Yesterday I really felt like I could have ridden Duncan. He was relaxed and comfortable with me standing on the mounting block, rubbing my legs all over, laying over his back, and whatever else I could think of.

I got a new sidepull for my birthday, so we've been playing with that. I like it. He's learning to move left and right, which of course is easy since it's a lot like a halter. His stop is a little slow, and dropping his nose vertically is still not second nature, but he's getting it, and he really enjoys it when he gets things right. He backs pretty readily, but with his nose pushing on the noseband, so we're working on that too.

I'm not sure if I mentioned that he and Scout got their teeth done last week. They both had sharp points and it was time to reduce their canines. Other than that they have great teeth! And now I don't have to worry about sharp points and cheek sores affecting Duncan's training.

I'll leave you with a picture of a starving donkey, giving me the nostrils of want.

Hungry donkey, or angry alien?

Evening ride

Training

I liked the trainer I went to meet yesterday. He and his assistant worked together really well, they enjoyed what they were doing, and they really seemed to like each individual horse. Maybe they haven't done it long enough to be jaded. Other trainers I've met don't seem to care much about the horse as an individual, they're just there to be trained.

That said, they may just be too far away. I thought they were an hour and a half from me, which is OK, just barely. But turned out their facebook page listed the wrong address, and they're about 2 hours away. I'd like to visit at least once a week, and that might not work for me.

When I got home I got both of the boys out. I rode Scout in the round pen while Duncan waited. We were working on neck reining and leg cues. I got pretty dizzy, but it was worth it. I guess my head is still healing.

Then I worked with Duncan while Scout waited. What a big fidget Scout was! He rubbed his head on the fence, chewed his lead, got turned around enough to stick his butt through the rails and itch on them. Eventually he settled and waited patiently.

Duncan got to work on a rope going over his back at a walk, lunging a slow, thoughtful figure 8 with kind of a rollback at each end, and stepping up to the mounting block. That was hard for him. He didn't want to give me access to the saddle area, but I spent a lot of time reassuring him, and eventually he stepped up and I laid over him and rubbed him all over. He's a good boy. But I kind of don't think he's ready to go off to a trainer yet.

Today the wind is blowing something fierce, so I may not do any horsework.

I sure wish he'd finish shedding.

To do, or not to do

I'm going to go meet a trainer and check out his facilities today. I've watched his videos on facebook and what he does looks good. I don't like his price. $850 for a calendar month, which would work out to just 20 days of training. Not sure he can get enough done in that amount of time, but I'll ask him about that.

I also don't like the idea of sending him away for a month. :(

I'm thinking could start Duncan on my own, but it would be a slower process, and frankly I'd rather someone else take the risk. This guy isn't afraid to ride out a buck if necessary, whereas for me it would be a big deal. Not that I expect Duncan to blow up like that, but anything can happen.

Duncan has made so much progress so far. It seems like little stuff until I think back on where we started. He even stands still for fly spray without even being haltered.

He's much more relaxed about everything, really.

I don't want to lose that by sending him to a new place and different people I don't really know well.

In other news, both of the boys are going to get their dental work done on Monday. I can't wait. Duncan has really sharp points.

Good Boys

I got a short ride in yesterday. Even ponied Duncan just a little bit. It annoyed him. Scout annoyed me. He just isn't push-button enough to make it easy. But it went well, and then I turned Duncan out and Scout and I worked on a few things. I had to keep telling him, "Quit looking at me and pay attention!" Which made me laugh a bit. Couldn't think of a scenario where that would make sense, other than on a horse's back.

Later I saddled Duncan and we worked on transitions, seeing things go over his back to the other side, moving the saddle around, and hopping up and down with my foot in each stirrup. Also lateral flexion and body control. He's getting better all the time!

Here he's annoyed with me because I'm trying to keep him far enough away to get a picture. He just doesn't get "stay." But he's still handsome!

Birthday!

I totally forgot Duncan's birthday yesterday! I'll have to give him some treats today. He's 9 years old. That sounds so much older than 8. And I still can't ride him...

I did get the go-ahead from my doctor to ride Scout at a walk, with my helmet on of course. And I can take more risks with Duncan a week after all my head injury symptoms are gone. I think that may not be too far off. I hope my headache goes away this evening so I can indulge in some horseplay. :)

Results!

Duncan is black, and there is nothing wrong with him genetically. Yay! Interesting to read through his results. I really thought he was gaited, and his breeder said all her horses are gaited so he should be. Genetically, he isn't. I guess we'll see for sure when I get him under saddle. Also, he is curious and vigilant. I had no idea there is a test for that. :) I bet Scout has two curious genes.

These are coming out blurry on my phone screen, but if you click on them they clear up.

Just Hanging in There

Feeling better every day.

The horses and Pedro are doing fine. Fat, though. I had to make some changes and now Bella will be joining Pedro in 24 hour drylot. The bys will be out on pasture half the time, instead of full time.

Other than that, not much to report. Still no DNA test results. It's been 3months. I guess going through the curly horse registry isn't a good idea if you really want your results soonish...

Wanna bet?

Thanks for th kind comments about my poor head. I will get better. :)

On another note, wanna bet on what color my horse is? I still don't have the DNA results back, and I'm stumped.

Here's his lineage, with color in parentheses:

Note his mom is listed as a red dun but there's no dun in her background. I think those buckskins are actually dun. Here she is:

http://www.dreamsweptfarm.com/horses/q-z/wyndi/wyndipic.html

Oh my gosh I just found a baby pic of Duncan!

HE'S SO CUTE I'M GONNA DIE!

Here he is sometime later, with a different name and missing part of his ear:

They're not glamour shots, but here are pics from today:

 Notice how the tips of the hairs are dark, then they're goldish, and the summer coat is dark. And he's filthy. :)

He has been on a good daily vitamin mineral supplement for 6 months, so he shouldn't be deficient in copper, but he could be, and he definitely could have been when he grew his winter coat.

Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, but I don't like not knowing, and since we'll know soon, it's fun to guess. What do you think? Faded black? Smokey black? Sooty dun or grulla? Really dark chestnut? Brown? I can't even commit to a guess.

Updated to add eye pics:

The lighter stripes in his eyes under his pupil are interesting.

Head Injury Sucks

So I'm all confused, sometimes have trouble speaking (no so you'd necessarily notice, but I notice), and I get nauseous and dizzy if there's too much going on around me. I have to have someone double check me at work, to make sure i don't give any patients the wrong dose. I write down the wrong numbers, skip or transpose letters. All small stuff, but so very frustrating. And the ER doc didn't put down on my paperwork that I had a concussion or a TBI. Although he did use those words in person. Actually, I haven't gotten the record for my second visit yet, maybe he will say it in that one. I had an MRI done on Tuesday just in case, and it was good. I just need to take the time to heal.

It could be a lot worse. And most of the time I'm positive and thankful. I'm just a little whiny right now. Wish I could take the day off and rest. But I have all weekend for that.

I've still been spending time with the horses, grooming and just hanging out. It keeps me grounded. :)

Farrier Visit

Duncan did great! He was worried and tried to be evasive at first, but the farrier just stuck with him and it was no big deal.

Scout and Bella were angels. But he pointed out the obvious - they are too cresty and shouldn't be on grass 24/7.

Pedro was bad! He trimmed him tied to the trailer so I wouldn't get hurt with him pulling on me. He has the opinion that mules and donkeys will pull right out of their owner's hands. (My sweet, innocent Pedro? Never.) I ended up happy he did it that way. He was good until the last foot, when he decided to try to fall on the farrier and ended up sitting on his own butt, twice. He was good after that. Reminded me of when I first trimmed him and Bob. They were bad! We worked it out. I'm sure Pedro will be better next time.

I like this farrier. Scheduled him again. Nice guy, on time, and does a good job. Amazing.

Random pics from tonight:

Happy but Hurting

Having an experience like being rear-ended and pushed into oncoming traffic, knowing how easily everything could have changed, sure makes life even more gorgeous.

Yesterday I took some pain pills and went to a battle of the bands to vote for my niece's bluegrass band. That was lots of fun. All the bands were really great. I like the noisy punk/rock but I also love the bluegrass. Not really into country, but luckily there was only one country performer.  My niece's band won! They get to perform at a music festival here this summer.

I haven't done anything with the horses since the wreck, but here are a couple pictures from Wednesday. Driving in the saddle:

Duncan has an issue with certain things happening while he's moving, like things crossing his back or sometimes me switching from side to side behind him as he turns in the driving lines. He'd prefer to stand still and pretend nothing worrisome is happening. Walking forward while I throw a rope over his back or play my training stick across him like a bow on a fiddle - that makes him have to think about and decide whether to react to his fears. We made some very good progress on that. He was thinking it through, not jumping away, and doing a lot of processing in the pauses. This is something I want him to he totally OK with before I throw a leg over.

He got to eat some good, long grass afterward. The dogs had to join us too. :) Scout was jealous.

I had planned to trim everyone's hooves this weekend. I haven't been able to since before the surgery, and I finally felt like I could tackle the job, albeit reluctantly. Well, that's not going to happen after the crash. Luckily I do know of a farrier who actually does a good job. I've seen his good work around, and a couple vet friends and other knowledgeable friends highly recommend him. So I called him.

I don't like being that person who looks like a total flake, having let their horses get to the point where they need done NOW, and expecting a busy guy to come ASAP, especially when I'm not even his client. I also didn't want to whine and give him my whole sob story. But it looks like he did fit me in tomorrow. Unless something happens and he has to cancel. Cross your fingers for me. I'm so excited to have someone else do all the hard work!

Scary, but Could Have Been Worse

On Wednesday I got the go-ahead from my doctor to do whatever I want, including ride (I'd already ridden a couple times).

Then yesterday this happened:

Liam and I are OK. Today I'm happy to be alive. Hurting, but I'll take it over the alternative. Nothing broken, not even any blood. We were at a complete stop waiting to turn left, the other guy was going 50-60 mph in a big Dodge pickup. He didn't see us until the last instant.

My little car did us good. I'm so going to miss it. I've had it for 16 years and 360,000+ miles.

Not gonna go for a trail ride tomorrow like I'd planned. Walked an easy mile this evening and regretted it. :/ Head isn't quite right.

Liam is fine but had a panic attack today. Not sure how to help him other than to talk about it and try to reassure him. If he can't get through it I'll get some professional advice.

No Time to Write

I was going to write words to go with all the pics, but I haven't found time.

One thing I did want to say is that I got his ancestral DNA results back from Texas A&M. Good thing I did it just for fun, I don't find it super believable. #1 fjord or Icelandic horse, #2 Paso breeds, #3 Belgian heavy draft. I looked up the results other curlies have gotten, and nobody else got Paso breeds, but there were a couple fjord/Icelandic results and quite a few with Belgian or other draft influence.

Still waiting for results on the PSSM and other tests. I'm actually kind of looking forward to finding out what color he is. At this point I'm pretty sure he's not black.