Pistol and Harrison

Harrison rode last.

Then the kids rested in the shade while Brett took off Pistol's tack.

What a great horse Pistol is; what a great time Brett had with the grandkids.  We hope they come back next summer.

Brooke and Pistol

Next up was Brooke.  Pistol took care of all the kids.

Zoe and Pistol

Zoe rode Pistol first.  Brett led them around until they were comfortable and then handed over the reins.

There was a bit of trotting too.

Do you think she had fun?

Pistol and the Kids

The kids had a great time riding Pistol last week.  Brett's daughter, Jen, took a ton of great pictures.

We'll start with getting Pistol out of the pasture.  Posts of the kids riding will follow.  There was a traffic jam at the gate -- Lucy and Jackson couldn't believe that Pistol was the chosen horse, the pony of the day, Queen of the barn.  Lucy, of course, feels that is her role and Jackson has worked hard to achieve the number two position in the herd.

Once out, Brett took Pistol to the tie rail where she was groomed from head to hoof.

Harrison worked hard on Pistol's tail.

She was stylin' when they headed to the arena.

Harrison Takes the Wheel

While the grandkids were here on the weekend, Harrison wanted to drive the tractor.  Brett gave him instructions and off he went.

Grandkids on the Ranch

Brett's daughter, Jen, and her three kids came to visit Saturday.  The kids wasted no time trying out the porch swing and the tree swing, running with Kersey and visiting the animals.

First up, they fed the chickens some scraps and collected eggs.

Brooke, Harrison and Zoe

Then they visited the goats (always popular with children)...

(Lucy had to insert herself into the conversation)

... the donkeys

and the horses.  Mufasa, who is normally very nervous around new people, threw caution to the wind and ate his share of cookies.  Maybe it is just adults that worry him, or maybe it was the cookies.

In the evening, we walked up to one of the wineries on the hill behind us for an "old time rock & roll" concert.  I'm not sure that the kids knew any of the music but I loved hearing all the music from my high school days.  Kersey made herself at home on the blanket with the kids, snuggling in with them for belly rubs.

I think everyone slept well that night.  In the morning, Brett, Jen and the kids loaded up the car and headed to Park City, Utah.  They will meet up with Brett's oldest daughter and her family there for a big baseball tournament.  They rented a condo big enough to hold all the families and Brett packed wine.  I'm sure they will have a wonderful time together.  Brett and Jen will drive back here Thursday and then Jen and her kids will fly home to Seattle on Friday.

Waiting

This post is a bit off the usual subject matter of life at Aspen Meadows.  Those of you who have been following me for awhile may remember that Brett's daughter, Kerri, sent her three kids to stay with us for a week last summer.  We had a great time together; Rachel and Jackson bonded, Chris played King of the Boulder with the goats, and Andrew made sure his younger siblings were on their best behavior.   They were, of course.

In a few days, there will be another brother for the kids, another son for Kerri and Adam, and another grandchild for Brett and I.  Kerri and Adam are in China, going through the process of adopting Michael. 

They meet Michael for the first time this evening, California time.  Please send positive thoughts and prayers over to them as they go through the legal process and prepare to bring their son home.

We are all on pins and needles.  They are blogging about their experience from China.  You can read about it here, if you are interested in following along. 

Getting Back to Normal

I'm back home today after a busy week.  Brett will be back tomorrow after delivering the grandkids back to their parents.  They were not ready to go back home so I think there is a good chance they will return next year.  Rachel, who is almost eleven, wrote me a thank you note and colored me a picture (of a horse, naturally).  In the note, she said she "loved watching Winston do his tricks in the arena."  He was quite entertaining. 

When Gayle was up last weekend, she said that Winston was testing her and she has seen him test me.  This is partly his age and partly just the way he is.  She was firm, he argued, then he was good.  Gayle suggested that I insist on prompt forward responses to my requests on the longe line.  If he chooses to have a fit there, it is easier to control than from the saddle.  Then, when I do get back in the saddle he will already understand obedience.  So, I longed him one of the days the kids were here.  Winston ignored a request to canter.  I snapped the whip behind him, but didn't touch him.  He took off like a shot; bucking and snorting and hauling me down the arena.  He galloped and galloped and galloped.  Eventually, I got him back on a circle but he still galloped.  When he finally settled, I made him work a bit more then took him down to trot... and asked again for canter.  He was spot on so I praised him.  When he reacted to the whip, it took everything I had to hang onto the longe line and I was skiing down the center of the arena after him, on my walking boot.  Apparently, we had an audience.  After that, the kids never asked about riding Winston and looked at him with amusement and respect. 

Christopher wrote me a poem about riding the horses.  I have to share.  I am so impressed -- nine years old, this kid, and with the eye of a poet.

Riding around on Flash

so much fun.

Riding around on Flash

Riding in the sun.

Riding around on Jackson

Riding him bareback surprisingly.

Riding around on Jackson
How much more fun could it be.

Riding around on Winston

Such a beast.

Riding around on Winston

A couple more years at least.

Camille and I spent the last three days in Santa Barbara, on our annual mother-daughter trip.  On our way out of town, I had a follow-up visit for my foot.  The dr. said it is coming along well and healing nice and straight due to the excellent wrapping job I am doing on the toes.  All that practice wrapping horse legs sure comes in handy!  He ordered repeat x-rays and I will start physical therapy in a week or two depending on what the x-rays show.  Complete healing will take close to a year.  A YEAR!!  (not a happy camper about that tidbit).  The toes are definitely doing much better, though.  I can walk short distances without the boot.  I can drive without pain.  I think I can ride -- definitely at walk.  I'm not sure about posting the trot or cantering.  I'll have to see how that feels.  I tried the Jacuzzi at our hotel with Camille and my toes did not like the resistance of the pool water against them at all.  Still, the improvement is huge from just a week ago so I am happy.  I've finally turned the corner.  

Here's a few pictures from my trip with Camille.  We spent two nights in Santa Barbara.  Laughing, talking, eating, laughing, going to a spa, laughing, ...you get the idea.  

We walked on this bike path with a cup of coffee every evening at sundown.  The second night I walked for 30 minutes!  With no pain or fatigue!!

We had lunch at the harbor, at Brophy Bros. 

A cup of chowder and a bowl of steamed clams.  Heaven.

We always get ourselves matching sweatshirts on our trips.

The last night we gorged ourselves on amazing, and creative, sushi.

 And now I'm back home, catching up on blogs, washing all the beach, pool and shower towels from the kids' visit, and enjoying the peace and quiet.  The last week was wonderful, perfect in every way.  But, I do love our quiet life.

 

Jackson Rides Again

Yesterday the kids wanted to ride the horses.  We waited until after dinner when the temperatures dropped from over 100F to the 80s.  It was a race to beat the setting sun, but we made it.  Chris wondered what it would be like to sit on a horse bareback and that got me thinking.  Jackson is very comfortable bareback and he is very sensible, always anxious to please.  So while Brett tacked up Flash, I got Jackson out and brought him to the tie rail.  He was beside himself with happiness.

The kids rummaged around until they found helmets that fit, and we took Jackson to the mounting block.  Drew, being the oldest, was up first.  Jackson could feel that Drew was a bit off balance so he walked slowly and calmly.  As Drew straightened up and gained confidence, Jackson started walking faster pulling me along and wanting to trot.  I firmly told him no, that my poor foot wasn't up to jogging, and he needed to be good.  He settled for me.  He's so good, always wanting to please.

Rachel took her turn next.  She and Jackson had already bonded when we gave him a bath the other day and she sat up nice and straight, well balanced and perfectly aligned.  But she is timid and was worried that Jackson would try to trot with her.  I explained to Jackson and he walked slowly and calmly for her. 

Last up was Chris.  His seat wasn't the straightest but that kid is brave.  He was scratching Jackson on the withers and telling me that someday he wants to ride well enough to gallop.  Jackson had his ears flicking back and forth on Chris the whole time.  I'm sure he was trying to figure Chris out.  Hmmm, wants to go fast but doesn't feel secure back there.  I better just walk along nicely.

Meanwhile, Winston was busy trying to get some attention.  He tried synchronized rolling with Tuffy first.

When that didn't work, he raced around the pasture bucking and demonstrating airs above ground.  His extended trot was a sight to behold.  I told him I was impressed and promised to ride him soon.  My foot is markedly better.  It's not an empty promise.  My goal is Sunday.  Fingers crossed.

While Winston was entertaining us, Brett brought Flash out.  The kids practiced steering on their own and Andrew even did a bit of trot work. 

We got it all done before the sun set.  A perfect evening.