amywink September 4th, 2010
Our last Sunday drive in August started early but very cool! Finally, a break in the summer heat and our temperature was at 69 for the start. It was a good day for photography too and I manage to get several shots I’d had in my head for a long time.
Like this one:
Throughout our early morning drives, I have been watching our shadows, thinking of this photograph, so I was extremely pleased to get this shot. Since we’ve had some time off, Will’s approached our drives more positively, looking more like he’s having a good time. We’ve enjoyed some new trails as well and he’s enjoying those too. Though the hills are making him work harder, we’re rewarded by the views ahead. This shot has also been in my head for a while:
We’re conditioning for the Plum Creek Swap Drive in October, a goal I’ve had for the year. He’s looking very good, though prefers a very pokey walk by the end of our drives.
Blessing is beginning to get some lessons too! My goal for her this coming year is the HOTMHC Fun Show in April. Hopefully, we will be able to show her in hand before she heads off to driving training. She got her first lesson in standing last weekend–from Lisa–and we finally got one good stand out of her–though she was really not sure it was worth the trouble.
This weekend will mark the third month with us and she’s settled in quite nicely, adding a cheerful presence to our herd. She’s quite the happy horse and compliments her brother’s more complex personality very well. I think she rolls her eyes at him quite often.
amywink August 1st, 2010
Heavy fog descended as I entered Caldwell County this morning. We were expecting a high of 102 so a little morning cloud cover would be nice but this made the buffalo disappear!
As I groomed Will, the moisture settled on his lashes, ears and forelock. When I wiped it off, it was back in a few minutes.
Still, it did keep things nice and cool. We had a wonderful drive. After a break from driving for 2 weeks, our drive yesterday was sort of bumpy, but today we had worked out the kinks.
After our long drive, I took Will into the dressage arena and Blessing watched with great interest. She’d already been fascinated by Lisa and Popeye riding by, now she wanted to chat:
But he told her he was working! 
Later on (after the sun came out), I brought her out for some grooming and she got to meet the carriage again.
She’s cautious but curious. She never runs away when we’re driving, sometimes follows along to see where we’re going. All good for her future as a driving mare.
amywink July 29th, 2010
It seems so suddenly to be the end of July! The heat and the rain (?!?) have kept us from driving as much but it is nice to see green in July. Last year, everything was scorched in the drought but this year we still have flowers blooming in the pastures and grass too.
As usual, I have gotten less done than I always plan to do, but I have decided to get off my case be okay with that. Last weekend, I enjoyed a trip to the Houston Dog Show where I was lucky enough to have my one personal Meet the Breed meeting with one of the Irish Terriers showing on Saturday. She was a very good spokes-dog for her breed and when I’m ready, I’ll be looking for an Irish Terrier.
Will and Blessing continue to develop their relationship. They are often close in the pasture, but not always.
I wouldn’t have thought he’d allow her to be this close to his grass when their relationship began, but clearly she is persuasive and having only her as a companion has made him rethink his position.
He remains in charge, particularly if it looks like I’m giving someone a cookie. She always comes over to visit when I arrive. She does respect him, but not so much that she doesn’t bug him by not granting him too much deference.
They’ve come a long way in 8 weeks and it’s been good for him. He’s calmer, less anxious, since he’s had to be the leader, but also happy to have a companion. She seems happy to have him around as well. Whew.
