August 8 2002Hi, Dale & Susan
Just a note about our first ride today and then I won't bore you with blow-by-blow updates.
What a boy, Mr. Cooperative and all business, no silliness even after these couple of weeks off.
His only infraction was trying to snub a little eats on the way.
He seemed to enjoy seeing something other than his corral and having a job was good for him.
I rode in that low port curb bit, Dale, but plan to put my snaffle on tomorrow.
I think we'll venture out on trail rather than hanging around here.
These beautiful Indian Summer days and cool evenings are great riding, plus fields have been harvested so we can easily cover more country.
If all continues to go well tomorrow Gunner will get a partner to pasture with (our older gelding) although the mares need a couple more days to settle down about the new guy.
Gunner's doing really well in the corral coming up to us, getting stroked and following with intermittent rewards.
I'm pleased with his progress on that score and think that having a little freedom in the field with the same intermittent contact will be a good thing.
It was great being on him today and I'm looking forward to taking him out again tomorrow.
Thanks for forwarding the sale photo. We enjoyed that. Susan, can we purchase a copy?
With warm regards,
Gayle Kiser
September 26 2002Dear Dale and Susan
It's been a month since we picked up Gunner. I thought you might be interested in hearing how things have been going.
It'll be hard to summarize because we've been having such a good time together, logging many miles as we get better acquainted.
First, the catching problem never became an issue here.
After the 3rd day Gunner knew the drill and he actually sought our company following us around the place.
Now he's often the first horse to come in when called and frequently accompanies me when I'm doing chores.
He trailers like a gentleman, likes grooming and attention, is grateful for the occasional mash or treat while remembering his manners and not pushing his trip.
Turnout with our mares and elder gelding was pretty much a non-event after they sniffed noses over paddock fences for a week.
Pasture turnout now involves a lot of cavorting and friendly play.
The elder statesman makes ugly faces trying to control the antics but Gunner and girls think they are hot stuff.
Still, Gunner sports a bite mark on his hip and one on his neck.
Alpha mare Drifty does a Delilah routine telling him what wonderful music they could make together and then chomps him just to let him know what she's made of.
I think he's falling less for this routine than he used to.
He gets along with all the horses we've ridden with, and is never a problem in a group.
After letting him settle in for a couple of days we took our first ride of an hour. He was alert but congenial and cooperative.
Since that day we've had a dozen 3-hour plus rides and several jaunts, one out alone.
He handles every challenge but still finds boogedies in any kind of rock formation (of which there are many in this country) and he dislikes crossing RR tracks.
So far I'm purposely avoiding live trains but ride along an old siding in a lovely valley.
He about turned inside out when we rode by a nasty, horse-hating llama who runs the fence line growling and spitting at anything equine.
Not to say he won't do what's asked, it's just that he gives those things a triple take, wide berth, and occasionally requires extra urging.
Knowing these boogedies I have to be careful not to communicate my own nervousness when I know they're approaching.
I rode him out once alone but wish to do more as we continue to build trust.
Last Saturday we had a blast on our first real trial-by-fire ride. I joined 5 seasoned cowgirl friends on a federal game reserve near Colville where we went to bring down 80 cow-calf pairs from summer pasture.
Gunner was so fun.
As soon as we saddled up we heard 20 cows bawling from the wrong side of a cattle guard and immediately went after them through brushy woods to turn them back.
It was a lot to ask on short notice but Gunner acted like he'd seen cows all his life and knew the drill.
Five hours and miles later, cowgirls decided to play.
We galloped woodsy trails and jumped a few logs.
Gunner and his l-o-n-g legs out walked, trotted and galloped everyone and still had energy to spare.
Had a tough time hauling him in because he really wanted to tear.
At the same time it was fun to find out what letting him go meant (and so satisfying to find his brakes!) within the safety of our group.
His gallop still intimidates me in power and distance of stride.
Getting to love his collected lope and extended trot, but he covers ground so fast I really have to think ahead!
I'm not a jumper; we may not have been beautiful in form getting over those logs, but the horse knows he can, and I think he truly loved the day.
We'll continue to trail ride even after snow falls. Hope to do some lessons in the arena next spring to refine our communications.
He's been a delight and I am so happy to have him here and to be back in the saddle again.
He's already well loved. I know you talk with W. Butler on occasion; feel free to pass this on.
As far as we're concerned Gunner's found a forever home.
One of these days I'll tune up the camera and send a picture your way.
Hoping this finds you happy and doing well,
Gayle Kiser
March 23, 2004RIDING!!!!! Yes!!!!! First, have to say that we adore Gunner, all of us--dogs, cats, Larry, his QH mare.
I lost my 32-yr-old Saddlebred last January. Had him since he was 2 and rode him up to 6 months of his death, so the loss is still indescribable.
The good news is that all my love and attention now goes to Gunner, and he does NOT seem to mind.
I t hink he's one of the best things that has happened to me. He's so level and willing.
He also has one of the silliest senses of humor I've seen in an equine.
You can see his mind playing with ideas--his favorite thing is to follow me when I'm on the end of a manure fork and find ways to walk off with the fork when I'm not looking.
He has some of the most AERIAL pasture play antics I've seen--bucking, rearing, hi-ho-silvering, yet NEVER pulls anything under saddle.
He' s in excellent health and condition, his feet need regular care, but I think he's darned happy here.
I know Dale sees Gunner's owner from time to time. Please let him know the horse landed in a good spot.
One of these days I'm going to write him in search of copies of Gunner's "family" photos.
Snow vanished and we're tuning up. Shoes go on next week. We trailered out and rode from home lots last year.
There's a 640-acre nature reserve 2 miles from our place and it's a place we find peace and solace on horseback.
It took me a season, really, to get over my fear of getting hurt after that paint mare I tried out went ballistic and broke my hand.
But we're neighbors to a western sport barn and a woman trainer-friend there helped me get my mojo back; Gunner and I had a wonderful summer and fall.
Looking forward to our big adventure this year which will be a 120 mile ride from Asotin WA to Joseph OR with 100 riders in July.
Seven days, following the rim of Hells Canyon, across Grand Ronde and along the Wallowas.
Camp each night on private property. Chuck wagon, shower trailer (!yay!), and gear haulers meet up with us each night so all we have to
do is take care of our horses, ourselves, and ride, ride, ride. Elevation changes go from 600' to almost 6000' so we want to be fit and do some hill climbing around here this spring.
It' s not a competitive ride so time is not really an issue. A vet, farrier and MD accompany the group. On the last day we ride into Joseph and join in their Rodeo Days Parade.
Group attends rodeo together before heading home. Sound fun? We're so excited.
Well, you get me talking about these horses and I can't seem to shut up!
Keep up the good work on your site, it's fun to check in on you periodically.
Wish you a wonderful spring and many happy trails--
With warm regards,
Gayle & Gunner Kiser *S*
July 30, 2004WE DID IT!
6 days of camp, 120 miles, 115 riders, 600-6000' elevations and incredibly beautiful country with physically, mentally and emotionally challenging sections to cover.
Hells Canyon, Weisenthal Ridge, Snake & Grand Ronde Rivers, Joseph OR parade and rodeo.
Ya-hoo!
Gayle Kiser
 |
 |
 |
© Copyright 2007 Reproduction of any content in this web site is strictly prohibited.
Web Site Designed and Maintained by www.naturesstudio.com