Lest we forget.

Back when I did Patreon rewards. #dogs #art

HG Sunday: Dottie the new Icelandic was introduced to Oliver the donkey & he fell in love. Kicking, galloping, braying around the arena to get her attention while she was led away to the round pen. Who knew he had it in him? I got to lead the minis Patrick & Cowboy on walks after my chores. #horses

HG Friday: Slipped in a lesson with Buck before work- It's nicer on a weekday when there is no arena traffic. Still tricky keeping him on the rail while at a lope, but any day on a horse is a day not wasted. Remember when I could hardly lift a western saddle? Or tie a quick release knot? #horses

This week in ballpoint pen. #horses #art

Years ago, I tried riding and it made my knees hurt. Why? Because while sitting astride a horse, I was trying to point "toes to the nose" as was taught back in the day. Who the hell can wrench their legs like that? Now the command is to turn your toes OUT so your calves are pressed on the horse.

HG Wednesday: You can write this one by now- "Cleaned all the stalls, yada yada." Dottie (new Icelandic) got shaved down so she won't die of the heat. Was thinking what Sherry said yesterday about old riding techniques: long stirrups, low hands, toes pointed forward, & it triggered a memory. #horses

Don't be so hard on yourself.

"Perfect hands" or "soft hands" refers to how you hold and control the reins. No pulling, just gentle lift or nudge. We emphasize seat and leg pressure in Sherry's lessons, so I am WAY better at that now than last year. I also understand about shank bits and how they pull on the horse's mouth.

HG Tuesday: Magical Heaven- what my brain thinks when at the stables. I rode Ace the Mustang, moving up the horses difficulty list, but it was no fail. Sherry warned me how sensitive he is, how he would test me, & I needed to have perfect hands- I did great. So much happiness in one place. #horses.

I did a huge number of dog portraits years ago, using a Cintiq and no real art materials. #dogs #art

Horsegirl Sunday: whoosh! I got soaked to the bone while cleaning stalls this morning. Melissa finally called it when the rain came down in sheets and the hillside was all rushing rivers. No sense pushing a wheelbarrow up a slip n slide. #horses

It was quite the surprise that the owner unloaded her wonderful horses, so that only Bubbles and Georgia are still here (with new owners) while Mac & Dakota and the rest are gone to Chino Hills. If only I had known.

Horsegirl Saturday: Achingly beautiful morning @ the ranch, first riding Stella then taking Baby & Ginger for walks. Everything went well as I am no longer a spaz, & I got to chat with other horse people & I learned what happened to the lesson horses I used to ride. Someone bought Georgia! #horses

All lovely.

This is me at the drive thru car wash.

What happened to trigger this??

How old is this? 2016? Back when I was working on drawing dogs perfectly. #dogs #art

I have no idea if this is a repost. Just thought you guys might like some variety. #art #wolves

Horsegirl Thursday: more farm work on a pretty spring morning. It takes me 2 hours to clean 14 stalls, way faster and stronger than last year when I could only do 5 before I wore out. Closer everyday to achieving my Horsegirl dreams of being tough & knowledgeable like a leathery ranch hand. #horses

My favorite flower.

I had one of these, his name was Smiley. Cutest fish I ever owned.

Horsegirl Wednesday: An exquisite morning on the farm doing barn chores and chatting with the women there. Got to lead Cowboy the mini on a little jaunt while Amber led Patrick the even smaller mini. I wish spring could last forever like this, just a moment in time when everything is right. #horses

I see these a lot. #horses #art

I want to emphasize that we did not lope fast enough to blow my hair back, but there were other people & horses in the way as well as the obstacle course...but I did it! Perfectly! I have never cantered a horse in such a cluttered space successfully before.

Horsegirl Tuesday: Victory! I got Stick to lope in that crowded obstacle course & Sherry said I looked good. We did the usual backing out of tight spaces around corners, opening the gate, walking thru trash hazards, all the normal fussy stuff, but I am really focused on leg position & spur. #horses

Wonderful scene

Horsegirl Sunday: I cleaned 11 stalls and then hurried home to shower and put on a dress for the first time in a year. Happy Easter! Sierra and Maggie are still not feeling well, so they are on Colic Watch. Since I have extra time this week I will put in more time at this therapy stables. #horses

Also I need to do more of this. My Tuesday equitation lessons never blow my hair back or build my muscles enough.

Horsegirl Saturday: Back on Buck, who was in a VERY happy mood due to wind blowing from the desert all morning. Horses get excited in wind, so he took off running at one point & I kept my seat. It was fun, but the instructors prefer I stay safe. That was the fastest I've ever seen him go. #horses