My day off work

It has occured to me that working without a commission SHOULD make my work life less stressful, it seems to have had the opposite effect.  I spent more than 2 hours trying to explain to my BOSS why it has affected me as it has.  WHY losing 30% of my income is stressing me out.  She says, "Why would you DEPEND on those commissions?" I say, "why wouldn't I?".  When making commissions I am in control of my take home.  If I work hard & sell well I get a good paycheck.  This last week's check (without commissions) I had to go clear back to May of 2010 to find one as small as I received this week.  I am VERY resentful of Lowe's for cutting the commission program.  Nobody is fessing up as to whose fault it is.  Lowe's blames the vendors, the vendors blame Lowe's, either way I make 30% less & there is NOTHING I can do about it.  I need to find a way to accept this & move on.  All this stress at work really makes me appreciate the days off even more.

Today was one of those precious days off.  I got up this morning & went out to spend some time with the horses.  I have really come to relish this quite time in the mornings of listening to horses munching their hay & drinking.  I really enjoy when Kodi comes over to share my space. He tickles me with his lips.  There is an increase in pressure until he gets a response.   The other morning he went so far as to pick up his front hoof & carefully started to paw me.  I decided that was not acceptable behaviour & scolded him away.  After morning time with the horses I went to meet Susan Smith to see how she wants to devide off the arena for her liberty demo on April 7th.  She is very excited that she is getting such a GREAT turnout for this demo/clinic.  I am excited so many people want to learn about waterhole rituals!!  I keep finding ways to work it into everyday life. 

I had a bite of lunch & decided to take Macho out for a ride on this WONDERFUL spring day.  Instead of trudging off to CATCH Macho I thought I would try a different approach.  I got the halter out of the trailer & went & set on the washer basin that I sit on when sharing territory with the horses.  Within 2 minutes both Macho & Kodi were beside me wanting to know what was going on.  I showed Macho the halter & he left.  Kodi started to walk away but then stoped & backed up ever so carefully to me so I could scratch his hiney.  Anoher couple minutes pass & Macho is back over being a pest.  He picked up the halter from my lap, dropped it on the ground, picked it up & shook it, dropped it & again walked away.  Kodi stood nearby watching Macho with curiosity.  I sat playing a game on my phone & not long Macho approached me from the front instead of from behind.  His ears were up, & his head was down.  I held out his halter & he put his nose in & seemed ready to go.  Time elapsed 20 minutes.  All I did was sit & wait for Macho to come to me.  I looped the lead rope around his neck & walked to the trailer leaving Macho standing there confused.  I sat by the trailer waiting to see if he or Kodi would come over to the trailer.  Neither of them did.  I went back to the wash basin & they both came over.  I got Macho's lead rope & led him to the trailer to get him tacked.  He stood quitely & was quite relaxed as I brushed & tacked him.  Way better way to "catch" a horse, sitting wating for themto come to you!!  We went for a short ride on what I suspect will become a regular loop for us.  I used the GPS to see what the distance was.  As it worked out it is 6 mile loop that I can ride from my house!!  Macho was a bit worried going out alone today but as we returned home he relaxed & settled into a really great walk.  Once we got home Macho was such a good boy.  He stood right beside the "Gate from HELL" & I was acually able to open it from horseback. 

As I type tonight my arms are a bit sunburned my muscles a bit sore but but I am quite happy.  Even a short ride alone is stil better than any CRAPPY work day.  I only have to work 3 more days this week & I am off this weekend.  I don't have any plans for the weekend.  Just going to do some spring cleaning out in the yard & have some 1 on 1 time with my horses.

Macho & I take on Endurance riding.

Macho & I started our relationship in 2005 in Farmington New Mexico.  Since then he & I have been through MANY ups & downs.  Saturday March 17, 2012 was definately an UP day.  I have always said there is a great horse inside of there all I had to do was find him.  Saturday the AWESOME horse was there.  Saturday we competed in our FIRST AERC endurance ride, a LD 35 mile ride!!!  Friday I had to work from 8 - noon.  I could not focus on ANYTHING there.  My mind was racing with all I had to do to get to the ride!!!  I got off work at noon, made a stop at the bank & dashed home to get hooked up to the trailer.  I loaded our hay box, hooked up the trailer & brought it up to the driveway to get everything loaded up.  I went out to catch Macho & he was particullarly playful.  He had had a week off as I was told to do before a competition, & he was really full of himself!!.  Phil came to see if I need help to catch him I said no just to watch.  I stood in the center of his pen as he & Kodi played all around me.  I was not moving just standing as they ran & played.  Kodi got tired of Macho pushing him around  & BIT Macho on his butt!!  I laughed & laughed all while just standing there waiting for Macho to choose to be caught.  Less than 5 minutes passed & Macho stopped, snorted & walked nicely up to me.  Phil was amazed!!  I told Phil that Macho was not done & I did not hurry to halter him.  As I suspected Macho turned & trotted away.  I just stood, practicing my waterhole rituals & waiting on Macho to come back.  He came back over & this time he dropped his head down & "asked" to be haltered.  We went out to the trailer & Macho got a rinse down.  It was an almost 70 degree day & he was REALLY filthy.  I thought it best to at least START with a clean horse.  I then loaded Macho into the trailer to stay out of trouble while I got everything else into the trailer.  I gathered all my clothes I laid out on the bed, my bathroom things & FOOD!!!  Macho was stamping & pawing with impatience that he was in the trailer & it was not moving.  I opened the door between the living quarters & the horse area & scared the CrAP out of him, from then on he was VERY quiet whenever I was in the trailer loading things.  I finally got all I thought I needed loaded & headed off to the Santa Fe Equestrain Center, AKA  base camp for the Caja Endurance Ride.  We got there at 2:30 just in time for check in.  I unloaded Macho, got a great parking place, set up the trailer & Macho's corral.  Macho was happily munching his hay so I took time to get housekeeping done at the trailer.  Trish Hug was already at the Caja as she was volunteering to help with Check in.  I visited with her & she had found Macho a shiney new blue halter for his first ride that I had asked her to look for!!!  How AWESOME it looked on him.  I totally forgot I had even asked her to loook for this!!  I watched a couple riders vet in & decided it was a piece of cake compared to NATRC check in.  I got Macho brushed up & looking good & decided it was time to vet in.  A quick vet check, trot out & Macho was in!!  No turning back now. 

I put Macho back in his pen along with his beet pulp mush so he could eat all he wanted.  Phil passed on camping once I told him the schedule of things for the weekend so Trish camped in with me.  I was soo happy to have someone there to keep me sane & distracted.  I knew I needed to be calm the next morning but I was having a terrible time containing my nerves & excitement of our first endurance ride.  There was a riders briefing that was...... well.... BRIEF!!  I was left with questions but I figured they would be answered soon enough.  Phil came out to make us an AWESOME supper of fried potatoes, grilled steaks & steamed asparagas.  YUMMY YUMMY.  After dinner Phil headed home for a real night's sleep, I tucked Macho in, took a couple tylenol pm, & Trish & I were asleep by 9 or so. 

Saturday I got up at FOUR AM to FEED Macho his mush.  It was a bit frozen so I added HOT water from the trailer to make it more like what he is used to eating.  Macho greted me with a soft nicker & happily began muching his early morning breakfast.  I trudged back to the trailer.  I did take time to notice the briliant orange crescent of moon just rising on the eastern horizion.  What an awesome treat to see, I normally sleep through that part of the day.  I crawled back into bed & luckily fell right back to sleep.  Trish & I got up at 6 for the day.  We made omlets in a baggie with FRESH farm eggs form Lisa Westfall.  MMMMMM  I only ate a little bit of mine as I was too excited & it was not sitting well with me.  All of a sudden it was 7 o'clock.  I went to tack Macho & get ready to ride.  As I walked back to the trailer with Macho the ride manager saide it was 7:30!!  TIME TO RIDE!!!!

I didn't see anyone that I knew so Macho & I just got headed down the trail.  I made the decision I was not going to fight Macho at all I would let him go the pace he chose.  I know that is not the right way BUT I figured we would waste more energy fighting that just kicking up & going so go we did!!!  The 35 mile LD riders would ride the 17 mile loop 2 times, once each way.  I looked at the map & made the ride into little bitesize pieces.  First water was at 3 miles out.  No drinking for Macho there.  We rode with Julie from Durango & her Appaloosa that won best appaloosa last year in AERC.  Her horse was so calm & was getting down to business, Macho followed her lead & pacing.  Next water was at the 1200 well, 6 miles out, no drinking there either.  It was early & cool but I was already shedding clothes.  I left my jacket with the nice HAMM radio operator who was there to track all the riders as we came & went so they knew where we were at on the trail.  We left the 1200 well & had a great open area with good terrain that Macho really made GREAT time across.  Julie pulled out ahead of us & Macho was content to slow down a little bit.  We travelled alone a lot of the morning & it was really awesome to just hear the cadence of Macho's hoof beats at the miles passed effortlessly away for him.  My legs were burning but I kept thinking, If macho can do this I can do this".  We got to the gate & the next water.  Still no drinking,  Macho was really happy & relaxed on the trail.  Moving out REALLY well sweating but no fighting with me.  WOW we are already back to the Y 3 miles into camp!!  What time is it?? CRAP I forgot to wear my watch.  Macho took a SMALL drink there.  We have hardly walked since we left camp.  I am back from our first loop in about 2 hours & 20 minutes for 17 miles!!!  I knew we would be faster on ride day but I never thought we would be that much faster.  Phil, my  husband & chef , will not even be there yet.  Who will help me care for Macho & get my lunch???  I had to get Macho to pulse down to 60 BPM.  He had no problems with that.  We now have 45 minutes before we can ride out for the second loop.    Trish jumped right in.  I pulled Macho's headstall & halter left him saddled & turned him into his paddock.  Trish was making my peanut butter & jelly sadwiches for me.  She was at that moment my VERY VERY best friend ever!!  As I ate she checked on Macho to see that he was eating & drinking.  Phil got there & was VERY suprised to see us already in.  I shed a few layers of clothes & relaxed a bit in the warming sunshine.  All too soon it was time to go.  Kathy Meyers offered to ride the second loop with us.  We left a little late from lunch, but we were not racing all we were doing was riding & I thought it was best to take care of me & Macho.  What an honor to ride with Kathy & her horse Blue.  They  completed Tevis in 2010 when Blue was 18.  At almost 20 Blue was still in fine form.  We trotted where we could & walked a lot.  Kathy said even at walk we were still travelling at 4 MPH &that was a good pace for her.  I worried a lot about slowing her & Blue down as they were doing 50, they would still have A THIRD loop to do after we got back to camp!!  Macho was tired but not reluctant.  We would trot as I could tolerate it & walk when he asked to.  He would drop his head & stretch & was still quite energetic.  I alternately thought I would throw up or pass out wasn't quite sure which was going to happen.  Kathy tells me that is normal.  I had to stop to visit a bush.  Kathy held Macho for me then & it took all I had to climb back onto Macho.  We trotted from the gate toward the 1200 well.  We caught a couple different riders headed the wrong way.  They were quite grateful.  Finally we made the 1200 well & Macho DRANK!!!!  LONG, SLOW, HUGE drinks!!!  Hooray!!!  Only took him 28 miles to decide he needed a drink!!!!  6 miles till we were done. I again told Kathy to go on ahead & we would make it in fine but she & Blue stayed.  She told me it was not necessary for riders to come in alive with their horse & she would tie me onto the saddle & drag us in if she had to.  I never doubted Macho but it does occour to me that if I am going to be an endurance rider I MAY need to get into shape!!!  Kathy let me know that we were stil at about 5.5 MPH even with as much walking we had done!!  I was amazed.  This second loop seemed to be lasting forever!!!!  We got to the Y where final water is at & only 3 more miles to camp.  Alternately trotting where we could & walking where the rocky trail slowed us we progressed to the finish line.  The 50 riders were passing us as they headed out for their THIRD loop.  Kathy was firmly in last place but still there with Macho & I!!  We crossed the ranch gate & the finish line was in sight.  Phil & Trish were there waiting for Macho & I to get in.  Kathy egged us on & we trotted across the finish line in STYLE!!!  Was so awesome to finish.  The motto in AERC is, " to finish is to win" I had no idea where my placement was but I knew we completed.  This is something I had never thought I woudl be doing.  I thought endurance riders were nuts.  Now I know they are!!  I was not done yet I had to get Macho down to 60 BPM before we were officially done.  That only took 5 minutes or so.  Macho still had enough energy to wiggle around during vet check.  Phil & Trish were taking photos of us the whole time.  He was a little dehydrated but completed sound & "fit to continue".  HOORAY!!!  I pulled all of Macho's tack.  Washed him with warmed water & wet towel, curried him off & put a light blanket on him.  Macho didn't roll like I expected him to.  He went to his freshly made mush that Phil had ready for him ate that & his hay & seemed quite happy to stand in the sun & relax. 

I got changed out of sweaty clothes & ate & drank pretty much anything I could get my hands on.  The pony club from Los Alamos provided a fantastic supper for the riders & volunteers.  Baked potatoes with every topping known, green salad, many different desserts.  YUMMY!!  At awards Macho & I found out we finished 11th place out of 17 LD riders.  The placement was unimportant to me or Macho just happy to have finished sound & safe!!  A short ride of 6 - 10 miles will never be the same. 

Somehow everything got packed up & we got home just after dark.  I unloaded Macho.  Kodi surely heard a huge story of what Macho did all day.  I got the trailer unhooked & was asleep by 10.    I still need to unload dirty clothes even as I write this.  They will still be there monday after work. 

Sunday I had to work at 10 am.  Phil & I had breakfast at Wecks & I worked all day at Lowe's.  There are so many places on my body that hurt I will spare the gory details.  Let's say I will probally not walk normally till Wednesday or Thursday!!!!  Ibuprophen is GREAT!! 

Remember set a goal & take little steps till you get there!!  This endurance ride is the first step for Macho on his road to the Tevis!!!

A day with Kodi

I got off work today at 4 pm.  When I got home I find Kodi & my smooth fox terrier Gromit Playing on the fence line.  Gromit was barking at Kodi & when he stoppped barking Kodi would paw the fence.  Gromit ran along the fence & Kodi would chase him with his head down.  this was sooo fun to watch.  I then though that since Kodi is already in a playful engaging mood that I should go "play" with Kodi also.  I bundled up in my coveralls so as the sun lowered in the sky I would not freeze out before our game was over. 

I put the dogs away with their supper so they do not interfere with my time with Kodi.  I then sat out on the washtub & waitied.  It didn't take Kodi long to come over & carefully back his hiney up to me for butt scratches.  I was able to catch this on my cell , not the greatest video but it shows how Kodi is engaging with me.  This has taken almost 2 months with Macho being gone for Kodi to choose to engage at liberty with me.   We tried a bit of leading from behind but still feels more like chasing than leading so I walked away from Kodi instead.  I stood & Kodi circled me, first about 20 ft out then getting as close as about 5 foot.  I just stood & turned as he went around.  Remember this is in a LARGE area & Kodi is at Liberty.  It is HIS choice to do what he does.   He stopped by the scraggly tree in his pen & rubbed his face very deliberately on the branch.  I REALLY wanted to get a bit more engagement from Kodi so I chose to sit down on the ground.  Kodi came over to see what I was doing.  He started to back to me for but scratches as I was sitting down.  I just ignored this, I wanted to see his nose.  I laid down on my side, propped up on one arm.  Kodi came over & sniffed my head & face.  I just laid very still.  He then turned around & really wanted butt scratches.  I did not think it was safe to give but scratches, as I was lying on the ground, so I just stayed still & waited.  He came back again & sniffed all up & down my legs, feet & body.  I raised my hand up for him & he sniffed & tickled me with his lips.  FINALLY engagement from his nose not his butt!!!!  He "tasted" my coveralls a bit.  I didn't want to shoo him away at this point & figured as long as he didn't get to my body through the coveralls I would let him explore as far as he wants to.  Kodi spent about 5 minutes really checking me out as I laid on the ground very still.  I chose to end our session at this point.  FINALLY!!!!!!!!   Kodi is engaging!!!  What a great day.  I wonder what changes will happen when Macho comes home next week.  

Centennial Weekend

My friend Trish & "planned" a horse sick day.  Her boss understands the need for these sort of days.  My boss on the other hand does not.  I guess htat is the difference of working for an independent employer & working for a big box.  None the less we were both "sick" that friday.  We headed out to the Caja to gather firewood for the Centennial trail ride in San Acacia.  We came back to town to make good use of my Starbucks gift card.  There we both had a carmel Maccichito & a sconce & muffin.  I needed to stop by the bank on my way out of town for a bit of cash.  While puling into the bank we saw the Wells Fargo SEMI that hauls the horses & Wells FArgo Wagon.  We toook off like crazy women following it right over to the fairgrounds.  They had only brought the wagon, no horses for the centennial celebration at the capitol  We visited with the driver for a little while.  I discovered that he & I shared many common friends in the draft horse world.  After that excitement we drove south to San Acacia for a FANTASTIC weekedn of trail riding, eating & friend making.  Dacodah was a fine host for this event & everyone had a fantastic weekend.  there were people from all over New Mexico, Utah, & even Oregon!!   By the third day of riding I was exhausted.  I chose not to ride on Sunday as I had many things on my mind & didn't mentally feel up to riding that day.  After the group left I found myself on a chair in the horse ppen with about 15 horses including my Macho.  This was VERY great for me as I got to watch horses being horses while I shared space with them.  I watched as they ate, drank & carried on the ever subtle conversations that horses have in herds.  I learned lots that morning.  I learned that one does not have to ride to learn about horses. 

Happy 100th birthday New Mexico may we all have a fantastic year of celebration of the VERY young New Mexico statehood.   Remember to be nice to each other & live every day with no regrets!!

Cooper's' Hawk

Ok I was so excited in my earlier post that I left a few things out.  At the end of the session with Susan Smith we were sitting sharing space with the horses when a Cooper's Hawk passed by.  She/he landed on the fence post long enough to say hello & flew off to hunt the open lot behind my property.  Susan & I were able to watch her as she hunted.  She scared up a large group of smaller birds.  I am sure she got lunch there but they were far enough away I didn't see for sure.  Cooper's Hawks & Sharp Shinned hawks are quite common they are very similar small hawks.  The sharp shinned is about the size of a dove.  The Cooper's is a bit larger.  They are difficult to identify from each other when seen individually in the wild.  Still quite Awesome to see in my back yard.  Susan has said she will have videos soon!!!!  I am so excityed that she captured todays work on video!!!!  Got to sleep now I a, going riding tomorrow with Dacodah in San Acaia!!!  Getting ready for the New Mexico centennial ride!!!

Awesome Day!!!!

Had a 2nd session today with Susan Smith teaching me the Waterhole Rituals by Carolyn Resnick.  Macho was an absolute pill!!  Finally someone saw the Macho that I know.  He was acting very much like a stud with Susan.  He would trot towards he with his neck arched & tail up & wheel, turn, buck & run away.  There was a couple times he actually charged Susan.  I have had a hard time interpreting wether this is dominant aggressive behaviour or play.  Immediately after he would be chargy he would turn right around & walk up politely & greet with a sniff & really want to engage.  This behaviour of Macho's is so hard to describe to people as they always see the "good" Macho.  That is not to say that this is a "Bad" Macho just a different Macho.  What I see is a Macho that did not have other foals around when he was little & he did not get the chance to buck & play with other horses so he is trying to do this with humans.  However this can indeed be VERY dangerous & sacry as a human.   After the work today I was able to end the session with a good effort of leading from behind.  Macho & Kodi were both relaxed & responsive.  As Susan & I were talking at the end of the sesion Kodi was falling asleep.  Hard for me to put into words just how awesome the day was for us!!!!

2011 is history look out 2012!!!

I lie in bed at 10:47 on the last day of 2011 reflecting on all I did this year.  What a ride  I would like to first wish everyone a happy 2012.  Challenge yourself to say yes more times than you say no.  YOU will be amazed where it takes you!!! 

Horse training using Carolyn Resnicks method has begun in ernest at my home.  This for me is a BIG leap of faith HOWEVER after 2 days I see a HUGE difference in how Macho is approaching things.  I have decided Macho is a VERY dominate horse.  I look forward to changing that using the Waterhole Rituals. 

Friday evening I got off work at 5 RAN home & changed clothes & worked till almost 7 in the DARK.  I learned that separating my boys is not the best approach at this time, best to work them together.  I left the horses Friday evening feeling that I had accomplished nothing I wanted to. 

Saturday morning I went out to feed, I found Macho asking nicely if he could eat his breakfast after gently reminding him of what we worked on Friday night.  I had to work at 7 AM so I did not have the time I wanted or needed to practice much this morning. 

I got off work at 4 on Saturday called Susan Smith on my way home to discuss what my plans were & if I was approaching correctly.  As I was talking to her I got home changed clothes & headed out to the horse yard to have a sesssion with Macho and Kodi.  Tonight's lesson for Macho, taking territory for Kodi, eye contact.  I placed one bowl of their evening mush on the ground & allowed Kodi to approach & eat at his pleasure.  Every time Macho approached I would drive him away.  Kodi would also run away but he would be allowed to return.  Kodi quickly figured out that he was being allowed to stay & eat as long as Macho was not there.  Soon Kodi was driving Macho away, biting him on the ass & KICKING him!!!  All I did was stand there in amazement.  I put Macho's feed into his bowl & intended to approach Macho & greeet him & walk away allowing him to eat his own feed,  while still not allowing him near Kodi's mush.  After about 30 minutes Macho's atitude changed he greeted me politely & got to peacefully eat HIS mush.  WOW!!  I can hardly wait till Monday when Susan Smith wil come over to show us new things to work on!!!!