Meet Sands

This is Sands, the Rocky Mountain Horse I rode yesterday and will ride today, Thursday, and Friday. He's not as finished a horse as Fresco is, but that's good for my training.

Sands was given to Larry Whitesell because he would always buck people off any time he was ridden outside of an arena. Larry and his partner Jennifer (holding Sands in the picture) have worked with him so that he's now safe to ride (which is a good thing for yours truly).

Today we're going to work on turning on the haunches and speed control. It should be a good day.

Second Day

Our second day was really a great learning experience. We focused on our cues and how they affected the horses.

This is the horse I rode, Fresco, a Paso Fino. He's one of Larry's finished horses so I was able to focus on what I was doing without worrying about him. He was very tolerant of my mistakes.

Wednesday, we're going to do more exercises to help the horses stay in balance, soften and relax.

I'll ride one of these Rocky Mountain Horses on Wednesday. They're trained, but not quite as finished as Fresco so I will have a little more of a challenge as I apply what I'm learning.

Outdoor Weddings - You Never Know What To Expect.

I mentioned that Betty and I did a wedding last Thursday night and it went very well. The weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding.

Here's a young couple getting married in Kansas. He's a rodeo bull rider and she's a barrel racer. Their weather was a little different, but it looks like everyone took it in stride.

 

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day everyone!

 

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I arrived at Larry Whitesell's place in Baxter, Tennessee on Sunday afternoon. It's hot and humid - really humid. Besides missing Betty and our horses already, I miss New Mexico - even with its winds.

We start our clinic this morning, Monday with some basic instructions and most of the day will be spent on ground work for collection and balance.


I'll also find out which of his horses I'll be working with.

The wifi is spotty here, but I hope to be able to do a post each morning.

Take care.

Sunday Reflection - Morning Glory

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalms 113:3

One of the joys of having horses is the morning feeding. I usually get outside just before or just as the sun is coming up.

This past Friday morning we had some smoky haze from a wildfire in Southwest New Mexico. It made for a pretty spectacular sunrise.

I am often moved to reflect on the glory of God when I see the glory of the sunrise. He truly is the Master Artist.

 

Heading to Tennessee to Learn More

 

I will board a Southwestern flight today at Noon to fly to Nashville, Tennessee. I will spend tonight with Betty's stepmother, Nita, in Franklin, Tennessee.

After lunch on Sunday I'll drive my rental car to Baxter, Tennessee (close to Cookeville). Monday morning I'll start a week long horsemanship clinic with Larry Whitesell.

Larry is a gaited horse trainer and Betty and I have been using his methods for about a year and a half now with Sugar and Morgunn. We've seen some good results.

I'll use one of his horses and my goal for the training is to improve myself as a rider/trainer. I know that Sugar's growth and development is directly connected to my growth and development.

The clinic ends Friday afternoon. I'll drive back to Franklin Friday night and spend Friday and Saturday nights with Nita. I fly home on Sunday, June 3.

I have no idea if I will have a wifi connection or not. I stuck a few scheduled posts on if I don't have a wifi connection. If I do have a connection I'll post about my activities throughout the week.

Keep Betty in your thoughts and prayers. She'll have full duty for the house and the horses while I'm gone. I have no doubts that she's capable. I wouldn't leave for over a week if I had any concerns. But it's still a big job for just one person.

Be good while I'm gone and don't forget me.