Little Victories

I woke up this morning feeling absolutely wonderful. I slept soundly and woke feeling completely relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated. I didn't have to get up early or hurry to get anything done, so I just laid in bed a while thinking about how thankful I am (I'm aware that Thanksgiving was a couple months ago - deal with it). There was a time only a few years ago where I felt alone with nothing and no one. Now I am so happy. My dreams have come true. That reality never really will sink it.

Gambler, one of my own dreams-come-true, was amazing today. I am so proud of how far he has come. Looking back over our (almost) nine months together to write the overview post really put it all in perspective. It was cold and windy, so Gambler was spooky. But when I asked him to stand still, he did. When I asked him to circle, he did. When I told him to move away from me, he did. When I asked him to stop kicking up his heels and stand still a few feet away from me so I could take pictures, he did. 

Not bad for a phone pic huh?

Ever curious.

Even with the scary trees and the scary wind and the scary invisible monster in the empty field, he listened and licked and chewed. Every now and then he would get very, very still and then something would happen and he'd jump a little, but he never truly spooked.

I didn't do much outside. I longed him walk/trot/canter in the snow. It was soft fluffy stuff that wasn't too deep and his gaits didn't seem affected. I didn't do any mounting prep because I didn't have anyone to hold him if I did get on. So after he goofed around in the snow for a while I brought him into the barn. I had put the bareback pad on him before I took him to the arena and I just left it on when he and Kezi were in the barn.

Still phone pictures, I'm pretty impressed. 

After feeding him his grain and Sand Clear by hand (little stinker!) I switched halters and put him in the cross-ties. He stood calmly, even when the wind howled and I wandered all over the barn to get things. A far cry from April, when he wouldn't even stand still in the cross-ties to be groomed. I picked out all four feet and picked them up multiple times, making sure that I set them down. He kicked a little with both the front right and the right hind, but only a little. 

Now, I've been reading Liz's blog In Omnia Paratus and one thing I find intriguing is that she trims her own horses' hooves. I don't plan on trimming Gambler's hooves myself, but I find it all fascinating. She takes pictures of her horses' hooves now and then to show how they grow and change and improve. As I read those posts I found myself thinking, I wish my horse would let me do that . . . Since he was being so good today, I thought I'd try. He let me pick up all his feet with one hand and hold them to take a photo! It seems so silly, but Gambler has been a pain with his feet since before I even got him and I've worked so hard to get to this point. It may be a little victory, but it means a lot to me!

Back to a legitimate camera now.

Left front

Left hind.

Right front

Right hind

Gambler continues to improve everyday. I am so proud of my little buddy. My favorite part is still the fact that he is mine. He is a horse, but in some strange way, he is a friend. We understand one another. That means more to me than picking up feet or even riding.

Dem Dapples!

Misty Mornings and Cleaning the Barn

The drive to the barn this morning was beautiful. It was one of those foggy autumn mornings that I have always loved. By the time we got to the barn, the sun was up and burning the fog away. I did get a few good pictures, but it's hard to see how hazy it was.

I couldn't help taking so many pictures, even though we were in a hurry, because it was such a beautiful day. The lighting was perfect for playing around with a camera. I also discovered the awesome zoom feature on Mom's camera (see the three photos above) and had to try it out. Because we were in a hurry, I didn't play with Gambler, just did chores.

Gambler looks like he is licking Kezi, but he's just licking and chewing as she walks by.

Still licking and chewing!

Later in the afternoon, we came back to help the barn owner with some cleaning. The tack room looks so much better! We also organized some of the stalls that are being used for storage. There was so much dust in the air; I kept sneezing.

It has to get messier before it can get cleaner.

Gambler thought the buckets of soapy water were the coolest things ever.

"Can I tip it over?"

When we tried to bring the horses in for evening chores, they weren't interested. Kezi is in heat again, so they ran around the pasture while I followed with the lead rope. Eventually I decided it wasn't worth it and grabbed my camera. If I have to chase them around the pasture, I might as well get some good pictures! Of course, once they saw I had the camera, they walked right up to me like nothing had happened.

"Oh hey Jenna. I didn't see you there!"

Gambler won't eat his anti-sand-colic stuff unless you feed it to him by hand, but thankfully he will eat his normal grain all on his own. We're only giving him the stuff (sorry, still don't know how to spell it :P) once a week now.

His bucket is blue now. ;)

After all of this, I was way to tired to do anything with Gambler. I was going to, but after running around the pasture, I just couldn't muster the energy. If I have learned anything about Gambler in the last six months, it is that if I can't get my energy up, he will completely blow me off. Tomorrow is a new day, and hopefully we can get back on track to riding soon!

Pony Preening

I'm giving Gambley the week off, at least until Saturday, to get the colic completely out of his system. It rained today, so I couldn't do much anyway. Right now Gambler is on this stuff (I know, I'm lame, but I have no idea how to spell it!) that moves the sand through him so he doesn't colic again. The best part (cough cough sarcasm) is that he has decided he won't eat it unless he is hand-fed. Honestly, I really don't mind.  I don't normally give him treats or anything, so I was pretty impressed with his hand-feeding manners. Some horses will just about eat your entire hand, but Gambler was very gentle and only lipped up the grain. Afterwards he kept licking his lips like a dog eating peanut butter. It was so cute!

What a spoiledy-rotten pony!

Dusty muzzle

This stuff tastes weird, Mom.

Since we weren't going to do any serious work (or play) I put him in the cross-ties and groomed him half to death. After brushing him, I combed his mane and tail. I haven't combed out his tail in the entire time I've owned him, so I figured today was as good a time as any. 

Before

After

Lookin' Gorgeous

Perky ears!!

Of course, I had to take even more pictures of my beautiful, healthy pony in his stall.