Saturday, January 15, 2011

Jingle all the way

Every year after Christmas when we have snow my Aunt Gaye comes out for a sleigh ride. (photo's by my aunt)


Last year Indigo was a butthead. She threw a good buck in the sleigh and was in general just really wound up and raring to go. This year since we have been doing a lot of pulling and even more walking she gets over her need to act a fool, spooking, snorting, head tossing when in disagreement with what I asked.We did a lot of walking and trotting too. Walking kept her head level though I am sure she would have loved a good gallop down the field.

My cousin Ken and I.

Sadly in this photo that tree got half of it wiped out by a windstorm, it was almost completely symmetrical.

I took her out early before my Aunt brought everyone out in her van. I walked and walked Indigo. She had one minor hop when the neighbors came around their row of trees with two snowmobiles (going slowly thank goodness) but other than that she was a complete doll. She knew she was going to be walking more than trotting and pulling and she did just that, being VERY lazy.
My cousin Ken's wife Alaina and I.

Did you know?: In Ontario (and most states in the USA too) from when drivers did not have windows to roll up, every person traveling on a road or near a road with a horse or any other animal drawn sled or sleigh must have two bells per animal, attached to the harness, sled or sleigh in a manner that gives ample warning sound. There is a $30 fine for no bells! Of course I am sure this is a grandfather law and no police officer in my area would know to fine us.

I use sleigh bells because they sound lovely. It's almost as much of going for a sleigh ride as the sleigh is.


Here is a video my aunt took. She was in her van. I love the trot Indigo automatically breaks into now. It's not too fast, there's no time where I have to hold her back she just knows from the work we did in the summer she better pick up a slower more level trot because we might be trotting for a wile. It's almost like a jog, it seems so effortless riding or driving her when she trots like that.



So even though it may be cold and snowy I am still finding time to work Indigo on a regular basis at least a few times a week. Sleigh rides when I can, pulling a log out of the bush, bareback rides you name it shes not sitting around by any means. Boy is she gonna be happy when I leave for school, 12 weeks of rest she sure deserved it.

16 comments:

Achieve1dream said...

Aww she looks so lovely! That slow little jog is very nice. I can't believe how slow she can move and still be pulling haha. I'm glad she was such a good girl for you. I'm sure she got an extra apple last night, right? :)

Unknown said...

She got some sunny crunch granola bars and pices of pizza crusts. I keep forgetting to get apples from the crisper they freeze in the barn and she doesn't really care for them frozen though she does still eat them, only with much face making.

Jeni said...

I love that trot too and it does come from miles and miles of just trotting. I do so much more trotting than canter work just because I think it so important to have a nice easy trot which you can work off of.

She's beautiful, and reminds me of my Sassy, right down to the attitude =)

Crystal said...

Man she looks so good out there. Everytime you show pics of her pulling your sleigh it makes me wish I had a horse to go with mine, well maybe next year.

GunDiva said...

She looks beautiful. And don't kid yourself - she's going to be bored out of her mind while you're away at school.

Mellimaus said...

What a good girl Indigo is. :) So pretty too.

I'm thinking I should get some sleigh bells and practice with Daisy. Not sure it's going to go down well :P

Dom said...

Great photos. I want a sleigh in the worst way now!

juliette said...

Indigo is the very best girl! What a sweetie pie to give everyone such a nice sleigh ride! Lovely photos and video too for all time!

Shirley said...

I love the photos. Indigo is a good girl! The video wouldn't download for me :0(

Fantastyk Voyager said...

That looks so neat!! Indigo is such a good girl!

Laughing Orca Ranch said...

Everytime I see Indigo pulling that bright red sleigh, I am reminded of a Norman Rockwell painting. So pretty!

Someday I'm going to show up on your doorstep and ask you to take me out for a sleigh ride, too :)

Lisa

thecrazysheeplady said...

Excellent! On all levels. I would love to have a sleigh, but we don't normally get enough snow.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Super..these photos are great..what fun! :)

T said...

Im jealous! it's just so CUTE that you go sledding with bells a-jingling all the way. And Indigo doesn't even look like a big fluffy mudball like mine does, and she's white! AND add on top of that the fact that she's been good for you! You're one lucky gal. By the way, I always love your playlist. I bring up your page sometimes just to listen to it in the background :p

Rising Rainbow said...

It all looks so intriguing, sleigh riding. You've done an awesome job training Indigo for that job.

The Equestrian Vagabond said...

nice shots! what fun!
- The Equestrian Vagabond

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