Mud Honey and the Princess

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_619" align="alignleft" width="300"] Oh hai![/caption] It was pouring so the training session got canceled.  I hate the unpredictable nature of the weather out here. The only thing I really miss about Los Angeles is the weather. It was always sunny and warm even in winter. Here in MD, not so much. Sunday is the day my better half takes his riding lesson. He had never been on a horse before knowing me and after about a year of "suggesting" he take lessons he jumped in last summer to see if he liked it. It's been only a few months and he just started his "beginning to canter class" Hes got great natural balance and is coming along nicely and actually seems to enjoy the lessons. He takes his lessons…
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Two Gross Ponies

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Training
[caption id="attachment_596" align="alignleft" width="300"] The other side of her is covered in wet sloppy mud[/caption] My trainer came out on Sat which is great cuz shes supposed to be out this morning as I write this but alas .. pouring. Though riding in the rain is certainly an option especially when the weather is warm like it is today (WTF weather gods is the 2nd day of winter and its 70 in Maryland!) The drainage in the all sand ring can be dicey when newly wet and sloppy. We elected to push the day to another. [caption id="attachment_597" align="alignright" width="300"] Yehaw! That right hind sure looks all healed[/caption] So back to yesterdays training session. Both horses got ridden, both horses improved, both horses were bad. Story of my life, bad…
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Night and day

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, Training
[caption id="attachment_575" align="alignleft" width="300"] Getting ready to throw her shoulder out![/caption] Finally the weather was such that my trainer could come out and work with the girls. Hazer! Jezebel was up first and started off good and got progressively worse. She was determined to not hold her body straight when asked. Throwing a shoulder out and occasionally throwing it in. Anything to not go straight. It was a struggle. Shes much better with consistent work and i think she just had too much time off because of the weather and she was being pissy about working at all. Michelle is much more stubborn then my wild mare and in her persistent, patient way kept asking IE telling Jez to do as she was told this pissed the wild one off…
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The was a little girl…

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_554" align="alignleft" width="300"] My lovely Mare Mercy and I a lifetime ago[/caption] You ask a stallion, you tell a gelding but you have a conversation with a mare. That's the saying and its true. Mares have opinions and they like to express them. Some more then others. I've only had mares, its what i know and i enjoy the conversation. My first horse Merciful Heavens AKA Mercy never gave me the ugly mare face, never had issues with going into heat and being un-ridable but she did have her own opinions. I always let her express herself, we formed a bond, a trust that was unshakable. I rode that horse in the LA river with water up to her chest in raging rainstorms (okay now i know how dangerous…
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Snow Ponies

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_527" align="alignleft" width="225"] Jezebel and Michelle In the snow![/caption] It doesn't snow a lot out here but it does snow. Certainly more then my Southern California born and raised self is used to. This is also the first winter I've had horses out here when I don't have an indoor ring to ride in. Lets just say I've invested in some better cold weather horse gear and clothes. Blizzard boots, under armor, a awesome cold weather jack from REI (on sale.. score!) and for the ponies, quarter sheets and warmer blankets. We are as prepared as we can be this year. For the last few days we've had some on and off again snow. Sunday is our regular day with our trainer she usually rides both girls and teaches…
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All In A Days Work

Barn tales, Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel
[caption id="attachment_517" align="alignleft" width="225"] Always happy to see me![/caption] My two girls are opposites. Though both are fun and beautiful they are very different. Jez likes to throw her shoulder out, Circe throws it in. Circe runs away from me in the field (new fun habit) Jezebel comes running to me when i whistle for her. When ones good the other is bad, when one is calm the other is wild. They are night and day, ying and yang Kate and Bianca at the same time. Its hilarious and it keeps me entertained. A friend and i decided to take my two girls out on the trail, together. Tina tacked up Jezebel in her full on dressage gear and she looked amazing. Tina has a OTTB of her own who…
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The Girls

Life with Circe, Life with Jezebel, OTTB, Training
Things are going well. Having two horses two ride is a big adjustment from having one, then two broken horses to rehab and not ride. My trainer Michelle comes out twice a week, Sundays and Wednesdays. On Wednesdays its just Jezebel. On Sunday she works with both horses. Jezebel is improving a lot and my trainer (who is just about the best thing since slice bread) does great with her. We have my 7 month stall rested horse working like a champ. She's happy enough to work. She likes to throw her shoulder out and had trouble with the left lead canter. Both are improving with each session. Last session Jezebel picked up the left leap canter first try... Twice! Shes totally getting it. When I ride her she is…
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