More Adventures at the "Gas Station"

So...the jetta was low on gas, actually very low. So it was about time Id figure out the Dominator...that being the gas station at then end of my street. I'm sure everyone knows how much I hate gas stations....and this one was no exception. So I drove up to the pump..stood at the pump reading the directions. Of course this pump is nothing like the other pumps, this time its just like home, Pay inside after you pump your gas, but do you think I saw that little sign before trying to put gas in my car! Ha anyways i figured it out, i filled my tank then paid inside. And can you believe it, it was 19 dollars to fill my tank on E. Compare that to 40 dollars back home! Wow isn't that awesome! So this tank will last me a while seeing as I barely use my car!

This week went well. I've fallen into a rhythm, except that waking up at 6 in the am is not getting any easier. That is unless I go to bed around 9 and actually get a good night of sleep, which i have been lately. The days are going by fast, and the work is getting easier. My riding is getting way better! It truly is amazing how much it helps to ride 3 to 4 horses a day, 5 days in a row. I'm really starting to find my strong points, and of course my weaknesses...which would be my whole left side. I'm learning more, and Bunns is teaching me so much. My spinning has gotten better the last few rides. Key points to remember... less weight in stirrups, upper body straight, don't twist hips, don't pull outside rein over neck, keep nose going in direction you want to spin, start with rein, then reinforce with leg and cluck, don't let horse fall out or walk forward. Yea that's what I have to think about every time. The good thing though is that I'm a fast learner and I strive to learn something then excel at it.

Just the other day Fred introduced lead changes to me.. and wow is that ever fun, I got Bunns to do changes in both directions on the first try and she hasn't been asked to change leads in months..who's bragging..NOT ME!! It was tons of fun.

Wednesday night was a get together at Fred and Susan's place for the basketball game. Yes basketball is very big down here and they love it. This was the first time I actually watched a whole game from beginning to end. And i must say...it wasn't terribly bad. I also got to drink beer! that was the highlight of the night. Miller Lite was what it was and it tasted so good! Much different from Canadian beer but still good.

Saturday was roping...I watched and helped out, then Brent Wright...another big reining trainer came over and Fred and him rode together. I watched that as well. Then I ventured off to find Nigros Western Store....and I know what you are thinking, but don't say it like that. Its NIgro as in an I. And surprisingly I did not get lost getting there or back. It was simple and I enjoyed the drive.

Tomorrow is an adventure out with Fred and Susan. They are heading into the city for some shopping and a movie and they invited me along. So I'm excited to get to see the city, and yes I will take pictures.

So that's all for now..Ill keep you updated

Nic

Hard Work Never Felt So Good

I know....your thinking shes crazy, how does hard work feel good. Well my first full week is over and I'm feeling somewhat exhausted but also rejuvenated almost. The first few days were difficult, my muscles definitely weren't used to working so hard but as the days went on they actually started to want to work harder and it felt good afterwards. Yeah I know...shes crazy, the Kansas air as got to her.

The days are long, usually 12 hour days. And Saturdays are working days to, then Sundays are off. It truly is amazing how fast the days go, although it seems like the week has gone so slowly. It feels like Ive been here for a lifetime already, and its only been a week.

Ive been riding a lot. Almost starting from the beginning again. I have to get used to how these horses work and I'm slowly getting better. Its amazing how riding three or four horses a day can help your riding improve. Riding two or three times a week like I used to just doesn't cut it!!

The main horses I'm riding right now are Bunns, the paint mare.. shes getting much better, actually listening to me now. Dot, a little chestnut mare, bred out of cutting stock, not for reining but shes very smooth and a fun one to ride. Then theres Jake, a big bay gelding that used to be a ranch/trail horse. Yes Megan this is the one who looks and walks just like Prr. He is so much like Prr its hilarious, he is always right in there wanting to see things, hes a big goof! But he is fun to ride, he has a huge lope stride, more like my thoroughbred. Then there is Cisco, a cute little buckskin gelding. Hes a fast little guy, or at least he was until I learnt how to ride properly haha, the last few rides we have gotten better. He is a really good one to learn on. Plus I'm finally getting my stops, and I actually slid about a foot with him today when we stopped!! That was fun.

I met the Vet the other day, Randy I believe his name was. He was doing an acupuncture treatment of Cobra, the horse with the chip in his knee. That was my first time seeing acupuncture on a horse. It was very educational and interesting. Then he checked out a 2 year old that had swollen hocks. Possibly OCD or just swelling from being started, is what the vet said.

This afternoon I ventured out to find a T mobile. I found it very easily actually and got myself a phone. If anyone wants the number, e mail me and Ill let you know. I'm always happy to hear familiar voices. I also went to Pizza Hut which is just down the road from the house. And guess what Pizza Hut down here has?? A take out or I should say "carry out" window. haha yea a drive through to pick up your pizza. Weird eh?

Oh yea that's another thing apparently I say eh all the time.. and I'm starting to catch myself. Every time I say it they all laugh at me!! It really is funny. Oh and did ya know its not a toque down here...its a stock cap haha and everything is "Just Peachy" oh I love that one!! And no I do not have a southern accent yet.. by I'm counting down the days until I do. Ive already caught myself a couple times saying things with a southern drawl to it. Apparently the accent in Kansas is not nearly as bad as farther south. Its still funny to me.

And the last thing for tonight... did ya ever think you could rent movies from a vending machine??!! yes a vending machine, like the machine that gives out bags of chips and chocolate bars. There was one at the Price Chopper outside in front of the doors. I couldn't believe my eyes!!

That's all for now, sorry for the delay, Ive just been too tired, and its just to difficult for me to get my words out.

More later, Nic

Let There Be Buns!

Today was the first full day at the ranch. Woke up at 6 in the am..don't worry, I went to bed early, then drove to the ranch with Raleigh. Fed the horses, mucked out stalls then started getting horses ready for Fred. Cooled down the horses Fred rode, then tacked up more. Its a continuos cycle! Time passed quickly and it was lunch. We drove back to the house, yes it is that close, ate and drove back!

Now to the Bunns... Bunn is her name.. a little paint mare. She was Freds futurity horse at one time, now just pasture mate starting to become kids horse. She was assigned to me. Shes a dominant mare...typical...with big bunns..ie her butt! She hasn't been ridden in a while and shes my project. I rode her and shes awesome. The name Bunn suits her well.

Then I rode Glen the stud again. And had a lesson on sitting deep in the saddle..who knew dropping your weight and sitting deep was so hard!!! After attempt number 1...2...3...20 or so...I got it and I got it twice. Thats when Fred said to finally stop! I just love riding Glen..so powerful and calm. Nothing fazes him!
The day ended at about 6pm.

I was so close last night to packing up and coming home, but I didn't...of course you didn't think I would!

more later, off to shower and relax then bed!

p.s. it rained today..actually poured and its plus 17 right now!

Feelings

There are many feeling going through me right now. One part of me loves the idea of being spontaneous and doing something different with my life, but the other part of me just wants to be home and back with my friends and family where its safe. Ive been in this same "bubble" for so long now, it was time for something different. I took the plunge and did it. I came down to Kansas.
Everyone is very nice, EBY Ranch is beautiful and so are the horses. I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to come down here and work with an amazing reining trainer.
Reining...don't know much about it, but all I know is that I love spinning! it is the most amazing feeling when your sitting on the horse, centered and balanced, not leaning back, and it spins around and around.
My first ride was on a 7 year old finished reining stud named Glen. He is an amazing horse and gorgeous too!! He first introduced me to the spin!
I dropped Meg off at a hotel by the airport and then managed to get myself lost already.. i went north instead of south, but after a quick call to Meg I got back to going in the right direction and then made it back to the condo alright!
The condo is very nice, I've settled in, just need to go grocery shopping.
Well the real work starts on monday, I will keep you posted. Feel free to email me anytime I would love to hear from everyone!

P.S. It is plus 20 out here and NO SNOW! :)

The start of the trip!

Well, the adventure has started. Meg and I packed up the Jetta at 6 in the morning and started our trip to Kansas. We started out at a temp of like minus 20 and ended up in Sioux City at plus 12 degrees celcius! It felt so good to be in warmer temperatures! We ended up staying at the Ramada hotel tonight, thursday night in St. Josephs, just because we really wanted to sit in a hot tub seeing as our butts and backs were sore from sitting for so long in the car! Were going to leave tomorrow morning and hit some tack stores before reaching my destination of Louisburg Kansas. Yay tack store shopping!!

That is all for tonight and I will keep you posted.

Nic

p.s. theres no SNOW down here!!!