2. We finished out November with 85% of normal rainfall. It felt like a lot of rain to Brett and I -- a storm every 7 days or so -- but we've been in a drought situation since we moved here so we don't really know what normal is here. Southern California, where we were both born and lived most of our lives, is very dry compared to Northern California.
3. It has also been very cold; lots of frost, ice and even some snow before Thanksgiving. The arena is very soggy for the hour or two each day that it thaws. The rest of the time it is frozen rock hard. The sand is holding a lot of water. I think our new normal will be riding in the spring and fall, with infrequent rides in summer (when it is ungodly hot) and winter.
4. I've been thinking about working with Mufasa. We haven't gotten many (okay, just two) inquiries from the ad so it looks like he will be with us for a while. The last few times we've needed to bring him into the barn, Brett has asked me to deal with him. The energy between the two of them just doesn't work. Isn't it funny the way that is? Just like with people, there are some horses you click with and some you don't. Brett and Mufasa never clicked and it has just gotten more difficult over time. They've lost confidence in each other and Brett has a very short fuse that quickly runs to frustration and anger. I feel something with Mufasa; I can't really say what it is at this point but I want to explore it. He trusts me and I think my quiet, patient energy suits him better than Brett's energy. Since the arena isn't useable at this point, I'll be concentrating on groundwork to build trust and confidence. We'll see how it goes. There is a little voice in the back of my head reminding me that Mufasa is awesome on the trail -- and wouldn't it be cool to have a trail horse to ride. Lucy hates the trail; too many things to worry about out there; trolls and dwarfs in the bushes and trees.
5. If it works out with Mufasa, I might have to change his name. I have been using a different name in my head for him since he arrived. Brett hated it... I might need to broach it again. He looks like Cinnamon to me.
Love that you're contemplating giving Mufasa another chance. Also thumbs up on the name (potential) change.
ReplyDeleteThe wall hanging is spectacular and your neighbor is very talented. After all the dry weather, in the long run it's great that you got some serious moisture out there. I am also happy to hear that you want to work with "Cinnamon." When the weather is not great, could you ride him in your gorgeous round pen? He must feel your energy....
ReplyDeleteYour ride home the other night sounded pretty interesting.
now that sounds like a plan with cinnamon. :)
ReplyDeleteI also love that quilt! I'd love to have something like that.
I like the idea of changing his name and you taking him over. Some horses are extremely sensitive to people's energy--my mustang, Beautiful Girl, is. If I go out to work with her and I'm amped up at all, she shuts down and resists from start to finish. I have to do a delicate dance with her in order to get any results. She'll also be very difficult to catch if she's unhappy with me. I'm looking forward to hearing how your journey with him goes. Every horse teaches something new about ourselves and pushes us out of our comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful wall hanging. What a special gift and thoughtful neighbor.
I like your idea about trying things out with Mufasa. Some horses like him who are easily worried really need someone to rely on consistently, who will handle them in a way that brings out their best. If you can do this, he'll be bonded to you for life and will do anything for you. And some horses just don't work out with certain people.
ReplyDeleteI rarely change a horse's name, unless there's a good reason, and starting on a fresh page is a very good reason - the new name won't have the baggage that goes with the old one. That's how Red's name came to be - I changed from his old name for precisely this reason, and it's made a big difference to me, and, I think, to him. Cinnamon sounds just about right.