visitors

The day started grey and chilly. The wind wasn't too strong. We took it easy today 'cause of the weather. All we did in the morning was cleaning tack. Linda went to town 'cause she forgot to pick up the blinders yesterday. I was in the mood to go for a walk in the bush, so I suggested a walk to the lake. While Svenja, the farm stay girl from Germany, was talking on the phone with her mother I filled up the water troughs. Then we put the ponies out in the outdoor arena. Linda kept an eye on them so we could go for our walk. There were a lot of tracks : moose, dogs and WOLF ! We also saw a lot of poop: moose, porcupine, deer and one I don't know. Soon I will go for another walk, this time in the other direction. Maybe I will find some more tracks there ;D

cowgirl..

It's pretty windy today and chilly which is not much fun to work with the horses. So we decited to go to town. I had to apply for my social insurence number. Aaaand... I bought a cowboy hat :) it also has a string (real horse hair) attached to it so I won't loose it when I ride fast ;) I am so excited ! There is only one thing I still need : wrangler jeans. Then my outfit will be complete. Dudes, watch out here comes the cowgirl :D
I will check on Kidd later and see how his leg is. Maybe I will do the bloody acupuncture...

CANADA !

I am back in Canada ! It is great to be here again. I missed it more then I thought I do... There were no problems at the border. Immigration didn't give me any problems with the work permit. I got it even longer then I thought I would. Could be useful maybe :) Currently I am in Edson at Linda's place. We have a good time visiting all the animals, see old friends like Cruiser, Kidd... again. Unfortunatly Kidd injured himself. Poor guy, he is limping :( I suggested to do lymphatic drainage to support the healing which I will do soon. In the afternoon we will vaccinate the pregnant mares and will do some more stuff I guess. The chicken mafia is still pretty active. They went up a tree yesterday, must be more comfortable then be in the coop. Funny birds....

travel day

Tomorrow is the big day ! My journey begins at 7 am at Zurich Airport. The first flight goes to Frankfurt, from there to Toronto and finally to Edmonton. It will be a loooong day. 15 hours in total on the road ! Oh well, I could sleep in the plane if I am tired :) I hope there are good movies on the plane. I also have music with me and several books to read.
Today in the evening I will check in my two suitcases. Talk to you as soon as I am there and settled in...

Lesson with Birgit

I met Birgit yesterday at Geronimo's barn where she gave me a lesson in ground work (leading and lunging).
Everytime when I started to lunge Geronimo after a longer break he starts to act stupid and does all kind of things so he doesn't have to work on the lunge line. This time as well. So we got the full version of his avoid work-behavier which was good so Birgit got a good picture where our problem is. He already started acting stupid when I wanted to lead him around the arena on the right side. We ended up leading one person left and right. Still, he tried to kick, blow through the shoulder, run away or once the thought about rearing. So we were pretty busy ! Same deal, when I wanted to lunge him. Brat !! Well, we did the same here, two persons work with him, me on the outside leading him and Birgit in the lunging position. Geronimo tried his things to do, a few times he won but we won most of the time :) When he finally understood it didn't work anymore he gave in, chewed and stretched down. At this point we stopped and awarded him.
It was hard work but we could show him it's easier when he works with us not against us.
This was my last ground work session with Geronimo. We will go for our last trail ride today :(

countdown...

It was my last day at the office today. Yeah ! The countdown is on now. :) In 10 days I will take the plane to Edmonton.
In the meantime I will enjoy my days off, have a lession with Birgit on Easter Monday, a few other appointements, lunch with my friend Patty and finally get my suitcases ready. With other words: REAL life starts again ;D CANADA, watch out here I come soon !

it's getting closer and closer

In the meantime I got my work permit, my plane tickets, quit my job at the office and bought western shirts and cowboy boots. All I need are jeans for riding and a cowboy hat. I decided to buy them in Canada.
So, I still have to work 8 days at the office. I can't wait til it's my last day of work ! Then, I can enjoy a few days off. Geronimo and I will have a lession with Birgit on Easter Monday. I look forward to it. It will be awesome ! ;)