Billy and I - day 5

Thankfully, our ice storm turned to rain today.  Unfortunately, with the slippery surface remaining under the rain, Bill and I decided to take another day off. I looked for a picture to share from outdoors, but then quickly decided there really isn't a good picture to share when it's raining at the barn.  As I walked past my beautifully cleaned leather harness lines and bridle hanging on my laundry room door...I instantly thought it would be a good picture to share.  I just cleaned our driving lines and the entire harness.  I kept the lines and bridle hanging, not sure why, perhaps just for inspiration and encouragement.  Each time I view them, I dream of the nice driving weather to come...

I was thinking how disappointing rain can be.  I can't tell you the times I prepared for an event and then had to show in the pouring rain. My outfit, my tack, my beautifully groomed and braided horse coming in from our jumping round muddy and soaking wet!  I can distinctly remember riding a green gelding at a hunter show.  It seemed that our turn for jumping coincided with a tremendous downpour.  I also remember my sweet horse almost sliding into a fence and at the last minute deciding he could jump it - thankfully the jumps were low.  We made it around, it wasn't pretty but this sweet boy, who really was not yet keen on jumping these obstacles, kept me safe.  In hindsight, we probably should have retired...ah, youth and the feeling of being invisible!

But then there is something so sweet about coming in from the rain, that comforting feeling of peeling off those wet clothes, soaking in a warm bath, followed by a lovely cup of hot chocolate.  Of thinking about the day and how you made it.  You met the challenges of the day.  There is something so good about that feeling of knowing you did it!  Another way in which rain helps us to grow...if you think about it.

Tomorrow the temperature is suppose to rise close to 60 degrees.  I look forward to Billy and I getting back to work.  Until then...have a great day all!

Billy and Alli - day 4

A happy visit from granddaughter, Alli this weekend.  No walking this morning with Billy but a wonderful visit by his favorite little girl last evening.  Matthew was taking pictures of all the ponies with Alli. As I walked up to Billy he was a bit ahead of us and I asked him to back up and he did and just stood with us for the picture!  My eyes got as big as quarters...'did he really just back up like that when I asked', Matthew said, 'he sure did, that pony would do anything for you'!

Alli took a quick sit on Billy...he stood like a gentleman and didn't move a muscle.  A great time was had by all!  Love that little grandlady and that pony too!

Happy Sunday to you!!

Billy and I - Day 3

I woke up to another spectacular snowy day.  I couldn't resist taking photos from my house, beautiful big fluffy snowflakes gently falling on a quiet winter's morning.  I can't help myself...I like snow.  I much prefer snow over mud and 90 degree days with 90% humidity.  I have set my mind to enjoy this beautiful weather and to not let one training moment pass us by...

I could barely wait to get out of bed this morning and wake up my pony for our daily walk!  I can't tell you the last time I felt that much excitement...it's been quite a long time and it felt good.  As I watched the time go by slowly on my nightstand clock - 6:10 am...7:22 am - I decided to just get up and make an early morning of it (even though it is a Saturday morning).

As I put my layers on I was laying out my path for Bill and I in my mind.  I decided to revisit our creek and walk our neighbors very hilly 4 acre pasture.  Actually, the house is empty at the moment and I was sure no one would mind us walking the fence line.  I would be sure to watch out for gopher holes and...have some fun.  I was especially happy as my hubby wanted to join Bill and I.  I know he probably would have liked to bring his pony along for the walk, but I had to remind him that my goal is to take Bill out solo so we can help him overcome always having to be with his friends.  No problem...Matthew was game!

As the snow gently fell we started out. I was pleased right at the start that Bill seemed happy to go and that my lead rope wasn't taunt.  He just followed right by me, out the gate, over my frozen 8x8 elevated garden plot and into the next pasture.  We went to the creek first and he followed...he jumped it as if there were crocodiles ready grab him...but he followed me...no hesitation...all go!  Good boy!  We came to the For Sale sign at the top of the lane of our previous neighbors.  Bill walked right up to it and gave it a sniff...good boy!

He fairly leaned his head on the sign and I couldn't help but take a minute and get the picture.  Funny how a pony's brain works...I thought he might think twice about this sign and didn't at all...I didn't think he'd look twice at the  trash can yesterday and he did.  We then went to visit the bright read pipe sticking out from the pond, again not a thought about it.  We walked up a very steep hill and continued to have a nice loopy lead...out for a stroll enjoying the moment.  This is really fun.  I do have to admit I did have to ask Bill to stand a few times while going up the hills today...but after all, it is good practice right?  And I was able to catch my breath.  I am happy for the opportunity for me to get fit as well! Huff...puff...huff...whew!  Billy was patient and kind and didn't think anything about our stops and starts.  Good boy!  Matt decided to help me as we started up our second big hill...I have to admit that was very nice.  Good boy, Matt!  :)  I was also very pleased that the girls left at home didn't whinny once.  Amazing...only our 3rd day out and things are settling into routine...  Billy didn't dance at anything today, he was forward and didn't balk at anything as well...we walked under the clothes line, over a couple wooden railroad poles and down the long drive way.  We decided to walk back to our farm on the road.  It's always a bit quieter on our road on Saturdays and Sundays.  I was pleased that we had a truck come down the hill opposite and behind us and he slowed way down.  I thanked him and waved him on.  We were right in the road and Bill stopped and faced the truck and just stood...again a loopy lead...well done buddy!  We then had several cars come toward us and we walked to the side of the road without barely a nod from Bill.  Amazing how when you simply ask of your horse or pony, they so willing follow you.  Often times, we so often make up a story in our mind how our horse doesn't like this or he'll freak out at that...  I've done the same thing and realized how much I put us both in a box that we didn't deserve to be in.  I haven't done a great deal of road work with Bill because of my own silly thoughts.  I am so glad that I decided to embark on this journey...so happy to see again the willingness of my pony to follow me!

Happy day to you!

Billy and I - Day 2

Today was absolutely beautiful for our walk.  It was about 16 degrees with a lovely, soft, light snow falling as we enjoyed our second day of walking solo around the neighborhood.  We crossed the road immediately today and walked our neighbor's 2 acre plus lot, pass the wood pile, no problem today.  We get to the top of the hill and my wonderful neighbor let her pack of Brittanies out to run the adjoining field.  God love her...perfect.  Bill stopped and looked, danced a bit and I had him walk back to the fence line and we continued forward.  I couldn't have been happier with the timing of this, barely crest the hill and we see the pack of about 6 red and white wiggly dogs come bounding out of the house and up towards us by the fence line! Perfect!  I was pleased with Bill as well, he noticed them, was pretty excited about them but stayed with me and then moved forward.  I can work with that.  The silly mare's in our field were whinnying again as we returned across the road toward our property and I was again pleased that Billy ignored them.  No returned whinnies! We walked the opposite direction today past our farm and Bill spotted a dreaded garbage can with colorful bags beside it.  It was across our road and with the slippery surface I felt it wouldn't be a good thing to be in the road if a car should come down the hill.  So we stood and looked at it across the road for sometime until he just gave up the excitement.  As we were standing there a couple of our neighbor's horses spotted Billy and I and came to their fence line, again across the road, snorting and dancing...yay!  Billy took note but didn't return the snort or the dance..."good boy".  We then found a stream to cross and Bill followed me without hesitation jumping across.  We will return to this place again and hopefully next week when it warms up and rains, we can play in the water...I have to remember to wear my tall boots, but great training - can anyone say "water hazard"!

We returned to our gate, Bill kind of slowed his pace...I think he wanted to continue our walk...that's another good sign.  I think he is enjoying our walks just as much if not more than I am.  I had many people drive by and wave...that's kind of fun.  We had several things happen today that are all good training moments and I was pleased with Billy's response.  

With our goals in mind we will continue our training plan.  I can't help it, I like this pony and enjoy spending time with him too!  Until tomorrow...have a great day all!

Bill and I - Winter Training

Bill (my driving pony) and I have several goals this year...several events we'd like to attend.  Bucket list type things that I've wanted to do for a while, but because of other responsibilities, I just never had the time to put into these particular goals.  I will eventually share those goals, but for now I just want to use my blog as a diary of sorts.  It's always a good thing to Journal as it allows you to see your progress or lack thereof.

Yesterday was our start date.  What a beautifully cold and sunny day.  It was about 12 degrees but the sun made it feel much warmer.  Billy was keen to head out the gate.  I had ground driven him a couple days before and he headed for the upper gate and stood.  That's a good sign...he wanted to take a walk around the neighborhood, but it wasn't in our plans for the day.  Billy has become a bit herd bound.  He started his driving career as my only driving partner and when we attended events it was with him only.  We then added a second driving pony to our family; my husband and Miss and Bill decided he reeaallly liked to have company.  So much so it was hard for him to leave his friend when asked.  It can happen and I didn't notice it until it came to a bit of a challenge point.  "Uh-oh" I should have seen this coming way before...but I didn't. So my plan this year is to go back to Billy and I going out solo.

Since the ground is covered in snow and slippery and we couldn't drive, I thought it would be a good thing for us to take a walk; for him to practice leaving his friends and for our fitness level to walk around our country neighborhood.  We live on an extremely busy road, one that truly would not be safe to drive on...but walking is another matter entirely and we have lots of places we can explore.

Day 1 we walked around our neighbors 2 acre field, up by the road and on the road when no cars were in sight (thankfully we did have a car pass us as we were standing right by the road and Bill was fine - "good boy").  We then crossed the road and walked up behind our neighbors house (we have been given permission by our neighbors to walk their property lines in advance) by a wood pile while a little animal scurried out from under some rubble - Bill spooked in place, another "atta boy" - around our neighbor's 2 plus acre lot, back across the road, out in front of our pasture while Bill's mares whinnied to him, of which, Billy did not whiny back which again was a very "good boy".  Billy was forward and looking all around but very good and listened well.  Back to the barn.

A very good start...