susanne
dB
Today was a glorious day, filled with beautiful horses playing in the sun!
We have a show coming this next Friday, and since Daryl will be chauffeuring Sir Mingus in his trailer, we thought it might be wise to make a trial run. We seem to enjoy making an "occasion" out of this sort of thing, we scheduled a playdate so that Mingus could meet Daryl's horses and get a chance to run free in one of his fields.
The day began smoothly, as Daryl maneuvered van and trailer, turning around easily in our rather tight driveway without crunching any of my plants (the garden is still, for the most part, in containers...many, many of them). Mingus loaded with only the slightest encouragement, which always bodes well. Keith rode in the back seat, keeping a watchful eye on Mingus, who seemed to enjoy the 12 minute ride, gazing out the windows and whinnying at horses and cows. His buddies, Flash and Thelonius, were none too thrilled to see him leave, but quickly decided that having the hay all to themselves more than made up for his absence.
When we got to Daryl's, we first demonstrated Mingus' new lunging skills...I need only to move the lunge line to my left hand and he knows the drill, circling me with a most determined trot. He's still a bit overweight, despite all the lunging, but at least he's showing some muscle...
We worked any road kinks out of his legs without getting overheated (more of a concern for me than Mingus, ahem...) then posed for a few pics, showing how well he now sets up and stands. Showoff that he is, he now poses as soon as he is whoa-ed, or whenever he thinks someone might be watching -- especially if they might have treats.
All of these activities took place in Daryl's front yard...separated from his back fenced yard and the two pastures, one for the girls (Lolly, SuzieQ and baby Sassy), one for the boys (Morgan and donkey Wyatt). Mingus was to have free run of the back yard, but was first introduced his hosts. The three girls were quite impressed, obviously unaware that while they may have roller skates, Mingus has no key (for those of you old enough to remember that song...) Mingus at first was more interested in the huge expanse of grass than the girls (he's such a gelding!), then played along, introducing himself gallantly with arched neck and plumed tail.
IPicture a cartoon thought bubble here with the words, "Where were you ladies when I was a stallion?"
Morgan and Wyatt were off attending to other matters (food, no doubt), so we turned Mingus loose to run the fence line with the girls. He then turned away from them to cut loose with the most breathtaking trot I have ever seen. I've always loved his gorgeous extended trot, faster than most minis can gallop, but he has never been a high stepper -- until today, that is. Mingus floated across the field, knees level with his chest, head held high, tail flagged high over his back...ever so effortlessly. Keith, Daryl and I all stood speechless, mouths agape. It took me a few moments to remember that I don't do well in the sunbefore I ducked into the shade.
(This part of Mingus' day was captured on analog video recorder, so we need to get this transferred to digital before I can share, but I promise this as soon as possible! It was a sight to behold!)
By now, Morgan and Wyatt had come to investigate the commotion. To pay it safe, Keith called Mingus, who came obediently to him, and led him over to meet the boys. Mingus and Morgan met with the diplomacy of world statesmen (actually, better than most of our current world leaders!), prancing and preening, yet behaving themselves. Wyatt, the perennial sidekick, offered his greetings and hung back to give the two macho (well, pseudo-macho in Mingus' case) men room to discuss world affairs.
We then gathered Mingus and retired to the shade, cooling him down and offering limited sips of water.
Judging from the friendly welcome Mingus received from the girls, and his over-the-fence friendship with young Suzie Q, Daryl took Lolly and her baby into the barn and we introduced Mingus and Suzie Q in the same field. The two quickly bonded (every filly or mare needs her gelding buddy) and they trotted laps around the barn, then around the mare's pasture, each showing off their beautiful moves. Suzie showed Mingus how to enjoy the shade of her favorite apple tree, and the two relaxed, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.
After we humans went inside to watch the videotape and digital clips on the tv, it was time to load up and head for home. Mingus was not at all ready to leave his new-found friends and did not want to load, but after a couple of balks, he climbed on in for the return trip home.
As we turned to head up our hill, we saw a familiar pickup truck at the side of the road -- Marie (Shortpig of this forum) had the exquisite timing to come by for a visit just as we returned home. Once Mingus was unloaded (to a chorus of whinnies from his buddies), we all sat on the lawn and visited.
I'll be posting tomorrow regarding Marie's part of the visit, but for now, I'm exhausted, so will end this here...all in all a magnificent day!
Once again, thanks go to Daryl for hosting Mingus' playdate and for taking such great photos/
We have a show coming this next Friday, and since Daryl will be chauffeuring Sir Mingus in his trailer, we thought it might be wise to make a trial run. We seem to enjoy making an "occasion" out of this sort of thing, we scheduled a playdate so that Mingus could meet Daryl's horses and get a chance to run free in one of his fields.
The day began smoothly, as Daryl maneuvered van and trailer, turning around easily in our rather tight driveway without crunching any of my plants (the garden is still, for the most part, in containers...many, many of them). Mingus loaded with only the slightest encouragement, which always bodes well. Keith rode in the back seat, keeping a watchful eye on Mingus, who seemed to enjoy the 12 minute ride, gazing out the windows and whinnying at horses and cows. His buddies, Flash and Thelonius, were none too thrilled to see him leave, but quickly decided that having the hay all to themselves more than made up for his absence.
When we got to Daryl's, we first demonstrated Mingus' new lunging skills...I need only to move the lunge line to my left hand and he knows the drill, circling me with a most determined trot. He's still a bit overweight, despite all the lunging, but at least he's showing some muscle...
We worked any road kinks out of his legs without getting overheated (more of a concern for me than Mingus, ahem...) then posed for a few pics, showing how well he now sets up and stands. Showoff that he is, he now poses as soon as he is whoa-ed, or whenever he thinks someone might be watching -- especially if they might have treats.
All of these activities took place in Daryl's front yard...separated from his back fenced yard and the two pastures, one for the girls (Lolly, SuzieQ and baby Sassy), one for the boys (Morgan and donkey Wyatt). Mingus was to have free run of the back yard, but was first introduced his hosts. The three girls were quite impressed, obviously unaware that while they may have roller skates, Mingus has no key (for those of you old enough to remember that song...) Mingus at first was more interested in the huge expanse of grass than the girls (he's such a gelding!), then played along, introducing himself gallantly with arched neck and plumed tail.
IPicture a cartoon thought bubble here with the words, "Where were you ladies when I was a stallion?"
Morgan and Wyatt were off attending to other matters (food, no doubt), so we turned Mingus loose to run the fence line with the girls. He then turned away from them to cut loose with the most breathtaking trot I have ever seen. I've always loved his gorgeous extended trot, faster than most minis can gallop, but he has never been a high stepper -- until today, that is. Mingus floated across the field, knees level with his chest, head held high, tail flagged high over his back...ever so effortlessly. Keith, Daryl and I all stood speechless, mouths agape. It took me a few moments to remember that I don't do well in the sunbefore I ducked into the shade.
(This part of Mingus' day was captured on analog video recorder, so we need to get this transferred to digital before I can share, but I promise this as soon as possible! It was a sight to behold!)
By now, Morgan and Wyatt had come to investigate the commotion. To pay it safe, Keith called Mingus, who came obediently to him, and led him over to meet the boys. Mingus and Morgan met with the diplomacy of world statesmen (actually, better than most of our current world leaders!), prancing and preening, yet behaving themselves. Wyatt, the perennial sidekick, offered his greetings and hung back to give the two macho (well, pseudo-macho in Mingus' case) men room to discuss world affairs.
We then gathered Mingus and retired to the shade, cooling him down and offering limited sips of water.
Judging from the friendly welcome Mingus received from the girls, and his over-the-fence friendship with young Suzie Q, Daryl took Lolly and her baby into the barn and we introduced Mingus and Suzie Q in the same field. The two quickly bonded (every filly or mare needs her gelding buddy) and they trotted laps around the barn, then around the mare's pasture, each showing off their beautiful moves. Suzie showed Mingus how to enjoy the shade of her favorite apple tree, and the two relaxed, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.
After we humans went inside to watch the videotape and digital clips on the tv, it was time to load up and head for home. Mingus was not at all ready to leave his new-found friends and did not want to load, but after a couple of balks, he climbed on in for the return trip home.
As we turned to head up our hill, we saw a familiar pickup truck at the side of the road -- Marie (Shortpig of this forum) had the exquisite timing to come by for a visit just as we returned home. Once Mingus was unloaded (to a chorus of whinnies from his buddies), we all sat on the lawn and visited.
I'll be posting tomorrow regarding Marie's part of the visit, but for now, I'm exhausted, so will end this here...all in all a magnificent day!
Once again, thanks go to Daryl for hosting Mingus' playdate and for taking such great photos/
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