Some good news on the fires. The Fort Collins fire is gradually becoming contained. Some of the people who were evacuated over 2 weeks ago are finally being able to go up into some of the canyons, but many many homes were destroyed in these areas and it was sad to watch people waiting in line in their cars to be allowed to drive 'home.' The ones whose homes are gone already have been told, but as they say, you have to see it for yourself. Imagine being evacuated in an emergency, waiting for weeks and then being allowed to return to wreckage. Long drawn out torture.
Boulder fire seems to be under control and contained up on the mountain. Less wind and more rain would be nice.
The Colorado Springs fire is just an escalating nightmare as the fire burns its way into the northern part of the city. The last I heard the Air Force Academy was trying to defend itself with bulldozers - good luck with that. The north suburb has lost hundreds of homes, others look safe, but the fire changes direction all the time. There is less smoke today so it is easier to see the area.
Horses...... Nina.
Poor Nina has not been out of her pen for 8 days. And while I had vague hopes that 100 degrees might give her a hint to just calm down - Nope. Actually I just didn't have any energy and was hoping. I never did make it out to the barn yesterday, the days kept piling up.
But Nina is improving. I don't know exactly why but her bad habits are quietly being pushed into the background.
I hosed her off before tacking up and she was quiet until she was 90% done. When I walked her to the round pen she started prancing and stepped on the edge of my boot - I chewed her out a bit and she settled until I closed the gate and took her lead rope off. She did her tearing around thing for a few minutes. I went to get my helmet and when I came back she was eager to greet me and stood quietly while I slipped her bridle on. Then she trotted around a bit, stiff legged like she gets with worry, but only for a few minutes.
Really not bad considering being cooped up for a week after only being ridden for a few days and her apprehension at being ridden.
I felt a little bad when I got on - no energy, remember - I clipped her on the butt with my boot. She did look over her shoulder at that but did not move.
Then I only rode her for about 10 minutes and she launched into a big swinging trot and was so nice to sit on.
Something has clicked for us and it feels like all the bad behavior and nervous resistance have moved into the category of minor obstacles to be dealt with so we can move on to fun things, instead of those issues being all there is.
Boulder fire seems to be under control and contained up on the mountain. Less wind and more rain would be nice.
 |
| Colorado Springs |
Horses...... Nina.
Poor Nina has not been out of her pen for 8 days. And while I had vague hopes that 100 degrees might give her a hint to just calm down - Nope. Actually I just didn't have any energy and was hoping. I never did make it out to the barn yesterday, the days kept piling up.
But Nina is improving. I don't know exactly why but her bad habits are quietly being pushed into the background.
I hosed her off before tacking up and she was quiet until she was 90% done. When I walked her to the round pen she started prancing and stepped on the edge of my boot - I chewed her out a bit and she settled until I closed the gate and took her lead rope off. She did her tearing around thing for a few minutes. I went to get my helmet and when I came back she was eager to greet me and stood quietly while I slipped her bridle on. Then she trotted around a bit, stiff legged like she gets with worry, but only for a few minutes.
Really not bad considering being cooped up for a week after only being ridden for a few days and her apprehension at being ridden.
I felt a little bad when I got on - no energy, remember - I clipped her on the butt with my boot. She did look over her shoulder at that but did not move.
Then I only rode her for about 10 minutes and she launched into a big swinging trot and was so nice to sit on.
Something has clicked for us and it feels like all the bad behavior and nervous resistance have moved into the category of minor obstacles to be dealt with so we can move on to fun things, instead of those issues being all there is.
The fires are so scary... hope it's over soon.
ReplyDeleteI hope the fires are all out soon! So sad.
ReplyDeleteI think maybe Nina has really missed you and missed having something to do. What a crazy time--heat, fires, and all. I hope things settle down for you all soon.
Hope things get better soon.
ReplyDeleteI lived in Colorado at two different points in my life. I still have a lot of friends in the Springs area. Luckily, they don't live in the part of town that was damaged and/or threatened by the Waldo Canyon fire. I watched the live feed on KKTV the night that it really got out of control and burned neighborhoods down :( I have a friend that lives on the Academy too and keeps both her horses at the barn there. There are A LOT of horses at that barn. Thankfully they were all evacuated the Sunday before the fire really blew up!
ReplyDelete