Trick Pony

I have lofty dreams of training Isabel to become a breath-taking liberty horse so we can runaway with Cavalia.

So we've been working on the basics, such as a bow.





Here's a little video of Isabel demonstrating her talents.

Of course, now she follows me around, constantly bowing.  It's her go-to move for praise.

Did I mention she's smart too?

Pretty Girl

My boarder, Sarah, took some beautiful pictures of Isabel. She gets more and more beautiful every day.

First Real Snow Storm!

Isabel spent the day frolicking in the new fallen white stuff.

This stuff tastes funny!

Merry Christmas

Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Isabel got a training surcingle.  She said that was DEFINITELY NOT what she asked Santa for!

Foto Friday

The weather's been a little...meh, lately.  And what with all the holiday planning and kicking myself for not shopping a month ago, I sadly have not had much time to do much with Isabel other that a few walks and grooming.
Last weekend we went for a walk in the 'hood with Scout and stopped in to say 'Hi' to our neighbor, Robin.

awwww, come on Mommy!  I want to go hit the trails with the big horses!

 

Also, we bottle a very special vintage last week.  2012 Isabel Cabernet!

 

Have a great weekend!

Foto Friday

Not much to report right now.  Isabel and I have just been enjoying quiet time together, lots of grooming but nothing more exciting.  I've been enjoying some nice trail rides with Storm, which Isabel has been begging to join us.  She stands at the fence calling to us as we ride off.  It breaks my heart.  Once hunting ends this weekend, I'll start taking her with us.

So, for your viewing pleasure, here's one of my favorite pictures of Isabel taken recently.

She's currently 12.3 hands and 370 pounds.

Training

In the one month Isabel has been with us she has accomplished a lot. 

• She loads and rides in the trailer like a big horse.
• Takes hikes through the woods and through water.
• Welcomes the kids home at the bus stop.
• She went to the beach for the first time.
• She dressed up like a centerpiece and walked in a parade.
• Washes windows and does my taxes.

Feeling like I've put the proverbial cart before the horse, I finally took Isabel down to the ring to do some training.

The first thing I wanted to work on is the "bridge", a wobbly piece of plywood that I train the horses to stand on, walk over, and back off of.

I barely had the 'bridge' down on the ground, when Isabel gladly climbed on it.

Clearly this task is stressing her out.

 

 

 Next we up the ante and bring out the big blue, scary tarp. <insert scary noise>

Hmmmm, OK, not so scary to Isabel.  I didn't even bother putting a lead rope on her for this training.

She doesn't get what the big deal is.

 

Next we added the two; the bridge on the tarp.  This should be pretty scary...

ummmm, or not.

 

In fact, Isabel says the tarp should be afraid of her!

 

 

 Attack the tarp!

 

That training took all of 5 minutes.
Now what?

Babe in the City

I had two rather lofty goals for Miss Isabel this fall.  One was to take her to the beach. Done.  And the other was to particiate in the Concord Holiday Parade.  I admit, this is a lot to ask a 4-5 month old, but this is Isabel.  She's amazing.


On November 17th we painted our toes...

 

and flowers in our hair...

 

and headed to the capital city to march down Loudon Road.

 

When we arrived there was plenty of new sights and sounds; marching bands, floats, and huge crowds.  She took it all in like a pro!

 

Courtney, Storm, Robin and Chase joined us.

My Mom was in the audience and described Isabel as "unimpressed" by all the fanfare.  She's incredibly level-headed.

And yes, that's one glittery bum.

 

After the parade she hopped back on the trailer and went home.  I could tell the 2 mile walk made her tired but she had no interest in a mid-day nap, so instead she went out to the pasture with her pasture mates.



 

Once again, this little baby has made me so proud!  She has handled everything I've thrown her way like a champion!

 

Now what should we do....?

 



Smile!

I just wanted to share some random pictures of Isabel. She's so stinkin' cute!

Should I break the news to her that she's not going to be a racehorse?

 

I love this face!

 Becoming part of the herd.  Isabel is now turned out with three other horses; Scout, Storm and Taz.  She's holding her own.

 Benji, one of her favorite friends.

 First snow! Luckily it only stayed for the day.

 Hello!

 

 A fancy escort for a fancy baby.

 

These long legs make it difficult to reach some grass!

Awwwwww, much better.

After a day full of new adventures, it's time for a nap.

A Day At The Beach

While watching Guy McClain start a young horse this weekend, he told the audience, "Don't ask a little from your horse, ask a lot, in the right way".

On Sunday, November 11th, I asked a lot of Miss Isabel.

I had hoped to work on trailer loading this week but the weather and schedule didn't cooperate.  So I finally got to bring Isabel out to the trailer on Sunday.  After our whole 'leaving the barn' issue, I planned on the trailer giving us an issue.  After all, the last time she got on a trailer she went on a 24 hour journey that landed her in a strange, new place.

I brought her bowl of liquid breakfast out to the trailer.  I opened the doors and set her food down on the floor and before I had time to ask her, she was already in the trailer!  Yes, the girl likes her food.  But still, that went better than I had planned.

She finished her breakfast and then walked out of the trailer.  Like a pro!

So I got some shipping boots and put them on her.  At first she walked like a drunk Tennessee Walker but it was far from bothering her.  I returned her to her small paddock and let her walk around in them for about a half an hour.  All was good.

Then I decided it was time for a test drive.

We loaded Storm in the trailer just as a bit of added security to make it a positive experience.  And then it was Isabel's turn to get in.  It took her a bit to figure out how to bend her knees to step up while wearing some over sized shipping boots.

I turned on my new camera system and my niece, Courtney, rode in the 3rd stall* with the cell phone on, and we headed down the road... at 3 miles per hour.

It took a bit but she soon got her balance and her driving legs.  I drove 3 miles to the gas station for a quick fill up and then back to the farm.  Isabel spent the time looking out her window or munching on hay.  Far from being stressed by the situation.

She did so good we decided to let Courtney ride in the truck... and we headed for the beach!

"let's hit the beach!"

 

 

 

Isabel was such a good girl!  We walked up and down the beach, got our feet wet and played in the sand.  Courtney and Storm took off for a good gallop down the beach and Izzy was happy to just stay and run her nose in the salty sand.



As the sun set, we loaded up (and once again, she hopped right in!) and headed home.  I'm sure she was one tired baby.  It was a big day for her.  I asked a lot of her and she gave me everything.  I couldn't be more proud of this girl!


* I will of course deny this.  I would never make my niece ride in the trailer**.

** Without leg wraps and a head bumper.