Learning to "Pony"

As Leo passed by the 18-month mark, it was time to teach him something new. 

"Ponying", which there does not seem to be an online definition for, means to lead a horse while riding another. This is a good skill for both horse and rider to have when out on the trail, whether for catching a loose horse or for bringing along a pack horse for long trips. 

It took only four or five sessions of leading Leo from another horse before he began to understand what we were asking him to do. I found out he can be quite stubborn; the trick is to be more stubborn than him. (And, of course, reward him for his good behavior!) For awhile, he didn't want to go when the riding horse went forward, and he didn't want to stop when the riding horse stopped, but he got it eventually. 

We started this training in mid-December, and by early January, he was easily following the lead of the riding horse (her name is Jackie-O). 

 

On a Friday afternoon in January, we took Leo on his first trail ride, being ponied, of course. Seeing him take in all the new sights and smells with ease was exciting! He didn't bat an eye at bicycles flying past, he picked his way through rocky terrain, and he wanted to say hello to every passing pedestrian.

 

Just as an aside, in case anyone is curious: though my trainer is pictured handling Leo, I also spent lots of time working with him. I just happened to be the one taking all the pictures!

Leonardo

Just wanted to share my favorite picture of my baby horse Leo!

Wooden Wagon Model (In Progress)

Quite a few months ago I started work on a wooden wagon model so that I could see what my living quarters might actually look like. I decided to use a 1" to 1' ratio so that the model would be big enough to add some details if I was so inclined, but not so big as to be cumbersome.
Going to the craft store to stock up on supplies was quite fun; almost like I was preparing for the trip itself!

I purchased popsicle sticks, balsa wood, a hot glue gun and extra hot glue sticks, metal wire, and, on a later craft store expedition, wooden wheels, dowels, tiny hinges and other small hardware, as well as a mat for use as a cutting surface. In addition to my purchased items, I have used scrap cloth, sewing needles, and thread to make the mattress and cushions for my wagon. (The cushions are still in progress.)

The project has been ongoing, with large breaks for school work, but progress continues to be made! I have also learned a fair amount about modeling during this project. For one thing, using a hand-saw is hard work! Also, not having the proper tools causes one to become very creative; or at times, very annoyed.

As I was building I tried to imagine living in a real wagon, and therefore what would be a most useful set-up. Where could I put in storage, how might a small pull-out table fit in, what should be seating and what should be counter space?

Alright, enough with the explanation, let's get to the pictures!

Unfortunately, I do not have any images from the very beginning process, but that part is not nearly as interesting anyway. In the second image above, I added popsicle sticks as a support for the mattress.

These two pictures show the unfinished mattress sitting in its frame. I will add more photos of the finished mattress when I have the seat cushions done as well. 

In this last image the wire frame for the wagon cover is not yet secured, but I wanted to show how it looks with the framing because I thought it was pretty cool.

Getting the Word Out!

I am constantly trying to find ways to let more people - hopefully interested people - know about my trip and this blog. A few weeks ago I saw an ad for Vistaprint (you all have probably seen Vistaprint's ad for 250 free business cards a dozen times if you spend any time browsing the web) and I thought I'd try it out for advertising my blog.

But of course, I had a terrible time resisting all of their offers for other items I could buy with the same image as the business cards. There was so much cool stuff! In fact, I had so much trouble resisting that I ended up with a car magnet also. So much for being a completely free purchase...

However, I was excited for my things to arrive in the mail, and when they did a week or two later, I was thrilled with how they looked! There is certainly something satisfying about seeing your name and the name of your precious piece of work on a card (and a magnet) for all to see!

Here is how the business cards turned out:

And here is the car magnet:

So now if you see a little blue VW Golf with a harvest brown decal on the driver side ( I only got one as I was really trying not to go overboard!) cruising around town, it is probably me!

Broken Back?

It was my intention to write two more posts in the last week. However, last Friday, September 7th, I had my first jumping lesson in at least seven years after only riding dressage all that time. To my great dismay, halfway through the lesson as I directed Donnie, the horse I was riding, over the jump, we got terribly out of sync! I was already slightly behind where I should have been to go with him; then he added an extra stride and leaped over the jump... I was bounced right out of the saddle!

Perhaps if I had hung on a little longer the fall would have been different. But I can ask myself "ifs" all day long. The fact is, I fell hard on my lower back, knocking the air from my lungs and sending shooting, spasming pain throughout my back. I laid on the ground for several minutes, struggling to get my breath back, then moving my toes and fingers to make sure nothing was broken, nothing paralyzed.

After struggling to my feet and stretching my back out, I decided to get back on and jump a few more times despite the intense pain I was feeling. This was probably a bad idea on my part... I thought my back was just bruised, just in shock from the fall and the movement of the horse would help.

Well, this was Friday. I went to see my chiropractor on Monday. In a very short amount of time she concluded that it was very possible that one of the vertebrae in my back had suffered a fracture. That was shocking, to say the least. Here I was, having maneuvered myself around the house all weekend - in pain, yes, but moving - and there was a possibility that I had a bone fracture!

I went yesterday, Tuesday, to get an x-ray. And sure enough, my L1 vertebrae in my lower back has a compression fracture from the fall. It is considered mild and stable, so there is no worry of it shifting into my spinal cord and causing paralysis, thank goodness. However, it will continue to be painful for the next 6 to 8 weeks as the bone heals. Also, I will not be able to ride for that time either, which is a total bummer.

I just keep telling myself that this is what my body needs. Chiropractic appointments every week, and riding lessons will come later. In the meantime, I will try some herbal pain relievers and spend time with my baby horse, Leo. And maybe now that the trauma is over I will actually write the new posts I have been planning!

Draft Power

This last monday I had the wonderful opportunity of going to a draft-powered farm. This means that large, heavy-set draft horses are used to plow, plant, weed, and harvest the crops that are grown by the farmer. Just like the old days! 

As may be remembered from one of my earlier posts, I will be working with Stuart Schroeder in Sebastopol to learn how to drive a horse carriage. And I finally got to meet him and the horses earlier this week. If you would like to know more about Stuart and his farm and Percheron horses, here is the link to his website: http://stonehorse.biz/index.html

It was wonderful to have a chance to talk with him on Monday, as he has a lot of knowledge, experience, and connections. During the tour of his farm we walked through a large barn full of planting and harvesting equipment, wagons, harrows, and a tower of grass hay he harvested this year. He also showed me all of the harness equipment for the horses - there are so many pieces!

In addition to the tour we talked about this very trip I am planning; the real reason behind my motivation to learn carriage driving. He gave me some good resources of other people who have gone on similar trips as well as tips as to where to find a running gear for my wagon (that's the base part with the wheels - kind of important!).

Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to take any photos while I was there, but I will make sure to take some the next time I go! 

Overall it was a very inspiring event and I can't wait to learn more! 

My Baby Horse

Quite a lot and quite little has been going on for me this summer. Honestly, I can hardly wait for school to start again. Anyhow, I thought I should provide a brief update.

After being in some state of sickness - either better or worse, depending on the day - for more than a week, I found myself browsing craigslist, looking at horses. (I swear I was only looking!) One post had caught my eye when I had been "just looking" on previous days, and I found myself looking at the post again on this occasion. The pictures of a little paint horse stared at me through the screen and my heart nudged my brain, and my brain nudged my body, and before I knew I was calling the number in the ad to set up a time to see the horse.

The same day I went out to where he was located in Petaluma; and I fell in love! I made arrangements with the trainer of the barn I have been working at - also in Petaluma - and had him trailered there the next day. It quickly dawned on me, even in my tired, under-the-weather brain, that I might have been just a little impulsive and crazy for buying a horse in a matter of two days. But when you get a strong feeling about something, as I did about this horse, it almost seems wrong to me not to check it out.

I have now had him for about a month, and I love him to pieces! He is only 16 months old, so no riding for quite a while, but he is sweet as can be, so intelligent, and easy going.

Sometimes one feels an immediate connection with an animal or another person. This is what I feel with my new baby horse, Leonardo. (Leo for short) I hope to have him around for as long as he lives and will be taking him with me on my caravan adventure across the U.S. He may not be able to pull the wagon, but he's my friend, so I want him right beside me. Not to mention doing a little riding while the carriage horses pull the wagon. :)

Now that I have a rabbit (Little Miss Ellie Snowpea) and a horse, I have been told that I must not buy any more animals until my trip. I must say, I did not intend to have pets while in college, but they found their way to me anyway. And I am so happy that they did!