new bit!

Ahni's new driving bit. It finally arrived. It's a bean link liverpool,it's meant to be gentle on her mouth. 

Mikey helping his momma.

Mikey came out and helped me with hay duty. Thank you Mikey!

Miss Ahni

Yesterday when I brought Ahni out and headed towards her with the harness, she knew what was up.  She didn't put up a fuss over the saddle or the britching, but when I tried to slip the collar around her neck, she decided she was having nothing to do with it.  I believe it took around 7 attempts, finally she gave in and let me slip it over her head.  I finished hooking her all together and took her out for a walk around the front.  Working on 'whoa's and walk's'.  I want her to step out when I say walk, even if I don't move.  She needs to become independent and quite frankly that will take some time. She did pretty good with the whoa's.  I tied her up and went in and got the headstall.  Again, she was having nothing to do with it. Again, I kept at it.  I'd put it on, walk her around, come back take it off, then put it on again.  I the last bridling happened when she didn't try and back up when I put it on. I always try and end on the good note. I think I will do this same routine 3 or 4 more times, as long as all goes well then we will move on. Joe and I were talking about 'pure breds'...I told him if you find a good one, it doesn't matter what their breeding...a good horse that you can trust is worth it's weight in gold...I already have one...Beau...I am working hard to help Ahni follow in his steps.  I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to work with such magnificent beings.

Little Miss Ahni

I have decided to have Ahni follow in the steps of Kennis Wildflower, wild mustang from devil's creek adopted at the age of 1 by my dear friend Debbie Manning.  Debbie taught Kennis to pull a cart before she rode her.  Debbie had Kennis pulling a cart beginning at the age of 4 and finally at the age of 6, Debbie began riding her. I am going to try and follow this theory with Ahni.  I believe she has the disposition to pull a cart, but only time will tell for certain. This picture is the first time I have dressed her up in her harness.  She did pretty darn good for the first time.  For my non-horse friends, please understand that by harnessing her I have gone against everything that it means to be a horse.  I have put blinders on her, so she can't see what's behind her or to the side of her I have strapped her "together".  I walked her around the front circle drive about 6 times, she seemed apprehensive and tense, but as soon as I would pat her neck, her head would drop and I would see a few moments of relaxation. My dream...to have her and Beau work as a pair. So you know what this means...lot's of pictures of Ahni this summer :D

Spring Chickens!

I always know Spring is just around the corner when I go to the feed store and there are rows of baby chicks and baby ducks!  Hopefully, Joe and I will be buying them next year!

Motley Crew!

Taking all 5 of our babies out for a walk...from the left..Mikey Abby, Rootbeer, Lexi and Tank.
Rootbeer is actually our son's dog, he rescued her and she is his faithful companion. Tank is always super serious when everyone goes out for a walk,  I suppose he feels responsible for keeping everyone safe. I love how they get to stop and smell all kinds of smells and how wound up they get at the smell of a moose. I really do love living in North Idaho.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...oh wait...where is spring?!

Rosie just couldn't stand being cooped up one more day.  Out of the four goats she was the only one that went out in it

 AHHHH...do I have to come in?

 Joe coming in from plowing snow ... bless his heart...he was out there for about 4 hours, but the snow just kept on coming down.

I think even the moose are tired of the snow.