Kicks for Christmas

Finally! My Christmas post. Not that it was very interesting, I was sick. Like last year. Dad has been in Alabama since the 23rd so it's just been me and the pup at the house, didn't really bother getting a Christmas tree. Definitely happy I didn't because when Chevy and I went to Mom's Christmas morning... He marked hers. Yes, I giggled and gave him a cookie. I'm a horrible daughter I know! 

My first pair of fun riding boots!

Dad got me an early gift this year (Mom chipped in some) before he left.

Let me just tell you, Dublin Pinnacle boots? Love them. I've had them for at least a month now and have ridden in them. Once again? Love them. Trying my darndest not to use them like crazy doing barn work so I bought myself a pair of $20 rubber boots from Tractor Supply (my second favorite place). I will not post what they look like, kind of embarrassing... But fun for the barn. :)

Mom bought some clothes I picked out at Kohl's about a month ago and asked if she could wrap them for me for Christmas. I said sure... But I'm still expected to pay her back. That's an interesting story. But anyway! I honestly didn't really ask for anything this year because I know how it goes and well... It's just not worth it in the end. If there's something I need I'd rather just grab it myself. Better that way.

But! I did post one day about how I would love a tool set and be able to use my own stuff instead of borrowing everyone else's and what did Dad surprise me with under my mother's Christmas Tree? TOOOOOOOLLLSSS!! And then my aunt and uncle bought me more. Wrench set? Check. Plier set? Check. Just need the drill and a cool hammer. ALLLLLL SET! Very excited. Now I just need the truck and a tool box to go with it.

K gave me the gift of caffeine and A bought our little barn a Keureg. SCORE! But then K surprised me yesterday with the cutest gift of all, handmade (my favorite).

It's a little Brantley! Probably the most adorable thing I've ever gotten before... <3

Kids watching me while sick!

I didn't make it to my family Christmas later Christmas Day because of illness... Or hear from my family at all. But honestly, it was okay. Christmas Eve we had a mini-orphan Christmas dinner with my friend Heather and Matt. I cooked (yes me...) chicken parmesan, and it was delicious if I do say so myself. Christmas movie this year was the newest Batman movie (that I think came out like a year ago). It was great. We did have a little barn holiday party which was a lot of fun and K won Secret Santa gift of the year by far. I think Natalie cried :)

Melody Farm Crew!

Okay so anyway, Christmas was pretty lame but B got the best gift of all. His hind kicks back!

Completely different pony. Tail up, happy ears, lowered head, relaxed back, easy transitions. Just a happier pony in general. The farrier said that he had plenty of foot go barefoot but definitely agreed he just didn't look as confident as he usually does. I'll take less traction for a happier horse. He doesn't bomb around his paddock anyway.

Soon we'll be back to this! BUT WITH SNOW!

Our goal list for 2014 is being set in motion, especially after working B today and seeing his attitude. I really wanted to ride but after my visit with Kid I'm afraid I left my breastcollar and cinch at CC. Hopefully I'll get it back this weekend but honestly, it gives me an excuse to use the one that the Taylor's got me for my birthday this past year. I don't want to ruin it!!! But I guess it's tack... Use it :) It's probably my favorite piece of tack that I own...

A list of goals for 2014 will be posted... It's our year, I know it is. Versatility competition? BOO-YAH!

I am missing my little red head though. She's happy at her new place and I'm happy for her and Sherry. I will admit that before Christmas things weren't going very well and I almost packed up B and headed for her place. Then I realized about the family I have at the barn I'm at now... I've never been so happy at a place before and had so much support. Lots of new people in my life, can't ruin it now!

I got to play with Comet and Lucy this week which is always fun and a learning experience. They're two completely different horses. Lucy is an athlete with all this pent up energy and doesn't really know how to handle it. Explosion of emotion? I think so. I find taking things slow and low with her and letting her think with every step instead of sending her around like a retard trying to "dispense the energy" works better. The more you make her run? The hotter she tends to get. I don't think this horse could get tired. She had an episode the other day just walking with A that scared all of us. Her and I had a little "talk" and she calmed down after thrashing and bucking and rearing at all of us. I didn't get mad, didn't get frustrated, just waited for her to find the answer no matter how many tantrums it took. She got it. Definitely saw it in her eye yesterday when she worked. A worked her today and said she was good so I'm happy.

Lucy and her thinking face... "Did I do it right?"

I worked with Comet yesterday and just took him out and made him trot and trot and trot and trot... Change direction... Trot some more. I walked the circle with him so he wasn't just doing one tiny circle around me. Made him stretch his legs, through his back, down his neck. He was a little hot at first but like I said, completely different than Lucy. He needs to work, move, get his body going. That's when he starts to think. He's a fast learner, just has space respect issues and is pushy with his head in a non-cute way. I saw a difference in him when I worked him tonight, the explosions into the canter were non-existent (maybe 1-2 vs. 20). He even respected my presence with another horse in the ring which is hard for him usually. Another pony walks in the ring and you may as well get off or just walk the rest of your ride. I can't wait to see how he is for N tomorrow.

Ok, I'm good, you can get on now.

My next post other than goals, I really want to get into emotions and training. I read an article on Stacy Westfall's blog: http://stacywestfallhorseblog.com/2013/12/28/do-you-get-emotional-when-working-with-your-horse/ ... Read it? Think about it? Discuss it? I think so.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas!

Start off the New Year right!

Merry Christmas from Sammy & Santa Chevy!

Maybe I'll start my New Year off with these...