By this time it was dark and even colder, no change in the weather, still blowing and snowing.  The ponies were on edge and not wanting to be caught.  We (Cody and I) ended up coaxing them into the small penned area in front of the hay shed to get them haltered and blanketed.  Miss was the first to take the bait.  I gave her a big pile of hay to kind of distract her and Cody held the lead rope while I started to get the blanket on her.  My game plan was to fold it up to the size of a saddle blanket, as they are familiar with those, and slowing unfold it and fasten it on.  She was pretty nervous but kept her cool, standing fairly still while I worked it on.  After the blanket was all the way on, I didn’t have any problems getting all the buckles and straps fastened.  We let her sit there for a minute and relax before turning her loose.  After she relaxed and starting eating some hay, I took off her halter and let her loose.  Not the smartest decision.  She took off running like a bat outta hell.  I immediately started kicking myself for not walking her around on the lead so she got used to the feel and sound of the blanket on her.  Not to mention Mr. and Mrs. Paisano being even more nervous and really freaking out now.

It finally took Cody going out and coaxing them with alfalfa cubes to get them to calm down and come back to the hay shed.  I tried, but they were pretty wise about that and didn’t give me the time of day.  Anyway, so in Rosie went and we went through the same routine.  She was a little more fidgety than Miss, but she did fine.  This time, I took Rosie out and led her around which made a huge difference for her.  Missy followed us, checking out Rosie’s blanket and by now she was comfortable with hers.  I think she warmed up and really liked the warmth the blanket was giving her.  I let Rosie loose and they ran around for a minute, but didn’t freak out like Miss did.  The blankets were big on them.  The length was ok, the neck was big, but the belly straps and rear leg straps tightened up enough they weren’t in danger of getting a leg caught up.  Missy’s little running fit proved they would be ok in them.

Paisano was next, and there were no issues there, he is such a good boy and knows when to step up and even take care of me sometimes. :)  The weather was still just as nasty as it was when we started.  Cody went inside to warm up, I stayed outside and spent a few minutes watching them calm down and go back to eating.  After I started to relax a little more, I could feel how cold my legs were, feeling confident that everyone was taken care of, I went inside to warm up.  The overall experience was a cold, but good one. 

Seeing how well the girls handled everything, in the conditions they were in, made me really proud that I have such great horses.  Knowing that I have support from them when I need it is indescribably reassuring and very happy that I’ve done enough with them that they could handle the situation. 

This morning blankets and ponies were all intact, warm, almost completely dry and much happier

I recently made a slew of rope halters for my dear friends up in Oregon.  They were received so well that I’ve decided to take the chance and start making them to sell.  I’ve been needing to get my creative energy out and I’ve found the perfect avenue.  I’m diving into the wonderful world of leather and rope horse tack.  I’m starting out with custom rope halter, leads and reins with the intentions of moving into all leather tack as my skill grows.

I am very excited about my new-found breath of fresh creative air.  The blog is going to get a new look and name.  Earth Dancer is going to have to retire and Doll House Ranch is taking over!  I am also creating the website for Doll House Tack so be on the look out!  I still love my Earth Dancer name, but I’m thinking it would be a perfect name for my next horse……

Thank you to Social Distortion for great music and memories

Cody in Yachats

The honeymoon used up most of my vacation time, but I set aside two days to travel back to Oregon for a public demonstration put on by Leslie Desmond.  She is an extraordinary trainer and I use her training philosophies with my horses.  She emphasizes using a feel and release approach instead of pressure and release.  It’s hard to describe in words the difference between the two.  One really has to see her in action to fully understand it in my opinion.  She co-authored the book True Horsemanship Through Feel with horseman Bill Dorrance, which I am using to guide me through training the girls.  I highly recommend it to anyone who loves horses, even if they aren’t training them.

In between vacations and moving forward into the winter, I’ve been able to get a couple much needed little projects done.  My dad and I spent one weekend putting in a new porch and over hang on the hay shed after the pony’s last break-in.  We actually had a lot of fun re-building it. :)  We also made me a stand for filling my hay nets which makes feeding time much faster and less messy for me.  This weekend’s project is going to be putting chicken wire mesh all around the panels and siding of the hay shed so the ponies can’t stick their necks in-between the panel bars or pull off the wood siding when they get bored.   I’ve been trying to make a habit of completing little projects like this every weekend.  Even though they are small projects, it all adds up and a person could really get a lot done this way. :)  Plus it makes good daddy-daughter time, which, I’m very thankful for :) 

Hay shed porch before

Another before

Spiff laying out the deck foundation

Hay shed after

The finished product

This morning when I went out to feed, I found a little surprise.  My dear husband forgot to close the panel to the had shed all the way last night when he fed the ponies for me and I found Paisano on the porch (standing on what was left of the porch) and the girls right next to him hanging out.  I wish I could have got my phone out in time to take a picture, but the instant they noticed I was there, they bugged out pretty quick.  I don’t tolerate them getting in and bothering me while I feed so they knew to get out, lol.  I’m actually thankful they destroyed the porch   It’s been in need for repair all summer so now I really have to fix it.  They actually did me a favor   On top of fixing the porch I am going to be doing some more “horse proofing” and building a stand for filling my hay nets.  I can’t wait for the weekend!

Rosie is learning the importance of keeping a slack line between her and I, or a float in the rope which would be the lead rope.  Hopefully, this concept is carried through to the reins when we start riding.  Our little jobs we do together of an evening are coming along very smoothly.  She has learned to anticipate what my moves are and what/where I expect her to be doing so we aren’t bumping and clashing with each other.  Even my trimmer has noticed a difference in her   

One thing I love about my horses is the difference in personalities.  In the time I’ve spent with Rosie, I have maybe really worked with Lil’ Miss a hand full of times and even though she doesn’t know all my little cues and nuances, she is more level headed and calm about things by nature.  She officially got saddled last weekend for the first time,  I say officially because I actually cinched it up and took her for a walk in it.  The saddle is a little western Simco I bought from a friend, Simrat, who happens to be the same person Paisano came from.  I also bought another saddle from her, a Wintec AP 2000 that works for Paisano and actually fits Rosie quite well too   Here is Miss lookin’ good in her saddle  

Miss in her Simco

The yard and house are coming along.  The yard has especially had a marked improvement.  We were able to get all the sprinklers working and the grass is slowly turning green again.  We have also got rid of sooo much junk and miscellaneous stuff that it actually is looking like a yard instead of a junk yard, ha ha ha. 

Cody’s parent came to visit us last weekend.  We went to 2 movies and had a really nice relaxing fun weekend.  They are going on a fishing trip to Alaska and I can’t wait to get some fresh fish back (hopefully they are successful )  

Cody and I are getting ready for our honeymoon coming up soon, yay!  We are headed to the TDR and then on to the coast of Oregon.  We are taking camping gear and plan on kind of winging it.  I’m soooo excited, we are both ready for a nice relaxing vacation

Super Ultra Mega Gratitude

My first sit on my awesome girl Rosie.  The moment was right and Cody just happen to be there with his camera, how perfect!  I got on and off (with the help of a saw horse) a few times and it was no big deal.  We did however have a little moment when she started to walk off and panicked so I jumped off, lead her around and then got back on just to make sure she wouldn’t freak out when I tried to get on her again.

I can’t put into words how amazing and awesome this feeling is!  Life is soooooooooo goooood!

The Mr and Mrs

Cody and I officially tied the knot!  The day was absolutely perfect!  We were surrounded by family and friends which made it even more special.  We had people come in from all over the country and out of the country as well.  Cody’s aunt and uncle, Keith and Kathy, won the award for the most time in an airplane and the furthest distance travelled.  Kathy flew in from Germany and Keith was re-routed all over the country from Tennessee.  Together they logged about 63 hours in the air!  I feel so blessed to have people that love and support us like that. 

So I guess I’ll start from the beginning of the day   There is way too much to try and cram in every detail so I’ll give you the abridged version

8:00 am – Wake up and eat breakfast.  Me and all the bridesmaids stayed the night at the Little America Hotel so we would all be together and ready to go first thing.

8:30 am – Make Mimosa’s, yum!

9:00 am – Amy Lowe arrived to do all of our hair and makeup.  She was able to get us all dolled up with time to spare, now that takes some serious talent!

10:00 am – Pick up freshly steamed dress from Alta Moda.

12:00 pm – Amy Lashelle photographer extraordinaire arrived at the hotel room.  She was hoping to catch some “getting ready” pictures but we were ahead of schedule so she just took some random shots of my boots and the wedding rings.

12:30 pm – Head to First Look location.  Our First Look was initially planned to be in the canyon.  The weather had been very hit and miss so Amy put together a “plan B” just in case it decided to rain.

1:00 pm – Me and my bridesmaids were able to get some rockin’ pics in the woods just before it started to downpour rain and hail.

1:45 pm – Cody arrived at the First Look spot in the midst of the rain and sleet.  We all headed back down the canyon to SLC to the plan B spot.  The valley was nice and the sun was shining so we totally lucked out!

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm – We had our First Look which turned out so perfect and then we all took a bunch of photos with the groomsmen and bridesmaids.  Around 3:30 we were all pictured out and decided to go to a local coffee bar named Divas.  Not only do they have the best barista in town, they have the most amazing gourmet cupcakes and beer AND wine to boot!  We all had so much fun sitting around in our wedding attire drinking, eating and relaxing.

4:30 pm – Time to head back up the canyon to Log Haven.  To my delight, the weather broke just in time so we didn’t have to deal with the rain J

Between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm – There was so much going on, me and my ladies just hung out in the bridal suite touching up our makeup and taking a moment to kind of collect ourselves again.  Right before we were told we had 5 min before the ceremony, I had a “moment” but it was quickly taken care of with a shot of whiskey and a hug from my dear friends, thanks ladies

6:00 pm – The Ceremony….. I remember beautiful music, flowers, a rush of cold air as me and my dad stepped outside and thinking to myself “Don’t cry now woman!  You’ve had all day to get your tears out!  Pull yourself together!”  Our officiant, Pastor Mike Galica, performed the most beautiful ceremony.  The words are all a blur except the vows, my favorite bible verse and a special passage that is said to be of Apache origin, it goes “Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other; now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other; now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other.  Now you are two persons, but there is one life before you.  Go now to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness, and may your days be good and long upon the earth.”

The best part of the ceremony however was when Cody surprised me with a one of a kind wedding band.  Initially he told me I wasn’t going to get a band and I would just have to use my engagement ring.  I was a little disappointed because I really wanted one.  I had no idea he had this all planned out, and it was the most wonderful surprise I could ever received.

After the Ceremony pm – I had to no sense of time at this point.  We had an excellent buffet dinner provided by Log Haven, which me and Cody started off.  I had plenty to eat, I was not going to be one of those brides who claims they didn’t have time to eat   The decor and flowers were provided by Trifecta Design, they were soooo georgeous!  Our cake was done by Mrs. Backers pastries, the one thing my mother insisted on was and “edible” cake   We had our first dance, Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley, champagne toast, cake cutting, boquet and garter toss.  And yes, we danced our booties off!

We finally packed up around 10:30 pm and my sister drove me and Cody back to the Little America for the night, and the rest as they say is history…….

There is much in between that I will remember and didn’t mention.  I want to thank everybody who supported us that day.  Words can’t express how happy and perfect it all turned out.  For those of you who weren’t there, you were missed.

My photographer put together an awesome blog post about the day and pictures to go with.  Check it out at Amanda & Cody

As fun as it was, I’m glad it’s over and I can focus on our new life togther and return to my horses.  They have been feeling left out and have no problems letting me know it   I’ve been listening to Leslie Desmond’s Horse Handling and Riding Through Feel audio CD and I’m really getting a lot out of it.  I have even started keeping a journal of all the things that have really jumped out at me while listening.  One topic in particular is about the pressure and release idea.  Leslie makes a point that how you release the pressure is just as important as how you applied it.  This point has really struck a cord in me and I’ve been mulling it over in my head for the last 2 days.  Last night I was cleaning hooves and before I started I thought about how I wanted them to pick up their feet and when I was finished, how to set their foot down so they felt better and more at ease with the whole ordeal.  Even though there weren’t any mind blowing dramatic changes in the behavior, I felt as thought the air and general feel of our atmosphere was more connected and at ease.

I can’t wait to apply more feel based approaches to our day to day activities and see how we progress.  This approach may be a slower than others but as I heard Leslie say in her book, “The fastest way to train a horse is going slow”.

P.S.   Happy birthday to Rosie (April 23), Paisano (May 20) and Lil’ Miss (June 1).  I love you crazy kids!