~Sheika Moments

Well I haven't put any of my videos of Sheika on here for a while so I thought I would. She is doing great! I know, I always say that...but its true. No she's not perfect, or finished but she tries and she keeps improving. So, she's doing great! Check out my you tube channel to see more of my horsie movies!

~Left behind, or not?

Well some of you may know this, some may not. My sister is getting married soon. My younger sister. You know, I'm really happy for them. I'm excited to get another brother. And they'll be living only 10 minutes away.

But what about me? An older sister watching her younger sister get married before her. Is it hard? Awkward?

Honestly, no, not really. At least, not now. Yeah I had to work through some things. But I want to be content with God's will and His best. He knows best. 

There are times when I think "But God will it ever be my turn? Is there a guy out there for me?" and He always says the same things.
"Maybe, but are you satisfied with me? Is your heart content with me? Do you long to have an intimate relationship with me like you desire with a husband? Am I enough?"

Seriously, that is what always comes back. I know if my heart is wandering and discontent right now there is no way I'm going to be happy and content with a man by my side.

So am I content right now?

...Yes!

 I am very much at peace and I'm loving where God has me.
Some days can feel trivial and more meaningless than others but that is only because I have lost my focus. When my attention is on God and what He is doing in my life, where He's taking me and relationships He adds for my growth...those days are satisfying, wonderful and so fulfilling!

Lets not lose focus.

Things don't fulfill. God does.

Relationships don't satisfy. God does.

God is still the answer.

~Our first music video!!

Hey! So while we were in Arkansas we decided to make a music video. Slightly a spur of the moment thing...soooo after some tinkering, we (me and my uncle Joel) got it all put together! We prayed about it and over it, and I really feel God blessed our efforts! No, it's not professional! When I watch it now I see all the problems we had with editing and some videoing... but all in all we're happy with how it turned out.

~Riding with Roy (movie)

We are back now, (YAY!) but I just put together this movie of when I got to ride with Roy. So check it out!

~Arkansas (movie)

Hey everyone! We're currently in Arkansas visiting family and friends. I'm starting to miss my horses, but fortunately there are plenty around to see. (and ride) So I thought I'd post the video I did of riding the neighbor Roy's horse. I was really looking forward to seeing him and his horses again. I'm hoping to go over again today but currently am not feeling very well. So we'll see whether that happens or not!

~Sheika's 12th Ride (movie)

So I finally got some new videos of actually riding Sheika and put them together. At the time I had ridden her almost an hour, (which is longer than I've ever ridden her) and she was pretty much done. Fortunately she still did ok when Tash came out to video a little. Silly girl was definitely getting tired of it all and was very ready to get back to the boys!

~Seek Me

I think it was just last week (or maybe two weeks ago?) when this happened. I was feeling like my cup was running out. And not in the overflowing way. Like the empty I need to be refilled kind of way. So I went for a walk so I could talk with God privately. I had a lot of questions. Any more I don't remember what they all were but I know what He answered. To the first question He gave a very distinct "Seek me." I thought "Ok that makes sense." So I asked Him another, and another, pouring my heart out to Him. Do you what He answered? Every time? Seek me. After about  4 or 5 questions with the same response you'd think I'd get the hint. (I'm a little denser than you might think.) I was just about to ask Him another when it finally struck me. You already have the answer. He's told you how many times now to seek Him! I seriously had to stop and laugh thinking how God must be feeling. I could almost imagine God sitting there with His hand under His chin. Him sighing and looking over at an angel standing by. "How many times do you think I'll have to tell her before she gets it?"
Thankfully that's just my humor! (I think!) But it definitely left me with an impression: No matter what I'm doing, or what I'm going through, seeking Him is always the answer! And I can still hear it:

Seek me

~Tips for haltering your horse (movie)

So Tash helped me video another movie and it turned out really good. Partially thanks to a friend for lending us his lens. I love it! Don't ask me what it is though. ;)

The movie...its just a few things I've learned along the way. Check it out and tell me what you think! Do you tie a rope halter the correct way?

~Riding Kat (movie!)

So I finally got one done of Kat! Yes she's been pretty awesome lately. I'm very happy with her. I even figured out how to get a good lope out of her!

So enjoy!

~Birthday blessings

Yep I had another one! Another year older.
My family was so great!

Tash did a photoshoot of Sheika and me in the morning.

But she didn't edit them yet. :( 

Also Marcy n Jess made me a trail challenge through the woods. It was great, so check it out!

They all walked along to watch and Jess videoed it for me. 

So... enjoy! Can't wait to do it again!

~I'm back!

Wow! It really has been a while! Don't worry, I'm still living, I just haven't been very active in blogging land!

 Honestly, for a while I either didn't know what to share or didn't have time to do it. I will endeavor to do so now.

A couple months ago I started putting my horse knowledge to good use by giving riding lessons. I now have 6 wonderful students who do their best to keep me challenged. Mentally and physically. And quite truly, the mental part has been the most demanding! When you become a teacher, you have to step back, evaluate and decide exactly what you believe in order to teach it. I have also come to the conclusion that riding is more mental than physical. If riding to you, is simply pulling left, pulling right, and pulling back, you have only scratched the surface of horsemanship. I have always told people that riding isn't easy and that it takes time to learn. In giving lessons I am almost overwhelmed by that fact! But God has also continued to prove to me that He is interested in the little things...even riding lesson plans.  And when I put them in His hands (along with the worries and stresses that go along with horses and inexperienced people) He works it out better than I could have imagined.

My younger students are especially challenging in their many questions. But then, because of those many questions it makes me think more and realize the areas I am lacking in or don't know enough about. Oh the joys of having to stay ahead of your students! They really do help to push me on further in my learning and thinking.

I have to say, y'all who don't ride are really missing out! Looking back I've learned so much in my journey with horses. Patience being the #1 thing. Also perseverance, dedication, confidence, how to be a good leader, the detriment and dangers of frustrations and anger, to be safe, and not take unnecessary risks. I could go on, but I better stop there. I'm sure you get the idea.  But let me be clear, all these came from God. He simply uses horses to bring these lessons about in my life. Yes, I am a horsewoman. But first and foremost I am a daughter of the one true King. So I try to filter my view and relationship with horses through my understanding of Him, not my love for horses.

 Just had to put on some pix of Sheika I took today.

Can you see her blaze? Hopefully I will have a post about her soon. Hopefully.

:)

~Not so great, but it's life

The other day I was working Sheika and asked Tash if she would come out and video a bit...but unfortunately Sheika wasn't doing the greatest because all the horses were at the other end of the pastures and she was working on having a complex. Ok she wasn't terrible. She just wasn't listening like she should. So I was kinda hesitant to put these on and show y'all but...I guess I will. Thats life right? We can't be perfect all the time. ;D (That was just a joke.) So here is Sheika's most recent video.
Note to self: don't lunge while wearing spurs.
I caught myself all up at least once! I was like "For pity sakes!" Do you know how to lunge or not? I guess I don't usually wear spurs when I lunge.
I also rode Kat and she did really good. I even got her to sidepass over a little log that was directly parallel to her. Not down the log but all four feet stepping sideways over it. I had never tried that before.
So that's some of what I've been up to.
Anybody been riding much lately?

~Snow snow snow...

Hey ya'll! A while ago I was waiting and waiting for snow. We were starting to feel like winter had missed us. Well not anymore. We got several snows now in the last few weeks and well...I'm ready for spring.

The horses have been doing really good in it though and I rode 5 times in the first two days of snow we had. I was really looking forward to pulling my sisters around in the snow with the horses and also to try snowboarding or skiing behind a horse.

The first day we rode in the snow it was so deep we ended up riding up and down the road in front of our house, which was plowed but still had snow covering it. It was so fun since we hardly ever ride on our rode.

Normally people drive anywhere from 55 to 65 on it, so it is not very safe for horses. I've done it a few times but found out that some people just ignore you and buz right on by without slowing much or giving me extra room. So yeah I don't like riding on roads much.

But since hardly anyone was out driving we rode the whole way to the end of our road which is somewhere around a mile and a half from our house. I rode Dunny and pulled Jess on a sled and Marcy rode Hank. It was an awesome experience. Mostly we walked or trotted but on some on the more level spots we cantered. There was always that thought in the back of my mind "What if we hit an icy spot?" but we didn't really have any problems. I don't think I give our horses enough credit for what they can do. They are so much more athletic than I think they are.

I love to snowboard and had seen some skijoring movies so I decided to try except with my board cuz I'm a lot better with that than I am with my skis.

Dad was so sweet and came out to pull me. It was actually harder than I thought. I think it was because it was plowed but still really bumpy.

Also I did a medieval dress-up with Kat which was so fun. Yes I still like dressing up. Hehe!

It was really deep though, most places the snow was up to Kat's knees. She was very ready to get back to the barn, which didn't help in taking pictures. She was always moving! We had Hank along to keep her company but patience has never been her strong suite.

                       Note to self: Need to work on getting Kat some patience.

All in all I have had some very good times in the snow with the horses, but I'm ready for spring! And grass, and warmer weather, and dry ground, and no mud, and...etc. (End of thinking capacity.)
 But I'm also reminded of the verse "In everything state I am, therewith to be content." So I will try to be content till spring and maybe even be thankful for all the snow we still have!

~Riding Sheika movie

Hey everyone! Here is a movie of me working with Sheika. It's kinda a run down of all I do with her and how she acts. So if it gets too boring you can skip through. I'm so happy with how she's doing! Now you guys can see why. The only real problem I have so far is that she is a bit lazy. Which is kinda funny because I normally like higher energy horses. Ok Ok there really haven't been that many horses that I didn't like...so...yeah.

~Sheika's first ride

We did it! Yesterday I rode Sheika for the first time! It was awesome, she did great. No problems, no bucks. NOTHING! I felt like I could just pick up and go with her...but you can't it's only her first ride. Correct training and preparation for the horse is sooooo worth it! We walked in tight circles first making sure she's calm and thinking and gradually quit circling and just walked straight. After that we cantered! She's more on the lazy, laid back side so it was harder to keep her going. At the end I got her to canter two complete laps without stopping. So I was pumped!
Lesson learned - Don't rush, take your time and wait for your horse to tell you it's ready.
  I did it Clinton Anderson style with my dad directing from the middle. Down Under Horsemanship all the way!! I am so happy with the results. Crazy to think I actually trained her!

It was windy as you can probably see. Poor girl is very dirty. Light horse problems. :(  

Just got off and soooo happy

~Hey I'm back!

Hey Y'all!

  I know it's been a long time! (Yes I'm still alive!) Life has been rolling along and God is good! (Just have to add that, because He is!) 

  My family and I just recently got back from a trip to visit my dad's uncle in Arkansas and then we stopped in Illinois to pick up {another} horse. 

  All in all we had a very good trip and God blessed us with safety the whole time.

While visiting at my uncle's {I call him my uncle even though he's my great uncle...in more ways than one ;)} I got to practice working with a neighbor's horses. (Her name was Katy) It was very good experience for me and he appreciated the time I spent with them. I really enjoyed riding her and would love to go back and do it again. Maybe next year? Oh that sounds so far away!

We got to meet lots of new families and put faces to the names we had heard. One of the highlights was getting to meet two sets of twins (from different families) and spend two days with them. We went ice skating, in which I caught my pick once and fell ker-splat on the ice. Neither graceful nor ladylike! I got a pretty good bruise on my knee and the wind knocked out of me but nothing that a little rest couldn't fix. I was up and skating again pretty soon but more careful of my pick this time! 

While out there we played a lot of volleyball. And it was hot! But for some reason we played anyway! ;) My cousin played his guitar with me playing my violin several times, and we all enjoyed just singing together too. 

Also Tash and I got to meet a blogger friend of ours while we were out! That was so neat! 

It was hard leaving, knowing that you wouldn't see everybody again for a long time. I can't wait to go back out again!

Stopping at our friend's place in Illinois is always such a treat for me! Randy trains amazing horses. I mean AMAZING! I never rode one of his horses that did't have an awesome stop. Pretty much all of them can spin. And I mean SPIN! They do rollbacks that are fast enough to throw you if you're not watching, jogs and lopes that make you feel like you're not even getting anywhere. He always has a bunch he wants me to try out. One 3 year old I just rode had the disposition of a 20 year old. I love that horse! Another 15 year old gelding I rode probably had been around the block twice and was downright amazing. He is probably the best horse I have ever ridden. I think I rode him the longest out of them all. Every time I go there I learn so many new aspects of training and riding that I wonder how I will remember them all. {Video cameras are awesome for that!} 

So we got a new mare there too. My family has started calling her Sheika, but I call her little girl or Sissy most times. To see more about her click here.

  So yeah, that's what I'm up to. Cooler weather would be greatly appreciated right now! I have a lot of work to do with the horses and I'm not feeling very motivated in this heat!

Me riding Katy

Our new girl Sheika!

~Riding Dunny

Hey I rode Dunny today and Tashia came out to take some pix for me!

She did a really good job! I am so happy with these pictures! Thanks Tash!

Although some did get a little blurry or not quite focused but we were moving a bunch so it's understandable.

We ended up taking a bunch!

I started off doing some groundwork with him first since I haven't done it in a while, but mainly just for fun! I do what Clinton Anderson calls "Lunging for respect and roundpenning for respect." It pretty much consists of directing the horse, keeping it's mind on you and disengaging the hindquarters. Since starting to use this method Dunny has really calmed down and started trusting me more. He still doesn't trust much at all but there is progress. He's a very tense horse so I like these exercises to get him relaxed before I ride. I don't do it every time. Just when I feel like it. I'd encourage you to go watch  some of Clinton's stuff. Especially his walkabouts. I've never seen them in person but I watched it on his TV channel.  

I had a bunch of small logs lade out in a circle and lunged him around them. He was a bit dopy though. He doesn't pick up his feet as much as he should.

Good boy!

Working on disengaging the hindquarters. I usually start off by doing this. I learned it from watching some of Clinton's stuff. I start by tipping his head back to me a bit, while encouraging him to move his hindquarters around. I either swing my whip a little or tap him on the rump. It's just like swiveling on the front end instead of the back. Because he they should just pivot on the front end. 

Then on to tacking up. He's such a good boy I don't need to tie him. Unless maybe if we were standing in grass, THEN we might have a bit of a problem. He can't resist eating! (Can't you tell!) When I was cinching him up I was like "You are FAT!"

Dunny knew how to ground tie when we got him so I didn't have to teach him that, but I have been training some of my other horses to. I start off by stopping them and dropping the lead to the ground. Maybe pet on them a bit and tell them to "stay," I like to use a hand signal with it. Usually I just hold up a hand when I say that. Not a limp hand. You need to have it stiff like you are commanding something. Then take a few steps away. If they stay standing, go back and tell them "good", pet them, what ever your reward is. If they do move to follow you or walk away, taker the leadrope and back then up to where you had them and do the same thing again till you can walk away, around, behind, what ever direction you want but that they stay there. Don't get frustrated. I'll take some time but if you keep at it your horse is sure to get it!  

I then warmed him up and did a good bit of cantering.
Yeah I ride forward. He is kinda hard to sit on when he's worked up. His strides are pretty surging until I can get him to collect. He likes to keep his head up though so I do need to work on lowering it a bit. A lot of fine tuning, but isn't that riding for ya?

On to jumping we go!! Nothing big, but I think it's fun! When I was younger a friend taught me how to jump English and ever since then I've been hooked! I can normally just feel when I need to rise and don't really have trouble going along with him. And yes you can jump western just watch out for the horn!

I LOVE JUMPING!!

And a bit more jumping!

Did I mention that I like jumping?? Ok I guess you get the idea!

• Do you like jumping? 
• English or Western?
• Have you taken lessons?
• What riding and training style do you use?

~Just been riding

I wrote up this post about a week ago then never did anything about it. So here it is. Just some pictures and an update on what I'm doing with my horses.

All the photos were taken a couple weeks ago by my lovely sister Tashia ;)

Yeah I've been riding! 

Jess was out riding with me too.

And yes I'm wearing sneakers! I like them better for riding bareback. (Don't ask me why)

Doesn't this look cool?

We were having a bunch of fun riding around bareback. As I'm sure you can see! I rarely ride Dunny bareback (except when I bring them in from the pasture) so I thought it would be fun to do it then. And you know then you don't have to tack up! LAZY!! I actually had one near disaster while doing it. I was cantering around and somehow got a bit out of place. So I tried to right myself and must have tensed up while doing it, because he took off! The bad thing was that I still wasn't in place to stop him and he headed right for a corner! As you can imagine I was trying to hang on while pulling back while prepare for a sliding stop or a quick turn. It wasn't looking good. Thankfully he just stopped and I threw myself around his neck to stop from flying over his shoulder. So it ended up OK and yes I went and did more cantering but with no more catastrophes! And also Tashia wasn't watching so no real embarrassing pictures! 

I've been riding Kat too and she's doing great! I started lunging her before I ride and it helps soooo much! A couple days ago I did her first round penning with her and riding her after that was amazing! She was so much more relaxed and was starting to extend a bit more in her canter. When riding, I was having problems with her cantering or lack of it. (before I started lunging and round penning her) She would canter a few steps and that was it. And just those few steps were so bad that I felt like a sack of potatoes flying around. I don't think she knew how to canter with a rider on her back. 

Before I had gotten her she hadn't done any trail riding but I've been taking her out and have never had her try anything! No bolting, no skitzing out, not even any panicky moments. She just takes everything in stride. Thats pretty amazing to me, knowing how little training she has had. She's just so calm! Its not because of me either, she just has such a great temperament. I love my lil gal! 

 

~Called, chosen, and faithful

(Photo credit-Tashia)

I was glancing over Revelation when I came upon this verse: "These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." That made me think that these are qualifications for who will go to be with Him.
1. They are called. (Isaiah 4:1b)
But do you know, everyone is called. God gives everyone the opportunity to come to the knowledge and understanding of Himself. Otherwise He would not be just.
2. They are chosen. (Eph. 1:4)
Again, I believe everyone is chosen. It's just that not everyone accepts. (2 Peter 3:9)
Here comes the big one.
3. They are faithful. Can that be said of me? Will that be said of me?
When I meet the Father face to face will He be able to say "Well done thou good and faithful servant!" Or will He turn His back on me and say "I never knew you." I think those are the scariest words anyone will ever hear. Because at that point there will be no hope. It is sealed.
  But we are not there yet! We still have a chance! While there is breath, there is hope. So I wanted to say this:
How you live today is going to determine where you spend eternity.
What you believe today is going to determine where you spend eternity.
How you treat others today is going to determine where you spend eternity.
Your life RIGHT NOW is vital! The world tells you "You're young so live it up!" When you are older you can settle down and get serious. What does God say?
Ecc. 11:9-10 says "Rejoice, O young man, in the days of thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou; that for all these things God will bring thee into judgement. 
Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity."
  OK so you may not have been faithful in the past. Don't give up there! Confess your sin, turn away from it, and move on to what God has really called you to!

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.
.......in the days of thy middle age
.......in the days of thy old age 

~Sunshine Award

Recently I was nominated for the Sunshine Award by the Calico Sisters (very nice of them to think of me!) And make sure to check out their blog. :) So here are their questions and my answers. I'm not going to pass it on, though. Sorry! But here is a little bit about me!  

Q. What is your favorite thing to do when spring comes around?

A. RIDE! I wait all winter for spring to come so I can do more serious riding. Not just plugging around on the trails. Except then their is so much slop! Oh well dry weather will come sometime.

Q. What kinds of animals do you own?

A. 5 horses; Hank-mustang gelding, Ecco-paint mare, Kat-quarter horse mare, Dunny-quarter horse gelding, Dandy (not sure what he is!) gelding, and 3 cats that spontaneously multiply. 

Q. What experience in your life drew you close to God? / Or / In what way has God really revealed himself to you? 

A. Oh dear. Tough to pin-point just one thing. Well hunting with my Dad probably. I started when I was 12 and have done it every year since. We have had so many great talks about God, life, and what we believe, just by sitting in a shooting house waiting for deer to come. (I know I'm spoiled for hunting like that!)

Q. What is a favorite color of yours?

A. That's easy! Lime green!

Q. Do you like to knit, crochet, or sew the most?

A. I knit a little but definitely sewing. I enjoy especially sewing dresses and jumpers for myself. Also I found a super easy pocketbook pattern at Walmart and I like making them to sell.

Q. Which one is your favorite letters from the Apostle Paul (Corinthians 1 or 2, Galatians, Philippians, etc.)?

A. Probably Philippians. It has so many of favorite or familiar verses in it. One of my favorites is "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Very encouraging for when you're not feeling quite up to something. God is always there waiting to show Himself strong on our behalf.  

Q. What are some of your favorite old time shows? (Waltons, Little House, Andy Griffith, Father Knows Best, Christy) 

A. I really don't watch that many anymore but I guess I would say Little House on the Prairie. 

Q. What is your favorite thing to bake?

A. I really like EATING Lemon Bars so they are probably my favorite to bake! Actually I don't bake that much! Sewing is more of my avenue...and HORSES. Oh yeah and horses. 

Q. Skirts or dresses?

A. Either way! When I ride I usually wear skirts, like wide layered ones. Very nice and practical. Although I wear pants or leggings underneath because skirts tend to blow around when you are moving so much.    

Q. What household chore do you enjoy the most?

A. The dishwasher. Loading or unloading. I very much appreciate it because I hate washing dishes. :)

Q. City or country life?

A. Country. I enjoy being by myself. We do have neighbors that live within an acre of us but we have plenty of room behind us. I like all the fields around as well. Not city noise and traffic lights.