First Ride of the Three

By Neversummer June 3, 2025 Jerry, Lady No Comments

Well that was disastrous.

We had an amazing ride yesterday. I walked. The Goblin Child rode Jerry. 8 rode Lady. Everyone was very well behaved. We walked to the mailbox and back. The Goblin Child gaited all over the place and had a blast. 8 wanted to try Jerry. He got on once we were home, asked for a gait, got a canter. It scared him but no one fell off and it was good in the end.

Today I thought I would get on Rusty. We could ALL ride for once! No riding double. No walking alongside trying to keep up with the horses.

I brought them all in. It started out great. 8 did up his own cinch. TGC hopped on all by herself while I was getting ready. 8 wanted me to pony him but that was fine. Lady was wanting to toss her head and he had the little episode with Jerry the day before. I couldn’t blame him for being a little nervous. It’s funny how they’ve switched places. He used to be the brave one, hopping on and taking off while she wanted to be ponied.

I got on Rusty with the total contact saddle. Put my foot in the stirrup for the first mounting attempt and pulled the saddle clear off the side. Re-saddled and tried again, bareback style. Once on all the horses were off.

Rusty was tossing his head too. He and Lady were matching each other, rotten for rotten. Jerry was doing good, but she was wanting to go too. Unlike her plodding along of the day before. I blame it on the cooler weather.

8 hopped off first, while I struggled to hold Rusty still. He held Lady’s lead while TGC and I rode off. Or attempted to. Jerry said no thank you. She’d rather stay with her friend Lady.

I hopped off, grabbed Jerry’s rein and insisted that yes, we were leaving Lady. After that she was fine. But I was on the ground with the equivalent of no stirrups and no way to get back on. Besides I wanted to be able to grab the reins if Jerry decided she wanted to zip off again.

So much for getting to ride WITH the kids.

We went back and picked up 8. After forcing him to get back on we walked around the barns and they were done.

Oh well. I didn’t get to ride with the kids. We didn’t all three get to ride together, but we did all get out with horses. That’s a start. Maybe next time.

By Neversummer April 28, 2025 Sunshine No Comments
After spending the last few months hanging out, being a horse, growing up a little more, Sunshine is getting worked again!
 
Sunshine is my young horse. He’ll be four this spring, he might be four already! No idea when his actual birthday is. He is an extrovert, a bit of right brain and left brain mixed together in there. Lots of sensitivity and emotion to deal with but also as brave and willing as he can manage. He desperately wants to please.
 
I sat on him for the first time back n January, right at the first of the year. Then he got turned out and my other horse Rusty got all the attention. Now, finally, I have time to work with Sunshine again.
 
Right brain extroverts get some flack for being emotional and reactive, and he does show that for sure. But, this is his second time being saddled after sitting for nearly four months. I hadn’t planned on doing anything but some ground work. He was being so calm and happy in the work, I decided why not push things a little farther.
 
He could not have been better about it.
 
The time spent growing up has made him thicker and more solid. He no longer feels like he’s going to fall over and my saddle fits him! Always a good thing. I’d far rather put the first actual rides on in my saddle than a random saddle that fits him but not me.
 
I do love my extroverts with all their emotions out there for the world to see. The extra energy and sensitivity may not be for everyone, but they’re perfect for me!

The Madigan Squeeze.

By Neversummer April 9, 2025 Cattle No Comments

“She doesn’t want to nurse and I had to tube her to get milk down her.”

The words were uttered casually as he lifted the tiny heifer calf into the back of my pickup. Had it been mentioned earlier I probably wouldn’t have been there at all. A calf who wont nurse is as good as dead. Not something I would normally be willing to spend money on then go through the heartbreak of losing. But here she was, already in the pickup and I had already driven clear over here. Might as well take her home.

That night and over the next day we struggled to get feed into her. Bottles were allowed to drip slowing into her mouth. A syringe worked rather well to squirt the milk in. We couldn’t keep this up. Feeding took forever and she wasn’t getting enough to keep her alive.

People recommended the Madigan squeeze. I had been seeing the technique for ages to help save dummy foals. Lately it has come into popularity for calves. But this calf was up and moving, she just lacked any suckle reflex. Surely it wouldn’t help her?

As a last resort I gave it a try.

With an old leadrope in hand I caught her. One loop around the neck and a shoulder to hold it in place, as instructed by my vet, then half hitches around the ribs. My rope was barely long enough even on this tiny calf. I pulled each circle as tight as I could get it by hand before moving on to the next loop. She started to struggle a little against it. I tucked the end of the rope in, it was just long enough to reach for the last wrap.

Now she was supposed to lay down and go comatose. I watched as I got the milk cows fed and other calves taken care of. She fought and struggled against the rope. Finally she stood up and was walking towards me. That obviously hadn’t worked, so I went to take the rope off.

As soon as she was free from the restraint of the rope she chased after the other bottle calf, nosed the fence like she was looking for a teat and dove into the side of the cow when I guided her that direction. Now instead of her not wanting to nurse the problem was too much nursing enthusiasm. She kept pushing too hard and losing the teat then sucking in the wrong place. What had happened to my calf?! This was a whole new animal. She was starving and determined to find her food. Gone was the calf who fought against every drop we tried to get down her. Instead we had a hungry enthusiastic calf who really really wanted to eat.

The Madigan squeeze gone wrong was apparently right after all. The calf it didn’t apply to and wasn’t going to work on had undergone a miracle change. Never again am I going to dismiss this technique. From now on it is going to be the first go to with any calf problems. Who knew.

High Side by Side Doubles

By Neversummer March 19, 2025 Horse Whorls No Comments

They’re smart. They can focus. Their capability to excel in any area is never doubted. Even if that area is occasionally driving their person crazy. Whether it’s through their fearless tendency to run over the top of you or if it’s their sudden fear of something they’ve seen every day for the last month, they’re good at it.

There are a couple of points about side by side doubles that don’t usually get included in descriptions of them.

One, they are generally viscous out in the pasture with other horses. This isn’t going to apply to every single one of them. Doubtless there are some out there that are at the bottom of the pecking order. But overall, the majority of them rule their herd with an iron fist, quickly educating any horse who steps out of line.

B, they have an amazing affinity for children. I know lots of horses work well with children and many are doubtless better children’s horses that fire breathing side by side doubles. When these fierce horses drop their heads and plod because a child is on board the difference in behavior displayed is striking.

My boy is quieting with age anyway. He is 12 now and has matured quite a bit over the last few years. I now feel comfortable turning him loose with my daughter on board. Even when he was younger and hotter he would slow down and plod for her. I always told her he knew there was precious cargo and he was taking care of it. She loves his big, slow moving ways. Then I get back on and he’s chomping at the bit (bitless? 😆) and raring to go.

It is in no way limited to him. All double whorl horses have a bit of a reputation. It may be undeserved, but there is bases in there for the names they get called. Side by side doubles leave all of that behind them when a child comes into the picture.

Not sure if this applies to all stacked doubles, but the ones I’ve had have been terrified of children. The exact opposite of side by sides.

What experiences have you had with doubles of either type and kids?

 

Rusty

By Neversummer March 15, 2025 Rusty No Comments
This horse. He’s the greatest.
we were forcing the poor mistreated children to help their father work. I was going to sneak out for ride, get him some exorcise. They caught me and thought going for a ride was better than what they were doing.
So they hopped on and I walked.
He was perfect for them. Until one hopped off, then he was perfect for her. She even headed out in the lead as we walked towards home. It wasn’t too long ago she only wanted lead and for me he is ‘enthusiastic’ about heading home. For her he quietly walked.
Once home she got off on her own. But so did the saddle 🤣 I finally caught p to find them like this. Saddle hanging off the side. Horse standing quietly. Her happy and safe.
My fire breathing dragon is a wonderful baby sitter.

Painting

By Neversummer February 24, 2025 Rusty No Comments

The weather got warm enough that Rusty and I decided to do a little painting. He did some wonderful work. Then had to show off his dashing new mustache.

Hoar Frost

By Neversummer January 4, 2025 Lady, Rusty, Sunshine No Comments
I went out to check on the horses this morning. We have a heavy hoar frost and everything looks so pretty with its coating of ice. I thought I’d try to get some horse pictures.
Why is it so hard to get pretty pictures of beautiful horses in a gorgeous ice world!?!? 🤣🤣
I might have gotten a couple decent ones. In the rest they look a bit silly.
No riding anyone today it’s too cold out there!

Sunshine’s First Ride

By Neversummer January 2, 2025 Sunshine No Comments
Sunshine hadn’t had a saddle on in quite awhile. Over a month at least. He has had harness hanging off of him instead and that certainly hasn’t hurt or hindered the riding training.
I put a saddle on him then hopped on Rusty bareback and we rode to the mailbox and back. I may have nearly slid off Rusty. He has the hardest back I’ve ever seen to sit bareback. It would have been funny to fall off the old broke horse while trying to start the young one.
We got back and I kept Rusty up close for emotional support. For Sunshine, not me 😉 That kept Lady up on the other side so Sunshine had plenty of company.
Sunshine was so completely chill in the ’round pen’. It is not round nor is it a great place to start horses, but it’s what we have and it works. He was making perfect circles around me loose, at a walk and trot. He didn’t particularly feel like trotting and had no interest in a canter, so we kept it slow and calm.
Then I called my husband to come out for his part of the job.
Sunshine has been walking over and lining up to the fence for a long time now for me to sit on him. This was a first ride, not a first sit. I left him standing in the middle and went to climb the fence. He almost beat me to it and was waiting in position.
I sat on him. Fiddled a bit. Played a bit. Gave plenty of cookies.
My husband got there and they practiced walking in a circle. He doesn’t do horses and Sunshine needs to get used to new things.
Their first circle was a bit iffy. Sunshine jigged and nervously bounced around. A complete change from out quiet circles we had been doing.
After a few times around they both calmed enough that I got on.
I’m using the old barrel saddle instead of mine. It’s comfortable enough for me and fits him better. But, the stirrups aren’t turned. I couldn’t quite get my foot on the stirrup. We made the circle that way. Sunshine had his head in the air pulling on the lead and jigging.
I missed having my stirrup.
But we made it back to the gate and I hopped off again. We all sat and chilled. I waited for my heart rate and Sunshine’s head to come down. More sitting and scratching.
Then we did another circle.
This time I made sure I had my stirrup. We were all much calmer. Sunshine walked. It was good. So we went back to the gate and got off. Ended on a very good note.
It was 29 degrees yesterday. My computer tells me that’s -1c. Warm in the sun out of the wind. Freezing with any breeze or shade. Today is supposed to be colder and colder still for the next week. I wanted to try again today but it might be best to let it sit with a successful ride instead of messing anything up without decent weather to try to fix it again.
Maybe we’ll go for a drive instead or play at some tricks. He says he misses that with all this ‘work’ we’ve been doing instead.
See my wonderful Christmas present?
My husband finally just bought me a helmet. I’d been looking but couldn’t make up my mind. This one was a pretty color 😜 and was the only one of the ones I had been looking at, the ones that were recommended to me, that was available in the right size. That made the choice easier. And I love it. So comfortable.
No, I don’t usually ride in a helmet. No, I’m not interested in hearing about that. But, on young horses the odds of injury increase significantly. My husband hates this starting horses thing enough. He gets really upset when I get hurt. It’s the sweetest thing.
He’s happier with me slightly protected. And I recognize my need to stay healthy and get those children raised. So, with young horses, I wear my helmet.
Which is so much more fun when it’s pretty 😁
No pictures from the riding part. We were slightly busy with the other things going on. Maybe next time.

Right Brain Extroverts

By Neversummer December 4, 2024 Horse Whorls, Sunshine No Comments
This is my boy Sunshine. He truly is a ray of sunshine, bright and beautiful.
 
He he also tends strongly towards right brain extrovert.
 
Every time I describe right and left brain traits I feel like I’m giving right brain the short end of the stick. Left brain horses are calm, confident, brave. They seem to get all the good traits. It really only seems that way.
 
Yes, horses with strong right brain tendencies can be a bit flighty. Sensitive and emotional, they can be rather delicate little flowers. But that is the least of their traits. All that sensitivity leads to a desperate desire to please. They want to make you happy. They love with all their hearts and are devoted to a person who treats them with equal love and understanding.
 
Where a left brain horse can be a bit meh about what you think, your disapproval can gut a right brain horse. Rip their heart out, destroy their soul. Yes, that can be a large responsibility, caring for such an important charge. But it is well worth it to experience the complete devotion.
 
Sunshine and I are loving our time and training together so far. Yes he is loving it too. A right brain extrovert can’t hide their feelings. Not like an introvert will. He wears his emotions on his sleeve and tells me clearly when he is happy, galloping to meet me at the gate.
 
Yes, getting to the actual riding part will be an adventure. All that sensitivity will doubtless lead to some spooks. But, we will work through them to build as much trust in me from the saddle as he has from the ground.

What A Difference A Whorl Makes.

By Neversummer October 9, 2024 Horse Whorls No Comments
These two horses.
 
Their features are so much alike in so many ways. Sensitive, but not overly so, ears. Steady confident heads. According to the head shapes they should have almost the same temperaments.
 
I had carrot tops. It got them to line up perfectly for me so we could see this. How handy 😆
 
The palomino has a single nearly centered whorl. The chestnut has side by side doubles. I’ve had the pleasure of starting both of them. Well, working on the pally, but still. The differences between them are far bigger than their very similar appearances might have us think.
The chestnut was one of the hardest horses I’ve ever started in my life. He came to me already ‘ruined’ with a lifetimes bad habits learned in his few short years. He taught me so much and very literally changed my life as I learned the lessons he had for me. He is a great horse, and he knows it.  He fears nothing and when he bucked during his training it was in joy while breaking into a canter. He has reached a mture age where he seldom feels the need to do that anymore. I sat on him bridleless after a few weeks riding.
The palomino is sweet and willing and sucks up knowledge as fast as I can feed it to him. He is like a big puppy dog who wants to play. He will probably never be as great, or at least as fully aware of his greatness, as the chestnut, but he may well go farther. Between his lack of baggage and the lessons I now know after being taught them by the other. He is taking longer in the starting without the confidence of the double whorl. He has a tendency to spook and although I have no fear of him purposely doing anything untoward as we start riding together I don’t believe I will be getting on him without a bridle in the beginning stages of his riding.
It’s amazing the difference a whorl makes.