Time flies!

Wow it's nearly a month since I wrote about what's been happening in our little patch of paradise!  Where to start.  Hmm.  Had many "How interesting" moments since I last wrote.  Since then Scout has gone on a diet!  Spring grass is growing and so was his middle so he's locked in at night and in a paddock with minimal grazing.  He's allowed out to free graze on the odd day and his exercise regime has ramped up to more x training which is managing his weight gain at least!  He has taken to rubbing on anything he can, gates, fences, people!  He's itchy...they are all moulting their winter coat and so they are itchy too!   He managed to rub over the night yard fences......no-one was hurt in the process and Bruce and I got a chance to hone our fence building skills!  We did a pretty good job I reckon!  

The weather the last week has been foul bordering on terrible!  Cyclonic winds, driving rain, hail and no sun.....horses were all trying hard to remain calm in the storm force winds but even I had trouble not getting scared at times!

Star has taken to nipping me, so I emailed my PP and she suggested I play yo-yo and driving before I halter him.  This is working somewhat.  I have found however that in the paddock when I play these games he's actually offering a lot of liberty stuff.  We can do, circling game, stick to me, change of direction and yo-yo.  All very interesting and I do get the feeling that he's saying to me "Oh come along dear it's not that hard just learn faster and I will give you more and more!"  So I am, fell asleep on the couch last night watching the patterns CD on liberty so I hope that some of it went into my head subliminally!!  

I have played a lot with Scout too, we have mastered figure 8, weaving and sideways at the trot. He's trying so hard.  He does have a good and not so good side and sideways shows me this.  He can do sideways at the trot to the right no worries but then sideways to the left is a bit of a struggle  :-)  I know that feeling!  I am working with him to take him to a camp at Chris Corbidges place in December and I am looking forward to this.  5 days of immersion in Parelli!  I need this and the break for sure!

I have also taken time as the weather is improving to start my new garden.  I am propogating seeds, cuttings and anything else that I think might grow!  My lovely neighbour gave me a heap of iris so I have planted them and lots of other bits and pieces.  I have increased my rose collection by 7 plants and the ones I moved are starting to shoot so I didn't kill them!  Hopefully now that we have the bore I can keep at least a small part of the house garden alive as well as maintain water to the horses over summer!

Am debating on whether to cut for hay and if so which paddock I will close off....hmmm... will have to have a think about this one.  We have completed a course on pasture management and I am waiting to do a soil sample to see if we need to improve the soil before I improve the pasture.  Re-seeding some of the paddocks will be next years project!  :-)

It's never ending but one thing I am noticing is that the weeks are flying by, the days are getting longer and winter may well have had it's last hurrah!  Also reading more which is relaxing..reading a book called Chosen by a Horse and I can't put it down, is a lovely story and worth a read for sure.

Until next time.