dancing horses

dancing horses

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Country Life

I stayed true to my word and backed off the training this week. Instead I focussed on catching my breath and enjoying life on the farm.

The siding was completed a few weeks ago and I am thrilled with how it turned out. I have wanted the siding done since we moved in and it's nice to see that task completed. I just need to pick a striking colour to paint the door.


I have been spending time with Guinness and working on our obedience. He's feeling much better and back to enjoying life.
being happy is what they do best
We are signed up for an 'Urban Dog' course. It's to help dogs be civilized in public settings. Since Guinness is becoming barky at strangers I'm thinking that is will useful but we may end up in remedial class.  

But in other ways he's becoming the companion dog I was looking for. I've been going into the woods and working on more trails and he's been keeping me company. 



I am happy with the trails that we have. There are now four short paths that join up with each other at different points.
the path to piece
There has also been a young porcupine that has moved into the woods. I am fine with co-existing but Guinness not so much. The other night I had a text from Ed: 
"how can I get a porcupine out from under the deck?"
"How did it get there?"
"Guinness chased it"
"Leave it alone and it will leave when things quiet down."
An hour goes by and I get another text: "how do I get quills out of Guinness?". 
This time I phoned and talked Ed into how to remove a few from his chin. 

Today I was down at the manure pile and Guinness was quite excited about something under the shed that is down there. I call it the 'spider shed' because it's overrun with giant wolf spiders. "If you get grabbed by a giant spider you are on your own". I wasn't worried because I figured whatever it was would stay safe under the shed. I heard him get more excited and when I came over I saw he had quills stuck in his nose and muzzle. 

Sigh. I brought him up to the house and grabbed some needle nose pliers. Fortunately Amanda was home and I figured she could help. I used one of Ed's ties to make a muzzle but Amanda and I couldn't hold him. He weighs over 70 pounds and is strong. Just as Amanda and I were sitting on a heaving, panting dog Cynthia and Andrew walked in. Their faces went through numerous changes while they understood what they were seeing. Cynthia joined in and with three of us we could just hold him long enough for me to get the quills out. Poor Guinness he was howling - I think the ones in his nose hurt. 

I hope that this convinces him to leave the porcupine alone or else I will have to catch it and re-home it farther away. 

Remember I said that I might take two weeks off without riding? 

Yeah. Well I made it to today. Which, you have to admit, is pretty good for me. 

I do enjoy riding this mare

Cynthia came out to join me and we headed up to the ring. Carmen was very very good and I worked on us having a  relaxing ride. Suddenly I heard Cynthia calling my name. Irish had a bee in his bonnet and was having a bit of melt down. Carmen and I stood in the middle and I called instructions to her. However, when Irish refused to go forward and threatened to rear. He can't rear but I worried that he might try and fall over. I dismounted Carmen and handed her to Cynthia and then mounted Irish. Within 10 minutes he was much calmer and settled. Every fall he gets himself worked up and then settles. I dismounted and got back on Carmen to finish our ride. We decided to not go in the woods given Irish's mood. 

I'm just going to let that sink in for a minute.

The horse that I have spent countless hours of blood, sweat and tears (not to mention money) was the calm one. The 'been there/done that' 17 year old semi-retired horse was a snorting, spooking fool.  

Carmen is a puzzle for sure. Irish's antics didn't affect her in the least. I have noticed that in the warm up rings at the shows too. The only time got upset by another horse and rider was when a rider was using a whip rather harshly. That upset her. But otherwise she's not fussed by another horse being agitated. Birds however are an entirely different story. 

Life here might be quiet but it's never ever dull. 

22 comments:

  1. My vote for your door color is teal ;) sorry Guinness is having some issues with the porcupine, hopefully either he learns his lesson or the porcupine relocates without your help! And glad Carmen was your rock to help through Irish's little meltdown :)

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    1. Ha! I should have known what colour you would pick. Although it would like nice I think.

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  2. Very glad to hear that Guinness is feeling better. Sounds like you handled the porcupine incident pretty well. I hope my dogs keep avoiding them.

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    1. Right now the score is 3 to 0 for the porcupine. He's not seeming to learn this lesson!

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  3. That's awesome. A horse is a horse and even the best can melt down. 😂 He's a great one though! And Carmen is a rock star.

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    1. LOL, he was feeling quite fresh, that's for sure.

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  4. I've dealt with skunk but not porcupine with the dogs -- thank goodness. Too much excitement for me!

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  5. Glad you are getting to enjoy the farm life without so much pressure. Isn't it a wonderful feeling to just plain love riding the horse under you?

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  6. ha omgosh maybe Irish felt like he was getting the short end of the 'attention' stick and wanted to put on a little show?? anyway glad you're enjoying the little break to work around the home and farm with the pups!

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    1. LOL, that could be. Mostly it could be that deep down he's a big goof.

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  7. Porcupine quills are the worse!! Poor Guinness, lol. Hopefully he has learned his lesson tho!

    I know all about naughty old horses -_-

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  8. Carmen is too smart to let Irish's antics work her up. She has her own agenda for acting up! :)

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  9. Your house looks beautiful! And I always think a little break is good for the mind.

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  10. What is with dogs fascination with porcupines... they are so silly. Glad you were able to remove them yourself.

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    1. thanks. The porupine will need to be rehomed I think.

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  11. What a beautiful place. Time off is good for both horse and rider to let things sink and give a little space with less pressure. Part of mixing it up. But each horse and rider are different. Good for you. Good for Carmen. Silly old man.

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