Johannesburg, Kruger, and Durban! Oh My!

I have a few announcements before I dive into talking about going to South Africa:

I got a job this morning :) Yay! It was scheduled for 7:00 AM, but then the interviewer called at 5:30 and asked if I could come in at 6:00...so sure enough, that's exactly what I did.  I was so tired x.x  He said he already knew he was going to hire me when he called to set up an interview, but I'm sure being able to show up an hour early didn't hurt his first impression of me either.  Score? I do think so.  I'll be working Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM.  I think it works really well with my school schedule and will provide me with enough time to focus on my academics, too.  My job position?  Laundry assistant!  Not exactly what I had in mind, but it is a job and the company is outstanding. I guess buying that money tree actually gave me some good financial luck ;)

Freckles killed my beta fish...again.  So now I'm on number three!  I haven't named him yet because I still think that even though I put him on my bookshelf, Freckles will end his life some time within a 30 day period.  If he survives passed that, I'll give him a name.

So, AFRICA!  Logan and I have everything reserved and paid for.  Our agenda is all laid out!

We will arrive in Johannesburg at 5:30 PM and stay at MoAfrika Lodge, then that morning we will be picked up to begin our three day camping safari in Kruger National Park.  During the safari we will go on three game drives (two during the day, one at night) and a bush walk.  I've read reviews that the food they serve is AMAZING.  On the drive back to Joburg we will see the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest (and greenest) canyons on earth.

When we get back from the safari, we will spend another night in MoAfrika Lodge.  The next morning we will go get our rental car and visit The Lion Park!  This park is pretty neat.  You drive through and see all of their lions, and then you get to play with and hold the babies!  We will leave around noon and start our drive to Durban (Six hour drive from JoBurg).  Durban is the largest port in South Africa.

We will stay in the Blue Waters Hotel that night.  It is right along the Indian Ocean.  In the morning we will go to the botanical gardens in Durban where they have plants dating back 2.1 million years.  People say it's like walking into Jurassic Park!  The photography opportunities of plants and birds are going to be exploding out of every crevice! At noon we will leave to do something that I've been wanting to do since I was little girl (besides go to Africa, of course)...riding horses on the beach, and then swimming with them!  It will be a six hour round trip ride.  We will spend 2 1/2 hours riding to the beach through the bush, and then we will have lunch on the shore and swim with the horses.  We will ride back afterwards.  Expect A TON of pictures :)  Poor Logan's butt is going to be killing him!  Hee hee hee ;)

The next day we will spend the majority of the morning shopping in one of South Africa's largest shopping centers (so big it has its own hotel!).  We will have lunch at a Beluga and stuff our faces with fresh caught sushi and ostrich steak before heading back to Johannesburg.  We will get to Joburg around 8:00 PM and will lodge at the Misty Hill Country Hotel.  This place should be called a resort, not a hotel!  We will go to the Lion and Rhino Reserve the following day, take a swim at the hotel and relax, then have dinner at a renown restaurant called Carnivore.  They serve very authentic African food such as zebra, gazelle, giraffe, and more.  They literally stab a piece of meat with a spear, cook it over an open flame in front of you, then slice off pieces on your table.  The day we are scheduled to leave we will go to the Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves which have some of the oldest hominids on the planet.  It is called the Cradle of Mankind because of the numerous important scientific discoveries involving hominid evolution.  I'm pretty excited to see that.  We will head back to the airport around 2:00 PM to drop off the rental car and start the process of heading back to America.  

Going to South Africa will be such an adventure!  I feel safe going with Logan, and I think we will have a fantastic time.  I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for him.  The circumstances may be different as to why we are going, but I'm not worried about it.  It doesn't change the fact we are friends and share this vision.  Expect a lot of pictures and a lot of new stories!

Sooo I was wrong...

On my last blog post I talked about what great progress Buck and I had made.  I said that it would take a lot of work and time to be able to ride brideless in an uncontrollable environment (because that is honestly what I thought).  Tonight, Buck proved me entirely wrong, and then shoved it in my face a little bit!

Today my mom bought me a dressage crop (or training crop, whichever you want to use.  It's a 3 foot long, skinny stick basically).  We thought it may be a good idea to see how Buck would react to a smaller, harder to see object rather than using the carrot stick.  I've been wanting to be "smaller" in my movements when I ask him to do something, and the dressage crop would help make the transition.  I first started out putting Buck through his paces on the ground.  Side passing, rotating on the front and back, and backing up and coming back to me were a piece of cake.  The dressage crop seemed to make no difference, although I could tell he recognized something was different.  I decided to try riding him brideless again in our dry lot area to see if he had processed the idea of it a little more.  He sure did!  I stepped out on the ledge and chose to use the dressage crop instead of two carrot sticks to see how he would respond...even better than with the carrot sticks!  LESS really is MORE!  We were trotting around and weaving in and our of our fruit trees within minutes.  I asked my mom if she would walk around the block with us (for safety seeming how it would be his first time in a situation like that).  She said yes so off we went!  I had my Savvy string around his neck and the crop in one hand.  My mom walked behind us the entire time.

It was amazing.  Cars passing by? No problem!  Sprinklers going off on both sides of the road at one time?  Easy!  Little kids running up to him?  Loved it!  Lighting and three other horses calling for him?  They weren't even there!  Buck had his head dropped and was actually stretching out his neck for the whole ride.  His bottom lip was floppy and his ears were forward.  Talk about a happy horse!

Buck had obviously processed from our first time riding brideless on Friday.  His anxiety has plummeted and he is responding to me better than when I have ridden him in anything else.  The things Buck and I will accomplish in this next year are beyond me.  I have told people that he continues to surprise me every time I work with him.  

I'm actually kind of sad to be leaving for ten days in August.  Going to Africa will be AMAZING, but I'm going to miss Buck and working with him nightly...hopefully he won't be too upset at me...or maybe it will just make him miss me ;)

My Mind Has Been Blown.

I woke up this morning in one of the worst moods I've ever been in due to a horrible night's rest and several days of building stress.  Despite how I was feeling, however, I decided I needed to go see Jenny and Larry and attend at least part of the horse clinic that was being held today.  When we got there my mood improved slowly, and by the time 10:00 came around I had left all my troubles behind and was focusing on what was in store for today--FUN!

Buck and I began the day with a light grooming and then traveled over to Craig's indoor arena that was filled with all sorts of obstacles.  We did everything at liberty, which means I have no direct contact with Buck and I have to use my body language and my carrot stick to direct him through objects.  He was such a good boy.  We squeezed through some things, did several figure eights through barrels, side passed over a big blue ball and a white barrel that had tipped over, and walked over some "scary" objects.  It was a good start to a soon to be great day.


When Jenny began instruction she asked if we wanted to ride.  My confidence in Buck (and myself) has improved immensely since being back from New Mexico, so I was actually quite excited about it.  I got him to side pass over to a fence that I was sitting on so I could mount him easily, and then we did partner riding.  Partner riding is when you ride your horse, but you do not direct them where to go (no touching the rein!).  However, you do control the pace of the horse. That was a great warm up to remind me how my muscles, body position, and speech effect how Buck operates while I'm riding him.  We worked in the round pen for a while doing that, and then we moved on to something different--riding with a carrot stick.  

A carrot stick is a fiber glass stick that is about four or so feet long.  When we ride with just a carrot stick, we direct the horse by putting pressure on the horse's face, which makes it turn.  If we want them to stop, we put the carrot stick on their chest.  If we want them to keep doing whatever it is they are doing, we move to a neutral position which is either resting the carrot stick on our shoulder or putting it down to our side.  Of course, I think that makes it seem a lot simpler than it actually is, but you get the idea.  Buck quickly picked up what I was trying to get him to do and I felt much better about my own performance compared to the brief time in New Mexico that I did it.  We eventually ended up cantering for a bit in the round pen.  At one point he did a small skip/jump type thing because he was so happy.  Talk about amazing!

When we got back from taking a lunch break, a lot of exciting things happened (Well, more exciting things).  I wanted to try cantering Buck with just two carrot sticks outside of the round pen.  I was so excited to see what would happen, and I had a lot of confidence in Buck that he would be great.  And that he was!  We cantered outside the round pen with ease.  He stayed close to the rail for the most part and listened to my directions.  
He tested me at some points, but I didn't let him get away from me and we ended on some great strides.  I really wanted to have someone take a video of it, but maybe next time :)  By the end of it, I was really, really tired.  It took a lot of energy!  Buck could have kept going though, and I think he wanted to in fact.

Before I dismounted we went back into the indoor arena and went through the obstacles one more time (carrot stick riding all the while!.) Not a problem!  I was able to roll the big blue ball underneath his belly with my carrot sticks and put his front and back feet in a hoolahoop (Second time ever Buck has let me put his back feet in something, big deal for a horse!).  I got off and did something I found pretty funny.  I took the blue yoga ball and started bouncing it off of Buck's sides.  Neck, barrel, butt, bouncing it over the top of him, he didn't care!  I eventually ended up picking up his front leg hoof, placing it on the ball, stretching it out, and rubbing it gently.  And what a stretch it was!  He really enjoyed relaxing his leg on the ball.  His eyes closed and everything.  Who would have thunk?!

I feel like I should add in here that I do not ride with a saddle.  I don't think it is necessary!  The feeling of being able to control a 1,200 pound horse at a canter with just two sticks is invigorating.  The fact that Buck chooses to listen to me under these circumstances is amazing.  He could easily throw me or take off running with me, but he chooses not to because he wants to be with me and he wants to do well.  Thank you, Buck!  Of course, at this point in time everything is in a controlled environment.  It will take a lot more work to be able to ride safely in areas that create anxiety for Buck.  But for now, I think we have made a huge step in the right direction.

It is really quite astonishing to see how far Buck (and I) have come since our first clinic.  Buck was a hard, dull horse.  I had only ridden English and Western, and I knew the kind of horse Buck was.  To say the least, I was not looking forward to working with him to any extent.  It felt more like a chore I was doing for my mom.  Buck would not back up without having to push and pull on him.  He would invade your space like you weren't even there.  And he was a nightmare to ride.  
Now, with the natural horsemanship skills I have acquired thanks to several wonderful people (Jenny, Larry, Steve, Craig, John, and my mom), I can get Buck to back up 30 feet with just a flick of a string, I can get him to disengage his hind end with a point of my finger and a look, and I can ride him brideless.  It is amazing how little a horse needs to get it to look at you with excitement, willingness, and love.  For 20 years, Buck's entire life, he has been ridden the wrong way.  Now, he is finally able to feel what it is like to be a horse that has fun and enjoys being ridden!

What I am learning is invaluable.  Every time I work with Buck my life changes a little bit more.  To me, this is the only way to manage a horse.  I look back on how I would get a horse to do things before, and it was completely ineffective and dumb.  This is the right way.  This is the way a horse was meant to be used.

From Pie Town Till Now

Hello everyone.

It's been a little while since I last posted because life has been pretty busy.  I've had time to reflect over my experience in Pie Town, NM and I've gotten more out of it than I originally thought.  Last night I had a conversation with a girl who trained reining horses.  Of course with my new knowledge I respectfully probed as to why she followed that method of training with bits, spurs, shoes, etc. when it could all be done naturally.  When she told me it was the only way to get a two year old horse ready to slide 30 feet by the time they were three, I realized she was a corporate horse trainer and no matter what I said she'd throw it back at me.  She was in it for the money and ego, not for the health or enjoyment of the horse.  She had an agenda, and it wasn't a very positive one.  It made me sad for the horses she trained.  A horse that young isn't physically or mentally ready to participate in such demanding circumstances.  She said it was for the clientele...that's supposed to justify it, right?  Wrong.  I don't understand...

I can't say I blame her though.  I've been there before, too.  I rode and worked with horses the only way I knew how--with saddles, bits, spurs, crops, etc.  But now, I do know better and I will never go back.  I can't feel guilty for how I used to work with horses because I didn't know any better until just a year ago.  It ticks my nerve when I attempt to talk to other horse riders about natural horsemanship and they almost get offended I brought it up, or they simply say it's not possible, or only under special circumstances with a lot of time.  My favorite line is, "It's cool, but it's not realistic."  It's like, there is a better way...but some people choose to not see it because they are afraid of being wrong.  But I think that's human nature.  At least I know better now and I wasn't afraid of taking the right step forward, that's what important.  All I can do is help implant the idea of natural horsemanship into other people's minds, and they can do what they want with it. 

 

On the second to last day at Pie Town, a group of six horses and their riders, including me, went on a four and half hour trail ride.  The ride proved its difficulties for Buck in the way that I wouldn't let him walk by a horse he knew, and he got incredibly anxious and bull headed.

Larry and Bubba

We rode most of the way about thirty feet behind the group with Larry and his horse Bubba.  Bubba kicked Buck twice because he was being so obnoxious.  It brought Buck's mind back to the present and he collected himself for a while.  

 

The ride was mostly flat with desert flora.  We did come up to a huge hill, however.  We had to zigzag our way up it in order to get to the other side and finish the ride.  I was riding Buck bareback, and this was the first time I'd have to be in a vertical position on a horse without anything to grip onto.  I was a bit intimidated, but we did it!  I clinged onto Buck's sides with my legs and held onto my Savvy string and his mane and up we went!  We zigzagged the first half, but then Buck decided going straight up was better, so that's what we did.  Buck had a blast!  It really engaged his mind and challenged him in his own way. I think he needs to be taken on more difficult trails because easy ones bore him.

Near the end of the ride we came across a large dried up lake.  It was our chance to run!  I don't think Buck has actually ever galloped with someone on him.  Even in the pastures he usually only hits a fast canter.  Unfortunately, Buck didn't break a canter when I encouraged him to gallop, but he did get going pretty fast.  His eyes lit up and ears went forward.  He was so happy in that moment and so was I.  I think Buck hasn't had much fun in his life and it's turned him into a dull, hard horse.  He needs to have more moments like that.  He deserves it.

 Oh yeah, and Buck and I also went swimming in the large pond at the ranch.  I didn't get pictures of it, but it was a moment that couldn't be captured on camera anyway.  The enjoyment and thrill was with Buck and I.  A camera would have just caught the motion.

When we came back home we immediately started working on the lawn.  So.much.weeding.  I don't think I've ever weeded so much in my life.  But, it was worth it.  I was able to have a really nice BBQ and fire with about 20 of my friends two nights ago.  Being surrounded with so many people that wanted to enjoy my company really made me realize how blessed I am to be living the life I am.

I worked with Buck this morning for the first time since we got back last Saturday...it was a nightmare.  He's turned back into a dominant asshole that keeps intruding in on my space.  I don't want to say we are starting over from square one, but I'll need to begin working with him every morning and night again if I want to get back to where we were.  I hate demographics...I'm just thankful I have the tools to make progress once more.

As a side note, I think my new thing to photograph is snails.  There are so many in my backyard and I find them intriguing.  They are beautiful in their own and the world should start appreciating them more! 

Oh, and before I forget to mention this.  My blood work came back normal for hyperthyroidism.  My pituitary gland is functioning at the high end of normal and they detected swelling somewhere in my body (led to another blood test but they aren't worried about it), but overall, I'm a pretty healthy person.  The doctor said that I may have an underlying anxiety problem which is causing my weight loss, sleeping problems, and other issues.  She directed me to get a melatonin supplement to get sleeping better (totally works) and to start taking care of my emotional-self better.  If things don't change she wants me go back and talk to her about what's going on in my brain.  I feel good about it and the anxiety does make sense. I guess I'll have to start meditating more regularly again!  Shucks ;)

Making Progress

 

On Sunday I watched a front leg and hoof dissection.  I was able to get through it without getting all anxious!  Boy, I am so glad I was able to watch it.  It was so cool seeing how all the ligaments, veins, and blood vessels worked to move the hoof and supply it with blood.  

That evening I was able to discuss holistic feline diets with the wonderful veterinarian who put on the clinic, Tomas Teskey.  I got pretty excited about it...hah.  He is an amazing, calm, and focused individual.  I love what he is doing for animals and the knowledge he is sharing with people.

We finished up the hoof clinic on Sunday, so yesterday was our first day of actual horsemanship training.  Buck is a strong-willed, knuckle headed Appaloosa.  I am actually slightly scared to work with him because A) He is huge B) He turns into a frantic lunatic when he gets separated from his buddies (which is often) and C) He loves NOT respecting my space.  However, yesterday was a success! We had our bumps throughout the day, but overall, he and I did learn a lot about each other and respecting one another's space.  I became pretty discouraged at some points, but the other people at the clinic were great at reminding me I was doing everything right.  When Buck decides to get big and stupid, I have to be four times bigger.  That means if he decides to be 10 feet tall, I have to be 40 feet tall.  If he decided to do his frantic and nervous whinny when he is by himself, I have options and tools to make him move, quiet down, or listen to me.  It is very tiring working with an animal like Buck because he consistently challenges me, but I hope as the days go by it will get easier and more enjoyable.  I hate fighting with him all the time!  Everyone is commenting on how well I am handling him, and it makes me feel so good.  A lot of the time I feel like I'm a failure and am being overly rude to Buck, but in reality, it's exactly what I need to be doing if I want to feel safe and show him it's not okay to act like a blubbering idiot.

I called my doctor yesterday to get the results of my blood test. Her nurse called me back about an hour later and told me I needed to come in to get the results.  I asked her, "Does that mean they aren't normal?" and she responded with, "Most likely not..."  Sooo that leads me to believe if they were normal she would have just said so (that's what all my other doctors have done in the past anyway).  But, I do understand the the HIPA violations associated with released ANY sort of medication information over the phone...so I am going to reserve my anxiety until I go in next Monday.  However, I am pretty nervous about what the results will show.  Who knows, maybe I'm just an anxiety ridden 20 year old!

This morning was incredible!  When I walked into the barn to get Buck he was leaning his head over the panel, staring at me like I was the best thing in the world.  He was obviously waiting for me to take him out.  Three days ago he wouldn't even acknowledge my presence!  As the clinic started I noticed many changes.  Since last night, Buck had thought about and processed yesterday's activities and it had clearly made an impact on his behavior.  There was only one instance when Buck wouldn't give me my space, but it was quickly corrected.  His anxiety is also much lower than it has been as well.  And this is only day two!  I am so excited to see what the next few days bring us.

I am thoroughly enjoying my time in New Mexico.  I was thinking last night how fortunate everyone is to be here.  Even though things in life may not be ideal, such as health, financial problems, relationship issues, etc., the fact that we can be here is incredible.  It is such a unique experience and I am thanking my lucky stars for bringing me to this wonderful place.

An Update From Pie Town, New Mexico

So my mom and I left at 7:00 A.M yesterday with Buck and Tango in tow.  It was supposed to be a 12 hour drive, but it turned more into a 15 hour drive due to some major hiccups along the way.  I was going to drive the truck and trailer for a part of the drive, but the wind was too strong...so instead I slept for about five or six hours.  It was awesome.  The people we were caravaning with ran into some major truck problems.  I felt so bad for them and their horses because they were basically stranded for a good while until Larry (one of the owners of Horse Haven) was able to pick up their horse trailer with his truck.  My mom and I decided to drive to the ranch alone...and we got lost for about an hour.  It was pitch dark outside and there were elk crossing the road everywhere. Talk about terrifying.  Regardless of the issues, however, we arrived in one piece and the horses were so happy to be able to run around and get out of the cramped trailer.  My mom and I were pretty happy to get out of the truck too I think.

Today was the first day of the hoof clinic.  I learned a ton about the anatomy of hooves, and I even got to watch a hoof dissection.  The layers of the hoof are incredible and so intricate.  I gained a lot of appreciation for the self-trimming hoof and natures way of maintaining a horse's hooves.  I had to leave when they started dissecting the leg though because I started feeling really anxious about Foxy's passing and how she broke her leg.  Instead I took a two hour nap which I desperately needed.  Tomorrow is another day full of learning about diseases that effect the hoof and how a good/bad hoof can have an effect on other parts of the body.  On Sunday we will begin the horsemanship segment of the clinic.  I'm really excited for that part!

Horse Haven (where the clinic is taking place) is a beautiful facility. The house is stunning, and the horse facilities are to die for.  Everything is clean and where it should be, the horses are happy, and the people are a joy to be with.  The sky out here is huge!  There was a thunder storm tonight that brought in lightning and a nice cool breeze.  A nice rainbow even formed for part of the evening.  More pictures to come!

 

I still haven't been able to donate plasma.  Last time I went in my resting heart rate was 124 and they informed me I lost 10 pounds, so I decided I needed to go to the doctor.  I told the doctor how I lost weight without intending to do so, I've been feeling exhausted, not sleeping through the night, my heart has been racing and it's been hard to breathe at times, restless legs, plus I've been having hot flashes, amongst some other abnormal things.  The doctor basically told me I have hyperthyroidism (my thyroid is functioning wayyy too fast which is causing these issues).  She took a blood sample and will be testing to verify that I have hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or other issues.  I should get the results on Monday.  I hope the blood work comes back with something...I really don't want to get poked at more!  Being exhausted is by far the most annoying thing.  I seriously feel like I need to sleep ALL THE TIME.  And if I do, I wake up just as tired as I did when I went to sleep.  New Mexico is proving to be difficult so far because of it.  I'm pulling energy out of nowhere it feels like.

 


The sky was beautiful tonight.  Nothing beats the clean air out here and open spaces.  This really is a horse haven!  It's nearly 11:00 P.M and tomorrow is going to be another day filled with knowledge and socializing.  Till next time...
 

The Days are Blurring Together

A lot has changed.  I'm not sure if it's for the better or worse, but it is change.  I'm finally starting to feel like summer has began.  I've been meeting new people, going to movies and hikes, and getting way sunburned.  I seem to forget what day it is on a regular basis and can't believe how quickly the weeks are flying by.

Last Sunday Logan dropped off a bag of things I gave him over the years.  In the bottom was an engagement ring.  I cried for a good two hours after that.  All the emotional bullshit finally hit me.  I am a strong individual, but that really just broke my heart.  I was able to get him to take it back, luckily.  I have no idea what I would have done with it.  I wouldn't of had the heart to sell it, and I couldn't just stick it in a drawer.  I don't know what Logan will do with it, but it sure is gorgeous and I hope it can make someone very happy one day.  I still don't understand why he would have bought a ring and planned on asking me to marry him, and then acted so foolishly.  It just doesn't make sense.

On a brighter note, the animals are adjusting very well.  Puppy and Freckles go outside on a regular basis now and they stay in the yard (for meow).  OJ and the horses are getting along fantastically, too.  We are going to have a barn built within the next month! Sooo excited!
 
My mom and I will be headed to New Mexico in a week.  I wish I was more excited about it, but I am currently so wrapped up in what's been going on with Logan and trying to get comfortable in this house it is exhausting.  Once I'm there I hope I'll be able to let go and focus on what I love--Horses.

I've been spending time with a lot of new people recently.  Guys, of course, since girls seem to think I'm the Black Plague or something -.-  I've met some great people!  I won't mention names, but each of them is very different and it's so refreshing! One of them is very into Buddhism, another is just a sweet, down to earth kind of guy, and a few others are just excellent at making conversation.  I went on a hike yesterday (Holy wow I'm out of shape), and it was so enjoyable!  I wish I had more time to do stuff like that with everyone.  I'm realizing I'm not very good at friend management x.x That's something I'm going to need to work on and hopefully they will stick around until I can figure it out.  

 Eugine finally got his carstache.  At first people are taken back by it, and then they realize what is is and either say, "That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen." or "That is freaking hilarious."  Either way, he looks pimpin'.

There was a beautiful double rainbow the other day.  It is so peaceful out here, especially when it rains.  I love summer, but I wish it would rain more often.

"Double Rainbow, oh my God..."

Well, I suppose that's all.  I currently have a cold so I'm stuck at home until I get better.  I haven't donated plasma at all this week because my heart rate has been too high.  I'm thinking it's because I was dehydrated and now I'm sick.  Hopefully I'll be able to donate again next week! One of my new friends works there so it makes it much more enjoyable...although he did tell me my donation hardly amounts to any life saving quantities, ha.  As long as I still get paid, I don't mind ;)