New Year's Day Ride Part One: Goat Morning and Night Loading

PEACOCKS

These guys do well for us. We have not had the birds long (four or so years), but have produced and thrived. They are lovely birds to have around and lovely to listen to as well.

Our original young pair have produced one male and four females.

Doonie and Dozer prepare for another group holiday ride with the goats on New Year's Day.

Chaundra walked for awhile before doubling up on Pecos.

How do you do this?

Long stirrups for dad's long legs and a long legged horse...

But Pecos is patient...

Kino and Dozer work together.

They have done real well together. 

Dozer enjoys Kino's demeanor and they also share a bit of a dare devil side.

The goats take the parade through Kino's family's land.

Regal joined us on another walk.

Pecos and Chopo are close...

So are Doonie and Dozer.

Curly is still out with the goats every day, rarely taking off early.

Her pups are due January 10.

One more week to go!

Maremma guard watches over the herd.

Regal walks with the goats below.

Dozer works on riding.

Chaundra rides double with mom on Chopo.

Chopo takes good care of his riders in the mud.

Kino and Dozer working on standing on a small hill. Dozer learns to put his feet where his rider asks.

Tracks in the mud.

Mom and Chopo were herding goats across the road and are now watching them as they stream by.

Pretty Maremma light.

Bright.

Back home after the walk mom keeps Chopo from biting Doonie and Dozer. 

He complains with head high, but submits and behaves himself ultimately.

She settles him before dismounting.

Tired white dogs rest a bit in the sun.

Happy.

Dad takes Doonie out for a spin later in the day before dinner.

photo by Dave Thorp

Dad and I ride the horses up the hill while Kino drives the rig up after the party is over.

 We load the horses into the trailer at the top of the hill to haul back to Bernalillo.

Christmas Day Ride: part 3

Batteries charged!

And so here are a few more photos from Christmas.

The holiday weekend began on Christmas Eve as Kino and I hauled the horses out to SunStar via the Santa Fe Farmers Market where we have a booth. The Market is open every weekend this year. 

We took the horses out for a short ride to expand their experiences. 

Dozer was a little unsure of the new City and the curious people. 

Kino kept him calm and Doonie's carefree attitude told him there was nothing really to be concerned about.

Doonie always enjoys a new adventure. 

She seemed to like the Railyard and all the horse-friendly people

The next day everyone gets ready to take the goats out.

Mom and Dad wait on Chopo and Pecos while Dozer gets dressed.

Once out in the plains north of SunStar Dozer relaxes more as the goats settle into peaceful browsing.

Dad reassures Dozer.

I really like this picture.

(of course I always like photos of my little big silly filly running about)

Dozer plays the part of Trail Horse.

photo by Kino Kopelov

Regal joined the walk on this day- too much excitement not to take part.

He enjoyed the sun, the snow, and the goats.

photo by Kino Kopelov

Zuli also enjoyed the sun, the snow and the goats!

photo by Kino Kopelov

I also like this picture. 

Dozer and Chaundra did great together too! 

She is a natural with horses- so secure and sure which Dozer enjoyed as well. 

This wild mustang is becoming a regular horse.

Curly the yellow dog walks by in front of us. 

How many pups is she carrying? We will know in another couple weeks!

Christmas Day Ride: part 2

These are more photos from my dad's camera...

mine is still with dead batteries and I can't seem to find the charger. Oh well, more for another day.

Doonie had a blast with Chaundra!

At the end of the day Alphabet takes a rest on a bale of grass/alfalfa.

While Dozer is led into the horse pen for water (Chopo's pen, not where Doonie and Dozer stayed)...

Out of nowhere Chopo attacked! Dozer takes it very mildly and is little fazed. 

Chopo then turns and comes kicking at Dozer as Kino closes the gate. 

Dozer neither engages Chopo nor tramples Kino. 

The next day Chopo was very sharky- but each threat just seemed to validate Dozer as part of the herd. 

He didn't fight for his mare as Chopo considers her his, and Dozer was in Chopo's territory. 

Dozer seems to be fairly diplomatic...

Guppy rests on a flake of horse feed- Doonie thinks it's a great idea.

A little more work for Dozer and then to the pen. 

Christmas Day Fun!

Christmas Day Ride: part 1

Doonie and Dozer trailered out to SunStar via the Santa Fe Farmers Market. They, along with Guppy and Zuli, made an appearance at the market bringing smiles to some Market Goers faces. 

Zuli rode Doonie a bit and they got a bunch of their pictures taken. 

These and more will be posted in following blogs when I get my camera battery charged.

We all had a great time swapping horses out on the walk today. 

Even Regal came along though we had to be sure to keep him on track when the goats turned back south at the farthest reach of their walk. 

Regal is the grand daddy of Rocky and at 11 years is all but completely blind. 

He has recently given up joining the goat walks as he got lost on a hill a few weeks ago and couldn't figure out how to get home. 

Dad and Regal's seeing eye dog (Yolo) rescued him and he has stayed homebound since. 

But with so much activity today he made the journey. 

It was also Guppy's first goatwalk. She had fun too.

photo by Dave Thorp

Love this shot of my mom that my dad took. 

She and Chopo look so good together and its more than the color coordination.

Chaundra had a good time on Doonie...

And likewise HorseFace had a great time with her!

Smiles.

Speed!

Flight!

More to come when technology cooperates!