Updates

*Woodrow Update*

His knee is much better--*Enter big sigh of relief here!*
He didn't really cut anything but hide on the side of his knee-the pressure from sticking his leg between a pipe and a weld-on panel just basically sheared (is that the word I'm going for? LOL) the skin from the outside edge of his knee for about three inches. My heart dropped to my stomach when I first saw him, basically because his leg was covered in blood. After he was cleaned up and covered in pink medicine, I realized that he wasn't even limping. I had to fight the urge not to drop to my knees and say, "THANK YOU JESUS!!!"
...So, now that you know I'm somewhat overly emotional and prone to religous outbursts, here's the fun part---My other horse, Smoke, that's going to be my main mount for the ranch rodeo, hasn't been ridden in a week! JOY-he'll probably act like an idiot when I get on him tonight.
Oh well-as humid as it is, I bet he won't put up too much of a fight!

Here they are world--my goals for my horses (and me!)

1. Keep up my work with Smoke.
He's really starting to come around, but he needs at least 2-3 days of work a week. He's so much better about his leads, stopping, backing (we still back a little cock eyed sometimes, it's a work in progress!) flexing-all the things he needs to know to be a nice barrel prospect. He's trotted the pattern a few times, more walking than anything else. I'm a firm believer that a solid foundation for a barrel horse comes from walking and trotting the pattern, because they can learn to run on their own. I've never had a horse that didn't understand the running as hard as they could aspect! Once they realize they CAN run, and that they're not going to be pulled up, it's just a matter of time before they really start trying. I can feel it in Smoke even now. I'm excited!
WOO HOO! SUMMER FINALLY GOT HERE!
2. Ride Woodrow as much as possible to get "with" him.
Woodrow is my new barrel horse. He's got some issues, but he's a gentleman when he's under saddle. I haven't really ridden a *real* barrel horse since 2004, before I gave my horse back to my dad, after which he promptly sold him, LOL. I have to fight the urge to drag him to every nickel and dime jackpot around...it's so hard to tell myself no!
*THIS JUST IN*
I went outside about 30 minutes ago....to turn Woodrow out with the other geldings.
Looks like about 15 minutes or so before I came out, he hung a leg in the fence, and of course, it's sliced like an apple at a day care center. Well, I'm TRYING to look on the bright side...at least I won't have to fight with myself to NOT take him to afore mentioned jackpots now!