Pippi Ground Drives like a CHAMP!! (video)

I am so very very proud of my mare. WHAT A GREAT HORSE she is!!!

Last night I went to the barn, bringing along the surcingle and my homemade driving reins. We don't need anything too fancy for just giving this a shot.

Pippi has not ever tried ground driving, and neither have I. I have seen it done, and slept at the Holiday Inn Express several times, so off we went. BO's hubby gave me some tips in case she refused to go forward, but that proved unnecessary.
I strapped on the surcingle, and turned her bit upside down. 'Happy Mouth' which bends the same both ways, and this would give me a lower place to attach reins to bit, which in my 'extensive' research I had read to do. I googled and read several paragraphs on several sites, so clearly I am an expert. Attached reins to bit, took them through the D-rings in the middle of the sides, and walked behind her. She stood patiently and waited. After putting both reins in one hand, and starting the iTouch we were off:

The filming is horrendous. It was hard keeping the camera on her with one hand and the other trying to steer, and it is quite grainy and dark, but you get the idea.

Pippi rocked it!!

After this I dropped the filming and took the reins in two hands, still no lunge whip, and we did some really great turns, walked straighter and did a nice controlled walk over the "bridge." I was just amazed. Her willingness and calmness is just fantastic. So quick to learn and almost reading my mind.

During the drive home it occurred to me that Pippi has not had an extended break from training since we found her. For 3 1/2 years she has always (even after Miranda broke her leg and rode her bareback) been in some sort of training plan. This nice quiet break may be the best thing in the long run. It will give her some time off, and I can already see the changes mentally. So calm and ready to try something new.
Her concentration is amazing. Everything we are doing she breezes right through, and we are having a blast.

I also think it helps that I have no expectations except what we will work on. Don't care how it turns out, just expect to give it a try and work on it for however long it takes. Pippi and I are having the time of our lives.

Example of my work for 2-Point Bling

This is the Stitched out Drawing....

......based on this photo.

I have been working on doing stitched portraits of my horse Pippi, and the above is my first attempt. I like it a lot, and think that it looks a lot like my mare. Expression and everything.

When I showed the stitching to Donna, she recognized Pippi right away, even though she did not know I was working on this. So that is a good sign, right?

There are a few areas that I would like to change, but overall I am thrilled with the result.

So here is my question; I would love to offer to make 5x7 stitched portraits (on clothing, and/or framed) for sale of customers horses. This takes a lot of time and effort, making the drawing match and look right, and then  digitizing that and making sure it stitches nicely. So, how much is that worth? It will take me 5-6 hours per portrait, maybe less as I get better at it.

Please give me some feedback. Is this even something that you would buy? Thanks!

The move - from highs to lows to?

On Monday october 1st, Pippi moved to the new barn. It was sad, and a little bit exciting. We knew how much we were goign to miss seeing Kevin and Donna every day, and how much they would miss seeing us. By "us" I include Pippi.
When we arrived at the new facility the BO and her husband were there waiting for us. I showed her the health certificate, the shot record and Coggins, before Miranda unloaded Pippi. Pippi jumped off the trailer and perused her new surroundings. She was really up, and seemed thrilled at the opportunity to go somewhere. BO suggested that we let her run around the indoor to explore a bit. Brisk trot around the arena, checked out the open door at the view outside, sniffed and checked perimeter, and then a nice roll in the middle. She was happy.

The new facility is quite small, only five stalls, a washbay, a great tackroom and an mid sized indoor arena. Outside there are two fenced in areas, big enough to roam and get in a quick gallop. Trees, a creek, sloping terrain, YAY!! BO and Hubby are home all the time, so they rotate horses in and out, and take excellent care of the horses and the grounds. EXCELLENT care!!! BO is a Trainer (western mostly I believe, and AQHA), and used to work at a well regarded Equestrian School. BO's Hubby has worked with horses his entire life as well, runs a local riding club, and used to breed Paints. So he was thrilled to see a Paint horse, commenting that it was going to be great to have a bit of color around.

Pippi seemed to settle in well, until I came back the next day when she was completely deflated. No welcoming nicker, no nodding head, no excitement, and no eating of hay. And no interest in her neighbor. I knew she would have a tough time since she is so tied to me, and used to a lot interaction (spoiled as can be) with Kevin and Donna. We played in the arena, and I groomed and massaged. Stood with her in the stall, and she finally ate her hay. Spinning around as soon as I tried to leave, so my visit was extended. Stopped by briefly yesterday and gave her some carrots. She was more up, and was watching the horses outside.
Tonight Donna is coming with me, and we are tacking her up and spending some quality time in the arena. She can not be ridden until healed, and we have no real timeframe on that, but she needs to remember what tack feels like, and so we are tacking up every week. And then doing some groundwork under saddle.

I miss having her down the street, and I miss hanging at the barn with my pals, but I know I did the right thing. Pippi needs a safe dry, and flat place to turn out this winter, and the ability to be out in spurts rather than all in or all out. She will get to out on grass soon, maybe tomorrow, to check out the grounds, but again, it will be in shorter periods. We could leave stallbound, which would shorten her recovery time, but she would be miserable and possibly cause other damage to herself, so we are taking the long wait approach. And that is okay.

I have not taken any pics of the new place yet as I have not asked BO about it. But here is a pic of Pippi from the show where she was hurt:

My stunning Pippi!

Moved up the move

We are now moving on the First. October 1!!

It occurred to me that it may just be better to move on the first, rather than wait until Saturday. It keeps us from having to prorate the first months board, and as long as Kevin has time to haul us we are set to go. As usual the kind Kevin, Mr.Sure Honey, said yes. And the new BO, Denise, said that works great for her, so are are leaving in a week from today.

Yesterday I took our little pickup, Tacoma, to the barn, and loaded up all the things I don't need for Pippi right now. The jumps, poles, saddle racks, saddles, etc etc. Holy Motherload of crap. I am taking this move as an opportunity to organize, clean and perhaps pitch a few things. It is amazing all the items we have accumulated in the last four years. I left with an entire truck load full. FULL!!! of equestrian "must haves."
Drove slowly home so as not to jostle anything out of the truck bed as I had to leave the tailgate down due to the poles sticking out. Our garage now looks like a dirty tack store having a yard sale. MUST GET IT TOGETHER!!

We had a mini Horse Show at Donna and Kevins this weekend, it was exhausting but so fun. Cleaned stalls all Thursday evening, washed five horses Friday evening, and had a show Saturday. Whew!! And yesterday I had to get caught up on sewing, so I a bit frayed at the edges today.

Chance, the mini that Miranda normally shows (she is taking a break due to nursing school), was a GIANT PAIN IN THE .........!!! He fought me hard, and knocked me to the ground when I was putting hoof black on him. The little bugger. Then he kicked out at me during the halter class! So I lunged him, and he got his act together. He is just one those horses that needs his "ass beat" as Miranda says. (Not really beat, but he sure needs intimidation and a strong hand.) The judge clearly did not favor him, nor did "our horses" enjoy having strange horses on their home turf. Not the best showing for us, but as usual we had a great time.

Grandma (Donna's mother) came down and watched. I drove her down from the house, and she stayed for several hours. When I was taking her back up the barrel pattern was still set in the grass, so I drove the full pattern and Grandma Laughed heartily. I had rolled down my window and hollered "WooHoo" at the top of my lungs. She stated "you are just a bit crazy" and patted my arm three times. I Grandma speak that means "I adore you," as she is not the most verbally effusive.

So a great weekend. This coming weekend is the Reality Farms Equine Center (whew, mouth full) Annual Fundraiser Weekend. I have the shirts ready, and we hope to raise lots of money for Breast Cancer Research. 

"That sounds good."

Just hung up the phone after a very productive chat with the Future BO, Denise. I like her, and I like her attitude towards horses and training.
We seem to have the same overall attitude about horses; take care of them, put their needs first and your ambitions second, and use them in the discipline they (the horse) are most suited for. That does not mean that you don't push and train your horse, but be honest and open minded enough to see what the individual horse can and can not do.

With this move I am trying to iron out future issues before they occur, be clear in my expectations and know theirs. I plan to ride in the evening, Denise rides during the day so that is fine. I plan to ride between 7 and 9pm, and Denise would like me to leave at 9 at the latest so that is fine. I plan to come over Monday, Wednesday and Friday around those times, and at differing times on the weekend. That is all fine. Denise already feeds the feed I use, No change -YAY!!
Denise understands and even applauds my mind set on waiting forever and three days before I resume training/riding Pippi due to the Tendon injury. I told her that when Pippi is cleared for riding, I still want to wait more, and Denise agreed whole heartedly.
I told her that if this injury proves to have changed Pippi's riding discipline, so will I change mine. If there is to be no more jumping, we will switch to Dressage I think. And Denise said that she never decides what a horse will do, the horse does. (she is a Trainer btw). What does the horse excel at? What does the horse seem to enjoy doing? What is in the heart of the horse? (a spooking horse does not a great eventer make, regardless of athletic ability.) Sure training can do wonders, but there is a reason NBA players are tall, and gymnists are short, and lawyers are attorneys. Just sayin'......

The move happens October 6th. I am ready, I think, but dread leaving Donna and Kevin. Kevin dreads Pippi leaving, and offered to buy her for a whole $100!!! So that tells you two things, he loves Pippi and knows that the actual amount is astronomical (due to me over pricing her as much as he undervalued.) Donna and Kevin are the best. The absolute best! And was it not for my wish to ride, get a hillside field, a bigger stall, an indoor arena, and not have to spend all my time feeding and scooping, Pippi would never leave their place. No place will ever be better for Pippi in terms of love and affection and care. She will miss them as much as they will miss her. But I hope to cajole them into visiting her as much as possible. Kevin is hauling her over there. He'd like to see the new place, and make sure it meets his approval for "his best buddy." Donna gets quiet and blinks her eyes a lot when we talk about the move, and I am sure there will be tears all around.

Pippi sure is a special horse to inspire this much emotion.......

I'm Alive, just real busy

Quick update for those who wondered if I fell off the planet, or perhaps a horse which put me in traction and therefore  I am unable to blog. I did neither, just got busy, and tired. Too tired to ruminate online....

Pippi and Miranda went to the "big show;" Pippi spooked in arena 1 due to HUGE wide, busy looking jumps, but did quite well in arena 2. So a 50% success. She did however pull a tendon in the front left, no idea how or when, but is on rest until healed. Not sure how long that will take, but committed to giving recovery all the time it takes and then some.

Miranda is super busy with, and committed to, nursing school and is taking an Equine break to concentrate on that. She plans on taking over a friends horse in the spring, and continuing her riding with him.

Pippi and I are continuing our adventures alone, with occasional visits from Miranda. With the lack of activity Pippi is kicking about, and put her back legs through the fence, causing all kinds of booboo's. So with the fornt two being wrapped to support the tendon, she now has both hinds covered by meds to keep infection in sores at bay (and flies). She was in a small confined area, too small to run, but giving her a chance to stretch her legs for a moment. Rolled, and well there you have it.

In other news: Pippi is moving to a place that will give me some help (full board), her some room (for when she can run around again), a larger stall (while she is on stall rest), and an indoor arena for us to use through the winter, and the company of horses her own size (may she realize that she is EQUINE and not HUMAN!!!!) The move will happen early October.

"2-Point Bling" is taking off quite well. The breast cancer fundraiser is September 28 & 29th, and I have most of the shirts done for that ($10/shirt goes to the fundraiser). Have other orders also, so I am keeping busy. Spend most of the evening, apart from the time spent walking Pippi about, in the "sweatshop" as my hubby named it.

So there you have it......

A song for our Horses

I'm not sure what Jason Mraz was thinking when he wrote these lyrics, or what he pictures when he sings it. When I hear these words I picture my Big Girl, my silent Partner, my Horse Pippi. Picturing the journey we have been on, all the hard work (and really hard falls) Miranda has endured, the labor of love all three of us poured into this, the love and attention to and from, and the arc of the transformation. Feel so lucky......

 "I Won't Give Up"

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
Well, there's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

Well, I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not
And who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
Still looking up.

I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

"Limbkicks" stole all my time

Our son used to call the Olympics "Limbkicks" when he was a little fella and it stuck, so at our house that is what we call it. And boy are we all about the "Limbkicks" right now. 24/7 all about watching every sport they will feature and cheering for every Yankee and Weedgie that brings home a medal. Loving it too.

Other than that we are in high gear with "2-Point Bling," and I thought I would show you some items that I made:

My good friend (great friend) is throwing a Barn Party to launch my business and I am super stressed but excited. It will be on the 18th, so I have a bit of time to get ready. Hoping for more Barn Parties going forward.
 Meanwhile I am creating shirts for a local Wrecker (Tow trucks) for the owner and his four man crew. They are black polo's with the company name in electric blue. Just like his trucks.

Pippi is doing good. She has some feet issues, nothing major, some cracks and the farrier is coming soon. (I Hope). So we are not riding until she gets looked at, Not lame or anything, we are just being too careful as usual. Meanwhile, since she seems a bit bored and is acting like a moody Diva, Miranda and I took her for a walk. We have Pippi in our neighborhood, and so she walked down the street like some giant canine. Snorting and super excited to see something different. After pulling on Miranda quite a bit, and being reprimanded for forgetting about the human holding the lead line, she settled in although walked with quite some forward momentum. Long fast strides. She seems to love the excitement of just getting out and about, so there will be more neighborhood walks I am sure. I wondered aloud to Miranda about what we would do should she decide to lighten the load while on our walk. The poopy-scooper bags that dog owners use probably would not cut it huh?