Independence

I spent this morning debating with myself. I knew that I could go play with Gambler for several hours (which is something we both need), but only if I drove myself to the barn. There are two problems here. First, I hate driving. It freaks me out. Second, as a rule of thumb, I prefer to do horse-related activities with at least one other person. Horses are dangerous and it's good to have two minds/pairs of hands on deck in case things get unpredictable. That being said, normally when I am out with Gambler Mom is doing something in the barn out of earshot. So I decided that the benefit was worth the risks.

I'm glad I did. Gambler and I got a lot done today. We did a little bit of everything from starting on the side-pass (Gambler prefers half-passes), to liberty circles at the walk, to mounting prep. Gambler was good considering that we haven't done any serious work since Sunday and I was out there for three hours today. There were a few moments of ear-pinning, many moments of walking over me, and two baby rears. Still, he did well. During mounting prep there were several times when I was holding him on a loose lead and he let me lean on his back without negative reaction. It's not much in the light of horses that can be ridden, but it's a huge improvement for Gambler. He also stood ground-tied while I picked out both his front feet. He kicked with the right, but let me pick out and tap on the left without complaint. 

I didn't get any pictures of any of that, because it was just little ol' me by myself. Plus the camera gets cantankerous when it's cold. I did get a few pictures before and after.

I love this picture so much, the color is amazing. If only it had focused.

Thanksgiving

Yesterday I went out to the barn just to do chores. I meant to get a lot done with Gambler over Thanksgiving break, but yesterday I was just in too much of a funk. I did spend some time with him, grooming him and thinking about how happy I am that he is alive. It is too easy to take the things in our lives for granted. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I guess they aren't used to the hunters yet. If you look closely, they are watching an orange-clad figure near the treeline.

I love taking pictures of them through the windows.

Still watching the hunter. You can see him a little better here. I can see why they wear orange, it's very visible.

Chowing on the hay as Mom and I were leaving.

Today it snowed. Big fluffy puffballs of frozen water floated down from the sky to cover the ground in a untainted white carpet. I've been saying that if it only snows on Thanksgiving and Christmas I'll be happy, so far that's how it is. We just have to see how long this snow is going to stick around. Today was the first time I drove in snow. I'm not fond of it. Driving in the snow makes driving in the rain look easy. I don't like driving at all - it freaks me out - and driving in winter weather is not fun. The things I will do for this crazy horse.

They were pretty worked up today. I'm not sure if it was because of the snow, the hunters, or the hunger . . .or all of the above.

They would not hold still. 

That face.

Gambler walked into his stall and then right back out of it before I could shut the door. The barn door was shut, so he just wandered around in the barn getting into trouble. He went into an empty stall (I say empty, but it was full of random stuff) and scared himself, but in the end was no worse for wear. It's a good thing the little stinker is easy to catch.

It was so beautiful. I have discovered that I love taking pictures in the winter. The snow adds an artistic element to even the most mundane objects. The trees look so magical with snow clinging to their branches. Since the light was fading, I'll probably try to get pictures with better lighting sometime.

Looking at these pictures I realized that I have pictures of the barn in every season now. It's been a long (and still very short) eight months since I got Gambler. He has challenged and changed me in ways that I never even imagined. I've learned so much about life and hard work and determination. God has used this little horse to teach me to be thankful for every moment and never take things for granted. Even on days that seem pointless, when I am in a rut or Gambler doesn't understand or the weather isn't cooperating, I am learning to look on the bright side. The next moment could be the last. I have to press on so when it's all over I can look back and say, "I made the most of every moment." I am so blessed. Somedays it doesn't seem fair how much God has given me when I see what people around me are going through. Of course most of the time I selfishly wish I had more. I encourage everyone reading this to take a moment to realize how precious life is. Its too easy to forget. 

Doldrums

I'm sorry that I haven't written in a while. Winter has me a little down. I love sunlight and while I know that the sun is still shining behind the clouds (I'm gagging on cliche-ness right now), I still find it hard to be cheerful on a cold, grey, and gloomy day.

Monday was exciting. I got home from school and received a phone call from the barn owner saying that Gambler was colicking again, and it was more serious than the last time. Of course, I start freaking out, with a thousand worse-case scenarios rushing through my mind. We arrived at the barn, and went through the typical motions. Walking, waiting for the vet, pumping mineral oil, etc. In the end, he was okay. He pooped and perked up, so everything is okay. It sure gave me a scare though.

My wonderful friend Arianna came out to the barn with me and stayed through the whole thing. It was entirely last minute and we both were freezing our faces off, but it was good to have her there. I'm so blessed to have friends like her to rely on when I need them.

I didn't bring the camera, which in retrospect would have been a good idea, no matter what the outcome of the night, but obviously I was a tad bit distracted. I did get a few pictures on Arianna's phone after it Gambler was out of the danger zone.

I got out to see him yesterday afternoon. I didn't stay for long, because I had plans for the evening (Mockingjay part II was just as depressing as I expected), but I spent some time just relaxing with him in his stall while he was eating. I also took many pictures of my very-much-alive horse. I am especially thankful for my horse this thanksgiving. 

Colic (Again)

I got a call when I got home from school today. Gambler was colicking again. This time we had the whole shebang, with attempting to roll, calling the vet out, etc. etc. He's okay and everything's good. More later.

The Cold is Here

Isn't this amazing? I caught a glimpse of it from my bedroom window and had to take a picture.

It's starting to feel like winter around here. This morning it was only 16 degrees and there were snowflakes in the air. The snow hasn't accumulated on the ground yet (not since that first snow in October) but it shouldn't be too long. I've decided I don't mind the cold and snow. Freezing rain is much worse for horse-related activities.

I got to see Gambler today. It was late afternoon when we got to the barn. Today was the hunting opener (that's what it's called right?) and the horses were riled up. Gambler was scared of the gunshots, but whenever he started to freak out I asked him to lower his head. It's amazing how much it affects him. I knew that when a horse's head was down he was relaxed, but I didn't know that you could relax a horse by asking him to lower his head. 

Today I worked on lowering Gambler's head and leading him without letting him bite me. I asked him to walk forward and if he threw his head up I stopped and asked him to lower it again. If he tried to bite me I bumped his nose and made him rapidly back up for a couple steps. Repeat numerous times. After a while he got the idea. I also threw the saddle pad up on his back and off again and on again and off again several times. Repetition is key with this horse. Then Mom held him while I did more mounting prep. He was more antsy today, but that was because of the hunters.

It wasn't an incredibly productive day, but that's okay. Next time we will be more prepared for the cold. Plus, Thanksgiving vacation is coming up soon, which means more time to spend with Gambler. He is coming along well, but the lack of consistency is holding him back. I hope that a few good days in a row will be just what he needs. 

"Peek-a-boo! When are you gonna feed me?"

More Rain

Well I didn't get as much done yesterday as I had planned. Not only was it wet and rainy, both Gambler and Kezi were in a spooky, grumpy mood. Oh well, such is life. I did get some cute pictures.

I was wrong. I don't have a horse, I have a drowned rat!

You can see the misty rain in this picture.