nose in the water --- silly dressage horse :)

My Loch Ness mare.

And here is our entertaining video clip of Zoe trying not to chuckle too much while her mother is in danger of being swept away downstream :0 The current was swift, the water deep -- but just WAY TOO MUCH FUN !! The water at one point was over my saddle.... eeeks. And to think I had packed extra socks to change into after we were done -- no point in that now. Of course - even the though the current threatened to carry me and Keri off- that did not stop me from doing it again. (and again)

Elektra is frolicking a bit in the water - so difficult for Zoe to hold the camera steady.

The trot home was great -- thankfully warm so it did not matter that I was soaked from the waist down. We took trail almost all the way home.

Can't wait to return !!

Enjoy ~

Days Like This

Saturday was a gorgeous early spring/summer day -- hot for the horses perhaps as they still have quite a bit of winter coat... but they were still ready to carry us to the top of Mount Ephraim and back. Zoe rode Elektra with the Cashel saddle and I rode -- guess who ? none other than my lovely Keri. She was in a super happy mood.. we had a blast trotting up the mountain.

Zoe carried the camera on this trip for more practice... when we reached streamside, I asked Keri to step into the water since generally we are both avid brook walkers. She stepped down and then decided she was DYING of thirst... she took a looooong big drink -- maybe she was parched, maybe she was just being bratty... but- who cares ? it's a beautiful day :)

We had debris to step over -- a nice natural easy going obstacle course.

We're smiling ! I don't even need a lime green jacket to feel cheery today.

Warm enough for a summer top - but still ice in the woods.

hard work trotting up stony trails -- then as we neared the top -- the paths turn to ledge..

When we reach the top - we pose for photo's ! :)

Our dressage horse that loves trail !

We took the alternate route home -- Close to home, we came upon one of Denise's obstacles.. a ball which actually we saw last year on our spring ride to the top of Mount Ephraim...

I'll repeat what I typed on my farm blog -- I know we still might get some wintry and nasty weather --

but days like this makes it easy to stay smiling.

Enjoy ~

A Big Weekend for Linus

Linus had a "good" Good Friday running all over the place; we did not! We fenced in a spot for him so that he had more room to run and some grass to nibble. Our cows and the horse I used to have have always been kept in with single strand electric wire. We've never even had bulls that have bothered with the wire. They know its electric and they respect it. Not Linus. When at Homefire, he had not only higher but several more strands to keep him in. Seems we are going to have to do something like that. I put him in his new area, walked the perimeter with him, the fence was flagged so he knew the boundary. Five minutes later, Dad beeps from the tractor and points at Linus standing on a hill beside the house munching away on the rich grass that grows on top of where the septic tank is. Grab his mane, wait for my Stu to bring me a halter (slow process, he had an ingrown toenail removed the day previous!) put Linus back in and repair the fence. Ten minutes later, we're cleaning out his round pen and Mom comes around the corner "Donna, can you go put Linus in?" so this time we put him in the barn. No sense putting him back in the fence, he obviously doesn't respect it and is going through it too fast to get a shock. We learned from Mom that he was attempting to jump over it. Her comment: "He's not very good at it!" Thanks mom, is that a challenge for the future?...
We made a new area, with gates, on the other side of the barn and put him in with a heifer called Lucy. Some of you know that is also the barn name of his mother; Linus and Lucy together again!! I was amused by the names anyway. She put him in his place and we haven't had any problems with them. We do have a new bull coming home in 2 weeks though, so between now and then I need to come up with a sturdier fence system for Linus.
To complete his big day of playing Houdini the farrier came and while he was not a perfect gentleman he still did very well. It doesn't take him long to figure out its better to just give in and get it overwith faster.
Saturday, Linus got his first bath. Boy was he not impressed with me!! But it did him the world of good. He is so much softer now and not as itchy from the shedding. One more obstacle for him to get used to. We didn't do much more than a bath on Saturday, that was a big enough event for him. He followed up by acting like a bronc when back in his pen.
Yesterday, I pulled him out, brushed the new loose hairs out and spent some time learning to stand still. Then Owen and Stu walked over. Owen gets a great kick out of petting Linus and even he noticed how much softer Linus was. "Wow, soft" were his words. Pretty good observation since he had just been petting a newborn calf and that is the ultimate in soft! Then Owen briefly sat on Linus' back. Linus turned his head and kind of froze. I think he somehow knows to be gentle with Owen. With all the driving we've done, something on his back isn't scary either.
I was going to drive him yesterday but we haven't been out for a couple of weeks and it was very windy. I decided to go ahead and work on a problem instead. Linus and I have issues when I lead him, he sometimes thinks he can lead me. I picked up a short (14" ish) riding crop a few days before in hopes of using it as an aid with leading. If he got too far ahead of me I would tell him "Whoa", if that didn't slow him I pulled on the lead with another "Whoa" and if that didn't work I gave him a bit of a tap with the crop. Nothing to hurt just to show him it was there. We headed up the driveway and not too far from there he caught on to what I was getting at. So, after this we enjoyed a 3km walk. We went to the end of the road and back. We've never gone this far before. It did him good. The neighbour's put plastic around their porch for the winter and have opened some of it up already, the rest was blowing and flapping in the wind. Great obstacle! I circled him there until it was a non-issue. We also encountered barking dogs (non-issue since my dog Tess usually follows us everywhere anyway), 4-wheelers, laundry on clotheslines, low-lying branches brushing the side of the road (obviously just waiting to grab Linus!) a power-washer, some guys fixing an upside down something (couldn't tell what it was but three of them were standing there humming and hawing) the same people also have a massive Bermese Mountain Dog who came running out barking. I thought this might scare him because it was a new dog, but he didn't even look at her. We were passed by a few vehicles, one towing a trailer loaded with stuff the dump and one with kids waving. Not a bother at all. We kicked rocks, an empty flattened pop can and leaves. On the way there Linus had his head and ears up taking it all in. On the way back his head was between my hip and shoulder and every now and then he would playfully lip my sleeve or the lead rope. I kept praising him and rubbing his neck every so often. I was very proud of my boy! We had a great walk. Even though it felt like a nice relaxing walk (it was that too) we conquered a lot and he respected me as his leader. I let him eat some new grass before putting him away and not long after he was flaked out on his side next to Lucy.
Today he will get the day off, he is still a baby!!
Hope you all had a great Easter weekend.

A quick note from Colden Curls Ranch

Hello Curly Horse Friends, 

Wanted to share a quick note about all that we are doing at Golden Curls Ranch. We had a wonderful Curly Pony Camp during Spring Break and it is truly awesome to share first time riders smile as big as the Rio Grande when they connect with a Curly pony. 

We learned the basics or Level D of Pony Club Books written by Susan Harris and ended with a wonderful trail ride on Friday. 

Many folks wanting to take advantage of our wonder Texas Sunny Sky called in for last minute trail rides. We were trilled to meet folks who drove over 60 miles to visit us and our Curly ones. We gave a wonderful young man's a very special, surprise Trail Ride for his 27 birthday. He really seem to have a great time and Lakota is such a fine fella they were inseparable for the day.

He and Lakota connected so well he stated he would be back every month to ride his new friend.

When we were not riding or holding Curly Pony Camp we were busy teaching the Clinton Anderson technique of trailer loading. 

Chester and Curly J are getting really good and we are trilled because it is Show Season and we are ready to hook 'em up and head to the shows.

 

Hope all is having a great Spring and a wonderful Easter. 

All our best, Angie and the Curly ones

A disappearing March - April arrives with SUN !

February dragged on forever for me and March -- wow, where did it disappear to ? But with all the cold and miserable rain - I guess I am glad the month is gone. Not only did Zoe and I have to sneak in rides between lessons but also in between rainstorms.

We had a great trot out with Keri and Reverie (Zoe's Day Dream) one quite chilly but sunny day.

Seems many neighbors had the same idea -- soak up some radiant rays on a walk-a-bout.

I asked these young knights in training what they were up to -- "a quest !" they replied. Keri agrees... she loves a quest also , but wonders ... do all the neighbors own a black lab ?

Zoe snapped a nice close up of the big tom who wanders our surrounding woods and roads. Reverie is making a nice photo horse - standing quite still for pics.

I made a short video to show Reverie's comfy sitting trot - which she can maintain for a goodly distance. What a nice mare she is ! :)

After a few days of torrential cold half freezing rain.. we were anxious to get in the saddle again. Not sure where to go, with flooding everywhere. Turned out, we just trotted and cantered on the back roads and a little trail with Keri and Elektra. Zoe decided to use the Cashel saddle. Elektra loved it -- a completely free shoulder. Lately she has not loved Zoe's saddle.

Back country roads are plenty muddy.

We detoured onto a snowmobile trail for a change of scenery.

Keri and I practiced jumping this ditch on cue a few times while Zoe had to take a call.

This is the same little trail Nimue drove on when she went over the snowmobile bridge... she pulled the cart right over this ditch. Made for a bounce that day.

One of my favorite spots to walk in water... but not today. The water rushes through a smallish 'tunnel' built into the stone wall. With the force of this rushing water, I am surprised the wall holds up.

Not a terribly exciting ride - but loads of fun anyway -- Zoe felt some thigh burn on return for sure !

Monday - the pony filly we have been waiting for finally arrived... not that the birth of a foal is particularly RAC noteworthy... this one might be ! On April Fool's Day -- she visited the obstacle area and performed for the RAC obstacle challenge.

Here's OYY Oona checking out the tire -- with plenty of room to 'spare'. :)

I am hoping I will have time this spring and summer to drive Sharona with her daughter beside.

Reports look good for great weather -- so we are planning to get up onto Mount Ephraim this weekend.. plus a few other journeys out and about.

Enjoy ~ and Happy Easter !