Hickory's a little sore

Got his feet done and he's letting me know he doesn't like his new feet. I'm hoping he'll be back to sound by next week, when we are supposed to go to the clinic. IF we can go. My truck is in the shop. Wheel bearing went on it. Not that it takes long too fix, but the garage won't fix it without my lesser half's say. Sexist bastards. And I can't move it without risking totally ruining it.
On a positive note, both are doing well. I've still got them out on pasture. They seem to be enjoying just being out with the others. They come to me when I go out there to see them. Of course, I'm pretty sure Penny just loves me because she knows who doles out the oats. I'm heading out again after supper. Hickory will be brought in and separated in a closer pen so that I don't need to walk over a mile to go get him. Gotta do some groundwork.

Been a while

I didn't realize it had been this long since I wrote anything down. I turned Penny out to the big pasture last night. Lots of long grass and her friends are there, so she'll be happy.
She's been working very well. So I'm giving her a vacation. I'll bring them back in in about another 2 weeks. July 29-Aug 1st, Hickory & I will be going to a colt starting clinic. I'll want to do a ground work refresher with him before that.
I still go out and give them grain every day. They both love attention, so it will be easy to go out there with a brush and check them over.
Today, Hickory was laying down, so I took the opportunity to check him over for ticks. We have wood ticks here. The horses were all treated for them, but you still never know.

Stupid Internet hasn't been working

But Penny has. I have been ponying her around our hay fields most days. I figure that it takes at least as much, if not more time than lunging her, and I get another horse worked at the same time. And as another bonus, she isn't going around in joint stressing circles.
We have got alot of rain lately, so there is a lot of water laying around here. She didn't like going through the shallow run-off stream the first time, but by the second time around the field, she was like an old pro. Her leading has much improved and she seems to be even easier to catch.
That might have something to do with the bit of sweet feed I have added to her oats. She's like her mother that way, she REALLY like her meals. Although, she could use a few more pounds on her.
Hickory is still on turn out. I bring him in for his grain and a grooming, but no work right now. I am not taking him to any of the shows we are going to, so we are concentrating on the ones who are going.
It's pretty warm out here today, so Penny will get another bath. And a hoof trim. I just came in for a break from chores, but out I go again.

Finally, 4-H is over, back to work

I gave myself a bit of time to recover from the weekend.
Yesterday I brought Penny back in. I am going to show her in halter classes at some open shows, so she needs to be in condition and to lead a lot sharper.
I am going to head out now. I'll post results later.

Another wet, miserable day

I decided to turn Penny out in a larger field for a few days, at least till 4-H is over and I actually have some time for her.
As for Hickory, I cleaned up the harness, put it on him and lunged him with it. No problems. He wasn't sure about the crupper at first, but got over it fast. I drove him abit yesterday and the day before. I'm happy with the way he's working.

It's crazy busy around here

I didn't get anything done with Hickory or Penny yesterday. My kids had 4-H riding lessons yesterday and they needed to turn in their project books as well. They have one more lesson on Wednesday, which is also a swimming lesson day. Achievement day is on Sunday, so this week will be filled with tack cleaning, clipping and bathing horses as well as extra showmanship practise. My son's horse has never done barrels or poles and they are required classes, so we'll be setting thos up and practise them as well.
Somewhere in all that, I need to fit time in to work with the young guys. So after my lunch is done, it'll be work time for Hickory. I'm going to harness him up and start driving him that way. It'll be easier on him than lunging, and he'll aquire a different skill. I'd like to eventually hitch the cart up behind him. I used to drive his dam when she was younger. That way he'll get work, but without the weight of a rider on his back.

Cowlicks as a way to predict trainability?

I know nobody reads this but me, but I'll write about it anyhow.
So, new edition of Horse & Rider has an article about how cowlicks on a horse's face can help predict their trainability and mind set. Any opinions on this? I wonder how many people have not bought super horses simply because their swirl said they were a complicated personality. Or how many people had their methods influence by thinking that the horse was gonna be an ass to train. Interesting topic. I'm gonna look to find more info on it. I know there is a whole book with pictures and everything, but do I want to spend money on a book when what I really need is a bosal? Not likely.