Pat Benatar, Horse Integration, Obstacle Photos

 

Time for a big catch-up (or is it ketchup?) post, as I’m preparing for my first ever horse camping trip this weekend with my mare Apache, (Have I mentioned how excited I am?) and I won’t be online for a few days.

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*Pat Benatar

The 3 chicks are still being kept with Mrs. Cotton in the temporary ‘quarantine pen’. Maybe another 2-3 weeks and I’ll let them out to integrate with the rest of the flock.

 

And I think fate may be smiling on me in regards to my cute little chick Pat Benatar.

I’m happy that she seems to be a pure-bred Polish chicken, with both Sid Vicious’ Golden-laced coloring, and Phyllis Diller’s Buff-laced colors, too.

But I was disappointed about 2 weeks ago when I thought Pat’s poofy head feathers were coming in spiky, which is the tendency for the Polish roosters.

But last week I noticed that the feathers are wider and not as spiky, as I originally thought, and are growing in thicker and becoming more of a bouffant style of top doo.

Pat Benatar, the chick, also has a personality more like a hen. And all of this makes me very happy, because having to get rid of Sid Vicious because of him becoming vicious towards us, made me a little bit sad. He sure is beautiful and I’ve always enjoyed just looking at him. If Pat Benatar truly is indeed a hen, I will be thrilled because she is turning into a beautiful chicken with her feather markings and coloring. Keep your fingers crossed!

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*Horse Integration*

I’ve only ever owned one horse at a time, so I’ve never had to integrate a herd of horses. True, last summer I leased the pasture across the road with Val’s 2 horses, Scout and Nadia (Yalla! had just been born and was kept with Annie at the barn), along with another neighbor’s 3 geldings. I just wasn’t as worried about Baby Doll integrating into a herd of new horses because she was an alpha mare and was quick to remind the other horses who was boss.

Apache on the other hand, is much more peace-loving, laid-back, and not at all an alpha mare. She’s actually a little ‘needy’ and I have a strong feeling to protect her and keep her safe.

Which is why it took me about 4 days before I finally felt comfortable about letting Etta Bay and Apache out together in the big paddock. Etta Bay wears metal shoes and Apache does not, and Etta Bay is more alpha……not like Baby Doll, but somewhere in between.

I think waiting was better than just throwing them in together the first day that Etta Bay arrived, because they did get to know each other across the fence.

But I was kind of surprised how easily they moved in together when I opened the gate between their two paddocks. It was a non-issue. No ears pinned, no kicking, and not even any squealing.

In the beginning, Apache kept walking up to Etta Bay and Etta Bay would ignore her because she was checking everything out, so Apache would walk or trot up to me for a hug, petting and some reassurance.

I think she was feeling a little insecure, like a child on the playground with potential new friends.

Etta Bay was curious about our chickens that we keep in a coop beside our house. She was listening to all of their odd noises, especially after one of the hens laid an egg and felt she must tell the entire world about her accomplishment.

But they both seemed happy and relaxed to finally be out together.

I thought it was cute to see Apache leading Etta Bay around the paddock, showing her around the Obstacle Course and also showing her that walking up to humans can be a wonderful thing, especially when said human has carrots.

I was also pleased to see that Etta Bay wasn’t at all concerned about my llamas either.

Maybe she figured that Apache wasn’t worried, so she shouldn’t be either.

Etta Bay liked our 3 goats, too. But  she really seemed to like Cataleya, my female llama, and the two of them nibbled on each other over the fence.

Look….Bay Twins!

Sometimes I think my llama Cataleya likes horses more than her own kind.

We enjoyed having Etta Bay here but we’ll see her this this holiday weekend for the horse camping trip. Apache is actually on her way up to Northern New Mexico right now, trailered with Etta Bay and several of Colleen’s other horses.

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*Obstacle Photos*

I finally received a few of the ride photos from the ACTHA weekend 3 weeks ago. They are of the water obstacle and the mailbox obstacle. I’ll just post them below….no need for words.

(All the photos below were taken by Cory Tourino, copyright.)

 

 

Can I just say that I love my custom made riding tights and matching helmet cover (I added my own silver star brads to it after it arrived) from the “The Tights Lady”. She made me my own pair of ‘chappies’ with fringe. They are so comfie with their padded crotch and padded knees, along with the extra long ultra-suede knee patches. It’s so difficult for me to find any kind of riding pants that are long enough, especially in riding tights and breeches. But these riding tights were made for me and are actually too long…….but I love that so much! I never have pants that are too long. lol!

Check her out sometime if you are wanting some of the best made, and most affordable riding tights:

Just for Horsin' Round        

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Water Obstacle

 

 

 

Check out my big goofy grin! lol! I was so stinkin’ happy, not only to have completed our first Competitive Trail ride, registered in the Pleasure Division, and not only because we crossed the water obstacle with no problems at all, but because I was finally realizing the dream I’ve had all along, which is to trail ride while also having goals to challenge my horse and I on interesting trail obstacles. Wooohooo!

  

Here were were waiting for our turn to play in the pond, after everyone in our group had completed the obstacle. 

I had so much fun and can’t wait to participate in another competitive trail ride again. I’m also so excited to ride my sweet mare during this weekend’s horse camping trip. I just love my Apache girl!

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I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend with family, friends, and especially with your equine friends. Be safe and have fun!