Diesel in his first week driving

Diesel is pulling the cart around now! Glad, because it was so heavy for me to lug around during his ground training. With the open bridle and the blinker bridle, I have been pulling the cart with one hand while I long-lined him with the other so that he could get used to the noise following him.

Now that he's driving, it's HIS job to pull the cart. When I sit in it, my weight balances the cart so that it is much lighter. Yesterday we ventured out of the arena in the cart for the first time, and he was very well behaved. In the video above, we are practicing his slow trot and extended trot.

Photos of Heather Driving

Kristine Fisher was at our barn for a photo session and took some BEAUTIFUL photos of Heather (the Fjord pictured below) and I driving! Click here to see them. This weekend Heather and Rain, my Morab mare, will attend a fun show that features all obstacle driving classes.

Heather Arrives

Isn't she beautiful!

Heather, a 10 year old Fjord mare, arrived on Thursday. I will keep her in shape, and practice with her for 3 weeks, and then I'll compete with her at the Columbus Carriage Classic in Columbus, Wisconsin in June. It will be Heather's first show.

She is owned by Patti Jo Walter, and Patti really did a nice job of finishing her. This horse drives beautifully. Patti needed surgery on her knee, or she would have been showing her at Columbus herself. (Click on the purple words above to find out more.)

Diesel LOVES to be bridled

One of Diesel's favorite things is when I bring out the bridle! I actually can't leave it lying around, because he will try to put it on himself. This enthusiasm came from carrot treats, no doubt. Hopefully he will feel the same way about the cart and be very happy when he gets hitched to it.

Diesel's Progress

Diesel has been line-driving in the indoor arena very nicely, with an open bridle and with the blinker bridle as well. He is comfortable with either bridle dragging a tire, a PVC pipe, and the noisy septic tube while practicing all the gaits and commands.
A couple of days ago I decided to take him outside. At first he forgot everything, but within a few minutes he was driving like a pro! This video (below) is sort of long, almost 5 minutes. It shows him turning easily, standing well (notice all the GREEN GRASS that he is not eating!), and backing.

* Two days later, I had my dad (Wes Licht) out to assist with Diesel's first hitching to the cart! It went very well. Diesel did a few rounds at walk and trot, got a few carrot treats along the way, and we unhitched.

Harper riding Rainy

Harper , age 2, LOVES horses. Harper is my very dear friend. I was her nanny for a year, watching her through many milestones such as taking her first steps, first words, and saying my name :). Before she could walk, it became apparent that she was into horses. She woke up early from a nap one day while I had a video of Reiner Klimke playing, and she was RIVETED. These days she watches a Parelli promotional DVD each night before bed. She's very serious about it all.

This May Harper received a special gift from her Grandpa: her very own saddle! Yesterday Harper rode in her new saddle on Rainy sitting up there all by herself. When I asked Harper different questions, she usually answered with the word "faster." Click on the photos to enlarge them. Click the "play" arrows to see the videos.Here we are riding together with no saddle. We use a saddle pad so it's more comfortable for everyone. Harper has been riding horses with me this way since she was not quite 1 1/2 years old.

Diesel the Mule - early training

Diesel is an adorable pony mule that I have in for training to ride and drive. Here he is about 3 1/2 weeks in, and he's looking more fit and less furry.
This video is from day 9 of our training together. Here he's dragging a noisy septic tube, and wearing a bridle. I have the longe line attached to the halter, not the bit. I like them to get used to lots of different things "following" them, so when the cart follows them it will be no big deal. Diesel noticed that I wasn't able to hold the whip properly, and is taking advantage of that while I film with one hand.
Here is Diesel, again on the ninth day of training, and he's giving his first ride! This is my assistant, Slim Jim. Jim stays on through most things, and you can see he's a very relaxed rider. Jim rides while we practice long lining, too. Then when it's time for the real dummy to get on, (guess who that is), the horse is already accustomed to seeing somebody up there. Jim is made out of swim noodles and duct tape.

Currently we are beginning week 4, and Diesel does a nice job of walk and trot under saddle (carrying me now), and has been doing more driving focused training with "cart play", the blinker bridle, dragging poles and other things around.

Rowdy and Rainy - clips from their first DVD

These are from a DVD I made with Requisite Variety last year in July. You may notice in the first one that Rainy (my gray mare) is not stepping under her body fully. Since the filming, I began to use massage with my horses (with guidance from Barb Riffle,) and have noticed a dramatic improvement in their movement and attitude. Of course, who wouldn't benefit from a couple of massages each week?
Thanks to my parents, especially dad (Wes Licht,) who brought me up with horses and ponies as part of our lives. My dad's father taught him to ride and work with horses at a young age as well.
This last one features Rainy in her Fairytale costume. She is a Unicorn, I'm a Princess, and I'm carrying a Frog Prince sitting on a little throne. Can you can figure out what makes the Frog move?
It ends with Rowdy pulling a sled on one of the rare snowy days last year. It was remarkably cold that day.

Absolutely Art's Mural in Progress

Each year Absolutely Art will have a new mural on their back wall. I got the opportunity to paint the mural for 2008! Above are photos of the wall before I primed it with a dark brown color.











Click the "Play" arrows to see the video clips.

Party and Mural Unveiling on Gallery Night at Absolutely Art

Enjoyed friends, music, and seeing the new work at gallery night. Each month at Absolutely Art they feature a different artist. Tom Robichaud and Don Issacson provided lively music through that evening.




Don't miss Short Stories, a Gloria Van Dixhorn exhibition at Absolutely Art, 2322 Atwood Avenue, in Madison Wisconsin, 53704. (608)248-9100
Her show will run through the month of May.
While you are there you can grab a latte next door at Cafe Zoma, and check out my new mural in the courtyard.

Here are Tom Robichaud and Don Issacson livening up the scene at Absolutely Art.

New Sock Puppets for my friend Erin