Lovin' Winter

Well, Diesel is doing remarkable. We are finding his joy!! He loves to be free (at liberty, Parelli calls it). He loves to run around, ring his neck and chase after the big boys. He has a personality that is abundantly wonderful! He packs a lot of spunk for a 36" high equine.
He never fails to amuse us. Lately, he wants to be in the snow and dig around until he finds a little patch of grass. Then he rolls and jumps and kicks up his heels! I do believe that he completely prefers the mud to snow, but he makes the best of it.
He has a bit of a hard time when we have to keep him in during bad weather. But he does really well and tries very hard to please. After being left to roam around 24 acres, I know life in a stall - for even just a few hours, tests his patience. But, the great thing is he loves lock up time. We stall our herd at night to keep everybody safe. And he, like the big boys, loves to come in at night, he takes a big deep breath is ready for hot mash and fresh hay. We check the boys usually once in the early evening and then right before we all head to sleep and many times we will find him dozing in his corner and flat out laying down. All the horses seem to really like life in the barn at night!
So, we will continue to work on Liberty play time and help Diesel just have fun. It is so rewarding to watch him blossom and trust, want to play, and settle in so securely here on our farm!
Winter Blessings to you all!

Finding Diesel's Joy

He loves to be dirty! It is Diesel's favorite hobby. This I know is one of his greatest JOYS!

The days go by so quickly. It is so easy to get caught up in the day to day activities and responsibilities. But, every now and then you have a day that stands out in your mind.

I have been wondering how to find Diesel's "JOY." How to make him so interested in me and what I am doing with him. He is so kind, obedient, does what he is told...... but where was his JOY???? When I would lead him, I would walk right by his side with my hand on his withers. I wanted him to know me as his partner. I always felt like I disrespected him if I would lead him and walk in front of him. Even though he is the smallest of the herd, he deserves to be respected and treated with dignity. So, I would look in his eyes everyday that I fed him, played with him, groomed him and wonder -- how do I find his JOY? What makes him happy?

I think I finally found it!! On days when I just don't have the time to play the Parelli games with Diesel, but Allison and Lea have Scout and Eddie in the big pasture, we turn Diesel loose to just graze and be with the herd. I usually start out doing a little something with him. Maybe a couple games, maybe I might hope for one complete circle during the circling game, maybe a cavaletti or sideways. Anyway, usually after 15 or 20 minutes I turn him loose to just hang out in the pasture while the other boys are playing, since I usually have something I SHOULD be doing.

Well, last week, after I turned him loose, I walked up to him to doing something - a treat, a pat on the face, can't really remember. But, off he trotted, away from me, ringing his neck. Hmmm..... sort of a catching game?? So, I pursued him again and this time he ran off, ringing his neck, almost skipping ~~ do horses skip???? Not really, but he looked like it! So, we did this for another 15 minutes or so and he just looked like he was having a blast. Running around, getting in the big boy's way, ringing his neck, maybe even a little buck or poke!

I think I found his JOY! A silly little game of "you can't catch me," but a connection that brings us closer together each and every day. I'm glad that day that I put off my things I thought I SHOULD have been doing and took a little time with him. Because, like I said, I think I found a little piece of JOY in this little hinny's life. I don't believe he has had a lot of JOY in his life. So this was very special.

What a blessing this little, fuzzy white guy is in my life! Thank you Diesel, for always making me smile, for giving me a reason to go to the barn every day, for just bringing "JOY" into my life everyday. I hope I continue to grow and give you as much JOY as you give me!