February 15, 2021
I keep the ponies in the smaller wooded lot most of the time. Especially in the winter. It saves the field from being tromped around when the grass is dead and it’s also much harder to get hay and thawed water out to that field.
Ponies still need a good run in the sun though. So I put them out in the field for a bit.
A quick video of Simon getting his roll on.
Here is a video of them stretching their legs.
Posted by riderofchaos on February 15, 2021
https://blueridgepony.com/2021/02/15/frolicking-2-5-21/
February 12, 2021
Back on January 30, Jenny and I took our horses to Amanda Brunson’s – Red Horse Training – Open House at her new facility in Louisa, Virginia. Its a really nice facility with plenty of stalls, bathroom, office, lots of pasture, and a good sized covered arena. A covered arena in the summer is amazing. I mean, its amazing year round, but in the summer to keep that horrid wicked beating sun off of you, super sweet.
For the open house Amanda had set up all sorts of obstacles in he covered arena that everyone could go through at their own pace. There was even a lovely princess sheep in a tutu and crown. Jenny and I tacked up and headed in to play.
Simon was pretty light footed when we arrived and ready to roll. So we spent a few minutes walking around, and then dove into a few of the obstacles that I knew would not be a problem. We went through the curtains, then we back back into them, and then walked forward and then stood under them.
Simon used to not like the big balls, but over the summer we played with one at Amanda’s game nights and Simon changed his mind and now he likes pushing he ball around.
The remote control car was a really thrill for both Simon and King.
Simon has never been ok with dragging things, and this event was no exception. Jenny helped out and leading King, drug the tire around. We started with Simon following it, then walking next to it, then moving ahead and walking next to Jenny with it following him. Improvement, but additional sessions are necessary.
The one obstacle Simon was completely floored by, was the tiny bubble blowing machine. I think it was the sound and not the bubbles that was getting him. King walked past it nicely several times letting Simon follow him, but it still remained scary. I suppose a tiny bubble blowing machine is going to be a spring time purchase for me.
These giant skeleton horses were super cool. They whinnied, or as Jenny put it, it started as a whinny, but then sounded like they ate a wolf.
This event was a lot of fun. And it sounds like Amanda has a great plan for the new facility. If you are in the area she is worth checking out.
Photos by Chloe Franges
Posted by riderofchaos on February 12, 2021
https://blueridgepony.com/2021/02/12/red-horse-training-open-house-obstacles/
February 10, 2021
Just a few obligatory ponies in the snow photos.
Posted by riderofchaos on February 10, 2021
https://blueridgepony.com/2021/02/10/snow-ponies-2021/
February 8, 2021
I have a collection of the flexible sided buckets with handles for feeding. I put the ponies food in them everyday and pop them out to them in the field and remove the previous days buckets. I have had the majority of these buckets for probably about two years, give or take, and they have held up pretty well, until recently.
I have noticed when picking up buckets that a few of the handles have been busted. One bucket was even ripped part way down the side. I thought, well they are a few years old.
Then one morning I was leaving later in the morning than usual and the sun was out so I could actually see the ponies, and I saw how the buckets were being damaged. Neville had the bucket in his mouth and was hitting Simon with it. Simon grabbed the other side of the bucket and they tugged on it. Then Simon had the bucket and was hitting Neville with it. And then back to tugging the bucket between them. I managed to catch a little of it on vide, which is from a distance and a bit grainy.
Posted by riderofchaos on February 8, 2021
https://blueridgepony.com/2021/02/08/broken-buckets/
February 5, 2021
I am a hobby crafter, always have been. I even ran my own craft/sewing business for about 20 years. And then I burned out. I closed by business, liquidated my stock, and mostly stopped crafting. Its been a few years and I have dabbled a little. I stitched up some horse blankets, repaired holes in clothes, made a few helmet covers, crocheted, and I have been working on these two t-shirt quilts for several years running now. But all in all I have been very un-crafty.
Some craft videos and finished projects have sparked me here and there, not never really came to much. But one craft technique kept catching my eye and this past fall I decided it was time to get messy.
I decided to try paint dipping.
I love color, and I love combining colors. I loved working with dyes, and getting matchy matchy, and clashy clashy with all crafts I have done. I also love paint, although I have very little experience with it. Colors and paint are what caught my eye. So I watched a bunch of videos and read a bunch of instructions and how-tos and decided to give it a go.
To start I selected my canvas, metal water bottles. Next I selected my colors, dark and light blue, purple, pink, and silver, plus primer. I was careful to select the type of paint sold locally that several of the more reputable videos and instructions recommended. I also picked up a resin solution to seal it all in when it was done and a few disposable sponge brushes. I used painters tape and covered the areas I did not want painted, to include the bottom and the lid/opening.
Next I set up my work station. I popped a craft table up in the yard and covered it in trash bags. I grabbed a bucket and lined it with a trash bag. and I brought my bottles and paint outside. I then used my work station to finish prepping the bottles by snapping on gloves and applying primer to them, and allowing them to dry.
Later I filled the bucket with warm water and snapped on a fresh pair of gloves. I intermittently sprayed the selected colors into the water, moving quickly since it was chilly outside and I didn’t want to allow things to cool and set before I finished the application. Then I dipped the bottles and set them aside to dry.
I was immediately happy with how things were looking. As soon as it was dry enough I removed the painters tape, and then allowed them to sit and the paint to fully set. Two days later I applied the resin. Waited two more days and then applied a second layer of resin.
Done.
I did learn a few things and already know how I would alter my process a little to have a better completed project. I am excited to try it again, making the modifications. But all in all, its not bad for my first try.
Posted by riderofchaos on February 5, 2021
https://blueridgepony.com/2021/02/05/paint-dipping/
Blue Ridge Pony 