Training

     Today was an exciting day for the girls. They were both exercised and got to spend some time at the riding arena. Jellybean was first up, we went to the round pen to stretch out. Friday or Saturday, Jellybean knocked the side of her front leg hard against the metal bar in her stall. I noticed Sunday she had a large knot on the front of her leg. It looks like she has a shin splint, which is a cosmetic injury. Maggie suggested it would heal over time. The internet tells me that I can also add DMSO and wrap her leg to improve circulation and accelerate healing.
     So fast forward to today, I wanted to check to see if she was sore on her leg. She wasn't off at all, we had a short leg stretching and saddled up. Jellybean then got to hang out by the arena for an hour or so. Tomorrow I will start the DMSO/wrapping, and she will get to stay in her stall for awhile. So sad. Hopefully the swelling will go down so she isn't disfigured. Silly horse banging her leg.
     Peanut Butter had a good ride as well, were are working to build muscle and canter for longer periods of time. We have been practicing simple changes, and today I asked her if she would do some flying changes. She got the lead changing from right to left, but wasn't as strong to pick up the left to right. More cantering will help her be stronger. She also has a chambon and lots of round-penning in her future. 

Rainy Day, again

     Today was a fun day for the girls. This morning, the temperature was a balmy 70 degrees, and the sky was partly cloudy. They were released from their stalls to frolic and play, celebrating with lots of bucking. However, the weather turned menacing in the late morning hours. The temperature dropped approximately twenty degrees in less than an hour as the rain poured from the sky. I imagine it was quite unpleasant in the pasture as a cold rain fell from the sky. 
     This afternoon I collected them from the pasture. Both girls were very opinionated and determined to run SOMEWHERE. Jellybean snuck away while I was closing the gate and would have run for the hills if a patch of green grass didn't catch her attention. Peanut Butter was just as mischievous  although she decided to be very alert to her surroundings. I am still surprised she didn't try to run away.
     Eventually I wrangled the girls into their house and gave them dinner and pity hay. Soon, they won't have to worry about standing in the stalls all day. At the end of the month, a paddock will be coming available and they will have an outdoor home, 24/7. There is a shelter inside the paddock where they can hide from the rain, should they choose. We will be feeding them grain morning and evening, in addition to providing a round bale. They don't know how good their lives will be.

More rain pictures

The girls were stretching their legs in the arena swimming pool today

Entertainment

     With all the recent rainy days, we have been working hard to entertain the girls. Jellybean received the brunt of the entertainment today.

Rain, rain, grow the grass!

     Not too much happening at the farm this week, as the rain is trying to fall from the sky. Here in Texas, this is a challenge apparently. The humidity has been sitting here for the last week with limited rain falling from the sky. In any case, the girls are enjoying extra hay while they are stuck in the stall away from the mud. 
     As far as recent work with Jellybean, she has been enjoying a bit of a break, with the exception of some practice in patience. She has been standing tied beside the arena when I ride another horse. I am very pleased that she seems ok with this, limited pawing and calling for others. Jellybean is a fairly independent little pony, which make me very excited for her future training. Training is going to continue to move slow, however, because little Jelly is growing like crazy!! Unfortunately this picture doesn't do it justice, but when I first purchased her, she was between 14.1 and 14.2, now she is up to 15 hands. Looking at these pictures, it looks like she is changing from a child to a teenager :)

More ponying!

     We had a short amount of time yesterday, and decided to let the girls have a little exercise. We turned them out in the arena, although they didn't seem as cramped up as they pretended. After we ran them around a bit, I had Robert hand me up on Peanut Butter. We walked around for a bit, then caught Jellybean. I led Jellybean around while riding Peanut Butter and it was a success. No grumpy Peanut Butter, and Jellybean was fairly mindful. I was able to pull her without much trouble. Good progress :)

Ponying the baby

Today was a short day for Jellybean, she got to work in the round pen for a few minutes before being taken to the arena to work directly with Peanut Butter. Jellybean was already familiar with the idea of ponying, she was led around on Benny previously. She remembered too, she was quick to relax and follow. Peanut Butter was a tad more fierce, she didn't understand why Jellybean was ignoring her body language. She actually kicked Jellybean, which didn't upset Jellybean at all.... In any case, Peanut Butter calmed down and figured out that she just had to tolerate Jellybean being close. At the end, solid lesson for both girls.

She doesn't look too happy in this one...

Everyone working together :)

I would also like to draw attention to how tall Jellybean is getting, Peanut Butter is 16.2ish, and Jellybean is 15ish. Getting bigger :)