This weekend we had planned to make our annual trip into the Minam River Valley in the heart of the Eagle Cap Wilderness Area. Since last March we had been looking forward to disappearing into the middle of nowhere... Northeast Oregon. We had scheduled our full three day weekend to set camp at/in our favorite tepee next to the Minam River, and horseback ride all over the wilderness valley.
Sad to say this didn't happen.
Instead last Thursday Kittee and I went to Walla Walla to see one of our orthopedic surgeons about her ongoing achy shoulder (yes, being over 55 with horses as pets/rides we now keep two orthopedic surgeons on call at all times). Calling Dr. Bob, calling Dr. Francis... which state are you practicing in these days? Anyway, the X-rays confirmed that Kittee has a separated shoulder/collar bone received during the last flying lesson she took from her mare. Doc said she will live, she will remember her flying lesson, she should get much better, feel less pain as time marches on. Therefore we are making our horseback riding trips the past few weeks very short and smooth back country road riding.
Friday, our farrier Kevin Walker came out right after breakfast and trimmed the hooves of the girls from AZ and Rosey. Again Rosey is still growing like a weed, and that includes her little horsey hooves. All went well handling these guys and their feet. Afterwards, Kittee and I proceed to wash horses, Nugget, Derby and Goldie. Goldie received her first full fledged bath and mane/tail shampoo. She felt so good and pretty after receiving all that pampering...
that she pranced, danced, ran and kick with exhilaration and prettiness.
We are hoping that Goldie is now our pregnant mare by Rusty so after her bath she went out to pasture with Nugget and Derby.
GoldieNugget
Derby
Yep, that is our three palomino amigos and they really do bond together as three (like birds of a feather), more so than with the rest of the herd.
Saturday, was a day with Rosey. Shortly after breakfast Kittee took Rosey into the round pen (without Shaiela) and worked her making turns and stops. This session went very well as Rosey seemed to enjoy being put through the paces without her mom being in the way.
Rosey is now XIV weeks old.
Afterwards Kittee took her out to pasture and begin working her with halter/ show training. This she was a bit reluctant to preform at. Video will show her kicking and bucking ;-)
Rosey halter training- 1:58 minAfter the pasture exercise, a little later in the day Shaiela and Rosey got a refresher course in trailer loading. Shaiela acted a bit like a horses' ass, while Rosey was rather mild mannered about loading up...
After loading mom and baby in the trailer, we drove around the pasture for awhile getting Rosey used to starts and stops.
This past week the weather has been most pleasant for late July. Every night it has felt good to sleep under the sheet, blanket, and bedspread. There were some morning that it was rather cool, almost chilly. Sunday morning was rather cool and clear, so Kittee and I went for a short ride up Cache Hollow Road. At about the mile and a half point Misty began to balk and wanted to go back to the barn/pasture. I fussed with her for awhile and decided to end the argument and go home and work her butt good. So when we got home, Kittee opened the gates I stayed in the saddle and I rode Misty back to the arena. There we worked for maybe another hour going through cue practice, walking and jogging all the way. After leaving the arena I brought her up to the round pen and with her still in tack, she ran for another 20-30 minutes. By doing this little exercise with Misty, I plan to teach her that balking on the trail to return home will only lead to a lot more work that walking the trail for enjoyment. We may have to do this a few more times, but I feel that she will get the message soon.
The rest of the day Kittee and I just relaxed. We sit around with a couple of beers for the afternoon watching the guys working on the roof and chimney, and with no guest coming for dinner we kicked back Sunday evening and had Margaritas through the sunset hour. A very relaxing day.
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Around the house this past week, we had the roofers, brick mason, and siding guys here. The place is in a construction mess, but things are beginning to shape up. Everyday our home is looking fresher, and cleaner with the "new" being applied from top to bottom.
That is kind of the way it is around McKuster Ranch this past weekend.
Looking forward to begin doing a bit more fishing in the near future, as having fished the backyard twice this past week, and both evenings my last hookup were beautiful 12"-14" redband trout.
and that the way it is ---- Dale
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