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.