More Weekend Pictures

  (As always, click the picture to view full sized.)

Hmmm.... is George show off?  Or should this be the first picture in his modeling portfolio?

(Imaginary magazine add:  "Inspired by the rugged lifestyle of the classic American sportsman with an exclusive faded plaid pattern, this George Perry Signature Twill shirt is constructed for durability and relaxed comfort, with a soft finish. Button-down collar and cuffs. Back pleat. Rounded hem. Imported.  Perfect for those Saturday romps through the country side when you're just not in the mood for donning your hunt club best.") 

Ren doesn't look too shabby either.... I haven't decided what the equine counterpoint to George's ad would say.... 

Jenna and Gabi Come Visit!

One of my friends from work has been bringing her daughter to come ride Shae and Ren.  Saturday, we decided to try out bareback riding!  Jenna offered to take some pictures, and truth be told, she's much better at taking pictures then me.  Next time they come out, I'll try to take some better pictures of them, I promise!

Anyway, let's see how things went!  (As always, click on a picture to enlarge to full size.)

Ren & Gabi are ready to go!

We recently dug up Ren's bridle.  We have a clinic in October and would like the option of riding with or without a bit.  Usually Ren goes in her halter, but Gabi's more familiar with flat reins, so I wanted to see how it went.  Riding Ren bareback is a bit like riding a couch - very cushy and not a lot of upward bounce. 

Looking good!

I think Ren was a fan of the slower pace.  We've been doing a bit of canter work with her lately.

Another example of my fine photography skills.  All over exposed and washed out.  I promise to take better pictures next time!  (Or at least not take a picture pointed directly at the sun!)  Anyway, this is Jenna riding Shae.

I didn't realize that the trees are starting to change here on the farm.  The weather's been so gorgeous and warm that it doesn't feel like fall yet!

Trotting away! Jenna and Shae even did some cantering - not bad for being new to riding bareback! 

Ren is SOOO enjoying the slower pace!

Shae, what ARE you doing with that head of yours?  In reality, this is probably just another example of my horrendous photography skills.

Sigh.  Subject is angled away from the photographer with rump (of the horse) being showcased.  

(I'm just bringing this to your attention now so that you can compare to Jenna's lovely photos later.)

Now, in contrast, here are some of the pictures that Jenna took.  

Gabi and Cali - so cute.

Here, Cali wants to know why we aren't playing with her.  She was in the round pen and not thrilled about not being in the arena with us.  She is such an awesome little horse!

Adorable. 

In focus.  Action.  Subject's posteriors are not the focus of the picture.  Maybe I should learn how to use that camera we have...

All in all, a fun day!  

And next time, I will take better pictures!  It should have been easy seeing as Jenna and Gabi both did a great job with the girls!

A LONG Overdue Post....

So, it's summer time and you'd THINK I have all sorts of things to post.  Well... George has been working a lot and whenever I'm with the horses, I never seem to have the camera with me.  The other day, George and I went by my parents to take pictures of their incredibly cute boerboel puppies for their website: www.butterfly-fields.com and George decided to hop up on Spring.  Spring was the mare that we started last summer.  She has about three months of riding on her now and is a super little trail horse.  George didn't have any tack (or halter) handy, so he decided to go free styling.  I will try to get some pictures of OUR horses up over the next couple days... it's just hard to get motivated to take pictures when I head out to see them and they're covered in sweaty streaks!  With the Maryland heat in the 90 - 100 degree range, all I feel like I'm doing is hosing them down!

Anyway, the pictures I DO have to share....

Yes, we're here to take pictures of dogs, but Spring is always ready to say hi and go somewhere!

George does have an apple tree twig to tap on Spring's shoulder, etc.. to help guide her and let her know what yields George was asking for.  Everything else is off the seat.  Spring hasn't really had too many sessions on freestyle riding, so it was interesting to see her and George communicate.

She picked up on things really quickly.  George was in the confines of her pasture.  I wouldn't recommend trying this for the first time out on a trail!

The other horses were very interested in what Spring and George was doing.

Whiskey HAD to investigate.

Course, no ride would be complete with out cantering!

Spring's baby is nearly 10 months old now!  She's weaned, but was still very interested in following George and Spring around the field.

Okay, we're really here to take those dog pictures!

Boerboel puppies are CUTE!  My folks have some pups still available!  Visit www.butterfly-fields.com for more pictures and information on their boerboels!

The quest continues...

... so we've been trying to teach Rienzi how to lay down.  This is a difficult quest - as Ren is BIG and hard to manuver around.  Last summer we wrestled and wrangled her and it was partially successful.  It just wasn't a very postive experience.  So this time around I went the complete opposite direction - we did a lot of walking around thinking "downward" thoughts.  

This resulted in Ren digging lots of holes in the arena... 

.. lots of looking at me with her "I don't think so" face...

Notice the carrot I have hiding to try and convience her otherwise.  And Ren earns lots of treats if she offers downward thoughts - which includes kneeling.

Nom Nom Nom!

Now if only I could figure out how to get that big ol' rump of hers to go down, we'll be all set!

Here's Ren offering a kneel without a halter, and minimal use of the rope.

So... all of this is a lot for Ren to process, so she sits around and yawns quite a bit during these sessions which is pretty funny.

Any bets on when she'll finally figure out how to go all the way down when I ask?

George and Shae did a little session as well...

Finding the perfect spot to lie down.

It's so easy to mount your 16+ hand horse when they lay down for you!

Time to get up!

Hmmm.... interesting action shot.  It's hard to capture a horse hauling themselves to their feet!

Shamelessly begging for treats....

Shae thinks these sessions are the best ever - lots of treats, back rubs, and very little effort on her part.

Finally - some pictures that don't feature snow!

But instead, feature two very dusty dirty horses.  Not filthy, but definitely dusty!

Today was much windier and cooler than George and I anticipated.  Ren's sidebones were also acting up, so instead of a trail ride we worked Shae in the arena and then played a bit with lying down.

George bringing the girls in from the field.

We both rode Shae quite a bit - I've been riding her bareback so much, that it's time I got back into riding with a saddle!  We didn't really take any riding pictures - like I said, it was windy and we weren't sure how long we were going to stay out.  Ren and I just did lots and lots of walking to try and stretch out her legs.

Time to lay down!

First a good roll.... get that sand really rubbed in.

Gotta scratch that itchy nose!

Ren explored her downward thoughts by pawing at the arena sand... alot.

She also showed off her curly bangs.

Then, it's back out in the field for everyone's favorite pastime - eating.