A Day In The Life of Louis!

Day Nineteen

2011-09-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Apparently I'm going to be terrible at keeping up with these! I've just been so busy lately, So much has happened!

We have moved to the new facility in Scottsdale where I did have a really big stall until yesterday. But Sam says I'm small so I don't need so much room, so I'm in a smaller stall now. Which is fine I guess, I get to be by my old friend Jack! I used to be by Bingo, who bit me on the butt the first day! I learned to stay away from him when the food comes around... But he's fun to hang out with it otherwise. Dash is here, I haven't seen him in a couple months! And I've met a new friend, Fish!

When we first moved here I had to go to a show for three days! I was tired by the end of it... It was my first I've ever been ridden in, and I've barely had 30 days of training. I told Sam I wasn't ready but she thought I should try anyway. I tried, but I was exhausted. I did pretty good though I think. Except for the trail class she put me in, I've never been over poles before, I thought they were going to eat me!

Here's some video of one of my western pleasure classes, I'm super speedy! But Sam say's that's not a good thing... Oh well, at least I do everything correctly!

What a couple of long hot days. But I haven't been ridden much since then, so at least I got a break. I don't think Sam's happy about that though, I think she's just been too busy to ride me.

Here are some pictures of me at the show, aren't I adorable??

I may be going to another show this weekend... wish me luck if I do!

Day Eighteen

2011-08-12T19:33:00.000-07:00

Day 18:

It’s been a long and awful summer! I was sick for like 3 months! I’ve been fine for over a month now, but it was awful. I’m sorry I complained about being ridden last time, I told Sam I would do anything but be sick again. Of course it wasn’t her fault I got sick. But I’m ready to work now.

I’ve had about 15 good rides I think, and I am trying my hardest to figure out what the heck Sam wants me to do. I’m really smart though, so I’m catching on quickly. My favorite thing to do is stop and back up!

Jack came back to live with me this summer, and we’ve been the best of friends. He has a major crush on Dana, the mare that lives here too. They are always hanging out together when we are in the pasture. They are so boring, I want to play with them but they just want to eat. No fun.

I’m glad to be back everyone!

Day Seventeen

2011-04-18T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ughhhh... I've been so bored lately! Everyone is sick so I've gotta stay in so I don't get sick or get anyone else sick. They moved me into an open stall with Pyro to try and keep us from getting sick. I think we've got a little version of it, but it's not bad.

I do like being out with Pyro though. He's my brother from another mother. We share our food, we play in the sun and sleep in the shade together, and we pick on each other of course. But in a good way. Pyro's bigger than me, but he's a big baby. He tries to boss me around, but it doesn't take much to turn that around and then I'm the BOSS.

Pyro says he's bored too, but there's not much we can do about it until everything clears over. I know one thing, I do NOT like getting my temperature checked. I'm fine! Leave my behind alone!

Until this all blows over, it would be too boring to write anything. And I don't want to lose my devoted audience. :/ To all my fans out there, wish me the best and a safe recovery over here so we can get back to work!

Day Sixteen

2011-03-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

Sorry everyone, I have been real busy watching Sam be busy all the time, so we haven't had much time to work together. But last week I didn't get ridden because I don't think Sam had time, and when she did have time she was trying to get me ready for the show. But that was okay with me!

I am such a good little pony. Friday came and Pyro, Red and I were being groomed and cleaned up. I'm doing much better getting my ears shaved, even though it still tickles! And after I had a bath, I stood perfectly still for over an hour for Judea while she banded my mane. Everyone kept saying how good I was being. Of course, I'll stand still! As long as they don't make me work!

Then Saturday came and I did so good! I stood much better in the classes this time and I got first in 2 year old geldings, Junior Champion, and then I got Reserve Grand Champion out of all the big ponies!! I am just such a stud. :)

I also got first in my lungeline class, but I was only competing against a yearling. She did really good for a yearling being her first time though. She was cute too... Oh sorry, I know I'm too young to be dating. But anyway, Sam said I did really good in that class too. I picked up the correct leads and everything.

We had to wait awhile for the next class, and while we were just sitting around Sam and Michael decided to put cones on my poor little ears. It didn't really bother me too much, but I was worried about looking silly of all the cute fillies. :/

For some reason, all this being good just kind of got boring. In my showmanship class I threw in a little hop while we were jogging. I was just getting a little sick of all this showing, and cones on my ears, and I was the only one in there! Where had all my friends gone? I finished up okay, cause I knew Sam wanted me too. And we got first there too, but that's just because we were the only ones in the class!

So then I got to sit at the trailer the rest of the day. I got really bored and lonely for awhile though, the trailer was blocking me from seeing anyone. So Michael came and lunged me for a bit and I decided that it was better to sit quiet and eat then yell for horses and have to work.

Overall, I think it was a great day. And today it's just quiet here at the barn and I have lots of time to relax and actually sit down and type this out. Awww peace and quiet...

Day Fifteen

2011-03-14T20:47:00.000-07:00

Ok, apparently, in order to be a gentlemen like Jack, I have to carry people around!! Sam rode me today; and though she has before, this time was much more serious. I had to trot around with her and the saddle on me! This is crazy! Am I really going to have to work this much all the time??

It was really hard work. I hope we don’t have to do that a lot. I can’t believe Jack does that all the time. Although, he is a lot bigger than me. That’s what I should say next time they try to throw the saddle on me, “Wait! I’m not big enough!”

Sam said I had to try again tomorrow, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do it. I was tired after today. And I told Sam that when she was riding me. I said, ‘No thanks, I’m tired; let’s be done.’ But did she listen? Noooo. Apparently I’m stubborn and don’t want to do any work. Well... I’ll show them .

Day Fourteen

2011-03-08T20:20:00.000-08:00

Sunday I had my second show. I was so cute! I was last in every class, but you should have seen my competition. They were huge!! Big, giant halter horses. And actual horses, Paints and Quarter horses. I’m just a pony! But I stood out there just as proud as can be! I tried my hardest at showmanship too, but all the other horses were older and wiser than me. But I tried to stand very quiet and good for Sam, even though it got really boring standing out there.

The rest of the show I mostly just sat around and ate my hay. Michael took me out to the arena and lunged me a little bit. I had a blast and even let loose a couple bucks. It was great to be in there in all the excitement of everyone getting ready for their class. Soon that will be me!

Yesterday was windy, so I just lay around and napped all day. Today Michael made me go through this scary white curtain that was blowing around. I went through it, but I sure didn’t want to. Eventually I calmed down, but I think I’ve got too much energy. Sam says she’s cutting back my alfalfa. I’m a little bummed about that, but I definitely feel more explosive lately. Every time I get lunged I just want to run and jump and go crazy. It’s a little too much energy to hold pent up all the time.

Jack going through that crazy curtain!

I definitely don’t mind being roped anymore. They’ve been throwing that darn rope all over me. I get it already, I don’t care about the rope! Stop throwing it at me!

Jack showin' off

Day Thirteen

2011-03-04T20:51:00.000-08:00

Day Twelve

2011-03-04T20:37:00.000-08:00

I really like it here at the new place. I got worked in the round pen today and realized how fat I have gotten. I was really excited when we started out, and two seconds later I was wiped out. It didn’t take long for me to start huffing and puffing and breaking a sweating. So when I was done, Sam rinsed me off.

Michael worked Jack in the round pen and saddled him up. Sam just led me around like a dog. I’m not sure if she knows I’m a horse... But it was fun to watch Jack and Michael work. And at least I got to be included in everything. I stood by Sam and just waited for them to be done.

Then this other guy came in and started teaching Sam and Michael how to rope. I just stood in the arena and watched. They let go of my lead rope, but I didn’t have anywhere better to be, so I just hung out and watched. I tried to walk over to Michael and see what he was doing, but he just told me to stand still. So I did. Sam and Michael looked silly fumbling around with their ropes.

Sam finally put me back in my stall so I could eat dinner. I said bye to Jack and hello to dinner. Hopefully I get to start doing more than standing around and watching. I can’t wait to be all trained like Jack.

Day Eleven

2011-03-02T21:15:00.000-08:00

Things have been slow lately, it’s been too wet to really do anything. But today Jack and I moved to where Sam works. I have made lots of friends here already, like Red, the POA right next to me. He’s a little older than Jack and just as wise.

Jack had a lot of energy today, probably cause he was in a stall for awhile. He ran around in the round pen like crazy, then stirred up his stall mates a little. But he called to me and said he was getting along well with them, just had so much energy being somewhere new! He chased a cow today and said he had a blast.

Michael worked me in the round pen a little. Its much easier to pick up the right lead in there. I’m getting a little chubby, it was hard work! And I was out of breath quickly.

There’s more noise here, a lot more horses talking to each other around me. But Red said I’ll get used to it, everyone’s really friendly here. It might be hard to get some sleep my first night here...

Day Ten

2011-02-21T17:38:00.000-08:00

It wasn’t a very busy week for me, but I did get my feet trimmed up. I was scared at first cause I didn’t know the man that came in my stall. I thought he was stealing me! But he turned out to be nice, and now my hooves are nice and smooth!

Today it’s raining and windy. I’m think I’m going to curl up and take a nice little nap after this.

The other day Sam and Michael came by and we got to play a little. My showmanship is really improving! Then the dogs came and played with me for a little bit. They tried to kiss me right on the nose! Gross! Girl cooties!

Day Nine

2011-02-12T19:06:00.000-08:00

What a busy day! My first show to be entered in! But I wasn’t nervous at all, I was ready. Michael got me all cleaned up and ready to go. I knew I was going to blow that halter class out of the water!

I was very quiet and attentive in the class. I moved a little bit, but I didn’t realize Sam wanted me to stand totally still... This lady was walking around and scrutinizing me, it made me a little nervous. But they announced the placing, and I got 1st! Of course, I was the only one in that class, but still...

Then I had to go back in to compete against the other ponies that had placed in the top 2 in their classes. And I stood really good that time. I was so excited when I got called for 2nd! And this time it was against a lot more horses. Reserve Grand Champion Gelding. And I’m only 2 years old! I am so cute. :)

The rest of the day was pretty boring. I walked around a little, ate my hay and stood tied to the trailer. I was patient and waited for Sam and Michael to be done for the day. I did have one embarrassing incident...

I had a terrible itch on my cheek, and tried scratching it on the trailer door. But my halter got stuck on the door hinge! I couldn’t move! I panicked and tried pulling back, but that only made it more stuck. So I tried to relax and think of how to get out of this situation. Michael had just got back from bringing me water and he untied me really quick, but I was still stuck. I tried pulling back again but it really wasn’t working. Michael was pulling hard at the halter, but it was really stuck! Finally he pulled hard on the halter latch and it finally came free. I flew backwards, freedom!! Sam had showed up by now and they both pet me lots and said I was silly for getting stuck. I suppose I was. I decided to stand perfectly still at the trailer from now on.

Finally we were loaded back up and taken home. I told Jack all about my eventful day when I got home. I’m gonna sleep good tonight!

Day Eight

2011-02-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

What a long boring week it has been. There was irrigation all week so we didn’t have anywhere to work. Jack and I just chatted back forth in the lonesome area of our stalls.

Jack is an interesting old character. The years he spent with his old owner learning how to jump after coming off the racetrack. I knew he cared for his old owner by the way he described her. She had a gentle hand and trained him well. He described his two solitary years in a small back yard when his owner became ill. The loneliness sounded terrible, but he said he always tried to seem cheerful for the woman. He was glad when she finally turned him over to Sam though, so that he could finally do something. He didn’t feel like Sam owned him, but he felt like he got to be his own man, and he was useful for something. He described the way he jumped with Sydney, and I could tell he loved that sport.

Finally today Sam and Michael came and pulled me out of the stall. They clipped my whiskers off again, and said I looked like a gentlemen. I was sick of these clippers, they tickled my ears and my legs! It didn’t take long though and soon I was in the wash rack and getting a bath. The water was freezing!

After I was all squeaky clean Sydney banded my mane. I didn’t know that was what it was called, she had to explain what she was doing. I got really bored and kept moving around. I couldn’t help it, I couldn’t stand still foreverrrr.

I can’t wait for my first horse show tomorrow! I’m all snuggled in my jammies in my stall so I don’t get dirty. Jack says I look silly, but he’s just jealous cause I get to go somewhere tomorrow and he doesn’t.

Day Seven

2011-02-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

There’s been irrigation at home, so Sam and Michael took Jack and I to their barn yesterday to play. It was a beautiful warm day, and the place was so big and nice! Michael let me roam in a round pen, and I thought, ‘What a perfect place to take a nap!’. So that’s what I did. I lay right down and took a good 20 minute nap. But then people kept coming over and looking at me, and you can’t sleep very well when that happens. So I finally got up.

Michael came in and I got to do some work in the round pen, but I was still sleepy from my nap. I could tell Michael wasn’t very happy with me because I didn’t really want to move, but I couldn’t help it! I was sleepy!

Jack got to play for awhile while I had to stand tied by the trailer. I didn’t mind at first, but I was there forever! So I started getting jealous, and I told them so. I told them to bring Jack back or to come and get me! Sam came and untied me and I at least got to go stand by the fence with them. Eventually, Sam handed me over to Michael in the big arena, and he let me loose. But I didn’t know what to do in there! All I wanted to do was be included. I didn’t want to be by myself in there! I knew Michael was in there, but I didn’t know what he wanted me to do!

I didn’t have to stay in there long. I think they knew I was confused. So they took me back to the trailer, loaded Jack and I up, and we went home. I couldn’t wait to get back to sleep!

Day Six

2011-02-04T20:22:00.000-08:00

Sooooo, todayyy, was pretty uneventful! Sam and Michael came by to make me work, but I had a little plan up my sleeve...irrigate the yard! Muahahahah! So I didn't have to do anything, andddd I got some new yummy grain, andddd got brushed! I fooled them. I won. Silly Humans!

Me at My First Show.... Just Sayin'... "I'm Gorgeous!"

Day Five

2011-02-03T18:53:00.000-08:00

What'chu talkin' 'bout Willis?

I’m sick of Jack picking on me all day. :( He’s not mean, but he’s always herding me around. I’m not a cow! I may be small, but I still have feelings. Leave me alone big brother.

I’ve told him that, but he’s not listening. I’ll give him a good kick one of these days. Just wait til I get bigger...

Sam clipped my ears for the first time today. It tickled in

certain spots, but it wasn’t that bad. Now that I’ve got a clean shave I need a bath! But it was too cold today. It’s getting cold out, so I’m gonna go curl up in my blankets now. Goodnight world!

I'm So Fly

Day Four

2011-02-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

Ok, I thought it was windy out yesterday, I was wrong! It was really windy today. I was getting used to it though. Still having a hard time with that right lead on the lunge-line, it’s so difficult. Don’t they know my body doesn’t bend that way? It’s so much easier to stay on the left lead all the time.

I think Sam and Michael were cold too so we didn’t do much today. Michael’s dad came out today too, he was nice. He pet me lots and said I was cute. Well duhhhhh....

They stuck Cinch, their puppy on top of me. I mean seriously guys, I’m not a couch. But I stood patiently. They gave me sugar cubes so I was happy. And I got a warmer blanket today so it’s not so cold! Hopefully it doesn’t stay cold for long.

Cinch was scared, stupid puppy, I don't know why, I LOVE DOGS!

Cinch warmed up to me, I AM pretty cute!

Day Three

2011-02-01T19:56:00.000-08:00

It was soooo windy out today! These guys were crazy, it was too windy to be out and working! There was stuff blowing everywhere, I thought something might eat me! I kept my eye out for stuff while Michael was lunging me. I guess I wasn’t really paying attention because he kept saying I was getting the wrong lead. But there was so much stuff blowing around, I couldn’t keep my eyes off everything or it might get me!

Sam just worked on some showmanship with me today. I am getting really good with that, and the wind stopped bothering me after a little while. I squared up and I am getting better at my turns! I am so smart.

It was still cold though, so I was glad when they put me back and put my blanket back on. Brrr!

Michael trying to make me smile even though it was windy.

Day Two

2011-01-31T19:08:00.000-08:00

Day 2:

Thank goodness things were easier today because I just was not in the mood. Yesterday was hard enough, and there was weird weather today; rainy and windy one minute then sunny and clear the next. I just wanted to ignore everything and hide in my stall. But Sam and Michael showed up anyway so I had to go along with it.

Sam just hopped right on after a little warm up, and that threw me off a little. A little grace please! Geez. I tell ya, I was just not in the mood.

But I walked right away, and turned when she wanted me too. Then I think she was teaching me to move my hips around in order to stop. At first I was a little off balance and not sure where she was pulling me, but I figured out. Geez lady, stop pulling on me already. I got it, I got it. I kept trying to go near Michael, I knew he would probably have food hidden up his sleeve somewhere...

Luckily Sam didn’t stay on very long. I think she was happy with how I was doing. I was just happy because I finally got to go back to my stall and get my much deserved apple. I need a nap so I’m not so grumpy tomorrow.

Day One

2011-01-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

Jack and I

Today was a colder day, so I was excited when I got turned out with my best bud again. I hope I get as big as Jack some day, he’s good at everything. He beats me running to the fence every time and he’s so tall he can reach over the fence to tell those other horses to get away from our grass.

When Michael and Sam got here, I was even happier. What a lovely day to learn something. I got my right lead (that lead is so darn difficult), fairly quickly on the lunge-line. My left side was a breeze as always. Sam says I haven’t built up enough muscle and it’s hard to help me put my body in the right position to pick up the right lead on a lunge-line, so they are patient with me. (By the way, I know all these things that humans say because I’m very smart. The most intellectual pony you could ever meet.)

Today, after our lunge-line warm-up, they put the lead rope around both sides of the halter and we did some ground work. I am really good at that stuff, I bring my head right away and step my shoulder over or move my hips around whenever they ask. I am very perceptive. :)

Then Sam got the step stool and climbed on both sides of me, just like yesterday. I stood very still for this, to make it easier. But then, Sam asked me something she had never asked before! At first I was confused... she usually only clucked to me on the ground, and that meant go forward. Surely she didn’t mean go forward while carrying her?? What was I, a donkey??

So I tried to take some steps forward. That satisfied her, she stopped clucking and pet my neck. So I kept trying to go forward for her. It was tough, my legs felt wobbly trying to move around with something big moving on top of me. But I got better at it. I was perplexed again when she picked up on the lead rope and asked for me to turn and move my hips from up there, but she was patient and waited until I figured it out.

Once I started to get the hang of it, she got off me. Michael gave me a sugar cube, so I guess I did something right!!

Sam and I