Gwen & I

Today, Gwen and I went trail riding. Monty was not happy that Gwin and Angel were leaving and he wasn't. He called to them as we left, and he and Gwin put up a big old stink when we returned.

Gwen took me across the street from her place this time. It was so beautiful. It's hard to believe we have such beautiful land, hills, water, endless fields so close to us when we can't see them from the roads. The trails were a little more obvious today, which was nice. There were a lot more hills, which is good for Gwin's muscle building. 

We were gone for about an hour and a half.  Gwin did really well. She spooked once. We have no idea what for. Bolted straight forward, right into Angel. Angel didn't flinch. It was good. 

We also went by some cows (which I was told can really upset Gwin, for unknown reasons). She looked, but no more than she did at the six deer we got to watch running across a field we were in. No big deal. 

I'm looking forward to when I'm comfortable to go on a ride myself on these trails. So far, I'm not too sure where we have permission, what direction to go... they do wind and turn a lot. A few more rides with the girls and I'll get it. 

I can't wait to do some running! 

fantastic friday

Today was beautiful outside!

Zeek and I headed over to be with Gwin at about 11a. I let the three horses out to pasture for about 30 minutes while I cleaned up poop. That sounds so gross to write, but it's really not. 

I had a little lunch in the Jeep while I watched the horses, and then I told Zeek to come with me to shag them off the pasture. I closed the door to the Jeep just as I looked down at the locked lock inside. Bummer.

So, we played with Gwin a little. I did some ground work with her. Trotted her over the white bars on the ground to work on strengthening her core and lifting her back a little. Then I worked with her on asking her to side pass, yielding at the front with me on the ground. Once we got that right, I got on her bare back with just her rope halter and asked her to do it from there. SHE DID! This was my first success. Of course, Gwin knows how to do this. I just needed to learn myself. Gwen and Carrie really made it simple for me the way they taught me yesterday. 

At about 1p I called Gwen to see if she was near, and she was not. I called my neighbor Teri to see if she was near, and she was not, either. So, Zeek and I decided to walk home so we could eat and play before someone came around who could drive us back to the Jeep with the key.

We had such a great adventure! Thankfully we booth had our boots on, because we did NOT take the roads. We cut straight through the acres between our place and Gwen's. It was so fun. 

We hiked up, down, through woods, across tilled fields, over a creek! 

It reminded me of when I was a kid and would go off exploring in the woods.

It took us about 45 minutes to get home. We did some stuff around the house, ate and were back at the farm, thanks to Gwen by 3:45p.

I groomed and saddled Gwin. I put her in her rope halter for the first time we would be out of an arena or round pen. Then I led her with Zeek on her out to the hills behind Gwen's house. We switched, and I rode her up and down the tree hill three times while Zeek played in the yard. Again, working on her core and leg muscles. The we headed back to the round pen. I rode her a bit over the poles, trotting and walking. I worked with her again on yielding her front and side passing. Then I led Zeek around on her quite a bit.

I un-saddled her, groomed her out and turned her out to pasture with her new friends.

Even though Gwin is still wanting to be with her friends when we work, it is completely different than at Linda's. I can tell she doesn't NEED to be with them out of fear or worry. She just wants to, and she's much easier to convince to hang out with me. For that I am SO happy.

It was an all around wonderful day.

trail riding

left to right: monty, angel, gwin

Well, Gwin is in with the two other horses and they are getting along very well. Things are going much better even today than they were for her at the last place. There will be no kicking or biting from the looks of it. 

sneaking in some cuddling with angel

Monty LOVES her, and Angel loves her even more. They are "girls" together, and Angel seems quite pleased about it. Gwin loves Monty for sure. She knows that Angel is "top" and she is very respectful of her space and small initial requests. That is good. 

a little cuddle time with angel

Today, we went on our first official trail ride. Zeek went to Becky's. Carrie had off of work, so she came out around noon. Gwen was already in the stables when I got there right before Carrie. We groomed, saddled up and rode. It was wonderful. Gwin was SO comfortable. She really likes to be with other horses when she rides. 

We rode in some beautiful areas I have never even seen before. Some rough terrain, smooth terrain, and everything in between. The two dogs joined us and there wasn't a dull moment. It was warm, but pretty windy. We all just talked and walked and enjoyed. 

I could tell that Gwin was in her glory. She was so relaxed and happy. She wanted to trot SO much. I had to keep holding her back so she wouldn't take charge. 

We were out for about an hour and 20 minutes. 

When we returned we all went into the round pen and the girls helped me with side passing and learning to slow ad stop Gwin without pulling back on her reigns. I have a long way to go myself. But Carrie rode Gwin, and she did SO well. She knows how to do all the stuff. I'm the green one who just needs to learn how to ask her. 

Once inside, Gwen ferriered Gwin's front hoofs for me. She has to do the back tomorrow. She said her feet really do look pretty good. That is great to know.

Finally, we turned them all out together at about 3:45 and went our ways. The three horses were getting along famously when I left. 

angel and gwin

I feel SO blessed and good for them all. Gwin is really going to be happy here. And me too.

Thank You, God. 

rainy day

Today it rained most of the day. Zeek had an early riding lesson with Linda. He rode Penny. Lots of trotting and independent riding. I was proud of him. He did well.


We stopped out to see Gwin on the way home. She was eating, of course. I played with her for a bit, cuddled her and returned home to catch up on some household stuff while it rained. 


Gwen called right after noon to tell me that she had set the horses up right next to each other with a fence between them so Gwin wouldn't have to stand out in the rain. She takes such good care of them. I love knowing that I never have to worry about my girl out there in the rain or cold. She'll always be tended to. 


It was not fun to be away from her most of the day, but tomorrow we have big plans, and it should be a nice day for weather. 

moving day

Well, the dilemma whether to move or not to move was drama for days, and I learned a lot about myself (and those around me) in the process. I suppose that was the point. I'm so grateful that Truth trumps satan's crap, and light cuts dark, and Grace is sufficient in the midst of it all. 

All of that being said and over with, we moved our girl successfully. It was a beautifully, sun filled, God breathed day, and I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear through every second of it. Seriously, my cheeks hurt. 

We met Gwen at her place around 9:30a. She was all ready to head out, so we threw Zeek's car seat in the back of her truck and drove to Linda's. Gwin loaded onto the trailer perfectly, just like she did when we trailered her here in the first place. She traveled well, too.

We loaded all our tack and gear and headed for "home".

Once there, we unloaded her and put her in the round pen just about 100 feet from where she'll end up joining her new barn mates, Angel and Monty. 

We played with her, fed her, gave her water, and Gwen "showed me the ropes" in the stables. I got myself all moved in, taking note of all the little blessings around every corner. 

My tack being low enough for me to easily get to it and move it around

The ample room for just our three horses

The peace and freakishly clean everything

The little "kitchen" for the twice a day spoiling concoction of fresh beet pulp, garlic (to keep away the bugs), and supplements specifically tailored for our horses

The open arms and hearts always offering to give or borrow things to me to use for Gwin

I couldn't help but look out at her and feel SO good about where she will be, now. So close to home, and oh so very very well taken care of. 

Zeek and I drove home for a quick lunch around 1p. It was so awesome to be less than two driving minutes away. We returned quickly with our books and snacks. 

Zeek played and I rode Gwin in the round pen bareback for awhile. Then I parked her in front of her slow feed bag and read some Max Lucado while I laid on her back. Just like when I was a kid. :)

Gwen returned form grocery shopping to set up a vet appointment with me for Gwin to be seen before we put the horses together later this week. The vet was in the area and available within the hour! So we met with her. She is wonderful! She checked Gwin's teeth and said they are great and won't need to be float for another year or so. She also gave her her last two shots for the year. 

I met Carrie, the other boarded. She's great. Super friendly and balanced. I can't wait to get to know her more. 

Gwen checked Gwin's hoofs for me (which I have been anxious and a little worried to hear a prognosis on) and she said they aren't really that bad. Just need a little trimming which she is going to do later this week as well. She and Carrie do their own ferier-ing, and they will teach me. Just another awesome thing to add to the list of awesome. 

Zeek and I were there until about 6:30 when we sent off to pick up a pizza at Papa Murphy's and head home for the night. By 8:15pm we were both sound to sleep. Dreaming of another day at the new stables with Gwiny. :)

happy to be home

Zeek and I spent five hours at the stables today. I spent over four of the hours with Gwin. I missed her so much. She was happy to see me and her new prizes from the horse show this weekend. Her Clinton Anderson rope bridal fits her well and does just what I'd hoped it to in scaling back to minimum.

First we did some ground work. Some lunging and backing. She trotted and even galloped a little. Then I groomed her and attached her short lunge to her rope harness for reigns. Again, minimal. Then I did a little work at the fence line with draping, and got right on her, bareback.

After being at the fair and seeing what those riders and their horses were capable of, I let go of a lot of fear and doubt. I had no reservations about driving Gwin with just an under the chin, bit-less harnessing for the first time - bareback to top it all off... I was feeling brave. And thankfully, it worked in my favor. All went better than I could have expected.

Gwen in super awesome at being steered by my legs only. I did very little with my hands. If it weren't for having to hold her back now and then from running to her safety zone nearest to her herd, I could have rode her with no reigns at all. I picked the reigns up very little, and that made me so proud and hopeful of her.

I spent a lot of time just laying on her, touching her all over from her back, singing to her...

She still hates being away from her herd. I look forward to the day when she is relaxed and comfortable enough to just have a good time. Every time I directed her to a new side she would pull her chin in and drop her head.

She was NOT happy about moving in any direction away from where she wanted to be. She even tried to bite me. Quite a few times. But I just smacked her, or swung my booted foot at her lips as she came for me. Sass. :) It was kind of sweet because as heated as she would get with me, and as much as I had to smack her and back her up, she left me sit on her bareback without a single sass move to get me off of her. I couldn't help but laugh about it all.

Anyway, Zeek and I enjoyed a peaceful lunch on a huge haystack in the sun outside at noon. We even got in the path of a tiny "tornado". It was scary, exciting and fun all at once. It was a really wonderful day, and I'm looking forward to more more more!!! 

moving day moved

So, yesterday evening Gwen called me to see if I wanted to move Gwin today rather than this weekend. She has the day open and is hoping to get her acclimated before the weekend when the other two horses will be leaving for an event. I thought it would be good because it will be crowded at Linda's on the weekend, and today would be much easier to trailer and move her from there. 


Of course, I am still struggling a little. I feel like I've heard God's approval and received peace, yet I can't shake wondering how I got here from where I started, with doubt. 


I know that I can't listen to what others say or want... but I have gotten some advice from trusted mentors about it, and I have long since turned the move over to God. Whatever He wants. He knows that I will obey Him, no matter who or what is involved. And I trust that whatever His will, He will see to it in my life.

too far away

At the Midwest Horse Fair in Madison. I was fighting a cold most of the week before we came here, so I didn't leave the house. Haven't been with my girl in too long. Five days, to be exact. I'm missing her terribly! Can't wait to get home to see her and show her all the presents I bought for her.  


Big dreams. Bated breath. One more day and we'll be together. 

waiting...

That's my plan of action. I'm going to wait on God. I trust that in time He will see this all through to what it's supposed to be.

I know for sure, after talking with some people and gaining some trusted perspective that God speaks to us in different ways. My history has taught me what God sounds like to me, and I think I have heard Him on this topic of moving my horse to this specific place. I have tested what I heard, and I think it has been confirmed. But there are many factors that confuse me. Most of them being my own junk.  

I know that if God wants something, He knows how to cut through the confusion and junk and make it known to me. I know that I would not refuse His will in my life if it were clear to me. And I know that I'm not hearing Him clearly and walking in a different direction.

But I do not know what I am doing... what this is all about. Why so much drama over this decision?

So, I will trust Him and wait. And there is the peace. 
God, Your Will be done. I give You full permission to see to it in my life, and with this potential horse move. 
In Jesus.

feelings vs. Truth

This is kind of a newer concept for me. I've heard it before, but I love the element of control that it gives me to say "God told me" something, and therefore "I heed before I proceed". It makes me feel safe and certain, sacrificed though obedience, and aligned with His will by my own doing. 

Scary, but honest. 

So when I "felt" like God was telling me to call Gwen and ask her to pray about having Gwin moved to her place, I did the same as always... I obeyed. 

I called Gwen this morning. I gave her a brief explanation of where I was at. I asked her to pray. She surprised me with her response. She told me that she had decided not to adverse for a boarder, but instead she prayed for God to bring the right horse and rider to her. She said that she felt the way we came to connect was God's answer to her prayer. She told me that she used to go by "feelings" with God a lot, herself. But that she's learned that satan loves to mess with us through our feelings, and God is a God of Truth and certainty. Our feelings have little to do with it. 

Of course, I challenged that theory, because I'm such a "feelings" kind of believer. And Gwen took me to scripture. She said that if we can place what we feel God is leading us to alongside scripture, then we can trust the "feeling". For example, God wanting me to ask her to pray for me. 

If what we "feel" He is saying to us doesn't align with His Word, then it isn't of God. 

I am still processing all of this, searching and praying and talking with others about it... but it's very interesting and freeing on many levels, if it is true.

More to come, I'm sure... 

prayer

I've been praying about this potential move, for days. 
Everything in me wants to move Gwin to Gwen's. So badly. 
It's my dream place for her. 

But for some reason I do not have a clear "go". For some reason (of which I can't and don't need to figure out) I feel like God is telling me not to move her there. Like I need to be at Linda's right now. ???

It's been really hard for me. I've been tossing it back and forth over and over. All logic says to move her. There are SO many good reason. 
But I know that no matter how I might spin it, God is always right, and I'd be a fool to disregard Him or go against His will in any way. Ever. 

For now I will continue to pray. I'm praying for confirmation of what He wants. I'm praying for clarity. For doors to open and close within His plan. And for things to work out smoothly as I follow Him. 

I'm also praying for my own peace and contentment with not having Gwin at what I refer to as "Gwen's Horse Spa and Resort". :)

God help me. 

one thing leads to another

So, the woman who owns the norman rockwell-looking barn around the corner from me called me this morning. She said she had shared my story with a girlfriend, Gwen, who might be interested in boarding Gwin for me. She lives just under two miles from our house, and she only has two horses. One is her own, and one belongs to a friend of hers who she's boards to. 

She gave me her info incase I was interested in contacting her. 
I thought about it, talked with Greg and prayed on it. Then I called her in the late afternoon to get a feel. 

She invited me over immediately, and so I went. 

Her place is a dream. She brought me to the barn, pointed to her house and said, "that's where my husband lives". As we walked through the doors into her barn she said, "and this is where my husband says I live. And I suppose he's right." 

Her place is SO clean that it's hard to believe it belongs to horses. Two, beautiful, big bay horses. One Mare and one Gelding. 

Gwen had multiple pastures of gorgeous grass with not one single dropping on any of them. I asked her where in the world all the poop was. She told me she cleans it up twice a day, breaks it and uses it as fertilizer in the hay field. 
Whoa!

She has a lovely round pen, rubber mats under the lean-to "so the horses don't have to stand in dirt of mud", she slow feeds hay, times pasture grazing, and watches their diet and supplements admittedly better than her own. 

This facility is more like a day spa for horses. She has a little heightened landscaped area in their pen near the barn where she had sand brought in so the horses could lay there instead of on the ground... seriously. 
I'm kind of in love. 

Gwen told me all about the two horses there, the other boarder who she trail rides with, her riding club and their activities, and showed me the ropes of her daily routine of spoiling and pampering her passion. 

She told be about all the places near that they ride together, and assured me I will never have to worry about not having a trailer to go for away trial days. Someone always has an extra stall we can put Gwin in. 
Hello? Jesus? This must be all You.

There are many more awesome things about this potential arrangement. If that is believable. But suffice it to say, I'm praying about making arrangements to move my baby just a two minute drive from my house. Amen!

the norman rockwell farm

I stopped by the farm around the corner yesterday. I spoke with the gentleman who lives there. He told me that his wife kind of does all the horse stuff. Then he shared when she was usually home and encouraged that I come back to talk with her soon. 

I returned today, but no one was there. So, I left my information for her to call me when she had a chance. 
She called this afternoon. 

We talked forever. I explained my story to her, and how I love her place. She shared her horse journey with me, and promised that she would call me the minute she had an opening at her stables for my girl. 

Although, she feels it is unlikely that someone will leave anytime soon, anything can happen. And I'm just praying that God will get my girl to a nice place close to our home. 

Trusting Him. 

gwin and magestic

Today, I was able to go by Gwin alone again. The weather was crazy beautiful. The stables were PACKED, of course. My little friend Jessie was there riding Majestic when I got there. She and I rode outside in the fields together. It was way too much fun. Gwin was so much more comfortable away from the barn when she was with another horse. We rode around the whole field, and then we trotted a second time. 

Finally, we decided to ride on the road a bit. Mostly to work Gwin on being away from the barn. We walked right past the driveway a couple of times just to get her used to it. Then we brought her back to prove we weren't stealing her away for good.

It was an incredible morning, and I was so grateful as always to have Gwin and such a beautiful life. 

zeek, jay and gwin

Today, Zeek and I took Jaymee to meet Gwen. She had never seen a horse except for the Shetland Ponies at Bay Beach. She was very excited. I was glad that Gwen is the kind of horse I could put my little girl-pants Glynn on and not worry about any trouble.

Jay was so amazed by all the horses at Linda's. She told me that she never knew horses were so big. She thought they were much smaller.

She was intent on following me around the barn to prep. the isle for Gwen. Then she and Zeek joined me in bringing her in. Jay, again, followed my every move, asking questions, listening, watching, soaking it all in and I groomed, saddled and bridled the horse. She was smitten, and I could relate. I was proud to be the one facilitating her first horse experience.

I rode Gwin in the indoor ring to check her out. Then Zeek rode her.

This was his first day of riding her all on his own. 
I led Gwin for him about five minutes, and then he took the reigns and went on his own. At one point, Gwin wouldn't do what Zeek wanted, and she started walking sideways to get her way. He said, "well, she's side passing." 
And she was! It's so awesome that he knows what the is and feels like from the position of riding at SIX years old! :)

I was so happy for him. He did really well with her.

Then it was Jay's turn. She was a little scared at first, but within 10 minutes, she was pulling on the reins and asking me to teach her how to steer.

SHE rode by herself, too. First time ever, and she blew me away. She was so calm and assertive and confident. Gwin did every single thing that eight year old girl asked her to, and I did cry a little in joy.

Also, while the kids were playing after their rides, I took all of Gwin's tack off. She was playing bare in the ring with me, and I decided to do a little prep. work for readying her to ride bareback with me. 
This is something I approached in the past and she was not okay with. 

Well, after about 20 minutes of work, I was on her back with NOTHING on her. Not even a harness, so I was a little nervous at first. 
Eventually, I was laying forward on her, rubbing her all over and desensitizing her to the feeling. 

So many proud moments today.

Proud of my boy.

Proud of my Glynn.

And proud of my horse.

Couldn't be happier.

a new place

I'm officially looking for and praying about a place to move Gwen. I really want her closer to our home. I feel like we are too far away, now that we are in and I know how much more often I would be with her if she were closer. I really need to find something great in order to justify moving her, though. 

I'm looking for something with less horses/people/traffic. With pastures for grazing and in an area where I can ride outside. I would LOVE to be at the beautiful farm around the corner from us. We walk past it all the time. It's so gorgeous, and they only have eight horses there. All grazing throughout the day, peaceful and happy. 

I am going to drive up and leave my information with them in the case they might ever have an opening. 
Please God... Your will. 

free

Today, Zeek was with his cousin Michael at their Nanna's. So, I was able to spend the morning with Gwin, alone for the first time. The stables were empty of people, and I was able to walk her in the empty ring, and ride her outside for the first time!

I was a little nervous about it. I don't know her enough to know that she won't bolt on open ground.
We had a wonderful time. I kind of over-babied her, in hindsight. I should have had a little more confidence and just rode. But age and experience has brought caution, and I'm sticking with "better safe than sorry", for the time being.

We were able to ride out in the wide open green fields next to Linda's. We did some trotting, but because of Gwin's heart to return to her safety with her friends, I wasn't comfortable letting her go to much. I really had to ride up on her reigns. She wanted to go HOME pretty badly near the end.

But there were some moments. Moments that aligned me and my horse, the blue sky, and the right earth with the One who created us all. And I was 14 again. And I haven't been so free. Ever.

There aren't too many days in my life that can rival the kind of good today was for me. It ranked high up there with my wedding day, finding out I was pregnant, and having my son.
I rarely understand why God does what He does. But I'm alway SO glad He knows just what He's doing with me.

work

Tonight, I worked on Gwin with her sassing near the entrance of the arena where her friends are just outside the door. Linda helped me with a bunch of stuff, and we saw some good quick results from the tactics we used. 

I think it's about time we start ridding outdoors, soon. 

I can't wait! 

Me & Gwin

we've been doing more ground work than riding. she's learning to follow and respond to me on foot with no leads. i'm amazed how attentive she is and how quickly she learns. i'm most excited about the bond we're building and the love she gives.