Photoshop Phriday

Wordless Wednesday, Silent Sunday... hmm. Well how about time for photoshop phriday!

What the hell, I'll keep him

My irritation at Canyon has passed over. Sometimes I think we are in high school and in some weird on again off again dating thing. Maybe I should seek counseling. Could this be a bigger problem than I realize? Am I continuing an abusive relationship because of low self esteem?

Ok, you can stop laughing now.

Since my horse is actually my therapy, I clearly need this kind of couch...






Mmm. Yes, I really like this one. Particularly the fringe. But I digress.

Yes, he bucks. But I know when and where. And I'm going to follow some advice (thanks everybody) and try to work through it. Because the truth is that we HAVE come a long way (his spooking is way down, he lopes without freaking, he can handle distances away from his buddies better) and if I can just get past this last hurdle he's a pretty good horse.

Basically I need to get in a relatively safe situation, recreate the problem and run the living #$@$ out of him when he tries. I'm thinking of doing it under a trainers supervision so they can help spot anything I'm doing that may need correction.

If it still doesn't work, then I have to decide how big a problem this is for me.

Frankly until I can ride more regularly (read: get our own land), it may be that I can't really solve this problem, because I can't get in the time necessary. But I will keep trying and realize that by stretching this out it will take longer.

Its very comforting to talk to others who keep their bucking broncos - thanks for helping me not feel like a lunatic. ;)


In the meantime I need one of these shirts...


Tomorrow he's getting his fancy schmancy shoes and I'll talk to the farrier (who has the coolest rig. I'll try to get some photos). Maybe he'll have some advice too.

The buck is back. Damn.

Yes, the bucking bronco is back.

What the @#$@?!

We went on a trail ride and there was the buck. We were loping circles in an open area and Canyon got worked up running just behind Woody. His head went high and I could sense his energy change. It was run with the herd time. I'm not sure if picked up the rein too tightly, or if I was on a lookout because I knew he was no longer listening to me, but down went his head.

He curved up like a cat and gave one buck before I yanked his head backup. Then I ran him around the field a few times for good measure.

But the issue isn't that he's bucking because he doesn't want to run. The issue is he wants to give over leadership to the high horse and if I attempt to take any control during that moment of high headed running, there goes the buck.

So I'm pretty seriously discouraged. We had been very well connected all this time. We'd round penned, he'd responded well to my speed control in the arena and he was fine being in the front, back or middle of the herd during the ride. He even spooked in place at the vicious armadillo.

It's all about another horse running near him and me trying to slow him during that moment - but I don't remember actually trying to slow him. Frankly I'm not sure I did anything than draw up reins when he was starting to round his back.

Did I mention he can buck at a lope?

So what are my choices? Here's my thoughts:

• Be very choosy about when we run on the trail - no running with a herd buddy or running to "catch up"
• No running on the trail period. Save it for the arena.
• Get him to a trainer and see if they can break this habit somehow (not that I have money for that, but it's a thought).
• Think about another horse.
• Or, as DH would like me to do, get out of horses for a while.

Trainers talk a lot about picking your poison. I love this horse. But I'd like to run without worrying about a bucking bronc ride. Another horse might jig, another might be stubborn. Mine bucks when he thinks he might be being forced to be left behind.

Bottom line, he hasn't given over to me yet.

Do I need more time with this horse? Do I need to walk away so I don't get hurt? I hate being in this place again.

Curly Hair

Here I go, off topic. But since the wind kept me inside, I had a chance to make a movie of Mireya's first hair cut.

Mireya has crazy curly hair.

No, seriously. Like INSANELY curly.

So I was nervous to get here hair cut, because everyone with curly hair says it's impossible to cut. As a result she had these long bits and short bits, and wild bits everywhere.

It was time.

It was past time, actually.

Here's the video.