Trib and I enjoying the sunset and our first ride at home.

I only post this because I love
the expression on Trib's face :)

PS- Trib says, "Hi!"

Tuesday we went out to the trainers to work with Tabasco.  He hasn't been doing much so we worked on ground work.  He was a little fresh in the arena and acted like he was going to kick up his heals at me a couple times.  Once I got on his case about it he was much better and started paying attention.

We led him outside to the obstacle course and Tabasco learned how to jump over barrels.  I've never really had the urge to have any of my horses jump anything (I don't need to teach them to hop fences lol), but it teaches Tabasco to watch where he puts his feet.  He's also the type of horse that needs a job, so once he figures out what you're asking him he thrives with it.  I'm thinking about setting something up around the house to work with him and the other horses.  Do any of you have obstacles set up around your barn just for fun?

Once Tabasco and I figured it out, he did awesome!!  I had no idea a horse could jump over anything from a standstill so that was pretty amazing to watch.

After the barrels we went over to the bridge and I was supposed to ask Tabasco to go up on it by driving him onto it (is that the right term?) like we did with the barrels. Tabasco thought he was supposed to jump the bridge or walk around instead.  A few times he almost had it but then he would question himself.  Christy took over so I got to take some pictures.

After the bridge, Christy and Tabasco went over to the pit and Tabasco went up and through it with no problems.

We ended the session by me taking Tabasco again and asking him to go over the barrels both ways.  He didn't hesitate.

I'm so proud of my boy!!

Meet Tribute Express.

Trib is a 12 year old Thoroughbred Gelding that we brought home on Monday.  I came across a for sale add on craigslist and immediately fell in love with him from his pictures and the video.  You know that feeling you get when you just know it's meant to be?  Yeah.  I had that times a million.

Trib is hard to take pictures of because he follows me :)

We went out to look at him and he was just as wonderful in person.  We got to see what he knew then ride him ourselves.  He has a nice slow walk and is super laid back.

He was a race horse from 2003-2007 (I think that's the right time frame).  He knows dressage and was used as a lesson and trail horse.  He is great with novice riders so I'm hoping he will be my go to guy when I need a break from my green horses and maybe he will even teach them a thing or two :)

Trib trotting up to me in the pen

He loaded off the trailer nice and easy and was relaxed when we were walking him around.  He acts like he's lived here his entire life.  The rest of the herd is excited to have a new friend and they all like to come up to the pen and beg Trib to come over and say hello.  When he does there is a lot of squealing from the girls then Trib will walk away when he's done being fawned over.  Pebbles keeps giving him googly eyes (see photo) and it's hilarious!

Pebbles, Sundance, Sweetie and Shoni

I am so happy and I can't wait to get to know Trib.

Trib on the right- all 16.2 hands of him :)

 Sneak peak!  More info coming soon.  :)

Since moving to Minnesota I seem to have a tougher time keeping up with the horses manes.  It might be because it's windier here, the dirt is wetter (instead of sandy), or maybe the burrs.  Whatever it is, it seems like I just brush out their manes and before I know it they're full of tangles again.

 This last time I was at fleet farm I bought a bunch of different grooming supplies to test out.  After testing out different ones, my favorite supplies are now: Vetrolin or Cowboy Magic detanglers (I think I may like Vetrolin better even though Cowboy Magic smells a lot nicer).  For mane brushes I liked the Braiding Comb and a regular plastic mane brush.  The braiding comb worked well getting out the witches knots.

I also picked up a couple new snazzy halters, although I think I was more excited about the halters then they were :)

"Gimmie all yo cookies!"

"He didn't listen."

The newest edition to our family.

A stray cat decided to have her kittens at our place and all four babies ended up playing in our garage while Mama Cat was away.  When Mama came home three of the four kittens ran out of the garage to meet her but one little kitten stayed inside.  We coaxed him out with some food and were able to catch him.  He is sweet as can be and is now an indoor kitty.

He had his visit with the vet already who determined he is around 5 weeks old.  They told us if we can catch the other kittens we should, so we'll see.  We might set a live trap and try catching the rest of the litter and Mama cat and have them fixed and try finding the rest of the kittens homes.

He's fitting right in with the rest of our family...

... Now we just need to come up with a name.