Week 14

Oh my goodness. I can't believe we're this far along. Less than 30 days. When did we get here?

Anyway, life threw me a huge curveball two weeks ago when I got into a trailer accident with my other horse, my beloved Mia. I was fine, but she sustained injuries that ultimately led us to the decision to put her down. Needless to say, this threw me quite off track with Z. She, however, has been flawless. Maybe that's jinxing it, but she has so stepped up to the plate, trying to figure out her job and everything that's expected of her. She knows I've been upset, and she's been stellar about catering to me, rather than me always catering to her.

The ongoing joke at the farm now is that I have a defective mustang. LOL. She's half asleep all the time. That personality has let me do so much with her, even without seeing her every day the past few weeks.

Today was the biggest day so far! We rode! Well, kind of. Bekkah led Z around while I sat on her. But still! She's so amazing!! I could not be more proud of her, ever. It's surreal to think that I've done this; that I've taken her from wild to so sweet, loving, and calm. :)

Playing after a long day of work. (The first ride)

Being a dog, licking EVERYTHING.

The defective mustang. I never taught her to stand and let me walk away from her.

Mustang who? (This is all of her late sister's tack. <3 )

Week 11-Thursday

Z was SO lazy today! She did, however come up to me in her new field and walked right over the scary puddle to get out. I didn't really have a plan going out today, just some bonding and saddle work. She's getting so good now on the cross ties. She actually doses off the whole time! I lunged her for a bit under tack in the indoor to get any remaining energy out.

We then took a walk around the indoor as Des has many, many scary things stored in there. Z was so calm and curious. I can't help but laugh, though, and the number of things she tries to eat! Anything and everything that doesn't eat her goes in her mouth: tarp, hay bale jump covers, tires, barrels, deer christmas figures, rails, boards, anything. Silly, silly baby.

There really isn't much else to report on, other than that she will be getting her feet, teeth and coggins done shortly. :)

Week 11

I can't believe I haven't posted at all this month. Time has really gotten away from me. I've been so busy with my other mare and, of course, with Z. She's really coming out of her shell and starting to show her silly self. She's a bit pushy at times, but has definitely realized that I'm definitely not going to hurt her. It's really going to be hard to let her go in (OMG.) six weeks. She's such a good girl.

I'm so, so close to riding her. She's telling me she's ready, I just haven't been able to catch a break from the rain. I work her with the saddle in the indoor, but I don't want to get on for the first time in such a big space. And her field has been flooded for almost two weeks.

I guess I can list all the things she does now, lol. I don't want to give the illusion that it was all easy, because most of it wasn't. She does, however, seem to just need a night to think about things. She'll get all frazzled about something new, but if I take her to it the next day, she's totally fine. So here's all the accomplishments of the last few months:

-saddle, girth, bridle

-SMBs on all four feet

-canters on the lunge line

-jumps small jumps when lunging

-wears a fly mask and fly sheet

-leads

-stands on cross ties

-stands on the wash cement slab

-stops on voice command

-walk, trot, back when leading

-crosses a tarp

-walks over the "ditch", log and stairs in the jump field

-fly sprays

Today she was allowed to be turned out in a grass field to start to let her field rest and maybe dry out, and she was so good. The only problem was that the fencing is just hot wire tape. She grazed for about an hour before she managed to shock the top of her neck, but she recovered so quickly. She is so cute. She just looked at me like "mom. what was that? it was terrifying. wait, grass. okay." and just went back to eating. I love that she never tries to run away and just lets me walk up to her and walk away without ever running away.

So I think that's an accurate update, and I vow to be more active with this blog again. I figure if I post it online, it will force me to hold myself to it. Thanks everyone who has not forgotten about me. :)

Everyone want to see who the pretty new girl is. :)

LOVING the new grass field.

Prettiest girl.

First time in the cross ties. :)

my lovely, muddy terror. :)

Her typical expression: bored, half asleep, ears going everywhere. <3

"What's that?"

"She's pretty!"

Bath time.

And finally, bonding time. <3 The highlight of this whole experience.

I also want to thank a few people for their continued support over the last few weeks/months. My family, above all, have given me endless emotional and physical support. Next, Desiree Bene and Bekkah Redden, for their physical help at the barn with handling Z while I work with her. Roni Feldman, Carly Dyal, and Cindy Pifer for donating much needed items for the baby girl. Sorry if I forgot anyone, please understand how much I appreciate everything from the occasional "good luck" or "have fun" to the purchases of T-shirts. <3

Week 7 and the start of 8

Okay. I don't want to jinx it, but i really think I've turned a corner with Baby Z. She's been such a champ with everything I've done with her. She now wears bell boots and a fly sheet with neck. She also can wear sub boots front and back, pick up her feet, lead, lunge, and wear a surcingle and bridle for all of that. She met saddle pads today and was so perfect. I really can't believe how relaxed she is. What a perfect baby.

I can see in her face that when something scares her, she looks for help. She wants pets and scratches while she figures it out. Much less freaking out. :) I'm so incredibly proud of her for the maturity she's showing. We play a few times a day and I really think she's starting to look forward to our sessions.

ALSO, shirts can be ordered now! Here's the link and info: http://campaign.customink.com/zonta

Please share the link if you can. :)

Her brand, so everyone can see.

Very first time with a saddle on to buck out. Crazy, wild girl. :)

Mustang who?

Week 6

Z has been so good this past week. Things have been crazy trying to get things ready for my event with Mia. But Z has been so consistent. Just for fun, I played with her ears for a bit and then tried a bridle on. I put a happy mouth French link, the least harsh bit I could find, and she took it no problem. Tuesday, I lunged her with the bridle and a bit connector and she was so well behaved. A few overreactions, but settled right down. She's getting better with leading too. :) Today I went out to just play with her, no new things. We just hung out, played with her big ball, brushed her, picked up her feet. Such a good girl. She also met fly spray today, which was no big deal! It amazes me how easily she's taking things now. :) I'm looking forward to the coming weeks with her. :)

Day 35?

Who's the worst blogger ever? Me. I know, I'm sorry. I have excuses though. Legitimate ones.

So last Friday started so well. We practiced with putting my jacket all over her and letting me rub all the way down her legs. She was being an absolute angel. It was one of those rare perfect days that can come with backing a horse (especially a mare, lol). I tried again, to sit on her, and she actually let me sit here, move a little and kick her sides. All was great until she went to balance herself by taking a step forward. She felt my weight shift on her back, and that was it. She took off toward the fence, which i proceeded to fly into. :) Those mustang muscles have quite a bit of launch, I got right up, meaning I didn't pass out, but it hurt. After taking inventory of my injuries, I knew nothing was broken and Z was just chilling at the other side of the field, totally confused. She definitely had no idea it happened and totally didn't mean to hurt me. I had to change her to her turnout halter, so I was so glad she didn't want to run away. She just stood and let me switch it and take all our toys out of her field. I ended up going to the ER, for a couple of reasons. Turns out I had a brush burn roughly the size of my hand, two cuts on the back of my ear that had to be glued, along with lots of scratching and bruising. This pain, coupled with finals, kept me away fro Z nearly all week. But finals are done and i can finally see my four legged girlies. Finally. Stay tuned for some real updates.

Okay. Now for a bit of a PSA. This may alienate some people, but I've totally turned a corner. I'm going to honestly say I don't think I can ever get on another horse without a helmet. I firmly believe that if i wasn't wearing a helmet when I fell off Z, i would still be in the hospital. I can't get the sound of my helmet hitting the wood out of me head. Granted, my helmet was the reason my ear was cut, but it was also the reason I'm able to type this right now. Horses and falls are no joke. Think before you get on a horse next time, regardless of the level of experience your horse has. Courtney King-Dye will never be able to compete at the Grand Prix level the way she did before, all because of no helmet. I'm just saying. <3

Day 26/27

I am so proud of my Z Baby. I got to sit on her today! No problem. I was way more nervous than she was. Silly girl was falling asleep! I didn't ask for any kind of riding, but I'm still so proud of her. It's such a huge step (though I know everyone else is already riding and such). So now, in terms of huge steps, we can pick out her feet, move away from some bodily pressure, stop fairly calmly, and hold up her feet forever. I really don't even know what to say because I'm so incredibly happy. Here are some pictures to make up for my lack of words: