Today was another long day here on the ranch.
Melissa and I got up and did our daily chores. They go a lot faster when you have a second pair of hands helping out. When we were feeding our calves, we noticed that Nora the horse had rubbed her head against the hay bale, resulting in a very messed up forelock.
We then went out with Burt to check the cows. Since both rangers were out the last few days, we haven't been able to go out and check them. We ended up tagging roughly 8 calves. And only one got away before we could tag it (-cough thanks to Burt cough-). Because it was such a brisk day today, Melissa and I wore our hoods the entire time we checked cows. This resulted in a lovely wind/sun burn that only covers around our eyes and nose.
After that we ate burgers at Granny's. Then Melissa and I fed our calves again. Abby was a little reluctant to eat and did not finish her bottle this time.
Then we went to the barn and rode for about three hours. I started on Banjo, but when his feet got too sore I rode Gumpy. I worked more on finding where my horse's feet are and moving them to where I wanted to go. Jenn also kept reminding me to make a plan for where I wanted to go and what I wanted my horse to do. With that, I continued to work on freeing up the hind end and bring the front end over. Keeping my eyes up and forward is also something I need to work on more. I've never really noticed how much I look at the horse I'm riding until I came to the ranch. Focusing on where I want to go has helped me to both make a plan and keep my eyes up and forward. I also worked on moving Gumpy's hind end in four different way. The first: using both rein and leg; the second: leg no reins; the third: reins no leg; the fourth: soft feel and leg.
After that Melissa and I watered down the arena so we can work it up tomorrow morning. We then went to feed our calves, both of which were not interested in drinking. It may have to do with the fact that they are only used to two feedings a day and now we are trying to get three in for them. We then cooked dinner which consisted of chicken and herb tortellini and angel hair pasta with Hunt's garlic & herb pasta sauce. Now for a few episodes of Longmire (thanks to Jenn and Melissa for getting me hooked) before heading to bed.
Today was definitely another step toward my goal of becoming a better rider and a horse trainer. The next five weeks will be both frustrating and exciting in many ways, but it will all be worth it in the end.
Melissa and I got up and did our daily chores. They go a lot faster when you have a second pair of hands helping out. When we were feeding our calves, we noticed that Nora the horse had rubbed her head against the hay bale, resulting in a very messed up forelock.
We then went out with Burt to check the cows. Since both rangers were out the last few days, we haven't been able to go out and check them. We ended up tagging roughly 8 calves. And only one got away before we could tag it (-cough thanks to Burt cough-). Because it was such a brisk day today, Melissa and I wore our hoods the entire time we checked cows. This resulted in a lovely wind/sun burn that only covers around our eyes and nose.
After that we ate burgers at Granny's. Then Melissa and I fed our calves again. Abby was a little reluctant to eat and did not finish her bottle this time.
Then we went to the barn and rode for about three hours. I started on Banjo, but when his feet got too sore I rode Gumpy. I worked more on finding where my horse's feet are and moving them to where I wanted to go. Jenn also kept reminding me to make a plan for where I wanted to go and what I wanted my horse to do. With that, I continued to work on freeing up the hind end and bring the front end over. Keeping my eyes up and forward is also something I need to work on more. I've never really noticed how much I look at the horse I'm riding until I came to the ranch. Focusing on where I want to go has helped me to both make a plan and keep my eyes up and forward. I also worked on moving Gumpy's hind end in four different way. The first: using both rein and leg; the second: leg no reins; the third: reins no leg; the fourth: soft feel and leg.
After that Melissa and I watered down the arena so we can work it up tomorrow morning. We then went to feed our calves, both of which were not interested in drinking. It may have to do with the fact that they are only used to two feedings a day and now we are trying to get three in for them. We then cooked dinner which consisted of chicken and herb tortellini and angel hair pasta with Hunt's garlic & herb pasta sauce. Now for a few episodes of Longmire (thanks to Jenn and Melissa for getting me hooked) before heading to bed.
Today was definitely another step toward my goal of becoming a better rider and a horse trainer. The next five weeks will be both frustrating and exciting in many ways, but it will all be worth it in the end.