What's In a Name?!?

I have been checking AQHA.com every day since I discovered they deposited my checks for Bailey's registration and transfer to find out what her registered name is.  I normally just type in my first choice and for the past couple of weeks I keep getting the usual "horse does not exist" statement.  I even went to the post office this morning and...nothing.  Well, as it turns out even though I didn't get any papers in the mail, today WAS my lucky day.  I got home, sat down at the computer, went to AQHA's website and typed in my first name selection.  I almost fell out of my chair when the name popped up followed by "bay, mare, 06/02/2007".  I jumped up and ran outside screaming at David with the good news.  Finally, Miss Bailey is registered and in my name!  Why the big deal about a horse's name, you ask?  Well, of the 5 horses I have Bailey is the only one who I could obtain papers for and have in my name.  So, she is my first registered QH and I am so very proud of her!  This has been such an exciting journey for me and getting to pick her name and have her registered was a monumental occasion in my life.  Well, I guess I should tell you her name!  I wanted something that was truly representative of the great bloodlines she has, whether it was feminine or catchy or not...so, her name is "Colonels Whiskey Doc".  Can't wait to get those papers in the mail!!!

Cha-Ching!

Yep, I can already hear the sound of money in the bank when it comes to Bailey. Each day she finds some way to impress me with her unbelievable athleticism. Of course, I never happen to have a video camera on me when she decides to display her amazing feats...but I can tell you on Friday evening while some friends were riding Scout and Festus away from the house through the neighborhood, Bailey and Blackjack became very excited and Bailey did something I wish every one of you could have seen. She was running around the front pasture like a banchee with her tail up and she decided to head out the gate to the back pasture, but almost as quickly as she decided to go out, she realized she would rather not, so in an area about 2 square feet in diameter she planted her hind legs, came to a stop, and did a 360 degree spin with perfect precision to allow herself right back in the corral gate. David was there as my witness...I am not making this up! It was as athletic a move as ANY reining horse I have EVER seen. Now if I can only harness that and ride it! Ha! Only 2 months till that 2nd birthday! And I FINALLY sent in her registration papers, so I will soon be announcing what her registered name is! Stay tuned!

Video from last week...

Sorry this is so delayed!  I tried to upload it last week, but it just wasn't cooperating.  Finally managed to be successful with it today!  I love when horses play.  We are expecting more rain next week...hooray!

Last Cold Blast and Praise God for the RAIN!!!!

Yes!!!  We FINALLY got some G-O-O-D rain ahead of the recent cold front.  The last real rain we had was the last week of August 2008.  To say we have been in a drought is truly an overwhelming understatement.  We woke up Tuesday night to wind, thunder, lightning, and torrential downpour.  Luckily, we had some forewarning and the horses had been put up for the night with lots of hay to munch on.  I did wonder what Bailey would think, since she has only been rained on twice since she's been here.  Well, with all the cold air and the rain, the horses were feeling mighty frisky Wednesday morning...actually, all day.  Every time I looked out the front or back of the house I could see them playing with each other, rearing, biting, kicking, chasing...it was quite entertaining.  I could hear them constantly running from the back to the front to the back...again and again and again!  When I went out to feed them they were at the far corner of the back of the neighbor's property and I only had to whistle once for them to come GALLOPING!  They were having a blast!  I managed to capture some photos and a video of them.  The only downside...my front field is now a mud pit.  Though, since it was a dirt pit prior to the rain, the mud was fully expected.  Hope you all have gotten some much needed rain as well and that you are staying warm!   Enjoy the photos and video!

Bailey's First Big Girl Clinic

I journeyed to Kerrville this past weekend for a 2 day horsemanship clinic and decided to take Scout AND Bailey.  I assumed day 1 would be mostly groundwork and since Scout knows a lot of stuff already, I thought it would be the perfect time to play with Bailey and get her even more ready for being really ridden!  Well, with the temperature having been in the mid-90's the week prior, boy were we in for a shock when a major cold front blew in on Friday night!  All day Saturday we had winds gusting to over 30 mph and it was COLD!!!  I was a little concerned that Bailey would be more reactive due to the weather, being in unfamiliar surroundings, away from Scout, the other horses, and so on...but she was PERFECT!  She was focused on me, did everything asked, wasn't scared or worried in the slightest...we had a GREAT time!!  I was so incredibly proud to show her off to all my horsey friends who had been hearing about her and reading the blog.  I managed to snap a few photos of her before my camera went ka-put!  So enjoy!  Hopefully I can get a few more from some of the other ladies at the clinic.

BAILEY'S FIRST CLINIC

I am sending Bailey down the ramp...she went right over on the first try!

Now back up the ramp...no problem.

Our instructor playing with Bailey...circle game with an obstacle, again, no problem!

Up at the highest point!

Not just one leg?

And...We're Off!

Well, not exactly...but we are off to a great start!  Today I was able to "ride" Bailey for the first time.  It was more like just mounting, so technically, I only sat on her with one leg on each side of her belly.  However, it was indeed a monumental occasion!  I am keeping this brief, since the video David took will give you the run-down.  If you are wondering about the helmet...David made me wear it.  I think it made him feel better about the whole thing, you know, with him being on crutches and all.  He is not exactly in the best position to come to my rescue. :) There are two videos and one photo....enjoy!

Oh, and I am planning on taking Bailey to her first clinic next weekend, so who knows what will happen there?!?!  Be looking for more updates soon!

Little Girl in a Big World

I know, I know, I should be better at this whole blogging thing, but with all of the family stuff going on and the holidays, I just haven't found the time.  I actually haven't done a thing with Bailey in about 2 months.  Well, after Christmas I decided it was time for her to come home from being on her extended vacation.  While she was away she learned some very bad habits.  She started becoming pushy and completely, and I do mean COMPLETELY, unafraid of everything.  She is also big enough for me to really start getting on her and asking a little more from her.  Bailey is long overdue for some hard work!

So, after Christmas, we took our Kerrville friends up on their invitiation to visit for a few days and bring the horses along.  David and I loaded up Bailey and Scout and headed north.  Bailey always does great in the trailer, but I wasn't sure how she would handle being in a new place, with new horses, new smells, new sights, and me trying to saddle her and possibly hop up on her back.  Well, I will spare you the suspense....she was fabulous (minus a little attitude from having vacation time cut short).

Day 1 in Kerrville was not so bueno in the weather department (cold and VERY windy).  So, Bailey and Scout got to hang out and take in the lovely scenery.  I got up early on Day 2 and was ready to get to work with Miss Bailey.  Jennifer kindly offered to help get things going and I was glad she did...Bailey was a little full of herself right off.  We got her in the arena and just let her investigate things and then started playing some games with her.  Once she was feeling peachy we played with the tarp some and then Jennifer hopped up on Bailey's back and laid there on her stomach.  Bailey didn't seem too worried, but Jennifer kept at it on both sides until Bailey would stand still and allow her to do it.  My little girl was a pro.  

Next it was time for the saddle.  We put the pad on and then went right onto the saddle.  I wasn't too worried as I had done this many times with the bareback pad and once with the saddle.  Bailey never flinched!  Once we started moving her around, she wasn't the least bit concerned with the saddle, the stirrups flopping around, nothing!!  All in all I would say it was a good day.  Even though she is still my little girl, she is moving closer and closer every day to that "big girl" status.  I am so proud of her and more excited than words can express when i think about her future and potential.  I have some big hopes for this little girl!  More to come soon!  

PS.  I will try to post some video from our outing in a separate post!