Flash Back

Any other old geezer out there having '60s flashbacks beside me?
One would think that the assholes would eventually learn that they're only hurting themselves.

Lesson Time

The granddaughter was at the barn this afternoon and rode Toby a while.  She stayed in the field and round pen working him out some. She said he behaved beautifully.  No problems transitioning from walk to "faster" and back again. 

Huh.  Maybe this old man is worse at riding than I thought. . . . Lesson time I guess.

Toby , Rowan & Rooky Riders

I was on Toby and the Boss was on Rowan today for an hour or so.  And I totally forgot to get any pictures of Rowan.  Maybe next time.

Rowan behaved well except for trying to go back to the barn.  He knows where the good food is, for sure.  So the Boss rode him around in the round pen for a while, where he behaved admirably.

Toby was a different matter.  I can get him to stand, turn and stop. We did some sideways prancing at times while turning him, that made it hard for this rooky to stay seated.  I almost came off of him twice.  He just doesn't want to walk.  So I took him into the round pen, and we followed rowan around for a while, at a walk.  That helped.  While standing, if I put any pressure on the rein, and especially if I touch him with a heel, he skips first gear entirely and goes directly into some kind of gated trot.  I want him to start off at a walk and only go faster if asked.

Not to Self.  If a walking horse has been used in youth rodeo, he does not want to walk any more.

Shaggy

The Boss gave Rowan a good brushing tonight. Most of the shaggy is now off of him.   Just in case he picked up skin issues being out all winter she wiped him down with an iodine solution.  He acted like he liked the brushing and stood calm for the iodine.  And the whole time he was hungry with grain and hay in his stall.  A good boy he is.

He does need to put on weight.  It'll take a little while, but being sheltered with plenty of grain and hay will do the trick.

Toby & Me

 

A very good boy and a fine ride.

A whole lot better at this than the old man sitting on him.

First chance I had to try him out since the purchase.

 

I'll post a picture of Rowan (the new sorrel) when I get one.

10mm - .40

Been reading a book called Classic Combat Handguns.  It's a compilation of many individual articles.
I didn't know that Cooper was somewhat involved with the Bren Ten.  He liked it very well as an improvement on the 45 Cal 1911.  I was a little surprised at that, even though the caliber does start with a 4.

And Then There Were Two

The lady to give shots couldn't make it until tomorrow, but I went to the barn in the morning anyway.  And hurray I finally go the chance to ride our horse a little (tabiano).  He would be a great horse if it wasn't for the bad horseman on his back.

The guy bringing 3 horses only brought 2.  He sold the other one.  The Boss and I both liked the 15 hand, red (sorrel), Kentucky Mountain horse gelding.  He is a little under weight, but we can fix that easily.  He's very calm, obedient and smooth riding.  The Boss can even mount him from the right side thus avoid putting pressure on her bad left knee.  Yeah, we now have 2 horses, and need to acquire another saddle.  Oh . . . . and I spent a little time on him as well.

I'll be meeting the "shot" lady there tomorrow morning to inoculate the tabiano.  If it's not raining I'll probably saddle up again.  If it's raining I'll brush the sorrel.  He's shedding his shaggy winter hair.

Maybe some pictures later.

Maybe Tomorrow

The last I heard the guy with 3 gaited horses is to arrive sometime tomorrow.  Hopefully true, but in the mean time the Boss is checking the 'net for a horse to go see.

I'll be at the barn tomorrow to fill the feed bin.  Will probably meet a lady to give the horse shots.  Hopefully, hopefully I'll get the chance to ride a little.

Bridging

Bought a small pad that is to fill the gap just behind the whithers.  It was recommended after sending some pictures to customer service.  It is memory foam covered with tacky-tack.  If this works as intended, the high pressure points due to the bridging will be minimized, resulting in a more comfortable horse and more stable saddle.

There's supposed to be 3 gated horses arriving at the stable where we board our horse this coming week.  The property owners son-in-law and the Boss are hoping 2 will be suitable for them.

Assuming we end up with another horse we'll be saddle shopping again.  But for which horse?  That depends on how the existing saddle fits each.

Now Flushing

Six years ago I was in Poland and Germany.  When I was asked if I was American, I was eager to say yes.  A couple years before that when I was in Austria, the answer was a proud yes.

How this country has changed.  The federal government, all it's agencies and a growing percentage of the population have become an embarrassment.  The shining beacon of tolerance, strength, protector and champion of liberty is no more.  This once great nation is on an accelerated spiral down the can.

That's Funny

Ever watch horses play?  I saw that today for the first time.  Interesting and funny.

Constitutional

Kansas now has "constitutional carry".  Shall we celebrate?
At least a few states actually follow the law of the land, the constitution. 

Either follow the constitution, or change it.
Folks, it's not that complicated.

Going Quietly

For years I've been writing about government screwing the citizens, and about the steps being taken to turn us all into subjects.  Over that time it has gotten worse and not better.  This is not the country I remember in my youth.  I don't even recognize it anymore.  Complaining about the inevitable has gotten tiring, which is probably why I don't post much about it anymore.  If I did it would be more of the same, only worse.  I wonder when the revolt will happen.  There's fighting all over the world, so why not here?  Most likely this once shining beacon of liberty will go quietly, as we destroy this country from within.

So Far So Good

Because of back shape and very high whithers the saddle we have does not fit.  It's obvious the previous owner was riding him with a saddle that didn't fit.  I suspect that unless we spend big bucks for a custom fit saddle, I'll never find one that will fit him.

The saddle contacts the horse front and rear.  I can slip my hand flat, in the middle, between the horse and the saddle.  Apparently others have had the same issue, because there are saddle pads on the market to help the situation.

Looks to me like this horse has tolerated bad fitting saddles for some time.  So I allowed the granddaughter to ride him for a short time.  He, the horse, was wonderful.  He was calm but energetic, and did everything she asked of him.  No dancing when mounted.  No fight to clean hooves.  He walked, gated and cantered with smooth efficiency.  He was beautiful to watch.

I think we found the right horse. In a couple weeks we may get another one.  The stable owner has an uncle who deals with Tennessee Walkers.  He'll be bringing 3 by for us to consider.